Cosmopolitan Magazine

Cosmopolitan

by Phyllis Fine , Friday, May 30, 2008

THE FRENULUM, THE RAPHE, the ticki-bicki -- one of these is NOT an area on a man's body that can be stimulated for extra-credit "erotic excitement," according to the June issue of Cosmopolitan. Can you guess which it is?

So, yeah, Cosmo lives up to its reputation for providing explicit, sex-manual-worthy tidbits. Some seem potentially useful. Take the tips to focus on overlooked parts of the obvious male erogenous zones, like those areas named above (OK, not the tiki-biki). But others veer toward the absurd. Though, hmm... If I was at work, and I took the suggestion to insert a small, portable vibrator activated by ringtones, I'd get MUCH less irritated when a co-worker's unanswered cell played endless repetitions of the "Twilight Zone" theme.

Still, it's only in the sexual arena that Cosmo goes off the beaten track with unfamiliar vocabulary. In its other field of expertise, relationships, advice is dumbed-down and unsophisticated. Take "The Secret Girlfriend Weapon," which aims to put to practical use a study that "focusing on each other's good qualities" is key to a long-lasting love connection. Here 's the Cosmo-speak version: "Whatever your dude does that makes you crazy, find the silver lining. He's sloppy?.. So he'll probably let you make decisions like how to decorate the apartment. Niice."

The constant "dude" and "chick" references throughout the mag make me feel as if I'm trapped simultaneously in '90s and '60s time-warps. They drag the prose down to the level of the many pieces of reader-generated content, like "Bitch It Out" and "Guy Confessions" -- anecdotes about being caught in the (sexual) act, being hit in the balls during sports, etc. "I have a friend who comes over to eat my food and then leaves behind dirty dishes...." begins another fascinating entry. It's all very high school blogish.

The professionally written pieces do provide some flashes of insight and wit, like a great cavewoman-type dance invite I wish I'd had the chutzpah to try back in my single days: "You, Me. Dance floor. Now." "How To Snoop On Your Man" offers the obvious (examine every single thing he owns), except for the innovative tip to sniff a man's gym clothes: "They should be smelly. If not, where was he?"

If you're looking for genuine journalism, though, there's little beyond "How A Date Rapist Works," a well-written piece that clearly spells out how to avoid being a victim.

I haven't read Cosmo regularly since Helen Gurley Brown was editor (she stepped down more than 10 years ago). Sure, it could be annoyingly cutesy, and men were topic No. 1 then as now. But remember that old ad campaign from the Brown days: "If you want to find me, you'll catch me reading Cosmopolitan"? (Or words to that effect -- I couldn't find examples of the real copy. If anybody has, then I'd love to hear from you.) The women in those ads seemed a helluva lot more well-rounded than today's presumed reader -- didn't they mention interests like sky-diving?

On the day that the "Sex In The City"movie premieres, I'm wondering if (the younger) Carrie Bradshaw's columns would fit inside this incarnation of Cosmo. Or would her thoughtful explorations of relationship issues be considered too, oh, intellectual for the present target reader? If so, then -- dude, how sad is that?

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Phyllis Fine is columns editor for MediaPost.

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Boating Savings Website Launched

Redcats USA Launches an Innovative Specialty Website - BoatingSavings.com

SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn.-- May 30, 2008 --The Sportsman's Guide®, a distinguished brand in the Redcats USA portfolio, announced today the launch of BoatingSavings.com, adding to the growing "Guide Outdoors Network," which consists of The Sportsman's Guide®, BargainOutfitters.comT, The Golf Warehouse®, BaseballSavings.com® and SoftballSavings.com®.

The idea behind BoatingSavings.com was to create a one-stop shop for fishing and boating enthusiasts-making it easy for them to find everything they need for an active and sports-oriented lifestyle. The Sportsman's Guide® already had a large following of avid fishermen and knew that a large percentage of these customers owned boats. As such, BoatingSavings.com ties together the customer's love for boating, fishing and family, providing easy online access to a wide selection of marine and water sports gear.

"We are pleased with the launch of BoatingSavings.com and feel confident that our customers will embrace the convenience of finding all of their fishing and boating needs on one easy-to-navigate site," said Greg Binkley, President/CEO/COO of The Sportsman's Guide®. "The Sportsman's Guide® team did an excellent job of developing a site that will significantly enhance our customer's shopping experience."

BoatingSavings.com offers customers a broad selection of well-known brands including Stearns®, Wise®, Turning Point Props®, Sevylor®, Okuma® and Daiwa®. This brand and product-driven focus is evident on the home page where fishing and boating accessories are visibly posted, and Flash and Ajax technology is utilized to feature multiple promotions to pique the customer's interest.

"The Sportsman's Guide® and The Golf Warehouse® have shown tremendous success in their innovative online approach to offering outdoor and sporting gear to a loyal customer base," said Eric Faintreny, Chairman and CEO of Redcats USA. "The team knows their audience, they have spent time researching customer needs, and they dedicate the time and resources required for building unique websites that truly are a convenient one-stop shop for sports and outdoor enthusiasts."

About Redcats USA

Redcats USA is a multi-channel home shopping leader with numerous well-known brands in its portfolio: Chadwick's®, metrostyle®, Woman Within®, Jessica London®, Roaman's®, KingSize®, BrylaneHome®, BrylaneHome® Kitchen, The Sportsman's Guide®, The Golf Warehouse® and AVENUE® Stores. Redcats USA offers a wide range of value and quality driven merchandise categories, including missy apparel, men's and women's plus-size apparel, home and lifestyle products, and outdoor gear.

About Redcats Group

Redcats USA is a division of Redcats Group, a global leader in Home Shopping for apparel and home furnishing. Drawing on a multichannel network combining catalogues, e-commerce and stores, Redcats Group generated 3.76 billion euros of sales in 2007 with 15 brands in 29 countries and a staff of around 22,000 associates. Sales are split between France (51.5%), USA (24.9%) and the rest of the world (23.6%). Redcats Group is a PPR Company. For any further information: www.redcats.com.
Contacts

Redcats USA
Pat Cross, 212-502-9315
Vice President, PR & Communications

Pioneering Effect Marketing Firm Promotes Social Action, Drives Results Through Brands, Music, and Special Events

MusicMatters Creates Ultimate Green Experience for Jack Johnson's 2008 World Tour; Pioneering Effect Marketing Firm Promotes Social Action, Drives Results Through Brands, Music and Special Events

Going Beyond the Green Standard for Nearly Two Decades

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 29, 2008 --From the first Concert for the Environment in the '90s to the latest Jack Johnson world tour - to significantly boosting revenues for an array of organic brands like Ben & Jerry's, Stonyfield and CLIF Bar - MusicMatters is proving that green experiences generate dramatic results. The Minneapolis-based company creates strategic partnerships, innovative, action-oriented campaigns and memorable experiential online and onsite activities to raise awareness about critical environmental issues that move millions to take action. (See Media Kit case studies). In many ways, the Johnson tour, like the company's work for recording artists that range from Gomez and the John Butler Trio to the Dave Matthews Band, The Police and others, is a culmination of everything it's done for almost two decades and a preview of what's possible in the future.

As campaign director for Billboard magazine's number one green artist, Jack Johnson, and his highly anticipated 2008 World Tour, MusicMatters has helped create the green infrastructure and experiential branding components that are making the tour an unqualified success. The tour kicked off in Australia and Japan last month and is set to rock the U.S., Canada and Europe beginning in mid-June. Johnson, whose new Brushfire release Sleep Through the Static is already a number one hit, is passionately committed to greening every aspect of this tour in order to minimize environmental impact. To get there, Johnson and his team worked with MusicMatters to create a low environmental impact tour that generates high environmental awareness and action.

"Jack Johnson's music and sustainable lifestyle inspire fans worldwide. This tour is all about music, but it's also a profoundly powerful vehicle for change. This tour is a first-of-its-kind in many ways and fans will experience on a very visceral level how much fun they can have while doing good," says Michael Martin, founder and Prez of MusicMatters.

MusicMatters has worked with Johnson to ensure that this tour is as green as possible. This includes fueling tour vehicles with biodiesel, offsetting 100% of tour carbon emissions, offering fans the chance to offset their carbon footprint from traveling to and from shows, offering eco-friendly tour merchandise, refillable water bottles and working with venues to reduce waste and recycle. MusicMatters has also helped to create the All At Once partnership with non-profits worldwide. This new interactive community empowers fans to take action toward a healthier community and planet. "Based on the concept that individual action, multiplied by millions, creates global change, the tour will set the new 'green standard' in the industry and encourage established superstar acts and emerging artists to adopt similar campaigns for their tours," according to Martin.

"Michael Martin is a true green pioneer," says Johnson. "He not only understands how to merge music with message, he has brilliance for creating strategies and experiences that move audiences to action. Plus, he and his team bring an authenticity to events that fans appreciate. I consider him an integral part of my team."

MusicMatters Helps Deliver the Architecture for Jack Johnson Tour and Others

The company has been providing the campaign architecture for green tours and events for almost two decades. At the center of the Johnson tour is a first-of-its-kind platform - a worldwide community to bring about environmental change. Read more about it at this link: www.musicmatters.net/press/20080528

About MusicMatters

For nearly two decades MusicMatters has made headlines, effected policy change and delivered bottom line results to scores of values-based businesses.

Pioneering a revolutionary process called Effect MarketingT, MusicMatters, through campaigns and strategy development, reaches millions of consumers each year and inspires them to take action. In addition, MusicMatters creates street and retail events to build and drive awareness and sales. The firm is the country's leading live marketing agency for the organic and natural industry.

Clients include Annie's Inc., Jack Johnson, Organic Valley Family of Farms, The Police, Stonyfield Farm, Dave Matthews Band, Earthbound Farm, Horizon Organic, CLIF Bar, Nature's Path, Santa Cruz Organic and more.

The Minneapolis-based firm with a staff of 20 is nationally recognized for the unique, powerful and entertaining brand experiences they create. (See Company Backgrounders in the Media Kit, MUSICMATTER'S GREATEST HITS/SOCIAL CHANGE INVENTIONS on the company's website).

For more information - or to interview Michael Martin - please contact Martin Keller at Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585, mkeller@mediasavantcom.com

Contacts

Media Savant Communications Co.
Martin Keller, 612-729-8585
mkeller@mediasavantcom.com

Madness Sale Features Exclusive Savings On Unlocked Cell Phones

March Madness Sale at Cellhut.com Features Exclusive Savings

Hugely discounted prices on unlocked cell phones available through cellhut.com during the month of March give buyers the chance to save hundreds of dollars.

New York, NY  -  March 13, 2008 -- As winter comes to a close and the gloomines  s that accompanied those cold months gives way to days of sunshine, there is no better way to spend your time outside than with a brand new cell phone. Thanks to the incredible savings through Cellhut.com's March Madness sale, the ability to own a new cell phone is easily within reach. Since 1996, Cellhut.com has been offering premium unlocked phones from the most reliable brands including Nokia, LG, Motorola and Samsung. Their business model emphasizes knowledgeable customer service combined with a promise to sell their products at the lowest prices.

One of the pivotal aspects of the March Madness sale is that all featured phones are sold with free shipping. This means on top of the great instant savings you'll receive as part of this sale, you won't have to bother with shipping costs that can easily add a fair sum of money to the total cost.

If you've ever wanted to own the stylish Samsung Giorgio Armani P520 for only $649.99 then now is your chance, because with the March Madness sale you can enjoy an instant savings of $250. Typical of the Armani clothing line, this phone features elegant style and bold lines that make it stand out in a sea of generic phone designs. Its greatest asset is the completely touch screen, which eases the user into an intuitive call making experience.

Cellhut.com has an exclusive price of $599.99 on the unlocked HTC 8525, which is AT&T's powerful Windows Mobile phone. It features a full QWERTY pull-out keyboard, enabling the user to efficiently take notes. These utilitarian features don't mean that the 8525 lacks in the multimedia department however, because through AT&T Music Mobile users can download music and use the phone as an mp3 player.

The unlocked LG KE850 Prada phone in black is available for $423.23, and like Armani P520, takes its fashion roots a step further by proving that it is more than just a good looking phone. LG has created a masterpiece in design by combining a thin profile and a powerful 2MP camera. Interaction with the phone surpasses the standard design by incorporating an extra wide touch screen LCD allowing for a liberal amount of room to navigate the main screen.

The March Madness price on the unlocked Motorola Rizr Z8 is $459.99, which gives you an exclusive saving of $240. The features on this phone include watching video at 30fps and storing files in the micro SD slot up to 4GB's. The integrated music player allows you to easily navigate through your songs. This Motorola Rizr represents the next-generation in multimedia entertainment and is not to be missed by anyone who considers themselves aficionados of the latest gear.

The President of the Cellhut.com, Bawa Bhasin, says, "I am very pleased to announce this annual sale because it means unprecedented savings for our customers."

Only for a limited time during the month of March customers can enjoy great savings including free shipping and greatly reduced prices on all the latest unlocked cell phone products. The products can be used with any provider including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Other unlocked phones featured in this great deal are: Nokia 8600 (Luna), Nokia N73, Nokia N95 8G, Sony Ericsson P990i, Sony Ericsson S500i, Motorola U6, Motorola W375, Motorola Z3 RIZR, LG KG195

About Cellhut.com
Cellhut.com places customer satisfaction as its highest priority and promises to make a positive impression on the clientele they do business with. The business of dealing with unlocked mobile phones relies on a high level of technological knowledge that the well-educated support staff is ready to handle. By shopping with Cellhut.com you get the best selection of unlocked cell phones and accessories under one roof.

Contact: Martin Glick
Telephone: 646-200 5000 ext: 210
Email: Martin @ cellhut.com
Web Site: www.cellhut.com

Press Contact: Martin Glick
Company Name: Cellhut.com
Phone: 646-200-5000 +210
Website: www.cellhut.com

Email Delivery Management Services Extended

BlueHornet Networks Extends SureSend Email Delivery Management Services

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 27, 2008 --BlueHornet Networks, Inc., a leading provider of email marketing solutions and subsidiary of Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), today introduced QuickStart, the latest addition to its SureSendT e-mail deliverability enhancement platform. To help email marketers improve their inbox delivery rates and online reputation, SureSend QuickStart enables online marketers to use many of SureSend's most popular features with any email deployment service. These tools and services include deliverability rate and CAN-SPAM compliance checks, ISP whitelisting, deliverability optimization tests, proactive consulting and access to BlueHornet best practice webinars and whitepapers.

"Email marketers recognize the challenges involved with getting to the inbox today, but many aren't sure how to begin addressing issues like blacklists, spam filters and building a good online brand reputation," said Tim Marusich, general manager for BlueHornet. "QuickStart gives marketers an easy way to take proactive steps that can offer immediate improvement of deliverability rates. Now that SureSend offerings are no longer exclusive to BlueHornet clients, email marketers, regardless of whether they use an in-house email solution or outsourced provider, can kick their deliverability management into high gear."

"By using BlueHornet's SureSend QuickStart technology, Chuck E. Cheese's was able to promptly identify and fix existing issues that were affecting our inbox delivery rates," said Ryan Linders, marketing manager for CEC Entertainment, Inc. "Now we have peace of mind knowing that if future issues arise, QuickStart will help us see them coming in time to preventively reduce the risk of ISP blocking."

QuickStart is the latest addition to BlueHornet's SureSend platform, which was designed to help online marketers improve e-mail inbox deliverability rates and achieve improved results from e-mail campaigns. SureSend combines integrated tools with expert consultation to keep marketers informed about the rapidly changing criteria ISPs and other industry providers use to determine which messages get delivered, filtered or blocked. To learn more about the SureSend e-mail deliverability enhancement platform, visit www.BlueHornet.com/SureSend.

About BlueHornet Networks, Inc.

BlueHornet Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Digital River, Inc., is a leading provider of permission based e-mail marketing solutions. BlueHornet conducts e-mail campaigns for hundreds of top brands, including Match.com, Famous Footwear, 3M, GUESS?, House of Blues Entertainment, Inc., Kyocera Wireless and Red Lobster. In addition, BlueHornet supports more than 100 resellers, many using private label versions of its e-mail marketing solution. For more information, visit www.bluehornet.com.

About Digital River, Inc.

Digital River, Inc., a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, builds and manages online businesses for software publishers, consumer technology manufacturers, distributors, online retailers and affiliates. Its multi-channel e-commerce solution, which supports both direct and indirect sales, is designed to help companies of all sizes maximize online revenues as well as reduce the costs and risks of running an e-commerce operation. The company's comprehensive platform offers site development and hosting, order management, fraud prevention, export controls, tax management, physical and digital product fulfillment, multi-lingual customer service, advanced reporting and strategic marketing services.

Founded in 1994, Digital River is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices in major U.S. cities as well as Cologne, Germany; London, England; Shannon, Ireland; Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Stockholm, Sweden; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; and Shanghai, China. For more details about Digital River, visit the corporate Web site at www.digitalriver.com or call 952-253-1234.

Digital River is a registered trademark of Digital River, Inc. SureSend is a trademark of BlueHornet Networks, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks, registrations or copyrights of their respective owners.

Contacts

Digital River, Inc.
Media Contact:
Heather Morris, 952-253-8828
Public Relations Specialist
publicrelations@digitalriver.com
or
Investor Relations Contact:
Ed Merritt, 952-540-3362
Group Vice President, Investor Relations
investorrelations@digitalriver.com

Contract for Nokia 8800 Arte Mobile Phone Now Available

Nokia 8800 Arte Mobile Phone Now Available on Contract from MobilePhoneKing.com

Nokia 8800 Arte mobile phone just released on contract in the UK. The 8800 Arte is the latest premium slide mobile phone from Nokia. Compare mobile phone deals on the Nokia 8800 Arte at MobilePhoneKing.com

London, UK  -  January 6, 2008 -- MobilePhoneKing.com announces the launch of the new Nokia 8800 Arte premium slide mobile phone available on contract now from http://www.mobilephoneking.com

The Nokia 8800 Arte is the latest in the premium range from Nokia. With an elegant slide design, which reveals an amazing array of high-tech features. Including a 3.2 megapixel camera with digital zoom and auto focus, multimedia messaging and data transfer via bluetooth or USB. Two touches on the steel facia wakes the clock up and brings the Arte to life. Living Wallpaper allows your wallpaper to come alive by adapting to time, battery power and signal strength. Finally the coolest feature of all, the ability to silence a call simply by turning the Nokia 8800 Arte face-down on a surface.

Compare mobile phone deals on the Nokia 8800 Arte at http://www.mobilephoneking.com/display.asp?hs=8800arte

Mobile Phone King compares thousands of mobile phone deals daily. Compare prices on contract mobile phones, pay as you go mobile phones and SIM free mobile phones with Mobile Phone King. Make sure you find the best mobile phone deal by visiting MobilePhoneKing.com

Press Contact: Chris
Company Name: Mobile Phone King
Phone: +447835611422
Website: http://www.mobilephoneking.com

Free National Directory to Include Drunk Driving Attorneys

LawInfo Expands Free National Directory to Include Drunk Driving Attorneys

LawInfo.com now provides a way in which the public and professionals alike can locate a pre-screened, pre-qualified drunk driving lawyer in their area. In an effort to guarantee professional, unparalleled criminal law representation, Lawinfo administers a detailed screening process for DUI and DWI attorneys that verifies state bar admission, peer approval and recommendations, a proven high rate of case and trial success, and no pending disciplinary action.

October 9 -- LawInfo has now added qualified drunk driving attorneys to its free online national directory. These attorneys are a part of LawInfo's signature service, the Lead Counsel Program, which provides pre-qualified, pre-screened attorneys, including DUI lawyers, DWI attorneys and car accident lawyers, through a simple, 2-click accessible attorney directory. The Lead Counsel Program has resulted in the enhanced screening of attorneys' credentials and has become a symbol of quality assurance for consumers searching for legal representation.

A person is guilty of drunk driving when he or she drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle and is under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any chemical or controlled substance to the extent that his or her mental faculties are impaired and/or his or her blood alcohol level (BAC) is above the legal limit. All offenses that involve the operation of a vehicle while intoxicated are criminal law matters, which could potentially incur a felony conviction and possible prison sentence depending on how serious the charges are; i.e. if the offender's impairment caused a traffic accident resulting in personal injuries, wrongful death, etc.

If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), it is critical that you retain a qualified and experienced drunk driving attorney immediately to protect your legal rights and fight for your exoneration. LawInfo's Lead Counsel drunk driving lawyers are highly skilled and are fully versed in the intricacies of drunk driving laws. The following is a testimonial of a Lead Counsel DWI attorney's skill at work:

"New Hampshire DWI attorney Patrick E. Donovan is my savior and was worth every penny. He recently tried my DWI, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Threatening Case and brought it to acquittal. I found Patrick through the LawInfo site after hiring and firing 3 previous attorneys in New Hampshire." -Sharon Wilber-Lemire

For over a decade, LawInfo's mission has been to assist the public in locating qualified attorneys and legal services. Founded in 1994, LawInfo is recognized nationwide as a leader within the legal community. In addition to listing a national directory in which to locate skilled drunk driving attorneys, LawInfo.com also provides the latest legal news, breaking headlines on FDA-mandated recalls for defective drugs and dangerous products and supplies an index of experienced local and national attorneys who are handling such cases.

LawInfo.com has also designed a legal resource center that provides a quick and easy way to access free legal forms and documents, research thousands of legal FAQ's, obtain document preparation services and locate legal experts throughout the nation--such as private investigators, bail bondsmen, process servers and paralegals. LawInfo.com also provides marketing packages for attorneys and legal professionals crafted by a team of specialists that integrates web design, content development and internet marketing with targeted traffic-generation tactics. LawInfo is staffed by experienced legal industry professionals and their corporate offices are located in San Marcos, California, just thirty minutes north of San Diego.

For more information about Lead Counsel drunk driving attorneys, or LawInfo's free legal resource center, call 1-800-397-3743 or visit www.lawinfo.com.

Press Contact: Lisa Wilson
Company Name: LawInfo, Inc.
Phone: 800-397-3743
Website: www.lawinfo.com

Report Says Jobs are Harder to Find Online

New EmploymentCrossing.com Report Says Jobs are Harder to Find Online

Department of Labor unemployment figures may be dramatically up but real issue is jobs are now distributed to so many websites people cannot find them anymore according to EmploymentCrossing.com.

Pasadena, CA  - April 7, 2008 -- A. Harrison Barnes, the CEO of EmploymentCrossing.com, a website that consolidates jobs on its site from employer websites and other job boards, says there is not a crisis in the employment market as reported by the Department of Labor on Friday. Instead, Barnes believes jobs are getting harder to find because they are moving so rapidly away from local newspapers to the web—to so many websites that job seekers can no longer find the jobs that are available.

"The jobs are disbursed among too many websites," says Barnes. "It used to be you could pick up one or maybe two local newspapers when looking for a job. Now you need access to the web and most job seekers are visiting only a few sites when searching for a job. We visit over 10,000 websites a day to find jobs for our site. There are jobs out there for everyone. Not surprisingly, the job losses being reported by the Labor Department are also largely confined to professions like manufacturing where people do not have access to the web."

According to Barnes, people looking for a job simply cannot find the openings out there. With over 10,000 job sites and even more employer career pages, Barnes believes that the jobs out there are distributed to so many sites that it is getting harder for people to find jobs.    

Barnes believes that his EmploymentCrossing.com site is "a good first step" towards solving this problem because it consolidates every job it can find. In addition, EmploymentCrossing.com is a research company and does not charge employers to post jobs—all it does is research jobs.

"EmploymentCrossing's business model is to do nothing but consolidate every single job on our site. I view the number of Internet sites out there with jobs on them as a crisis and job seekers should too," says Barnes.

About EmploymentCrossing
EmploymentCrossing.com is a division of EmploymentScape, one of the largest employment companies in the world. Harrison Barnes can be reached at hbarnes @ employmentscape.com

Press Contact: Harrison Barnes
Company Name: EmploymentCrossing.com
Phone: 626-243-1815
Website: www.employmentcrossing.com

International Independent Software Developers Forum Spring 2008

Digital River Sponsors International Independent Software Developers Forum Spring 2008

MINNEAPOLIS -- May 22, 2008 --Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, announced that the company will sponsor, exhibit and speak at the International Independent Software Developers Forum (ISDEF) Spring 2008. The conference is being held May 31 - June 2, 2008, at the Foresta Tropicana in Moscow, Russia.

Digital River is a sponsor of the ISDEF spring conference and will host an exhibit booth as well as lead break-out sessions for conference attendees. During a break-out session focused on the state of the shareware industry, the company will discuss strategies and tactics on how to increase online sales, manage resellers and effectively price software for online stores.

ISDEF Spring 2008 is a conference devoted to software development and marketing topics. More information about the conference is available at http://www.isdef.org/en/conference/isdef2008_spring/.

About Digital River, Inc.

Digital River, Inc., a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, builds and manages online businesses for software publishers, consumer technology manufacturers, distributors, online retailers and affiliates. Its multi-channel e-commerce solution, which supports both direct and indirect sales, is designed to help companies of all sizes maximize online revenues as well as reduce the costs and risks of running an e-commerce operation. The company's comprehensive platform offers site development and hosting, order management, fraud prevention, export controls, tax management, physical and digital product fulfillment, multi-lingual customer service, advanced reporting and strategic marketing services.

Founded in 1994, Digital River is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices in major U.S. cities as well as Cologne, Germany; London, England; Shannon, Ireland; Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Stockholm, Sweden; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; and Shanghai, China. For more details about Digital River, visit the corporate Web site at www.digitalriver.com or call 952-253-1234.

Digital River is a registered trademark of Digital River, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks, registrations or copyrights of their respective owners.

Contacts

Digital River, Inc.
Media Contact:
Heather Morris, 952-253-8828
Public Relations Specialist
publicrelations@digitalriver.com
or
Investor Relations Contact:
Ed Merritt, 952-540-3362
Group Vice President, Investor Relations
investorrelations@digitalriver.com

How to Use Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit

LendingTree.com Examines How to Use Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit Wisely

Learn more about home equity loans and lines of credit from LendingTree.com

Charlotte, N.C.  -  March 7, 2008 -- If you are grappling with whether or not you should get a home equity loan or line of credit, first consider the amount you need to borrow and what you need it for. Whether you need a one-time lump sum of money to pay for a home renovation, or an ongoing sum to pay for college costs, there is a financing method that will work to meet your needs. Let LendingTree.com walk you through some tips for both financial tools:

For one-time lump sums, a home equity loan (HEL) is the best way for you to borrow against the value of your house to pay for a one-time expense such as a renovation or buying a car. A HEL gives borrowers a lump sum of money, with a fixed monthly payment that is paid off over a specified period of time.    

For ongoing cash needs, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be the better option for borrowers. A HELOC is a form of revolving credit similar to a credit card, but often times with a much lower interest rate. Borrowers are given a specific credit limit and they can then draw funds whenever they need money, and then pay at least a minimum monthly payment with the option to pay off as much as they'd like. The ability to withdraw any amount, as opposed to a predetermined monthly allowance, allows those with HELOCs to pay for expenses that aren't necessarily planned out, such as medical bills or college costs.

Remember, when getting a HEL or a HELOC, either loan is collateralized based on the value of your home. What this means is if you default, your house is on the line as the loan is secured against your home. Interest rates for HELs and HELOCs are often lower than a credit card because of this so before you commit to either, please make sure you are able to repay the money you borrow. The last thing you want to do is put your home in jeopardy because you had difficulty paying your monthly HEL or HELOC bill.

For more information on HELs and HELOCs, please visit the LendingTree Smart Borrower Center.

About LendingTree, LLC
LendingTree, LLC is the nation's number one online lending exchange, providing a marketplace that connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 23 million loan requests and $185 billion in closed loan transactions. LendingTree provides access to mortgages and refinance loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, auto loans, personal loans, credit cards and high-yield savings accounts via www.lendingtree.com and 800-555-TREE.

Launched in 1998 with headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, LendingTree, LLC also owns and operates LendingTree Loans sm, LendingTree Settlement Services, LLC, GetSmart®, and HomeLoanCenter.com. LendingTree, LLC is an operating company of IAC.

Press Contact: ALLISON VAIL
Company Name: LendingTree.com
Phone: 704-943-8339
Website: www.lendingtree.com

Entertainment Company & VoIP Service Provider to Promote Video Phones

VoIP Service Provider Voice Vision, Inc. Partners with Propper Entertainment to Promote Video Phones

Entertainment firm to offer promotional expertise and develop corporate relationships for VoIP service provider Voice Vision. The partnership will allow Propper Entertainment to promote video phones with Voice Vision's service.

Las Vegas, NV and Thousand Oaks, CA  -  October 2 -- Voice Vision, Inc., the premiere video phone carrier and VoIP service provider has signed an agreement with Propper Entertainment, a leading production and promotions firm, to develop corporate wholesale agreements and develop customized content to its video phone subscribers. 

Propper Entertainment will advise on the marketing, promotion and licensing of the video phone line of products to major retailers, hotel chains and entertainment firms. Furthermore, Propper Entertainment will assist in the development of customized content from its collection of media to include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gallagher, Surfrider Foundation, Carrot Top, BB King's Restaurant and Grill in Las Vegas and more. By providing its' subscribers with unique and customized content, Voice Vision is fulfilling its' promise to customers to provide them with an immersive experience through its' offering.

"Content is King," said Steve Harrison, President of Voice Vision. "Propper Entertainment brings to the table a wealth of experience, relationships, and exclusive content. We expect to be able to leverage this capability for all of our customers."

Many small to midsized businesses are using video phones to increase revenues and to lower costs. In addition, residential users are using video phones to connect to their loved ones that are located across great distances. Many analysts are pointing to VoIP service as the next explosive growth area of the Internet.

"We are honored to be involved with a cutting edge company like Voice Vision and feel that this technology will make business flow more efficiently and bring families closer together from anywhere in the world with affordable video conferencing." said Gary Propper, of Propper Entertainment.

About Voice Vision, Inc. (www.voicevisionusa.com)
Voice Vision, Inc. is a premier provider of broadband telephone services offering residential and commercial Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service solutions that provide telephone and video phone service via a broadband connection. Utilizing the VoIP technology platform, it provides users quality, feature-rich and low-cost communication services that enable users an alternative to traditional high-priced telephone carriers. Voice Vision, Inc. offers an attractive value proposition to its customers with the combination of quality service, premium features and competitive pricing.

All VoIP service plans allows clients the convenience of a traditional telephone service while offering several enhanced features at no additional charge that are typically not offered by traditional circuit-switched telephone service providers. These include exclusive content, 24 by 7 technical and customer support and a user friendly design.

The Company also offers a number of premium services for an additional fee, such as toll free numbers, e fax support and custom development. With the completion of a recent capital raise Voice Vision plans to expand its marketing and advertising efforts within the US and Canada markets.

About Propper Collection (www.proppercollection.com)
Gary Propper became an entertainment promoter in the early '70s, mentored by San Francisco rock impresario Bill Graham. He is credited with discovering the comic book and formulating the ideas behind the feature film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His efforts resulted in the development of a multi-billion dollar franchise including licensing deals, film sequels, video sales, and a line of games and toys. Propper maintains an ownership position in the rights to one of the largest grossing independent films of all time.              

As Director of Booking and Productions for Fantasma Productions in Florida, Propper worked with almost every major touring act at the time, including: Rush, The Police, Bob Seger, Blondie, The Pretenders, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Marley, The Kinks, Cheech & Chong, The Allman Brothers, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Propper also managed and directed the career of the comedian Carrot Top (Scott Thompson) for the past ten years and was responsible for landing a $500 million dollar, award-winning advertising campaign for Scott as the spokesman for ATT.

Making history in live theater, Propper created and operated the longest-running successful comedy tour in the country for ten years with comedian Gallagher. As his Manager and Executive Producer of fourteen Showtime Comedy Specials, Propper created a marketing and advertising campaign using cable television local avails in co-promotion with cable operators and Showtime. By doing this, Propper established himself as an innovative leader in the business of selling entertainment.

Propper Entertainment is currently selling and promoting the Mobile Vision movies "Queen We Will Rock You" and their latest rocumentary "Bob Marley and Friends". Propper has an association with International Creative Management (ICM) and has recently signed actor and comedian, Jon Lovitz, as well as the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition – "King of the Cage". Propper manages award winning director Joe Coppoletta as well as a prolific "couples" comedian Kevin Hughes - "The Sex Therapist". Propper Entertainment is currently developing a new action sports park that is a cross between Lollapalooza and the X-Games.

Contact:
Steve Harrison
866-986-8240
steve @ voicevisionusa.com

Press Contact: Steve Harrison
Company Name: Voice Vision USA, Inc.
Phone: 866-986-8240
Website: www.voicevisionusa.com

Death Note Anime Series Download Agreement Reached

VIZ MEDIA SECURES LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO MAKE DEATH NOTE ANIME SERIES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

Innovative Agreement Will Provide Episodes On A Download To Own/Rent Basis Soon After They Air In Japan

San Francisco, CA, January 10 - VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced that it has licensed from Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV) the Download to Own (DTO) and Download to Rent (DTR) rights for the United States for the smash hit DEATH NOTE anime series, currently airing in Japan.

The deal is significant because it marks the first time a well known Japanese anime property will be made legally available to domestic audiences for download to own while the title still airs on Japanese television. VIZ Media will seek to make the series available to consumers through a number of online providers in order to reach the widest audience possible.

DEATH NOTE, based on the Shueisha manga series of the same name, is currently one of the hottest anime titles in Japan. Published in North America by VIZ Media, it depicts the adventures of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects but who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal.

"We are pleased to team with a leading anime and manga company like VIZ Media to bring the DEATH NOTE anime series to eager fans in the United States digitally," states NTV Spokesperson. "VIZ Media understands how the Internet can be used to distribute content.  With a built-in fan base already generated by the popularity of the DEATH NOTE manga series, we are looking forward to the success of this innovative partnership."

"With Shueisha's support and the agreement with NTV to bring DEATH NOTE to the American market, we will establish a new benchmark for bringing our audience the content they want when they want it," says Daniel Marks, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. "The success of the DEATH NOTE manga has created tremendous anticipation for its anime counterpart and we are committed to delivering the best content through a variety of platforms to our tech savvy fan base."

About VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages.

Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and web site at www.viz.com.

Shopping Network Hits Loyalty Card Holders With Seven Million Personalized Ads

Grocery Shopping Network Now Produces Seven Million Personalized Ads for Loyalty Card Holders Every Week

Andrew Robinson, GSN CEO, Reflects on Architecting the Unparalleled Grocery Personalization System

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 19, 2008 --GSN initially launched its proprietary personalization engine in May 2005. Today, the engine builds over seven million household-specific ads on a weekly basis for clients including Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Kings Supermarkets, Niemann Foods, Ukrop's, and others. With this engine, grocery stores are able to remember who their customers are, what they like, and tell them when their favorite items are on sale. Unlike less advanced engines, the GSN personalization engine goes beyond providing exact matches. "GSN's personalization engine is powerful because its algorithms take into account many variables when building household-specific offers and ads. Beyond the items a consumer normally purchases, the system also recommends products the consumer has not purchased, but is likely to purchase. This gives the consumer more savings opportunities and grocers the ability to expand category purchases and increase basket size," says Andy Robinson, Grocery Shopping Network CEO. The engine examines sale items in the store, both advertised and unadvertised, and through its proprietary system, provides a consumer with a unique weekly ad built just for his/her household.

The idea for the system struck Andy in the early 1990s. Andy was raising two young children and taking trips to the supermarket to fulfill the household's weekly grocery needs. Like many consumers, Andy wanted to maximize the value of every dollar spent. He often achieved this goal, but doing so meant spending extra time and effort finding the right products. During one of his weekly trips that was taking a little longer than normal, Andy asked himself, "Why doesn't the grocery store remember who I am, what I like, and let me know the items that are relevant to my household that are on sale?" That question led Andy Robinson to incorporate one of the first companies focused on providing websites that fulfill the needs of shoppers, grocery retailers, and consumer packaged goods companies, Grocery Shopping Network (f/k/a HomeTown Info, Inc) in April of 1996. Thanks to Andy's vision and leadership, GSN now provides grocery retailers with the most advanced website technology available in the marketplace.

Since its inception, the company has purchased and integrated $80 million worth of technology including UCook.com and Beeline. UCook.com was a standalone recipe portal with over 65,000 recipes searchable by course, prep time, ingredients, skill level and more. GSN repurposed the portal and integrated it into the company's software. Customers using a retail grocery website powered by GSN have access to all the recipes and features of the original Ucook.com website, but now GSN's software even suggests recipe ideas based on the grocery store's sale items. Beeline is a scoring engine that was developed by Symbol Technologies. With the acquisition, development, and integration of Beeline into GSN's existing technology, Andy knew he would soon be able to provide an answer to his original question.

Andy continues, "I'm extremely proud GSN was able to accomplish this challenge. The technology enables retailers to better serve customers on a one-to-one basis by providing offers that are specific and relevant to individual customers. The customer saves time and money. The retailer becomes more relevant to the customer because the retailer has provided the customer with more relevance. It's a win-win."

Andrew Robinson, Founder and CEO

As the original entrepreneur of Grocery Shopping Network, Inc. ("GSN") it was Andy's vision that propelled GSN to become a premier provider of digital marketing services. Mr. Robinson has extensive experience in the marketing fulfillment and grocery industries. He served as the Vice President of Fulfillment Systems, Inc. (FSI) early in his career. In 1990, after working in the technology industry for a few years, Mr. Robinson partnered with two fulfillment industry executives and formed Right Choice Services Inc., a marketing fulfillment firm serving Fortune 500 Consumer Packaged Goods Companies working as its COO and eventually CEO. The convergence of events and ideas, including the Internet, coupled with experience gained working in the consumer marketing and advertising worlds, prompted Andy to build the GSN products and services that serve as the cornerstone of GSN's consumer ad network which is renowned for engaging shoppers by providing shopping list tools and relevant content at the place they shop.

About Grocery Shopping Network

Grocery Shopping Network provides grocery retailers' Web sites with a suite of proprietary software products that integrate shopping list building, recipes and meal planning with relevant, focused advertising content. GSN (www.groceryshopping.net) brings together the Web and in-store supermarket shopping experience. A GSN-powered site enables consumers to seamlessly shop their store, be presented with sales and promotions in the context of the items they are planning to purchase, access and save recipes for the items they plan to purchase, plan meals and utilize the many discount offers (including coupons) made available by brand manufacturers.

Contacts

Grocery Shopping Network
Albin Andolshek, 612-238-4942

Contract Management to Help Customers Simplify Contract Creation and Tracking

Lawson Software Launches Contract Management to Help Customers Simplify Contract Creation and Tracking

Application helps organizations reduce operational costs by helping to improve management of contracts from start to finish

ST. PAUL, Minn.-- May 19, 2008 --Lawson Software (Nasdaq: LWSN) today announced the general availability of Lawson Contract Management, which is designed to help organizations, including those in healthcare and the public sector, simplify contract creation and management. The new application is designed to help customers reduce purchasing costs by streamlining the creation of vendor contracts and monitoring the supplies and services purchased against those contracts.

Lawson Contract Management, part of the Lawson S3 Supply Chain Management Suite, delivers standardized, auditable processes for contract creation and greater visibility into the supplies and services an organization has under contract. This insight can help purchasing managers reduce costs by enforcing compliance with vendor contracts. It also helps managers negotiate vendor discounts by helping them better analyze supply usage trends within their organization.

"Lawson Contract Management helps us create contracts faster with reusable templates and terms and conditions. It also provides a single, secure and auditable repository of all contract-related documents," said John Lauer, manager of enterprise systems, Oglethorpe Power, a Georgia-based power supply cooperative and a Lawson Contract Management pilot customer. "The application also allows us to track purchase volumes for specific items, which helps us negotiate better contract prices."

Located in Tucker, Ga., Oglethorpe Power generates electricity for thirty-eight Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs). It is the nation's largest power supply cooperative in terms of assets and annual kilowatt-hour sales.

Lawson Contract Management supports flexible pricing scenarios, such as complex tiered pricing and management of rebates, which is particularly useful in managing healthcare supply contracts. Public services and utility organizations, including Oglethorpe, can use Contract Management to help manage construction agreements and automate enforcement of business terms to help reduce costly overruns or incomplete projects.

In addition, Lawson Contract Management can store corporate and other non-purchasing contracts, helping to create a more comprehensive view of these enterprise documents. The application also helps companies develop customized procurement contracts for products or services to meet their evolving needs. Lawson Contract Management is also compatible with Lawson Business Intelligence, which helps organizations create virtually unlimited types of reports to meet the specific needs of departments and managers.

"Controlling costs is one of the most challenging business issues facing healthcare and public sector organizations," said Keith Lohkamp, product strategist, Lawson Software. "Lawson Contract Management works with existing Lawson applications, such as Lawson Strategic Sourcing and Lawson Procurement, to help customers minimize supply costs, which typically make up an organization's largest expense after employee compensation. It helps simplify sourcing, contract creation, enforcement of pricing on purchases, and ongoing management of contracts."

About Lawson Software

Lawson Software provides software and service solutions to 4,000 customers in manufacturing, distribution, maintenance and service sector industries across 40 countries. Lawson's solutions include Enterprise Performance Management, Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Enterprise Asset Management and industry-tailored applications. Lawson solutions assist customers in simplifying their businesses or organizations by helping them streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance business or operational performance. Lawson is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., and has offices around the world. Visit Lawson online at www.lawson.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements contain statements of intent, belief or current expectations of Lawson Software and its management. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The company is not obligated to update forward-looking statements based on circumstances or events that occur in the future. Risks and uncertainties that may cause such differences include but are not limited to: uncertainties in Lawson's ability to realize synergies and revenue opportunities anticipated from the Intentia International acquisition; uncertainties in the software industry; uncertainties as to when and whether the conditions for the recognition of deferred revenue will be satisfied; increased competition; uncertainty regarding potential future deterioration in the market for auction rate securities which could result in additional permanent impairment charges, global military conflicts; terrorist attacks; pandemics, and any future events in response to these developments; changes in conditions in the company's targeted industries and other risk factors listed in the company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lawson assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Contacts

Lawson Software
Joe Thornton, +1-651-767-6154
joe.thornton@us.lawson.com
or
Weber Shandwick
Jenny Myers, +1-217-649-2965
jmyers@webershandwick.com

Insurance Firm Takes Gold In Competition

Pearl Insurance Takes Home Gold at PIMA's 2007 MarkeTTech Competition

Pearl Insurance won a Gold Award in the 2007 Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA) MarkeTTech Marketing Methods competition, which recognizes excellence in marketing materials. In addition to the Gold for the category of Cross-Sell and Upgrade Marketing, Pearl also earned a Bronze Award for Self-Promotion Agency (Website), another Bronze for Mail Solicitation for an Underwritten Product, and an Honorable Mention for Multiple-Effort Marketing Campaign. Pearl's results in the competition are exceptional because they were not only up against the biggest names in the insurance marketing industry, but also because each of their entries won a place in the competition's roster of winners.

Peoria Heights, IL  -  December 11 -- Pearl Insurance recently won four awards, including a Gold Award, in the 2007 Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA) MarkeTTech Marketing Methods competition. The annual contest highlights the best work in the insurance marketing industry and recognizes excellence in marketing materials.

A forum for leaders in the insurance direct marketing industry to craft strategic relationships, develop business opportunities, and hone their expertise, PIMA is the nation's premier association for insurance marketers. It consists of third-party administrators, insurance carriers, and other business partners involved in the direct marketing of insurance products in the affinity and association marketplace. Going against some of the biggest names and budgets in the insurance marketing industry in this distinguished competition, Pearl impressed the judges substantially, taking home an award for every entry they submitted.

Pearl's Marketing, Administration, Information Systems, and Database Management teams worked together to produce these outstanding results. In addition to the Gold Award for the category of Cross-Sell and Upgrade Marketing, Pearl also earned a Bronze Award for Self-Promotion Agency (Website), another Bronze for Mail Solicitation for an Underwritten Product, and an Honorable Mention for Multiple-Effort Marketing Campaign.

"This is not the first time Pearl's innovative group of insurance professionals has brought home an award from PIMA's annual competition -- one of the most significant events in our industry," explains Mike Murphy, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Pearl Companies, "but we could not have asked for a better outcome this year -- earning an award for every entry we submitted."

Pearl has employed four national PIMA presidents, including President/CEO Gary Pearl, Executive Vice President/Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Mike Murphy, and current PIMA president, Senior Vice President/Director of Affinity Group Business George Bode. Founder and Chairman John P. Pearl was also honored with the prestigious PIMA Legend Award in 1999.

Pearl Insurance is one of the nation's leading direct-marketing third party administrators and part of the Pearl Companies, which also includes Pearl Technology, Pearl Benefits, Pearl Automotive, Pearl Carroll & Associates LLC, and W.B. Griffin & Son. They offer Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance benefits and worksite marketing to affinity groups and their members, innovative technology solutions to Central Illinois businesses, and customized employee benefit programs for employees and their families. The Pearl Companies' commitment to working hard, working smart, and working together has not only placed them in the enviable position they are today, but has also secured them a strong presence in the marketplace for years to come.

Press Contact: Sharon Harman
Company Name: Pearl Insurance
Phone: 309.679.0295
Website: http://www.pearlinsurance.com

Us Vs. In Touch: The Gossip Rags Battle

Battle Of The Gossip Rags: Us Vs. In Touch

by Phyllis Fine , Friday, May 16, 2008
WHO NEEDS PRINT CELEB gossip anymore? After all, you can get updates on Jessica Simpson's activities all over the Web, seemingly by the hour.

And it's not as if these mags provide any kind of fresh spin or deep analysis that's lacking online. Here's what In Touch considers an exclusive scoop: "My weekend was good," says John Mayer, quoted after his first liaison with Jennifer Aniston.

Seems like gossip rags now exist primarily as a market for the paparazzi -- a theory suggested by the many remarkably similar photos in the May 12 issues of Us and In Touch. Both mags show Natalie Portman walking with her surgical-cone-wearing dog, before- and during-pregnancy head shots of Nicole Kidman, and -- hey, you can't have too many pix of Danny DeVito shopping for new eyeglasses, can you?

So are there any differences at all between the two mags, which I qualified for this gossip-off because of their identical cover stories? (People is often cited as Us' direct competitor, but People is in a different class. That's not just because of its no. 1 status in 2007 ad dollars -- as tracked by PIB, more than triple that of Us -- but because People acknowledges humans beyond the Hollywood axis.)

The J&J show: Both Us and IT feature stories about Jen and John's hot weekend together in Miami, with varying details about how they first hooked up, but the same overall theme: Is the ladies' man compatible with the world's most-famous jiltee?

The difference comes down to whether you like your voyeurism with an up-close, you-are-there vibe, or a focus on celeb perks.

IT provides blurry shots of the couple lying by the pool together -- both in bathing suits -- with details like "At one point, John and Jen's heads touched." Ugh! There's something so heavy-breathingly pathetic about viewing from this vantage point.

I prefer Us' focus on the services you get in a $3,000-a-night suite. As a former travel editor suffering from luxury hotel deprivation, I sigh for details like the couples' massage at Jen's Miami resort.

Us also gets clarity points for including all the lurid details in John's statement about Angelina Jolie; IT's incomplete quote may be PG-rated (no mention of blow jobs), but doesn't make much sense. (If you're wondering, it all has to do with Brad's presumed lack of a fantasy object because he's got the real thing.)

"Real" journalism? Us does a better, more even-handed job of parsing a "scandal" in a piece on the Miley Cyrus photo brouhaha. There's a sophisticated take on whether or not posing semi-nude was a calculated move; a disingenuous putdown of Vanity Fair, where the photos ran; and a sidebar on other "Young Stars Who Grinned and Bared" for an edifying touch of historical context.

IT's all about overblown headlines -- "Divorce Shocker: What Star Found Out"-- with no follow-through. What Star (Jones, natch) actually found out: nothing much, it seems. She's not even quoted in the story, which relies on lots of innuendo on whether or not hubby Al Reynolds is really gay ("I don't want to spoil my image of him," says his mother). In fact, IT has another story ("Lindsay Moves In With Her Girlfriend") where the subtext is, everybody's saying yes, she's really gay while at the same time denying it. Weird, and sadly not very gay-friendly.

Fashion Police: This Us feature, in which style experts sometimes too cutely rag on stars' rags (hey! It's catching!) adds a bit of welcome snark to the generally worshipful tone of most gossip mags. In IT, "Who Wore It Better?" does criticize fashion mistakes, but much more respectfully.

Most titillating tidbits: IT and Us both major in short items -- photo captions, really, in which sources invariably trot out the tritest quotes they can think of ("They're really sad. They were very in love," about a breakup). Within this format appear some odd and funny bits: In Us, Julia Roberts and Matthew McConaughey admit they don't wear deodorant; in IT, Kelly Ripa explains how wearing a pair of padded panties for a shapelier rear view feels "like I am sitting in a very cozy chair!"

Is this the end of civilization as we know it because trees are being killed for this crap: "Finally, Nicole's Bump Is Showing!" in IT.

Bottom Line: I rank Us higher because of its slightly less-sleazy approach to putting celebs under a microscrope.


MAG STATS

In Touch Weekly
Published By: Bauer Publishing Co.
Frequency: Weekly
Web site

Us Weekly
Published By: Wenner Media
Frequency: Weekly
Web site

Post your response to the public Magazine Rack blog.

See what others are saying on the Magazine Rack blog.
Phyllis Fine is columns editor for MediaPost.

Magazine Rack for Friday, May 16, 2008:
http://blogs.mediapost.com/magazine_rack/?p=496

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Retail Development in Iowa's Largest New Urban Community

Capital Growth Madison Marquette and DRA Properties Announce Partnership to Develop Retail in Iowa's Largest New Urban Community

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 15, 2008 --Capital Growth Madison Marquette (CGMM), a national, fully-integrated commercial real estate company based in Minneapolis, and DRA Properties (DRA), an Ankeny-Iowa-based real estate company owned by Dennis Albaugh, founder and chief executive of Albaugh, Inc., today announced a new partnership to develop the retail portion of Prairie Trail, a 1,031-acre master-planned community being developed by DRA on the former site of the Iowa State University research farm in the center of Ankeny. Prairie Trail is Iowa's largest New Urban development, reflecting the New Urbanism principals of smart, managed growth; sustainable green development and reduced traffic.

The master plan for Prairie Trail calls for two retail components covering approximately a half million square feet of the development. Town Center at Prairie Trail, a lifestyle center, will serve as the community's commercial core. It will feature fashion anchors, a wide variety of restaurants and a mix of regional and national merchants. It will be surrounded by a central park, amphitheatre and abundant parking. There will also be a retail area at the southern entrance to the community-Plaza Shoppes at Prairie Trail. Plaza Shoppes at Prairie Trail will be anchored by a Hy-Vee grocery store.

The rest of the community features approximately 2,500 homes in a mix of styles; a civic and educational component, including the city library, a school and the City of Ankeny police headquarters; and a vast network of trails, parks, and bike paths. Prairie Trails' architecture and design will reflect the best of Iowa's small towns.

Located just north of Des Moines at the intersection of Interstate Highways 35 and 80, Ankeny currently has a population of about 40,000. It is home to the Ankeny Campus of the Des Moines Area Community College, which enrolls nearly 27,000 college credit students and 32,000 continuing education or business training students. It's location at the intersection of two major corridors, within minutes of the State Capitol and only a half hour drive from Ames, home of Iowa State University, attracts travelers from throughout the region and offers excellent growth potential.

"In addition to being an excellent business opportunity, our partnership with DRA Properties on the Prairie Trail retail development marks a return to our roots," said Dick Ward, CGMM's Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Investments. "Almost every member of the Capital Growth Madison Marquette management team has a strong connection with Iowa and understands its people and communities. Several of us built our careers in this industry while working at General Growth Properties, which was founded in Des Moines and has become one of the nation's largest developers of regional shopping centers," he said. Ward is a native of Council Bluffs. CGMM President and Chief Operating Officer John Nagle is a native of Cedar Rapids.

"We believe Capital Growth Madison Marquette is an excellent match for this project," said DRA, owner, Dennis Albaugh. "It has everything we were looking for-outstanding expertise and a strong track record in the industry, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an understanding and appreciation for Iowans and their way of life. We're going to make a great team."

Groundbreaking on the retail portion of the development is expected to begin in 2009. The full project is slated for completion in 2012. Information on the community can be found at www.prairietrailankeny.com

For retail leasing information, call Dick Ward at 515-333-1180.

DRA Properties, L.C. is an Ankeny based real estate development company that was founded in 1992 by Dennis Albaugh. Albaugh, owner and Chief Executive Officer of Albaugh, Inc., a global agricultural chemical company, decided to venture into real estate to have a positive impact on his hometown of Ankeny, Iowa. "Ankeny has always been my home town-I grew up here, I raised my family here, and now my daughters are raising their families in Ankeny. My goal in real estate development has always been to create a lifestyle that all of Ankeny can enjoy and be proud of," said Albaugh.

Minnesota-based Capital Growth Madison Marquette specializes in a strategic array of value-enhancing third party services, including brokerage, construction, development, leasing, management, marketing and tenant representation. CGMM also aggressively pursues acquisitions and joint venture opportunities. Capital Growth Madison Marquette is part of Capital Growth Properties, Inc. (CGP), a private real estate investment company with offices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Birmingham, Alabama. Further information on both companies can be found online at www.capitalgrowthproperties.com

Contacts

Capital Growth Madison Marquette
Martha Capps, 952-852-5190
Cell: 612-581-0797
or
DRA Properties
Ashley Johnson, 515-965-5249
Cell: 515-491-1389

More Drivers Need DUI Lawyers

New Year's Eve Arrests Leave More Drivers in Need of Aggressive DUI Lawyers

Aggressive DUI Lawyer, a network of southern California DUI lawyers, is offering services to the many drivers who were arrested for drunk driving over the holidays.

San Francisco, CA  -  January 5 -- Aggressive DUI Lawyer, a network of southern California DUI lawyers, is offering services to the many drivers who were arrested for drunk driving over the holidays.

The new year is here, and as the celebrations come to an end, the California Highway Patrol is revealing just how many drunk driving arrests took place over the holidays. Bay Area law enforcement agencies have been some of the first to release their drunken driving arrest statistics. They recently stated that 2,736 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the Bay Area between December 14 and 30.

Undoubtedly, many people in Southern California have found themselves in similar situations, as the statistics from New Year's Eve will reveal. Aggressive DUI Lawyer, a network of San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles DUI lawyers, is offering their services to those arrested on DUI charges in Southern California. With an experienced DUI lawyer, Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles residents will likely receive a more favorable outcome to their case.

More people are arrested during the month of December for drunk driving than any other month of the year, and many people in Southern California are currently awaiting trial. San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles DUI lawyers can assist with these cases, using their expert knowledge to get results. As Bay Area law enforcement agencies have already shown, drunken driving arrests are an unpleasant but undeniable part of the holidays. With an experienced DUI lawyer, though, it's possible to start 2008 on the right foot and put those drunken driving charges in the past.

To find a Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego DUI lawyer, or to get more information, visit www.aggressiveduilawyer.info.

About Aggressive DUI Lawyer:

Aggressive DUI Lawyer is a network of specially trained Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego DUI lawyers. Anyone who is arrested for drunken driving charges in these three counties can turn to them for information and assistance in the fight to clear the charges and get their licenses back.

Their basic company principles will ensure the best possible defense:

- Aggressive Defense: As their name says, clients get an extremely aggressive defense provided by a highly experienced lawyer who will leave no stone unturned and no evidence unquestioned.
- Client's Comfort: They get their clients out of jail in no time and take immediate actions to reinstate their driving privileges
- Investigations: They'll double check all the evidence and re-analyze all the samples provided.
- Provide the Best Services: Aggressive DUI Lawyer focuses only on misdemeanor, drunk driving and traffic matters in California.

Press Contact: Mike Cheslar
Company Name: Aggressive DUI Lawyer
Phone: 760 431 8594
Website: http://www.aggressiveduilawyer.info/

Web 2.0 Marketing Fair in Japan

Digital River to Exhibit at Web 2.0 Marketing Fair in Japan

Web 2.0 Marketing Fair

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 13, 2008 --Digital River, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV), a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, announced that the company will exhibit at the Web 2.0 Marketing Fair. The event is being held May 14 - 16, 2008, at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan.

At the event, Digital River will host a booth, featuring its global e-commerce and e-marketing technology, tools and services. The booth is located at East 4-29.

The Web 2.0 Marketing Fair is the largest web-related tradeshow in Japan. The event will showcase state-of-the-art products and solutions from more than 1,600 exhibitors. The event expects to draw more than 125,000 industry professionals. More information about The Web 2.0 Marketing Fair can be found at http://www.web20-expo.jp/en/.

About Digital River, Inc.

Digital River, Inc., a leading provider of global e-commerce solutions, builds and manages online businesses for software publishers, consumer technology manufacturers, distributors, online retailers and affiliates. Its multi-channel e-commerce solution, which supports both direct and indirect sales, is designed to help companies of all sizes maximize online revenues as well as reduce the costs and risks of running an e-commerce operation. The company's comprehensive platform offers site development and hosting, order management, fraud prevention, export controls, tax management, physical and digital product fulfillment, multi-lingual customer service, advanced reporting and strategic marketing services.

Founded in 1994, Digital River is headquartered in Minneapolis with offices in major U.S. cities as well as Cologne, Germany; London, England; Shannon, Ireland; Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Stockholm, Sweden; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; and Shanghai, China. For more details about Digital River, visit the corporate Web site at www.digitalriver.com or call 952-253-1234.

Digital River is a registered trademark of Digital River, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks, registrations or copyrights of their respective owners.

Contacts

Digital River, Inc.
Media Contact:
Heather Morris, 952-253-8828
Public Relations Specialist
publicrelations@digitalriver.com
or
Investor Relations Contact:
Ed Merritt, 952-540-3362
Group Vice President, Investor Relations
investorrelations@digitalriver.com

Working Capital Finance Services for Growing Companies

Far West Capital Announces Working Capital Finance Services for Growing Companies

Texas-based factoring company provides working capital financing services for customers across the United States, through accounts receivable factoring, asset-based lending and similar services.

Cedar Park, TX  -  October 12, 2007 -- Small businesses in need of working capital financing have a new option. Far West Capital provides invoice factoring, asset based lending, and similar services designed to provide growing companies with much-needed working capital. Based in Texas, the company serves customers nationwide.

Far West Capital is a specialty finance company that provides highly customized working capital services to small and medium-sized companies. These services can benefit any business with accounts receivable (invoices) that needs capital for sustained operation and continued growth. Companies can use the working capital they obtain through this service for a variety of business needs -- material acquisition, operating capital, turnaround financing, recapitalization and more.

Working Capital Finance, Explained

Working capital refers to liquid assets a company has with which to operate. By extension, working capital financing refers to various financial services that provide businesses with the capital they need to maintain their operations.

"Essentially, we provide companies with the cash flow they need to keep their businesses going," said Cole Harmonson, the company's president, "so our primary service is referred to as working capital financing."

Far West Capital provides financing through several channels:
* Factoring of Accounts Receivable - Customers sell their outstanding invoices or receivables in exchange for cash / working capital for their business. Also commonly referred to as invoice factoring services.
* Asset Based Lending - Customers present a borrowing base, which consists of their existing and ongoing accounts receivable and inventory. The customer then receives funding upon presentation of that base.
* Purchase Order Financing - Far West Capital assumes the customer's purchase orders in exchange for cash / working capital for their business.

A Factoring Company With a Difference

Leading Far West Capital is Cole Harmonson, who has more than 11 years' experience in the world of working capital financing and factoring. Harmonson explained what it is that makes Far West Capital different from other factoring companies within the working capital finance industry:

"We customize the relationship based on the needs of our clients. A lot of factoring companies preach that, but we practice it as well. Each client is different, so we start the process with this in mind, and then we create a financing solution around their individual needs. It's challenging for us, but it helps us differentiate our company by providing a more flexible service to clients."

Like Harmonson, the other members of Far West Capital are equally experienced in the world of working capital finance. In fact, the entire Far West team formerly worked together managing the Working Capital Finance Group of State Bank. Combined, the team has more than 25 years' experience with accounts receivable financing, invoice factoring, and other aspects of working capital.

An Educational Approach to Finance

Far West Capital also takes an educational approach to their business. Their website is packed with information that explains their services, and they've even started a working capital blog (a first of its kind) to further educate potential customers on the ins and outs of working capital financing. Visit the blog at http://www.farwestcap.com/blog/

"A lot of companies need our services without even realizing it," Harmonson explained. "They want to convert their accounts receivable into working cash flow, but they don't know how to go about it. Some have never even heard of factoring. That's one of the reasons we focus so heavily on customer education ... to connect our services with the needs of our potential customers."

About the Company
Far West Capital provides working capital to growing companies through accounts receivable and inventory financing tools. Based in Cedar Park, Texas, the company serves growing businesses across the United States. To learn more about the company and their financial services, please call or visit them online:

www.FarWestCap.com
info(at)farwestcap.com
512-528-1490

Safe Harbor Statement:
This release includes forward-looking statements about the company's products and services. All such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual products and services to differ from those in forward-looking statements.

Press Contact: Melissa Cornett
Company Name: Far West Capital
Phone: (512) 528-1629
Website: http://www.farwestcap.com

Senior Care Professional Online Education Upgrades Affiliate Program

EasyCEU.com Upgrades Affiliate Program for Online Education

Published on: May 7th, 2008 04:23pm by: SKBrothers

EasyCEU.com, specialists in online training for senior care professionals, launched an upgraded affiliate program today. EasyCEU's program provides nationally accredited continuing education courses for senior care administrators, managers and nurses and other licensed senior care professionals.

Oregon City, OR (OPENPRESS) May 8, 2008 -- The upgraded affiliate program offers very generous commissions for referrals to continuing education courses on a per sale basis. Affiliates can now not only have easy access to custom links for their sites, but with this upgrade they can promote specific and individual courses or even develop a virtual course catalog.

"The time has never been better to align yourself as an affiliate with EasyCEU.com as we are experiencing our largest growth rate in history," explains Wendy Finch, VP Business Development. "We have excellent profitable relationships with healthcare associations through our Partnership Program, and upgrading our affiliate program seemed like an obvious next step to help us increase awareness of our courses and products."

"Through this program reputable companies or individuals who work with senior care professionals can quickly and easily provide information about needed continuing education courses, and earn commissions at the same time. Any company with a website who markets to the senior care industry is a candidate." notes Finch. The affiliate program has proven to be especially useful to professionals who provide seminars or classroom-based training to this population, allowing them to enter the e-learning field without expensive course development or delivery costs.

"Distance education, also known as e-learning or online training, is becoming the product of choice for today's busy senior care professionals," says Finch. "Not only are these individuals expected to accomplish more in less time, but they are also feeling the pinch of travel costs as well. Saving time and money by reducing expensive conference, seminars or classroom training is an obvious step for many in senior care."

EasyCEU courses are available in the areas of care for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, senior care and management, ethics, death and dying, and cultural competencies as well as other topics related to senior care.

Affiliates are screened and accepted into this program from a variety of sites that provide services to this group of professionals.

For more details and an affiliate application visit the EasyCEU website at www.EasyCEU.com and click on the Partner/Affiliate link, or call 877-843-8374.

About
EasyCEU.com is a division of the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE-ed.com) a company developed, owned and operated by senior care professionals who have a unique understanding of the training and support needs of individuals who have devoted their careers to senior care. EasyCEU (EasyCEU.com), offers anytime, anywhere web-based courses and continuing education credits for assisted living and nursing home administrators, nurses and managers. All courses are approved by the National Continuing Education Review Services of the National Association of Boards of Examiners of Long Term Care Administrators (NCERS/NAB), as well as by the numerous state licensing boards. Its instructors are professional healthcare and senior care educators and providers. aQuire Training Solutions (aQuireTraining.com) another ISLE-ed product, provides online staff training especially designed to not only meet licensing compliance needs but also to improve quality of care, build stronger staffing teams and reduce staff turnover. ISLE-ed is also launching a new product, Apply2Care (Apply2Care.com) which will help providers utilize internet capabilities for recruitment of new employees.
Release Information

Industry: Education

Country: United States

MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area): Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA

Company: aQuire Training & EasyCEU.com

Web site: Visit our web site

Cell Phone Surveillance Product Uses SMS/GPRS/Bluetooth

Neo-Call First Cell Phone Surveillance Product to Use a Combined SMS/GPRS/Bluetooth for Information Transfer

Technological upgrades make it less expensive for Neo-Call users to transfer information between cell phones. Contrary to recent press reports about competing software packages, Neo-Call were the first to market with telephone monitoring software and Neo-Call software is neither detectable as a virus nor has been labeled as malware.

Mulhouse, FR  -  September 28 -- Neo-Call, a software package enabling users to monitor calls on a predefined target phone, announces a major upgrade integrating Bluetooth technology: Neo-LOG PRO. Users can eliminate data transfer charges between phones using Bluetooth and can set transfers according to a regular schedule or on request.

Recent press reports chronicling the competing package Flexispy's arrival on the market have cast cell-phone surveillance software in a negative light. M. Malone, spokesperson for Neo-Call, says it's very clear his company's software, not the recently released Flexispy package, was the first on the market. He warns users not to let bad press keep them from evaluating the merits surveillance products for legitimate uses.

"We have been on the market for a number of years and we already released dozens of new softwares," Malone said. "Neo-Call is the world's first that offer free trial period for the purpose."

Neo-Call works in the following way. Users install the software on a target phone and set their telephone number a predefined monitoring number. Whenever someone places a call to or from the target phone, their telephone numbers, voice recordings and text messages can be heard and recorded by someone calling from the phone with the predefined number. The software also provides a means of determining where a cell phone is geographically at a given moment.

"Unlike other software packages, ours does not require a third party intermediary server during data transfer," Malone said.

Neo-Call can be used to check a wayward spouse's phone, see if your teenager is dealing drugs or has fallen in with the wrong crowd, track a stolen car, see if employees are sharing secrets and keep track of members of a sales force, or use as a mobile baby monitor. Users must be careful to know the laws regarding listening to and recording calls because they are responsible for following laws in all jurisdictions where they are using Neo-Call.

Until now, users have been forced to rely on SMS and GPRS transfer to glean data from the target phone. This method results in data transfer charges to the target telephone but not the recipient's telephone. Bluetooth is a much better option for data transfer because neither phone incurs charges. Furthermore, it means data can now be downloaded from prepaid cell phones that have run out of units. Using Bluetooth, all data, including voice recordings, SMS copies, and a call list, are stored on the target phone and readied for a regular daily transfer to the recipient's phone.

To order, visit the company's website at http://www.neo-call.com/index.php?env=-index:m3--1-4-s. Buyers can customize software on the fly and download a package with the selected components to their telephone. Free trial is available at http://www.mobile-secuware.com.

Contact:
Aston Maurice
Neo-Call
+33614677471
email protected from spam bots

Press Contact: ASTON MAURICE
Company Name: Neo-Call
Phone: +33614677471
Website: www.neo-call.com

Red Flags Resource Center Helps Financial Institutions Comply with New FACT Act

Wolters Kluwer Financial Services Launches Red Flags Resource Center to Help Financial Institutions Comply with New FACT Act Requirements

Web Site Helps Institutions Learn How to Build Comprehensive Identity Theft Prevention Program to Meet the Red Flag Rules

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 07, 2008 --Less than six months from now, U.S. financial institutions will be required by federal regulators to have implemented a comprehensive identity theft prevention program under the requirements of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction (FACT) Act's new Red Flag Rules. To help institutions ensure they meet the regulators' mandatory Nov. 1 compliance date, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services today announced the launch of the company's new Red Flags Resource Center.

The Red Flags Resource Center is a Web site devoted to providing financial institutions with practical information that will help them address the requirements of the new Red Flag Rules. By visiting www.WoltersKluwerFS.com/RedFlagInfo, institutions can learn how to build or update their identity theft prevention program to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

The site's content includes free access to articles, a blog and other information as well as additional tools available separately that can help financial institutions develop policies, create programs, train employees and implement a compliance solution.

"Wolters Kluwer Financial Services has a reputation for helping financial institutions swiftly and efficiently comply with regulatory changes," said Todd Cooper, vice president and general manager of the company's Financial Intelligence Unit. "The new Red Flags Resource Center builds upon that reputation by helping institutions solidify compliance with the new requirements so they are prepared for regulator review come Nov. 1."

About Wolters Kluwer Financial Services

Wolters Kluwer Financial Services provides best-in-class compliance, content, and technology solutions and services that help financial organizations manage risk and improve efficiency and effectiveness across their enterprise. The organization's prominent brands include Bankers Systems, VMP® Mortgage Solutions, PCi, GulfPak, Desert Document Services®, AppOne®, GainsKeeper®, CCH® Capital Changes, NILS INsource®, AuthenticWebT and CCH® Wall Street.

Wolters Kluwer Financial Services' solutions include integrated and stand-alone compliance and workflow tools, documentation, analytics, authoritative information and professional services. Customers include banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders and securities and insurance organizations of all sizes throughout the United States. For more information on Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, visit www.WoltersKluwerFS.com.

Wolters Kluwer is a leading global information services and publishing company. The company provides products and services globally for professionals in the health, tax, accounting, corporate, financial services, legal and regulatory sectors. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2007) of ?3.4 billion ($4.8 billion), maintains operations in over 33 countries across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific and employs approximately 19,500 people worldwide. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Visit www.WoltersKluwer.com for information about our market positions, customers, brands and organization.

Contacts

Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Jennifer Marso, 612-852-7912
Director of Corporate Communications
Jennifer.marso@wolterskluwer.com
or
Charles Miller, 320-240-5457
Senior Public Relations Specialist
Charles.miller@wolterskluwer.com

Popular Slot Games At Casinos Get Tactile Feedback Retrofit

Casinos Retrofit Popular Slot Games with Tactile Feedback Enhancement from 3M

Award-winning MCT System Technology Enlivens Existing Slot Games
SID 2008
Gaming Technology Summit 2008
G2E Asia 2008

METHUEN, Mass.-- May 06, 2008 --When casino operators from Connecticut to California needed an after-market technology solution to help create renewed player interest and promote increased usage for their legacy video slot games, 3M Touch Systems' new "tactile feedback" touch system offered them the enhancement they were looking for. Known as the MicroTouchT Capacitive TouchSense® System (MCT System), this next-generation touch interface incorporates tactile feedback technology to give on-screen game buttons the sensation of pressing traditional mechanical buttons. Now players can see, hear and actually "feel" the on-screen button selections of their favorite games. And, as casino operators upgrade legacy games and game developers incorporate the tactile experience into their new game designs, slot players should experience a whole new dimension of play.

Since the MCT System can be implemented in two different ways, as either part of the original, direct-from-the-manufacturer gaming machine or as an after-market retrofit to existing video slot machines, casino operators are taking the initiative to upgrade games in designated areas on their slot floor. Over the next few months, these enhanced games should provide casinos with the key player feedback and usage patterns needed to expand the MCT System upgrade throughout the slot floor.

One factor helping speed game conversions is that casino operators have found the upgrade process relatively easy. By working with their preferred display integrators, casinos can incorporate the MCT System into their planned CRT-to-LCD upgrades or can add tactile-feedback components to existing LCDs. Then, once tactile-feedback zones are created to correspond with existing on-screen touch buttons, players can experience tactile feedback with their favorite games.

Contributing to the notion that tactile feedback could be the "next big thing" in slot gaming technology, the MicroTouch Capacitive TouchSense System was recently awarded finalist honors in Casino Journal's "Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Technology Products of 2007" and Casino Enterprise Management Magazine's "Top Ten Slot Floor Products for 2008".

"Since the MicroTouch ClearTek product has been a gaming touch interface standard for the past 15 years, 3M is in a unique position to implement this next-generation touch interface," said Scott Hagermoser, gaming business unit manager, 3M Touch Systems. "By working with both casino operators and game manufacturers, 3M can implement tactile feedback into existing slot games, as well as future slot games."

Interested casino operators and game manufacturers can "feel" the MCT System tactile-feedback technology at the following venues over the next few months or contact 3M for an on-site demonstration.

SID Display Week 2008, Los Angeles, CA, May 20-22

Gaming Technology Summit 2008, Henderson, NV, May 21-22

G2E Asia 2008, Macao SAR, China, June 4-5

About the MicroTouch Capacitive TouchSense System (MCT System)

The MCT System combines a MicroTouch ClearTek II capacitive touch sensor and an enhanced MicroTouch EX II controller with tactile-feedback technology licensed from Immersion Corporation. The MCT System creates on-screen tactile feedback for game players by calculating the touch coordinates, which are passed to the gaming application on the CPU and then to the TouchSense Effects Library. The assigned tactile effect is passed back through the EX II controller to activate multiple actuators mounted to the touch screen to create the specified tactile sensation that the player "feels." The elapsed time from the initiated touch to receipt of tactile response is virtually undetectable by users.

About 3M Touch Systems, Inc.

3M Touch Systems Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M, operates globally and reports through the 3M Electro and Communications Business, headquartered in Austin TX.

3M Touch Systems provides fast, accurate and reliable touch products to customers worldwide under the "MicroTouch" brand. Popular interactive applications include casino gaming, retail point of sale, foodservice, hospitality, self-service, mobile handheld, and interactive digital signage. For more information about MicroTouch products, visit www.3M.com/touch01.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms - often in combination - to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit www.3m.com.

About Immersion Corporation

Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation (www.immersion.com) is a recognized leader in developing, licensing, and marketing digital touch technology and products. Using Immersion's advanced touch feedback technology, electronic user interfaces can be made more productive, compelling, entertaining, or safer. Immersion's technology is deployed across automotive, entertainment, industrial controls, medical training, mobility, and three-dimensional simulation markets. Immersion's patent portfolio includes over 700 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries.

3M, MicroTouch, and ClearTek are trademarks of 3M Company.

Immersion and TouchSense are trademarks of Immersion Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

All other trademarks listed herein are owned by their respective companies.

For all other inquiries, visit www.3M.com/touch01

Release Summary:

Known as the MicroTouch(TM) Capacitive TouchSense(R) System (MCT System), 3M Touch Systems new tactile feedback touch system incorporates tactile feedback technology to give on-screen game buttons the sensation of pressing traditional mechanical buttons. Now players can see, hear and actually feel the on-screen button selections of their favorite games.

Keyword Tags:

3m, 3m touch systems, casino, casino operators, touch screen, touch screen interface, touch systems, video slot games, video slot machine games

Contacts

3M Public Relations
Jane Kovacs, 512-984-6747
jkovacs@mmm.com

Food Stores Shopping List Increases Website Traffic

Giant Food Stores Sees Website Traffic Increase 400% Because of a ''Super Shopping List''

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 01, 2008 --Giant Food Stores, a division of Royal Ahold, has increased monthly consumer website visits by 400% over the past year. The website (www.giantfoodstores.com) utilizes many aspects of Grocery Shopping Network's proprietary software. Erik Keptner, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Advertising at Giant stated, "Partnering with Grocery Shopping Network ("GSN") has allowed us to help our customers maximize their trip to the grocery store by doing their planning from the comfort of their own homes. A personalized shopping list, on-line recipes, easy access to weekly specials, and meal planning solutions take the guesswork out of grocery shopping by offering another convenient way to save time and money."

"Consumer adoption continues to exceed expectations," continued Keptner.

Andy Robinson, CEO of Grocery Shopping Network, commented, "It's a pleasure to work with a forward-thinking company like Giant Food Stores of Carlisle. They truly understand the importance and power of utilizing technology to increase sales and customer loyalty."

Giant's website is powered with GSN's leading software that enables a consumer to quickly create a shopping list via personalized offers, the weekly circular, a virtual pantry containing previous purchases, and a searchable database of over 64,000 recipes. One customer commented, "I love how it (the software) remembers what I buy, shows me personal offers, and helps me plan meals. It's fun and easy to plan an affordable shopping trip through the website. After I print out the list, all items are displayed based on department and aisle. My super shopping list saves me time and money!"

Giant has further enhanced customers' on-line options through the April launch of its Shop from Home feature now available at its Camp Hill, Pennsylvania store. Erik Keptner said, "We look forward to continuing to develop web-based tools that offer our customers convenient and customer-friendly shopping solutions."

About Giant Food Stores

Giant Food Stores, LLC, one of the leading supermarket operations in the U.S., currently operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the names of Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets and FoodSource. As a company, Giant is proud to work with hundreds of local organizations in the communities it serves and has a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. For more information about Giant Food Stores, visit www.GiantFoodStores.com.

About GSN

Grocery Shopping Network provides grocery retailers' Web sites with a suite of proprietary software products that integrate shopping list building, recipes and meal planning with relevant, focused advertising content. GSN (http://www.groceryshopping.net) brings together the Web and in-store supermarket shopping experience. A GSN-powered site enables consumers to seamlessly shop their store, be presented with sales and promotions in the context of the items they are planning to purchase, access and save recipes for the items they plan to purchase, plan meals and utilize the many discount offers (including coupons) made available by brand manufacturers.

Contacts

Grocery Shopping Network
Albin Andolshek, 612-238-4942