Posted by : admin in (Advertising)

Elias Arts Announces CEO Martin Pazzani to Step Down in May

NEW YORK, April 30 /PRNewswire/ — - Transformed Music Production House into Diversified Music Company Elias Arts, http://www.eliasarts.com, the world’s most awarded commercialmusic, sound, and audio identity firm today announced that CEO Martin Pazzaniwill be stepping down in May to focus on company developmental ventures. According to Bill Luby, founding partner at Seaport Capital, the privateequity firm that has an investment in Elias Arts, “Martin led Elias Artsthrough a period of great transition in the music and the advertisingindustries, which demanded new perspectives and new ideas. He delivered that,and now the company is well positioned to capitalize on the constantlychanging market. We will continue to pursue those opportunities togethergoing forward.” Pazzani comments, “When I arrived in 2005, Elias Arts had beenbest-in-class for a long time. What we did was add capabilities andservices that built off that foundation and our staff’s innate ability tobring brands to life through music. I was brought here to execute athree-year plan to set the stage for the future by bringing in new talent,new thinking, and new skills, and to move us into new channels, and we’veaccomplished that. I’m now looking forward to helping with this next phase ofour plan.” During his tenure, Mr. Pazzani launched a number of new initiatives thathave transformed the lauded music house into a more comprehensive anddiversified music resource to service the new needs of its clients –something akin to a music agency — by: — Expanding the Audio Identity Group, an innovative practice that melds brand strategists and marketing pros with music producers and composers to create 360-degree strategic audio identity programs for major brands, — Pushing for a youth movement that brought major talents in to learn from founder Jonathan Elias and team, resulting in Elias Arts composers Nate Morgan and Kenny Segal winning the Boards Best New Composer Award in 2006 and 2007 respectively. — Opening Avenida Acceso, a sister company that specializes in urban/latino music and features famed composer/producer/performer andres Levin as Creative Director. — Initiating collaboration with The Sound Agency, a London-based audio company that is an innovator in retail and environmental soundscapes. — Creating a New Channels Group to extend Elias Arts expertise and presence into the music library, licensing, TV and film businesses.”It has been my great honor to work with Jonathan Elias and theincredible crews in Santa Monica and New York. Through all the change in themusic business in the last three years, the one constant is that the creativework from this company has remained at an incredibly high level,” addedPazzani. Jonathan Elias, Founder and Chief Creative Officer adds, “Martin broughta marketing and business savvy to Elias Arts that we had not had before. Wetransformed and reenergized the company while keeping what was unique andspecial about us, and still managed to grow by 12ACIORFIPROCENTE during 2007 in a downcategory. I’m looking forward to continued collaboration with him in thefuture on a number of projects.” Mr. Pazzani, a seasoned global executive expert in marketing, branding,and development, will keep an office at Elias Arts, consult on key clientprojects, oversee the company’s Dubai and Cannes initiatives, and beginworking with several firms exploring new developmental and investmentprojects with Elias Arts. About Elias Arts: For 27 years Elias Arts has used the emotional power of music and soundto launch, grow and reposition the most recognized brands and companiesaround the world. Elias has worked with well over 700 of the Fortune 1000companies and helped to turn numerous startups into everyday brand names.With offices in Santa Monica and New York, and a renowned roster of giftedcomposers, producers, and marketers, they are the maestros of using music asa powerful integrated marketing tool and brand builder. Elias Arts’ mission is to apply the powers of music and sound in uniqueand creative ways to build economic value for their clients and has embarkedon a plan to extend the powers of music and sound into new channels, newmediums, and new markets. They are the only music company to employ a staffof professional brand strategists and marketing gurus, who have devised aproprietary process that creates 360-degree Audio Identity systems — a wayof using music and sound across all consumer touch points to create brandharmony — and make marketing dollars more effective. With a music supervision department headed by KCRW’stastemaker-extraordinaire Nic Harcourt, a roster of Featured Artists thatincludes The Pixies’ Joey Santiago, and the talented in-house composersassembled and mentored by famed composer Jonathan Elias, Elias Arts is in aclass of its own. For additional information on Elias Arts, please seehttp://www.eliasarts.com/site020/pages01/news/EliasArtsNews.html. Contact for Elias Arts: Vivian H. Brooks, # 1-508-347-2368 Web site: http://www.eliasarts.com Elias Arts

Posted by : admin in (Entertainment)

2008 Mid-America Emmy(R) Awards Gala Presented by Lumiere Place to be Held at the Four Seasons St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, April 29 /PRNewswire/ — The Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced a new venue for the 2008 Emmy(R) Awards presented by Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels. The Gala will be held for the first time in the Grand Ballroom of the new Four Seasons hotel St. Louis.”Each year, the Emmy(R) Awards showcase outstanding achievement in the media industry from the entire region,” said NATAS Mid-America Chapter President and KETC Senior Producer Jim Kirchherr. “We are delighted to honor our recipients this year at the Four Seasons hotel St. Louis and Lumiere Place.”The 32nd Mid-America Emmy(R) Awards presented by Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels will be held Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Four Seasons hotel St. Louis. Cocktails will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the adjacent 6th floor terrace overlooking the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis. Dinner and the awards ceremony will follow in the ballroom.”We are excited to have one of the premiere media awards celebrations in the country at the newest luxury venue in St. Louis,” said Todd George, Lumiere Place Vice President and General Manager. “This is an exciting time for downtown St. Louis.”The black tie affair is open to the public. Tickets are available online at or by calling (314) 647-EMMY (3669).The Mid-America chapter was chartered in 1962 and began honoring outstanding achievement in this region with local Emmy(R) Awards in 1976. The Mid-America chapter includes the television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois and surrounding DMAs: St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Springfield (MO), St. Joseph, Columbia-Jefferson City, Joplin-Pittsburg, Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ottumwa-Kirksville, Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Paducah-Cape Girardeau-Harrisburg, Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Fort Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Jonesboro, Monroe-Eldorado and Shreveport (LA).About NATAS Mid-America Chapter:The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy(R) Award. For more information please visit . Media Inquiries: At NATAS Mid-America At The Vandiver Group Jim Kirchherr Andy Likes President Senior Team Leader (314) 512-9000 (314) 606-1878 (cell)NATAS Mid-America

Posted by : admin in (Agriculture)

Chilean Salmon Farm Enhances Security With ioimage Intelligent Video Edge Devices

HERZLIYA, Israel, April 29 /PRNewswire/ — ioimage, the pioneer of intelligent video appliances designed for simplicity, announced today that Trusal S.A., a leader in the Chilean aquaculture industry, has implemented ioimage video analytics to protect its salmon pools in Puerto Montt from threats approaching from sea and land.The second largest producer of farmed salmon after Norway, Chile experiences up to $2 million a year in theft of salmon and salmon eggs. With 28 salmon pools and a total perimeter of 8,000 square meters, Trusal runs one of the country’s major fish farms and was suffering significant losses from intruders, fishing boats and predators. Since installing ioimage’s video analytics, thefts have been reduced by 75 percent and manpower by 30 percent.Several logistical issues had to be taken into consideration in selecting an effective security system that would also minimize the incidence of false alarms. “The layout of the sprawling property makes a perimeter fence unfeasible,” said partner and installer andres Dieterich, Project Manager of Technology & Systems. “The solution had to be capable of detecting intrusion by boats and unauthorized persons, while differentiating between marine predators and harmless small animals entering the perimeter.” Since surveillance was to be carried out over both land and sea, variable environmental factors such as precipitation and wind velocity needed to be addressed as well.”ioimage offered the only solution that could deal with all of these problems with a single installation,” said Dieterich. “It gives us a high level of security in a complex setting with an exceptionally low false alarm rate. Some salmon farms utilize radar technology, which is ineffective without video verification. The ioimage system has reduced the need for operator attention to a monitor, enabling security staff to attend to other functions. In addition, installation was easy and the service has been excellent.”"We are pleased to have been able to provide Trusal with a solution tailored to their multifaceted needs,” said Dvir Doron, VP Marketing at ioimage. “This project exemplifies how ioimage video analytics can efficiently and cost-effectively respond to challenging outdoor scenarios.”About ioimageioimage, the pioneer of intelligent video appliances, provides high-performance video encoders and cameras with built-in video analytics, designed and packaged for simplicity. ioimage offers a new approach to video security by transforming surveillance into a proactive, event-driven process. Founded in 2000, ioimage uses networked, DSP-based devices for real-time detection, alert and tracking of intruders, vehicles and other threats, leading to enhanced safety and security for government, public and commercial organizations. For further information, visit For international media inquiries: Fiona Ungar Marketing Communications Manager Tel: 972-9-954-6003 For US media inquiries: Chelsie Woods ioimage Public Relations Tel: 44(0)207-730-2396ioimage Ltd

Posted by : admin in (Real Estate)

Hopyard Farm Community on the Rappahannock River to Hold Grand Opening of New Resort-Style Clubhouse on May 17th

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Hazel Land Companies, Inc. and their Hazel Homes division has announced the Official Grand Opening of Hopyard Hall, the unprecedented Clubhouse in their new Hopyard Farm community in King George County, VA, that takes the concept of residential recreation amenities to a new level. Hopyard Farm is a country club style community along the Rappahannock River, just a few miles outside of Fredericksburg, and with its new Clubhouse — combined with its riverfront location and overall land plan — is unlike anything else in metro Washington, DC’s southern suburbs. On Saturday, May 17th, the community will hold a Grand Opening celebration and Homebuying Open House to kick off an energetic summer for Hopyard residents and interested home shoppers.The new Hopyard Hall Clubhouse epitomizes the resort-quality design plan of the Hopyard Farm community. Moreover, its debut at such an early stage of the community’s development speaks to the emphasis on health, wellness and resident involvement that Hazel Land is placing on this community.Hopyard Hall is a 10,000 square foot facility — very large in comparison to typical clubhouses or recreation centers in master-planned communities in the National Capital area. Set on the Rappahannock River shoreline in the center of the Hopyard Farm community, Hopyard Hall includes a fitness center, swimming pools, a tennis court, a playground, a media room and a business center. Nature trails wind through the community, encircle the clubhouse and lead to a nature overlook on the river’s edge. A community boat ramp also gives residents a convenient put-in spot for afternoons on the scenic Rappahannock.”Hopyard Farm is unlike any other community in the area, and it was imperative that the recreation facility here be a real showpiece. Hopyard Hall will definitely become the heart of the community.” said Stephen Norair, CEO of Hazel Land Companies. “We also wanted to open Hopyard Hall as soon as possible so that even the first residents at Hopyard Farm could enjoy it. Often, community recreation facilities are the last elements of a community that developers build, but we didn’t want our homebuyers to have to wait to fully enjoy the Hopyard Farm lifestyle,” Norair explained.The Hopyard Farm Homebuying Open House and Clubhouse Grand Opening on Saturday, May 17th will include refreshments, door prizes and community tours. Hopyard Farm is designed to protect and enhance the Rappahannock River and the surrounding environment. When complete, Hopyard Farm will include approximately 900 new executive and estate style single-family homes. Home prices start in the upper $200s.Founded in 1971, family-owned Hazel Land Companies has developed award-winning communities in Northern Virginia for buyers from all walks of life, from singles and couples just starting out, to growing families and 55-and-over Active Adults. Working in concert with homebuilding subsidiary Hazel Homes, the developer has created renowned communities in the most sought-after locations, from Hopyard Farm in King George County to Lee’s Hill in Fredericksburg, and Fair Lakes and Burke Centre in Fairfax County. Today, more than 15,000 families in the National Capital area call Hazel communities their homes.For more information about Hopyard Farm and the Grand Opening of the community’s resort-style clubhouse and recreation center, Hopyard Hall, interested homebuyers and their Realtors should phone 540-775-8411, or visit online at HYPERLINK “”. Hazel Land Companies, Inc.

Posted by : admin in (Computer)

Memorex Rocks Out With Two Fun, New Digital Audio Players

CERRITOS, Calif., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Memorex, a portfolio brand of Imation Corp. , today added two digital audio players to its stylish line of consumer electronics. The Memorex MMP8590 Digital Media Player and Memorex Clip & Play MP3 Player connect consumers to their favorite music with the ultimate in chic portability. Whether you’re looking for a full-size or compact music player, Memorex offers two fun and easy-to-use choices for enjoying media on the go. (Photo: ) (Photo: )”The MMP8590 Digital Media Player and the Memorex Clip & Play MP3 Player cover both ends of the personal audio spectrum — from feature-packed to feather-light,” said Carla Pihowich, Memorex brand manager, Imation Corp. “The MMP8590 offers versatile functionality, while the Clip & Play is great for active users, but both are perfect for bringing more music into your life.”MMP8590 Digital Media PlayerThe MMP8590 Digital Media Player gives consumers access to favorite music and photos on the go. It features up to 4GB of flash memory, a 1.5-inch color OLED screen with photo viewer and a digital FM radio. Available in white, pink/white and black, the Memorex MMP8590 plays MP3, WMA, WMA-DRM 10, WAV and JPEG files. It also includes a digital voice recorder, stop watch function and equalizer with presets. And music lovers can enjoy up to 12 hours of listening time with the built-in lithium-ion battery.Included in the MMP8590 Digital Media Player package are a sport arm strap, earbud headphones, USB cable and music management software. It is now available at U.S. retail for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $59.99 for the 2GB model.Clip & Play MP3 PlayerPerfect for active lifestyles, the stylish Clip & Play MP3 Player features 2GB of flash memory in a white, pink or black compact design. Clip the player anywhere you like and enjoy your favorite tunes while on a walk, run, bike ride or working out. The petite Clip & Play MP3 player also features a built-in FM radio, two-line dot matrix OLED display and equalizer with presets. It plays MP3, WMA and WMA-DRM-10 files and also includes music management software. A lithium-ion battery ensures up to 10 hours of playback time.The Clip & Play MP3 Player 2GB comes with earbud headphones, a USB cable and software CD. It is now available at U.S. retail for an SRP of $49.99.Is it live or is it Memorex?(R)Memorex is one of the most trusted and recognized consumer brands in modern marketing history. A portfolio brand of Imation Corp , Memorex is the U.S. market share leader in optical media and media accessories at retail and one of the best known names in the consumer electronics industry. Memory makers and memory keepers turn to Memorex for simple and stylish products that capture, save and share precious moments in music, video and pictures. Memorex reaches into millions of homes with optical and high-definition media and drives, media accessories, home audio and video equipment, MP3 players, digital picture frames, iPod(R) electronics accessories, and LCD televisions that are stylish and simple in form and function. For more information about Memorex, please visit .Memorex, the Memorex logo, “Is it live or is it Memorex?” and Imation are trademarks of Imation Corp and its subsidiaries. Memorex

Posted by : admin in (Aviation)

Silverjet Launches Seat Offer to EOS Passengers

NEW YORK and LONDON, April 27 /PRNewswire/ — Silverjet, the award-winning British exclusively business class airline, announced today a special rate offer to EOS customers following news that EOS has filed for bankruptcy.The offer allows EOS passengers booking with Silverjet access to a limited number of seats on the airline’s New York to London route for the same price as their EOS ticket.*”Our commitment first lies with ensuring our own passengers enjoy Silverjet’s seamless stress-free experience, but we hope that this offer will provide some peace of mind to EOS passengers,” said Silverjet CEO Lawrence Hunt. “The airline industry is hugely competitive and this has been starkly illustrated by today’s announcement. With our unique proposition and very reasonable prices, passengers can look forward to continuing to fly with Silverjet and enjoying the calm and intimate experience that we offer.”Silverjet continues to increase its passenger numbers, with a 23 percent growth last month alone. The airline now operates a twice-daily service from Newark Liberty Airport to London Luton and a daily service from London to Dubai. Silverjet’s private terminals and exclusive lounge facilities that allow customers to arrive as little as 30 minutes prior to departure have proven to be extremely popular with business passengers.EOS customers wishing to take advantage of this offer are asked to call Silverjet toll-free at 877 FLY SILVERJET (877-359-7458). Electronic proof of the ticket price paid to EOS is required. This offer applies to EOS customers booking with Silverjet before 7 PM EST on May 10, 2008.* Silverjet’s seat offer to EOS passengers is subject to terms andconditions. Silverjet plc

Posted by : admin in (Real Estate)

Group Metro Introduces One Billion Dollar Project: Costa Blanca Set to Grace Juan Dolio with Residential Golf & Beach Community

MIAMI, April 25 /PRNewswire/ — Group Metro, the acclaimed real estate leader in the Dominican Republic, is pleased to announce their latest, exciting project, Costa Blanca by Metro. The residential golf & beach community will span across 270 acres of lush property including almost 3 miles of coastline overlooking the Caribbean Sea, which also includes a half mile of gorgeous beach front in the blue lagoon bay of the project. Adorning the property will be an 18-hole signature Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, international tennis center, beach club, 52 Founder’s Club villas, state-of-the-art condominium towers, a luxurious full-scale marina for over 100 yachts, and private golf club house featuring the Hole 19 Bar, fine dining restaurant, cigar lounge, pro shop, conference center, and more. With top-of-the-line activities and lavish sporting complexes alongside magnificent residences, owners at Costa Blanca will find not only a haven and retreat from the everyday, but also an outlet for recreation and enjoyment.Costa Blanca has had immense success with the introduction of their Founder’s Club. This exclusive and select group of 52 individuals were the first to purchase packages of staggering value, including: a luxurious private villa with golf, bay or marina views, 2 condominiums, a private boat slip in the marina, and membership to the prestigious golf club. Members of The Founder’s Club will enjoy top VIP treatment in addition to their various properties and onsite amenities.Residents and guests of Costa Blanca will find their every whim catered to and any accommodation imaginable right at their fingertips. Costa Blanca will house a Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, which will be a PGA quality Golf Course in the Dominican Republic. With Mr. Norman’s signature stamp of quality and expertise, residents and guests will enjoy the luxury of having this course onsite. In addition, the marina will house 150 boats with slips up to 120 feet and the Marina is planned with a Marina Village resplendent with retail and commercial space housing restaurants, boutiques, and yachting shops.When Phase One of this billion dollar retail undertaking is complete, Costa Blanca will house multiple, opulent high rise condominium towers for residents. Residential offerings will span an assortment of styles and sizes; ensuring a perfect match for any property seeker, with all properties featuring balconies with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea or golf course.The Group Metro Team, the developers and visionaries of this grand-scale resort community, have over three decades of experience and expertise that they will be bringing to the project. Dr. Luis Jose Asilis, CEO of Group Metro states, “We are very pleased and excited to start construction on the 1st PGA Quality Golf Course in Juan Dolio. Costa Blanca will offer a complete luxury lifestyle only 30 minutes from Santo Domingo and the International Airport.”The Launch of Costa Blanca will commence with an invitation-only, glittering gala featuring over 1000 VIPs and special guest, Mr. Greg Norman on May 2nd, 2008 and will continue into the weekend with a special cocktail and brunch reception open only to members of The Founders Club.For information, please visit or please call their sales office at: 809-526-1200Media inquiries: Call Kia Zalewski at 305-572-9833 x306 or Group Metro

Posted by : admin in (Financial)

MHI Hospitality Corporation Closes Acquisition of Hampton, Virginia Asset

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — MHI Hospitality Corporation announced today that the Company has completed the acquisition of the 172-room former Radisson hotel in Hampton, Virginia for approximately $7.75 million, or $45,000 per room. The Company has also entered into a 10-year franchise agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [(LON: IHG) (ADRs)] through its franchising entity, Holiday Hospitality Franchising, Inc., to brand the hotel as the Crowne Plaza(R) Hampton Harborside.The full service waterfront hotel is located on 3.5 acres in downtown Hampton. The City of Hampton is part of the Greater Norfolk metropolitan area, along with the Virginia Beach resort area, the shipping and military hub of Newport News and historic Williamsburg, Virginia. The property features 21,000 square feet of retail space, 7,600 square feet of flexible meeting space, a roof-top pool and a four-story, 300 car parking garage. In conjunction with the rebranding, MHI Hospitality Corporation intends to commence extensive renovations of the property. Repositioning is expected to be completed within nine months of closing.Andrew M. Sims, President and CEO of MHI Hospitality Corporation, stated, “We are pleased to finalize the acquisition of this well-situated asset and to commence a significant repositioning in conjunction with the hotel’s upbranding. With our investment in the Crowne Plaza(R) Hampton Harborside we continue to broaden our geographic reach throughout the Mid Atlantic and Southeast and to enhance our platform of full service lodging assets.”About MHI Hospitality CorporationMHI Hospitality Corporation is a self-advised lodging REIT focused on the acquisition, redevelopment and management of mid-scale, upscale and upper upscale full service hotels in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeastern United States. Currently, the Company’s portfolio consists of eight properties comprising 2,143 rooms, all of which operate under the Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group and Starwood Hotels and Resorts brands. In addition, the Company has a 25 percent interest in the Crowne Plaza Resort Hollywood Beach and a leasehold interest in the common area of Shell Island Resort, a resort condominium property. MHI Hospitality Corporation was organized in 2004 and is listed on the Russell Microcap(TM) Index. The Company is headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia. For more information please visit .Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in such forward-looking statements. Economic conditions generally and the real estate market specifically, management and performance of the Company’s hotels, plans for hotel renovations, financing plans, supply and demand for hotel rooms in the Company’s current and proposed market areas, the Company’s ability to acquire additional properties and the risk that potential acquisitions may not perform in accordance with expectations, legislative/regulatory changes, including changes to laws governing taxation of real estate investment trusts and competition, and other factors, may affect the Company’s future results, performance and achievements. These risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe our current expectations to be based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that actual results will not differ materially. MHI Hospitality Corporation

Posted by : admin in (Advertising)

MWW Group Retained by Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard

WASHINGTON, April 24 /PRNewswire/ — MWW Group (), one of the nation’s top 10 public relations firms, today announced the addition of Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard to its client roster. Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard organizes a yearly four-day executive development program for prominent Spanish entrepreneurs, which is designed to help Spain’s top business leaders capitalize on the wealth of business opportunities that exist today between the U.S. and Spain.”We’re proud to be working with Real Colegio Complutense, the only official agreement Harvard University has with any foreign academic institution,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group. “Our International Business Development Practice will help coordinate this event, which will provide Spanish executives with an overview of the U.S. economy and a report on the status of American business.”The event will consist of a VIP dinner as well as a seminar, in which there will be speeches and roundtable discussions on industry trends, best practices and possible joint venture opportunities in both countries. Various topics will include agribusiness, renewable energy, biotechnology, and real estate development and investment.About Real Colegio Complutense at HarvardThe Real Colegio Complutense (RCC) is an institution, created in 1990 through an agreement between Harvard University and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), to promote academic, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two institutions. Through its fellowships and activities, the Real Colegio Complutense, affiliated with Harvard University, serves as a privileged link between Harvard and the Spanish Universities.The Real Colegio Complutense is a non-profit organization, registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The President of Harvard University and the Rector of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid are the official managers, with the assistance of an Academic Council. The Council includes five representatives from Harvard University and five from UCM. The Universidad Complutense de Madrid provides the funds; in addition, foundations and private companies underwrite some of the expenses of seminars that are held at the RCC.RCC is the only case of an official agreement of a foreign academic institution with Harvard University. Its creation was due, in large part, to the King of Spain, who inaugurated the building in 1993.Derek Bok , who was President of Harvard in 1990 when Real Colegio Complutense was born, was very interested in establishing international education relationships with other Universities.About MWW GroupMWW Group is one of the nation’s top ten public relations agencies and is known for its results-driven approach to public relations and “Aim High … and Deliver” commitment to client service. For the past four years, MWW Group has been honored with the #1 ranking in the Holmes Report agency client satisfaction survey. MWW Group achieved top rankings in the categories of account leadership, strength of account team, creativity, strategy and planning, and program execution. In 2006, MWW Group was named PR Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report and Mid-size PR Firm of the Year by PR News in recognition of the firm’s growth, strategic account leadership and industry-leading employee retention. MWW Group is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies . MWW Group

Posted by : admin in (Advertising)

CBS Outernet Joins Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB)

NEW YORK, April 23 /PRNewswire/ — The Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB) today announced the addition of three new members, including Arena Media Network, CBS Outernet and Zoom Media. These companies join a growing roster of out-of-home video advertising networks dedicated to promoting the adoption and use of their networks by the advertising community. The new member companies include: — Arena Media Networks; the leading digital media network for advertising in sports and entertainment venues. — CBS Outernet; a leading provider of in-store digital video networks in highly targeted consumer environments, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retail locations., currently installed in approximately 1,500 stores nationwide. — Zoom Media; indoor network provider to over 5,000 venues, including fitness centers, indoor soccer facilities, bowling centers, family entertainment centers, restaurants and nightclubs.”Joining OVAB was the logical next step for CBS Outernet and further validates our commitment to the digital out-of-home space,” said Virginia Cargill, President of CBS Outernet. “As the media industry shifts more attention to digital platforms, we continue to realize the importance of reaching consumers where it makes sense and where they can be most engaged with relevant messages. By strategically aligning our business with the group, we can work to reach a common goal of standardized practices for the media community at large.”OVAB’s expanding membership, which consists of more than 26 member companies, has grown nearly 400 percent since inception in 2007. In addition, the group’s Agency Advisory Board continues to rapidly expand with key executives from agencies like MediaVest, Initiative, DMG, Starcom and Horizon Media. Currently, 22 agencies participate within the OVAB Agency Advisory Board. As the bureau continues to foster relationships with the advertising community, the Agency Advisory Board and general membership work together to identify objectives and educate the advertising community about the power and availability of out-of-home video networks. The first mission of the OVAB and the AAB was to develop and define comparable, logical audience metric guidelines for this media so that they could more easily integrate them into their clients’ strategic plans.”Electronic out-of-home advertising is not some futuristic fantasy. It’s here. If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a duck it’s probably a duck,” said David Verklin, CEO, Aegis and a member of the OVAB Agency Advisory Board. “Electronic out-of-home advertising looks like TV and acts like TV and therefore advertisers are coming to the realization that place based narrowcast networks are an effective surrogate to traditional television. OVAB is simply expediting the adoption curve.”"As media fragmentation continues to splinter audiences, advertisers need more accountability out of their media buys,” said Suzanne Alecia, president of OVAB. “Since OVAB’s inception, the group has been dedicated to making it easier for advertisers to plan, buy and evaluate the effectiveness of digital out of home networks through the creation of best practices and guidelines. OVAB is working with the agency and advertising community on developing logical, comparable Audience Metrics Guidelines that will be announced later this year.”Recently, OVAB presented phase one of the Audience Metrics Guidelines to the AAAA’s Media Research Committee. Later this year, the group will formally announce those guidelines in addition to an online media planning tool they are developing. The tool is designed to give agencies all the information they need to help them more effectively include this category in their strategic communications plans, and will provide demographics, market information, creative specifications and more. For more information on OVAB, including events, news and more, log onto .ABOUT OVABFounded in 2007, the Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB) represents leading out-of-home video networks and the advertising community that is actively engaged in planning, buying and evaluating the effectiveness of the medium. On behalf of its members, OVAB seeks to foster ongoing collaboration between agencies and out-of-home video advertising networks; provide standards, best practices and industry-wide research; and promote the effectiveness of out-of-home video advertising. For more information, please visit . OVAB