Cricket offers more 4G LTE coverage, affordable prices and loyalty rewards 

Atlanta, GA, Aug. 22, 2014 — Cricket Wireless is offering T-Mobile and Metro PCS customers a $100 bill credit and five great reasons to switch. The $100 bill credit* offer is available from Aug. 24 to Oct. 19, 2014, at Cricket stores nationwide and online.  There is no limit on the number of lines a customer can switch to Cricket, receiving a $100 bill credit for each line transferred.

The new Cricket Wireless experience offers customers:

1. More 4G LTE coverage than T-Mobile and Metro PCS, period
2. Taxes and fees included – no surprises, the price you see is the price you pay
3. A free smartphone every year with Cricket Rewards**
4. Plans starting at $35 a month after $5 credit for using auto pay ***
5. No annual contracts

With Cricket’s simple affordable pricing plans, a $100 bill credit equals more than two months of free service with the Basic Plan at $35 (after a $5 credit for using auto pay) and the Smart Plan at $45 (after a $5 auto pay credit). Customers who sign up with the Pro Plan at $55 (after $5 auto pay credit) get the equivalent of nearly two months of service free.

“T-Mobile and Metro PCS customers looking to switch will find the new Cricket a smart choice,” said Cricket vice president and chief marketing officer Janna Ducich. “We give consumers straightforward, affordable pricing, offer nationwide 4G LTE coverage, and reward their loyalty. And for the next few weeks, we’ll give them a $100 bill credit to see it for themselves.”

To switch to Cricket or find a store near you, visit www.cricketwireless.com.

About Cricket Wireless

Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract.  The power of Cricket is our nationwide 4G LTE network that covers more than 290 million people; easy and affordable unlimited plans with taxes and fees included; annual loyalty rewards; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About.  Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. Coverage not available everywhere.

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Terms and Conditions

* $100 T-Mobile/MetroPCS Switcher Credit Terms and Conditions – Offer ends 10/19/14.  Available only to T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers porting a number to Cricket Wireless who purchase and activate a new line of service on a Basic, Smart or Pro rate plan.  One $100 Switcher Credit per line of service.  Credit issued to customer’s account approximately 5 days before end of initial service period.  Customer’s account must be in active status and customer must be on a qualifying rate plan to receive Switcher Credit.  Suspended or cancelled accounts are not eligible to receive Switcher Credits.  Lines added to Group Save (multi-line) accounts 5 or fewer days prior to the end of a bill cycle will receive Switcher Credits during the following month of service.  Switcher Credits have no cash value, are not redeemable for cash or any cash equivalent and are not transferable or refundable.  Account credits are forfeited if your account is cancelled for any reason.  May not be combined with any other offer.  © 2014 Cricket Wireless LLC.  All rights reserved.  Cricket and the Cricket logo are trademarks under license to Cricket Wireless LLC.

**Auto Pay: $5 savings provided as an account credit at the end of each billing cycle while enrolled in Auto Pay.  Auto Pay credit requires Auto Pay enrollment with a new Basic, Smart or Pro plan. Terms, conditions and restriction apply.

***Cricket Rewards: Loyalty Program: Cricket Customers on Smart and Pro plans earn one (1) Reward Credit for each full, on-time payment. Reward Credits are only redeemable for a phone upgrade once customer has earned a Device Credit(s). Customers earn a $50 Device Credit for every twelve (12) Reward Credits earned. Reward Credits expire, if unused, sixty (60) months after Device Credit becomes redeemable. Reward Credits earned at the account level. Device Credits are capped at $150 without redemption and are not-transferrable and have no cash value. Restrictions Apply. 

For media inquiries, contact:
Nneoma Njoku, Cricket Wireless
nneoma.njoku@cricketwireless.com
770.241.2942
For press materials visit new Cricket newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Xfinity On Campus Lets Students Watch Live TV and On Demand Programming Across Devices

Philadelphia, PA – August 21, 2014 – Comcast today launched Xfinity On Campus, a service that lets college students watch live TV and On Demand content on their IP-enabled devices, including, laptops, tablets and smartphones while on campus. The service, which is included with room and board for students living in on-campus housing, will be available this fall at Bridgewater College, Drexel University, Emerson College, Lasell College, and the University of Delaware. In addition, several schools, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of New Hampshire, will be trialing the program with students this fall.

Xfinity On Campus offers approximately 80 live cable channels including every major broadcast network as well as channels like AMC, Bravo, Comedy Central, ESPN, FX and MTV.  Students also can access thousands of current season TV shows and hit movies via Xfinity On Demand.  While off campus, students can use their university credentials to authenticate and access online programming that’s part of their subscription via TV Everywhere websites and apps such as WatchESPN and FXNOW.

“Xfinity on Campus lets students watch TV on their own terms,” said Marcien Jenckes, Executive Vice President of Consumer Services for Comcast Cable.  “With this younger generation, more and more viewing is happening away from the traditional TV set and we have evolved our products and services to better engage them. Whether it’s Game of Thrones, Scandal or The Daily Show, Xfinity On Campus offers all the content they want – anytime, anywhere, on any device.”

Millennials are the largest generation in the U.S. and are watching more TV on computers, tablets and smartphones than ever before. At the same time, 106 million Americans watch TV online today and that number is expected to grow to 145 million by 2017.

Xfinity On Campus customers can also upgrade to a selection of premium channels, including HBO, Showtime, STARZ, as well as the Sports Entertainment Package, which includes popular channels like ESPN Goal Line. Plus, in addition to all the live TV and On Demand Choices, they will soon have the option to upgrade to a cloud-based DVR service, giving them the ability to record and watch their favorite programming on devices, and also “check-out” recordings by downloading them directly to the device to take on-the-go.

Drexel’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer John A. Bielec said, “Xfinity On Campus is a leap into the future, leveraging Drexel’s campus network to provide media content to our residential students at any time and any place. It’s a perfect fit for today’s student mobile lifestyle.”

Powered by Comcast’s cloud-based X1 Entertainment Operating System, Xfinity On Campus provides an opportunity to introduce a younger generation to the company’s next-generation video product.  X1 delivers an immersive and personalized entertainment experience across all devices in an interface that is sleek, intuitive and makes search and discovery of content easier than ever.

How it works:
Xfinity On Campus requires only one piece of on-premise equipment, making it easy and cost-effective for the university’s IT department to manage and maintain. To access the full service, students must live on campus. They can register for the service and sign in with their university credentials via www.comcast.com/xfinityoncampus or by downloading the Xfinity On Campus app. While off-campus, they can use their university credentials to authenticate and access programming via third-party TV Everywhere sites and apps.

About Comcast Cable:
Comcast Cable is the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses.  Comcast has invested in technology to build an advanced network that delivers among the fastest broadband speeds, and brings customers personalized video, communications and home management offerings.  Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company.  Visit http://www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

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Media Contacts: 
Debbie Frey
215-286-4568
Debbie_Frey@comcast.com

“Textbook” barely captures the range of course materials produced by professional publishers and in use on campuses everywhere 
For over 10 years, publishers have redefined the concept of “textbooks” through content and technology innovations.  Student and faculty benefit from countless options created to serve all kinds of learners and be cost-effective.  Among them:  digital and online textbooks, adaptive learning programs, downloadable single chapters, mobile apps, customizable textbooks and multiplatform supplemental resources.

Publishers offer students a semester’s course materials for as little as $33/textbook 
Publishers now offer 90%+ of their titles to be licensed digitally for up to 60% below a print textbook purchase.  This means convenience, cost savings and additional functionality and tools.

Licensed content is just one of many cost-saving options available from publishers
Students can also buy black-and-white editions, downloaded self-print editions, even single online chapters for $1.99.

Finding out about all these options is easy
Want to rent six textbooks per semester for just $200 (about $33/book)?  CourseSmart, the digital rental service launched in 2007 by publishers, licenses 90%+ of the current core higher ed titles – over 40,000 titles from 60 publishers – with instant-access subscription plans covering a semester’s worth of materials.  Also ask your professor about available formats for required reading, since publishers provide that information to universities, and your campus bookstore.  And visit publishers’ websites, which are information-rich and often sell directly.

It takes $500,000-$3 million, up to 7000 hours’ research and writing and 200+ scholars to produce a new textbook or revise an existing one
High-quality course material requires professional research, writing, editing, vetting, graphics and illustrations, design, production and distribution.  Publishers also produce supplemental tools, extensive faculty support materials and accessibility for students with print disabilities.  Digital content has additional costs.  Students and faculty expect tech products aligned with content, requiring development, testing, training and ongoing upgrades.  Content must be digitized to match – or exceed – the print experience.  And something you might not realize:  since retailers keep their platforms incompatible, all digitization needs to be adapted multiple times.

There’s no such thing as free textbooks
Some companies offer a free single online book license but make you buy the print version, testing, study guides and other standard collateral material…like getting a free car chassis but having to buy the tires, engine, seats and everything else.  Other companies provide free textbooks to capture and monetize your personal data, raising privacy questions.  When universities and other non-profits produce free textbooks, you should ask:  Is funding coming from students’ tuition fees?  If government-funded, is content independent of political interference?  Is content digital or just print, and is technology current and upgraded?  Is the content accessible to people with print disabilities?

The used rental print book industry is a contributing factor to rising textbook costs
One way publishers contain prices is through a consistent stream of new materials being bought in the marketplace.  The used print book rental market – which provides significant profits to the rental businesses – keeps old books in circulation, reducing the need for replacements and further limiting publishers’ ability to recoup investments.

Student spending on course materials has decreased or stayed flat for the past four years
Per market researcher Student Monitor, the average 2013-2014 student spend for all course materials (including print, eTextbooks, used books and rentals) was $520.  It reported that the average spend specifically for new print textbooks was $245, down -31% from Spring 2010, and spending for all formats including eTextbooks and rentals fell -17% too.  And read the fine print on surveys claiming these costs are up:  Many surveys only track print textbook purchases and ignore licensing and e-formats or they lump course materials in a bigger “books and supplies” category along with computers, lab supplies and other expenses.

Publishers ensure that students with print disabilities have the same learning experiences as their peers
Every student has the right to the same experience in learning.  Publishers build accessibility into their materials and have been at the forefront of ensuring that students with print disabilities can learn competitively through the digital transition.  Publishers co-founded the user-friendly AccessText Network in 2009, connecting students and their campus DSS offices with publishers’ accessible content – currently a 345,000-title database.  In partnership with the National Federation of the Blind, publishers helped bring the TEACH Act to Congress.

“Cheap” means nothing if you don’t pass and graduate
What differentiates professional publishers’ course materials from non-professionals’ works are the investments made to create learning solutions supporting student success: whether students complete courses and graduate.  Publishers incorporate tested, proven learning methods into the content they design, combined with state-of-the-art learning-based technology.  If you’re dedicating the time and money to a college education, your learning materials should be more than “good enough.”

What’s more popular on campus:  print or digital?
Impossible to say.  The few existing surveys are too narrow.  And habits and preferences will evolve as current students are replaced by more digital younger siblings.  Publishers will continue to provide all students at all learning levels in all formats and options they want.

Produced by the Association of American Publishers.  For more information or to arrange an interview with an industry expert, contact info@publishers.org

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla., August 6, 2014/ UWire/ — Bankrate, Inc. announces its first-ever scholarship offering. Focusing on the ubiquity of selfies and the imagination of students, the #FutureSelfie Scholarship will award scholars who most successfully use the selfie as a medium to illustrate their future aspirations. Bankrate is now accepting applications through October 31, 2014.

The 2014 Bankrate #FutureSelfie Scholarship will award a total of $5,000 in scholarship funds to three undergraduate or graduate students. Two scholars will each receive awards of $1,000, and one scholar will receive the grand prize award of $3,000. Awards will go directly to the winners’ schools to help defray the rising costs of education and reduce borrowing amounts. According to the Institute for College Access and Success, the average graduate in 2012 who took out student loans accrued nearly $30,000 in debt.

“We’re thrilled to award a few creative folks with some funds that can chip away the tuition bill,” says Brandon Duncombe, Promotion Manager for Bankrate. “Selfies are an exciting way to earn money for school. Right now, they’re a snapshot of the present. We’re excited to see the response and how students will use them to illustrate their dreams.”

To learn more about the #FutureSelfie scholarship and apply, go to: http://www.Bankrate.com/scholarships/future-selfie-scholarship.

Bankrate #FutureSelfie winners will be selected based on the creativity and uniqueness of their entry, which includes a photo and a caption. To be eligible, students must be at least 16 years of age and college-bound or currently enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational/ technical school.

About Bankrate, Inc.

Bankrate (NYSE: RATE) is a leading publisher, aggregator, and distributor of personal finance content on the Internet. Bankrate provides consumers with proprietary, fully researched, comprehensive, independent and objective personal finance editorial content across multiple vertical categories including mortgages, deposits, insurance, credit cards, and other categories, such as retirement, automobile loans, and taxes. The Bankrate network includes Bankrate.com, our flagship website, and other owned and operated personal finance websites, including CreditCards.com, Interest.com, Bankaholic.com, Mortgage-calc.com, CreditCardGuide.com, InsuranceQuotes.com, CarInsuranceQuotes.com, InsureMe.com, and NetQuote.com. Bankrate aggregates rate information from over 4,800 institutions on more than 300 financial products. With coverage of nearly 600 local markets in all 50 U.S. states, Bankrate generates over 172,000 distinct rate tables capturing on average over three million pieces of information daily. Bankrate develops and provides web services to over 80 co-branded websites with online partners, including some of the most trusted and frequently visited personal finance sites on the Internet such as Yahoo!, CNN Money, CNBC, and Comcast. In addition, Bankrate licenses editorial content to over 500 newspapers on a daily basis including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe.

For more information contact:

Brandon Duncombe
Promotion Manager
Brandon.Duncombe@bankrate.com
(561) 630-2400 x12406

SOURCE Bankrate, Inc.

Adding Choice to 4G Lineup that will Excite Back to School Shoppers Seeking Deals from Coast-to-Coast

Alpharetta, Ga., August 1, 2014 – Cricket Wireless announces the launch of a new 4G smartphone from ZTE, the Grand X, adding another option to the hottest back-to-school promotion from a no- annual contract wireless service. Starting August 8, the ZTE Grand X will be available for $99.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate Cricket Visa® Promotion Card*) in stores and online.

“With its big, bright 5” display, the ZTE Grand X will appeal to students looking for a well featured, large profile smartphone with access to Cricket’s new 4G nationwide network that covers over 98% of the population,” said Andy Smoak, head of product for Cricket Wireless.  “This deal with unlimited plans starting at $35 per month after $5 Auto Pay credit** gives consumers more options at great prices.”

Additionally, The ZTE Grand X sports a long-lasting 2300 mAh battery with Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 1.0 technology so consumers can spend less time charging and more time being productive, playing games and listening to music.  The innovative battery technology charges up to 40% faster than conventional technology.  Other features include:

• Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass  for added screen protection
• Dual cameras, 5 MP (rear facing) with flash and HD video /1MP (front facing) for selfies and video chat
• An immersive music listening experience with SRS® TruMedia surround sound
• A Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 1.2 GHz dual-core processor for faster productivity and gaming
• Android 4.3 OS with the tools to help keep your mobile life organized

The hot new smartphone deals continue to show up at Cricket and Cricket’s national loyalty program, Cricket Rewards***, gives loyal customers a new smartphone every year. To thank customers on  Smart and Pro service plans for their loyalty, after 12 months of on-time payments Cricket provides customers with a $50 credit every year toward any new phone purchase. These and other offers are available at more than 3,000 Cricket Wireless retail stores across the U.S. and online. To check out the new Cricket, the Back-to-School promotion, or find a store near you, visit www.cricketwireless.com and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/cricketnation and Twitter at twitter.com/Cricketnation.

About the new Cricket Wireless  
Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract.  The power of Cricket is our nationwide 4G LTE network that covers more than 290 million people; easy and affordable unlimited plans with taxes and fees included; annual loyalty rewards; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About.  Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. Coverage not available everywhere.

*Mail-In Rebate Offer ends Sept. 11, 2014. While supplies last. New activation on qualifying smartphone plan required. Sales tax not included. Not available in CT, RI, or Miami-Dade County. No rainchecks. Promotion Card, issued by MetaBank®, member FDIC, or CenterState Bank of Florida, NA pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc., is not redeemable for cash and may not be used for cash withdrawal at any cash-dispensing locations or automated gasoline pumps. Card is non-transferable and non-refundable. Funds are available at US locations where Visa debit cards are accepted for 150 days after the Card issuance, through the “VALUD THRU” shown on the Card. Service must be active and customer must make second service payment within 45 days of activation to receive card. Offer may not be available with other rebates, offers or promotions. Restrictions and other charges may apply. For cardholder agreement and complete terms and conditions, please visit www.cricketwireless.com/promocard.

**Auto Pay: $5 savings provided as an account credit at the end of each billing cycle while enrolled in Auto Pay.  Auto Pay credit requires Auto Pay enrollment with a new Basic, Smart or Pro plan. Terms, conditions and restriction apply.

***Cricket Rewards: Loyalty Program: Cricket Customers on Smart and Pro plans earn one (1) Reward Credit for each full, on-time payment. Reward Credits are only redeemable for a phone upgrade once customer has earned a Device Credit(s). Customers earn a $50 Device Credit for every twelve (12) Reward Credits earned. Reward Credits expire, if unused, sixty (60) months after Device Credit becomes redeemable. Reward Credits earned at the account level. Device Credits are capped at $150 without redemption and are not-transferrable and have no cash value. Restrictions Apply. 

For media inquiries, contact:
Nneoma Njoku, Cricket Wireless
nneoma.njoku@cricketwireless.com
770.241.2942
For device images and other press materials visit new Cricket newsroom

* TD Ameritrade Institutional’s 2014 Student Scholars and Grant Winners Head to Wall Street to Raise Awareness of Career Opportunities in Financial Planning

JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 23, 2014 — The job outlook for financial planners is bright, but Millennials have yet to see the light. In fact, fewer than 700 students completed bachelor’s degrees in financial planning last year, not nearly enough to address a growing demand for financial advice.1

The job growth rate for financial advisors is expected to be 32 percent by 2020, more than double the rate for all other occupations.2 Several factors are fueling the growth in financial planning careers. More than 75 million baby boomers are on the verge of retirement and their need for professional financial advice is expected to rise. Many of those boomers are financial advisors themselves and will retire at a faster pace than younger advisors will enter the business.3 Finally, younger investors in their prime earning years are building and inheriting trillions in wealth, creating job opportunities for future financial planners.4

To avert a talent shortage in the not-so-distant future, the industry must find a way to encourage more students to pursue financial planning careers and help more schools develop programs that can educate future advisors. With those goals in mind, TD Ameritrade Institutional will provide $1.25 million over 10 years through its NextGen Scholarship and Grant Program, now in its second year.5

“TD Ameritrade Institutional is committed to attracting talented students to the profession and supporting schools that offer innovative financial planning curriculum. With efforts like the NextGen Scholarship and Grant program, we can help fill the pipeline with individuals willing to lead our industry and continue the important work of caring for investors and their families,” said Tom Nally, president, TD Ameritrade Institutional. “Addressing the looming talent shortage head-on, we can help financial advisory firms remain ready to serve the next generation of investors.”

Saved by the Closing Bell

Ten deserving students received $5,000 to help them pursue a bachelor’s degree in financial planning. To celebrate their achievement and put a face on the future of financial planning, this year’s Next Gen Scholarship and Grant winners were invited to New York City as guests of TD Ameritrade Institutional for a visit to Wall Street. The group walked the famed trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange and rang the closing bell to help raise awareness of the career opportunities in financial planning.

Mariah Bausch
Kansas State University

Peter Blehl
William Paterson University

Kwame Boakye
University of Akron

Anne Marie Ihling
Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Timi Jorgensen
Utah Valley University

Lauren Loucks
Utah Valley University

Patrick Portman
Western Kentucky University

Tyler Quatraro
University of Oregon

Trent Strang
Olivet College

Catherine Traylor
Louisiana State University

A Rewarding Career

TD Ameritrade Institutional’s scholarship winners come from varied backgrounds and hail from all over the United States, yet they all emphasized a desire to use their skills to help their neighbors and families live better lives. Several of the scholarship winners said they had witnessed firsthand the consequences of poor financial planning.

Not only is financial planning a fast growing career, it can be both personally and financially rewarding for new entrants. The median total compensation for a Support Advisor, someone who prepares financial documents, participates in client meetings and completes follow-up work, was $58,000 last year, according to FA Insight. The median Associate Advisor, the next step up the ladder and more actively engaged in client relationships, earned $83,000 a year. 6

“For students who may be worried about their job prospects, we encourage them to consider a career in financial planning,” said Richard S. Brown, chief executive of JNBA Financial Advisors and a member of TD Ameritrade Institutional Next Generation Advisory Board. “Serving as a financial planner offers terrific opportunities in a fast-growing business but also the chance to truly help others live better lives.”

Expanding the Talent Pipeline Through Education

Across the country, fewer than 90 schools offer financial planning degrees.7 TD Ameritrade Institutional wants to change that by supporting established and emerging financial planning education programs through its NextGen Grant Program. TD Ameritrade Institutional’s 2014 grants went to two schools – University of Georgia and Texas A&M University – to help support the development of innovative programs that not only increase the ranks of talented scholars entering the industry, but also to help ensure graduates are better prepared to succeed in the workplace.

University of Georgia, which received a $50,000 established-program grant, will use its money to build a “Financial Communication & Training Lab,” where students can strengthen their networking, communication, marketing and other workplace skills so that they are more likely to be successful. The award will endow a revolving “practitioner-in-residence,” selected from local financial professionals who will mentor students.

Texas A&M received a first ever $25,000 award designed to help schools with emerging programs. The school intends to launch of a bachelor’s degree in financial planning program, expanding on an Extended Learning program in financial planning it offers to graduate students and career-changers. Grant money also will be used to develop recruiting materials to attract students, with an added focus on women and minorities.

For information about the TD Ameritrade Institutional NextGen Scholarships and Grant Program, please visit http://www.tdainstitutional.com/lp/nextgen-scholarship.page.

For more information, including updates on industry affairs and news impacting RIAs, visit our blog TDA4Advisors, follow us on Twitter @TDA4Advisors and connect on LinkedIn. For more information about TD Ameritrade Institutional, please visit www.tdainstitutional.com.

TD Ameritrade is separate from and not affiliated with researchers, educators, students and other third parties, and is not responsible for their statements, data, policies or content.

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About TD Ameritrade Institutional
TD Ameritrade Institutional is a leading provider of comprehensive brokerage and custody services to over 4,500 fee-based, independent registered investment advisors and their clients. Our advanced technology platform, coupled with personal support from our dedicated service teams, allows investment advisors to run their practices more efficiently and effectively while optimizing time with clients. TD Ameritrade Institutional is a division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., a brokerage subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.

About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Millions of investors and independent registered investment advisors turn to TD Ameritrade’s (NYSE: AMTD) technology, people and education to make investing and trading easier to understand and do. Online or over the phone, in a branch or with an independent RIA, first-timer or sophisticated trader, our clients want to take control and we help them decide how: We’ve been bringing Wall Street to Main Street for more than 39 years. An official sponsor of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team, TD Ameritrade has time and again been recognized as a leader in investment services. Please visit TD Ameritrade’s newsroom or www.amtd.com for more information.

Brokerage services provided by TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA (www.FINRA.org) / SIPC (www.SIPC.org) /NFA (www.nfa.futures.org)

TD Ameritrade is separate from and not affiliated with researchers, educators, students and other third parties, and is not responsible for their statements, data, policies or content.

1 National IPEDS database, U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, 2013 Financial Planning and Services Program completions.
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2014-15 Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm
3 Cerulli Associates, the Cerulli Report, Advisor Metrics 2013: Understanding and Addressing a More Sophisticated Population
4 Advent Software, Three Ways to Reach the Next Generation of Investors, November 2013. Millions of Americans 49 years and younger are expected to amass $28 trillion in assets by 2020, up from $2 trillion, through inheritance and their own wealth-creation.
5 TD Ameritrade Institutional is a division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., a brokerage subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.
6 FA Insight, The 2013 FA Insight Study of Advisory Firms: People and Pay
7 National IPEDS database, U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, 2013 Financial Planning and Services Programs.

Source: TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

Media Contact
Joseph Giannone
TD Ameritrade
(201) 369-8705
joseph.giannone@tdameritrade.com

Peace Corps Announces Historic Changes to Application and Selection Process

Also Releases New Public Service Announcement from President Obama Calling on Americans to Serve

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2014 – Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet today announced sweeping changes to the agency’s application process that will make applying to the Peace Corps simpler, faster and more personalized than ever before. Under this new recruitment initiative, applicants will now be able to choose their country of service and apply to specific programs, and do so through a new, shorter application. As part of today’s announcement, Peace Corps also released a new video from President Obama calling on Americans to serve. It can be viewed at http://1.usa.gov/1npfk1b.

“Today our world is smaller and more interconnected than ever before,” said President Obama in the new public service announcement. “And it presents us with an extraordinary opportunity: to connect with people in some of the most remote corners of the globe and show them that America is paying attention, that we care, and that we’re here to help. That’s what the Peace Corps is all about.”

“More than 50 years after its founding, the Peace Corps is revitalizing its recruitment and outreach to field a volunteer force that represents the best and brightest the country has to offer,” Director Hessler-Radelet (RPCV Western Samoa 1981-83) said. “A modernized, flexible application and placement system will help Peace Corps recruit Americans who are not just interested in imagining a better world, but rolling up their sleeves and doing something about it.”

The key recruitment reforms include:

• Peace Corps applicants can now choose the programs and countries they want to apply to – selecting the path that best fits their personal and professional goals. Applicants can apply to between one and three specific programs at a time, or they can choose to apply for service wherever they are needed most. The Peace Corps website (http://1.usa.gov/1tJU4wt) now lists all open programs by country, work area and departure date, so applicants can browse service opportunities.

• A new, shorter application is now available on the Peace Corps website (http://1.usa.gov/1wnd3cb) that can be completed in less than one hour. What used to be more than 60 printed pages that took more than eight hours to complete is now a short online application that focuses solely but rigorously on the most relevant information to help the agency select the best candidates.

• Each open Peace Corps position now has clearly identified Apply By and Know By deadlines, so applicants know when they can expect to receive an invitation to serve. If they apply on time, they’ll know if they were selected on time – just like applying to college or a job. These deadlines give applicants more certainty than ever and help them plan for the future.

View an infographic on Peace Corps’ new application and selection process at http://1.usa.gov/1oYHvqa

“With the tools, technologies and opportunities of the 21st century, the Peace Corps is giving Americans of all backgrounds the freedom to re-imagine their future and redefine their mark on the world,” Hessler-Radelet said. “I believe these changes will help re-ignite the passion of Peace Corps’ early days and that more Americans will seize the opportunity to make a difference across the world and here at home.”

Hessler-Radelet, who was sworn in as the agency’s 19th director in June and comes from a four-generation Peace Corps family, has led an extensive reform effort since joining the agency in 2010. In addition to the recruitment reforms announced today, the Peace Corps has dramatically improved the quality of support it provides to volunteers, strategically targeted its resources and country presence to maximize impact, and streamlined operations to create a culture of innovation and excellence.

About the Peace Corps: As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Peace Corps volunteers work at the grassroots level with local governments, schools, communities, small businesses and entrepreneurs to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. When they return home, volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences – and a global outlook – back to the United States that enriches the lives of those around them. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to foster a better understanding among Americans and people of other countries. Since then, more than 215,000 Americans of all ages have served in 139 countries worldwide. Visit www.peacecorps.gov to learn more.

###

Media Contact
Maureen Knightly
pressoffice@peacecorps.gov
(202) 692-2230

Haier America announces the release of a contest to connect its customers with its marketing and engineering team to build their dream appliances. The contest, which Haier is promoting through Facebook and Twitter, asks fans to dream up their ultimate appliance for a small space (think dorm room or tiny studio apartment) and promises to collaborate with their engineering and marketing teams to choose and potentially build their favorite submission.

The contest, which also offers up to $20,000 in prizes, offers students the chance to put real building power behind a dream appliance. Some stand out submissions so far include, an alarm clock that simultaneously wakes you up and pours your coffee, as well as a back pack that doubles as a refrigerator.

“In the world of social connectivity, Haier is leveraging our social communities to reach out to customers and listen to what products they want to see built. We want to put the customer’s ideas first and create things that they tell us they want. In today’s connected world, it’s all about our customer,” says Rian Cain, senior vice president of the white goods group, Haier America.

The submission process is open from now until September. To learn more and apply visit: www.haieridealab.com.

About Haier America:
Haier America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Haier Group, the world’s #1 major appliance brand as ranked by Euromonitor International 2013, and a global leader in consumer electronics. Haier employs more than 70,000 people around the world and distributes products in more than 100 countries and regions with global revenues reaching $29.5 billion in 2013. Haier is a proud supporter of the National Parks Conservation Association.

Media Contacts:
James Liess
Haier America Public Relations
212-594-3330 ext.2006
jliess@haieramerica.com

Get a free pair of sunglasses by joining the TextbookArmy crew! 

Nashville, TN – TextbookArmy®, a new online textbook buyback company, is arming students with an easy way to unload textbooks and get cash in return. Students can now easily sell textbooks online at www.textbookarmy.com.

TextbookArmy.com is the easiest-to-use buyback platform for textbooks and offers the best value online. The company provides free quotes, no cost shipping in the 48 contiguous United States and unmatched customer service.

TextbookArmy offers the best value for selling textbooks in four easy steps:

1. Register for an account at www.textbookarmy.com.
2. Get a free quote on the textbooks you want to sell
3. Ship textbooks (for free) to TextbookArmy
4. Get cash via PayPal! Typical turnaround time is three days or less after textbooks are received and processed.

To celebrate its launch, TextbookArmy is giving a pair of sunglasses to all who register for a TextbookArmy account now, through the end of August 2014. Post a sunglass-wearing selfie to TextbookArmy’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages with the hashtag #ArmyShades to be entered to win a pair of Ray-Ban^®  sunglasses. A pair of Ray-Bans will be given away every week, so pimp those TextbookArmy.com shades like a rock star – around town, in class, at the gym or on your pets. Be creative, be bold and think of your mom before posting. Follow TextbookArmy on our social network to see the selfies happening nationwide. For more information about the contest visit our contest page.

About TextbookArmy.com
TextbookArmy.com launched in 2014 and is a pioneer in the textbook buyback space.  Owned by IN MINN Inc., the company offers customers comprehensive and easy-to-use options to help make the best return on book investments.  TextBookArmy.com is dedicated to offering the best value for textbooks, providing the finest customer service and paying our customers fast.   For more information on Textbook Army visit www.textbookarmy.com

Contact:
press@textbookarmy.com

* TD Ameritrade Institutional Expands Effort to Help Develop Next Generation of Financial Planners
* Firm to Award $25,000 Grant for Emerging Degree Program, $50,000 Grant for Established Program
* Ten $5,000 Scholarships for Students Pursuing Degree in Financial Planning

JERSEY CITY, N.J., May 14, 2014 –When it comes to helping cultivate a new generation of independent investment advisors, TD Ameritrade Institutional (1) is raising the bar by introducing a new grant for colleges and universities committed to educating future financial-planning professionals.

Through its Next Generation Financial Planning Scholarship and Grant Program, TD Ameritrade Institutional will give $25,000 to a college or university with a nascent financial-planning undergraduate degree program. This new grant will be in addition to two awards introduced last year: 10 scholarships of $5,000 each for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in financial planning and a $50,000 grant for an established financial planning undergraduate degree program.

The scholarships and grants are intended to help increase the number of college students graduating with a financial planning degree and who will pursue a career as a personal financial advisor. Over the next decade, TD Ameritrade Institutional is committed to investing more than $1.25 million to encourage more students to pursue financial planning careers and help fill the ranks of registered independent advisors (RIAs), an industry expected to face a shortage of talent as a wave of baby boomers prepare to retire.

Schools seeking a grant must be accredited, non-profit U.S. colleges or universities offering an undergraduate degree in financial planning. The application deadline for both grants is June 2, 2014 and the winners will be named on September 8, 2014. Students’ applications for the scholarships also are due by June 2; winners will be selected August 4, 2014.

For more information, applicants can visit the TD Ameritrade Institutional NextGen Scholarship & Grant website: http://www.tdainstitutional.com/lp/nextgen-scholarship.page

“Last year, we encountered schools with financial planning degree programs that were promising and innovative, but still in their infancy. So, in addition to recognizing schools with exceptional programs, we want to support institutions that are just starting out,” said Tom Nally, president, TD Ameritrade Institutional. “This scholarship and grant program can help increase colleges’ capacity to develop a new generation of advisors and sustain the industry’s growth into the future.”

Industry research shows that the RIA industry could face a significant talent gap in coming years. About a third of Baby Boom-era advisors are expected to depart over the next decade, mostly as they reach retirement age, and there aren’t enough young advisors to take their place. Nearly half of RIAs are 55 and older, while less than 8 percent are under 35 years of age.
Across all the various financial intermediary channels — brokerages, banks, insurers and independent RIAs — the total number of advisors is expected to shrink by 26,000 by 2017. (2)

Meanwhile, demand for personal advice is expected to climb as millions of Americans move into retirement and seek out professional expertise. The U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 27 percent job growth for personal financial advisors through 2022, nearly three times the rate of all other professions, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields. (3)

Recruiting the next generation isn’t just good defense for RIA firms, but may be a path to future growth. Hiring young advisors may be critical for RIAs that intend to retain the children of their older clients and to attract a new generation of investors. Millions of Americans 49 years and younger — also known as Gen X and Gen Y — are expected to amass $28 trillion in assets by 2020, up from $2 trillion, through inheritance and their own wealth-creation. (4)

The scholarship is a one time, non-renewable amount of $5,000. Ten awards will be given for the 2014 -2015 academic year.
Scholarships will be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for course load.

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About TD Ameritrade Institutional 
TD Ameritrade Institutional (See note 1) is a leading provider of comprehensive brokerage and custody services to more than 4,500 fee-based, independent registered investment advisors and their clients. Our advanced technology platform, coupled with personal support from our dedicated service teams, allows investment advisors to run their practices more efficiently and effectively while optimizing time with clients.

About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
Millions of investors and registered investment advisors have turned to TD Ameritrade’s (NYSE: AMTD) technology, people and education to help make investing and trading easier. Our clients want to take control and we help them decide how: online, by phone, in a branch or through an independent investment advisor. We’ve been bringing Wall Street to Main Street for more than 39 years. Proud to be an official sponsor of the 2014 and 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Visit TD Ameritrade’s newsroom at www.amtd.com for more information.

Brokerage services provided by TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINA/SIPC/NFA. Third parties mentioned above are separate from and not affiliated with TD Ameritrade.

(1) TD Ameritrade Institutional is a division of TD Ameritrade, Inc., a brokerage subsidiary of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.
(2) Cerulli Associates, the Cerulli Report, Advisor Metrics 2013: Understanding and Addressing a More Sophisticated Population
(3) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Personal Financial Advisors, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm
(4) Advent Software, Three Ways to Reach the Next Generation of Investors, November 2013

Source:
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

Contact:
Joseph A. Giannone
TD Ameritrade Communications + Public Affairs
(201) 369-8705
joseph.giannone@tdameritrade.com