28 Feb 2009 00:42 Africa/Lagos
California Leads U.S. in Recycling and Waste Reform
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- A bill introduced by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) aims to reduce waste, litter, and greenhouse gases and create thousands of green jobs. The California Product Stewardship Act, AB 283, would incentivize producers to design products and packaging that are less toxic, more durable, reusable, recyclable and/or biodegradable.
"AB 283 moves California towards a more sustainable environment and economy," said Chesbro, chair of the Assembly's Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. "Product stewardship will reduce government spending and greenhouse gases, while creating jobs that are desperately needed in our state. This bill will help move California out of its budget crisis and into a 'cradle to cradle' state that takes care of its own."
AB 283 is supported by the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC). CPSC is an organization of local governments and other partners, formed to support development and implementation of product stewardship, otherwise known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a policy approach that shifts waste management costs from local governments to the producers who make design and marketing decisions. CPSC works collaboratively with other local government stewardship councils such as the Northwest Product Stewardship Council (NWPSC).
"CPSC and NWPSC have developed Framework Principles that address many products at once, rather than the product-by-product legislation that is slow and costly," said Kevin Hendrick, Director of the Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority. "Framework legislation will streamline the process to include other products over time."
AB 283 uses EPR Framework Principles that address climate change and the growing waste problem. Even with new recycling programs, California is still generating more waste than ever - 40-million tons annually. In a free market, EPR reduces waste while creating opportunities to grow businesses and jobs in recycling and manufacturing industries.
"EPR policies are working in Canada, Europe, Japan and other countries," said Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director of CPSC. "The primary responsibility should rest with producers because only they make design and packaging decisions. It is far less expensive to design a product and packaging to reduce waste than it is to create expensive end-of-life disposal and recycling systems."
California Product Stewardship Council: Heidi Sanborn, (916) 480-9010 or heidi@CalPSC.org or go to www.CalPSC.org.
Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro's Contact: Andrew Bird (707) 445-7014
Source: California Product Stewardship Council
CONTACT: Heidi Sanborn of California Product Stewardship Council,
+1-916-480-9010, heidi@CalPSC.org; or Andrew Bird, +1-707-445-7014, for
Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro
Web Site: http://www.calpsc.org/
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25 Feb 2009 14:18 Africa/Lagos
Pres. Obama to Nation - Our Economic Recovery 'Begins With Energy'
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- President Obama's first speech to a Joint Session of Congress last night was almost entirely devoted to the troubled economy. Amid a deepening recession Obama described the $787 Billion stimulus as one of the bold steps his five week old administration is implementing to turn the US economy around.
In the speech, Obama vowed to spend $15 billion a year to develop renewable energy. "We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century," he said. The administration's Secretary of Energy, Stephen Chu, announced on Monday an immediate fast-tracking of all applications from wind and solar companies for stimulus dollars to kick-start the construction of more projects.
Assuming wind companies receive the lion's share of stimulus dollars (wind power accounted for 95% of the renewable energy built over the last five years), the stimulus is expected to lead to the construction of 30,000-megawatts of additional capacity, according to Hugh Wynne, an analyst at Bernstein Research - enough new wind power to supply 9 million American homes.
Wind farm developer NACEL Energy (OTC:NCEN) (BULLETIN BOARD: NCEN) CEO Brian Lavery said, "We ran the numbers and the impact as we understand the new stimulus incentives for wind power are really quite significant." NACEL has four wind power projects underway in the Texas Panhandle. Advisory Research has a positive rating on NACEL and a $3.07 valuation.
Accelerating construction of wind farms is also expected to lead to a recovery in the turbine market in the second half of 2009. In recent months manufacturers General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Vestas (Pink Sheets: VWDRY), as well as companies which supply the carbon fiber for turbine blades such as Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) and Zoltek (NASDAQ:ZOLT) , have all experienced slowing demand. Yesterday KeyBanc Capital Markets announced a new buy rating on Hexcel and a $10 valuation.
Before the Bell Publishing LLC advises C.M. Biddick is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) CRD number 2382884
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Monday, February 23, 2009
The 81st Academy Awards:Slumdog Millionaire Interview
INTERVIEW WITH: Danny Boyle and Christian Colson
FILM: “Slumdog Millionaire”
CATEGORY: Achievement in directing / Best motion picture of the year
Q. Hello. Congratulations.
A. Thank you very much.
Q. Earlier, Simon Beaufoy was talking about the role that love plays in this film. How was it for you, taking a different direction from 28 DAYS LATER, directing a film about love?
A. Yeah. It is a love story, but it's like heavily disguised.
Q. It's in there.
A. Danny Boyle: I tried to do a love story once before, and it didn't really work really. I think I have to heavily disguise them really and then got a chance. I mean I loved what I loved about his script, genuinely, is that apparently at the beginning, the spine of the story appears to be the game show. And actually what happens, this is different from the novel, is that of course as you peel back the spine, there's another spine underneath, which is a love story, which is much stronger than a television show. It's much deeper, more profound, more recognizable, more loveable, more timeless than a game show. I love that about it. And it's a chance to get yourself lost in romance. And listen, we all want to get ourselves lost in romance if you get a chance, if we can find a reason to do it and to disguise it at the same time. It's great.
A. Christian Colson: And there was something about the way we made the film, like we were really loved up when we made it. We were like a big family, and it was this huge team. You saw us all on stage tonight together, and that's that makes me really, really happy, you know. We all did it together. It's fantastic, yeah.
Q. Congratulations. I want to ask, you know, when you were making the movie for Warner Independent, obviously shut down, just wondering if you are worried about this kind of film coming together, you know, in the future as studios focus on their franchises, their comic book characters. Would you worry going forward?
A. Danny Boyle: That's a good question. It's really it's an important question as well. Because what's the one of the lovely things about this evening that the Academy has given us is that it's a triumph for this kind of film really, and it is independent minded and it's working against the odds really in a way, and it's very important to keep it. Because you know it was wonderful to see, obviously, you see Heath Ledger's work acknowledged in THE DARK KNIGHT. And it is extraordinary work. But like virtually, I am sure, everybody, Heath, you know, started small as well. He started small films, you know. Everybody does and we've got to protect them.
And the studios, and it's difficult of course, because they are under pressure, the studios have got to protect them as well. Because that's where everybody starts, and they go on. Some people go on to some things and some don't. But that's where everybody begins, in those small independent movies. And you learn the business, you learn your craft, you learn what you are doing, you know. So, it's very, very, very important. And the first film I made was a million pounds it cost. The whole film cost a million pounds. That's where you learn your craft, and you don't know what you are doing, you know. And I think that keeping it that way, you don't know what you are doing half the time and it's really important.
A. Christian Colson: And I hate to be the nomenclature producer in the room, but even the studios will take note that we made this for 7 million pounds. It's going to cross a hundred million dollars in the U.S., Tuesday, Wednesday. That's good business, for them. Huh? It really is, and hopefully, if these mean anything, it means that more of the great scripts that are out there that are done tick all the boxes in terms of stars and all the rest can get made, if the best of those can get made, for that to happen, I'm even prouder of these things, if that's possible.
Q. Many congratulations.
A. Thanks very much.
Q. One of your stars made some headlines over the weekend by suggesting it might be a bit of I think his words were slight romance between your leading actor and your leading lady. It would be amazing case of life imitating art. Is there anything in it?
A. Danny Boyle: Have no idea. I don't know. They are I tell you they have been Dev and Freida have been extraordinary because it's their first film for both of them and they have shouldered the responsibility of fronting the film, of being the badge of the film really. And it takes the weight off us enormously. And it also makes the film expand to a much bigger audience, because a lot of the mainstream audience relates to actors and their experience through actors and part of that is dreaming about romance and all those kind of things, you know. And so, I have no idea and I wouldn't wish to add to it or take away from it. Whatever is true, I have no idea.
A. Christian Colson: Actually, I know. And it's not true.
A. Danny Boyle: Is it not.
A. Christian Colson: I don't think so. Unless they are lying to me, it's not true. But they have grown up in front of our eyes in the last 7 or 8 months, and it's been extraordinary for us to watch that happen. And to see them now be able to stand in front, in rooms like this with such poise and grace and maturity.
A. Danny Boyle: It's lovely for them.
Q. At what point did you decide to bring them over and how daunting was it at this late stage in this awards process finally you get a turn in the limelight again?
A. Danny Boyle: When we got the nominations we were we had been thinking about it, because you want to share it with the people you've made it with and who are responsible with the success of the film, which is primarily the actors really. And what we were very concerned about distorting their lives, all of them really, you know, because they are young. They should stay at school. They are all in school. You know, we put two of them into school.
A. Christian Colson: And award season is long.
A. Danny Boyle: And the award season is long. But then somebody said to us, look, they will put it in their own memory bank in their own way, whatever their lives are, and they all have different lives, and they will find a place for it in their own memory bank and you should not deny them that. They should get the chance to experience it. And it's impossible to imagine what they think of coming here for tonight. You know, you talk to them, but you can't really imagine what it must feel like. It must be extraordinary really. I mean, they are part of the city Mumbai, which is Bollywood, which has its own glamor system. So they're experienced in that sense.
They do watch Hollywood, they do look at Hollywood, and it's lovely to have brought them together, really. And it makes tonight deeply special for us, because we tried to make the film as a family unit, everybody. And to have them all here makes tonight feel like family really, rather than individual, so, we are very pleased.
Q. As you were just saying, you were delighted to have the kids make the trip. Why didn't they come backstage with you and who is in charge of enforcing bedtime tonight?
A. Danny Boyle: God help them, whoever it is. I tell you that. I don't know why they didn't come back stage. I guess they had gone to the Governors' Ball, I guess, or the party I suppose.
A. Christian Colson: Or to bed.
A. Danny Boyle: No. I don't think they have gone to bed. They were very Tanvi and Tanay, who play the middle Latika and middle Jamal were very full of tears on stage. They were overwhelmed by it. They were really, really crying and crying. It was beautiful watching them and very touching and everything like that. There's this expression, this amazing British poet called W.H. Auden, he talks about Americans putting juke boxes it's to do with when America was trying to travel to the moon. It's really interesting because of course India is now going to the moon. This is the plan. And he talks in his poem about putting juke boxes on the moon.
Soon you will be putting juke boxes on the moon. I love that expression, and that's what tonight feels like. Just amazing like that. The bringing together of things that are just so unlikely and yet wonderful and about entertainment and pleasure and exploring things and changing things.
Q. Love the numbers.
A. Hi.
Q. Hello?
A. Congratulations.
A. Thank you very much.
Q. Earlier, Simon Beaufoy was talking about the role that love plays in this film. How was it from you taking a different direction from 20 days later, directing a film about love?
A. Yeah, it is a love story, but it's like heavily disguised.
Q. It's in there.
A. I tried to do a love story once before, and it didn't really work really. I think I have to heavily disguise them really and then got a chance. I mean I loved what I loved about his script, genuinely, is that apparently at the beginning, the spine of the story appears to be the game show, and actually what happens, this is different from the novel, is that of course as you peel back the spine, there's another spine underneath, which is a love story, which is much stronger than a telephone vision show. It's much deeper, more profound, more recognizable, more loveable, more timeless than a game show. I love that about it. And it's a chance to get yourself lost in romance. And listen, we all want to get ourselves lost in romance if you get a chance if we can find a reason to do it and to disguise it at the same time. It's great.
A. And they were talking about, uhm, the way we made the film, like we were really loved up when we made it. We were like big family, and, uhm, it was this huge team. You saw us on stage tonight together, and that's that makes me really, really happy, you know. We all did it together. It's fantastic, yeah.
Q. Ryan, in front.
A. Hello Ryan. How you doing?
Q. Good.
A. Excellent.
Q. Congratulations?
A. Thank you. Very good.
Q. I want to ask, you know, when you were making the movie, more independent, obviously shut down, just wondering if you are worried about this kind of film coming together, you know, in the future as studios focus on their franchises, their comic book characters. Would you worry going forward?
A. That's a good question. It's really it's an important question as well. Because I mean, what's the one of the lovely things about this evening that the academy has given us is that it's a triumph for this kind of film really and it is independent minded and it's working against the odds really in a way, uhm, and it's very important to keep it because you know it was wonderful to see obviously you see Heath Ledger's work acknowledged in The Dark Knight, and it is extraordinary work, but like virtually I am sure everybody, Heath, you know started small as well. He started small films, you know, everybody does and we got to protect them. And the studios and it's difficult of course because they are underpressure the stud yes have /TKPW T to protect them as well. Because that's where everybody starts, and they go on some people go [on to|onto] some things and don't.
And that's where everybody /TKPWEUPBZ in those /SPHAUPL independent movies and learn the business, you learn your craft, you learn what you are doing, you know. So, it's very, very important. And the first was a million pounds it cost, the whole film cost a million pounds that's where you learn your craft and you don't know what you are doing you know, and I am thankful of keeping is that way that you don't know what you are doing half the time and it's really important.
A. And I hate to be the nomenclature producer in the room but even the studios will take note that we made this for 7 million pounds it's going to cost a hundred million dollars in the U.S., Tuesday, Wednesday. That's good business. For them. Huh. It really S and, uhm, hopefully, if these mean anything, it means that more of the great scripts that are out there that done tickle the boxes in terms of stars and all the rest can get made if the best of those can get made, for that to happen I'm even proud of these things if that's /POZable.
Q. Many congratulations?
A. Thanks very much.
Q. One of your stars in your made some headlines of the weekend by suggesting it might be a bit of I think his words were slight very man's between your being an act tore and your leading lady. It would be amazing case of life imitating art. Is there anything in it?
A. Have no idea. I don't know. They are, uhm, I tell you they have been, uhm, /TKEFPB freed da have been extraordinary because it's their first film for both of them and they have /SHULD /TKERD the responsibility of fronting the film, you know, of being the badge of the film really and it takes the weight of us enormously, and it also makes the film expands to a much bigger audience because a lot of the mainstream audience relates to actors and their experience through actors and part the of that is dreaming about romance and all those kind of things, you know. And so, I have no idea and I wouldn't wish to add to it or take away from it, whatever is true, I have no idea.
A. Actually, I know. And it's not true.
A. Is it not.
A. I don't think so. Unless they are lying to me, it's not true. But I have grown up in front of our eyes in the last 7 or /#5*9 8 months and it's been extraordinary for us to watch that happen, and to see them now, you know, be able to stand in front, in rooms like this with such /POEUZ and Grays and maturity, and careers.
A. It's lovely for them.
A.
Q.
A. BBC hello BBC.
Q. The hue jack man, the star of show with those kids at what point did you decide to bring them over and late stage in this process get there in the lime light again?
A. When we got the nominations we were we we have been thinking about it because you want to share it with the people you've made it with and who are responsible with the success of the film which is primarily the actors, really and what we were very concerned about distorting their lives, all of them really, you know, because they are young they should stay at school. They are all in school. You know, we have put two of them into school.
Q.
A. And award season is long.
A. And award season is long. But then somebody said to us, look, they will put it in their own memory bank in their own way whatever their lives are and they all have different lives and they will find a place for it in their own memory bank and you should not deny them that. They should get the chance to experience it. And it's impossible to imagine what they think of coming here for tonight. You /TPHOEU, you talk to them, but you can't really imagine what it must feel like it must be extraordinary really.
I mean, they are part of the city mum by which is /PWOLly wood, has their own /TKPWHRAPL more system so they experience that in some sense. They do watch Hollywood they do look at Hollywood, and it's lovely to have brought them together, really, and it makes tonight deeply special for us because we tried to make the film as a family unit, everybody, and to have them all here /PHAEUBGDZ it feel tonight /PHAEUBGDZ it feel like family really rather than individual, so, we are very pleased.
Q. As you were just saying you were delighted to have the kids make the trip. Why didn't they come back stage with you and who is in charge of enforcing bedtime tonight?
A. God help them whoever it is. I tell you that. I don't know why they didn't come back stage I guess they had gone to the governors ball I guess or the party I suppose.
Q.
A. Or to bed.
A. No, I don't think they have gone to bed. They were very /TAPL /SRAOE and /TA nay, who play the middle /PHAZ /KA and middle /SKWRA mall were very full of tears on stage they were overwhelmed by T they were really really crying and crying, it was beautiful watching them and very touching and /EUFRG like that. Does this expression does this amazing /POE et British poet et called WJ Jordan. He talks about Americans put in /SKWRAOUT box soon you will be putting and it's to do when America was trying to travel to the moon.
It's really interesting because of course India is now going to the moon. This is the plan. And he talks to this /POEPL about /PAOUTing /SKWRAOUBG boxes on the moon. Soon you will be putting /SKWRAOUBG boxes on the moon. I love that expression and that's what tonight feels like just amaidsing like that. The bringing together of things that are just so unlikely and yet /WUFPL and /EBTSer /TAEUPBment and pleasure and exploring things and changing things. Ran /TA /PHA /SOEZ.
A. And he loves you.
A. 95.
A. Another /WURPB I did millions (Listen to Audio.).
Q. Congratulations to you both?
A. Where are you.
Q. Right here?
A. All right.
[START HERE]
Q. Danny, I spoke to you once a few months ago about SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, and you told me you believe that every film should be imperfect.
A. Yes.
Q. After all these accolades, do you still feel that way about your own film?
A. Absolutely. I said in the in my own acceptance speech, I said that I'd forgotten to name in the credits the choreographer, and I only found out about it he said to me I think he was feeling a bit sheepish. We left this guy Longinus or Longi, but we left him off the credits. And that is imperfection walking and talking, and you have to hold your hand up and acknowledge how shameful that is to leave a guy like that who made such a contribution to the film. You know, he choreographed the dance at the end of the film, and he taught Dev Patel how to dance, which ended up being a much bigger task than choreographing a dance. And he made an amazing contribution to the film, and we forgot to credit him and it's my fault. And, you know, you just think so this imperfection is there.
Q. Can I just say, I don't want to embarrass Danny, and this would embarrass him, but it's a measure of the man that in his Oscar acceptance speech, the last thing he addresses is forgetting someone off the credits, and I think that is awesome.
A. Anyway, so it's a big apology to Longinus if you can report it as well, in case he doesn't see it. My edit done and my acceptance speech.
Q. You've with your other movies like Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later, you've received a lot of accolades with other associations and societies. How does it feel to be recognized with SLUMDOG by the Academy? What is the feeling you have now?
A. Just just extraordinary sense which has grown and culminated tonight of these extraordinary communities Bollywood, who gave us virtually all our cast and crew, and Hollywood, which has been responsible for the elevation of the film, culminating tonight. And being kind of [unintelligible] really trapped in the middle; it's a lovely trapped thing, it's not a bad trapped thing. You know, watching this extraordinary event that takes place and you can see it's going to happen more and more. There's also some people going to work there. These things are going to come together. The world is shrinking a bit, in a wonderful way, and it will benefit from it. Because in culture, fusion is a wonderful thing. And I felt it most in the music working with that guy, ARA man, and the sense of fusion, and you progress through fusion of things melding together is wonderful, really.
Q. And I think I think it's a measure of how much America has changed and is changing just before our eyes in the last few months or so. I mean, I think this country has changed from the moment we started making the film and the moment it was released here on November the 5th or whatever it was. This country has changed and it feels ready to embrace, as audiences have done, not just the Academy, a movie like ours.
I think that's really cool. I think America is cool again, certainly for the first time in my lifetime. I don't know about your lifetime, but certainly for the first time in my lifetime America is cool again, not because of this, but I think this is a symptom of how it's beginning to embrace a more globalized feel of the world. I hope so anyway.
Q. Toronto.
A. Right. Before you ask a question, got to say thank you to Toronto. Because Toronto started us off, really. Although, we started the film at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festival. And the Toronto Film Festival gave us this people's prize, which is an extraordinary start, you know, a kickoff, a wonderful and they also gave us $15,000 and we put the $15,000 in the fund for educating the kids. And now we have got plenty of money, so but then we didn't have a lot of money at all. So it was very, very welcome, and I want people in Toronto know it went to a really good place. So thank you, Toronto.
A. Good, I will tell them. So I think it rocks the Casbah that your film won eight Oscars tonight including best picture, but also THE READER won best actress and MILK won best actor. Three films that say something about the world. They are not just entertainments, but they are entertaining. And I'm curious, if you can talk about the power of cinema to actually talk to the world about something important, including and especially your own film.
A. Yeah, I think I think somebody sent me, a mate of mine sent me this quote from Plato, the great Greek philosopher. And, of course, the Greeks worked on everything before us. We are just repeating endlessly in their wake, and it was this quote he said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." And that's such a wonderful I just think that just gets, you know, more wonderful, it just gets it really. And I think the kind of films that we have been talking about have that heart, really, you know, which is a lot of people are fighting hard battles and especially now, you know, and we have got to kind of try and use entertainment to entertain them and to sympathize and encourage them, you know, and inspire them really, yeah.
Q. How you doing? We have been supporting all through the award season. You know how I supported your movie?
A. Yeah.
Q. Now that you've gone through this process, you know, you've been flirting with Hollywood for years, but always went back to London. Now, with this movie, you've gone through the full process of how someone competes goes through all these awards, does all the interviews, the the press junkets and gets to the finishing line with the Oscar in his hand. Tell me a little bit about this road, this winding road which somebody has to go with to win an Oscar. It's not that easy.
A. Can I start first, because I think I haven't worked with Danny before, but I I am familiar with his other work, and Danny would have done this for a film that wasn't in awards contention. He would have done it for any film that was released in January, February, March, or April. It just so happened that this was how ours was positioned, but my understanding is that Danny has done as well in every single movie he's ever made; not for one of these things but to get people to go out and see it just to preface that.
A. Yeah, you try to. I mean, it's hard work, and, I mean, it's a lot easier when you have a team like Fox Searchlight working for you, and we have had [unintelligble] in Europe as well. And the people, like, there's also some people that you are not interested in their names Angler and James and people like that
A. And Sonia, where is she?
A. They are all there. Yeah. And they they sent up solid work for you and you do the work, and they I personally think you find out a lot about the film by doing this work weirdly. It is a very weird thing to admit. It's very true. You start to find out about the film by talking to publicists constantly about the film, and it's very important. You got to kind of if you choose not to work for huge stars that do that work for you, and then it's your responsibility you've got to do it and it's a privilege to do it.
Q. What I meant by how it's structured, do you know all the it's it's it's almost a theory by itself, you know, how they build up a campaign for an award. For you to be part of it, how did that feel?
A. I think they build up a campaign to raise the awareness of the film and to keep the film in the theaters. I mean, obviously, it's lovely if you get in the season and start to do well in the season, you cannot guarantee that. There's no way you can guarantee that. But it is an essential tool by which films like this can be raised up, can be inflated and so that people start to see them who wouldn't normally see them, you know. So it's a tribute to them that are they are plotting their next campaign.
Q. We are talking about you guys. Do you believe in miracles today, Danny?
A. Sorry.
Q. Stand be here believing in miracles?
A. I've always believed in miracles, actually. Einstein says I am doing a lot of quote tonight. Einstein says, "There are two ways to live your life; one is to believe nothing is a miracle and one to believe that everything is a miracle. That's a great quote.
A. That's a producer/director relationship. It's a true sentence.
A. And the last question, can I just say I did forget somebody in my speech tonight. I forgot my agent, Robert Newman, and please, if you are in the business, if there's anybody in the business, please report this. He's been absolutely amazing, for me personally. And I I never write a speech or anything like that. I think you should always trust the moment, experience the trust the moment. And I forgot him and I apologize to him, and it's been a huge help on getting this.
A. He was a real help for the film.
Q. Just want to say congratulations, first of all, for this success tonight.
A. Please give a big writeup to Robert Newman in variety.
Q. We will. I was actually at the Telluride Film Festival, and I was sitting right behind you at the premier.
A. Really?
Q. You were squirming in your seat. I don't know if it was apprehension.
A. Do you know why? The soundtrack was played double; it distorted all the way through, and all I could think, should I stop it, should I stop it and start again? I thought I can't, I can't. And every time I have distorted, because for some reason there was some loop on the sound and it played twice. You know, it played simultaneously twice. That is why I was squirming.
Q. And I know you've touched upon it many times but if you could talk briefly about the journey this film has gone on, going from then from Telluride to now to winning best picture at the Oscars, it must be unbelievable.
A. Big shout to Telluride and Toronto, the two film festivals that got us going. You sometimes forget how important film festivals are. Very, very special, because they let an audience at it, at your film, to kind of decide it for you. They were really, really special, the huge campaign that we started, and we were just growing it very, very small to begin with and kept going and going and on. And Fox Searchlight depended on word of, mouth which always is the one thing you cannot buy.
A. They have great word of mouth too.
A. And you know, made people aware of it, and made people aware they can love it if they want to. And what we benefitted from is the people do have taken it to their hearts, and people stop you in the lift; you bump into strangers who are not in the entertainment business and they say they saw your film and they grip you in a way that's a bit frightening. But, you know, obviously, the film has spoken to them, and obviously it's lovely.
Q. Thank you so much. And congratulations.
----------------------------------
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Communications Department
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Beverly Hills, CA 90211-1972
Phone (310) 247-3090
FAX (310) 271-3395
http://www.oscars.org
publicity@oscars.org
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Saturday, February 21, 2009
PR Newswire Promotes Victoria Harres Akers to Director of Audience Development
PR Newswire Promotes Victoria Harres Akers to Director of Audience Development
New Audience Development team to lead PR Newswire's media, analyst, social media and blogger relations strategies
New York, Feb. 19/PRNewswire/ —PR Newswire today announced the promotion of Victoria Harres Akers to Director of Audience Development, signaling the launch of a new division at PR Newswire dedicated to cultivating new audiences for PR Newswire content among the media, analyst, social media and blogger communities.
Known to thousands as the voice of PR Newswire on Twitter, Ms. Harres Akers will extend her purview as Director of Audience Development, to spearhead initiatives to grow PR Newswire's industry-leading distribution networks and platforms such as PR Newswire for Journalists and ProfNet, and increase the use of our customers' content among all audiences that report on news, from traditional media to bloggers. Ms. Harres Akers and her team will also be responsible for growing PR Newswire's influence and following online, and will work collaboratively with other departments to find new ways to help customers use emerging media more effectively in their communications programs.
"In today's rapidly evolving communications environment it is imperative to embrace all forms of media and interactivity to connect with one's target markets," said Sarah Skerik, vice president, Distribution Services, PR Newswire. "Vicky's tremendous work both within the media research team and in the social media space uniquely qualifies her to lead this effort and serve as a beacon for PR Newswire's audience development efforts."
Ms. Harres Akers has worked with PR Newswire's media research group for eight years. She began as a researcher for the southwest region of the United States and most recently led the remote research team in managing the U.S. portion of PR Newswire's media database, MEDIAtlas. Through her Twitter account launched in mid-2008, Ms. Harres Akers has been providing followers on a daily basis with up-to-the-minute information on reporter and blogger activity, news about PR Newswire, and trends in the communications industry. @prnewswire has grown rapidly since its launch, expanding from 1,000 followers in October to more than 6,000 today. Ms. Harres Akers is also the author of the white paper, "Straight Tweet: Giving Voice to a Brand," which chronicles her experiences on Twitter and techniques that companies can use to create a voice in social media.
Ms. Harres Akers has worked with PR Newswire's media research group for eight years. She began as a researcher for the southwest region of the United States and most recently led the remote research team in managing the U.S. portion of PR Newswire's media database, MEDIAtlas. Through her Twitter account launched in mid-2008, Ms. Harres Akers has been providing followers on a daily basis with up-to-the-minute information on reporter and blogger activity, news about PR Newswire, and trends in the communications industry. @prnewswire has grown rapidly since its launch, expanding from 1,000 followers in October to more than 6,000 today. Ms. Harres Akers is also the author of the white paper, "Straight Tweet: Giving Voice to a Brand," which chronicles her experiences on Twitter and techniques that companies can use to create a voice in social media.Ms. Harres Akers commented, "I have truly enjoyed becoming engaged with Twitter and being able to interact with PR and marketing professionals, bloggers and journalists on a daily basis. And it has been extremely rewarding to see how my experience in this space has benefited the PR Newswire brand. I intend to expand my valuable contact network, increase my knowledge of these rapidly growing mediums, and continue to educate our customers on best practices."
About PR Newswire
PR Newswire Association LLC (http://www.prnewswire.com/) provides electronic distribution, targeting, measurement and broadcast services on behalf of tens of thousands of corporate, government, association, labor, non-profit, and other customers worldwide. Using PR Newswire, these organizations are able to reach a variety of critical audiences including the news media, the investment community, government decision-makers, and the general public with their up-to-the-minute, messages in text and multimedia format.
Established in 1954, PR Newswire has offices in 14 countries and routinely sends its customers' announcements to outlets in more than 170 countries and in more than 40 languages. Utilizing the latest in communications technology, PR Newswire content is considered a mainstay among news reporters, investors and individuals who seek breaking announcements from the source. PR Newswire's leading services include ProfNetSM, eWatch™, MEDIAtlas™, Search Engine Optimization, MediaRoom, MediaSense™, MultiVu™, U.S. Newswire, the preeminent policy newswire in the industry, Vintage Filings, the fastest growing Edgar filing company, and Hispanic PR Wire, LatinClips and Hispanic Digital Network, the foremost Hispanic communications services. 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 monetisation of B2B communities and markets. UBM's businesses inform markets and serve professional commercial communities - from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists - with integrated events, online, print and business information products. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised 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
Media Contact:
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Vice President, Public Relations
PR Newswire
rachel.meranus@prnewswire.com +1.201.360.6776
Rice University Team Wins Grand Prize in Academy/mtvU "Oscar® Correspondent Contest"
February 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tarrah Curtis – (310) 247-3090
tcurtis@oscars.org
Janice Gatti - (212) 846-8852
janice.gatti@mtvstaff.com
Rice University Team Wins Grand Prize in Academy/mtvU "Oscar® Correspondent Contest"
Faheem Ahmed and Anish Patel Earn Spots on Red Carpet
For Celebrity Arrivals on February 22
Beverly Hills, CA — Faheem Ahmed and Anish Patel from Rice University have been selected as the Grand Prize winners for the first-ever “Oscar Correspondent Contest,” a joint promotion by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and mtvU, MTV’s 24-hour college network. They have earned a spot on the red carpet for the 81st Academy Awards® arrivals this Sunday, February 22, and will also have access to the backstage press rooms and the Governors Ball. The winning team’s Oscar coverage will be posted on www.Oscars.mtvU.com the week of February 23.
“Fahem and Anish were the top vote getters in this competition and I know this experience is going to be something they will remember forever,” said Academy President Sid Ganis. “The red carpet at the Oscars is like no other and I know they’re going to give it their all while talking to the nominees and other special guests.”
Ahmed and Patel beat out teams of college journalists from across the nation to win this opportunity. The Academy and mtvU selected an initial group of ten semi-finalists from the contest entries. Those ten semi-finalists competed for the most votes, and then were narrowed down to the top three.
“At mtvU, we’re constantly striving to uncover amazing talent on campus. Faheem Ahmed and Anish Patel truly demonstrated incredible talent and creativity in journalism, as did all of the finalists,” said Carlo DiMarco, Vice President of University Relations. “We’re thrilled to work with the Academy on this experience. Covering the red carpet at the Oscars is something these kids will never forget- it’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The three finalist teams were flown Los Angeles where they have and will continue to cover Academy Awards pre-events, including the Animated Feature Symposium, Foreign Language Film Award Nominees Photo Op and Symposium, the Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Symposium and the Governors Ball preview.
A second online vote concluded today (February 20) during which Ahmed and Patel beat out the two remaining finalist teams to become the Grand Prize winners. Runners-up Megan Telles and Andrew Huse of San Diego State University, and Justin Shackil and Garry Van Genderen of Fordham University have earned bleacher seats along the red carpet as well as admission to an Oscar viewing party.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented on Sunday, February 22, 2009, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
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About the Academy
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.
About mtvU
Broadcast to more than 750 college campuses and via top cable distributors in 700 college communities nationwide, mtvU reaches upwards of 9 million U.S. college students – making it the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. mtvU is dedicated to every aspect of college life, reaching students everywhere they are: on-air, online and on campus. mtvU programs music videos from emerging artists that can’t be seen anywhere else, news, student life features and initiatives that give college students the tools to advance positive social change.
mtvU owns and operates the College Media Network, the largest interactive network of online college newspapers in the United States, and RateMyProfessors.com, the Internet’s largest listing of collegiate professor ratings. The College Media Network comprises nearly 600 campus publications, with a combined enrollment of over 5.5 million students, reaching an average of 5 million unique users each month. RateMyProfessors.com reaches approximately 2.9 million college students each month, via the site’s more than 6.6 million student-generated ratings of over 1,000,000 college professors. For more information about mtvU, and a complete programming schedule, visit www.mtvU.com
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©A.M.P.A.S.®
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211-1972
(310) 247-3000 | www.oscars.org | publicity@oscars.org
Friday, February 20, 2009
Newt Gingrich: The Democrats' $1.14 Trillion Bet On Big Government.
The Plan
by Newt Gingrich (more by this author)
Posted 02/17/2009 ETUpdated 02/17/2009 ET
Democrats in Congress have made a $1.14 trillion bet on big government.With less than 48 hours notice, they passed a 1,073 - page collection of special interest spending and dared to call it a “plan.”
With interest, the $787 billion bill will cost us, our children and their children about $1.14 trillion. That works out to about $30,000 in new debt for each American household. Worse, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) asked the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the cost of permanently extending the twenty most popular provisions in the bill. The cost? $3.27 trillion.
But we’ve seen Washington bet on big government and big bureaucracy over the American people before. In each case these bets have failed. And when this latest wager fails, America will need a plan.
I’m writing today to tell you about such a plan.
The Bush-Obama Spending Frenzy, Part IVLike I said, we’ve seen this kind of high stakes, big spending, big government and big bureaucracy gambling before.
This isn’t the Obama-Pelosi-Reid Spending Frenzy , this is the Bush-Obama Spending Frenzy, Part IV.
The first three parts of the Bush-Obama Spending Frenzy were on President Bush’s watch. The $180 billion stimulus program in the spring of 2008 failed.
The $345 billion housing bailout from the summer of 2008 failed. And the $700 billion Wall Street bailout from the fall of 2008 failed.
All told, just last year, Washington wagered $1.2 trillion in spending and lost. And like a problem gambler, Washington isn’t walking away from the casino, it’s doubling down. What Would Reagan Have Done? Bet on the American People.
My nonpartisan, citizen-based organization, American Solutions, has developed an alternative plan, called “12 American Solutions for Jobs and Prosperity.”
It takes its inspiration from Ronald Reagan. Our plan doesn’t bet on government. It bets on the American people.
Callista and I recently completed a movie about the life and vision of Ronald Reagan. And what we found was that Reagan’s approach to the economy was more thoughtful than most of his critics -- and even some of his admirers -- give him credit for.
President Reagan had great compassion for the victims of economic crisis. He spoke often of the Christmas Eve in the midst of the Great Depression when his father learned that he had lost his job. “To be young in my generation was to feel that your future had been mortgaged out from under you, and that's a tragic mistake we must never allow our leaders to make again,” he said.
But even as he understood the need for leadership to help Americans suffering from economic hard times, Reagan also understood that government’s role wasn’t to create economic prosperity -- it couldn’t then and it can’t now. “Government Can and Must Provide Opportunity, Not Smother It”Government’s role, as Reagan understood it, was to give Americans real incentives to work hard, invest and create jobs -- incentives like keeping more of what we earn and the power to create and own our own businesses.
This is how Reagan put it in his first inaugural address:“Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it.”
In the spirit of Ronald Reagan, 12 American Solutions for Jobs and Prosperity puts its faith in the people, not the government. Our plan isn’t more money for more government, more power for politicians and more make-work for bureaucrats.
It’s a clear and decisive alternative that creates jobs, rewards work and encourages savings and investment.
12 American Solutions for Jobs and Prosperity
1. Payroll Tax Stimulus. With a temporary new tax credit to offset 50% of the payroll tax, every small business would have more money, and all Americans would take home more of what they earn.
2. Real Middle-Income Tax Relief. Reduce the marginal tax rate of 25% down to 15%, in effect establishing a flat-rate tax of 15% for close to 9 out of 10 American workers.
3. Reduce the Business Tax Rate. Match Ireland’s rate of 12.5% to keep more jobs in America.
4. Homeowner’s Assistance. Provide tax credit incentives to responsible home buyers so they can keep their homes.
5. Control Spending So We Can Move to a Balanced Budget. This begins with eliminating congressional earmarks and wasteful pork-barrel spending.
6. No State Aid Without Protection From Fraud. Require state governments to adopt anti-fraud and anti-theft policies before giving them more money.
7. More American Energy Now. Explore for more American oil and gas and invest in affordable energy for the future, including clean coal, ethanol, nuclear power and renewable fuels.
8. Abolish Taxes on Capital Gains. Match China, Singapore and many other competitors. More investment in America means more jobs in America.
9. Protect the Rights of American Workers. We must protect a worker’s right to decide by secret ballot whether to join a union, and the worker’s right to freely negotiate. Forced unionism will kill jobs in America at a time when we can’t afford to lose them.
10. Replace Sarbanes-Oxley. This failed law is crippling entrepreneurial startups. Replace it with affordable rules that help create jobs, not destroy them.
11. Abolish the Death Tax. Americans should work for their families, not for Washington.
12. Invest in Energy and Transportation Infrastructure. This includes a new, expanded electric power grid and a 21st Century air traffic control system that will reduce delays in air travel and save passengers, employees and airlines billions of dollars per year.
I’ve already heard from thousands of Americans who believe that this is the kind of change our economy needs right now. I’d love to hear from you.
Please send me your thoughts about 12 Americans Solutions for Jobs and Prosperity using the suggestion box at www.americansolutions.com/jobs.
It’s not too late to be a part of real change for America. When Washington’s latest big government gamble fails, we’ll be ready to put our money on a sure thing:
Real solutions for the American people.
Your friend,
Newt Gingrich
P.S. If any readers use Twitter, you can now follow my updates at http://twitter.com/newtgingrich.
Mr. Gingrich is the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and author of "Winning the Future" (published by Regnery, a HUMAN EVENTS sister company). Click here to get his free Winning the Future e-mail newsletter.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Franklin Institute Honors the 'Best of the Best' in Science and Technology
Trailblazers in Science, Business and Technology Participate in Week-Long Series of Educational Activities for Students and Community
NBC's Robert Bazell Hosts Awards Ceremony Featuring T. Boone Pickens and Other Luminaries
Philadelphia, PA - February 18, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — On Thursday, April 23 NBC News' Robert Bazell will host a gala evening at The Franklin Institute celebrating the extraordinary contributions of eight preeminent trailblazers in science, business and technology. Six Benjamin Franklin Medals will be bestowed at The Franklin Institute Awards black-tie ceremony and dinner, with visionary T. Boone Pickens receiving the Bower Award for Business Leadership and Dr. Sandra M. Faber receiving the $250,000 Bower Award for Achievement in Science. Dr. Faber, whose achievements are in the area of cosmology, is being awarded her prize during the International Year of Astronomy and right after the kick-off of The Franklin's Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy exhibition. The awards event, considered one of the preeminent social events in Philadelphia, crowns a week-long series of activities aimed at education and outreach, utilizing the individual laureates, to bring science to the community.
Dating back to 1824, The Franklin Institute Awards have been awarded to Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Marie and Pierre Curie, Orville Wright and Jane Goodall, among many others. In fact, many Franklin Institute Award winners have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. The contributions of this year's medalists range from significant advances in domestic renewable energy, to the creation of methods to radically improve our understanding of medical images.
The 2009 Franklin Institute Laureates
* T. Boone Pickens, BP Capital
Bower Award for Business Leadership
* Sandra M. Faber, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz
Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science
* George M. Whitesides, Ph.D., Harvard University
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry
* Ruzena Bajcsy, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science
* J. Frederick Grassle, Ph.D., Rutgers University
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth and Environmental Science
* Lotfi A. Zadeh, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Electrical Engineering
* Richard J. Robbins, The Robbins Group LLC
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Engineering
* Stephen J. Benkovic, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
Beginning Tuesday, April 21, each laureate will take part in a seminar or lecture focusing on their area of expertise at various universities throughout the city and at the Institute. The culmination of this exciting week is the Awards Ceremony and Dinner, which takes place on Thursday, April 23 at The Franklin Institute. The highlight of this elegant black-tie event is the presentation of the medals to the laureates. Programs like The Franklin Institute Awards, that inspire a passion for learning about science and technology, are made possible by its generous partners. Bank of America has been a dedicated community partner and Franklin Institute supporter since 2003. Cephalon, Inc. is the Awards Week Sponsor and Associate Sponsor of the Awards Ceremony and Dinner. Additional Associate Sponsors include Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc., Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Optimism in U.S. and World Economies Fall to New 16-Year Low Among CEOs of Leading U.S. Private Companies
19 Feb 2009 17:19 Africa/Lagos
Optimism in U.S. and World Economies Fall to New 16-Year Low Among CEOs of Leading U.S. Private Companies
Domestic and International Sales Projections Slow as Concerns Over Demand, Profitability Increase
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Trendsetter Barometer tracks the business issues and standard industry practices of leading, privately-held U.S. businesses. It incorporates the views of 242 CEOs: 126 from companies in the product sector and 116 in the service sector, averaging $115.1 million in revenue/sales, and including large, $300M plus private companies.
NEW YORK, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive quarter, optimism in the U.S. economy among CEOs of the nation's leading private companies set a new 16-year low, with only one in eight (12 percent) CEOs surveyed for PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Trendsetter Barometer reporting a positive outlook on the U.S. economy over the next twelve months. Dropping five points from 3Q08's 17 percent, CEO optimism has continued a steady decline from 64 percent in 2Q07. The number of CEOs pessimistic about the U.S. economy over the next 12 months rose 13 points in 4Q08 to 54 percent, up from 24 percent during the same period in 2007.
Optimism in the world economy among international marketers continued to drop significantly, with only 10 percent of Trendsetter CEOs claiming they are optimistic about the global economy over the next 12 months, down nine points from the previous quarter and 45 points below last year's 55 percent. Indicative of this lowered optimism, only 30 percent of international marketers reported increased sales abroad, down 8 points from the prior quarter and 17 points from one year ago (47 percent). The number of international marketers reporting lower international sales in 4Q08 doubled to 16 percent; those reporting no change in 4Q08 stayed constant at 54 percent.
"Under this new economic reality, CEOs are shifting their focus to cost reduction to maintain gross margins and improve cash flow. However, it is very important to identify areas where the changes they make are sustainable once the economy recovers," says Ken Esch, partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Services practice. "Too often in a recession, companies institute across the board cost reduction rather than engaging in a review of cost drivers and their impact on the business. This could result in cuts to key areas that could drive future profitability. Private company CEOs in particular should actively forecast their financial performance, rather than working off historical budgets, to ensure they have a forward-looking view of how the changes they're making today will impact their business tomorrow."
Gross Margins Tighten, Prices Fall
Gross margins tightened considerably in 4Q08, with net 16 percent of private company CEOs reporting lower margins. This number is well below 3Q08's net three percent reporting lower margins and in stark contrast to net six percent reporting increased margins during the fourth quarter of 2007.
Despite a lower number of Trendsetter CEOs reporting higher costs (net nine percent, down from net 27 percent last quarter), the number of respondents citing lower prices rose to net five percent in 4Q08 (net eight percent reported higher prices in 3Q08). "While fewer CEOs reported higher costs in 4Q08, it's important they aren't lulled into a false sense of security in their margin numbers," adds Esch. "Most companies today are enjoying favorable pricing of commodities and transportation costs, but if that situation changes and companies haven't been paying close attention to their cost drivers, they could be in trouble if costs move upward in the months ahead."
Growth Projections Falter
In the face of low levels of optimism in the U.S. and global economies, respondents projected notably lower average revenue growth rates for their companies over the next 12 months, averaging 5.2 percent in 4Q08, down from 10.1 percent in 3Q08 and 15.5 percent last year. Similarly, 57 percent of Trendsetter CEOs are projecting revenue growth over the next 12 months, down 10 points from last quarter and down 30 points from 4Q07; just 25 percent of those companies forecasting growth are projecting a double-digit increase, a 13 point drop from last quarter's 38 percent.
International marketers remain ahead of their domestic-only peers in revenue growth projections for the next 12 months -- 6.1 percent vs. 4.5 percent -- but the gap narrowed this quarter, from a 3.8 point spread in 3Q08 to a 1.6 spread in 4Q08. "In 3Q08, we saw international companies' growth rate projections hold steady at around 12 percent. Although they cut their projections in half this quarter, it doesn't necessarily indicate they expect international sales to decline at the same rate," adds Esch. Note that those with sales in the emerging markets of China/India/Brazil reflect above average revenue growth (7.5 percent). "Another important reason for private companies to be more forward looking in their forecasts is to anticipate how slowing domestic sales will affect their global business. High-performing private companies continue to expand in the emerging markets to fuel their growth."
Capital Investments Continue at a Slower Pace
The number of Trendsetter CEOs planning major new investments of capital remained flat for the second quarter in a row (29 percent in 4Q08, down one point from 3Q08), however, average investment as a percent of sales continued to drop, falling to 7.4 percent, down from 3Q08 (8.2 percent) and last year (13.6 percent).
The number of respondents planning to increase spending also fell in 4Q08, down six points to 55 percent. Most notably, the percentage of companies planning to increase spending on research and development dropped three points to an all-time low of nine percent. In line with previous quarters' results, more international marketers plan to increase spending over the next 12 months than their domestic-only counterparts (62 percent versus 49 percent for domestic-only), albeit at slower rate.
International Domestic-Only Peers
Marketers
Plans over the Next 12 months: 4Q08 3Q08 4Q08 3Q08
Major Capital Investments 35% 36% 24% 26%
Expansion to New Markets Abroad 24% 23% 5% 4%
Increased Operational Spending for:
New Products/Services 35% 36% 15% 20%
R&D 13% 20% 5% 6%
Sales Promotion 25% 27% 18% 20%
"In this economy, it's easy to focus on making decisions that impact the bottom line over the next few quarters," adds Esch. "Cutting costs to remain a viable business is obviously necessary, however, it's also important that private company CEOs continue to make strategic investments in areas that will create new revenue in the future. For example, leading private companies are taking advantage of the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit rules to help fund product and process improvements that may benefit their business for years to come."
Weak Demand, Profitability Continue to Present Challenges
Eight out of ten (84 percent) Trendsetter CEOs cite lack of demand as a major potential barrier, up one point from the previous quarter and up 20 points from last year's levels. In line with previous results, the number of respondents citing profitability/decreasing margins rose in 4Q08, up four points from 3Q08 to 44 percent and up 12 points from 4Q07; legislative/regulatory pressures were cited by 35 percent of respondents for the second quarter in a row. Concern over the availability of qualified workers continued to decline, cited by just 19 percent of respondents this quarter as hiring plans slow; this is down from 30 percent last quarter and 45 percent one year ago. In contrast, oil/energy prices dropped sharply as a barrier, off 20 points to 22 percent.
Hiring Plans Slow, Hourly Wages Increase at a Slower Pace
The number of private businesses planning net new hiring over the next 12 months fell 13 points to 35 percent in 4Q08, while the number of Trendsetter CEOs planning to reduce workers rose nine points to 17 percent. Overall, a net increase of 1.7 percent is planned for respondents' composite workforce -- a survey low. The mean expected increase in hourly wages decreased from 2.84 percent in 3Q08 to 2.27 percent in the fourth quarter.
Professionals/technicians remain the most sought after new hires, down 12 points from the previous quarter to 22 percent in 4Q08. Sales/marketing executives (eight percent) and administrative support (seven percent) remained the second and third most cited job types.
PricewaterhouseCoopers works with a majority of the leading private companies in the U.S. Our 2,000 private company individuals focus on understanding the strategy and business objectives of private companies and their owners, working together to add value while reducing risk. Our professionals are provided with cross training to enable them to connect the dots across a number of private company issues such as compliance, controls, access to cash flow, expansion, exit strategies, succession, wealth management and the many areas that can help build or diminish long term success and value. For more information about PwC's private companies services please visit pwc.com/pcs
PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 155,000 people in 153 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
(C) 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. "PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership) or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
For more information about Barometer surveys, including recent economic trend data and topical issues, please visit our web site: www.barometersurveys.com
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers
CONTACT: Amy O'Brien, PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Services,
+1-312-298-2878, amy.w.obrien@us.pwc.com; or Meaghan Smith, Edelman for
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Services, +1-212-704-8196,
meaghan.smith@edelman.com
Web Site: http://www.pwc.com/
Optimism in U.S. and World Economies Fall to New 16-Year Low Among CEOs of Leading U.S. Private Companies
Domestic and International Sales Projections Slow as Concerns Over Demand, Profitability Increase
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Trendsetter Barometer tracks the business issues and standard industry practices of leading, privately-held U.S. businesses. It incorporates the views of 242 CEOs: 126 from companies in the product sector and 116 in the service sector, averaging $115.1 million in revenue/sales, and including large, $300M plus private companies.
NEW YORK, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive quarter, optimism in the U.S. economy among CEOs of the nation's leading private companies set a new 16-year low, with only one in eight (12 percent) CEOs surveyed for PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Trendsetter Barometer reporting a positive outlook on the U.S. economy over the next twelve months. Dropping five points from 3Q08's 17 percent, CEO optimism has continued a steady decline from 64 percent in 2Q07. The number of CEOs pessimistic about the U.S. economy over the next 12 months rose 13 points in 4Q08 to 54 percent, up from 24 percent during the same period in 2007.
Optimism in the world economy among international marketers continued to drop significantly, with only 10 percent of Trendsetter CEOs claiming they are optimistic about the global economy over the next 12 months, down nine points from the previous quarter and 45 points below last year's 55 percent. Indicative of this lowered optimism, only 30 percent of international marketers reported increased sales abroad, down 8 points from the prior quarter and 17 points from one year ago (47 percent). The number of international marketers reporting lower international sales in 4Q08 doubled to 16 percent; those reporting no change in 4Q08 stayed constant at 54 percent.
"Under this new economic reality, CEOs are shifting their focus to cost reduction to maintain gross margins and improve cash flow. However, it is very important to identify areas where the changes they make are sustainable once the economy recovers," says Ken Esch, partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Services practice. "Too often in a recession, companies institute across the board cost reduction rather than engaging in a review of cost drivers and their impact on the business. This could result in cuts to key areas that could drive future profitability. Private company CEOs in particular should actively forecast their financial performance, rather than working off historical budgets, to ensure they have a forward-looking view of how the changes they're making today will impact their business tomorrow."
Gross Margins Tighten, Prices Fall
Gross margins tightened considerably in 4Q08, with net 16 percent of private company CEOs reporting lower margins. This number is well below 3Q08's net three percent reporting lower margins and in stark contrast to net six percent reporting increased margins during the fourth quarter of 2007.
Despite a lower number of Trendsetter CEOs reporting higher costs (net nine percent, down from net 27 percent last quarter), the number of respondents citing lower prices rose to net five percent in 4Q08 (net eight percent reported higher prices in 3Q08). "While fewer CEOs reported higher costs in 4Q08, it's important they aren't lulled into a false sense of security in their margin numbers," adds Esch. "Most companies today are enjoying favorable pricing of commodities and transportation costs, but if that situation changes and companies haven't been paying close attention to their cost drivers, they could be in trouble if costs move upward in the months ahead."
Growth Projections Falter
In the face of low levels of optimism in the U.S. and global economies, respondents projected notably lower average revenue growth rates for their companies over the next 12 months, averaging 5.2 percent in 4Q08, down from 10.1 percent in 3Q08 and 15.5 percent last year. Similarly, 57 percent of Trendsetter CEOs are projecting revenue growth over the next 12 months, down 10 points from last quarter and down 30 points from 4Q07; just 25 percent of those companies forecasting growth are projecting a double-digit increase, a 13 point drop from last quarter's 38 percent.
International marketers remain ahead of their domestic-only peers in revenue growth projections for the next 12 months -- 6.1 percent vs. 4.5 percent -- but the gap narrowed this quarter, from a 3.8 point spread in 3Q08 to a 1.6 spread in 4Q08. "In 3Q08, we saw international companies' growth rate projections hold steady at around 12 percent. Although they cut their projections in half this quarter, it doesn't necessarily indicate they expect international sales to decline at the same rate," adds Esch. Note that those with sales in the emerging markets of China/India/Brazil reflect above average revenue growth (7.5 percent). "Another important reason for private companies to be more forward looking in their forecasts is to anticipate how slowing domestic sales will affect their global business. High-performing private companies continue to expand in the emerging markets to fuel their growth."
Capital Investments Continue at a Slower Pace
The number of Trendsetter CEOs planning major new investments of capital remained flat for the second quarter in a row (29 percent in 4Q08, down one point from 3Q08), however, average investment as a percent of sales continued to drop, falling to 7.4 percent, down from 3Q08 (8.2 percent) and last year (13.6 percent).
The number of respondents planning to increase spending also fell in 4Q08, down six points to 55 percent. Most notably, the percentage of companies planning to increase spending on research and development dropped three points to an all-time low of nine percent. In line with previous quarters' results, more international marketers plan to increase spending over the next 12 months than their domestic-only counterparts (62 percent versus 49 percent for domestic-only), albeit at slower rate.
International Domestic-Only Peers
Marketers
Plans over the Next 12 months: 4Q08 3Q08 4Q08 3Q08
Major Capital Investments 35% 36% 24% 26%
Expansion to New Markets Abroad 24% 23% 5% 4%
Increased Operational Spending for:
New Products/Services 35% 36% 15% 20%
R&D 13% 20% 5% 6%
Sales Promotion 25% 27% 18% 20%
"In this economy, it's easy to focus on making decisions that impact the bottom line over the next few quarters," adds Esch. "Cutting costs to remain a viable business is obviously necessary, however, it's also important that private company CEOs continue to make strategic investments in areas that will create new revenue in the future. For example, leading private companies are taking advantage of the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit rules to help fund product and process improvements that may benefit their business for years to come."
Weak Demand, Profitability Continue to Present Challenges
Eight out of ten (84 percent) Trendsetter CEOs cite lack of demand as a major potential barrier, up one point from the previous quarter and up 20 points from last year's levels. In line with previous results, the number of respondents citing profitability/decreasing margins rose in 4Q08, up four points from 3Q08 to 44 percent and up 12 points from 4Q07; legislative/regulatory pressures were cited by 35 percent of respondents for the second quarter in a row. Concern over the availability of qualified workers continued to decline, cited by just 19 percent of respondents this quarter as hiring plans slow; this is down from 30 percent last quarter and 45 percent one year ago. In contrast, oil/energy prices dropped sharply as a barrier, off 20 points to 22 percent.
Hiring Plans Slow, Hourly Wages Increase at a Slower Pace
The number of private businesses planning net new hiring over the next 12 months fell 13 points to 35 percent in 4Q08, while the number of Trendsetter CEOs planning to reduce workers rose nine points to 17 percent. Overall, a net increase of 1.7 percent is planned for respondents' composite workforce -- a survey low. The mean expected increase in hourly wages decreased from 2.84 percent in 3Q08 to 2.27 percent in the fourth quarter.
Professionals/technicians remain the most sought after new hires, down 12 points from the previous quarter to 22 percent in 4Q08. Sales/marketing executives (eight percent) and administrative support (seven percent) remained the second and third most cited job types.
PricewaterhouseCoopers works with a majority of the leading private companies in the U.S. Our 2,000 private company individuals focus on understanding the strategy and business objectives of private companies and their owners, working together to add value while reducing risk. Our professionals are provided with cross training to enable them to connect the dots across a number of private company issues such as compliance, controls, access to cash flow, expansion, exit strategies, succession, wealth management and the many areas that can help build or diminish long term success and value. For more information about PwC's private companies services please visit pwc.com/pcs
PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 155,000 people in 153 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.
(C) 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. "PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership) or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
For more information about Barometer surveys, including recent economic trend data and topical issues, please visit our web site: www.barometersurveys.com
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers
CONTACT: Amy O'Brien, PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Services,
+1-312-298-2878, amy.w.obrien@us.pwc.com; or Meaghan Smith, Edelman for
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Private Company Services, +1-212-704-8196,
meaghan.smith@edelman.com
Web Site: http://www.pwc.com/
Is America Exporting Part of Its Chance for Energy Independence?
19 Feb 2009 12:00 Africa/Lagos
Is America Exporting Part of Its Chance for Energy Independence?
Video Documents What Happens When Most of What Americans Recycle Is Exported
BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's number one export by volume isn't something manufactured by an American company - it's scrap paper, metal, and plastics that Americans are recycling every day at home and work. When we export all of those recyclables to China and other nations, we are giving up part of the solution to reducing America's reliance on foreign oil and polluting sources of energy like coal.
That's because manufacturing new products out of recycled materials creates significant energy savings. "If we are going to become a more economically self-sufficient and energy-independent nation, America must strengthen its manufacturing sector, and manufacturers must become more energy efficient. One way to increase that efficiency is to use recycled materials, since recycling uses significantly less energy than mining and refining materials," says Steve Lautze, Green Business Projects Manager with the City of Oakland, CA and past president of the Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA). For example, making a new aluminum can out of an old one takes 95% less energy than creating that can from ore.
NCRA has produced a 17-minute video called "Point of Return" that explains how old newspapers, soup cans, and soda bottles move through the economy and are then are often shipped overseas, where foreign manufacturers reap the numerous benefits of using them as manufacturing feedstock. The rapid industrial growth in nations like China is fueled in large part by scrap materials purchased from the U.S.
Those same products are often then sold back to Americans in various consumer products, compounding our trade deficit. The video shows three American companies recovering a variety of materials and transforming them into useful products in Northern California's economy, and challenges other regions in the U.S. to do the same.
Recycled-content manufacturing and zero-waste production will also help combat global warming. "Expanding and optimizing recycling represents one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways that we can reduce our national carbon footprint," says Patty Moore, president of Moore Recycling Associates and a member of the Northern California Recycling Association.
To learn more, watch the video online at http://www.ncrarecycles.org/video/video1.html.
About NCRA
The Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) is an association of recycling businesses, community groups, municipalities, and individuals committed to promoting, expanding, and institutionalizing recycling. Learn more at www.ncrarecycles.org.
Source: Northern California Recycling Association
CONTACT: Steve Lautze, +1-510-238-4973, slautze@oaklandnet.com; or Patty
Moore, +1-707-935-3390, patty@moorerecycling.com
Web Site: http://www.ncrarecycles.org/
Is America Exporting Part of Its Chance for Energy Independence?
Video Documents What Happens When Most of What Americans Recycle Is Exported
BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's number one export by volume isn't something manufactured by an American company - it's scrap paper, metal, and plastics that Americans are recycling every day at home and work. When we export all of those recyclables to China and other nations, we are giving up part of the solution to reducing America's reliance on foreign oil and polluting sources of energy like coal.
That's because manufacturing new products out of recycled materials creates significant energy savings. "If we are going to become a more economically self-sufficient and energy-independent nation, America must strengthen its manufacturing sector, and manufacturers must become more energy efficient. One way to increase that efficiency is to use recycled materials, since recycling uses significantly less energy than mining and refining materials," says Steve Lautze, Green Business Projects Manager with the City of Oakland, CA and past president of the Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA). For example, making a new aluminum can out of an old one takes 95% less energy than creating that can from ore.
NCRA has produced a 17-minute video called "Point of Return" that explains how old newspapers, soup cans, and soda bottles move through the economy and are then are often shipped overseas, where foreign manufacturers reap the numerous benefits of using them as manufacturing feedstock. The rapid industrial growth in nations like China is fueled in large part by scrap materials purchased from the U.S.
Those same products are often then sold back to Americans in various consumer products, compounding our trade deficit. The video shows three American companies recovering a variety of materials and transforming them into useful products in Northern California's economy, and challenges other regions in the U.S. to do the same.
Recycled-content manufacturing and zero-waste production will also help combat global warming. "Expanding and optimizing recycling represents one of the most accessible and cost-effective ways that we can reduce our national carbon footprint," says Patty Moore, president of Moore Recycling Associates and a member of the Northern California Recycling Association.
To learn more, watch the video online at http://www.ncrarecycles.org/video/video1.html.
About NCRA
The Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) is an association of recycling businesses, community groups, municipalities, and individuals committed to promoting, expanding, and institutionalizing recycling. Learn more at www.ncrarecycles.org.
Source: Northern California Recycling Association
CONTACT: Steve Lautze, +1-510-238-4973, slautze@oaklandnet.com; or Patty
Moore, +1-707-935-3390, patty@moorerecycling.com
Web Site: http://www.ncrarecycles.org/
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
United Federal Credit Union Speaks Out About Bailout Funds With Edgy Campaign
UNITED FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SPEAKS OUT ABOUT BAILOUT FUNDS WITH EDGY CAMPAIGN
Financial institution aims to educate public on financial safety and soundness of credit unions
ST. JOSEPH, MI (February 16, 2009) /PRNewswire/ — While Congress continues to pour billions into a bailout stimulus plan for the banking sector as a solution for economic recovery, alternative financial institutions like United Federal Credit Union (UFCU) are standing up and speaking out about being another resolution to the financial crisis, and an institution that Americans can trust.
Using a witty, new educational campaign, UFCU is making a bold statement by stepping out of the crowd and informing the public that credit unions are a safe, smart and dependable option that have never been in the habit of abandoning members, especially in times of financial crisis. In fact, as bank lending saw record decline prior to the government bailout plan, UFCU reported an 11.5 percent loan growth to its members in 2008 as compared to the previous year. The educational campaign, appearing in key bailout markets, including Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and Arkansas, hopes to create a broader awareness and change the public's impressions of credit unions nationally.
"Because banks have branches in every city — often in multiple locations — and ATMs on every corner, credit unions are frequently overlooked as an option," said Gary Easterling, President and CEO of UFCU. "As an industry, credit unions are considered to be a relatively small player in the field of financial services because they don't have the physical presence that banks do."
By targeting the lack of understanding the public has between credit unions and other financial service options, UFCU is hoping to tell its story to eligible non-members who may not realize such a great alternative even exists. In addition to an educational print advertising campaign, UFCU has also invested in a Web site, www.UNITEDfcu.com/commonsense. This additional resource will provide the public with more detailed information about the credit union and its membership advantages, as well as member testimonials, video clip messages from UFCU's CEO and links to helpful financial tools.
United Federal Credit Union has served its members since 1949 by helping them build a sound financial future. Presently UFCU consists of 80,338 member/owners worldwide, and manages assets in excess of $849,000,000. For more information about UFCU, call 1-888-982-1400, or visit www.unitedfcu.com.
Press Contact:
Yanick Dalhouse
414.351-9563
ydalhouse@bvk.com
Patty Tazalla
414.247.2174
ptazalla@bvk.com
Mardi Gras Gives Everyone a Big Fat Break Because Carnival Means 'So Long' to Meat
A Slow Economy Can Bring Kids - and Their Parents - Closer to Nature
Ongoing Issues Regarding Peanut Corporation of America Result in Scotts Voluntarily Recalling Five Wild Bird Food Suet Products that may Contain PCA Peanut Meal
NAACP Denounces Big-Business Front Group and Joins Civil Rights, Labor Leaders to Present Sen. Burr, Rep. Coble with 'Hypocrisy Award'
Economic Stimulus Plan
Tax Season
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Pelosi Statement on Tragic Plane Crash Outside Buffalo Last Night
13 Feb 2009 19:56 Africa/Lagos
Pelosi Statement on Tragic Plane Crash Outside Buffalo Last Night
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today about the commuter plane that crashed into a house outside of Buffalo, N.Y. late last night, killing all 49 people on board and one person in the home.
"The news of the plane crash in upstate New York last night leaves all of us in Congress with a heavy heart today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died and with the entire Buffalo community.
"This accident is a tragedy for the entire nation, and a deep, personal loss for so many. Shortly after the terrible tragedy of September 11th, I had the privilege to get to know one of those who died last night: Beverly Eckert. After losing her husband, Sean, on 9/11, she turned her grief into strength by becoming a fierce advocate for improving our national security. I was proud to work with Beverly and so many 9/11 families as we worked to pass legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission reforms. As I told Beverly, without dedicated people like her, there would have been no 9/11 Commission, there would have been no 9/11 Commission recommendations, and there would have been no sweeping changes to make Americans safer.
"I hope it is a small comfort to those who grieve today that so many are praying for them in this sad time."
Source: Office of the Speaker of the House
CONTACT: Brendan Daly, Nadeam Elshami or Drew Hammill, all of the Office
of the Speaker of the House, +1-202-226-7616
Hot Topics
Economic Stimulus Plan
Fannie Mae Suspends Foreclosure Sales Pending Administration Announcement
Freddie Mac Extends Moratorium on Foreclosure Sales
Flight 3407 Tragedy
Quarterly Earnings Reports
Valentine's Day
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American International Toy Fair
2009 Chicago Auto Show
Friday, February 13, 2009
Continental Airlines Offers Support to Colgan Air in Providing Assistance to Families of Flight 3407 Passengers and Crew
13 Feb 2009 08:18 Africa/Lagos
Continental Airlines Offers Support to Colgan Air in Providing Assistance to Families of Flight 3407 Passengers and Crew
HOUSTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) this morning expressed its profound sadness concerning the accident involving flight 3407, operated by Colgan Air, that occurred Thursday night near Buffalo .
"Continental extends its deepest sympathy to the family members and loved ones of those involved in this accident," said Larry Kellner, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines. "We are providing our full assistance to Colgan Air so that together we can provide as much support as possible for all concerned."
Continental representatives are traveling to Buffalo to provide assistance to Colgan in its response to the accident. A family assistance center is being established in the area.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family members and loved ones of those involved in the flight 3407 tragedy," Kellner added.
Family members of flight 3407 passengers and crew should contact the airline at 1-800-621-3263.
Source: Continental Airlines
CONTACT: Corporate Communications, +1-713-324-5080, corpcomm@coair.com
Web site: http://www.continental.com/
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Lincoln's Life Chronicled on Stamps
12 Feb 2009 14:04 Africa/Lagos
Lincoln's Life Chronicled on Stamps
Set of four stamps commemorate 200th Birthday
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States., who rose from humble, frontier origins to become a prominent lawyer and politician and ultimately President of the United States. The four First-Class commemorative 42-cent stamps, available nationwide today, were dedicated at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, IL, by Postmaster General John Potter and Assistant Majority Leader Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL). Visit this link to see the stamps: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2009/pr09_017.htm
"When Americans are asked to pick our greatest president, two names are always at the top of the list: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln," explained Potter. "In Washington, DC, that opinion is carved in stone. The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the United States Capitol stand out in single file along the National Mall. They are enduring symbols of the power of the people and of the two leaders who first protected that power and then perfected it. Abraham Lincoln's greatest desire was to earn the respect and esteem of his fellow man. In fact, he has earned the esteem of all mankind. Now it is our privilege to show our respect."
Joining Potter and Durbin in dedicating the stamps were Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL); Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin, Illinois State Historian Thomas Schwartz, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Director Jan Grimes and U.S. Postal Service Great Lakes Area Operations Vice President Jo Ann Feindt.
"From modest Midwestern roots, Abraham Lincoln rose to the presidency through his intelligence, integrity and commitment to the nation that he loved," said Durbin. "He is a true American hero whose enormous courage and strength of character during some of our nation's most tumultuous times have been sources of inspiration for generations of Americans. As we approach the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, these postage stamps will play an important role in this year long tribute to his life and legacy."
The stamp art was created by Mark Summers under the direction of art director Richard Sheaff. Summers is noted for his scratchboard technique, a style distinguished by a dense network of lines etched with exquisite precision. Each stamp features a different aspect of Lincoln's life.
Rail-Splitter
The stamp showing Lincoln as a rail-splitter includes the earliest-known photograph of Lincoln, dated 1846, by N. H. Shepherd, and depicts Lincoln as a youth splitting a log for a rail fence on what was then the American frontier. When he was a candidate for president in 1860, the Republican Party used the image of Lincoln as a "rail-splitter" to enhance his appeal to the working man.
Lawyer
The stamp featuring Lincoln as a lawyer includes a photograph of Lincoln, dated May 7, 1858, by Abraham Byers, and shows Lincoln in a courtroom in Illinois, the state where he was a practicing attorney for nearly 25 years.
Politician
The stamp of Lincoln as a politician includes a Mathew Brady photograph of Lincoln dated Feb. 27, 1860, and shows Lincoln debating Stephen A. Douglas during their 1858 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from Illinois.
President
The stamp featuring Lincoln as president includes an Alexander Gardner photograph of Lincoln, dated Nov. 8, 1863, and depicts Lincoln conferring with generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman toward the end of the Civil War. The depiction is based on "The Peacemakers" (1868), a painting by George P. A. Healy.
National Postal Museum Lincoln Stamps Exhibit
The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, maintains the world's largest collection of stamp images online through its Arago website, http://www.arago.si.edu/. Since 1866, 74 stamps have been issued in Lincoln's honor, including these stamps to honor his 200(th) birthday.
From the Post Office Department's 1775 inception, postage was based on distance and the number of pages mailed. Prepayment of postage was not required. In 1847 stamps were introduced - the five-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp ($1.33 in 2008 dollars), good for mailing 1/2 ounce letters up to 300 miles, and the 10-cent George Washington stamp for mailing 1/2 ounce letters beyond 300 miles ($2.66 in 2008 dollars).
In 1866 the Post Office Department issued what is considered to be the nation's first commemorative stamp - the 15-cent Lincoln. It was the first stamp of that denomination issued by the United States and Lincoln was the first person pictured on a postage stamp since stamps were first issued in 1847. The 15-cent Lincoln stamp denomination ($2.25 in 2008 dollars) paid the single-weight rate to France, or in combination with other denominations, greater weight and foreign destination rates. After Jan. 1, 1869, it could have paid the registered mail fee. More than 2.1 million Lincoln stamps were printed by the National Bank Note Company. A stamp commemorating the Lincoln Memorial has also been issued. To see all of the Lincoln stamps visit the National Postal Museum's Arago website:
http://www.arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=5&cmd=2&c=&chk=10&ct=&d_all=&d_end=2 009&d_start=1861&f=1&l=&lf=3&o=&pg=1&q=Lincoln&r=&s=&set=&start=1&t=423
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at
www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail. To learn about the history of the Postal Service visit the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum: www.postalmuseum.si.edu.
Abraham Lincoln
Background Information
Rail-splitter
The Republican Party promoted the image of Lincoln as a "rail-splitter" during his run for the presidency in 1860. This image - designed to evoke Lincoln's frontier origins and enhance his appeal to the workingman - had some basis in fact. He was born on Feb. 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County), KY. As a youth in Indiana, he helped clear forests and spent most of his days doing farm chores, leaving little time or opportunity for formal schooling. His father hired him out to other farmers to split rails, plow fields, and slaughter hogs. When the family moved to central Illinois in 1830, Lincoln split rails to build a fence for his father's new farm. Thirty years later, when the Illinois Republican state convention met to nominate a candidate for President, a state politician found what he believed to be the fence that Lincoln had helped build and had two of the rails brought onto the convention floor with a label that read, "Abraham Lincoln, the Rail Candidate."
Although the label conveyed the notion that Lincoln had achieved success by the sweat of his brow, in fact his rise from manual laborer to lawyer and political leader had more to do with his love of learning and his determination to progress beyond his rural roots. During his youth, he had stolen many moments from work to read books and educate himself, risking and sometimes incurring the disapproval of his father and neighboring farmers. But, as one friend later said, Lincoln's ambition was "a little engine that knew no rest." He was not content with the life of a small farmer and worried about how hard it would be "to die and leave one's Country no better than if one had never lived."
Lawyer
When Lincoln left his father's household to make his way in the world, he was, by his own later account, a "friendless, uneducated, penniless boy." But his outgoing personality, sense of humor, and storytelling ability won him many friends in the small, frontier village of New Salem, IL, where he began his working life. While earning a living as a store clerk, he participated in a debating society and attended sessions of the local court. Some residents took note of his intelligence and urged him to run for the state legislature. After being elected to represent his district in 1834, Lincoln began to study the law on his own. In 1837, he became a law partner to a legislator in the town of Springfield, the new state capital. He practiced law there for nearly 25 years.
Lincoln's law practice in Springfield provided him with enough income to marry, raise a family, and eventually prosper. It also proved an asset to his political career. Lincoln learned the art of addressing juries as well as the skill of researching and preparing written arguments before the state supreme court. By riding the judicial circuit of central Illinois, he visited dozens of small towns, got to know thousands of people by name, and learned the concerns of citizens from all walks of life. Many knew him by the nickname "Honest Abe." Both clients and fellow attorneys became some of his strongest political supporters. In the 1850s, with the surge in railroad construction, Lincoln represented railroad companies (as well as people suing railroads) and secured out-of-state business clients. By then he was one of the most prominent attorneys in the state.
Politician
Prior to becoming President, Lincoln served four terms in the state legislature of Illinois, but only one brief term in the United States Congress, from 1847 to 1849. He was little known on the national scene in 1858, when he ran against Illinois political rival and Democrat Stephen A. Douglas for a Senate seat. While launching his campaign as the Republican nominee for the seat, Lincoln delivered his historic "House Divided" speech at Springfield on June 16, 1858, in which he contended the government could not remain half slave and half free. "It will become all one thing, or all the other."
Lincoln challenged the incumbent Douglas to a series of debates, in which a major point of contention was the institution of slavery and its future in the republic. Held in seven Illinois congressional districts over a period of almost two months, the open-air debates drew unprecedented press coverage for a local contest and brought Lincoln national recognition. Although he failed to wrest the Senate seat from Douglas, he continued to voice his opinions on the major issues of the day. Two years later Lincoln was invited to address a sophisticated, eastern audience at Cooper Union in Manhattan. His well-researched speech, on Feb. 27, 1860, which marshaled historical evidence to support his argument that the federal government could legally restrict the spread of slavery, "erased the impression of a crude frontiersman" and paved the way to his nomination as the Republican candidate for President three months later.
President
When Lincoln was elected president in November 1860 with less than 40 percent of the popular vote, few could have foreseen that the former one-term congressman from Illinois would achieve lasting fame as one of the nation's greatest leaders. But after the South's secession plunged the nation into civil war, Lincoln revealed remarkable political genius and strength of character in confronting the crisis. Assuming the burdens of commander in chief, he called for a massive army of volunteers, chose and guided military leaders, and made critical decisions on war tactics and strategies. He also shaped the American people's understanding of the meaning of the war and the basic ideals that were at stake. By issuing the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, he made the struggle to end slavery an important dimension of the war. With the Gettysburg Address of Nov. 19, 1863, he eloquently called for "a new birth of freedom," and for renewed dedication to the task of ensuring that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
After Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant general-in-chief of the Union armies in March 1864, Grant battled Confederate forces until compelling Robert E. Lee to surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. On the evening of April 14, in the wake of victory celebrations, Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington. He died the following morning. Despite Lincoln's brief time as a major figure on the national scene, he left an invaluable legacy. Largely because of Lincoln, in the concise words of historian James McPherson, "the republic endured, and slavery perished."
How to obtain the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, or at the Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes, to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Abraham Lincoln Stamp
Philatelic Clerk
U.S. Postal Service
2105 Cook Street
Springfield, IL 62703-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by April 10, 2009.
How to Order First-Day-Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
P.O. Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
There are also six other philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
Item 464774, $16.95 - Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Stamp Folio - Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln with this unique commemorative folio honoring his life and presidency. It includes a period-inspired broadside of the Gettysburg Address, four biographical cards with placeholders for mounting stamps, a timeline of the major events in Lincoln's life and a pane of 20 Abraham Lincoln stamps with four mounts for preserving the stamps.
464763, First-Day Cover Set of four, $3.20
464768, Digital Color Postmark Set of four, $6.00
464784, Uncut Press Sheet, $50.40
464791, Ceremony Program, $6.95
464799, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (4 DCP w/pane), $14.40
High-resolution images of the stamps area available for media use only by
contacting mark.r.saunders@usps.gov
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
http://www.usps.com
Source: U.S. Postal Service
CONTACT: Mark Saunders of the U.S. Postal Service, +1-202-268-6524
(office), +1-202-320-0782 (cell), mark.r.saunders@usps.gov
Web Site: http://www.arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=5&cmd=2&c=&chk=10&ct=&d_all=&d_end=2009&d_start=1861&f=1&l=&lf=3&o=&pg=1&q=Lincoln&r=&s=&set=&start=1&t=423
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/
Lincoln Bicentennial
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