American Times Online

Over Half of Americans Still Not Likely to Vote for President Obama This Fall

2012-01-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

Over Half of Americans Still Not Likely to Vote for President Obama This Fall

People thinking the country is moving in the right direction continues to inch up

HARRIS POLL LOGO Harris Poll Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Harris Interactive) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the calendar moved into a new year, it also moved into an election year and President Obama is starting this year exactly as he ended the last one in terms of his approval ratings. This month, just like in December, just over one-third of Americans (36%) give the President positive ratings for the overall job he is doing and slightly less than two-thirds (64%) give him negative marks. Looking at the possible swing states for the general election (Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia) two-thirds of Americans in these nine states (65%) give the President negative ratings while one-third (35%) give him positive marks. One thing to note is that this survey was conducted prior to the President giving his State of the Union address.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO )

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,016 adults surveyed online between January 16 and 23, 2012 by Harris Interactive.

Not surprisingly, just 6% of Republicans and 12% of Conservatives give President Obama positive ratings. Among Independents almost seven in ten (69%) give him negative ratings as do 58% of Moderates. Among the President's party, while two-thirds of Democrats (66%) give President Obama positive ratings, one-third (34%) give him negative ratings. Among liberals there is a wider gap as 60% give the President positive marks and 40% give him negative ratings.

Vice President Joe Biden fares a little worse. Just one in five Americans (22%) give the Vice President positive ratings for the job he is doing while almost half (45%) give him negative ratings. But, one-third (33%) say they are not familiar enough with him to rate his job performance.

Direction of the Country and Most Important Issue
One thing that continued to rise over the past few months is the direction Americans think the country is going. This month over one-quarter of U.S. adults (27%) say things are going in the right direction while just under three-quarters (73%) say things are going off on the wrong track. In December, one-quarter of Americans (24%) said things in the country were going in the right direction while three-quarters (76%) said things were going off on the wrong track.

One thing that probably won't change for a while is what Americans think is the most important issue for the government to address. More than two in five U.S. adults (42%) say the government should address employment/jobs while three in ten (31%) say one of the two most important issues for the government to address is the economy. One in five (21%) say the government should address healthcare, not Medicare while 12% say they should address the budget and government spending and 10% say taxes.

President Obama's re-election chances
The focus for the past few months has been on the Republicans as they decide which of the four remaining candidates will challenge President Obama this fall. But, looking at the President's re-election chances, if the election for president were to be held today, over half of Americans (52%) would be unlikely to vote to re-elect President Obama, two in five (41%) would be likely to vote for him and 7% are not at all sure. This is very similar to last month when 51% said they would be unlikely to vote to re-elect the President and 42% said they would be likely to do so. Looking at this by party, nine in ten Republicans (91%) and over half of Independents (52%) would be unlikely to vote for him as would 20% of Democrats. Also, in the likely 2012 swing states, 53% say they would be unlikely to vote for the President while 40% say they would be likely to vote for him.

When it comes to what Americans think will happen on Election Day, over one-third (36%) think President Obama will be re-elected while 41% think he will not be re-elected; one in five (22%) are not at all sure. Last month, 44% did not think he would be re-elected while just over one-third (35%) thought he would be re-elected.

So What?
Jobs and the economy are still the main issues that Americans want to see addressed. In his State of the Union address, the President definitely offered up his plans for help to grow the economy and to get more people back to work. But, two questions that remain are if they will actually work and will people believe in them. If so, this should give President Obama's re-election the shot it desperately needs right now. If it doesn't, this will be a long election year.

TABLE 1
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S JOB RATING - TREND
How would you rate the overall job President Barack Obama is doing?

Arianna Huffington Receives Aenne Burda Award

2012-01-25T03:52:00.000-08:00

Arianna Huffington Receives Aenne Burda Award

Arianna Huffington, founder and chief-executive editor of the Internet-newspaper The Huffington Post, was honored with the Aenne Burda Award during the last day (January 24) of the international digital conference DLD in Munich. Dr. Maria Furtwängler-Burda consigned the trophy, a statue of Pallas Athene. The award honors successful and creative female entrepreneurs with visionary ideas from the digital world, this year for the seventh time already. Maria Furtwängler pleaded in her laudatory speech for female empowerment as start-up founders. Arianna Huffington could serve as a role model here: “Arianna Huffington experienced backstrokes and was never deterred by them – her fearlessness is a stimulus for women, to get active themselves.”

Arianna Huffington, born as Arianna Stassinopoulos in July 1950 in Greece, counts as one of the leading and most influential women of the modern media generation. Still in May 2005, when “Huffington Post” entered the online-media world, nobody took her serious. Today, six years later, “Huffington Post” is a constant in American journalism. In February 2011 the internet corporation AOL acquired “Huffington Post” for $315 million. Huffington is also a successful book author and published, among others, “One Becoming Fearless: …in Love, Work and Life” and “Third World America”. In 2006 and 2011 Huffington was on Time Magazine’s “Time 100” list, which features the 100 most influential people worldwide.

The “Aenne Burda Award for Creative Leadership” honors women for their entrepreneurial and creative achievements within the digital industry. The price is consigned in memory of the visionary entrepreneur Aenne Burda, one of the gorgeous symbolic figures of the German post-war generation. After 1949, Aenne Burda grew the world’s biggest fashion publishing house. The award is consigned since 2006. Earlier honorees are Marissa Mayer, Vice President of Google (2006), Flickr founder Caterina Fake (2007), TV-presenter and entrepreneur Martha Stewart (2008), internet-pioneer and investor Esther Dyson (2009), chairwoman of the Mozilla Foundation Mitchell Baker (2010) as well as Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet (2011).

For more information: www.dld-conference.com
About DLD:

DLD is a Burda Digital company, one of the leading European Internet companies related to a media group. The group with managed revenues of Euro 1.2 billion contains the companies Tomorrow Focus AG, Burda Consumer Tech Group, Burda Direkt Services and Xing AG as well as a venture business with holdings in, among others, Zooplus, Glam Inc. and Ubermedia.

Further information:
Michael A. Pries
Corporate Communications
Hubert Burda Media
Tel.:+49 89 9250-3784
Mail: michael.pries@burda.com

'The Artist' Tipped To Sweep the Oscars

2012-01-25T02:38:00.000-08:00

24 Jan 2012 17:52 Africa/Lagos

Oscars Betting Suggests The Artist Will Sweep the Board, Report Sky Bet

LONDON, January 24, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

Leading online betting firm Sky Bet has unveiled its full list of Oscars betting [http://www.skybet.com/betting/tv-and-film-specials/oscars/t10003442.html ] markets following the announcement of the 84th Academy Awards nominations on Tuesday.

Black and white silent movie 'The Artist', which last week picked up the Producers Guild Award and also won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy/Musical, is Sky Bet [http://www.skybet.com ]'s clear favourite to win Best Picture at 2/7, with the odds having been cut from a pre-Christmas 2/1.

The French tribute to the silent movie has ten Oscar bids, although it was beaten by Scorsese's 3D charmer 'Hugo', which received 11 nods. This augurs well for its Best Picture hopes as the most nominated film has taken the top prize 15 times in the last 20 years and Sky Bet make 'Hugo' a 10/1 shot, behind Golden Globe Best Drama champion, 'The Descendants' (4/1).

'The Artist' dominates several other categories, with its helmsman Michel Hazanavicius odds-on favourite (8/13) to win Best Director and its leading man Jean Dujardin second in the Best Actor betting at 2/1. George Clooney is hot favourite at 2/5 to take home the lead actor gong for his performance in comedy-drama 'The Descendants'. Gary Oldman picked up his first ever Oscar nomination for 'Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy' and is quoted at 33/1.

Double Oscar winner and 17-time nominee, Meryl Streep, is the short-priced favourite at 1/2 to scoop a third gong for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in 'The Iron Lady'. Viola Davis is her nearest rival for Best Actress at 9/4, with 'My Week with Marilyn' star, Michelle Williams, another threat at 11/4.

Sky Bet's Oscars betting expert, Helen Jacob, said: "The Artist seems way ahead of its rivals in the race to win the top Oscar.

"Other categories, however, are not so clean cut, with the battle for best actress between Meryl Streep and Viola Davis looking particularly close."

For Best Supporting Actor, Christopher Plummer ('Beginners') looks all but home and hosed at 1/12 and Octavia Spencer at 1/8 ('The Help') looks to have the Best Supporting Actress category sewn up.

Sky Bet is also offering a host of novelty special bets on the Oscars ceremony itself, which takes place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, February 26th.

Veteran actress Meryl Streep accidentally swore onstage at the Globes and Sky Bet go 7/2 that the Oscars best actress winner turns the air blue again in her acceptance speech. It's even money that the best actress cries during her speech and 10/1 that any recipient's address consists of a single 'Thank you!'

Sky Bet Odds: Oscars Betting

Best Film

The Artist 2/7 The Descendants 4/1 Hugo 10/1 War Horse 12/1 Midnight in Paris 25/1 The Help 25/1 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close 25/1 Moneyball 40/1 The Tree of Life 66/1

Best Actor

George Clooney - The Descendants 2/5 Jean Dujardin - The Artist 2/1 Brad Pitt - Moneyball 14/1 Demian Bichir - A Better Life 25/1 Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 33/1

Best Actress

Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady 1/2 Viola Davis - The Help 9/4 Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn 11/4 Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs 14/1 Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 20/1

Best Director

Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist 8/13 Martin Scorsese - Hugo 2/1 Alexander Payne - The Descendants 11/2 Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris 16/1 Terrance Malik - The Tree of Life 20/1

Best Supporting Actress

Octavia Spencer 1/8 Berenice Bejo 8/1 Jessica Chastain 14/1 Melisasa Mccarthy 14/1 Janet McTeer 20/1

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Plummer 1/12 Kenneth Branagh 7/1 Max Von Sydow 12/1 Nick Nolte 12/1 Jonah Hill 25/1

Oscars specials

Lead or supporting actress to cry during acceptance speech Evens

Lead or supporting actor to swear during acceptance speech 9/4

Lead or supporting actress to swear during acceptance speech 7/2

Lead or supporting actor to cry during acceptance speech 6/1

Any recipient's speech to consist of single "thank you" 10/1

Streaker to run on stage and interrupt ceremony 16/1

Any of the 6 major award winners to drop the statuette 16/1

Any winner to fall over on stage 20/1

George Clooney win best actor and Meryl Streep win best actress Evens

George Clooney win best actor and The Descendants win best picture 11/2

George Clooney to win an Oscar Yes 1/2 no 6/4

Bad night for the bookies? All pre-show favourites to win (George Clooney actor, Meryl
Streep actress, Christopher Plummer supporting actor and Octavia Spencer supporting
actress.) 6/4

Oscars best actress dress designer

Stella McCartney 5/1

Valentino 6/1

Donna Karan 10/1

Alberta Ferretti 10/1

Balenciaga 10/1

Dior 10/1

Carolina Herrera 10/1

Yves Saint Laurent 10/1

Catherine Malandrino 12/1

Raoul 12/1

Herve L. Leroux 12/1

Armani 12/1

Alessandra Rich 16/1

Givenchy 16/1

Versace 16/1

Emilio Pucci 16/1

Prada 16/1

Akris 20/1

Chris March 20/1

Gucci 25/1

Chanel 25/1

Victoria Beckham 33/1

Jenny Packam 40/1

Vivienne Westwood 40/1

Notes: Other on request.

To bet on the Oscars, click here [http://www.skybet.com/betting/tv-and-film-specials/oscars/t10003442.html ]

Notes to editor

About Sky Bet

Sky Bet is the sports betting division of Sky Betting and Gaming, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (Sky). One of the country's leading betting and gaming companies, Sky Bet is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire and fully licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). Sky Bet offers an online sports betting service http://www.skybet.com and boasts a recently enhanced mobile platform, Sky Bet Mobile. The Sky Bet app is free to download from the iTunes App store. Customers can also bet through their TV or by telephone.

For more information, please contact:

Helen Jacob, Sky Bet PR Manager
Helen.jacob@bskyb.com
+44(0)113-389-5941
+44(0)7866-442167

Source: Sky Bet

PR Newswire's ProfNet Relaunches 'Expert Alerts' Newsletter for Journalists

2012-01-25T01:55:00.000-08:00

24 Jan 2012 16:00 Africa/Lagos

PR Newswire's ProfNet Relaunches 'Expert Alerts' Newsletter for Journalists

New features include thorough expert info, job opportunities, and links to industry blog posts

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PR Newswire's ProfNet, a service that revolutionized communications by linking journalists and other content creators with expert sources, has relaunched its free newsletter for journalists, Expert Alerts.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120124/NY40377)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110719/NY37427LOGO )

The updated version, sent to registered journalists by email, contains comprehensive information about experts who are available to discuss timely news topics, as well as links to media job listings and other industry news and resources. Expert Alerts is distributed weekly in three editions, covering various industry sectors:

Mondays: Business, Finance & Technology
Wednesdays: Government, Law, Education & Science
Fridays: Health, Entertainment & Living

Recent newsletters have included experts on the Super Bowl, SOPA, tax planning, wedding trends, the 2012 election, and more.

To view a sample, click here.

As with all of ProfNet's services for media professionals, the e-newsletter is available at no charge. To sign up to receive the Expert Alerts newsletter via email, writers can simply contact profnet@profnet.com with the edition(s) they're interested in receiving.

About ProfNet

ProfNet is a service of PR Newswire that links journalists and other writers with expert sources. Features include ProfNet Queries, via which writers can submit requests for subject-matter experts; Expert Alerts, a listing of experts who can talk about timely news topics; and ProfNet Connect, a searchable online database of nearly 50,000 PR professionals, experts and other writers. For more information, visit http://www.profnetconnect.com

About PR Newswire

PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 57 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content — from rich media to online video to multimedia — and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world's largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world's enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.

Media Contacts
Meryl Serouya
PR Newswire
201.360.6009
Meryl.Serouya@prnewswire.com

SOURCE PR Newswire Association LLC

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

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24 Jan 2012
14:35	One Last Ratification Stands in the Way of the Entry into Force of the African Charter of Democracy, Elections and Governance!

24 Jan 2012
17:52	Oscars Betting Suggests 'The Artist' Will Sweep the Board, Report Sky Bet
23 Jan 2012
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19:25	Liberator, Inc. Is Honored with Multiple AVN Awards Nominations
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21:00	The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Announces Its 15th Interactive Achievement Award Nominees
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13:00	Grammy® Nominees Jason Aldean And Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift to Perform on the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®
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15:00	Leonardo DiCaprio, Bob Dylan and Olivia Harrison to Particpate in Martin Scorsese Music+Film Award Tribute at the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards
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15:00	Sean Penn to Receive Joel Siegel Award at the 17Th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards
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22:31	One Los Angeles Limousine Service Rules the Red Carpet
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Statement on Chevron's Appeal of The $18 Billion Judgment in Ecuador

2012-01-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

Chevron is trying to wriggle out of paying for damages for decades of oil pollution in Ecuador. Photo Credit:The Minority Report

Statement on Chevron's appeal today of the $18 billion judgment in Ecuador:

Karen Hinton, U.S. spokesperson for the Ecuadorians, said:

"For almost two decades, Chevron has stood in the way of a comprehensive cleanup of billions of gallons of crude oil and toxic waste water it deliberately dumped into the pristine rainforest. Thousands of people have died or have suffered from illnesses as the oil giant and its legions of lawyers fought to distract attention from the overwhelming evidence against the company. Chevron has always believed that Ecuador's many laws prohibiting environmental contamination should not apply to the company's misconduct.

"In its latest notice of appeal, Chevron again seeks special treatment not afforded any other litigant under Ecuadorian law. Chevron's request that a bond requirement be waived would force the Ecuador appellate court to violate laws protecting the winning side in any litigation from further attempts by the loser to delay the proceedings and cause further harm -- which in this case includes a grave risk of illness and death to thousands of people from indigenous groups and farmer communities sickened by the company's toxic dumping.

"The arbitral order cited by Chevron as justification for its request for a bond waiver is not binding on the rainforest communities as they are not a party to the proceedings. It is the position of the communities that the relief Chevron is seeking is beyond the scope of the authority given the arbitration, and in any event would violate Ecuador's laws and international treaties protecting the fundamental human rights of indigenous groups and others who continue to suffer from the abuses visited upon them by Chevron. These rights include the right to life and the right to seek legal redress.

"By seeking a special waiver of the bond requirement that applies to all litigants in Ecuador, Chevron is playing high-stakes poker by counting on Ecuadorian courts to violate the law just so Chevron can delay the enforcement of the Ecuadorian judgment as allowed by law.

"We want to reiterate that Chevron has every right to appeal to Ecuador's National Court of Justice to seek review of the trial and appellate court decisions, but it has no right to special treatment during the pendency of the appeal."

NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW BELOW

The Ecuadorians have leveled their own fraud charges against Chevron. In briefs submitted to U.S. and Ecuadorian courts, they submitted evidence that Chevron staked out "clean" spots to test prior to the judicial inspections, switched "dirty" samples for clean, sent dirty samples to a secret lab and doctored a "judicial playbook" document so two academic experts would endorse its sampling protocol, among other charges. These charges also will be presented to other countries' courts where the Ecuadorians will seek to enforce the judgment.

Chevron's key defense is the 1995 remediation agreement negotiated between Ecuador and Chevron two years after the Ecuadorians filed their original lawsuit in the United States. The agreement, however, released only government claims, not third party claims, and tests taken the trial showed that well sites allegedly cleaned during the remediation were just as contaminated as those that were not.

Yesterday's 2nd Circuit ruling marks Chevron's third consecutive setback in U.S. federal courts on the enforceability of the $18 billion Ecuador judgment. In September, a federal appellate panel blocked Chevron's attempt to seek an unprecedented worldwide injunction blocking enforcement. In January, a federal district recently denied Chevron's illegal attempt to freeze the assets of the plaintiffs. Also, on January 3rd Ecuador's appellate court confirmed the validity of the trial court judgment.

****************
The following is Chevron's own side of the story in video.

Illegitimate Case Against Chevron in Ecuador

1 Out of 3 Women in U.S. Use Mobile Broadband

2012-01-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Survey Commissioned by CTIA-The Wireless Association® Shows Moms and Women Increasingly Favoring Wireless Technology for Daily Life Activities, Including Keeping Connected with Families.

Majority of women said wireless devices make the family feel closer when apart; keep the family informed about each other's activities and locations; and help coordinate schedules

Almost 45 percent said wireless devices help the family spend more time together

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A survey commissioned by CTIA-The Wireless Association® and using Qualtrics, revealed surprising responses from U.S. women about how they are using wireless technology, choosing their devices, replacing traditional communication tools with mobile and how wireless technology is allowing families to spend more time together and to be better connected. The results, which were obtained by surveying 1,005 women, were released today and show a pronounced shift to mobile from such communication modes as landlines and desktop computers, and a substantial favoring of wireless technology for a wide array of family activities and interactions.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120106/DC31329-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120106/DC31329-b)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120106/DC31329-c)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110630/MM28614LOGO-b)

When asked if the respondents were either primarily responsible or involved in making decisions on wireless devices and/or services for their family, more than 94 percent said yes. More than 74 percent of these women also paid their families' monthly wireless service bills.

Since these women play a leading role in deciding their families' wireless technology purchases, CTIA asked what the most important factors were when they chose their mobile devices. 36 percent said Internet connection speed was the most important; 25 percent said the price of the device (including service plan options); 17 percent said network coverage; 11 percent said design of the device (including screen size and shape); and eight percent said the operating system. These answers were similar to those given when respondents were asked about what the primary factors were when they chose a wireless device for others in the family. 36 percent said Internet connection speed was most important; 32 percent said price of the device (including service plan options); 11 percent said network coverage; nine percent said design of the device (including screen size and shape).

In addition to the factors the women used when choosing the mobile devices, the top five uses cited were:

Internet access, 81 percent
Email, 69 percent
Text messaging/instant messaging (IM), 64 percent
Camera/video, 41 percent
Search, 29 percent
Social networking, 26 percent
Games, 26 percent
Calendar/reminders, 21 percent
Maps/navigation, 18 percent
Entertainment, 13 percent

When asked what they thought was the most important function of their mobile devices: 61 percent said the Internet; 42 percent said text messaging/IM; and 40 percent said voice. More than 38 percent of women said their mobile devices were their main access point to the Internet and almost a third (32 percent) said mobile broadband had replaced their traditional Internet service. Almost half (48 percent) of the respondents said that their wireless phones have replaced their landline as their primary means of voice communications. 51 percent of the respondents said they spend between one and four hours using their wireless devices daily.

In response to what functions they used to perform on a computer that they now almost solely perform on their mobile devices:

51 percent said text messaging/IM
39 percent said email
34 percent said camera/video
32 percent said weather
31 percent said maps/GPS/navigation
30 percent said calendar/reminders
26 percent said games
24 percent said social networking
22 percent said search
21 percent said music

Another aspect of the survey addressed women's perceptions of how wireless technology was impacting family dynamics and behavior. Anecdotally, some might believe technology divides families, but the CTIA survey shows that almost 85 percent said wireless devices make the family feel closer when apart. Almost 80 percent said they use mobile devices to keep the family informed about each other's activities and locations while 70 percent said it helps coordinate schedules. In addition, almost 45 percent said wireless devices help the family spend more time together.

"It's undeniable that wireless devices have changed the way we live and work. As our survey has proven, mobile technology is also changing the way families interact and improving the quality of time they're spending with each other. As the father of a nine-year-old daughter, I know that's invaluable," said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director of CTIA. "Interestingly, the results also showed that the most important factors when making purchasing decisions do not necessarily correlate with the most important functions of the devices. This is another example of the U.S. wireless industry providing their customers with phenomenal options and innovations, which Americans are recognizing as being indispensable."

The survey also asked moms what they thought consumed the most of their children's mobile screen time. The top five answers were: texting, single-player games, social networking, completion of schoolwork and assignments and music.

1,005 women in households with more than two people responded to the survey during the week of December 5, 2011. For more information on survey methodology and results, please click here.

About CTIA Shows
CTIA Shows bring together all industries advanced by wireless technology for intense business, learning and networking. International CTIA WIRELESS® takes place May 8-10, 2012 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS™ takes place Oct. 10-12, 2012 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif. Visit www.ctiashows.com.

About CTIA
CTIA–The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC. Visit www.ctia.org.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.ctia.org

Top 100 VCs for 2012

2012-01-01T08:46:00.000-08:00

Top Firms for Early Stage Companies
No. Deals in 2007*	VC	Location

19	Maryland Technology Development Corporation	Columbia, MD
16	Draper Fisher Jurvetson	Menlo Park, CA
15	Ben Franklin Technology Partners Southeastern PA	Philadelphia, PA
15	Innovation Works, Inc.	Pittsburgh, PA
14	New Enterprise Associates	Baltimore, MD
13	Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA	Bethlehem, PA
13	First Round Capital	West Conshohocken, PA
12	Mohr Davidow Ventures	Menlo Park, CA
11	Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers	Menlo Park, CA
10	Domain Associates LLC	Princeton, NJ
10	General Catalyst Partners	Cambridge, MA
10	Intel Capital	Santa Clara, CA
10	Village Ventures	Williamstown, MA
9	InterWest Partners	Menlo Park, CA
9	Labrador Ventures	Palo Alto, CA
9	Polaris Venture Partners	Waltham, MA
9	SV Life Sciences Advisers	Boston, MA
9	vSpring Capital	Salt Lake City, UT
8	Connecticut Innovations, Inc.	Rocky Hill, CT
8	HealthCare Ventures LLC	Cambridge, MA
8	Illinois Ventures LLC	Chicago, IL
8	North Bridge Venture Partners	Waltham, MA
8	Prism Venture Partners	Westwood, MA
8	Sigma Partners	Menlo Park, CA
8	True Ventures	Palo Alto, CA
7	ARCH Venture Partners	Chicago, IL
7	Atlas Venture, Ltd.	Waltham, MA
7	DCM Doll Capital Management	Menlo Park, CA
7	Khosla Ventures	Menlo Park, CA
7	Matrix Partners	Waltham, MA

7	New Leaf Venture Partners, LLC	New York, NY
7	OVP Venture Partners	Kirkland, WA
7	Pequot Capital Management, Inc.	Westport, CT
7	VantagePoint Venture Partners	San Bruno, CA
6	Accel Partners	Palo Alto, CA
6	Azure Capital Partners	San Francisco, CA
6	Band of Angels	Menlo Park, CA
6	CMEA Ventures	San Francisco, CA
6	Foundation Capital	Menlo Park, CA
6	Highland Capital Partners LLC	Lexington, MA
6	IDG Ventures Boston	Boston, MA
6	Lightspeed Venture Partners	Menlo Park, CA
6	Madrona Venture Group	Seattle, WA
6	Mission Ventures	San Diego, CA
6	Shasta Ventures Management LLC	Menlo Park, CA
6	Trident Capital	Palo Alto, CA
6	Union Square Ventures	New York, NY
5	5AM Ventures	Menlo Park, CA
5	Advantage Capital Partners	New Orleans, LA
5	Artiman Ventures	Palo Alto, CA
5	Bay Partners	Menlo Park, CA
5	Benchmark Capital	Menlo Park, CA
5	Canaan Partners	Westport, CT
5	DFJ Frontier	Santa Barbara, CA
5	Greylock Partners	Waltham, MA
5	Ignition Partners	Bellevue, WA
5	JumpStart, Inc.	Cleveland, OH
5	Menlo Ventures	Menlo Park, CA
5	Morgenthaler Ventures	Menlo Park, CA
5	New Jersey Economic Development Authority	Trenton, NJ

* First sequence financing in startup/seed or early-stage companies.
Note: Due to ties, there are 144 firms in our listing.

Click here for the rest

Angelina Jolie Donates Proceeds of First Film’s Soundtrack to Bosnian Charity

2012-01-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!Photo Credit:Saw Htoo.

UNHCR goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie, left, and Brad Pitt, second from left in foreground, visit Bosnian Muslim refugee Sabina Karman, second from left in background, and her four children, in the village.

American actress Angelina Jolie who is well known for humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the SOS Children's Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive a sizable part of the proceeds from the soundtrack LP of her thrilling new film In the Land of Blood and Honey, which is her debut as a director and screenwriter. The review was published in Supple Magazine last August.

Angelina Jolie in a dark blue asymmetrical Romona Keveza gown at the premiere of ‘The Land Of Blood and Honey’ in LA on December 8, 2011.

The SOS Children’s Villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been caring for the children adversely affected by the Balkans war back in the 1990s.

“We are happy that a portion of the proceeds from the film’s soundtrack will support SOS Children’s Village in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide stable, family-based homes to children, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender, who do not have their own families to care for them”, Jolie said.

In The Land of Blood and Honey has received favourable critical reviews and last December the Producers Guild of America announced that the film would be honored with its 2012 Stanley Kramer Award and it has been nominated in the Best Foreign Language category for the 69th Golden Globe Awards.

The following is the Official Soundtrack List for Angelina Jolie’s In The Land of Blood and Honey:

Music Composed by
Gabriel Yared
(The Lives Of Others, Cold Mountain)
Release Date: 01/10/12
1. When The Heart Dies (3:59)
Performed by Nataša Mirković – De Ro
2. Sables Mouvants (3:15)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
3. Towards The Unknown (2:16)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
4. The Loss (3:04)
Composed by Gabriel Yared
5. Miss Sarajevo* (5:44)
Performed by Passengers and Luciano Pavarotti
6. Evo Jedne Što Se Svira Na Plaži
(Here’s One That Is Sung By The Sea)* (2:53)
Performed by Bombaj Stampa
7. The Waves (5:11)
Performed by Dado Džihan & Waves and Patterns
8. Moja Bozicna* (4:14)
Performed by Rade Šerbedžija & Miroslav Tadić
9. Zemlja (2:13)
Performed by Samir Besirevic
10. Tebi Za Ljubav (3:15)
Performed by Radisa Urosevic
11. Stani Draga (3:52)
Performed by Almer Imamovic
12. Od Srca (From The Heart) (2:58)
Performed by Boban Markovic Orkestar
13. A Wish (3:59)
Performed by Dado Džihan & Waves and Patterns

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Patrice Tanaka Presents "Becoming Ginger Rogers" Book Party

2011-12-31T09:19:00.000-08:00

“Becoming Ginger Rogers” Book Party Launch Benefits Dancing Classrooms

Patrice Tanaka

Program Teaches Ballroom Dancing in 500+ Public Schools Across U.S. and in Jaffa, Israel, Bringing Together Israeli and Palestinian Children

Patrice Tanaka (Photo Credit: Jan Goldstoff)

NEW YORK, DEC. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The recent industry launch of PR maven Patrice Tanaka’s new book, “Becoming Ginger Rogers…How Ballroom Dancing Made Me a Happier Woman, Better Partner and Smarter CEO,” co-hosted by MultiVu, a PR Newswire company, and CommPRO.biz, at The Ball New York on Dec. 14 was appropriately a fundraiser for Dancing Classrooms. The New York City-based non-profit, co-founded by ballroom champion Pierre Dulaine and his dance partner, Yvonne Marceau, which brings ballroom dance into public schools across the country and, now globally, has transformed the lives of more than 300,000 children and inspired the award-winning documentary, “Mad, Hot Ballroom,” and the film, “Take the Lead,” starring Antonio Banderas.

Jeannie Egas-Trouveroy, Pierre Dulaine, John Schultz, Patrice Tanaka, Yvonne Marceau, Todd Grossman (photo credit: Jan Goldstoff)

“I can’t think of a better way to launch my book, which is a memoir/business book about the personal and professional transformation I experienced through ballroom dance, than to use it as a fundraiser for Dancing Classrooms, a program I have long admired for its success in helping to transform young lives one step at a time through ballroom dance,” explains Tanaka.

“I first started taking ballroom dance lessons at Pierre Dulaine’s dance studio in New York City and have witnessed the tireless dedication of Pierre and Yvonne in building this remarkable program from one New York City elementary school in 1994 to more than 500 schools across the country today, including in Jaffa, Israel, where 10-year old Israeli-Jewish and Israeli-Palestinian children were brought together for the first time ever through ballroom dance.” A documentary entitled, “Dancing in Jaffa,” will be released in fall 2012 about Pierre’s visit to his hometown of Jaffa and his efforts to bring children of different faiths together joyfully and peacefully through dance in this war-torn region, Ms. Tanaka said.

According to Pierre Dulaine, research has proven that Dancing Classrooms’ 10-week session of twice-weekly ballroom dance classes have helped to increase social development among children and improve their school attendance and rate of high school graduation. “We can very clearly see the transformative effect of ballroom dance on children and know that dance can transform lives at any age as Ms. Tanaka can attest to in her charmingly candid book, ‘Becoming Ginger Rogers,’ and how it made her, as she says, ‘a happier woman, better partner and smarter CEO.’”

Todd Grossman, vice president of MultiVu, which co-hosted the book party for Ms. Tanaka, announced that proceeds from the sale of books that evening would be donated to Dancing Classrooms.

Ms. Tanaka will also be making a donation to the non-profit organization for every book sold through February 15, 2012, the date of Dancing Classrooms 18th Annual Gala Dinner-Dance at The Pierre Hotel in New York City at which she will be the non-profit organization’s first-ever “corporate honoree.”

To order a copy of “Becoming Ginger Rogers” and, at the same time, make a donation to Dancing Classrooms, please click on either of the following links:

http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Ginger-Rogers-Ballroom-Dancing/dp/1936661039

Or

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-ginger-rogers-patrice-tanaka/1100238005

At the book party, Ms. Tanaka spoke about how she started ballroom dance lessons at age 50 to satisfy a lifelong dream of dancing like Ginger Rogers and, in so doing, found her way to “unimaginable joy.” She recounted how she turned to ballroom dancing to lift herself from a deep depression she fell into post-9/11, the unraveling of a successful business she co-founded, and the prolonged illness and death of her beloved husband.

Ms. Tanaka said that she took up ballroom dancing at a time when she was feeling “totally burnt out and unexcited and uninspired by her own life.” Ballroom dancing, she said, helped her to “reclaim her life.”

In “Becoming Ginger Rogers,” Ms. Tanaka talks about the “lessons she learned from ballroom dancing that have application beyond the dance floor” such as:

The importance of being fully present – mind, body and spirit – in helping you to communicate more effectively, create stronger connections and partner more successfully with others in your personal and professional life.

How “overrated” and inhibiting perfectionism is; more important, she says, is to live full-out and fearlessly even if you make some missteps.
How visualizing your dreams are the first step in manifesting them.
How living every moment of your life in a way that is fulfilling in and of itself, and not dependent on some future you may not have, is the best way to live and to be “good to go” especially if you have little advance warning like the nearly 3,000 people who perished at work in the Twin Towers on 9/11.

Ms. Tanaka concluded her remarks by urging guests to “pursue your joy with a sense of urgency” and not to postpone this critical action by thinking that they had the “luxury of an endless future” in which to do so.

She then introduced a dazzling ballroom dance exhibition by American Rhythm Champions Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine and Liana Churilova. Ms. Tanaka said that Pierre-Antoine, her teacher, was the person who “inspired” her to write her book, explaining that, “Emmanuel views dancing as more than just a ‘sport’ or ‘profession,’ he views dance as a way of being fully present in the world and as self-discovery and a way of connecting with the divine both within and beyond yourself.”

The thrilling Cha Cha, Rhumba and Mambo danced by Pierre-Antoine and Churilova were evidence of this to all who were present that evening.

# # #

About Patrice Tanaka
Patrice Tanaka is the co-chair, chief creative officer and whatcanbe ambassador for CRT/tanaka, an award-winning, national PR and marketing agency she co-founded in September 2005. Her agency’s brand vision of whatcanbe is the reason CRT/tanaka has been recognized for its workplace culture and won more than 300 PR and marketing awards for client campaigns.

A widow since 2003, Ms.Tanaka lives in Manhattan and devotes much of her free time to serving on the boards of non-profit organizations dedicated to helping women and children, including the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, Futures Without Violence (formerly the Family Violence Prevention Fund), the American Friends of Phelophepa (the South African health care train) and Asian Women in Business. She also competes in “pro-am” ballroom dance competitions. You can find her on Facebook @Becoming Ginger Rogers and Twitter @BeGingerRogers.

About Dancing Classrooms
Dancing Classrooms is an arts-in-education program whose mission is to build social awareness, confidence and self-esteem in children through the practice of social dance. Dancing Classrooms NYC, a 501©(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 1994.

Dancing Classrooms is not about teaching ballroom dancing. Dance is a tool for getting children to break down social barriers, learn about honor and respect, treat others carefully, improve self-confidence, communicate and cooperate, and accept others even if they are different.

Dancing Classrooms is a 10-week – 20 session social development program for 5th and 8th grade children that utilizes ballroom dancing as a vehicle to change the lives of not only the children who participate in the program but also the lives of the teachers and parents who support these children.

You can find Dancing Classrooms on Facebook @Dancing Classrooms New York City and Twitter @DancingClassrms.

About PR Newswire
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 57 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content — from rich media to online video to multimedia — and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world’s largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world’s enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.

About CommPRO.biz
An acronym for "Communications Professional Resources Online," CommPRO.biz is the destination for the answers marketing communications professionals need to be successful, whether they’re in PR, IR, corporate communications, marketing or advertising. CommPRO.biz reaches 75,000+ MarCom professionals with its "Daily Headlines" and enjoys 20,000+ site visitors per month. Its founders include Bruce Merchant, (Chairman & Chief Strategy Officer), Fay Shapiro (Publisher), Todd Fabacher (Chief Information Architect) and Brian Pittman (Content Director). The team brings together a wealth of experience in publishing and services targeted to the business communications sectors — including advertising, investor relations, public relations and marketing. For further information, visit us online at: www.commpro.biz, Twitter @commprobiz and Facebook www.facebook.com/commPRO.biz.

Brad Pitt: Voted Top Money-Making Star of 2011

2011-12-31T03:15:00.000-08:00

30 Dec 2011 15:30 Africa/Lagos

Career First for Brad Pitt: Top Money-Making Star of 2011

GROTON, Mass., Dec. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Brad Pitt has been voted the Top Money-Making Star of 2011 in Quigley Publishing Company's 80th Annual Poll of Motion Picture Exhibitors. This is Pitt's sixth appearance in the Poll, but his first win. Exhibitors felt Pitt was responsible for more traffic to theatres than any other Hollywood star based on his performances this year in "Moneyball," "The Tree of Life" and "Happy Feet Two." (voice)

The Quigley Poll, conducted each year since 1932, is an annual survey of motion picture theatre owners and film buyers, which asks them to vote for the ten stars that they believe generated the most box-office revenue for their theatres during the year. It has been long regarded as one of the most reliable indicators of a Star's real box-office draw because the selections are made by professionals whose livelihood depends on choosing the films and actors that will bring audiences to their theatres. The Quigley Poll appears annually in Quigley Publishing Company's International Motion Picture Almanac and on our web site: www.quigleypublishing.com. Both list the results of all the Polls since Marie Dressler, Janet Gaynor and Joan Crawford took the top three places in 1932.

George Clooney placed second this year based on "The Ides of March," where he was also the Director, Producer and Co-writer and "The Descendants." Johnny Depp, last year's winner, made it to #3 this year with 2011 roles in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and "The Rum Diary." Depp has placed in the poll seven times as has this year's #4, Leonardo DiCaprio, who starred in "J. Edgar." Matt Damon, #5, had a very busy year with "Contagion," "The Adjustment Bureau," "Margaret" and "We Bought a Zoo."

2009's winner, Sandra Bullock, placed #6, which marks her fifth appearance in the Poll. She first placed in the survey in 1995. There were two first-timers this year, Bradley Cooper #7 and Ben Stiller #10. Bradley Cooper was in "The Hangover Part II" and Ben Stiller was in "Tower Heist." Robert Downey, Jr. was #8 on the strength of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" and Meryl Streep was #9 as 'The Iron Lady" and is in the Top Ten for the fourth time.

Tom Cruise has not placed in the Poll since 2006 but he has been in the Top Ten 20 times since 1983, and been voted number one the most of any actor - seven times. Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and Bing Crosby have all won five times. Clint Eastwood has been in the poll 21 times starting in 1968. Currently, Exhibitors appreciate him more as a Director that brings audiences to their theatres. John Wayne, Doris Day and Shirley Temple each finished first four times, but John Wayne was voted one of the Top Ten Money-Making Stars an astounding 25 times from 1949 to 1974.

Exhibitors were also asked to name the Stars of Tomorrow for 2011: one actor and one actress who they feel will be Top Money-Makers in the years to come. The 2011 winners are Rooney Mara who played Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," and Jonah Hill who had a breakthrough performance in "Moneyball" and starred in "The Sitter."

Top Ten Money-Making Stars of 2011

Brad Pitt
George Clooney
Johnny Depp
Leonardo DiCaprio
Matt Damon
Sandra Bullock
Bradley Cooper
Robert Downey, Jr.
Meryl Streep
Ben Stiller

Stars of Tomorrow:

Rooney Mara
Jonah Hill

Quigley Publishing Company was founded in 1915 and has published the International Motion Picture Almanac annually since 1930 and the International Television & Video Almanac since 1955. Historical data, analysis and all of the Top Ten Money-Making Star Polls dating back to 1932 are available in the 2011 edition of the International Motion Picture Almanac and on our web site: www.quigleypublishing.com

SOURCE Quigley Publishing Company

CONTACT: CONTACT: Bill Quigley, +1-978-448-0272, Fax: +1-978-448-9325, bquigley@quigleypublishing.com

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

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Fell Short in 2011

2011-12-30T11:38:00.000-08:00

Anti Corruption Campaign Banner. Photo Credit: One Stone Advisors.

29 Dec 2011 20:50 Africa/Lagos

FCPA Digest Cites Increased Prosecution of Individuals and Sharpened Focus On Judicial Opinions and Trials

Shearman & Sterling report outlines business and legal implications of US, UK and other international anti-corruption activities

NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Although the overall number of new FCPA enforcement actions fell somewhat in 2011 – just 16 corporate cases, compared with 20 in 2010 – US authorities have continued their aggressive and proactive enforcement of the statute and are now being joined by their foreign counterparts, according to global law firm Shearman & Sterling LLP.

Shearman & Sterling's semi-annual "Recent Trends and Patterns in FCPA Enforcement" report, part of the firm's renowned FCPA Digest (http://fcpa.shearman.com), showed that, despite the claims of some commentators and legislators, FCPA penalties against corporations have remained fairly stable and under $20 million in most cases.

"It's more than a numbers game," says Philip Urofsky, a Washington, DC- and London-based partner at Shearman & Sterling and head of the firm's FCPA and Global Anti-Corruption Practice. "High fines often result directly from high profits. When a company does not make much money as a result of corrupt conduct, the penalties are significantly lower."

In 2011, US enforcement authorities continued their emphasis on prosecuting individuals, charging 18 individuals and, at the same time, going to trial in several important cases. Urofsky notes, however, that a number of these recent trials have underlined the difficulty that US enforcement authorities, once in court, have in proving foreign bribery beyond a reasonable doubt. Still, judicial opinions have largely supported the government's expansive interpretation of what constitutes an "instrumentality" of a foreign government, including state-owned entities indirectly controlled by a foreign government.

Interestingly, most of the individuals charged in 2011 were foreign nationals. This presents a twist on the previously noted trends of US enforcement authorities targeting non-US companies.

"US enforcement officials seem to be saying, 'Enough is enough,'" Urofsky says. "In the past they have targeted non-US companies and now they are reaching out to charge those companies' employees, particularly those in jurisdictions that do not appear to be exercising sufficient energy and commitment to enforcing their own laws implementing the OECD Convention."

It remains to be seen, Urofsky added, if the US will ever be able to bring these individuals to trial, which will depend on whether the countries whose nationals have been indicted – Germany, Argentina, Switzerland, and Israel (all of whom are signatories to the OECD Convention) – will extradite these individuals to the US, will bring their own enforcement actions against them or will do nothing.

UK Bribery Act

The Bribery Act 2010 finally came into effect in the UK on July 1, 2011, following publication of guidance by the Ministry of Justice in March 2011 on the "adequate procedures" defense to the corporate offense of failure to prevent bribery.

"The Bribery Act represents a brave new world here in the UK," explains Richard Kelly, a Shearman & Sterling partner in London who advises clients on the Bribery Act. "The Ministry of Justice guidance is useful as far as it goes, but it still remains uncertain how the courts will interpret a number of key provisions of the Bribery Act."

The Director of the Serious Fraud Office has indicated that an SFO focus from the outset will be prosecuting non-UK companies with a business presence in the UK to help ensure that UK companies which behave properly are not subject to unfair competition from non-UK companies which do not. In contrast, US authorities, after years of focusing on US companies, have only recently targeted non-US companies as part of an apparent effort to spur non-US enforcement agencies to be more active in this area with respect to their own companies.

Increased self-monitoring in the US

Back in the US, there was a withdrawal by both the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission from routinely requiring an independent monitor in all cases and agreeing to various forms of self-monitoring. But even that did not diminish the importance of self-monitoring and self-reporting.

"The message here has remained generally consistent: companies that make voluntary disclosures and cooperate with the government receive a tangible benefit," says Dan Newcomb, one of the leaders of Shearman & Sterling's FCPA practice in New York.

Shearman & Sterling's analysis of penalties over the past five years indicates that the DOJ has often, but not always, granted discounts ranging from 3% to 67% in cases involving voluntary disclosures and negotiated resolutions. The court filings in a number of these cases list the reasons for the DOJ's decision to depart, including: voluntary and thorough disclosure; nature and extent of cooperation; penalties imposed or to be imposed by other US and foreign enforcement agencies and international organizations; and "extraordinary" remediation, including self and independent monitoring.

Other key findings

Among the other key findings in this semi-annual update to the firm's FCPA Digest:

The first half of the year started off with the US authorities continuing their record pace of the past previous years, bringing 9 actions. In the latter half of the year, the pace dropped somewhat, perhaps because the DOJ in particular was largely pre-occupied with the trials in the Lindsay Manufacturing, Haiti Telecom, and SHOT Show cases and in preparing for additional SHOT Show trials as well as upcoming trials in O'Shea and CCI. Included in the 16 cases in 2011 was the last corporate case involving the Bonny Island consortium and the first FCPA case against a major pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson.

The 18 additional individuals charged in 2011 represents the second highest total in FCPA history, eclipsed only by 2009 in which the government charged the 22 individuals in the SHOT Show case and 7 of the 8 defendants in CCI.

The case against the Siemens individuals may also reflect the pressure from commentators, the courts, and Congress to see that individuals are held accountable for corporate crimes.

This past year also saw the highest financial sanctions ever assessed against individuals in an FCPA case -- a TSKJ case relating to the bribes paid for contracts in Bonny Island, Nigeria. Earlier this year, the courts ordered forfeiture of $148,964,569 in Geoffrey Tesler's Swiss bank accounts.

Since the record-holding $800 million penalty for Siemens in 2008, each subsequent year has seen at least one corporate FCPA case with a penalty of several hundred million dollars. But these headline-grabbing high penalties and resulting high annual totals tend to obscure the reality of what companies, on average, pay for FCPA violations. When the highest and lowest "outlier" cases are excluded, the averages-per-year are lower still. When the outliers are excluded, the averages have ranged from $3 million to $33 million – not inconsequential, but certainly not as severe and extreme as the annual total penalties might suggest.

Several actions this year highlighted the importance of post-closing due diligence in M&A transactions where the target company poses potential corruption risks. In Watts Water, Diageo and Ball Corp., the SEC entered settlements with companies for violations of the books and records and internal controls provisions of the FCPA arising out of misconduct by recently-acquired subsidiaries. Taken together, these actions seem to send a strong message that SEC expects acquirers to conduct due diligence and undertake measures to address existing FCPA issues in the aftermath of a merger.

"I would expect that we will see a very active 2012," Urofsky says. "For example, the adoption of Dodd-Frank whistleblower regulations in the US will have implications for FCPA enforcements. I would also expect the UK Bribery Act to gain some momentum, which could also spark increased enforcement in other OECD jurisdictions."

Shearman & Sterling's updated Recent Trends and Patterns in FCPA Enforcement report provides insightful analysis and serves as an executive summary to the firm's FCPA Digest, a compendium of cases and review releases relating to bribes of foreign officials under the FCPA. The Digest, which is updated regularly, is considered the authoritative source on all FCPA-related proceedings, featuring proceedings related to bribes to foreign officials under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, including those related to foreign bribery criminal prosecution, DOJ foreign bribery civil actions, SEC actions, DOJ opinion releases, ongoing FCPA investigations and pre-FCPA prosecutions.

Shearman & Sterling's FCPA web site, http://fcpa.shearman.com, allows users to quickly learn enforcement trends by retrieving in-depth, original source materials and summaries based on category type, location, fines imposed, as well as numerous other searchable criteria.

ABOUT SHEARMAN & STERLING

Shearman & Sterling LLP is a global law firm with approximately 900 lawyers in 20 offices in 12 countries around the world. The firm is a leader in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, project development and finance, complex business litigation and international arbitration, asset management and tax.

Contact:
Ron Brandsdorfer, Shearman & Sterling
(212-848-5081/ron.brandsdorfer@shearman.com)
Lauren Hatch, Edelman
(212-704-4514, lauren.hatch@edelman.com)

SOURCE Shearman & Sterling LLP

Web Site: http://fcpa.shearman.com

American Jews Condemn Deadly Terrorist Attacks on Churches in Nigeria

2011-12-26T03:55:00.000-08:00

A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, just outside Nigeria's capital Abuja, December 25, 2011. Photo Credit: REUTERS-Afolabi Sotunde.

25 Dec 2011 18:13 Africa/Lagos

AJC Condemns Deadly Terrorist Attacks on Churches in Nigeria

NEW YORK, Dec. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC expressed outrage and revulsion at the deadly terrorist attacks that targeted Christian worshipers in Nigeria on Christmas Day and killed at least 25 people.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO )

Several churches, including St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Jos, were attacked. A Muslim group, Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility. The same group, which, according to a New York Times account, seeks "to install strict Shariah or Muslim law across Nigeria," was also identified as the perpetrator of another wave of anti-Christian attacks during Christmas last year that killed more than 30 people.

"AJC, which for over a century has been profoundly committed to defending religious freedom, condemns these despicable attacks on Christian worshipers gathered to celebrate their holy day of Christmas," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "All people of goodwill, and especially all religious leaders of goodwill, should stand together in full solidarity with the victims and in unambiguous opposition to those who would kill and maim in the name of their own perverted faith."

"We pray for the full recovery of the injured," Harris added, "and for the arrest and prosecution, to the full extent of the law in Nigeria, of those who planned and implemented these hate-filled, anti-Christian terrorist attacks."

www.ajc.org

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

CONTACT: Kenneth Bandler, AJC Director of Media Relations, +1-212-891-6771, +1-917-449-1259 (mobile), bandlerk@ajc.org

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

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
25 Dec 2011
22:21	CAIR Condemns Attacks on Nigerian Churches
18:13	AJC Condemns Deadly Terrorist Attacks on Churches in Nigeria

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Who Owns Christmas? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?

2011-12-24T09:49:00.000-08:00

Illustration of Jesus and Santa. Photo Credit: Jason Berggren.

Who owns Christmas? Jesus Christ or Santa Claus?
This is the thought-;provoking subject of David Frum's article on the Huffington Post: Santa vs. Jesus and it is one of the most engaging articles on the debate of how the "religion" of Santa Claus is misappropriating the religion of Christianity for which Christmas is being celebrated in commemoration of the birth of the founder Jesus Christ our Lord and Messiah.

This is really How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Of course How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is an allegory of how Santa Claus has stolen the birthday of Jesus Christ written by Dr. Seuss on the commercialization of Christmas and satirizes those who profit from exploiting the holiday.

As we speak, Santa Claus has just left the North Pole for his Christmas Eve journey around the world, his reindeer-powered sleigh loaded with gifts for boys and girls. ...

As much we should appreciate the goodwill and love in the sharing and exchange of Christmas gifts and greetings, we must stop the abuse and misuse of the Christian festival by greedy capitalists and legions of hypocrites whose idolatry is the antithesis of the charity of Jesus Christ.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, aka Orikinla Osinachi.

Students Challenged in The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition

2011-12-23T09:38:00.000-08:00

Steady, Aim, Shoot – Students Challenged to Tell Their Stories with Photographs in The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition

The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition 2011 High School Senior Category Winner - Karina Rios

PITTSBURGH, PA (December 22, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — Aspiring photographers are challenged to put their skills to the test in The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition 2012. The third annual competition has categories for both high school seniors and high school graduates.

Entrants must submit six original photographs that tell a story on a single theme. Supplemented by a 500-800 word artist’s statement describing the entry, entries are evaluated on their ability to effectively communicate a narrative to an audience.

The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition 2011 High School Graduate Category Winner - Debra Quinn

Local-level finalists will be selected to advance to the national level of the competition at each of the 39 participating Art Institutes schools offering photography programs. From there, one high school senior and one high school graduate each will be named national grand prize winners of the competition by a panel of industry professionals.

“The work submitted by students into The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition showcases the kind of creativity, talent and vision that The Art Institutes schools look for and seek to cultivate,” said John Pufahl, Vice President of Academic Affairs for The Art Institutes. “We look forward to welcoming these talented students to our campuses and are excited to see what they will create.”

The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography Competition is open to graduating high school seniors and high school graduates in the U.S. and was created to provide those with an eye for photography an opportunity to earn a scholarship to an Art Institutes school offering a photography program.

Deadline for entries into the competition is March 2, 2012. To see the full entry requirements and learn more about The Art Institutes Storytellers Photography competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/photocompetition.

About The Art Institutes
The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University. See aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

Media Contacts:

Jacquelyn P. Muller
Vice President – Public Relations
The Art Institutes
412.995.7262
jpmuller@aii.edu

Devra Pransky
Sr. Director of Communications
The Art Institutes
412.995.7685
dpransky@aii.edu

Nearly One in Four Americans Would Refuse a Full Body Scan at Airport Security

2011-12-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

23 Dec 2011 15:36 Africa/Lagos

Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll Finds Nearly One in Four Americans Would Refuse a Full Body Scan at Airport Security

22.8 Percent Would Opt for Alternative Screening Citing Health Concerns, Privacy Violations

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Roughly one-quarter of Americans say they would refuse a full body scan using new airport body scanners and 14.9 percent said new airport security measures have them concerned for their health, according to the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090507/NY12658LOGO )

Thomson Reuters and NPR conduct a monthly poll to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range of health issues.

The survey, which asked respondents their opinions and concerns regarding flight safety, found that the main reasons for resistance to new scanners are exposure to radiation (22.6 percent), personal privacy violations (17.1 percent) and concerns the scanners violated their 4th Amendment rights (13.3 percent). Forty-seven percent of respondents expressed no concern with the technology.

Additionally, only 7.8 percent said they have health concerns associated with flying. However 11 percent of all respondents said they had become sick as a direct result of air travel. Of those Americans who expressed concern, the top five health risks cited were crashing (21.1 percent), contracting the flu or a cold (16 percent), air quality (7 percent), anxiety (6.8 percent) and blood clots (5 percent).

"While I applaud the survey participants' concern with radiation exposure, these scanners are safe. Based on the amount of radiation these machines produce, a traveler would have to take 2,000 plane rides before being subjected to the equivalence of a single chest x-ray," said Raymond Fabius, M.D., chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters. "The much more serious health concerns associated with flying are exposure to communicable illnesses and blood clots during long air excursions. By avoiding traveling when sick and exercising in your seat, these risks can be minimized."

To date, the Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll has explored numerous health topics, including generic drugs, abortion, vaccines, food allergies, and organic and genetically modified foods. NPR's reports on the surveys are archived online at the Shots health blog here:

Thomson Reuters maintains a library of poll results here.

The Thomson Reuters-NPR Health Poll is powered by the Thomson Reuters PULSE(SM) Healthcare Survey, an independently funded, nationally representative telephone poll that collects information about health-related behaviors and attitudes and healthcare utilization from more than 100,000 US households annually. Survey questions are developed in conjunction with NPR. The figures in this month's poll are based on 3,013 participants interviewed from November 1-13, 2011. The margin of error is 1.8 percent.

For a copy of the flight safety survey, visit: http://healthcare.thomsonreuters.com/npr/ .

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

About NPR
NPR is an award-winning, multimedia news organization and an influential force in American life. In collaboration with more than 900 independent public radio stations nationwide, NPR strives to create a more informed public - one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures.

SOURCE Thomson Reuters

CONTACT: Brian Erni, For Thomson Reuters, Healthcare, J. Roderick, Inc. Public Relations, brian@jroderick.com, +1-631-656-9736, +1-631-495-7006; Anna Christopher, Director, Media, NPR, achristopher@npr.org, +1-202-513-2304, +1-202-680-3848

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

Spielberg's War Horse To Be Released on Christmas Day

2011-12-22T04:05:00.000-08:00

The most awaited movie premiere of the year is Steven Spielberg’s War Horse opening on Christmas Day December 25 in the US and on January 13, 2012 in the UK.

War Horse is an adaptation of British author Michael Morpurgo’s children's novel set during World War I. The novel was first published in 1982 and had a successful stage adaptation in 2007.

Spielberg said he had challenges in reworking “a beloved Broadway play into a big screen moment to remember”.

Jeremy Irvine plays the role of Albert Narracott in the war thriller. He was Luke in the television series Life Bites and has remarkable stage experience with the Royal Shakespeare Company and was in Dunsinane in 2010.

The First World War is experienced through the journey of this horse—an odyssey of joy and sorrow, passionate friendship and high adventure. “War Horse” is one of the great stories of friendship and war— a successful book, it was turned into a hugely successful international theatrical hit that is arriving on Broadway next year. It now comes to screen in an epic adaptation by one of the great directors in film history.

Cast

Jeremy Irvine as Albert Narracott
Emily Watson as Mum, Rose Narracott
Peter Mullan as Dad, Ted Narracott
Tom Hiddleston as Captain Nicholls
David Thewlis as Lyons
Benedict Cumberbatch as Major Stewart
Toby Kebbell as Geordie
Eddie Marsan as Sgt. Fry
Geoff Bell as Sgt. Sam Perkins
Patrick Kennedy as Lieutenant Waverly
Niels Arestrup as Grandfather
Celine Buckens as Emilie
David Kross as Gunther
Rainer Bock as Brandt
Nicolas Bro as Friedrich
Leonard Carow as Michael
Robert Emms as David Lyons
Liam Cunningham as Army Doctor
David Dencik as Base Camp Officer

PG-13, 2 hr. 26 min.
Drama, Action & Adventure
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
In Theaters: Dec 25, 2011 Wide
Walt Disney Pictures

War Horse is the second Steven Spielberg film opening this December in the US. The first The Adventures of Tintin was released yesterday Wednesday . December 21, 2011 in Digital 3D and IMAX.

The Adventures of Tintin is Spielberg's first foray into motion-capture filmmaking as well as 3-D. "Tintin," is the famous comic hero created by the Belgian artist named Hergé in the late 1920s. Tintin is a young daring investigative reporter whose travels around the world exposes him to fantastic adventures as he covers big stories and uncovers even larger mysteries accompanied by his dog, Snowy.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Justin Timberlake Scores an Ace in Callaway Golf

2011-12-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

Justin Timberlake in action

Timberlake to Help Drive Marketing and Brand Direction for Callaway and its 2012 Product Line

CARLSBAD, Calif., December 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced the establishment of an advanced, creative position for multiple Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actor, musician and avid golfer Justin Timberlake. A Callaway Staff Professional since 2008, Timberlake will lend his versatile talents as a Creative Director for the Callaway portfolio of Brands. Timberlake will engage in the development and execution of high-level concepts within Callaway’s marketing activities and offer wide-ranging consultation on the visual representation of the Brand. The multi-year agreement was announced by Jeff Colton, Sr. Vice President of Global Brand and Product, Callaway Golf.

“We have worked with Justin for more than three years now and have been thoroughly impressed with the level of quality he brings to everything he is involved with,” said Colton. “Justin is an extremely gifted artist and an avid golfer with a deep passion for Callaway products, and his creative energy will serve us well as we connect with the next generation of golfers. The opportunity to bring someone with his multifaceted talents into our creative matrix is very rare, and his input has already made an impact.”

Justin Timberlake enjoys playing golf.

Timberlake’s initial work as a Creative Director for Callaway will support the Company’s 2012 RAZR line of premium golf equipment, including the recently introduced RAZR Fit™ Driver. Callaway’s 2012 product line will be launched in the first quarter of next year via the Company’s upcoming “Epic Demo” campaign being shot this week in Las Vegas across several iconic city landmarks, including the Bellagio Fountain. Timberlake’s contributions to Callaway’s Epic Demo campaign, which features Callaway staff professionals Phil Mickelson and Alvaro Quiros, includes collaboration with the creative teams and Director Joseph Kahn.

“It’s always great when professional projects surround subjects that I am passionate about, and the sport of golf and my work with Callaway definitely fit that criteria,” said Timberlake. “I’m looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to this category -- focusing on the social aspects, fun and lifestyle associated with Callaway and playing golf.”

In 2008, Timberlake became the first non-tour player to join Callaway’s team of Staff Professionals that includes Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Alvaro Quiros and icons such as Arnold Palmer. Earlier this year, he participated in a Father’s Day-inspired social media contest that awarded equipment via Callaway’s Facebook page.

A passionate golfer, Timberlake’s rising status in the sport also includes annual hosting duties at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open PGA Tour event in Las Vegas, NV. and participation in the major Pro Am tournaments. Along with his parents, Timberlake owns and operates Mirimichi, a world-class championship golf course and learning facility located near his hometown of Memphis, Tenn.

About Callaway Golf
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf apparel, footwear and accessories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, Top-Flite®, and Ben Hogan® brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or shop.callawaygolf.com.

Media Contacts:

Tim Buckman
Callaway Golf
(760) 804-4133
Tim.Buckman@CallawayGolf.com
For Justin Timberlake
Sonia Muckle
M2M Construction
Sonia@M2MConstruction

More Stupid People Are Texting and Driving

2011-12-19T07:18:00.000-08:00

Without apologies or regrets I have to call all those who cannot stop texting while driving as STUPID! And the following report has confirmed that the population of stupid people texting and driving is increasing.

Why should stupid people continue to text while driving when there is a cheap and easy to use device for hands free voice texting in motion?
See the demo video below.

Young drivers are most at risk of having an accident as a result of using a mobile phone

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Distracted driving is a dangerous and common practice —and it's becoming an even bigger problem on the nation's roads as more drivers are text messaging while driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the percentage of drivers who text messaged or manipulated their mobile devices while driving went up significantly, from 0.6 percent in 2009 to 0.9 percent to 2010. The latest federal figures show more than 3,000 people died in car accidents in 2010 because of drivers who were texting, using a phone or were distracted by something else.

Texting and Driving Can Be a Lethal Combination

Distractions behind the wheel include eating, talking to other passengers, or changing the radio, but there is one that is especially dangerous: reading or writing text messages. Doing this increases the risk of an accident by 2,300 percent.

But you don't have to be typing away to be at risk of having or causing an accident:

Drivers who use mobile devices are four times more likely to have an accident and injure themselves or others.
Using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of having a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 percent, the legal limit in most states.
Using a cell phone can reduce the brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.

Tips for Changing Your Habits

Habits can be hard to break, but these tips can help you get started:

Turn off your phone before driving away, or store it somewhere where you can't reach it.
If you have an urgent call you need to attend, find a safe place to park before using your phone.
Ask another passenger to answer your calls or messages.
Designate a copilot that can help you use other electronics in the car such as your navigation system or the radio.

How to Talk to Your Teens

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In fact, 16 percent of young drivers involved in fatal accidents were driving distracted.

There are several things parents or guardians can do to help reduce the risk of distracted driving in the family. First, set the example by refusing to drive distracted. In addition, you should:

Talk to your children about the dangers of distracted driving.
Make a commitment that no family member will drive and use mobile devices at the same time.

Establish consequences for not following the rules.
Speak up if the driver of the vehicle is using a cell phone.
Take the time to get to know your state's cell phone laws and share them with your children.

USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov are the U.S. Government's official web portals in English and Spanish, and part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

SOURCE GobiernoUSA.gov/USA.gov

10 Outrageous Predictions for 2012

2011-12-18T05:08:00.001-08:00

16 Dec 2011 11:38 Africa/Lagos

Saxo Bank Releases 10 Outrageous Predictions for 2012

LONDON, December 16, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

Saxo Bank has today released its annual Outrageous Predictions. Among the unlikely events predicted by the Bank are that Australia will go into recession, Basel III and regulation will force 50 bank nationalisations in Europe and Apple shares will plummet 50 percent from their 2011 high.

In its Outrageous Predictions, Saxo Bank focuses on events that are unlikely to happen, but at the same time are far more likely than the market appreciates. The predictions are not meant as forecasts, but it is important for investors to consider events with under-recognised probabilities. Should any of them come to pass, they would have a significant impact on the markets.

Saxo Bank's Outrageous Predictions for 2012:

1. The stock of Apple Inc plummets 50 per cent from 2011 high

Going into 2012 Apple will find itself faced with multiple competitors such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft/Nokia, and Samsung across its most innovative products, the iPhone and iPad. Apple will be unable to maintain its market share of 55 per cent (three times as much as Android) and 66 per cent on the iOS and iPad.

2. EU declares extended bank holiday during 2012

The December EU Treaty changes prove insufficient to solve EU funding needs, particularly those in Italy, and the EU debt crisis returns with a vengeance by mid-year. In response, the stock market finally caves in and drops 25 per cent in short order, prompting EU politicians to call an extended bank holiday, closing all European exchanges and banks for a week or more.

3. A yet unannounced candidate takes the White House

In 1992, Texas billionaire Ross Perot managed to take advantage of a recessionary economy and popular disgust with US politics and reap 18.9 per cent of the popular vote. Three years of Obama has brought too little change and only additional widespread disillusionment with the entire US political system, and conditions for a third party candidate have never been riper. Someone with a strong programme for real change throws his or her hat in the ring early in 2012 and snatches the presidency in November in one of the most pivotal elections in US history, taking 38 per cent of the popular vote.

4. Australia goes into recession

The effects of the slowing up-and-coming Asian giant ripple through Asia Pacific push other countries into recession. If there ever was a country dependent on the well-being of China it is Australia with its heavy dependence on mining and natural resources. And as China's demand for these goods weakens, Australia is pushed into a recession, which is then exacerbated as the housing sector finally experiences its long overdue crash - a half decade after the rest of the developed world.

5. Basel III and regulation force 50 bank nationalisations in Europe

As 2012 begins, pressure will mount on the European banking system as new capital requirements and regulatory pressure force banks to deleverage in a great hurry. This creates a fire sale on financial assets as there are few takers in the market. A total freeze of the European interbank market forces nervous savers to make bank-runs, as depositors distrust deposit guarantees from insolvent sovereigns. More than 50 banks end up on government balance sheets and several known commercial bank brands cease to exist.

6. Sweden and Norway replace Switzerland as safe havens

As we saw with Switzerland, becoming a safe haven in a world of devaluing central banks presents a number of risks to a country's economy. The capital markets of both countries are far smaller than Switzerland, but the Swiss are aggressively devaluing their currency and money managers are looking for new safe havens for capital. Flows into the two countries' government bonds on safe haven appeal becomes popular enough to drive 10-year rates there to more than 100 basis points below the classic safe haven German Bunds.

7. Swiss National Bank wins and catapults EURCHF to 1.50

Switzerland's persistency in fighting the appreciation of its currency will continue to pay off in 2012. With Swiss fundamentals - particularly export related - continuing to suffer mightily in 2012 from past CHF strength, the SNB and government bear down further to prevent more collateral damage and introduce extensions to existing programmes and even negative interest rates to trigger sufficient capital flight from the traditional safe haven of Switzerland to engineer a move in EURCHF as high as 1.50 during the year.

8. USDCNY rises 10 per cent to 7.00

As marginal returns from building million-inhabitant ghost towns diminish and exporters struggle with razor-thin margins due to the advancing CNY China gets to the brink of a "recession", meaning 5-6 per cent GDP growth. Chinese policymakers come to the rescue of exporters by allowing the CNY to decline against a US Dollar - buoyed by its safe-haven status amid slowing global growth and an on-going Eurozone sovereign debt crisis - and send the pair up to 7.00 for a 10 per cent increase.

9. Baltic Dry Index rises 100 per cent

Lower oil prices in 2012 could lead to an increase in the Baltic Dry Index as operating expenses go down. Brazil and Australia are expected to expand iron ore supply, further leading to lower prices and therefore higher import demand from China to satisfy its insatiable industrial production. In combination with monetary easing this leads to a massive spike in iron ore demand.

10. Wheat prices to double in 2012

The price of CBOT wheat will double during 2012 after having been the worst performing crop in 2011. With 7 billion people on the earth and money printing machines at full throttle, bad weather across the world will unfortunately return and make it a tricky year for agricultural products. Wheat especially will rally strongly as speculative investors, who had built up one of the biggest short positions on record, will help drive the price back towards the record high last seen in 2008.

Steen Jakobsen, Chief Economist at Saxo Bank, commented: "Our Outrageous Predictions have been prepared in the spirit of encouraging investors to think outside the box and prepare for world-altering events. Thinking outside the box is rarely a comfortable exercise, but neither is dealing with an unpleasant surprise for which one has failed to prepare in any meaningful way.

"Should some of the predictions come to pass, it would make 2012 a year of tremendous change. We would like nothing more than to be proven wrong on negative views, but only if they are replaced with something better than the current central bank and government-manipulated paradigm."

To see more please visit the Outrageous Predictions [http://www.saxobank.com/lp/outrageous-predictions ] page Saxo Bank's website.

About Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank is a leading online trading and investment specialist. A fully licensed and regulated European bank, Saxo Bank enables private investors and institutional clients to trade FX [http://www.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/forex/pages/forex-trading.aspx ], CFD [http://www.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/cfds-stocks/pages/online-cfd-trading.aspx ], ETFs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives via three specialised and fully integrated trading platforms; the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, the downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader application available in over 20 languages. Saxo Bank also offers professional portfolio and fund management through Saxo Asset Management who accommodates high-net worth private clients and institutional investors and provides banking services and advice to retail clients through Saxo Privatbank. The Saxo Bank Group is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Australia.

PR Contact:
Kasper Elbj0rn
Head of Group Public Relations
Saxo Bank
40 Bank Street
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5DA
+45-3065-4300
http://www.saxobank.com

Source: Saxo Bank

Aloha Wanderwell: First Woman to Travel Around the World in an Automobile

2011-12-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

16 Dec 2011 00:56 Africa/Lagos

Aloha Wanderwell: First Woman to Travel Around the World in an Automobile

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- What's blonde, blue-eyed, six-feet tall and looks like a leading actress? She's Aloha Wanderwell – the first woman to travel around the globe in a car; she was 16. And, AlohaWanderwell.com is dedicated to preserving her nitrate films, books and more.

It all started when Aloha read an ad in the Riviera edition of the Paris Herald: "Brains, Beauty and Breeches – World tour offer for lucky young woman wanted to join an expedition – Asia, Africa..."

She quickly set out to convince the expedition's leader, Captain Walter Wanderwell, that she was the one for the job.

"This true story of an incredible journey – the Wanderwell Expedition – took place in the 1920s. Over the years, it's been buried and now needs to be preserved and retold," says Richard Diamond, Aloha's grandson.

During this world tour, Aloha took thousands of feet of 35-millimeter nitrate film while driving through 43 countries on four continents in nearly eight years.

"These nitrate films have to be transferred to HD," says Diamond. "We need help now. This is a gold mine of material for any documentary or film producer. It would be a crime to let these historical films deteriorate. It's a rich part of history."

In addition, Diamond also possesses a 567-page manuscript written by Aloha that details the trip's many adventures; an array of collectibles; photos; and the original auto badges.

During the expedition, Aloha and Walter married. They continued to travel, to film and lecture together. In 1932, their story tragically ended with Walter's murder; it remains an unsolved cold case.

Aloha remarried and tended to her priceless collection of films, photos, journals and artifacts. Much of her work has been preserved in museums and educational institutions throughout the U.S. She passed away in Newport Beach, California on June 4, 1996.

"In addition to preserving these items, I believe that Ford has an amazing opportunity here," says Diamond. "Just imagine a modern-day Aloha retracing these steps in a Ford Explorer? It would be a wonderful way to pay homage to the very first 'Ford Challenge' – the intrepid 1918 Model T that Aloha referred to as her, 'Little Lizzie.'"

So, while the Model T that brought this couple together was not preserved, the story certainly can be.

AlohaWanderwell.com has partnered with CMG Worldwide: http://cmgworldwide.com/news/?tag=aloha-wanderwell to provide information about and licensing opportunities regarding the Wanderwell Expedition.

To learn more, watch the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-PAVV8Kym0; visit: www.AlohaWanderwell.com which is filled with hundreds of photos, more videos, a comprehensive trip timeline, biographical facts and much more; or check out Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlohaWanderwell .

VNR for story: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2011-12-1215-003.shtml

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE AlohaWanderwell.com
//Note to editors:- Photo 300dpi: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/11-1215-alohaw_300dpi.jpg - Caption: Aloha Wanderwell.

CONTACT: Richard Diamond, Conservator of the Nile Baker Estate, 1-888-921-4242, AlohaWanderwell@cox.net

Web Site: http://cmgworldwide.com

Report Outlines a New Kind of American Defined By Happiness, Purchase Risk, Healthy Choices, Masculinity and Family

CHICAGO, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Leo Burnett Chicago released its first annual study of people and behavior highlighting six key consumer trends that will have a lasting effect on American brands and marketers in 2012 and beyond.

The study, "HumanKind 2012: The Transformation of Aspiration," forecasts the evolution of American society as we know it. It deviates from the predictable "Big Plan" to go to school, grow up, get married, have kids and climb the corporate ladder. It's a new kind of America. Men stay at home, women win the bread and nearly 40 percent of all children are born to a single mom. Thanks to daily deal giants, people refuse to pay full price for anything. Food is now viewed as an affordable luxury. The deck is stacked, the system isn't fair and people are suspicious. They read the fine print. For brands and marketers pioneering this changing environment is challenging.

"From the evolving American family to the rise of collective bargaining and the continuing decline of masculinity, the face of the American consumer has forever changed," said Stephen Hahn-Griffiths, Chief Strategy Officer of Leo Burnett. "In 2012, successful brands need to adjust to this reality and find relevant ways to connect with new audiences and influencers - or risk losing loyal customers at an alarming rate."

Below are six key trends brands and marketers should embrace in order to successfully engage with today's consumer.

* Sense of fairness declines, happiness inequality rises: Americans as a population have traditionally been optimistic and happy. Even during the years leading up to the recession everyone was happy, regardless of social class. Since the economic downturn, that's all changed. Americans are more unhappy than ever, especially those with lower incomes. Feelings of inequality and unfairness are rampant and continue to dwindle.

o Implication for brands: This year's winning brands will be those that consistently deliver acts of fairness and behave with morality. A company that treats all customers fairly will earn Americans' trust and patronage.

* The average American family is anything but: Finish school, get a job, get married, have a family. That plan still exists, but only for some. Forty percent of kids are born to an unmarried mother. More couples have children out of wedlock. People define their own family situation and shape their lives according to their own needs, not their peer group.

o Implication for brands: Popular media is slow to catch up to the changing American family. Diverse images of family ring true with consumers and can be a great way to show how your brand fits in to today's reality.

* Men evolve as masculinity declines: The universal archetype of masculinity is over. The old rules that define a man's role in the home and office do not apply in today's world. Women are out-earning their husbands and men accept it. In fact, 77 percent of all men are comfortable with their wives earning more than them and 72 percent are okay with staying home to take care of the children.

o Implication for brands: Speak with caution when referring to traditional views of masculinity. Focus instead on shaping identities and transforming individuals, not a specific gender.

* Healthy is in the eye of the beholder: Despite the rising obesity crisis, food remains an affordable luxury – a way to treat oneself when being forced to cut back in other ways. Forty-seven percent of Americans say they would like restaurants to offer healthier items, but only 23 percent actually order those items. When given the choice between a burger or a salad, consumers see more value in the satisfaction of eating a burger than a salad, especially on a tight budget.

o Implications for brands: Regardless if you are in the food industry, think about how to satisfy consumers' desire for smaller, bite sized luxuries. A small amount of satisfaction can go a long way.

* Collective bargaining is a weapon of survival: Daily deal giants such as Groupon and LivingSocial have paved the way for Americans to score deals on everything and anything. People don't expect or want to pay full price ever again and collectively demand better deals and offerings in the palm of their hand, each morning.

o Implication for brands: Integrate daily deals with customer loyalty programs. To compensate for downward pressure on margins, daily deal technology needs to segment customers that are already bargaining and offer more personalized deals to heavy users.

* Social/mobile technology: abandon the novel, embrace the practical: There will be 20 million new smartphone users in 2012. These users want to leverage social platforms and mobile in their shopping and buying repertoire, but they need mobile and social to add value, not noise.

o Implication for brands: To activate shoppers through social and mobile, marketers need to identify the problems shoppers are trying to solve and provide informed solutions. Brands that don't provide practical experiences will be ignored.

"This year's power brands will be those that quickly adapt to changing human behavior and recognize how this shift is reshaping the fabric of American society," said Hahn-Griffiths.

To view the "HumanKind 2012: The Transformation of Aspiration" video please visit, http://vimeo.com/33619022.

About Leo Burnett Company, Inc.

Leo Burnett Worldwide (www.leoburnett.com) is one of the world's largest agency networks and the parent company of Leo Burnett and its marketing services arm, Arc Worldwide. Leo Burnett, a HumanKind communications company, has a simple and singular approach: put a brand's purpose at the center of co

mmunications to truly connect with people. Leo Burnett, one of the most awarded creative communications companies in the world, creates "Acts, not just Ads," for some of the world's most valuable brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Kellogg, McDonald's, Hallmark, P&G, Allstate and Nintendo.

SOURCE Leo Burnett Worldwide

TIME MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR: THE PROTESTER

2011-12-15T04:21:00.000-08:00

14 Dec 2011 18:00 Africa/Lagos

TIME MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR: THE PROTESTER

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Audio, hard copy requests, contact information and more available at: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/broadcast/52764/press.html

NEW YORK, December 14 /PRNewswire/ -- THIS IS A TIME MAGAZINE SPECIAL REPORT.

TIME MAGAZINE REVEALS THE 2011 TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR: THE PROTESTER

TIME EDITOR RICK STENGEL:

"In 2011, all over the world, from Egypt to Greece, Wall Street to Red Square, The Protester embodied the idea that individual action can bring collective change. Although it meant different things in different places, the idea of democracy was present in every gathering. Everywhere people said they'd had enough."

TIME SAYS THE CHOICE IS NOT NECESSARILY AN HONOR, BUT A RECOGNITION OF THE POWER OF THESE MOVEMENTS AND THE WANING INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS.

"For upending governments and conventional wisdom, for combining old techniques with new technologies and for steering the planet on a more democratic though sometimes more dangerous path for the 21st century, The Protester is Time's 2011 Person of the Year."

READ THE TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR STORY ONLINE NOW AT TIME.COM OR BUY A COPY OF THE ISSUE ON NEWSSTANDS OR TABLET ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 16TH.

I'M PAUL JOHNSON.
Audio: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/broadcast/52764/press.html

Source: TIME MAGAZINE

AUDIO PROVIDED BY: TIME MAGAZINE

CONTACT: FOR STORY INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: MultiVu Media Relations,1-800-653-5313, EXT. 3 OR EMAIL RADIO@MULTIVU.COM

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

Paramount Pictures Unveils New Logo in Celebration of the Studio's 100th Anniversary

2011-12-15T02:35:00.000-08:00

Paramount Pictures Unveils New Logo in Celebration of the Studio's 100th Anniversary

New Logo Will Be Seen With "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

(PRNewsFoto/Paramount Pictures Corporation) HOLLYWOOD, CA UNITED STATES

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures today unveiled a new company logo that commemorates the studio's 100th Anniversary in show business. The new logo can be seen on the new Tom Cruise starrer, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL. The movie will open in IMAX and on other premium large format screens on Friday, December 16th and in theatres everywhere on December 21st.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111214/LA22803LOGO)

The studio's first logo, a symbol of a rugged, snow-covered peak from the Wasatch mountain range, was created in 1916. The 100th Anniversary logo was created by Devastudios, Inc.

Paramount will use the logo throughout its centennial year in 2012. Beginning in 2013, the wording about the 100th anniversary will be removed from the logo, with the rest of the design remaining in use.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Paramount Pictures 100th Anniversary

The only major studio still located in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures celebrates its 100th year in show business in 2012. Adolph Zukor, Jesse L. Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille are credited as Paramount's principle founders, with Queen Elizabeth being the studio's first feature film in 1912. Through a century of excellence, Paramount has set the standard in cinema and continues to deliver the highest caliber of entertainment to audiences worldwide.

SOURCE Paramount Pictures Corporation

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U.S. Exports Hit Nearly $180 Billion in October

2011-12-12T01:41:00.000-08:00

U.S. Exports Hit Nearly $180 Billion in October

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States exported $179.2 billion in goods and services in October 2011, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110414/MM83673LOGO)

Exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.072 trillion, which is 31.57 percent above the level of exports in 2009. Over the last twelve months, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 16.1 percent when compared to 2009, a pace greater than the 15 percent required to double exports by 2015.

"Increasing exports is critical to revitalizing our nation's economy and preserving our global competitiveness," said Chairman Hochberg. "I am pleased that October's numbers show that we are still on track to meet the president's National Export Initiative goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015."

Over the last twelve months, the major export markets with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchased were Turkey (47.3 percent), Panama (40.2 percent), Honduras (37.5 percent), Argentina (34.4 percent), Hong Kong (32.0 percent), Peru (31.1 percent), Thailand (30.4 percent), Brazil (29.7 percent), South Africa (29.4 percent), and Chile (28.7 percent).

Also contributing to U.S. export growth, Ex-Im Bank approved $32.7 billion in total authorizations in FY 2011, a record for the Bank. This total includes more than $6 billion directly supporting small-business export sales. The Bank's total authorizations are supporting an estimated $41 billion in U.S. export sales and approximately 290,000 American jobs.

About Export-Import Bank
Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. The Bank is a self-sustaining agency that receives no net appropriation from the U.S. Congress and charges interest and fees to fund its transactions.

The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.

SOURCE Export-Import Bank of the United States
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.exim.gov

12 Year Old Entrepreneur Invents Award Winning iPad Stands

2011-12-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

9 Dec 2011 16:28 Africa/Lagos

12 Year Old Entrepreneur Invents Award Winning iPad Stands

dzdock Patent Pending Universal Aluminum Stand With Unique Wire Management, Designed For Optimum Video Conferencing

PR Newswire

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Dec. 9, 2011

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At age 12, Dino Zaharakis, exhibits his latest iPad stands at a trade show in Chicago's McCormick Center and is awarded the "Most Innovative Product." He is not a one hit wonder. At age 11, dzdock One, his first iPad stand was selected as "Top 5 stocking stuffers" by Men's Health magazine.

The inability of many iPad docks and iPhone docks to accommodate the devices with a case led him to invent an iPad stand, the dzdock. He also noticed that although many devices were designed in the USA, few were made in the USA .

His goal was to develop a stand that could:

• place/remove a device without disconnecting its cable

• hold a device with/without a skin in both portrait and landscape modes

• have viewing angles that were optimized for video conferencing

• have it made in the USA

• accommodate iPad, Kindle, nook, tablets, iPhone and other smartphones.

Born in New York City and growing up in the rust-belt city of Bethlehem, PA, Dino knows the importance of hard work, locally-made products and American pride.

Dino's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed again when his parents reviewed summer camps on the family's iPad. His father had rigged an impromptu iPad stand, but Dino found several design flaws and suggested he could do better. His dad challenged him:

If he could design an iPad dock and web site he could get a phone.

Dino's mind went into high gear. He set to work manipulating pieces of aluminum stock, using a miter saw and a vise. He made several prototypes. The favorites were dubbed Curly 3 Stooges, Alpha Slick and Big Z.

Finally, dzdock One was created by including the best features/abilities of each prototype. Dino has introduced two more models, dzdock 1.1 and 1.2 and is putting the final touches on a third.

dzdock fulfills Dino's entrepreneurial vision of an innovative, high quality product Made in the USA.

dzdock is available for $29.99 in a variety of colors at www.dzdock.com and Amazon.com. Use the promotional code of DZPRNEWS at www.buy.dzdock.com until year's end and you can buy a dzdock for $19.99.

For more info please visit www.dzdock.com/aboutus.php or follow us on facebook at www.facebook.com/dzdock

SOURCE dzdock

CONTACT: CONTACT: Steven Zaharakis, +1-212-758-7400, dinoz@dzdock.com

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

Deloitte Predicts the Top 10 Technology Trends for 2012

2011-12-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

2012 Tech Trends. Photo Credit: Deloitte.

8 Dec 2011 17:00 Africa/Lagos

Deloitte Predicts the Top 10 Technology Trends for 2012

Mobility, social, analytics, cloud and cyber represent five imminent technology forces for business innovation

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2011

NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte today announced the research findings from its 3rd annual "Tech Trends 2012" report, which identifies and predicts the top 10 emerging and disruptive technologies that are expected to play a crucial role in how businesses are anticipated to operate globally in 2012 and beyond.

"As we head into 2012, many CIOs are evaluating the various aspects of IT, looking ahead to the new technologies that can help them drive business growth in the years ahead," said Mark White, principal and chief technology officer, Deloitte Consulting LLP and co-author of the report. "Mobility, social, analytics, cloud and cyber are technology forces each impacting business today. The intersection of these represents an opportunity for new business technology value and innovation."

Deloitte's "Tech Trends 2012" distinguished the technologies in two categories: "(Re)emerging Enablers" and "Disruptive Deployments." (Re)emerging Enablers are five technologies that many CIOs have spent time, thought and resources on in the past, but deserve another look this year. Disruptive Deployments are five additional technologies that showcase new business models and transformative ways to operate. The 10 predicted technologies identified for 2012 are:

(Re)Emerging Enablers:

* Geo-spatial Visualization: Within the world of visualization, geospatial takes advantage of an explosion of geographical, location-aware data. Sources feeding this growth include new semi-structured data from mobile devices, geo-tagging of existing enterprise structured data and tapping into new streams of location-aware unstructured data.

* Digital Identities: The digital expression of identity is growing more complex every day. Digital identities should be unique, verifiable, able to be federated and non-repudiable. As individuals take a more active hand in managing their own digital identities, organizations are attempting to create single digital identities that retain the appropriate context across the range of credentials that an individual carries. Digital persona protection is becoming a strong area of cyber focus.

* Data Goes to Work: Organizations are finding ways to turn the explosion in size, volume and complexity of data into insight and value. This is occurring across structured and unstructured content from internal and external sources. This is expected to complement but not replace long-standing information management programs and investments in data warehouses, business intelligence suites, reporting platforms and relational database experience.

* Measured Innovation: CIOs can help facilitate the discovery of the next wave of true disruption -- and continuously improve the business of IT and the business of the business. Measured innovation offers an approach to managing both disciplines by providing a pragmatic way to identify, evaluate and launch potential innovations with a focus on aligning opportunities to areas that can fuel disruption and create measurable, attributable value.

* Outside-in Architecture: Flexibility in operating and business models is proving more important. As a result, need to share is colliding with need to know and shifting solution architectures away from a siloed, enterprise-out design pattern and into an outside-in approach to delivering business through rapidly evolving ecosystems.

Disruptive Deployments:

* Social Business: The emergence of boomers as digital natives and the rise of social media in daily life have paved the way for social business in the enterprise. This is leading organizations to apply social technologies on social networks, amplified by social media, to fundamentally reshape how business gets done. Some of the initial successful use cases are consumer-centric, but business value is available -- and should be realized -- across the enterprise.

* Hyper-hybrid Cloud: Cloud-based and cloud-aware integration offerings are expected to continue to evolve, and many organizations face a hybrid reality with a mix of on-premise solutions and multiple cloud offerings.

The challenge becomes integration, identity management and data translation between the core and multitenant public cloud offerings, and offering lightweight orchestration for processes traversing enterprise and cloud assets.

* Enterprise Mobility Unleashed: Mobility is helping many organizations rethink their business models. Consumer-facing mobile applications are only the beginning. With the explosion of mobile use cases, organizations should make sure solutions are enterprise class – secure, reliable, maintainable and integrated to critical back-off systems and data.

* Gamification: Serious gaming simulations and game mechanics such as leaderboards, achievements and skill-based learning are becoming embedded in day-to-day business processes, driving adoption, performance and engagement.

* User Empowerment: User engagement remains a key doctrine for enterprise IT with consumerization setting expectations for solutions built from the user-down, not the system-up. Compounding the need, IT is becoming increasingly democratized, with empowered end-users able to directly source solutions from the cloud or app stores -- on a mobile device and increasingly on the desktop.

"The next 12 months will see several technologies including the cloud, big data and mobility continue to grow, while a topic like gamification is just starting to emerge at the enterprise level," said Bill Briggs, director, Deloitte Consulting LLP and co-author of the report. "It will be important for CIOs to help lead their organizations in these areas, as they can redefine the role that IT plays within an organization and place them in a position to positively disrupt their operating models, business models, or even their industries."

About Deloitte Tech Trends
For the past three years, Deloitte's annual "Tech Trends" report has identified the 10 trends anticipated to have an impact for CIOs in the coming year and beyond. The predications are based on insights from Deloitte's technology subject matter specialists, input from some of its largest clients and discussions with industry analysts and alliance members. To subscribe to receive a digital copy of this year's complete report, please visit www.deloitte.com/us/techtrends2012.

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

Contacts:

Marykate Reese

Sam Johnston

Public Relations

Hill & Knowlton

Deloitte

+ 1 212 885 0499

+ 1 203 257 0452

sam.johnston@hillandknowlton.com

mareese@deloitte.com

SOURCE Deloitte

Web Site: http://www.deloitte.com/us/about

Michael Jackson's Father Breaks Silence in Tell-All Documentary "Confessions of a Father"

2011-12-02T10:10:00.000-08:00

2 Dec 2011 18:00 Africa/Lagos

Michael Jackson's Father Breaks Silence in Tell-All Documentary "Confessions of a Father"

Exclusive Documentary Slated for Release in 2012

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GPA Entertainment announced today the pending release of an exclusive documentary featuring 84-year old Joe Jackson, father of pop icon Michael Jackson and self-proclaimed architect of the Jackson family musical empire. Confessions of a Father is compiled from hours of interviews conducted over a two-year period. The feature-length film will offer a fascinating and chilling look at one of the most controversial fathers in show business history. Told from Joe Jackson's unique perspective, the film will cover the Jackson family history from the formation of the Jackson 5 through Michael's tragic death and the subsequent trial and sentencing of his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. The film's release is planned for 2012, as is the publication of "The Architect," Joe Jackson's autobiography from Atria Books, a division of Simon and Schuster.

Joe Jackson and Interviewer, Wendee Lee Curtis during an interview at the Palms, Las Vegas

Confessions of a Father is produced by Johnny West and award-winning producer George Paige, whose credits include "Michael Jackson...the Legend Continues," and scores of other TV programs and feature films. "For the first time, Joe Jackson lifts the veil and airs the dirty laundry, like it or not," says Paige. "If you think you know the Jackson history, think again."

Filmed partially on location at the Jackson family Havenhurst estate, the documentary will give viewers a never-before-seen look at Michael Jackson's personal theatre and the special room where the Jackson family and Michael's children were home schooled. "We filmed in Gary, Indiana too," says West, who also directed. "Seeing the Jackson house and hearing the voices of people who knew them before, during and after their rise to stardom sheds new light on this intriguing family."

Of special interest will be the newly uncovered audio recording of the Jackson 5 in their first ever studio session. "Big Boy" was recorded at Steel-town Records by Gordon Keith, who appears on camera to talk about guiding the dynamic young performers in those early sessions.

The documentary will have a theatrical release in 2012 before a nationwide home entertainment blu-ray and DVD release.

The trailer will be available shortly at www.jacksondocumentary.com.

Contact:

Irene Dean

Jane Ayer Public Relations

(818) 582-8481, ext. 501

irene@janeayerpr.com

SOURCE GPA Entertainment

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

Kanye West Tops 54th GRAMMY Nominations

2011-12-01T11:26:00.000-08:00

Kanye West Tops 54th GRAMMY Nominations

14-time GRAMMY winner Kanye West earns seven nods; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garner six nods; Lil Wayne and Skrillex each receive five nods.

1 Dec 2011 05:00 Africa/Lagos

Kanye West Leads GRAMMY® Nominations With Seven; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars Each Earn Six; and Lil Wayne and Skrillex Each Garner Five
ADELE, FOO FIGHTERS, LADY GAGA, BRUNO MARS, AND RIHANNA VIE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS® FEB. 12, 2012, LIVE ON CBS

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com) were announced tonight by The Recording Academy® and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®," a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE. The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 12, 2012, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys. For a complete nominations list, please visit www.grammy.com .

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/LA07792LOGO)

Kanye West tops the nominations with seven; Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garner six nods; and Lil Wayne and Skrillex each are up for five awards. Drake, Paul Epworth, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Nicki Minaj, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Rihanna, and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) each receive four nominations.

"Once again, it is most gratifying to see the GRAMMY Awards process produce a broad cross section of diverse and impressive nominees across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's nominations truly reflect an exceptional and talented creative community that embodies some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry in their respective fields. Coupled with the fourth year of our primetime nominations special, the road to Music's Biggest Night, the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards in February, is off to an exciting and appropriate start."

Following is a sampling of nominations in 78 categories from the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields:

GENERAL FIELD

Album Of The Year :

21 — Adele

Wasting Light — Foo Fighters

Born This Way — Lady Gaga

Doo-Wops & Hooligans — Bruno Mars

Loud — Rihanna

Record Of The Year :

"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele

"Holocene" — Bon Iver

"Grenade" — Bruno Mars

"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons

"Firework" — Katy Perry

Best New Artist :

The Band Perry

Bon Iver

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj

Skrillex

Song Of The Year :

"All Of The Lights" — Jeff Bhasker, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters

(Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)

"The Cave" — Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)

"Grenade" — Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt,

songwriters (Bruno Mars)

"Holocene" — Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)

"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

POP FIELD

Best Pop Solo Performance

"Someone Like You" — Adele

"You And I" — Lady Gaga

"Grenade" — Bruno Mars

"Firework" — Katy Perry

"F***in' Perfect" — Pink

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance :

"Body And Soul" — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse

"Dearest" — The Black Keys

"Paradise" — Coldplay

"Pumped Up Kicks" — Foster The People

"Moves Like Jagger" — Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera

DANCE FIELD

Best Dance Recording :

"Raise Your Weapon" — Deadmau5 & Greta Svabo Bech

"Barbra Streisand" — Duck Sauce

"Sunshine" — David Guetta & Avicii

"Call Your Girlfriend" — Robyn

"Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" — Skrillex

"Save The World" — Swedish House Mafia

ROCK FIELD

Best Rock Performance :

"Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" — Coldplay

"Down By The Water" — The Decemberists

"Walk" — Foo Fighters

"The Cave" — Mumford & Sons

"Lotus Flower" — Radiohead

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance :

"On The Backs Of Angels" — Dream Theater

"White Limo" — Foo Fighters

"Curl Of The Burl" — Mastodon

"Public Enemy No. 1" — Megadeth

"Blood In My Eyes" — Sum 41

Best Rock Album :

Rock 'N' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul — Jeff Beck

Wasting Light — Foo Fighters

Come Around Sundown — Kings Of Leon

I'm With You — Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Whole Love — Wilco

ALTERNATIVE FIELD

Best Alternative Music Album

Bon Iver — Bon Iver

Codes And Keys — Death Cab For Cutie

Torches — Foster The People

Circuital — My Morning Jacket

The King Of Limbs — Radiohead

R&B FIELD

Best Traditional R&B Performance :

"Sometimes I Cry" — Eric Benet

"Fool For You" — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona

"Radio Message" — R. Kelly

"Good Man" — Raphael Saadiq

"Surrender" — Betty Wright & The Roots

Best R&B Album :

F.A.M.E. — Chris Brown

Second Chance — El DeBarge

Love Letter — R. Kelly

Pieces Of Me — Ledisi

Kelly — Kelly Price

RAP FIELD

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration :

"Party" — Beyonce & Andre 3000

"I'm On One" — DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne

"I Need A Doctor" — Dr. Dre, Eminem & Skylar Grey

"What's My Name?" — Rihanna & Drake

"Motivation" — Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne

"All Of The Lights" — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie

Best Rap Performance :

"Look At Me Now" — Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes

"Otis" — Jay-Z & Kanye West

"The Show Goes On" — Lupe Fiasco

"Moment 4 Life" — Nicki Minaj & Drake

"Black And Yellow" — Wiz Khalifa

COUNTRY FIELD

Best Country Solo Performance :

"Dirt Road Anthem" — Jason Aldean

"I'm Gonna Love You Through It" — Martina McBride

"Honey Bee" — Blake Shelton

"Mean" — Taylor Swift

"Mama's Song" — Carrie Underwood

Best Country Song :

"Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" — Jim Collins & David Lee Murphy, songwriters (Thompson Square)

"God Gave Me You" — Dave Barnes, songwriter (Blake Shelton)

"Just Fishin'" — Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell & Ed Hill, songwriters (Trace Adkins)

"Mean" — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)

"Threaten Me With Heaven" — Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Will Owsley & Dillon O'Brian, songwriters (Vince Gill)

"You And Tequila" — Matraca Berg & Deana Carter, songwriters (Kenny Chesney Featuring Grace Potter)

AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD

Best Americana Album :

Emotional Jukebox — Linda Chorney

Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down — Ry Cooder

Hard Bargain — Emmylou Harris

Ramble At The Ryman — Levon Helm

Blessed — Lucinda Williams

Best Blues Album :

Low Country Blues — Gregg Allman

Roadside Attractions — Marcia Ball

Man In Motion — Warren Haynes

The Reflection — Keb ' Mo '

Revelator — Tedeschi Trucks Band

Best Folk Album :

Barton Hollow — The Civil Wars

I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive — Steve Earle

Helplessness Blues — Fleet Foxes

Ukulele Songs — Eddie Vedder

The Harrow & The Harvest — Gillian Welch

This year's Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth, the Smeezingtons (Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars), Ryan Tedder, and Butch Vig.

This year's GRAMMY Awards process registered more than 17,500 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (Oct. 1, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2011). GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 14 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 11, 2012, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 54th GRAMMY telecast.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures and John Cossette Productions for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz is director.

"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," hosted by two-time GRAMMY-winner LL COOL J, featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as performances by country star Jason Aldean , two-time GRAMMY winner Common, hip-hop innovator Grandmaster Flash, five-time GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga, LL COOL J, three-time GRAMMY winner Ludacris, GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco, GRAMMY-winning hip-hop artist Melle Mel , four-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna, rapper Scorpio, singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson , GRAMMY winner Mike Stoller , GRAMMY-winning duo Sugarland, country music sensation The Band Perry, and seven-time GRAMMY winner Usher. Presenters included actor Taraji P. Henson, actor Taylor Lautner , GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars , R&B/rap star Nicki Minaj, and pop singer/songwriter Katy Perry .

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com . For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys , a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys , and a YouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys .

SOURCE The Recording Academy
MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: A complete list of nominees is available at www.grammy.com. The deadline to apply for press credentials to cover the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards has passed, and credential applications will no longer be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.

CONTACT: Barb Dehgan/Lourdes Lopez, The Recording Academy, 310.392.3777, barbd@grammy.com/lourdesl@grammy.com; or Maureen O'Connor, Rogers & Cowan, 310.854.8116, moconnor@rogersandcowan.com

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

Photo of the Week: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

2011-11-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

source: TIMES SQUARE AD COALITION
headline: TIMES SQUARE ADVERTISING COALITION MACY'S THANKSGIVING PARADE
caption: Saluting 85 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in Times Square. (PRNewsFoto/Times Square Advertising Coalition, Fred Rosenberg)
byline: FRED ROSENBERG
media contact info: George Lence, 917-270-0080, george@nicholaslence.com.
release date: 23 November 2011
release time: 13:01 EST
industries: ENT
city: NEW YORK
state: NY
country name: UNITED STATES
news release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/signs-highlight-times-square-as-best-backdrop-for-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-134404598.html
photo identifier: 20111123/NY11866
credit: PR NEWSWIRE

PR Newswire Stockholm Holds Seminar on the Emerging Social Media Landscape

2011-11-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

PR Newswire Stockholm Holds Seminar on the Emerging Social Media Landscape

PR Newswire Stockholm presents a seminar and debate about the changing communications landscape and the effect of social and emerging media.

Stockholm, 15 November /PRNewswire/ — PR Newswire, the global leader in content and news distribution, recently held a two day event themed around ‘Emerging Media Today and Tomorrow’ hosted by Michael Pranikoff, Global Director of Emerging Media.

The communications landscape is constantly evolving and as a result the way you communicate and engage with your target audience needs to be continually reevaluated.

Both journalists and consumers have changed their media consumption patterns and as more and more content is uploaded every day it becomes increasingly harder to get your message out there and engage with your target audiences.

Michael discussed this ever changing environment and how to embrace these changes. He was joined over the two days by representatives from over 50 leading Nordic companies. The debate was followed by a champagne reception and a selection of canapés prepared by Stefan Eriksson (Swedish chef of the year 2005).

The response to the seminars was extremely positive and the demand to attend so high that many were left disappointed. As a result we decided to film the second day and make this available to everyone. You can find the presentation in five parts at www.youtube.com/PRNnordics

* Part 1 – Michael talks about engaging opportunities everywhere, the Swedish internet population and the content revolution. He also discusses the vast amount of content being uploaded and shared, as well as the complexity of new communication channels.

* Part 2 – Michael shares his thoughts on reach versus control when it comes to owned, paid and earned exposure, the complexity of the new marketing funnel, digital and traditional media, push and pull of content.

* Part 3 – Michael considers the new currency of trust over attention, where news consumers go to first for news about companies. He also talks about the long tail of corporate content and the importance of continuous communication. He also considers Twitter and the four types of Twitter users.

* Part 4 – Michael discusses the importance of search and context as the cornerstone of any successful communications strategy, and discusses how to adapt your content and news releases for search engines and how they affect the availability of your stories online. He also gives some best practice advice on how to write your news release to ensure internet visibility, keyword brainstorming ideas and the increasing importance of multimedia content.

* Part 5 – Michael analyses customer case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of multimedia assets in news releases, which type of information people share online and how to connect your various communications channels for enhanced search engine optimisation.

This was PR Newswire’s first event in the Nordics and given the extremely positive response will be the first of many.

“PR Newswire is the market leader globally within the content and news distribution markets because of our unparalleled network of news agencies, journalists, bloggers, websites and social media platforms. Our clients have to embrace an ever changing media landscape and Michael’s global experience really helped them understand how to take advantage of these new channels of distribution and the changing skill sets needed to be successful,” commented Johan Cohen, Nordic Director for PR Newswire.

He added, “We have been at the forefront of understanding and embracing this media revolution and have worked with our clients to develop a set of products that enable them to be successful in these spaces. As a result we have seen massive growth in the Nordic Region resulting in a move to our new offices by Stureplan in Stockholm where we hosted the seminars”

He continued, “The feedback we have had from clients who attended these events has been hugely positive and we are planning further events in the New Year where we will continue to listen and learn from our clients, working collaboratively to ensure our products and services continue to evolve in an ever changing media landscape.”

PR Newswire would like to thank all our guests who helped make these events such a success. We would also like to thank Vela who let us use her song Painkiller in our promotion video and lastly Able Film who made an excellent video that really captured the essence of the event.

PR Newswire is the global leader in innovative communications and marketing services, enabling organisations to connect and engage with their target audiences worldwide. Providing multimedia news targeting, distribution and monitoring products, PR Newswire helps you promote your brand, generate awareness, drive sales and increase revenue.

Media Contact:
Johan Cohen
Nordic Director PR Newswire
+46(0)8-1200-1301
Johan.cohen@prnewswire.se

Emerging Media Today and Tomorrow

* www.prnewswire.co.uk
* www.facebook.com/officialvela
* www.youtube.com/officialvela
* www.ablefilm.se
* www.youtube.com/PRNnordics

The Arrest of New York Terrorist Bomber Jose Pimenthal

2011-11-22T10:43:00.001-08:00

The alleged New York lone-wolf jihadist Jose Pimentel.

Read more at: http://www.investigativeproject.org/3303/the-ideas-behind-the-alleged-bomber

21 Nov 2011 21:05 Africa/Lagos

New York Bomber Suspect Arrest Prompts Warning: "Tune Into Your Surroundings During Thanksgiving Travel," Antiterrorism Expert Says

PR Newswire

BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2011

BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "The recent arrest of alleged New York bomber Jose Pimenthal underscores the need for all of us to be vigilant during the Thanksgiving travel rush," warns antiterrorism expert Todd McGhee who pioneered new security measures at Logan Airport, post 9/11 and later co-founded Protecting the Homeland Innovations, LLC in Braintree, Mass.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111102/NE98563 )

"Warning signs of a lone-wolf terrorist include hanging back when everyone is in a rush, appearing trancelike or spouting ideology. Tune into your surroundings instead of your iPod to pick up on out-of-step behaviors that could mean trouble," says McGhee.

On Sunday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the arrest of Jose Pimentel of Manhattan, "a 27-year-old Al Qaeda sympathizer" who he said was motivated by propaganda and planned to harm returning U.S. troops.

"If a stranger has to think about answering a simple questions like, 'Are you visiting your family?' it's a sign of trouble," says McGhee, adding, "This is what we teach security professionals to look for – subconscious responses people cannot hide. It's a like a tell in a poker player."

"Airport security is getting better, but the public must be aware of what to watch for and how to respond," says McGhee. McGhee's PHI (www.phitraining.com) provides antiterrorist training to security professionals at TSA, AMTRAK, NYPD and other agencies as well as public awareness campaigns.

"Pay attention to the ebb and flow of human activity in airports, rail stations and bus terminals to become more aware of behaviors that are out of step with the crowd. If you sense a threat go with your instincts. Move away and alert the nearest security professional or a gate agent. Do not try to detain the individual yourself. Your safety comes first," says McGhee.

McGhee adds, "Outside the boarding gates, airports are as public as city streets where anybody up to no good can hang out. Situational awareness helps to keep us safe from belligerent drunks, sexual predators, scammers and other troublemakers as well as terrorists."

SOURCE Protecting the Homeland Innovations, LLC

CONTACT: Richard Pirozzolo, +1-617-959-4613, dick@pirozzolo.com

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

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Lost Credit Card Claims Climb 19 Percent During the Holidays

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Lady Gaga is Coming to Town - Barneys New York Opens GAGA'S WORKSHOP and Unveils Madison Windows for the Holidays

The Arrest of New York Terrorist Bomber Jose Pimenthal

2011-11-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

Lost Credit Card Claims Climb 19 Percent During the Holidays

Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety: Michael Jackson's Doctor and Other Recent Lawsuits: How Medical Practice Standards Affect Legal Liability

Lady Gaga is Coming to Town - Barneys New York Opens GAGA'S WORKSHOP and Unveils Madison Windows for the Holidays

Winners of "The 2011 American Music Awards®"

2011-11-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

Click here for more photographs.

21 Nov 2011 06:29 Africa/Lagos

Winners Announced for "The 2011 American Music Awards®"
PERFORMANCES BY NICKI MINAJ, LMFAO, JUSTIN BIEBER, JENNIFER LOPEZ, PITBULL, KATY PERRY

Winners Include:
Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
Sprint New Artist of the Year: Hot Chelle Rae
Nicki Minaj, Adele, Bruno Mars and More
Katy Perry Receives Award of Achievement for Being the First Woman in History of Pop Music to Have Five No. 1 Singles from One Album

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners of the 39th Annual American Music Awards (AMAs) were announced this evening from the NOKIA Theatre, L.A LIVE. The show aired live on ABC at 8:00pm ET/ 7:00pm CT. Produced by dick clark productions (dcp), the 2011 AMAs were produced by Larry Klein and executive produced by Orly Adelson, president of dcp.

AMA highlights included live performances by Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Drake, an AMA record six collaborations including Nicki Minaj with David Guetta opening the show, Pitbull with Marc Anthony and Lil Jon, Gym Class Heroes with Adam Levine, will.i.am with Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias with Ludacris, and Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera. LMFAO closed the night out with a party filled with surprises.

Winners of the 39th American Music Awards included Taylor Swift winning (Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist / Country Music and Favorite Album / Country), Nicki Minaj taking home her very first American Music Awards (Favorite Artist, Rap/Hip-Hop and Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop), Adele winning (Favorite Female Artist / Pop/Rock, Favorite Album / Pop/Rock and Favorite Artist / Adult Contemporary), Maroon 5 presented with (Favorite Band Duo or Group / Pop/Rock), Jennifer Lopez honored with (Favorite Artist / Latin Music), Hot Chelle Rae winning (Sprint New Artist of the Year award) and more. A complete list of winners is attached.

Katy Perry received a special AMA Award of Achievement for being the first woman in the history of pop music to have five No. 1 singles from one album.

Artists were honored in the categories of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative, Adult Contemporary, Latin, and Contemporary Inspirational.

This year, ABC aired a live pre-show "Countdown to The American Music Awards" hosted by Chris Harrison and Vanessa Lachey and live reporting by Ryan Devlin. In addition, fans were treated to the online pre-show "Coca-Cola Red Carpet LIVE! @ the 2011 AMAs" hosted by Lance Bass, Michael Buckley, Estelle, Sarah Hyland, Mario, Audrina Patridge and Josh Sussman that streamed live online worldwide at ABC.com, Livestream.com/AMAs and other partner sites.

About the Voting --

American Music Awards® nominees are selected from both BigChampagne's Ultimate Chart and Mediabase. The Ultimate Chart is a ranked list of the most popular artists and songs based on a weighted combination of music sales, radio and TV broadcast, internet streaming and video viewing, and incorporating additional online metrics, including activity on social networks. Mediabase monitors more than 1,800 radio stations in 180 U.S. and Canadian markets, 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and provides vital airplay and programming information to more than 1,700 affiliate radio stations and every major broadcast group. Winners are chosen by public vote online.

About dick clark productions, inc. --

Founded in 1957, dick clark productions, inc. (dcp) is a leading independent producer of television programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the "American Music Awards," "Golden Globe Awards," "Academy of Country Music Awards," and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." dcp also produces popular weekly television programming, including "So You Think You Can Dance," and owns and maintains one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment libraries, which includes more than 30 years of "American Bandstand" footage. For additional information about dcp, please visit www.dickclarkproductions.com

About the American Music Awards --

In 1973 Dick Clark created the American Music Awards to pay tribute to popular musicians from various genres of music and to put audiences in touch with the latest phenomena in American music. Since its founding, the AMAs have honored and showcased the talents of some of the biggest names in the music industry. For press credential requests, please go to http://ama.dickclark.com.

ABC Media Relations:
Edwin Escobar (818) 460-7758, edwin.escobar@abc.com
Kristen Andersen (818) 460-7421, kristen.Andersen@abc.om

dick clark productions:
Lynda Dorf (310) 255-4650, ldorf@dickclark.com
Brian Rubin (310) 255-4602, brubin@dickclark.com

SLATE PR:
Andy Gelb (310) 461-0111, andy@slate-pr.com
Stephanie Samson (310) 461-0111, stephanie@slate-pr.com

2011 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
WINNERS
NOVEMBER 20TH, 2011

POP or ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Bruno Mars

Favorite Female Artist
Adele

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Maroon 5

Favorite Album
Adele/21

COUNTRY MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Blake Shelton

Favorite Female Artist
Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Lady Antebellum

Favorite Album
Taylor Swift/Speak Now

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Nicki Minaj

Favorite Album
Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Usher

Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce

Favorite Album
Rihanna/Loud

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Foo Fighters

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Adele

LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Jennifer Lopez

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist
Casting Crowns

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift

Sprint New Artist Of The Year
Hot Chelle Rae

SOURCE dick clark productions

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

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

21 Nov 2011

13:00 The Recording Academy® Announces 2012 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame® Inductees

06:29 Winners Announced for "The 2011 American Music Awards®"

18 Nov 2011

20:55 Presenters Announced For the 39th Annual "American Music Awards®" Sunday, November 20th on ABC

15:00 Legacy Recordings Announces Now, Then & Forever, the Ultimate Earth, Wind & Fire Album Coming January 31, 2012

Top Nigerian Newspaper Publisher Alex Ibru Passes Away

2011-11-21T06:56:00.001-08:00

Dr. Alex Ibru left a great legacy.

The Founder and Publisher of the best newspaper in Nigeria has passed on. The great legacy of Chief Alex Ibru, The Guardian newspapers redefined and transformed the image and practice of modern journalism in Nigeria that indeed made The Guardian the flagship of the Nigerian press and a vehicle for the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa.

May his soul rest in peace.

~ from Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report online and founder of the annual Eko International Film Festival.

Where in the World is Regis Going?

2011-11-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

After "Live with Regis and Kelly," Regis Philbin will be appearing as a guest speaker aboard ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises' March 13, 2012 Hong Kong to Osaka sailing. (PRNewsFoto/Crystal Cruises)

18 Nov 2011 21:46 Africa/Lagos

Where in the World is Regis Going?

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With today marking Regis Philbin's last day on television's popular daytime talk show, Live with Regis and Kelly, rumors are rampant about what he'll be doing next. Here's one truth: come March 13, he'll be heading east—the Far East that is, as a guest speaker aboard Crystal Cruises' Hong Kong to Osaka voyage of its World Cruise.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111118/LA09998)

Multiple Emmy Award-winner and the Guinness World Record holder for "most hours on camera," Philbin is renowned in the U.S. for more than 50 years hosting TV talk shows, game shows, and a plethora of other entertainment programming. As part of Crystal's award-winning enrichment program, guests will have a rare opportunity to see, and interact with, the ever-affable "Reeg," speaking about his life and legendary career. Guests can experience his trademark wit "live" without the cameras, and even have their own fun chat session with him via an audience Q&A. His wife, Joy, will accompany him on the sailing.

Philbin has had a long-time rapport with Crystal, having sailed as a celebrity guest speaker more than 10 years ago, and, in more recent years, presenting Crystal President Gregg Michel with Condé Nast Traveler's "Best Large-Ship" Readers' Choice Award.

"Given all the opportunities open to him, we're thrilled Mr. Philbin wanted to come back aboard for another star-treatment 'Crystal Experience'," says Crystal's Vice President of Entertainment Bret Bullock.

The "Kingdoms of Silk & Jade" Crystal Serenity sailing overnights in Hong Kong before visiting Xiamen, Shanghai (overnight), and Dalian, then heads inland to Beijing for a complimentary three-day inland adventure, followed by calls in Seoul/Incheon (overnight), Nagasaki, and Osaka (overnight).

Crystal Cruises' award-winning entertainment offerings include a range of venues and performances, from cabaret nightclub to piano bar saloon; acclaimed productions to headline entertainers; and sophisticated enrichment activities to in-room Blu-ray-viewing, for all world travelers. The renowned Crystal Experience has been rated "World's Best" more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband or Susan Wichmann 310-203-4305, mediarelations@crystalcruises.com
VISIT: Crystal's Media Center

SOURCE Crystal Cruises

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

Chevron In Open Conflict With Brazil and Ecuador Over Worsening Oil Spills

2011-11-20T03:55:00.000-08:00

American Company Faces Loss of Credibility With Oil Producing Nations in Latin America

QUITO, Ecuador, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chevron, which already faces allegations of fraud over an $18 billion liability in Ecuador for environmental damage, is being accused in Brazil of trying to cover up the extent of an oil spill caused by one of the company's offshore drilling rigs, leading to the company's second major conflict with a key Latin American oil-producing nation.

Misleading statements from Chevron about the size of the November 8th spill and its containment have led several Brazilian officials and environmental groups to criticize Chevron and demand more transparency from the oil giant, said Karen Hinton, spokesperson for the Ecuadorians who successfully sued Chevron for massive oil contamination in the rainforest.

According to the environmental group Greenpeace, whose activists today spilled black ink at the door of Chevron's Rio office, satellite pictures obtained by NASA show a spill "10 times bigger" than Chevron's estimate of 330 barrels a day. Rio state's Environmental Secretary Carlos Mink said, "The accident must be bigger than what is being announced. We are going to demand compensation…. The company must be punished in an exemplary manner."

Chevron already is in open conflict with Ecuador's government as part of its strategy to discredit the $18 billion judgment against it obtained in Ecuador's courts by rainforest residents. For almost three decades, Chevron's predecessor company Texaco dumped billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into the Amazon, leading to an environmental and public health catastrophe that dwarfs the extent of the BP calamity, according to evidence before the Ecuador court.

"Chevron's oil disaster in Brazil, and apparent cover-up, once again shows that the company has a systemic problem in failing to meet its environmental obligations to the communities where it does business," said Pablo Fajardo, the lead Ecuadorian lawyer who defeated Chevron in the 18-year legal battle.

"This type of dishonest behavior clearly puts Chevron at a competitive disadvantage relative to its peers, particularly in Latin America," he added.

Humberto Piaguaje, an indigenous leader in the area of Ecuador where Chevron operated, said Brazil should not trust Chevron to take responsibility for its actions.

"In Ecuador, we have lived with Chevron's contamination for five decades, and the company has refused to pay for the damage and destruction it caused. All governments in Latin America should beware of these basic facts before they do business with this company," said Piaguaje.

Chevron's management of its oil spills is not much better even in the United States. The oil giant recently agreed to a $4.5 million settlement with environmental officials in the state of Utah for two oil spills that polluted a creek and city pond. In that incident, Chevron also underestimated the amount of oil spilled, which contaminated a lake and impacted fish and wildlife.

In Ecuador, Chevron has tried to pressure President Rafael Correa to violate his country's Constitution – which guarantees Separation of Powers and an independent judiciary – and reach into the courthouse in Lago Agrio to quash the lawsuit, said Fajardo.

After an eight-year trial, the Ecuador court found Chevron responsible for the systematic dumping of billions of gallons of toxic waste into the Amazon from 1964 to 1992, when Texaco operated a large oil concession with 378 wells and production stations. The dumping decimated indigenous groups and created a spike in cancer rates and other oil-related illnesses, according to evidence before the court.

The indigenous and farmer communities in the area of Ecuador where Chevron operated have accused the oil giant of fraud in trying to cover up several waste pits with dirt and engaging in a sham remediation to hide its environmental crimes, said Fajardo.

Contact: Karen Hinton, 703-798-3109, Karen@hintoncommunications.com

SOURCE Amazon Defense Coalition

http://hintoncommunications.com/

Iconic Image of Steve Jobs On TIME Magazine Commemorative Cover

2011-11-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

16 Nov 2011 14:11 Africa/Lagos

Iconic Image of Steve Jobs, taken by Award-Winning Photographer Norman Seeff, selected for Time Magazine Commemorative Cover. (PRNewsFoto/Norman Seeff)

Iconic Image of Steve Jobs, Taken by Award-Winning Photographer Norman Seeff, Selected for Time Magazine Commemorative Cover
Limited archival prints of image available for sale by private collector

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning photographer Norman Seeff's image of Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs was recently featured on the cover of Time and on the back cover of the Walter Isaacson-penned biography "Steve Jobs". It was also selected by Apple for their October 19 Memorial Service commemorating Jobs' life. The 1984 session took place at Jobs' home in Woodside, CA.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/LA07820)

Norman Seeff, who photographed Jobs sitting cross-legged with a new Macintosh on his lap, spoke of Jobs' intensity and determination, a quality Seeff says he also saw when he photographed musical greats Ray Charles and Tina Turner, and film directors Billy Wilder and Martin Scorsese. "Those people have what I call 'far vision.' They look out to the future." commented Seeff. He continued, "The dreamer always has a vision of the possibilities in the future. That was my sense of Steve."

Several archival 16" x 20" gelatin silver prints from this session are being offered for sale. The collector is also selling other vintage prints of Seeff's including Joni Mitchell, Andy Warhol, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Steve Martin and Martin Scorsese and more. See the gallery of images at: www.nssilverprints.com.

ABOUT NORMAN SEEFF
South African-born Seeff has been photographing and filming cultural, political and historical figures since his arrival to the US in 1969. His subjects range from rock and pop stars such as Mick Jagger, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson and will.i.am to cultural figures including Bob Fosse, Steve Jobs, Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe and Andy Warhol.

A former creative director at United Artists Records, he has photographed and art directed the covers of hundreds of the most influential rock and pop albums including The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street, The Eagle's Hotel California , Fleetwood Mac's Tusk and Tina Turner's Private Dancer.

Beginning with Ike & Tina Turner in 1975, Seeff began filming his photo sessions, using them as a launching point to explore the energy and inspiration of the creative process at work.

His film and tape archive of more than 800 shoots with musical artists, film directors, authors, television personalities, scientists, visionaries and entrepreneurs provides a unique insight of artists and innovators in the act of creation. It is being developed as The Sessions Project for public exhibition.

After 10 years as an A-list director of commercials in the 1990's, Seeff returned to photography and documentary filmmaking in 1999, directing and producing projects for the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Paramount Television and the California Institute of Technology. Seeff's recently completed documentary Triumph of the Dream explores the inner dynamics of the creative process of the engineers and scientists responsible for landing the two Rovers on Mars in 2004.

SOURCE Norman Seeff

CONTACT: Mary Ann Mattiello, +1-818-585-5240, maryann@nssilverprints.com

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

IBM Study Reveals Challenges Midmarket CMOs Face to Sustain Brand Loyalty

2011-11-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

The proliferation of social media and mobile devices is creating a new breed of consumers who are digitally savvy and able to quickly compare and evaluate which products and services they want to buy. Everyday consumers are creating 2.5 quintillion bytes of data with 90 percent of the world's data created in the last two years alone. Savvy marketers are gaining insight from social media and incorporating it into their strategies. The key is predicting what consumers will want and then adapting marketing strategies to give them the right product when, where, and at what price they want it. The global IBM study of Midmarket CMOs revealed that building and sustaining brand loyalty is the top concern for today's midmarket CMOs, yet 72 percent do not feel sufficiently prepared to effectively build this loyalty. (PRNewsFoto/IBM)

16 Nov 2011 12:00 Africa/Lagos

IBM Study Reveals Challenges Midmarket CMOs Face to Sustain Brand Loyalty with Today's Social Consumer

Retailers Lee Jeans and wehkamp.nl Team with IBM to Engage the Individual Consumer through Social Channels

PR Newswire

ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2011

ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global IBM (NYSE: IBM) study of Midmarket Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) revealed that building and sustaining brand loyalty is the top concern for today's midmarket CMOs, yet 72 percent do not feel sufficiently prepared to effectively build this loyalty. Additionally, 70 percent of midmarket CMOs are concerned about data explosion, as they are tasked with making sense of highly complex information generated constantly from a variety of sources such as consumer blogs, tweets, mobile texts and videos.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/NY07839 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )

Today's CMOs need to be prepared to deal with an empowered consumer who is impacting brands instantly on Twitter, Facebook and other social channels. 61 percent of midmarket CMOs are struggling with how to manage the impact of social media will have on their marketing function. Many CMOs today are focused primarily on understanding market segments versus understanding the individual consumer in order to shape marketing strategies. Fewer than 50 percent of midmarket CMOs are taking the time to understand and evaluate the impact of consumer generated reviews, blogs and third party rankings on their brands.

The proliferation of social media and mobile devices is creating a new breed of consumers who are digitally savvy and able to quickly compare and evaluate which products and services they want to buy. Mobile commerce is expected to reach $31 billion by 2016, yet 62 percent of midmarket CMOs report being underprepared to deal with the proliferation of channels and devices. This increase in the mobile shopping trend further increases marketing challenges, complicates data collection and analysis, and threatens both customer service and customer retention.

Like their peers in larger organizations, midmarket CMOs are also being held more financially accountable to their organizations to produce business outcomes at a faster pace. The study also revealed that while midmarket CMOs believe ROI on marketing dollars spent will be the most important measuring stick for determining success of their business by 2015, the study noted 72 percent of CMOs are underprepared to manage the plummeting level of brand loyalty.

Aside from current economic conditions, there's an even bigger factor impacting brand loyalty. Innovations in technology and the spread of social networking have provided buyers with new tools for discovering, comparing, evaluating, choosing and experiencing brands. With the growth of social networks and a need for transparency, trust and personal exchanges between the consumer and the marketplace are now forming the cornerstone of small and midsize marketing efforts.

Everyday consumers are creating 2.5 quintillion bytes of data with 90 percent of the world's data created in the last two years alone. Savvy marketers are gaining insight from social media and incorporating it into their strategies. The key is predicting what consumers will want and then adapting marketing strategies to give them the right product when, where, and at what price they want it.

Today, retailers are embracing technologies such as analytics to make sense of massive amounts of data consumers are generating every single second to effectively target the individual consumer and enhance the shopping experience.

Lee Jeans Teams with IBM to Understand the Individual Consumer

Lee Jeans, one of the most recognizable apparel brands in the world faced the challenge of capturing and analyzing the huge volume of information being generated by a variety of sources before any merchandising decisions could be made on its website, Lee.com. By adopting analytics technology, Lee employees now have the capability to quickly make informed decisions that will improve the consumer's shopping experience.

Now, all the information that merchandisers need such as how well items sell, what is currently in stock and what consumers are saying through social media channels is organized into simple visuals that are shown over product thumbnail images on the Lee website. With this visual layout that mirrors Lee.com, the merchandisers can easily move products around based on popularity and availability. Merchandisers are able to see which products are being viewed most often and most importantly, which ones are being purchased most often. This ultimately allows the Lee team to display the site in a way that provides the best shopping experience for consumers.

Lee is now also able to obtain all product view data, online sales, abandonment rates and conversion rates to give Lee merchandisers a quick snapshot of product performance. Lee is also capturing consumer sentiment data generated from social media channels such as Facebook and brand rating website Bazaarvoice. Facebook 'Likes' and Bazaarvoice ratings are also included in the tool at the product level and these insights are used to help with marketing and merchandising decisions. Using social media and analytics Lee can now make faster and more informed merchandising decisions targeted at its customers with a simple click of the mouse.

Analytics Helps European Retailer, wehkamp.nl Shift Casual Online Browsers to Committed Shoppers

With more consumers shopping online from their smartphones, the average buyer has grown savvier with purchases, performing extensive research beforehand and always hunting for better deals. As a result, online bargain hunters frequently add various products to their shopping cart, only to abandon these shopping sessions. If online retailers cannot recapture a potential customer's interest and draw the shopper back to that previous shopping session, sales are likely to go to a competitor, even if the price is no different.

wehkamp.nl, retailer based in the Netherlands, sells brand-name clothing along with home appliances, beauty products, furniture and computer equipment. The home shopping retailer receives more than a million unique visitors to its website, many of these visitors continuing on to other online retailers after browsing wehkamp.nl's wares.

As the holiday season begins, wehkamp.nl recognized the immense value that could be tapped by recapturing the interest and sales of these online browsers. wehkamp.nl is using IBM analytics technology to track a consumer's browsing and purchasing history to create a unique customer experience with display ads, personalized emails and on-site product recommendations, capturing the interest and dollars of online shoppers.

For example, if a shopper had viewed several skirts during an earlier visit, the company can regain the shopper's interest by tailoring the message specifically to the holiday or occasion and choosing specific delivery methods and timing. To date, wehkamp.nl has driven increased sales and customer loyalty across its various product lines by better capturing the attention of potential customers, even those who have left its website with a 271 percent increase in sales.

"Social media now offers a clear opportunity for companies of all sizes to sit at the same table and engage directly with the consumer. This has changed the way brand loyalty is acquired and earned," said Andy Monshaw, general manager of IBM Midmarket Business. "With the explosion of social media, businesses are gaining the opportunity to understand and target the consumer better, that is opening up new avenues for small and midsize businesses to realize the potential of this new information and communication technologies, but face the daunting task of intercepting and interpreting vast quantities of data to find -- meaningful insights."

For more information on the CMO Study: http://www.ibm.com/cmommstudy2011/
To register for the Smarter Commerce webcast on Nov. 17 at 10am ET: http://bit.ly/rAg0vX

For more information on IBM Midmarket Business: http://bit.ly/joxxPq
Facebook Page: IBM for Midsize Businesses: http://on.fb.me/sHgobr
Follow us on Twitter at: #MidmarketIBM
To hear how IBM is working with midmarket clients: http://bit.ly/rIjE5A

Contact:
Lizette Kodama
IBM Media Relations
646-675-0750
lkodama@us.ibm.com

SOURCE IBM

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

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