Minneapolis Watchdog Blog

The Minneapolis Watchdog provides news and information for Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the entire state of Minnesota. It has no connection to The Watchdog newspaper.


Friday, May 30, 2008

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

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Small and Mid-size Mailers and Shippers See Effects of New Postage rates

Postal Business Companion Shows Small and Mid-size Mailers and Shippers Effects of New May 12th Postage rates

Window Book Inc. announces the release of new postal rates in Postal Business Companion™ to help professional mailers prepare for upcoming changes on May 12, 2008.

Cambridge, MA  - March 26, 2008 -- Window Book Inc. announces the release of new postal rates in Postal Business Companion™ to help professional mailers prepare for upcoming changes on May 12, 2008.

The Postal Business Companion software from Window Book includes an easy-to-use postal mailing and shipping rate calculator that lets you compare current rates vs. the new May 12th 2008 postage rates. Mailers can instantly calculate the rate changes in dollar amount and percentage ahead of the rate change and determine budget allotments.

"Postal Business Companion is user friendly software that small and mid-sized mailers can use when they are trying to determine the best way to ship while maximizing on postage. As postal rates increase it is vital for companies that mail and ship to be able to calculate the best and least expensive way to send out their items," said Jeffery Peoples, CEO and Founder of Window Book.

About Window Book:
Window Book is the premier mailing software and shipping software partner to lettershops, corporate mailers, and fulfillment houses. Window Book's best-in-class postal solutions include: Mail.dat®, Full Service Intelligent Mail, PostalOne!, FAST; Priority Mail Open and Distribute, MAC Gold Manifest Shipping Systems, post-presort data management, postage statements, Intelligent Mail container labels, postage accounting, USPS Confirm service, and system integration options.

Contact information:
Sooyoung Han
617-395-4573
Marketing Dept.
shan @ windowbook.com

Press Contact: SOOYOUNG HAN
Company Name: Window Book, Inc.
Phone: 617-395-4573
Website:
http://windowbook.com

Online Academic Writing Center Available to the Public

Capella University Makes Comprehensive Online Academic Writing Center Available to the Public

The online university's Online Writing Center features multi-media modules aimed at graduate level students studying in a variety of disciplines
College & University Pressroom

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 29, 2008 --A comprehensive online academic writing center developed by Capella University (www.capella.edu) primarily for graduate level students is now available to the public at www.capellawritingcenter.org. Capella, which is an accredited,* online university that focuses on master's and PhD degrees, created the Online Writing Center to provide its 23,000-plus students with instruction, resources, and strategies to help them navigate the writing process and develop clear and effective academic writing.

"We decided to make this writing resource available to the general public because, first, it's the nature of writing centers to share resources, and second, we have some unique resources to share that are a result of the collaboration among faculty, staff, and our incredible web and instructional designers," said Leslie Olsen, coordinator of Capella's Writing Center. "There is so much information on this site that people seeking help with their writing won't find on other writing resource Web sites. What we have developed truly makes the writing process much more manageable, efficient, and enjoyable."

Some of that unique information includes a writing handbook organized around the writing process and embedded with multi-media modules, animated handouts, and easily downloadable documents on topics such as the philosophy behind APA writing guidelines, writing a literature review, and pre-writing techniques that can be used to help facilitate the writing process.

"The multi-media modules and animated handouts are very unique among writing resource Web sites, and are a very effective way to help these concepts come to life and really sink in," said Olsen, adding that all of the modules are ADA compliant.

Some other topics covered on Capella's Online Writing Center include:

    * Annotated Bibliography Guide
    * Grammar
    * Business and Technical Writing
    * APA Style and Formatting
    * Undergraduate Writing Resources
    * How to Get Your Work Published
    * Academic Integrity

The site also offers a wide variety of one-page handouts in PDF format for downloading on topics such as developing a thesis statement, writing in the third person, and plagiarism. The Writing Center even features a "Writer's Relief" section for those who need a break from thinking about writing.

Although Capella's Online Writing Center has been developed primarily for graduate-level students, it does feature a section for undergraduate students. It includes an interactive module on the four stages of writing, which takes the student all the way through the writing process, from prewriting, through drafting and peer review, and on to revising, editing and proofreading.

About Capella University

Founded in 1993, Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety, and bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 104 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. The online university currently serves more than 23,400 students from all 50 states and 45 other countries. It is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit
http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.

Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.

Learn more about earning an online degree at Capella University:

online education (
http://www.capella.edu/online_education.aspx)

distance learning (
http://www.capella.edu/distance_learning.aspx)

online university (
http://www.capella.edu/online_university.aspx)

Contacts

Capella University
Media Contact:
Irene Silber, 612-977-4132
irene.silber@capella.edu

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

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Mobile Insurance Claims Center Set Up for Fast Claims Handling

Farmers Insurance Claims Team Sets Up Mobile Claims Center for Fast Claims Handling

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 27, 2008 --Farmers Insurance Group of Companies advises its Farmers Insurance customers suffering damage from the tornado in Hugo to immediately contact their agent or call the 24 hour claims hotline, 800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764).

Foremost Insurance customers who have damage should file their claim by calling: 1-800-527-3907.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Farmers and Foremost combined have received more than 2400 claims.

To further assist customers, Farmers' Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus is in Hugo, MN at Oneka Elementary School located at: 4888 Heritage Parkway.

The Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus is a rolling customer support center equipped with top-of-the-line technology for immediate claims handling and outfitted with comforts of home such as a grill for on-the-spot meals. Farmers customers can stop by the Mobile Catastrophe Claims Bus anytime. Reporters are welcome to tour the bus as well.

"The Farmers claims bus allows us to serve the most number of people," said Locke Pierce, State Executive Director of Farmers Insurance in Minnesota. "We are equipped to be a community relief center with this bus. We can serve meals by the hundred and allow people telephone and computer access to reach relatives. These are luxuries no one takes for granted during a crisis."

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers® is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.

Contacts

Farmers Insurance Group
David Bishop, 850-228-8997
david.bishop@farmersinsurance.com

Monday, May 26, 2008

Should Mesothelioma Victims Call A Mesothelioma Victims Center?

Mesothelioma Victims Should Call Americas Watchdog's Mesothelioma Victims Center

If you are a victim of Mesothelioma or a family member friend of a victim Americas Watchdog is there for you. Americas Watchdog has created the Mesothelioma Victims Center as a free service to victims or family members of victims, of a rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma. Americas Watchdog has initiated this very complete free service because there was literally nothing close to this type of service in the United States and because this type of service is sorely needed by Mesothelioma victims and their families. The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to assist victims & their families in every way possible

April 21, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog has created the most wonderful service for victims or family members of victims of Mesothelioma. Until a family member was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, Americas Watchdog had never heard of this disease or knew much about it. Mesothelioma is a rare and lethal form of cancer. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. The group never realized that there was no safety net for victims, to get help from the government. They did not know how difficult it might be to get veterans benefits or social security benefits. Americas Watchdog also discovered that it is critical for victims of this lethal disease to get proper legal representation. They have designed the Mesothelioma Victims Center to be the national advocacy center for the victims and family members of Mesothelioma.Their service is free. The web site is located at http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.com.

Their services include:
* Assisting the victims obtain Social Security permanent disability payments
* If the victim is a veteran and was exposed to asbestos during military duty, we will work with the victim and his/her family in obtaining veterans disability and health care benefits.
* We will assist the family in getting the best possible
health care options
* We will assist the victim in
getting legal representation.
* We will assist the victim and their family in getting counseling on a wide variety of topics that arise from this
disease.
A victim of Mesothelioma or their family can call the group any time at 866-714-6466.

Who Can Get Mesothelioma? Individuals exposed to asbestos. As Follows
* Individuals who served in the US Navy. Especially Navy personnel who served in or around naval ship engine rooms.
* Members of the US Army, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.
* Naval ship yard workers
* Ship yard workers
* Automotive repair specialists
* Construction workers
* Plumbers
* Demolition contractors
 
 
Because no other group is providing this full range of services and because victims and their families need assistance in these areas, Americas Watchdog is doing this at no charge because its the right thing to do. Americas Watchdog's Mesothelioma Victims Center web site is located at Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com . Any one wishing more information can call the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime at 866-714-6466.

Americas Watchdog and its Mesothelioma Victims Center are all about taking care of precious souls in need and corporate responsibility.

Press Contact: THOMAS MARTIN
Company Name: Americas Watchdog
Phone: 866-714-6466
Website:
Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Sunday, May 25, 2008

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

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Consumers Take Control of Health Insurance Costs With Health Insurance Agency's Help

North Carolina Health Insurance Agency Help Consumers Take Control of Health Insurance Cost

Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance

Press release from: nchealthbenefits.com
PR Agency: Adviatech Corp

21.05.2008 - (openPR) - Many North Carolina health insurance consumers would love to lower their premiums, but are frightened by the idea of higher deductibles leading to financial problems in the event of an accident or illness. It can seem pointless to save money on premiums each month when those savings can be wiped out by one medical event.
For consumers in this situation, McLeod Insurance Agency, LLC., is pleased to offer access to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (R)'s BlueOptions Health Savings Account (SM) Over three million consumers nationwide have already taken advantage of programs like this one, which couples a low-premium, high-deductible health insurance plan with a tax-free savings account.

These health savings accounts offer insurance consumers tax deductions based on their yearly contributions to their medical savings account(up to $2900 yearly for individuals and $5800 yearly for families), tax-free investment earnings, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. BlueOptions HA'S (SM) also enable families and individuals to grow savings that can be used to cover procedures and preventive measures that are sometimes neglected by typical health insurance policies. Two additional benefits conferred by HSAs are the liberty to choose where and whom to visit for medical procedures, and the portability of a health insurance plan that follows the insured from job to job, plan to plan, and state to state.
Consumers taking advantage of BlueOptions HSAs (SM) enjoy many of the same benefits associated with a traditional health insurance plan: prescription coverage, child coverage, preventive care, and a nationwide network of qualified providers. Those who choose BlueOptions (SM) have the added bonus of tax-advantaged payments and withdrawals and the relief of greatly reduced premiums (up to 50% in many cases).

BlueOptions HSAs (SM) are also available for business environments, enabling large businesses the freedom to cut costs and small businesses the potential to offer employer-paid health insurance for the first time.
To lean more visit: www.nchealthbenefits.com

Adviatech Corp., PR for nchealthbenefits.com
9280 Bay Plaza Blvd Suite 706
Tampa, FL 33619
1.813.600.3017

NChealthbenefits.com offers health insurance in North Carolina. Their preferred North Carolina Health Insurance provider is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (R).
http://openpr.de/news/45118/North-Carolina-Health-Insurance
-Agency-Help-Consumers-Take-Control-of-Health-Insurance-Cost.html

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

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Wayzata, Minnesota Loses Wealth Enhancement Group Headquarters

Wealth Enhancement Group Moves Headquarters to Plymouth, Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS-- May 21, 2008 --Regional financial planning firm Wealth Enhancement Group has relocated its corporate headquarters to Plymouth, Minnesota from Wayzata, Minnesota recently. The move is to accommodate growth and improve client services.

"We are excited about our move to Plymouth," said Jeff Dekko, chief executive officer at Wealth Enhancement Group. "Our new headquarters provides the space we need to grow our firm. We can now offer additional amenities to our clients, such as expanded parking, and our new location is still within close proximity to our Wayzata location."

The new WEG headquarters is at 505 North Highway 169, Suite 900, in Plymouth. The phone number for client services remains the same: 763-417-1700.

About Wealth Enhancement Group

Wealth Enhancement Group is a Minneapolis, Minnesota based financial planning and advisor services firm. The firm specializes in financial, retirement, estate and tax planning. The firm also offers insurance and mortgage services and investment advisory services, securities are offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Wealth Enhancement Group has 123 employees and 12 offices in Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota. For further information, visit our web site at www.wealthenhancement.com

Contacts

Wealth Enhancement Group
Peter Relick, 800-492-1222

Mesothelioma Blog Reports on Man Fired for Reporting Asbestos Cleanup

LegalView Mesothelioma Blog Reports on Whistleblower Who Was Allegedly Fired for Reporting Improper Asbestos Cleanup to Authorities

LegalView recently updated its mesothelioma blog to include reports of a whistleblower being fired after he reported improper asbestos cleanup. The worker who refused to sign off on the demolition of the school was dismissed from his job duties permanently after he reported the improper procedure cleanup to officials.

Denver, CO  -  April 18, 2008 -- LegalView, the number one resource for everything legal on the Web, recently updated its mesothelioma blog with news of the firing of an alleged whistleblower who attempted to report improper asbestos cleanup of a local high school. The city worker was part of a crew that was to demolition an old schoolhouse. The worker allegedly told city managers that the schoolhouse was filled with asbestos and would be hazardous if improper asbestos removal procedures were not followed. However, after the worker refused to sign off on the demolition and spoke out, he was fired, according to reports.

Asbestos is a hazardous chemical that is often found in insulation of many older buildings including government buildings, offices, homes, apartments, universities and schools. It is derived of vermiculite, which was heavily mined early on in the 20th century throughout the world. Asbestos was revered for its qualities of being cost efficient and its ability to insulate sufficiently without catching on fire as easily as other insulations. However, it was discovered that breathing in asbestos fibers and dust caused a deadly form of lung cancer to develop. Additionally, areas that currently contain asbestos must follow strict procedures and methods from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for removal, otherwise asbestos fibers will likely be released into the air and contaminate surrounding areas and individuals. Those who feel they have been previously exposed to asbestos fibers should contact a mesothelioma lawyer for immediate assistance on building a case.

Mesothelioma cancer can take years to develop and is incurable. It is often misdiagnosed, as symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are similar to many other illnesses. Individuals who have contracted mesothelioma should speak with an experienced medical attorney and receive a consultation on a potential mesothelioma lawsuit. To learn more about this recent mesothelioma blog posting as well as additional up-to-date news, reports and information on recent mesothelioma jury verdicts, visit http://mesothelioma.legalview.com/.

In addition to the extensive mesothelioma information portal, LegalView offers information on an assortment of other legal issues that may disrupt the lives of millions of Americans. Information on issues such as pharmaceutical investigations, including the latest Singulair recall, preventable conditions like Erb's Palsy, diseases, illnesses, accidents, chemical exposure, employment discrimination, etc.

LegalView even provides news on the most recent traumatic brain injury treatments, available through LegalView's Web site. Also on the brain injury site, readers can find information on what may be involved with filing a brain injury lawsuit.

On the Singulair practice area, readers will be able to access the latest news on the prescription drug, which had been under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after reports began to surface about Singulair side effects that can allegedly include moodiness, suicidal behaviors and thoughts.

Additionally, using the Erb's Palsy information portal will provide victims and their families insight into the cause of their condition as well as opportunities for developing an Erb's Palsy lawsuit for potential monetary compensation to help pay for costly medical bills commonly associated with this condition. Erb's Palsy can be a debilitating condition and is usually preventable. It is associated with birth-canal complications that have occurred when an infant's shoulders or head became lodged, causing damage to the nerve system controlling arm movement. While Erb's Palsy often can clear on its own through time, many individuals still require physical therapy and many will need surgery to fix their condition. Those who suffer from this disease are advised to use LegalView's site to easily be referred to a qualified Erb's Palsy lawyer.

About LegalView:
LegalView.com is a public service brought to you by Legal WebTV Network, LLC, a Limited Liability Corporation created by a group of the nation's most highly respected law firms: Anapol Schwartz; Brent Coon and Associates; Burg Simpson; Cohen, Placitella and Roth; James F. Humphreys and Associates; Lopez McHugh; and Thornton and Naumes. For more information on the accomplishments and track records of LegalView.com's superior sponsoring law firms and to get in touch with LegalView attorneys, visit LegalView at
www.LegalView.com.

Press Contact: Katie Kelley
Company Name: LegalView
Phone: 720-771-3246
Website:
http://mesothelioma.legalview.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

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Online Technical Training For European Developers and IT Professionals

AppDev Expands into Europe Offering Online Training and Courseware

New UK office offers technical training to European developers and IT Professionals


MINNEAPOLIS -- May 19, 2008 --AppDev, an award-winning, technical learning company, announced the opening of West Sussex, England offices to best serve developers and IT professionals in Europe. While AppDev has been selling globally for years, adding offices and staff in England reflect AppDev's commitment to excellence in customer service and support and delivering the highest quality Microsoft training across Europe.

"We had been looking for someone who had a strong background and understanding of Microsoft products, experience working with developers and IT professionals in Europe, and whose commitment to customer service was in synch with AppDev's high standards to open the AppDev Europe office", says CEO and President Craig Jensen. "Neil Slater's 18 years in IT sales, his proven track record with components vendor FarPoint Technologies, and his team of European-based professionals are a perfect fit for AppDev Europe."

According to Jensen and Slater, the increasing demand for Microsoft developer training in Europe and the U.S. is growing exponentially. "This opportunity to bring respected industry training products from a company with a long-standing history is timely," reports Neil Slater. "IT professionals all over Europe are looking for quality training that will get them up to speed on new software and help them effectively use their existing software on new projects including online training. That's what AppDev Europe brings to the market."

Existing customers such as Paul Mooney in Dublin, Ireland have used AppDev training for several years. Mooney finds ".the depth and breadth of AppDev courses provide a great level of training which I have found lacking in other training programs. The customer support at AppDev is fantastic." Jensen and Slater agree that the timing couldn't be better to open the AppDev Europe office.

ABOUT APPDEV

AppDev's award-winning, self-paced in-depth, real-world training is available in multiple formats including CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and KSource Online Learning and customizable ILT courseware. AppDev offers 90+ courses for today's latest technologies including Microsoft® Visual Basic® 2008, Microsoft® Visual C#® 2008, Microsoft® SQL ServerT 2005, Business Intelligence, SharePoint 2007, ASP.NET AJAX and more. AppDev expert instructors include authors and consultants such as Ken Getz, Robert Green, Don Kiely, Andy Baron, Scott Cate, Doug Ware, and Dino Esposito. For training and reference resources, go to www.appdev.com or contact: AppDev U.S., Phone: 800-578-2062 Email: craigj@appdev.com or www.appdev.eu, AppDev Europe, Neil Slater at Ltd Vinalls Business Centre Suite 2a, Neptown, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9DZ United Kingdom Phone: +44 1273 492 199 Email: neils@appdev.eu

Release Summary:

AppDev a leading online learning and technical training company in the U.S. expands to Europe offering courses on Microsoft products for developers including SQL Server, ASP.NET, Business Intelligence and more.

Keyword Tags:

asp.net, business intelligence, elearning, it training, microsoft software training, online training, sharepoint, sql server, training online, visual basic 2008

Contacts

AppDev
Cindy Leines, 763-559-6058
cindyl@appdev.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 relevan