Hasta La Creative!

There is a new kind of advertising service today and it includes the use of HD video signages. express by .advancedMethod prides itself on being a new kind of digital signage system: one that is easy to use, easy to update and easy to access. express includes everything one needs in a system: all the hardware, all the software, industry-related templates, even “live” news feeds. express is designed to dramatically simplify the deployment of digital signage, whether that means to a single sign or a gigantic network.

The principle behind express is that anyone and everyone can be a designer. express gives one the tools they need to create professional content. Now, with the new video feature, one can take their design skills even further.

Video features traditionally offered in digital signage systems only give the option of uploading a finished clip onto a display system. express allows one to take the design process one step further and continue personalizing their material.

Once video is uploaded into express, one can add or remove text, photos and special effects on top of the clip. This gives the user the power to update material as often as they need without having to remove and re-upload video content.

(Source) Press

Evian(R) Natural Spring Water brings the French Alps to South Beach by hosting an educational and luxurious space at this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Using both traditional and non traditional tactics, Evian will educate consumers and industry influencers about the brand, showing why it is the premier choice for fine dining and, ultimately, differentiating Evian from any other water.

To demonstrate how our palate-cleansing water choices can actually make or break a fine dining experience, Master Sommelier Nathan Cloutier from Miami’s La Goulue and Gino Santangelo from The Forge Miami will host Water Tasting Seminars at the Evian Tent in the Grand Tasting Village throughout the weekend. Here, they will highlight the often overlooked attributes of premium natural spring water in a fine dining experience by taking attendees through a sensory analysis and discussing flavor influencers unique to Evian — such as origin, filtration, bottling process, and the brand’s unique mineral composition.

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Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka and Godiva Liqueur will be creating special cocktails for the Academy Awards Viewing Party at the Pacific Design Center, Sunday, February 22. This caps a year-long, multi-event partnership between Diageo and Elton John AIDS Foundation. The evening features a gala black-tie dinner, cocktails and Academy Awards screening for a host of Hollywood luminaries, and is known as one of the hottest events in Hollywood on Oscar Night.

Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka has created specialty drinks “Ciroc Chic,” and “Simply Scrumptious” to be served at the custom designed Ciroc Ice Bar. The “Ciroc Chic” blends Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka, Pomegranate and Pineapple juices and is served in a chilled Martini Glass garnished with a lemon twist. “Simply Scrumptious” is a mix of Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka, Lemon Juice, Pear Nectar and Cointreau, garnished with cinnamon. Godiva will feature the “Godiva Carameltini,” a luxurious blend of Godiva Caramel Milk Chocolate Liqueur and Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka, served in a chilled martini glass with a caramel swirl.

(Source) Press

Electronic Arts Inc. and Spicy Horse have reportedly signed a publishing deal for an all-new title based on EA’s 2000 classic, American McGee’s Alice. This will reunite EA with American McGee, the creative visionary behind the original game. The new title is in development for the PC, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game console.

“EA Partners is thrilled to team up with American McGee and Spicy Horse on the next installment of the Alice franchise,” said David DeMartini, senior vice president and general manager of EA Partners. “American McGee’s interpretation of Alice was an instant classic, and EA Partners is ready to help him bring his innovative vision for the franchise to even darker, more exciting places.”

(Source) Press

DJ Ravi Drums, the music director of “Howie Do It” will reportedly be taking his act at the 2009 Academy Awards slated on Sunday at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

Drums, who holds the distinction of being the first and only Indian American music director of a network TV show, will perform in the musical segment of the show, which will feature Best Original Song Nominees “Down to Earth” (Wall-E), “Jai Ho” (Slumdog Millionaire), and “O Saya” (Slumdog Millionaire). An elated Drums stated, “This is an incredible pop culture moment to be an Indian American. To be performing on the Oscars when a top contender has an Indian storyline makes me very proud.”

Ravi is the most unique of all the MD’s out there. He originates a hip, epic musical movement, having invented the simultaneous process of live drum playing and live re-mixing.

(Source) Press

During these times of recession, you can expect the so-called experts to be on the hot seat. For one, their actual efficiency on business analytics will be put to the test and Intec is certainly one global company that is caught in this mix, being looked up by the mobile industry to improve the market saturation today.

“Given current economic uncertainties around the globe, operators are looking for high-performing solutions that will deliver rapid ROI and enhanced customer satisfaction,” commented Andrew Taylor, CEO of Intec. “Intec’s OSS and BSS solutions have proven track records in more than 70 of the globe’s top 100 network operators, and we’re delighted that both established operators and new market entrants continue to see the value in our highly relevant, cutting-edge technologies.”

With Intec’s mediation solution, Exatel, Novotel and Celcom will gain full convergent mediation capabilities thereby enabling the rapid deployment of new services and their respective ability to secure market growth.

With proven ability to handle the highest levels of traffic and multi-party settlement with a variety of third party providers, Intec’s InterconnecT addresses the needs of dynamic operators dealing with both traditional and next generation products and services.

As well as preventing revenue leakage and securing increased revenue streams, InterconnecT delivers rapid ROI, within a minimal time-frame, on one fully flexible and scalable platform.

(Source) Press

Another company made a voluntary recall in the midst of this salmonella crisis and that is SuperValu Inc. SuperValu has voluntarily recalled trail mix and fruit and nut trail mix products sold under the ACME, Albertsons, Jewel, and Shaw’s brands because they may contain peanut products that have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The precautionary move follows a nationwide recall issued by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) of all products produced in its Plainview, Texas processing facility.

The products were sold at SUPERVALU-owned stores Albertsons, ACME, Jewel-Osco, and Shaw’s in all of the states where they operate. The identified items have not been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak and there have been no reported cases of the illness.

However, because the safety of customers is a top priority and out of an abundance of caution, SUPERVALU has voluntarily recalled the products.

(Source) Business Wire

Much of the news and attention these days are coming from the New York Toy Fair and Style Paige, LLC will be launching Shailie, a fashion design toy primarily for girls ages 5-12, at the Toy Industry Association’s Toy Fair 2009, February 15-18, 2009 in New York City.

“Typical dress-ups give a girl no choice other than which dress to wear. Shailie™ goes beyond traditional dress-ups and is surprising to others in the toy industry because there’s really nothing like it,” said Kari Kawa, founder of Style Paige. “Because Shailie™ lets girls become fashion designers and models all in one, some have even compared it to a play-version of Project Runway™.”

To get started, the Shailie™ Starter Kit includes a life-size dress form (girl’s size medium). Offered in pink polka dot, the dress form doubles as a darling accent to any girl’s room décor. The Starter Kit also includes the base dress (a slip-like top and skirt that’s the foundation for attaching the outfit pieces–compatible with all Shailie™ fashion kits, products, and accessories) as well as the pieces necessary to create a shimmery crystal satin and sequined dress.

(Source) Press

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