Publishing & Information Services

US Global Mail Enters into Distribution Agreement with Vine Global Solutions, Inc.

2009-03-03T13:20:00.000+02:00

Leading e-commerce company to provide fulfillment for VineMall.com

HOUSTON, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Vine Global Solutions, Inc. (http://www.vineglobal.com) announced it has signed a distribution agreement with US Global Mail (http://www.usglobalmail.com) to distribute items through the VineMall website. The agreement also includes other Internet operations which Vine Global licenses as the Vine Mall concept. VineMall.com is the only online marketplace dedicated to enabling international expansion opportunities for U.S. online merchants.

The agreement strengthens US Global Mail's status as a leading international e-commerce fulfillment company. US Global Mail's distribution network allows Vine Mall's international consumers to purchase from U.S. companies online. US Global Mail handles all necessary customs documentation. In addition, US Global Mail features a package consolidation service to provide the most cost-efficient shipping possible.

"This agreement further enhances the US Global Mail brand name as the global leader in international e-commerce fulfillment and we are excited to add Vine Global to our distribution channel," said Barry Wisnevitz, Founder of US Global Mail, Inc. "We feel we can provide Vine Global the best opportunities for success in a competitive Internet retail environment with our package consolidation features and real-time shipping system."

"VineMall.com is the only one-stop international marketplace dedicated to enabling cross-border e-commerce opportunities for U.S. merchants. Our agreement with US Global Mail provides world-class logistical solutions for our merchants," said Marc Raygoza, CEO/Founder of Vine Global Solutions, Inc. "We have been impressed with US Global Mail's proven track record and professionalism."

About US Global Mail:

US Global Mail (http://www.usglobalmail.com) is a leading U.S. mail and package-forwarding company offering service to consumers around the world. Established in 2003 and based in Houston, Texas, US Global Mail is a pioneer in international e-commerce distribution. US Global Mail utilizes the widest selection of shipping methods in the industry and offers the customer a real-time shipping experience. US Global Mail's state-of-the-art rate calculator provides fast and accurate delivery rates for all major shipping companies. Services cover packages of all allowable weights and sizes. US Global Mail maintains the highest standards in customer service and strives to continually expand features to meet ever-increasing consumer needs.

About Vine Global Solutions:

Vine Global offers a suite of e-commerce solutions that enable U.S. online retailers to quickly and cost-effectively expand into international markets. The Vine Global solution transforms any U.S.-based, English-language online store into a multinational/multilingual online store without any integration effort from the retailer's software development team. Vine Global's technology platform accounts for language translation, currency conversion, multi-currency landed cost calculation, channel conflict, product restriction management, export compliance, customs documentation, international payment fraud protection and processing, shipment tracking and door-to-door international parcel delivery.

Vine Global guarantees payment to the retailer in U.S. Dollars, effectively eliminating the retailer's risk typically associated with cross-border e-commerce sales. Our solution is equipped with proven and proprietary international fraud techniques that allow us to take on this calculated risk. As a result, U.S. retailers can sell to international customers without any software code changes to their existing online store. Vine Global is the only company today that provides a complete solution that enables and drives sales to consumer markets worldwide.

    Contact:

    Barry Wisnevitz
    barry@usglobalmail.com
    Founder, USGlobalMail.com
   http://www.usglobalmail.com
    14781 Memorial Drive
    Houston, TX 77079
    USA
    1-866-596-8965
    1-281-596-8965

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

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Refinancing in Wake of Homeowner Plan

2009-03-03T12:00:00.000+02:00

CHICAGO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- President Obama's new $75 billion Homeowner Stability Initiative aims to help three-to-four million homeowners who owe more than 80 percent of their home's value. The plan focuses on "responsible" homeowners, who are still current in their payments but at risk of default. While not everyone will qualify, all consumers should take this time to ensure their credit report is accurate and that they are in good financial standing. If their credit report and score are in good shape, even those who aren't eligible for the stimulus plan may find it's the right time to refinance to take advantage of current rates.

Before refinancing, it is critical that consumers do their homework and understand how they will be viewed by lenders. The TrueCredit.com Mortgage Simulator provides consumers with a snapshot of their most up-to-date credit information as well as a personalized loan rate analysis to show them the interest rates they would qualify for that day.

In a recent New York Times article, Forrester Research Analyst Brad Strothkamp called the mortgage simulator a useful service. "What I like most about it is its independent, unbiased nature," he said.

Consumers can purchase TrueCredit.com's Mortgage Simulator by logging onto www.gotruecredit.com.

About TrueCredit.com's Mortgage Simulator

TrueCredit.com's proprietary offering delivers a listing of mortgage rates for which an applicant should qualify, based on a daily nationwide survey of rates from the Heitman Group. Rates are continuously updated, so users can check periodically to see if their rates have changed. The simulator automatically populates users' up-to-date credit score and monthly non-mortgage debt level so that consumers have a realistic analysis of their standing. Also included is a "What If" tool designed to help users determine how changing various factors, such as improving a current credit score or debt-to-income ratio, can improve borrowing power.

About TrueCredit.com

Since 1999, TrueCredit.com has helped millions of consumers manage their own credit health. Through a suite of educational materials, free monthly newsletters and easy-to-use products, the company helps consumers understand personal credit management and empowers them to achieve greater financial well-being. TrueCredit.com's online products include credit reports, credit and insurance scores, credit monitoring, debt management tools and identity theft insurance services. TrueCredit.com is the direct-to-consumer arm of Chicago-based TransUnion Interactive, a subsidiary of TransUnion, a global leader in credit and information management. Manage your credit. Manage your life(SM). www.gotruecredit.com

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Hannah Montana Fans Get Key to Online Secrets With New Book and Interactive Website

2009-03-03T10:30:00.000+02:00

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids get the key to hours of fun and entertainment with Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online, new this spring from Reader's Digest. Fans will covet the collectible charm with secret password that comes with the book. It enables readers to access a special website, www.hannahwebpass.com, that's chock-full of fun online activities. Kids can read about Hannah, her friends Lily and Oliver, and even heartthrob Jake Ryan, then log on to the website, plug in the secret code, and discover a treasure chest full of pictures, posters, printables and interactive activities.

The book and website each include three separate sections -- "Fashion Focus," "School, Friends, and More," and "Family Rocks" -- that not only show what makes Hannah so cool, but also give kids a chance to explore their own fashion style, relationships, and more. Fans will want to share with each other the book's familiar Hannah Montana moments -- silly, goofy, funky, and, of course, romantic. The website extends the fun.

Online, kids can design a room, guitar, bulletin board, birthday card, or concert t-shirt, choose outfits for Hannah, edit a magazine cover or yearbook, and print out a fashion calendar or a birthday keeper. Whether fans want to read Miley's diary, find out their "crush style," or create a Hannah Montana family scrapbook, it's all there at www.hannahwebpass.com. A special bonus page even allows kids to download and print posters and stickers.

The Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online book and secret website are the ultimate key to fun for Hannah Montana fans.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Southwest Airlines Named No. 7 in FORTUNE Magazine's Top 50 Most Admired Companies in the World

2009-03-02T23:40:00.000+02:00

Southwest is Only U.S. Airline to Make List of World's Top 50 Most Admired Companies

DALLAS, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines today celebrated with its 35,000 Employees the news that it was named as one of the Top 10 Companies in FORTUNE magazine's ranking of the World's Most Admired companies. It is the 13th consecutive year that the Dallas-based airline has been named to the Most Admired list. Southwest ranked No. 7 on the list of the 50 Most Admired Companies in the World in the March 16, 2009, issue of FORTUNE, which hit newsstands today.

"I celebrate this wonderful honor with the Employees of Southwest Airlines," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chairman, President, and CEO. "I'm privileged to work with the most dedicated, happy, productive, and devoted airline Employees in the world."

The honor is particularly special this year, because it is the first year FORTUNE magazine has combined both its World's Most Admired and America's Most Admired surveys into one. FORTUNE's own news release on the survey says: "the new Most Admired list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations."

The ranking is determined from surveys sent to company executives, boards of directors, and analysts of multiple industries, and each Company is rated on several criteria, including quality of management, people management, use of corporate assets, financial soundness, quality of products/services, social responsibility, longterm investment, and innovation.

In addition to being named one of FORTUNE's Top 10 Most Admired Companies in the world, Southwest, which serves only the domestic United States, also ranked third in the list of the World's Most Admired Airlines.

After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest's updated gate areas and improved boarding procedure make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states (service to Minneapolis-St. Paul begins March 8, and service to Boston Logan International Airport will begin in Fall 2009). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

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XFMedia Changes its Corporate Identity and Ticker Symbol to XSEL

2009-03-02T11:25:00.000+02:00

BEIJING, March 2 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Xinhua Finance Media Limited (Nasdaq: XFML) (the "Company"), a leading media group in China, announced today that it has changed its name to Xinhua Sports & Entertainment Limited ("XSEL") following shareholder approval obtained on January 15, 2009. The Company is unveiling a new corporate identity which highlights its focus on the rapidly expanding sports and entertainment market in China. Its trading symbol on the NASDAQ Global Market will be changed from "XFML" to "XSEL" effective Monday, March 2, 2009.

Link to the new XSEL logo: http://www.xsel.com/logo/

Positioned to offer advertisers an effective platform to reach the young, upwardly mobile demographic in China, the Company has been growing its media platforms beyond finance with a particular focus on sports and entertainment. This is an extension of the continued effort to target the fastest growing and most affluent audiences in China. The new corporate name and identity more accurately reflect the Company's mission and its direction for future growth.

Ms. Fredy Bush, XSEL's Chief Executive Officer said, "Sports themed programming is the fastest growing and most profitable segment of the broadcast industry in China today. According to research conducted by Morgan Stanley, there are approximately 500 million soccer fans and 300 million basketball fans in China. Providing additional popular international sports content to these individuals as well as the sizeable untapped fans in China is a compelling business strategy and investment opportunity."

"China's media market is continuing to open opportunities that were not available just one year ago. Content is fast becoming the most valuable commodity in China. We are in the fortunate position of being able to leverage our well-established platform of media and advertising resources to deliver content across television channels, the Internet, and mobile phones," continued Ms. Bush.

XSEL's total media solution reaches approximately 250 million television viewers, a radio broadcast audience of approximately 125 million, over 480 million potential mobile phone users and an extensive university network of over 45 million students. XSEL provides Chinese audiences access to premium sports and entertainment content while also offering advertisers access to China's young, upwardly mobile demographic.

As a result of the Company's focus on sports and entertainment, it is rolling out a new corporate identity, which is derived from the concept of "spotlights", an element universally associated with the excitement of sports and entertainment. Moreover, its new corporate brand mark via its "X" shape symbolizes convergence, namely its capacity to bring together content and access, advertisers and audiences, and the best practices of East and West. The "X" also represents the Company's continued business expansion and extension. Furthermore, through the abbreviation of the new Company name "XSEL", the Company conveys to the market its ability to "excel" in China's media industry as well as its capability to help its clients "excel" in reaching their target audience in China.

The new corporate name follows a number of announcements by the Company regarding expansion into new ventures related to sports broadcasting and film production in China. Among these various initiatives, the Company acquired exclusive distribution rights in China to the All Sports Network ("ASN"). ASN's content includes the NFL, NCAA March Madness, all Pac 10, ACC, and Big 10 competitions and exclusive NHL regular and post season games. XSEL has also purchased the 2009 - 2012 seasons of the UEFA Europa League as well as rights in China to one of the largest fight sports libraries in the world featuring World Class boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Kung fu and other competitions.

About XSEL

Xinhua Sports & Entertainment Limited ("XSEL"; NASDAQ: XSEL) is a leading sports and entertainment media company group in China. Catering to a vast audience of young and upwardly mobile consumers, XSEL is well-positioned in China with its unique content and access. Through its key international partnerships, XSEL is able to offer its target audience the content they demand -- premium sports and quality entertainment. Through its Chinese partnerships, XSEL is able to deliver this content across a broad range of platforms, including television, the Internet, mobile phone, cinema, university campuses and other multimedia assets in China. Along with its in-house advertising resources, XSEL offers a total solution empowering clients at every stage of the media process linking advertisers with China's young and upwardly mobile demographic.

Headquartered in Beijing, the company employs more than 1,350 people and has offices and affiliates in major cities throughout China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Xinhua Sports & Entertainment Limited shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ: XSEL). For more information, please visit http://www.xsel.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about XSEL's beliefs and expectations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks outlined in XSEL's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F.

This press release is based upon information available to the public, as well as other information from sources which management believes to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by XSEL to be accurate, nor does XSEL purport it to be complete. Opinions expressed herein are those of management as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. XSEL undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Media Contact

     Joy Tsang
     XSEL
     Tel:   +86-21-6113-5999
     Email: joy.tsang@xsel.com

     Lindsay Koval
     AGG International
     Tel:   +1-212-614-4170
     Email: lindsay@aggintl.com

    IR Contact

     Edward Liu
     XSEL
     Tel:   +86-21-6113-5978
     Email: edward.liu@xsel.com

     Howard Gostfrand
     American Capital Ventures
     Tel:   +1-305-918-7000
            +1-877-918-0774, toll free
     Email: info@amcapventures.com

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Pearson - Final Results Interviews With CEO and CFO

2009-03-02T08:17:00.000+02:00

LONDON, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pearson, the international media company, today announced its 2008 preliminary results.

In a video interview, Marjorie Scardino, CEO, and Robin Freestone, CFO, discuss the company's strong performance in 2008. They look at the results and outlook in detail, and break down the opportunity for Pearson in its different businesses including Pearson Education, Penguin Group and the Financial Times Group.

In addition to the interviews there will also be a live analyst presentation at 09:00GMT.

The interview, transcript and live presentation are available on http://w3.cantos.com/pearson.

It's free to view. All you need to do is register at http://www.cantos.com. Cantos.com, the online financial broadcaster, features in-depth interviews, documentaries and webcasts with senior company executives. If you would like to contact us, please email enquiries@cantos.com or phone +44(0)207-936-1333.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

CHAMP and OAG Announce Strategic Alliance to Automate the Distribution of Cargo Tariffs

2009-03-02T05:01:00.000+02:00

CHAMP's Cargospot to publish real-time rates on OAG AFRA

BANGKOK, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- CHAMP Cargosystems (www.champ.aero), the leading provider of air cargo IT solutions, and OAG Cargo (www.oagcargo.com), the foremost data and online information services business for the global airfreight industry, today announced their global co-operation for the provision of real-time rate and booking services. This alliance will deliver a direct interface between CHAMP's Cargospot system and OAG's Air Freight Rates (AFRA) application.

Carriers utilising CHAMP's new generation Cargospot applications will now be able to distribute their rates directly to their forwarding clients via OAG's AFRA. This web-based solution allows the communication of real-time rate information between carriers and freight forwarders in a secure online environment. Carriers will have the option within Cargospot to upload their rates via the 'AFRA interface' and their latest tariffs will be automatically placed on AFRA where they will be instantly accessible to current and potential customers.

Mike Navin, Managing Director OAG Cargo Solutions, part of UBM Aviation, said: "We are excited about this initiative with CHAMP, which supports OAG's strategy for obtaining rate information directly from the source. The dynamics of our industry demand high-speed communications and data transfer between airlines, handlers and forwarders. Having an interface to link our two applications will speed up the communication process for critical real-time rate data and deliver added value to our customers."

James Fernandez, VP Sales and Marketing, CHAMP Cargosystems explains: "CHAMP's partnership with OAG is part of our strategy to extend the range of services available to our Cargospot clients. As we continue to invest in our new-generation product portfolio, finding the right partners is critical to us so that we can provide our customers with opportunities for growth and competitive advantage.

"Our clients can now have a direct interface with their customers, providing improved levels of service at lower cost. The real-time publication of tariffs is vital in today's competitive environment and Cargospot users will now be able to respond even more quickly to any movements or changes in the market."

Cargospot -- CHAMP's new generation suite of applications -- provides a modern software platform for airlines needing a complete solution to automate their cargo business or to replace a current legacy system. Cargospot is offered in both hosted and license options to suit companies of all sizes. The modules enable fast interoperability with business partners (customers, agents, and service providers) throughout the air cargo supply chain.

AFRA is a business to business tool for secure rate information between airlines and freight forwarders, and for the communication of sales quotations between forwarders and shippers. Airlines publish their rates on the system, and forwarders access the information under license. Currently it contains more than eight million tariffs including general, contract, ad hoc and net rates, and is used by freight forwarders worldwide to compare prices quickly and easily to find the right rate for a consignment.

About CHAMP (http://www.champ.aero/)

CHAMP Cargosystems is the market leader in providing integrated software solutions to air cargo carriers and their distribution partners around the world. With a comprehensive and proven portfolio CHAMP provides solutions to over 85 airlines and 200 customers worldwide, including GSAs, GHAs and Forwarders and is an IATA Strategic Partner.

In addition to the core airline business, the CHAMP portfolio includes extensive ground handling modules addressing the needs of GHA and GSA specialists. CHAMP also leverages its domain knowledge of cargo airlines and experience of ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications to deliver outsourcing consultancy and leading-edge SAP financial platforms for financial and accounting operations to airlines managing freight. CHAMP is an SAP(R) Channel Partner.

About OAG Cargo Solutions (www.oagcargo.com)

OAG Cargo Solutions provides an expanding portfolio of innovative products and services to the global air cargo community. Its air freight community portal oagcargo.com includes tools for routing and shipment planning, Dangerous Goods regulations, a real-time air freight rates database, air and road schedule data, tracking and analysis solutions and multi-media cargo schedule products. Its renowned Inforwarding service has more than 26,000 registered freight forwarding and airline users in 26 markets worldwide.

OAG Cargo Solutions is part of UBM Aviation (www.ubmaviation.com), a global data and information business for the air transport industry serving the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics, maintenance repair & overhaul (MRO) and business travel communities with flight and fleet information products, market intelligence, news and events. UBM Aviation is a division of United Business Media (UBM) Limited.

About UBM (www.ubm.com)

United Business Media Limited (UBM) is a global media and marketing services company that informs markets and brings the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. UBM serves professional and commercial communities, from IT professionals to doctors, from journalists to jewelry dealers, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. UBM employs more than 6,500 people in more than 30 countries. UBM's businesses include CMPMedica, Everything Channel, PR Newswire, RISI, TechInsights, TechWeb, Think Services, UBM Aviation and UBM Global Trade. UBM is listed on the London Stock Exchange (UBM.L) and has a market capitalization of $2.5 billion.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Boosting Business Confidence

2009-03-02T00:01:00.000+02:00

The key to getting British business back on track

LONDON, Mar. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Britain's executives are being urged to honour the people who make the most crucial contribution to their businesses: their staff. Workers in thousands of firms all over the UK are currently giving their all to support companies through the recession. By acknowledging their efforts, bosses can create an upswing in staff confidence that will be passed on in turn to customers, sending them a powerful message that the business is strong, able to deliver and here to stay.

In spite of the negative headlines on employment, a surprising seven in ten firms say the spirit of their staff has not been dampened by the current economic climate, according to recent research that polled 1200 business leaders and entrepreneurs at The National Business Awards.

The research shows that the majority of firms believe that the quality of the nation's workforce is the reason why UK plc will survive the recession. With that in mind, bosses are being encouraged to acknowledge the contribution of their employees by entering the 2009 National Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange.

In a period of economic uncertainty, it is vital that businesses do all they can to reinstate consumer and staff confidence. While winning an award or reaching the finals is highly prestigious, just entering can be enough to inspire those around you.

Mike Faulkner, Group Director, The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange said: "In the current economic climate there has never been such a heightened need to instil confidence in consumers. There is no better way for a business to send a positive message to its customers than gaining recognition in The National Business Awards. We expect 2009 to be a bumper year for entries and look forward to a robust and hard fought contest across the UK."

Paul Tollet, Vice President of Orange Business, UK added: "Orange is proud to be sponsoring The National Business Awards for an eighth consecutive year and recognising the resilience and adaptability of British business. In spite of this difficult economic climate, those organisations that are truly exceptional will buck the market trends and remain successful."

In order to make entering The Awards as straight forward as possible, new for 2009, is the ability to complete the entries entirely digitally at www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals. The Regional Awards programme is now open for registrations and the closing date for submission of entry forms is Tuesday 7th April 2009.

Made up of nine categories, shortlisted finalists will be announced on 6th May 2009, before preparing to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel in June. Winners will be unveiled at glittering gala award dinners throughout July. Scotland and regional winners will then advance to The National Business Awards finals competing with public and private organisations from all over the country culminating in The National Business Awards gala dinner in November.

To obtain further information or to enter the 2009 programme visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk, telephone 020 7234 8753 or email nbapressoffice@ubm.com

*Photography is available upon request

    For further information please contact:

    The National Business Awards
    Henriette Svensen, PR Manager
    Telephone: 020 7234 8753/0750 091 7628
    Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com
    Visit: www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk

Editors Notes:

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS - REGIONAL PROGRAMME 2009

The 1200 business leaders polled at The National Business Awards also concluded that:

Businesses believe that the most important thing organisations need to do to make UK Plc more successful long term is:
- 51% - Invest In Skills and Training
- 34% - Support innovation
- 8% - Encourage more relaxed governance
- 7% - Invest in greener business practices

Asked how well prepared they thought the UK economy is to weather the storm compared to other world economies, businesses said:
- 30% - Better
- 32% - The same
- 37% - Less

Businesses think the best attribute that the UK can offer successful business is:
- 51% - Great talent pool from which to recruit
- 21% - Its reputation as a world superpower in business
- 28% - Its geography and language

The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, has considerable success in embedding its reputation for managing and delivering a robust and rigorous process delivering the United Kingdom's most respected business recognition platform, with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business.

The 2009 Awards categories now open for entries are:

The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
The Health Work Well-being Award for Small Business
The 3i Growth Strategy of the Year Award
The Business Innovation of the Year Award
The Badenoch & Clark Business of the Year Award
The Customer Focus Award
The Employer of the Year Award
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award

About United Business Media

The National Business Awards is owned by United Business Media the leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 5,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

NEWSWEEK International Editions: Highlights and Exclusives, March 9, 2009 Issue

2009-03-01T18:59:00.000+02:00

COVER: Radical Islam Is a Fact of Life. How to Live With It. (All overseas editions). Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that in order to prevail, the West must learn to distinguish between those Islamic groups who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home. "Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "[Osama] Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common." Zakaria, however, stresses that this "does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187093

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

COVER: Losing Hand. (Japan only). Tokyo Bureau Chief Christian Caryl reports on Japan's dramatic leadership deficit. Despite the embarrassment caused by Shoichi Nakagawa, Japan's finance minister who resigned last month, Prime Minister Taro Aso, the man responsible for appointing Nakagawa, is still on the job--despite approval ratings in the single digits and an apparent lack of any coherent plan for rescuing the world's second-largest economy. Aso's propensity for gaffes and his failure to find a modus vivendi with the emboldened opposition have condemned Japan to paralysis at just the moment when it's in dire need of strong leadership. Many blame Aso's failings on his predecessors and Japanese traditions that value seniority over performance. But pretty much everyone agrees the biggest problem is the LDP itself, which has singlehandedly ruled Japan since the party's founding in 1955.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186965

Politics Takes a Right Turn in Jerusalem. In his first foreign media interview since being asked by Israeli President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government, Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that he believes it is possible to halt Iran's nuclear program without having to resort to military action, but it shouldn't be ruled out. "I think this regime is vulnerable to pressure that ought to be intensified. But none of these sanctions and other measures that are contemplated would have much of an effect if the Iranians believe that a military option is off the table," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187077

Avigdor Lieberman. Weymouth also interviewed Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beytenu party was a surprise winner in Israel's recent election. Last week Lieberman sat down for his first foreign interview and discussed his proposal of a loyalty oath for all Israelis. "The dividing line for Yisrael Beytenu is who supports terror and who fights terror. We cannot accept that there are people in Israel that even during even the war openly supported Hamas," he says. This proposal, he adds, is not only meant for Israeli Arabs but Jews as well. "[I propose] to outlaw these parties and these political leaders [who supported Hamas]," Lieberman says. "Secondly, there must be some kind of national or military service for all Israelis. We take all our examples from Europe or the United States."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186953

Anti-Semitism in Araby. Josef Joffe, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Abramowitz fellow at the Hoover Institution, examines Hillary Clinton's peacemaking trip to Israel and the West Bank this week, another chapter in "the longest-running show in American diplomacy." The reasons for the slow pace are familiar: the status of Jerusalem, problems with security, Jewish settlements, civil war among the Palestinians, etc. But one other key problem is stubbornly ignored: "the fact that no Arab regime has shown itself willing to truly prepare its people for peace with Israel, which would mean accepting the lasting presence of Jews in their midst." Anti-Semitism is a very real part of Arab life today. "Whereas this darkest of creeds is no longer tolerated in polite society in the West, in the Arab world, Jew hatred remains culturally endemic."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186974

Waiting for Barack. Denis MacShane, a Labour M.P. and Britain's minister for Europe under Tony Blair, writes that "all of Europe looks anxiously to Washington for answers to the world's intractable problems: a banking freeze-up, a job meltdown, a Middle East with no solution in sight, an Iran racing for nuclear arms, a quagmire in Afghanistan, a Russia that treats the European Union as a playpen for the Kremlin's divide-and-rule diplomatic games." Yet Barack Obama is the first president in decades with no experience or knowledge of Europe, and this is a time when Europe is disunited and quarrelsome on economic, security and foreign-policy issues.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186966

What Hillary Didn't Do in Asia. Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (National University of Singapore), writes that Hillary Clinton's recent trip to Asia provides some early clues on how she'll manage the task of engaging in long-term strategic thinking on major geopolitical challenges. "There's no doubt she did a competent job. Clinton followed the advice of her briefing books, making Japan her first stop to reassure this nervous and insecure ally. Then she went to Indonesia, probably at Obama's instigation, to rebuild America's image in the world's most populous Islamic country. South Korea was an essential stop to send the usual tough signals to North Korea. And then came China, her most important destination." Yet, there's little evidence Clinton has engaged in any serious strategic thinking about U.S.-China relations. During her trip, she refrained from asking any big questions.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186967

How to End a Genocide Debate. Contributor Grenville Byfordreports on the 1915 massacre of Armenians in what is now Eastern Turkey, and the ongoing debate over whether it was "genocide." "In all probability, Turkey and Armenia can only resolve the genocide dispute if they recognize that 'was it a genocide?' may be the ultimate question, but it is not the most important one today," he writes. Two questions outrank it: what common facts can Turks and Armenians be brought to accept, and is the common ground sufficient for both sides to start binding up the wounds? As important as the final answer, however, is the development of empathy across the divide.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186973

WORLD VIEW: A Deal With Syria Is Possible. Contributor Richard N. Haass writes that there may be an opportunity now to make peace between Israel and Syria. Damascus is signaling that it's ready to negotiate a separate peace with Israel and it needs America's help to do it. "Any accord between Israel and Syria would require a push from the outside. Turkey has been hosting talks between the two countries, but it cannot succeed on its own. The United States needs to become a participant ... President Obama correctly views dialogue as a tool, not a reward. It is time to put the tool to use, and to see what can be built."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186954

THE LAST WORD: Alexander Medvedev, deputy chief executive of energy giant Gazprom. Senior Editor Michael Freedmanmet with Medvedev to discuss the economic crisis, foreign investment in the Russian energy sector and the Ukraine gas dispute. "We value our reputation very highly. That's why we have done everything possible to prevent the crisis. Unfortunately we became hostages of the political situation in Ukraine and a commercial dispute went out of the commercial terms."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186975

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

NEWSWEEK: Media Lead Sheet/March 9, 2009 Issue (on newsstands Monday, March 2).

2009-03-01T17:23:00.000+02:00

COVER: "Radical Islam is A Fact of Life. How To Live With It." (p. 24). Newsweek international Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that radical Islam is a fact of life, which we must learn to deal with. In order to prevail, the West must learn to distinguish between those who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home. "Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "[Osama] Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common." Zakaria, however, stresses that this "does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas. We should mount a spirited defense of our views and values. We should pursue aggressively policies that will make these values succeed. Such efforts are often difficult and take time--rebuilding state structures, providing secular education, reducing corruption--but we should help societies making these efforts. The mere fact that we are working in these countries on these issues--and not simply bombing, killing and capturing--might change the atmosphere surrounding the U.S. involvement in this struggle."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187093

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

INTERVIEW: "Politics Takes a Right Turn in Jerusalem" (p. 30). In his first foreign media interview since being asked by Israeli President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government, Prime Minister- elect Benjamin Netanyahu tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that he believes it is possible to halt Iran's nuclear program without having to resort to military action, but it shouldn't be ruled out. "I think this regime is vulnerable to pressure that ought to be intensified. But none of these sanctions and other measures that are contemplated would have much of an effect if the Iranians believe that a military option is off the table," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187077

"Avigdor Lieberman" (p. 31). Weymouth also interviewed Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beytenu party was a surprise winner in Israel's recent election. Last week Lieberman sat down for his first foreign interview and discussed his proposal of a loyalty oath for all Israelis. "The dividing line for Yisrael Beytenu is who supports terror and who fights terror. We cannot accept that there are people in Israel that even during even the war openly supported Hamas," he says. This proposal, he adds, is not only meant for Israeli Arabs but Jews as well. "[I propose] to outlaw these parties and these political leaders [who supported Hamas]," Lieberman says. "Secondly, there must be some kind of national or military service for all Israelis. We take all our examples from Europe or the United States." A video of this interview is also available on Newsweek.com.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186953?tid=relatedcl

POLITICS: "Obama's Pelosi Problem" (p. 34). White House Correspondent Holly Bailey reports on the friction between the White House and Congress over courting support for the stimulus package. While President Barack Obama worked to win over Republicans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was going in the opposite direction. Pelosi didn't share the president's dream of brotherly love breaking out in the Capitol. To the ire of Republicans, and some Democrats, Pelosi maneuvered to put the stimulus package on the fast track, cutting short debate on the bill and cutting Republicans out of the discussion.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186961

THE WHITE HOUSE: "The Busiest Woman in Washington" (p. 38) Editor-At-Large Evan Thomas and Political Correspondent Katie Connolly profile Desiree Rogers, the First Family's social secretary, gatekeeper and imagemaker, whose top job is to cast the Obamas as occupants of a "People's House." A New Orleans native, Rogers describes her job as "one cornerstone of building the Obama presidency brand."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186963

DANIEL GROSS: "Reining In Bubbles So They Won't Pop" (p. 44). In an adaptation of Senior Editor Daniel Gross'snew book, "Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation," Gross breaks down some of the reasons why our advanced financial system suffered such a catastrophic failure and looks at whether it's possible to keep this from happening again. "There's plenty of blame to go around: poor regulation, eight years of a failed Republican economic philosophy, Wall Street-friendly Democrats who helped stymie reform, misguided bipartisan efforts to promote home ownership, Wall Street greed, corrupt CEOs, a botched rescue effort, painfully fallible central bankers," Gross writes. "Everybody--individuals, companies, institutions, and governments--got caught up in the stupidity."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186949

SHARON BEGLEY: "Why Doctors Hate Science" (p. 49). Senior Editor Sharon Begley writes about why doctors are reluctant allow science to guide their practices and to listen to scientists conducting "comparative-effectiveness research" that determines which treatments, including drugs, are more medically and cost-effective for a given ailment than others. "The power of medical culture explains only part of the resistance to following practices that have been shown scientifically to be superior to others. Some doctors insist that results of such studies do not apply to their patients, since every patient is different," Begley writes. Money, however, also matters. "In one infamous case in the mid-1990s, a federal agency concluded that spinal fusion doesn't help back pain, a decision that threatened insurance coverage for it. Surgeons, who stood to lose piles of money, got Congress to decimate the agency's budget, forcing it to pull back from making recommendations."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187006

EDUCATION: "Rethinking Race In the Classroom" (p. 52). National Correspondent Allison Samuels writes about why in the age of Obama, the call to banish "Huck Finn" and abolish Black History Month is wrong. "There's a case to be made that, in the age of Obama, it is more important than ever to study works like 'Huck Finn,'" Samuels writes. "As adamant as some African-American teachers and professors are about keeping the books in the classroom, some black parents feel very differently," she writes. "Parents, teachers and mentors are all responsible for arming students with the right tools for the future. And when our children end up learning only half the story, no one wins."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187009

MOVIES: "Till Death Do Us Part" (p. 60). Senior Editor Devin Gordon reviews the long-awaited, "Watchmen" movie. Zack Snyder's film adaptation of the graphic novel is meticulous, even slavish, in its recreation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's imagery. "'Watchmen' loyalists are already rejoicing. But is that a good thing?" writes Gordon. "Speaking as an admirer, but not an apostle, of the graphic novel, I thought the 'Watchmen' movie was confusing, maddeningly inconsistent and fighting a long, losing battle to establish an identity of its own."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186958

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

NEWSWEEK Cover: Radical Islam Is A Fact Of Life. How To Live With It.

2009-03-01T16:18:00.000+02:00

Fareed Zakaria Writes, "It is crucial that we adopt a more sophisticated strategy toward radical Islam"

Not All Islamic Fundamentalists Support Jihad or are Potential Terrorists

NEW YORK, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In the March 9 Newsweek cover, "Radical Islam Is a Fact of Life. How to Live With It" (on newsstands Monday, March 2), Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that radical Islam is a fact of life, which we must learn to deal with. He emphatically does not say that we should accept the medieval values of the Islamists, or that we should not continue trying to destroy Al Qaeda. But to prevail in a generational cultural struggle, the West must learn to distinguish between those who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

Reports from Nigeria to Bosnia to Indonesia show that Islamic fundamentalists are finding support within their communities for their agenda, which usually involves the introduction of some form of Sharia-Islamic law--reflecting a puritanical interpretation of Islam. No music, no liquor, no smoking, no female emancipation. "The groups that advocate these policies are ugly, reactionary forces that will stunt their countries and bring dishonor to their religion. But not all these Islamists advocate global jihad, host terrorists or launch operations against the outside world--in fact, most do not," Zakaria writes. "Consider, for example, the most difficult example, the Taliban. The Taliban have done all kinds of terrible things in Afghanistan. But so far, no Afghan Taliban has participated at any significant level in a global terrorist attack over the past 10 years--including 9/11." Zakaria also points out that while some elements of the Taliban are closely associated with Al Qaeda, "the Taliban is large, and many factions have little connection to Osama bin Laden. Most Taliban want Islamic rule locally, not violent jihad globally," he writes.

This is why "it is crucial that we adopt a more sophisticated strategy toward radical Islam," Zakaria writes. "This should come naturally to President Obama, who spoke often on the campaign trail of the need for just such a differentiated approach toward Muslim countries." The Washington Institute, a think tank often associated with conservatives, also agrees with this view. Its report due to be released this week recommends that the United States use more "nuanced, noncombative rhetoric" that avoids sweeping declarations like "war on terror," "global insurgency," even "the Muslim world."

"Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common. That does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas. We should mount a spirited defense of our views and values. We should pursue aggressively policies that will make these values succeed. Such efforts are often difficult and take time--rebuilding state structures, providing secular education, reducing corruption--but we should help societies making these efforts. The mere fact that we are working in these countries on these issues--and not simply bombing, killing and capturing--might change the atmosphere surrounding the U.S. involvement in this struggle."

(Read cover article at www.Newsweek.com)

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

For Florida Nonprofits: Free Fundraising Consulting Hotline

2009-02-28T18:05:00.000+02:00

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Totally free, personalized fundraising consulting is now available for all Florida nonprofits 24/7 at www.fundraisershotline.com.

"Florida nonprofit fundraisers may ask anything they want - like How can I find donors? or How can I get my board to give more and to ask others to give? It's absolutely one-on-one attention. They won't be getting boilerplate answers," says Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein, creator of the hotline and president of The Nonprofit Institute, Educational Marketing Services in Fort Lauderdale.

"Nonprofits always have a hard time raising money. But many are really struggling in today's bad economy, especially in Florida. They need immediate professional advice tailored to their specific needs. But most nonprofits cannot afford to hire an expert to give them quick answers to their pressing questions. So, www.fundraisershotline.com gives them personal access to an experienced professional to be their sounding-board to increase their fundraising success," Goldstein adds.

That's what's so unique about the hotline. It's quick, efficient, direct --and free, of course. Getting answers from the hotline is simple. Go to www.fundraisershotline.com, fill out the short user form, ask a question, then send it to Dr. Goldstein. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Every question is answered personally and within 24 hours.

Columnist, author, consultant, TV and radio personality, and workshop leader - Dr. Stephen L. Goldstein is a nationally recognized marketing, communications, and fundraising executive, as well as a trends analyst and forecaster. For more than 30 years, he has developed strategies for nonprofit success.

Dr. Goldstein is now the co-producer and host of "The Forum for Nonprofits," which airs on WNN & WSBR and may be heard 24/7 at www.forumfornonprofits.com. He was the producer and host of "Fundraising Success," a weekly radio program on WXEL, 90.7FM/National Public Radio and still available at any time from anywhere in the world at www.wxelpodcasts.org.

Dr. Goldstein's "Fundraising Guru" columns have appeared in The South Florida Sun-Sentinel and have been a regular feature of the Scripps papers on Florida's Treasure Coast. He is the author of the bestseller, 30 Days to Successful Fundraising.

Goldstein is also the developer of "Fundraising Briefing Books," the basis for the workshops and tailored consulting programs he offers nationwide.

    Media contact:
    Stephen Goldstern
    954-772-4455
    trendsman@aol.com

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Grupo Casa Saba Announces 4Q08 Earnings Results

2009-02-27T23:26:00.000+02:00

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Casa Saba ("Saba," "GCS," "the Company" or "the Group") (NYSE: SAB), one of the leading Mexican distributors of pharmaceutical products, beauty aids, personal care and consumer goods, general merchandise, publications and other products, announces its consolidated financial and operating results for the fourth quarter of 2008.

Financial Highlights:

(All December 2007 figures are expressed in millions of Mexican pesos as of December 31, 2007, while the figures for December 2008 are expressed in millions of current Mexican pesos. Comparisons are made with the same period of 2007, unless otherwise stated. Figures may vary due to rounding practices. "b.p." stands for basis points).

    -- Sales for the quarter totaled $7,807.03 million
    -- Gross income increased 17.86%
    -- Gross margin for the quarter was 12.21%
    -- Quarterly operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 7.80%
    -- The operating margin for the quarter was 4.41%
    -- Net profit for the quarter reached $222.79 million
    -- Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter was $524.21 million


                              QUARTERLY EARNINGS

NET SALES

During the fourth quarter, GCS's sales were $7,807.03 million, an increase of 7.91%.

Sales for our Private Pharma division rose 8.46% during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the consolidation of investments made within the sector, including the most recent acquisition of Drogasmil Medicamento e Perfumeria, S.A.(1), a Brazilian pharmacy chain.

Sales in our Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other division increased 14.77% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This growth was due to commercial agreements that enabled us to increase promotions and discounts which, in turn, increased our sales.

Sales in our Government Pharma division rose 30.37% due to an increase in sales to Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), as well as the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado ("ISSSTE"), or the Mexican Social Security and Service Institute for Government Employees.

Publication sales decreased 45.02%, primarily as a result of lower unit sales. This decrease was due to the fact that Citem stopped distributing some publications that did not meet our minimal profitability requirements.

The sales mix did not change significantly this quarter. Private Pharma sales represented 85.74% of total sales (compared to 85.30% during the fourth quarter of 2007), while Government Pharma accounted for 4.08% (versus 3.37% during the fourth quarter of 2007). Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other represented 8.47% (compared to 7.97% in the fourth quarter of 2007) and Publications made up the remaining 1.71% (versus 3.36% during the fourth quarter of 2007).

SALES BY DIVISION

PRIVATE PHARMA

Sales in our Private Pharma division rose 8.46% during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the consolidation of investments that were made within the sector. This includes the most recent acquisition of Drogasmil Medicamento e Perfumeria, S.A. a Brazilian pharmacy chain.

Sales reached $6,693.86 million and represented 85.74% of the Group's total sales.

GOVERNMENT PHARMA

Sales in our Government Pharma division grew 30.37% due to an increase in sales to PEMEX as well as the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado ("ISSSTE"). Government Pharma sales reached $318.16 million during 4Q08 and accounted for 4.08% of our total sales.

HEALTH, BEAUTY, CONSUMER GOODS, GENERAL MERCHANDISE AND OTHER

Sales in our Health, Beauty, Consumer Goods, General Merchandise and Other division reached $661.54 million, an increase of 14.77% versus the fourth quarter of 2007. This was due to commercial agreements that enabled us to increase promotions and discounts which, in turn, increased our sales.

As a percentage of total sales, this division went from representing 7.97% in 4Q07 to 8.47% during the fourth quarter of 2008.

PUBLICATIONS

Publication sales decreased 45.02% during the quarter, primarily as a result of lower unit sales. This decrease was mainly due to the fact that Citem stopped distributing some publications that no longer met our minimal profitability requirements.

This division's participation as a percentage of total sales went from 3.36% in 4Q07 to 1.71% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

GROSS INCOME

During the fourth quarter of the year, Grupo Casa Saba's gross income increased 17.86% to reach $953.38 million. The company's gross margin improved as a result of the recent investments, to 12.21% compared to 11.18% during 4Q07.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Operating expenses reached $608.78 million, an increase of 50.94% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This was due to the investments that were made over the past months. Operating expenses represented 7.80% of our total sales.

OPERATING INCOME

As a result of the increase in operating expenses, operating income declined 15.04%, to reach $344.59 million. The operating margin was 4.41%, 120 b.p. lower than the 5.61% margin registered in the fourth quarter of 2007.

OPERATING INCOME PLUS DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Operating income plus depreciation and amortization for 4Q08 was $374.30 million, a decrease of 12.23% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Depreciation and amortization for the period was $29.71 million, 42.50% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2007.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008 was $524.21 million.

COMPREHENSIVE COST OF FINANCING

During the fourth quarter of 2008, GCS's comprehensive cost of financing (CCF) was $69.35 million, due primarily due to an increase in the amount of interest income paid.

The interest payments were related to the long-term credit that was obtained as a result of our most recent acquisition in Brazil, as well as the interest that was generated from the utilization of short-term credits for our operations in Mexico and Brazil.

OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company registered an income of $31.55 million in other expenses (income). The expenses (income) from this line item were derived from activities that are distinct from the company's everyday business operations.

TAX PROVISIONS

During the fourth quarter, tax provisions were $84.01 million. These provisions included $77.30 million for income tax and $6.7 million for deferred income tax.

NET INCOME

GCS's net income for the fourth quarter was $222.79 million, a decrease of 39.34% compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a higher comprehensive cost of financing (CCF).

The net margin for the period was 2.85%, lower than the 5.08% net margin obtained during the fourth quarter of 2007.

WORKING CAPITAL

During the fourth quarter of 2008, our accounts receivable days were 61.9, compared to 56.5 days during the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, our accounts payable days increased by 6.9 days compared to 4Q07, to reach 66.1 days. Finally, our inventory days were 67.4 days, 0.8 fewer days than in 4Q07.

(1) The acquisition took place on May 15, 2008.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Xinhua Finance Limited (TSE: 9399) Reports Its Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

2009-02-27T03:47:00.000+02:00

SHANGHAI, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Xinhua Finance Limited ("XFL", or "the Company", TSE Mothers: 9399; OTC: XHFNY), China's premier financial information service provider, today reported consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), of US$279.4 million, an 8% increase over 2007. EBITDA was negative US$457.3 million and net loss was US$341.7 million. Proforma EBITDA, adjusted to exclude non-cash ESOP expenses and one-time items, was US$50.3 million versus US$52.0 million in 2007. Adjusting for the divestiture or discontinuation of certain businesses in 2008 and 2007, revenue from continuing operations increased 24%, from US$24.7 million in 2007 to US$30.6 million in 2008.

(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/xprn/sa/200702151700.gif)

Due mainly to the worsening economic environment, which has a direct impact on the Company's assessment of intangible asset values, in addition to the Company's restructuring, the Company recorded provisions for intangible asset impairment totaling US$321.2 million. The Company also recorded a write- down of US$81.5 million related to its investment in Xinhua Finance Media Limited ("XFMedia") (1), due to the decline in XFMedia's asset value. Beginning December 31, 2008, XFMedia is no longer consolidated into the Company's accounts and XFMedia is accounted for as an associated company.

Primarily due to the aforementioned impairments, the Company generated a net loss for the year of US$341.7 million. On a proforma basis, after excluding non-cash and one-time items, proforma net income was US$2.9 million compared to US$1.8 million in 2007. Proforma results are provided by the Company to help investors better understand underlying operating and financial trends.

During the past several months, the Company continued to divest out of non core assets and reduce costs. Following the disposal of its Mergent and Kinetic subsidiaries in July 2008, the Company sold certain assets of the G7 Group and Taylor Rafferty, its joint alliance interest in Xinhua PR Newswire, and its US-based subsidiaries Washington Analysis and Market News International. On December 31, 2008, XFL converted its class B shareholding in XFMedia to class A shares, thereby relinquishing its control of XFMedia and allowing for its deconsolidation.

XFL CEO Mr. Jae Lie said, "The sale and divestiture of non core assets has allowed us to generate funds to redeem bonds, which will give us greater flexibility. This is also in line with our overall strategy to streamline and focus on our core competency, which is the provision of proprietary and value- added information and services of China's financial markets. The deconsolidation of XFMedia is in line with this strategy and improves transparency and provides a clearer picture of the underlying businesses as well as reduces reporting costs. In 2009, we will continue to focus on our core businesses of Indices, Ratings and Solutions and pursue strategies that will improve shareholder value."

Earlier in the month, the Company announced a tender offer for the redemption of approximately US$42 million of its 10% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2011 (the "Notes"). This follows the redemption of around US$49 million of the Notes in September 2008.

XFL CFO Mr. David Wang said, "Upon the successful completion of the tender offer, we will have redeemed US$90 million of the Notes, leaving US$10 million outstanding. For 2009 we will continue cutting costs and improving operational efficiencies."

    (1) XFMedia changed its name to Xinhua Sports and Entertainment Limited
        on February 15, 2009.



    2008 vs. 2007 (IFRS) -- unit: USD million

                                            2008        2007    Variance
    Revenue                                279.4       257.7        8%
    Proforma EBITDA (1)                     50.3        52.0       -3%
    EBITDA                                (457.3)       39.0        NA
    Proforma Net Income (2)                  2.9         1.8       55%
    Net Income                            (341.7)       56.5        NA



    Continuing Operations (3)
    2008 vs. 2007 (IFRS) -- unit: USD million

                                             2008        2007    Variance
    Revenue                                  30.6        24.7       24%


    (1) Proforma EBITDA is EBITDA excluding non-cash share-based compensation
        expense and excluding one time items.
    (2) Proforma Net Income is calculated by taking net income and excluding
        non cash share-based compensation expenses, one time non recurrent
        items, amortization arising from acquisitions and non-cash imputed
        interest.
    (3) Due to changes in the composition of our business as a result of the
        divestiture or discontinuation of certain subsidiaries, we also
        present results from continuing operations.


    (Notes)
    A. We define EBITDA in relation to our IFRS financial statements as
       profit or loss before interest expense, tax, depreciation and
       amortization.

About Xinhua Finance Limited

Xinhua Finance Limited ("XFL") is China's premier financial information service provider and is listed on the Mothers Board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399) (OTC ADRs: XHFNY). Founded in November 1999, XFL is headquartered in Shanghai.

For more information, please visit http://www.xinhuafinance.com .

This is a press release to the public and should not be relied on as information to make an investment decision by any investor. Investors should read the Company's Securities Report filed to the Tokyo Stock Exchange and consider the risk factors together with other information contained therein when making an investment decision. This press release contains some forward- looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results, performance, achievements of the Company or industries in which it operates to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

    More Information:

     IR Contact
     Xinhua Finance
     Hong Kong
     Mr. Charles Lau
     Tel:   +852-3196-3779
     Email: charles.lau@xinhuafinance.com

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

CR Annual Auto Issue: Best Values, Top Picks and More

2009-02-27T01:24:00.000+02:00

YONKERS, N.Y., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Welcome to Consumer Reports' Annual Auto Issue. More than ever, consumers need good deals. The issue provides information about which cars give you the most bang for your buck, how to get a good deal on a late-model used car, how you can keep your current car running and save hundreds on auto service, manufacturer report cards, and new and surprising Top Picks. (Articles in Spanish are available at www.consumerreportsenespanol.org.)

EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AT 2:00 p.m. ET

SAVE HUNDREDS ON AUTO MAINTENANCE BY SHOPPING AROUND + 5 AUTO SERVICE RIP-OFFS

Consumers can save hundreds on auto maintenance by comparison shopping and calling several dealerships and independent shops, according to a new analysis from Consumer Reports. CR's experts called dozens of dealers and repair shops throughout the country to get quotes for regular maintenance service on three popular models. CR found that dealers often wanted to charge for extra work that the automaker doesn't require when they compared the service items included in quotes with the maintenance lists in the owner's manuals. They also found that quotes from independent shops that included all the items in the manual were sometimes $150 below the cheapest dealer.

The issue also identifies 5 auto service rip-offs like flushing the transmission and insisting that only dealerships perform maintenance to avoid.

CONSUMER REPORTS' NAMES TWO NEW TOP PICKS FOR 2009 IN MIDSIZE SUV AND PICKUP TRUCK CATEGORIES

Consumer Reports has named its Top Picks for 2009, which includes two new models -- the Toyota Highlander and the Chevrolet Avalanche, as top choices for midsized SUVs and pickups. Having proven reliable in its first year since a major redesign, the top-rated Toyota Highlander dethroned the Hyundai Santa Fe, last year's winner in the midsized SUVs category, while the improved reliability of the new Chevrolet Avalanche helped it to replace the Chevrolet Silverado as top pickup.

CONSUMER REPORTS NAMES THE MOST RELIABLE USED CARS

Value-minded consumers know that buying a reliable used car is often the best choice, but that finding one takes research. To help simplify the process, Consumer Reports has identified the most and least reliable used cars for 10 years -- from model years 1999 to 2008. Reliability data was compiled from the magazine's Annual Auto Survey, which generated responses about more than 1.4 million new and used vehicles. Toyota and Honda dominated the majority of the categories, demonstrating consistent reliability and performance, but some recent domestic models are also worthy choices. The report also features a list of "Used Cars to Avoid" and the "Worst of the Worst," which names vehicles with multiple years of much-worse-than average reliability.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

National Hispanic Blog Pioneer Sets Up Austin Portal to Report on Latino Leadership in Community, Business and Education

2009-02-26T23:50:00.000+02:00

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan G. Tornoe, a pioneer in the Latino blogosphere and founder of the number one rated news site HispanicTrending.net, has honed in on Austin as the site of his newest blog venture.

Tornoe, an Austinite who was one of the first Latino bloggers to interview President Obama before his presidency, has launched the blog Hispanics in Austin found online at http://hispanicsinaustin.wordpress.com/about/ (copy and paste link in browser). Tornoe's blog will cover the latest happenings in Austin regarding Latino education, politics, culture, economics, media, and community through Tornoe's original news and analysis, as well as from a select base of contributors.

"The idea is to make this new site Hispanics in Austin a community effort so people hear a wide array of voices and can truly get a sense what's going on in Austin's Latinosphere," said Tornoe. "This isn't just a site just for Hispanics but rather for anyone who wants to become more informed about the trends and events happening in the Austin Latino community and how this impacts businesses, educators, and organizations in the region."

Among the features highlighted on Hispanics in Austin is a growing list of Latino organizations, charities, and companies as well as community postings about the latest Austin Hispanic news, events, and public issues. The site also publishes Spanish content.

"I see such enormous potential for Austin to lead the country as an innovator because of its rich Latino prowess and progress," said Tornoe. "Hopefully, this site will help harness some of that intellectual power and community resolve and put it into perspective locally as well as nationally."

For those who want to meet Tornoe in person, he will be a featured speaker at the upcoming RISE conference on March 4 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center. To register to attend Tornoe's session, go to http://tinyurl.com/brrkkj (copy and paste link in browser).

"We're very excited to have Juan's skills and talent focused on Austin and helping to take Austin's global competitive advantage -- its growing pool of bilingual educated employees and leaders -- to a much larger scale on the Internet," said Sylvia Acevedo, founder and CEO of CommuniCard, LLC. "With Juan's reputation and proven abilities, he'll help pave the way for an emerging Latino blogosphere in Austin that impacts communities everywhere."

About HispanicTrending.net

Juan G. Tornoe founded HispanicTrending.net in 2004 originally as a Hispanic marketing community forum. Over the years, the format of the site eventually changed to providing breaking news and trends articles in the Latino world, as well as serving as a resource center for advertising and marketing professionals serving the Hispanic industry.

Tornoe's HispanicTrending.net has drawn praise from numerous political officials and business leaders for its vast depth of timely and relevant Latino new and has been featured by media including CNN, New York Times, Dan Rather's Reports, National Public Radio, USA Today, Reuters, and many other outlets. Tornoe is also a published author and columnist with numerous marketing and business publications. A native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, Tornoe graduated from Universidad Francisco Marroqiun and received an MBA from E.S.E.A.D.E.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Bloomberg PMI Shows Fall in February Euro Retail Sales

2009-02-26T09:10:00.000+02:00

Retailers Wind Down Stocks and Staff Levels as Slump in Sales Continues

Wholesale Prices Indicate Smallest Rise in over Three Years

NEW YORK, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bloomberg Euro-Zone Retail Purchasing Managers' Index ("PMI(R)"), based on a mid-month survey of more than 1,000 executives in the euro area retail sector, fell from 44.0 in January to 42.3 in February. The results signaled an acceleration in the month-on-month rate of decline in sales revenues, in contrast to the easing seen over the previous two months and indicated a renewed weakening of consumer confidence and high street spending. Sales have now fallen for nine consecutive months.

The latest PMI, which provides data one month ahead of government-issued figures, also showed that single currency area retail sales remained well down on a year ago on a like-for-like basis. The year-on-year sales index slumped from 46.7 in January to 35.5, indicating a sharp acceleration in the rate of decline to a pace that almost matched December's record and reversed the easing seen in January.

Sales fell on both the month-on-month and year-on-year measures in each of the three largest euro countries:

Italy continued to see the weakest sales performance of the three countries, with its month-on-month sales index dipping from 38.6 to 38.2 and extending the current sequence of decline to twenty-four months. The rate of decline remained substantially less than that seen through the final quarter of last year.
In France, retail sales fell at a five-year survey record pace in February, a marked reverse from the marginal rise seen the previous month. The month-on-month index fell from 50.5 to 42.6 as consumers shunned the high street.
Germany registered the smallest drop in retail sales of the three countries, and also saw the rate of decline moderate from the near-record pace seen in January. The month-on-month index for Germany rose from 41.7 to a four-month high of 45.4. Sales in Germany have fallen for nine successive months.

Sales by sector - all sectors reported falling sales, led by household goods

Euro retail sales fell below levels of a year ago for all main product categories in February. The steepest fall was seen for household goods, which posted a record year-on-year deterioration in revenues, followed by clothing & footwear. The smallest decline was reported by food & drink retailers, in contrasting the steep growth recorded in January. Autos & fuel retailers posted the smallest decline for nine months, linked in part to government financial incentives such as the scrap bonus (though the positive effects were reported to have diminished somewhat in France).

Sales against plans - targets missed in all three countries

The sales against targets index fell from 42.1 in January to 35.1, indicating that sales targets were missed by a wide margin and to a greater extent than at the start of 2009 (albeit less than the near-record shortfall seen in December). Targets were missed to greater extents than in January across all three countries, with the greatest disappointment registered in Italy and the smallest shortfall recorded in Germany.

All main product sectors reported that sales had been weaker than planned. Sellers of household goods reported that targets had been missed to the greatest extent, followed by clothing & footwear retailers. The smallest shortfall was seen at autos & fuel retailers.

Expected sales next month - expectations for March broadly neutral

Retailers across the single currency area are neutral in their expectations for meeting targets in March. The expectations index rose from 44.7 to 50.1, indicative of a negligible degree of optimism. The one-month sales outlook varied markedly by country, with positive expectations in France offset by pessimism in both Germany and Italy.

Divergent expectations were also evident according to product sector in February. Retailers of food & drink and autos & fuel are confident of meeting targets in March, contrasting with pessimism in the remaining three sectors covered.

Prices and margins - wholesale prices showed smallest rise for over three years

The rate of inflation of prices paid for goods by retailers fell in February to the lowest since December 2005. The price index dropped from 59.1 to 53.9. Any reading above 50.0 indicates an increase in average wholesale prices. Cost inflation moderated in all three main euro countries, with Italy registering a very modest rise in prices during the month and a record low. A 43-month low was posted in Germany. Prices rose in all product sectors except clothing & footwear, where prices were unchanged since January. The sharpest rise in prices was seen in pharmaceuticals.

The rate at which gross margins at euro-zone retailers deteriorated remained sharp in February, despite easing for the second month running from December's record. The margins index rose from 37.8 to 39.9. Retail profits fell at slower rates in all three countries. Italian retailers again reported the strongest overall decline.

Employment - rate of job losses matched December's record

Euro area retailers cut their employment levels for the eleventh consecutive month in February, with the rate of job losses matching December's five-year survey record. The employment index registered 47.4, from 47.5 in January. All three countries covered reported lower staffing levels, with the sharpest decline again seen in Italy. German retailers continued to shed staff at a marginal rate.

Retailers' buying and stock trends - purchases and stock levels both slumped at record rates

Retailers' stocks of unsold goods fell at the fastest rate yet recorded in the survey's five-year history, reflecting deliberate destocking in the face of falling sales and a bleak economic outlook. Stocks have now fallen for six successive months. The stocks index dropped from 48.3 to 46.9, reflecting record falls in stocks in Italy and France and a further drop in German retail inventories.

The value of goods purchased for resale by euro area retailers also fell at a new record pace in February, down for the seventh straight month. The buying index fell sharply from 43.7 in January to a new low of 40.3. Buying activity declined at sharper rates in both Italy and France (and at a record pace in the latter), while the pace of contraction eased in Germany.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg is the leading global provider of data, news and analytics. The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL(R) service and Bloomberg's media services provide real-time and archived financial and market data, pricing, trading, news and communications tools in a single, integrated package to corporations, news organizations, financial and legal professionals and individuals around the world. Bloomberg's media services include the global BLOOMBERG NEWS(R) service with more than 2,200 professionals in over 140 bureaus worldwide; the BLOOMBERG TELEVISION(R) 24-hour business and financial network produced and distributed worldwide; and BLOOMBERG RADIO(R) services which provide up-to-the-minute news on XM, Sirius and WorldSpace satellite radio around the world and on WBBR 1130AM in New York. In addition, Bloomberg publishes BLOOMBERG MARKETS(R) magazine and BLOOMBERG PRESS(R) books for investment professionals. For more information please visit http://www.bloomberg.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Technology vendors seize opportunity to gain market share, emerge from global crisis stronger at International IC-China Conference & Exhibition

2009-02-26T05:41:00.000+02:00

SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Global Sources (Nasdaq: GSOL) announces the opening of the 14th International IC-China Conference & Exhibition (IIC-China, http://www.english.IIC-China.com ), the only systems design event in mainland China, at Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center through Feb. 27.

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

    IIC-China is also scheduled to be held in:

    -- Xi'an: March 2-3, Xian Greenland PICO International Convention and
       Exhibition Centre;
    -- Beijing: March 5-6, China World Trade Center; and
    -- Shanghai: March 9-10, Shanghai Mart.

For the third year, IIC-China's Shenzhen, Xi'an and Shanghai venues will also present Components Zone, mainland China's largest electronic components sourcing event.

"Mainland China's electronics exports may have slowed down from the double-digit growth we are used to, but they remain robust. Mainland China is the single largest source of manufactured electronics worldwide. It is an industry driven by both global and domestic demand," said Mark A. Saunderson, President of Global Sources' Electronics Business Unit.

"Recent mainland China government policy is expected to expand demand for consumer electronics in mainland China. The breadth and size of the market, coupled with favorable policy are expected to support the international technology companies that supply this industry.

"With the recent dramatic market changes, electronics manufacturers recognize there is no longer a place for low-price, 'me-too' products. They are now focusing on quality and innovation to survive and prosper.

"Engineers working for these companies must keep apace of latest design possibilities and new technology. Their job depends on inspired design, and inspired design demands new technology -- in a word, innovation; and innovation is what IIC-China is all about.

"At a time when marketing and promotion are key to survival and growth, exhibitors use IIC-China to stand out from the crowd and leapfrog competitors who are pulling back."

Top technology companies keen to penetrate mainland China market

With mainland China ranked as the world's largest IC market, companies like Altium, Analog Devices, Atmel, Fairchild Semiconductor, Intel, Intersil, Maxim, Micrel, Microchip Technology, Microsoft Windows Embedded, NEC Electronics, Numonyx, NXP Semiconductors and Vishay are seizing this opportunity to exhibit their latest products and services to mainland China's engineering community.

Intel China's director of embedded sales and marketing group, Terry Sze, said: "Although the global economic downturn is affecting mainland China, we are glad to see that so many technology manufactures from around the world are still participating at IIC-China -- this provides Intel and our fellow technology companies a great opportunity to network with each other.

"Intel has been promoting the development of industrial and home automation and embedded ecosystem for over 30 years. Today, we work with our business partners and over 3,500 clients on developing innovative IA embedded solutions catering to different applications. The development of embedded Internet, which is expected to connect over 15 billion embedded computing devices by 2015, relies on our constant effort to exchange ideas with our business partners and clients."

IIC-China delivers educational conferences to engineers seeking inspiration

Industry gurus from leading technology companies are scheduled to deliver the latest design theories and application methodology on next-generation communication, embedded systems, automotive electronics and power management technologies.

Companies to host seminars include Actel, Freescale Semiconductor, Fujitsu Microelectronics, Future Technology Devices International (FTDI), Infineon Technologies, International Rectifier and STMicroelectronics.

Saunderson said: "For 14 years, IIC-China has connected great minds, original ideas and new technology. It has helped mainland China evolve from being the world's factory to a power house for technologic innovations. Technology vendors and engineers have always relied on IIC-China as the perfect channel that delivers solutions for them to cope with different challenges every step along the way."

Global Sources' design-to-export solution for Greater China and Asia's electronics industry

IIC-China is an important part of Global Sources' portfolio of electronics industry media and trade show brands. Combining 29 online and 10 print media, plus four events which run 13 times across 11 cities, Global Sources provides Greater China and Asia's electronics industry with end-to-end support - from product conceptualization through to export of finished products.

Global Sources' key electronics industry event brands also include International IC-Taiwan Conference & Exhibition ( http://www.english.iic-taiwan.com ) and China Sourcing Fairs: Electronics and Electronics & Components ( http://www.chinasourcingfair.com ).

For more information about Global Sources, visit http://www.corporate.globalsources.com .

About Global Sources

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Great Rock & Roll Kindle - Free Speech in America Has a Revival

2009-02-26T05:25:00.000+02:00

MARIN COUNTY, Calif., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- When Someone hears that a new product is "endorsed by Oprah," such as Amazon's revolutionary Kindle eBook reading Device, people sometimes automatically assume that a giant Publishing Company is behind the content, and all the works available are only those already selling millions of copies.

One need not be a Bestseller (yet) to join the Ranks of those Who Are.

Thanks to IT companies like the Supremus Group, Independent Writers and publishers can make their Works available on Kindle, in a very simple and affordable fashion.

Free Speech is having a Revival.

Even dead rockstars like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana are being Resurrected on Kindle, in a book being Released by Eternal Youth Empire. The Book, titled

    "220: S I F T I N G
    The Alien Battle Royale
    or
    How we met the Spirit of Kurt Cobain"
    is now available on Kindle
    (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TK3GXI )
    since 2/20/09, Kurt Cobain's birthday.

"220" is a Non-Fiction True Account which deals with the themes of Spiritual Contact, alien encounters, unexplained phenomena such as Stigmata; telepathy, Remote Viewing, and Remote Influencing. It is written by Veronica Grey (aka Fysche) - a credible author who would pass a Lie Detector Test at the not-for-profit Organization Eternal Youth Empire, and an Independent UK based Publishing House Turner Maxwell Books

(http://www.turnermaxwellbooks.com/220.htm.)

With the old business model of Publishing Monopolies, such an unusual title with a niche following would have had a Challenge to find Its way onto the Mainstream Book Market.

Now, many companies, such as Supremus Group, make It as Easy as "Point, Click, and Pay". All an Interested Writer or Publisher has to do after Registering their company on Amazon's digital platform http://dtp.amazon.com is contact someone like Bob Mehta of

    Supremus Group
    515-865-4591
   http://www.itglobalsolution.com

and Bob would simply have the eBook e-mailed over or uploaded to an ftp server, depending on the size of the File. Then Bob would return with a Quote based on the number of pages, graphics, etc of the book. Once payment is made, the eBook is converted to formats compatible with Kindle and Mobipocket et Voila! Within days an otherwise obscure title is available to the masses in the most Cutting Edge manner.

The added bonus is that eBook conversion rates start at only $69 on ITGlobalSolution.com, making It an affordable Option for the Independent Artist, such as Eternal Youth Empire, a not-for-profit Organization helmed by motocross hotshot Von Launius, dedicated to bringing wellness and viable age-reversal techniques to the Forefront, with Its Guidebook, "6 Newly Discovered and Never Before Published Secrets to Eternal Youth and Immortality." For more information on these works and / or to find out how You can get Your Work on Kindle, visit the Contact or Links Page on http://www.EternalYouthEmpire.com.

Other musicians Referenced in the work include Paul Bubbo of the Star Chemists, and JA$*N.!3; actor Jason Lewis and numerous Other Celebrities.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

What the Billion Dollar Beauty Industry Does Not Want Leaked: That One Can Actually Reverse Aging for Free by Moving Only to the Right. We Smell a Nobel.

2009-02-26T01:05:00.000+02:00

Tired of Putting Money in the Hands of Beauty Corporations for Botox, Pills, Creams, unused Gym Memberships, Plastic Surgery, and / or Counseling to Remain Youthful? Now one does not have to. New Book '6 Newly Discovered and Never Before Published Secrets to Eternal Youth and Immortality' gives FREE and Simple solutions that Truly Reverse the Aging Process so that folks can attain and maintain the Age they Intend to Look and Feel Forever - Guaranteed! Because the Secrets are Free to Test, people only have Health and Vitality to Gain, as the Beauty Industry stands to lose Billions.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Often times Simplicity is the Best Path. Eternal Youth Empire, a California Based not-for-profit Organization dedicated to health and vitality for the masses, may have Stumbled Upon the Key to Reverse Your Aging Process. Best of all, It is FREE to test the Key, to See that It works. http://www.EternalYouthEmpire.com Aside from the low cost of obtaining the Book from their Website, one never has to pay for anything for the Rest of one's Life, to stay Forever Young.

The following Key is the mind-blowing Secret that has never been publicly revealed before in Print, for Free: It is generally accepted that tiny particles called Atoms "make-up" Everything, and that electrons revolve around atoms in a rather Haphazard manner. Eternal Youth Empire discovered over 10 years ago that for some Reason, whenever anything organic decomposes or ages, the Electrons that once rotated Randomly quite suddenly organize Themselves in an orderly fashion and begin Rotating in a leftward, Counter-clockwise motion.

Therefore, aging and Decomposing is a matter of revolving to the left. If you believe that simplicity and elegance are common sense and that nature displays the macrocosm of the microcosm, therefore, if one never rotates to the left, one puts off aging Indefinitely. Basically, if one only moves in rightward clockwise motions, one will stay Youthful Forever.

Members of Eternal Youth Empire have only gone right for over 10 years and their Youthfulness is Credible. Whirling Dervishes and Yogis for centuries have advocated right twirls to stave off aging. A Physical Immortality Interest Group in Orange County, CA led by Lynn and Leo Youngblood have their own set of testimonials from only moving to the Right. Dr. Janni Lloyd of Australia concurs. Her blog on Oprah's website is titled, "Do You Choose Life" and the public is welcome to comment: http://www.oprah.com/community/thread/95436 .

Even UPS has now implemented only Right Turns for their Drivers. Time and gas spent by waiting to turn left is assuaged by going around the entire block by making 3 rights.

The Buck Institute of Aging in Marin County, CA, only one of three such Laboratories in the World and the Only One in the United States, is aware of Eternal Youth Empire's Guide, and have Invited the members of Eternal Youth Empire to visit with Them, which may be an Indication of Endorsement. Nobel can only be Close Behind.

Eternal Youth Empire says, "Try It for Yourself. It is 100% free!" If You ever have to turn left, instead, make a 270 degree turn to the right, like a twirl or pirouette. You will end up facing left as Intended and literally stave off aging forever. You may hear a short Interview for Free regarding this one Key by clicking on This Link: http://www.myspace.com/eyelipstongue where You can also get In Touch with this not-for-profit Organization.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

R.H. Donnelley to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

2009-02-25T03:41:00.000+02:00

Release: Thursday March 12, 20097:30 a.m. (ET)

Conference Call: Thursday March 12, 200910:00 a.m. (ET)

CARY, N.C., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- R.H. Donnelley Corporation (RHDC), one of the nation's leading Yellow Pages and online local commercial search companies, will announce fourth quarter and full year 2008 results on Thursday March 12 at approximately 7:30 a.m. (ET), which will be posted on the company's Web site at www.rhd.com. The company invites its investors and other interested parties to participate in a conference call at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on the same day to hear commentary regarding its results. David C. Swanson, chairman and CEO, and Steven M. Blondy, executive vice president and CFO, will host the call.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060731/NYM044LOGO)

Individuals within the United States can access the call by dialing 888-387-9606 - others should dial 517-645-6055. The pass code for the call is "RHD". In order to ensure a prompt start time, please dial into the call by 9:50 a.m. (ET). A replay of the conference call can be accessed from within the United States by dialing 866-382-4784 and internationally by dialing 203-369-0363. There is no pass code for the replay, which will be available through March 26, 2009. In addition, a live Web cast will be available on RHD's Web site at www.rhd.com, and an archived version will be available for up to one year.

Helping Local Businesses Reach More Customers

R.H. Donnelley's interactive offerings are essential to its Triple Play(TM) solution suite -- an integrated set of products and services that efficiently and effectively extend the marketing reach of local businesses. Spanning multiple media platforms -- print Yellow Pages directories, DexKnows.com(TM) search site and the major search engines (e.g., Yahoo!(R) and Google(R)) via the Company's Dex Search Network(TM) -- Triple Play delivers the advertisements of local businesses to a wider set of ready-to-buy consumers.

About R.H. Donnelley

R.H. Donnelley connects businesses and consumers through its portfolio of print and interactive marketing solutions. Small- and medium-sized businesses look to R.H. Donnelley's experienced team of marketing consultants to help them grow their companies and drive sales leads. Consumers depend on the Company's reliable, local business content to deliver the most relevant search results when they are seeking local goods and services. For more information, visit www.rhd.com and DexKnows.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Media Malpractice Documentary to Premiere at National Press Club February 26th

2009-02-25T00:22:00.000+02:00

The Hard Hitting Documentary Exposes Unprecedented Mainstream Media Bias in the 2008 Presidential Election

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new feature-length documentary provides the most compelling and comprehensive portrait yet of the unprecedented mainstream media bias and abdication of duty that took place during the 2008 presidential election. The movie, entitled Media Malpractice: How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Targeted provides a contextual and chronological investigation through the examination of actual media broadcasts from all major news and cable networks.

"This movie shows as clearly as possible that journalism is dead", said John Ziegler, the writer and producer of Media Malpractice. "The level of detail in this production is staggering and it will remind millions of Americans that they were not presented a fair and honest portrait of the 2008 election because the media wanted Obama to win and they did everything in their power to see that Obama got elected."

The movie also includes additional features that have received significant national attention: Election-day interviews with Obama voters gauging their basic knowledge, and the first exclusive on-the-record interview granted by Governor Sarah Palin from her home in Wasilla, AK. This interview detailed her experiences on the campaign, as well as her candid responses - in real time - of several shocking media excerpts from the campaign not previously seen by the Alaska Governor.

In a wide-ranging interview lasting approximately one hour, Media Malpractice captures Gov. Palin's personal reactions to her treatment by the media, including this observation: "What is it that drives someone to believe the worst and perpetuate the worst in terms of gossip and lies?"

At a time when the definitions of "media" are changing, and that the rise of online blogs and the further development of cable news coverage has created a literal 24-7 cycle, Media Malpractice asks important questions about whether Americans have any reason to trust the news media.

"As much as anything else, people need to be concerned that they are being manipulated and misled by the one institution we need to present us the facts and the truth" said Ziegler. "We are all at risk when the media choose sides in something as serious as a presidential election and destroy good people like Sarah Palin because they did not favor her politics."

Media Malpractice filmmaker John Ziegler will discuss and screen his film at a private media event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on February 26. The details are as follows:

    Date:       February 26, 2009
    Time:       6:30 pm
    Location:   National Press Club
                529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor
                Washington, DC 20045
    Program:    Ziegler introduces and then screens the film
                Reception to follow

Seating will be limited so please RSVP to rsvp@mediamalpracticemovie.com. For more information on the film, please visit

www.MediaMalpracticeMovie.com

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Standard & Poor's Announces Changes to U.S. Indices

2009-02-24T23:07:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's will make the following changes to the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600 indices after the close of trading on Tuesday, March 3:

S&P MidCap 400 constituent Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE: HRL) will replace American Capital Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS) in the S&P 500, and Trustmark Corp. (Nasdaq: TRMK) will replace Hormel in the S&P MidCap 400. Ventas Inc. (NYSE: VTR) will replace Jones Apparel Group Inc. (NYSE: JNY) in the S&P 500. As of today's close of trading, American Capital and Jones Apparel had market capitalizations of $306 million and $267 million respectively, ranking them 499th and 500th in the index.

S&P SmallCap 600 constituent Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) will replace Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: HOV) in the S&P MidCap 400, and Stanley Inc. (NYSE: SXE) will replace Lennox in the S&P SmallCap 600. AECOM Technology Corp. (NYSE: ACM) will replace The PMI Group Inc. (NYSE: PMI) in the S&P MidCap 400. As of today's close of trading, Hovnanian and PMI Group had market capitalizations of $74 million and $64 million, respectively, whereas the minimum market cap needed to be admitted to the S&P MidCap 400 index is currently $750 million.

Computer Programs and Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CPSI) will replace Axcelis Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ACLS), and comScore Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR) will replace Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin Inc. (Nasdaq: ABCW) in the S&P SmallCap 600. As of today's close of trading, Axcelis Technologies and Anchor BanCorp had market capitalizations of $22 million and $19 million respectively, whereas the minimum market cap needed to be admitted to the index is currently $200 million.

Standard & Poor's will monitor these transactions, and post any relevant updates on its website: www.standardandpoors.com.

Hormel Foods is engaged in the production and marketing of a variety of meat and food products. Headquartered in Austin, MN, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Packaged Foods & Meats Sub-Industry index.

Ventas is a health care real estate investment trust (REIT). Headquartered in Chicago, IL, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS Specialized REITs Sub-Industry index.

Trustmark is a financial services company. Headquartered in Jackson, MS, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS Regional Banks Sub-Industry index.

Lennox International is a provider of climate control solutions. Headquartered in Richardson, TX, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS Building Products Sub-Industry index.

AECOM Technology is a provider of professional technical and management support services. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS Construction & Engineering Sub-Industry index.

Stanley Inc. is a provider of information technology services and solutions. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Aerospace & Defense Sub-Industry index.

Computer Programs and Systems is a healthcare information technology company. Headquartered in Mobile, AL, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Health Care Technology Sub-Industry index.

comScore provides a digital marketing intelligence platform that helps customers make business decisions and implement digital business strategies. Headquartered in Reston, VA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Internet Software & Services Sub-Industry index.

Following is a summary of the changes:

                              S&P 500 INDEX  -  March 3, 2009

               COMPANY      GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR       GICS SUB-INDUSTRY

    ADDED    Hormel Foods     Consumer Staples       Packaged Foods & Meats

               Ventas            Financials             Specialized REITs

    DELETED  American Capital    Financials        Asset Management & Custody
                                                              Banks

             Jones Apparel       Consumer       Apparel, Accessories & Luxury
                                Discretionary                 Goods



                          S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX  -   March 3, 2009

               COMPANY      GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR       GICS SUB-INDUSTRY

    ADDED    Trustmark           Financials             Regional Banks

             Lennox Int'l        Industrials           Building Products

               AECOM             Industrials       Construction & Engineering

    DELETED   Hormel Foods     Consumer Staples      Packaged Foods & Meats

             Hovnanian      Consumer Discretionary        Homebuilding

             PMI Group           Financials        Thrifts & Mortgage Finance



                         S&P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX  -   March 3, 2009

               COMPANY      GICS ECONOMIC SECTOR       GICS SUB-INDUSTRY

    ADDED      Stanley           Industrials         Aerospace & Defense

               Computer           Health Care        Health Care Technology
               Programs
                 and
               Systems

               comScore    Information Technology    Internet Software &
                                                           Services

    DELETED  Lennox Int'l        Industrials            Building Products

             Anchor Bancorp      Financials        Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

               Axcelis      Information Technology    Semiconductor Equipment

Additions to and deletions from an S&P equity index do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the companies concerned.

About Standard & Poor's Index Services

Standard & Poor's Index Services, the world's leading index provider, maintains a wide variety of investable and benchmark indices to meet an array of investor needs. Its family of indices includes the S&P 500, an index with $1.5 trillion invested and $4.85 trillion benchmarked, and the S&P Global 1200, a composite index comprised of seven regional and country headline indices. For more information, please visit www.standardandpoors.com/indices.

About Standard & Poor's

Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is the world's foremost provider of financial market intelligence, including independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research and data. With approximately 8,500 employees, including wholly owned affiliates, located in 23 countries and markets, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure and has played a leading role for more than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit http://www.standardandpoors.com.

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New Report from NanoMarkets Foresees Continued Growth in the Zinc Oxide Electronics Market

2009-02-24T13:59:00.000+02:00

GLEN ALLEN, Va., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report from NanoMarkets, LC an industry analyst firm based, here, devices and materials based on zinc oxide (ZnO) are expected to create major new opportunities for the electronics industry over the next few years ranging from enhanced antistatic coatings to high-value-added products such as solid-state lighting and display backplanes. The report predicts that revenues from the leading ZnO-related electronics applications will reach about $860 million ($US) in 2012, rising to $2.3 billion in 2016. The new NanoMarkets study stresses that despite the economic recession, ZnO electronics will generate new business revenues, because it addresses real world problems in a cost effective way.

Additional details about the report can be found on the firm's website at www.nanomarkets.net.

Key findings of the report:

ZnO applications in electronics today are dominated by mature applications with well over 90 percent of revenues coming from conductive and optical coatings, varistors and older gas sensor technology. However, NanoMarkets predicts that by 2016, new applications for ZnO will make up well over 60 percent. These applications will include PV electrodes, Zn-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs,) backplanes for OLED and other displays, and novel kinds of gas, UV and biosensors.

NanoMarkets sees the development of ZnO semiconductor devices as providing the largest opportunity for ZnO electronics over the next few years. ZnO LEDs are expected to radically lower the cost of LEDs for general illumination applications and projected to reach around $250 million in sales by 2013. ZnO TFT backplanes for OLED are projected as a key future enabler of the OLED displays, since they can outperform organic and a-Si TFTs and cost less than polysilicon TFTs. Even if the current intensive search for p-type ZnO semiconductors fails to bear fruit, opportunities will remain for hybrid devices that combine ZnO with other materials such as gallium nitride.

ZnO electronics also holds out the promise of fully transparent displays and windows that turn into lighting panels at night. And although NanoMarkets is skeptical about some of the more fanciful expectations for "transparent" electronics, the new report discusses how transparent LEDs could have an immediate revenue generating impact on the display industry.

About the Report:

NanoMarkets' report, "Markets for Zinc Oxide in Electronics" analyzes and quantifies opportunities for ZnO devices and coatings in the electronics industries. Coverage includes the latest R&D and commercialization efforts in the areas of EMI/RFI, UV and antistatic coatings as well as the full range of ZnO-based devices including varistors and power electronics devices, piezoelectric sensors, solid-state UV sources, ZnO LEDs and ZnO TFTs, ZnO electrodes for PV, etc. The report also analyzes the prospects for ZnO nanostructures in electronics and the role of ZnO in spintronics and it profiles some of the leading players in this space at the present time including firms such as Canon, Casio, Cermet, Idemitsu, LG Electronics, Nanovation, Samsung, Sharp, Tokyo Denpa, Toppan Printing, ZnOrdic and ZN Technology. As with all NanoMarkets reports, this study includes an eight-year forecast, with a break out by ZnO application.

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in electronics created by developments in advanced materials. The firm has published numerous reports related to organic, thin film and printable electronics materials and applications and maintains a blog at www.nanotopblog.com that comments on industry trends and events. Visit www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets' reports and other services.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Deep Web Technologies Welcomes New COO and Corporate Counsel

2009-02-24T13:25:00.000+02:00

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Deep Web Technologies (http://www.deepwebtech.com) has announced that Larry Donahue recently joined its executive staff as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Corporate Counsel. Larry brings over 15 years of direct leadership experience to Deep Web Technologies, combining a broad range of strategic planning, financial and legal expertise with a specific focus on software marketing. In his new role, Larry will advise on legal matters while driving the organization forward with a practical, attentive management style.

Larry is licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico and the State of Illinois. He is a registered patent attorney, has contributed to multiple Internet-focused publications and has presented on topics associated with cyber communication, the Internet and computer technology, both from a legal and technical standpoint. Larry commented on his position, "I'm excited with the possibilities of Deep Web Technologies. They have perfected the concept of 'federated search,' and I believe the company is well-positioned to take the traditional concept of 'search' to the next phase: It gives the power of deep, inaccessible or fee-based information to people and organizations."

Deep Web Technologies recently launched the first two of a number of vertically focused portals: the highly successful Biznar (http://www.biznar.com), a deep web business research website; and Mednar (http://www.mednar.com), a vertical search engine for medical professionals. Both search engines are publicly available and showcase Deep Web Technologies' advanced federated search technology, extending an ease-of-use and the power to find content not normally indexed by the popular search engines, such as Google, Yahoo! and others. "Federated Search by Deep Web Technologies surfaces deep web information for a variety of users who might otherwise be unaware of the source or the information's availability, creating a single, real-time search capability," remarked Larry. "This is particularly important considering the large interest in the deep web, and the hunt for optimized methods to search it."

Larry believes federated search will become increasingly important in the enterprise, and will tap his 20+ years in information technology to help bring Deep Web Technologies into the corporate enterprise environment.

Larry's career includes over 20 years of Internet business development and information technology management. As COO and Corporate Counsel for SpaBoom, providers of instant gift certificate functionality, Larry provided business development, project management, operations and customer service experience and support helping SpaBoom become one of the fastest growing technology companies in the industry. Prior to SpaBoom, Larry managed FatCow Web Hosting services, leading them to profitable, triple-digit growth rates. Larry has held leading positions with Baker Robbins & Company and Leapnet, Inc.

Founder and CEO Abe Lederman said, "We are thrilled to have Larry join our team. Larry immediately impressed us as having strong credentials, an engaging personality and the vision for things done right."

To learn more about Deep Web Technologies and its Explorit Research Accelerator(TM), please visit http://www.deepwebtech.com.

About Deep Web Technologies

Deep Web Technologies (http://www.deepwebtech.com) creates custom, sophisticated federated search solutions for clients who demand precise, accurate results. Federated search performs real-time, parallel searches of multiple information sources, merging the results into one page. Serving Fortune 500 companies, the Science.gov Alliance (http://www.science.gov), the U.S. Department of Energy, the Defense Technical Information Center, scitopia.org (http://www.scitopia.org), WorldwideScience.org (http://www.worldwidescience.org) and a variety of research and library alliances, Deep Web Technologies has built a reputation as the "researcher's choice" for its advanced, agile information discovery tools.

    Media contact:

    Darcy Pedersen
    darcy@deepwebtech.com or 505-820-0301 x233

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

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Babylon Ltd., the International Leading Provider of Translation and Dictionary Software Company, Ranks No. 1 and Took the "TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award"

2009-02-24T12:00:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK, February 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Babylon LTD (TASE: BBYL), a world leading provider of online and offline dictionary and translation solutions, has ranked No. 1 in the review of the 2009 translation software carried out by TopTen Reviews and ranked above the competition and took the "TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award" http://translation-software-review.toptenreviews.com/babylon-6-review.html .

Babylon continues to improve its services with dictionaries in over 75 languages, full text translation, which provides its customers with real-time text translations in 31 languages with over 350 language pairs, and offers its users a wide range of premium dictionaries and encyclopedias from renowned publishers around the globe, such as, Oxford, Merriam Webster, Britannica, Larousse, Langenscheidt, Pons Taishukan, Michaelis and more. All in a single click!

"With the right combination of accuracy, features and affordability, Babylon swept past the competition and took the "TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award" in our review of translation software. Simply put, Babylon is the best translator which also has the best compatibility with other programs. It's a no-brainer." TopTenReviews Editor's Review.

"Babylon packs all its features into a small window that doesn't block your view of other windows. This small design doesn't block your view of the other programs you are using, which is essential because Babylon is designed to translate as you work without disrupting you." the Editor's Review continues.

"Babylon simply does it better than the competition. It has greater accuracy, more languages, better features, numerous references and dictionaries and a simple, compact interface. Babylon will be able to do anything you need it to." concludes the Editor's Review.

About Babylon Ltd.

Babylon.com (TASE: BBYL) is a leading provider of online dictionary and translation solutions. The Babylon.com user base exceeds 50 million desktop installations. Babylon sold more than 2 Million licenses of the software to private users and organizations in more than 200 countries.

    For more information about Babylon, visithttp://www.babylon.com

    Press contact:

    Dalia Preisler
    Babylon Ltd.
    Tel: +972-3-5382148
    Email: press@babylon.com

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

CDMdata, Inc. Recognized as Crucial to Online Success

2009-02-24T10:00:00.000+02:00

National Car Sales Named Used Car Dealer of the Year with Company's Products and Services as Platform

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- CDMdata, Inc., a Kelley Blue Book company, today announces that National Car Sales, named DealerRater.com's Used Car Dealer of the Year for 2009, has recognized the company for its support in receiving this award through CDMdata products and services. CDMdata provides National Car Sales with its DigitalLot(R) Solution, allowing dealerships to more effectively manage and market its pre-owned car inventories, and hosts National Car Sales' Web site inventory display with its DigitalLot Web product. In addition, National Car Sales integrated trusted Kelley Blue Book(R) Suggested Retail and Trade-In Values to its Web site to instill consumer confidence when purchasing a vehicle.

"We know how imperative it is to provide extensive information to customers researching inventories online. Considering the volume of monthly retail sales, we searched for vendor partners that provide products and services with the level of quality and automation that allow us to control our own destiny and success," said David Pilcher, executive vice president of National Car Sales. "CDMdata has been at the core of this strategy for more than seven years. Their technology and support has enabled us to achieve success and provide award winning customer service."

CDMdata's DigitalLot Solution captures and displays photos, creates videos, provides Kelley Blue Book(R) Digital Window Stickers and values, and promotes dealership inventories online faster, resulting in more sales. Consumers benefit from enhanced, accurate vehicle information while dealerships leverage a decreased time to market for their Web site and online classifieds.

"CDMdata is thrilled National Car Sales has been recognized as DealerRater.com's Used Car Dealer of the Year for 2009," said Mike Romano, chief operating officer for CDMdata, Inc., and senior vice president of dealer strategy for Kelley Blue Book. "We continuously strive to provide dealers with the most efficient marketing tools for selling cars. We are proud to be part of National Cars Sales' success."

For more information about Kelley Blue Book and CDMdata, dealer products, services and solutions, please visit www.800bluebook.com. For more information about DealerRater, please visit www.DealerRater.com.

About CDM Dealer Services and CDMdata, Inc. (www.cdmdata.com)

CDMdata, Inc. provides unparalleled technology and industry-leading service to the automotive industry. CDMdata, Inc. solutions increase client revenues by increasing productivity and data accuracy. CDM provides proprietary hardware and software solutions that streamline inspection, valuation, distribution, marketing and Internet sales processes. CDM's flagship product is the DigitalLot Solution, which provides automotive dealers with the hardware and software they need to manage the collection and distribution of automotive information over the Internet. CDMdata, Inc. is a Kelley Blue Book company. CDM Dealer Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CDMdata, Inc.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource(R), has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book(R) Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2008 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car blue book values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.

About DealerRater.com

DealerRater.com was founded in 2002 as the first car dealer review website worldwide. DealerRater.com is committed to providing a central collection point for informative reviews. The site currently features more than 24,000 US and International car dealers and more than 65,000 user reviews. DealerRater.com provides the opportunity for users to search for car dealerships, read current reviews, write their own review, and find car deals - all for free. Car dealers are rated on the criteria of customer service, quality of work, friendliness, price and overall experience. DealerRater.com users also have the option to recommend the dealer to other users and provide a descriptive review. Website users and car dealerships may post free auto classified ads. DealerRater.com visitors may request vehicle quotes and Certified Dealers receive free vehicle leads.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

CustomGuide Releases SharePoint 2007 Training

2009-02-23T13:10:00.000+02:00

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- CustomGuide, a leading provider of business and computer training, today announced the release of SharePoint 2007 training, in both Interactive Online Tutorial and Print-On-Demand Courseware formats.

CustomGuide's Online SharePoint training is fully interactive and simulates the experience of actually using SharePoint, and the Print-On-Demand Courseware saves instructors time by not having to write the training materials themselves.

CustomGuide's SharePoint training includes some of the following topics:

Introduction to SharePoint 2007
Managing and working with lists
Working with Libraries
Working with Blogs, Wikis, and Workspaces
Using SharePoint with Microsoft Office
Managing Sites

"SharePoint has become a critical collaboration tool in today's workplace," said Jon High, president of CustomGuide. "CustomGuide's SharePoint training improves user knowledge, productivity, and proficiency with this popular application."

Managers and trainers can learn more about CustomGuide SharePoint training at http://www.customguide.com/microsoft-sharepoint-training.htm

Through interactive online training and assessments, CustomGuide helps organizations measure and improve the essential business and computer skills of their users for success in today's workplace. CustomGuide is based in Minneapolis, MN; their Website is http://www.customguide.com.

    Contact Information:

    Melissa Findley
    mnewman@customguide.com

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

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CoreNet Global Asia Summit Continues to Attract Industry Leaders

2009-02-23T11:59:00.000+02:00

HONG KONG, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- CoreNet Global today announced that it has expanded its top-tier line up of speakers and participants for its 2009 Asia Summit scheduled to take place next month on March 25-26 at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel.

Cited as a must-attend event for corporate real estate executives across the region, the Summit is attracting practitioners, academics and policy makers to debate and discuss the ramifications of the global credit crunch on the commercial realty sector, as well as emerging models and strategies for addressing the challenges that have arisen as a result of the financial economic meltdown.

Mr. Tai Kin Ip, Deputy Director of Economic Services for the Government of the Macau SAR, joins a 'who's who's' line up of speakers that include:

    -- Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Economic Advisor for MasterCard;
    -- Bruce Richards, National Portfolio Manager, Australia Post;
    -- Izumi Yamamoto, Japan and Korea Regional Manager Work Environments, Sun
       Microsystems;
    -- John A. Cooper, Deputy General Manager IT and Operations, Bank Muscat;
    -- Caroline Burns, Regional Leader Asia, Geyer;
    -- Bridget Hardy, Head of High Performing Property Strategy and
       Implementation, Office of Government Commerce, United Kingdom;
    -- Christian Costabel, Senior Vice President, Siemens Building Technology;
    -- Meng-Chew Ching, Head of Real Estate APAC/China, Workplace Resources,
       Nokia;
    -- Scott Dorn, Corporate Properties and Services U.S., General Electric;
    -- Neil Austin, Global Head of Real Estate Strategy, ABN Amro;
    -- Pratap Mane, VP Corporate Real Estate, J.P. Morgan Chase;
    -- Mike Zamora, Senior Manager Asia & Pacific Regions, Cisco;
    -- Ricky Yang, Regional Real Estate Manager, BP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd;
    -- Barry Varcoe, Director Group Property, Royal Bank of Scotland;
    -- Ron Herbst, Head of Energy Management and Sustainability, Deutsche
       Bank.

Joining as Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors are Colliers International, Haworth, Johnson Controls, Jones Lang LaSalle, Ascendas, CB Richard Ellis, RMZ, Cresa Partners, Microsoft, Qube Global Software, Steelcase and Toronto Unlimited.

In addition, the event has also attracted senior executives from global organizations including Chevron; Exxon Mobil; Generic Electric; Google; Hindustan Unilever; JP Morgan Chase; Morgan Stanley; Pfizer; Prudential Corporation; Shell and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Commenting on this year's Macau Summit, Ms.Melanie Hill, CoreNet Global's Vice President for Asia and EMEA expressed that the association was extremely encouraged by the level of interest in the event, including the wide range of industry sectors that will be represented.

With a sluggish business outlook and frozen credit markets worldwide, Ms. Hill notes that the corporate real estate divisions of many organizations are currently having to re-think and in some cases restructure their business plans to address issues relevant to today's economy.

According to Ms. Hill a particular highlight of the event will be a jointly organized survey by CoreNet Global and Microsoft that will examine the number of companies that in response to current economic conditions, are having to implement alternative workplace strategies. The survey will also include a special review of the latest technological solutions that workplaces are implementing.

As part of its Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) Professional Development Series, CoreNet Global will also be presenting in conjunction with the Summit, a special module entitled 'Creating Corporate Value through Workplace Strategy' which delegates who are enrolled in the course may elect to attend as part of their annual training objectives.

To learn more about the Summit, please contact Ms. Eleanor Estacio on (1) 404 589 3217 / eestacio@corenetglobal.org, Ms. Jennifer Gao on (8621) 6122 1251 / jgao@corenetglobal.org, or alternatively, please visit http://www.corenetglobal.org . Early registration discounts offering a saving on the conference pass will expire on February 27, 2009.

About CoreNet Global

CoreNet Global members manage US$ 1.2 trillion in worldwide corporate assets consisting of owned and leased office, industrial and other space. With 7,000 members representing large corporations around the world, CoreNet Global ( http://www.corenetglobal.org ) operates in five regions: Asia, Australia, EMEA, Latin America and North America, including Canada.

    CONTACT:

     Jennifer Gao,
     CoreNet Global
     Tel:    +86-21-6122-1251
     Mobile: +86-138-1771-0822
     Email:  jgao@corenetglobal.org

     Janet Middlemiss,
     JEM Worldwide
     Tel:    +852-2857-3832
     Mobile: +852-9195-7829
     Email:  janet@jemworldwide.com

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Brand New FREE Digital Life-coaching Magazine for Women Provides Timely, Practical, 'Life-Stimulus' Resource in Challenging Times - www.zakarmagazine.com

2009-02-23T11:00:00.000+02:00

ATLANTA, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- ZAKAR Magazine launches this week providing women with a resource for personal empowerment and growth in these tough social times. ZAKAR, published by Jennifer Keitt (http://www.jenniferkeitt.com), founder and host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Today's Black Woman, is loaded with practical articles on information pertinent to a woman's daily life, from emotional well-being, career success, financial empowerment, dating, mating and relating to self- care and fitness.

ZAKAR introduces to women its exclusive Z-Coaches, who team up with them to bring a sense of balance and hope for empowered living. Because of the publication's convenient digest size, women will literally be able to carry their coaches and life empowerment around with them in their purses and planners!

"Women are struggling now more than ever with the recent collapse of our economy and societal chaos that we have been plunged into and they are in dire need of powerful personal growth tools and resources to help them stabilize, bringing back a sense of well-being and wholeness into their lives. We're offering them hope, encouragement, coping strategies and focused thought that they can literally download and carry with them at all times," Keitt said.

As founder and host of Today's Black Woman Radio Show (http://www.todaysblackwomanradio.com), Keitt has invested almost twenty years in empowering women globally who want the best out of their lives. "I am committed to women and our lives, making sure that we have the resources, personal growth tools, strategies, and urgent support, ensuring that we all become and stay "recession-proof," she declares.

ZAKAR is one more resource in a growing bundle of empowerment tools Keitt offers to women. Her goal is to empower, educate, equip and encourage women in what Keitt calls the 7 key areas of a woman's life: spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, relational, occupation and self-esteem. ZAKAR speaks the language of today's real women in a way that makes them feel safe, secure and empowered to return to their lives.

The premiere digital issue of ZAKAR is being distributed FREE and is available online at http://www.zakarmagazine.com. To order printed copies call 678.569.2407.

For almost two decades Jennifer Keitt has been empowering, educating, equipping and encouraging women through her nationally syndicated radio show, Today's Black Woman. She is now releasing her latest personal empowerment tool for women: ZAKAR MAGAZINE! For further information, please contact us at 404-314-4646.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

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Bestofmedia Group's Online Traffic for Tech Sites Doubled in the US

2009-02-23T06:00:00.000+02:00

Popularity of Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide and Tom's Games Continue to Surge Worldwide

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Bestofmedia Group, one of the world's leading online media publishing companies for technology, consumer electronics and computer gaming, reports significant increases in online traffic worldwide. The number of unique visitors has doubled in the United States. (Source: XiTi, Dec. 2008 compared to Dec. 2007).

Bestofmedia Group online brands include Tom's Hardware (www.tomshardware.com), Tom's Guide (www.tomsguide.com, www.computing.net), Tom's Games (www.tomsgames.com), and other leading web publications. During the past 12 months, the company has been expanding its premium content and services to readers. In addition to offering consumer-focused content, Bestofmedia Group has expanded into providing technology business content for the IT professional on both Tom's Hardware and Tom's Guide. Tom's Guide, which has grown to 6.4 million unique visitors, now also offers free online IT technical support. On Tom's Games there are now over 5,000 online games that visitors can play for free.

"One of the major contributing factors for the phenomenal increase in unique visitors is our decision to extend our premium content offerings," said Antoine Boulin, CEO of Bestofmedia LLC, the US subsidiary of Bestofmedia Group. "These strategic decisions have proven to be successful in growing our audience."

In addition to the increase in unique visitors in the US, online traffic has also surged worldwide for Bestofmedia Group. The number of unique visitors has more than doubled in United Kingdom. There was a 60% increase in Germany, 50% increase in Italy and 10% increase in France (Source: XiTi, Dec. 2008 compared to Dec. 2007).

About Bestofmedia Group (www.bestofmedia.com/us/)

Bestofmedia Group (www.bestofmedia.com/us/) is one of the top-three online media publishing companies for technology in the world with over 30 million readers a month. It is the publisher of Tom's Hardware (www.tomshardware.com), Tom's Guide (www.tomsguide.com), Tom's Games (www.tomsgames.com) and other leading web publications. Bestofmedia Group provides real-time technology product reviews, forums, news, technical support, and information to millions of IT professionals, technology decision makers, business executives, consumers, corporate buyers, industry analysts, tech enthusiasts and purchasing influencers. Bestofmedia LLC is headquartered in Culver City, California and is owned by Bestofmedia Group.

Media Relations: Tel. +1 (858) 764-2646, CompassCross (http://www.compasscross.com) for Bestofmedia Group

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NEWSWEEK: International Editions: Highlights and Exclusives, March 2, 2009 Issue

2009-02-22T19:34:00.000+02:00

COVER: The Education of Larry Summers (All overseas editions). Senior Editor Michael Hirsh and Editor-At-Large Evan Thomas profile Larry Summers, Obama's top economic adviser. Summers has gone from being part of the government that got out of the way of the markets in the freewheeling days of the late 1990s to become the man mainly in charge of the immense government bailout. Summers's greatest test will be persuading Congress to vote for "entitlement reforms" -- i.e., cutbacks and/or higher taxes on Social Security and health benefits for the poor and elderly. Summers plans to urge the president and Congress to venture into an area where politicians have long feared to tread, the so-called third rail of politics. "Necessity requires it, he says -- if the United States cannot curb its spending and debt, interest rates will soar and the economy will plunge once more."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185934

America's New Shrink. Every day seems to bring bad news, with more on the way, observes Senior Editor Jonathan Alter. The nation is in a pessimistic mood and although Obama is popular and refreshing, he is still well short of transformative. "For all of the legislative achievements of his first month in office, Americans have not yet had their faith in the future restored," Alter writes. Despite Obama's initial stumbles, which include mistakes in cabinet selection, Alter believes President Obama has a good chance of restoring confidence and pulling America back from the brink. He writes, "My take on Obama... is that he has a firm grasp of the psychological and substantive challenges of the presidency. Equally important, his 2008 campaign proved that he possesses a superior sense of timing."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185800

The No-Risk Culture. Special Correspondent Tracy McNicoll reports that despite the French's long held negative beliefs about entrepreneurship, there is a new law aimed at simplifying and promoting business startups. At the start of this year, a law took effect that allows just about anyone to become their own boss, without endless bureaucracy and fees. Retirees, students, workers, the unemployed and even bureaucrats can sign up online in 15 minutes and start building their own businesses, without losing their existing publicly funded pensions and unemployment and other benefits. By mid-February, there were already 62,000 auto-entrepreneurs on the books, suggesting that the number of startups could surpass half a million by the end of the year. Finance Minister Christine Lagarde says the figures "will explode the initial objective." Philippe Hayat, founder of 100,000 Entrepreneurs, a network of businesspeople that has been trying to change French attitudes toward entrepreneurship, calls the legislation "a revolution."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185810

Going Back To the Farm. Special Correspondent Mary Hennock reports over the last 30 years, as its economy has raced ahead, China has witnessed the world's largest internal migration, with some 250 million farmers and others abandoning its impoverished heartland in search of factory work and a better life on the coast. Now, as the economy slows, many of those factories have shut down, and unemployment is thought to have hit 10 percent. Among the most worrisome effects: some 20 million migrant workers have returned home, flooding areas where able-bodied youngsters were recently a rarity. This is producing great anxiety among Chinese officials, who have begun warning of civil unrest in unusually stark terms. The fear is that jobless workers -- many of them young men -- will band together and turn to violence or crime.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185811

GLOBAL INVESTOR: Keeping Stability at All Costs. Ruchir Sharma, head of emerging markets at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, writes about Brazil's divergent attitude toward the global economic crisis. It's not as if Brazil is completely unaffected by the worldwide collapse in economic growth. After expanding at an average of nearly 4 percent over the past five years, the Brazilian economy is set to slow to a crawl in 2009. "But given its long history of crises, Brazil's reaction to the current shock is more along the lines of 'we have seen this movie before' -- and its past experience has seasoned the nation to weather such storms," Sharma writes. Another reason Brazil is different compared with many emerging markets in Eastern Europe and Asia is the country's main policy objective this decade of seeking stability above all else, rather than the 'growth at any cost' mantra in several other emerging markets."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185826

Bring On The Credit. Special Correspondent Barrett Sheridan reports that the problem with China's banks isn't their size -- the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is the world's sixth largest corporation, with a market value greater than Microsoft. It's that, despite their wealth, they don't lend enough. And what loans they do make go mostly to large companies and state-owned businesses. According to research by Morgan Stanley, just 7 percent of the loans made last December went to households. This isn't an accident, but the fruit of a deliberate government policy, a war on lending that Beijing has waged to help keep inflation in check. To keep prices stable during China's years of torrid growth, Beijing set quotas on how many loans could be issued. Now that the global economy is cooling, inflation is no longer a worry, according to Brad Setser, an economist at the Council on Foreign Relations, Beijing's policymakers ought to "unshackle the banks."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185815

WORLD VIEW: Why Chavez May Outlast Us All. Jorge Castaneda, a former foreign minister of Mexico and Global Distinguished Professor at New York University, writes that Venezuela's Hugo Chavez may wind up as the longest reigning elected president in history anywhere. To win his last election, "Chavez used every conceivable instrument of the state, every imaginable subterfuge, every trick in the book, to stack the deck in his favor and against his opponents," Castaneda writes. However, as long as his opposition remains divided, they will have trouble curtailing Chavez's force. "Their defeat may prove dispiriting, and Chavez has the power to concentrate even more power in his hands, as well as further clamping down on the media, the judiciary, the unions, human-rights groups, the business community, students and the opposition."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185825

THE LAST WORD: Igor Yurgens, economic-policy advisor to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Yurgens spoke to Newsweek about his radical prescriptions for reversing Russia's dependence on oil and what he sees as the main problem with the government's policies. "Our ideal scenario is that the state should mix liberal and statist policies. They should allow the market to decide what industries should die naturally, but at the same time selectively support the sectors whose collapse would cause the most social upheaval." He adds that the state should "spend its money on strategic goals like economic diversification, and developing nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technology. The biggest fault is that the government has not explained its strategy to people, and there appears to be favoritism in selecting which businesses to bail out. People believe that the state is helping its friends and letting others fail."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185824

/PRNewswire - Feb. 22/

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

NEWSWEEK: Media Lead Sheet/March 2, 2009 Issue (on newsstands Monday, February 23)

2009-02-22T19:14:00.000+02:00

COVER: The Confidence Game (p. 18). Senior Editor Jonathan Alter writes that every day seems to bring bad news, with more on the way, and the nation is in a pessimistic mood. Although Obama is popular and refreshing, he is still well short of transformative. "For all of the legislative achievements of his first month in office, Americans have not yet had their faith in the future restored," Alter writes. Despite Obama's initial stumbles, which include mistakes in cabinet selection, Alter believes President Obama has a good chance of restoring confidence and pulling America back from the brink. He writes, "My take on Obama...is that he has a firm grasp of the psychological and substantive challenges of the presidency. Equally important, ever since his 2008 campaign proved that he possesses a superior sense of timing."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185800

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090222/NYSU002 )

LIVING POLITICS: "Paging Doctor Zeke" (p. 23). Senior Washington Correspondent Howard Fineman profiles oncologist Ezekiel Emanuel, brother to White House chief of staff Rahm and Hollywood agent Ari, who has just taken a key role advising the budget direct, Peter Orszag. "In the view of the health-care industry, Zeke is a fundamentalist. He favors guaranteed care for everyone through a system of government vouchers; national boards, he says, should help decide which treatments work most effectively. Costs should be funded by a dedicated national value-added tax."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185801

ECONOMY: The Reeducation of Larry Summers (p. 24). Senior Editor Michael Hirsh and Editor-at-Large Evan Thomas profile Larry Summers, Obama's top economic adviser. Summers has gone from being part of the government that got out of the way of the markets in the freewheeling days of the late 1990s to become the man mainly in charge of the immense government bailout. Summers's greatest test will be persuading Congress to vote for "entitlement reforms" -- i.e., cutbacks and/or higher taxes on Social Security and health benefits for the poor and elderly. Summers plans to urge the president and Congress to venture into an area where politicians have long feared to tread, the so-called third rail of politics. "Necessity requires it, he says -- if the United States cannot curb its spending and debt, interest rates will soar and the economy will plunge once more."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185934

ECONOMY: The Stunted Economic Stimulus (p. 28). Contributing Editor Robert J. Samuelson writes that the $787 billion economic stimulus program is deeply disappointing, given that the expectation is for the package to focus exclusively on reviving the economy. "The case for a huge stimulus, which I support, is that it's insurance against the possibility of a devastating downward economic spiral," Samuelson writes. "If the economic outlook is as bleak as Obama says (and it may be), there's no reason to dilute the upfront power of the stimulus. But that's what Obama's done." The stimulus package offers only modest relief. Postponed spending weakens the economic benefit. By using the stimulus for unrelated political and policy goals, Obama mandates delays. This is not a quick stimulus.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185852

INTERVIEW: "To Pack a Real Punch" (p. 40). Newsweek international Editor Fareed Zakaria interviews Alex Molinaroli, the president of power solutions at Johnson Controls, which will supply the battery for Ford's first plug-in electric vehicle. "The automotive companies' being in a crisis [means] now's the time for a disruptive technology. Before, I don't think they could afford to retool, and they weren't motivated to retool. The automotive industry has now moved beyond trying to protect the old technology, to a place where they want to be a part of the solution. Now it's a race."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185797

HEALTH: "Anatomy of a Scare" (p. 42). Senior Editor Sharon Begley reports that the study that linked childhood vaccines to autism set off a panic that is still affecting families today, even though the research didn't hold up. "Scientists and government officials who defended the safety of childhood vaccines were not shy about attributing the fears to the science illiteracy of the public and the fearmongering of the press," Begley writes. However, by this time mistrust of the scientific establishment had mushroomed into something decidedly ugly and the antivaccine campaign began to have an effect. "As parents postponed vaccinating their children, or refused vaccines entirely, children were suddenly catching preventable diseases, and some were dying." An overwhelming majority of vaccine and autism experts were convinced that parents were putting their children at real risk over a phantom fear. "It is bad enough that the vaccine-autism scare has undermined one of the greatest successes of preventive medicine and terrified many new parents. Most tragic of all, it has diverted attention and millions of dollars away from finding the true causes and treatments of a cruel disease."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185853

"A New Mission for the NAACP" (p. 48). Contributing Editor Ellis Cose writes that though the NAACP marked its 100th anniversary this February, in recent years there have been times when even supporters of the venerable organization have questioned its role in the modern world. Benjamin Jealous, 36, named to the top job last May, is the youngest NAACP CEO ever and has taken over at a time when some Americans question the need for not just the NAACP but for all the civil-rights groups, now that we have an African-American president. "[Jealous] hopes to make the association matter in a way that it has not for a long time: as an irresistible voice for progressive change...His more visible, more aggressive NAACP will spawn a new mass movement, mobilizing support for wider health-care access and quality jobs." Those are big dreams for an organization that many have long thought of as irrelevant.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185805

CULTURE: "Her Cups Runneth Over" (p. 52). Contributor Eliza Gray writes about the 50th anniversary of Barbie and the two new books coming out about her creation. Robin Gerber's "Barbie and Ruth" and Jerry Oppenheimer's "Toy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel" give two different accounts of who they claim is responsible for Barbie's creation, but they are in total agreement about their subjects' shared passions: Barbie dolls and large breasts. "In her half century of existence, Barbie has become something of a Rorschach test for views about modern feminine identity. Either she's a sunny, self-confident, good-time girl...or, more commonly, she's the original bimbo, a relic of postwar paternalism that teaches its young owners to worship at the altar of blond hair, peach skin and formidable cleavage atop a waistline the size of a pinkie ring." With the creation of Barbie, America's toy chests have never been the same.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/185788

/PRNewswire -- Feb. 22/

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

NEWSWEEK Cover: The Confidence Game

2009-02-22T17:02:00.000+02:00

PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO RESTORE HOPE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

OBAMA HAS A "FIRM GRASP OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SUBSTANTIVE CHALLENGES OF THE PRESIDENCY"

NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day seems to bring bad news, with more on the way, observes Senior Editor Jonathan Alterin the March 2 Newsweek cover "The Confidence Game" (on newsstands Monday, February 23). The nation is in a pessimistic mood and although Obama is popular and refreshing, he is still well short of transformative. "For all of the legislative achievements of his first month in office, Americans have not yet had their faith in the future restored," Alter writes. Despite Obama's initial stumbles, which include mistakes in cabinet selection, Alter believes President Obama has a good chance of restoring confidence and pulling America back from the brink. He writes, "My take on Obama...is that he has a firm grasp of the psychological and substantive challenges of the presidency. Equally important, his 2008 campaign proved that he possesses a superior sense of timing."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090222/NYSU002 )

In these difficult economic times, the question is: What's a president to do? "If he starts in with the happy talk, he sounds like John McCain saying 'the fundamentals of the economy are strong,' which is what sealed the election for Obama in the first place," Alter writes. "But if he gets too gloomy, he'll scare the bejesus out of the entire world. The balance Obama strikes is to say that things will get worse before they get better, but that they will get better. Now he must convince us that's true."

Alter examines why confidence is the critical piece of what makes a good leader. "Leadership in a peacetime crisis also involves making the right calls on policy--but at bottom, it's dependent on a subtle understanding of how to make people feel better so that they invest in the future," he writes. "Too much confidence makes people and nations hubristic, while those on the receiving end feel conned. Too little confidence breeds timidity and uncertainty, which can be fatal." For years the country has lacked that balance, acting too confident for too long in the unerring genius of markets. Though it's still early in his presidency, President Obama is showing signs of carrying himself in a more naturally confident way, with the right blend of traits. "He's bold enough to add a couple of zeroes to the conversation about spending, but humble enough to utter those three most unpresidential words: 'I screwed up,'" Alter writes.

"Obama is betting on two things: first, that people are so tired of being bamboozled that a little straight talk about their woes will make them feel more in control, the prerequisite for genuine confidence. And second, that he'll get props for trying, that the very effort of riding events instead of letting them ride him will at least offer the illusion of mastery. Once these mental pieces are fastened in place and we're fully 'in recovery,' to use therapy lingo, the enduring problems won't seem so terrifying anymore," he writes.

(Read cover story at www.Newsweek.com)

Cover: http://www.newsweek.com/id/185800

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Stimulus Bill Provides $198 Million for Filipino Veterans

2009-02-21T01:13:00.000+02:00

Congress Recognizes World War II Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced a new benefit for Filipino Veterans who aided American troops in World War II -- a cash payment authorized through the newly enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Claims are now being accepted from Filipino Veterans eligible for one-time payments of $9,000 for non-U.S. citizens and $15,000 for Filipino Veterans with U.S. citizenship. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is working to begin making payments as soon as possible.

VA and the Embassy of the United States in Manila have announced locations in the Philippines where Veterans can apply immediately. The list has been posted at http://manila.usembassy.gov.

To receive information by mail, United States residents may call 1-800-827-1000. Philippine residents may call 632-528-2500 (within Metro Manila) or from outside Manila at 1-800-1888-5252. In addition, Filipino Veterans may request information via email at https://iris.va.gov.

The VA Regional Office in Manila will process all claims for this benefit. Therefore, U.S. residents should mail the application to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, PSC 501, FPO AP 96515-100.

Extensive outreach is planned to alert World War II Veterans throughout the Philippines. Claims must be submitted by Feb. 16, 2010, a year after the bill's signing.

The payments do not affect other benefits Veterans may be receiving. The VA regional office in Manila currently provides approximately $15 million monthly in monetary benefits to Veterans residing in the Philippines. About $8 million of this goes to Filipino World War II Veterans or their survivors each month.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Detroit Branch NAACP President, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, Gives One-Half Acceptance for One-Half of an Apology from the New York Post

2009-02-20T23:46:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After several hundred demonstrated in front of the New York Post on Thursday, February 19 the New York Post has issued one half of an apology for the editorial cartoon it ran which depicted President Barack Obama as a chimpanzee. The New York Post says it apologizes to those who may have been offended by the editorial cartoon at the same time the Post indicated it does not apologize to other leaders in the community with whom it has had previous issues.

Rev. Anthony says:

This is one-half an apology. Therefore, we give it one-half of an acceptance. It is important that the New York Post acknowledge and apologize for the very racist and divisive cartoons it ran in its publication. Our nation stands at a cross road. We can either go forward together or backwards individually and continue to take the low road forever.

The New York Post, while issuing an apology, must also continue to direct its writers and cartoonist, not in a way to censor the free press, but in a way that does not demean or denigrate the rest of us. This most recent incident by the New York Post is proof that racism is not dead. Insensitivity must still be called out and all people who believe in fairness must speak up and speak out whenever this evil dragon raises its head within our community.

At this time of historic momentum in our nation of both unity and the potential for unlimited progress we must all remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, "An injustice to anyone anywhere is an injustice to everyone everywhere." We will continue to struggle and work for justice throughout this nation. The Detroit Branch NAACP stands with the National NAACP in its quest to bring justice to this most unfortunate situation regarding this latest publication in the New York Post.

Website: www.detroitnaacp.org

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

PeaceJam and The Pearson Foundation's Global Call to Action Challenge: Winning School Welcomes Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum

2009-02-20T05:01:00.000+02:00

Young People Across the U.S. Documenting Service Projects

DENVER, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum, the world famous advocate for peace and human rights, will visit the Grand Prize winning team of the Global Call to Action Challenge, co-sponsored by PeaceJam and The Pearson Foundation. The Global Call to Action encourages young people to commit themselves to 1 billion projects to serve their communities in the next 10 years.

Open to youth volunteers in North America who are working on service projects, the Global Call to Action Challenge encourages young people to document their projects in digital film and in video, writing, or PowerPoint. Rigoberta Menchu Tum will visit the Grand Prize winners in their community or at their school on Nov. 17, 2009, and accompany them the next day to Denver to attend PeaceJam's Annual Awards Luncheon.

Submissions to the Challenge are due June 30, 2009. For more information and entry details, visit www.GCAChallenge.org, www.globalcalltoaction.org, and www.peacejam.org.

In 1992, Rigoberta Menchu Tum was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work for the rights of the Maya of Guatemala and native people everywhere. She was the first Native American ever to receive the award and one of only a handful of women. In 1996, all of Rigoberta Menchu Tum's nonviolent work, along with the struggles of so many other activists, helped lead to a peace accord in Guatemala. This agreement ended Guatemala's 36-year civil war and gave many rights back to the Mayan people.

"PeaceJam has seen first-hand the power and drive of young people to act in the interest of the world we all share. With the right encouragement, guidance, and support, we know that there's nothing that young people cannot do," said Dawn Engle, PeaceJam co-founder. "The Global Call to Action Challenge is a natural extension of PeaceJam's commitment to action, and bringing young people together with Nobel Laureates like Rigoberta Menchu Tum can be a transformative experience."

Mark Nieker, President of the Pearson Foundation, added, "PeaceJam is about what you can do as a young person to address problems you witness in the world, and the Global Call to Action Challenge provides a great forum for ideas and solutions."

The Global Call to Action Challenge is an extension of the Penguin Young Readers book, PEACEJAM: A Billion Simple Acts of Peace by Dawn Gifford Engle and Ivan Suvanjieff (Puffin, September 2008, $16.99, Paperback, Non-fiction, ISBN: 9780142412343, 197 pages, ages 12 and up).

About PeaceJam

PeaceJam is a nonprofit organization with its international headquarters located in Arvada, Colorado. Since its inception in 1996, over 600,000 youth have participated in the PeaceJam program, engaging in one million service projects in their communities. PeaceJam has ten U.S. affiliate offices and international affiliate offices in South Africa, Costa Rica, India, Guatemala, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, with plans to expand to Canada and East Timor.

About the Pearson Foundation

The Pearson Foundation extends Pearson's commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe. The foundation aims to make a difference by sponsoring innovative educational programs and extending its educational expertise to help in classrooms and in local communities. More information on the Pearson Foundation can be found at www.pearsonfoundation.org.

    Contact:

    Pearson Foundation
    Rod Granger
    212-641-6114
    rod.granger@pearson.com

    PeaceJam Foundation
    Jes Ward
    303-455-2099
    jes@peacejam.org

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

The Echo Nest Hires Paul Lamere to Run Music Application Developer Community

2009-02-19T23:51:00.000+02:00

SOMERVILLE, Mass., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Echo Nest, a music intelligence company powering advanced digital music applications, hired Paul Lamere as Director of Developer Community. Lamere will build on the momentum of The Echo Nest's developer community site, developer.echonest.com. Developer.echonest.com is like a virtual hardware store for application developers, opening up access to a diverse suite of web APIs, including music search, recommendation and remix/mashup applications. Lamere will manage developer outreach and delivery of new music application development utilities for non-commercial use at developer.echonest.com.

Paul Lamere was previously a Principal Investigator at Sun Microsystems, where he ran Sun's Search Inside the Music program. Lamere is the Industrial co-chair for ACM RecSys'09, the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems, and serves on the program committees for ISMIR, the International Society for Music Information Retrieval and UMAP'09, the International Conference on User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization.

He is also the author of the popular music technology blog, www.musicmachinery.com.

"Paul is not only a respected music information retrieval engineer, he's a trusted peer in the music application developer community. With Paul at the controls of our developer platform, I'm confident he'll put even more amazing tools into developers' hands. We're all excited to see what happens next."

Paul Lamere added, "I'm convinced that the music intelligence platform that The Echo Nest is making available to developers will be the key enabler of the next generation of online music applications."

About The Echo Nest

The Echo Nest powers more intelligent digital music applications using a patented machine-learning platform that automatically:

Reads about music, crawling the web and analyzing the text on millions of web pages to understand what the entire online world is saying about every artist, album and song.
Listens to music, analyzing every song on the web to extract key, tempo, rhythm and timbre and other attributes -- understanding every song in the same way a musician would describe it.
Learns music trends, analyzing online music behavior (social networks, p2p, blogs, online forums, playlists) to understand online buzz and identify music trends.

The Echo Nest is a three-time National Science Foundation SBIR grant winner. Private investors include Commonwealth Capital Ventures, Argos Management and a series of angel investors, including a co-founder of the MIT Media Lab.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

100 Funniest Words in English

2009-02-19T23:16:00.000+02:00

LEWISBURG, Pa., Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lexiteria has announced the publication of The 100 Funniest Words in English by Dr. Robert Beard, AKA Dr. Goodword on the alphaDictionary.com website. This book examines what Dr. Beard considers the funniest of the 2500 words he has described and e-mailed daily to 200,000 people over the past 8 years.

After a short essay on what makes words funny, Dr. Beard examines the pronunciation, meaning, usage, and history of each funny word, giving several creative examples of its use. Dr. Beard's selection of the funniest words includes the likes of "absquatulate," "bowyangs," "collywobbles," "gongoozle," "hemidemisemiquaver," and "snollygoster."

"This was what I was born to do," Dr. Beard said in connection with the publication of his first trade book. "After 40 years of scientific research in the workings of words, I finally felt that I was ready to take my thoughts and ideas to a world-wide general audience."

Dr. Beard taught Russian language and Linguistics at Bucknell University for 35 years after completing his PhD in linguistics at the University of Michigan in 1966. "I feel that teaching linguistics at an introductory level for all those years put me in a position to talk about the intricacies of words on an authoritative but jovial level anyone can understand and enjoy," he added.

The book not only discusses funny words, it does so in a funny style. The examples given for each word rely on a cast of characters developed by Dr. Beard in the alphaDictionary "So, What's the Good Word?" series. They include the lady's man Phil Anders, Robin Banks (who works for the accounting firm of Cooke, Books & Hyde), a clothes horse, Maude Lynn Dresser, her friend, Lucinda Head, not to mention their overly expensive lawyer, Susan Liddy-Gates.

The book is available now in paperback and in electronic form on line at Amazon.com in the US and UK, as well as at the websites of Alibris and AbeBooks. Lexiteria promises a sequel to The 100 Funniest Words in English titled The 100 Most Beautiful Words in English later this year.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Zetabid to Auction 250 Homes in Southern California

2009-02-19T14:00:00.000+02:00

More Than 1,000 Bargain Hunters Expected For March 7 Auction At Pomona Fairplex

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Zetabid, the pioneering firm redefining home auctions in the U.S., today announced that it will sell approximately 250 bank-owned homes located throughout Southern California on Saturday, March 7, 2009.

Zetabid is auctioning single-family homes, condos and town houses ranging from $50,000 to $800,000 primarily in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and Kern counties. The largest concentration of homes is in the Inland Empire, where foreclosure rates are among the highest in the United States.

At Zetabid's recent auctions in California and Florida, homes that went into contract at the auction were typically 25% to 40% below the listed retail price.

"Zetabid auctions represent a phenomenal buying opportunity for anyone interested in owning residential property in Southern California," said Bob Bellack, Chairman of Zetabid. "Because financial institutions need to sell their foreclosed inventory, buyers are in a unique position to purchase investment or owner-occupied properties at prices not seen in many years."

Zetabid expects more than 1,000 first-time homebuyers, trade-up buyers and investors at the Pomona Fairplex at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona. Bidding begins at 10 a.m., and buyers can bring their real estate agent to the auction. Buyers can also bid online or make an offer on a property before the auction by using the 'Buy It Now' form at www.zetabid.com. Buyers are encouraged to register in advance online.

Detailed information about each property is available at Zetabid's website. Zetabid encourages buyers to view homes with a listing agent during its open house on the weekend of Feb. 28-March 1 from noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Zetabid urges prospective buyers to carefully inspect properties before bidding.

In addition to its Southern California event, Zetabid is auctioning more than 200 homes in the Phoenix area on Saturday, February 21. Bidding at the Arizona Biltmore begins at 10 a.m., and interested buyers can also make offers online at www.zetabid.com.

About Zetabid

Zetabid makes it easy and convenient for consumers to purchase bank- and builder-owned homes at Zetabid's public auctions. A venture of the Los Angeles Times Media Group, GoIndustry-DoveBid and CataList Homes, Zetabid expands access to the inventory of residential properties sold at auction and opens up the market to U.S. and international buyers. Zetabid offers the widest reach and greatest awareness of auction inventory through its national network of print, broadcast and online partners. For more information, visit www.zetabid.com or call 888.4.ZETABID (888.493.8224).

Media contact:

For more information, or for media interested in attending the auction, contact Greg Berardi, Blue Marlin Partners, 415.239.7826, greg@bluemarlinpartners.com.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

PCI Education Names Lee Wilson President and CEO

2009-02-19T13:15:00.000+02:00

K-12 Education Industry Veteran Selected to Head San Antonio-Based Publisher

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- PCI Education, a leading publisher of supplemental education products for students with special needs and learning differences, announces it has selected Lee Wilson as President and CEO. Wilson will oversee operations, product development, sales, marketing, and strategic goals for the company.

"Lee Wilson has extensive experience in the K-12 publishing sector," said Janie Haugen-McLane, PCI co-founder. "Lee has the right mix of skills and industry knowledge to lead PCI's sales, marketing, and product development to ensure the company's continued success. His belief that all educational products should be a blend of print and technology makes Lee the perfect fit for our future growth."

McLane, who co-founded the company with her husband, Jeffrey T. McLane, will continue to lead product development for PCI and serve on the PCI Board.

"What attracted me to PCI is the company's unique approach to teaching basic academic and life skills," said Wilson. "One of the company's recent introductions, the PCI Reading Program, has been recognized industry-wide for changing the way special education students learn to read, which speaks to the growth potential for PCI, especially given the focus on special education instruction in the recently passed federal stimulus bill."

The PCI Reading Program is a research-based curriculum proven to be very effective in teaching students with developmental disabilities, autism and significant learning disabilities how to read.

Wilson is an active participant in the K-12 education industry, which he writes about at The Education Business Blog, the number-one blog about educational publishing. In addition, Wilson serves on the Board of The Association of Educational Publishers and is a former member of the Education Division Board for the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA). He has researched and written many articles and reports, most recently "Best Practices for Using Games & Simulations in the Classroom: Guidelines for K-12 Educators," published by SIIA in January 2009.

Wilson has more than 20 years of experience in the K-12 sector. Prior to joining PCI, Wilson operated Headway Strategies, an Austin-based management consulting firm focused on the education industry. Earlier, he was Vice President, Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer at Harcourt Achieve in Austin. Previously, Wilson served as Regional Vice President of Pearson Learning Group, and General Manager of K12Planet.com at Chancery Software. In his seven years at Apple Computer, Wilson held a variety of positions, including Business Development Manager and K-12 Enterprise Solutions Marketing Specialist.

Wilson earned a master's of business administration degree from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Princeton University.

About PCI Education

PCI Education is a leading publisher of supplemental educational products for students with special needs and learning differences. The San Antonio-based company develops, publishes and distributes more than 5,000 supplemental instructional materials for students in special education, struggling learners, ELL, and adult literacy classes. PCI has been focused on helping educators lead students to success in school, at home and in the community since 1991. For more information, visit www.pcieducation.com.

PCI Corporate Logo:

http://www.pcieducation.com/UserFiles/Image/Corp-PCI-Logo.jpg

Photo of Lee Wilson, President & CEO, PCI Education:

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/PCIEducation-LeeWilson.jpg

For more information:

-- Nicole Horne, PCI Education, (800) 594-4263, ext. 126, nhorne@pcieducation.com

-- Charlene Blohm, C. Blohm & Associates, Inc., (608) 839-9800, charlene@cblohm.com

-- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jleewilson

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

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Dow Jones Enterprise Media Group Enhances Strategic Business Teams with Top Industry Talent

2009-02-19T10:00:00.000+02:00

New Executives Bring Decades of Experience in Financial Services Product Development and Strategy

NEW YORK, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Dow Jones & Company, a News Corporation company (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV), today announced that it has hired four industry veterans to join strategic teams focused on designing and delivering new products and services that meet the unique needs of investment banking, sales & trading, and wealth management professionals.

"We see a unique opportunity to combine news and technologies to help financial professionals find a real competitive edge, no matter how markets are performing. These executives bring deep industry experience and a strong understanding of when and how news is used by investment banking, sales & trading, and wealth management professionals to create the greatest advantage and profit," said Clare Hart, president of Dow Jones Enterprise Media Group.

The new positions are:

Ian Rosen, global director of strategy solutions management for Dow Jones Investment Banking Solutions
Christopher Young, global director of strategy solutions management for Dow Jones Wealth Management Solutions
Robert Passarella, global director of strategy solutions management for Dow Jones Sales & Trading Solutions
Nat Subsin, senior manager for Content News & Analysis within Dow Jones Sales & Trading Solutions

Mr. Rosen will focus on driving Dow Jones clients' investment banking businesses with idea generation, deep industry analysis and executive connection capabilities. He will report to Michael Porch and will be based in Princeton. Previously, Mr. Rosen led product management for information businesses at Fortent, Inc., a financial technology firm. Prior to that, he spent four years as vice president at Thomson Financial where he helped launch Thomson ONE Investment Banking and was responsible for Investment Banking segment strategy. Prior to that, he held positions at Goldman Sachs and Accenture. Mr. Rosen graduated with highest honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Mr. Young will focus on delivering content and functionality that enhance the workflow of Dow Jones Wealth Management's clients. He will report to William O'Conor and will be based in Princeton. Mr. Young's 15 years of experience include executive positions at Thomson Reuters, ComVest Investment Partners, the CIT Group and Ernst & Young. Mr. Young is a visiting professor in the Economics Department at Seton Hall University. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Economics and a Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University.

Mr. Passarella will be responsible for setting Dow Jones Sales & Trading's strategic direction, focusing on algorithmic and electronic sales and trading offerings. He will report to Joseph Lanza and will be based in New York. Most recently, Mr. Passarella was managing director and product manager for equity research at Bear Stearns. Prior to that, he held senior positions at JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Mr. Passarella earned his Master of Business Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College of the City University of New York.

Mr. Subsin will develop news and content analytical capabilities and services, focusing on how news is used to drive customer trading and investing. He will report to Robert Passarella and will be based in New York. Previously, Mr. Subsin held positions at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank. He earned his Master of Science in Industrial and Financial Engineering from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

ABOUT DOW JONES

Dow Jones & Company (www.dowjones.com) is a News Corporation company (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV; www.newscorp.com). Dow Jones is a leading provider of global business news and information services. Its Consumer Media Group publishes The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch and the Far Eastern Economic Review. Its Enterprise Media Group includes Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones Factiva, Dow Jones Client Solutions, Dow Jones Indexes and Dow Jones Financial Information Services. Its Local Media Group operates community-based information franchises. Dow Jones owns 50% of SmartMoney and 33% of STOXX Ltd. and provides news content to radio stations in the U.S.

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Global Sources' 2009 Importer Survey: Changing buyer behavior creates challenges, opportunities for China suppliers

2009-02-19T07:46:00.000+02:00

HONG KONG, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Despite falling consumer spending worldwide, many international buyers plan to increase imports this year, particularly from China. Concerns over supplier stability and changing product requirements are driving up the frequency of buyer communication with suppliers, and a small group of major buyers remain in control of the vast majority of imports in developed markets such as the U.S. These and other findings are highlighted in the 2009 Importer Survey, completed this month by Global Sources (Nasdaq: GSOL).

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

"Close to 50% of surveyed buyers expect to maintain or increase their total import value in 2009," said Global Sources' COO, Craig Pepples. "We see a slight decrease in average price per item, and we know today's buyers require more flexibility in terms of order size. But China remains at the center of their sourcing plans, with 57% of surveyed buyers expecting to increase or maintain their total value of imports from China in 2009, as compared to 2008."

    Among surveyed buyers:

    -- 26% say they will increase spending on imports in 2009;
    -- 20% expect to keep import spending flat; and
    -- 54% indicated they will spend less on imports.

    Survey results also show that:

    -- 32% of buyers plan to increase total import volume in 2009;
    -- 18% will keep import volume flat; and
    -- 50% expect to decrease purchasing volume.

"Buyers indicated their biggest concern in 2009 is declining consumer spending (21%). This was followed by supplier-side concerns, including difficulty in finding quality suppliers (16%), increasing prices (15%), and concerns about supplier stability (15%)," said Pepples.

The survey also indicated that buyers are reviewing all their options and sourcing more cautiously to reduce risk.

    Among surveyed buyers:

    -- 42% said they are making more inquiries to new and existing suppliers,
       as compared to 2008;
    -- 29% are making about the same number of inquiries;
    -- 29% are making fewer inquiries.

    Buyers are also using a wide range of methods to find suppliers:

    -- 40% use sourcing websites and search engines;
    -- 39% attend trade shows and other face-to-face sourcing events;
    -- 16% use trade magazines;
    -- 5% use research reports.

Surveyed buyers also indicated that the most effective ways for suppliers to win orders are to improve product quality (18%), provide better prices (18%) and accept smaller order sizes (14%).

Pepples said: "As buyers change the way they source, suppliers must also change the way they operate to win orders.

"Buyers are submitting more inquiries than ever before, as indicated by the Survey. Metrics from Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com ) confirm this. Buyers sent about 18 million inquiries to suppliers in the fourth quarter of 2008, up 119% from the same period a year earlier.

"With buyers looking at more options for each purchase, suppliers must work harder to win the order. They must submit more competitive bids and lower minimum order requirements. Moreover, as more cautious buyers use a wider range of channels to find products, suppliers also need to promote themselves across more of these channels to get buyers' attention."

A small number of buyers control developed markets

"The 80/20 rule applies in many markets," said Pepples, citing a related study of the U.S. import market in 2008. "A small group of buyers control the vast majority of market share. This is good news for suppliers if they focus their promotion on influencing those critical buyers who control the market."

    Key findings of the U.S. import market study include:

    -- the top 3,000 importers accounted for two-thirds of all imports into
       the U.S. by volume and value in 2008, according to U.S. Customs data;
    -- 60,000 importers account for 75% of all U.S. imports by both value and
       volume.

Pepples said: "This is the first-ever report giving such in-depth analysis of the U.S. buyer universe and it supports what we have been telling our suppliers all along. In today's challenging times, it is even more important for exporters not to waste time and energy influencing those without real buying power."

Complete results of Global Sources' 2009 Importer Survey are available for download at http://www.corporate.globalsources.com/MEDIA/DOWNLOAD/Global_Sources_Importer_ Survey_09ENG.ppt . (Please copy and paste the full URL to an internet browser for proper viewing.)

About Global Sources

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

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

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

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

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

[Via http://www.prnewswire.com]

Despite global economic crisis, 47% of China suppliers expect double-digit growth in 2009

2009-02-18T09:15:00.000+02:00

HONG KONG, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China's suppliers remain optimistic about sales growth prospects in 2009, with 47% of executives expecting sales growth of 10% or more in 2009. This is according to a survey conducted by Global Sources' (Nasdaq: GSOL) Chief Executive China magazine ( http://www.ceconline.com ) early this month.

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

Among suppliers selling within China, 57% expect double digit sales growth, while 36% of export-focused companies project growth greater than 10%.

Results are from senior executives of 191 companies engaged primarily in domestic sales and 202 companies focused mainly on exporting.

Enterprises outline key strategies to overcome challenges

Chief Executive China conducted a separate poll to gauge China enterprises' primary strategic responses to the current global economic crisis. As of Feb. 18, more than 8,900 readers responded:

    -- 43% said they will build brands and/or increase efficiency and product
       quality;
    -- 21% indicated they will cut costs;
    -- 20% said they will focus on the domestic market and/or emerging
       markets; and,
    -- 16% indicated they will expand their online channels.

Global Sources' COO, Craig Pepples, said: "With China's retail sales still strong, it's no surprise that companies focused on the domestic market remain optimistic. What's surprising is that, despite the global economic downturn, China's exporters are generally projecting much higher sales ahead.

"This optimism is, in part, due to the fact that many have already adapted to the current global economic situation and have evolved new strategies to deal with the crisis.

"Given China's increasing cost base, cost cutting is less of an option than previously. To justify higher prices, suppliers are now looking to improve quality and production efficiency while, at the same time, building their brands.

"We see this as a natural evolution, and one that is not without precedent. Japan, Korea and other Asian economies also moved up market at about the same stage in their development when faced with economic and competitive pressures."

Detailed results of the Chief Executive China 2009 Supplier Outlook & Expectations Survey are available for download at http://www.ceconline.com/survey/CECSurvey_Feb09-Combine-Eng-Final.ppt .

About Chief Executive China magazine and website

Chief Executive China is China's leading monthly management magazine, having successfully introduced advanced management ideas to China's business professionals since 1992. As verified by BPA Worldwide's December 2008 audit, Chief Executive China has a circulation of more than 195,000 subscribers, 77% percent of whom are chairmen, CEOs, presidents, general managers, owners or other senior executives.

In terms of audited circulation, influence, brand recognition, reader loyalty and content, Chief Executive China is the leading business publication in China.

Chief Executive China Online ( http://www.ceconline.com ) is the largest and most popular management website for China's executives. It elaborates on the management topics covered in the magazine and acts as an interactive platform between peers and experts. As of December 2008, more than 1 million active registered users belong to this online community.

About Global Sources

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

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

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

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

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

Thomson Reuters Releases 2009 Patent Focus Report

2009-02-18T05:01:00.000+02:00

Report Examines Recent Developments at Major Patenting Authorities Worldwide

PHILADELPHIA and LONDON, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Healthcare and Science business of Thomson Reuters today released its 2009 Patent Focus Report. Authored by Joff Wild, editor of Intellectual Asset Management magazine, and published in the Thomson Reuters KnowledgeLink(SM) eNewsletter, this report explores recent activities at each of the world's major patenting authorities (USA, Europe, Japan, China and India). The report is available free at http://go.thomsonreuters.com/pfr2009.

"The 2009 Patent Focus Report combines expert insight with the stories behind the statistics," said Tim Hamer, SVP Global Marketing Services at Thomson Reuters. "This highly anticipated report discusses the issues facing the world's major issuing authorities and dissects significant patent disputes and their outcomes."

Key findings from the 2009 Patent Focus Report include:

For the first time a Chinese company, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, topped the list of Patent Co-operation Treaty applications.
The European Patent Office received 140,700 applications in 2007, up over 3% from the year before. In contrast, the number of patents granted fell from 62,800 in 2006 to 54,700 in 2008.
The number of patent examiners in India has remained relatively static - raising questions about the quality of patents coming out of the Indian IP Office. In response, at the end of 2008 India announced 414 new examiner posts to be created by 2012.
For the second year in a row, the Japan Patent Office reported the lowest level of approved patent applications since the mid-1990s.
Patent approval rates at the US Patent and Trademark Office continue to fall to below 50% of applications examined.

Published as part of the customizable KnowledgeLink eNewsletter, the 2009 Patent Focus Report draws on the expertise of Thomson Reuters specialists and guest authors, and delivers unique insight into trends in information management and cutting-edge research for information professionals, research scientists and intellectual property specialists. KnowledgeLink is distributed every two months to subscribers who can register for free and select their customized content at scientific.thomsonreuters.com/news.

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries. For more information, go to thomsonreuters.com.

Media Seen as the Primary Cause of the Depth and Length of the Global Recession, According to New Research From Frost & Sullivan

2009-02-18T03:27:00.000+02:00

Companies Must Ignore Fear, Make Smart Moves to Emerge Stronger

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, 91% of CEOs blame the breadth and depth of the current economic situation on the media.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)

"The media's manipulation of statistics, negativity, exaggeration, and doomsday forecasts have driven fear and panic among consumers and businesses alike," says David Frigstad, Chairman of Frost & Sullivan.

Economic statistics are often twisted and exaggerated. The fear of total economic collapse is perpetuated in the media to grab attention and sell more copies or attract more viewers or listeners. Because of this, consumers and business have frozen spending, canceled projects, sold investments, and laid off workers. This has caused a downward spiral in demand and pricing that has now caused about 20 trillion dollars of damage globally.

"As the media continues to perpetuate fear, uncertainty and doubt, there is a growing chance that it will result in a self-fulfilling prophecy," adds Frost & Sullivan Economist Sandeep Maheshwari.

What clearly started out with financial mismanagement and fraud on Wall Street has now escalated into a major global recession exacerbated by the media. According to Frost & Sullivan's research, CEOs cite how the media has continued to drive fear through efforts to gain more readers, viewers, and listeners. The ironic turn is that the media is also being victimized by the current recession, with declining audiences and falling ad revenues.

In the responses portion of the study, CEOs made several interesting comments:

-- "Several newspapers have compared the overall job losses to the Great Depression without taking into account the huge increase in U.S. population since that time. These comparisons only generate more fear and are counter-productive."

-- "Economists miss every turn in the economy. Why do we rely on their forecasts today when they are so unreliable? They move like a herd of antelope -- their current forecasts all fit nicely into a pack."

-- "I recently read a headline that said Microsoft will lay off 5,000 workers. At the end of the piece it mentioned it would be over a three year period. Compared to the overall size of Microsoft, this is not newsworthy."

We are now at a turning point. An unprecedented global stimulus plan and guaranteed programs are now in place. More than 8 trillion dollars globally is being pumped into the economy, along with trillions of dollars in guarantees. Retail sales, housing prices, existing home sales, and used car sales are all showing signs of strength. Interest rates are at historical lows and mortgage relief is in sight.

"All of these trends could signal the turning point if we change our outlook. The media, economists, politicians, bankers, and business executives could collectively turn the economy around by working simultaneously to restore confidence back into the system -- in turn, calming the public. It's time for us to give up on the doom and gloom," concludes Frigstad.

To receive regular updates on the economy from Frost & Sullivan, subscribe to complimentary vertical industry Growth Opportunity Newsletters and register for a complimentary Chairman's Series on Growth webcast. For more information on these programs, please contact Jake Wengroff, 210.247.3806, jake.wengroff@frost.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages more than 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 31 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.

    Contact:
    Jake Wengroff
    210.247.3806
    jake.wengroff@frost.com

Frost & Sullivan Forecasts Early Rebound: Strong Growth Ahead for Global Economy

2009-02-18T02:00:00.000+02:00

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, reaffirms its position that the economy is regaining its strength, thanks in part to an unprecedented US $1 trillion stimulus package from the US government and additional stimulus packages from foreign governments.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)

"President Obama's stimulus package is clearly serving to convince businesses and consumers that we can get back on track," explains David Frigstad, Chairman of Frost & Sullivan. "The program will stimulate optimism and let the U.S. -- and the rest of the world -- get back to business."

Firm executives also cite the following critical indicators as evidence that confidence and prosperity will soon be revived.

    -- Existing U.S. home sales are up 4.91%.
    -- U.S. retail sales are finally in the black, with January sales posting
       an increase of 1% from the previous month.
    -- High GDP rates in emerging markets
    -- Near-zero fed rates and high dividends in emerging economy stocks

Frost & Sullivan believes that businesses and consumers alike are allowing fear to adversely affect their judgment. By cutting spending and cutting costs, they only serve to perpetuate the economic downward spiral. "This irrational behavior needs to cease," states Frigstad, "or else companies will not be able to recover and return to growth."

The strength of Asian banks and financial services firms gives an indication that Asian companies will lead the global rebound. "New capitalist entrants and emerging markets will become a powerful driver of the global economy, and will have a huge impact going forward," concludes Frigstad.

About Frost & Sullivan

     Contact:
     Jake Wengroff
     210.247.3806
     jake.wengroff@frost.com

GfK Asia Releases 2008 Year End Pan Asian Consumer IT Data Showing Netbooks Embraced by Asian Consumers

2009-02-17T10:20:00.000+02:00

SINGAPORE, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- GfK Asia releases its 2008 Year End Pan Asian IT Retail Data Summary, showing mixed results in both volume and value in the region's IT sector. GfK Asia's annual report contains detailed data based on retail sales of personal computers (PC), both desktop and portable; monitors, printers, multifunctional devices and video game consoles from twelve Asian countries .

Personal Computers

GfK Asia reports that volumes in the region's retail PC market, including portable personal computers and desktops, expanded by 15% in 2008 when compared to previous year's retail sales figures. The total value of the consumer retail PC market for 2008 in Asia was approximately USD 17 billion which represents a 10% increase in consumer spend over 2007 figures. The report also shows that while China continues to hold the largest portion of the total Asian PC retail market, with almost USD 8.8 billion dollars in sales in 2008, this market leader posted among the lowest in growth figures with only 9% in volume and 10% in value growth against 2007 consumer sales. Australia, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam showed the strongest growth figures for the year. All four countries posted an increase of over 30% in retail sell through volumes along with double digit growth in value when compared to 2007 retail data.

"Our figures show that retail sales of PCs were moving in the right direction until Q3, where we saw a slight slowing in the retail market. But the real slow down to the Asian PC growth figures took place in Q4 of 2008. For instance, of the 12 countries covered in this summary, every single one posted a decline in sales revenues for the month of December when compared against the same time period in 2007 and over half of them reported a double digit loss," noted Gerard Tan, Commercial Director IT, GfK Asia. "Although the December results were not encouraging, markets like Indonesia were recording +17% retail notebooks sales in value against the same time period in 2007." he added.

Desktop computers did not suffer a substantial dip contrary to what many would have expected in the region's retail sector in 2008. Desktop retail figures across Asia saw volumes falling by only 1% and in value by 5% against 2007. Additionally, the desktop's value faired much better than their notebook counterparts, eroding by only 3.4% versus the notebooks decline of 12.5%. Personal portable computers, including notebooks, laptops and netbooks, showed a dramatic growth of 45% in retail sales volume across Asia when compared to 2007. Over 10.5 million units were purchased in 2008, which is a massive increase from the 7.3 million units purchased in the previous year. Notebooks, unlike most other product segments covered in the report, were also able to hold onto their value with Asian consumers paying almost USD 9.5 billion for portable computers in 2008.

"The outstanding growth in this sector is consistent throughout the 12 countries covered in our report, we feel that one of the reasons this sector showed such exciting growth is due to the emergence of the netbook. Depending on the country, Asian consumers showed their enthusiasm for these new lighter, less expensive, more portable computers at the cash registers in 2008," Added Mr. Tan.

In Hong Kong, netbooks made up 21% of total notebook retail purchases in 2008. For the month of December alone, netbook sales in Australia, Korea and Thailand showed on average 20% total volume shares of the notebook market, whereas Taiwan consumers posted the highest uptake at 30% market share of total notebook purchases. Netbooks in India and China are not yet showing up on the radar as they currently make up only 3% and 1% respectively of the total notebook retail market. "One reason for the smaller shares of netbooks in markets like India and China is that these markets are showing a double digit price erosion in the standard form factor notebooks in 2008, against 2007; making them much more attractive to the price conscious buying public," added Mr. Tan.

Stand-Alone Monitors

2008 regional retail sales of stand alone monitors from the 11 countries covered in this report held their volume sales against 2007 retail figures with a 1% increase in total units sold. However, the total values of the stand alone monitor market throughout Asia dipped slightly by 3% percent. In total, Asian consumers spent over USD 730 million on stand alone monitors purchasing almost 3.4 million units over the year.

"More mature markets in Asia showed strong growth in volume sales for wide screen monitors, with increases in volumes from 71% growth in Singapore, 56% in Australia and 25% in Hong Kong against 2007 figures. The main surprise is that volume increases of this magnitude generally correspond with deep price erosion, however, the average price in these markets was still very healthy, with Singapore only losing 3% and Hong Kong only 2 % in total value in 2008 when compared to the previous year, "stated Mr. Tan.

However, for monitors overall, more developed markets posted double digit losses in unit sales when compared to the previous year, while emerging markets showed double digit increases in retail growth figure of stand alone monitors. Malaysia (val 39%), Thailand (val 15%) and Indonesia (val 36%) are all posted volume growth at 30% and above. Whereas markets like Hong Kong (vol -24%/ val -20), China, (vol-12%/ val -12%) and Singapore (vol -11%/ val -8%) decreased in both volume and value.

Printers and Multi Functional Devices

GfK Asia data shows the region's overall retail printer market continued its descent with only Vietnam (39%) and Korea (22%) showing excellent volume growth in this product sector. The newer entrant into the Asian retail market, the multi functional Device, still showed growth (vol 12%/val 3%) over the year. Australian consumers showed the strongest preference for multi functional devices in 2008, choosing them by a 3 to 1 ratio over single function printers.

Even with an 8% decrease in units sold year on year, the printer market has retained its value, only dropping 4% across Asia. In fact, Hong Kong (vol -4%/val +4%) and Malaysia (vol 0%/val 6%) reported an overall growth in sales value in 2008, whilst selling fewer units then during 2007.

On the other hand, prices of multifunctional devices continued to drop across Asia. All countries reported increases in volumes but at a lower average cost per unit in 2008 in comparison to 2007 sales figures. New Zealand (vol 4%/val -15%), Australia (vol 7%/val -7%) and Singapore (vol 3%/val -3%) reported a decrease in sales value as compared to previous year.

"This year we have seen the multifunctional device close in on the traditional single function printer, with Asian consumers having purchased approximately 4.4 million printers and just over 4.3 multi functional devices. We expect the multifunctional printer to surpass the single function printer both in terms of volume and value in 2009," added Mr. Tan.

About GfK Asia Pte Ltd

GfK Asia Pte Ltd (GfK Asia), part of the global GfK Group, is a leading research company with over 15 years experience in providing reliable Asian retail and technology market data. Our analysts track a broad range of consumer technology markets, including: consumer electronics, telecommunications, IT, household electrical appliances (large and small) as well as digital imaging. GfK Asia covers 55 product groups and over 300,000 models, collecting monthly data from over 6,000 specialist / independent shops as well as over 170 organized retailers with approximately 15,000 outlets. This disciplined methodology, together with tight field operational control in every country, allows GfK Asia to produce high quality reports containing reliable information that our clients can use with confidence. Based in Singapore, with other offices in India and Japan, GfK Asia offers extensive coverage of the following countries: China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. For further information please visit our website: http://www.gfkrt.com .

    Notes to Editor:

    *GfK Asia countries surveyed are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
     Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, India,
     New Zealand and Australia.

    Survey data available upon request.

    Media Contact:

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

The Conference Board(R) France Business Cycle Indicators(SM)

2009-02-17T09:00:00.000+02:00

THE CONFERENCE BOARD LEADING ECONOMIC INDEX (LEI) FOR FRANCE AND RELATED COMPOSITE ECONOMIC INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 2008

BRUSSELS, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for France declined 1.0 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) decreased 0.1 percent in December.

The LEI for France declined sharply again in December. Industrial new orders fell sharply in December, followed by smaller declines in production expectations, unemployment claims (inverted), stock prices and building permits. Interest rate spread was the only component which continued to rise in December. In the second half of 2008, the LEI declined by 5.5 percent (a -10.7 percent annual rate), down further from the 1.9 percent rate of decline (a -3.8 percent annual rate) during the first half of the year. Additionally, weaknesses among the leading indicators have remained very widespread in recent months.
The CEI for France also declined in December, due to a large drop in industrial production, its third consecutive sharp decline. Between June and December 2008, the CEI fell 0.4 percent (a -0.7 percent annual rate), faster than the 0.2 percent rate of decline (-0.4 percent annualized rate) during the previous six months. In addition, weaknesses among the coincident indicators have remained widespread. Meanwhile, real GDP declined at a 4.6 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2008, down sharply from the -0.4 percent average annual rate for the second and third quarters of 2008. This is the sharpest decline in real GDP since the 1992-93 downturn.
As a result of persistent and widespread weakness, the LEI for France has been declining for more than a year. Furthermore, the pace of decline has increased rapidly in recent months. The CEI for France reached its most recent peak in February 2008, and its six-month change has remained negative since June. The deepening contraction in the composite economic indexes suggests that economic weakness is likely to continue into the first half of 2009 and that economic conditions could deteriorate further in the near term.

LEADING INDICATORS. One of the seven components of The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for France increased in December. The positive contributor to the index was the yield spread. The negative contributors to the index -- beginning with the largest negative contributor -- are industrial new orders, production expectations, inverted new unemployment claims, the stock price index, building permits (residential) and the ratio of the deflator of manufacturing value added to unit labor cost for manufacturing*.

With the decrease of 1.0 percent in December, the LEI for France now stands at 100.9 (2004=100). Based on revised data, the index declined 1.5 percent in November and declined 1.8 percent in October. During the six-month span through December, the leading economic index decreased 5.5 percent, and one of the seven components increased (diffusion index, six-month span equals 21.4 percent).

COINCIDENT INDICATORS. One of the four components of The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for France increased in December. The positive contributor to the index was the wage and salaries* component. The negative contributors to the index -- beginning with the largest negative contributor -- are industrial production, personal consumption, and employment*.

With the decrease of 0.1 percent in December, the CEI for France now stands at 105.4 (2004=100). Based on revised data, this index remained unchanged in November and decreased 0.3 percent in October. During the six-month period through December, the coincident index decreased -0.4 percent, with one of the four series making a positive contribution (diffusion index, six-month span equals 25.0 percent).

About The Conference Board

For over 90 years, The Conference Board has created and disseminated knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board operates as a global independent membership organization working in the public interest. It publishes information and analysis, makes economics-based forecasts and assesses trends, and facilitates learning by creating dynamic communities of interest that bring together senior executives from around the world. The Conference Board is a not-for-profit organization and holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States. For additional information about The Conference Board and how it can meet your needs, visit our website at www.conference-board.org.

                           Summary Table of Composite Indexes

                                       2008                  6-month
                           Oct         Nov        Dec       Jun. to Dec
    Leading index        103.4 p     101.9 p     100.9 p
      Percent Change      -1.8 p      -1.5 p      -1.0 p      -5.5 p
      Diffusion           21.4        21.4        21.4        21.4

    Coincident Index     105.5 p     105.5 p     105.4 p
      Percent Change      -0.3 p       0.0 p      -0.1 p      -0.4 p
      Diffusion           25.0        50.0        25.0        25.0

    n.a. Not available   p Preliminary   r Revised
    Indexes equal 100 in 2004
    Source: The Conference Board         All Rights Reserved

Please visit our website at http://www.conference-board.org/economics/bci

Also visit the web site of our research associate in France: http://www.rexecode.fr/index.jsv

The next release is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. CET (04:00 A.M. ET)

SST NANDrive and SQI Flash Named Finalists for 19th Annual EDN Innovation Awards

2009-02-17T08:05:00.000+02:00

SST Products Honored by EDN Magazine for the Second Consecutive Year

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc., Nasdaq: SSTI), a leader in flash memory technology, is pleased to announce that two of its products have been named finalists for coveted EDN Innovation of the Year Awards. The SST NANDrive high-performance, fully integrated embedded flash solid-state drive is a finalist in the Memory category, and the company's 26 Series Serial Quad I/O (SQI) family of 4-bit multiplexed I/O serial interface flash memory devices is a finalist in the Logic and Interface ICs category. Now in its 19th year, the EDN Innovation of the Year Awards recognize unique, state-of-the-art electronics products in several categories. This is the second consecutive year that SST products have been named finalists for these awards, with SST All-in-OneMemory winning an Innovation of the Year Award last year.

"We have our broadest set of categories in the history of our Innovation awards program in 2008," states EDN Editor-in-Chief Rick Nelson. "With specialization affecting everything from components to test equipment, our staff diligently worked to group like technologies for meaningful comparison and delivered an outstanding slate of finalists. The voters will face tough decisions, but without doubt, compelling products will emerge as winners."

"We are extremely proud that for the second straight year EDN has chosen SST products as finalists for Innovation of the Year Awards," said Bing Yeh, president and CEO, SST. "Our NANDrive embedded flash solid-state drive continues to gain traction in a host of applications in the computing, digital consumer and industrial markets. Demand for our 26 Series SQI devices continues to build as system designers look for ways to improve performance while maintaining a small form factor and low power consumption."

The winners of the 19th Annual EDN Innovation Awards will be announced at a dinner and awards ceremony on March 30, 2009 in San Jose, Calif.

About SST NANDrive Devices

NANDrive contains an integrated ATA controller and NAND flash die in a multi-chip package and is designed for data storage in embedded and portable applications. It has built in microcontroller and file management firmware that communicates with ATA-standard interfaces, so the NANDrive does not require additional or proprietary host software such as Flash File System (FFS) and Memory Technology Driver (MTD) software. NANDrive products are available in capacities ranging from 512 MByte to 8 GByte and support industrial temperature ranges.

By leveraging SST's proven NAND controller technology, innovative multi-chip packaging expertise and a widely used industry standard ATA/IDE interface, the NANDrive family manages all NAND flash complexities and allows designers to quickly integrate mass data storage solutions into their designs without having to make any firmware changes. Because NANDrive complies with the standard ATA protocol supported by all standard embedded operating systems, embedded system designers no longer face the risk of host software revalidation cycles. In contrast, some other solid-state mass data storage solutions require changing host-side vendor-specific software whenever there is a change in the controller or a change to new NAND flash devices. To further ease integration and reduce inventory management, SST NANDrive solves the issues of pairing a NAND controller with new NAND flash devices. This is especially beneficial as NAND flash devices continue to migrate to new process geometries every year. As an integrated multi-chip package solution, NANDrive eliminates the need for long qualification cycles when there is a change of NAND flash technology; customers need only qualify the NANDrive as a mass storage subsystem.

For more information on NANDrive please visit the SST Web site at: http://www.sst.com/products.xhtml/nand_flash_storage/.

About the 26 Series SQI Devices

The 26 Series Serial Quad I/O (SQI) family of 4-bit multiplexed I/O serial interface flash memory devices features a low pin count and enhanced serial interface architecture. With a fast 80 MHz operating frequency and a specialized instruction set, the SST 26 Series SQI flash devices target execute-in-place (XIP) applications, allowing programs to be stored and executed directly from the flash memory without the need for code shadowing on an SRAM, thus further increasing overall system performance.

The 26 Series SQI devices feature a 4-bit multiplexed serial interface architecture and up to a 320 Mbit/sec. sustained burst data rate that provides performance exceeding typical parallel flash memory and other 4-bit multiplexed I/O serial interface flash memory products in the market today. To provide additional system speed and performance, the 26 Series supports 8-, 16-, 32- and 64-Byte burst mode operation with wrap around, which reduces the memory's read access time, as well as memory index jumping, which reduces the number of input clock cycles. All products in the 26 Series family are available in both commercial and industrial temperature ranges, and use a small-outline, 8-pin package to provide a comparable design footprint.

About EDN and EDN.com

EDN serves the vital information needs of design engineers and engineering managers worldwide. EDN.com delivers a three-dimensional view of the electronics industry via news coverage, strategic business information, and in-depth technical content. (www.edn.com)

EDN is published by Reed Business Information (www.reedbusiness.com/us), the largest business-to-business publisher in the U.S. and a member of the Reed Elsevier Group Plc (NYSE: RUK and ENL) - a world-leading publisher and information provider.

About Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.

Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, SST designs, manufactures and markets a diversified range of memory and non-memory products for high volume applications in the digital consumer, networking, wireless communications and Internet computing markets. Leveraging its proprietary, patented SuperFlash technology, SST is a leading provider of nonvolatile memory solutions with product families that include various densities of high functionality flash memory components and flash mass storage products. The Company also offers its SuperFlash technology for embedded applications through its broad network of world-class manufacturing partners and technology licensees, including TSMC, which offers it under its trademark Emb-FLASH. SST's non-memory products include NAND controller-based products, smart card ICs and modules, flash microcontrollers and radio frequency ICs and modules. Further information on SST can be found on the company's Web site at http://www.sst.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements regarding memory and non-memory market conditions, SST's future financial performance, the launch, design cycle and performance of new products, SST's licensing business, SST's ability to diversify its business, the transition of SST's products to smaller geometrics, and SST's ability to bring new products to market, all of which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks may include timely development, acceptance and pricing of new products, the terms, conditions and revenue recognition issues associated with licensees' royalty payments, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and general economic conditions as they affect SST's customers, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, SST disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

For more information about SST and the company's comprehensive list of product offerings, please call 1-888/SST-CHIP. Information can also be requested via email to literature@sst.com or through SST's Web site at http://www.sst.com. SST's head office is located at 1171 Sonora Court, Sunnyvale, Calif.; telephone: 408/735-9110; fax: 408/735-9036.

The SST logo and SuperFlash are registered trademarks, and NANDrive, Serial Quad I/O and SQI are trademarks of Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

    For More Information Contact:

    Ricky Gradwohl
    Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    408/720-6512
    rgradwohl@sst.com

InvestorsInsight Publishing Releases Position Paper: 'A Case For Investing In China'

2009-02-17T01:20:00.000+02:00

Launches 'GEM Blog,' an Expanded Coverage of Economies, Technologies and Companies in Global Emerging Markets

DALLAS, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestorsInsight Publishing, Inc., www.investorsinsight.com, a financial publishing company that delivers an array of unique economic, financial and investment intelligence to one of the largest communities of highly informed investors on the Internet, announced today that it has released a position paper, detailing the investment climate, opportunities and imperatives for investors interested in Chinese companies that have listed their shares in US capital markets. This paper is the first report in InvestorsInsight's expanded coverage of the economies, technologies and companies in Global Emerging Markets (GEMs) to offer individual and institutional investors in-depth analysis of the market inequalities that could generate superior returns from the China equities space.

Mike Casson, President and CEO of InvestorsInsight stated, "It is impossible to ignore the economic growth phenomenon that has unfolded in China over the past three decades. The cradle of one of the oldest civilizations on earth is home to the fastest growing major economy the world has ever seen. While the rest of us come to grips with the new realities of a global financial crisis, China is transitioning into its next phase of growth. With almost US$2 trillion in cash, a population that is unconstrained by debt, a closed banking system that is not struggling with deleveraging or illiquidity and a government that has adopted a 'Growth Above All Else' policy, Chinese companies are uniquely positioned to grow faster than their Western counterparts. There is clear indication that this is a resurgent market with enormous potential and long-term investment opportunity."

InvestorsInsight Publishing is pleased to distribute this important position paper, authored by Beau Johnson, Chairman of Chinamerica Holdings, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor and General Partner of Chinamerica Fund, LP and Haiping Ni, Director of Asian Investment for Access America Global Equities; both accomplished pioneers in Chinese Alternative Public Offerings (APOs). This detailed report entitled "A Case For Investing In China: Rising Productivity, Higher Valuations and Strategic Imperatives for Investors" is available Free of Charge to interested parties at http://www.investorsinsight.com/Special-Report/.

Mr. Casson went on to say, "We launched our new GEM Blog with this in-depth discussion of China-based investment opportunities because we believe the next phase of China's economic evolution will feature a long-term stock market boom and revaluation, as well as a financing boom -- major forces that will allow China to shift to a new strategic regime of economic expansion, featuring higher productivity, economic output, employment, domestic as well as foreign investment and wages that can only drive domestic consumption even higher in the world's largest consumer market. Strong dynamics are in place to power the next boom in Chinese equities and with the capital and determination to sustain aggressive growth, China could lead the way to a much needed international recovery."

About InvestorsInsight Publishing, Inc.

InvestorsInsight Publishing is a boutique financial publisher that delivers unique economic, financial and investment intelligence to an on-line community of highly informed individual and institutional investors. Our no-nonsense approach to presenting solutions for today's turbulent markets provides the fresh perspectives required to make sound, informed investment decisions. For more information visit: www.investorsinsight.com

About InvestorsInsight's GEM

InvestorsInsight's GEM (Global Emerging Markets Investor Group) brings to interested investors exceptional market intelligence on emerging economies, technologies and special situational investment opportunities all in one place. Brazil, Mexico, India, Russia and China are among the largest countries still considered to be in a transitional phase between developing and developed status. And there are numerous secondary emerging markets throughout Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Their business, financial and social processes are in the process of rapid transformation which can create unique investment opportunities.

The Global Emerging Markets Investor Group expanded the term "Emerging" to also include innovative industries, companies and technological developments such as renewable and alternative energy, nano-tech, bio-materials, robotics, life sciences and other potential high growth-high return investment situations that the publisher believes to be of significant interest to its readers and website visitors.

    Contact:
    Anita Mills
    214-634-4967

Groundbreaking Paper Publishes Long Term Results of a Successful Phase I Clinical Trial Using Autologous Neural Stem Cells to Treat Parkinson's Disease

2009-02-16T14:11:00.000+02:00

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists announced today the publication of a landmark peer-reviewed paper in the February issue of the Bentham Open Stem Cell Journal which outlines the long term results of the world's first clinical trial using autologous neural stem cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. According to lead author, Michel F. Levesque, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, "We have documented the first successful adult neural stem cell transplantation to reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease and demonstrated the long term safety and therapeutic effects of this approach." Dr Levesque is a principal investigator for NeuroGeneration, a biotechnology company, and is affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine and the Brain Research Institute.

The researcher reports that the publication of the article, "Therapeutic Microinjection of Autologous Adult Human Neural Stem Cells and Differentiated Neurons for Parkinson's Disease: Five-Year Post-Operative Outcome" in the Bentham Open Stem Cell Journal heralds an important moment in regenerative and personalized medicine. "Our paper describes how we were able to isolate patient-derived neural stem cells, multiply them in vitro and ultimately differentiate them to produce mature neurons before they are reintroduced into the brain's basal ganglia. This is performed without the patient requiring immunosuppressants. Of particular note are the striking results this study yielded -- for the five years following the procedure the patient's motor scales improved by over 80% for at least 36 months. A word of caution must be added however, since this is a single case study, a larger clinical trial is needed to replicate these findings," says Levesque.

"We have been pioneering the use of neural stem cells for neurodegenerative disorders since 1998 and were the first research team to successfully use differentiated adult neural stem cells for the cellular restoration and treatment of Parkinson's disease. Our original methodology is based on the replication of several steps in human neurogenesis to regenerate millions of mature neurons characterized before transplantation. These steps are essential to establish safety, efficacy and to understand mechanisms of brain repair. The autologous approach mitigates the long term risks associated with allogenic transplants, including infection, inflammatory response, immune rejection, and poor biologic efficacy. In addition, we believe it was the combination of dopaminergic and GABA-ergic neurons that produced the long- lasting motor improvement. This suggests that in humans, Parkinson's disease is more than a chronic dopaminergic dysfunction and involves the GABA-ergic system with its glial environment. The relevance of this discovery cannot be understated because it questions the classical dopaminergic model of Parkinson's disease," says Levesque.

Scientists at NeuroGeneration are planning a larger prospective clinical trial for Parkinson's disease. "It's our hope that this trial will result in the launch of a cost-effective and lasting therapies for the millions of patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative disorders," concludes Levesque.

ABOUT NEUROGENERATION:

NeuroGeneration, a biotechnology company, is engaged in the development of biological products for the repair of neurological disorders. The company has completed a Phase I clinical trial for Parkinson's disease using adult derived neural stem cells. It intends to start a Phase II study for the treatment of Parkinson's disease as soon as it received final approval from the FDA. It is also planning Phase I studies for multiple systems atrophy, atypical parkinsonism, stroke, spinal cord and brain injuries, and Alzheimer's disease. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

     FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
     Heather Larrabee
     NeuroGeneration
     310.659.3880
     heather@neurogeneration.com
    http://www.neurogeneration.com

A Nudist for All Seasons ... or ... He Travels REALLY Light!

2009-02-16T13:15:00.000+02:00

SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- HALLELUIAH! There IS entertainment after football season! "I'll Catch the Sun" captures the delightful, worldwide adventures of author, and former Englishman, Richard Langdon Cook, a retired Fortune 500 business Exec ... and practicing nudist. (The author will wear clothing to your sunless studio.)

Mr. Cook brings sunshine to the bleak and dreary winter days, and will amuse with what he has to say about the "Textiles" ... those strange people who wear clothes ...

"I'll Catch the Sun" was published by AUDIE-nominated (for best Original Work, 2009) CoolBeat Audiobooks. Author Cook, who had a stint doing voice-over work in NYC, wrote and narrated memoirs of his experiences (sans clothing) as he "limoed" and "rickshawed" around the globe.

Cover: http://www.ereleases.com/pr/2009-CoolBeat-Cover.png

STOP SHOVELING THAT SNOW! "I'll Catch the Sun" is a travelog, with Richard visiting many of the great sunspots on the planet: France, South Africa, Cyprus, the Caribbean and Hawaii, to name but a few. The nuns at a certain seaside school still talk about the day businessman Cook "disturbed their peace." A wonderful time was had by the author in Phuket, Thailand, afterwards engulfed by the 2004 Tsunami. Richard wonders if his friend survived the horror.

Listen to (or read) "I'll Catch the Sun" (ISBN: 978-1-4401-0091-8) for the author's thoughts on the hazards of cooking in the nude! Other tidbits? Thoughts on the morality and spirituality of nudism, and, very importantly, what NOT to do in a public bath house in Japan, are informative, but never stuffy.

Richard's adorable wife, Mary, joins her husband on many of his current escapades from their home base in Sarasota, Florida. She adds just the right pizzazz to CoolBeat's audio version, recreating the radio interview that divulged her 'first-time' disrobement at a New Jersey nudist retreat. (Where else but Jersey?)

Richard and Mary are standing by -- dressed -- and prepared to do interviews.

Photo: http://www.ereleases.com/pr/2009-CoolBeat-Photo.gif

CoolBeat Audiobooks, attests that Richard brought his wit AND his shorts with him when he recorded "I'll Catch the Sun," available for download at http://www.coolbeat.biz.

CoolBeat Audiobooks -- "We want to give YOU a voice."

Contact the Author:

Richard Cook at happycook@verizon.net

or call Sunny Florida to chat: 941-366-1638

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

Pioneering Architects Aram Bassenian and Carl Lagoni Inducted Into Hall of Fame

2009-02-16T10:00:00.000+02:00

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era when home design equates to home-sales success as never before, the National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder magazine recently recognized the contributions of Aram Bassenian, AIA, and Carl Lagoni, AIA, to advancing the art of residential design. Both men were among the ten members of the inaugural class of inductees into the Best in American Living Hall of Fame.

The innovative work of Bassenian and Lagoni has catapulted their planning and architectural firm to the top of the list as the most awarded office in the 25-year history of the Best in American Living Awards, the premier national new-home design competition. Among the 80+ awards bestowed on the firm are Home of the Year, Best Single-Family Detached Home in every size category, and Best Custom Home, as well as multiple wins for Best in Region.

"Aram Bassenian and Carl Lagoni have been honing their expertise in all things residential for more than 35 years," said Paul Deffenbaugh, editorial director of Professional Builder magazine, in presenting this honor. "They've designed best-in-class communities in nearly every category -- from conventional and high-density detached homes to townhomes, condominiums, apartments, senior housing and resort communities."

The firm's reputation for best-in-class design solutions has extended its business beyond the United States. Currently the company designs new communities throughout China, in North Africa, the Middle East and India.

"As architects, it is our assignment to design homes that link to the past, yet look forward in lifestyle and technology. That vision mixes with skilled hands to create a home of character that also appeals to the senses," said Chairman and CEO Aram Bassenian.

During these difficult times for the economy in general and housing in particular, Bassenian Lagoni Architects isn't resting on the accomplishments of the past. An aggressive research and development program explores new lifestyle solutions, new concepts and new elevation styles that enable builders to profitably create homes and neighborhoods at price points that attract new buyers.

"We pride ourselves on being on the leading edge of design," explained President Carl Lagoni. "We try to help define the trends rather than just replicate them."

For more information and project images, contact Heather McCune, Director of Marketing, at 949-553-9100, ext. 245; or hmccune@bassenianlagoni.com

Survive the Recession, but not the 'Crunch'?

2009-02-16T08:00:00.000+02:00

OXFORD, England, February 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the rather premature observations of a government minister recently regarding the 'green shoots of economic recovery'[1], many organisations in the UK are facing challenging trading conditions as the recession continues in the real economy. Many will not survive, but for those who do there are potentially greater challenges ahead if they are to remain competitively positioned to take advantages of the opportunities arising when the economic recovery begins. Gill Waters, of Oxford College of Marketing, considers the issues.

In the Beginning

In March last year[2], business leaders of US Companies with annual revenues in excess of $500m stated their economy was inevitably heading into a recession, and that their company would not be able to avoid the effects of an economic down turn. Many felt that they were already in recession, based partly on a slow down in sales and payments from their customers. As the saying goes, 'when America sneezes, Britain catches cold', and the UK now finds itself firmly in a downward economic cycle, with little sign of recovery in the short run.

Instinctively in such circumstances, business managers look for ways to reduce costs and overheads, and improve productivity. In plain language this means negotiating lower prices and more generous terms with their suppliers, reducing non-revenue generating activity, down-sizing and changing current working practises. This results frequently in:

    - decrease in marketing spend and suspension of training and
      development budgets

    - reduced headcount - often the more experienced/expensive
      employees are 'let go' first

    - remaining employees have to work harder and smarter,
      foregoing pay rises in the short term to remain in employment

The aim is to 'survive the recession'; however, as many companies have found to their cost in previous recessions, the opposite is often the case with companies managing through a downturn, only to find themselves unable to take advantage of the up-turn when it comes - as it will. The two main causes of this are:

    - a 'talent crunch'

    - survivor syndrome

The Talent Crunch

Barclays recently announced further reductions in headcount[3] in order to 'match the current market conditions' in the UK. They have stated that they hope to avoid using compulsory redundancies in doing so. During the recession in the early 1990's, Midland Bank (now HSBC) did exactly the same, encouraging many of their senior (expensive) employees over 49 to take early retirement. This they did, with many subsequently taking their experience, skills and market knowledge to work for competitors, severely jeopardising Midland's ability to remain competitive through 'corporate amnesia' due to a failure to capture the tacit knowledge of their former employees.

As a result, when the economy started to recover they were not strongly positioned to take advantage of market opportunities, or to fully meet customer's expectations of products and service levels with more junior staff - they faced a talent crunch. In addition, the competitive threat they faced was stronger as many of their former employees now worked for other financial institutions.

Survivor Syndrome

Down-sizing is never a pleasant experience for anyone involved - from the HR department to the individual concerned. However, neither is it a positive experience for those who manage to remain in employment, many of whom fall victim to 'survivor syndrome'. Put simply, once the initial relief that they have still 'got a job' has subsided, the realisation sets in that they have survived at the expense of their colleagues, who are often close friends. They experience feelings of guilt that others have lost their jobs and livelihood, whilst they remain secure in post. This guilt may then turn inward and become anger which is directed at their employer who they see as the architect of their situation, with the result that:

    - morale falls, and with it productivity and overall
      performance - one of the key objectives of the down-sizing

    - loyalty is compromised - when the up-turn comes, many of the
      survivors will look for employment elsewhere

So the employer is left with a situation where they have met their objective of reducing costs, but not increasing performance. In addition, having let some 'talent' go, if they do not address the 'survivor' issues, they are also reducing their own capacity to 'survive in the long term'.

'This kind of "survivor syndrome" may be cultivated by businesses accidentally'[4]

So what's the solution?

To paraphrase Meatloaf[5] 'Two out of three ain't good'. Companies who adopt a long term perspective in the current recession and emerge stronger and more competitive at the end, need to develop strategies which address all three challenges. Of necessity, many are already addressing the 'credit crunch' - this will enable them to survive in the short term. For the longer term, they need to deal with the 'talent crunch' (to ensure product/service quality), and the 'survivor syndrome' (to ensure continuity and growth of operations).

    'Successful organisations ... will be organisations that have a plan to
          retain genuine talent and don't rashly cut back on investment
      in skills. They will also be ... best able to weather the storms of
        recession and be ready to prosper once the deluge has subsided'[6]

In addition, it is accepted that successful companies are those who continue marketing through an economic downturn. Evidence shows that those companies who increased their marketing activity during the recession in the early 1980's grew 275% throughout that decade, compared with 19% growth experienced by those who cut back on their marketing spend.[7]

Training

Yes this means spending money - but it is investment in human capital which will have the following outcomes:

    - Training increases the skills base of the organisation -
      addressing the talent crunch

    - performance and productivity improve, not just in the
      immediate term but also into the future

    - reduces dependency on out-sourcing and develops opportunities
      for diversification

    - Training motivates - overcoming survivor syndrome

    - employees feel they are valued and their efforts are recognised when
      companies invest in them

    - employees are more likely to embrace change, providing a more
      flexible/competitive workforce

    - retention rates improve/churn decreases

All the above will result in lower costs and an increased revenue generating capacity for the organisation. In the medium term, training can be cost neutral. Companies can take advantage of the 'down time' provided by slower trading conditions to look at their skills base, identify training needs and support employees through their development. In real terms, sponsoring an employee on a training course may cost only a fraction of a pay rise in more buoyant times, but have considerably higher intrinsic value to the individual.

Marketing

In the absence of in-house resources and capabilities, there are many consultancies in the UK providing professional marketing services to organisations ranging from multi-nationals to SMEs. Many are industry and sector specialists who work with companies to develop viable marketing strategies for their business on a project by project basis, which address their marketing objectives.

Alternatively, companies can combine their training and marketing objectives and develop internal marketing competencies which are relevant not only to their sector and markets, but also to their business in the long term. Supporting employees training for professional marketing qualifications, e.g. CIM Professional Qualifications, organisations could leverage synergetic benefits which would not only meet their business and marketing objectives, but also deliver the training outcomes above at a cost on a par with 2-3 days consultancy.

In The End

Only 'three of out three' will do. As stated recently, 'employers should hold their nerve and focus on retaining talent and investing in the skills of their people. It is these people, with their commitment, productivity and ability to add value, who will ultimately keep individual businesses ... competitive, and put us all in a strong position to recover from the downturn quickly.'[8]

It may be going against instinct; it may be counter-intuitive - but as recent history has shown, those 'who dare, win'[9].

    Notes to editors
    About Gill Waters
    Gillian Waters
    BA Hons Dip.M MCIM MBA, Chartered Marketer

Gill has been an Examiner with CIM for over 15 years at Stage 2 - initially as a member of the team and subsequently deputy senior examiner for Marketing Operations, and has been a member of the MMIP examination and feedback team since its introduction for the standard and interim boards. In addition, she moderates across the Professional Diploma and Certificate levels for the interim boards.

One of the original cohort of Chartered Marketers, Gill has the PG Diploma in Marketing, MBA (OU) and a teaching qualification in non-compulsory further and higher education.

About Oxford College of Marketing

Oxford College of Marketing is one of the largest CIM accredited Marketing Colleges in the UK. With study centres in London, Gatwick, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Reading, Brighton, Sheffield, Birmingham and of course Oxford, the College has been running Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) courses since 1997, with superb student results. The College offers CIM Introductory Certificate, Professional Certificate, Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma qualifications through a number of study options, including distance learning, as well as short and one-day marketing courses and tailored in-house training programmes.

http://www.oxfordcollegeofmarketing.ac.uk

References

1: Baroness Shriti Vadera - quoted in National Press and BBC News (TV and Radio) - 14th January 2009

2: Boston Consulting Group - Business Wire 6th March 2008 - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_March_6/ai_n24377150

3: Barclays Announce 2,100 Redundancies - 500 in the UK - 14th Jaunary, 2008 http://money-watch.co.uk/4812/barclays-redundancies

4: People Management - January 2009 - Robert Davies & Andrew McConnellhttp://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/pm/articles/2008/08/helping-staff-to-recover -from- redundancy-survivor-syndrome.htm

5: Meatloaf - Two out of Three Ain't Bad - lyrics by Meatloaf, music by Jim Steinman (1977) - from the album 'Bat out of Hell'

6: John Philpott - Chief Economist CIPD - http://www.cipd.co.uk/pressoffice/_articles/291208PayAttitudesBarometerFINAL. htm 2nd January 2009

7: http://blogs.hillandknowlton.com/blogs/ampersand/articles/10761.aspx

Nigel Hollis - Chief Global Analyst - Millward Brown - 3rd June 2008 - 'Marketing during a recession - To Spend or Not To Spend?'

8: Op.cit. reference 6

9: 'Who Dares Win' - Motto of the Special Air Services, UK Special Forces, British Army (With apologies and acknowledgement to the Special Air Service - motto - `Who Dares Wins') (Due to the length of certain URLs in the above, it may be necessary to copy and paste the hyperlinks into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

For further information on any CIM training or Oxford College of Marketing's one-day marketing courses contact Jane Young, on +44(0)1865-515255 or janey@oxfordcollegeofmarketing.ac.uk

NEWSWEEK: International Editions: Highlights and Exclusives, February 23, 2009 Issue

2009-02-15T19:03:00.000+02:00

COVER: Fall of the Petrostates (All overseas editions). Senior Editor Rana Foroohar reports that with the world economy collapsing in recession, and falling demand driving the price of oil down to $37 per barrel, the trio of Vladimir Putin, Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are losing their strength. The empires that they built on oil are proving rickety, vulnerable to inflation and joblessness, and now mounting political unrest is jeopardizing their personal power. "High oil prices and oil wealth reshaped geopolitics in recent years," says energy expert Daniel Yergin. "Now we're seeing the reversal of all that." The decline of the petro-czars is an unexpected bright spot in a grim global recession. Barack Obama has invited America's enemies to talk, and Putin, Chavez and Ahmadinejad are responding with surprising alacrity because the price of oil no longer supports their geopolitical ambitions.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184766

COVER: Flight From South Africa (Africa only). Africa Bureau Chief Scott Johnson reports that a number of recent independent studies show that mass departures from South Africa are ongoing and are sapping the nation of its skilled and best-educated young citizens. The most dramatic figures can be found among South African whites, who are leaving at a pace consistent with the advent of "widespread disease, mass natural disasters or large-scale civil conflict," according to a report by the South African Institute on Race Relations. Some 800,000 out of a total white population of 4 million have left since 1995, by one count. But they're hardly alone. Blacks, coloreds (as people of mixed race are known in South Africa) and Indians are also expressing the desire to leave. The new South Africa has been relatively stable since apartheid was swept away in 1994. But that stability could be jeopardized if its human capital keeps leaving at the current rate.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184783

Fear Comes to the Russian Heartland. Moscow Bureau Chief Owen Matthews and Special Correspondent Anna Nemtsova report on how the failing global economy is affecting Russian towns like Magnitogorsk, a steel town of nearly 500,000 straddling the Ural River, about 900 miles east of Moscow. Prosperity and stability are vanishing fast in Magnitogorsk, where four of the city's eight giant steel smelters have been shut down, their workers placed on indefinite leave. While the global economy was pushing oil prices to new highs, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin could do no wrong. Now serious unrest seems imminent. The biggest threat lies in cities like Magnitogorsk -- company towns that are dominated by a single industry.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184763

The Kremlin Vigilantes. Matthews and Nemtsova examine the growth of anti-immigrant groups in Russia, which are becoming more violent and getting more explicit support from authorities. One group -- the Young Guard, the youth group of the ruling United Russia party -- says its mission is to help fulfill Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's plan to rein in the number of migrant laborers coming into the country. Such a policy represents a big turnaround for Russia, which until very recently has officially welcomed immigrants if not with open arms than at least with grudging acceptance. But as the Russian economy craters, its immigrant community looks set to suffer most as a backlash against foreigners -- Russia's time-honored scapegoats from tsarist times -- gathers pace.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184777

No Rest for the Weary. Special Correspondent Tracy McNicoll reports that French President Nicholas Sarkozy has committed himself to changing the law that makes it illegal to work on Sunday. The idea of keeping shops open on Sundays is, symbolically, at the core of Sarkozy's economic ideology: ennobling the idea of work while giving people more choices about how to make and spend their money. He has pushed to give the French more freedom to earn overtime, to retire later if they please, to work as many years, days and hours as they want to -- including Sundays. But as logical as that may sound, in France it's widely viewed by the political elite as unseemly.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184782

An Island, Lost at Sea. Contributing Editor Stryker McGuire reports on the changing "special relationship" between the U.S. and Great Britain. The first world figure to actually shake President Barack Obama's hand was Tony Blair, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's predecessor and longtime rival in British politics. What Brown and much of the commentariat are willfully ignoring is that the importance of the Anglo-American special relationship depends upon which end of the telescope you view it through. It's a big deal in Britain. But the term "special relationship" is almost entirely foreign to American ears. After all, the United States is increasingly Hispanic and increasingly wedded economically to Asia, and is bound to shift or at least broaden its longtime alliances.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184780

WORLD VIEW: Israel's Biggest Danger. Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria writes that while most commentators focus on the future of the peace process and the two-state solution in Israel, handling the relationship with its Arab minority is more crucial even than dealing with Hizbullah or Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel's Arabs constitute a demographic time bomb. Benny Morris, the once dovish historian who chronicled the forced expulsion of most Palestinians from the Jewish state in 1948, has turned to arguing that Israel needs to protect itself from the Arabs now living within its borders. "It's a dangerous spiral: the worse the distrust gets, the less loyalty Israel's Arabs feel toward their country--and vice versa," Zakaria writes.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184765

THE LAST WORD: Mustafa Barghouthi, Palestinian reformist legislator. Barghouthi says that the most pressing issue for him and the Palestinian government is to end the conflict between Palestine and Israel. "I don't think this conflict should last longer, and it's awful for both people. And the result of the elections in Israel, in my opinion, reflects how dangerous this conflict is for Israel, too. I look at it as a cancer that is eating our lives," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184788

/PRNewswire - Feb. 15/

NEWSWEEK Cover: Stress Could Save Your Life (Or at Least it's Better for You Than You Think)

2009-02-15T16:58:00.000+02:00

In Some Circumstances, Stress Can Be Good For You; 'Most People Do Their Best Under Mild To Moderate Stress' Says Psychologist

Stress Evolved To Help Us Survive; In The Short Term, It Can Energize Us

Take The Newsweek/WebMD Resiliency Quiz

NEW YORK, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ --- In the past several years, a lot of us have convinced ourselves that stress is unequivocally negative for everyone, all the time. But what's often overlooked is a common-sense counterpoint: in some circumstances, it can be good for you, too, reports Senior Writer Mary Carmichaelin the February 23 Newsweek cover "Stress Could Save Your Life" (on newsstands Monday, February 16). As Spencer Rathus puts it in "Psychology: Concepts and Connections," "some stress is healthy and necessary to keep us alert and occupied." Yet that's not the theme that's been coming out of science for the past few years. "The public has gotten such a uniform message that stress is always harmful," says Janet DiPietro, a developmental psychologist at Johns Hopkins University. "And that's too bad, because most people do their best under mild to moderate stress."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090215/NYSU005 )

The stress response -- the body's hormonal reaction to danger, uncertainty, or change -- evolved to help us survive, and if we learn how to keep it from overrunning our lives, it still can, Carmichael reports in the cover story, which is an installment of Newsweek's continuing "Health for Life" series with Harvard Medical School. In the short term, it can energize us, "revving up our systems to handle what we have to handle," says Judith Orloff, a psychiatrist at UCLA. In the long term, stress can motivate us to do better at jobs we care about. A little of it can prepare us for a lot later on, making us more resilient. Even when it's extreme, stress may have positive effects -- which is why, in addition to posttraumatic stress disorder, some psychologists are starting to define a phenomenon called posttraumatic growth.

"There's really a biochemical and scientific bias that stress is bad, but anecdotally and clinically, it's quite evident that it can work for some people," says Orloff. "We need a new wave of research with a more balanced approach to how stress can serve us."

Carmichael reports that when she started asking researchers about "good stress," many of them said it essentially didn't exist. "We never tell people stress is good for them," one says. Another allowed that it might be, but only in small ways, in the short term, in rats. And those people who thrive on stress -- who become policemen or ER docs or air-traffic controllers because they like seeking out chaos and putting things back in order -- aren't they using stress to their advantage? No, the researchers say, those people are unhealthy. "This business of people saying they 'thrive on stress'? It's nuts," says Bruce Rabin, a distinguished psychoneuroimmunologist, pathologist and psychiatrist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Some adults who seek out stress and believe they flourish under it may have been abused as children or permanently affected in the womb after exposure to high levels of adrenaline and cortisol, he tells Newsweek. Even if they weren't, he added, they're "trying to satisfy" some psychological need.

Also in the cover package, Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff, the Simcox-Clifford-Higby professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, looks at the link between stress and disease. He writes that while there is "much evidence" linking stress to the heart and blood vessels, the relationship isn't a simple one. "And despite some widely held and popular ideas, the link between stress and other diseases is even less clear," he writes. "Surely, experiencing stress may worsen the symptoms of almost any condition. But there is little evidence that stress is the exclusive or even the principle cause of any disease."

And on WebMD.com, take the Newsweek/WebMD resiliency quiz. An excerpt:

    1. Who tends to be least resilient?
           A. People who are insecure
           B. People who are happy
           C. People who are sad
           D. People who are self-focused

Egocentric or self-focused people are more likely to take things personally. And the extent to which people take things personally affects their ability to be resilient. This is why people who survive natural disasters tend to recover more quickly than those who survive attacks directed at them personally. Answer: D

    2. Resilient people:
           A. Don't get stressed when times are bad
           B. Are trained in stress-management techniques
           C. Seek help from reliable people in times of stress
           D. Make concrete plans for handling traumatic events

It's not that resilient people don't feel stress, or that they're better trained to deal with it (although more resilient people may be more likely than others to learn stress management). Resilient people recognize that bad things happen to good people, so they aren't overwhelmed by stress when they experience setbacks. Resilient people have confidence in their ability to deal with bad situations. Answer: C

For the full quiz, visit webmd.com/Newsweek/resilience

(Read cover package at www.Newsweek.com)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/184154

New Guide to Geothermal Energy Available to Download Free!

2009-02-15T13:00:00.000+02:00

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If you have questions about geothermal energy, the Geothermal Energy Association has issued a new report that will provide you with answers. Geothermal 101: Basics of Geothermal Energy Production and Use, edited by Leslie Blodgett and Kara Slack of GEA, covers the essentials of geothermal energy from electric power to residential heat pumps. "Whether you are an educator, student, policymaker, or industry specialist, this report will serve as a guide for your geothermal education," noted Leslie Blodgett, co-editor of the report.

Ever wonder how a geothermal power plant works? Want to know more about how geothermal energy can help reduce global warming? Curious about where geothermal resources are located? This 50-page guide will help you find the answers to these and many other questions. It includes 30 charts, tables, maps, and pictures to help the reader understand the power behind one of the fastest growing renewable technologies -- the power of the earth's heat.

Today the U.S. has about 3,000 MW of geothermal electricity connected to the grid. In addition, as of August 2008, almost 4,000 MW of new geothermal power plant capacity is under development. Worldwide, geothermal energy supplies more than 10,000 MW to 24 countries and now produces enough electricity to meet the needs of 60 million people.

"There is a tremendous interest in geothermal energy and its largely untapped potential to help address our energy and climate problems," noted Karl Gawell, GEA's Executive Director. "GEA hopes that making this report available will help tap the creativity and imagination of thousands of people to help expand the use of this natural energy source."

"We have worked hard to make the report readable, while still being thoroughly researched and reviewed," commented co-editor Kara Slack. The report includes simple definitions, descriptions, and figures and cites key national reports that provide further information. Information and references have been updated with the most recent materials. "Whether you are new to the basics or have been working in the field for years, this report provides valuable information," she added.

The report is currently available on GEA's Web site in parts at http://www.geo-energy.org/aboutGE.asp and is available to download in PDF format at http://www.geo-energy.org/publications/reports.asp.

Examining the Meaning of the Election: Spiritual Significance of the Obama Presidency

2009-02-13T13:20:00.000+02:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States has interested and excited people throughout the world, and the people most directly affected by Obama's election are other African-Americans. Dr. Tino W. Smith, an African-American minister in Terre Haute, Ind., in his new book, "The Reproach Is Lifted: Barack Obama Presidency" (published by AuthorHouse), explains that the election is not only of political and social significance, but also has spiritual implications.

For Dr. Smith, the Obama presidency ended a period in his life during which the rage within him caused him to stop reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and standing to honor the American flag. Living in a country in which animosity between the races was such a prevalent force in his life caused him great resentment. But on January 20, 2009, when he watched Barack Obama being sworn into office as our nation's first black president, he found his rage being replaced by pride and honor. "I was finally proud to be an American," he writes.

The election of a black president, Dr. Smith proclaims in "The Reproach Is Lifted," carries great spiritual significance for African-Americans. Many black believers felt that the Bible passage appearing in Genesis 9:24-25 meant that the black race was cursed to be servants. Dr. Smith describes that interpretation of the passage as "The curse that never was," and he believes that any doubt that the curse was false was laid to rest by the election of Barack Obama. There is no longer any reason for African-Americans to resign themselves to second-class status or to accept that their only paths to success are sports and entertainment. Now they may aspire to be lawyers, CEOs, or engineers -- "The Reproach Is Lifted."

It was never God's purpose, Dr. Smith declares, for the races to be divided or used to define who we are. Now that the reproach of the black race has been lifted, we can all see the importance of recognizing one another as the offspring of God. According to Dr. Smith, God has used Barack Obama in the natural world so that we can all come together in our spiritual thinking and not be divided by our isms.

About the Author: Dr. Tino W. Smith is the senior pastor of the Greater Kingdom International Ministries, Terre Haute, Ind. He is considered a trailblazer in the field of nonprofit ministries and organizations and has founded a private academy, two day care facilities, and a residential group home. Dr. Smith is the author of four prior books and resides in Westfield, Ind., with his wife, Nicole Smith, and their children, BreAnna and Tino II.

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

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit www.authorhouse.com.

    EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:

    Promotional Services Department
    Tel: 888-728-8467
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This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

ITSSD: French 'Authentic Acts' Proposal Jeopardizes Anglo-American Free Enterprise

2009-02-13T13:13:00.000+02:00

PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a short article published by the Washington Legal Foundation, international business, trade and regulatory lawyer Lawrence Kogan identifies how France is working to export two central tenets of Napoleonic civil law preventive justice throughout global commerce to "change" the rule of international law and Anglo-American free enterprise.

Arguably, says Kogan, "Were it not for its uncanny resemblance to Monty Python's timeless skit - The Ministry of Silly Walks, the Sarkozy Government's recent proposal to expand the privileged monopoly long enjoyed by les notaires de France and the intrusive and regulation-prone French legal system would likely have been considered more seriously and opposed by Anglo-American businesses and political leaders."

Civil law notaries are agents of the State who possess the ministerial responsibility for issuing 'authentic acts'. Authentic acts are drawn up legal instruments that follow a prescribed form, recognize and provide conclusive evidence that specific private agreements have been reviewed and approved by empowered public officials, and render such agreements legally enforceable in a court of law.

From afar, the Sarkozy initiative appears earnest - a regional harmonization effort designed to promote greater economic 'efficiency', 'consumer protection' and 'legal certainty' within the 27-state Eurozone. A closer inspection, however, reveals that it does not guarantee true reciprocity. Also, it indirectly broadens the scope of governmental oversight and control over private business and personal transactions consummated within and beyond the region.

"Most troubling of all," emphasizes Kogan, "is how civil law preventive justice enables governmental use of authentic instruments, as it does Europe's Precautionary Principle, to undermine common law evidentiary rules and private property rights. Private property owners in contentious justice-based common law jurisdictions depend on substantive and procedural due process to ensure their day in court and the protection of their exclusive rights from government overreach. These fundamental rights will now be jeopardized to the extent civil law judges are required to attach greater probative value to authenticated instruments than to common law notarized private agreements, and are denied the discretion to consider other forms of documentary evidence to resolve legal disputes."

The Institute for Trade, Standards and Sustainable Development (ITSSD) is a non-partisan non-profit international legal research and educational organization that examines international law relating to trade, industry and positive sustainable development around the world. This article is accessible online at:

http://itssd.org/2-13-09Kogan_LegalBackgrounder%20-%20FINAL.pdf and http://www.wlf.org/upload/2-13-09Kogan_LegalBackgrounder.pdf .

    CONTACT:  ITSSD,
    609-658-7417,
    info@itssd.org

Stock Preacher Issues Technical Trade Alerts on: AAPL, BAC, CAT, FCX, GE

2009-02-13T12:00:00.000+02:00

VALLEY COTTAGE, N.Y., Feb 13 /PRNewswire/ -- StockPreacher.com announces the availability of Trade Alerts on stocks making news today.

Investors can view all of the daily updates for free by visiting: http://StockPreacher.com

Today's Trade Alerts include: Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC), Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX), General Electric Company (NYSE: GE)

Join the fastest growing investment community at: http://www.theSmallCapAlert.com

See what the CEO'S have to say about their stocks at: http://www.StockPreacher.tv

StockPreacher.com's Trade Alerts are brief analyses on the active stocks each day that are affecting the markets. These include breaking news, insider activity, recent 52-week highs/lows, technical breakouts, and other market driving information. Stock Preacher is the authority on research in the small cap sector, and we strive each day to find the stocks that are poised to be the biggest movers before the rest of the market is aware of them.

We encourage investors to subscribe to our FREE newsletter filled with daily trading ideas by visiting: http://StockPreacher.com

StockPreacher.com is one of the industry's largest small cap research providers. Stock Preacher strives to provide a balanced view of many promising small cap companies that would otherwise fall under the radar of the typical Wall Street investor. We provide investors with an excellent first step in their research and due diligence by providing daily trading ideas, and consolidating the publicly available information available on them. For more information on Stock Preacher, please visit: http://StockPreacher.com CRD# 1603068

StockPreacher.com Disclosure

StockPreacher.com is not a registered investment advisor and nothing contained in any materials should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. StockPreacher.com is a wholly owned entity of Allan James Group, Inc., a financial public relations firm. Please read our report and visit our website, StockPreacher.com, for complete risks and disclosures.

Julio Serrano of Stock Preacher is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, CRD number 1603068.

RICS Global RE Weekly: Chinese Real Estate to Gain Some Support from Stimulus

2009-02-13T08:38:00.000+02:00

HONG KONG, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The latest edition of the RICS global commercial property survey is due in the coming weeks. This will provide a key indication of whether the massive Chinese fiscal stimulus and relaxation of lending policies are having any effect on reviving the commercial property sector. The lowering of bank reserve requirements alongside five cuts in interest rates since September 2008 has had some initial success in boosting the money supply. The M2 broad measure of money supply ballooned during January to 1.62 trillion yuan up from 772 billion yuan in December.

No sign of end to the gloom for US housebuilders

The release of February's NAHB's sentiment index on Tuesday 17th followed by housing starts for January on Wednesday 18th will provide another snapshot of the housebuilding sector in the US. It's likely to be another round of depressing numbers, even though it is hard to believe that the sector could sink any lower.

Japan construction spending to slow as economy worsens

Data on construction spending in Japan is due for release on Tuesday 17th. The November numbers highlighted a contrast between the public and private sectors with activity in the former being reined in while the latter continued to post healthy gains.

Boost to the euro area infrastructure sector

Euro area construction data for December is due for release by Eurostat on Wednesday 18th. In November, construction output fell by 5.2% y/y although most of this decline was on account of base effects (the monthly fall came in at 1.7%).

Please download from the following for the complete report content: http://www.creativegp.com/belinda/RICSGlobalRealEstateWeekly-Feb13.pdf .

    Media enquiry, please contact:

     Ms Kate Kwan / Mr. Sam Leung
     Tel:     +852-2372-0090
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Around the Rings Launches First Online Version of Ultimate Insider's Guide; Vancouver is Sixth Edition

2009-02-13T00:56:00.000+02:00

ATLANTA, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- One year out from the beginning of the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia, Around the Rings has launched its first online edition of The Ultimate Insider's Guide:

http://www.aroundtherings.com/Vancouver/VancouverGuide.aspx

Content will be free to all users for the first 30 days.

The guide includes contact details for businesses and organizations with a stake in next year's Games. These range from the IOC to worldwide sponsors to government offices, along with restaurant and entertainment recommendations.

"Previous editions were always printed a few days before the Opening Ceremony so that the journalists and high-level visitors who used them had the most current information possible," said ATR editor Ed Hula. "This time, we wanted to make the information available for a longer period. Instead of a shelf-life of just a few weeks, this content will be available for one full year. It will be updated through March 2010, when the Paralympics conclude. "

The guide is divided into six chapters: Vancouver Games, Olympia, Business, Media, Government and Fun, Food and Nightlife.

Vancouver Games will include executives and media contacts; Olympia will include IOC contacts as well as upcoming host cities, while Fun, Food and Nightlife features restaurants and other attractions that have been personally reviewed by ATR staff.

Vancouver-area businesses can still be a part of the Vancouver Insider's Guide. Listings are free. Submissions should include business name; contact person; telephone; website; description of the business. Send to Vancouver@aroundtherings.com.

The guide will be available free of charge to all Web site visitors for the first 30 days. After that, some information will be available only to ATR subscribers or will be available for purchase.

The Vancouver Games run Feb. 12-28, 2010. The Paralympics are March 12-21.

AroundTheRings.com is the only publication devoted to providing original, on-the-scene reporting about the $5 billion dollar business of the Olympic Movement. With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Editor Ed Hula's staff includes correspondents around the globe.

For a two-week trial subscription of Around the Rings, contact Kathy Kuzcka via email at: kathy@aroundtherings.com or by phone at +1 404.874.1603 ext. 104

Your best source of news about the Olympics is http://www.AroundTheRings.com, since 1992.

    Contact:
    Trista McGlamery
    Assistant Editor
    (404) 874-1603 ext. 105
    trista@aroundtherings.com

GQ Names Robert Geller 2009 Best New Menswear Designer in America

2009-02-13T00:26:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- GQ today announced Robert Geller as winner of the Second Annual "Best New Menswear Designers in America" project. This competitive initiative, established in 2008 in collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), was created to recognize the rising stars of American men's fashion design.

The magazine selected six finalists for the 2009 competition, and they were each featured in the February issue. A panel of industry experts -- Thom Browne, American menswear designer; Steve Evans, the Levi's(R) brand vice president of merchandising; Kevin Harter, Bloomingdale's vice president of fashion direction; Steven Kolb, CFDA executive director; Jim Moore, GQ creative director; and Jim Nelson, GQ editor-in-chief -- gathered to select the winner at the conclusion of a presentation event for the designer's fall 2009 collections on Wednesday, February 11, in New York City.

"It was by no means an easy decision -- this is an extremely talented Gang of Six," said Jim Nelson. "All the designers impressed us tremendously with the strength and breadth of their collections, as well as the seriousness with which they approach their work. It's also true that we were wowed by the singularity of Robert Geller's vision, and we think he's a significant -- and welcome -- new force in the American men's fashion scene."

As the winner, Robert Geller will receive a $50,000 cash prize and the opportunity to create a limited-edition collection for the Levi's brand. Geller's collection will debut at Levi.com and be available for a month-long exclusive in all major Bloomingdale's locations at the start of New York Fashion Week in September. He will take part in a mentoring program led by GQ, the Levi's brand, and Bloomingdale's. A select item or outfit from the Robert Geller collection for Levi's will be featured in the September 2009 issue of GQ.

"For me, it was encouraging to see not just good American menswear designers but important menswear designers -- and Robert Geller represents just that," added Thom Browne, a member of the selection panel.

Robert Geller was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1976. In 2001, he graduated with a degree in fashion design from the Rhode Island School of Design and began a traineeship at Marc Jacobs in New York City. Geller launched his eponymous menswear line for fall/winter 2007. The line is currently being sold at over 50 of the world's most influential boutiques, including Isetan, Lane Crawford, and Odin.

Other designers that participated in the 2009 BNMDA competition are: Benjamin Bixby (Andre Benjamin, designer), Rogues Gallery (Alex Carleton, designer), Save Khaki (David Mullen, designer), Shipley & Halmos (Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos, designers), and Yigal Azrouel (Yigal Azrouel, designer).

About the CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. is a not-for-profit trade association whose membership consists of more than 350 of America's foremost fashion and accessory designers. The CFDA Foundation, Inc., is a separate not-for-profit company organized to raise funds for charity and industry activities. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization sponsors key programs, including its scholarship, CFDA Masters, and professional development programs. The CFDA, through the CFDA Foundation, mobilizes its membership to raise funds for important charitable causes: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and 7th on Sale. For more information, please visit www.CFDA.com.

About Bloomingdale's

Bloomingdale's is America's only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store, and a division of Macy's, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 40 stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, and California. For more information, or to shop anytime, visit www.bloomingdales.com.

About the Levi's brand

Invented in 1873 by Levi Strauss & Co., Levi's jeans are the original, authentic jeans. The Levi's(R) brand offers the widest range of great-fitting jeans on the market, and its iconic jeans are the most widely recognized and often imitated products in the history of apparel. The Levi's brand has captured the attention, imagination, and loyalty of generations of diverse individuals in more than 110 countries around the world and continues to do so today through more than 135 years of jeanswear innovation.

GQ is the leading men's general-interest magazine with a monthly readership of 6.1 million readers. The magazine is published by Conde Nast Publications.

The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band's 'BLUE AGAIN' Celebrates the Original Sound of the Blues-era Fleetwood Mac

2009-02-12T11:00:00.001+02:00

SET FOR RELEASE IN NORTH AMERICA ON 429 RECORDS

New Live Album Features Original Compositions and Classic Fleetwood Mac Songs

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Revisiting the blues-based classic songs of early Fleetwood Mac, along with completely new songs in the same style, iconic rock drummer and band co-founder Mick Fleetwood has assembled a hand-picked quartet of musicians, The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, who've created a stunning new live recording, BLUE AGAIN. Equal parts blues rave-up and loving homage to the early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, BLUE AGAIN is a fiery blues showcase and heartfelt tribute to Fleetwood Mac who are just beginning their 40th Anniversary celebration. BLUE AGAIN will be released by the Savoy Label Group unit 429 Records, in time for the kickoff of a triumphant world wide tour on March 3rd via an exclusive package on iTunes and on CD March 17. A companion high definition DVD is scheduled for release in the summer.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090208/LA67886LOGO)

Produced by Mick Fleetwood and former Fleetwood Mac member Rick Vito, BLUE AGAIN was recorded live at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri in February of 2008 and sees him teaming up on this recording with guitarist and lead vocalist Rick Vito, bassist Lenny Castellanos and keyboardist Mark Johnstone. The immaculate recording gives the songs a vibrant, modern immediacy which transcends easy nostalgia. Says Mick: "Over my career I've been called a pop star and a rock star, yet in my inner heart, I will always be part bluesman. On my journey from blues to a life of rock 'n' roll, I've always remembered where I started." BLUE AGAIN is both an original musical tour de force and a respectful tribute to Fleetwood Mac initiated by the sole member of the band to be in every incarnation from the beginning.

Track listing for BLUE AGAIN is as follows: 1. Red Hot Gal 2. Looking For Somebody 3. Fleetwood Boogie 4. Stop Messin' Around 5. Rattlesnake Shake 6. When We Do The Lucky Devil 7. Love That Burns 8. Bayou Queen 9. Black Magic Woman 10. I Got A Hole In My Shoe 11. Shake Your Moneymaker 12. Albatross.

429 Records is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG). SLG is the North American unit of CME (Columbia Music Entertainment), the oldest music company in Japan. The Savoy Label Group has evolved into a leading independent company consistently outperforming competitors in key music categories as monitored by Billboard Magazine. SLG is led by Steve Vining and CME is headed by Chairman Strauss Zelnick, founder of Zelnick Media which owns interests in and manages an array of media companies.

The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band is co-managed by Jonathan Todd, President of Sabre Entertainment and Carl Stubner, President of Sanctuary Management Group.

www.429records.com

www.slgmusicus.com

www.MickFleetwood.com

www.SabreEntertainment.net

Olympic Countdown on: Atos Origin Well on Track one Year Before Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

2009-02-12T11:00:00.000+02:00

VANCOUVER, Canada, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Atos Origin, a leading international IT services company and the Worldwide Information Technology (IT) Partner for the Olympic Games, announces today that it is putting the finishing touches on one of the most complex and high profile IT systems in the world. The Games-time IT is made up of 13 systems, working congruently to ensure the smooth operations of the Games while protecting the information from internal and external threats.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090210/DA68663LOGO)

Now in the testing phase, Atos Origin has been working feverishly to ensure everything is in place one year from today. "We will deliver the world's highest profile IT project on time and on budget," says Magnus Alvarsson, Atos Origin's Chief Integrator for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. "Like the athletes, this complex network of systems must work perfectly from the first moment, in front of three billion people. There is no second chance."

"With exactly 12 months left to go before the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, we are pleased to see that the preparation for the IT systems for the Games is moving forward on schedule and solid progress has been made," said Ward Chapin, Chief Information Officer, at the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). "Atos Origin has consistently met our expectations in terms of the timeline goals for delivery of the Games IT systems and infrastructure that will support the 2010 Winter Games."

IT is critical to the delivery of the modern Olympic Games. Atos Origin designs, integrates, manages and secures the Games-time IT providing Core Games Management systems including Transportation, Medical Encounters, Accreditation System and Workforce Management - all needed to stage the Games.

IT is then used to distribute results and background information to the world through the On-Venue Results system, the Commentator Information System and INFO2010 - the Olympic intranet. The entire system is controlled from a room, comparable to NASA's Mission Control, called the Technology Operations Centre (TOC). The TOC monitors the complex systems for security breeches, technical problems and provides advanced-level help for the IT staff and volunteers.

Alvarsson says part of Atos Origin's success is because they transfer knowledge forward from previous Olympic Games. "We create a seamless team with the best IT people from over 30 different countries," says Alvarsson. "We draw on the finest people in the industry to deliver a flawless experience for our client, participants and a world-wide audience." Alvarsson adds that over 100,000 hours of systems testing will help to protect Atos Origin's flawless record as the gatekeeper for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Atos Origin contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the largest sports related IT contract covering: Salt Lake City in 2002, Athens in 2004, Torino in 2006, Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012. Atos Origin has primary responsibility for Information Technology, which is related to consulting, systems integration, operations management, information security and software applications development for the Olympic Games.

About Atos Origin

Atos Origin is an international information technology services company. Its business is turning client vision into results through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed operations. The company's annual revenues are EUR 5.8 billion and it employs 50,000 people in 40 countries. Atos Origin is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic Games and has a client base of international blue-chip companies across all sectors. Atos Origin is quoted on the Paris Eurolist Market and trades as Atos Origin, Atos Worldline and Atos Consulting. For further information, please go to www.atosorigin.com.

28% of Broadband Households in Western Europe Watch Online TV Monthly

2009-02-12T08:00:00.000+02:00

CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe Summit examines new opportunities in broadband, video services, digital media, CE

DALLAS, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- International research firm Parks Associates announced today the topics and preliminary list of speakers for CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe Summit, March 31, 2009, in Nice, France. This executive event addresses the new strategies for service and technology providers, media companies, and manufacturers in creating new entertainment and communications solutions.

"Twenty-eight percent of broadband households in Western Europe watch TV shows online at least monthly," said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. "HDTV ownership among broadband households is at or above 50% in several countries. Combining online activities with advanced CE is one point of convergence where companies with the right solution can offer real value to their customers. CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe focuses on these emerging opportunities."

Summit sessions include broadband and value-added services, the evolution of video services, digital media, connected CE, digital home services and customer support, and the future of consumer technologies.

CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe features Roger Pitton, Program Director, TV Business, Microsoft Corporation, delivering the keynote "IPTV and the keys to keeping customers." The event also features:

        Michimasa Aramaki, HD-PLC Alliance
        Thierry Boudard, Thomson
        Richard Bullwinkle, Macrovision
        Mark Cavicchia, WhereverTV
        Brian Donnelly, Icron
        Margot Dor, ETSI
        Paul Entwistle, Pace
        Milan Erbes, HGI
        Gil Eyal, Enure Networks
        Ed Forman, ActiveVideo Networks
        Peter Galyas, Tilgin
        Trevor Izsak, Cloakware
        Stefan Jenzowsky, moreTV Broadcasting GmbH
        Art Lancaster, Affinegy
        Dr. Ulrich Leiner, Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, HHI
        Dr. Anton Monk, MoCA; Entropic Communications
        Trond Neergard, Radialpoint
        Dr. Randolph Nikutta, Deutsche Telekom AG, Laboratories
        Frederic Onado, HomePlug Powerline Alliance; SPiDCOM Technologies
        Eric Plesner, IO-Homecontrol
        Micha Risling, Valens Semiconductor
        Eran Rom, Jungo
        Bill Stanley, Telcordia

Event sponsors include Advisory Sponsors Affinegy and Enure Networks and Supporting Sponsor HomeGrid Forum. CONNECTIONS(TM) Global Sponsors include ActiveVideo Networks, Affinegy, Cloakware, DSC, HD-PLC, Icron, Macrovision, MoCA(TM), ProVision Communications, Radialpoint, Telcordia, and Zilog.

For information, visit http://www.connectionseurope.com or contact 972-490-1113, sales@parksassociates.com.

About CONNECTIONS(TM) EuropeSummit

CONNECTIONS(TM) Europe Summits, produced by Parks Associates, provide attendees with high-level analysis and consumer research, networking opportunities, and information on emerging residential and mobile technologies and services. Each focused event creates a forum where executives can learn about vital international trends, successful strategies, and key players in the development of digital living technologies. http://www.connectionseurope.com

    Contact: Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein
    Parks Associates
    972-490-1113
    Email: mindi.sue@parksassociates.com

Global Sources announces bonus share issue

2009-02-12T06:30:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Global Sources Ltd. (Nasdaq: GSOL) today announced a one for ten bonus share issue on Global Sources' outstanding common shares. Shareholders of record on February 27, 2009 will receive one additional common share for every ten common shares held, of face value of $0.01 each. The bonus share issue will be distributed on or about March 31, 2009.

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

About Global Sources

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

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27-A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21-E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The company's actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risks associated with the company's business, changes in general economic conditions, and changes in the assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements.

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

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

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

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

Philadelphia Tribune Names City's 10 Most Influential African Americans

2009-02-12T01:00:00.000+02:00

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- A cross-section of more than 350 of Philadelphia's elected and government officials, educators, businesspersons, community activists and labor leaders today attended a reception at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, here, at which The Philadelphia Tribune's annual list of the City's "Most Influential" African Americans was announced to the public.

Scheduled to be published in the newspaper's Sunday supplement, The Tribune Magazine, on March 1, 2009, the list includes three elected officials: State Representative Dwight Evans, U.S. Congressman Chaka Fattah and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; two education leaders: School Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman and School Reform Commission Chair Sandra Dungee-Glenn; two businesspersons: A. Bruce Crawley, president, Millennium 3 Management Inc. and founder, Philadelphia African American Chamber of Commerce and Ahmeenah Young, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority; one appointed government official: Carl Greene, executive director, Philadelphia Housing Authority; two community/civic leaders: J. Whyatt Mondesire, president, Philadelphia NAACP, and Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president and executive director, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition.

In addition to the list of "Most Influentials," the Tribune also published a list of "10 People Under 40 to Watch in 2009," 75 "African-American Leaders," and 42 "Movers & Shakers" of the Delaware Valley, who demonstrate leadership beyond their positions.

According to Tribune Magazine Editor Shonda McClain-Hill, the selection process for the "Most Influential" issue extends over a six-month period, with final recommendations made by a blue-ribbon panel of African-American professional and civic leaders, including Robert L. Archie, Jr. Esq., Duane Morris LLP; Romona Riscoe-Benson, president, African American Museum in Philadelphia; Irv Randolph, managing editor of the Philadelphia Tribune and Barbara Grant of Cardenas Grant Communications.

Commenting on this year's "Most Influential" issue, Tribune Publisher Robert W. Bogle said: "With the many challenges we face, both as a nation and a city, we need leadership that speaks to the specific issues of our community. One cannot talk of this City's greatness and commitment to its residents without including the contributions of African Americans -- who they are and what they do to make our city function more effectively."

The Philadelphia Tribune is the nation's oldest and the Greater Philadelphia Region's largest daily newspaper serving the African-American community. The National Newspaper Publisher's Association, a trade association representing 205 African-American-owned newspapers, has recognized the publication as the "Best Newspaper in America" in seven out of the last eleven years.

New click2try Site Offers Better Alternative to Open Source Software Download, Free Trial

2009-02-11T13:25:00.000+02:00

HOUSTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- To open new markets for developers and offer business and IT professionals real value, click2try has launched an Open Source software Community Web site that makes it easy to find, try, evaluate and use Open Source software -- for free. Unique in its delivery, click2try bypasses the typical Open Source software download. Free access to Open Source software applications on click2try occurs in a private, virtual environment instead. Pre-configured, fully functional applications are hosted on click2try's servers and run right from a user's desktop. Developers benefit from an expanded user base as more professionals experience the benefits, see the value, and contribute to the growing popularity of Open Source software.

Open Source software listed in click2try catalog

Users access software applications through a searchable, dynamic catalog. More than a simple Open Source software list, the comprehensive click2try catalog contains applications that address key business needs and deliver the most value. The catalog also provides the features and benefits of each application, all pertinent information available, and a wide range of support resources in one convenient location. From the Open Source software listing, users simply "click2try" any application for free.

click2try fosters Community forum, Open Source solutions

"Knowing that the Open Source software Community has developed effective, sophisticated solutions that are comparable to commercial software, we set out to bridge the technical gap between developers and users," says Mario Grech, click2try president. "Through our forum, Open Source developers and business and IT professionals can help each other get the most out of Open Source technology. To enhance that technology for the entire Community, we actively seek developer involvement and offer them the ability to read reviews of their software, gain insight from business users, collaborate with their Open Source colleagues, and suggest new applications to include in our catalog. By investing significant resources in each Open Source software application on our site, click2try ensures a simple and reliable user experience that delivers immediate benefits."

Software as a Service, virtualization, enabling technologies deliver click2try value

Integrating Software as a Service (SaaS) and virtualization with a sophisticated delivery platform, click2try provides an efficient and economical Web-based environment for trying Open Source software applications and eliminates typical software headaches:

Hardware purchases
Software licenses
Tedious software evaluation and selection processes
Long downloads
Complex installation procedures
Risky software integration into user's computer environment
Difficult and lengthy transitions from testing to production
Disruptive upgrades
Lack of support

Temporary or persistent access available for click2try applications

Users interested in accessing click2try applications must first sign up for free at http://www.click2try.com by simply providing an e-mail address. click2try applications can be run:

On a temporary basis

Users can effectively try and evaluate any click2try application by receiving access for a limited time. At the end of the trial period, the application expires along with any data created. Until the application is upgraded to a subscription plan with persistence, it can be restarted as often as a user wishes, creating new data each time.

On a persistent basis

Users who desire continual access to an application can subscribe to a plan with features that meet their needs. The security, back-up and total availability of any data created will be managed on the click2try site for the duration of the subscription. Starting at $40 per month, subscription plan prices are based on the number of users, number of concurrently running applications, and amount of disk storage needed. Discounts are also offered for three- and six-month subscriptions.

About click2try

click2try is a content-rich, Community-driven Web site for sourcing, testing, evaluating, and hosting existing Open Source software products on pre-configured virtual appliances. With the most comprehensive collection of information on selected Open Source software applications online, click2try is committed to extending the access and the usability of Open Source software to as many people as possible by making it simple, reliable and economical to use. For more information, visit http://www.click2try.com.

    Contact:

    Press Relations
    (713) 401-9654 Ext. 700
    press@click2try.com

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

BASF Podcast: Chemistry Makes Wind Energy More Economic

2009-02-11T11:19:00.000+02:00

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, February 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In this podcast you will learn how chemistry improves the cost effectiveness of environmentally and climate friendly wind energy.

It is generally less well known that modern wind turbines would hardly be conceivable without innovative solutions in chemistry. The huge rotor blades can be up to 60 meters long and are subjected to enormous dynamic stress. Here chemistry comes into play. It makes it possible to lower the production costs of wind turbines. This allows wind energy to be a sustainable contribution to the future energy mix with other energy sources on the way to a low carbon society.

BASF Corporate Communications started a regular bilingual Podcast service in April 2007 to report on BASF's innovations and research and development activities in an easy-to-understand, informative and entertaining way.

Listen to the audio reportage with Dr. Gregor Daun (Business Manager Epoxy Systems at BASF), Ivan Costantini (Industrial Coatings Relius) and Jorg Hermes (Global Sales Manager Windenergy at Industrial Coatings Relius).

    Podcast Chemistry of Innovations, English editions:
   http://www.basf.com/podcast
    Direct subscription via RSS-Feed or iTunes (search for "basf"):
   http://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/innovation.xml
    More information:
    Curing Agents and systems for the epoxy industry at BASF
   http://www.baxxodur.com
    More podcasts:
    Podcast - The Chemical Reporter:http://www.basf.com/podcast

In these entertaining episodes our Chemical Reporter answers questions on Chemistry in our everyday life. This week's edition: What happens to meat when you roast it? RSS-subscription: http://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/reporter.xml

Direct iTunes subscription when iTunes is installed (or search for "basf"):

itpc://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/reporter.xml

itpc://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/innovation.xml

The use of the audio material is royalty-free when naming the source. We appreciate information on the use to podcast@basf.com

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost EUR58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at http://www.basf.com.

    A Podcast is available at:
   http://www.presseportal.de/pm/16344/1350942/basf_se

    Editorial contact:

    For the UK:
    BASF plc
    Chris Wilson
    Corporate Communications
    Phone: +44-161-488-5616
    Fax: +44-161-488-4133
    E-Mail: chris.wilson@basf.com

    For the US:
    BASF Corporation
    Betsy Arnone
    Corporate Communications
    Phone: +1-973-245-7865
    Fax: +1-973-245-6714
    E-Mail: betsy.arnone@basf.com

    For Europe:
    BASF SE
    Rainer Mueller-Mueffelmann
    Corporate Innovation Communications
    Phone: +49-621-60-41040
    Fax: +49-621-60-20548
    E-Mail: podcast@basf.com

KongZhong Schedules Conference Call for 2008 Fourth Quarter Earnings

2009-02-11T11:13:00.000+02:00

BEIJING, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- KongZhong Corporation (Nasdaq: KONG), a leading mobile Internet company in China, in order to better facilitate investor access to our earnings conference call, has adjusted the time of its 2008 fourth quarter financial results from 7:30 pm (EST) to 6:30 pm (EST), after the markets close, Wednesday February 18, 2009 or an hour earlier than previously announced.

For Asian based investors, the conference call has been adjusted to be held at 7:30 am (HK Time) on Thursday February 19, 2009.

    Dial-in numbers and passwords remain the same as previously announced.

                                  (Speakers)
               Leilei Wang, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
                             Nick Yang, President
                      Jay Chang, Chief Financial Officer

    Hong Kong Time:                  February 19, 2009, Thursday,  7:30 am
    Eastern Time:                    February 18, 2009, Wednesday, 6:30 pm
    Pacific Time:                    February 18, 2009, Wednesday, 3:30 pm

    CONFERENCE CALL ACCESS NUMBERS:
    China Toll Free Number:          +86-10-800-130-0399
    Hong Kong Toll Free Number:      +852-800-96-2844
    USA Toll Free Number:            +1-800-299-0148
    USA Toll Number:                 +1-617-801-9711
    PASSCODE:                        4855 8509

    REPLAY ACCESS NUMBERS (FOR 2 WEEKS):
    USA Toll Free Number:            +1-888-286-8010
    USA Toll Number:                 +1-617-801-6888
    PASSCODE:                        6620 5203

    WEBCAST:
   http://ir.kongzhong.com

    For information, please contact:

     Jay Chang of KongZhong Corporation
     Tel:   +86-10-8857-6000
     Fax:   +86-10-8857-5891
     Email: ir@kongzhong.com

Kbb.com Names 10 Romantic Rides for Valentine's Day 2009

2009-02-11T10:00:00.000+02:00

Kbb.com's Editors Choose This Year's Romantic Cars

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Bookwww.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today announces 10 Romantic Rides for 2009. With cars and romance being a time-proven pairing, and the Valentine's Day holiday weekend fast approaching, the kbb.com editors compiled a list of various new cars inspiring romance that are ripe to play prominently in the memories of tomorrow.

"So many people have romantic feelings tied to cars, whether it is the thought of what a car represents at a certain time in a person's life, an activity they are passionate about, or perhaps the memory of a long drive with a special someone," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "When compiling the 10 Romantic Rides list, we shot our Cupid's arrows in a variety of directions, targeting vehicles suitable for the romantic maneuvering of a wide cross-section of the populace. Some will seek romance in a small, fuel-efficient hybrid while others might have a similar experience in a high-performance sports car, but with Valentine's Day upon us, love is in the air...and on the road."

A Sample of Kbb.com's 10 Romantic Rides for 2009, Including Editorial Comments

2009 smart fortwo

"Makes it feel like you're driving one of those electric carts on an island honeymoon."

2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

"You, your loved-one and the car that made us love sports car driving all over again - we can't think of anything more romantic than an hour's drive on a twisty two-lane in an MX-5...well, maybe one thing."

2009 Chevy Corvette

"The Chevy Corvette is among the most revered performance cars in history. And still the unofficial car of the mid-life crisis."

2009 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

"Planning a romantic getaway? You can't get any farther away than you can in Jeep's most rugged Wrangler."

2009 Lotus Elise SC

"The Elise's narrow passenger cabin is great for those couples who can't keep their hands, arms and legs off each other."

To see the full list of top 10 Romantic Rides, visit the full story on kbb.com here: www.kbb.com/10romanticridesfor2009.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

The Conference Board(R) Spain Business Cycle Indicators(SM)

2009-02-11T09:00:00.000+02:00

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) For Spain and related composite indexes for December 2008

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for Spain declined 0.5 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) decreased 0.4 percent in December.

The LEI for Spain declined for the fourth consecutive month in December as negative contributions by the capital equipment component of industrial production and order books survey offset positive contributions by the Spanish contribution to Euro money supply (M2) and long-term government bond yield (inverted). Between June and December 2008, the LEI declined by 2.1 percent (about a -4.1 percent annual rate), roughly the same rate as the 2.0 percent decline (about a -3.9 percent annual rate) between December 2007 and June 2008. In addition, the weaknesses among the leading indicators have been widespread in recent months.

The CEI for Spain fell for the eighth consecutive month in December as industrial production made the largest negative contribution as it has in every month since April. During the past six months, the CEI has declined by 3.4 percent (about a -6.6 percent annual rate), well below the 1.3 percent decline (about a -2.5 percent annual rate) for the previous six months. Additionally, the weaknesses among the coincident indicators remained very widespread, with none of the CEI components increasing during the past six months. At the same time, real GDP declined at a 1.0 percent annual rate during the third quarter, down from the 1.0 percent average annual rate of growth for the first half of 2008.

The LEI for Spain has been falling since the first quarter of 2008, decreasing by 4.1 percent since February, its largest decrease since 1992. The CEI for Spain, a measure of current economic activity, has also been falling since its peak in February 2008, experiencing its largest contraction since 1984. Taken together, the recent behavior of the composite indexes suggests that the contraction in economic activity will continue in the near term.

LEADING INDICATORS. Three of the six components that make up The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for Spain increased in December. The positive contributors -- in order from the largest positive contributor to the smallest -- are the Spanish contribution to Euro M2, the inverted long-term government bond yield and the Spanish equity price index. The negative contributors -- in order from the largest negative contributor to the smallest -- are the capital equipment component of industrial production, order books survey, and job placings.

With the decrease of 0.5 percent in December, the LEI now stands at 107.9 (2004=100). Based on revised data, this index declined 0.5 percent in November and declined 1.2 percent in October. During the six-month span through December, the index decreased 2.1 percent, and two of the six components advanced (diffusion index, six-month span equals 33.3 percent).

COINCIDENT INDICATORS. Two of the five components that make up the CEI for Spain increased in December. The positive contributors -- in order from the largest positive contributor to the smallest -- are retail sales survey, and real imports*. Industrial production excluding construction, employment*, and final household consumption* declined in December.

With the decrease of 0.4 percent in December, the CEI now stands at 106.7 (2004=100). Based on revised data, this index decreased 0.8 percent in November and decreased 0.7 percent in October. During the six-month span through December, the index decreased 3.4 percent, and none of the five components advanced (diffusion index, six-month span equals 0.0 percent).

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE BOARD. For over 90 years, The Conference Board has created and disseminated knowledge about management and the marketplace to help businesses strengthen their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board operates as a global independent membership organization working in the public interest. It publishes information and analysis, makes economics-based forecasts and assesses trends, and facilitates learning by creating dynamic communities of interest that bring together senior executives from around the world. The Conference Board is a not-for-profit organization and holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in the United States. For additional information about The Conference Board and how it can meet your needs, visit our website at www.conference-board.org.

                      Summary Table of Composite Indexes
                                              2008              6-month
                                     Oct      Nov        Dec   Jun to Dec
    Leading Economic Index (LEI)    108.9    108.4     107.9 p
      Percent Change                 -1.2     -0.5      -0.5 p   -2.1 p
      Diffusion                      33.3     50.0      50.0     33.3

    Coincident Economic Index (CEI) 108.0 p  107.1 p   106.7 p
      Percent Change                 -0.7 p   -0.8 p    -0.4 p   -3.4 p
      Diffusion                       0.0      0.0      50.0      0.0

    n.a. Not available      p Preliminary     r Revised
    Indexes equal 100 in 2004
    Source: The Conference Board     All Rights Reserved

Website: http://www.conference-board.org/economics/bci/

The next release is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. (CET)

In U.S. - Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 4:00 A.M. (ET)

Been Made Redundant? Take Your P45 and Buy a Franchise

2009-02-11T08:00:00.000+02:00

LONDON, February 11 /PRNewswire/ -- According to website http://www.FranchiseSales.com - the UK's leading franchise opportunities site with over 350 UK franchises for sale - redundancy has forced people into becoming entrepreneurs.

Lee Shuell is an example. A former employee of a major mortgage lender, Lee was made redundant after 19 years of unbroken service. He spent three months applying for a job before buying a Belvoir Lettings franchise on http://www.FranchiseSales.com

"I had always wanted to run my own business, but due to having very good jobs I never had the chance to follow it up," he says. "People that have been made redundant should look at what they enjoy doing and see if they can make a career out of it," he adds.

According to Yasmine Siddiqi, a director at FranchiseSales.com, the biggest shift has been towards home-based franchises. "People are re-evaluating their lives. Home is where the heart is and that's where they want to work," she says.

This is backed up by a recent survey of people using FranchiseSales.com. It revealed that 46% are now looking for a work-from-home franchise. This figure has grown by 13% since January 2008.

As a result of this shift the site has launched a dedicated work-from-home opportunities section at http://www.franchisesales.co.uk/search/Work-From-Home-Franchises

There are over 30 home-based franchises on FranchiseSales.com ranging from website design and business consultancy opportunities that will give you training, support and a network of prospective clients to cleaning and pet food delivery businesses.

All 30 work-from-home franchises can be acquired with less than GBP20,000 investment, making them relatively affordable to those looking to start a business.

"Working from home is hard to ignore. No more commute, office politics and corporate insecurity. Flexible hours, being near your family and having the freedom to work in your own environment are the things people want these days," concludes Siddiqi.

Notes: http://www.FranchiseSales.com is the world's largest site connecting franchisors and prospective franchise buyers.

The site features over 1,400 franchise opportunities globally and 350 in the UK.

Established since 2001, the site is published by http://www.Dynamis.co.uk - an online media group that also publishes http://www.BusinessesForSale.com, http://www.BusinessWings.co.uk and http://www.BusinessOpportunities.com

For more information, please contact Marcus Markou at Dynamis on +44(0)207-324-1930

Publicis Groupe: 2008 Annual Results

2009-02-11T06:00:00.000+02:00

    PARIS, February 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    - Revenue                            EUR 4,704 million       +0.7%
       Excluding exchange rate impact (1)    4,953 million       +6.0%

    - Organic growth                                 +3.8%

    - Operating margin                     EUR 785 million       +0.8%
       Excluding exchange rate impact (1)      830 million       +6.5%

    - Operating margin rate                          16.7%

    - Net income (Groupe share)            EUR 447 million

    - Free cash flow                       EUR 639 million       +4.0%
       Excluding exchange rate impact (1)      654 million       +6.0%

    - Diluted Headline(2) EPS                     EUR 2.22       +5.0%

    - Net debt to equity ratio                        0.29

    - Dividend (3)                                EUR 0.60

    (1) 2008 at 2007 exchange rate
    (2) Before amortization of intangibles arising on acquisitions,
        impairment and real estate disposal
    (3) Subject to approval at Shareholders' Meeting on 9 June 2009

Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe, states:

"2008 will remain in all memories as the one of the deepest systemic crisis of the financial world. We will leave to the economists and historians to explain it. Today we are confronted with the very first global crisis affecting all economies in various ways. Some sectors, financial, real-estate or the automotive industry have already been severely damaged. However a credit-crunch could very negatively impact other sectors of the economy.

This year has also been the year of the American elections, the Olympic Games and the European football cup which traditionally guarantee an excellent year for the advertising industry. But our industry has not been immune to the crisis with a negative fourth quarter.

In this extremely difficult environment, Publicis Groupe has achieved good results, and I thank very warmly all our teams throughout the world, who have successfully been able to provide our clients with creative, efficient and effective solutions.

A series of good figures testify to the relevance of our strategic choices that bear promises for the future: 3.8% organic growth for the year, although it slowed in the fourth quarter, continuation of the operating margin at its record level, 16.7%, strong cash generation and new business worth more than five billion dollars, which again put us at number one in the world.

A fundamental factor in our success has been the Groupe's expectation concerning the change, particularly in emerging economies, and the accelerated development of digital communication. These choices are now decisive in the existing environment and are core to the Publicis Groupe offer already recognized as one of the most attractive.

Mature economies going into recession, the first signs of a slowdown in emerging economies, the change in social issues with serious unemployment, and the change in consumption habits, have defined the configuration in which we all will have to evolve, forced to adapt quickly.

To this effect, the permanent optimisation of our organisations and our structures, along the lines with the creation of VivaKi, the rigorous management of our costs and the ongoing debt reduction and simplification of our balance sheet, give us solidity and significant resources to face 2009, one of the most difficult years that the world has had to endure for decades.

Our agility and spirit of innovation have enabled us to continuously adapt our organizations and structures. Everybody's objective, starting with the management, the Management Board and the P12, is to come out of this crisis stronger and more robust. We are entering 2009 with great serenity and serious-minded, ready to provide our clients with the most innovative, the most creative and the most effective solutions. This is the year to win market share and consolidate our margins."

Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO, presented the financial statements and management report for 2008 to the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe at its meeting chaired by Elisabeth Badinter on 10 February 2009.

    Key figures

    in EUR million, except for             2008       2007       Variation
    percentages and per-share data                               2006/2007
    (in euros)

    Revenue                               4,704      4,671         +0.7%
    Operating margin before depreciation
    and amortization                        889        888         +0.1%
    As % of revenue                       18.9%      19.0%           -
    Operating margin                        785        779         +0.8%
    As % of revenue                       16.7%      16.7%           -
    Operating income                        751        746         +0.7%
    Net income attributable to Publicis
    Groupe                                  447        452         -1.1%

    Earnings per share                     2.21       2.18

    Diluted earnings per share             2.12       2.02

    Dividend per share                     0.60       0.60

    Balance sheet data                   31/12/2008 31/12/2007

    Total assets                         11,860     12,244
    Shareholders' Equity                  2,320      2,198

A dividend of EUR 0.60 per share will be submitted for the approval of shareholders, at the General Meeting to be held on 9 June 2009.

It will be paid as of 6 July 2009.

Analysis of the Key Figures

2008 Revenue

Consolidated revenues for 2008 amounted to EUR 4,704 million compared with EUR 4,671 million in 2007, up 0.7%, or 6.0% excluding exchange rate fluctuations (with a 2008 revenue at 2007 exchange rate).

Organic growth was 3.8%, the last quarter having been markedly more difficult. The growth of the digital business continues to contribute to good growth pretty much everywhere in the world, and very clearly in the United States and Western Europe. The digital business in 2008 represents 19% of total revenue, compared with 15% in 2007, in line with our goal as leader of the strong-growth segments to earn 25% of our revenue from digital at the end of 2010. Similarly, the revenues originating in extremely high-growth countries in emerging economies represent 22.9% of the Groupe's total revenue in 2008, compared with 21.3% for 2007, thus confirming the intention of Publicis Groupe to have 25% of its revenue coming from these regions by 2010.

2008 consolidated revenue was distributed as follows (including Digital activities): 38% of revenue coming from advertising, 26% from media, 36% from the Specialized Agencies and Marketing Services (SAMS).

    Geographical distribution of revenues for 2008:
    For 2008, the geographical distribution of revenue is as follows:

    (EUR million)               Revenue                 Growth
                           2008        2007       2008 vs 2007   Organic


    Europe                 1,805       1,799            0.3%       1.3%
    North America          2,008       2,016           -0.4%       4.4%
    Asia-Pacific             519         502            3.3%       5.0%
    Latin America            238         237            0.7%       6.5%
    Africa and Middle        134         117           14.6%      21.8%
    East

    Total                  4,704       4,671            0.7%       3.8%

All the regions contribute positively to the Groupe's organic growth for 2008. Europe is positive thanks to a very good performance by France due in large measure to the numerous budget gains of Publicis Conseil. Central and Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Italy remain at balance, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain being in negative territory. North America, with organic growth at +4.4%, benefits particularly from the dynamism of the digital business and media, even though a slowdown is observed during the last quarter. The Asia-Pacific region is extremely contrasted depending on the country, China and India respectively posting organic growth of 12.8% and 17.4% that offset the declines in growth observed in Japan and Korea particularly. Latin America benefits from the strong growth of Venezuela, Argentina and from good growth in Brazil.

The combined organic growth of the greater China region, Russia, India and Brazil is 14.2% for 2008.

Should the 2008 revenue be accounted for in US dollars, it would amount to 6,900 million dollars or a 7.9% growth. In GBP, this same revenue would be 3,733 million pounds.

2008 Fourth Quarter Revenue

Consolidated revenue for the fourth quarter was 1,373 million euro, up 5.5% compared with revenue of 1,301 million for the equivalent period of 2007.

Organic growth was 1.1% in the last quarter. Although positive, this growth - down compared with the previous quarters - reflects the decline of the real economy in several sectors and various regions of the world. It is, however, of note that high growth continues in the media and digital businesses, and in many countries of the emerging economies.

    Geographical distribution of Q4 revenue
    In Q4 2008, the geographical distribution of revenue is as follows:

    (EUR million)               Revenue                    Growth
                        4th quarter 4th quarter   2008 vs 2007   Organic
                           2008        2007


    Europe                  521         535        -2.6%       -1.8%
    North America           585         521        12.3%        1.8%
    Asia-Pacific            152         142         6.3%       -1.1%
    Latin America            65          67        -3.3%        2.8%
    Africa and Middle        50          36        42.2%       36.7%
    East

    Total                 1,373       1,301         5.5%        1.1%

The Groupe's revenue growth in the fourth quarter is clearly stalling, with the exception of the Africa and Middle East region. Continued strong growth in China does not for this quarter offset the slowdown in the other countries of the Asia-Pacific region. While France still grew, Europe overall is suffering as a result of the continued decline of Southern Europe. North America enjoys positive growth, due to the buoyancy of the digital businesses.

Operating margin

The operating margin before depreciation of 889 million euro in 2008 remains stable by comparison with the figure of 888 million achieved in 2007.

Currency exchange effects on the 2008 operating margin have a negative impact of 46 million (2007 at 2008 rates).

The operating margin rate for 2008 comes to 16.7%. The ongoing efforts to control costs for the entire Groupe made it possible to absorb both the costs of integrating the various acquisitions and the accelerated deployment of the digital activities throughout the world.

The optimization of various on-going costs and capex allowed the Groupe to secure its margin.

Net income

The Groupe's net financial expense amounted to 79 million euros, income tax charge is 196 million, group share of income from equity-accounted companies is 2 million and minority interest 31 million. Net income attributable to Publicis Groupe amounted to 447 million euros compared to 452 million in 2007.

Free Cash Flow (excluding changes in working capital requirement)

The Groupe's free cash Flow, excluding changes in working capital requirement, increased by 4% over the previous year to reach an amount of 639 million due to the high level of EBITDA (18.9%).

Net Debt

The net financial debt - well down - declined from 837 million euro at 31 December, 2007 to 676 million at 31 December, 2008 thanks to a high free cash flow (651 million), and is taken as being after 174 million of share buybacks (net of disposals). Note is made that the Groupe's debt is not subject to any covenant.

The Groupe's average net debt at 31 December, 2008 is also significantly lower, amounting to 1,102 million euro versus 1,207 million on 31 December, 2007.

It is important to note that cash and available lines of credit comes to 2,798 million euro (2,533 million considering exclusively committed facilities) despite the Oceane 2008 bond repayment.

Shareholders' Equity

Total equity, including minorities, rose from 2,225 million at 31 December, 2007 2,350 million as at 31 December 2008.

The net debt / equity ratio thus declined from 0.38 as at 31 December, 2007 to 0.29 as at 31 December, 2008.

Groupe Life in 2008

Awards/Creativity

Publicis Groupe has been ranked Number 1 in the Gunn Report since 2004 for the best creative performance.

This distinction is a recognition of the creative qualities of the teams in Publicis Groupe agencies over the years - talents that are all the more precious in a digital world where quality of content takes on increasing significance.

This creative quality is also reflected in many other awards and industry rankings during the year.

On the creative side, Publicis Groupe ranked second at the 55th edition of the International Advertising Festival of Cannes with 101 Lions, and won a Grand Prix in Film (Gadbury-Gorilla).

At the Clio Awards, the Groupe won second place in 2008 with notably a "Grand Prix Innovative Media", five Television/Movie and Digital "Golds", making a total of 51 Clios.

Publicis Groupe came second in "The One Show" with 81 prizes.

Same recognition of the creative quality of Publicis Groupe at the 2008 Effie Awards, which reward the campaigns that are the most creative and the most effective.

New Business 2008 was again fertile in budget gains with $ 6.9 billion of budgets conquered, i.e., a net budget of 5 billion USD in the year, placing Publicis Groupe at first spot worldwide. (Nomura-ex Lehman- ranking)

Campaigns that will be remembered include: L'Oreal, Bank of America, Emirates, Schering Plough, Cadbury for media; Lunesta, Samsung, Sony Bravia, Guinness, Miller Chill for the agencies.

External Growth

In line with its strategy of focusing development in the two strong growth sectors, digital communication and emerging markets, and thus supplementing its networks of specialist agencies throughout the world, Publicis Groupe has pursued an active policy of external growth throughout the year.

Acquisitions in digital

Emporio Asia, a digital marketing agencybased in Shanghai, become Emporio Asia Leo Burnett,

Portfolio, a digital marketing services agency in Korea,

PBJS, the leading agency in the United States in digital marketing and strategic communication,

Performics Search Marketing Business, the leader of marketing search, based in Chicago and present in San Francisco, New York, London, Hamburg, Sydney, Singapore and Beijing, Tribal, one of the premier independent digital agencies in Brazil.

Moreover, in March 2008 Publicis Groupe began a new phase in the international deployment of the Digitas network: Solutions, a specialist of the Groupe in services marketing in India and Singapore, took the name of Solutions I Digitas, thus uniting the expertise in services marketing of Solutions on the Indian market and the international digital expertise of Digitas.

In June, creation of Saatchi & Saatchi Energy Source Integrated Interactive Solutions that unites the world-wide advertising network of Saatchi & Saatchi and the Chinese leader of interactive solutions Energy Source. Named Saatchi & Saatchi Energy Source Integrated Interactive solutions, the new entity specialising in integrated digital solutions, customer-relationship centred marketing and public relations is based in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

In June 2008, Publicis Groupe announced the launch of VivaKi, a new strategic initiative designed to significantly improve the performance of advertisers' marketing investments as well as boost Publicis Groupe's gains in market share in the context of rapidly expanding digital markets. At the same time, the Groupe created, in the framework of the VivaKi Nerve Center, a new technology platform, the largest network "of audience on demand" reliant on the technologies of Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo! Platform A offering the advertisers the possibility of reaching audiences that are defined with precision everywhere in the world, in a single campaign and on multiple networks.

Other acquisitions

At the start of 2008, Publicis Groupe acquired:

Act Now, a pioneer in sustainable development consulting based in San Francisco and that joined the Saatchi&Saatchi network.

La Vie est Belle, in Paris, an agency whose range of services relies on advertising, public relations, promotional events and online communication, which was purchased in February 2008, joined Paname to create Publicis Full Player.

In July of last year, the Groupe purchased Kekst and Company Incorporated, the leading agency in strategic and financial consulting, based in New York. In December 2008, Publicis Groupe announced the acquisition of W&K Communications, a specialist in advertising, promotion, television production and the space purchasing, based in China with offices in Beijing and Guangzhou. W&K joins the Great China network of Leo Burnett and takes the name Leo Burnett W&K Beijing Advertising Co.

Corporate Governance

The AFEP-MEDEF recommendations

At its 2 December 2008 meeting, the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe SA examined the AFEP-MEDEF recommendations released on 6 October 2008 on the compensation of board members and officers of listed companies.

It considers that these recommendations are in line with the tenor of the Groupe's corporate governance and notes that the existing commitments with respect to the members of the Executive Board are already in accordance with these recommendations.

Pursuant to the law of 3 July 2008 transposing the European Community directive 2006/46/EC published on 14 June 2006, the Publicis Groupe declared that the AFEP-MEDEF code amended in this way is the one to which it will refer for the drafting of the report specified in Article L.225-68 of the French commercial code as of financial year 2008.

2009

Recent events

- Innovations

At the start of this year Starcom unveiled a new initiative, in the framework of VivaKi, to develop a new format of video advertising that could become the new standard of the online advertising world. This initiative, dubbed "The Pool," will enjoy the collaboration of the largest suppliers of online video (AOL, Broadband Enterprises, CBS, Discovery, Hulu, Microsoft and Yahoo!). The advertisers participating in this project include Applebee's, Capital One, Nestle, Purina as well as some others, all clients of the agencies of Publicis Groupe.

    This innovative project fits perfectly with the objectives of VivaKi:

     - access to open standards

     - open to all forms of collaboration with media owners and
       our clients

     - benefits from the scale effect in order to create standards
       for our clients that consider the consumer more

     - a global potential that can be extended to any new digital
       channel.

Just six months after the acquisition of Performics from Google, VivaKi is launching the brand on the French market. Attached to VivaKi Nerve Center, VivaKi's center of digital expertise, Performics offers a range of services focussed on marketing to performance by uniting the expertise of three entities that are recognised as leaders in their fields: iBase, Webformance and Click2Sales.

Finance

January 19, 2009 Publicis Groupe bought back 12.7% of the original amount of Oceane 2018 bonds for an amount of 95 million euro (Oceane Publicis Groupe SA 2018-2.75%-FR0000180127) or 2.241.811 bonds at EUR 42.3585 per bond. A similar operation could be realised for all bond holders soon at equivalent conditions.

New Business

Publicis Groupe had a successful start to the year, winning several new budgets. These budgets include the media budget of CMCC (China Mobile), renewing its confidence in ZenithOptimedia, and Carrefour's global budget.

Outlook

With the intensification of the financial sector's problems over the last months of 2008, the economic crisis changed its dimension. Until the third quarter, the mature economies were operating in an environment of low growth, though the conviction remained that there was a possibility that the United States was "uncoupled" from the rest of world and that the real economy would slow down but would remain comparatively immune to the financial crisis.

After the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and given the state of quasi-bankruptcy of many large financial institutions, the crisis suddenly changed its scope, to affect nearly all the sectors of activity and an increasing number of countries. This is the first worldwide economical crisis and its effects are as yet unforeseeable.

In a difficult environment with global economy growth of 2.5% in 2008, down significantly from the previous year, Publicis Groupe attains practically all its objectives, closing the year with very good performance, including gains of new budgets, organic growth, operating margin, and free cash flow growing again, and enters the year 2009 with a solid balance sheet, sizeable liquidity and a flexible and adaptable structure.

2009 will be very difficult, with an estimate of global GDP growth of 0.9%. The most recent forecasts (ZenithOptimedia) report negative growth worldwide in advertising expenditure of 1.8%. By region, only the emerging economies are currently expected to grow significantly by comparison with 2008: Brazil +10%, China +8.8%, but United States should decline by 6.3%, Japan by 5.7%, Spain by 8%, Germany by 5.1%, while UK and France would experience a decrease of 4% and 1.9% respectively. However, it is important to stress that the estimates continue to be reviewed downwards on a regular basis.

In this environment marked by the entry into recession of various Western economies and by an expected slowdown in the growth of the emerging economies, Publicis Groupe intends more than ever to take advantage of its many assets. First of all, the Groupe has shown its ability to control its costs, as illustrated by the steady increase over the years in operating margin. This thorough work is independent from the fluctuations of the economy and is supplemented by great flexibility in the organization that enables it to adapt quickly. The strategy undertaken of growing digital business and expanding activities into strong-growth regions that is beginning to bear fruit, should, at least partially, offset the decline in certain activities or regions, on the understanding that the emerging economies are still growing despite everything and that online advertising expenditures will continue to post an increase close to or higher than 10%.

The fact that Publicis Groupe has won new budgets in recent years is testimony to the energy and attractiveness of the Groupe.

Faced with the many challenges of the next few quarters, Publicis Groupe remains confident, buoyed by its fine recent operating performance, a solid balance sheet, a very flexible organisation and teams who are highly committed to the Groupe's clients. About Publicis Groupe Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world's fourth largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world's second largest media counsel and buying group, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 45,000 professionals. The Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of communication services, from advertising through three autonomous global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; to media consultancy and buying, through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas; Specialized Agencies and Marketing Services offering healthcare communications, corporate and financial communications, sustainability communications, shopper marketing, public relations, CRM and direct marketing, event and sports marketing, and multicultural communications.

    Web Site:http://www.publicisgroupe.com
    Appendix
    New Business 2008
    5 billion USD (net)
    Leo Burnett:

AC Delco (United States), Allstate Direct (United States), Alpina (Colombia), Ambev (Brazil), Aviva Insurance (Taiwan), AXA (Spain), AXN - Sony (Italy), Audi (Russia), BI (Brazil), Baltimor (Russia), Bell Canada (Canada), Borges & Almeida (Venezuela), Bosch Siemens (Czech Republic), CAMIL (Brazil), Carlsberg (Israel), Carrefour Telecom (Taiwan), Caterpillar (China), China Mobile (Greater China), Clear Blue Easy (Italy), COI Department of Work and Pensions (United-Kingdom), Coca Cola Company (Russia and United-Kingdom), Coke (United States), Comcast (United States), Comitato Moda (Italy), Confitecol (Latin America), Credit Mutual (France), Dean Foods: Silk Soy Brand (United States), DeVry (United States), Don Q. Limon (United States), Eidos - software game (United-Kingdom), Exclusive Resorts (United States), Ferrero Rocher (China), Ferreti Group (Italy), Fox (Dubai), Fundagao Energy (Brazil), GMR Sports Pvt Ltd (India), Govt of Ontario (Canada), Harrah's Promotions (United States), Hasbro (Mexico), Heineken (Hong-Kong), HP (Malaysia), Home Retail Group (United-Kingdom), Homebase (United-Kingdom), Hongguo (China), IKEA (Poland and Czech Republic), Ind. Alimenticas Corralito (Venezuela), ING Direct (Italy, France and Malaysia), Intesa (Italy), ISPA (United States), John Middleton Tobacco (United States), Johnnie Walker (Venezuela), Karsten (Brazil), Kellogg's - Special K (Germany), Kuwait Telecom Company (Kuwait), Leumi Card (Israel), Mars (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), Mayfair (Morocco), Mazola (United States), McDonald's (United-Kingdom), Mercedes (Portugal), Metlife (Mexico), Mobicom Telco (Hong Kong), Mont Blanc (Italy), MSD (Korea), Night Fever (France), Norumbi Shopping (Brazil), Novartis (Korea), Oracle (Italy), P&G Clearblue (Italy), P&G - Dash (Germany), P&G Digital (Columbia), PAAT (Australia), Pfizer (Italy), Phoenix (Israel), Purina Retail (United States), Q House Real Estate (Thailand), Rossi (Brazil), SAB Miller (United-Kingdom), SAMS Club (Brazil), Samsung - B2C (Global), Samsung USA (United States), Sanofi Aventis - Allegra (Japan), Saudi Telecom (Kuwait), Sberbank (Russia), Sino Diamond Outlander (Taiwan), Sobeys (Canada), Staples (Spain), Suzuki (Guatemala), Tesco (Poland and Czech Republic), Thalys (France), Tommy's Children's Charity (United-Kingdom), Trip (Brazil), Veinsa - Mitsubishi (Latin America), Waitrose (France), Walgreens Hispanic (United States)

Publicis:

Alcatel Lucent (United-Kingdom), ATP Tennis (United-Kingdom), AXA (France, New Zealand), Beam Global Spirits (United States), BNP (Belgium), British Council (United-Kingdom), Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung (Germany), Carfax (Germany), Citi (United-Kingdom), Citibank (Brazil), COI EWDC EYPS (United-Kingdom), Comunidad de Madrid (Spain), Constellation Europe - Kumala (United-Kingdom), EasyJet (United-Kingdom), Elections Canada (Canada), Fortis (France, Belgium), General Mills (United States), Groupe SEB (United States), HP (Europe and Middle East), Homeaway (United States), Investitionsbank Berlin (Germany), L'Oreal (United States), LG Electronics (Italy), Life Technologies (United States), Lion Nathan (Australia), Manpower (France), Migros Aare (Switzerland), Nestle (Mexico), New World (China), Orange (France), P&G (Brazill, United States), Paypal (United States), Pernod Ricard (Glenlivet) (France), PMU (France), Qantas (Australia), Sandisk (United States), Sanofi-Aventis (Germany), Sara Lee (United States), SCA Paper (Austria), Servicemaster (United States), Shell Oil Germany (Germany), Slendertone (United-Kingdom), Stock (Italy), Swiss Air Lines (Switzerland), Swiss International Airlines (Switzerland), T-Mobile (United States), Tata Steel (United-Kingdom), Telefonica (Brazil), Theater Bonn (Germany), Trugreen (United States), Two Way Gaming Ltd (United-Kingdom) , Virgin (Australia), Yoplait (France)

Saatchi & Saatchi:

Alpitour travel agency (Italy), Amplifon (Italy), APACS (United-Kingdom), Appleton Estates (Canada), ArcelorMittal (United-Kingdom), Asia Five Nations (Hong Kong), Atlantis/Kerzner Group (United-Kingdom, United Arab Emirates), Australia - Dept of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (Australia), AXA (United-Kingdom), Banca Fideuram (Intesa S. Paolo Group) (Italy), Cadbury (Multiregional - SSF Group), Comedy Central TV Chanel (Italy), Continental Airlines (United Kingdom), Energy Policy and Planning Office (OPPO) (Thailande), Flybaboo (Switzerland), Fresh Retail Ventures/Jamie Oliver (United-Kingdom), GDF Suez (France/Global), General Mills/ Pillsbury Intenational (United Kingdom), Guinness - 250th Anniversary Celebrations (United-Kingdom), JTI (Russia), Kerzner Group (United-Kingdom & United Arab Emirates), Kroger (Canada), Merck Serono (Switzerland/global excluding US), Miller Chill (United States), Mondadori (Italy), MTS (j/v between Sistema/MTS and Shyam Telelink) (India), Oesterreichisches Verkehrsbuero (Austria), ParalympicsGB (United-Kingdom), Pillsbury - Green Giant Soup (United-Kingdom) , Pinko - Skelanimals (Italy), Sanyo Electronics (New Zealand), Senior's Money (Canada), Shenzhen Mobile (China), Singapour Navy (Singapore), MengNiu (China), Videocon (India), Volvo (Germany), Wal-Mart (United States), WellPoint (United States)

Starcom MediaVest Group:

Anton Sport (Norway), Avon Cosmetics (Colombia), Bank of America (United States), Bauer (United-Kingdom), BBS (Norway), Borusan Automotiv (Turkey), Cadbury (France and Turkey), CasinoLugano (Italy), City (Greece), Coca-Cola (Asia Pacific), Eko (Greece), Emirates (Global), E-on (Italy), Europcar (United-Kingdom), Evyap (Turkey), Farmatodo (Colombia), FEO (Singapore), GE-Money (Russia, Poland, Czech and Romania), Genting Resorts World (Malaysia), Heineken (Czech Republic and United Kingdom), Honda (Portugal), IKEA (Greece), Inbev (Romania), IMP (Italy), Inps (Italy), Korasides (Greece), KRKA (Poland), Kuwait National Airways (Kuwait), M-Video (Russia), McCormick (France and United-Kingdom), Media Prima (Malaysia), Nakheel (United Arab Emirates), NZ Post (New Zealand), Panrico (Portugal), Regione Piemonte (Italy), Samsung (Global), Sberbank (Russia), Snasco (United Arab Emirates), Snieszka (Romania), Soraya (Poland), Strauss (Romania), TUI (Poland), Unibet (Sweden), Unibrew (Poland), Visit Britain (Netherlands), Wisconsin Milk (United States), Wyeth (Mexico)

ZenithOptimedia:

2XL (United Arab Emirates), Aerogal (Ecuador), Al Barari (United Arab Emirates), Al Majid Motors (United Arab Emirates), Ali & Sons (United Arab Emirates), Alpha Bank (Romania), AMVIX (Greece), Aspial-Lee Hwa (Singapore), Aston Martin (United-Kingdom), AXA (New Zealand), Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd (Singapore), Barclay's (Spain), Berker Mama (Turkey), Betek (Turkey), Bob-Mobile (Greece), Bratz (Spain), Butlins (United Kingdom), Cadbury Wedel (Poland), Campofrio (Spain), Cargill (India), Carrefour Online (Spain), Changan Suzuki (China), Chateau d'Ax (Belgium), Chicco (Spain), Clarks (China), Collective Brands, Inc. (United States), Contender Entertainment Group (United-Kingdom), Control (Spain), DASK (Turkey), Darden Restaurants (United States), Dexia (Slovakia), Discovery (India), Disneyland Resorts Paris (International), Dogus Tea (Turkey), Dopod (Greater China), Dominos Pizza (Turkey), Dubai Investments (United Arab Emirates), EDB (Global), Emaar / King Abdulah Economic City (Saudi Arabia), Emperador Distillery (Philippines), Euroko Insurance (Turkey), European Lease Fund (Poland), Evyap (Turkey), FHB (Hungary), Galata Town (Turkey), Godfrey's (Australia), Goldas (Turkey), Guangzhou Mobile (China), Handelsblatt (Germany), Haribo (Spain), Harrah's Entertainment (United-States), HDFC Asset Management (India), Hertz (International), Honda (United Arab Emirates), Hyundai (China), Inbev (China), James Boags (Australia), Jazeera Children's Channel (United Arab Emirates), Kervan (Turkey), Kiler (Turkey), Kilim (Turkey), Kuveyt Turk (Turkey), Lamoiyan, Inc. (Philippines), Lievitalia (Italy), Lila Kagit (Turkey), L'Oreal - Media Buying (France), LVMH (India), Marks & Spencer (China), Masvision (Spain), Mavi Jeans (Turkey), MCYS (Singapore), Mega Brands (United-Kingdom), Mail Today (India), Mentholatum (China), Ministere de l'Agriculture (Poland), Ministerul Mediului (Romania), MOT (India), Multiopticas (Spain), O2 Digital (United-Kingdom), Omega (China), Opfermann (Germany), Panasonic (United Arab Emirates), Orkla Foods (Romania), Panasonic (New Zealand), Pertamina Pas (Indonesia), PGA (Greece), Pin An Insurance (China), Poltronesofa (Italy), Posta Romana (Romania), Qijing Mobile (China), RATP (France), Rawdah Poultry (Saudi Arabia), RCA (Belgium), Schering Plough (United-Kingdom), Sirvent S.A. (Spain), Swarovski (Europe), Swarovski Special Store (China), Synutra (China), Tadiran Carrier (Israel), Telepizza (Spain), Typhoo (United-Kingdom) , Texwood Jeans (China), Ubisoft (United States), Viajes Iberia (Spain), W. Jordans (United Kingdom), Wagner (Belgium), Warner Music Group (United-Kingdom), Wirtschaftswoche (Germany), WWF (United-Kingdom), Wyeth (China), YSL Beaute (Global), Zhuhai Mobile (China)

Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG):

AstraZeneca / Recentin - Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations (United States), AstraZeneca / Zactima - Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations (United States), AstraZeneca / ZD4054 - Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations (United States), Auxilium/Testim - Medicus (United States), Biovail - PSS (United States), Eisai/Epilepsy Franchise - Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare London (United-Kingdom), GTx/Acadopene -- Medicus (United States), Pierre Fabre/Javlor -- BOZ (France), Pfizer/Diversified Products - Arista (United States), Solvay/Zolip (United States), Sanofi-Aventis/Multag - Saatchi & Saatchi Consumer Health and Wellness (United States), UCB/brivaracetam - Medicus (United States), Wyeth/Enbrel - Arista (United States)

Publicis Public Relations and Corporate Communications Group (PRCC):

AXA (France, The Netherlands), Bouygues (France), Bureau Veritas (France), Caisse des Depots (France), EBSCO (United States), EU-China (Europe / China), GDF SUEZ (France), Groupama (France), Jardiland (France), Michelin (France), Ministere de l'Ecologie, de l'Energie, du Developpement Durable et de l'Amenagement du Territoire - Direction regionale Ile de France (France), Ministere de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et de l'Emploi (France), Moer Dijk Region (The Netherlands), Morgan (France), Rio Tinto (Europe), Saison Culturelle Europeenne (France), National Office of Family Allocations (France), Wyeth (United States)

Digitas:

AstraZeneca's Crestor & Pulmicort (United States), AOL (United States), CDiscount (France), Comcast (United States), Cultura (France), Disney Nature (France), Disponis - Societe Generale (France), E-TF1 (France), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (India), HomeAway (United States), Kooples (France), Legrand (France), Liberation (France), Mars - Starburst (United States), Nouvelle Frontiere (France), P&G - Crest (United States), Quick (France), Shire's Lialda (United States),Total (France), Vin-Malin (France)

Fallon:

BoConcept (Asia), Boston Market (United States), Cheestrings ATL and Cheestrings Digital (United Kingdom), DeLonghi (Asia), Diagio (Japan), Diners Club (Asia), Kerry Foods (United Kingdom), Herman Miller (Asia), Rock Corps (United Kingdom), Sony Playstation (Sony Japan), Old Parr Scotch (Diageo Moet Hennessy) (Asia), Orange Gold Sony Computer Entertainment - Playstation 3 (Japan), Spots (United Kingdom),

    Kaplan Thaler Group:
    Lunesta (United States), DRTV (United States)
    Definitions
    Operating margin rate: operating margin as a percentage of revenues
    Average net debt: 12-months average of average net debt of each month

Free cash flow: cash flow from operations after net capital expenditure excluding acquisitions

Net New Business: this figure does not result from financial reporting, but is based on an estimate of annualised advertising media spending on new business, net of losses, from new and existing clients

For further information, thanks to visit our website :

http://www.finance.publicisgroupe.com