Thursday, March 04, 2010
Next-Generation Internet Partnership Announced
Next-Generation Internet Partnership Announced: UBM Studios and InXpo Sign Strategic Alliance Agreement
Chicago, IL, March 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — InXpo, the largest virtual event technology provider, and e-media innovator, UBM Studios, a division of global media giant, UBM, today announced that the two companies have combined forces to transform the web with next-generation virtual business solutions that help organizations extend the reach of established trade shows, reduce costs, and increase employee productivity.
“Together we will provide leadership in the emerging ‘virtual business’ space. Much like the e-business wave that helped drive enterprise adoption of the web, virtual business is the harbinger of a new era that will transform the internet from a collection of pages to a series of engaging destinations,” said Kate Spellman, SVP, Managing Director, UBM Studios.
The rapidly emerging virtual events and environments industry is a rare bright spot in the economy and is expected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 56 percent according to Market Research Media. The use of this technology has expanded far beyond popular business webinars and social media to include virtual tradeshows, events, digital libraries, product launches, annual meetings, career fairs, sales meetings, training & learning centers, focus group centers and more. The use of virtual business and event technology not only reduces event and travel costs, but also is a proven means to improve employee productivity by reducing travel and providing a more educational and engaging online experience. According to American Business Media and Forrester Research, 75 percent of business decision-makers said they attended three or more Web-based events during the past 12 months.
“Businesses such as Cisco, Disney and AAA are increasingly adopting virtual events and environments as a cost effective and engaging way to extend and leverage live event and training investments,” according to Malcolm Lotzof, CEO InXpo.
In the deal, UBM Studios becomes the first global media licensee of the InXpo Virtual Events Platform and will leverage the power of the UBM media network, including such brands as UBM Medica, PR Newswire, EE Times Group, UBM Global Trade, UBM International Media, UBM Live, UBM TechInsights and UBM Techweb to create innovative new media properties. UBM and InXpo have already collaborated on more than 30 virtual events in 2009, with plans to exceed 100 events in 2010, including:
Physicians Practice LIVE Virtual Event (April 21, 2010)
Psychiatric Times Virtual Career Fair (April 28, 2010)
Virtual Event: Sustainability Now (May 12 - 13, 2010)
MBA Wired APAC (June 3, 2010)
Midsize Enterprise Summit Virtual Event (June 9 - July 9, 2010)
Virtual Event: Housing Now (June 9 - 10, 2010)
Cool Cargoes Virtual Trade Show (June 15 - 16, 2010)
Virtual Event: Retail Now (June 30 - July 1, 2010)
Informex Virtual Event (June 30, 2010)
Virtual Event: Education Now (July 7 - 8, 2010)
COMDEX Virtual Event (November 16-17, 2010)
David Levin, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Limited states, “We are pleased to have formed the first global strategic alliance with the leader in virtual business technology as a powerful complement to our strong face-to-face show portfolio for our global customers.”
For additional information on UBM Studios virtual events, contact Kate Spellman, SVP, Managing Director, UBM Studios at 516 562 7383 or kate.spellman@ubm.com.
About UBM Studios (www.ubmstudios.com)
UBM Studios, a division of UBM, is a creative and strategic marketing agency which specializes in building next-generation virtual media business solutions. Through virtual environments such as virtual events, hybrid events, tradeshows, community sites, career fairs, sales meetings, training, seminars, digital libraries, knowledge centers and focus groups, UBM Studios enables customers to reach new markets, engage and educate customers as well as generate new leads and revenue.
About InXpo Inc. (www.inxpo.com)
InXpo is the leading provider of privately branded virtual events and virtual business environments that connect, engage and educate audiences. InXpo's full suite of solutions includes Virtual Trade Shows, Virtual Career Fairs, and Virtual Events & Conferences, as well as Audio and Video Webcasts. These virtual solutions dramatically reduce travel time and related costs, in addition to making the world a greener place to live. By using our privately branded virtual events, InXpo enables organizations to cost-effectively communicate with their worldwide communities for lead generation, peer-to-peer networking, training, internal and external communications, as well as generate new online revenue opportunities. InXpo has delivered more than 1,000 successful virtual events and experiences for global customers and publishers including AAA, Cisco, Forbes.com, HIMSS, GE Healthcare, PennWell, SAP, TechTarget and Ziff Davis Enterprises. The company is headquartered in Chicago. For more information, visit http://www.inxpo.com.
Media Contacts:
Kate Spellman
UBM Studios
516 562 7383
kate.spellman@ubm.com
Cece Salomon-Lee
InXpo
415 608 0302
cece@inxpo.com
Related:
UBM Launches COMDEX as a Virtual Event
Everything Channel Introduces the New COMDEX
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Employers Reveal the Outrageous and Common Mistakes Candidates Made in Job Interviews
24 Feb 2010 13:00 Africa/Lagos
Employers Reveal the Outrageous and Common Mistakes Candidates Made in Job Interviews, According to New CareerBuilder Survey
--Career Expert Offers Tips on How to Stand Out for the Right Reasons--
CHICAGO, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- With competition hot for open positions, the pressure is on for job seekers to have flawless interview skills. Sometimes that pressure can cause candidates to make unusual, and sometimes unfavorable, interview mistakes. A new CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,700 hiring managers reveals the outrageous and common mistakes that some candidates have made in job interviews.
When asked for the most unusual blunders they'd encountered while interviewing candidates, hiring managers reported the following:
-- Candidate wore a business suit with flip flops.
-- Candidate asked if the interviewer wanted to meet for a drink after.
-- Candidate had applied for an accounting job, yet said he was "bad at
managing money."
-- Candidate ate food in the employee break room after the interview.
-- Candidate recited poetry.
-- Candidate applying for a customer service job said "I don't really
like working with people."
-- Candidate had to go immediately to get his dog that had gotten loose
in the parking lot.
-- Candidate looked at the ceiling during the entire interview.
-- Candidate used Dungeons and Dragons as an example of teamwork.
-- Candidate filed fingernails.
In addition to the most unusual gaffes, employers shared the most common mistakes candidates made during an interview:
-- Dressing inappropriately - 57 percent
-- Appearing disinterested - 55 percent
-- Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer - 52 percent
-- Appearing arrogant - 51 percent
-- Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview - 46 percent
-- Not providing specific answers - 34 percent
-- Not asking good questions - 34 percent
"With heightened competition for open positions in today's economy, it's important for candidates to put their best foot forward in an interview," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. "You want to stand out for the right reasons. Even though the job search process can be frustrating, candidates should stay positive, focus on their strengths and be prepared on how to best sell their skill set."
Haefner offers the following tips for successful interviews in a competitive job market:
-- Stay positive: Many job seekers may be experiencing tougher than usual
job searches in this economy. Even if your job search process has been
frustrating, do what you can to remain positive. Also, no matter how
tempting it is, don't say negative things about a previous employer,
regardless of how the job ended - hiring managers may fear that you
will say the same things about their organization.
-- Research, research, research: When you walk into an interview
knowledgeable about the company, the role and recent news in that
industry, you show the hiring manager you value their time and that
you want to be part of the organization. A simple online search can
provide you with the background information about a company that you
need to stand out.
-- Keep it professional, not personal: Don't let business decorum
disappear even in the interview is in a casual setting. Refrain from
discussing over-the-top personal issues and focus on the position and
selling yourself.
-- Practice makes perfect: Nerves are likely to rear their head in an
interview, so help calm them ahead of time by practicing. Go through
common interview questions with a friend or family member and practice
in front of mirror so you can see read your body language.
-- Honesty is the best policy: If questions come up that you don't know
how to answer, don't lie or pretend you know. Admit that you may not
know the answer, but then explain how you would go about finding a
solution, proving your resourcefulness.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 2,720 hiring managers (employed full-time; not self-employed; non-government) ages 18 and over between November 5 and November 23, 2009 (percentages for some questions are based on a subset of U.S. employees, based on their responses to certain questions). With a pure probability sample of 2,720 one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 1.88 percentage points, respectively. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.
About CareerBuilder®
CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset - their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 23 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 32 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world's top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis. More than 9,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder's proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) , Tribune Company, The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) , CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.
Media Contact:
CareerBuilder
Allison Nawoj
773-527-2437
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com
http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR
Source: CareerBuilder
CONTACT: Allison Nawoj of CareerBuilder, +1-773-527-2437,
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com, http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR
Web Site: CareerBuilder
Employers Reveal the Outrageous and Common Mistakes Candidates Made in Job Interviews, According to New CareerBuilder Survey
--Career Expert Offers Tips on How to Stand Out for the Right Reasons--
CHICAGO, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- With competition hot for open positions, the pressure is on for job seekers to have flawless interview skills. Sometimes that pressure can cause candidates to make unusual, and sometimes unfavorable, interview mistakes. A new CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,700 hiring managers reveals the outrageous and common mistakes that some candidates have made in job interviews.
When asked for the most unusual blunders they'd encountered while interviewing candidates, hiring managers reported the following:
-- Candidate wore a business suit with flip flops.
-- Candidate asked if the interviewer wanted to meet for a drink after.
-- Candidate had applied for an accounting job, yet said he was "bad at
managing money."
-- Candidate ate food in the employee break room after the interview.
-- Candidate recited poetry.
-- Candidate applying for a customer service job said "I don't really
like working with people."
-- Candidate had to go immediately to get his dog that had gotten loose
in the parking lot.
-- Candidate looked at the ceiling during the entire interview.
-- Candidate used Dungeons and Dragons as an example of teamwork.
-- Candidate filed fingernails.
In addition to the most unusual gaffes, employers shared the most common mistakes candidates made during an interview:
-- Dressing inappropriately - 57 percent
-- Appearing disinterested - 55 percent
-- Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer - 52 percent
-- Appearing arrogant - 51 percent
-- Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview - 46 percent
-- Not providing specific answers - 34 percent
-- Not asking good questions - 34 percent
"With heightened competition for open positions in today's economy, it's important for candidates to put their best foot forward in an interview," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. "You want to stand out for the right reasons. Even though the job search process can be frustrating, candidates should stay positive, focus on their strengths and be prepared on how to best sell their skill set."
Haefner offers the following tips for successful interviews in a competitive job market:
-- Stay positive: Many job seekers may be experiencing tougher than usual
job searches in this economy. Even if your job search process has been
frustrating, do what you can to remain positive. Also, no matter how
tempting it is, don't say negative things about a previous employer,
regardless of how the job ended - hiring managers may fear that you
will say the same things about their organization.
-- Research, research, research: When you walk into an interview
knowledgeable about the company, the role and recent news in that
industry, you show the hiring manager you value their time and that
you want to be part of the organization. A simple online search can
provide you with the background information about a company that you
need to stand out.
-- Keep it professional, not personal: Don't let business decorum
disappear even in the interview is in a casual setting. Refrain from
discussing over-the-top personal issues and focus on the position and
selling yourself.
-- Practice makes perfect: Nerves are likely to rear their head in an
interview, so help calm them ahead of time by practicing. Go through
common interview questions with a friend or family member and practice
in front of mirror so you can see read your body language.
-- Honesty is the best policy: If questions come up that you don't know
how to answer, don't lie or pretend you know. Admit that you may not
know the answer, but then explain how you would go about finding a
solution, proving your resourcefulness.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 2,720 hiring managers (employed full-time; not self-employed; non-government) ages 18 and over between November 5 and November 23, 2009 (percentages for some questions are based on a subset of U.S. employees, based on their responses to certain questions). With a pure probability sample of 2,720 one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 1.88 percentage points, respectively. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.
About CareerBuilder®
CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset - their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 23 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 32 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world's top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis. More than 9,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder's proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) , Tribune Company, The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) , CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.
Media Contact:
CareerBuilder
Allison Nawoj
773-527-2437
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com
http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR
Source: CareerBuilder
CONTACT: Allison Nawoj of CareerBuilder, +1-773-527-2437,
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com, http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR
Web Site: CareerBuilder
Six Striking Tips for Business Owners Fighting Their Way out of the Current Economic Mess
24 Feb 2010 13:15 Africa/Lagos
Six Striking Tips for Business Owners Fighting Their Way out of the Current Economic Mess
NEW YORK, February 24, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- BizMove.com announced the launch of a free comprehensive resource of small business information titled "The Small Business Management Knowledge Base" (http://www.bizmove.com/small-business-management/).
The new resource features hundreds of guides, worksheets and checklists. According to Meir Liraz, president of BizMove.com, it is the most comprehensive free resource of small business management information available on the net.
When asked what advice he can offer to the small business owner struggling to survive in these challenging times, Liraz replied with the following six tips:
1. Stay current. Subscribe to magazines that cover your business. Read blogs and constantly research topics about your business. It's easy on the internet!
2. Make sure you have a financial plan. Also a budget and a measurement process to keep track of how you are doing monthly. If you don't know where you stand financially and have no short-term and long-term financial goals, then you are just letting fate dictate your success and we know those odds aren't too good. Control your own destiny!
3. Cash forecasting. It sounds boring and difficult, but it's not. Keep it simple. Look at your next 3 months projected income or revenue, then just lay next to it all the expenditures you need to keep the business running. The difference is your cash flow. You must do this to avoid surprises. Most businesses hit the brick wall because they fail to understand their cash flow.
4. Effective time management. One of the hardest aspects of a small business is creating the discipline to focus on the most essential tasks. It is so easy to get distracted and put off tasks that need to get done. Develop a to-do list EVERY-DAY. Set goals for the week and review how you are doing against them. We all struggle with this, but it is one of the key elements of success.
5. Don't rest on your laurels. Be prepared to always change. Force change. Look for things to do more efficiently or how to improve your offering or product. Constantly evaluate your competition and benchmark yourself against them.
6. Don't give up. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before doing extremely well. So, if you're failing, fail. And fail fast. And learn. And try again, with this new wisdom. Do NOT give up. Yet, do not suffer, either.
Contact:
Meir Liraz
meirliraz@gmail.com
http://www.bizmove.com
Source: Liraz Publishing
Contact: Meir Liraz, meirliraz@gmail.com, +972-37360014
Six Striking Tips for Business Owners Fighting Their Way out of the Current Economic Mess
NEW YORK, February 24, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- BizMove.com announced the launch of a free comprehensive resource of small business information titled "The Small Business Management Knowledge Base" (http://www.bizmove.com/small-business-management/).
The new resource features hundreds of guides, worksheets and checklists. According to Meir Liraz, president of BizMove.com, it is the most comprehensive free resource of small business management information available on the net.
When asked what advice he can offer to the small business owner struggling to survive in these challenging times, Liraz replied with the following six tips:
1. Stay current. Subscribe to magazines that cover your business. Read blogs and constantly research topics about your business. It's easy on the internet!
2. Make sure you have a financial plan. Also a budget and a measurement process to keep track of how you are doing monthly. If you don't know where you stand financially and have no short-term and long-term financial goals, then you are just letting fate dictate your success and we know those odds aren't too good. Control your own destiny!
3. Cash forecasting. It sounds boring and difficult, but it's not. Keep it simple. Look at your next 3 months projected income or revenue, then just lay next to it all the expenditures you need to keep the business running. The difference is your cash flow. You must do this to avoid surprises. Most businesses hit the brick wall because they fail to understand their cash flow.
4. Effective time management. One of the hardest aspects of a small business is creating the discipline to focus on the most essential tasks. It is so easy to get distracted and put off tasks that need to get done. Develop a to-do list EVERY-DAY. Set goals for the week and review how you are doing against them. We all struggle with this, but it is one of the key elements of success.
5. Don't rest on your laurels. Be prepared to always change. Force change. Look for things to do more efficiently or how to improve your offering or product. Constantly evaluate your competition and benchmark yourself against them.
6. Don't give up. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before doing extremely well. So, if you're failing, fail. And fail fast. And learn. And try again, with this new wisdom. Do NOT give up. Yet, do not suffer, either.
Contact:
Meir Liraz
meirliraz@gmail.com
http://www.bizmove.com
Source: Liraz Publishing
Contact: Meir Liraz, meirliraz@gmail.com, +972-37360014
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A Winning Strategy: Don't Play Through Pain
23 Feb 2010 17:00 Africa/Lagos
A Winning Strategy: Don't Play Through Pain
Timely treatment and rehabilitation key to proper healing
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sometimes athletes can be their own worst enemy especially when they continue to play following an injury to a foot or ankle. Surgeons presenting at the Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) today are discussing athletic injuries and the importance of proper diagnosis, prompt treatment, and full healing and rehabilitation.
Athletes often misunderstand how serious an injury can be and try to rush back into competition without appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most difficult cases seen by foot and ankle surgeons are those in which athletes have continued to play after an injury. ACFAS conference speaker and Orlando, Florida, foot and ankle surgeon, Robert Duggan, DPM, FACFAS, says, "Athletes often make the mistake of ignoring what seems like a minor foot or ankle injury because they are able to walk. Serious injuries can exist even when the foot or ankle is able to accept weight or pressure."
One such injury involves the Lisfranc joint, on the top of the foot. It's possible to walk with a Lisfranc injury, but this can lead to damage to the soft tissues of the foot or even chronic conditions such as arthritis. "Sometimes the pain of this injury is mistaken for an ankle sprain, but treatment for the two conditions is very different," Dr. Duggan comments.
Another injury that may be overlooked is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal--the bone that runs along the outer side of the foot. This can accompany an ankle sprain, or the athlete may think it's a sprain. However, this injury is difficult to heal, and continuing to participate in sports will make it worse.
Playing with pain is never a good strategy for athletes. Prompt treatment is. "Foot and ankle surgeons can determine the best course of treatment for the specific injury and help get athletes back into the game," Dr. Duggan comments.
Information on Lisfranc injuries and fifth metatarsal fractures is available on the ACFAS consumer web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of 6,000 foot and ankle surgeons. Founded in 1942, the College's mission is to promote research and provide continuing education for the foot and ankle surgical specialty, and to educate the general public on foot health and conditions of the foot and ankle through its consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
Media Contact:
Melissa Matusek, Public Relations Manager, 773.693.9300, ext. 1306, melissa.matusek@acfas.org Twitter: @FootHealthFacts
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate
Robert J. Duggan
Source: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
CONTACT: Melissa Matusek, Public Relations Manager for American College
of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, +1-773-693-9300 ext. 1306
Web Site: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/
A Winning Strategy: Don't Play Through Pain
Timely treatment and rehabilitation key to proper healing
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sometimes athletes can be their own worst enemy especially when they continue to play following an injury to a foot or ankle. Surgeons presenting at the Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) today are discussing athletic injuries and the importance of proper diagnosis, prompt treatment, and full healing and rehabilitation.
Athletes often misunderstand how serious an injury can be and try to rush back into competition without appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most difficult cases seen by foot and ankle surgeons are those in which athletes have continued to play after an injury. ACFAS conference speaker and Orlando, Florida, foot and ankle surgeon, Robert Duggan, DPM, FACFAS, says, "Athletes often make the mistake of ignoring what seems like a minor foot or ankle injury because they are able to walk. Serious injuries can exist even when the foot or ankle is able to accept weight or pressure."
One such injury involves the Lisfranc joint, on the top of the foot. It's possible to walk with a Lisfranc injury, but this can lead to damage to the soft tissues of the foot or even chronic conditions such as arthritis. "Sometimes the pain of this injury is mistaken for an ankle sprain, but treatment for the two conditions is very different," Dr. Duggan comments.
Another injury that may be overlooked is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal--the bone that runs along the outer side of the foot. This can accompany an ankle sprain, or the athlete may think it's a sprain. However, this injury is difficult to heal, and continuing to participate in sports will make it worse.
Playing with pain is never a good strategy for athletes. Prompt treatment is. "Foot and ankle surgeons can determine the best course of treatment for the specific injury and help get athletes back into the game," Dr. Duggan comments.
Information on Lisfranc injuries and fifth metatarsal fractures is available on the ACFAS consumer web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of 6,000 foot and ankle surgeons. Founded in 1942, the College's mission is to promote research and provide continuing education for the foot and ankle surgical specialty, and to educate the general public on foot health and conditions of the foot and ankle through its consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org.
Media Contact:
Melissa Matusek, Public Relations Manager, 773.693.9300, ext. 1306, melissa.matusek@acfas.org Twitter: @FootHealthFacts
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate
Robert J. Duggan
Source: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
CONTACT: Melissa Matusek, Public Relations Manager for American College
of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, +1-773-693-9300 ext. 1306
Web Site: http://www.foothealthfacts.org/
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Nokia Innovators 2010 Developer Contest
Calling All Innovators 2010 developer contest
Nokia’s Calling All Innovators contest is back for 2010, and it is bigger than ever!
This year, the contest features four categories for application submissions:
Eco/Being Green
Entertainment
Productivity
Life Improvement
The top three submissions in each of the four application categories will receive great prizes. In addition, this year all application submissions are eligible to win special prizes. You can check out the details on the contest website.
Don’t wait any longer but start the development of a winning application. The deadline of entries is 18 May 2010.
And remember that this time Nokia is also seeking an idea that is worth a $1 million (USD) investment. The million dollars will be invested in a single winning organization with the best idea submitted to the Growth Economy Venture Challenge by 18 April 2010.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Statement by John Phillips, President and CEO of Aristotle, Regarding the Change in Executive Leadership at MySpace
12 Feb 2010 01:04 Africa/Lagos
Statement by John Phillips, President and CEO of Aristotle, Regarding the Change in Executive Leadership at MySpace
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday's resignation by former CEO Owen Van Natta is not totally surprising, given MySpace's continued losses in advertising, search revenues, and traffic. What is shocking, however, is that the senior leadership at NewsCorp and Fox Interactive remains in positions of power despite the significant mishandling of the scandal involving the discovery of more than 90,000 convicted sex offenders on NewsCorp's flagship social networking site.
MySpace could have taken the steps to notify any parents whose children were contacted by convicted sex offenders, including changing terms of service to allow greater disclosure of sex offenders' conduct. That's what a responsible company with responsible management would have done. To my knowledge, they didn't, presumably afraid of the negative publicity.
It's time to clean house. If any NewsCorp (NASDAQ:NWS) (NASDAQ:NWSA) or Fox executives kept parents in the dark about contacts their children may have had with any of MySpace's 90,000+ convicted sex offenders, they should resign. This includes Lawrence (Lon) Jacobs, the Senior Executive Vice President and Group General Counsel of NewsCorp, who joined Aristotle's board following Aristotle's public questioning of NewsCorp over the handling of the sex offender matter.
Events like the arrest last week by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's Fugitive Unit of a repeat sex offender using MySpace are a constant reminder that we need to remain vigilant. To quote AG Abbott: "Friday's arrest is another stark reminder for parents whose children have profiles on social networking sites. Until true age verification technology is implemented, convicted sex offenders will continue illegally using MySpace.com and other networking sites to establish an online presence. All Texans must remain vigilant about the dangers posed by online sexual predators."(1)
Abbott is right. MySpace isn't doing nearly enough to protect our children. Mr. Murdoch can explain why when the Attorneys General gather in Washington two weeks from today. Ultimately, if Mr. Murdoch doesn't attempt to undo the damage that has been done, or if he can't or won't take responsibility, it's time for him to go as well.
Background
Over the past two years, MySpace's own estimates of how many Registered Sex Offenders maintained accounts on the site varied widely before reaching the last-reported figure of 90,000+. MySpace had reportedly deleted the accounts of the first 90,000 registered sex offenders. Rupert Murdoch, Lon Jacobs and NewsCorp received numerous inquiries from parents, through an Aristotle-sponsored website (www.childonlineprotectionservice.com), asking if their children had been contacted by sex offenders on MySpace. Parents wishing to make such a request may still do so at www.childonlineprotectionservice.org.
About Aristotle
Aristotle International is recognized as a global pioneer in political technology, providing indispensable tools to those who seek to use the Democratic process to influence decisions at the ballot box. Every occupant of the White House -- Democrat and Republican -- for more than 25 years has been an Aristotle customer, as are many U.S. Senators, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Democratic and Republican state party organizations. For information about career opportunities or for client inquiries, go to www.aristotle.com. NewsCorp, through its affiliate, EPartners, owns 13% of Aristotle. Lon Jacobs was appointed as EPartners' representative on Aristotle's Board of Directors last year. Phillips also is a shareholder of NewsCorp.
About Integrity
Integrity is Aristotle's Identity and Age Verification service utilizing government-issued IDs, among other data sources, to bring instantaneous age and identity verification to life. Aristotle's technology platform is the most widely accepted identity and age verification service deployed for instantly verifying government-issued IDs for citizens worldwide. The service operates across various platforms, including online, interactive voice response (IVR), wireless and other mobile devices. More than 50 million consumers have had their identities verified with Integrity when transacting with global Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies and merchants.
(1) http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries /2010/02/10/sex_offender_arrested_for_paro.html?cxntfid=blogs_the_blotter
Source: Aristotle
CONTACT: Jenny Towns, +1-202-903-4221, jenny.towns@aristotle.com for
Aristotle
Web Site: http://www.aristotle.com/
Statement by John Phillips, President and CEO of Aristotle, Regarding the Change in Executive Leadership at MySpace
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yesterday's resignation by former CEO Owen Van Natta is not totally surprising, given MySpace's continued losses in advertising, search revenues, and traffic. What is shocking, however, is that the senior leadership at NewsCorp and Fox Interactive remains in positions of power despite the significant mishandling of the scandal involving the discovery of more than 90,000 convicted sex offenders on NewsCorp's flagship social networking site.
MySpace could have taken the steps to notify any parents whose children were contacted by convicted sex offenders, including changing terms of service to allow greater disclosure of sex offenders' conduct. That's what a responsible company with responsible management would have done. To my knowledge, they didn't, presumably afraid of the negative publicity.
It's time to clean house. If any NewsCorp (NASDAQ:NWS) (NASDAQ:NWSA) or Fox executives kept parents in the dark about contacts their children may have had with any of MySpace's 90,000+ convicted sex offenders, they should resign. This includes Lawrence (Lon) Jacobs, the Senior Executive Vice President and Group General Counsel of NewsCorp, who joined Aristotle's board following Aristotle's public questioning of NewsCorp over the handling of the sex offender matter.
Events like the arrest last week by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's Fugitive Unit of a repeat sex offender using MySpace are a constant reminder that we need to remain vigilant. To quote AG Abbott: "Friday's arrest is another stark reminder for parents whose children have profiles on social networking sites. Until true age verification technology is implemented, convicted sex offenders will continue illegally using MySpace.com and other networking sites to establish an online presence. All Texans must remain vigilant about the dangers posed by online sexual predators."(1)
Abbott is right. MySpace isn't doing nearly enough to protect our children. Mr. Murdoch can explain why when the Attorneys General gather in Washington two weeks from today. Ultimately, if Mr. Murdoch doesn't attempt to undo the damage that has been done, or if he can't or won't take responsibility, it's time for him to go as well.
Background
Over the past two years, MySpace's own estimates of how many Registered Sex Offenders maintained accounts on the site varied widely before reaching the last-reported figure of 90,000+. MySpace had reportedly deleted the accounts of the first 90,000 registered sex offenders. Rupert Murdoch, Lon Jacobs and NewsCorp received numerous inquiries from parents, through an Aristotle-sponsored website (www.childonlineprotectionservice.com), asking if their children had been contacted by sex offenders on MySpace. Parents wishing to make such a request may still do so at www.childonlineprotectionservice.org.
About Aristotle
Aristotle International is recognized as a global pioneer in political technology, providing indispensable tools to those who seek to use the Democratic process to influence decisions at the ballot box. Every occupant of the White House -- Democrat and Republican -- for more than 25 years has been an Aristotle customer, as are many U.S. Senators, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Democratic and Republican state party organizations. For information about career opportunities or for client inquiries, go to www.aristotle.com. NewsCorp, through its affiliate, EPartners, owns 13% of Aristotle. Lon Jacobs was appointed as EPartners' representative on Aristotle's Board of Directors last year. Phillips also is a shareholder of NewsCorp.
About Integrity
Integrity is Aristotle's Identity and Age Verification service utilizing government-issued IDs, among other data sources, to bring instantaneous age and identity verification to life. Aristotle's technology platform is the most widely accepted identity and age verification service deployed for instantly verifying government-issued IDs for citizens worldwide. The service operates across various platforms, including online, interactive voice response (IVR), wireless and other mobile devices. More than 50 million consumers have had their identities verified with Integrity when transacting with global Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies and merchants.
(1) http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/blotter/entries /2010/02/10/sex_offender_arrested_for_paro.html?cxntfid=blogs_the_blotter
Source: Aristotle
CONTACT: Jenny Towns, +1-202-903-4221, jenny.towns@aristotle.com for
Aristotle
Web Site: http://www.aristotle.com/
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Monday, February 08, 2010
Students of Shanghai Jiaotong University Crowned World Champions of the IBM-Sponsored 'Battle of the Brains'
5 Feb 2010 17:00 Africa/Lagos
Students of Shanghai Jiaotong University Crowned World Champions of the IBM-Sponsored 'Battle of the Brains'
HARBIN, China, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Students from Shanghai Jiaotong University have been crowned the 2010 ACM (ACM) International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Champions. Sponsored by IBM (NYSE: IBM) , the competition took place today at Harbin Engineering University (HEU) in Harbin, China, home of the International Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )
Referred to as "The Battle of the Brains," the ACM ICPC World Finals challenged the world's top 103 university teams to use open standard technology in designing software that solves real-world problems. Each team of three students faced eleven problems of varying levels of difficulty. Framed around IBM's Smarter Planet initiative, the contest problems were modeled after real-world issues such as developing programs which will predict where rain water from tsunamis and hurricanes will accumulate. In five short hours, students solved more than a semester's worth of computer programming material.
The teams were awarded medals based on the number of problems they solved correctly in the shortest amount of time. Shanghai Jiaotong University successfully solved seven of the problems. The World Champions will return home with the "world's smartest" trophy as well as IBM prizes, scholarships and the greatest prize of all - a guaranteed offer of employment or internship from IBM.
"As the initiatives of IBM's Smarter Planet continue to gain momentum, the possibilities for using new technologies to help improve our everyday lives grow exponentially," said Doug Heintzman, director of strategy at IBM Software Group and sponsorship executive of the ICPC. "The students who qualified for this year's World Finals are among the leaders in the push to create, develop and execute these advancements for our future."
At the ACM-ICPC, a world technology showcase also brought students hands-on experiences with emerging technologies, which will help generate new ideas and build careers.
"These students are at the top of their field, with the potential to solve the world's most serious problems," said Dr. Bill Poucher, ICPC executive director and professor of the Baylor University. "The ACM-ICPC provides the forum for these students to showcase their capabilities and gain exposure among top recruiters, like IBM who are in need of fresh talent to fill the jobs of tomorrow."
Moscow State University, National Taiwan University, and Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University finished the competition in second, third, and fourth places all winning Gold medals, as well as employment or internship offers from IBM.
The regional champions are Stanford University (North America Region); Moscow State University (Europe Region); The British University in Egypt (Africa and the Middle East Region); Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Latin America Region); Shanghai Jiaotong University (Asia Region); and The University of Western Australia (South Pacific Region).
This year's top thirteen teams that received medals are:
-- Shanghai Jiaotong University (GOLD)
-- Moscow State University (GOLD)
-- National Taiwan University (GOLD)
-- Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University (GOLD)
-- Petrozavodsk State University (SILVER)
-- Tsinghua University (SILVER)
-- Saratov State University (SILVER)
-- University of Warsaw (SILVER)
-- St. Petersburg State University (SILVER)
-- Zhongshan (Sun Yat-sen) University (BRONZE)
-- Fudan University (BRONZE)
-- KTH - Royal Institute of Technology (BRONZE)
-- Ural State University (BRONZE)
The 103 teams in the World Finals in Harbin were selected from more than 7,109 teams of 1,931 universities from 82 countries on six continents. Since 1997, the IBM-sponsored ICPC has grown 800 percent in size.
About the ACM ICPC
Headquartered at Baylor University (http://www.baylor.edu/), the ACM ICPC is a global competition among the world's university students, nurturing new generations of talent in the science and art of information technology. For more information about the ACM ICPC, including downloadable photographs, and the complete World Finals roster and final standings, visit ICPC headquarters Web site http://acmicpc.org/. A podcast series "Battle of the Brains" is at http://battleofthebrains.podbean.com/. RSS feeds are available. For IBM's insights, visit www.ibm.com/university/acmcontest/. Follow the contest on Twitter at http://twitter.com/brainbattleicpc.
About IBM
For more information on IBM software, please visit http://www.software.ibm.com/.
About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery www.acm.org, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.
Media Contacts:
Mark Guan
IBM Media Relations
(914) 766-1658
markguan@us.ibm.com
Amanda Carl
Tierney Communications
Cell: (570) 236-4032
acarl@tierneyagency.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: IBM
CONTACT: Mark Guan of IBM Media Relations, +1-914-766-1658, or
markguan@us.ibm.com; Amanda Carl of Tierney Communications, +1-570-236-4032,
or acarl@tierneyagency.com, for IBM
Web Site: http://www.software.ibm.com/
http://acmicpc.org/
http://www.acm.org/
http://www.baylor.edu/
Students of Shanghai Jiaotong University Crowned World Champions of the IBM-Sponsored 'Battle of the Brains'
HARBIN, China, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Students from Shanghai Jiaotong University have been crowned the 2010 ACM (ACM) International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Champions. Sponsored by IBM (NYSE: IBM) , the competition took place today at Harbin Engineering University (HEU) in Harbin, China, home of the International Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )
Referred to as "The Battle of the Brains," the ACM ICPC World Finals challenged the world's top 103 university teams to use open standard technology in designing software that solves real-world problems. Each team of three students faced eleven problems of varying levels of difficulty. Framed around IBM's Smarter Planet initiative, the contest problems were modeled after real-world issues such as developing programs which will predict where rain water from tsunamis and hurricanes will accumulate. In five short hours, students solved more than a semester's worth of computer programming material.
The teams were awarded medals based on the number of problems they solved correctly in the shortest amount of time. Shanghai Jiaotong University successfully solved seven of the problems. The World Champions will return home with the "world's smartest" trophy as well as IBM prizes, scholarships and the greatest prize of all - a guaranteed offer of employment or internship from IBM.
"As the initiatives of IBM's Smarter Planet continue to gain momentum, the possibilities for using new technologies to help improve our everyday lives grow exponentially," said Doug Heintzman, director of strategy at IBM Software Group and sponsorship executive of the ICPC. "The students who qualified for this year's World Finals are among the leaders in the push to create, develop and execute these advancements for our future."
At the ACM-ICPC, a world technology showcase also brought students hands-on experiences with emerging technologies, which will help generate new ideas and build careers.
"These students are at the top of their field, with the potential to solve the world's most serious problems," said Dr. Bill Poucher, ICPC executive director and professor of the Baylor University. "The ACM-ICPC provides the forum for these students to showcase their capabilities and gain exposure among top recruiters, like IBM who are in need of fresh talent to fill the jobs of tomorrow."
Moscow State University, National Taiwan University, and Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University finished the competition in second, third, and fourth places all winning Gold medals, as well as employment or internship offers from IBM.
The regional champions are Stanford University (North America Region); Moscow State University (Europe Region); The British University in Egypt (Africa and the Middle East Region); Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Latin America Region); Shanghai Jiaotong University (Asia Region); and The University of Western Australia (South Pacific Region).
This year's top thirteen teams that received medals are:
-- Shanghai Jiaotong University (GOLD)
-- Moscow State University (GOLD)
-- National Taiwan University (GOLD)
-- Taras Shevchenko Kiev National University (GOLD)
-- Petrozavodsk State University (SILVER)
-- Tsinghua University (SILVER)
-- Saratov State University (SILVER)
-- University of Warsaw (SILVER)
-- St. Petersburg State University (SILVER)
-- Zhongshan (Sun Yat-sen) University (BRONZE)
-- Fudan University (BRONZE)
-- KTH - Royal Institute of Technology (BRONZE)
-- Ural State University (BRONZE)
The 103 teams in the World Finals in Harbin were selected from more than 7,109 teams of 1,931 universities from 82 countries on six continents. Since 1997, the IBM-sponsored ICPC has grown 800 percent in size.
About the ACM ICPC
Headquartered at Baylor University (http://www.baylor.edu/), the ACM ICPC is a global competition among the world's university students, nurturing new generations of talent in the science and art of information technology. For more information about the ACM ICPC, including downloadable photographs, and the complete World Finals roster and final standings, visit ICPC headquarters Web site http://acmicpc.org/. A podcast series "Battle of the Brains" is at http://battleofthebrains.podbean.com/. RSS feeds are available. For IBM's insights, visit www.ibm.com/university/acmcontest/. Follow the contest on Twitter at http://twitter.com/brainbattleicpc.
About IBM
For more information on IBM software, please visit http://www.software.ibm.com/.
About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery www.acm.org, is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.
Media Contacts:
Mark Guan
IBM Media Relations
(914) 766-1658
markguan@us.ibm.com
Amanda Carl
Tierney Communications
Cell: (570) 236-4032
acarl@tierneyagency.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: IBM
CONTACT: Mark Guan of IBM Media Relations, +1-914-766-1658, or
markguan@us.ibm.com; Amanda Carl of Tierney Communications, +1-570-236-4032,
or acarl@tierneyagency.com, for IBM
Web Site: http://www.software.ibm.com/
http://acmicpc.org/
http://www.acm.org/
http://www.baylor.edu/
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Toyota Dealers Nationwide Have Begun Fixing Accelerator Pedals on Recalled Vehicles Parts Delivered to All Dealerships
Parts to Reinforce Accelerator Pedals Delivered to All U.S. Toyota Dealerships
Mailing of Notification Letters to Affected Owners Begins Today
Many Toyota Dealers Extending Hours, Hiring Additional Technicians to Complete Repairs for Customers Quickly and Conveniently
TORRANCE, Calif. , February 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced that Toyota dealers nationwide have received the parts, information and training they need to fix accelerator pedals in recalled Toyota Division vehicles, and that repairs on involved vehicles have begun. The actual repair requires about 30 minutes of work.
The company also announced that it has begun mailing letters to owners of recalled vehicles to let them know when to bring their vehicles into a dealership. Owners will only receive a letter if their vehicle is involved in the recall. Upon receipt of a notification letter, owners will be asked to contact a local Toyota dealership to schedule an appointment to have their vehicle fixed.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive, and we are determined to live up to the high standards people have come to expect from Toyota over the past 50 years,” said Jim Lentz, president and Chief Operating Officer, TMS. “Everyone at Toyota is focused on making this recall simple and trouble-free for our customers,” he said.
“We’re working hard to ensure that our dealers have the resources and support they need to make sure our customers get their cars fixed quickly,” Lentz added. “The parts have been shipped, the dealers are trained, and they are already making the repairs. Many of our dealers are working extended hours – some 24/7– and adding service technicians and other staff to complete the recall campaign as conveniently as possible. I appreciate the efforts that our dealers are making to take care of Toyota owners.”
Toyota’s engineers developed and rigorously tested a solution to address the potential for sticking accelerator pedals that is both effective and simple. A precision-cut steel reinforcement bar will be installed into the accelerator pedal assembly on affected vehicles, thereby eliminating the excess friction that has caused pedals to stick in rare instances.
Toyota Dealers Going Above and Beyond to Take Care of Customers, Rebuild Confidence and Trust
Toyota dealers across the country are taking extra steps to support customers during this recall.
Many Toyota dealers will offer extended service hours, and some are planning to stay open 24 hours a day until all customer vehicles have been fixed. Others are adding greeters to their service drives, dedicating body shop capacity to expedite repairs, providing free car washes and oil changes, increasing owner communication and providing complimentary maintenance service, among other customer-focused activities.
To support these efforts, Toyota is sending checks of between $7,500 and $75,000 to its dealers in acknowledgement of the additional costs they are assuming to make it easier for customers to have the necessary repairs done quickly and conveniently.
About the Recall to Address Sticking Accelerator Pedals
On January 21, Toyota announced its intention to recall approximately 2.3 million select Toyota Division vehicles equipped with certain accelerator pedal mechanisms that may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Toyota vehicles affected by the recall include:
• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Matrix
• 2005-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are involved in these actions. Also not involved are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and certain Camry models, including Camry hybrids, all of which remain for sale.
Further, Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) that begin with "J" are not affected by the accelerator pedal recall.
In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.
Separately from the recall for sticking accelerator pedals, Toyota is in the process of recalling vehicles to address rare instances in which floor mats have trapped the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus models (announced November 25, 2009), and is already notifying customers about how it will fix this issue. In the case of vehicles covered by both recalls, it is Toyota’s intention to remedy both at the same time.
Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to these recalls are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Media Contact:
Toyota Motor Sales, Corporate Communications
(310) 468-5297
(310) 468-7359
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