MBN The Monte Bubbles Network

Mar 21

Apple TV Now Shipping

-- Apple(R) is now shipping Apple TV(TM), an easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes(R) content from your PC or Mac(R) on your widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts. With Apple TV's stunning new interface, anyone can quickly browse and view their entire collection of digital media from across the room using the simple and intuitive Apple Remote. Apple TV easily connects to almost all modern widescreen televisions.

"Apple TV is like a DVD player for the Internet age-providing an easy and fun way to play all your favorite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Apple TV allows you to wirelessly play your content from your PCs or Macs using your existing WiFi network as well as the newest and fastest version of WiFi-802.11n."

The seamless integration of Apple TV and iTunes lets users choose from over 400 movies and 350 TV shows in near DVD quality; over four million songs; 5,000 music videos; 100,000 podcasts; and 20,000 audiobooks from the iTunes Store (http://www.itunes.com/). Users can also watch their favorite movie trailers right on their widescreen TV, listen to their favorite music on their home entertainment system, and view slideshows of their photo albums in high definition resolution. Apple TV makes it easy for users to explore their entire media collection with an easy to use and intuitive new interface. With the Apple Remote, consumers can easily browse through their favorite movies, TV shows, music and photos from up to 30 feet away.

Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering high-definition 720p output.* Apple TV is easy to connect to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort(R) 802.11** wireless networking, Apple TV can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers right to your TV without any wires.***

Pricing & Availability

Apple TV, which includes the Apple Remote, will be available beginning this week from the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com/), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $299 (US). Apple retail stores will also offer hands on workshops and demonstrations of Apple TV's features.

Apple TV requires iTunes 7.1 or later running on a Mac with Mac OS(R) X version 10.3.9 or later, or a Windows PC with Windows XP Home/Professional (SP2).

An 802.11b/g/n wireless network using AirPort, AirPort Extreme(R) or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet networking is required. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended. Apple TV requires an enhanced definition or high-definition widescreen TV. iPod(R) games will not play on Apple TV. The iTunes store is available in the US and select countries.

*Video playback based on 640x480 iTunes video content. Music capacity based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding. Photo capacity based on Apple TV viewable photos transferred from iTunes. Actual capacity varies by content.

**Compatible with 802.11b/g/n. Based on an IEEE 802.11n draft specification.

***Wireless video streaming requires an 802.11g/n network.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award- winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Apple TV, iTunes, AirPort, Apple Store, AirPort Extreme and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Apple Inc.

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

 THE SEARCH IS ON!

 MTV AND MTV Tr3s JOIN FORCES TO FIND THE NEW MENUDO

Casting Kicks Off On March 31^st in Los Angeles

When:           Saturday, March 31^st

11:00AM – 4:00 PM

Where:          Plaza Mexico, 3100 E. Imperial Highway 

Lynwood, California 90262

Who:             Renowned music manager, Johnny Wright
                Recording artist, Toby Love
                Additional names TBD

The search to recreate Menudo, one of the biggest and most successful Latin pop singing groups, kicks off in Los Angeles.  Additional casting sessions in Dallas, Miami and New York will be held through the end of April.
 
Celebrity judges along with renowned music manager, Johnny Wright will be on hand to audition teenage boys on their natural singing and dancing abilities, charisma and stage presence.  The auditions are open to males who are at least 15 years old and appear to be less than 19 years old.  All contestants will be asked to sing a song, in English or Spanish, from a pre-selected song list available on mtvtr3s.com.   A legal guardian who can sign a release must accompany contestants under 18.  Complete eligibility requirements are available at mtvtr3s.com.
 
Once selected, Menudo will be part of the Epic Records family. The partnership between Epic and Menudo kicks off with a first single in July and the group's “debut” album in December 2007.
 
MTV Tr3́s will chronicle the entire journey of thousands from the first audition to the last, culminating with the selection of seven finalists in “Road to Menudo” which debuts on May 12. The road continues on MTV this fall when the band will dwindle down to the five final members of the new Menudo as the channel air the 10-episode reality series (title TBD.) Reveille, producer of the two-time Golden Globe winner and Latin crossover hit “Ugly Betty,” is producing the MTV series in association with Road Games.  

 


 

AVISO A LOS MEDIOS

¡EMPIEZA LA BÚSQUEDA!

MTV Y MTV TR3s UNEN SUS FUERZAS PARA DESCUBRIR

AL PRÓXIMO MENUDO

Las audiciones se llevarán a cabo a partir del 31 de marzo

en Los Ángeles

Cuándo: Sábado, 31 de marzo
                ^{11 AM – 4 PM}   

Dónde:          Plaza México

3100 E. Imperial Highway
Lynwood, California 90262

 

La búsqueda para recrear al nuevo Menudo, uno de los grupos de pop latino más grandes y exitosos, empieza en Ángeles el 31 de marzo. Se llevarán a cabo sesiones de casting adicionales en Dallas, Miami y Nueva York hasta finales de abril.

 

Un jurado compuesto por celebridades se unirá al renombrado manager musical Johnny Wright para audicionar a un grupo de jóvenes y determinar sus habilidades naturales de canto y baile, así como también su carisma y presencia en el escenario. Las audiciones están abiertas a hombres jóvenes que tengan por lo menos 15 años de edad y parezcan tener menos de 19. A todos los aspirantes se les pedirá cantar una canción, en inglés y español, de una lista de canciones pre-seleccionadas y disponibles en mtvtr3s.com. Los concursantes menores de 18 años deberán presentarse con un tutor legal que pueda firmar un documento en su nombre. Más información y una lista completa de requisitos están disponibles en mtvtr3s.com.

Una vez seleccionados, Menudo pasará a formar parte de la familia de Epis Records. La colaboración entre Epic Records y Menudo arranca con su primer sencillo en julio y su primer álbum en diciembre del 2007.

MTV Tr3s cubrirá la trayectoria de miles de chicos, desde su primera audición hasta la última, culminando con la selección de siete finalistas que se presentará en “Road to Menudo” a partir del 12 de mayo. La serie de diez episodios continuará en MTV este otoño, y el grupo se reducirá a los cinco miembros finales del nuevo Menudo. (El nombre se determinará más tarde). Reveille, productora de “Ugly Betty,” la serie latina ganadora de dos Globos de Oro que cruzó fronteras en EE.UU., produce esta serie de MTV en asociación con Road Games.

 

 

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: An Electrifying Young Cast Stars in a Riveting Real-Life Tale of Living in a World Without Consequences

Starring Bruce Willis, Justin Timberlake, Sharon Stone and Emile Hirsch

'ALPHA DOG'

Available on DVD and HD-DVD/ DVD Combo Format on May 1, 2007 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment

A film inspired by a real-life shocking story, "Alpha Dog" arrives on DVD, HD-DVD/ DVD Combo Format on May 1, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "Alpha Dog" delivers an emotional gut-punch with its gritty portrait of a group of suburban teens spiraling toward self-destruction. Writer/director Nick Cassavetes ("The Notebook") has assembled a powerful young ensemble that includes Justin Timberlake, Emile Hirsch ("Lords of Dogtown"), Anton Yelchin ("Hearts in Atlantis"), Shawn Hatosy ("Factory Girl"), Ben Foster ("X Men: The Last Stand"), Dominique Swain ("Toxic"), Fernando Vargas, Olivia Wilde ("Turistas") and Lukas Haas ("Brick"). Acclaimed actors Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone add compelling performances as the adults who fail to provide a moral center to their kids' world of privilege. A raw, explosive and compelling portrait of a new "lost generation," "Alpha Dog" will mesmerize audiences with docudrama-style immediacy.

The DVD, HD-DVD/DVD Combo Format versions each include exclusive bonus features that shed heartbreaking light on the tragedy that inspired this remarkable film. Pre-order close is March 27, 2007. The DVD is priced at $29.98SRP.

KILLER BONUS FEATURES

The "Alpha Dog" DVD and HD DVD/DVD Combo disc include captivating exclusive features.

* A Cautionary Tale: The Making of "Alpha Dog" -- This exclusive

documentary look takes viewers behind the scenes for an inside look

at the making of the film.

* Witness Timeline: Get detailed information on each witness as the

shocking events unfold.

Exclusive to the HD DVD/DVD: U-Control Witness Timeline -- Access detailed information about each witness as the story's shocking events unfold, without interruption to the movie experience.

SYNOPSIS

Young crime boss Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) and his posse of bored, middle-class teenagers run drugs in the well-manicured streets of their suburban Los Angeles neighborhood. When errant client Jake (Ben Foster) runs up a bill he can't pay, Johnny and his band of wannabe gangsters impulsively kidnap Jake's 15-year-old brother, Zack (Anton Yelchin) and hold him for ransom. Over the next three days, Zack hangs out in a desert hideaway with crewmembers Frankie Ballenbacher (Justin Timberlake) and Elvis Schmidt (Shawn Hatosy) in a haze of drugs, drinking and girls. As the party winds down, the crew realizes the stunt that started as a lark could land them in prison for life. Seeing no way out of the mess he's created, Johnny makes a tragic decision that changes all of their lives forever.

For more information, please visit: www.alphadogmovie.com

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Director: Nick Cassavetes

Written By: Nick Cassavetes

Produced By: Sidney Kimmel, Chuck Pacheco

Director of Photography: Robert Fraisse

Editor: Alan Heim

Production Designer: Dominic Watkins

Costume Designer: Sara Jane Slotnick

Music By: Aaron Zigman

Cast: Emile Hirsch, Justin Timberlake, Anton Yelchin, Shawn Hatosy,

Ben Foster, Dominique Swain, Fernando Vargas, Olivia Wilde, Lukas Haas,

Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: May 1, 2007

Pre-Order Close: March 27, 2007

Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price: $29.98

Selection Number: 61032505 Widescreen, 61032506 Full Frame

Running Time: 1 Hour 58 Minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1, Full Frame 1.33:1

Rating: R (for pervasive drug use and language, strong violence, sexuality

and nudity)

Technical Info: Dolby Digital 5.1; English SDH, Spanish Subtitles, French

Subtitles

HD DVD/DVD COMBO

Street Date: May 1, 2007

Pre-Order Close: March 27, 2007

Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price: $34.98

Selection Number: 61032681

Running Time: 1 Hour 58 Minutes

Layers: HD DVD- HD-30; DVD Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1

Rating: R (for pervasive drug use and language, strong violence, sexuality

and nudity)

Technical Info:

* HD DVD: English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 / Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 (HD DVD);

French: Dolby Digital Plus 5.1; English SDH, French Subtitles

* DVD: Dolby Digital 5.1 (DVD); English SDH, Spanish Subtitles, French

Subtitles

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

 

Adrenaline Nation TV Goes Live 24/7 April 15, 2007 with Optical Entertainment Network

ANTV the leading TV Network for Independent Music Artist and Adrenaline Sports to be Featured on Optical Entertainment Network's (OEN's) Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Launch, the largest IPTV deployment in US History

-- ANTV, the premier music and entertainment network for Independent Artists, and Adrenaline Sports today announced that it will launch as a 24/7 digital cable network with Optical Entertainment Network on OEN's FISION(TM) fiber-to-the-home IPTV service. OEN's FISION service, which launched March, 2007 services 1.6 million households in Houston, Texas, the 10th largest Television market in the US.

"ANTV is pleased to be joining the exciting and robust programming line-up on OEN's FISION service. OEN is proving that they are committed to providing an extensive and compelling programming that is highly sought after by today's television viewers," stated Keith Dressel, President of ANTV.

"OEN is thrilled to further enhance our music and entertainment programming channel lineup with the addition of Adrenaline Nation TV," said Jo-lynn Foo, Vice-President of Programming for Optical Entertainment Network. Independent music is one of the fastest growing and most exciting genres in the entertainment industry. ANTV will soon be sweeping across America and ANTV' allows every television viewer to enjoy the newest cutting edge independent artists wild bull rides and the biggest waves on earth simply by watching their television.

About Adrenaline Nation TV

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Adrenaline Nation Entertainment, Inc. is the worlds first 24/7 music and entertainment network that's primary focus is on Independent music, entertainment and adrenaline sports. Adrenaline Nation produces its own original programming that connects viewers and advertisers to the tremendous purchasing power of the coveted 18-49 year audience, featuring the hottest, cutting-edge independent music, independent films, adrenaline sports, motor sports, and extreme action and adventure programming in a format that can be distributed to homes via Broadband Internet, IPTV, Digital Cable, WiFi, High Definition TV and Mobile TV. Adrenaline Nation TV can be viewed on the company's highlight reel at http://www.brandedentertainment.tv/antv.

About FISION

FISION is scheduled to launch in March 2007 in Houston, Texas, the 10th largest Television market in the U.S. In addition to delivering over 400 channels of entertainment programming, FISION will deliver High-Speed Internet at unprecedented speeds of 10 to 100 Mbps per subscriber and innovative applications such as Telemedecine and home security. FISION will also provide IP Voice services including local and long distance services, to deliver on the promise of true convergence from one company.

About Optical Entertainment Network

Optical Entertainment Network is a Houston, Texas based company providing the first major market deployment of Video, Internet and Voice to residential and commercial customers over a system specifically designed to optimize fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology. OEN has signed the largest number of IPTV carriage agreements to date direct with the programming networks. The company is a platinum member of the FTTH Council. More information can be found at the company's website at http://www.4fiber.tv/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and as such, may involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which the company operates, projections of future performance, potential future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, and statements regarding the company's mission and vision. The company's actual results, performance, and achievements may differ materially from the results, performance and achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

 

Source: Optical Entertainment Network

 

Web site: http://www.brandedentertainment.tv/antv
http://www.4fiber.tv/

 

'28 WEEKS LATER' Trailer to Debut on the Head of 'THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2'

Only in Theaters on March 23, 2007

-- Fox Atomic is set to debut the trailer for 28 WEEKS LATER, the highly anticipated sequel to horror classic 28 DAYS LATER, only in theaters on March 23, 2007. Audiences will finally be able to catch their first glimpse of the film on the front of another chilling Fox Atomic release, THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2.

In 2002, movie-lovers everywhere were enraptured with 28 DAYS LATER, a unique and terrifying film by audience and critical favorite Danny Boyle. With Boyle in the role of producer, he handpicked Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Intacto) to helm this next chapter, out in theaters on May 11.

28 WEEKS LATER, the follow-up to the terrifically successful 28 DAYS LATER, picks up six months after the rage virus has annihilated the British Isles. The army declares that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin ... but they could not be more wrong. As the first wave of refugees return and a family is reunited, a terrible secret is revealed: The virus is not yet dead, and this time, it is more dangerous than ever. Robert Carlyle, Catherine McCormack, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Idris Elba, and Harold Perrineau lead the talented cast which also includes newcomers Mackintosh Muggleton and Imogen Poots. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo directs, while Danny Boyle, director of the first film, is an executive producer.

Audiences can only see the trailer when they head out to theaters to see another terrifying film, THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2, on March 23. This film, produced by the Master of Horror himself Wes Craven, is yet another bloodcurdling film to add to his amazing catalog.

In THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2, a unit of National Guard soldiers stop at a New Mexico outpost, as a part of a routine mission, only to find the isolated research camp mysteriously deserted. After spotting a distress signal on a distant mountain range, the team decides to commence a search and rescue mission into the hills. Little do they know that these are the very hills that the ill-fated Carter family once visited, and that a tribe of cannibalistic mutants lies in wait. And this time, there is an even larger force of evil at work that is intent on the soldiers' very destruction. Co-written by horror master Wes Craven and his son Jonathan Craven, Fox Atomic's THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2 is directed by Martin Weisz. The film features a young and talented cast, including Michael McMillian, Jessica Stroup, Jacob Vargas, Flex Alexander, Lee Thompson Young, Daniella Alonso, Eric Edelstein, Reshad Strik, and Ben Crowley.

About Fox Atomic

Fox Atomic is a culturally branded entertainment company providing theatrical movies and digital content targeting the 17-24 year old demographic. Upcoming releases include THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2 (March 23rd), and 28 WEEKS LATER (May 11th), followed by sports comedy THE COMEBACKS (August 24th). Atomic also houses a graphic novel division, with distribution through sister company Harper Collins. "28 Days Later: The Aftermath," Atomic's first graphic novel, hits shelves on April 3rd. Shortly following is "The Hills Have Eyes 2: The Beginning" (July '07). Formed in 2006, this new entity of Fox Filmed Entertainment produces and acquires product spanning all media platforms, and various genres.

Source: Fox Atomic

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

 

GSN's 'National Vocabulary Championship' Airs April 15 as Part of 'Win With Words Week'

Week of Specialized Programming Highlights GSN Word Game Shows Featuring Students and Teachers

GSN will premiere the first-ever National Vocabulary Championship as a one-hour special capping off the network's "Win With Words Week." The special week of programming will feature episodes of LINGO and CHAIN REACTION, as well as special prizing during the PLAYMANIA block beginning April 10 and will culminate with the premiere of THE NATIONAL VOCABULARY CHAMPIONSHIP special Sunday, April 15 at 8:00 PM ET/7:00 PM CT.

"Win With Words Week" celebrates the network's public affairs initiative of the same name that encourages high school students to engage in language arts and enhance their vocabularies. The week highlights special teams of students and teachers who were invited to compete on the popular word association game shows CHAIN REACTION and LINGO. Winning teams took back cash spoils to their schools. GSN's interactive television block, PLAYMANIA, will also feature vocabulary-related puzzles and NVC prizing during QUIZNATION and 100 WINNERS.

THE NATIONAL VOCABULARY CHAMPIONSHIP special will follow 50 student finalists from across the country in their quest to be named National Vocabulary Champion and their shot at the grand prize of $40,000 towards college tuition. The special will be a documentary-style behind-the-scenes look at the competition, including sideline interviews with contestants, competition footage and hometown visits with the winner and runners-up.

This is the first year of the themed programming week, which that the network plans to make an annual addition to its scheduling lineup. Critically-acclaimed public service announcements featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Bergeron, Jeff Probst, Chuck Woolery and Shandi Finnessey will be airing on the network this month supporting the "Win With Words" initiative. Visit WinWithWords.com for more information.

About the "National Vocabulary Championship"

The National Vocabulary Championship (NVC) is a GSN initiative that uses competition and wordplay to engage and reward high school students, educators and parents, teaching them the value of a strong vocabulary. Created with educational partner The Princeton Review, the NVC is open to eligible high school students in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and is promoted in schools and through a national "Win With Words" public service announcement campaign. In addition, a robust, interactive website (http://www.winwithwords.com/) offers a variety of free vocabulary-enhancing tools, word games and study materials.

GSN is the entertainment industry leader in multi-platform interactive game programs. GSN features challenging word games, high intensity casino programs, live participation shows, reality series and documentaries. Complementing the network, GSN.com features all types of game play: innovative Flash games, skill cash tournaments and downloadable games. The website also features GSN's two-screen interactive play-along for prime time shows. In more than 62 million homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.

Source: GSN

Web site: http://www.gsn.com/
http://www.winwithwords.com/

 

 

Key Dates Announced for 80th Academy Awards®

Beverly Hills, CA — The 80th Annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2008, Academy President Sid Ganis announced today.

The ceremony will again take place at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.

Key dates currently scheduled are:

Monday, December 3, 2007:	Official Screen Credits forms due
Wednesday, December 26, 2007:	Nominations ballots mailed
Saturday, January 12, 2008:	Nominations polls close 5 p.m. PST
Tuesday, January 22, 2008:	Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PST, Samuel Goldwyn Theater
Wednesday, January 30, 2008:	Final ballots mailed
Monday, February 4, 2008:	Nominees Luncheon
Saturday, February 9, 2008:	Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards presentation
Tuesday, February 19, 2008:	Final polls close 5 p.m. PST
Sunday, February 24, 2008:	80th Annual Academy Awards presentation

 

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®
 

 

Video Secrets Launches PlayboyLIVE Contest

March 21, 2007 -- Leading live-content provider Video Secrets has announced a new webmaster affiliate contest featuring PlayboyLIVE.com. Video Secrets recently brokered a deal with Playboy.com, which allows the webcam company's affiliate partners to begin marketing PlayboyLIVE.com alongside flagship site, Flirt4Free.com.

Webmasters who sign up to promote PlayboyLIVE and refer a new customer to PlayboyLIVE are entered to win a fabulous vacation package for two to Las Vegas! The winner will receive roundtrip airfare, a two-night stay in the Playboy Fantasy Tower at the Palms Hotel and Casino, and 500 dollars cash. The lucky winner will also enjoy two passes to the exclusive Playboy Club and complimentary dinner for two at Nove Italiano, the upscale Italian cucina with a spectacular view overlooking the Strip. Also, each affiliate who refers a new PlayboyLIVE customer will receive a complimentary 1-year subscription to Playboy magazine. Limited to US addresses only.

 

The contest began on March 10th, 2007 and runs through April 30th, 2007. Start sending traffic to PlayboyLIVE.com for your chance to win the Ultimate Playboy Getaway to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. To qualify for the drawing sign up now at VideoSecrets.com, and start sending traffic to PlayboyLIVE today!

"We are extremely excited to offer this contest to our affiliates," stated VS Media President Greg Clayman. "Since launching to our affiliates in January, PlayboyLIVE has consistently converted well. Now our affiliates can have a chance to win an exceptional prize in addition to the ability to earn great commissions from PlayboyLIVE upsells."

Michael Sprouse, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Playboy Entertainment, said, "We are excited to bring this unique contest to the affiliate community and think that this will add to the great success and positive feedback we've gotten on the entire program so far. It is truly a one-of-a-kind promotion."

Every new qualifying customer you send between March 10, 2007 and April 30, 2007 is worth a contest entry, so the more you send, the better your chance of winning!

If you're not yet a Video Secrets affiliate, there's never been a better time to start promoting the #1 Live Video Chat Network. Existing affiliates, log into your account at VideoSecrets.com and pick up our latest sales tools and start promoting PlayboyLIVE.com.

 

 

Mar 20

An Evening with Doc Filmmaker Albert Maysles

Beverly Hills, CA — Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Albert Maysles, dubbed by the New York Times in 2002 as “the dean of documentary filmmakers,” will be the special guest at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ John Huston Lecture on Documentary Film, on Thursday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood.

The program will feature an overview of Maysles’ work and his approach to the documentary form through conversation and film clips.

Maysles, along with his brother David (who died in 1987), were among the first to make nonfiction feature films in which the drama of life unfolds without scripts, sets, interviews or narration. The Maysles helped usher in the “cinema verite” style to American moviemaking.

During the 1960s the Maysles created documentaries on producer Joseph E. Levine (“Showman”) Marlon Brando (“Meet Marlon Brando”) and Truman Capote (“With Love from Truman”) and “Salesman,” about a door-to-door Bible salesman.

In the 1970s the Maysles released “Gimme Shelter” which depicted the infamous Rolling Stones concert at Altamont and showcased a portrait of lead singer Mick Jagger. It was followed by “Grey Gardens,” a look at the lives of the Beales, two eccentric relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy. The documentary was adapted into a musical.

In 1973 the Maysles received an Academy Award® nomination in the Documentary Short Subject category for “Christo’s Valley Curtain.” In 2001 Maysles Films released the Oscar-nominated feature “LaLee’s Kin: The Legacy of the Cotton,” which Albert photographed and co-directed.

The Academy’s John Huston Lecture on Documentary Film is a series named to honor Huston’s legacy as witnessed in his controversial World War II documentaries, “Report from the Aleutians”, “The Battle of San Pietro,” and “Let There Be Light.” “The Battle of San Pietro” was not shown publicly until 1945, when General George Marshall removed its “classified” status. “Let There Be Light” was banned for decades by the U.S. War Department, the very agency that commissioned it, before it was finally released in 1980.

Tickets to “An Evening with Albert Maysles” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.

The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.

 

©A.M.P.A.S.®


 

 

 NETWORK2.TV PARTNERS WITH VEOH NETWORKS

New Pulver Start-up Chooses to Distribute Veoh Player
as “Virtual DVR” Component to Online TV Offering

- Network2 (www.network2.tv), a leading
content aggregator and provider of an electronic program guide of
internet video content  and Veoh Networks (www.veoh.com), a leading pioneer
in Internet Television, announced today at the Spring 2007 Von®
conference (http://www.von.com/) that Network2.tv will distribute the Veoh
Player as a part of their suite of offerings.  The Veoh Player available
from Network2 will be pre-configured to browse and play long-form,
episodic content available from the Network2 Electronic Programming Guide.
With the Veoh Player, Network2 viewers will be able to access
high-quality video content for viewing offline at any time and on any screen.

The Veoh Player is new, downloadable, free software available for PCs
and Macs that allows viewers to save, organize and watch video of any
length or file size from a wide variety of sources. With the Veoh Player,
viewers can download videos from Veoh.com, Network2.tv and also from
RSS feeds, electronic program guides and Bit Torrent trackers.  The
Player also integrates with a Browser Plug-In from Veoh which alerts viewers
to the presence of video content on any web page and allows them to
pull it down and save it for viewing offline on any screen.  The Player
content can be viewed on a computer, iPod, SONY PSP, or even pushed to a
big screen TV where the Player converts to a 10-foot interface with
remote control.

“The newly updated Veoh Player helps answer the question, ‘How do
you watch Internet TV?,’” said Jeff Pulver, Chief Executive
Visionary, Founder and Chairman, Network2, “The Veoh Player adds value to the
Network2 program guide and puts relaxation into watching Internet TV,
transforming it to be a remote controlled, browsable, home theatre
experience.”

“We believe the Veoh Player will transform television as we know it
and very pleased that a visionary like Jeff Pulver has adopted it as a
component of his Network 2 offering,” said Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of Veoh
Networks. “Never before have viewers been able to choose programming
of any length from anywhere on the Internet, as well as save and
organize it in one place and watch it on any screen at any time, online or
offline.”

(More)

2-2-2-2 Veoh/Network 2 TV

About Veoh Networks, Inc.
Veoh Networks is a new, innovative Internet television broadcasting
system that 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
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 Networks is a privately held company that is backed by leading
technology and media investors, including Spark Capital, Michael
Eisner’s Tornante Company, Time Warner Inc. and Shelter Capital Partners. 
Veoh has offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, California.

About Network2. LLC
Network2.tv is your guide (http://network2.tv/guide)  to Internet TV to
find (http://network2.tv/search) shows you like. You can mix or match
shows to create (http://network2.tv/register) your own personal channel,
share your favorite shows with others, or even take them with you on a
portable media device. Created by IP Communications pioneer, Jeff
Pulver, Network2.tv is a new Internet-delivered television network featuring
independently produced TV shows and original programming. 


 

Mar 19

YouTube Rolls Out the Red Carpet in Celebration of the Inaugural YouTube Video Awards

YouTube Community to Vote for Winners Across Seven Categories

 March 19, 2007 -- YouTube, the leader in online video, today announced the first-ever YouTube Video Awards (www.youtube.com/YTAwards), established to recognize the creative achievements of the YouTube community.

The 2007 YouTube Video Awards commemorate the best original user created videos of 2006 and the artists who made them in the categories of: Most Creative -- Innovative And Cutting Edge Video, Most Inspirational -- Things That Make You Think Or Feel, Best Series -- The Best In Serial Entertainment, Best Comedy -- They Had Us In Stitches, Musician Of The Year -- Celebrating YouTube's Home-Grown Musical Talent, Best Commentary -- The Bloggers Who Caught Our Attention, Most Adorable Video Ever -- So Cute It Hurts.

YouTube Video Awards nominees, drawn from the site's most popular original videos, are centralized in a gallery of separate lists, one for each award category. YouTube community members can browse each list and place the nominees in a ranked order from their favorite to least favorite. The voting period begins on Monday, March 19 and ends on Friday, March 23. YouTube Video Awards award winners will be revealed on YouTube on Monday, March 26. Winners from each category will be prominently featured and will receive a trophy to honor their achievement.

"Our community was at the forefront of the most creative and popular user-generated content in 2006," said Mia Quagliarello, director of programming for YouTube. "On a daily basis, new videos were created, uploaded, discovered and popularized through the site. We want to honor and celebrate the individuals who helped foster the community through their creativity. We hope that this recognition will continue to inspire users to create content that entertains and informs."

Community events like the video awards and last year's YouTube Underground, have given YouTube creators an opportunity to be recognized beyond the daily honors, view counts and star ratings that videos on the site garner.

About YouTube

Founded in February 2005, YouTube is the leader in online video, and the premier destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience. YouTube allows people to easily upload and share video clips on www.YouTube.com and across the Internet through websites, blogs, and e-mail. YouTube has quickly become the leading destination on the Internet for video entertainment. YouTube is a subsidiary of Google, Inc.

 

 

Mar 17

 Anand Jon's family has now responded to the charges against him,
sending SAJA and others the press release below.

EXCERPT: "On March 6, 2007 Anand Jon, notably listed in January 2007
Newsweek as "one to watch in 2007" was arrested for improper behavior.
This rock star celebrity fashion designer, like everyone else in the
court
system is innocent until proven otherwise, not the other way around. 
In
America, you're not supposed to be tried in the media, but everyone has
a
right to their day in court to defend themselves.  The press is
supposed
to report the news as facts, as it happens, unbiased.  Any false
accusation can ruin a person's life.  As the news stories come out one
seems to be more sensationalized than the next with the facts more
exaggerated."


 See the full release and full SAJAforum coverage of the case at
http://www.sajaforum.org/2007/03/crime_anand_jon_1.html

1. "300," $31.2 million.

2. "Wild Hogs," $18.8 million

3. "Premonition," $18 million.

4. "Dead Silence," $7.8 million.

5. "I Think I Love My Wife," $5.7 million.

6. "Bridge to Terabithia," $5.1 million.

7. "Ghost Rider," $4 million.

8. "Zodiac," $3.1 million.

9. "Norbit," $2.7 million.

10. "Music and Lyrics," $2.2 million.


 

 

Mar 15

Star Wars Fans Preparing to Revel in Five Days of Activities at CELEBRATION IV

Six-Movie Star Wars Saga Screening, 'One-Man Star Wars,' and Appearances by Original Cast Members among the Highlights

Mar. 15, 2007 Star Wars fans from around the world will experience an event 30 years in the making from May 24 to May 28 at CELEBRATION IV, the world's biggest Star Wars party, to be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Beginning at 9 a.m. May 23 - one day before the advance opening of CELEBRATION IV - movie buffs will have a chance to attend a U.S. first: a marathon of the entire, epic Star Wars Saga on the big screen, beginning with Episode I The Phantom Menace and ending with Episode VI Return of the Jedi. Admission is free to fans who pre-register (or already have done so) to attend CELEBRATION IV. Tickets are limited, so advance registration is required to attend the Star Wars Saga marathon.

The 17-hour program (including intermissions) leads into five days of non-stop festivities that commemorate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars on May 25. Highlights of CELEBRATION IV include:

-- Appearances by actors Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), both of whom will sign autographs and make special stage appearances;

-- Opening ceremonies and special events that showcase the future of Star Wars entertainment... and celebrate the first 30 years of Star Wars;

-- Presentation of comedian Charles Ross's acclaimed One-Man Star Wars stage show;

-- An exclusive Star Wars CELEBRATION IV store, whose doors will be open 24 hours a day;

-- Star Wars laser tag, "Stormtrooper Olympics" and the "XXtreme Droid Challenge";

-- More entertainment, presentations, events and soon-to-be-announced surprises - enough to fill the entire Los Angeles Convention Center.

CELEBRATION IV is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans from around the world, following in the footsteps of wildly popular CELEBRATION events in Denver (1999) and Indianapolis (2002 and 2005).

"This is the first year we've brought the massive CELEBRATION to Los Angeles, which seems very fitting for the 30th anniversary," said Steve Sansweet, Director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm Ltd. "Among other things, we'll be close to the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theater, one of only 32 movie houses in which Star Wars opened on May 25, 1977. This is a milestone year for Star Wars, and we've designed five days of activities that will really be unforgettable for anyone who attends."

Tickets to the Star Wars Saga movie marathon are free to fans who pre-register online to attend CELEBRATION IV at http://registration.gencon.com/celebration/. Tickets will be available beginning at noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific on Thursday, March 29. Tickets will be mailed to fans who register online prior to March 30. Fans who pre-register by April 30, when online registration for CELEBRATION IV closes, will be able to pick their tickets up at a will-call desk at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

CELEBRATION IV opens to fans with a special "sneak preview" day exclusively for Official Star Wars Fan Club members on Thursday, May 24. The event opens to the general public on the anniversary day, May 25, which is also when CELEBRATION IV's gala Opening Ceremonies will be held. The show runs through Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

For the continually updated news on CELEBRATION IV programming, entertainment and special guests, visit the official Star Wars Celebration website at http://www.starwars.com/celebration.

Lucasfilm, the CELEBRATION IV logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & (C) Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

...AND SO WE START

The Long Awaited Trial of Phil Spector for the Murder of Actress, Producer, Comedian  Lana Clarkson

Los Angeles  - The trial of accused murderer Phil Spector is scheduled to start jury selection this Monday, March 19th, in downtown Los Angeles. We are so looking forward to hearing the words from the Court...." The People v Phil Spector".

Edward Lozzi, her her former publicist and grieving friend,  will be in attendance throughout the trial and will be available for interviews, statements and assessments as he has done so over these past long four years since her murder.

We hope that our friends in the media from around the world who will be covering this trial will do so with fairness and equality. The jury will be listening and reading your work. For example, your readers are more than satisfied with the constant barrage of  profiles and explanation's of who Phil Spector was and of his ancient Wall of Sound. However, there has not been much said about the actual victim Lana Clarkson, who insiders in Hollywood have known as a consummate career actress, producer and comedian for the past 27 years. The most erroneous deduction from a minority in the media has been sadly misleading. Lana Clarkson did not fall on hard times. She was far from it.

Due to pending litigation with the Wrongful Death lawsuit, most of you know that family members and Lana's legal team, led by her attorney Roderick Lindblom, have for the most part remained quiet. We ask that you respect this and not take that as a license to neglect your usual journalistic excellence. We also ask you not to pay much attention to the influx of independent authors who rushed their books and revised editions of existing Phil Spector books to market. Most of these writings are pure speculation, shoddy journalism and have been endorsed and in some cases edited by Phil Spector himself. We remind you that Lana Clarkson's official biography http://www.livingdollproductions.com and her http://www.imdb.com  has all the basic journalistic information you need. It's only fair that you use more of this and less of the " wall of sound".   Thank you.

Edward Lozzi

 

MY MODEL LOOKS BETTER THAN YOUR MODEL Heats Up the Fashion Catwalk With Its Sizzling Series Finale on April 4 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT

BET J, the "Grown & Sexy" digital channel rolls out the highly-anticipated final episodes of its hit fashion stylist competition series, MY MODEL LOOKS BETTER THAN YOUR MODEL all leading up to its explosive series finale on April 4 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The beautiful and sexy Eva Marcelle (former America's Next Top Model Cycle 3 Winner) lends her fashion sense as show host, and the contestant with the most style and flare wins the chance to style Eva in a special Trace Magazine photo shoot.

MY MODEL LOOKS BETTER THAN YOUR MODEL highlights 12 contestants who are assigned and judged on a weekly fashion theme that they then execute on professional models using their own personal styles. A panel of celebrity and fashion judges analyze the contestants' efforts and later decide on the winner; show judges include photographer Ezequiel de la Rosa; Trace magazine fashion editor Daphne Devallie; former Vibe fashion editor-at-large Beverly Smith; stylists Misa Hylton-Brimm, Alexander Allen and Phillip Bloch; and former beauty editor for Suede and Honey magazines Mia Stokes.

BET J hooked up with stellar producers, Sean Joell Johnson of LeftCenter Entertainment, Nathan Hale Williams of In-Hale Entertainment and Crystal McCrary Anthony to create this fresh hot original series which kicks off the remaining episodes on Wednesday, March 21 at 10:00 p.m., where one finalist is decided. On Wednesday, March 28 at 10:00 p.m., two more semifinalists are up for a style wars challenge, all leading up to the highly-anticipated series finale on Wednesday, April 4 at 10:00 p.m., where one winner will be crowned!

BET J is the premiere stop for adult viewers when it comes to providing fresh and new programming, all embracing the unique culture and essence of the Black experience. Whether its sultry music specials shot in exotic locations to nostalgic documentaries featuring your favorite entertainment icon to ground-breaking original shows or stirring and uplifting gospel showcases, BET J definitely has it all! BET J is the preeminent digital network providing lifestyle content that exudes tones of sexy, shades of reality and worlds of cool.

Here's a programming snapshot of the remaining MY MODEL LOOKS BETTER THAN YOUR MODEL episodes:

-- "Boardroom Black Barbie" features semifinalists Knowme and Carl as they

struggle to incorporate male models into their "Barbie-themed"

challenge; episode premieres on Wednesday, March 21 at 10:00 p.m.;

encore broadcasts on Friday, March 23 at 12:00 a.m.; and Wednesday, May

9 at 10:00 p.m.

-- "Desperate Housewives Meets Madison Avenue" features semi-finalists

Jessica and Siobhan who must come up with 2 distinct looks for this

episode theme; episode premieres on Wednesday, March 28 at 10:00 p.m.;

encore broadcasts on Friday, March 30 at 12:00 a.m.; and Wednesday, May

16 at 10:00 p.m.

-- "The Winner" series finale where two semi-finalists battle for the

style crown; episode premieres on Wednesday, April 4 at 10:00 p.m.;

encore broadcasts on Friday, April 6 at 12:00 a.m.; and Wednesday, May

23 at 10:00 p.m.

ABOUT BET J

BET J, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is a sophisticated digital network infused with music and original programming featuring a unique mix of Black music, culture and style. It is the premiere destination for a multicultural audience delivering R&B, soul, jazz and world music along with movies, riveting talk, concerts and in-depth interview shows. BET J keeps viewers talking with exciting original programs such as: COMMITTED: THE CHRISTIES, MY MODEL LOOKS BETTER THAN YOUR MODEL, and the documentary series REAL LIFE DIVAS, and is currently viewed in over 26 million households and growing.

Source: BET J

Web site: http://www.bet.com/BETJ
http://www.bet.com/

 

 

Wal-Mart and Nickelodeon Ink Advertising, Promotions and Merchandising Deal for Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards

Wal-Mart Signs on as Exclusive Retail Sponsor of Star-Studded Awards Event

National Retailer Offers Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Vol. 3 CD and Other Exclusive Products Highlighting Kids' Favorites in Entertainment and Video Games

Wal- Mart and Nickelodeon announce today a first-time advertising, promotions and merchandising partnership surrounding Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards airing March 31. Wal-Mart has signed on to become the first and exclusive retail sponsor for Nickelodeon's highly anticipated annual television event that celebrates top entertainment picks, as chosen by kids. The advertising and promotional agreement between Wal-Mart and Nickelodeon will be divided among several Nickelodeon platforms including Nickelodeon television, Nickelodeon Magazine and Nick online.

As an associate sponsor of Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, Wal-Mart has launched a substantial advertising campaign on Nickelodeon this month, which runs through mid-April. The new spots star Wal-Mart's animated "spokes-elves," Wally and Marty, and build excitement about the TV event and products in stores. Additionally, Wal-Mart will sponsor a new and exclusive category within this year's Kids' Choice Awards -- the "Favorite DVD" category -- and will also have a sponsored area and dance floor at the Kids' Choice Awards after party. In stores, Wal-Mart will feature exclusive products and a designated Kids' Choice Awards display, and on-line kids can vote for their favorite DVD at http://www.nick.com/walmart .

"We are excited to be engaged in what has become a well-recognized and highly anticipated TV event for kids each year," said Stephen Quinn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Wal-Mart Stores. "We see this partnership as a great opportunity to share our commitment to kids, tweens and families to be the retail destination for unbeatable values on their top selections."

"The Kids' Choice Awards are one of the biggest events on kids' television today, and we are thrilled to be working with Wal-Mart in marking the 20th anniversary of the show as the exclusive sponsor in the retail category," said Jim Perry, Executive Vice President, 360 Brand Sales for Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. "Wal-Mart's creative promotional concept really signifies how marketers are able to take advantage of all Nickelodeon has to offer, with many platforms on which to partner to create customized programs."

Among the exclusive products available in Wal-Mart stores is the new Nickelodeon Kids' Choice, Vol. 3 CD, by Nick Records/SONY BMG's Commercial Music Group, retailing for $13.88. The CD marks the third installment of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards music franchise. Over 18,000 kids voted on this year's cover design. The CD features 16 songs from today's most popular recording artists including Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and Ashlee Simpson. It also includes up and coming acts like Danity Kane and the stars of Nickelodeon's latest live-action hit: The Naked Brothers Band.

Included with the in-store Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards displays and among Wal-Mart DVD movie selections will be exclusive DVD movie 2-packs for only $9.44. These include the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards "Winner's Collection" bundled with top kid movie favorites such as the Drake & Josh Go Hollywood DVD, the first television movie event based on the top-rated tween series, and the DVD of the hit theatrical film The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. A wide range of Nickelodeon branded toys will also be featured prominently on in-store displays.

For movie fans who like to share their vote with friends, Wal-Mart and Nickelodeon have created a promotional web site (http://www.nick.com/walmart ) where kids can vote for their favorite movie DVD. Wal-Mart character elves, Wally and Marty, also "host" the site and bring the fun of these selections to life, by showing visitors how to vote on their favorite DVD movie and share their vote with friends. Kids and parents can also see how other kids around the country are voting on their favorite DVD, minute by minute. The "favorite DVD" will be unveiled online on http://www.nick.com/walmart on March 31.

Shoppers can find more information about voting for favorite movies on the site, including the consolidated collection of toys, movies, video games and music on Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards in-store displays.*

Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards takes place on Saturday, March 31 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT), and will honor kids' favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television in a star-studded live, milestone telecast (tape delayed for West Coast) from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion. Nickelodeon's no-holds-barred kudos/mess-fest will mark two decades monumentally by breaking the slime barrier. True to tradition, kids will rule and stars will rejoice with them. Singer/actor/two-time Best Burp Award winner and 2007 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards nominee, Justin Timberlake, will serve as the host of this year's awards show.

Nickelodeon's Annual Kids' Choice Awards is one of the network's highest rated events of the year. Last year's event earned top honors as the highest- rated Kids' Choice Awards with kids 6-11 and total viewers ever, garnering a record 5.9 million persons 2+ and 27 million votes.

(*Displays are available at 1,963 stores. Exclusive product offers are available at all stores and at http://www.walmart.com/ .)

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at http://www.walmart.com . The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $245 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com/ , http://www.walmartstores.com/ , or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/ .

About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

About Nick Records

Nick Records is a kids and tween focused music partnership between Nickelodeon and the Sony BMG Strategic Marketing. The Nick Records label focuses on showcasing emerging young artists as well as established talent from the network, through soundtracks based on its hit shows and compilations. Nick Records' niche is delivering quality music for kids. All of Nick Records releases have been leaders on the Billboard kid's music charts -- with major hits including, Dora's Dance Fiesta!, and SpongeBob SquarePants' The Yellow Album.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

Web site: http://www.walmartstores.com/
http://www.nick.com/walmart
http://www.walmart.com/
http://www.walmartfacts.com/
http://www.walmartfoundation.org/

 

TelevisionWatch.org Helps Parents Control Their TV

Redesigned site presents better navigation and updated content

-- TV Watch announced the redesign of its website TelevisionWatch.org today which continues to provide support for parents who want to make decisions about what their children watch on television. The website also gives voice to the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe the solution is: Parents. Not Government. The new site allows parents and concerned Americans to learn how they, not the government, can control the content on their TV.

Ninety-two percent of Americans said they want parents to decide what their kids should or shouldn't watch on TV, not the government. In response, televisionwatch.org is providing information and tutorials to educate parents on how they can use their TV's V-chip or other available technology to choose the shows their children watch.

The new site features an easy to follow guide to understanding the TV rating system, a tutorial to programming your TV's V-chip, and the latest news about television content. Site visitors are also able to sign up for the monthly newsletter which delivers statistics, tips and information about how Americans can be sure that they continue to control what they see on their TV. For the 30% of households with children, TelevisionWatch.org is filling the information gap and helping parents set the rules and their TV to meet their definition of kid-friendly viewing.

Parents have the information through the ratings to make informed decisions and the technology to enforce those decisions. Over 180 million television sets with the V-chip have been sold in the U.S. since 2000. Eighty-five percent of households have satellite or cable boxes that include content blocking technologies.

"Decisions about what our children should and shouldn't watch on television are as subjective and diverse as America. How can government possibly make these decisions and since parents have the tools - why should they," said Jim Dyke, executive director of TV Watch.

Log on and find out how you can control your TV at TelevisionWatch.com

TV Watch was launched in May 2005 and is the leading national organization to promote parental controls and individual choices as an alternative to increased government regulation of TV content. TV Watch is a nonpartisan coalition of 27 individuals and organizations including legal and entertainment experts and political and consumer organizations representing more than four million Americans. For more information about TV Watch, visit TelevisionWatch.org or contact Emily Tyner at (843) 722-9670.

Source: TV Watch

Web site: http://www.televisionwatch.org/
http://www.televisionwatch.com/

 

Former Motown Legends 'Bring Back the Magic' with World's First Entertainment Gaming Site HitsvilleCasino.com

-- Over 40 celebrated musical legends joined with Detroit entrepreneur, Herb Strather to create the world's first online casino and entertainment venue, http://www.hitsvillecasino.com/ . The site is the first to create "Entertainment Gaming" featuring renowned performers. Superstar legends the Four Tops (Reach Out, I'll Be There), Otis Williams of the Temptations (My Girl), Mary Wilson of the Supremes (Baby Love), George Clinton of the Funkadelics, (Flashlight) and Freda Payne (Band of Gold) along with dozens of other artists have committed to lending their time to promote HitsvilleCasino.com

HitsvilleCasino.com combines the excitement of casino gambling and music with personal interactions between players and legends. Players can receive a surprise call from a superstar welcoming their participation and win dozens of unique prizes including CD's, artist memorabilia and concert tickets. The site contains popular games including Wheel of Fortune(R) and the Price is Right(TM). HitsvilleCasino.com includes a link to HitsvillePoker.com, both accessible across the world in all jurisdictions that legally allow online gambling. HitsvilleSkillGames.com (April, 2007) will be legally available to U.S. players in the majority of states on a pay to play and win basis.

Mary Wilson of the Supremes is thrilled about HitsvilleCasino.com. "It brings our Detroit musical family back together again and allows us to meet our fans around the world in a unique way." Duke Fakir, a founding member of the Four Tops and a managing partner, agrees. "Players have an opportunity to listen to our classics and newly released music while playing their favorite slot machines at home! We are also pleased about our association with WagerWorks, a great partner with the world's most popular games."

WagerWorks, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Game Technology (NYSE:IGT) and a premier online gaming supplier, is responsible for development of HitsvilleCasino.com. "We are delighted to be associated with these legends from Detroit said Paul Matthews, President of WagerWorks/IGT. HitsvilleCasino.com will raise the bar on what an online gambling and entertainment experience can be."

HitsvilleCasino.com is a division of Hitsville Venture, LLC, a Michigan Limited Liability Company. The site has been fully approved and licensed for online gaming in appropriate jurisdictions outside of the United States. For further information call (UK) +44 (0)20 7152 4043 or (U.S.) 313-446-6900.

Source: Hitsville Venture, LLC

CONTACT: Linda A. Clark of Hitsville Venture, LLC, +1-313-399-1221, or
LClark@HitsvilleLive.com

Web site: http://www.hitsvillecasino.com/
http://www.hitsvillepoker.com/
http://www.hitsvilleskillgames.com/

 

AT&T Celebrates Top 12 'American Idol' Contestants With Launch of New 'American Idol'-Themed Content

Live Idol Videos and Live Idol Tones Now Available on your AT&T Mobile Phone

More than 29.4 million viewers tuned in to FOX on Tuesday night to watch the performances of the Top 12 AMERICAN IDOL contestants. While it's way too early to know who will win it all, no doubt most fans already have their favorites. AT&T wireless customers can now relive their favorite AMERICAN IDOL performances over and over again with Live Idol Videos and Live Idol Tones directly from their wireless phones.

"One of the reasons AMERICAN IDOL continues to be the number one show on television is because it allows fans to be a part of the 'Idol' experience in a meaningful way," said John Burbank, vice president, marketing, AT&T. "The availability of Live Idol Videos and Live Idol Tones are two unique ways, beyond voting, that allow our wireless customers to show their support for their favorite AMERICAN IDOL contestants." Live Idol Videos

What's the next best thing to having your favorite AMERICAN IDOL perform live in front of you? How about having a video clip of your favorite AMERICAN IDOL performing live where you can view it virtually whenever and wherever you want. Each week, until the end of the season, the Cingular Video library will feature Live Idol Videos - video clips cut directly from actual performances of the remaining contestants subject to music clearances. To watch these performance clips, each of which is approximately two minutes in length, consumers simply need to have a 3G phone, such as the Cingular SYNC from Samsung or the Samsung Blackjack, and sign up for the $19.99 MEdia MAX Bundle, which includes unlimited Cingular Video. In addition to videos of the Top 12 contestants' performances, the Cingular Video library also features clips from this season's outrageous auditions.

Live Idol Tones

What better way to tell the world you've got a favorite Idol then to let your phone say it for you? Introduced for the first time last season, Live Idol Tones are ringtones and Answer Tones(TM) of the contestants' live performances. To make it easy for customers to purchase a tone of their favorite Idol's performance each week, AT&T allows customers to reserve songs the night they are performed for purchase the following day. Overnight, the performance songs are created as Live Idol Tone ringtones and Answer Tones. The next day the customer receives a text message on their phone to purchase and download their reserved selection subject to music clearances.

Live Idol Tones are available nationwide for $2.49 per ringtone. AT&T provides three easy ways for customers to purchase Live Idol ringtones:

1. Text "IDOL" to 8008 for a direct link to the latest finalist Live Idol

Tones

2. Go to MEdia Mall on your AT&T phone, choose Shop Tones, and then

AMERICAN IDOL

3. Go online to www.cingular.com/americanidol

The charge for each Live Idol Tone Answer Tone purchase is $1.99, in addition to a monthly service charge of $0.99. For more information on Answer Tones, visit www.cingularanswertones.com .

As the weeks progress, customers will also be able to browse and buy Live Idol Tones from past performances for this season.

For more information on Live Idol Videos or Live Idol Tones, visit www.cingular.com/idol .

Related News:

Cingular Is Now the New AT&T

AT&T Invites Wireless Customers to Pick Up Their Cell Phones and Exercise Their Right to Vote for the Next "American Idol"

AT&T Invites Wireless Customers to Pick Up Their Cell Phones and Exercise Their Right to Vote for the Next "American Idol"

AT&T's Wireless Unit Kicks Off New Season of 'American Idol' With Mobile Clips From Some of the Most Outrageous and Hilarious Auditions

 

Web Site Links:

Cingular "American Idol" Promotion Site

http://www.cingularsource.com/entertainment/idol/

Cingular Web Site

http://www.cingular.com/

AT&T Web Site

http://www.att.com/gen/landing-pages?pid=3308

American Idol Web Site

http://www.americanidol.com/

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United States and around the world, with operating subsidiaries providing services under the AT&T brand. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to businesses and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising through its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.

AT&T is a registered trademark of AT&T Knowledge Ventures. Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.

About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas:

FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off- screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. FLW, Americas is also responsible for additional business diversification initiatives including Atomic Wedgie, a pioneering wireless channel delivering original made-for-mobile video content on demand.

FLW, Americas is part of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is a division of global media giant FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and highest-rated entertainment on television, including Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" for Fox, "America's Got Talent" for NBC, "American Inventor" for ABC, "The Janet Dickinson Modeling Agency" for Oxygen, "Property Ladder" for TLC, the daily syndicated "Family Feud," and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" for CBS.

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 11 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company, Bertelsmann AG.

About American Idol:

Twenty-two-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive- produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

About 19 Entertainment:

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE) , was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."

Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.

Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No.1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager - breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s - when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart.

19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.

Source: Cingular Wireless, now part of the new AT&T

Web site: http://www.cingular.com/americanidol
http://www.cingular.com/idol
http://www.cingular.com/
http://www.cingularanswertones.com/

 

Much Anticipated Season 2 of 'REBELDE,' Featuring RBD, to Be Released on DVD

Xenon Pictures and Televisa Home Entertainment Announce the April 10th Release of 'REBELDE,' the #1 Teen Soap of All Time, Loaded With Extras

Three Double Discs Include English Subtitles, Photo Gallery, Cast Bios and the Video of the Mega-hit Song 'Nuestro Amor'

Season 1 Already in Stores! Millions of Fans Worldwide!!!

'Undoubtedly RBD's success rode on its daily soap, REBELDE' -Leila Cobo, Billboard

'That RBD would end up with international aspirations is only fitting for 'REBELDE,' a show with so global a back story' -New York Times

'['REBELDE'] has become a social phenomenon in the Spanish-speaking world.' -Hollywood Reporter

Xenon Pictures and Televisa Home Entertainment have partnered once again to announce the special DVD release, on April 10th, 2007, of the second season of REBELDE. As "RebeldeMania" continues, so does the story of RBD's Roberta (Dulce Maria), Miguel (Alfonso Herrera), Lupita (Maite Perroni), Giovanni (Christian Chavez), Mia (Anahi) and Diego (Christopher Uckermann), as they face love, hate, loyalties and betrayals during their new year at the Elite Way School. The rated PG telenovela will be available in retail and online stores nationwide for $24.99 SRP. (For photos please visit http://www.marcellapr.com/dvd/rebeldeseason2.html)

The three-double-disc edition is filled with over 12 hours of content, including the second season of the hit telenovela, available with English subtitles, a photo gallery, key cast members' biographies, and the full-length music video of the mega-hit song "Nuestro Amor," which was the first single from RBD's second studio album, Nuestro Amor. The song became the band's fifth major hit in Mexico, topping the Mexican singles chart for more than a month, and peaking at #2 on Billboard's Hot Latin Pop Airplay chart and #6 on Billboard's Top 50 Latin tracks in the US. "Nuestro Amor" has also been recorded in English for RBD's first crossover album, Rebels, released in December 2006. Since the start of the successful telenovela, which catapulted RBD to a global record-breaking presence, the band has sold out major venues in Latin America, Brazil, Spain and the US, while selling over 20 million albums worldwide.

The biggest teen telenovela of all time in both Latin America and the US, REBELDE follows a group of students at the Elite Way School as they start another year in this prestigious institution, where the children of Mexico's wealthy get a superior education and the kind of social contacts that assure a successful future. With REBELDE: Season 2, we rejoin Roberta, the aggressive daughter of a famous singer, the attractive Miguel, the affectionate Lupita, the kind Giovanni, the beautiful and popular Mia, and the egocentric Diego, as their friendships are tested and they confront conflict, jealousy and power struggles. Starring Anahi, Dulce Maria, Maite Perroni, Alfonso "Poncho" Herrera, Christopher Uckermann and Christian Chavez, along with Ninel Conde, Juan Ferrara and Rafael Inclan, among others, REBELDE became a television sensation that has broken audience records, and has been so popular that artists such as Lenny Kravitz and Hilary Duff have appeared on the show to gain exposure in the Latin market; the "virtual" band Gorillaz even chose to debut their video "Dare" on "REBELDE" over any other show or network in Mexico.

REBELDE is based on "Rebelde Way," an Argentine telenovela created in 2002 by mega-producer Cris Morena ("Chiquititas," "Floricienta"), and was produced by Pedro Damian, one of Mexico's most prolific contemporary directors. Among the longest-running telenovelas of all time with an average rating of 29.00 in Mexico and 27.2 in the US, REBELDE continues to be a global phenomenon in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Six of the show's main characters are now part of the international music sensation RBD, recipients of a Latin Grammy(R) nomination and several Gold and Platinum Records, as well as a Diamond Record plaque for their outstanding sales. The group has also climbed to the top of the radio charts worldwide with their Spanish- and English-language hits, has participated in Macy's 2006 Thanksgiving Day Parade, performed on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2007" and on L.A. station KIIS FM's popular Jingle Ball. The cast's female leads, Dulce Maria, Anahi and Maite Perroni, have even been immortalized as part of Mattel's Barbie(R) collection, adding to the array of t-shirts, ring tones, comic books, confections and stationery, as well as a personal fragrance line for each RBD member. RBD has performed in front of hundreds of thousands in many prestigious venues around the world and, according to The New York Times, were the second highest-grossing artists in the history of the LA Coliseum -- outselling both Madonna and U2.

The April 10th release of REBELDE: Season 2 follows the release of the classic 1986 thriller telenovela CUNA DE LOBOS, based on the Bette Davis film, The Anniversary. It stars Maria Rubio as the evil, one-eyed Catalina Creel, a role that has given Rubio a cult following, along with Gonzalo Vega, Alejandro Camacho and Rebecca Jones. CUNA DE LOBOS was named "Best Telenovela of All Time" in 2006 by the popular international publication TVyNovelas. Xenon Pictures will also be releasing the drama/fantasy telenovela MUNDO DE JUGUETE on DVD, the 1974 hit that ran an unprecedented 2 1/2 years, once believed to be lost in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. More information will be forthcoming.

Source: Xenon Pictures

 

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

 

Celtic Woman Make Special Appearance on the Home Shopping Network

Group Celebrates New Chart Milestone and Multiple National TV Appearances

 On Wednesday, March 14, Celtic Woman celebrated their 2nd straight year -- 104 uninterrupted weeks -- with the #1 record on the Billboard Top World chart. Between their platinum self-titled debut album, A Christmas Celebration, and A New Journey (all on Manhattan Records), they have held the #1 position since March 16, 2005. Celtic Woman carry this astounding feat of longevity into their biggest day of the year, St. Patrick's Day, when, for the first time, they have been given the great honor of launching the St. Patrick's Day parade live on NBC. After a successful visit to the Home Shopping Network (HSN) last month, Celtic Woman has been invited back for a second appearance. See below for details on all of their upcoming TV appearances, and some recent raves for this Irish "phenomenon."

March 16: Celtic Woman perform on Martha Stewart (NBC)

March 17: Celtic Woman perform on the Saturday Early Show (CBS)

March 17: Celtic Woman perform at the St. Patrick's Day Parade -- airs

live on WNBC-NY in the Tri-State Area

March 21: Chloe, Orla, Mairead of Celtic Woman make special appearance on

HSN TV at 5pm

March 22: Chloe, Orla, Mairead of Celtic Woman make special appearance on

HSN TV's "Sunrise Show"

The group's mix of traditional songs and contemporary numbers will have

you jigging in the aisles

-- Life Magazine, 3/9/07

Celtic Woman is a bona fide phenomenon

-- Boston Globe, 3/9/07

The dreamlassies played to a packed house at the Roanoke Performing Arts

Theatre... in a made-for-PBS performance that blended their operatic

singing, glamorous stage production and red-carpet fashion sense.

-- Roanoke Times, 2/23/07

If you're looking for a "touched by angels" experience, Celtic Woman can

take you there. The haunting voices of Orla, Meav, Lisa and Chloe, and

the equally heavenly fiddle playing of Mairead evoke the sort of blissful

calm you'd expect from worship or meditation

-- Philadelphia Daily News, 2/23/07

www.manhattanrecords.com www.celticwoman.com

Source: Manhattan Records

Web site: http://www.manhattanrecords.com/
http://www.celticwoman.com/
http://www.angelrecords.com/

 

Singers Canned By Orchestra Because of Classic T.V. Show

-- Former Democratic Congressman Ben Jones, who played "Cooter" on the hit television show "The Dukes of Hazzard," has released a statement regarding an incident involving the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Jones calls the situation "a dangerous affront to the rights of performing artists and their audiences, and the worst example of political correctness I've ever heard of."

According to Jones, the Cincinnati Pops was pressured to cancel a July 14, 2007 performance by singers John Schneider and Tom Wopat because of their connection with "The Dukes of Hazzard." Jones and Schneider were both told that the cancellation came after members of the Cincinnati community complained that the popular and perennial family show has "racist overtones." Both Schneider and Wopat have appeared previously with the Cincinnati Pops.

"I wish I was making this up," said Jones. "But, unfortunately it is true. It is bizarre. One reason our show is loved by folks of all colors all over the world is that racism is non-existent in Hazzard County. It is an innocent show where the good guys always win and nobody gets hurt, and brotherhood is a natural thing there. What could these politically correct vigilantes possibly be thinking?"

Jones says that the NAACP apparently put its imprimatur on the cancellation. "I'm a life member of the NAACP and proud of it. But I'm not proud of this. Denying an artist an opportunity to entertain an audience because of somebody's wrongheaded political viewpoint is just plain un- American. I have fought for equal rights all of my life, and that is why I am speaking out on this."

In the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, Jones was arrested several times attempting to integrate segregated facilities. He says he was shot at by the KKK, had a tooth knocked out by a Klansman, and had ammonia thrown in his eyes at a sit-in.

"In my opinion, there are two important issues here," he says. "First of all, the original Dukes of Hazzard is a wonderfully benign show, one that is beloved by kids of all ages. My grandchildren love it. If some elitist wants to think otherwise, fine. I think that would be wrong-headed, but that is their right. But to go further and basically blacklist an artist because of a past association with that show is beyond the pale. I'm just trying to get the word out. I've done a lot of "Dukes' things for almost thirty years, and I've met legions of black folks who love the show and its values."

Jones says he "believes the goodhearted people in Cincinnati of all ages, types, and complexions will see the folly of this kind of precedent."

Source: AB BAM Media

 

MTV & Hilary Duff Celebrate New Album, Dignity, with the Premiere of 'Hilary Duff: This Is Now' on Monday, April 2 at 9:30pm ET/PT

MTV's Multiplatform Support for Duff's New Album Includes the Premiere of 'Dignity' on MTV.com's 'The Leak,' Clips from Her MTV Specials Via Mobile, Album Digital Download on Urge, and 'TRL' Co-Hosting Duties

MTV today announced that it will kick off its support of the April 3 release of Hilary Duff's highly-anticipated album, Dignity, with the premiere of "Hilary Duff: This Is Now," two half-hour documentary specials which will air on Monday, April 2 at 9:30pm and Monday, April 9 at 9:30pm ET/PT. It has been two years since the release of Hilary Duff's #1 album Most Wanted, and she's done a lot of living and growing up since then. MTV cameras were given the rare opportunity to get an inside look at Hilary's hectic day-to-day schedule in the weeks leading up to the release of her highly anticipated new album Dignity on April 3.

In addition, MTV's multiplatform support for the new cd will span across on-air, online, mobile and digital download. On March 27, MTV.com will give Hilary Duff fans an exclusive opportunity to listen to the entire Dignity album a week before its April 3 release date. Hilary will also co-host TRL with MTV VJ Damien Fahey the week of March 26. MTV Mobile will feature the full versions and shorter segments of both specials for 30 days after the shows premiere. URGE (available at http://www.urge.com/) will offer a digital download of the album beginning on April 3.

Following Hilary during her days crammed with photoshoots, interviews, wardrobe fittings, rehearsals and a trip to Europe, "Hilary Duff: This Is Now" will give her fans a sneak peak at the new Hilary, a young woman who is evolving in front of our eyes, becoming her own person, getting a sense of who she is and who she wants to become. Hilary Duff is making her own decisions and taking her musical career in a whole new direction. "Hilary Duff: This Is Now" is Executive Produced by Rod Aissa and Fernando J. Hernandez. Steve Bilchik serves as Talent Executive.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 150 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.urge.com/

 

Mar 14

 Hollywood Beauties Carmen Electra, Denise Richards, Kristen Bell, Olivia Wilde and Friends Strut the Runway in the Max Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show to Raise Money for Children's Charities

Celebrity-Driven Auction Allows Access to Fashion and Beauty Looks Designed by Runway and Red-Carpet Visionaries Pat McGrath, Ken Paves, Nicole Chavez and Top Designers to Benefit Clothes Off Our Back(R)

-- Today, MAX Factor Cosmetics, a leader in creating dramatic, glamorous makeup for women since 1909, is celebrating Hollywood fashion and beauty in its first annual, star- studded MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show hosted by Carmen Electra to benefit Clothes Off Our Back(R), founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford, whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends, have helped improve the lives off children across the globe.

Hollywood beauties, including Carmen Electra of Epic Movie, Denise Richards of Blonde and Blonder, Olivia Wilde of The Black Donnelley's, Kristen Bell of Veronica Mars, Nadine Velazquez of My Name is Earl, Kristin Cavallari of Laguna Beach, Ali Sweeney of Days of Our Lives, Noreen DeWulf of The West Bank Story, Giuliana DePandi of E! News, Beau Garrett of Entourage, Autumn Reeser and Melinda Clarke of The O.C., will wear stunning creations down the runway to benefit Clothes Off Our Back(R).

"Hollywood glamour and star power embody MAX Factor's legacy of fashion- forward, glamorous makeup artistry and talent," said Gina Drosos, President of Global Cosmetics, Procter & Gamble Beauty. "MAX Factor is proud to partner with Clothes Off Our Back to raise money for children's charities by auctioning the designer fashions and MAX Factor beauty products used to create the beautiful looks seen at today's show."

"Bringing together fashion, beauty and charity is what our organization is all about," said Jane Kaczmarek, actor, philanthropist and co-founder of Clothes Off Our Back. "We thank MAX Factor, the stylists, the designers and the celebrities for their generous support and for sharing their good fortune with our organization."

World-renowned makeup artist and P&G Global Creative Design Director, Pat McGrath, employs her creative genius, vision and seasoned-eye at the MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show. By creating high-glam, cutting-edge makeup looks with MAXalicious Glitz and Glaze Lip Glosses, MAXEye Shadow Exotics Collection, Volume Couture Mascara, Pan-Stik makeup and Erace concealer, Pat's collaboration with the designers involved in the show results in unique, one-of-a-kind designs that bring the makeup to life.

Celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves creates some of the hottest manes in Hollywood, including Jessica Simpson, Carmen Electra and Jennifer Lopez. His signature style for creating innovative, sexy hair designs accentuates the fashion and makeup with the sleek, beautiful tresses seen on the runway.

The glamorous ensembles coming down the catwalk are assembled by accredited wardrobe stylist Nicole Chavez, whose clients include Rachel Bilson, Scarlet Johansson, Kristen Bell and Ashlee Simpson. Nicole's keen eye for chic, avant-garde style is instrumental in creating a common thread amongst the multi-faceted designer creations of Arden B., Cosa Nostra, David Meister, Dina Bar-el, Elsie Katz Couture, Kevan Hall, Lloyd Klein, Louis Verdad, Mon Atelier, Rachel Pally, Richard Tyler, Sue Wong and Trina Turk. Additionally, the Hollywood beauties will strut in stilettos donated by Stuart Weitzman and will be adorned in $6.5 million dollars worth of Martin Katz jewels.

Bidding on the fashion and beauty looks from the runway starts on March 16th at http://www.clothesoffourback.org/ . All proceeds benefit Clothes Off Our Back.

P&G Beauty products help make beauty dreams real and grooming enjoyable everyday for millions of women and men worldwide. With more than 100 brands available in nearly 130 countries, P&G Beauty delivered sales of more than $21 billion in fiscal year 2005/06, making it a leading global beauty company. P&G Beauty offers trusted brands with leading technology to meet the full complement of beauty and grooming needs: Pantene(R), Olay(R), Head and Shoulders(R), MAX Factor(R), Cover Girl(R), Always(R), Sassoon Professional(R), Wellaflex(R), Rejoice(R), Sebastian Professional(R), Herbal Essences(R), Koleston(R), Clairol Professional(R), Nice 'n Easy(R), Venus(R), Gillette(R), SK-II(R), Wella Professionals(R), and the luxury or prestige fragrance licenses for Dolce & Gabbana(R), Valentino(R) , Hugo(R), and Gucci(R). Please visit http://www.pg.com/ for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G Beauty and its brands.

The Clothes Off Our Back(R) Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends, have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. For more information, please log onto http://www.clothesoffourback.org/ .

Source: MAX Factor

Web site: http://www.pg.com/
http://www.clothesoffourback.org/

 

Nickelodeon Unveils Star-Studded Lineup to Celebrate 20th Anniversary Milestone Kids' Choice Awards, Saturday, March 31

Music Superstars Gwen Stefani and Akon to Perform

Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Queen Latifah, Mike Myers, Jamie Lynn Spears, Hilary Duff, George Lopez, Jon Heder, Chris Evans, Ice Cube, Drake Bell, Emma Roberts, Jesse McCartney, Nelly, Ciara, Tom Kenny, Zac Efron, Bindi Irwin, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Panetierre, Masi Oka, Ty Pennington, Tyler James Williams, Nat Wolff, Alex Wolff, Devon Werkheiser, Lil' JJ, Chris Brown and Ryan Sheckler Will Join Host Justin Timberlake in Live Telecast

LOS ANGELES, March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards has set a glittering, super-sized constellation of Hollywood's hottest stars to join host/nominee/two-time Best Burp winner Justin Timberlake for the live milestone telecast Saturday, March 31 (8 p.m. ET; tape delay PT) from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion. Beyonce, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Queen Latifah, Mike Myers, Zac Efron, Bindi Irwin, Hilary Duff, Jessica Alba, Jamie Lynn Spears, George Lopez, Jon Heder, Chris Evans, Drake Bell, Emma Roberts, Jesse McCartney, Nelly, Ciara, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Panetierre, Ice Cube, Masi Oka, Ty Pennington, Tyler James Williams, Devon Werkheiser, Lil' JJ, Nat Wolff, Alex Wolff, Chris Brown, Tom Kenny and Ryan Sheckler will amp up the wattage at the event often hailed as an Oscars for kids, as they participate in the record-breaking kudos/mess-fest.

"Kids' Choice is a fantastic mix of mega-stars and mega-mess, and our 20th anniversary show will be the biggest, loudest, messiest, star-filled spectacle in two decades," said Marjorie Cohn, Executive Vice President, Development and Original Programming. "This is the event where Hollywood celebrities come to play and this year if you want to be seen, you gotta go green because we'll be breaking the slime barrier."

In her first-ever KCA performance, Grammy Award-winning superstar Gwen Stefani and popular singer-songwriter Akon will ignite the kid crowd with the hit title song from Stefani's new album "The Sweet Escape."

Kids' Choice veteran/2007 nominee Timberlake, who'll grab the reins as a first-time host, will set the stage for Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice traditions including the Wannabe Award, an honor bestowed on a celebrity role model who kids most "want to be." Past recipients (chronologically 2001-06) are: Tom Cruise, Janet Jackson, Will Smith, Adam Sandler, Queen Latifah and Chris Rock.

Throughout the show the slime will flow -- who knows where, when and on whom -- and true to tradition an astonished star will get the goo. Sloshing through history, past star slimees include: Jack Black, Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, James Earl Jones, Rosie O'Donnell, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller. The sixth annual burp contest will offer a terrific new twist, featuring kids and stars, and take the noise level to a new high. Past Burp Award winners include: Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba and Steve Irwin (shared honor), Justin Timberlake (two-time winner) and Hugh Jackman.

Nickelodeon's "Slime Across America," a 50-market interactive tour that brings the green goo directly to kids, one city at a time, kicked off at the Nick Hotel in Orlando on February 26 and continues -- in an 18-wheel Slime Mobile driven by Pick Boy -- to 20 slimy stops before arriving in LA for Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards. The tour features the Nick Live! Slime Edition stage show, a user-generated area where kids can create content to submit to Nick's new ME:TV interactive day-part (5-7 p.m. ET/PT), Nick stars and costumed characters, karaoke, auditions -- and of course slimings! Various slimings are featured on Nick throughout March during ME:TV. (A schedule of tour stops may be found at www.nick.com/slime. Nickelodeon's GoCityKids website also will also offer tour info.)

In a unique star-studded pre-show telecast hosted by TEENick's J. Boogie, the Orange Carpet arrivals will interlace programming from 6 to 8 p.m. ET/PT. Celebrity interviewees will climb atop a unique stage - a.k.a. the "Slime Across America" truck, conveniently parked next to the Orange Carpet.

Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards has emerged as one of the biggest events in Hollywood, boasting a massive popular vote and sweeping audience participation. It is the only award show that gives kids the power to vote for their favorites in movies, television, music, sports and much more -- and honors their opinions with a live show filled with the stars they love.

Kids will be able to vote in advance in a total of 16 categories. Surprise awards also will be announced during the show. Voting began online March 5 on Nick.com. A different category is being featured on-air in ME:TV each week. In fact, for the first time, kids can vote on all available Nickelodeon digital platforms including Nick.com, Nicktropolis, TurboNick or text in their votes via cell phones, for the Nominees they think are deserving of Nick's highest honors.

Nicktropolis will offer a brand new virtual Kids' Choice Awards themed world where kids can stroll down the Orange Carpet, check out the KCA Control Room, sneak in Backstage, create their own Kids' Choice branded room and chat about the event in real time while watching the live TurboNick webcast together in viewing parties. TurboNick, Nickelodeon's broadband video service on Nick.com, will serve as the fully interactive home during the awards show, featuring a three-hour live Kids' Choice streaming event including coverage of the Orange Carpet, Backstage, and the Kids' Choice Awards after party, all hosted by ME:TV's Alex and Jordan.

Leading up to the award show, TurboNick will feature a Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards playlist, along with various clips from past awards shows and current promotions for the 20th Annual Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards. Mini-site features of the KCA 2007 area in TurboNick will include KCA clips, quizzes, games, and more.

In addition to the ever-popular Kids' Choice Awards nominee special, Nickelodeon will be celebrating the 20th year of the Awards with a special retrospective called "Deep inside the KCAs" in TEENick on Sunday, March 18, hosted by Emma Roberts (Unfabulous).

Nickelodeon's 7th Annual Kids' Choice Awards was the first to air internationally in 1994 on Nickelodeon's channel in the UK and now, more than a decade later, the US show is seen in more than 205 million households across Nickelodeon's 34 channels in the UK, Europe, Russia, Israel, Asia, Australia, Latin America and Brazil. Since premiering the first KCAs in the US in 1987, Nickelodeon has launched eight fully localized versions around the globe starting with Meus Premios Brasil in 2000 and Mis Premios Nick Mexico in 2003. Annual events now also take place in Sweden, Holland, Italy, China and Australia with additional shows to launch later this year.

The official 'Kids' Choice Awards - Volume 3' CD was released on March 1 and will be available exclusively at WalMart locations. The CD is a compilation of recent hit songs selected by kids from a who's who of popular artists.

Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards is being produced by Nickelodeon Productions in association with Bob Bain Productions. Bob Bain, Mike Burg and Marjorie Cohn are executive producers. Paula Kaplan is co-executive producer. Media outlets can reference the most up-to-date information on Nickelodeon's 20th Annual Kids' Choice Awards by logging onto www.NickKCApress.com.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

Web site: http://www.nick.com/
http://www.nick.com/slime
http://www.nickkcapress.com/

 

Bone Chilling Arctic Adventure Shoot Aboard U.S. Navy Submarine at North Pole for MGM's New 'Stargate: Continuum'

-- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) is teaming with the U.S. Navy to capture a series of bone chilling adventure scenes for the Studio's upcoming "Stargate SG-1" direct-to-video, "Stargate: Continuum." Cast members, including Ben Browder ("Stargate SG1's" Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell) and Amanda Tapping (Lt. Col. Samantha Carter) will travel to the sub-zero climate of the Arctic to shoot at the Navy's Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station (APLIS) for the week of March 23 through 29. Martin Wood, Director of over 70 "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis" episodes, is confirmed to direct "Stargate: Continuum."

"Stargate: Continuum," which is being co-financed by MGM and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, will shoot a variety of scenes on location in the Arctic ice, located approximately 200 nautical miles north of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. In addition to the frigid outdoor environments, the filming will also involve U.S. Navy submarine USS Alexandria (SSN-757). Among the most visually stunning and dramatic scenes to be filmed at the location involves the submarine as it bursts through the ice and into the cold Arctic air with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees below zero.

In making the announcement, Charles Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President Finance and Corporate Development, MGM said: "We are excited to be working with the U.S. Navy on filming these epic scenes in the arduous conditions of the arctic. 'SG-1' fans will certainly enjoy these action packed sequences as the 'Stargate' franchise has a rich history of unique and compelling action adventures."

Lt. Erik Reynolds, the Department of Defense project officer assigned to the movie added: "We look forward to hosting MGM and the 'Stargate' team at APLIS, and showcasing our sailors and the United States Submarine Force's capabilities in the Arctic Ocean.

"With the extreme environmental conditions at the camp, and factors such as shooting on a moving sheet of ice and the occasional polar bear, it certainly will be a challenge, but one that our sailors and the 'SG-1' crew look forward to taking on."

In January of this year, MGM gave the green light to two (2) direct-to-video movies based on "Stargate SG-1," the longest-running science-fiction series in U.S. TV history. The first movie, "Stargate: The Arc of Truth," which is also being co-financed by MGM and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, begins production on April 15. The second movie, "Stargate: Continuum" which will feature the epic ice camp scenes, will resume filming on May 22. Written and produced by Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, the new movies will include the following "Stargate SG-1" cast members: Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Chris Judge, Claudia Black, with Beau Bridges and Michael Shanks.

The APLIS is operated by the University of Washington and was formed in 1943 at the request of the U.S. Navy to bring university resources to bear on urgent WWII defense problems. From a wartime beginning focused on effective torpedo exploders, APL-UW initiated acoustic studies and oceanographic research programs to understand how variations in the ocean environment affected the performance of Navy systems.

About "Stargate: Continuum"

While "SG-1" attends the execution of Ba'al, the last of the goa'uld system lords, Teal'c and Vala inexplicably disappear into thin air. Carter, Daniel and Mitchell race back to a world where history has been changed: the Stargate program has been erased from the timeline. As they try to convince the authorities of what's happened, a fleet of goa'uld motherships arrives in orbit, led by Ba'al, his queen, Katesh (Vala) and his first prime, Teal'c. SG-1 must find the Stargate and set things right before the world is enslaved by the goa'uld.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

 

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

 

 

 

AtomFilms, Spike TV and Lucasfilm Ltd. Join Forces for the 'Star Wars(TM) Fan Movie Challenge'

Annual Awards Program Honors Fan Made Videos and Animations Online, On-Air And At Star Wars CELEBRATION IV May 24-28 in Los Angeles

To View The 'Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge' Log-On to http://starwars.atomfilms.com

Lucasfilm Ltd. has teamed up with AtomFilms and Spike TV -- divisions of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) -- for the launch of the "Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge." The trio unveiled details today at the Challenge's Website http://starwars.atomfilms.com/ and issued an immediate call for submissions. Challenge award recipients will be unveiled online, on-air on Spike TV and at the massive Star Wars Celebration IV fan event in Los Angeles May 24 to 28, 2007.

The "Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge" is a new phase in a long-running partnership between Lucasfilm and AtomFilms to celebrate the best in fan made videos and animations. Past programs have produced such Internet classics as "Star Wars Gangsta Rap," "Pink Five" and "Pitching Lucas." (Links to these films can be found at the end of this news release.) This year, Spike TV comes aboard as a television partner to provide on-air exposure for the Challenge's top submissions, as judged by George Lucas, staffers at Lucasfilm and AtomFilms, as well as the voting of online viewers. This Challenge also demonstrates the emerging collaborations between the MTVN Entertainment Group's digital and television properties.

"I'm very happy we're continuing this event, which we began in 2002, because out of the current crop of young moviemakers it's quite possible we'll find some of tomorrow's best writers, producers and directors," said Star Wars creator George Lucas.

"Star Wars is an institution and Spike TV is thrilled to join forces with Lucasfilm and AtomFilms," said Kevin Kay, GM, Spike TV. "As television partner for the Challenge, Spike will extend Star Wars fans' devotion beyond the digital arena by celebrating on-air this incredible movie franchise and showcasing content from its passionate fans."

"Our long-running user-generated-content partnership with Lucasfilm has been a great success for Star Wars fans and moviemakers alike," said Scott Roesch, GM, AtomFilms. "This year, we're excited to present the Fan Movie Challenge, an expanded program that offers several new elements including great on-air exposure from our new partners at Spike TV."

The initial phase of the Challenge culminates May 24-28 at Lucasfilm's Star Wars CELEBRATION IV convention in Los Angeles, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars. Challenge award recipients will be announced and screened during the five days of CELEBRATION IV festivities. Spike TV will give viewers a front-row seat to all the action with on-air programming partially featuring some of the Fan Movie Challenge's best entries. Further details will be announced later this spring.

Previously called the Star Wars Fan Film Awards, the name of this long-running program was changed to reflect the fact that most of the submissions are shot, edited and even submitted, digitally. Steve Sansweet, director of fan relations for Lucasfilm Ltd., noted, "There really isn't any 'film' being reviewed anymore. Just as with the Star Wars movies themselves, our annual competition has proudly entered the digital age."

In addition to the introduction of Spike TV as television partner, there are several new elements to the Challenge that fans will find appealing:

-- An award category for "fan fiction" will be offered for the first

time, in addition to parody, documentary, and other categories.

-- Fan movies also will be available for viewing at the official Star

Wars site http://starwars.com/ beginning later this spring

SPIKE TV is available in more than 91.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of VIACOM (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

AtomFilms is a broadband entertainment network that is unique among online video services, licensing and developing original content in partnership with filmmakers and animators. Since pioneering the online video category in 1998, AtomFilms has attracted a loyal audience of millions of users with its consistently outstanding short-form programming. The network compensates filmmakers and animators based on revenues generated from its advertising and distribution businesses, and its payments to creators have totaled millions of dollars. AtomFilms is a service of MTV Networks, following MTV's September 2006 acquisition of Atom Entertainment.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading movie and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound; LucasArts; Lucasfilm Animation; and Lucas Licensing. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses.

For more information on the "Fan Movie Challenge," visit http://starwars.atomfilms.com/.

 

Source: Spike TV

Web site: http://www.spiketv.com/
http://starwars.atomfilms.com/

 

 

VH1, Jack Black and Channel 101 Join to Stem Tide of 'Unacceptable Media'

'Acceptable.TV' Launches on the Web Today and Premieres on VH1 on March 23 at 10PM

-- VH1, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , along with executive producers Jack Black, Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab and the team from Channel 101, have announced the first step in reforming the runaway user-generated content movement with the newly formed "Acceptable.TV." The accompanying Web site launches today and will be followed by a weekly TV series premiering on VH1 on March 23 at 10pm ET/PT.

Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab became pioneers of the do-it-yourself TV movement with Channel 101, a competitive forum for digital shorts founded in 2003, anticipating the YouTube revolution by a several years. Realizing they could not stand by while the tidal wave of user-generated content threatened to overwhelm the internet, they created the new "Acceptable.TV" founded on the principle that, in Black's words, "some stuff is just not acceptable."

The TV show "Acceptable.TV" builds off the innovations of Channel 101. Each week television viewers will see five new three-minute episodes of proposed TV series. Viewers will then be able to vote, via the Web site www.acceptable.tv, for two of the series to return with a new episode. The three shorts with the fewest votes are "cancelled" and replaced by new pilots the following week. Additionally, each week, the broadcast will spotlight the user-generated pilot which receives the most votes on the Acceptable.TV site. While one user-generated short will air each week, it will not be in direct competition with the shorts produced by the Acceptable.TV staff. Creators are encouraged however, to submit a second episode, which will be entered into the next user-generated video competition on the site. All shows -- acceptable and unacceptable -- will be shown on the Web site.

The site features original shorts starring Jack Black, Channel 101 co- creator Dan Harmon and other actors in the Acceptable.TV ensemble. While Black will appear in this first wave of the show and site launch, his main role on the project is that of executive producer. He is not an official cast member, but could appear in subsequent episodes as his schedule permits. The shorts explain the purpose of the Acceptable.TV site and the TV show. The site also offers comedic and informative "tutorials" on how would-be digital filmmakers can begin the process of creating and submitting their own "acceptable" TV. Once the on-air show begins, users will be able to watch and vote for their favorite shorts as well create and upload content for on-air consideration.

"Acceptable.TV" is executive produced by Jack Black, Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab and Benjamin Cooley. Cooley will also oversee the series for Black's Electric Dynamite Productions. Eric Falconer serves as co-executive producer; Drew Hancock serves as Supervising Producer/Director. VH1 SVP of Films and Scripted Series, Maggie Malina, will oversee television production for VH1, along with Michael Hirschorn, EVP Original Programming and Production, VH1. Series collaborators include Dan Harmon (co-creator of "The Sarah Silverman Program" and co-writer of "Monster House"), Ryan Ridley (creator of the Web series "Wastelander"), Justin Roiland (creator of the viral video sensation "House of Cosbys"), Romanski (writer of "South Park" and "The Sarah Silverman

Program"), and JD Ryznar (creator of the equally early, equally viral, and equally sensational "Yacht Rock").

The "Acceptable.TV" site was envisioned and created by VH1 and the Channel 101 team. The site's development is part of the MTV Networks' Music Group initiative -- announced in late 2006 -- to build select standalone, vertical Web properties. The site is powered by Revver, which enables third-parties to use its online video hosting, ad matching and monetization capabilities.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel. Connect with VH1 at www.VH1.com.

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

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/
http://www.acceptable.tv/

 

 

"THE PSYCHEDELIC UNDERGROUND" IN STORES NOW

ERIC GALES NEW RELEASE ON BLUES BUREAU RECORDS

HOLLYWOOD (March 13, 2007) –A worthy follow-up to 2006’s Crystal Vision, Eric Gale’s new album “The Psychedelic Underground” [Blues Bureau Records] affirms Gales as one of the rare musical talents of his generation. This left-handed guitarist of extraordinary ability and expressive vocals is a natural for people to compare to Hendrix. Gales has developed a unique hybrid blues/rock sound that also draws upon influences as diverse as Albert King and Eric Johnson. A unique blending of styles, Eric Gales stands head and shoulders among other guitarists in his genre.

Eric Gales grew up in a musical family with four brothers, two of them who learned to play the guitar upside down and left handed in the same fashion that Eric does. Eric's brother Eugene Gales played bass in the Eric Gales Band and his brother Jimmy King had a thriving career as a blues artist before his untimely death. Eric released his first record at Age 16 for Elektra records to an amazing response from the media and music fans around the globe. Guitar World Magazine's Reader's Poll named Eric as "Best New Talent," in 1991. After recording a second record for Elektra, all three brothers teamed up for "The Gales Bros. Left Hand Band" which was recorded for the House of Blues label in 1996. Through the years, it would not be unusual to look out in the audience and see artists like Carlos Santana, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, B. B. King, and Eric Clapton, looking on with interest as Eric took his God-given talent and worked crowd after crowd into a frenzy.

The new Millennium presented new opportunities for Eric and he was signed to a deal with Nightbird Records which was affiliated with Jimi Hendrix's sister Janie Hendrix and Experience Hendrix, L. L. C. and distributed through MCA/Universal. Under this deal, Eric recorded the critically acclaimed record "That's What I Am" in 1991 and hit the road, mesmerizing fans around the world with his uncanny connection to his guitar. In 2004 Eric Gales made headline music news when he was chosen to perform with Carlos Santana, Joe Satriani, Jerry Cantrell and others on the Experience Hendrix tour to honor the late, great, Jimi Hendrix.

Eric's masterful guitar and vocal performances on “The Psychedelic Underground” portend a great response from these loyal music lovers as guitarists of this quality and intensity are few and far between.

 

 

Mar 13

'Who' Else for 'Horton'? Rising Stars and a Comedy Legend to Join Stars Jim Carrey and Steve Carell

Mar. 13, 2007 Several of today's cutting-edge comedic stars and legendary comedy icon Carol Burnett are joining previously announced headliners Jim Carrey and Steve Carell in the voice cast of Dr. Seuss' HORTON HEARS A WHO, the new CG animated feature from Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

The film centers on an elephant who hears a cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Suspecting there may be life on that speck and, despite a surrounding community which thinks he has lost his mind, Horton is determined to help.

In what promises to be the most renowned comedic cast ever assembled for an animated movie, Carol Burnett plays the always skeptical Kangaroo, who doesn't believe Horton's claims about life - indeed an entire community - existing on a speck of dust. The star studded animated comedy, will also feature the talents of Seth Rogen (40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Super Bad), Will Arnett (Blades of Glory, Emmy(R) nominee for Arrested Development), Isla Fisher (The Wedding Crashers), Dan Fogler (Balls Of Fury, Good Luck Chuck), Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler (Blades of Glory, Mean Girls), comedian Dane Cook (Employee Of The Month, Dan In Real Life, with Steve Carell), Jaime Pressly (nominated for an Emmy(R) for My Name Is Earl), and Jonah Hill (Accepted, Evan Almighty, Super Bad). Twentieth Century Fox Animation VP John Cohen is overseeing the project and assembled the cast with Christian Kaplan, SVP of Casting for Twentieth Century Fox.

To be released on March 14, 2008, HORTON HEARS A WHO is from Twentieth Century Fox Animation's Blue Sky Studios, whose recent Ice Age: The Meltdown grossed $650 million in worldwide theatrical box office. Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino will direct. The script adaptation is written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. The executive producers are Audrey Geisel, Chris Wedge and Chris Meledandri, and the producer is Twentieth Century Fox Animation production executive Bob Gordon.

HORTON HEARS A WHO is based on the beloved book, first published in 1954, by Ted Geisel, who wrote under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Seuss books are among the defining works of family literature, have sold over 200 million copies, and have been translated into fifteen languages. The "Horton" series ("Horton Hears a Who," "Horton Hatches the Egg") are consistently among the top-selling of all Seuss titles - generation after generation.

One of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Atomic, and Twentieth Century Fox Animation.

 

 

Great To Be Nominated” to Blast Off with “Star Wars”

Beverly Hills, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will launch part four of its popular “Great To Be Nominated” series on Monday, April 23 with “Star Wars.” The 16-week series will once again showcase the Academy Award® nominees for Best Picture that garnered the most Oscar® nominations in a particular year but did not win the Oscar for Best Picture. This installment will cover films from 1977 to 1992. A different film will screen each Monday evening, plus one Tuesday night, at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

The “Great To Be Nominated” screening of “Star Wars” coincides with the 30th anniversary of the breakthrough science fiction film that launched an empire. George Lucas and many of his fellow filmmakers will be present for a post-film panel discussion. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards® and took home Oscars® for Art Direction (John Barry, Norman Reynolds, Leslie Dilley; Set Decoration: Roger Christian), Costume Design (John Mollo), Film Editing (Paul Hirsch, Marcia Lucas, Richard Chew), Music - Original score (John Williams), Sound (Don MacDougall, Ray West, Bob Minkler, Derek Ball), and Visual Effects (John Stears, John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Grant McCune, Robert Blalack). Benjamin Burtt, Jr. received a Special Achievement Award for the creation of the alien, creature and robot voices in the film.

The film was also honored with nominations for Actor in a Supporting Role (Alec Guinness), Directing (George Lucas), Best Picture (Gary Kurtz, producer) and Writing – Screenplay written directly for the screen (Lucas).

Part four of the series will continue through August 20. “Great To Be Nominated” will then go on hiatus until Spring 2008, when part five will begin with “Remains of the Day” (1993).

The complete screening schedule for part four of “Great To Be Nominated” is as follows:

“Star Wars” (1977)
“Julia” (1977)
“Heaven Can Wait” (1978)
“All That Jazz” (1979)
“Raging Bull” (1980)
“Reds” (1981)
“Tootsie” (1982)
“The Right Stuff” (1983)
“A Passage to India” (1984)
“The Color Purple” (1985)
“A Room with a View” (1986)
“Broadcast News” (1987)
“Dangerous Liaisons” (1988)


 

 

 

 

Other elements from each year, such as short subjects, behind-the-scenes footage, trailers and music, will be incorporated into each evening’s program.

Passes for part four of “Great To Be Nominated” will be available starting April 2 at a cost of $30 for film buffs wishing to see the series in its entirety. A $5 discount is available for those who wish to renew their passes from parts one, two or three of the series. Tickets for the first four individual screenings will be available starting April 9 at a cost of $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. They may be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours or, depending on availability, on the night of the screening when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. Curtain time for all features is 7:30 p.m., and pre-show elements will begin at 7 p.m. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call 310-247-3600.

# # #

©A.M.P.A.S.®


MediaREADY Announces the BLINGPLAYER(TM) Brings Digital Media to Jewelry with Introduction of Newest MP3/MP4/FM Radio FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 13, 2007 -- MediaREADY, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MRED), a leading provider of interactive, media-convergent entertainment devices, announces its new MediaREADY BLINGPLAYER(TM) line of jewel-studded portable mp3/mpeg-4/FM Radio players. As the Apple iPod generation hits an all-time high, MediaREADY is leading the way with its easy-to-use, affordable and ready-to-wear media player. The device is making noise at fashion shows and with retailers, celebrities, and the media nationwide. The MediaREADY BLINGPLAYER(TM) is a high-fashion portable media player that makes a new kind of fashion statement. Initial jewel-encrusted designs include the traditional dogtag and a skull-and-crossbones version. This ultra-stylish MP3 and MPEG-4 2GB portable player stores over 30+ hours of music or 16+ hours of video. The hip new portable also features a built-in FM radio tuner and FM recording feature with 30 Channel station memory in an all-new wearable design. Its small, portable design lets you roll everywhere with your music, video and photos around your neck. The BLINGPLAYER supports simple conversion of various video formats to MPEG-4 and no additional drivers are needed for its High Speed USB 2.0 connection to other MediaREADY components or your Vista, Windows 2000, XP or ME based personal computer. Sporting a vivid 1.5" screen with 65K color display, 7 user chosen Equalizer settings, a built-in voice recorder and Telbook portable address book function, this unique portable media device makes it easy to rock out with your friends. "MediaREADY believes portable media technology is now entering a stage of differentiation and personalization and the launch of our MediaREADY BLINGPLAYER(TM) will bring a whole new level of style to market," said Jeffrey Harrell, Chief Executive Officer of MediaREADY, Inc. "With a MediaREADY BLINGPLAYER(TM), you can easily listen to music, watch videos or record sound bytes, and still look hip. The portable player fits in the palm of your hand, or makes a hot fashion statement around your neck." Pricing and Availability The MediaREADY BLINGPLAYER(TM) 2G basic player will carry an MSRP of $199 (USD) and will ship to leading consumer electronics, clothing, and jewelry retailers beginning in April of 2007. For more information on the new BLINGPLAYER and the complete MediaREADY product line, including purchasing information, visit http://www.MediaREADYInc.com. About MediaREADY Incorporated: MediaREADY, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: MRED) is the pioneer in the portable media device market. MediaREADY is revolutionizing the way the world is entertained, becomes informed, and communicates. The company has launched several categories, including a leading home media center and portable media center products which enable broadband users to interact with digital media and online services via their home televisions and on the go. MediaREADY is focused on delivering products and solutions that are innovative, affordable, and incredibly easy to use. MediaREADY, MyMediaREADY.com, ReadyLinx, Glider, Flyboy, Aero, BLINGPLAYER, and CoPilot are trademarks of MediaREADY, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statements: Forward-looking statements and comments in this document are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements relating to, among other things, the prospects for the company to increase the level of sales, maintain current sales levels, add new products and services and develop new Web sites are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which are significant in scope and nature, including risks related to the demand for the company's products and services, competition, and availability of capital. MediaREADY Contacts: Alyssa Miller 5W Public Relations Direct: 212-584-4290 amiller@5wpr.com Karl Banks 5W Public Relations Direct: 212-584-4309 kbanks@5wpr.com INVESTOR RELATIONS: MediaREADY, Inc. 954-527-7780 investor@mediareadyinc.com http://www.mediareadyinc.com # # # Distributed by eReleases - http://www.ereleases.com 10640 Jones Road, Kingsville, Maryland 21087

 

 

JEFF TROTT SELECTS ROYER LABS FOR DISTINCTIVE SOUND
R-121 helps engineer craft recipe for hit records

Burbank, CA… When it comes to performing, writing, and recording hit songs, independent songwriter/producer/musician Jeff Trott knows a thing or two about his chosen profession. Trott’s storied career includes playing guitar on Amy Mann’s Forgotten Arm and Rob Thomas’ Something to Be, playing in the 80’s English pop band Tears for Fears, as well as with 90’s cult favorite World Party. He has also produced material for Warner Brothers recording artist Stevie Knicks, and he was BMI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year. But Trott is probably best known for his work as co-writer of several of A&M recording artist Sheryl Crow’s numerous hits, including Every Day is a Winding Road, My Favorite Mistake, and Good is Good. So when Trott says he has a fondness for a particular microphone, people listen, and Trott likes his Royer R-121 ribbon mics.

When it comes to performing, writing, and recording hit songs, independent songwriter/producer/musician Jeff Trott knows a thing or two about his chosen profession. Trott’s storied career includes playing guitar on Amy Mann’s and Rob Thomas’playingin the 80’s English pop band Tears for Fears, as well as with 90’s cult favorite World Party. He has also produced material for Warner Brothers recording artist Stevie Knicks, and he was BMI’s 1998 Songwriter of the Year. But Trott is probably best known for his work as co-writer of several of A&M recording artist Sheryl Crow’s numerous hits, including and . So when Trott says he has a fondness for a particular microphone, people listen, and Trott likes his Royer R-121 ribbon mics.

Trott recently completed a new CD for Broken Halo Records recording artist Shotgun Honeymoon and is currently working on a project for Network Records new artist Griffin House, whose acoustic driven, classic Americana rock sound has elements of Jackson Browne and Johnny Cash. Both records have a considerable amount of acoustic and electric guitar tracks, and Trott’s R-121s were central to capturing the sound on these projects.

“Both the Shotgun Honeymoon and Griffin House CDs are slated for release in the second or third quarter of 2007,” notes Trott. “On both these records, I used the Royer R-121 extensively for recording guitar, and I’ve been extremely pleased with its performance. I’ve had tremendous results with the mic by placing it roughly a foot away from the acoustic guitar’s 12^th fret. I’ve also used my Royers to capture other string instruments such as cello and mando-cello, a baritone mandolin with the same tuning as a violoncello. I’ve been close miking these instruments, using a single R-121. I find by working with a mono channel recording, I get greater clarity and control during mixing.”

For capturing the electric guitar, Trott uses his R-121 for recording somewhat of a room sound, but with the R-121 positioned considerably closer than one would normally do for a true room sound. “I think this would be best described as more of a quasi-room sound,” says Trott, “as the R-121 is back about a foot from the loudspeaker, with another mic positioned directly at the cone of the amp’s loudspeaker. This is a really nice combination, as the Royer adds more depth to the guitar sound.”

Trott reports that he enjoys experimenting in the studio, and has recently found the R-121 to be an excellent choice for miking percussion instruments. For the Shotgun Honeymoon record, he used the R-121 to record the cajón (an Afro-Peruvian hand drum) and other assorted percussion instruments. He reports the R-121 handles the sharp attack transients of percussion very well. “The R-121 does a great job of filtering some of the nasty hi-end artifacts that can sneak in when recording percussion,” said Trott. “I find the microphone makes the percussion just a shade darker, and in rounding off the high end, the sound is considerably more pleasing to the ear. The R-121 takes the harshness off the hi-end, enabling the recording to have a fuller, more musical tone.”

With a busy schedule that keeps him entrenched in the studio, Trott was headed into yet another session—but before leaving, he summarized his take on the Royer R-121. “I’ve been very pleased with the performance of my Royer R-121,” enthused Trott, “so much so, that I recently bought a second one. For me, my Royer R-121s are ‘must have’ mics in the studio. The company has also been extremely supportive. They really go out of their way to help people out and make certain their customers receive the support they need to see their projects through successfully. I’m a big fan!”

About the Royer Labs R-121 Ribbon Microphone

The R-121 is a thoroughly modern ribbon microphone designed for today's studio environments. It exhibits a flat frequency response and a well-balanced, panoramic soundfield with the ability to withstand 135 dB SPL—making it an ideal tool for drum and guitar amp miking, as well as a variety of acoustic instruments.

About Royer Labs

Located in Burbank, California, Royer Labs’ microphones are a staple of leading recording and broadcast facilities the world over. Additional information on the R-121 and all Royer microphones can be found online at www.royerlabs.com.

 

Viacom Sues Youtube 

Suit Seeks Court Ruling to Require YouTube and Google to Comply With

Copyright Laws and Pay $1 Billion in Damages

NEW YORK, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and

VIA.B) today announced that it has sued YouTube and Google in U.S. District

Court for the Southern District of New York for massive intentional

copyright infringement of Viacom's entertainment properties. The suit seeks

more than $1 billion in damages, as well as an injunction prohibiting

Google and YouTube from further copyright infringement. The complaint

contends that almost 160,000 unauthorized clips of Viacom's programming

have been available on YouTube and that these clips had been viewed more

than 1.5 billion times.

In connection with the filing, Viacom released the following statement:

"YouTube is a significant, for-profit organization that has built a

lucrative business out of exploiting the devotion of fans to others'

creative works in order to enrich itself and its corporate parent

Google. Their business model, which is based on building traffic and

selling advertising off of unlicensed content, is clearly illegal and is

in obvious conflict with copyright laws. In fact, YouTube's strategy

has been to avoid taking proactive steps to curtail the infringement on

its site, thus generating significant traffic and revenues for itself

while shifting the entire burden - and high cost - of monitoring YouTube

onto the victims of its infringement.

This behavior stands in stark contrast to the actions of other

significant distributors, who have recognized the fair value of

entertainment content and have concluded agreements to make content

legally available to their customers around the world.

There is no question that YouTube and Google are continuing to take the

fruit of our efforts without permission and destroying enormous value in

the process. This is value that rightfully belongs to the writers,

directors and talent who create it and companies like Viacom that have

invested to make possible this innovation and creativity.

After a great deal of unproductive negotiation, and remedial efforts by

ourselves and other copyright holders, YouTube continues in its unlawful

business model. Therefore, we must turn to the courts to prevent Google

and YouTube from continuing to steal value from artists and to obtain

compensation for the significant damage they have caused."

About Viacom

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with

prominent and respected brands. Engaging its audiences through television,

motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom seeks to reach its audiences

however they consume content. Viacom's leading brands include the

multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV: Music Television,

VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY

CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, and more than 130 networks around the world, as

well as digital assets such as MTV.com, comedycentral.com, VSPOT,

TurboNick, Neopets, Xfire and iFilm; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures;

DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its

businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com.

 

 

HUEY Tops the Music Choice Video on Demand Chart With His Hit 'Pop, Lock & Drop It' Claiming the #1 Spot Three Weeks In a Row!!!

Video Also Added to MTV2, MTV Jams as Well as BET!!!

Currently the Single Is #16 on Rap Chart, #25 on Urban Mainstream Chart & Debuts @ #39 on the Billboard Rhythm Chart!!! The Single Continues to Climb Weekly

HiTz Committee/Jive Records recording artist HUEY makes his presence known as he climbs to the #1 spot on the Music Choice Video on Demand Chart with his blazing single "Pop, Lock & Drop It." He has held the position for the past three weeks and the video has been the most ordered by consumers. The Lenny Bass-directed clip has just been added to MTV2 and in medium rotation at both MTV Jams and BET.

The club banger (recently featured in the blockbuster film "Stomp The Yard") is produced by Tha Bakery for HiTz Committee Productions. "I started with that one in the clubs," he says of the single. "From Rio to Spotlight, Plush to Toxic, it got to every club and [the deejay's] really didn't have a choice but to play it. Before we knew it, it went to number one on spins." "Pop, Lock & Drop It" is the first single from his anticipated album Notebook Paper due in stores June 5.

At radio, the single makes great strides as well. With the single currently at #16 on the rap charts and #25 on the urban mainstream charts, it continues to climb weekly. The single also impacted on Billboard's Rhythm Monitor Chart today @ #39. With his success on the video channels and at radio, he has sold over 200k ringtones!!

HUEY is well on his way to becoming the next rapper from St. Louis. Look out for his debut album Notebook Paper due in stores June 5.

Source: Jive Records

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

 

 

American Idol Has Massive Impact on Radio Airplay

- Clarkson and Underwood Lead, While Daughtry, McPhee and Many Others Emerge -

American Idol, has had a massive impact on radio airplay since its debut six years ago, according to Mediabase, which monitors more than 1,800 radio stations 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, in more than 180 U.S. and Canadian markets. The blockbuster hit television show is now responsible for generating more than six million radio spins. This week alone, 12 former American Idol contestants are on the charts or close to making it on.

The airplay derby has been led by Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, who have dominated the radio airplay charts in recent years, among American Idol alumni. The winners of season one and four respectively, have racked up an impressive four million plus radio spins between them. Others who have become household names include Fantasia, Josh Gracin, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and 2007 Oscar and Soul Train Award Winner, Jennifer Hudson.

According to Mediabase, Clarkson has received a staggering 3.3 million spins since winning the American Idol title in its inaugural season. American Idol, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, is now midway into its sixth year of competition, translating to an average of more than 730,000 spins annually for Clarkson, since winning the coveted crown. Underwood has amassed 725,000 spins, and is firmly entrenched in the number two position, averaging more than 450,000 spins per year according to the radio monitoring firm.

"American Idol has become a dominant force in radio, particularly in the current driven formats," commented Mediabase President Rich Meyer. "The vast majority of radio programmers obviously feel that Clarkson and Underwood possess major star power and feel the same about a number of emerging Idol talent following in their footsteps. Finalists like Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Josh Gracin and Kimberley Locke are bursting on to the scene in a big way with their new releases, and other contestants like Mario Vazquez and Clay Aiken have certainly been formidable forces in radio as well."

Here are the airplay leaders, September 1, 2002, through March 11, 2007.

1) Kelly Clarkson Season One Winner 3,301,282 spins

2) Carrie Underwood Season Four Winner 725,441 spins

3) Josh Gracin Season Three Finalist 582,285 spins

4) Fantasia Barrino Season Three Winner 374,081 spins

5) Ruben Studdard Season Two Winner 293,588 spins

6) Clay Aiken Season Two Runner-Up 224,960 spins

7) Kimberley Locke Season Two Finalist 210,428 spins

8) Chris Daughtry Season Five Finalist 146,714 spins

9) Mario Vazquez Season Five Contestant 123,432 spins

10) Bo Bice Season Four Runner-Up 115,702 spins

Here are the song leaders, September 1, 2002, through March 11, 2007.

1) Kelly Clarkson Breakaway 628,094 spins

2) Kelly Clarkson Because Of You 545,971 spins

3) Kelly Clarkson Since U Been Gone 543,913 spins

4) Kelly Clarkson Behind These Hazel Eyes 496,951 spins

5) Kelly Clarkson Walk Away 361,161 spins

6) Kelly Clarkson Miss Independent 356,682 spins

7) Josh Gracin Nothin' To Lose 270,478 spins

8) Carrie Underwood Jesus, Take The Wheel 252,276 spins

9) Kelly Clarkson A Moment Like This 250,716 spins

10) Carrie Underwood Before He Cheats 198,446 spins

ABOUT MEDIABASE

Mediabase monitors more than 1,800 radio stations in 180 U.S. and Canadian markets, 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. In addition to providing vital airplay and programming information to more than 1,700 affiliate radio stations and every major broadcast group, Mediabase 24/7, a division of Premiere Radio Networks, is the data source for popular countdown and syndicated shows like American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, American Top 20 with Casey Kasem, After MidNite with Blair Garner, Ben & Brian's Big Top 20 Country Countdown, Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton, Jeff Foxworthy Countdown, Country Top 40 Countdown with Bob Kingsley, and others. Mediabase also provides its airplay research to every major record label in North America. Mediabase pioneered the concept of monitored airplay in 1987. Its charts can be found weekly in numerous trade and consumer publications and websites.

Source: Premiere Radio Networks

 

Elvis Lives Again: Elvis Presley's Last Song, 'Just Like Rollin' Up Hill,' Now Being Auctioned on eBay

 -- On March 19th, 2007 at 12:00 PM PST, the winning bid will have controlling interest to the Elvis Presley-Paul Terry King song registered on BMI.com as work number 7600186.

This is a historic event for three kings: the "King of Rock and Roll" Elvis Presley, the Larry King Cardiac Foundation and songwriter Paul Terry King (co-author of the last known song co-written but never released by Elvis), who is now auctioning off his copyrighted interest to the song titled "Just Like Rollin' Up Hill" (registered under Elvis Presley's BMI work number 7600186 on BMI.com).

A portion of the proceeds go to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, whose mission is to provide funding for lifesaving cardiac procedures for individuals who, due to limited means and no insurance, would be otherwise unable to receive lifesaving treatment.

Elvis Presley and former American Studios songwriter Paul Terry King co- wrote two songs in 1973 and performed them privately -- "If I'd Only Bought Her Roses" and "Just Like Rollin' Up Hill."

Elvis and King's first song "If I'd Only Bought Her Roses," US copyright PAu-1810-413, was purchased by Elvis-a-Rama in 2005. Elvis-a-Rama was planning an Elvis impersonation contest with the winning contestant singing "If I'd Only Bought Her Roses."

The songs (along with remaining assets of Elvis-a-Rama) were purchased by billionaire Robert Sillerman's company CKX in 2005 for an undisclosed amount prior to release.

Devoted fans, music enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and/or entertainers can now bid and get copyright and performance rights to one of the most prized possessions of the King himself, his music -- and help in the war against heart disease.

"It's Now or Never!" This opportunity will never be available to the public again.

The song is now available to the public on eBay. The auction closes at 12:00 PM PST on Monday, March 19th, 2007. To listen to the song, and learn all about it, go to http://www.elvissong.info/. To bid now go to eBay.com, item #290092399734, or contact eBay powerseller Mike Waters toll-free @801-668- 5323.

 

Web site: http://www.elvissong.info/
http://www.bmi.com/

 

New CD 'Ridin' High' from 8Ball & MJG in Stores March 13 on Bad Boy Records

 -- Legendary Southern rap duo, 8Ball & MJG will release today their highly anticipated 12th studio album, Ridin' High on Bad Boy South. The album features collaborations with Diddy, Oscar and Grammy winners Three 6 Mafia, Bad Boy hit maker Yung Joc, producer Jazze Pha, fellow Memphis native Project Pat and former Bad Boys 112.

The first single from Ridin' High, the club hit "Relax and Take Notes," features The Notorious B.I.G. and Project Pat and the current single, hitting radio now, is the R&B collaboration "Crusin'" featuring Three 6 Mafia and Slim of 112.

Ridin' High is 8Ball & MJG's second release on Bad Boy South. Their first was the notable 2004 gold-certified Living Legends, which enjoyed mainstream exposure with a #1 Billboard R&B Albums Chart debut. The album also spawned the hits "You Don't Want Drama," "Don't Make," and "Straight Cadillac Pimpin'" as well as the major club hits, "Buck Bounce" with DJ Quick and "Stay Fly" with Three 6 Mafia (2005).

Ridin' High is proving to be the groups' strongest work ever with hard- hitting hip-hop and a respectful nod to R&B and the blues on tracks like "Runnin' Out of Bud" with Killer Mike, the steamy "Take It Off" featuring Poo Bear and the addition of Jazze Pha's smooth R&B flavor on "Pimpin' Don't Fail Me Now," featuring Juvenile. 8Ball & MJG also work with label mate Yung Joc to heat up the party with the track "Clap On."

Now 15 years after their first release, the Indy label debut "Comin' Out Hard," Memphis, Tennessee natives, 8Ball (Premro Smith) and MJG (Marlon Jermaine Goodwin), are still making their innovative brand of soul music, purveying a sound that has been emulated and appreciated more than a decade later. "It's just always been about the music with us," says MJG. "We've seen a lot of people come and go and I don't think any of the ones that stayed around sat down and mapped out a game plan to be around that long. It's just living and learning and sticking to the format. We always just do us and you call it what you want."

 

Source: Bad Boy Records

Web site: http://www.badboyonline.com/
http://www.8ballandmjg.com/

 

DMGI Announces Digital Distribution Deal With Legendary Comic Andrew Dice Clay

DMGI Comedy Catalog Expands With Vintage and Never-Before-Seen Performances

-- Digital Music Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMGI) , a content owner and global leader in the digital distribution of independently owned music and video catalogs, today announced a long-term digital distribution agreement with legendary comedian Andrew Dice Clay, star of the new VH1 reality show Dice Undisputed. Under the terms of the agreement, DMGI will distribute both vintage and never-before-seen video performances, as well as rare audio performances, to digital distribution channels worldwide. The video catalogs will be added to the DMGI Comedy channel which currently includes content from some of the top names in the history of comedy, including Sam Kinison, Cheech Marin, Sinbad, Steve Harvey and Norm Crosby.

"Andrew Dice Clay is one of the most extraordinary and controversial comedians of all time," said Mitchell Koulouris, chief executive officer of DMGI. "His brand of edgy, outrageous, in-your-face humor has won him fans from around the world. And his choice of DMGI as his partner is just the latest example of a contemporary, top-tier artist choosing DMGI for their digital distribution needs."

"I'm thrilled that DMGI is my new digital distribution partner," said Clay. "They have the expertise that will allow me to share my body of work with my loyal fans."

DMGI will be releasing Clay's classic performances in conjunction with the premiere of his new reality show, Dice Undisputed, which airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET on VH1. Dice Undisputed gives viewers an intimate and often hilarious look into the highs and lows of this heavyweight's personal and professional life as he fights to get back on top.

Clay enjoyed a meteoric rise in the 1980's playing to sold-out arenas, recording multi-platinum albums, and starring in a number of films and television specials. Referred to as "The Rocky of Comedy," Clay has now come out of retirement and is winning over new legions of fans while staying true to his lifelong devotees.

About DMGI

Founded in 2005, Digital Music Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DMGI) is a content owner and global leader in the digital distribution of independently owned music, TV, film and video catalogs. DMGI acquires the digital rights to media catalogs and digitally encodes them into multiple formats for distribution to online music, mobile, and video stores. Our retailers include: the iTunes Store, YouTube, Google Video, RealNetworks, Napster, Wal-Mart Music, Yahoo! Music, InfoSpace, Moderati, Zingy, 9Squared, and many others. For more information, please visit www.dmgi.com.

Digital Music Group is a trademark of Digital Music Group, Inc. Other names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements (including, without limitation, information regarding Digital Music Group's distribution of videos and audio performances from Andrew Dice Clay through video download and mobile distribution channels) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the results of Digital Music Group to differ materially from management's current expectations. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors including, among others: unforeseen difficulties assembling and processing the video content; the market demand for digital video recordings and potential changes in consumers' tastes and preferences in comedy; and our dependence on online stores and mobile services for the distribution and sale of our digital video recordings. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described in Digital Music Group's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Digital Music Group assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

 

Source: Digital Music Group, Inc.

 

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

 

VH1's Broadband Channel, VSPOT Dissects Joss Stone's Upcoming Album 'Introducing Joss Stone' With the Launch of 'Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone'

New Broadband Original Series Launches Today And Spotlights Never-Before-Seen Footage, Plus New Interviews With Joss Stone, Raphael Saadiq, Common And Others

 VH1 takes Joss Stone's third album release, "Introducing Joss Stone," apart -- cover to cover -- with the launch of its new made-for-broadband music series "Album Autopsy." Launching on VSPOT today, "Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone," takes an in-depth look at the entire album process -- from creating her album cover art, to Joss' song writing process, no stone is left unturned in this revealing new series. VSPOT guides the viewer through every step of the process, providing a snapshot of each track with exclusive clips and new interviews of those that were involved first-hand in the album's production.

Viewers can go to http://www.vh1.com/music/album_autopsy/joss_stone/index.jhtml to access "Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone" and to check out rare photos and exclusive footage of Joss.

"Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone" provides viewers with a fly-on-the-wall look at key moments in the recording process, which are brought to life with intriguing never-before-seen footage including Joss at her recording studio in the Bahamas, recording with Common, live performances of the new album and an inside look at how Joss unwinds while recording. Also included are new interviews with Joss and those who played integral roles in the album, including Raphael Saadiq, Common, Chairman/CEO of Capitol Music Group's Jason Flom, Senior Director A&R Capitol Music Group's Chris Anokute and others.

While albums are a joy to listen to, the album-making process is anything but easy. It takes a team of skilled professionals, long hours to make the tough decisions it takes to get the right vision across at that moment in time. "Album Autopsy" traces an artist's journey from the earliest steps of the album making process to the final product, through the eyes of the artist and those who participated at each step of the way.

 

Joss Stone has sold more than 7.5 million albums worldwide; been nominated for four Grammy Awards; appeared onstage with James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Donna Summer, and Smokey Robinson -- all before reaching the ripe old age of 19.

Joss Stone has sold more than 7.5 million albums worldwide; been nominated for four Grammy Awards; appeared onstage with James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Donna Summer, and Smokey Robinson -- all before reaching the ripe old age of 19.

 

With the upcoming third album release, "Introducing Joss Stone" (Virgin) on March 20, Joss has shown that she is a force to be reckoned with. Only now, on her third album, "Introducing Joss Stone," does the British soul singer and songwriter feel she is expressing her true musical vision. "This is the first album I've made that is truly me," she says. "That's why I'm calling it "Introducing Joss Stone." These are my words, and this is who I am as an artist."

"Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone" is a production of VH1. Produced by Dan Adler, Executive Produced by Scott Reich and Jeff Baumgardner.

Highlights of "Album Autopsy: Introducing Joss Stone" include:

Joss Stone

On creating this album: "I wanted the album to be a piece of art work, I didn't want it to just be you know, singles shoved in there from different producers different writers -- just shove a couple songs together and there's your 12 songs -- there you go you got an album. I didn't want that. I wanted it to say something the whole way through, and mean something. I wasn't wasting my time here."

On the track "Music": God knows, for some reason I was just like, we gotta have Lauryn [Hill] on this track, how dope would it be if we got Lauryn and Novel looks at me like yeah that would be dope. Never gonna happen honey."

On recording process: "Thank god for real musicians sitting in a room playing a real f-ing instrument, cause otherwise I can't be moved. I can't be moved by something that isn't real. I mean when it's real, ooh, it gets me."

Raphael Saddiq, Producer

On Joss recording "Music" with Lauryn: (laugh) "When she said she was getting Lauryn Hill on the album I was like good luck. I told her it'd probably be easier to get the pope. And she was like you just watch, I'm gonna get Lauryn."

Common:

On Joss Stone Album: "When you think of "Introducing Joss Stone," when I hear that title, knowing that this is her 3rd album obviously, it feels like she's like look, this is the first time I'm gonna just be me, like in the rawest of where I am right now."

Jason Flom, Chairman & CEO Capitol Music Group:

On Joss Stone Album: "It's a body of work and that's what the essence of Joss is, is that she's an album artist. And so of course we love to hear songs we feel we can get on the radio. But Joss doesn't make records for radio; Joss makes records for people."

Chris Anokute, Senior Director A&R Capitol Music Group:

On Joss Stone's New Album: "We need Introducing Joss Stone the same way we needed Voodoo or the same way we needed Miseducation of Lauryn Hill there are only a few records that you will always remember -- to the artwork, to the title, to songs to the track listing, to the skits -- I think this Joss Stone record is one of those records."

Source: VH1

 

Lake Las Vegas Resort Presents Stars on the Lake Concert Series Tickets Now on Sale

For the fourth year, Lake Las Vegas Resort announces its lineup for the 2007 Stars on the Lake concert series beginning May 11, 2007

Smoldering rock crooner Chris Isaak launches the series with his breezy vocals and hits like "Wicked Game" and "Speak of the Devil." Following Isaak, singer-songwriter John Legend presents his soulful melodies to resort guests. Legend's appearance is made all the more special as part of a series of events for The Bon Appetit Culinary & Wine Focus 2007 and offers a number of ticket holders the opportunity to dine stage-side on a meal specially prepared by Bon Appetit Executive Chef and first female Iron Chef Cat Cora. Rounding out the rest of the concert series is classical pianist Lang Lang performing with a 35-piece orchestra, rock trio Three Dog Night headlining a pre Fourth of July celebration with The Warren Brothers and fireworks display, the critically acclaimed Nevada Ballet Theatre and Grammy winner Kenny G providing the grand finale.

The 2007 Stars on the Lake series schedule:

 

Date Artist Price - Floating VIP / Reserved / Lawn

May 11 Chris Isaak $125 / $85 / $50

May 18 John Legend $250 (with gourmet dinner)** / $175 (with

boxed dinner)** /

$115 (reserved without dinner) / $55

(lawn without dinner)

June 2 Lang Lang $125 / $65 / $40

with 35 piece

orchestra

June 30 Three Dog Night $90 / $70 / $30

with The Warren

Brothers

September 8 Nevada Ballet $100 / $60 / $24

September 29 Kenny G $125 / $85 / $50

 

Tickets for all of the Stars on the Lake performances are available through Ticketmaster: (702) 474-4000 or www.ticketmaster.com

** For those interested in the special seating during the John Legend and Bon Appetit Culinary & Wine Focus concert, tickets may be purchased at www.bonappetitfocus.com.

For more information regarding the 2007 Stars on the Lake concert series, call (702) 795-SHOW (795-7469), email starsonthelake@lakelasvegas.com or log onto www.starsonthelake.com.

Source: Lake Las Vegas Resort

 

 

Lifetime Original Movie 'What If God Were The Sun?' Starring Academy Award(R) Nominated and Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) Award-Winning Actress Gena Rowlands ('Gloria') and Lacey Chabert ('Party Of Five') to Premiere Monday, May 14 On Lifetime Television

Movie Based in Part on the Novel from Medium, Talk Show Host and Best-Selling Author John Edward ("Crossing Over")

Academy Award(R) nominated and Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) Award-winning actress Gena Rowlands ("The Notebook," "Gloria") and Lacey Chabert ("Mean Girls," "Party of Five") will star in the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie "What if God Were the Sun?" Based in part on the novel by John Edward, "What if God Were the Sun?" is the stirring drama about a cynical emergency room nurse who forms an exceptional connection with a terminally ill patient and how that bond changes her life forever. "What if God Were the Sun?" will premiere Monday, May 14, at 9:00 PM (ET/PT) on Lifetime Television.

In "What if God Were the Sun?," Jamie Spagnoletti (Chabert) is a busy nurse trying to juggle her demanding job and impending nuptials. In a split second, her world unravels when her police officer father dies in the adjacent emergency room while she is attending to a patient. Heartbroken, Jamie's inability to deal with the loss of her father starts to affect her work and her relationship with her fiance, Jeff (Sam Trammell). Concerned, her supervisor transfers her to a new assignment in long term care where she meets Melissa, (Rowlands), a terminally ill woman determined to leave this life in style. Melissa's quick wit and strong faith in the face of her illness mystifies the still grieving Jamie. Through her newfound connection with Melissa, Jamie learns that if she can open her eyes to the unknown, her father's love will propel her out of grief and help her find her way back to Jeff and the beauty of life.

Best known for her role as Claudia on the Golden Globe(R) Award-winning FOX television series, "Party of Five," Lacey Chabert is fast becoming one of the best young actresses of her generation. Her feature film credits include "Mean Girls," "Daddy Day Care," "Lost in Space" and "Not Another Teen Movie." Chabert also starred as Brooke Ellison in Christopher Reeve's final directorial project, A&E's "The Brooke Ellison Story." She can currently be seen in a remake of the 1974 horror movie "Black Christmas" opposite Michelle Trachtenberg.

Gena Rowlands is an Academy Award(R) nominated, Golden Globe(R) and Emmy Award-winning actress recognized around the world. She received an Academy Award(R) nomination for Best Actress for her roles in "Gloria" and "A Woman Under the Influence," both written and directed by her late husband John Cassavetes. She won both a Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) Award for her role as the title character in the telefilm "The Betty Ford Story;" an Emmy(R) for both "In the Face of a Stranger" and HBO's "Hysterical Blindness" and a Golden Globe(R) for "A Woman Under the Influence." Additional film credits include "The Notebook," "The Skeleton Key," "Hope Floats" and "The Brink's Job." In 2000, she was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the CBS television movie, "The Color of Love: Jacey's Story."

Internationally acclaimed psychic medium John Edward has captivated audiences worldwide. Edward is author of the critically acclaimed New York Times best sellers One Last Time; What if God Were the Sun?; Crossing Over: The Stories Behind the Stories; After Life: Answers from the Other Side; Final Beginnings and Practical Praying: Using the Rosary to Enhance Your Life. The success of his television show "Crossing Over with John Edward" on SCI FI left the nation fascinated, and his new series, "John Edward Cross Country," can be seen on WE.

"What if God Were the Sun?" is produced by FOX Television Studios, JECO Productions and Old Beantown Films for Lifetime Television. Brenda Friend ("Joan of Arc," "The Ron Clark Story"), Gina Rugolo Judd ("Just Shoot Me") and John Edward ("Crossing Over with John Edward") are executive producers. Stephen Tolkin (Lifetime's "Nora Roberts' Carolina Moon") is the director. The writers are Janet Dulin Jones ("A Map of the World") and Jamie Pachino (Lifetime's "Not Like Everyone Else").

Other novels Lifetime has adapted into movies include Jodi Picoult's "The Pact" and "Plain Truth;" Joyce Carol Oates' "We Were the Mulvaney's;" Luanne Rice's "Beach Girls;" Chris Bohjalian's "Midwives"; Sue Monk Kidd's "The Mermaid Chair"; "Nora Roberts' Angels Fall"; "Nora Roberts' Montana Sky"; "Nora Roberts' Blue Smoke" and "Nora Roberts' Carolina Moon."

Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment, and Lifetime Online (http://www.lifetimetv.com/) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Source: Lifetime Television

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

 

Warner Bros. Entertainment's Star-Studded Photography and Footage Now Available at gettyimages.com

New Licensing Partnership Gives Customers Easy Access to a Compelling Collection of Imagery From Movies and Television

-- Getty Images, Inc. (NYSE:GYI) and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced a licensing agreement that offers editors, publishers and filmmakers a convenient new way to access imagery from the Studio's award-winning movies and television programs. Customers who visit www.gettyimages.com can access thousands of original stills and film clips from Warner Bros. Entertainment while benefiting from Getty Images' industry-leading search functionality and licensing structure.

"This alliance enables Warner Bros. to bring an unrivaled collection of entertainment photos and footage to the broadest possible audience," said Maria Seidman, Vice President of Sales Development for Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. "Getty Images' market position, customer relationships and leadership in the digital space make the company an ideal distribution partner."

Whether customers are searching for film footage of panoramic vistas in faraway lands or edge-of-your-seat action that hits closer to home, the Warner Bros. Entertainment collection addresses a multitude of imagery needs, featuring eight decades' worth of imagery ranging from the iconic to the obscure. Included in this rich and compelling collection are publicity photos and behind-the-scenes shots from long-running television series such as "ER," "Friends" and "The West Wing," and classic big-screen productions like "National Lampoon's Vacation," "Blazing Saddles" and "Wild Wild West."

"Our partnership with Warner Bros. not only gives customers a powerful new means of creating an unparalleled visual impact, it also enables them to adhere to reasonable production costs and timelines," said Karen McLaughlin, Director of Image Partner Development at Getty Images. "We're continually evaluating the breadth and depth of our content to ensure customers are equipped to communicate effectively through traditional, online and mobile platforms."

The Warner Bros. Entertainment stills collection complements Getty Images' vast offering of entertainment coverage captured at high-profile award ceremonies, film festivals, movie premieres and other celebrity events while diversifying the company's breadth of moving imagery. Getty Images' film collection contains footage from a variety of blue-chip entertainment entities, including dick clark productions, inc., Discovery FootageSource and AP Archive.

To access imagery from the Warner Bros. Entertainment collection, visit www.gettyimages.com/warnerbrosentertainment .

About Getty Images

Getty Images is the world's leading creator and distributor of visual content and the first place creative professionals turn to discover, purchase and manage imagery. The company's award-winning photographers and imagery help customers create inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and Web sites. Headquartered in Seattle, WA and serving customers in more than 100 countries, Getty Images believes in the power of imagery to drive positive change, educate, inform, and entertain. Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com

About Warner Bros. Entertainment

A fully integrated, global entertainment company, Warner Bros. Entertainment is a leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment and their related businesses. A Time Warner company, Warner Bros. stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry, from feature films to television, home video/DVD, animation, product and brand licensing and interactive entertainment.

Source: Getty Images, Inc.

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

 

 

BACKPACKER MAGAZINE “PACKS” CELESTRON® SKYSCOUT™ FOR EDITOR’S CHOICE IN 2007

Portable, Durable, Lightweight Celestial Exploration Device Receives Editor’s Highest Honors For Innovation In Design, Materials and Performance



TORRANCE, CA – (March 13, 2007) – The April issue of Backpacker magazine, which hits stands March 13th, heralds Celestron’s SkyScout personal planetarium, the innovative handheld GPS stargazing device, as one of the “best of the year,” honoring it with a 2007 Editor’s Choice Award.

Bestowed annually since 1993, the Backpacker Editor’s Choice awards are given to products in recognition of their outstanding innovation in design, materials and performance. Enabling stargazers to instantly identify and/or locate over 6,000 celestial objects in the sky with the press of a button, and listen to commentary on the object and its history, Celestron’s SkyScout was one of only 16 products chosen to receive this award in 2007.

“This year’s winners withstood the most rigorous testing process yet,” said Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Dorn. “Our test team started off with 49 new products, narrowing them down to a final 20 after months of trail testing. The finalists were then taken on extreme outdoor adventures from Oregon in a streak of epic weather, to a wind-whipped day at Mt. Hood. Those that survived have earned the distinction of becoming the 2007 Editor’s Choice Award Winners.”

About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the Celestron SkyScout utilizes a consumer-friendly “point and shoot” GPS technology. In addition to its identify feature, the SkyScout also has a “locate” feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view (i.e. Mars) and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object. A totally unique, one-of-a-kind product, SkyScout utilizes patented technology that combines data from sensors measuring both the magnetic and gravitational fields of the Earth, along with internal GPS and a substantial celestial database to dramatically improve how people learn about astronomy, making it much easier and more entertaining.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the magazine that sets the gold-standard for outdoor equipment,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron. “Not only does the SkyScout transform the night sky into a personal planetarium, it also fits into a backpack, making it easy for ‘adventurers’ of all levels and backgrounds to truly view the exceptional splendor of the night sky during outdoor activities like camping or hiking.”

The complete list of Backpacker 2007 Editor’s Choice Award winners will be officially announced in the magazine’s April issue, scheduled to be available on March 13th.

About Backpacker
The authority on active adventure, Backpacker is the world’s first GPS-enabled magazine, and it’s the only magazine where editors personally test the hiking trails, camping gear and survival tips they publish. Backpacker’s six regional editions offer accessible, close-to-home getaways with detailed, tear-out maps to dozens of nearby hikes, as well as practical tips camping and the best gear information available. Published by Rodale Inc., Backpacker has a circulation of 340,000, is published 9 times a year, and last year was a recipient of a coveted National Magazine Award for excellence. Backpacker’s companion website, http://www.backpacker.com is updated daily.

About Celestron
Founded in the 1950’s, Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes. As the second largest telescope maker worldwide, Celestron is a leader in the sale of performance telescopes and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology. Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors. Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA. For more information about Celestron and the SkyScout product please visit, http://www.celestron.com and http://www.celestron.com/skyscout.

MAGAZINE “PACKS” CELESTRON® SKYSCOUT™ FOR EDITOR’S CHOICE IN 2007Portable, Durable, Lightweight Celestial Exploration Device Receives Editor’s Highest Honors For Innovation In Design, Materials and Performance – The April issue of magazine, which hits stands March 13th, heralds Celestron’s SkyScout personal planetarium, the innovative handheld GPS stargazing device, as one of the “best of the year,” honoring it with a 2007 Editor’s Choice Award.Bestowed annually since 1993, the Editor’s Choice awards are given to products in recognition of their outstanding innovation in design, materials and performance. Enabling stargazers to instantly identify and/or locate over 6,000 celestial objects in the sky with the press of a button, and listen to commentary on the object and its history, Celestron’s SkyScout was one of only 16 products chosen to receive this award in 2007. “This year’s winners withstood the most rigorous testing process yet,” said Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Dorn. “Our test team started off with 49 new products, narrowing them down to a final 20 after months of trail testing. The finalists were then taken on extreme outdoor adventures from Oregon in a streak of epic weather, to a wind-whipped day at Mt. Hood. Those that survived have earned the distinction of becoming the 2007 Editor’s Choice Award Winners.”About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the Celestron SkyScout utilizes a consumer-friendly “point and shoot” GPS technology. In addition to its identify feature, the SkyScout also has a “locate” feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view (i.e. Mars) and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object. A totally unique, one-of-a-kind product, SkyScout utilizes patented technology that combines data from sensors measuring both the magnetic and gravitational fields of the Earth, along with internal GPS and a substantial celestial database to dramatically improve how people learn about astronomy, making it much easier and more entertaining.“We are thrilled to be recognized by the magazine that sets the gold-standard for outdoor equipment,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron. “Not only does the SkyScout transform the night sky into a personal planetarium, it also fits into a backpack, making it easy for ‘adventurers’ of all levels and backgrounds to truly view the exceptional splendor of the night sky during outdoor activities like camping or hiking.”The complete list of 2007 Editor’s Choice Award winners will be officially announced in the magazine’s April issue, scheduled to be available on March 13th.The authority on active adventure, Backpacker is the world’s first GPS-enabled magazine, and it’s the only magazine where editors personally test the hiking trails, camping gear and survival tips they publish. Backpacker’s six regional editions offer accessible, close-to-home getaways with detailed, tear-out maps to dozens of nearby hikes, as well as practical tips camping and the best gear information available. Published by Rodale Inc., Backpacker has a circulation of 340,000, is published 9 times a year, and last year was a recipient of a coveted National Magazine Award for excellence. Backpacker’s companion website,

 

 

MAGIC’S OPENING NIGHT OPENS HOUSES

Habitat for Humanity Will Build Two Homes for New Orleans Area Families, Doubling the Event’s Projected Goal

 

Woodland Hills, CA (March 13, 2007) – Two families in New Orleans displaced by Hurricane Katrina will soon have new homes thanks to MAGIC’s semi-annual Opening Night Party co-sponsored with the Joseph Abboud brand. The event raised $150,000 for the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH). Attendees supported the Mardi Gras-themed event that featured New Orleans natives, the Neville Brothers. Aside from performing, Neville Productions made a personal contribution of $25,000 to the cause as well. For the first time, additional funds were also collected at donation booths on MAGIC’s show floor and at a silent auction held during the event.

Construction on the homes is expected to begin in six months and the properties will be sold to Habitat partner families at cost, through a zero-interest, no down payment mortgage. “MAGIC’s initial goal was to raise enough money to build one house in New Orleans, but thanks to all our loyal exhibitors and retailers, we have exceeded expectations, helping two families,” said Chris McCabe, vice president and general manager, MAGIC International. “It’s hard to believe that Hurricane Katrina occurred almost two years ago and it’s disheartening that there are still so many without adequate shelter. Considering that many of MAGIC’s partners and attendees were affected by the hurricane, our partnership with NOAHH was a perfect fit for our traditional Opening Night Party fundraising.”

The MAGIC and Joseph Abboud brand silent auction was a particularly big hit, offering items including tickets to the 2007 U.S. Open, Fendi sunglasses, a VIP weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a Vince Young autographed Super Bowl football and custom-made Joseph Abboud men’s tailored suits, among others.

“MAGIC’s generous contribution to NOAHH is greatly needed due to the area’s devastation,” stated Jim Pate, execute director for NOAHH. “The city of New Orleans faces a historic housing challenge and thanks to our partnership with MAGIC, we will continue to lead the home building recovery effort in the area.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, NOAHH is upholding its mission as it continues to build new homes for low-income families in need of adequate shelter. NOAHH has already built nearly 40 homes in New Orleans post-Katrina, with an additional 40 currently under construction. NOAHH’s goal is to complete the building of at least 200 homes during 2007.

For more information on MAGIC, including images from MAGIC’s Opening Night Party, please visit www.magiconline.com.

ABOUT MAGIC

Every August and February, the fashion industry converges in Las Vegas for the most influential four days in the business – the MAGIC Marketplace. The next event takes place August 27-30, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV.  For information, call 818.593.5000 or log onto www.MAGIConline.com.

MAGIC International is a subsidiary of Advanstar Communications, the world’s largest and most widely recognized organizer of trade shows for the apparel industry producing the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas featuring MAGIC, WWDMAGIC, MAGIC kids, and Sourcing at MAGIC, PROJECT, and Pool.  

 

ABOUT NEW ORLEANS AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH), an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. NOAHH builds new houses in partnership with sponsors, volunteers, communities, and homeowner families to eliminate poverty housing in the New Orleans area while serving as a catalyst to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. In the coming years, NOAHH plans to build 1,500 homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Plaquemine parishes. To learn more visit www.habitat-nola.org

ABOUT JA APPAREL CORP.

The Joseph Abboud brand embodies sophisticated American style for traditional menswear. Joseph Abboud brand instills confidence through tailored collections and unique sportswear that are crafted from the world's finest fabrics and defined by superior fit, exceptional quality and remarkable luxurious style. Since its inception in 1987, the brand has grown into a $400 million worldwide retail lifestyle brand with an expanding number of products in the following categories including men’s apparel and accessories, boy’s apparel, and home furnishings.  Joseph Abboud brand names include Joseph Abboud, Joseph Abboud Jeans Inc., JOE Joseph Abboud, Joseph Abboud BOYS, and Joseph Abboud Home. Joseph Abboud branded products are available in superior department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Indonesia.

 

MARC FORD: FLYING SOLO FROM THE BLACK CROWES

WEARY AND WIRED RELEASES MARCH 13^TH ON BLUES BUREAU RECORDS

 

HOLLYWOOD (March 13, 2007) – Marc Ford, who has sold millions of albums worldwide and played in front of more than 50 million people across the globe, will impact the airwaves with his first solo album Weary and Wired March 13^th [Blues Bureau Records]. Weary and Wired features Ford on guitars & vocals, Mark “Muddy”Dutton on bass and Doni Gray on drums.

Former Black Crowe’s blues-guitar guru has delivered an extraordinary album full of Classic Rock-soaked riffs, bluesy based crunch with Southern Rock twang.  “My influences go way beyond as I do not play nor do I listen to rock," explains Ford. “What influences my playing is folk, blues, jazz, gospel, country, reggae and the list goes on...” Weary and Wired is a significant recording showing Ford’s strength as a singer/songwriter, fueled by large doses of his phenomenal guitar work that brings to mind such masters as Clapton, Hendrix and Beck.

Ford’s first record was with CBS’ renowned retro blues rockers Burning Tree in the late 1980’s. Burning Tree’s self-titled debut album was a much-heralded debut among guitar aficionados and led to Ford being asked to join The Black Crowes.

 

Ford put his stylized guitar stamp on the Black Crowes' second record “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion,” which went to number one on the Billboard charts, eventually going double platinum. Ford continued recording and touring with the band through their next two releases, 1994's “Amorica” and 1996's  “Three Snakes and OneCharm” as well as making two additional records with the band, “Tall” and “band” which were recorded in the 90's and were previously unreleased until 2006. In 2002 Marc had self released his first solo record "It's About Time."  The album was never officially released but by Marcs personal efforts as well as Amazon and iTunes. He still plays the music live as many have said this to be one of their favorites.

In 2006 Ford put out a press release announcing that he had left the Crowes in order to protect his hard fought sobriety and that he had recently produced albums for emerging artists The Pawnshop Kings and Ryan Bingham.

Shortly after this announcement Ford reunited with his Burning Tree bandmates for three gigs at The king king in Hollywood, CA. Following the impromptu dates, Ford enlisted Doni Gray to be his bandmate, along with Muddy and son Elijah Ford, for his new studio album Weary and Wired. “This album is special,” explains Ford. “Burning Tree was my first signed band. We played for years when we were really young. We started in garage, got a deal and toured. This is the first time we’ve played together in 17 years - it felt natural and flowed.”

 

 

Weary and Wired is in store March 13^th - For more information on go to www.myspace.com/marcfordmusic or www.shrapnelrecords.com

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