Interactive Political Media and the A.R.K. Foundation to Host Star-Studded Inaugural Gala

Interactive Political Media and the A.R.K. Foundation to Host Star-Studded Inaugural Gala Honorees Include Former President George H.W. Bush, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, Secretary Colin Powell, Secretary Anthony J. Principi, Larry King, Tony Orlando, FedEX's Fred Smith, Bob Hope WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The first ever Veteran's Inaugural Ball, to be held January 20, 2005 at the exquisite Mandarin Oriental hotel in Washington, DC, will be co-hosted by the A.R.K. Foundation, Larry Ward and Interactive Political Media (IPM), one of the most sought after and innovative interactive marketing firms in the world of politics. The first-ever Veteran's Gala will be a star-studded affair. Confirmed attendees include Secretary Anthony J. Principi, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, Former President George H.W. Bush, FedEX CEO Fred Smith, Delores Hope, wife of the late Bob Hope, Secretary Colin Powell, and Grammy winner Tony Orlando. A strong ground force has been recruited to ensure the Ball is executed flawlessly. Through its latest service, "Activists On-Call," IPM has interactively mobilized volunteers to support the event. This product can be replicated to any number of causes. On election-day 2004, IPM had 150 Activists on Call working the polls in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. "Nearly 67% of adults used the Internet in 2004, up from 51% in 2000," Mr. Ward said. "Our technology allows us to not only identify who these Internet users are, but which users are in fact veterans. We have the ability to reach out to thousands of veterans that would like to show their support for President Bush with the click of a button," Ward added. Larry Ward and IPM will toast veterans across the country in tandem with CNN's Larry King, host of the acclaimed program "Larry King Live" and the Ball's Master of Ceremonies. Mr. King commented, "This past election had many military themes, in particular our collective concern for our troops serving all over the world. It is important that now the election is over, we remember to honor our veterans and not forget those Americans that are still in harm's way. Larry Ward, IPM, and the A.R.K. Foundation will ensure just that." The Gala will also be simulcast to a crowd of thousands of veterans gathered to watch the event in Branson, Missouri, "the live music show capital of the world." For more information about the Veterans Inaugural Gala, please visit http://www.veteransgala.com/. WHO: United States Veterans Benefiting the National Veterans Hospice WHAT: Presidential Inaugural Ball WHEN: January 20, 2005 5:30pm-6:30pm General Reception & Cocktails 6:30pm-8:30pm Awards Ceremony & Dinner 8:00pm Grand Ball & Performances WHERE: The Mandarin Oriental Hotel 1330 Maryland Avenue SW Washington DC, 20024. CONTACT: Members of the press are asked to RSVP to (212) 588-9148 MEDIA: Credentialed media interested in attending or covering the Ball must contact Alexandra Preate or Michael Tew at (212) 588-9148 in advance. Larry Ward and Interactive Political Media, Inc. Larry Ward is President of Interactive Political Media and is one of the most sought after Internet marketing professionals in Washington. During the re-election campaign of President George W. Bush, he worked extensively with 527 organizations to reach out to everyday Americans and engage them in the election debate. The night before the election, IPM blasted more than 50 million emails into cyberspace. One client, The American Defense Council (ADC), achieved a 15% response rate, which translated to more than 750,000 views of an online advertisement urging Republicans to get out the vote. The industry average is only 0.2%-1.0%. More information about Larry and IPM can be found at their newly-redesigned web site http://www.politicalmedia.com/. Source: Interactive Political Media, Inc. CONTACT: Michael Tew, mtew@politicalcap.com or Alexandra Preate, apreate@politicalcap.com, both of Political Capital LLC, +1-212-588-9148, cell, +1-917-669-7473, for Interactive Political Media, Inc. Web site: http://www.politicalmedia.com/ http://www.veteransgala.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment