California Closets Encourages Homeowners to Get Organized During National Spring Cleaning Week

California Closets is encouraging consumers to participate in National Spring Cleaning Week by organizing their homes. According to a survey done by the company, a typical person’s closet only stays organized for three months. De-cluttering homes lead to less stress in most people’s day-to-day lives.

California Closets offers solutions to people to organize their homes. They urge people to understand what “hoarding” is and learn how to “take control of their living space.” The company offers tips on how to get started cleaning certain rooms including: the bedroom closet, home office, kitchen, kid’s room and garage.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-closets-encourages-homeowners-to-get-organized-during-national-spring-cleaning-week-118417194.html

PEZ Charity Auction: William and Kate Go under the Hammer

For the forthcoming wedding-of-the-year in the British royal family, the world-famous Austrian sweet manufacturer PEZ has created a pair of PEZ dispensers representing the happy couple Prince William and Catherine Middleton. This unique item will be auctioned on ebay.co.uk to raise money for charity. For collectors of the much-loved PEZ sweet-dispensers, as well as for fans of William and Kate...  READ MORE

Coca-Cola Asks “AMERICAN IDOL®” Fans to Join Multiplatinum Singer-Songwriter Taio Cruz to Create “Perfect Harmony” in a New Hit Song

Chart-Topping Artist and Music Fans Will Collaborate to Write a New Single That Will Be Performed Live on the AMERICAN IDOL Finale Coca-Cola Perfect Harmony collaboration invites AMERICAN IDOL fans to help write a new song for Coca-Cola that will be performed during the show’s season finale May 25 at 8/7c on FOX. Fans can listen to the opening segment of a song penned by multi-platinum singer-songwriter TAIO CRUZ. Then the fans take it from there. Taio will start the song and write the beginning of each verse, but it’s up to fans to help finish each verse in time for him to perform the single on the final show. People can also get the latest updates on the program by following the hashtag #perfectharmony on Twitter.


Link to Press Release:

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110330006306/en

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/dynamic/press_center/2011/03/create-perfect-harmony-with-taio-cruz.html

L.L.Bean to launch free shipping forever March 25

L.L.Bean, a leading outdoor equipment and apparel merchant, implements free standard shipping to all United States and Canadian addresses effective March 25, 2011. The company founder and inventor of the original Maine Hunting Shoe, Mr. “L.L.” Bean, introduced the concept of free shipping in 1912 by adding “post paid” in catalog copy. As L.L.Bean nears its 100th anniversary, the tradition of free shipping returns. L.L.Bean’s free regular shipping includes fast delivery with customer packages arriving in 2-5 business days.

Click here to view release.

JOHN FRIEDA® PRECISION FOAM COLOUR TO UNVEIL "THE DECISION" A SHORT FILM STARRING KATIE HOLMES

John Frieda is a company that has prided itself on being an affordable mode of hair care for the everyday woman. Frieda was one of the first major stylists to make the leap into mass-producing his products when others were still stuck in their high priced salons. He has gained popularity for his Frizz Ease line of products that tames unruly frizz and his latest line that claims to bind split ends with amazing results. To celebrate the release of John Freida’s Precision Foam Colour, the line developed a short film starring Katie Holmes that premiered on March 22nd in New York City titled “The Decision.” The unprecedented at-home hair colour offers salon-precise coverage with flawless results. Click Here

K9 Cancer Walk Helps Buddy and Friends Fight Canine Cancer

Buddy is an 8-year-old chocolate lab mix who has lost loved ones to cancer. The Denver-based Morris Animal Foundation launched the Canine Cancer Campaign to help scientists worldwide prevent, treat and ultimately cure cancer in dogs. This year the campaign is inviting dog lovers and friends to participate in the K9 Cancer Walk at Elk Grove, California on May 7 to raise awareness of canine cancer and raise funds for research that will develop prevention strategies and test new treatments. Last year, nearly 700 participants rallied to celebrate canine cancer survivors and memorialize those who have died. The event raised more than $61,000 for research. This year the K9 Cancer Walk at Elk Grove, California is aimed at raising $75,000.

Click here for full press release.

Playcast Media Appoints JWT to Enhance Cloud Gaming Experience for Gamers Around the World with New State-of-the-Art Portal

Playcast Media announces it has partnered with the communications firm JWT to to develop a new social gaming portal for PC and TV. Playcast is the current leader in “cloud gaming” (technology that allows users to play complex, data heavy games without the need of a console). They hope to use JWT’s expertise to blend cloud gaming with social networking.

For the rest of the mind -numbing press release, please follow this link.

Mayors Michael Bloomberg & Antonio Villaraigosa's Twitter Challenge Fuels The People's Games New York vs. Los Angeles Rivalry

Recent tweets between Los Angeles and New York City Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Michael Bloomberg have "intensified" into a bi-coastal basketball challenge. Competing boasts of the athletic supremacy in each of their respective cities (via Twitter) have boiled over into an official challenge to be settled during The People's Games this spring. Tryouts for the representative teams will begin in both cities this Sunday, with the opportunity for each of the final rosters to be coached by NBA Legends Earl "The Pearl" Monroe (New York-native) and Lucius Allen (Los Angeles-native) in early May's final three-game series. Touted as being the "antithesis of professional sports," The People's Games provide individuals of all ages and backgrounds the chance to live out their dream of playing in a big time sporting event, representing their families, neighborhoods, and cities in pursuit of the thrill of victory... as well as for 'the love of the game'.

Click here to view the full release..

Sports and Entertainment Stars Unite in Las Vegas for 10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, Hosted by ARIA Resort & Casino, March 31 - Ap

ARIA Resort & Casino will host the 10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. Drew Brees, Wayne Gretzky, Mia Hamm, Spike Lee, Don Cheadle and Shannon Elizabeth are among the celebrities and athletes invited to participate in the four-day tournament. The first two days will pair a celebrity with four amateurs and the last two will be a celebrity competition. All proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Nevada Cancer Institute, James R. Jordan Foundation and Cats Care, the charity of the Charlotte Bobcats. Tickets are for sale to the general public.

Click here for the full press release.

Meatheads Aspires to 10,000 Random Acts of Kindness

In an effort to raise $2,500 for Aspire – a nonprofit Illinois organization that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities – Meatheads Burgers & Fries recently kicked off a campaign to inspire 10,000 random acts of kindness. Beginning February 28, for every random act of kindness (a selfless act meant to cheer up or assist another person) either posted on Meatheads’ Facebook wall, shared on Twitter via the #meatheadsact hash tag or e-mailed to act@meatheadsburgers.com, the Meatheads’ group of Illinois-based family restaurants will donate 25 cents per pledge. According to Tom Jednorowicz, managing partner of Meatheads, “As a restaurant with a goal of ingraining ourselves into each community we serve, we thought this would be a great way to work with our customers and neighbors in helping such a great cause.”

Click here for the full press release.

Groupon...again

Thought this was interesting given the recent Kenneth Cole fiasco and our in-class Groupon discussion!

Groupon's Ad Quickly Draws Backlash - WSJ
Groupon's Controversial Superbowl Commercials - ABC
Commercial - Tibet
Commercial - Rainforest

Walmart Helps Celebrate Black History Month by Giving Away Free Tickets

On February 1, 2011, Walmart issued a press release on PR Newswire announcing that they will be sponsoring the “America I AM: The African-American Imprint” tour to kick off the start of black history month. As part of the sponsorship and in partnership with the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, and the DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative, Walmart will be giving away 20,000 free tickets to students and families in the Washington, D.C. area. The tour will be making its debut at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. on February 2, 2011. They will also be offering discounted tickets at select Walmart stores in the D.C. area.

Real California Cheese and Chocolate – The Perfect Love Connection

For Valentine’s Day 2011, instead of “falling back on a bouquet of red roses or dinner at a crowded restaurant,” the people from the California Milk Advisory Board ask readers, “this year why not create something different with a personalized pairing menu of California chocolates and Real California Cheeses?” The California Milk Advisory Board’s press release provides readers with guidelines and tools that help them create the perfect chocolate and cheese pair as a way to show their love this Valentine’s Day. For those who want to take it to the next level, consumers can access the CMAB website and download the free smart phone application. They start by choosing their favorite California cheese, and the application will “suggest the perfect wine and beer varieties to make it sing. Or, users can select their favorite wine or beer and the app offers some California cheese selections that work best.

Full press release on Business Wire

Amazon Defense Coalition: Chevron, Trying to Fight Ecuador Lawsuit, Now Claiming Plaintiffs Don't Really Exist

Several indigenous plaintiffs locked in a long-standing lawsuit with Chevron met at one of the company’s oil well sites in Ecuador’s Amazonian rainforest this week to disprove Chevron’s recent legal motion asserting that they did not really exist. The advocacy organization Amazon Defense Coalition says this is Chevron’s most recent effort among numerous attempts to delay the lawsuit, in which Chevron is accused of dumping billions of gallons of toxic waste into the Amazon between 1964 and 1990. Chevron has alleged an American expert it hired found discrepancies between 20 of 48 signatures on the 2003 lawsuit and the signatures on the plaintiffs’ national identity cards, a claim that has been disputed by the plaintiffs.

Full press release on PR Newswire

Nike Introduces the New French Football Kit, Combining Elegant Design with Innovative Performance and Environmental Sustainability

Summary:

On January 17, 2011, Nike announced its partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF) and its production of new team kits. The unveiling, which was held at the Espace Cambon, a venue generally reserved for fashion events, featured appearances by France Coach Laurent Blanc, several French players and Nike President and CEO, Mark Parker. According to the release, Nike designed the kit to meet French standard and style. Although the kit boasts the company’s renowned Dri-FIT technology, it is Nike’s most environmentally sustainable kit to date. The shirt and shorts are made mainly from microfiber polyester recycled from plastic bottles.

The release also mentioned the promotional campaign behind the new series, which includes a digital and print campaign and a TV spot. The French team will wear the kit for the first time against Brazil on February 9, 2011. Retail products will be available February 5, 2011.

Find the full release here.

DiGiorno Creates "High Five Challenge" Between Super Bowl Cities to Break Guinness World Record

In honor of the Super Bowl, DiGiorno Pizza is selling organizing a “High Five Challenge” in order to break the Guinness World Record of the most simultaneous high fives, and selling $5 pizzas during the week. On Thursday, February 3, DiGiorno will host five rallies in Pittsburgh and Green Bay, home towns of the two competing teams, where there will be a challenge to see who see who has more passionate fans. For those who can’t be in either city, DiGiorno is offering their rising crust pizzas for $5 throughout the week leading up to the game at supermarkets across the country. Fans in other cities will also be able to give their Facebook friend “digital high fives.” For every high five sent over Facebook and every fan in attendance at the rallies, DiGiorno will donate $5 to Feeding America. DiGiorno has hired comedian Jay Mohr to help promote the High Five Challenge.

Read the press release here.

ArkStorm: California's Other "Big One"

Between the dates of January 13th and 14th of this year, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) held an emergency response summit in Sacramento geared toward preparing the California community for a hypothetical “ArkStorm Scenario”. Based upon research into significant storms Which occurred in January 1969 and February 1986, USGS scientist have estimated that such severe weather occurs every 100-200 years and could produce up to 10 feet of rain, resulting in upward of $300 Billion in flood damage. Immediate impacts of the summit include the creation of statewide landslide susceptibility maps, physics-based storm modeling systems to predict wave height and coastal erosion, as well as a wide variety of collaborative flood management initiatives and emergency response plans. View release here...

Amazon to Acquire LOVEFiLM International Limited

Amazon today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the remaining shares in LOVEFiLM International Limited (http://www.LOVEFiLM.com). LOVEFiLM is a leading European film subscription service and is described as the Netfilx of Europe. Its other services include games rental-by-post and streaming films and TV shows online. Amazon already has 42% shares in LOVEFiLM and does not operate any similar business in Europe.

Link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amazon-to-acquire-lovefilm-international-limited-114263134.html

Release sent out by Amazon.com

Chicago Marriott Offers a Romantic Escape Package on Valentine's Day

On January 19, 2011, the Chicago Marriott O’Hare announced that they will be offering a promotional Escape Romance Package for couples who are celebrating Valentine’s Day. The package includes discounted room rates on any weekend night. The special package also includes champagne and breakfast for two.

Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Nintendo announces the release of the first 3D handheld video game console on March 27th, 2011. The system, The Nintendo 3DS, includes a wide variety of features and an impressive set of hardware components that the company hopes will usher in a new era of handheld gaming. Most importantly, users will be able to play 3 dimensional games that nteract with their environment without the use of 3D glasses. The product goes on sale in the US on March 27th, with a suggested retail price of $249.99.

For the full press release, see Business Wire

Cupid Aims His Arrow at White Castle to Celebrate 90 Years of Steam-Grilled Romance

On February 14th, White Castle will offer their Valentine’s Day promotion, where customers can reserve a table and enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner complete with special menus, table-side service and themed decorations. America’s first fast-food hamburger chain has hosted this special Valentine's Day dinner since 1991, but this February is most notable as White Castle is celebrating its 90th year.

The “steamy” special includes 10 sliders, two 21-ounce sodas and French fries for $10.49. Each reservation party will receive a collapsible commemorative White Castle Valentine’s Day vase, as well as a complimentary digital photo available on the White Castle website after the event. Customers can buy “Love Castle” V-Day shirts and blankets on the company’s website as well. Dinner service ranges from 4pm to 10pm varying with participating restaurants.

Click here to read the official press release from PRnewswire.

Verizon Wireless & Apple Team Up to Deliver iPhone 4 on Verizon
Apple and Verizon are teaming up to release the iPhone 4 on the Verizon network. The device will be released on February 10 and will be available for pre-order on February 3. Both Verizon and Apple had quotes in the document, so you get perspectives from both organizations. The iPhone has been in high demand with Verizon customers for a number of years. The rest of the announcement goes into detail on the features and specs; it also includes boilerplates and contact information from both companies.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110111006543/en/Verizon-Wireless-Apple-Team-Deliver-iPhone-4

Omni Chicago Hotel Gives Green Bay Fans Opportunity to Score Big

Omni Chicago Hotel, a four-diamond all-suite hotel located on the prestigious Michigan Avenue, challenged Green Bay Packers fans to visit the Windy City and stay at the hotel with a chance to win a free night's stay - if the Packers can emerge victorious over the Bears for a Super Bowl bid. The longest rivalry in league history beckoned Bill Bennett, the hotel's director of sales and marketing, to up the ante. If the Packers win, he would don a Packers jersey, a cheesehead hat and would congratulate Packers fans who checked out the following Monday.


Read the official press release here.

Tiger Woods Foundation Launches Summer Academy at the Tiger Woods Learning Center - Orange County

This June, the Tiger Woods Learning Center (TWLC) will host the TWLC Summer Academy for the first time since the program’s origin. Attendees, students aged 11-14, will receive 15 hours of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) instruction and are eligible to attend supplemental workshops. Additionally, attendees have the opportunity to receive instruction from TWLC golf instructors and PGA teaching professionals and make use of the latest Nike equipment and digital skill development technology. Students will also have an opportunity to experience college living while rooming at one of several partnering university locations including Chapman University and Cal State Fullerton.

Please find the original release on PR Newswire.

Tens of Thousands of US Students Learn Chinese Language and Culture Through the College Board's Chinese Guest Teacher Program

The College Board collaborates with China’s Hanban Confucius Institute on the Chinese Guest Teacher Program to place experienced language teachers from China with host schools around the United States for up to three years. The deadline for U.S. schools to apply for the 2011-2012 cycle is February 15, 2011. Since 2007 the program has placed more than 450 teachers in American elementary, middle, and high schools to help them affordably develop Chinese language programs and promote international understanding between the U.S. and China. The College Board has also organized other initiatives that encourage the study of Chinese language and culture, including the Advanced Placement Chinese Course and Exam and the fourth-annual National Chinese Language Conference (co-hosted with the Asia Society and the Mandarin Institute), which will take place in San Francisco on April 14-16.

Read the full press release here

USA TODAY and RACHAEL RAY Show Launch Kindness Challenge

USA TODAY and the Rachel Ray Show partnered to launch the Kindness Challenge, in which five volunteers from the youth organization DoSomething.org will have six weeks to make a difference in their choice cause. The volunteers will document their experience via flip-cams and blog contributions. Public voting will begin on February 28^th and a winner will be announced on March 14^th on the Rachel Ray Show and in USA TODAY.

Click here to view the press release.

Candy for the Classroom: Indie Candy launches allergen-free Valentine’s treats

On Jan. 17, 2011, Indie Candy – a Birmingham, Alabama-based manufacturer of natural and allergen-free gourmet candy – announced the launch of its new holiday-themed allergen-free candy line just in time for Valentine’s Day 2011. The company’s products, which can be purchased at indiecandy.com, are not only free of artificial flavors, preservatives and dyes, but also do not contain any of the “Big 8” food allergens, including gluten/wheat, dairy, tree nuts, soy, eggs, fish and shellfish. Food allergies form when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein, causing mild to life-threatening reactions in roughly 12 million Americans who suffer from allergic reactions to food. The company is trying to add news value to the launch by positioning the candy as a safe snack for kids in the classroom.

Please click here to view the press release on PR Newswire.

Wanted: A Smart Star for the hotels.com “Clay Yourself” Contest

Hotels.com, known for its claymation commercials and easy searches for cheap hotel reservations, has developed a microsite where you can create your own clay avatar and compete for a spot to star in your very own Hotels.com commercial. The microsite allows visitors to also create a stage name based on the type of vacation you want to take, and develop a mad-lib like script for your commercial debut. Based on votes from site visitors, a winner will be chosen each week to receive a $200 voucher for hotels.com. The grand prize winner's clay character will star in their own hotels.com commercial. The site will allow visitors to share your clay avatars on their favorite social media sites. The contest concludes on February 25th.

Read full release here - http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/hotels/48103/

New Medication Translations for World Travelers Now Available

HTH Worldwide, a global health and safety services company, today announced the expansion of its mobile and online brand name medication translation guide for world travelers. Prescription and over-the-counter drug names often vary by country — for example Prilosec is called Lomac or Prilosid in India — so those traveling, living or studying abroad need to be sure they are getting the precise equivalent of medications they were prescribed at home. HTH Worldwide built, maintains and annually updates an international database of over 6,200 brand names for nearly 400 compounds in 28 of the most frequently visited countries around the world. The latest additions to the database include translations for medications in South Korea, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates as well as a wider range of drugs used to treat behavioral health (Valium is sold as Kratium or Valpam in Hong Kong) for all 28 countries.

This proprietary worldwide database is the product of years of research by faculty at leading U.S. medical research institutions and teaching hospitals. World travelers can access this vital information by subscribing to mPassport, a mobile and online personal medical concierge or by purchasing TravelGap® or Global Citizen international health plans from HTH Worldwide. Employers and universities also make this information available to their employees, students and faculty when they purchase group health plans from HTH Worldwide.

Full Press Release:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-medication-translations-for-world-travelers-now-available-114222249.html

"Snowman Goes to the Desert"

Summary:

Panasonic Corporation delivered a snowman from Japan to a young boy living in the desert of Bahrain. The snow was delivered via a specially constructed package using Panasonic's vacuum insulation panels and the idea was derived from the company's global eco-ideas program. The project was led by a team called The Sparks and the super charming ‘eco-ideas’. The Sparks’ goal is to create and execute on innovative experiments using Panasonic’s eco-friendly technologies. They have been carrying out experiments since March 2010 and documenting their work on their website and Facebook page. The sister of a young boy living in Bahrain used the facebook page to ask The Sparks team to figure out a way for her little brother to see "his very first 'snow'." The result – a small, fully developed snowman successfully packaged and delivered to Bahrain from Japan, using only Panasonic’s vacuum insulation panel technology.

To read the full press release, click here.

Gilt Groupe and USA Networks Partner for TV Show Inspired Sale

Gilt Groupe, an online shopping website, and USA Networks are partnering together to create a special clothing line based off of the USA television show, White Collar. Gilt has partnered with the show’s costume designer and Brooks Brothers to create White Collar inspired clothing items. Men’s and women’s clothing and accessories will be available exclusively on Gilt Groupe for a limited time (36 hours) starting Wednesday, January 19 at 12 pm ET. Since the show is set and filmed in New York City, Gilt will also offer a dining and travel experience in NYC that encompasses the feel of the show. Finally, Gilt.com will give away a limited amount of Brooks Brother’s white-collar shirts during the day of the sale.

View the press release on PR Newswire here.

Welcome!

A little inspirational video to start the semester.