Hasta La Creative!

For kids slowly being exposed to the Internet, here is a great site they can check out. Toy innovator Techno Source, and Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc., a wholly owned company of Internet powerhouse IAC, have partnered to create a new creativity Web site and line of affordable Internet-connected toys under the new Smiley Central Studio™ brand that will allow kids to express themselves with smileys.

The toys will unlock special content at SmileyCentralStudio.com, a free online art studio that allows kids to create, personalize and share their expressions in unprecedented ways.

The new web site and Smiley Central Studio toys will make their debut at the American International Toy Fair February 15-18 (booth #3149). Kids will be able to make and share their own unique smileys and experience the complete online art studio at SmileyCentralStudio.com beginning in June 2009.

In fall of 2009, kids will be able to collect their favorite Smiley Central Studio characters in the form of plush, collectibles and activity kits. Each of these will include a code to unlock premium content online and enhance the creative experience. Smiley Central Studio toys are appropriate for children ages 6 and up and will retail for under $10.

(Source) Press

Disney Interactive Media introduced Disney XD, the online and mobile Web destination for the new Disney entertainment brand designed to appeal to kids and tween boys. An abundance of action-based games, full-length video and customizable community features populate the site focused heavily on themes of adventure, accomplishment, gaming, music and sports.

The dynamic gaming content on DisneyXD.com is the latest addition to Disney Online’s growing portfolio of casual game offerings, which include a unique mixture of original content and licensed games, designed for kids, tweens and their parents. The constantly evolving and relevant portfolio of high-quality, compelling casual games allow fans to more deeply engage and interact with their favorite Disney characters and shows.

The simultaneous rollout of the Disney XD channel on Feb. 13 will include a cross-platform on-air, online and mobile broadcast of the new original series, “Aaron Stone,” and will feature a special online challenge where players can earn points to unlock the “Aaron Stone” battle suit for their avatar’s wardrobe.

(Source) Press

As if their initial round of job layoffs and cost cutting measures were not enough, Japan car manufacturer Toyota has even pushed itself more as far as its North America channel is concerned. The new actions are consistent with the company’s philosophy of making every effort to protect jobs during the sales downturn.

“We’ve taken responsible, step-by-step actions to address this issue in recent months, and we hope the new measures will help us adjust while protecting jobs,” said Jim Wiseman, vice president of external affairs for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA). “This philosophy of shared sacrifice is the best approach for us, and hopefully will make us a stronger company in the long term.”

The additional steps were the following:

(Source) Press

If you happen to be a sucker for online fantasy manager games today, you may be rewarded lucratively if you use your lucky stars and manage online properly. You can win as much as $100 Million if you pick a “perfect bracket” during the annual men’s college hoops tournament in March.

To enter the free contest, basketball fans can visit any website that has the official Game of the Century logo. To play, simply fill out the bracket of the 64 teams competing in the 2009 Men’s Division I college basketball championship. The person who correctly picks all of the winners—with a perfect bracket—will win the $100 million ultimate prize.

In addition to the $100 million ultimate prize, PickManager.com is giving away many other prizes beginning the week of February 9, 2009. There are eight La-Z-Boy recliners up for grabs, one per week. Participants can qualify for the weekly random drawing by answering poll questions and selecting one out of four recliners to win if chosen. The grand prize is an extravagant sports den, featuring Lay-Z-Boy seating, a flat screen TV and a surround sound stereo system. It will be awarded to the person with the highest-scoring, “non-perfect” bracket.

(Source) Press

Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, made a $100,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation. But that was not all. A sidelight was also granting the wish of a couple of teenagers to watch the upcoming NBA All-Star game in Phoenix.

Jordan Brand teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant two deserving teenagers their fondest wishes; the chance to attend the All-Star game and its weekend of festivities as well as meet Michael Jordan and All-Star Team Jordan athlete Chris Paul.

Jordan, the newly appointed Chief Wish Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, enhanced the teens’ wishes with a surprise appearance during a special luncheon where Jordan Brand executives presented the Foundation with a check for $100,000.

“These kids are incredibly brave and their stories are beyond inspiring,” said Michael Jordan. “On behalf of the Jordan Brand, our Team Jordan athletes and myself, we’d like to thank the Make-A-Wish Foundation for providing us with the opportunity to make wishes come true for these amazing children and their supportive families.”

(Source) Press

Coca Cola has always been there for special causes and endorsements. And this year, it is not surprising to find them heading the pack of backers as far as the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games is concerned. The Coca-Cola Company is helping to refresh thousands of athletes, families and fans at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games through a wide variety of programs that celebrate the accomplishments of the more than 2,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities gathering here for the Opening Ceremony tomorrow.

“The values of Special Olympics of understanding, acceptance and inclusion are shared by Coca-Cola,” said Muhtar Kent, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company and a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. “Giving our associates the opportunity to connect directly with Special Olympics athletes and their families brings those values to life and supports the mission in a meaningful way.”

(Source) Welt Online

The salmonella issue continues as another company has issued a recall on its products, Simply Enjoy Sweet and Salty Mixed Nuts by Stop & Shop Supermarket. The item was removed from store shelves because the product contains peanuts supplied by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Customers who have purchased this product should not consume it and may return any unused portions or bring their purchase receipt to any Stop & Shop for a full refund. To date, Stop & Shop has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

(Source) Press

The best way to educate yourself on Internet marketing has found a new means of trying to figure out the secrets towards success on the web just got easier with the announcement that Internet marketing video tutorials for business home professionals will be made available soon.

This is the brainchild of iMarketing Masterminds, bringing together the business marketing experts joined together to create a new membership-only website.

The broad range of topics include: Personal Branding, Copywriting, List Building, Banner Advertising, Article Marketing, Video Marketing, Pay Per Click [PPC] Advertising, Press Release Marketing, Search Engine Optimization [SEO], Blogging, Social Networking, Joint Venture Marketing, Viral Marketing, and so much more.

(Source) Internet Marketing Training

Giveaway Riches, a new book released by Internet Marketer Jason James may be the key to help people weather the recession storm. At this time and age, people are looking for efficient means of sustaining reasonable lives and with the release of this book, James shares a couple of points on how to make it via Internet Marketing.

“I created this product to help struggling business owners build a large and targeted mailing list in record time to increase profits” James said. “Giveaway Riches will dramatically shorten the learning curve on Internet list building and help business owners build a large and responsive mailing list quickly”

There are people who have apprehensions as far as Internet Marketing is concerned. It may or may not work for you but at least you are getting some good directional advice. Besides, when everything today is down, what have you got to lose?

(Source) Giveaway Riches

Expectant mothers can look forward to better fashionable wear as Due Maternity has announced the Maternity Fashion by Due. Offering expectant mothers stylish and elegant designs, Due Maternity sells active, casual and dressy clothing as well as nursing accessories, diaper bags, skin care and even baby clothes and baby gifts.

“We are thrilled to launch our own collection from Designed by Due, which is our signature in-house label,” said Shannon DiPadova, co-founder, Due Maternity. “Today’s expectant moms have more choices than ever before when it comes to maternity fashions. At Due, we celebrate pregnancy as a very special time in a woman’s life and we’re excited to be part of this movement both as a purveyor of high-end maternity wear and now, as a designer.”

The Designed by Due collection features everyday apparel such as comfortable tunic tees, feminine and flattering baby doll and peasant tops, and indispensible yoga pants and leggings. Professional wardrobes get a modern update with tailored pants, pencil skirts, wrap tops and dresses and gowns that work well into the evening. Stylish women who reject the frumpy maternity wear of yesteryear will delight in these smart, sassy and sexy choices.

(Source) Webwire