Author Archives: uwirepr

Firefox Flicks Video Competition Gives Aspiring Filmmakers and Animators Opportunity To Be Discovered by Hollywood

Competition asks for short films to raise awareness for issues people face online; Winners to be awarded with cash prizes and potential for their work to be viewed by millions

SAN FRANCISCO, April 3, 2012 – Mozilla, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web, has announced Firefox Flicks, a campaign providing everyone an opportunity to produce short films that highlight what makes Mozilla Firefox different. Mozilla is encouraging users, fans, filmmakers and animators worldwide to submit original, high-quality videos that will help educate mainstream Internet users about the issues that affect their online lives, such as privacy and security, and how Firefox addresses these issues.

Submissions for Firefox Flicks will be accepted through May 1 on the Firefox Flicks website (www.firefoxflicks.org) and are divided into three regions: US and Canada, Latin America and Europe.

The short films can be entered into any of four categories:

  • Best :30 Spot
  • Best Use of New Open Technology (e.g. Popcorn.js, HTML5, etc.)
  • Best Animation
  • Best Public Service Announcement

Mozilla has brought together a group of judges who have each made a significant impact on the Hollywood industry and the fight for online rights. The initial judging panel for this year’s Firefox Flicks competition includes Edward Norton, Shauna Robertson, Couper Samuelson, Jeff Silver and Ben Silverman.

Winners will receive international exposure through Mozilla’s marketing channels and various prizes, including $10,000 cash or a Panavision in-kind camera rental package valued at $60,000 USD for the grand prize winner.

For more information on Firefox Flicks including submission guidelines, categories and prizes, and to register, please visit www.firefoxflicks.org. Mozilla encourages early submissions for a chance to be screened at upcoming Mozilla events featuring Firefox Flicks, such as the San Francisco International Film Festival.

About Mozilla
Mozilla is a global, nonprofit organization dedicated to making the Web better. We emphasize principle over profit, and believe that the Web is a shared public resource to be cared for, not a commodity to be sold. We work with a worldwide community to create open source products like Mozilla Firefox, and to innovate for the benefit of the individual and the betterment of the Web. The result is great products built by passionate people and better Web choices for everyone. For more information, visit mozilla.org/firefox.

“TOMS TICKET TO GIVE” CAMPAIGN PROVIDES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS LOOKING TO TRAVEL ABROAD AND HELP THOSE IN NEED

For immediate release

Held Only at TOMS.com, “TOMS Ticket to Give” Provides Lucky Winners the Opportunity to Join TOMS’ Giving Partners to Deliver the One for One™ Experience to Children in Need around the World

March 26, 2012 - In a bold move that brings together the company, its customers and its community in an inspiring new way, TOMS today launched the TOMS Ticket to Give campaign nationwide. Only available at TOMS.com in the U.S., the online contest will find one lucky customer or fan being selected each week to win an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a TOMS Giving Trip. TOMS Campus Programs continue to encourage students to play an active role in the One For One™ movement; “TOMS Ticket To Give” is taking this idea a step further. The announcement was made last Monday by Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS (www.TOMS.com).”I was inspired by the wonderment of Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket,” said Mycoskie. “The greatest part of my job is going on our Giving Trips. TOMS started this way, and these have been some of the most moving and memorable experiences in my life. We have an unbelievably passionate community, many of whom tell us they would love to go on a TOMS Giving Trip. So we thought, “What can we do to show them how thankful we are for them?”Beginning on March 5, the TOMS Ticket to Give online contest is open to TOMS customers and community ages 13 and up exclusively at TOMS.com. Mycoskie is hoping to notify each of the first several winners in person and will be joining the winners on the first several Giving Trips – helping to inspire the next generation of social entrepreneurs along the way.Previously available just to TOMS employees, the Giving Trips taken through the TOMS Ticket to Give program will enable winners to experience giving One for One™ first-hand. Giving Trips are not vacations, but journeys into communities of incredible people and enormous need. They are hands-on,face-to-face journeys that, for those who are giving, are as much about personal transformation as positively impacting the lives of others.”We want to take as many people as possible on our Giving Trips,” added Mycoskie, “and The TOMS Ticket will give someone a chance to see a holistic approach to our giving. Our hope is that our fans who win a TOMS Ticket and join us will have life-changing experiences, and they’ll come back with a fresh perspective on their communities, their jobs, their lives and the lives of others.”

Giving is at the heart of TOMS’ business, and the company now gives shoes to children in need in over 40 countries, and helps give sight to people in need in nine countries. TOMS partners with humanitarian organizations that have thorough experience in the communities they serve. TOMS helps give sight in three ways by providing prescription glasses, cataract surgeries and medical treatment. The company’s shoe-giving partners work to integrate new TOMS Shoes into their pre-existing health and education programs so that shoes are given to children along with other support like hygiene, education, health care or basic necessities (such as medicines, school uniforms, school supplies, clothing or vitamins). TOMS works to build long-term giving relationships with its giving partners so that the children they serve have access to additional pairs of shoes as they grow. Giving partners report back on the fit, durability and impact of the shoes so that TOMS can continually learn and improve its giving efforts.

About TOMS:
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One™. To date, TOMS has given over two million pairs of new shoes to children through giving partners around the world. In June 2011, TOMS launched its second One for One™ product, TOMS Eyewear, to help save and restore sight to people in need.

About TOMS Campus Programs:
TOMS Campus Programs provides resources to host fun and educational activities and events that raise awareness of the TOMS movement on campus. Thousands of students and educators participate in the program annually. Teaching guides and multimedia resources are available for educators that would like to inspire students to think about business and giving in a new way. To get involved or for more information, please visit http://www.TOMSCampusPrograms.com

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Bonnaroo Joins oneShirt Challenge for Earth Week Clothing Drive

Concert Giant to Provide Free Passes and Camping to 2012 Festival for Winning School

MORGANTOWN, W.V., March 12, 2012 - SustainU, a leading producer of apparel using fabrics made from 100% recycled materials that are manufactured in the USA, today announced its partnership with the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and the 2012 oneShirt Challenge, the nation’s largest collegiate clothing drive.

“We are very excited to partner with Bonnaroo for the oneShirt Challenge and to help students and their communities become more aware of the benefits of textile recycling,” said Chris Yura, CEO and founder of SustainU. “Bonnaroo is leading the way in sustainable practices for concerts and events and this partnership helps everyone to have a better understanding of the impact clothing can have on our future.”

Building on momentum from last year when nearly 100 schools participated, SustainU expects more than 200 schools in all 50 states to join the inter-school competition during Earth Week 2012. Campus groups will rally their community to donate used clothing to benefit local charities. Schools will weigh donations and schools with the most total and per student amounts will be declared The Big Shirts on Campus.

Bonnaroo has committed to providing the school that collects the most clothing with a Grand Prize of a Reserved Group camping space and 24 four-day passes to the 2012 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, TN from June 7-10.

“Many people do not realize that donated textiles not only reduce the waste stream to our landfills, but also often support job training programs,” said Rich Goodstone, Bonnaroo Partner. “Because apparel is such an integral and meaningful part of the festival experience, we want to do all we can to encourage sustainable practices.”

Campus groups, clubs or departments interested in joining the oneShirt can visit SustainUclothing.com/oneShirt or contact Tiffany Newcomb at 304-413-416.

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About SustainU (SustainUclothing.com)
SustainU produces high quality apparel using fabrics made from 100% recycled materials that are manufactured in the USA to provide extraordinary comfort and wear, while reducing environmental waste, carbon emissions and water use. Our mission is to change the way clothes are made to improve the environment, reinvigorate America’s manufacturing sector, and educate the world about how clothing can positively impact people’s lives.

About Bonnaroo (Bonnaroo.com)
Set on 700 acres in Manchester, TN, Bonnaroo is a four-day festival that draws 80,000 fans every summer. Featuring over 120 musical performances, along with comedy, cinema, sustainability workshops and more, the grounds are converted into a virtual city of music and art. The legendary event began in 2002 as a remarkable idea to serve a passionate fanbase, and ended up becoming the premier multi-day concert destination of the summer which dynamic and eclectic programming paved the way for the age of the great American music festival. Bonnaroo has now evolved into becoming much more than just a concert destination; it has become a cultural touchstone and, for two generations of music fans, a rite of passage. Bonnaroo has served as a launching pad for such popular artists as Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, Robert Randolph, My Morning Jacket, Ray Lamontagne, Matisyahu, and many others. A creative and cultural mega-success, Bonnaroo has featured a stagger ingly diverse range of world-class acts such as Bob Dylan, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Radiohead, Jay-Z, Phish, Eminem, Willie Nelson, The Police, Pearl Jam, David Byrne, Tom Petty, The Black Keys, Tool, Wilco, The Dave Matthews Band, James Brown, The White Stripes, Al Green, Arcade Fire, Nine Inch Nails, The Dead, Mumford & Sons, Widespread Panic, Death Cab For Cutie, Elvis Costello, Ornette Coleman, Amadou and Mariam, Beck, TV on the Radio, Against Me!, Merle Haggard, Florence & The Machine, Phoenix, Alison Krauss, Robert Plant, Bright Eyes, Bonnie Raitt, Lil’ Wayne, Steve Earle, Jurassic 5, Modest Mouse, The Mars Volta, Deerhunter, Common, Burning Spear, the Flaming Lips, among many others.

TYLENOL® FUTURE CARE SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS $250,000 TO STUDENTS

The Makers of TYLENOL® Support Students Pursuing Healthcare Related Degrees with 40 Scholarships

FORT WASHINGTON, Penn., March 12, 2012 – McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., the makers of TYLENOL®, announces the 22nd annual TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship program. The 2012 program will award $250,000 in scholarship funds to 40 undergraduate or graduate students pursuing careers in healthcare.  Winners will be named TYLENOL® Future Care Scholars and receive awards of $5,000 or $10,000 to help manage the rising cost of education.

“McNeil is committed to supporting the future of healthcare.  Our TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship program has awarded $8.7 million in scholarship funds to more than 6,700 people,” said Denice Torres, President, McNeil Consumer Healthcare.  “We are proud to support these exceptional students as they pursue careers dedicated to caring for others.”

TYLENOL® Future Care Scholars will be selected based on leadership qualities, academic performance and community involvement.  To be eligible, students must complete at least one year of undergraduate or graduate study by the Spring of 2012 at an accredited two or four year college, university or vocational/technical school.

The application period is now open and submissions must be received by May 31, 2012. Scholarship award decisions will be made in July and awards distributed by August 31st.

To learn more or apply please visit: www.Tylenol.com/Scholarship2012 or text SCHOLAR to 87715

About McNeil Consumer Healthcare
McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products. McNeil Consumer Healthcare is most widely recognized for TYLENOL®, the leading brand of pain reliever/fever reducer in the adult and pediatric categories. The TYLENOL® line consists of products across a variety of pain categories including: arthritis pain, pain with accompanying sleeplessness and symptoms of cold and flu. Other McNeil Consumer Healthcare brands include BENADRYL®, ZYRTEC® and ZYRTEC-D® allergy medicines; IMODIUM® anti-diarrheal products; MOTRIN® IB; and SUDAFED® and SUDAFED PE® nasal decongestants.

Media Contacts:
Janine Berstein
Tel: (646) 489-1770
Email: jberstein@mac.com

Kayce Cashman,
McNeil Consumer Healthcare
Tel: 215 273-8095
Email: kcashman@ITS.JNJ.com

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER FANS CAN SUBMIT THEIR OWN PHOTOS AND POSSIBLY LAND ON THE COVER OF SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Sports Illustrated Launches its “Facebook March Madness Cover Challenge,” Allowing Fans to Submit Photos of Themselves Sporting their Favorite Team Colors

SI Photo Editors will choose a FINAL FOUR among the Entries and include them on the Cover of the Annual NCAA Tournament Preview Issue

NEW YORK, February 27, 2012 - For the first time ever, fans of Sports Illustrated’s official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SportsIllustrated) have the opportunity to submit their photos and possibly land on the cover of Sports Illustrated. For nearly 60 years the cover of Sports Illustrated has defined the story of the day in sports. Upon its release, the iconic cover image stirs a spectrum of passionate dialog, debate, celebration, criticism and for those who believe in jinxes, fear.

The Sports Illustrated Facebook March Madness Cover Challenge allows fans to submit their own photos demonstrating team spirit and unbridled school passion. Sports Illustrated editors will carefully select a Final Four among the entries and include them on the cover of the annual NCAA Tournament Preview issue, scheduled to hit newsstands on March 19th.

The annual NCAA Tournament preview issue, one of the most anticipated issues of the year, features a collage of players, mascots and fans from all 68 men’s teams and the top women’s teams. In years past, the photos have always been captured by the capable cameras of Sports Illustrated photographers, until now.

“In December, for the first time ever, Sports Illustrated allowed fans to make the editorial selection of our iconic cover,” said Mark Mravic, assistant managing editor, Sports Illustrated. “Now, we have taken it a step further, by providing fans the opportunity to actually put themselves on the cover.”

To submit photos fans must:

  1. Like Sports Illustrated on Facebook
  2. Select their school affiliation
  3. Upload a picture wearing their favorite team colors
  4. Check the March 19th issue to see if they made the cover!

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Contact:

Christopher Tropeano – (212) 522-5542, Christopher_Tropeano@timeinc.com

Emily Christopher – (212) 522-8473, Emily_Christopher@timeinc.com

About SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a multimedia sports brand that takes the consumer into the heart and soul of sports. The SPORTS ILLUSTRATED franchise is anchored by the weekly magazine—the most respected voice in sports journalism, reaching a weekly audience of nearly 22 million adults—and www.SI.com, the magazine’s 24/7 sports news website that delivers more than 300 original stories to its users each week. The franchise also includes SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS (www.sikids.com), a monthly magazine targeted to kids age 8 and up; GOLF MAGAZINE and www.GOLF.com; www.FanNation.com, a social networking and sports-news aggregation platform; SI Presents, the magazine’s specialty publishing division; as well as SI Books, SI Pictures, SI Productions, SI Digital and SI Events. Founded in 1954, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a division of Time Inc., the world’s leading magazine publishing company and a subsidiary of Time Warner.

SaveOnBrew.Com Releases Mobile Web Site for Deal-Seeking Beer Drinkers

Houston-based SaveOnBrew.Com releases a free mobile application to find lowest advertised beer prices by zip code.

HOUSTON, February 27, 2012 - SaveOnBrew, the world’s only beer price-search engine, announced the release of the mobile version of their web site.

Now iPhone and Android users will have a version of the popular web site optimized to their platform and automatically displayed when they visit. “People have been asking for a mobile version since the site went live back in 2010,” said Greg Thibodeaux, founder and CEO. “Especially college students. That’s why we’ve opted to give away the mobile version free of charge. These are tough times and hopefully everyone can save some money on one of the world’s most popular adult beverages.”

“Our default sort is lowest price per beer, but we’ve included all of the features from the full version of the web site including the ability to sort on packaging and brand, as well as filtering to craft or import beers, if that’s your thing,” said Thibodeaux.

After finding their favorite beer, deal-seekers can drill down for details. “Everything you need to find the best beer deals is at your fingertips,” said Thibodeaux. “We provide a map to the retailer and even show you other beers on sale at the same location. We’ve also added in all of the latest social features so that you can share the great deals with your beer buddies.”

“We scour the internet for advertised beer deals,” said Mark Davidson, co-founder and COO. “We like to think that if a beer deal is electronically advertised, we have it. Our data is not crowd-sourced and at any given time, there are between 250- and 300 thousand advertised, live, deals in our database from about 50,000 vendors. We’re adding more stores almost daily.”

Mobile users will automatically be directed to the mobile version of the site when visiting www.saveonbrew.com and a video introduction to the mobile web site is available on the SaveOnBrew blog.

About SaveOnBrew.Com: Founded in 2010 to help thirsty beer drinkers across the United States find the lowest advertised prices for one of the world’s most popular beverages.

THE VISINE (R) BRAND ANNOUNCES STUDENTS WITH VISION (TM) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS OF TODAY’S VISIONARIES

For further information, contact:
INK & ROSES
Linsey Tilbor  |  212.218.1473  | linsey@inkandroses.com
Trisha Bruynell  | 212.218.1465  | trisha@inkandroses.com

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., February 16, 2012 – Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and the makers of VISINE® eye products, today introduced the inaugural VISINE® STUDENTS WITH VISIONScholarship Program, which will award $50,000 in tuition assistance to ten remarkable students nationwide.

The VISINE® STUDENTS WITH VISION™ Scholarship Program will grant $5,000 merit scholarships to enrolled college students and graduating high school seniors who demonstrate a clear and unique vision, strong ambition and determination to bring their dream to life. In addition to academics, leadership in community service and extracurricular activities, applicants’ personal stories of how they are moving toward their goal will be considered.

The VISINE® Brand is committed to helping people achieve their goals – whatever they may be. Whether it’s studying for an exam, practicing for the championship game or searching the web for that dream job, people depend on their eyes for so many things and when needed the most, VISINE® helps keep eyes at their best.

“We understand that in order to achieve greatness you need the right tools,” says Stephanie Kaul, Group Brand Director, Johnson & Johnson Personal Care. “For years, VISINE® Eye Drops have been a tool that helps people take care of their eyes so they can focus on their goals, whether they are everyday or lifelong. With the VISINE® STUDENTS WITH VISION™ Scholarship Program, we hope to take that extra step to provide talented and motivated students with the necessary building blocks for success.”

Recognizing the diversity of strengths and passions that drive to great accomplishment, The VISINE® Brand looks to award students whose visions represent a wide range of interests – from technology to philanthropy, entrepreneurship to the arts, sports to science and everything in between.

The open application period will run through April 16, 2012. Winners will be announced mid-July. To apply or learn more about the VISINE® STUDENTS WITH VISION Scholarship Program visit www.visine.com/scholarship.

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Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. is a leader in the consumer health care market and produces the world’s most trusted brands including VISINE®, ROGAINE®, LISTERINE® and more.

Sodexo Launches Scholarship Fund through Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Sodexo honors Marines by offering new program awarding five yearly scholarships to Marine dependents

GAITHERSBURG, Md., February 1, 2012 - Sodexo, Inc., leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company, announced a $100,000 gift today to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to establish a new scholarship fund for children of U.S. Marines and Navy Corpsmen looking to attend college and embark on a career path in the hospitality or business sectors. The Sodexo, Inc. Scholarship Fund will award five, $5,000 need-based scholarships to dependents of Marines each year, totaling $100,000 in scholarships over the next four years. Students studying hospitality services and business administration will receive preference for the scholarships, though the program is open to any dependent of a current Active Duty, Reserve, or Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy Corpsmen.

“Our company is deeply committed to supporting military families, and we are committed to hiring those who have served,” said David Scanlan, president, Sodexo Government. “This scholarship program is a natural progression in Sodexo’s commitment to improve the quality of daily life for our military and their families.”

“As the Scholarship Foundation celebrates 50 years of honoring Marines by educating their children, we are truly fortunate to receive this multi-year commitment from Sodexo that ensures present and future generations of Marines sons and daughters are able to achieve access to institutions for higher education. By honoring the service and sacrifices of our Marines, Sodexo’s investment helps secure the economic viability of our great nation,” said Margaret B. Davis, president and chief operating officer of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Scholarship applications are currently available at www.mcsf.org until March 1.

“We are extremely honored to partner with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to support the dependents of our veterans through scholarship and internship opportunities,” added Scanlan. “Along with supporting and hiring our veterans, it’s just another way we can make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.”

Sodexo, the official foodservice provider of the U.S. Marine Corps, also supports important programs like the Marine Corps Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run and Healthy School Award program, and the Marine Corps Community Service Youth Sports Association.

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ABOUT THE MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION: The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to U.S. military families. Since 1962, the Foundation has provided more than 27,000 scholarships valued at over $67,000,000 to Marine Corps sons and daughters whose parents have been killed or wounded in combat or have demonstrated financial need. The Foundation is proud to have been named by Independent Charities of America as ‘Best in America’ for demonstrating “the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness.” For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation please visit www.mcsf.org.

ABOUT SODEXO

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services

Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as a partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo’s 413,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of Quality of Life Services. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.

Key Figures (as of August 31, 2011)

Sodexo in the World

  • 16 billion euro consolidated revenue
  • 413,000 employees
  • 22nd largest employer worldwide
  • 33,400 sites
  • 80 countries
  • 50 million consumers served daily

Sodexo in North America

  • 8.0 billion dollars revenue
  • 125,000 employees
  • 6,000 sites
  • 700 facilities management sites
  • 10 million consumers served daily

Contact:

Stacy Bowman-Hade, Sodexo

301 987 4352

stacy.bowmanhade@sodexo.com

‘Go Viral to Improve Health’ and Win Up to $10,000

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2012 - Students pursuing degrees toward careers in health, engineering, and computer science could earn a distinctive addition to their resumes by participating in “Go Viral to Improve Health,” a contest that challenges undergraduate and graduate students to create innovative health-related apps and offers $18,000 in prizes.

“Go Viral to Improve Health” is the second annual collegiate challenge sponsored by the Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Engineering to spur students to work in interdisciplinary teams and transform health data into mobile apps, online tools or games, or other innovative products that solve vexing health problems.

The team that designs the best product will receive a $10,000 prize sponsored by Heritage Provider Network and the opportunity to demonstrate their app during the plenary session of “Health Datapalooza,” the third annual Health Data Initiative Forum, June 5-6, Washington, D.C. The second and third place teams will receive awards of $5,000 and $3,000 respectively, and both will have the chance to display their winning technologies in the exhibit hall at this national gathering of software engineers, developers, and health leaders. Teams will be reimbursed up to $1,000 of their travel costs to the forum.

Entries will be assessed on their design, usability, and how well they integrate public health data. Expert judges include Deborah Estrin, professor of computer science, University of California, Los Angeles; Reena Singhal Lee, senior technical manager, Google; Richard Merkin, president and CEO, Heritage Provider Network; Todd Park, chief technology officer, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Barbara Rimer, dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Participating teams must consist of between two and five members and include at least one undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a health-related degree and one undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in computer science, engineering, or a similar major. Additional team members may come from any program or major. Teams must use data from the Health Indicators Warehouse (www.healthindicators.gov), a vast collection of health data and indicator sets made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and are encouraged to use other data sources as well. Additional eligibility criteria and terms are spelled out at www.iom.edu/goviral.

Students must register their teams for the challenge by Feb. 10, 2012. Once registered, teams have until noon EST on March 28 to submit their apps. Further details about “Go Viral to Improve Health” can be found at www.iom.edu/goviral and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/goviraltoimprovehealth. Questions can be directed to goviral@nas.edu.

The Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Engineering along with the National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are private, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under a congressional charter. For more information, visit www.national-academies.org.

Heritage Provider Network, Inc. is one of the largest physicians’ groups in the United States, providing medical care to approximately 700,000 individuals. It is on the cutting edge of the accountable care model of health care delivery and is dedicated to quality, affordable health care and putting patients’ wellness first. For more information, visit www.heritageprovidernetwork.com.

Contacts:
Christine Stencel, Senior Media Relations Officer, Institute of Medicine
202-334-2138; e-mail news@nas.edu
Randy Atkins, Senior Media Relations Officer, National Academy of Engineering
202-334-1508; e-mail ratkins@nae.edu

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MEGHAN MCCAIN RELAUNCHES MCCAINBLOGETTE.COM AS A PLACE FOR WOMEN TO TALK POLITICS

Site features a call for bipartisan guest blogettes and passionate conversation

LOS ANGELES, January 17, 2012 - Meghan McCain, MSNBC contributor, author, columnist and political junkie has re-launched her official online political magazine mccainblogette.com, announced EQAL, the media company that builds influencer networks around celebrities and brands. The blogette, which Meghan will update daily, will feature politics 101, up-to-date election commentary, hot topics, and Meghan’s essentials for life. McCainBlogette.com is a community for politically charged women who are looking to talk politics and for women looking to learn more about our election process.

Meghan issued a call to blogettes. She says, “Anyone that is interested and active in this election cycle and would like a platform to voice your opinions and perspective on 2012, please apply! I am looking for the fun and fearless political junkies out there that can bring a fresh look.”

McCainBlogette recently featured its first blogette called No Such Thing as a Free Lunch or Degree. All bloggettes are asked to submit their blogs to the blogette galley.

Users get a sneak peek into what makes Meghan tick. She talks style, music choices and her latest obsessions. “We’ll cover it all, from the politics of dating to the absurdities of the 2012 election, and I hope you’ll share your honest opinions with me.”

“We wanted to help Meghan McCain re-launch McCain Blogette to offer her a way to build a robust community around ideas and to empower women to speak out about their views,” said Miles Beckett, Co-Founder and CEO of EQAL, “With the election ramping up, re-launching Meghan’s community is a great way to bring the election conversation online in a new way.”

About Meghan McCain:

As the daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain, Meghan McCain was propelled into the national spotlight at an early age. Meghan’s unparalleled exposure to American politics gave her the opportunity to hear voters debate the most complex issues first-hand. Meghan’s time on the campaign trail with her father inspired her acclaimed memoir, Dirty Sexy Politics. The book chronicles her personal journey across the American political landscape. Campaigning with her father also inspired Meghan to publish My Dad, John McCain, an illustrated children’s book that brings her father’s heroic story to life. As a columnist for The Daily Beast, she passionately discusses women’s issues, social issues, marriage equality and her firm belief that there is room for all walks of life in the GOP. While in college, Meghan worked at Newsweek magazine and Saturday Night Live. She is a graduate of Columbia University and currently resides in New York City.

About EQAL:

EQAL is a media company that builds influencer networks around celebrities and brands. Their celebrity and brand networks include the official websites and social media accounts for celebrities including Tori Spelling, Lauren Conrad, Bethenny Frankel, Nick Cannon, Elle and Blair Fowler and the brand partnership with Philadelphia Cream Cheese that recently won a Gold Effie Award. Their celebrity networks generate more than 1.8 billion impressions and reach over 25 million people each month. EQAL’s “hub and spoke” strategy focuses on building an integrated media property by increasing social media numbers, driving traffic and engagement to the celebrity’s official website, and providing new revenue opportunities.

EQAL was founded by Miles Beckett and Greg Goodfried, creators of the online sensations lonelygirl15, KateModern (with Bebo) and Harpers Globe (with CBS television). The two are widely credited as being the first to create quality serial programming for the internet, for integrating products into online programming and for originating the first “online to on-air” programming with a network television show. Miles and Greg are frequent speakers on digital entertainment and brand integration in the online space as well as the future of entertainment on the internet and beyond. The company continues to evolve at the rapid speed of the medium as it combines quality content, celebrity influencers and technology.

Contact for McCainBlogette.com:

Melissa Kwechansky, EQAL

Melissa@EQAL.com

818.276.6319

Jill Siegel, EQAL

Jill@EQAL.com

917.214.1710