Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education was a priority President Obama shared in his inaugural address. For the first time, a STEM-specific kids illustrated book series is being released by best-selling authors Ponn, JuJu, GiGi and JoJo Sabra.
Los Angeles, CA, March 29, 2013 - Best-selling authors and bloggers Ponn, JuJu (12), GiGi (11) and JoJo (9) Sabra announce the new release of: ‘What Is STEM?’ book one of the Emmy and Ott - The STEMBots kids book series. To be released on March 30, 2013, the book aims to “Make Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Fun and Easy for kids aged 4 to 12 years.”
In the attempt to make STEM subjects more practical, approachable, easy-to-understand and fun, best-selling authors and self-proclaimed STEMologists, Ponn, JuJu (12), GiGi (11) and JoJo (9) Sabra, created early-reader level books that will help build kids’ language and STEM-literacy skills at the same time.
Introducing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) To Early Readers
‘What Is STEM?’ is a 30-page colorful kids illustrated book, written in fun and easy rhymes, taught by robot characters Emmy and Ott - the world’s first STEM robots, also known as STEMBots. The book uses rhymes to help children memorize concepts for a fun and playful way to learn and includes a 4-page Glossary of Terms.
‘What is STEM?’ is available through Amazon.com. During the official launch from March 30- April 3, 2013, the book will be available FREE in digital format for Kindle readers. After April 3, the book will be $2.99.
Download ‘What is STEM’ at http://emmyandott.com/book1
“Parents can see the practicality of how, where, and when to infuse STEM into their kid’s daily lives, which can have a profound ability to spark the interest of their kids in these subjects. It’s unfortunate that these subjects are typically known as ‘difficult, boy-only, analytical, unapproachable’ classes. Our goal is to share our colorful and adorable STEMBot characters to excite parents, and demonstrate to kids that Science, Engineering, Technology and Math CAN be fun and easy”, says Ponn Sabra.
Kids need a way to make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math interesting to them, for their future careers. Right now, one-third of fourth graders have lost an interest in Science, and about 50 percent of eighth graders are not interested in Science or find it unimportant to their education and future.
Despite spending the second most on education, the United States doesn’t rank well compared to the rest of the world. American students rank 28th in Math literary, 24th in Science literacy, and 20th for degrees in Natural Science and Engineering. It is predicted that by 2020, 58 percent of the workforce will be STEM-related jobs. The U.S. is not creating enough STEM-graduates to meet this demand. To stay competitive, our country needs need to build more interest in these subjects and is why President Obama prioritized STEM education in his 2013 inaugural address. In short, we need more STEMologists.
A STEMologist, according to the Sabra’s, is “an expert or someone studying how to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fun and practical for all”. The Sabra’s emphasize its value for girls, women and minorities, the under-represented groups in STEM fields.
Free Bonus Gifts For Kids
To further interest kids in these subjects, the Sabra’s offer free bonus gifts with the purchase of the “What is STEM?” book, such as:
An audio recording of the “What is STEM?” book,
Coloring pages of Emmy and Ott throughout the book, and
The opportunity for other kids to participate in weekly contests and challenges to build future STEMologists.
The Sabra Sisters are homeschooled by their mom, Ponn Sabra, a biologist and public health administrator who left her career to raise a family. She blends STEM into all the girl’s daily activities and explorations. JuJu, GiGi and JoJo Sabra have become award-winning inventors, professional bloggers, information product developers, website designers, coders, and best-selling Kindle authors while still tweens.
The Sabras hope to hear from other kids and parents who have also found creative ways to teach STEM at home.
References: http://dpeaflcio.org/wp-content/uploads/The-STEM-workforce-2012.pdf ; http://stemologist.com/s3
Contact:
Ponn Sabra
Emmy and Ott - The STEMBots
Los Angeles, CA
203-599-0305
learning@emmyandott.com
http://emmyandott.com/
In relation and in reply to the recent investor warning posted on Izard Quin we would like to re-assure clients as to the following;
Geneva, Switzerland, March 27, 2013 - Contrary to the published warning, we wish to state categorically that all prospects are solicited and that we retain the services of an independent marketing company at some expense for exactly this purpose.
However, we do acknowledge that one single prospect located in Ireland was inadvertently contacted. This resulted in an enquiry being made to the relevant authorities in Ireland who posted a warning which has now been copied by other agencies. To that end have we have launched an urgent internal review to ensure this error does not happen again.
As a matter of fact no business has taken place in Ireland by Izard Quin whatsoever and furthermore the company does not have a single client in Ireland as we acknowledge that our licensing does not allow for marketing our services within this jurisdiction.
Jurisdictional cross border tax arrangements are complex and Izard Quin has no desire to contravene these and furthermore have no plans to market its services into jurisdictions where such marketing is not permitted.
Contact:
V.Montant
Izard Quin Division Holding Ltd
World Trade Center II,
29 Route de Pre-Bois,
CH-1215, Geneva, Switzerland
+41 (0)22 518 1635
info@izardquin.com
http://www.izardquin.com/
Famed new British handbag collection expands in to American Ecommerce
New York, NY, March 27, 2013 - Today the US opens their arms to welcome a new leader to the luxury leather goods scene as young British brand, Zatchels, launches their highly anticipated American Ecommerce website. Born in the heart of England in 2011, Zatchels introduced a well-edited assortment of fine leather handbags and accessories in a remarkably broad range of sizes, colors, prints and price points. The young brand quickly rose to gain the respect of industry leaders and customers alike, as their luxe offering, manufactured exclusively in the UK, was not only wildly unique in style, but also inarguably unmatched in both quality and price.
The Premier Zatchels collection spans four handbag shapes in ten sizes and an endless array of decorative styles. Ranging from vibrantly colored leathers, cracked metallics and embossed skins to one-of-a-kind florals, cheeky polka dots and edgy animal prints, the assortment genuinely has something to match every personality and compliment any age. Customers can personalize their items with stamped monograms, optional top handles and matching iPad cases, just a handful of the details that have made the brand distinctive to the market place. These elements, combined with years of knowledge and experience in the leather industry and the incredibly high standards demanded by traditional British manufacturing, have created the foundation for such a distinguishing range of product and its unrivaled presence.
With a Sanrio collaboration under their belt, the recent appointment of new creative director Gemma Shephard solidifying their mark on the fashion world and a bevy of exciting projects underway including the development of brick & mortar shops, it is no wonder that the constantly evolving company has already been named one-to-watch. And so it is with great pleasure and incredible enthusiasm that we announce today’s launch of Zatchels.com/USA.
About Zatchels:
Hailing from the UK, Zatchels is a young fashion brand that has been created, developed and driven by Dean Clarke and Brian Brady, the owners of a small manufacturing business in the center of Leicester, England. With deep roots and a long history in the leather goods industry, founders Dean and Brian have expanded in to an exciting new direction with a collection of handbags and accessories that are sure to make their mark.
Contact;
Malorie Kaye
Cameo PR
167 Madison Avenue Suite 205
Suite 205
New York, NY 10016
646-360-3488
inquiries@cameopr.com
http://www.cameopr.com
Empire Rockefeller Vodka and F. Rockefeller and Sons Champagne - 2004, had special supporting roles in the recent filming of the new 98 Degrees video “Microphone” as the Ultra premium vodka and Vintage champagne were used as props in a bottle service scene.
New York, NY, March 25, 2013 - The video of the boy band featuring Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons was recently filmed at the famed Beecher's Madhouse Theater at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California and is due out later this year. The band’s new album “2.0” - their first with new material in 13 years – is due out May 7.
Empire Rockefeller Vodka, part of the Vintage Rockefeller Wine & Spirits Group, came to market in 2012 and has quickly earned respect for its unique smooth taste. It is the only vodka in the world that is distilled six times in a copper cognac kettle in the Cognac region of France. The winter wheat used for Empire Rockefeller Vodka is done organically in France in the dedication of being as natural as possible. The water used in its production comes from pristine French springs, filtered through Champagne limestone. Empire Rockefeller starts off with what can be described as a very mild sweet start. This taste greets and lingers for a few seconds and gives way to a full-bodied middle followed by an extraordinary smooth, subtle finish.
F. Rockefeller and Sons Champagne is a vintage 2004 champagne that features a delicate stream of bubbles, a golden straw color and > honey-mingled aromas with notes of hazelnut and subtle notes of almond paste and vanilla. It has been described as fresh, well-rounded and astonishingly persistent.
Vintage Rockefeller Wine & Spirits produces a portfolio of high quality vodka, champagne, cognac and soon wines - all produced in France. It is currently distributed in the United States in New York, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania with more states being rolled out later this year. For more information, go to www.VintageRockefeller.com (http://www.VintageRockefeller.com) or like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter at @RockefellerUSA
Contact:
Randy Walker
New Chapter Media
1175 York Ave
Suite #3s
New York, NY 10065
917 770 0843
Rwalker@NewChapterMedia.com
http://www.newchaptermedia.com
Smoothie recipes created by kids for kids are accompanied with fun poetry in a new book called “My First Smoothie Recipe Book” by Ponn Sabra and her three kid authors, The Sabra Sisters. The book launched on March 23, 2013 through Amazon.com.
Los Angeles, CA, March 25, 2013 - Best-selling author and blogger Ponn Sabra and her three kid authors and bloggers, JuJu (12), GiGi (11) and JoJo (9) released ‘My First Smoothie Recipe Book’ [http://eathealthyplayhard.com/smoothiebook], Book #1 of the Children Can Cook Cookbook series. Released on March 23, 2013 the cookbook aims to prevent childhood obesity during National Nutrition Month.
Smoothies Made By Kids For Kids
‘My First Smoothie Recipe’ is a 35-page cookbook with 26 smoothie recipes, each created by the Sabra Sisters. Fun educational poems introduce kids to the benefits of the six different chapters: Citrus, Berry, Vegetable, Dairy and Yogurt.
Research shows that children who cook [http://eathealthyplayhard.com/children-who-cook-eat-healthier-have-higher-self-esteem] eat healthier and have higher self-esteem. In the attempt to prevent childhood obesity and build critical life skills, the Sabra Sisters are sharing their love of cooking through this new kids illustrated cookbook series.
Best-Selling Children’s Health and Nutrition Book
In its opening day, ‘My First Smoothie Recipe Book’ already ranked #1 in multiple targeted categories on Amazon, such as:
* Children’s Health
* Children’s Diet and Nutrition
* Children’s Cooking
* Children’s Sports and Activities
Five-star reviews share benefits the Sabra’s did not anticipate, such as:
* “Not just for kids” from a best-selling recipe book author who used to teach kids cooking classes,
* “Awesome Smoothie Recipes!” from a health-conscious male, and
* “Great book for many non-dairy smoothies” from a mom of young daughters who shares that this book is great for families with allergies.
Free Bonus Gifts For Kids
To further interest kids to start cooking, the Sabra’s offer free bonus gifts with the purchase of this book, such as:
* An audio recording of the Sabra’s narrating each smoothie poem,
* Coloring pages for each of the food cartoons in the book, and
* The opportunity for other kids to have their unique recipes or stories featured in upcoming titles in the Children Can Cook Cookbook series.
‘My First Smoothie Recipe Book’ is now available through Amazon.com in the kindle format. During the official launch from March 23 -27, 2013, the book will be available for free in digital format for kindle readers. Kindle copies are available at http://eathealthyplayhard.com/smoothiebook
Contact:
Ponn Sabra
Ponn International
5655 East La Palma Avenue, Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA
203-599-0305
howdy@eathealthyplayhard.com
http://eathealthyplayhard.com
This Panel will act as an advisory figure offering expertise and technological knowledge.
Boca Raton, Florida, March 23, 2013 – AURA (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) software, has announced the creation of a Panel of BPM Experts to support AuraPortal implementations, offer advice about operations and share technological knowledge online.
AuraPortal has been distinguished by the independent market analyst firm Ovum in its Decision Matrix 2011 report as the most advanced BPM in the market.
The mission of this International Panel of BPM Experts is to act as an advisory team and to promote and disseminate their business technology expertise, which is reflected in their success stories, BPM specialty areas and on the outstanding features of the AuraPortal BPM platform.
AuraPortal's BPM Experts Panel members were elected among consultants, partners, business specialists and university professors worldwide.
AuraPortal's BPM Experts may participate in implementation projects as advisors or consultants, providing BPM expertise and business know-how. They will also share their business knowledge through an online space for business technology events named "AURA Space".
About AURA (www.auraportal.com)
AURA is a global BPM (Business Process Management) software provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.
AURA has a presence in 50 countries with more than 500 customers including, among others: Toyota, General Motors, Pemex (Petroleos Mexicanos), Carrefour, ArcelorMittal, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Scotiabank, Danone, Sodexo, Kimberly-Clark, Yamaha, Eletrobras, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries.
AURA Headquarters are located in North America (Florida) and Europe (Holland) whereas the software development facilities are located in Spain and India.
Contact:
Scott Rich
Auraportal
400 Trade Center
Woburn, MA 01801-7472
978-808-6340
diana.farrington@auraportal.com
http://www.auraportal.com
Kristy Love Brooks is no stranger to the limelight as the seasoned performer and all-around entertainer.
Los Angeles, CA, March 21, 2013- Kristy Love Brooks is no stranger to the limelight as the seasoned performer and all-around entertainer. Kristy is a renowned singer-songwriter and has been a solo RCA recording artist, actress, and dancer singing along with one of the most successful R&B groups, The Platters, with an established fan base in the United Kingdom. She is in the eyes of many, a true R&B diva with her reputation in the music industry.
With the release of “Songs of Love and Peace”, Kristy aims to create new excitement and establish a “peace” movement in the mainstream dance music industry with her new dance single, “All Over The World.” Her passionate, unique sound creates a variety of moods and tempos from mainstream dance and jazz to contemporary R&B and music with smooth tones that remind you of Roberta Flack and Sade.
Apart from grooving to the upbeat rhythms of another one of Kristy’s dance tracks, “I’m Your Deejay”, she still manages to display her soft, soothing sensual tone in her very own rendition of Barry White’s classic song, “Gonna Love You More.” The single recently debuted in the Top 10 on SmoothSoul.Net with enthusiastic feedback from its program director, John Marcus: “I loved it the first time I heard it, and I think our listeners do, too. I think you may have a pretty big hit on your hands.”
“Songs of Love and Peace,” bring forth a new excitement in the entertainment and record industry. While listening to “All Over the World” music fans instantly sing along to this catchy dance anthem that rejoices and spreads a positive, uplifting message. “I’ve got it--- the answer--- to all these worldly problems
You name them --- I’ve had them --- now I know how to solve them.
There will be no worry, no fear, I can’t be doubting. I let all my worries go.”
Kristy Love Brooks is a singer-songwriter who aims to inspire, humor, entertain, and educate. Her longevity in the music industry is a testament to her passion and drive, but also her mantra to spread the recurring theme to her aptly named album “Songs of Love and Peace.”
SHARE AND EMBED “ALL OVER THE WORLD” HERE
Kristy Love Brooks links: Website - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube
Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
P.O. Box 93157
Hollywood, CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com
Eating disorders treatment center identifies common warning signs and reveals challenges to identifying compulsive exercise behaviors
Denver, Colo, March 20, 2013 – Professionals specializing in the treatment of men, women and children with eating disorders are observing a growing trend among their patients, who are increasingly engaging in compulsive exercise. According to Eating Recovery Center, an international center providing comprehensive treatment for eating disorders, the connection between excessive exercise and eating disorders generally stems from food-, body- or weight-related issues that drive the excessive physical activity. In fact, a study by Brewerton found that nearly 40 percent of patients with anorexia nervosa engaged in compulsive exercise behaviors.
“Compulsive exercise is obligatory in nature, and it doesn’t have to be a certain type of exercise or be performed for a minimum duration,” explains Jennifer Lombardi, MFT, executive director of Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program, a partner program of Eating Recovery Center. “When evaluating if exercise is compulsive in nature, it’s important to look at the intention behind the movement, if there is a sense of urgency or agitation when individuals can’t engage in the exercise behavior, there is likely an issue. It’s also important to consider exercise in the larger context of an individual’s eating and body image history; exercise is one of those behaviors that means something different to people struggling with eating disorders due to their temperament and brain chemistry.”
Lombardi and the eating disorders experts at Eating Recovery Center explain that individuals engaging in compulsive exercise generally fall into one of two categories: those exhibiting significant exercise compulsion as part of their eating disorder; or individuals that did not initially exhibit excessive exercise behaviors, but began to do so as their eating disorders improved.
In other words, some eating disordered individuals abuse exercise as a compensatory behavior following a bingeing session or to give themselves “permission” to eat. Others may begin to engage in excessive exercise as what they believe to be a “healthy” part of eating disorders recovery. What these individuals do not realize, is that the frequency and volume of their exercise has taken the place of other eating disordered behaviors as an anxiety management tool and poses significant health complications, including joint injuries, stress fractures, muscle tears, tendonitis, fatigue and dehydration.
Eating Recovery Center encourages families, friends and healthcare professionals to be mindful of five common warning signs of compulsive exercise behaviors, including:
1. Exercising excessively “just because” as opposed to intentional exercise in preparation for a competition.
2. Refusing to miss a workout, regardless of weather or injury.
3. Exercising takes precedence over all other activities, including work, school and spending time with friends and family.
4. Experiencing a heightened level of anxiety if unable to engage in exercise.
5. Displaying an elevated rigidity and perfectionism with regard to exercise behaviors.
However, it is important to note that popular cultural narratives around exercise in the United States can pose significant challenges to identifying compulsive exercise—alone or occurring alongside an eating disorder.
* Exercise is healthy. There has been a major cultural shift around the notion that exercise helps us, not only in supporting general health and maintenance of a healthy weight during an obesity “epidemic,” but also as a tool to manage anxiety and stave off depression. This idea, and myriad variations of encouraged and acceptable frequencies of exercise (30 minutes each day; five days a week; etc.) can challenge the identification of dangerous patterns and/or normalize compulsivity, even during assessment by medical professionals.
* I am a competitive athlete. Overreaching is a common method of competitive athletes, and it is based on a principle of training that encourages the athlete to push beyond the body’s current ability to improve stamina and performance. Overreaching should not be confused with overtraining, which involves excessive intensity and duration, inadequate recovery time, unhealthy psychological state and malnutrition. Athletes that are overreaching are usually taking in sufficient nutrients and “fuel” to support their purposeful training activities, whereas athletes that are overtraining are nutritionally depleted and are exercising at extreme levels “just because.”
* I feel most confident when I am exercising and/or competing in my sport. Endorphins released during exercise make us “feel good.” Interestingly, compulsive exercisers often present with higher self-esteem despite having lower body-esteem. This paradox makes complete sense considering the temperament of those suffering from an eating disorder. These individuals are high achievers, see the world in a rigid, “black and white” way and tend to have low reward dependence. Due to the cultural reinforcement around exercise, patients feel good about themselves because they are excelling at something considered to be a “healthy” behavior. Additionally, exercise is concrete, measurable and accepted, and individuals with low reward dependence can do it well and push themselves privately.
* There is no official diagnosis; exercise compulsion must not be a real disorder. The treatment community and the American Psychological Association agree that more research is necessary to validate a formal diagnostic category for exercise compulsion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. However, exercise compulsion is a very real compensatory behavior for many individuals struggling with disordered eating.
Treatment is available to address compulsive exercise—occurring either alone or alongside a diagnosed eating disorder.
“A thorough medical evaluation is also a critical component of assessment, as exercise relates very directly to physical health and medical status,” continues Lombardi. “However, it’s critical that an eating disorders specialist is part of the multidisciplinary treatment team – including a therapist, dietitian, primary care and/or sports medicine physician – to help facilitate patient assessments and assist in the identification of dangerous patterns of behavior despite the common challenges imposed by our cultural beliefs about exercise.”
“Running on Empty: Exercise Compulsion and Eating Disorders” is available for complimentary viewing through Eating Recovery Center’s On Demand Professional Development Series. In this video, Lombardi explores current research examining the addictive nature of exercise, exercise in eating disorders recovery and interventions for compulsive exercising.
For more information about compulsive exercise, eating disorders and effective treatment, visit EatingRecoveryCenter.com.
Contact:
Molly Koch
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
mkoch@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com
Blue Asset Management LLC is offering numerous delinquent and non-performing first mortgage loans collateralized by small and mid-sized commercial real estate in New Jersey.
Wayne, NJ, March 19, 2013 -- Blue Asset Management LLC is offering numerous delinquent and non-performing first mortgage loans collateralized by small and mid-sized commercial real estate in New Jersey. The mortgages are being offered for sale to individual investors seeking to reposition the property or the loan as the real estate market stabilizes in New Jersey.
“The real estate market in New Jersey has momentum not seen since before the mortgage crisis began,” said Charles Blumenkehl, CEO of Blue Asset Management LLC. “Local individual note purchasers are best suited to work with the borrower and asset to maximize opportunity while returning the asset to a market performer.”
The mortgages being offered were acquired in 2011 and represent approximately $15 million in unpaid balances collateralized by quality commercial real estate assets located in New Jersey. Blumenkehl added, “The stabilization of distressed real estate assets is a key component to the stabilization of the Real Estate market overall. The investor purchasing the loan will take the additional steps necessary to stabilize the asset, and by reducing the inventory of troubled mortgages, community stabilization is achieved.”
To obtain information about the mortgage notes offered, log onto the company website at www.blueassetmanagementllc.com or call the company directly at 973 835-1400
Contact:
Charles Blumenkehl
Blue Asset Management LLC
2282 Hamburg Tpke
Wayne, NJ 07470
973 835 1400
cblue@bluerealty.com
http://www.blueassetmanagementllc.com
Luxury Travel Ltd. Attends TTC Indonesia 2013 to Attract High-End Indonesian Halal Tourists to Vietnam.
Hanoi, Vietnam, March 19, 2013 - Vietnam’ First Halal and Holiday Operator (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) to Promote Vietnam Halal Tourism in Indonesia.
Vietnam’s first luxury tour and travel operator has launched its website www.vietnamhalalholidays.com and a Vietnam guidebook for Muslim tourists visiting the country.
Luxury Travel Vietnam has just launched the first luxury halal tour and holiday operator focusing on Muslim tourists from Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Turkey, and the Middle East visiting Vietnam in 2013, the company has said.
"We have reserved special tours for Muslim travellers, halal food restaurants and mosque locations. We expect to host around 800 -1000 Indonesian Muslim travellers in 2013," said CEO and Founder Pham Ha of Luxury Travel Ltd.
Pham Ha said: “The Muslim population in Indonesia shows immense potential. Demand from this segment is picking up and is expected to increase, thanks to direct flights between South-east Asian countries, including the latest flight to (Ho Chi Minh City) from Jakarta four times per week.
“Also, no visa is needed for most citizens travelling between ASEAN countries,” he added.
The Luxury Travel Ltd. is set to introduce the halal tours and holidays at the TTC Indonesia on March 25-27 in Jarkata and Surabaya, Indonesia.
Vietnam-based Luxury Travel Ltd (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) is a long established Asian specialist in the art of travel and serves today’s most sophisticated travelers with luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel excels in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences to fulfill the most sophisticated traveler’s expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd. has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator. www.facebook.com/luxurytravelcompany
Contact:
Linh Doan
Luxury Travel Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing12@luxurytravelvietnam.com
http://www.LuxuryTravelVietnam.com
Very Important Relationships, Inc. (VIR), one of the nation’s premier builders of Internet CashBack Rewards Shopping Malls today announced the launch of its new product lines designed specifically to serve the needs of companies in the Multi-level Marketing (MLM) industry.
Reno, NV, March 17, 2013 - Very Important Relationships, Inc. (VIR), http://myvir.com, one of the nation’s premier builders of Internet CashBack Rewards Shopping Malls today announced the launch of its new product lines designed specifically to serve the needs of companies in the Multi-level Marketing (MLM) industry. This array of services include VIR’s newest generation of CashBack Shopping Malls, plus additional forms of discount benefits services that are perfect to compliment any MLM’s offering.
“Network marketing companies have a unique challenge is finding high quality products and services at a price low enough to allow for the markups required to fund their robust compensation plans.” says Jody Tallal, CEO of VIR. “Due to VIR’s technology and scope of affiliates, VIR has brought together a perfect combination of services that can enhance the value proposition of any MLM program, both from the perspective of the customer as well as the MLM representative.”
VIR’s core service is its unique CashBack Shopping Mall which feature over 1,000 of the nation’s best know brand store, all offering CashBack on everything purchased. VIR, founded in 2006, is one of the nation’s premier developers of CashBack shopping malls and began its operations when the CashBack small industry was new.
“Today, VIR’s proprietary technology is unmatched in the CashBack Shopping Mall channel, and since its focus is on enhancing the customer experience through high-quality interactions, the end result is a winning combination.” adds Jody Tallal, CEO of VIR. “VIR has research all of the major CashBack malls and other savings sites in the industry to determine what they are doing that that is working best and they are doing that is not. Previously, no one had figure out the magic combination that consumers want most out of the myriad of single focused savings sites out there. Therefore, VIR’s goal was to evaluate the best of the best of these sites and determine what their most popular elements were, and then combine those together to all inclusive platform.”
VIR’s new third generation malls (v3) are an ultimate shopper’s paradise where retailers from clothing to electronics to jewelry to travel, plus many more products and services, are all available together under one roof for the shopper’s convenience. VIR has relationships with most of the top retailers like as Target, Drugstore.com, Staples, Best Buy, Travelocity, and over 1,000 others merchants and brings CashBack shopping, special discounts and significant bargains to shoppers.
VIR’s new v3 CashBack malls also present approximately 2,500 “Hot Savings” and “Promo Code” offers daily from the merchants in the mall as they compete against one another to win the members’ business. Users can save up to 80% off on selected offers from these merchants in addition to earning CashBack.
“VIR’s new v3 CashBack Shopping Malls present the best of the best in online savings opportunities by combining thousands of merchant “lost leader” sales items, promotion codes, printable coupons, and free shipping offers daily.” says Tallal. “It then tops that off through the addition of cash back on everything bought; making them the easiest way to save money on the web.”
Additionally, clipping coupons from the Sunday newspaper is now a thing of the past. VIR’s malls also have their own Coupons section which offers the four largest online coupon sites on the Internet, all together in one place. These sites include Coupons.com, SmartSource, Redplum and CouponNetwork; so all a member needs to do is select the coupons they want, print them out on their printer, and use them at their local grocery or drugstore. The malls even include a direct API feed from Groupon offering its daily Groupon Goods, which are Groupon’s deeply discounted products offering.
But VIR’s new service for the MLM industry does not end with its CashBack Shopping mall. It also aggregates a wide array of discount health and lifestyle benefit programs. These programs include discount dental, vision, lab, imaging, and Pharmacy plans as well as lifestyle benefits like discount legal networks, roadside assistance, identity theft, etc. “VIR’s volume pricing on these types of services make many of them an ideal fit for enhancing a MLM program’s product offering.” states Tallal.
“Since VIR is a technology company first, it can integrate any of its discount health and lifestyle benefit programs with the mall so they are presented to the end user as a seamless website.” adds Tallal. “We can integrate multiple independent web based services from different sources and produce a seamless end user experience, all on the same URL. Additionally, due to the sophistication of VIR’s transaction processing system, if desired, it can also track and pay commission from revenues earned in the mall through a unilevel down line as well.”
The combination of these benefits and services make VIR an essential resource for the MLM industry.
About Very Important Relationships, Inc.
Very Important Relationships, Inc. is one of the nation’s premier developers of Internet CashBack Rewards shopping programs. VIR operates 16 different CashBack mall business models that serve seven industries, including customer loyalty, employee benefits, nonprofit fundraising, and association benefits. For more information on Very Important Relationship, Inc. and the services they offer, visit www.myvir.com or call (972) 726-9595.
Contact:
Jody Tallal
Very Important Relationships, Inc.
2533 N Carson Street, Suite 1V
Carson City, NV 89706
(972) 726-9595, Ext 229
Jody@myvir.com
http://www.myvir.com
Blues legend Earl Thomas and his Blues friends will play at Club Fox in Redwood City on Sunday, March 24, 2013
Redwood City, CA, March 14, 2013 - Blues legend Earl Thomas and his Blues friends will play at Club Fox in Redwood City on Sunday, March 24, 2013 with a special live performance webcast pay per view show at 1pm PST. This once in a lifetime event, which will not be replicated anywhere, will be streamed live by VenMundi, making it possible for Blues aficionados all over the world to enjoy these extraordinary artists who are coming together in support of the Blues Foundation. You can view a special message from Earl Thomas about this event at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOV1vcfe5QA.
Earl Thomas started out wanting to support the Blues Foundation by giving back his time and talents as a Blues artist. As his fellow Blues musicians heard about what Thomas was doing, they wanted to join him. As a result, the show will feature Sista Monica, Syreeta Neal, Lady Bianca, Kenny Neal, Tia Carroll, King Tuffnstuff, Shane Dwight, Daniel Castro, John Nemeth, Kyle Rowland, Greg Nagy, Aki Kumar, the Blues Ambassadors and the list is growing.
Thomas explains, “I’m excited to be part of this event, and even more excited to have my friends join me in supporting the Blues Foundation. I think it is important for all of us to give back to the music that we love and to ensure that the history of Blues is preserved. I’m also grateful to VenMundi for helping us contribute 50 percent of the proceeds in support of the Blues Hall of Fame Museum.”
VenMundi makes it easy to buy a ticket for the live show by going to the Venmundi.com link to the Earl Thomas In Concert for the Blues Foundation event site. VenMundi is thrilled to use its patented new technology to support important organizations like The Blues Foundation and make it possible for Blues fans around the world to be part of the fundraising.
"The Blues Foundation has been inducting performers and recordings into the Blues Hall of Fame since 1980 and a capital campaign is well underway to establish the Blues Hall of Fame museum. We applaud Earl Thomas and his friends for their willingness to step forward in support of our efforts to bring this long-overdue dream to reality," explained Jay Sieleman, President of the Blues Foundation.
Charley Lochtefeld, owner of Club Fox reports, “We are delighted to support the Blues Hall of Fame Museum and are glad to be teaming up with Earl Thomas and VenMundi to stream the show live to blues fans all over the world. We know they will enjoy the show and the opportunity to support the Blues Foundation.”
Recognized on four continents Earl Thomas has been called "one of the most important blues artist of this decade" by the Best of Blues Awards where, in 2011, he took top honors including Best Male Vocal, Best Contemporary Blues Artist, Best Album, and Best Songwriter. His songs have been recorded by icons Etta James, Solomon Burke, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and Tom Jones as well as contemporaries Janiva Magness, Big Llou Johnson, Tracy Nelson and, most recently, blues queen Shemekia Copeland on her new Telarc Records release 33 & 1/3. In 2006, the national blockbuster, In The Mix, starring Usher and the Sundance Film Festival Award winning Forty Shades Of Blue with Rip Torn both featured an Earl Thomas composition. He scored again with songs on popular television shows, in 2009 on the hit series E.R and again in 2012 with In Plain Sight and Bones and with songs on over 500 Blues radio stations in the United States and around the world, Earl Thomas is a genuine Blues star. He made his European debut at the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in 1992 and has built a solid reputation and fan base especially in Switzerland, Scandinavia, and England. His long running residency at Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco with his tight multicultural band The Blues Ambassadors is the hot ticket in the Bay Area drawing regular SRO crowds to the popular venue.
About Venmundi: Venmundi.com is a portal, providing live and video on-demand content on the Internet for a price per event through laptops, Smartphones, tablets and home entertainment centers. The patented process includes the workflow and the documents that allow the artist, the venue and the viewer to participate in a VenMundi broadcast. The technology enables the uninterrupted transmission of the content and manages the revenues and customer base in an efficient, accessible, easy-to-use format. www.venmundi.com .
Barbra Higgins, President of VenMundi explains, “VenMundi lets musicians reach their fans live and in-person, and simultaneously via streaming video on the Internet, with a level of visual quality and audio clarity rarely found online. Better still, fans can soon queue up concerts from their favorite artists on-demand so they get what they want, when and how they want it with uncompromised quality and an experience that is almost as good as being there. VenMundi is helping to raise money by extending the reach of this very special concert.”
Sign Up to View The Pay Per View Event
About The Blues Foundation: The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renown as THE organization dedicated to preserving our Blues music history, celebrating recording and performance excellence, supporting blues education and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. The Blues Foundation has 4500 individual members and 200 affiliated local Blues societies representing another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world. Its signature honors and events--the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards--make it the international center of Blues music. Since 1980, The Blues Foundation has been inducting individuals, recordings and literature into the Blues Hall of Fame, but until now there has not been a physical Blues Hall of Fame. The Raise the Roof campaign calls for up to $3.5 million to create a hall of fame that will be the place to: honor inductees year-round; listen to and learn about the music; and enjoy historic mementos of this all-American art form. https://blues.org
Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
P.O. Box 93157
Hollywood, CA 90093
323-806-0400
chip@mileshighproductions.com
http://www.mileshighproductions.com
Education Growth Advisors Report Makes Case for Accelerating Adaptive Learning in Higher Education
Stamford, CT, March 13, 2013 — Today, the higher education marketplace is thick with companies and organizations claiming to have “personalized learning” or “adaptive learning” capabilities. Companies are using this language in their sales and marketing efforts, creating confusion for institutions as they grapple with determining an approach to personalized learning that matches their students’ and instructors’ needs. But if one cuts through the clutter, adaptive learning may be one key capable of actually unshackling higher education from the “Iron Triangle” of cost, access and quality, according to a white paper by Education Growth Advisors. The white paper, entitled “Learning to Adapt: A Case for Accelerating Adaptive Learning in Higher Education”, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, explores the current adoption, opportunities, barriers, advancements, solutions and case studies of adaptive learning in higher education.
“In the era of MOOC mania, newfangled competency-based credentials, and complicated policy debates about how best to increase access to higher education while simultaneously reducing costs and maintaining quality, adaptive learning may play out to be a significant ingredient to alleviating the escalating pressures on higher education,” said Adam Newman, co-founder of Education Growth Advisors. “With broader adoption and evaluation, the market can determine if adaptive learning can realize its potential of delivering learning to more learners, more effectively and more efficiently than ever before.”
The white paper, a precursor to the full report expected to be published later in March, is designed to simplify the discussion by providing analysis of the adaptive learning landscape, including benefits and drawbacks of current products and tools, and case studies from select universities. The paper explores:
* A uniform definition of personalized versus adaptive learning;
* A discussion of varying approaches to adaptive learning from linear to complex algorithmic pathways;
* A review of solutions providers from Platform to Publishers;
* Examples of adaptive learning adoption and evaluation on campuses around the globe;
* The internal and external risks and barriers of adaptive learning adoption by colleges, universities and faculty; and
* The critical questions institutional leaders must address before proceeding with an adaptive learning initiative.
For more information, download a copy of “Learning to Adapt: A Case for Accelerating Adaptive Learning in Higher Education” or request a copy of the soon to be released full report, which will provide institutions with more tools for evaluation of providers and the rapidly evolving landscape, please visit Education Growth Advisors at http://edgrowthadvisors.com/research/ or call (203) 658-8100.
About Education Growth Advisors
Founded in 2010 by longtime education and investment industry veterans Adam Newman and Christopher Curran, Education Growth Advisors (“EGA”) is a strategic advisory and consulting firm working across the K-12, postsecondary, corporate and lifelong learning sectors. EGA delivers business expertise that marries rigorous, research-based market analysis, hands-on education-industry experience and extensive transactional and capital markets experience. EGA’s unique position at the heart of the education industry ensures that its clients have the partner they need to make the right decisions in today’s complex and rapidly evolving education marketplace. For more information about Education
Growth Advisors, visit www.edgrowthadvisors.com.
Contact:
Kavitha Thimmaiah
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
kthimmaiah@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com
“TreeSwing” Makes Investing Accessible And Fun For New Investors
Kansas City, MO, March 08, 2013 – TreeSwing is a mobile brokerage service sponsored by DST Market Services, a registered broker-dealer and member firm of FINRA. DST Market Services today announced its plan to launch a new phone application designed to put the benefits of investing into the hands of a wider investing audience, including those who have never invested before.
Available soon as a free download from the App Store™, TreeSwing is built on the idea that even the smallest contributions add up over time. With no brokerage fees, no minimum balances, and no required monthly investment, investors can contribute any amount they’re comfortable with—as little as $1 at a time, as often as they like.
TreeSwing will allow investors to select from a marketplace of professionally managed mutual funds offered by some of the top names in the industry. By keeping the marketplace purposefully small, using plain language, and providing independent data from Morningstar, TreeSwing aims to give investors an easy way to make informed choices.
According to Brian Smith, Design and Product Manager for the TreeSwing application, the app was created specifically to serve the millions of Americans who aren’t currently investing.
“I believe we’ve built something that will lower the financial, behavioral, and emotional barriers to the investment process,” says Mr. Smith.
TreeSwing will occasionally send encouraging notifications to users’ phones. These reminders are designed to keep users on track by focusing on investing behaviors, not market fluctuations, and by making investing part of life on a weekly, even daily basis. Optionally connecting an investor’s foursquare® account allows for location-specific pushes that help investors make mindful consumer decisions.
In developing TreeSwing, DST Market Services is able to leverage the considerable experience and infrastructure of its parent, DST Systems, a behind-the-scenes leader in the mutual fund industry since 1973. From its rigid adherence to mobile security best practices to DST’s state-of-the-art data facilities, the TreeSwing development team made protection of personal information its top priority.
TreeSwing will make its first public demonstration at the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, TX on March 8, 2013.
About TreeSwing
DST Market Services, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member firm of FINRA. It is the sponsor of TreeSwing. TreeSwing is a brand name for a mobile brokerage service designed specifically for consumer-focused investing. The goal of TreeSwing is to bring the benefits of mutual fund investing to new and emerging investors by lowering or removing many of the financial, behavioral, and emotional barriers to entry. Leveraging DST’s financial industry experience and infrastructure, TreeSwing designers and developers have extensive experience building software and service solutions for the mutual fund industry.
Disclosures:
DST Market Services, LLC is not affiliated with Morningstar or foursquare. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. With regard to online and mobile trading, market volatility and volume may delay system access and trade execution.
A fund’s prospectus contains its investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information and should be read and considered carefully before investing.
Contact:
Laura Parsons
DST Systems, Inc.
333 W. 11th St.
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-843-9087
mediarelations@dstsystems.com
http://www.dstsystems.com
In the attempt to make STEM subjects more practical, approachable, easy-to-understand and fun, best-selling authors and self-proclaimed STEMologists, Ponn, JuJu (12), GiGi (11) and JoJo (9) Sabra, created early-reader level books that will help build kids’ language and STEM-literacy skills at the same time.
