Washington  (Profitable.com)  The following is being released by Kinsella Media, LLC, the court-approved notice provider for the Online DVD Rental antitrust litigation.

There is a lawsuit and a proposed settlement of a class action that involves consumers who paid a subscription fee to rent DVDs online from Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to September 2, 2011.  The lawsuit against Wal-Mart and Netflix involves the price of online DVD rentals and seeks money for current and former Netflix subscribers. A Settlement has been reached with Wal-Mart.  Netflix and Wal-Mart believe that the lawsuit has no basis.  Netflix has not settled the lawsuit and the litigation continues against it.  The lawsuit claims that Wal-Mart and Netflix reached an unlawful agreement under which Wal-Mart would withdraw from the online DVD rental market and Netflix would not sell new DVDs. Wal-Mart and Netflix deny that they entered into such an agreement or that they have done anything wrong, that the Plaintiffs have been harmed in any way, or that the price of online DVD rentals was raised or inflated by any agreement between Wal-Mart and Netflix. The Court has not decided who is right.

The Netflix Litigation

Netflix has not agreed to a settlement.  There is no money available from Netflix now and no guarantee that money will be available in the future, it depends on the outcome of a trial or settlement with Netflix.

Consumers who wish to remain in the litigation against Netflix do not need to do anything right now.  Consumers who wish to keep their individual right to sue Netflix about these claims must exclude themselves in writing postmarked by February 14, 2012.

The Wal-Mart Settlement

Wal-Mart is not admitting that it did anything wrong, but has agreed to a Settlement to avoid the cost of further litigation.  The Settlement provides $27,250,000 in gift cards and cash to consumers who paid for a Netflix subscription.  Consumers who submit a valid claim form may receive a Walmart.com gift card or a cash payment.  The amount paid to consumers will vary depending on the total number of valid claims received.

In order to receive a payment, consumers must file claims by February 14, 2012.  Claim Forms can be submitted online or by mail.  Consumers who do not wish to remain in the Settlement must request to be excluded from the Wal-Mart Settlement in writing postmarked by February 14, 2012.  Consumers who exclude themselves from the Netflix Litigation and the Wal-Mart Settlement retain the right to sue Wal-Mart on their own.  Consumers may object to or comment on the Settlement in writing postmarked by February 14, 2012.

The Court will hold a hearing on March 14, 2012 to consider whether to approve the Settlement, and a request for attorneys’ fees, cost, and expenses.  Consumers are encouraged to visit www.OnlineDVDclass.com or call 1- 877-389-4469 to get more information about the litigation, and Settlement, or to get a Claim Form.

Carlsbad, CA  (Profitable.com)  According to a new holiday retail survey commissioned by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), more than one-third of Americans prefer to give loved ones gifts that offer meaningful, life-enriching experiences.

Perhaps telling of which experiences consumers may likely share with their families this year, the survey also found that 58 percent of those surveyed regretted not learning to play a musical instrument.

“The only way a retailer is going to drag a consumer away from their PC or mobile phone this holiday season is by offering a compelling experience, one they don’t want to miss,” said Robin Lewis, CEO, The Robin Report and co-author of The New Rules of Retail. “Whether it’s Lululemon’s yoga classes, cooking classes at Macy’s or music lessons at their hometown music store, these are life-enriching experiences that consumers cannot get online.”

Of those surveyed who do play a musical instrument, the most common benefits citied were that it’s fun and reduces stress.  And contrary to popular belief, learning to play a musical instrument does not have to break the bank.

Instruments such as harmonicas, ukuleles and keyboards can provide training for the same skills needed to play their larger counterparts and cost much less, as well as help burgeoning musicians learn to read music and recognize different tones.

Buying used instruments versus renting can actually save more money, and many local music merchants provide warranty protection and trade-in programs should interests change over time. Additionally, many retailers offer free music lessons with the purchase of an instrument during the holiday season. Visit your local music retailer for advice on which instrument best suits your budget and musical interests. To locate your nearest local music retailer, visit www.wannaplaymusic.com.

About the Poll

Findings are the results of a nationally-representative telephone survey of 1,049 adults ages 18 and over, conducted by Toluna Research, October 27-31, 2011, on behalf of NAMM. The data was weighted by demographic variables to ensure the sample accurately reflects the U.S. adult population.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants, commonly called NAMM in reference to the organization’s popular NAMM trade shows, is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the $17 billion global musical instruments and products industry. NAMM is the sponsor of the Wanna Play? campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to get more people connected with the proven benefits of playing music. For more information about Wanna Play?, please visitwww.wannaplaymusic.com. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Lascaze or Amy Hamaoui – GolinHarris
Public Relations | Phone: 213-623-4200
elascaze@golinharris.com or ahamaoui@golinharris.com

Headphones.com Releases Buyers Guide for Top 10 Headphones for the Holidays

South Hackensack, NJ  (Profitable.com)  Headphones.com, a leading online retailer for headphones and headphone accessories is has published an online gift guide for the top 10 headphones for the 2011 holiday season. Buyers commonly find it difficult to buy a headphone for someone else because sound is a very personal preference, it is not heard exactly the same from one user to the next. Now the purchasing process is easier with detailed descriptions of the top ten headphones available this holiday season.

Ten of the top headphones were chosen to be featured in the list, ranging from stylish celebrity endorsed headphones like the SOUL by Ludacris SL150 to the Beats by Dr. Dre Pro headphone. Also included in the list are the Able Planet XNC230P headphones, a plaid noise cancelling headphone which has received very high reviews, and is available in 5 different colors.

Gamers this season are excited with the release of the Turtle Beach XP500, the first completely wireless headset for the Xbox360. Boasting 7.1 surround sound, Bluetooth which also connects to mobile phones, and a full set of available sound customizations, the XP500 is sure to please any gamer.

Those looking to give a wireless headphone for TV will be interested in checking out the LTB Q-Home-FX, Headphones.com’s best selling television headset. This headphone is built with 5.1 surround sound and includes all available audio inputs, even digital audio! Be sure to check the complete Holiday Gift Guide for the full list of recommended headphones.

Headphones.com is part of the AlltecStores network. The AlltecStores network consists of several specialty e-tail websites focusing on audio-visual and technology products. It’s main website, AlltecStores.com is parent to several others e-commerce sites, including Headphones.com, ProjectorScreenStore.com, AllCartStore.com, PodiumAndLecternStore.com, AllWhiteboards.com, ProjectorBulbsandLamps.com, NationalAVSupply.com and more. Manufacturers interested in having their products on Headphones.com should contact pr(at)headphones(dot)com. For more information visit http://www.headphones.com

Los Gatos, CA  (Profitable.com)  Coinciding with the first shipments of the Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble NOOK Tablet™, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) today unveiled a new interface for Android-powered tablets that makes browsing and instantly watching unlimited TV shows and movies streaming from Netflix better than ever.

The redesigned Netflix experience is much more immersive and provides more focus on the growing Netflix catalog by displaying twice as many titles than the previous interface. In addition, through optimization for touch-enabled tablets, Netflix members can swipe through multiple rows of titles with larger artwork. As a result, it is now much easier to discover and instantly watch movies and TV shows on Android tablets.

“In the last 12 months we have seen a threefold increase in how long Netflix members are watching on their tablets,” said Neil Hunt, chief product officer at Netflix. “We’re happy to debut a new user experience coinciding with the release of the next generation of devices from industry leaders. The new Netflix interface offers a significant improvement in browsing and searching for TV shows and movies to instantly watch.”

Netflix members can enjoy Netflix on their tablets by installing the latest version of the Netflix app, available as a free download in the Android Market™ and respective application download stores for other Android-powered tablets such as the Kindle Fire and NOOK Tablet. The new tablet experience should be available for members with iPads in a few weeks.

Netflix offers convenience and value with a broad selection of Hollywood, international and local movies and TV series. Netflix has revolutionized entertainment by giving people a choice to enjoy what they want to watch, when they want to watch it, and for a low monthly price over a wide-range of Internet-connected devices.

More details on the devices that support Netflix are available at: http://www.netflix.com/NetflixReadyDevices

About Netflix

With more than 20 million streaming members in the United States, Canada and Latin America, Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] is the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows. For about US$7.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streaming over the Internet to PCs, Macs and TVs. Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are the Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, Internet-connected TVs, home theater systems, digital video recorders and Internet video players; Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV. In all, more than 700 devices that stream from Netflix are available. For additional information, visit http://www.netflix.com. Follow Netflix on Facebook and Twitter.

Dallas, TX  (Profitable.com)  With more than one million books available in the Kindle Store, the Kindle Touch 3G is perfect for the bookworm on your list. Beginning next week, AT&T* will sell Amazon’s Kindle Touch 3G in select AT&T company-owned retail stores nationwide for $149.

Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch is also lighter, smaller, eliminates battery anxiety with extra-long battery life and holds thousands of books.

Kindle Touch 3G, which connects over the AT&T mobile broadband network as well as Wi-Fi, allows users to download books and periodicals in less than 60 seconds.  The convenience of 3G comes with no monthly fees, data plans, or annual contracts.

“The Kindle Touch 3G is a convenient and affordable holiday gift for the reading enthusiast on your list,” said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, AT&T. “With the largest selection of today’s hottest books, customers will find the perfect book they’re looking for this year on the new Kindle Touch.”

Kindle Touch 3G includes all the same features that helped make the third-generation Kindle the No. 1 bestselling e-reader in the world:

• Free 3G wireless, no annual contracts, no monthly fees
• Global 3G coverage means books in under 60 seconds in over 100 countries and territories
• Paper-like Pearl electronic ink display, no glare even in bright sunlight
• Lightweight body for hours of comfortable reading with one hand
• Kindle Store with over 1,000,000 books – largest selection of the most popular books
• Seamless integration with free “Buy Once, Read Everywhere” Kindle apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Android, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, and now web browsers with Kindle Cloud Reader.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T ?DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle, Kindle 3G, Kindle with Special Offers, Kindle 3G with Special Offers and Kindle DX are the revolutionary portable readers that wirelessly download books, magazines, newspapers, blogs and personal documents to a crisp, high-resolution electronic ink display that looks and reads like real paper. Kindle 3G, Kindle 3G with Special Offers and Kindle DX utilize the same 3G wireless technology as advanced cell phones, so users never need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Kindle is the #1 bestselling product across the millions of items sold on Amazon.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, and www.amazon.it. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Hoffman Estates, IL  (Profitable.com)  In honor of the Black Friday tradition of shopping for super savings and the best values, Sears will offer customers more than 900 doorbuster deals and provide Shop Your Way Rewards Members with exclusive coupons and offers.

Sears gives customers more ways to shop, including Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store, which enables customers to order doorbusters online from the comfort of their home and pick up their items in-store at their convenience. Purchases made from Sears.com or through any of its mobile offerings are backed by Sears’ Ready In 5 Guarantee, which allows customers to shop from anywhere and pick up their purchases within five minutes. For added convenience, Sears offers curbside pickup at select locations(1).

Sears also recently created a “Shop Here, Give There” online layaway feature. Whether gift-giving across the state or across the country, customers can select their desired gift items at Sears.com, complete their layaway payments online, and invite family or friends to pick up their gift item from any Sears location nationwide.

“Our customers want to get the most out of every dollar – and every minute,” said Monica Woo, chief marketing officer for Sears. “On Black Friday Sears will offer more doorbuster deals on the best brands, all backed by service and guarantees that matter. Plus by being a Member of our Shop Your Way Rewards program, our customers can earn points on every purchase and save.”

Listening to its customers, who say they don’t want to be forced to shop at midnight to get the best deals, Sears will open its doors on Friday, Nov. 25, at 4 a.m. Sears doorbuster deals(2) will be available from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m. (local time) on Friday, Nov. 25. The hundreds of doorbuster and holiday deals will be available on banner brands such as Craftsman, Kenmore, NordicTrack and Samsung, and exclusive fashion brands that customers love, including the new Kardashian Kollection, Lands’ End, Bongo, UK Style by French Connection and Everlast.

To make Black Friday shopping even more rewarding, Show Your Way Rewards Members will also receive five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points on qualifying purchases, equal to five percent back. The offer is available when customers use a Sears credit card and will run until Jan. 28, 2012. Customers can apply for a Sears card online, at Sears.com, or in their local Sears store; if approved, the offer is instantly available on qualified purchases at both stores.

Beginning on Black Friday, customers will also be able to pick up a Sears Real Deal Coupon Book (while supplies last) for more than $3,000 worth of savings storewide throughout the holiday shopping season. Customers can use the coupons starting on Saturday, Nov. 27 to save on their holiday shopping.

Throughout the holiday season, Sears will also extend business hours at stores nationwide starting on Black Friday (Nov. 25) through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24).

• Nov. 24: Closed Thanksgiving Day
• Nov. 25: Early Opening – 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Nov. 26: Extended Hours – 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Nov. 27-Dec. 8: Normal hours (Mon-Fri. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Dec. 9: Early Opening – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 10: Extended Hours – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 11: Early Opening – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 12–15: Extended Hours – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 16–23: Extended Hours – 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Dec. 24: Early Opening/Closing – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 25: Closed Christmas Day

This year, customers no longer have to wait until Black Friday to save. Circulars for Sears deals are available weeks in advance on searslocalad.com, which provides real deals in real-time from local Sears stores using frequent inventory updates and access to ads 24 hours a day. Plus, shoppers can take advantage of services such as Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store, ship-to-store and free shipping options.

Visit Sears.com for more information and to find a location near you or shop online for the best deals of the holiday season, always available and convenient with optimized Sears.com sites accessible via major mobile devices. For additional media materials and information please visit the Sears holiday electronic press kit, or contact the Sears holiday hotline at (212) 884-1140 to arrange an interview or in-store filming.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,700 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes over 890 Full-line and more than 1,350 specialty stores in the U.S.   Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands’ End — among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. The company is the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

(1) Available at participating Sears stores; excludes jewelry. Customers drive to the curbside location near Merchandise Pickup. A Sears associate verifies the customer’s email confirmation or credit card, retrieves the purchased item and loads it into the customer’s vehicle. The customer receives their item in five minutes or they get a $5 coupon good for their next in-store purchase.

(2) All doorbuster deals are available while quantities last; no rain checks.

Bloomfield Hills, MI  (Profitable.com)  That’s Biz, a leading online restaurant marketing firm is Michigan-based and pleased to offer Michigan restaurants a 35 percent discount on its Email Marketing and Facebook Marketing monthly service fees.

“Restaurant owners are some of the hardest working people we know” said Dave Gonynor CEO of That’s Biz. “We work with thousands of restaurants across the US. Michigan restaurants have been hit particularly hard these past few years.”

That’s Biz has designed its services for busy restaurant owners that don’t have time to create email marketing messages and figure out how to take advantage of social media tools like Facebook.

“We hear it all the time from restaurant owners that they do not have the time create email messages or manage a Facebook page,” Gonynor continues. “They certainly want to save money but they just don’t know how to get started and how to get the most value from these services.”

That’s Biz works exclusively with restaurants. Dedicated account managers create the customer email messages for the restaurant owner. That’s Biz has been helping restaurants manage their Facebook pages for the past three years.

Dave concludes, “We have built some amazing industry first email marketing and Facebook tools that are low cost and take very little of the owner’s time. We’re hoping that this lower pricing will help Michigan restaurants lower their marketing costs and increase business.”

The That’s Biz website has some very short videos that show the services and how a restaurant can benefit from these services. The standard pricing, savings button, and order form is listed on the Pricing tab on website.

The That’s Biz special discount offer runs through December of 2011 and guarantees pricing for all of 2012.

About That’s Biz

That’s Biz provides email marketing, Facebook marketing and online survey services for thousands of restaurant locations across North America. For more information visit http://www.thatsbiz.com.

New York, NY  (Profitable.com)  Hotlist (http://www.Hotlist.com), the social planning and discovery platform, has released a slew of advanced features and sleeker interface for their website and iPhone app. The tech startup aims to simplify the way friends coordinate plans and discover what will be happening today, tomorrow, and throughout the week at millions of venues worldwide.

Hotlisters can now take “virtual peeks” into venues hours or days in advance to see Facebook profile photos of the expected crowds, details of upcoming events, male: female ratios, and which of their Facebook friends (even if they’re not Hotlist users) plan to attend.

Hotlist has also launched a new social coordination tool, named “Planner,” which allows users to quickly determine the best time and place for a get-together with invited Facebook friends. Built for ease and speed, Planner helps friends coordinate more effectively than email, phone calls, text messages, and even Facebook.

Hotlist aggregates public plans in order to show users which places will be trending nearby. Users receive even more personalized social recommendations based on the friends, places, events, and brands they follow.

Already named one of the Top 100 Websites of 2010 by PC Magazine and nominated for Best Location-Based Service at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, Hotlist now seems poised to become the first major application to help people plan their offline social lives.

“Hotlist is the first location-based service to completely focus on simplifying people’s social lives. Our goal is to leverage the connective power of social media and smartphones to encourage real-world interaction,” said Chris Mirabile, co-Founder and CEO of Hotlist.

Available for free download in the Apple iTunes Store, Hotlist is the first app to use over 100 million people’s plans to provide social information on over 2.7 million venues in more than 40,000 cities. Hotlist makes social decisions easier by pulling public data from Facebook and Twitter and customizing it for each user based on their social preferences.

Additional Information:

Hotlist Promo Video: http://www.hotlist.com/promo

Hotlist Media Kit: http://www.hotlist.com/mediakit

About Hotlist

Hotlist puts you in the right place, at the right time by making it easy to coordinate with friends and discover what people are planning at millions of places worldwide. Hotlisters use their smartphones, computers and tablets to see which places are trending nearby. By following People, Places & Interests, you receive even more personalized social recommendations about what’s happening today, tomorrow and throughout the week. Staying in the loop has never been easier! While there are a lot of factors that go into having a stellar time, it’s usually not about where you are as much as who you’re with. On Hotlist, you can take virtual peeks into places hours or days in advance to see which friends plan to be there (even if they’re not on Hotlist), event details, girl/guy ratios, and Facebook profile photos of the expected crowd!

Think of Hotlist as the friend at the party you call to ask “Hey, how is it?” Except we know everyone and always pick up.

Plan. Follow. Socialize at http://www.Hotlist.com.

Contact:

Elisabeth Murphy, Zito Partners
Tel: 631.838.7964
Email: Elisabeth@zitopartners.com

Bob Zito, Zito Partners
Tel: 908.546.7447
Email: Bob@zitopartners.com

Merrimack, NH  (Profitable.com)  The results are in, and the gift experts at Brookstone have announced four hot buying trends this Holiday season. The product development company and specialty retailer is seeing a strong attraction to four key product categories, ranging from app control and iPad tablets to massage and merry-making.

“We’re seeing a continuation of the home entertaining trend and have several winning products sure to be the hit of the party,” said Brookstone CEO Ron Boire. “With 300 gifts under fifty dollars and hundreds more on Brookstone.com, shoppers are sure to find clever gifts for everyone on their list for a great value at Brookstone.”

Holiday Gift Trends at Brookstone for 2011

Total App-Control

App-controlled vehicles have achieved techno-nirvana by successfully combining the live-action toys with streaming video and night vision. Here’s the rundown on this year’s best app gifts.

Rover Wireless Spy Tank

It’s the video-streaming, night-vision wireless tank that’s taking over holiday wish lists across the nation. Drives by iPod touch®, iPhone® or iPad® device using free downloadable app. For ages 14 and up. $149.99

Parrot® AR.Drone™ Quadricopter

Built-in Wi-Fi connection, accelerometer and gyroscopes let pilots fly it using an iPod touch, iPhone, iPad® or Android™ device using free downloadable app. Built-in video cameras let the pilot view the flight from the AR.Drone’s perspective. For ages 14 and up. $299.99

Wi-Fi Racer

Ready, set… GO! This app-controlled 1/10-scale racecar generates its own Wi-Fi. Drivers can steer the racer using the accelerometer on their iPod touch, iPhone, iPad or Android devices. Beginner, advanced and expert driving modes keep things interesting. For ages 14 and up. $99.99

Tankbots

Tankbots are mini vehicles that can be driven via Apple iOS or Android™ devices. Infrared obstacle detection and an autonomous personality mode to explore terrain and navigate through mazes, and even duel each other. Available in multiple colors. For ages 8 and up. $29.99 each

Soulo™ Karaoke—Wireless Microphone with Pitch Control

Soulo takes the music in any iPad, iPod touch or iPhone device, strips out the vocal, and then lets anyone be the star of the show. Soulo streams lyrics onto the screen and uses real-time pitch enhancement to keep less-than-professional singers in tune. $99.99

Hot Gifts for iPad Lovers

More iPad users in the world means more people trying to personalize and accessorize. Brookstone is the gift destination for the tablet lover on everyone’s list.

Bluetooth® Keyboard Portfolio  

Foldover portfolio has a built-in Bluetooth® wireless keyboard that lets iPad users type with wild abandon. In cool new colors.$99.99

Brookstone® Boombox    

Lose the cassettes not the swagger. This portable stereo lets people “share” music with everyone on the block… just by docking their iPad tablet. $129.99

Hot for the Host

Brookstone is happy to announce that the party is back with a vengeance. Here’s what’s coming to parties this year.

Automatic Wine Opener with Built-in Foil Cutter

Corks (and foils) have met their match. Thirsty guests will be impressed by how quickly this opener lets them get to their wine. It’s placed over the bottle, a twist removes the wine foil, and then a push of the button removes the cork. Cordless and rechargeable. $49.99

Vinturi® Wine Aerator

Guests may think the wine is more expensive than it really is. This handheld device instantly “breathes” wine as each glass is poured, enhancing flavor and bouquet. Available for red or white wines and for liquors. From $39.99

Obol®, the Never-Soggy Cereal Bowl

If adult beverages aren’t the main attraction at the party, Obol® makes a great conversation-starting gift for your hosts (or their kids). This very modern-looking bowl has two sections—an upper area for cereal (or holiday cookies), and a lower reservoir for milk. One swoops a scoop of cereal onto a spoon, then swoops into the milk for the perfect crispy bite every time. Also great for soup and crackers or chips and salsa. $19.99

Feel-Good Gifts

Feel-good gifts like massagers, slippers and memory foam pillows are always popular during the holiday season.

Brookstone® Body Bean

It’s a high-tech update on the beloved hot water bottle that’s cordless and rechargeable. It’s great for soothing aches and pains, tired muscles, and for just keeping warm on a chilly day. $34.99

3-in-1 Heated Wrap—with Body Bean

Pairs a cordless Body Bean with versatile body wrap that holds the Bean against the lower back, neck and shoulders, or anywhere else soothing warmth is needed. $49.99

Active Sport Handheld Massager

Brookstone is finding that athletes and other active people are using handheld massagers to soothe and loosen up muscles before and after workouts. The Active Sport Massager packs plenty of massaging horsepower and has 3 interchangeable massage heads that let users target specific areas or enjoy all-over relief. $69.99

Tempur-Pedic® Comfort-Step Slippers

Revolutionary Tempur-Pedic® slippers deliver maximum comfort with a pressure-relieving breathable material, while the durable hard sole is ideal for around the house and quick trips out to the mailbox. “The best slippers I’ve ever owned … I would never think about wearing another type of slipper now.” - Susie, Brookstone Customer Review $49.99

Brookstone, Inc., is an innovative product development company and specialty retailer of unique gifts. Brookstone operates 300 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Typically located in high-traffic regional shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. The Company also operates a Direct Marketing business that includes the Brookstone catalog and an e-commerce website at Brookstone.com. Fans of the Company are encouraged to Like Brookstone on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Product prices and availability subject to change without notice.

Contact:
Kristina Lynch
Tara Ink
+1-305-864-3434 ext 153
kristina@taraink.com

Seattle, WA  (Profitable.com)  Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced that the Kindle Fire Newsstand will offer over 400 full-color magazines and newspapers. Kindle Fire customers who subscribe before March 1, 2012 will also receive an exclusive free three-month trial of 17 Condé Nast magazines, including Vanity Fair, GQ, WIRED and Glamour. Kindle Fire, which ships next week, is a new class of Kindle that brings the same ease-of-use and deep integration of content that helped Kindle re-invent reading to magazines, movies, TV shows, music, apps, games, books and more. Magazines and newspapers look beautiful on Kindle Fire’s 7” vibrant multi-touch color touch-screen that delivers 1024 X 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi and 16 million colors in high resolution. Kindle Fire Newsstand customers will be able to enjoy their favorite magazines in rich, glossy, full-color from publishers such as Condé Nast, Meredith, and Hearst. Interactive editions with built-in video and audio are also available for many magazines such as Better Homes & Gardens, Allure and Self. To learn more about the Kindle Fire Newsstand, visit www.amazon.com/kindlefirenewsstand.

“We think Kindle Fire customers will love the beautiful, intuitive reading experience we’ve built for their favorite magazines such as Us Weekly, The New Yorker, and Reader’s Digest,” said Russ Grandinetti, Vice President, Kindle Content. “The response from publishers has been overwhelmingly positive and they are excited to make their magazines and newspapers available on Kindle Fire, and we’re adding new titles all the time.”

“We’re excited to work with Amazon to give Kindle Fire owners access to our magazines digitally,” said John Loughlin, EVP/GM, Hearst Magazines. “Kindle Fire’s beautiful touch-screen creates a great experience for readers, who will be able to enjoy magazines like Cosmopolitan and Esquire in a full-color, glossy format.”

“We are very pleased to be working with Amazon and getting our content to an even wider audience,” said Monica Ray, Executive Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Condé Nast. “Their Newsstand will provide the kind of access and ease-of-use consumers value and demand.”

“Meredith has worked with Amazon to create Kindle Fire optimized interactive apps, so readers can enjoy videos, how-to diagrams and more while reading magazines like Better Homes & Gardens and Parents,” said Liz Schimel, Chief Digital Officer, Meredith. “We think readers will love the experience of discovering our magazines in this new way on Kindle Fire’s beautiful full-color touch-screen.”

Kindle Fire offers more than 18 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, magazines, apps and games, as well as free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync for books and movies, a 14.6 ounce design that’s easy to hold with one hand, vibrant color touch screen, a powerful dual-core processor and Amazon Silk – Amazon’s new revolutionary web browser that accelerates the power of the mobile device by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services Cloud – all for only $199. Customers also enjoy a free month of Amazon Prime giving them access to Prime Instant Video with 13,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited streaming and the new Kindle Owners’ Lending Library where Kindle owners can now choose from thousands of books to borrow for free including more than 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers – as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates.

Customers in the U.S. can pre-order Kindle Fire at www.amazon.com/kindlefire and it ships November 15. For high resolution images and video of the all-new Kindle Fire, visit www.amazon.com/kindleimages.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth’s Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon’s developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon’s own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon’s new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, “Amazon.com,” “we,” “our” and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Eagle, ID  (Profitable.com)  Celebrity Chef Tyler Florence is partnering with Alexia Foods, a line of premium, all-natural frozen potatoes, appetizers and side dishes, to help make everyday meals extraordinary and to kick-off the brand’s “Reinvent a Classic” campaign. Now through March 2012, consumers across the county are invited to have their culinary opinions heard by helping vote for the next great Alexia french fry flavor to be sold in stores.

Earlier this year, Alexia invited 22 of the country’s top food bloggers to showcase their culinary talents by submitting recipes for the next great french fry flavor. The submissions were narrowed down to the top four, which Florence helped unveil at the annual Foodbuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco this past weekend. Fans can now view the top four finalists and select their favorite on the Alexia Foods Facebook page. In addition to voting, consumers can get a $1 off coupon for Alexia products, while supplies last, and enter for a chance to win a trip for two to San Francisco complete with dinner prepared by Tyler Florence.

“I’m constantly adding new ingredients and special touches to reinvent classic dishes and now consumers have the chance to help Alexia do the same,” said Florence. “From Bruschetta Waffle Fries with basil and oregano to Thai Spiced Sweet Potato Fries with lime, ginger and red Thai curry, this year’s ‘Reinvent a Classic’ campaign has a flavor for everyone.”

How to Vote:

Now through March 30, 2012, consumers can visit www.Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods and click on the “Reinvent a Classic” tab to cast their vote for one of the following fry flavors:

• Bruschetta Waffle Fries (created by Farihah Ali of Spice’s Bites)
• Classic Dill Julienne Fries (created by Angela Williamson of Fab Find Foodie)
• Thai Spiced Sweet Potato Julienne Fries (created by Marla Meridith of Family Fresh Cooking)
• Herbes de Provence & Garlic Sweet Potato Julienne Fries (created by Chrystal Baker and Amir Thomas of The Duo Dishes)

This is the second year for Alexia’s “Reinvent a Classic” campaign. Thousands of votes were cast for last year’s winner – Parmesan Lemon Waffle Fries, which will be available in stores beginning January 2012. To see Tyler Florence’s exclusive recipe pairing for the new Parmesan Lemon Waffle Fries and to cast your vote for the next great french fry flavor, visit www.Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods.

More from Alexia

Alexia Foods has a wide variety of gourmet-inspired fries including Waffle Cut Sweet Potato Fries with Seasoned Salt, Julienne Fries with Sea Salt, Spicy Sweet Potato Julienne Fries with Chipotle Seasoning and much more. In addition to all-natural, premium fries, Alexia offers a full line of gourmet-inspired frozen potatoes, appetizers and breads and side dishes that go from freezer to table in less than 30 minutes, including new Alexia Sweet Potato Puffs.

About Alexia

Alexia Foods was founded in 2002. Alexia products are available at natural, gourmet, club, grocery and mass retail stores. For more information, please visit us at www.AlexiaFoods.com or www.Facebook.com/AlexiaFoods.

Santa Monica, CA  (Profitable.com)  Stars of the Nickelodeon hit series and international recording artists Big Time Rush will headline the network’s brand-new original TV movie, Big Time Movie which will feature covers of the beloved Beatles classics, Help!, A Hard Day’s Night, We Can Work It Out and Revolution, as well as music from Big Time Rush’s soon-to-be released sophomore album, Elevate. In Big Time Movie, currently in production in Vancouver, Kendall (Kendall Schmidt), James (James Maslow), Carlos (Carlos Pena Jr.) and Logan (Logan Henderson) head to London for their first big world tour but instead get mixed up in a mission to save the world. With their bags switched at the airport, they inadvertently gain possession of a fearsome device that, in the wrong hands, could destroy the world.  Set to premiere in 2012, Big Time Movie is executive produced by show creator Scott Fellows.

“The cool gadgets, outdoor locations and big stunts give this film a truly cinematic feel and transport Big Time Rush into a larger than life environment,” said Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon. “It’s a Nickelodeon take on James Bond meets Austin Powers, featuring covers of classic Beatles songs that both kids and their parents can enjoy.”

In Big Time Movie, the guys must tap their inner spy as their adventure finds them driving exotic cars and jumping out of helicopters, while trying to make it to their first world tour concert on time. Hot on their trail are evil henchmen named Maxwell, British secret agents and Swedish spies as well as billionaire businessman, Sir Atticus Moon who wants back his precious device code named: “The Beetle,” an anti-gravitational device with enormous power.  Once they learn they’re carrying this precious cargo, the guys get pulled into a madcap mission throughout London, which threatens the onset of their world tour.  With the help of teen spy Penny Lane, the guys set out to save Penny’s father M16 Agent Simon Lane and stop Sir Atticus Moon’s plot to use “The Beetle” to gain world domination.

Elevate, Big Time Rush’s second album to be released by Columbia Records/Nickelodeon on Nov. 21, is the highly anticipated follow-up to the group’s blockbuster debut, 2010′s gold-certified BTR, which has scanned over 700,000 albums. To date, Big Time Rush has sold over 2.7 million combined digital tracks.  The album takes the group’s distinctive sound to new heights. The songs on the album were produced by top music hit makers including Ryan Tedder, Tricky & The Dream, JR Rotem, and Toby Gad, among others.  Elevate features tracks including “Music Sounds Better With U (featuring Mann),” “Show Me,” and “All Over Again,” plus brand-new music that will debut on upcoming episodes of Big Time Rush.

Now in its second season, Big Time Rush – which follows four best friends from Minnesota who trade in their hockey sticks for music superstardom in Los Angeles – averages 4.1 million total viewers (+9%, over season one).  The launch of the hit series on Nickelodeon drew 6.8 million viewers, making it the most watched live-action series premiere in the network’s history.

An international hit, Big Time Rush ranks within the top 5 shows on Nickelodeon among key demos in key markets, includingGermany, Korea, Argentina, Australia, the U.K., Canada, Mexico and Holland.  Recently, Big Time Rush embarked on a cross-country 30-city summer tour, selling out venues across the U.S.  and opened up for Justin Bieber in Mexico for two sold-out stadium shows.

Big Time Rush was created and is executive produced by Scott Fellows.  The creative mind behind Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified Survival Guide, Fellows also executive produced the hit live-action series.  A prolific writer, producer and creator, Fellows has written for and produced live-action and animated series including Nickelodeon’s The Fairly OddParents, Doug,101 Dalmatians and Kablam. He served as show runner for Nickelodeon’s live-action comedy series 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd and has written many of Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards as well as the Teen Choice Awards, the Billboard Awardsand the Country Music Awards.  In addition, he is the creator and executive producer for Cartoon Network’s animated sci-fi comedy Johnny Test.

Big Time Movie is executive produced and written by Scott Fellows (Big Time Rush) and executive produced by Lauren Levine(Bridge to Terabithia, Best Player).  Directed by Savage Steve Holland (Better Off Dead), Scott McAboy’s Pacific Bay Entertainment is producing.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.  Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

For downloadable photos and additional information visit: www.nickpress.com.

Sandusky, OH  (Profitable.com)  K’NEX, America’s Building Toy™ company headquartered in Hatfield, Penn., and Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, have announced plans to sponsor the second Cedar Point K’NEX Great Thrill Ride Build-Off in 2012. The contest began on Nov. 1 and will run through April 2, 2012.

School groups grades 6 through 12 are challenged to build the most innovative and thrilling amusement park ride model using only K’NEX pieces. A select group of K’NEX designers and Cedar Point ride engineers and officials will choose five winners to exhibit their creations at Cedar Point during Math & Science Week and remain on display throughout the park’s 2012 operating season. Additional prizes include K’NEX building sets, online store credit codes, and Cedar Point tickets.

New in 2012, one of the five winners will be chosen by the public to be the “Fan Favorite.” The five winning models chosen by K’NEX and Cedar Point will be posted at www.knex.com for the K’NEX and Cedar Point fans to vote upon. The “Fan Favorite” will receive a variety of additional prizes including an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Cedar Point and an invitation to visit K’NEX headquarters in Hatfield.

In its inaugural year, the contest generated submissions from across the nation including California and New Jersey. The five winning schools represented three different states: Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Courtney Washington, the teacher of the winning classroom from Glenfield Middle School in Montclair, N.J., traveled more than 500 miles to see her students’ work on display. Washington even received a letter of recognition from President Barack Obama honoring the work she has done with her class.

“We were thrilled to be selected as one of the winners and the students had an awesome learning experience. They were actively engaged and highly dedicated to their project,” said Washington. “There was an abundance of teachable moments throughout the entire project. They were able to apply engineering, physics, social studies and language arts to mathematics.”

To be eligible, students must consider mathematical and scientific applications such as potential and kinetic energy, speed, acceleration and gravity. The project is intended to encourage students to apply their knowledge of math and science in a fun and innovative way.

“We were extremely impressed by the quality of rides submitted by the school groups last year,” said Rob Decker, corporate vice president of planning and design at Cedar Point. “We look forward to seeing the unique and inspiring projects submitted for this year’s contest.”

To enter, school groups must submit a 500-600 word description as well as a video and photos of the ride. Entries will be evaluated on creativity, uniqueness, detail and accuracy of the ride description. Class or student groups can register by visiting the K’NEX website.

“Last year’s Great Thrill Ride Build-off was extremely successful.  Students were able to mesh their creative skills with the principles of math and science,” said K’NEX President and CEO Michael Araten. “We are excited to partner with Cedar Point again to provide a challenging and fun learning experience to students around the country.”

For more information regarding the Cedar Point K’NEX Great Thrill Ride Build-Off, visit the Cedar Point or K’NEX website. You can also receive updates throughout the duration of the contest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cedarpoint orwww.facebook.com/buildknex.

About Cedar Point’s Math and Science Week

During Math & Science Week, special educational programs, demonstrations and activities designed for middle and high school students are presented at the park. For additional information about Math & Science Week at Cedar Point, please visit www.cedarpoint.com/mathscience.

About K’NEX Brands

Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands, the world’s most innovative construction toy company, was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX is America’s building toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love, and encourages youngsters to “imagine, build and play.”  For more information, please visit www.knex.com.

Santa Rosa Beach, FL  (Profitable.com)  The 30A Songwriters Festival announces headline acts for the January 13-15, 2012 event including Indigo Girls, Rodney Crowell, The Bangles, Shawn Mullins, Sam Bush Band and Matthew Sweet. Theses acclaimed songwriters will join more than 120 talented artists from across the country to share intimate moments with friends and fans along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A in South Walton along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The three-day music festival will feature more than 125 musicians and over 250 performances in venues ranging from intimate listening rooms to spacious outdoor amphitheaters amid a backdrop of brilliant white sand beaches, turquoise waters and stunning architecture.

Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles described the 2011 event as “a series of magical moments unfolding over the course of the long weekend – old friends reuniting, new friendships being born…Large audiences and performers enjoying days and nights of music, storytelling both poignant and humorous, spontaneous jams, Southern hospitality, delicious food and wine.”

The third annual festival, produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), presented by Visit South Walton and sponsored by Seaside and 30A.com, has quickly grown into one of the premier songwriters festivals in the country. Representing diverse styles ranging from folk and country to rock and alternative, the 2012 line-up features nationally-acclaimed songwriters and musicians including The Bangles, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Mullins, Matthew Sweet, Indigo Girls, and Fastball as well as David Wilcox, Steve Forbert, Mary Gauthier, Sam Bush, Randall Bramblett, Tommy Talton, Jeffrey Steele, Chely Wright, Chuck Cannon, Corey Smith, David Olney, Davin McCoy, Lori McKenna, Tommy Womack, Kevn Kinney, The Shadowboxers, Larkin Poe, Emily Lynch, Joseph Arthur, Matthew Mayfield, Rachel Platten, Callaghan, David Berkeley, Garrison Starr, Jeff Black, Joe Leathers, Ben Glover, Billy Montana, Chas Sanford, Brian and Karyn White, Greg Barnhill, Forrest Williams Band, Kyle Jacobs, Kelsey Anna, Reed Waddle, Meg Huthchinson, Bridgitte Demeyer, Daphne Willis, Shannon Whitworth, Suzi Ragsdale, Georgia, Ashleigh Flynn, Joanna Cotten, Bryan Kennedy, Matthew Kahler and over 75 more.

“What sets the 30A Songwriters Festival apart from others in the country is, one: we create listening rooms in truly unique beach resort venues, and two: we book musically diverse artists,” said Russell Carter, event organizer and chair and president of Russell Carter Artist Management. “Rodney Crowell and the Bangles have both scored numerous number one hits, but I am willing to say that only at the 30A Songwriters Festival are you able to hear Rodney sing ‘It’s Such a Small World’ and ‘I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried,’ and then run across the street and hear the Bangles belt out ‘Eternal Flame,’ ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ and ‘Manic Monday.’ Rodney will perform with a full band as will the Indigo Girls and Sam Bush. Matthew Sweet will perform “Girlfriend” in its entirety to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the platinum certified album. Audiences who truly enjoy music will not want to miss this event.”

Scenic Highway 30A in South Walton meanders along the Gulf of Mexico through charming beach neighborhoods, including Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, WaterColor, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach as well as state parks and more than a dozen rare coastal dune lakes.

“The relaxed, laid back vibe of the beachside resorts along scenic Highway 30A creates the perfect atmosphere for this world-class event,” said Jennifer Steele, event organizer and executive director of the CAA. “South Walton already celebrates a thriving arts community, which includes a vibrant music scene and an abundance of talented musicians. We are delighted to bring such high-caliber songwriters, performers and up-and-coming artists from around the country to 30A to play for music savvy audiences.”

Proceeds from the 30A Songwriters Festival benefit the CAA. Early bird ticket pricing of $100 for a three-day pass is still available for a limited time. For more information on the 2012 festival, including a full list of artists, venues, accommodations packages and how to purchase tickets, visit 30asongwritersfestival.com. To learn more about South Walton and Scenic Highway 30A, log on to visitsouthwalton.com, 30a.com or sowal.com.

Palm Springs, CA  (Profitable.com)  England is aghast. Newspapers are aflame with blazing headlines. And Shakespeare’s statue in Stratford has been covered.

All because a new movie has claimed Shakespeare was a fraud.

“Anonymous,” the new film released Friday by Sony Pictures and directed by Roland Emmerich (director of disaster movies like “2012″ and “Independence Day”) has ordained a controversy the likes of which moviedom hasn’t seen in decades.

The argument is based on the centuries-old conspiracy theory that the actor Shakespeare was not the playwright Shakespeare.

The Los Angeles Times wrote, “‘Anonymous’ is the unkindest cut of all for Shakespearean scholars.”

The review in The New York Times stated, “‘Anonymous’ … is a travesty of British history.”

One week before the movie’s release, the numbers of screens showing the film was reduced from 2,500 down to 250.

The claim of fraud, however, has always had powerful supporters, like Sigmund Freud, Mark Twain, and prominent Shakespearean actors.

Although many historians believe that the actor did not write those works, they disagree on who did write them. “Anonymous” purports it was Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. But many names have been tossed around: Ben Johnson, Francis Bacon, and even Queen Elizabeth.

One of the criticisms of the film is that it is not historically factual. But a second film on the same subject, presently being prepared in Winnipeg, Canada, claims to correct that – purporting that every recorded fact or person named in this upcoming movie is historically accurate.

It’s entitled “The Shakespeare Conspiracy,” independently produced by the Motion Picture Hall of Fame Corporation and Barone Films, taken from the novel of the same name, by Ted Bacino, published by AuthorHouse Publishing (http://www.TheShakespeareConspiracy.com).

This film contends that Christopher Marlowe was the actual author. For years scholars have noted the similarities between the writings of Marlowe and those of Shakespeare. (There are almost 100 lines in the works of Shakespeare identical or very similar to those of Marlowe.)

In 1593 Marlowe was scheduled to appear before the Privy Council on charges of heresy and treason, the penalty for which was death. Days before the trial, he was supposedly “murdered” by friends over the price of a dinner bill. England’s foremost writer at the time was then “buried unceremoniously” in an unmarked grave outside London.

Almost immediately, an unknown actor named Shakespeare, who reputedly held horses for the gentry while they watched plays, began turning out magnificent dramas, sonnets and poems.

“The Shakespeare Conspiracy” purports that Marlowe, a government spy who was probably gay, continued to write while in hiding (explaining why fourteen more plays appear after the death of the actor Shakespeare).

The last third of the book, The Shakespeare Conspiracy, contains supplements describing why Shakespeare could not have written the works and why scholars believe Marlowe wrote them – and verifies how the facts in the novel are historically accurate. It’s called “The greatest literary deception of all time.”

Contact:

Ted Bacino
TBacino@AOL.com
760-778-1030

San Diego, CA  (Profitable.com)  Cricket Communications, a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services, today announced that its Muve Music service has signed an agreement with independent digital music distribution company INgrooves.

INgrooves, brings an exceptional independent catalog to Muve Music that includes labels such as Nettwerk, Metropolis Records, ESL Records as well as Rostrum Records—featuring one of the best up-and-coming hip hop stars in the industry, Mac Miller.

“We are seeing tremendous interest from independent artists seeking to make their music available via Muve Music and this agreement, that has just been signed with INgrooves, moves us in that direction,” said John Bolton, Sr. Director, Product Development for Muve Music. “Muve Music will expand its catalog to over five million songs by the end of the year, and with the addition of INgrooves music catalog we will greatly deepen the Latin, Alternative Rock and Hip Hop genres.”

How to Get Muve Music

Muve Music is available on the Samsung Vitality, ZTE Score and Samsung Suede at Cricket company-owned stores and at www.mycricket.com, as well as through select partner retail outlets such as Best Buy. Additional accessories are available for purchase including premium headphones, expandable memory an audio jack and Bluetooth adapter to connect to home and car stereos, either wired or wirelessly.

For more information about Muve Music, visit www.muvemusic.com, and for Cricket’s dynamic device lineup, visit www.mycricket.com. To follow Cricket’s latest news and updates online, go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/cricketwirelessand Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cricketnation. 

About Cricket

Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving approximately 5.7 million customers. Cricket products are available nationwide. Cricket offers wireless voice and broadband Internet services over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital 3G CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Cricket’s nationwide wireless voice service plans include unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, as well as a variety of calling features and feature-rich mobile applications such as popular games, ringtones and wallpapers. For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.

Fiuggi, Italy  (Profitable.com)  The International Adkins Chiti: Women in Music Foundation, an Italian cultural organization, partner within cultural agreements undersigned by the Italian Foreign Ministry, member of UNESCO’s International Music Council and the European Music Council, internationally recognized for its activities to obtain recognition and visibility for women in the cultural sector, is currently running the European Program WIMUST – Women in Music Uniting Strategies for Talent, involving organizations for women in music, women composers and creators of music in 24 countries to ensure that the March 2009 European Parliamentary Resolution, insisting on Equal Opportunities for women working in the arts and culture sectors, is finally put into force by all European Governments.

Each year the Foundation will host a general meeting of representatives from every Women in Music/for Music Organization inEurope for the investigation of mechanisms producing inequalities and statistics facilitating common policies. One of the main objectives of this program is the updating of data banks for contemporary European women composers and creators of music in all fields in preparation for the publication of a European Yearbook for Women Composers and Creators of Music, which will be constantly updated.

The Foundation has planned diversified actions and events for the Trans-national mobility for women composers and music practitioners (including researchers and musicologists) to amplify professional skills, foster life-long creativity and encourage the passing on of knowledge, methodologies and strategies to other women in their countries. Therefore, the Foundation will also host composers, musicologists and musicians from the EU State Members and from Italy to work with in Fiuggi during three months.

Women in Music organizations participating from the following countries:

Austria – Cyprus – Czech Republic – England – Finland – France – Germany – Italy – Luxembourg – Montenegro – Netherlands -Romania – Serbia – Spain – Sweden – Turkey.

Organizations participating as auditors: Belgium - Denmark - Liechtenstein - Poland - Slovenia

Patricia Adkins Chiti (scientific director of WIMUST program):

“With knowledge of our Equal Rights as women, and above all remember that these must apply to women artists and women with the cultural industries, we can design a better Europe and World.”

This work program has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This communication reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Contact:

Lorena Jimenez Alonso
Press Officer
European Program WIMUST
Tel: 00491632037051
international.press@donneinmusica.org

http://www.donneinmusica.net

Hoffman Estates, IL  (Profitable.com)  Sears Holdings makes shopping online at Sears.com and Kmart.com affordable and easy this holiday season through the offering of free shipping and free same-day store pick up. These quick, cost-effective shopping options will save customers time and money and allow them to focus more on spending time with friends and family.

With free shipping on Sears.com, Kmart.com and mygofer.com, customers can shop for and purchase a wide range of products, from tools to apparel and toys. Whether searching for a gift for friends or family, or even a special gift for themselves, shoppers will find what they need from more than 20 million items online. From proprietary brands like the popular Kardashian Kollection and Sofia Vergara to Craftsman and Kenmore, Sears.com and Kmart.com, and mygofer.com have everything customers need to get their holiday shopping finished effortlessly.

The free shipping offer will begin on Oct. 30 and run through Dec. 19. On Sears.com, customers can use promo code SHIPREALJOY to receive free shipping on qualified mailable orders totaling more than $99.* On Kmart.com, customers can type in promo code HOLIDAY to receive free shipping on qualified mailable orders totaling more than $49.** On mygofer.com, customers can use promo code JINGLE49 on qualified orders totaling more than $49***. New this year just in time for the holidays, Sears launched an online checkout experience that makes purchasing easier than ever before.

“We are always looking for ways to help our customers, especially during the busy holiday season,” said Imran Jooma, president of eCommerce at Sears Holdings. “We are constantly improving our customer service and overall shopping experience, which is why we’re offering multiple wallet-friendly ways to shop, purchase, and receive items all on the customer’s own terms. We want to take the stress out of holiday shopping so that our customers can focus on what’s important.”

Whether they’re looking for heavy-duty snow blowers or fashionable snow boots, customers can also reap the benefits of the Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store offering available at Sears and Kmart (powered by mygofer), which includes free same-day pick up at their local store and curbside pickup in select locations.

“While other companies are just now recognizing the need to meet customer demand to save valuable time and money when shopping online, millions of customers have already been using—and continue to use—Sears’ and Kmart’s best-in-class Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store service,” said Jooma.

Additional offerings that customers can enjoy this holiday season include the following:

• Sears, Kmart, and mygofer Mobile Apps: Available on iPhone, Android and Blackberry smartphones, Sears and Kmart mobile sites and apps give customers access to millions of products in the palm of their hands. On-the-go customers can use their phones to check if the item they want is in stock, buy it online and pick it up in-store, all without breaking a sweat.
• ShipVantage Membership Program: Customers can enjoy free standard shipping all year long on all Sears.com and Kmart.com purchases for the membership fee of only $79 for 12 months (a 30-day free trial membership is available). See details at www.sears.com/shipvantage. Discounted expedited mail options are available through this program. Membership fee applies. Applies only to mailable items sold by Sears & Kmart. Excludes all items sold by Marketplace Vendors.
• International Shipping: With international shipping to 91 countries, Sears helps customers send holiday cheer to everywhere from Australia to Chile. Packages will arrive just in time for Christmas if ordered by Dec. 1; visit Sears.com for details.
• APO/FPO Shipping: Customers can ship Sears.com orders to Army post office (APO) and Fleet post office (FPO) addresses, which are exempt from international customs duties. Order by Nov. 28 for packages to arrive by Christmas.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer with over 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores inthe United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Sears Holdings is the 2011 ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner of the Year. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 11 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at www.searsholdings.com.

*Visit Sears.com for details.
**Visit Kmart.com for details.
***Visit mygofer.com for details.

Atlanta, GA  (Profitable.com)   Winners of the 2011 Excalibur Awards were recently announced during a special ceremony at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel that attracted an audience of more than 300 leaders from Georgia’s business community. The Excalibur Awards, presented by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) in collaboration with the Business and Technology Alliance of TAG (B&TA), recognize the Georgia companies and organizations demonstrating the best use of technology for challenges in business and education.

“Technology has become a vital part of the business world today and Georgia companies are leading the charge in both creating and implementing technology,” said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. “The winners of the 2011 Excalibur Awards are all great examples of the innovative spirit alive in our state and are shining examples to the business community of the success that can be created through the creative use of technology.”

The 2011 winners are:

Small
Promotional ScreenPrint and Digital, Inc. (PSP) is a digital print and screen printing company producing POP materials inDecatur. The company implemented a manufacturing operations management (MOM) portal solution to centralize company data (such as job status, inventory, sales orders, etc.). PSP was able to increase efficiencies, decrease email use by 50% and win more business without adding staff.

Mid-Sized
DIRTT Environmental Solutions is an award-winning modular wall manufacturer for commercial and industrial settings. The company is recognized for its use of ICE software, which uses 2D and 3D graphic communication to envision, design, specify, price, manufacture and deliver DIRTT product. Integrated into ICE is ICEcycle, a reconfiguration tool for product lifecycle management. ICEcycle captures all elements from an existing modular layout and inventories, sorts, locates and defines each part available, all in real time, and reduces design time by up to 60%. ICE and ICEcycle vastly improve the precision, speed and custom capabilities of DIRTT’s manufacturing and installation processes while maximizing use of all pre-existing parts in an interior redesign.

Large
IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is a global company operating seven well-known hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. IHG also manages Priority Club Rewards. The company won for its use of Smart Cache Services, which provides better accuracy on room availability and rates when Global Distribution System (GDS) Partners and Online Travel Agencies (such as www.travelocity.com) pull this information from IHG’s reservation processing system. Smart Cache has saved the company a $1.5 million upgrade and has helped IHG’s partners realize similar savings through a reduction in the number of transactions and in increased look to book ratio.

Educational
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is a premier 21st century liberal arts college where learning takes place continuously and beyond the confines of the classroom. The school offers organic chemistry, which is perhaps one of the most challenging undergraduate classes. In fact 40% of first semester students nationwide taking organic chemistry change their career goals and do not continue on to the second semester of that course. GGC tackled this challenge by launching the “iTouch Chemistry Project” which taps into the strengths of the smart phone to provide flash cards, podcasts and other supporting materials to students on the go. The school’s organic chemistry students now have over 90% success rate with the two semester organic sequence.

Creative
The Weather Channel (TWC) has brought timely weather information to the world since 1982. Beginning as a 24-hour, 7-day television network devoted entirely to weather, it has expanded across several mediums to bring the breaking weather to its viewers and users. Desiring to tap into the explosion of social media and the immediate and personal access to information it can provide, TWC added social to all TWC platforms to make the company’s storytelling more complete. TWC partnered with Twitter to filter weather-relevant content and match it to the user’s location for display across all of The Weather Channel properties. Following major weather events, including Hurricane Irene, TWC saw record social numbers through The Weather Channel Social.

For more information about TAG and the Excalibur Awards, visit http://www.tagonline.org/excalibur-awards.php.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 14,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG’s charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG’s community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

About The Business and Technology Alliance of TAG
The Business and Technology Alliance of TAG is focused on addressing the challenges of today’s fast paced marketplace by bringing together business leaders and technology innovators to address key business issues. Their mission is to foster business innovation through the exploration of technological advancements and the ways in which these technologies can help corporations in all industries to solve complex problems and be more competitive. For more information, visithttp://www.tagonline.org/tag-business-technology-alliance.php.

Washington  (Profitable.com)   From boutique city-market hotels to beautiful resorts in tropical destinations, LivingSocial Escapes has announced that it has booked more than a half million room nights at nearly 800 properties around the world since its launch in November 2010.  On a monthly basis, the company has sold an average of 45,500 room nights and put 1,500 heads in beds each night.

“Inspiring our members to book more than a half million room nights in less than a year is exciting and a true testament to the power of actually telling destination and travel brand stories, and selling package experiences,” said Doug Miller, senior vice president, LivingSocial New Initiatives.  ”We work hard on getting people out from behind their computer screens and into new experiences.  Whether it’s a quick weekend away or the trip of a lifetime, we create travel demand and bring new high-quality travelers to our hotel and travel partners.”

To give the number some perspective, 500,000 room nights is:

• More than triple the total number of hotel rooms in Las Vegas, one of the world’s largest hotel markets;
• Equal to roughly 10.4% of the nation’s total 4.8 million hotel rooms;
• The equivalent of selling out all the rooms in Charleston, South Carolina for more than a month; or
• Like booking every hotel room in Niagara Falls, New York for nearly a year.

For more information or to book your next trip with LivingSocial Escapes, visit www.LivingSocial.com/escapes.

In addition to LivingSocial Escapes, members can find even more fun with:

• LivingSocial Adventures – one-of-a-kind excursions and events in and around your city, personally guided by LivingSocial Adventures employees
• LivingSocial Daily Deals — handpicked experiences, discounted by at least 50 percent, on the coolest things to do in your backyard;
• LivingSocial Families — local, family-friendly experiences selected to help parents and kids discover hidden gems around town; and
• LivingSocial Instant Deals — real-time, mobile offerings, allowing merchants to drive patrons through the door.

About LivingSocial

LivingSocial helps people around the world find, share and enjoy great local deals and new experiences. We’ll help you get more out of your city. Through its daily deal e-mails and alerts, LivingSocial introduces members to handpicked local businesses, products or services each day at significant savings. With a range of products for different interests, like Families and Adventures, LivingSocial helps delight members with the perfect deal for them. Other services include LivingSocial Escapes, which features easy “vacations in a box” to leading destinations, and LivingSocial Instant, which helps members discover real-time discounts at nearby restaurants, stores and businesses. LivingSocial works with each merchant partner to create customized marketing solutions that attract and retain loyal, long-term customers. Based in Washington, D.C., LivingSocial now has more than 47 million members in 25 countries.

Tulsa, Ok  (Profitable.com)  With a 98% SMS text message open rate versus only a 22% open rate for email, according recent findings, Sitter Pals leverages the power of SMS text messaging to quickly and efficiently post babysitting jobs to members’ network of trusted sitters. The addition of SMS text notifications and mobile web access are included in the release of the Premium Membership for parents, among other features. Sitters have free access to Sitter Pals’ mobile website, a vehicle to quickly post, review, and book babysitting jobs for parents and sitters on the go.

Launched in April 2011, Sitter Pals established a social network within which parents connect with the sitters their friends know, trust, and hire. Initially, job postings and communication within members’ networks, allowed parents and trusted sitters to book babysitting jobs within a safe and secure network of friends via email notifications. It is widely reported more than 90% of SMS text messages are opened and read within 4 minutes. Now, with the introduction of SMS text notifications and mobile web accessibility, Sitter Pals connects and books parents with their network of available and trusted sitters in near real time, saving time and frustration often associated with finding a babysitter.

“Nearly everyone’s phone in the US has SMS capability,” Armstrong explains. “and we keep our phones with us at all times.” Armstrong adds “It only makes sense to incorporate SMS text messaging into our functionality, however, this goes well beyond just texting your sitter and waiting for a response. Now you can empower parents and sitters to connect in a way they never have before.”

In addition to increase booking speed, the Premium Membership gives parents access to a host of features including: advanced search options, access to sitters’ reviews, job postings options including one-time and recurring, pet sitting jobs, house sitting jobs, and applicant review before assigning. The Premium Membership is available to new and existing parents at $8 a month or $75 a year. Sitters join and start their networks for free, joining families they know, while connecting with families’ friends.

DreamWorks Animation Fine Art Premieres a Purr-fectly Meow-valous New Portfolio from the Upcoming Animated Feature Film "Puss in Boots"

Ogden, Utah  (Profitable.com)  “Puss in Boots,” the all-new and highly anticipated feature film from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) is the subject of an impressive new art portfolio now available to collectors, movie fans and cat lovers alike from DreamWorks Animation Fine Art http://bit.ly/o1aW7P. The film opens nationwide on October 28 in Real D 3D and IMAX 3D.

Directed by Chris Miller (“Shrek the Third”), produced by Joe Aguilar and Latifa Ouaou, executive produced by Andrew Adamson and Guillermo del Toro and starring the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifinaikis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris. The film is an origin story of Puss in Boots on his adventures before his first appearance in “Shrek 2″ in 2004.

Sanders Art Studio, the sole authorized global publisher of DreamWorks Animation Fine Art (dreamworksanimationfineart.com) has produced one of its largest portfolios of hand-numbered, limited edition fine art from a DreamWorks Animation film. Virtually every aspect of the creative process of producing the film is represented – from inspirational concepts, lush backgrounds, model sheets and moments directly from the film – all printed on acid free, museum quality, watercolor paper. There are 71 pieces in the “Puss in Boots” art portfolio ranging in suggested retail prices from $175 – $16.

A highlight of the new portfolio is a series of five pencil sketches depicting the characters of Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws. The giclée imagery has been printed on watercolor paper in a hand numbered, limited edition of only 25 and features a framed SRP of $175.

Additional imagery in the portfolio includes beguiling character model sheets featuring Puss in Boots, Kitty Softpaws and Puss in Boots as a baby. Each one is hand-numbered to an edition size of merely 25 pieces worldwide and comes with certificate of authenticity and a suggested retail price of $175.

The portfolio also includes two colorful laser cels with showcasing mattes. Laser cels are a lithograph technology where the image is printed on industrial grade Mylar that will not fade, chip, crack or deteriorate but will retain the same bright colors as original hand-painted animation cels. “Puss in Boots in Town” and “Puss in Boots Moon” have been published in an open edition and feature a SRP of $16.

“Our new portfolio of artwork perfectly captures the visual humor, charm and beauty of ‘Puss in Boots,” said KC Sanders, owner of Sanders Art Studio. “It’s a fun and endearing film with imagery that will make the perfect holiday gift for animation fans, movie collectors and cat lovers alike!”

All of the new art from Puss in Boots comes with a certificate of authenticity and is available from Sanders Art Studio:  http://www.dreamworksanimationfineart.com. DreamWorks Animation Fine Art produces hand-crafted, limited-edition artwork from unforgettable DreamWorks Animation films, including unique, artistic interpretations of the “Shrek” movies, the “Kung Fu Panda” films, “Madagascar,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Bee Movie.”

Los Angeles  (Profitable.com)  What happens when an industry has too much power? “Greedy Lying Bastards” presents a searing indictment of the influence, deceit and corruption that defines the fossil fuel industry. Filmmaker and political activist Craig Rosebraugh documents the impact of an industry that puts profits before people, wages a campaign of lies to thwart measures to combat climate change, uses its clout to minimize infringing regulations and undermined the political process in the U.S. and abroad.

Rosebraugh’s in-depth investigation into the industry took him to the U.S., Tuvalu, Peru, England, Uganda, Kenya, Belgium, Denmark and Germany. “Greedy Lying Bastards” is the disturbing portrait of what he uncovered on his journey. By interweaving the stories of the victims of the Gulf oil spill and the global climate crisis, he lays bare the industry’s deliberate pattern of irresponsibility. And, while oil companies worldwide exert influence over policies that will protect their revenues, those who speak out against the industry’s reckless practices risk their livelihoods, and in some instances, their lives.

The 2010 tragedy of Deepwater Horizon that cost 11 men their lives, is but one byproduct of the industry’s unchecked, and often unregulated, drive for profits. More than a year later, the documentary shows how Gulf Coast residents continue to pay a steep price. Settlements promised by BP are proving largely insufficient and thousands of claims remain outstanding.

“Greedy Lying Bastards” goes inside emotionally charged meetings with BP, where those most affected by the spill share their anger, and hopelessness. Businesses are being forced to close, and families are being rendered destitute. Perhaps one of those victims put it best when he asks a single word be relayed to BP… “Help.”

How can you right the wrongs when the fossil field industry wields so much influence over energy and environmental policies? “Greedy Lying Bastards” details the people and organizations casting doubt on climate science and claiming that greenhouse gases are not affected by human behavior and includes interviews with scientists, industry experts, international political delegates, climate change victims as well as deniers, and people affected by the practices of the fossil fuel industry. Among them: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon; Rep. Henry Waxman; former EPA head Christine Todd Whitman; leading climate science skeptics Myron Ebell, Christopher Lord Monckton, and Jay Lehr; Ken Wiwa, the son of the slain Nigerian environmentalist; farmers in Peru and Uganda; and Mike Robichaux, one of the few doctors willing to treat Gulf residents sick with chemical poisoning from the BP spill, Republican Presidential candidates, Texas governor Rick Perry and Minnesota representative Michele Bachman, as well as other prominent politicians like Senator James Inhofe, from oil-rich Oklahoma.

“This film is an investigation into an industry that is simply out of control,” Rosebraugh contends. “The fossil fuel industry has shown that it will stop at nothing to maximize profits for shareholders, whether it’s cutting corners on safety, employing highly paid lobbyists to impact the political process, giving huge amounts to climate change deniers to ensure that no legislation is passed that would impact the bottom line, or complicity in the murder of individuals who speak up against environmental degradation.”

“Greedy Lying Bastards” was co-written and edited by Patrick Gambuti Jr. To find out more information about the topics discussed in the film and how to get involved, visit the website www.GreedyLyingBastards.com.

For news information contact: Cindy Rakowitz (818) 783-3307

Stone Mountain, GA  (Profitable.com)  Stone Mountain Park (SMP), Georgia’s No. 1 attraction, today announced plans to debut its latest attraction, Geyser Towers, set to open during spring 2012.

Geyser Towers will bring an all new, must do experience to Stone Mountain Park. The attraction features multiple levels of suspended rope bridges and net tunnels connecting visitors to towering platforms that overlook a gushing geyser. While climbing through the structure, sporadic eruptions and multiple offshoots of water will splash guests to keep cool, or climbers can challenge themselves to stay high and dry. The experience is ideal for the entire family as it gives adults ample room and the perfect amount of excitement for kids. As an option for the youngest guests, toddlers can play in a trickling creek while mom and dad relax in the shade.

Geyser Towers will be located adjacent to the Sky Hike attraction in the Crossroads area of the park. The building of this attraction is the second installation of its kind in the world and the only one in North America to integrate water features. The other similar structure, located at Sea World Australia, includes no water.

“Geyser Towers is the only adventure of its kind, combining the challenge of climbing rope nets and the thrill of getting sprayed while laughing with family or friends,” said Gerald Rakestraw, vice president and general manager, SMP.

Construction begins next month. Geyser Towers opens March 31, the start of the Spring Break. The estimated project cost is just under $1 million.

With water conservation in mind, like the park’s popular Snow Mountain attraction, Geyser Towers will use a closed loop system that borrows water from the Stone Mountain Lake and does not use county water. The water goes through a treatment process making it potable to meet standards suitable for people, similar to swimming pool water.

Geyser Towers access will be included in the All Attractions Adventure Pass. Adventure Pass wristbands allows guests to experience all of Stone Mountain Park’s family attractions. The best way to enjoy the park year-round is with a Mountain Membership annual pass that pays for itself in two visits.

Stone Mountain Park attractions and hours of operation is available at 770-498-5690 or by visiting www.stonemountainpark.com.

New York, NY  (Profitable.com)   Skribblr fills the void left by other social networking sites by providing the extra gratification of rewarding users. Users earn points that are then used to unlock site features and content from future partners. Skribblr allows users to meet new people or current friends no matter where they are.

Skribblr emphasizes connection, giving users control over who they allow into the network they build. By sharing fun, creative updates, users can get to learn more about the people they “trace” or follow before engaging in live video chat. Also, updates expire after a week, so users constantly see the latest from their network.

Key Features:

• Personalize posts by adding custom drawings or text
• Record 10 second video status updates
• Top skribbles of the day make it into the featured gallery
• “Trace” friends to follow their posts
• Video Chat face-to-face and text chat simultaneously
• Points unlock more features on the site to customize the user experience within skribblr.com
• Share updates to Facebook and Twitter in one click

Sign Up for your Free Skribblr account at http://www.skribblr.com

About Skribblr.com

Skribblr was founded in 2011 to allow people to get rewarded for sharing. Skribblr offers a fun, creative environment for you to personalize posts and meet new friends.

Anaheim, CA  (Profitable.com)  Contiki Vacations, the worldwide leader in fun travel packages for 18-35 year olds, is honored to receive a Silver Award for their successful interactive Facebook campaign “Get on the Bus.” Contiki, one of only 11 tour operators honored, generated more than 10 million ad impressions and 8,000 Likes for Contiki’s page.

“This campaign was about driving brand engagement, generating excitement around travel, and utilizing the technology of our times to inspire and entertain our audience,” said Greg Fischbein, President of Contiki Vacations. “In partnership with Affinitive, “Get On The Bus” delivered as designed – the award is icing on a tasty cake.”

The social media-driven promotion ran from February through mid-April, challenging Contiki’s Facebook fans to create a virtual bus, gather four friends, choose a trip, and then get as many votes as possible to win a dream vacation.

About the Magellan Awards

The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards recognize the best in the travel industry, and honors outstanding efforts of travel professionals in fields such as design, marketing, and services.

About Contiki

Contiki has inspired 18 – 35 year olds to travel to the world’s most fantastic destinations for 50 years. The trips are hassle-free and include the perfect mix of sightseeing, culture and free time. Travelers can choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, South America, & the USA. For more information, please visit http://www.Contiki.com.

Irving, TX  (Profitable.com)  As baseball season comes to a close Hostess® has announced the three grand prize winners of its summer Baseball Sweepstakes which invited fans across the country to enter for a chance to win exciting prizes including $10,000 in cash or a trip to see their favorite major league team play in a city of their choice and $100Stub Hub gift cards for baseball tickets.

The three lucky grand prize winners are Lance Guffey of Vandalia IL, George Karnavas of Cleveland, OH, and Karen Katsbulasof Pinellas Park, FL.

More than 272,800 Hostess fans took part in the Hostess Baseball Sweepstakes by purchasing specially marked multipacks of Hostess Twinkies®, Hostess Chocolate CupCakes®, and limited-edition packages of Hostess Baseballs – delicious chocolate cup cakes with vanilla icing and red icing “stitching.” The special, summer time packaging featured on-pack promotion codes which consumers could use to register online for a chance to win. In addition to the three grand prize winners, 250 consumers won $100 Stub Hub gift cards.

About the Winners

Ho Hos® lover and all-around Hostess fan Lance Guffey from Vandalia, IL has been enjoying Hostess since he was young. As a child, Lance’s grandfather would take him to haul grain at his farm and they would always stop at the local coffee shop for a Hostess Honey Bun. ”I had it warmed up a little so it was like it was fresh from the oven,” Lance said. ”Thanks for bringing back that awesome memory.” He is planning on spending his $10,000 grand prize on orthodontic treatment for his son, and to help fund a summer vacation next year.

George Karnavas from Cleveland Ohio has fond memories from his childhood of eating Twinkies and watching “The Howdy Doody Show” where the delicious treats were featured. He thinks that his favorite Hostess treats, Raspberry Zingers®, are the perfect comfort food. When he found out he was a grand prize winner of the summer Baseball Sweepstakes, George says, “My wife and I celebrated by breaking out a nice cold bottle of milk and a box of Hostess Chocolate CupCakes.”

Karen Katsbulas has an affinity for Hostess Sno Balls® and Ding Dongs®, though she recently discovered 100 Calorie Packs and now considers them her favorite treat. Karen’s first contact with Hostess came when she immigrated to the United Statesfrom England at the age of eight. “One bite and I was hooked,” she remembers. Karen is planning on using her grand prize to help pay for a recent trip to Thailand where she had been working as a volunteer to rescue elephants.

To help fans get better connected with Hostess snack cakes, an official Facebook page has been launched filled with fun exclusives, new recipes, giveaways and contests. Visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Hostess and find out about our latest promotions. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hostess_snacks or visit http://www.hostesscakes.comfor more information.

Hostess Brands, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest providers of fresh-baked bread and sweet goods, sold under various brand names including Wonder®, Merita®, Home Pride®, Nature’s Pride®, Hostess®, Drake’s®, and Dolly Madison. The Company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Austin, TX  (Profitable.com)  A telephone survey conducted among 1,000 U.S. adults by Ipsos Public Affairs commissioned by Offers.com found that, given the state of the economy, 87 percent of respondents are planning to spend the same or less during the upcoming holiday season than they did in 2010.  The survey also found that almost half of consumers have been looking for deals throughout the year when shopping for those on their holiday gift list, while just 18 percent are planning to wait to shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Only 48 percent plan to look for online coupons or coupon codes to stretch their holiday spending dollars before making a purchase.

Other highlights from the survey asked specifically about holiday shopping plans include:

• 52 percent of respondents spend more than an hour researching the best price for each holiday purchase, while 7 percent of consumers report to spend more than 6 hours researching each purchase they make for the holidays.
• 27 percent have been keeping their eye on online specials and daily deals, and 50 percent turn to newspaper or magazine coupons for savings.
• 69 percent of holiday shoppers would prefer to shop in a retail store rather than online if the merchandise and deals were the same, while 47 percent said they would shop online if the deals were better than in stores.

“With a majority of U.S. consumers being not likely to look for online coupons or coupon codes when they shop this holiday season, millions of consumers may let savings pass them by,” said Steve Schaffer, CEO of Offers.com.  ”Online shopping can provide much better value, selection, and convenience than shopping at retail, and online coupons offer extra discounts that can’t be found elsewhere. The team at Offers.com makes it easy to save money and time while shopping at any time of the year, because we manually screen thousands of the best available offers and deals on a daily basis to ensure that they work.”

Offers.com provides consumers with easy-to-find online coupons, coupon codes, offers, and deals from thousands of online stores, and the Offers.com Holiday Savings Center provides consumers with unique and helpful content such as checklists, shopping tips, and survival guides.  Offers.com also organizes deals and provides guidance around specific holidays and trends such as Halloween, Black Friday 2011 Deals, and Cyber Monday 2011 Deals.

Additional demographic findings of the holiday spending poll include:

• While just 16 percent of adults with a household income of $75,000 or more indicated that they were not at all likely to seek out online coupons or coupon codes, almost three times as many (44 percent) of those with a household income of$25,000 gave the same answer.
• 73 percent of respondents aged 18-34 would prefer to shop in retail stores if the merchandise and deals were the same, but if the deals were better online, 50 percent would shop online instead.
• Similar to other age groups, 51 percent of respondents aged 18-34 have used newspaper or magazine coupons in the last 30 days.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs in September 2011.  For the survey, a nationally representative sample of 1,001 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. was interviewed by telephone via Ipsos’ U.S. Telephone Express omnibus.  With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within +/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled.

The full results of the poll and an infographic specific to this survey can be found by visiting www.offers.com/press.

About Vertive

Vertive LLC is a publisher of best-in-class coupon and deal Websites that help consumers save money when they shop online. Vertive publishes a family of Websites including Offers.com, CouponCodes.com, and Subscription.com.  Information on these sites is supported by original content such as savings tips and buying guides, and the sites are organized in a way that helps consumers quickly find the best offer to address their immediate shopping needs.  The award-winning company has been profitable since its inception and received a minority equity investment from Susquehanna Growth Equity, LLLP. Vertive is based in Austin, Texas.

London  (Profitable.com)  When a company debuts a social gaming app, expectations are that it will perform well. However, House of Fun, the new, free app by Pacific Interactive, now hosts over 700,000 active players since the unveiling on September 13, 2011. The first week alone, user buzz on Facebook caused over 100,000 people to flock to experience the vibrant graphics and interactive gameplay, and Pacific Interactive couldn’t be more pleased with the game’s viral appeal.

Proving how on-trend the House of Fun app truly is, InsideFacebook.com and InsideSocialGames.com have both included House of Fun in recent lists of their fastest growing social media apps. Pacific Interactive also closely monitors the app’s Facebook page, interacting with players, gaining feedback, and tailoring the game to meet the customers’ demands.

“Our team of programmers at Pacific Interactive works incredibly hard to provide such a rich experience for our players. We’re actually changing how the player interacts with the app, instead of just changing the graphics, and we’re thrilled to see that users are enjoying it so much,” said the CEO and Founder of Pacific Interactive.

Social gaming is becoming more popular every day, with over 290 million players looking for the next best app. House of Fun currently offers over 15 varieties of interactive slots, with table gaming coming soon. Loyal gamers clearly like the app too; over 10,000 reviews have been posted to the app’s Facebook page.

“The numbers don’t lie. Our players are really enjoying the unique House of Fun experience! We’d like everyone on Facebook to see what the hype is about. Visit us at http://apps.facebook.com/houseoffun/ and start playing today!” concluded the CEO and Founder.

About Pacific Interactive:

Pacific Interactive is comprised of experienced gaming industry professionals, committed to providing players with an unrivaled social gaming experience. With a number of game options available, players will be impressed with the crisp, colorful graphics, as well as the varied interactive play. House Of Fun is the developer’s latest endeavor, which is available on social media sites like Facebook.

New York  (Profitable.com)  Becoming social is an imperative for brands today, and while many are embracing the digital revolution, substantial improvements are yet to be made to build a brand with a distinctive social identity, according to a new global Weber Shandwick study in partnership with Forbes Insights.

“Socializing Your Brand: A Brand’s Guide to Sociability” offers brand and communications executives with a starting point for developing their own best-in-class practices when creating an authentically social brand. The research was conducted online among 1,897 senior executives from high revenue companies across 50 countries in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

According to the study, global brand executives believe that sociability is growing rapidly as a contributor to a brand’s overall reputation, from 52 percent today with a projected estimate of 65 percent three years from now. Yet, a large majority (84 percent) report that their brand’s sociability is not yet up to world class brand standards, despite the fact that nearly all of them (87 percent) say they have a social media brand strategy.

What does it take to be among the elite set of world class brands? The study found that being a world class social brand means interacting with target audiences and creating original content that heightens the interactive experience, going beyond broadcasting news, deals or events. World class brands get their communities of interest engaged and develop meaningful ties over shared passions or commonalities. They demonstrate a genuine interest in what their audiences say and listen carefully to responses. World class sociability rests on the collaboration of the entire organization to integrate the brand personality across all communications channels. World class sociability also means that brand managers are prepared to accept all the risks that come with the rewards of venturing into this new era of customer engagement.

“There is a disconnect between theory and reality when it comes to socializing a brand. All too often, brand managers clamor for the latest and greatest application and new technology, bypassing the need for clear business objectives, a true social orientation and programs that deliver real value to brand communities. To be a fully socialized brand, leaders need a new blueprint; one that factors in both proper internal structure as well as external programming that help people be informed and identified with brands they engage online,” said Chris Perry, president of Digital Communications, Weber Shandwick. “Organizations need to break down silos, operate strategically and integrate all marketing communications. Only then can a brand successfully and seamlessly engage in a real social dialogue.”

Socializing Your Brand – The Risks vs. The Rewards

Global brand executives consider that the rewards of using social media outweigh the risks, by more than a 2-to-1 margin. Among the rewards of social media, global brand executives count strengthening customer loyalty, improving brand recognition, helping locate new customers and prospects and improving customer service.

“While there are inherent risks in socializing a brand, it is no longer an option to go without a social presence. Now, more than ever, executives need to harness this opportunity to connect with customers, facilitate a conversation and encourage feedback. Their reputations and livelihood depend on it,” said Leslie Gaines-Ross, chief reputation strategist, Weber Shandwick.

Nine Drivers of Leading Brand Sociability:

For more information, please go to our infographic and executive summary at www.webershandwick.com/socialbrands

1. It’s not the medium — and it’s more than the message: World class brands are much more likely than the average brand to create original content. 45 percent of them create content specifically for social media purposes, compared to 28 percent of all global companies. World class brands depend upon much more than just the medium to make themselves social.
2. Put your brands in motion: World class companies do more than build an inventory of social media tools. They apply their tools in more social ways than the average global company. For example, they are 44 percent more likely to offer brand-related mobile content, 43 percent more likely to participate in “check-in” apps, 41 percent more likely to do proximity marketing and 40 percent more likely to have their own branded YouTube channel.
3. Integrate or die: World class organizations are much better integrators of brand personality — they are nearly twice as likely as other organizations to have a consistent brand personality across all social and traditional media channels and are much more likely to include a social media element to their traditional print or broadcast messaging.
4. Make social central: 61 percent of world class brands have a dedicated social media strategist or manager, vs. 41 percent of all global brands. According to one global executive respondent, “The most important thing we can do is to centrally plan social media activities across all channels to amplify key messages.”
5. Listen more than you talk: World class companies fine-tune their messages to customers and integrate what is on their fans’ minds into their brand stories. Nearly twice as many world class brands have changed a product or service based on fan recommendations compared to the average global brand.
6. Count what matters — meaningful engagement: World class brands place more weight than other brands on their number of contributors when measuring social media effectiveness. Social contributors are ranked #1 by world class companies but #6 by other companies as a key metric.
7. Think global: Executives managing world class brands consider global reach as important as customer service as a driver of corporate reputation while the average global executive ranks global reach last.
8. Go outside to get inside: World class companies are nearly twice as likely as average global companies to engage outside support to measure their brand’s social performance.
9. Be vigilant: To protect their social brand integrity, world class brands are always on high alert. They are 85 percent more vigilant since Wikileaks has been in the news and are 58 percent more likely to be concerned about privacy violations.

Brand Sociability Ranges Cross Continents

“Socializing Your Brand” found relatively few differences across regions. Weber Shandwick and Forbes Insights believe this is due to the globality of social media and, although some geographies are more technologically developed than others, they all embrace the same opportunities and face the same challenges of using social media to connect with customers in a meaningful way.

The most pronounced regional differences are:

• North American companies are most likely to have integrated their social media brand strategies into their overall marketing or communications strategies (73 percent vs. 54 percent in EMEA, 60 percent in APAC and 62 percent in Latin America).
• While EMEA organizations are just as likely as those in other regions to have a centralized social media function, they are the least likely to have a dedicated social media strategist/manager (62 percent vs. 77 percent in North America, 70 percent in APAC and 78 percent in Latin America).
• APAC brand executives are significantly more likely than executives in other regions to report difficulty quantifying social media results/gauging ROI (27 percent vs. 19 percent in North America, 17 percent in EMEA and 14 percent in Latin America). In fact, this is APAC executives’ number one barrier to using social media more extensively. APAC is also the most likely region to cite lack of talent to effectively implement social media as a barrier, which could be a reason for or byproduct of ROI challenges.
• Latin American brand executives expect the most from their brand’s online sociability. On average, they project in three years that 72 percent of their brand’s reputation will be attributed to its online sociability. This is higher than what executives in other regions expect (65 percent in North America, 63 percent in EMEA and 66 percent in APAC).

“Collectively, brands are re-defining marketing models for a super-social media environment. Whether it’s to reach employees, customers or media, social communications is a powerful, unstoppable market force. Communications and marketing executives and are now well aware. The question is how to use this power to maximum advantage,” said Perry.

About The Survey

Weber Shandwick partnered with Forbes Insights to identify what makes brands social – and how. The research was conducted via an online survey in Spring 2011 of 1,897 senior executives from high revenue companies across 50 countries inNorth America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Executive respondents were selected for their personal involvement in marketing, communications or public relations strategy and utilization of digital channels as part of that strategy.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations agency with offices in 74 countries around the world. The firm’s success is built on its deep commitment to client service, our people, creativity, collaboration and harnessing the power of Advocates – engaging stakeholders in new and creative ways to build brands and reputation. Weber Shandwick provides strategy and execution across practices such as consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. Its specialized services include digital/social media, advocacy advertising, market research, and corporate responsibility. In 2010, Weber Shandwick was named Global Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report for the second year in a row; an ‘Agency of the Decade’ by Advertising Age, Large PR Agency of the Year by Bulldog Reporter, a Digital Firm of the Year by PR News, and Top Corporate Responsibility Advisory Firm by CR Magazine. The firm has also won numerous ‘best place to work’ awards around the world. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com.

About Forbes Insights

Forbes Insights (www.forbes.com/forbesinsights) is the custom research practice of Forbes Media.  Forbes Insights’ research covers a wide range of vital business issues, including: talent management; corporate social responsibility; financial benchmarking; risk and regulation; and doing business in emerging markets.

Jennifer Norton
Weber Shandwick
212.445.8314
jnorton@webershandwick.com

Rachel Manfredo
Weber Shandwick
212.445.8171
rmanfredo@webershandwick.com

Sunnyvale, CA  (Profitable.com)  Commtouch ® (Nasdaq: CTCH) has published the industry’s first ever research report on The State of Hacked Accounts, presenting statistics on the theft, abuse and eventual recovery of Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail and Facebook accounts.

The data reveals that most users get hacked at high rates even when they do not think they are engaging in risky behavior, with 62% unaware of how their accounts had been compromised.

The results presented in the report rely on a comprehensive end-user survey together with data from Commtouch’s GlobalView™ Network, which tracks and analyzes billions of Internet transactions daily.

Other highlights from the research include:

• Less than one-third of users noticed their accounts had been compromised, with over 50% relying on friends to point out their stolen accounts.
• 15% of users thought their credentials were stolen after they used a public Internet terminal or WiFi network.
• One in eight hijacked accounts were used for a phony distress email scam that asks friends to wire funds to a foreign country, and over half of the accounts were used to send spam.

“Commtouch’s poll reveals that more than two-thirds of all compromised accounts are used to send spam and scams,” said Amir Lev, Commtouch’s chief technology officer. “This is not surprising, as cybercriminals can improve their email delivery rates by sending from trusted domains such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail, and enhance their open and click-through rates by sending from familiar senders.”

The report also provides tips for preventing accounts from being compromised.

The full report on stolen accounts, as well as a brief presentation and infographic, are available at:http://www.commtouch.com/state-of-hacked-accounts.

The State of Hacked Accounts Report is a companion to Commtouch’s quarterly Internet Threats Trend Report, which covers Web threats, phishing, malware, and spam.  The October trend report describes the explosion of email-borne malware in the third quarter of 2011 to the highest levels observed in over two years.  The ultimate purpose of the huge volumes of malware has remained unclear as spam levels continue to decrease.

Additional data from the trend report:

• Over 230 billion emails with attached malware were sent in the outbreaks of August and September.  The malware included variants of Sasfis, SpyEye, Zeus, fake antivirus, and others.
• Phony Facebook notifications lured users to malware, while large scale  scams accumulated hundreds of thousands of Facebook Likes
• Spam levels dropped to an average of 93 billion spam/phishing messages per day during Q3.
• The most popular spam topic in Q3 was pharmacy ads, increasing to 29% of all spam from 24% in Q2.
• India keeps its title as the country with the most zombies – 18% of all zombies worldwide.

More details, including samples and statistics, and a brief presentation summarizing the trend report are available at: http://www.commtouch.com/threat-report-Oct-2011.

About Commtouch

Commtouch® (NASDAQ: CTCH) safeguards the world’s leading security companies and service providers with cloud-based Internet security services. A cloud-security pioneer, Commtouch’s real-time threat intelligence from its GlobalView™ Network powers Web security, messaging security and antivirus solutions, protecting thousands of organizations and hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

Stay abreast of the latest news at the Commtouch Cafe:
http://blog.commtouch.com. For more information about enhancing security offerings with Commtouch technology, see http://www.commtouch.com or write to info@commtouch.com.

Recurrent Pattern Detection, RPD, Zero-Hour and GlobalView are trademarks, and Commtouch, Authentium, Command Antivirus and Command Anti-malware are registered trademarks, of Commtouch. U.S. Patent No. 6,330,590 is owned by Commtouch.

Commtouch Contact
Amy Kenigsberg
US: 1-913-440-4072
Int’l: +972-9-794-1681
amyk@commtouch.com

Los Gatos, CA  (Profitable.com)  Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today said it will not rename its DVD-by-mail service and that its U.S. members will continue to go to the Netflix website for both unlimited streaming and unlimited DVDs.

Netflix said in a September 18 blog post that its DVD-by-mail service would operate at Qwikster.com. Instead, U.S. members will continue to use one website, one account and one password for their movie and TV watching enjoyment under the Netflix brand.

“Consumers value the simplicity Netflix has always offered and we respect that,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “There is a difference between moving quickly — which Netflix has done very well for years — and moving too fast, which is what we did in this case.”

Netflix today informed its U.S. members in personal emails and a post on the Netflix Blog on http://blog.netflix.com/.

About Netflix

With more than 25 million members globally, Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) is the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows. For $7.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed over the Internet to PCs, Macs and TVs. Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PS3. Consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, Internet-connected TVs, home theater systems, digital video recorders and Internet video players; Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV. In all, more than 700 devices that stream from Netflix are available in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.