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First-ever India Sourcing Fair: Home Products opens in Hong Kong today

2009-04-19T22:06:00.001-07:00

First-ever India Sourcing Fair: Home Products opens in Hong Kong today

The only trade show dedicated to Indian suppliers to be held outside of India

HONG KONG, April 20 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- The first-ever India Sourcing Fair: Home Products opens today at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong and runs until April 23. The show is organized by Global Sources (NASDAQ:GSOL) ( http://www.globalsources.com/ ), a leading B2B media company in Asia, to cater to the growing demand for Indian products. The Fair is the only trade show held outside of India dedicated entirely to Indian suppliers.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b )

Global Sources' Executive Director, Sarah Benecke, said: "Through the India Sourcing Fair: Home Products, we are giving Indian suppliers a very effective global marketing platform to show their products to some of the world's largest importers. The Fair is perfectly timed to coincide with one of Hong Kong's busiest sourcing periods, when tens of thousands of international volume buyers descend on the city to source products from Asia.

"On the visitors' side, we are giving buyers more product choices and more innovative suppliers. Buyers will be able to source metalware; glassware; kitchenware; home decor; coir products; steel & plastics; home textiles; arts & crafts; leather products; and bamboo & cane handicrafts that are uniquely Indian in style. The show will be co-located with the China Sourcing Fairs: Home Products and Baby & Children's Products, which gives buyers even more choice."

Indian suppliers are responding positively to this new show. Metal Trends Partner, Moonis Ghayur, said: "The India Sourcing Fair is a great solution for us. We are glad that there is an international trade fair in Hong Kong dedicated to Indian suppliers where we can show our world-class products. Hong Kong is an important location to hold this show, as thousands of international volume buyers from new and existing markets visit this key re-export city every year. We need to meet these buyers if we are to survive the current financial downturn. Thanks to Global Sources for thinking of this."

All three shows are expected to attract leading volume buyers, many of whom are participating in the Private Buyer Meetings held exclusively at the Fairs. In these meetings, buyers choose from a list of exhibitors pre-selected by Global Sources and then meet with them on-site in private to discuss product specifications and production requirements. Among the participants this April are Atico, Coles Group, Dollar General, Halfords, LG Sourcing and Li & Fung.

India Sourcing Fair goes to Dubai in June

The next stop for the India Sourcing Fair ( http://tradeshow.globalsources.com/TRADESHOW/DUBAI-INDIA-SOURCING-FAIR- HOMEPRODUCTS.HTM ) (Note: If the URL above wraps to a second line, paste both lines into the browser.) is Dubai from June 14-16, 2009. Dubai is the gateway to a market of 150 million consumers in 40 countries and regions that include the Middle East, the Russian Federation and Africa.

Benecke said: "We are taking Indian suppliers to the world's top sourcing centers, particularly Hong Kong and Dubai, to give them access to the leading buyers. In this economy, it is important for suppliers to branch out and seek new markets."

Buyers and suppliers can find more information about the shows at India Sourcing Fair ( http://www.india-sourcingfair.com/ ).

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China. The core business uses English-language media to facilitate trade from Greater China to the world. The other business segment utilizes Chinese-language media to enable companies to sell to, and within Greater China.

The company provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers. It helps a community of over 790,000 active buyers source more profitably from complex overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing the most effective ways possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in over 240 countries.

The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. It delivers information on 4.3 million products and more than 196,000 suppliers annually through 14 online marketplaces, 13 monthly magazines, over 100 sourcing research reports and 11 specialized trade shows which run 32 times a year across 11 cities.

Suppliers receive more than 53 million sales leads annually from buyers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com/ ) alone.

Global Sources has been facilitating global trade for 38 years. Global Sources' network covers more than 69 cities worldwide. In mainland China, Global Sources has over 2,800 team members in more than 44 locations, and a community of over 1 million registered online users and magazine readers for Chinese-language media.

Global Sources Press Contact in Asia
Camellia So
Tel: +852-2555-5021
Email: cso@globalsources.com

Global Sources Press Contact in U.S.
James W.W. Strachan
Tel: +1-480-664-8309
Email: strachan@globalsources.com

Global Sources Investor Contact in Asia
Investor Relations Department
Tel: +852-2555-4777
Email: investor@globalsources.com

Global Sources Investor Contact in U.S.
Kirsten Chapman & Timothy Dien
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
Tel: +1-415-433-3777
Email: tdien@lhai.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b
PR Newswire Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Global Sources

CONTACT: Press contact in Asia: Camellia So, +852-2555-5021,
cso@globalsources.com; Press contact in U.S.: James W.W. Strachan of Global
Sources, +1-480-664-8309, strachan@globalsources.com; Investor contact in
Asia: IR Department of Global Sources, +852-2555-4777,
investor@globalsources.com; Investor Contact in U.S.: Kirsten Chapman &
Timothy Dien of Lippert-Heilshorn & Associates, Inc., +1-415-433-3777,
tdien@lhai.com, for Global Sources

Web site: http://www.india-sourcingfair.com/
http://www.globalsources.com/

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Profile: Media News

Two new specialized China Sourcing Fairs open today at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

2009-04-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

Two new specialized China Sourcing Fairs open today at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

Co-located China Sourcing Fair: Baby & Children's Products returns to
AsiaWorld-Expo with nearly 50% more booths

HONG KONG, April 20 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- In response to demand from volume buyers, Global Sources (NASDAQ:GSOL) ( http://www.globalsources.com/ ) launched two new shows today at AsiaWorld- Expo -- China Sourcing Fair: Home Products and India Sourcing Fair: Home Products. These two specialized events will be co-located with China Sourcing Fair: Baby & Children's Products, which has nearly 50% more booths than the inaugural show in spring 2008. All three Fairs will run until April 23.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b )

The three Fairs showcase a total of 1,500 booths from 9 countries and regions. The vast majority of exhibitors at the China Sourcing Fairs are from Greater China. The India Sourcing Fair is the first of its kind outside of India, and features 100 booths of high-quality, decorative and functional home products from India.

Global Sources' Executive Director, Sarah Benecke, said: "The China Sourcing Fair: Home Products replaces our China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Home Products, which is being split into China Sourcing Fair: Home Products and China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Premiums for the first time this year, in response to buyers' demands for greater specialization and more efficient sourcing. Our new China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Premiums opens next week.

Benecke added: "Consumer behavior has changed and buyers are modifying their sourcing strategies. However, buyers still need to replenish their inventories and need to source products that sell in today's market. The two new home products Fairs will give buyers much more choice, as they can now source from both Greater China and India.

"Despite the challenging times, buyer pre-registrations are strong across all three shows. Companies signed up include Atico, Auchan, Coles Group, Creata, Dollar General, Halfords, LG Sourcing, Li & Fung, Playtex and Sears."

As well as two new shows, Global Sources has organized many on-site activities. These include:

-- "How to source from India" seminar by Shri Ajay Sahai, Director
General, Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
-- "The harmonization of toy safety trends" seminar by Julian Kwok,
Technical Manager, SGS Hong Kong.
-- Home Textiles Collection. A selection of around 50 products will
feature in this new collection in Hall 10.
-- Baby & Children's Products World. Around 60 selected products will be
showcased to buyers in Hall 10.
-- Vendor Summits. Participating companies include A. S. Watson and Dollar
General.
-- Private Buyer Meetings. These are exclusive to exhibitors at the China
Sourcing Fairs and involve large global companies meeting pre-selected
suppliers in private during the shows. This April's meetings are
scheduled to be lead by Atico, Auchan, Caben, Coles Group, Creata,
Dollar General, Halfords, Id Group/Okaidi, Klin, Li & Fung, LG
Sourcing, Pacific Access -- Migros, Playtex and Sears.

Buyers at the China Sourcing Fair: Home Products show can source from convenient specialized pavilions covering kitchenware; glassware & tableware; ceramics & porcelain; household products; storage; laundry & cleaning products; bathroom products; health & personal care products; arts & crafts; home decor; oil paintings & wall decorations; home textiles; garden & outdoor; table lamps & decorative lighting; furniture & furnishings and sports & leisure. Buyers at the India Sourcing Fair: Home Products can expect to find uniquely Indian lines including metalware; glassware; kitchenware; home decor; coir products; steel & plastics; home textiles; arts & crafts; leather products and bamboo & cane handicrafts.

At the China Sourcing Fair: Baby & Children's Products, buyers can find baby and children's garments; bedding; furniture; safety products; footwear; fashion accessories; baby care & bath products; baby feeding products; baby travel products; outdoor play equipment; children's masks & costumes and toys, games & puzzles.

Show dates for 2009
China Sourcing Fair: Home Products
(http://tradeshow.globalsources.com/TRADESHOW/HONGKONG-HOME-PRODUCTS.HTM )
April 20-23 AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong
June 14-16 Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE
Oct. 20-23 AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

India Sourcing Fair: Home Products

(http://tradeshow.globalsources.com/TRADESHOW/HONGKONG-INDIA-SOURCING- FAIR-HOMEPRODUCTS.HTM ) (Note: If the URL above wraps to a second line, paste both lines into the browser.)

April 20-23 AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong
June 14-16 Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE

China Sourcing Fair: Baby & Children's Products

(http://tradeshow.globalsources.com/TRADESHOW/HONGKONG-BABY-CHILDREN- PRODUCTS.HTM ) (Note: If the URL above wraps to a second line, paste both lines into the browser.)

April 20-23 AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong
Oct. 20-23 AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

Buyers and suppliers can find more information about the upcoming Fairs at China Sourcing Fair ( http://www.chinasourcingfair.com/ ) and India Sourcing Fair ( http://www.india-sourcingfair.com/ ) .

About Global Sources

Suppliers receive more than 53 million sales leads annually from buyers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com/ ) alone.

Global Sources Press Contact in Asia
Camellia So
Tel: +852-2555-5021
Email: cso@globalsources.com

Global Sources Press Contact in U.S.
James W.W. Strachan
Tel: +1-480-664-8309
Email: strachan@globalsources.com

Global Sources Investor Contact in Asia
Investor Relations Department
Tel: +852-2555-4777
Email: investor@globalsources.com

Global Sources Investor Contact in U.S.
Kirsten Chapman & Timothy Dien
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
Tel: +1-415-433-3777
Email: tdien@lhai.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b
PR Newswire Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Global Sources

Web site:
http://tradeshow.globalsources.com/TRADESHOW/HONGKONG-HOME-PRODUCTS.HTM
http://www.chinasourcingfair.com/
http://www.india-sourcingfair.com/
http://www.globalsources.com/

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Profile: Media News

TODAYshow.com and Zumobi Launch New iPhone and iPod Touch Application

2009-04-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

TODAYshow.com and Zumobi Launch New iPhone and iPod Touch Application

Free App Delivers the Day's Top Video and News Stories from the Online Home of America's #1 Morning Program

NEW YORK, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- TODAYshow.com and Zumobi today unveiled the official TODAY application for the iPhone and iPod touch, offering millions of consumers access to the program's leading news, entertainment and lifestyle content, right from their mobile device. This application is a first-of-its-kind for the morning news program category and represents a compelling new way for TODAY viewers to enjoy content from America's number-one morning program for 13 years running. The free application, available now in the iTunes App store, delivers videos, top stories and photos from popular TODAY topics, including interviews with newsmakers and features on health, food and wine, entertainment, relationships and fashion.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090420/LA01137)

"This fun new app lets millions of consumers stay connected to the lifestyle content they love, even when they're on the go," said Catherine Captain, general manager of TODAYshow.com. "The mobile app also presents another way for marketers to reach our highly engaged audience on another platform."

"For years, the Today Show has been the undisputed leader in morning television, drawing an incredible loyal audience of TV viewers day in and day out," said Ken Willner, CEO of Zumobi. "We are absolutely delighted to bring both the high-quality of TODAY's programming and the power of the Today Show brand to The Zumobi Network."

TODAY is presented in a vibrant design with an innovative zooming user interface that is engaging and simple to navigate. The iPhone and iPod touch application brings TODAY's digital content to the next level by putting it in the pockets and purses of the show's viewers. The TODAY mobile app is free, and iPhone and iPod touch users can download it from the iTunes App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=309546027&mt =8.

The TODAY app is part of The Zumobi Network, which offers a variety of entertaining, informative and useful mobile media applications to enjoy on next-generation smartphones.

About TODAYshow.com

TODAYshow.com is the online home for America's #1 morning show. The site is the first stop for consumers interested in news, advice and lifestyle information of all kinds. In addition to interviews and tips from NBC's TODAY show, the site offers a behind-the-scenes blog with anchors and regular expert columns on everything from food and wine to travel, fashion and relationships. TODAYshow.com also offers original web-only reporting and interactive features to help make sense of the latest news and trends. The site's message boards, blogs and user-generated content connect members of the TODAY community and allow visitors to share advice and opinions.

About Zumobi

Zumobi is a leading mobile media company that designs, develops and distributes branded applications for next-generation smartphones. Zumobi's portfolio of mobile applications comprises The Zumobi Network, which provides innovative and comprehensive solutions for brands, media properties and consumers to connect and engage. For more information, please visit www.zumobi.com.

Zumobi Contacts:
Cindy Spodek Dickey Kirsten Woodard or Valerie Christopherson
Vice President - Marketing GRC for Zumobi
+1 206-269-1111 +1 949-813-8481
cindy@Zumobi.comZumobi@globalresultspr.com

TODAYshow.com Contact:
Gina Stikes
+1 212-664-7403
gina.stikes@msnbc.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090420/LA01137
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Zumobi

CONTACT: Cindy Spodek Dickey, Vice President - Marketing of Zumobi,
+1-206-269-1111, cindy@Zumobi.com; or Kirsten Woodard or Valerie
Christopherson, both of GRC, +1-949-813-8481, Zumobi@globalresultspr.com, for
Zumobi; or Gina Stikes, +1-212-664-7403, gina.stikes@msnbc.com, for
TODAYshow.com

Web Site: http://www.zumobi.com/

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Profile: Media News

Brightcove and Adobe Expand Strategic Alliance and Further Adoption of the Adobe Flash Platform

2009-04-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

Brightcove and Adobe Expand Strategic Alliance and Further Adoption of the Adobe Flash Platform

Companies Collaborate to Enhance Video Quality and Content Protection on the Web

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and LAS VEGAS, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the 2009 NAB Show, Brightcove Inc., a leading online video platform, and Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) announced an expanded strategic alliance to deliver best-in-class online video solutions for Brightcove customers around the world. As part of the alliance, both companies will collaborate on technology and services that will enhance the quality of online video experiences, accelerate the development of content protection for rich media using Adobe Flash technology, and facilitate desktop tool integration to streamline online video workflows. Additionally, the companies intend to work together to offer interoperability between the Adobe open media player framework code-named "Strobe", announced today (see separate Adobe press release), and the Brightcove online video platform.

"Brightcove is the online video platform for hundreds of major media companies in 27 countries, each with unique market demands and increasingly complex requirements around quality and security," said Jeremy Allaire, CEO, Brightcove. "Extending our collaboration with Adobe provides these media companies with unparalleled choice and control over video experiences and distribution on the Web. Together, Adobe and Brightcove will deliver a truly unique value proposition to the online video market."

With this expanded strategic alliance, Adobe and Brightcove offer one of the most powerful and comprehensive solutions for broadcasters and media organizations to deliver secure, up to HD-quality, long-form content to consumers through standard Web browsers without the need for non-standard software plug-ins or proprietary technology stacks.

"Adobe has a long history of driving innovation for rich, engaging media and video experiences on the Web," said Jim Guerard, vice president and general manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe. "Expanding our successful long-term collaboration with a market leader like Brightcove and its significant global reach will further accelerate the adoption of the Adobe Flash Platform, and pave the way for new initiatives like Adobe Strobe, our open and extensible media player framework."

The collaboration between the two companies will focus on four strategic areas:

-- Long form media delivery - The companies plan to collaborate to help
publishers of premium content take full advantage of the dynamic
streaming, encryption, and H.264 delivery capabilities of Adobe Flash
Media Streaming Server 3.5 software to deliver up to HD-quality video
experiences through the Brightcove platform. The broad reach of the
Brightcove platform and its use among top publishers and media outlets
worldwide will help accelerate the adoption of these features to more
rapidly advance the online video industry.
-- Content Protection for video viewed via the Adobe Flash Platform - The
companies are working on a plan to enable content owners to prevent
abuse while offering an outstanding end user experience.
-- Integration with Adobe Creative Suite(R) 4 Production Premium -
Brightcove and Adobe plan to collaborate to better integrate Adobe
Creative Suite 4 Production Premium software, including the powerful
Adobe Media Encoder, with the Brightcove platform to streamline online
publishing workflows while preserving valuable metadata.
-- "Strobe" - The companies plan to work together to ensure
interoperability between the Adobe open media player framework, based
on the Flash Platform, and the Brightcove online video platform.

Brightcove and Adobe plan to announce a series of ongoing initiatives as part of their strategic alliance later this year. The alliance also provides a framework for marketing and sales activities between the companies to ensure effective field-level collaboration worldwide.

Brightcove to Present in Adobe Booth at NAB Show

NAB Show attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about Brightcove's use of the Adobe Flash Platform. Brightcove Senior Vice President of Marketing Jeff Whatcott will present "Attract, Retain and Monetize Your Online Audience using the Adobe Flash Platform" in the Adobe Booth (SL3320), Monday April 20th thru Wednesday April 22nd at 3:00 P.M.

About Brightcove

Brightcove is an online video platform. Media companies, businesses and organizations worldwide use Brightcove to publish and distribute video on the Web. Founded in 2004, Brightcove is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business with offices across North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.brightcove.com/.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

(C) 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Creative Suite, and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Brightcove Inc.

CONTACT: Sandra Nakama of Adobe Systems Incorporated, +1-415-832-4053,
snakama@adobe.com; or Susan Puccinelli of A&R Edelman, +1-650-762-2926,
spuccinelli@ar-edelman.com, for Adobe; or Erika Shaffer, +1-206-972-5514,
erika@sutherlandgold.com, for Brightcove, North America; or Sheena Riviera,
+44 20 8392 4064, sheena.riviera@axicom.com, for Brightcove, Europe

Web Site: http://www.brightcove.com/
http://www.adobe.com/

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Profile: Media News

I say...Jeeves is Back!

2009-04-19T16:02:00.001-07:00

I say...Jeeves is Back!

LONDON, April 17/PRNewswire/ --

- Due to Popular Demand, Ask Jeeves Returns to the UK, With More Answers
Than Ever Before

Internet search engine Ask.com today brings back its iconic butler Jeeves
after extensive research revealed users missed his friendly, human touch. His
return caps an extensive programme of radical improvements to the search
engine, which from today returns to its original name, Ask Jeeves, in the UK.

Cesar Mascaraque, managing director of Ask Jeeves Europe, said: "As part
of our strategy to provide a unique and differentiated search experience, we
are thrilled to be welcoming Jeeves back in the UK. Since he has been gone,
we have focused hard on improving the areas of the site we know our users
care most about - the speed, the look, and the relevancy of the search
results.

"We know from increased retention levels, that our users prefer the
improved site. And, in times like these we know our users are looking for
answers for practical everyday needs like saving money and how to feed a
family on a budget.

"We also know from research that they love Jeeves and strongly associate
him with providing answers. Jeeves brings warmth and humanity to the search
experience, and thanks to the enhancements we have made to our site, he is
even better at providing answers than ever before so bringing him back is a
perfect fit."

Ask Jeeves was originally created in 1997 with the Jeeves figure able to
answer specific questions typed in to the search engine using groundbreaking
new technology. Named after the all-knowing butler to the bumbling character
Wooster in the PG Wodehouse tales, Jeeves embodies the spirit of British
resourcefulness.

Jeeves left the site in 2006 but he is now back to serve the company's 15
million UK monthly users. A recent YouGov poll* found the majority of
respondents wanted Jeeves back as the face of the search engine, that they
missed the human touch Jeeves provides, and that they closely associate him
with providing answers. The company's regular customer research has also
found huge support for bringing back Jeeves.**

Cesar Mascaraque said, "Our users have emphatically told us that they
find Jeeves enhances their search experience - adding character to what can
otherwise be a very functional experience. They see Jeeves as approachable
and trustworthy and, above all, helpful."

To bring Jeeves up to date for the 21st Century, he has been given a full
makeover by Oscar-winning animation and visual effects experts, Framestore
whose recent work includes The Golden Compass and Chronicles of Narnia.
Jeeves returns as a 3D character, complete with new styling from top Savile
Row tailors, Gieves and Hawkes who designed his new suit and tie. He can also
be found on Twitter and Facebook where he will be posting daily questions of
the day as well as accompanying images, videos and diaries.

The Ask Jeeves comeback is being promoted via a comprehensive marketing
campaign including TV, Radio, Press, Online and Promotions which will build
on Jeeves' association with providing fast and relevant answers to everyday
questions. For example, in the TV advertising break after Hell's Kitchen,
Jeeves will appear in an advert featuring the question "Why do onions make
you cry?"

Jeeves will also be staging regular "Question of the Day" events based on
the top questions being asked on the site. For example, this week Jeeves will
be hosting a free lunch event to answer the question "is there such a thing
as a free lunch" and teaming up with celebrities to answer the question, "how
can I look good for less."

From today, users will have a choice of URL to reach Ask Jeeves -
http://ask.com, http://ask.co.uk, http://askjeeves.com and
http://askjeeves.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

Ask Jeeves is the 10th largest Internet brand in the UK,
reaching 39% of the Internet population [source ComScore]. Ask Jeeves in the
UK has 15 million unique users per month, while Ask.com in the US has 75
million unique users per month.

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
Total sample size was 2,086 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th -
12th June 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been
weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

**Ongoing ForeSee satisfaction surveys

Source: Ask.com

For further information, please contact: Nadia Kelly, PR Director, nadia.kelly@ask.com, +44-(0)7738-184378. Anna Skerten, PR Manager, anna.skerten@ask.com, +44-(0)7990-634586

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Profile: Media News

No Longer Just a Nation of Dog Lovers...Reptiles Leave Fido Standing!

2009-04-19T00:01:00.001-07:00

No Longer Just a Nation of Dog Lovers...Reptiles Leave Fido Standing!

LONDON, April 19/PRNewswire/ --

- Reptiles, Amphibians and Invertebrates top Britain's pet Population

8 million pet tortoises, turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, newts,
salamanders, not to mention spiders and stick insects, have now become the
UK's largest pet population - ahead of cats (7 million) and leaving dogs well
behind (5 million).

Herpetologist and writer David Alderton, editor of the new Practical
Reptile Keeping magazine, is in no doubt that the trend is here to stay:
"More and more people are fascinated by the idea of sharing their lives with
a pet that adds a new dimension, and while asking little more than the right
living conditions, provides education and entertainment.

"There is a reptile, amphibian or even an insect for everyone, and the
choice of colours, size, lifestyle and so on is virtually endless. Compared
with a dog or a cat, they can be much more economical, and of course they are
much lower maintenance," he says.

Practical Reptile Keeping- the first ever monthly magazine aimed
specifically at owners of exotic pets including snakes, lizards, tortoises,
amphibians and bugs - goes on sale on April 17 2009. The magazine is designed
to help owners and would-be owners learn more about their hobby, with news,
features on healthcare, vivarium set ups, and hints and tips from current
owners.

For those who find the idea of reptiles and others indoors still a little
too much, there will also be regular features on how to make your garden more
wildlife friendly, and why frogs, toads, lizards and snakes are a gardener's
friend.

Summing up, David says: "Until now, there hasn't really been a single
source of information for fans of these wonderful creatures. Practical
Reptile Keeping will help owners and those who want to know more keep their
pets in the best way possible, and we hope it will help raise the profile for
these pets with panache!"

Practical Reptile Keeping, published by Kelsey Publishing, is on sale
now, cover price GBP3.00, and is available from WHSmith, Sainsburys, Asda and
newsagents throughout the UK, as well as selected pet shops including Pets at
Home.

Notes to editors:

About David Alderton: David is a well-known author and journalist
specializing in pets and natural history. Trained as a veterinary surgeon,
allergic dermatitis forced him to change his career. With over 50 published
titles, David's books have sold over six million copies and been translated
into 30 different languages.

About Kelsey Publishing: Kent-based Kelsey Publishing is the UK's fastest
growing top 30 magazine publisher (retail sales value 2008 vs 2007), with a
portfolio of 26 magazines aimed at hobbyists. Market leading titles include
Practical Poultry and Tractor & Machinery as well as Classic Car Weekly,
Jaguar Enthusiast, Grow It!, and Running Fitness.

Source: Practical Reptile Keeping

For further press information, reptile photography, or an interview with David - and a selection of exotic pets if required! - please contact: Cressy Brooks, Practical Reptile Keeping PR, +44(0)1303-872933 / +44(0)7876-162461, cressybrooks@gofast.co.uk

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Profile: Media News

Bestselling Author Lisa Lillien to Sign and Discuss 'Hungry Girl 200 Under 200' at Borders Aventura April 21

2009-04-17T14:01:00.001-07:00

Bestselling Author Lisa Lillien to Sign and Discuss 'Hungry Girl 200 Under 200' at Borders Aventura April 21

Who:

Lisa Lillien is a New York Times bestselling author and the creator of the Hungry Girl brand. She is the founder of hungry-girl.com, the worldwide phenomenon daily email service that entertains and informs hungry people everywhere. Through the popularity of her emails, Lillien has developed such a zealous following that now major food brands court her endorsement, follow her advice, and are creating products based on her recommendations. She has also become a watchdog and whistle blower when it comes to nutritional statistics in products and restaurant dishes--she even takes food to a lab to check its nutritional information when she thinks a manufacturer may be fudging the numbers. With over a half million copies in print, her first book, "Hungry Girl," remained on the New York Times best seller list for several months. According to Nielsen BookScan, it was one of the top selling cookbooks of the year, outselling books from Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart.

What:

Lillien will discuss and sign copies of her new cookbook "Hungry Girl 200 Under 200." Featuring 49 gorgeous photos of dishes that will make your mouth water, the book is packed with 200 rockin' guilt-free recipes for delicious snacks, desserts, drinks, mini meals, and more, each with fewer than 200 calories. Told with Hungry Girl's signature wit and sassy style, these recipes are as fun to read as they are to make--and nutritional information is included for all 200 of them!

When:
Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m.

Where:
Borders - Aventura
19925 Biscayne Blvd
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 935-0027

Media Contact:

Media interested in covering this event should contact Matt Schweers at (678) 447-2688 mschweer@bordersgroupinc.com

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )

/PRNewswire -- April 17/

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO
Source: Borders

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Profile: Media News

PJTV Attendance Count for Tea Parties Passes 540,000

2009-04-17T13:03:00.001-07:00

PJTV Attendance Count for Tea Parties Passes 540,000

Pajamas TV Documents the Tea Parties with the Help of Over 600 Citizen Reporters

LOS ANGELES, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pajamas TV (www.pjtv.com) announced today that its current attendance count for the April 15 tea parties has surpassed 540,000. That number will continue to rise as Pajamas TV tabulates additional reports. Over 600 citizen reporters filed text, video, and cell phone reports for Pajamas TV on tax day. Following the tea party protests, the Pajamas TV citizen reporter program has grown to include nearly 700 volunteer journalists.

"By any measure, the April 15 tea parties are a historic event and Pajamas TV has become the place of record for documenting the tea party movement," said Pajamas Media CEO and Co-founder Roger L. Simon. "We have committed significant resources to document this movement from both a reporting and attendance point of view. Pajamas TV is already planning to cover the additional tea parties that are being scheduled for July 4."

Attendance Passes 540,000

Pajamas TV has been tabulating attendance data for the tax day tea parties since they began. By the evening of Thursday, April 16 that number had reached 541,568. The latest numbers are available at www.pjtv.com along with breakouts of the top events, top states, and a map view (http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=map) of attendance by state. A PDF file detailing tea party attendance by location is available at http://tinyurl.com/teapartyattendance.

The numbers are based on 40 percent or 350 of the 879 events registered in the PJTV database. The numbers came to Pajamas TV directly from the field and include accounts from organizers, police, and citizen reporters. "The top 40 events represent about 257,000 attendees and our last 20 reports average about 1,000 per event. It's highly possible that the total attendance number is between 800,000 and 1 million," Simon noted.

Pajamas TV Coverage of the Tea Parties

The PJTV coverage included reports from its locations in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York, and Tennessee. In addition, over 600 citizen reporters were active on tax day. These reporters submitted photos, videos, cell phone, and even live wireless reports back to the Pajamas TV studio headquarters in Los Angeles.

In addition to its coverage of the tea parties which centers on the public outcry regarding America's financial direction, Pajamas TV is continuing its effort to quantify the financial impact on the next generation. Its Generational Theft contest offers a prize of $20,000 for college students and their professors.

About Pajamas TV

Pajamas TV (www.PJTV.com) is a conservative and center-right Internet TV company. Working with conservative think tanks and bloggers, Pajamas TV started production in September 2008 as the first online TV venture to be given a sky box at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. The Pajamas TV headquarters studio is located in El Segundo, Calif., with remote studio locations in New York, Washington, and Jerusalem. In addition, PJTV brings in many contributors via web cams.

Source: Pajamas TV

CONTACT: Megan Franko (ext. 148), or Romney Beebe (ext. 118), both for
Pajamas TV, +1-703-683-5004

Web Site: http://www.pjtv.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information or to schedule an interview with a Pajamas TV representative, contact Megan Franko (ext. 148) or Romney Beebe (ext. 118) at (703)-683-5004.

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Profile: Media News

Piracy: Old Crime in New Century

2009-04-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

Piracy: Old Crime in New Century

World's Leading Authority on Piracy Offers Insight

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The capture and rescue of Maersk Alabama's Captain Richard Phillips and the continued brazen hijacking spree by Somali pirates has riveted the world. For Angus Konstam, one of the world's leading authorities on piracy, the drama was an old tale in new clothing. In his recent book, Piracy: The Complete History (Osprey), Konstam connects the dots between the colorful age of piracy popularized by "Pirates of the Caribbean" and modern piracy. Konstam, who has written over 50 books on naval warfare and piracy, reminds readers that despite their romantic image, pirates were always dangerous and disruptive. He explains, "I enjoyed the Jack Sparrow movies as much as the next person, but they're pure fiction. You see how it took the full force of the U.S. government and its navy to ward off this current threat. Such has it always been in the war against piracy and pirates."

In Piracy: A Complete History, Konstam reveals how this is not the first time pirates have plagued shipping in the Indian Ocean. He writes, "Much like today, in the late 1690s through the 1720s, the Indian Ocean was the most lucrative pirate destination in the world. They found a pirate's dream--rich and poorly protected prizes, a range of suitable hideaways to evade pursuers, and a collection of European trading companies too busy fighting each other to worry about the threat of pirates."

Konstam cites several successful campaigns against piracy giving clues on to how to attack the current problem. "Modern-day pirates now enjoy all the advantages of technology--radios, radar, satellite navigation, automatic weapons and high-performance boats. As in the past, there is a lack of regulation on the high seas due to a shortage of interest, international goodwill and resources. A concerted international effort will be required to rid the world of this scourge." Konstam adds, "Just as today, successful pirates have always been a daunting threat."

Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Konstam, who studied at the Universities of Aberdeen and St. Andrews, is a former naval officer, an underwater archeologist and museum curator. He advised the archeologists excavating Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge, appears nationally on TV and is featured on PBS's "Secrets of the Dead: Blackbeard's Lost Ship," April 22, 2009.

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.

Angus Konstam | https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=87709

Source: Angus Konstam

CONTACT: Katharine Carroll, Osprey Publishing, New York,
+1-914-788-1005, or mobile, +1-914-715-4777, ktc2000@aol.com

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Profile: Media News

Hill & Knowlton Expands Operations to East Africa in Joint Venture With Scangroup

2009-04-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Hill & Knowlton Expands Operations to East Africa in Joint Venture With Scangroup

NEW YORK, April, 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading international communications consultancy Hill & Knowlton is further expanding its presence in Africa with the launch of a new public relations company in a joint venture with Scangroup Limited. The new company, Hill & Knowlton East Africa Ltd, builds on H&K's already strong representation in Africa and further extends the agency's ability to serve its rapidly expanding client interests in African countries.

Paul Taaffe, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Hill & Knowlton said: "Hill & Knowlton has historically pioneered the development of international public relations and has been an early entrant into several international markets. We believe that Africa is perhaps the last great emerging market opportunity globally, and both our international client base as well as domestic clients in key African markets are seeing strong growth as well as rapid and positive change. While 2009 sees turmoil in some global markets, all the indicators are very positive for Africa and we will be there to guide and advise clients who want to capitalise on the many opportunities on this growing continent."

Hill & Knowlton East Africa Ltd will cover Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and will be headquartered in Nairobi. The creation of the company follows the acquisition of 27.5% in the Scangroup by WPP in 2008. The company will begin operations at the beginning of May 2009.

Dave Robinson, CEO Middle East, Turkey & Africa for Hill & Knowlton said: "The launch of H&K East Africa is an important step in the expansion of our African network. Our focus is on building on and further developing our regional strengths within the African continent that both reflect and adapt to that diversity and provide our clients with appropriate resources, insight and expertise. H&K East Africa will provide us with an important platform for the East African region which we believe will show strong growth in the coming years."

Under the arrangement, Scangroup's existing PR business will run under the joint venture, and all current public relations consultancy work being undertaken by Scanad PR will in future be offered under the H&K East Africa brand. The company will offer full service public relations advice to clients and will benefit from being part of one of East Africa's most prominent marketing communications groups.

Bharat Thakrar, CEO of Scangroup, commented: "We are delighted to extend our collaboration with WPP further with the establishment of H&K East Africa. The East African market is strong and set for a bright future, and our strategy to bring the best of breed brands from across the communications and marketing spectrum to the region is enhanced further with this new joint venture. H&K is one of the most well known and well established PR companies in the world and its unrivalled expertise, extensive network and innovation in public relations best practice will ensure that standards are raised across East Africa and that clients benefit from truly world class advice and support."

About Hill & Knowlton

Hill & Knowlton (www.hillandknowlton.us) is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 74 offices in 42 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP (NASDAQ:WPPGY)(NASDAQ:www.wpp.com), the world's largest communications services groups.

About WPP

WPP is the world's largest communications services group. Through its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services including advertising; media investment management; information, insight and consultancy; public relations and public affairs; branding and identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing and specialist communications. The company employs 135,000 people (including associates) in 2,400 offices in 107 countries. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.

About Scangroup Ltd

Scangroup Limited is the first and only marketing services company to be quoted on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. It is the holding company for advertising agencies Lowe Scanad Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Thompson Kenya, Grey East Africa, McCann Kenya, FCB Tanzania and Red Sky; media planning and buying companies Media Initiative East Africa, Mediacom and Universal McCann; public relations company Scanad Public Relations, event management and experiential marketing company Roundtrip and marketing services research company Millward Brown. For more information please visit www.scangroup.biz.

Source: Hill & Knowlton

CONTACT: Claudine Moore, +1-212-885-0430,
claudine.moore@hillandknowlton.com

Web Site: http://www.hillandknowlton.us/

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Profile: Media News

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to Deliver Keynote Address at 'Unprecedented Federal Debt: Putting Our Fiscal House in Order'

2009-04-17T10:42:00.001-07:00

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to Deliver Keynote Address at 'Unprecedented Federal Debt: Putting Our Fiscal House in Order'

Senator Pete Domenici and Bipartisan Policy Center host panel discussion featuring prominent budgetary experts

WASHINGTON, April 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) will keynote a major symposium on federal debt and its threat to future American economic prosperity sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center and hosted by BPC Senior Fellow former Senator Pete V. Domenici, long-time Chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.

The event titled, "Unprecedented Federal Debt: Putting Our Fiscal House in Order," will occur Wednesday, May 6, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., and will feature some of the foremost experts on federal spending.

Participating will be former Congressional Budget Office Director Robert Reischauer, President of the Urban Institute; former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President of DHE Consulting, LLC; former Senate Budget Committee Staff Director G. William Hoagland, now Vice President for Public Policy at CIGNA; former Comptroller General of the United States, David Walker, now President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation; and former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Fred Bergsten, Director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

A panel discussion on the estimated size of the impending debt, its impact on other parts of the federal budget, and international consequences of financing the debt will be followed by a question and answer period with audience participation.

The symposium is the first major federal debt event sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center, which was established in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell. BPC's goal is to develop and promote bipartisan solutions to the nation's most pressing public policy challenges.

BPC currently conducts projects in the areas of national and homeland security, health care, transportation, energy and climate change, and science policy.

WHO: U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, BPC Senior Fellow Senator Pete V. Domenici and the Bipartisan Policy Center

WHAT: Unprecedented Federal Debt: Putting Our Fiscal House in Order

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Breakfast at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: St. Regis Hotel, Astor Ballroom, 923 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

This event is open to the public, although space is limited. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to jonsurez@bipartisanpolicy.org.

Members of the press wishing to attend, please RSVP to press@bipartisanpolicy.org. Press set-up begins at 8:00 a.m.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:

In 2007, former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell formed the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) to develop and promote solutions that can attract the public support and political momentum to achieve real progress. The BPC acts as an incubator for policy efforts that engage top political figures, advocates, academics, and business leaders in the art of principled compromise. For more information please visit our website: http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/

Source: Bipartisan Policy Center and National Commission on Energy Policy

CONTACT: Eileen McMenamin of the Bipartisan Policy Center and National
Commission on Energy Policy, +1-202-379-1633, emcmenamin@bipartisanpolicy.org

Web Site: http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/

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Profile: Media News

Rise of Smarter, Greener Buildings Boosts Efficiency, Reduces Cost - Now on ElectricTV.net

2009-04-17T10:09:00.001-07:00

Rise of Smarter, Greener Buildings Boosts Efficiency, Reduces Cost - Now on ElectricTV.net

BETHESDA, Md., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A close look at how building owners are applying the latest technologies to create smarter, greener buildings is among the features on the latest edition of ElectricTV.net. A joint production of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), ElectricTV.net is the only web TV program dedicated to reporting the latest developments in the electrical construction and information systems industries.

The vast majority of the more than four million commercial buildings in the United States are equipped with outdated mechanical system technology, relying heavily on manual processes, from adjusting thermostats to turning on lights. Yet, with the advent of a new generation of computer-based, networked systems, building owners at every level can now realize considerable savings in time and money through automation.

Lighting, heating and cooling, fire alarm, power systems and more can now be managed from a single computer interface. Plus, says Dave Ulrich, control manager for the Electric Company of Omaha, "With internet connectivity, you can control your systems from any location, both on- and off-site." Such global oversight allows problems to be quickly pinpointed and resolved. And the ability to automatically turn systems on and off, running only as needed, results in decreased operating costs and increased energy savings, benefiting both the owner and the environment.

Also on this edition of ElectricTV.net are a segment on a new learning program that's bringing an online dimension to electrical worker training; a feature on how the movement for creating a "smart grid" is working to maximize efficiency in electrical transmission; and a spotlight on how T5HO fluorescent lights are delivering significant savings in energy and costs to the lighting of high-bay buildings.

To view, visit www.electrictv.net/buildingautomation.aspx.

ABOUT NECA AND IBEW

Through their joint marketing organization -- the National Labor-Management Cooperation Committee (NLMCC) of the organized electrical construction industry -- NECA and IBEW together work to:

-- Reach customers with accurate information about the industry; and
-- Achieve better internal communication between labor and management.

NECA has provided over a century of service to the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light and communication technology to buildings and communities across the United States. NECA's national office and 119 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development.

With 725,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields -- including construction, utilities, telecommunications and manufacturing -- IBEW is among the largest member unions in the AFL-CIO. IBEW was founded in 1891.

For more information, visit www.thequalityconnection.org.

Source: NLMCC

CONTACT: Mark Walston for NLMCC, +1-301-919-8755,
markwalston@comcast.net

Web Site: http://www.electrictv.net/

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Profile: Media News

Queercents: Recovering From Foreclosure and Bankruptcy

2009-04-17T09:03:00.001-07:00

Queercents: Recovering From Foreclosure and Bankruptcy

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Foreclosure and bankruptcy rates continue to rise around the country. In this time of economic unrest, Queercents (http://www.queercents.com/), a personal finance blog serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, is detailing the recovery process from bankruptcy and foreclosure with a series called "Financial Implosion."

The series is available at http://www.queercents.com/category/financial-implosion/.

Alex Taylor, the author of the series, has documented the path to bankruptcy and foreclosure and provides readers with the lessons learned from personal financial disasters. "Climbing out of the dual financial pits of foreclosure and bankruptcy wasn't just a matter of luck. Getting out of the pit required a combination of better decision making and planning." Taylor hopes that by sharing this story, others will be able to make better decisions for themselves.

About Queercents:

Established by Nina Smith in April 2006, Queercents originated the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender personal finance blog concept by aggregating financial tips from the distinct writings of several money bloggers.

Queercents . . . we're here, we're queer, and we're not going shopping without coupons.

www.Queercents.com

Source: Queercents

CONTACT: Serena Freewomyn, Editor of Queercents, serena@queercents.com

Web Site: http://www.queercents.com/

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Profile: Media News

2009 NAB Show News Distributed by PR Newswire Available at www.EventNewsCenter.com

2009-04-17T07:45:00.001-07:00

2009 NAB Show News Distributed by PR Newswire Available at www.EventNewsCenter.com

NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- As a service to journalists and other critical audiences around the world, PR Newswire will be posting 2009 NAB Show related news releases from participating companies issued via PR Newswire into a dedicated event news archive for this event.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000306/PRNLOGO)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090417/NY00642LOGO)

The news archive for this event will be housed and showcased on EventNewsCenter.com - PR Newswire's destination for event-related news. As a recognized leader in global news distribution, PR Newswire hosts news archives for hundreds of events worldwide at www.eventnewscenter.com.

Media and exhibitors can contact PR Newswire's Global Events Division at tradeshow@prnewswire.com with any questions pertaining to these news releases.

Communications professionals around the world use PR Newswire to optimize and distribute press releases, photos and multimedia to news organizations, journalists, trade publications, search engines, and individuals, with full-text posting to web sites, online services and databases.

A wide range of news and multimedia distribution options enables PR Newswire members to target by geography, industry, news theme and audience demographics. For more information on PR Newswire, please visit, www.prnewswire.com.

EventNewsCenter allows you to create custom Web, RSS, and email-based news feeds from hundreds of events around the world at no charge.

About PR Newswire

PR Newswire is the global leader in innovative communications and marketing services, enabling organizations to connect and engage with their target audiences worldwide.

Through its multi-channel distribution network, audience intelligence, targeting, and measurement services, PR Newswire helps corporations and organizations conduct rich, timely and dynamic dialogues with the media, consumers, policymakers, investors and the general public, in support of building brands, generating awareness, impacting public policy, driving sales, and raising capital.

Pioneering the commercial news distribution industry 55 years ago, PR Newswire connects customers with audiences in more than 170 countries and in over 40 languages through an unparalleled network of offices in 16 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and via unique affiliations with the leading news agencies across the globe. PR Newswire is a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, a leading global business media company that serves professional commercial communities around the world. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

About United Business Media Limited

UBM focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists - with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

Contact:
PR Newswire Global Events Division
tradeshow@prnewswire.com
Phone: 201-360-6419

Photo: Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090417/NY00642LOGO
Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000306/PRNLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: PR Newswire Global Events

CONTACT: PR Newswire Global Events Division, tradeshow@prnewswire.com,
+1-201-360-6419

Web Site: http://www.eventnewscenter.com/
http://www.prnewswire.com/
http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/146750.html

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Profile: Media News

Innovative E-Tailer Makes it Simple and Affordable for Businesses and Consumers to Send the Right Message With Launch of PrintResponsibly.com

2009-04-17T07:14:00.001-07:00

Innovative E-Tailer Makes it Simple and Affordable for Businesses and Consumers to Send the Right Message With Launch of PrintResponsibly.com

-New E-Commerce Site Launches on Earth Day, April 22, With Largest Selection of Eco-Printing Services Available Online-

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiming to change the role of the printing industry on today's climate crisis, OnDemand Color Group and Diamond Graphics Inc., both privately-held New York/New Jersey-based printing services companies, today announce the launch of PrintResponsibly.com, a new e-commerce website offering the most comprehensive selection of environmentally conscious printing services available via the internet. The company, which executes all of its services in-house in a carefully designed system that boasts the latest cutting-edge technology, takes a holistic approach to each service it offers using a customized combination of tactics from process to ink to energy to paper, along with an intense recycling program, ensuring that each product is produced with the least possible impact on the environment regardless of size, style or type, without compromising premium quality or price.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090417/NY00492LOGO )

"A series of new technologies has made it possible to virtually eliminate the negative impact that traditional printing methods formerly had on the environment, without sacrificing the look and feel of the product," said Chris Gravagna, CEO of PrintResponsibly.com. "PrintResponsibly.com is streamlining every available technology to put sustainable printing at the consumer's fingertips without impacting their bottom line."

Founded on the principle that sustainability is vital to the long-term success of any business; PrintResponsibly.com has minimized the impact from every aspect of the company's operations to maximize the level and quality of their offerings. All of the company's production plants are certified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) (SFI(R)). Printing facilities in both Long Island City, Queens and Rockaway, New Jersey were designed with the latest green technology, including: waterless presses that reduce or eliminate toxic substances from the process to eradicate volatile organic compound emissions and use 90% less paper in the set-up, and direct imaging and computer-to-plate technology that eliminates traditional photography and the chemicals associated with the process, lowering energy costs and allowing for online proofing and chemical-free plate-making. PrintResponsibly.com also recycles all plates used in the company's printing process. The creation of this environmentally conscious facility not only results in a more sustainable product, it eliminates the need for outside suppliers, reducing the volume of trucking and associated waste while creating a healthier working environment for employees.

In addition to the machinery used in the printing process, PrintResponsibly.com facilities use a range of sustainable papers from those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) (SFI(R)) to 100% post consumer waste (PCW) and chlorine and acid free which are available to customers in a wide variety of weights, colors and finishes. Vegetable and soy-based inks eliminate petroleum use from the dye process and offer premium color quality with less wear and tear on the presses. This gentler process in turn makes recycling paper easier and more efficient for the facility. Considering each of these elements in a multi-step process towards producing sustainably printed material, PrintResponsibly.com evaluates each order the company receives to determine the optimal combination of internal processes for each job to produce the best possible product with the least possible impact environmentally and economically.

Outside of the company's products and processes, PrintResponsibly.com has adopted several energy-efficient programs such as Enernoc, a technology-enabled energy management solution that helps meet the needs of utilities/grid operators that deliver energy and are responsible for maintaining the real-time balance between supply and demand while allowing the company to utilize the electrical grid more efficiently.

The PrintResponsibly.com website will go live on Friday, April 17 and will launch officially on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. Beginning on April 17, businesses and consumers will have the opportunity to meet with CEO Christopher Gravagna, President Donald Miller and PrintResponsibly.com team members at New York City's GO GREEN EXPO in New York's Hilton Hotel, where the company will be a featured exhibitor and event sponsor. For more information please visit www.printresponsibly.com.

Media Contact: Katie Hunsberger or Emily Lawi, OrganicWorks, (212) 253-0474

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090417/NY00492LOGO
Source: PrintResponsibly.com

CONTACT: Katie Hunsberger or Emily Lawi, +1-212-253-0474, both of
OrganicWorks

Web Site: http://www.printresponsibly.com/

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Profile: Media News

Mobile Data Revenue Will Double in Spain's Telecom Market by 2014, Pyramid Research Finds

2009-04-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

Mobile Data Revenue Will Double in Spain's Telecom Market by 2014, Pyramid Research Finds

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Despite Spain's pronounced economic slowdown, its telecom market will see mobile data revenue double within the next five years, driven by an uninterrupted expansion of mobile data and Internet-based services, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com), the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network (www.lightreading.com).

Communications Markets in Spain offers an incisive profile of the country's converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors based on proprietary data from our research in the market. It provides detailed competitive analysis of both the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors the introduction and spread of new technologies such as WiMax, IPTV, and VoIP. Published annually, this executive study provides a comprehensive view of the Spanish communications market by analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities and assessing upcoming risk factors. Download an excerpt of this new report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PR041609_CIRSP

The Spanish telecom market generated US$42.9 billion in 2008, accounting for 11.7 percent of the total telecom service revenue generated in 2008 by the 10 largest markets in Western Europe, notes Stela Bokun, analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report. "While Spain is likely to suffer a more pronounced economic slowdown through the first half of 2010 due to the global economic crisis, it will record higher GDP growth rates through 2014 than most other markets in the region," she says.

Telecom revenue will likewise grow faster, driven by an uninterrupted expansion of mobile data services and Internet-based services. "Mobile data revenue will more than double from $4.1 billion in 2009 to $8.3 billion in 2014," says Bokun. "Mobile data ARPS, which accounted for 15 percent of the total in 2008, will grow considerably over the next five years, accounting for 28 percent of the total ARPS in 2014," she adds.

"Remote connectivity and infotainment service revenues are expected to skyrocket, driven by operators' efforts to boost adoption of advanced data services," Bokun says. "Vodafone, for example, currently offers a 15-day free trial and two months of service free for clients who sign up for its mobile broadband service," she explains. "Similarly, Orange offers all new subscribers the same service at a 60 percent discount for the first three months."

Communications Markets in Spain is part of Pyramid Research's Africa and the Middle East Country Intelligence Report Series. Pyramid Research's premium Country Intelligence Reports are the industry's best available analysis on market trends, regulatory environments, and competitive dynamics for 60 countries worldwide.

Download an excerpt of this new report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PR041609_CIRSP

Communications Markets in Spain is priced at $990 and can be purchased online here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/CIRSPAIN.htm?sc=PR041609_CIRSP or through Dave Williams via email at dave.williams@pyr.com or telephone at +1 858-485-8870.

For more information about Pyramid Research's products and services, please visit www.pyr.com or contact us at info@pyr.com.

About Pyramid Research

Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com) offers practical solutions to the complex demands our clients face in the telecommunications, media and technology industries. Our analysis is uniquely positioned at the intersection of emerging markets, emerging technologies and emerging business models, powered by the bottom-up methodology of our market forecasts for over 100 countries-a distinction that has remained unmatched for more than 25 years. As the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network, Pyramid Research works with Heavy Reading, providing the communications industry's most comprehensive market data, trusted research and insightful technology analysis.

About Light Reading

Founded in 2000, Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the $3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

About TechWeb

TechWeb (http://techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events, Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, and Wall Street & Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services including next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on number of monthly connections

About United Business Media Limited

UBM (UBM.L) focuses on two principal activities: worldwide information distribution, targeting and monitoring; and, the development and monetization of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewelry traders, from farmers to pharmacists - with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organized into specialist teams that serve these communities, bringing buyers and sellers together, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/.

Press contact:
Jennifer Baker
+1 617 871-1910
jbaker@pyr.com

Source: Pyramid Research

CONTACT: Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com

Web Site: http://www.pyr.com/

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Profile: Media News

Light Reading's Top Stories

2009-04-17T06:07:00.003-07:00

Light Reading's Top Stories

April 17, 2009 Edition

A look at Light Reading's collection of can't-miss stories from the past seven days

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Following are our editor's picks for the top stories on TechWeb's Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) for the work week ending Friday, April 17, 2009.

1) News Analysis: DT Likes Cisco's ASR 9000

Cisco Systems Inc. has found a second big-name customer for its ASR 9000 router: Deutsche Telekom AG.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175283

2) NEW REPORT! Telecom Market Spotlight: Europe

There's something for everyone as we look at:

* Europe's largest markets
* Europe's fastest growing markets
* Recent fiber & IPTV developments
* More than 1200 types of cheese
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=174941&

3) News Analysis: eBay Pledges Skype IPO

Sales of Knight Rider lunch boxes not enough to support budding VoIP giant.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175289&

4) News Analysis: Force10's Feldman Sails to SeaMicro

Two words: Private company.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175096

5) Interview: Comcast CTO Tony Werner

Comcast's CTO says his company will be lab testing upstream bonding equipment this year.

http://www.lightreading.com/video.asp?doc_id=175203

6) News Analysis: Cavium Sprouts More Cores

32 cores should be enough for anyone, wouldn't ya think?

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175273&

7) Opinion: Burning Down the House

Michael Harris tackles TWC's Internet metering madness.

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175227&site=cdn&

But as this edition was closing, TWC had a change of heart:

News Analysis: TWC Mothballs New Metering Trials

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=175401&site=cdn&

To subscribe to the Light Reading Weekly via email, visit:
http://www.lightreading.com/register.asp

Contact:
Amy Averbook
Director of Corporate Marketing
Light Reading
averbook@lightreading.com
212-925-0020 x112

About Light Reading

Founded in 2000, Light Reading ( http://www.lightreading.com/ ) is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the $3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

About TechWeb

TechWeb (techweb.com/aboutus), the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat, and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, Wall Street & Technology magazines. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services ranging from next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

* 13.3 million business decision-makers: based on # of monthly connections

About United Business Media Limited

Source: Light Reading

CONTACT: Amy Averbook, Director of Corporate Marketing of Light Reading,
+1-212-925-0020 x112, averbook@lightreading.com

Web Site: http://www.lightreading.com/

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Profile: Media News

Foundation for Landscape Studies to Honor Benepe, Suhr and Griswold

2009-04-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

Foundation for Landscape Studies to Honor Benepe, Suhr and Griswold

NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, May 19th, the Foundation for Landscape Studies will host its Fourth Annual Awards Luncheon at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Jack Lenor Larsen, creator of LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton and a former awardee, is honorary chairman. The recipients of Place Maker awards are Henriette Granville Suhr, creator of Rocky Hills, a unique garden in Westchester County, and Mac Griswold, Director of Archival Research at Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island. Adrian Benepe, Commissioner of New York City Parks, will receive the Place Keeper Award.

The President of the Foundation for Landscape Studies, Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, founder and former President of the Central Park Conservancy, said, "Our mission is to foster an active understanding of place. We are especially pleased to be honoring exceptional Place Makers and a remarkable Place Keeper this year. They are in very good company as previous recipients of these awards included Jack Lenor Larsen, Tom Armstrong, Chairman of the Garden Conservancy, and Roger Kennedy, former Director of the National Park Service."

Mrs. Suhr was highly regarded as a retailer and the interior designer who created Bloomingdale's imaginative furniture showrooms. With her late husband, William Suhr, an esteemed art conservator, she turned her artistic talent in the direction of gardening and horticulture fifty years ago after the couple purchased Rocky Hills as their weekend home. On the picturesque hilly site Henriette and "Billy" Suhr planted tens of thousands of bulbs, numerous rare trees, and an unrivaled collection of azaleas and rhododendrons. Mrs. Suhr now lives at Rocky Hills year-round and continues her gardening activities on a daily basis. With the help of the Garden Conservancy, the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation; and the Friends of Rocky Hills, she is taking steps to ensure that this landscape masterpiece will become a horticulture education center and a place that will continue to delight garden enthusiasts for years to come.

Ms. Griswold, a journalist and garden historian, has been writing about landscape since 1980, producing books and articles that look at gardens primarily as cultural documents. Her first book, Pleasures of the Garden, examines the Metropolitan Museum's garden-related works. Her second, The Golden Age of American Gardens, written with Eleanor Weller, studies "the country place era" between 1890 and 1940. Washington's Gardens at Mount Vernon: Landscape of the Inner Man explores Washington's character through the lens of his gardens, landscape, and farm. In her current role as Director of Archival Research at Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island in New York, she is writing Slaves in the Attic, Rediscovering a Long Island Plantation, a history dating from the seventeenth century. Slated for publication in Spring 2010, the book is based on the manor's heretofore undiscovered papers, which are now, thanks to her efforts, being catalogued at New York University.

Commissioner Adrian Benepe has worked for nearly thirty years protecting and enhancing New York City's natural and historic beauty. He has continued this effort as Commissioner of the Department of Parks & Recreation since his appointment by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2002. In this capacity he has focused on improving park facilities and programs for children, developing new waterfront parks and greenways, and making New York City bloom with millions of new flowers and hundreds of gardens.

Margaret Sullivan, board member of the Foundation for Landscape Studies, will chair the event, and Frederic C. Rich, a partner of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Chair of the Foundation for Landscape Studies, will moderate the proceedings.

The Foundation for Landscape Studies publishes Site/Lines, a literary journal aimed at an audience of readers who value thoughtful commentary and criticism relating to landscape history and design. The Foundation awards The David R. Coffin Publication Grant, named in honor of the eminent late professor of architecture at Princeton University and pioneer scholar of landscape and garden history. This grant is awarded annually to an author or publisher of an English-language book-in-progress that advances scholarship in the field of garden history and landscape studies. The Foundation also awards The John Brinckerhoff Jackson Book Prize. Named in honor of one of the founding figures of American landscape studies, the J. B. Jackson prize is awarded to a distinguished landscape studies book published in the English language within the past three years from the date of consideration for the prize.

Contact: Margaret Sullivan
Tel: 212-744-5874
Cell: 917-741-2011
Email: nygardens@mac.com

Source: Foundation for Landscape Studies

CONTACT: Margaret Sullivan, +1-212-744-5874, Cell: +1-917-741-2011,
nygardens@mac.com

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Profile: Media News

RICS Global RE Weekly: Singapore Property to Fall Further on Higher Unemployment

2009-04-17T05:52:00.001-07:00

RICS Global RE Weekly: Singapore Property to Fall Further on Higher Unemployment

HONG KONG, April 17 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) releases its quarterly report on property price developments in Singapore on Friday 24th. Flash estimates for the residential sector were published earlier in the month and showed an acceleration in the pace of house price falls across the city state, with a quarterly decline of 13.8% in Q1. Singapore GDP, released this week, fell by a monumental 11.5% compared to a year earlier in Q1 as the collapse in global trade weighed heavily on exports. With the economy contracting at such a rapid pace, unemployment is likely to shoot upwards throughout 2009 adding further downward pressure on property prices in both the residential and commercial markets.

Japanese loan officers to show drop in home loan demand

The Q1 Bank of Japan (BOJ) Senior Loan Officers Survey is released on Wednesday 22nd against a backdrop of continuing concerns about the prospects for the Japanese economy.

A brighter outlook for the US housing market

Evidence increasingly suggests that the US housing market downturn is now at or near a bottom. In recent months, building permits, housing starts and home sales have all edged up slightly. Significantly, the NAHB housing market index, a report of builders' sentiment, made a marked recovery in April, shooting up 5 points to 14.

Weak German economy hits housing market

A further snapshot of the state of the German economy will be provided by the release of April IFO survey on Friday 24th. The March survey showed business sentiment slipping to a new low with the headline index dropping from 82.6 to 82.1.

Please download from the following for the complete report content: http://www.creativegp.com/RICS/RICSWeeklyRealEstateComment-Apr17.pdf

Media enquiry, please contact:

Ms Kate Kwan / Mr. Sam Leung
Tel: +852-2372-0090
Mobile: +852-9077-1337 / +852-9685-9295
Email: kate@creativegp.com / sam@creativegp.com

Source: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

CONTACT: Ms Kate Kwan or Mr. Sam Leung, +852-2372-0090, Mobile,
+852-9077-1337 or +852-9685-9295, kate@creativegp.com or sam@creativegp.com
for Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Web site:
http://www.creativegp.com/RICS/RICSWeeklyRealEstateComment-Apr17.pdf

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Profile: Media News

Lifeware TEK Showcases Online Foodservice Platform at NRA Show in May

2009-04-17T05:21:00.001-07:00

Lifeware TEK Showcases Online Foodservice Platform at NRA Show in May

i COOK(TM) Professional offers affordable business solution to restaurant operators

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeware TEK announced today the launch of its premier online foodservice platform, i COOK(TM) Professional, at the National Restaurant Association Show May 16-19 2009. Offering essential business-building tools including nutrition calculator with ESHAdata nutrient information, recipe costing, menu engineering and recipe management system, i COOK(TM) Professional provides restaurant operators with a cost-effective, turnkey system for controlling costs and maximizing profitability.

i COOK(TM) Professional is the result of continuous market research with restaurant operators and a parallel ongoing dialog with leaders in the foodservice arena over the past 18 months. By automating time-consuming operational processes including recipe management, costing and inventory, i COOK(TM) Professional enables the operator to optimize resources and focus on growing their business -- an increasing concern.

Additional features of i COOK(TM) Professional include online foodservice distributor/manufacturer product catalogs, social networking, and real-time messaging. Connecting key foodservice stakeholders, i COOK Professional establishes a new channel for direct communication between manufacturers, distributors, operators and consumers. Targeted marketing mechanisms offer foodservice marketers a unique and dynamic direct network for promotional and advertising appeals.

According to Steven Kent, Lifeware TEK CEO, "i COOK(TM) Professional is launching at a critical time in the foodservice industry. As restaurants face a challenging economic climate, i COOK(TM) Professional offers outstanding value as an affordable business solution enabling operators to manage their businesses operations efficiently while enhancing their customer bases."

Promoting the i COOK Professional software, Lifeware TEK is offering complimentary one-year subscriptions to foodservice operators who sign up before the National Restaurant Association Show on May 16th on the i COOK Professional information site: http://www.icookprofessional.com/ .

For more information, please call 904 794 7070 or go to: http://www.icookprofessional.com/ .

About Lifeware TEK

Founded in 1982, Lifeware TEK is the premier developer of interactive, online, business-building solutions for the foodservice and culinary arenas. With over 25 years of dedicated expertise in the food industry, Lifeware TEK designs products and services that successfully solve the unique business challenges of our customers.

Lifeware TEK is headquartered in St. Augustine, Florida. For more on Lifeware TEK, visit http://www.lifeware.com/ .

Contact:

Steven Kent, Lifeware TEK
(904 794 7070)
skent@lifeware.com

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.

Source: Lifeware TEK

CONTACT: Steven Kent of Lifeware TEK, +1-904-794-7070,
skent@lifeware.com

Web Site: http://www.lifeware.com/

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Profile: Media News

Losing the Last Ten Pounds is the Hardest Part of any Diet Confirms Weight-Loss Expert and Author Dr. Sanford Siegal

2009-04-17T02:02:00.001-07:00

Losing the Last Ten Pounds is the Hardest Part of any Diet Confirms Weight-Loss Expert and Author Dr. Sanford Siegal

South Florida physician Sanford Siegal, D.O., M.D., explains why the Law of Diminishing Returns applies to weight loss and reveals how to overcome this obstacle to reaching a normal weight

MIAMI, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Sanford Siegal, Medical Director of Miami, Florida-based weight-loss practice, Siegal Medical Group, today confirmed the widely held suspicion among dieters that the most challenging part of reaching a healthful weight is shedding the last ten pounds.

"Losing that last ten pounds is, in fact, the greatest challenge, but it's more complicated than that," said Dr. Siegal. "It's more accurate to say that the next pound is harder to lose than the previous one because, like it or not, the Law of Diminishing Returns applies to weight loss. The more you lose, the harder it is to lose more."

In his forthcoming book, Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet Book (Hyde Park Publishers, Ltd.), Dr. Siegal explains that the more one weighs, the more calories he burns just transporting his own weight. As a dieter sheds pounds, the amount of calories he burns simply going about his normal routine decreases.

"One of the great ironies in losing weight is that your own weight helps you lose it," continued Dr. Siegal. "A person who weighs 250 pounds burns many more calories performing the same activity as one who weighs 150 pounds."

According to Dr. Siegal, many overweight people don't recognize that carrying excess fat inside their bodies takes the same amount of energy as carrying around an object of the same weight.

In his practice, in order to put things into perspective for his patients, Dr. Siegal asks them to imagine what their life would be like if they were to strap a fifty pound weight to their body and never take it off except to sit or lie down. In most cases, he says, people recognize the tremendous amount of effort they would have to expend just to go about their normal activities. They have no trouble imagining how taxing it would be to ascend a flight of stairs, take out the trash, or put away the groceries. Yet, while they are able to imagine the consequences of carrying around a heavy weight, few of his patients recognize that they are already doing so.

"Someone who is fifty pounds overweight at 200 pounds uses the same amount of energy to get around as a 150 pound person with a fifty pound weight strapped to her body," continued Dr. Siegal. "Imagine how many extra calories you would burn if you were to lug a fifty pound barbell everywhere you went!"

In his book, and on his web site, CookieDiet.com, Dr. Siegal provides free tools to help people cheat the Law of Diminishing Returns and lose weight at a fast, predictable, and consistent pace, even when they reach the hurdle of the last ten pounds.

ABOUT SANFORD SIEGAL, D.O., M.D.

Sanford Siegal, D.O., M.D., is a practicing physician whose South Florida medical practice, Siegal Medical Group, has treated more than 500,000 overweight patients. Although he has achieved notoriety for his books on such subjects as high fiber diets, hunger control without drugs, and hypothyroidism, he is best known as the Cookie Doctor(R) behind the venerable Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET(R) weight-loss program and hunger-controlling foods. Dr. Siegal is frequently in the news and has been profiled by dozens of media including Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Today Show, National Post, and Forbes.

Source: Siegal Medical Group

CONTACT: Media Relations, Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet, CookieDiet.com,
1-877-377-4342 North America, or 001 703-677-8068 International

Web Site: http://www.cookiediet.com/

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Profile: Media News

GfK Asia Releases First Ever Malaysian Contact Lens Industry Retail Measurement

2009-04-16T21:40:00.001-07:00

GfK Asia Releases First Ever Malaysian Contact Lens Industry Retail Measurement

Malaysian Consumers Retail Contact Lens sales exceed 500,000 boxes from Dec08 till Feb09

SINGAPORE, April 17 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- GfK Asia is pleased to release its first ever Malaysia contact lens retail measurement for the optical industry today in line with the 14th MAPO (Malaysian Association of Practicing Opticians) Fair 2009. According to our recent survey in Malaysia, 25% of consumers visit an optical store to buy contact lens. This is close to the Asian average of 28%. "Despite the current financial crisis, there is a steady demand for contact lenses in Malaysia and we see a lot of potential for this industry to grow in the coming years," quoted Jennifer Chan, GfK Malaysia General Manager. "70% of customers who visit optical shops in Malaysia are adults exemplifying more spending power, while other Asian countries only average 57% of adults. This clearly shows that the Malaysia Contact Lens market is less reliant on children and students," added Jennifer.

Strong presence of multinational brands is felt in Malaysia and collectively, they take up about 90% of the contact lens market. Currently the optics market has more than 2,000 optical shops across the West Coast of Malaysia accounting for about 80% of the Contact Lens sales. "Malaysia optics business is still fairly simple in competition. If you compare Malaysia with Taiwan where population level is about the same, Taiwan has more than 4,000 shops. The competition there is more intensive. Good distribution strategy with consistent channel efforts should enable contact lens players to do well anchoring their position as the market grows in the future," commented Stanley Kee, GfK Asia Commercial Director.

Within the disposal range of contact lens, monthly's wear type contributes 66% of value sales with dailies contribution taking another 17% while the rest occupies 17%, showing very simple market structure. "While the market is simple, Malaysian consumers is also price sensitive with more than 60% of market purchase value per box falls between the price ranges of RM50 -- RM100. The average price of each box of disposable contact lenses purchased over the last 3 months is RM65," said Jennifer.

Other than contact lens, spectacles lens and frames play a very critical part of the total Optics Industry. GfK Malaysia recent survey revealed that more than 30% of consumers visiting Optical stores are shopping for spectacles. The survey shows major spectacle lens brands well received by local Malaysians included brands such as Hoya, Essilor and Carl Zeiss.

GfK Malaysia will begin to track spectacles lens and other optical products imminently to provide the industry with a more complete view of the market in the near future. These much needed studies currently do not exist in the industry and GfK Malaysia will help meet the industry needs.

With Malaysia Optics Industry measurement now in place, GfK Asia is well on track to offer clients a regional perspective of the optics industry in Asia. Existing measurements in place now include Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Singapore.

About GfK Asia Pte Ltd

GfK Asia Pte Ltd (GfK Asia), part of the global GfK Group, is a leading research company with over 20 years experience in providing reliable Asian retail and technology market data. Our analysts track a broad range of consumer technology markets, including: consumer electronics, telecommunications, IT, household electrical appliances (large and small), optics, entertainment, gaming as well as digital imaging. GfK Asia covers more than 55 product groups and over 350,000 models, collecting monthly data from over 6,000 specialist / independent shops as well as over 170 organized retailers with approximately 15,000 outlets. This disciplined methodology, together with tight field operational control in every country, allows GfK Asia to produce high quality reports containing reliable information that our clients can use with confidence. Based in Singapore, with other offices in India and Japan, GfK Asia offers extensive coverage of the following countries: China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Australia. For further information please visit our website: http://www.gfkrt.com/ .

The GfK Group

The GfK Group is the No. 4 market research organization worldwide. Its activities cover the three business sectors of Custom Research, Retail and Technology and Media. In financial year 2008, the GfK Group achieved sales of 1,220.4 million Euros. The Group has 120 companies operating in more than 100 countries. Of a total of approximately 10,000 employees (as at December 31, 2008) more than 80% are based outside Germany. For further information, visit our website: http://www.gfk.com/ .

Editors Notes:

-- GfK Asia currently tracks contact lens market in China (3 cities:
Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou), Korea (5 Regions: Seoul, Inchon,
Kyonggi, Kyongbuk, Kyongnam), Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and
Malaysia.
-- In November 07 GfK Group took over the optics panel from The Nielsen
Company in Japan. This acquisition allows GfK a very strong measurement
representation to the world market for Optics industry.
-- In January 2009, GfK Group acquired The Nielsen Company's optics panel
in the USA.

Media Contact

Lisa Williamson
Bryant Williamson Communications
Tel: +65-9100-4097
Email: Lisa@bryantwilliamson.com

Source: GfK Asia Pte Ltd

CONTACT: Lisa Williamson of Bryant Williamson Communications for GfK Asia
Pte Ltd, +65-9100-4097, lisa@bryantwilliamson.com

Web site: http://www.gfkrt.com/
http://www.gfk.com/

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Profile: Media News

Reply.com Named a 'Hot Company to Watch' by an Independent Research Firm

2009-04-16T16:04:00.001-07:00

Reply.com Named a 'Hot Company to Watch' by an Independent Research Firm

Company Preps for New Announcements at ad:tech 2009

SAN RAMON, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Reply.com (www.reply.com), a leader in locally-targeted online marketing, today announced that it has been profiled as a "hot company to watch" by a leading technology analyst firm.

This news comes just days before Reply! unveils its latest news at ad:tech 2009, an interactive advertising and technology conference and exposition in San Francisco next week.

Forrester Research profiled Reply! in its "Hot Companies to Watch" for 2009 - "Profiles Of Emerging Companies And Technology Trends That Tech Vendors Need To Know About," by Chris Andrews.

In the series, Forrester highlights innovative vendors and technology trends to help clients identify the "next big thing." According to an excerpt of the report:

"Reply! runs an online marketplace for lead generation that uses a
similar business model to Google's AdSense product. Using the
Reply.com Web site, companies are able to identify the
characteristics of the business leads they need - such as leads
segmented by geography or by user - and determine, in advance, the
maximum price they are willing to pay for those leads. The Web site
uses an auction-style format to link buyers and sellers, creating an
automated marketplace for targeted lead purchases. While most online
lead generation companies still operate with a pay-per-click model,
Reply!'s service allows users to pay for each lead that they
purchase.

Why it's important. Companies like Reply! represent an increasingly
important area of technology marketing called 'community marketing'-
a new discipline for matching buyer business needs with the
capabilities of technology vendors. By leveraging Web 2.0
capabilities, these marketing vendors give marketers stronger
targeting capabilities and more control over their marketing
purchases. Companies like Reply! are changing the value proposition
of marketing on the Internet - moving from a focus on a model of mass
aggregation and distribution of sales information like leads to more
targeted, customized interactions. This represents one more step in
delivering on the real promise of interactive marketing by allowing
customers to monitor and measure the return on investment of their
marketing dollars."

According to an article in The San Francisco Business Times, dated April 3, 2009, Peter Burris, a principal analyst and research director at Forrester Research who interviewed Reply.com's customers, called Reply!'s inventions "just plain smart."

"Reply! is honored to be recognized by such a prestigious research firm," said Reply.com chairman and CEO Payam Zamani. "Reply! has thrived during a downturn precisely because of the ROI our services deliver. More importantly, we are well-positioned to thrive in the future, because high ROI marketing never goes out of style."

"More efficient advertising is the priority for all customers, in tough times and -- even more so -- in good ones. That's what stakeholders expect, and that is the story we're evangelizing now, at ad:tech and well beyond."

Reply!'s ad:tech Agenda

Next week at ad:tech 2009, Reply! -- available at Booth 1544 -- will be detailing new online advertising tools and market categories, and meeting privately with bloggers, journalists and analysts to discuss recent and expected growth levels and customer trends.

About Reply!, Inc.

Reply.com is the leading online marketing platform for the acquisition of locally-targeted and category-specific consumers on a cost-per-click or cost-per-lead basis. By eliminating the need for complex and expensive online marketing infrastructures and large teams of experts, Reply.com makes Internet marketing available to businesses of all sizes. Reply! provides a highly-profitable alternative to online marketing solutions offered by major search engines and ad networks. To learn more about Reply!, visit www.reply.com.

Additional information is available at: http://blog.reply.com/

Source: Reply!, Inc.

CONTACT: Brian Bowman, Chief Marketing Officer of Reply!, Inc.,
+1-818-679-4269, brian@reply.com

Web Site: http://www.reply.com/
http://www.ad-tech.com/sf/adtech_san_francisco.aspx
http://blog.reply.com/

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Profile: Media News

National Survey Reveals Most Young People Think Not Enough Time is Spent Learning About the Wider World in School

2009-04-16T16:03:00.001-07:00

National Survey Reveals Most Young People Think Not Enough Time is Spent Learning About the Wider World in School

SHEFFIELD, England, April 17/PRNewswire/ --

- Geographical Association's Manifesto, A Different View, is Launched
Today.

- 93% of young people think it is important to learn about issues
affecting people's lives in different parts of the world.

- 92% of young people think it is important to learn about where the
things they use, such as food, energy and water, come from.

- 63% of young people think that not enough time is spent learning about
the wider world in school.

- Geography is the subject in which young people have most often learnt
about important local and global issues, and the one in which they
would most commonly expect to do so.

- A different view re-affirms geography's place in the curriculum.

- It makes a forward looking and compelling case for geography in
education.

- It re-states the value of free-thinking, specialist secondary teachers
who are passionate and engaged with the discipline and its potential to
educate.

A national survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI and published today by the
Geographical Association, found that 93% of 11-14 year olds believe it is
important to learn about issues affecting people's lives in different parts
of the world, yet nearly two-thirds of young people think that not enough
time is spent learning about the wider world in school.

Over 90% of young people believe that it is important to learn about
people, societies and cultures in other parts of the world, how and why
changes to the world may occur in the future, and where resources such as
food, energy and water come from.

The survey also shows that geography is the subject in which young people
have most often learnt about or discussed the big issues they believe to be
affecting their local area and the wider world today. These issues include
crime and anti-social behaviour, the economy and jobs, war and terrorism, the
environment and climate change and poverty and hunger. Furthermore, geography
is the subject in which schoolchildren would expect to learn about these
issues.

And yet, these findings come at a time when geography is being
increasingly marginalized within the school curriculum at both primary and
secondary levels. Thus:

- although geography appears secure in the proposed new primary
curriculum (under the Area of Learning called "historical, geographical
and social understanding), new primary teachers can spend as little as
four hours on geography during their entire initial teacher training

- in secondary schools it is alarming to see geography in key stage 3
being lost in 'generic skills' or cut out altogether in curtailed two
year programmes designed to enhance league table positions.

The Geographical Association (GA) believes that there are few things more
fundamental than learning about 'the earth as our home' and that geography is
essential to the education of every child. To support this belief, the
Geographical Association has produced A different view, a challenging
manifesto for school geography.

A different view re-affirms geography's place in the curriculum. It makes
a forward looking and compelling case for geography in education. It
re-states the value of free-thinking, specialist secondary teachers who are
passionate and engaged with the discipline and its potential to educate.

A different view is launched today by Professor David Lambert at the
Geographical Association's Annual Conference at the University of Manchester.
A different view is a two-year programme, delivering a wide range of
materials to support geography teaching and touching every school in the UK.
It is based around eight stunning visual 'doorways' and seven themes which
cover the GA's core beliefs and priorities.

It consists of:

- a fully-illustrated and informative 32-page booklet containing the
manifesto itself which will be sent to all secondary schools in April
2009

- a leaflet detailing A different view which will be sent to all UK
schools, also in April 2009

- a poster which will be sent to all UK schools in September 2009 and

- a whole suite of online supporting resources, including photographs for
use in the classroom, supporting activities and ideas on ways to use
the manifesto (http://www.geography.org.uk/adifferentview).

Viewpoints

"There is something dreadfully wrong with an education system that claims
to be personalised and listen to young people, which aspires to be world
class, seeking to nurture successful learners, confident individuals and
responsible citizens, but which has allowed the curriculum to be so utterly
distorted that learning about our place in the world (and its future) is
considered to be marginal in comparison to the mundane "learning skills". Let
us lift our sights. We need to trust teachers again to engage with the
discipline and young people to create a curriculum for the future: exciting,
relevant and with a heart," Professor David Lambert, Chief Executive of the
Geographical Association and Professor of Geography Education at the
Institute of Education, University of London.

"From very early childhood we all experience the world directly. We get
to know our local place. In addition we are bombarded through the media with
information about our complex world. I think young people are entitled to an
education that helps them make sense of these experiences and all this
information. Geography can contribute to this: it helps young people make
sense of the world and can enrich their experiences of it. It can inform the
way they participate in the world as local and global citizens. I think it is
has an essential role in the curriculum," Margaret Roberts, President of the
Geographical Association.

"A different view will help schools to consider the contribution that
geography can make to the wider curriculum. It is a succinct and attractively
presented publication that provides a "punchy" read. It will be a useful tool
for all people leading schools as well as geography teachers," Martin
Shevill, Headteacher of Ossett School and Sixth Form College, Wakefield.

"Curriculum innovation, initiated through the curiosity of all learners
within our schools, will be supported and extended through the new manifesto
of the Geographical Association. It provides a vital focus for children,
teachers and school leaders to discover their own personal, local and global
geographies," Helen Martin, Headteacher of Graffham Infant and Duncton CE
Junior Schools, West Sussex.

GA Annual Conference

The Geographical Association's Annual Conference 2009 opened yesterday
with a public lecture by Harriet Lamb, Director of the Fairtrade Foundation.
The three-day Conference for 700-plus teachers has a busy programme of field
visits and over 100 lectures and workshops including a Presidential Lecture
on 'Investigating Geography' by Margaret Roberts, which is followed by the
launch of A different view. On Saturday there is a Keynote Address by
Professor Iain Stewart entitled 'Un-natural Hazards'. Other topics include
'Ugly Beautiful: Counting the cost of the global fashion industry',
'Geography using Google Earth' and 'Teaching About London's 2012 Olympics'.

The event is the biggest exhibition and CPD event of its kind for
geography teachers in the UK.

Notes to Editors

A different view website: http://www.geography.org.uk/adifferentview
(live from April 16 2009)

The Conference programme website: http://www.geography.org.uk/conference

About the Survey

The World Issues Survey, undertaken by Ipsos-MORI questioned 598 young
people aged 11-14 years and was carried out between 15 and 22 January 2009.

The Geographical Association

The Geographical Association (GA) is a subject association with a mission
to further the teaching of geography and to communicate the value of learning
geography for all. The GA was founded in 1893 and has around 6,000
memberships including teachers in primary and secondary schools and further
education, academic geographers, universities and teacher educators and
trainers. For more information visit http://www.geography.org.uk

Source: Geographical Association

To arrange an interview with David Lambert (Chief Executive) or Margaret Roberts (President), ring Ricky Buck on +44(0)7929-031445 or e-mail rbuck@geography.org.uk. GA office phone number: +44(0)114-296-0088

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Profile: Media News

Saturday Evening Post: WoodWing is 'A Better Fit'

2009-04-16T15:46:00.001-07:00

Saturday Evening Post: WoodWing is 'A Better Fit'

DETROIT, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the oldest and most respected magazines in American history has found success using WoodWing's Smart Connection content publishing platform. The WoodWing Solutions Team recently installed the system at the famed Saturday Evening Post.

Officials at the magazine said it was versatility and scalability that sold them on the WoodWing solution. Alyssa Yano, Managing Editor at the Saturday Evening Post, said their previous editorial system "was a little too big for our needs." When they started searching for a new system, WoodWing was the clear choice.

"WoodWing was a better fit for the size of our staff," Yano said. "I really liked the demo and found it easy to use, and knew it would help the staff work closer and more collaboratively."

The Saturday Evening Post is one of the best-known American magazines ever, with a history dating back nearly 300 years. The magazine's forerunner, the Pennsylvania Gazette, was founded in 1728 by Benjamin Franklin. It was renamed the Saturday Evening Post in 1821, and in the 1900s, it distinguished itself through its covers, the most famous of which were painted by Norman Rockwell. The magazine is currently owned by the nonprofit Saturday Evening Post Society, and has become a leading information source on health and medicine for the general public.

"It's a great source of pride for us that 'America's Magazine' decided to install WoodWing," said Patrick Becker, President of WoodWing Solutions. "One of the main benefits of our system is that it can be scaled to fit any size or type of publication, and the Saturday Evening Post recognized that."

About WoodWing Solutions

WoodWing Solutions is an experienced, client-facing business group, providing sales, installation, training, support and customizations for the Enterprise content publishing platform and the entire WoodWing suite of publishing products. WoodWing Solutions is a Gold Authorized Solution Partner for WoodWing. Offices are located in Detroit, Michigan.

Contact:
Patrick Becker
(313) 962-0542, ext. 111
patrick@woodwing.com

Purchase WoodWing products at www.buywoodwing.com

Source: WoodWing Solutions

CONTACT: Patrick Becker of WoodWing Solutions, +1-313-962-0542, ext.
111, patrick@woodwing.com

Web Site: http://www.buywoodwing.com/

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Profile: Media News