First-of-Its-Kind Survey Discussed at 20th-Anniversary Knight Commission Meeting Reveals Dilemma of Reform, Overwhelming Agreement on Excessive Coaching Salaries

MIAMI, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ — University presidents at institutions with major football programs agree that current spending trends on intercollegiate athletics cannot be sustained nationally and collective action is needed to address escalating costs, a study released at a meeting held by the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics revealed today. More than 80% of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS, formerly Division 1A) university presidents participated in a survey that examined the presidents’ attitudes and perceptions about the challenges, benefits and costs of supporting intercollegiate athletic programs.

Additional Knight Commission research reveals the subsidies provided by most FBS institutions to their athletics budgets are rising more quickly than educational budgets. This, together with other opinions revealed in the survey, underscores the urgency to address the escalating costs of college sports through collective action, which requires support from presidents, NCAA leadership, university boards of trustees and conferences across the country. The Commission intends to make its own recommendations in a report scheduled to be released next spring. In its deliberations, the Commission will consider the survey findings, additional research published in its online report, College Sports 101 , and the testimonies made by higher education and college sports experts during public meetings held by the Commission over the past year.

Key findings from the presidential survey conducted by Art & Science Group include:
•    Dilemma of reform – While presidents recognize the need for reform, there is a lack of clear consensus about the best way to effect change.  Nearly three-quarters believe that athletics present unique challenges as compared to other areas of the university when trying to control costs on their own campus.  A majority believe institutions must act collectively to address these escalating costs.
•    Sustainability – Less than a quarter of presidents believe intercollegiate athletics are sustainable in their current form at FBS institutions nationally. Two-thirds view their own programs as sustainable; but nearly half (48%) express concern that the current economic outlook will affect the number of varsity sports their institution can support in the future.
•    Salaries – When asked about salaries across FBS institutions nationally, an overwhelming majority (85%) of FBS presidents indicate they feel compensation is excessive for football and basketball coaches. Viewed as the greatest impediment to sustainability, coaches’ salaries are costs that are difficult to control.
•    Growing Divide between Haves and Have-Nots – A major concern is the growing imbalance between financially strong and weak programs. Presidents of less competitive institutions feel that their programs are unfairly exploited.
•    Transparency – More than 80% of presidents believe greater financial transparency is needed.
•    Benefits of Athletics – College presidents perceive athletic success provides substantial benefits to the institution, such as generating higher levels of fundraising, attracting better qualified students, enhancing school spirit and raising the profile of the institution. Although research generally does not support a significant correlation between athletic success and increased donations or better student quality, FBS university presidents are swayed by personal experience that there are cross-institutional benefits of winning sports programs.

“The presidential research findings are eye-opening and raise concerns, but I am encouraged that we find ourselves in an environment ready for change,” said Knight Commission co-chairman William E. “Brit” Kirwan, Chancellor of University System of Maryland. “The Commission will deliberate over the next several months before issuing specific recommendations early next year.  However, we believe evidence continues to support the need for greater financial transparency and will consider ways this can be achieved.  Academic reform in college sports hit a tipping point when graduation rates were first shared publically in the early 1990s, and the same can hold true with greater disclosure of ballooning athletics costs in relationship to institutional budgets.”

“It’s important that a majority of presidents support collective action to address financial pressures.  We have heard the same call from athletics directors who deal with these issues on the front lines,” said Knight Commission co-chairman R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University.

Potential solutions as well as an assessment of whether the current structure is equipped to address the mounting problems were discussed today at a meeting held in Miami that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Knight Commission’s founding. Former NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey and The Ohio State University Athletics Director Eugene D. Smith both echoed the environment ready for change but propose different solutions.

Smith noted that athletic directors have been forced to become entrepreneurs and urged continued control of athletics by university presidents. “The presidents at the end of the day are in control, and the athletic directors need to help them,” Smith said. “We need to come up with strategies that help the have-nots so they can sustain their missions.”

Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany warned the Knight Commission, “Cost-cutting is a contact sport in a conflict-rich environment.”

Dutch Baughman, executive director of the Division IA Athletic Directors Association, said his group is proposing immediate cost-cutting reforms. He acknowledged they are among the “low-hanging fruit.” Among the reforms are smaller traveling squads, the elimination of foreign travel for athletics, banning off-campus hotel stays before a home game, restrictions on Web site expansion, and placing limits on sport team staff hiring.

Also unveiled today is College Sports 101, an interactive, Web-based report that provides an overview of the business and economic landscape of college sports. This report, which uses NCAA data made available for the first time, pegs the median budget for the top 12 institutions at $83 million; the median for those schools in the lowest grouping is $14 million. The widening gap between the financially strong and weaker programs helps explain the disparity of presidential opinions on these tough issues.

The executive summary and full research report on presidents’ perceptions of the benefits and costs of intercollegiate athletics as well as College Sports 101 can be found at www.KnightCommission.org.

About the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics
The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics was formed by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in October 1989 in response to more than a decade of highly visible scandals in college sports. The goal of the Commission was to promote a reform agenda that emphasized academic values in a climate in which commercialization of college sports often overshadowed the underlying goals of higher education. More information about the Commission’s history including prior reports can be found at www.KnightCommission.org.

About the Presidential Survey on the Cost and Financing of Intercollegiate Athletics
The survey reports the views of presidents for the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) universities on the costs and financing of intercollegiate athletics. The findings are based on 95 quantitative telephone interviews and 22 qualitative follow-up telephone interviews with presidents. The quantitative component achieved an 80 percent completion rate.  The study was conducted by Art & Science Group of Baltimore, MD, from March to July 2009.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote community engagement and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

About Art & Science Group
Art & Science Group specializes in market-informed strategy and planning for higher education and is one of the most highly regarded consulting firms working in the field. The firm’s practice involves close collaboration with presidents, provosts, boards of trustees, and other senior leadership of colleges and universities across the country. For more information about Art & Science Group’s work in the market-research, strategy, and planning arenas, visit www.artsci.com.

CONTACT:  Katie Reardon of Widmeyer Communications, +1-330-559-4754 (cell), Katie.Reardon@widmeyer.com

Semifinalists and Regional Finalists of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology Are Named

Regional Finals Start November 6, 2009

NISELIN, N.J., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Siemens Foundation announced the Semifinalists and Regional Finalists of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, revealing the brightest high school minds in contention for the nation’s most coveted teen science prize.

The nation’s leading original research competition in math, science and technology for high school students, the Siemens Competition is administered annually by the College Board, awarding college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 in individual and team categories. The Siemens Competition is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, the national leader in supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education with contributions surpassing $7 million each year.

A record number of 1,348 projects were received this year for the Siemens Competition, an increase of 12 percent over 2008 figures. The number of students submitting projects increased by 14 percent while more students than ever, 2,151, registered to enter. This year, 318 students were named semifinalists along with 96 students being honored as regional finalists. The combined 414 semifinalists and regional finalists hail from 34 states and the District of Columbia. The 96 regional finalist whiz kids will be called to compete at one of six regional competitions held over three consecutive weekends in November. A complete list of semifinalists and regional finalists is available at www.siemens-foundation.org.

Regional finalists will go head-to-head presenting their research with peers across the nation. Regional Finals begin on November 6, 2009. The events are hosted by six of America’s leading research universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (November 6-7); Georgia Institute of Technology (November 6-7); University of Notre Dame (November 13-14); University of Texas at Austin (November 13-14); Carnegie Mellon University (November 20-21) and California Institute of Technology (November 20-21).

Winners of the regional events are invited to compete at the National Finals at New York University in New York City, December 3 – December 7, 2009. Visit www.siemens-foundation.org on December 7, 2009 at 9:30 am EST to view a live webcast of the National Finalist Award Presentation. You can also log into and follow the Siemens Foundation on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SFoundation) for the latest information and announcements throughout this year’s competition.

About the Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in the United States. Its signature programs, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, reward exceptional achievement in science, math and technology. The newest program, The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. The Foundation’s mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens’ U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

The College Board

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,600 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT® and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.com.

CONTACT:  Valerie Francois, Siemens Foundation, +1-732-590-5292, valerie.francois@siemens.com; or Judy Huang, +1-212-445-8346, jyhuang@webershandwick.com, or Alex Aizenberg, +1-212-445-8414, aaizenberg@webershandwick.com, or Jennifer Moore, +1-212-445-8430, Jennifer.moore@webershandwick.com, all of Weber Shandwick

Media Contact
Erin Mitchell
RLM Public Relations
scitable@RLMpr.com
(212) 741-5106 x233

Cambridge, Mass.,—October 22, 2009— Nature Education, a division of global science publisher Nature Publishing Group and creator of Scitable, the free online science learning space,  today announced availability of Essentials of Genetics, a free and authoritative mini-text on core concepts in genetics for undergraduate and high school science students. Essentials of Genetics includes clear, straightforward explanations, high quality video simulations, and links to research papers and reviews on advanced topics in genetics, all created and approved by teaching faculty.

“We want to provide students a reliable and citable online research library for term papers and exam prep,” said Nature Education Senior Vice President & Publishing Director Vikram Savkar, “and at the same time help the science come alive through high-quality visualizations.” In addition to Essentials of Genetics, Scitable features hundreds of free overviews of advanced topics in genetics, containing reliable and accurate content written and reviewed expressly for students by scientists. Students can also post questions to the Ask the Expert feature, where scientists will answer questions within 48 – 72 hours.  Active students can reach out to Scitable’s global community of faculty, researchers, and grad students to form study groups or ask advice.  Faculty may create free online research spaces for their classes in Scitable , including customizable reading lists and news feeds from major science magazines.

For more information, visit www.nature.com/scitable.

About Nature Education
Nature Education is a new division of Nature Publishing Group devoted to facilitating high quality, accessible science education in all countries of the world. Nature Education is currently focused on bringing together high quality content, a global community of faculty, researchers, and students, and technology-based learning tools to provide a powerful new generation of science learning tools for the academic and consumer community.

About Nature Publishing Group (NPG)
Nature Publishing Group (NPG) is a publisher of high impact scientific and medical information in print and online. NPG publishes journals, online databases and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences and clinical medicine.Focusing on the needs of scientists, Nature (founded in 1869) is the leading weekly, international scientific journal. In addition, for this audience, NPG publishes a range of Nature research journals and Nature Reviews journals, plus a range of prestigious academic journals including society-owned publications. Online, nature.com provides over 5 million visitors per month with access to NPG publications and online databases and services, including Nature News and Nature Jobs plus access to Nature Network and Nature Education.

Throughout all its businesses NPG is dedicated to serving the scientific and medical communities and the wider scientifically interested general public. Part of Macmillan Publishers Limited, NPG is a global company with principal offices in London, New York and Tokyo, and offices in cities worldwide including Boston, Buenos Aires, Delhi, Hong Kong, Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, Heidelberg, Basingstoke, Melbourne, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul and Washington DC. For more information, please go to www.nature.com.

ACU Undergraduate Students Use Comprehensive Statistics App for Interactive and Mobile Learning

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ — GetYa Learn On, LLC and Abilene Christian University (ACU) today announced the launch of a pilot study for a new iPhone application – “Statistics” – designed to supplement lessons in an introductory statistics course. The goals of the partnership are to evaluate the app’s usability, collect data on how students use the app, and measure the app’s effectiveness as a learning tool. The partnership is part of ACU’s Mobile Learning program* which has provided iPhone and iPod touch devices to all incoming freshman since fall 2008. ACU was the first university to provide iPhones and iPod touches to students on a large scale.

The Statistics app was developed by GetYa Learn On, a software development company based in Austin, Texas, and made up of experts in educational psychology and software development. The app features lessons, simulations, calculators, quizzes, flashcards, graphic organizers, a glossary, and a list of formulas and symbols. The Statistics app will be released in the iTunes App Store in late November, and a report discussing findings from the pilot study will be published in early 2010.

“My students are excited about using the app, and it has become especially helpful for test review and preparation,” said ACU Instructor of Psychology, Jessica Nguyen – who teaches the Introductory Statistics class and worked with GetYa Learn On to integrate the app into the existing course syllabus. Dr. Scott Perkins, Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of Mobile Learning Research adds, “There is a strong commitment at ACU to use technology to expand learning activities, both in and out of the classroom. Incorporating an app like this into the daily structure of a course provides a great supplement to traditional classroom activities and helps to prepare students for the workplace of the future.”

Within the classroom, the app’s simulations and calculators are used to explain and illustrate abstract concepts. Students use the glossary and list of formulas as quick reference tools. Outside of the classroom, students test their own understanding using the interactive flashcards and quizzes. The quizzes provide immediate feedback so that students can identify their misconceptions. The app also includes a full spectrum of mini-lessons covering typical statistics topics. The lessons are used to complement class lectures and to provide alternative explanations to complex concepts.

“The leaders of the ACU Mobile Learning project have cultivated a spirit of academic entrepreneurialism and a sense of optimism about what is pedagogically possible through the use of innovative technologies like the iPhone,” said Dr. Michael Mayrath, Managing Director of GetYa Learn On. “More than 50 percent of ACU’s students already have an iPhone or iPod touch. This makes ACU an optimal place to conduct research on how the iPhone’s technological affordances can make a disruptive impact upon education. Thus, ACU is an ideal partner for testing the Statistics app.”

The ACU Mobile Learning program has been recognized with several honors for its leadership and vision, including the 2008 Campus Technology Innovator Award. Additionally, Dr. Bill Rankin, associate professor of English and co-director of ACU’s Mobile Learning Initiative, received the 2009 Apple Distinguished Educator award. ACU hosts numerous ConnectEd Conferences attended by educators and technologists from organizations ranging from the U.S. Air Force to K-12 teachers.

For more information:

GetYa Learn On, LLC – www.GetYaLearnOn.com

ACU’s Mobile Learning program – www.acu.edu/technology/mobilelearning/

© 2009 GetYa Learn On Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. GetYa Learn On, the GetYa Learn On logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of GetYa Learn On Intellectual Property. All other marks contained herein are property of their respective owners.

About GetYa Learn On

GetYa Learn On, LLC is a private company headquartered in Austin, Texas, and founded in 2008. The company is comprised of a team of experts from software development, educational psychology, instructional technology, and measurement and evaluation. GetYa Learn On is exploring the pedagogical potential of in innovative technologies, including touch-screens, accelerometers, and (GPS) global-positioning systems. All GetYa Learn On applications and games are developed using current research in educational psychology and instructional design.

About ACU

ACU is a vibrant, innovative, Christ-centered community that engages students in authentic spiritual and intellectual growth, equipping them to make a real difference in the world. ACU was named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report in its 2010 edition and was recently ranked in the top seven percent of universities nationwide in Forbes magazine’s America’s Best Colleges rankings.

* ACU’s Mobile Learning project is led by Dr. Rankin along with Dr. Scott Perkins, professor of Psychology and Director of Research, and George Saltsman, Director of Educational Technology for the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning.

CONTACT:  Michael Mayrath, Ph.D., of GetYa Learn On, +1-512-789-7363, mayrath@getyalearnon.com; or Wendy Kilmer of ACU, +1-325-439-0905, wew97p@acu.edu

­ High-powered tool now available to non members for introductory rate that includes one-year membership ­

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ — e-Zassi.com, the fast-growing provider of the medical device industry’s first secure online decision-support and industry network, has released its powerful U.S. Regulatory Calculator as a stand-alone tool available at $375 at www.e-Zassi.com to give users an analysis of the FDA classification of up to three separate medical technologies along with a one-year membership in the e-Zassi medical device industry network.

e-Zassi.com was developed as an online industry network to allow everyone across the spectrum of medical device industry to search, match, collaborate and analyze technologies, individuals and organizations using the most advanced decision-support search engine platform that uniquely fosters deeper levels of information sharing while also protecting members from over-disclosure issues that could negatively impact intellectual properties.

The e-Zassi.com U.S. Regulatory Calculator

The e-Zassi.com U.S. Regulatory Calculator is proprietary software powered by a current database of information on classified medical devices.  Anyone involved with medical devices – from researchers to engineers, technology transfer agents, business development officers, medical device companies and investors – can use the new FDA Regulatory Calculator by inputting non-confidential product attributes and physical details about their new product or technology.  The e-Zassi.com U.S. Regulatory Calculator searches and provides the potential predicate codes and other critical regulatory information in just minutes, rather than more than two months, which is often how long it takes for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to determine a product’s classification.

“Because many products don’t fit neatly into existing classifications, this process is often a complex and confusing first step when designing a product or making a submission to the FDA,” said e-Zassi Chief Executive Officer Peter M. von Dyck, who holds numerous patents and has commercialized many new medical device technologies.  Von Dyck explains that: “Not knowing the potential FDA classification early on can adversely skew the entire development, clinical trials, commercialization and capitalization plans.  Understanding and navigating the regulatory environment and classification that a newer medical technology will need to conform to is one of the most essential elements of any development and commercialization plan and without this information early and throughout the development process you are in essence developing in the dark.”

About e-Zassi.com

e-Zassi.com is a subscription-based online community and Software as a Service (SaaS) company that was spun off Zassi Medical Evolutions®, a privately held company with more than a decade innovating and developing in medical devices.  The full suite of software tools on e-Zassi.com supports those in the medical device industry, from product development through manufacturing and distribution.  Tools allow for technology transfer; business development; market and commercial analysis; due diligence & portfolio management; intellectual property and patent development; product development and financial planning; and capital acquisition via venture capital and grants. Customized memberships are available now. For more information regarding e-Zassi.com or to join the Network, please visit www.e-Zassi.com or call +1.866.474.6328.

CONTACT: at e-Zassi.com, Walter Galler, VP Marketing, w.galler@ezassi.com, 1-866-474-6328; or at StrategCations, Inc., Bob Zeitlinger, bzeitlinger@b2zcommunications.com, +1-212-777-5095; and Donna Ramer, dramer@strategcations.com, +1-201-244-1213

ASHBURN, Va., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ – BigSpot.com, an Offerwise company, looks to summon its inner monster of rock by sponsoring MTV’s “Ulalume” — a Halloween festival on Oct. 23 in Columbia, Md. featuring explosive performances by Paramore and AFI, along with Dead By Sunrise, Asher Roth and Kid Cudi. The announcement comes only months after the Web-based business revved up with a major NASCAR sponsorship.

During the music-fueled fright fest, BigSpot.com will unearth its Halloween Confessional booth. Those who dare to duck inside will be tempted to reveal their inner-most thoughts on the things that terrify them the most in life.  Whether recalling a childhood costume, the most nerve-rattling horror film or scariest place they ever visited, participants will spill their souls to those on the other side – of the camera that is. Attendees with the creepiest stories will appear in an online video flipbook on mtvU.com.  Additionally, footage from the BigSpot.com booth will air as part of mtvU’s Halloween programming and during MTV’s Halloween-themed morning music block.

“MTV has a great reputation for bringing innovative marketing concepts to life.  This is the first time BigSpot.com has sponsored a concert event and the first time we have worked with MTV,” said Andrew Lissak, president and CEO of Offerwise. ”We feel this particular idea is not only a great fit for our brand, but is also an ideal way to expose BigSpot.com directly to young adults — an extremely influential demographic.” BigSpot.com is an online recruitment source for market research companies, where users receive rewards for sharing their opinions. BigSpot.com’s push into the music television arena means heightened exposure to a much sought-after audience.

“Young adults’ opinions are very valuable to the market research companies we recruit for — they essentially provide access to the pulse of what’s going on in the marketplace, allowing these groups to stay ahead of the curve on new trends,” Lissak said. “By sponsoring this event, we’re able to  introduce survey taking to those in this key demographic that has something to say, and is looking for ways to earn a little cash while doing it.”

For more information, please head to www.BigSpot.com or to mtvU.com.

About BigSpot.com

Online service BigSpot.com introduces users to consumer research panels where they can share their opinions and have the opportunity to earn cash and win prizes. BigSpot.com is owned and operated by Offerwise, a VarsityPlaza LLC company that provides offline and online marketing strategy services to the consumer research industry. Serving market research companies since 2006, Offerwise has emerged as a trusted leader in helping these firms promote their Internet-based consumer panels to online users worldwide. www.offerwise.com

About MTV

MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For more than 26 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries — giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the No. 1 rated 24 hour ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched 10 dynamic online communities and six new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the No. 1 music brand in the wireless space, delivering 90 percent more streams than in 2006. And MTV’s successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. www.mtvpress.com.

CONTACT:  Andrew Lissak of Offerwise, +1-800-280-4947, pr@offerwise.com

Named by Time Magazine as one of the 50 Best Websites of 2009, Wolfram|Alpha is already changing how students and educators approach a wide variety of subjects.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ — A team of experts led by noted scientist and Wolfram|Alpha creator Stephen Wolfram will help students tackle some of their toughest assignments on Wolfram|Alpha’s first Homework Day. (homeworkday.wolframalpha.com)

This groundbreaking 14-hour live interactive web event will begin at noon (CDT) on Wednesday October 21, 2009, and run until 2am (CDT) on Thursday.  Free and web-based, Wolfram|Alpha is an innovative computational knowledge engine that is an invaluable tool for students, whether they are seeking help in a required course or looking to excel in their chosen field.

The live Homework Day webcast will bring together people from across the country to tackle tough homework assignments and explore the richness that Wolfram|Alpha brings to learning. The Homework Day website will be used to broadcast the live October 21 event and feature live chat, where participants are encouraged to submit questions that Stephen Wolfram and his team will analyze and solve throughout the webcast.

Questions can be submitted before or during the event on the Homework Day website or via Twitter and Facebook. The webcast will also feature interviews with distinguished scientists Brian Greene (author of “The Elegant Universe” and “The Fabric of the Cosmos”) and Lawrence M. Krauss (author of “Fear of Physics” and “The Physics of Star Trek”).

Launched this May, Wolfram|Alpha (www.wolframalpha.com) is a free website powered by a computational knowledge engine that generates answers to questions in real time by doing computations on its own vast internal knowledge base. Named by Time Magazine as one of the 50 Best Websites of 2009, Wolfram|Alpha is widely recognized as an invaluable new resource for education.

The Homework Day webcast will also feature:

• Quick, step-by-step lessons that will give everyone the ability to use Wolfram|Alpha to tackle problems in a variety of subjects, including math, science, engineering, health and nutrition, English, history, economics, and many more
• Ideas and examples for how to make subjects like math and science more engaging and relevant to students
• Live interviews and demonstrations by educators who are already using Wolfram|Alpha in their classrooms

The goal of Homework Day is to broadly share how students and educators are using Wolfram|Alpha in college and to demonstrate the advantages of using this free site not only to tackle specific problems, but to inspire students to probe subject matter further and promote deeper understanding of fundamental concepts.

About Wolfram Alpha LLC

Wolfram Alpha LLC is a Wolfram Research company. Wolfram|Alpha’s long-term goal is to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to everyone. The company aims to collect and curate all objective data; implement every known model, method, and algorithm; and make it possible to compute whatever can be computed about anything. Wolfram|Alpha builds on the achievements of science and other systematizations of knowledge to provide a single source that can be relied on by everyone for definitive answers to factual queries.

About Wolfram Research

Wolfram Research, Inc. is a powerhouse in technical innovation and pursues a long-term vision to develop the science, technology, and tools to make computation an ever-more-potent force in today’s and tomorrow’s world. With Mathematica 7, Wolfram Research delivered powerful new capabilities, including image processing, parallel high-performance computing, and new on-demand data, making the software more relevant than ever to everyone from leading researchers to students and other users.

Wolfram Research sponsors the world’s largest free network of technical information websites, including MathWorld – the #1 website devoted to mathematics – and the Wolfram Demonstrations Project. Wolfram Research was founded in 1987 by Stephen Wolfram, who continues to lead the company today. The company is headquartered in the United States, with offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit its website.

About Stephen Wolfram

Stephen Wolfram is a distinguished scientist, inventor, author, and business leader. He is the creator of Mathematica, the author of A New Kind of Science, the creator of Wolfram|Alpha, and the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research. Wolfram has been president and CEO of Wolfram Research since its founding in 1987. In addition to his business leadership, Wolfram is deeply involved in the development of the company’s technology, and continues to be personally responsible for overseeing all aspects of the functional design of the core Mathematica system as well as Wolfram|Alpha.

CONTACT: Wolfram Alpha LLC, +1-217-398-0700, press@wolfram.com

kgb is the answer for college kids looking for fun, convenient ways to make extra cash in today’s tough economy

NEW YORK, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ — kgb is making the grade with college students looking to earn extra money in today’s sluggish economy. That’s because thousands of cash-strapped college kids around the country are working part-time as Special Agents for kgb’s 542542 text answer service. It’s no surprise that college kids from the east coast and the west coast and everywhere in between are enlisting as Special Agents because the work is fun and the hours are flexible so as to not interfere with their school work and extra-curricular activities. Furthermore, they’re learning new information every day. From their computers, kgb Special Agents answer questions being asked of kgb, and receive money for each answer.

St. John’s University student Fred Duran said: “What I like about being a Special Agent is that I can schedule shifts whenever I want and make a little extra money.”

Erica Brunt, a student at Southern Connecticut State University, added: “Being a Special Agent is a great way for me to make the money I need and wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Tulane University student Ian Terry said: “I like the flexibility of the hours, as well as the fact that I learn interesting trivia while on the job.”

Ashley Waddell, a student at Ozarks Technical Community College, said: “I enjoy being an agent because it gives me the freedom to make money when I have time to do it. I can set my own schedule and I have the ability to earn as much as I want, when I want it.”

Eastern Michigan University grad student Laura Sigarto said: “I love the flexibility and the ability to make some money on my own time.”

Here’s how kgb works: if you have an question, send it via text message to 542542 (kgbkgb), the number for the kgb’s text answer service, where a specially-trained kgb Special Agent is waiting to provide a quick, accurate answer.

“We’ve heard from numerous college students across the country who love their work as kgb Special Agents,” said Bruce Stewart, CEO of Mobile and Digital at kgb. “For some, kgb is a fun alternative to other part-time work because they can do it from anywhere, whenever they feel like logging on to the computer. For others, there is an element of competition as kgb Special Agents compete with other agents to gain the most expertise in categories from sports to entertainment. We know that the common denominator, however, is often the fact that kgb Special Agents seem to really enjoy providing quick, accurate answers to our customers.”

The process of becoming a kgb Special Agent starts with completion of the kgb Special Agent Challenge on the kgb website at www.kgb.com. Those who pass the challenge can begin specialized kgb training in methods of finding the best sources to answer the questions sent to kgb 542542, and after completion of training are ready to become full-fledged kgb Special Agents, capable of answering any question, any time in 106 characters.

The kgb 542542 text answer service combines the power of the company’s best-in-class knowledge database and technology platform along with the judgment and skill of a specially-trained community of kgb Special Agents who provide quick, accurate responses to any question. Users receive real-time responses to questions any time, day or night, from any cell phone, for a cost of ninety-nine cents.

In January kgb launched its flagship text answer service, 542542 (kgbkgb) following the success of kgb’s similar “Ask Us Anything” premium text answer service in the United Kingdom.

About kgb

kgb (www.kgb.com) is a privately held, New York-based company and the world’s largest independent provider of directory assistance and enhanced information services. During its fifteen year history, kgb has built some of the most successful and recognizable retail brands in the telecommunications and enhanced information services sector. kgb’s European retail brands include The Number 118 118 in the United Kingdom and Le Numero 118 218 in France, both of which have the largest market share in their respective markets. kgb is also the largest and fastest-growing independent wholesale directory assistance service provider in the U.S. kgb has pioneered the provision of a broad range of wholesale and retail information services beyond traditional directory assistance services, including call completion, movie listings, train schedules, price comparisons and “Ask Us Anything” service across multiple platforms, including mobile and landline phones, SMS and the Internet. Last year kgb served more than a hundred million consumers globally and answered nearly a billion questions.

CONTACT: Amy Wolfcale, kgb, amy.wolfcale@kgb.com, +1-212-909-8289, or +1-917-280-5913, or Adam Miller, MWW Group, amiller@mww.com, +1-201-964-2390

Offering a New Online & Mobile Service That Changes the World of Advertising

NEW YORK, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Beezag® (www.Beezag.com) has officially launched its NEW exclusive invite-only online and mobile advertising platform that is revolutionizing the world of advertising. Beezag benefits both the “Beezagger” (user) and the advertiser by providing the user with monetary returns while giving advertisers a direct and targeted medium to interact with the most attractive segment of the Web 2.0 and mobile market, educated adults ages 18-24, which tallies 72 million strong in the U.S.

“Our strategic vision at Beezag is to capitalize on an opportunity to create digital advertising distribution that works in today’s environment, where traditional advertising models are becoming more fragmented by the changes in technology and consumer behavior,” said Richard Smullen, Co-Founder of Beezag.

Beezag is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Richard Smullen and Laurent Alhadeff (the young founders behind South African media, technology and fashion market leader SouthWinston Investments). They have created an impressive team of business-savvy technologists, including six-year Google veteran Brian Dick to manage worldwide revenue; Steven Spencer, the former-Upoc/Dada Entertainment™ CEO/CTO as Beezag’s CTO; and Ex-Forbes Digital VP Nicholas Ricci as the Beezag USA Sales VP.

Beezag’s target audience is tech-savvy 18 to 24-year-olds, typically college students, who know every trick to avoid ads. Knowing that this demographic constantly needs extra spending money, Beezag has developed its invite-only service in which members login and watch a full ad from start to finish. Beezag then rewards them with discounts and cash which can be paid into accounts like iTunes, PayPal™, their favorite charity or even their personal bank account.

Through Beezag‘s Proprietary Profiling Engine, Beezag ensures delivery of a brand’s full message to loyal, hand-raising customers, not prospects. When Beezaggers login to view ads (online, on Facebook or on their mobile phones), they discuss the specific brands/products they use (and are looking for) – whether it’s the coffee they drink, sports team they follow or airline of choice. The secret behind Beezag is its patent-pending technology, which guarantees a complete view of each commercial, and if Beezaggers don’t absorb the ad in its entirety, the advertiser does not pay and the user does not earn.

Within a study issued by the DVR Research Institute in 2008, “77 percent of agency higher-ups said that DVR usage will prove to be the greatest challenge to the current ad model,” (Ad Week, June 2009). Within this traditional advertising model, advertisers pay hundreds of billions of dollars for consumers’ attention, but with new technology like the DVR, statistics are showing that “90 percent ‘always/almost always’ fast forward through commercials,” (2008 Starcom USA-Tivo custom study). Advertisers see Beezag as the solution to technology like DVR and online “banner-blindness,” which is the root cause of this massive fragmentation that we are experiencing.

Beezag provides a new online and mobile model for advertisers to directly target these consumers. The Beezag guarantee is that advertiser dollars are going towards ads that will be 100 percent viewed – start to finish.

Beezag is the game-changer in the advertising industry and is changing the way  consumers interact with brands and view ads so that instead of avoiding them, they will want more.

Through digital and affiliate agencies, some of the country’s biggest brands have joined Beezag as advertisers. Two of the most recent include Dr. Pepper and Dentyne.

About Beezag:

Beezag is a privately funded company headquartered in New York City’s bustling Chelsea neighborhood. Its founders had an epiphany when they set out to create a revolutionary philosophy for the only effective way to advertise in this info-laden age: through the targeted delivery of customized video ads to vetted and invited individuals in real time through any Internet-capable device. www.Beezag.com

CONTACT:  Anne Watkins, Lizzie Grubman PR, +1-212-966-5000 x123, Anne@GrubmanPR.com, for Beezag

LANGLEY, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Langley welcomes a new online entrepreneur today when news was released that Karen Royal had become one of the newest marketers at CarbonCopyPRO, a popular online marketing effort begun in New York.

Karen Royal, an expert Internet marketer, joins an already power-packed line-up of entrepreneurs in the CarbonCopyPRO stable.

When Co-Founders Jay Kubassek and Aaron Parkinson were asked for their opinion on Mrs. Royal they answered: “We could not be more thrilled about Karen’s decision to join us. Karen brings a unique, high energy approach to our community. Karen will be an asset to every other member from the first day she arrives.”

CarbonCopyPRO seems to be gaining in popularity. Their marketing platform and online community of entrepreneurs has been seen mentioned in many online postings.

The members of CarbonCopyPRO have set a challenging goal of creating 100 millionaires by 2012. Their unique approach of providing their members with pre-designed websites, auto responders, qualifying filters, and a high quality call center has dramatically increased the general success rate.

According to Royal, “People with little or no marketing experience are getting results they never thought possible.”

Karen Royal was also quoted as saying “CarbonCopyPRO is hands down the simplest way to make money online. These guys are constantly improving their marketing system to stay ahead of the competition. I could not be happier about starting this new business.”

CarbonCopyPRO is based in New York and their informational website is EMPLOYMENTFROMHOMETODAY.COM

Karen Royal

Master Marketing Consultant

Keep Your Business At Home

604-534-2226

SuccessMastered@gmail.com