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  (C)MBN 2006

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(C) MBN 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monte Bubbles now Licensing her image for use.

First there was ABC,CBS,CNN,FOX and NBC and now there is MBN ® Now associate with Mounte Broadcasting Network

( MBN unofficially the sixth largest supplier

of NEWS by and American company

averaging 200 Pages of news a day. )

MBN® is the Avis of the news business. Because we are internet we have to try harder and do more on less.

 

MBN® is proud to announce Dear Monte: talktomontebubbles@montebubbles.net

SUNDAYS ARE NOW PICTURE DAY

 

International news from Asia and Latin news in English and Spanish here now along with NASA and Vatican news

 

More exciting changes coming each day

 

LOST Castaways Celebrate Emmy-Winning Series Second Season on DVD

Google Makes Trek to Las Vegas: Lands at Creation Entertainment's 40th Anniversary Star Trek Convention; Google Launches Special Site for Trek Fans, Announces New Feature in Maps for Mobile

Warner Home Video to Release Eight Additional High Definition DVD Titles Including Four New Blu-rays, Four New HD DVDs; Studio Offering Largest Selection of New HD Format Titles Debuts Latest September 5 and 12

 DISH Network(TM) Expands High Definition Programming Lineup to 30 Channels; Food Network HD Now Available to DISH Network Customers

'CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC' Will Become the First Network Evening News Broadcast To Be Simulcast Live On The Internet

TIME Moves Delivery Date to Friday

AT&T, Yahoo! Deliver New Online Photo Services to Millions of Broadband Users

ESSENCE and Sean 'Diddy' Combs Kick Off New York's Fashion Week With BLACK STYLE NOW Celebration of the Museum of the City of New York's Groundbreaking Exploration of Hip-Hop Style and the Black Fashion Revolution Exhibition to Feature Attire and Accessories Worn by Celebrity Style Icons Beyonce, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Sean 'Jay-Z' Carter, Lenny Kravitz, Lil' Kim, LL Cool J and Kimora Lee Simmons

Bodog.com Lingerie Bowl IV Celebrity Line-Up Announced Iconic Sex Bombshell, Playboy Cover Models, Supermodel and Former NFL Bad Boys Will Headline www.LingerieBowl.com

Diddy Signs With The Firm

PlayStation(R)3 Owners to Experience F.E.A.R.(TM)

Critically Acclaimed FPS Set to Launch - November 2006.

Nickelodeon Announces 'Let's Just Play Giveaway' Winners

Network Distributes More Than $1.2 Million Over Past 10 Months to 240 Organizations in All 50 States

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)

Musicians Worldwide Raise Their Voices in Harmony for Humanity

Daniel Pearl World Music Days PSAs Feature Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Hamza el Din and Ida Haendel

Walt Disney Concert Hall Multi-Million Dollar Construction Lawsuit Settles

Back by Popular Demand: Mastodon Bones on Display at Cranbrook Institute of Science Labor Day Weekend -Lots of activities on tap for the entire family-

CKX and Cirque du Soleil Announce the Return of Elvis to Las Vegas at MGM MIRAGE's Project CityCenter Elvis Presley Show, to be Permanently Located at CityCenter Hotel/Casino, Expected to Open November 2009

Shark Meat Records to Release Shimmerplanet's Eagerly Anticipated Poly-Genre Album 'For The One Who Kills Tomorrow' on September 12, 2006

Hosted by emPower Fitness Studios

U.S. Postal Service Sews Up Tradition With the Quilts of Gee's Bend Stamps Issued at the Largest Annual Philatelic Event in the United States

Lifetime Television Launches National Essay Contest in Conjunction With the

Premiere of the Lifetime Original Movie Event, 'The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale' Essay Contest Winner Could Win Tickets to the 'American Idol'(R) Season Six Series Finale In Los Angeles - The Three-Night Movie Event Premieres on Lifetime Saturday, August 19 at 9 PM (ET/PT), with Encores Sunday, August 20 at 8 PM (ET/PT) and Monday, August 21 at 9 PM (ET/PT) -

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Appoints TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles as its Advertising Agency of Record for 79th Academy Awards(R)

Graham Nash Signs on With XM Satellite Radio to Host New Music Interview Show Beginning August 21 Carole King, Ben E. King, Grace Slick and Other Renowned Singer/Songwriters Will be Featured on 'SongStories with Graham Nash' in Exclusive Interviews Making Their Broadcast Debut on XM

Willie Nelson's 'Songbird' To Be Released by Lost Highway on October 31 Featuring Ryan Adams and The Cardinals Produced by Adams, Album Includes Originals and Songs By Leonard Cohen, Gram Parsons, The Grateful Dead and More

Importers and Gadget-Lovers Find Digital Cameras, MP3 Players, Portable DVD Players and More at Wholesale Prices at Chinavasion.com

China-Based Site Ships Internationally, Has No Minimum-Order Policy

Your Favorite Sofa May Star in a Hollywood Movie!

Major League Gaming's Orlando Competition Sets Record for Largest Console Gaming Competition Ever The August 25-27 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit to Feature 208 Halo 2 Teams and 1,200 Individual Competitors Who Will Battle It Out in Front of Expected Audience of More Than 6,000

'Hostage: The Jill Carroll Story' Generates Record Web Site Traffic for The Christian Science Monitor Americans Respond in Droves to Reporter's Riveting Account of Her 82 Days of Captivity in Iraq

Columbia Records/Sony Music Soundtrax Set to Release 'Everyone's Hero - Music From the Motion Picture' Original Soundtrack from Animated Comedy-Adventure features New Recordings By John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting, Chris Botti featuring Lyle Lovett, Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar, Raven-Symone & More Film Opens Nationwide on September 15 Soundtrack In Stores on September 12

Sexy Tyrese Gibson & Meagan Good Lead an Adrenaline-Fueled Non-Stop Thrill Ride Through the Violent and Dangerous Streets of L.A. 'Waist Deep'

Coming to DVD With Exclusive Bonus Features October 10, 2006 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Buddhist Monks Keep Rolling in New Feature Film by Anna Wilding

The Anna Wilding Film Buddha Wild Monk in the Hut Selected With, Little Buddha, The Last Samurai and 2005 Oscar Winner Crash for Buddhist Film Festival

Google Code Jam 2006: Programmers Worldwide Invited to Participate in Google's Fourth Annual Global Coding Competition

 

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  LOST Castaways Celebrate Emmy-Winning Series Second Season on DVD

Cast members of the multiple Emmy winning series reunited at the Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu to celebrate the second seasons arrival to DVD. Attendees included Evangeline Lilly, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Terry O'Quinn, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Michael Emerson and Executive Producers Bryan Burk and Carlton Cuse.

The multiple Emmy Award-winning show returns for a second season of action-packed mystery and adventure that will continue to bring out the very best and the very worst in the people who are lost. The band of friends, family, enemies, and strangers must continue to work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain if they want to stay alive. But as they have discovered during their 40-plus days on the island, danger and mystery loom behind every corner, and those they thought could be trusted may turn against them. Even heroes have secrets. Some of these secrets will be revealed in over eight hours of bonus footage that take you deeper inside the mysteries of the island. Viewers can immerse themselves in a unique Dharma experience that includes never-before-seen Dharma video footage. The Lost Flashbacks include unaired flashbacks that bring new insights into the back stories. The Official Lost Connections uncovers shocking character connections as the viewer navigates through unseen footage and clips from the show in this unique immersive experience; Plus, the box set includes deleted scenes, bloopers, cast and creator audio commentaries, and a Channel 4 UK promo directed by David LaChapelle.

LOST: The Complete Second Season: The Extended Experience will be released on DVD on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Disney

 

Josh Holloway and Evangeline Lilly . Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience Launch event at Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort. (The DVD will be released on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.) Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages
Byline: Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages

 

Disney

 

 Daniel Dae Kim, BVHE's Lori MacPhereson, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway and BVHE's Andy Siditsky . Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience Launch event at Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort. (The DVD will be released on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.) Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages
Byline: Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages


 

 

(C) MBN 2006

 

 Jorge Garcia . Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience Launch event at Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort. (The DVD will be released on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.) Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages
Byline: Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages

 

Disney

 

   Producer Carlton Cuse and Daniel Dae Kim . Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience Launch event at Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort. (The DVD will be released on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.) Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages
Byline: Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages

 

 

Disney

 

Producer Bryan Burk and Daniel Dae Kim . Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience Launch event at Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort. (The DVD will be released on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.) Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages
Byline: Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages

 

Disney

 

Yunjin Kim and Terry O'Quinn . Lost: The Complete Second Season - The Extended Experience Launch event at Ola Restaurant at Turtle Bay Resort. (The DVD will be released on September 5, 2006 from Touchstone Television and Buena Vista Home Entertainment.) Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages
Byline: Photo by: Alex Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages 

 

Google Makes Trek to Las Vegas: Lands at Creation Entertainment's 40th Anniversary Star Trek Convention; Google Launches Special Site for Trek Fans, Announces New Feature in Maps for Mobile

 

WHO:        Google  WHAT:       Google Lands at 40th Anniversary Star Trek Convention  WHERE:      Hilton Convention Center, Las Vegas             http://www.google.com/trekfan  WHEN:       Thursday, August 17, through Sunday, August 20, 2006  WHY:  Wherever and whenever science fiction fans gather, an appreciation of technology -- and alien visitations -- can't be far behind. This year, there will be an unlikely visitor attending one of the biggest gatherings of science fiction fans, the 40th Anniversary Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas, hosted by Creation Entertainment. Google will join the more than 15,000 enthusiasts who make the annual trek to this memorable federation of fans.  In conjunction with this week's convention, Google launched a special site (http://www.google.com/trekfan) that provides developers with information on a number of Google tools, including Earth, Maps and SketchUp. From far and wide, Google users -- many of whom are science fiction fans -- have created thousands of imagery overlays for Google Earth, many illustrating their appreciation for all things other-worldly. While in Las Vegas to help celebrate Star Trek's 40th anniversary, the Google booth will showcase these science fiction scenes and structures, created by users, highlighting intergalactic life.  And because there is no better place than the vortex of pop culture, sci-fi and technology to introduce a cool tool that offers a better way to display visual information on handheld devices, Google today announced the availability of mobile KML (Keyhole Markup Language), which enables developers to illustrate information to overlay on Google Maps for mobile phones.  Already available on the desktop through Google Maps and Google Earth, now developers can more easily share palm-sized versions of their favorite Earth-bound destinations. Beginning today, mobile phone users will be able to view the same KML files they access on Earth and Maps on the PC -- directly on their phone. Throughout deep space, fans will be able to view alien outposts on Earth directly from their handheld devices. For those who prefer to stay on planet Earth, or end up in Las Vegas, mobile KML offers mobile phone users a bird's-eye view of the 24-hour playground.  And for Trek fans who feel ready to be part of the next generation of Google employees, bona-fide Googlers will be on hand during the convention to answer questions about life -- and work -- at the Googleplex.   Legal disclaimer: This website, the promotion thereof or any exhibition of material created by the software sponsored by Google or its designees is not endorsed, sponsored or affiliated with CBS Studios Inc. or the "Star Trek" franchise.  The "Star Trek" properties are owned by CBS Studios Inc. and protected by trademark and copyright laws, which not only protect CBS Studios, but the actors, artists and talent associated with the creation of the franchise and the hundreds of legitimate licensees.  CBS Studios is sensitive to fans desires to communicate and share information about "Star Trek." At the same time, CBS Studios takes action against infringements, to protect the franchise and others.  Posting on the internet of copyrighted material such as episodes, movies, music, content from the official website, photographs, artistic renditions of "Star Trek" characters, ships or other properties, sound files, video clips, books or excerpts therefrom are considered infringements of CBS Studios' rights. CBS Studios objects to any commercial use of the "Star Trek" properties including, but not limited to, the sale of unlicensed merchandise or any website deriving revenue from advertising (via ad banners) or any other sources

 

 Warner Home Video to Release Eight Additional High Definition DVD Titles Including Four New Blu-rays, Four New HD DVDs; Studio Offering Largest Selection of New HD Format Titles Debuts Latest September 5 and 12

Continuing in their mission to provide consumers with the broadest choices for next generation home viewing, Warner Home Video will debut Blu-ray high definition versions of Lethal Weapon, Firewall, Blazing Saddles and Full Metal Jacket. On September 12 four more HD DVD titles will be released: Troy, Lethal Weapon 2, House of Wax and Space Cowboys. All titles will be available for $28.99 SRP, except Firewall, which will be available for $34.99 SRP.

Troy will make its HD DVD debut with In-Movie Experience (IME), the new interactive feature allowing viewers to enjoy new ways of accessing interviews and other material -- while the movie is running. Troy's IME has director Wolfgang Petersen and his creative team leading the viewer on an audio-visual tour of their epic recreations of Greece and Troy.

"Based on the reaction from consumers and writers alike, it's safe to say that everyone agrees that these exceptional new technologies afford viewers the best home theater there is," said Stephen Nickerson, WHV's Senior Vice President, Market Management. "The picture from true 1080p high definition provides a sharpness, a clarity and texture, superb shadow detail, great flesh tones and deep blacks -- all of which far exceed any previous visual experience. Finally, the outstanding dynamic range of sound provides a level of authenticity that brings new life to the audio experience in home."

Warner Home Video HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs offer resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The new formats also provide a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to extra features via a seamless menu-bar where viewers can enjoy features without leaving or interrupting the film.

Blu-ray Discs

Lethal Weapon -- Mel Gibson and Danny Glover star as Riggs and Murtaugh, two L.A. detectives who uncover a huge drug-smuggling operation, and as their success rate grows so does their friendship.

Firewall -- Stars Harrison Ford as Jack Stanfield, whose perfect life is shattered when his wife and children are kidnapped and held for $100 million ransom, plunging him into a cyber-edged race against time.

Blazing Saddles stars Cleavon Little as an unlikely sheriff in the town of Rock Ridge, Harvey Korman as the villain, Madeline Kahn as a Marlene Dietrich-style chanteuse, Gene Wilder as the wacko Waco Kid and Brooks himself as a not-too-sharp politico.

Full Metal Jacket is Stanley Kubrick's definitive film about the Vietnam War which follows an 18-year-old marine recruit -- from boot camp to heavy fighting during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

HD DVDs

Troy -- Brad Pitt brings a muscular, brooding presence to the role of the Greek warrior Achilles in this spectacular retelling of Homer's classic tale, The Iliad.

Lethal Weapon 2 -- Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are at it again (with more than 4 added minutes) in this blockbuster sequel. Joe Pesci makes his first appearance in the series as Leo ("OK, OK") Getz.

House of Wax (2005) -- Six college-age friends' road trip to a big college football game takes a turn for the worse when sidetracked into an eerie backwater town. Once there, they're drawn to the town's main attraction -- Trudy's House of Wax, filled with wax-coated corpses. The kids must find a way out before they too become permanent exhibits.

Space Cowboys -- Clint Eastwood's rocket-powered action hit stars Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones. Donald Sutherland and James Garner as the bravest, boldest and fastest test pilots this country had to offer. Now, more than four decades later, a Russian satellite has suffered a systems failure and it's up to the four outdated heroes to finally go into space with the hopes of fixing a piece of equipment that's every bit as outdated as they are.

All bonus materials on the Standard Definition versions of these titles will be included on the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions.

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

 

 DISH Network(TM) Expands High Definition Programming Lineup to 30 Channels; Food Network HD Now Available to DISH Network Customers

 

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service today announced the launch of Food Network HD. This addition brings DISH Network's total national HD channel lineup to 30 channels -- the most comprehensive in the pay-TV industry.

As the first national provider of Food Network HD, DISH Network now offers subscribers their favorite Food Network programs such as "Boy Meets Grill," "Everyday Italian" and more in dazzling high definition.

"The addition of Food Network HD helps further compliment our industry-leading lineup of high definition programming," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "DISH Network offers twice as many national HD channels as most other providers, allowing customers to enjoy a better TV watching experience."

"Watching colorful personalities at work in the kitchen such as Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis in high definition takes cooking to a whole new level," said John Baird, executive vice president for affiliate sales and marketing for Scripps Networks, the parent company of Food Network. "Food should be experienced like this in HD, and DISH Network is helping us to deliver this experience to viewers across the country."

Food Network HD is located on DISH Network Channel 9462 and is available to customers who subscribe to the DishHD Bronze programming package ($29.99 for 10 months) or above. DISH Network's DishHD packages offer customers more than 200 hours a day of HD content from the nation's top programmers.

New DISH Network subscribers will also receive free standard professional installation in up to four rooms, a free DVR or HD receiver upgrade and no equipment to buy, and a choice of premium movie package free for three months (HBO, Showtime, Starz or Cinemax).

For more information about DISH Network and the DishHD programming packages, call 800-333-DISH (3474), visit http://www.dishnetwork.com, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) serves more than 12.46 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest-growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at http://www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474).

About Food Network

Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network and website that strives to surprise and engage its viewers with likable hosts, personalities, and the variety of things they do with food. The network is committed to exploring new, different, and interesting ways to approach food -- through pop culture, adventure, and travel -- while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information. Distributed to more than 85 million U.S. households, Food Network ranks first among ad-supported cable networks on year-to-year subscriber growth and first among food-related websites. With headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Knoxville, Food Network can be seen internationally in Canada, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Monaco, Andorra, Africa, France, and the French-speaking territories in the Caribbean and Polynesia. The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP) also owns and operates HGTV (hgtv.com), DIY Network, FINE LIVING TV Network and Great American Country (GAC).

 

 

'CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC' Will Become the First Network Evening News Broadcast To Be Simulcast Live On The Internet

Free, Ad-Supported Live Webcast Will Begin on Tuesday, Sept. 5, When the Program Debuts on the CBS Television Network

The CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC will become the first network evening news broadcast to be simulcast live on the Internet beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5 (6:30-7:00 PM, ET/PT), when it debuts on the CBS Television Network, it was announced by Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, and Larry Kramer, President, CBS Digital Media.

"Viewers can now see the CBS EVENING NEWS live, as never before," said McManus. "This is a groundbreaking development in making the program available to the largest possible audience. For people who can't be in front of their televisions when the EVENING NEWS is on, they can now watch the program live on their computers. It's another giant step towards providing CBS News content to people wherever they are -- in their homes, in their offices, in their cars, on their computers or on their cell phones."

"Technology has become an integral part of everyday life for most people, and it's dramatically changed the way they consume news, so this is a fantastic development," said Katie Couric, anchor and managing editor of the broadcast. "Now people will have access to great reporting by all the CBS EVENING NEWS correspondents, literally, anytime they want. It's another example of how we intend to use our website to complement our broadcast -- and, most importantly, to benefit our viewers."

"As we learned from our simulcast of March Madness on Demand, there is a huge appetite for real time content on the Internet," said Kramer. "Viewers increasingly want access to programming when it's fresh, and the Internet allows us to bring our content to them wherever they are and whenever that content is broadcast."

In addition to the live simulcast, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC will also be available in two other ways. The complete broadcast may be viewed as an on-demand program any time after the live simulcast or, as has been the case for the past several years, viewers may build their own broadcast by choosing individual reports from each CBS EVENING NEWS program.

To access the simulcast, viewers will be asked to register so that they view it when the television broadcast is aired in their time zone. The live simulcast and on-demand versions of the broadcast will be advertiser-supported and free to all. CBSNews.com has long been a leader of free, advertiser- supported news video.

Other components of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC that will be available online and on other platforms include:

  * "Couric & Company" -- This blog will explore the day's developments      through links to exclusive, free video, as well as contributions from      CBS News correspondents around the world, and will be updated      frequently throughout the day.  Couric and the EVENING NEWS team will      create a transparent, two-way, continuing dialogue with viewers and      readers that encourages online comments and questions.  The blog will      be edited by veteran CBS News journalist Greg Kandra.    * "Eye to Eye" -- This daily, on-demand web-exclusive feature will provide      extended interviews with the day's newsmakers hosted by Couric and      conducted by her or a CBS News correspondent.  The segment will be      posted on CBSNews.com by mid-afternoon and will run approximately five      minutes in length.  This report will be available for audio and video      podcast and will be available on iTunes.    * "CBS News First Look with Katie Couric" -- Early each weekday afternoon,      Couric will offer a web-exclusive rundown on-camera from the      newsroom -- a first look at the stories being considered for coverage      on that night's CBS EVENING NEWS and some perspective on what is going      on in the world that day.  Correspondents may join her to talk about      the stories they're reporting for the broadcast.  This on-demand video      clip, updated as needed, will be featured on the CBSNews.com home page      and on the blog, "Couric and Company."    * "Katie Couric's Notebook," a one-minute look into a top story or issue      by Couric, will be available as an audio and video podcast and on      iTunes. 

Source: CBS

 

 

 

TIME Moves Delivery Date to Friday

Announces Plans to Reformulate Magazine and Website

 TIME will shift its on-sale date to Friday as part of a larger plan to reformulate the magazine and TIME.com, effective January 2007, it was announced today by Richard Stengel, TIME Managing Editor and Ed McCarrick, TIME President and Worldwide Publisher.

Affecting all editions of TIME and TIME International, the move from the current Monday on-sale date is a return to the magazine's original Friday on- sale date established by founding editor Henry Luce in 1923.

Along with this change, TIME is launching a broader effort to redefine the relationship between the reader, the magazine and TIME.com as a continuous 24/7 experience. TIME will announce future changes in coming months.

"As we work to keep TIME as relevant in the 21st century as it was in the 20th, this new plan, starting with the Friday delivery date, will enable us to offer our unparalleled brand of analysis, news and agenda-setting ideas continuously and seamlessly," says Stengel.

Says John Huey, Editor in Chief, Time Inc.: "TIME is already the most important global print brand. This move paves the way for creating an even more powerful combination of the magazine and its web alter ego."

TIME's research shows that pre-weekend delivery will allow readers to spend more time with the magazine. Under the new plan, the magazine will be on newsstands on Fridays and the majority of TIME subscribers will receive the magazines by Saturday.

"The new Friday on-sale date gives advertisers a tremendous opportunity to convey their messages to TIME's 27 million readers before the weekend, when consumers do the large majority of purchasing," says McCarrick. "And the fact that we expect readers to spend more time with the magazine and TIME.com is an obvious plus as well."

Ann Moore, Time Inc. Chairman & CEO adds: "We are creating a more vibrant TIME brand overall that will undoubtedly energize our readers and also attract younger consumers so we're competing more effectively with all news brands in the print and digital worlds."

TIME is a global multimedia brand that includes TIME.com, TIME Style & Design, TIME For Kids and Timeforkids.com. TIME's worldwide editions include TIME U.S., TIME Canada, TIME Europe, TIME Asia and TIME South Pacific. TIME Magazine is the world's largest weekly newsmagazine with a weekly worldwide circulation of more than 5 million and a global audience of more than 27 million.

 

 

 

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and Yahoo!(R) (NASDAQ:YHOO) today announced the launch of the new AT&T Yahoo! Photos, a Web-based service designed to make it easier for people to enjoy and share their growing photo collections with family and friends. In addition, results from a survey commissioned by AT&T Inc. show that the new features of AT&T Yahoo! Photos arrive at a time when digital photo users are demanding more from online photo services, including an easier way to share digital photos with friends and family.

The upgrades to the new AT&T Yahoo! photo experience mirror the growing use of online photo services. According to InfoTrends, the total number of online photo service users is expected to grow from 55 million in 2004 to 83 million in 2009. And Nielsen/Net Ratings cites that 62.5 percent of Internet-connected U.S. households now have broadband, a factor that lends to more interactivity with online photos.

The new AT&T Yahoo! Photos addresses this demand, offering desktop-like functionality in a Web-based service. It delivers new features like photo-tagging -- or labeling -- for easy viewing. It provides Smart Albums, or online "playlists" of photos that detect newly tagged photos and automatically recognize and add tagged photos to online albums. The service offers deeper integration with leading AT&T Yahoo! services, including e-mail and Instant Messenger (IM), among other options. Users can also order professional-quality prints online for pickup at local stores, place ship-to-home orders, or order personalized photo gifts via the new service.

The new AT&T Yahoo! Photos brings a Web 2.0 experience to AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet subscribers, featuring the next generation of Web-based services and social media that enable people to collaborate and share information online. It moves beyond static online album structure, to dynamic, flexible and smart photo organization, and it provides the ability to save photos to more than one album. The enhanced service brings tagging capabilities to the mass consumer audience, and it extends beyond the PC, to mobile devices (such as AT&T Yahoo! Go for Mobile).

"The new community-based photo features -- like photo-tagging -- foster user interaction in ways that weren't possible before for AT&T Yahoo! broadband customers," said Kieran Nolan, vice president, AT&T Broadband. "For example, as photo collections continue to grow, they can become more difficult to manage. With tagging, users can label photos -- their own and those shared with them -- making them easier to organize and find later. Features like these mean that customers can now exchange comments on shared pictures, add tags to help organize photos and rate them for simple searching."

Unlike other Web-based services, the new AT&T Yahoo! Photos functions much like a desktop application but offers the combination of remote access from any Web-connected computer, with no software download required.

"AT&T Yahoo! Photos enables users to spend less time maintaining their photo collections and more time viewing and sharing them with family and friends," said Will Aldrich, director, Yahoo! Photos. "Whether they are online photo-sharing enthusiasts, or first-time digital photographers, next-generation capabilities like tagging, search and comments will change the way millions of AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet subscribers enjoy their pictures online."

A new survey commissioned by AT&T provides feedback on using digital photos with online tools, ideas on digital "photo personalities," ways to share and reasons why people like working with digital photos, among other topics.

WHAT USERS WANT

The AT&T survey revealed that currently more than one in five respondents already move their digital photos from a camera to their computer to enhance, edit and create their own visual content; however, eight in 10 (80 percent) of survey participants indicated that they would share digital photos with friends and family more often if they had the needed features, tools and know-how. When asked what they would do with online photos if they had additional skills, knowledge and tools, 74 percent of survey respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would save to an online album or create a personal Web site with their photos.

PHOTO PERSONALITIES

The AT&T survey results also revealed several unique "photo personalities" that people used to describe the way they work with digital photos.

  * Personal Paparazzi. Thirteen percent consider themselves to be people     who take lots of self-portraits and then share the photos with everyone     they can.   * Shoot and Run. Ten percent of respondents classified themselves as     digital photographers who store their photos on a portable device, such     as a digital music player or cell phone, and show them to friends and     family on the go.   * Webmaster of Ceremonies. One in five respondents described themselves as     people who not only take digital photos but also store them on a     computer, create slide shows, post photos to Web sites or make     multimedia movies or DVDs to share their photos with friends and family.   * Lens Cappers. Less than one in five (17 percent) of survey participants     classify themselves as people who take digital photos but usually leave     them in the camera.   * Underexposed. Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed describe themselves     as people who take digital photos and store them on their computers but     don't share or know what to do with the pictures.  

The new AT&T Yahoo! Photos is available beginning today and will continue to roll out in the coming weeks to AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet subscribers. AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet offers consumers a unique broadband experience, including virtually unlimited photo and e-mail storage, Instant Messenger with webcam capabilities, commercial-free Internet radio, and a suite of powerful online security tools.

This survey was sponsored by AT&T to gather insights into how American consumers are taking advantage of digital photography today and where they want to go tomorrow. The survey was conducted through the ORC Caravan(TM), a nationwide telephone omnibus poll, from July 14 through July 17, 2006. Results for the AT&T Summer Photo survey are based on responses from 965 adults (from a total sample of 2,000 Americans) who have a digital camera. For this sample of 965, the margin of error because of sampling is less than plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence interval for values at or near 50 percent.

Note: This AT&T release and other news announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss .

About AT&T Inc.

AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with 57.3 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.att.com .

Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.

About AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet

AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet is provided by AT&T Internet Services with customized content, services, and applications from Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo!, the Yahoo! logos and other product and service names are the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Yahoo! Inc.

Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.

For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at www.att.com/newsroom .

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo! seeks to provide online products and services essential to users' lives, and offers a full range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to connect with Internet users around the world. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

About Yahoo! Photos!

As the No. 1 photo sharing service worldwide, Yahoo! Photos (http://photos.yahoo.com/ ) makes it easy to enjoy, share and preserve memories. Users can order professional quality prints online for pick-up at a local Target store within one hour, place ship-to-home orders or order personalized photo gifts such as photo stamps, books and cards. A free service with unlimited storage, Yahoo! Photos is the most complete photo sharing service and includes deep integration across the Yahoo! network through leading services such as Yahoo! Mail, Messenger, Mobile and 360 degrees.

Yahoo! and the Yahoo! logo are registered trademarks of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: AT&T Inc.

 

 

 

The Opening Gala for BLACK STYLE NOW will kick off New York's Fashion Week with a star-studded, black-carpet event on Friday, September 8, 2006, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street. The exclusive celebration, in honor of the Museum of the City of New York's groundbreaking exploration of hip-hop style and the Black fashion revolution, is hosted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

As the first major American exhibition to explore Black fashion, BLACK STYLE NOW will feature examples of the attire, accessories, and looks that define contemporary fashion; including a strapless fuchsia, velvet gown worn by Lil' Kim to the 2005 Costume Institute Gala, an original wool-pinstripe suit worn by Sean 'Diddy' Combs to the 2006 CFDA Awards, and a custom-designed white and cranberry leather, monogrammed cap made for LL Cool J in the 1980's, to name a few. Opening on September 9, 2006, and running through February 19, 2007, the exhibition will present historic photos, video images and stylized vignettes to reveal how today's fashion is shaped by African-American style. Beyonce, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Russell Simmons, Sean 'Jay-Z' Carter, LL Cool J, Kanye West, Lil' Kim and Andre 3000 are among the celebrities whose influence will be documented in BLACK STYLE NOW.

The BLACK STYLE NOW Opening Gala is a VIP party, offering a special preview of the BLACK STYLE NOW exhibition, which explores the history of African-American style and the influence of hip-hop on fashion and design. The BLACK STYLE NOW Opening Gala chairpersons, ESSENCE editorial director Susan L. Taylor, Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Museum of the City of New York President Susan Henshaw Jones, have assembled an illustrious event host committee, including Iman, John Dempsey, William P. Lauder, Susan Fales-Hill, Thelma Golden, Allison Whipple Rockefeller, and ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray, among others.

"ESSENCE is ecstatic to fete the opening of BLACK STYLE NOW, with a singular event uniting the entertainment industry with the fashion community to pay tribute to the history of Black style," said Michelle Ebanks, President of Essence Communications Inc. "Congratulations to the Museum of the City of New York for realizing its vision for BLACK STYLE NOW, a creative and pioneering exhibition reflective of the African-American experience, which ESSENCE proudly celebrates."

Commented Susan Henshaw Jones, President and Director of the Museum of the City of New York: "Much of the hip-hop phenomenon began in the streets of New York City, so it is fitting for the Museum of the City of New York to organize this groundbreaking exhibition. BLACK STYLE NOW will not only document the impact of the hip-hop style revolution on mainstream fashion, but will explore the contributions of African-American stylemakers throughout the twentieth century. The Museum is very grateful to Time Warner and to ESSENCE for making it possible for us to tell this story."

The Opening Gala for BLACK STYLE NOW is generously supported by platinum sponsor Macy's; gold sponsor Unforgivable by Sean John; fashion sponsors Akademiks, Rocawear and Sean John; bronze supporters Sony and Diet Pepsi Jazz; and VH1. BLACK STYLE NOW is funded by the Time Warner Foundation. ESSENCE magazine is the primary sponsor. Generous support has also been provided by Altria Group, Inc.

About ESSENCE:

With 7.7 million readers, ESSENCE is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women. Published by Essence Communications Inc., it is the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women's lives. For 36 years, ESSENCE has celebrated personal achievement, chronicled social movement, documented struggles, showcased beauty, defined and set trends and illustrated the incredible journey of a resilient and splendid race. Additional information about ESSENCE is available at essence.com.

About the Museum of the City of New York:

The Museum of the City of New York presents and interprets the past, present, and future of New York City and celebrates its heritage of diversity, opportunity, and perpetual transformation. Founded in 1923 as a private, non-profit corporation, the Museum serves the people of New York and visitors from across the country and around the world through exhibitions, collections, publications, and school and public programs.

 

 

 

On August 2nd, Horizon Productions, Inc. announced a star-studded line-up for this year's Super Bowl XLI halftime special, Bodog.com Lingerie Bowl IV.

 

This season's broadcast team will have television sets smoking across the country. The most-searched celebrity on the Internet (beating out Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson), Jenna Jameson, will lead a team of analysts, commentators and sideline reporters that includes E! Entertainment's "Girls Next Door" stars and Playboy Cover Models Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, Kendra Wilkinson and supermodel Joanna Krupa. Super Bowl XLI viewers will have the option of watching this team of all-star babes or the not-so-sexy CBS duo of Phil Simms and Jim Nantz.

The coaches will be two of the most outrageous bad boys in NFL history, Jim McMahon and Brian "The Boz" Bosworth. Returning as the Bodog.com Lingerie Bowl's "8th Wonder" will be former Chicago Bears great William "The Fridge" Perry, who will compete in lingerie for one play. World renowned sports & entertainment announcer Michael Buffer will be the official voice of the show.

Creator & executive producer Mitch Mortaza said, "The Bodog.com Lingerie Bowl will once again feature some of the biggest names from the worlds of entertainment and sports, this is definitely not your father's football game".

"Football Fanatics-Ad this to halftime activities" -- NEW YORK POST, Michael Starr

"This is truly Must-See TV!" -- NBC NEWS, Fred Rogan

"If the ads bomb, there's always The Lingerie Bowl" -- CNN/MONEY, Krysten Crawford

Horizon Productions, established in 2003, is a full-service, Hollywood-based entertainment company engaged in the development of alternative film and TV, as well as talent packaging, event production and media/sponsorship management.

 

 

 

Diddy Signs With The Firm

Multi-talented impresario and pop culture icon Sean "Diddy" Combs has signed with managerial powerhouse The Firm for representation.

Diddy is currently gearing up for the release of his new album Press Play which drops October 17th on his own Bad Boy Records through the Atlantic label. The Firm and its entire team of managers will be working in tandem with Diddy and his team to further globalize the Diddy brand, paying special attention to Diddy's musical career as an artist and producer. Diddy will continue to be represented theatrically by Peter Safran.

"It is an honor and privilege for The Firm to be in business with Sean 'Diddy' Combs, a true pioneer in the world of entertainment," said Jeff Kwatinetz, CEO of The Firm. "He is an inspirational leader, a trendsetter in fashion, music and pop culture and a truly great artist. Whether it be as a producer, a musician, a performer, an actor or an entrepreneur, Diddy's unprecedented accomplishments are legendary. And, we believe that his best years and accomplishments are to come in the day's ahead. We look forward to helping build the Diddy brand worldwide, and are thrilled to be a part of Team Diddy. We are also excited to work hand-in-hand with his theatrical manager Peter Safran, as Diddy continues his expansion into film and TV."

"I am really looking forward to my partnership with The Firm, an artist friendly company known for putting its clients above all else, said Diddy. Jeff Kwatinetz, Peter Katsis, Constance Schwartz and the rest of the Firm have proven their abilities at guiding the careers of some of today's brightest and most talented artists. With The Firm on my team, I believe we will accomplish great success together."

Sean Combs, the CEO and founder of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, is a multifaceted entertainment powerhouse. A Grammy-Award winning singer, actor, producer and fashion designer, he was recently declared one of "The 100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time Magazine for being a leader in the world of business. Combs oversees one of the world's preeminent urban entertainment companies, encompassing a broad range of businesses including recording, music publishing, artist management, television and film production, recording facility, apparel and restaurants.

The Firm, founded in 1997, currently represents such current chart-topping acts as Kelly Clarkson, Korn and Ice Cube as well as Cameron Diaz, Martin Scorsese, Taylor Hicks, Rachel Weisz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Snoop Dogg and Jennifer Lopez, among others.

Source: PMK-HBH Public Relations

 

 

 

 

PlayStation(R)3 Owners to Experience F.E.A.R.(TM)

Critically Acclaimed FPS Set to Launch - November 2006.

Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced that the award-winning F.E.A.R.(TM) (First Encounter Assault Recon), is currently in development for the PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system and is scheduled to launch during November 2006.

Already a critical and commercial smash on the PC, F.E.A.R. will bring a new level of FPS game play to PlayStation 3 with exclusive single player content designed to immerse the player deeper in the world of the F.E.A.R. team, as well as the visceral action of F.E.A.R. multi-player.

Developed by Day 1 Studios in conjunction with Monolith Productions, F.E.A.R is a paranormal action thriller presented entirely in first person. An unprecedented adrenaline rush of close quarters combat seamlessly melded with the spine-tingling, shocking intensity of the paranormal unknown.

To get more information on F.E.A.R. please visit www.whatisfear.com.

F.E.A.R. will ship for PlayStation 3 during November 2006.

About Monolith Productions

Monolith Productions, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, located in Kirkland, Washington, employs over 100 people. Over the past 10 years, Monolith has risen to critical acclaim through an emphasis on delivering quality products such as the No One Lives Forever franchise and Tron 2.0.

About Day 1 Studios

Day 1 Studios is an independent developer dedicated to the craft of creating revolutionary, interactive entertainment through superior design, artistic and technical processes. Day 1 Studios created and developed the award winning "MechAssault" series for Microsoft and Xbox Live. Day 1 is now developing exceptional games for the next generation of console and PC systems at their studios in Chicago, IL and Hunt Valley, MD.

About PlayStation 3

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

About Vivendi Games

Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft(R), Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R); and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), SWAT(R), Darkwatch(TM), TimeShift(TM), Ground Control(R) and Leisure Suit Larry(R). Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Games Mobile, publishing games for the emerging mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.

Source: Vivendi Games

 

 

 

Nickelodeon Announces 'Let's Just Play Giveaway' Winners

Network Distributes More Than $1.2 Million Over Past 10 Months to 240 Organizations in All 50 States

Nickelodeon announces the latest round of winners of the "Let's Just Play Giveaway," an effort by the network to distribute more than $1.2 million in funds to help kids improve their schools' or communities' play facilities. Forty kids from schools and organizations around the country will receive $5,000 each. The winners will be announced on Nick.com, and some will be featured on Nickelodeon's air. The "Let's Just Play Giveaway" is part of Nickelodeon's "Let's Just Play" pro-social campaign, which encourages healthy and active lifestyles for kids and families.

Kids entered to win the "Let's Just Play Giveaway" by visiting www.nick.com or www.everythingnick.com. Partnering with teachers and other community-based leaders, kids told Nickelodeon what they need for their school or club to help them play better and why, and gave three reasons why play is important. Once the entry form was completed and mailed to Nickelodeon, the winners were randomly selected.

The 40 May "Let's Just Play Giveaway" winners are* (in alphabetical order by school/organization):

-- Assumption School (Manchester, CT)

-- Bethany Elementary School (Reidsville, NC)

-- Bishop Ryan High School (Minot, ND)

-- Brewster Pierce Memorial School (Huntington, VT)

-- Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County (Black River Falls, WI)

-- Broad Brook Elementary School (Broad Brook, CT)

-- Cascade Christian - Tacoma Elementary School (Tacoma, WA)

-- Castleford Elementary School (Castleford, ID)

-- Cordova Library Museum After School Program (Cordova, AK)

-- Dora R-III School District (Dora, MO)

-- Eldora New Providence School (Eldora, IA)

-- Huntertown Elementary PTO (Versailles, KY)

-- Klassic Kids Loma Portal (San Diego, CA)

-- Lake George Charter School (Lake George, CO)

-- Lancaster Public School (Lancaster, MN)

-- Mahoosuc Arts Council (Bethel, ME)

-- Maury Elementary School (Washington, DC)

-- McDonald Green Elementary School (Lancaster, SC)

-- Metro Parks Tacoma (Tacoma, WA)

-- Mount Helena Gymnastics Boosters (Helena, MT)

-- New Heights Middle School (Jefferson, SC)

-- New Outlook Teen Center (Exeter, NH)

-- North East Community Center Raise the Roof After School Program

(Millerton, NY)

-- North Little Rock Montessori (North Little Rock, AR)

-- North Smithfield Elementary School (North Smithfield, RI)

-- Oakland Craig Public Schools (Oakland, NE)

-- Roosa Elementary School (Claremore, OK)

-- Shoshone School District/Elementary (Shoshone, ID)

-- South Memorial Elementary School (Peabody, MA)

-- SPLORE (Salt Lake City, UT)

-- St. John the Baptist (New Brighton, MN)

-- St. Joseph Regional Junior High School (Manchester, NH)

-- St. Paul School (St. Paul Island, AK)

-- St. Thomas School (Ft. Thomas, KY)

-- TASK OST Program (Tea, SD)

-- TOPPS, Inc. (Pine Bluff, AR)

-- Westwood Elementary School (Coker, AL)

-- Woonsocket School (Woonsocket, SD)

-- YMCA Downtown Teen Center (North Attleboro, MA)

-- YMCA of Metro Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)

The "Let's Just Play Giveaway" is an extension of the 2004-2005 "Let's Just Play" grants program, where Nickelodeon awarded more than $600,000 to 81 organizations and schools. A total of $9 million was cited in the 1,800 grant applications received, causing the network to more than double its funding for the "Let's Just Play Giveaway." The network, through its grants program and Giveaway, has awarded approximately $2 million to more than 320 organizations since 2004.

Nickelodeon's "Let's Just Play" recently entered into a partnership with The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, to combat the spread of childhood obesity. The three organizations are combining forces on a comprehensive media and public awareness campaign, encouraging young people to engage in healthy and active lifestyles.

As part of the partnership, the Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge, which focuses on four kids' real life struggles and successes in the quest to make their lives healthier, recently debuted on Nickelodeon in April, serving as the kick-off to a movement that aims to increase awareness among young people about the importance of eating well and being physically fit, and that empowers kids and families to be agents of change in their communities. Kids can sign up to take the challenge at www.nick.com/letsjustplay. The next installment of the Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge airs August 27, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon, leading up to the network's third annual World Wide Day of Play on September 30.

About Nickelodeon's "Let's Just Play" Pro-Social Campaign

Currently in its fourth year, "Let's Just Play" is Nickelodeon's pro- social commitment to encourage kids to participate in active, healthy, and playful lifestyles - a much needed antidote to reports of the rise in childhood obesity, the concerns about reduction of PE in schools and in after- school programs, and the over-scheduled and sedentary lifestyles of kids today. In addition to using the power of Nickelodeon's air, online sites, magazines, and celebrity support, the channel devotes significant year-round resources to building a grassroots infrastructure that supports physical play opportunities in communities everywhere.

"Let's Just Play" was recently awarded four Cable Television Public Affairs Association Beacon Awards, which recognize excellence in the public affairs industry. For more information on the "Let's Just Play" program, visit www.everythingnick.com.

About Nickelodeon

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) .

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.

Following are the nominees for the "2006 MTV Video Music Awards":

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)

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

 

 

 

Musicians Worldwide Raise Their Voices in Harmony for Humanity

Daniel Pearl World Music Days PSAs Feature Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Hamza el Din and Ida Haendel

Jazz icon Herbie Hancock, rock legend Elton John, the late father of modern Nubian music, Hamza el Din, and classical violinist Ida Haendel are featured in a series of 30-second television public service announcements to promote Daniel Pearl World Music Days -- an international network of concerts scheduled from October 6-15.

Their video message to professional and amateur musicians around the world is a simple one: "Join us in using the universal language of music to diminish hatred, respect differences, and reach out in friendship by dedicating performances for "Harmony for Humanity."

Television PSAs will be available on August 18, 2006 from 11:30am - 12:00pm Eastern Daylight Time. Stations can uplink at: C-Band, AMC01, Transponder 22, Downlink Frequency 4140 MHz, Vertical Polarity, Audio 6.2 and 6.8, and www.nab.org/publicservice. To order copies, contact Sarah Roberts of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) at (202) 429-5448 or Jeff Lloyd as listed above. Radio PSAs are available for download at www.musicdays.org.

"Danny was a talented musician and principled journalist who respected all cultures and found magic in every person," said Judea Pearl, Daniel's father and president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. "World Music Days, which commemorates Danny's October 10th birthday, is his legacy to raise awareness of our common humanity. All musicians, no matter their genre, are invited to dedicate performances held from October 6th through 15th. We simply ask that they say a few words from the stage or in the program in affirmation of the principles for which Danny stood," he added.

Since World Music Days' inception, artists from more than 60 countries with musical events large or small have united in this global network of concerts. This year's Honorary Committee is composed of luminary musicians and artists from many genres, including Salman Ahmad, Theodore Bikel, Yefim Bronfman, Hamza el Din, Ida Haendel, Herbie Hancock, Elton John, Tania Libertad, Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta, Mark O'Connor, George Pehlivanian, Itzhak Perlman, R.E.M., A.J. Racy, Steve Reich, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Ravi Shankar, Russell Simmons, Barbra Streisand and John Williams.

Daniel Pearl World Music Days

To participate, register online at www.musicdays.org. Musicians and artists are also invited to submit music, poetry, art, articles and dedications to the World Music Days eStage, an on-line gallery and radio station showcasing words and music that affirm the oneness of mankind. This is not a fund raising event and musical groups incur no financial obligation by registering.

The National Association of Broadcasters

The NAB is a full-service trade association that promotes and protects free, over-the-air local radio and television stations' interests in Washington and around the world. NAB is the broadcaster's voice before Congress, federal agencies and the courts. The organization also serves a growing number of associate and international broadcaster members. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.

The Daniel Pearl Foundation

The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in 2002 in memory of journalist Daniel Pearl to promote the ideals that inspired his life and work. The world came to know Daniel Pearl as The Wall Street Journal reporter who was murdered by terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan. Since then, he has been remembered more for his humanity and love of life than his senseless death. The Daniel Pearl Foundation works domestically and internationally to promote cross-cultural understanding, to combat cultural and religious hatred, to encourage responsible and creative journalism, and to enrich people's lives through music. For more information, please visit www.danielpearl.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Walt Disney Concert Hall Multi-Million Dollar Construction Lawsuit Settles

A complex lawsuit filed by contractors relating to the construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Southern California for additional construction costs both direct and for impacts caused by delays, disruptions and inefficiencies has been settled, with one of the nation's leading general contractors, M.A. Mortenson Company and its subcontractors to receive $17.8 million. Attorneys for Mortenson, Jose L. Padilla, Jr., Esq. and Marion T. Hack, Esq., partners in the Los Angeles based law firm Gibbs, Giden, Locher & Turner LLP, believed the settlement to have been in the best interest of all the parties. It is estimated that if this matter would have gone to trial, combined litigation costs would have exceeded $10 million. "It was remarkable that we were able to settle this complex lawsuit without taking as much as a single substantive deposition and with minimal written discovery," said Mr. Padilla. "With the litigation behind us, we can now focus our attention to the marvel of this landmark Concert Hall, which is a proud accomplishment for all involved."

M. A. Mortenson Company, a Minneapolis based firm and one of the largest general contractors in the United States, filed a breach of contract and mechanic's lien foreclosure action against Walt Disney Concert Hall Inc. in November of 2003 alleging damages due to delays and disruptions resulting from incomplete plans and specifications and direct costs due to change order work. Several of Mortenson's subcontractors including The Herrick Corporation, ACCO Engineered Systems, Martin Bros./Marcowall Inc. also filed lien foreclosure actions alleging that their portion of the work was impacted due to inadequate design documents. Walt Disney Concert Hall Inc. counterclaimed against Mortenson for breach of contract alleging that Mortenson's pre-construction services were inadequate.

Gibbs, Giden, Locher & Turner LLP has been recognized by Chambers USA as the "top construction law firm headquartered in Southern California." Chambers USA reported: "This team of attorneys possesses a wide range of expertise and the ability to understand business decisions as well as legal ones... and is known for its skill in resolving disputes quickly." The firm is recognized as an established leader in the construction industry with a "high-work ethic"; and it is a "responsive, client-oriented" firm accomplishing "great results."

Founded in 1978, Gibbs, Giden, Locher & Turner LLP provides full legal service to construction and business clients, including related areas of business and commercial law; labor and employment law; real property transactions; environmental law; title insurance; suretyship; property, casualty and liability insurance; and common interest developments. From offices in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the firm represents clients involved in transactions and litigation throughout the United States.

Source: Gibbs, Giden, Locher & Turner LLP

 

 

 

 

 

Back by Popular Demand: Mastodon Bones on Display at Cranbrook Institute of Science Labor Day Weekend

-Lots of activities on tap for the entire family-

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- There's still some summer left before the kids are consumed with school work and the leaves fall from the trees. Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to visit Cranbrook and check out the wide variety of events around campus, including a special exhibit at Cranbrook Institute of Science featuring the Adams Road Mastodon bones recovered in Oakland County last month.

Seen by thousands of visitors during two earlier viewings, the Adams Road Mastodon Bone Viewing is back for an encore Labor Day weekend. Visitors to the Institute of Science also can stand beside a lifesize T. rex skeleton, soar through the solar system in a high-tech planetarium and see a roomful of glittering crystals. At Cranbrook Art Museum -- the region's top contemporary art museum -- visitors can gaze at works by Warhol, Eames, Lichtenstein, Saarinen and other groundbreaking artists who helped shape the look and feel of the 20th century.

In addition to the science and art museums, Cranbrook offers tours of two historic homes, more than 40 acres of picturesque gardens and sculpture and architecture tours. Founded in 1904 by George and Ellen Booth, Cranbrook's 319-acre campus has been called "the most enchanted and enchanting setting in America," and in 2004, the National Historical Landmark community was named one of 12 must-visit architectural wonders of the world by MSNBC.

Cranbrook Institute of Science

248-645-3200

http://science.cranbrook.edu/

$7/adults, $5/children 2-12 and seniors (65+); free for members and

children under 2

Daily 10am-5pm, Fridays open until 10pm

Adams Road Mastodon Bone Viewing

Labor Day weekend

You've heard about the bones all over the news -- now is your chance to see them up close! The Adams mastodon, found in Oakland County, is an example of the extinct American mastodon and is a mature individual that likely died between 10,000 and 13,000 years ago. Its bones were found preserved in a shallow lakebed during road construction near M-59 and Adams Road. Some of the fossil remains recovered include: a partial tusk; several limb bones, including an enormous humerus bone; a tooth; portions of the shoulder blade; skull fragments and many ribs and vertebrae. Free with museum admission.

Sea Monsters

September 2 - 24

Learn all about extreme sea animals and their amazing abilities! Marvel at the scale of the elusive giant squid through a life-size model. Come face to face with the jaws of a Mako shark. See a variety of fossils from the dinosaur era including a full skeleton of an Ichthyosaurus, a dolphin-like marine reptile, and a partial lower jaw of a giant North African Mosasaurus, the top predator of the Mesozoic seas. The exhibit also features the interactive game show "Sea Monsters - Truth or Tale?", September 2 - 4 at 12, 1, 2 & 3pm, in which participants can interact live via Internet videoconferencing with a specially trained science educator at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida. Free with museum admission.

Playing with Time

Through September 4

Go on a journey to the unseen world of natural change and see events that happen too fast or too slow for humans to perceive. This imaginative exhibit invites visitors to examine invisible dynamics using high-speed photography, time-lapse videos and animations to effectively turn the world's speed up and down. Playful hands-on stations mixed with natural objects and stunning displays let visitors experience natural phenomena occurring over vast timescales -- from billionths of seconds to billions of years. Free with museum admission.

Also at Cranbrook Institute of Science:

* Digistar Planetarium and Entertainment shows

Tickets required in addition to museum admission

* The Bat Zone and special bat programs

Tickets required in addition to museum admission

* Base Camp

Daily noon-4pm through Labor Day; free with museum admission

* Observatory

8:30-10pm Friday, 1-4pm Sunday; free with museum admission

Cranbrook Art Museum

248-645-3320

http://www.cranbrookart.edu/museum

$6/adults, $4/seniors (65+) and students; free for members and children 12

and under

Wednesday - Sunday 11am-5pm, Fourth Fridays open until 9pm

Think Again! Presence of the Past in Contemporary Art

Through September 17

Throughout history, artists have been inspired by tradition, reinterpreting what has come before them to create works that speak to their own time. Drawing from the collections of Cranbrook Art Museum and organized into seven different sections, Think Again! explores artistic ideas that have migrated from their original cultures into the work of today's globally- influenced artists. Each section of the exhibit culminates with work that is contemporary to our own time and that draws from historical sources in surprising new ways. Free with museum admission.

Critical Mass: Metalsmithing at Cranbrook under Gary Griffin

Through October 15

Celebrate the remarkable career of Gary Griffin, Academy of Art metalsmith-in-residence for 22 years, as he prepares to leave his post at the Academy. Critical Mass chronicles the careers of 121 students who studied under Griffin from 1985 through 2005, showcasing the influence of this master metalsmith on the young artists he led. Free with museum admission.

Saarinen House tours

Through October

Thursday & Friday - 1pm; Saturday & Sunday - 1 & 3pm; Fourth Friday 6:30pm

Architecture, Art Deco design, lighting, furniture, rugs and nature work in perfect harmony in this showplace 1930 home -- a total work of art. Saarinen House is the restored home and studio of former Cranbrook architect Eliel Saarinen and his wife, Loja, a revolutionary fiber artist. The two- story Saarinen House with its handcrafted decor and exquisite furnishings has been open to the public since its restoration in the early 1990s. $8/adults, $6/seniors and full-time students, free for members and children 12 and under.

Cranbrook House & Gardens

248-645-3147

http://hg.cranbrook.edu/

Cranbrook Gardens tours

Stroll more than 40 acres of lush, sculpture-filled gardens filled with roses, wildflowers and hundreds of other breathtaking greenery. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 5pm, through Labor Day. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 for seniors.

Cranbrook House tours

Visit Metro Detroit's oldest manor home, built in the English Arts and Crafts style. See beautiful furnishings, tapestries, paintings and works by some of the early 20th century's top artisans. Tours are available June through September, Sundays at 3pm; Thursdays at 11am and 1:15pm. Lunch is available on Thursdays at noon for an additional $15. Reservations required for lunch. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors.

For more information on all these events, visit http://www.cranbrook.edu/ .

Cranbrook is an internationally renowned educational community dedicated to excellence in the arts, education and science. Cranbrook is located at 39221 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and comprises its Academy of Art, Art Museum, Institute of Science, Schools and other affiliated cultural and educational programs. For more information, please call 1-877-GO-CRANBrook or visit http://www.cranbrook.edu/ .

Source: Cranbrook

 

 

 

 

 

CKX and Cirque du Soleil Announce the Return of Elvis to Las Vegas at MGM MIRAGE's Project CityCenter

Elvis Presley Show, to be Permanently Located at CityCenter Hotel/Casino, Expected to Open November 2009

CKX, Inc., (NASDAQ:CKXE) , its subsidiary Elvis Presley Enterprises and Cirque du Soleil have reached an agreement with MGM MIRAGE (NYSE:MGM) to create a permanent Elvis Presley show at the CityCenter hotel/casino, under construction in Las Vegas. The show is expected to open with the hotel in November 2009.

The deal announced during Elvis Week, the week in which we commemorate Elvis' untimely passing on August 16, 1977, marks the return of Elvis to Las Vegas, the site of some of the most remarkable performances of his illustrious career.

Cirque du Soleil's creative team is inspired by this new extravaganza. The creative combination of live musicians and singers, projections, dance and the latest in multimedia sound and lighting technology are stimulating and aim at offering an emotional bond with the audience. The show will bring Elvis back to Las Vegas for millions of his existing fans and create a buzz that will enable the persona of Elvis to reach untold numbers of new fans.

A design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and six internationally acclaimed architects, CityCenter will open in 2009 on 66 acres between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts. At the heart of the action on the Las Vegas Strip, CityCenter will feature a soaring 60-story, 4,000-room hotel/casino, two 400-room non-gaming hotels, 500,000 square feet of retail shops, dining and entertainment venues and nearly 2,800 luxury condominiums.

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and CEO of CKX, Inc., commented, "I am pleased that during this time, when we remember Elvis Presley and celebrate his life, we are able to announce his return to Las Vegas, a place where he truly rose to iconic status. And with the remarkable creative talent of Cirque du Soleil, fans who saw Elvis perform, as well as those who never had a chance to see him, will be able to experience Elvis in an entirely new and exciting way. This will be the first step in establishing a twenty-first century presence in Vegas for the King."

Guy Laliberte, Founder of Cirque du Soleil, commented, "This new creative challenge is exactly what we strive at accomplishing in the development of our new productions. Cirque du Soleil is thrilled to be involved in CityCenter and we are particularly honored to be entrusted with this assignment. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the public will have an unforgettable encounter with the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis had a unique relationship with his adoring fans in Vegas and a large part of our mission is to recreate the excitement and the spirit of joy he generated here."

Bobby Baldwin, President and CEO of Mirage Resorts, an MGM MIRAGE operating division, said, "We are thrilled to partner with our friends and colleagues at Cirque du Soleil, who are known the world over for creating memorable entertainment experiences. With this show we will bring together Elvis, an icon of Las Vegas entertainment history, with CityCenter, a destination that represents the future of this remarkable city."

The announcement represents another step in the creative partnership between CKX and Cirque du Soleil. In May, the two companies announced an agreement for the creation, development, production and promotion of Elvis Presley Projects, featuring touring and permanent shows as well as multimedia interactive "Elvis Experiences" throughout the world. CKX and Cirque du Soleil expect by 2008 to open at least one touring Elvis show in Europe and/or Asia, and one "Elvis Experience" outside the United States. Beginning in 2009, at least one Elvis Presley Project will be opened in each of the next six years.

CKX Management will be hosting an investor conference call on August 17, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss this announcement. Investors may listen by dialing (800) 905-0392. Investors located outside of the United States may listen by dialing (785) 830-1913. CKX will Webcast the call through its corporate website, http://www.ckx.com/. The call will be available for rebroadcast over the website beginning not later than 90 minutes after its conclusion.

About CKX, Inc.

CKX, Inc., a company controlled by Robert F.X. Sillerman and affiliates, is engaged in the ownership, development and commercial utilization of entertainment content. To date, the Company has focused on acquiring globally recognized entertainment content and related assets, including the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, the operations of Graceland, the rights to the name, image and likeness of Muhammad Ali and proprietary rights to the IDOLS television brand, including the American Idol series in the United States and local adaptations of the IDOLS television show format which, collectively, air in over 100 countries around the world. CKX plans to continue to make strategic acquisitions of, or partner or align with, companies or individuals that control various forms of established entertainment content, which may include intellectual property rights in music, film, television programming, written works and characters, rights to names, images and likenesses, video games, corporate brands and other related assets. For more information about CKX, Inc., visit its corporate website at http://www.ckx.com/.

About Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the Montreal-based company wishes to extend its creative talent to other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings to innovative projects the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows.

Cirque du Soleil is a Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1984, over 50 million spectators in over 100 cities on four continents have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil. In 2006, 13 shows will simultaneously be presented across the globe. Cirque du Soleil is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gemeaux, Felix and Rose d'Or de Montreux.

About MGM MIRAGE

MGM MIRAGE, (NYSE:MGM) , one of the world's leading and most respected hotel and gaming companies, owns and operates 23 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has investments in three other properties in Nevada, New Jersey and Illinois. MGM MIRAGE has also announced plans to develop Project CityCenter, a multi-billion dollar mixed-use urban development project in the heart of Las Vegas, and has a 50 percent interest in MGM Grand Macau, a hotel-casino resort currently under construction in Macau S.A.R. MGM MIRAGE supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its properties. MGM MIRAGE also has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative and its community philanthropy programs. For more information about MGM MIRAGE, please visit the company's website at http://www.mgmmirage.com/.

About Elvis Presley Enterprises

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

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not historical facts but rather are based on management's current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, consumer acceptance of the show or competition from other shows. More detailed information about these factors may be found in filings by CKX, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CKX, Inc. is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Source: CKX, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Shark Meat Records to Release Shimmerplanet's Eagerly Anticipated Poly-Genre Album 'For The One Who Kills Tomorrow' on September 12, 2006

Hosted by emPower Fitness Studios

After a highly successful digital pre-release featured on the front-page of the US & Canadian iTunes Music Stores, Shimmerplanet celebrates the physical CD release of their poly-genre album "For The One Who Kills Tomorrow." Get physical with Shimmerplanet on Tuesday September 12, 2006 at 7pm at, of course, a gym: emPower Fitness Studios, 224 West 4th Street, Second Floor, New York, NY 10014.

In keeping with their tradition of performing in non-traditional spaces (recent concerts have been staged in a public library, a strip-club, and a church), Shimmerplanet, the Indie band created by Soren Anders, has teamed up with a personal training gym, emPower Fitness Studios who will be hosting the release event.

"For The One Who Kills Tomorrow", a highly emotional disc is inspired by the extravagance and musicianship of Bjork and Rufus Wainwright, and showcases Anders' dark, confessional lyrics as well as his classical training. He has created an album that successfully fuses elements of alternative, rock, classical, jazz and electronic music. The resulting unique sound appeals to fans of truly innovative and intelligent music.

Continuing her collaboration with Anders, the immortal Lesley Gore (legendary artist of "It's My Party" and "You Don't Own Me") appears as a guest vocalist on the new track, "Siren". Gore is one of three singers (including Anders) heard on the album. Avant-garde New York vocalist Carolyn Eufrasio returns in her role as Shimmerplanet's Yin, singing lead on many of the tracks.

Shimmerplanet's debut album "Welcome To Shimmerplanet" received critical acclaim and they also received special recognition from The Songwriters' Hall Of Fame for their single "No Safe."

Free admission will begin at 7pm and Shimmerplanet will take the stage for an always-captivating LIVE performance at 7:15pm.

Shimmerplanet is available from Amazon, iTunes, Yahoo! Music, AOL Music Now, MTV Urge, Wal-Mart Digital and other major digital retail outlets around the world.

EmPower Fitness Studios offer one-on-one training, group programs and seminars on fitness and nutrition.

Shark Meat Records, a member of the American Association Of Independent Music (www.a2im.org ), is an independent record label based in New York City with alternative, pop and electronic artists. Shark Meat Records embraces the latest digital music technologies.

For further information visit www.shimmerplanet.com, www.sharkmeatrecords.com or www.emPowerFitnessNYC.com.

Source: Shark Meat Records

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Postal Service Sews Up Tradition With the Quilts of Gee's Bend Stamps Issued at the Largest Annual Philatelic Event in the United States

The following is being issued by the U.S. Postal Service:

What: First-day-of-issue ceremony for the Quilts of Gee's Bend

39-cent commemorative postage stamps. Three of the quilters

of Gee's Bend will be available for interviews and two of the

quilts that are pictured on the stamps will be on display.

Who: Mary Anne Gibbons, Senior Vice President and General Counsel,

U.S. Postal Service.

Nancy Rettinhouse, Acting District Manager, Northern IL, U.S.

Postal Service.

Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee's Bend Quilter.

Loretta Pettway, Gee's Bend Quilter.

Jessie T. Pettway, Gee's Bend Quilter.

Bill and Matt Arnett, Tinwood Alliance.

 

When: Noon (CT)

Aug. 24, 2006

Where: The American Philatelic Society's (APS) StampShow 2006

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

5555 North River Road

Hall G

Rosemont, IL 60018

Background: For this sixth issuance in the American Treasures series, Art

Director Derry Noyes chose photographs of 10 quilts created

between 1940 and 2001 by African-American women in Gee's

Bend, Alabama.

The rich quilting community of Gee's Bend is made up

primarily of African Americans descended from slaves. Water

surrounds the community on three sides, and by land, only one

long strip of roadway leads in from the northwest. The

isolation brought with it a priceless gift: the perpetuation

of generations of skilled quilters.

This classic America tradition will be celebrated at the APS

StampShow, Aug. 24, 2006. The largest annual philatelic

event in the United States, the StampShow features dealers, a

public auction, seminars, competitive exhibits, displays of

philatelic rarities, educational opportunities for the whole

family and a discussion and quilting demonstration with

quilters from Gee's Bend on Fri., Aug. 25, at 2 p.m.

Admission is free to the public.

Source: U.S. Postal Service

 

 

 

 

 

Lifetime Television Launches National Essay Contest in Conjunction With the Premiere of the Lifetime Original Movie Event, 'The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale'

Essay Contest Winner Could Win Tickets to the 'American Idol'(R) Season Six Series Finale In Los Angeles

- The Three-Night Movie Event Premieres on Lifetime Saturday, August 19 at 9 PM (ET/PT), with Encores Sunday, August 20 at 8 PM (ET/PT) and Monday, August 21 at 9 PM (ET/PT) -

Despite facing many obstacles along the way, "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino found the courage to live her dream in front of millions of people. Now Lifetime Television, in conjunction with the Lifetime Original Movie Event "The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale," is cheering on women to achieve their dreams too and to start by writing them down for a special national essay contest. The writer of the winning essay could win two tickets to the 2007 "American Idol"(R) season six series finale in Los Angeles.

"The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale," premieres during a special three-night Lifetime Original Movie event on Saturday, August 19 at 9 PM, Sunday, August 20 at 8 PM and Monday, August 21 at 9 PM. All times are ET/PT.

The month-long essay contest is part of a multi-faceted public service initiative to raise awareness of the issues that Fantasia and many women and families experience -- ranging from low self-esteem to low literacy skills -- and to encourage viewers to make a difference in their own communities. In partnership with leading organizations such as Girls Inc., the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the National Center for Family Literacy, RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), Save the Children and the YWCA of the USA, Lifetime is offering viewers an online film discussion guide and resources on how to get involved. The Network will also air a PSA following the film's premiere in which Fantasia personally shares how she struggled to become a confident reader, a challenge which more than 30 million Americans share.

The essay contest, which asks the question "What is your life long dream and what steps must you take to achieve it?" will run from August 16 to September 16, 2006. It will be promoted in various ways, including in spots airing during the film premiere, at Lifetimetv.com, on special bookmarks distributed through Simon & Schuster to 300 independent bookstores across the country. Women and men 16 and older can enter by going to Lifetimetv.com and see all rules and regulations. Contest judges will include representatives from the non-profit partner groups.

"The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale" follows her journey before she ever captured the hearts and votes of millions to become the third season winner of American Idol(R). As the youngest child of Diane and JoJo Barrino, Fantasia experienced a complicated childhood, had low self-esteem and eventually dropped out of school in her early teens. With little education, money or chance of a real future, Fantasia found herself in a loveless relationship that left her pregnant at age 16.

The birth of her daughter Zion was the catalyst for Fantasia to rethink her choices and redirect her life. With the encouragement of friends and family, Fantasia took a leap of faith to audition for the hot television show American Idol(R) and quickly won over the judges and audiences with her sassy style and extraordinary voice. Her powerful singing made her an instant sensation and changed her life forever.

"The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale" is produced by Ostar Productions for Lifetime Television. Bill Haber ("Nightmares & Dreamscapes," "Uprising") and Robert Green ("Wild Fires," "Waiting") serve as executive producers and Ellyn Williams (Lifetime Television's "Hunger Point") co-executive produced. John McMahon ("Nightmares & Dreamscapes") is producer and Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer Keith Glover is the writer of the teleplay, inspired by the autobiography Life is Not a Fairy Tale by Fantasia.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, and Lifetime Online are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

 

 

 

 

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Appoints TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles as its Advertising Agency of Record for 79th Academy Awards(R)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has appointed TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles as its advertising agency of record for the 79th Annual Academy Awards telecast next February.

The appointment, announced by Director of Marketing Beth Harris, marks the first time that the Academy has hired an ad agency to produce a fully integrated promotional campaign for the Oscar(R) telecast. The campaign will include television, outdoor and print advertising.

"We are looking forward to a creative partnership with TBWA\Chiat\Day," said Harris. "The agency's creative reputation, coupled with its innovative approach to helping brands connect with audiences, was integral to our decision to work with them to create a campaign to promote the 79th Annual Academy Awards."

"This is a dream assignment," said Carisa Bianchi, president of TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles. "The Oscars are one of the ultimate global brands with the power to capture people's imagination, and we are privileged to play a part in conveying the excitement and celebration of the Academy Awards."

TBWA\Chiat\Day is part of TBWA Worldwide. U.S. clients include Absolut, adidas, Apple, Beiersdorf, Embassy Suites Hotels, Energizer, Infiniti, Masterfoods, Nissan, Pennzoil, Sara Lee, Sprint-Nextel, PlayStation and Visa.

TBWA Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) is the most-awarded agency network in the world (The Gunn Report, 2005) and is one of the fastest growing top-ten global agency networks. TBWA has 258 offices in 75 countries, and approximately 9,700 employees worldwide.

TBWA Worldwide is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2006 will be presented on February 25, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center(R). The show will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Source: TBWA Worldwide

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham Nash Signs on With XM Satellite Radio to Host New Music Interview Show Beginning August 21

Carole King, Ben E. King, Grace Slick and Other Renowned Singer/Songwriters Will be Featured on 'SongStories with Graham Nash' in Exclusive Interviews Making Their Broadcast Debut on XM

XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading satellite radio service with more than 7 million subscribers, today announced that celebrated singer/songwriter Graham Nash will host a new music program exclusively for XM. The half-hour show "SongStories with Graham Nash" spotlights Nash interviewing many of music's most talented and successful songwriters about the stories behind their most classic songs, their overall creative process and the art of songwriting itself.

The interviews grew out of Nash's book, "Off The Record," which presents the text of 25 such interviews along with rare photographs and handwritten manuscripts -- by the songwriters -- of the lyrics for the featured song. During the course of these remarkable conversations, which make their broadcast debut on XM's airwaves, these legendary songwriters also share personal memories about their lives in music. Carole King, Paul Williams, Waylon Jennings and Ben E. King are among the artists who will be featured during the first several episodes. "SongStories with Graham Nash" debuts Monday, August 21 on The Loft (XM 50), XM's commercial-free acoustic rock channel.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this project to XM," said Nash. "The songs we'll explore are ones whose lyrics have become emotional landmarks for many people, and continue to resonate through our lives. It's a delight to share the stories behind these compositions with the XM audience."

"Not only has Graham Nash written and performed some of music's most treasured songs, but he is sincere in his curiosity about the creative process other musicians endure for their own works, making 'SongStories' genuine and entertaining," said Lee Abrams, Chief Creative Programming Officer, XM Satellite Radio. "XM is committed to keeping the passion for music alive and well among fans and Graham's passion for music and musicians as expressed through 'SongStories' is a perfect fit for the XM audience."

The premiere episode presents Nash's conversation with famed soul guitarist and songwriter Steve Cropper about "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay," the GRAMMY(R)-winning #1 Cropper co-wrote with the legendary Otis Redding, whose recording of it is an all-time classic. It also features Graham and Grace Slick discussing "White Rabbit," Slick's psychedelic hit from Jefferson Airplane's classic 1967 LP Surrealistic Pillow. Future episodes will feature Carole King on "I Feel the Earth Move," Waylon Jennings on "Good Hearted Woman," and Ben E. King on "Stand By Me."

"SongStories with Graham Nash" debuts Monday, August 21 at 11 pm ET on The Loft (XM Channel 50) with new episodes premiering every other week and encores airing throughout the month. Complete schedule details, including episode information, will be available online at http://www.xmradio.com/ and http://www.songstories.us/.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and GRAMMY(R) winner Graham Nash first rose to fame with British Invasion pioneers The Hollies, whose Nash-penned classics include "On A Carousel," "Carrie Anne" and "Bus Stop." Among the timeless songs he's composed for CSN and CSNY -- with whom he still tours and records - - are "Teach Your Children," "Our House" and "Marrakesh Express." An acclaimed solo artist, Nash released his fourth solo disc, "Songs For Survivors," in 2002. In 2006, "Highlights," Nash's latest CD as a duo with David Crosby, was released. A modern age Renaissance man, Graham is also a renowned photographer, and fifty-plus years of his images were recently spotlighted via the exhibition Eye to Eye: Photographs by Graham Nash, at San Diego's Museum of Photographic Arts, which expanded on Nash's 2004 book of the same name. As a pioneer in the digital realm, Graham -- with Mac Holbert -- founded Nash Editions in 1990. Recognized in 2005 by the Smithsonian for its role in the invention of digital fine art printing, it is renowned as one of the world's leading fine art/photographic printmaking houses. Currently, Graham Nash is on the road with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Freedom Of Speech '06" Tour.

For more information on Graham Nash, please visit http://www.grahamnash.com/.

About XM Satellite Radio

XM is America's number one satellite radio service with more than 7 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2006 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: the most commercial-free music channels, sports, talk, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Porsche, is available in more than 140 different vehicle models for 2006. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include demand for XM Satellite Radio's service, the Company's dependence on technology and third party vendors, its potential need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 3-9-06. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio's Investor Relations Department.

Source: XM Satellite Radio

 

 

Willie Nelson's 'Songbird' To Be Released by Lost Highway on October 31 Featuring Ryan Adams and The Cardinals

Produced by Adams, Album Includes Originals and Songs By Leonard Cohen, Gram Parsons, The Grateful Dead and More

On October 31, Lost Highway will release "Songbird," the new album from the legendary Willie Nelson. "Songbird" was produced by Ryan Adams and recorded with Adams and The Cardinals on all 11 tracks, along with Nelson's longtime harmonica master Mickey Raphael.

"Songbird" includes a diverse range of covers, including Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Gram Parsons' "$1000 Wedding," Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter's "Stella Blue" and the gorgeous title track written by Christine McVie, which originally appeared on Fleetwood Mac's landmark album "Rumours."

Nelson and Adams each penned a new song specifically for "Songbird." Nelson's acoustic "Back To Earth" could have easily appeared on one of his timeless albums, while Adams' country blues gem "Blue Hotel," written for Nelson, features The Red Headed Stranger's signature stylings. New renditions of some Nelson classics also appear on "Songbird" including "Sad Songs and Waltzes" (from "Shotgun Willie") and "We Don't Run" (from "Spirit").

"Songbird" was recorded at Loho Studios in New York, NY and mixed by Jamie Candiloro. Along with production duties, Adams plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar and bass. The Cardinals are Neal Casal (piano, guitar), Jon Graboff (pedal steel), Brad Pemberton (drums) and Catherine Popper (bass).

Willie Nelson -Songbird

Track Listing

Song Composer

"Rainy Day Blues" Willie Nelson

"Songbird" Christine McVie

"Blue Hotel" Ryan Adams

"Back To Earth" Willie Nelson

"Stella Blue" Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter

"Hallelujah" Leonard Cohen

"$1000 Wedding" Gram Parsons

"We Don't Run" Willie Nelson

"Yours Love" Harlan Howard

"Sad Songs And Waltzes" Willie Nelson

"Amazing Grace" Traditional Arr. by Ryan Adams

 

 

 

 

Importers and Gadget-Lovers Find Digital Cameras, MP3 Players, Portable DVD Players and More at Wholesale Prices at Chinavasion.com

China-Based Site Ships Internationally, Has No Minimum-Order Policy

Chinavasion Ltd. today announced the official launch of http://www.chinavasion.com/ - a discount marketplace of wholesale consumer electronics made by Chinese manufacturers - and the release of a complimentary newsletter featuring tips on how to import electronics from China.

China is home to many consumer-electronic manufacturers that don't have direct access to American retailers or that have limited international distribution agreements, said Rose Li, Public Relations Director at Chinavasion. Chinavasion, she said, is the online conduit for American importers to reach those Chinese manufacturers.

Chinavasion offers a wide assortment of electronics, ranging from cell phones and digital cameras to computer accessories and portable DVD players. The site includes a picture and description of each product - including specs - which make it easy for international buyers to review products and select their favorite electronic devices.

"There are plenty of businesses out there who want to buy low-cost electronics from China, but they don't know where to look, or, of course, they aren't familiar with the ins and outs of importing goods," Li said. "Our company gives clients a simple and reliable way to buy the electronics they want - without paying huge name-brand markups."

The site's recently debuted blog, "China Business News," contains new product reviews, frequently asked questions, details on international commerce, and a general list of products that can be imported from China. The site's new opt-in newsletter also features information on how to find products and suppliers in China, details on shipping and import taxes, tips on dealing with Chinese suppliers and advice on how to profit from a Chinese business relationship.

"We carefully explain everything in our newsletter, from drop-shipping to the current status of the global marketplace, so users know exactly what they're buying and what we're all about," Li said.

Li added that Chinavasion strives to offer the most competitive prices on all its products. For instance, a 1 GB MP3 Player costs $43.64 for a sample and a car-portable, region-free DVD player with two 7-inch TFT monitors costs $227.70. If a made-in-China consumer electronics product is not listed on the site, Chinavasion will help locate wholesale sources for it, as well as beat any competitor's price. The company accepts all major credit cards, PayPal payments and bank transfers.

Orders in the online shop are shipped by express courier internationally, and its shipping costs are based on the current rates of standard carriers such as UPS, FedEx and DHL. Chinavasion can also ship large wholesale orders using a consumer's preferred air or ocean freight service. Most products can be ready to ship in one or two business days, and all goods receive extra quality inspection before dispatch from a dedicated QA team.

For more information about Chinavasion and registration for a wholesale buyer account, visit http://www.chinavasion.com/.

About Chinavasion Ltd.

Chinavasion is a Chinese-owned general trading and wholesale company. It buys exclusively from Chinese manufacturers that produce consumer electronics, notebook computers and computer parts. Chinavasion offers a wide selection of consumer electronic products on its Website, including popular, cutting-edge products and hard-to-find specialty products.

 

 

 

 

 

Your Favorite Sofa May Star in a Hollywood Movie!

 

A new business allows ordinary people to place their 'stuff' in the movies or television. Hollywood Parts (http://www.hollywoodparts.com/) is a business designed to manage all kinds of assets, props, sets and wardrobe for the entertainment industry. In addition to this service, they will store your items and post detailed photos and descriptions online of everything from ordinary castoffs to treasured antiques, for movie decorators and designers to rent or buy for placement in the movies or television.

"Why pay storage and have items just sit in a dusty container, when you can pay the same rate and your treasures can have a chance for stardom!" said Mike Filonczuk, co-founder of Hollywood Parts and HollywoodParts.com. "With the high cost of fuel and the LA traffic, more decorators are searching for unique as well as common items on-line. We make it easy for them to find movie dressing and sets on our website and then deliver it to them."

Hollywood Parts also provides storage and a central clearing house on HollywoodParts.com for all things purchased and created for the entertainment industry so big studios and small productions alike can share assets and help reduce the cost of production and reduce waste. Hollywood Parts uses it own custom designed state of the art software and tracking systems to reduce asset loss during production as well as provide a public web sales outlet for these slightly used assets on-line after the movie or TV production is complete. "The industry is very wasteful," Mike contends. "Productions buy the same items over and over again, and when the production shuts down, they store these barely used yet valuable assets then discard them for the cost to haul them away."

HollywoodParts.com will also store and sell unique conceptual art, digital art, digital video and designs created for famous motion pictures as well as digital effects like explosions and virtual worlds. "You can buy the sofa Denzel sat on or he might sit on a sofa rented from you!" Mike states with enthusiasm. So the next time you go to your storage container or plan to throw out that old toaster or sofa, think twice, it could be the next star of a major motion picture!

 

 

 

 

Major League Gaming's Orlando Competition Sets Record for Largest Console Gaming Competition Ever

The August 25-27 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit to Feature 208 Halo 2 Teams and 1,200 Individual Competitors Who Will Battle It Out in Front of Expected Audience of More Than 6,000

Major League Gaming (MLG) announced today the Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit competition this month in Orlando will be the largest console video game competition ever, featuring 208 4-person Halo 2 teams, more than 1,000 individual competitors and an audience of more than 6,000.

In addition to the thousands of spectators and competitors watching the action in Orlando, hundreds of thousands more will watch a live stream of the competition at www.mlgpro.com. And starting on November 11th, all the action of the 2006 Pro Circuit will be airing on USA Network to 89 million homes as part of a groundbreaking TV series that looks into the lives of the pro players and takes the audience through the drama of the competitions.

The number of competitors at the Orlando event breaks the previous attendance record set by MLG last month when 1,800 gamers battled it out in MLG's Chicago Pro Circuit stop.

"It is really exciting to see the kind of growth we're experiencing, with the number of teams, competitors and spectators more than doubling year-over- year," said Matthew Bromberg, president and COO of MLG. "And it's all leading up to our Playoffs at the Digital Life show in the Javits Center in New York in October, and the Finals in Las Vegas where MLG's $800,000 season comes to a close and the 2006 Champions are named."

MLG had previously limited the number of four man teams to 176. Orlando is the first competition that MLG opened to more than 200 teams, leading to 208 team registrations in a matter of hours. The 2006 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit, presented by GameStop and Scion, opened on April 21 in New York and continued through to Dallas, Anaheim and Chicago. Remaining competitions include Orlando on August 25-27, and New York (Jacob Javits Center) on October 13-15, all leading up to the Championship in Las Vegas on November 10-12.

Spectators and gamers are welcome to come to the Wyndham Orlando Resort and be part of the action. For more information, including location details, player point system rankings and general competition rules, please visit the MLG Web site at www.mlgpro.com.

About MLG (Major League Gaming)

MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG's pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More information can be found at www.mlgpro.com.

Source: MLG (Major League Gaming)

 

 

 

 

'Hostage: The Jill Carroll Story' Generates Record Web Site Traffic for The Christian Science Monitor

Americans Respond in Droves to Reporter's Riveting Account of Her 82 Days of Captivity in Iraq

The Christian Science Monitor, an international daily newspaper founded in 1908, and WebSideStory, Inc. (NASDAQ:WSSI) , a leading provider of digital marketing and analytics solutions, today announced that the newspaper's 11-part, multimedia series, "Hostage: The Jill Carroll Story," is generating record visitor traffic levels at its web site, www.csmonitor.com. When the series went fully live on Mon., Aug. 14th, more than 450,000 unique visitors flooded the site during the next 24 hours, making it one of the top-ranked newspaper web sites in the country for that period. According to The Christian Science Monitor's new web analytics service, WebSideStory's HBX Analytics, page views broke through the 1 million mark on Monday and soared to more than 1.5 million page views on Tuesday. This represented a massive increase from the site's July average of 121,247 page views per day, according to WebSideStory. Much of the visitor traffic is coming from major news outlets and consumer portals, such as CNN, AOL and Yahoo, which are providing excerpts of the series and linking back to the newspaper's web site. Nearly 90 percent of the visitors to the site are coming from the U.S., with Canadians and the British also showing strong interest.

"The Jill Carroll series is clearly resonating with a broad range of visitors from over 144 countries, and we are grateful and proud of Jill and our entire staff for being able to deliver this type of package to our loyal readers," said Robin Antonick, the Christian Science Monitor's chief web officer. "It has also been gratifying to see the tremendous online response to the series using WebSideStory's technology. HBX Analytics really shows our audience's response and has given us an array of insightful visitor metrics which will help the Monitor provide greater coverage of critical world events and ultimately better monetize our content."

The Jill Carroll series has been particularly effective at exposing new readers to The Christian Science Monitor brand. During the first two days of the series, the number of new visitors to the site rose to more than seven times its daily average in July, according to WebSideStory. The series, which features online videos, image galleries, RSS feeds and podcasts, also proved extremely sticky, with the percentage of visitors viewing two or more pages rising from an average of 22 percent in July to more than 63 percent during the first two days of this week.

"The Christian Science Monitor is recognized worldwide for its journalistic excellence and it has outdone itself with this amazing series detailing Jill's harrowing experience," said Rand Schulman, Chief Marketing Officer for WebSideStory. "We look forward to helping the newspaper analyze all aspects of this multi-media package and achieve its long-term online business goals."

For more information about WebSideStory, please visit www.websidestory.com. To visit the Christian Science Monitor web site, please go to www.csmonitor.com.

About WebSideStory, Inc.

Founded in 1996, WebSideStory, Inc. is a leading provider of digital marketing and analytics solutions that improve online marketing, sales and business operations. Its WebSideStory suite of digital marketing applications consists of web analytics, site search, web content management, and keyword bid management. WebSideStory also provides enterprise analytics solutions through its wholly owned subsidiary, Visual Sciences, LLC, a leading provider of streaming data analysis and visualization software. WebSideStory is headquartered in San Diego, California, and has European headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For more information, contact WebSideStory. Voice: 858.546.0040. Fax: 858.546.0480. Address: 10182 Telesis Court, 6th Floor, San Diego, CA 92121. Web site: www.websidestory.com. WebSideStory and HBX are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by WebSideStory, Inc. Visual Sciences is a registered trademark of Visual Sciences, LLC. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

About The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor and its website, csmonitor.com, are renowned for their in-depth, comprehensive, and unbiased coverage of events and issues worldwide. During its 93-year history, the Monitor's adherence to the highest standards of journalism has earned seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards. With 18 bureaus worldwide, the Monitor strives to cover both major news events and overlooked stories from every corner of the globe. In 1996, the Monitor launched its award-winning, multi-media website featuring the complete contents of the print edition, full electronic archives back to the first issue, and original material written for the site.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. You should not regard any forward-looking statement as a representation by WebSideStory that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in WebSideStory's business, including, without limitation: WebSideStory's reliance on its web analytics services for the majority of its revenue; blocking or erasing of cookies or limitations on our ability to use cookies; WebSideStory's limited experience with digital marketing applications beyond web analytics; the risks associated with integrating the operations and products of Avivo Corporation and Visual Sciences, LLC with those of WebSideStory; privacy concerns and laws or other domestic or foreign regulations that may subject WebSideStory to litigation or limit our ability to collect and use Internet user information; WebSideStory's ability to defend itself against claims of patent infringement alleged by NetRatings, Inc.; WebSideStory's ongoing ability to protect its own intellectual property rights and to avoid violating the intellectual property rights of third parties; the highly competitive markets in which we operate that could make it difficult for WebSideStory to acquire and retain customers; the risk that WebSideStory's customers fail to renew their agreements; the risks associated with the company's indebtedness; the risk that WebSideStory's services may become obsolete in a market with rapidly changing technology and industry standards; and other risks described in WebSideStory's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including WebSideStory's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Do not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this news release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and WebSideStory undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release.

Source: WebSideStory, Inc.; The Christian Science Monitor

 

 

 

 

Columbia Records/Sony Music Soundtrax Set to Release 'Everyone's Hero - Music From the Motion Picture'

Original Soundtrack from Animated Comedy-Adventure features New Recordings By John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting, Chris Botti featuring Lyle Lovett, Brooks & Dunn, Lonestar, Raven-Symone & More

Film Opens Nationwide on September 15

Soundtrack In Stores on September 12

Columbia Records/Sony Music Soundtrax will release "Everyone's Hero - Music From The Motion Picture" on Tuesday, September 12.

The film, "Everyone's Hero," opens nationwide on Friday, September 15.

The original soundtrack album of music from the eagerly-awaited new animated comedy-adventure feature film premieres new recordings from John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting ("The Best"), Chris Botti featuring Lyle Lovett ("Chicago [That Toddling Town]"), Brooks & Dunn ("Keep On Swinging," co-written by John Ondrasik and Kix Brooks, and "Swing It"), Lonestar (a new version of baseball's classic theme song, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame"), Raven-Symone ("Keep Your Eye On The Ball"), John Debney ("The Tigers") featuring a vocalization by American Idol's Paris Bennett, and more.

"Everyone's Hero - Music From The Motion Picture" includes two pieces from the film's original score by John Debney ("Chicken Little," "Dreamer," "Sin City," "Elf," "Bruce Almighty" and an Oscar-nominee for "The Passion of the Christ").

"Everyone's Hero" is the story of Yankee Irving, a young boy (voiced by Jake T. Austin) who embarks on a grand adventure to restore his family's honor while making true friends -- including the fun-loving tom-boy Marti Brewster (voiced by Raven-Symone), a wise-cracking baseball named Screwie (voiced by Rob Reiner) and a talking baseball bat called Darlin' (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg) -- along the journey. The film's voice cast also includes Brian Dennehy (as Babe Ruth), William H. Macy (as the scheming Lefty Maginnis), Mandy Patinkin (as Yankee's dad, Irving) and the late Dana Reeve (as Yankee's mom, Emily Irving), who also served as the film's executive producer

The movie's theme of perseverance against all odds was inspired by Christopher Reeve, the film's originating director and executive producer. Originally directed by Reeve, "Everyone's Hero" was completed by Colin Brady and Dan St. Pierre.

Everyone's Hero - Music From The Motion Picture

Track listing

John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting - The Best

Brooks & Dunn - Keep On Swinging

Tyrone Wells - Dream Like New York

Chris Botti feat. Lyle Lovett - Chicago (That Toddling Town)

Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander - The Best Day Of My Life

Raven-Symone - Keep Your Eye On The Ball

Wyclef Jean feat. Kontrast - What You Do

Brooks & Dunn - Swing It

Lonestar - Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Mary-Chapin Carpenter - The Bug *

John Debney feat. Paris Bennett - The Tigers

John Debney - Yankee At Bat

* bonus track

http://www.everyoneshero.com/

http://www.columbiarecords.com/

Source: Columbia Records/Sony Music Soundtrax

 

 

 

 

 

Sexy Tyrese Gibson & Meagan Good Lead an Adrenaline-Fueled Non-Stop Thrill Ride Through the Violent and Dangerous Streets of L.A.

'Waist Deep'

Coming to DVD With Exclusive Bonus Features October 10, 2006 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Tyrese Gibson ("Four Brothers," "2 Fast 2 Furious") in a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde story ignites an explosive Los Angeles crime wave in a desperate race to save a child's life in Rogue Pictures' "Waist Deep," coming to DVD on October 10, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The sizzling cast of this riveting contemporary action thriller includes Meagan Good ("Roll Bounce," "Brick"), Larenz Tate ("Crash," "Ray") and multi-platinum rapper The Game, in his feature film debut. Director and writer Vondie Curtis Hall ("Redemption: The Stan 'Tookie' Williams Story") has created a hard-hitting thriller with enough attitude and suspense to keep viewers on the edge of their seats straight through to the spectacular finale. The DVD is loaded with pulse-pounding bonus features and an off-the-hook soundtrack featuring the hottest new songs from some of today's most popular music artists.

"Waist Deep" is the gripping story of a man in a desperate race against the clock to save his young son. Ex-con O2 (Tyrese Gibson) is a single father trying to make good for the sake of his son. When his vehicle is carjacked with his boy inside, O2 must forsake the law to rescue his son from his kidnapper -- a ruthless drug lord (The Game) who has a penchant for lopping off limbs. Determined to rescue his child, O2 will try anything, even if it means igniting an all-out gang war. The DVD is priced at $29.98.

Bonus Features Will Blow You Away!

"Waist Deep" pumps up the non-stop action with electrifying, exclusive-to-DVD extras and knockout bonus features, including:

* Going Deep: Analysis of a Scene -- Follow the intense preparation for

the crucial car-jacking scene. "Waist Deep" director Vondie Curtis

Hall works with the film's star, stunt coordinator and director of

photography to choreograph the heart-stopping action.

* Drive-By Filmmaking -- An insider's look at the techniques used by

filmmakers to create heart-pumping driving scenes and death-defying

chases.

* "Bad Girl" -- Black Buddafly teams up with hip-hop royalty Fabolous in

this dazzling music video.

* Plus exclusive additional scenes not shown in theaters!

Synopsis

Locked and loaded with action, "Waist Deep" is an explosive thrill ride featuring Tyrese Gibson as O2, an ex-con who's trying to go straight. His life takes a deadly turn when his son gets kidnapped in a carjacking and held for ransom by a ruthless druglord (The Game). With a street-smart hustler (Meagan Good) as his partner and his shady cousin (Larenz Tate) in the mix, O2 races through the violent streets of Los Angeles in a desperate attempt to outsmart rival gangs and save his son.

For more information please visit: www.waistdeep.net

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Director: Vondie Curtis Hall

Written By: Vondie Curtis Hall and Darin Scott; Story by Michael Mahern

Produced By: Preston Holmes

Executive Producers: Ted Field, Trevor Macy, Marc D. Evans, Russell

Simmons, Stan Lathan, Amy Kaufman, A. Demetrius Brown

Director of Photography: Shane Hurlbut

Production Designer: Warren Alan Young

Film Editor: Terilyn A. Shropshire

Costume Designer: Marie France

Music By: Kon Artis, Terence Blanchard

Cast: Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good, Larenz Tate, The Game

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: October 10, 2006

Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price: $29.98

Selection Number: 26558 (Widescreen); 31212 (Full Frame)

Running Time: 1 Hour 37 Minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1; Full Frame 1.33:1

Rating: R

Technical Info: Dolby Digital 5.1; English SDH, Spanish and French

Subtitles

Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

 

 

 

 

Buddhist Monks Keep Rolling in New Feature Film by Anna Wilding

The Anna Wilding Film Buddha Wild Monk in the Hut Selected With, Little Buddha, The Last Samurai and 2005 Oscar Winner Crash for Buddhist Film Festival

The film BUDDHA WILD MONK IN THE HUT by Anna Wilding, produced by Carpe Diem Films, is opening on more screens. The small budget vibrant film screened for a week in cinema in Los Angeles in March garnering Critics Pick by LA Weekly Critic Marc Olsen who said, "GO! A Surprisingly Pleasant Trip," and Union Jack Newspaper saying, "Accomplished. Anna Wilding Captures Our Attention." The film is being re-released for 7 days opening on August 23 at the Laemmles Grande 4 Plex Cinema in Los Angeles and in New Zealand at the Academy Cinema. The film has just been acquired up by Gil Scrine Distribution for Australian and New Zealand territories. Talks with cinemas in USA and Europe are currently pending.

BUDDHA WILD MONK IN THE HUT is one of six films selected alongside The Last Samurai (2003), Crash, I Heart Huckabees, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Little Buddha for the first ever Buddhist Film Festival in Calgary November 3-5 2006. Films were selected on artistic merit and thematic diversity.

The film which was directed, produced, written and narrated by Anna Wilding tells the simple and pure tale of Thai and Sir Lankan monks on a missionary monastery. Despite limited access to large cameras and with the filmmaker facing constant days of rain, the film has been woven together in a complex and intelligent style that suits a Buddhist narrative and utilizes a combination of guerrilla, poetic, narrative feature and music video techniques. The film has consistently received good houses and praise for its colourful, engaging yet natural story telling by Anna Wilding and easy to understand distillation of the complex Buddhist beliefs. Anna Wilding also narrates and presents the film. Wilding has been keeping a low profile recently while threats and attempts to sabotage made by internet stalkers are investigated.

Web site: http://www.carpediemfilms.net/

 

 

VDS Selected to Provide The Score Television Network With a New HD Ticker

The First Native 720p Ticker in North America for Sports Scores



 

MELVILLE, NY, August 14, 2006—VDS, a leading developer of graphics automation software, content design and plug-in products has delivered an exciting new HD ticker to The Score Television Network in Toronto. The signature graphic on The Score, the new ticker is the first native 720p ticker in North America, built from the ground up to deliver dynamic sports information to sports fans across Canada.

 

The heart of the system is a central database designed by VDS for the storage and distribution of live sports scores, statistical and other related information from multiple data sources. This database serves as the single source of data for all automated graphics applications at The Score, including the Ticker, website and other applications planned for the future.

 

Designed with three independent but simultaneously updating regions for main ticker, game bug, and breaking news the ticker includes advanced animations and transitions not yet seen in on-air tickers. It also includes a progress indicator, which shows how many entries remain within a specific subject as well as advanced line-up bars indicating sports segments that are coming up.

 

The integrated display of live game data from Stats Inc. and sports odds data from Chalk provides important and up to the minute information to the sports fan including advanced game situation display features, with base-runner indicators for baseball, ball possession and field position for football, and power-play/man advantage for hockey.



 The Score ticker also has multiple modes of operation and display, including standard ticker mode, and live event mode, in which the ticker transforms, on the fly, to a smaller size at the bottom of the screen to minimize the video squeezeback required.
 
An advanced authoring tool allows The Score personnel to quickly create ticker playlists with as many as 1500 entries, which is common for the dynamic and comprehensive production requirements of The Score.
 
The VDS ticker system also allows for automatic scheduling and playback of multiple playlists based on date and time as well as advanced scheduling features for enabling individual or groups of playlist entries based on game situation and time of day.

 

“At the Score, we push ourselves to think of new ways to enhance the viewing experience and really deliver sports information in a form that is entertaining, informative, and innovative,” says David Errington, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, The Score Television Network.  “The ticker is our signature and I believe that together we have taken something that was great and made it even better.”

 

“The Score ticker was one of the most challenging automated graphics systems VDS has implemented. Using our core Sportbase database, GameTrak system and modular graphics engine, we were able to provide The Score with a very unique and dynamic system that matches the excitement of The Score broadcast, said Jaye Gore, Vice President of VDS.

 

As part of its contract with The Score, VDS will also be delivering other advanced tools for the production of automated graphics, including a system that will drive full-screen graphics or “boards” with live game situation and statistical information.
 

 

 

 

 

About VDS
VDS is committed to providing automation and content design tools for the broadcast, cable television, internet, and post production markets. VDS designs products for the automated control of broadcast television systems, with an emphasis on graphics-related operations, content distribution and automation, and internet-to-video and video-to-internet systems. VDS content creation systems provide industry tools that deliver graphic design, universal file translation and integration capabilities

 

Google Code Jam 2006: Programmers Worldwide Invited to Participate in Google's Fourth Annual Global Coding Competition

Registration opens August 14th; finals to be held in
Google's New York City Engineering Office on October 27th, 2006

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and New York, NY, - August 14, 2006 - Google
Inc., (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that registration is now open for
Google Code Jam 2006.  Google's annual online coding competition
presents participants with a series of challenges that they must use
their programming skills and creativity to solve.  Programmers ready to
match their skills against the world's best can register at
http://www.google.com/codejam2006. The top 100 contestants win an all
expenses paid trip to New York City to compete in the finals at
Google's New York Engineering Office.

"The Google Code Jam is an incredible opportunity for the most talented
and fastest computer scientists in the world to come together and
compete on an international stage," said Alan Eustace, senior vice
president, Engineering, Google Inc.  "Google is proud to support these
amazing coders as they take on some of the world's most challenging
programming problems, and we're pleased to have the chance to introduce
them to our research and development offices around the world."

This year marks the first year the finals will be held in New York
City.  "Google New York is very excited to be hosting Google Code Jam
2006," said Craig Nevill-Manning, director, Engineering New York,
Google Inc.  "It's an incredible opportunity to introduce the best of
the programming world to our New York Engineering office in downtown
Manhattan and demonstrate the incredible diversity of experiences that
Google offers engineers all over the world.  If you can make it in Code
Jam here, you can make it anywhere!"

In addition to the trip to Google's New York Engineering Office,
finalists will also divide $155,000 in prize money:

Grand Prize:            $10,000
2nd - 10th place:       $5,000 each
11th - 25th place:      $2,500 each
26th - 50th place:      $1,000 each
51st - 100th place:     $750 each

Registration for Google Code Jam closes September 5, and the qualifying
round begins on the same day.

Last year, more than 14,500 competitors from 32 countries took part in
the Google Code Jam, and Marek Cygan of Poland took home the grand
prize.  The Google Code Jam is powered by TopCoder®, the leader in
online programming competition, skills assessment, and competitive
software development.  More information about Google Code Jam 2006 can
be found at http://www.google.com/codejam2006.

About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people
around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a  top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.



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