BetterEditor.org Media News

Japan Leading Economic Indicators and Related Composite Indexes for November 2007

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Board reports today that the leading index for Japan remained unchanged, while the coincident index increased 0.3 percent in November.

-- The leading index was unchanged in November following four consecutive
declines, and there were downward revisions to the previous several
months, as data for the real operating profits for the third quarter
of 2007 became available. Dwelling units started made the largest
positive contribution to the leading index this month, but this was
offset by large declines in the stock price index and the six-month
growth rate of labor productivity in manufacturing. The six-month
growth rate of the leading index continued to slow, to a -2.2 percent
rate from May to November (a -4.3 percent annual rate), well below the
5.0 percent annual rate reached in the first half of 2006. However,
the strengths and weaknesses among the leading indicators have
continued to be somewhat balanced over the past six months.

-- The coincident index increased again in November, and the strength in
the coincident index continued to be widespread among its components.
Moreover, its six-month growth rate has remained within the 0.5 to 1.5
percent range (about a 1.5 - 2.5 percent annual rate) since early
2006. At the same time, real GDP growth picked up to a 1.5 percent
annual rate in the third quarter of 2007, from the 0.7 percent average
annual rate in the first half of the year. The continued weakness in
the leading index so far suggests that the economy is likely to grow
at a sluggish pace in the near term.

LEADING INDICATORS. Five of the ten components that make up the leading index increased in November. The positive contributors to the index -- in order from the largest positive contributor to the smallest -- include dwelling units started, interest rate spread, the index of overtime worked, the (inverted) business failures*, and the new orders for machinery and construction component*. The negative contributors -- in order from the largest negative contributor to the smallest -- include stock prices, the six month growth rate of labor productivity, the Tankan business conditions survey, real operating profits*, and real money supply.

Holding steady in November, the leading index now stands at 85.0 (1990=100). Based on revised data, this index decreased 0.2 percent in October and decreased 1.4 percent in September. During the six-month span through November, the index decreased 2.2 percent, and five of the ten components advanced (diffusion index, six-month span equals 50.0 percent).

COINCIDENT INDICATORS. Two of the four components that make up the coincident index increased in November. The positive contributors to the index -- in order from the larger positive contributor to the smaller -- include number of employed persons and wage and salary income*. Industrial production declined, while real retail, wholesale, and manufacturing sales remained unchanged in November.

With the increase of 0.3 percent in November, the coincident index now stands at 109.2 (1990=100). Based on revised data, this index increased 0.5 percent in October and decreased 0.3 percent in September. During the six- month span through November, the index increased 0.6 percent, and all four components advanced (diffusion index, six-month span equals 100.0 percent).

DATA AVAILABILITY AND NOTES. The data series used to compute the two composite indexes reported in this release are those available "as of" 5:00 P.M. ET January 8, 2008. Some series are estimated as noted below.

* The series in the leading index that are based on The Conference Board estimates are real operating profits, new orders for machinery, and the six- month growth rate of labor productivity. The series in the coincident index that are based on The Conference Board estimates are real manufacturing sales and wage and salary income.

Summary Table of Composite Indexes
2007 6-month
Sep Oct Nov May to Nov

Leading index 85.2 p 85.0 p 85.0 p
Percent Change -1.4 p -0.2 p 0.0 p -2.2 p
Diffusion 70.0 40.0 50.0 50.0

Coincident Index 108.4 108.9 p 109.2 p
Percent Change -0.3 0.5 p 0.3 p 0.6 p
Diffusion 25.0 87.5 62.5 100.0

n.a. Not available p Preliminary r Revised
Indexes equal 100 in 1990
Source: The Conference Board All Rights Reserved

For more information, visit our Website:

http://http//www.conference-board.org/economics/bci

The next release of the Japan Composite Indexes is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 8:00 P.M. (ET)
In Japan --- February 6, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. (JST)

Source: The Conference Board

CONTACT: Indicator Program, +1-212-339-0330, or Media, Frank Tortorici,
+1-212-339-0231, or Carol Courter, +1-212-339-0232, both of The Conference
Board

Web site:

http://www.conference-board.org/
http://http//www.conference-board.org/economics/bci

-------
Profile: Media News

Best Ever Potty Training Tips Include New Potty Watch

SANDY, Utah, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Potty Watch, the kid friendly toilet training tool created by Potty Time, Inc. (pottytimeinc.com), made a list of "20 Best Ever Potty Training Tips" on Parents.com, the e-companion to the popular Parents magazine. The Potty Watch mention came from a reader who had used the playful timer with her own child.

"We found that our son simply was not interested in remembering to go on his own, so we found the Potty Watch, which he loved. You program this wrist watch to play songs and light up at 30-, 60-, or 90-minute intervals; then it resets itself and starts the countdown all over again," said Heather Ledeboer to Parents.com.

Pamela Parkinson, CEO of Potty Time, Inc., points to this as another example of the great experience people have with the Potty Watch and their willingness to share that experience. The grassroots company has put a lot of effort into creating and developing a product that is both fun and useful.

"We have held the belief that a well-designed, fun product will do more in the current marketplace than most marketing campaigns," said Parkinson. "When people love your product they talk about it for you. Having sold into 48 states on word-of-mouth advertising, we continue to rely on great product development that really serves parents and children."

The pediatrician recommended Potty Watch is available at retail locations across the United States listed in a store locator at http://www.pottytimeinc.com/. For more information about the Potty Watch or to buy directly from Potty Time, Inc., go to http://www.pottytimeinc.com/ or call 801-523-5080.

About Potty Time, Inc.

Potty Time, Inc. is a family-owned company dedicated to providing potty training solutions that help children grow while helping parents cope. Their flagship product, the Potty Watch, carries a seal of approval from Pediatrics.com and complies with ASTM Standards for product quality and safety.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Potty Time, Inc.

CONTACT: Bob Shawgo of The Shawgo Group, +1-801-362-9077,
bshawgo@shawgogroup.com, for Potty Time, Inc.

Web site:

http://www.pottytimeinc.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Promontory, Utah's family-friendly, luxury, second-home community overlooking historic Park City, is once again in the top 10 of Travel + Leisure Golf magazine's "America's Top 100 Golf Communities" list for the third consecutive year, ranking No. 6 in the magazine's 2008 edition.

"We are very pleased by this distinctive honor," said Francis Najafi, CEO of Pivotal Group, developer of Promontory. "With our new Jack Nicklaus Signature Course joining our Pete Dye Canyon Golf Course last year, and courses on the way from Forrest Richardson and Tom Weiskopf, it's evident why Promontory is the top-ranked golf destination in the Rockies."

T+L Golf's January / February issue depicts Promontory as one of America's best communities to live with 36 holes of championship golf and a broad range of amenities available to its members, including a state-of-the-art Equestrian Center, fly-fishing, skiing, world-class member clubhouse (featuring a tennis court, waterslides and indoor gym) and the innovative Kinnikinnick Kids Cabin.

"It's an honor to be recognized for the community we've built," said Rich Sonntag, Managing Director of Promontory. "The ranking is more than just a number, it's an acknowledgement of the outstanding people and programming that makes Promontory exceptional."

The ranking by Travel + Leisure Golf adds to the growing list of awards and recognitions for Promontory, including the November / December 2007 issue of Travel + Leisure Golf in which The Painted Valley Course was named one of the ten "Best New Courses 2007" and accolades for the Dye Canyon Course Golf Shop, which was named one of the top "100 Best Golf Shops" for 2008 by Golf World magazine, and received further distinction as one of the top 25 private golf shops.

Other awards for Promontory in 2007 include:
-- Robb Report: ranked one of the "Top 10 Golf Communities in the U.S."
-- Golf Connoisseur: ranked one of the "Top 40 Golf Communities in the
U.S."
-- Mountain Living: ranked one of the "Top 19 Golf Communities in the
U.S."
-- Luxury Living: ranked one of the "Top U.S. Private Golf Communities"

Additional Information: Visit www.promontoryclub.com or call 888.458.6600.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Pivotal Group

CONTACT: Susan Zevon, +1-212-891-0230, susanz@lhammond.com, Sarah
Fletcher, +1-212-891-0120, or Kate Telfeyan, +1-212-891-0116, all of Lou
Hammond & Associates, for Pivotal Group

Web site:

http://www.promontoryclub.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- American Media, Inc. (AMI) today said that it has made available at its corporate website certain information currently required to be disclosed on a monthly basis to the Company's lenders under its amended Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

The information, which includes the average estimated monthly circulation of certain key magazine titles during the period April 2007 through December 2007, as well as the recent levels of the Company's Revolving Credit Facility drawdowns and cash balances, is available at: http://www.americanmediainc.com/januarybankinfo

About American Media, Inc.

American Media, Inc. is the leading publisher of celebrity journalism and health and fitness magazines in the U.S. These include Star, Shape, Men's Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and The National Enquirer. In addition to print properties, AMI owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country's #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

Contact: Todd Fogarty
Kekst and Company
212-521-4854

Source: American Media, Inc.

CONTACT: Todd Fogarty of Kekst and Company for American Media, Inc.,
+1-212-521-4854

Web site:

http://www.americanmediainc.com/januarybankinfo

-------
Profile: Media News

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- From 1990 - 2000, the Hispanic population in the U.S. grew 60% [Source: Census 2000 Brief, "The Hispanic Population," May 2001]. To meet both the need of increasingly diverse library communities, and for current news on the fastest growing minority in the U.S., ProQuest will soon launch the largest digital collection of U.S. Hispanic Newspapers available on a single interface. ProQuest U.S. Hispanic Newsstand will aggregate content from the nation's premier Hispanic publishers.

"ProQuest continues to expand its newspaper offerings so that libraries can meet the needs of nearly any patron," said Rod Gauvin, senior vice president, ProQuest. "Newspapers have a unique ability to connect people to the world around them, from major global social issues to what's happening in their home town. ProQuest U.S. Hispanic Newsstand titles are invaluable for any scholar studying Hispanic culture, history, politics and art."

ProQuest U.S. Hispanic Newsstand currently contains coverage from more than 30 titles representing both major cities with large Hispanic populations, as well as cities with growing Hispanic populations. Key titles include:

Conexion (San Antonio, TX), Deporte Total (Tampa, FL), El Comercio (Manassas, VA), El Imparcial (Cicero, IL), El Periodico USA (McAllen, TX), El Vocero Hispano (Grand Rapids, MI), Extra (Chicago, IL), Fin de Semana (NY, NY), Hispanic PR Wire (Miami, FL), Hispano de Tulsa (Tulsa, OK), Hoy (NY,NY), La Palma (West Palm Beach, FL), NOTIMEX (Mexico City, Mexico), Prensa Mexicana (Tampa, FL), Que Onda! (Houston, TX), and Reflejos (Arlington Heights, IL).

U.S. Hispanic Newsstand will be fully searchable via the ProQuest platform. Subscribers will be able to cross search U.S. Hispanic Newsstand with their other ProQuest Newsstand subscription(s). It has content in both English and Spanish, and both languages can be used in searching for relevant articles.

Unlocking access to unique content is part of the ProQuest strategy to create a total newspaper solution for libraries, serving all their news needs through a single source. The vast ProQuest news content pool includes 19 million pages of the digitized historical archives of major U.S. dailies. Its extensive current collection includes more than 500 newspapers from around the world. ProQuest's newspaper solutions also include such unique delivery systems as NewspaperDirect, which allows libraries to get direct access to more than 450 international and domestic dailies in full-page format.

About ProQuest

ProQuest 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 pre-eminent 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, www.proquest.co.uk, and www.csa.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: ProQuest

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

Web site:

http://www.proquest.com/
http://www.proquest.co.uk/
http://www.csa.com/
http://www.cambridgeinformationgroup.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, ProQuest will launch the largest aggregated full-text database for libraries. The new database, called ProQuest Central, will serve as the foundational research collection for academic libraries. ProQuest Central will offer more than 11,000 titles (8,000 in full text) and more than 160 subject areas covering core academic disciplines.

"Libraries are dealing with end users that are increasingly frustrated when starting their research -- not knowing which resource to start with, or which will deliver the most full text resources," said Senior Vice President, Higher Education Publishing, Suzanne BeDell. "ProQuest Central offers the most full text scholarly publications in a single database. As the crown jewel of our aggregated offering, we anticipate that it will be the single most used database across disciplines and will give libraries a solid starting place for the diverse needs of their patrons. The launch of ProQuest Central helps fulfill our mission to create indispensable research solutions that connect people and information."

ProQuest Central's coverage of over 160 subject areas include core disciplines such as business and economics, medical and health, news and world affairs, science, education, technology, humanities, social sciences, psychology, literature, law, and nursing.

ProQuest Central, available now, combines content from top publishers such as Cambridge University Press, Emerald Group Publishing, MIT Sloan Management Review, Palgrave, Oxford University Press, Dow Jones, and more. Multiple content types are available, including scholarly and general reference journals, newspapers, full-text dissertations, company annual reports, industry reports, country reports, working papers, and more.

About ProQuest

ProQuest 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 pre-eminent 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, www.proquest.co.uk, and www.csa.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: ProQuest

CONTACT: North America, Tina Taylor, Publicist, ProQuest,
+1-734-761-4700 x2540, tina.taylor@proquest.com; Outside of North America,
Sharlene Tilley, Director of International Marketing, ProQuest,
+44 1223 271 437, sharlene.tilley@proquest.co.uk

Web site:

http://www.proquest.com/
http://www.proquest.co.uk/
http://www.csa.com/
http://www.cambridgeinformationgroup.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

GCS and WSB-TV Partner to Collect Bags at 25 Georgia Locations

ATLANTA, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) -- the largest private oncology/ hematology practice in the Southeast -- will team up with WSB-TV for the sixth annual "Totes 2 Tots" suitcase drive. The event will be held at 25 GCS offices across Georgia on Friday, January 18, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Totes 2 Tots" delivers new or nearly new suitcases to foster children in Georgia, many of whom must shuffle their belongings from home to home in garbage bags during frequent relocations. The annual volunteer event was first launched by GCS in 2003 and has collected and distributed over 8,200 bags.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to support Georgia's foster community, which is often overlooked," said Dr. Bruce Feinberg, President/CEO of GCS. "We are thrilled that this event will be the biggest and most productive to date."

The Totes program has also gained the avid support of Governor Sonny Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue. They are very active in the foster community and have been foster parents themselves.

"I'm pleased to join Totes 2 Tots and many other Georgians in finding ways to meet the needs of abused and neglected children in their own communities," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "This endeavor encourages and enables us to truly make a difference in the life of a child."

2008's 25 locations -- expanded from 13 in 2007 -- include GCS offices in Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta, Austell, Blairsville, Blue Ridge, Canton, Conyers, Cumming, Decatur, Duluth, Douglasville, Fayetteville, Griffin, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Macon, Marietta, Milledgeville, Oconee, Ringgold, Snellville, and Stockbridge (for complete listing, visit www.gacancer.com).

"Children who come into DFCS custody are often traumatized by the experience of being separated from family members, familiar surroundings, and personal items that make up their daily experience," said Donna Pettigrew- Jackson of the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). "The luggage collected by the Totes 2 Tots program allows foster children the opportunity to carry some of their personal belongings with them into care. This wonderful initiative helps our foster children maintain both a sense of connection and a modicum of dignity during an intervention which can be difficult for them."

In 2005, WSB-TV recognized the importance of the drive and agreed to support it as a part of its Family 2 Family Project. This will be the fourth year that GCS and WSB-TV have partnered for "Totes 2 Tots." Family 2 Family is the longest running locally produced, comprehensive, station-wide public service effort in Georgia. It includes shows such as People 2 People, a weekly half-hour public affairs program hosted by Jocelyn Dorsey that chronicles events and newsmakers in metro Atlanta.

Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) is the largest private oncology/hematology practice in the Southeast and a leader in advanced cancer treatment and research. The practice offers community-based medical oncology and hematology services and is the first private oncology practice to also provide a full range of support services for patients in Georgia, including nutritional counseling, pain management, wellness counseling, and home health coordination. The GCS research department, whose focus is bringing targeted cancer therapy to communities, is the first in Georgia to offer Phase I clinical trials, the most novel cancer therapies available. GCS has 33 offices, 41 doctors, and over 540 support staff members located in Metro Atlanta and North and Central Georgia, and provides care through approximately 160,000 annual patient visits. Georgia Cancer Specialists can be found on the web at www.gacancer.com. GCS is The Cancer Answer(R).

Statistics About Georgia's Foster Children
-- 15,119 children were in foster care as of December 2005
-- 30% of those children have been in foster care more than 24 months
-- 50% were African-American
-- 41% were less than 6 years old
-- 67% were younger than 12
-- About 2,237 of those children were staying with relatives
-- About 8,386 were staying in foster homes
-- About 1,561 were in group homes
-- About 974 were housed in institutions
-- Approximately 8% of the children discharged will re-enter foster
care within 1 year
-- Foster parents are reimbursed according to the age of the child:
birth to 5, $13.75; 6-12, $15.50; 13 and above, $17.75. The rate is
higher for children needing medical care or a higher level of
supervision. Medical treatment and clothing costs are covered by
the agency.
-- Georgia's 200 group homes are reimbursed for about 68% of their
costs
-- Georgia's 4,174 foster parents are reimbursed for about 67% of
their costs
-- Those 4,174 families save the state approximately $34 million per
year
-- Georgia ranks 39 out of 50 states in overall child well being

**Statistics from Governor Sonny Perdue's web site:

http://www.gov.state.ga.us/summit_fl/statistics.shtml

CONTACT: Ryan Klee | Lenz, Inc.
404.373.2021
ryan@lenzmarketing.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Georgia Cancer Specialists

CONTACT: Ryan Klee of Lenz, Inc., +1-404-373-2021,
ryan@lenzmarketing.com, for Georgia Cancer Specialists

Web site:

http://www.gacancer.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

2007's Best Products and Technologies Honored at WCES

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sound & Vision (Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.), the world's largest entertainment equipment magazine, has announced the winners of its prestigious annual Editors' Choice Awards, with special mentions for the overall "Product of the Year," "Video Product of the Year," and the "Audio Product of the Year."

The 21 outstanding products, along with one top-drawer custom installer designated as "Custom Installer of the Year," are honored in a special feature in Sound & Vision's February/March 2008 Issue, which also celebrates the magazine's 50th Anniversary.

Sound & Vision has also awarded this special designation to products in the Custom/Multiroom A/V and Portable Product categories.

To select the award winners, Sound & Vision asks its respected reviewers to nominate products that stand out each year from approximately 120 tested. The merits of each product are then argued by the editorial staff to arrive at the final list.

"The 21 products selected for our 2007 Editors' Choice Awards stand out because of their remarkable innovation, superior performance, and/or their excellent value," explained Mike Mettler, Sound & Vision's Editor-In-Chief. "Many of them have also made the cut to appear on our esteemed Certified & Recommended list. Sound & Vision editors and our seasoned reviewing staff test dozens of cutting edge audio and video products each year, so these Award winners are the stuff that an audio/videophile's dreams are made of."

A list of 2007 Editors' Choice Award recipients follows. Information includes MSRP, the issue in which the full review appeared (either in print or online), the reviewer, and company URL.

Sound & Vision
2007 Editors' Choice Awards

VIDEO

VIDEO PRODUCT OF THE YEAR- Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-110FD 50-inch plasma HDTV ($6,000, Feb/Mar '08, reviewer: Al Griffin)

Could an HDTV get any better? Pioneer's intent was to redesign its highly regarded plasma TVs from the ground up, to make them even better. From what we've seen, they've succeeded in creating an extraordinary HDTV that any enthusiast would love to own. (www.pioneerelectronics.com)

JVC DLA-HD100 1080p D-ILA front projector ($8,000, Feb '08 Web, reviewer: Al Griffin)

JVC manages to one-up itself with its latest DiLA projector, with deeper blacks and more eye-popping whites not seen since the old CRT days. A step up in both features and performance from its predecessor, the HD1. (www.jvc.com)

LG BH200 Super Blu Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player ($999, Feb/Mar '08, reviewer: Al Griffin)

Finally, a single machine that can play everything (HD DVDs, Blu-ray, standard DVD's, even CD's) and play them well - and even hook up to a home network that allows access to the interactive Blu-ray and HD DVD features, delivering almost everything a hi-def home theater requires. (www.lge.com)

Philips 42PFL7432D 42-inch LCD HDTV ($1,799, September 2007, reviewer: Rob Sabin)

One of the year's surprises: highly stable and film-like image; unusually accurate and natural color (especially reds); outstanding at showing standard- DEF material to its best advantage; a user-friendly remote and Phillips Ambilight feature - and affordability - all add up to make this LCD a clear winner. (www.consumer.philips.com)

Samsung LN-T5281F 52-inch LED-Backlit LCD HDTV ($5,000, Feb/Mar '08, reviewer: Al Griffin)

By pushing the LCD performance envelope with their 81 series sets, Samsung's LN-T5281F featuring LED SmartLighting has staked a bright future for LCD technology in the high-end segment of the flat screen market. (www.samsungusa.com)

Sony VPL-W60 SXRD front projector ($5,000, January '08, reviewer: Al Griffin)

Sony's new "Black Pearl" exceeds its predecessor with two notable advancements: higher native contrast ratio and improved picture uniformity, giving consumers the year's best value in front projectors. (www.sonystyle.com)

Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD player ($999, May 2007, reviewer: Rob Sabin)

Making major improvements on its earlier model, the XA1, the XA2 is one of the best upscaling DVD players we've seen and deserves recognition for its outstanding performance. (www.tacp.toshiba.com)

AUDIO

AUDIO PRODUCT OF THE YEAR- PSB Synchrony speaker system ($10,000, November 2007, reviewer: Daniel Kumin)

PSB's new Flagship product for which the confirmed music/home theater enthusiast could live with for years, delivering sonic precision and musical accuracy for one-tenth what the world's most expensive 2-channel systems cost. (www.psbspeakers.com)

Axiom Epic 80/500 Speaker System ($3,332 [as tested], November 2007, reviewer: Al Griffin)

A great-looking system that combines detailed neutral sonics with the type of bass and dynamics one would expect from much more expensive systems. (www.axiomaudio.com)

Definitive Technology Mythos ST Loudspeakers ($3,598, July/August 2007, reviewer: Daniel Kumin)

Def Tech's incredibly slim floor standing system looks as good on-wall, and delivers sonically, with powerful bass, and "real audiophile-level imaging, depth and detail" that was astounding coming from a speaker this size. Our reviewer calls these speakers "the essence of elegance, both visually and sonically." (www.definitivetech.com)

Denon 4308ci A/V Receiver ($2,499, Feb-Mar '08, reviewer: Daniel Kumin)

This "impressive home theater command center" offers tremendous value, including a full color, high-def onscreen interface, plenty of power, excellent upscaling/conversion to HD formats; built-in WiFi for streaming Net radio and music file playback; HD Radio, XM and iPod expandability; Audyssey DSP set up, and extensive multizone control via your local network from any Web browser. (www.usa.denon.com)

Genelec Play 6020 Home Theater Speaker System ($3,999, December 2007, reviewer: Ken C. Pohlmann)

These self-powered home speakers, derived from the legendary Genelec Pro line of studio monitors, are "ruthlessly accurate" with a frequency response that's "flatter than Kansas." Because odds are good your recordings were mixed with Genelecs, these speakers will bring you a step closer to what the mixing engineer intended. (www.genelecusa.com)

KEF Reference 207/2 Stereo Speakers ($20,000, November 2007, reviewer: Ken C. Pohlmann)

Our reviewer calls these "the most impressive speakers I've heard in all of 2007" and likened them to a Rolls Royce - but upon further listening declared them far better than a Rolls, their "luxuriously warm sound waves" being enough to trigger positive physiological reactions. (www.kef.com)

MeridianG95 DVD Surround Receiver ($8,495, December 2007, reviewer: Daniel Kumin)

This "slim yet powerful" DVD surround receiver "for the well heeled" offers an "enormously elegant" plug-and-play solution that "delivers legitimately high-end home theater with matchless class." (www.meridian-audio.com)

Onkyo TX-SR875 A/V receiver ($1,699, October 2007, reviewer: Daniel Kumin)

A flagship-class receiver featuring excellent video-to-HDMI scaling; high- def audio format-ready; top grade auto set-up/calibration; painless user interface; XM and Sirius satellite radio expansion potential; 140 watts of power per (7) channels along with Onkyo's usual highly accomplished audio and video performance - at a value price. (www.onkyousa.com)

Paradigm Reference Signature Series Speakers ($9,395, December 2007, reviewer: Daniel Kumin)

Paradigm's latest addition to its famed "Reference Family" line of speakers are a quintet of gorgeously designed and engineered "jewel-like" compact speakers that sound as good as they look, delivering "accurate uncolored reproduction and dynamic power and "you-are-there chills." Add to this an enormous Signature Servo sub that proved to be one of the best performing subs tested. (www.paradigm.com)

Ultimate Ears UE11 In-ear Headphones ($1,150, February 2008 Web, reviewer: Rob Sabin)

These UE-11 in-ear headphones are custom-fit products intended for use by performing musicians as stage monitors - or by serious music listeners who want the best sound from their iPods. Our reviewer calls them "the perfect earplugs" that far outperform any other noise reduction 'phones on the market. (www.ultimateears.com)

Yamaha RX-V1800 A/V Receiver ($1,300, December 2007, reviewer: Michael Trei)

This receiver incorporates the latest technologies (top quality video processor and scaler; onboard decoding for Dolby Digital, True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio), easy automated setup and exhaustive DSP functions and options for an XM tuner and iPod dock - plus plenty of power for "real world" speaker systems. (www.yamaha.com/yec)

CUSTOM / MULTIROOM A/V

CUSTOM / MULTIROOM A/V PRODUCT OF THE YEAR- ReQuest iQ multiroom audio distribution system ($8,649, October 2007, reviewer: John Sciacca)

The iQ is an 8-zone,/8-source audio systems capable of serving up four music streams simultaneously - and from anywhere in the world. Besides being fun and easy to use, the iQ's amp is "an 80-watts-into-16-channels monster that produced the best sound I've heard from a distributed audio system." The iQ offers many more features including "the ultimate iTunes interface." (www.request.com)

Philips Pronto TSU 9600 Touchscreen control panel ($1,299, June 2007, reviewer: John Sciacca)

Beauty and brains: visually stunning, the Pronto's graphics look better than some HDTV screens, and the unit is customizable and powerful enough to handle any system, no matter how complex. Beyond that, the Pronto also offers out-of-the-box control and feedback for Lutron Lighting, Windows Media Center PC's, Escient, iMerge and XiVA media servers. (www.pronto.philips.com)

PORTABLE

PORTABLE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR- Apple iPhone ($399 plus a 2-year activation agreement with AT&T, October 2007, reviewer: Michael Antonoff)

Our reviewer realized he couldn't live without this product and calls it "an all-purpose digital companion that lives up to the hype." (www.apple.com)

CUSTOM INSTALLER OF THE YEAR

Chris Wyllie, owner of S.E.A.L. Solutions, Sound Beach, NY (October 2007 and also available on www.soundandvisionmag.com)

Chris Wyllie and his team demonstrated technical acumen, design talent and diplomacy - "skill, stamina, saint-like patience" - with two all but invisible whole-house installations that were done for particularly demanding and perfectionist clients in Manhattan's Chelsea district. The impressive installations are undetectable when not in use, but quickly come to life when called up. Our editors called this "one of the most elegant and seamless installations we've ever seen." (www.homesolutions.com)

About Sound & Vision:

Sound & Vision has led the field in coverage of consumer electronics products since its inception as HiFi & Music Review in 1958, later known as Stereo Review, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008. From early adopters to everyday shoppers, people come to Sound & Vision for the latest product reviews, recommendations and information on home theater, high- definition TV, digital surround sound, and more. Published ten times per year, the title has a circulation of 200,000 and an audience of over 1.1 million.

Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. (www.hfmus.com) enthusiast brands reach over 50 million consumers through magazines and millions more through online and mobile content. The company's prestigious brands include American Photo, Boating, Car and Driver, Cycle World, ELLE, ELLE Decor, ELLEgirl, Flying, Home, Metropolitan Home, Popular Photography & Imaging, Premiere, Road & Track, Sound & Vision, Woman's Day and Woman's Day Special Interest Publications. The company recently purchased Jumpstart Automotive Media, the vertical advertising network focused exclusively on the automotive industry, and has launched its first digital brand PointClickHome, the home decoration/makeover site. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc. also includes book and custom publishing, integrated marketing, database and market research, as well as licensing, and is part of the Lagardere Active division of Lagardere SCA (www.lagardere.com).

Source: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.

CONTACT: Christina Yuin of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.,
+1-212-767-6392, cyuin@hfmus.com

Web site:

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/
http://www.hfmus.com/
http://www.lagardere.com/
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/
http://www.jvc.com/
http://www.lge.com/
http://www.consumer.philips.com/
http://www.samsungusa.com/
http://www.sonystyle.com/
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/
http://www.psbspeakers.com/
http://www.axiomaudio.com/
http://www.definitivetech.com/
http://www.usa.denon.com/
http://www.genelecusa.com/
http://www.kef.com/
http://www.meridian-audio.com/
http://www.onkyousa.com/
http://www.paradigm.com/
http://www.ultimateears.com/
http://www.yamaha.com/yec
http://www.request.com/
http://www.pronto.philips.com/
http://www.apple.com/
http://www.homesolutions.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

A Modern Day Version of the Two-Sided EP

Side One Contains Five Original Songs; Side Two Contains Original Short Film

Lambert, Daughter of Nancy Sinatra and Granddaughter of Frank Sinatra, Finds Her Own Voice in the 'Family Business'

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Singer/songwriter/music supervisor and bassist of New York City band Looker, AJ Lambert is set to release her debut solo recording, simply entitled EP. The recording will be released through digital platforms including iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody. The film can be viewed at YouTube.

EP is Lambert's first solo recording and film directorial debut. It is envisioned as a two-sided endeavor, side one is the 5 songs and side two is the 10-minute film.

The project was conceived during a period of transition when Lambert was in the middle of a move, with all of her instruments packed and in storage. "I was going through a major personal upheaval that reached into every aspect of my life," said Lambert. "One of the effects of it was that I found myself with more to write about than I ever had before -- but I also found myself between homes of my own and I had no instruments to write music with."

Throughout the course of the year Lambert would record and mix, in her apartment and in proper studios, writing the songs she had come to know in her head. The outcome is the five songs and short film featured on EP.

Lambert conceived of the 10 minute film as track 6 of the recording. The film features David Sullivan of 2004's PRIMER. It is about a woman who has a birthday party and greets all the people who know her, though she doesn't know them. The one man she recognizes is somehow intensely connected to her, but she doesn't know how. She wakes from this dream in a panic, because she wants to keep dreaming.

The daughter of Nancy Sinatra and granddaughter of Frank Sinatra, AJ started her musical career as a founding member of the Los Angeles-based band Sleepington. Lambert also played bass in the group Rocket, which featured Murph of Dinosaur Jr.

AJ then took a few years to embrace her familial roots and lived life as a jazz singer in Hoboken, New Jersey. She produced her mother Nancy Sinatra's self-titled 2004 record, co-writing the song, "Bossman." Nancy and AJ performed it together as part of a guest stint on THE SOPRANOS, during the show's final season.

Like many artists before her, AJ Lambert was influenced by the jazz vocals of her grandfather and the 60s pop of her mother. With EP, AJ is able to step out and, in her words, "create something unique to me, not something similar to anything anyone in my family has done before."

AJ Lambert's EP is available on iTunes, Napster, and Rhapsody. The film "EP -Side 2" can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxgd4z_yn2o. AJ's website is http://www.myspace.com/lambertaj.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: CineMedia Productions

CONTACT: Beth Krakower, +1-212-533-6864, beth@cinemediapromotions.com,
or Lulu Cohen, +1-917-318-2161, lulucohen@att.net, both for CineMedia
Productions

Web site:

http://www.cinemediapromotions.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lambertaj

-------
Profile: Media News

- The Six-Time Grammy Award Nominee Reveals the Truth Behind Her Love Songs in This Valentine's Day Themed Issue -

- Vibe Also Speaks to Filmmaker Spike Lee about the 20th Anniversary of 'School Daze'; Current #1 Hip Hop Star Flo Rida is Vibe's Next: Artist on the Verge -

- On Newsstands January 15 -

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy Award-winning singer Mary J. Blige graces the cover of Vibe magazine's February issue, making this her record- breaking ninth cover feature -- the most for any celebrity in Vibe's 15-year history. This month's issue focuses on love and relationships through the sounds of music. Blige speaks candidly to Vibe about her past relationship struggles, her current marriage, and the truth behind her music.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080109/NYW108 )

Coming off the heels of receiving six Grammy Award nominations and the December release of her latest and eighth studio album, "Growing Pains," which is currently the #1 album in the nation, Blige has come a long way since her tough love B-girl days. After years of openly struggling in her music with her personal life, she is now past the emotional extremes and trying to embrace the pain of growth.

In this issue, Blige reveals exclusively to Vibe the real feelings and stories behind some of her greatest love songs. The following are some outtakes:

Blige Reflects on Herself: "I'm proud of Mary J. Blige and the progress she's made. Am I fine all the time? Hell, no! But the days I am, I want to celebrate."

Blige Talks to Her Fans: "When I took the chance to show people I can be happy, I lost a million of my fans. I was like 'I'm gonna have to lose ya'll in order for us to live, because if I keep going down this dark hole, we're all gonna die together. I'm gonna slit my wrists or take some pills, and it's gonna be over."

Blige on Loving Her Husband: "That's my buddy, my best friend, my business partner. He's got my back like nobody's ever had my back. I feel like God used him to come and pull me together."

Blige on Being Beautiful: "I've never looked at myself as the most beautiful girl. I can't do Beyonce, hair blowing in the video. Halle Berry is just freaking gorgeous. There are some women who have this thing, so feminine and strong. I have none of those. My features don't call for me to be a glamour girl. I have to use my personality."

Blige Discusses Personal Growth: "Bill Cosby called me like, 'My wife, Camille, loves you! She says there's a song you need to write about love.' I finally called Bill back ... and said, 'we got the record.' He says, 'Mrs. Cosby will be so glad to hear that.' I damn near cried. I was crying because I was scared. That's why the album is called Growing Pains. I had to rapidly let go because there's so many people waiting on me to do the right thing -- and so many people waiting for me to do the wrong thing."

The February issue also includes Vibe's conversation with filmmaker Spike Lee as he reflects on the 20 years since he shocked Hollywood with the release of School Daze. The controversial film spotlighted black class warfare, boosted the careers of Laurence Fishburne, Tisha Campbell, and Jasmine Guy, and inspired the political imagination of the Hip Hop generation.

Hip Hop star Flo Rida is also featured this month as Vibe's Next: Artist on the Verge. His hit single, "Low," grabbed the top-selling spot this week for digital sales -- breaking a one-week record with 470,000 downloads in a single week while maintaining its #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100.

ABOUT VIBE:

VIBE Media Group, an affiliate of The Wicks Group of Companies, L.L.C., is a leading music/lifestyle media company that publishes the award-winning VIBE magazine, the preeminent brand in urban and music culture, which was founded by Quincy Jones in 1993. Additional VIBE Media Group properties include Vibe.com; Comcast's VIBE video-on-demand channel; The VIBE Awards; the wireless content service mVibe; and VIBE Books, which published The New York Times bestseller, Tupac Shakur.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080109/NYW108
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: VIBE Media Group

CONTACT: Gena Gatewood, Communications Manager of Project 2050,
+1-646-290-8700 EXT: 208, or ggatewood@p2050.com, for VIBE Media Group

-------
Profile: Media News

POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct mailers are always looking for an edge to their promotions. Hi-Tech Marketing Solutions, based in Pompano Beach Florida, has developed a new proprietary promotional idea to give them that edge.

David Trudeau, Sr., President & CEO of Hi-Tech Marketing Solutions recently developed a promotional idea that incorporates a plastic or laminated card. "We developed this idea to give marketers a unique and distinct way of promoting a sale or special event," said Trudeau, Sr. The unique "idea" that Trudeau speaks of involves placing a special card reader device with a prize box at the event.

Prospective customers receive a mailing with a laminated promotional card with a magnetic strip on the back of the card. The magnetic strip on the back of the winning card is programmed to open the prize box door. Recipients of the promotional card can come to the event and swipe their cards at the prize box to determine if they are the winner. Typically, one grand prize is awarded along with various smaller prizes.

So far, the concept has worked extremely well to drive consumer traffic to such places as automotive dealerships and trade shows. Charles Russo, an automotive dealer from New York states, "Our management team was looking for something different and the card swipe prize box fit the bill. We sold twenty seven cars during a four day sales event and only sent out 5,000 pieces of mail." John McGrath from Florida proclaims, "Our company sent a card swipe prize box mailing to pre-registered trade show attendees. We were overwhelmed by the traffic to our booth. We closed a lot more deals than we expected to."

Based on initial testing it seems that the card swipe prize box promotion works well when used in the automotive, retail and trade show industries. "We expect that this concept will work in numerous areas in the consumer market," Trudeau, Sr. says. Anyone interested in more information can contact David Trudeau, Sr., or Marketing Director Don R. Morris at 1-866-595-4485.

Hi-Tech Marketing Solutions is the marketing arm of Hi-Tech Printing Systems, a full service printing and mailing company. Areas of expertise include four color printing and full mailing services including creative design.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Hi-Tech Marketing Solutions

CONTACT: David Trudeau, Sr. or Don R. Morris, Marketing Director,
1-866-595-4485, both of Hi-Tech Marketing Solutions

-------
Profile: Media News

LONG ISLAND, N.Y., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to increase support of Long Island children and families at risk, Newsday enlisted technology giant Motorola Inc., to join in leading a charitable appeal to local businesses.

Every year at holiday time, the Newsday Charities Help-A-Family campaign enlists donations from Newsday readers. Last year the campaign raised more than $450,000. This year's campaign is aided by the Companies That Care initiative, which asks Long Island businesses to link arms in community giving. Motorola pledged a lead donation of $50,000 to kick-off the campaign.

Newsday's Director of Community Affairs, Deidra Parrish Williams points out, "Poverty isn't typically associated with the Long Island region, but each year critical needs like food, shelter, heat, clothing and medicine are increasingly elusive for growing numbers of Long Islanders. That's why we are asking businesses to join in helping families. Together we can do more."

Newsday Charities is one of the best charitable investments on Long Island. Every dollar raised receives a 50-cent match from the McCormick Tribune Foundation, and because Newsday and the Foundation cover all administrative costs, 100 percent of donations and the match go to qualified agencies caring for needy Long Island families.

Motorola's partnership with Newsday Charities marks the first of its kind for Newsday Charities. Other companies have answered the call with pledges and unique office fundraisers.

Motorola's Manager of Community Relations, Beverly Lee-Woo adds, "We hope many more companies will discover how valuable it can be to work with Newsday Charities. This could mean a tremendous increase in funding for dedicated non-profits that are seeing so many of their funding sources decline."

This year's campaign runs through January 31, 2008. Information about Newsday Charities and the Help-A-Family program can be found online at www.newsday.com/helpafamily.

About Newsday Charities

Newsday Charities, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, raises money year-round to support needy children and families on Long Island. They money is raised primarily through two annual public campaigns, Help-A-Family and the Kids Campaign. All donations are matched at a rate of 50-cents on the dollar and granted to eligible Long Island non-profits. Since 2000, Newsday Charities has distributed nearly $5 million dollars.

Source: Newsday

CONTACT: MEDIA RELATIONS, Newsday, +1-631-843-3783

Web site:

http://www.newsday.com/
http://www.newsday.com/helpafamily

-------
Profile: Media News

New 'Act Green' Website Teaches Kids About Climate Change and Sustainability

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, today announced that the company is further strengthening its sustainable paper procurement practices by setting industry-leading goals to increase the percentage of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper and post-consumer waste (pcw) recycled paper it purchases. In consultation with the Rainforest Alliance, the Green Press Initiative and other environmental organizations, the company has set a five-year goal to increase its publication paper purchase of FSC- certified paper to 30% and its use of recycled paper to 25%, of which 75% will be post-consumer waste.

The new policy adds to the company's long-standing responsible environmental practices that have already resulted in reducing paper use by more than three million pounds annually. Under the new policy, the increase in the use of pcw fiber alone will result in a reduction of 23,988,000 lbs in green house gas emissions compared to fiscal year 2006 usage, as calculated by the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator. The new policy also includes a commitment by Scholastic to help educate children about responsible environmental practices and what they can do to help preserve the environment. The policy is available at www.scholastic.com/paperpolicy.

"Our five-year goals for FSC-certified and recycled paper purchases are ambitious but achievable and important," said Maureen O'Connell, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, Scholastic. "For many years, we demonstrated our commitment to responsible paper policy and we particularly raised the standard last summer with our record-setting use of environmentally-friendly papers for the seventh book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic will strive to continue raising the bar for environmentally-sound policies and practices, including not only the use of FSC and recycled content in our paper products but also in the construction and maintenance of our headquarters and other facilities, and in helping to educate young people about caring for the environment."

"Scholastic's environmental purchasing policy will set the bar for publishers, and its goal of ensuring that 30 percent of its paper supply is FSC-certified by 2012 will help create more demand for paper from responsibly managed forests," said Tensie Whelan, Executive Director, Rainforest Alliance (www.rainforest-alliance.org). "Sustainability is an ongoing process and commitments like this protect forests, conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods."

"Scholastic's green publishing policy is truly industry-leading and will do much to continue advancing positive transformations in the book sector," said Tyson Miller, Director, Green Press Initiative (www.greenpressinitiative.org).

In FY07, Scholastic purchased 95,000 tons of paper for use in books, magazines, school book club flyers and other product, of which 4% was FSC- certified paper and 11% contained pcw fiber. Over the last 20 years, the company's criteria for selecting suppliers has included evaluating their sustainable forestry practices, clean manufacturing practices, credible reporting and verification, and economic viability.

New Act Green Website for Kids

Along with the new policy announcement, Scholastic today launched its new, interactive "green" website for kids called Scholastic ACT GREEN! at www.scholastic.com/actgreen.

Designed to educate kids about climate change and sustainability and inspire them to take action to preserve the planet, the site includes the "Scholastic Greenerator," where kids can create customized "green" plans and earn "green" points, a "greenroom" message board, e-cards and green-themed videos (coming soon). There are also tips and resources for parents and teachers, including "100 Ways to Act Green."

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school- based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: echen@scholastic.com

Source: Scholastic

CONTACT: Kyle Good, Scholastic, +1-212-343-4563, kgood@scholastic.com;
or Gretchen Ruethling, Rainforest Alliance, +1-646-452-1939,
gruethling@ra.org

Web site:

http://www.scholastic.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/actgreen
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
http://www.greenpressinitiative.org/

-------
Profile: Media News

U.K. Leading Economic Indicators and Related Composite Indexes for November 2007

NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Board announced today that the leading index for the U.K. declined 0.3 percent, and the coincident index increased 0.2 percent in November.

-- The leading index declined in November, the fourth decrease in the last
six months. Productivity was the largest positive contributor to the
index, but large negative contributions from stock prices, yield
spread, consumer expectations and volume of expected output more than
offset the positive contributions. The six-month growth rate of the
leading index has declined substantially in recent months, from 2.3
percent (about a 4.6 percent annual rate) between November 2006 and May
2007 down to a -0.5 percent rate (about a -0.9 percent annual rate)
from May 2007 through November 2007. In addition, the six-month
diffusion index suggests that the weaknesses among the leading
indicators have become slightly more widespread than the strengths in
recent months.
-- The coincident index continued to increase at a steady pace in
November. Three of the four components increased in November and
employment continued to make the largest positive contributions to the
index in recent months. Its six-month growth rate is currently 0.8
percent (about a 1.7 percent annual rate), a slight increase from the
0.3 percent rate (about a 0.7 percent annual rate) which prevailed
between November 2006 and May 2007. Also, the strengths among the
coincident indicators have been more widespread than the weaknesses in
recent months.
-- After growing at a consistent and steady pace from the third quarter of
2005 through the second quarter of 2007, the leading index has been
gradually trending downward since June. At the same time, real GDP
growth slowed in the third quarter to a 2.5 percent annual rate of
growth, down from a 3.3 percent average annual rate during the first
half of 2007. The recent behavior of the composite indexes suggests
that economic growth should continue in the near term, though perhaps
at a slower pace.

LEADING INDICATORS. Two of the seven components that make up the leading index increased in November. The positive contributors -- from the largest positive contributor to the smallest -- were productivity for the whole economy*, and operating surplus of corporations*. The negative contributors -- from the largest contributor to the smallest -- were stock prices, the yield spread, volume of expected output, consumer confidence and order book volume.

With the 0.3 percent decrease in November, the leading index now stands at 128.8 (1990=100). Based on revised data, this index increased 0.1 percent in October and declined 0.1 percent in September. During the six-month span through November, the leading index decreased 0.5 percent, with two of the seven components advancing (diffusion index, six-month span equals 42.9 percent).

COINCIDENT INDICATORS. Three of the four components that make up the coincident index increased in November. The positive contributors -- from the largest positive contributor to the smallest -- were employment *, real household disposable income*, and retail sales. Industrial production* remained virtually unchanged in November.

With the increase of 0.2 percent in November, the coincident index now stands at 119.4 (1990=100). Based on revised data, this index increased 0.1 percent in October and increased 0.3 percent in September. During the six- month period through November, the coincident index increased 0.8 percent, with three of the four components advancing (diffusion index, six-month span equals 75.0 percent).

DATA AVAILABILITY:

The data series used by The Conference Board to compute the two composite indexes reported in the tables in this release are those available "as of" 10 A.M. ET on January 7, 2007. Some series are estimated as noted below.

* Series in the leading index that are based on The Conference Board estimates are productivity of the whole economy, and operating surplus of corporations. Series in the coincident index that are based on The Conference Board estimates are employment, industrial production and real household disposable income.

Summary Table of Composite Indexes

2007 6-month
Sep Oct Nov May to Nov

Leading index 129.1 129.2 p 128.8 p
Percent Change -0.1 0.1 p -0.3 p -0.5 p
Diffusion 57.1 78.6 28.6 42.9

Coincident Index 119.1 119.2 p 119.4 p
Percent Change 0.3 0.1 p 0.2 p 0.8 p
Diffusion 75.0 87.5 75.0 75.0

n.a. Not available p Preliminary r Revised
Indexes equal 100 in 1990
Source: The Conference Board All Rights Reserved

Website:

http://www.conference-board.org/economics/bci/

The next release is scheduled for December 10, 2007 at 10:30 A.M. ET
In the U.K. - December 10, 2007 at 3:30 P.M. (GMT)

Source: The Conference Board

CONTACT: Media, Frank Tortorici, +1-212-339-0231, or Carol Courter,
+1-212-339-0232, or Indicator Program, +1-212-339-0330, Email,
indicators@conference-board.org, all of The Conference Board

Web site:

http://www.conference-board.org/
http://www.conference-board.org/economics/bci

-------
Profile: Media News

LOMBARD, Ill., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- SunGard (http://www.sungard.com/) today announced that its Asset Arena Investment Accounting solution has been named the most innovative fund administration and accounting solution by Financial-i in the magazine's second annual "Leaders in Innovation" awards.

Financial-i selected winners in conjunction with leading industry analyst firms and consultants, basing selections on product innovation over the past twelve months, cost-effectiveness of solution deployment, ease of implementation, efficiency enhancements and the ability to solve specific business problems.

"We are honored to be recognized as a leader in innovation," commented Doug Morgan, president of SunGard's institutional asset management business. "This award highlights SunGard's ability to deliver new capabilities that help streamline our customers' operations. Asset Arena Investment Accounting processes over $12 trillion in assets, and it is recognized as a leading investment accounting solution for asset managers and third party administrators. SunGard's commitment to product innovation extends across all levels of our organization, providing our customers with a wide range of functionality across virtually all asset types."

About Financial-i

Financial-i focuses on how technology is being leveraged to provide business solutions in wholesale transaction banking. Solutions that solve common business issues around the execution, delivery, clearing and settlement of transactions in the wholesale banking space, enhance the provision of value added services to customers, increase the speed of delivery of information, mitigate risk and maintain competitiveness. Visit Financial-i at http://www.financial-i.com/.

About Asset Arena

Asset Arena is SunGard's global suite of solutions for front-to-back- office investment support, serving asset managers, third-party administrators, insurers and pension fund managers. Available as an integrated solution set or as individual offerings, Asset Arena covers the entire investment management life-cycle, including trading, compliance, investment accounting, portfolio management and performance measurement and attribution.

About SunGard

With annual revenue exceeding $4 billion, SunGard is a global leader in software and processing solutions for financial services, higher education and the public sector. SunGard also helps information-dependent enterprises of all types to ensure the continuity of their business. SunGard serves more than 25,000 customers in more than 50 countries, including the world's 50 largest financial services companies. Visit SunGard at www.sungard.com.

Trademark Information: SunGard, the SunGard logo and Asset Arena are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunGard Data Systems Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other trade names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact:
Don Eng
Institutional Asset Management
SunGard
617-728-1129
don.eng@sungard.com

Source: SunGard

CONTACT: Don Eng, Institutional Asset Management, SunGard,
+1-617-728-1129, don.eng@sungard.com

Web site:

http://www.sungard.com/
http://www.financial-i.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following release is being issued today by Bruce Bartlett:

With the 2008 presidential election on the horizon and the country in turmoil over the primaries, New York Times bestselling author Bruce Bartlett brings to the forefront one of the most crucial and constant debates of our time: the issue of race. Through painstaking research of the historical evidence, WRONG ON RACE: The Democratic Party's Buried Past, debunks the commonly-held myth that the Democratic Party is the best party for African American voters. From the inaction of Jim Crow laws and the infamous "Dixiecrats" to John F. Kennedy's apathy toward civil rights legislation, Bruce Bartlett exposes truths that the Democratic Party would rather forget, especially in the face of a pivotal election season.

Though Bartlett's indictment is an impassioned call for change, it is grounded in indisputable facts of United States history, such as:

-- Andrew Jackson, considered the Democratic Party's co-founder, owned as many as 150 slaves. On one occasion he offered $10 extra for every 100 lashes given to a runaway slave up to 300 lashes.

-- When Democrats got control of the White House and Congress for the first time since the Civil War in the 1892 elections, they moved quickly to repeal the civil rights bills enacted by Republicans during Reconstruction.

-- Harry Truman joined the Ku Klux Klan in 1924.

-- As a senator, John F. Kennedy voted with the South against even bringing the 1957 civil rights bill up for a vote and courted racist Southerners like Alabama Governor John Patterson in his quest for the White House.

Bruce Bartlett leads the reader through a chilling history of racism, often ignored in the face of the "minority-friendly" Democratic Party of today. For the last seventy years, African Americans have voted en masse for one party -- one whose cultural history may be adversarial to their progress. With our nation on the cusp of major political change, and politicians vying for votes, Bartlett proposes that it is time for African American voters to reconsider.

Bartlett was a domestic policy adviser to President Ronald Reagan and a treasury official under President George H.W. Bush. He is the author of the New York Times best-seller, Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy, and he has written for The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Commentary, The National Review, and Fortune.

ISBN 10: 0-230-60062-X ISBN 13: 978-0-230-60062-1/$26.95

To schedule an interview please call Audrey Mullen or Dave Mohel at 703-548-1160.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Advocacy Ink

CONTACT: Audrey Mullen or Dave Mohel of Advocacy Ink, +1-703-548-1160,
for Bruce Bartlett

-------
Profile: Media News

Richardson QuickSkills(TM): Consultative Telephone Selling Honored for Outstanding Innovation

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Richardson, a leading sales training company, today announced that their Richardson QuickSkills(TM): Consultative Telephone Selling online sales training program has received The 2007 Product of the Year Award from Technology Marketing Corporation's (TMC(R)) Customer Interaction Solutions magazine (www.cismag.com), the leading publication covering CRM, call centers, and teleservices since 1982.

(Logo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070712/NETH005LOGO )

Richardson QuickSkills(TM): Consultative Telephone Selling consists of high-impact, Web-based training courses designed to help telephone Sales Representatives maximize telephone sales opportunities by strengthening the skills needed to engage customers, build relationships, and close sales. Tailored for both inbound and outbound reps, this program includes six hard hitting courses which comprise the framework for a consultative telephone sale, from opening through close.

"We are excited to have our Richardson QuickSkills(TM) eLearning course, Consultative Telephone Selling, recognized as the Product of the Year by TMC," says David DiStefano, CEO of Richardson. "We continue to strive to provide the highest quality sales and service training solutions to enable our clients to improve performance, drive results, and execute their sales vision. This award is validation of our commitment to product excellence. In 2007 we released QuickSkills(TM) version 5.0 for the entire eLearning curriculum consisting of 59 courses, enabling rapid customization from the desktop. Through our sustained pursuit of innovation, Richardson will continue to set the standard for training excellence."

"Richardson has proven they are committed to quality and excellence in solutions that benefit the contact center experience, as well as ROI for the companies that use them. I am pleased to honor their hard work and accomplishments and look forward to more innovative solutions from Richardson in the future," said Nadji Tehrani, Executive Group Publisher and Editor-in- Chief of Customer Interaction Solutions. "For 10 years, Customer Interaction Solutions magazine has been recognizing companies that have demonstrated excellence in technological advancement and application refinements."

The 10th Annual Product of the Year Award winners will be featured in the January 2008 issue of Customer Interaction Solutions magazine. For more information about the Customer Interaction Solutions' 2007 Product of the Year Awards or any of the TMC media properties, please visit www.tmcnet.com.

About Richardson

Richardson is a leading, global sales training and consulting company dedicated to accelerating the productivity of sales professionals by ensuring they have the skills, strategies, and processes to achieve their objectives and implement their organization's strategy. Utilizing a comprehensive curriculum, coaching, consulting, diagnostic testing tools, and a proprietary customization process, Richardson helps develop the critical skills sales organizations need to win. Richardson's curriculum includes sales, sales management, strategy, negotiations, and service training delivered through seminars, one-on-one and team coaching, and interactive eLearning. Please visit www.richardson.com

About Customer Interaction Solutions

Since 1982, Customer Interaction Solutions (CIS) magazine has been the voice of the call/contact center, CRM and teleservices industries. CIS magazine has helped the industry germinate, grow, mature and prosper, and has served as the leading publication in helping these industries that have had such a positive impact on the world economy to continue to thrive. Through a combination of outstanding and cutting-edge original editorial, industry voices, in-depth lab reviews and the recognition of the innovative leaders in management and technology through our highly valued awards, Customer Interaction Solutions strives to continue to be the publication that holds the quality bar high for the industry. Please visit www.cismag.com.

About TMC

Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) publishes Customer Interaction Solutions, INTERNET TELEPHONY, Unified Communications, and IMS Magazine. TMCnet, TMC's Web site, is the leading source of news and articles for the communications and technology industries. Ranked in the top 6,000 most visited Web sites in the world by alexa.com*, TMCnet serves as many as three million unique visitors each month. TMC is also the first publisher to test new products in its own on-site laboratories, TMC Labs. In addition, TMC produces INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO, and Call Center 2.0 Conference and Green Technology World Conference. For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com. (*alexa.com is an amazon.com company that ranks Web sites by their traffic levels. Neither alexa.com nor amazon.com is affiliated with TMCnet.) For more information about TMC, visit www.tmcnet.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070712/NETH005LOGO

AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org

PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Richardson

CONTACT: Jan Pierret of TMC, +1-203-852-6800, ext. 228,
jpierret@tmcnet.com; or Jim Brodo of Richardson, +1-215-940-8128,
jim.brodo@richardson.com

Web site:

http://www.richardson.com/
http://www.tmcnet.com/
http://www.cismag.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenskeeper.Org (http://www.greenskeeper.org/), the largest and fastest growing golf social network in the Southwest, is an online community of 28,000 golfers who have submitted thousands of ratings and reviews for hundreds of golf courses throughout the Southwest United States. Site users rate dozens of playing condition criteria after a round and post reviews with comments, tips and photos. Greenskeeper.Org is an essential resource for golfers who want to "Know Before You Go(R)." Rankings have been tabulated for the 2007 twelve-month period (1/1-12/31/2007) and regional winners have been determined for 2007 Best Playing Conditions and 2007 Best Value "Worth the Green Fee."

(( Southern California ))
Overall:
Playing Conditions - The Classic Club
Value - Coronado Golf Course
Los Angeles County:
Playing Conditions - Angeles National Golf Club
Value - Mountain Meadows Golf Course
Inland Empire Area:
Playing Conditions - East Valley Golf Club (formally PGA of
Southern California)
Value - Goose Creek Golf Club
Palm Springs Area:
Playing Conditions - The Classic Club
Value - Eagle Falls Golf Course
Orange County:
Playing Conditions - Monarch Beach Golf Links
Value - San Juan Hills Golf Club
San Diego County:
Playing Conditions - Maderas Golf Club
Value - Coronado Golf Course
Ventura County:
Playing Conditions - Moorpark Country Club
Value - Rustic Canyon Golf Club
Santa Barbara County:
Playing Conditions - La Purisima Golf Course
Value - La Purisima Golf Course

(( Northern California ))
Overall:
Playing Conditions - Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Value - Dear Ridge Country Club
Sacramento Area:
Playing Conditions - Greenhorn Creek Resort
Value - Greenhorn Creek Resort
East Bay Area:
Playing Conditions - Wente Vineyards Golf Club
Value - Deer Ridge Country Club
North Bay Area:
Playing Conditions - StoneTree Golf Club
Value - Hiddenbrooke Golf Club
South Bay Area:
Playing Conditions - Half Moon Bay Golf Links
Value - Eagle Ridge Golf Club

(( Central California ))
Overall:
Playing Conditions - Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Value - Hunter Ranch Golf Course
Monterey/Santa Cruz/San Luis Obispo:
Playing Conditions - Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Value - Hunter Ranch Golf Course
Fresno/Bakersfield/Modesto:
Playing Conditions - Stevinson Ranch
Value - Sycamore Canyon Golf Course

(( Southern Nevada ))
Overall:
Playing Conditions - TPC Las Vegas
Value - Boulder Creek Golf Club
Las Vegas Area:
Playing Conditions - TPC Las Vegas
Value - Boulder Creek Golf Club
Mesquite/St.George Area:
Playing Conditions - Wolf Creek Golf Club
Value - Wolf Creek Golf Club
Laughlin/Bullhead City Area:
Playing Conditions - Laughlin Ranch Golf Club
Value - Mojave Resort Golf Club

(( Arizona ))
Overall:
Playing Conditions - Whirlwind Golf Club
Value - Golf Club of Estrella
Phoenix/Scottsdale Area:
Playing Conditions - Whirlwind Golf Club
Value - Golf Club of Estrella

Greenskeeper.Org user feedback: "Hey guys, Thanks for the Site. Played 2 new tracks in the last four days and your site gave me the insight as to what to expect from the courses. I tell all my golfing friends to check out Greenskeeper.Org (http://greenskeeper.org/). Nothing like it. It's the best!!"

Contact information:
John Hakim
(805) 497-9323
jhakim@greenskeeper.orghttp://www.greenskeeper.org/

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

Source: Greenskeeper.Org

CONTACT: John Hakim of Greenskeeper.Org, +1-805-497-9323,
jhakim@greenskeeper.org

Web site: http://www.greenskeeper.org/

-------
Profile: Media News

Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) Named and Ranked #62 among the Top 100 Small Businesses in California

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of the economic power of multicultural businesses, DiversityBusiness.com, the nations' leading multicultural internet site, recently named Fleet Management Solutions, Inc. (FMS) as one of the Top Small Businesses in The state of California (Div100)." The Div100 is the 8th annual listing of California's top 100 small businesses.

FMS, a global leader in the design, manufacturing, distribution and support of GPS and all-satellite asset tracking and monitoring systems was named to the list both for its record growth in sales revenue as well as the impact that growth has had in the creation of high value jobs in the California hi-technology economy. Serving customers from the Federal Government to multi-national corporations operating around the world with a staff of less than 50 people, FMS has built a culture of efficiency, quality and focus. This culture allows FMS to scale to levels typically only achieved by much larger companies.

The Impact of Small Business

"Small businesses and consumers are a growing force in the U.S. economy, and a force to be reckoned with," said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Computer Consulting Associates International, the company that built DiversityBusiness.com. "This is a whole business segment that can carry its own, that provides jobs, products and services, and generates wealth for their communities. These are the new leaders in American business."

Affected by recent economic and demographic trends and changes, Fortune 1000 corporations throughout the country have recognized that buying products and services from small and diversity owned companies positively impacts their business. Small businesses contribute over $1.4 trillion in sales to the U.S. economy.

"FMS is honored to be recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in the USA. Coming in at #62 on the 2007 Diversity 100 came as a very pleasant surprise," stated Cliff Henley, CEO of FMS. "Like most honorees, FMS did not set out to make a list such as this one, as we were, and still are focused on growing the business and executing on our model 24/7/365. This type of recognition and reward is simply a result of a dedicated team, all of which are champions in their field and true evangelists of FMS," continued Henley.

The Div100

The Div100 is a classification that represents the top 100 small businesses in the State of California, in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, food service and professional services. Large organizational buyers throughout the country that do business with multicultural and women-owned businesses use the list. The Div100 is produced annually by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation's leading multicultural B2B Internet portal that links large organizational buyers to multicultural product and service suppliers.

FMS will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness.com's "8th Annual Multicultural Business Conference", taking place April 23 - 25, 2008 at Disney's BoardWalk Resort in Orlando, Florida.

About Fleet Management Solutions:

Fleet Management Solutions, Inc. (FMS) provides complete fixed and mobile asset tracking and management solutions to Oil and Gas, Government and Military, Service and Delivery, Marine and Offshore, Trucking and Transportation, Heavy Equipment, and Bus and Motorcoach industries. Combining GPS technology with two-way satellite communications, FMS delivers turnkey solutions which provide customers with measurable improvements in asset utilization, safety and security, and labor productivity while reducing the risk of theft and cost of recovery. Founded in 2002, FMS is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and has customers and distribution partners in more than 50 countries worldwide. For more information, visit the FMS website at http://www.fmsgps.com/.

About DiversityBusiness.com

Launched in 1999, with over 35,000 members DiversityBusiness.com is the largest organization of diversity-owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies and colleges and universities. Members use the sites technology to find and track new business opportunities. It also produces the country's largest conference on diversity education and training for major corporations and small business. Its research on top businesses appears in Fortune, Forbes, Business Week and numerous magazines and media publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. CCA was founded in 1980 by CEO Kenton Clarke.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Fleet Management Solutions, Inc.

CONTACT: Sasha Dressler, Marketing Manager of Fleet Management
Solutions, +1-805-787-0508, sashad@fmsgps.com

Web site:

http://www.fmsgps.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

P&G Pet Care Brands Have Only Pet Foods Backed By Magazine's Consumer Policy

DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When it comes to assuring consumers about product quality, Iams and Eukanuba always have led the way, providing a money back guarantee to assure pet lovers that their dogs and cats are getting the best nutrition. Now, Good Housekeeping is recognizing Iams and Eukanuba with the Good Housekeeping Seal, a mark of excellence that stands for the Good Housekeeping Institute's rigorous evaluation process as well as an additional limited warranty against defects.

"Being the only pet food manufacturer to earn the Good Housekeeping Seal is a source of pride for Iams and Eukanuba that we're happy to offer to our consumers," said P&G Pet Care general manager Dan Rajczak. "Dogs and cats are important members of our family households, so it's only right that we provide families with the ultimate assurance that we stand behind our pet food products."

Founded in 1900, the Good Housekeeping Institute is dedicated to informing and educating consumers through product evaluations. The Good Housekeeping Seal provides assurance to the magazine's readers that the products advertised are backed by a two-year limited warranty against being defective.

Iams and Eukanuba encourage consumers to sign up for pet care news and information updates and get dollar-off coupon offers at www.Iams.com and www.Eukanuba.com . For a list of products that have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal visit: http://www.goodhousekeepingseal.com/ .

About P&G Pet Care

For more than 60 years, Procter & Gamble Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet-care products. To learn more about Eukanuba(R) and Iams(R) Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Iams Consumer Care Center at (800) 446-3075. You can also visit us on the Web at http://www.iams.com/ or http://www.eukanuba.com/ .

About Procter & Gamble

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Gain(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella(R), Gillette(R), and Braun(R). The P&G community consists of 138,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com/ for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About the Good Housekeeping Seal

Since 1909, the Good Housekeeping Seal has been a highly recognized statement of the magazine's renowned Consumer's Policy. The Good Housekeeping Consumer's Policy, published in every issue of the magazine, states that if a product bearing the Seal proves to be defective within two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping will replace the product or refund the purchase price. The Seal may be carried only by those products whose ads have been reviewed and accepted for publication in Good Housekeeping.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: iverson.k@pg.com

Source: P&G Pet Care

CONTACT: Kurt Iverson of P&G Pet Care, +1-937-264-7436,
Iverson.k@pg.com

Web site:

http://www.pg.com/
http://www.iamsco.com/
http://www.eukanuba.com/
http://www.goodhousekeepingseal.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

Interactive Local Search Becomes User Friendly

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban Mapping, Inc. (UMI) the leading provider of enhanced of local interactive content, today announced the introduction of its free API for neighborhoods, allowing developers to build applications that are designed with local search in mind. More information is available at http://urbanmapping.com/freehoods.

Neighborhood boundaries are of significant value across the local search and interactive real estate landscape as they represent how users think about space, something ZIP code boundaries have proven woefully inadequate at providing. The UMI neighborhood database contains more than 25,000 distinct neighborhoods, each geographically defined. Coverage includes more than 1,000 cities and towns in the United States. A Canadian and European product includes an additional 100+ cities.

"We are thrilled to make UMI's neighborhood database available to developers. Those involved in local search have been craving a tool to translate fuzzy space into something meaningful, and our Urbanware(TM) product does that," commented Ian White, CEO of Urban Mapping. "Informal space represents how people think and it's high time for application developers to have intuitive, user-friendly tools."

Because UMI already provides its core database to leading portals, companies within the search marketing ecosystem are able to leverage the same geographic definitions for the same geographic keywords. Using the Urban Mapping geographic definitions, smaller organizations can reap benefits previously unavailable to them.

Developers may register for the free neighborhood API at http://urbanmapping.com/webinquiry.html.

Urban Mapping's Urbanware products enhance the value of local content for interactive platforms. Its flagship product, Urbanware Neighborhoods, is a database of informal space, is used by all major portals, map platforms and Internet yellow page publishers including Microsoft's Virtual Earth, MapQuest and YellowPages.com. The company also offers a database of mass transit systems and a novel geotargeting solution focused on the needs of local search. For more information about Urban Mapping, visit http://www.urbanmapping.com/.

Urban Mapping and Urbanware are trademarks of Urban Mapping, Inc.

Contact:
Rebecca Fachner
Tel: 415-946-8170 x81
press@urbanmapping.com

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

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Urban Mapping, Inc.

CONTACT: Rebecca Fachner of Urban Mapping, Inc., +1-415-946-8170, ext.
81, press@urbanmapping.com

Web site:

http://www.urbanmapping.com/
http://urbanmapping.com/freehoods

-------
Profile: Media News

New Feature-rich Online Local Search Solution Available Nationwide with Enhanced Content for All of R.H. Donnelley's Markets

CARY, N.C., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- R.H. Donnelley (NYSE:RHD), a leading print and online local search company, today announced that DexKnows.com(TM), its comprehensive, feature-rich local search site, is being launched across all of its markets. The site includes new search technology and innovative features that help consumers find the most relevant local businesses.

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

DexKnows.com, which is powered by the comprehensive local content from R.H. Donnelley's more than 700 Dex print directories, includes new search capabilities like personalized itineraries, innovative features for comparison shopping and mapping, and user-generated content, all designed to help consumers save time while finding the local businesses that meet their needs. The site was initially launched last summer with enhanced listings in the company's Western and Midwestern markets. Now, R.H. Donnelley has expanded the breadth of DexKnows.com to include in-depth business content for all of its markets. The company plans to unify all of its current online directories with DexKnows.com by the end of 2008.

"As we continue to grow the Dex brand across all of our markets, we're excited to be able to offer DexKnows.com to consumers nationwide," said Jeff Porter, general manager, DexKnows.com. "Consumers in all areas across the U.S. will be able to use DexKnows.com to find basic information, such as telephone numbers and addresses, on local businesses. In addition, consumers searching within the markets we serve with our print directories will also enjoy enhanced content that will further help them identify the businesses that meet their specific needs."

Included among the site's many features:

-- Comparison shopping - offering consumers side-by-side listings so they
can evaluate local businesses based on criteria that matter most to
them (such as services provided, locations, hours of operation, etc.)
-- "My Itinerary" planning - saving time for users by providing
step-by-step directions and estimated travel times by simply selecting
the places they need to go
-- Personalization tools - letting users build their own personal index of
"favorite businesses" for easy access. Information such as starting
locations (their home or office), past itineraries and frequently
visited locations are stored and ready to use each time they log-on to
DexKnows.com.
-- Advanced mapping - providing easy-to-navigate maps to clearly display
locations of relevant businesses
-- Ratings and reviews - providing consumers with the ability to read
comments and see how other consumers rated local businesses. Users can
register to rate, on a one-to five star scale, and write reviews of
local businesses, making it easier for other users to determine whether
a business is worth their time and money.
-- Video clips - enabling consumers to watch commercials or other video
segments about the local business. This feature is currently available
in several DexKnows.com markets and is scheduled to be available in all
markets later in 2008.
-- Business search - providing consumers with the ability to search for
local businesses based upon keywords within a defined geography
-- Residential search - providing complete residential information,
including phone numbers and addresses -- all of the information
typically found in a print directory

For local businesses, DexKnows.com efficiently extends their marketing reach, delivering their advertisements to a wider set of ready-to-buy consumers. R.H. Donnelley has incorporated DexKnows.com as part of its Triple Play(TM) offering. This integrated solution suite helps businesses reach consumers across multiple media platforms including print Yellow Pages directories, DexKnows.com and the major search engines (e.g. Google and Yahoo) via the company's Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEM/SEO) tools.

DexKnows.com Market Leadership

R.H. Donnelley announced earlier this week that DexKnows.com remained the top local search site in the 14-state area where Dex is the official print directory for Qwest, according to comScore. For the fifteenth consecutive quarter DexKnows.com (formerly DexOnline.com) was the most used local search site in this area, generating 24 percent of all searches during the quarter.

About R.H. Donnelley

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

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060731/NYM044LOGO
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: R.H. Donnelley Corporation

CONTACT: media, Peter Larmey of R.H. Donnelley, +1-919-297-1521,
peter.larmey@rhd.com; or Liz Edelbrock of GolinHarris, +1-972-341-2598,
ledelbrock@golinharris.com, for R.H. Donnelley; or investors, James Gruskin of
R.H. Donnelley, 1-800-497-6329, james.gruskin@rhd.com

Web site:

http://www.rhd.com/
http://www.dexknows.com/

-------
Profile: Media News

INDIANOLA, Okla., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Bonus Building Care recently ranked 20th in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2008 Annual Franchise 500 Ranking. Bonus Building Care's commercial cleaning franchise also claimed three additional top-ten spots in the annual Entrepreneur rankings including 2nd in the Homebased Franchise Category, 4th in the Low-Cost Franchise Category a