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For the Week of March 18 thru March 25, 2009

BusinessWire &
ILIPS Group International
News Archives

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BusinessWire 2007 News Archives

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BusinessWire 2008 Recent News Stories

March 25, 2009 07:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time
James W. Greth Promoted to President of Word & Brown General Agency
ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Word & Brown Companies is pleased to announce the promotion of James W. Greth to President of Word & Brown General Agency, the nation’s leader in developing and distributing comprehensive health benefit plan models and solutions to individuals, families and employers through licensed insurance brokers. Greth has served as the agency’s Senior Vice President since 2003 and led the company through major initiatives and expansion, building a strong and viable business that currently serves nearly 30,000 insurance brokers in California and Nevada.

“We’re proud of Jim’s many accomplishments,” said Edward J. “Rusty” Brown, Jr., co-owner of The Word & Brown Companies with business partner John M. Word, III. “He has done an amazing job leading the general agency and representing the company and brokers at a local and national level through participation in industry organizations and philanthropy.”

Greth joined the Word & Brown General Agency in 1996 and was quickly promoted to Vice President of Sales, a position in which he served until being named Senior Vice President of Sales in 2003. Before joining the agency, Greth served as Director of Sales for the Western Region of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Under Greth’s leadership, the general agency expanded its services to nearly 30,000 brokers and established a thriving operation in Nevada. His dedication to customer services has set the tone for a team that is known for providing Service of Unequalled Excellence.

Greth earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Arizona and is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). He is actively involved on the boards of several professional organizations, currently serving as Vice President of Finance for the Orange County Association of Health Underwriters and Vice President of the California Association of Health Underwriters Foundation. He is also an active philanthropist, serving on the Board of Directors for the California Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

About Us

Word & Brown General Agency – visit www.wordandbrown.com.

The Word & Brown Companies – visit www.wordandbrowncompanies.com.

March 25, 2009 06:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Calling All Beer Enthusiasts! Celebrate Henry’s 12^th Street Tavern 5^th Anniversary – Meet 5 Brewers in 5 Days!

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Drinking beer is enjoyable and fun in and of itself (especially when paired with our great food!), but there are also fascinating people and stories behind every one of the 100 handcrafted draught beers and ciders served at Henry’s 12th Street Tavern.

To celebrate our 5^th Anniversary, we are hosting “5 Brewers in 5 days” spotlighting some of the delicious brews and the unique personalities and histories behind them. Events begin at 4pm each day. Enjoy special tasting and food pairings (including special recipes created by employees). Meet and talk with the brewers and their brewery representatives.

The schedule:

All 5 of the brewers and their breweries are from the Cascadia region, so celebrate our restaurant’s and region’s world renowned beer experiences. And, that’s something for which we have our guest and brewers to thank, so here’s the perfect opportunity to bring them together.

“We’ve been racking our brains trying to come up with an appropriate way to thank our Guests for 5 incredible years. What better way to honor them than by giving them more of what they love!” shares Manager Tammy Lochner. “We are also holding a recipe competition for our employees,” shares General Manager Craig McKeller. “They’re passionate about beer, food and our guests, so it’s another perfect opportunity to celebrate by sharing that with everyone. We’ll feature the winning employees, their recipes and paired beer on our menu throughout April.”

About Henry’s 12^th Street Tavern

The 14,500 sq. foot restaurant boasts 100 beers and hard ciders on tap. Combining the nostalgia of rustic exposed brick walls and dramatic 24 foot ceilings with state-of-the-art features such as a built-in frozen drink rail to keep libations cold, and flat screen and plasma TVs visible throughout the bar.

Its extensive menu features dinner-house quality and presentation of Northwest and Pacific Rim cuisine, never to be confused with standard "pub grub" fare. The exceptionally diverse menu features fresh seafood, USDA choice steaks, cutting edge pasta selections, and authentic Asian preparations. All dishes are made from scratch on the premises, including salads, sandwiches, and pizza, and are served at their peak of freshness. Learn more at www.henrystavern.com.

March 25, 2009 05:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Perini Building Company Receives Three Awards

Two Project Awards and a Diversity Award


PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Perini Building Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Perini Corporation (NYSE: PCR), received a Real Estate Development Award for the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel from Arizona Commercial Real Estate magazine. The Sheraton was selected as the most notable Arizona hospitality project in 2008. McGraw-Hill Construction recognized Perini for The Crystals at CityCenter in Las Vegas. The Crystals is one of 23 projects nationwide to receive a Best of the Best Award. Perini also received an Executive Leadership Award for diversity from the Southern Nevada Human Resources Association.

The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel received a Real Estate Development Award for its size, quality and impact on development. The 1,000-room, 31-story hotel is owned by the city of Phoenix and is vital to the city’s downtown renewal plan. Strategically located within walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center, the Sheraton offers a range of amenities to accommodate the demands of business as well as leisure guests. Perini completed the hotel on budget, eight weeks ahead of schedule due to the collaborative effort among the city of Phoenix, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., and the project’s design team Arquitectonica and RSP Architects.

The Crystals received McGraw-Hill’s Best of the Best Award for its complex engineering and steel erection. The Crystals is the centerpiece of CityCenter’s retail and entertainment district. CityCenter is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the largest privately funded project in the country. The Crystals is built with 16,455 pieces of steel. Every piece of steel required calculations to test for load capacity, fabrication and constructability. Perini is the general contractor for all of the projects at CityCenter. Halcrow Yolles was the structural engineer, and Schuff Steel Company was the steel fabricator and erector for The Crystals.

The Southern Nevada Human Resources Association (SNHRA) awarded Perini an OYA Executive Leadership Award. OYA Awards are presented to companies that demonstrate the highest level of diversity. SNHRA represents more than 400 Nevada organizations.

About Perini Building Company

Perini Building Company is the largest builder of hospitality and gaming resorts in the nation and specializes in constructing fast track, complex projects. Current projects include CityCenter, the largest privately funded construction project in the country, The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino and Terminal 3 at McCarran International Airport Las Vegas, Nevada. Recently completed projects include Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas, NV; Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, MD; Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, AZ; and MGM Grand at Foxwoods, CT. Professional services offered are construction management, general contracting, preconstruction, post construction, and design/build. Perini has offices throughout the country. For more information, visit www.perini.com.

March 25, 2009 02:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time

MaxID Unveils Handheld Device with Lumidigm Fingerprint Reader


ISC West 2009
booth #9149
booth #41010

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MaxID, a rugged mobile computer company, today announced the integration of Lumidigm’s fingerprint reader into the iDLMax, a handheld identity management device. The iDLMax is the first commercially-available mobile computing device to incorporate Lumidigm’s superior multispectral imaging technology.

The Lumidigm Venus fingerprint reader embodies a significant breakthrough in optical imaging technology. Based on patented multispectral biometrics, the robust Lumidigm sensor is uniquely capable of delivering high-quality images in the most difficult and demanding physical environments. This characteristic is particularly important in mobile applications because handheld devices are regularly used in conditions where other biometric technologies fail.

“Lumidigm’s multispectral imaging has clear advantages in many areas of fingerprint capture and validation,” said Stephen Grist, CEO of MaxID. “Integrating Lumidigm’s reader in one of our handhelds is important to us. We’re extremely happy with the results and are pleased to be able to add this technology to our extensive biometric handheld portfolio.”

MaxID integrated Lumidigm’s Venus fingerprint reader into the iDLMax, a multimodal, rugged mobile computer that offers a complete set of features for virtually any identity management challenge including contact card, contactless card, barcode, optical fingerprint, and magnetic swipe readers with a digital camera, GPS, and comprehensive wireless communications. The iDLMax is a complete, integrated mobile solution for all badging and identity management requirements. When users need to read fingerprints, TWIC, CAC, PIV, or FRAC cards, or driver’s licenses, as well as use the other on-board biometric functions to verify identity, the iDLMax connected handheld device does it all in a light, compact, easy-to-use form factor.

“MaxID integrated Lumidigm fingerprint technology into a very effective mobile design,” said Phil Scarfo, Lumidigm’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This rugged new product from MaxID expands the market opportunities for Lumidigm fingerprint readers and addresses a critical and growing need in the marketplace,” Scarfo added.

Both MaxID and Lumidigm will be exhibiting at ISC West, the international security conference and exhibition, in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 1-3, 2009. Please visit MaxID at booth #9149 or Lumidigm at booth #41010 at the show for more information.

About Lumidigm:

Lumidigm is a biometric company dedicated to enabling convenient, secure, and reliable identification and verification. Lumidigm powered sensors work because they produce high-quality images every time, in all conditions. Everyone can be enrolled. Everyone can be verified. Lumidigm also provides award-winning liveness protection. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lumidigm sensors are distributed worldwide. Visit www.lumidigm.com.

About MaxID Corporation:

Headquartered in the United States, MaxID Corp. is a privately held technology company that designs, manufactures and sells rugged mobile computing equipment. With offices in 4 continents, MaxID maintains a global research and development team that has more than 20 years experience introducing new technologies. The company's most advanced biometric handheld devices are manufactured in the United States and are distributed worldwide. MaxID's product range includes specially designed handheld devices for the Identity Management, Mobile Payment, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Parking Enforcement markets. Read more about MaxID on the company's website: http://www.MaxID.net

March 25, 2009 12:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time

New Orleans-Based Campo Architects Offers Specialized Service of Converting Historic Tax Credits into Equity


NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an economy that continues to be volatile for builders and developers, John T. Campo, Jr., AIA, President of 24-year old Campo Architects, has refined a specialized service that results in creating substantial equity for hotel owners and developers.

Known as the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, Campo has successfully orchestrated tax incentives for projects “Placed In Service” totaling $250 million. This lowers the current equity spread of 40-50 percent now required from commercial builders and developers due to today’s tough economy, to less than 20 percent. In general terms, the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is an incentive from the Federal Government – specifically the National Parks Service – that is offered to commercial builders and developers for qualified historic structures that are at least 50 years old or are otherwise deemed historic.

In many instances, the federal tax credit also is matched by many states throughout the U.S. In addition, if the property is held for the required five-year period, there is no recapture of the historic tax credit.

Campo Architects has more than 20 years experience in leveraging historic tax credits for clients and has successfully improved the financial bottom line of its clients through the adaptive re-use process involved in restoring historic buildings. Adaptive re-use is the process of adapting old structures by changing the primary function of the structure, while retaining some of the existing architectural details that make the building unique. It is seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and in reducing sprawl.

“Campo Architects wants to increase awareness among commercial builders, hotel developers and owners of the value of historic tax credits,” said John T. Campo. “In this kind of economy, we want to do everything we can to help our clients recoup what is theirs.”

Campo also pointed out that his firm has worked with several hoteliers and developers in the restoration of properties and the use of historic tax credits in New Orleans.

Recently, Campo Architects was commissioned as the architect and the historic preservation consultant by the developers of 200 Carondelet for the renovation and restoration of its 189-unit, 24-story residential rental development in the heart of downtown New Orleans. The skyscraper was originally built in 1929 as the North American Bank and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Campo Architects successfully designed an adaptive re-use of the building, incorporated original art deco architectural features into the final design and coordinated the building’s historic preservation with the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission, State Historic Preservation Office and the National Parks Service.

“The service provided by Campo Architects was truly outstanding. They understand historic rehabilitation projects and are adept at working with the state’s historic preservation office,” said Bob Jackson, President of Reliance Housing Foundation and co-developer and managing general partner of 200 Carondelet. “Campo Architects added tremendous value to this project by making the process happen smoothly with the end result being the delivery of the credits as expected and in a timely manner.”

About Campo Architects

Campo Architects is a 24-year old architectural firm that is based in New Orleans, Louisiana and Las Vegas, Nevada. Campo Architects is an award-winning firm with expertise in hospitality, medical, multi-family and corporate office design. The firm has a commitment to design excellence and consistent project management standards. Campo Architects offers its clients an integrated approach by understanding architectural implications, knowledge/expertise in construction and building code compliance, and a proven track record to deliver value.

Campo Architects is LEED-accredited and licensed in 22 states. The firm provides a full-range of specialized tax incentives services in addition to architectural, planning and design services for both new construction and renovation projects.

Campo Architects has been ranked in the top 25 hospitality design firms in the country. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.jtcampo.com.

March 25, 2009 11:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Scottrade’s User Summit Lands in Las Vegas

Online investment firm offers customer education conference to help customers make better-informed investment decisions


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scottrade, a leading branch-supported online investment firm, is hosting an investing workshop in Las Vegas as part of its customer education initiative. The regional conference to help Scottrade investors and traders make better-informed investment decisions will be held on Saturday, March 28 at The Westin Casuarina Las Vegas.

During the free workshop, attendees can network with other investors, learn how to easily manage their accounts, and effectively use the online investing functions and features of Scottrade’s trading platforms. Topics covered at the User Summit will include finding opportunities with stock and exchange-traded fund screeners; placing pre-market and after-hours online trades; learning the economic calendar for IPOs, earnings and splits; and setting up alerts for account-specific updates.

“We are proud to offer the educational seminars so that our customers can make better-informed investment decisions,” said Scottrade Director of Online Financial Services Kevin Dodson. “Scottrade’s User Summit workshops are designed to make sure investors and traders are familiar with Scottrade’s platforms so they can effectively and efficiently find and react to opportunities in the market.”

The Las Vegas User Summit is one of 24 regional workshops Scottrade is hosting around the country in 2009. Other customer education resources include an online social networking community, Web casts, and stock market and research information.

Customers can also visit one of four branch offices in the Las Vegas area, where they can have questions answered about their account and online trading as well as attend a branch seminar. Scottrade’s local branch seminars give attendees the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics, including basic order types, options trading and the features and functionality of the Scottrade Trading Web Site.

More information about Scottrade Investment Education and registration for free local seminars is available at www.scottrade.com/education/.

About Scottrade

As a leading online investment firm, Scottrade offers a full line of investment products, online trading services and market research tools to help investors take control of their financial future. Scottrade provides customers the convenience of buying many stocks online at just $7 per trade and the support of the largest branch network among online investment firms, with more than 375 nationwide branch offices. Named Highest in Investor Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, Scottrade is dedicated to exceptional customer service and unprecedented value. Scottrade is also one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America. For more information, visit www.scottrade.com.

March 25, 2009 10:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time

IRI Announces New Capabilities Designed to Rewire CPG Sales Forces and Broaden Competitive Advantage

IRI Sales AdvantageTM Powered by IRI Liquid DataTM Offers Rapid Insight into Strategy, Retailer Performance and Overall Go-to-Market Behavior


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As economic pressures continue to evolve, the changing selling environment for consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers creates both headwinds for growth and significant performance opportunities when understood and leveraged properly. Competitive CPG companies must do more than just look at rival brands; they have to consider new sources of competition across aisles as consumers change their shopping rituals. Retailers must rethink their competitive position as additional price-driven alternatives gain popularity. Success for both parties demands a sharper focus on the details that drive consumer at “ground zero” – the store.

Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) today announced the availability of IRI Sales AdvantageTM Powered by IRI Liquid DataTM (ILD) to successfully reframe CPG companies’ competitive focus by building solutions that integrate sales performance scorecards with detailed insights on compliance and execution. Expanding on IRI’s commitment to rewire sales organizations for continued growth, IRI Sales Advantage generates the insights that CPG manufacturers and retailers need to pursue emerging business opportunities. This announcement was made at the “Summit 2009: Reinventing CPG and Retail Conference,” being held at the Wynn Las Vegas.

As consumers adapt to economic pressures, CPG manufacturers and retailers must continuously evaluate and update the value proposition they offer. IRI Sales Advantage addresses this challenge by providing the agility to quickly assess the impact of current sales programs, identify gaps in execution or compliance that impede success, and redefine competition at the aisle or occasion-level to complement existing category and shopper insights expertise.

IRI Sales Advantage provides high-value, actionable insights in real time versus hours or days. This empowers sales teams to ensure their corporate strategies are supported by solid execution in their key aisles and categories. Executives can confidently make decisions with solid knowledge of the influence of store factors, such as distance to Wal-Mart, key ethnic audiences or incomes, on their sales results. Customized workflows and scorecards supported by consulting services accelerate the ability of clients to realize the benefits of IRI Sales Advantage including:

Flexibility – Web-based system that is updated monthly
User Friendly – Visual user dashboards to encourage constant interaction
Complete Coverage – 1.5 million UPCs and 300 IRI syndicated categories organized by aisle, department, and total edible or non-edible
Measurement – Comprehensive measurement on 100 measures and 15 casual factors based on sales, share, base or incremental, distribution, price and promotion
Dedication – Unique subject matter expertise within sales, marketing and analytic modelling to ensure superior outcomes
Availability – Ability to tap into 40,000 individual stores in 1,500 geographies
”In today’s downturn economy, IRI Sales Advantage’s chief objective is to assist retailers and manufacturers in understanding their competition’s total portfolio and allow for more informed strategic decisions,” said IRI Consulting and Innovation President Thom Blischok. “This collaborative solution enables retailers and manufacturers to focus sales engagements, promotion strategies, and limited resources on the highest potential opportunities.”

About Information Resources, Inc.

IRI is the world’s leading provider of consumer, shopper, and retail market intelligence and insights supporting 95 percent of the FORTUNE Global 500 consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail and healthcare companies. Only IRI offers the unique combination of integrated market information, automated and predictive analytics, innovative enabling technologies, and domain expertise. With IRI, leading retailers and manufacturers are able to quickly discover breakthrough insights driving smarter decisions and actions across the enterprise for breakthrough results. Companies around the world depend on IRI for improved productivity, stronger brands, and dramatic revenue growth. For more information, visit: http://us.infores.com.

Business Wire

Action Film Director Rob Cohen

Photo: Business Wire

March 25, 2009 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Celebrated Action Film Director Rob Cohen to Present Keynote at 2009 NAB Show


NAB2009

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rob Cohen, director and producer of numerous blockbuster hits including "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," "XXX," and "The Fast and the Furious," will be a keynote speaker at the 2009 NAB Show in Las Vegas. In a morning session on Tuesday, April 21, Cohen will look at the role of action in motion pictures, how it represents the heart of the medium, encourages technical innovation, and deserves critical recognition that matches its audience appeal.

"From 'Battleship Potemkin' to 'The Wild Bunch,' the way action is realized on the screen is what separates motion pictures from other forms of visual storytelling," said Cohen. "I'm excited to participate in the NAB Show, to share my thoughts about cinematic language and about what makes creating and watching films freeing and fun."

With nearly three decades of motion picture experience, Cohen's films tell kinetic, edge-of-your seat stories inspired by history and culture. His summer chart-topper, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," was the first major studio release filmed entirely in China. The film grossed more than $400 million worldwide, opening at No. 1 in 90 percent of its territories.

"We are pleased to bring Rob and his unique industry perspective to this year's show. His accomplishments and expertise will provide our audience with an in-depth look at the imaginative and technical talent necessary to develop groundbreaking action films," said NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown.

Cohen's credits also include "The Fast and the Furious" and "XXX," which together generated a $1 billion in box office receipt, and "Dragonheart," the first major motion picture to feature a character totally rendered in computer graphics. "Dragonheart" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and won a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film of 1996.

Cohen has also worked in television, directing "The Rat Pack," a critically acclaimed HBO television film starring Ray Liotta, Joe Mantegna and Don Cheadle. "The Rat Pack" garnered 11 Emmy Award nominations and three wins and earned Cohen a nomination from the Directors Guild of America for Outstanding Direction of a Television Film.

About the 2009 NAB Show

The NAB Show will take place April 18 - 23, 2009 in Las Vegas (exhibits open April 20). It is the world's largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.

About NAB

The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. As the voice of more than 8,300 radio and television stations, NAB advances their interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

March 25, 2009 10:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time

IRI Unveils Predictive Analytic Offerings to Power “Full Circle”, Prescriptive, CPG Pricing and Promotion Management

New IRI Price Advantage™ and IRI Trade Advantage™ Feature Issue-Driven Dashboards That Enhance Value by Linking Insights to Business Processes

IRI Foresight™ Integrates Macroeconomic Information into Business Planning


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) today released three new predictive analytic offerings to address current pricing and promotion challenges resulting from today’s high-risk economic climate. IRI Price Advantage™, IRI Trade Advantage™ and IRI Foresight™ are next generation price, promotion management and strategic business planning solutions for consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers and retailers. These new innovations provide continuous, repeatable and prescriptive analytics to optimize a wide range of business needs, including pricing, trade promotion, as well as branded and private label marketing decisions. IRI announced these new solutions at the “Summit 2009: Reinventing CPG and Retail Conference” being held at the Wynn Las Vegas.

IRI’s portfolio of predictive analytic solutions evolves from its deep experience with predictive business tools, now formally offered as a component of its integrated industry insight offerings. Obtainable as stand-alone solutions, IRI today provides CPG companies with the agility to quickly make forward-looking business decisions based on integrated data, measurable observations and reliable forecasts. As a result, companies can harness previously unavailable pricing and promotion insights and empower executives to foresee the impact of pricing strategies on their brand performance as well as review the success of past events.

“IRI’s new solutions assist CPG leaders in ‘knowing’ the customer and gaining the ability to dynamically and immediately act on new insights to drive forward-looking business decisions and competitive advantage,” said IRI Executive Vice President and Global Managing Director of Modelling and Analytic Solutions, Patrick Cummings. “IRI’s Analytic Advantage portfolio of solutions delivers a massive step change for the industry at large and will enable clients to produce thousands of models at much lower cost in a fraction of the time. More importantly, these models can now populate rich pricing, sales planning, branded and private label marketing, assortment, innovation and forecasting solutions to drive improved performance.”

Issue-Driven Dashboards Provide Greater Analytical Value

An important new capability of the IRI Price Advantage and IRI Trade Advantage solutions are issue-driven dashboards that provide immediate information on client-specific issues. These dashboards are designed to help senior-level executives identify what’s happening within their business, better understand how these issues are impacting the company, and implement strategies to address them. Leveraging analytics and data around a company’s most pressing business issues, these dashboards increase the value of insights around price diagnostics, price simulation, price optimization, promotion simulation, post-event analysis and annual planning.

IRI Price Advantage Ensures Pricing Strategies Stay On-Track

IRI Price Advantage provides Web-based, real-time analysis of pricing sensitivities, price point and price gaps, thresholds and competitive implications in order to maximize sales, margins and drive overall brand management and sales lifts. This is accomplished by leveraging IRI store-level regression models and regular baseline data updates to provide timely and relevant information. As a result, users can map out the impact of price changes across multiple geographic regions, viewing how consumers in one part of the country may react compared to another. Other features that improve effectiveness, productivity and efficiency include return on investment (ROI) comparison across scenarios, cross elasticity models across the portfolio and category, as well as the ability to create unique optimizations based on maximizing revenue or profit.

IRI Trade Advantage Enhances Retailer Promotion Strategies

IRI Trade Advantage enhances the trade planning process by providing fact-based drivers of promotional performance via an easy to use Web-enabled interface. For example, users can evaluate post-promotion results versus initial plans to measure the success of events and to confirm that promotion strategies stay on track. The robust, simple and integrated planning application delivers actionable insights at the execution level for continuous, repeatable results, driven by:


Historical data summaries and lift tables to create and save Event Planning Calendars to a retailer’s Promotion Event Library

Post Promotional Analysis based on client-specific business issues

Past trade activity with weekly breakouts of volume history down to the account level


Specific benefits of IRI Trade Advantage and IRI Price Advantage include:


Gives executives an immediate, comprehensive picture of product activity and performance with a dashboard approach

Improves investment effectiveness by identifying and implementing strategies that generate higher levels of sales and profits

Augments execution and compliance by identifying specific, measurable and actionable metrics that will result in improved execution performance

Drives efficiencies by increasing the capacity of analytic tools and processes to support the CPG organization

Enhances productivity by focusing teams on producing strategic and tactical insights versus simply mining data

Upgrades quality of strategies by improving cross-channel and portfolio sales and marketing plans
IRI Foresight Integrates Econometrics into Business Planning and Budgeting


IRI Foresight strengthens the ability of CPG companies to make sound business and strategic planning decisions by assessing the effects of macroeconomic activity, such as inflation, unemployment rates, property values and availability of credit on consumer spending. By considering external factors influencing consumer purchasing behavior, IRI Foresight allows companies to forecast the impact of economic trends on their brands in order to make timely and accurate business and strategic decisions. IRI Foresight tracks 400 economic indicators, identifies those factors most relevant for brand or category growth, and makes forecasts with a horizon of up to five years.

IRI Foresight facilitates the development of risk mitigation strategies, giving companies the ability to apply these insights to adjust promotions, merchandising and other activities. It also enables CPG companies to conduct scenario analyses, factoring in potential changes to the economy and their effects on category and brand growth.

Specific benefits of IRI Foresight include:


Incorporates macroeconomic activity into existing panel and scan data analysis

Facilitates strategic planning by predicting future shopper behavior based on changing economic conditions

Enables more robust risk mitigation strategies that help CPG companies uncover new opportunities

Helps executive management determine which categories provide the best market opportunities

Includes the widest breadth of economic factors available


“IRI recognizes there are multiple factors influencing how shoppers spend their money,” said IRI Consulting and Innovation President Thom Blischok. “IRI Foresight demystifies these pressures by tracking up to 400 economic indicators. We utilize these insights to generate statistical forecasts about brand success to help companies perform risk mitigation. IRI can help CPG companies look at where their company is today and accurately plan for appropriate brand, trade and promotional spend based on solid econometrics.”

About Information Resources, Inc.

IRI is the world’s leading provider of consumer, shopper, and retail market intelligence and insights supporting 95 percent of the FORTUNE Global 500 consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail and healthcare companies. Only IRI offers the unique combination of integrated market information, automated and predictive analytics, innovative enabling technologies, and domain expertise. With IRI, leading retailers and manufacturers are able to quickly discover breakthrough insights driving smarter decisions and actions across the enterprise for breakthrough results. Companies around the world depend on IRI for improved productivity, stronger brands, and dramatic revenue growth. For more information, visit http://us.infores.com.

March 25, 2009 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Juniper Networks Showcases Advanced Mobile Solutions at CTIA Wireless 2009

Company to Highlight How an Open Architecture via a Secure Experience Accelerates Service Model Innovation; Technology Leaders to Contribute to Multiple Speaking Panels, Green Telecom Summit


CTIA Wireless 2009
Booth #6018

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Juniper Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: JNPR), the leader in high-performance networking, today announced its participation at CTIA Wireless 2009, Las Vegas, demonstrating its advanced mobile networking solutions in Booth #6018 and participating in several compelling speaking sessions. Juniper will also be an active participant and sponsor at Informa Telecoms & Media’s Green Telecom Summit at CTIA, an event designed to bring together top executives who share a desire to protect the environment while maintaining competitive advantage.

The Juniper Networks booth will feature multiple demonstration areas and displays that exemplify how Juniper’s wireless support infrastructure enables service providers to accelerate the delivery of new services, while leveraging existing network assets. The product displays will include Juniper’s solutions for mobile backhaul, mobile security, mobile packet core, and green networking. Product experts will also be available to discuss the latest version of Juniper’s Steel-Belted Radius Carrier, a standards-based, high-performance AAA server, and Session Resource Control Portfolio, a policy server that integrates networks with application layer services enabling service providers to quickly and cost-effectively deliver differentiated products and services.

Additionally, Nokia Siemens Networks will be showcasing Juniper’s MX Series Ethernet Services Router as part of a Mobile Backhaul over Carrier Ethernet Transport demonstration in Booth #8047. The demonstration will illustrate a live application over HSDPA, with the base station being backhauled over the complete chain of Carrier Ethernet Transport enabled platforms (e2e) including the following components: Flexi WCDMA BTS (the base station), FlexiPacket Radio, FlexiPacket Hub and the Juniper Networks MX Series Ethernet Services Router. Also demonstrated will be packet-based synchronization based on the IEEE1588-2008 standard.

A demo of Juniper’s SRX 5000 Series Services Gateway will also be featured in CTIA’s yearly E-Tech Showcase in the South Hall.

Speaking Engagements

Juniper technology leaders have been invited provide insight and expertise on critical wireless networking trends during the conference speaking program:

CTIA – The Blueprint of Convergence

IMS – An Acronym for the Future…?

Speaker: Leonid Burakovsky, director of Wireless and Convergence segment marketing

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.

IEC’s BBWF*Unwired

Centralized or Distributed FMC?

Speaker: Dr. Mallik Tatipamula, vice president and head of Wireless and Fixed Mobile Convergence segment

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.

IEC’s BBWF*Unwired

Tools for Success – Enablers and Key Success Factors for Deployment of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Networks

Speaker: Dr. Mallik Tatipamula, vice president and head of Wireless and Fixed Mobile Convergence segment

Date: Thursday, April 2, 4:00 – 5:15 p.m.

Green Telecom Summit

Analyzing the Business Case for Green Telecom – Profiting from the Challenge to “Go Green”

Speaker: Luc Ceuppens, senior director and head of product marketing for the High-end Systems Business Unit

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Telecommunications Media Group: IP Mobile Backhaul, Getting More For Less

IP/Ethernet Backhaul Migration Strategies

Speaker: John Stewart, general manager and senior director, Wireless Business Unit

Date: Wednesday, April 1, 11:50 a.m.

Press and Analyst Meetings

Juniper Networks executives will be attending the conference and will be available to speak with press and industry analysts on a number of technology and market-trend topics. For press and industry analysts interested in scheduling briefings with Juniper Networks executives, please contact Domenic Locapo at (978) 589-0525 or dlocapo@juniper.net.

About Juniper Networks

Juniper Networks, Inc. is the leader in high-performance networking. Juniper offers a high-performance network infrastructure that creates a responsive and trusted environment for accelerating the deployment of services and applications over a single network. This fuels high-performance businesses. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.

Juniper Networks, JUNOS, and the Juniper Networks logo are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.

March 25, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Acme Packet Creates SIP Femtocell Ecosystem with Leading Solution Vendors

AirWalk Communications, Tatara Systems and Ubiquisys Deliver Tested, Interoperable Products with Acme Packet’s Net-Net Product Family for Next-Generation Femtocell Solutions


CTIA Wireless 2009

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acme Packet® (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, today announced partnerships and alliances with leading next-generation equipment vendors for SIP-based femtocell solutions. The solutions, which have demonstrated proven interoperability, feature Acme Packet’s multiservice security gateway and session border controller (SBC) working with products from AirWalk Communications, Tatara Systems and Ubiquisys. Together, Acme Packet and its SIP femtocell ecosystem members deliver an open, industry standard-based SIP femtocell solution for mobile service providers.

Acme Packet’s multiservice security gateway, the Net-Net® Security Gateway (SG), provides the femtocell security gateway function which establishes and controls IPsec tunnels to securely deliver mobile voice and data services over untrusted Internet access networks to femtocell access points. Acme Packet’s SBC, the Net-Net Session Director (SD), secures the SIP/IMS service infrastructure, assures SLAs for high service availability and quality and provides compliance with regulatory requirements, such as lawful intercept and emergency session control. The Net-Net SG and SD can be deployed separately or integrated on the same physical hardware platform.

To round out the SIP femtocell solution, Acme Packet has established partnerships and alliances with three companies that provide complementary premise-based and network-based products. The initial SIP femtocell ecosystem members are:

AirWalk Communications is a leading developer of IP-based CDMA radio access network products that deliver 3G voice and data in the most compact and versatile devices. AirWalk’s EdgePoint is a compact CDMA femtocell that provides premier cellular service inside buildings and at the edge of macro networks for consumers or enterprises.

Tatara Systems is a leader in IMS and SIP-based femtocell convergence solutions. The Tatara Convergence Server (TCS) solution enables the interconnection of femtocells and other advanced technology IP-based radio network elements with the legacy macro network, providing the full mobile voice, messaging and data experience in an IP environment supporting both VoIP and IMS networks. The TCS capabilities include authentication of the mobile subscribers, handoff between femtocells and the macro network, E-911 and supplementary services, as well as delivering new IP-based applications to existing mobile handsets without modifying or disrupting the macro network. The TCS is available in a CDMA or GSM/UMTS variant.

Ubiquisys is a leading provider of 3G femtocells. The ZoneGate UMTS femtocell serves residential and enterprise markets with field-proven interference mitigation, SIP/IMS compatibility and services APIs to enable operators to expand coverage and capacity while introducing femtocell services. Ubiquisys earned ABI Research’s #1 femtocell vendor award in 2009 for the 3rd straight year based on innovation and implementation.

For trials and early deployments, the predominant architecture for femtocells leverages legacy mobile switching center (MSC) infrastructure and signaling protocols. However, as service providers continue their voice services migration to VoIP and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architectures, SIP-based femtocells—for both residential and enterprise subscribers—are expected to become more prevalent. IMS-based femtocells architectures are currently being defined by the Femto Forum and 3GPP.

“The key elements for delivering SIP femtocells are ready today—including convergence servers, femtocell access points, security gateways and session border controllers,” stated Marc Cremer, executive vice president of operations, Tatara Systems. “Acme Packet provides key components for femtocell access and together our companies are delivering a solution that is interoperable and ready for deployment.”

“Acme Packet has long worked with like-minded companies to enable secure and reliable next generation communication services,” said Mark Vella, Acme Packet’s vice president of business development. “AirWalk, Tatara and Ubiquisys complement Acme Packet’s session border controllers and multiservice security gateways in delivering a best-of-breed SIP femtocell solution.”

Demonstrations of the SIP CDMA femtocell have taken place at Acme Packet’s customer conference Interconnect 2008 and Mobile World Congress 2009. Both UMTS and CDMA SIP femtocell solutions will be demonstrated at the upcoming International CTIA Wireless 2009® tradeshow and conference in multiple booths: Acme Packet (#5741), Tatara Systems (#8951) and Ubiquisys (#8333).

About Acme Packet

Acme Packet, Inc. (NASDAQ: APKT), the leader in session border control solutions, enables the delivery of trusted, first-class interactive communications—voice, video and multimedia sessions—and data services across IP network borders. Our Net-Net family of session border controllers, multiservice security gateways and session routing proxies supports multiple applications in service provider, large enterprise and contact center networks—from VoIP trunking to hosted enterprise and residential services to fixed-mobile convergence. They satisfy critical security, service assurance and regulatory requirements in wireline, cable and wireless networks; and support multiple protocols—SIP, H.323, MGCP/NCS and H.248—and multiple border points—interconnect, access and data center. Our products have been selected by more than 635 customers in 92 countries, including 29 of the top 30, and 89 of the top 100 service providers in the world. For more information, contact us at +1 781.328.4400, or visit www.acmepacket.com.

Acme Packet Safe Harbor Statement

Statements contained herein that are not historical fact may be 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. Such forward-looking statements may relate, among other things, to our position in the session border control market, our expected financial and operating results, our ability to build and grow Acme Packet, the benefits and expected deployments of our products or services, the ability for our partnerships and alliances to deliver services and products, and our ability to achieve our goals, plans and objectives. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.

These include, but are not limited to: difficulties in growing our customer base, difficulties leveraging market opportunities, difficulties providing solutions that meet the needs of customers, poor product sales, long sales cycles, difficulty developing new products, difficulty in relationships with vendors and partners, higher risk in international operations, difficulty managing rapid growth, and increased competition. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially form those projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are contained in our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in such filings.

March 25, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

New Wells Fargo Gallup Survey: Small Business Owner Optimism Negative for First Time in Survey History

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Small business owners’ optimism recently dropped to its lowest level in the six years that the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index has been conducted. Covering a survey period of January 22 - February 2, the score now stands at negative four (-4), down 14 points from the previous survey (November, 2008), and 118 points lower than the Index high of 114 (November, 2006). It is the first time the index has dropped below zero. A score of zero indicates that small business owners, as a group, are neutral -- neither optimistic nor pessimistic -- about their companies’ situations.

The Index is the sum of “present situation” and “future expectations” of small business owners for six key measures, including financial situation, cash flow, revenues, capital allocation spending, job hiring and credit availability. The “present situation” score dropped eight points to negative five (-5), and “future expectations” dropped six points to one (1).

“These clearly are difficult times for many small businesses,” said Dr. Scott Anderson, senior economist at Wells Fargo. “According to the survey, capital allocation and job creation plans didn't deteriorate from the fourth quarter but more small businesses reported a worsening financial situation and cash flow, slowing revenue growth, and less credit available.”

About the Small Business Index

For the last 23 quarters, the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index has surveyed small business owners on current and future perceptions of their business financial situation. The Index consists of two dimensions: 1) Owners’ ratings of the current situation of their businesses and, 2) Owners’ ratings of how they expect their businesses to perform over the next 12 months. An Index score of zero indicates that small business owners, as a group, are neutral -- neither optimistic nor pessimistic -- about their companies’ situations. Results are based on telephone interviews with 604 small business owners nationwide conducted January 22 - February 2, 2009. The Overall Small Business Index is computed from a formula that scores and sums the answers to 12 questions—6 about the present situation and 6 about the future. The Overall index can range from -400 (the most negative score possible) to +400 (the most positive score possible), but in practice takes on a much more limited range. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points.

About Gallup

For more than 70 years, Gallup has been a recognized leader in the measurement and analysis of people’s attitudes, opinions and behavior. While best known for the Gallup Poll, founded in 1935, Gallup’s current activities consist largely of providing marketing and management research, advisory services and education to the world’s largest corporations and institutions.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 11,000 stores, over 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. has the highest credit rating currently given to U.S. banks by Moody’s Investors Service, “Aa1,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AA+.”

Wells Fargo is America’s #1 small business lender in total dollar volume according to the most recent Community Reinvestment Act data (2007) and the #1 SBA 7a national bank lender in total dollar volume (2008). Wells Fargo has loaned more than $38 billion to women, African American, Latino and Asian business owners since 1995. For more information, speak with a Wells Fargo banker, visit wellsfargo.com/biz or call the National Business Banking Center at 1-800-CALL-WELLS.

Note: Survey results available upon request.

March 25, 2009 08:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time

“Green” Homeowners Insurance Launches in New York by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company

First Admitted Insurer to Offer Innovative, Environmentally Friendly Coverage; Five Percent Discount Given to Green Homeowners


NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company – the nation’s first provider of green insurance for commercial buildings – launches green insurance for homeowners in New York.

This is the first-ever admitted green insurance available to homeowners in New York. Setting a new standard, Fireman’s Fund (www.firemansfund.com/green) is offering this innovative product to homeowners who currently own green homes or who want to upgrade their residences with green features after a loss using environmental safety and efficiency standards. If a home is completely destroyed, it can be rebuilt to green standards, certified as having Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design status (LEED®, www.usgbc.org/leed).

“We believe this is a trend-setting insurance solution for homeowners who are interested in the many benefits of ‘going green’ at home,” said Donald Soss, vice president of Fireman’s Fund Personal Insurance.

Homeowners whose residences are already green will be offered a five percent discount on this coverage, applied to the homeowner premium.

A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources, and creates less waste. Studies have shown that residents have better overall health and productivity as a result of reduced exposure to mold, mildew and indoor toxins. According to the National Center for Healthy Housing ( www.centerforhealthyhousing.org ), homeowners can expect substantial health gains by building green. Green NYC offers tips to New Yorkers to green their homes and make New York a healthier place.

With this new coverage, homeowners will be able to rebuild and replace with green alternatives such as:


Energy Star®-rated appliances, lighting, electronic equipment and roofing/insulation

An Energy Star upgrade of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems

Forest Stewardship Council ( www.fcsus.org ) certified wood for millwork, ceilings, siding and framing, including bamboo flooring

Non-toxic, low odor paints and carpeting

Water-saving plumbing fixtures

Elimination of ozone-depleting refrigerants and fire extinguishing agents, replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives

Debris removed after damage to a home will be recycled and diverted from landfill


The green homeowners insurance is now approved for homeowners in 35 states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming).


Fireman’s Fund was the first property and casualty insurance firm to offer green insurance to the U.S. commercial marketplace, introduced in fall 2006. It gave the first financial incentive for green building owners – a five percent discount on the policy premium – for LEED-certified buildings. Vegetated roofs, plumbing and electrical systems, commissioning and the costs for green recertification fees for previously certified buildings are all included coverages that fill the gaps in traditional insurance policies.

The company’s Commercial insurance division has expanded its green offerings to include historic buildings, hotels, restaurants, manufacturing facilities and commercial auto.

Fireman’s Fund was recognized by the Environmental Defense Fund for its contributions to the green movement in a new report, “Innovations Review 2008: Making Green the New Business as Usual” ( www.edf.org/InnovationsReview ). Fireman’s Fund was the only insurer highlighted in the report that includes the latest trends and best practices that demonstrate how environmental sustainability efforts are creating new markets and providing competitive advantages.

About Fireman’s Fund

Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and specialty insurance products nationwide. It is rated ‘AA-’ by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services. Fireman’s Fund is a member of the Allianz Group (NYSE:AZ), one of the world’s largest providers of insurance and financial services. For additional information, visit www.firemansfund.com/green.

© 2009 Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, Novato, CA 94998

March 25, 2009 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Continuous Computing to Demonstrate the Future of DPI and Wireless Convergence at CTIA Wireless 2009

Innovative Femtocell, LTE, and DPI Products Illustrate the Company’s Thought Leadership and Highlight Successes with C&S Microwave, Procera Networks, and picoChip


CTIA Wireless 2009

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Continuous Computing®, the only company deploying uniquely architected systems comprised of telecom platforms and Trillium® software, will showcase demonstrations, customers, and partners at CTIA Wireless 2009 that illustrate the future of wireless convergence and reaffirm the company’s commitment to providing time-saving and performance-optimizing products in the femtocell, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) markets.

At the company’s booth (Hall C1/C2 #5506), Continuous Computing will also discuss its recently announced Wireless and DPI solutions designed to enable Network Equipment Providers (NEPs) to accelerate the delivery of carrier-class systems to market by upwards of 12 to 24 months. Resulting in up to a 50 percent higher return on investment, Continuous Computing capabilities help NEPs meet high operator demand despite budget reductions related to the current economic environment. To this end, customers Procera Networks (NYSE Alternext US: PKT) and C&S Microwave will exhibit the capabilities of their PacketLogic DPI and Femtocell Access Point product lines respectively, both of which are powered by Continuous Computing, and partner picoChip will also be in Continuous Computing’s CTIA booth to showcase its femtocell capabilities and underscore the exciting home base station market opportunity.

“Continuous Computing is addressing the real concerns of both NEPs and operators,” said Richard Webb, directing analyst at Infonetics Research. “While the wireless market is going through some challenging times, along with most global industries, NEPs must still fulfill market demand and can successfully meet their product and financial objectives by outsourcing larger-scale projects to qualified companies like Continuous Computing.”

Continuous Computing will also announce an alliance with an industry-leading company that provides high-performance embedded networking and security software at CTIA Wireless 2009. The partnership will result in converged and standalone femtocell solutions that will allow NEPs to get to market much faster with femtocell products that offer a comprehensive feature set and easier installation, provisioning, and management for both the service provider and the end customer.

“We are committed to being the one-stop-shop for NEPs of all sizes who can leverage our knowledge and expertise in the femtocell, LTE, and DPI arenas,” said Mike Coward, chief technology officer and co-founder of Continuous Computing. “Continuous Computing is the only provider in our space who combines DPI, wireless, and Trillium expertise and is focused on working with NEPs to bring the next generation of solutions to market.”

At CTIA Wireless, Continuous Computing will provide multiple examples that showcase the company’s advanced software and hardware femtocell, LTE, and DPI integration expertise, including:


The “Adaptive Traffic Shaping” demonstration shows advanced DPI capabilities that can be used by NEPs and wireless operators to adjust and maintain end-user bandwidth in spite of dynamic changes to overall network loading. The patent-pending solution architecture features application-level software and FlexTCA™ DPI system integration provided by the company’s new Solutions & Services business practice.

A joint Continuous Computing / Cavium Networks demonstration combines market-leading Trillium LTE protocol software integrated with the Cavium OCTEON Plus CN58xx Multi-Core MIPS64 processor. The demonstration will include the S1-MME interface (Trillium S1AP and SCTP stacks) running on a Cavium OCTEON Plus CN58xx evaluation board.

A femtocell solution suite features Trillium Femtocell software, TeamF1 security and wireless gateway software, and picoChip silicon for high-speed voice, video, and data on Femtocell Access Points and Femtocell Gateways.

For more information about Continuous Computing, converged femtocell devices, and the company’s broad range of Wireless and DPI solutions capabilities, please go to www.ccpu.com or visit the company at CTIA Wireless 2009 (located in Central Hall C1/C2 at stand #5506) held from April 1-3, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV.


About Continuous Computing

Continuous Computing® is the only company deploying uniquely architected systems comprised of telecom platforms and Trillium® software. Leveraging more than 20 years of innovation, the company enables network equipment providers to rapidly deploy carrier-class LTE, DPI, and femtocell applications with reduced risk, cost, and complexity. Only Continuous Computing combines open-standards systems, Trillium protocol software, and expert professional services to create fully-integrated solutions that empower more than 150 customers worldwide to accelerate new product delivery and maximize return on investment. www.ccpu.com.

Continuous Computing is an active member of 3GPP, Blade.org, CP-TA, ETSI, Femto Forum, Intel ECA, and the SCOPE Alliance.

Continuous Computing, the Continuous Computing logo, and Trillium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Continuous Computing Corporation. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

March 25, 2009 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Symmetricom Announces Worldwide Availability of IEEE 1588-2008 PTP Translator at CTIA WIRELESS 2009

Symmetricom Industry Expert Speaking on Synchronization/IP Backhaul Panel; Highlighting TimeProvider® 500 Translator System for Accelerated Deployment of Ethernet Backhaul


CTIA Wireless 2009

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Symmetricom®, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYMM), a worldwide leader in precise time and frequency technologies that accelerate the deployment and enable the management of next generation networks, today announced the worldwide availability of its TimeProvider® 500 IEEE 1588-2008 PTP Translator System. A standalone, compact device, the TimeProvider 500 is a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) translator that enables network service providers and equipment manufacturers to accelerate the upgrade of their existing network infrastructure to accommodate next generation, packet-based timing and synchronization over Ethernet backhaul. The TimeProvider 500 is being featured at International CTIA WIRELESS 2009, April 1-3, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The TimeProvider 500 enables network operators to dramatically reduce their operating costs by enabling immediate migration from a traditional TDM backhaul infrastructure to Ethernet backhaul without compromising quality of service,” commented Gurdip Jande, senior vice president of marketing at Symmetricom. “Ready for immediate deployment to wireless carriers, the TimeProvider 500 does not require a forklift upgrade to existing base station equipment, resulting in lower Capex and Opex expenditures while increasing network bandwidth.”

The TimeProvider 500 has been successfully deployed in more than two dozen PTP lab trials and is currently being rolled out by a major North American wireless service provider. Extremely easy to implement, it eliminates the need for a native, embedded PTP client solution in base stations and other end-point devices, allowing for rapid deployment of Ethernet backhaul with quick ROI. Symmetricom is also featuring its TimeProvider 5000 at CTIA Wireless. The TimeProvider 5000, a carrier class PTP grandmaster, utilizes a fully redundant hardware architecture to deliver the highest possible level of reliability and resiliency for critical timing and frequency applications in IP/MPSL packet-based networks.

Symmetricom’s senior marketing director, Rajendra Datta, will be speaking on the panel, “Synchronization Keeps Ethernet Backhaul on Time” at the “IP Backhaul: Getting More for Less” conference on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 10:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. PDT in room N257/259. Rajendra Datta and other industry experts will be discussing synchronization options for IP/Ethernet, emerging ITU and IEEE standards and how wireless operators can incorporate synchronization into their next generation backhaul networks.

For more information on Rajendra Datta’s presentation, visit: http://www.telecommagazine.com/2009/CTIA/#.

Symmetricom products will be highlighted at CTIA Wireless in the Walker and Associates booth #6506.

Symmetricom offers one of the most comprehensive IEEE 1588-2008 end-to-end solutions in the industry. For more information, visit: http://www.symmetricom.com/products/ieee-1588-ptp-solutions/.

About International CTIA WIRELESS 2009

As the largest wireless show in the world representing a $1 trillion global industry, International CTIA WIRELESS brings together all industries advanced by wireless technology for three days of intense learning and networking. Visit www.ctiashow.com. CTIA -The Wireless Association® is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers. For more association information, visit www.ctia.org.

About Symmetricom, Inc.

As a worldwide leader in precise time and frequency products and services, Symmetricom provides “Perfect Timing” to customers around the world. Since 1985, the company’s solutions have helped define the world’s time and frequency standards, delivering precision, reliability and efficiency to wireline and wireless networks, instrumentation and testing applications and network time management. Deployed in more than 90 countries, the company’s synchronization solutions include primary reference sources, building integrated timing supplies (BITS), GPS timing receivers, time and frequency distribution systems, network time servers and ruggedized oscillators. Symmetricom also incorporates technologies including Universal Timing Interface (UTI), Network Time Protocol (NTP), IEEE 1588 (Precision Time Protocol), and others supporting the world’s migration to Next Generation Networks (NGN). Symmetricom’s QoE video quality management solutions provide the tools necessary to accurately monitor and analyze video quality and bring higher satisfaction levels to the end user. Symmetricom is based in San Jose, Calif., with offices worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.symmetricom.com.

SYMM-P

March 25, 2009 07:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

OBN Holdings (Japan) Hires General Manager

Masami Inoue Added to OBN Management Team


TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OBN Holdings Japan Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of OBN Holdings (Pink Sheets: OBNI), today announced hiring of Ms. Masami Inoue as General Manager. “OBN Holdings is thrilled that Ms. Inoue has agreed to join our organization,” stated Roger Neal Smith, OBN Holdings President and CEO. “She has played a pivotal role in the establishment of our Tokyo office, and continues to impress us with her professionalism and dedication to accomplishing OBNI’s mission.”

As General Manager of OBN Holdings Japan, her responsibility is to oversee the operations of OBN’s acquisition and business development activities throughout Japan. Ms. Inoue is also responsible for overseeing projects in which the company is engaged.

About Masami Inoue

Ms. Inoue has extensive experience in business development and computer science. Prior to working with OBN Holdings, she worked for Access Co., a Tokyo-based computer software company. She also worked on a freelance basis with such major companies as Nomura Securities, Toyota, Hitachi, Canon and Fujitsu. Ms. Inoue attended Hosei University in Tokyo, Japan, and California State University, Northridge in Los Angeles, California. She is a native speaker of Japanese, and is fully fluent in English.

About OBN Holdings

OBN Holdings is engaged in acquiring and subsequently developing businesses worldwide. Its mergers and acquisition activities have resulted in the company having interests in a diverse number of industries, including entertainment, manufacturing, technology and business services. OBN is internationally diversified with offices and subsidiaries in the United States, Hong Kong and Japan.

For the latest SEC filings or past news releases, go to the company’s web site at www.obnholdings.com and click on the Media heading. Information about OBN Holdings Japan can be found at www.obnholdings.com/en, and information about OBN Holdings Hong Kong can be found at www.obnholdings.com/us.

OBN Holdings, Inc.: 8275 South Eastern Avenue, Suite 200, Las Vegas, Nevada 89123; 702-435-0544.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of OBN Holdings, Inc., nor shall there be any sale of any such security in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Forward-looking statements: This press release and other statements by OBN Holdings may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act with respect to the outlook for earnings and revenues, other future financial or business performance, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “potential”, or future/conditional verbs such as “will”, “should” and “could”.

March 25, 2009 07:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Comsys: Unique Multimode Mobile WiMAX/GSM-EDGE Smartphone Reference Design Platform by Comsys Mobile

Complete Reference Platform Provides Unparalleled Performance & Integration Reducing Costs and Time to Market for Handset Manufacturers


CTIA Wireless 2009

HERZLIYA, Israel & LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comsys Communication & Signal Processing Ltd. has announced the launch of their latest ComMAX™ reference design platform, the CM1125RD - an optimized multimode mobile WiMAX/GSM-EDGE smartphone reference design platform. Based on the ComMAX CM1125 baseband processor and integrating market-leading solutions from Comsys Mobile’s Ecosystem partners, it incorporates all the features and functionalities required of smartphones, from antennae up to application processor.

OEM/ODMs can now receive a complete pre-integrated form-factor solution enabling maximum optimization and reduced time to market.

In addition to multimode mobile WiMAX/GSM-EDGE, the CM1125RD integrates WLAN, BT, FM radio and GPS connectivity, enabling coexistence of radios for all usage scenarios. The solution complies with WiMAX Forum mobile WiMAX requirements and 3GPP GSM/EDGE standards, and supports multimode mobile WiMAX/GSM-EDGE voice call continuity between WiMAX VoIP and GSM CS voice based on a standard IMS platform.

CM1125RD comes with a dedicated debug support unit incorporating Comsys Mobile’s proprietary testing software toolset including the CMon™ & SoCLogger Acquirer™ applications - for easing certification, IOT and WiMAX/GSM-EDGE field trial testing of clients’ manufactured devices.

”With numerous real network rollouts of WiMAX technology this year, the availability of dual mode devices will be very important,” said Randall Schwartz, Principal Consultant of Wireless 20/20. “Not only operators with both GSM and WiMAX operations, but WiMAX operators in countries with significant GSM coverage will need dual mode devices to provide advanced data and voice services in both their initial coverage areas and traditional coverage areas. The Comsys solution has the performance and long battery life to enable interesting form factors for end user devices.”

Comsys Mobile’s Director for WiMAX Product Marketing, Ehud Reshef, stated: “Comsys Mobile is committed to providing a complete solution around the ComMAX line of baseband processors. CM1125RD is the latest in a series of platforms developed for OEM/ODMs, following our ComMAX Evaluation Board and ExpressCard/34 reference design. The platform will facilitate OEM/ODMs efforts in meeting the market’s increasing demands for handsets and smartphones supporting mobile WiMAX/GSM-EDGE.”

CM1125RD will be presented at Comsys Mobile booth #5750-E in WiMAX Pavilion, CTIA Las Vegas, on April 1-3.

About Comsys

For more information about Comsys, please visit the corporate website at http://www.comsysmobile.com

March 25, 2009 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Trust Digital’s Enterprise Mobility Management Platform Among Finalists for Andrew Seybold Choice Award

Platform Recognized in “Most Innovative Mobile Technology” Category for Helping Organizations Embrace Blockbuster Mobile Devices


CTIA Wireless 2009

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Trust Digital, the leading enterprise mobility management provider, today announced its Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) platform has been named a finalist for the 2009 Andrew Seybold Choice Awards in the category of Most Innovative Mobile Technology. This year's winners will be announced at the invitation-only Andrew Seybold Wireless Dinner during CTIA on April 1, 2009, at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Trust Digital is being recognized for its ability to efficiently tackle the issues of centralized management and the enforcement of security policies and configuration within a diverse environment of smartphones. As mobile workers everywhere rush to get the latest devices like the Apple iPhone and Google Android, Trust Digital’s EMM platform gives IT the ability to see and centrally manage devices through audits and help desk capabilities, while blocking non-compliant smartphones from accessing a company’s network.

“As the line between the use of smartphones for work and play blur, standardized security and management across all devices is a necessity for enterprises looking to capitalize on the increase in productivity these devices bring to the mobile workforce,” said Nick Magliato, CEO at Trust Digital. “Trust Digital’s platform takes the complexity and guesswork out of choosing a device and allows the CIO to accelerate crucial mobility initiatives by offering support for nearly any device demanded by these employees.”

“Each year we select award finalists who offer solutions that reflect an intuitive vision of where the mobile and wireless industry is heading,” said Andrew Seybold, company founder of Andrew Seybold, Inc. “For its part, Trust Digital is staying one step ahead of the smartphone revolution by providing a solution that manages and secures even the most advanced mobile devices enabling the CIO to embrace the consumerization of IT.”

Trust Digital’s EMM platform eliminates operational expense by simplifying how IT administrators and help desk specialists implement policies, assist users and enforce compliance for mobile applications across the enterprise. In addition, its unique software-overlay architecture avoids data center expense by easily integrating with existing directory services, database resources and VPN infrastructure. These capabilities, combined with support for almost any smartphone, enables the CIO to provide choices of smartphones and applications to best meet the mobility needs of their workers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


Learn more about Trust Digital’s enterprise mobility management for smartphones

Become an iPhone customer

Get Smart about Enterprise Mobility Management with the latest industry news

Contact Trust Digital to secure and manage your smartphone today


ABOUT TRUST DIGITAL

Trust Digital is the leading provider of enterprise mobility management software for government organizations and Global 2000 companies. IT organizations rely on Trust Digital's solution to cost-effectively secure, rapidly deploy and centrally manage their smartphones. Trust Digital’s unique software-overlay methodology simplifies how IT administrators and help desk specialists implement policies, assist users and enforce compliance for mobile applications. Trust Digital is the trusted mobility company. For more information, please visit our website, www.trustdigital.com

March 25, 2009 06:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time

See Stephen M.R. Covey Live in 16 Cities in The U.S. and Canada: Franklin Covey Co.’s “Business at The Speed of Trust 2009 Tour”

New York Times Bestselling Author of The Speed of Trust to Speak on Restoring Trust

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE:FC), a global provider of training and consulting services, today announced that Stephen M.R. Covey, the #1 Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling author of The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, will be the keynote speaker in 16 cities in the United States and Canada for its “Business at The Speed of Trust 2009 Tour.” During the three-hour events, Covey will present the business case for how high trust can help leaders to lower costs, accelerate results, and increase profits and influence in this economy.

“In this difficult economic climate, trust is the one thing that changes everything in an organization,” said Covey. “It’s the catalyst for all other strategic imperatives, which are more likely to succeed if you start with trust. And, restoring trust in today’s marketplace, especially with customers and layoff survivors, has become more mission critical than ever before. The Speed of Trust is the competitive advantage for growing market share in a down market.”

With confidence weakening across the globe, The Speed of Trust is resonating with leaders struggling to restore trust with stakeholders. The book has been published in 21 languages, and has become a global phenomenon, as evidenced by the demand for Covey to present its concepts in more than 30 international cities. Last year, Covey presented at the World Economic Forum in Beijing, where leaders voted “a crisis of trust and confidence” as the #1 challenge facing organizations in 2009.

About Franklin Covey Co.

Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE:FC) (www.franklincovey.com), is a global provider of training and consulting services in the areas of leadership, productivity, strategy execution, customer loyalty, trust, sales performance, government, education and individual effectiveness. Clients include 90 percent of the Fortune 100, more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500, thousands of small- and mid-sized businesses, numerous government entities and educational institutions. Franklin Covey Co. has 40 direct and licensee offices providing professional services in 147 countries.

March 25, 2009 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Advanstar Expands Global Partner Program Offerings, Adds Several New Members to Its Roster


Licensing International Expo 2009
Brand Licensing Europe 2009

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advanstar Communications (www.advanstar.com), the organizer behind world leading licensing events Licensing International Expo and Brand Licensing Europe, is pleased to announce the addition of several new members to its recently unveiled Global Partner Program, a value added offering created for companies exhibiting at both the US and European shows. The Company also unveiled a partnership with Virtual Press Office (“VPO”)/Business Wire.

All Global Partners will receive an online press kit from VPO reaching journalists in more than 85 countries. As the official news distribution providers, Virtual Press Office/Business Wire will also offer all exhibitors access to their market leading solutions.

Joining the now nearly 40 Global Partners are Chorion, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Korea Culture & Content Agency (KOCCA), and Wiley Publishing. Among the various exclusive and complimentary promotional programs afforded members are inclusion in free publicity before, during and after the events through inclusion in press releases, online activity, License! Global magazine, visitor newsletters, onsite signage and full page profiles in both events’ visitor guides. Partners will also be invited to attend an exclusive free Webinar to help them increase the effectiveness of their exhibiting strategies at both events, as well as exclusive Global Partner Christmas networking events in New York, Los Angeles and London.

Commenting on the recent additions to the program, Brand Licensing Europe event director Jessica Blue, stated, “We are delighted to add Chorion, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Korea Culture & Content Agency (KOCCA), and Wiley Publishing to our growing roster of Global Partners as we continue to look for new and innovative ways to help extend the reach of our exhibitors’ brands beyond the show floor.”

Licensing International Expo with be held June 2-4 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Convention Center, while Brand Licensing Europe 2009 takes place from September 30 through October 1 at Olympia’s Grand Hall in London.

Notes

The full list of Global Partners to date:

4 Kids Entertainment International Ltd.; Alchemy Licensing; BBC Worldwide Licensing; Beanstalk Group, The; E1 Entertainment; Dissero Brands Ltd.; Entertainment Rights; Fitzroy Media, LLC; Fulanitos scl de CV; HIT Entertainment; Intercontinental Licensing Ltd.; ITV Global Entertainment; Jetix Consumer Products; Lego Group, The; LIMA UK; LoCoco Licensing; Ludorum Plc; Lunartics; MGL (Meikeljohn Graphics Ltd); Preziosi Group; Rainbow S.p.A. RDF Rights; The Smiley Company; Target Entertainment, Ltd; Toei Animation Co. Ltd; Tosh World Limited; Turner Enterprises; Twentieth Century Fox; Vicki Thomas Associates; Vipo Land GmbHVooz Company Ltd.; Chorion; Warner Bros. Consumer Products; Korea Culture & Content Agency (KOCCA); and Wiley Publishing.

About Advanstar Communications:

Advanstar Communications Inc. ( www.advanstar.com ) is a leading worldwide media company with a portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Its events include Licensing International and Brand Licensing Europe: both leading events in their markets. Brand Licensing Europe is organized by Advanstar Communications UK.

About Licensing International Expo 2009

Licensing International Expo 2009 (www.licensingexpo.com), taking place June 2-4 at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Convention Center, is the most established licensing event in the world and has become a global marketplace for leveraging brand and property equity for developing new licensed consumer products. The show's appeal brings together top-level retail and manufacturing executives from more than 82 countries who look to Licensing International Expo 2009 to discover new brands and revenue generating opportunities within the $191 Billion licensing industry.

About Brand Licensing Europe:

Brand Licensing Europe ( www.brandlicensingeurope.com ) – organized by Advanstar Communications UK – is the only pan-European event dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Brand Licensing Europe 2008 was held on October 1-2 at Olympia’s Grand Hall in London attracting 4279 visitors from all over Europe.

Brand Licensing 2006 received Commended in the Trade Show of the Year category at the AEO Excellence Awards 2007, and was a finalist for Most Effective Marketing Campaign, Exhibition News Awards 2007, and Most Improved Established Exhibition at the 2007 Event Awards.

March 25, 2009 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Ameron Reports Lower First-Quarter Results

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ameron International Corporation (NYSE: AMN) today reported net income of $3.8 million, or $.42 per diluted share in the first quarter ended March 1, 2009, compared to net income of $9.7 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter ended March 2, 2008. Sales totaled $146.0 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $149.8 million, in 2008.

The decrease in earnings was principally due to the lower earnings from TAMCO, Ameron’s 50%-owned steel mini-mill, which experienced a significant decline in demand for steel rebar due to the reduction in construction spending in California, Arizona and Nevada. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe and Infrastructure Products Groups had lower sales and earnings, which were in large part offset by higher sales and earnings from the Water Transmission Group. The Water Transmission Group had higher sales and earnings primarily as a result of increased wind tower shipments and improved plant efficiencies.

James S. Marlen, Ameron’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “The first-quarter results of the Company’s core operations were, on balance, steady in spite of the global economic environment. The lower earnings for the first quarter were principally due to TAMCO which has been confronted with an unprecedented decline in steel rebar demand.”

The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group had lower sales and segment income in the first quarter of 2009 primarily as a result of soft market conditions in Europe and Brazil and the timing of shipments from Asian operations. Sales decreased $9.1 million, or 14%, in the first quarter of 2009; while segment income was down $2.0 million, or 12%. Weaker foreign currencies reduced sales $2.6 million, compared to last year. Operations in Europe had lower sales due to weak demand in marine and offshore markets. Operations in Brazil experienced weaker industrial demand primarily in the pulp and paper industry, while operations in Asia delayed shipments due to the inability of customers to arrange financing. Operations in the U.S. had higher sales and income principally as a result of increased marine and oilfield piping and tubing sales. The demand for fiberglass piping remains steady in the marine and offshore market segments, and the business maintains a healthy backlog in these segments. The onshore oilfield market slowed in the first quarter due to volatile oil prices. Worldwide industrial demand also slowed. The construction of two new plants in Brazil remains on schedule. The Centron plant to serve the onshore oilfield market in South America was completed and began production in the first quarter, while the Bondstrand plant which will primarily serve the marine and offshore markets should be completed late in 2009. The Fiberglass-Composite Pipe Group is expected to continue to moderate during 2009 due to the overall economic climate, the effect of oil prices and energy demand on oil production and the impact of tight credit markets.

The Infrastructure Products Group had lower sales and segment income in the first quarter of 2009. Sales decreased $5.6 million, or 13%, while segment income declined $2.5 million, or 40%. Both the Hawaii Division and the Pole Products Division had lower sales and segment income. The Hawaii Division’s ready-mix concrete and aggregates business experienced lower demand on both Oahu and Maui as construction spending weakened. The Pole Products Division was affected by the weak residential housing market which reduced the demand for decorative concrete lighting poles. The U.S. housing market remained at the lowest level in many years and is not expected to recover in the short term. The construction sector in Hawaii has been impacted by the recessionary economy, a slowdown in tourism and tight credit. An improvement for the Infrastructure Products Group is not anticipated in 2009.

The Water Transmission Group had higher sales and segment income in the first quarter of 2009. The sales increase totaled $10.6 million, or 26%, while segment income increased $4.5 million due to the higher sales and improved plant efficiencies. The sales improvement was attributed to increased shipments of wind towers as water pipe sales were about even with last year. The western U.S. market for large-diameter, high-pressure water transmission pipelines remains slow with bid activity well below historical levels. While numerous, large projects are in the planning and specifications stage, it is uncertain when projects will proceed. The timing of bid activity is being influenced by municipal budgets, availability of financing in tight credit markets and the slowdown in housing construction. Longer term, new and upgraded water infrastructure will be required to support population growth, to provide adequate water supply and to develop redundant water supplies. Near term, the water pipe business will continue to experience soft market demand. The wind energy market in recent months contracted due to the lack of financing available to wind farm developers. During the first quarter, the wind tower business had order postponements totaling approximately 30% of the order backlog. Until financing and incentives are provided to the wind energy industry, wind tower activity will remain depressed.

TAMCO had significantly lower sales in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 2008. The business incurred a net loss of $5.2 million, compared to the net income of $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2008. Ameron’s share of TAMCO’s net loss totaled $2.3 million after taxes in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $2.8 million of net income in 2008. Infrastructure spending in California, Arizona and Nevada declined abruptly during the fourth quarter of 2008 and continued through the first quarter of 2009. The demand for steel rebar is extremely low, and recovery in the short term is not expected. As a result of the low demand, TAMCO shut down mill operations in December and has served the market needs with existing inventory. It is expected that TAMCO will start-up operations on a limited basis in the second quarter of 2009.

James S. Marlen continued, “As expected, the global recession and the difficult market conditions impacted the Company’s performance in the first quarter and produced lower results than in 2008. These conditions are expected to continue for the balance of 2009, which will be challenging. The Company has taken numerous steps to support profitability on lower volume, including scaling back production, personnel and costs.

“There is a great deal of uncertainty in the economy. As the government stimulus programs begin to be implemented, we could see an improvement of activity since most of Ameron’s businesses are well-positioned to benefit from higher infrastructure spending. Until then, the Company has the liquidity and strong cash flow to manage through the current economic downturn.”

Ameron International Corporation is a multinational manufacturer of highly-engineered products and materials for the chemical, industrial, energy, transportation and infrastructure markets. Traded on the New York Stock Exchange (AMN), Ameron is a leading producer of water transmission lines and fabricated steel products, such as wind towers; fiberglass-composite pipe for transporting oil, chemicals and corrosive fluids and specialized materials and products used in infrastructure projects. The Company’s businesses operate in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. It also participates in several joint-venture companies in the U.S. and the Middle East.

All statements in this press release and in all future press releases that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements represent the intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs of Ameron International Corporation (the “Company” or “Ameron”), and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. For a written description of these factors, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2008. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking statements whether as a result of subsequent events or otherwise except as required by law.

AMERON INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 25, 2009 03:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NLU Products Showcases Protective Skins for Mobile Devices at CTIA 2009

Developer of BodyGuardz, TatSkinz and ScreenGuardz Attends Second CTIA


CTIA Wireless 2009
Booth #6246

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International CTIA Wireless Show 2009, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #6246 - NLU Products, the developer of scratch-proof, transparent skins for mobile devices, today announced that it will be exhibiting its BodyGuardz, TatSkinz and ScreenGuardz protective skins for mobile devices at CTIA 2009. The company’s line of protective skins for handheld devices represent thin, custom-fit, transparent and reliable protection for a wide range of handheld devices.

“In what proves to be a very challenging economy, NLU Products continues to have a very successful year. Our recently-announced relationships with new distributors TESSCO and Xentris are just the latest examples of the momentum we’re building for BodyGuardz, ScreenGuardz and TatSkinz,” said Kirk Feller, president of NLU Products. “This year’s CTIA Show will give us even more opportunity to demonstrate the value of these three products for protecting all kinds of mobile devices.”

BodyGuardz, TatSkinz and ScreenGuardz complement handheld devices like cell phones, media players, gaming units, Macbooks and other items by helping provide for a longer lifespan for exterior hardware through custom-cut, non-intrusive protection. The products are removable and require no special care or maintenance.

BodyGuardz, the company's flagship product, consists of a thin, transparent scratch-resistant layer of the same material commonly used to shield the front of automobiles. The removable skins are cut specifically to fit handheld products such as Blackberries, iPhones and iPods, adhering directly to the devices without leaving sticky residues. The thin material protects device screens without impeding touch-screen functionality. BodyGuardz for handheld devices are now available for US MSRP $24.95.

TatSkinz provide handheld devices with protective capabilities similar to BodyGuardz while offering stylish, original designs that add personality to the consumer's device. TatSkinz are available for a wide range of handheld devices, including most cell phones, and allow for regular functionality with specific cuts for the device's ports. TatSkinz are available for US MSRP $14.95.

ScreenGuardz cling to handheld device screens without impeding touch-screen functionality, enhancing the interface and experience while providing protection for the device's most sensitive exterior hardware. The protection is especially important for touch-screen devices where nicks and scratches can impede regular practicality. ScreenGuardz for handheld devices are now available for US MSRP $11.95.

For more information on how NLU Products work to protect handheld devices, please visit www.bodyguardz.com, www.tatskinz.com or www.screenguardz.com.

About NLU Products

NLU Products, L.L.C. was founded in 2002 and is committed to offering top quality products and services at a reasonable price. The company prides itself in delivering products and providing service and delivery that customers notice is a step above the rest. Kirk Feller, President of NLU Products, has a simple philosophy: Listen to customers, provide top quality protectors, fulfill orders quickly and efficiently, and do it all at a price everyone can afford. NLU Products has developed the popular ScreenGuardz brand mobile device screen protectors, as well as BodyGuardz brand scratch-proof, transparent mobile device protectors, and TatSkinz, protectors with custom designs for phone personalization.

For more information, please visit: www.nluproducts.com.

March 24, 2009 06:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time

U.S. Celebrity Impersonator Trina Johnson-Finn Jailed Unjustifiably in South America after Alleged Toni Braxton Concert Scam

Promoter Skips Town, While Shocked Professional Toni Braxton Impersonator Takes Undeserved Heat; Husband Pleads for Help


LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After false accusations of involvement in the alleged Toni Braxton concert scam, Professional Celebrity Impersonator Trina Johnson-Finn (Johnson), was wrongly arrested by Suriname authorities and charged with fraud, swindling and receiving, according to publicist Lynn Allen Jeter & Associates. Although proof of Johnson’s innocence was clearly established, she has been held under corrupt conditions since early March.

In accordance with the law, U.S. booking agency RNRH Entertainment employed Johnson to impersonate Toni Braxton. “I am completely innocent. I was hired to do a tribute imitation act for a birthday celebration,” said Johnson. The bewildered performer had the understanding that everyone knew she was a celebrity look-a-like, and was jolted after attacks with flying objects and misguided accusations. Event contracts, business licenses and a number of email transmissions support Johnson’s innocence.

Angel Ventura of Events 4 Suriname - a Paramaribo, Suriname company - promoted the event to the Surinamese people as a Toni Braxton Concert. Ventura contracted Johnson through RNRH Entertainment. “I am appalled by Angel Ventura and his companions and I feel bad for the people of Suriname who were also deceived,” said Johnson. Ventura vanished after the show began, apparently with all the proceeds from more than 2,000 ticket sales, leaving Johnson and husband Raymond Finn accused unjustly. “My wife is a victim, she had no intention of deceiving anyone, she had no involvement in promoting or advertising the event, and she received none of the proceeds of the event,” said Finn.

Finn, concerned with his wife’s safety while traveling to South America alone, accompanied her to Suriname. He was also jailed with no evidence to substantiate his detainment, and released after two weeks while Johnson remains in custody indefinitely.

Since a criminal charge was filed, the U.S. Embassy in Suriname cannot intervene. As yet, the Suriname Officials neglect to inform the media of evidence that supports Johnson’s innocence or to divulge any evidence that justifies her continued detainment. Finn is fighting to secure his wife’s release. Although she is innocent, Johnson could be held for three years. Johnson’s family and friends have appealed for help from Senator Harry Reid and Congresswoman Shelley Berkeley as well as other top U.S. officials.

March 24, 2009 02:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Schuff Steel Company Receives Two Best of the Best Awards from McGraw-Hill Construction


PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schuff Steel Company, a subsidiary of Schuff International, Inc. (OTC: SHFK), a leading family of companies providing fully integrated steel construction services, was recognized by McGraw-Hill Construction for two Best of the Best Awards for design and construction excellence. Schuff was recognized in two categories, including Specialty Contracting for The Crystals at CityCenter in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Public Green Building category for Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Academic Complex in Mesa, Arizona. Schuff was the steel fabricator and erector on both projects.

Two hundred and twenty-five projects advanced from McGraw-Hill Construction’s 11 regional contests to the national competition. Judges selected 23 national winners in 22 categories. “The judges for our inaugural national awards were very impressed by the caliber of projects submitted,” said Janice Tuchman, editor-in-chief, Engineering News-Record. “It’s important for our industry to celebrate the many positive achievements accomplished in 2008, especially during the current economic times.”

The Crystals is the retail portion of CityCenter, the largest privately financed project in the country. The project is one of the most complex projects Schuff Steel Company has fabricated and erected in its 32-year history. To complete the structural steel portion of the project, Schuff fabricated and erected 16,455 unique pieces of steel. The structure’s intricate roof design has no right angles; it consists of thousands of massive beams, 80 major trusses, 160 trusses and 69 pipe columns that literally cut through one another, leaning at extreme angles—as much as 40 degrees. Every piece of steel required calculations to test for load capacity, fabrication and constructability. Other team members involved on the project included Adamson-Associates, architect of record; Perini Building Company, general contractor on CityCenter; Halcrow Yolles, structural engineer; and BDS Steel Detailers.

Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Academic Complex in Mesa, Arizona, won a Best of the Best Award for excellence in Public Green Building. The 245,000-sq-ft project has received LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council. The three-building project unites three academic schools, in addition to laboratories, classrooms, faculty offices, a lecture hall and a fine arts performance space. The structural system has an exposed steel frame comprised of 1,931 tons of steel. Schuff was the steel fabricator and erector on the project. Project members included RSP Architects Ltd., DPR Construction, Inc., and Paragon Structural Design, the project engineer.

According to Ryan Schuff, president and CEO of Schuff Steel Company, “We are extremely pleased to receive national recognition on these two exceptional projects.”

About Schuff International, Inc.

Schuff International, Inc. (OTC: SHFK) and its family of steel companies is the largest steel fabrication and erection company in the United States. The 33-year-old company constructs major projects throughout the country. Schuff offers integrated steel construction services from a single source. Professional services include design-build, design-assist, engineering, BIM participation, 3D steel modeling/detailing, fabrication, advanced field erection, joist and joist girder manufacturing, project management, and single-source steel management systems. Major market segments include industrial, public works, bridges, health care, gaming and hospitality, convention centers, stadiums, mixed-use and retail, transportation, and international projects. Schuff International, Inc., which is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, owns and operates nine steel fabrication plants and two steel joist-manufacturing plants. Companies include Schuff Steel Company located in AZ, NV and CA; Schuff Steel-Midwest Division located in Overland Park, KS, Ottawa, KS, Chicago, IL and Denver, CO; Schuff Steel-Gulf Coast, Inc., located in Houston, TX; Schuff Steel-Atlantic, Inc., located in Orlando, FL, Albany, GA and Atlanta, GA; Schuff Steel Management Company-Southwest, Inc., located in Gilbert, AZ; and Quincy Joist Company located in Quincy, FL and Buckeye, AZ. Schuff employs approximately 1,500 people throughout the country. For more information, visit www.schuff.com.

March 24, 2009 02:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Fitch Downgrades Five Classes of COMM 2005-FL11; Assigns Outlooks


CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fitch Ratings takes various actions and assigns Rating Outlooks to COMM 2005-FL11 commercial mortgage pass-through certificates.

Fitch downgrades the following classes:

--$24.4 million class J to 'BBB' from 'A-'; Outlook Negative;

--$25.9 million class K to 'B-' from 'BBB'; Outlook Negative;

--$21.6 million class L to 'CCC/RR1' from 'BBB-'.

--$24.4 million class G to 'AA-' from 'AA'; Outlook Negative;

--$21.6 million class H to 'A' from 'A+'; Outlook Negative.

Fitch has also removed classes J, K and L from Rating Watch Negative.

Additionally, Fitch affirms the following classes:

--$257.7 million class A-J at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--$31.6 million class B at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--$35.9 million class C at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--$24.4 million class D at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--$31.6 million class E at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--Interest Only class X-2-CB at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--Interest Only class X-2-DB at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--Interest Only class X-3-CB at 'AAA'; Outlook Stable;

--Interest Only class X-3-DB at 'AAA'. Outlook Stable;

--$28.8 million class F at 'AA+'; Outlook Stable;

--$28.2 million class S-GP at 'BBB-'; Outlook Stable;

--$31.9 million class T-GP at 'BB+'; Outlook Stable;

--$32.4 million class U-GP at 'BB'; Outlook Stable;

--$13.4 million class V-GP at 'B+'; Outlook Stable.

Classes A-1, X-1, X-2-SG, X-3-SG, M-SHI, M-COP, M-GP, N-GP, O-GP, P-GP, Q-GP, and R-GP have paid in full.

The downgrades are largely due to expected losses related to DDR/Macquarie Mervyn's Portfolio (4.7%) and declining performance of Crossgates Commons (4.8%).

The Mervyn's Portfolio is secured by approximately 32 single-tenanted retail properties located in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, with the majority of the 2.6 million sf located in shopping centers and malls. In October 2008, Mervyn's announced the liquidation of its assets. Three stores were sold in February 2009, resulting in a $21 million paydown to the pooled certificates. Based on updated valuation provided by the special servicer, losses are expected to the pooled classes as the outstanding trust debt exceeds the recent appraisal value. The loan remains current as of the March payment date.

The loan is split into three pari passu notes, including the floating-rate A-3 note in this transaction, the fixed-rate A-1 note ($106.3 million) securitized in the GE 2005-C4 transaction, the fixed-rate A-2 note ($106.3 million) securitized in GMAC 2006-C1 transaction. Fitch rates the GMAC 2006-C1 transaction. The floating rate note has a maturity date of Oct. 1, 2009, with one remaining twelve-month extension option. The fixed-rate notes have maturity dates of Oct. 1, 2010.

Crossgates Commons is secured by an anchored retail property in Albany, NY. The loan remains current; however, the property has experienced a decrease in rental income and an increase in repairs and maintenance expense. Circuit City accounted for approximately 7% of the net rentable area and 15% of the base rental income, based on the December 2008 rent roll. The servicer reported a debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) of 0.86 times (x) for the year ended 2008. Fitch no longer considers this loan investment grade.

The Whitehall/Starwood Golf Portfolio loan has been reduced by 52.9% to $94.1 million from $220 million at issuance. The rake classes to that loan have been reduced to $105.9 million from $225 million at issuance. Twenty courses were released from the portfolio in 2008, and one has been released in 2009.

The affirmations are due to stable performance of the remaining loans since issuance. The Rating Outlooks reflect the likely direction of any rating changes over the next one to two years. The Negative Outlooks were assigned due to the high concentration of retail properties (82.8%).

As of the March 2009 distribution date, the transaction's aggregate pooled principal balance has decreased 68.6% since issuance. Six of the original 17 loans remain in the trust. All of the loans are scheduled to mature in 2009, and all have one twelve-month extension options remaining.

The largest loan in the pool, Toys R Us DE Portfolio (48.3% of the pool), is secured by 60 Toys R stores, 25 Babies R Us stores, and four distribution centers located in 26 states. The servicer reported a DSCR of 2.41x for the twelve months ended January 2008. Fitch will review the financials for the twelve months ended January 2009 when they are available.

Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.

March 24, 2009 02:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Wilson Electronics to Demonstrate Innovative Cellular Signal Enhancement Kits for Keeping the Work Force Connected at the Office, Home or the Road at CTIA Wireless 2009 in Las Vegas, April 1st thru April 3rd


CTIA Wireless 2009
ST. GEORGE, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wilson Electronics, Inc.:

New Product Highlights

iBooster™ Family

The Plug and Play iBooster products will greatly reduce dropped calls and increase data rates on an iPhone™, BlackBerry® Curve™ or other PDA’s. iBooster features a bi-directional Smart Technology® signal amplifier and battery charger built inside a hands free cradle. Installation is similar to that of a Satellite Radio receiver.

MobilePro™

Wilson’s easy to carry, easy to use MobilePro improves a road warrior’s cell phone and data card performance on the road, airports, hotels, homes and offices. MobilePro increases the output power and incoming signal sensitivity of nearby phone or data cards without a direct connection to the cell device. The MobilePro can be powered from a USB port, an auto cigarette lighter socket or standard house current.

SignalBoost™ DB Pro

Industry’s most installer friendly, multi carrier building amplifier product features installation simplicity without sacrificing performance. An external omni directional gain antenna eliminates the need to pin point cell site locations and enables signal enhancement to multiple phones regardless of service provider. Antennas which rebroadcast the stronger signal inside the building, are designed for in wall or above ceiling installation. All components interconnect using easily available Satellite TV cable, often found preinstalled.

About Wilson Electronics

Wilson Electronics, Inc., a leader in communications products for over 42 years, has consistently led the industry in performance standards and holds a number of patents including the industry’s fastest and most reliable method of oscillation prevention and carrier cell site protection. Wilson Electronics’ designs consistently outperform the competition in real world performance. For more information, visit www.wilsonelectronics.com.