The Empire State Building (ESB), the world’s most famous office building, will celebrate its 80th anniversary on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, ESB has served as one of the most recognizable and beloved attractions. The building has accomplished many milestones over the last 80 years, and today it stands tall as a 21st Century icon.

Anthony E. Malkin, Empire State Building Company, stated, “On this significant anniversary, the Empire State Building celebrates 80 years of being an international symbol of innovation and ingenuity.” He added, “Through an award-winning renovations and modernization project, the world’s most famous office building offers unmatched experiences for both its tenants and the millions who visit the Observatories each year.”

The Empire State Building: Through the Years

• January 2011: ESB became New York City’s largest commercial purchaser of 100% renewable energy.
• December 2010: Launched a newly designed www.esbnyc.com to provide global, instant digital access, as well as new social media channels with the creation of ESB Facebook and Twitter pages.
• July 2010: An interactive, multi-media Sustainability Exhibit was unveiled at the 2nd floor Visitor’s Center to educate visitors about ESB’s energy-efficiency program.
• April 2009: Alongside President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, ESB announced details of a groundbreaking retrofit aimed at reducing the building’s carbon emissions by more than 38 percent while creating a replicable process for retrofitting existing commercial structures worldwide. It will save an estimated $4.4 million on energy costs per year. www.esbsustainability.com.
• 2009: Completed a more than $550 million “Empire State ReBuilding” program to renovate, reinvent and modernize the iconic landmark by restoring its 1931 Art Deco grandeur and adding state-of-the-art enhancements to improve the tenant and visitor experiences.
• February 1994: The first Valentine’s Day wedding event was held. To date, over 230 couples have been officially married at ESB as part of this annual program.
• May 1981: The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission declared ESB a landmark.
• February 1978: The first ESB Run-Up took place. At this annual event, hundreds of athletes from around the world race a total of 1,576 steps to the 86th Floor Observatory.
• 1966: The manually operated high-speed elevators on the first 80 floors of the building were replaced with automatic elevators.
• June 1951: WNBT became the first media outlet to begin regular broadcasts from the new transmitting tower atop ESB.
• May 1, 1931: President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C. to officially open ESB.
• March 1930: Construction of the building began. Framework rose at a rate of 4 ½ stories per week and was completed in an astounding 410 days.

Building Facts

From the feat of its engineering, to the innumerable references in pop culture, beloved tower lights and countless celebrity visitors, the building has a multitude of interesting facts from 1931 onwards.

• ESB took only one year and 45 days to build or 7 million man-hours, a record to this day for a skyscraper of its height.
• ESB is the tallest building in New York at exactly 1,454 feet, 8 9/166 inches (443.2 meters) to the top of its lightening rod/antenna.
• The exterior of the Empire State Building is composed of 200,000 cubic feet of Indiana limestone and granite, 10,000,000 bricks and 730 tons of aluminum and stainless steel.
• The building is the center of New York City’s broadcasting operations; the skyscraper’s robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market.
• On the clearest of days, visibility from the Observatory is 80 miles, with five states in view: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
• ESB has been featured in some of the most famous movies, including “King Kong,” “An Affair to Remember,” “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.”
• ESB is one of the most celebrity-visited landmarks in the world, attracting the likes of Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Justin Bieber, Roger Federer, Lauren Bacall, Rihanna, the cast of “Glee,” Penelope Cruz, Celine Dion, Mario Batali and the Victoria’s Secret Angels, to name just a few.
• ESB is home to marquee, international tenants, including Skanska; Coty, Inc.; the FDIC; and Li & Fung.

To connect with the global ESB community, in 2010 the building launched a newly designed website, www.esbnyc.com, as well as Facebook (www.facebook.com/EmpireStateBuilding) and Twitter pages (@ESBObservatory).

The Empire State Building Observatories are open 365 days per year from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. For more information about the iconic landmark, please visit www.esbnyc.com.

Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building is the “World’s Most Famous Office Building.” With new investments in infrastructure, public areas and amenities, the Empire State Building has attracted first-rate tenants in a diverse array of industries from around the world. The skyscraper’s robust broadcasting technology supports all major television and FM radio stations in the New York metropolitan market. The Empire State Building was named America’s favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. The Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world’s most beloved attractions and is the region’s #1 tourist destination.

GodTube.com, recently purchased by Salem Communications Corporation, will host a “30 Days of GodTube” campaign beginning May 2 to garner awareness, educate users and further promote its unique features.

Special promotions, contests and announcements will occur throughout May. A 10-day video scavenger hunt will begin May 2 and entries for a flash mob video contest will start May 16. Both contests will offer cash prizes. Users can also participate in an interactive Mad Lib written exclusively for GodTube.com. Full details are available at http://www.godtube.com/30days.

“This campaign will help engage our current users and educate millions of other people in a fun and interactive way,” said Lindsey Neidenfeuhr, Brand Manager for GodTube.com. “GodTube.com is as committed as ever to the original mission of offering a safe and family-friendly place to share videos.”

GodTube.com currently receives 2.5 million unique visitors and 8 million page views per month. Over 1,500 new video uploads occur every week, an average of 215 per day. Under Salem Communications Corporation in an eight-month span, since purchasing the site last summer, GodTube.com has seen visits from 228 countries. 

“GodTube.com is an alternative for anyone concerned about the vulgar and inappropriate videos available online,” said Neidenfeuhr. “Searching the same term on both GodTube.com and YouTube.com will yield completely different results. People can rest assured GodTube.com will garner videos relevant for all ages.”

GodTube.com first came on the scene in Spring 2007 and was quickly named the fastest growing website by ComScore by August. The site garnered tremendous attention, showcasing the need for family-friendly online video. In June 2010, Salem Communications Corporation purchased GodTube.com. With Salem’s knowledge, experience and proven track record of building the largest Christian websites, GodTube.com was given an extensive redesign and facelift in October 2010.

Salem Communications Corporation is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company that provides Christian and family-themed content. Salem Communications also owns Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliated radio stations and Salem Media Representatives, a national media advertising sales firm with offices across the country.  In addition to its radio broadcast business, Salem’s portfolio includes Salem Web Network and Salem Publishing.

National Sports Grill and Bar Dedicated to Using Buzztime’s Restaurant Entertainment and Marketing Platform in its 750 U.S. Restaurants

CARLSBAD, Calif. and MINNEAPOLIS (Profitable.com) NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN), the leading digital interactive restaurant and bar entertainment network, today announced its multi-year partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD), the national sports grill and bar known for its New York-style chicken wings. Buffalo Wild Wings will utilize Buzztime’s out-of-home interactive technology to enhance their Guest experience in their 750 restaurants in 45 U.S. states.

“Buffalo Wild Wings is all about providing our Guests a fun and social experience, and we pride ourselves on being their home away from home any night of the week,” commented Kathy Benning, executive vice president of Global Marketing and Brand Development for Buffalo Wild Wings. “Partnering with NTN Buzztime successfully integrates entertainment into our dining experience through the use of sports and trivia games.”

“The agreement with Buffalo Wild Wings allows us to bring additional entertainment and marketing value to their Guests and business partners,” said NTN Buzztime CEO, Michael J. Bush. “Buzztime delivers unique entertainment designed to retain customers and drive new traffic to restaurants – which is critically important in this tough economic environment. In fact, research has shown that Buzztime players spend more money and stay longer than the average customer.”

“Buzztime creates a social community within the restaurant. It’s fun to see how a tough trivia question can get friends, family, and even strangers talking,” added Brandon Jones, Midwest Regional Manager for the Mike Jones Franchise Group which just opened its 23rd Buffalo Wild Wings in December. “Buzztime provides excellent entertainment and generates a more competitive environment during our slow periods.”

For the most up-to-date information on NTN Buzztime and its restaurant and bar games, please visit www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter. For more information on Buffalo Wild Wings, please visit www.BuffaloWildWings.com.

About Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc., founded in 1982 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a growing owner, operator and franchisor of Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar™ restaurants featuring a variety of boldly flavored, made-to-order menu items including its namesake Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings. The Buffalo Wild Wings’ menu specializes in eighteen mouth-watering signature sauces and seasonings with flavor sensations ranging from Sweet BBQ™ to Blazin’®. Guests enjoy a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere that includes an extensive multi-media system for watching their favorite sporting events. Buffalo Wild Wings is the recipient of hundreds of “Best Wings” and “Best Sports Bar” awards from across the country. There are currently 750 Buffalo Wild Wings locations across 45 states.

About Buzztime

NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN) is one of the most popular interactive bar and restaurant entertainment networks. Trusted for over 25 years by restaurant, bar and pub owners, Buzztime develops trivia, card and sports games and broadcasts them on the Buzztime Network to approximately 3,900 locations throughout North America. More than 1,000,000 registered players use a blue Playmaker or their Apple iPhone® to compete in more than 4,500,000 games each month. Players spread the word and invite friends and family to their favorite Buzztime location to enjoy an evening of fun and competition or unwind from a hectic day. Buzztime ups the fun factor – turning visitors into regulars and attracting new players every day of the week. For the most up-to-date information on NTN Buzztime, please visit www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s current views of future events and operations, including but not limited to statements about numbers of locations, guests or players, success of the services including games and promotions, guest traffic, prizes, game schedules, celebrity participation, customer acceptance and use of the services, and repeat and new customers. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include the risks of unfavorable economic conditions, failure of demand for products and services, unavailability of games or celebrity participants, lack of customer acceptance or repeat interest for both products and services and the impact of competitive products, services and pricing. Please see NTN Buzztime, Inc.’s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks that may affect the Company. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements speak only as of the date hereof, and NTN Buzztime, Inc. does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

Buzztime is a registered trademark of Buzztime Entertainment, Inc. and Playmaker is a registered trademark of NTN Buzztime, Inc.

Buzztime Media Contact:
Don Williams
Williams Group Public Relations
(760) 707-4589
don@williamsgrouppr.com

Buffalo Wild Wings Media Contact:
Angie Andresen
Buffalo Wild Wings
612-573-3161
angie.andresen@fleishman.com

Shopify (www.shopify.com), the online SaaS eCommerce platform, today announced the launch of its second annual Build-A-Business contest (www.shopify.com/contest). The company is offering over $500,000 in winnings, including a $100,000 first prize, to inspire entrepreneurs to start an online business. To provide entrepreneurs with additional support, Shopify has teamed up with industry titans Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Ferriss to provide ongoing advice, education and encouragement to contestants. The concept is simple: think of something to sell, create an online store and then build your business.

The contest runs from May 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011, but participants can sign up any time as long as they’re selling for at least two months. The store with the highest grossing two months (non-consecutive) wins the grand prize, with six $20,000 prizes awarded to winners from designated categories: Apparel and Jewelry, Food and Health, Sports and Hobbies, Art and Photography, Home and Office and Other. Because of Shopify’s easy-to-use platform, previous technical or eCommerce experience is not needed.

“The prize money is significant, but don’t forget the spirit of the contest: to give a kick in the pants to all those people who have wanted to start businesses but haven’t,” said Tobi Lütke, co-founder and CEO of Shopify. “The real prize is having a business of your own at the end of the contest.”

Shopify, a company that is deeply rooted in entrepreneurial spirit, is committed to helping participants along the way by offering world-class marketing and sales tips through a special Build-A-Business website, which will offer knowledge and insight from its partners and sponsors, including Google, MailChimp and PayPal. Shopify has also built out significant prizes for the winners to help their businesses succeed long after the contest:

• Grand Prize: $100,000 cash; VIP trip to New York for lunch with Seth Godin (he’s cooking); one-hour power session with Gary Vaynerchuk; trip to Google Headquarters to chat with Google experts; and a dinner with Tim Ferriss.
• 6 Industry Prizes: $20,000 cash each; VIP trip to New York for lunch with Seth Godin (he’s cooking); $7,500 Google AdWords credit.
• Canadian Prize: $5,000 at the Apple Store; VIP trip to New York for lunch with Seth Godin (he’s cooking); $15,000 Google AdWords credit.

The winner of last year’s contest – which created nearly 1,400 businesses and generated over $3.5 million in combined revenue – was DODOcase (www.dodocase.com), a San Francisco company that makes iPad cases using traditional book-binding techniques. The founders, Patrick Buckley and Craig Dalton, are now running a company with projected annual earnings of $4-5 million.

“Our online store looks so good and works so well that our cases are flying off the shelf,” said Craig. “Without Shopify, there’s no way we would be where we are today. Shopify is our secret weapon.”

For more details on the Build-A-Business contest, including registration, please visit www.shopify.com/contest.

About Shopify

Shopify is an online SaaS eCommerce platform that allows individuals to create online stores. The platform currently hosts over 13,000 online retailers, including: Angry Birds, Amnesty International, General Electric, Tesla Motors, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, and Evisu Jeans. Shopify was founded in 2006 by two snowboarding enthusiasts who wanted to create a better way to sell their snowboards online. Shopify is located in Ottawa, Canada, and has over 60 employees. On December 12, 2010, Shopify announced the acquisition of $7 million in Series A funding from Bessemer Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital, and Felicis Ventures.

For all those who can’t wait to start dining outdoors, Sears’ extensive offerings of grills and cooking accessories have something for everyone. Dinner is an art form for true aficionados, and Sears provides all the components discriminating diners need to serve up an artfully prepared meal from the comfort of an outdoor living area. Families also like to move meals to the backyard as the weather warms, and Sears provides countless options to make it easy for moms, dads and children to enjoy their freshly cooked burgers in the comfort of their outdoor space.

Sears is always in the know on house-and-home trends, and this summer the hottest grill trend is the combo of stainless steel and color for a sleek and exciting style. The Kenmore 5-Burner Gas Grill is available in red or black, with a stainless steel lid and finishes. This grill is packed with extras that make it popular for those who really want to be able to prep the entire meal on one grill—it has an LED-lit control panel, a built-in ceramic rotisserie burner, a side burner and a slide-out tank tray.

Another popular movement is to make grilling even healthier—the Kenmore Steam & Grill is the perfect answer. Outdoor chefs will find not only a side burner but also a built-in steamer. The steamer is perfect for cooking veggies and shrimp and is a great way to take grilling to the next level while maintaining a healthy diet.

Along with the back-to-healthy craze is the back-to-basics school of grilling. Charcoal is never out of style—and in fact, hardcore grilling fans won’t settle for anything other than the smoky flavor of charcoal cooking. To address this ever-popular trend, Sears offers top-of-the-line Weber grills and combination gas/charcoal grills.

And for consumers who don’t want to wait for summer to grill, there’s the hardtop lighted grillzebo. With the convenient grillzebo, the grill chef can be “indoors” in case of rain, can store tools on shelves in the grillzebo or entertain guests at the attached bar. Plus, LED lights in each of the four posts mean never having to scramble for light when the party runs into the evening.

“Grilling is truly a great summer pastime, whether it’s whipping up a quick weekday meal or a Fourth of July bash,” said Dev Mukherjee, president, Appliances, Seasonal & Toys, Sears Holdings. “Sears is the best place to buy your grill with exclusives like our Kenmore Steam & Grill.” 

For more information about Sears’ outdoor cooking and grilling collection and to shop online, please visit www.Sears.com.

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.

Equifax (NYSE: EFX) continues to embrace mobile marketing and mobile commerce, announcing the latest version of its Equifax Mobile app for Android users.  Now, Android users can access freemium features like Equifax Places, which enables users to view credit and fraud averages by GPS location or zip code anywhere in the United States.  

Equifax monitoring product subscribers can also protect the power of their credit and identity on-the-go with real-time access to their credit file, including the ability to lock and unlock their Equifax Credit Report™.  

Equifax Mobile App Key Features:

• Equifax Places*
  • Equifax Credit Rankings™ – Credit averages such as total debt, utilization, and late payments
  • Equifax Fraud Index™ – Frequency of fraud by age, gender, income, and credit score
• Equifax Credit Report Control™ – Ability to lock and unlock your Equifax Credit Report+
• Equifax Web Detect™ – Find out if your sensitive personal information is found on suspected Internet trading sites++
• Alerts of key changes to your credit files (e.g. account balance changes, activity on dormant accounts, new account openings)

For more information about Equifax Mobile, visit www.equifax.com/mobile, or to download the free Equifax Mobile app, visit the Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.equifax.

About Equifax

Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

With a strong heritage of innovation and leadership, Equifax continuously delivers innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability. Businesses – large and small – rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and much more. We empower individual consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity, and maximize their financial well-being.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. operates in the U.S. and 14 other countries throughout North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500(R) Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.

www.equifax.com.  Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Equifax.

* Equifax Places is free to use and does not require and Equifax membership.

+ Locking your credit file with Equifax Credit Report Control will prevent access to your Equifax credit file by certain third parties, such as credit grantors or other companies and agencies. Credit Report Control will not prevent access to your credit file at any other credit reporting agency, and will not prevent access to your Equifax credit file by companies like Equifax Personal Solutions which provide you with access to your credit report or credit score or monitor your credit file; Federal, state and local government agencies; companies reviewing your application for employment; companies that have a current account or relationship with you, and collection agencies acting on behalf of those whom you owe; for fraud detection and prevention purposes; and companies that wish to make pre-approved offers of credit or insurance to you. Requires active subscription to eligible Equifax monitoring product.

++ WebDetect scans thousands of internet sites where consumers’ personal information is suspected of being bought and sold, and is constantly adding new sites to those it searches. However, the internet addresses of these suspected internet trading sites are not published and frequently change, so there is no guarantee that WebDetect is able to locate and search every possible internet site where consumers’ personal information is at risk of being traded. Requires active subscription to eligible Equifax monitoring product.

STIHL Inc., manufacturer of the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America*, launches the largest, most comprehensive national sales event in its history. By coordinating its marketing and advertising assets across the full spectrum of communication outlets nationwide, STIHL is using STIHL Dealer Days to show its continued support for its network of independent servicing dealers across the country.

The event, which runs from April 25 to June 5, features a range of STIHL consumer models aimed at the serious gardener and DIY homeowner. STIHL products are available only through independent servicing dealers.

“Our success depends on the success of our independent servicing dealers, and STIHL Dealer Days is another way to celebrate our dedicated dealers and their importance to the STIHL brand and our customers,” said Peter Burton, vice president of sales and marketing for STIHL Inc.

The coordinated promotional campaign includes a blend of multimedia across traditional and new media platforms. In addition to national network cable television spots, full-color, national newspaper ads, regional retail television, newsprint and radio, and in-store marketing, the campaign includes online banner ads, dealer microsite messaging, STIHLusa.com messaging, email marketing blasts, mobile marketing with implementation of QR codes for POP, and social media. Key messages of the national promotion highlight independent dealer services and feature value-priced products.

Working with its agencies, STIHL produced a total of 22 different versions of its television ad “Get There” for regional media buys featuring local spring season offers and Web-based calls to action at the end.

“Because STIHL dealers are independent, the coordination of such a nationwide collaborative effort celebrates the teamwork and dedication throughout the STIHL network of dealers, distributors and STIHL Inc. personnel,” stated Burton. “It’s a combination that continues to be successful for STIHL and STIHL dealers.”

This spring, check out STIHL Dealer Days at your local STIHL Dealer. For more information, visit www.stihldealers.com.

STIHL Dealer Days at participating dealers only. Specials and promotions may vary by location.

*”Number one selling brand” is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2010 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.

Small businesses, retailers and restaurateurs can get in on the group coupon craze with a new, national group coupon site called StartupBuys.com (http://www.startupbuys.com) which is launching today in all 50 states.

The site will help mom-and-pop retailers, restaurants, salons, spas, home-based businesses, professional service businesses and other small businesses who are in the launch, startup and new phases of their businesses and who need to find new customers or clients, as well as to help them find vendors who can provide the goods and services they need.

“Most other group coupon sites usually take anywhere from 50-90% of each coupon sale. We realize that it’s hard enough for a new, small business to succeed. That’s why we don’t take any portion of the proceeds from any coupon offerings by our members,” said Kerry Blackman, founder of StartupBuys.com. “Unlike other group coupon sites, we charge only a small, monthly membership fee — and the first six months are free to try out. We don’t even ask for a credit card to sign up.” To help new, small businesses get a lift, the coupons on the site are exclusively from small businesses operating for less than 4 years. Qualifying members can sell coupons from the site and all of the sales proceeds go directly into their PayPal accounts at the time of consumer purchase. They can fully track the views and sales of their coupons and see the contact information of their coupon buyers.

Another benefit of StartupBuys.com is that small businesses can find vendors and suppliers to help them run their businesses more effectively. That’s because suppliers of goods and services can offer them to the community of new, small businesses that need them.

Focusing on small, startup new businesses was a key decision in branding the company because “No business has a greater challenge and no business has a greater incentive to offer the best deals, than a new business,” said Blackman.

“It’s a complete small business survival Web-kit — a small business webpanion,” said Blackman. “Startup/new, small businesses should like us because we help them succeed. Consumers should like us because they are made aware of great discounts and bargains from these businesses who have the greatest incentive to offer them. Business suppliers should like us because we provide an exchange of goods and services platform between them and these new, small businesses. Everyone should like us because by helping startup/new, small businesses succeed, they in turn create jobs, spend, invest and borrow money, and help the local, state and US economy — a win-win all the way around.”

StartupBuys.com is a promotional, sourcing and business networking website for business startups, new, small businesses, their future customers and suppliers.

StartupBuys.com offers these key, unique features that competitors don’t:

• New small businesses can post as well as sell group and other coupons to acquire new business for their restaurants, spas, retail stores or professional services. StartupBuys does not take any portion of the proceeds which all go directly from the coupon purchaser to the merchant.
• New small business can acquire trusted business suppliers. Any business member, whether a startup/new small business or a supplier to them, which does not have to be new or small, can offer their goods or services to each other through the sites’ B2B Sourcing section, where new small businesses can find the products and services they need to grow their businesses.
• A nationwide directory for public viewing of just startup/new, small businesses by professional category and location. Included in the directory whose member pages can be viewed only by Premium business members, are listings of “Suppliers to Startups” that either have been operating for 4 or more years and/or that have 100 or more employees.
• Consumers can get coupons on the best deals from startup/new, small businesses.

Startup businesses also benefit from these unique features:

• Post their business sourcing needs and offerings to each other.
• Use a forum to connect, network, form groups, participate in Q&A and otherwise communicate with each other and suppliers to them, for advice, sharing of know-how, experiences and information.
• Post relevant business events to promote their businesses.
• Post jobs for workers they need.

“One of the best places to get great deals on things you want and/or need is from the offerings from new businesses on StartupBuys.com,” Blackman said.

About StartupBuys.com

Kerry Mark Blackman, founder & CEO, has practiced law for prominent companies in the entertainment, international and banking fields. For more information, go to http://www.StartupBuys.com.

The search power of Realtor.com is now available on the iPad at http://www.realtor.com/mobile/iPad. Launched today by Move, Inc., (NASDAQ: MOVE), the leader in online real estate, the Realtor.com iPad app is the only real estate search app delivering everything from listings with maps and GPS directions to personalization tools that keep users organized and connected when searching across country or across town. Realtor.com mobile apps are also the only real estate search apps with access to Realtor.com, the largest and most accurate collection of online property listings, with more than 80 percent of all property listings updated every 15 minutes.

Today, 10 properties are viewed every second on a Realtor.com mobile app, including the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7, and now iPad at http://www.realtor.com/mobile. Realtor.com mobile apps have been downloaded 3.6 million times and active users have increased by 79 percent in four months.  

“With a Realtor.com mobile app, there’s no waiting or wondering anymore if a property is on or off the market, how much it costs, or if it will fit your needs,” said Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer of Move, Inc., operator of Realtor.com. “Mobile is changing the way people buy and sell homes and our iPad app opens up real estate to millions of people with an amazing visual search experience. It combines mobile’s instant gratification and investigative component that everyone loves with Move’s search technology. We’re very excited to expand our mobile offerings and deliver the power of Realtor.com to millions of iPad users.”

Finding the ideal home among the millions of properties on Realtor.com is fast, easy and fun with the Realtor.com iPad app:

• Draw Your Own Search Boundaries anywhere in the U.S. with Area Highlighter. It’s fast and allows for hyper-local searches down to street levels. Tap the Show More Listings button, and more properties instantly populate the map. Use the iPad’s finger controls to slide, pinch, zoom and pan through a map to drill down into a neighborhood or particular street.  
• Personalize your experience by rating properties and saving personal notes on each home for later reference or to share with an agent via email. Sort, refine or filter your search results according to what’s important to you – price, distance, square footage, etc. Create new searches for homes or open houses nationwide or nearby based on your location, MLS ID number, or by city, state, or street name. Tap My Real Estate to instantly access My Listings, My Saved Searches, or My Recent Searches.
• Stay Connected with an agent from each listing detail page via email with questions or to schedule a tour. Store their contact details within the app so it’s easier to send notes, comments and ratings about properties to your agent. Keep friends and family connected to your house hunting adventure by sharing favorite properties via email, Facebook and Twitter.

“The Realtor.com iPad app gives buyers and agents everything they need when they need it most to work together successfully in finding properties,” said Realtor.com President, Errol Samuelson. “In the past year, Realtor.com mobile apps have contributed to a 240 percent increase in consumer outreach to local agents, and open house views have increased by 459 percent in just four months. Even more exciting, in-app communication between agents and consumers (1) has increased by 148 percent since December. We’re very excited with the fast adoption of Realtor.com mobile apps by agents and consumers. We expect these numbers will only improve with the launch of our iPad app because it includes so many easy-to-use interactive features that encourage collaboration between agents and consumers.”

The Realtor.com iPad app offers other notable features including:

• Easy-to-Use results feed directly from Realtor.com to a pull down menu that floats over a map with property pins or in a magazine-style gallery view with bold photos. Switching between views and three mapping options is easy, and diving into a listing’s detail page for open house dates, property details, large photos, agent contact details, map’s with GPS-based directions, and share buttons requires one touch. Scroll through the helpful search tips on the homepage.
• Self-Contained Listing Detail Pages feature maps enabling users to view properties on a street or satellite view and scan the neighborhood for items of interest. With one touch, quickly enter the information into your personal notes field saving notes on why a listing has great appeal, such as proximity to a local park or hiking trail. There’s no need to exit the app for directions, maps, or for property details.
• Remain Organized by using the visual ‘Check marks’ that appear on map-based property pins, the pull down menu and gallery view to track previously viewed properties. Buyers can also add open house events to their calendar, and save favorite listings or frequently used searches to their Realtor.com account for later use.

Realtor.com 2.0 iPhone App Also Announced

Today, Realtor.com also announced the availability of key updates to the app compatible with the iPhone iOS 4.0, including a new home screen with grouped features and easier access to recent searches, Area Highlighter and Area Scout. In addition, a “My Real Estate” screen has been added that includes Saved Listings, Saved Searches, Recently Viewed Listings and Recent Searches. A simplified location selection in Search mode and a more prominent Search button on the search screen are also now available. A new Viewed indicator on the list and map views displays once a user has looked at a Listing Detail Page, while an “in-page” send and share option have been added to the iPhone iOS 4.0 search experience.

The free Realtor.com Real Estate iPad app is compatible with iPad iOS 4.0 or higher and can be downloaded at itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-estate-search/id336698281?mt=8# or by going to http://www.realtor.com/mobile/iPad. Additional photos and short videos on key features can be found at: http://www.realtor.com/mobile

ABOUT MOVE, INC.

Move, Inc. (Nasdaq: MOVE) is the leader in online real estate with 14.5 (2) million monthly visitors to its online network of web sites. Move, Inc. operates: Move.com, a leading destination for information on new homes and rental listings, moving, home and garden and home finance; Realtor.com(R), the official web site of the National Association of Realtors(R); Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet; Top Producer Systems, and ListHub. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.

ABOUT REALTOR.COM®

Realtor.com®, where the world shops for real estate online, is operated by Move, Inc., (NASDAQ: MOVE) and is the official web site of the National Association of Realtors®. Ranked as the #1 homes-for-sale site, Realtor.com® currently offers potential home buyers access to over four million property listings, as well as the most brokers and agents. It also provides Realtors® and the home sellers they represent with the Internet’s largest real estate marketplace, reaching more than 12.7 (2) million consumers in March 2011. Agents and companies have the power to customize Realtor.com® resources to maximize their brand and productivity.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Move’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Move’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Amazon today announced Kindle Library Lending, a new feature launching later this year that will allow Kindle customers to borrow Kindle books from over 11,000 libraries in the United States. Kindle Library Lending will be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps.

“We’re excited that millions of Kindle customers will be able to borrow Kindle books from their local libraries,” said Jay Marine, Director, Amazon Kindle. “Customers tell us they love Kindle for its Pearl e-ink display that is easy to read even in bright sunlight, up to a month of battery life, and Whispersync technology that synchronizes notes, highlights and last page read between their Kindle and free Kindle apps.”

Customers will be able to check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on any Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone. If a Kindle book is checked out again or that book is purchased from Amazon, all of a customer’s annotations and bookmarks will be preserved.

“We’re doing a little something extra here,” Marine continued. “Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we’re extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced.”

With Kindle Library Lending, customers can take advantage of all of the unique features of Kindle and Kindle books, including:

• Paper-like Pearl electronic-ink display
• No glare even in bright sunlight
• Lighter than a paperback – weighs just 8.5 ounces and holds up to 3,500 books
• Up to one month of battery life with wireless off
• Read everywhere with free Kindle apps for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry and Windows Phone
• Whispersync technology wirelessly sync your books, notes, highlights, and last page read across Kindle and free Kindle reading apps
• Real Page Numbers – easily reference passages with page numbers that correspond to actual print editions

Amazon is working with OverDrive, the leading provider of digital content solutions for over 11,000 public and educational libraries in the United States, to bring a seamless library borrowing experience to Kindle customers. “We are excited to be working with Amazon to offer Kindle Library Lending to the millions of customers who read on Kindle and Kindle apps,” said Steve Potash, CEO, OverDrive. “We hear librarians and patrons rave about Kindle, so we are thrilled that we can be part of bringing library books to the unparalleled experience of reading on Kindle.”

Kindle Library Lending will be available later this year for Kindle and free Kindle app users. To learn more about Kindle go to www.amazon.com/kindle.

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 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 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management’s expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com’s financial results is included in Amazon.com’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

The Special K® brand is releasing its first-ever book, “The Special K Challenge™ & Beyond,” to provide weight managers with additional guidance as they participate in the Special K Challenge™.  Featuring more than 100 recipes, as well as fitness and nutrition tips, the book helps women stay on track to meet their weight management goals.  

The Special K Challenge™ takes the guesswork out of weight management by allowing participants to replace two meals a day with select Special K® products along with two snacks and a sensible third meal. “The Special K Challenge™ & Beyond” addresses the need for sensible options for the third meal of the day, with delicious recipes that you can enjoy beyond the Challenge.

“The Special K brand recognized the need to help simplify the promise of the Special K Challenge for consumers and offer meal ideas for the third meal of the day and beyond the two-weeks of the Challenge,” said Katherine Brooking, RD and author of the foreword in “The Special K Challenge™ & Beyond” book. “The book offers recipe ideas, along with supportive information for a healthy lifestyle.”

“The Special K Challenge™ & Beyond” includes an array of recipe categories, including vegetarian, seafood, and meat main dishes, as well as appetizers and soups, side dishes and desserts, including the following:

• Spinach Feta Frittata: This Italian omelet is loaded with fresh spinach and topped with feta cheese, making it wonderful for weekend mornings or a casual weeknight supper.
• Crispy Baked Crab Cakes with Spicy Remoulade: Old-fashioned crab cakes take a healthy turn when coated with Special K® cereal and baked instead of fried. The bold sauce is a light version of the traditional accompaniment.
• Lemon-Pepper Salmon: Good-quality fresh salmon fillets are so delicious on their own that you can season them very simply. Here, a widely available seasoning blend adds bright, citrusy flavors.
• Sugar and Spice Chews: Each of these low-fat cookies made with Special K® Red Berries cereal is so packed with great texture and flavor that two of them make a satisfying serving.

Published by Weldon Owen Publishing and created under the guidance of dietitians, the new book rounds out the promise of the Special K Challenge™ with a complete guide to weight management, including fitness and nutrition tips, as well as recipes for all parts of the day.  

“The Special K Challenge™ & Beyond” will be available online and nationwide at all major retailers and bookstores beginning April 2011, with a suggested retail price of $16.99. The gift-with-purchase preview edition of the book is free with the purchase of three select Kellogg’s products. Visit www.specialk.com for more information on the Special K Challenge™ or Special K® products.

The Special K Challenge™

Make Special K® products your all-day weight-management partner, and enjoy a variety of meal and snack options with the Special K Challenge™ – a simple, great-tasting way to lose up to six pounds in two weeks(1). Replace two meals a day with any of the delicious varieties of Special K® cereal(2), Protein Shakes, or Protein Meal Bars, and snack on any of the great Special K® snacks twice a day, including Protein Snack Bars, Cereal Bars, Special K® Fruit Crisps, Crackers, Cracker Chips or Protein Water Mixes. Enjoy as many fruits and veggies as you like throughout the day, and eat one sensible meal of your choice each day, such as those included in “The Special K Challenge™ & Beyond” book. Drink beverages as you normally do.

About Kellogg Company

For more than 100 years, consumers have counted on Kellogg for great-tasting, high-quality and nutritious foods. Kellogg Company, with 2010 sales of more than $12 billion, is the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles and veggie foods. Kellogg Company’s beloved brands, which are manufactured in 18 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries, include Kellogg’s®, Keebler®, Pop-Tarts®, Eggo®, Cheez-It®, All-Bran®, Mini-Wheats®, Nutri-Grain®, Rice Krispies®, Special K®, Chips Deluxe®, Famous Amos®, Sandies®, Austin®, Club®, Murray®, Kashi®, Bear Naked®, Morningstar Farm®, Gardenburger® and Stretch Island®. For more information on the Kellogg Company, including our corporate responsibility initiatives, visit www.kelloggcompany.com.

(1) Consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program. Average weight-loss when replacing meals with two cereal meals is 4.8 pounds. Weight loss may vary.

(2) When selecting Special K® Low Fat Granola cereal, choose either 2/3 cup of skim milk or fruit.

On Monday at 11:50 pm EDT, the U.S. tax filing deadline passed and estimates show that over 16 percent of Americans will fail to file their 2010 federal tax returns, report their full income or pay their full 2010 tax liability, costing the federal government upwards of $490 billion in revenue for the 2010 tax year.

“During a time of contentious fiscal debate in Washington, D.C. over the mounting deficit and needed funding for our country, it is not only the legal obligation of taxpayers but perhaps their most important patriotic duty to pay the IRS the money they legally owe,” said Patrick Cox, CEO of TaxMasters, the leading tax compliance and repayment services provider in the nation.

Cox adds, “Although tax filing can be a stressful and time consuming process, taxpayers need to remember that their returns support our soldiers fighting overseas, pay for police and fire programs in our communities, and provide us with the clean water and utilities we often take for granted. By choosing not to pay taxes and comply with IRS guidelines, these free riders are costing us all.”

TaxMasters advises those who have missed the April 18th deadline to contact a local CPA or tax representative to help prepare your returns and promptly file with the correct deductions and statements, in order to help avoid any further penalties or interest. If you have not filed in three or more years, or are being contacted directly by an IRS collection agency for significant amounts owed, it’s in your best interest to seek professional help from a tax representation firm.

“If you choose to take on the IRS independently, they will assume you know all of your options and hold you accountable for whatever you agree to. A tax representative can ask the questions and execute on options you might not be aware of,” says Cox. “The best strategy is to get your files in order months before the filing deadline and stay in compliance with the IRS, to help not only your own financial future, but the well being of the country.”

About TaxMasters, Inc.

TaxMasters, Inc. (OTCBB: TAXS) is the first publicly traded tax representation firm in the United States. Started by Patrick R. Cox in 2001, TaxMasters offers a full suite of compliance and repayment services to taxpayers across the country facing seemingly insurmountable tax problems and substantial federal tax debt. Tax services from TaxMasters include IRS consultations, tax return preparation, settlement analysis, and assistance with IRS automated collections, Revenue Officer involvement and collection due process.

Employing over 300 people, TaxMasters leverages the expertise of ex-IRS agents, enrolled agents, attorneys, CPAs, and seasoned consultants ready to counsel and assist the US taxpayer with their specific tax problems today. TaxMasters is not a law firm or a CPA firm.

For more information about TaxMasters, Inc. and its commitment to help taxpayers in the United States solve tax problems, please visit www.txmstr.com.

Follow TaxMasters on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gotaxmasters.

Visit TaxMasters’ blog at http://www.txmstr.com/blog/

Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in this release (often identified by such words as “believes,” “expects,” “beginning,” “intended,” “planned”) regarding future expectations, objectives, and plans for TaxMasters, Inc. are based on opinions and estimates of management at the time the statement was made. Various known and unknown factors may cause actual results to be materially different from the expected outcomes. TaxMasters, Inc. does not, as a matter of policy, update or revise forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially.

A new study from CareerBuilder shows the playground isn’t the only place one will encounter bullies.  Twenty-seven percent of workers reported they have felt bullied in the workplace with the majority neither confronting nor reporting the bully.  Comparing genders and age groups, the segments that were more likely than others to report feeling bullied were women, workers age 55 or older, and workers age 24 or younger.  The study was conducted from February 21 to March 10, 2011 and included more than 5,600 full-time workers nationwide.

Women reported a higher incidence of being treated unfairly at the office.  One-third (34 percent) of women said they have felt bullied in the workplace compared to 22 percent of men.

Looking at age, 29 percent of workers age 55 or older and 29 percent of workers age 24 or younger reported they had been bullied on the job, the highest among age groups.  Workers age 35 to 44 were the least likely to report feeling bullied at 25 percent.

The most common culprit is typically the boss, according to the survey.  Fourteen percent of workers felt bullied by their immediate supervisor while 11 percent felt bullied by a co-worker.  Seven percent said the bully was not their boss, but someone else higher up in the organization while another 7 percent said the bully was their customer.

Bullying can come in a variety of forms.  When asked to describe how they were bullied, workers pointed to the following examples:

• My comments were dismissed or not acknowledged – 43 percent
• I was falsely accused of mistakes I didn’t make – 40 percent
• I was harshly criticized – 38 percent
• I was forced into doing work that really wasn’t my job – 38 percent
• Different standards and policies were used for me than other workers – 37 percent
• I was given mean looks – 31 percent
• Others gossiped about me – 27 percent
• My boss yelled at me in front of other co-workers – 24 percent
• Belittling comments were made about my work during meetings – 23 percent
• Someone else stole credit for my work – 21 percent

“Bullying is a serious offense that can disrupt the work environment, impact morale and lower productivity,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources.  ”If you are feeling bullied, keep track of what was said or done and who was present.  The more specifics you can provide, the stronger the case you can make for yourself when confronting the bully head on or reporting the bully to a company authority.”

Confronting and Reporting the Bully

Although bullies can be intimidating, nearly half of workers (47 percent) said they confronted the bully about his/her actions.  Of these workers, 43 percent said the bullying stopped, 13 percent reported the bullying became worse while 44 percent said the bullying stayed the same.

Nearly three-in-ten workers (28 percent) took their concerns to a higher authority and reported the bully to their Human Resources department.  While 38 percent of these workers stated that measures were taken to investigate and resolve the situation, the majority of workers (62 percent) said no action was taken.  Of those who didn’t report the bully, one-in-five (21 percent) said it was because they feared the bullying would escalate.

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder among 5,671 U.S. workers (employed full-time; not self-employed; non government); ages 18 and over between February 21 and March 10, 2011 (percentages for some questions are based on a subset of U.S. Employees, based on their responses to certain questions). With a pure probability sample of 5,671, one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 1.30 percentage points. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.

About CareerBuilder®

CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset – their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 24 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 40 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world’s top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis to recruitment support. More than 9,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder’s proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com

CARLSBAD, Calif.  (Profitable.com)  NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN), a leading social entertainment and integrated marketing platform for bars and restaurants, announced the launch of  Buzztime Shorts, 30- to 60-second mini trivia games or polls, into the thousands of locations that carry Buzztime bar games.  By expanding its unique set of integrated entertainment and consumer marketing tools, Buzztime improves its ability to gain additional customer insights for itself and its promotional partners, send targeted emails based on consumer interest, and keep guests engaged longer because Buzztime Shorts air between Buzztime’s games.

Specifically, Buzztime Shorts provides partners and sponsors with an unprecedented way to increase awareness of their product or service through fun, interactive, onscreen messaging.  Based on the responses to the Buzztime Short questions, promotional partners are then able to send targeted email communications to interested consumers.   

Recently, Buzztime Shorts provided a major motion picture studio with a unique way to connect with their targeted demographic – making consumers much more likely to take action and attend their movies.  By promoting their movies through Buzztime’s mini trivia games, they were able to expand beyond simple impressions to a highly interactive, engaged experience with hundreds of thousands of consumers in bars and restaurants across North America.

“Buzztime Shorts is a valuable addition for our players, bars and restaurants and sponsor partners,” commented Michael J. Bush, President and CEO, NTN Buzztime, Inc.  “Buzztime Shorts captures data and information that large chains and sponsor partners can use for direct consumer communications via targeted emails.  This is a great way to transform entertainment, using interactive ‘mini’ 30- and 60-second trivia games and polls, into a unique and highly valuable marketing asset.”

Buzztime Shorts polls are fully customizable to help Buzztime and its partners collect valuable marketing information from consumers. In fact, Buzztime Shorts can be thought of as an onscreen, interactive version of an advertorial as the content looks and behaves like the company’s regular programming, making it more likely that the customer will engage with Buzztime Shorts as they would any other game.

Additionally, Buzztime Shorts cross-promotes full length Buzztime games by providing a 3-question sample so players get a feel for a game they may not have played before.  Buzztime Shorts will also enable the company to test bar game concepts prior to creating full-length versions of the game.

Buzztime employs its network of bars and restaurants to strategically reach targeted audiences in a unique way. Additionally, Buzztime engages more than 1,500,000 players who participate in 50,000,000 bar trivia, cards and sports games each year on its network.

Buzztime provides clients with branded sports and interactive bar games that align with the brands’ marketing campaigns; live hosted trivia tournaments throughout the United States; and direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives through Buzztime’s social networking and targeted e-mail marketing campaigns.

About Buzztime

NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN) is a leading bar and restaurant social entertainment and integrated marketing platform. Trusted by 3,900 bars and restaurants in North America since 1985, Buzztime integrates trivia, card and sports games with in- and out-of-venue messaging and communication tools.  With over 1,500,000 registered consumers and more than 50,000,000 games played each year, Buzztime players spread the word and invite friends and family to their favorite Buzztime location to enjoy an evening of fun and competition.   With Buzztime entertainment and marketing solutions, bars and restaurants attract new customers, turn casual visitors into regulars, and give guests a reason to stay longer.  For the most up-to-date information on NTN Buzztime, please visit www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s current views of future events and operations, including but not limited to statements about game offerings and content, expanded offerings, customer insights and engagement, market and audience reach, number of locations, and player participation. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include the risks of adverse economic conditions, failure of customer and/or player demand, lower market acceptance or appeal of both existing and new products and services by particular demographic groups or audiences as a whole, termination of partnership and contractual relationships and the impact of competitive products and pricing. Please see NTN Buzztime, Inc.’s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks that may affect the Company. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements speak only as of the date hereof, and NTN Buzztime, Inc. does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Don Williams
Williams Group Public Relations
760-707-4589
don@williamsgrouppr.com

According to a new study released today by Arc Worldwide, Leo Burnett’s marketing services arm, 50 percent of Americans use a mobile device to navigate their fast-paced, sporadic shopping journey. Whether it’s comparing prices of TVs, ordering a morning latte or reading restaurant reviews – mobile shopping has become a way of life for Americans. This trend is quickly and decisively changing the traditional shopping journey and leaving companies with a serious ultimatum: deliver valuable mobile experiences or risk losing customers.

“Mobile shopping has created multiple paths to purchase,” said William Rosen, president and chief creative officer of Arc Worldwide. “It has completely transformed the way people research and purchase products. Companies looking to crack the ‘mobile code’ must understand shoppers’ unique demands by category and shopper type, which we have carefully explored in this study.”

The study – “Marketing to the Mobile Shopper” – identified five key findings companies should note when implementing mobile shopping strategies:

1) MOBILE SHOPPING IS A LOVE, HATE RELATIONSHIP. Today’s mobile shoppers are split into two groups – heavy and light shoppers. “Heavies” are forever attached to their mobile device and love experimenting with new apps. “Lights” are just the opposite, viewing their mobile as an inferior “on-the-go” version of their computer, doing basic mobile shopping activities including, looking up store hours and locations.

“While the majority of recent retail and brand mobile efforts have focused on the needs of heavy mobile shoppers, we learned this group is actually quite small – about 11 percent of mobile phone owners,” said Molly Garris, Digital Strategy Manager of Arc Worldwide. “There’s a new group of phone owners, light mobile shoppers, whose needs are not being met. Brands often ask me if they should build a mobile website or mobile app. With these very different types of mobile shoppers, the answer is both!”

Light shoppers are the future of mobile shopping and with time will become more familiar with their mobile device evolving into heavy mobile shoppers. When this evolution takes place, the mobile shopping population will increase by 50 percent. Moral of the story: engaging lights earlier, with simple solutions, will lead to customer loyalty in the future.

2) A NEW CAR PURCHASE? LOOKING TO SHAKE UP YOUR MORNING LATTE ORDER? YOUR MOBILE CAN HELP YOU DO BOTH. Shopping for big ticket items – once pursued with tireless research and planning – is now being treated casually as people rely on their mobile to do “the work.” In contrast, simple tasks like buying your morning coffee now receive careful consideration due to expansive mobile apps allowing customized interactions and experiences. Depending on the product, be prepared to satisfy shoppers by offering mobile shopping experiences that touch both ends of the spectrum.

3) MALLRATS OF YESTERDAY ARE TODAY’S “GOT A MINUTE” MOBILE SHOPPERS. Americans want a spontaneous and fluid mobile shopping experience. Waiting to pick the kids after school? Do some “bite-size” shopping and grab the latest Groupon. Sitting in the doctor’s office? Enjoy some “downtime” shopping and browse the local department store’s circular. On the go all day? Go for “always” shopping and check that eBay bid. To meet consumer’s needs, marketers need to create relevant mobile interactions that are in tune with their audiences’ day-to-day lives.

4) INSTANT GRATIFICATION IS KING. Today’s mobile shopper searches for a new outfit, orders take-out and scoops up the latest Lady Gaga album with just a few taps on their mobile. To succeed in this fast-paced landscape, companies must provide value-add mobile apps and websites. To reach all types of mobile shoppers, companies should activate both mobile on the go and mobile in-store interactions.

5) MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS UNITE! Work together to create a one-stop-shop for mobile shoppers to collect discounts, view product specifications and inventory status. This comprehensive experience pulls shoppers through the purchase and may encourage a similar transaction process in the future.

“Mobile gives companies the power to market in a way that no channel ever has before by uniting the power of digital, promotion, retail and database marketing,” said Rosen. “From researching and browsing, to buying and recommending, shoppers expect meaningful and useful mobile shopping experiences. The stakes are only getting higher as more and more shopping moves onto mobile.”

To view the complete findings from the study, “Marketing to the Mobile Shopper” please visit, http://leolens.leoburnett.com/index.php/2011/03/marketing-to-the-mobile-shopper/ and click “download the whitepaper.”

Leo Burnett/Arc Worldwide “Marketing to the Mobile Shopper” Methodology

In December 2010, Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide conducted a nationwide quantitative survey interviewing 1,800 U.S. mobile phone owners. In addition, a smaller qualitative research study was fielded with 30 mobile shoppers. The respondents used webcams and flip video to capture their mobile shopping experiences.

About Leo Burnett Company, Inc.

Leo Burnett Worldwide is one of the world’s largest agency networks and the parent company of Leo Burnett and its marketing services arm, Arc Worldwide. Leo Burnett, a HumanKind communications company, has a simple and singular approach: put a brand’s purpose at the center of communications to truly connect with people. Leo Burnett, one of the most awarded creative communications companies in the world, creates “Acts, not just Ads,” for some of the world’s most valuable brands including The Coca-Cola Company, Kellogg, McDonald’s, Hallmark, P&G, Allstate and Nintendo.

About Arc Worldwide

Arc Worldwide is the global marketing services company of the Leo Burnett Group specializing in cross-channel activation. With expertise in digital, direct, promotion and shopper/retail marketing, Arc develops creative solutions that measurably impact behavior on behalf of the world’s leading marketers – including McDonald’s, The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, MillerCoors and many others.

The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 15th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including automobile web sites, based on the seven criteria of a successful Web site. The deadline for automobile websites to enter to be judged is May 27, 2011.

“The automobile industry is one of the most competitive when it comes to Web development and companies can benefit from the independent evaluation of their online efforts,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “The automotive industry is one of the few that have beaten the overall scores in Web development all ten years. They were one of the first to understand the importance of integrating the Internet and technology into their business strategy. They understand that consumers now usually go online before they walk in to the showroom.”

Web sites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward’s professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the automotive category will also receive:

• Handsome statue or certificate of achievement
• Increased visibility for their company
• Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
• Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
• A highlight for your resume.
• Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers

Each year the Web Marketing Association names the Best Automobile Website based on the scores submitted by the competition judges. Recent winners of the Best Automobile Web site include:

2010 – Lexus for Vida lexus
2009 – 9 Dotglu for BMW M Microsite
2008 – Euro 4D for Inspired by nature
2007 – Zugara for Toyota PitPass
2006 – Nobox Marketing Group for Una Noche IS
2005 – Arnold Worldwide for Volkswagen 2005 re-design
2004 – Arc Worldwide for Toyota Scion
2003 – Global Beach Group for The All-New XJ online campaign
2002 – Critical Mass & Mercedes-Benz USA for MBUSA.com

A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2011 honors can be found at the Best Automobile Web site page

There is one significant change in this year’s WebAwards. The much coveted Top Agency WebAward is given to the organization who wins the most total WebAwards in a single competition. However each year many agencies win multiple awards and deserve additional recognition. This year, we will recognize each organization that wins 10 or more WebAwards with an Outstanding Interactive Developer trophy.

Participants can improve their chances on winning a WebAward by checking out the Web Marketing Association Facebook Page and becoming a fan of the page.  The Web Marketing Association will be providing hints and tips on how to improve your chances on winning a top award throughout April and May.

The 2011 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences,  Internet World UK, SES Conference, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine.

About the WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association’s 15th annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industries by evaluating Web sites based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The WebAwards recognizes the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective Websites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Website assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.webaward.org.

Hotels.com offers travelers the opportunity to hop on Easter hotel deals perfect for holiday getaways this season with its Easter Sale.  Visiting family is a piece of cake with up to 30% savings through April 24, 2011, for travel between April 21 and April 26, 2011. Hotels.com has a destination fitting for every traveler’s needs, from Myrtle Beach, S.C. to California. As always, hotels.com offers a Price Match Guarantee, to ensure travelers receive the best deal possible.  

“The hotels.com Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®) recently reported that hotel prices are slowly rising,” said Taylor L. Cole, APR, director of public relations and social media for hotels.com. “We know that good deals are still out there, and we are always looking for an opportunity to sweeten a sale for our customers. With our Easter Sale, travelers have the opportunity to save up to 30% during one of the most highly traveled times of the year.”

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Hotels

As travelers continue to look to escape the harsh winter weather, southern domestic destinations are beginning to warm up and are the perfect long weekend getaway. Myrtle Beach’s golf courses offer the perfect atmosphere for egg hunts and for Dad to get in a few rounds of golf.  Hotels.com customers can save 25% at Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, which has two golf courses on property.  The four-star property, close to The Carolina Opry and Dunes Golf and Beach Club is a luxurious bargain at just $112 per night. For even bigger savings, the Patricia Grand Resort Hotel by Oceana Resorts is offering 33% off on bookings of three nights or more.  This beach-front resort is family-friendly with a 150-foot lazy river and kiddie pool, while offering close proximity to Broadway at the Beach and the Coastal Grand Mall. Room rates start at $53 per night.

Santa Barbara, California Hotels

For travelers looking for a west coast escape, Santa Barbara’s Best Western Carpenteria Inn offers a three-star experience for a bargain, with a savings of 15%. Santa Barbara’s most famous historic landmark, Mission Santa Barbara, offers a perfect example of the incredible Spanish architecture dotted throughout the city, and State Street houses the city center’s entertainment activities, with museums, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. With the beach and the Santa Barbara Zoo nearby, sightings of the Easter Bunny are nearly guaranteed.  Room rates start at $70 per night.

All deals are subject to availability. To book your hotel room, visit www.hotels.com or call 1-800-2-hotels.

Best Western is giving its loyalty program members a down payment on their summer vacations. Now through June 5, Best Western Rewards members who register for the promotion and stay with Best Western three separate times will earn a $50 USD Best Western Travel Card®, which can be used like cash at any of the chain’s 4,000 global hotels until November 1, 2011.

In addition, Best Western Rewards members who qualify for the promotion and stay with at least two separate descriptor hotels (BEST WESTERN® and/or BEST WESTERN PLUS®, and/or BEST WESTERN PREMIER®), will be automatically entered in the brand’s biggest-ever points giveaway and one of the biggest-ever one-time points prize giveaways by any hotel company:  The grand prize is 6.5 million Best Western Rewards points – the equivalent of more than a year of free hotel stays. Five second-place winners will receive a $650 Best Western Travel Card. All who register for the promotion will be entered into a daily drawing for a $65 Best Western Travel Card.

“We know families want to hit the road this summer, and our $50 Travel Card award is a way to make  that a little easier to do so,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales. “And because we’re celebrating our 65th birthday – 65 years of being travelers’ home away from home – we’re also going to gift a loyal guest with the biggest points prize we’ve ever awarded.”

In addition to the Travel Card, Best Western is layering on a 6,500-point bonus for those who pay for each of their three qualified stays with the Best Western Rewards MasterCard®. Both bonus awards are capped at one bonus per Best Western Rewards member.

Register for the promotion at www.bestwestern.com/jump.  

Best Western Rewards is one of the industry’s most generous rewards programs and one of few that is truly international. With more than 4,000 locations in 90 countries, Best Western makes it easy for members to earn points that can be redeemed for global free room nights with no blackout dates, dining, shopping and entertainment gift cards, gas cards, airline rewards and more. Best Western’s Status Match…No Catch ® program will match members’ elite status in any other hotel loyalty program free of charge. Rewards program members can book their award nights and purchase travel at www.bestwestern.com.

About Best Western International, Inc.

Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD’S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY(SM), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in 90* countries and territories worldwide. Each Best Western-branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Now celebrating 65 years of hospitality, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western has embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world’s biggest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA/CAA, Michael Waltrip Racing™ and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

More than 64 percent of small business owners polled say revenue is down as a result of increased gas prices and more than a quarter of those polled say they will have to lay off employees, according to a survey conducted on DollarDays.com.

DollarDays International, a subsidiary of American Suppliers, Inc. (AASL.PK) is a premier Internet-based product wholesaler to small businesses and local distributors.  The poll was featured on www.DollarDays.com. The company frequently polls its customers about topical issues as it relates to small businesses.

According to the results, 64 percent says revenue has decreased as gas prices have increased and 58 percent say their customers are driving less which means fewer shopping excursions and they say they expect it to worsen with the upcoming summer months.

“Unfortunately, this is what we expected from this poll,” says Marc Joseph, president and CEO of DollarDays. “With the recession and increasing fuel and food prices, being a successful small business owner is incredibly tough.”

However, according to Joseph, as fuel prices increase so does online shopping. As a result, one of DollarDays’ programs is helping their customers to create robust online stores to supplement their neighborhood stores.

“The Internet is a life line for small business,” says Joseph. “Just because a small business has a website, it doesn’t mean it has a shopping function or the right products. We offer our clients a one-stop-shop for opening an online store including the technology, products and consultants to help in both online and neighborhood stores. We want small business to succeed and if people aren’t driving to them, it’s imperative for small businesses to reach customers another way.”

Joseph suggests that a recent report from Reis Inc., a real estate research company emphasizes the desperation small businesses face.  According to the report strip malls and other neighborhood shopping centers, typically home to small businesses, have a higher vacancy rate when compared to malls. In fact, Reid predicts the vacancy rate is expected to top 11.1 percent later this year, up from 10.9 percent making it the highest level since 1990.

“Gas prices are expected to continue to rise and we’re headed in to the summer and hurricane months where prices typically increase so it’s no wonder there’s not much optimism. It’s a scary time.”

Survey results include:

• Only 10 percent of small business owners are offering financial supplements to help their employees as a result of increased gas prices;
• 57 percent of small business owners expect a decrease in tourism over the next three months; while 26 percent don’t expect a change and 15 percent expect an increase;
• 67 percent of small business owners have changed their personal travel plans as a result of higher gas prices.

Joseph says online stores are a great way for small businesses to expand sales beyond their neighborhood and at this point he says, “the only loss is in not trying.”

DollarDays is the premiere online wholesale distributor and closeout company that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs to compete against larger enterprises. Small business owners can find great deals on small business-sized orders for more than 140,000 consumer products, from toys and household decor to apparel, electronics and seasonal merchandise.  Due to its innovative business model, DollarDays prices are not only often far below those which most small business are accustomed to, but the offerings include many name-brand products as well as rock-bottom pricing on overstocked and closeout items. DollarDays’ prices are among the lowest available to small businesses.  Membership is free and any small business is eligible to shop at www.dollardays.com.

British style has hit a fever pitch and Kate Middleton is at the forefront of all that’s chic … and more importantly, off-price.  And, as the Royal Wedding nears, it’s the perfect time to adopt some of the finer points of British style, just like Kate.  By shopping off-price at T.J.Maxx and Marshalls, modern day fashionistas can live the fairytale for a fraction of the price!

Shop like Kate: The soon to be Princess knows how to snag a deal.  A frequenter of T.K.Maxx (the British counterpart of T.J.Maxx), Kate knows where to find quality, designer goods for a fraction of the price of other retailers.  She can even find her favorites like tea and biscuits, stationery and more.

Dress for the Occasion: Kate knows when to dress down … and when to dress up!  For everyday casual, she pairs jeans with chic blazers, adding accessories like scarves, earrings and necklaces to get the look right.  For more formal occasions, Kate pairs a well structured jacket in a bright color with a sophisticated skirt of appropriate length. By shopping smartly, Kate finds them on-trend and off-price!

Select a tasteful topper: Hats add a sophisticated touch to any ensemble, whether broad brimmed with luxe embellishments, or classically shaped with unique texturing and detail.  Decorative fascinators, a favorite of Kate’s, make a statement with unexpected style.  T.J.Maxx and Marshalls offer current season merchandise, so customers can snag the same looks … at the very same time.

Pick Classic Pieces: Kate knows all the British classics, and how to wear them!  She chooses traditional patterns and textures like tartan, corduroy and tweed, to up her style in everyday dress. Every bit the English lady, she relies on her nation’s favorites, like trench coats and riding jackets, to keep her chic.  

Know What Works: Kate knows how to dress for her figure, and flaunt her best features!  She favors deep v-necks that flatter, demure necklines that look lovely and skirts that accentuate her legs.  By sticking to favorites like draped jersey dresses and pencil skirts, Kate has items that work for any occasion. Constantly fresh, high-quality merchandise means she can add flattering styles to her wardrobe year round.

Experiment with Color: Color adds chic flair to an ensemble. From famous favorites like her royal blue engagement dress to a red skirted suit, or a white dress accented with velour details, Kate uses the color palette to get the look right.  

Choose Flattering Footwear: The Princess-to-be fancies fabulous shoes … at fabulous prices. By shopping off-price, Kate can choose sophisticated styles that add polish to her look, like velour pumps in plum, suede boots with stacked heels, sophisticated stilettos and classic English riding boots … without paying Princess prices.  Plus, she’s always prepared for the English weather with a pair of classic British Wellingtons!

Pair it with a Purse: Kate’s handbags always compliment her ensembles. She prefers clutches with decorative clasps, in oval shapes that she can comfortably hold. Another top pick? Small, over-the- shoulder handbags that allows easy access to keys when the paparazzi are near!

Find a Unique Style: Kate pairs well tailored pieces with an unexpected flair—like a dramatic hat or a surprising ruffle—to keep things classic, with an edge.  She consistently chooses pieces that are stylish and sophisticated, but age appropriate. By having fun with fashion, she always looks great.

Wear it Like a Princess: With grace and confidence, a genuine smile and excellent posture, Kate is every bit a princess. A great personality and winning style—found for less—makes every fashionista unstoppable!

“Kate knows that there’s no reason to pay full price for designer goods when they can be found at a fraction of the price,” said T.J.Maxx and Marshalls company spokesperson Laura McDowell.  ”Our buyers shop constantly to deliver the newest, hottest, highest quality merchandise to our stores, at incredible prices. Modern day princesses everywhere can look luxe for less!”

According to a new survey of retail goods manufacturers and importers, consumer goods at retail are likely to rise by 10 – 15 percent later this spring and into the summer, particularly in the apparel and home furnishings segments.

The increases are due to spikes in commodities and logistics costs. 94.4 percent of those surveyed believe that the increased cost of cotton will affect the cost of high cotton content products such as sheets, t-shirts and socks, this spring and summer with almost half (44.4 percent) expecting prices of high cotton content products to increase by 10 percent or more.

The survey polled over 70 manufacturers and importers, and was conducted throughout the week of March 14, 2011.

Additional key findings in the survey included: more than half (62 percent) of respondents said that their logistics costs have increased by more than 5 percent in the past year. Of those who identified an increase in logistics costs, almost two-thirds (64.1 percent) are passing at least some portion of the increased cost along to the retailer and consumer, causing retail prices to escalate even more. For manufacturers and importers the rise in oil prices (89.6 percent) as well as the conflicts in Egypt and Libya (62.5 percent) is the driving force behind this increase.

The Global Retail Manufacturers and Importers Survey, conducted by Capital Business Credit LLC (CBC) (www.capitalbusinesscredit.com), a global integrated financial products and services company with an emphasis in the retail sector, surveyed manufacturers and importers in the apparel, housewares, home furnishings, fashion accessories and furniture industries, who manufacture some, if not all, of their products in China, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

“Speculation of inflation has haunted the global economy since the recovery began.  This fear has been due in part, to the rising cost of raw materials. We now have concrete proof that the cost of raw materials correlates to higher consumer prices. At CBC, we believe this is a sustained change that will continue into the fall season and beyond,” said Andrew Tananbaum, executive chairman of Capital Business Credit.

Cotton

94.5 percent of respondents have seen an increase in the cost of raw materials over the last 12 months. To combat the increased cost of raw materials, 88.9 percent will be replacing some of the cotton content in their products with rayon and others with Lycra (11 percent).  More than a quarter (27.8 percent) of those who have high-cotton content products will vary the cut or design of their products to use less raw material. The increased cost of raw materials will effect all points of the retail supply chain as more than half (57.1 percent) of those surveyed said that manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers will all be absorbing the price increases.

Logistics

The CBC survey also identified that the skyrocketing cost of logistics – due in large part to the rising cost of oil – is a major cost concern (80 percent) for importers and manufacturers. 62 percent of respondents said that logistics costs have increased by more than 5 percent in the last 12 months and over half (54.2 percent) cited oil as the cause of increased logistics costs of 5 percent or more.

To deal with the increased cost of logistics, 35.9 percent of manufacturers and importers are absorbing the cost, 28.2 percent are passing along this cost to the retailer/customer and 35.9 percent are absorbing some of the cost as well as passing some of the cost along.

“The rising cost of logistics will have a significant effect on manufacturers, importers, retailers and consumers. Margins will be cut and prices will increase, causing stresses and cracks along the entire supply chain. Current events will only amplify these already existing problems,” commented Tananbaum. “The findings of the CBC survey reveal that there has been a fundamental shift in the marketplace and that this will have a direct impact on the everyday consumer. The increased costs of logistics and raw materials have created the perfect storm whose elements will be visible this spring and summer.”

About Capital Business Credit

Established in 1988, Capital Business Credit LLC (www.capitalbusinesscredit.com) is a commercial finance company specializing in providing creative supply chain financing solutions.  The Company’s service offerings include: full-service factoring; accounts receivable management services; inventory lending; asset-based lending; and international financing.  CBC Trade Finance, a division of CBC, provides trade finance solutions for U.S.-based importers working with Asia-based suppliers (exporters). Capital Business Credit is based in New York, with offices in Hong Kong; Shanghai, Los Angeles; Charlotte, NC; and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

When you think great bargains, websites such as eBay and Overstock probably come to mind as well as the online alter egos of the giant discounters Walmart and Target. Then there’s Amazon which, as the mother of all discount sites, sells pretty much anything you could ever want to buy. The May 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, put those sites to the test to find out which one truly offers the best prices and scoured through the fine print to find the ‘gotchas’ consumers should avoid.

“Our goal was to expose the ins and outs of shopping at these discount sites in order to save shoppers time and money,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “We learned consumers should calculate shipping fees before settling on a retailer, read the return policy fine print before making purchases, and know whether returns can be made at walk-in stores.”

Who Sells It For Less?

To understand how the major discount sites stack up, ShopSmart chose a basket of seven common items, from big-ticket to small, and compared prices, standard shipping costs, return policies, and restocking fees, while noting any annoying surprises they encountered along the way. On eBay, ShopSmart chose brand-new items from the highest rated U.S.-based sellers available and picked the lowest priced “Buy It Now” listing (as opposed to auction prices). The results can be found below, starting with the low-price winner:

1. Ebay.com: eBay is no longer just for auctions. These days the site is less populated with random collectibles, instead its online inventory includes individually operated virtual stores. Many items have “Buy It Now” prices with no bidding required. After adding up the pretax totals (including shipping) for all of the items on our price-scan list, eBay came out the low-price winner.

• Gotchas: The lowest “Buy It Now” price isn’t necessarily the best deal after factoring in shipping costs, so it’s important to look at other listings and scan the fine print. Additionally, shipping times might be longer than on competing sites, depending on vendor and payment methods.

2. Amazon.com: Amazon has the best overall selection by far, especially if consumers are looking for books, electronics, baby gear, and specialty items. Ultimately, Amazon came in second for the lowest prices for the items on ShopSmart’s list.

• Gotchas: The Amazon Marketplace (where you can buy new and used items from individual sellers) and Amazon Merchants (where you buy items from various retailers) have their own shipping and return policies, so it’s important to read them carefully. Additionally, ShopSmart found some questionably high prices in previous price scans (for groceries in particular).

3. Walmart: Walmart has an excellent selection and good prices, especially for electronics, entertainment products, and appliances. Their website had some of the best prices available.

• Gotchas: It’s important to note that their return policy doesn’t apply to all of their products.

4. Overstock.com: Overstock offers great deals, often on last season’s merchandise, including home decor, bedding, and baby gear.

• Gotchas: As the name suggests, this site sells overstock, so if you’re obsessed with having the latest styles, you may want to shop elsewhere. A lot of items are not returnable, and for the things you can return, you are required to pay for shipping. Additionally, delivery of oversized purchases comes with lots of potential charges, including fees for “extra labor,” storage, and redelivery if you’re not home when the item arrives.

5. Target: Target is great if you’re looking for solid-wood furniture and stylish clothing at decent prices, in addition to tons of house wares, entertainment, and personal-care products. However, Target had the highest prices on four of the seven items on their varied price-scan shopping list.

• Gotchas: Target offers great prices on many everyday items. However, customers must be aware that it has a strict “no receipt, no return policy” and a 15 percent restocking fee for small electronics.

More Surprising Gotchas

If you want a rock-bottom price, you might have to give up on other things, like getting the exact color you want or putting up with tricky return policies. ShopSmart suggests watching out for these traps at some of the most popular types of discount sites:

1. Outlet Sites: At outlet sites, selection is often limited because you’re shopping the leftover bins. If you don’t snap up items fast, you’ll miss out on the best deals. But if you act too quickly, you might be stuck with something you don’t really want or need. Also, outlet sites may or may not accept returns, so be sure to read all the fine print before you buy.

2. Sample-Sale Sites: The best deals on these sites are snapped up quickly. Also, it might take a long time to get your purchased items since many sites don’t keep stock in-house, but instead have manufacturers ship directly to you. Shipping charges can add up, so look for options that let you shop several sales at once and ship items together. Finally, be aware that some sample-sale sites don’t accept returns.

3. Secondhand & Swap Sites: There are no warranties or returns at these sites, so it’s important to inspect photos closely and ask questions before you commit. Shop around to see what a good price is, especially if you’re bidding on an auction site, where it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and overpay for an item. Some sites have a built-in system to keep things honest, so check terms and conditions to see whether the site has any safeguards for making sure you’re satisfied.

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

American women are savvy shoppers, according to a new national poll featured in the May 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports. Over three quarters of women (76%) consider themselves to be bargain hunters, with 10% admitting they like the challenge of finding the best deal. The poll also found that two thirds (65%) of women typically wait for a sale to purchase items.

“I’m such a sucker for a bargain, especially when I have a coupon or there’s a sale for 50% off,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.  ”According to ShopSmart’s national poll, many of us are helpless against a great deal, and retailers know this. However, there are so many new opportunities these days to shop smarter, and if you play the sale game right, you can save really big.”

THE BARGAINER’S PSYCHE

• Although money is the main motivation, with 40% saying they bargain shop because they are on a limited budget and 25% indicating that they hate to overspend, it is not the only reason women go bargain shopping. In addition, 83% of women say that if money were no object, they would still seek out a deal.
• 37% of women feel guilty paying full price without trying to get a deal.
• Although two-thirds of women typically wait for something to go on sale before purchasing, a sale can be dangerous for some. Over three quarters of women (76%) find themselves buying things they don’t need just because they are on sale, including 8% who do so frequently.
• Nearly two thirds (64%) have regretted at least one sale purchase. Of those who have sale regrets, only 38% typically try to recoup their error by returning the item. Nearly one quarter (24%) typically donate the item and 16% will just put it in a closet or drawer.

SEARCHING FOR SALES

• Women shop a variety of stores in search of their bargains, including mass merchandisers (93%), dollar stores (69%) and discount stores (61%).
• Coupon usage is widespread among women with 91% using coupons to get a better deal, including 51% who print coupons from the Internet, 29% who use competitor coupons and 11% who use coupons directly off their cell phone.
• 84% of women have purchased clothing off season, 49% have purchased an item with an imperfection to get a discount, 21% have waited in line outside a store to get a deal and 20% have purchased clothing not in their size for a deal.

SHARING THE WEALTH

• Most women are proud of themselves when they are able to find a good bargain. The majority of women (90%) like to share news of their great deal with others, including over one-third (35%) who tell anyone who will listen.
• But be careful who you believe, as nearly one-fifth (19%) of women confess to misleading others about how much they paid for a particular item.

Super Couponers’ Top Tips:

1. Check your grocery store’s policy. Some stores will double and even triple coupons on an item (usually up to a certain amount, typically 99 cents, max). But sometimes that’s only on certain days of the week, so find out ahead of time and plan your shopping accordingly.
2. Save your coupons for when items are on sale. Plan ahead using weekly sales flyers to match deals with available coupons. But also take your entire coupon file to the store with you; many stores don’t advertise all deals.
3. Take inventory mid-month. Many coupons expire at the beginning or end of the month, so take time in the middle of each month to see what coupons in your stash need to be used ASAP.
4. Track price cycles. Items usually go on sale at regular intervals. Keep a log of the price of items you buy most often, so that you know how much they usually cost, when they will likely go on sale, and when a sale is really a good deal.
5. Watch closely during checkout. Cashiers sometimes neglect to properly scan all coupons and store-loyalty cards. And if you accidently picked up the wrong product size, you could end up wasting a coupon.
6. Don’t automatically reach for store brands. ShopSmart‘s tests over the years have shown that store brands are often just as good if not better in quality than national brands. But with the right combination of sale price and coupon savings, a national brand might actually be cheaper.
7. “Stack” coupons to maximize your savings. Some stores include additional coupons in their weekly circulars and in the e-mail newsletters sent to loyalty-card holders. You can use a store coupon on top of a manufacturer’s coupon for even more savings.
8. Shop at stores that accept competitors’ coupons. Strange as it may seem, some stores do so; after all, they want your business! Make one of them your go-to spot and take other stores’ exclusive coupons with you when you shop. Sign up for loyalty cards at all of the stores in your area to get insider deals.
9. Use coupons on trial sizes. Unless a coupon stipulates that you can’t, using a coupon to buy trial sizes of items could make them free.
10. Don’t toss those expired coupons! Your store may still accept them—don’t be afraid to ask.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,010 interviews were completed among women aged 18+. Interviewing took place over February 10 – 20, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.1% points at a 95% confidence level.

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

Have you ever bragged to a complete stranger about an amazing deal on a cute pair of shoes? Do you feel angst at the thought of buying something at full retail price? The joy brought on when getting a great bargain is undeniable. However, according to the May 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, there are some items consumers shouldn’t skimp on.

“According to a new ShopSmart national poll, more than three-quarters of American women buy stuff they don’t need just because it’s on sale,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “At ShopSmart, not only do we work to find our readers the best deals on items they purchase every day, but we also want to be sure consumers know that there are some items on which they can’t afford to cut costs.”

Worth the Price

1. Paint: Even though you can find a gallon of paint for as little as $11, cheaper paint will take several coats to cover a single wall, and it likely won’t hold up for an extended period of time.
2. Gas Grills: Look for features such as premium-quality burners, stainless-steel grates, and heavy-duty construction. You should realistically expect to spend at least $150 for a quality product.
3. Big-Screen TVs: If you’re investing in a really big screen television—50 inches or more—you’ll want to own it for a while. So go for as big a screen as you can afford from a reliable brand.
4. Blu-Ray Players: Instead of replacing one cheap DVD player with another cheap DVD player, consider trading up to a Blu-ray player, which supplies true high definition to your high-def TV.
5. Fire Protection: Aerosols such as First Alert Tundra are much cheaper than traditional fire extinguishers and may look like they’re easier to use, but they’re a lot less effective as well–a true safety concern in the event of an emergency.
6. Mattresses: Can you really afford to not get a good night’s rest? Don’t spend below $800 for a queen-size set or you’ll risk years of sleepless nights and all the effects associated with sleep deprivation.
7. Grass Seed: Inexpensive blends may contain a large percentage of weeds and annual grass seeds, which will die after one season. Spend more for the good stuff.
8. Canister Vacuums: Cheaper vacuums can be both ineffective and frustrating, so expect to spend around $200 and up for a quality product.

Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.

The Web Marketing Association announces the call for entries for its 15th annual international WebAward Competition for Web site development at www.webaward.org. The WebAwards is the standards-defining competition that sets benchmarks for 96 industries, including sports websites, based on the seven criteria of a successful web site. The deadline for sports websites to enter to be judged is May 27, 2011.

“The sports industry is very competitive when it comes to Web development and companies can benefit from the independent evaluation of their online efforts,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “Sports websites play an essential role in offering fans the latest information including stats, scores and news. Effective sports websites branch into the retail space offering fans a convenient way to purchase team products. Fans also can bring a passion to online communities not found in many other industries.”

Web sites are judged on seven criteria including design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, copy writing and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence.

All entrants benefit from receiving valuable feedback in terms of their specific scores compared against the average scores for their industry. They also may receive specific comments from the WebAward’s professional judging panel on their Web site development efforts.

Winners of a WebAward in the sports category will also receive:

• Handsome statue or certificate of achievement
• Increased visibility for their company
• Marketing opportunity to promote the company website to the media
• Links to your site from the highly ranked WebAward site to help SEO
• Admiration of peers, friends and co-workers

Each year the Web Marketing Association names the Best Sports Website based on the scores submitted by the competition judges.

Recent winners of the Best Sports Website include:

2010 – Cuker Interactive for Xterra Wetsuits

2009 – BLITZ Agency for DirecTV NFL Supercast AIR Application

2008 – Reebok / Zugara for RBK DGK 2007

2007 – bbdigital (Blattner Brunner) for Golf Pride Website

2006 – The Overland Agency for Soloflex, Inc. Microsite

2005 – R/GA for Nike Basketball

2004 – Zugara and Reebok for RBK Sound and Rhythm

2003 – Refinery, Inc. for Prince Tennis Website

2002 – SportsLine.com for CBS SportsLine.com

A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2011 honors can be found at the Best Sports Web site page.

There is one significant change in this year’s WebAwards. The much coveted Top Agency WebAward is given to the organization who wins the most total WebAwards in a single competition. However each year many agencies win multiple awards and deserve additional recognition. This year, we will recognize each organization that wins 10 or more WebAwards with an Outstanding Interactive Developer trophy.

Participants can improve their chances on winning a WebAward by checking out the Web Marketing Association Facebook Page and becoming a fan of the page.  The Web Marketing Association will be providing hints and tips on how to improve your chances on winning a top award throughout April and May.

The 2011 WebAwards are sponsored by the following leading organizations: BGT Partners, Burst Media, PR Newswire, AllBusiness, ExactTarget, ad:tech conferences, Internet World UK, SES Conference, Webmaster Radio, and Website Magazine.

About the WebAwards

The Web Marketing Association’s 15th annual international WebAwards competition sets the standard of excellence in 96 industries by evaluating Web sites based on the seven essential criteria of successful Web site development. The WebAwards recognizes the people and organizations responsible for developing the most effective Websites on the Internet today. Entrants benefit from a Website assessment by a professional judging panel and the marketing opportunities presented to an award-winning Web site. For more information, visit www.webaward.org.

The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence, which had bounced back in the final quarter of 2010, improved further in the first quarter of 2011. The Measure now reads 67, up from 62 last quarter (a reading of more than 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses).  

Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: “CEOs’ confidence has improved, yet again, and expectations are that the economy will continue to expand in the coming months. As for the employment outlook, CEOs are more bullish than last year, with half now saying they intend to ramp up hiring.”

CEOs’ assessment of current economic conditions was much more upbeat, with 85 percent saying conditions are better compared to six months ago, up from 56 percent last quarter. In assessing their own industries, business leaders were also more positive. Now, nearly 61 percent say conditions have improved, compared with 55 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010.               

CEOs’ optimism about the short-term outlook continues to grow. Currently, 66 percent expect an improvement in economic conditions over the next six months, up from 56 percent last quarter. Expectations for their own industries, however, are slightly less optimistic, with 49 percent of CEOs expecting conditions to improve in the months ahead, down from 51 percent last quarter.  

Hiring Plans to Pick Up in 2011

Half of all CEOs anticipate an increase in employment levels in their industry, up significantly from 30 percent a year ago. The proportion of CEOs who anticipate a decrease in hiring declined to 16 percent from 22 percent a year ago.

On a separate question, CEOs say regulation and litigation are major obstacles to hiring new workers, followed by health care costs and wage and salary costs. Other fringe benefits are of lesser concern when hiring new workers.

About the Conference Board

The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world’s leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.conference-board.org.

Mortgage rates continued to rise this week, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 5.08 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.41 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage inched to 4.27 percent, and the larger jumbo 30-year fixed rate moved up to 5.57 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were slightly lower this week with the average 5-year ARM slipping to 3.87 percent and the 7-year ARM dropping to 4.21 percent.

Mortgage rates moved higher, but not very much, as investors looked past global concerns and took in a better-than-expected jobs report. The employment news validated other improving economic data and interest rates moved higher in response. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds. Even though mortgage rates have increased in each of the past three weeks, they’ve remained in a narrow range since late February, owing to a tug-of-war between better economic news and worries about rising oil prices and overseas events that could upend the economic recovery.

The last time mortgage rates were above 6 percent was Nov. 2008. At the time, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.33 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,241.86. With the average rate now 5.08 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,083.44, a difference of $158 per month for anyone refinancing now.

Survey Results 

30-year fixed: 5.08% — up from 5.01% last week (avg. points: 0.41)

15-year fixed: 4.27% — up from 4.25% last week (avg. points: 0.43)

5/1 ARM: 3.87% — down from 3.89% last week (avg. points: 0.42)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week’s move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/mortgages-follow-food-and-gas-prices-up.aspx?ic_id=tsLgpic1

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. More than half of the panelists, 56 percent, predict rates to increase further. Of the remaining panelists, 38 percent think that rates will remain more or less unchanged and the remaining 6 percent forecast a decline in mortgage rates over the next seven days.

For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI.

About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe, CreditCardGuide.com, Bankaholic, CreditCards.com and NetQuote.  Each of these businesses helps consumers to make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company’s flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: AOL), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com’s information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.  Bankrate, Inc. was acquired by Apax Partners, one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups, in September 2009.  Apax operates across the United States, Europe and Asia and has more than 30 years of investing experience. For more information on Apax, visit: www.Apax.com.

After almost a year in which the Apple iPad has been virtually the only game in town in tablet computers, some serious competitors are finally hitting the market. Yet in Consumer Reports latest tests of the 10 most-promising tablet computers, the Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi and 3G topped the Ratings.  The full report including Ratings of tablets is available at www.ConsumerReports.org.  

In Consumer Reports lab tests, the Motorola Xoom revealed itself as the iPad 2′s chief rival.  Like the iPad 2, the Xoom boasts a 10-inch screen but adds conveniences that the iPad lacks, including a built-in memory card reader and support for the Flash videos and animations found on many Web sites.

“So far, Apple is leading the tablet market in both quality and price, which is unusual for a company whose products are usually premium priced,” said Paul Reynolds, Electronics Editor at Consumer Reports. “However, it’s likely we’ll see more competitive pricing in tablets as other models begin to hit the market.”

Consumer Reports tested tablets from Archos, Dell, Motorola, Samsung, and ViewSonic, as well as several models from Apple. Each tablet was evaluated on 17 criteria, including touch-screen responsiveness, versatility, portability, screen glare, and ease of use, and testers found several models that outperformed the rest. The Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi plus 3G (32G), $730, topped the Ratings, scoring Excellent in nearly every category.  The first-generation iPad, $580, also outscored many of the other models tested but tied with the Motorola Xoom, $800.

The largest gap in performance among the 10 tested tablets was evident in Consumer Reports’ battery-life test, measured by playing the same video clip continually on each tablet and timing how long it played until the battery ran down.  The top-scoring iPad 2 lasted 12.2 hours, but one of the lowest rated, the Dell Streak 7, $450, lasted just 3.8 hours.

Before choosing a tablet, Consumer Reports recommends that consumers consider the following:

Many features are almost universal.  Easy-to-use touch screens based on capacitive technology are now widely available.  All the models Consumer Reports tested feature Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a front-facing webcam, and GPS capability.  Android-based models can be expanded using built-in USB ports or slots for SD flash-memory cards, but the iPad 2 lacks both.  

You get what you pay for. With prices for the best tablets still too high for many budgets, consumers may be tempted by lower-priced competitors. Don’t be, says Consumer Reports, whose tests have found the performance of models costing $300 and under to be at best mediocre.  Buying a tablet with a data plan may lower the initial cost of the device, but cancelling early may result in a stiff penalty.  Otherwise, it might be cheaper to buy a 3G-capable model without a contract.

Future-proofing will pay off.  Hardware specifications don’t tell the whole story.  Portability, storage capacity, and weight are important.  But less obvious differences in software, connectivity, and upgradability are critical too.  And with faster 4G data networks becoming more widely available, 4G capability (or at least the ability to upgrade to it) is also a plus.

For additional buying advice and model recommendations, check out the May 2011 issue of Consumer Reports on newsstands April 5th.  And for the latest Ratings of tablet computers, go to www.ConsumerReports.org.  

MAY 2011

The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.  We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumers Union will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®.

Is anyone still using print directories when searching for information in their community?

According to recently released research conducted by a nationally recognized firm, and a separate analysis of more than 14,000 display ads with unique, trackable phone numbers, the answer is a resounding YES!

M/A/R/C Research, which has 46 years of marketing research experience, interviewed more than 50,000 consumers at least 18 years old between January and December 2010 in 125 major markets in AT&T’s service areas using statistically valid surveys meeting Advertising Research Foundation guidelines.

Among key results from the survey:

• 69 percent — or nearly seven out of 10 adult consumers — say they have used the AT&T Real Yellow Pages within the last year. And consumers turn to the AT&T Real Yellow Pages four times more often on average in AT&T served markets. Sixty-eight percent of consumers who used a print directory within the last 30 days said they used the AT&T Real Yellow Pages.  
• Use of AT&T’s premier online local search directory—YP.com—continues to rise dramatically. The survey results show 29 percent of adults in the survey use YP.com, up 17 percent from just a year earlier.
• When combining both print and YP.com, 78 percent–or nearly eight out of 10–of those surveyed said they used at least one of the products within the past year compared to 77 percent a year earlier.

The conclusion that print Yellow Pages are still valuable for advertisers and consumers was confirmed in another study by CRM Associates, which is a market analysis and consulting firm headquartered in Boulder, Colo.

In CRM Associates’ just-released 2010 Metered Ad Study of 14,600 advertisers with the same-size ad and heading in 2009 and 2010, calls increased from 5.7 million calls to 6.3 million-a 10 percent increase across the entire set of ads. This increase follows a 3 percent increase in calls in 2009 compared to 2008. Sixty percent of individual advertisers experienced an increase in calls in 2010.

“These findings confirm the continued relevancy of print directories, and especially AT&T’s directories,” said Ken Ray, chief marketing officer of AT&T Advertising Solutions. “They also support what we already know from current internal data—that AT&T print directories still hold significant value for consumers and advertisers.”

He said internal data include more than 20,000 unique metered phone numbers that appear only in print Yellow Pages ads and generate an average of 18 calls per month to those advertisers. And, the company places unique URLs in print Yellow Pages ads and tracks follow-through. Those URLs are averaging a half dozen online look ups each month. So, consumers are using print and Internet sources together.

Internet and mobile access has changed the dynamics of local business search. But the M/A/R/C and CRM studies clearly dispel the common misperception that people don’t use print anymore, Ray said.

“We are definitely seeing a transition in local search from print to multimedia sources. But print remains one of the most effective and foundational elements of that multimedia mix,” said Ray. “Local search is not a zero-sum game. Consumers are looking in multiple sources for business information, so the best solution for businesses is having a bundle in the right local search platforms.” He said AT&T’s local search offerings garner more than five billion consumer searches per year, including almost three billion from The Real Yellow Pages and over two billion from the YP Local Ad Network, which consists of YP.com, YPmobile, and other major local search publishers across online, mobile, and IPTV.

“The local search advertising ecosystem continues to converge and grow more complex,” Ray said. “At AT&T, we believe businesses can benefit most with the help of a trusted, expert partner. That’s why we have more than 5,000 highly-trained media consultants who help businesses grow by getting the most out of local search.”

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced that it was selected as the winning bidder in the bankruptcy court auction for substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster, Inc.  DISH Network’s winning bid was valued at approximately $320 million.  After certain adjustments are made at closing of the transaction, including adjustments for available cash and inventory, DISH Network expects to pay approximately $228 million in cash to acquire Blockbuster at the closing which is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2011.

“With its more than 1,700 store locations, a highly recognizable brand and multiple methods of delivery, Blockbuster will complement our existing video offerings while presenting cross-marketing and service extension opportunities for DISH Network,” said Tom Cullen, executive vice president of Sales, Marketing and Programming for DISH Network. “While Blockbuster’s business faces significant challenges, we look forward to working with its employees to re-establish Blockbuster’s brand as a leader in video entertainment.”

Completion of the transaction is contingent upon satisfaction of certain conditions, including bankruptcy court approval.

Safe Harbor Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in DISH Network Corporation’s Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in its recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and DISH Network Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About DISH Network

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides more than 14.1 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2010, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy industry-leading customer satisfaction, the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

Jenny Craig, Inc., one of the nation’s leading authorities on weight management, announced today celebrity spokesperson Sara Rue will be featured in a national marketing campaign baring her bikini body for the first time after her incredible 50-pound weight loss.* Rue, who currently appears on CBS’s Rules of Engagement and co-starring in ABC Family’s My Future Boyfriend premiering April 10th, struggled with her weight throughout her life until she joined Jenny Craig in December 2009, and achieved her 50 pound weight loss* in July 2010.  She’s now gearing up for her May 2011 wedding to fiance Kevin Price, and looks forward to a fun, active and carefree honeymoon with her new beach body.

“I can sympathize with women who avoid the beach because they don’t want to put on a bathing suit,” said Rue. “That was me for most of my life. I missed out on so many fun experiences because I was ashamed and embarrassed of how I looked in a swimsuit, but eventually I got to the point where I didn’t want my weight to define me anymore, so I did something about it. Now I feel like there’s nothing holding me back. It’s a wonderful, freeing feeling that I never thought I would accomplish.”

Rue stepped into a bikini for the first time in her life, for a national Jenny Craig advertising campaign, which will launch on Monday, April 11th.

“If you would have told me one year ago that I would be in a national commercial in a bikini, I would have thought you were crazy,” laughed Rue. “But now, I feel so confident and comfortable. What woman doesn’t want to feel comfortable in a swimsuit? It’s incredibly empowering.”

To prepare for the bikini shoot, Rue focused on achieving a balance of being healthy, happy and fit, while exercising in moderation approximately four days a week.   For a glimpse of her workout and more, visit jennycraig.com/chris for daily, weekly, and monthly challenges developed by Jenny Craig’s fitness advisor Christopher Ross Lane.

“Any God-fearing woman preparing to get into a swimsuit for a national commercial would of course be more diligent about her diet and exercise, but I always work out in moderation and eat a healthy diet thanks to what I’ve learned on the Jenny Craig program,” said Rue. “I strongly believe that it’s not about being thin; it’s about being comfortable in my skin. I love my curves, and I don’t want to lose them by overdoing it. I still want to look like a real woman.”

Rue looks forward to embarking on her honeymoon after her May 2011 wedding.  She even plans to wear some of the bikinis from the shoot, while celebrating her new marriage in a tropical, beachy location.

“Before the weight loss, I dreaded wedding dress shopping because I was worried about my size,” said Rue. “Now, I am standing in front of America in a bikini, and I feel so liberated. I know I am entering my marriage as the best ‘me’ I can be, and that is giving my fiance such a wonderful gift.”

A self-described “emotional eater,” Rue struggled with the cycle of losing and gaining weight, slimming down with various fad diets throughout her teens and twenties, only to regain the weight she lost. Since losing 50 pounds in 31 weeks,* Rue feels confident she can maintain the weight loss for the rest of her life.

“Losing 50 pounds and maintaining it for eight months is the greatest feeling,” said Rue. “There were times throughout my journey when I wasn’t sure if I could do it because I had never been successful in the past. As I kept going, my perspective changed and I learned that Jenny Craig really is sustainable. You have a personal consultant who gives you a foundation to build your eating habits on, including a plan B if you slip up occasionally. This is the first time I’ve really been successful, and feel confident that I can keep the weight off for good.”

Patti Larchet, CEO of Jenny Craig Inc., said Rue is an inspiration for many women who struggle with the cycle of yo-yo dieting. “Sara’s story of success is truly inspiring. Not only has she surpassed her weight loss goals, but she is confidently maintaining her weight loss,” said Larchet. “Sara serves as such a great role model for others, by setting attainable goals and achieving them in a healthy way.”

*Jenny Craig clients, on average, lose 1-2 pounds per week.

About Jenny Craig

Jenny Craig offers a comprehensive Food-Body-Mind program designed to help clients manage their weight by creating a healthy relationship with food, building an active lifestyle and developing a balanced approach to living.

With its tailored YourStyle® program, Jenny Craig is committed to a personalized approach to weight loss by offering each client a one-on-one weekly consultation and a customized weight management plan designed to optimize individual success. With more than 80 delicious Jenny’s Cuisine™ menu items, Jenny Craig’s program is available in-centre and our at-home program, Jenny Craig At Home.

Jenny Craig, Inc., based in Carlsbad, CA, is one of the world’s largest weight management companies, with more than 725 company-owned and franchised Centres in the United States, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.

About Sara Rue

Sara Rue is a critically-acclaimed actress best known for the roles she played as Claudia Casey on the sitcom Less Than Perfect and Carmen Ferrara on the comedy-drama Popular. Born and raised in New York City, Sara spent most of her childhood backstage with her parents, who were very active in the Broadway theatre community. Sara’s acting career began at age nine, when she was cast as Kevin Spacey’s daughter and Burt Lancaster’s granddaughter in the film Rocket Gibraltar. Shortly thereafter, she won critical acclaim for her television series debut, starring in the comedy Grand.

Rue has guest-starred on TV shows Will & Grace as Joyce, the sister of Grace Adler (Debra Messing), in Two and a Half Men, alongside Charlie Sheen and in The Big Bang Theory as Dr. Stephanie Barnett, the love interest of Leonard (Johnny Galecki). Recently she has appeared alongside Patrick Warburton and David Spade in Rules of Engagement, and as the host of Shedding for the Wedding.

Apart from her roles on TV, Rue has also acquired work on the big screen. She starred as Sigourney Weaver’s cellmate in A Map of the World and appeared as a scene-stealing social misfit in Can’t Hardly Wait alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt. Sara was also cast in Pearl Harbor as a tough-talking nurse. Originally there was no role for the young actress, but she so impressed Michael Bay that he flew her to Hawaii, threw her in the scenes with the nurses, and told her to “improvise and be funny,” which she did. In addition to numerous theatre, musical and Off-Broadway appearances, Sara recently began producing film and television, selling her first movie to Dimension Films.

AAA is providing its members with even more on-the-go access to its trove of trusted travel information by delivering content in new electronic formats for e-reader devices and smartphones. AAA members can now download digital TourBook guides at AAA.com/ebooks.

Each of the 30 new eTourBook guides highlights a top North American travel destination complete with listings for AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, AAA Editor’s Picks for attractions, events and nightlife, and other proprietary information available only through AAA. Like their printed counterparts, the digital TourBook guides provide members with the must-have details useful for both trip planning and for reference while they’re traveling, but in a format offering frequent updates.

“The AAA eTourBook series was created in response to member requests for travel information that was concise, portable and electronic,” said Bill Wood, managing director, AAA Travel Publishing. “AAA is committed to providing travel information to our members on the same devices that they are already packing on their trips.”

Members can take along the free digital guides for their Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony Reader or smartphones equipped with an e-reader application. Site visitors to AAA.com/ebooks can view the available eTourBook titles, but only AAA members can initiate a download. To complete the process, members login to download titles to their personal computer and then sync the files to their portable device.

AAA publishes 26 regional TourBook guides covering the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean . AAA travel information is gathered by a team of travel editors and professional inspectors conduct in-person evaluations of all AAA Approved lodgings and restaurants. Listings include 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants, 17,000 attractions, 23,000 events and 7,000 destinations. Printed AAA TourBook guides and maps are available free to members through AAA offices or online at AAA.com/travel or CAA.ca. AAA’s office locator is available at AAA.com/offices.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.