Rutland, VT (PRWEB) May 17, 2012

FairPoint Communications, Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell, AARP Vermont and Rutland City Police Department held a press conference today to raise awareness about a telephone scam originating from the Jamaican 876 area code that targets seniors in Vermont and across northern New England. FairPoint also unveiled a Public Service Announcement and expanded website, http://www.bewareof876.com, with resources to identify and prevent phone scams.

Today’s press conference was prompted by information about a Rutland-area senior who received nearly 30 phone calls from the 876 area code in less than a month’s time. This is just the latest in an alarming of number of cases of telephone scams originating from the 876 area code have been reported in Vermont, according the Vermont Attorney General’s office and FairPoint Communications.

“Vermonters receiving an unexpected call from area code 876 should be on high alert. These calls are almost certainly from scam artists,” said Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell. “We are pleased to join forces with FairPoint Communications, law enforcement officials, local authorities, seniors’ organizations, and others to warn the public about so-called ‘Jamaican scams.’ Money sent to these thieves is gone for good. Joint efforts, like this, are key to preventing devastating losses.”

The Attorney General reports that his office receives more than 1,000 calls per year on phone scams, of which approximately 20 percent involve calls from Jamaica.

Over the last two years, some Vermonters who notified his office about scams originating in Jamaica reported losses between several hundred dollars and $ 18,000, with many in the range of $ 2,000 to $ 6,000.

While this is the first case reported to the Rutland Police of a telephone scam originating from area code 876 in Rutland, police believe there are more victims who are afraid or ashamed to come forward, said interim Rutland Police Chief Jim Baker. “If you have received suspicious calls from unfamiliar numbers please contact local authorities or your telephone provider. Together we can stop this scam and protect our seniors.”

FairPoint launched the “Beware: Scams from Area Code 876” campaign in late March in response to these scams and created a website, http://www.bewareof876.com for tips on preventing phone scams. The announcement gained national and international attention, prompting additional media coverage that forced the Jamaican government to establish a task force to address the 30,000 calls made from Jamaica into the U.S. attempting to defraud American citizens every day.

An Associated Press report noted conservative estimates that put the yearly take from Jamaican scams at $ 300 million, up from about $ 30 million in 2009.

“We know that Vermont seniors are regular targets of scams originating from area code 876. Our goal is to help shed light on the abusive treatment of seniors and provide resources to family members, law enforcement and senior organizations to identify and prevent these scams,” said Mike Smith, Vermont state president of FairPoint Communications. “We recently expanded http://www.bewareof876.com to provide additional tools and resources and have developed a compelling Public Service Announcement that is available to download.”

The scam works as follows:

    Seniors receive a call from an 876 area code, which is often mistaken for a toll-free number and are congratulated for winning the Jamaican lottery, new car or new home. They are then are directed to send a fee, typically $ 150-$ 250, according to Sorrell, purportedly to process the lottery winnings. They are told that once the fee is received, money will be wired to their bank account and the car will be delivered to their home.

    Many times the caller will tell the victim that a representative of the lottery is in the area and as soon as the process fee is received, someone will deliver a check to their home. Scammers often use Google Earth to identify local landmarks and make the scam more believable.

    A key to the scammer’s success is convincing victims to promise not to tell their family members and to make it a big surprise. If the scammers feel they have a potential victim, the calls will increase in frequency, resulting in hundreds of calls.

    The money is requested through a wire from Western Union, Green Dot Card or in a creative way such as putting $ 100 bills in each page of a magazine.

“We very concerned about the proliferation of new scams targeting older residents in Vermont,” said Greg Marchildon, AARP Vermont state director. “Sadly, seniors are more vulnerable than others in this regard as they are more often home to answer the phone, are generally trusting of others and many times have assets they can easily access. We’re pleased to help alert Vermonters as to how to avoid being a victim, and we support the Beware: Scams from Area Code 876 campaign and any law enforcement efforts to address this problem.”

For more information about scams originating from area code 876, visit: http://www.bewareof876.com.

To report a scam, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at: http://www.uvm.edu/consumer, or send a complaint to: Consumer Assistance Program, 146 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405, or FAX: (802) 656-1423. Call CAP toll-free in Vermont at 800-649-2424 Receive consumer protection alerts on twitter at: vtconsumers.

About FairPoint Communications, Inc.

FairPoint Communications, Inc. is a leading communications provider of broadband Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other high-capacity data services to customers in communities across 18 states. Through its fast, reliable fiber network, FairPoint delivers high-quality data and voice networking communications solutions to residential, business and wholesale customers. FairPoint delivers VantagePointSM services through its resilient IP-based network in northern New England. This state-of-the-art fiber network provides carrier Ethernet connections to support the surging bandwidth and performance requirements for cloud-based applications like network storage, disaster recovery, distance learning, medical imaging, video conferencing and CAD/CAM along with traditional voice, VoIP, video and Internet access solutions. Additional information about FairPoint products and services is available at http://www.FairPoint.com. You can also connect with FairPoint on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/myfairpoint) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/myfairpoint).

###

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

StrandVision Digital Signage Communicates to Residents

(PRWEB) May 16, 2012

StrandVision Digital Signage and Mercy Center Nursing Unit, Inc. today announced that StrandVision digital signage is being used to stream information to residents’ rooms over the facility’s cable TV system. Mercy Center, a 140 bed facility, is comprised of a skilled nursing unit and a personal care unit. Owned by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Center offers a caring and compassionate environment for its residents.

The Internet-based system, installed by Guyette Communications Industries Corp. of Plymouth, Pa., carries information programming for Mercy Center’s 140 residents that includes a welcome message, as well as menus, activities, date, time and weather, bingo numbers and special events, such as birthdays and holiday greetings. Residents simply select the in-house channel on their television sets. The channel also is used to broadcast daily Mass.

The digital signage content is delivered by StrandVision over the Internet to a pre-configured Linux digital signage player that is integrated into the existing cable system. Weather, date and time information are updated in real time automatically by StrandVision while resident activities and notices are scheduled and posted by Mercy Center staff using StrandVision’s Internet-based Content Management System.

The system is working well. “Feedback from the residents is that they really like it,” commented Rich Heiser, Mercy Center’s tech who oversees the digital signage, information technology and other systems. “We’d like to add a few monitors in our lobbies on both our personal care and skilled nursing sides. We’re also considering adding another channel of programming in some of the lobby areas.”

“Mercy Center is making creative use of the digital signage system – sending scheduled messages directly to viewers in their rooms,” said Mike Strand StrandVision founder and CEO. “It reaches the residents where they spend the most time, which makes it as convenient as possible. The staff is able to post notices with minimal effort with the knowledge that it’s easily accessible to everyone who wants the information.”

About StrandVision

==============================

StrandVision LLC, based in Menomonie, Wisconsin, delivers low-cost, Web-based digital signage software through a patented Software as a Service (SaaS) approach that delivers content to subscribers’ LCD flat panel screens, as well as computer screens and websites. StrandVision’s service distributes text and graphics pages, video content and national and local weather and news. It is ideal for many large and small business marketing applications, including medical and dental offices (patient education); banks, retailers and industrial distributors (video merchandising); education (student communication, staff and visitor information); employee break rooms (employee communication of events and benefits); nonprofit and religious organizations (member and supporter communication).

StrandVision also offers PC-2-TV.net, a fully digital, high-definition (HD) video extender to connect a computer to a television over long distances for use with digital signage and many other applications. StrandVision Digital Signage services and PC-2-TV.net are available directly from StrandVision and through registered affiliates and system integrators. Additional information about StrandVision Digital Signage is available at StrandVision.com, 715-235-7446 or by email.

Attachments

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

(PRWEB) May 13, 2012

iiNet, Australia’s second largest DSL broadband provider, has crowned Steve Wright from Melbourne as the country’s next top geek after a three month search concluded with a thrilling quiz contest in Perth tonight.

Steve claimed the iiNet Top Geek 2.0 title after edging out fellow finalists Cody Davis, Cem Selamet, Skaidris Gunsmith, Rhiannon Davies and Rhys Elsmore.

Steve, a games journalist, said there were so many amazing entries in this year’s contest.

“Everyone should be really proud, I’ve made some really great friends over the last couple of months,” Steve said.

“It’s really hard going up against all these people because you really want to be friends with them and it’s hard to see them not go through to the next round… for a minute or two.”

The quiz, hosted by self-proclaimed geek and comedian Lawrence Leung, tested the six finalists on a range of topics including gaming, art, technology, Internet and fandom.

Steve goes home with an all-expenses paid trip for two to the geek conference of their choice in the US, plus $ 2000 spending money.

Anthony Fisk, iiNet’s Communications Manager, said the competition is designed to celebrate everyone’s inner geek.

“Being a geek isn’t about wearing specs and having braces, it’s about recognising what you’re passionate about and embracing that,” Mr Fisk said.

“We’ve changed the typical geek stereotype and Steve is the perfect example of an intelligent, passionate and talented person who’s not afraid to show the world just how enthusiastic he his about gaming.”

iiNet’s TopGeek 2.0 attracted more than 150 entries, 35,000 website hits, 25,000 Facebook shares and 1.3 million Twitter impressions.

For more information on Top Geek 2.0, visit Top Geek 2.0

iiNet is Australia’s second largest DSL Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the leading challenger in the telecommunications market. We employ more than 2000 inquisitive staff across four countries and support over 1.3 million broadband, telephony and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV ) services nationwide.

We’re a publicly listed company and we maintain our own super-fast broadband network. Our vision is to lead the market with products that harness the potential of the Internet and then differentiate with award-winning customer service.

To achieve this, we employ creative thinkers and true advocates of technology. Our people are a huge part of the iiNet success story, so we’ve developed a unique and stimulating work culture to ensure they remain engaged and inspired.

A lot has changed since our CEO founded iiNet in a suburban garage back in 1993 and the broadband landscape continues to evolve. What hasn’t changed is our passion for the transformative benefits of the Internet and our commitment to helping Australians connect better.

For further information or to interview Australia’s Top Geek, please contact:

Anthony Fisk/Jane Humphries

Communications – iiNet

Ph: +61 8 9214 2210

Mobile: 0414 632 130

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Forman’s Fish Island Riviera: complete with yachts, hospitality and beach club

Brighton, UK (PRWEB UK) 25 April 2012

London will be hot this summer – in the style stakes at least: Forman’s are bringing the glamour of the Riviera to the capital. The 107-year-old family firm, which boasts a fine dining restaurant as well as quality British food and hamper baskets via http://www.formanandfield.com, is offering exclusive hospitality and experiential suites at the closest venue to the London 2012 Stadium.

Forman’s ‘Fish Island Riviera’ will see a 1.5-acre patch of East London rivalling the glitz of Cannes during this summer’s Olympic Games, complete with Sunseeker yachts, top notch catering from royal warranted event organisers The Admirable Crichton and a beach club operating day and night. Next door to Forman’s world famous salmon smokery, art-gallery and event venue, the 30 bespoke suites are only 100 metres from the Olympic stadium, with access less than a five minute walk.

Lance Forman, MD of Forman’s Fish Island, commented, “Fish Island will be the VIP side of the Games this summer. We expect athletes to come here to celebrate their medal wins. Guests can arrive in style by boat and enjoy the atmosphere surrounded by palm trees and yachts. Even at this stage, months before the Games commence, most companies have not worked out how they will be entertaining their clients and staff, many of whom will be flying in to London from all over the world. Now they have the ultimate solution, but they need to be quick as there are only 30 suites available.”

Johnny Roxburgh, co-founder of The Admirable Crichton, said, “Iconic events need spectacular lunches and dinners to mark them. For the London Olympics our super-talented chefs and menu designers have created THE most delicious menus. British influenced but prepared with an international and contemporary flair, they are the perfect way to ensure that even the most sophisticated guests will leave impressed that the standard of entertaining matches the world class Olympics that they have just enjoyed.”

Hospitality

Each suite is a fully serviced space measuring 20m x 5m, including a balcony facing the Olympic stadium. Built by world-leading providers of temporary event structures and managed onsite by the global brand activation company Pico, the suites can be branded and fitted out according to clients’ exact specifications, thereby bringing their corporate HQ, showroom or lounge to the Games. Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery will forge links between clients and local artists, generating new commissions to decorate the suites.

Riviera Life

The beach club at Forman’s Fish Island Riviera will be straight out of the Cote D’Azur – London has never seen anything like it! Day and night, Forman’s bar team will be serving fabulous cocktails among the palm trees as guests enjoy a prime spot from which to watch the fireworks and soak up the atmosphere from the crowds in the stadium next door. With 150m of riverside, Sunseeker will be mooring a fleet of fabulous yachts for the duration of the Games that will be available for hire by the day. On the beach volleyball court a handpicked team will perform display matches throughout the day. Patrons can also watch Olympic athletes play, if they wish, when they have completed their own competitions!

Pricing & Booking

Hospitality suites are available at Forman’s Fish Island Riviera for the 17 days of the Olympics from £75,000 + VAT (*) There are only thirty available.

Further details and images are on http://www.formansfishisland.com/dining-experience/ffi_riviera.html

Enquiries and booking requests should be directed to Lance Forman or Arthur Somerset on

0208 5252 390 or info(at)formansfishisland(dot)com

(*) price does not include fit out or minimum catering spend.

Forman’s restaurant at Games time – Great British Food

For clients requiring very high quality hospitality for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or our late night lounge, either exclusively or in shared space, then this will be offered within Forman’s Fish Island’s existing premises. Guests can also enjoy an exclusive exhibition of photography, art, poetry and memorabilia of Muhammad Ali – The Greatest Olympian.

Attachments

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Jamaica, New York (PRWEB) April 30, 2012

On Sunday July 1st, R&B icon R Kelly will ignite New York City with musical flames when he headlines the annual “Groovin In The Park” concert at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. This will be Kelly’s first outdoor performance in NYC this year and fans are excited.

 

“Fans are hyped and ready for an extraordinary performance from the Rhythm & Blues legend who will be returning to New York for his first performance this year,” said event CEO Christopher Roberts, of Groovin Inc. “R Kelly represents the best of R&B and I am confident he will deliver a spectacular performance for music lovers.” 

 

R Kelly is a master producer, composer and performer and he is known for delivering music that is spiritual, inspirational and extremely sexual. He made his mark with smash hits like “I Believe I Can Fly,” “World’s Greatest” for the 1996 summer Olympics in Atlanta; and a duet (I’m Your Angel) with French-Canadian pop diva Celine which catapulted him to international stardom. He has also enjoyed great commercial success, recording collaboration tracks with Jay-Z’s “Not Guilty” and Kelly’s “Fiesta Remix.” 

 

Joining R Kelly on stage will be Grammy award winning R&B vocal group Boyz 11 Men, one of the most successful groups of all time. The group, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies, gained international notoriety with their 1992 hit single “End of The Road” which remained at the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for 13 weeks. The group reaped further success with hits “I’II Make Love To You,” “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey) and “On Bended Knee.” Their most recent studio album, “Twenty” was released in 2011.

 

International music legend Jimmy Cliff created history in 2010 when he became the first Jamaican performer since Bob Marley to be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The talented actor, musician, singer and music producer is arguably the most celebrated reggae act alive on the international stage. He regularly plays stadiums and arenas in Africa, Brazil and parts of Europe and has an equally impressive following in the USA where he is best known for songs like “Harder They Come,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross.”

 

R Kelly, Boyz 11 Men and Jimmy Cliff will share the stage with reggae’s lovers rock king Beres Hammond, whose stellar career was launched in the 70′s with the release of his monster hit “One Step Ahead.” In the 80′s he scored with “What One Dance Can Do,” “Tempted to Touch” and subsequent albums “Love Affair,” “Full Attention” and “A Day In The Life.” His 2001 disc “Music is Life” was warmly embraced by fans globally. The success of the album led to a series of high profile sold out appearances at the world famous Madison Square Garden.

Media contact info

Anthony Turner

e-mail: ahtder(at)hotmail(dot)com

phone – 845-206-5906

Dave Rodney

e-mail.: Diademata(at)aol(dot)com

phone: 212-767-9000

Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Thousands in Olympic Park to cheer on Games heroes at Park Live Presented by British Airways

(PRWEB) May 04, 2012

Plans were unveiled to enable thousands of spectators to cheer on live sporting action in the Olympic Park, hear from medal winning athletes and enjoy a picnic on the new riverside lawns at Park Live Presented by British Airways, right in the heart of the Olympic Park.

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has teamed up with official airline partner British Airways to create a dedicated area for up to 10,000 fans at a time with giant screens and picnic lawns in acres of newly created parklands in the Olympic Park. ‘BA Hosts’, made up of volunteers from the airline and their families, will also be on hand to help visitors.

At the heart of the plans for Park Live is a giant double-sided screen in the River Lea broadcasting live London 2012 coverage. Sitting in a newly created natural amphitheatre, Park Live plans to offer a host of entertainment including interviews with athletes on the British Airways presentation stage, allowing fans to hear first-hand from medal-winning athletes and other stars, and short films on the creation of the parklands.

Park Live will be set in the centre of the wetland bowl, within the newly created 250 acre parklands, which provides new green space for people and wildlife as well as spectacular views of the Olympic Park venues and London landmarks. It features riverside spectator lawns, timber seating, frog ponds, loggeries, wildflower meadows, woodlands, tree-lined footpaths and reed beds with over 30 species of native reeds, rushes, wet wildflowers and irises.

Park Live will be open from early morning to late evening for spectators to visit before and after sporting events on the Olympic Park. LOCOG has also outlined its ambition to offer general Park tickets, enabling people to come into the Olympic Park without tickets for sporting events.

Chair Seb Coe said: ‘Whether it’s “Halsall Hill”, “Pistorious Park” or “Dai Greene Fields” our plans for Park Live will create a green and colourful place for fans to cheer their heroes and soak up the Olympic Park atmosphere. With lush lawns surrounded by wildflower meadows and rustling reeds, a trip to Park Live will be a truly unforgettable experience.’

Olympic gold medal winner Denise Lewis said: ‘It’s fantastic that British Airways is presenting Park Live, it looks like it could be the “Henman Hill” of the Games. I know the athletes, their families and guests at the Olympic Park will be thrilled to have a dedicated place for people to come together.’

British Airways managing director of brands and customer experience Frank van der Post, said: ‘Park Live Presented by British Airways will be the place for fans to go, cheer on Team GB and ParalympicsGB and give them some home support. It will be open to all guests on the Olympic Park before or after they’ve watched an event, or simply as a destination in itself. We’re looking forward to offering a great experience and dedicated area to watch all the action live.’

Park Live Presented by British Airways includes:

Park Live will be set in a natural amphitheatre in the north of the Olympic Park spanning 15,220 square metres.
With a capacity of 10,000 people Park Live will create the fifth largest venue on the Olympic Park and will be open from early morning to late evening on a first come first served basis.
Up to 1,000 dedicated British Airways staff will welcome hundreds of thousands of spectators to Park Live during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with up to 100 staff on hand to help at any one time.
The ’BA Hosts’ will receive extensive premium service training to prepare for welcoming people from hundreds of different countries.
Once the planning process is concluded in the coming weeks, carefully planned construction work will start on the temporary double-sided 14m high, 132 square metre screen, which is the height of three double-decker buses and will sit on a purpose built structure on the river bed.
Alongside live sporting action, Park Live will feature a host of activity including live entertainment, short films on the creation of the parklands and visits from Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Park Live will be set in the newly created wetland bowl in the north of the Olympic Park which features:

Riverside spectator lawns originally grown in Lincolnshire and watered with non-drinkable recycled water provided by the new Thames Water Old Ford treatment plant.
Wetlands and rare wet woodlands in the north of the Park which create habitat and help manage floodwater, protecting new housing and venues and 5,000 existing properties from a 1:100 year storm. Rainwater is captured through porous paving and cleaned through a network of planted ditches, ponds and reedbeds before flowing into the river.
The UK’s largest ever urban river and wetland planting with 300,000 wetland plants grown on the Gower peninsula in Wales and then Thetford in Norfolk. Includes over 30 species of native reeds, rushes, grasses, sedges, wet wildflowers and irises, with around a third grown from cuttings and seeds collected from the Olympic Park before construction started.
The UK’s largest-ever perennial nectar-rich wildflower meadows designed by James Hitchmough of the University of Sheffield, showcasing world-leading colourful and bee-friendly wildflower planting.
Accessible footpaths with shallow gradients and resting points and timber seating with wheel chair spaces.
A host of wildlife habitats including frog ponds, loggeries, wetlands, woodlands, irrigation ditches, fish channels for spawning, otter holts, kingfisher nests, bat boxes and strips of Toadflax planted to attract the rare Toadflax Brocade caterpillar.

Notes to editors:

CGI impressions of Park Live and a map showing its location on the Olympic Park can be downloaded at

http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/locog?nav=pr167002156

A CGI fly-through of Park Live can be downloaded at:

http://footagelibrary.london2012.com

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.

London 2012 Games partners:

The Worldwide Olympic Partners who support the London 2012 Olympic Games and the National Olympic Committees around the world are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung and Visa.

LOCOG has seven domestic Tier One Partners – adidas, BMW, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are seven domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, ArcelorMittal, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are now twenty-eight domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Aggreko, Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, CBS Outdoor, Crystal CG, Eurostar, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, G4S, GSK, Gymnova, Heathrow Airport, Heineken UK, Holiday Inn, John Lewis, McCann Worldgroup, Mondo, NATURE VALLEY, Next, Nielsen, Populous, Rapiscan Systems, Rio Tinto, Technogym, Thames Water, Ticketmaster, Trebor and Westfield.

There is one domestic Tier One Paralympic Games-only Partner, Sainsbury’s and one domestic Tier Three Paralympic Games-only Supplier, Otto Bock. The London 2012 Paralympic Games also acknowledges the support of the National Lottery.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Hitlab

Montreal, QC (PRWEB) May 03, 2012

HITLAB, the leading personalized music service, today announced that music creators now have more ways than ever to evaluate their creative process using Hitlab’s newly updated DHS (Dynamic Hit Scoring), a sophisticated, hand-built music analysis technology. Artists can submit their songs to be transformed into various sound frequencies (including tempo and pitch) that are compared and scored against the highest ranked songs over the past six years’ of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

“Our artists have been telling us for a while that they use DHS as a tool to test for hit potential,” said Tomas Gauthier, Hitlab President and Founder. “Our technology captures in great detail every aspect that gives a song its unique “hit” characteristics, whether it’s the melody, harmony, tempo, instrumentation or more. We’re pleased to offer artists more new ways to personalize and engage with their music by providing creative feedback on optimizing success.”

Hitlab recently applied its DHS algorithm in partnerships with ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), the leading U.S. performing rights organization, in a national songwriting contest and with The Recording Academy (http://www.grammy.com) to give an unsigned, up-and coming artist or band the chance to perform at the 3rd Annual Social Media Rock Stars Summit, an official GRAMMY® Week event.

Hitlab is partly owned by Grammy nominated songwriter/artist/producer and hip-hop superstar Akon who was able to correctly anticipate pop icon Lady Gaga’s success to date. Lady Gaga, who was discovered by Akon and is signed to his Kon Live Distribution label. Three of her massive hits, “Poker Face”, “Just Dance”, and “LoveGame” earn Hitlab DHS scores of 90% and over.

About HITLAB.com:

HITLAB is a new media company focused on reinventing the way music is discovered, produced, marketed and distributed. The Company is a joint venture between a key Canadian Internet Company and world-renowned multi-platinum-selling artist Akon. HITLAB owns a proprietary DHS (Dynamic Hit Scoring) music analysis technology which transforms the song into sound frequencies that are compared against highly ranked songs on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 single charts to test for “hit potential”. HITLAB’s global social networking music community caters to new and emerging artists, early adopter listeners and talent seeking labels. Already in English and Chinese, HITLAB is developing new versions of its website based for French, Spanish and Hindi communities. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.hitlab.com/

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

The Dahls celebrate their Webby Award nomination

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 18, 2012

In a world where corporate media dominates the internet landscape, Built by Kids, an independent website (with a staff of two) has been recognized by the Webby Awards in the category of Best Family/Parenting Website alongside such powerhouses as BabyCenter, Parents Magazine, Momtastic and Sesame Street. This is a modern day story of David vs. Goliath and affirms that the little guy with a strong mission, a compelling vision, formidable passion and some good ol’ family values can compete on the big stage.

“Nominees like Built by Kids are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. “It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the nearly 10,000 entries we received this year.”

Timothy and Laura Dahl launched Built by Kids with the intention of teaching children the ABC’s of DIY and inspiring the next generation of creative Makers. Their mission, which conjures up a healthy dose of nostalgia, is to bring shop class home and to revive the backyard fun that kids had before the distractions of television, video games and other off-the-shelf entertainment.

“As new parents we want our son to grow up with an appreciation for hand-crafting and with the skills and confidence to explore his creative potential. We want his imagination to guide his playtime and his visceral abilities to lead the way,” Ms. Dahl said. At Built by Kids, the process is the goal and the power of building and bonding is celebrated. “The pride you see in a child’s face when she strikes her first nail or puts the finishing touches on his rocking horse is tangible. The skills last a lifetime and the precious memories will last forever.”

With their respective backgrounds in fashion design and home improvement, the Dahls have created a site that offers kid-friendly projects that are educational, approachable and inventively enticing. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill craft projects, rather Built by Kids features sophisticated forts, contemporary seesaws and the likes. Mr. Dahl states, “Children are more capable than they’re given credit for so we encourage them to use real tools as early as possible and involve them in quality projects that are both useful and beautiful.”

If you have ever wanted to root for the underdog, this is your chance. While the Webby is voted on by the Academy, Built by Kids is also eligible for the “People’s Voice Award,” which is voted for online by fans across the globe. From now until Friday, April 27, 2012, Built by Kids fans are encouraged to cast their votes. “We’re as excited as two kids in a candy store to be nominated and we’re humbled to be in the company of some of the internet’s most popular websites. We know that our battle for the “People’s Voice Award” is like that of David vs. Goliath, but while our competitors’ reach may be larger, Built by Kids readers are as passionate and mighty as any you’ve seen.”

About Built by Kids

Founded by Timothy & Laura Dahl, Built by Kids is created WITH, BY and FOR children. A lifestyle website that celebrates the parents, families, caregivers and educators who value the power of creative development and are nostalgic for a time when weekends were set aside for building a fort or making models. Built by Kids has been featured in The New York Times, Daily Candy and Apartment Therapy.

About The Webby Awards

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites. Established in 1996, the 16th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Affleck & Garner

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 27, 2012

ExploreTalent.com, a premier online social-network for talented individuals in the entertainment industry, announced a new blog on their news site today, titled, “Jennifer Garner Honored with Female Star of the Year Award,” according to US Weekly on 4/27/12. The blog, (http://news.exploretalent.com/jennifer-garner-honored-with-female-star-of-the-year-award/) states that “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” star, Jennifer Garner, 40, was honored with the Female Star of the Year Award by CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

While accepting the award, the mom of three, Violet, 6, Seraphina, 3, and Samuel, 2 months, with actor Ben Affleck, 39, joked about the lack of acting in her life.

Clad in a black Michael Korse dress, Garner stated during her acceptance speech, “”I told my mom the other day I was getting this award . . . and I was excited and feeling proud and thought she was going to be proud, and then there was this pause on the other end of the line. She said, ‘Jennifer, do these people know you haven’t worked in the last year?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I feel they probably know what I’ve been up to. I haven’t stepped foot on a set. You are correct, mom.’”

“She said, ‘Can they take this back? Because every time I talk to you, you are breastfeeding, you are running car pool, you are on the library committee — you are not acting!’ I said it’s not all about the now, it’s things you’ve done in the past or in the future,” Garner explained,

“And she was like, ‘Honey, you have a weird job.’”

Her fans hope to see Jennifer on screen very soon!

Explore Talent is a professional site that connects actors, models, musicians and dancers in the United States. The company posts blogs on their site so that members can stay up to date on celebrity news. The online community has been responsible for new collaborations and business ventures in entertainment. Explore Talent is responsible for countless models and actors getting acting auditions and modeling auditions by finding out about casting calls. Explore Talent also helps aspiring entertainment professionals further their careers with contests that showcase their profiles to members of the social media community. Furthermore, the Explore Talent site features celebrity videos, exclusive interviews with actors, actresses, and musicians, such as Joan Rivers, Usher, Akon and T-Pain.

Explore Talent’s proprietary software and vast infrastructure is the most advanced entertainment-based technology of its kind. The site’s popularity is based on the fact that there are many ways for talent to network, make friends and connect with other industry players, participate in wide variety of contests and earn prizes for being active on the site. The easy access to a pool of over six and a half million members attracts industry players who are posting every month about 50,000 new auditions and job openings which is 30 times more than any other site.

For more information, please visit http://www.exploretalent.com

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Jennifer Nicole Lee Fitness Model Factory

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Jennifer Nicole Lee likes big things, big events, and big news. She states, “small things make me shrink inside, and I don’t like impotent subjects or productions. My mottos is go big or go home. And yes, the bigger the better. It take the same amount of energy to focus on small goals as it does big goals. So, I only do my productions up big, and only invite the best, and work with the best.” Next up on JNL’s super packed busy agenda is her big celebration in April the 22 in Los Angeles, with some of the most powerful women who she has handpicked.

By way of background, Jennifer Nicole Lee is the CEO and President of the Fitness Model Factory. The Fitness Model Factory is JNL’s brain child of what she needed to create in the fitness and wellness, beauty glamour industry. It’s a full production house providing consulting, insight, and many resources from videography, campaigns, coaching and also the baseline photography needed for promotional uses.

Jennifer Nicole Lee opened up her Miami based Fitness Model Factory last year, in March, with a major grand opening on April the 16th 2012. When asked what the future is for her Fitness Model Factory Production house, JNL stated, “JNL Worldwide, Inc has now joined forces with some of the biggest names, brands and labels due to the fact that I opened the Fitness Model Factory Production studio. Im proud to say that my Fitness Model Factory (FMF) is now an iconic legendary destination spot that is so hot, many travel over 30 hours by plane to enjoy the experience of working with my team and creating life long memories, media, photos and videos that will give them joy the rest of their lives.”

Also at this mega one day event is JNL’s business partner Mr. Claude Taylor. JNL has coined him as “Mr. Big,” who is a master photographer with the most upright work ethic. He states, “Daily I pound my craft to be the best out there, second to none.” Jennifer Nicole Lee and Mr. Big have worked on numerous productions together at her Fitness Model Factory, which again is the creative house of many of their campaigns for contracts presented to their company.

One thing is for sure, with over 50 magazine covers, and her 3rd book out entitled The Fun Fit Foodie Cookbook, and her 4th book in the works called “Beyond the Bikini,” and her JNL Fusion exercise 12 DVD set soon to launch at http://www.JNLFusion.com, Team JNL shows no signs of slowing down.

Attending the event are fellow heavy hitters and leaders in the wellness, fitness, beauty, glamour and fashion industry. the event co-hosted by Marina Aleksintser who is a JNL Fusion Master trainer and also the world’s first ever FMF West Coast Winner to her 2011 casting call. “Marina is a leader and a true creative force to be reckoned with, as she constantly has super potent ideas, and also not to forget to mention just how photogenic, gorgeous, strong, charming, and fearless she is. To know that she is a mom and a wife, just like me, yet has an unquenchable thirst for creating, challenging fashion, and also entrepreneurial ship, it’s now wonder why we are very close and extremely good business partners.”

Oxygen Cover Girl, Fat Loss Success Story and award winning bikini competitor, Kimberly Castle has confirmed that she will be attending the Los Angeles Fitness Model Factory Mega One Day event and will be working once again with fellow Oxygen Fat Loss Cover Girl Jennifer Nicole Lee. According to Castle, “This event is going to be an amazing start to a great year. I have several bikini competitions and photo shoots scheduled over the next few months and this is just the motivation I need to get my mind in the right place.” With competition training in full swing and a new book in the works Kimberly is set to take 2012 by storm. “This year has been so crazy and exciting already. I am moving to Dallas, TX in a matter of days, I have been working on my book and preparing to take home that coveted IFBB Bikini Pro Card. This is my year!”

Kimberly Castle the motivational powerhouse, a highly sought after health and wellness coach, is a national level bikini competitor in Canada and the USA, former Miss Model of Canada and works directly with Oxygen fit to promote a healthy lifestyle to women around the world.

The Alli B has also confirmed her special appearance and attendance. The Alli B is a 2nd Degree JNL Fusion Master Trainer, and a strong force in the vegetarian community, where she also preaches positive messages such as her key trademark phrase “TODAY Is Your Tomorrow!” She is a highly sought after coach, where she consults with her worldwide clients to focuses on the present moment. The AlliB also focuses on nutrition, fitness & positive surroundings. She states “These are extremely important whether you want to transform your body, set new fitness goals, go for a new career, start a family or just want a change of pace.” On her website of http://www.TheAlliB.com she shares her passion for being a near and dear fitness friend to JNL.

Jenna Krahn is a hot and serious up and coming fitness model, mega motivator and JNL Fusion master trainer. Jenna K is blazing the north west scene with soon opening up her business to coaching and training clients as a private boutique elite gym studio facility. Her website http://www.JennaKFitness.com is a wellspring of nutritional insight and positive fitness tidbits to help all achieve their fitness goals.

Fierce, feisty and a force to be reckoned with sums with the positive power of super fit Chief Warrant Officer Mrs. Sandra Gonzalez, who was a key note speaker at JNL’s 2nd Annual JNL Fusion World Conference Event. She recieved a standing ovation, and now has won the hearts of all current JNL fusion sisters. Sandra is still relentlessly keeping her eye on the prize as this dedicated wife and mother, as she now focuses on stepping up her online coaching presence with a new hot slick and inspirational website, plans on bringing her A-game to the competition circuit, and perfecting her photography campaign by building a serious portfolio with JNL’s Fitness Model Factory dream team.

Angela Skeels is a fresh dedicated newbie to the fitness scene who has a heart of gold, a work ethic stronger than steal, and who is an honorable public safety dispatcher who dreams of being on the cover of fitness magazines. Her goals are to learn the top secrets of JNL of the real inner going ons of the bikini and fitness competition circuits, with a highly searched website, viral social media presence, and obtain tear sheets with possible fitness magazine covers.

Christine Auer is an extremely inspirational insightful woman with a strong history in the fitness and wellness industry. With her column of accomplishments and accolades, Christine now seeks to author her own book about her multi-faceted life and become a motivational public speaker and role model. She is now in the midst of relaunching her new and improved website. With a body that resembles a top gymnast in their early 30′s, this 52 year old will be not only turning heads in the fitness industry with JNL’s backing, but breaking their necks.

Marnie Miller is an dynamo in the hair industry, owning her salon for many years. This savvy business owner now seeks JNL’s expert consulting and coaching to turn her passion for fitness into a profitable empire. As a girl who was always into fitness, she has taken the bold step of pursuing her heart by making her dreams come true, with the solid advice and direction from JNL.

Michelle Phillips is a super fit mom who now is on a mission to prove to the world that women only get better after they become a mom. She is all about fitness, and she never has felt more excited about being fit then she does now, especially after being accepted into JNL’s Fitness Model Factory event.

Dr. Catherine Divingian has the fitness modeling goals of landing a cover or two. She applied to work with JNL to work around the superficiality of a sometimes brutal industry which is very competitive. Dr. Catherine is a seasoned fitness and wellness expert who now seeks out JNL to sharpen her craft, by dialing in her marketing and social media.

All in all, JNL will be pushing these women to new heights, motivating them to be their very best.

For more info, please visit http://www.FitnessModelFactory.com

Attachments

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.