BetterEditor.org Media News

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- ProQuest has signed an agreement with Nelson Mandela to digitize No Easy Walk to Freedom - a collection of articles, speeches, letters and trial transcripts documenting Mandela's life and imprisonment. This historic volume will be made available in the December release of ProQuest's African Writers Series, a digital collection which offers access to many of the key texts for research on twentieth-century African literatures. Published under ProQuest's Chadwyck-Healey(TM) imprint, the African Writers Series online contains works by major contemporary authors as well as classic earlier texts and new writing, and opens up new possibilities for scholarship and teaching in the fields of African and literary studies.

"Nelson Mandela holds a unique place in the global imagination as a symbol of African freedom and independence, and No Easy Walk to Freedom is one of the most significant works of the anti-apartheid movement. ProQuest is privileged to be able to republish this volume as part of our digital edition of the African Writers Series," said Dan Burnstone, Publishing Director, Chadwyck- Healey(TM).

The African Writers Series digital collection is drawn from the print volumes of the Heinemann African Writers Series. Founded in 1962 with the aim of publishing writing by black African writers for an African readership, the Heinemann series grew as African nations won independence and leading writers began to forge distinctive national literatures throughout the continent. The publication of this historic collection in online form restores access to a substantial body of literature, much of which is out of print and now only accessible in specialist libraries.

No Easy Walk to Freedom was originally published by Heinemann in 1965, and reprinted in the African Writers Series in 1973. At the time, Mandela was still in prison, and his works were banned in South Africa, but the global publication of his works was an important part of publicizing and gathering support for the anti-apartheid movement abroad. The printed African Writes Series also includes a number of important non-fiction works by African political figures, such as Steve Biko's I Write What I Like (already part of ProQuest's digital collection).

ProQuest's online edition of the African Writers Series currently contains over 2,200 poems, prose works and plays, and when complete is expected to include more than 300 volumes from the original print series. Its sophisticated search and browse capabilities support innovative research and teaching. All authors in the collection are indexed by gender, nationality and dates of birth/death. All texts are indexed by details of first publication (date, place, publisher and language) and, where appropriate, details of first publication in the print series. The African Writers Series is available as a stand-alone, or can be fully integrated within ProQuest's popular Literature Online(R), where its content can be cross-searched with over 350,000 works of English and American literature. The standalone interface includes a new Cover Gallery with links to full-colour images of Heinemann's striking, original book cover designs.

If you would like further product information please visit www.proquest.com

About ProQuest

ProQuest combines the strengths of two leading and historic information technology firms: ProQuest Information and Learning and CSA. The company provides seamless access to and navigation of more than 125 billion digital pages of the world's scholarship, delivering it to the desktop and into the workflow of serious researchers in multiple fields, from arts, literature, and social science to science, technology, and medicine. ProQuest is part of Cambridge Information Group (www.cambridgeinformationgroup.com).

ProQuest's vast content pools are available to researchers through libraries of all types and include the world's largest digital newspaper archive, periodical databases comprising the output of more than 9,000 titles and spanning more than 500 years, the preeminent dissertation collection, and various other scholarly collections. Users access the information through the ProQuest(R) and CSA Illumina(TM) online information systems, Chadwyck- Healey(TM) electronic and microform resources, UMI(R) microform and print reference products, eLibrary(R) and SIRS(R) educational resources, Ulrich's(R) Serials Analysis System, COS Scholar Universe, and Serials Solutions(R) resource management tools. Through the expertise of business units Serials Solutions and COS, ProQuest provides technological tools that allow researchers and libraries to better manage and use their information resources. For more information, visit www.proquest.com and www.csa.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: ProQuest

CONTACT: Tina Orozco, Publicist, ProQuest, +1-734-761-4700 x2540,
Tina.Orozco@il.proquest.com

Web site:

http://www.proquest.com/
http://www.csa.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

Nixon Offers Tips on How to Select a Highly Effective Background Screening Firm:

LAKE FOREST, Calif., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Background screenings have increased more than tenfold over the last ten years since most organizations have made it part of their standard hiring process. Information technology advances have enabled online sources for conducting screenings to offer cheap and quick background screening information and these businesses have exploded in the marketplace. Concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the data that many of these services provide has increased at a commensurate rate. To help businesses make sense of the more than 2,000 background screening firms in the marketplace, PreemploymentDirectory.com, the leading online directory for sourcing background screening firms, has created a comprehensive guide for Human Resource Managers on how to effectively select a background screening firm. "Our goal is to provide a clear and concise set of criteria that businesses can use to decipher the many offerings and gauge their effectiveness," commented Nixon. He also stated that businesses need to understand that "A good background screening firm can keep you out of hot water, while a poor one can get you into hot water.

According to Nixon, there are 10 Primary Factors to Consider in Selecting a Background Screening Firm:

1. Provides 'Full Service' background screening including:
-- Verification of identity, e.g., social security, etc.
-- Criminal and civil records; Felonies and misdemeanors (where allowed
by law)
-- County, State and Federal records
-- Driving and professional license records
-- Previous employment, military experience and education verification
-- Credit history, as applicable
-- Terrorist check

2. Certifies that all information sent to clients will comply with
applicable federal, state and local privacy, EEO, consumer reporting,
etc. laws.

3. Certifies that criminal background checks are conducted on all
permanent and temporary staff.

4. Response time meets their client's hiring needs

5. Has a written policy defining how they protect personal identifiable
information.

6. Has certification in states that require background screening firms to
be certified.

7. Fully explains limitations of National Databases to clients.

8. Has the capability to interface and/or to integrate with the client's
HR information system(s).

9. Has the capability to collect information from court houses in
jurisdictions appropriate to meet clients needs and provides reporting
processes congruent with client's needs.

10. Have specific procedures in place to shield client from receiving
'protected information' or information that might expose the client to
legal liability.

Mr. Nixon is also the creator of the award winning web site www.workplaceviolence911.com and the Ultimate Workplace Violence Prevention Policy Maker Software.

Complete details and a full review of background screening issues can be found at www.PreemploymentDirectory.com or by contacting W. Barry Nixon at 949-770-5264 or emailing wbnixon@aol.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: W. Barry Nixon

CONTACT: W. Barry Nixon, +1-949-770-5264, wbnixon@aol.com

Web site:

http://www.preemploymentdirectory.com/
http://www.workplaceviolence911.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

LANCASTER, Pa., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- For business-to-business marketers who are struggling to make sense of the new media spawned by the Internet, Godfrey suggests an innovative solution -- a media "lobotomy."

"B-to-B marketers should forget everything they know about media planning," says Stacy Whisel, media director. "They have an ever-expanding array of media available to them, from search and online advertising to webinars and Podcasts to social media (blogs, Wikis and discussion boards)."

B-to-B marketers can learn more about new media options -- and how Media Channel Planning can help them make the right choices -- by downloading Godfrey's white paper, "Proliferation of Options Requires B-to-B Media Channel Planning," at http://www.godfrey.com/experience/media.aspx.

"In addition to the number of new media choices available to B-to-B marketers in the 2.0 world, today's media present new communications capabilities that allow subtleties of use and approach," Whisel adds. "To exploit these opportunities heightens the value of media planning and transforms tactical media buying into what we call strategic Media Channel Planning."

According to Whisel, Media Channel Planning is the process of selecting the proper media channels to achieve the desired marketing outcomes.

"More than ever before, different media excel at different parts of the buying cycle," Whisel says. "So the choice of B-to-B marketing media no longer revolves around rates and reach, but is a more integral part of marketing strategy."

Godfrey believes there are five important aspects to Media Channel Planning for B-to-B marketing in a 2.0 world:

1. Media agnosticism. The new realities require that planners scan the
media landscape and fashion a program specifically targeted to the
needs of a marketer's technology, product or service.
2. Customer focus. B-to-B marketers need to understand who the members
of the buying team are, what they need and, more than ever, their
habits and behaviors on the job and on their own time.
3. Integration. It has always been important to integrate advertising,
direct response, public relations and web activity. Media
fragmentation makes an integrated approach even more crucial.
4. Targeting. Never before have media professionals and marketing
communicators been able to target customers and prospects so
precisely, so far along the selling spectrum.
5. Accountability, Accountability, Accountability. The new media enable
a level of measurement unprecedented in B-to-B media. That means not
only better information, but also faster feedback.

Godfrey provides full-service, integrated business-to-business branding and marketing communications services. The agency offers research, brand management, advertising, public relations, digital marketing, search (SEO and SEM), media, direct marketing and analytics services.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Godfrey

CONTACT: Steve Graham of Godfrey, +1-717-393-3831, sgraham@godfrey.com

Web site:

http://www.godfrey.com/experience/media.aspx

-------
Profile: Media News

HARRISBURG, N.C., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- National Speed Sport News, America's oldest weekly auto racing newspaper, has announced an all new online fantasy racing game as a feature of its new website, which can be accessed at www.nationalspeedsportnews.com.

"We're very proud of our new website," said Corinne Economaki, president/publisher of NSSN, "We believe it will help us attract a new generation of race fans who want their news and exclusive content and commentary immediately. Now, with the addition of our unique new online fantasy racing game, we'll give the racing fan even more reason to visit and bookmark our website. The game is fun, free and easy to play. And game winning race fans can win some nice weekly and championship prizes, too!"

Unlike other games which follow only one series, with restrictions by budget or group regarding the driver 'starts' a player can use, the National Speed Sport News Fantasy Motorsports Franchise League(R) game follows all the major racing series. Every weekend, players pick a total of seven race entries, including at least one from any Cup, Busch, Truck, IndyCar, Champ Car, F-1 and Daytona Prototype race scheduled. When all the races are finished, players receive points from their 'starters' to compete for prizes. Weekly competition prizes will be awarded to players for the most points scored; championship prizes will also be awarded to the players who have scored the most cumulative points all season.

The fall '07 NSSN FMFL game begins with the race weekend that starts on Wednesday, August 22nd, with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Bristol. With weekend racing including one race from each of the seven top series, players will have to pick one entry per race. The deadline for all seven starter picks will be 12 noon EST on Wednesday, August 22nd; all deadlines are at 12 o'clock EST prior to each weekend's first race. The game runs through the Champ Car season finale in Phoenix on December 2, 2007. Players must be 18 years or older and legal residents of the United States to be eligible for prizes. Participants must also use a valid, unblocked email address.

NSSN has been a pinnacle in the history of auto racing and has produced the most exclusive and trustworthy coverage of any motorsports publication. NSSN has offered the most extensive coverage of motorsports around the world since 1934. Featuring the column written by the legendary Chris Economaki since 1950, and contributions from racing's most talented reporters and columnists, NSSN provides reliable weekly content for serious fans, drivers, crew members and industry leaders. In addition, NSSN is the only motorsports periodical on Library of Congress microfilm.

For further information, or to register to play, please visit www.nationalspeedsportnews.com.

Source: National Speed Sport News

CONTACT: Liz Mellott of National Speed Sport News, +1-704-455-8045,
lizm@nationalspeedsportnews.com

Web site:

http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. ("AccessIT") (NASDAQ:AIXD), the digital cinema leader, has been selected from more than 10 million U.S. businesses nationwide as one of Entrepreneur Magazine's Hot 500 in its August issue.

Ranked No. 60, AccessIT is recognized by Entrepreneur for creating a national network of Internet data centers, then growing and acquiring more companies, including Hollywood Software, Boeing Digital Cinema, FiberSat Global Services, Unique Screen Media and The Bigger Picture. The magazine touts the strategic acquisitions for helping develop the company as the "leading global provider of tools for the motion picture entertainment industry to convert film to digital cinema."

"We have a terrific team at AccessIT who have all worked hard to recognize opportunities in digital cinema, identify industry needs, and then put the two together. It is gratifying to be honored by Entrepreneur for these efforts," said Bud Mayo, AccessIT's Chief Executive Officer.

The Hot 500 rankings are compiled with the help of research organization Corporate Research Board. The selection criteria includes company sales in 2002 of $1 million or greater, positive job growth between 2002 and 2006, and a minimum level of sales growth or a sales-growth quantifier of 1 or higher during the five years. Companies with more than $1 billion in sales are excluded. And, to be eligible, the founder must be actively involved in the company, and the company cannot be a spinoff or a division of a larger company.

AccessIT was founded in 2000 by a Mayo led group that included Brett Marks, Kevin Farrell, and Kevin Booth. Sales have grown from $4.2 million in 2002 to $46.9 million in 2006. The number of employees have grown from 6 to 350 in 2006 and a projected 370 by the end of this year.

Mayo shared AccessIT's "tipping point" with the magazine, which is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs worldwide to start and grow successful companies.

"The key for AccessIT was when our digital deployment efforts reached 1,000 screens," Mayo said. "We're well past that now with our sights set on the next major milestone: 4,000 digital screens by the end of October."

AccessIT has deployed digital cinema systems to almost 2,900 screens with such exhibitors as Carmike Cinemas, Celebration Cinema, Cinema West, Cinetopia, Emagine, Galaxy, Marquee Cinemas, MJR Theatres, Neighborhood Cinema Group, Showplace Cinemas, Rave, UltraStar, and AccessIT's Pavilion Digital Showcase Cinema.

Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AccessIT) provides theater operators the first and only studio-backed digital cinema system delivering nearly three million digital screenings of Hollywood feature films to date. The company's fully networked digital cinema system provides feature films and alternative content via satellite to expand box office sales and develop new ways to attract incremental revenues. Through its alternative content division, The Bigger Picture, AccessIT offers channels of programming including Kidtoons, Faith Based, Music and Anime. The ongoing 4,000-screen deployment is the largest of its kind in the world. Access Integrated Technologies(R) and AccessIT(TM) are trademarks of Access Integrated Technologies, Inc. For more information on AccessIT, visit www.accessitx.com. [AIXD-G]

Contact:

Suzanne Moore
AccessIT
973.290.0056
smoore@accessitx.com

Trent Freeman
Casey Sayre & Williams
310.396.2400
tfreeman@cswpr.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.

CONTACT: Suzanne Moore of AccessIT, +1-973-290-0056,
smoore@accessitx.com; or Trent Freeman of Casey Sayre & Williams,
+1-310-396-2400, tfreeman@cswpr.com, for Access Integrated Technologies, Inc.

Web site:

http://www.accessitx.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

NEW YORK, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Assessment Governing Board just released the achievement results for U.S. 12th-grade students on the 2006 National Assessment of Educational Progress. The Nation's Report Card: Economics 2006, the first-ever NAEP test in economics, was administered to 11,500 students in 590 public and nonpublic schools. The report includes data on economics course-taking and provides examples of what students do -- and do not know -- about national and international economic concepts and personal finance topics.

The Assessment shows that 79% of students have an understanding of at least the basics of economics, but only 42% performed at a proficiency level, and only 3% had a grasp of advanced economics. The average score of male students was higher than the average score of females, and White and Asian/Pacific Islander students scored higher, on average, than other racial groups.

According to Robert Duvall, President and CEO of the NCEE, "The assessment provides good news and challenging news. It is encouraging that a large percentage of students have a basic understanding of economics, however, less than half of the students performed at the proficient level. There's more work to be done! The economic well-being of our nation and our capacity to be competitive in the global economy depend on effective economic and personal finance education. This report gives us a picture of where we are succeeding and where we need more attention."

"Economics has become mainstream and the NCEE's issue is clearly a national issue. No longer is the question 'Should we take action on improving economic education?' but 'How shall we do it'," said Duvall.

According to the NCEE, economic education must be taught state-by-state, because that is where curriculum decisions are made. The federal government must encourage states to place economic and personal finance education not only into state standards, but into the core curriculum. Once in the core curriculum, these subjects must be required, taught, taught well, taken and tested.

The relationship between economic literacy and economic stability has reached the headlines. And according to a 2006 NCEE survey, states are not making sufficient progress in offering and requiring economic and finance education in the schools. Consequently, the majority of students are not receiving the essential real-life economic skills they need to become knowledgeable consumers, prudent savers and investors, and productive members of the workforce.

"In this context, it is our responsibility to ensure that the solution begins in our schools, because economic and financial literacy is not intuitive. It is learned," said Duvall. "I am encouraged that the Assessment was done for economics. Now we have important data to measure our progress in the coming years. Our goal is that 100 percent of our students would have a basic understanding, and that at least half the students would be advanced," stated Duvall.

The NCEE (www.ncee.net) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving economic, financial, and entrepreneurship literacy. Both directly and through its unique nationwide network of State Councils and more than 200 university-based Centers for Economic Education, NCEE's programs reach over 150,000 K-12 teachers and more than 15 million students each year.

Contact: Alice Leeds, 212-874-0675

aleeds@nyc.rr.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The National Council on Economic Education (NCEE)

CONTACT: Alice Leeds, +1-212-874-0675, aleeds@nyc.rr.com

Web site:

http://www.ncee.net/

-------
Profile: Media News