News

Majesco Entertainment Company Receives Nasdaq Notification

EDISON, N.J., March 4 -- Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ:COOL) (the "Company"), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, announced today that on March 2, 2010, it received a letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq") notifying the Company that for the 30 consecutive days preceding the date of the letter, the bid price for the Company's common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued inclusion on The Nasdaq Capital Market pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2).

The letter further notified the Company that, in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company will be provided 180 calendar days, or until August 30, 2010, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. Compliance will be achieved if the bid price per share of the Company's common stock closes at $1.00 per share or greater for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days prior to August 30, 2010.

If the Company does not achieve compliance within the required period, the Nasdaq staff will provide written notification that the Company's securities are subject to delisting. In that event and at that time, the Company may appeal the Nasdaq staff delisting determination to a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel.  Alternatively, the Company may be eligible for an additional grace period if it meets the initial listing standards set forth in Marketplace Rule 5505, with the exception of bid price, for The Nasdaq Capital Market. If it meets the initial listing criteria, the Nasdaq staff will notify the Company that it has been granted an additional 180 calendar day compliance period. If the additional grace period is granted, the Company will be afforded the remainder of the second 180 calendar day compliance period in order to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule.

About Majesco Entertainment Company

Majesco Entertainment Company is a provider of video games for the mass market. Building on more than 20 years of operating history, the company is focused on developing and publishing a wide range of casual and family oriented video games on Wii(TM), Nintendo DS(TM) and other leading systems. Product highlights include Cooking Mama(TM), TETRIS® Party Deluxe, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum.  The company's shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: COOL. Majesco is headquartered in Edison, NJ and has an international office in Bristol, UK. More information about Majesco can be found online at http://www.majescoentertainment.com.  @Majesco is on twitter or at http://www.twitter.com/majesco.

Source: Majesco Entertainment Company
   

CONTACT:  John Gross, Chief Financial Officer, Majesco Entertainment
Company, +1-732-225-8910, or Mike Smargiassi or Denise Roche, Brainerd
Communicators, Inc., +1-212-986-6667

Web Site:  http://www.majescoentertainment.com/

IBM Endorses Patent Reform Legislation, Urges Adoption

ARMONK, N.Y., March 4 -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) today endorsed the compromise on U.S. patent reform legislation announced by Senate leaders, saying that the first significant update to the nation's patent laws in more than 50 years will bolster American competitiveness in the global economy and help stimulate innovation.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )

"The leadership of Senators Leahy, Sessions and others has forged a compromise bill that works for all members of the intellectual property community and represents real progress on patent reform," said Robert Weber, senior vice president, Legal and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, IBM.  "Modernizing the patent system, as outlined in this bill, will protect inventors and promote innovation."

S. 515 was initially adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 15-4 bi-partisan vote last April.  IBM has long supported patent reform, and sees the substitute bill as striking a careful balance among various users of the U.S. patent system, while updating a system that has not kept pace with the dramatic changes in technology and innovation. IBM believes the time has come for Congress to act, and urges adoption of this legislation that will preserve American innovation leadership and spur economic growth.

As the top U.S. patent recipient each year for the last 17 years, IBM is the largest user of the U.S. Patent Office.

  Contacts:

  Steven Malkiewicz
  (914) 945-1156
  smalkiew@us.ibm.com

  Chris Andrews
  914-945-1195
  candrews@us.ibm.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:  Steven Malkiewicz, +1-914-945-1156, smalkiew@us.ibm.com; or
Chris Andrews, +1-914-945-1195, candrews@us.ibm.com

Web Site:  http://www.ibm.com/

ICMI Announces the Second Annual ACCE 2010 Video Contest

Video Theme: Share the Best Practices That You're Most Proud of Within Your Contact Center

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 4 -- The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) ACCE Conference & Expo, the annual global gathering for the contact center community, today announced the second annual ACCE 2010 Video Contest which will focus on the theme of sharing, "The Best Practices That You're Most Proud of Within Your Contact Center."

"We at ICMI are strong believers in the sharing of best practices across call centers...it's a large part of what we empower at our annual ACCE event. As such, a focus on sharing best practices quickly emerged as the ideal theme for our 2nd annual ACCE video contest," said Tara Gibb, Global Brand Director, ICMI. "Our first video contest was a tremendous success and we look forward to seeing the same originality and creativity in the videos that will be submitted this year."

The ACCE Conference & Expo will take place at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans on June 14-17, 2010. The event will bring contact center professionals together to discover how to improve center performance by better managing people and resources, improving operations, and properly selecting and implementing technology.

The video entries, which are due on April 30, 2010, will be judged by five contact center executives and experts representing a cross-section of roles. They are: Gerry Barber, Call Center Senior Leader, Deloitte Services; Larry Eiser, VP, Call Center Operations, Duke Energy; Glenn Gemmill, Director of Operations, Customer Development Center, Coca Cola; Dee Kohler, Vice President, Member Services, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska; and Mary Murcott, Founder & President, Performance Transformations, Inc.

Three winners will be chosen based upon supporting the theme, creativity and originality, and the winning videos will be shown preceding each day's keynote address at the event.

ACCE 2010 is presented by ICMI, one of the contact center industry's most respected organizations. To register to attend this event, or to find out more about the conference, media registration, and exhibition opportunities, please visit http://www.icmi.com/ACCE2010.

About ICMI

The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI), celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, is the leading global provider of comprehensive resources for customer management professionals - from frontline agents to executives - who wish to improve contact center operations, empower contact center employees, and enhance customer loyalty. ICMI's experienced and dedicated team of industry insiders, analysts, and consultants are committed to providing uncompromised objectivity and results-oriented vision through the organization's respected lineup of professional services including: Training and Certification, Consulting, Events, and Informational Resources. Founded in 1985, ICMI continues to serve as one of the most established and respected organizations in the call center industry.

ICMI is a part of UBM Live which provides leading integrated media solutions and professional services across 20 different markets. Operating across the globe, its events, training, publications, awards programs and websites offer professionals in Interiors, Security, Venues, Customer Management, Safety & Health and Facilities the ultimate experience in learning, networking, and business development

Source: UBM Live/The International Customer Management Institute (ICMI)
   

CONTACT:  Rachel Levy, Event Marketing Manager, ICMI, +1-609-635-9398,
rachel.levy@ubm.com

Web Site:  http://www.icmi.com/

Alliance Distributors Announces Investor Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results

NEW YORK, March 4 -- Alliance Distributors Holding Inc. (Pink Sheets: ADTR), a distributor of interactive video games and gaming products, today announced that it plans to release its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31,  2009 before the market opens on Thursday, March 11, 2010.  The company has scheduled an investor conference call for 3:00 pm eastern time on that same day to discuss the results.

  The domestic toll-free call-in number for the investor conference call is:

  888-631-5930 (confirmation code:  1464443)

  About Alliance Distributors Holding Inc.

Alliance Distributors Holding Inc. (http://www.alliancedistributors.com), which does business as Alliance Distributors, is a full-service wholesale videogame distributor, specializing in gaming products and accessories for all key manufacturers and 3rd party publishers. Alliance Distributors offers support on: PS3, PSP, PS2, X-Box 360, Wii, DS and GBA SP, peripherals and software titles.  Alliance produces video game content through its new Metaversal subsidiary.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements including without limitation, statements concerning our operations, economic performance, and financial condition.  The words "estimate," "believe," "expect," and "anticipate" and other similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements, which are based largely on our current expectations, involve risks and uncertainty. Actual results, events and circumstances (including future performance, results and trends) could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors, risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, risks associated with technological change, competitive factors and general economic conditions, including the related impact on discretionary consumer spending, changes in marketing and distribution strategies by manufacturers, continued shortages of new platform systems, timely development and release of video game products we produce, potential cost overruns in our development of video games, ability to protect our intellectual property rights, potential claims that we have infringed the intellectual property rights of others, market acceptance of games we develop, ability to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions, potential undiscovered liabilities of companies that we acquire, changes in our business or growth strategy, the emergence of new or growing competitors, various other competitive and technological factors. There can be no assurance that the results referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this release will occur. The Company has no duty and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Source: Alliance Distributors Holding Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Steve Gelman - VP of Marketing and Communications of Alliance
Distributors Holding Inc., +1-718-536-2248, steve@alliancedis.com

Web Site:  http://www.alliancedistributors.com/

NAVTEQ Develops Fiat Group Automobiles' First Online Map Update Store

Fast and easy access to the latest maps for Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo navigation systems

PARIS, March 4 -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions has developed the Fiat Group Automobiles' first map update web portal.  The Fiat Map Update Online Store will offer Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo drivers easy, flexible access to the latest map data for the Fiat Group Automobiles' entire range of navigation systems.

To be operated and managed by NAVTEQ and based on the company's already proven location portal infrastructure, the new site provides an easy to use, secure commercial environment.  The user-friendly interface supports quick and intuitive product selection, payment in four currencies (GBP, Euro, SEK, CHF) and customer profile management.

New data can be downloaded direct from the Store and transferred to the navigation system via SD cards or USB storage media - the integrity of the content is protected by an unlocking mechanism.  Alternatively, customers can choose to have the updates physically shipped via post or courier service.

"NAVTEQ specialises in navigation and has a wealth of experience in developing, promoting and managing map update business," explained Bruno Bourguet, NAVTEQ Senior Vice President, EMEA sales.  "We have the expertise to operate a premium service for the Fiat Group Automobiles which is designed to improve customer satisfaction and increase sales."

Live since December 21st 2009, the Store is available in six languages* to drivers in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK at http://fiatgroup.navigation.com/.  Update products will still also be available via the relevant dealerships.

  *  English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish

  About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data that enables navigation and location-based platforms around the world.  NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital map information to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.  The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 4,600 employees located in 203 offices and in 45 countries.

NAVTEQ is a trademark in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060313/NAVTEQLOGO)

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060313/NAVTEQLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: NAVTEQ
   

CONTACT:  Claire Backhurst of NAVTEQ, +44 (0)7891 140 178,
claire.backhurst@navteq.com; or Sue Mather of Stanhope Communications, +44 (0)
1342 833313, suemather@stanhopepr.co.uk, for NAVTEQ

Web Site:  http://www.navteq.com/
http://fiatgroup.navigation.com/

The Verizon 'Experience The Magic' Tour Kicks Off in San Diego

Visit the Verizon Wireless store in the Home Depot Shopping Center to see Emily Osment and Allstar Weekend, and learn more about Verizon Wireless' Wireless Devices and the Disney Parks 'Mobile Magic' Application

IRVINE, Calif., March 4 --
  WHO/WHAT:  Verizon Wireless and Hannah Montana's Emily Osment will
             host the Hollywood recording artist, Allstar Weekend, as they
             perform a free show in their home town of San Diego and sign
             autographs at the Verizon Wireless store in the Home Depot
             Shopping Center.

             Fans will also have the opportunity to check out Verizon
             Wireless' wireless devices, as well as Disney Parks Mobile
             Magic, the first Disney Parks-developed mobile application.
             Disney Parks Mobile Magic lets Verizon Wireless customers
             easily navigate the Disney Parks on both coasts, providing
             helpful and timely information. With either a swipe of their
             fingers or the touch of a few keys, guests can access an array
             of park features exclusively on select Verizon Wireless
             devices. Verizon Wireless customers can download and purchase
             the Disney Parks Mobile Magic application by texting MAGIC to
             2777.

             Allstar Weekend's new single, "A Different Side of Me," as well
             as music from Emily Osment, is now available from V CAST Music
             as full-song downloads, ringtones and ringback tones.  Text
             MUSIC to 6777 to get Allstar Weekend's new single and new music
             from Emily Osment sent directly to your Verizon Wireless device
             - standard download and messaging rates apply.

  WHEN:      Saturday, March 6
             12:15 p.m. - Allstar Weekend media interviews - arranged in
             advance
             12:30 p.m. - Emily Osment media interviews - arranged in
             advance
             12:45 p.m. - Exclusive autograph signing with Emily Osment
             2:00 p.m. - Allstar Weekend Performance
             2:45 p.m. - Autograph signing with Allstar Weekend

  WHERE:     Verizon Wireless
             3505 Sports Arena Blvd.
             San Diego, CA 92110
             (619) 523-4500
             Located in the Home Depot shopping center across from the San
             Diego Sports Arena

  About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a general partnership between Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD).  For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com.  To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Mobile Magic Application

Price is $9.99 for 180 days of access.  Text message and data rates may apply.  If under 18, a parent or guardian's permission is mandatory.  Compatible phones are required and coverage is not available everywhere.  Disney elements © Disney.  All rights reserved.

Source: Verizon Wireless
   

CONTACT:  Earlene Tang, +1-714-918-8215, etang@golinharris.com, for
Verizon Wireless

Web Site:  http://www.verizonwireless.com/

International Paper Launches 'Down to Earth' Website

MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 4 -- International Paper today launched down2earthonline.com, a new company website featuring information from the well-received Down to Earth(TM) educational series of brochures. The series covers the most important environmental issues and trends in the paper and printing industries and uses facts gathered from reputable sources to address many myths and misperceptions surrounding paper and the environment. For convenience, there is a Media Center tab with banner art and linking instructions to make it easy for customers and other key stakeholders to use the new website to help supplement their own environmental message.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/IPLOGO )

Visitors to the site will learn, for example, that using paper actually helps to keep forests growing and that one of the biggest dangers to North American forestlands is urban development. Paper and digital communications are compared by: energy usage, renewability of materials and recycling - showing that paper communications can often be the more responsible choice.

"Our customers and the public deserve to know the truth about paper products. They are bombarded with misleading and false information every day," said Teri Shanahan, IP's vice president, Commercial Printing. "Our goal is to provide facts so people can feel great about their environmentally friendly choices, especially paper. The Down to Earth website was created as a companion to the printed series to make it easier to share this valuable information, and to give readers the facts to support when and why it's worth printing."

Environmental issues in the paper and printing industries are very complex, can be easily misunderstood and, consequently, often misrepresented. Myths and misperceptions have altered some public thinking and have led to campaigns for a paperless society. The Down to Earth educational series presents a balanced and fact-driven picture in a thought-provoking manner that shows how choosing paper products protects the environment, supports communities and keeps our forests growing.

  The brochures in the "Down to Earth" series include:
  --  Certification: Where does your paper come from?
  --  Recycled vs. Virgin: Is recycled paper the best you can do?
  --  Carbon Footprint: How big is your carbon footprint?
  --  Pixels or Paper: Are pixels greener than paper?
  --  Labels & Logos: How do certification labels and logos benefit you?
  --  Responsible Forestry: How does using paper lead to more trees?
  --  Print on Paper: Is it worth printing?

For more information on International Paper's sustainability efforts, please go to: ipsustainability.com.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers, industrial and consumer packaging and distribution. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs about 56,000 people in more than 20 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2009 net sales were more than $23 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/IPLOGO
AP?Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN?Photo?Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: International Paper
   

CONTACT:  Rick Ouellette, +1-901-419-4274, or Kathleen Bark,
901-419-4333, both of International Paper

Web Site:  http://www.internationalpaper.com/

Verizon's Wired and Wireless Network Investments in California Exceeded $1.16 Billion in 2009

Company's Advanced Networks Are Vital Contributor to State's Economy; Verizon FiOS, High Speed Internet, and Verizon Wireless Data and Voice Services Are Available to More Consumers and Businesses

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 4 -- Millions of California consumers and businesses are reaping the benefits of Verizon's $1.167 billion investment in the company's wired network and wireless network expansion and enhancement programs throughout the state in 2009.  Verizon invested $682 million in its wired network and $485 million in its wireless network.

"Every year, Verizon makes significant capital investments in its wired and wireless network infrastructure in California," said Tim McCallion, president of the West region for Verizon.  "These investments not only add to the quality of our customers' personal and professional lives, they also contribute to the economic vitality of our state."

In 2009, Verizon expanded the availability of its revolutionary fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services and its copper-network-based Verizon High Speed Internet products, and strengthened Verizon Wireless' statewide coverage while enhancing access to its 3G high-speed wireless services throughout California.

Verizon built new FiOS network facilities reaching nearly 166,000 more households, expanding availability of its FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services to more than 1.15 million premises in more than 85 cities and communities across Southern California.  FiOS services are now available to more than 1 million single-family homes, nearly 90,000 apartments and condominiums, and more than 46,000 businesses.

Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI) service is now available to nearly 2.8 million residential customers and 504,000 small businesses in California.  In 2009, Verizon broadened the availability of its fastest tier of HSI service - up to 7.1 megabits per second (Mbps) - to more than 152,000 additional customers in the communities of Chino, Fort Irwin, Granada Hills, Hemet, Hesperia, Huntington Beach, La Verne, Los Gatos, Los Serranos, Mammoth Lakes, Moreno Valley, Norwalk, Oxnard, San Dimas and Westwood.  In all, more than 1.3 million California consumers and nearly 200,000 small businesses now have access to Verizon's fastest tier of HSI service, in addition to HSI tiers of up to 3 Mbps and up to 1 Mbps.

"Our network investments are paying off by increasing customer access to the most advanced broadband and entertainment products for the home, by providing our employees good jobs with valuable wage-and-benefit packages, and by delivering highly secure, rock-solid network services that enable businesses to thrive," McCallion said.

Bundles Built for Small Business

Small businesses are the backbone of the state's economy, and Verizon has a long history of fulfilling their communications needs.  Verizon offers a broad range of small-business double- and triple-play bundle solutions that include the essential services of wired and wireless business phone, broadband Internet and TV.  The company also offers services to help protect computers, provide off-site business data backup and storage, encrypt business e-mail and file attachments, and conveniently build business productivity through online virtual meetings and collaboration with colleagues and clients.

New triple-play-bundle customers get a free modem/wireless router for their business, plus free Verizon Wi-Fi access at thousands of hot spots across the country.

In addition, new small-business customers who subscribe to a qualifying Verizon triple-play bundle by April 17 have a choice of selecting either a toll-free 800 number or the Verizon Internet Security Suite and Verizon Online Backup & Sharing with 25 gigabytes (GB) of data storage capacity - with no monthly charge for 12 months.  More information, special offers and a vast array of free business resources are available online through the Verizon Small Business Center portal at http://www.business.verizon.net.

New FiOS Bundles Packed With More Speed and More HD

Verizon has introduced an array of new FiOS triple-play residential bundles that deliver from  40-plus to 90-plus HD TV channels, broadband speeds from up to 15/5 Mbps  to up to 50/20 Mbps, plus unlimited nationwide home phone service.  There is also a $20 per month discount off the price, which is guaranteed not to change for two years, if the bundles are ordered online with a 24-month service agreement ($480 total savings over 24 months).

New FiOS triple-play bundle customers get a free wireless router for their home, and qualifying bundles also receive free nationwide Verizon Wi-Fi access.  Every customer has free access to the FiOS TV Widget Bazaar - a marketplace for widgets that enable on-screen viewer interaction with Facebook, Twitter, KODAK Gallery, HSN and other services on the TV.

High Speed Internet Bundles Offer Speed and Value

Consumers looking for a combination of fast Internet speeds and great value should take a look at Verizon's copper-network-based High Speed Internet (HSI) bundle packages.

For a limited time, qualifying customers can order double- or triple-play bundles with up to 7.1 Mbps HSI for the same price as bundles with up to 3 Mbps HSI service - a $10 per month rate reduction.  In addition, new customers ordering qualifying HSI double- or triple-play bundles are eligible to receive a $150 Verizon Visa® prepaid card* along with other incentives, like free Verizon Wi-Fi access in at thousands of hotels, airports, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, convention centers and other public places across the country.

Bundles eligible for these offers include a triple-play featuring Verizon Freedom Essentials home phone service with unlimited nationwide calling, up to 3 Mbps or 7.1 Mbps HSI (where available) and DIRECTV's CHOICE XTRA + DVR(TM), including a free DVR upgrade and free SHOWTIME® for one year; or the double-play with Verizon Freedom Essentials and up to 7.1 Mbps HSI (where available).  One-year Verizon agreements and two-year DIRECTV agreements apply.

Customers who choose to use self-service ordering tools and order online at http://www.verizon.com/connected will receive an additional $5 discount per month for 12 months - a bonus savings of $60 for the year.

* $150 back via Verizon Visa® prepaid card issued by MetaBank(TM) pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Use where Visa debit cards are accepted.  Must have service for 60 days with no past due balance.  Card will be sent within 30 days of qualification date.  Other terms and conditions apply.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news.  To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Source: Verizon
   

CONTACT:  Jon Davies, +1-805-372-6969, jon.davies@verizon.com

Web Site:  http://www.verizon.com/

Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

Announcing Griffin Capital, First Client to Launch on Our New STAR 2010 XMS Transfer Agent System

SAN FRANCISCO, March 4 -- Phoenix American Financial Services announced that El Segundo, CA-based Griffin Capital has become the first client to launch on Phoenix's new transfer agent platform STAR 2010 XMS.

Joseph Miller, Griffin's Chief Financial Officer, stated:

"We chose Phoenix American Financial Services over their industry competitors because we believe that PAFS offers the highest level of client service available and cutting edge technology through the STAR 2010 XMS system. From their 30-plus years of experience, they have been an enormous help in servicing all of our transfer agent needs during the launch of our public non-traded REIT, The GC Net Lease REIT, Inc.

"We believe the STAR 2010 XMS system is an industry breakthrough in technological advancement. Because it's web-based, it offers us complete 24/7 accessibility. The system's one-click navigation and document management capabilities offer us more efficient access to the critical information we need each day."

Phil Owen, Vice President of Phoenix American, further elaborated:

"STAR 2010 XMS is not a transfer agent service cobbled together with third party software. We keep complete control. You, the client, have a single contact and we maintain and provide a premium product."

Fortune 500 companies have already been using Phoenix's reporting technology for over two years and consider it best-in-class. The ability to access truly meaningful metrics, ranging from an executive level to a granular level that reflects what is transpiring on a daily basis, is invaluable for sales teams.

Owen concluded by stressing:

"Phoenix's strength is its employees and they have delivered the best product and will support it and our clients with standard bearing service. This is the paramount consideration for an aggressive innovator like Griffin."

About Griffin Capital

Griffin Capital is a real estate investment company specializing in the acquisition, financing and ownership of institutional-quality property. Griffin currently owns and manages a portfolio of 8.4 million square feet of space located in 12 states. In addition to their headquarters in El Segundo they also hold offices in Chicago, IL. For more information about Griffin Capital, please visit http://www.griffincapital.com/.

About Phoenix American Financial Services

Phoenix American Financial Services, established in 1972, provides transfer agent services as well as sales and marketing reporting services to companies in the alternative investment and mutual fund industries. It is our strength and experience that makes us the most reliant and innovative transfer agent in the industry. Phoenix is recognized as the premier provider in aircraft securitization services. For more information about Phoenix American Financial Services, please visit http://www.pafsi.com/.

  Contact:
  Philip Owen, Phoenix American Financial Services
  (866) 895-5050, ext. 4632
  powen@phxa.com

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

Source: Phoenix American Financial Services
   

CONTACT:  Philip Owen, Phoenix American Financial Services,
+1-866-895-5050, Ext. 4632, powen@phxa.com

Web Site:  http://www.pafsi.com/

Wi-Fire(TM) Earns Top Reviews ... hField Raises the Bar on Value!

BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 4 -- hField Technologies' (http://www.hfield.com) latest generation of its world-renowned Wi-Fire(TM), and newly launched software for Macintosh and Windows, is receiving critical acclaim for performance, value and ease of use.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/PH65144 )

AND NOW, hField is creating more value for Wi-Fire(TM) Customers by lowering its published retail price by 17% to $49.00, starting today.

"Worth Every Penny" - http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/wi-fire-long-range-wifi-adapter-hands-on-an d-impressions/

"A Mac-Friendly Fix for Wimpy WiFi" - http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/A-Mac-Friendly-Fix-for-Wimpy-WiFi-69340.html

"Wi-Fire(TM) Simply Rocks!" - http://mac.blorge.com/2010/02/03/wi-fire-usb-long-range-wi-fi-adaptor-simply-r ocks/

"Our success translates into Customer benefits in both performance and added value," said hField CEO Tom DiClemente.

Wi-Fire(TM) is a compact, high-performance, long-range USB WiFi Adapter.  It's palm-sized, easy-to-use and, overall, the longest range adapter on the market. Its portability and long range make it a natural for travelers and other Wi-Fi users who want to connect at their convenience, not a network's whims.

The Wi-Fire(TM) multiplies the effectiveness of wireless networks and eliminates those nasty deadspots that plague users.  The Wi-Fire(TM) allows users to connect to a WiFi network from up to 1,000 feet--more than three times the range of other 802.11 adapters--often at significantly higher speeds, and even in locations where no wireless signal could be detected previously (http://www.hfield.com/the-wi-fire/why-buy-wi-fire#wifirerangeadvantage).  Independent testing has shown the Wi-Fire(TM) outperforms 802.11n adapters at distance; delivering greater throughput and a more stable connection.

Wi-Fire(TM) is available now at http://www.hfield.com/buynow and participating retailers.

For more on what Customers are saying, see http://blog.hfield.com/who-is-using-the-wi-fire/business-traveler/wi-fire-what -customers-are-saying-lately/.  To see more reviews, go to http://blog.hfield.com/who-is-using-the-wi-fire/business-traveler/wi-fire-what -reviewers-are-saying/.

About hField:

hField designs and manufactures innovative, high-performance wireless networking products that offer outstanding performance while maintaining total interoperability with existing wireless technology standards. hField is a Ben Franklin Technology Partners and South Bethlehem Keystone Innovation Zone client company.

http://www.hfield.com

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/PH65144
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: hField Technologies Incorporated
   

CONTACT:  Tom DiClemente, hField Technologies Incorporated,
+1-610-419-2154, tom@hfield.com

Web Site:  http://www.hfield.com/

Epson WorkForce(R) Printers Selected to Print Credentials for 82nd Annual Academy Awards(R)

Epson WorkForce 40 Delivers Winning Performance with Speed and Durability

LONG BEACH, Calif., March 4 -- For 11 years in a row, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected Epson printers to speedily print thousands of high-quality, borderless credentials for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony airing on Sunday, March 7.

"I rely on Epson printers to produce thousands of credentials for high-profile events every year," said Deborah Cahn, manager of Credential Operations for the Academy.  "Epson printers cater to unique and demanding printing needs like ours.  Instant-dry and smudge-resistant inks are a necessity to quickly print credentials as people wait in line, and the WorkForce 40s have been flawlessly churning out color badges for years."

The WorkForce 40 is a compact, single function printer designed for high-volume printing, with speeds up to twice as fast as competitive models(1). The WorkForce 40 offers sharp laser-quality black text at speeds of 15 black/9.3 color ISO pages per minute(2). The new ISO/IEC 24734 industry speed standard was created to provide an unbiased comparison of specifications across manufacturers to help individuals, small business owners and corporate buyers make smarter purchasing decisions.  In addition, it offers built-in Wi-Fi and wired networking to share and print files from virtually anywhere in an office area.

  More About the WorkForce 40
  --  Cost-Efficient Printing:  The WorkForce 40 is ENERGY STAR compliant,
      uses up-to-three times less energy than a laser printer(3) and
      includes double-sided printing capabilities for increased paper
      saving(4). It also uses four-color individual ink cartridges for
      replacing only the color that is needed, and extra high-capacity black
      ink cartridges are available for high volume tasks.
  --  DURABrite® Ultra Ink: Epson's exclusive all-pigment inks produce
      laser-quality text and stunning graphics on all media types. The ink
      offers smudge and water resistance(5) to protect important documents,
      fade resistance on plain paper that is rated up to six times longer
      than leading competitive prints(6), and is highlighter-friendly on
      plain paper.
  --  Advanced DX3(TM) MicroPiezo® print head technology: Epson's print head
      technology features smart nozzles that can each produce and precisely
      place three sizes of ink droplets, as small as two picoliters; this
      technology is also featured in large-scale printers used by leading
      commercial and industrial companies across the globe to deliver
      innovative digital, photo lab and textile printing products and
      services.

"We're thrilled that Epson WorkForce printers were again requested by the Academy to deliver the fastest and best print quality," said R. Craig Allen, product manager, Consumer Ink Jets, Epson America, Inc.  "The WorkForce suite of printers and all-in-ones are engineered for small business customers and the line provides the best printing, scanning and image output tools critical to small business success."

For more information, please see the WorkForce 40 fact sheet or visit http://www.Epson.com.

About Epson America Inc.

Epson America Inc. is a leading provider of an extensive range of printers, 3LCD projectors, scanners and point-of-service printers that are renowned for their high quality, functionality, innovation and energy efficiency. Epson America is a U.S. affiliate of Seiko Epson Corporation, which employs more than 70,000 people in 106 companies around the world. Seiko Epson is committed to its ongoing contributions to the global environment and for the second year in a row has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, an indicator for leading companies in economic, environmental and social criteria.

Specifications are subject to change without notice. Epson, DURABrite and MicroPiezo registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. WorkForce and DX3 are trademark of Epson America Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

(1) Black text printing about two times faster compared to ink jet printers priced at $129 or less, available as of April 2008.  Based on independent test in default mode printing typical office documents.

(2) Laser quality black and color print speeds are ESAT in accordance with ISO/IEC 24734. Actual print times will vary based on system configuration, software, and page complexity. See http://www.epson.com/printspeed for details, including complete ISO reports.

(3) Compared to competitive monochrome laser printers at $199 and under available as of March 2008.  Based on Epson testing of power estimated to be used during an eight-hour day.

(4) Available for Windows only.

(5) Water resistance on Epson Glossy Papers, Epson Matte Papers and plain papers, when using genuine Epson inks.

(6) Ink fade resistance ratings based on accelerated testing of unframed color prints on plain paper in indoor display conditions. Actual print stability will vary according to light intensity, temperature, humidity and other factors. Epson does not guarantee the longevity of prints. See http://www.wilhelm-research.com.

Source: Epson America Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Caroline Zubieta of Epson America Inc., +1-562-290-4026,
caroline_zubieta@ea.epson.com; or Patrick Gevas of Walt & Company,
+1-408-369-7200, ext. 1051, pgevas@walt.com, for Epson America Inc.

Web Site:  http://www.epson.com/

AT&T Customers Get More Mobile Broadband Coverage in Mount Carmel

New Cell Site Activated as Part of Ongoing AT&T Investment in Local Wireless Network in Pennsylvania

MOUNT CARMEL, Pa., March 4 -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* today announced the activation of a new third generation (3G) cell site in Mount Carmel that will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses along Routes 54, 61, 2032 and 3006, as well as in the Boroughs of Mount Carmel and Ashland, the town of Wilburton and neighboring areas of Mount Carmel and Conyngham Townships. With 3G speeds, AT&T customers can surf the Web, download files faster, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications.

The new cell site is one part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to drive innovation and extend its 3G wireless network - the fastest in the nation, according to independent testing.  It is also part of AT&T's ongoing investment in Pennsylvania to build the broadband networks that will fuel economic growth and create jobs, and enable its customers to quickly access the content, applications and services that matter most to them.  From 2007 to 2009, AT&T invested more than $725 million in Pennsylvania's wired and wireless networks.

"Our goal is pretty simple: we want you to have an extraordinary experience when you make a call, check e-mail, download a song or video, or surf the Internet on your AT&T device," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Pennsylvania. "That's why we're continuing to invest in our wireless network in Mt. Carmel and across the Commonwealth."

"The AT&T 3G network opens the door to a new era of advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich content.  With 3G speeds, you can surf the Web, download files faster than ever, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications," added Dan Lafond, vice president and general manager for AT&T in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.

AT&T recently completed a software upgrade at 3G cell sites nationwide that prepares the nation's fastest 3G network for even faster speeds. The deployment of High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is the first of multiple initiatives in AT&T's network enhancement strategy designed to provide customers with and enhanced mobile broadband experience, both today and well into the future.  Faster 3G speeds are scheduled to become available in 2010 and 2011 on a market by market basis as AT&T combines the new technology with our second initiative to dramatically increase the number of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, primarily with fiber-optic connections, adding capacity from cell sites to the AT&T backbone network.

AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T offers 3G data roaming in more than 115 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 220 countries.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit http://www.att.com/networknews.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at http://www.facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

Source: AT&T Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Adam Cormier, +1-203-506-5456, acormier@attnews.us, for AT&T
Inc.

Web Site:  http://www.att.com/

AT&T Expands Mobile Broadband Coverage in York Springs

New Cell Site Activated as Part of Ongoing AT&T Local Wireless Network Investment in Central Pennsylvania

GETTYSBURG, Pa., March 4 -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* today announced the activation of a new 3G cell site in York Springs that will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses along routes 15, 94 and Carlisle Pike, as well as in the Borough of York Springs, the town of Gardners and neighboring areas of Huntington and Latimore Townships. With 3G speeds, AT&T customers can surf the Web, download files faster, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications.

The new cell site is one part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to drive innovation and extend its 3G wireless network - the fastest in the nation, according to independent testing. Most recently, AT&T added four new cell sites expanding its 3G mobile broadband network in Adams County. It is also part of AT&T's ongoing investment to build the broadband networks that will fuel economic growth and create jobs, and enable its customers to quickly access the content, applications and services that matter most to them.

"The AT&T 3G network opens the door to a new era of advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content for our customers in York Springs," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Pennsylvania. "That's why we're continuing to invest in our wireless network in York Springs and across the Commonwealth."

Today's announcement builds on AT&T's infrastructure investments in Pennsylvania. From 2007 to 2009, AT&T's total capital investment in Pennsylvania was more than $725 million, earning AT&T the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania's 2009 Infrastructure Company of the Year award.

"The AT&T 3G network opens the door to a new era of advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich content. With 3G speeds, you can surf the Web, download files faster than ever, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications," added Dan Lafond, vice president and general manager for AT&T in central and eastern Pennsylvania.

AT&T recently completed a software upgrade at 3G cell sites nationwide that prepares the nation's fastest 3G network for even faster speeds. The deployment of High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is the first of multiple initiatives in AT&T's network enhancement strategy designed to provide customers with and enhanced mobile broadband experience, both today and well into the future. Faster 3G speeds are scheduled to become available in 2010 and 2011 on a market by market basis as AT&T combines the new technology with our second initiative to dramatically increase the number of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, primarily with fiber-optic connections, adding capacity from cell sites to the AT&T backbone network.

AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T offers 3G data roaming in more than 115 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 220 countries.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit http://www.att.com/networknews.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

Source: AT&T Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Adam Cormier of AT&T Inc., +1-203-506-5456,
acormier@attnews.us

Web Site:  http://www.att.com/

Jim Ziegler and Sean V. Bradley Host the Dealer Battle Plan Workshop in Atlanta on April 6-7th, 2010

PHILADELPHIA, March 4 -- Top automotive industry trainers Jim Ziegler and Sean V. Bradley are once again hosting a Dealer Battle Plan Workshop to help auto dealers create excitement, improve performance, and leverage the latest technology to bring in more customers to their dealerships. The event takes place in Atlanta on April 6th and 7th at the Peachtree Hyatt Place.

Jim and Sean recently completed successful engagements at the annual National Auto Dealers Association Convention in Orlando where both held workshops attended by standing room only crowds.  Sean shared with dealers how Video Search Engine Optimization techniques were helping dealers to drive more traffic to their sites and utilize customer conquest techniques.

His information was so powerful, that Automotive News interviewed Sean about his services and highlighted the results that his client, Scott Robinson Honda in Torrance, California has achieved with this marketing video program.  Google users entering, "Toyota Corolla Torrance" found the first listing to be a link to a Scott Robinson Honda video, touting the Honda Civic.

Jim Ziegler's workshop at NADA focused on Selling and Managing Relationships in Online Social Communities. With the growth of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other networks dealers need to be sensitive to how to best leverage those channels to maximize relationships and build rapport with prospects on the web.

The Battle Plan Workshop held in Las Vegas was a great success and dealers were amazed at the depth of information shared by the presenters. Here are just some highlights of content that will be covered at the April event.

  --  How to Maximize Existing Profit Centers and Create New Ones
  --  Dealing with Credit Realities in the 21st Century
  --  Ziegler's Methods, Programs, Marketing and Advertising Secrets to
      Drive Floor Traffic and Phone Traffic
  --  Video Search Engine Maximization
  --  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn: How to create dealership
      Social Community marketing programs that yield incredible returns
  --  Tips, Tools and Techniques that Produce Immediate Results

Sean V. Bradley will be sharing highlights from his new social media program. His unique approach utilizes social media as a search engine optimization incubator to cultivate relationships and establish a foundation for future sales efforts.  Sean V. Bradley shares a video with more information about the information packed upcoming April workshop.  Dealers should reserve their seats now for this dynamic event.

  Sean V. Bradley
  Founder / CEO
  Dealer Synergy, Inc.
  http://www.dealersynergy.com
  856-264-0564 (cell)
  seanb@dealersynergy.com

Source: Dealer Synergy, Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Sean V. Bradley, Founder / CEO, Dealer Synergy, Inc.,
+1-856-264-0564 (cell), seanb@dealersynergy.com

Web Site:  http://www.dealersynergy.com/

PrepLogic Improves Speed, Convenience of IT Training with New Online Control Panel

TAMPA, Fla., March 4 -- PrepLogic has released a new online control panel that will dramatically improve the speed and effectiveness of certification training for Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and other popular vendors. The online control panel has been integrated into PrepLogic's Unlimited Access and Career Choices library training products. The new control panel allows users to instantly choose, review and swap courses from PrepLogic's complete library programs.

PrepLogic training is specifically designed to give up-and-coming IT professionals access to training for certifications including MCITP, CCNA, A+, Network+ and Security+. "Users love our library programs because they provide the flexibility and variety a career minded IT professional needs," said PrepLogic President Jay Gandee. "By adding an online control panel, we improve upon a product that's far superior to any LMS or training library on the market."

The new PrepLogic online control panel includes a complete listing of all courses available within a consumer's training library. Each course consists of training products in multiple media formats that allow the user to train anywhere and anytime at their own convenience. The user can easily select a new course and undergo training for as long as necessary. Once the user has completed the training, the course may be retired and "swapped" for a new course. All training is available to the user in an online or downloadable format. Consumers may also opt to have their training delivered on DVD-ROM or CD-ROM disc. All choices and swaps are made through the easy-to-use online interface.

PrepLogic's complete training libraries include Unlimited Access and the Career Choices subscription. Through these complete libraries, students have access to valuable IT training for skills and certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, Project Management Institute, VMWare and many more. The variety and convenience of these programs are important in the current economic situation. "With unemployment well over 10%, people need to keep their skills up-to-date to remain competitive," said Gandee. "People can't afford to wait around for a class to start. They need to learn now. That's what our libraries provide."

PrepLogic provides a full line of IT certification and skills training including LearnSmart Video Training, Quiz Me and Lecture Series audio training, practice exams, Mega Guides and more. For more information about PrepLogic IT certification training, contact the company at 1-800-418-6789.

Source: PrepLogic
   

CONTACT:  PrepLogic, +1-800-418-6789

Web Site:  http://www.preplogic.com/

Fans Ready to Sink Their Teeth Into Top March Releases

AMARILLO, Texas, March 4 -- Hastings Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAST) announced today that March starts the countdown toward the biggest release week that gamers and vampire reading enthusiasts have seen since the 2009 releases of HALO 3 ODST and Twilight on DVD.

No matter what fans like to sink their teeth into, Hastings customers are gearing up for exciting spring break Midnight Release parties for God of War III and the Twilight: The Graphic Novel on Monday, March 15, 2010 as well as New Moon DVD/Blu-ray on Friday, March 19, 2010.

"Our customers have been reserving these new releases all winter and we're planning fun evenings to celebrate," said Kevin Ball, Vice President of Marketing for Hastings Entertainment.  "For the New Moon midnight release parties, each of our stores will give away one collectible Tonner Edward Cullen 17" Character Figure, priced at $139.99, after midnight.  We're anticipating that New Moon fans will be out in force for these midnight release events," said Mr. Ball.

Hastings Entertainment will host the in-store parties at all Hastings locations.  All parties will begin at 10:00pm, local time.  Please contact store managers at the Hastings nearest to you for details on the Midnight Release parties in your area.  Customers can go to http://www.goHastings.com to find their nearest store location.

About Hastings

Founded in 1968, Hastings Entertainment, Inc. is a leading multimedia entertainment retailer that combines the sale of new and used books, videos, video games and CDs, as well as trends merchandise, with the rental of videos and video games in a superstore format.  We currently operate 148 superstores, averaging approximately 21,000 square feet, primarily in medium-sized markets throughout the United States.

We also operate http://www.goHastings.com, an e-commerce Internet Web site that makes available to our customers new and used entertainment products and unique, contemporary gifts and toys.  The site features exceptional product and pricing offers.  The Investor Relations section of our web site contains press releases, a link to request financial and other literature and access our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: Hastings Entertainment, Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Cherie Norman, Advertising Manager of Hastings Entertainment,
Inc., +1-806-677-1482, cherie.norman@goHastings.com

Web Site:  http://www.gohastings.com/

The Echo Nest Receives National Science Foundation Phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant

Grant to support continued development of The Echo Nest's machine learning platform for music and further the company's "Fanalytics" capabilities.

SOMERVILLE, Mass., March 4 -- The Echo Nest, a music intelligence platform that helps music companies and application developers make online music smarter, announced it has been awarded a $500,000 Phase IIB SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation.

Since 2005, The Echo Nest has been indexing and analyzing music fan activity across the web.  The NSF-funded project, entitled "Automated Community and Sentiment Mining for Global Media Preference Understanding" will augment the company's existing "Fanalytics" capabilities, providing in-depth understanding of an artist's existing and potential online fan base.  Commercial applications of Fanalytics include targeted music promotion, demographic and psychographic profiling of artist fan bases and behaviorally - targeted advertising for online music applications.

The Phase IIB SBIR grants are the result of a rigorous peer review by leadings scientists, entrepreneurs and investors, with a focus on the commercial potential of the proposed technology. "With the NSF's help, we are excited to be able to approach  next generation analytics, machine learning and data mining problems that are crucial to understanding music fans and to helping artists find their audience online," says Dr. Brian Whitman, co-founder of The Echo Nest.

ABOUT THE ECHO NEST

The Echo Nest is a music intelligence company co-founded by two MIT Media Lab PhDs. Powered by the world's first machine learning platform for music, The Echo Nest makes it easy for online music companies and developers to build more intelligent, engaging and interactive music applications using open APIs at developer.echonest.com.  The Echo Nest's customers and partners include leading online music services, record labels and a growing army of the smartest independent application developers in the world.  The company is a four-time National Science Foundation SBIR grant winner and is funded by Commonwealth Capital Ventures, Argos Management and angel investors, including two co-founders of the MIT Media Lab.

Source: The Echo Nest
   

CONTACT:  Elissa Barrett, The Echo Nest, +1-617-548-8993,
elissa@echonest.com

IT Service Management Industry Survey Reveals Top 5 IT Trends for 2010

Findings from Consulting-Portal's 5th Annual ITSM industry survey show that organizational governance is weak, Software as a Service adoption is rising and more...

TORONTO, March 4 -- This is the 5th year that Consulting-Portal, a leading IT Service Management (ITSM) consulting firm, has conducted the IT Service Management Industry Survey.  This year results pointed to 5 trends that we feel will prevail in 2010:

  --  Organizational governance is still very weak
  --  Software as a Service (SaaS) adoption is on the rise as an ITSM
      solution
  --  Organizational support for ITSM is on the rise
  --  There is a lot more focus on customer-facing processes like Service
      Level Management and Service Catalog Management
  --  Auto-Discovery / Dependency Mapping is more popular than ever

For the second year in a row, as little as 29% of organizations surveyed have defined, implemented and enforced ITSM governance in place.  Lack of governance makes it hard to comply with standards like Sarbanes-Oxley and Basel II, not to mention making it difficult to quantify the return on investment (ROI) from costly IT projects.

Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Utility Computing - whichever name you prefer, the trend toward customers subscribing to hosted ITSM tools is definitely on the rise having grown from 0 to 17% in just 2 years.

Want to read more about the top 5 ITSM trends in 2010? Check out Consulting-Portal's survey results white paper here http://www.cportalinc.com/resources/itsm-whitepapers-and-articles/

About Consulting-Portal Inc.

Consulting-Portal, founded in 1999, helps organizations implement streamlined, efficient processes that unify IT technology with business and customer needs.  Consulting-Portal is vendor neutral and employs full-time resources, each with over 25 years experience.

Consulting-Portal also has an innovative SaaS product called ITOptimizer that helps people assess, design and govern their IT processes.

About the ITSM Survey

The 5th Annual ITSM survey contains 35 questions covering the topics of: Sponsorship, Training, Organization and Governance, Best Practices, Measurement and Audit, Continuous Improvement and Supporting Tools.  This year Consulting-Portal obtained over 180 responses to the survey from medium-sized to Fortune 500 companies from various industries including: Finance, Government, Industrial, Healthcare, Education, Communications and Information Technology.

For additional information please contact Sarah Wilbore at 416-539-9836, Twitter: @wilbore or visit Consulting-Portal on the Web at http://www.cportalinc.com.

Source: Consulting-Portal Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Sarah Wilbore, +1-416-539-9836, or Twitter: @wilbore

Web Site:  http://www.cportalinc.com/

Crisp Printing Easily Maintained on Bixolon Thermal Printers

Announcing a Cleaning Pen designed for Bixolon Thermal Printers

AUBURN, Maine, March 4 -- Maintaining the quality of printed crisp receipts or barcode labels requires the proper cleaning tool. Bixolon has approved and now offers a cleaning pen developed by KICTeam. This new Bixolon Thermal Print Head Cleaning Pens can be used on any thermal printer which has an accessible print head. This new cleaning pen is a quick and almost effortless means of removing any leftover adhesive residue or paper dust that can deteriorate the legibility of the print.

"We are pleased to introduce the new Bixolon Thermal Print Head Cleaning Pens as part of our printer preventive maintenance program," said John Choi, Product Engineer. "Our customers can increase printer longevity and maintain the quality of printed materials by implementing consistent use of this new cleaning pen. We are pleased to offer this through our current distribution and service provider network."

"The new Bixolon product was designed for easy use on printers that have accessible print heads. This new cleaning pen is versatile and cleans any size printer as long as you can touch the nib to the print head surface. This product is ideal for fast and effective thermal printer cleaning and maintaining the clarity of the printed label or receipt," explained Debra Ross, Product Manager / OEM Business Development Worldwide, KICTeam. "It's really about using the right tools for the job. By using this Bixolon approved product with a proper maintenance schedule, the printers will print clearer and last longer.

About Bixolon

Bixolon, a leading global manufacturer of world-class printing solutions, has served the POS industry for more than a decade by providing high quality printers and printing mechanisms. Bixolon has quickly become the "printer of choice" with innovative and dependable technology, unmatched price point, and the industry's highest R.O.I. (return on investment). For additional information on Bixolon printers and products, please visit http://www.bixolonusa.com or call 888-350-0275.

About KICTeam

KICTeam is the world leader in the manufacture of cleaning cards including Waffletechnology(TM)-based (patent pending) products. Headquartered in Auburn, Maine, with offices in San Diego, Calif., Europe, Asia and Canada, KICTeam provides innovative and cost-efficient patented solutions made with state-of-the-art equipment for a diverse marketplace. For more information, please visit http://www.kicteam.com, http://www.kicteam.eu  and http://www.cleaningcards.com.

Source: KICTeam
   

CONTACT:  Jimmy Timmins of KICTeam, +1-207-514-7211,
jtimmins@kicteam.com

Web Site:  http://www.kicteam.com/

adenin Introduces the Fastest Way to Design, Build and Launch an Intranet

IntelliEnterprise Version 10 Includes Wireframe Modeler and One-click Intranet Factory

BOSTON, March 4 -- adenin TECHNOLOGIES, provider of enterprise Intranet software, has released Version 10 of its IntelliEnterprise Intranet platform. The new version adds new capabilities that drastically cut the amount of time needed to design and implement a new or updated Intranet.

The new Intranet Modeler is a free web-based application that lets users build a wireframe model of their Intranet. Starting with industry-specific templates, the user can drag and drop pages, modules and other components into the model to customize the design for their organization's needs. Once drafted, the team can share the model with others in the organization for feedback and buy-in. The fully clickable model lets end users navigate around the site as if it were already deployed, allowing them to gain a better understanding of how the layout and structure will work.

After the organization approves and finalizes the model, Version 10's Intranet Factory generates the site with one click. The organization can easily make changes to navigation, structure or layout even after deploying the site. The site administrator simply changes the model in the Modeler, then clicks to re-deploy the site with the new changes.

"Using the Modeler and Intranet Factory, clients take only hours to do what used to take weeks or months. They're also seeing more acceptance and better usability because the design process was so effective," says Martin Amm, CEO of adenin TECHNOLOGIES. "There really is no faster way to design, build and deploy an enterprise Intranet."

"These new capabilities were developed to help clients who had asked for our assistance designing and building their Intranets. With IntelliEnterprise, we were always able to complete the development and implementation of their Intranets quickly and easily, but the design stage took a long time because of the need to get input and buy-in from the many stakeholders involved in Intranet projects," continues Amm.

"With the Modeler, Intranet professionals now have a powerful tool that lets them substantially simplify and speed the process of doing an Intranet prototype, sharing it with others, getting feedback and modifying the design."

  Version 10 of IntelliEnterprise also includes many other new features:

  --  Daily Digest - Users can decide what types of information they want to
      receive and how often they want to receive emails. For example, the
      user can decide to have all alerts and notifications combined into one
      daily or weekly email instead of receiving many individual emails.

  --  Weblog API - Users can publish blog posts or other content directly
      from Microsoft Word 2007, with images uploaded and handled
      automatically.

  --  Employee Awards - Awards given to employees can appear on the Intranet
      home page, as well as featured on employee profile pages.

  --  Extranet Invitations - Users can invite external users into community
      sites and disable access when needed.

  --  Shared Content - This library provides a central place to maintain and
      update images and other files used in multiple places on the Intranet.

  --  Image Gallery - This gallery makes it easy to share photos and other
      images. A slide show option is included.

  --  Followers/Following - User profiles show who the user is connected to,
      similar to Facebook and Twitter.

  --  Announcements - Each department can have its own announcements. A
      RollUp mode combines announcements from different departments into one
      central location.

  --  Performance enhancements - Intranet pages now take 25% less time to
      load; some pages are 50% faster.

IntelliEnterprise is an all-encompassing platform for information management, collaboration, social networking, and process automation. It includes more than 100 components that can be combined to create almost any kind of Intranet, extranet, enterprise portal or social network. The Application Builder makes it easy for non-programmers to create additional applets that can be plugged into the Intranet, delivering a custom-tailored solution for any organization.

Review and Interview Information

An online, interactive demo of IntelliEnterprise is available at http://demo.adenin.com/. A sample wireframe model for an enterprise portal is available at http://modeler.adenin.com/viewer/site74/default.aspx.

About adenin TECHNOLOGIES

adenin TECHNOLOGIES develops, sells and supports the IntelliEnterprise Intranet platform, a complete web portal and application suite that helps organizations of all sizes manage information, collaborate, share knowledge, automate processes and facilitate social networking. Customers include Equifax, Omni Hotels, Airmiles, First National Bank Texas, Western Refining, and Arcelor Mittal.  The company is dual-headquartered in Boston, MA and Nuremberg, Germany. More information about the company is available at http://www.adenin.com .

  COMPANY CONTACT:
  Martin Amm
  adenin TECHNOLOGIES
  800-975-6096
  martin.amm@adenin.com

  PR CONTACT:
  Judy Schramm
  JMR Consulting
  703-216-0460
  jaschramm@j-m-r.com

Source: adenin TECHNOLOGIES
   

CONTACT:  Company Contact, Martin Amm of adenin TECHNOLOGIES,
1-800-975-6096, martin.amm@adenin.com; or PR Contact, Judy Schramm of JMR
Consulting, +1-703-216-0460, jaschramm@j-m-r.com

Web Site:  http://www.adenin.com/

Lupatech and EZTEC Join Assembleias Online

Lupatech and EZTEC, the pioneers among Brazilian companies in their respective segments, underline their commitment to excellence in corporate governance, while complying with the requirements of CVM Instruction 481

Lupatech (BM&FBovespa: LUPA3), one of the leading manufacturers of oil and gas equipment in Latin America, and EZTEC (BM&FBovespa: EZTC3), one of the largest developers and builders of residential properties in Sao Paulo, today signed up for Assembleias Online, the electronic voting platform developed by MZ , which includes proxies with digital signature. By joining Assembleias Online, the Companies have further improved their corporate governance practices by offering their shareholders the option to vote remotely, which should increase quorum at general meetings.

According to Thiago Alonso de Oliveira, the Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer of Lupatech, "Assembleias Online perfectly matches Lupatech's determination to constantly operate in accordance with the best corporate governance practices. We expect an increase in the participation of minority shareholders at our general meetings."

Emilio Fugazza, the Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer of EZTEC, says, "Increasing the participation of our minority shareholders at the general meetings is one way of reaffirming EZTEC's commitment to the best corporate governance practices and transparency in its dealings with the capital markets, and Assembleias Online is essential to strengthen this determination."

Assembleias Online is a pioneering initiative of MZ together with Brazil's leading law firms, which resulted in an official request to the Board of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) in February 2008. In June of the same year, the request was approved, the CVM Board having found no impediments to the use of digital certification and other details provided by MZ.

By joining Assembleias Online, Lupatech and EZTEC also comply with CVM Instruction 481 of December 17, 2009, which rules on the exercise of electronic voting rights and other matters related to the shareholders' meetings of publicly-held companies. Other companies that have already used or are scheduled to use Assembleias Online for their general meetings are Bematech (BM&FBovespa: BEMA3), Natura (BM&FBovespa: NATU3) and Triunfo (BM&FBovespa: TPIS3).

CVM Instruction 481, which came into force on January 1, 2010, aims to facilitate the participation of minority shareholders through public requests for proxy and envisages reimbursement of all related expenses. Companies using this system are exempted from reimbursing these costs.

Besides facilitating the holding of company meetings and providing access to all shareholders, Assembleias Online encourages greater exchange of information. All the documents filed by the companies with the CVM are available at the same time. The sections on query of documents and voting, available in Portuguese and English, are available exclusively to shareholders. Access is free but requires prior registration for the issue of a digital certificate.

More than 550 investors have already joined Assembleias Online, of which 26% are offshore funds and 74% are Brazilian funds and individual investors. This is a unique system that combines technology, security and privacy to encourage investors' participation in the strategic management of companies. In addition to the certification from Certisign/VeriSign (the Brazilian and global leader in digital certification technology), the system also relies on Ernst & Young to review its internal controls (Webtrust certification).

  Information:
  Assembleias Online
  Denys Roman / Tatiara Malagoli
  (11) 3529-3781/ 3771
  info@assembleiasonline.com.br
  -----------------------------

About Assembleias Online (http://www.assembleiasonline.com.br): Assembleias Online is an electronic voting system (using proxies with digital certification), which enables greater participation of shareholders and investment funds (or entities/cooperatives) in general meetings. The system: (i) dispenses with the physical presence of shareholders at the meeting venue; (ii) enables early voting in a convenient manner, with no bureaucracy and with total security, thanks to digital certification; and (iii) entails no cost for investors and shareholders. Assembleias Online was designed and developed by MZ Consult, the leader in financial communication services in Latin America, together with Certisign, the leader in digital certification in Brazil and an associate of VeriSign, the world leader in security and certification, and Tauil & Chequer Advogados Associado a Mayer Brown, a leading law firm specializing in Brazilian and international law, besides relying on Ernst & Young to review its internal controls (Webtrust certification).

Source: MZ Consult
   

CONTACT:  Denys Roman or Tatiara Malagoli, both of Assembleias Online,
+011-55-11-3529-3781, +011-55-11-3529-3771, info@assembleiasonline.com.br

Web Site:  http://www.assembleiasonline.com.br/

Corporate Responsibility Magazine Names Johnson Controls a Top U.S. Corporate Citizen

MILWAUKEE, March 4 -- Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) today announced its inclusion in Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 11th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List. The company ranked 22nd based on its performance in seven key areas - environment, climate change, human rights, philanthropy, employee relations, financial and governance.

"Corporate Responsibility Magazine's ranking recognizes Johnson Controls' longstanding commitment to corporate responsibility," said Charles A. Harvey, vice president of Diversity and Public Affairs at Johnson Controls. "Since the invention of the first electric room thermostat in 1885, Johnson Controls has offered products and services that improve comfort, safety, and sustainability. We are committed to the communities in which our employees live and work and are proud to have been recognized in this ranking."

"Company stakeholders from investors to customers to employees to regulators watch the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List closely, and are using it now more than ever to make important decisions," said Corporate Responsibility Magazine publisher Jay Whitehead.

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens List was first published in 1999 in Business Ethics Magazine, and has been managed by CRO and Corporate Responsibility Magazine since 2007. In order to compile the list, every company in the Russell 1000, the highest ranked stocks in the Russell 3000 Index of publicly held US companies, is ranked according to over 360 data points of information. The methodology for generating the list is governed by a Methodology Committee of the Corporate Responsibility Officers Association (CROA).

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 130,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

About Corporate Responsibility Magazine, CRO Association and CRO Summits

20,000-subscriber Corporate Responsibility Magazine (http://www.crmagazine.com) is publisher of the 11th annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List, among America's three most-important business rankings according to PR Week.  Over 200 large capitalization corporations and institutions are members of the Corporate Responsibility Officers Association (http://www.CROAssociation.org), representing 1,200+ individuals dedicated to increasing professionalization of corporate responsibility standards and practices.  CROA has a formal partnership with NYSE Euronext.  Corporate Responsibility Officer Summits (http://www.crosummit.com) are recognized worldwide as the leading events for corporate responsibility practitioners.  CR Magazine, thecro.com, CROA and CRO Summits are managed by SharedXpertise Media LLC, with offices in Edison NJ, Cambridge UK, Brussels BE, and Singapore.

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081030/AQTH055ALOGO
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Johnson Controls
   

CONTACT:  Anna Timms of Johnson Controls, +1-414-542-2690,
Anna.timms@jci.com

Web Site:  http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/

SouthernLINC Wireless Introduces New Service Plans and Motorola Phones

ATLANTA, March 4 -- SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE:SO), today announced it has added 11 new calling plans and three new phone models to its product and service offerings.

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/CL62069 )
  (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090507/CL13145LOGO )

The new Unlimited Cellular Advantage plan is ideal for the on-the-go user who needs it all. This comprehensive wireless plan bundles unlimited private and group Push To Talk (PTT) minutes, unlimited cellular minutes, unlimited text messaging and unlimited data - including access to BlackBerry e-mail - for $99.99 per month across the SouthernLINC Wireless Regional Calling Area.

The Push To Talk & More suite of plans offers a variety of choices based upon how - and how much - customers use their phones. These 10 new plans provide more minutes for the same price as previously offered plans. Three types of plans are available - PTT and text messaging only, PTT and cellular only, and PTT, text messaging and cellular. Push To Talk & More plans start at $29.99 per month. Plans priced $39.99 and higher include unlimited PTT, unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling, text messaging, nationwide long distance, and unlimited night and weekend minutes.

Visit http://www.southernlinc.com/consumer/service_plans for more information about the Unlimited Cellular Advantage and Push To Talk & More plans. Calling plans may also be subject to permissible usage allowances.

Three new Motorola phones - the Brute(TM) i680, the i890 and the Clutch(TM) i465 Graphite - are now available from SouthernLINC Wireless. All models feature the carrier's premier Push To Talk (PTT) two-way radio service, which facilitates immediate, reliable and private communications.

"Our customers use their phones in a variety of different ways," said Rodney Johnson, vice president of sales and distribution for SouthernLINC Wireless. "With more minutes and more choices, customers can find a plan and a phone that fits their needs at an even better value than ever before."

The Motorola Brute i680 is a rubberized, water-resistant flip phone that is Military Spec 810F certified for blowing rain, dust, shock vibration, temperature extremes, low pressure, salt fog, humidity and solar radiation. Loud audio and dual microphones with enhanced noise canceling help keep conversations clear in noisy environments. Equipped with a variety of features, including stereo Bluetooth®, instant message-style texting, a 2-megapixel camera with zoom and media player enhancements, the Brute i680 is as versatile as it is durable.

The Brute i680 also supports up to an eight gigabyte micro SD memory card and is preloaded with LINCaround, which enables users to manually transfer their phones to an off network two-way radio communication mode. Depending on site conditions, LINCaround gives users in remote areas radio-to-radio PTT coverage within a six-mile radius.

A slim and stylish flip phone with multimedia functionality, the Motorola i890 features dual color displays, stereo Bluetooth technology, touch screen controls, enhanced text messaging, stereo MP3 player and an integrated 2-megapixel camera with video. The i890 supports up to an 8 GB micro SD memory card and is mobile Web capable.

The Motorola Clutch i465, the first Motorola Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) device to combine the power of PTT and the convenience of a QWERTY keyboard, is now available in a new color - graphite.

With a familiar candy-bar design and military-tough durability, the Clutch i465 Graphite blends function and style into a compact package. Despite its size, this phone features a large color display screen, shortcut buttons, Bluetooth technology, an integrated 0.3-megapixel camera with zoom, mobile Web accessibility and specially designed keys that make texting and POP3 or Internet e-mailing easy.

All three new Motorola phones have GPS capabilities, vibracall, speakerphone, voice activated dialing and voice record. With required data access, use the PTT Manager feature to send messages, pictures, events, My Info contents and contact information via the Push To Talk button.

Phones and plans can be purchased at all SouthernLINC Wireless sales and service locations, through authorized SouthernLINC Wireless dealers or online at http://www.southernlinc.com/onlinestore. In-stock availability may vary by location. A one- or two-year service agreement or qualified contract renewal may be required. Visit http://www.southernlinc.com/promodetails for terms and permissible usage allowance information for unlimited services.

About SouthernLINC Wireless

SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE:SO), is an Atlanta-based regional wireless carrier with network coverage in the major metro and rural areas of Alabama, Georgia, southeast Mississippi and northwest Florida. SouthernLINC Wireless bundles multiple communication options, including Push To Talk two-way radio, cellular service, text messaging, wireless Internet access and wireless data, into one hand-held device. For more information, please call 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visit http://www.southernlinc.com.

About Southern Company

With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Visit our Web site at http://www.southerncompany.com.

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090507/CL13145LOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/CL62069
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: SouthernLINC Wireless
   

CONTACT:  Jamie Schaff, SouthernLINC Wireless, +1-678-443-1527,
jschaff@southernco.com

Web Site:  http://www.southernlinc.com/

Outsourced Networking Enables Businesses to Better Manage IT Processes and Expenses in San Francisco, California

'Managed IT services' technologies to be showcased at local event

SAN FRANCISCO, March 4 -- As businesses struggle to rebound from one of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, those executing outsourced networking strategies "achieved business benefits between 10 and 30 percent" in 2009*. Using 'managed IT services,' companies can gain access to the latest technologies, accelerate time to market, and reduce costs.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO)

To help small-and-midsized businesses capitalize on this growing trend, Zenith Infotech Ltd., an international company serving over 4,000 IT service providers worldwide, is hosting a managed IT services showcase March 10 from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco International Airport, located at 1177 Airport Blvd. The event, one of 124 U.S. open houses scheduled for the first quarter of 2010, is sponsored by Autotask, the leading provider of web-based IT services management software.

IT service providers attending the open house will see live 'managed services' infrastructure demonstrations, and business continuity products and services. Together, these solutions enable small- and-midsized businesses (SMBs) to automate IT processes and more efficiently run their operations.

"Managing a network infrastructure can be labor intensive one day and practically maintenance-free the next, which - for SMBs in particular - can be problematic from a resourcing standpoint," said Stephan Cico, Zenith Infotech manager of Technical Sales. "By implementing managed services solutions, SMBs are assured that dollars allocated to IT systems are maximized and support is available 24/7/365."

The growing adoption of outsourced IT systems management reflects a trend reported recently by Gartner Inc. where "current spending on IT or business process services exceeds spending on hardware and software combined, in an overall IT services market expected to approach $1 trillion by the end of 2014."

For more information or to register for this event, visit http://www.zenithinfotech.com/register.

About Zenith Infotech

Zenith Infotech Ltd. is a leading provider of remote monitoring and management (RMM), backup and disaster recovery, and virtual help-desk solutions for managed services providers worldwide. The company's award-winning solutions enable its technology partners to scale their business without increasing their overhead.

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Zenith Infotech Ltd.
   

CONTACT:  Lynette Bohanan, +1-813-727-0196,
lbohanan@commcentricsolutions.com, of CommCentric Solutions Inc. for Zenith
Infotech Ltd.

Outsourced Networking Enables Businesses to Better Manage IT Processes and Expenses in Providence, Rhode Island

'Managed IT services' technologies to be showcased at local event

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 4 -- As businesses struggle to rebound from one of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, those executing outsourced networking strategies "achieved business benefits between 10 and 30 percent" in 2009*. Using 'managed IT services,' companies can gain access to the latest technologies, accelerate time to market, and reduce costs.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO)

To help small-and-midsized businesses capitalize on this growing trend, Zenith Infotech Ltd., an international company serving over 4,000 IT service providers worldwide, is hosting a managed IT services showcase March 10 from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick (Airport), located at 801 Greenwich Ave. The event, one of 124 U.S. open houses scheduled for the first quarter of 2010, is sponsored by Autotask, the leading provider of web-based IT services management software.

IT service providers attending the open house will see live 'managed services' infrastructure demonstrations, and business continuity products and services. Together, these solutions enable small- and-midsized businesses (SMBs) to automate IT processes and more efficiently run their operations.

"Managing a network infrastructure can be labor intensive one day and practically maintenance-free the next, which - for SMBs in particular - can be problematic from a resourcing standpoint," said Stephan Cico, Zenith Infotech manager of Technical Sales. "By implementing managed services solutions, SMBs are assured that dollars allocated to IT systems are maximized and support is available 24/7/365."

The growing adoption of outsourced IT systems management reflects a trend reported recently by Gartner Inc. where "current spending on IT or business process services exceeds spending on hardware and software combined, in an overall IT services market expected to approach $1 trillion by the end of 2014."

For more information or to register for this event, visit http://www.zenithinfotech.com/register.

About Zenith Infotech

Zenith Infotech Ltd. is a leading provider of remote monitoring and management (RMM), backup and disaster recovery, and virtual help-desk solutions for managed services providers worldwide. The company's award-winning solutions enable its technology partners to scale their business without increasing their overhead.

* Source: Gartner Inc. |Outsourcing Key Initiative Overview| 5 February 2010 | ID:G00173598

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Zenith Infotech Ltd.
   

CONTACT:  Lynette Bohanan of CommCentric Solutions Inc., +1-813-727-0196,
lbohanan@commcentricsolutions.com, for Zenith Infotech

Outsourced Networking Enables Businesses to Better Manage IT Processes and Expenses in Kansas City, Missouri

'Managed IT services' technologies to be showcased at local event

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 4 -- As businesses struggle to rebound from one of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, those executing outsourced networking strategies "achieved business benefits between 10 and 30 percent" in 2009*. Using 'managed IT services,' companies can gain access to the latest technologies, accelerate time to market, and reduce costs.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO)

To help small-and-midsized businesses capitalize on this growing trend, Zenith Infotech Ltd., an international company serving over 4,000 IT service providers worldwide, is hosting a managed IT services showcase March 10 from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at the Plaza, located at One 45th Street. The event, one of 124 U.S. open houses scheduled for the first quarter of 2010, is sponsored by Autotask, the leading provider of web-based IT services management software.

IT service providers attending the open house will see live 'managed services' infrastructure demonstrations, and business continuity products and services. Together, these solutions enable small- and-midsized businesses (SMBs) to automate IT processes and more efficiently run their operations.

"Managing a network infrastructure can be labor intensive one day and practically maintenance-free the next, which - for SMBs in particular - can be problematic from a resourcing standpoint," said Stephan Cico, Zenith Infotech manager of Technical Sales. "By implementing managed services solutions, SMBs are assured that dollars allocated to IT systems are maximized and support is available 24/7/365."

The growing adoption of outsourced IT systems management reflects a trend reported recently by Gartner Inc. where "current spending on IT or business process services exceeds spending on hardware and software combined, in an overall IT services market expected to approach $1 trillion by the end of 2014."

For more information or to register for this event, visit http://www.zenithinfotech.com/register.

About Zenith Infotech

Zenith Infotech Ltd. is a leading provider of remote monitoring and management (RMM), backup and disaster recovery, and virtual help-desk solutions for managed services providers worldwide. The company's award-winning solutions enable its technology partners to scale their business without increasing their overhead.

* Source: Gartner Inc. |Outsourcing Key Initiative Overview| 5 February 2010 | ID:G00173598

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Zenith Infotech Ltd.
   

CONTACT:  Lynette Bohanan of CommCentric Solutions Inc., +1-813-727-0196,
lbohanan@commcentricsolutions.com, for Zenith Infotech Ltd.

Web Site:  http://www.zenithinfotech.com/

Outsourced Networking Enables Businesses to Better Manage IT Processes and Expenses in Roswell, Georgia

'Managed IT services' technologies to be showcased at local event

ROSWELL, Ga., March 4 -- As businesses struggle to rebound from one of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, those executing outsourced networking strategies "achieved business benefits between 10 and 30 percent" in 2009*. Using 'managed IT services,' companies can gain access to the latest technologies, accelerate time to market, and reduce costs.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO)

To help small-and-midsized businesses capitalize on this growing trend, Zenith Infotech Ltd., an international company serving over 4,000 IT service providers worldwide, is hosting a managed IT services showcase March 10 from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Courtyard Atlanta Roswell, located at 1500 Market Blvd. The event, one of 124 U.S. open houses scheduled for the first quarter of 2010, is sponsored by Autotask, the leading provider of web-based IT services management software.

IT service providers attending the open house will see live 'managed services' infrastructure demonstrations, and business continuity products and services. Together, these solutions enable small- and-midsized businesses (SMBs) to automate IT processes and more efficiently run their operations.

"Managing a network infrastructure can be labor intensive one day and practically maintenance-free the next, which - for SMBs in particular - can be problematic from a resourcing standpoint," said Stephan Cico, Zenith Infotech manager of Technical Sales. "By implementing managed services solutions, SMBs are assured that dollars allocated to IT systems are maximized and support is available 24/7/365."

The growing adoption of outsourced IT systems management reflects a trend reported recently by Gartner Inc. where "current spending on IT or business process services exceeds spending on hardware and software combined, in an overall IT services market expected to approach $1 trillion by the end of 2014."

For more information or to register for this event, visit http://www.zenithinfotech.com/register.

About Zenith Infotech

Zenith Infotech Ltd. is a leading provider of remote monitoring and management (RMM), backup and disaster recovery, and virtual help-desk solutions for managed services providers worldwide. The company's award-winning solutions enable its technology partners to scale their business without increasing their overhead.

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091228/LA30713LOGO
AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Zenith Infotech Ltd.
   

CONTACT:  Lynette Bohanan, +1-813-727-0196,
lbohanan@commcentricsolutions.com, of CommCentric Solutions Inc. for Zenith
Infotech Ltd.

U.S. Chamber Awards Dataprise, Inc. with a 2010 Blue Ribbon DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award

IT Services Firm is One of Three Maryland Businesses Recognized for Its Commitment to Employees, Customers and Community

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 4 -- Dataprise, Inc. (http://www.dataprise.com/), a Rockville, Maryland-based leading information technology services provider and systems integrator that solves the technology challenges of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), is pleased to announce it has been recognized as one of the 75 nationwide recipients of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Blue Ribbon DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award.

"Dataprise is honored to be recognized by the U.S. Chamber," said David Eisner, President, CEO and founder. "More than 15 years ago Dataprise started as a one-man operation in a Washington, D.C. area apartment and since then we have added more than 110 employees and service more than 1,000 clients annually. Our firm is proud to be trusted by so many small-and medium-sized businesses as their comprehensive technology partner."

The Blue Ribbon Small Business Award, sponsored by Sam's Club®, is designed to recognize businesses that demonstrate excellent business practices in several areas, including business strategy, employee development, community involvement, and customer service.

"Winners of the Blue Ribbon Small Business Award exemplify the great success that can be achieved through the American free enterprise system," said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. "This award is about more than recognizing financially successful businesses. It's about honoring those that show a commitment to their employees, sound business practices, and bettering their communities."

Dataprise has successfully evolved with the marketplace, but it never forgot a promise established at its inception - to let organizations manage their businesses while the firm manages their IT infrastructures. One key to the firm's success is its ground-breaking approach to providing IT services through its Signature® Network Support plans.  By focusing on the people, technology and process of each client, Dataprise custom-tailors solutions to fit any budget and IT challenge.  The company calls this FantasTECH(TM) customer service, where fantastic technology meets fantastic service.

Throughout its history, Dataprise has been critically acclaimed and has won numerous awards most recently being recognized as one of the 50 "Great Places to Work" in Washingtonian magazine's biennial "2009 Great Places to Work" award issue.

Dataprise was selected from a record number of nationwide applicants and will be honored at America's Small Business Summit 2010, May 17-19, in Washington, D.C. On March 15, seven of the Blue Ribbon businesses will be announced as award finalists, and one will be named the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year during America's Small Business Summit.

ABOUT DATAPRISE, INC.

Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Dataprise, Inc. is a leading information technology services provider and systems integrator that solves the technology challenges of small- and medium-sized business. With offices in Washington, DC, New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Northern Virginia, Dataprise is an outsourced technology partner to hundreds of clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic, helping organizations manage their networks and leverage their technology investments. Dataprise offers affordable technical support and consulting services including its Signature® Network Support plans and its FantasTECH(TM) service. These comprehensive, scalable plans meet the unique needs of small and medium-size enterprises by offering a holistic and personalized approach to technology support services. Visit http://www.dataprise.com/ to learn more about Dataprise.

ABOUT THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

To learn more about America's Small Business Summit, visit http://www.uschambersummit.com.

Source: Dataprise, Inc.
   

CONTACT:  Debbi Mayster of DMM Communications, LLC, +1-301-770-8738,
+1-240-988-6243 (cell), debbi@dmmcomm.com

Web Site:  http://www.dataprise.com/

BIC Lighter Launches Concert Lighter Application

SHELTON, Conn., March 4 -- Almost every concert-goer has had the experience of attending a rock concert and seeing BIC lighters aglow throughout the massive crowd signaling appreciation of a particular song or to request an encore. Nowadays it is a mix of cell phone screens and BIC lighters.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/NY64566 )

"BIC continues the tradition of being there with the free BIC Concert Lighter application for Apple® iPhone®, Apple® iPod touch®, Google Android(TM) devices, and BlackBerry® Storm(TM)," said Mark Funderburk, associate brand manager - Lighters, BIC Consumer Products USA. "Users can virtually experience BIC's authentic flick sound and select their favorite lighter design to use on the phone. There is even a unique concert mode feature that lets you zoom-to-flame providing a big realistic flame to hold high above the crowd."

For more information on the BIC Concert Lighter Application, visit http://www.flickyourbic.com/concertLighter.cfm.

BIC Consumer Products USA (http://www.bicworldusa.com) is a leading distributor of stationery products, lighters and shavers. Since its founding more than 50 years ago, BIC has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable products. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands in the world today.

Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/NY64566
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BIC Consumer Products USA
   

CONTACT:  Jill Klimack of BIC Corporation, +1-203-783-2051 (office),
+1-203-500-3815 (cell), jill.klimack@bicworld.com

Web Site:  http://www.bicworldusa.com/

Corsair has just announced a new line up of SSDs. They will be using the SandForce SF-1200 SSD controller at the heart to provide 280MB/s read and 260MB/s write speeds. They support TRIM and will be available in capacities of 100GB and 200GB. This means that there will be a large chunk of extra storage for block relocation and wear leveling.

Quote

Features

• Maximum sequential read speed 285MB/second
• Maximum sequential write speed 275 MB/second
• Latest generation Sandforce controller and MLC NAND flash for fast performance
• Internal SATA II connectivity
• TRIM support (O/S support required)
• No moving parts for increased durability and reliability and quieter operations over standard hard disk drives
• Decreased power usage for increased notebook or netbook battery life
• 2.5" form factor for your portable computer needs
• Included 2.5" to 3.5" bracket for installation on your desktop computer
• Two year warranty

Press Release: »http://www.aselabs.com/news.php?id=6353

Product Page: http://www.corsair.com/products/ssd_force/