Creative World

Week of March 22, 2010

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Merchandising Marketing Manager Sought

New “Lights Alive” Design Brightens Gorilla Games Store

The Gorilla Games store recently introduced the "Lights Alive" modular header system for slatwall or wall applications in its store within a store. The units come in standard 4 ft. sections and simply plug together in a series. Bright fluorescent tubes, with down and up light options, make these units a feature in any retail environment. Images can be easily changed out and various sizes are available.

According to Gorilla Games CFO Tate Fisher, "The system is cost effective, versatile and easy to install." The lights alive modular header system was developed by Walls + Forms, a manufacturer of unique single and double sided lightboxes located in Dallas, TX. (Web site) www.wallsforms.com

Seagate Displays BlackArmor USB 3.0 External Hard Drive

Seagate, a worldwide leader in hard drives and storage solutions, has unveiled the BlackArmor® PS110 USB 3.0 portable external hard drive performance kit for notebook computers. Demonstrating its industry leadership in delivering advanced and easy-to-use storage solutions, this all-in-one USB 3.0 toolkit packages a 500GB 7200RPM 2.5-inch portable hard drive, power cable and PC express card, to deliver real-world, proven speeds up to three times faster than its USB 2.0 predecessor, making it one of the fastest portable hard drives available.

To address these growing storage needs, the BlackArmor PS110 USB 3.0 toolkit makes it easier and less time-consuming to store and share large amounts of rich digital content. This new super speed USB 3.0 interface allows easy transfer of large files to and from the external drive at sustained transfer rates of 100MB/s, which is three times faster than current USB 2.0 devices. The familiar scenario of waiting for large files to transfer will now be a thing of the past.

"The growing presence of large multimedia files in the home means that connectivity and speed is a top concern for a satisfactory experience," said Dave Mosley, Seagate executive vice president, Sales, Marketing and Product Line Management. "The delivery of USB 3.0 further underscores our commitment to giving people an efficient way to store, access and share their digital creations."

My Book(R) 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drives On Display

WD® , a leader in external storage solutions, has introduced its fastest My Book® external hard drive ever -- the new My Book 3.0 desktop external drives, among the first devices certified with the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface. With an interface that's up to 10 times faster than the previous-generation USB 2.0 interface, the high-performance My Book 3.0 drive significantly reduces the time it takes to open and save large files. Offered standalone, or in a kit that includes a USB 3.0 PCIe (gen2) adapter card, the 1 TB My Book 3.0 drive is now on display at select retailers.

The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface on My Book 3.0 drives provides transfer rates(1) of up to 5 gigabits-per-second, allowing users to open and save files up to 4.7 times faster than USB 2.0. "Consumers no longer have to wait for technology to keep up with their ideas. With the new super speed My Book 3.0 drives, consumers have the speed they need for resource-intensive video editing, animation, and graphic design applications," said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for WD's branded products group.

Disney Store To Open State-Of-The-Art Store Design In NYC's Times Square

Disney Store will transform an expansive retail space in the heart of New York's Times Square into a magical state-of-the-art, interactive retail destination set to open in fall 2010. The new Disney Store will incorporate technologically advanced displays including an interactive Disney Princess castle to serve as one of many magical centerpieces at the new Times Square location. An all-new children's theater will feature the latest Disney entertainment, classic animation, and continue Disney's rich tradition of storytelling.

"Bringing Disney Store to the center of Times Square is a monumental achievement, and we have created a retail experience that complements the energy and innovation that Times Square inspires," said Jim Fielding, president of Disney Stores Worldwide. "We're focused on reinvigorating retail and providing a unique shopping destination to millions of families from all over the world who travel to New York for a magical experience."

Designed to showcase a wide assortment of products inspired by iconic Disney characters and key entertainment properties, the newly-designed Disney Store will facilitate interactive play and imagination, host children's activities, special events, and celebrity appearances. Over the next five years Disney Store plans to strategically balance its retail portfolio, enter new markets, and transform more than 300 locations across the US and Europe to feature the new design.

UL Environment Certifies LG's E2350V Monitor First For Meeting Its New Sustainable Product Certification

LG Electronics has been named the first company to earn UL Environment's new Sustainable Product Certification (SPC) for high tech equipment. LG's new 23-inch class E2350VLED LCD computer monitor, is the first product to complete UL Environment's independent, third-party certification for meeting the IEEE 1680 environmental performance benchmark for consumer electronics, which includes ENERGY STAR® requirements for energy efficiency.

The LG monitor will be the first to carry the UL Environment Sustainable Product Certification mark, a green leaf encircling the familiar "UL" initials. UL Environment-certified environmental criteria include the elimination or reduction of certain hazardous substances that pose threats to human health and the environment. Ninety percent of the materials and parts used to make the E2350V monitor can be reused or recycled at the end of the product's useful life, reducing the amount of materials sent to landfills. The monitor is sold in packaging that is 90 percent recyclable as well. UL Environment's testing confirmed that the LG monitor earned an IEEE 1680 Gold rating, the most stringent and prestigious of three levels of compliance. The E2350V is believed to be the only Gold-rated monitor on the market to achieve third-party certification of its sustainable attributes.

Hard Candy Cases For Netbooks Introduced

Hard Candy Cases, led by computer accessory veteran Tim Hickman, has designed a line of fashionable snap-on protective cases for the top-selling Asus and Acer netbook models. In addition, Hard Candy Cases has created model-specific hard shells for the newest MacBook 13" and MacBook Pro 13" unibody computers. Additional case designs and models for netbooks and MacBook computers will be introduced in Q1 2010.

Mattel And WWE® Launch Toy Line Worldwide

World Wrestling Entertainment and Mattel have debuted the most comprehensive portfolio of WWE® action figures and accessories for fans of all ages on store shelves worldwide. Mattel will manufacture, market and distribute the exclusive line of WWE action figures and accessories. These two leading entertainment brands will bring the thrill of WWE home in a new and fun way to the more than half a billion television households that view WWE programming worldwide. In the U.S. alone, more than 16 million viewers tune in each week to "Monday Night Raw®," "Friday Night SmackDown®," "ECW®" and "WWE Superstars."

"Mattel is excited to bring the iconic WWE entertainment brand to fans worldwide, through an authentic line of products that capture all the drama and excitement that makes the WWE a worldwide phenomenon," said Tim Kilpin, general manager, Mattel Brands' Girls, Boys & Games Division. "WWE has spent the past decade tailoring its live and broadcast entertainment experience to a more mainstream audience. Our goal is to help kids and parents extend the experience even further by safely recreating the action in the home through play with these action figures."

Electronic Eye Glasses Introduced In Panasonic And Pixel Venture

PixelOptics and Panasonic Shikoku Electronics have collaborated in the development of PixelOptics' electronic eyeglasses. Pixel, the world's first composite ophthalmic lens company, is developing, and plans to market and sell both static (fixed focus) and electronic dynamic (changeable focus) lenses.

Ronald D. Blum, O.D., President and CEO of Pixel stated, "Pixel's electronic eyeglasses auto-focus faster than the blink of an eye using chemistry, electricity, and optics and do so without moving parts. These eyeglasses allow for clear focus from far to near, and everything in between. They are lineless on the face of the wearer and provide significantly wider and less compromised fields of clear vision having far less areas of distortion than that of progressive addition lenses of an equal optical power."

Oregon Scientific Expands Wellness Portfolio With i.wakeup Sunrise Clock

Oregon Scientific, a leading designer and worldwide marketer of personal electronics, including weather and timing devices, has unveiled a collection including electronics from its just-launched Wellness and Energy Monitoring lines. The Wellness line includes items that will manage stress throughout the entire day including the i.wakeup Sunrise Clock, which is equipped with a dawn simulator that uses gentle light to serve as a natural wake up call, without the disturbing sounds of a blaring alarm.

New Pepperidge Farm® 100-Calorie Deli Flats™ Help Transform Sandwich-Making

New Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats, versatile 100-calorie thin rolls, will help transform sandwich-making. All three varieties - Soft 100% Whole Wheat, Whole Grain White and 7 Grain - are an excellent source of fiber, have 100 calories per serving and are hearth baked with a soft delicious taste. To help launch Deli Flats thin rolls, Pepperidge Farm continues its partnership with Bethenny Frankel, celebrity natural food chef and New York Times bestselling author who said, "At 100 calories and five grams of fiber per roll, Deli Flats are a good foundation for everyday healthy eating and an important part of making smarter sandwiches, better burgers and more."

TurboChef Speedcook Oven Debuts

The TurboChef 30" Speedcook Oven is a new high performance gourmet oven developed by Gary Case, owner of Signature Kitchens Additions & Baths in Rockville, MD. It uses a patented Airspeed Technology that enables you to cook up to 15 times faster than a conventional oven with exceptional quality. Meats are caramelized, moist, and tender. Baked goods are golden and flaky, and vegetables come out fresh, crisp, and succulent. The TurboChef Oven has replaced the traditional temperature dial with a CookWheel™ and Cook Navigator, which allow you to communicate with the oven's computer. The on board computer calibrates the optimal cook time and temperature to ensure the best possible results.

Auto-Finder Wireless Car Locating Device Launched

Finder Technologies, located in Poway, California, recently introduced the Auto-Finder to help consumers locate their vehicle from up to a half mile away. The Auto-Finder is the first of a new category of family safety products featuring Finder Technologies' micro antenna system. The Fynder(TM) technology platform is superior to GPS or mobile device apps because it guides you to your vehicle instantly without the requirement of open sky for satellite signals or having to preset your location every time you park. The Auto-Finder is perfect for those who need to find their vehicle quickly in the event of danger, severe weather, snow, forgetfulness or confusion.

Activate Enhanced Water Introduced

Activate™, a new vitamin-enhanced functional beverage, employs a patented, unique solution in which vitamins are stored in dry powder form in a special container within the lid, then released before consumption. The functional beverage comes in four fruit flavor and enhancement combinations: Fruit Punch/Vitamin, Orange/Immunity, Lemon-Lime/Energy and Berry/Antioxidant. The drink is sweetened with Stevia and contains only five calories per bottle. Activate's two founders, Anders Eisner and Burke Eiteljorg, developed a new approach to stop drowning vitamins in drinks. Activate employs a unique and patented design in which vitamins and nutrients are stored as powder in a chamber inside the cap. When the cap is twisted, the chamber opens, allowing the ingredients to drop into the water below. This innovative design ensures that the vitamins and nutrients stay fresh.

Interead Offers New COOL-ER Ereader Models

Interead has launched a new line of COOL-ER Ereader models. At only 6.7" x 4.6" x 0.41" (170 mm x 117 mm x 10 mm), the affordable and portable COOL-ER Compact has the smallest footprint of any ereader while still maximizing the reader experience with a 6" E Ink® screen. With 2GB onboard memory (expandable via SD card to 6GB total), it easily holds thousands of ebooks. COOL-ER Classic, the lightest and most elegant ereader currently available, will be offered in exciting new colours. Weighing in at only 5.8 ounces (164 grams), COOL-ER Connect adds the convenience of WiFi and ease of a touch screen, ideal for readers on the move. Available in mid-2010, COOL-ER 3G adds robust 3G connectivity to the ereader experience to download 1,400+ periodicals and 2 million + books wherever readers are.

Neil Jones, Interead's CEO, said, "As we have seen the ereader market evolve over the last year, it has become clear that the ereader is now a lifestyle device--not just a niche gadget. As such, it's important that we offer a range of ereaders to accommodate a variety of preferences and reading habits, and this product range does just this."

Green Toys Launches My First Green Toys™ Designed for Infants and Toddlers

Green Toys Inc., an innovator in safe, environmentally responsible toys, will introduce a new line of toys for children as young as six months old available spring 2010. The new line, called My First Green Toys™, will contain seven new products made in California, from 100% recycled milk containers including the Green Toys Stacker, Green Toys Tugboat, Green Toys Blocks, and Green Toys Feeding Spoons, Spoon and Fork Set, Plate Set and Bowl Set.

Robert von Goeben, president and co-founder of Green Toys, said, "Our customers tell us they love Green Toys products because they know where the toys are made and exactly what they are made from. The My First Green Toys line allows us to offer the benefits of safe, environmentally-friendly products to a younger age group, while providing parents with peace of mind."

Lenovo Skylight Offers Industry's First ARM-Based Smartbook

Lenovo has introduced the Lenovo Skylight, the first ARM-based processor smartbook device based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon™ chipset platform. Skylight harnesses the best of smartphones and netbooks to create a new mobile consumer device. With an eye-catching sleek and slim design, all day battery life, robust wireless connectivity and custom interface with live web gadgets, Skylight is designed to transform the mobile Internet experience. The Skylight smartbook connects with AT&T 3G mobile broadband service in the U.S. Peter Gaucher, executive director, Mobile Internet Product Management, Lenovo, said, "Skylight combines the long battery life and connectivity of a smartphone with the full web browsing and multimedia experience of a netbook to create one of the first devices in this developing smartbook category."

Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 Offers Immersive Audio And Increased Comfort

For a theater-like experience on your laptop, Logitech has introduced the Logitech® Speaker Lapdesk N700, the company's first all-in-one laptop accessory with integrated stereo speakers, a built-in fan and a wide padded base. Unlike most laptop speakers, the Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 offers two built-in high-definition speakers with 2-inch high-performance neodymium drivers. Specially designed for notebook computers, the stereo speakers are precisely positioned on either side of your laptop to give you rich sound and powerful bass. The Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 is easy to set up and use, just plug in the single USB cable and play movies, music, online videos, and more in rich, full stereo sound - there's no software to install and no need for batteries.

"More and more people around the world are enjoying fantastic entertainment on their laptops - but with mediocre sound and comfort," said Denis Pavillard, Logitech vice president of product marketing for laptop accessories. "The Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 helps transform your laptop into a private theater in the cozy confines of your lap."

M-Edge Unveils Waterproof Guardian Case For Amazon Kindle

M-Edge Accessories, a leading provider of eReader accessories, has introduced the Guardian Case for Amazon Kindle. The Guardian allows Kindle owners to read where they love to read: on vacation, at the pool, in the spa, in the tub. Made of molded plastic, the Guardian safeguards the device in all water environments up to 1 meter deep, from the bathtub to the pool to the ocean. The Guardian Case allows for full functionality of Kindle's navigation buttons and keyboard through flexible sealed button cutouts. Users can even read hands-free in the water, because the Guardian floats upright. The Guardian Case comes in six vibrant colors and will be available for purchase in Spring 2010.

Philips Offers New Activa Portable Audio Player

Royal Philips Electronics has launched its Activa portable audio player. With a focus on motivating people to improve their fitness, the Philips Activa helps encourage people to work out more frequently and intensely by providing real-time vocal feedback on their performance, and music that automatically adjusts in tempo to match their pace. When people increase their speed, faster music from the music library is selected. Slow down, and Philips Activa offers words of encouragement. Featuring a sleek exterior designed to offer durability and style, the Philips Activa will be available worldwide in April 2010.

Seal Shield Offers First Dishwasher Safe Cell Phone

Seal Shield has launched the new SEAL CELL™ Waterproof Cell Phone, the world's first cell phone to be washable and antimicrobial. The Seal Shield™ SEAL CELL™ phone has been created to help reduce the risk of worldwide cross contaminations, including H1N1, Norovirus and the "superbug," MRSA. Unlike any other cell phone, the Seal Shield™ SEAL CELL™ phone combines Seal Shield™ waterproof technology and SILVER SEAL™ technology for antimicrobial protection of the product, making it dishwasher safe and resistant to mold, mildew and odor causing bacteria. The SEAL CELL™ is Dual SIM, Dual Holding Quad Band GSM compatible and features a 2.0 megapixel camera with video and torch light, GPRS, MMS, background noise elimination, walkie-talkie function, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS and a ruggedized touch screen.

New Toffee Pocket Stylishly Protects Apple Notebooks And iPhones

The new toffee pocket is a slim-line premium leather notebook sleeve featuring a convenient front pocket for your iPhone and cards. Designed in Australia, the toffee pocket perfectly encapsulates toffee's design ethos of blending style with practicality. Added design details like the innovative iPhone holder inside the front pocket, ensures quick and easy access to your iPhone. It is designed to fit the MacBook Air, MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks (and notebooks of equivalent size), and comes in black, tan and red premium nappa leather.

Skiff And Sprint Preview First Skiff Reader

Skiff, LLC and Sprint have previewed the Skiff Reader, the first e-reader optimized for newspaper and magazine content. The Skiff Reader, the initial dedicated device to integrate the upcoming Skiff e-reading service, is remarkably sleek and easy to use. At just over a quarter-inch in overall height, the device is the thinnest e-reader announced to date. It features the largest and highest-resolution electronic-paper display yet unveiled in a consumer device, at 11.5" in size (measured diagonally) and a resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (UXGA). A full touchscreen enables users to intuitively navigate and engage with the newspapers, magazines, books and other digital content they purchase through the Skiff Store, as well as personal and work documents. The device weighs just over one pound and lasts over a week of average use between charges.

"The Skiff Reader's big screen will showcase print media in compelling new ways," said Gilbert Fuchsberg, president of Skiff, LLC. "This is consistent with Skiff's focus on delivering enhanced reading experiences that engage consumers, publishers and advertisers."

Innergie's New mCube Suite Includes Mini, Slim And Lite For Charging Laptops

Innergie is introducing the next generation of mCube universal power adapters including the mCube Mini, the world's smallest universal adapter made for auto and air use, as well as the super compact mCube Slim and ultra thin mCube Lite universal adapters, that move between home/office and the air for the ultimate in portability and power.

"It's an understatement to say that people are living an increasingly digital life, and an increasingly mobile one," said PS Tang, Co-founder and Vice President, Innergie. "They need to power their notebooks, their smart phones, their iPods and their Kindles in a multitude of locations, and they don't want to tote around separate, bulky chargers for each of these digital devices." All three universal adapters -- the mCube Mini, mCube Slim and mCube Lite -- feature a specially designed USB port that gives users the ability to quickly charge all their standard USB devices.

Iomega Offers New iConnect Wireless Data Station

Iomega, a global leader in data protection, has launched the Iomega® iConnect Wireless Data Station, a powerful and yet inexpensive device that provides a simple way to bring all of your USB storage into your network, allowing you to connect, share and access files anywhere, even over the Internet -- all for only $99.99. The iConnect Wireless Data Station has no onboard storage, instead allowing users to bring all of their desktop and portable USB storage into their network. Connect the Iomega iConnect device to your router in either a wired or wireless configuration, and it's as easy as plugging external USB drives or USB Flash drives (any brand) into any of the four USB ports on the Iomega iConnect device, making the drives automatically connected to and accessible from any computer on your network or remotely via the web. With that simple set up, users of the iConnect Wireless Data Station not only have incremental storage on their network to save, share and enjoy, they also enjoy such capabilities as a UPnP(TM) DLNA Certified AV Media Server that streams photos, audio content and videos to a variety of media devices; a torrent download manager for managing peer-to-peer file transfers; Time Machine® support for Apple® users; device-to-device replication for data protection; print serving to the network and much more.

Klipsch Illuminates Audio Industry With New LightSpeaker

Klipsch, a leading global speaker manufacturer, is introducing the patented Klipsch® LightSpeaker®, the first product to combine efficient LED lighting and wireless ambient sound into a single unit that installs like a light bulb. The LightSpeaker, which comes complete with a dimmable LED bulb and full-range speaker, fits 5- and 6-inch recessed light fixtures with a standard Edison socket. In order to deliver music wirelessly, the LightSpeaker relies on a standalone transmitter. A music source, such as a laptop, iPod or CD player, connects to the transmitter and it wirelessly sends the sound to the LightSpeaker. The transmitter's 2.4GHz wireless technology accommodates up to eight LightSpeakers, equaling stereo sound in multiple rooms. You can connect two music sources to the transmitter, as well as establish two separate listening zones. The transmitter or remote will control the sources, zones, lighting levels and volume. A bundled package is available consisting of two LightSpeakers, a transmitter, radio frequency remote, mini jack to RCA plug cable, lenses and trim.

New NEXTO eXtreme Backs Up Video And Photo Accessories On The Go

International Supplies, a leading distributor in film, video and photo accessories, has debuted the NEXTO eXtreme, NEXTO DI's new storage drive that allows users to back up their videos and photos on-the-go wherever they are, via USB or memory card. The NEXTO eXtreme enables users to backup any hard drive camcorder or camera without a laptop-by using the built-in memory card reader or direct connect USB-OTG (On-The-Go) feature. The NEXTO eXtreme is perfect when you are traveling, shooting on location or just working in the field. All you have to do is simply insert the memory card or connect the USB port to the eXtreme, and at the touch of a single button, you can copy, delete, browse, and backup your video or photos right there on the spot. Using Nexto's patented technology, X-Copy, to enhance backup speed, eXtreme is eight times faster than most comparable products on the market. Plus, it only backs up any files that have changed since the previous backup, thus saving you even more battery time. The hard drive is available in 160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB, 500 GB, and can be expanded all the way up to 2 TB (terabytes) of storage so buyers can choose the capacity that best fits their specific storage needs.

Alkemie Launches First Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert With Full Richness Of Ice Cream

Americans who avoid dairy products, can now enjoy the full richness of ice cream with the launch of Alkemie Dairy-Free Ice Cream. The new, dairy-free frozen desserts are made from only the purest organic ingredients and are nutritionally superior to ice cream. Alkemie's special recipe was created by Daniel Clary, a 28-year old vegan personal chef. Alkemie Dairy-Free Ice Cream combines a unique base of organic raw cashews, coconut and agave nectar. There is no dairy, gluten, rice or refined sugars of any kind. Alkemie Dairy-Free Ice Cream is produced by Boulder Ice Cream, a wind-powered, batch-churned ice cream maker based in Boulder, Colorado. Alkemie Dairy-Free Ice Cream is currently available in three flavors, Vanilla Bean, Dark Chocolate and Mint Chocolate Chip, in Whole Foods stores across Northern California and the Rocky Mountain region with continued expansion throughout the U.S. planned for 2010.

Easy Shot Clip™ Mini Camcorder Debuts At New Low Price

Concord Keystone is unveiling the EASY SHOT CLIP™ ultra-mini digital video camera, one of the smallest digital video recording devices in its class. Weighing less than ¾ of an ounce, the Easy Shot Clip measures just over 2-inches long and less than 1-inch wide and debuts at a new category price point below $70. The Easy Shot Clip comes complete with editing and sharing software and a number of accessories, which increase its usefulness making hands-free video recording easy and fun. "The immense popularity of YouTube® and other sharing websites has spurred a generation to share and communicate snippets of their lives through video," said Urs Stampfli, CEO of Concord Keystone Trading. "The Easy Shot Clip is one of the smallest, lightest, and handiest video cameras available in its price range and we are committed to delivering ever increasing value at ever better prices for consumers to make quality videos."

iHome Debuts iP2 And iP49 For iPhone/iPod

One year after introducing the world to the first home audio system to incorporate Digital Power Station (DPS) technology, iHome is offering the new iP2 Home Audio System for iPhone/iPod and the iP49 Portable Rechargeable Audio System with Alarm Clock & FM Radio for iPhone/iPod. They are the next wave of innovative products to incorporate DPS technology, giving users new hardware options while maintaining the same high standard of audio quality set by the original Studio Series offering, the iP1.

"The Studio Series is our premium line for those iPhone and iPod owners who demand a higher level of audio fidelity from their speakers," said Evan Stein, vice president of Marketing, iHome. "Thanks to Bongiovi Acoustics' DPS technology, the sound quality is virtually unrivalled and we are excited to broaden our offerings with the iP2 and iP49."

Skype And Panasonic Collaborate To Add Skype Software To VIERA® HDTVs

Panasonic Corporation and Skype have announced a collaboration that will enable consumers to make voice and video calls over Skype™ on Panasonic's line of 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs planned for launch in spring 2010. This collaboration takes Skype to another platform, in addition to the computer and the mobile phone--the television.

"The addition of Skype to our VIERA CAST offerings truly takes HDTV connectivity to a whole new level," said Bob Perry, Vice President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "VIERA CAST was created to offer Panasonic VIERA® HDTV owners a new level of entertainment by giving them access to some of the most popular content-driven web sites. Panasonic VIERA HDTV owners can now not only share photos and videos online; with Skype they can also talk to family and friends from the comfort of their living room."

Hostess Launches Lemon Cupcakes 100 Calorie Packs

Hostess® has extended its popular 100 Calorie Packs line of cakes with the introduction of new Lemon Cupcake 100 Calorie Packs. Each 100 Calorie Pack contains three moist golden cupcakes with lemon icing and Hostess' signature creme filling. "The success of our 100 calorie snack line has encouraged us to develop a wide range of delicious flavor combinations that stay true to the taste Hostess fans love and expect from our 100 Calorie Packs," said Rich Seban, Chief Marking Officer at Hostess Brands.

Richard Winter Named President Of POPAI

Richard Winter, a Marketing at Retail industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience working with the world's leading retailers and brands globally, has been appointed President of POPAI, according to an announcement made by John Anderson, POPAI's Chairman of the Board. Prior to assuming the role of Interim POPAI President in July 2009, Winter most recently served as President of Marmon Retail Services LLC, a leading supplier of equipment and services to retail stores and quick-service restaurants worldwide with operations in North America, Europe and Asia. He also served on POPAI's Board of Directors from 1993- 2001, participated in numerous committees and served as Chairman of the Board in 1998-1999.

Honey Dew Donuts® Hires Larry Flaherty As Director Of Franchise Development

Honey Dew Donuts® recently hired Larry Flaherty as the Director of Franchise Development. He joins Honey Dew with an extensive and comprehensive franchising background including ten years with D'Angelo Sandwich Shops and three years as the Director of Franchising with KaBloom. Flaherty will be responsible for helping Honey Dew expand into markets in the New England area.

BrandPartners Launches 'Store In A Box' Subsidiary

BrandPartners Group Inc. has launched "Store in a Box", a provider of turnkey retail environment solutions for the rapidly expanding Retail Franchise Industry. By leveraging the company's design, project management, construction, and supply chain strengths currently servicing the financial services industry, Store in a Box will offer services ranging from initial store design to complete store opening solutions for franchisees. Many of the services include millwork, graphics, point-of-sale, merchandising, signage, carpeting, space planning and contract furniture, and general contracting services.

Bruce Olans, a successful entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience offering franchisors store implementation build-out solutions, has joined the company as CEO of BrandPartners' new Store in a Box's Division. "Because of the arsenal of tools offered through Store in a Box to franchises, the ability to open quickly and efficiently is undeniable. Costs are decreased significantly, implementation time can be driven from months to weeks, and complete store installations are done in a day and a half," said Bruce Olans, CEO of Store in a Box.

Outwater Plastics Offers Utility Chains

Outwater Plastics offers a line of Utility Chains and Accessories for hanging point-of-purchase signs and merchandise. Outwater offers a wide selection of different colors avvailable in 3/4", 1" 1 1/2" and 2" links. In addition to the chains, stocked in 33 ft. lenths, Outwater offers individual Plastic S-Hooks and PlasticConnecting Links, as well as a Spring Loaded Nylon Retractable Connecting Link. For more information, contact Outwater Plastics, P.O. Box 500, Bogota, NJ 07603; (Tel) 800-631-8375; (Web site) www.outwater.com

Practical Retail Merchandising Offers Cooler Cabinet

Practical Retail Merchandising has introduced a Cooler Cabinet Bridge display designed to expand cooler-freezer cabinets to merchandise product in seldom used space. The 12" wide bridge is produced from heavy duty sheet metal, tube and wire and its arms expand from 68 to 82 inches. The arch design gives the bridge strength to hold over 300 lbs. of product, ie: 54 - 750 ml. bottles. The area below the arch allows the retailer additional merchandising space that can hold 24 bottles. For more information, contact Practical Retail Merchandising, 7 Williamsburg Road, Evanston, Illinois 60203; (Tel) 847-679-4052.

Testrite Visual Products Introduces Signs Anywhere Display System

Testrite Visual Products offers the Signs Anywhere display system, a flexible system for in-store signage. The Signs Anywhere system provides an array of different options for attaching signage to ceilings with a ceiling anchor, magnetic mount or flange. The display system also includes a clamp-on mount and a table top mount, for attaching signage to a shelf or counter. Pedestal mounts for free-standing floor displays are also available. The system works with all different signage sizes and shapes. It is offered in a variety of colors and finishes. For more information, contact Testrite Visual Products, 216 South Newman St., Hackensack, NJ 07601; (Tel) 201-543-0240; (Web site) www.testrite.com

MediaTile Introduces 4g/LTE HumanKiosk

MediaTile, a world leading provider of cellular digital signage and SaaS management solutions, have announced a breakthrough in brand-to-consumer communications using a prototype high-definition interactive display that combines live 2-way video communication capabilities with simultaneous interactive promotional messages. The free-standing, second generation prototype takes advantage of the high bandwidth wireless IP-connection from the emerging 4G/LTE services provided by ng Connect Program member, Alcatel-Lucent. "With this technology and the 4G/LTE connectivity, brands will be able to have direct and personal influence on consumers where, and when it matters most," said Simon Wilson, CEO of The MediaTile Company. "Now, consumers in retail outlets can have their questions answered by an expert when making a purchasing decision. Our 'HumanKiosk' prototype is a game-changer in retail merchandising and promotional programs as more than 70% of brand selection decisions are made right at the point of purchase." For more information, visit media tile's web site at. (Web site) www.mediatile.com

iPOWOW And MediaTile Create Cellular Digital Signage Solution

iPOWOW! and MediaTile have teamed up to introduce a new research technology that adds interactive audience measurement to MediaTile's cellular digital signage solution. Roger Sanford, head of MediaTile's MediaServices division, said, "The iPOWOW! analytics tools are perfectly in sync with our Return on Message (ROM) methodology for effectively measuring and improving the impact of content. Now we can add Interactive Audience Measurement, 'I-AM,' directly into our 'ROM in Real Time' metrics giving brands and retailers the ability to fully understand consumer and viewer interests that are key to all messaging and merchandising strategies." For more information, visit (Web site) www.ipowow.com or (Web site) www.mediatile.com

3M Introduces High-Definition Multi-Touch LCD Display

3M has unveiled the 3M Display M2256PW, a 22-inch high-definition, multi-touch LCD display which is designed for applications such as digital signage, that need up to 10-finger touch input or multi-user interactivity with very fast response time. While most multi-touch technologies support two-finger touch and gestures, 3M's multi-touch technology supports 10-finger touch input and advanced gesture capability. "Over the past six months software developers from around the world have been working with the 3M multi-touch platform to develop exciting concepts for multi-touch applications," said Chris Tsourides, business unit manager, 3M Touch Systems. The 3M Display M2256PW features a high-definition 1680 x 1050 LCD screen, DVI and VGA video input, audio input, USB and RS232 (serial) dual-mode communication protocol and durable, anti-glare front surface. For more information, visit (Web site) www.3m.com

Covergirl Launches 'Covergirl Clean Makeup For Clean Water' Campaign

COVERGIRL has launched a charitable partnership between its Clean brand of makeup and the Children's Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) program, an organization dedicated to addressing the critical, global need for clean, safe drinking water, with the campaign, "COVERGIRL Clean Makeup for Clean Water," and a one time $500,000 contribution to CSDW. The campaign will deliver clean, purified drinking water to needy areas via low-cost, PUR™ packet technology that purifies even heavily-contaminated drinking water so it meets World Health Organization standards for safe drinking water.

"Women who use COVERGIRL Clean Makeup products value inner as well as outer beauty and are sensitive to the needs in the world," said Vince Hudson, Marketing Director, COVERGIRL, Procter & Gamble Beauty. "COVERGIRL Clean Makeup transforms you into your most beautiful you without breaking your wallet. The same is true of the COVERGIRL Clean Makeup for Clean Water Campaign: It delivers clean drinking water to needy areas around the world, transforming lives for mere pennies a day. It's a beautiful thing!"

As part of the campaign, COVERGIRL consumers can enter an online contest by submitting a short video explaining how they give back to make the world a better place and why this makes them beautiful, inside and out. For every entry received, COVERGIRL will provide one week's worth of clean drinking water to a child in need. Entrants also have a chance to win a humanitarian trip to Africa as part of the next Clean Makeup for Clean Water mission.

Taco Bell Offers Drive-Thru Diet® Menu Featuring Seven 'Fresco-style' Items With Nine Grams Or Less Of Fat

Taco Bell®, which does approximately 70 percent of its business via the drive-thru, is set to introduce better choices for America with its new Drive-Thru Diet® Menu, featuring seven Fresco-style menu offerings with nine grams of fat or less. Available at participating Taco Bell locations nationwide, the Drive-Thru Diet Menu features seven Taco Bell favorites freshly-prepared with Fiesta Salsa - a zesty and delicious mix of diced tomatoes, white onions and cilantro - that replaces the cheese and sauce. Packed with flavor and only five calories per serving, the Fiesta Salsa allows consumers to reduce fat and calories without sacrificing flavor. Customers can make better choices compared to typical QSR choices while still enjoying their favorite tacos and burritos complete with grilled, marinated all-white-meat chicken, seasoned beef and even Carne Asada Steak.

"Taco Bell is committed to offering a great-tasting menu that gives consumers the variety and choices they demand," said David Ovens, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell Corp., Irvine, Calif. "Using quality ingredients like our freshly prepared Fiesta Salsa, the Drive-Thru Diet Menu is true to our Mexican-inspired heritage by offering real variety in form, flavors, taste, texture and the aroma our customers love, while being lower in fat."

Current and new customers will hear about Taco Bell's Drive-Thru Diet Menu and Fresco-style foods through a robust and integrated campaign that will roll out during the first quarter of 2010. The campaign includes advertising, in-store promotions, Web sites and social media activity, and integration with Taco Bell's existing NBA marketing partnership. The advertising and all in-store signage was handled through Draftfcb, Orange County, CA.

Spot Shot® Partners For 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs' Blu-ray And DVD Promotion

Spot Shot, a leading carpet stain remover and odor eliminator is continuing its partnership with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for the release of the animated family film, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Through March 31, 2010, consumers will receive a free, full-size bottle of Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain and Odor Eliminator with the purchase of any "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" DVD or Blu-ray . The free product offer can be redeemed either in store or via mail-in rebate offered on the Spot Shot Web site. Additionally, all "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" DVDs purchased through major retailers will contain a coupon for $1 off a future Spot Shot purchase.

Spot Shot's line of aerosol and trigger products has been integrated into several components of the film's promotion. "Spot Shot is a favorite product among parents who have small children often responsible for major messes in the home's carpeted areas," said Tim Lesmeister, vice president of U.S. marketing for the WD-40 Company, makers of Spot Shot. "Being involved with the promotion of this highly. (Web site) www.spotshot.com

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