This Fourth of July weekend, BURGER KING® restaurants nationwide are celebrating America’s independence with a patriotic deal of $1.04 on the Original Chicken Sandwich. A menu favorite for decades, this American original features tried and true ingredients – a crispy, premium white meat chicken patty topped with shredded lettuce and mayo on a bakery-style, sesame seed bun. Hurry up and get this all-American deal on July 2, 3 and 4 at participating restaurants nationwide.

“At BURGER KING® restaurants, we are excited about celebrating the Fourth of July with our guests and giving everyone a holiday treat – the Original Chicken Sandwich offered at just $1.04,” said Steve Wiborg, president, North America, Burger King Corp. “Freshly prepared with quality ingredients, customers won’t be able to pass up this time-tested favorite. We’re confident it will satisfy any appetite whether before, during or after holiday events.”

The Original Chicken Sandwich festivities will continue on Facebook, Twitter and the NASCAR circuit throughout the holiday weekend. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will be showing his support by driving the BURGER KING® Car in the Coke Zero 400 on July 2 in Daytona, Fla. The promotion will also be supported by in-restaurant merchandising, radio and national TV as well as through the BURGER KING® Facebook and Twitter pages, where fans can follow the conversation using the hashtag #BKChicken.

ABOUT BURGER KING CORPORATION

Founded in 1954, BURGER KING® is the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the world. The original HOME OF THE WHOPPER®, the BURGER KING® System operates more than 12,250 locations serving over 11 million guests daily in 76 countries and territories worldwide. Approximately 90 percent of BURGER KING® restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades. In October 2010, Burger King Corp. was purchased by 3G Capital, a multi-billion dollar, global investment firm focused on long-term value creation, with a particular emphasis on maximizing the potential of brands and businesses. For more information on 3G Capital, please go to http://3g-capital.com. To learn more about Burger King Corp., please visit the company’s website at www.bk.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Harley-Davidson has begun delivery of all 15 models in the 2012 Touring, Trike (North America only) and Sportster lines to its dealers in the U.S. and Europe. These motorcycles will be available for sale immediately, giving customers an opportunity to get on a 2012-model Harley-Davidson with much of the riding season still available. Shipment of these select 2012 models has been accelerated to provide greater continuity of supply in dealerships during the peak summer selling season. Additional 2012 models will be announced on July 20 at the Harley-Davidson summer dealer meeting in Anaheim, California.

2012 Sportster: Personalization and Power

The six 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster models range from the affordable Dark Custom roadster posture of the Iron 883™ to the track-inspired performance of the XR1200X™. Each Sportster model offers the heartbeat of an authentic American V-Twin engine and pace-setting style and performance.

Back for its first full year of production is the Sportster® 1200 Custom, the motorcycle that introduced the web-based H-D1™ Bike Builder factory customization process. Using Bike Builder, customers can personalize their 1200 Custom with seat, handlebar, foot control, wheel, security, paint and engine finish options that are installed right at the factory. Even more dealer-installed accessories can be added, and viewed, on the Bike Builder site. The customer can then print out a description of their bike and bring it to a Harley-Davidson dealer to review the motorcycle with trained staff, select additional accessories to be installed by the dealer to further customize the motorcycle, and then place an order. Customers can expect to be riding their new bike in as little as four weeks from the time an order is placed with an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

All 2012 Sportster models will have Michelin® Scorcher™ tires with a tread pattern designed, tested and styled specifically for the Sportster motorcycle to provide ideal grip, even wear and longer life. Fifteen Sportster paint options include seven new color choices for 2012. Side covers will be finished in either gloss black or denim black to match the finish on other bodywork. The Forty-Eight model will have a new tank graphic.

2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster models

SuperLow™
Iron 883™
Sportster® 1200 Custom
Nightster®
Forty-Eight™
XR1200X™  

2012 Touring: The Legend Rolls On

For 2012, all eight Harley-Davidson Touring models are powered by a Twin Cam 103 engine with Automatic Compression Release and integrated oil cooler. Producing 102 ft. lbs. of peak torque at 3500 rpm, the Twin Cam 103 provides outstanding performance around town and on the open road. All Touring models also feature the 6-Speed Cruise Drive transmission, 41.3 mm telescopic front forks, air-adjustable rear shocks and an Isolated Drive System for smooth power delivery. The Harley-Davidson Touring chassis has a single-spar, rigid backbone frame and two-piece swingarm designed to deliver responsive maneuverability and long-haul durability. Chassis geometry and suspension are calibrated to deliver confident handling and comfort.

All Touring models except the Ultra Limited will offer a new “tubeless” Chrome Lace Aluminum Wheel option for ease of tire replacement and repair. Six new colors or color combinations are among the 12 paint options offered within the 2012 Touring model line.

2012 Harley-Davidson Touring models

Road King®
Road King® Classic
Electra Glide® Classic
Ultra Classic® Electra Glide®
Electra Glide® Ultra Limited
Street Glide®
Road Glide® Custom
Road Glide® Ultra

2012 Trike: Three Wheelin’

The 2012 Tri Glide Ultra Classic brings original-equipment design, quality and service to the three-wheel motorcycle segment, based on chassis structure and geometry engineered specifically to handle the loads generated by the steering forces and weight of a three-wheel vehicle. With a deluxe Tour-Pak™ carrier and integrated trunk, a four-speaker/ 80-watt Harman/Kardon® Advanced Audio System, electronic cruise control and electric reverse drive, the Tri Glide Ultra Classic inspires confidence, passion and independence in any riding situation. The Tri Glide Ultra will be available in three color combinations:  Vivid Black, Big Blue Pearl / Vivid Black or Ember Red Sunglo / Merlot Sunglo.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s website at www.harley-davidson.com.

The sale of the domain name Social.com closed this week for USD $2.6 million, setting the record for reported 2011 domain name sales. Marksmen, Inc.’s domain sales arm, NameQuiver, co-brokered the sale at the Moniker premium domain auction held at the recent DOMAINfest® Europe event in Barcelona, Spain. The sale was widely anticipated by domain name industry veterans, who correctly predicted an impressive price for the name.

Brokers considered Social.com a category-defining domain name at a time when social media has become the single largest growth sector on the Internet. “The sale of Social.com undoubtedly represents marketing millions,” said Cyntia King of NameQuiver, who helped engineer the sale.

To facilitate the sale, Marksmen was able to combine its expansive list of client contacts built over the last 13 years as an industry leading intellectual property investigation company with the auction marketing and sales expertise of Moniker and SnapNames to create massive interest in the domain. Industry media coverage intensified when the auction was switched to an online, rather than live, event.

The final sale, to an undisclosed buyer, was negotiated privately after an initial multi-million dollar offer. “We’re very pleased with our partnership and Moniker’s ability to attract a buyer for Social.com, culminating in this successful outcome,” said Ken Taylor, CEO of Marksmen, Inc. “We look forward to continuing to use our unique position in the industry to connect premium domain names to our clients and other end-users via auctions and private brokering.”

About Marksmen

Founded in 1998, Marksmen is a world leader in IP protection services, including trademark clearance and enforcement investigations, determining business method patents and processes, establishing and locating prior art, due diligence, worldwide on-ground investigations, litigation support and Internet related infringements. Additionally, Marksmen negotiates for the purchase or sale of IP rights internationally and monitors the Internet for both Web content and domain name registrations.

New research shows that gastric bypass significantly reduces the inflammation associated with diseases including cancer and diabetes – more proof of the overall health benefits of such surgery beyond weight loss.

The study appears online in advance of print publication in the peer-reviewed journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

“We’re amassing evidence that weight loss is a very important part of changing the way the body’s systems work in people with high-risk diseases like diabetes and heart disease,” said Gary D. Miller, an associate professor at Wake Forest University and chief investigator on the study. “It can be encouraging for people who have these diseases and need to lose weight. We’re proving that the benefits of dropping the weight are excellent.”

This study is part of a series of research the team at Wake Forest has conducted to show how weight loss after gastric bypass transforms the body to fight high-risk diseases. Previous research showed that:

• Surgery followed by diet and exercise targeted fat loss inside the abdominal cavity. Increased levels of this abdominal fat, also called visceral fat, is known to boost the risk of developing diseases including cancer. This is the first study to compare levels of visceral vs. subcutaneous fat after gastric bypass.
• Younger people undergoing gastric bypass increased their mobility and improved performance of daily activities within about three weeks, compared with about seven months in older patients. This study seems to dispel the myth that rapid weight loss leads to loss of muscle mass and physical function.
• In the most recent study, based on data collected from 15 gastric bypass patients at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, researchers found that, by six months after surgery, proteins that caused inflammation had decreased, and proteins that reduced inflammation had increased. Such inflammation has been connected to the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“I’m hoping this research will help us show people that weight loss is not just about dropping the pounds or about looking different,” Miller said. “It’s about changing your body’s disease-fighting power, too.”

Miller and his team currently are recruiting gastric bypass patients to study how supervised diet and exercise might increase and sustain weight loss after surgery.

Earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes and wildfires have dominated news coverage for quite some time now and have led to interrupted home services, water and food shortages, and other emergency situations. If your family and home isn’t supplied with emergency stores of water, food and first aid supplies you may be left totally unprepared if disaster strikes. Families shouldn’t have to huddle in the dark and wait for rescue when keeping an emergency kit stocked in a basement, closet or car can keep you fed and comfortable for 72 hours or more. If you’re trying to develop your own emergency kit, you need the information found on Survival-Security.com.

The Survival-Security website provides the information you need to develop a great and reliable emergency preparedness kit. You may be tempted to buy one of the pre-assembled survival kits, but not all of these kits are worth their price. Some kits include low quality supplies or less food and water than you’ll actually need in an emergency. Survival-Security has compiled information on a variety of emergency supply kits. By pursuing the site you can determine which packages have been designed by professional survival experts and which are a waste of money.

If you enjoy outdoor hobbies like camping, hiking or boating you’ll also need to carry many of the key survival tools with you during these trips as well. A simple fire starter or pocket water purifier is all that stands between you and serious injury or death if you become stranded or lost in the wilderness. To pick the best outdoor survival equipment you need the information available on Survival-Security. Without this information you can easily spend hundreds of dollars on equipment and supplies that break or go bad before you can use them in a real emergency.

For more information, please visit http://www.survival-security.com.

What is the influence of entrepreneurship education on intentions to become entrepreneurs and becoming full-time entrepreneurs?  According to Babson College researchers:

* There is overwhelming evidence that taking two or more core entrepreneurship elective courses positively influenced the intention to become an entrepreneur and becoming an actual entrepreneur both at the time of graduation and long afterward.

* Writing a student business plan also had a significant influence, but it is not a strong as taking two or more core courses.

The findings are based on a sample of 3,755 Babson College alumni who graduated from 1985 to 2009, analyzed by Babson College Professors Julian Lange, Edward Marram, and William Bygrave and Ajay Solai Jawahar M’11 and Wei Yong M’11.

“It’s time to cast off the prejudiced question, ‘Why teach entrepreneurship?,’ because we now have excellent empirical evidence that it makes difference.  We think that entrepreneurship should be taught not only for the production and training of entrepreneurs but also to help students decide if they have the right stuff to be entrepreneurs before they embark on careers for which they may be ill-suited,” they write.

“At a more abstract level, we believe that entrepreneurship should be taught to every business student because it is the very origin of all businesses—after all, there would be no business schools if there had never been any entrepreneurs!  Aristotle is reported to have stated that we do not understand a thing until we see it growing from its very beginning.  That alone is justification enough for why every business student should take a basic entrepreneurship course.”

According to the research, “Does An Entrepreneurship Education Have Lasting Value?  A Study Of Careers of 3,775 Alumni”:

* There is overwhelming evidence that taking two—or better yet three—entrepreneurship courses influences intentions to become entrepreneurs and to become actual entrepreneurs.  Taking only one course does not have nearly as strong an influence.  We think it may be because some students take one course and conclude that they don’t want to be entrepreneurs.

* There is powerful evidence that writing a business plan as a student influences both students’ entrepreneurial intentions and their becoming actual entrepreneurs; and it influences intentions of alumni to become entrepreneurs but does not influence their actually becoming entrepreneurs.

* The proportion of alumni entrepreneurs increases with the years after graduation.

* There is also strong evidence that the proportion of alumni with entrepreneurial intentions steadily declines after graduation but nonetheless endures for a long time.  This is probably due to several factors: the proportion of alumni realizing their intentions and actually becoming entrepreneurs increases with time after graduation; intentions decline as salaries increase; family commitment increases with years after graduation, which deters some alumni from giving up a salaried jobs to live life on the edge as neophyte entrepreneurs and risking their family’s financial security; and of course it is likely that the memory of taking entrepreneurship courses fades with time.

* We found no significant effect due to having parents who were entrepreneurs.

* Males were more likely than females to intend to become entrepreneurs and actually to become entrepreneurs.

* There was no difference between undergraduates and MBAs in intentions to become entrepreneurs and actually becoming entrepreneurs either when they were students, at graduation, or later when they were alumni.

* There was a hint that the higher their income, the less likely that alumni intend to become entrepreneurs.

* The greater their job dissatisfaction, the more likely that alumni have intentions to become entrepreneurs.

* Full-time students were more likely to have intentions to become entrepreneurs at graduation and later as alumni, but they were not more likely than part-time students to become actual entrepreneurs.

* Founding a full-time business before enrolling at Babson is the strongest influence on students becoming full-time entrepreneurs immediately at graduation and alumni becoming entrepreneurs.  For alumni entrepreneurs, it overshadows all other influences.  But it does not influence student or alumni intentions to become entrepreneurs.

* The control variable for students’ proclivity for entrepreneurship before enrolling at Babson and their expectation to have entrepreneurial careers afterward was highly significant.

Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All Kinds™. The College is a dynamic living and learning laboratory, where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society—while at the same time evolving our methods and advancing our programs. We shape the leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to create economic and social value. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought and Action™ as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value.

Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education. Babson grants BS degrees through its innovative undergraduate program, and grants MBA and custom MS and MBA degrees through the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Babson Executive Education offers executive development programs to experienced managers worldwide. For information, visit www.babson.edu.

Scientists have developed a way to turn memories on and off—literally with the flip of a switch.

Using an electronic system that duplicates the neural signals associated with memory, they managed to replicate the brain function in rats associated with long-term learned behavior, even when the rats had been drugged to forget.

“Flip the switch on, and the rats remember. Flip it off, and the rats forget,” said Theodore Berger of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Berger is the lead author of an article that will be published in the Journal of Neural Engineering. His team worked with scientists from Wake Forest University in the study, building on recent advances in our understanding of the brain area known as the hippocampus and its role in learning.

In the experiment, the researchers had rats learn a task, pressing one lever rather than another to receive a reward. Using embedded electrical probes, the experimental research team, led by Sam A. Deadwyler of the Wake Forest Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, recorded changes in the rat’s brain activity between the two major internal divisions of the hippocampus, known as subregions CA3 and CA1. During the learning process, the hippocampus converts short-term memory into long-term memory, the researchers prior work has shown.

“No hippocampus,” says Berger, “no long-term memory, but still short-term memory.” CA3 and CA1 interact to create long-term memory, prior research has shown.

In a dramatic demonstration, the experimenters blocked the normal neural interactions between the two areas using pharmacological agents. The previously trained rats then no longer displayed the long-term learned behavior.

“The rats still showed that they knew ‘when you press left first, then press right next time, and vice-versa,’” Berger said. “And they still knew in general to press levers for water, but they could only remember whether they had pressed left or right for 5-10 seconds.”

Using a model created by the prosthetics research team led by Berger, the teams then went further and developed an artificial hippocampal system that could duplicate the pattern of interaction between CA3-CA1 interactions.

Long-term memory capability returned to the pharmacologically blocked rats when the team activated the electronic device programmed to duplicate the memory-encoding function.

In addition, the researchers went on to show that if a prosthetic device and its associated electrodes were implanted in animals with a normal, functioning hippocampus, the device could actually strengthen the memory being generated internally in the brain and enhance the memory capability of normal rats.

“These integrated experimental modeling studies show for the first time that with sufficient information about the neural coding of memories, a neural prosthesis capable of real-time identification and manipulation of the encoding process can restore and even enhance cognitive mnemonic processes,” says the paper.

Next steps, according to Berger and Deadwyler, will be attempts to duplicate the rat results in primates (monkeys), with the aim of eventually creating prostheses that might help the human victims of Alzheimer’s disease, stroke or injury recover function.

The paper is entitled “A Cortical Neural Prosthesis for Restoring and Enhancing Memory.” Besides Deadwyler and Berger, the other authors are, from USC, BME Professor Vasilis Z. Marmarelis and Research Assistant Professor Dong Song, and from Wake Forest, Associate Professor Robert E. Hampson and Post-Doctoral Fellow Anushka Goonawardena.

Berger, who holds the David Packard Chair in Engineering, is the Director of the USC Center for Neural Engineering, Associate Director of the National Science Foundation Biomimetic MicroElectronic Systems Engineering Research Center, and a Fellow of the IEEE, the AAAS, and the AIMBE.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will increase the national per-mile business driving rate to 55.5 cents-per-mile for the final six months of 2011. The rate increase will be effective July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.  At which point, the IRS will review vehicle costs and determine the rate for 2012.

This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the currently established rate of 51 cents-per-mile that was in effect for the first six months of the year. The cents-per-mile standard is the amount the U.S. taxpayer can deduct for vehicle expenses on his or her 2011 tax return for business miles driven.

The decision to increase the national per-mile business driving rate reflects the recent fuel price fluctuations. Runzheimer International will work closely with the IRS to establish the rate for the time period beginning January 1, 2012. Runzheimer International has provided this annual service to the IRS since 1980.

The IRS also announced a new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses of 23.5 cents-per-mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2011. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations remains at 14 cents-per-mile.

About Runzheimer International

Founded in 1933, Runzheimer International serves 60 percent of the Fortune 500 and numerous government agencies. The company is recognized for providing innovative solutions relating to Total Employee Mobility®. Runzheimer International is the global leader in workforce mobility programs including business vehicle, business travel, logistics, corporate aircraft, employee relocation and compensation, and virtual office.

For most guys, shopping for new clothing is a love/hate relationship. Each season there are new styles, colors and textures for even the most basic items in a man’s closet.  With a wide variety of new seasonal options, Lands’ End Canvas has something to entice even the most gun-shy guys needing a summer wardrobe update.  

“From colorful shirts to cool shorts, the Lands’ End Canvas collection offers new summer options that can easily become their must-have favorites,” said J Henley, Lands’ End men’s design director.  ”We designed the entire assortment to offer men unique options that can be easily adopted into their wardrobe mix to make their own style statement.”

Shirts with Style

Whether it’s a polo or a popover, guys have plenty of new summer shirt options.  ”This season it’s all about colors and patterns,” said Henley. Lands’ End Canvas has popover shirts in madras, Oxford, and chambray fabric in unique styles. All casual shirts work great paired with light chinos, denim, or even a pair of white cotton beach pants.  If men are looking for a more classic look, Henley suggests the long sleeve or short sleeve Oxford shirt.  It’s a classic shirt that has received a fresh update in new “saturated colors.” Finally, no man’s closet is complete without a polo shirt …or five, for that matter.  ”For men who want a fresh look to this classic go-to shirt, the Jersey Pocket Polo is a show-stopper,” said Henley. “This shirt is soft, lightweight, and goes with just about anything.”

Seasonal Shorts

When the mercury climbs, one of the first items guys grab is a comfortable pair of shorts.  Henley suggests following a few simple rules that can turn casual kick-around shorts into a style staple.  First, shorts should hit at, or slightly above, the knee to give a “pulled together” look.  Second, experiment with color beyond the multiple safe shades of khaki. Add a pair of red brick, majestic navy, or gray stone chino shorts to boost the color quotient. Finally, Henley says the one thing that always seems to be overlooked is selecting shorts with texture. The Lands’ End Canvas Chambray Camp Shorts or Striped Pincord Shorts are a great alternative and add a different style element to standard shorts.

All about Accessories

A great way to add a slice of summer style to a basic look is by adding a colorful web belt.  Henley suggests adding an orange or red belt to wear with khaki chino pants or shorts.  While a tie may seem like office apparel only, Henley says that’s simply not the case.  He suggests that guys try the Lands’ End Canvas Silk Linen Nautical Tie or the Striped Chambray Tie.  Both have a distinct pattern that works well worn loosely with a tucked or untucked Oxford shirt.  ”These summer accessories will help men pull off a casual date-night look that will have them looking classy without looking stuffy,” said Henley.

Win it All for Yourself!

Guys who need a new wardrobe of summer must-haves have a great chance to get it all for free!  From now until July 15th, Lands’ End Canvas is partnering with GQ.com’s “Summer Style Sweepstakes.”  Men can simply go to www.gq.com and enter to win a $1,000 gift card courtesy of Lands’ End Canvas.  

About Lands’ End Canvas™

Authentic inspiration, modern interpretation: clothing and accessories with an effortless sense of style for women and men. True to its Lands’ End roots, everything is Guaranteed. Period.® Sold at landsendcanvas.com, 1-877-877-1963, the Lands’ End Canvas Shops at Sears and around the world.

Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Greater Los Angeles Award winners. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous winners of the award, leading CEOs, private capital investors and other regional business leaders. The winners were revealed at a gala event on June 21 at The Beverly Hilton.

“Ernst & Young has honored outstanding entrepreneurs like this year’s winners for the past 25 years,” said Brian Ring, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Greater Los Angeles Program Director. “These business leaders have accomplished so much and contributed a tremendous amount to the community. They give us hope for what the next 25 years of entrepreneurs will bring.”

The Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 Award winners are:

• Ajay Handa, CEO, Columbus Technologies & Services, Inc. (Pasadena)
• Adam Miller, President & CEO, Cornerstone OnDemand (Santa Monica)
• Lyndon Faulkner, President & CEO, Pelican Products, Inc. (Torrance)
• Brandon Beck, Co-Founder & CEO, Marc Merrill, Co-Founder & President, Riot Games (Santa Monica)
• Frank Addante, CEO & Founder, the Rubicon Project, Inc. (Los Angeles)
• Neal Schore, President & CEO, Triton Media Group (Sherman Oaks)
• Steve Rechnitz, Co-Founder & CEO, Twin Med LLC (Santa Fe Springs)

The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program honors entrepreneurs regionally in June, leading up to the national awards in November. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award regionally are also eligible for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Venture Capital Award of Excellence on a national level. The overall National US winner then moves on to compete for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June.

This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary.  The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

All regional honorees are invited to the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala, hosted by Jay Leno, on November 12, 2011, in Palm Springs, California. The gala is the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. For more information on the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, please visit www.ey.com/us/strategicgrowthforum.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a national sponsor.

In Greater Los Angeles, sponsors include Marsh, SAP, Scherzer International, Union Bank, ADP, Montgomery & Co., RR Donnelley, Acacia Wealth Advisors, CresaPartners, JH Cohn and Strategic Equity Group.

For more information about the program, please visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.

Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a US client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

BET Networks, the leading provider of entertainment for the African-American audience and consumers of Black culture globally, has named industry veteran Vicky Free as the company’s new Executive Vice President of Marketing. Free, who has most recently led strategic marketing efforts at Turner Broadcasting Systems, will be responsible for the marketing strategy and execution for BET, BET.com, BET mobile and CENTRIC. She will report directly to Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks and will be based in New York.

Free comes to BET Networks with nearly two decades of brand marketing and media management experience, most recently from Turner Broadcasting System. At Turner, she led the newly created 360 consumer marketing department designed to build effective consumer engagement campaigns for both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim entertainment properties. In this role she was responsible for building consumer-centric, integrated, strategic and metric-driven marketing campaigns for priority series and events.

“We are thrilled to have Vicky join BET Networks given her strong experience in the cable industry and keen understanding in creating thoughtful brands and engaging the consumer it serves,” said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks. “As we continue in our company’s evolution, we couldn’t be more thrilled to have someone as talented as Vicky lead our marketing team and elevate our multi-platform and digital marketing strategies.”

“I am honored to join BET Networks and build on the iconic brand of this company,” said Vicky Free, Executive Vice President of Marketing at BET Networks. “I am confident that my experience and passion, coupled with the BET’s incredibly creative and thoughtful team, will take the relationship between our consumer and our content to the next level.”

During Free’s tenure at Turner, she led the entertainment marketing team for TNT, TBS and TCM. Among her many accomplishments, she launched Emerging Markets and Promotions Group that created breakout campaigns for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and The Closer. Free also spent over eight years at McDonald’s, where she worked as Director of Women’s Initiatives in the United States and headed multicultural brand management. Free received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina and her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

LG Electronics has expanded its cooking appliance collection with its first line of double-oven gas ranges for the U.S. market.  These new freestanding ranges offer a variety of feature sets and options including large capacities, maximum usable cooking space, high performance and stylish designs, as well as advanced technologies like an infrared broiling system.  Additionally, LG is announcing several new gas cooktops which feature professional-grade cooking power and a sleek look. Both product lines blend high performance and the company’s award-winning design, helping consumers achieve great cooking results.  

“We’re excited to expand our double-oven range line to include gas models with the same high-performance features that made their electric counterparts a success,” said John Weinstock, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA.  ”With smart designs and state-of-the-art features, we’re giving home chefs the best of both worlds with performance and flexibility that will help make cooking easier and more enjoyable.”

Gas Ranges: Home Chef Approved

Culinary enthusiasts will welcome the added convenience of being able to prepare multiple dishes at once to satisfy a big family during the holiday season or to ensure perfect timing for a meal.  With two separate ovens, it’s possible to cook different dishes at different temperatures, at the same time. With each range featuring a total capacity of 6.1 cubic feet, one of the largest in the industry, chefs will have room to cook an entire dinner at once. Even with two separate ovens, the new LG range fits within the standard footprint, so no kitchen modifications are needed.

Other noteworthy features include LG’s attractive IntuiTouch™ display that features controls on the right side and a diagram of which cooking elements are in use on the left.  For additional cooking power and performance, each range includes LG’s SuperBoil™ 17,000 BTU burner as it highest power burner.  This cooking surface maximizes usable space, easily accommodating a variety of differently sized cookware – including an extra-large saute pan, while still having two free ovens.  Users will also enjoy the award-winning design that has become the hallmark of LG appliances.  With stainless steel touchpoints, sleek controls and a brilliant blue interior, this range helps any kitchen look its best.

Gas Ranges:  Professional Performance

The flagship double-oven range includes the LG InfraGrill™ system, the company’s first infrared heating element that enables the oven to reach broil temperature quickly.  This reduces cooking time by 24 percent for popular items like hamburgers and chicken breasts.  LG first introduced infrared cooking in its Double-Oven Electric Range, the same technology often found in premium outdoor grills which allows for juicy cooking results.

LG also makes it easier to achieve great cooking results with its EvenJet™ system that offers faster preheating and great air circulation, resulting in more precise, uniform baking and roasting.

Available in stainless steel finishes at retailers now are models LDG3015, LDG3016 and LDG3017S at manufacturer’s suggested retail prices of $1,679, $1,889 and $2,099, respectively (prices vary for additional finishes including smooth black and white).  

Gas Cooktop Expansion

LG updated its cooktop portfolio as well with new 30- and 36-inch gas models, making the company’s high performance and stylish innovations accessible to a broader range of consumers.  Both feature five cooking elements, supported by LG’s SuperBoil™ burner totaling 17,000 BTUs, so there is enough room and power to satisfy the most active home chef.  Consumers will enjoy the heavy duty steel cast iron grates that allow for stable, even cooking, as well as a stylish compliment to the stainless steel finish.

The 30-inch cooktop model LCG3011ST and 36-inch model LCG3611ST are available now at manufacturer’s suggested retail prices of $1,154 and $1,259, respectively. The new cooktops join LG’s broad array of cooking appliances including induction, radiant and gas cooktops, electric and gas ranges, built-in wall ovens and microwave ovens.

For more information please visit www.lg.com.

* Designs, features and specifications subject to change without notice

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

Representatives from Margaret Holmes today announced a ‘Best Southern Summer Dishes’ recipe contest, which will run through September 6, 2011. Recipes can combine any of the Margaret Holmes label products, including their southern classics such as collard greens, butter peas, tomatoes okra and corn, and yellow squash; and seasoned vegetables including mix greens, field peas and snaps, and Italian green beans; southern peaches, and Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts. The winning recipe made with one or more Margaret Holmes products will win a $1,000 gift card.

The Best Southern Summer Dishes contest will be administered through the Margaret Holmes Facebook page. Contestants can submit their original recipes, with a photo or video of the finished dish, via email at margaretholmessc@gmail.com. Recipes will then be uploaded to the Margaret Holmes Facebook page for voting. The winning recipe will be chosen by Facebook votes and Margaret Holmes staff, based on the following criteria: best use of Margaret Holmes products, originality, and presentation.

Margaret Holmes’ Facebook page offers fans cooking tips; facts and nutritional information on their vegetables products; a monthly video cooking demonstration; polls and contests; and the chance to interact with other fans of Margaret Homes.

About Margaret Holmes

Based in Effingham, South Carolina, Margaret Holmes is owned by McCall Farms, a canner and distributor of southern-inspired vegetable products grown on 2,000 acres of family farmland, with an additional 3,000 farming acres contracted from other farmers in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. McCall Farms produces Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts, as well as several lines of canned products under the Margaret Holmes name including southern classics: butter peas; triple succotash; and cut okra; seasoned southern classics: collard greens, butter beans, and cabbage; and Southern Peaches: Greer Freestone and lite Greer peaches; O’Sage lite peaches; and sunshine spiced whole picked peaches.

To learn more about Margaret Holmes, visit www.margaretholmes.com or www.facebook.com/MargaretHolmesFresh.

Representatives from Margaret Holmes today announced a ‘Best Southern Summer Dishes’ recipe contest, which will run through September 6, 2011. Recipes can combine any of the Margaret Holmes label products, including their southern classics such as collard greens, butter peas, tomatoes okra and corn, and yellow squash; and seasoned vegetables including mix greens, field peas and snaps, and Italian green beans; southern peaches, and Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts. The winning recipe made with one or more Margaret Holmes products will win a $1,000 gift card.

The Best Southern Summer Dishes contest will be administered through the Margaret Holmes Facebook page. Contestants can submit their original recipes, with a photo or video of the finished dish, via email at margaretholmessc@gmail.com. Recipes will then be uploaded to the Margaret Holmes Facebook page for voting. The winning recipe will be chosen by Facebook votes and Margaret Holmes staff, based on the following criteria: best use of Margaret Holmes products, originality, and presentation.

Margaret Holmes’ Facebook page offers fans cooking tips; facts and nutritional information on their vegetables products; a monthly video cooking demonstration; polls and contests; and the chance to interact with other fans of Margaret Homes.

About Margaret Holmes

Based in Effingham, South Carolina, Margaret Holmes is owned by McCall Farms, a canner and distributor of southern-inspired vegetable products grown on 2,000 acres of family farmland, with an additional 3,000 farming acres contracted from other farmers in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. McCall Farms produces Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts, as well as several lines of canned products under the Margaret Holmes name including southern classics: butter peas; triple succotash; and cut okra; seasoned southern classics: collard greens, butter beans, and cabbage; and Southern Peaches: Greer Freestone and lite Greer peaches; O’Sage lite peaches; and sunshine spiced whole picked peaches.

To learn more about Margaret Holmes, visit www.margaretholmes.com or www.facebook.com/MargaretHolmesFresh.

Hula hoops started a craze when they were first introduced to the public back in the 1950s. They quickly became a national phenomena. Today hula hoops are back with a different spin. Now they are being used as exercise equipment, and the beneficial results are stacked in their favor.

The hula hoops of today are a much different breed than the ones from the past. The newer style hoops are much larger and they are weighted. The weight has two benefits. It makes the hoops easier to get started and at the same time, the added weight adds to the workout giving your entire core a fat busting routine.

“The benefits of using a weighted hula hoop are huge!”, Says Julie Smith founder of hulahoopsforsale.com. “They are easy to use, and they are so much fun that you don’t even realize that you are working out. That is where the magic begins. Fun exercise has not existed until now. You know the old saying, time flies when your having fun!”

Hula hoops target one area that everyone wants to work on, the belly. They work every single muscle in your midsection. Days of doing boring old sit-ups and crunches are long gone. A hula hoop can tone the entire midsection.

Get a cardio workout and burn up the calories with one simple exercise tool. Using a hula hoop correctly can burn up to seven calories per minute. In one hour, over 400 calories can be erased from your body!

Julie Smith, a mother of two has become so wrapped up in hula hooping, that she wanted to spread the word about hooping, so she started http://hulahoopsforsale.com. Here you can find a wide assortment of different sized hula hoops as well as several how-to articles that will get you up and spinning in no time.

For more information, please visit http://hulahoopsforsale.com.

American drivers love to spend their vacations hitting the open road. AAA anticipated nine out of 10 travelers over the recent Memorial Day holiday weekend took a road trip as opposed to traveling by plane, train or other mode of transportation. For those in the market for a new vehicle that they hope to log plenty of miles in while traveling, AAA has released its top vehicle picks for road trips.

“Since the invention of the automobile, Americans have enjoyed taking road trips. From wood-paneled station wagons to oversized conversion vans, most Americans have grown up taking road trips with their family and friends,” said John Nielsen, AAA National Director of Auto Repair, Buying Services and Consumer Information.

“Today’s American road trips come in many different forms: family vacations, mancations, girlfriend getaways, romantic excursions and more. And the ideal vehicle for a road trip can come in as many different forms depending on where you want the road to take you and who will be joining you for the ride,” said Nielsen.

To assist travelers seeking the ideal vehicle for their road trip, AAA Auto Buying experts developed a list of its top picks for road trips taking into consideration a wide variety of factors such as interior comfort, cargo size, passenger room and comfort, fuel economy, safety, vehicle performance and handling as well as other factors.

AAA’s top vehicle picks for road trips highlight vehicles in six categories to offer options for a variety of consumers at every price point. The 2011 top vehicle picks for road trips include:

Small Cars
Chevrolet Cruze Eco – From the Cavalier to the Cobalt to the Cruze, each generation of compact Chevrolet vehicles has been an improvement from the previous, and the Cruze is no exception. AAA Auto Buying experts tested the “Eco” version with a six-speed manual transmission, which is the non-hybrid gasoline fuel economy leader in its size category. It also received a five-star overall rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) more stringent new crash test program. AAA found the Cruze Eco to be a good value with impressive fuel economy, making it a smart pick for road trip lovers on a budget. For those looking to take more than two on their road trip, the Cruze lacks rear cup holders and a center armrest, and the rear seat may be cramped for tall passengers. The TrueCar national average selling price of the Chevrolet Cruze “Eco” is $18,837, 1.8 percent (or $338) less than the MSRP.

Ford Focus – A definite improvement over the previous version, the new 2012 Ford Focus drives very nicely with above average ride and handling. Fuel economy and engine performance also are very good and highway cruising is impressively quiet for the small car field, making it a top pick for road trips. As with other cars in the category, it’s ideal for two travelers as the backseat can be a bit cramped. The TrueCar national average selling price of the 2012 Ford Focus is $16,896, 2.3 percent (or $399) less than the MSRP.  

Kia Soul – For those looking to express themselves a bit more while on the road, AAA Auto Buying experts like the funky looks of the Kia Soul and its practicality, as well. Reviewers found little to fault with the Soul, which offers a 10-year/100,000 mile warranty, 30-mpg fuel economy and is a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Soul also received a five-star crash test rating from NHTSA. The TrueCar national average selling price of the Kia Soul is $16,759, 2.5 percent (or $431) less than the MSRP.

Medium Cars
Ford Fusion – The Ford Fusion is a well-rounded vehicle. Its engine performance, ride and handling are all very good, and the hybrid version can produce exceptional fuel economy. As an added bonus, all-wheel drive is an option, which should make the car more appealing for those who enjoy winter-time road trips in certain parts of the country. The downside found by AAA Auto Buying experts is the four-cylinder engine could be more refined. The TrueCar national average selling price of the Ford Fusion is $18,821, currently selling for 8.8 percent (or $1,824) less than the MSRP.

Toyota Prius – The Toyota Prius is a road trip top pick because it’s roomy, comfortable and economical. The hatchback design makes for exceptional flexibility, as well. The hybrid drivetrain sips fuel, and with careful driving, it can push fuel economy well past 50 mpg. However, for those who love engaging and sporty vehicles for their road trips, the Prius may not be the right choice. It’s a secure and predictable ride, but not engaging to drive. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Toyota Prius is $24,876, which is 2.5 percent (or $596) above the MSRP. Increase demand due to higher gas prices and lowered supply of the Prius make it the only vehicle on AAA’s list currently to be selling for more than its MSRP, according to TrueCar pricing information.

Hyundai Sonata – AAA Auto Buying experts found the Hyundai Sonata to be an excellent performer from any perspective. The ride is comfortable and controlled, the handling is highly predictable and the four-cylinder engine delivers both good performance and good fuel economy. For those planning a road trip with taller passengers in the back seat, the swooping roof cuts into the rear seat head room as well as rear visibility. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Hyundai Sonata is $20,572, 2.7 percent (or $573) less than the MSRP.

Large Cars
Toyota Camry/Avalon – These cars share a platform and a V-6 engine. The Camry also offers four-cylinder power, which should be sufficient for most drivers. The cabins are roomy with the Avalon offering exceptional rear seat comfort, good for those taking multiple passengers on a road trip. Fuel economy with the V-6 when on the open road is surprisingly good. While both have solid handling, neither car is engaging to drive for travelers seeking a little extra from their driving experience. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Toyota Camry is $20,668, 6.1 percent (or $1,337) less than the MSRP.

Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger – Much improved for 2011, the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger (built on the same platform) offer a surprising amount of room, a comfortable and well-controlled ride and good handling. Interior treatments are noticeably upgraded, as well. The new 3.6-liter V-6 engine provides adequate power and reasonable fuel economy. However, AAA Auto Buying experts report rear visibility is still an issue though forward visibility for overhead traffic lights has been improved from previous model years. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Dodge Charger is $24,803, 5.4 percent (or $1,417) less than the MSRP.

Infiniti G37 – AAA Auto Buying Experts agree the Infinity G37 is one of the most engaging driving experiences with sharp handling and a powerful 328-horsepower V-6. It also comes loaded with standard features and excellent safety ratings. For road trippers, the interior is a bit snug and the ride might be too firm for some depending on their personal preference and road surface conditions. The TrueCar national average selling price of the Infiniti G37 is $33,894, which is 7.6 percent (or $2,801) less than the MSRP.

Minivans
Honda Odyssey – The Honda Odyssey is big, but the driver does not have to put up with an unwieldy vehicle as its handling is surprisingly good. As for space, this minivan can carry a large family with ease. Optional split-screen entertainment also can keep rear seat passengers entertained during long trips. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Honda Odyssey is $30,777, three percent (or $953) less than MSRP.

Toyota Sienna – Big, comfortable and inviting, the Toyota Sienna has many features to put it on the top picks for road trips list. The ride is comfortable and quiet while the V-6 engine performs impressively. AAA Auto Buying experts reported that the Sienna’s handling is not the best in the class and the interior is not as polished as some road trip fans may prefer. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Toyota Sienna is $24,209, 6.4 percent (or $1,661) less than MSRP.

Chrysler Town & Country – Much improved with a mid-cycle freshening, the Chrysler Town & Country comes with a standard array of useful safety features including a backup camera and cross traffic and blind spot alerts. The Stow ‘n’ Go seats are unparalleled for convenience and the ride and handling are quite good in the new model. The Town & Country can be a great pick for those traveling with children, however the second row seats still are not very adult friendly. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Town & Country is $28,696, 7.7 percent (or $2,399) less than the MSRP.

SUVs
Dodge Durango – The new platform for the Dodge Durango, which it shares with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, is very good. Its ride and handling are well above average, and the new 3.6-liter V-6 is more than capable of delivering power when needed. Rear seat room is up to the challenge of handling six-foot passengers. The main drawback to the Durango is its below-class-average fuel economy. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Dodge Durango is $27,347, nine percent (or $2,698) less than MSRP.

Subaru Forester – Easy to drive, comfortable and budget friendly (at least in its basic, though still well-equipped trim levels) the Forester is ideal for longer trips. Its ride and handling are good, and the base engine performance is more than sufficient for family use. The only downside is its fuel economy is average for the vehicle category. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Subaru Forester is $21,513, 5.3 percent (or $1,207) less than MSRP.

Toyota RAV4 – Good ride, good handling and good room make the Toyota RAV4 an excellent extended drive vehicle. The V-6 is much more powerful than the four-cylinder motor, yet fuel economy seems not to suffer much with the upgrade. One downside noted by AAA Auto Buying experts is the location of the rear door hinge at the side, rather than the top, which can complicate access to the cargo area. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Toyota RAV4 is $22,150, 4.9 percent (or $1,135) less than MSRP.

“Fun” Cars
Porsche Boxster/Cayman – There are few cars that offer a better blend of handling and engine performance. The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are not the fastest, but they are quick enough to be thoroughly entertaining on a road trip—especially those that might include some winding roads. As with most of the “fun” picks, there is only room for two, and the Porsches’ split trunks limit packing options. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Porsche Boxster is $47,022, 4.1 percent (or $2,028) less than MSRP.

Chevrolet Corvette – Great handling and power are the highlights of the Chevrolet Corvette that can make it a fun car for a road trip. As with other sports cars, travelers will need to pack light and leave the kids at home for road trips in this American classic. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Chevrolet Corvette is $45,156, 9.7 percent (or $4,839) less than the MSRP.

Volkswagen GTI – The Volkswagen GTI may be the best overall compromise in the “fun-to-drive” category. It is roomy enough to be practical, while the ride is surprisingly supple considering its handling. The interior is nicely designed and put together. While a good compromise of room and fun, the back seat is still a tight fit for adults if taking a longer road trip. The TrueCar national average selling price for the Volkswagen GTI is $26,187, 5.3 percent (or $1,478) less than MSRP.

AAA’s top picks are selected by its AAA Auto Buying experts who test drive and evaluate hundreds of vehicles each year. AAA provides free vehicle reviews, localized pricing information and more for consumers online at AAA.com/AutoMaker. Additional information on AAA Auto Buying is available at AAA.com/AutoBuying.

TrueCar is the AAA preferred supplier for new car pricing data for the motor club. TrueCar is a trusted source for car buyers and car dealers, providing what other people actually paid for a vehicle within the last 30 days, locally, regionally and nationally using multiple, and even duplicate sources to gather and authenticate their data. Those in the market for a new vehicle can configure the vehicle they want and get the TrueCar average selling price at AAA.com/AutoMaker. Vehicle pricing will vary based on trim packages, and prices included with the top picks are based upon specific trim.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 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.

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) announced today a definitive agreement under which Capital One will acquire ING Direct from ING Groep in a stock and cash transaction valued at $9.0 billion. Currently the 8th largest bank in the United States, based on deposits, Capital One’s acquisition of ING Direct combines ING Direct’s valuable national direct deposit franchise with Capital One’s advantaged access to assets and local scale branch banking.  The combination strengthens Capital One’s customer franchise and brand and provides significant financial and strategic upside with low execution risk. Upon closing, Capital One will become the 5th largest depository institution and the leading direct bank in the United States.

Under the agreement, Capital One will purchase ING Direct from ING Groep for $6.2 billion in cash and approximately 55.9 million Capital One shares, valued at $2.8 billion, based on a Capital One share price of $50.07, the 10-day average of Capital One closing prices for the period ending June 15, 2011. Capital One expects this transaction will be accretive to tangible book value at closing, accretive to EPS in 2012 and result in mid-single digit accretion in 2013.

Capital One expects to finance the cash portion of the consideration, in part, through a public equity raise of approximately $2 billion and debt offerings of approximately $3.7 billion prior to the close of the transaction.

“The acquisition of ING Direct is a game-changing transaction that delivers attractive deal economics immediately and compelling long-term strategic value,” said Richard D. Fairbank, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital One.  ”The combination of Capital One and ING Direct creates a unique and valuable banking franchise that includes advantaged access to assets, great local scale branch banking in attractive markets, and with ING Direct, the leading direct bank customer franchise with national reach.  Adding ING Direct enhances and sustains key sources of shareholder value over the long-term, including growth, returns and capital generation.”

Capital One will work closely with ING Direct’s leadership team to establish a management structure designed to ensure that the combined company achieves the highest quality integration and has the best leadership in place to build on ING Direct’s great customer franchise.  

In connection with the transaction, Capital One expects to realize $90 million from consolidating systems, platforms and corporate staff functions. In addition to these cost synergies, Capital One expects to achieve funding savings of $200 million annually from optimizing management of the combined deposit portfolio. Beyond these amounts, there are potential additional synergies from cross-selling the ShareBuilder online brokerage products to Capital One customers and select Capital One products to ING Direct customers, and from balance sheet repositioning opportunities.  The company will incur $210 million of merger and integration costs in connection with the acquisition.

“ING Direct is a tremendous franchise,” Fairbank added.  ”Its innovative platform and customer-focus are well aligned with Capital One’s own vision.  We are committed to sustaining and enhancing the great customer relationships that have been central to the success of both banks.”

In connection with ING Groep’s 9.9 percent pro forma ownership stake in Capital One, ING Groep will have the right to name one member to the company’s Board of Directors and has agreed to a customary lock-up on its shares. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals, including banking approvals in both the U.S. and The Netherlands, and is expected to close in late 2011 or early in 2012.  

Morgan Stanley, Barclays Capital and Centerview Partners LLC acted as financial advisers to Capital One and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, Mayer Brown and Loyens & Loeff acted as legal advisers.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act giving Capital One’s expectations or predictions of future financial or business performance or conditions.  Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the projected impact and benefits of the transaction involving Capital One and ING Direct, including future financial and operating results, the company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which change over time.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and Capital One assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and those identified elsewhere in this press release, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the possibility that regulatory and other approvals and conditions to the transaction are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the possibility that modifications to the terms of the transactions may be required in order to obtain or satisfy such approvals or conditions; changes in the anticipated timing for closing the transaction; difficulties and delays in integrating Capital One’s and ING Direct’s businesses or fully realizing projected cost savings and other projected benefits of the transaction; business disruption during the pendency of or following the transaction; the inability to sustain revenue and earnings growth; changes in interest rates and capital markets; diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; reputational risks and the reaction of customers and counterparties to the transaction; and changes in asset quality and credit risk as a result of the transaction.

Annualized, pro forma, projected and estimated numbers are used for illustrative purposes only, are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., had $125.4 billion in deposits and     $199.3 billion in total assets outstanding as of March 31, 2011. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. has approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COF” and is included in the S&P 100 index.

The reviews are in. The new Kobo eReader Touch Edition is the perfect choice for consumers who are looking for a book-like reading experience and want the very best features available — for less money. Now available on Borders.com and in select Borders stores beginning tomorrow, June 17 for just $129.99 ($10 cheaper than the next leading device), the new Kobo eReader Touch offers an amazing new touch experience that is similar to reading and turning the pages of a real book.  The small, lightweight design provides the ultimate in reading comfort, and fits in a purse or jacket pocket for easy travel. The new eReader offers the best combination of innovation, cutting-edge technology, readability, portability and also offers popular Kobo “Reading Life”— where users can win awards just for reading.

Features and More Features

• Just Like Reading a Real Book Only Better: The inexpensive new Kobo eReader, priced at less than $130, offers a comprehensive variety of features customers won’t find on any other device at this price. Features include the latest generation e-Reader technology; storage of up to 30,000 books with expandable memory; a beautiful new design with a signature quilted back providing the ultimate in reading comfort; and an intuitive one-touch display that makes navigation, reading and shopping a snap.

Plus, the new eReader is available in several stylish colors including black, white, lilac and blue (blue is available at Borders after Father’s Day). In addition, it’s also the only international device on the market — the German, Spanish and French versions are launching soon. Readers will be able to enjoy a localized user experience, local content, and recommendations.

• Provides the Ultimate in Reading Comfort: At just seven ounces, the new Kobo eReader Touch Edition is the smallest, most compact reader on the market. Lightweight and thin — it fits comfortably in a pocket or jacket and travels virtually everywhere.
• Designed For Readers: The new eReader is also the first to be powered by the new Freescale 508 processor, a high performance engine designed to enable fast page turning for electronic paper displays. With the intuitive touchscreen design, readers can highlight phrases, lookup words, zoom into images, increase the font size, and quickly navigate through a book as well as their entire library. The new eReader’s virtual keyboard makes it easy to navigate the eReader and find the book that they are looking for. Plus, the new predictive search feature automatically offers suggestions that match their query – before they’re even done typing.
• Great for Reading Anywhere:  The perfect summer and beach-reading accoutrement, the eReader features a no-glare 6-inch touchscreen powered by latest-generation Pearl eInk display that provides text that is crisp and clear, even in bright sunlight.
• A Unique Social Reading Experience: The new Kobo eReader is the only eReader to offer Reading Life, the industry’s most advanced social eReading platform. Reading Life enables readers to gain insight into their reading habits with Reading Life Stats, which tracks the minutes per reading session, the number of pages they’ve turned, plus provides an overview of books completed in their library. Readers can get  fun and exciting awards just for reading — and connect and share those awards with their friends and family on Facebook and Twitter.

Access to Millions of Titles with WiFi

In addition to these features, readers can also enjoy access to the Kobo bookstore, one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive digital libraries. With the Kobo eReader Touch Edition, customers can easily connect via WiFi or USB to access over 2.3 million books, including over a million free titles, as well as newspapers and magazines from the Kobo Store at Kobo.com, accessible via Borders.com. Notably, readers can also borrow and read books from their local libraries.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., through its subsidiaries, Borders Group, Inc. is a specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “expect,” “believe,” “planning,” “possibility,” “opportunity,” “goal,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “anticipates,” “working toward” and other words of similar meaning. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and plans to differ materially from those included in the company’s forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to (i) the ability of the company to continue as a going concern, (ii) the company’s ability to obtain Bankruptcy Court approval with respect to motions in the chapter 11 cases, (iii) the ability of the company and its subsidiaries to prosecute, develop and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the chapter 11 cases, (iv) the effects of the company’s bankruptcy filing on the company and the interests of various creditors, equity holders and other constituents, (v) Bankruptcy Court rulings in the chapter 11 cases and the outcome of the cases in general, (vi) the length of time the company will operate under the chapter 11 cases, (vii) risks associated with third party motions in the chapter 11 cases, which may interfere with the company’s ability to develop and consummate one or more plans of reorganization once such plans are developed, (viii) the potential adverse effects of the chapter 11 proceedings on the company’s liquidity or results of operations, (ix) the ability to execute the company’s business and restructuring plan, (x) increased legal costs related to the company’s bankruptcy filing and other litigation, (xi) the company’s ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operation, to obtain and maintain normal terms with its vendors, landlords and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees.

In the event that the risks disclosed in the company’s public filings and those discussed above cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the company’s forward-looking statements, the company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, and the interests of creditors, equity holders and other constituents, could be materially adversely affected.

About Kobo, Inc.

Kobo is a global eReading service with more than 2.3 million eBooks, magazines and newspapers – one of the largest eReading catalogues in the world. Kobo believes consumers should have the freedom to read any book on any device and has attracted millions of readers from over 100 countries across the globe. Kobo has top ranked eReading applications for iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows and MacOS, and is the eReading application of choice for leading tablets. The Kobo eReader is also available at leading retailers including Indigo, Walmart, Best Buy, Borders, WHSmith, Angus & Robertson’s and Whitcoull’s. Kobo’s innovative Reading Life is an industry-first comprehensive social eReading experience – Kobo users can earn awards simply for time spent reading and encouraging others to read.  Kobo is backed by majority shareholder Indigo Books & Music Inc, Cheung Kong Holdings, Borders Group, Inc., and institutional investors. For more information, please visit www. Kobo.com.

Despite the growing popularity of social media as means of engaging with causes today, younger Americans still look to personal communication with friends and family as well as traditional media when learning about and telling others about causes. New findings from the Dynamics of Cause Engagement study show that while Generation Y is significantly more likely than its older counterparts to utilize social media to learn about causes, more than 4 in 10 Americans age 18-29 still get their information from family (48%), friends (46%) and TV (45%). The survey was conducted among adults age 18 and over in late 2010 by Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, and explored overall trends in cause involvement and the roles of a variety of activities and tools in fostering engagement with social issues.

Offline Exchange Still Vital

Face-to-face, offline conversations appear to still be the way information about causes is most often relayed among Americans of all generations, according to survey data. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (62%) report that being told in person is the way they are typically informed of causes and social issues in which others want them to be involved. Even among generations Y (ages 18 to 29) and X (ages 30 to 45), who are significantly more likely than older generations to report being sent messages or invitations via social media or text messaging, more than half (56% and 59%, respectively) report this face-to-face engagement.

Social Media: Beliefs vs. Actions

Americans are in agreement that they can make a difference by supporting causes; however, they disagree in their perception of the extent to which social media can help accomplish this. When it comes to showing support for causes, generations X and Y subscribe more readily than Baby Boomers (ages 46 to 60) and the Silent Generation (age 61 and over) to the beliefs that social networking sites like Facebook help increase visibility for causes and help them get the word out about causes more easily. Generations X and Y also are significantly more likely to report that they would support a cause online rather than offline (36% and 37%, respectively).

However, social media continues to remain relatively low on the list of ways Americans — younger generations included — typically support causes. While Generation Y is more likely than older generations to make use of promotional social media tools (e.g., blogs, icons on social profiles, and cause groups) these still rank below more historically prominent types of engagement (e.g., donating, talking to others about social issues, volunteering and signing a petition).

Different Drivers of Online Cause Fatigue

Social media users or not, study findings across all generations point to the potential for online cause overload. More than 7 in 10 report that emails about causes sometimes feel like spam. The Silent Generation — who are significantly more likely than younger generations to be told about causes by email — also are significantly more likely to say they receive too many emails about causes (55%). Generations X and Y are significantly more likely to believe that everybody “likes” causes on Facebook and that it doesn’t really mean anything.

Shared Support for Social Issues

Americans of all ages are generally in agreement about the causes in which they are most involved, with supporting our troops and feeding the hungry at the top of the list. Health-related issues, such as heart disease and diabetes, garner stronger involvement from Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation, while global warming ranks slightly higher among generations X and Y.

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2011, Generation Y believes that gay marriage will be the most prominent cause (28%), followed closely by supporting our troops, bullying and global warming (26% each). Older Americans (Generation X, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation) are in agreement that supporting our troops will remain most prominent (31%, 39% and 50%, respectively).

About the Survey:

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication developed the study with the objectives of showcasing trends in cause involvement and evaluating the role of a variety of activities in fostering engagement. An online survey was conducted by TNS Global among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Americans ages 18 and over. The survey was fielded November 30 to December 22, 2010, and has a margin of error of +/-2.2% at the 95% confidence level. Throughout this report, an asterisk ‘*’ next to a number indicates a significant difference from the corresponding audience at the 95% level of confidence.

Generation Definitions:

• Gen Y (Ages 18 to 29)
• Gen X (Ages 30 to 45)
• Baby Boomers (Ages 46 to 60)
• Silent Gen (Age over 60)

Additional key findings will be released in upcoming weeks:

June 30 – Cause Involvement and Behavior Change

About the Center for Social Impact Communication

Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC) is the nation’s leading educational resource on social impact communication. Launched in 2008 and housed in the Master of Professional Studies program in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, CSIC aims to elevate the discipline by pioneering industry standards in responsible communication practices and by educating and inspiring the professionals who lead the way in creating positive social impact through their work. For more information, visit csic.georgetown.edu.

Twitter: @georgetowncsic

About Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy PR) is a global, multidisciplinary communications leader operating in more than 80 markets. For more than two decades, Ogilvy PR has been at the forefront of social marketing—advancing personal and public health and safety and broader socially desirable goals via communications initiatives. We have developed numerous social marketing campaigns to successfully raise awareness, educate and prompt action regarding some of today’s largest and most complex issues, ranging from cancer to cardiovascular health, substance abuse to homeland security, youth violence prevention to disaster preparedness, and much more.

Named Large Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report and PRNews, Ogilvy PR is a unit of Ogilvy & Mather, a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s largest communications service groups. For more information, visit ogilvypr.com and smexchange.ogilvypr.com

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced that it plans to sharply increase production and employment levels at its Mt. Holly, NC and Portland, OR truck manufacturing plants during the last half of 2011. Production and hiring will also increase significantly at the company’s Saltillo plant in Mexico. Over 1,230 new employees will be added to the company’s manufacturing and administrative payroll in these three locations to accommodate rising customer demand for the company’s Freightliner and Western Star trucks. In addition, over 120 shop and staff employees will be added at the company’s Gastonia, NC parts manufacturing plant. Company officials confirmed that the hiring plans announced today are in addition to the more than 1,300 positions filled in the company’s truck and parts facilities during the first half of 2011.

“Our manufacturing network is highly scalable and together with our component suppliers, we are fully prepared to handle current and projected order levels,” said Roger Nielsen, chief operating officer, DTNA. “We have the capacity and the leverage to meet customer delivery schedules despite the industry supply challenges associated with economic recovery and recent global events. We take great pride in our manufacturing workforce and in the proven performance, quality, and popularity of our vehicles.”

The Mt. Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant is located in Mt. Holly, NC and will add a second shift to its operations and plans to fill an additional 535 manufacturing and 37 related administrative positions by September. The Mt. Holly plant manufactures Freightliner M2 Business Class medium-duty, hybrid, and natural gas trucks, as well as Freightliner’s new line of 108SD and 114SD trucks built for the severe-duty vocational truck markets.

The Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant is located in Portland, OR and plans to fill an additional 155 manufacturing positions between September and the end of the year. The Portland plant manufactures Western Star trucks including the 4800, 4900, and 6900 product lines, as well as pre-series versions of the new 4700 line beginning later this year. The Portland plant also manufactures Freightliner-branded military vehicles for use throughout the world.

The Saltillo Truck Manufacturing Plant is located in Saltillo, Mexico in the state of Coahuila and plans to add a third shift and 479 manufacturing workers beginning in June. A total of 32 staff positions will also be filled at the plant. The Saltillo plant manufactures Freightliner Cascadia® model trucks for the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican markets.

The Gastonia Parts Manufacturing Plant is located in Gastonia, NC and will add 121 manufacturing workers and 3 administrative positions by early in the fourth quarter of this year. The Gastonia plant manufactures specialized parts and components for all the company’s commercial vehicle products, supplying every DTNA facility in the U.S. and Mexico as well as our parts distribution centers in support of the worldwide Freightliner and Western Star dealer network.

Company officials also noted that employment at its Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant in Cleveland, NC expanded significantly in 2010 and jumped again in May, as part of the 1,300 position expansion in the DTNA manufacturing network announced earlier this year. Today’s announcement includes 10 additional shop positions at the Cleveland plant expected to be filled by the end of July.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union today announced that it now provides HomePath® Mortgages for buyers purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned home.

The HomePath Mortgage offers special financing terms for the purchase of HomePath properties (Fannie Mae-owned homes) across the nation. Only a few lenders in the U.S. are approved by Fannie Mae to provide these HomePath products. Kinecta is the only approved credit union in California and one of only two in the nation.

“Kinecta is constantly looking for ways to offer more affordable financing options to potential homeowners,” said Brian Robinett, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer at Kinecta. “With the HomePath Mortgage, borrowers receive special financing terms on single-family homes, condominiums and town houses in a variety of neighborhoods. It’s a great option for virtually anyone looking for a home, from first-time homebuyers to experienced investors.”

Borrowers will benefit from very low down payment options and no appraisal or mortgage insurance requirements*. To find HomePath properties, simply go to www.HomePath.com to search the nationwide listings of available homes.

For a free mortgage consultation, interested borrowers can call 800.854.4501, visit www.kinecta.org/HomePath or email homeloans@kinecta.org.

*Ask your loan officer for cost details on loans without mortgage insurance.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, with approximately $3.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2011; 24 member service centers, 49 Nix customer service centers, and 9 Kinecta at Nix locations throughout Southern California; and more than 227,000 members nationwide. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, Calif., Kinecta offers its members a full range of financial products through the Credit Union and its subsidiaries, Kinecta Financial & Insurance Services, Apollo Insurance Services Inc., and Kinecta Alternative Financial Solutions, dba Nix Check Cashing. Kinecta Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that is owned by its members, and exists to provide a safe and convenient place for member/owners to conduct their financial business. For more information about Kinecta, visit www.kinecta.org. For more information about Nix Check Cashing, visit www.nixcheckcashing.com.

HomePath is a registered trademark of Fannie Mae.

Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® New York Award winners. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous winners of the award, leading CEOs, private capital investors and other regional business leaders. The winners were revealed at a gala event on June 8 at the Marriott Marquis.

“Ernst & Young has honored outstanding entrepreneurs like this year’s winners for the past 25 years,” said Carmine Romano, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year New York Program Director. “These business leaders have accomplished so much and contributed a tremendous amount to the community. They give us hope for what the next 25 years of entrepreneurs will bring.”

The Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011 New York Award winners are:

• Michael Lazerow – Founder & CEO, Buddy Media
• Mia Bauer – Co- Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Crumbs Bake Shop
• Jason Bauer – Co-Founder, President & CEO, Crumbs Bake Shop
• James D’Addario – Chairman & CEO, D’Addario & Co. Inc
• Shazi Visram – Founder & CEO, HAPPYBABY
• Chetan Dube – President & CEO, IPsoft Incorporated
• Mike Narula – Founder & CEO, Reliance Communications, LLC
• Dr. Leonard Schleifer – President & CEO, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Anthony Scaramucci – Managing Partner, SkyBridge Capital, LLC
• Michael Cassidy – Founder & CEO, Undertone

The Entrepreneur Of The Year Program honors entrepreneurs regionally in June, leading up to the national awards in November. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award regionally are also eligible for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Venture Capital Award of Excellence on a national level. The overall National US winner then moves on to compete for the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June.

This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Program celebrates its 25th anniversary.  The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in more than 140 cities and more than 50 countries throughout the world. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

All regional honorees are invited to the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala, hosted by Jay Leno, on November 12, 2011, in Palm Springs, California. The gala is the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum®, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. For more information on the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, please visit www.ey.com/us/strategicgrowthforum.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a national sponsor.

In New York sponsors include Marsh, Scherzer International, SAP America Inc, HSBC, SolomonEdwardsGroup, Empire Valuation Consultants, WithumSmith +Brown, Murray Devine, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and RR Donnelley.

For more information about the program, please visit www.ey.com/us/eoy.

About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in more than 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young LLP is a client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited operating in the US. For more information about our organization, please visit www.ey.com.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced today the all-new third-generation M-Class SUV. The all-wheel-drive SUV debuts with more contemporary styling and includes LED daytime running lights and taillights, chrome roof rails and optional panorama sunroof. Interior features include a standard 7-inch display screen, electromechanical steering, optional climatized cupholders, PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist, multicolor ambient lighting and new entertainment and telematics systems.

The 2012MY M-Class also features new direct-injection powertrains. The ML350 BlueTEC is powered by a 50-state V6 turbodiesel now with 240 hp, 455 lb-ft of torque and 19-inch wheels. The gasoline-powered ML350 4MATIC features a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 generating 302 hp, 273 lb.-ft. of torque and 19-inch wheels.

In addition to more economical engines, the 2012MY M-Class has a new sevenspeed automatic transmission with a more fuel-efficient torque converter, friction-optimized bearings and a transmission oil thermal management system plus low-friction axle drives and electromechanical steering which all contribute to reducing fuel consumption.

Added safety systems include the innovative ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system as standard equipment and available Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.

The all-new 2012MY M-Class will make its U.S. retail debut in September 2011.

The music industry has taken a “pause” as Zumba Fitness, LLC teams up with international superstar Pitbull to release his new song through an innovative promotional program for music artists. Zumba – the global multimedia fitness leader and creator of the acclaimed Zumba® fitness-party – has created a promotional music platform for artists set to debut with Pitbull’s new track “Pause,” a song that is now downloadable via iTunes.  For this promotion, Zumba Fitness will help generate awareness for Pitbull through the brand’s network of tens of thousands of Zumba® instructors reaching over 12 million Zumba enthusiasts worldwide.

“We’re thrilled to roll out this innovative music platform with the release of a Pitbull track to our global network of passionate instructors and enthusiasts,” said Alberto Perlman, co-founder and CEO of Zumba Fitness. “It’s truly a unique way to generate awareness and buzz for the release of Planet Pit.”

Through this relationship, Zumba Fitness is offering its network exclusive music from Pitbull and an energy-infused workout found on the brand’s YouTube page that is sure to be a hit at dance studios and fitness centers across the globe.

Perlman continues, “Our instructors know what their students want to hear so we provide them with fresh music, and then they choose the playlist that rocks the house. In many ways, we have become a global radio station that can turn a song into an international hit.”

As part of the promotion, Zumba® program creator Beto has choreographed a special dance-fitness routine set to Pitbull’s track, “Pause.”  The music video of this new Zumba® routine is exclusively available at youtube.com/zumba. The video is part of a special “Pitbull Pause Video Contest” that will launch later this summer via Facebook, encouraging the world to “Pause” during the busiest time in their day for a chance to win a $5,000 prize. Additionally, the international superstar will be performing at the annual Zumba® Instructor conference in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, July 8th.

Zumba Fitness has a long rooted history of working in the music industry. In the last few years, Zumba Fitness has released more than 150 original songs as well as four top selling albums (Cardio Party, Zumba Fitness Vibe Tribe, Party Nation, and Zumba Fitness Original Soundtrack). 

For additional information or to find a live class, please log on to www.zumba.com and make sure to go to iTunes.

About Zumba Fitness, LLC

Zumba Fitness is the largest dance-fitness company in the world known for the Zumba® program, a blend of contagious and easy-to-follow choreographies set to upbeat international rhythms. Coined the “fitness-party,” Zumba® classes provide an effective total-body workout, which tone and sculpt while burning fat. In 2011, Zumba Fitness celebrates 10 years of changing lives as more than 12 million devotees attend weekly Zumba classes across 125 countries in 110,000 locations. In addition to the original Zumba program, there are now four specialty programs: the Zumba Gold® program, a modified version for active older adults; the Zumba® Toning program featuring lightweight, maraca-like Zumba® Toning Sticks; the Aqua Zumba® program, the ultimate “pool party” workout; and the Zumbatomic® program, kid-friendly Zumba routines. For at-home fitness, the brand offers the Zumba® Fitness Total Body Transformation DVD Set and the cutting-edge Zumba® Fitness Exhilarate™ DVD collection; both feature original Zumba® fitness music created by Grammy award-winning producers. In 2010, the Zumba® Fitness Video Game was released on multiple platforms. The brand also offers its colorful and expressive multiseasonal Zumbawear™ collection. With every new project Zumba Fitness undertakes, the mission remains the same – to make instructors successful. For more information or to find a live class, visit zumba.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter. For approved photography, email pr@zumba.com.

About Pitbull

Pitbull’s sixth studio album, Planet Pit, will be released on June 21, 2011. Planet Pit features a host of pop music luminaries including Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, T-Pain and Kelly Rowland as well as star-studded producers Dr. Luke, Max Martin, David Guetta and Benny Blanco. The knockout single “Give Me Everything” featuring NeYo is currently #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a top ten hit in 15 countries. Pitbull has also collaborated with some of music’s biggest stars including Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Usher and Shakira, to name a few. His last album Rebelution produced such global hits as “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” and club favorite “Hotel Room Service.” Even with the new album, Pitbull still found time to introduce Voli, his own line of premium, low-calorie vodka and a partnership with Sheets, the dissolvable energy strip. The entrepreneurial ventures are the latest for Pitbull, who has inked major sponsorship deals with blue-chip brands Kodak, Bud Light and Dr Pepper.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is pleased to have the Atkins Diet™ included in the U.S. News Media Group “Best Diets” rankings. We believe, however – and  contrary to the published ratings – that the Atkins Diet has repeatedly demonstrated its effectiveness for diabetes and heart health management, as evidenced by a host of key peer-reviewed scientific studies.  Atkins also questions the validity of using the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 as criteria for evaluating the “nutritional completeness” of diets included in the U.S. News rankings.

Over 60 peer-reviewed scientific studies have supported the efficacy and safety of the Atkins Diet for both short and long term weight loss, as well as for the management of diabetes and heart disease factors.  In fact, a Consumer Reports June 2011 article comparing popular diets noted, “… clinical studies have found than an Atkins or Atkins-like diet not only doesn’t increase heart-disease risk factors but also actually reduces them as much as or more than low-fat, higher-carb diets that produce equivalent weight-loss.”

Published data in support of Atkins include the prominent New England Journal of Medicine (2008) study which compared low-carb, low-fat and Mediterranean diets for overall weight loss effectiveness and effects on blood lipid profiles and other health factors.  Participants on the low-carb, Atkins-type diet experienced 50% better weight loss than the low-fat group, along with a significant improvement in cholesterol.  In addition, an Annals of Internal Medicine study (2004), which assigned obese adults randomly to either a restricted carbohydrate or low-fat diet, with a one-year follow up, demonstrated that the low-carb dieters experienced greater weight loss, and of those participants with diabetes, the low-carb group had greater improvement in long-term blood sugar controls than those in the low-fat group. These are just a fraction of the studies which demonstrate the beneficial effects of the Atkins approach in terms of managing diabetes and heart health.

Furthermore, Atkins disagrees with the use of the government’s Dietary Guidelines as the basis for evaluating the “nutritional completeness” of a diet in the rankings. Government dietary guidelines are based on low-fat, not low-carb, recommendations.  The bottom line is that if you use these dietary guidelines as the “Gold Standard”, Atkins will inevitably rate low because it is an alternative approach to weight loss and diminishing health risk factors. Obviously the Gold Standard has failed millions of Americans who may be metabolically and genetically programmed to benefit from alternative diets such as the low-carbohydrate approach.

On Atkins, people eat a wide variety of food – including low glycemic fruits, vegetables and whole grains while avoiding those foods high in refined sugars and carbohydrates. This approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping people feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic. The diet is nutritionally sound and can be followed as a long term lifestyle.  Visit Atkins.com for more information.

About Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is a leading player in the $2.4 billion weight control nutrition category, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and weight management. The Atkins Diet focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars and encourages the consumption of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping individuals feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., manufactures and sells a variety of nutrition bars, foods and shakes designed around the nutritional principles of the Atkins Diet™. Atkins’ four product lines: Advantage®, Day Break™, Endulge™ and Cuisine™ appeal to a broad audience of both men and women who want to achieve their weight management goals and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Atkins products are available in more than 30,000 locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit atkins.com.

As the summer heat beats down and energy prices are on the rise, many homeowners are seeking to trade in their old air conditioning units for more energy efficient models in hopes of controlling costs.  MXenergy, one of the nation’s leading independent energy providers, cautions people to choose wisely when selecting their next unit.

“The common perception seems to be bigger is better,” says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director.  ”In fact, recent studies suggest that one third to one half of home central air units are actually oversized.  Rather than leading to greater cooling it results in greater inefficiency and higher costs.”

MXenergy counsels its customers to take three factors into account when shopping for a new cooling system.

1. High Efficiency

Customers should look for in room units with an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) greater than 10 and for a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) higher than 12 in central units.

2. Proper Sizing

Contractors should consult the manuals produced by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America which examine a home’s size, insulation, direction and window placement to determine proper unit size.  Oversized units turn on and off more frequently actually creating greater inefficiency and higher costs for the homeowner.

3. Proper Installation

Homeowners need to make sure new units are installed by trained, licensed contractors to ensure proper installation and therefore proper efficiency.

Kass reminds customers the quest for lower cooling bills doesn’t end simply with the purchase of a new air conditioner.

“No matter how energy efficient your home air conditioner is,” says Kass, “there are still simple actions you can take which will further boost your energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint.”

Installing a programmable thermostat, insulating the roof and attic, choosing and using quality window blinds and awnings, and providing shade for outdoor units can also significantly increase energy saving

About MXenergy

MXenergy is one of the fastest growing retail natural gas and electricity suppliers in North America, serving approximately 500,000 customers in 41 utility territories in the United States and Canada. For over 11 years, the company has provided millions of customers with a choice in how they purchase energy to run their homes and businesses.  Founded in 1999 to provide natural gas and electricity to consumers in deregulated energy markets, MXenergy helps residential customers and small business owners control their energy bills by providing both fixed and variable rate plans MXenergy is committed to best practices in environmental conservation, supporting local communities through various outreach programs and is a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange.  For more information about MXenergy please visit www.mxenergy.com.

With high pump prices, Consumer Reports says that the most effective way to cut your gasoline use is to buy a more fuel-efficient car. CR named the best cars for fuel economy of those recently tested by the magazine in its own real-world fuel-economy tests. Also listed are the ones that got the lowest mpg in each class.

“Hybrid and diesel vehicles provide better fuel economy than conventional cars, but they usually cost more to buy, and as gas prices rise, the pay-back time gets shorter,” said David Champion, Senior Director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut. “All-wheel drive usually reduces gas mileage by about 2 mpg while a manual transmission can improve fuel economy by 1 to 2 mpg.”

The article also features a list of the best used cars for fuel economy.

Below are recommended models in six categories that provide the best fuel economy. To be recommended, they met Consumer Reports’ stringent requirements for test performance, reliability, and safety. So, not only do they provide excellent fuel economy for their class, but they’re solid overall choices. The full list of vehicles is available in the magazine’s July issue on sale June 7th. All the reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org. Updated daily, it’s the go-to Website for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs on breaking news and car buying information.

Before you leave:

• Check your tires. Underinflated tires require more energy to roll along, which eats up more fuel.  Make sure your tires’ air pressure is set to the automaker’s recommended level (see the owner’s manual, not the maximum pressure printed on the tires’ side.
• Get the right rental. If you plan on renting a car, try to reserve one with good gas mileage. For about the same rate, for example, you could get a 26-mpg Nissan Altima instead of a 20-mpg Chevrolet Impala. Or you could get a 32-mpg Toyota Corolla instead of a 24-mpg Chevy Cobalt.

On the road:

• Watch your speed. The faster you drive on the highway, the worse your gas mileage will be. CR’s tested Toyota Camry dropped 5 mpg when testers increased cruising speed from 55 mpg to 65. Driving at 75 mph cut it by an additional 5 mpg.
• Drive smoothly.  Avoid hard acceleration and braking when possible. In the Camry, frequent bursts of acceleration and braking reduced fuel economy by 2 to 3 mpg.
• Don’t be a drag. Don’t add to your car’s aerodynamic drag by carrying things on top of the roof if you don’t have to. When CR’s testers installed a large car-top carrier on the Camry, gas mileage dropped by a notable 6 mpg when driving at 65 mph.
• Skip the gas-saving gadgets.  After testing several devices that claimed to improve fuel efficiency, CR’s testers have yet to find one that provides a significant difference in gas mileage or acceleration.

With more than 7 million print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union, the world’s largest independent, not-for-profit, product-testing organization. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Website and owns and operates a 327-acre Auto Test Center in Connecticut. The organization’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To subscribe, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645 or visit www.ConsumerReports.org.

JULY 2011

© Consumers Union 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®.

Buzztime will provide trivia games in nine Atlantic Lottery Coasters locations

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Profitable.com) NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN), a leading social entertainment and integrated marketing platform for bars and restaurants throughout the United States and Canada, announced that the company is providing bar trivia games in nine of Atlantic Lottery’s (AL) Coasters locations in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Coasters are gaming entertainment centers in bar settings – offering a superior gaming experience for players. Coasters will benefit from the strategic bar marketing solutions and interactive sports, cards and trivia games. This includes the addition of Compte a rebours – a game that’s entirely in the French language. Buzztime and Atlantic Lottery are excited to have future plans that will pit Coasters locations against one another in unique interactive challenges, with prizing awarded to the winning Coasters location.

“We continue to build an exceptional gaming experience for players at our Coaster locations, and Buzztime games are a great addition to the overall player experience,” says Shawn Ryan, Managing Director of Destination Gaming at Atlantic Lottery. “The games offered by Buzztime are a great fit for the social gaming environment we’ve created as part of Coasters.”

“We look forward to working with the Atlantic Lottery to help them increase their customer focus — using our cutting edge marketing solutions and digital gaming technology to offer a unique gaming experience for players,” noted Michael J. Bush, President and CEO of NTN Buzztime, Inc. “With more than 25 years of experience working with thousands of bars and restaurants, Buzztime can apply our knowledge and best practices to AL, a recognized leader and innovator in their industry.”

Buzztime employs its network of nearly 3,900 bars and restaurants throughout the United States and Canada to strategically reach targeted audiences by providing clients with branded sports and interactive bar games that align with the brands’ marketing campaigns; live hosted trivia tournaments; and direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives through Buzztime’s social networking and targeted e-mail marketing campaigns. Additionally, Buzztime engages more than 1,800,000 players who participate in 50,000,000 bar trivia, cards and sports games each year on its network.

About Buzztime

NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: NTN) is a leading bar and restaurant social entertainment and integrated marketing platform. Trusted by nearly 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 1,800,000 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.

About Atlantic Lottery

Atlantic Lottery is a public corporation owned by the governments of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to the more than $345 million awarded in prizes last year, Atlantic Lottery also returned 100% of its profits – that’s more than $389 million – to the four Atlantic Provinces.

For more information please visit www.corp.alc.ca.

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 increasing customer counts and check averages, numbers of locations, guests or players, success of the services including games and promotions and guest traffic,. 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 , 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.

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

Jennifer Lawlor
Atlantic Lottery
709-724-1718
jennifer.lawlor@alc.ca

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Kendra Berger
Chief Financial Officer
NTN Buzztime, Inc.
760-438-7400

Father’s Day only comes once a year and if your dad loves to cook, then picking out the perfect gift is as simple as pie. Dads love tools, and there are quite a few tools that can be used in the kitchen to make cooking faster, better and easier. Here are some great ideas for the cooking dad.

Keep things sharp in the kitchen with the best chef’s knives

There is nothing more frustrating and dangerous than a dull Chef’s Knife. Dad always says you need the right tool for the job, so this Father’s Day get dad a new Chef’s Knife, and he will be slicing and dicing like a pro!

Choose from the best waffle irons

There is no better breakfast than a nice warm waffle, but in order to make waffles the easy way, dad is going to need a waffle iron. Waffle irons allow anyone to make fresh delicious waffles that rival most restaurants. Just add some waffle batter, close the lid and in a few minutes dad can have a nice toasty waffle. Pile them high with any toppings that you want.

Dad can easily make square waffles, round waffles and thick Belgian waffles. Multiple settings allow for the perfect waffle creation. Nice and toasty on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside. This is one Father’s Day gift that will keep on giving.

Get baking with the best bread machine

Nobody can resist the smell and taste of freshly baked bread, not even dads. There is no simpler way to make fresh bread, than with a bread maker. All dad has to do is drop in some dough, push a few buttons and sit down and watch the game. The bread maker does all of the work, and by half time dad can have fresh baked bread for the half time finger foods. Pile on some fresh turkey or ham to create the ultimate triple decker sandwich.

Bread makers don’t stop there. Dad can also make great tasting cakes, and some bread makers can bake fresh pasta and lasagna as well. Bread makers are another great tool to add to dads kitchen tool arsenal.

Mix things up with the best kitchen mixer

There is absolutely no reason to mix anything by hand anymore, when dad could use the power of a kitchen mixer. Bigger, badder and more power, that is what dads always want. Think of it as a power tool for the kitchen. They have different speeds, different attachments, different colors and they make mixing anything fast and fun.

Make manly meals easy with the best slow cooker

What dad doesn’t like meat and potatoes. Crock pots and slow cookers are a great way to make that perfect stew. Just add in some fresh veggies, a whole roast, close the lid and in a few short hours, dad will have the best home made stew he has ever eaten.

Make mouth watering baked beans that are slow cooked to perfection. Create that masterpiece pot of chili that will take first prize at any chili cook off. Great tasting food takes time, and the best and easiest way to do it, is with a slow cooker.

There are so many different kitchen tools that any dad would love to have for Father’s Day. If dad is a coffee drinker make mornings easier with a drip coffee maker, or his very own Espresso machine. A new microwave would heat up any leftovers that dad made with his new slow cooker. Blenders make great juices, milkshakes and mixed drinks. A toaster oven is a great way to re-heat pizza .If your dad loves to cook, then get him a tool for the kitchen this coming Father’s Day.

RestaurantNews.com has released a report which takes a look at the many salad options that restaurants are offering up this summer.  New and returning salad favorites from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Noodles & Company, Red Robin, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Hurricane Grill & Wings are profiled.

Restaurants realized some years ago that burgers and fries couldn’t be the only meat and vegetables on the menu. There was a new breed of food conscious consumers and they wanted healthier foods that still satisfied. Restaurants were in need of a tasty salad as a healthier alternative to the other foods that at one time were the only menu choices.

Restaurants across the United States are claiming this to be the Summer of Salads by offering up a super summer salad fiesta. If you’re a salad lover, then you’re in for a summer of tasty green treats.

The full report can be found at:

http://www.restaurantnews.com/restaurants-tossing-a-summer-of-salads/

About RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.

For more information about RestaurantNews.com, please visit http://www.RestaurantNews.com.

The daily deal industry is exploding, with approximately 23 million Americans buying daily deals last year, according to a recent survey. However, with so many deals to choose from and Websites to track, many consumers are overwhelmed and inundated with numerous emails each day from group buying sites. To cut through the clutter, PriceGrabber®, a part of Experian, has announced the official launch of its local deal category, offering consumers a solution to reducing the daily deal deluge. PriceGrabber’s local deal category is the one-stop shop for consumers who want to browse thousands of deals from more than 20 local deal Websites.

PriceGrabber offers local deals that are available in more than 160 metropolitan areas and are updated several times daily. Consumers are able to view deals and price information on deals.pricegrabber.com or by going directly to the PriceGrabber Website and clicking on the local deals category option.

Shoppers can use PriceGrabber’s comprehensive filters to sort selected deals by preferred location, price point, favorite group buying site and deal category. Popular deal categories include health and beauty, food and dining, active life and fitness, hotel and travel, and more.

“With the explosive growth in the local deals category, PriceGrabber saw the opportunity to save consumers money and time and present local deals all in one place,” said Graham Jones, general manager of PriceGrabber.com. “For the past 10 years, PriceGrabber has been perfecting the process of aggregating the best prices on millions of products from thousands of merchants. So getting into the daily deal space was a natural progression for us. We are simplifying the local deals industry so shoppers can find the most relevant offers to fit their interests and needs in their local market.”

PriceGrabber streamlines incoming daily deal emails by offering consumers just one email per day or per week, whatever the consumer chooses. This email contains all the local deals that PriceGrabber offers in the selected area. PriceGrabber’s local deals category is an efficient way for consumers to sort through these offers and view detailed deals covering prices, discounts and value. Unlike other sites, PriceGrabber allows shoppers to scan for deals based on budget and to compare deals for similar offerings side by side without having to click on the deal itself for more information. Shoppers also can share deals via Facebook and Twitter.

“The relationship with PriceGrabber enables Eversave to expand our customer base,” said Kim Hine, director of marketing at Eversave, a US Website that helps consumers find money saving offers. “Both merchants and consumers have embraced the daily deal model, and leveraging the new relationship with PriceGrabber will help us continue our growth trajectory.”  

About PriceGrabber.com®

PriceGrabber, a part of Experian, is a leading online shopping site with more than 23 million unique shoppers monthly. At PriceGrabber, savvy shoppers can instantly find and compare millions of unique products and services across 25 categories with more than 11,000 merchants. Compare products side by side to find the right retailers at the best prices within popular categories, such as Digital Cameras, Electronics, Computers, Clothing, Books, TVs and more. PriceGrabber provides shoppers with the right product from the right merchant at the best price anytime, anywhere. Visit us at http://www.pricegrabber.com.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 80 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2011 was US$4.2 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 41 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

In order to help consumers find the perfect gift for Dad on Father’s Day, Sears has launched the ultimate “Gift Guy’d” based on a poll of its mySears community and among its Facebook followers. With Father’s Day around the corner, Sears’ dedication to listening to its consumers is more apparent than ever: The more than 700 responses can help shoppers get a better sense of what Dad wants, while the Gift Guy’d can be used to easily match Dad’s personality with the ideal gifts for him.

“We need and want to hear what our customers have to say and are always looking for new ways to enhance their shopping experience,” said David Friedman, SVP and president of marketing, Sears Holdings. “And following our Father’s Day poll, we’ve learned that Dads’ ideas of the perfect gift are clearly different than what we might have expected.”

Whatever Dad’s personality or interests, only Sears provides the ideal offerings for him—from the DIYer, who loves nothing better than to break out his tool box, to the Backyard Buff, who loves a good day of yard work, to the Hipster, who wants the latest gadgets and coolest clothes, to the Sports Fanatic, whose idea of an ideal day is to kick back and watch the game on his new high-definition TV. And for the Dad who has everything, a Sears gift card is sure to make his day.

Sears is encouraging shoppers to break out of the gift-giving rut this year by thinking beyond tie racks and socks. But even for those who want to stay close to the traditional notions of Father’s Day tributes, Sears offers such a wide array of men’s apparel and the latest gadgets, tools and accessories that there is, literally, something for everyone—and every Dad.

Highlights from the poll include:

• Nearly all (99 percent) of the respondents plan to buy a Father’s Day gift this year
• Four out of every ten (43 percent) of the respondents said “organizing the tool shed” was the top choice of activity for an ideal Father’s Day
• Half of those who completed the questionnaire selected “new tools” as the top choice for “perfect Father’s Day gift” (50 percent)
• Of the non-dads who were polled:
  • “Watching the game” was the top choice of activity for an ideal day for Dad (51 percent)
  • “Gift card” was the item most likely to be purchased for Dad for Father’s Day (60 percent)
• The only area that both groups agreed on was “doing yard work” as the top choice for a “fun family activity” (46 percent for dads; 55 percent for non-dads)

“With Sears’ Gift Guy’d, consumers should never again have to struggle to find the right gift for Dad on Father’s Day,” said Friedman. “With our innovative e-commerce solution, we’ve given Sears customers another tool to make shopping as easy as possible.”

In addition to the online Gift Guy’d, consumers can visit the Father’s Day Sweeps tab on Sears’ Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/sears) for a chance to win prize packages for Dad this Father’s Day(I). And don’t forget to get started choosing the perfect gift for the perfect Dad (yours!) by going to Sears Gift Guy’d for the hottest gifts this season.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

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

(I) NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes ends 6/16/11. Sweepstakes open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are aged 18 or older. Void where prohibited. See Official Rules for details.

Six Flags Over Georgia’s 11th roller coaster, the highly anticipated DARE DEVIL DIVE, is now open for thrills! The innovative new coaster sends riders over a 10-story vertical lift at a spine-tingling 95 degrees: beyond vertical!

Media, roller coaster enthusiasts and professional test pilots from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics were on hand for the launch of the park’s latest thrill offering. DARE DEVIL DIVE boasts three inversions, zero-gravity hills and high-speed turns. Riders travel in the world’s first “v-shape” trains fitted with lap bar restraints and stadium seating, paying homage to World War II-era stunt planes and the daring pilots that thrilled onlookers with their incredible aerial acrobatics. The ride soars at a blistering 52 miles per hour as it makes its way through 2,090 feet of twisted steel track.

“We have taken thrills to the next level,” said Melinda Ashcraft, Park President. “DARE DEVIL DIVE is that must-ride attraction of the year, providing an incredible experience for everyone who dares to ride.”

Six Flags Over Georgia welcomed professional test pilots from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to experience the new coaster. Bret Luedke, chief test pilot for Lockheed Martin’s F-22 program, was one of the first to sign up. “Dare Devil Dive is as exciting as flying a modern day fighter jet,” said Luedke. “From the first drop to the barrel rolls and dives, it’s a fantastic ride.”

DARE DEVIL DIVE officially opens to the public on Saturday, May 28.

The park is open daily through August 7 and resumes weekend operations through October 30. Operating hours vary by day. For more information about Six Flags Over Georgia, visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 2010 revenue of nearly $1.0 billion and 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Six Flags Over Texas, the company’s flagship location, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.