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International Entertainment News

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Platform International Animation Festival 2007 Competition Award Winners

Platform International Animation Festival 2007 Competition Award Winners

PORTLAND, Ore., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- PLATFORM International Animation Festival announces competition award winners during closing ceremonies of a six day long program in Portland, Oregon. Awards were given in categories covering commercial and independent films, student animation, installations and films for new platforms, including cell phones and the Internet. In total, more than $50,000 was awarded to the winning artists.

"We truly feel that we have accomplished our goal in creating a literal platform for artists, innovation, debate and discussion as well as set the stage to explore new developments in animation," said festival director Irene Kotlarz. "We had a wide variety of quality work submitted for competition. The judges had to make some extremely tough decisions when determining the winners of this year's competition."

   PLATFORM COMPETITION WINNERS:     Grand Prix    THE PEARCE SISTERS    Luis Cook     Grand Prix/ Installation    NO NEVER ALONE    Gregory Barsamian     Student Grand Prix    GUY 101    Ian Gouldstone     Student Grand Prix    DREAMING OF LUCID LIVING    Miwa Matreyek     Best Film Under $5,000    EVERYTHING WILL BE OK    Don Hertzfeldt     Best Film Under $50,000    RABBIT    Run Wrake     Distinguished Jury Award    GOD ON OUR SIDE    Uri Kranot and Michal Pfeffer     Best Film Over $50,000    TOWER BAWHER    Theodore Ushev     Best Promotional Film    VODAFONE MAYFLY    Darren Walsh     Best Title Sequence    THE SOUTH BANK SHOW    SSSR     Best Art Direction    PEARCE SISTERS    Luis Cook     Best Sound    I MET THE WALRUS    Josh Raskin     Best Music Video    THE KNIFE: WE SHARE OUR MOTHER'S HEALTH    Motomichi Nakamura     Most Innovative    STABILITY & WILDLIFE    Karolina Sobecka     Best Performance by Animated Character    NO ROOM FOR GEROLD    Daniel Nocke     Best Installation    REDUCED CONCEPTION    Daniela Repas     Best Film For the Internet    SECRET LIVES OF ROBOTS    Lee Rubenstein     Best Film For Mobile Devices    OFFICE BUDDIES: STAPLER FACE OFF    Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson     Best Film for Children    ADVENTURE TIME    Pendleton Ward     Best Series for Children    SHAUN THE SHEEP: STILL LIFE    Chris Sadler     Audience Choice Award/Best Installation    DREAMING OF LUCID LIVING    Miwa Matreyek     Audience Choice Award/Best Film    TRAGIC STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING    Regina Pessoa     Audience Choice Award/Best Mobile    SOU    Theodore Ushev    About PLATFORM International Animation Festival  

PLATFORM is a boundary-breaking international animation festival and competition sponsored by Cartoon Network, that debuted June 25-30, 2007 in Portland, Oregon. The Festival program featured premieres and retrospectives, exclusive screenings, guest speakers, exhibitions, workshops with leading artists, parties and networking opportunities with industry insiders. The festivals' program represented work of other art forms including comics, illustration, character and toy design, motion graphics, gallery art and live action cinema. For more information about PLATFORM go to: www.platformfestival.com.

   Media Contacts:   Alisa MacDonnell   alisa@platformfestival.com   (415) 407-9293    Shawn Bowman   shawn@platformfestival.com   503-470-0087  

Source: PLATFORM International Animation Festival

CONTACT: Alisa MacDonnell, +1-415-407-9293, or
alisa@platformfestival.com, or Shawn Bowman, +1-503-470-0087, or
shawn@platformfestival.com, both of PLATFORM International Animation Festival

Web site: http://www.platformfestival.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Friday, June 29, 2007

Public Joins Campaign for Healthcare Justice at 'SiCKO' Premiere

Public Joins Campaign for Healthcare Justice at 'SiCKO' Premiere

Coalition Gathers Support for Platform to Fix Sonoma County's Healthcare System

SANTA ROSA, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Dozens of community members signed petitions Friday calling for a new approach to healthcare in Sonoma County at an event organized by a local coalition outside the premiere of the new film "SiCKO," which targets the U.S. healthcare system's failings.

Healthcare Justice Sonoma County is urging county officials working toward solving the county's healthcare crisis to adopt a platform that involves the community and protects the rights of caregivers.

The recent plan for a consortium of local hospitals to take over the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which Sutter Health plans to abandon, is one example of an issue that requires closer community involvement, said doctors with the Committee of Interns and Residents, which is part of the coalition.

"Over 150 physicians who now practice in Sonoma County were trained at the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency Program," said Kambria Holder, a Sutter resident and member of CIR. "We must preserve the integrity and reputation of our program so we can continue to attract high-quality, committed physicians to stay in our community."

"The consortium is a good start toward ensuring the residency's future because it shares the burden," said Ian Hoffman, also a Sutter resident. "But until we have a sane system that can take care of all patients equally, we will continue to face financial instability while practicing medicine in Sonoma County."

Members of the public strongly supported the principles outlined in the coalition's petitions, which include requiring Sutter Medical Center to remain open until all its services are replaced, improving the residency program, and preserving the rights of hospital workers whose jobs may be affected by any transition in the county's healthcare system.

Healthcare Justice Sonoma County is a coalition of doctors, caregivers, senior advocates and other community members calling for improvements to the county healthcare system, including keeping Sutter Medical Center open as long as possible, expanding community clinics and district hospitals, and guaranteeing the rights of healthcare workers are protected.

CONTACT: Peter Tappeiner

(510) 714-5094

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: SEIU United Healthcare Workers-West

CONTACT: Peter Tappeiner, +1-510-714-5094, for SEIU United Healthcare
Workers-West

Web site: http://www.seiu-uhw.org/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Live Earth as a Living Breathing Work of Modern Art

Live Earth as a Living Breathing Work of Modern Art

NEW YORK and SYDNEY, Australia, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Dark horse U.S. presidential candidate and controversial modern artist, Victor-Hugo Vaca Jr., sees Live Earth as a living breathing work of Modern Art. How can the world participate in the largest self destructing Modern Art Project ever created? By passing along a simple message and asking friends and contacts to pass it forward, people can create and participate in a peaceful human work of improvisational Pop art better known as a Happening. Your participation can create a chain of events which may link the founder of the internet with the Founder of the Modern Art Music Movement (MAMM).

This butterfly effect could cause popular, but unregistered presidential candidates Al Gore and Victor-Hugo to be on stage together introducing Duran Duran at the 07-07-07 Live Earth Concert.

Al Gore is registered Democrat and Victor-Hugo is registered Republican, but both men are putting their political views aside to help raise awareness about Mother Earth's climate and the human condition in Darfur.

Together, the Latino dark horse U.S. presidential candidate and the former Vice President are attempting to create an unprecedented work of art on a massive global scale the likes of which humankind has never seen.

MAMM representatives are contacting The Guinness Book of World Records to see if the Live Earth Day MAMM Happening can be recorded as the World's Largest Modern Art Piece. The Live Earth Happening has already begun and will begin to self-destruct on 07-07-07 in Sydney, Australia.

By passing along the following message, and asking contacts to pass it forward, participants will create a peaceful human communication chain using face-to-face interaction or modern technology like Apple's iPhone, text messaging cell phones, or e-mail. "By doing this, you will have eliminated the gap between art and viewer otherwise known as actor and audience," Victor-Hugo says, adding: "Enjoy making history. Pass it on."

The Modern Art Music Movement will be performing Live Earth Day Happenings as Friends of Live Earth throughout the world on Live Earth Day 07-07-07.

Look for a list of participating venues and confirmed acts on http://www.victorhugogallery.com/ and at http://www.liveearth.org/.

Anyone interested in sponsoring or participating in this Live Earth Day MAMM Happening can contact victorhugogallery@hotmail.com.

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.send2press.com/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Modern Art Music Movement

CONTACT: Vallerie Claudette Of Modern Art Music Movement,
+1-954-655-7629, vhviipress@msn.com

Web site: http://www.send2press.com/
http://www.victorhugogallery.com/
http://www.liveearth.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Interviews and images available on request.


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Hollywood Video Launches In-Store Fundraising Campaign for Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation

Hollywood Video Launches In-Store Fundraising Campaign for Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation

WILSONVILLE, Ore., June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hollywood Video, a division of Movie Gallery, Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVI) announced that July 1 through July 23, the chain will conduct an in-store fundraiser benefiting long-time partner Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. While shopping for their favorite movies or video games, guests may make a tax deductible donation of $1 or more to Starlight Starbright. All proceeds from the "Star" campaign will be used to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their struggles through entertainment, education and family activities.

"We love this campaign and encourage people to get involved to help improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families," said Paula Van Ness, CEO of Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. "There are millions of children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses who benefit from Starlight Starbright's services. Through the "Star" campaign, Hollywood Video will bring awareness of the foundation to their local neighborhoods and give people a chance to make a difference."

Persons donating will also have the chance to win Free Rentals for a Year by going online at http://www.starlight.org/hollywood to register.

"We are extremely pleased to be associated with a worthwhile organization such as the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation," said Joe Malugen, Chairman and CEO of Movie Gallery, Inc. "We hope that our Guests will see this as a convenient way for them to help seriously ill children and bring the fun of entertainment to the kids and their families."

Over the past four years, Hollywood Video has built a Hollywood Video Starlight Site in Portland, Ore., Los Angeles, Calif., Houston, Tex., and Philadelphia, Pa.; sponsored more than 170 mobile Fun Centers offering bedside movie and game play for recovering patients; held countless in-hospital Movie and Game Nights hosted by company volunteers; and raised more than $1 million for Starlight Starbright through in-store collections. Log on to http://www.hollywoodvideo.com/communityspotlight or http://www.starlight.org/hollywood to learn more about the partnership.

About Hollywood Video

Hollywood Video(R) (http://www.hollywoodvideo.com/) is a division of Movie Gallery, Inc. and operates over 2,000 home entertainment stores across the United States. Movie Gallery, Inc., is the second largest North American home entertainment specialty retailer in the United States with more than 4,550 stores located in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

About Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation

When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For more than two decades, Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation has dedicated itself to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight Starbright's programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Serving more than 180,000 children each month, Starlight Starbright's array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings provide ongoing support for children and families - before, during and after medical treatment. To learn more visit http://www.starlight.org/.

Supporters can use PayPal's Text to Give program to donate $10 to Starlight Starbright today by texting STAR10 to 78787!

   Contact:   Donna DeDario   Senior Communications Manager   Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation   323-556-3322, donna.dedario@starlight.org    Scott Allpress   Director of Communications   Hollywood Entertainment Corporation   503-570-1853, scottal@hlyw.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Movie Gallery, Inc.

CONTACT: Donna DeDario, Senior Communications Manager of Starlight
Starbright Children's Foundation, +1-323-556-3322,
donna.dedario@starlight.org; or Scott Allpress, Director of Communications of
Hollywood Entertainment Corporation, +1-503-570-1853, scottal@hlyw.com

Web site: http://www.moviegallery.com/
http://www.starlight.org/
http://www.starlight.org/hollywood
http://www.hollywoodvideo.com/communityspotlight


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

IMAX announces that it plans to file financial statements shortly

IMAX announces that it plans to file financial statements shortly

Company does not intend to seek any further extensions

TORONTO, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ:IMAX; TSX:IMX) today announced that it will not file by June 30, 2007 its 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, however it expects to be able to do so shortly.

In March 2007, the Company previously announced that it would delay filing its financial statements due to the discovery of certain accounting errors and subsequently broadened its accounting review to include certain other accounting matters based on comments received by the Company from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC"). The Company believes that it has substantially addressed these comments by revising its accounting policy with regard to revenue recognition for theatre systems. The revised policy, which will be detailed in the Company's 10-K and 10-Q, has the effect of shifting a portion of systems revenue between periods during the years 2002 through 2006; in the majority of cases, the timing of revenue recognition shifts by 90-180 days.

The Company previously announced that it had executed a supplemental indenture to the indenture (the "Indenture") governing its 9 5/8% senior notes dues 2010, pursuant to which (i) any existing defaults arising from a failure to comply with the reporting covenant under the Indenture had been waived and (ii) the failure by the Company to comply with the reporting covenant until June 30, 2007 shall not constitute a default or be the basis for an event of default under the Indenture. Because the Company will not file its 10-K and 10-Q by June 30, 2007, it expects to be in default of this covenant. However, the Company expects to make such filings within the thirty (30) day period (after notice of default) which allows for the cure of such default under the Indenture before holders can seek to accelerate the indebtedness.

In addition, the Company obtained a further waiver under its bank credit agreement of the covenant to deliver its audited financial statements until July 31, 2007.

The Company stated it did not intend to seek any further extensions in connection with its filing obligations from any parties.

The statements set forth in this press release are preliminary, reflect information currently known to the Company and are subject to change as a result of the accounting review and restatement process, subsequent events and the completion of the financial statements by management and the audit of the financial statements by the Company's independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. In the event of an acceleration of any or all of its indebtedness, the Company may not have sufficient access to capital to refinance and/or repay any debt that is so accelerated, and any such acceleration could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position. Please see the risk factors contained in the Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of other risk factors with regard to the Company's capital structure and/or financial position.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in digital and film-based motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX(R) network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R) technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital remastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R). IMAX's renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world's biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2006, there were 280 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.

   IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), IMAX MPX(R) and The IMAX Experience(R)   are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can   be found at www.imax.com.   

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include the outcome of the accounting review, discussions with the SEC and OSC, and related matters discussed in this press release, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, the extent and impact of the restatement of our financial statements, the outcome of the appeal of the NASDAQ Staff Determination letters and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Source: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Sarah Gormley, (212)
821-0155, sgormley@imax.com; Business Media: Sloane & Company, New York, Whit
Clay, (212) 446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com; Investors: Integrated Corporate
Relations, Amanda Mullin, (203) 682-8243, Amanda.Mullin@icrinc.com


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Azteca America to Air on Granite Broadcasting's Full-Power Digital Station KBWB-DT in San Francisco Beginning July 1, 2007

Azteca America to Air on Granite Broadcasting's Full-Power Digital Station KBWB-DT in San Francisco Beginning July 1, 2007

LOS ANGELES, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Azteca America, the fastest-growing Hispanic television network in the United States, is proud to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Granite Broadcasting to have its programming broadcast throughout the San Francisco market as a digital multicast on full-power digital station KBWB-DT.

"This is an important piece of our national footprint, and we are glad to be on the cutting edge of technology with this full-power digital station," said Adrian Steckel, CEO of Azteca America.

The signal will be broadcast over-the-air on channel 20.4 throughout the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area. Viewers can also see Azteca America on DIRECTV channel 42 and Comcast basic digital channel 196 or channel 620 on the Hispanic tier, effective July 1. Cable and satellite coverage are of utmost importance in the San Francisco market, given that an estimated 87% of Hispanic television viewing comes from these sources.

This is the first time Azteca America has broadcast its signal as a multicast digital feed in any market.

"This is part of our commitment to viewers and advertisers alike to guarantee continuity in San Francisco, the eighth largest Hispanic market in the country," said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Azteca America.

Bob Anderson, General Manager of KBWB-TV, said, "We are happy to partner with Azteca America, who will use our valuable spectrum for the benefit of the entire San Francisco DMA."

Azteca America airs top telenovelas, news, entertainment shows and reality shows, not to mention boxing, UFC and live Mexican League Soccer, where broadcast television rights in the United States are the exclusive rights of Azteca America and the Univision networks.

The May 27 final of the Mexican Soccer League championship attracted more men ages 18-34 to Azteca America than the NBA conference finals, NASCAR, the Indy 500 and MLB broadcasts during the same weekend on ABC and FOX. Live soccer action returns to Azteca America for the Apertura 2007 season on August 4.

KBWB-TV is a full-power independent television station that airs a wide- variety of programming, including a 9PM newscast as well as entertainment, talk and relationship shows, comedies and dramas. The station also produces and airs "Your Green Report," which provides the community with environmental news about individuals, organizations and businesses, as well as public service campaigns that provide viewers with simple tips that can have a positive impact on the environment.

Company Profiles

Azteca America is the fastest-growing Hispanic network in the United States. The network is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V., one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television content in the world. Azteca America currently has presence in 60 Hispanic markets, including: Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Phoenix, Brownsville-McAllen, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Albuquerque, Fresno-Visalia, San Diego, Denver, El Paso, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington DC, Atlanta, Austin, Las Vegas, Boston, Tucson, Corpus Christi, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Seattle, Bakersfield, Hartford, Portland, Salt Lake City, Monterey-Salinas, Laredo, Yuma, Ft. Myers-Naples, Palm Springs, Raleigh-Durham, Odessa, Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, Santa Barbara, Lubbock, Amarillo, Yakima, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Reno, Greenville, New Orleans, Omaha, Tulsa, Boise, Chico- Redding, Toledo, Chattanooga, Victoria, Twin Falls, Charleston and Sherman.

   Azteca America is a Grupo Salinas Company.   Visit: www.gruposalinas.com ; www.aztecaamerica.com/corporate   

Granite Broadcasting Corporation owns and operates, or provides programming, sales and other services to 23 channels in the following 11 markets: San Francisco, California; Detroit, Michigan; Buffalo, New York; Fresno, California; Syracuse, New York; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Peoria, Illinois; Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin; Binghamton, New York; Utica, New York and Elmira, New York. The Company's channel group includes affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, CW and My Network TV, and reaches approximately 6% of all U.S. television households.

   Azteca America Media Contact:   Daniel McCosh   323 517 0370   or   011 (5255) 1720-0059    dmccosh@aztecaamerica.com    Granite Broadcasting Media Contact:   Don Cornwell   (212) 826-2530  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Azteca America

CONTACT: Daniel McCosh, Azteca America, +1-323-517-0370,
+011-5255-1720-0059, dmccosh@aztecaamerica.com; or Don Cornwell, Granite
Broadcasting, +1-212-826-2530

Web site: http://www.aztecaamerica.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Program That Reduces Healthcare Cost by 15% Responds: Michael Moore's Solution Would Increase Costs, Delays, and Deaths in America

Program That Reduces Healthcare Cost by 15% Responds: Michael Moore's Solution Would Increase Costs, Delays, and Deaths in America

Innovative program reduces healthcare cost by emphasizing coordination of care, communication, and Primary Care Physicians

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation heads to movie theaters this weekend to see Sicko, Michael Moore's expose on U.S. healthcare, the company that operates an innovative healthcare program that has dramatically reduced cost by improving patient assistance says that government-run healthcare would increase, rather than solve, America's healthcare problems.

Randall E. Gebhardt, president of Quantum Health Inc., said that Michael Moore falsely implies that government-run healthcare works well in Canada and the U.K., and that an expansion in the government's already heavy-handed role in U.S. healthcare - Medicare already directly controls 40% of all healthcare dollars and indirectly controls another 50% - would result in more suffering, more deaths, and significantly higher costs over the next 20 years.

"Michael Moore reaches back and dredges up horror stories from the 1980s and 1990s, and there is a definite implication that healthcare would work better if run by the government," said Randall E. Gebhardt, president of Quantum Health.

"If you want to know how government-run healthcare would work, just think back to the last time you stood in line at the post office, or waited on hold for two hours with the IRS or Immigration service to check on the passport application you sent five months ago, or the news coverage you watched of relief efforts after Katrina. Just think, all your healthcare needs could be run this way.

"There are many ills with U.S. healthcare, and we agree with Michael Moore that the insurance carriers are a big part of the problem. But government already runs 40-50% of U.S. healthcare, and that is also a big part of the problem. If this role were expanded, we would see a national disaster that would make Katrina look like a little weekend annoyance," Gebhardt said.

Gebhardt said that, ironically, Moore's movie makes exactly the point it hopes to disprove - the free market system is functioning well in healthcare. HMOs, whose ethics and patient-insensitivity Moore bashes, had a 70% market share in 1995, but have fallen to less than 25% because patients and their employers have rejected them.

"Hey, Michael," Gebhardt said, "thanks for showing us that the free market system works. The horror stories you dredge up from the 1990s were corrected by the market, because employers and patients rejected the control-oriented HMOs that caused those problems.

"If the government had been running healthcare, the market couldn't have voted with their dollars, and bureaucrats in committee rooms would have retained the status quo - while passing more rules to control behavior - and we'd all be covered by HMOs with even more bureaucracy and an even more confusing maze of paperwork.

"Just look at Canada and the U.K. - that's what they have now. That's why millions of patients are currently waiting for treatment there, and thousands of Canadians cross the border to get the care they need, when they need it, in the U.S."

Gebhardt has been interviewed on camera for the upcoming movie Sick and Sicker, being made by filmmaker Logan Darrow Clements to counter the influence of Michael Moore's film (see www.freestarmedia.com).

But while Gebhardt said it would be a national disaster for government to expand its role in running healthcare, he said there is an important role government should play in driving the market to greater efficiency. He outlined several initiatives the government should take:

   -- Make discounts on healthcare services illegal.  Today, insurance      carriers and PPOs drive the market with "hidden" discounts that distort      market dynamics, because no one knows what is truly being paid for      healthcare services.  To pay for these discounts, hospitals and      physicians charge higher prices to those with less healthcare insurance      coverage.   -- Require the cost of all healthcare services to be posted publicly, the      way prices for products must be clearly marked on supermarket shelves.      Transparency in pricing is crucial to efficient healthcare buying.   -- Require providers to submit regular reports to a national database on      healthcare outcomes, quality and cost.  Over five years, this will      create a national database that all buyers can use to make effective      usage and purchasing decisions.   -- Increase financial grants and incentives to medical students choosing      to specialize in the primary care specialties - family medicine,      internal medicine and pediatrics.  Statistics clearly show that these      primary care specialties are less popular because they offer lower      income potential and status than interventional sub-specialties.   The      lower income is a direct result of policies in the Medicare system,      which devalue the services of primary care physicians and forbid      payment for coordination of care activities such as calling the patient      or other doctors to coordinate care between visits.   

Gebhardt said that Quantum Health advocates an approach known as coordinated healthcare, which has proven that the key to better healthcare is increasing coordination of care, through the use of Care Coordinators who inform and guide patients as they navigate a confusing maze of providers, and through a national focus on increasing use of primary care physicians. In 2006, this approach continued a five-year trend of holding cost increases to one-third the national average.

Just as baby boomers are reaching an age when they need coordination of care more than ever due to emergence of chronic conditions, heavy government influence on healthcare has distorted market dynamics and reduced the resources available for long-term health management.

Studies prove that patients who use a primary care physician have 33% lower cost and 10% lower mortality, so the market should naturally favor these physicians because patients will choose them more often and be willing to pay more for their services.

But government influence already stifles market forces. Medicare bureaucrats set lower reimbursement rates for primary care physicians and higher rates for interventional specialties using expensive diagnostics and surgery. This drives virtually all physician reimbursements in the entire country, both public and private. If these rates weren't set by the government, the market would work naturally to increase reimbursements for PCPs, more medical students would go into this type of practice and Americans would be moved toward better health management and less "sick care." Costs and unnecessary deaths would decrease dramatically.

Gebhardt said the coordinated healthcare concept advocated by Quantum Health saved participating employers more than $22 million - nearly 15% of projected expenses - in 2006. This represented $1,296 per employee for its clients, who are mostly self-insured employers with employees located nationwide. These results were achieved without cutting benefits or shifting costs to employees.

Over the past five years, Coordinated Health/Care has held healthcare costs to an average annual trend of 4.5%, against an industry average of 11- 13% for plans that haven't reduced benefits or shifted more cost to employees. Such results led to Coordinated Health/Care being named Most Effective Design for Mid-Sized Employers by Consumer Health World in 2006.

"The most controllable driver of healthcare cost is confusion and lack of coordination in the process of healthcare itself," said Kara J. Trott, founder and CEO of Quantum Health, Inc. "Essentially, healthcare is broken at the patient level, and that's where employer health plans can make the biggest difference by providing patient support systems that help physicians guide their patients through the process."

Trott and Gebhardt, who applied their background as strategy consultants in consumer decision making and behavior, cited a host of research, articles and books - written by physicians themselves - demonstrating how difficult it is for patients to understand and navigate healthcare. This confusion leads not only to delayed diagnosis and treatment, but also to unnecessary delays and duplication that result in 18-20% of unnecessary healthcare costs that can be completely eliminated.

Trott said one study showed that 50% of patients leaving their physician's office were unsure of what they were supposed to do, and another showed that 60% of physicians forgot to tell the patient how long to take medication they prescribed. In research conducted by Quantum Health, patients referred themselves to specialists 41% of the time, and 61% of these self-referrals were to the wrong specialist, resulting in an average of $3,500 in unnecessary diagnostics and 11 months delays in diagnosis and treatment.

"Patient self-navigation and confusion is a huge problem," Trott said. "Employers need to use their health plan and benefit incentives to encourage employees and dependents to use the healthcare system more efficiently. This requires an integrated package of incentives, patient education, hands-on guidance, wellness and disease management programs."

At the heart of Coordinated Health/Care is a staff of customer service and clinical service professionals called "Care Coordinators," who work cooperatively with patients and their physicians to coordinate healthcare activities. They provide information and assistance, directing patients to the most efficient and effective healthcare resources, getting lab results and treatment details to the right place at the right time, and educating patients on how to handle their chronic conditions and costly medications that cause costs to skyrocket and leave patients and their families floundering.

Trott said that, since its inception in 1999, Quantum Health has learned that physicians need and welcome the assistance of Care Coordinators, who guide and follow patient activities between office visits, using the physician's plan of care. "They have 10-12 minutes or less with each patient and have to keep up with 30,000 published clinical trials each year. They don't have staff or time to follow patients once they leave the office or hospital. Unfortunately, reimbursement policies of most health plans, which are driven by Medicare payment policies, don't reimburse physicians for coordinating patient care, so employer health plans need to provide Care Coordinators who assist the process."

Most gratifying for Trott and her team, she says, is the fact that employers utilizing Coordinated Health/Care have maintained health benefits without shifting cost to employees. Since 2000, the percentage of employers providing health insurance for their employees has dropped from 69% to 60% due to escalating cost.

Trott said that 61% of employers who adopted the Coordinated Health/Care concept actually reduced their cost per employee in the first year.

"Healthcare cost is controllable," Trott said, "but in our view, it's not through the 'macro' policies that industry pundits are focusing on, such as consumer-driven accounts or tax policy, and certainly not government management. It's getting down to the human level where healthcare occurs - with patients and physicians. They need help, and employers can do this. The great news is they can reduce cost while helping their employees more."

Quantum Health, based in Columbus, Ohio, operates Coordinated Health/Care programs in employee benefit plans nationwide. To learn more about Quantum Health and Coordinated Health/Care programs, visit www.Quantum-Health.com or contact Jon Staub, Director of Marketing, at 800-257-2038, ext. 142.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Quantum Health, Inc.

CONTACT: For quotes and comments in response to Michael Moore's Sicko,
Randy Gebhardt, +1-614-395-3366 or Kara J. Trott, +1-614-314-4511; or Jon
Staub of Quantum Health, Inc., +1-800-257-2038, ext 142

Web site: http://www.quantum-health.com/
http://www.freestarmedia.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Elias Arts Promotes Glenn Turell to Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer

Elias Arts Promotes Glenn Turell to Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer

Reflects Company's Continued Transformation into Music Agency and Signals Future Strategic Transactions

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Elias Arts Holdings LLC, www.eliasarts.com, the world's most awarded commercial music company, announced today the promotion of Glenn Turell to Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. In his new position, Turell will be charged with seeking additional partnerships, alliances and acquisitions as Elias Arts continues to develop as a parent company for a roster of highly creative, entrepreneurial and small companies, united by their emphasis on music and sound across many channels.

With an MBA from New York University and a background in finance and strategic operations Turell joined Elias Arts in 2003 specifically charged with upgrading the Company's planning and reporting capabilities after its sale to private equity firm Seaport Capital www.seaportcapital.com in 2002. Before Elias Arts, Turell held various financial management positions including that of Controller and Director of Finance for Starwood and WWE.

Martin Pazzani, Chief Executive Officer, Elias Arts comments, "Glenn has repeatedly demonstrated great skill as a financial executive with a unique appreciation of the creative process, and especially for music. He has been instrumental in our efforts to evolve the Company from a production culture to a "creative music agency" offering our clients not only a wide range of original composition and licensing services, but also the intellectual capital of how to use music for commercial applications in a modern world."

Commenting on his expanded responsibilities, Turell notes, "As the music business continues to evolve, Elias' is poised to optimize its full growth potential both domestically and abroad. We continue to set the standard of excellence in the areas of music and sound and anticipate taking steps towards further developing and expanding our business." In addition to his new responsibilities as Senior Vice President/CFO, Turell will continue to oversee planning, budgeting, reporting, funds managements, accounting, financial analysis and payroll, reporting to the President/CEO Martin Pazzani and working out of Elias Arts New York City offices.

Elias Arts founder and Chief Creative Officer Jonathan Elias summarizes, "Music is such a positive global and cultural force, and so much a part of entertainment, advertising, and film, that it is very exciting to be exploring new ways to extend our expertise in commercial music."

About Elias Arts Holding LLC and Seaport Capital:

For 27 years Elias Arts has used the emotional power of music and sound to launch, grow and reposition the most recognized brands and companies around the world. Elias has worked with well over 700 of the Fortune 1000 companies and helped to turn numerous startups into everyday brand names. With offices in Los Angeles and New York, and a renowned roster of gifted composers, producers, and marketers, they are the maestros of using music as a powerful integrated marketing tool and brand builder.

Elias Arts' mission is to apply the powers of music and sound in unique and creative ways to build economic value for their clients. Since 2002, Elias Arts has been owned by Seaport Capital, and together, they have embarked on a plan to extend the powers of music and sound into new channels, new mediums, and new markets. Elias Arts is now the only music company to employ a staff of professional brand strategists and marketing gurus, who have devised a process that creates 360-degree Audio Identity systems -- a way of using music and sound across all consumer touch points to create brand harmony -- and makes marketing dollars more effective.

With a music supervision department headed by KCRW's tastemaker- extraordinaire Nic Harcourt, a roster of Featured Artists that includes The Pixies' Joey Santiago, and the talented in-house composers assembled and mentored by famed composer Jonathan Elias, Elias Arts is in a class of its own.

Seaport Capital, based in New York City, invests in middle market media, communications, and information and business services companies. Seaport provides equity capital for growth, recapitalizations and buyout opportunities in these industry segments for companies with market capitalizations under $200 million, typically investing between $5 million and $35 million in companies in targeted industry sectors.

   Contact for Elias Arts:   Vivian H. Brooks   #508-347-2368  

Source: Elias Arts Holdings LLC

CONTACT: Vivian H. Brooks for Elias Arts, +1-508-347-2368

Web site: http://www.eliasarts.com/
http://www.seaportcapital.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Azteca America to Air on Full-Power Digital Station KBWB-DT in San Francisco on July 1

Azteca America to Air on Full-Power Digital Station KBWB-DT in San Francisco on July 1

LOS ANGELES, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Azteca America, the fastest-growing Hispanic television network in the United States, is proud to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Granite Broadcasting to have its programming broadcast throughout the San Francisco market as a digital multicast on full-power digital station KBWB-DT.

"This is an important piece of our national footprint, and we are glad to be on the cutting edge of technology with this full-power digital station," said Adrian Steckel, CEO of Azteca America.

The signal will be broadcast over-the-air on channel 20.4 throughout the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area. Viewers can also see Azteca America on DIRECTV channel 42 and Comcast basic digital channel 196 or channel 620 on the Hispanic tier, effective July 1. Cable and satellite coverage are of utmost importance in the San Francisco market, given that an estimated 87% of Hispanic television viewing comes from these sources.

This is the first time Azteca America has broadcast its signal as a multicast digital feed in any market.

"This is part of our commitment to viewers and advertisers alike to guarantee continuity in San Francisco, the eighth largest Hispanic market in the country," said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Azteca America.

Azteca America airs top telenovelas, news, entertainment shows and reality shows, not to mention boxing, UFC and live Mexican League Soccer, where broadcast television rights in the United States are the exclusive rights of Azteca America and the Univision networks.

The May 27 final of the Mexican Soccer League championship attracted more men 18-34 to Azteca America than the NBA conference finals, NASCAR, the Indy 500 and MLB broadcasts during the same weekend on ABC and FOX. Live soccer action returns to Azteca America for the Apertura 2007 season on August 4.

Company Profile

Azteca America is the fastest-growing Hispanic network in the United States. The network is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V., one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television content in the world. Azteca America currently has presence in 60 Hispanic markets, including: Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Phoenix, Brownsville-McAllen, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Albuquerque, Fresno-Visalia, San Diego, Denver, El Paso, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington DC, Atlanta, Austin, Las Vegas, Boston, Tucson, Corpus Christi, West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce, Seattle, Bakersfield, Hartford, Portland, Salt Lake City, Monterey-Salinas, Laredo, Yuma, Ft. Myers-Naples, Palm Springs, Raleigh-Durham, Odessa, Colorado Springs, Milwaukee, Santa Barbara, Lubbock, Amarillo, Yakima, Wichita, Oklahoma City, Reno, Greenville, New Orleans, Omaha, Tulsa, Boise, Chico- Redding, Toledo, Chattanooga, Victoria, Twin Falls, Charleston and Sherman.

   Azteca America is a Grupo Salinas Company.   Visit: www.gruposalinas.com ; www.aztecaamerica.com/corporate    Azteca America Media Contact:   Daniel McCosh   323 517 0370   or   011 (5255) 1720-0059   dmccosh@aztecaamerica.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Azteca America

CONTACT: Daniel McCosh, Azteca America, +1-323-517-0370,
+011-5255-1720-0059, dmccosh@aztecaamerica.com

Web site: http://www.aztecaamerica.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Dippin' Dots Launches Online Video Contest

Dippin' Dots Launches Online Video Contest

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Kicking off the summer season with "cool" news for ice cream lovers, Dippin' Dots(R) today announced a call for entries for the "Adventures of Packy Movie Mash-Up Challenge" -- the company's first-ever, user-generated online contest.

   (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070524/CLTH063LOGO )   (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070629/CLF069 )  

Contestants are invited to create an animated short film starring Dippin' Dots' mascot, Packy, via an easy-to-use, web-based game tool located at www.dippindots.com/contest . The grand prize winner will receive $2,500 and Dippin' Dots for a year; and a wildcard winner will take home $1,000 and a six-month supply of Dippin' Dots ice cream.

Entrants will be able to produce a 15 to 90-second movie using the all-in- one director's tool. No cameras or audio/video uploads are required. The tool allows easy selection of various background scenes, animations, props and soundtracks provided by Dippin' Dots, as well as the ability to add bubble- text dialogue similar to a comic book.

A panel of Dippin' Dots judges will select the top five (5) movies based on website visitor ratings and views, plus creativity and originality. The selected movies will advance to the finals where contest members will vote for their favorite as the grand prize winner. The top five (5) movies will also be posted on YouTube where the most viewed entry will win the wildcard prize.

"We can't wait to see the entries," said Dippin' Dots spokesman Terry Reeves. "We know some of the 'adventures' are going to be hilarious! The movies will not only be entertaining, but engaging for our consumers who will have the ability to craft a box-office hit of their own!"

Dippin' Dots partnered with branded entertainment firm matrixx Productions, Inc. of Santa Monica, Calif., to develop and promote the Adventures of Packy Challenge. The contest includes online marketing efforts and an SMS text message campaign powered by Mozes, Inc., a mobile marketing company located in Palo Alto, Calif. Promoted both in-store and via national account visibility, the SMS campaign prompts Dippin' Dots fans to text "DOTS" to 66937 to receive contest details and also join the Dots' "Mob," or mobile group, to receive exclusive updates directly to their phones.

A complete description of the prizes and contest rules can be found on the Adventures of Packy Challenge website located at www.dippindots.com/contest. The contest is open to legal U.S. residents between the ages of 8 and 25 at the time of entry. All entries must be received by Aug. 7, 2007. No purchase is necessary to win. A panel of judges will select the finalists and contest members will be able to vote for their favorite entry once-per-day from Aug. 8 to Aug. 22, 2007. The wildcard round will run from Aug. 23 to Sept. 6, 2007.

Dippin' Dots are tiny, cryogenically frozen beads of ice cream, yogurt, sherbet and flavored ice. Invented in 1988 by microbiologist Curt Jones, Dippin' Dots offers more than two-dozen different flavors, plus seasonal flavors. The company's administrative and production headquarters are located

in Paducah, Kentucky. Dippin' Dots are sold in 300 franchised retail locations and thousands of entertainment venues and special events nationwide.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070524/CLTH063LOGO
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070629/CLF069
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Dippin' Dots

CONTACT: Terry Reeves of Dippin' Dots, +1-270-415-3143,
terree@dippindots.com

Web site: http://www.dippindots.com/
http://www.dippindots.com/contest


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

We're Going to Market to Market to Buy a Fat Pig!

We're Going to Market to Market to Buy a Fat Pig!

This Tasty New PBS Special Visits Various Marketplaces Across America

PITTSBURGH, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If you want to buy really fresh salad greens or perfectly ripe raspberries or a culinary surprise of the best sort, you want to find an old-fashioned market, like a farmers' market or a vintage market house with a variety of vendors inside.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070629/DCF040 )

If you want to watch a crunchy, sweet and delicious celebration of such places across the U.S.A., you will want to see "To Market To Market To Buy A Fat Pig," premiering Wednesday, August 1, on most PBS stations at 8 p.m. (check local listings.)

Produced by Rick Sebak of WQED Pittsburgh, "To Market To Market To Buy A Fat Pig" is the latest in a sporadic set of public television specials that identify and applaud some often overlooked aspects of American culture.

"This time we wanted to talk to buyers and sellers, foodies and farmers. We wanted to check out the scrumptious eccentricities of American markets," said Sebak. "We don't include some of the major markets that are celebrated regularly on cable networks. We tried to go instead to unexpected locations and less familiar food spots."

"To Market To Market To Buy A Fat Pig" was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and by the contributions to PBS stations from viewers across the United States.

WQED Pittsburgh, honored with the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award for Station Excellence and eight other Emmy Awards in 2006, creates, produces and distributes quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within its community and around the world. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED-DT; The WQED Neighborhood Channel; WQED- HD; WQEX-TV (A Shop NBC affiliate); WQED-FM/Pittsburgh; WQEJ-FM/Johnstown; a publishing division that includes PITTSBURGH magazine; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (http://www.wqed.org/); and the WQED Education and Community Resource Center.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070629/DCF040
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: WQED Pittsburgh

CONTACT: Rosemary Martinelli, +1-412-622-6433, rmartine@wqed.org, or
George Hazimanolis, +1-412-622-1366, ghaziman@wqed.org, both of WQED
Pittsburgh

NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete press kit is available at pressroom.pbs.org, which includes news releases, video, photos, a list of markets featured in the program, and a fact sheet.


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

IndiePix-Backed Film, 'Billy The Kid,' Wins Best Documentary at Los Angeles Film Festival

IndiePix-Backed Film, 'Billy The Kid,' Wins Best Documentary at Los Angeles Film Festival

Watch the IndiePix Exclusive Filmmakers Interview with First-Time Director Jennifer Venditti, Producer Chiemi Karasawa, and Billy The Kid at IndiePix.net

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- IndiePix, a company celebrating independent film by bridging the gap between filmmakers and independent film fans, today announced that "Billy The Kid," an intimate verite portrait by first-time director, Jennifer Venditti, was honored with the prestigious Target Documentary Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 28, 2007.

Funding for "Billy The Kid" was provided, in part, by IndiePix. Danielle DiGiacomo, Documentary Film Coordinator, and Jordan Mattos, Dramatic Features and Shorts Coordinator, introduced the company to Venditti, Karasawa and Billy The Kid in early 2006. DiGiacomo and Mattos are Associate Producers on the film, while Bob Alexander, President of IndiePix, and Barnet Liberman, Chairman, are Executive Producers.

The IndiePix Exclusive Filmmakers Interview with Venditti, Karasawa and Billy The Kid can be viewed for free at http://www.indiepix.net/. "Billy the Kid" is currently doing the festival circuit and is seeking distribution.

"The success of Billy The Kid and the recognition it has earned is why IndiePix exists - to help independent filmmakers make great films and to give film lovers access to works of art that might otherwise go unseen or, worse, never created," said IndiePix President, Bob Alexander. "Jennifer and Chiemi are incredibly talented women who have guided this project from its development to the Grand Jury award at South-by-Southwest, through the competition in Toronto, to this wonderful award in Los Angeles. We're honored that IndiePix played a part in bringing their vision - and Billy's story - to the screen. And we are continuing to support their work to gain the best possible distribution for this film."

"Billy The Kid" stands out as a work of art for the way it extends and expands the documentary form and as a work of great humanity for the way it addresses the basic drive each of us has to be respected for who we are. "Billy the Kid" introduces audiences to Billy P., the remarkable 15-year-old subject of Venditti's engrossing verite portrait of life, love and growing up different in small-town Maine. At first, Billy seems like any other awkward teen -- into air guitar, professional wrestling and girls. Gradually, however, Billy and his mother reveal to Venditti's empathetic camera a darker history of behavioral problems, institutionalization and medical treatments. Against such a background, that which initially seemed normal - choir practice, a first crush - becomes heroic, while Billy's disarming humor and startling wisdom become all the more affecting.

"IndiePix is proud to have provided finishing funds for 'Billy The Kid' and to support it through an incredibly satisfying festival run," said Barnet Liberman, IndiePix Chairman. "We will continue to provide the resources for filmmakers like Jennifer and Chiemi to produce and distribute independent works of art, while offering fans the chance to not only see these films, but to support the filmmakers in the process."

IndiePix' mission is to provide consumers with both traditional and non- traditional means of discovering and acquiring the works of independent films from independent filmmakers.

Using the proprietary IndiePix Disc Factory download manager, film fans can "Download-to-Own" select films from the IndiePix catalog and write their own full-featured, store-bought quality DVD. Film fans receive a DVD over the internet, written on their computer's DVD-writer that lets them see the film they own the way the filmmaker wanted them to see it, wherever and however they watch DVDs.

IndiePix is the only place to download a true DVD - the equivalent of a store-bought DVD - via a Mac or PC that includes the proprietary PixelTools watermarking technology. Users get full, home theater quality video and audio that can be played wherever DVDs are usually viewed. And through the IndiePix business model enabled by watermarking, users can be confident that more than half the purchase price of every download is going directly to the filmmaker.

IndiePix also offers traditional shipments of DVDs from its filmmakers and from its curated online catalog of truly independent arthouse, foreign, and documentary films. IndiePix DVDs - by shipment or through the Internet - are available around the world.

For more information, visit http://www.indiepix.net/.

Source: IndiePix

CONTACT: Marvin Mack, mmack@bratskeir.com, or Drew Tybus,
dtybus@bratskeir.com, both of Bratskeir & Company, +1-212-679-2233, for
IndiePix

Web site: http://www.indiepix.net/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

J. Christopher Reyes to Resign From Tribune Board

J. Christopher Reyes to Resign From Tribune Board

CHICAGO, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) today announced that J. Christopher Reyes will resign from its board of directors following the next regularly scheduled meeting on July 18.

In a letter to the company, Reyes said his decision was "based on personal business considerations and commitments, including my increased responsibilities with Children's Memorial Medical Center and Foundation." Reyes has served as a Tribune Company director since 2005, and is presently a member of the audit and nominating & governance committees of the board of directors.

TRIBUNE (NYSE:TRB) is one of the country's top media companies, operating businesses in publishing, interactive and broadcasting. It reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. households and is the only media organization with newspapers, television stations and websites in the nation's top three markets. In publishing, Tribune's leading daily newspapers include the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.), The Sun (Baltimore), South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel and Hartford Courant. The company's broadcasting group operates 23 television stations, Superstation WGN on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: jreiter@tribune.com

Source: Tribune Company

CONTACT: Media, Gary Weitman, +1-312-222-3394, fax, +1-312-222-1573,
gweitman@tribune.com, or Investors, Ruthellyn Musil, +1-312-222-3787, fax,
+1-312-222-1573, rmusil@tribune.com, both of Tribune Company

Web site: http://www.tribune.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Live Earth Concert-Goers Can Go Neutral with Esurance

Live Earth Concert-Goers Can Go Neutral with Esurance

Auto Insurance Company Works with Live Earth and NativeEnergy to Offset CO2

SAN FRANCISCO, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, announced its plans to offset the carbon dioxide emissions of those driving to the Live Earth concert in New Jersey on July 7, 2007. The CO2 offsets will be provided by NativeEnergy, a privately held Native American energy company that helps build Native American, farmer-owned, community-based renewable energy projects to create social, economic, and environmental benefits.

John Swigart, CMO of Esurance, stated, "First and foremost, we want our support to help make Live Earth, the largest green event of its kind, as green as possible. The best solution for reducing CO2 on July 7 would be for concert-goers to take public transit. However, we recognize that some people will still need to drive to the event. Esurance is proud to work with NativeEnergy to offset the CO2 emissions generated by driving."

The day of the concert, those who drive to the Live Earth concert in New Jersey will be directed to www.esurance.com/sos to enter their mileage to and from the event. After collecting this information over a two-week period, Esurance will purchase an amount of CO2 offsets from NativeEnergy to carbon neutralize the reported travel. NativeEnergy's current offset projects include a variety of wind farms, along with farm methane projects. Such projects provide renewable, clean energy service on behalf of NativeEnergy's customers, while also benefiting the communities that operate them.

"Though Live Earth focuses a spotlight on the challenge of global warming, attendee travel to such events unavoidably contributes to global warming. The leadership demonstrated by Esurance helps build awareness of the solutions available to offset carbon emissions from travel and other daily energy uses," noted Tom Boucher, President & CEO of NativeEnergy.

Swigart concluded, "As an auto insurance company, Esurance helps protect you from the bad things that can happen to your car. We're also proud to help protect the environment. CO2 emissions from automobiles are a problem we can all work together to solve."

About Esurance(R)

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE:WTM) , provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices.

Through Esurance's Web site, www.esurance.com, customers can get instant quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy, and print their proof of insurance card- all in minutes. Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim. Esurance is an official sponsor of Live Earth in the U.S., and works year-round to support our communities through charitable involvement benefiting public health, youth outreach, and the environment.

About Live Earth

Live Earth is a monumental music event that will bring together more than 2 billion people on July 7, 2007 to combat the climate crisis. Live Earth will stage concerts in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Hamburg and Istanbul, and will feature a mix of both legendary music acts like The Police, Genesis, Bon Jovi and Madonna with the latest headliners like Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson.

Live Earth's 24 hours of music across 7 continents will deliver a worldwide call to action and the solutions necessary to answer that call. Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign to drive individuals, corporations and governments to take action to solve the climate crisis. Live Earth is partnering with the Alliance for Climate Protection, The Climate Group, Stop Climate Chaos and other international organizations in this ongoing effort. Live Earth was founded by Kevin Wall, a worldwide executive producer of the Live 8 concert series in 2005, and is supported by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

Live Earth will reach a worldwide audience through an unprecedented global media architecture covering all media platforms -- TV, radio, web and wireless channels. For more information about transportation alternatives for getting to the U.S. concert, visit www.liveearth.org/

About NativeEnergy

American Indian majority-owned, NativeEnergy is a national marketer of renewable energy credits and carbon offsets. By providing individuals and organizations both the means to compensate for their global warming pollution and also effectively power their homes and businesses with renewable energy, NativeEnergy helps build community based renewable energy projects that create social, economic and environmental benefits. Bringing upfront payment to renewable projects, NativeEnergy enables its customers to help finance the construction of new wind farms and other renewable energy projects, such as tribal wind projects and methane digesters on family dairy farms, which directly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

NativeEnergy is the choice of leading environmentally and socially responsible organizations, including Al Gore's AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH (www.ClimateCrisis.net), Ben & Jerry's, Clif Bar, Stonyfield Farm, Interface, Aveda, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Co-op America, NRDC, the Clinton Global Initiative, Bonnaroo, and thousands of individuals. Online at: www.nativeenergy.com

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains':

    *growth in book value per share or return on equity;    *business strategy;    *financial and operating targets or plans;  

*incurred losses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;

*projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;

*expansion and growth of our business and operations; and*future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by White Mountains in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:

*the risks associated with Item 1A of White Mountains' 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K;

*claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks;

    *the continued availability of capital and financing;    *general economic, market or business conditions;  

*business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued;

*competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty insurers and reinsurers;

*changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to White Mountains, its competitors or its clients;

*an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position;

    *recorded loss reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate;    *other factors, most of which are beyond White Mountains' control.   

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by White Mountains will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, White Mountains or its business or operations. White Mountains assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: Esurance

CONTACT: Paul Thompson of Esurance, +1-415-875-4648, or
pthompson@esurance.com

Web site: http://www.esurance.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Podcast Alert: PR Newswire Entertainment Roundup

Podcast Alert: PR Newswire Entertainment Roundup

SAN FRANCISCO, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- A weekly audio roundup of top Entertainment industry releases transmitted by PR Newswire. This week's roundup includes stories on Elvis Presley, Ocean's 13, Miss Teen U.S.A. and the iPhone.

   When:     The Podcast will be available for download on June 29, 2007    Where:    http://feeds.feedburner.com/entertainmentroundup    How:      Go to the URL above, and follow the subscription instructions on             the website.   

Minimum Requirements: a computer, an Internet connection, (broadband required), a portable MP3/Video player or MP3/Video-player application on your computer, podcasting software and QuickTime 7. If you experience problems downloading the podcast, send an email to webcast@multivu.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: PR Newswire

CONTACT: Rob Fisher of PR Newswire, +1-408-365-8793,
rob.fisher@prnewswire.com

Web site: http://www.multivu.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Kucinich to Promote 'SiCKO' in St. Petersburg

Kucinich to Promote 'SiCKO' in St. Petersburg

Film-maker Moore supports candidate's health care plan

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, the only candidate who film-maker Michael Moore says is "100 per cent on board" with his call for a national, not-for-profit health care system, will be here tonight for the premiere of Moore's powerful new movie, SiCKO, which is opening all across the country.

"The other leading candidates are unlikely to be anywhere near a theater showing SiCKO tonight," the Kucinich campaign said in a statement, "because their health care proposals ensure that for-profit insurance companies, health care providers, and pharmaceutical companies will continue to play a major and very lucrative role in the U.S. system." http://kucinich.us/node/4652

As has been widely reported, the Moore film's blistering indictment of the American health care system has made Presidential candidates other than Kucinich "uncomfortable" because their plans retain the for-profit elements that Moore pinpoints as the real problem in the U.S. system. Moore last week endorsed House Resolution 676, a bill co-authored by Kucinich and Congressman John Conyers. Kucinich has made his universal, single-payer, not-for-profit plan a cornerstone of his campaign.

Moore questioned recently whether the $3 million or so in campaign contributions from individuals and groups with ties to the for-profit industry have affected the other candidates' positions. He said he plans to ask the other candidates to sign a pledge agreeing to embrace health care reforms that remove for-profit entities from the equation.

Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth will arrive at the downtown BayWalk entertainment and shopping complex about 8:30 p.m. tonight. On Saturday, they will participate in the St. Petersburg Pride 2007 parade, which steps off at about 10 a.m. Saturday night, Kucinich will participate in a President forum sponsored by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando.

Source: Kucinich for President 2008

CONTACT: Florida: Joyce Newman, +1-813-716-0940, newjoyce@aol.com, or
National HQ: Andy Juniewicz, +1-216-409-8992, Ajuniewicz@aol.com

Web site: http://www.kucinich.us/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

All-Star Balloting Concludes in Record Fashion; Teams to Be Announced Sunday at 4:00 PM EDT on TBS; Final Man Online Voting to Begin Immediately Following the Show

All-Star Balloting Concludes in Record Fashion; Teams to Be Announced Sunday at 4:00 PM EDT on TBS; Final Man Online Voting to Begin Immediately Following the Show

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Fan voting for the 16 elected starters in the 78th All-Star Game, to be played Tuesday, July 10 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, ended last night with the conclusion of the Monster 2007 Online All-Star Ballot on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball.

Spurred by tight races at several positions in each League, a record 11.8 million ballots were cast online during the voting period, including three million ballots over the final 48 hours after the most recent voting updates were announced.

"MLB.com thanks the great baseball fans around the globe whose knowledge and diligence helped establish an unprecedented standard for online balloting," said Dinn Mann, Executive Vice President, Content, Editor-in- Chief, MLB Advanced Media. "We are proud to provide an interactive balloting platform in the digital space for fans to cast their votes for the best players in baseball, 62 of whom will be unveiled on Sunday during the exclusive announcement of the American and National League All-Star teams on TBS."

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet airs exclusively on TBS at approximately 4:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 1, immediately following the conclusion of the Florida Marlins-Atlanta Braves game.

For the sixth year, immediately following the conclusion of the show, fans will once again select the final player for each League's 32-man roster via an online vote exclusively at MLB.com. In addition, fans will be able to cast their Monster All-Star Final Vote via their mobile phones by texting the word 'VOTE' to 99778 in the United States and 88555 in Canada.

The Monster 2007 All-Star Final Vote will provide fans the opportunity to cast their votes from two lists of five players, one from each League, over a four-day period. American League All-Star manager Jim Leyland of the Detroit Tigers and National League All-Star manager Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals, each will designate five players who will be the candidates for the Monster All-Star Final Vote. Balloting continues until 6 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 5. The winners will be announced exclusively on MLB.com shortly thereafter.

The 78th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which will determine home- field advantage in the 2007 World Series, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT). ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of all festivities surrounding the 78th All-Star Game. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game in addition to its other live coverage from San Francisco.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: MLB Advanced Media L.P.

CONTACT: Matthew Gould of MLB Advanced Media
L.P., +1-212-485-8959, or
+1-908-892-3143 (cell), or matthew.gould@mlb.com

Web site: http://www.mlb.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

MTV Introduces WannaBeMade.com, Giving Viewers the Tools to Embark on Their Own Personal Development Journeys

MTV Introduces WannaBeMade.com, Giving Viewers the Tools to Embark on Their Own Personal Development Journeys

New Season of 'Made' Premieres Saturday, June 30th at 12:00pm ET/PT With Special Three-Hour Event

Launch of WannaBeMade.com Marks Introduction of Fifth Online Web site to Launch in Two Months

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV: Music Television's Emmy-Award winning series "Made" has chronicled the struggles of a generation of young people on their paths to personal fulfillment. Now, a new online community from MTV, WannaBeMade.com, allows viewers to launch their own personal development journeys with the help of others. Along the way, all the emotions -- the ups, the downs, the setbacks and the leaps forward -- will be captured and expressed on-air as part of the new season of "Made," which premieres at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 30 with a special three-hour event and coincides with the launch of the site.

WannaBeMade.com provides a path for viewers to connect with -- and inspire -- one another as they work toward achieving specific personal goals. The site also compels them to give back to the community by becoming personal development 'coaches' who share their own expertise and trials with others. The most emotional and rewarding stories will be incorporated into the current season of "Made."

"'Made' taps into the powerful desires of our audience who relate to the young men and women they see on-air," said Christina Norman, President, MTV. "With the launch of this site, we are providing a natural extension that will engage each viewer beyond simply watching the show and, instead, empower them to live and document the transformative process for themselves."

"WannaBeMade.com will connect our audience in very personal ways to one another," said Brian Graden, President of Entertainment, MTV Networks Music & Logo Group. "The site will allow them to see their growth reflected online and on television, two very powerful platforms that validate and substantiate their journeys."

By simply visiting WannaBeMade.com, viewers who chose to "wanna be made" can quickly and easily find coaches to help them in a potentially endless amount of areas -- from cheerleading to acting, break dancing to becoming a prom queen. A viewer, for instance, who wants to be made into a surfer can find surfing aficionados who can recommend all the right boards, offer tips on techniques, and share insight about the best surfing spots for beginners, experts and everyone in-between. Every journey will be chronicled on the viewer's profile page including diary entries and a personal progress rating.

WannaBeMade.com joins MySuperSweet16.com (based on the hit show "My Super Sweet 16"), YoMomma.tv ("Yo Momma"), ShortCircuitz.tv ("Short Circuitz") and RealWorldCasting.com ("The Real World") as the fifth online vertical launched by MTV in the last two months and comes on the heels of other initiatives focused on user-generated content and personal expression, including the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. Each of the initiatives is designed to tap into viewers' creativity and provide paths for their work to appear on-air, whether it's chronicling their own Sweet 16 party, submitting videos of themselves telling their own "Yo Momma" jokes, delivering parodies of pop-culture events like the ones they see on "Short Circuitz," or spilling out their guts out in a 'confessional' hoping to become the next member of 'The Real World' cast. The best entries, as judged by the specific communities, are expressed on-air.

The new installment of MTV's "Made" will premiere on Saturday, June 30th beginning at 12pm ET/PT with a special three hour event, including:

   -- Cast members from the hit ABC Daytime soap, All My Children, teaming up      with three less than focused , popular, suburban BFF girls with a      secret passion for acting competitively against each other for the      chance of a lifetime -- to be MADE into a soap opera star & score a      guest-starring role on the show;    -- Diem Brown -- best known from MTV's Fresh Meat Challenge -- battled and      beat ovarian cancer. Now she wants to regain confidence in her body and      feel like a woman again by being 'made' into a confident, sexy ballroom      dancer; and    -- Deep in the heart of Indiana, Bloomington High North and Bloomington      High South have shared a long rivalry in sports and in music but now      it's personal. Jeremy, a junior at North, and Chelsey, a senior at      South, will both try to be MADE into rockers by winning the citywide      Battle of the Bands. Rock star coach Ryan Key from Yellowcard, will      help Jeremy, a know-it-all geek whose music is completely      misunderstood, as well as Chelsey, a cute actress/dancer who longs to      be a triple threat entertainer but fears she is tone deaf.    About MTV Networks  

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc., is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 80 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV

CONTACT: Mariana Agathoklis, +1-212-846-5755,
Mariana.Agathoklis@mtvstaff.com, or Matthew Hutchison, +1-212-846-8052,
Matthew.Hutchison@mtvstaff.com, both of MTVN Music Group

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

Hugging the Latest Playground Craze, Says How-to Website Videojug.com

Hugging the Latest Playground Craze, Says How-to Website Videojug.com

LONDON, June 29/PRNewswire/ --

- 'Ultimate Guide to Hugging' Shoots Up Charts After School Ban.

Hugging has become the latest playground craze after the publicity around the news that Mossbourne Community Academy, in Hackney, London has BANNED its pupils from hugging each other!

How-to website Videojug.com has seen its film 'How to give a great man hug' jump into its top ten views following the Mossbourne ban.

"We're convinced that the Mossbourne ban on hugging has turned it into a playground craze. As is so often the way, something becomes cool when you ban it," said Danny Kelly, Creative Director at Videojug.com.

He added: " We're delighted that our hugging films are doing so well - we think it's a great way to greet your mates, whether in the playground, in the pub or at a game".

If hugging's not your thing, you can also learn how to carry off a convincing Homie Handshake:


http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-give-a-homie-handshake

Watch the manhug video here:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-give-a-great-man-to-man-hug

And for the ladies - how to Air Kiss:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-air-kiss

For more VideoJug wisdom, advice and expertise go to: www.videojug.com.

About VideoJug

VideoJug hosts one of the world's largest, most all-encompassing libraries of factual content online. Our professionally-produced, high definition video content covers every conceivable topic and delivers the definitive online "encyclopaedia of life". The content is divided into a variety of formats that include informative "How To" and "Ask The Expert" films that take users, step-by-step through everything from the lighter, more welcome aspects of life (leisure, hobbies, beauty and style) to the more serious tribulations we all face in day-to-day life (health, legal, money, parenting).

Every video on our website has been carefully researched and professionally produced or vetted (in the case of user-generated content) with an eye toward quality and value. VideoJug embraces its mission of being the definitive source for credible answers and wisdom for every conceivable aspect of human life. No matter who you are, no matter what your problem may be, VideoJug is here to help, inform and inspire.

With offices in Los Angeles, London and Spain, VideoJug is producing thousands of films each month and is committed to increasing the breadth and depth of its content library, exploring new formats, branching out globally and building a community of users seeking information about life and how to live it to the fullest.

Source: Videojug.com

For more information about Videojug.com, please contact Charlie Peachey +44-(0)-207-166-5371


Profile: International Entertainment

International Entertainment News

SoundExchange Offers Cap On Minimum Royalty Fees

SoundExchange Offers Cap On Minimum Royalty Fees

Policy Reflects Artists' and Record Labels' Recognition of Special Circumstances of Various Internet Radio Stations

WASHINGTON, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SoundExchange announced that it proposed a voluntary cap on the minimum fees charged against royalties for sound recordings played on Internet Radio. SoundExchange proposed capping such advance payments at $2,500 per service. Recently enacted regulations (due to go into effect on July 15) require each webcasting service to pay a $500 minimum fee "per station or channel" regardless of the overall number of stations/channels they are streaming. By making this offer, SoundExchange is addressing certain webcasters' concerns about their liability for per channel minimums.

"There was a lot of misunderstanding out there about how the minimum fee would apply, and frankly some people were wrongly stating SoundExchange's policy on this matter," said John Simson, Executive Director of SoundExchange. "We certainly don't want anybody to get unduly hurt by the minimum fee, but there is a value to music and a cost to administering the digital royalty program, and we wanted to ensure that everyone was treated fairly -- artists, webcasters and record labels."

SoundExchange has reached out to the Digital Media Association this week to discuss the proposal, including the most effective means for implementing this relief as broadly as permitted under the law. "The idea that the per- channel minimum might have a disproportionate impact on certain Internet Radio stations was never presented to the Copyright Royalty Judges," said Michael Huppe, General Counsel of SoundExchange. "Nonetheless, at the request of Congress, we are trying to work with the small subset of affected webcasters, and are offering this proposal in the hopes of addressing those concerns."

SoundExchange is also currently in active negotiations with small commercial webcasters and non-commericial webcasters such as public radio and college stations to provide below-market rates under terms similar to those they enjoyed in previous years under the Small Webcaster Settlement Act. Together with this minimum cap proposal and its effort to accommodate small and non-commercial webcasters, the recording artists, independent record labels and large record companies that comprise SoundExchange have made a good faith effort to address the elements of the recent webcasting ruling that have been of concern to Congress and to individual webcasters.

"I've said all along, we are in this together. We want to see artists and labels fairly paid for the music they provide and we want to see Internet radio grow and flourish," said Simson. "There's no question the new rates set by the Copyright Royalty Judges are fair and are reasonable in the current market. In proposing these various accommodations to webcasters (especially small and non-commercial webcasters), SoundExchange has taken the initiative to attempt to address the concerns that have been raised by Congress and affected webcasters." Simson also noted that, in yesterday's hearing on webcasting royalty rates before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business, the panel's ranking Republican, Steve Chabot of Ohio, concurred with Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., when she surmised, "I really don't think Congress is the best vehicle to resolve this type of issue."

   For additional information please visit http://www.soundexchange.com/    Contact: Richard Ades or            Gregg Perry            202-640-5894            News@soundexchange.com  

Source: SoundExchange

CONTACT: Richard Ades or Gregg Perry of SoundExchange, +1-202-640-5894,
News@soundexchange.com

Web site: http://www.soundexchange.com/


Profile: International Entertainment