Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Barry Manilow and Matthew Weiner, Emmy(R) Award-Winning Creator & Executive Producer of AMC's MAD MEN, to Accept Honorary CLIO Awards Live at the 50th Anniversary Festival

- Register online today at www.CLIOAwards.com to see Barry Manilow and Matthew Weiner accept their Honorary CLIO Awards in Las Vegas -

NEW YORK, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The CLIO Awards, one of the world's most prestigious international advertising and design competitions honoring creative excellence and innovation in the industry, today announced that Barry Manilow, Emmy Award-winning singer and songwriter, and Matthew Weiner, Emmy Award-winning creator and executive producer of AMC's MAD MEN, will accept Honorary CLIO Awards live at the 50th Anniversary CLIO Awards at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, May 12 - 14.

"To celebrate 50 years of excellence in advertising, design and interactive, the CLIO Awards are honored to recognize Barry Manilow and Matthew Weiner for their distinguished contributions to the industry," said Wayne Youkhana, director of the CLIO Awards. "We're thrilled to present honorary awards for the 50th Anniversary CLIO Awards to individuals who have each created bodies of work that have evolved into cultural phenomena acknowledged around the world."

Barry Manilow, who has produced some of the most famous advertising jingles of all time for companies such as State Farm, Band-Aid, Tab and Stridex, will accept his Honorary CLIO Award during The Moving Image Awards on Thursday, May 14th. In 1976, Manilow was the recipient of two CLIO Awards for his well-known television and radio commercial jingles. He received a CLIO for Best Television/Cinema Commercial for his composition of the jingle "Stuck on Me" for Johnson & Johnson's Band-Aid brand (Young & Rubicam, New York), as well as an award for Best International Radio Commercial for his performance in the jingle "Countdown" for Coca-Cola Company's soft drink, Tab (McCann-Erickson, Toronto). Best known for his musical recordings including "Mandy", "Weekend in New England" and "Copacabana", Manilow has sold more than 75 million records worldwide and is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time, according to R&R (Radio&Records) and Billboard magazines.

Matthew Weiner, winner of four Primetime Emmy Awards and Executive Producer and Creator of AMC's MAD MEN, will accept his Honorary CLIO Award during the Communications Awards on Tuesday, May 12th. Weiner will be recognized as one of the most powerful storytellers to ever tackle the rise of advertising in America through a critically acclaimed original television series. The show, set in 1960s New York, follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive world of Madison Avenue advertising executives. MAD MEN, which has one won two Golden Globes for Best Television Drama, is returning to AMC for its third season in summer 2009. Prior to his work on MAD MEN, Weiner was the Executive Producer of HBO's hit drama series THE SOPRANOS during the final seasons in which the show won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

The final entry submission deadline for all advertising, design, interactive, strategic communications/public relations work appearing between January 1, 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 is due Monday, March 2.

For more information about the 50th Anniversary CLIO Awards or to register online for the festival, please visit www.clioawards.com.

Find us on our page on Facebook and on our group on LinkedIn.

About The CLIO Awards

The CLIO Awards is one of the world's most recognized awards competition for advertising, design and interactive. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2009, the CLIO Awards has maintained its original commitment to celebrate and reward creative excellence, honoring a powerful form of communication and its impact on modern culture. At the same time, the CLIO Awards remains focused on evolving with the industry in order to acknowledge the most current, breakthrough work. To this day, CLIO's iconic statute is the most widely recognized and coveted symbol of the industry's creative accomplishments. The CLIO Awards are produced by Nielsen Business Media, a part of The Nielsen Company, a global information and media company.

About The Nielsen Company

The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence, mobile measurement, trade shows and business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek). The privately held company is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA. For more information, please visit, www.nielsen.com.

    CLIO Awards Media Contact:
    Lauren Bobrowich, Coburn Communication
    212.536.9838
    lauren.bobrowich@coburnww.com

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Steinway Piano Gallery Long Island, NY Celebrates Grand Opening

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- A brand-new Steinway & Sons showroom piano gallery will host a series of Grand Opening events March 5-8, 2009. The Grand Opening will coincide with the 156th Anniversary of Steinway & Sons, makers of the finest pianos in the world.

The Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery, Long Island, joins the ranks of Steinway showroom galleries in Paramus, NJ, Westport, CT and Miami, FL, as well as our landmark showroom, Steinway Hall in New York City. The new 9,000 square-foot Long Island gallery features new and used Steinway pianos as well as sales consultation, recital space and plans for an education center for private and group lessons.

"This is a fantastic showroom location," said Gordon McNelly, Gallery Manager. "It's also an opportunity for us to reach out to the music community in this region. There are so many piano teachers and musicians in our area; we want to be a resource for them."

In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 5, 2009 featuring representatives of the Melville Chamber of Commerce, the new Long Island Piano Gallery will mark its grand opening with a full weekend of musical events, including:

  • Steinway artist Judy Carmichael, Friday March 6, 7:00 p.m.
  • Children's book reading: Henry the Steinway and the Piano Recital, by Peter Goodrich, Steinway's Vice President in charge of Concert and Artist Activities, Saturday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.
  • "The History of Steinway & Sons," by Miles Chapin, great-great-grandson of Henry Z. Steinway and the author of 88 Keys - the Making of a Steinway Piano, Saturday, March 7, 2:00 p.m.
  • "Broadway's Next Hit Musical," an improvised musical comedy, Saturday, March 7, 8:00 p.m.
  • Steinway artist and author Carol Montparker, Sunday, March 8, 1:00 p.m.
  • The New Millennium Piano Etude Beginner Children and Adult Piano Lessons with Lawrence Spiro, Sunday, March 8, 3:00/5:00 p.m.

These events are free and open to the public. Evening events will feature light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.

"We hope more people than ever will experience the joy of a Steinway piano through this new location," said Todd Sanders, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Steinway & Sons. "The new piano gallery is a sign of our growth and our commitment to the music community. We're especially pleased to celebrate our 156th Anniversary with the opening of this fine new gallery."

The Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery, Long Island, is located at 505 Walt Whitman Road in Melville. For more information, please call (631) 424-0525.

About Steinway & Sons

Since 1853 Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty and investment value. Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Nearly Four Decades of Service to Protect the Arts Recognized With Dedication Ceremony at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts

DETROIT, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- After 37 years of service to one of Detroit's cultural jewels, Music Hall Center for the Performing Art's "first couple" will on February 27th be honored with the dedication of the "Tina and Leland Bassett Lounge" at Music Hall. Tina and Leland Bassett have been tireless supporters of the historic, art-deco arts venue, helping to build it into a nationally recognized cultural center and jazz venue.

"Tina and Leland have made an indelible mark on Music Hall and on Detroit," said Music Hall President and Artistic Director Vince Paul. "I'm thrilled that their unfailing dedication to preserving Music Hall and the arts in Detroit is being recognized in this way."

Tina and Leland Bassett have served in a variety of roles at Music Hall, beginning as volunteers, then chairing Music Hall's first strategic planning task force in the 1980s. They now serve as trustees, Music Hall Advocates and Founding General Co-Chairs of the Producers, Music Hall's individual major donor group. Leland K. Bassett has also served as Chairman of the Board and is currently Vice-Chair.

The Tina and Leland Bassett Lounge is an elegant, art-deco designed room that echoes Music Hall's art gallery. It features a north view of the entertainment district below and will be available as a venue for a variety of events and meetings.

The dedication ceremony will take place before the opening performance of Cirque Eloize's surreal homage to the elements, "Nebbia" at 8:00 p.m.

Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts is a national treasure, having the distinction of being the only surviving stage theatre originally built for live performance in the region. Built in 1928 by Matilda Dodge Wilson, the legendary automaker and lumber baron heiress and philanthropist, the historic art-deco building provides a stage for live performances from top-billed artists from around the globe, including living legends such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Liza Minelli, Lionel Ritchie and Smokey Robinson.

The Jazz Cafe at Music Hall features some of the most prominent jazz musicians in the nation and is being hailed by critics as the most important jazz venue to be built in the nation in recent history.

For more information about Music Hall, visit www.musichall.org, or call (313) 887-8500.

Tina Bassett: Tina Bassett co-founded and is President of Bassett & Bassett, Incorporated, Communication Managers and Counselors, located in the First National Building in Detroit. She is widely recognized for her innovative and creative high-impact communication programs. With a strong background in consumer marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations, she served as the City of Detroit's Director of Public Information as an appointee of Mayor Coleman A. Young from 1974 to 1986. She formed Bassett & Bassett, Incorporated with husband, Leland K. Bassett, in 1986.

Leland K. Bassett: Leland K. Bassett, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Bassett & Bassett, Incorporated, pioneered the application of communication psychology and strategic planning to public relations, corporate communication and integrated strategic communication management for more than a quarter century, establishing the nation's first corporate strategic communication management department in the mid 1970s. He also designed and taught the nation's first graduate strategic communication program at Michigan State University in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences in the 1980s.

    MUSIC HALL
    350 Madison Ave
    Detroit, MI   48226
    (313) 887-8500      www.musichall.org

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Court Denies Motions by Senator John McCain and the Republican National Committee to Dismiss Jackson Browne Lawsuit

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States District Court for the Central District of California has denied the motions of Senator John McCain and the Republican National Committee to dismiss the lawsuit brought by singer/songwriter Jackson Browne for the unauthorized use of Browne's voice and famous song Running On Empty in a presidential campaign commercial. Browne filed suit in August, 2008 for copyright infringement, false endorsement and violation of Browne's right of publicity. In a series of rulings on February 20, 2008, the Hon. R. Gary Klausner, United States District Judge, rejected the defendants' arguments that the First Amendment or copyright's fair use doctrine immunizes their unauthorized use of Browne's voice and song simply because such use occurred in the context of a political campaign commercial. Among the rulings, the Court denied the defendants' special motion to strike (inaccurately dubbed a "countersuit" in some news reports) with respect to Browne's right of publicity claim. In another ruling, the Court dismissed the Ohio Republican Party from the case on jurisdictional grounds, leaving Browne free to pursue his claims against it in Ohio.

The District Court also set a hearing for late April to set a schedule for the case, including a date for the jury trial.

Browne's attorney, Lawrence Iser, of the Santa Monica, California law firm Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Andisert, comments: "The Court's decision is a solid victory for songwriters and performers and reflects an affirmation of their intellectual property rights and their freedom from being conscripted as involuntary endorsers of political candidates and campaign messages. We are happy that the Court recognized that persons and parties running for office are not entitled to violate an individual's intellectual property and publicity rights simply because they are engaged in political campaigns. We look forward to presenting Jackson Browne's case to the jury."

The Court's rulings can be found at www.kwikablog.com.

Contact: Michael Jensen at Jensen Communications, Inc. 626-585-9575 or info@jensencom.com

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Beyonce Announces Official 'Single Ladies' Dance Video Contest

Best Fan-Created Video of "Single Ladies" Choreography To Be Shown On Beyonce's Upcoming World Tour

NEW YORK, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyonce is inviting her fans to create their own versions of her phenomenal "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" clip for the official "Single Ladies" dance video contest. Contestants should adhere precisely to the iconic "Single Ladies" dance routine performed by Beyonce and her two dancers in the original clip - no new choreography should be added.

The grand prize winner of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance video contest will receive $2500.00 (US) and have the winning video shown during Beyonce's "I Am..." World Tour 2009.

The "Single Ladies" dance video contest is open to all Beyonce fans 18-and-older in the United States, the UK and Japan as well as the following territories: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada (excluding Quebec province), Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore and Switzerland.

All submissions should be shot in either QuickTime (.mov) or AVI format in either High Definition (1080p or 720p) or Standard Definition (720x480 pixels or 640x480 pixels) in a standard frame rate (23.98fps, 25fps, 29.97fps or 30fps) on a data DVD-ROM (not a playable DVD).

Contestants should include their full name(s), address, and phone number and address submissions to:

    "Single Ladies"
    8033 Sunset Blvd. #948
    Los Angeles, CA 90046

Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 6, 2009.

All video submissions become the property of Music World Entertainment/Sony Music Entertainment.

Please see full rules for the "Single Ladies" dance video contest at: www.beyonceonline.com.

Lensed in black and white, Beyonce's video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" features the artist in leotard and high-heels, with a pair of similar-dressed back-up dancers, engaged in an intricate dance routine incorporating a variety of styles -- including hip-hop, jazz, vogue, club, tap and more.

While Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," with its themes of accountability and female empowerment, became an international chart-topper and ranked as #1 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Singles of 2008, the artist's stark and iconic video for the song achieved its own independent notoriety when its intricate choreography launched what the Toronto Star called "the first major dance craze of both the new millennium and the Internet." Parodied by Beyonce on "Saturday Night Live" with Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan, the "Single Ladies" dance routine has been recreated in thousands of user-created YouTube videos

and counts President Barack Obama among its adherents.

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17th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Party Celebrating the Academy Awards Raises Nearly $4 Million

Sir Elton John Performed With Special Guest Raphael Saadiq

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Elton John and David Furnish hosted the 17th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) Academy Awards(R) viewing party. The event was held on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at the Pacific Design Center and was co-sponsored by Chopard, Jo and Raffy Manoukian and Vh1. EJAF's party to celebrate the Academy Awards(R) was one of the night's best attended parties and raised nearly $4 million.

The annual gala continues to be the leading fundraising event in Hollywood on Oscar night. This year's gala brought some exciting moments including a live performance by Sir Elton John and special guest Raphael Saadiq, as well as a emotional first-hand account by Kerrel McKay who spoke about her experiences as an HIV/AIDS activist in her home country of Jamaica. McKay also spoke about a public service campaign orchestrated by the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS, supported by the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

This year's guests included the event's esteemed co-chairs Victoria Beckham and John Walters in addition to Hollywood luminaries such as Sir Ben Kingsley, Claire Danes & Hugh Dancy, Gerard Butler, Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor, Quincy Jones, Keifer Sutherland, Whoopi Goldberg, Sharon Stone, Eva Longoria Parker, Kate Beckinsale, Carrie Underwood, Natasha Bedingfield, Chace Crawford, Olivia Wilde, Rosanna Arquette, Josh Groban, Elle Macpherson, Gordon Ramsey, Eric McCormack, Tim Allen, Rashida Jones, Molly Sims, Russell Simmons, Dita Von Teese, Zac Posen, Natasha Henstridge, Terrell Owens, Chris O'Donnell, Paz Vega, Chris Noth, Taye Diggs and Ricki Lake.

Guests arrived for cocktails followed by dinner and viewing of the 81st Annual Academy Awards in the custom-built tent adorned in black and cream hued modern "supper club" decor created exclusively by Antony Todd. The five-course meal, as created by Chef Wayne of Crumble Catering, included carnaroli risotto with dry Marsala wine and crystallized natural flowers, choice of sauteed beef filet or roasted halibut and a dessert puffed chocolate tartlet with raspberry bitter orange sauce, among others.

As is tradition, immediately following dinner, auctioneer Jamie Niven of Sotheby's led the evening's live auction. Items auctioned included the opportunity to dance with Ellen DeGeneras on her Emmy Award winning talk show, which sold for $20,000; two jewel encrusted 10th Anniversary Elton John AIDS Foundation collection watches designed by Chopard went for $250,000 each; a one-hour tennis lesson by tennis champion Andy Roddick sold at auction for $31, 000; taken directly for the Academy Award stage was the "Milk" soap box used by Hugh Jackman in his opening homage to this years' Best Picture nominees; and a three-day, four-night stay at the Normandy, France home of the Forbes family, Chateau de Balleroy, sold for $80,000.

ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION: The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was established in the United States in 1992 (EJAF-US) and in the United Kingdom in 1993 (EJAF-UK) by founder and chairman Sir Elton John. Together, both entities have raised over $150 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries around the globe since inception. Today, EJAF is one of the world's leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations supporting innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. EJAF-US's current grant-making priorities target HIV prevention programs in the Southern United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America; HIV prevention and care services for highly marginalized and vulnerable populations; and HIV/AIDS prevention education and the promotion of sexual health for adolescents.

CHOPARD: There are few jewelers in the world whose designs are immediately recognizable. At the forefront of that list is Chopard. For over 140 years, the "World of Chopard" has embraced elegance, originality and individuality. Renowned internationally for its award-winning "Happy Diamonds" creations, the Chopard collection also includes an array of designs that adorn celebrities around the world. Meticulously crafted in Geneva, Switzerland since 1860, Chopard has distinguished itself worldwide for luxurious jewels and impeccably crafted high-precision timepieces that embody imaginative design and sophistication. To mark Chopard's 10 years of support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele has designed a new watch collection in collaboration with Sir Elton John himself. A testament to their friendship, the watch collection reflects the artist's extravagant personality as well as his tremendous generosity. A percentage of sales from these watches benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. For further information, phone 1.800.CHOPARD or explore Chopard on line at www.chopard.com.

JO AND RAFFY MANOUKIAN: Jo & Raffy Manoukian are honored to be one of the sponsors of the annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards(R) Viewing Party. They have been personal friends of Sir Elton John since the early 1990s and are actively involved with the Foundation in the capacity of both Trustees and Board Members. The Elton John AIDS Foundation forms only one part of Jo & Raffy's philanthropy. Their charitable efforts span the globe with special emphasis on health, education, sports and media ventures.

Vh1: Vh1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. Vh1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. Vh1 also has an array of digital channels and services including Vh1Classic, Vh1 Soul, Vh1 Mobile, Vh1Games and extensive broadband video on Vh1.com. Connect with Vh1 at www.vh1.com.

AMERICAN AIRLINES: American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,400 daily flights. American Airlines is the official airline of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

    Contact:   Christina Lee / Ivy Mollenkamp
               ROGERS & COWAN
               310-854-8100

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Friday, February 20, 2009

Legendary Engelbert Humperdinck Bringing Golden Voice to Spotlight 29 Casino

Concert Rescheduled for October 24

COACHELLA, Calif., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- International music legend Engelbert Humperdinck is making a grand return to the Coachella Valley for a concert at Spotlight 29 Casino. Originally scheduled for March 14, Humperdinck will now appear October 24. Tickets previously purchased for the March performance will be honored, and there is no need for customers to exchange tickets they already hold.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050203/LATH047LOGO)

With an ultra-smooth 3 1/2 octave range and multiple Grammy nominations to his credit, Humperdinck has sold more than 150 million records worldwide, including 64 gold and 24 platinum albums.

Dubbed music's "King of Romance," Humperdinck first leaped onto the American pop charts with his smash hit "Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)." The song went to #1 in 11 countries, and was such a big hit in the United Kingdom that it managed to prevent The Beatles' two-sided hit "Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever" from reaching the top of the charts.

Engelbert has performed for Her Majesty the Queen, several U.S. Presidents and many heads of state. In 1978 he received a "Georgie Award" from the American Guild of Variety Artists recognizing him as "Entertainer of the Year," and in 1989 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tickets are $60, $50, $35 and $25 and are available now at Spotlight29.com and at the Spotlight 29 Casino Gift Shop or by calling (800) 585-3737.

Put the spotlight on fun at Spotlight 29 Casino, the Coachella Valley's most exciting place to play. Spotlight 29 Casino is a business venture of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. Turn it on at www.Spotlight29.com.

    Contact:
    Paul Speirs, Steinbeck Communications
    (702) 413-4278, paulspeirs@cox.net

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