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Cell Phones The Savior Or Not!

Red Hot Chili Peppers and Shakira Top '2006 MTV Music Awards' Nominations With Seven Each Madonna and Panic! At The Disco Follow With Five Nominations Each, Christina Aguilera Grabs Four Nods

Paul McCartney To Release New Classical Work 'Ecce Cor Meum'

Janet Jackson Changes Title of New Album

Country Music Superstar Vince Gill, Academy of Country Music and the Home Depot to Build New Playground in New Orleans

Maxell Announces X Game Event Promotions and Activities

HSN'S Joy Mangano Acheives Milestone With Sale Of 100,000,000th Huggable Hanger  

 ZoomAlbum(TM) Available for Mac OS 

Great To Be Nominated" Visited by  "The Exorcist"

Time Out New York On Demand Launches www.timeoutnewyork.tv  

Sean 'Diddy' Combs Launches #1 'Unforgivable' Fragrance in France With a 2 Day Celebration in St. Tropez - 

Live Nation to Acquire Majority Stake in Musictoday, Continuing Its Expansion Into Complementary Live Concert Business Lines

Mitsubishi to Make SIRIUS Satellite Radio Standard or Factory Option on
All Models in 2007

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Rolls Out the Red Carpet for a Special Hometown Screening of 'Bring It On: All or Nothing'

You Know What Time It Is! The #1 Rated Series on VH1 Is Back for Another Season as 'Flavor of Love 2' Premieres Sunday, August 6 At 10pm

World Premiere of STEP UP

_____________________________________________________ 

I have attended event after event where cell phones eventually come up in the discussion as the savior of that industry .

Television production companies, record producers, motion picture companies they all see cell phones as their saviors.

It is a market that each feels can be cultivated to their advantage.

Everyone down to newborns have cell phones today. With each day the capabilities of a cell phone increase.

The picture quality of the internal cameras is better, the storage capabilities of the phones has been increased.

Major companies are setting up their own pod casting networks to download their material to cell phones.

Everyone is climbing on the cell phone band wagon.

It can be used for advertising, putting up material that people would not pay to see to begin with, ridding their inventories.

In other words the answer to every media company financial problems, “The GOLDEN FLEECE.”

Unfortunately as I have also heard ,the same people that when they were very young first made a mess of the feature film industry then later, television, radio, magazines, records, Cds, Newspapers and now DVD’s are those plotting the future of cell phones.

They have not taken in to account that there are already to many IPODS on the market that already do what they are working with cell phones to do. That X-BOXES and PLAY STATIONS are being made to do these same things.

That the economy is not providing the disposable income needed to provide the extra money needed to pay for all these downloads. Already the average person is over burdened by their current cell phone bills.

They are not taking into account that it can take forever to download anything of size.

That why would anyone pay extra money to see something on a postage stamp screen.

That there is more storage capacity on IPODS then currently available on cell phones so why spend the money on a new and more expensive cell phones.

That people hate advertising so why would they want to have it sent to them on their cell phones even if they get a show for little or a reduced price?

That much of what will be available is already free or no one would pay to see or hear to begin with.

Cell phones the savior of every media company in the world and business’s trying to get their messages out cheaply, I THINK NOT.

(William Hoehne)

Red Hot Chili Peppers and Shakira Top '2006 MTV Music Awards' Nominations With Seven Each Madonna and Panic! At The Disco Follow With Five Nominations Each, Christina Aguilera Grabs Four Nods

Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, T.I., Panic! At The Disco, Ludacris and The Killers Scheduled to Perform

For the First Time Ever, Viewers Will Have Access to All Nominated Videos on MTV Overdrive

23rd Annual Awards Show Will Broadcast Live From Radio City Music Hall In New York City on Thursday, August 31st at 8:00 P.M. (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT)

 From the historical and scenic Top Of The Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center, MTV today announced the nominees for the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards." Shakira and The Red Hot Chili Peppers topped the list with seven nominations each for "Hips Don't Lie" and "Dani California" respectively. Madonna's "Hung Up" and Panic! At The Disco's, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," follow with five nods while Christina Aguilera received four nods for "Ain't No Other Man." It was also announced that Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, T.I., Panic! At The Disco, Ludacris and The Killers are scheduled to perform on the big show. In addition, it was announced today that The Raconteurs will provide the soundtrack for the VMA's live throughout the show. Host, additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly.

The "2006 MTV Video Music Awards" will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY on Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 8:00 PM (LIVE ET/Tape Delayed PT).

"The VMA's is the first place you'll see Justin Timberlake perform, an all new show stopping performance from Beyonce, the much anticipated return of The Killers, T.I., hip hop's newest mega star and the breakout band, Panic! At The Disco," said MTV President, Christina Norman. "This is the beginning of what will no doubt be the most star-studded event and the hottest ticket of the year."

"New York City is proud to welcome the MTV Video Music Awards back to its rightful place at Radio City Music Hall and we are certainly happy that this year's show is expected to generate more than 25 million dollars in economic activity for our hotels, restaurants and other attractions," said Mayor Bloomberg. "MTV has transformed music and popular culture unlike any other medium before it and since its birth. It's no coincidence that MTV started here in New York City and catapulted itself and modern music into homes all across the globe. MTV's is a quintessentially New York story, and we're glad to have the VMA's back."

This year, for the first time, viewers will have access to all nominated videos on MTV Overdrive (http://www.vma.mtv.com/). The ballots for "2006 MTV Video Music Awards" were sent out to an exclusive industry group and viewers who determined the nominees for the telecast. Approximately 2,000 viewers and individuals including record labels, production companies, and management firms selected the nominees for awards categories encompassing wide-ranging contemporary music forms rap, dance, R&B and rock. Also, for the first time ever, voting for the General Categories will be open to all music fans and not just a select group of viewers and industry professionals. Viewers can start voting on the General Categories (excluding Viewer's Choice) starting July 31st through August 20th. Voting for "Viewer's Choice" begins August 7th through August 31st. Viewers can vote by visiting http://www.vma.mtv.com/.

In addition, this year there will be two new categories for the Online Gaming community to vote on through Gametrailers.com at http://www.gametrailers.com/vma/ and Xfire at http://www.xfire.com/cms/xf_mtv_vma. Gamers will vote for "Best Video Game Soundtrack" and "Best Video Game Score." Winners will be announced live on http://www.vma.mtv.com/ on August 31st during the MTV Overdrive broadcast.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the official business advisor of the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards."

Salli Frattini and Dave Sirulnick are the Executive Producers for the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards." Ian Stewart and Summer Strauch are Producers. Hamish Hamilton is Producer/Director. Kathy Flynn is Event Producer.

The official sponsors of the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards" are Acuvue, Chevrolet, 

Dodge, Herbal Essences, JC Penny, Pepsi, Taco Bell and Virgin Mobile USA.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's

leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates

the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION,

 MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, 

SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and

 THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services,

 all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with

 its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more

 than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless

 and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint 

ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can 

be seen worldwide. 

Source: MTV

GENERAL CATEGORIES

VIDEO OF THE YEAR Christina Aguilera "Ain't No Other Man" Back To Basics RCA Director: Bryan Barber Producer: William Green Production Company: F.M. Rocks Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Madonna "Hung Up" Confessions On A Dance Floor Warner Bros. Records Director: Johan Renck Producer: Lene Bausager and John Winter Production Company: RSA Films Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Panic! At The Disco "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" A Fever You Can't Sweat Out decaydance/Fueled By Ramen Director: Shane C. Drake Producer: Brandon Bonfiglio Production Company: Red Van Pictures

BEST MALE VIDEO Busta Rhymes featuring Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX "Touch It (Remix)" The Big Bang Aftermath/Interscope Records Director: Benny Boom and Busta Rhymes Producer: Joyce Washington Production Company: F.M. Rocks Nick Lachey "What's Left Of Me" What's Left Of Me Jive Records/Zomba Label Group Director: Ray Kay Producer: Clark Jackson Production Company: Rockhard Films James Blunt "You're Beautiful" Back To Bedlam Custard Records/Atlantic Records Director: Sam Brown Producer: Kat Armour-Brow Production Company: Flynn Productions T.I. "What You Know" KING (The Album), ATL (The Movie) Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records Director: Chris Robinson Producer: Melissa Larsen Production Company: HSI Productions Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx "Gold Digger" Late Registration Roc-A-Fella Records Director: Hype Williams Producer: Hype Williams Production Company: Naaila Entertainment

BEST FEMALE VIDEO Christina Aguilera "Ain't No Other Man" Back To Basics RCA Director: Bryan Barber Producer: William Green Production Company: F.M. Rocks Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland "Promiscuous" Loose Mosley Music/Geffen Records Producer: Ron Mohrhoff Production Company: HSI Productions Kelly Clarkson "Because of You" Breakaway RCA Director: Vadim Perelman Producer: Rhonda Vernet Production Company: Tate USA Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Madonna "Hung Up" Confessions On A Dance Floor Warner Bros. Records Director: Johan Renck Producer: Lene Bausager and John Winter Production Company: RSA Films

BEST GROUP VIDEO All-American Rejects (The) "Move Along" Move Along Interscope Records/Doghouse Records Director: Marc Webb Producer: Marcienne Friesland Production Company: DNA Panic! At The Disco "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" A Fever You Can't Sweat Out decaydance/Fueled By Ramen Director: Shane C. Drake Producer: Brandon Bonfiglio Production Company: Red Van Pictures Fall Out Boy "Dance, Dance" From Under The Cork Tree Island Records Director: Alan Ferguson Producer: Valerie Romer Production Company: Anonymous Content Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Gnarls Barkley "Crazy" St. Elsewhere Downtown/Atlantic Records Director: Robert Hales Producer: Coleen Haynes Production Company: HSI Productions

BEST RAP VIDEO 50 Cent "Window Shopper" From "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" The Motion Picture G-Unit/Interscope Records Director: Benny Boom Producer: Adam Witaker Production Company: F.M. Rocks T.I. "What You Know" KING (The Album), ATL (The Movie) Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records Director: Chris Robinson Producer: Melissa Larsen Production Company: HSI Productions Busta Rhymes featuring Mary J. Blige, Rah Digga, Missy Elliott, Lloyd Banks, Papoose & DMX "Touch It (Remix)" The Big Bang Aftermath/Interscope Records Director: Benny Boom and Busta Rhymes Producer: Joyce Washington Production Company: F.M. Rocks Yung Joc featuring Nitty "It's Goin' Down" New Joc City Block Ent./Bad Boy South Director: Lenny Bass Producer: Helen Urriola Production Company: DNA Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone "Ridin'" The Sound of Revenge Chamillitary/Universal Music Director: Life Garland Producer: Hagai Shaham Production Company: Lotus Filmworks, Inc./Terrero Films

BEST R&B VIDEO Beyonce featuring Slim Thug & Bun B "Check On It (Pink Panther)" Destiny's Child #1's Music World/Sony Urban/Columbia Director: Hype Williams Producer: Matthew Stillman Production Company: Stillking Productions Mariah Carey "Shake It Off" The Emancipation of Mimi Island Def Jam Music Group Director: Jake Nava Producer: Ron Mohrhoff Production Company: F.M. Rocks Chris Brown "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" Chris Brown Jive Records/Zomba Label Group Director: E. White/Chris Brown Producer: Roger Ubina Production Company: F.M. Rocks Mary J. Blige "Be Without You" The Breakthrough Matriarch/Geffen Records Director: Matthew Rolston Producer: Nina Grossman Production Company: HSI Productions Jamie Foxx featuring Ludacris "Unpredictable" Unpredictable J Records Director: Hype Williams Producer: Matthew Stillman Production Company: Stillking Films

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO Black Eyed Peas (The) "My Humps" Monkey Business A&M Records Director: Fatima Robinson and Malik Sayeed Producer: Tony McGarry Production Company: Black Dog at RSA Films Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx "Gold Digger" Late Registration Roc-A-Fella Records Director: Hype Williams Producer: Hype Williams Production Company: Naaila Entertainment Common "Testify" BE G.O.O.D./Geffen Records Director: Anthony Mandler Producer: Lou Miguel Production Company: Box Fresh Pictures Three 6 Mafia "Stay Fly" Most Known Unknown Hypnotize Mind/Sony Urban/Columbia Director: Bernard Gourley Producer: Jeff Brown Production Company: Immigrant Film Daddy Yankee "Rompe" Barrio Fino En Directo El Cartel Records/Interscope Records/HHH Director: Jessy Terrero and Carlos Perez Producer: Meredith Welsch Production Company: Lotus Filmworks, Inc./Terrero Films

BEST DANCE VIDEO Madonna "Hung Up" Confessions On A Dance Floor Warner Bros. Records Director: Johan Renck Producer: Lene Bausager and John Winter Production Company: RSA Films Sean Paul "Temperature" The Trinity VP Records/Atlantic Records Director: X Producer: Craig Fleming Production Company: HSI Productions Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland "Promiscuous" Loose Mosley Music/Geffen Records Producer: Ron Mohrhoff Production Company: HSI Productions Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg "Buttons" PCD A&M Records Director: Francis Lawrence Producer: Lynn Zekanis Production Company: DNA

BEST ROCK VIDEO 30 Seconds To Mars "The Kill" A Beautiful Lie Virgin Records America Director: Bartholomew Cubbins Producer: Alexander Moon and Douglas Friedman Production Company: A Common Thread, Inc. Panic! At The Disco "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" A Fever You Can't Sweat Out decaydance/Fueled By Ramen Director: Shane C. Drake Producer: Brandon Bonfiglio Production Company: Red Van Pictures A.F.I. "Miss Murder" Decemberunderground Interscope Records Director: Marc Webb Producer: Marcienne Friesland Production Company: DNA Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Green Day "Wake Me Up When September Ends" American Idiot Reprise Records Director: Samuel Bayer Producer: Tim Lynch Production Company: RSA Films

BEST POP VIDEO Christina Aguilera "Ain't No Other Man" Back To Basics RCA Director: Bryan Barber Producer: William Green Production Company: F.M. Rocks Pink "Stupid Girls" I'm Not Dead LaFace/Zomba Label Group Director: Dave Meyers Producer: Joseph Sassone Production Company: Radical Music Madonna "Hung Up" Confessions On A Dance Floor Warner Bros. Records Director: Johan Renck Producer: Lene Bausager and John Winter Production Company: RSA Films Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland "Promiscuous" Loose Mosley Music/Geffen Records Producer: Ron Mohrhoff Production Company: HSI Productions

BEST NEW ARTIST IN A VIDEO Angels And Airwaves "The Adventure" We Don't Need To Whisper Suretone/Geffen Records Director: The Malloys Producer: Dave Robertson Production Company: Black Dog at RSA Films James Blunt "You're Beautiful" Back To Bedlam Custard Records/Atlantic Records Director: Sam Brown Producer: Kat Armour-Brow Production Company: Flynn Productions Avenged Sevenfold "Bat Country" City Of Evil Warner Bros. Records Director: Marc Klasfeld Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Rockhard Films Panic! At The Disco "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" A Fever You Can't Sweat Out decaydance/Fueled By Ramen Director: Shane C. Drake Producer: Brandon Bonfiglio Production Company: Red Van Pictures Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana "Run It" Chris Brown Jive Records/Zomba Label Group Director: E. White Producer: Roger Ubina Production Company: F.M. Rocks Rihanna "S.O.S." A Girl Like Me Def Jam/SRP Director: Chris Applebaum Producer: John Hardin Production Company: Reactor Films

VIEWER'S CHOICE Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana "Run It" Chris Brown Jive Records/Zomba Label Group Director: E. White Producer: Roger Ubina Production Company: F.M. Rocks Rihanna "S.O.S." A Girl Like Me Def Jam/SRP Director: Chris Applebaum Producer: John Hardin Production Company: Reactor Films Fall Out Boy "Dance, Dance" From Under The Cork Tree Island Records Director: Alan Ferguson Producer: Valerie Romer Production Company: Anonymous Content Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Kelly Clarkson "Because of You" Breakaway RCA Director: Vadim Perelman Producer: Rhonda Vernet Production Company: Tate USA

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES BEST DIRECTION IN A VIDEO 10 Years "Wasteland" Version 2 Autumn Effect Republic/Universal Records Director: Kevin Kerslake Producer: Dave Robertson Production Company: Merge @ Crossroads Films Gnarls Barkley "Crazy" St. Elsewhere Downtown/Atlantic Records Director: Robert Hales Producer: Coleen Haynes Production Company: HSI Productions A.F.I. "Miss Murder" Decemberunderground Interscope Records Director: Marc Webb Producer: Marcienne Friesland Production Company: DNA Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Common "Testify" BE G.O.O.D./Geffen Records Director: Anthony Mandler Producer: Lou Miguel Production Company: Box Fresh Pictures

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY IN A VIDEO Christina Aguilera "Ain't No Other Man" Back To Basics RCA Director: Bryan Barber Producer: William Green Production Company: F.M. Rocks Choreographer: Jerri Slaughter Sean Paul "Temperature" The Trinity VP Records/Atlantic Records Director: X Producer: Craig Fleming Production Company: HSI Productions Choreographer: Tanisha Scott Madonna "Hung Up" Confessions On A Dance Floor Warner Bros. Records Director: Johan Renck Producer: Lene Bausager and John Winter Production Company: RSA Films Choreographer: Stephanie Roos Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Choreographer: Sho-tyme Pussycat Dolls featuring Snoop Dogg "Buttons" PCD A&M Records Director: Francis Lawrence Producer: Lynn Zekanis Production Company: DNA Choreographer: Mike Mindon

BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS IN A VIDEO Angels And Airwaves "The Adventure" We Don't Need To Whisper Suretone/Geffen Records Director: The Malloys Producer: Dave Robertson Production Company: Black Dog at RSA Films Special Effects: Jack Effects Pearl Jam "Life Wasted" Pearl Jam J Records Director: Fernando Apodaca Producer: Eddie Vedder/Jason Mueller Special Effects: Fernando Apodaca Beck "Hell Yes" Guero Interscope Records Director: Garth Jennings Producer: Nick Goldsmith Production Company: Anonymous Content Special Effects: Hammer & Tongs (Garth and Nick) U2 "Original Of The Species" How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Interscope Records Director: Catherine Owens Producer: Catherine Owens and Katie Manning Production Company: Spontaneous Special Effects: John Leamy & Lawrence Nimrichter Missy Elliott "We Run This" The Cookbook From Touchstone Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment's "Stick It" Hollywood/Gold Mind/Atlantic Records Director: Dave Meyers Producer: Barbara Benson Production Company: Radical Music Special Effects: Louis Mackall

BEST ART DIRECTION IN A VIDEO 10 Years "Wasteland" Version 2 Autumn Effect Republic/Universal Records Director: Kevin Kerslake Producer: Dave Robertson Production Company: Merge @ Crossroads Films Art Director: Trae King Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Art Director: Justin Dragonis Common "Testify" BE G.O.O.D./Geffen Records Director: Anthony Mandler Producer: Lou Miguel Production Company: Box Fresh Pictures Art Director: David Ross Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean "Hips Don't Lie" Oral Fixation Vol. 2 Epic Records Director: Sophie Muller Producer: Grant Jue Production Company: Oil Factory Art Director: Laura Fox Panic! At The Disco "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" A Fever You Can't Sweat Out decaydance/Fueled By Ramen Director: Shane C. Drake Producer: Brandon Bonfiglio Production Company: Red Van Pictures Art Director: Lindy McMichael, Jamie Drake, Erin Wieczorek

BEST EDITING IN A VIDEO All-American Rejects (The) "Move Along" Move Along Interscope Records/Doghouse Records Director: Marc Webb Producer: Marcienne Friesland Production Company: DNA Editor: J.D. Smyth Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Editor: Peter Goddard Angels And Airwaves "The Adventure" We Don't Need To Whisper Suretone/Geffen Records Director: The Malloys Producer: Dave Robertson Production Company: Black Dog at RSA Films Editor: Clark Eddy U2 "Original Of The Species" How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Interscope Records Director: Catherine Owens Producer: Catherine Owens and Katie Manning Production Company: Spontaneous Editor: Olivier Wicki Gnarls Barkley "Crazy" St. Elsewhere Downtown/Atlantic Records Director: Robert Hales Producer: Coleen Haynes Production Company: HSI Productions Editor: Ken Mowe

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A VIDEO A.F.I. "Miss Murder" Decemberunderground Interscope Records Director: Marc Webb Producer: Marcienne Friesland Production Company: DNA Cinematographer: Wells Hackett Prince "Black Sweat" 3121 Universal Records Director: Sanaa Hamri Producer: Nicole Acacio Production Company: Anonymous Content Cinematographer: Checco Varese Ashlee Simpson "Invisible" I Am Me Geffen Records Director: Marc Webb Producer: Hagai Shaham Production Company: DNA Cinematographer: Jeff Cutter Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California" Stadium Arcadium Warner Bros. Records Director: Tony Kaye Producer: Rachel Curl Production Company: Above The Sea Cinematographer: Tony Kaye James Blunt "You're Beautiful" Back To Bedlam Custard Records/Atlantic Records Director: Sam Brown Producer: Kat Armour-Brow Production Company: Flynn Productions Cinematographer: Robbie Ryan

VIDEO GAME CATEGORIES BEST VIDEO GAME SOUNDTRACK Final Night Round 3 (Electronic Arts) Burnout Revenge (Electronic Arts) NBA 2K6 (2K Games) Driver: Parallel Lines (Atari) Marc Ecko's Getting Up (Atari) BEST VIDEO GAME SCORE Hitman: Blood Money (Jesper Kyd) Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Tom Salta) Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (Even "Magnet" Johansen) Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Jeremy Soule) Electroplankton (User Generated Soundtrack)

Paul McCartney To Release New Classical Work 'Ecce Cor Meum'

Release Date: September 26th, 2006

Paul McCartney releases his new full- length work of classical music Ecce Cor Meum through EMI Classics on September 26th, 2006. Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) is Paul's fourth classical album since his first released in 1991, The Liverpool Oratorio.

Ecce Cor Meum has been more than eight years in the making and its origins 

follow in the historic tradition of composers that have been commissioned

 to write music for  the world-renowned Magdalen College Oxford. 

Paul was specially invited by  Anthony Smith (President of Magdalen 

College 1998 - 2005) to compose something  to set the seal on 

a new concert hall for the college. His hope was for 'a choral 

piece, which could be sung by young people the world over in the 

same way  that Handel's Messiah is.'

Ecce Cor Meum, an Oratorio in four movements, is scored for choir and orchestra. The text combines both English and to a lesser degree, Latin. Paul's knowledge of Latin comes from his classical education at The Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, where he had learnt three languages by the time he was 12. Paul says: "Not all of this has been retained over the years as my path went in other directions, but my love of language remains, and as Latin is known and sung by choirs all over the world, I felt it would be appropriate to use at times during the piece."

Like many great composers Paul, started with the music and then looked for a subject that fits. Several ideas for lyrics occurred to him, but they only gelled when he took part in a concert of John Tavener's music in the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York. "While I was waiting to do my bit, I was looking around the church and I saw a statue, and underneath it was written 'Ecce Cor Meum.' I had done some Latin at school and I always had a fondness for it. So I worked it out. I believe it means Behold My Heart."

In November 2001, the first version of Ecce Cor Meum was given its first preview performance by the Magdalen College Choir, which was conducted by Bill Ives at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. This was a great learning experience for Paul. "Eventually I made it all come together through correcting a lot of misapprehensions -- a lot was learned before the Sheldonian performance, but a lot of it was learned afterwards. An experienced choral composer knows that children can't be given huge sustained passages; they don't have the energy and the stamina. At the Sheldonian there was some quite hard stuff that I didn't realize because I'd done it on the synthesizer (which has endless stamina!), but during that first performance, the solo treble couldn't come on for the second half -- I think I'd used him up in the first half! These are things that people either learn because they are taught them immediately at the first lesson or you learn through the years, so it was good to go through the piece a lot of times, and we took out huge choral sections and gave them to the orchestra. If it had been a Beatles song I would have known how to do it. But this was a completely different ball game."

Produced by John Fraser, Ecce Cor Meum was recorded this year at the legendary Abbey Road Studios between March 13th and 17th. It was performed by EMI artist Kate Royal (soprano); The Boys of King's College Choir, Cambridge; The Boys Of Magdalen College Choir, Oxford and The Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields conducted by Gavin Greenway.

Janet Jackson Changes Title of New Album

CD Hitting Stores on September 26th Now to Be Titled '20 Y.O.'

 Janet Jackson has decided to change the title of her upcoming album from "20 Years Old" to "20 Y.O." at the suggestion of fans participating in an album cover design contest the R&B superstar is holding on Yahoo! Music.

On July 17th, Janet -- in conjunction with Yahoo! -- launched "Design Me" (http://designme.janetjackson.com/) in which fans were able to download and "remix" images of the singer to come up with their own album covers. Four winners are to have their designs grace the first one million copies of Janet's new album. When several fans submitted designs with covers that read "20 Y.O." instead of "20 Years Old," Janet liked it so much, she decided to officially change the album's title. The CD hits stores on September 26th.

The design competition has stirred up anticipation for the music icon's new album, which executive producer Jermaine Dupri promises will "blow a new generation of minds" as it marks the anniversary of Janet's career-making 1986 album, Control. Janet has re-teamed with her original collaborators, legendary hit-makers Jimmy "Jam" Harris and Terry Lewis, and Grammy-Award winner Dupri to create a dynamic production trio. "20 Y.O." has been described as a celebration of what was going on musically back in the day when Control was released.

The first single from 20 Y.O. is the breezy, laid-back "Call Me," featuring St. Louis hip-hop star Nelly, which hit radio on June 19th and has already cracked the Top 40 pop chart and is a Top 15 track at urban radio. The video, shot by noted director Hype Williams, premiered on BET's "Access Granted" on July 26th. The video is also an AOL exclusive and in rotation at VH1, VH1 Soul Spotlight and MTV Hits.

Source: Virgin Records America

Country Music Superstar Vince Gill, Academy of Country Music and the Home Depot to Build New Playground in New Orleans

KaBOOM! Playground to Honor Gill as 2006 Recipient of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award

 The Academy of Country Music(R) and The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, announced today that country music superstar Vince Gill will join volunteers from The Home Depot and the surrounding community to construct a new KaBOOM! playground in one day at the relocated campus of the International School of Louisiana (ISL) in New Orleans on September 25, 2006. The playground is being built in honor of Gill, who was the 2006 recipient of the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

In its fifth year, the Humanitarian Award recognizes artists who serve others, have a generous spirit and help build the dreams of those in need. In addition to recognition at the awards show, the Humanitarian Award recipient is honored with a KaBOOM! playground donated by The Home Depot in the city of his choice. Gill requested that his playground be built in New Orleans in order to help the city rebuild.

"It is truly an honor to be able to build this playground in New Orleans and give the children at the International School of Louisiana a reason to smile and a place to play," said Gill. "Given the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, it is an obvious need for the community."

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, ISL operated out of two undersized rented facilities, neither of which had adequate playspaces. Both buildings were destroyed in the flooding caused by the storm, and the school was relocated to a former Orleans Parish school building with no playground equipment on site. The new playground being built at ISL will provide a safe and fun place to play for almost 400 students currently enrolled at the school.

"Many of us in the country community are still hit hard when we remember the devastation of Hurricane Katrina," commented Bob Romeo, Academy of Country Music executive director. "It is wonderful to see how many of our artists are out there still trying to bring awareness to these hard-hit communities, and by Vince Gill picking New Orleans as the site for his KaBOOM! playground build, it is just another example of the dedication he and our community have to helping one another."

Gill was selected to receive the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award by a special blue-ribbon committee comprised of executives in the country music industry as well as local and national philanthropic leaders for his ongoing community service and charitable giving of his time and talent. Past recipients of the Humanitarian Award include Reba McEntire, Lonestar, Martina McBride and Neal McCoy.

"In recognition of The Home Depot Humanitarian Award, we are pleased to partner with KaBOOM! to build a playground in honor of Vince, an individual who shares his valuable time unselfishly to help others," said Roger Adams, senior vice president, Marketing, The Home Depot. "As part of The Home Depot's ongoing commitment to rebuild the Gulf region affected by the hurricanes, Team Depot associate volunteers will work side by side with Vince to not only build the playground, but to provide a gathering space for the entire community."

The playground design was created with input from children from the community who attended a "Design Day" event on July 19. The children's drawings will be used to create the final design for the playground, which will be constructed in just one day this fall by hundreds of volunteers, including Gill.

THE RECIPIENT

Seventeen-time Grammy award-winning artist Vince Gill has sold more than 22 million albums. Among his many musical honors include his induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 1991 and winning five Academy of Country Music Awards. In addition to his music and performing, Gill is also dedicated to giving back to those in need. Gill dedicates much of his time to programs for children's recreation and education, the terminally ill, the homeless and hungry, cultural and environmental preservation, and the humane treatment of animals. In 1993, Gill established "The Vinny," an annual pro/celebrity golf tournament, to raise money for the Junior Golf program. Gill also sponsors and participates in dozens of organized charities, and nearly all of his concerts have a local charity component.

Vincent Grant Gill was born in 1957, in Norman, Okla., the son of a federal judge and a homemaker. By the time he was in high school, he had become proficient on the banjo and guitar and was playing in his first bluegrass band. After graduation, he began pursuing music professionally, working with such acts as the Bluegrass Alliance, Boone Creek, Sundance and, most famously, Pure Prairie League. Gill also toured with Rodney Crowell's high-octane backup band the Cherry Bombs. In 1983, he signed to RCA Records, where he scored his first solo country hits, among them "Oklahoma Borderline" and "Cinderella." Gill moved to MCA Records in 1989. The following year, he achieved his big breakthrough with "When I Call Your Name." His high, pure tenor voice and unerring sense of harmony have made him a favorite duet recording partner for dozens of fellow artists, from Ralph Stanley to Barbra Streisand.

Gill has created a 4-CD set of 43 new and original songs that MCA Records will release Oct. 17 under the title "These Days." The collection is an artistic tour de force that displays Gill's mastery of lyrics and musical styles.

THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF LOUISIANA (ISL)

The International School of Louisiana (ISL) is a tuition-free public charter school that emphasizes an awareness of the global community with respect for its variety of people and cultures. All classes at ISL are taught in Spanish or French by native-speaking teachers, with the exception of English, physical education and art. With its language immersion program, ISL prepares students for the diverse and challenging work and marketplace of the 21st century. The mission of ISL is to provide a challenging education emphasizing French and Spanish language immersion, international awareness, the celebration of diversity and community responsibility. For more information, visit www.isl-edu.org.

THE HOME DEPOT

The Home Depot(R) is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,080 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. Through its HD Supply(SM) businesses, The Home Depot is also one of the largest diversified wholesale distributors in the United States, with more than 900 locations in the United States and Canada offering products and services for building, improving and maintaining homes, businesses and municipal infrastructures. In fiscal 2005, The Home Depot had sales of $81.5 billion and earnings of $5.8 billion. The Company employs approximately 355,000 associates and has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as the No. 1 Most Admired Specialty Retailer and the No. 13 Most Admired Corporation in America for 2006. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

KaBOOM!

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2006, KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Over the past decade, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct nearly 1,000 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. In 2005, KaBOOM! launched Operation Playground, a two-year initiative to build 100 playgrounds in Gulf Coast communities affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. KaBOOM! offers a variety of resources, including a Web portal and online community, regional and national trainings, grants and publications for communities that wish to plan a new playspace on their own. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago, Atlanta and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC

The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 with a mission to support, promote and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The Academy, which is comprised of more than 4,000 professional members and more than 35,000 associate members, is headquartered in Burbank, Calif. For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS and the Academy of Country Music, please visit www.acmcountry.com.

Source: Academy of Country Music

Web site: http://www.isl-edu.org/

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

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

Maxell Announces X Game Event Promotions and Activities

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus Partners with Maxell for On-Site Music Experience

Maxell Corporation hopes to spin some magic with several promotions intended to energize fans of the X Games including access to The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a non-profit, mobile recording and multimedia studio outfitted with musical instruments and audio and video capabilities worthy of the Black Eyed Peas, who have recorded many of their new tracks while onboard. The X Games will be held in Los Angeles, California, August 3-6, 2006.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, located in the Xperience area, will host tours and give X Games attendees the opportunity to get hands-on experiences with the state-of-the-art equipment. The Bus will also feature an outdoor stage with the hottest DJs and Beatboxers. In conjunction with the DJs, a Maxell designed series of break dancing contests, organized by ESPN, will take place in between the scheduled sporting events. Winners of each contest will be awarded VIP-style prize packages including Maxell DVD media, CDs and iPod accessory products. Maxell is one of the founding sponsors of both the Bus and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with a $20,000 Maxell Song of the Year prize in support of music and music education. For more information on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus visit http://www.lennonbus.org/.

In addition to the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Maxell will feature a prize wheel game -- styled to resemble a DVD disc -- that incorporates images of various Maxell products that game players win each time they spin the wheel. Prizes include CDs, DVD discs and iPod skins.

"A large part of our X Games sponsorship is the opportunity to add to the on-site experience for the attendees," said Cheryl Severini, senior marketing manager at Maxell. "The attendees of this event are the consumers that love recording and enjoying all types of music, games and video entertainment, so this is a perfect way for Maxell to be a part of their lifestyle."

Maxell recently launched a new consumer Web site that incorporates an online game targeted at younger consumers that features five characters representing various genres of music. The goal of the game is to eliminate the characters as "The Blow Away Guy." Consumers can go to the new Web site to get information on Maxell events, purchase Maxell apparel and review new and featured products including recordable DVD's and iPod compatible speakers.

Maxell returned to its heritage and formally brought back the "Blow Away" icon to its marketing mix as of December 2005. The legendary image has consistently stood for performance directed at consumers who want the best entertainment experience and is the centerpiece of a multi-million dollar integrated marketing campaign that kicked-off this year.

About Maxell

Maxell Corporation of America, a technology and marketing leader, is a full line manufacturer of digital media products for consumer, professional and data storage markets. Maxell is a recognized brand for over thirty years that delivers a comprehensive line of digital tape and disc-based recording media products for consumer audio, video, camcorder and data storage applications. The company also manufactures and markets a wide range of consumer battery products, as well as a full line of electronics care, maintenance, and accessory products including headphones, plasma TV cleaners, and iPod cases and speakers. http://www.maxell.com/

Source: Maxell Corporation of America

HSN'S Joy Mangano Acheives Milestone With Sale Of 100,000,000th Huggable Hanger

HSN's 'Mother of Invention' Sells Enough Hangers to Wrap Around the Earth; Lucky HSN Purchaser to Receive "Home Full of Joy" Mangano Products

Electronic retailer HSN, an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) , and successful inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano achieved a major milestone on Sunday, July 30 when Tracey Storey from Springfield, TN purchased the 100,000,000th huggable hanger sold on the popular shopping network. Not long after its introduction on HSN in 2000, the lightweight, ultra-slim hanger quickly became a bestseller on HSN and HSN.com and has gone on to become the best-selling item in the history of the global retailer.

As an extra bonus for purchasing the 100,000,000th hanger, Ms. Storey will receive a vast array of Joy Mangano household products for her entire home, ranging from Comfort & Joy bedding systems to problem-solving products like the My Little Steamer clothes steamer and the Sonic Jewelry Cleaner. She is just one of the many viewers from every state of the union who purchased the hangers throughout the day and called in to congratulate Joy and share in the special live celebration.

"I am so thrilled and proud to have reached this milestone," said Mangano. "Huggable Hangers have really made a difference in people's homes, and that means so much to me. And congratulations to Tracey -- it was an exciting night for us both!"

"Joy epitomizes the creative, entrepreneurial spirit that thrives here at HSN and we are proud of her latest accomplishment," states Rob Gruen, Executive Vice President of Merchandising for HSN. "Her ability to take something as common as an everyday clothes hanger ... see a need for one that saves space and doesn't let clothes slide off ... and then create a solution that sells over one hundred million units is an amazing talent."

HSN's Mother of Invention, Joy Mangano, made her HSN debut in 2000 and has revolutionized the home solutions industry with groundbreaking new inventions like the Miracle Mop, the Jewel Kit, the Piatto Bakery Box, the Clothes It All luggage system and the Handy Hook Mirror. Known for her ability to re-invent household products to improve functionality and ease of use, she designed the Huggable Hanger with gentle curves and a velvety surface that keeps clothes neat and doubles closet space.

Joy started as a single mom of three children struggling to pay the bills and make her life easier. Now she is a role model to inventors and women proving that a good idea, perseverance and the right merchandising platform does pay off.

About HSN:

HSN, an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI) , originated the electronic retailing concept in 1977 and has since evolved into a global multichannel retailing giant, offering thousands of unique products in fashion, beauty, home, jewelry and electronics. Customers who shop on HSN can find name brands such as Sony, Kodak, Gateway Computers, the Todd English Collection for the home, and Esteban, the guitar virtuoso, as well as fashions from Randolph Duke, Nine West and Beverly Feldman. HSN's product offerings can be found across a number of retailing platforms including TV, where HSN reaches 89 million U.S. households and is now the 4th largest cable television network in the U.S.; the Internet, through its easy-to-use Web site, http://www.hsn.com/ ; and catalogs, with its Cornerstone Brands portfolio of titles including Alsto's, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Improvements, IOS, Smith and Noble, The Territory Ahead and TravelSmith. In 2005, HSN generated worldwide consolidated sales of $3 billion, answered 62 million calls and delivered 60 million products worldwide

Bug Music, one of the world's largest independent music publishers, enters its 32nd year by partnering with Crossroads Media, which has made a significant equity investment in Bug, it was announced today by Dan and Fred Bourgoise, partners of Bug Music. Bug Music will use the capital infusion to continue and expand upon its mission of focusing on its songs, songwriters and music publishers with personalized administration and innovative creative services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Crossroads Media is a partnership between Tom McGrath, former President of Paramount Enterprises, and Spectrum Equity Investors, a media and entertainment-focused private equity firm.

In conjunction with the new partnership, Dan and Fred Bourgoise will step down from their day-to-day duties at Bug and, along with Crossroads Media, have named John Rudolph as CEO, and have promoted David Hirshland, an 11-year Bug veteran, to President. Rudolph is formerly head of Music Analytics, a music publishing consulting firm, and previously the CFO of Windswept Pacific. Mark Anders, current Managing Director of Bug Limited based in the U.K., has been named President of International. All other senior executives remain with the company. Dan and Fred Bourgoise will provide ongoing consultation to the company and serve on the Board of Directors alongside McGrath and representatives from Spectrum.

Noted Rudolph: "Dan and Fred have built a company with an independent ethos over the last 30 years that values at its core the songs and songwriters it represents by providing efficient and aggressive client services. I am honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by Dan and Fred and look forward to leading this very special business and its staff through its next stage of growth."

Dan Bourgoise commented, "This investment by Crossroads Media will allow Bug to maintain its core values of service to the songwriters and excellence in publishing while giving it the flexibility to adapt to the rapidly changing marketplace, as well as take advantage of new opportunities that arise almost daily. There has never been a more exciting time to be in the music publishing business." Added Fred Bourgoise, "I look forward to the next evolution of Bug as the music world completes this revolutionary shift from analog to digital technologies and from physical to virtual distribution. I feel inspired by this new association with Crossroads and Spectrum and am delighted to continue to advise and work for the writers, publishers, managers and attorneys that I have had the pleasure of knowing over the last three decades. This company has been our life's work and we feel this partnership and the news management appointments only strengthen and extend that legacy."

Tom McGrath, senior managing director of Crossroads, said, "Bug Music is one of the world's premiere independent music publishers with an unparalleled reputation for integrity and service to its many clients. I am delighted to be in business with Dan and Fred whose personal reputations and leadership abilities know no peer. I am particularly pleased that John Rudolph has agreed to join us as CEO. John's experience with Windswept Pacific and his leading role in so many music acquisitions, investments and partnerships over the past few years while running Music Analytics will be invaluable to Bug."

About Bug Music

Founded in 1975, Bug is one of the world's leading music publishers. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Nashville, New York, London and Munich, Bug owns and/or manages approximately 120,000 copyrights. The Company has built a strong reputation as the "songwriter's" publisher by vigorously supporting copyrights of songwriters and publishers and providing personalized administrative and creative services. Clients include the estates of Johnny Cash, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Del Shannon and Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as classic and contemporary writers and artists such as Morningwood, Iggy Pop, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Peaches, Los Lobos and The Guess Who. Bug songs currently appear throughout the Billboard charts and can be heard in ad campaigns by Levi's, Lincoln Mercury and Carnival Cruise Lines among others.

About Crossroads Media

Crossroads Media is a Los Angeles-based strategic partnership between Spectrum Equity Investors and Mr. Thomas McGrath. Mr. McGrath is the former President of Paramount Enterprises, a role in which he had responsibilities for many activities of that division, including: Famous Music (music publishing), Paramount Parks (theme parks), Famous Players (movie theaters), and Viacom Consumer Products, encompassing licensing, merchandising, themed entertainment, and theatrical production. In addition to serving as President of Paramount Enterprises, Mr. McGrath also served as Chief Operating Officer of Viacom Entertainment Group, which included Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television.

About Spectrum Equity Investors

Spectrum Equity Investors is a private equity firm specializing in investments in the media, communications, and entertainment industries throughout North America and Western Europe. Founded in 1994 and based in Boston and Menlo Park, Spectrum has over $4 billion in capital under management. Current portfolio companies include AMC Entertainment, Apprise Media, CBD Media, Classic Media, Eutelsat S.A., NEP, and Patriot Media and Communications. Additional information on Spectrum can be found at www.spectrumequity.com.

GoFish, a leader in the online video space, today announced the debut of America's Dream Date, an interactive reality show online that allows participants to submit videos of themselves, join the cast of the show, fight to distinguish themselves from the pack and avoid elimination with hope of ultimately winning a luxury dream date vacation to Paris. Thousands of contestants are poised to upload their own creative videos and use grassroots efforts such as emailing to friends and promoting themselves on their social networking sites, to gather votes for their videos and move one step closer to claiming their place as America's Dream Date.

Cast members have already begun submitting short, creative videos of themselves during July's pre-registration casting call. Today, the show will begin to air with contestants uploading videos to compete for votes from the viewing community. The first six weeks (July 31 through September 14) will allow anyone to get in on the action through uploading their own videos highlighting why they should be crowned America's Dream Date. Viewers will vote on individual videos, collaborate and share opinions as well as track their favorites all through the GoFish.com site, the participants with the most votes from the community will win.

On September 15, the dreaded elimination stage will cull all cast-members down to a final group of 10 men and 10 women, based entirely on the community's votes. In the final two week elimination period, the viewing community will be able to play matchmaker and decide who will ultimately be the final America's Dream Date couple and win the prize. The top couple will be paired and sent on a luxury dream date vacation in Paris. The second and third place couples will win dream dates in Las Vegas. GoFish will broadcast footage of these final dates after they take place so that America's Dream Date viewers can see how it all works out.

"America's Dream Date is the perfect platform for channeling the energy and enthusiasm around user-generated video into branded vehicles that sponsors are attracted to," says cofounder and CEO Michael Downing.

Submissions can be uploaded at www.gofish.com. Contestants and the viewing community will drive the action around the show and determine the outcome, with the winners announced on September 30.

With America's Dream Date, GoFish takes the common reality show concept everyone is familiar with -- a small number of people actually participating in a show while millions watch -- and turns it on its head by allowing millions to both participate and decide the outcome of a show. The entire program is created and driven by the viewing community who become active participants by submitting videos or voting as part of the audience.

With this new interactive reality platform, GoFish combines the most compelling features of prime-time reality TV programming with the immersive and rich on-demand features of an online community. The format encourages users to fully immerse themselves in an ongoing reality show that is the first-of-its kind in the user-generated video space.

GoFish & Branded Programming

Unlike other user-generated video sites, GoFish is creating branded/sponsored interactive shows that tap into the energy and enthusiasm around personal video. In the first season of America's Dream Date, Jetset Beverage Inc., owners of the new Jetset energy drink, will be the primary sponsor.

"Partnering with GoFish on America's Dream Date made perfect sense to us," says Jeff Silver, President and CEO of Jetset. "We target the same young, savvy crowd who are participating in the user-generated content revolution and Dream Date gives us a great way to reach this market through a show made for them and by them."

"As user-generated programming continues to take a bigger bite out of the television broadcast pie, our sponsorship model for America's Dream Date -- in this case Jetset Beverage -- is reminiscent of the early days of television when big brands would 'own' a program throughout its run," says Downing. "We have two additional shows in development now with similar sponsorship dynamics."

About GoFish

GoFish is leading the online community for original user-generated video programming. The GoFish Interactive Reality Platform is a first-of-its kind technology for developing and deploying original user-generated programming within the context of a show. The Interactive Reality Platform enables GoFish to bridge the gap between major brand advertisers/sponsors and the rapidly growing world of user-generated video creation.

NOTE: GoFish and America's Dream Date are registered trademarks of GoFish, Inc. All other products and services mentioned are the property of their respective companies.

DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Features are collaborating with Mark Burnett Productions and AOL to create the "'Flushed Away' Underground Adventure," DreamWorks' first online game with custom animation integration, it was announced today by Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation SKG. Starting in early October, the game will be available for free exclusively at www.aol.com/flushedawaygame, and will offer a series of online challenges, each featuring a different character, setting, or storyline from the film. "Flushed Away," will be released in theaters nationwide on November 3rd.

The game will be aimed at players of all ages -- kids and their parents will compete together to complete the online challenges successfully. By solving the individual puzzles, kids and their parents will be rewarded with digital prizes. The entire interactive experience leads up to a grand prize sweepstakes during the opening weekend of "Flushed Away."

What sets "'Flushed Away' Underground Adventure" apart is the new character animation designed exclusively for the game itself. This marks the first time that DreamWorks Animation is expanding the universe of its films by creating an original, totally immersive online environment.

The game is being developed by Mark Burnett Productions, who previously collaborated with DreamWorks on "The Contender" and the upcoming show "On the Lot." The game will premiere on AOL in October and will be accessible to anyone exclusively through AOL at www.aol.com/flushedawaygame on demand through November. The collaboration between AOL and Burnett grew out of the companies' partnership on "Gold Rush," the breakthrough interactive event that premieres on AOL in September and involves challenges and clues based on pop culture.

Based on the "Gold Rush" interactive gaming model, Katzenberg and Burnett sought to create an exciting online experience for children and their parents to enjoy together, and, at the same time, introduce the characters of the film to an audience in a new and refreshing way.

Commenting on the announcement, Katzenberg said, "We couldn't be more pleased about teaming up with Mark Burnett and AOL on this revolutionary new online game concept. We believe that the game will stand on its own as an exciting and fun piece of new entertainment. With special custom animation that expands the world of 'Flushed Away,' the game will be the perfect complement to the moviegoing experience."

Burnett said, "The media landscape is changing radically. People are absorbing and interacting with their entertainment content in new and more sophisticated ways, and this is especially true of kids. The next generation of audience members expects and deserves so much from its content, which is why this project is so exciting to me and my company."

Added Jon Miller, Chairman and CEO of AOL, "The 'Flushed Away' game is interactive, immersive and engaging, and the mini-'Flushed Away' universe will get kids -- and their parents -- excited about the characters and imagery a month before the movie opens. This is really what the web is perfectly suited to do."

The game will feature real-time 3D environments that allow the user to take control of the camera and explore expanded environments of the underground city of "Flushed Away." Designed to present unique game play with each repeat visit, the game will expand each day, revealing new areas of the 3D world and a new challenge every day. The games' video clips and cutting- edge, real-time physics simulations as collision detection, gravity, and particle effects will combine to provide an immersive experience.

ABOUT "FLUSHED AWAY"

In this new comedy set on and beneath the streets of London, we meet Roddy St. James (Hugh Jackman), a pampered pet mouse who thinks he's got it made. But when a sewer rat named Sid (Shane Richie) -- the definition of "low life" -- comes spewing out of the sink and decides it's his turn to enjoy the lap of luxury, Roddy schemes to rid himself of the pest by luring him into the loo for a dip in the "whirlpool." Roddy's plan backfires when he inadvertently winds up being the one flushed away into the bustling world down below. Underground, Roddy discovers a vast metropolis where he meets Rita (Kate Winslet), a street-wise rat who is on a mission of her own. If Roddy is going to get home, he and Rita will need to escape the clutches of the villainous Toad (Sir Ian McKellen). Toad, who royally despises all rodents, dispatches two hapless henchrats, Spike (Andy Serkis) and Whitey (Bill Nighy), as well as his cousin -- that dreaded mercenary, Le Frog (Jean Reno) -- to see that Roddy and Rita are iced ... literally.

DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Features present "Flushed Away." Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell, the film is produced by Peter Lord, David Sproxton, and Cecil Kramer.

ABOUT DREAMWORKS

DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE:DWA) is principally devoted to developing and producing computer-generated, or CG-animated, feature films. With world- class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG-animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience.

Source: DreamWorks Animation SKG

-- For the first time ever in awards show history, MTV will expose fans to the insanity on and off the stage at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. While the VMAs are airing live on MTV, Overdrive, the network's broadband channel, will air "VMA Live: Backstage Uncensored", an unprecedented live view of the ALL the action behind the scenes and backstage viewers have never gotten to see. In addition to the television and broadband experiences, MTV Mobile on all wireless carriers will also offer updates and recaps of the VMAs within minutes. This year's multiplatform experience builds on MyVMAs 2005 where there were more than 14.7 million streams of VMA content from MTV Overdrive. The star studded awards show will air live from Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, August 31st at 8:00PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT).

"Always looking to innovate, we knew we had to find an experience to address the fact that young people are simultaneously watching the VMAs and online chatting in real time with their friends about the unexpected moments and speculating about what's going on backstage," said Christina Norman, President of MTV. "So, we decided to deliver the access they crave by bringing them behind the curtain."

Additional VMA programming elements on MTV Overdrive, accessible at VMA.MTV.com, will include a live simulcast of MTV News' pre-show, interviews with talent, more music, more interaction with the MTV VJs and MTV News correspondents both live during the television broadcast and on-demand after the show. VMA.MTV.com will also get viewers prepped for the biggest night in music with highlights from past VMAs, performance playlists, VMA NYC tour, Bling Report, just to mention a few of the shows. Past VMA Overdrive shows will also be featured on VOD.

During the show, viewers will be able to email photos of themselves and their VMA experience to VMA.MTV.com. A few lucky viewers' photos will be chosen to be displayed onto the large video screens onstage, as the VMAs help give a face to the viewers watching at home.

"VMA Live: Backstage Uncensored" then turns into MyVMAs beginning immediately after the show. Every performance and celebrated moments from the stage will be available on demand to our viewers. The backstage experience will also be available in case they miss any parts when it was streamed live. "MyVMAs" users will be able to customize their own VMA experience on MTV Overdrive. "MyVMAs" will allow viewers to re-live and re-mix their own VMA experience by combining their favorite moments from the star-studded night with exclusive, bonus segments, all available in an a la carte, on-demand menu. "My VMAs" puts control in the hands of music fans and allows them to experience the VMAs the way they want.

In addition, MTV2 will have a live simulcast of the VMAs. MTV2 will also feature live hits throughout the event with MTV2 VJs providing colorful commentary on everything that's going on, replays of outstanding moments and performances that are worth a second look, and forecasting upcoming performances and awards, as well as getting VMA dish from celebrities that stop by. The winner of the MTV2 Award will be presented with a Moonman during the live hits. During the show, mtvU will feature videos of nominees, performers and presenters who were once regulars on the college channel and "graduated" to MTV. During this special VMA music block from 8PM - 11PM, mtvU will go live twice an hour to college student correspondents and mtvU VJs giving updates from the show, as well calling out upcoming performances and awards. mtvU will feature several hours of college-themed VMA coverage in the run up to the show, including a special installation of "Dean's List" hosted by a VMA-nominated artist that started out on mtvU, reports from a college student serving as a VMA seat filler, and college professors using their academic powers to predict who will take home the coveted Moonmen.

Also, MTV Networks high-definition channel, MHD: Music High Definition, will have the first-ever VMA simulcast presented in HD. MTV World will also bring the action to their own channels - MTV Desi, MTV K, MTV Chi with a live simulcast of the show. Additionally, the World channels will have their own correspondents on site to provide a customized point of view of the 2006 Video Music Awards, for their audiences, re-airing the show at a later date with new red carpet perspective.

Additional elements on MTV Mobile include the launch of a mobile boutique on MTV.com featuring ringtones from VMA nominees and wallpapers. The MTV Mobile VMA experience doesn't end when the live show does. Enjoyed Justin Timberlake's live performance? Fans of MTV Mobile video will also be able to enjoy backstage, red carpet and additional VMA coverage. Presented by Virgin Mobile USA, the leading youth wireless network, MTV will be introducing the first-ever Ringtone of the Year award this year, where fans will be able to vote on their favorite ringtone. Virgin Mobile users will be able to "vote" for the Ringtone of the Year by downloading free tones from the nominees as announced on TRL the week of the VMAs. The winning ringtone will then be available as a free download on Virgin Mobile over the weekend following the VMAs. In addition, Virgin Mobile users will be able to vote exclusively for the "Viewer's Choice" award from their phones.

Last but not least, URGE, MTV Network's digital music service, will be launching a VMA homepage on August 1st, including exclusive editorial content on this year's nominees, and playlists of each category's nominees and past winners dating back to the very first VMAs. To access all VMA coverage, users can visit www.URGE.com to download the service for free.

The "2006 MTV Video Music Awards" will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.3 billion people via MTV's global network of 50 channels reaching 481.5 million households around the world as well as through syndication. Its convergent and original online programming will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's 43 Web sites around the world.

The official sponsors of the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards" are Acuvue, Chevrolet, Dodge, Herbal Essences, JC Penny, Pepsi, Taco Bell and Virgin Mobile USA.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV

-- Look what the tide's washed in! Volvo Car Corporation today announced that Newnan's Jenny Buckalew is one of seven international finalists in its global, multi-media treasure hunt for a pirate-themed Volvo XC90 V8. The would-be pirate was among the first individuals worldwide to complete a fun, yet challenging online treasure hunt Volvo launched on June 12 and concluded four weeks later.

Buckalew will be flown to an undisclosed location on August 6, where she will be joined in the final leg of the competition by two more Americans and one finalist each from Japan, UK, Spain and Austria.

The wildly popular hunt, a multi-media campaign developed as a part of Volvo's sponsorship of the Disney summer blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, has elicited participation from more than 52,000 online contestants in the U.S. alone.

Buckalew, a 35 year-old mother of three, will be accompanied by husband William Buckalew on her journey to the final leg of the hunt -- Volvo providing travel and accommodations for one guest per finalist. "My husband and I made the treasure hunt a real family affair," said Buckalew. "We competed against each other to solve puzzles and I absolutely loved the new challenge. The hunt, from beginning to the coming end, is a great summertime activity that I have thoroughly enjoyed."

Once at the final hunt location, Buckalew and each of the six other finalists will set off on a manic on-the-ground search for the buried vehicle. The format for the final leg of the competition will be reminiscent of reality TV shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race, with contestants participating in a two-day series of mental and physical challenges that will either eliminate them from the competition or advance them closer to the buried vehicle. The first treasure hunter to unearth the SUV keeps it. The victor and results of the final hunt will be released to the public on August 11, followed by a series of webisodes chronicling the hunt premiering online at www.volvocars.us/thehunt on August 25.

The buried one-of-a-kind, Volvo XC90 is valued at approximately $82,000 and features a variety of elements inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, including menacing graphics from the film, black leather seats, custom painted 20 inch wheels and more.

Volvo's promotion of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest grew out of the partnership with Disney for the worldwide Volvo Ocean Race. The Volvo ship bears the name of the same boat in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, "The Black Pearl." The Ocean Race began in Vigo, Spain on Nov. 12, 2005 and ended in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 17, 2006.

About Volvo Cars of North America

Volvo has been building cars with Safety in mind for over 75 years. The current 2006 model line-up of Volvo Cars includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the all-new V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan -- including the award-winning performance sedan -- S60 R and the performance wagon version -- V70 R; the S80 luxury sedan; the versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); and the soon-to-be released new Volvo C70, the convertible with the innovative retractable hardtop.

Source: Volvo Cars of North America

Nickelodeon, the number-one rated cable network on a total day basis for eleven consecutive years, closes out the month of July with increases in year-to-year ratings for the sixth consecutive month with kids 2-11. The network remains the number-one brand with kids, ahead of its closest competitor by +48% with kids 2-11, +36% with kids 6-11, and +29% with tweens 9-14, year-to-date. In July, Nick outpaced its closest competitor by +30% among kids 2-11, and emerged the clear network leader with kids 2-5, +47% ahead of The Disney Channel and +136% ahead of Cartoon Network in the K2-5 demo. In addition, year-to-date, Nickelodeon shows the biggest growth of any kids network with preschoolers (kids 2-5), up +6%, and currently owns the top 7 of 10 preschool shows on television*.

Nickelodeon is also dominating on its digital platform offerings, showing growth from year-to-year and over the past seven months as well:

- Nick.com and NickJr.com are on their way to having their best months

ever -- Nick.com with more than 15.3 million unique visitors and

NickJr.com with more than 7.4 million unique visitors, a +4% and

+10% growth, respectively, from June's delivery.

- For 2006, Nick.com has generated 565 million game plays to-date, and

Nickjr.com has garnered approximately 438 million game plays, equating

to a +74% and +75% growth versus the like time period in 2005 for

Nick.com and NickJr.com, respectively.

- On a monthly basis, Nick.com is averaging more than 13.8 million unique

visitors year-to-date, +65% versus the like time period in 2005.

Nickjr.com is averaging more than 6.2 million uniques, an increase of

+59% versus 2005.

- TurboNick is fast approaching its 150 millionth streams for the year,

and has had approximately 39 million streams in July, an increase of

+29% over June 2006. Year-to-date, Nick Jr. Video has served up over

73 million streams, and generated 13 million streams in July, a monthly

increase of +17%.

Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, 1/01-7/30/06

In July 2006, the network averaged a 3.8/1.3 million kids 2-11; a 4.0/505,000 with kids 2-5; 3.5/706 kids 6-11; 2.7/568,000 among tweens 9-14; and 2.2 million total viewers (P2+). Year-to-date, the network is averaging a 3.9/1.3 million with kids 2-11; a 4.5/568,000 with kids 2-5; 3.7/754 among kids 6-11; 2.6/527,000 tweens 9-14; and 2.2 million total viewers.

Nickelodeon, in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for eleven consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

* Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Nick Total Day (M-Th 6:30a - 9p, Fri 6:30a - 10p, Sat 6a - 10p, Sun 6a-9p), July 2006-To-date (6/26/06-7/27/06), Kids 2-11, 2-5, 6-11 & 9-14.

Nickelodeon Programming Hours: M-Th: 6:00 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fr-Sat: 6:00 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. (ET/PT)

MobiTV, Inc., the global leader in television and digital radio services for cellular, WiFi and broadband enabled devices, and CHUM Limited, Canada's premier media company and content provider, today announced the addition of four new music and entertainment channels for the MobiTV(TM) Canada line-up. The channels bolster the existing content, with an emphasis on programming that appeals strongly to viewers of mobile television, who are interested in compelling "bite-sized" content such as music videos and entertainment news.

"CHUM's content is perfectly suited for MobiTV Canada's viewers, who can tune in Live anytime, anywhere to catch the best music videos or get up to speed on the latest celebrity gossip," said Erik Smith, Vice President of Business Development and Programming for MobiTV.

"We are constantly looking at new ways to reach our audiences with our exclusive and engaging content. With MobiTV, audiences on the go can now watch some of their favourite CHUM stations via their cell phones," said Maria Hale, Vice President, Content Business Development, CHUM Limited.

Available today in the MobiTV program guide in Canada, subscribers will find the following new channels:

MuchMusic: An integral part of today's pop culture landscape, "The

Nation's Music Station" has been delivering fans an unparalleled music

television experience since 1984. Direct from our famed streetlevel

studios in downtown Toronto, each and every program day not only hits the

best in top musicvideo, but creates a destination where fans can stay

connected to exclusive live performance and interview from today's hottest

musical artists and celebrity guests, the latest entertainment buzz and

specialty programming. Check out Canada's favourite web destination for

teens, www.muchmusic.com .

Star!: Canada's only specialty television channel dedicated to the world

of entertainment news and information. Star! brings you all the latest in

the world of show biz, including red carpet coverage and in-depth

interviews with the biggest names in entertainment. www.star-tv.com

MuchVibe: Designed to superserve urban music fans across Canada, MuchVibe

is the source for top music videos, interviews, concert specials, concert

listings and classic clips from the CHUM music video archive. Hip hop, rap,

r&b, old school, reggae and more -- MuchVibe has it covered.

www.muchvibe.ca

MuchMoreRetro: Dedicated to the music videos of the 80s and 90s,

MuchMoreRetro is uniquely styled for those who grew up watching their

music on television. From the artform's early, experimental years to the

big-budget extravaganzas of the last decade, MuchMoreRetro is the source

for 24/7 classic video flow from artists from Madonna to Nirvana and more.

www.muchmoreretro.com

The addition of the CHUM properties for MobiTV Canada follows the launch of other key programming content earlier this summer: The Learning Channel, Toonworld TV Classics, FOX Sports, Comedy Time, MAXX Sports, MAXX LOOK and SPEED Channel were made available to viewers in May and June of this year. This now brings the total number of channels to 22, ranging from news, sports and weather to premier music and entertainment content, available on 16 handsets on the three major carriers in Canada.

About MobiTV

MobiTV, Inc. is the first mobile television and digital radio service provider for cellular, WiFi and broadband enabled devices worldwide. The MobiTV(R) service for mobile is available in the US through Sprint, Cingular and Alltel; in the United Kingdom through 3 and Orange UK; to Canadian customers through Bell Canada, Rogers and TELUS Mobility; through America Movil in Latin America; and other regional carriers around the world. MobiTV can be accessed on laptops via the AT&T WiFi network. The Emmy(R) Award winning service has more than one million paying subscribers and offers many popular TV channels from content providers such as MSNBC, ABC News Now, CNN, Fox News, Fox Sports, ESPN 3GTV, NBC Mobile, CNBC, The Discovery Channel, TLC and The Weather Channel, along with cartoons, music videos, comedy and more. Founded in 1999, MobiTV is a privately-held company headquartered in Emeryville, CA. For more information please visit www.mobitv.com .

About CHUM Limited

CHUM Limited (TSX: CHM/CHM.B, www.chumlimited.com ), one of Canada's leading media companies and content providers, owns and operates 33 radio stations, 12 local television stations and 21 specialty channels, as well as an environmental music distribution division. Through international format licences and program sales, CHUM's original content is seen in over 130 countries worldwide and is distributed via new media platforms, including interactive television, wireless services and exclusive CHUM-branded Internet properties.

Source: MobiTV, Inc.

CONTACT: Barb Matheson of CHUM Limited, +1-416-591-7400, ext. 2599, or
barbma@chumtv.com; or Susan George of SutherlandGold Group, 1-866-262-7373,
ext. 113, or sgeorge@sutherlandgold.com, for

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

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

Contrary to rumors appearing online and in the tabloids, Kelly Rowland, of Destiny's Child, is not pregnant.

Statements attributed to Kelly regarding her alleged pregnancy were never made by the artist and a purported interview with the AMG never took place.

Kelly is hard at work on her career and looking forward to the upcoming release of her second solo album, "My Story ... Kelly Rowland."

GSN is extending its play-along capabilities beyond the television screen with an innovative mobile marketing sweepstakes developed to promote the upcoming August 1 premieres of two series, CHAIN REACTION, executive produced by Michael Davies ("Who Wants To Be A Millionaire") and STARFACE, hosted by Danny Bonaduce. The new network campaign, GSN SUMMER CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES, will award a daily prize of $5,000 for the month of August to one lucky participant who sends in a text-message that day and correctly answers either the CHAIN REACTION or STARFACE puzzle advertised. The winner will be announced the next day over the air on GSN. The announcement was made today by Dena Kaplan, Senior Vice President, Marketing, GSN, who conceptualized the campaign.

"As the leader in real time play along entertainment, GSN is thrilled to bring another way to play and win to our viewers for the launch of CHAIN REACTION and STARFACE. Now viewers can play along with their mobile phones every day for a chance to win cash as well as have their name announced during the nightly telecast," remarked Kaplan on the campaign's formation.

Players who would like the opportunity to win one of the 31-daily cash prizes can do so by following the instructions presented through ads that will appear in such publications as Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times Magazine, Parade, People, US and National Enquirer. The aggressive multi-million dollar media buy also includes banner ads on Yahoo! and AOL portals as well as E! Online and TV Guide. In addition, GSN will air several promos throughout the day promoting the sweepstakes and informing viewers how to play along. The sweepstakes advertising began July 27, but the sweepstakes officially starts August 1 and ends on August 31.

GSN SUMMER CHALLENGE SWEEPSTAKES will offer different puzzles representing the game play of the two series. The mobile games associated with CHAIN REACTION resemble the series by offering word chains in which every word is related to the one before and after it. The game is such that players will need to answer via text message which of the words presented is the missing word of the five-word connecting chain. The player is given one of four choices.

The STARFACE mobile game involves a test of the player's knowledge of celebrity gossip. The game involves the player answering a question about a film or TV star. The player is given four choices to choose from for the right answer.

Once a person has text-messaged a correct answer, he/she is then subscribed and eligible to win that day's daily cash prize. A player can only enter to play once day, but with that being said, he/she has 31 opportunities to win.

In addition to targeting consumers, the sweepstakes also includes affiliate involvement. Kaplan extended the sweepstakes for affiliate game play by offering them a chance to win a 60" flat screen Sony TV. Affiliates are asked to text message in the right answer to the following question -- "Which was the first network to introduce one-screen interactive programming? Is it GSN, G4, ESPN or ABC?"

Both, CHAIN REACTION and STARFACE premiere on August 1. The word game, CHAIN REACTION, hosted by Dylan Lane airs Tuesday through Saturday at 9:00 PM/8:00 C. The pop-culture gossip game series STARFACE airs immediately afterward on those same nights at 9:30 PM/8:30 C with first-time game show host Danny Bonaduce.

No purchase or text messaging necessary. Void were prohibited. Open to all legal U.S. residents, 18 years or older as of 7/27/06. Each daily sweepstakes (31 separate dailies) begins at 12:00 a.m. PT and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT that day. Ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on 8/31/06. Standard text messaging charges apply to text entries. Text entry is designed to work with most major wireless carriers, but Sponsor makes no guarantee that any particular carrier will participate. See official rules at www.gsn.com/summerchallenge for complete details, including odds, eligibility restrictions and how to enter for free without using a cell phone.

About GSN

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 133 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Now reaching nearly 60 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com

-GSN-

Source: GSN

Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:TRMP) announced today that construction officially commenced in July 2006 on the new, $250 million hotel tower at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (the "Taj Mahal").

"As we constantly strive to create a more entertaining and exciting atmosphere at each of our properties, the construction of our new hotel tower is planned to greatly increase our guest capacity at the Taj Mahal," said Mark Juliano, the Company's Chief Operating Officer. "As we renovate the casino floor and develop more dining and retail options at the Taj Mahal, these rooms will serve as a critical component of our plan to expand our business and attract more valuable customers."

Completion of the tower construction is expected during the summer of 2008. The new tower is planned to add 786 rooms to the Taj Mahal, which currently has 1,250 rooms in the existing hotel tower. Standing 40 stories high and 450-feet tall, the tower's rooms include 716 generously apportioned standard guest rooms and 70 suites with ocean views. The primary architect on the project is the Friedmutter Group.

Construction of the new tower is in addition to the Company's previously announced $110 million renovation and expansion plan. Projects already completed include the renovation of nearly every hotel guest room at all three Trump properties; the entire casino floor renovation and the opening of 24 Central Cafe at Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel; the Ego Bar and Lounge, Trump Exchange retail store, The Asian Gaming Pit and the new noodle bar, The Rim, at the Taj Mahal. Construction of the new retail and dining entrance corridor to the Taj Mahal is underway, as is the renovation of the casino floor. The master plan for the Trump Marina Hotel Casino is also currently being developed.

"We believe that expanding the Company's guest room inventory in Atlantic City is a critical component of our overall plan to capitalize on the changing and growing gaming marketplace," said James B. Perry, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "As Atlantic City continues to transform into a destination market for customers, our expansion and renovation plan is being specifically tailored to create new entertainment options, to increase the overall quality of experience at Trump properties, and to increase value for shareholders of the Company."

Editor's Note 1: Mr. Trump will participate in a ribbon cutting at the Trump Exchange and will tour the new tower construction site, both at the Taj Mahal, on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 1 p.m.

About Trump Entertainment Resorts:

Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. is a leading gaming company that owns and operates three properties. The Company's properties include Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, located on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Trump Marina Hotel Casino, located in Atlantic City's Marina District. Together, the properties comprise approximately 371,300 square feet of gaming space and 3,180 hotel rooms and suites. The Company is the sole vehicle through which Donald J. Trump, the Company's Chairman and largest stockholder, conducts gaming activities and strives to provide customers with outstanding casino resort and entertainment experiences consistent with the Donald J. Trump standard of excellence. Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. is separate and distinct from Mr. Trump's real estate and other holdings.

PSLRA Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

and Additional Available Information

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements.

All statements, trend analysis and other information contained in this release relative to the parties' performance, trends in the parties' operations or financial results, plans, expectations, estimates and beliefs, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "could" and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In connection with certain forward- looking statements contained in this release and those that may be made in the future by or on behalf of the parties, the parties note that there are various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release were prepared by management and are qualified by, and subject to, significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the parties. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this release will be realized or that actual results will not be significantly higher or lower. The forward-looking statements in this release reflect the opinion of the management as of the date of this release. Readers are hereby advised that developments subsequent to this release are likely to cause these statements to become outdated with the passage of time or other factors beyond the control of the parties. The parties do not intend, however, to update the guidance provided herein prior to its next release or unless otherwise required to do so. Readers of this release should consider these facts in evaluating the information contained herein. In addition, the business and operations of the Company are subject to substantial risks, including, but not limited to risks relating to liquidity and cash flows, which increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. The inclusion of the forward-looking statements contained in this release should not be regarded as a representation by the parties or any other person that the forward-looking statements contained in the release will be achieved. In light of the foregoing, readers of this release are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein.

Additional information concerning the potential risk factors that could affect the Company's future performance are described from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These reports may be viewed free of charge on the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov/, or on the Company's website, http://www.trumpcasinos.com/.

Source: Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc.

GSN and American Media, Inc. (AMI) today announced a multiplatform brand integration deal involving the cable network's new tabloid-themed game series STARFACE, hosted by Danny Bonaduce, and AMI's top selling celebrity magazine National Enquirer. The joint branding effort will integrate National Enquirer into half of the series' episodes by featuring a "National Enquirer Hot Corner" segment. GSN, in turn, will receive advertising and editorial in both The National Enquirer and Globe and their websites. The announcement was made today by Dena Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Marketing for GSN.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to be partnering with the industry's top celebrity magazine on our new tabloid-style show, STARFACE. National Enquirer is a perfect media brand partner for the series," said Kaplan.

David Pecker, AMI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "This innovative partnership is the first of its kind and gives us the chance to reach out to a growing market of game-related programming on national network television. We are excited about this deal and believe it will further our efforts to promote our publications through new mediums."

STARFACE is a funny, fast-paced game series premiering Tuesday, August 1 at 9:30 PM/8:30 PM C running weekly, Tuedsays through Saturday nights, on GSN. The series pits three contestants against one another to test their knowledge of everything to do with the famous and the infamous. In the "National Enquirer Hot Corner," Bonaduce unveils a series of unique, provocative celebrity photographs, each with a set of questions having to do with that individual.

In addition to renaming the round the "National Enquirer Hot Corner," Bonaduce will direct viewers to purchase the latest issues of National Enquirer and Globe to see its new special STARFACE editorial section. The network will also broadcast co-branded promotional spots for the magazines and will promote the show through GSN's viewer database of over 800,000 registrants. GSN will also feature National Enquirer banners on GSN.com.

In turn, AMI will be publishing a special STARFACE editorial column in the National Enquirer and Globe TV sections that will run every other week for 10 weeks beginning August 1. National Enquirer will also promote STARFACE on its website, nationalenquirer.com, and will stream video content.

STARFACE will air as the second half of an hour block with Michael Davies' CHAIN REACTION as its lead-in. CHAIN REACTION, in which teams of men and women complete phrases after being given the first and last words of a chain, also premieres on GSN on Tuesday, August 1.

About GSN

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 133 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Now reaching nearly 60 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems, telcos and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.

About American Media, Inc.

American Media, Inc. is one of the largest media companies in the U.S. The company publishes six of the 14 best selling weekly magazines, including the National Enquirer and Star. AMI also owns Weider Publications, the leading publisher of health and fitness magazines, including Shape, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. The company also publishes the best selling country music magazine, Country Weekly; a Latino entertainment magazine, !Mira! and more mini-mags and digests. In addition to print properties, AMI owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country's #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

-GSN-

Source: GSN

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) today launched Autodesk Maya 8 software, the newest version of its Academy Award-winning 3D modeling, animation and rendering solution. Maya has been used by a variety of clients, including BMW, CNN, Disney, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic, Midway Games and Weta Digital, to create breathtaking 3D imagery for feature films, interactive games, broadcast graphics and industrial design. Autodesk Maya 8 meets the demands of next- generation productions by addressing the real-world production challenges 3D artists are currently facing. Maya 8 will be showcased at the Autodesk booth #1706 at SIGGRAPH 2006, August 1-3 at the Boston Convention Center.

Marc Petit, Autodesk's Media & Entertainment vice president, said, "3D artists are tackling some overwhelming challenges right now, such as dealing with huge, increasingly complex data sets while moving to next-generation game development platforms and having to deliver even more photo-realistic imagery. Teams are getting bigger and require sophisticated collaboration and data management tools. Autodesk Maya 8 addresses these production hurdles by combining a flexible platform with a highly optimized software core, boosting productivity and improving pipeline efficiency."

Maya 8 offers a combination of 64-bit support, multithreading and algorithmic optimizations that enable artists to load massive datasets and interact with them more efficiently than ever before. Key areas of the software, including skinning, draw tessellation, and subdivided polygon proxy meshes, have been multi-threaded to scale with the number of processors or cores available, thereby accelerating formerly time-consuming tasks on today's workstations and those of the future.

"Autodesk Maya 8 software's 64-bit support has opened up a world of possibilities by allowing our artists to manage very large scenes," said Jack Brooks, VP Technology, Walt Disney. "Maya 8 is an integral element of our 64- bit pipeline. We used the beta in pre-production for an upcoming film. Being able to extend Maya's functionality through the API allowed us to customize it to meet our demanding requirements."

Maya 8 offers a host of productivity advancements, particularly for modeling and texturing. The Transfer Polygon Attributes feature enables modelers to transfer UVs, color per vertex (CPV), and vertex position information between surface meshes of differing topologies. This is particularly useful when working with two different versions of an object or character, e.g. one that is high-resolution and one that is low-resolution. In addition, new and improved workflows and tools such as Polygon Bridge, multiple edge loop insertion and enhanced UV layout help maximize productivity for the most common tasks.

Maya 8 enables artists to better manage data when using multiple 2D and 3D packages within the production pipeline. This is achieved through application programming interface (API) extensions, enhancements to Autodesk FBX file exchange technology, the addition of interchangeable geometry caching between Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max animation software, and new interoperability with Autodesk Toxik collaborative compositing software.

Emmanuel Valdez, chief creative officer at High Moon Studios in California, said, "At High Moon Studios, we have artists from all types of disciplines -- from animation to character modeling. They have to work together and share 3D data, regardless of the software they're using. That's why we've chosen to use Autodesk Maya, along with Autodesk 3ds Max and MotionBuilder. These products are open and offer the industry's best creative tools."

Autodesk helps 3D artists in game development, design visualization, film, television, broadcast and graphic design focus on realizing their ideas without being limited by production complexities. Autodesk's media and entertainment 3D product portfolio is comprised of Autodesk Maya 8, 3ds Max 9 (announced separately) and VIZ 2007 animation, modeling and rendering software, as well as Autodesk MotionBuilder 7.5 character animation software. Interoperability is achieved between these products via Autodesk FBX, a free 3D file exchange format.

Autodesk Maya 8 Key Features

With Maya 8, Autodesk demonstrates its commitment to meeting the demands of next-generation productions by addressing the fundamental challenges artists face today. Maya 8 offers the following features to maximize productivity and pipeline efficiency:

-- 64-bit support for Windows and Linux

-- Scalable multithreading to improve performance on multiprocessor

systems

-- Ability to override viewports with a user-defined renderer, such as a

game engine

-- Optimized mental ray 3.5 core for superior rendering performance and

memory usage

-- Polygon Bridge and Transfer Polygon Attributes

-- Support for high dynamic range (HDR) and floating-point images

-- Support for interactive viewing of native and custom mental ray shaders

-- Improved Autodesk FBX plug-in to provide tighter integration between

Maya and applications such as 3ds Max and MotionBuilder

-- Interchangeable geometry cache between Maya and 3ds Max, allowing for

the exchange of complex data between the two packages

-- Export of render layers to Autodesk Toxik software's database

For a complete list of new features in Maya 8, please visit www.autodesk.com/maya.

With support from HP and Intel, a number of third-party developers in the Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) Sparks program have already produced 64-bit versions of their plug-ins to support Maya 8, giving users immediate access to a pool of 64-bit development tools.

Pricing and Availability

Autodesk anticipates that Maya 8 will be available in English in August 2006, and in additional languages in the future. The 64-bit version of Maya 8 will be supported on Windows and Linux. The 32-bit version will be supported on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. For a complete list of supported operating systems, please visit www.autodesk.com/maya (Features & Specifications -- System Requirements).

Autodesk suggested retail pricing for Maya 8 is US $1,999 for Maya Complete (Standalone) and US $6,999 for Maya Unlimited (Standalone). The upgrade price from Maya 7 Complete to Maya 8 Complete is US $899, and the upgrade price from Maya 7 Unlimited to Maya 8 Unlimited is US $1,249.

Maya Platinum Membership

The Autodesk suggested retail price for Maya Platinum Membership starts at US $1,299 per year and is available for purchase simultaneously with the product purchase. Platinum Membership customers qualify for access to the latest software updates, technical support case management, valuable product extensions and e-learning materials. For more information about Maya Platinum Membership, contact an Autodesk authorized reseller or visit http://www.autodesk.com/maya-support.

Maya LearningTools

A variety of Learning Tools are available for Maya, ranging from introductory to advanced skill levels. Learning Autodesk Maya 8 | Foundation is a new book that enables users to quickly familiarize themselves with Maya 8. It offers a hands-on introduction to key Maya tools and techniques by enabling users to create and animate characters based on the Sony Pictures Animation feature film Open Season. Learning Autodesk Maya 8 | Foundation is priced at US $69.99. For additional details, please visit www.autodesk.com/learning-tools.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, building, infrastructure, wireless data services and media and entertainment fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, 3ds Max, Maya, MotionBuilder and Toxik are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. We may make statements regarding planned or future development efforts for our existing or new products and services. These statements are not intended to be a promise or guarantee of future delivery of products, services or features but merely reflect our current plans, which may change. Purchasing decisions should not be made based upon reliance on these statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist or change after the date on which they were made.

(C) 2006 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

MEAT LOAF, one of the singular, game- changing performers in the annals of American rock, will return to unleash the long-awaited third installment in the most successful rock album series of all time, Bat Out of Hell III, this coming fall. The album, released on Virgin Records in North America, delivers to a new generation of listeners -- and to his many millions of longtime followers worldwide -- the still-unique, still-audacious, and still-unequalled Meat Loaf fusion of baroque, operatic emotion, brilliant, larger-than-life storytelling, jaw-dropping theatricality and raw rock-and-roll electricity.

The greatest epic saga in rock history opens its new chapter on October 31, 2006, with album release on Virgin Records in North America, and Universal Records outside of North America. "Meat Loaf holds such a unique place in pop culture," Virgin Records Chairman/CEO Jason Flom commented. "His name, voice and artwork have come to symbolize great American pop/rock music. We are excited to be involved with Meat Loaf and Bat Out of Hell III because good things always come in threes -- and the only thing better than Bat Out of Hell is Bat Out of Hell II, and the only thing better than Bat Out of Hell II is Bat Out of Hell III!"

Meat Loaf fans all over the world will be treated to an historic and very fitting theatrical spectacular when Meat Loaf -- Bat Out Of Hell Acts 1, 2 & 3 Live at Royal Albert Hall is presented on October 16th, 2006, for one night only. The program will be recorded for DVD release and for worldwide television broadcast. Bat out of Hell will also come to New York as a very special one-time event later this fall, on the stage of Broadway's famed Palace Theater. The show will feature songs from all three Bat Out of Hell albums in the trilogy, and Meat Loaf will share the stage with special guests, still to be announced.

Bat Out of Hell III was produced by hit-maker Desmond Child (Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Cher) with additional vocal arrangements by Todd Rundgren (producer of the first Bat out of Hell). "Bat Out of Hell albums are really renegade records; when they come out they are never like anything else," observed album producer Child." (In this project), Meat Loaf saw a door open to a new style that is the future of Bat Out of Hell. He wears all of his emotions on the outside." Meat Loaf agreed: "I took all the songs a little more personal; I became more internal on this record, (and) there were less character studies."

Seven songs on the album were written by Jim Steinman, producer of Bat Out of Hell II, and principal songwriter of the first two albums in the trilogy. His involvement follows the resolution of a lawsuit over the Bat out of Hell trademark between the longtime friends and collaborators Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman. The two came to an amicable agreement that ensured that Jim Steinman's music would be a continuing part of the Bat out of Hell legacy.

Bat Out of Hell III also includes songs by Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), John 5 (Marilyn Manson), and Marti Frederiksen (a contributing Aerosmith songwriter). Nikki Sixx confirmed that the boundary-busting creative spirit of the first two albums has been maintained on this third episode of Bat Out of Hell. "We were not worrying about the format of the songs ... just making a great piece of music," he said. Added John 5: "The world knows that's he's an amazing talent. He's back and he wants to kick ass ... He's living those lyrics."

Co-starring vocal and instrumental performers on the album include Steve Vai, on the Gothic thriller "Land of the Pigs;" the legendary Brian May of Queen, on a revival of Steinman's song "Bad For Good;" and Marion Raven, in her U.S. introduction. Raven is featured on Meat Loaf's interpretation of the Jim Steinman-penned immortal, "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," and is the first female recording artist since Cher to duet with Meat Loaf. He enthused: "Marion's perfect for the song because she's a real personality." Added Child: "She's mystical, she's dark; she's icy but she's warm; she's fun but she's also really deep. She was meant to do it."

Packed out with such newly-written hits as "Blind as a Bat" and "The Monster is Loose," Bat Out of Hell III extends the Meat Loaf saga into an epic trilogy, taking its place as a classic among classics. The release of Bat Out of Hell III marks the triumphant return of a franchise that is unique in the rock era, said Meat Loaf manager, CEO of 10th Street Entertainment, and executive producer of Bat Out of Hell III, Allen Kovac. "It took fourteen years to make Bat Out Of Hell II, and almost fourteen years to make Bat III, because it's such a major undertaking. There's a quality and standard to uphold." The album was mixed by Grammy-winning studio engineer Greg Collins (U2).

The two previous albums in the series have sold an estimated 45 million copies to date around the world. Bat Out of Hell, the immortal and genre-transforming original, released in 1977, with songs by Jim Steinman and production by Todd Rundgren, ran for an extraordinary 82 weeks on the Billboard album chart and has sold in excess of 14 million copies in the U.S. alone. It included the Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman signature hits "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth," and the show-stopping "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights."

The second installment, Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, released in 1993, included the classic international chart-topper "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," and earned Meat Loaf a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Solo Performance. Meat Loaf has a total of 24 multi-platinum, platinum and gold RIAA awards.

Meat Loaf has appeared in the movies The Rocky Horror Picture Show (as Eddie); Roadie; Fight Club; Wayne's World; Out of Bounds; The Squeeze; and Leap of Faith, among a total of nearly 60 television and film roles. At the outset of his performing career, he also appeared onstage in Hair in Los Angeles, Detroit and on Broadway.

For more information, please go to www.meatloaf.net

Source: Virgin Records

-- FUNimation(R) Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation and the market share leader for home video sales of Japanese animation in the United States, announced today that the FUNimation Channel launches on Verizon FiOS TV on August 1, 2006. The FUNimation Channel is a 24-hour digital network featuring programming from top anime brands in the United States and it will be added to the FiOS TV Premier package.

"We are very happy to bring top anime programming to Verizon FiOS TV," explained Gen Fukunaga, president and CEO of FUNimation Entertainment. "Verizon's FiOS TV Premier package is the most widely subscribed tier with a great price and optical fiber digital quality. We are confident the FUNimation Channel will drive awareness of the Verizon FiOS TV offerings as we have the unique ability to directly target 18- to 24-year-old entertainment fans, as well as video game and pop culture audiences."

Verizon FiOS TV offers a broad collection of all-digital programming including more than 20 high-definition channels. It is now available in parts of north Texas, Florida, California, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York -- and will expand to other markets in 2006.

FUNimation is working with OlympuSAT, a leading distributor of independent digital programming networks, for the distribution of the FUNimation Channel. OlympuSAT is the exclusive distributor of the FUNimation Channel, which is now available to video service providers across the nation.

About Navarre Corporation

Navarre Corporation is a publisher and distributor of physical and digital home entertainment and multimedia products, including PC software, CD audio, DVD and VHS video, video games and accessories. Since its founding in 1983, the company has established distribution relationships with customers across a wide spectrum of retail channels which includes mass merchants, discount, wholesale club, office and music superstores, military and e-tailers nationwide. The company currently provides its products to over 18,000 retail and distribution center locations throughout the United States and Canada. Navarre has expanded its business to include the licensing and publishing of home entertainment and multimedia content, primarily through the acquisitions of Encore Software, Inc., BCI Eclipse Company, LLC, FUNimation Productions, Ltd. and The FUNimation Store, Ltd. For more information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.navarre.com/ .

About FUNimation Entertainment

FUNimation(R) Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is a brand management company and one of the nation's leading independent home video entertainment companies. The company's most recent initiative is the FUNimation Channel(SM), a new, 24-hour digital network featuring programming from the top anime brands in the United States. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For images, or more information on FUNimation Entertainment, the FUNimation Channel, or any of FUNimation's properties, contact Jeff Dronen at 817-788-0627, ext. 251 or jeff.dronen@funimation.com.

About OlympuSAT

OlympuSAT, Inc. distributes independently owned and operated digital networks on individual transponder platforms and currently represents more than twenty diverse channels through their Hispanic and Faith & Families Packs. A turnkey service provider, OlympuSAT facilitates technical related services for the transponder and uplink along with affiliate sales services. Additional services provided to networks include, as needed, master control, advertising sales and traffic and billing services. The OlympuSAT suites are distributed via Intelsat Americas 13. An affiliate of Ocean Communications, OlympuSAT is based in West Palm Beach Florida, serving homes nationwide. http://www.olympusat.com/

Source: FUNimation Entertainment

"Ambassador of Poker" and PartyPoker.net (www.partypoker.net) host Mike Sexton fortified his honorary title when he donated half of his $1,000,000 Tournament of Champions winnings at the official WSOP party at the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio in Las Vegas on Friday night.

Sexton awarded $100,000 each to the Special Olympics, The Buoniconti Fund to help cure paralysis, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warrior Project that helps families of those wounded or killed in battle, and Children Incorporated, which provides food and school supplies for underprivileged children around the world. Children Incorporated is the primary recipient of donated monies from fellow poker player Barry Greenstein, known as the "Robin Hood of Poker."

For years, Sexton has advocated that the poker world should make more charitable donations, pushing pros and businesses to make substantial contributions. Modeling his concept on the PGA Tour's approach and its huge prize pools, he suggested that major poker tournaments should donate a percentage of the money to charity.

Sexton said: "It was fantastic that the charities sent representatives to the WSOP official party. I hope that the proceeds of my win help the amazing work they do."

Warren Lush, spokesman for PartyPoker.net said: "It is an honor to have Mike Sexton as part of the PartyPoker.net team. He leads by example and when he wins a lot of other people win, too."

The Tournament of Champions provided Sexton with his second WSOP bracelet in 17 years. The first was in Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo in 1989. He now stands among the top 10 for all-time number of finishes in the money at the WSOP with 37 cashes. He has nearly $2.7 million in total tournament winnings.

About PartyPoker.net

Founded in 1997, PartyGaming Plc is the world's leading online gaming company and owns and operates PartyPoker.net, "The World's Largest Poker School." PartyGaming is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker PRTY.

ZoomAlbum(TM) Available for Mac OS

 ZoomAlbum™ (www.zoomalbum.com) software is now available for Mac OS X users. This easy-to-use software takes just minutes to turn digital images into handmade, 3"X3", professional-looking mini-albums that fit into the palm of your hand. ZoomAlbums are the perfect complement for iPhoto 6 (http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/) users who can now immediately create and share albums, instead of ordering online and waiting for their albums to be shipped.

(Click here for details)
ZoomAlbums are the perfect compliment to iPhotos

ZoomAlbums, which contain twelve photos printed on glossy, high-quality paper, are extremely easy to create. Its Mac software automatically lays out images from iPhoto library into the ZoomAlbum book format, and with ZoomAlbum Creator™, you can rotate, crop, zoom, re-arrange and add text to customize your album and create "stories" that make your album come alive. The hardest part is deciding on which 12 photos to print!

"Imagine how much fun it is to create albums you can share during vacation, pass around at your wedding, or give as a bridal shower gift, 'Timmy's first day at the zoo,' holidays with the family, office parties; the possibilities are endless because with ZoomAlbums, you don't have to wait," said Doug Rowan, ZoomAlbum CEO. Continued Rowan, "Mac is the platform of choice for many professional photographers; making ZoomAlbums are a great way for them to increase sales and provide instant gratification for their customers."

ZoomAlbum photo sheets come with easy-to-follow instructions (on the back of each sheet) that walk you through an origami-like folding routine that produces, with the help of simple adhesive backing, a five-page booklet with images on both sides of each page, and one on each inside cover. You can also print your own album covers.

To make a ZoomAlbum, all you need is a PC (Windows or Mac) and an Inkjet color printer. ZoomAlbum supplies everything else (software, photo sheets, album covers) to create charming and lasting keepsakes.

ZoomAlbums are ideal for the whole family, and can be created in just minutes:

1.  Choose Photos - Download the latest ZoomAlbum Creator software from www.zoomalbum.com at no cost. Simply insert or drag-and-drop images from your computer, digital camera or cell phone into the boxes on your computer screen. Rotate, crop, zoom, re-arrange and add text to customize your album.  2.  Print Page - Set your printer to glossy photo paper and high quality; print the page onto our exclusive, high-quality photo paper. Your entire album will emerge on a single sheet, ready for assembly.  3.  Assemble Album - Fold your printed photo sheet, press the pages together, and insert the folded sheet into your ZoomAlbum cover for your finished pocket-sized photo album. 

About ZoomAlbum, Inc.

ZoomAlbums (www.zoomalbum.com) are an exciting and patented new way to turn digital images into handmade, professional-looking albums of twelve glossy photos. These high-quality little albums fit right into the palm of your hand. All you need is a PC and Inkjet color printer. ZoomAlbum supplies everything else (software, photo sheets, album covers) to create charming and lasting keepsakes. You can even print your own personalized covers. ZoomAlbum photo sheets come with easy-to-follow instructions that walk you through a folding routine that produces, with the help of forgiving adhesive backing, a booklet of twelve, durable and high-quality photographs. The software is simple and you can insert text captions, rotate, flip, zoom and crop photos. The hardest part is deciding on the 12 images. Album kits are sold at selected retail outlets and are available for direct purchase at www.ZoomAlbum.com

NAn item appearing in the press on Friday, July 28 falsely speculated that the upcoming release and pre-sale date for Beyonce's new album, "B'Day," were set in response to an upcoming album release by LeToya Luckett, a former member of Destiny's Child.

In order to put a stop to these unfounded rumors, Beyonce and her manager, Mathew Knowles, have each issued statements clarifying the facts of the situation.

"I have enormous respect and admiration for LeToya as an artist and a business woman and I wish her incredible success with her debut CD and her career," said Beyonce. "LeToya and I have known each other since childhood and, because of all we've been through, I know that we both really care -- and want what's best -- for each other.

"We are pleased that LeToya has chosen to include our House of Dereon designs in her Lady Elle boutique in Houston and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.

"It makes me sad that that people are trying to stir up a controversy where there is none. LeToya makes fantastic music and it would be great if her fans, as well as the press, could simply enjoy it on its own merits and not engage in negative speculation."

"I'm shocked and amazed that this is even an issue," said Mathew Knowles. "It's standard practice in the music industry for upcoming albums to go on pre-sale well in advance of an in-store date.

"From the time Beyonce began working on her new album, 'B'Day,' we wanted to release it in early September to coincide with her 25th birthday on September 4. Our pre-sale strategy is a logical and sensible lead-in to that target date and has nothing to do with the scheduled releases of any other albums by any other artists."

Source: Music World Music; Sony Urban Music; Columbia Records

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

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SBGI) announced that "The Point," a daily commentary by Mark Hyman and aired on Sinclair's news stations, has been honored with two Aurora Awards for excellence in the Social Issues and Documentary category. Sharing in the awards is Dina Nesheiwat, Sinclair Producer for "The Point." Eligibility included commentaries that aired during 2004 and 2005. It was announced earlier this year that Hyman and Nesheiwat also received four Telly Awards for excellence in 2006.

Receiving a Gold Aurora Award was the following commentary:

"The 2000 Election Fiasco" documented, with video excerpts, the November 7, 2000 election day newscasts from ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and FOX News Channel announcing at 7pm ET that all polls were closed in Florida during the extremely close 2000 presidential election. Yet, more than 350 polling stations located in the Florida panhandle were open for another hour until 8pm ET (7pm CT). In the following 2002 off-year elections, more than 20,000 more Floridians voted in the panhandle than in 2000. This strongly suggests that the premature news announcement of closed polling may have dissuaded thousands from voting and thereby contributed to the 2000 election fiasco. This commentary was also awarded a Silver Telly, the highest award given, for 2006.

Also receiving a Gold Aurora Award was the following commentary:

"Courts of Madison County" was a look at Madison County, Illinois, the lawsuit capital of America where the judges usually act in favor of trial attorneys. It highlighted one successful lawsuit where the attorneys' share of a $93 million verdict was $84.5 million, leaving the plaintiffs with just over eight million dollars. This commentary was also awarded a Bronze Telly for 2006.

The Aurora Awards is an international film and video competition for commercials, cable programming, documentaries, industrial, instructional and corporate videos. The Aurora Awards competition is designed to recognize local, regional, independent, and industrial excellence and it specifically targets programs and commercials that would not normally have the opportunity to compete on a national level. Judges reviewed thousands of entries from the U.S. and abroad this year.

Recent television winners of Aurora Awards include CBS, CNBC, Court TV, Discovery Channel, FOX News Channel, HBO Films, History Channel, National Geographic Channel, and PBS.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies, owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 36 markets. Sinclair's television group is affiliated with all major networks and reaches approximately 22% of all U.S. television households. For more information, please visit Sinclair's website at http://www.sbgi.net/.

Source: Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

Carolina Crossroads has announced that multi-platinum contemporary Christian artists Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day will perform at an outdoor summer concert on August 19 at the Roanoke Rapids music and entertainment venue. Concert tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce office located at 1604 Julian Allsbrook Highway in Roanoke Rapids. Ticket prices are $20 for lawn seating, $25 for gold seating and $35 for platinum seating. Groups of 50 or more attendees receive a $5 per ticket discount. Group sales must be purchased at the Chamber office or at http://www.carolinacrossroads.com/. The August 19 concert is the second in a series of "Randy Parton & Carolina Crossroads Present" concerts.

"The concert will provide a terrific setting to listen to great contemporary Christian music in a comfortable outdoor location," said Randy Parton, managing member of Moonlight Bandit Productions, LLC.

"Concert-goers will have a fantastic opportunity to catch a glimpse of the beginnings of Carolina Crossroads and the Randy Parton Theater while enjoying some great music," said Michael Dunlow, president of Carolina Crossroads.

For additional information, call Ticketmaster at 888-481-2726 or the Halifax County Tourism Development Authority at 800-522-4282.

About Steven Curtis Chapman:

Steven Curtis Chapman has sold nearly 10 million records and recorded more than 15 projects with Sparrow Records since 1987. This spring, Chapman received his 50th Dove Award, more than any other artist. He has received five GRAMMY Awards, an American Music Award, recorded over 40 No. 1 radio hits, as well as numerous other honors. His platinum and gold albums include Speechless, Heaven in the Real World, Declaration, Greatest Hits, Music of Christmas, Signs of Life, The Great Adventure, More to This Life, For the Sake of the Call and All about Love. For more information, visit http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/.

About Third Day:

Third Day is a platinum-selling, Atlanta-based band. Recently, they received their fourth GRAMMY nod for their Love Wire album and are selling out venues across the nation on their "Where You Are Tour." In the past decade, Third Day has collected 22 No. 1 radio singles and sold almost six million albums, including one platinum record, one platinum DVD, and eight gold records. The band has garnered 24 career Dove Awards, two GRAMMY Awards, and two consecutive American Music Awards. For more information, visit http://www.thirdday.com/.

About Carolina Crossroads:

Carolina Crossroads is an entertainment and tourism destination in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. The location will offer live performance theatres, shopping, hotels, convention and conference facilities, recreation and amusements, and unlimited dining options. The Randy Parton Theatre, which opens in 2007, will anchor the Carolina Crossroads Music Theatre and Entertainment District and feature a 35,000 square foot, 1,500-seat amphitheater. Randy Parton developed the theatre and has played a major role in creating criteria for making Carolina Crossroads a featured location for live country music and a nationally recognized travel destination. For more information, visit http://www.carolinacrossroads.com/.

In its continuing effort to promote and expand the game of baseball in fun and exciting ways, MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, has launched a unique and innovative new game, MLB.COM SHUFFLE(TM).

MLB.COM SHUFFLE(TM) combines the excitement of opening a new pack of trading cards with the strategy of a revved up fantasy baseball draft and the random luck of a Hold and Draw card game as fans try to field the best lineup of Major League Baseball players. The goal of the game is to score the most points and there are numerous paths players can take to reach that goal. There are times when fans will want to add the best players available at each position. At other times it will be advantageous to go with the cards that are dealt, especially when players from the same team show up and trigger one of the bonuses. The continuous juggling of which players to add or keep in your lineup is what makes MLB.COM SHUFFLE(TM) a uniquely compelling experience with its simple, yet deeply addictive gameplay.

The game, licensed by Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, was developed by Sandcastle Studios in Carlsbad, California.

"We play fantasy sports, and we play the console video games, too," said Tom Casey, CEO of Sandcastle. "But we really wanted something that didn't require so much of an investment of time to play. The first idea was to create a fantasy baseball game that you could play in five to 10 minutes. Then we started adding some of the random elements you'd see in a hold-and-draw card game. That's where we started coming up with ideas for injury penalties and team bonuses. It's funny, because baseball fans have loyalties to their favorite players and teams. This game, like fantasy baseball, kind of messes with those loyalties. Because if you want to win, sometimes you have to give up on your favorite player or team."

One thing that makes MLB.COM SHUFFLE(TM) so unique from any other video game -- even from those that simulate actual play-by-play -- is its ability to stay current. It's not a game that is updated once in the offseason. Rosters and player values are pulled from MLB.com stat feeds so they are fresh, and there is an "Update Roster" choice in the main menu. In fact, there will be a mass update of the rosters right after the July 31 trading deadline as well, as the essence of this game is the promise of a different player's likeness always there to keep you in a general manager's decision mode.

"There are so many different ways to play," Casey said. "But we don't force you to play any certain way. That's one of the appealing things about MLB.COM SHUFFLE(TM). Anyone who likes baseball can just get in and start playing. You don't have to think too hard. The games are very short. You'll start to see people play over and over and over again. As they go through that process, they start to discover and say, 'Oh, I could do that.' You keep getting better. It's always challenging."

Fans are offered a free, full-featured trial of the game on arcade.MLB.com, "so everything is in there," said Casey. We're just trying to give you a taste of it so you can make a decision as to whether you like it. Hopefully you will and will want to keep playing, and it's a very simple process to purchase it for unlimited use." Unlimited use of the game costs $19.95.

For the upgrade, no additional downloads or CD-ROMs are necessary. It is instant activation, so fans can be using it again in minutes. The paid game can be installed on multiple computers. Free customer/technical support also is available.

MLB.COM SHUFFLE(TM) is one of hundreds of games available to play at the MLB Arcade at http://arcade.mlb.com/.

Source: MLB Advanced Media L.P.

The Field Museum in Chicago has sold 500,000 tickets to the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition. More than 3,000 years after his reign, Tutankhamun, the celebrated "boy king," has proven to be a cultural phenomenon in Chicago and around the world.

The 500,000 tickets sold to Tut include a record number of groups from 41 different states. Visitors have traveled to see the exhibition from as far away as Alaska, California, Florida and Brazil. The Museum has sold more than 4,500 of its popular premium memberships, Tut at Twilight and Royal Tut. Both premium memberships include benefits such as discounted tickets, priority admission and exclusive member viewings.

Due to high ticket demand, The Field Museum will extend its hours to Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs on August 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 24 and 27 until 9 p.m., with the last entry at 7 p.m. In addition, the Museum will open earlier in the mornings-at 7:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 3, 2006.

The Field Museum also will host Tut at Twilight nights as an opportunity for guests to view Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs during exclusive evening screenings with reduced crowds each Tuesday in August (1, 8, 15, 22, 29) from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (last admission at 8:30 p.m.). Tut at Twilight gives visitors an opportunity to see the exhibition after work or school in addition to the Museum's regular hours. Tickets cost $50 each and include an audio tour narrated by Egyptian actor Omar Sharif. McDonald's will remain open, as well as the King Tut Store, located at the exit of the exhibition.

Visitors to the exhibition-twice the size of the 1977 exhibition-will view stunning artifacts that portray the splendors of life and death in the 18th Dynasty, the era in which Tutankhamun and his family ruled. This "Golden Age of the Pharaohs" produced some of Egypt's most famous rulers and most exquisite works of art.

A special section of the exhibition explores the mystery of Tutankhamun's death using the marvels of modern CT scanning technology. Images made from these scans let visitors look into the face of the young pharaoh for the first time. The scanning of Tut's mummy is part of a landmark, five-year Egyptian research and conservation project, partially funded by National Geographic, that will CT-scan the ancient mummies of Egypt. The portable CT scanner was donated by Siemens AG and National Geographic.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions in association with the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt and The Field Museum. The tour is sponsored by Northern Trust. Its Chicago sponsor is Exelon, proud parent of ComEd.

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students with ID, $16 for children aged 4-11 and includes general admission into the Museum. Discounts apply for Chicago residents. For tickets, call 866-FIELD-03 or visit http://www.fieldmuseum.org/tut.

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs runs through January 1, 2007. The Field Museum is located at 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Source: Field Museum

Planit, the Baltimore-based marketing communications agency, today announced that it has signed a contract with The Walters Art Museum to create for the internationally recognized institution a fresh new, interactive web site that will redefine the museum's online presence. The new site is scheduled to launch in August.

The Walters joins the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts on Planit's growing list of high-profile arts and culture clients. "Planit was chosen above a number of prominent national and local agencies for both projects," said Planit President Matt Doud. "To say we are excited about the niche we are creating for ourselves in this space would be an understatement.

"Being chosen to work with what is considered by many to be one of the best art museums in the U.S., and not only that, one of Baltimore's greatest treasures, is immensely gratifying."

For The Walters, Planit has been charged with creating an online experience that engages visitors as strongly as the museum does. The new site represents the first phase of The Walters' five-year plan to have its entire collection of approximately 30,000 objects, representing 55 centuries of art, represented online.

"The inquiries we receive most often from visitors to our web site pertain to requests for more information regarding specific pieces," said C. Griffith Mann, Associate Curator, Medieval Art at The Walters. "By enhancing this portion of our web site, we will be able to share The Walters' expansive collection with students, teachers, history and art enthusiasts, and scholars from around the world."

"We will be able to serve our online visitors in entirely new ways," said Michael Smith, Director of Marketing. "Based on Planit's presentation and catalogue of work, we felt they were the best agency to handle this ambitious project."

The site will provide a much more visual presentation of The Walters' collection than is currently available online and will include hundreds of highly searchable new images as well as in-depth educational resources such as classroom curricula, lesson plans, and a variety of interactive media. Selected audio tours of the museum will also be among future additions to the web site.

The Walters attracts between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors a year, and is one of only a few museums worldwide to present a comprehensive history of art from the third millennium B.C. to the early 20th century. Among its thousands of treasures, The Walters holds the finest collection of ivories, jewelry, enamels and bronzes in America, and a spectacular reserve of illuminated manuscripts and rare books. The Walters' Egyptian, Greek and Roman, Byzantine, Ethiopian and Western medieval art collections are among the best in the nation, as are the museum's holdings of Renaissance and Asian art. Every major trend in French painting during the 19th century is represented by one or more works in The Walters' collection.

About Planit(R)

Planit (http://www.planitagency.com/) is a Baltimore-based communications agency providing advertising, design, direct, interactive, animation, and public relations services across various industries. The agency, established in 1994, uses the philosophy of IDEAS TRANSFORM to deliver breakthrough creative and measurable results. Planit's clients include Chevy Chase Bank, CitiFinancial, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and XLHealth.

Source: Planit

Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) President and CEO Lee Scott will appear as a guest on the Charlie Rose Show on PBS on August 1, 2006.

The show follows Scott giving Rose a tour of a Wal-Mart store undergoing renovation in Secaucus, N.J. It also includes a studio interview with topics ranging from Wal-Mart's role in the global marketplace to the company's Hurricane Katrina response to the transformation at Wal-Mart.

The Charlie Rose Show airs on over 200 PBS affiliates each weeknight. To find out when and on what channel the show airs in your area, you can visit either of the following websites on your home computer: http://www.charlierose.com/ or http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html .

John Stossel, co-host of ABC's 20/20, will address Young America's Foundation's National Conservative Student Conference. The National Conservative Student Conference convenes in the nation's capital each summer to teach students about conservative ideas and how to advance them in the face of liberal hostility. More than 400 participants from 39 states and 179 colleges and universities are attending the 28th annual National Conservative Student Conference. Mr. Stossel will speak about his book, Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel -- Why Everything You Know is Wrong.

What: Young America's Foundation's National Conservative Student

Conference

Who: John Stossel

When: Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: The George Washington University, Marvin Center,

800 21 street, 3rd floor

As the principal outreach organization of the Conservative Movement for 37 years, Young America's Foundation introduces thousands of young people to conservative ideas through national conferences, campus lectures and activism programs, internships, and seminars at the Reagan Ranch. Young America's Foundation preserves the Reagan Ranch as a premier presidential property and living tribute to Ronald Reagan's life and ideas.

Following the February release of ten classic Merle Haggard albums on five CDs, Capitol Nashville/EMI Music Catalog Marketing continues its "Year Of Hag" catalog campaign with the September 12 release of Hag: The Best Of Merle Haggard. The new career and label-spanning CD collects Haggard's top hits and favorites from the vaults of Capitol, MCA, Epic, Anti-, and Compendia, including 14 Country #1s and duets with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Toby Keith. Ken Nelson, now 96, Haggard's longtime Capitol Records producer and a Country Music Hall Of Fame inductee, contributes new liner notes to the package, and 23 of the CD's 26 tracks were written or co-written by Haggard.

Capitol Nashville/EMI's in-depth Merle Haggard catalog retrospective was launched on February 21 with the release of ten original albums Haggard recorded for Capitol between 1965 and 1971, all digitally remastered and paired chronologically on five CDs with a bevy of rare and previously unreleased bonus tracks. The single-disc packages present the cream of Haggard's crop of 38 Capitol LPs, with new liner notes penned by music scribes Chris Morris, Chet Flippo, Holly George-Warren, Joel Selvin and Geoffrey Himes. Four albums, Hag, Someday We'll Look Back, Pride In What I Am, and The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde, made their CD debut, coupled with Strangers, Swinging Doors and the Bottle Let Me Down, I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, Branded Man, Mama Tried, and Sing Me Back Home. Continuing the "Year Of Hag" campaign, spiritual and songwriter-themed packages are planned for release in 2007.

"For 40 years, Haggard's been country music's most compelling figure."

- Newsweek (February 13, 2006)

Merle Haggard made his chart debut in 1963 with "Sing a Sad Song" and has enjoyed the longest span of any artist on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. In addition to 38 #1 Country hits, Merle Haggard has charted scores of Top 10 singles. He's won just about every music award imaginable, both as a performer and as a songwriter, including NARAS' Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award this year. Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994. His body of work easily places him beside Hank Williams as one of the most influential artists in country music, but Haggard's impact on modern music reaches well beyond the genre line.

Producer Don Was, who has worked with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Bonnie Raitt, told Newsweek in 1996, "He'll tell you he's a country singer, but to me the essence of rock and roll is a cry for freedom and rebellion. And I don't know anyone who embodies it better. Every aspect of his life is a refusal to submit."

Merle Ronald Haggard was born in 1937 outside Bakersfield, California. His parents had moved the family there after their farm in Oklahoma burned down, and his father found work as a carpenter for the Santa Fe Railroad. The family lived in an old boxcar that they converted into a home. Though struggling to make a meager living, they had a sturdy shelter and food was always on the table. Haggard's father died of a stroke when Merle was nine years old, a devastating event for the young boy. With his world turned upside down, Haggard turned rebellious. He hopped a freight train when he was just ten, making it to Fresno before being picked up by the authorities. For the next few years, he would find himself in reform schools, sometimes making an escape, only to get thrown back in again.

The angel on Haggard's shoulder during these troubled times was his love and talent for music. Starting out as a fan of Bob Wills, Haggard eventually found his musical idol in Lefty Frizzell, and worked up a pretty impressive copy of his singing style. "For three or four years I didn't sing anything but Lefty Frizzell songs," Merle told Music City News. "And then, because Lefty was a fan of Jimmie Rodgers, I learned to imitate him too." Haggard got the chance to see Lefty perform in person when he was 14. "He was dressed in white -- heroes usually are," Merle said.

Haggard was already starting to make small amounts of money here and there by playing music, but it wasn't enough to keep him out of trouble. In and out of jail throughout his teen years for small crimes, he found himself doing serious time in San Quentin at the age of 20. "Going to prison has one of a few effects," he told Salon in 2004. "It can make you worse, or it can make you understand and appreciate freedom. I learned to appreciate freedom when I didn't have any."

Haggard was released from prison in 1960. After making an impression working in local clubs, he joined Las Vegas star Wynn Stewart's band in 1962 on bass. When he got a chance to record his own single, Haggard chose the Stewart composition, "Sing A Sad Song." It came out on the small Tally Records label in 1964 and made it into the Top 20. His follow-up singles didn't do quite as well, until "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers" went into the Top 10 and brought him to the attention of Capitol Records. He proved himself a hitmaker with three Top 10 singles in 1967, including his first #1, "I'm A Lonesome Fugitive."

Johnny Cash encouraged him to address his problems directly in verse. "I was bull-headed about my career. I didn't want to talk about being in prison," Haggard recalls, "but Cash said I should talk about it. That way the tabloids wouldn't be able to. I said I didn't want to do that and he said, 'It's just owning up to it.'" When Cash introduced him on his variety show, he said, "Here's a man who writes about his own life and has had a life to write about."

The true grit of Merle Haggard is expressed in many of the hits he's recorded, from "Sing Me Back Home," another #1 in 1967, to "Mama Tried," which topped the chart in 1968, an apology of sorts to Haggard's religious and hardworking mother. Hag's tender side is further revealed in "I Started Loving You Again" and "You Still Have a Place In My Heart" from 1968's The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde, and "I Just Want To Look At You One More Time" from 1969's Pride In What I Am.

"What impresses most are the lyrics: Like Johnny Cash, Haggard is always on the side of the downtrodden. These are the real thing, works of pure American genius."

- Playboy (May 2006)

With the Vietnam War serving as a lightning rod for opposing views, the United States was politically divided. "Working Man Blues," issued in 1969, delivered a clear message of solidarity to the blue-collar country audience. That sociological stance was solidified with Haggard's most popular song, "Okie From Muskogee." He says the song started as a joke, but it also drew a clear line between "us" and "them." Haggard spoke for the Americans who didn't smoke marijuana, didn't burn their draft cards, didn't grow their hair long and shaggy and were "proud to wave Old Glory down at the courthouse." In the ensuing years, Richard Nixon invited him to sing at the White House, Ronald Reagan, then Governor of California, gave him an unconditional pardon for his past criminal offenses, and George Wallace asked him for an endorsement -- which Haggard turned down.

Merle Haggard is not only a part of Capitol's rich history, he also plays a vital role in its present. He continues to reap accolades for new albums and performances, including 2005 and 2006 touring with Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, and his most recent Capitol Nashville album, Chicago Wind. The 2005 CD has won critical praise from all corners of the media, with People declaring in its 4-star review, "Haggard is as close to Nashvillle royalty as it gets." Many of Haggard's bristly anthems have proven to be timeless torches for a new generation of outlaws. Toby Keith has embraced Hag's "Fightin' Side Of Me" as a modern-day war cry, often performing the fiery song in concert.

www.merlehaggard.com

Hag: The Best Of Merle Haggard

1. THE BOTTLE LET ME DOWN (2:45) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded June 28, 1966, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart Position: #3)

2. BRANDED MAN (3:06) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded April 10, 1967, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

3. SING ME BACK HOME (2:48) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded September 18, 1967, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

4. THE LEGEND OF BONNIE AND CLYDE (2:04) (Merle Haggard - Bonnie Owens)

Recorded January 31, 1968, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

5. TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN (2:22) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded February 1, 1968, Hollywood, CA

6. MAMA TRIED (2:11) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded May 8, 1968, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

7. I'M BRINGING HOME GOOD NEWS (2:48) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded August 27, 1968, Hollywood, CA

8. I TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN WHAT I AM (2:48) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded August 26, 1968, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart

Position: #3)

9. HUNGRY EYES (3:26) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded December 9, 1968, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

10. WORKIN' MAN BLUES (2:33) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded May 16, 1969, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

11. SILVER WINGS (2:44) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded December 9, 1968, Hollywood, CA (Produced by Ken Nelson)

12. OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE (2:42) (Merle Haggard - Roy Burris)

Recorded July 17, 1969, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

13. THE FIGHTIN' SIDE OF ME (2:53) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded December 23, 1969, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

14. SOMEDAY WE'LL LOOK BACK (2:32) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded May 12, 1971, Hollywood CA (Highest Country Chart Position: #2)

15. IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH DECEMBER (2:41) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded January 16, 1973, Nashville, TN (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

16. THINGS AREN'T FUNNY ANYMORE (2:42) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded July 11, 1973, Nashville, TN (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

17. HONKY TONK NIGHT TIME MAN (2:39) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded October 23, 1973, Hollywood, CA

18. OLD MAN FROM THE MOUNTAIN (2:19) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded: April 30, 1974 (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

19. LIVING WITH THE SHADES PULLED DOWN (2:56) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded April 28, 1975, Nashville, TN

20. I THINK I'LL JUST STAY HERE AND DRINK (4:31) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded 1980, Nashville, TN (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

21. BIG CITY (3:00) (Merle Haggard - Dean Holloway)

Recorded July 9, 1981, Hollywood, CA (Highest Country Chart Position: #1)

22. PANCHO AND LEFTY (4:46) - with Willie Nelson (Townes Van Zandt)

Recorded November 9, 1982, Nashville, TN (Highest Country Chart

Position: #1)

23. I'M LEAVING NOW (3:07) - with Johnny Cash (Johnny Cash)

Recorded: May, 2000

24. RUNAWAY MAMA (4:08) (Merle Haggard)

Recorded: July, 2001

25. THAT'S THE NEWS (2:33) (Merle Haggard)

Released: September 23, 2003

26. SHE AIN'T HOOKED ON ME NO MORE (3:36) - with Toby Keith (Scotty

Emerick - Toby Keith)

Released: May 17, 2005

Source: Capitol Nashville/EMI

Bug Music, one of the world's largest independent music publishers, enters its 32nd year by partnering with Crossroads Media, which has made a significant equity investment in Bug, it was announced today by Dan and Fred Bourgoise, partners of Bug Music. Bug Music will use the capital infusion to continue and expand upon its mission of focusing on its songs, songwriters and music publishers with personalized administration and innovative creative services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Crossroads Media is a partnership between Tom McGrath, former President of Paramount Enterprises, and Spectrum Equity Investors, a media and entertainment-focused private equity firm.

In conjunction with the new partnership, Dan and Fred Bourgoise will step down from their day-to-day duties at Bug and, along with Crossroads Media, have named John Rudolph as CEO, and have promoted David Hirshland, an 11-year Bug veteran, to President. Rudolph is formerly head of Music Analytics, a music publishing consulting firm, and previously the CFO of Windswept Pacific. Mark Anders, current Managing Director of Bug Limited based in the U.K., has been named President of International. All other senior executives remain with the company. Dan and Fred Bourgoise will provide ongoing consultation to the company and serve on the Board of Directors alongside McGrath and representatives from Spectrum.

Noted Rudolph: "Dan and Fred have built a company with an independent ethos over the last 30 years that values at its core the songs and songwriters it represents by providing efficient and aggressive client services. I am honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by Dan and Fred and look forward to leading this very special business and its staff through its next stage of growth."

Dan Bourgoise commented, "This investment by Crossroads Media will allow Bug to maintain its core values of service to the songwriters and excellence in publishing while giving it the flexibility to adapt to the rapidly changing marketplace, as well as take advantage of new opportunities that arise almost daily. There has never been a more exciting time to be in the music publishing business." Added Fred Bourgoise, "I look forward to the next evolution of Bug as the music world completes this revolutionary shift from analog to digital technologies and from physical to virtual distribution. I feel inspired by this new association with Crossroads and Spectrum and am delighted to continue to advise and work for the writers, publishers, managers and attorneys that I have had the pleasure of knowing over the last three decades. This company has been our life's work and we feel this partnership and the news management appointments only strengthen and extend that legacy."

Tom McGrath, senior managing director of Crossroads, said, "Bug Music is one of the world's premiere independent music publishers with an unparalleled reputation for integrity and service to its many clients. I am delighted to be in business with Dan and Fred whose personal reputations and leadership abilities know no peer. I am particularly pleased that John Rudolph has agreed to join us as CEO. John's experience with Windswept Pacific and his leading role in so many music acquisitions, investments and partnerships over the past few years while running Music Analytics will be invaluable to Bug."

About Bug Music

Founded in 1975, Bug is one of the world's leading music publishers. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Nashville, New York, London and Munich, Bug owns and/or manages approximately 120,000 copyrights. The Company has built a strong reputation as the "songwriter's" publisher by vigorously supporting copyrights of songwriters and publishers and providing personalized administrative and creative services. Clients include the estates of Johnny Cash, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Del Shannon and Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as classic and contemporary writers and artists such as Morningwood, Iggy Pop, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Peaches, Los Lobos and The Guess Who. Bug songs currently appear throughout the Billboard charts and can be heard in ad campaigns by Levi's, Lincoln Mercury and Carnival Cruise Lines among others.

About Crossroads Media

Crossroads Media is a Los Angeles-based strategic partnership between Spectrum Equity Investors and Mr. Thomas McGrath. Mr. McGrath is the former President of Paramount Enterprises, a role in which he had responsibilities for many activities of that division, including: Famous Music (music publishing), Paramount Parks (theme parks), Famous Players (movie theaters), and Viacom Consumer Products, encompassing licensing, merchandising, themed entertainment, and theatrical production. In addition to serving as President of Paramount Enterprises, Mr. McGrath also served as Chief Operating Officer of Viacom Entertainment Group, which included Paramount Pictures and Paramount Television.

About Spectrum Equity Investors

Spectrum Equity Investors is a private equity firm specializing in investments in the media, communications, and entertainment industries throughout North America and Western Europe. Founded in 1994 and based in Boston and Menlo Park, Spectrum has over $4 billion in capital under management. Current portfolio companies include AMC Entertainment, Apprise Media, CBD Media, Classic Media, Eutelsat S.A., NEP, and Patriot Media and Communications. Additional information on Spectrum can be found at www.spectrumequity.com.

Great To Be Nominated" Visited by  "The Exorcist"

Beverly Hills, CA – The 1973 Best Picture nominee “The  Exorcist” will be screened as the next feature in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Great To Be Nominated” series. The film, based on the best-selling novel by William Peter Blatty, will be shown on Monday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Actress Linda Blair, cinematographer Owen Roizman and editor Bud Smith, all of whom received Oscar® nominations for their work on the film, will participate in a panel discussion following the screening.

In “The Exorcist,” Ellen Burstyn stars as Chris MacNeil, an actress dealing with dangerous changes in the behavior and physical appearance of her daughter, who is deemed “possessed.” Blatty, who adapted his own book for the screen version, was inspired by a reported exorcism in the Washington, DC area in 1949. The film received a total of 10 Academy Award® nominations and took home the Oscars® for Sound (Robert Knudson, Chris Newman) and Writing – Screenplay based on material from another medium (Blatty). The film also received nominations for Best Picture (Blatty, producer), Actor in a Supporting Role (Jason Miller as Father Damian Karras), Actress (Burstyn as Chris MacNeil), Actress in a Supporting Role (Blair as Regan MacNeil), Art Direction (Bill Malley; Set Decoration: Jerry Wunderlich), Cinematography (Roizman), Directing (William Friedkin) and Film Editing (Jordan Leondopoulos, Smith, Evan Lottman, Norman Gay).

The Oscar-nominated animated short “The Legend of John Henry” and the Oscar-winning live action short “The Bolero” will be screened prior to the feature.

Tickets for “The Exorcist” may be purchased at a cost of $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or, depending on availability, on the night of the screening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Curtain time for the feature is 7:30 p.m., and pre-show elements will begin at 7 p.m. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.

©A.M.P.A.S.®

Time Out New York On Demand Launches www.timeoutnewyork.tv

 Time Out New York On Demand takes a byte out of the Big Apple with its new broadband video channel. Offering hundreds of free video profiles and reviews, www.timeoutnewyork.tv provides users with an in-depth look at the latest and greatest places to go, from restaurants to shopping, making it the premiere online destination for how to spend your "time out" in the city. New content will be added weekly including video blogs with up-to-the-New-York-minute tips from Time Out New York editors.

"Our mission is to provide our users with content that can be accessed whenever they want from wherever they are," says Eric Levin, president of City on Demand, the creator of TONY On Demand. "We are now in the workplace, the suburbs, and available as an everyday complimentary resource to New Yorkers and tourists alike."

Time Out New York On Demand's broadband video network marks a new venture for TONY. "The Time Out New York brand is perfectly suited to multiple platforms, as demonstrated by our successful extension into video on demand, radio and now broadband. We're looking forward to our continued expansion and expect many great things to come for TONY," said Alison Tocci, President and Group Publisher at Time Out New York.

"Time Out New York on Demand is an innovative service for the City of New York's global marketing efforts. We are excited for its expansion into broadband, which will now allow millions of potential visitors worldwide to see all of the amazing things the City has to offer," said James Donofrio Senior Vice President, Sales and Partnerships for NYC Marketing.

www.timeoutnewyork.tv is powered by Maven Networks. Maven makes it possible for professional media companies to quickly and easily design and launch scalable and engaging broadband video businesses.

About Time Out New York

Since 1995, Time Out New York (TONY) has provided New Yorkers with comprehensive information on how to best spend their free time, with its weekly presentation of more than 2,000 things to do. For more information, please visit timeoutnewyork.com.

About Time Out New York On Demand

Launched as a free On Demand Channel (1112) on Time Warner Cable in late 2005. and now available on broadband, the service offers high-quality video reviews of numerous NYC destinations.

Source: Time Out New York On Demand

Sean 'Diddy' Combs Launches #1 'Unforgivable' Fragrance in France With a 2 Day Celebration in

St. Tropez -

  WHAT:         Sean Diddy Combs will host a private dinner party aboard

his yacht in St. Tropez on July 31st to celebrate his "Unforgivable" fragrance's

success in North America and the UK and its upcoming international launch. 

The dinner, to be  held on Diddy's private yacht, will be an ultra-exclusive

affair for 50 of the most "Unforgivable" people in the world, personally 

by Diddy.  Following dinner, the 50 and their guests will depart the yacht for an

after-affair at VIPs.  To recuperate after a long-night of partying, Diddy 

will host his infamous White Party, this year being held at Nikki Beach in St. Tropez. 

Launched in North America in February of 2006, the fragrance reached number 

one status in record breaking time.  That success was mirrored in the UK 

where it launched at  Selfridges in June 2006 and enjoyed one of the biggest

launches in the store's history.  The fragrance and the future of the brand 

continue to look promising with its upcoming international launch in the Spring

2007.  The scent exudes the energy, sexiness and elegance of Sean Combs. 

Available at department and specialty stores across America and Canada, 

suggested retail price is $55.00 USD for 2.5 OZ and $75.00 USD for 4.2 OZ.  

In the UK "Unforgivable" is available at Selfridges with a suggested retail price of 

35 pounds for 75 ML and 45 pounds for 125 ML.

WHO:  Expected Attendees: Pamela Anderson, David and Victoria Beckham, 

Penelope Cruz, Lenny Kravitz, Jamie Sigler, Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman, 

Ivana Trump, Donatella Versace, John Demsey (President Sean John Fragrances), 

Emma Heming,   Brent Bolthouse and more.    

 Film's Star Solange Knowles-Smith and Recording Superstar and Grammy(R) Award-Winning Artist Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child Scheduled to Attend    What:   In celebration of the August 8th DVD release of "Bring It On: All           or Nothing," Universal Studios Home Entertainment is hosting a           special hometown screening of "Bring It On: All or Nothing" in           Houston, Texas.    Who:    Film's star Solange Knowles-Smith to be joined by Grammy(R)           Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child to celebrate           the release.    When:   Wednesday, August 2, 2006              Where:  AMC MJ Northline Mall           113 Northline Mall           Houston, TX  77022  

  * all times ET/PT

World Premiere of STEP UP 
 
                    Monday, August 7th at The ArcLight
 
WHO:       From the film: 
Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Drew   Sidora, Damaine Radcliffe,
De'Shawn  Washington, Rachel Griffiths, Josh Henderson, Tim Lacatena, 
Heavy D, Alyson Stoner, Director   Anne Fletcher, Producers Adam Shankman, 
Jennifer Gibgot, Erik Feig, Patrick  Wachsberger, Executive Producer Bob Hayward,                               Writers Duane Adler and Melissa Rosenberg.               Special guests:  Musical sensation Ciara from the film                               soundtrack ... and more!    WHAT:      To celebrate the Los Angeles Premiere of Touchstone Pictures              and Summit Entertainment's STEP UP.    WHEN:      Monday, August 7th, 2006        WHERE:  ArcLight Cinemas                           6360 Sunset Boulevard              6:00PM    Celebrity Arrivals            Hollywood              7:00PM    Screening    
Everyone deserves a chance to follow their dreams, but some people only get 
one shot. Tyler Gage (CHANNING TATUM) is a rebel from the wrong side of
 Baltimore's tracks -- and the only thing that stands between him and an
 unfulfilled life are his dreams of one day making it out of there. Nora 
(JENNA DEWAN) is a privileged ballet dancer attending Baltimore's
 ultra-elite Maryland School of the Arts -- and the only thing standing in the 
way of her obviously brilliant future is finding a great dance partner for her 
senior showcase. When trouble with the law lands Tyler with a community 
service gig at Maryland School of the Arts, he arrives as an angry outsider, 
until his skills as a gifted street dancer draw Nora's attention. 
 
Now, as sparks fly between them, both on and off stage, Tyler realizes he has just
 one performance to prove that he can step up to a life far larger than he 
ever imagined. Featuring the directorial debut of leading choreographer 
Anne Fletcher, the film also stars R&B superstar Mario, Drew Sidora as well 
as rap legend Heavy D, Damaine Radcliff, De'Shawn Washington and 
Academy Award(R) nominee and Golden Globe(R) winner Rachel Griffiths.

 
TOUCHSTONE PICTURES and SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT'S 
STEP UP                       Opens Friday, August 11, 2006 

 
Source: Touchstone Pictures