MBN: The Monte Bubbles Network: Your news source on the web

To understand the internet you have to be open to change.

  

 

 

Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 20, 2006

MBN

www.montebubbles.com for more MBN news

 

INTERNET ADVERTISING IS THE FUTURE

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BROADCAST NEWS COMING SOON VIA PODCAST

 

SUNDAYS ARE NOW PICTURE DAY starting next sunday: Pictures that we have taken and not published during before will be placed here on Sunday of each week for your viewing pleasure

 

International news from Asia and Latin news in English and Spanish here now

 

More exciting changes coming each day.

Watch for the MBN Politically incorrect SUV

 

MONTEBUBBLISM: Money always wins, look no further then dog shows.

 

BREAKING NEWS: LA OPERA PRESS PREVIEW GRENDEL

7 preformances only May 27 to June 17.

 Academy-Award wining composer Elliot Goldenthal and Tony-Award winning director Julie Taymor collaborate on Grendel, a ground-breaking operatic premiere inspired by the Beowulf legend.

 

 

 Eric Owens

 

 

Over 1,000 years ago, two anonymous scribes wrote down an epic poem about a Scandinavian hero who ended the bloody reign of the monster Grendel. John Gardner’s 1971 novel approaches the classic story from the monster’s viewpoint. Estranged from nature and outcast from the world of men, Grendel is a passionate thinker trapped in the body of a beast, who struggles with his own existential conflicts and observations about humanity, and about himself.

Using projections, puppetry, masks and Goldenthal’s richly layered and highly emotional score, Taymor creates an enthralling visual landscape.

 

In this world of kings, queens, storytellers and warriors, Taymor and her co-librettist, J.D. McClatchy, present a Grendel that is a quintessentially modern anti-hero. With language ranging from medieval to modern, Grendel serves as a gripping theatrical allegory of the human struggle.

 

 

 

 Elliot Goldenthal, Placido Domingo, Julie Taymor, Eric Owens.

(C) photos MBN by William Hoehne 2006 

ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Azteca America Executives Unveil Programming Strategy at 2006 Upfront Presentation in NYC

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Comes to Westchester and Calls on Alure Home Improvements for a Record Fifth Time

Creatures, Monsters and Things to Inhabit the Academy

KORN Relaunches 'THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR;' Offers Summer's Only $9.99 Festival Tickets

Recording Artists The Pussycat Dolls to Make Appearance at Verizon Wireless Store in Bensalem, PA

Bob Dylan's XM Satellite Radio Show to Debut May 3

The Beatles(TM) LOVE(TM) by Cirque du Soleil(R)

Vivendi Universal Games Announces License for Freestyle Street Basketball

VU Games to Publish Asia's Wildly Popular Online Game in North America

'ATTACK OF THE SHOW' Introduces New Co-Host Olivia Munn as the G4 Series Relaunches May 15

Production Begins in Los Angeles on Revolution Studios' Science Fiction Action Thriller 'Next'

Mariah Carey Hits Perfect Note With Pepsi

Strong Majority of Americans Believes Radio Continues to be Important in American Life

CTV Upgrades Network in 16 Cities with Aastra's VideoRunner®

In Front of the Upfront, Media Agency Evaluates Broadcasters Performance

News Corp. broadcaster relies on youth appeal

Foreign Finalists Selected for Student Academy Award

Rorke Data Signs National Distribution Agreement with Myricom

No 'Free Lunch' Line!

Mags Use New Video Platforms To Become TV Channels

Mag Sag Continues, Consumer Page Drop Mirrors B-to-B

eBay Makes Bid For Reality TV, Prime-Time Show Will Air On ABC

VH1 Sets Commercial-Free Stunt For 'So

Digital Splinters Will Have to Be Cobbled Together to Reach Mass Audience

Immersive Media Company has engineered the Telemmersion® System

AT&T Homezone TV Service to Feature On-Demand Video Content from Akimbo

Mobile Phone to Play 'Big Role' in New Entertainment Venture

``The Film Noir Classic Collection Volume 3''

Gameloft Gets Down with Paris Hilton

Shomex, Variety And The Walt Disney Company Announce More Than 4,000 People Attended Premiere Of The Entertainment & Media Career Expo

ThoughtWorthy Media Premieres Internet Search Engine

Warner Bros. Pictures Tough Guys Collection''

Soak Up The Fun With Disney Character-Themed Swimwear, Beach Towels, Body Boards, Lunchware, And More

Country Music Artist Michael Lee Austin Hits #1 on Amazon Charts

Fox Sports Joins Newly Launched My TV

All-Star Cast Secured for SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME

Fox Home Entertainment Has Something for Every Mom This Mother's Day;

Time Warner, Michael Eisner and Spark Capital Join Shelter Capital to Complete $12.5 Million Strategic Series B Investment in Veoh Networks

SightSpeed to Present in the Top Innovator Demo Program at OnHollywood 2006;

Dave Navarro's New Band!

Keynote presentation at the Sports Media and Technology Conference,

Infinium Labs Signs Itron Technology Inc. to Manufacture the Phantom(R) Lapboard SEATTLE

Software Developer Alleges ABC Was Part of Circulation-Inflation Scheme

Digital Splinters Will Have to Be Cobbled Together to Reach Mass Audience

HD DVD Launches

Chicago and Huey Lewis and the News Announce U.S. Summer Tour

Greatest Thing Since Sliced Pizza; 7-Eleven(R) Introduces P'EatZZa Sandwich(TM) Featured on NBC's 'Apprentice'

Premium Content Driving Internet Video Growth

SPORTS & AUTOS

Oakland & Dodger baseball

PinnacleSports.com Serves up Betting on ATP Champions Tour Featuring McEnroe, Becker, Noah and Wilander

Automotive Students Shift to Hydrogen at Lansing Community College

New Web Site - MuscleCarTools.com - Offers Automotive Tools at Bargain Prices for Putterers and Professionals

Big Stakes Match Play Becomes The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas in 2007; Televised Event Will Have the Richest Winner's Purse in Golf History

Airport Express Offers Motorists Tips on How to Reduce Fuel Costs

Ford Breaks $5 Billion Barrier in Sourcing With Minority Suppliers in 2005

DOD

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

A Multinational Division Baghdad soldier died yesterday

Eight of the surviving 16 "Doolittle Tokyo Raiders

National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized as of April 19, 2006

NEWS And News in Spanish

'Las Vegas Homeowners Fight Back'

DiversityInc Anuncia las 50 Compañías de Su Lista de Firmas que Más Promueven la Diversidad Entre Sus Empleados y Proveedores

Discover(R) Card Offers Consumers Relief from Escalating Gas Prices with Two Distinctive Options

Are Americans Doing Too Little to Support the Environment?

MenuVantage Releases New California Car Buyer's Bill of Rights Disclosure Tool to Protect Car Dealers, Customers from New Legislation

Raven Moon's GINA D(R) to Perform 4 Shows LIVE on the Main Stage at the 'Kids Faire' Expo in Los Angeles

Bandai America Calls on Kids to Create & Direct Their Own Movies Using Their Power Rangers Toys

Southwest Airlines Begins Hot New Service in the Summertime

98 Percent of Comments to GSA Want Loopholes for Large Businesses Closed

American Women and Children Face Terror Abroad

La detección de lesiones malignas de piel se puede mejorar en un 25 por ciento en los CAPs con tres simples criterios dermatoscópicos

Compuestos de alto valor añadido a partir de residuos procedentes de la elaboración de sidra

More Baby Boomers Worried About Gas Prices and Uninsured Medical Costs Than Retirement and Other Long-Term Expenses, AICPA/Harris Poll Suggests

SBA and California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Sign Strategic Alliance Memorandum

Remarks by President Bush on His Meeting With Governors Who Traveled to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan

____________________________________________________

 

ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Azteca America Executives Unveil Programming Strategy at 2006 Upfront Presentation in NYC

Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of the Board; Adrian Steckel, President and CEO; and Carlos de la Garza, President of Sales and Marketing of Azteca America, will present the Company's new programming strategy for 2006 and 2007 on Monday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. EDT, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

After the presentation, Azteca America executives will host a reception for clients, agencies, associates and friends.

About Azteca America

Azteca America is the fastest-growing Hispanic network in the United States. The network is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V., one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television content in the world. Azteca America currently has presence in 43 Hispanic markets, including: Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Phoenix, Brownsville-McAllen, Albuquerque, San Diego, Fresno-Visalia, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Denver, Orlando, Austin, Tampa, Corpus Christi, Tucson, Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, Monterey-Salinas, Hartford, Salt Lake City, Bakersfield, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Omaha, Yakima, Naples-Ft. Myers, Wichita, Reno, Boise, Victoria, Oklahoma City, Charleston, Chattanooga, Amarillo, Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro-Winston Salem, Wilmington and Philadelphia.

Source: Azteca America

Web site: http://www.tvazteca.com.mx/

'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' Comes to Westchester and Calls on Alure Home Improvements for a Record Fifth Time

ABC's Emmy-winning hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is back in the New York area, and once again, they called upon New York's Alure Home Improvements to handle the task of helping to rebuild the home of the Arena family, a deserving family in desperate need of some help.

Alure, led by President Sal Ferro, has already performed four major renovations for the Emmy winning show, the most recent completed only a few weeks ago in Jamaica Queens (air date: May 7th). Barely rested from the Queens Makeover, Alure was hesitant at first thought of taking on another major project so quickly, but once Ferro's friend Kathi Cline offered to help out and provide several volunteers, Ferro was much more comfortable and has once again responded to the shows request for helping out a desperate family in need.

"After hearing the Arena's heartbreaking story, I can only imagine how difficult it was for the family. Our team at Alure is committed to rebuilding this home for a very deserving family," said Ferro.

"Sal and I have spoken many times about his past Extreme Makeovers. I can see what these experiences have meant to him and wanted to be a part of the next makeover. I offered to volunteer even if I was required to use a broom. Knowing Sal's generosity and hearing about this family, I agreed to do whatever was needed. I know together we will change this family's life forever," said Cline.

Jimmy "Jimboy" Arena changed an entire community forever. Diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at five years-old Jimboy stayed strong. He inspired hundreds of neighbors, community members, several fire departments, officials and his own family with his infectious smile and spirit. Everyone in town knew Jimboy and prayed for him. They held fundraisers, birthday parties and even a parade to welcome him home from the hospital. But on September 28th 2005, shortly after his sixth birthday, Jimboy died and the Arena Family lost their only son.

The Arena's had saved enough money to repair and add onto their small home for their growing family but, when Jimboy was diagnosed, the funds went to experimental treatments across the country, medical care and travel expenses. Now the same community who supported Jimboy wants to pay tribute to him and help his family fix their broken home. After all, it was Jimboy who touched them all so deeply and he would've wanted this for his mom, dad and all of his sisters who took care of him.

A large Italian clan the Arena's can't enjoy a dinner together even though Mom Gina, loves to cook. Their small, 1400 square-foot rundown house has seen its share of wear and tear from the kids and is literally falling apart and bursting at the seams! With SIX daughters and one bathroom, the Arena's are in desperate need of bigger and better facilities!

In this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" we learn how one little boy changed the lives of hundreds as we help his family get back on their feet and into a better and more accommodating home.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Tom Forman and co-executive produced by Denise Cramsey. The show airs Sundays (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET), on the ABC Television Network.

The media is welcome to attend this amazing transformation. Anyone interested in pictures and interviews should contact Seth Selesnow from Alure at 516-396-9148. The episode is scheduled to air during the 2006 season. The Peter family episode from Jamaica Queens is scheduled to air on Sunday, May 7th. Details, Directions, background info, maps, parking info, and volunteer info can be found at the Alure website at www.alure.com.

Source: Alure Home Improvements

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

Creatures, Monsters and Things to Inhabit the Academy

Aslan, Yoda, Mr. Tinkles, Audrey II, Mighty Joe, along with a T-Rex dinosaur and several aliens, will be among the fantastical creatures, unearthly characters, hideous monsters and memorable icons that will come to life at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in “It’s Alive!: Bringing Animatronic Characters to Life on Film,” an original exhibition opening to the public on Friday, May 12, in Beverly Hills.

Presenting the work of many of the film industry’s leading animatronics professionals, the Academy’s Fourth Floor Gallery will showcase numerous models, both small and large, maquettes, and animatronic creatures and their mechanisms, accompanied by video clips of the final product.

“Animatronics have played a key role in creating some of film’s most memorable and beloved characters. We are excited to be a part of this exhibit giving the public a rare opportunity to see their favorite creatures up close,” said Brian Henson, co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company, which will provide exhibits of well-known characters from ground-breaking films including “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth.”

The Grand Lobby’s installation will focus on the extensive design process such characters undergo. That section of the exhibition will present concept drawings, storyboards and photographs from the workshops and sets where the characters are built and operated.

“Animatronics is a real combination of art and technology, making it possible to manufacture creatures that can perform in front of the camera and interact with actors, in real time,” said Ellen Harrington, the Academy’s exhibitions curator and special events programmer.

The films represented in “It’s Alive” will include “102 Dalmatians,” “Alien³,” “AVP: Alien vs. Predator,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “Beetlejuice,” “Cats & Dogs,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “The Dark Crystal,” “Doctor Dolittle,” “George of the Jungle,” “Ghostbusters,” “Gremlins,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Labyrinth,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Jurassic Park,” “Men in Black II,” “Mighty Joe Young,” “Predator,” “Robocop 2,” “The Santa Clause 2,” “Short Circuit,” “Snow Dogs,” “Spider-Man 2” and “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.”

Lending to the exhibition are leading animatronics artists and companies including The Jim Henson Company, the Walt Disney Company, Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc., Eric Allard, Rick Baker, Dave Barclay, Lyle Conway, Richard Edlund, Ray Harryhausen, Robert Short and Phil Tippett.

With its roots in the early years of fantasy films, animatronics became widely used in the 1970s through the 1990s, making possible characters like Yoda of “The Empire Strikes Back,” Harry, the giant ape of “Harry and the Hendersons” and, most recently, Aslan, the lion of “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Even though the advent of CGI has given filmmakers a different range of options, such recent films as “Herbie Fully Loaded” and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” have elected to use animatronics to allow for real-time performances.

"It’s Alive!: Bringing Animatronic Characters to Life on Film" will be on display through Sunday, August 20, 2006, at the Academy. Gallery viewing is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information call (310) 247-3600.

©A.M.P.A.S.®

KORN Relaunches 'THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR;' Offers Summer's Only $9.99 Festival Tickets

30-Date Trek With KORN and DEFTONES, Stone Sour, Flyleaf and Dir en gray Kicks Off July 27

Multi-platinum trend-setting hard rock outfit KORN and concert producer Live Nation will reintroduce THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR this summer with a 30-city trek through North America. The traveling festival will feature KORN and DEFTONES along with Stone Sour, Flyleaf and Dir en gray on the main stage.

Set to launch July 27 in Virginia Beach, VA, THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR marks the return of the highly successful rock festival, which KORN created and headlined in 1998. For the first time, THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR will also feature a second stage. Acts appearing on the second stage will be announced shortly.

"When Family Values first started it felt like music was fresh and exciting," says KORN frontman JONATHAN DAVIS. "We want to recreate that same feeling for our fans, and offer them a full day of fun and some great music."

KORN are touring in support of their first release on Virgin Records, SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE, which has sold over 1.7 million copies worldwide in just four months, and has spawned the major radio and video hits "Twisted Transistor" and "Coming Undone."

Through KORN's unique partnership with Live Nation, lawn tickets for THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR are being offered for just $9.99 with value-priced seating available at every outdoor amphitheatre stop on the summer trek.

"Let's face it, ticket prices suck," says DAVIS. "Kids shouldn't be shut out of concerts. We wanted to see if we could do something about it, and our new deal gives us the chance to give something back."

KORN's desire to offer value-priced tickets is consistent with their reputation as artists known for unconventional moves that challenge industry standards and expectations. The effect of their unique partnerships is not limited to concert tickets. This innovative deal expands on the unprecedented partnership KORN created with EMI Music in September 2005. Through that deal, KORN has also been able to offer their latest album for $9.99 at major retailers across the country including Circuit City, Best Buy, KMart, Walmart and Target.

THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR will hit the following cities (dates and venues TBA): Albuquerque, NM; Alpine Valley, WI; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Camden, NJ; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Darien, CT; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Hartford, CT; Holmdel, NJ; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Raleigh, NC; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Bernardino, CA; Saratoga, NY; St. Louis, MO; Toronto, ONT; Virginia Beach, VA; Wantagh, NY; Washington, DC; West Palm Beach, FL. For up-to-the-minute updates on this summer's THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR, check out www.familyvalueslive.com.

About THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR:

The first trek launched September 22, 1998 with a bill headlined by KORN and with performances from Rammstein, Ice Cube, Limp Bizkit and Orgy. 1999's line-up featured headliners Limp Bizkit, along with Filter, The Crystal Method, Primus, Staind, Mobb Deep, Ja Rule, and Method Man & Redman. KORN also made surprise appearances at a few dates. Beyond the live touring aspect, the debut outing of THE FAMILY VALUES TOUR spawned a gold-certified live album and platinum-certified companion home video. This was followed in spring 2000 with the second live disc and long-form home video. The 2001 trek featured Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park, Staind, Static-X and Deadsy. In 1998, the Los Angeles Times noted that the tour "certainly proved to be one of the rock spectacles of the year," while the New York Daily News said it "created a bold new profile for hard guitar bands."

About KORN:

Grammy-winning rock icons KORN have sold more than 25 million albums and have received widespread critical acclaim for their music. JONATHAN DAVIS (vocals), JAMES "MUNKY" SHAFFER (guitar), FIELDY (bass) and DAVID SILVERIA (drums) have redefined the parameters of heavy music, revolutionizing the genre by matching unsettling guitar textures and volcanic rhythms with jagged, introspective lyrics and intense vocal stylings. KORN are known for their extensive live touring schedule and have received widespread praise for their live performances.

About DEFTONES:

For over the past decade, DEFTONES have remained one of modern rock's most consistently innovative and influential rock bands. Their confluence of styles and experimentation has created an ever-evolving musical hybrid that has been embraced Globally. "They're perfecting a new hard-rock variation," -- Jon Pareles, The New York Times. "This is metal that crushes, then soothes; collapses, then soars. DEFTONES blows open the possibilities," -- Rolling Stone. DEFTONES' new studio album will be released this September.

ABOUT FLYLEAF:

Deemed by many as a "band to watch," Flyleaf was recently chosen for regular rotation on MTV's exciting new "Discover and Download" campaign. Their forceful guitars and intensely melodic female vocals have garnered many new fans -- as well as much critical acclaim from Metal Hammer, Kerrang!, Revolver and others. The Village Voice writes, "Singer Lacey Mosely will sometimes roar and growl among the wolves... a total livewire." Flyleaf brings their intense and new brand of rock to the stellar tour lineup.

About LIVE NATION:

Live Nation is a leading live content and venue management company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, corporations and fans. Live Nation owns, operates or has booking rights for 150 venues worldwide and promoted or produced over 28,500 events in 2005. Live Nation is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Live Nation is listed on The New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV". For more information regarding Live Nation and its businesses, please visit the company's web site at www.livenation.com.

Source: Live Nation

Web site: htpp://www.familyvalueslive.com
htpp://www.livenation.com

Recording Artists The Pussycat Dolls to Make Appearance at Verizon Wireless Store in Bensalem, PA

Tour Stop to include autograph session, demos of Verizon Wireless Music on Demand service

WHO: Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, will host an appearance by multi-platinum- selling artists The Pussycat Dolls. The Pussycat Dolls' current album "PCD" contains #1 hits such as "Don't Cha" and "Stickwitu." The group is currently on a 36-city tour opening for The Black Eyed Peas.

WHAT: An in-store appearance featuring The Pussycat Dolls. The Pussycat Dolls, currently touring with The Black Eyed Peas, will be available to sign autographs for their fans at the Verizon Wireless Bensalem store. Verizon Wireless will also showcase their V CAST Music on Demand service, which lets consumers download full-length songs directly to their cell phones without the need to plug into a computer. V CAST Music on Demand includes tracks from The Pussycat Dolls.

WHEN: Sunday, April 23, 2006

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Verizon Wireless store

1301 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA

Source: Verizon Wireless

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

Bob Dylan's XM Satellite Radio Show to Debut May 3

'Theme Time Radio Hour With Your Host Bob Dylan' to Feature Diverse Range of Music Each Week

Bob Dylan's much anticipated XM Satellite Radio music show, "Theme Time Radio Hour with Your Host Bob Dylan" will make its world premiere on May 3, it was announced today. Each weekly show will feature an eclectic mix of music based around a theme, and host Bob Dylan will offer stories about the music and topics of interest. Dylan also will read and answer select emails sent in by fans. In addition, "Theme Time Radio Hour" will feature contributions from special guests, including Elvis Costello, Charlie Sheen, Penn Jillette, Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel.

The first episode of "Theme Time Radio Hour with Your Host Bob Dylan" will be devoted to the theme of "weather," with a song list that spans "A Place in the Sun" sung in Italian by Stevie Wonder, "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix and "Keep on the Sunny Side" by The Carter Family, among many others. Song lists for future episodes will be built around themes such as "cars," "dance," "police," and "whiskey." Complete track lists from each "Theme Time Radio Hour" show will be posted on a dedicated Bob Dylan page on XM Satellite Radio's website (http://www.xmradio.com/bobdylan) that will also include a link for users to purchase select songs heard on Bob Dylan's show through Napster, XM's digital music partner, as well as photos and information on encore broadcasts. Fans also can e-mail their questions and music requests directly to Bob Dylan at bobdylan@xmradio.com.

"With 'Theme Time Radio Hour' Bob redefines 'cool radio' by combining a sense of intellect with edginess in a way that hasn't been on radio before," said Lee Abrams, chief creative programming officer, XM Satellite Radio. "Bob has put a lot of work into his XM show and it's clear that he's having a good time behind the mic."

"Theme Time Radio Hour with Your Host Bob Dylan" will debut Wednesday, May 3 on XM's deep album rock channel, Deep Tracks (XM channel 40), at its regular weekly timeslot, 10 a.m. ET. Encore broadcasts of "Theme Time Radio Hour" will air throughout the week on Deep Tracks and XM's folk music channel, The Village (XM channel 15). Complete scheduling information is available online at http://www.xmradio.com/bobdylan.

About XM Satellite Radio

XM is America's number one satellite radio service with more than 6.5 million subscribers. Broadcasting live daily from studios in Washington, DC, New York City, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Toronto and Montreal, XM's 2006 lineup includes more than 170 digital channels of choice from coast to coast: the most commercial-free music channels, sports, talk, comedy, children's and entertainment programming; and the most advanced traffic and weather information.

XM, the leader in satellite-delivered entertainment and data services for the automobile market through partnerships with General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen/Audi, is available in more than 130 different vehicle models for 2006. XM's industry-leading products are available at consumer electronics retailers nationwide. For more information about XM hardware, programming and partnerships, please visit http://www.xmradio.com/.

Source: XM Satellite Radio

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

The Beatles(TM) LOVE(TM) by Cirque du Soleil(R)

Director - Dominic Champagne, Music Directors - Sir George Martin & Giles Martin

Preview Performances Begin June 2 at The Mirage(R) in Las Vegas

TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!

Preview performances begin June 2 for The Beatles LOVE, the latest Cirque du Soleil production which celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles. The Gala Premiere will be held Friday, June 30, 2006. LOVE will be presented exclusively at The Mirage in Las Vegas. This joint artistic venture marks the first time that The Beatles company, Apple Corps Ltd., has agreed to a major theatrical partnership. The project was born out of a personal friendship and mutual admiration between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte.

LOVE will bring the magic of Cirque du Soleil together with the spirit and passion behind the most beloved rock group of all time to create a vivid, intimate and powerful entertainment experience.

Sir George Martin, The Beatles original producer, and his son Giles Martin have been working with the entire archive of Beatles recordings to create the musical component for LOVE. The result is an unprecedented approach to the music for a stage production. "After spending more than 40 years of my life working with The Beatles and their wonderful music, I am thrilled to be working with it once again, on this exciting project with Cirque du Soleil," said Sir George Martin. "The show will be a unique and magical experience."

Using the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, Sir George and Giles have created a unique soundscape for LOVE. "I think we will achieve a real sense of drama with the music, the audience will feel as though they are actually in the theatre with the band. People are going to be knocked out by what they are hearing!" said Giles Martin.

Dominic Champagne directed and wrote the original concept for the show which captures the essence of love that John, Paul, George and Ringo inspired during their astonishing adventure together. LOVE evokes the exuberant and irreverent spirit of The Beatles. "When we embarked on this extraordinary adventure in 2002," said Gilles Ste-Croix, Show Concept Creator and Director of Creation, "we set out to create a timeless, three-dimensional evocation of The Beatles music. Drawn from the poetry of the lyrics, we developed a preliminary concept that explored the content of the songs in a series of scenes inhabited by real and imaginary people." The international cast of 60 channels a raw, youthful energy underscored by aerial performance, extreme sports and urban, freestyle dance.

LOVE will be presented in a custom-built theatre at The Mirage featuring 360-degree seating and advanced high definition video projections with 100-foot digital, moving images. The panoramic surround sound system will envelop the audience who will experience The Beatles music like never before ...

Apple Corps Ltd. is planning to release the album through EMI Music later this year.

Cirque du Soleil Creative Team:

Guy Laliberte -- Guide, Show Concept Creator

Dominic Champagne -- Director, Show Concept Writer

Gilles Ste-Croix -- Director of Creation, Show Concept Creator

Chantal Tremblay -- Associate Director of Creation

Jean Rabasse -- Theatre and Set Designer

Philippe Guillotel -- Costume Designer

Jonathan Deans -- Sound Designer

Yves Aucoin -- Lighting Designer

Francis Laporte -- Video Projection Designer

Hansel Cereza and Dave St-Pierre - Choreographers

Guy St-Amour -- Acrobatic & Rigging Designer

Daniel Cola -- Acrobatic Performance Designer

Nathalie Gagne -- Make-up Designer

Patricia Ruel -- Props Designer

Michael Curry -- Puppet Designer

Guest Creators:

Andre Simard -- Aerial Acrobatic Designer

Alexis Martin -- Dramaturge Consultant

Francois Perusse -- Comic Audio-clips Designer

For Apple Corps Ltd.:

Sir George Martin -- Music Director

Giles Martin -- Music Director

Neil Aspinall -- Executive Producer

Tickets to LOVE will be on sale at 9:00am April 19.

TICKET PRICES:

*$150, $125, $99, $69

All preview performances* will be discounted 25 percent.

*Preview performances for LOVE begin June 2 and run through June 29. During these performances, the creative team is in the very final stages of production. The audience's reaction and participation is an important step in this process. The artistic direction of LOVE reserves the right to interrupt the performance to make adjustments as necessary.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

Preview performances will be presented nightly at 7:00pm. In addition, there will 10:30pm performances on limited dates. Please consult the most current show schedule at www.cirquedusoleil.com . Schedule is subject to change without notice.

Following the preview period, LOVE will be performed Thursday through Monday with no shows on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Beginning July 1, there will be two shows nightly at 7:30pm & 10:30pm.

TO RESERVE TICKETS:

By phone: 702 792 7777 or 800 963 9634

Online: www.cirquedusoleil.com , www.thebeatles.com or www.mirage.com.

In person: At the LOVE box office at The Mirage or any of the MGM MIRAGE

box offices in Las Vegas.

Ownership of the trademarks: Apple Corps Limited for The Beatles (word and

design), Cirque du Soleil for Cirque du Soleil (word and design) and The Cirque Apple Creation Partnership for LOVE (word and design). Trademarks usedunder license.

Source: Cirque du Soleil; Apple Corps Ltd.

Vivendi Universal Games Announces License for Freestyle Street Basketball  VU Games to Publish Asia's Wildly Popular Online Game in North America

Vivendi Universal Games ("VU Games") today announced FreeStyle(TM) Street Basketball, a fast-paced online basketball game where players meet on virtual courts to challenge each other in a dynamic pick-up game environment, featuring cutting-edge music, fashions and gravity defying basketball moves.

Developed by JC Entertainment Corp., FreeStyle Street Basketball emphasizes community play, customization and fun for all styles of gamers. The game was first launched in Korea in 2004 and since then has become one of its most popular games.

"We are thrilled to be working with VU Games to bring FreeStyle Street Basketball to North America," said Yang Shin Kim, CEO and founder of JCE.

FreeStyle Street Basketball allows players to test their skills in the ultimate street basketball game where every player you meet is an actual person with a look and style all their own. In FreeStyle Street Basketball players create a one-of-a-kind streetballer and level up through experience on the court. Players can customize their character by purchasing gear, clothing, and skills through experience points and micro-transactions.

"We are excited to be the first Western publisher to bring a successful casual online game from Asia to North America," said Bruce Hack, CEO of Vivendi Universal Games, "FreeStyle Street Basketball uniquely blends basketball and character building gameplay in a stylish multiplayer online environment."

Sierra's new online division is headed by Ed Zobrist, formerly SVP, Global Marketing. Based at the VU Games headquarters in Los Angeles, Sierra Online is dedicated to publishing games for online play and distribution on every viable platform.

About JCE

JC Entertainment is a Korean online game developer & publisher, which has been developing and servicing online game content since 1994. JCE has wide range of game development experiences including sports casual online, casual, MMO, and board games. JCE has excellent in-house development capability and success with FreeStyle, the PC online street basketball game. JCE's goal is to work with its partners to develop and provide leading worldwide online entertainment content.

About Vivendi Universal Games

Vivendi Universal Games (www.vugames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online (MMO) games category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. VU Games' two principal studios are Blizzard Entertainment(R), headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft(R), Diablo(R), StarCraft(R), and Warcraft(R); and Sierra(R) Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment(R), Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios(TM), and Massive Entertainment(R). Sierra is the owner of Crash Bandicoot(R), Spyro The Dragon(R), Empire Earth(R), Leisure Suit Larry(R), and Ground Control(R). VU Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment.

FreeStyle and the FreeStyle logo are trademarks of JC Entertainment.

Source: Vivendi Universal Games

Web site: http://www.vugames.com/ 'ATTACK OF THE SHOW' Introduces New Co-Host Olivia Munn as the G4 Series Relaunches May 15

With Fresh Content, Set, Graphics, and New Interactive Elements That Let Viewers Join the Conversation Featuring the Latest and Liveliest Info on Technology, Games, Sports, Cars, Movies, Parties, and, of Course, Women, 'AOTS' Is The Go-to Show for Men 18-34

With Fresh Content, Set, Graphics, and New Interactive Elements That Let Viewers Join the Conversation Featuring the Latest and Liveliest Info on Technology, Games, Sports, Cars, Movies, Parties, and, of Course, Women, 'AOTS' Is The Go-to Show for Men 18-34

LOS ANGELES, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTACK OF THE SHOW, G4's daily trip to the digital water cooler, introduces a new co-host, Olivia Munn, who joins co-host Kevin Pereira as the series relaunches on May 15 with fresh content categories, a new set and new graphics. The new AOTS will also feature exclusive interactive components that engage the viewer across a variety of platforms. The new ATTACK OF THE SHOW will premiere on Monday, May 15, at 7:00 PM ET/PT.

New AOTS co-host Olivia Munn brings a fresh perspective to the live topical show. Munn, an actress and Oklahoma native, has done courtside and sideline reporting for Fox Sports, as well as reporting for Sports Illustrated's special college football issue. She has appeared in commercials for Nike, Pepsi, Hewlett-Packard and Frito-Lay, and will be featured in the upcoming The N series, "Beyond the Break."

As co-host of AOTS, Munn will also be reporting live from the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles May 9-12 during G4's weeklong coverage of the world's largest video game convention. In addition, Munn will co-host G4's second season of FORMULA D, the network's high-octane series about the competitive, tire-screeching sport of drifting, premiering this June.

Munn co-hosts AOTS alongside Kevin Pereira, a computer and gaming expert who has created a gaming online bulletin board, an Internet radio show ("Pointless Audio," which streamed more than 30 gigabytes of RealAudio each week), and an Internet video show, "Pointless TV." Pereira has also hosted or appeared on G4's PULSE, ARENA, and g4tv.com. Along with Munn, Pereira will be reporting from the convention floor during G4's extensive live coverage of E3.

The relaunch of AOTS adds a new, cutting-edge interactive component to the show. More than just another content category, interactivity will be the connective tissue that informs all the new segments. The show's new set will feature a video chat installation that allows AOTS viewers to join in and interact directly with the show from their computer webcams at home. Rendering viewer call-ins a relic of the past, ATTACK OF THE SHOW will check in face-to-face with audience members every day -- actually putting them on the show. Viewers' feedback will also be reflected in real time via online and cell phone SMS voting on topics and segments that come up during the show.

"ATTACK OF THE SHOW will evolve to be G4's flagship program, exemplifying the new direction that G4 as a network is heading in," said Neal Tiles, President of G4. "It's the only program on TV that embraces the new and the interesting among the male 18-34 demographic. ATTACK OF THE SHOW has found a loyal following by feeding guys a daily dose of what matters most to them."

Among the topics that the newly relaunched AOTS will cover in its daily broadcasts are:

Internet: Cool new podcasts, must-see web videos, and the websites and apps guys cannot live without -- AOTS combs the Internet and serves up the best of the web everyday.

Games: With the next generation of game consoles in hand, video games are more important than ever, and AOTS stays on the edge with up-to-the-second information and opinions.

Tech & Gadgets: If it can make a phone call, play an mp3 or locate your position on the planet, it's probably a piece of tech guys are going to want. AOTS sinks its teeth into the latest gadgets and gear with meaningful, information-filled reviews and features.

Movies & TV: Whether it's what's worth watching this week or what was on last night, these are the subjects everyone's talking about. AOTS is there with guests and inside information about the TV and movies that matter.

Sex, Parties & Women: Perhaps the most important topics of all to AOTS viewers. The series unveils new franchise segments such as "MySpace Girl of the Week" (weekly profiles of selected girls from MySpace.com) and "The Lush," in which bars and clubs send in video requests to AOTS inviting the hosts to come hang out at their bar, and AOTS viewers decide which one is worthy. Pereira and Munn then head out to party with the locals.

Comics: Filling a void not covered anywhere on TV, AOTS nails down the world of comics with the weekly franchise segment "Fresh Ink." AOTS will also offer live blow-out coverage from Comic-Con in San Diego this July.

Sports: Active participants and passive watchers alike will score with AOTS' new sports coverage.

Music: In addition to showcasing live bands every week, AOTS gets deeper into music with new record releases and reviews.

Automobiles: From reviews of the latest cars to up-close looks at auto tech, AOTS focuses on the cars guys dream of -- and the ones guys actually own.

About G4

G4 launched in April 2002 and is now available in 56 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. The #1 podcasted cable network in America and a leader in VOD, G4's programming includes breaking video game industry news, trends, reviews, the hottest games and gear, celebrity interviews and insider opinions. Targeting the male 18-34 audience and its gamer lifestyle, G4 is the last word on games, technology, animation, interactivity, the Internet and broadband. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles and is owned by Comcast Corporation. To learn more, log onto www.g4tv.com.

Source: G4

Web site: http://www.g4tv.com/

Production Begins in Los Angeles on Revolution Studios' Science Fiction Action Thriller 'Next'

Based on a Philip K. Dick Story, the Film Stars Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel

FirstCall/ -- Filming has begun in Los Angeles on Revolution Studios' "Next," a science fiction action thriller starring Academy Award(R) winner Nicolas Cage, Academy Award(R) nominee Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel, it was announced today. The film, which is being directed by Lee Tamahori, will be released domestically by Columbia Pictures in 2007. IEG Virtual Studios, an affiliate of Initial Entertainment Group, holds the international distribution rights.

"Next" is being produced for Revolution Studios by Cage and his Saturn Films producing partner Norm Golightly, Broken Road Productions' Todd Garner, Initial Entertainment Group's Graham King and Arne Schmidt. The screenplay is by Gary Goldman and is based on the Philip K. Dick story "The Golden Man." Goldman, Jason Koernick and Ben Waisbren are serving as executive producers. Dick's stories have been the basis for such films as "Blade Runner," "Total Recall," "Minority Report" and the upcoming "A Scanner Darkly."

In "Next," Nicolas Cage plays a man with the unique ability to see future events and affect their outcome. Relentlessly pursued by the FBI, which is seeking to use his abilities to prevent a global terrorist threat, he is ultimately faced with the daunting choice of saving the world or the woman he loves.

Nicolas Cage was most recently seen in "The Lord of War" and will next appear in "The Wicker Man," "Ghost Rider" and "World Trade Center." His previous credits include "Adaptation," for which he received an Academy Award(R) nomination, "The Family Man," "Gone in Sixty Seconds," "Con Air," "The Rock" and "Leaving Las Vegas," for which he won an Academy Award(R).

Four-time Academy Award(R) nominee Julianne Moore was most recently seen in the drama "Freedomland" and the psychological suspense thriller "The Forgotten." She received Academy Award(R) nominations for "The Hours," "Far from Heaven," "The End of the Affair" and "Boogie Nights." Her other credits include "Laws of Attraction" and "Magnolia."

Jessica Biel will next be seen in "The Illusionist" opposite Edward Norton. Her previous credits include "Stealth," "Blade: Trinity," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "The Rules of Attraction" and "Summer Catch."

Lee Tamahori most recently directed "XXX: State of the Union," starring Ice Cube. His other credits include the James Bond film "Die Another Day" with Pierce Brosnan, "Along Came a Spider" with Morgan Freeman, "The Edge" with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin, and "Mulholland Falls" with Nick Nolte and Melanie Griffith.

Revolution Studios was formed by Joe Roth in May 2000 to independently produce and finance films in partnership with Sony Pictures, Starz Entertainment Group and Fox Entertainment Group.

Source: Revolution Studios

Mariah Carey Hits Perfect Note With Pepsi

World's Top-Selling Female Artist to Produce Original Ringtones and Star in National TV Commercial for Pepsi's Summer Promotion - Pepsi Cool Tones & Motorola Phones

Mariah Carey will take center stage with Pepsi in a unique partnership this summer. The Grammy Award- winning artist will write and record original ringtones that will be available exclusively through the Pepsi Cool Tones & Motorola Phones promotion.

The Pepsi Cool Tones & Motorola Phones promotion is giving music fans the opportunity to download more than 100 original ringtones created specifically for the program by some of the summer's hottest artists, including 20 original voice and music tones written and produced by Mariah Carey. This marks the first time top musicians and producers have written music and lyrics in the ringtone format for a large scale promotion.

The consumers who participate in the Pepsi Cool Tones & Motorola Phones promotion will also have the opportunity to win their choice of Motorola phones including the Motorola RAZR(TM) and Motorola SLVR(TM). Additional information about the promotion can be found on http://www.pepsismash.com/, powered by Yahoo! Music.

"I had a lot of fun with this project. It was a great creative outlet because musically I could do things here that I would never think to do for one of my albums," said Mariah Carey. "This was a great idea by Pepsi, and I'm happy to be a part of it."

Carey will kick off the Pepsi Cool Tones and Motorola Phones promotion with a national TV commercial in May, which will be directed by Paul Hunter and created by BBDO, New York, Pepsi's long-time agency. Hunter, an award- winning director of music videos and commercials, has directed the videos for a number of Carey's chart-topping hits.

Carey's partnership with Pepsi also includes an exclusive Pepsi Smash concert this summer at the intimate Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, which will be the first stop of her highly anticipated tour. Music fans will be able to win tickets to the show, Carey's first full concert performance in over three years, via radio and retail promotions across the country.

Mariah Carey has had more number one singles than any other artist in history. She has been recognized with the most prestigious accolades in the music industry, including five Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award and the World Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium," to name a few. Her current album, "The Emancipation of Mimi," was the biggest-selling album of 2005 and has been certified five times platinum.

Pepsi has a long history in music, having featured the biggest recording artists and a diverse range of chart-topping songs in marketing campaigns, concerts and commercials. Recent associations have included superstars Kanye West, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Green Day. West and Stefani headlined the 2005 Pepsi Smash concerts.

Las Vegas-based MEGA, INC., Pepsi's music marketing agency, facilitated the partnership with Mariah Carey.

About Pepsi

Purchase, N.Y.-based Pepsi-Cola North America (http://www.pepsi.com/) is the refreshment beverage unit of PepsiCo Inc. in the United States and Canada. Its U.S. brands include Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi ONE, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Diet Pepsi Vanilla, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew, Mountain Dew Code Red, Mountain Dew LiveWire, Sierra Mist, Sierra Mist Free, Mug, Tropicana Soda, Aquafina, Aquafina FlavorSplash, Aquafina Sparkling, Quaker Milk Chillers, Dole single-serve juices, Tropicana Juice Drinks and SoBe. The company also makes and markets North America's best-selling ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks.

About Motorola

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

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Pepsi

Web site: http://www.pepsismash.com/
http://www.pepsi.com/
http://www.motorola.com/

Strong Majority of Americans Believes Radio Continues to be Important in American Life

New Survey by American Media Services Shows Radio Has Strong Appeal Across the Country; 74 percent Listen Daily

Americans rate the importance and relevance of local commercial radio very highly, despite the entry of high-technology competition, a national survey commissioned by American Media Services shows.

The survey found that 78 percent said radio is important in their everyday lives, and 91 percent said radio is important in American life in general. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) said they listen to radio at least once a day.

The telephone survey of 1,004 American adults was conducted April 13-15, 2006, by Omnitel, the weekly omnibus survey by the national polling firm of GfK NOP of Princeton, N.J. The survey is considered accurate within plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The new findings complement those in AMS' initial survey in January: 64 percent said they were listening to radio as much as, or more than, they were five years ago.

"The evidence from our polls and others is conclusive that people are continuing to listen to their local, free radio stations," said Ed Seeger, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Media Services. "Arbitron and Edison Media Research just conducted a national survey of 1,925 respondents that revealed 77 percent of Americans expect to continue to listen to their radio in the future as much as they are today."

In the AMS survey, 57 percent of men and 49 percent of women said they listen to radio at least daily.

The availability of music, news and reports on weather and traffic continues to be the most often cited reasons for listening to the radio, with 98 percent of respondents saying they listen to radio for one of those features. "Radio doesn't need to reinvent itself. It just needs to get its story out in the marketplace," said Seeger. "It continues to thrive with the same basic programming we have embraced for the past half-century."

Other findings of the survey include:

* 78 percent usually tune to a local radio station when they get in their car.

* More people had a favorite local radio personality in their localmarkets (37 percent) than a favorite television personality percent (32 percent), newspaper personality (7 percent) or personality on a local internet site (1 percent).

* When asked what about the different qualities that make a good radio personality, they ranked four as most important: 89 percent said they liked to listen to someone who makes them think, 82 percent said one who makes them laugh, 79 percent wanted a personality they could trust, and 76 percent said a good radio personality has strong ties to the local community.

* Overall, 41 percent of respondents said they liked to listen to stations that have a good balance of music, news, weather and traffic information. That rated above playing their kind of music (26 percent) or making them laugh (3 percent).

* Of those respondents who had a "favorite media personality," 37 percent said their favorite personality worked on the radio, while 32 percent said their favorite worked on television.

* 61 percent of those likely to change stations during commercial breaks do so in a minute or less.

Results of the survey, including a complete breakdown of demographic information such as income level, region of the country, and age brackets are available on the AMS website, http://www.americanmediaservices.com/.

AMS is a full-service radio brokerage, engineering and developmental engineering firm, and its developmental division leads the country in successfully implementing station upgrades by moving them into larger markets, dramatically increasing their value. Since its founding in 1997, AMS has increased the value of 21 stations across the country by $205.1 million, and more than $200 million in proposed rulemakings are currently pending before the FCC.

Source: American Media Services

CTV Upgrades Network in 16 Cities with Aastra's VideoRunner®

New terrestrial infrastructure provides one of the longest video/data domestic networks in the world
Aastra Technologies Limited (TSX-AAH) today announced CTV Television Inc., one of Canada's leading broadcasters, has chosen its VideoRunner® MPEG networking platform for a major new national network deployment. VideoRunner addresses CTV's complex demands for a converged, fully managed, real-time video and data networking solution that seamlessly integrates into their existing legacy network.

Traditionally, data transport between separate locations, along with video file sharing and live joint production across geographic regions has become manageable in a broadcasters distribution network. However, offering real-time video feeds, such as live news or sporting events often extends a broadcasters transmission network in various directions, escalating the service providers cost of video, voice, and data. VideoRunner resolves this common problem by converging real-time video collection and video file delivery simultaneously within common transport facilities, reducing cost of services dramatically.

This is one of the longest video/data domestic networks in the world stretching from Victoria, British Columbia to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The 16 unit VideoRunner shelf deployment, interconnected with OC3/DS3 network facilities allows CTV to precisely manage and partition bandwidth to meet their changing needs.

With its ability to schedule and transport MPEG real-time permanent and occasional use video in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint configurations, VideoRunner has increased CTV's aggregate data bit rate from 25 megabits to 45 megabits, and has enabled the company to compensate for latency in its IP services, improving the efficiency of the network by 40%. Video services are now approximately 350 milliseconds from London, England to Vancouver, British Columbia.

"We chose Aastra's VideoRunner because of its flexible, modular design and the assortment of application cards which can be installed to meet our intercity MPEG SD and HD video and data networking needs," said Albert Faust, Director, Media Technology Systems, of CTV. "We also utilize Aastra's Service Managerä automation engine to provide scheduling and immediate automatic turn-up of live video services from any point in our Video Express Network while transporting video clips through our Video Gateway network simultaneously. Aastra's strong understanding of our business, coupled with their on-site support in designing and building out our network played a significant role in our decision to implement VideoRunner."

CTV will also deploy VideoRunner for confidence monitoring within each market, allowing technicians to view real-time picture quality and network connectivity between local market and uplink facilities. Aastra's Vidiemä Element Manager provides CTV with real time visibility to their entire network with SNMP traps.

"Aastra offers the most versatile platform to meet the current and future needs of our customers," said Tony Shen, Co-CEO of Aastra Technologies. "VideoRunner has proven itself worldwide as a reliable, scalable and feature-rich video networking platform to broadcasters like CTV, TBS, NFL and DIRECTV. We pride ourselves on continuing to meet customer needs and market demand."

About Aastra Technologies Limited
Aastra Technologies Limited (TSX - AAH), headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, develops and markets products and systems for accessing communication networks over the PSTN and the Internet. Aastra serves clients across North America and Western Europe. For more information on Aastra or its products, please visit the website at www.aastra.com/digitalvideo.

About CTV

CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTV owns 21 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 17 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

In Front of the Upfront, Media Agency Evaluates Broadcasters Performance

It's report card time! In anticipation of May's upfront, media agency MediaVest last week released a mid-season TV review, tallying the ratings numbers through the first quarter of 2006 and showing which major networks made the grade.

ABC: Fair

ABC's 'According to Jim' has fallen 37% in ratings this season.
ABC has four of the top 10 most popular broadcast network programs with "Desperate Housewives" (ranked 4th with 15.3 homes rating), "Grey's Anatomy" (6th most watched, 12.7 rating), "Dancing with the Stars" (8th, 12.1) and "Lost" (9th, 11.7). However, overall the ABC schedule lacks depth. ABC could be in trouble if the bloom is truly off the "Desperate Housewives" rose. The suburban soap has declined in popularity since its ratings peak in fall, although current ratings are slightly better (plus 2%) than at the same time last year. In addition, this year ABC has struggled with its comedies. Ratings of "According to Jim" fell 37% this season.

CBS: Kept up the good work

CBS kept its momentum, hanging on to their gains from a year ago. While reality programs "Amazing Race" and "Survivor" declined in the ratings (23% and 28%, respectively), CBS' overall average household rating was virtually unchanged from a year ago with a value of 8.4. Declines were countered by the success of new series. "Criminal Minds," "Ghost Whisperer" and "Close to Home" are all doing well for CBS. Midseason series "The Unit" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine" are the fourth and fifth highest rated new broadcast programs among adults 18 to 49.

Fox: Improved

Led by "American Idol," Fox earned an average weekly household rating of 5.3, an improvement of 7% over a year ago. It seems nothing can stop the "American Idol" juggernaut. Ratings are up for both Tuesday and Wednesday night episodes (12% and 10%, respectively). New viewers of "Idol" are mostly adults age 35 and older. However, Fox's programming strategy -- in which "Idol" dominates its short-run season (January to May) -- can skew ratings analysis. MediaVest reports that much of the year-on-year gain is the result of early-season premiers that helped the network in the fourth quarter of 2005. Consequently, fourth quarter 2006 might be a relative disappointment unless there is a break-out new show or two on the development slate.

NBC: Needs work

My Name Is Earl is one of NBC's bright spots.
NBC was saved from a failing grade by the mid-season hit game show "Deal or No Deal" and white-trash sitcom "My Name is Earl." Those shows are the season's top two new broadcast network programs. Returning reality show "Fear Factor" declined 44% in the ratings, blown out of the water by "American Idol." "Friends" spinoff "Joey" has also underperformed, demonstrating a ratings decline of 42% from last year. NBC desperately needs a solid development slate for fall. The buzz suggests NBC has at least one solid new show: "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," an ensemble drama starring Matthew Perry.

UPN/WB: Incomplete

UPN and WB will fold into the CW in the fall. UPN's most popular series, "America's Next Top Model," is slightly up in the ratings for its two editions this season, earning a 4.5 rating among women 18-34. "ANTM," "Everybody Hates Chris," "WWE Smackdown" and "Veronica Mars" will probably make the cut and earn a spot on the CW roster. WB's "Gilmore Girls" is still delivering strong ratings, especially among young women. "Gilmore Girls," "Smallville" and "Beauty and the Geek" will likely migrate to the new network. WB's "Charmed" has been canceled while "Everwood," "Supernatural" and "Reba" are on the bubble. If "Everwood" and "Supernatural" don't make the fall schedule, they could be solid mid-season replacements. "Reba," on the other hand, has no likely companion in the CW schedule so the network may have trouble finding it a timeslot.

News Corp. broadcaster relies on youth appeal

With the annual TV market selling event just weeks away, Fox finds itself just a tenth of a rating point behind ABC in the all important 18-49 year old demographic. Here's Advertising Age's weekly look at one of the major broadcast networks and how they are positioned for the 2006-2007 TV season.

Fox Broadcasting

Jon Nesvig, president-ad sales

Through April 9, Fox is just a tenth of a rating point behind ABC in the 18-49 year old demographic. Fox pulled in 5.17 million viewers in the demo with a 4.0 rating against ABC 's 5.3 million viewers and a 4.1 rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. Fox, however, has "American Idol," which ranks as the nation's top show with a 13.4 rating in the demo on Tuesday night and 12.5 rating on Wednesday. This year Fox has demonstrated much greater depth: "House" is gaining in popularity and "Prison Break" is a hit.

According to MediaVest's research on broadcast network performance, Fox is projected to end the season on May 24 with a 4 rating in the key advertiser demo. That would make Fox the leader in 18-49 bracket for the second straight year.

Fox is gunning for ad budgets against the 12-24 year old demographic and will be hammering home its ratings success in that demo. The network will also work hard to bring advertisers digital media offerings across the board as part of its "Generation Fox" initiative, which offers advertisers properties beyond the small screen. Product integration is also a big theme. Expect more shows with advertisers playing a role akin to Burger King's partnership with reality show "Unanimous."

Fox pulled in around $1.65 billion (about even with the previous year), though the network refused to talk about what percentage of inventory it released in the upfront. Fox performed well in the scatter market given the popularity of "American Idol" against NBC's Olympic coverage.

Mark Gibson, assistant VP-advertising at State Farm, said: "Fox seems to be the most customer-centric when it comes to purchasing in the upfront and looking at the programming that makes sense for you, to help you achieve your goals as an advertiser."

Foreign Finalists Selected for Student Academy Award

Five finalists from 29 entries representing 22 foreign countries have been selected to compete for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 2006 Honorary Foreign Film Award in the Student Academy Awards competition. The winning student filmmaker will be brought to Los Angeles in June to participate, along with U.S.-based winners of the 33rd Student Academy Awards, in a week of industry-related activities and social events, culminating in the awards presentation ceremony on June 10 in Beverly Hills.

The finalists are:

“Being Holger,” Kasper Gårdsøe, The National Film School of Denmark.

“Elalini,” Tristan Holmes, The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA).

“The Measure of Things,” Sven Bohse, Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.

“Melodrama,” Filip Marczewski, The Polish National Film School.

“La Ruta Natural,” Alex Pastor, The Superior Graduate School of Cinema and Audiovisuals of Catalonia, Spain.

Several past winners in the Foreign Student Film competition have gone on to achieve further recognition by the Academy. Most recently, student winner Ulrike Grote's "Ausreisser" ("The Runaway") was nominated in the live action short film category at the 78th Academy Awards®. Two previous winners, Jan Sverak, who was a student in the former Czechoslovakia, and Mike Van Diem of the Netherlands, have gone on to win Oscar® statuettes in the Foreign Language Film category for subsequent works. In 2000, the winning foreign student film, "Quiero Ser" by Florian Gallenberger of Germany, won the Oscar in the Live Action Short Film category and in 2002, the maker of the winning foreign student film, Martin Strange-Hansen of Denmark, won an Oscar for “This Charming Man.” (His Student Academy Award winning film that same year was “Feeding Desire”).

Tickets for the 33rd Student Academy Awards presentation ceremony, at which the winning foreign student film will be screened in its entirety along with the other Gold Medal-winning films from the U.S., are free and available beginning May 1. To request a maximum of four tickets, call the Academy at 310-247-3000, ext. 130, or print an order form from the Academy’s website at www.oscars.org. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 10, in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater, at 6 p.m.

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®
Rorke Data Signs National Distribution Agreement with Myricom

for 10Gbit Ethernet Network Interface Cards Storage specialist Rorke Data, a subsidiary of San Jose-based Bell Microproducts, Inc. -- NASDAQ:BELM, and Myricom, a leading provider of high-performance computing (HPC) interconnect technology, today announced a strategic partnership. Myricom has selected Rorke Data as its exclusive general-purpose US distributor for Myricom’s Myri-10G 10-Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Cards (NICs).

for 10Gbit Ethernet Network Interface Cards Storage specialist Rorke Data, a subsidiary of San Jose-based Bell Microproducts, Inc. -- NASDAQ:BELM, and Myricom, a leading provider of high-performance computing (HPC) interconnect technology, today announced a strategic partnership. Myricom has selected Rorke Data as its exclusive general-purpose US distributor for Myricom’s Myri-10G 10-Gigabit Ethernet Network Interface Cards (NICs).

“Rorke Data’s existing infrastructure of warehouses and integration facilities located throughout the continental United States gives Rorke the ability to respond quickly to reseller and system-integrator requirements,” said Dr. Chuck Seitz, Myricom founder and CEO. “Also, Rorke’s extensive experience in a broad range of storage-centric markets makes them a valuable resource for Myricom’s entry into those sectors.”

As businesses run more intensive applications and connect more clients and devices to the network, the demand for higher I/O bandwidth is increasing exponentially. Myricom’s family of 10Gb NICs deliver near-wire-speed user-level throughput greater than 9.6 Gigabits/s versus comparable NICs offering 7.5 Gb/s.

“We are excited to sell the Myricom line of 10Gb network-interface cards,” said Joe Rorke, VP of Marketing and Business Development for Rorke Data. “Myricom offers the highest performing low-priced 10Gb NICs in the industry. The advent of low-cost, high-speed processors and disk storage means that low-cost 10Gbit connectivity is needed as well. We see a wide range of opportunities in the vertical as well as the more generic markets that we serve.”

Rorke Data will stock and distribute Myricom 10Gb Ethernet NICs through out North America with the authorization to provide a range service and support options as well.

About Myricom

Founded in 1994, Myricom, Inc., created Myrinet, the high-performance computing (HPC) interconnect technology used in thousands of computing clusters in more than 50 countries. With its next-generation Myri-10G solutions, Myricom achieves a convergence at 10-Gigabit data rates between its low-latency Myrinet technology and mainstream Ethernet. Myri-10G bridges the gap between the rigorous demands of traditional HPC and the growing need for affordable computing speed in enterprise data centers. Privately held and based in Arcadia, California, Myricom achieved and has sustained profitability since 1995 with eleven consecutive profitable years through 2005. (www.myri.com)

About Rorke Data

Rorke Data is an ISO 9001:2000 certified data storage-centric, end-to-end solutions provider with expertise in primary and tiered storage architecture, integrating RAID, NAS, SAN, DVD, tape and optical libraries. Rorke leverages certified expertise in Linux, Win and Mac platforms delivering high bandwidth storage and network solutions for fixed and content and rich media application environments. We back our products with comprehensive, global professional services. Founded in 1985, Rorke Data, is a subsidiary of Bell Microproducts, San Jose, CA, and is composed of four divisions: Healthcare & Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Video & Broadcast, Digital Prepress & Publishing, as well as a Technical & Professional Services division. More information about Rorke Data can be found at www.rorke.com. Rorke Data is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Microproducts, Inc. (Nasdaq: BELM).

For more information, contact: Rorke Data, Inc., 9700 West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344: www.rorke.com.

No 'Free Lunch' Line!

AS PREDICTABLY AS THE SUN setting in the west, the big communications companies are going after Google -- from the pulpit and soon enough, the halls of Congress. "Network builders are spending a fortune constructing and maintaining the networks that Google intends to ride on with nothing but cheap servers," is how John Thorne, a Verizon Inc. executive, put it at a conference, as reported by The Washington Post in February. Sites like Google, he continued, are "enjoying a free lunch that should, by any rational account, be the lunch of the facilities providers." Why be surprised? Phone and cable companies were once the organizing systems of our lives. They don't want to stop dictating how we organize our lives and our communications. So they're arguing that Google and its ilk have been freeloaders, using an established cable and telephony infrastructure to build their franchises. There are valid points here. Phone companies and cable operators will spend billions of dollars to construct faster and fatter broadband around the country to deliver all these great services. Why shouldn't Google pay the freight? The pipe people think of themselves as utilities, and Google certainly pays its water and electricity bills.

Google isn't so much eating the phone and cable companies' lunch as making it. Without content and quick access to it, no one would sign up for broadband. As one smart investor said to me, "If you think about the sites as programming, it is clearer. Comcast pays to carry ESPN, etc. Perhaps the wireline guys should pay the sites that create the traffic that creates the demand for broadband!"

By making all this content available, the Googles of the world allow the pipe companies to charge you and me, the consumer, more than ever. Why should we pay twice?

The interconnectedness of data has raised all boats. I pay a pipe company like Verizon for access, while an Internet service like Amazon buys connectivity and bandwidth from a provider like Level 3, and all flows beautifully. Put a toll between Amazon and me, and it will seek other pipes -- say, Comcast. Of course, if the pipes collude with each other, I guess Amazon is screwed. When the bigger fee is passed on to consumers, so are you and I.

The real issue here is control. The pipe companies could have provided the organizational systems for our new online worlds -- but it hasn't happened. Now they want to do what all would-be monopolies try to do: play catch-up. This kind of thinking slights innovation in favor of what has always worked, including doing everything, by any regulatory means available, to slow down or kill competitive innovators.

It need not be this way. To date, Comcast has not only been mum about these gating charges, it has also slowly and quietly shown itself to be one of the world's most innovative pipe companies. The company is on a path, in fact, to be thought of as more than just a pipe company within a decade.

One doesn't have to be a genius at scenario analysis to see that the Verizons of the world might be alienating the very customers and technologies that have given them a chance to grow. Notes one experienced hand in the Internet world, "The monopolists have a long history of shooting themselves in the head in the long run in order to maintain control in the short term."

www.thehealthcentralnetwork.com)

Mags Use New Video Platforms To Become TV Channels

IN A SURPRISING DEVELOPMENT, NICHE publisher publishers are utilizing new video platforms -- both broadcast and broadband -- to become television producers. Primedia today unveiled plans to create a new broadcast TV channel based on its popular Motor Trend magazine. However, the new channel, Motor Trend TV, will take advantage of the new multicast broadcast spectrum that some stations will create by compressing their digital broadcast signals into multiple, lower definition channels. Primedia said it is partnering with Multicast Networks Group (MNG), a company specializing in network distribution via the new digital broadcast spectrum, and that the new channel would launch as a 24-hour network in 2007.

Fledgling magazine Make, meanwhile, is making a similar transition via popular video sharing site YouTube. Beginning this weekend, Make will use YouTube to hype its "Maker's Faire," a national exposition where homemade tech and gadget fiends gather to admire each other's handiwork.

Make has partnered with YouTube to air video clips that are longer than YouTube users are normally allowed by becoming a member of YouTube's "Director's Program" service, giving the print publisher the same kind of online video distribution capabilities as big TV networks like E! Entertainment and MTV2. YouTube also provides members of the "Director's Program" with features such as links leading back to their own websites and integration of brand graphics.

has partnered with YouTube to air video clips that are longer than YouTube users are normally allowed by becoming a member of YouTube's "Director's Program" service, giving the print publisher the same kind of online video distribution capabilities as big TV networks like E! Entertainment and MTV2. YouTube also provides members of the "Director's Program" with features such as links leading back to their own websites and integration of brand graphics.

"I'm really interested in seeing what kind of metrics we can get for what we publish off of YouTube," said Make Associate Editor Phil Torrone. "I've been tracking response through the URLs we're positioning with the video clips, trying to get an idea of what kind of response we can get. For me it's a big experiment." Torrone said YouTube is also tracking "how many people are joining the Make group, and how many people are downloading the videos.

Make's video offerings include short-form, how-to documentaries about various projects featured in the magazine, including some of Torrone's own creations: an ambulatory humanoid robot and shoes that spell out messages in the air with LEDs as you walk. When Make begins distributing footage from the Faire, including all manner of bizarre robotics, curious inventions, and amateur water rocketry, "I suspect there will be an uptick in magazine subscriptions, and an uptick in visits to the website," Torrone said.

's video offerings include short-form, how-to documentaries about various projects featured in the magazine, including some of Torrone's own creations: an ambulatory humanoid robot and shoes that spell out messages in the air with LEDs as you walk. When begins distributing footage from the Faire, including all manner of bizarre robotics, curious inventions, and amateur water rocketry, "I suspect there will be an uptick in magazine subscriptions, and an uptick in visits to the website," Torrone said.

Because YouTube and similar services like Google Video are so much less expensive and easier than establishing proprietary video-streaming websites, Torrone predicted these platforms will be the wave of the future for smaller content providers, including printed magazine publishers. "Make will never invest the money and engineering in video that YouTube has - and why create your own proprietary video system when what they have works perfectly well?"

That said, Torrone warned of vast quality differences in the market. "The interesting thing is that with Google Video, we've uploaded videos and they just take weeks and weeks and weeks to go up. I uploaded a couple videos on Google Video a few weeks ago and they're still not up there," he noted.

Mag Sag Continues, Consumer Page Drop Mirrors B-to-B

A DAY AFTER BUSINESS PUBLISHERS reported a weak start to magazine ad demand in 2006, their consumer counterparts have disclosed the same. After reporting healthy gains in consumer magazine ad pages during 2005, the Publishers Information Bureau Tuesday said ad page volume has been relatively flat through the first quarter of 2006. In March, the most recent month reported by the magazine industry trade group, ad pages rose just 0.2 percent over March 2005. Through the first three months, consumer magazine ad pages are up just 0.4 percent vs. the same period in 2005.

The lackluster consumer magazine stats follow an update Monday by American Business Media, which estimated that ad pages in business magazines declined 2.3 percent in February, after falling 1.8 percent in January, vs. the same periods in 2005. ABM chief Gordon Hughes noted that 2005 got off to a similar slow start, and stuck by the association's predictions that the B-to-B ad pages revenues would climb 5 percent in 2006.

While consumer magazine ad pages are flat, the PIB estimated that "rate card" revenues rose 5.0 percent in March, and 4.2 percent for the first quarter of 2006. It also reported strong demand for consumer magazine ad inventory from some key categories. The drugs & remedies and retail categories generated double-digit increases in PIB revenue and pages, while toiletries & cosmetics; financial, insurance & real estate; and technology posted gains in ad pages year-to-date.

In fact, Ellen Oppenheim, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Magazine Publishers of America, said the association was "heartened" to see automotive, a major consumer magazine category, up 8 percent in ad page volume in March, following several months of "some softness."

In terms of individual titles, there were some low spots and bright starts for consumer magazines. Martha Stewart Living continues to build share, raising its magazine ad volume 85.4 percent over March 2004, while Conde Nast's Cargo magazine, which is being shuttered with its May issue, recorded a 2.0 percent ad page slide in March. Interestingly, Conde Nast's Lucky, another shopping oriented magazine, saw ad pages plunge 9.6 percent in March, amid a downturn in the shopping magazine category.

eBay Makes Bid For Reality TV, Prime-Time Show Will Air On ABC

INTERNET AUCTION GIANT EBAY IS entering television production as a partner in a new ABC reality show where its brand will play a central role. The show, with the working title "Make It Happen," will focus on families who have inspiring dreams but lack the financial means to make them happen. The families will be given the chance to place their "hidden treasures"--collectibles, memorabilia, artifacts, and other items--up for bid on eBay, where the proceeds will turn their dreams into reality.

The show is expected to air this summer with two episodes per week: a Monday night show to introduce the families and their dreams, followed by a Friday show with a live culmination of the bidding on eBay for the families' items. In between will be five days of public bidding on eBay.

The show is expected to serve as a marketing vehicle for eBay through brand integration in the content, the show's role in driving traffic to its site, and favorable PR as eBay plays a role in helping endearing families fulfill their wishes.

The show is a joint venture between eBay, ABC, and Madison Road Entertainment, the branded entertainment agency that brought the other two parties together. The trio has joined under the Plays Well Productions banner to produce the program.

The deal is the latest example of an emerging trend in which advertisers play a role in entertainment production as a way to integrate brands into the content with a favorable spin.

"Make It Happen" also dovetails with ABC's preference for reality programs that focus on wish fulfillment. Still, it's clear the network wants the show to be distinct from its hit "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and predecessor "Extreme Makeover." Casting information seeks families with "fun and attainable" dreams--including reunions with long-lost loved ones, scholarships, and saving factories from closing--but requests "no home or personal makeovers and no surgeries."

In order to boost a family's chance of making its dreams come true, producers are expected to seek product tie-ins, for which companies would donate items to be placed up for bid to help the family raise money. For example, a family seeking to revamp a Little League baseball field might benefit from items donated by Major League Baseball that could be placed up for bid.

VH1 Sets Commercial-Free Stunt For 'So

ONLY A COUPLE OF EPISODES into its new series, "So NoTORIous," VH1 is looking to get more marketing punch out of the reality show by offering three back-to-back, commercial-free episodes on Sunday night. "So NoTORIous," in which Tori Spelling plays a fictionalized version of herself, won't be completely sponsor-free, however. VH1 has sold presenting sponsorships to two advertisers: Kraft Foods' Easy Mac and Johnson & Johnson's Stay Free. Each will get an opening billboard at the beginning of the program block, as well an ending billboard and announcement at the conclusion of the three episodes.

It's somewhat unusual for a cable network to offer advertising-free episodes of a new show after the show's initial debut. Typically networks, such FX, start off with big marketing bang for the first episode of a new series or the season premiere of a returning show, creating an advertising-free event.

VH1, by contrast, is looking to create a different kind of marketing spin. The programming stunt will last just over an hour. A typical half-hour episode is 22 minutes, and three episodes will bring the block to about 66 minutes in length.

The first episode in the stunt will be a rerun of the series' second episode. Two new episodes will also premiere, featuring Charo and Whoopi Goldberg, as guest stars. Charo makes a cameo appearance in a flashback from the distant 1990s, while Whoopi Goldberg appears as a Santeria-like priestess, Mama Belle.

Digital Splinters Will Have to Be Cobbled Together to Reach Mass Audience

BWith video content popping up on so many screens, marketers in the next five to 10 years will find themselves recreating mass media from a million little pieces, all measured and bought in different ways. But for now, digital media remains only an experimental part of the upfront -- an add on that's neither scaleable nor easily priced. In other words, most of the $9 billion spent by advertisers in the coming month will be used to secure prime-time TV inventory.

With video content popping up on so many screens, marketers in the next five to 10 years will find themselves recreating mass media from a million little pieces, all measured and bought in different ways. But for now, digital media remains only an experimental part of the upfront -- an add on that's neither scaleable nor easily priced. In other words, most of the $9 billion spent by advertisers in the coming month will be used to secure prime-time TV inventory.

Those were the key message delivered by panelists at Advertising Age's "Upfront Conversation," held this morning in Midtown Manhattan.


The wide-ranging discussioncovered everything from the woefully inadequate measurement tools for video to minute-by-minute ratings to emerging digital platforms. Panelists included Mel Berning, exec VP-ad sales, A&E Television Networks; Dennis Donlin, president-CEO, GM Planworks; Andy Jung, senior director-advertising and marketing, Kellogg's; Tim Hanlon, senior VP-Denuo Group; Bill Morningstar, exec VP-media sales, CW; Tony Pace, senior VP-chief marketing officer, Subway; Mike Shaw, president-sales and marketing, ABC; and Joe Uva, president-CEO, OMD Worldwide.

Denuo Group's Mr. Hanlon noted that marketers would need to spend more and more time filling in the digital nooks and crannies to reach their audiences, and that in order to do that, data was needed from a number of sources, not just Nielsen. "We need to be crunchers of data, from the set-top-box to VOD streams to interactive TV clicks and some level of Nielsen data and the DVR stream of data. We are going to have to do the aggregation." Marketers aren't going to have their needs fulfilled by one or two players anymore, he contended.

A theme that ran through much of the discussion was the lack of adequate measurement tools to allow marketers to commit dollars to digital platforms. Nielsen Media Research, panelists were quick to note, has not kept up with the needs of marketers. Commenting on the proliferation of high-definition TV sets, Mr. Hanlon said marketers won't buy what they can't measure. Even though HDTV is extremely "engaging," Nielsen does not yet measure such channels. "It's hard to justify spending the money, that's a real problem to get over," Mr. Hanlon said.

Nielsen was also called out for inadequately measuring viewers using digital video recorders. Kellogg's Mr. Jung said that he would not be paying for time-shifted viewers as part of his upfront buy. The Nielsen sample size for DVR use is too small to be statistically accurate, he said. "You have a better chance of being hit by lightning. ... I'm not basing a business decision on research that is that shaky."

OMD's Mr. Uva suggested Nielsen's services could eventually be superseded by other firms. "I share the opinion that Nielsen has woefully underserved its customers. They've made some strides this year but it's not enough. ... I don't see why we couldn't bring in a third party to audit some of these other channels. If the numbers are verified, audited, pass Sarbanes Oxley, what's to stop us from reaching out to other researchers to do it?"

While both marketers and sales executives agreed that few of the new media offerings were big enough to warrant major ad outlays at this point, marketers were firm in their views that they had to play in the space or get left behind. Mr. Jung said: "There are 700,000 people out there actively blogging. It's not scalable, but it will be."

Subway's Mr. Pace agreed that marketers have to experiment early. "We're interested in extensions but to wait for a cataclysmic event is wrong. The good news about it not being scalable is that the investment is small. The learning is affordable."

Downplaying the impact of digital media on traditional media, ABC's Mr. Shaw reminded the audience that $9 billion plus is still spent in prime time and that the entire streaming video universe barely amounts to a blip on the radar. "If there are 400,000 simultaneous streams on average and 28 million people watching 'Desperate Housewives,' how does it square? It doesn't. You could sell all those ratings in a day. It's not big enough yet to go out and monetize it." Still, Mr. Shaw said the network has worked hard to make advertisers part of the new media offering at the Walt Disney Co., adding that he was surprised that there wasn't more of an outcry among marketers who were cut out of the picture when Disney announced its programming venture with Apple's iTunes.

He also suggested that broadcast networks might not be able to match supply with demand. "Everybody wanted product integration three years ago. But with two, three, four hundred customers, there was not enough supply. We are at the forefront on every new platform but it's not big enough. The opportunities are not there yet."

On the subject of minute-by-minute ratings, marketers noted just how helpful they are in defining where to place ads. Mr. Pace noted that the sandwich chain has learned to "not be after the car commercials." Mr. Jung said that making quality commercials could help keep viewers for a network and may end up being something a marketer could sell back to a network.

However, the question everyone's asking went unanswered by panelists including A&E's Mr. Berning, and CW's Mr. Morningstar. Will the upfront be up, down or flat? Several panelists made the point that it doesn't matter, and that too much emphasis is put on what happens one week in May. Only ABC's Mr. Shaw ventured a direct stab at the question. Not surprisingly, he said ABC would be up.
Immersive Media Company has engineered the Telemmersion® System

that enables the acquisition, analysis and distribution of spherical, immersive videos so that productions can now achieve the ultimate in creativity. Immersive video places the viewer in the middle of the environment and within context so they don't miss a thing. The omnidirectional nature of the video allows the user to look at the same feature, location or object from all angles - front, back, side and top - either live or in recorded format.

With immersive video, operators don't have to worry about where to point the camera; one of the eleven lenses will capture the scene. No more blindspots to worry about and the notion of the frame has been eliminated. Editing time has also been reduced due to less intensive! pre-production. Provide the audience with a more dynamic, interactive experience,that enables the acquisition, analysis and distribution of spherical, immersive videos so that productions can now achieve the ultimate in creativity. Immersive video places the viewer in the middle of the environment and within context so they don't miss a thing. The omnidirectional nature of the video allows the user to look at the same feature, location or object from all angles - front, back, side and top - either live or in recorded format.With immersive video, operators don't have to worry about where to point the camera; one of the eleven lenses will capture the scene. No more blindspots to worry about and the notion of the frame has been eliminated. Editing time has also been reduced due to less intensive! pre-production. Provide the audience with a more dynamic, interactive experience.

Showcase a recreational area online by previewing the terrain; increase visits by heightening awareness. Event planners will be drawn to facilities that they experience entirely. Profile products in a more innovative fashion. Capture more revenue by utilizing immersive video in new environments. Integrate the audience in the message.

Creative projects will be invigorated by allowing the audience to finally see it all.

Immersive Media's CTO, David McCutchen, and COO, Karen Tanaka, will be available for the following interview opportunities:

- Take To The Streets - Experience an immersive environment with a drive through the streets of Chicago or Boston, or walk around Times Square in NYC. IMC is collecting georeferenced spherical Telemmersion video of in the largest cities in the U.S. and Canada. This! includes all major arteries in and out of the city, the downtown core and key attractions. The geo-referenced video will enable users to experience a terrestrial view and give audiences the complete picture - it's like being there.

- Endless Possibilities - The applications for GeoImmersive video are only as limited as one's imagination. See how and where it has been used to date. Discuss all the various ways you can think of that this disruptive technology can give an edge to organizations, products, events and environments.

- Simplifying the Immersive Experience - Test-drive GeoImmersive video by requesting a demo and discover how the simplicity of this medium is enriching the immersive experience for users across multiple disciplines.

About NAB2006

From entertainment to news to business communications, NAB2006 is the only global event that covers the entire spectrum of media. Experience comprehensive business and ! technology insights and innovations covering every aspect of audio and video content production, management and distribution across all forms of media.

• Broadcasting
• Cable
• Satellite
• Motion Pictures
• Internet/Streaming
• Wireless/Telecommunications
• Education/Training
• Corporate/Enterprise
• Government/Military
• Worship

About Immersive Media Corp.

IMC is an advanced digital video imaging company. IMC's Telemmersion System captures a global image using multiple video streams arranged according to geodesic geometry. The dodecahedron design captures omnidirectional video that is seamlessly stitched together and can be viewed live or from a recording. IMC's immersive video provides a view of the entire environment for an interactive experience.

The compact size, lightweight and rugged design of the Telemmersion System makes it completely portable and it can be easily mounted on backpacks, auto! mobiles, scoreboards and the like to capture your vision.

To learn more about Immersive Media and GeoImmersive video, please visit our website at www.immersivemedia.com.

AT&T Homezone TV Service to Feature On-Demand Video Content from Akimbo;

Agreement Will Deliver Thousands of Movies and Videos to the TV.

AT&T Incand Akimbo(TM) Systems today announced an agreement to offer the award-winning Internet-based Akimbo video-on-demand service to subscribers of AT&T's Homezone(TM) TV service, scheduled to launch later this summer. AT&T Homezone subscribers will use their converged set-top boxes to access thousands of video programs and movies.

AT&T Homezone, currently in trial in several states, will integrate AT&T Yahoo!(R) High Speed Internet and AT&T | DISH Network programming to provide video on demand, digital video recording, and Internet content, including photos and music, via a new award-winning set-top box. AT&T Homezone will be available to customers who purchase both AT&T | DISH Network satellite television and AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet services.

AT&T plans to offer the content available from Akimbo's library of more than 10,000 television programs and movies-on-demand. Akimbo is the fastest-growing video-on-demand service in the United States, offering videos and movies from more than 165 content partners throughout the world. Each week, Akimbo adds more than 150 new mainstream and niche titles in 85 different categories, such as music, sports, independent film, anime, major motion pictures, education, children's programming and foreign language.

The service will have an online guide that enables AT&T Homezone subscribers to view a comprehensive listing of all Akimbo videos and movies. To help subscribers find videos that match their interests, the on-screen guide features a video search function, full program descriptions and video previews. Customers can also access the guide remotely from an Internet-connected computer to browse and download programs so that new shows are available for viewing when they get home.

"Our agreement with Akimbo is yet another milestone as we prepare to launch our AT&T Homezone service - an entertainment service that we believe will be more powerful and compelling than anything offered on the market today," said Scott Helbing, chief marketing officer-AT&T Consumer. "Consumers want better solutions and more choices for entertainment, and we're committed to delivering that."

"AT&T's innovations are legendary, and the Homezone service follows this tradition," said Joshua Goldman, CEO of Akimbo Systems. "As the first Internet video-on-demand service for TV, Akimbo is delighted to work with AT&T on its groundbreaking Homezone initiative to bring people the best in communications and entertainment, wherever they may be."

AT&T is the nation's largest telecommunications provider. With more than 7 million high speed Internet lines in service, AT&T is also the nation's largest DSL provider. The agreement with Akimbo focuses on maximizing AT&T's industry-leading high speed DSL customer base and offering differentiated services that consumers increasingly demand.

About the New AT&T

AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high-speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with more than 54 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at http://www.TheNewATT.com.

About Akimbo

With the Akimbo Service, your wish is on demand(TM). Named to the OnHollywood 100 by AlwaysOn and "Best of What's New" by Popular Science, Akimbo has also accepted 2005 Digital World Innovations and CES Best of Innovations 2005 awards. With 12 patent applications featuring more than 150 patent claims, Akimbo is the first company to deliver digital-quality video-on-demand to any television via a broadband-Internet connection. Akimbo has offices in San Mateo, Calif. and is a privately held company funded by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Sprout Group and Zone Ventures. For more information, visit http://www.akimbo.com.

Mobile Phone to Play 'Big Role' in New Entertainment Venture

Counts Media Closes $3.25M Funding Round from the Blue Man Group, Broadway and Experimental Theater Pioneers

Counts Media to Blend Wireless Technology, Theater, Dramatic Story Lines, and Real Life in Entertainment Projects in Europe and the United States Counts Media announced today that it has closed $3.25 million in angel funding from an all-star lineup of investors and entertainment visionaries. The firm will use the proceeds to develop two major products that will launch in the summer of 2006, and to expand its management team with seasoned executives from the entertainment, design, and marketing fields.

The funding, which closed last year, was not announced until today because the company was operating in stealth mode. Now that the firm is launching its branded entertainment division and other consumer entertainment projects, Counts Media management will be laying out its portfolio of next-generation entertainment experiences.

Counts Media investors include Matt Goldman and his partners in the Blue Man Group; Broadway producers Robyn Goodman (Avenue Q -- Tony Award Best Musical 2004, Altar Boyz) and Vivek Tiwary of Tiwary Entertainment Group (A Raisin in the Sun); and independent movie producer Barry Tatelman.

Counts Media is responsible for such projects as Yellow Arrow, a creative integrated entertainment experience that has spread to 280 cities in 22 countries. Yellow Arrow (http://www.yellowarrow.net) uses a unique online and mobile mapmaking product featuring actual yellow arrow stickers placed around the world.

Since first appearing on the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side in May 2004, Yellow Arrow has caught the attention of publications such as The New York Times, Wired Magazine, Newsweek, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe, and has been featured on NPR and NBC. It's generated enormous interest in Europe, with features in such media as The London Times, Politiken, Liberation, Diari de Barcelona, and de Volkskrant.

"The world is our theater"

Investor Matt Goldman, one of the founders of the Blue Man Group, believes the firm has enormous potential to reinvent entertainment. "Instead of the cell phone being an additional distribution channel or for promotional tie-ins, Counts Media uses it as a kind of remote control required to participate in real-world entertainment adventures. Thus, future entertainment experiences will play out in multiple media, not just be available in different formats."

"Mobile devices will play a big role in our entertainment projects because they're affordable and almost everyone has one," explains CEO Michael Counts.

The company will introduce several products and properties in coming months.

About Counts Media:

Counts Media creates consumer and branded entertainment that merges mobile and Web technologies, location-specific content, live productions, and broadcast. Our mission is to deepen and enrich the way people experience the world by making the ordinary extraordinary

 

``The Film Noir Classic Collection Volume 3'': ``Border Incident,'' ``His Kind of Woman,'' ``Lady in the Lake,'' ``On Dangerous Ground,'' ``The Racket''

-- All Films Debut July 18 From Warner Home Video Includes Bonus Documentary Exclusive to Collection plus New Expert Commentaries on Each Film

All Films Debut July 18 From Warner Home Video Includes Bonus Documentary Exclusive to Collection plus New Expert Commentaries on Each Film

The third time's the charm when Hollywood's legendary tough guys and femme fatales collide once again in "The Film Noir Classic Collection Volume Three," debuting July 18 from Warner Home Video (WHV). The Collection includes five smoldering suspense thriller classics, all new to DVD: "Border Incident," "His Kind of Woman," "Lady in the Lake," "On Dangerous Ground" and "The Racket." In addition, available exclusively with the set, will be a bonus documentary -- "Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light" -- a vital companion piece that contains an elucidating overview, complete with clips and expert commentary. The six disc collection will be sold as a set only, for $49.92 SRP.

The movies star film noir icons Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Robert Ryan, Ricardo Montalban and Ida Lupino, among others, and feature brand new commentaries from film historians.

About Film Noir

"Film Noir" (in French, "black film") is at its core pessimistic with stories of people trapped in a world of alienation, disillusionment, corruption and moral ambiguity. Developed during and after World War II, classic film noir took advantage of the post-war ambience of anxiety, pessimism and suspicion and counter-balanced it with the optimism of Hollywood musicals and comedies of the same time where flattering soft lighting, deluxe interiors and elaborately built exterior sets were the rule.

Film noir re-influenced mainstream cinema by creating bleak but intelligent dramas in real-life urban settings and using unsettling techniques such as skewed camera angles, expressionistic lighting, deep-focus camera work and confessional voice-overs.

Gameloft Gets Down with Paris Hilton

Exclusive Multiyear Licensing Agreement to Produce Mobile Games Based on Heiress Extraordinaire; Roll, Schmooze and Party with Paris Hilton Anytime, Anyplace Via Your Cell Phone

Gameloft, a leading developer and publisher of mobile games, is delighted to announce a long term licensing agreement with Paris Hilton Entertainment Inc. to develop, publish and distribute mobile games based on heiress and pop culture icon, Paris Hilton.

As part of this agreement, Gameloft will develop and produce a series of mobile games featuring Paris Hilton and her likeness. The first title in the series will be geared to tweens/teens and fans of Paris Hilton. Additional games scheduled for production will be aimed at both male and female fans of Ms. Hilton whose diverse fan base complements Gameloft's catalogue of wide ranging games.

"Gameloft is dedicated to increasing mobile game offerings to female and casual gamers and we are thrilled to have Paris Hilton on board," said Michel Guillemot, president, Gameloft. "She is a model, a fashionista, an actress, an entrepreneur and a pop culture force of nature whose appeal is recognized the world over. Mobile games based on such a significant personality as Paris Hilton will be an excellent addition to our diverse slate of games," added Guillemot. "She is a universal brand that surpasses all boundaries."

"I'm excited to collaborate with Gameloft to bring the Paris Hilton brand and the glamour of young Hollywood to the cell phones of all my fans around the world," said Paris Hilton. "My phone has become an all in one entertainment device and mobile games are an integral part of that. Mobile gaming is really hot right now and I'm excited to be part of this project."

Gameloft's experience in bringing branded entertainment personalities to the mobile space includes baseball star Derek Jeter, golf pro Vijay Singh and European soccer star Djibril Cisse.

The first mobile game based on Paris Hilton is scheduled for release worldwide in summer of 2006.

About Gameloft

Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of games-enabled handsets is anticipated to exceed two billion units in 2008.

Partnership agreements with leading licensors and sports personalities such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Viacom, Warner Bros., FifPro, Lamborghini, Vans, Derek Jeter, Vijay Singh and Geoff Rowley allow Gameloft to form strong relationships with international brands. In addition to the partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates titles such as Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT and New York Nights.

Through agreements with major telephone wireless carriers, handset manufacturers, specialized distributors and its online shop, Gameloft has a distribution network in over 65 countries.

Gameloft has worldwide offices in New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Paris, London, Duesseldorf, Milan, Barcelona, New Delhi, Seoul, Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Gameloft is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters: GLFT.PA)

For more information visit http://www.gameloft.com.

About Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton can next be seen starring in "The Simple Life 4," which will air on E! Entertainment. The show also stars Nicole Ritchie, and follows the girls as they leave behind the comforts of life in Beverly Hills and hit the road working odd jobs along the way. Paris' other television credits include: "The O.C.," "Las Vegas," "Veronica Mars," and "The George Lopez Show."

Segueing between the big and small screen, Paris was last seen on the big screen in the Warner Bros. film "The House of Wax," starring alongside Chad Michael Murray for producer Joel Silver. Additional film credits include: "Raising Helen," "Zoolander," "The Cat in the Hat," and "Wonderland."

Paris' career continues to evolve with exciting and challenging projects. This fall Paris will release her first untitled album produced by Scott Storche for Warner Bros. Records. Her first single is set to be released In early June. She just released her second book, "Confess it all to Me," following her New York Best Seller, "Confessions of an Heiress," for Simon and Shuster in September 2004. She is currently at work on her third fragrance under the Paris Hilton Brand.

Paris enjoys spending time with her family, friends and pets and is actively involved in numerous and various animal advocacy organizations.

Paris resides in Los Angeles.

Gameloft

Shomex, Variety And The Walt Disney Company Announce More Than 4,000 People Attended Premiere Of The Entertainment & Media Career Expo

More than 4,000 people attended the launch of the Entertainment & Media Career Expo, http://www.shomex.com/variety, presented by VarietyCareers.com and The Walt Disney Company, on April 11, 2006 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Damon Lindelof, executive producer and co-creator of ABC's "Lost," kicked off the event in front of a standing room only audience with a 30-minute multimedia presentation that featured clips from "Crash" and "Lost." Lindelof shared his passion for diversity with a keynote presentation and Q&A session that clearly engaged the audience and set the tone for the day of "Celebrating Diversity."

"We are thrilled at the huge attendance which far exceeded our expectations for this first-time event. Based on the strong turnout and positive feedback from exhibitors, we will be exploring the opportunity of making this an annual event in Los Angeles as well as launching a similar event in New York," said Lewis R. Shomer, president and CEO of Shomex, the event's producer.

"As a sponsor of the expo, we wanted to introduce and brand VarietyCareers.com to both employers and job seekers. We want to thank all of the speakers, exhibitors and attendees who made this event such a success," said Jennifer Glen, Director, VarietyCareers.com.

Sponsored by Fox Entertainment Group and Paramount Pictures, the event featured leading employers from across the entertainment and media spectrum. The final list of exhibitors includes ABC, Inc., Act 1 Personnel, American Indians in Film & Television, Clear Channel Radio, Comcast, DirecTV, Disney Consumer Products, Eleventh Hour Entertainment, Fox Entertainment Group, KJLH Radio, NBC - Universal, Nickelodeon, 93.1 Jack-FM, Paramount Pictures, Randstad USA, Reed Business Information, Scripps Networks, Street Lights, UCLA, VarietyCareers.com, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Internet Group, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. and Warner Music Group.

About Shomex

Founded in 1984, Shomex is a developer, manager and producer of exhibitions, generally co-branded with leading community and professional organizations, industry tradeshows and media properties. With the #1 live diversity talent marketplace in the U.S. and other specialized vertical products for the security & defense, pharmaceutical & healthcare and entertainment & media sectors, Shomex is the nation's leading supplier of live recruitment solutions. Shomex' national portfolio of events, related media and marketing services delivers value-rich solutions to hundreds of the nation's largest companies. More info on Shomex is available at http://www.shomex.com.

About VarietyCareers.com

VarietyCareers (http://www.varietycareers.com) is the premier media and entertainment job site that is powered by the Variety Group, which includes some of the top industry publications (Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News, Variety and Video Business). Employers in the media and entertainment industry can use VarietyCareers.com to find qualified candidates for openings in a diverse range of fields (TV, cable, publishing, home entertainment) and categories (advertising, finance, legal, production, writing, sales). The site is a free service for job seekers. For more information, please contact 800-357-4745 or varietycareers@reedbusiness.com.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company, had annual revenues of nearly $32 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of approximately $52 billion as of March 27, 2006.

About "Lost"

For the second season in a row, ABC's "Lost" ranks a strong No. 1 in its Wednesday 9 o'clock time period among Total Viewers and across each of the key adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54), leading its hour this season by 2.3 million viewers (15.3 million vs. 13.0 million - CBS) and by 19% in Adults 18-49 (6.3/15 vs. 5.3/13 - Fox) over its closest competitors. Comparing original airings this season to the same point a year ago, "Lost" has seen its audience surge by 1.7 million viewers (20.2 million vs. 18.5 million) and by 23% in Adults 18-49 (8.5/20 vs. 6.9/18). "Lost" stands as the No. 1 scripted TV program of any network on Wednesday night this season in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, and "Lost" qualifies as ABC's most-watched series in the time period in 9 years -- since the 1996-97 season. The fastest-selling TV series in the Company's history, "Lost" has been licensed to 193 territories worldwide. Across countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, the UK and Russia, "Lost" has consistently performed No. 1 in its timeslot.

ThoughtWorthy Media Premieres Internet Search Engine

for Products, Music, and Commercials That Appear on TV; Startup Believes There's Not Enough Product Placement On-Screen Today

ThoughtWorthy Media Inc. today announced the launch of a new online vertical search engine for televised product placement, music, spot advertising, and all other TV merchandising relationships.

Watch. Click. Buy.(TM) Simply stated, if a viewer can see it or hear it on TV, ThoughtWorthy Media's new search engine enables that viewer to seamlessly identify, learn more, buy, and even criticize it online at http://www.thoughtworthy.com.

Visitors to the thoughtworthy.com website can identify the music, clothes, cosmetics, cars, electronics, and jewelry that either appeared in or were inspired by the latest episodes of their favorite TV shows, music videos, movies, and commercials. They can then write reviews praising those product placements that worked and criticizing those that didn't. Of course, fans can always pay a show the ultimate compliment by making a purchase based on an on-screen product appearance from one of ThoughtWorthy Media's dozens of retail partners.

While some say they are concerned by the growing popularity of "product placement," ThoughtWorthy Media thinks differently.

"What viewers often and justifiably complain about today isn't the amount of product placement on TV, but rather the amount of brand placement," said Daniel P. Swartz, founder, chairman, and CEO of ThoughtWorthy Media. "Product placement is a good thing. A beautiful car is a beautiful car and a stylish sweater is a stylish sweater. Consumers want both. What viewers have a problem with, however, is a close-up shot of a soda can or some terribly forced line of dialogue containing the mention of an advertiser's brand name."

By allowing viewers, on their own schedules, to connect with the products, music, and advertising that they experience on TV via the Internet - a medium ideally suited for such interaction - ThoughtWorthy Media enables television producers to organically integrate products and advertising within their shows without alienating audiences.

"We want users to ask: 'how would that chair look in my office?' and 'would that dress look good on my wife?' and use the expertise of the decorators and designers on TV to help answer these questions at ThoughtWorthy.com," said Kevin A. McGrail, president and CTO of ThoughtWorthy Media. "Our goal is to make product placement less obvious and more organic to the passive viewing experience while still benefiting the advertiser and the viewer - all without negatively impacting the artistic vision of the cast and crew."

Highlights of ThoughtWorthy Media's proprietary iDTV(TM) technology platform include:

-- A Powerful Search Engine. Users can search by TV show, episode, music video, movie, character, celebrity, artist, brand, product, date, and even commercial.

-- Contextual Product Reviews. Users can link their product reviews to a given character, TV show, episode, music video, and more; the goal being to help other like-minded fans understand how the reviewer was first introduced to a given product.

-- Relational Product Footprints. Users can track product placements across multiple episodes on multiple TV shows, music videos, and movies. Audiences might be surprised by the patterns that emerge!

-- Strong Web 2.0 Support. Users can embed lists of their favorite products, music, celebrities, and more within their own websites, blogs, and MySpace profiles. Additionally, ThoughtWorthy Media offers native support for del.icio.us bookmarks and leverages content from the popular Wikipedia and MusicBrainz databases throughout its websites.

ThoughtWorthy Media's management team has extensive e-commerce experience. In 1997, Swartz and McGrail partnered with CurtCo Freedom Group and Alliance Entertainment to launch Romlight.com Inc., a pioneering DVD e-commerce website. Romlight.com eventually became the foundation for Movie Gallery Inc.'s online retail portal. Movie Gallery is now the second-largest video rental company in North America with estimated annual revenue of $2 billion and nearly 4,800 stores.

About ThoughtWorthy Media

ThoughtWorthy Media Inc. is a leading interactive television company targeted specifically at the product placement and spot advertising industries. The company's proprietary iDTV(TM) technology platform allows viewers to easily connect online with the products, music, and advertising that they experience on TV. For more information, please visit http://www.thoughtworthy.com.

 

Warner Bros. Pictures Tough Guys Collection''

All New to DVD July 18 From Warner Home Video: ``Bullets or Ballots,'' ``Each Dawn I Die,'' ``'G' Men,'' ``San Quentin,'' ``City for Conquest,'' ``A Slight Case of Murder''

Warner Home Video: -- Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, George Raft and Others in Crime Classics Punched Up with Extras Including "Warner Night At The Movies" Vintage Featurettes, Expert Commentaries, Classic Cartoons and Trailer Galleries Warner Home Video follows up its recent "Gangster Collection" success with the "Warner Bros. Pictures Tough Guys Collection" -- six new crime genre classics that make their DVD debuts on July 18. All new to DVD, the six-disc set will include "Bullets or Ballots," "Each Dawn I Die," "'G' Men," "San Quentin," "A Slight Case of Murder" and "City for Conquest" with the original prologue intact for the first time since the film was released. The collection will be available for $59.92 SRP. Each title is also available separately for $19.97 SRP.

All six titles have been fully restored and digitally remastered with special features including historian commentaries and new making-of featurettes. Each disc also contains an exclusive "Warner Night at the Movies" segment which recreates moviegoer attractions such as newsreels, comedy shorts, cartoons and trailers from the years each film was released.

Major Hollywood studios in the '30s and '40s were each known for their distinctive styles (MGM for its musicals; Universal for its horror films, etc.). Warner Bros. was best known for firmly establishing the genre of gangster films, which were also noted for their socially conscious themes as well as their simple visual look (low key lighting and sparse sets).

Soak Up The Fun With Disney Character-Themed Swimwear, Beach Towels, Body Boards, Lunchware, And More

Just in time for the long, hot days of summer, Disney Store (NASDAQ: PLCE), is launching a colorful collection of summer swimwear, apparel and accessories for infants, kids and families.

"Disney Store's Summer 2006 Collection is pure fun under the sun," says Doug Braunstein, Vice President of Creative, Trend & Design for Disney Store North America. "We infused bright, citrus colors with a fruit-inspired trend that should make a big splash with kids and adults."

Inspired by popular Disney characters, the apparel rumbas with vibrantly colored "Copabanana" swimwear and apparel for girls, coordinated Muscle Beach styles for boys, and a fun assortment of accessories to make days at the beach or pool extra special.

For a fun and festive look, Disney Store offers the Copabanana line: juicy mix-and-match ensembles of vibrant tops, skorts, tees and pants with ruffled trim (SRP $12.50 each or 2 for $20). Fashion-conscious girls will love the feminine touches in swimwear inspired by Tinker Bell, Disney Princesses, Lilo and Ariel (SRP $16.50 - $19.50 each).

Dash (from The Incredibles), Buzz Lightyear, Bruce (from Finding Nemo) and Power Rangers are the heroic characters featured in the Muscle Beach line for boys. Swim trunks feature inner lining and a drawstring waist for a better fit (SRP $16.50 each). In addition, boldly-colored, rugged tanks and shorts (SRP $10.50 - $16.50 each) in mix-and-match styles put the magic back into dressing.

For baby beachcombers, Disney Store introduces Tiny Tanks (SRP $12.50 each or 2 for $20) and Baby Mocs (SRP $14.50 each). Jersey knit tank-top-and-shorts onesies made of 100% cotton are coordinated with matching leather moccasins complete the look.

"Disney Store's summer collection is colorful and fun, with swimwear, apparel and a variety of accessories designed to really capture the magic of summer," said Amy Hauk, Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, Disney Store North America. "Parents will appreciate the high quality, durability and distinctive styles, and kids will love pretending to be their favorite Disney characters."

Whether riding the surf or just paddling around in the pool, kids will soak up the fun with their favorite Disney characters featured on body boards, hula hoops, beach balls, and inflatable rafts (SRP $6.50 - $16.50 each). Out of the water, enjoy a warm hug from a Disney friend on thick, absorbent beach towels (SRP $14.50 each or 2 for $25). At mealtime, gather around the picnic table with festive lunchware featuring Mickey, Nemo, Buzz, Tinker Bell, Ariel and Stitch (SRP $2.50 - $12.50 each). Made of durable, high-quality plastic, these dishes are safe for the poolside as well as convenient for the beach or camping.

These great summer items are only available at Disney Stores, located in malls and shopping centers in the U.S. and Canada and not available online. Call 800-757-5933 for store locations.

About Disney Store North America

Disney Store originated the themed retail environment when it opened its first store in Glendale, California in 1987. Disney Store currently operates over 300 locations in the United States and Canada that offer immediate access to magical Disney products. Disney Store North America is owned, and under license operated, by a subsidiary of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. a leading specialty retailer of apparel and accessories for children.

Country Music Artist Michael Lee Austin Hits #1 on Amazon Charts,

Beating Out Rascal Flats, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and ALL Other Artists New Country Music Artist Michael Lee Austin sent a shockwave throughout the music world by hitting #1 on Amazon.com's Music Chart for four straight days. On Wednesday, April 12, 2006, Michael Lee Austin was ranked 175,000 on Amazon.com's ranking charts. Here's the amazing part of what happened ... On Friday, April 14th 2006 ... Michael Lee Austin was ranked #1 on Amazon's Country Music Chart; Michael Lee Austin was ranked #1 on Amazon's Indie Music Chart; Michael Lee Austin was ranked #1 on Amazon's Overall Chart. Michael Lee Austin was the best-selling CD on Amazon for four straight solid days. His CD was outselling top acts like Bruce Springsteen, Rascal Flats, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and all others.

Austin's website http://www.MichaelLeeAustin.com hit #501 on Alexa.com's tracking service, making ot the 501st most-visited website in the world. The question on many minds is how did this all happen? How can a virtually unknown country music artist on an independent label, Alive Records, beat out every major artist in the world? Two words ... the Internet. Alive Records has one thing which made this all possible - Armand Morin, one of the world's top Internet Marketers as one of its owners and VP of Marketing. Armand Morin has been marketing online since 1996 and has taught thousands of small businesses how to succeed with the Internet. Mr. Morin collaborated on a massive Internet Marketing campaign through Joint Ventures with his inner circle of Internet Marketing associates. In a four-day period, Labor Pains Michael Lee Austin's topped every music chart Amazon had. The music industry has always wondered how the Internet could affect sales.

This proves once and for all that the Internet can create sales like no other form of media. Once understood, the Internet can enhance any artist's marketing campaign. Alive Records, with Armand Morin in its corner, will not only continue to bring great music, but also will continue to challenge traditional forms of marketing with the Internet. Alive Records still does radio promotion, press releases such as this and radio interviews, but for immediate results the Internet is hard to beat. Michael Lee Austin has a great career ahead of him on and off the Internet. Official Michael Lee Austin Website: http://www.MichaelLeeAustin.com

Fox Sports Joins Newly Launched My TV

 24-hour Sports Channel Launches on the Basic Tier of My TV Satellite Service in Africa

Sports announced today a three-year agreement with My TV (http://www.mytvafrica.tv) for carriage of the Fox Sports Africa network in Nigeria and Ghana, with an eye towards expansion into other North and Central African territories in the coming months.

Fox Sports joins a select group of networks on My TV's satellite system, which prides itself on catering to every member of the African family. The service comprises a mix of movie, sports, music, kids, news and general interest programming.

Fox Sports, as it is currently aired in Nigeria and Ghana, features many international and U.S. domestic sports, including four regular season Major League Baseball games per week, 22 regular season NFL American football games, and two Scottish Premier League soccer games per week. Completing the impressive programming line-up are the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl championship game, college basketball (from the SEC, ACC and PAC-10 conferences), the National Hockey League, the American and European PGA tours, ATP Tennis, boxing, auto racing, extreme sports, track and field, and a wide variety of niche sports, plus a nightly sports news show, the Fox Sports World Report.

"We are very pleased to be partnered with My TV in the expanding television markets of Nigeria and Ghana," said David Sternberg, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fox Sports International. "Since our entry into the African market two years ago, it has been exciting to see the demand for first-rate international sports programming continue to grow."

About Fox Sports

Fox Sports Africa is affiliated with Fox Sports International, an international sports programming and production entity housed within the Fox Cable Networks Group, one of the major operating units within the Fox Entertainment Group (NYSE:FOX) and News Corporation (NYSE:NWS). Additional information about Fox Sports Africa can be obtained by visiting its Web site at http://www.foxsportsafrica.com.

Fox Sports

All-Star Cast Secured for SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME from EA and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today they have secured an all-star cast for the voices in SUPERMAN RETURNS(TM): THE VIDEOGAME. The game will feature the voice and likeness of Brandon Routh (Superman/Clark Kent) as well as the voices of Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor), Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane), Parker Posey (Kitty Kowalski) and Sam Huntington (Jimmy Olsen), all reprising their roles from the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film directed by Bryan Singer.

Launching with the film this summer on June 28, SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME allows players to experience a real sense of flying, and master Superman's unrivaled powers in order to save Metropolis. Based on the classic DC Comics books as well as the upcoming motion picture, SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME draws from more than 60 years of comic lore to create the ultimate open-world super hero experience.

SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME is currently in development by EA Tiburon in Orlando, Fla. and will be released on the Xbox 360(TM) videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as current generation platforms and handheld game systems. More information can be found at http://www.besuperman.com.

ABOUT ELECTRONIC ARTS

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com.

ABOUT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

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

ABOUT DC COMICS

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

ABOUT SUPERMAN RETURNS

Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure Superman Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's most beloved superheroes. While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman's bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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

Fox Home Entertainment Has Something for Every Mom This Mother's Day;

Charming, Romantic And Heartwarming Film Classics On DVD Make The Perfect Gift For Mom

Perfectly timed for Mother's Day, Fox Home Entertainment offers a host of contemporary and classic films on DVD that are just right for mom. Priced as low as $9.98, this selection of films is sure to please with star power including Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Goldie Hawn, Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, James Caan, Liam Neeson, Keanu Reeves and Susan Sarandon. Among the delightful titles are rip-roaring musicals including "Hello Dolly!", "Call Me Madam" and the Academy Award(R)-winning "Moulin Rouge"; sweeping romances such as "Anna And The King" and "A Walk In The Clouds"; and hilarious comedies including "Sideways," "The War Of The Roses" and "The Banger Sisters." All titles will be available widely for Mother's Day at the suggested retail prices listed below

DVDs Priced At $19.98 U.S. and Canada:

"Kinsey"

"Sideways"

DVDs Priced At $16.98 U.S. and Canada:

"Moulin Rouge"

DVDs Priced At $14.98 U.S./$16.98 Canada:

"A Walk In The Clouds"

"Anna And The King"

"Call Me Madam"

"Hello Dolly!"

"Kissing Jessica Stein"

"Nell"

"Raising Arizona"

"Solaris"

"The Banger Sisters"

"The Good Girl"

"Working Girl"

DVDs Priced At $9.98 U.S./$11.98 Canada:

"Kiss Me Goodbye"

"Man Trouble"

"Nine Months"

"Oscar and Lucinda"

"Paradise Road"

"Secrets & Lies"

"The War of the Roses"

"What A Way To Go"

"Woman On Top"

"Worth Winning"

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS and DVD as well as video acquisitions and original productions. Each year the Company introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets -- from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce -- throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News

Corporation company.

For more information, screener and/or artwork requests, please contact Cecilia Sandoval: #

Time Warner, Michael Eisner and Spark Capital Join Shelter Capital to Complete $12.5 Million Strategic Series B Investment in Veoh Networks

Veoh's Global Independent Broadcasting System Poised to Lead Television Broadcasting Revolution; Michael Eisner Joins Board of Directors

Veoh Networks, Inc., innovative, new, independent Internet television broadcasting system, announced today the completion of a major strategic financing round, raising $12.5 million in a Series B venture capital financing. Additionally, Michael Eisner, former chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and Todd Dagres, managing partner of Spark Capital, will join the Veoh Networks board of directors.

New investors Spark Capital, Time Warner Inc. and Mr. Eisner's The Tornante Company joined existing investor Shelter Capital Partners in the financing. In addition to Messrs. Eisner and Dagres, Art Bilger, managing partner of Shelter Capital Partners and former vice-chairman of Akamai, and Dmitry Shapiro, founder and CEO of Veoh Networks, serve on the board of directors.

Veoh Networks delivers broadcast-quality entertainment and informational content via the Internet, using unique distribution technologies to allow for unlimited capacity for both long- and short-form programming. Veoh presents consumers with unprecedented choice in video and television content by enabling anyone -- from the largest studio to up-and-coming independents to aspiring enthusiasts -- to broadcast without constraints of cost, geography or capacity issues.

"Cable and satellite fundamentally changed the way television was distributed by creating the capacity for greater choice in programming. Veoh revolutionizes television again by leveraging the Internet to expand broadcast capacity to the point that every single user, whether an individual or a media company, can create their own `channel' and every `channel' can be supported by its own business model," said Mr. Eisner. "In the past, distributing television programming required an enormous broadcast infrastructure. Veoh enables anyone with an Internet connection to distribute and receive programming in the highest quality."

Rachel Lam, group managing director of Time Warner Investments, said: "Video delivery over the Internet is not a new concept, but the ability to deliver long-form, high definition programming and provide interactivity and community is an important differentiator. Veoh's unique combination of technologies creates a strategic content distribution platform as well as the opportunity to greatly enhance the consumer's experience with Internet-delivered video. We're excited to be a part of that."

Veoh allows entertainment professionals and enthusiasts to distribute broadcast-quality video content, while also providing a web-based catalogue, previews and community. Using Veoh, consumers harness the distribution power of the Internet, while still watching content in full-screen quality on their PC, television or portable device, including iPods and PSPs.

"Spark sees Veoh becoming the `industry standard' for the conflux of media, entertainment and technology," said Mr. Dagres. "We believe Veoh will reinvent the way rich media is distributed, consumed and monetized."

"The World Wide Web allowed anyone to distribute print information, fundamentally changing the media industry through unprecedented choice and new business models. Veoh's mission is to do the same for video and television content," said Mr. Shapiro. "We are extremely excited that we have been able to attract such a strategic, media-savvy and experienced group of investors to support Veoh's vision."

To start broadcasting or watching media with Veoh, visit veoh.com.

About Veoh Networks, Inc.

Veoh Networks is a new, innovative Internet television broadcasting system that is able to reach hundreds of millions of broadband-connected viewers throughout the world. Veoh allows content producers from major entertainment studios and television networks to independent video producers and enthusiasts to deliver high-quality, full-screen video directly to consumers without financial, geographical or capacity restrictions found in traditional broadcasting systems. This democratization of video distribution fundamentally changes the dynamics of television, creating unprecedented choice for consumers and a compelling marketplace for content providers and advertisers. Veoh is privately held and backed by leading technology and media investors, including Spark Capital, Michael Eisner's Tornante Company, Time Warner Inc. and Shelter Capital Partners. Veoh Networks is based in San Diego.

SightSpeed to Present in the Top Innovator Demo Program at OnHollywood 2006;

Will Showcase Award Winning Internet Video & Voice Communications & Content Services

SightSpeed, the award-winning provider of free and premium Internet video and voice communications services (VVoIP and VoIP), today announced that it will be participating in the Top Innovator Demo program at OnHollywood 2006, the digital media and entertainment market for executives, held May 2 - 4 at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, CA.

The two-and-a-half-day industry insider event borrows on the 'film market' tradition by providing a space for pioneering digital media companies to present a six-minute Top Innovator Demo of their products and services. SightSpeed will have the opportunity to demo its product and present its business model at the event, in front of an expert panel and a live and global webcast audience of industry influencers.

SightSpeed will be presenting its demo at 9:50 AM on May 4th. SightSpeed executives will also be available for private demos and briefings in the Granada Room at 10:30 AM on Thursday May 4th. To arrange a briefing with SightSpeed at OnHollywood, please contact Brooke Davidson of Comunicano, Inc at 1-858-314-2958 or by email, bdavidson@comunicano.com.

"To be selected for the OnHollywood Top Innovator Demo is a testament to SightSpeed's mission of being best in class and the most innovative company in the Internet based video and voice communications and content services space," said SightSpeed CEO Peter Csathy.

"The Top Innovator Demo program is a compelling environment for digital media companies to communicate how they plan to exploit the new opportunities in online entertainment and media," said Tony Perkins, organizer of OnHollywood 2006 and founder of AlwaysOn. "Our view is that the consumer is now leading the direction of technology innovation, and that the 'Instant Messaging Generation' is now firmly in charge, having taken the baton from the PC generation. These companies will be showcasing how their firms can contribute to this digital revolution. This is a chance to gain valuable feedback from leading industry insiders and meet peers and partners, as well as to attract the attention of the venture and press communities."

OnHollywood 2006 is where cutting-edge technology CEOs from all over the planet converge on Hollywood and mix it up with the entertainment and media establishment.

 

About SightSpeed Inc.

SightSpeed offers consumers and small businesses the most complete and compelling suite of IP-based voice and video services available anywhere. SightSpeed enables its users to connect, communicate, market and transact business with friends, family, colleagues and customers worldwide. SightSpeed's innovative services also give users compelling and easy-to-use content creation and publishing tools.

An award-winning provider of free and premium Internet video and voice communications, SightSpeed delivers unequalled video and voice over IP, VoIP and IM messaging, advanced community features including a new public directory as well as offering users an easy-to-use video messaging platform to record and post original user-generated content to blogs and websites.

Founded in 2001, SightSpeed is a privately held company funded by The Roda Group, best known for launching the company Ask Jeeves.

About OnHollywood 2006: May 2-4 @ The Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood

OnHollywood is where cutting edge technology from the backstreets of Silicon Valley converges with Hollywood's media and entertainment elite. The three-day event borrows on the "film market" tradition by providing an open environment for digital media and entertainment entrepreneurs to meet the big-time studio, telco and consumer electronics executives, venture capitalists, and media. OnHollywood delves into the challenges, opportunities and business models of the digital era, and showcases the most innovative private companies that are revolutionizing the way media and entertainment is created, distributed, and consumed.

About AlwaysOn

AlwaysOn is transforming the communication business with its online blogging network for technology, media and entertainment insiders, establishing it as a leader in the Open Media revolution. Borrowing from the underground traditions of blogging and social networking, AlwaysOn (http://www.alwayson-network.com/) was launched in 2003. Today, AO's annual Summit @ Stanford and OnHollywood events, print "blogozine" and online services encourage direct collaboration between global thought leaders and technology insiders. No other media brand has dared allow such openness amongst its readers and participants. AlwaysOn, LLC, is a privately held and virtually headquartered company born out of the heart of Silicon Valley.

for SightSpeed, Inc.

Dave Navarro's New Band!

The Panic Channel Kicks Off Its First Tour May 16th

2-Song Digital Release Available May 16th; (ONe), Full-Length Debut, Scheduled for September 12th Release

"If there was a channel that showed nothing but hysteria and panic, it would be the highest-rated channel on TV," says guitarist Dave Navarro. "We like to think of creating music as a way to channel the panic into something tangible."

The "we" refers to Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins, bassist Chris Chaney and lead singer Steve Isaacs. The four comprise The Panic Channel. (ONe), the band's debut album, isn't due out until September 12th, but they'll be previewing songs from it on their upcoming spring tour. And on May 16th, the day the tour launches, a two-song digital-only release will become available featuring "Why Cry," the lead single from the forthcoming CD, and "Tea House Of The Spirits," another album track.

Fans may be surprised by the sound of (ONe), given the former Jane's members' previous endeavors -- Navarro's solo material and work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Perkins' with Porno for Pyros and Banyan, and Chaney's with Alanis Morissette, Tommy Lee and Taylor Hawkins. Collaborating with Isaacs has catapulted them into fresh terrain. "When a new person comes in, you can't help but evolve," says Navarro, who will soon begin shooting another season of CBS' "Rock Star." "Steve comes from a singer/songwriter background, whereas Perkins and I come from more of a jamming and experimental background, and I think what we came up with is a great combination of songs and musicianship."

An inevitable question arises when considering the album's title: what precisely is (ONe)? Is it a typo? Leetspeek? All of the above, none of the above? (ONe) signifies many things. (ONe) = one, as in the first record, 1. (ONe) = on as in the channel is on. There is nothing more than ONE, spiritually speaking. And the parentheses? They hold everything together. And in this age of panic, that's critical.

THE PANIC CHANNEL - SPRING TOUR DATES

5/16 San Diego, CA Canes

5/17 Phoenix, AZ Martini Ranch

5/19 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room

5/20 Houston, TX Red Room @ Meridan

5/22 Atlanta, GA Roxy

5/24 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

5/25 New York, NY Avalon

5/26 Boston, MA Paradise

5/27 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts

5/28 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Music Box

5/30 Detroit, MI Magic Stick

5/31 Chicago, IL Double Door

6/1 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Café

6/3 Denver, CO Bluebird

6/4 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge

6/6 San Francisco, CA Independent

6/7 Los Angeles, CA Roxy

visit -- http://www.myspace.com/thepanicchannel

Source: Capitol Records

Keynote presentation at the Sports Media and Technology Conference,

CBS Sports' Creative Director Doug Towey and Flying Machine Co-founder and Creative Director Micha Riss will partner to deliver a keynote presentation at the Sports Media and Technology Conference, presented by C4-Sports and produced by Future Media Concepts (FMC), on July 19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

Their keynote address, "Technology and Design: A Vital Harmony," will address the integral elements of the broadcast screen: technology and design. Towey and Riss will discuss how content creators can deal with the restrictions that accompany today's established display technologies, and reach their content goals in the process. Riss will also be presenting an additional session on the 19th for the conference's Creative Content Creation track.

"TV sports is the foremost arena for the fusion of high technology and high design. Programming requires information that is pleasing to the eye, but that conforms to the requirements of the equipment being used," Towey said. "That doesn't mean that designers' visions can't become realities; we'll suggest it means seeing the vision through the technology."

Currently, many of the significant graphics programs and image-generating devices used by production and graphic design teams are "template-driven," meaning templates are constructed into which all material is forced to fit. In fact, it is obvious in much of today's creative productions that there is little or no distinction between design and technology.

"It is important to remember that design must live in harmony with technology, and this often proves challenging for many creative directors and graphic designers," Riss said. "Yet, as I've discovered in my own creative design work, it is possible to deal with the confines that come with established technology and still achieve desired visual effects and content goals."

"We are confident that Doug and Micha's keynote will inspire the sports media experts attending C4-Sports, specifically producers, content creators, editors, and graphic designers, with the latest techniques and expert tips to help them embrace today's media technology in their creative sports broadcast work," said Gene Sanders, general manager of C4-Events, host of C4-Sports.

As creative director for CBS Sports since 1981, Towey has been responsible for a myriad of areas including the on-air promotion and overall look of the network's sports division. Covering virtually every major sporting event, he has played an integral role in the way broadcast sports are presented to America and was one of the first to work in the field of computer-generated images. Towey is an eight-time Emmy(R) Award winner, and CBS Television's record-breaking broadcasts of the Olympic Winter Games from Albertville, Lillehammer, and Nagano were spearheaded under his creative supervision.

Riss is co-founder and creative director of Flying Machine, a New York- based creative design and art hub. Working within a variety of media, his studio creates visual solutions for entertainment, advertising, and branding, and he has produced award-winning results for a broad range of international clients. Since the 1990s, his primary focus has been developing brand identity for television and media entities. Riss has also done television design and graphic work for numerous sports, news, and entertainment events including the NBA, Super Bowl, the Olympics, the World Series, the French Open, and The Masters.

The C4-Sports Electronic Media and Technology Show will focus on the critical components of sports technology, and the extensive FMC conference will feature cutting-edge technical sessions and panel discussions designed to allow sports media production professionals to share and learn techniques specific to the sports television production environment.

More information and online registration are available at http://www.c4-sports.com/.

About C4-Sports

C4-Sports is the only exclusive exposition and conference dedicated to the sports content industry. Attracting athletic directors, facility managers, sports broadcasters, coaches and athletes from across the nation, it will provide exhibitors with the unique opportunity to network with these professionals. More than 5,000 sports professionals are expected to converge in Las Vegas on July 17-19 for this dynamic marketplace of sports technologies, products, services, and ideas. More information about C4-Sports is available online at http://www.c4-sports.com/.

Source: C4-Sports

 

Infinium Labs Signs Itron Technology Inc. to Manufacture the Phantom(R) Lapboard SEATTLE

Infinium Labs, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: IFLB) has entered into an agreement with Itron Technology Inc., a worldwide leading manufacturer and marketer of input devices such as keyboards and mice, to manufacture the Phantom(R) Lapboard, a combination keyboard/mouse peripheral designed to enhance video game play on PCs. "We have selected Itron Technology to manufacture the Phantom Lapboard for distribution in North America and Europe under terms to ship no later than October in time for the holiday shopping season," stated Greg Koler, Infinium Labs' CEO and President. "Itron's strengths as an OEM/ODM manufacturer of keyboards, mice, joysticks and other input devices made it a clear choice for Infinium Labs to meet its 2006 marketing goals." Itron supplies high-quality products around the world from its factory located in Dongguan, China. The Phantom Lapboard is an extremely innovative peripheral that enables players to control games designed for keyboard and mouse usage with as much agility as they are used to in the office, from the comfort of the couch or easy chair.

The Lapboard rotates for left- and right-handed users and also inclines on a 30-degree angle with a hard surface below for the Phantom Mouse. The device comes either wired or wireless and provides USB ports and headphone/microphone ports. About Itron Technology Founded in 1984, as a professional designer and manufacturer of computer input devices, Itron Technology Inc. manufactures and distributes products such as keyboards, mice and trackball devices under its own brand (ione) and provides OEM/ODM services to world-leading designers, manufacturers and retailers. Itron's products with creative design, demanding QC and competitive price have been earning countless praises. Itron efficiently supplies high-quality products around the world from factories located in Dongguan in Mainland China. Itron distributes products in Europe, North America, Japan and Mainland China. The company employs more than 2000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.ione.com.tw and Itron's Global Marketing Program at http://www.itron-europe.com/english/gmarketing.php.

About Infinium Labs Infinium Labs (OTC Bulletin Board: IFLB) is in development of The Phantom Game Service, anticipated to be the first end-to-end, on-demand game service for delivery to the living room. Delivered over broadband, the Phantom Game Service is designed to offer casual and avid gamers a broad library of titles, available anytime, day or night. For more information, please visit http://www.phantom.net. PR contact: pr@phantom.net

 

Software Developer Alleges ABC Was Part of Circulation-Inflation Scheme

-- When advertisers cry circulation fraud, they typically target the magazines or newspapers in which they bought ads. But now an unhappy advertiser has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Audit Bureau of Circulations was itself part of a circulation-inflation scheme.

A lawsuit alleges that ABC helped publishers cover their tracks as they inflated paid circulation figures at 'Laptop' magazine.

The advertiser, a software developer called Teletype Co., alleges in the suit that ABC helped publishers cover their tracks as they inflated paid circulation figures at Laptop magazine. Mark Gardy, an attorney for the plaintiff, told Advertising Age that an investigation by the plaintiff's team supported that allegation, but he declined to elaborate.

In addition to the bureau, the suit seeks damages from Bedford Communications, which publishes Laptop, two Bedford executives and the now-defunct circulation sponsor InFlight Newspapers and Magazines. Newsday reported the suit in its April 18 issue.

In a statement released today, ABC President Michael J. Lavery said his group's inclusion as a defendant had no merit. "ABC concluded its last audit of Laptop magazine in 2002 and has since terminated the publication's membership in ABC," he said. "Moreover, ABC has no relationship with InFlight Newspapers and Magazines, Bedford Communications, or any of their principals."

Edward D. Brown, the Bedford president and publisher who is named in the suit, did not respond to a message left seeking comment. An attorney for John Jay Annis, Bedford's former director of circulation and the other Bedford executive named in the suit, declined to comment.

In a separate case last October, federal prosecutors charged Mr. Brown and Mr. Annis with scheming to overstate circulation at Laptop; that case is in plea negotiations, according to court filings. The audit bureau said last July that it would no longer count as "paid" any circulation derived from InFlight -- because InFlight had stopped paying for the magazines and newspapers it accepted from publishers. InFlight executives could not be reached.

Digital Splinters Will Have to Be Cobbled Together to Reach Mass Audience

With video content popping up on so many screens, marketers in the next five to 10 years will find themselves recreating mass media from a million little pieces, all measured and bought in different ways. But for now, digital media remains only an experimental part of the upfront -- an add on that's neither scaleable nor easily priced. In other words, most of the $9 billion spent by advertisers in the coming month will be used to secure prime-time TV inventory.

Mike Shaw, president-sales and marketing for ABC Television (left), listens as OMD Worldwide president-CEO Joe Uva speaks at Advertising Age's The Upfront Conversation.

Those were the key message delivered by panelists at Advertising Age's "Upfront Conversation," held this morning in Midtown Manhattan.

The wide-ranging discussion, moderated by Advertising Age Editor Jonah Bloom, covered everything from the woefully inadequate measurement tools for video to minute-by-minute ratings to emerging digital platforms. Panelists included Mel Berning, exec VP-ad sales, A&E Television Networks; Dennis Donlin, president-CEO, GM Planworks; Andy Jung, senior director-advertising and marketing, Kellogg's; Tim Hanlon, senior VP-Denuo Group; Bill Morningstar, exec VP-media sales, CW; Tony Pace, senior VP-chief marketing officer, Subway; Mike Shaw, president-sales and marketing, ABC; and Joe Uva, president-CEO, OMD Worldwide.

Denuo Group's Mr. Hanlon noted that marketers would need to spend more and more time filling in the digital nooks and crannies to reach their audiences, and that in order to do that, data was needed from a number of sources, not just Nielsen. "We need to be crunchers of data, from the set-top-box to VOD streams to interactive TV clicks and some level of Nielsen data and the DVR stream of data. We are going to have to do the aggregation." Marketers aren't going to have their needs fulfilled by one or two players anymore, he contended.

A theme that ran through much of the discussion was the lack of adequate measurement tools to allow marketers to commit dollars to digital platforms. Nielsen Media Research, panelists were quick to note, has not kept up with the needs of marketers. Commenting on the proliferation of high-definition TV sets, Mr. Hanlon said marketers won't buy what they can't measure. Even though HDTV is extremely "engaging," Nielsen does not yet measure such channels. "It's hard to justify spending the money, that's a real problem to get over," Mr. Hanlon said.


Nielsen was also called out for inadequately measuring viewers using digital video recorders. Kellogg's Mr. Jung said that he would not be paying for time-shifted viewers as part of his upfront buy. The Nielsen sample size for DVR use is too small to be statistically accurate, he said. "You have a better chance of being hit by lightning. ... I'm not basing a business decision on research that is that shaky."

OMD's Mr. Uva suggested Nielsen's services could eventually be superseded by other firms. "I share the opinion that Nielsen has woefully underserved its customers. They've made some strides this year but it's not enough. ... I don't see why we couldn't bring in a third party to audit some of these other channels. If the numbers are verified, audited, pass Sarbanes Oxley, what's to stop us from reaching out to other researchers to do it?"

While both marketers and sales executives agreed that few of the new media offerings were big enough to warrant major ad outlays at this point, marketers were firm in their views that they had to play in the space or get left behind. Mr. Jung said: "There are 700,000 people out there actively blogging. It's not scalable, but it will be."

Subway's Mr. Pace agreed that marketers have to experiment early. "We're interested in extensions but to wait for a cataclysmic event is wrong. The good news about it not being scalable is that the investment is small. The learning is affordable."

Downplaying the impact of digital media on traditional media, ABC's Mr. Shaw reminded the audience that $9 billion plus is still spent in prime time and that the entire streaming video universe barely amounts to a blip on the radar. "If there are 400,000 simultaneous streams on average and 28 million people watching 'Desperate Housewives,' how does it square? It doesn't. You could sell all those ratings in a day. It's not big enough yet to go out and monetize it." Still, Mr. Shaw said the network has worked hard to make advertisers part of the new media offering at the Walt Disney Co., adding that he was surprised that there wasn't more of an outcry among marketers who were cut out of the picture when Disney announced its programming venture with Apple's iTunes.

He also suggested that broadcast networks might not be able to match supply with demand. "Everybody wanted product integration three years ago. But with two, three, four hundred customers, there was not enough supply. We are at the forefront on every new platform but it's not big enough. The opportunities are not there yet."

On the subject of minute-by-minute ratings, marketers noted just how helpful they are in defining where to place ads. Mr. Pace noted that the sandwich chain has learned to "not be after the car commercials." Mr. Jung said that making quality commercials could help keep viewers for a network and may end up being something a marketer could sell back to a network.

However, the question everyone's asking went unanswered by panelists including A&E's Mr. Berning, and CW's Mr. Morningstar. Will the upfront be up, down or flat? Several panelists made the point that it doesn't matter, and that too much emphasis is put on what happens one week in May. Only ABC's Mr. Shaw ventured a direct stab at the question. Not surprisingly, he said ABC would be up.

HD DVD Launches

HD DVD players and software went on sale Tuesday, April 18, at Best Buy and select other retailers, and a trickle of early adopters came to buy, even though only three movies currently are available.

“The only people who bought are the hardcores,” said one industry observer.

More HD DVD titles will begin hitting stores next week, but with only three — Warner Home Video’s The Last Samurai and The Phantom of the Opera and Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s Serenity — in stores when players hit the show floor Tuesday, there was hardly a stampede of consumers.

When a Best Buy in Costa Mesa, Calif., opened at 10 a.m., four copies of Samurai and a single copy of Phantom were stocked in a display at the front of the store, equipped with a lounge chair and a high-definition TV. A customer looked at the two titles but bought neither, saying he was disappointed by the selection.

Toshiba, which is in the process of shipping about 10,000 players to retailers, had no firm first-day sales tally. Marketing VP Jodi Sally would only say, “Retailers who have received players to date have reported very positive sales. I am very pleased to see the demand for high-definition content being fulfilled to the early adopters with our HD DVD players.”

Meanwhile, elaborate kiosks with huge widescreen TVs, explanatory boards and a handful of players and movies are going into about 100 Wal-Mart stores over the next two weeks, an unusually aggressive move by a retailer focused on the masses. The discount chain didn’t begin selling DVD players until the spring of 1999, two years after the DVD format was launched.

Wal-Mart also has begun selling the cheaper of the two Toshiba players, the HD-D1, on its Web site, listing an anticipated delivery date of April 21. The player is on sale for $498, a dollar off list.

Only three studios are supporting HD DVD, and of those three, only Universal is exclusively in the HD DVD camp. The two other studios, Warner Home Video and Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, also have said they will also release titles in the rival Blu-ray Disc format, which has not yet launched.

Warner and Universal have HD DVD product in the market, while Paramount won’t release its first high-def titles until next month.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment president Craig Kornblau, who has taken the lead in promoting the HD DVD format, held a special press screening at his Universal City offices in which he demonstrated the format’s superior picture and sound. He stressed, however, that the format’s real trump card is its heightened interactivity.

On a sample disc, menus appeared on the side, and special features could be accessed while the movie is playing. Multi-angle options, too, may be previewed, all at one time, and with filmmaker cooperation most movies ultimately should be available for viewing in multiple angles.

“We’re in the HD DVD camp because you can touch it and you can feel it,” Kornblau said. “It’s here, and it’s real.”

Marketing EVP Ken Graffeo said in the fourth quarter several Universal titles will push the envelope when it comes to creativity. In a movie that prominently features a car, he said, viewers might be able to customize that car, and then plant their creation into the movie.

“Through Internet connectivity, you might even be able to click on the tire and find out the specs and even be able to buy that tire,” he said.

 

Chicago and Huey Lewis and the News Announce U.S. Summer Tour

Prolific hit-makers and perennial live favorites Chicago and Huey Lewis and the News will team up this summer for a national tour hitting more than 30 cities across the United States. The tour kicks off with a June 9th show at Concord, California's Chronicle Pavilion and culminates on July 29th at Holmdel, New Jersey's PNC Bank Arts Center. Tickets go on sale starting Saturday, April 22. A complete list of dates is below.

Chicago is celebrating its 30th album, "Chicago XXX," which was just released by Rhino/Warner Bros. Produced by Jay DeMarcus of the superstar country group Rascal Flatts, "Chicago XXX" begins a new chapter in Chicago's history. The forthcoming single is "Love Will Come Back," which includes the members of Rascal Flatts and will certainly add to the band's long list of extraordinary accomplishments: 40 gold and platinum awards, 20 Top 10 singles and 5 Number One albums. In fact, Chicago is the first American rock band to chart a Top 40 album in 5 consecutive decades. This year, the Grammy-winning Chicago is touring for the 40th straight year.

Huey Lewis and the News are gearing up for Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing's May 23 release of "Huey Lewis and the News: Greatest Hits" and a limited edition deluxe CD/DVD package, "Greatest Hits & Videos." The 21-track CD includes 20 Top 20 hits, among them 17 Top 10s and six #1 singles, and the deluxe edition's 10 videos make their DVD debut with this release. In a career spanning more than 25 years, Grammy award winners Huey Lewis and The News have amassed 17 Gold and Platinum certifications and sales of more than 12 million albums, placing the band among the world's top 200 best-selling music artists of all time (RIAA).

DATE CITY VENUE

Fri Jun-09 Concord Chronicle Pavilion

Sat Jun-10 Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Bowl

Sun Jun-11 San Diego Bayside at the Embarcadero

Tue Jun-13 Los Angeles The Greek Theatre

Fri Jun-16 Irvine Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Sat Jun-17 Phoenix Cricket Pavilion

Sun Jun-18 Albuquerque Journal Pavilion

Tue Jun-20 Denver Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Thu Jun-22 Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre

Fri Jun-23 Dallas Smirnoff Music Centre

Sat Jun-24 San Antonio Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Sun Jun-25 Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Wed Jun-28 Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center

Thu Jun-29 Cleveland Tower City Amphitheater

Fri Jun-30 Columbus Germain Amphitheatre

Sat Jul-01 Chicago Charter One Pavilion

Sun Jul-02 Detroit DTE Energy Music Theatre

Wed Jul-12 West Palm Beach Sound Advice Amphitheatre

Thu Jul-13 Tampa Ford Amphitheatre

Fri Jul-14 Charlotte Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Sat Jul-15 Raleigh ALLTEL Pavilion

Sun Jul-16 Virginia Beach Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Tue Jul-18 Atlanta Chastain Park Amphitheatre

Thu Jul-20 Hartford Dodge Music Center

Fri Jul-21 Pittsburgh Post Gazette Pavilion

Sat Jul-22 Camden Tweeter Center at the Waterfront

Sun Jul-23 Saratoga Springs Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Tue Jul-25 Boston Bank of America Pavilion

Wed Jul-26 Boston Bank of America Pavilion

Fri Jul-28 Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Sat Jul-29 Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center

Source: Live Nation

Greatest Thing Since Sliced Pizza; 7-Eleven(R) Introduces P'EatZZa Sandwich(TM) Featured on NBC's 'Apprentice'

Last week, someone lost their job over the new 7-Eleven(R) P'EatZZa Sandwich(TM). The new triangular sandwich was featured on "The Apprentice," NBC's popular business reality show hosted by Donald Trump, in an episode titled "A Slice of Heaven." Today, 7-Eleven introduces that heavenly sandwich at participating 7-Eleven(R) stores across the United States. Unlike the contestants on "The Apprentice," who priced the new item at between $4 and $8, the P'EatZZa Sandwich is available at most participating 7-Eleven stores' locations for a suggested retail price of $3.69 SRP.

Two slices of pizza flatbread with cheese and pepperoni substitute for bread slices, and are filled with deli meats, cheeses and spreads. Served cold, the triangular wedge-shaped sandwiches are available in two varieties:

Turkey and Pepperoni - smoked turkey, spicy deli pepperoni, romaine

lettuce with parmesan ranch spread served between two slices of

pepperoni pizza flatbread

Ham and Salami - ham, deli salami, banana pepper rings, fire-roasted red

peppers, romaine lettuce and mustard vinaigrette dressing on cheddar

mozzarella flatbread

"Portable, easy-to-eat foods are changing the way Americans eat," said Kathy Hasty, 7-Eleven category manager for fresh sandwiches. "Pizza has long been a mealtime favorite, and its popularity continues to grow across all categories, when sold by the slice, for take-out or delivery, even frozen pizza sales are up."

The packaging was custom-made for the new P'EatZZa Sandwich. A perforated cellophane over-wrap tears away easily, allowing the consumer to eat a P'EatZZa Sandwich while holding the cardboard package base, which can stand upright on a desk or table.

"While most people order their pizza hot, cold pizza has its own following, particularly among teens and young adults," Hasty said. "Some people will order pizza a size up just so they'll have some left over to eat later. We started talking about how pizza could make the jump from slice to sandwich. We wanted to marry the best from both."

Pizza has been called the most popular food in the world. According to research by NPD Foodworld, Americans eat pizza 25 times a year at home, and is the second most popular main dish meal for in-home dinners. But they're not just eating pizza at home -- Americans also consume the equivalent of 1.5 billion servings a year while dining out. All told, each man, woman and child eats an average of 46 slices of pizza per year, according to Packaged Facts.

Sandwiches are even more popular -- at least in the U.S. In its 2003 sandwich study, the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association reported that the average American eats 4.1 sandwiches a week or more than 200 sandwiches each year; 150 of those are purchased. Sandwiches account for nearly 10 percent of fast-food sales, and their popularity is growing.

"There's no doubt about the popularity of both sandwiches and pizza," Hasty said. "Both have universal appeal, and we think the P'EatZZa Sandwich will attract pizza-lovers, sandwich-lovers and especially those who love both."

As a result of the assigned task on "The Apprentice" episode, the Goldrush team lost for increasing sales by only 608 percent while the triumphant Synergy team boosted sales of the first-of-its-kind P'EatZZa sandwich by almost 1,000 percent. Leslie, the Goldrush team captain, was fired by Trump at the end of the show.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates or franchises more than 5,800 7-Eleven(R) stores in the United States and Canada and licenses close to 30,000 7-Eleven stores in 18 countries and U.S. territories. During 2005, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of approximately $43 billion. Find out more online at http://www.7-eleven.com/ .

Web site: http://www.7-eleven.com/

Premium Content Driving Internet Video Growth

According to a new forecast from IDC, Internet video services will generate over $1.7 billion in revenues by 2010, an increase of more than $1.5 billion from 2005 totals. Internet video services are on the brink of becoming a mainstream phenomenon in the United States.. Much of this growth will be fueled by a surge in the amount of premium content made available online.

The market for Internet video services began its dramatic acceleration in 2005 as content owners started to experiment with digital distribution as a way to complement and enhance their existing business models and to stem illegal P2P file sharing and piracy. In particular, the television networks' decision to offer episodes from new shows as well as old sparked significant interest in Internet video.

Josh Martin, associate research analyst in IDC's Consumer Markets: Video, said "The Internet video market has huge upside. With that upside, however, comes the risk to content owners of cannibalizing existing revenue streams."

Key drivers for the adoption of Internet video include the expansion of premium content offerings online and the emergence of home networking solutions that allow consumers to more easily view Internet content on their televisions.

IDC expects content owners will migrate toward three basic service types:

Advertising-based services will remain the dominant type of Internet video service

A la carte services, buoyed by consumer familiarity with iTunes, will grow dramatically over the next 2-3 years.

Subscription-based services will experience steady growth throughout the forecast period, enhanced somewhat by the emergence of home networking solutions.

In order to sustain the momentum gathered in 2005 and maximize opportunities for success, content owners and service providers will need to overcome several

important problems

licensing issues

inadequate video search

competitive challenges

and how to move content beyond the PC

SPORTS & AUTOS

Oakland & Dodger baseball

 April 20, 2006

Detroit 4, Oakland 3 at McAfee Coliseum
Detroit Record: (9-7)
Oakland Record: (7-9)

Winning pitcher - Fernando Rodney (1-0)
Losing pitcher - Justin Duchscherer (1-1)

April 19, 2006

Detroit 11, Oakland 4 at McAfee Coliseum
Detroit Record: (8-7)
Oakland Record: (7-8)

Winning pitcher - Kenny Rogers (3-1)
Losing pitcher - Joe Blanton (1-2)

at McAfee Coliseum (8-7) (7-8) - Kenny Rogers (3-1) - Joe Blanton (1-2)

DET HR - None
OAK HR - M. Ellis (1) F. Thomas (4

None M. Ellis (1) F. Thomas (4

Chi. Cubs 5, Los Angeles 4 at Dodger Stadium
Chi. Cubs Record: (9-5)
Los Angeles Record: (7-9)

Winning pitcher - Scott Williamson (2-0)
Losing pitcher - Danys Baez (0-1)
SV - Ryan Dempster (4)

at Dodger Stadium (9-5) (7-9) - Scott Williamson (2-0) - Danys Baez (0-1) - Ryan Dempster (4)

CHC HR - None
LAD HR - J. Repko (2)

None J. Repko (2)

 

 

PinnacleSports.com Serves up Betting on ATP Champions Tour Featuring McEnroe, Becker, Noah and Wilander

The Internet's largest sports betting site, PinnacleSports.com today served another ace by becoming the first bookmaker in the world to offer wagering on the ATP Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions. Similar to the PGA's Senior Tour in golf, the Champions Tour features retired ATP players that have achieved a world number one ranking, made a Grand Slam final, or played singles for a victorious Davis Cup team during their careers. As a result of the stringent guidelines, the Champions Tour features some of tennis' biggest names from yesteryear, including: John McEnroe, Yannick Noah, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Marcelo Rios, Cedric Pioline, Richard Krajicek and Mats Wilander, among the famous names.

PinnacleSports.com will now offer betting on all Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions events, beginning with this weekend's SEAT Champions Cup in Barcelona. On the clay courts this weekend, PinnacleSports.com has listed 1990 French Open Champion Andres Gomez as the favorite to win the Champions Cup at 3/1 odds. Playing in front of his home crowd, 1993 and 1994 back-to-back French Open champ Sergi Bruguera has been installed with the second best odds at 7/2. Competing in his first tour event of 2006, the fiery John McEnroe has been listed at 4/1 to capture his 21st Champions Tour title, along with Carlos Costa and Richard Krajicek. PinnacleSports.com has listed Argentinean Martin Jaite and Spainard Emilio Sanchez as long shots to win this weekend's tournament at 10/1 and 12/1, respectively. Meanwhile, seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander is the biggest underdog to win the SEAT Champions Cup at 15/1.

"With fan favorites like McEnroe, Becker, Noah, Courier and Wilander participating in the tournaments, there's no doubt the ATP Champions Tour will attract serious interest from tennis enthusiasts and bettors alike," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "Much like the Senior PGA Tour, the ATP Tour of Champions features charismatic players that are household names which fans will recognize and we expect will generate tremendous betting interest."

In addition to offering odds to win each event on the 2006 ATP Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions, PinnacleSports.com will also offer betting options on each tournament match for every stop on the tour. For a complete list of betting odds, please visit the tennis section at http://www.pinnaclesports.com/ .

Current Odds: *All Odds Subject to Change*

Odds to Win Seat Champions Cup 2006 -- Barcelona

Andres Gomez 3/1

Sergi Bruguera 7/2

John McEnroe 4/1

Richard Krajicek 4/1

Carlos Costa 4/1

Martin Jaite 10/1

Emilio Sanchez 12/1

Mats Wilander 15/1

 

About PinnacleSports.com

PinnacleSports.com ( http://www.pinnaclesports.com/ ) is the Internet's largest sports betting site, serving customers in more than 80 countries worldwide. Founded in 1998, PinnacleSports.com was the first sports book to introduce reduced margin wagering, using a -105 pricing model that gives bettors up to 50% better value on wagers than traditional bookmakers. With low minimum bet requirements and the highest maximum limits on the Web, PinnacleSports.com has earned an industry-leading reputation for providing consistent value to the player, professional customer service and the quickest payouts online. Fully licensed and regulated in Curacao, the company offers a secure environment for sports betting, racing and casino gaming.

Source: PinnacleSports.com

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

 

Automotive Students Shift to Hydrogen at Lansing Community College

In a state where the gasoline- powered internal combustion engine has ruled the roads and defined the economy for more than a century, students in an automotive technology class at Lansing Community College are shifting gears.

They're building three internal combustion engines that will run on hydrogen, positioning themselves for the future and re-positioning what can be accomplished at a community college that's willing to get out ahead of the curve on new technologies.

"Most people think the research is being done exclusively by the automakers. But it's also being done right here in this classroom," says Winston Lane, an automotive machinist consultant who is overseeing the project. "That's what makes this project so exciting. Research and development must be done before hydrogen powered vehicles will be a cost- effective alternative to gasoline powered vehicles and we're a part of it."

The automotive technology students have been working nearly three semesters now, building the automobile engines and calibrating them to work specifically with hydrogen, rather than gasoline. They will be tested in mid- May.

Regardless of what happens when the engines are tested, the hands-on experience of building the engines from the ground up prepares students to build or service them when hydrogen-powered engines are brought to market. It also provides those who might move on to four-year engineering programs with a practical understanding of the technologies that underlie the use of hydrogen as an automotive fuel.

"This is a real development project," says Howard Dillman, chair of the technical careers division in the school's transportation technologies department. "We are building what is essentially a race engine that can reach maximum RPMs with no problem while running on hydrogen. There aren't many universities working on this; we're trying to take it the next step."

Lansing Community College's hydrogen project is part of its Alternative Energy Initiative. The college, located in the heart of Michigan's auto manufacturing belt, was tapped by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop alternative energy curriculum, train the workforce in alternative energy and educate the general public on alternative energy.

"We know the hydrogen economy is coming and we want to be ready," says Lane, who says his students will be well prepared to take jobs as automotive technicians specializing in alternative fueled vehicles or transfer on to an engineering program with an alternative energy specialty.

Building a hydrogen engine can cost $5,000 more than traditional gasoline- powered engines because of the expensive parts and materials needed. Researchers hope that they can come up with solutions to make the engine cost less. LCC is using funds it received from the Department of Energy and parts donated from General Motors to fund its hydrogen engine experiment.

Fueling and distribution are hurdles to be jumped before hydrogen vehicles are ready for the mass market. Right now it takes all night to fuel a hydrogen vehicle, according to Lane. In addition, a tank of hydrogen can be used up in a short time, so researchers are finding ways to compress the gas. Before hydrogen could become an alternative to gasoline, a network of hydrogen fueling stations will have to be built.

With all the technological hurdles, Lane admits mass marketing of hydrogen vehicles is a decade or more away. He hopes the work of his students helps as Michigan -- and the nation -- take the next important steps.

"Hydrogen is the wave of the future," he says. "The only by-product is water and converting to hydrogen vehicles will reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

Source: Lansing Community College

Web site: http://www.lcc.edu/

New Web Site - MuscleCarTools.com - Offers Automotive Tools at Bargain Prices for Putterers and Professionals

Millions of auto hobbyists face the same dilemma: where to find quality tools at reasonable prices. Now there's http://www.MuscleCarTools.com. During 20 years of restoring hot rods and classics in his spare time, Houston, Texas-based computer engineer Bryan Powell was frustrated, too. "To get the wholesale price on a tool, I'd need to buy a dozen," he said, "and buying just one means paying the top retail price." Armed with first-hand knowledge of the muscle/classic car genre, Powell has launched a Web site - http://www.MuscleCarTools.com - designed "to provide auto enthusiasts and hobbyists with a wide variety of mechanic-grade tools and supplies at bargain prices." He said, "I know what tools I need to do the job, and I know what a fair price is. That's how I decide what to carry on the site." Powell said customers can save up to 50 percent below normal retail on many tools. He commented that the typical customer is a male aged 18-50, "but women fix cars, too," he affirmed. At http://www.MuscleCarTools.com, weekend "tuner types," serious hot-rodders, classic collectors and professional mechanics alike will find a wide variety of high-quality hand and electrical tools from well-known makers like Goodyear, Neiko Tools, American Tool Exchange, and about 10 others.

In addition, the online auto shop offers manual and hydraulic jacks, welding equipment, hoists and compressors. Other products include a variety of lighting fixtures for engine and underbody work, fog lights, floor mats, booster cables, safety glasses, dust masks and first aid kits. Asked to describe the types of cars his customers are repairing or restoring, Powell stated, "A classic is over 25 years old, is highly desirable, and transcends all boundaries." He said muscle cars are high-performance cars from the '50s, '60s and '70s. They exude nostalgia and appeal to all ages and demographics. His own current project is putting the spark back into a '76 Corvette Stingray. Powell says, "Whatever type you putter with and whatever tool you need, we invite you to browse through our virtual store and shop with confidence." The site is secure, and MuscleCarTools.com adheres to a strict privacy policy. Payments can be made with most major credit cards or through PayPal. MuscleCarTools.com is also interested in signing up distributors across the U.S., either traditional brick-and-mortar stores or online outlets. Contact: Bryan Powell Phone: 832-439-7033 info@MuscleCarTools.com

 

 

Big Stakes Match Play Becomes The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas in 2007; Televised Event Will Have the Richest Winner's Purse in Golf History

 

The Big Stakes Match Play just became even bigger ... it's become The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas.

Big Stakes Match Play LLC Co-owners Steve Bartkowski and Jim Thomas and Wynn Las Vegas Chairman & CEO Steve Wynn announced today that the final two rounds of The Ultimate Game will be played at the ultimate course -- Wynn Las Vegas Golf Course and Country Club in 2007 from June 6-8.

The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas will be televised on a major broadcast television network to be revealed and announced in the near future when final details are finalized and will feature the largest winner's purse in golf history, with the winner receiving $2 million. The next largest winner's purses in golf history are:

The Players Championship $1.44MM

The British Open $1.215MM

The Tour Championship $1.170MM

The PGA Championship $1.170MM

The U.S. Open $1.125MM

The Masters $1.080MM

Another distinction is that, unlike the foregoing tournaments, in The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas, the players will compete for their own entry fees, adding an unprecedented level of risk, pressure and drama.

"Pebble Beach was the ideal site for the Bing Crosby event and Augusta National is, of course, the perfect site for The Masters," said co-owners Steve Bartkowski and Jim Thomas. "Wynn Las Vegas is the perfect location for The Ultimate Game. We are honored Steve Wynn would select our event to be played on his course."

"Of all the many events we have evaluated over the years, The Ultimate Game has characteristics which we believe reflect the personality and image of Wynn Las Vegas," said Andrew Pascal, president of Wynn Las Vegas. "To host a new, original event, wherein golfers with big dreams can put up their money and play for the richest winner's purse in the history of golf, seems appropriate for our course, hotel and casino."

One of the finest television producers and directors of sports, Terry Jastrow, has joined the Big Stakes Match Play team. Jastrow, who was instrumental in bringing the event to Wynn Las Vegas, will executive produce the 2007 event on network television. A winner of seven Emmy Awards, Jastrow has been the executive producer, producer and/or director of some of television's most prestigious and important programs during the last 25 years, including 68 of golf's major championships.

The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas will begin with 160 players engaging in individual match play competition, with half of the field being eliminated in each round. The 10 survivors of the fourth round of match play will then compete in a two-day, 36-hole, winner-take-all stroke play competition at Wynn Las Vegas with the winner receiving $2 million.

The second collaboration of Tom Fazio, Steve Wynn and Mother Nature has resulted in 18 unforgettable holes at the Wynn Las Vegas. The par 70 course is 7,042 yards and located on property on the Las Vegas Strip. More than 800,000 cubic yards of earth were moved to create the dramatic elevation changes considered impossible on the Las Vegas Strip. The course has been featured on VH1's Fabulous Life, Fine Living Network and the Today Show and this will be the first network televised tournament.

For more information on the Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas, visit the web site at www.bigstakesgolf.com.

About Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn Resorts is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol WYNN and, since December 2004, it has been part of the NASDAQ-100 Index. Wynn Las Vegas, the luxury hotel and destination casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip, opened to the public on April 28, 2005. Wynn Las Vegas features 2,716 luxurious guest rooms and suites; an 111,000 square foot casino; 22 food and beverage outlets; an on-site 18-hole golf course; approximately 223,000 square feet of meeting space; an on-site Ferrari and Maserati dealership; and approximately 76,000 square feet of retail space. For more information, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com.

Source: Big Stakes Match Play LLC

Web site: http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/
http://www.bigstakesgolf.com/

Airport Express Offers Motorists Tips on How to Reduce Fuel Costs

Higher gas prices might not force families to postpone or cancel vacation plans this summer, but that doesn't mean people haven't noticed -- and complained about -- the higher prices, which are expected to be 25 cents higher than last summer's record highs

John McCarthy, president of Continental Airport Express, a ground transportation company, says that conserving fuel is a major consideration for his company, which uses a monthly average of 42,000 gallons of gasoline to fuel its fleet of 95 vans. Out of necessity, the company has become very savvy about reducing fuel costs.

McCarthy offers the following tips to the general driving public.

-- Under 40 miles an hour, you can save gas by turning off the air

conditioner and keeping the windows open. Over 40 miles an hour, the

reverse is true. Open windows will create a drag, and the engine will

have to work harder to compensate.

-- Stay within speed limits and use cruise control if you have it.

Slowing down and speeding up wastes fuel.

-- After stopping at an intersection, accelerate slowly, which allows the

carburetor to operate at peak efficiency.

-- Park car in such a way that when you start up again you can begin to

travel in forward gear without maneuvering back and forth.

-- Keep tires inflated to the maximum.

-- Make sure vehicle is well maintained. In particular, have air filters

cleaned regularly as poor air flow increases gas waste. Regular tune-

ups will also allow engine to work at peak efficiency.

-- While idling for long periods of time wastes fuel, so does turning the

engine on and off needlessly. For stops of more than two to three

minutes, you are probably best served by shutting down.

Founded in 1853 as the Parmelee Transportation Company, Continental Airport Express currently transports more than one million passengers annually to and from Chicago's O'Hare and Midway Airports. Its services are offered to and from downtown Chicago, as well as most Chicago neighborhoods and its surrounding suburbs. For more information visit http://www.airportexpress.com/ .

Source: Continental Airport Express

 

Ford Breaks $5 Billion Barrier in Sourcing With Minority Suppliers in 2005

* Ford purchased $5.5 billion in goods and services with minority suppliers in 2005. * In its first full year of operation, Ford's Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) Program p

Posted by mbn at 12:12 AM | Permalink

options

To understand the internet you have to be open to change. 

 

 

 

Written by Joyce L Chow & William Hoehne April 19, 2006

MBN

www.montebubbles.com for more MBN news

 

INTERNET ADVERTISING IS THE FUTURE

Info@montebubbles.netBROADCAST NEWS COMING SOON VIA PODCAST

 

SUNDAYS ARE NOW PICTURE DAY starting next sunday: Pictures that we have taken and not published during before will be placed here on Sunday of each week for your viewing pleasure

 

International news from Asia and Latin news in English and Spanish here now

 

More exciting changes coming each day.

 

Watch for the MBN Politically incorrect SUV

NEWS ALERT LOS ANGELES:Michelle Roy New Kids on the Block Party tomorrow night from 6 to 9
p.m. with free mini mani/pedis, margaritas, makeovers, food, fun and, of course, shopping for a cause (Project Angel Food). Bring your favorite jeans and get a Michelle Roy Applique at her new Applique Bar! The party is at 205 to 239 North Robertson between Dayton and Clifton (north of Wilshire, south of Burton Way) and is open to the public

 

MONTEBUBBLISM: Looking like your supposed to look like is often not the way you should look.

ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria and Michael Douglas THE SENTINEL Production Notes

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience

The Real Opus Dei Premieres One Month Prior to Sony’s DaVinci Code Release

Time Warner Inc. Presents 'Elements of an Icon' - Exclusive Exhibit Honoring SIR ELTON JOHN's UPS AND IMG FASHION TO DELIVER FASHION’S FUTURE

The Search is on for ABC's Next Bachelor Will he be from Philly?

The Public Broadcasting System is considering making its television shows available on the Internet or portable devices like MP3 players

HALLMARK HAS DECIDED TO HOLD its cards

'Broadcasters See Red Over White Space,' Move To Block New Media Devices

FAST-GROWING ONLINE COMMUNITY MYSPACE.COM IS looking to place its user-generated content into TV shows.

CMA Announces Another CMA Music Festival First: A Triple Header

Many affiliates say any notion that they can leverage networks into preserving vestiges of exclusivity is unrealistic.

NBC Enters Repurposing

Whetting Appetites

Asaca Chosen to Demonstrate Two New Storage Solutions at NAB HD Pavilion’s Live HD Broadcast Station

Dominant Information Site Owned by Newspaper in Top Markets

Imperia Entertainment Finishes Pickup Shots in Moscow on Its Feature Film, ``Say It In Russian'';

GRAND PRIX 40th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition'' Debuts on DVD July 11 from Warner Home Video

Crown Media Holdings to Continue to Operate Channels; Solid Fundamentals Provide Positive Long-Term Outlook

Grande Vitesse Systems Unveils the GVS9000 4NXU With 10 Hr. of Uncompressed HD Virtual Tape Recording

DISH Network Customers Eligible to Receive a $25 Visa(R) Prepaid Card With New Starz Movie Pack Subscription

The first HD DVD titles are slated to go on sale today.

NewTek, Inc.,

DreamVision President/CEO Brings Critical Hope to Russian Orphans in Dire Need;

Airecable of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Moves Ahead of Local Satellite and Cable Providers

Grande Vitesse Systems Unveils the GVS9000 4NXU With 10 Hr. of Uncompressed HD Virtual Tape Recording

The USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award Honors

SPORTS & AUTOS

Oakland & Dodger Baseball

First Look: All-new Audi TT, Jeep 4-door Wrangler, Jeep Patriot, Scion Fuse, Maserati GT Coupe

XM Satellite Radio's Hot Import Nights Takes the Runway In Boston

Golf Research in Play Launches a Revolution in Golf Equipment

AVP Announces Three-Year Extension With Bud Light

Steps cross America is Joined by Kristi Yamaguchi to Rally, Motivate and Reward All Americans to Walk for Fitness

Audi Presents Streets of Tomorrow Offers Consumers Upscale, Urban Driving and Lifestyle Experience

Chrysler Group Certified Pre-owned Vehicles (CPOV) Appeal to Budget Conscious Consumers

DOD

NBA and Toyota Announce 2006 Finals Trophy Tour to U.S. Military Bases

'Faces of the Fallen' Extended at Women's Memorial Until May 31

A Letter to Military Children from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Cheney Thanks Fairchild Airmen for Terror War Support

 

NEWS and NEWS now in Spanish

ACR: Tom Cruise's Unsupervised Use of Fetal Keepsake Ultrasound Ill Advised, Irresponsible, and Potentially Dangerous

Schwarzenegger Signs Historic HIV Reporting Bill

VNU TO PRESENT STRONG CASE FOR PRIVATE- EQUITY OFFER AT TODAY’S EGM

Are You Ready for Plastic Surgery

Three recent announcements from the Broadcast Communications Division of Harris Corporate.

Wal-Mart Announces Significant Changes in Health Benefits for Part-Time Workers

President Hu Jintao and Bill Gates to Discuss Microsoft's Commitment to the Chinese Software Industry

White Paper: Employee Obesity is Number One Factor in Productivity Loss

Las Superestrellas del Reggaetón Wisin y Yandel Lideran la Primera Cumbre de Hip Hop en la Ciudad de Nueva York sobre el Empoderamiento Financiero

Atención al Cliente y Facturación de SPL Situado en el Cuadrante de los Líderes por el Cuadrante Mágico para Sistemas de Información de Clientes de Empresas de Servicio Público*

Cendant elije a Jeff Clarke como nuevo consejero delegado y director general

La Empresa Completa Mejoras de Red en Destinos Vacacionales Populares

Teamsters Advocate Improvements in Homeland Security

DHS Guidance a Good Beginning for First Responders but More is Needed

Transcript of remarks by President Bush after roundtable on taxes and the economy:

With Airline Tickets From $49 One-Way, Southwest Airlines Makes Air Travel Easy and Affordable

Wendy's Chairman-CEO Announces Retirement

Dyson Wins One Over Hoover in Vacuum Wars

As Net Passes Print Ad Revenue, Publishers Get Web Wise

Coca-Cola North America and Godiva

________________________________________________

 

ENTERTAINMENT, ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria and Michael Douglas “THE SENTINEL” Production Notes

Pete Garrison is a U.S. Secret Service agent who saved a president’s life by

jumping in front of a hail of bullets, over twenty years ago. Well-liked and respected by his colleagues in the Secret Service, Garrison is a career agent who now heads the First Lady’s detail. He lives in a high-level, orderly world of hierarchical structure, plans, maps, motorcades, code names, lingo and procedures. It's a universe that makes sense, until secrets begin to tear it apart. Pete's fellow agent and friend, Charlie Merriweather, hints at wanting to share critical and confidential information. Before that can happen, however, Merriweather is shot dead at his house in a crime that is made to look like a botched robbery.

The investigation falls to the Secret Service’s top investigative agent, David Breckinridge, a volatile combination of by-the-book and hothead, Garrison's protégé, and, until recently one of Garrison’s best friends. Breckinridge follows the evidence and only the evidence and scrupulously tries to avoid working from his gut. That’s what being a great investigator requires. Garrison, as perhaps the greatest protective agent in the service, often has to work from gut, from pure instinct. In protective work that is often all you have.

Garrison’s and Breckinridge’s recent falling out was triggered by Breckinridge’s mistaken belief that Garrison was having an affair with Breckinridge's now ex-wife.

Jill Marin, a tough, sassy and ambitious young agent who just graduated second in her class at the Secret Service Academy, arrives for her first field posting. She has requested a work detail with Breckinridge because Garrison, while leading a field instruction exercise at the Academy told Jill that Breckinridge was the best investigator in the entire Service.

Together the trio begins to uncover what appears to be an inside job to assassinate the president – a traitor in the ranks of the Secret Service. It's never happened in the institution's 141-year history.

Suspicion ultimately falls on Garrison, who's going to find it extremely difficult to clear his name because someone is framing him.

Whoever is framing Garrison knows he’s vulnerable because he’s devoting considerable effort to hiding a monumental secret. Suspected of being treasonous, Garrison goes on the run, pursued by Breckinridge and Marin – his own colleagues – as he tries to nail the real mole and save the president's life.

“THE SENTINEL is a political thriller about the agents assigned to protect the president and First Lady," says Michael Douglas. "For the first time in its history, there is a mole in the Service plotting to kill the president. I play an agent assigned to protect the First Lady. It's about my redemption. My character is a career officer who's committed an act of indiscretion, and I find that intriguing. I don't know many people who are all good or all evil. So there is moral ambiguity. I'm attracted to characters like Pete Garrison, who is flawed but tries to overcome his flaws in some way. Even Secret Service agents make mistakes.

“THE SENTINEL is unpredictable, topical and has a few twists and turns in it,” Douglas continues. “It's fascinating to learn about the Secret Service’s inner workings and some of the technologies used by the Secret Service. I hope audiences will gain a little more understanding of what goes on behind the scenes: the number of death threats, the amount of research the USSS agents do. These are brave souls."

As a producer, Douglas is always looking for interesting and provocative stories.

"Finding good material sounds simple but it's not,” says Douglas. “I've had my share of message movies but only because they worked as entertainment. I love acting, but the fact is that I don't see that many pictures I'd like to do, so sometimes you have to develop them. I liked the idea behind THE SENTINEL because in an era of fear and paranoia, the notion of an unseen enemy is credible – that’s the film’s big 'what if?'"

Furthur Films secured the rights to the novel The Sentinel by Gerald Petievich, before its publication. "We thought the book’s premise would make a thoughtful, compelling and classic-style political thriller," says producer Marcy Drogin. "Every iconic institution has had its share of scandal, but the U.S. Secret Service is held to a higher standard. That was intriguing to us, to peel away the layers.

“Also,” Drogin continues, “it provided the quintessential Michael Douglas role as a flawed but sympathetic character.”

In order to present certain aspects of the Secret Service as realistically as possible, the film’s screenwriter and co-producer, George Nolfi, undertook extensive research.

"From the beginning I wanted the story to be realistic," Nolfi says. "I wondered: How is the president really protected? Where do the threats come from? What would truly put his life in danger, and how would the Secret Service react?"

As Nolfi honed the screenplay, Douglas and Drogin brought in Clark Johnson to direct. Johnson had previously directed a pilot about the Secret Service called "The Service,” which pointed to his interest in the topic. Johnson, also a respected actor, has worked in almost every area of the film business, including stunts, special effects, and

camera. In addition, he is experienced with law enforcement action thrillers, ensemble pieces, multiple cameras, large set-ups and special effects. For THE SENTINEL, Johnson used this extensive background to depict the reality and grittiness of the Secret Service world.

Johnson worked closely with Douglas and Drogin to cast the picture. Once Douglas was on board, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria and Kim Basinger followed in the other three key roles. It was not Douglas' first time working with Sutherland; Douglas had produced "Flatliners," one of the movies that catapulted Sutherland into the ranks of exciting new film stars. "That was when I first met Kiefer and saw how talented he was. In THE SENTINEL, he brings tremendous credibility to his role," says Douglas.

Sutherland responds with equal enthusiasm about Douglas. "If you look at Michael’s films, they're Class A. I had the pleasure of working with him when I was very young, and he was so gracious and kind to me. I watched his films over the years and learned what makes him a phenomenal producer. There's a sense of responsibility and dignity in all his films. I've watched his table-read, his notes, how he handles himself on set. It's been an education and a pleasure, and I'm grateful for that."

As the lead investigator in the film, Sutherland's David Breckinridge sometimes lets his personal feelings interfere. "He has a past," acknowledges Sutherland, "and our past often trips us up. Those elements start to break down what could be a perfect investigator.

“We as a society have an appreciation of any specialist in any field, where education and training have been taken to a certain level,” Sutherland continues. “I'll never forget the Secret Service agent who moved to the left of President Reagan, closed his eyes and waited. He stayed in that position to take those hits. Would I have the courage or presence of mind to remember my training in that circumstance? That's the first question I asked myself. We have to have an incredible amount of respect for Secret Service agents."

Sutherland also was pleased to collaborate with on-screen partner Eva Longoria.

“She has an incredible sense of focus,” he says. “The character she plays betrays her personality and that's the mark of a great actor."

Longoria’s Jill Marin was trained at the Academy by Michael Douglas' character, Pete Garrison, and she joins the Sutherland character's office upon graduation. Jill doesn't initially know about the personal conflict between the two men. “[Screenwriter] George Nolfi beautifully weaves together their stories,” says Sutherland. “Jill’s history with Garrison reminds David Breckinridge of his connection to Garrison. This makes her question the direction of the investigation. It’s all about loyalties.”

Sutherland, like the others, enjoyed having an actor as a director in Clark Johnson.

"There is a commonality there," said Sutherland. "That's undeniable. Clark has an innate sensitivity and that's a two-way street. To know what it's like to work in your shoes is a gift."

Eva Longoria chose THE SENTINEL for her first big movie role because it is so different from her hit TV series "Desperate Housewives." "It's a triangle between Michael, Kiefer and me, but it's not a love triangle,” says Longoria. “That's why I chose this movie. It's the opposite of Gabrielle [Solis, her TV character]."

Longoria plays the only woman on the team. "She's an eager beaver," says Longoria about agent Jill Marin. "She wants to learn, totally downplays her sexuality, has to prove herself twice as much as a man, and is determined to be the best she can be.

She’s new but not complacent; she thinks outside the box. It's not about the clothes, the hair and the make-up, the way it is for [“Desperate Housewives’] Gabrielle. Jill Marin is all about the work."

Although Longoria is slightly built, that was not a liability. "The Secret Service is made up of aggressive, intelligent, fit, ambitious individuals with an air of confidence," she says. "It's not about size. Jill is definitely one of the boys.

“I felt comfortable amid all the testosterone because I'm a tomboy,” Longoria adds. “I grew up on a ranch and used to go target-shooting with my dad. I shot my first gun when I was six! I was the best shot." Longoria found it an exciting journey. "I asked the Secret Service advisors a lot of questions. I have newfound respect to these people and what they do for our country."

Martin Donovan, who plays Special Agent in Charge William Montrose, says, "It wasn't until I read the script that I realized how much we take the Secret Service for granted. One of my goals was finding the humanity behind the image they present. They appear implacable, stoic, hyper-vigilant and intimidating, but they have a grace in their physicality. The detail leader of the Presidential Protective Division has to be able to hold his own at cocktail parties with world leaders. And our Secret Service advisors tell me they are inundated with questions at such events."

The filmmakers cast well-known actors, both American and Canadian, in the smaller but pivotal roles. Bringing them to life are David Rasche (“Sledge Hammer”) who portrays President John Ballentine, Blair Brown ("The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd") as the National Security Advisor, Gloria Reuben ("E.R.") as Nancy Merriweather, Ritchie Coster (“Traffic” miniseries) as the villainous The Handler, Chuck Shamata (Father Rorick in "Cinderella Man" and founding member of the Actors Repertory Company) as Secret Service Director Overbrook, Taborah Johnson (host of "Polka Dot Door") as the First Lady's Chief of Staff, Raoul Bhaneja (Pete Subramani in "Train 48"), as agent Aziz Hassad, and Kristin Lehman (Dr. Lily Reddicker in "Judging Amy") as the ex-wife of agent David Breckinridge.

Johnson cast himself as Agent Merriweather, who has inside information that he is silenced from sharing and whose murder uncovers the plot to kill the president.

 

SECRETS OF THE SECRET SERVICE

In order to bring the interior world of the Secret Service to cinematic fruition, the producers brought in a retired Secret Service agent as an advisor. Gerald A. Cavis, a recently retired USSS agent and nationally recognized law enforcement expert, spent years protecting presidents and developing law enforcement and security techniques. In his career, Cavis, who lent his expertise to every aspect of the Secret Service activities and details portrayed in the movie, had direct responsibility for overall security at such events as the 2001 and 2004 presidential campaigns and inaugurals, the NATO 50th Anniversary Summit in Washington, D.C., and the visit of Pope John Paul II to St. Louis.

He has been a primary consultant to other large events such as the G-8 Summit at Sea Island, Georgia, the presidential debates and the Athens Olympics.

Cavis has been a field agent, specializing in interrogation, the polygraph program, and undercover work. In D.C., he served on the elite Presidential Protective Division (PPD) from 1994 to 1997, during President Clinton’s term, rose to supervise one of four teams directly responsible for the president’s safety, and was also in charge of Clinton's second inaugural.

Now a national security specialist and educator, Cavis brought a network of law enforcement's most sought-after professionals, such as his colleague Kevin Billings, another former agent, who protected presidents and dignitaries for more than 20 years.

Cavis was impressed with the filmmakers’ – and the source material’s – intent to accurately portray the world of the Secret Service. "Gerald Petievich, the author of the book, was a former Secret Service agent himself," says Cavis. "And [screenwriter]

George Nolfi did an outstanding job. His level of knowledge and research to create the realism was almost scary."

The screenplay is liberally sprinkled with bits of lingo. "George and Clark and I talked a lot about the dialogue," said Cavis, "so the actors would talk like real agents."

The look of the government offices – how the radio console, desks and computers were set up – had to be as accurate as possible, although a few liberties were taken to accommodate camera movements and visual style. Garrison's White House office, for instance, would be very modular and functional, with a lot of paperwork and supervisory documents for signing, while the desk of the agent in charge of the detail would be clean because he would have a staff to handle his paperwork.

In order to accomplish the forensics reports and threat letters, Cavis sat with the production design staff and guided them in the designs. He helped the costumers select shoes and boots: Secret Service agents wear tie shoes rather than slip-ons, "so they don't come off when you take off running," he explained. The fabrics were high-end, "not like an FBI agent in double-knit nylon," says Cavis. He also helped to choose the right sunglasses, earpieces and sleeve microphones. In addition to props, costumes and the art department, Cavis and Billings advised on the motorcade cars and armored protection vehicles.

WEAPONS TRAINING

Cavis and weapons specialist Charles Taylor taught Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Eva Longoria to shoot real guns the way Secret Service agents actually do it. This tactical training, similar to some of what agents actually receive in the Academy, taught the actors gun safety, including handling, drawing and holding, plus range safety, range rules, aiming, firing, holstering, loading and reloading. The experts outfitted the actors with the same weapons – 9mm Sig-sauers, holsters, belts and rounds – as those used by agents, plus proper protective clothing, including ballistic vests, and eye and ear protection. "Kiefer does a lot of gun handling on the set of '24,' said Cavis, "but not with real guns. He found it very useful to learn how to find the right site picture that enables you to hit the target, and he shot very well. Michael had had some training as well and he also shot very well."

After the live ammunition shooting, the actors learned how to approach, ride in, and exit a motorcade, which way they would turn, how to move and act as they surround the person they're protecting, protocols on how to use their bodies as shields, how to protect themselves, and how to ID a suspicious person, all with a high degree of authenticity. They received instruction in the shift formations agents use while walking with the President or First Lady, such as the "Diamond" or the "Box" shape. The motorcade has a particular alignment and organization of vehicles. They practiced entering and exiting cars and buildings in the correct way, plus covering and evacuation procedures. All training and procedures were correlated to the particular script requirements and scene set-ups.

Eva Longoria was the best shot among the cast members. Cavis explains why. "She had no bad habits. She listens very well and was able to translate that into the correct posture, trigger-pull, site-picture alignment, and physical requirements for hitting the target." Douglas, Sutherland and Longoria were required to do live fire shooting on an indoor range, with target practice at three yards, five yards, seven yards, 15 yards and 30 yards, both standing and kneeling, with time limits. They then shot from 30 yards, ran 15 yards, shot at another target, and then shot through an open doorway. All were scored and then debriefed. Longoria hit every one at 30 yards. Then they put the targets next to each other. "She was exceptional," said Cavis. "In fact she would be recognized as a good shot even in the Secret Service. It was impressive."

Michael Douglas adds his praise, "Eva's a crack shot. I wasn't ready for how good she was. They told us that she's better than 90% of the police officers out there. She's quite the athlete.”

All three stars gained new respect for what these agents do. It's difficult to run, move and shoot at the same time. "Our stars have that cool and confident look," says weapons specialist Charles Taylor. "They all exude it. But women are generally better shooters. They're more still. They don't have all that testosterone coursing through them.

They just look through the site and not at the target and they hit it."

 

THE LOOK OF THE SENTINEL

"The look of this movie is one of kinetic energy," says director Clark Johnson. "That's why we used many cameras and lots of moving shots." Johnson and his director of photography, Gabriel Beristáin, previously collaborated on "S.W.A.T.," in which they created spectacular depictions of Los Angeles. On THE SENTINEL, they merged the look of a big action thriller with the glamour of the White House and a very elite law enforcement organization. "So much happens within that world," says Beristáin. "We wanted to give that world a visual style, a high beat, visual staccato.

"We worked out a progression to allow us to create and have our lighting and cameras react to the action. It's a well-protected world at the beginning, with warm tones, elegant and classical camera movement. As the story becomes more ominous and nightmarish, our cameras and lighting respond to it, becoming cooler and more hectic in their movements. There are some overlaps of course. It's not a mechanical, but a philosophical process. We are thinking in terms of audience emotion. We don't want the audience to guess; we want to keep them wondering. Camera movement should not give away the story."

The high shine and polish of the White House co-exists with a darker raw world as Garrison goes on the run. Johnson and Beristáin used a number of techniques, including traditional camera set-ups, video, Steadicam, hand-held, and sophisticated monitors showing the primary image as well as other glimpses into that world.

Examining a world rife with surveillance, the filmmakers provide a feeling of watching and of being watched, and of feeling that one is fully inside the world of the U.S. Secret Service. "We thought it would be interesting to see our film from the point of view of the audience,” says Beristáin. “The world we depict is not simple. The characters become paranoid and suspicious, even more aware of the people around them. The world around our characters is collapsing. It’s chaotic.

Beristáin was responsible for lighting two of the most beautiful women in the world: Kim Basinger and Eva Longoria. "Both have interesting character arcs," says the cinematographer. "And I was lucky enough to have two women who look beautiful under any lighting circumstances.

“The First Lady’s world is crumbling in a way that could be disastrous. She had to go through a transition. We used much more than just glamorous lighting and her face responded to any lighting situation with dignity, grace and elegance. Eva's beginnings in the movie are modest and humble, in a dark little Secret Service office where she meets Kiefer Sutherland's character. As she grew as a character, we made the camera and the lighting on her different, making her a little more heroic. She took anything—direct lighting on her, low angles, not soft, no filtration—she looked absolutely marvelous. It was my privilege and my pleasure to work with both of them." Beristáin comes from a

European tradition of filming, where he says, “they celebrate the lighting you give them.

Kim and Eva took it the same way the great European actors I used to work with did – and did it magnificently."

Production designer Andrew McAlpine’s creations included an in-studio “Presidential Protective Division” (PPD) room, where the agents do their office work. It entailed an elaborate set-up of dozens of computer screens with streamed images, desks, work stations, protective intelligence and forensics reports, plus such details as mousepads, paperweights, chairs, binders, plaques, photos and flags.

Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, who has worked on eight Michael Douglas pictures, decided to treat the Secret Service uniforms and suits in an elegant and sophisticated way, with garments sharply cut and sculpted to the body. Using dark, rich navies, no-pattern shirts, and an assortment of specific tonalities from blues to grays, she and her team created a look that added up to a uniform for the army they created. Like the other filmmakers, Mirojnick strove for realism – but made a slight exception for Eva Longoria. "She looks a little more beautiful than regulation allows," laughs Mirojnick.

"Our version is a little more stylish. The women wear pantsuits so they can run, but the fit is the key."

ABOUT THE CAST

MICHAEL DOUGLAS (Pete Garrison, Producer), an actor with over thirty years of experience in theatre, film, and television, branched out into independent feature production in 1975 with the Academy Award-winning "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.” Since then, as a producer and as an actor-producer, he has shown an uncanny knack for choosing projects that reflect changing trends and public concerns.

The son of Kirk and Diana Douglas, Michael was born in New Jersey. In 1968, He moved to New York City to study at the American Place Theatre with Wynn Handman, and at the Neighborhood Playhouse, where he appeared in workshop productions.

A few months after he arrived in New York, Douglas got his first big break when he was cast in a pivotal role in the CBS Playhouse production of Ellen M. Violett's drama, "The Experiment,” which was televised nationwide on February 25, 1969.

Douglas' convincing portrayal won him the leading role in the adaptation of John

Weston's controversial novel, "Hail, Hero!” His second feature was "Adam at 6 A.M." (1970). Douglas next appeared in the film version of Ron Cowen's play "Summertree" (1971), produced by Kirk Douglas' Bryna Company, and then "Napoleon and Samantha" (1972).

Impressed by Douglas' performance in a segment of television series "The FBI,” producer Quinn Martin signed the actor for the part of Karl Malden's sidekick in the police series "The Streets of San Francisco,” which premiered in 1972 and became one of ABC's highest-rated prime-time programs in the mid-1970s. Douglas earned three successive Emmy Award nominations for his performance.

Long interested in producing a film version of Ken Kesey's novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,” Douglas purchased the movie rights from his father. A critical and commercial success, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress, and went on to gross more than $180 million at the box office.

Douglas suddenly found himself in demand as an independent producer. His next producing project, "The China Syndrome" (1979) received Academy Award nominations for Jack Lemmon and Jane Fonda, as well as for Best Screenplay.

Despite his success as a producer, Douglas resumed his acting career in the late 1970s, starring in "Coma" (1978), "It's My Turn" (1981), and "The Star Chamber" (1983). Douglas also starred in "Running" (1979), and in "A Chorus Line" (1985). Douglas' career as an actor/producer came together again in 1984 with the release of "Romancing the Stone.” A sequel, "The Jewel of the Nile,” followed in 1985.

It took Douglas nearly two years to convince Columbia Pictures executives to approve the production of "Starman,” the sleeper hit of the 1984 Christmas season, which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for Jeff Bridges. In 1986 Douglas created a television series based on the film.

Douglas returned to the screen in 1987 appearing in two of the year's biggest hits: "Fatal ttraction” and “Wall Street,” the latter earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

Douglas next starred in "Black Rain" and then in "The War of the Roses” (1989).

In 1988 Douglas formed Stonebridge Entertainment, Inc. which produced "Flatliners” and "Radio Flyer.” Douglas followed with "Shining Through.” In 1992 he starred with Sharon Stone in the erotic thriller "Basic Instinct,” one of the year's top grossing films.

Douglas gave one of his most powerful performances opposite Robert Duvall in Joel Schumacher's controversial drama "Falling Down.” That year he also produced the hit comedy "Made in America.” In 1994-95 he starred in "Disclosure.” In 1995 Douglas portrayed the title role in The American President” and in 1997, starred in “The Game.”

Douglas formed Douglas/Reuther Productions with partner Steven Reuther in May 1994. The company, under the banner of Constellation Films, produced “The Ghost and the Darkness” and “John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.” Douglas and Reuther also produced “Face/Off.”

In 1998, Douglas starred in “A Perfect Murder,” and formed a new production company, Furthur Films. Furthur’s first film was “One Night at McCool’s” (2000). That year was a milestone one for Douglas. “Wonder Boys” opened in February 2000 to much critical acclaim. Douglas was nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Film award for his performance.

Douglas starred in "Traffic" (2000), which was named Best Picture by New York Film Critics, won Best Ensemble Cast at the SAG Awards, won four Academy Awards, and was named on over 175 top ten lists.

In 2001, Douglas starred in “Don’t Say a Word” for Fox / Regency. In 2002, he received an Emmy nomination for a guest role on the series “Will & Grace.”

Douglas starred in two films in 2003: “It Runs in the Family,” which Douglas produced and starred with his father Kirk Douglas, his mother Diana Douglas and his son Cameron Douglas. He also starred in the comedy “The-In Laws,” with Albert Brooks.

Later this year, Douglas will be seen in the Universal comedy “You, Me and Dupree” with Owen Wilson, Matt Dillon and Kate Hudson.

Douglas filmed a segment for Showtime’s children’s series “What’s Going On?” He also completed a feature-documentary directed by Lee Grant entitled “A Father, A Son, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” centered on the complex relationship between himself and his father, Kirk.

In July of 1998 Douglas was named a Messenger of Peace for the United Nations by Secretary General Kofi Annan. His two areas of concentration are nuclear abolition and small arms proliferation.

KIEFER SUTHERLAND stars as David Breckinridge, a Secret Service agent assigned to investigate a plot to kill the president.

Sutherland first collaborated with Michael Douglas when the latter produced the 1990 film "Flatliners," which Sutherland headlined with Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon and William Baldwin.

Sutherland currently stars as Jack Bauer in the fifth critically acclaimed season of the Fox hit "24," for which he has won a Golden Globe® Award, a SAG Award™, two Emmy® nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. The show, which also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama, received its highest ratings to date for its fourth season.

In 2004 Sutherland starred in the independent period piece "River Queen" in New Zealand, starring Samantha Morton and directed by Vincent Ward. That year Sutherland also starred in the Warner Bros. film "Taking Lives," opposite Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke, and provided the narration for the Warner Bros. film, "NASCAR: The Imax Experience." In 2003 he played painter Paul Gauguin in "Paradise Found," and in 2002 starred with Colin Farrell in Fox's "Phone Booth," directed by Joel Schumacher.

Sutherland starred with Robert Carlyle in the 2001 World War II drama "To End All Wars," which screened successfully at both the Toronto and Telluride Film Festivals in 2002. Based on the best-selling book Through the Valley of the Kwai, the film is an account of life as a POW in a Southeast Asian prison camp.

In 1998, Sutherland starred in Showtime’s critically acclaimed original picture "A Soldier's Sweetheart," which premiered as a gala screening at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival. In 1997, he co-starred with William Hurt and Rufus Sewell in New Line Cinema's "Dark City," directed by Alex Proyas. The Cannes Film Festival showcased it as a special presentation.

In 1992, Sutherland starred in Castle Rock Entertainment's military drama "A Few Good Men" with Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. In 1994, he starred with Jeff Bridges and Nancy Travis in the American version of "The Vanishing" for 20th Century Fox.

A veteran of more than fifty films, Sutherland has been starring in movies since 1984's "The Bay Boy," which won him and director/writer Daniel Petrie Genie Award nominations. Sutherland eventually moved from Canada to Los Angeles, landing television appearances in "The Mission," "Amazing Stories" and the TV movie "Trapped in Silence" with Marsha Mason. Some of his memorable earlier film performances include those in "Stand by Me" and "At Close Range" (1986), "The Lost Boys" and "Promised Land" (1987), "1969," "Bright Lights, Big City” and "Young Guns" (1988), "Renegades" (1989), "Chicago Joe and the Showgirl," "Flashback" and "Young Guns 2" (1990), "Article 99" (1992), and "The Three Musketeers" (1993).

In the 1996 Paramount thriller, "Eye for an Eye," directed by John Schlesinger, Sutherland portrayed an unremorseful, brutal murderer opposite Sally Field and Ed Harris. Later that summer, he co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey in the screen adaptation of John Grisham's novel, "A Time to Kill."

Sutherland has also turned his hand to directing, with "Woman Wanted" (2000), "Truth or Consequences" (1997), the glowingly reviewed Showtime film "Last Light" (1993), and an episode of the TV series "Fallen Angels" (1993). In addition, he does voice work, mostly recently on "The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration" (2003). Sutherland also produces, having been co-executive producer of "24" since 2003 and producer in 2002-3. He was also executive producer of the TV movie "Natural Selection" in 1994.

EVA LONGORIA plays Jill Marin, a freshly minted Secret Service agent as smart and ambitious as she is beautiful. Assigned to the more experienced agent played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jill was trained by Michael Douglas’ character. The three team up to uncover a plot to assassinate the President.

One of the hottest stars in television, Longoria plays Latin sexpot Gabrielle Solis on the ABC mega-hit "Desperate Housewives," which draws more than 27 million viewers weekly. Recently named one of People’s "50 Most Beautiful" and the "#1 Hottest Woman in the World" on Maxim’s 2005 annual "Hot 100" list, Longoria was also voted by Variety as one of the "Ten New Faces to Watch," Rolling Stone’s "People of the Year," USA Today’s "TV’s Hot 11" and TV Guide’s "New Faces of Fall." She has signed an exclusive worldwide contract as the newest face of L’Oréal beauty products.

In 2005 Longoria wrapped a role as a lawyer in the tough-minded indie film "Harsh Times," alongside Christian Bale and Freddie Rodriguez and directed by David Ayer ("Training Day"). She co-starred as a quirky psychic in the 2004 CBS MOW "The Dead Will Tell," opposite Anne Heche, Jonathan LaPaglia and Kathleen Quinlan. She starred as a detective on "L.A. Dragnet," the modern-day take on the classic police drama by Emmy Award-winning producer Dick Wolf.

Longoria celebrated her theatre debut in the popular comedy farce, "What the Rabbi Saw." Acknowledging her "comedic flair," Back Stage West proclaimed, "Eva Longoria is sensational." Flexing her comic muscles further, Longoria now stars in and co-produces "Hot Tamales Live," a critically acclaimed comedy/ variety show performing regularly at The Comedy Store and consistently selling out across the country. The show is available on DVD/ videocassette and pay-per-view.

The youngest of four sisters who grew up on a ranch in Corpus Christi, Texas, Longoria attended Texas A&M-Kingsville, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. After graduating from college, she entered a talent contest that brought her to Los Angeles, where she was spotted and subsequently signed by a theatrical agent. Longoria’s timing couldn’t have been better and she was determined to see where her acting dreams would take her.

After landing roles on "The Bold and the Beautiful," "General Hospital" and co-starring on "Beverly Hills 90210," she auditioned and won the role of Isabella on the popular series "The Young and the Restless." Her career was successfully launched and she considers herself blessed to have had the opportunity to work on the #1 daytime drama.

Longoria is actively involved with Special Olympics and worked with the John Kerry-John Edwards presidential campaign, educating Latino voters about the candidates.

KIM BASINGER stars as First Lady Sarah Ballentine, who finds herself caught in a plot to assassinate her husband.

Since making her motion picture debut opposite Robert Redford in Barry Levinson's "The Natural," the Academy Award-winner has appeared in more than 30 feature films and has established herself as an international screen icon.

Basinger wrapped production in 2004 on "Jump Shot," a crime drama about gambling, starring with Danny DeVito, Kelsey Grammer, Nick Cannon, Ray Liotta and Forest Whitaker. The film was directed by Mark Rydell.

Also in 2004, Basinger received critical praise for her moving performance opposite Jeff Bridges in Focus Features’ "The Door in the Floor," based on the John Irving novel, "Widow for a Year." She also starred in New Line Cinema’s thriller "Cellular," about a kidnapped woman with only a cell phone standing between her and death.

Basinger received her Academy Award® in 1998 for her role in Warner Bros. and Regency’s critically acclaimed film "L.A. Confidential," based on the James Ellroy classic crime novel of the same title and directed by Curtis Hanson. Basinger's performance also earned her a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a BAFTA nomination. The film earned nine Academy Award nominations in all.

In 2003, Basinger starred opposite Eminem in "8 Mile," and in 2002 opposite Al Pacino and Téa Leoni in "People I Know," In 2000, she starred in Paramount’s "Bless the Child," directed by Chuck Russell and also starring Jimmy Smits and Rufus Sewell.

That year, Basinger starred in Hugh Hudson's "I Dreamed of Africa" for Columbia Tri-Star. The film, shot on location in Venice, Italy and South Africa, is based on the best-selling true story by Kenya activist Kuki Gallmann.

Basinger's film credits include the box-office blockbuster "Batman"; Adrian Lyne's sensual thriller "9 1/2 Weeks"; "No Mercy"; Robert Altman's "Ready to Wear" ("Prêt-à-Porter") and "Fool For Love"; "Final Analysis" opposite Richard Gere; "The Marrying Man,” "The Getaway"; Blake Edwards' "Blind Date" opposite Bruce Willis; "Cool World"; "The Real McCoy" and "Nadine" opposite Jeff Bridges.

MARTIN DONOVAN plays experienced Secret Service agent William Montrose, who for many years has worked with fellow agent Pete Garrison, played by Michael Douglas, and who has a dark secret.

Donovan headlines the upcoming dramatic thriller, "The Visitation," also starring Edward Furlong and Kelly Lynch, in which miracles start to happen when a stranger hits town. In 2005 he also wrapped "The Quiet," a drama about a deaf orphan girl starring Camilla Belle, Elisha Cuthbert and Edie Falco, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2004 he starred in the three-part mini-series, "Traffic," about global trafficking in drugs, weapons and people. He played Mary-Louise Parker's love interest, in the Showtime series, "Weeds."

In television movies, Donovan played John F. Kennedy in "RFK" (2002); Prince Nikitin, opposite Liv Tyler and Ralph Fiennes, in "Onegin" (1999); a math teacher who seduces a child in Oprah Winfrey's "Amy & Isabelle" (2001); and Tom Buchanan in the 2000 adaptation of "The Great Gatsby." In "Custody of the Heart" (2000) he starred with Lorraine Bracco as a stay-at-home husband suing his professional wife for custody of their children. He worked with Bracco again in "Scam" (1993), about con-artists.

Donovan’s many other credits include "Saved!," “Agent Cody Banks," "Insomnia," "Pipe Dream," "The Book of Life," "Flirt," “Amateur," “Simple Men," "Surviving Desire," "Trust," “The Portrait of the Lady,” and “Malcolm X.”

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

CLARK JOHNSON (Director) is helming his second feature film with THE SENTINEL. The veteran actor of more than 50 movies, MOWs and series became famous as Detective Meldrick Lewis in the hit TV series "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993-99). He also directed five episodes of the series. In THE SENTINEL, Johnson plays the pivotal part of Secret Service agent Charlie Merriweather, whose murder sets in motion the presidential assassination plot investigation. In 2003, he directed the feature film “S.W.A.T.,” an action thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell.

Since 1991, Johnson has amassed 19 directorial credits, including the 2001 HBO movie "Boycott," about African Americans' bus boycott during the 1950s civil rights movement. In addition to "Homicide: Life on the Street," Johnson has directed episodes of "The Shield," "Third Watch," "The West Wing," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "NYPD Blue" and "The Wire." He first directed in 1991, with an episode of "African Skies," a TV series about two teenagers, one black and one white, living in post-apartheid South Africa.

As an actor, Johnson most recently starred as Detective Stephen Tree in the 2005 TV movie "Tripping the Wire: A Stephen Tree Mystery," as well as in the dystopian "The Limb Salesman" (2004), "On Their Knees" in 2001, and "Disappearing Acts," "Task Force: Caviar," "Deliberate Intent," "Fear of Fiction," "Virtual Mom," and "Homicide: The Movie," all in 2000. Also that year he played a feature role in Clément Virgo's "Love Come Down," about two brothers, one black, one white, from a blended family. Johnson had starred in Virgo's earlier films "Rude" (1995) and "The Planet of Junior Brown" (1997).

Johnson played football while attending Concordia University in Montreal, before getting into the film business as a driver on "The Last Chase" in 1981. His first big break came with the CBS series "Night Heat" in which he played Detective Dave Jefferson from 1986 to 1988. Roles in "Adventures in Babysitting" (1987), "Iron Eagle II" (1988), and “The Women of Brewster Place" (1989) followed. He played the part of J.J. as well as did some of the stunt work on the film "Renegades" (1989), which starred Kiefer Sutherland.

Johnson's next directorial project will be "Killing Floor" for Mutual Film Company in 2006.

GEORGE NOLFI (Screenwriter/Co-Producer) wrote "Ocean's Twelve" (2004), the sequel set three years after "Ocean's Eleven" and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Nolfi grew up in Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Living in Washington sparked a lifelong interest in government and national security issues. He studied public and international affairs at Princeton University and political philosophy at Oxford. He was a political science Ph.D. student at UCLA when he sold his first script, which was about an undercover CIA officer during the Yugoslavian Civil War in the 1990s.

MARCY DROGIN (Producer) is president of production of Furthur Films. She began working with Michael Douglas eight year ago, as co-producer on the thriller “Swimfan,” released by Twentieth Century Fox, then as a co-producer on "It Runs in the Family," a feature film about a dysfunctional family starring the Douglas clan, including Michael Douglas' father Kirk, mother Diana and son Cameron.

Drogin has continued to supervise Furthur’s development slate and bring in original material set-up at various studios. In addition, she has served as the senior production executive on Michael Douglas’/ Furthur’s other recent films, including “The In-Laws,” “Don’t Say A Word” and “One Night at McCools.”

From 1994-1998, she worked as an executive producer, creative executive and literary, theatrical and film scout for various studios, production companies and producers in the motion picture and television industries, including: Baltimore/Spring Creek Productions, Columbia Pictures, Industry Entertainment, More-Medavoy Management, IFC/Next Wave Films, Def Pictures and Parallel Pictures. During this period, Drogin covered the New York book, theatre and independent film worlds, scouting for material and talent for production companies to develop and produce for film and/or television.

She also produced the following film, television and theatre projects: “Servy-n-Bernice 4ever,” “The Professional” and “The Flatted Fifth” (plays and films), the feature documentaries “The Last Dance” and “Denver Clan Unmasked” for European Public Television, and the recent Broadway revival of “The Sound of Music.”

Drogin is an honors graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and serves on the board of Working Playground, a non-profit company dedicated to bringing arts programs to urban young people in New York City’s public schools.

 

ARNON MILCHAN (Producer) is widely renowned as one of the most prolific and successful independent film producers of the past 25 years, with over 100 feature films to his credit. Born in Israel, Milchan was educated at the University of Geneva. His first business venture was transforming his father’s modest business into one of his country’s largest agro-chemical companies. This early achievement was a harbinger of Milchan’s now-legendary reputation in the international marketplace as a keen businessman.

Soon, Milchan began to underwrite projects in areas that had always held a special interest for him – film, television and theater. Early projects include Roman Polanski’s theater production of “Amadeus,” “Dizengoff 99,” “La Menace,” “The Medusa Touch” and the mini-series “Masada.” By the end of the 1980s, Milchan had produced such films as Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy,” Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon at Time in America” and Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil.”

After the huge successes of “Pretty Woman” and “The War of the Roses,” Milchan founded New Regency Productions and went on to produce a string of successful films including “J.F.K,” “Sommersby,” “A Time to Kill,” “Free Willy,” “The Client,” “Tin Cup,” “Under Siege,” “L.A. Confidential,” “The Devil’s Advocate,” “The Negotiator,” “City of Angels,” “Entrapment,” “Fight Club,” “Big Momma’s House,” “Don’t Say a Word,” “Daredevil,” “Man on Fire,” “Guess Who,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “Big Momma’s House 2,” currently in theaters.

Upcoming projects include: “Just My Luck,” a comedy starring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine, directed by Donald Petrie; “My Super Ex-Girlfriend,” a comedy starring Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, Anna Farris, Eddie Izzard and directed by Ivan Reitman; “The Fountain,” a sci-fi fantasy starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Wiesz, directed by Darren Aronofsky; “Firehouse Dog,” a family comedy starring Josh Hutcherson, Bruce Greenwood, Dash Mihok, Steven Culp and Bree Turner, directed by Todd Holland; “Jumper,” a sci-fi action-adventure directed by Doug Liman; and “Dallas,” based on the television phenomenon directed by Robert Luketic.

Along the way, Milchan brought on board two powerful investors and partners who share his vision: Nine Network and Twentieth Century Fox. Fox distributes Regency movies in all media worldwide (excluding an output arrangement Regency has in Germany), including on U.S. pay television, and international pay and free television.

Milchan also successfully diversified his company’s activities within the sphere of entertainment, most specifically in the realm of television through Regency Television (“Malcolm in the Middle,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Living with Fran,” “Thief” and “Windfalls”) and sports, where the company was at one time the largest shareholder of PUMA, the worldwide athletic apparel and shoe conglomerate based in Germany, which was later sold after a successful re-branding of the brand in 2003. In addition, Regency has worldwide television rights to the Sony Ericcson Women’s Tennis Association events from 1999 through 2007. Regency owns a large stake in the Israeli Network, a television station brought to the United States via a satellite distribution agreement with Echostar. Recently, Regency also acquired a large stake in Channel 10, one of only two commercial broadcast stations in Israel.

BILL CARRARO (Executive Producer/UPM) recently executive produced "Stay," a psychological thriller from Regency Enterprises, starring Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Ryan Gosling. He was executive producer of "Willard," the award-winning 2003 remake of the 1971 Daniel Mann original hit as well as for "Undercover Brother" in 2002, about an African-American undercover agent.

In 2000, Carraro produced "Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2," for which he was also the second unit director. The same year he produced "Frequency," a time-travel thriller starring Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel. "The Best Man," starring Taye Diggs, which Carraro produced in 1999, was the winner of several Black Reel as well as Image Awards. Carraro executive produced Chow Yun-Fat's second American movie, the explosive thriller "The Corruptor," also starring Mark Wahlberg, and "American History X," the crime drama with Edward Norton and Edward Furlong as two neo-Nazi skinhead brothers.

Carraro moved from production manager to associate producer in 1989 with "Rude Awakening," about two hippies who disappear in the '60s and return to yuppie-ridden New York in the '80s. He followed that with various co-producing, associate producing and executive producing positions throughout the '90s, including the Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated HBO television movie "The Tuskegee Airmen" in 1995, based on the true story of the first African-American fighter pilots and starring Laurence Fishburne.

GABRIEL BERISTÁIN, ASC / BSC (Director of Photography) was born in Mexico, educated in Britain and trained in Europe. He first worked with director Clark Johnson on Johnson's feature film directorial debut, "S.W.A.T," in 2003.

Beristáin's diverse body of work runs from Mike Newell's "The Good Father" in 1985 starring Anthony Hopkins through the exquisite art film "Caravaggio" (1986) by Derek Jarman, winner of the Silver Bear at Berlin, to the Stephen King thriller directed by Taylor Hackford, "Dolores Claiborne" (1995), with Kathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. He was camera operator on Stephen King's "The Green Mile" in 1999, directed by Frank Darabont.

Beristáin’s feature credits also include “The Distinguished Gentleman" (1992), "Trial and Error" (1997), "Fatal Instinct" (1993) and "Bound by Honor" (1993). Also in 1993, he was the cinematographer of the Northern England shoot of the lush and elegant Australian feature "Wide Sargasso Sea," following that the next year with "Tale of the Mummy," about a cursed Egyptian tomb.

In 1997 Beristáin was the director of photography on the drama-thriller "The Spanish Prisoner" (1997), written and directed by David Mamet. In 2004 he did "Blade: Trinity" with Wesley Snipes, having also done "Blade II" in 2002. Having already worked with Kirk Douglas on the comedy "Greedy" (1994) also starring Michael J. Fox, about a family fighting for an aging uncle's inheritance, Beristáin then worked with Michael Douglas in 1996 as director of photography on the second unit of "The Ghost and the Darkness." In 2005 Beristáin completed "The Ring Two" with Naomi Watts, for Dream Works SKG, as well as the adventure comedy "The Shaggy Dog," starring Tim Allen.

In 2000 Beristáin turned his hand to directing with "El Grito," a Mexico/U.S. co-production about a tabloid reporter who uncovers a series of murders that hit close to home. He has also produced and/or directed several Mexican and Colombian features and shorts, as well as the Irish feature "Joyriders" and many international co-productions.

 

ANDREW McALPINE (Production Designer), who graduated from Nottingham University in England, gained fame for his work on Jane Campion's "The Piano," for which he received both the BAFTA Award and the Australian Film Institute Award for best production design in 1993. His first award for production design was in 1974, when he won the Calouste Gulbenkian Designer's Award for the use of holography in theater.

After his first film, "Bones," in 1984, and his first television production, "Zastrozzi: A Romance," a 1986 mini-series, McAlpine worked on "Sid and Nancy,” the award-winning dramatic biography of the doomed relationship between Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols and Nancy Spungen. In 1988 he did the design for Denzel Washington's debut in a U.K. film, "For Queen and Country." He had worked on U.K./U.S. co-productions before, including "Stormy Monday" with Melanie Griffith, Tommy Lee Jones and Sting, in addition to U.K. movies such as "The Rachel Papers." In 1990 he did the Japanese movie "Shadow of China," followed by the period drama "American Friends" and Deceived" with Goldie Hawn.

McAlpine's first American movie was the crime drama "Bad Company" in 1995, starring Ellen Barkin and Laurence Fishburne. From there he moved to Spike Lee's "Clockers," Jodie Foster's "Home for the Holidays" with Holly Hunter, Disney's "Flubber," "Holy Man" with Eddie Murphy, "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio, "Alien Love Triangle" with Kenneth Branaugh, and "The Recruit" (2003), about betrayal in the CIA, with Al Pacino and Colin Farrell. In 2003, he first worked with Michael Douglas on "The In-Laws," the comedy about an undercover CIA agent and his daughter's wedding. His latest movie is "Aeon Flux," a science-fiction action thriller about a secret agent, starring Charlize Theron.

CINDY MOLLO, A.C.E. (Editor) edited the films “Ready to Rumble” and “Panic.” She has worked extensively for television, notably as supervising editor on the acclaimed series “Homicide: Life on the Streets” (for which she was nominated for an American Cinema Editors’ Eddie award) and “Oz.” Her other credits include the television films “Spartacus,” “Touching Evil,” “Lucky,” “Skinwalkers” and “Dash and Lillie.” She received an Emmy nomination for her work on the series “Dash and Lilly.”

ELLEN MIROJNICK (Costume Designer) worked on her first feature film in 1977, "French Quarter." In 1980, she did the costume designs (with Kristi Zea) on the 1980 breakout hit "Fame.” "The Flamingo Kid" (1984) and "Nobody's Fool" (1986) followed.

In 1987 Mirojnick's long association with Michael Douglas began, first with "Fatal Attraction" and "Wall Street" both in 1987, and then on "Black Rain" (1989). That year she also did Steven Spielberg's "Always," as well as Blake Edwards' "Switch" in 1991, "Speed" in 1994, "Showgirls" in 1995 and "Twister" in 1996.

Her work on Douglas' films continued with the blockbuster "Basic Instinct" in 1992. In the same year she did "Chaplin," for which she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, along with John Mollo. Other Douglas films she has worked on are "The Ghost and the Darkness," "A Perfect Murder," "One Night at McCool's," "Don't Say a Word" and "It Runs in the Family." Some of her other movie credits include "Mickey Blue Eyes," "What Women Want," "Unfaithful," and "The Chronicles of Riddick."

Mirojnick herself was the subject of a documentary on costume design in movies: "Hollywood Fashion Machine Special: The Costume Designer" (2000). She even played a physics teacher in the romance drama "Reckless" in 1984.

CHRISTOPHE BECK (Composer) has scored numerous films in virtually every genre, from “The Pink Panther” (2006) to “Under the Tuscan Sun,” the film adaptation of the best-selling novel.

Beck began his scoring career on the Canadian television series “White Fang,” and from there went on to score the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in seasons two through four. Beck received an Emmy, for Outstanding Music Composition,

for his work on “Buffy,” in season three (1998) and after completing one more season on the show, decided to move into film scoring.

Beck’s recent film credits also include “Elektra,” “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous,” “Two for the Money,” and “Yours, Mine and Ours” (2005). Previously, he scored “A Cinderella Story,” “Garfield,” “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Just Married,” “Confidence,” “Without a Paddle” and “American Wedding.”

 

©2006 Twentieth Century Fox and Regency Enterprises. All rights reserved. Property of Fox.

Permission is hereby granted to newspapers and periodicals to reproduce this

text in articles publicizing the distribution of the Motion Picture.

All other use is strictly prohibited, including sale, duplication, or other transfers of this material.

 

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience grosses $20 million

Magical Film Reaches New Milestone for a Digitally Re-Mastered 2D IMAX Release

IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience has grossed more than $20 million, becoming the first digitally re-mastered 2D IMAX release to reach the milestone. The IMAX release has now grossed a total of $20,033,758 million worldwide for a cumulative per screen average of $188,998. The film has shown strong legs since debuting in IMAX(R) theatres, setting numerous records for a Hollywood simultaneous release, including biggest three-day opening weekend and highest per screen average. The box office success demonstrates the growing consumer enthusiasm for Hollywood films that have been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R).

"We are thrilled with the unprecedented box office performance of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in IMAX theatres," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "The IMAX release helped contribute to the overall excitement surrounding the Harry Potter campaign as well as the theatrical success of the film."

"This milestone is another testament to the winning combination of fantastic filmmakers, the efforts of the talented marketing and distribution teams at Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX Corporation, and the power of The IMAX Experience," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "With more event titles scheduled to be released to our expanding theatre network in 2006, we are confident the popularity of experiencing Hollywood films in IMAX's format will continue to grow."

Of the seven films that grossed more than $200 million for 2005, three were simultaneously released by Warner Bros. Pictures in IMAX's format: Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

About IMAX Corporation

----------------------

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of December 31, 2005, there were 266 IMAX theatres operating in 38 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), IMAX MPX(R), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

Source: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York,

 

at McAfee Coliseum (7-7) (7-7) - Justin Duchscherer (1-0) - Justin Verlander (1-2) - Huston Street None N. Swisher 2 (6) at Dodger Stadium (8-5) (7-8) - Takashi Saito (1-0) - Will Ohman (1-1) . Notes AHF Tim Thorsteinson Named President of Harris Corporation's Broadcast Communications

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