MBN: THE MONTE BUBBLES NETWORK

Bono and Bobby Shriver Launch (RED)(TM) in the U.S.

Gap, Motorola, Converse, Giorgio Armani, Apple and MTV Networks Join Forces to Launch Massive Product, Retail, Marketing and Online Campaigns Designed to Eliminate AIDS in Africa

 Oct. 14  -- Harnessing the power of some of the world's most iconic brands, Bono and Bobby Shriver announced today the U.S. launch of (RED), the groundbreaking initiative that marries the private sector with the buying power of the public in an effort to generate a sustainable flow of private sector funds towards the fight to eliminate AIDS in Africa. Gap, Motorola, Converse, Giorgio Armani and Apple are the first five companies to partner with (RED) in the U.S. The partnerships include licensing the (PRODUCT) RED(TM) mark and launching major integrated commercial efforts encompassing national and global product launches, retail, marketing and online activities. MTV Networks has joined (RED) as the first media sponsor in the U.S. to help build the brand and create awareness.

"We want to change history by writing its future," said Bobby Shriver, chief executive officer of (RED). "With (PRODUCT) RED, consumers can tap into the power of commerce to do something amazing and unprecedented. Our partners have created incredible products that consumers will want and need, which is the beauty of (PRODUCT) RED. We're not asking anyone for a donation or for them to change their behavior. People buy things every day. But now, when they buy (PRODUCT) RED, they will look good and do good -- and that's good business."

(PRODUCT) RED launched in the United Kingdom earlier this year. Brands that license the (PRODUCT) RED mark make a five-year commitment to create unique (PRODUCT) RED products and contribute a significant percentage of sales or portion of profits from the sales of those products into Global Fund- financed AIDS programs with a special emphasis on women and children affected by AIDS in Africa. Since the inception of the Global Fund in 2002, the private sector has contributed five million dollars versus $4.9 billion from governments around the world. (RED) will create a new income stream into the Fund.

"AIDS in Africa is an emergency, that's why we chose the color Red. When you buy a (PRODUCT) RED product, the company gives money to buy pills that will keep someone in Africa alive. The idea is simple, the products are sexy and people live instead of die. It's consumer power at work for those who have no power at all," Bono, co-founder of (RED).

Specific plans and products for the U.S. launch of (PRODUCT) RED include the following:

* GAP - Gap (PRODUCT) RED(TM) is a new, limited edition collection of clothing and accessories for men and women designed to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Fifty percent of the profits from sales of Gap (PRODUCT) RED items will go to the Global Fund to finance programs that help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. The collection, which is rooted in Gap's iconic product categories such as t-shirts, hoodies, jeans and accessories, features 40 items -- each branded with subtle yet distinct details inspired by (RED). The full Gap (PRODUCT) RED collection will be available exclusively in select Gap adult stores in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France and Japan and online in the U.S. at gap.com. In stores, the Gap (PRODUCT) RED collection will be displayed in a distinct shop-in-shop RED boutique.

The retail price of Gap (PRODUCT) RED items ranges from $1 to $350 which includes products such as graphic T-shirts ($28) and tote bags ($45) for men and women, skinny jeans with red stitching for women ($150), and motorcycle jackets for men ($350). One vintage-style T-shirt from the collection is being manufactured in Lesotho, Africa from 100 percent African cotton. The T- shirt is made for both women and men and will be available in red, as well as a range of other classic colors.

As part of its (PRODUCT) RED collection, Gap also launched a book entitled INDIVIDUALS: Portraits from the Gap Collection, at a special event in New York City during Fashion Week on September 12. Since Gap's founding in 1969, style icons from virtually every artistic field have been photographed for Gap ads, and Individuals brings the best of them together for the first time in a celebration of the individual spirit that lives within all of us. Books will be available in both hard and soft cover and are packaged with a limited edition CD containing fifteen of the most memorable songs featured in Gap ads. 100 percent of Gap's profits from the sale of Individuals will go to the Global Fund.

To celebrate the introduction of the Gap (PRODUCT) RED Collection, Gap is launching a powerful new advertising campaign featuring an incredible cast of celebrities photographed by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The campaign consists of compelling images of Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Garner, Chris Rock, Penelope Cruz, Christy Turlington, Don Cheadle, Mary J. Blige, Dakota Fanning and Apollo Ohno.

* MOTOROLA - As the exclusive worldwide wireless partner for (RED), Motorola is developing unique products and partnering with leading wireless operators to enable consumers to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. After its successful launch of the MOTOSLVR in the UK, the RED MOTORAZR and RED Bluetooth H500 headset are the first in a series of products in the U.S. to benefit The Global Fund.

Motorola is also announcing its first two carrier partners in North America.: Sprint and U.S. Cellular. The RED MOTORAZR will be available from both partners. In addition, The RED Bluetooth H500 headset is available for purchase online at motorola.com/red.

With each sale of a (PRODUCT) RED phone and headset, a direct contribution of $17 and $5 respectively will be made to the Global Fund by Motorola and its carrier partners. Motorola RED products will be rolling out internationally over the remainder of the year and into 2007.

Motorola will also launch Studio RED, a series of initiatives to include physical and virtual destinations that will enhance consumers' mobile experiences with (PRODUCT) RED. Studio RED will inform consumers of Motorola (PRODUCT) RED activities, purchase benefits and rewards. Studio RED will offer exclusive content, including limited edition wallpaper, ring tones and video casts, which have been designed by Motorola's elite partnership network of musicians and designers.

For more information on Motorola's commitment to RED and product availability, please visit motorola.com/red, sprint.com/red or uscellular.com.

* CONVERSE - The Converse (PRODUCT) RED Collection includes four exclusive, limited edition shoes designed by acclaimed U.K. designer Giles Deacon, featuring a Chuck Taylor(R) All Star(R) Hi ($100), Jack Purcell(R) ($100), One Star(R) Mid ($120) and Weapon(R) ($140) available in September at select specialty locations with 10 percent of net wholesale sales going directly to the Global Fund. Converse is also releasing three new (PRODUCT) RED versions of its Chuck Taylor All Star canvas hi-tops in black, white and red ($47) available exclusively at more than 180 Gap locations nationwide starting today.

In addition, Converse will be introducing MAKE MINE RED, a unique feature only available online at www.converseone.com, that offers shoppers the unique option to custom design any Converse (PRODUCT) RED Chuck Taylor Canvas Hi and Low shoes to support the (RED) initiative. The MAKE MINE RED function provides consumers with a unique way to express their originality, with 15 percent of net retail sales going directly to the Global Fund. Retailing for $60, all MAKE MINE RED styles include iconic Converse (RED) detailing such as the logo inscribed on the insole of the shoe and red eyelets symbolically adorning the top of the sneakers along with a custom palette of seasonal colors and patterns. Converse is the only (PRODUCT) RED partner with this exclusive capability to give consumers a platform to express their creativity through (PRODUCT) RED.

Converse will partner with celebrated designers, artists, musicians and filmmakers to inspire originality by offering limited edition Converse (PRODUCT) RED shoes each season on a unique canvas that preserves culture and embraces creativity. Depending on the product sold, a contribution of 5 to 15 percent of net sales from Converse (PRODUCT) RED shoes goes directly to the Global Fund.

* GIORGIO ARMANI - In support of (PRODUCT) RED, Giorgio Armani unveiled his men's and women's Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED capsule collection on September 21 during London Fashion Week at a unique televised fashion and music event called (Emporio Armani) RED ONE NIGHT ONLY. The capsule collection is comprised of products that range from a jacket ($228), sweatshirt ($148) and jeans ($198) to accessories, including sunglasses ($170), a watch ($225), wallet ($148), mobile phone clip ($58) and belt ($198). In developing his collection, Giorgio Armani collaborated with Ghanaian contemporary artist Owusu-Ankomah, whose art is featured on clothing, accessories and packaging in the Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED collection. The range of products will be expanded further with the launch of a Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED women's and men's fragrance and jewellery in Spring 2007.

On November 16, Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED products will be available in all 124 Emporio Armani stores throughout the world, each featuring a (PRODUCT) RED-themed window and significant point-of-sale support. An online micro-site at http://www.emporioarmaniproductred.com/ and national print ads will also drive Armani's significant promotion.

Giorgio Armani is contributing an average of 40 percent of its gross profit margin from sales of all Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED products directly to The Global Fund.

* APPLE - The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition comes in a beautiful red aluminum enclosure and features 24 hours of battery life, Apple's innovative Click Wheel and an incredibly thin and light design. Apple will contribute $10 from the sale of each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is available worldwide in a 4GB model for $199 (US) through Apple's retail stores and the Apple Store (www.apple.com). Apple will also offer a $25 iTunes (PRODUCT) RED gift card for purchase at Apple's retail and online stores next month.

The (PRODUCT) RED collections are designed to be compelling parts of the brands' overall offerings and are not priced at a premium, making it easy for consumers to choose (RED) over non-(RED) items.

(RED) is also developing a suite of media partnerships which will enable the brand to increase awareness. MTV Networks has joined (PRODUCT) RED as the initiative's first media partner. The partnership starts with VH1 and will expand across MTV, Comedy Central, Spike and other channels in the coming months. The program includes on-air integration including (RED) spots, content placement, in-show graphic interruptions, full-screen takeovers and frequent banners.

"(PRODUCT) RED is a brilliant and effective response to the greatest global crisis of our time -- the HIV/AIDS pandemic," said Professor Richard Feachem, executive director, the Global Fund. "There is no one way to solve this problem, but (RED) has come up with a smart and unique way of trying to do so. (PRODUCT) RED is already changing and saving lives."

American Express and MySpace.com continue their tremendous initiatives in the UK.

About Gap

Gap Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Forth & Towne brand names. Fiscal 2005 sales were $16.0 billion. Gap Inc. operates about 3,000 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Ireland and Japan. For more information, please visit gapinc.com.

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US$36.8 billion in 2005. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit www.motorola.com.

About Converse

Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as "America's Original Sports Company"(TM) and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor(R) All Star(R) shoe, the Jack Purcell(R) shoe and the One Star(R) shoe. Converse was the first basketball shoe to ever make contact with the court in 1917. Soon after, Converse gained iconic status with the creation of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe in 1923, which went unmatched through five decades of professional basketball. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com.

About Giorgio Armani

The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today with 4,900 direct employees and 13 factories. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani Prive, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, AJ | Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior, Armani Baby and Armani Casa. The Group's exclusive retail network currently comprises: 71 Giorgio Armani boutiques, 12 Armani Collezioni stores, 124 Emporio Armani stores, 97 A/X Armani Exchange stores, 17 AJ | Armani Jeans stores, 6 Armani Junior stores, 1 Giorgio Armani Accessori, 1 Emporio Armani Accessori store and 20 Armani Casa stores in 40 countries.

About Apple

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award- winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its interactive properties worldwide, including Neopets, Xfire, IFILM, GameTrailers.com, and online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide. The Company's web properties recorded more than 175 million video streams in June, a triple-digit increase over the same period last year. Within one year, the Company has launched 24 broadband channels globally, including MTV Overdrive, mtvU's Uber, TurboNick, VH1's VSpot and Comedy Central's Motherload. All feature dynamic original content and are expected to stream more than 1 billion videos by year's end. Further, viewing of MTVN's on-air channels accounts for over 25% of all time spent watching cable television, with such valuable brands as Nickelodeon which is now enjoying its 11th year as the top-rated cable network.

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 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks.

About the Global Fund

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a unique global public-private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases. The Global Fund finances one fifth of all global efforts to stop AIDS and two thirds of global expenditure against tuberculosis and malaria.

About (RED) and (PRODUCT) RED

(RED)'s primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds for the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa. Companies whose products take on the (PRODUCT) RED mark contribute a significant percentage of the sales or portion of the profits from that product to the Global Fund to finance AIDS programs in Africa, with an emphasis on the health of women and children. Current partners are: American Express (U.K. only), Converse, Gap, Giorgio Armani and Motorola. MySpace.com is the first media sponsor in the United Kingdom. WWW.JOINRED.COM

How Funding Works

A portion of sales or profits from the sale of (PRODUCT) RED products will support Global Fund-financed programs which positively impact the lives of women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. These include programs in countries such as Rwanda, which has a proven track record and ambitious targets. For example, in the past two years, Rwanda has increased the number of people receiving treatments for HIV/AIDS ten-fold.

Each program highlighted by (RED) will be selected based on the following Global Fund criteria:

  Focus:    -- The grant's activities are related to HIV/AIDS treatment, care and       prevention and focus on women and children in Africa    Performance:    -- The program is performing well as evidenced by progress reports and a       mid-program performance review    Reporting:    -- The program's principal recipient is providing progress reports and       making disbursement requests to the Global Fund on time    -- The Global Fund Secretariat has been approving disbursement requests,       based on Local Fund Agent (professional consultants') recommendations       to the Secretariat 

Sara Evans pulls out of Dancing with the stars

Country singer Sara Evans alleges in divorce papers that her husband committed adultery, was verbally and emotionally abusive, drank excessively and frequently watched pornography in their home.

In the filing in state court in Franklin, a Nashville suburb where the couple has a home, Evans alleges that Schelske watched pornography on the couples' computers and has at least 100 nude photographs of himself in a state of arousal.

Evans filed for divorce from Craig Schelske in Williamson County, Tenn., where she lives, according to a statement issued by Allen Brown, her representative at Sony BMG Music Entertainment

"Recent events that shed light on the status of her marriage prompted Ms. Evans to make the filing," Brown said in the statement. He declined to elaborate.

The couple were married in 1993 and have three children.

Evans decided she needed to leave the TV show "to give her family her full attention at this difficult time," Brown said.

She also alleges that several photographs show Schelske having sex with other women, and that Schelske maintains "Craigs Lists" on his computers, some of which involve requests for three-party sex and anal sex.

According to the court documents, the oldest of the couple's children confronted Schelske when he was watching pornographic material on the television in their home.

Evans further alleges that Schelske frequently threatened her and "told her that she is crazy," threatened to take the children to Oregon and "continually interferes with (Evans') possession of and parenting time" with their children.

Evans requests child custody, possession of Franklin home and child support.

Evans was among 11 celebrities who paired with professional dancers to compete on the third season of the popular ABC reality series.

"Ms. Evans hopes that her fans and TV viewers who've supported her in recent weeks and throughout her music career will respect and understand her need for privacy in the face of these recent events," Allen Brown, her representative at Sony BMG Music Entertainment, said in a statement Thursday.  

Evans, 35, was recently nominated for female vocalist of the year honors by the Country Music Association. The Missouri native made her recording debut in 1997 and her 2000 album "Born To Fly" went double-platinum.

- On Friday, October 13, 2006, Gen Art will host “Fresh Faces in Fashion,” its ninth annual show dedicated to launching the best emerging fashion designers on the West Coast. This highly anticipated event is sponsored by the hot new BlackBerry® Pearl™ smartphone (www.blackberrypearl.com) and kicks off Los Angeles Fashion Week. It will be hosted at the Barker Hangar (3021 Airport Ave Santa Monica, CA 90405) in Santa Monica, featuring an accessory designer reception at 7:00pm and a runway show at 8:00pm. The show will debut the work of five womenswear designers, one menswear, one swimwear, and one mixed collection of men’s and women’s apparel on the catwalk. The event will also feature four accessory designers in installations. “Fresh Faces in Fashion” is Gen Art’s anchor fashion event committed to the growth of independent and spirited fashion talent. Musical selections for the pre-runway show reception will be provided by acclaimed music supervisor Amanda Scheer Demme with George Augusto and DJ Johnny Abrams in support of “His & Hers,” their new release on Thrive Records. A celebratory party featuring the house music stylings of DJ Marques Wyatt of Deep Los Angeles will follow the show in the Hangar.

Editors and stylists from the world’s leading publications and fashion houses helped Gen Art select only twelve of the most promising designers from among hundreds of hopefuls. Some of these designers have already become favorites among several Hollywood celebrities. This year, the womenswear lines include Augustine, Crispin & Basilio, Katy Rodriguez, Trasteverine, and Ziji. The menswear line is Anzevino & Florence. Fremont will present a combination of womenswear and menswear. And Haverhill swimwear will unveil their Spring 2007 bathing suits. Gen Art is also proud to introduce jewelry lines Hollieten and Jack Rabbit, as well as shoe collections by LD Tuttle and Marcello Toshi Creazoni.

"We are thrilled to continue providing the industry with a first glimpse of these talented new fashion designers in a fresh and singular format,” says Jennifer Egan, Gen Art’s Regional Director for Los Angeles. “Through each designer’s unique perspective, LA becomes more established and more widely recognized a fashion capital.”

The show is the finale of Gen Art’s five market 2006 Fresh Faces in Fashion program which included Miami (March), New York (Sept 8), San Francisco (Sept 16), and Chicago which served as the finale of Chicago Fashion Focus Week on September 25.

Gen Art’s “Fresh Faces in Fashion” event has an unparalleled track record for showcasing tomorrow’s top designers. Previous discoveries include Louis Verdad (who dressed Madonna, Cate Blanchett and others following his debut at the show), Zac Posen, Shoshanna, Rebecca Taylor, Michelle Mason, Hollywould, Jared Gold, Cloak, Eugenia Kim and Eduardo Lucero. Three of these Gen Art alumni designers have gone on to win best new designer of the year by the CFDA following their debut with Gen Art.

According to Los Angeles Magazine, “Fresh Faces in Fashion’ has become the showcase for promising local designers, and, arguably, Fashion Week’s hottest ticket.”

Joining the BlackBerry Pearl in making this event possible are Acura, Bawls Guaranexx, Beck’s Premier Light, Ecru New York, the IN:NYC Card from America Express, Johnny Walker, Mac Cosmetics, Max Custom Media, L.A. Confidential Magazine and Pop Champagne

Reserved seating tickets with VIP area access are $100/person and $90 for Gen Art members. Standing tickets are $40/person and $30 for Gen Art members. All tickets include early entry to the show pre-reception and access to the show and after party with complimentary beverages. Gen Art LA Platinum and Associate Producers receive complimentary seating tickets based on their membership level and VIP room access.

For additional information or to purchase tickets please call 310-360-0141, or visit www.genart.org.

Gen Art is the leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to supporting the best emerging talent in film, fashion, art and music. Founded in 1993, the company reaches a devoted audience of 21-39 year old influencers and is a prominent and lasting force in the arts and entertainment arena. For further information about Gen Art, please visit www.genart.org.

Garden of Eden Goes Out With a Glam

Garden of Eden has chosen the House of Glam, a Climax Global subsidiary, to host their final tribute nights before closing the hotspot at the end of 2006. The venue's coveted Saturday nights were bestowed upon the nightlife event production company due to their incredible track record with virtually reinventing the Asian American club scene nationwide.

"Garden of Eden has always exuded this yin/yang balance of enlightenment and debauchery, so I aimed to choose a production house that could mimic that same mystique," remarked David Judaken, the owner of the famed venue. "House of Glam produces the type of event that transforms the night into an evening of illuminating decadence."

House of Glam LA has created some of Los Angeles' most spectacular events, meeting a demand for creativity and glamour in a niche market. For the last four years, they have been able to meld club nightlife, Hollywood fashion and velvet rope-only access events into glamorous productions at the hottest venues in Hollywood, including Prey and Cabana Club. Earlier this summer, Glam hosted TVK Network, Audrey Magazine and DJ Virman at the Garden to an over-capacity crowd of trendsetters and style mavens.

The House of Glam will continue to reign as the most influential promoter of the Asian American nightlife scene by producing a 16-week series of events simply named "TRIBUTE," in a nod to Garden's grand finale. The highlights include MTV Chi Rocks after party on September 23rd, featuring some of the hottest Asian acts in performance, and Nolcha Fashion will be kicking off their launch on October 14th. Glam's annual Halloween bash, thrown by the edgy, celebrity fashion mainstay Ed Hardy and hosted by Jeremy Jackson, will take place two weeks later on October 28th. Glam will also host the 7th Annual Kollaboration Talent Fest pre-party on November 4th. 13 Minutes magazine and SmashWear Fashion will join party revelers at this Moroccan-themed oasis, rounding out the calendar at soon to be announced dates.

The TRIBUTE Series of Events: 9/23: MTV Chi Concert After Party 10/14 Nolcha Fashion Launch Party 10/28: Annual House of Glam Halloween Party Sponsored by Ed Hardy and Hosted by Jeremy Jackson 11/4: Kollaboration Pre-Party 11/11: FarEast Movement Performance 

To find out more about the House of Glam calendar of events and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.thehouseofglam.com . The House of Glam is a subsidiary of Climax Global Entertainment www.climaxglobal.com

About The Plan C Group

The Plan C Group, spearheaded by global entertainment entrepreneur and CEO Carl Choi, a holdings company for The House of Glam, Catch Music Group, Climax Global Entertainment, DopeUSA and Plan C Agency, is an events production and marketing company based in Los Angeles with operations in every major city in the United States and throughout Asia. Founded in 1995, the company aims to become the premier entertainment, media and marketing conglomerate by producing social and commercial events and marketing campaigns that shape fashion, trends and the lifestyle of Asian Americans. With ten years of industry expertise, Plan C is uniquely positioned to influence the four hundred billion dollar market.

OCTOBER 2006Vara-Kuelbs Projects Invites You OCTOBER 2006 For more information about these events and all Vara Fine Arts services, please go to www.varaart.com ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Renée Vara Invites You To MIGRATIONS An Ekphrastic Evening Hosted by Renée Vara Tuesday, October 24 7:00-9:00pm 402 West Broadway, 4th Floor (West Broadway & Spring Streets) ● Ekphrastic Evenings: A new series of interviews, talks and open conversations to revive the classical poetic tradition of putting words together to describe and discuss art and visual culture in an environment WITH PANELISTS: Henry Buhl, Photography Collector Donna Clovis, Photographer and Writer Lisa Kirk, Independent Curator Juan Puntes, Director, WhiteBox

Space is limited. Please RSVP by replying to this email to info@varaart.com or calling (212) 475- 4404 to reserve your seats. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Vara- Kuelbs Projects Invites You To

Dumbo Arts Under the Bridge Festival

October 12- 14 "100% Acrylic" performance installation by Agata Olek Oleksiak Saturday, October 14 at 4:30pm NYC Department of Transportation's "Iron Shop" - 59 Adams Street (at Front Street) Artist's Reception (RSVP REQUIRED) Saturday, October 14, 6:00-8:00pm 50 Bridge Street (at Water Street), Loft #516 Please RSVP to lkuelbs@mac.com "Contingencies of the Real" Photography and Video Exhibition October 12- 14, 11:00am- 6:00pm 50 Bridge Street (at Water Street), Loft #516 Featuring Work By: Elena Bajo, John Breiner, Jo Broughton, Lynn Butler, Donna Clovis, Moo Kwon Han, Peter Mackie, Michael Markos, Agata Olek Oleksiak, Betty Tompkins, Bevan Walker, Jared Whitham and Bryan Zanisnik

For more information about this project, please visit www.vkprojects.com ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Vara Fine Arts www.varaart.com 212.475.4404 info@varaart.com

Oct. 13 Sony Online Entertainment and Sigil Games Online announced today the special features included in the Collector's & Guild Edition, as well as pre-order details for the highly anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. In the vast world of Telon, players are free to choose their destiny by exploring three spheres of advancement, adventuring, diplomacy, and crafting. With intricately detailed environments inspired by oil paintings, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is scheduled to make the journey to retail stores in Q1 2007.

The pre-order box at retail includes:

- Early access to the game! Log on and get a jump start up to three

days prior to the official launch!

- Special account key that will grant you a unique exclusive in-game

scroll that will allow your character to sprint for longer periods of

time due to an endurance buff (one per account).

- Invitation to the Vanguard: Saga of Heroes open beta (for eligible

participants).

- Guild Mail recruitment tool to help you build your guild before

launch!

- A king's ransom of assets, including videos, wallpapers and

screenshots.

AVAILABLE EARLY DECEMBER

Regular Edition - $49.99 MSRP

Packaged in a DVD box, the Regular Edition will include:

- A one month subscription to Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Station

Players(TM) - an array of premium features that give incredible

access to characters and guilds by merging the game world with the

World Wide Web.

- Your choice of an in-game magical wand to create fireworks or an

in-game set of horseshoes with +speed to use once you get your first

horse (one per account).

Collector's & Guild Edition Details - $89.99 MSRP

Packaged in a custom leatherette chipboard box, the Collector's & Guild Edition will include:

- An art book featuring many original pieces by seminal fantasy artist,

Keith Parkinson.

- A cloth map with an overview and points of interest for each

continent.

- A CD featuring the full Vanguard: Saga of Heroes soundtrack.

- A three month subscription to Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Station

Players(TM) - an array of premium features that give incredible

access to characters and guilds by merging the game world with the

World Wide Web.

- One of three Hero Cards each granting a unique in-game item (one per

account).

- The Jeric card grants a cloak that increases adventuring stats.

- The Eila card grants a cloak that increases crafting stats.

- The Idara card grants a cloak that increases diplomacy stats.

- Your choice of an in-game magical wand to create fireworks or an

in-game set of horseshoes with +speed to use once you get your first

horse (one per account).

- A Guild Kit which includes:

- An in-game guild trophy that buffs stats for the entire guild*

- Ten 10-day buddy keys

* Need to earn/create guild house to use

For more information about Vanguard: Saga of Heroes please visit: www.vanguardsoh.com and www.joinvanguard.com

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest(R), EverQuest(R) II, Champions of Norrath(R), Untold Legends(TM), and PlanetSide(R), as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies(TM), SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development. SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment America.

CA — Academy Award®-nominated director Peter Bogdanovich will join actresses Carol Lynley and Eva Marie Saint for a centennial tribute to three-time Academy Award-nominated director and producer Otto Preminger on Thursday, November 2, at 8 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

The tribute, hosted by Bogdanovich, will present a selection of film clips and onstage discussions with Hope and Victoria Preminger, the director’s widow and daughter, respectively, as well as Lynley and Saint.

Born in Vienna, Austria on December 5, 1906, Preminger worked as a stage actor and director throughout Europe, making his film directorial debut in 1931 with a German-language melodrama called “Die Grosse Liebe” (“The Great Love”).

Arriving in the United States in 1935 at the invitation of 20th Century-Fox, Preminger earned his first Academy Award nomination in 1944 for directing “Laura” and went on to direct a number of important films for the studio, including “Fallen Angel,” “Forever Amber,” “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and “River of No Return.”

Preminger delighted in challenging authority, a quality that often led to clashes with studio executives and censors. In the early 1950s, Preminger formed his own production company, and as an independent producer he became known for taking on controversial topics. He explored the themes of sexual promiscuity, heroin addiction and rape in such films as “The Moon Is Blue,” “The Man with the Golden Arm,” and “Anatomy of a Murder.” He also maintained his connection to theater by directing film adaptations of stage productions, including the black-cast musicals “Carmen Jones” and “Porgy and Bess.”

Preminger received his second directing nomination for “The Cardinal” in 1963; he was also nominated for producing “Anatomy of a Murder.”

As part of the centennial celebration, the Academy will also present a retrospective film series highlighted by recent restorations and newly made prints from the Otto Preminger Collection at the Academy Film Archive.

The screening series, to be held at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater, will feature:

Friday, November 3, at 7 p.m.
“The Man with the Golden Arm”
Premiering a new restoration by the Academy Film Archive
“Laura”
Featuring a new print by 20th Century Fox

Saturday, November 4, at 7 p.m.
“Where the Sidewalk Ends”
Premiering a new restoration by the Academy Film Archive and 20th Century Fox
“Daisy Kenyon”
Featuring a new print by 20th Century Fox

Friday, November 10, at 7 p.m.
“The Moon Is Blue”
Premiering a new restoration by the Academy Film Archive
“Bonjour Tristesse”
Featuring a recently restored print by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Saturday, November 11, at 7 p.m.
“Whirlpool”
Featuring a new print by 20th Century Fox
“Bunny Lake Is Missing”
Featuring a recently restored print by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sunday, November 12, at 7 p.m.
“Anatomy of a Murder”
Featuring a recently restored print by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Tickets to “A Centennial Tribute to Otto Preminger” and for each screening in the accompanying film series are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the tribute and 6 p.m. for the screenings. Seats are unreserved.

The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Free parking is provided in the garages located at 8920 and 9025 Wilshire Boulevard.

The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood. Parking is available behind the building through the entrance on Homewood Avenue.

©A.M.P.A.S.®

Described by The Washington Post as "quite plainly a bombshell, a knockout ... and slim, leggy and gorgeous ... and stacked," Alice Alyse, the accomplished ballerina known as the "American Ballerina," will appear on The Tyra Banks Show to discuss her courageous pursuit of justice against the Broadway show, "Movin' Out," where as one of the top actresses and dancers, she was allegedly sexually abused, harassed and discriminated against over the size of her breasts, gender and Latin origin.

In the interview with Tyra Banks, Ms. Alyse reveals an inside look at the rigors of performing on Broadway and the difficulties actors, actresses and dancers encounter in being treated with respect by "hot shot" managers and billionaire owners who attempt to control their lives, and the cold shoulder they are given by the compromised labor unions which are supposed to protect them.

Recently, to promote and protect the interests of entertainers, Ms. Alyse has founded the American Ballerina Foundation, where she serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. See www.americanballerina.org.

Ms. Alyse appears on the show with her lawyer, Larry Klayman, who as former Chairman of Judicial Watch, a U.S. Senate candidate and now in private practice, has dedicated his career to taking on injustice.

Web site: http://www.americanballerina.org/
http://www.alicealyse.com/

Leading celebrities, corporate leaders, public officials, musicians, and health professionals will come together tonight for the 2006 YouthAIDS Gala to raise funding and awareness to fight HIV/AIDS. YouthAIDS, an action-based initiative implemented by Population Services International (PSI), works on a global level to educate and protect youth from HIV/AIDS. The event, presented by AOL, LLC, The Leonsis Foundation, The Sheila C. Johnson Foundation, and Salamander Hospitality, LLC, will take place at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.

YouthAIDS will honor two individuals that have made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of Companies, will be honored for his ongoing dedication to fighting the AIDS epidemic through innovative business campaigns and Violetta Ross, an HIV- positive Bolivian activist, will be honored for leading advocacy efforts for the human rights of people living with HIV. Additional highlights of the Gala include performances by five-time Grammy Award-winner Michael McDonald and Latin Grammy winner Jorge Moreno, and will also feature YouthAIDS Ambassadors Wynonna Judd, Josh Lucas and Emmy Rossum, plus special guests Paula Abdul, Project Runway's Tim Gunn, and Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera.

"It is our honor to recognize the corporate and social contributions of Richard and Violetta in the fight against AIDS," said Ashley Judd, YouthAIDS Global Ambassador and Host of the YouthAIDS Gala. "Through education and prevention, we have a real opportunity to avert the HIV/AIDS emergency, particularly in Central America. The work Richard and Violetta are doing is desperately needed and they are setting important examples of innovative responses to saving our future generations from this pandemic."

The YouthAIDS Gala theme, "Faces of Latin America," will highlight the recent visit that Ashley Judd, YouthAIDS Founder Kate Roberts, actress Salma Hayek and YouthAIDS Ambassador for Latin America, Juanes made to Central America, a region where HIV/AIDS is widely threatening young populations. "The 2006 YouthAIDS Gala will be a special evening where we gather individuals from all industries who share our commitment of protecting young people from HIV/AIDS," said Kate Roberts. "We are especially pleased to have the opportunity to share the experiences of our recent journey through Central America to help raise further awareness for a region that is severely affected by HIV/AIDS."

The evening will also include a live auction featuring donated items including a spot at the top of the waiting list for the new GTC Bentley convertible, earrings by H. Stern, tickets to Sir Elton John's concert at Madison Square Garden, and a trip to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, with all proceeds going to support YouthAIDS/PSI's life-saving programs in more than 60 countries around the world.

Academy Board Votes toEstablish Makeup Branch

Makeup artists and hairstylists who are members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have been granted branch status by the Academy’s Board of Governors, Academy President Sid Ganis announced today.

Branch status will permit the roughly 120 makeup artists and hairstylists who are currently members-at-large to elect one individual from among their ranks to represent them on the board. This will increase the size of the board to 43. Information about the change and election materials will be sent to members of the new branch in time for them to select the new governor before the December meeting of the board.

The single-governor branch will be unique, but the representation of a craft area on the Academy board by a single governor is relatively common. Costume designers, production designers, set decorators, sound editors, sound mixers and live-action short-film makers all have a single representative on the board.

“There is a very strong sentiment among the governors not to increase the size of the board to the point that it becomes unwieldy,” said Ganis, “so the idea of even this slight expansion was not approached casually. But in view of their numbers within the organization, and the fact that every year we award the highest honor in filmmaking – our statuette – to an achievement in makeup, it seemed only fair to give these artists a voice on our board.”

©A.M.P.A.S.®

Fresh on the heels of acquiring worldwide film rights to its hit manga series, Lament of the Lamb, a gut-wrenching horror story of a young man who shockingly discovers he may be the last in a bloodline of vampires, TOKYOPOP has chosen the property to launch the company's first foray into independent film production. Currently in development, the Lament of the Lamb film venture has landed a coveted "In The Spotlight" position at this year's 19th Annual Tokyo International Film Festival. Ranked as one of the world's largest film festivals and Japan's only officially approved international film gathering, the 2006 Tokyo International Film Festival will be held in Tokyo from October 21 through October 29, 2006.

Created by Kei Toume and originally published in Japan by Gentosha, Lament of the Lamb follows the physical and mental torment of a man who discovers that he is cursed with a hereditary disease that makes him crave blood. A metaphor for teenage alienation, twisted sexual desire and insanity, Lament of the Lamb presents psychological horror at its best.

Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP CEO & Chief Creative Officer, is producing the film. "We are honored to be spotlighted at one of the world's most significant film festivals. I believe what impressed the committee most about Lament of the Lamb was the distinctive East-meets-West approach to our production," Levy stated. "We'll script the story in Hollywood, attach a Japanese director, cast in the West, and shoot in Eastern Europe. Clearly, this production represents what TOKYOPOP as a media company is all about, from its business model to its creative approach."

According to a statement from Tokyo International Film Festival Chairman, Tsuguhiko Kadokawa, "Co-productions with a wide range of countries have increased in number, not to mention a spate of Hollywood remakes, as a burgeoning cinematic diaspora transcends the confines of national and regional borders. At a time when Asia is basking in the glow of such unprecedented attention, the Tokyo International Film Festival continues to consolidate its status as a launch pad for such superb works."

While TOKYOPOP'S popular manga properties, Priest and Pet Shop of Horrors, have been recently acquired for film adaptation by Sony Screen Gems and Focus Features, respectively, Lament of the Lamb signals the company's first move into theatrical feature film production. TOKYOPOP's previous production credits include the TV series' Street Fury (G4), GTO (Showtime), Rave Master (The Cartoon Network) and Reign the Conqueror (The Cartoon Network and Showtime).

ABOUT TOKYOPOP

Columbia Records has released Cool Yule, Bette Midler's first-ever collection of seasonal songs, available now.

Cool Yule, Midler's first new album since 2005's Top 10-charting "Bette Midler Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook," draws its name and upbeat spirit from the 1950s hipster holiday song, penned by Steve Allen, revamped by Midler for her holiday collection.

Produced by Robbie Buchanan -- whose long-time association with Bette began with playing keyboards in "The Rose" band -- and executive produced by Jay Landers (Barbra Streisand, Julio Iglesias, numerous Disney soundtracks), "Cool Yule" is a swinging celebration of that merriest of seasons, with song selections covering the many moods of Christmas ranging from beloved carols ("O Come, O Come, Emmanuel") to classic pop ("Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "White Christmas," and an infectious medley of "Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" sung with Columbia labelmate Johnny Mathis).

"Nearly every great artist eventually makes his or her imprint on this favorite time of the year," writes Jay Landers in his liner notes for "Cool Yule." "From Ella to Elvis, Sinatra to Springsteen and Bing to Sting, and of course, 'The King of Christmas' himself, Johnny Mathis. Each new season brings forth a fresh crop of music to create a soundtrack of snowy white ... no matter if you live in Nome, Alaska or Gallup, New Mexico. Now add Bette to this esteemed list."

Bette Midler

Cool Yule

track listing

1. Merry Christmas

2. Cool Yule

3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

4. Winter Wonderland / Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Duet with

JOHNNY MATHIS)

5. I'll Be Home For Christmas

6. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

9. Mele Kalikimaka

10. From A Distance (Christmas Version)

11. White Christmas

One of the world's best-loved and most versatile entertainers, Bette Midler has garnered accolades in all quarters of show business. She's earned four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year (1989: "Wind Beneath My Wings"; 1990: "From A Distance") and Record of the Year (1989: "Wind Beneath My Wings"); two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, one Tony Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards.

Her SRO tours have placed historically in the Top 5 grossing concerts in a calendar year. Ms. Midler has sold more than 14 million albums over the course of her career and holds 25 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications from the RIAA for her albums and singles including her most recent gold album, Bette Midler Sings The Rosemary Clooney Songbook, which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category.

Source: Columbia Records

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

The Oscar® winner for Documentary Feature of 1970, “Woodstock,” will screen on Monday, October 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater as the next installment of “Oscar’s Docs, Part Two: Academy Award®-Winning Documentaries 1961–1976.” The 11-week series showcases the short and feature-length documentaries honored each year by the Academy.

A cast and crew reunion will take place the following night, Tuesday, October 24, in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater, during which the following “Woodstock” alums will participate in a series of panel discussions about the making of the film:

In addition to winning the Academy Award for Documentary Feature (Bob Maurice, producer), “Woodstock” also earned nominations for Film Editing (Schoonmaker) and Sound (Wallin and Larry Johnson). This marked the first time a documentary had been nominated in the Film Editing category and the only time a documentary has been nominated in the Sound category.

The film captures a festival, a culture, a generation. Director Michael Wadleigh and associate producer Dale Bell assembled a team of cinematographers, sound recordists and technicians with little more than verbal agreements and handshakes. Through rainstorms, electrical shorts and a swelling crowd, the crew captured “three days of peace and music” on 315,000 feet of film. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair featured now-legendary performances by Richie Havens, Joan Baez, The Who, Sha Na Na, Ten Years After, Arlo Guthrie, Crosby Stills & Nash, Joe Cocker, Country Joe and the Fish, John Sebastian, Santana, Sly & the Family Stone and Jimi Hendrix.

A 35mm print of the original three-hour 1970 stereo theatrical release of “Woodstock” will be screened courtesy of Warner Bros.

Tickets for each evening of “Oscar’s Docs: Woodstock” are available for $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with valid ID. Tickets may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or, depending on availability, on the night of the event when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills. ©A.M.P.A.S.®

Diddy Enlists Cutting-Edge Production Squad for First Solo Project in 5 Years; "PRESS PLAY" Ready to Roll Next Tuesday

 October 12, 2006 -- When Bad Boy founder and CEO Diddy decided to return to the recording studio for his first solo project in five years, he also decided to recruit an A-list team of cutting-edge producers to turn his widescreen vision into a musical reality. With Diddy himself serving as both executive producer and hands-on producer for much of "PRESS PLAY," he collaborated with a crew of studio innovators to capture the spectrum of sounds and styles that he wanted the album to embody and reflect.

Joining Diddy behind the board were such production aces as Kanye West, Timbaland, Just Blaze, the Neptunes, Havoc from Mobb Deep, Mario Winans, Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, Rich Harrison, Danja, Big Boi, Rob Lewis, J-Dub, K-Def, Grind Music, and Jai.

The result is a genuinely innovative work that embraces the wide range of artistic influences that have defined Diddy over the years -- as an artist, a producer, and above all, a fan. A riveting mix of the new and the old, "PRESS PLAY" sounds unprecedented. With an irresistible sonic vibe best described as New Wave-meets-Hip-Hop, the album is a cutting-edge collection of sexy electro-pop with an urban street beat, the sound of a man on a mission to create something entirely original -- and succeeding.

"I originally started producing records 'cause I wanted to make people dance," Diddy says. "And I've been quietly working on this for the last two years, taking everything I've learned over the years, from growing up in the '70s, to being out in the streets in the '80s listening to hip-hop and watching how it affected my culture, to the '90s, working with Uptown and Bad Boy. Add to that all the experience I've had traveling and being exposed to all kinds of sounds, and it was time to rekindle the thing I loved. I hang out in Harlem; I chill below 14th Street. I go to hip-hop clubs, techno clubs. All that is gonna go into you and if you're not producing music at that time, it's living inside you. So when I decided to produce a new record, it all felt fresh, it felt new, it felt exciting."

The broad-based musical spectrum encompassed on "PRESS PLAY" is the result of Diddy's insatiable appetite for life and experience. In the five years since his last solo set, the RIAA platinum-certified "THE SAGA CONTINUES," Diddy has added fragrance producer, Broadway actor, marathon runner, and television producer to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. It would have been easy for him to rest on his laurels, to release a CD that played on the same template that made him a global superstar. Instead, Diddy took stock of his remarkable life and created a work that breaks all-new musical ground while remaining unmistakably Diddy. As he says, "I've achieved a great deal of success, but music is my passion."

"PRESS PLAY" will be released by Bad Boy Records next Tuesday, October 17th. The album includes the blockbuster first single, "Come To Me," featuring Nicole Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls.

 Retailers Benefiting from Channel Intelligence Optimization Technology for Improved Product Placement and Performance in Online Channels

– Channel Intelligence (CI), the leader in technology innovation for Web-initiated commerce, today announced positive results from its new patent-pending Universal Type-based Category (UTC) product placement system recently implemented within the company’s optimization technologies. CI introduced this third-generation categorization solution in the summer of 2006 as an enhancement to all product lines, and immediate results were seen in its SellCast™ Retailer Solutions product line. Each SellCast™ customer had been provided this enhanced technology to ensure better performance through online channels such as comparison shopping engines and online marketplaces.

The revolutionary UTC placement and optimization technology provides retailers with transparent, definitive and consistent organization of products across online channels. CI’s automated process combined its patented product unification technology with its latest innovation, the UTC, making the company the first provider in the industry to offer product-level mapping versus the current industry standard of category-level mapping. A UTC is a single definitive location of each and every product CI manages. Each UTC is linked to the category taxonomy of each comparison shopping engine and online marketplace, eliminating the issue of disparate product organization that has traditionally plagued online advertising of products.

eToys Direct Inc., one of CI’s early SellCast™ customers, noted improved results since migration to the new UTC system. As a leading online seller of toys and games, eToys Direct Inc. uses the comparison shopping engines to help drive additional traffic and sales to their site. Alan Mochizuki, Marketing Manager for eToys Direct Inc., comments, “We’ve worked with CI to optimize and manage our data feeds for nearly two years and have been happy with the results we’ve achieved to date. The introduction of their UTC’s has added another layer of detail, specifically with our sales reports, enabling us to better manage this program. I can see exactly which UTC my products are placed in and where they are mapped at each engine, allowing me to better understand product performance at a more granular level.”

CI’s UTC technology also played a key role in the success of one of its customers’ performance on a leading Online Marketplace. This retailer’s branded store on the marketplace had been suffering due to poor categorization of products in its data feed. Categories were incomplete and inconsistent, providing poor navigation options for consumers. CI worked with the marketplace to improve the retailer’s performance by replacing the retailer’s categories with UTC categories, resulting in an initial six-fold increase in sales for this merchant.

Already gearing up for an aggressive start to the 2007 fiscal year, Channel Intelligence is unveiling new optimization features this week in booth #703 at the Shop.org Annual Summit. These new SellCast™ BETA features include retailer traffic and sales reports by UTC, retailer quality assurance tools to view product placement by UTC, as well as retailer categorization solutions that enable retailers to use CI’s UTC as the taxonomy for their own Web sites.

About Channel Intelligence
Based in Orlando, Florida, with offices in Geneva, Switzerland, Channel Intelligence (CI) is the leading provider of innovative data solutions that make it easy for online shoppers to find and buy products whether they start at retailer sites, manufacturer sites, or destination shopping sites. CI’s patented optimization technology and data solutions currently manage and syndicate over $3B in product value to over 50 destinations every day. CI customers include nearly 200 of the world’s best known retail and manufacturing brands such as Best Buy, Baby Universe, Black & Decker, Canon, Circuit City, Electronic Arts, eToys Direct, Fujifilm, HP Home and Home Office, ICE.com, Idea Forest (Joann.com), LG Electronics, Northern Tool + Equipment, OfficeMax, Olympus, Panasonic, PC Mall, PETCO, Rooms To Go, Target, Teleflora, The Inside Store, Things Remembered and more. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.channelintelligence.com.

 Envivio Inc., the leading technology provider of IP video convergence solutions from mobile to HD, announced today that it has been named to FierceIPTV’s first annual Fierce 15 list. This distinction honors Envivio as one of the top 15 emerging IPTV companies for 2006. FierceIPTV is weekly email newsletter distributed by FierceMarkets that covers news and insights on the emerging IPTV industry, providing more than 18,000 subscribers a quick, authoritative briefing on the week’s top wireless stories and markets.

“With the IPTV space making its transition from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, Envivio is well positioned to take the lead with its patented systems that will power revenue-generating and bandwidth saving applications for service providers,” said Brian Dolan, Editor of FierceIPTV. “Envivio is on the Fierce15 list this year for its innovative work for IPTV.”

The Envivio® IPTV systems, 4Caster™ B3 and HD3, are part of an IP video convergence solutions portfolio. This portfolio enables telcos, wireless network operators, broadcasters, and next generation service providers to direct video content to any device and over any network, from 3G to xDSL, using the lowest bandwidth with the highest picture quality available on the market.

"We are honored to be a charter winner of the FierceIPTV Fierce15 awards,” said Julien Signès, President and CEO of Envivio Inc. "With IPTV making its way into the homes of families everywhere, we understand the importance of keeping up-to-date on what is developing in the industry with publications such as FierceIPTV.”

The FierceIPTV Fierce15 awards represent the best companies in the IPTV space that are making significant strides in technology and product development for the delivery of IPTV on a global scale. The complete list of winning companies is available today in a special issue of FierceIPTV and on the FierceIPTV Wweb site at www.fierceiptv.com.

About FierceMarkets
FierceMarkets is a digital business media company serving vertical markets with email newsletters, web sites, and live events. Based in Washington, DC, FierceMarkets publications reach more than 400,000 executives in over 100 countries every business day. Current publications include FierceBioResearcher (www.fiercebioresearcher.com), FierceBiotech (www.fiercebiotech.com), FierceBioResearcher (www.fiercebioresearcher.com), FierceCIO (www.fiercecio.com), FierceDeveloper (www.fiercedeveloper.com), FierceEnterprise (www.fierceenterprise.com), FierceFinance (www.fiercefinance.com), FierceGameBiz (www.fiercegamebiz.com), FierceHealthCare (www.fiercehealthcare.com), FierceHealthIT (www.fiercehealthit.com), FierceIPTV (www.fierceiptv.com), FierceMobileContent (www.fiercemobilecontent.com), FierceSarbox (www.fiercesarbox.com), FierceVoIP (www.fiercevoip.com), FierceWiFi (www.fiercewifi.com), FierceWireless (www.fiercewireless.com), and IT-Wireless (www.it-wireless.com).

About Envivio
Envivio Inc. is the leading technology provider of MPEG-4-based IP video convergence solutions for telcos, enterprises, and broadcasters. Supporting a wide range of network protocols, resolutions, bit rates and devices, Envivio is the only company to offer IP video convergence solutions from mobile to HD. Envivio solutions deliver industry leading AVC/H.264 compressed video quality at the lowest bit rate for mobile TV, Internet TV, broadcast contribution and interactive IPTV. Service providers worldwide use Envivio solutions to reduce their operational costs while offering subscribers compelling video services anytime and anywhere. Visit www.envivio.com for more information.

Envivio is a registered trademark of Envivio Inc. All trademarks used herein, whether recognized or not, are the properties of their respective companies.

 

Mainstream Professional Journalists Trusted Most to Report Pandemic Events

According to LexisNexis U.S., when consumers are faced with major events that significantly affect their lives, such as a pandemic or an ominous hurricane, their trust mostly remains with traditional media, such as professional journalists at mainstream newspapers, magazines, television and radio, versus emerging media sources including Internet-only publications, blogs and podcasts.

Findings show that:

• Half of those surveyed said that they would turn to network television for immediate news information
• The next most popular source was the radio (42%)
• 37% of consumers would use daily local newspapers
• 33% cable news or business networks
• 25% of those interviewed would rely on Internet sites of print and broadcast media
• 6% would turn to Internet user groups, blogs and chat rooms

On average, says the report, consumers are four to six times more likely to feel that traditional media is more trustworthy than emerging news sources for news they feel is most interesting.

Top news topics of interest (each selected by approximately 1/3 of the respondents) included entertainment, hobbies, weather, and food/cooking. Following closely was sports, selected by roughly two-in-ten consumers.

For entertainment, consumers most often picked traditional lifestyle media as the most trusted source. However, Internet blogs, user groups and chat rooms were selected next most often, followed by weekly or monthly general interest and news magazines.

The survey identified that food was selected as a topic of interest nearly twice as often as politics/elections (29% vs. 15%). Additionally, popular entertainment was selected as a topic of interest five times more often than personal finance, which received the lowest proportion of interest ratings among the 21 categories included in the survey.

52% of the consumers surveyed anticipate they will continue to mostly trust and rely on traditional news sources. However, 35% expect they will trust and rely on both emerging news and traditional news in the future, and 13% anticipate they will trust and rely mostly on emerging media.

In this study traditional news is defined as professional journalists at well-established, popular and mainstream newspapers, magazines, television, radio, etc (and their Internet sites). Emerging or non-traditional news is defined as citizen journalists, pundits and organizations who create alternative or Internet-only publications, blogs and podcasts, often with a personal or particular point of view. The accuracy rate of the survey is +/- 2.5 to 3.5 percent margin of error at 95 percent confidence for total sample

Meet Recording Artists The All-American Rejects at Verizon Wireless Quakertown, PA Store

WHAT: Multi-platinum-selling recording artists The All-American

Rejects will sign autographs for fans at the Verizon Wireless

store located in Quakertown, Pa.

WHO: The All-American Rejects are an American pop band that formed

in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Their latest album "Move Along" was

released in 2005 while the single "Dirty Little Secret"

reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2006

and number 18 in the UK top 40 in June 2006.

WHEN: Friday, October 13, 2006, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Verizon Wireless Quakertown Store

219 N. West End Blvd.

Quakertown, PA 18951

215-529-4141

WHY: The All-American Rejects' performance is part of the company's

VCAST Performances College Campus Tour. More concert details

can be found at http://www.aarconcerts.com/.

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/
http://www.aarconcerts.com/

Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre Delivers Tricks and Treats for Disney Digital 3-D(TM) Debut of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' on Thursday October 19th

; Special Shows Continue Thru Jan. 4th Oct. 12 Hollywood's legendary movie palace, The El Capitan Theatre, will celebrate the debut of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" in Disney Digital 3-D(TM) on Thursday October 19th with special opening night tricks, treats (including the first-ever display of original puppets from the film), and fun-filled activities, it was announced today by Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. At both sold-out opening night performances -- 7:00 pm and 9:45 pm -- the festivities include a filmmakers' panel featuring talent associated with the making of "Nightmare," along with other surprises. The film will have seven shows a day through October 31st, including a late night show at 11:30 pm. From November 1st through January 4th, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" can be seen daily at 10:30 pm and 12:15 am. An exhibit of film sets, props, and original puppet characters (on loan for the first time from Disney's Animation Research Library) will be on display through October 31st. Tickets for the El Capitan's special engagement are available at the box office, online at www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6.

The enormously popular stop-motion animated feature, directed by Henry Selick and presented by Walt Disney Pictures, has been converted from its original 2-D format into a stunning dimensional and enchanting 3-D version using the latest advancements in 3-D technology and animation. It is the first movie in industry history to be released exclusively in Digital 3-D, and it represents the first time in the history of motion pictures that a 3-D feature has been created from an existing animated classic. On the same bill throughout the engagement will be a newly rendered digital 3-D version of Pixar's delightful 1989 computer-animated short film, "Knick Knack," directed by Oscar(R)-winning filmmaker John Lasseter. The Disney Digital 3-D(TM) version of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" will open on October 20th in over 200 theatres worldwide.

Commenting on the announcement, Tim Burton said, "For me, turning 'Nightmare Before Christmas' into digital 3-D has taken a very pure little gem and made it that much better. I am extremely happy about the fact that the movie has kept its purity and the 3-D actually adds much more to it. It's almost like being on the set -- you can see the texture of the puppets, and see the characters in the foreground and others in the background. When we were making the movie, we felt in our hearts like our characters were real. When you see it in 3-D, everything comes to life and you can literally see through the eye sockets of Jack Skellington. I am thrilled that all the die hard fans, as well as a new generation of moviegoers, will get the opportunity to experience the movie in a whole new way."

Disney Digital 3-D(TM) combines premier Disney creative content with state-of-the-art Digital 3-D projection technology to deliver an unparalleled 3-D motion picture experience that is not only presented with digital clarity, but is also exhibited in a manner that makes it incredibly comfortable for the audience to experience. An award-winning team of technicians and animators at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), in collaboration with In-Three Inc., helped Disney to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D by creating a new right eye image (by animating digitized versions of the original puppet characters and projecting footage of the sets onto dimensional geometry).

First released in 1993, Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" was directed by Henry Selick ("James and the Giant Peach"), and based on a story and characters by Tim Burton. The film follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's beloved Pumpkin King, as he attempts to take over the Christmas holiday. Against the advice of Sally, a lonely rag doll who has feelings for him, Jack enlists three mischievous trick-or-treaters -- Lock, Shock, and Barrel -- to help him kidnap Santa Claus. Jack eventually realizes his mistake but has to contend with the evil Oogie Boogie before he can make things right and restore the Christmas holiday. With ten ghoulishly delightful songs by Danny Elfman (who also provided the singing voice for Jack) and the vocal talents of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, and Ken Page, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is a unique and entertaining moviegoing experience.

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

Howard Stern is Most Popular Talk Radio Personality With Web Users for 6th Straight Year The SIRIUS Satellite Radio star tops sixth annual list of most-searched talk radio hosts

-- SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) personality Howard Stern has once again topped the annual list of the most-searched talk radio personalities. The 2006 list marks the sixth consecutive year that Stern has been the No. 1 most-searched talk radio personality with web users.

The annual list is based on The LYCOS 50, an authoritative weekly list of the most popular people, places and things web users search for every day. Stern generated 232 percent more online interest than Adam Corolla, who is ranked No. 2 on this year's list.

In January 2006, Stern left his long and dominating reign in terrestrial radio to broadcast exclusively on SIRIUS. Web users have continued to express their interest in the "king of all media" by searching more for him on the web than for any other talk radio personality, including Rush Limbaugh, Don Imus, Oprah Winfrey, Sean Hannity, Tom Joyner, among others. In addition, according to Lycos, search activity for SIRIUS Satellite Radio increased 1,300 percent in 2005 and another 128 percent in 2006, due in part to Stern.

For more information about Howard Stern's daily SIRIUS radio show and the two SIRIUS channels he oversees, visit www.sirius.com.

About SIRIUS

SIRIUS, "The Best Radio on Radio," delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NBA and NHL and broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.

SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com.

SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep(R), Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country.

Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription.

Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties, including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and programming partners, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites.

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

Enrique Iglesias 'For The Fans' - Exclusive Club Tour Presented by Kellogg's

-- Pop star Enrique Iglesias is back on the road for a limited run of club dates. The Enrique Iglesias "For The Fans - Exclusive Club Tour" will be held at 5 intimate venues across the country beginning on Nov 30th in New York City and ending on December 7th in Los Angeles. This fan friendly tour, presented by Kellogg's, will feature multiple promotions including giving fans the chance to meet Enrique as well as fan only ticket presales. In addition to performing his hits, Enrique will preview select material from his recent studio sessions. His eighth studio album will be released in spring 2007 on Interscope Records.

About Enrique

For Enrique Iglesias, music is not a numbers game. It's about passion, expression and art. But with nearly 40 million albums sold all over the world, the numbers do tell a tale: seven multi-platinum albums (three in English, four in Spanish), Number 1 hits everywhere from America and Japan to South Africa and India (where he is the best-selling international artist of all time). It all adds up to one unique superstar.

Currently, Enrique is finishing up his next CD, which he's been recording in studios around the world, from Sweden to Miami. This time, he's been collaborating with world-class producers like John Shanks, Mark and Paul, Johnta Austin, Kristian Lundin, Rami Yacoub (aka Rami) & Arnthor Birgersson (aka Arnthor), Mark Taylor & Paul Barry, and Anders Bagge among others.

Thursday 11/30 New York City, NY Hammerstein Ballroom

Friday 12/01 Atlantic City, NJ The Borgata

Sunday 12/03 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre

Tuesday 12/05 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater

Thursday 12/07 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern LG

Source: Interscope Records

We're Scaring the 'Yell' Out of Southern California! Come SCREAM With us on Friday the 13th at SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN'S FRIGHT FEST 2006!

VSix Flags Magic Mountain is transformed from a "theme park" to a haunted "scream park" for Fright Fest, Southern California's ultimate Halloween experience and the Xtreme Park is celebrating Friday the 13th in superstitious, grave-digging style!

On Friday the 13th, Six Flags Magic Mountain celebrates with spooktacular events taking place all day long:

* Cockroach eating is back by popular demand! Entomophobics beware! Six

Flags Magic Mountain is hosting a Madagascar hissing cockroach eating

contest in Gotham City. The first participant hungry enough to brave

eating 13 cockroaches in 13 minutes will win a pair of 2007 Xtreme Play

Passes. Time of consumption: 8 p.m.

* Calling all Jasons! In honor of the popular Friday the 13th movie ...

all park guests who can show a valid photo ID proving their first name

is Jason will be admitted to the Park FREE after 3 p.m. (Valid Friday,

October 13 only).

* Friday the 13th Dating Game: Six Flags is trying to make a "Ghoul

Connection" in Gotham City. Watch guests as they are given 13

opportunities to win a date to the front of a ride/maze line with their

favorite ghoul ... all in the name of love. Opportunities include

snaking on a Madagascar hissing cockroach. Guest appearances include

ghouls, monsters and zombies. Monster music provided by your favorite

DJ from 7 - 10 p.m. in Gotham City.

* No black cats ... just a backwards coaster! The 13 hour Coaster

Scare-a-thon! Witness 24 riders from as far away as Arizona, Nevada

and Utah as they dare to ride Six Flags Magic Mountain's signature

Fright Fest coaster, Colossus, backwards -- for 13 hours! Anyone who

survives after 13 hours will win a pair of 2007 Xtreme Season Passes.

Coaster scare-a-thon hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fright Fest hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and all Fright Fest attractions are FREE with park admission.

HAUNTED MAZES:

* THE ASYLUM

Enter the Asylum at your own risk and make sure you keep the chain link

fence between you and the menacing characters. Follow the light to the

end of the maze ... but only until the lights go out. The intimidating

character that you saw lurking behind the chain link fence is now gone.

Where is he? In the dark, you hear something moving past the chain

link -- is he moving towards you? This maze plays on the fears we have

for unpredictable things. We keep our eyes on what threatens us, but

lose the ability to predict what will happen when the lights go out.

Located next to Mooseburger Lodge in High Sierra Territory.

* DEADMAN'S BOG

If a body falls in the woods and no one is around, does it make any

noise? Let's hope so, otherwise they'll be able to sneak up behind --

without your knowing! The Willoughby family had many secrets in their

time, and these secrets have found a quiet, dark place to "live" in the

woods behind the mansion. Find your way down the dark path leading to

the mansion's rear entrance, but beware of those you may meet along the

way because their "people skills" are not what is normally expected.

The path through Willoughby Woods begins at Tidal Wave.

* JOKESTER'S HIDEOUT 3D

An all black light 3D experience! Jokester's 3D brings an all new

dimension to Six Flags Fright Fest with an odd and "colorful" walk

through experience. This is not your ordinary maze. There is no

blood, no guts and no monsters. The goal is to sneak through the

hideout to catch a peek of what projects the Jokester and his crew are

working on. But watch your back ... you never know when a crazy clown

will strike. Located next to the Flashback roller coaster.

* BRUTAL PLANET

This 6,500 square foot maze offers brutal monsters, brutal chills and

brutal thrills in a universe of unknown dimensions. Grab your boarding

pass and prepare to be transported to a place where evil lurks and

chaos reigns. We hope to see you back on earth ... if you make it

through the 12 demon filled lands! (Not intended for children under 10,

ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)

* TERROR AT CARNAGE E. HALL

Magic Moments Theater has been transformed into an abandoned 1940's

theater that is now for sale. Prospective buyers beware! Legend has

it that the ghosts of seven famous actors found brutally murdered over

fifty years ago still haunt the grounds. The theater tour takes groups

of 30 through nine haunted rooms, in over 2,200 square feet of animated

and "live" ghostly events. (Not intended for children or timid

spirits.)

* WILLOUGHBY'S HAUNTED MANSION

Beware, the bewitching hour has struck. This sanctuary of strangeness

is Halloween horror at its best. Hair-raising terror awaits guests

around each nightmarish turn and long twisting hallway. The fearful

encounter features animatronics, gruesome monsters, camouflage rooms

and much more. The mansion is situated high atop the mountain -- at

Samurai Summit. (This attraction is not intended for children.)

ATTRACTIONS

* PROCESSION OF THE LIVING DEAD

Shhhhh ... I see dead people ... they're everywhere! Walking down the

streets of Six Flags at dusk in a procession marking the official

beginning of each night's frightfully fun festivities! Catch the Six

Flags ghoul patrol as they "head off" to work (no pun intended!). But

don't get too close; you may become part of the celebrated!

* THUMPER BUMPERS

Navigate your way through pounding sound and pulsing illumination as

the Sandblasters Bumper Cars are transformed into a totally new and

extreme driving experience! These are not your ordinary bumper

cars ... take your pick of one of 22 techno-mobiles in this Fright Fest

experience!

MORE ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES:

* COLOSSUS -- BACKWARDS! (A Fright Fest Exclusive)

Experience one of the largest, most celebrated coasters in the world --

BACKWARDS! That's right, back by popular demand. Travel over nearly

two miles on this dual track wooden coaster all while sitting

completely backwards!

* TATSU, SCREAM!, GOLIATH, BATMAN THE RIDE, THE RIDDLER'S REVENGE, VIPER

and more -- IN THE DARK!

Strange things happen in the Park after dark leaving your favorite

world class roller coasters running through the night with no lights

on!!

* HIGH SIERRA HYPNOTIST

This amusing show stars the members of the audience. Guests who are

chosen to be put "under hypnosis" will perform hysterical exploits

never to be imitated "under consciousness." Performing at the Golden

Bear Theatre.

* STREET SHOWS & ENTERTAINERS

The Ghoul Patrol is out in force stalking Gotham City, Samurai Summit

and Rapid's Camp adding to the mysterious atmosphere. The Galloping

Ghoulmet mixes up a witch's brew of absurd entertainment in the

Roadkill Kitchen Show, performing in Colossus County Fair. Mad Chad,

the Chainsaw Juggler, will perform his daring routine at the Looney

Tunes Pavilion.

ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS:

* BUGS BUNNY WORLD

Twick or Tweat! Fun crafts and games in a pumpkin field setting

provide creative excitement for the entire family. It's pint-sized

thrills for the pint-sized set in this Looney Tunes town designed for

the little ones. Enjoy the numerous photo opportunities with Bugs

Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals, and see what special treats they have

in store. Complimentary trick or treat bags for all children ages 10

and under.

* TRICK OR TWEET

The spooky feathered inhabitants of the Carrot Club Theater in High

Sierra Territory appear during this 15-minute show. The theater's

caretakers mystify the audience and ruffle the feathers of the

performers.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, is located at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, north of Los Angeles off Interstate 5 at the Magic Mountain parkway exit. Six Flags Magic Mountain is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October plus October 30 and 31st. For additional information and current operating days and hours, visit us on the internet at sixflags.com or call (661) 255-4111.

Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company. Founded in 1961, Six Flags is celebrating its 45th Anniversary in 2006. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE:SIX) headquartered in New York City.

SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc (R), TM and (C) 2006.

LOONEY TUNES, and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

(s06)

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) DC Comics

The Hogan Family is Back for a New Season in a New City, a New House and a New Time-Slot 'Hogan Knows Best' Returns for a Third Season on Sunday, October 22, at 9pm

Oct. 12 -- The Hogan clan is back and this time Hulk may not be the biggest star in the house. "Hogan Knows Best" returns for a third season on Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 9 PM on VH1. At the end of last season the family decided to pack up their 18,000 square foot home in sleepy Clearwater, FL and move to the party town of Miami, FL where they feel like fish out of water. Brooke signed a record deal with SoBe Entertainment and this season has taken her first step to superstardom with the release of her new album 'Undiscovered' on October 24, 2006 and her first single "About Us" featuring multi-platinum artist Paul Wall.

This season, Hulk struggles with living in Miami, as Linda is left alone to do all the work to get the new house in order while the kids seem to be taking full advantage of the fun that Miami has to offer. Nick is not only on the loose, but his career is flourishing too. Nick's just sixteen years-old, and already beginning to get noticed as a promising new driver in the world of drift racing. So tune in to see how the "Hulkster" handles the new city as his kids discover their independence in a city with many temptations.

Each week "sneak peeks" of select scenes will be available on VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel (http://vspot.vh1.com/) four days before each episode's telecast. Additional footage including "Hogans Revealed" a made-for-VSPOT original will be available online every Sunday night at 9 PM and will remain archived in VSPOT.

Hogan Knows Best had the highest rated series premiere in VH1 history and each week, viewers have watched the legendary "Hulkster" wrestle with the everyday triumphs and struggles of family life, while juggling the challenges that come with parenting two teenagers. Join the Hogan family on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 9 PM as they take us on yet another ride through celebreality.

"Hogan Knows Best" is a production of VH1 in conjunction with Pink Sneakers Productions. Kimberly Belcher Cowin serves as executive producer, along with John Ehrhard as producer and David Roma is series producer & director. Warren Cohen serves as supervising producer, along with Brad Abramson, Michael Hirschorn, and Shelly Tatro as executive producers for VH1.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in nearly 84 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com.

VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.

* all times ET/PT

Source: VH1

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

ABC Offers Music Videos From 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Lost' on Verizon Wireless' V CAST Service Oct. 12 /Dedicated to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows anytime and anywhere, Disney-ABC Television Group and Verizon Wireless announced today that ABC will offer its full-length music videos for "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost" on Verizon Wireless' V CAST service. The videos, currently available on V CAST in the V CAST Showcase Channel, are free to V CAST customers with a monthly subscription.

The "Grey's Anatomy" music video features the hit song "How to Save a Life," from Epic Records' band The Fray. The video combines scenes from season three of ABC's top series and The Fray's title track video from their gold debut album, "How to Save a Life." In addition, Verizon Wireless customers can access the ring tone and Ringback Tone for "How to Save a Life."

The song made famous by the Kinks, "You Really Got Me," with a new recording by Jerry Brunskill, is the background for the women of Wisteria Lane. The music video features footage from the "Desperate Housewives" Dirty Laundry campaign directed by Matthew Rolston and scenes from season three.

"Lost" features Sony BMG artist Brian McFadden, and "Demons" from his debut album "Irish Son." The music video combines scenes from the first two seasons of the hit series and a sneak peak of season three.

John Harrobin, vice president of digital media for Verizon Wireless, said, "ABC continues to be an innovator with their programming and we are thrilled to offer our customers this new format that combines scenes from hit shows and popular music. Millions of customers with V CAST-enabled phones can now get these music videos and the entertainment they want while on-the-go."

"We have a great relationship with Verizon Wireless and are excited to offer one-of-a-kind music videos from 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Lost' to V CAST customers," said Bruce Gersh, senior vice president, business development, ABC Entertainment and Touchstone Television. "Focusing on enhancing a viewer's relationship with our television brands by combining great music with our exceptional programs will build awareness and affinity."

Michael Benson, senior vice president, Marketing, ABC Entertainment, said, "Having the videos at people's fingertips whenever they use their V CAST-enabled phone is a great opportunity to have them connect with our hit series in a new and entertaining way. Music triggers their emotions and can create awareness of the show on a different level."

Verizon Wireless customers with V CAST-enabled phones can sign up for a V CAST VPak for $15 monthly access that offers customers unlimited basic video -- including ABC music videos in the V CAST Showcase Channel -- and there are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST video. Application download and content fees apply for 3D games and premium video.

For more information on V CAST from Verizon Wireless and the ABC music videos, please visit www.getvcast.com.

Disney-ABC Television Group

Disney-ABC Television Group is home to all of The Walt Disney Company's worldwide entertainment and news television properties. The Group includes the ABC Television Network, Disney Channel's worldwide portfolio of kids' channels, ABC Family and SOAPnet; as well as television production and syndication divisions Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Television Animation, Buena Vista Worldwide Television and Walt Disney Television International. Disney-ABC Television Group also manages the Radio Disney Network in addition to the Company's equity interest in Lifetime Entertainment Services, A&E Television Networks and E! Networks.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 54.8 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.getvcast.com/

Ninth Annual Benefit for The Lili Claire Foundation Hosted by Actor Matthew Perry Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

WHO: The 9th annual dinner and auction benefiting The Lili Claire Foundation is set for Saturday, October 14th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel hosted by Matthew Perry and sponsored by Chrysler Financial. Perry returns to television with the new series "Studio 60" on NBC. The gala will bring together some of Hollywood's elite in the fields of music, food and entertainment. Honorary dinner chair is Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing for Electronic Arts.

This year The Lili Claire Foundation will be honoring Jermaine Dupri, acclaimed rapper, producer, songwriter and creator of So So Def Records with the "Music of the Heart Award." Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, the producing team behind "Two and Half Men" will receive the "Spirit of Leadership Award" from Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer. The dinner will also be prepared by one of the country's top chefs on the Food Network, Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence.

Guests will be entertained by performances by songwriter, vocalist and Grammy nominated Patti Austin along with runner-up of "Rockstar Supernova" Dilana Rubichaux and pianist Derek Paravicini. Celebrities who have confirmed attending include Jeffrey Tambor, Amanda Peet, Kelli Williams, Sarah Paulson, Shari Belafonte, Matt Czuchry, Danny Bonaduce, Phoebe Price, Patti Austin, Randy Jackson and Lake Bell.

WHEN: Saturday, October 14, 2006

Time: 5:30 p.m. Celebrity arrivals red carpet

WHERE: Beverly Hilton Hotel

9876 Wilshire Blvd.

Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210

Source: Chrysler Financial

Web site: http://www.liliclairefoundation.org/
http://www.chryslerfinancial.com/

Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Jermaine Dupri, Gavin DeGraw, Randy Jackson and More to Appear at Songs of Hope IV, at Esquire House 360, November 1 in Beverly Hills Event to Feature Special Performances and Exclusive Sheet Music Auction

Oct. 12 -- Stevie Wonder, Clive Davis, Jermaine Dupri and other industry greats will take part in Songs of Hope IV, a special silent auction and awards benefit for City of Hope on November 1. Held at the Esquire House 360 in Beverly Hills, the event will feature intimate performances by Stevie Wonder, Gavin DeGraw, and others. In addition, Clive Davis will present Stevie Wonder with "The Clive Davis Legends in Songwriting" award. Jermaine Dupri will receive "The Songs of Hope Music Innovator" award and Gavin DeGraw will be receiving "The Martin Bandier New Horizons" award. Randy Jackson of American Idol fame will MC part of the event. Proceeds from Songs of Hope IV support City of Hope's fight against cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

The exclusive Songs of Hope silent auction and awards benefit features rare and one-of-a-kind sheet music, original lyrics and Oscar(R)-nominated scores and songs signed by internationally recognized composers and artists such as Paul Simon, Sting, Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, and will also feature film scores from such hit movies as Da Vinci Code, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.

Guests will also enjoy the surroundings of the exclusive Esquire House 360. Billed as the ultimate bachelor pad, Esquire House 360 is a 17,000 square-foot Italian villa in Beverly Hills that brings the magazine to life and reflects the lifestyle of today's modern man. Leading brands have been innovatively incorporated into the House, including DKNY, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, and others.

"Cancer and other life-threatening diseases affect us all," said David Renzer, Songs of Hope event chair and Chairman/CEO of UMPG. "Since 2003, Songs of Hope has raised over $500,000 for lifesaving research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope. We are pleased to have the music publishing and songwriting community and Esquire support City of Hope's advanced research and treatment programs."

"This event brings together talented artists, composers and friends in the music industry who share our vision of a world free from cancer, HIV/AIDS and life-threatening diseases," said Britta Bucholz, senior director of the Music & Entertainment Industry for City of Hope. "The advancements in medicine at City of Hope are made possible by their continuous support and dedication to the cause."

In the past, the annual event has been hosted at the homes of prominent GRAMMY Award(R) winning producers and artists such as Glen Ballard, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and most recently, Lionel Richie.

Songs of Hope IV presenting sponsors include Universal Music Publishing Group, ASCAP, Peermusic, Warner Chappell, Famous Music, EMI Music Publishing, Harry Fox Agency and National Association of Music Publishers. Affiliate sponsors include APM Music, BMG Music Publishing, BMI, Windswept, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

To make a donation to Songs of Hope, or inquire as to ticket availability for this nearly sold out event, contact Mary Carlzen at City of Hope, at 800-544-3541, Ext. 26540 or email mcarlzen@coh.org

About City of Hope

City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols impact care throughout the nation. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics and shares its scientific knowledge with medical centers locally and globally, helping patients battling life-threatening diseases.

For more information, please call 800-260-HOPE or visit the Web site at www.cityofhope.org. City of Hope... Where the Power of Knowledge Saves Lives(SM).

About Esquire

Esquire is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with a total of 18 U.S. titles and nearly 200 international editions. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (76.3 million according to MRI, spring 2005). The company also publishes 19 magazines in the United Kingdom through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited.

Source: Universal Music Publishing Group

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

Winners-Losers in the new season

SEASON-TO-DATE PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK Ranked on Households Week Ending Oct. 8
Network	Households			People 2+			Adults 18-49
	Rtg%	(000)	Shr	Rtg%	(000)	Shr	Rtg%	(000)	Shr
CBS	8.3	9200	13	4.5	12880	12	3.9	5090	11
ABC	7.6	8510	13	4.1	11750	11	4.2	5430	12
NBC	6.8	7600	11	3.7	10500	10	3.8	4970	11
FOX	4.7	5270	8	2.6	7350	7	2.8	3660	8
CW	2.1	2380	3	1.2	3290	3	1.4	1820	4
UNI	2.0	2200	3	1.2	3520	3	1.6	2050	4
TEL	0.6	640	1	0.3	920	1	0.4	550	1
PAX	0.4	490	1	0.2	630	1	0.1	190	0
TF	0.4	410	1	0.2	600	1	0.3	390	1
AZA	0.1	110	0	0.1	170	0	0.1	120	0
* Each rating point is equivalent to 1. 114 million homes Source: Nielsen Media Research

TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST Ranked on Households Week Ending Oct. 8
#	PROGRAMS	Net	HOUSEHOLDS			PERSONS 2+
			Rtg%	Shr	(000)	#	Rtg%	(000)
1	GREY'S ANATOMY	ABC	14.9	22	16597	1	8.0	22804
2	CSI	CBS	13.5	20	15069	2	7.6	21513
3	DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES	ABC	13.0	19	14474	3	7.4	20962
4	DANCING WITH THE STARS	ABC	12.0	19	13404	5	6.5	18381
5	DANCING W/STARS RESULTS	ABC	11.6	18	12931	7	6.2	17490
6	CSI: MIAMI	CBS	11.4	18	12726	6	6.3	17897
7	LOST	ABC	11.1	17	12353	4	6.6	18824
8	CSI: NY	CBS	10.3	17	11426	11	5.5	15730
9	TWO AND A HALF MEN	CBS	10.2	15	11318	8	5.6	15796
10	CRIMINAL MINDS	CBS	10.0	15	11107	12	5.4	15190
11	WITHOUT A TRACE	CBS	9.9	16	11071	12	5.4	15273
12	NCIS	CBS	9.8	15	10955	8	5.6	15885
13	E.R.	NBC	9.7	16	10782	16	5.2	14675
14	LAW AND ORDER:SVU	NBC	9.6	16	10681	17	5.0	14299
14	NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	NBC	9.6	15	10665	14	5.3	15143
14	UGLY BETTY	ABC	9.6	15	10654	17	5.0	14264
17	SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS	CBS	9.4	15	10485	8	5.6	15829
18	SHARK	CBS	9.2	15	10253	19	4.8	13746
19	OLD CHRISTINE	CBS	8.9	13	9937	19	4.8	13595
20	EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED.	ABC	8.7	14	9687	14	5.3	15164
20	OT, THE	FOX	8.7	15	9644	19	4.8	13521
22	BROTHERS & SISTERS	ABC	8.6	14	9558	24	4.6	13009
23	COLD CASE	CBS	8.5	13	9514	19	4.8	13725
24	LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT	NBC	8.3	13	9228	27	4.3	12177
25	UNIT, THE	CBS	8.2	12	9173	23	4.7	13221
Source: Nielsen Media Research

TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST Adults 18-49 Week Ending Oct. 8
Rank	Program	Net	Rtg%	(000)
1	GREY'S ANATOMY	ABC	9.4	12222
2	DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES	ABC	8.6	11174
3	LOST	ABC	7.7	10086
4	CSI	CBS	7.3	9484
5	NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	NBC	6.4	8323
6	E.R.	NBC	6.1	8024
7	CSI: MIAMI	CBS	5.9	7704
8	SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS	CBS	5.6	7297
9	HEROES	NBC	5.5	7227
10	EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED.	ABC	5.4	7095
11	LAW AND ORDER:SVU	NBC	5.3	6862
11	BROTHERS & SISTERS	ABC	5.3	6889
13	DANCING WITH THE STARS	ABC	5.2	6822
14	TWO AND A HALF MEN	CBS	5.1	6630
15	CSI: NY	CBS	4.9	6440
16	NINE, THE	ABC	4.6	5943
17	DANCING W/STARS RESULTS	ABC	4.5	5852
17	WITHOUT A TRACE	CBS	4.5	5820
17	UGLY BETTY	ABC	4.5	5918
20	OLD CHRISTINE	CBS	4.4	5777
21	CRIMINAL MINDS	CBS	4.2	5448
21	LAW AND ORDER:CRIM INTENT	NBC	4.2	5547
23	UNIT, THE	CBS	4.1	5324
23	MY NAME IS EARL	NBC	4.1	5318
23	OFFICE	NBC	4.1	5389
Source: Nielsen Media Research

SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED) Ranked on Households Week Ending Oct. 1**
#	PROGRAMS	Net	NHTI	P2+ (000)
1	BARRERA DE AMOR M-F	UNI	21.6	4429
2	FEA MAS BELLA M-F	UNI	20.9	4185
3	AQUI Y AHORA-THU	UNI	16.9	2969
4	VER PARA CREER-TUE	UNI	15.4	3062
5	HERIDAS DE AMOR M-F	UNI	14.7	2756
6	DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA-WE	UNI	13.9	2555
7	CASOS VIDA R: ED. ESP FRI	UNI	13.8	2667
8	CRISTINA-MON	UNI	13.5	2701
9	SABADO GIGANTE-SAT	UNI	12.7	2220
10	CANTANDO POR SUENOIII SUN	UNI	10.7	2018
11	HORA PICO-SUN	UNI	10.1	1808
12	CASOS FAMILIA ED ESP SAT	UNI	9.8	1716
13	FUTBOL LIGA MEX SAT	TF	9.4	1884
14	TIERRA DE PASIONES M-F	TEL	8.1	1448
15	VIUDA DE BLANCO M-F	TEL	6.9	1203
16	DECISIONES M-F	TEL	5.9	1016
17	AMORES M-F	TEL	5.2	960
18	CINEMUNDO PREMIER	TEL	5.1	1074
19	FAMOSOS FUERA CNTRL 10/1(S)-10/01/2006	TF	4.2	774
20	CINE LAS ESTREL2 SAT	TF	3.8	734
20	CINE LAS ESTREL1 SUN	TF	3.8	627
22	QUINCEANERA	TEL	3.3	670
23	CINEMUNDO DEL SABADO	TEL	3.1	629
24	CINE LAS ESTREL1 M-THU	TF	3.0	508
25	ASI ES LA VIDA M-F	TF	2.9	551
* Nielsen Hispanic Television Index; ratings based on 11.63 million Hispanic TV homes. ** Due to the Columbus Day holiday, Hispanic ratings will not be updated until later today. Source: Nielsen Media Research

  

AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE ESTIMATES Ranked on Households Week Ending Oct. 8
#	PROGRAMS	Net	Rtg	P2+(000)
1	OT, THE	FOX	14.1	2793
2	GREY'S ANATOMY	ABC	12.0	2041
3	DANCING WITH THE STARS	ABC	11.9	2115
4	NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	NBC	11.8	2269
5	CSI: MIAMI	CBS	11.4	2161
5	AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL	CW	11.4	2192
7	LAW AND ORDER:SVU	NBC	11.2	1945
8	WITHOUT A TRACE	CBS	10.7	2009
9	CSI: NY	CBS	10.4	1841
10	CSI	CBS	10.2	1813
* Ratings based on 13.45 million African American TV homes. ** Numbers for the week ended Oct. 8 were not updated by Nielsen at press time. Source: Nielsen Media Research

NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS Ranked on Households Week Ending Oct. 1
#	PROGRAMS	Net	Episode	Households			Persons 2+
				US Rtg%	Shr	(000)	(000)
1	CBS NFL NATIONAL	CBS	VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES	12.4	25	13792	18865
2	NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL	NBC	SEATTLE AT CHICAGO	10.8	17	12069	16940
3	FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE	FOX	VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES	8.6	19	9628	12726
4	CBS NFL REGIONAL	CBS	VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES	7.0	16	7797	10196
5	SAT NIGHT FOOTBALL	ABC	OHIO STATE AT IOWA	4.9	9	5492	7752
6	KANSAS 400(S)-10/01/2006	NBC	NASCAR:NEXTEL CUP	4.0	9	4445	6275
7	ABC COLLEGE FTBL GM-LATE	ABC	VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES	3.5	9	3885	4949
8	HOME DEPOT CLLG FOOTBALL2	CBS	ALABAMA AT FLORIDA	3.4	8	3800	4982
9	NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL	NBC	PURDUE AT NOTRE DAME	2.7	7	2991	3754
10	FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN	CW		2.5	4	2738	3982
11	WORLD GOLF CHAMP-10/1(S)-10/01/2006	ABC	AMERICAN EXPRESS CHAMPIONSHIP	1.9	4	2135	2672
12	FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL	FOX	VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES	1.8	5	2010	2613
13	WORLD GOLF CHAMP-9/30(S)-09/30/2006	ABC	AMERICAN EXPRESS CHAMPIONSHIP	1.7	5	1864	2305
14	PBR BUILT FORD TOUGH SER	FOX		1.7	3	1871	2441
15	FUTBOL LIGA MEX SAT	TF	GUADALAJARA VS AMERICA	1.0	2	1116	1794
16	CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR-SA	CBS	ULTIMATE BLACKJACK TOUR-3	0.8	2	852	1047
17	FUTBOL LIGA MEXICANA SUN	UNI	TOLUCA VS VERACRUZ	0.7	2	751	1143
18	FOX SAT BSBALL-RAIN DELAY(S)-09/30/2006	FOX	MILWAUKEE AT ST LOUIS	0.4	1	484	628
19	WWE - RAW	TEL		0.3	1	367	546
20	SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER	TF	DE JESUS/RMIREZ-CORREA/GALAVIZ	0.3	1	361	435
21	FLM SAT 1	AZA	QUERETARO VS U.N.A.M.	0.2	0	185	263
22	FLM SUN 2	AZA	SANTOS VS ATLAS	0.2	0	206	290
23	STATE FARM FUTBOL(S)-09/30/2006	AZA	CRUZ AZUL VS MONARCAS	0.1	0	114	167
24	BOXEO AZTECA	AZA		0.1	0	113	<<
25	FLM SUN 1	AZA	CRUZ AZUL VS SAN LUIS	0.1	0	65	<<
26	SABADO DE FUTBOL	TEL	VENEZUELA VS URUGUAY	0.1	0	89	<<
27	FLM SAT 2	AZA	PACHUCA VS TIGRES	<<	<<	<<	<<

 

 

Windy City Wire recently worked very closely with two integrators on an amazing home, in Naperville Illinois.  

It is a story of great collaboration between security integrators and home automation contractors.  The home is over 16,000 sq. feet and has 1/2 a million feet of wire installed in it.  The home has a gym, a pub, elevators and so on and is very high security.  There are touch screens and multiple security devices that make this home stick out more than others.

When planning and organizing the installation of this home, Rich Galgano (cofounder of Windy City Wire) worked very closely with Music in Motion and Protective Systems to find the right organization for such a big job.  They first started out by organizing everything in excel, and found that it was too difficult.  This is how the SmartWire System Design Tool came to play.

The following explains how Windy City Wire helps to create clean and organized installations for installers using SmartWire and the SmartWire System Design Tool.  


 
Job overview……
 

• 2  System Integrators worked together  
• music-in-motion (crestron and home integration)  
• protective systems (intrusion detection, CCTV and  access control)
  

Between the 2 organizations over a half million feet of cable terminated in 2 areas

 

• Windy  City Wire worked with the companies to establish a color code and labeling  method scheme
  

With well over 20 different devices and  applications that would need to be   

    terminated smartwire was definitely the cable of choice

• By  establishing a color code and labeling scheme the installing  contractors have been experiencing a huge increase in productivity  gains during the identifying, locating and terminating stages of the  job.
  

The  project includes the integration and convergence of(Music in  Motion):

            -Distributed Video
            -Distributed Audio
            -Intercom
            -Temperature Control
            -Lighting Control
            -Blind Control
            -Data Network
      

• The  items below were handled by Protective Systems:
  

Intrusion Detection

                -Motions
                  -Doors
                  -Windows
                  -Screens

• Security
  

                -Water level sensors
                  -Low Temperature Freeze Sensors
                  -CO2 Detectors

• Access Control
  

                -Biometrics Reader
                  -Long Range Proximity Reader
                  -Key Pad
                        -Telephone System

• CCTV
  

                                  Indoor System
                                                -Dome Cameras
                                                -PTZ
                                    Outdoor System
                                                -16 foot POLEvator (tm of Videoalarm)       
www.videolarm.com/products/poles/polelev/polevator.html

• Outdoor Cameras
  

                      -IR Illuminators

 
 
-The responsibility of having all of these systems work through a single interface was the responsibility of Music-In-Motion
 
-Music-In-Motion has been working very closely with Protective Systems to insure proper convergence of all the systems.

 

CMT PRESENTS THE 3RD ANNUAL AMERICANA FOLK FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2006

 

 

Patty Griffin to Headline Multi-Artist Line-Up including Mindy Smith, David Mead, & The Avett Brothers

 

 

 - October 11, 2006– The 2006 Americana Folk Festival (AFF) will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 9am – 11pm at Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson, Tennessee.  Presented by CMT and emceed by CMT’s Loaded show host, Adam Black and others, the festival will be headlined by Patty Griffin, along with Mindy Smith and at least 30 other artists in bluegrass, Americana, folk, and jazz. Amanda Phillips, CMT Director of Marketing, says “CMT is proud to be involved with a Nashville event of this caliber, with such an incredible line-up, and unique style.”  The beautiful park will serve as a backdrop for a full day of music, an arts village packed with rural artisans, and delectable culinary delights including coffeehouse fare, ethnic food, and eco-friendly vegan and organic selections.  Limited tickets are $40.00 and are available for purchase through the Americana Folk Festival website, at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music (1604 8^th Ave. South), Christopher Pizza (1524 Demonbreun Street) and at the Nashville Scene (2120 8^th Ave. South).  For more information, official artist lineup, or to purchase tickets, log onto: http://www.americanafolkfestival.com/.  A portion of proceeds will be donated to Community Arts Development (CAD) of Dickson County. 

 

Confirmed artists for this one-of-a-kind event are Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Chely Wright, David Mead, The Avett Brothers, Jeremy Lister, Thad Cockrell, Carey Ott, Old Black Kettle, Little Country Giants, Blue Mother Tupelo, Sandra McCracken, Diana Jones, Zane Williams, Peter Bradley Adams, Robby Hecht, Caitlyn Smith, and many more.  

 

While only a few years since its inception, AFF has grown in stellar proportions as one of the most upscale and laidback music festivals in the Nashville area.  Nestled within the quiet mystique of Montgomery Bell State Park, this beloved day-long event offers festival artists and attendees a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life by relishing in all things “rural” and recreating a sense of the back-porch “pickin' party,” even amidst thousands of fans.  Artists are invited to bring their families and given lakeside cabins for a weekend retreat of relaxation, songwriting, networking, and feasts of mouth-watering organic dishes.  Careful attention by event coordinators, who champion a quality-over-quantity mission, successfully captures the missing element of most music events, the personal connection between the audience, the artists, the community, and the music as a whole.

 

 

ABOUT CMT:

 

CMT, America’s No. 1 country music network, carries original programming, specials, and live concerts and events, as well as a mix of videos by established country music artists and new cutting-edge acts, including world premiere exclusive videos.  Founded March 6, 1983, CMT, owned and operated by MTV networks, reaches more than 83.2 million households in the United States.  Go to country music’s biggest website at http://www.cmt.com/.

 

 

AFF CHARITY OF CHOICE: COMMUNITY ARTS DEVELOPMENT (CAD):

 

Adding to the culture, the AFF arts village will feature rural artisans from various mediums, including painting, sculpting, weaving, jewelry making, quilting, instrument building and more.  Organized by CAD, a non-profit based in Dickson County which promotes programs for rural artists through scholarships, art shows, grant programs and arts advocacy, the village provides an opportunity for the public to view or purchase their work.  A portion of festival proceeds will be donated to the Community Arts Development. 

 

 

TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

 

Limited tickets are $40.00 and are available for purchase through the Americana Folk Festival website, at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music (1604 8^th Ave. South), Christopher Pizza Company (1524 Demonbreun Street) and at the Nashville Scene (2120 8^th Ave. South).  For more information, official artist lineup, or to purchase tickets, log onto: http://www.americanafolkfestival.com/.

 

 

 

My Chemical Romance, The Game, Chingy and Lupe Fiasco to Play Free, Exclusive Shows as Part of Flash Concerts 2006

Flash Concerts Returns in Ten Cities Powered by Cingular Wireless and Sony Ericsson

 Oct. 11, 2006 Flash Concerts 2006 launched this week with a full schedule of free concerts in 10 cities across the United States featuring major musical acts powered by Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, and Sony Ericsson. This unique, interactive, live music series utilizes text messaging to notify fans of concert information and to grant admission to the events. All concerts are free and open to the public. The Flash Concerts 2006 schedule kicked off in Atlanta, GA with Yung Joc on Sunday, October 8, 2006 and continues on with a variety of acts including: Chingy, The Game, My Chemical Romance, Lupe Fiasco and more.

"Wireless is of course for people on the go. But more and more, it's become a great way for music lovers to be in the know," said David Garver, executive director, segment marketing and sponsorships, Cingular Wireless. "The Flash Concert series is just one more way that we are connecting our customers to all-things music."

"It's great to give back to the fans by playing a free show," said Chingy, recording artist.

All of the concerts on the tour are free and open to the public but admission is limited. Music fans can improve their chances for entry by registering. Fans can register to "Get in and Win" by sending a text message to "FLASH" (35274) with their city's code, which will allow them to receive concert information on their mobile phone. Registrants will receive "Alerts" including: Event details, exclusive invites, VIP access, meet & greets and special music prizing. Entry details, artist information and more can be found at http://www.flashconcerts06.com or at Cingular Wireless stores.

For the two weeks leading up to each event, everyone who registers will receive spontaneous "Alerts" with opportunities to win admission, VIP access, prizes and more. Limited quantities are available; only the first respondents to alerts will be rewarded.

Cingular customers who register for Flash Concerts 2006 will be automatically entered in the "Flash 5" sweepstakes for a chance to win one of five trips for two to see a Flash Concert in Las Vegas, featuring My Chemical Romance, and other prizes including new Sony Ericsson W810 Walkman Phones, Cingular Gift Cards, Memory Sticks and more. All other wireless users can register for the sweepstakes at http://www.flashconcerts06.com.

Flash Concerts 2006 is produced by Sony Pictures Television Advertiser Sales. In 2005, Flash Concerts produced a series of free, unannounced-until-the-last-minute concerts performed by 10 hot and emerging music artists in secret locations across the country.

The full schedule of Flash Concerts 2006 is available online at http://www.flashconcerts06.com. Additional guests and details for New York and Seattle shows will be announced shortly. A partial schedule of events is below. -0-

Date                Artist                City             Short Code October 8, 2006     Yung Joc              Atlanta          ATL October 11, 2006    Chingy                San Francisco    SF October 26, 2006    Lupe Fiasco           Philadelphia     PHI November 21, 2006   The Game              Los Angeles      LA November 24, 2006   Lupe Fiasco           Chicago          CHI December 1, 2006    Young Buck            Miami            MIA December 4, 2006    Von Bondies           Boston           BOS December 11, 2006   My Chemical Romance   Las Vegas        LV TBA                 TBA                   Seattle          SEA TBA                 TBA                   New York         NYC 

Flash Concerts(TM) is a registered trademark of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

About Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 57.3 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(TM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(R), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com. Get Cingular Wireless press releases emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com.

About Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications serves the global communications market with innovative and feature-rich mobile phones, accessories, and PC-cards. Established as a joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in 2001, with global corporate functions located in London, the company employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide, including R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China and America. Sony Ericsson is the global title sponsor of the Women's Tennis Association, and works with the Association to promote the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in over 80 cities during the year. For more information on Sony Ericsson, please visit http://www.sonyericsson.com/us.

About Sony Pictures Television, Advertiser Sales

Sony Pictures Television, Advertiser Sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series, all of Sony Pictures Entertainment's digital platforms and for Indemand's high definition channel INHD.

 

 

 

VH1 Classic Rock'n'Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament to Feature Sully Erna, Vinnie Paul, Ace Frehley, Dusty Hill and Scott Ian

Poker Pros Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandiari to Host, Phil Laak to Provide "Tips and Tells" Event Produced by Lisa Tenner/Tenner & Associates and Presented by UltimateBet.tv Takes Place on Nov. 2, 2006 at Flamingo Las Vegas

 Oct. 11, 2006 The legendary Flamingo Las Vegas will play host to the VH1 Classic Rock'n'Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament, presented by UltimateBet.tv and produced by Lisa Tenner, Tenner & Associates. The tourney will be held on November 2 and feature some of rock and poker's top names, with all of the main event proceeds going to a charity that will be determined by the winner.

UltimateBet.tv will qualify two players to compete against Sully Erna of Godsmack, Vinnie Paul from Pantera and Big Vin Records, Ace Frehley of KISS, Dusty Hill of ZZ Top and Scott Ian of Anthrax for their favorite charities in the first VH1 Classic Rock'n'Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament airing early 2007 on VH1 Classic.

Pro player Phil Hellmuth will host the main event while poker champions Annie Duke and Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari will be the Green Room co-hosts. Fan favorite Phil "Unabomber" Laak will offer "Tips and Tells" to all the players. Mark Tenner will offer color commentary and Matt Savage will serve as the main event tournament director.

Rock 'n' roll comedian and featured artist on XM Satellite Comedy Channel 150 "The Chinaman" will be on hand to warm up the crowd. Sam Ash Music is providing instruments for the set design.

Two lucky visitors to http://www.UltimateBet.tv will get the chance to participate with the rock 'n' roll stars with "free roll" qualifying tournaments being held Oct. 23. Flamingo Las Vegas has also invited one player to play alongside the rock 'n' roll celebs.

The first place main event champion will receive a $25,000 check donated to a charity of their choice, a seat in the Main Event of UltimateBet.tv's Aruba Poker Tournament worth $10,000.00 and a day of on-camera programming from VH1 Classic as "VJ for a Day." In the event of a non-celebrity winner, the winning player will appear as a sidekick with the highest-ranking celebrity of the tournament.

All players that are eliminated from the main event will have a second chance to win with a "Heads Up" tournament in the adjoining Green Room. The "Heads Up" tourney champ will win a June 2007 cruise for two to Alaska.

"I am proud to be working with the Flamingo and UltimateBet.tv to raise awareness and contributions for selected charities. We have also twisted up this tournament by adding something no one else in poker has done, with as much going on in the green room as we do the main tournament area," said producer Lisa Tenner.

"As we continue the process of reinventing the Flamingo, the VH1 Classic Rock'n'Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament is a prime example of the direction the resort will be taking in the future," said Don Marrandino, president of Flamingo Las Vegas. "This talented group of artists will rock the Flamingo."

The charity event will be taped in the Second City Theatre at Flamingo Las Vegas.

 

Gary Sinise Hosts Documentary Premiering on The History Channel(R) From Academy(R) and Emmy(R) Award Winner Bill Couturie

Film Features Firefighters From Across America Sharing Revealing and Inspiring True Stories of Heroism and Heartbreak

INTO THE FIRE

Premieres Friday, October 13 at 8:00pm ET/PT

Oct. 11 -- From big city engine companies to small-town volunteer fire departments, thousands of firefighters across America risk their lives each day to protect our homes and families. INTO THE FIRE captures the terror, exhilaration, heartbreak and joy of the self-proclaimed "ordinary people" who have chosen this difficult and dangerous career, even as budget cuts and domestic terrorism add to the challenges of the job. Hosted by actor Gary Sinise, INTO THE FIRE premieres October 13, 2006 at 8:00pm ET/PT on The History Channel(R). The film will also air on October 22, 2006 at 4:00pm ET/PT.

Along with intimate interviews with a dozen career and volunteer firefighters, Oscar(R) winning filmmaker Bill Couturie intersperses spectacular archival disaster footage, news reports, reenactments and even vintage animation to paint a vivid picture of the firefighting life. The music of Dire Straits, Talking Heads and others who lent their support to the project by granting permission to use their music on the soundtrack underscores the poignant and sometimes harrowing accounts of those interviewed.

INTO THE FIRE allows real-life firefighters from around the country to describe the daily trials and triumphs of their profession, from daring urban rescues to deadly battles with massive forest fires. The 90-minute film also offers a rare glimpse inside fire station camaraderie, detailing the humor and fierce loyalty shared by the men and women who routinely entrust their lives to one another. At the same time, the film makes the point that despite some advances in technology -- such as thermal imaging cameras that can quickly locate survivors in a burning room -- putting out fires still comes down to human beings venturing into potentially lethal situations armed with nothing but a water hose. Unfortunately, despite the peril and the critical nature of their mission, fire departments are often asked to function with less than optimal resources. INTO THE FIRE points out that many fire departments cannot afford the $10,000 needed to purchase technology like thermal imaging cameras.

Despite differences of location, ethnicity, gender and age, all of the interviewees share a passion for helping people and an almost addictive desire to be on the frontlines of disaster. But while many recount with awe the thrill of saving a life, just as many are haunted by the victims they were unable to rescue or the colleagues they lost to heat and smoke. Among the film's unforgettable participants are:

* Tomi, an African-American female firefighter in Washington, D.C., who

recalls responding to the blazing inferno of jet fuel at the Pentagon

on September 11, 2001.

* Mike, a volunteer firefighter from tiny New Auburn, Wis., who speaks

eloquently about the foibles of responding to emergencies in a small

Midwestern community from putting out his neighbors' fires to

retrieving their cats from trees.

* Bryan, a Los Angeles firefighter and ex high school football star, was

a member of the fire and rescue team responding to the Northridge

earthquake of 1994, the most costly earthquake in U.S. history.

* Gerry, a San Francisco firefighter who describes a perilous race

against time to rescue a woman trapped in a collapsed building

following the 1989 Bay Area earthquake.

INTO THE FIRE was conceived and financed by Fireman's Fund Insurance Company to raise the nation's consciousness about challenges faced by firefighters. The film is an extension of the company's social mission to support firefighters for safer communities. "Today's firefighters are doing an increasingly difficult job with fewer and fewer resources," said Darryl Siry, chief marketing officer for Fireman's Fund(R). "We produced this film as a way to build more appreciation for the critical work these brave men and women perform for all of us." Funds raised through screenings of the film will benefit firefighters and fire service organizations nationwide in association with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

"Firefighters deserve our utmost respect and admiration and we are thrilled to partner with Fireman's Fund in bringing its social mission to the forefront," commented Michael Mohamad, senior vice president of marketing for The History Channel. "Bill Couturie is an award-winning director with a proven track record of producing informative and compelling documentaries."

"It's almost a cliche to say that firefighters are America's heroes, especially since 9/11," added director Bill Couturie. "But it's easy to forget that firefighters are everyday people from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of personalities and emotions. Making this movie was a wonderful opportunity to introduce viewers to a few of these amazing people, who spend their days battling one of nature's most destructive forces to keep the rest of us safe."

Couturie is an award-winning writer, director and producer whose credits include documentaries, feature films, television commercials, an animated children's movie and a television mini-series. He is best known for his documentary films such as the Academy Award(R)-winning "Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt," the Oscar-nominated "Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers" and "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam," for which he received two Emmy Awards and the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize. His other projects include "Last Letters Home: Voices of American Troops from the Battlefields of Iraq," "Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks" and the Emmy-winning "Earth and the American Dream." Most recently, Couturie produced and directed HBO's "Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters," which was an official selection of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and specialty insurance products nationwide. Founded in 1863 with a mission to support firefighters, Fireman's Fund continues this mission today through the Fireman's Fund Heritage program. Fireman's Fund employees and independent agents award grants and provide volunteer support to local fire departments, national fire service and fire and burn prevention organizations across the country. Fireman's Fund is a member of the Allianz Group (NYSE:AZ) , one of the world's largest providers of insurance and other financial services. For more information, visit www.firemansfund.com.

The History Channel(R) is one of the leading cable television networks featuring compelling original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life in a powerful and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network provides an inviting place where people experience history in new and exciting ways enabling them to connect their lives today to the great lives and events of the past that provide a blueprint for the future. The History Channel has earned three Peabody Awards, three Primetime Emmy(R) Awards, ten News and Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History(R) campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel reaches more than 90 million Nielsen subscribers. The website is located at www.History.com.

Press Only: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.historychannelpress.com.

Source: The History Channel

 

 

Pink Floyd Founding Member Nick Mason to Meet Fans & Sign Copies of 8x Platinum Selling DVD, 'Pulse,' at Virgin Megastore on Wednesday, October 11

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ --

Who: Nick Mason, founding -- and longest continual -- member of Pink

Floyd

What: A rare in-store appearance and signing of multi-platinum "Pulse"

DVD

Where: Virgin Megastore Hollywood (8000 Sunset Blvd, LA, CA 90046)

When: Wednesday, October 11, beginning at 7pm (MEDIA CALL: 6:30pm)

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will make a rare in-store appearance at the Virgin Megastore Hollywood (8000 Sunset Blvd, LA, CA 90046) on Wednesday, October 11, beginning at 7pm (MEDIA CALL: 6:30pm).

Mason will meet and greet fans and sign copies of Pink Floyd's best- selling multi-platinum DVD, "Pulse."

Shortly after its release, "Pulse" -- a landmark DVD collection documenting the 1994 Division Bell tour including the band's first-ever filmed performance of "The Dark Side of the Moon" -- became the #1 music DVD on both sides of the Atlantic topping the charts in Austria, Belgium, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, the UK and the United States, where it debuted with first week's sales of 92,815 units, according to SoundScan. "Pulse," which had one of the Top 3 best first week's sales in the United States of any music DVD in history, has gone on to become one of the Top 10 best-selling music DVDs ever.

Nick Mason is the author of "Inside Out - A Personal History of Pink Floyd," the definitive story of Pink Floyd, a band who's sold 116 million albums worldwide and spent more than a quarter century on the planet's pop charts. Mason first played with Roger Waters and Syd Barrett at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London in 1964, although they wouldn't become Pink Floyd until the following year.

Source: Columbia Records

 

Steven Spielberg, Victor Pinchuk to Host Premiere of Documentary Film on the Holocaust in Ukraine

Spell Your Name, a Collaboration Between the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation

Steven Spielberg and Victor Pinchuk will host the premiere of Spell Your Name, a film by director Sergey Bukovsky on the Holocaust in Ukraine, on October 18th in Kiev.

The premiere will mark Mr. Spielberg's first trip to one of the countries of the former Soviet Union, and to the country of his family's origin. In addition to the Holocaust survivors featured in the documentary, political, cultural, and leaders of the Jewish community will attend the event, which will be held at the International Center of Culture and Arts (the former Zhovtnevyi Palace) in central Kiev.

The film, produced by the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education with support from Mr. Pinchuk, takes viewers on a journey of discovery, as Mr. Bukovsky and three Ukrainian journalism students absorb the testimony of Jewish survivors who escaped brutal execution and those who rescued friends and neighbors during the Holocaust. The men and women featured in the film share the details of their experiences in Ukrainian and Russian.

"To prepare for the film, we viewed nearly 500 testimonies at the USC Shoah Foundation Institute in Los Angeles. As I watched, I could imagine making a film from every single one," said the film's director, Mr. Bukovsky.

Mr. Spielberg, who established the Shoah Foundation in 1994, is co- executive producer of Spell Your Name, with Mr. Pinchuk. Mr. Pinchuk first discussed his idea for a film on the Holocaust in Ukraine with Mr. Spielberg in 2004.

"The stories and experiences of survivors in Ukraine need to be seen and heard by the people of the world, who may not know what happened in Ukraine during the Holocaust," Mr. Spielberg said. "Sergey's work is compelling art, and it beautifully conveys the emotions experienced by the students who took this journey of discovery."

"My appreciation and gratitude also go to my friend Victor Pinchuk, whose generous support and commitment to making a film on this subject made it possible for the USC Shoah Foundation Institute to make Spell Your Name," he added.

"It is essential that we learn the lessons of history, and the testimonies gathered by the USC Shoah Foundation Institute that you will see in this film are the most compelling teachers for Ukraine and all the world," Mr. Pinchuk said. "It was a pleasure for me to work with the master of modern cinema, Steven Spielberg. Together we were able to help the Institute and Sergey Bukovsky shed light on one of the darkest pages of Ukraine's history."

"Raising issues of tolerance is timely everywhere, and especially so as we commemorate the sixty-fifth anniversary of the massacre at Babi Yar," said historian Douglas Greenberg, Executive Director of the Institute. "Spell Your Name teaches us all about some of the darkest moments in human history; we hope and expect that it will not only provide education about the past, but start a dialogue about the future as well."

Completion of a teacher's guide to accompany the film will occur in early 2007 as part of a broader educational program being developed by the Institute in conjunction with the Pinchuk Foundation.

List of key credits

Director Sergey Bukovsky

Executive Producers Steven Spielberg & Victor Pinchuk

Produced by USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Executive Director Douglas Greenberg

Executive in charge of Production Kim Simon

Producer Mark Edwards

Directors of Photography Roman Elensky, Volodymyr Kukorenchuk

Film Editor Anton Goida

Original Music Vadim Khrapatchev

Sound Designer Igor Barba

Associate Producer Victoria Bondar

Ukrainian Production Services Film Plus, Ltd.

About USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education

With a collection of nearly 52,000 video testimonies in 32 languages and from 56 countries, the USC Shoah Foundation Institute's archive is the largest visual history archive in the world. The Institute interviewed Jewish survivors, homosexual survivors, Jehovah's Witness survivors, liberators and liberation witnesses, political prisoners, rescuers and aid providers, Roma and Sinti (Gypsy) survivors, survivors of Eugenics policies, and war crimes trials participants.

The mission of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute is to overcome prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry-and the suffering they cause-through the educational use of the Institute's visual history testimonies. The Institute relies upon partnerships in the United States and around the world to provide public access to the archive and advance scholarship in many fields of inquiry. The Institute and its partners also utilize the archive to develop educational products and programs for use in many countries and languages.

About the Victor Pinchuk Foundation

Victor Pinchuk is the founder of Interpipe Corporation, one of the largest Ukrainian industrial groups. The Victor Pinchuk Foundation develops and supports projects that contribute to the development and modernization of Ukraine. Six fields of activity and the current projects of the Foundation have been selected because of their strategic importance for the future of the country: Health (Neonatal Centers), Education (Stipends Programs, School of Economics, cooperation with the Aspen Institute), Culture (Contemporary Arts Centre), Rule of Law (with the Soros Foundation), International Development (promotion of Ukraine in the EU) and support for local communities in Ukraine. Further program development is underway.

Source: Victor Pinchuk Foundation

 

Howard Stern, Most Popular Talk Radio Personality with Web Users for 6th Consecutive Year

LYCOS Presents the Top 20 Most Popular Talk Radio Hosts of 2006, Based on Web Search Activity

Adam Carolla, Don Imus, Biggest Jumps; Bill O'Reilly, David Lee Roth, Biggest Drops

New Personalities Resonate Online, Making First-Ever Appearances on List

LYCOS, Inc. (http://www.lycos.com/), a leading entertainment destination for creators and consumers of quality content, today announced its sixth annual list of the most popular talk radio personalities with web users, based on The LYCOS 50 (http://50.lycos.com/). The LYCOS 50 is an authoritative weekly list of the most popular people, places and things web users search for everyday.

For the sixth year in a row, Howard Stern continues his reign as the most-searched talk radio personality with web users, generating 232 percent more online interest than Adam Corolla, who holds the number two spot this year. In Jan. 2006, Stern left his top-rated morning show at Infinity Radio for Sirius Satellite. Stern's move to satellite radio was a huge factor in bringing awareness to satellite networks, Sirius and XM. In fact, due in part to Stern's move, search activity for Sirius Satellite Radio increased 1,300 percent in 2005 and another 128 percent in 2006. Oprah Winfrey, while not making this year's list, also received a bump in online interest over the past few weeks since the debut of her recent entrance to XM Satellite, with her Oprah & Friends radio show.

A recent New York Post article reported that Stern's popularity was declining, and rumors began circulating that Stern planned to return to the free airwaves. Both Stern and a spokesperson from Sirius denied the story, and certainly, Web users would seem to agree that Stern's popularity remains strong, although not as strong as in 2005. Since his move to Sirius in Jan., Stern's online interest has dipped only 15 percent.

Newcomer Adam Carolla of Infinity's "The Adam Carolla Show" is the biggest gainer this year, landing at number two with web users. Carolla's search activity did not even register as a blip on the radar last year. His massive surge in popularity is most likely due to the fact that he began his morning radio show in January 2006, replacing Stern in several markets. Don Imus of "Imus in the Morning" also barely registered last year and takes number five in 2006; presumably, his rise is also due to Stern's departure.

Some favorites from past years saw notable drops in 2006, the biggest being Bill O'Reilly. O'Reilly is 92 percent less popular than he was in 2005, falling completely out of the top 20 this year. Dr. Laura also drops off this year's list, dipping 81 percent, while Bob and Tom drop 83, but still manage to remain in the top 20. Michael Savage also drops 74 percent, falling from number five last year.

The most interesting trend this year is the large number of newcomers generating online interest. Of the top 20 talk radio personalities of 2006, six are making first-ever appearances, including Wendy Williams, Emma B, Jim Cramer, Chris Evans, Sara Cox and Carolla. In addition to O'Reilly, other notables falling out of the top 20 in 2006 include David Lee Roth, Larry King, Dr. Laura, Kim Komando, Mancow, Laura Ingraham and Paul Harvey.

The Top 20 Most-Searched Talk Radio Personalities of 2006 (numbers in parentheses reflect last year's rank):

1) Howard Stern (1) 11) Jim Cramer (-)

2) Adam Carolla (-) 12) Opie & Anthony (10)

3) Tavis Smiley (29) 13) Tom Leykis (17)

4) Don Imus (-) 14) Emma B (-)

5) Rush Limbaugh (2) 15) Sean Hannity (11)

6) Tom Joyner (-) 16) Michael Savage (5)

7) Lionel (-) 17) Chris Evans (-)

8) Wendy Williams (-) 18) Don and Mike (15)

9) Al Franken (-) 19) Bob & Tom (9)

10) Art Bell (7) 20) Sara Cox (-)

 

About LYCOS, Inc.

LYCOS, Inc. (http://www.lycos.com/) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daum Communications Corp., a leading Internet portal and e-commerce destination in Korea with a growing presence throughout the Asian markets. LYCOS, Inc. creates and operates search, community and technology lifestyle sites including LYCOS.com, Hotbot.com, Tripod.com and Angelfire.com. Other LYCOS products and sites include LYCOS Mail, LYCOS Phone, LYCOS Entertainment, LYCOS Music, LYCOS Games, LYCOS Planet, and GetRelevant. LYCOS was acquired by Korean Daum Communications Corp. in October 2004 and has its U.S. headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. Daum Communications Corp. is traded on the KOSDAQ: 035720, http://www.daum.net/.

Lycos(R) is a registered trademark of Lycos, Inc. All other product or service marks mentioned herein are those of Daum Communications Corp., Lycos, Inc. or their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Source: LYCOS, Inc.

 

Open Wide/Columbia Records Readies the Release of Deluxe Edition of Dixie Chicks #1 Album, Taking The Long Way

New Version of Best-Selling Platinum Album to Include 24 Page Booklet + DVD Featuring AOL Sessions, "Not Ready To Make Nice" Video, and More

Taking The Long Way Deluxe Edition in Stores Tuesday, November 14

Open Wide/Columbia Records will release a newly-expanded deluxe edition of Taking The Long Way, the latest chart-topping multi-platinum-selling album by the Dixie Chicks, on Tuesday, November 14.

The expanded edition of Taking The Long Way comes in a deluxe six-panel digi-pak with a 24 page booklet. The package also includes a new DVD featuring five live performances -- "Taking The Long Way," "Easy Silence," "Voice Inside My Head," "Truth #2," and "Wide Open Spaces" -- from the Dixie Chicks' AOL Sessions; the record-breaking -- Most Weeks at #1 on VH1's "Top 20 Countdown" -- video clip for "Not Ready To Make Nice"; an in-depth interview with the album's producer Rick Rubin; and more.

The lives of the Dixie Chicks, on-stage and off, have been chronicled in the new documentary feature, "Shut Up & Sing," directed and produced by Academy Award-winning documentary director Barbara Kopple ("Harlan County USA" and "American Dream") and producer/director Cecilia Peck ("A Conversation with Gregory Peck").

"Shut Up & Sing" had its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 12 and will open on select US screens on October 27, expanding nationwide on November 10.

Four weeks after its release on May 23, Taking The Long Way achieved a platinum (for sales of 1,000,000) certification by the RIAA, bringing the group's career total up to 41 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications, including two RIAA Diamond Awards.

The U.S. platinum success of Taking The Long Way was echoed in similar chart-topping sales figures around the world. Taking The Long Way debuted at #1 (and remained in the top slot for four weeks) in Canada (2x platinum), and at #2 in Australia (platinum). The album debuted at #8 in New Zealand, where it's been certified gold.

Released in Europe on June 12, Taking The Long Way quickly crossed the two million mark in sales worldwide with the album hitting the Top 10 in Sweden (peaked at #1), Australia (#2), Germany (#5), Europe (#6) Switzerland (#6), Ireland (#7, gold), Norway (#7), Austria (#8), and the UK Top 75 (#10, gold). In every market in which it's charted, with the exception of New Zealand and Ireland, Taking The Long Way achieved the highest-charting debut numbers of any album in the Dixie Chicks' career.

When Taking The Long Way debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 best- selling albums chart the week of its release, the Dixie Chicks became the first female group in chart history to have three albums debut at #1, breaking the record the Chicks established in 2002 when the group's last studio album, Home, debuted at #1 and made them the first female group ever to have two albums debut at #1.

With the #1 debut of Taking The Long Way, the Dixie Chicks became the first female group in chart history to have three studio albums occupy the #1 slot on the Top 200.

In addition to occupying the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for two weeks in a row, Taking The Long Way spent six weeks running as America's #1 Top Country Album and was the nation's #1 Top Digital Album.

Taking The Long Way is produced by Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-DMC) and features fourteen new songs co-written by the Dixie Chicks.

Having sold more than $100 million worth of concert tickets during their career, the Dixie Chicks are one of the most popular live acts in history. The Dixie Chicks are on the road this fall with their "Accidents & Accusations Tour" in support of Taking The Long Way.

DIXIE CHICKS TOUR DATES

11/09/06 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena

11/11/06 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome, Arena

11/14/06 Sacramento, CA Arco Sports Complex, Arco Arena

11/16/06 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center

11/17/06 Oakland, CA Oakland Arena

11/19/06 Phoenix, AZ Glendale Arena

11/24/06 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Arena

11/25/06 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Hotel, Grand Garden Arena

11/27/06 Denver, CO Pepsi Center

11/28/06 Omaha, NE Qwest Center

12/01/06 Nashville, TN Gaylord Entertainment Center

12/02/06 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena

12/04/06 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center

12/05/06 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

http://www.dixiechicks.com/

http://www.columbiarecords.com/

Source: Open Wide/Columbia Records

The Race Is On! The Hollywood Awards Launch the Push Toward Oscar

Hollywood Film Festival & Hollywood Awards Set Pace for Awards Race

-- The Hollywood Film Festival, co-chaired by Paula Wagner and presented by STARZ, has announced the nominees and honorees for the 2006 "Hollywood Awards." The announcement was made today in Hollywood by Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Festival.

"This year's Hollywood Film Festival continues its tradition of honoring the very best talent within our community. It is a celebration of all aspects of Hollywood filmmaking and the artists who help to create its lasting legacy on our culture," de Abreu said.

In the last three years, a total of 42 Academy Award nominations and 9 Oscars(R) were given to films the festival showcased and to the nominees and honorees of the Hollywood Awards(R).

The awards are comprised of three categories: Hollywood FILM Awards(R), Hollywood MOVIE Awards(R), and the Hollywood WORLD Awards(R).

The "Hollywood FILM Awards(R)" include Sony Pictures Classics' co-Presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard for leadership; the Film Foundation for film preservation; Robin Williams for career achievement; Oliver Stone for directing; Mike Medavoy for producing; Forest Whitaker, Penelope Cruz, Ben Affleck, and Sandra Bullock for acting, the cast of "Bobby" (Harry Belafonte, Joy Bryant, Nick Cannon, Emilio Estevez, Laurence Fishburne, Brian Geraghty, Heather Graham, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Hunt, Joshua Jackson, David Krumholtz, Ashton Kutcher, Shia LaBeouf, Lindsay Lohan, William H. Macy, Svetlana Metkina, Demi Moore, Freddy Rodriguez, Martin Sheen, Christian Slater, Sharon Stone, Jacob Vargas, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Elijah Wood) for ensemble acting; Eric Roth for screenwriting; Vilmos Zsigmond for cinematography; Joel Cox for editing; Gustavo Santaolalla for film composing; John Myhre for production design; Penny Rose for costume design; Kris Evans for make-up; John Knoll for visual effects; Disney/Pixar's "Cars," directed by John Lasseter, for animation; and Francine Maisler for casting. In addition, Derek Luke and Lindsay Lohan will be honored with the festival's Breakthrough Actor and Actress awards, and Ryan Murphy with the "Hollywood Breakthrough Director of the Year Award."

The "Hollywood MOVIE OF THE YEAR Awards(R)" cover the public's favorites for the year. The ten nominees are "Cars" directed by John Lasseter; "The Da Vinci Code" directed by Ron Howard; "The Devil Wears Prada" directed by David Frankel; "Little Miss Sunshine" directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris; "Mission: Impossible III" directed by J. J. Abrams; "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" directed by Gore Verbinski; "Superman Returns" directed by Bryan Singer; "United 93" directed by Paul Greengrass; "World Trade Center" directed by Oliver Stone; and "X-Men: The Last Stand" directed by Brett Ratner. The winner is decided by the public voting at the Yahoo! Movies Website -- movies.yahoo.com

The "Hollywood WORLD Awards(R)" cover films from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The ten nominees in alphabetical order are "12:08 East of Bucharest" (Romania) directed by Corneliu Porumboiu; "Buenos Aires, 1977" (Argentina) directed by Adrian Caetano; "Climates" (Turkey, France) directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan; "Grbavica" (Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, Croatia) directed by Jasmila Zbanic; "The Lives of Others" (Germany) directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; "Pan's Labyrinth" (Mexico, Spain) directed by Guillermo del Toro; "The Queen" (UK, France, Italy) directed by Stephen Frears; "Red Road" (UK, Denmark) directed by Andrea Arnold; "Volver" (Spain) directed by Pedro Almodovar; and "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" (Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Ireland, UK) directed by Ken Loach.

The 2006 Annual Hollywood Film Festival(R) will take place from October 18 to 23. The festival's screenings take place at ArcLight Theatres in Hollywood. Its Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Monday, October 23.

Starz Entertainment Group LLC (SEG) is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. SEG offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 14 million and 26 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment Group airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HDTV, Starz On Demand and Vongo(SM). Starz Entertainment Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, www.starz.com.

For more information please go to http://www.hollywoodfestival.com/

T Stands for TV Land as Mr. T's New Original Series, I Pity The Fool, Premieres on the Network on October 11

I Pity The Fool Content Available on Multiple Screens Via TVLand.com, Yahoo!, Sprint and iTunes

 Oct. 10  -- Prepare to experience Reali-T TV when Mr. T's new original series, I Pity The Fool, premieres on TV Land on October 11 at 10pm (ET/PT). Watch out Dr. Phil and move over Oprah, Mr. T is on a mission to change people's lives by dispensing his own brand of advice in classic T-style in every city with fools to pity. I Pity The Fool is produced by Lionsgate, in association with Left/Right Films and Remag Guerilla. The first episode will also air on Nick at Nite on October 11 at 11pm (ET/PT).

I Pity The Fool features this classic TV icon in a role that he is very comfortable with -- #1 Jibba Jabba Attacka. Whether he's teaching fools some basic rules or being a motivator for procrastinators, Mr. T becomes immersed in the situation at-hand and becomes a catalyst for change.

  The full series rollout -- and Mr. T's missions -- include:   

Mr. T takes on a group of fast-talking salesmen at a car dealership in New York City. However, the problems start at the top with an owner that is a micromanager who refuses to delegate to his son-in-law who he has appointed manager of the dealership. But family feuds aren't the only knock in the engine, as Mr. T also goes head-to-head with a slippery car salesman while teaching everyone at the dealership a lesson about MO-T-VATION.

October 18:

In this episode, Mr. T visits the Abato family. Frank Abato loves his job at a sewage treatment plant almost as much as his beloved easy chair. In fact, when he comes home, he sits down in his chair and refuses to budge. His wife and children are sick of Frank's lazy ways and his stinky clothes. They want to get him on his feet and back into their lives. Mr. T's mission: to bring this family some UNI-T!

October 25:

Tough love and straight talk are in order as Mr. T is called in to motivate the staff of Metrostar Realty. The problem is that this team of agents and brokers just can't seem to work together -- bickering and catfighting consume a good chunk of the workday. And the owner's laissez- faire management style only makes matters worse! Mr. T's mission: to teach this office a lesson about LEADERSHIP.

November 1:

Mr. T brings tough talk and tenderness to the parents and children at East Coast Dance School. Leann is a great dance teacher, but she's also a control freak with a serious temper. And the stage moms? They drive Leann crazy with their incessant nagging and bickering. Mr. T will need to resolve this conflict, or else the big dance recital will be a flop! His mission: to bring these ladies some TRUST.

November 8:

A family farm is Mr. T's destination in this episode of I Pity The Fool. Mr. T saddles up to train wild horses with Ron and Sue Layden, but breaking horses is a lot easier than controlling their four teenage sons. The boys refuse to do chores, they talk back to their parents, and roll around in the mud with their pigs! Mr. T needs to teach the Layden boys a thing or two about RESPECT.

November 15

This episode takes Mr. T out of the frying pan and into the fire, as he tries to fix the problems at La Spezia Restaurant. Chef Ed is a great cook, but he has a terrible temper ... he even yells at his customers! Mike, the owner, tries to help but he just ends up making things worse. Meanwhile, the dining room is empty. Mr. T's mission: save La Spezia by teaching Ed and Mike about COMMUNICATION.

Fans will be able to get their T-fix on any screen they may favor. The I Pity The Fool multi-platform viewing experience includes:

TVLand.com: Immediately following the premiere of the show, at 10:30pm ET on October 11, fans will be able to interact with Mr. T himself in a live video chat on the site. Then, the next morning, the full episode will be available on TVLand.com. Each subsequent episode will also be available the day after it premieres on-air. Additional TVLand.com content for I Pity The Fool includes bonus material from the series including behind-the-scenes footage that can't be seen anywhere else as well as an exclusive interview with the icon himself. Users can watch previews of the next episode and send a Mr. T-Mail message -- video e-cards for birthdays, special occasions or for friends in need of some mo-T-vation! Fans will also have access to "Rules for Fools" -- video clips of Mr. T dispensing advice on finances, dating, hygiene, listening and more.

Yahoo! TV: The premiere installment of I Pity The Fool is available exclusively on Yahoo! TV (http://tv.yahoo.com/) through October 11, the day of the show's on-air premiere. Additionally, Yahoo! TV will feature exclusive clips from the series including a lost scene from the first episode as well as two "Rules for Fools" on finding success and public speaking.

Sprint: Sprint customers with select multimedia phones can access special "Rules for Fools" as well as highlights from upcoming episodes from the series. The content will be available at no additional charge on channel 24 on Sprint TV. Standard data charges apply.

iTunes: Beginning October 19, the first two episodes of I Pity The Fool will be available for purchase on iTunes Music Store. After that, a new episode will be available for purchase every Thursday after the show's Wednesday night premiere.

Podcasts: Highlights from the premiere episode are currently available as free podcasts on iTunes, with sneak peeks from upcoming episodes available each week.

Executive producers for I Pity The Fool are Ken Druckerman (Growing Up Gotti), Stephen Belafonte (Thank You for Smoking, Never Die Alone) and Banks Tarver (Growing Up Gotti).

The deal for Mr. T was brokered by The Buchwald Agency.

Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, winning this year's Best Picture Academy Award(R) for Crash, generating two consecutive years of $300 million-plus domestic theatrical box office, operating a $500 million-plus home entertainment business and producing a broad slate of prime time television series for fiscal 2007. It is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 9,000 titles is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

TV Land and all related logos and titles are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

TV Land Productions was created in 2003 to develop original programming that complements the network's successful acquired programming slate. TV Land Productions has also produced The TV Land Awards Show: A Celebration of Classic TV (March 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006), the Emmy-nominated The Dick Van Dyke Show, Revisited, the network's first original special for broadcast, which premiered on CBS in May 2004, the Emmy-nominated Still Brady ... After All These Years reunion special in September 2004 and Chasing Farrah (Spring 2005), the original reality series that followed iconic Hollywood actress and sex symbol Farrah Fawcett. Over the last year, the network premiered a variety of original series and specials including: TV Guide and TV Land Present: The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments, Living in TV Land, TV Land Confidential and Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg. For more information about TV Land's original Wednesday night line-ups, visit http://www.tvland.com/.

Now seen in over 87 million U.S. homes, TV Land's program mix features popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials and a TV-referential interstitial environment, all programmed with a specific audience in mind -- the first generation of Americans to grow up watching television and features all-time Classic hits like All in the Family, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and Bonanza.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About Viacom

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Offering programming and content for television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom's world- class brands include MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 130 networks around the world), BET Networks, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com/.

Source: TV Land

 

Seven New High Definition Titles from Warner Home Video

"Under Seige," "V For Vendetta," "Excalibur" on HD DVD "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Searchers," "Under Seige" and "Unforgiven" on Blu-ray Disc

 Oct. 10, 2006 On October 31, Warner Home Video will release seven new high definition titles. Making their debuts are "V for Vendetta" and "Excalibur" on HD DVD and "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Searchers" and "Unforgiven" on Blu-ray Disc. "Under Siege" will be making a simultaneous debut on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

"V for Vendetta" makes its HD DVD debut with In-Movie Experience (IME), the interactive feature allowing viewers to enjoy new ways of accessing interviews and other material -- while the movie is running. The IME for "V for Vendetta" features the "Director's Notebook: Reimagining a Cult Classic for the 21st Century."

Both HD DVD and Blu-ray titles will be available for $28.99 SRP. All bonus materials on the Standard Definition versions of these titles will be included on the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc versions.

About the Movies

From Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers, creators of "The Matrix" trilogy, comes the most action-packed, entertaining and talked-about thriller this year. "V for Vendetta" is the electrifying story of an everyday woman in futuristic Britain who becomes the unlikely accomplice of a mysterious freedom fighter in his radical effort to rid the country of oppression. "V for Vendetta" is an exhilarating and innovative film featuring provocative performances by Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.

"Excalibur" - Raised by Merlin, young Arthur draws the mystical sword of Excalibur from the stone and becomes King. He grows to manhood and with his wife Guenevere and first knight Lancelot unites the country and founds the Knights of the Round Table. But the love between Lancelot and Guenevere, and the treachery of his sister Morgana and son Mordred cause King Arthur's pride to jeopardize the kingdom. An epic battle between the knights of good and evil decides the fate of Camelot. Directed with skill and panache from legendary director John Boorman ("Deliverance"), the visual splendor of "Excalibur" will only be heightened by the thrill of experiencing it in High Definition.

"Under Siege" - Steven Seagal comes aboard and comes on strong, in this box-office blockbuster, combining humor and heroics in a fireball of a movie. He's ex-Navy SEAL and highly decorated combat operative Casey Ryback. Relying on his slam-bang martial-arts skills and equipped with enough hardware to single-handedly wage World War III, Ryback turns the Missouri's deck and below deck areas into guerilla combat zones.

"The Phantom of the Opera" tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House, waging a reign of terror over its occupants. When he falls fatally in love with the lovely young soprano Christine, the Phantom devotes himself to creating a new star for the Opera. "The Phantom of the Opera" features the acting talent and exemplary voice of Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson and Minnie Driver. Joel Schumacher directs.

"The Searchers," with an indelible image of the American frontier and the men and women who challenged it, stars John Wayne and was directed by John Ford. Wayne plays an ex-Confederate soldier searching for his niece (Natalie Wood), captured by the Comanches who massacred his family. He won't surrender to hunger, thirst, the elements or loneliness. And in his five-year search, he encounters something unexpected: his own humanity. Meticulously restored by Warner Bros. for the film's 50th Anniversary, the magnificent VistaVision photography comes alive when viewed in High-Definition.

"Unforgiven" is Clint Eastwood's classic Western masterpiece which earned 4 Academy Awards(R) including Best Picture. Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman play retired, down-on-their-luck outlaws who pick up their guns one last time to collect a bounty offered by the vengeful prostitutes of the remote Wyoming town of Big Whiskey.

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.

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.

 

 

What's This? Walt Disney Records Presents ``The Nightmare Before Christmas Two-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack''

Featuring Original Score and Songs by Danny Elfman Plus New Recordings from Marilyn Manson, Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Fiona Apple and She Wants Revenge

 Oct. 10, 2006 On October 24, 2006, Walt Disney Records unveils "The Nightmare Before Christmas 2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack" in celebration of the 13th anniversary of Tim Burton's cult classic animated feature. Disc One of the soundtrack includes the original score and ten songs by Grammy(R)- and Emmy(R)-winning, Oscar(R)-nominated composer-songwriter Danny Elfman. Disc Two contains nine songs: five new versions of original soundtrack songs specially re-recorded by alternative rock superstars Marilyn Manson, Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Fiona Apple and She Wants Revenge, plus four never-before-released demo tracks performed by Danny Elfman.

The animated film "The Nightmare Before Christmas" sets the holiday worlds of Halloween and Christmas on a comic collision course when the residents of Halloweentown try their hand at "making Christmas." On October 20th, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" returns to 200 theaters nationwide, presented for the first time ever in stunning Disney Digital 3D(TM).

"The Nightmare Before Christmas 2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack" captures the musical landscape Danny Elfman masterfully created for the film. Key tracks from the soundtrack and film include: "This Is Halloween," the song which introduces the storyline; "Jack's Lament," in which Jack expresses his frustration with his life; "What's This?," Jack's exuberant testimonial to Christmastown; "Jack's Obsession" in which Jack realizes his new-found desire for Christmastown; "Kidnap the Sandy Claws," which unveils Lock, Shock and Barrel's plan to abduct Santa Claus; "Making Christmas," Halloweentown's off-kilter impression of Christmas; "Sally's Song," a tender ballad of unrequited love; "Oogie Boogie's Song," the evil demon's gloriously ghoulish tribute to himself; "Poor Jack," a song of self-awakening in which Jack discovers he truly belongs in Halloweentown; and the finale reprise performed by Jack, Sally, and the citizens of Halloweentown. Supported by an evocative and suspenseful underscore, "The Nightmare Before Christmas 2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack" is a dazzling marriage of music and innovative technique.

In tribute to the 13th anniversary of "The Nightmare Before Christmas"' theatrical release, musical artists ranging from Marilyn Manson to Fiona Apple re-imagined the most popular "Nightmare" anthems in their own signature styles. A pulsing, electric-guitar-driven "This Is Halloween" shows off the dark side of Halloween and the many voices of Marilyn Manson. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Fiona Apple's moody voice echoes Sally's longing and despair in "Sally's Song." Fall Out Boy contributes a jubilant, propulsive version of "What's This?" that contrasts with the electronic, post-punk aesthetic She Wants Revenge brings to "Kidnap the Sandy Claws." Panic! At the Disco delivers their own unique, sweeping and lushly orchestrated twist on "This Is Halloween." Rounding out the disc are four previously unreleased demo tracks - "Making Christmas," "Oogie Boogie's Song," "Kidnap the Sandy Claws" and "This is Halloween" - from the singing voice of Jack Skellington himself, Danny Elfman.

Danny Elfman has established himself as one of Hollywood's leading film composers. Elfman has written close to 50 film scores featuring his unique sound, including "Batman," "Spiderman," "Men in Black," "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Pee Wee's Big Adventure." In addition to these signature soundtracks, he has scored such diverse films as "Big Fish," "Good Will Hunting," "Dolores Claiborne," "Midnight Run," "To Die For," "Dead Presidents," "Sommersby," "Chicago," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and the stop-motion animated musical "Corpse Bride" as well as creating infectious themes to "The Simpsons" and "Desperate Housewives" for television. Recent projects include the scores for the upcoming Disney CGI animated feature "Meet the Robinsons" and Paramount's adaptation of "Charlotte's Web." Elfman recently released a new album, "Serenada Schizophrana," his first orchestral composition written specifically for the concert hall. For 17 years Elfman wrote and performed with rock band Oingo Boingo, producing such hits as "Weird Science" and "Dead Man's Party."

"The Nightmare Before Christmas Special Edition Soundtrack" will be available October 24, 2006 for a suggested retail price of $18.98 wherever music is sold. All Walt Disney Records audio products also can be ordered by visiting DisneyRecords.com.

 

Academy-Award(R) Nominee Terrence Howard Signs on to Marvel Studios' IRON MAN

Joins Robert Downey Jr. in Super Hero Action Adventure Film Being Directed by Jon Favreau and Distributed by Paramount Pictures Film to Blast into Theaters May 2, 2008

 Oct. 10, 2006 Marvel's IRON MAN continues to attract Hollywood gold as Marvel Studios announced today that Academy Award(R) Nominee Terrence Howard has joined the cast of the highly-anticipated film. Howard will take on the role of Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony Stark aka Iron Man's best friend, in the project slated to launch into theaters May 2, 2008.

The addition of Howard solidifies an impressive foundation for Marvel Entertainment's first self-financed and produced feature film that also includes Oscar(R) nominee Robert Downey Jr. in the title role and Jon Favreau directing. The move also reinforces the continued allure of Marvel's Super Hero universe among Hollywood's most celebrated actors.

As Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes, Howard will portray Tony Stark's confidant and associate. Rhodey is an accomplished military pilot. His daring and skills become valuable assets to Tony Stark -- the billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who becomes the armored Super Hero known as Iron Man.

"When we first began to think about IRON MAN, we always envisioned Terrence as Rhodey. The richness of the role and complexity of the character seemed to mesh perfectly with the type of passion, energy and emotion that Howard brings to all of his projects," said Kevin Feige, President of Production, Marvel Studios. "Now with Terrence on board to co-star alongside Robert, we cannot be more excited about the great chemistry they will bring to IRON MAN."

Howard exploded onto the Hollywood scene in 2005 after delivering strong performances in such films as Hustle & Flow, for which he received an Academy Award(R) Best Actor nod, and the Oscar(R)-winning Best Picture Crash. He has received awards for Breakthrough Actor by the National Board of Review, Movieline and Gotham Awards. Howard recently completed production on The Brave One with Jodie Foster, and is currently in production on Spring Break In Bosnia with Richard Gere. His recent film credits also include Idlewild, Get Rich or Die Tryin', and Four Brothers.

Marvel Studios is currently casting all other supporting roles. Filming is slated to begin in Los Angeles in February 2007. The film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

IRON MAN will be produced by Avi Arad and Kevin Feige. Executive Producers are Michael Helfant, Ari Arad, Jon Favreau, Louis D'Esposito and Peter Billingsley. Howard is represented by the William Morris Agency, managed by Shakim Compere and Victoria Fredrick of Flavor Unit, and his attorney is Stewart Levy.

About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. For more information visit http://www.marvel.com.

About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the leading global entertainment content companies, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics across virtually all media.

(tm) & (c): 2006 Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries, all rights reserved. Super Heroes is a co-owned registered trademark.

Except for any historical information that they contain, the statements in this news release regarding Marvel's plans are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including unexpected delays in the production of the Iron Man film or that Marvel may be delayed in meeting its lender's conditions for funding the Iron Man film under its film slate facility. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in Marvel's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Marvel's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

 

Former Miss USA Shanna Moakler to Guest Host Premiere Episode of 'THE FASHION TEAM' on TV Guide Channel

Hosted by Fashion Insider David Evangelista and Quick-Witted Comedian Daphne Brogdon, 'THE FASHION TEAM' Will Premiere Tuesday, October 10 at 8:00 P.M. ET/PT

--(Business Wire)-- Oct. 10, 2006 TV Guide Channel -0-

Who:      Model, actress and "Dancing with the Stars" competitor

Shanna Moakler struts her fashion skills as the first guest  

host of THE FASHION TEAM. 

Moakler will accompany "THE FASHION TEAM's" two regular

hosts, celebrity stylist David Evangelista (Fashion contributor on "CBS Early Show") 

and comedian Daphne Brogdon           (VH1 and CMT).            

The three hosts will take viewers on a trip down New York's           

Fashion Week runways with top designers including Betsy           

Johnson and Diane Von Furstenberg, as well as dish on the           

Red Carpet fashions of Hollywood.  They'll review what's hot           

and what's not from celebrities to everyday people, and even           

critique the styles worn by "Dancing with the Stars"           

contestants.  When:     Tuesday October 10th at 8:00PM ET/PT  What:     

This stylish new weekly talk series will capitalize on TV           

Guide Channel's expertise in covering the colliding worlds           

of Hollywood and fashion.            

Regular segments featured on "THE FASHION TEAM" will           

include: a look at fashion forward TV stars and how their           

on-screen style can spawn real-world fashion trends; fashion           

"hits and misses" from the Red Carpet; and "cheap chic"           

advice on how viewers can dress like stars on a non-designer budget. 

 

Walt Disney Pictures' THE LITTLE MERMAID Splashes Again on Platinum Edition 2-Disc DVD

Launches Q4 Topping 4 Million Units in First Week Becoming Best Animated October DVD Debut and Biggest Platinum Series Debut

Oct. 10, 2006 In its first week of availability, Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Platinum Edition 2-Disc DVD release has become the best animated October DVD debut ever with sales topping 4 million units in retail sales in North America, it was announced today by Bob Chapek, President of Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment. Enthusiastic consumers who made this the #1 most-requested Disney animated classic have waited seven years to embrace this Platinum Edition 2-Disc DVD, making it the biggest debut of any Platinum series title.

Chapek commented, "THE LITTLE MERMAID is one of the treasures of the Disney vault and it is wonderful to see so many of our consumers respond to this long-awaited release making it the most well received Platinum title yet." He added, "The remarkable success of this film on DVD is a testament to the timeless and cross-generational appeal of this cherished classic. It also presents strong evidence that DVD and the Digital space can coexist in a healthy and dynamic environment...and that is good for the industry overall."

Available for the first time in seven years and the first time ever on a two-disc "Platinum Edition" DVD, this enchanting, music-filled adventure goes 'under the sea' and soars to new heights with bonus features for the whole family. Included is the new "Under The Sea Adventure: A Virtual Ride" (based on an actual Disney Imagineering concept); extensive background on the ride; a new "Kiss The Girl" music video performed by "High School Musical" sensation Ashley Tisdale; a new "Treasures Untold" making-of featurette about the film's history, creators and famous music, new Disney Feature Animation short film "The Little Match Girl" based on another one of "Little Mermaid" creator Hans Christian Andersen's classic tales; never-before-seen deleted scenes, and much more. THE LITTLE MERMAID ignited an animation renaissance at Disney and around the world, and this celebrated classic sparkles as never before with an all-new digital restoration and the all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix.

Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Platinum Edition commemorates the eighth release of a Walt Disney Home Entertainment Platinum Edition, the exclusive collection of some of Walt Disney's greatest animated films and is available for a limited time only.

About Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. A subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios, Buena Vista Worldwide Home Entertainment Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for all Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista DVDs.

 

EA Ships SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME on November 20

The Ultimate Open-World Super-Hero Experience will be Available for Xbox 360, Current Generation Platforms and Handheld Systems in Time for the Holidays

Oct. 10, 2006 Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) will ship SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, on November 20. The game, which features storylines from both the Warner Bros. Pictures' film Superman Returns and more than 60 years of DC Comics' content, is being developed by EA's Tiburon Studio in Orlando, Fla., the award-winning studio that develops Madden NFL football, the most popular sports franchise in videogame history. SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME is the ultimate open-world super-hero experience and will be released on the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system, as well as current generation platforms.

See firsthand what it is like to be Superman in the first multi-dimensional open world game, where you can go anywhere in the 80 square miles of Metropolis, from the street up into the clouds. Revolutionary new flight mechanics gives the player full command of all your aerial maneuvers. As Superman, the player must protect Metropolis from the most well-known villains in the DC Comics universe and conquer more than 100 missions that only Superman can overcome including saving Metropolis and its citizens from destruction, battling enemies and saving the planet from natural disasters. Make split-second decisions about which superpowers and moves are best suited to defeat the multitude of enemies. The game will feature all the classic superpowers, but learning to master all of them during flight and combat will take work -- even for Superman.

SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME ships November 20 and will be released on the Xbox 360, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R), Nintendo DS(TM). The version shipping for the Game Boy(R) Advance is titled, SUPERMAN RETURNS: FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE(TM). The game is rated "T" (Teen) by the ESRB for the PlayStation 2 console, Xbox and Xbox 360. It is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB for the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. More information can be found at http://www.besuperman.com.

ABOUT ELECTRONIC ARTS

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2006, EA posted revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

ABOUT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Inc., a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is a premier licensor and a developer of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including consoles, PC-based gaming and wireless applications.

ABOUT DC COMICS

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' Web site is located at http://www.dccomics.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. (TM), (R), Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo.

SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) DC Comics.

 

Global Star Software Announces Dora the Explorer: Dora's World Adventure! Video Game Now Available at Major Retailers in North America

Title Based on Nickelodeon DVD Release and Television Event Comes to the Game Boy(R) Advance

Oct. 10, 2006 Global Star Software, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), today announced that Dora the Explorer(TM): Dora's World Adventure! for Game Boy(R) Advance is available at major retailers in North America. The game creates a new interactive experience based on the Dora The Explorer World Adventure! October DVD release and hour-long primetime television special airing next month on Nickelodeon, the number-one-rated basic cable network. Fans of the award-winning preschool series can interact with Dora and her pal Swiper as they travel around the world to save International Friendship Day.

"We're excited to launch our newest Dora video game in conjunction with this major Nickelodeon media and product initiative," said Steve Lux, vice president of publishing for Global Star Software. "We're joining a world-class lineup of manufacturers, including Fisher Price, Random House Books and Nick Records, in bringing Dora's World Adventure! products to retail this holiday season."

In the game, players team up with Dora and Swiper to return the Friendship Bracelets that Swiper swiped in France, Tanzania, Russia and China! As they journey from Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China, they meet new friends from around the world along the way.

"We worked closely with our partners at Global Star to ensure Dora's World Adventure! for Game Boy Advance was the perfect interactive companion to our DVD and on-air movie," said Paul Jelinek, vice president, digital media products of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "From Dora's actual voice in the game to learning to say 'hello' in four languages, Dora's World Adventure! has something for Dora fans of all ages."

The Dora The Explorer World Adventure! DVD will be released on October 10, followed by the primetime television special, Dora's World Adventure on Sunday November 19 from 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. The video game promotion will be included in "Stuff Ads" created by Nickelodeon, radio and online ads, in-pack in Nick Jr. fall release DVD's, and in co-promotions with other manufacturers. The game will also be featured in the 2006 Toy Industry Association Toy Wishes Holiday Preview.

Dora the Explorer: Dora's World Adventure! has a suggested retail price of $19.99. It was developed by Black Lantern Studios, Inc. and is rated E for everyone. For more information please visit http://www.globalstarsoftware.com.

About Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation(R) game console, PlayStation(R)2 and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment systems, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Xbox(R) and Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Nintendo DS(TM) and Game Boy(R) Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K and 2K Sports, and Global Star Software; and distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two also manufactures and markets video game accessories in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region through its Joytech subsidiary. The Company maintains sales and marketing offices in Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, Geneva, London, Paris, Munich, Madrid, Milan, Sydney, Breda (Netherlands), Auckland, Shanghai and Tokyo. Take-Two's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

(TM), (R) and Game Boy Advance are trademarks of Nintendo. (C) 2001 Nintendo.

About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the third largest licensing business in the world and represents such properties as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The department handles the merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

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 International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them. The Company has no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary significantly from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of factors. These risks and uncertainties include the final conclusions of the Special Committee and the Board of Directors concerning matters related to the Company's stock option grants, including, but not limited to, the accuracy of the stated dates of option grants and whether all proper procedures were followed, the impact of any restatement of financial statements of the Company or other actions that may be taken or required as a result of such reviews; the timing of the completion of the Special Committee's investigation; and the possibility that the Special Committee's investigation or any governmental investigation may reveal issues that the Company does not currently realize exist. In addition, the investigation and possible conclusions of the Special Committee may require additional expenses to be recorded; may adversely affect the Company's ability to file required reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on a timely basis, the Company's conclusions on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, and the Company's ability to meet the requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market for continued listing of the Company's shares; and may result in claims and proceedings relating to such matters, including shareholder litigation and actions by the SEC and/or other governmental agencies and negative tax or other implications for the Company resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors. Other important factors are described in the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2006 in the section entitled "Risk Factors."

 

Noggin Celebrates the Spookiest Day of the Year With Day-Long Halloween Marathon, Featuring Brand-New Episode of Pinky Dinky Doo Tuesday, October 31, 6:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. (ET)

 Oct. 10  Come trick or treat at NOGGIN with your favorite preschool characters! NOGGIN, the commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, will premiere a spooky new episode of the original animated series Pinky Dinky Doo, as part of the network's annual Halloween marathon on Tuesday, October 31 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (ET).

The new Pinky Dinky Doo episode entitled "Tyler Dinky Doo's Big Boo," will premiere at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on October 31. In "Tyler Dinky Doo's Big Boo," Tyler wants to be a scary trick-or-treater in Great Big Spooky City, but all of the spooky monsters and mummies think he's too cute to be scary. Pinky, in the role of the mad scientist, suggests that they turn Tyler's cute costume into something terrifying. With a few tweaks in her laboratory, Tyler ends up with a very scary costume and even wins the 'scariest costume' prize.

The following is NOGGIN's Halloween marathon schedule on Tuesday, October 31 (All times are ET):

Miffy and Friends "Miffy's at a Costume Party" -- 6:30 a.m. ET

Auntie Alice holds a costume party for all her friends. Poppy Pig, Boris and Barbara Bear, Snuffy and Miffy all disguise themselves as each other. They spend the whole afternoon playing, guessing and eating ice cream and cake. When the party is over, Auntie Alice even gives them all a brightly colored balloon.

Dora the Explorer "Boo" -- 8 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. ET

It's Halloween, and Dora and Boots are out trick-or-treating when a cute little monster surprises them. Dora and Boots help the little monster hurry home before the arrow on the big clock strikes 12. It's a spooky journey as we find pumpkins that match to get out of the pumpkin patch, and take a ride on a broomstick through the good witch's forest. We reach the monster house as the clock strikes 12 -- just in time for a Halloween party!

Oobi "Halloween" -- 8:30 a.m. ET

Oobi and Uma go trick or treating. It is Uma's first Halloween, and after Oobi teaches her all of the rituals, Uma takes Kako under her wing and helps him overcome his fear of Halloween.

Little Bear "Goblin Night" -- 9 a.m. ET

It's Goblin Night and Little Bear and his friends are dressed up in their scariest costumes. On their way to the big bonfire they practice scaring each other and do a very good job!

Miss Spider "A Scary Scaly Tale/A Bug-A Boo Day Play" - 10 a.m. ET

A snake has been spotted in Sunny Patch and Miss Spider tells her gang to play close to home. The kids discover a discarded snake skin and, carrying it like a Chinese dragon, go around scaring other bugs. They think it's all great fun until Miss Spider catches them. When the real snake shows up, it's up to mom to save the day. Using the skin, she and the kids pretend they are snakes. Miss Spider talks to the real serpent who turns out to be polite, but the scare made the kids realize it's not nice to frighten others.

Max & Ruby "Max's Halloween" -- 10:30 a.m. ET

Ruby wants Max to be a little prince for Halloween but Max wants to be a vampire. Ruby, dressed up as Cinderella, thinks Max will scare grandma when they go trick-or-treating to her house. But it's Ruby who gets the fright when grandma answers the door.

  Maggie & the Ferocious Beast "Trick or Treat" -- 11:30 a.m. ET

   Maggie, Hamilton, Beast and Rudy dress up and go trick or treating.

    Jack's Big Music Show "The Monster Boogie" -- 1 p.m. ET 

Henry is an adorable little monster that doesn't know how to be frightening. His roars and growls are actually quite cute, but Henry's one wish is to be in the scary monster family album. Henry's whole family is scary -- even his baby sister CoCo! Jack, Mary and Mel think scary music can help Henry find his inner scary self. In the end, Henry becomes a super duper scary monster!

Blues Clues "Blues Big Costume Party" -- 2 p.m. ET

It's the day of Blue's costume party and lots of silly spooky things are happening! Magenta doesn't have a costume, so we play Blue's Clues to help her figure out what to wear. All day long our friends visit in their costumes and we use our observation skills to figure out who they are. We count beanbags to help Blue and Magenta determine who won their game of monster toss and skidoo into a picture of a haunted house, where we help Boo observe, think and test ideas so we can find Oogullah Buggla.

  Pinky Dinky Doo "Tyler Dinky Doo's Big Boo" - 3 p.m. ET  

Tyler doesn't want to wear his Halloween costume because he doesn't think it's scary enough. Tyler wants to be a scary trick-or-treater in Great Big Spooky City, but all of the spooky monsters and mummies think he's too cute to be scary. Pinky, in the role of the mad scientist, suggests that they turn Tyler's cute costume into something terrifying. With a few tweaks in her laboratory, Tyler ends up with a very scary costume and even wins the 'scariest costume' prize.

Franklin "Franklin's Halloween" - 5 p.m. ET

Franklin and his friends create costumes for the big party that will end with a walk through Mr. Mole's 'Haunted House' -- alone! Everyone knows Franklin's best friend Bear is the bravest of them all but the big question is who's going to be the 'scaredy-cat?' Franklin has a secret fear that it will be him.

NOGGIN, the commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, currently reaches 52 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite TV. NOGGIN, which airs from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (ET), is like preschool on TV, with educational programming both on-air and online at www.noggin.com. NOGGIN and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Source: Noggin

 

Ericsson Breaks Ground to Provide Multimedia Services for World-Class Television Format Creators Bringiton, Delivering to American Audiences

 Oct. 10 /

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today announced a contract with leading Swedish television format company Bringiton AB to provide its Internet Payment Exchange (IPX) service to the highly anticipated Play Us video gaming docu-drama. Play Us is a ten-part project profiling internationally popular female video gamers "Les Seules" as they take on the world with their gaming prowess.

Ericsson will provide Bringiton with SMS connections to US mobile operators for payment and interaction via the Ericsson IPX service. At present, content providers have access to 90 percent of US mobile subscribers through the service.

Play Us features Les Seules, the Scandinavian all-girl video gaming group and leaders in electronic sport (e-sport), and top online game Counter-Strike(TM), played by more than 100 million people worldwide. MTV Networks has described the format as "the future of youth-oriented programming."

Research shows that mobile phone users want services such as voting and chat via SMS and more interaction with TV programs. This opens up many integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. With the Ericsson IPX solution, Play Us will feature such interactive multimedia services.

"E-sports is the fastest-growing entertainment business today," says Martin Gisselman, CEO of Bringiton. "Young people are technology savvy and demand interactivity so it is important to have content riding on a strong technical backbone. Ericsson's IPX solution is an excellent choice for broadcasters wishing to provide multimedia services."

Global distribution of the Play Us show will be handled by American based Reveille LLC. Emmy Award winning Producer and CEO of Reveille LLC, Ben Silverman, says: "Play Us successfully takes the world-wide gaming phenomenon and gives it a human face. This makes for great story telling that everyone can relate to."

Fredrik Ruben, head of IPX Sales, North America, Ericsson adds: "Bringiton is one of the best new-format developers and we are proud to provide SMS connections to them in, and beyond, the US market."

About Bringiton AB

Bringiton AB is a Swedish media company that focuses on creating television formats. Bringiton's media properties can be experienced not only through television but also through other media delivery channels (platforms) including mobile, radio, internet, gaming and print.

  Read more at: www.bringiton.se    About Ericsson IPX 

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

Ericsson IPX is a non-branded, white-label service that comprises mobile billing and connectivity via SMS, MMS, web and WAP. The premium service, IPX Payment, is available to more than 650 million mobile subscribers in 21 countries, and new markets are being added continuously. With the non-premium service, IPX Messaging, content providers can deliver to and receive SMS messages from mobile subscribers worldwide.

  Read more at:  www.ericsson.com    About Reveille LLC 

Launched in 2002 by Ben Silverman, Reveille's award winning programming includes: "The Office" (NBC); "The Biggest Loser" (NBC); "Blow Out" (Bravo); "Nashville Star" (USA); "30 Days" (FX); "Date My Mom" (MTV); "The Restaurant" (NBC); and "The Club" (Spike) just to name a few. Reveille maintains offices in Los Angeles and New York.

Source: Bringiton AB

 

Oprah Winfrey, Kimberly Elise, Angela Bassett and Ruby Dee Tapped to Present Honors at Film Life’s 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS – A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present & Future, Premiering Wednesday, Oct. 18, on TNT

Tyler Perry Hosting Show, Executive-Produced by Suzanne de Passe and Jeff Friday

 

Oprah Winfrey, Kimberly Elise, Angela Bassett and Ruby Dee will be presenter's at the Film Life's 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS - A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present and Future, airing Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on Turner Network Television (TNT). The gala awards show, hosted by Tyler Perry, recognizes creative achievement by persons of African descent in feature-lenth motion pictures, both in front of and behind the camera, and honors outstanding films portraying the Black experience. It is being executive produced by Suzanne de Passee, CEO of de Passe Entertainment and Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life, Inc. Returning for the second year are Suzanned Coston serving as producer, Ron De Moraes directing and Ruth Adkins Robinson segment producer and writer.

Winfrey will present the Distinguished Career Achievement Award to acclaimed actress Cicely Tyson, recognizing a career that includes such projects as The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Roots and Madea’s Family Reunion, as well as Sounder, for which she earned an Oscar^® nomination.

Elise will also pay tribute to Tyson.  At the 2005 Black Movie Awards, Tyson presented Elise with the Rising Star Award.  Tyson and Elise co-starred in the film Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Dee will present the Ossie Davis Humanitarian Award to Spike Lee, recognizing among other things his work bringing to light the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina through his HBO documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.  Dee and her late husband, Ossie Davis, co-starred in such Lee films as Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever.

Bassett will present her What’s Love Got To Do With It? and Akeelah & the Bee co-star Laurence Fishburne with Excellence in Arts Award.  Fishburne and Bassett are also nominees this year for their work in Akeelah & the Bee.

This marks the second year for the BLACK MOVIE AWARDS on TNT.  Top award nominees for 2006 include Akeelah & the Bee and ATL, each of which earned four nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture, and Inside Man, Madea’s Family Reunion, Something New and Waist Deep, each of which earned three nominations.

Tyler Perry’s movie Madea’s Family Reunion, is a triple-nominee, for Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting (Tyler Perry), Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Lynn Whitfield) and Outstanding Motion Picture. Other Outstanding Motion Picture nominees include Akeelah & the Bee, ATL, Four Brothers, Inside Man and Tsotsi.

Nominees for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role include Presley Chweneyagae (Tsotsi), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots), Tyrese Gibson (Waist Deep), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Shadowboxer) and Denzel Washington (Inside Man).  Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role nominees include Halle Berry (X-Men: The Last Stand), Meagan Good (Waist Deep), Sanaa Lathan (Something New), Queen Latifah (Last Holiday) and Keke Palmer (Akeelah & the Bee).

The 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS will be taped at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 15.  A prominent committee of film critics, entertainment editors and prestigious members of the artistic community choose nominees and recipients of the awards from a list of eligible films released in the U.S. between Aug. 1, 2005, and July 31, 2006.  Jeff Friday, creator of the BLACK MOVIE AWARDS and the American Black Film Festival (www.blackmovieawards.com), has made a name in the film industry by providing opportunities for independent Black filmmakers to showcase their work to an ever-broadening audience through the American Black Film Festival (ABFF).  Since its inception, the ABFF has explored, rewarded and redefined artistic excellence in international Black cinema.  It has grown to be recognized as the #1 film market for Black and urban content.  In addition to its film showcases, the ABFF is committed to nurturing artists in a variety of disciplines and offers educational workshops and seminars for actors, filmmakers and writers throughout the week.

The ABFF, founded in 1997, is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based marketing, media and production company.  Its mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand producing Black movies and related entertainment content.

Back for the second year, Oscar^â nominee Suzanne de Passe will again serve as Executive Producer and Writer. Her long list of award-winning, high-profile shows and specials includes the Emmy^â-winning Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and Motown Returns to the Apollo.  Additionally, she executive-produced The Essence Awards in 2002 and 2003, as well as the annual NAACP Image Awards over a three-year period, concluding in 2003.  She has also executive-produced such memorable television miniseries as Lonesome Dove, The Jacksons: An American Dream, Buffalo Girls, Small Sacrifices and The Temptations.  Her Academy Award^â nomination came for co-writing the screenplay for Lady Sings the Blues.

Turner Network Television (TNT), a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks.  It offers original movies and series, including the blockbuster detective series The Closer, starring Emmy^®, Golden Globe^â and Screen Actors Guild Awards^â nominee Kyra Sedgwick, and this summer’s four-week television event Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King.  TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Without a Trace, Law & Order, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, Charmed and Judging Amy; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards^â; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  TNT is also available in high-definition.

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

 

Tyler Perry to Host Film Life’s 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS - A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present & Future, Premiering Wednesday, Oct. 18, on TNT

 

Cicely Tyson to Receive Distinguished Career Achievement Award

 

Laurence Fishburne Honored Excellence in Arts Award

 

Lady Sings the Blues Slated to be Inducted into Classic Cinema Hall of Fame

Slated to be Inducted into Classic Cinema Hall of Fame

 

Nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture of the Year Include Akeelah & the Bee, ATL, Four Brothers, Inside Man, Madea’s Family Reunion and Tsotsi

 

Suzanne de Passe and Jeff Friday to Executive-Produce Event

 

Complete List of Nominations AttachedTyler Perry - who has wowed audiences with such blockbuster movies as Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion, as well as the popular syndicated series Tyler Perry’s House of Payne - has signed on to host Film Life’s 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS - A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present & Future, presented by Turner Network Television (TNT). The gala awards show, which launched on TNT last year, recognizes creative achievement by persons of African descent in feature-length motion pictures, both in front of and behind the camera, and honors outstanding films portraying the Black experience. This year’s top award nominees include Akeelah & the Bee and ATL, each of which earned four nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture of the Year, and Inside Man, Madea’s Family Reunion, Something New and Waist Deep, each of which earned three nominations.

Film Life’s 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS, executive produced by Suzanne de Passe, CEO of de Passe Entertainment and Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life, Inc., will premiere Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT.

Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson will receive the Distinguished Career Achievement Award, recognizing a career that includes such films as The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, A Woman Called Moses and TNT’s Heat Wave. And Laurence Fishburne, a nominee for his work this year in Akeelah & the Bee, will receive the Excellence in Arts Award.

Sidney J. Furie’s 1972 biographical movie Lady Sings the Blues, which features Diana Ross as jazz legend Billie Holiday, will be inducted into the Black Movie Awards Classic Cinema Hall of Fame. The film, which marked Ross’ motion picture debut, also stars Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor.

Tyler Perry’s movie Madea’s Family Reunion, is a triple-nominee, for Outstanding Achievement in Screenwriting (Tyler Perry), Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Lynn Whitfield) and Outstanding Motion Picture. Other Outstanding Motion Picture nominees include Akeelah & the Bee, ATL, Four Brothers, Inside Man and Tsotsi.

Nominees for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role include Presley Chweneyagae (Tsotsi), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Kinky Boots), Tyrese Gibson (Waist Deep), Cuba Gooding Jr. (Shadowboxer) and Denzel Washington (Inside Man). Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role nominees include Halle Berry (X-Men: The Last Stand), Meagan Good (Waist Deep), Sanaa Lathan (Something New), Queen Latifah (Last Holiday) and Keke Palmer (Akeelah & the Bee).

The 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS will be taped at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 15. A prominent committee of film critics, entertainment editors and prestigious members of the artistic community choose nominees and recipients of the awards from a list of eligible films released in the U.S. between Aug. 1, 2005, and July 31, 2006. . - who has wowed audiences with such blockbuster movies as and , as well as the popular syndicated series - has signed on to host Film Life’s presented by . The gala awards show, which launched on TNT last year, recognizes creative achievement by persons of African descent in feature-length motion pictures, both in front of and behind the camera, and honors outstanding films portraying the Black experience. This year’s top award nominees include and , each of which earned four nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture of the Year, and , , and , each of which earned three nominations.The 2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS will be taped at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 15. A prominent committee of film critics, entertainment editors and prestigious members of the artistic community choose nominees and recipients of the awards from a list of eligible films released in the U.S. between Aug. 1, 2005, and July 31, 2006. Press credentials for the ceremony can be obtained at .

Host Tyler Perry, whose screenplay for Diary of a Mad Black Woman was honored last year in the Outstanding Achievement in Writing category, emerged from the poverty-stricken streets of New Orleans in a remarkable rags-to-riches story. His younger days were troubled, and he suffered from endless abuse from his father. In 1992, inspired by Oprah to write it down, he wrote a series of letters to himself in an effort to find a catharsis for his own childhood pain. Those same letters would eventually evolve to become Perry’s first stage production, the hit musical I Know I’ve Been Changed.

Perry followed that production with Woman, Thou Art Loosed and Behind Closed Doors, both collaborations with Bishop T.D. Jakes. In 2000, he wrote I Can Do Bad All By Myself and introduced 68-year-old Mable "Madea" Simmons, making her a household name across the country. He reprised the character in Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Family Reunion and Class Reunion. In 2004, he wrote and produced Madea’s Christmas Play for Trinity Broadcasting Network, netting huge ratings.

Perry defied the odds in 2005 when the film version of Diary of a Mad Black Woman opened as the #1 movie in America. He followed it in 2006 with equally successful film Madea’s Family Reunion, as well as the stage production Madea Goes to Jail, which sold out for every performance.

Perry continued to set new heights for African-Americans in the entertainment industry this year with the debut of his syndicated comedy series House of Payne, which has scored huge ratings during its ground-breaking test run this summer.

Perry has appeared twice on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where he talked about his childhood and the power of forgiveness. He was nominated for the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for Excellence in Theatre and for MTV’s Breakthrough Man of the Year. He was also named 2004 Black Business Professionals Entrepreneur of the Year.

Jeff Friday, creator of the BLACK MOVIE AWARDS and the American Black Film Festival, has made a name in the film industry by providing opportunities for independent Black filmmakers to showcase their work to an ever-broadening audience through the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). Since its inception, the ABFF has explored, rewarded and redefined artistic excellence in international Black cinema. It has grown to be recognized as the #1 film market for Black and urban content. In addition to its film showcases, the ABFF is committed to nurturing artists in a variety of disciplines and offers educational workshops and seminars for actors, filmmakers and writers throughout the week.

The ABFF, founded in 1997, is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based marketing, media and production company. Its mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand producing Black movies and related entertainment content.

Back for the second year, Oscarâ nominee Suzanne de Passe will again serve as Executive Producer and Head Writer. Her long list of award-winning, high-profile shows and specials includes the Emmyâ-winning Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and Motown Returns to the Apollo. Additionally, she executive-produced The Essence Awards in 2002 and 2003, as well as the annual NAACP Image Awards over a three-year period, concluding in 2003. She has also executive-produced such memorable television miniseries as Lonesome Dove, The Jacksons: An American Dream, Buffalo Girls, Small Sacrifices and The Temptations. Her Academy Awardâ nomination came for co-writing the screenplay for Lady Sings the Blues. Turner Network Television (TNT), a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s destination for drama and one of cable’s top-rated networks. It offers original movies and series, including the blockbuster detective series The Closer, starring Emmy®, Golden Globeâ and Screen Actors Guild Awardsâ nominee Kyra Sedgwick; Saved, a new character-driven drama starring Tom Everett Scott; and this summer’s four-week television event Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Without a Trace, Law & Order, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, Charmed and Judging Amy; broadcast premiere movies; compelling prime-time specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awardsâ; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.

 

 

 

 

 

2006 BLACK MOVIE AWARDS
Nominations

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Presley Chweneyagae (as Tsotsi) - Tsotsi Miramax Films
Chiwetel Ejiofor (as Lola ) - Kinky Boots Miramax Films
Tyrese Gibson (as O2) - Waist Deep Rogue Pictures (Focus)
Cuba Gooding, Jr. (as Mikey) - Shadowboxer Freestyle Releasing
Denzel Washington (as Keith Frazier) - Inside Man Universal Pictures

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Presley Chweneyagae (as Tsotsi) - Miramax Films Chiwetel Ejiofor (as Lola ) - Miramax FilmsTyrese Gibson (as O2) - Rogue Pictures (Focus)Cuba Gooding, Jr. (as Mikey) - Freestyle ReleasingDenzel Washington (as Keith Frazier) - Universal Pictures
Mos Def (as Eddie Bunker) - 16 Blocks Warner Bros. Pictures
Laurence Fishburne (as Dr. Larabee) - Akeelah & the Bee Lionsgate
Jamie Foxx (as Staff Sgt. Sykes) - Jarhead Universal Pictures
Hubert Koundé (as Arnold Bluhm) - The Constant Gardener Focus Features
Jeffrey Wright (as Bennett Holiday) - Syriana Warner Bros. Pictures

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Halle Berry (as Ororo Munro/Storm) - X-Men: The Last Stand 20th Century Fox
Meagan Good (as Coco) - Waist Deep Rogue Pictures (Focus)
Sanaa Lathan (as Kenya McQueen) - Something New Focus Features
Queen Latifah (as Georgia Byrd) - Last Holiday Paramount/Universal
Keke Palmer (as Akeelah) - Akeelah & the Bee Lionsgate

Halle Berry (as Ororo Munro/Storm) - 20th Century FoxMeagan Good (as Coco) - Rogue Pictures (Focus)Sanaa Lathan (as Kenya McQueen) - Focus FeaturesQueen Latifah (as Georgia Byrd) - Paramount/UniversalKeke Palmer (as Akeelah) - Lionsgate

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Angela Bassett (as Tanya Anderson) - Akeelah & the Bee Lionsgate
Rosario Dawson (as Mimi Marquez) - Rent Sony Pictures
Lauren London (as New New) - ATL Warner Bros. Pictures
Lynn Whitfield (as Victoria) - Madea’s Family Reunion Lionsgate
Alfre Woodard (as Joyce McQueen) - Something New Focus Features

Angela Bassett (as Tanya Anderson) - LionsgateRosario Dawson (as Mimi Marquez) - Sony PicturesLauren London (as New New) - Warner Bros. PicturesLynn Whitfield (as Victoria) - LionsgateAlfre Woodard (as Joyce McQueen) - Focus Features

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENWRITING
Tina Gordon Chism - ATL Warner Bros. Pictures
Rob Hardy - The Gospel Screen Gems
Tyler Perry - Madea’s Family Reunion Lionsgate
Kriss Turner - Something New Focus Features
Norman Vance, Jr. - Roll Bounce Fox Searchlight Pictures

Tina Gordon Chism - Warner Bros. PicturesRob Hardy - Screen GemsTyler Perry - LionsgateKriss Turner - Focus FeaturesNorman Vance, Jr. - Fox Searchlight Pictures

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Vondie Curtis-Hall - Waist Deep Rogue Pictures (Focus)
Malcolm D. Lee - Roll Bounce Fox Searchlight Pictures
Spike Lee - Inside Man Universal Pictures
Chris Robinson - ATL Warner Bros. Pictures
John Singleton - Four Brothers Paramount Pictures

Vondie Curtis-Hall - Rogue Pictures (Focus)Malcolm D. Lee - Fox Searchlight PicturesSpike Lee - Universal PicturesChris Robinson - Warner Bros. PicturesJohn Singleton - Paramount Pictures

OUTSTANDING MOTION PICTURE
Akeelah & the Bee (Producers: Laurence Fishburne, Nancy Hult Ganis, Lionsgate
Sid Ganis, Danny Llewelyn, Michael Romersa)
ATL (Producers: Dallas Austin, Jody Gerson, James Lassiter, Will Smith, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins) Warner Bros. Pictures 
Four Brothers (Producer: Lorenzo di Bonaventura) Paramount Pictures
Inside Man (Producer: Brian Grazer) Universal Pictures
Madea’s Family Reunion (Producers: Reuben Cannon, Tyler Perry) Lionsgate
Tsotsi (Producer: Peter Fudakowski) Miramax Films

(Producers: Laurence Fishburne, Nancy Hult Ganis, LionsgateSid Ganis, Danny Llewelyn, Michael Romersa) (Producers: Dallas Austin, Jody Gerson, James Lassiter, Will Smith, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins) Warner Bros. Pictures  (Producer: Lorenzo di Bonaventura) Paramount Pictures (Producer: Brian Grazer) Universal Pictures (Producers: Reuben Cannon, Tyler Perry) Lionsgate(Producer: Peter Fudakowski) Miramax Films

 

Last Show at Legendary New York Club CBGB will be Broadcast Live Exclusively by SIRIUS Satellite Radio

Patti Smith will perform club's last show on Oct. 15

Oct. 10  SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) will broadcast the last performance at legendary New York City rock club CBGB, featuring artist Patti Smith, on Sunday, October 15.

Smith's performance will be broadcast live exclusively on commercial-free SIRIUS music channel 24, SIRIUS Disorder, starting at 9 pm ET.

The famed club is closing following unsuccessful rent negotiations with its landlord. News of its demise has prompted worldwide press coverage and sparked several campaigns to save the musical landmark. Tickets to the October 15 final show with Smith were sold out in 8 minutes, according to CBGB's founder and owner, Hilly Kristal.

Smith, who has been called "punk rock's poet laureate" and is considered one of rock music's most influential and significant artists, first played CBGB in February 1975. She said, "Although we mourn the closing of CBGB, we should remember CBGB, not merely as a place. It is a state of mind."

Since its 1973 opening, many thousands of music lovers have flocked to the Bowery bar that became famous as the birthplace of American punk music. Although Kristal originally intended to present country, bluegrass and blues music shows (which the letters CBGB stand for), the club became known for pioneering performances by New York rock and punk acts including Smith, Television, Blondie and The Ramones, to name a few. The only "rule" regarding playing CBGB was that a band or artist had to play all-original music, and its small stage hosted artists of many genres through the years.

Freeform channel 24, SIRIUS Disorder, was created and is programmed by longtime New York radio DJ Meg Griffin. The channel features adventurous music for grownups, from a diversity of styles and eras, and is where shows hosted by radio veteran Vin Scelsa and musicians David Johansen, Larry Kirwan (Black 47), Marky Ramone and The Kennedys can be heard.

  For more information about SIRIUS, visit www.sirius.com.    About SIRIUS 

SIRIUS, "The Best Radio on Radio," delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NBA and NHL and broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.

SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com.

SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep(R), Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country.

Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription.

Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties, including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and programming partners, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites

 

Sierra Entertainment Partners With GameTrailers for 'Show Us Your F.E.A.R.' Contest

Fans to Create Short Films and Vote Online

Oct. 10 / Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games and GameTrailers, a division of Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks, today announced that they have partnered to bring the "Show Us Your F.E.A.R." user-generated movie contest to F.E.A.R. fans everywhere. The competition, which calls for the creation and submission of unique short films showcasing their greatest fears, features a grand prize offering of $1,000.

Made available through the official F.E.A.R. Web site (www.fearfans.com) and GameTrailers (www.GameTrailers.com), the "Show Us Your F.E.A.R." contest kicked off on October 5 and challenges fans to develop a creative, scary video that demonstrates the true meaning of "fear." Entrants can also submit machinima shorts using the F.E.A.R. video game. On October 24, GameTrailers will announce five to ten finalists and give viewers the opportunity to vote for their favorites. In addition, the finalists will be featured on IFILM's (www.IFILM.com) gaming channel. Voting will end on October 29 and the contest winner will be revealed on October 31, Halloween Day. In addition, contest finalists and winners will be featured in a "GT Weekly" special that goes live November 4 on GT.

"We are excited to team up with GameTrailers on this innovative contest which will not only deliver a $1,000 cash prize, but is sure to result in some pretty frightening films," said Cindy Cook, chief strategy and marketing officer for Vivendi Games. "Already an award-winning product on PC, the contest allows F.E.A.R. fans the opportunity to explore their creative side and become part of the F.E.A.R. universe in anticipation of the title's next-generation console launch this November."

"F.E.A.R. brought something fresh to FPS gaming by incorporating truly sophisticated horror elements. By hosting this contest during the Halloween season, we expect some terrifying movies from our creative and dedicated community," said Jon Slusser, vice president of GameTrailers. "Our users take a lot of pride in their work, and having such a high-profile property will absolutely bring out the best in them."

Already a critical and commercial smash hit on the PC, F.E.A.R. will deliver a new level of FPS game play to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with brand new 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.

For additional information on the "Show Us Your F.E.A.R." contest, including Official Rules and online registration, please visit www.fearfans.com, the official F.E.A.R. Web site or GameTrailers at www.GameTrailers.com. All video submissions will be screened prior to being posted to the site.

Rated 'M' for Mature, Sierra Entertainment's F.E.A.R. is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360(TM) gaming and entertainment system from Microsoft on November 7 and the PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system on November 17.

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 Xbox 360

Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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 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.

About GameTrailers

GameTrailers (GT) is the premier online destination for broadcast quality videogame media. GT delivers timely, high resolution broadband video content for gamers that includes product features and reviews; video game movie trailers; GameTrailers Television (GTTV) coverage of news and events; interviews with industry thought leaders, and more. GT has a robust community that features user-generated content, so gamers can talk to friends and share media such as fan movies, machinima and daily blogs. GT has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom, is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 100 interactive properties worldwide, including GameTrailers.com, IFILM, Neopets, Xfire, Y2M, and online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: Sierra Entertainment

 

Satisfied Timeshare Users Spend More Than Travelers

According to a new study by The American Resort Development Association International Foundation (AIF), Conducted by Ragatz Associates, timeshare has improved the vacation experience for owners. The vast majority of all owners (80.3 percent) express satisfaction with their timeshare purchase; 75.7 percent say owning a timeshare has increased their looking forward to vacations, and 68.4 percent say owning a timeshare has increased the amount of time on vacations. And, the study found that about 25 percent of recent buyers expressed interest in purchasing additional timeshares.

Howard C. Nusbaum, ARDA's president and CEO, said "The study findings... show that timeshare owners are committed travelers and savvy purchasers. By attracting a steady stream of repeat visitors who stay longer and spend more than the average traveler, timeshare resorts accrue a host of economic benefits to the surrounding region."

According to the study:

• The average timeshare visitor spends 8.6 nights per vacation in the resort area where their timeshare is located
• The average timeshare party spends $1,334 per timeshare vacation
• The average size of timeshare visitor parties is 3.8 persons

Of all owners:

• 35.8 percent personally used their own timeshare purchase during the past 12 months
• 47.4 percent exchanged or space banked it
• 4.4 percent rented it out
• 2.9 percent gave it away
• 9.5 percent of time owned by all owners went unused during the last 12 months

The study found that the average recent buyer attended 2.6 sales presentations before making a purchase. Of recent buyers, 57.4 percent purchased directly from a developer; 24.9 percent purchased from a home owners' association; 10.5 percent acquired their timeshare as a gift, inheritance, or from some other source; and 7.2 percent purchased from a pervious owner.

Most attractive resort area characteristics (% of recent buyers)
Attractions, entertainment	61.0%
Ocean beach	50.3
Mountains	36.2
Lake	24.2
History, culture	23.8
Golf	22.1
Tropics	20.1
Gaming, gambling	14.8
City, urban	13.2
Snow skiing	11.9
Desert	9.5
Source: AIF, September 2006

 

 

Warner Bros. Records - From Movies to Music Row

By Tom Roland

 

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

One of the stereotypes of the entertainment business is that every actor wants to sing, and every singer wants to act. Strangely enough, Warner Bros. (WB) fought the temptation from its very beginning as a motion picture company, waiting some three decades to establish a record label for good, and nearly two decades longer before making a commitment to Nashville. Today, the Warner Bros. Nashville Country division remains one of only a handful of labels that survived the consolidation of the late-1990s and early-21st century.

With nearly 80 years of hindsight, the seeds of WB's foray into Country Music can be detected in Warner Bros. Pictures' first film product. It may have been called "The Jazz Singer," but the movie featured Al Jolson singing "Blue Skies," a song that Willie Nelson would eventually turn into a Country hit.

To be accurate, WB did make a move into the music business when it purchased Brunswick - the bowling ball maker - in 1930. Brunswick also had a label but the purchase came during the Great Depression and was a financial disaster, so WB unloaded it within just a few years.

It wasn't until 1958 that the company jumped back into the business with its own label, and even then it was tentative. Within two years, WB cut staff by more than 75 percent, and it appeared doomed. The one thing that saved the firm was a Nashville duo - The Everly Brothers. Los Angeles-based chief Wade Conkling wanted the act badly, believing it was the one thing that could keep his company from imploding. He pieced together a $1 million deal in 1960, and within months, "Cathy's Clown" was on its way to No. 1.

That same year, WB experienced its first Country hit, Bob Luman's "Let's Think About Living," but the company would not have another until 1973's "Dueling Banjos." At that point, WB began a commitment to Music City, eventually establishing an office in 1975.

With early leaders such as producers Frank Jones, Chips Moman and Norro Wilson and transplanted Englishman Andrew Wickham, WB made inroads by signing Rex Allen Jr., John Anderson, Donna Fargo, Emmylou Harris, Buck Owens, T.G. Sheppard and Margo Smith.

The label played off its Bugs Bunny connection with some success and managed to keep a comparatively casual atmosphere, reflecting the attitude in its home office located in Burbank, Calif.

Through several deals that pre-dated its Nashville office, WB entered Nashville as one-third of the WEA distribution company, which also included the Elektra and Atlantic record labels. Atlantic had attempted only briefly in the early '70s to open a Music City branch, with its only lasting contribution coming with the release of Nelson's Phases and Stages album.

Elektra had established a Nashville division in 1973, first finding success with Eddie Rabbitt and Hank Williams Jr., with Jimmy Bowen heading the company beginning in 1978.

In 1983, a consolidation leveled Elektra, and Bowen ended up in charge of a combined roster that featured such acts as Anderson, The Bellamy Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Rabbitt, Conway Twitty and Williams Jr. Bowen convinced West Coast producer Jim Ed Norman - who had successfully turned out Country hits for Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee and Anne Murray - to relocate with the understanding he would likely end up running the label.

That happened within a year when Bowen bolted for MCA, establishing a remarkable tenure. Norman, the former WB VP of A&R, flourished as WB's Nashville chief, remaining for two decades. Norman, who began his career in the early '70s as a keyboardist in Shiloh, a band that included guitarist Richard Bowden and drummer Don Henley, produced a number of the label's acts, including Gary Morris, Michael Martin Murphey and Southern Pacific - and proved broad-minded in selecting artists for the roster.

For example, during Country's pop-inflected mid-'80s, he oversaw the additions of a full-bodied harmony group, The Forester Sisters; the Buck Owens-inspired Bakersfield artist Dwight Yoakam; and deep-voiced traditionalist Randy Travis. His reign would also include the signings of Faith Hill, Little Texas and Travis Tritt. 

But WB also stepped outside of typical Nashville boundaries, releasing a series of cowboy albums on Warner Western, providing a home for jazz-leaning Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, building an enclave of comedians such as Bill Engvall and Jeff Foxworthy , and netting a handful of adult-contemporary hits with singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Norman left in 2004, with Bill Bennett - formerly of Madonna's Warner-affiliated Maverick label - taking the post. Shortly before Bennett's arrival at WB, the label's Chief Creative Officer, Paul Worley, signed eclectic duo Big & Rich.

In a sort of full-circle moment, Norman completed his two-decade stretch with WB in June 2004, one month to the day before "The Stepford Wives" opened in theaters. The picture put the division's best-selling artist, Hill, back where the company began: on the silver screen.

Warner Holdings
Through a series of mergers and deals, Warner Bros.' catalog represents numerous labels with their own interesting histories:

.Reprise Records, established by Frank Sinatra in 1961 and merged with Warner two years later. The label launched Emmylou Harris and Dwight Yoakam to the mainstream, and also released Kenny Rogers' pre-Country work with The First Edition.

.Atlantic Records, originally created as a jazz label in 1947, became a significant pop label in the '60s, but never made a lengthy commitment to Country until 1989. Atlantic provided a recording home for Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy and John Michael Montgomery during their initial years.

.Asylum Records, founded by David Geffen, came to prominence with Jackson Browne, The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, building a stand-alone hub in Nashville during the '90s with Lila McCann, Kevin Sharp and Bryan White.

.Giant Records, created by Eagles manager Irving Azoff, earned its biggest success with Clay Walker and the 1994 CMA Album of the Year Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, though it also provided a starting place for Daryle Singletary and Blake Shelton.

.Curb Records, an independent company owned by Mike Curb, currently distributes its music through Warner. Curb's roster includes Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina LeAnn Rimes, former WB act Trick Pony and Wynonna.

.Raybaw Records (an acronym for Red and Yellow, Black and White) is a new label created by Big & Rich to showcase their fellow MuzikMafia members including Cowboy Troy and James Otto. John Anderson is also on the label and whose new album is being produced by Rich.

.The current Warner Bros. Nashville roster includes John Anderson, Big & Rich, Shannon Brown, Joanna Cotton, Faith Hill, Rick Huckaby, Lauren Lucas, Lori McKenna, Lance Miller, Ray Scott, Blake Shelton, Randy Travis, Rick Trevino, Lane Turner and The Wreckers (Michelle Branch & Jessica Harp). Comedy acts include Blue Collar Comedy, Henry Cho, Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy, Lisa Lampanelli, Larry the Cable Guy, Kathleen Madigan, Ralphie May, Russell Peters and Brad Stine.

On the Web: www.wbrnashville.com

 

New Artist Spotlight: Henry Cho
By Peter Cronin

© 2006 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.

A Korean comic with a Southern accent released an album on a Country label. Sound unlikely? Not to Henry Cho.

Having grown up in East Tennessee, this fast-rising standup comic hasn't met a stereotype he couldn't debunk. Onstage and off, Cho has made a career of defying expectations. While the combination of his Asian countenance and distinctly Southern way of speaking has been surprising people and making them laugh since his college days, Cho has never uttered a four-letter word during his comedy routine. That alone makes him stand out among the current crop of standup comics, but Cho comes to the table with much more than just another family-friendly act. His resume, which lists the requisite dates at the nation's top comedy clubs and TV appearances including "The Tonight Show," MTV's "Half-Hour Comedy Hour," NBC's "Bob Hope's Young Comedians" and CBS' "Designing Women," also highlights his roles in films including "McHale's Navy" and the Farrelly Brothers' "Say It Isn't So."

Cho is very familiar and very comfortable with Country audiences since opening for Vince Gill and Amy Grant on tour. And with his Country/comedy labelmates Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall, Cho feels right at home at his new label.

This year, fans are able to catch Cho on Comedy Central as he stars in his own one-hour comedy special, "What's That Clickin' Noise?" Warner Bros. released a DVD and a CD of the show on July 18. On the big screen, the comedian/actor starred opposite Hilary Duff and Angelica Houston in "Material Girls," which hit theaters nationally on Aug. 25.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

What CD is on your stereo right now?
"A Vince Gill CD."

What book is on your nightstand?
"The Camel Club by David Baldacci."

What is your pet peeve?
"People who feel they're 'entitled.'"

What actor would portray you in a biopic about your life?
"Me."

Which mode of transportation do you prefer - planes, trains or automobiles? "Trucks."

When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?
"That I was a great husband and father and a decent golfer."

On the Web: www.choindustries.com

 

 

The USA Film Festival/Dallas Announces Programs for October 2006

"Catch A Fire," "The Queen," "Little Children"

 October 10, 2006 -- This month, USA Film Festival/Dallas will present screenings of three of this year's most critically-acclaimed films.

"CATCH A FIRE"

With special guests director Phillip Noyce ("Patriot Games," "The Quiet American," "Rabbit-Proof Fence") and other guests of the film in attendance; a Q&A session will follow the film. Starring Tim Robbins, Derek Luke and Bonnie Henna, director Phillip Noyce brings the riveting true story of real-life hero Patrick Chamusso, a black South African family man living in that country's early 1980s apartheid system. The Festival will screen the film in Dallas on Sunday, October 15, 2006.

"THE QUEEN"

With star Michael Sheen (who portrays Tony Blair) in attendance; a Q&A session will follow the film. Acclaimed director Stephen Frears' ("The Grifters," "Dirty Pretty Things") last film, "Mrs. Henderson Presents," garnered an Academy Award nomination for Judi Dench, and it seems likely that his new film "The Queen" will do the same for the venerable Helen Mirren. The film focuses on the interaction and struggle between HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair following the death of Diana and their attempts to reach a compromise on behalf of the Royal family's wish for privacy and the British people's desire for a more public mourning. The Festival will screen the film in Dallas on Monday, October 16, 2006.

"LITTLE CHILDREN"

From director Todd Field ("In the Bedroom") and featuring Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly, the film centers around the intersecting lives of a group of young married couples. Powerful, funny and scathing in its depiction of modern society, parenting and human desire, Field's unflinching film marks a mature and worthy second feature. The Festival will screen the film in Dallas on Wednesday, October 18, 2006.

For information on how to attend these screenings, contact the USA Film Festival at usafilmfestival@aol.com or 214-821-6300.

The USA Film Festival presents monthly screenings with filmmaker guests in attendance as part of its year-round schedule of programs and events.

The USA Film Festival is a Dallas-based, non-profit organization dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in the film and video arts.

The USA Film Festival is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs.

 

Media 100 Ships Version 11.5
Delivering FireWire I/O, Panasonic P2 support and support for HDV

Marlborough MA – October 10, 2006 - Media 100, a leading provider of advanced editing systems for the corporate, broadcast, postproduction, and multi-media industries, today announced the release of Media 100 version 11.5. “We have heard from many existing Media 100 customers and they are thrilled with the renewed commitment by Media 100 to optimize their investment. The 11.5 release is a giant step forward in streamlining the Media 100 workflow – allowing users to leverage key technologies from Panasonic and integrate with greater ease popular third-party applications,” comments Boris Yamnitsky, president, Media 100. “The Media 100 system is incredibly popular within the post community and we will continue to improve the Media 100 architecture so our customers can realize the return on their investment and maintain maximum productivity.”

Highlights of the 11.5 point release include;

• Support for FireWire I/O
Utilizing Pure DV, Media 100 users have the ability to capture to DV or any supported Media 100 codec and then output to native DV in real-time - a unique benefit to Media 100 version 11 systems.
• Support for Panasonic P2 Format
Real-time acquisition of Panasonic P2 material gives Media 100 users yet another format to work with natively.
• Support for HDV
Leveraging the HD-Connect SI box from Convergent Design brings affordable conversion of HDV to HD/SD-SDI. This powerful box includes cross (1080i <-> 720p) as well as down conversion to SD (in anamorphic, letterbox or edge-crop). The versatile box supports Sony, JVC and Canon formats and enables Media 100 customers using version 11.5 to capture HDV.

The New Media 100 Family of Products
Shipping since June 2006, the new Media 100 version 11 product line offers 10-bit uncompressed HD and SD editing capabilities, support for broadcast-quality format conversions, and increased system performance leveraging Mac OS X® and AJA Video OEM solutions. The version 11 systems also represent the first step towards native integration with the Boris FX product line, bringing the world-class compositing and effects technology seamlessly within the Media 100 interface.

Support for Apple Intel-based Macs
Media 100 HD Suite, Media 100 HDe, and Media 100 SDe will be qualified for Apple® Intel-based Macs in January 2007.

Pricing and Availability
Starting at a price point of $2495.00 USD, the Media 100 product line is available through the Media 100 worldwide reseller channel or direct through Media 100 at www.media100.com. Valid Platinum Support contract holders receive the Media 100 version 11.5 update for free. Platinum contracts are valid for 12 months and cover upgrades for all software releases including the Apple Intel-based Mac support update due out in Q1 2007.

For more information about Media 100 products, please visit the web site at www.media100.com. For product imagery please contact Janice Dolan at janice@zazilmediagroup.com.

About Media 100
Media 100, a division of Boris FX, is a leading provider of advanced editing systems for the corporate, broadcast, post production, and multi-media industries. Featuring the most intuitive and easy-to-learn NLE interface, the company’s product lines include Media 100 HD Suite, HDe, SDe and software only editing solutions; Media 100 Producer and Producer Suite. For more information, visit www.media100.com.

Press Contact
Zazil Media Group
Janice Dolan
617.817-6595
janice@zazilmediagroup.com

 

Cute Is What We Aim For Say Hi to North America

Pop Punk Sensations to Join Hellogoodbye for Major Tour; Band Chosen as AOL "Breakers" Artist as Critical Acclaim Continues to Roll In

 October 10, 2006 -- Fueled By Ramen recording group Cute Is What We Aim For has unveiled details of their upcoming North American tour. The energetic Buffalo, New York-based quartet -- whose acclaimed debut album, "THE SAME OLD BLOOD RUSH WITH A NEW TOUCH," recently entered the record books as the fastest-selling release in the 10-year history of the Fueled By Ramen label -- will join Hellogoodbye for dates running through late November. The six-week itinerary kicks off tomorrow, October 11th, at Las Vegas' House of Blues, and then criss-crosses the continent through a November 23rd visit to the Boardwalk in Orangevale, California (see attached itinerary). Among the trek's highlights is an eagerly awaited hometown return, slated for the Buffalo Icon on October 29th, followed by a two-night stand at New York City's Irving Plaza on October 30th and 31st. The multi-artist bill will also include such artists as Ozma, Peachcake, David Mellilo, and Reggie and the Full Effect on selected dates.

Cute Is What We Aim For is quickly emerging as one of 2006's rising acts. The band was just named one of Rolling Stone's "10 Artists to Watch," and was included on Blender's annual "Hot 100" ranking. In addition, CIWWAF has been selected as one of AOL® Music's Breakers, marking them as one of AOL Music's picks for the most promising, innovative, emerging artists. Throughout the season, the band will be showcased on AOLMusic.com, as well as across the AOL® Music and Radio Networks.

"THE SAME OLD BLOOD RUSH WITH A NEW TOUCH" was released this past June to critical celebration. "The epitome of emo circa 2006," raved the New York Times' Kelefa Sanneh, "fizzy, clever, self-aware, slightly obnoxious... (The) album is wildly self-reflexive, full of lyrics poking fun at emo conventions... These songs are tightly packed with twists and turns and -- yes -- singalongs... Cute Is What We Aim For has released the emo album of the summer."

CIWWAF was recently profiled in Alternative Press, after having been included earlier this year in the mag's "21 & Under" listing. The band were recipients of SPIN.com's "Band of the Day" honors, and have been featured on an installment of MTV's influential "You Hear It First!," as well as on MTV, MTV2, mtvU, Fuse, and Music Choice. Online, the band has seen its faithful fan following continuing to grow via such outlets as PureVolume, LiveJournal, and MySpace, with cumulative streams now approaching a stunning 10 million.

Cute Is What We Aim For -- singer Shaant, guitarist Jeff Czum, bassist Fred Cimato, and drummer Tom Falcone -- came together in January 2005, driven by the four members' desire to cast their own upbeat spin onto modern pop. The band's bedroom demo recordings were posted at a variety of online sites and quickly lit up broadband connections coast-to-coast, earning the young combo widespread national exposure within months of their formation.

Produced by Matt Squire (Panic! At The Disco, Thrice), "THE SAME OLD BLOOD RUSH WITH A NEW TOUCH" abounds with contagious energy, flaunting Cute Is What We Aim For's distinctive gift for brightly brash melodies and endlessly witty turns of phrase. Described by Shaant as "power pop with intellectual lyrics," exuberant songs such as "I Put The 'Metro' In Metronome" and the animated first single, "There's A Class For This," see the singer flipping though his virtual diary to unleash canny couplets detailing anxious post-adolescent introspection as well as his own observations on life, love and the teenage class struggle.

 

Extra's" Jon Kelley to Co-Host the 2006 LA Fashion Awards

October 10, 2006 -- The always impeccably dressed "Extra" weekend host Jon Kelley has been tapped to co-host the second annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards sponsored by Saturn and Los Angeles magazine on Friday, October 20th at the Orpheum Theatre. A favorite of the Hollywood elite, Kelley joined NBC's "Extra" in 2001. Known for his sophisticated wardrobe as well as his engaging interview style, Kelley was the natural choice to host the Awards. States Kelley, "I have to admit, I'm both flattered and humbled to be asked to jump on board with the 2nd LA fashion Awards as co-host. Style, cutting edge flavor and innovation are just a few of the words that describe what Los Angeles injects into the wide world of fashion. From Hollywood icons to the biggest names in the designing industry, this city nurtures and inspires people and the clothes they wear all around the world. I'm excited about the event and I have no doubts this will definitely be a bash to remember. Cheers and congratulations to all the nominees." Although Kelley can easily hold his own, he's in search of a gorgeous co-host to help him entertain the audience.

Sixteen California fashion leaders will be recognized, seven will receive Awards and three are scheduled to show capsule collections on the runway at the second annual LA FASHION AWARDS. The annual event is perfectly timed to wrap LA Fashion Week and mark opening day of Market Week in LA's fashion district.

The Nominees and Honorees of the 2006 LA FASHION AWARDS:

MAFI (Moss Adams Fashion Innovator) Award

nominees:

Juan Carlos Obando

Rozae Nichols

Society for Rational Dress

Marketing Excellence Award nominees:

Collection Bebe

Joe's Jeans

Kitson

l.a. Eyeworks

Quiksilver

Fashion Retailer Award nominees:

American Rag Cie

decades & decadestwo

Kitson

Satine

Wells Fargo Century Fashion Achievement Award:

Monique Lhuillier

Fashion Communications Award

Stylist Arianne Phillips

Inspiration Award

Gen Art

NASDAQ California Apparel Stock of the Year Award:

Charlotte Russe

Select tickets to the event are available to the public at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers including Robinson's-May, Tower Records, Wherehouse Music, Tu Musica, and Ritmo Latino Stores and online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone, call 213.480.3232. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Chrysalis, www.changelives.org.

SATURN is the presenting sponsor of the second annual Los Angeles Fashion Awards. Moss Adams LLP, Wells Fargo Century, NASDAQ and FedEx lead the slate of additional sponsors, which includes Design Tonic, WGSN, Market Wire, FTC Commercial Corporation, Traction Press, Clear Image Printing, Cloutier Agency, Much and House PR, Evolutionary Media Group, Santee Village Lofts, LA Fashion District BID, Directives West, Biotherm and Paul Mitchell. The Standard, Downtown LA and Hotel QT are the Official Hotel Partners. The Scottish Fashion Awards are special friends of the event, with a creative cultural exchange program established earlier this year. Glass artist Caleb Siemon is the Award designer, and Tattooed Steel has provided custom jewelry to commemorate the event.

Several fashion and business not-for-profit membership organizations, including the California Fashion Association (CFA), Fashion Business Incorporated (FBI), Fashion Group International of Los Angeles (FGI-LA), LA Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (LAACC) and the World Trade Center Association (WTCA) endorse the event. Los Angeles magazine is the presenting media partner. Surface magazine, California Apparel News, LA.com and LA Weekly are among the media sponsors. Reception providers include Sauza Tequila, Cruzan Rum, Plymouth Gin, Courvoisier Cognac and Starbucks Liqueur. A California Wine Bar will feature Wente Vineyards, Tamas Estates and Murrieta's Well labels with custom wine glasses supplied by Bormioli Rocco Glass Co. Delicious appetizers provided by Pane e Vino, Duxbury's, Tiara Café, Chocolate Box and other top LA restaurants. HINT Essence Water will provide refreshment. DJ Crash will design the music.

SATURN

Within the next year Saturn will double the number of entries in its portfolio with the SKY roadster, VUE Green Line hybrid, all-new AURA sports sedan, the turbocharged SKY Red Line, the eight-passenger OUTLOOK crossover utility vehicle as well as the AURA Green Line hybrid. More information can be found at www.saturn.com.

LOS ANGELES magazine

Los Angeles magazine is the leading authority and indispensable guide for the affluent and influential population of Southern California, illuminating and chronicling one of the most important regions in the world. The combination of award winning feature writing, investigative reporting, service journalism and design covers the people, lifestyle, culture, entertainment, fashion, art/architecture and news that defines Southern California. Since 1961 the magazine (now a division of Emmis Communications) has continually served as the definitive resource for a population that is intensely interested in a lifestyle that is uniquely Southern Californian. www.lamag.com

MOSS ADAMS, LLP

The tenth largest accounting and consulting firm in the U.S., Moss Adams offers specialized accounting, tax, financial and business advisory services to clients in industry groups such as apparel, manufacturing and distribution, technology, hospitality, professional services and financial institutions. www.mossadams.com

WELLS FARGO CENTURY

Wells Fargo Century is one of the largest factors in the country, providing a creative, entrepreneurial approach to factoring and trade finance, with the financial strength and stability of one of the nation's most respected financial institutions. The company has financed growing apparel companies for more than 50 years. http://www.wfcentury.com

NASDAQ

NASDAQ is the largest U.S. electronic stock market. With approximately 3,200 companies, it lists more companies and, on average, trades more shares per day than any other U.S. market. For more information about NASDAQ, visit the NASDAQ website at www.NASDAQ.com or the NASDAQ Newsroom at www.NASDAQnews.com.

DESIGN TONIC

Design Tonic is a boutique design and marketing agency specializing in branding, marketing, public relations, events, and environments for fashion and style-oriented companies. For more, visit www.designtonic.com or call 213.687.3100.

WGSN

WGSN (Worth Global Style Network) is the world leader in online fashion trend analysis. Owned by Emap plc, one of the UK's leading media companies, WGSN is based in London with offices across the globe including: New York, Los Angeles, Brazil, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Continuously tracking the market's mood is WGSN's strength, whether analyzing catwalks, covering the major trade shows, following real-time information or forecasting major apparel trends. www.wgsn.com

MARKET WIRE

Market Wire is the industry leader in using the latest technologies to distribute real-time news, reaching all leading newspapers, broadcast outlets, financial newswires, disclosure points, analyst terminal systems, websites and online databases. www.marketwire.com

THE STANDARD & HOTEL QT

The Standard, Downtown LA and Hotel QT are the Official Hotel Partners of the LA Fashion Awards. The Standard, Downtown LA, sister hotel to André Balazs' The Standard Hollywood and the recently opened Standard Miami, sets the standard for young business and fashion-savvy travelers with a famed rooftop bar and pool with breathtaking views of Los Angeles. Hotel QT, Balazs' "newest affordable New York crash pad" in the heart of Times Square, boasts innovative design features such as a lobby swimming pool, bunk beds, and European-style Kiosk. www.standardhotel.com and www.hotelqt.com.

For more information, please visit www.LAFashionAwards.com

 

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