Saturday, January 31, 2009

NBC Sells Out Super Bowl & Sets New Record

All-Time Super Bowl Record $206 Million in Advertising Revenue

Also Sets New Full-Day Super Bowl Revenue Mark of $261 Million

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Bowl XLIII on NBC is sold out. NBC has sold all game advertising for tomorrow's broadcast of Super Bowl XLIII and set a Super Bowl record of $206 million in advertising revenue, NBC Universal President and CEO Jeff Zucker announced today. NBC's $261 million in revenue for the full Super Bowl day, especially impressive in the current economic downturn, also sets a new Super Bowl milestone.

"These advertising milestones show the power of the NFL brand and the strength of the Super Bowl as a TV property in this economic climate," said Zucker. "The Super Bowl has become one of our country's biggest holidays, a uniquely American day, and advertisers recognized the value in being a part of it, as their commercials are nearly as big a part of the day as the football itself. This is an extraordinary story for NBC against the backdrop of this economy."

"The plan to aggressively sell the majority of our advertising early in the process at the record unit price of $3 million showed tremendous foresight," said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. "To finish selling out the Super Bowl in these last two weeks, in this economy and at record levels, is a testament to the dogged determination of Seth Winter [SVP, Sales & Marketing, NBC Sports]."

A total of 32 advertisers have taken time in Super Bowl XLIII across a broad spectrum of categories.

Fans of the advertisements featured in this Sunday's Super Bowl will be able to view those ads almost immediately after they air, on popular websites NBC.com, Hulu.com and Superbowl.com. In addition, users will be able to post their favorite ads on a blog or webpage through both the NBC.com and Hulu.com widget applications. Hulu will allow users to vote on their favorite ad, with the winner announced on Tuesday.

AUDIO from Medialink and Doritos: Doritos 'Crash the Super Bowl'

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Besides the game, what's the most anticipated event of Super Bowl Sunday? The commercials of course! During Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast, tune in to see which consumer-created Doritos commercial won the chip brand's third annual "Crash the Super Bowl" challenge. America voted for one of five finalists from nearly 2,000 entries who will see their ad air, as shot, during a commercial break.

Listen to this report from Doritos at: http://inr.mediaseed.tv/oneClip_C/Default.aspx?feed=iF3gLLRXTBaDlekQmibdZQ37ivdruoWT

Registered journalists can access video, audio, text, graphics and photos for free and unrestricted use at http://www.mediaseed.tv.

    Contact: Medialink, New York
    mediadesk@medialink.com

01LA09-0082

Superstar Ray Lewis Back in the Super Bowl with a New Team: The SoBe Lifewater Lizards

Football Stars Ray Lewis, Justin Tuck & Matt Light Get Their Grooves On with Rhythmic Reptiles in New 'SoBelieve' Spot During Big Game; SoBe Lifewater Ad Part of First-Ever Monstrous Super Bowl 3-D Advertising Pod

PURCHASE, N.Y., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Former Super Bowl champions Ray Lewis, Justin Tuck and Matt Light are back in the big game. The Pros are set to perform with their new team of SoBe Lifewater lizards in an encore Super Bowl ad appearance just a year after superstar Naomi Campbell's popular performance to "Thriller."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090130/NY65266 )

The new 60-second spot, titled "Lizard Lake," created and directed by Super Bowl veteran and brand inventor Peter Arnell of Arnell, features 3-D technology never before seen on television, as well as the original song, "SoBelieve." It will air immediately following the second quarter as part of the first-ever all 3-D advertising pod on the largest sports stage in the world, and will mark the first-ever Super Bowl ad crossover event - with the SoBe lizards sharing the screen with characters from the upcoming DreamWorks Animation, film "Monsters vs. Aliens," which will be showcased in the pod's lead-off spot.

Quarterbacking the SoBe team is "Lee the Lizard," who is back on the gridiron after a year in training camp. In an unprecedented symphony of state-of-the-art high-tech animation, the SoBe ad is among the most anticipated on Super Bowl Sunday.

More than 125 million pairs of 3D glasses are being distributed by PepsiCo in connection with the SoBe Lifewater brand. The glasses are available at more than 25,000 SoBe Lifewater retail displays in grocery, drug and other retail venues and will be FREE to consumers.

Last year, SoBe Lifewater took the Super Bowl by storm. The brand's 2008 Super Bowl ad featuring the SoBe Lizards dancing to the song "Thriller" with supermodel Naomi Campbell, was viewed online over 5 million times in just two weeks. The YouTube community made Thrillicious its most viewed Super Bowl spot, with more than 1 million views alone. The ad, also created and directed by Arnell, will be honored as one of the "Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials" in a primetime CBS special that will air nationally on January 31st, the eve of this year's game.

SoBe Lifewater is available in many popular flavors such as Pomegranate Cherry, Blackberry Grape, Orange Tangerine, Strawberry Kiwi, Passionfruit Citrus, Yuzu Black Currant, Agave Lemonade, Goji Melon.

SoBe also recently launched the enhanced water category's first-ever zero-calorie naturally-sweetened line. Three new delicious SoBe Lifewater flavors, Black and Blue Berry, Fuji Apple Pear and Yumberry Pomegranate, will help redefine the category as the first beverages in the U.S. market to feature the groundbreaking all natural zero calorie sweetener, PureVia(TM), made from a highly pure extract of the Stevia plant leaf. Additionally, each will be infused with a mix of antioxidant vitamins C & E, essential B vitamins and a unique blend of herbal ingredients.

Along with SoBe Lifewater, PepsiCo has the nation's most comprehensive hydration portfolio, including category-leading products under the Gatorade, Propel and Aquafina trademarks. Building upon the company's non-carbonated beverage advantage, PepsiCo will continue to focus on its entire hydration portfolio throughout the year.

To further experience SoBe Lifewater, visit: www.sobelieve.com

Friday, January 30, 2009

Overstock.com(R) Announces Airing of Super Bowl(R) Commercial

NBA(R) All-Star Game(TM) player Carlos Boozer to star in Overstock.com Super Bowl commercial

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Overstock.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSTK) announced today that it will be airing a 30-second Super Bowl advertisement featuring Overstock.com spokesperson Carlos Boozer. The commercial is scheduled to air immediately following the halftime show.

"We are pleased to have Carlos Boozer star in this Super Bowl spot," said Alan Bunton, Overstock.com's Vice President of Brand Development. "Boozer is an outstanding individual who represents the sense of community, hard work, dedication and American values that are Overstock.com. Boozer is an example to young people everywhere."

Sunday's advertisement is the third in Overstock.com's recent branding campaign to promote themes of determination, a sense of home, and community. It shows Boozer talking with kids about dedication.

"I am just excited to have the opportunity to be featured alongside the Overstock.com brand during the Super Bowl football game," said Boozer. "They are an incredible consumer-oriented company, and I am proud to represent them on a national stage."

The NBA basketball star, two-time NBA All-Star and gold medal-winning U.S. Olympian, has been part of the Overstock.com team since April 2008. Carlos and his wife, Cindy, are the co-founders of Boozer's Buddies, a non-profit organization that supports the research and treatment of Sickle Cell Disease and provides information and a support system for the families affected by it.

Overstock.com is also doing a site-wide "Big Game Day Sale" which includes 10 percent off select items and site-wide free shipping. Overstock is also holding an online contest to guess the winner of Sunday's game with a prize of a 5 percent off coupon. To find out more go to http://www.overstock.com/big-game-party/21411/static.html?TID=HP_BG_Main_Boozer

About Overstock.com

Overstock.com, Inc. is an online retailer offering brand-name merchandise at discount prices. The company offers its customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently, while offering its suppliers an alternative inventory distribution channel. Overstock.com, headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market System and can be found online at http://www.overstock.com. Overstock.com regularly posts information about the company and other related matters on its website under the heading "Investor Relations."

Overstock.com(R) is a registered trademark of Overstock.com, Inc. Super Bowl(R) is a registered trademark of the National Football League. NBA(R) and NBA All-Star Game(TM) are trademarks of NBA Properties, Inc. No sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of this press release or Overstock.com, Inc. by the National Football League or NBA Properties, Inc. is implied.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the airing and timing of the commercial and promotions planned by the Company. Our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or any amendments thereto, and our other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections, estimates or forward-looking statements.

Russian Broadcaster National Satellite Company Boosts Capacity on Eutelsat's Eurobird(TM) 9 Satellite for New Digital Package

PARIS, January 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Following on from the successful launch in 2008 of Platforma HD on the EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), the Russian pay-TV operator National Satellite Company is complementing and significantly expanding its offer with a new package called Platforma DV of 20 Standard Digital channels. Platforma DV will launch on February 1 via a second transponder leased by National Satellite Company on Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite which provides extensive reach to satellite homes across the European territory of Russia.

The 20 Standard Digital channels will include flagship Russian channels covering sport, music, cinema, news and lifestyle: Rossija, Sport, Vesti, Kultura, Bibigon, Pervyj, Pjatyj, NTV, TNT, STS, Ren TV, Muz TV, Zoo TV, Kinopokaz, Teleputesestvija, Tonus TV, Avto Plus, Kuchnja TV, Komedija TV and 365 Days. The new platform will be available to Direct-to-Home subscribers using 60-90cm antennas in western parts of Russia. Platforma DV will cost subscribers R900 (EUR20) a year and offer a supplement to Platforma HD, which broadcasts five HD channels (Kinopokaz HD, Eurosport, National Geographic Channel, HD Life and MTVN HD) for an annual subscription of R3,600 (EUR80). Subscribers choosing to take both SD and HD packages will pay R4,200 (EUR93) a year.

Platforma HD and DV use DRE encryption for the system. Two types of decoder are available (the HUMAX HDCI-2000 and General Satellite's HD-9000) enabling reception of channels in DVB-S2, Standard Definition and in High-Definition.

Commenting on the launch of Platforma DV, Konstantin Yashin, Chairman of Platforma HD declared: "With the launch of our new package, subscribers already attracted by High-Definition television can add a valuable set of traditional Standard Digital channels offering excellent quality."

Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director added: "The launch of Platform DV as a complement to Platforma HD shows the strong appetite of Russian satellite homes for a wide variety of content and further anchors EUROBIRD(TM) 9 as a neighbourhood of choice in this region. We are very pleased to accompany the expansion of new video platforms in Russia's dynamic new media landscape."

http://www.platformahd.ru

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 26 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 September 2008, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,180 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. Almost 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates services through its teleport in Italy that serves enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 538 commercial, technical and operational experts from 27 countries.

   http://www.eutelsat.com

    For further information

    Press

    Vanessa O'Connor    Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88    voconnor@eutelsat.fr
    Frederique Gautier  Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88    fgautier@eutelsat.fr

    Investors

    Gilles Janvier      Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30
    investors@eutelsat-communications.com

    For more information on Platforma HD and DV

    Press contact:
    Marina Nahatova
    Tel: +7-812-320-11-68
    e-mail: nahatova@platformahd.ru

Thursday, January 29, 2009

RRsat Achieves Record Revenue and Operating Income in Fourth Quarter 2008

    OMER, Israel, January 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
    Fourth Quarter 2008 Highlights (compared to fourth quarter 2007)

    - Revenues increase 34% reaching $22.0 million
    - Operating income increases 38% to $5.0 million
    - Adjusted EBITDA increases 39% to $5.8 million
    - Reiterate 2009 revenue guidance of over $100 million
      and introduce first quarter 2009 guidance

RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST), a rapidly growing provider of comprehensive content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2008.

Fourth Quarter 2008 Results:

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $22.0 million, an increase of 34% compared to $16.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Backlog of signed agreements, as of December 31, 2008, reached $185.7 million, an increase from the $178.5 million backlog of signed agreements as of September 30, 2008.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $4.5 million, a 38% increase compared to $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Net income on a GAAP basis for the fourth quarter of 2008 was $3.6 million, an increase of 13% compared to $3.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Net income per diluted share on a GAAP basis was $0.21, compared to $0.18 in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $5.7 million, an increase of 39% compared to $4.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $2.8 million, compared to $3.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Net income for the quarter was impacted by higher tax expense incurred following the strengthening of the US dollar against the Israeli shekel during the period, resulting in an appreciation of the Company's US dollar cash balance relative to the shekel. This appreciation in the cash balance is viewed as a taxable gain by the Israeli tax authorities. Adjusted net income per diluted share, which was similarly impacted by the higher tax expense, totaled $0.17, compared to $0.21 in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as at December 31, 2008 were $46.6 million, compared with $61.9 million as at September 30, 2008. During the quarter, the Company generated $3.7 million in operating cash flow, paid out the balance of $12.6 million for the acquisition of the Emek Ha'ela Teleport and distributed a dividend of $5 million to our shareholders.

Full Year 2008 Results:

Revenues for the full year 2008 totaled a record $79.0 million, an increase of 33% compared to $59.2 million in 2007. Operating income for 2008 totaled $15.0 million, a 25% increase compared to $12.0 million in 2007. Net income on a GAAP basis for 2008 was $13.4 million, an increase of 18% compared to $11.4 million in 2007. Adjusted EBITDA for 2008 totaled $19.3 million, an increase of 26% compared to $15.4 million in 2007. Adjusted net income for 2008 totaled $12.9 million, an increase of 5% compared to $12.3 million in 2007.

David Rivel, CEO of RRsat commented, "2008 was a year of major achievements and expansion for RRsat. Throughout the year our revenues increased to close to $80 million, we presented sequential quarterly increases in our gross profit and operating income, all, while continuing to generate cash on a steady and ongoing basis. Throughout 2008 we continued to expand our business, commencing a total of 60 new contracts, including 21 of which were follow-on contracts with existing customers, bringing the total number of channels we broadcast to 500. We culminated the year with a new record backlog of $185.7 million granting us good visibility well into 2009, a key asset in the current macro-economic environment. 2008 was also a milestone year in terms of business expansion. We acquired two important teleports, expanding our global presence to North America, while further enhancing our local base by acquiring a major strategically-located teleport."

"Looking ahead to 2009, we will continue to seek to enhance our customer base and navigate the current environment by further leveraging our premier global network, broad and diverse customer base, international reach and strong cash position. We are reiterating our 2009 annual revenues guidance to surpass $100 million, with revenues in the first quarter of 2009 expected to be in the range of $22.8 - $23.3 million." concluded Mr. Rivel.

Conference Call Information

Conference call scheduled later today, January 29, 2009 at 9:00 am ET. On the call, Mr. David Rivel, Founder & CEO and Mr. Gil Efron, CFO will review and discuss the results and will be available to answer investor questions.

To participate, please call one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin placing your calls at least 10 minutes before the conference call commences. If you are unable to connect using the toll-free numbers, please try the international dial-in number.

    US Dial-in Number: 1-866-345-5855
    UK Dial-in Number: 0-800-404-8418
    Israel Dial-in Number: 03-918-0609
    International Dial-in Number: +972-3918-0609

    at: 9:00 am Eastern Time; 6:00 am Pacific Time; 2:00 pm UK Time; 4:00 pm
    Israel Time

A replay of the call will be available from the day after the call. The link to the replay will be accessible from RRsat's website at: http://www.RRsat.com. In addition, a telephone replay will be available for two days following the call. To access the replay dial one of the following: 1-888-782-4291 (US) and +972-3-925-5925 (International).

Use of Non- GAAP Financial Measures

RRsat uses two financial measures, adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. RRsat believes that both non-GAAP financial measures are principal indicators of the operating and financial performance of its business. Adjusted net income is calculated based on the net income in our financial statements excluding non-cash equity-based compensation charges recorded in accordance with SFAS 123R, the non-cash income (loss) reflecting changes in the fair value of embedded currency conversion derivatives resulting from the application of SFAS 133 and the resulting income tax (increase) decrease.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by deducting from net income interest and marketable securities income, currency fluctuation and other financial income (expenses), net, changes in fair value of embedded currency conversion derivatives, other income (expenses), net, and adding non-cash equity-based compensation charge, depreciation and amortization. Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures (adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA) provided are useful to investors' understanding and assessment of RRsat's on-going core operations and prospects for the future. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in order to evaluate the performance of the company. However, such measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, RRsat's adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to adjusted EBITDA as reported by other companies.

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP measures (adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA) to net income, the most comparable GAAP measure, are provided in the schedules attached to this release.

About RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd.

RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. (NASDAQ: RRST) provides global, comprehensive, content management and distribution services to the rapidly expanding television and radio broadcasting industries. Through its proprietary "RRsat Global Network," composed of satellite and terrestrial fiber optic transmission capacity and the public Internet, RRsat is able to offer high-quality and flexible global distribution services for content providers. RRsat's comprehensive content management services include producing and playing out TV content as well as providing satellite newsgathering services (SNG). RRsat concurrently provides these services to more than 500 television and radio channels, covering more than 150 countries. Visit the company's website http://www.RRsat.com for more information.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding (i) the growth of our business and the television and radio broadcasting industries, (ii) our expectation to expand our client base and sell additional services to our existing client base,(iii) our ability to successfully integrate the teleports we acquired, and (iv) our ability to report future successes. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the companies and the industry as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, including the risks indicated in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For more details, please refer to our SEC filings and the amendments thereto, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our Current Reports on Form 6-K.

    FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

    RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. and its Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations

    In thousands except share data
                                         Year ended      Three months ended
                                      Dec-31     Dec-31     Dec-31     Dec-31
                                        2008       2007       2008       2007

    Revenues                        $ 78,993   $ 59,221   $ 21,954   $ 16,332
    Cost of revenues                  53,499     38,419     14,706     10,769

    Gross profit                      25,494     20,802      7,248      5,563
    Operating expenses
    Sales and marketing                3,892      3,017      1,074        842
    General and administrative         6,582      5,767      1,680      1,466

    Total operating expenses          10,474      8,784      2,754      2,308

    Operating income                  15,020     12,018      4,494      3,255
    Interest and marketable
    securities income                  1,111      2,631         15        720
    Currency fluctuation and
    other financing
    income (expenses), net               177        329      (153)        211
    Changes in fair value of
    embedded currency
    conversion derivatives             1,342      (646)      1,188      (420)
    Other income, net                     10          4        (2)          -
    Income before taxes on
    income                            17,660     14,336      5,542      3,766
    Income taxes                       4,228      2,932      1,957        553
    Net income                      $ 13,432   $ 11,404    $ 3,585    $ 3,213

    Income per Ordinary Share
    Basic income per Ordinary
    Share                               0.78       0.66       0.21       0.19

    Diluted income per Ordinary
    Share                               0.77       0.65       0.21       0.18

    Weighted average number of
    Ordinary Shares used to compute
    basic income per
    Ordinary Share                17,290,099 17,249,710 17,300,109 17,271,941

    Weighted average number of
    Ordinary Shares used to compute
    diluted income per
    Ordinary Share                17,399,375 17,418,180 17,350,765 17,472,282



    RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. and its Subsidiaries
    Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA

    In thousands except per share data
                                           Year ended    Three months ended
                                          Dec-31    Dec-31   Dec-31  Dec-31
                                            2008      2007     2008    2007
    Reconciliation of Net Income
    to Adjusted Net
    Income:
    Net income - as reported            $ 13,432  $ 11,404  $ 3,585 $ 3,213
    Non-cash equity-based
    compensation charge                      415       411      103     102
    Changes in fair value
    of embedded currency
    conversion derivatives                (1,342)      646  (1,188)     420
    Change in deferred tax on
    embedded derivatives                      362    (181)      320   (115)
    Adjusted net income                  $ 12,867 $ 12,280  $ 2,820 $ 3,620

    Adjusted net income per
    diluted ordinary share                 $ 0.74   $ 0.71   $ 0.16  $ 0.21

    Reconciliation of Net
    Income to Adjusted EBITDA:
    Net income - as reported             $ 13,432 $ 11,404  $ 3,585 $ 3,213
    Interest and marketable
    securities income                     (1,111)  (2,631)     (15)   (720)
    Currency fluctuation and
    other financial
    (income) expenses, net                  (177)    (329)      153   (211)
    Changes in fair value of
    embedded currency
    conversion derivatives                (1,342)      646  (1,188)     420
    Other income, net                        (10)      (4)        2       -
    Income tax expense                      4,228    2,932    1,957     553
    Non-cash equity-based
    compensation charge                       415      411      103     102
    Depreciation and amortization           3,971    2,979    1,201     810
    Adjusted EBITDA                      $ 19,406  $15,408  $ 5,798 $ 4,167


    RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. and its Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheets

    In thousands except share data

                                                       As of    As of
                                                      Dec-31   Dec-31
                                                        2008     2007

    Current assets

    Cash and cash equivalents                       $ 34,749 $ 28,409
    Marketable securities                              6,102   28,291
    Accounts receivable:
    Trade (net of provision for doubtful
    accounts of $1,882 and $2,188 as of
    December 31, 2007 and 2008 respectively)          11,227   10,421
    Other                                                417      518
    Related parties                                        -       14
    Fair value of embedded currency
    conversion derivatives                             2,234    1,303
    Deferred taxes                                       552      711
    Prepaid expenses                                   1,390      919

    Total current assets                              56,671   70,586

    Deposits and long-term receivables                 1,791    1,104

    Marketable securities                              5,743    6,722

    Other assets and prepaid expenses                  7,897    1,025

    Assets held for employee severance
    payments                                           1,305      987

    Fixed assets, at cost, less accumulated
    amortization                                      25,971   14,966

    Goodwill                                           3,734        -

    Intangible Assets, at cost, less
    accumulated depreciation
    and amortization                                   1,375        -

    Total assets                                   $ 104,487 $ 95,390


    RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. and its Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Balance Sheets (cont'd)

    In thousands except share data
                                                        As of        As of
                                                       Dec-31       Dec-31
                                                         2008         2007

    Liabilities and shareholders' equity

    Current liabilities
    Accounts payable:
    Trade                                             $ 9,058      $ 5,040
    Other                                               1,944        1,559
    Fair value of embedded currency
    conversion derivatives                              1,205        1,616
    Related parties                                        25           26
    Deferred income                                     5,091        5,191


    Total current liabilities                          17,323       13,432

    Long - term liabilities
    Deferred income                                     6,689        5,169
    Liability in respect of employee
    severance payments                                  1,378        1,011
    Deferred taxes                                        747          619

    Total long - term liabilities                       8,814        6,799

    Total liabilities                                  26,137       20,231

    Commitments, contingent liabilities
    and liens

    Shareholders' equity
    Share capital:
    Ordinary share NIS 0.01 par value
    each (20,000,000 shares
    authorized as of December 31, 2007
    and 2008; 17,286,762 and
    17,306,783 shares issued and fully
    paid as of December 31, 2007 and 2008)                 40           40
    Additional paid in capital                         52,106       51,691
    Retained earnings                                  26,309       23,429
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                (105)          (1)

    Total shareholders' equity                       $ 78,350     $ 75,159

    Total liabilities and shareholders'
    equity                                          $ 104,487     $ 95,390


    RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. and its Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    In thousands
                                             Year ended    Three months ended
                                           Dec-31   Dec-31   Dec-31    Dec-31
                                             2007     2008     2007      2008

    Cash flows from operating activities

    Net income                           $ 13,432 $ 11,404  $ 3,585   $ 3,213

    Adjustments required to reconcile
    net income to net cash provided
    by operating activities:

    Deprecation and amortization            3,971    2,971    1,201       802
    Provision for losses in accounts
    receivable                                752    1,094      211       485
    Deferred taxes                            324    (329)      413     (169)
    Discount accretion and premium
    amortization of held- to- maturity
    securities, net                         (635)  (1,361)     (70)     (416)
    Discount accretion and premium
    amortization of available- for-
    sale securities, net                    (246)     (16)     (68)      (16)
    Changes in liability for employee
    severance payments, net                    49     (10)    (135)     (121)
    Capital gains on sale of fixed
    assets, net                              (10)      (4)        2         -
    Expenses in relation to options
    granted                                   415      411      103       102
    Changes in fair value of embedded
    currency conversion derivatives       (1,342)      646  (1,188)       420
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Increase in accounts receivable
    - trade                               (1,558)  (1,328)  (2,964)   (1,596)
    Decrease in related
    parties, net                               13       49       47        60
    Decrease (increase) in accounts
    receivable - other                        101      279    (189)       568
    Decrease (increase) in prepaid
    expenses                                (472)    (696)    (459)       175
    Increase in deposits and
    long-term receivables                   (687)     (86)    (131)     (292)
    Increase in accounts payable            4,236      128    2,161       677
    Increase in deferred income             1,420    2,423    1,126       761


    Net cash provided by operating
    activities                           $ 19,763 $ 15,575  $ 3,651   $ 4,653


    RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. and its Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    In thousands
                                         Year ended       Three months ended
                                      Dec-31     Dec-31    Dec-31     Dec-31
                                        2008       2007      2008       2007

    Cash flows from investing
    activities

    Investment in fixed assets    $ (14,942)  $ (5,352) $ (2,304)  $ (1,314)
    Investment in other assets      (11,852)    (1,033)  (11,830)       (28)
    Investment in securities
    available- for- sale            (19,188)    (3,048)         -    (3,048)
    Investment in securities
    held- to- maturity                     -   (33,989)         -      1,142
    Decrease (increase) in
    trading securities, net            2,427    (2,015)       394        842
    Proceeds from securities
    available- for- sale              17,980      1,062    13,980      1,062
    Proceeds from securities
    held- to- maturity                22,689      5,807     3,182      4,216
    Proceeds from sale of
    fixed assets                          15          9       (2)        (3)

    Net cash used in investing
    activities                     $ (2,871) $ (38,559)   $ 3,420  $ (2,869)

    Cash flows from financing activities
    Increase in short term credit                               0      (177)
    Dividend paid                 $ (10,552)        $ - $ (5,020)        $ -

    Net cash provided by (used in)
    financing activities          $ (10,552)        $ - $ (5,020)    $ (177)

    Increase (decrease) in cash
    and cash equivalents             $ 6,340 $ (22,984)   $ 2,051    $ 7,345

    Balance of cash and cash
    equivalents at beginning of
    Period                          $ 28,409   $ 51,393  $ 32,698   $ 21,064

    Balance of cash and cash
    equivalents at end of Period    $ 34,749   $ 28,409  $ 34,749   $ 28,409

    A. Non-cash transactions
    Investment in fixed assets         $ 306      $ 138     $ 142     $ (75)

    B. Supplementary cash flow
    information
    Income taxes paid                $ 3,392    $ 3,650   $ 1,565      $ 711


    Company Contact Information:
    Gil Efron, CFO
    Tel: +972-8-861-0000
    investors@rrsat.com

    External Investor Relations Contacts:
    Ehud Helft / Kenny Green
    Tel: +1-646-201-9246
    info@gkir.com

Pimp up my Wife Launches on FX

LONDON, January 29 /PRNewswire/ --

- Husbands Compete to get Their Wives an Extreme Makeover

Pimp Up My Wife, a new show from the FX Channel, is set to re-invigorate marriages and make the dreams of 10 husbands come true. Hosted by DJ Spoony, from Radio 5 Live, the show is searching for husbands who are unhappy with their wives' appearance and as a result want them to have a complete body, hair and style makeover with hopes to improve their sex lives and in some cases even save their marriage.

Airing on Thursday, February 5th at 10pm the show is set to take reality TV to another level by fulfilling the fantasies of 10 unhappy men. Worthy applicants for the treatment can apply at http://www.pimpupmywife.com.

    Pimp Up My Wife has been created following market research
    that suggested:

    - before marriage 20% wished their other halve was better
      looking

    - 52% of married men find their wives less attractive after
      five years of marriage

    - 81% of married women are unhappy with their current body image

    - A tummy tuck would be the perfect makeover for 49% of women

    - 59% have considered cheating on their wives for a younger,
      sexier model

    - 3 in 10 men admitted to thinking of someone else in the
      bedroom

To address Britain's not so marital bliss the makers of the show have assembled a team of female customisation specialists to seek out worthy wives to experience the ultimate pimping.

The show's creators are excited about changing the lives of couples all over Britain, "If you think your other half has let herself go or you are embarrassed to take her to work do's then here's your chance to make a difference. Pimp Up My Wife is here to turn the ugliest of wives into goddesses."

One husband whose wife has been accepted for Pimp Up My Wife expresses his delight: "For the last 2 years I have tried to avoid being seen in public with my wife. I can't stand the way she dresses and feel her looks have gone downhill. We hope that getting the Pimp Up My Wife makeover will stop the rot and bring back the woman I fell in love with."

Couples who feel that plastic surgery would benefit their marriage can still apply to get the TV makeover at http://www.pimpupmywife.com.

To find out about the entrants, interview DJ Spoony or get footage from the show please contact Gavin Lewis at Resonate on gavin@resonate.uk.com

Study of 2000 Britons conducted by One Poll research on behalf of the FX Channel according to Market Research Quality Standards Association (MRQSA) guidelines

    Websites
   http://www.pimpupmywife.com

    Keywords

    Pimp Up My Wife
    DJ Spoony
    FX
    Makeover
    Plastic surgery
    Unhappy husbands
    Makeover show
    Wives' appearance


Research Shows AmberFin Provides Superior Quality HD Video Content

LONDON, January 29 /PRNewswire/ --

- User Analytics Study Reveals That 84% of Consumers Prefer the HD Image Quality of AmberFin's iCR Software When Compared to a Leading Competitor

In a recent study by independent research house User Analytics, 84% of consumers surveyed stated that the HD image quality of files transcoded by AmberFin's iCR software tools were far superior to that of a leading competitor. The study took a selection of SD source material and up-converted it to HD content using iCR and a leading competitor's solution. Results of the up-conversion were compared based on consumer perception of the image quality.

With consumer adoption and demand for HD content continuing to increase, the results from this study are crucial for broadcasters and content providers. They are faced with the challenging task of converting large amounts of archived video content, held in multiple legacy formats, to HD without compromising the quality of the master. Over the course of 2008 HD-display TV penetration increased significantly in Western Europe and North America and it is predicted that by 2012 HD-readiness of viewing platforms will stand between 75% and 100% in developed markets*.

AmberFin's iCR software tools can easily convert between various formats and feature unrivalled scaling and deinterlacing technology to offer seamless up, cross and down conversion. Covering a multitude of formats, iCR is able to up-convert files and reduce the file size by as much as 25%, easing delivery system requirements without undermining image quality. Even with today's complex business workflow systems, iCR is able to incorporate rich scripting capabilities enabling content owners to integrate any task or system into their workflows so that up-conversion is simply a part of the process.

Bruce Devlin, CTO, at AmberFin comments: "Whether you are reducing files to the smallest possible size, or creating astonishing streaming HD, the study clearly shows that the average consumer prefers the way AmberFin makes pictures. Great media businesses need to manage the trade-off between image quality and file size. Only AmberFin gives the media industry true control in this area."

Note

* Screen Digest, HDTV 2008, 01 July 2008

About AmberFin

AmberFin enables content owners to maximize the value of their TV, film and video content, from capture through to distribution, while increasing revenues, reducing costs, saving time and eliminating incompatibility issues. AmberFin iCR, with four-time Emmy-award winning technology, plays a key role in turning the content that owners have into the content their customers want. As an open standard, future proof platform that digitizes and transforms new and archived content, AmberFin iCR delivers the best quality pictures at smaller file sizes across multiple delivery platforms, including the Internet, VoD, TV, mobile and other small screen devices. AmberFin is trusted by some of the world's most prestigious companies including Sony, NBA, Turner Broadcasting, BT, Channel 4, RTM and Warner Brothers, managing the digitization, review and quality control and repurposing of their content.

Privately held by Advent Venture Partners, AmberFin is, headquartered in Basingstoke, UK. More information is available at: http://www.amberfin.com

    Editorial contacts
    Kirstyn Langford
    Hotwire for AmberFin
    amberfin@hotwirepr.com
    +44-207-608-2500

    Jaime Tero
    GBC for AmberFin
    jaimet@gbc-usa.com
    +1-415-989-9803


New Super Bowl Ad Reminds Minnesotans: 'We All Pay the Price for Tobacco'

ClearWay Minnesota(SM) highlights important health message during the big game

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Super Bowl is known as much for its striking ads as it is for the actual football game. Among this year's offerings will be a new ad from ClearWay Minnesota that somberly reminds Minnesotans that "we all pay the price for tobacco."

The devastating economic, emotional and health consequences of tobacco use are explored though a series of fast-paced, provocative images in a new spot called "Cash Register." The new spot will air during the Super Bowl in Minneapolis, Duluth and Rochester, and statewide in the months to follow. Other elements of the campaign will include a website and print, online and bus ads.

"Our hope is that this campaign will spur renewed awareness that the cost of tobacco use, in lives lost, disease and health care costs, continues to be too high for individuals, families and the state," said David Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer of ClearWay Minnesota. "As Minnesota wrestles with historic budget deficits and soaring health care costs, the goal of continuing to reduce tobacco use needs to be a part of the solution."

The spot ends with the new campaign's website, www.weallpaytheprice.com, which provides facts about the comprehensive costs of tobacco, as well as highlighting areas where progress has been made and resources for people who want to quit.

The We All Pay the Price campaign highlights the following facts about tobacco use in Minnesota:

  • Annually, tobacco use costs more than 5,500 Minnesotans their lives in addition to nearly $2 billion in health care costs, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
  • Seventeen percent of Minnesotans, or 634,000 people, continue to smoke, according to the 2007 Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey.
  • Each pack of cigarettes smoked in Minnesota costs an estimated $8.85 in medical expenses and lost productivity, according to the CDC. The average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $4.24.

"ClearWay Minnesota has a history of launching new and innovative campaigns during the Super Bowl," said Jerry Fury, Vice President Creative Director at Clarity Coverdale Fury, the Minneapolis advertising agency that created the campaign. "The campaign's power is in the message that 'we all pay the price of tobacco.' That sentiment really hits home for the majority of Minnesotans, who have all been touched in some way by the devastating consequences of tobacco use."

The We All Pay the Price campaign will run through June. To view the television spot, contact Kerri Gordon for a copy on DVD, or visit www.weallpaytheprice.com on Friday, January 30.

All Minnesota adults have access to free professional stop-smoking help through QUITPLAN(R) Services, including free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. During the past eight years, more than 12,700 Minnesotans quit smoking with the help of QUITPLAN Services. Call 1-888-354-PLAN or visit www.quitplan.com for more information.

ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, nonprofit organization that improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco. ClearWay Minnesota serves Minnesota through its grant-making program, QUITPLAN(R) stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is funded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement.

For more information on ClearWay Minnesota or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400 or visit www.clearwaymn.org.

Neil Leeds, Founder of Leeds Mattress Stores, Enjoys Comedy Bit on ABC-TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live

SUN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Local entrepreneur, and legendary TV commercial personality, Neil Leeds, had some fun last night with the whole team at ABC-TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live: "I welcomed the crew to come to one of our stores to do a hidden camera schtick to poke a little fun at myself," Leeds says. "After so many years in people's living rooms throughout Southern California, it was a lot of fun to have some laughs at my own expense, to do a little self-parody."

The segment includes Cousin Sal up to his Hidden Camera antics at one of the 25 Southern California Leeds' stores. Check out the commercial mocku-mentary at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4CDRz-GDq4.

There are only a handful of commercials that stand out as true Southern California classics and, over the past decade, the Neil Leeds mantra of "We Won't Be Beat" can be parroted by kids and adults alike. "I actually came to Los Angeles to explore the entertainment business back in the 90s so it was a real thrill for me to work with their crew."

Leeds found his first location in North Hollywood in need of desperate repair, so he rolled up his sleeves and brought out his broom and cleaned up the property. Within a few months, he was ready for business. He chose his own name to reflect his personal values - giving back to the community and dealing fairly with everyone he serves. Today, quite literally, you can still find him outside sweeping his stores clean, helping his delivery team to unload the trucks, and helping customers to select new mattress sets.

For Neil, the company is really a way to give back to the community, and to build something bigger than himself: "While it's fun to be noticed by adults and kids alike from all the commercials we've run over the past 10 years, I wanted to take this chance to poke a little fun at myself and my commercials."

For more background information, please visit http://www.leedsmattress.com/default.html .

About Leeds Mattress Stores, Inc.

With more than 25 stores throughout Southern California, Neil G. Leeds has become an iconic figure through his TV commercials, has earned an untarnished reputation as an ethical and successful entrepreneur, and has demonstrated his commitment to dozens of charitable causes and community projects over the years - including Toys for Tots, Mayor of L.A. City Clean Up Day, The American Cancer Society, The American Red Cross and many others. The company continues to emphasize his original core values: providing the best value for customers; keeping the best employees and rewarding them for their efforts; and, treating every customer with respect and fairness.

    Media Contacts:

    Darren Shuster
    Media Representative
    Neil G. Leeds and Leeds Mattress Company, Inc.
    Phone: (818) 744-1851
    E-mail: darren@popculturepr.com

9.7% of Hispanic Households Still Unprepared for the Switch to Digital Television

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 6.5 million U.S. households -- or 5.7 percent of all homes -- are not ready for the upcoming transition to all-digital broadcasting and would be unable to receive any television programming at all if the transition occurred today, The Nielsen Company reported today. This is an improvement of more than 1.3 million homes since Nielsen reported readiness status at the end of December.

     Percentage of Households that Are Completely Unready for the Digital
                                  Transition

       Preparedness
          as of:     Overall  Hispanic  White  African-  Asian  Under    Over
                                               American         Age 35  Age 55
       Jan. 18, 2009   5.7      9.7      4.6      9.9     6.9    8.8     4.0
       Dec. 21, 2008   6.8     11.5      5.6     10.8     8.1    9.9     5.2

    Source: The Nielsen Company

Under government-mandated action, all television stations are required to switch to digital programming by February 17, 2009, which will leave viewers without a television signal unless they purchase digital television sets, connect to cable, satellite, and alternate delivery systems or purchase a converter box.

Nielsen is making these estimates available as a public service to the television industry, government policy-makers and local communities. This information is based on the same national and local television ratings samples that are used to generate national and local television ratings. To conduct the survey, Nielsen representatives observed and tabulated the actual televisions used in its samples. Because Nielsen has developed samples that reflect the total U.S. population, including African-American and Hispanic populations, these household characteristics in the samples can be projected to the whole country.

"Nielsen has been preparing for the transition to digital television for more than two years," said Nielsen Vice Chair Susan Whiting. "Because we recognize that accurate and reliable information on consumer behavior is essential to this transition, we've been sharing our data with clients, government leaders and the public so they could track progress to digital readiness."

"There are still millions of people who will be adversely affected because they are not ready for the digital transition. So it's critical that we provide them with the information and resources they need to stay connected with the world," said Ernest W. Bromley, Nielsen Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council (HLAC).

"Nielsen has played a key role in reaching out to our underserved communities and helping them understand what needs to be done," said Nita Song, Nielsen Asian Pacific American Advisory Council (APAAC).

"It is imperative that we operate at an accelerated pace to educate those who are at the greatest risk of losing their television service -- low- income households, large numbers of senior, minority and disabled viewers. These viewers rely on traditional television the most and can least afford to lose their television lifelines. We have a responsibility to make sure that these groups, whether in our families, churches or communities, are equipped and ready for this transition," said Cynthia Perkins-Roberts, Nielsen African American Advisory Council (AAAC).

Local Market Rankings

Among the 56 local markets that Nielsen measures with electronic meters, the one that is least ready is Albuquerque-Santa Fe, with 12.4% of the households completely unready. The most prepared market is Hartford & New Haven, with only 1.8% of homes unready.

For more information on the U.S. state of readiness for digital transition, please visit: http://www.nielsenwire.com.

About The Nielsen Company

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

Contact

Anne Elliot, The Nielsen Company

813.366.3556

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Infomercial Production a Hot Topic at Upcoming DRTV Course

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Working effectively with an infomercial production company requires the ability to collaborate. And this collaborative effort is the foundation of a successful DRTV campaign.

"In my experience, the best possible results come from a true partnership between the marketer and the infomercial production company," says Direct Response Academy CEO Greg Sarnow. "Marketers know their products better than anyone. Their input is vital during creative development. The combination of that knowledge with the production team's expertise and experience in developing the right type of infomercial for your product and target audience is very powerful."

The upcoming DRTV Management Boot Camp - Special Focus: Customer Acquisition program in Miami offers the opportunity to learn the infomercial production process. Sarnow will share the critical steps the technical experts follow to produce the best spot for a particular product. The course will also include a study of the most successful infomercial style: the customer acquisition model.

The DRTV Management Boot Camp is the industry's gold standard training program. The course explores a full infomercial campaign from start to finish. Participants will learn to:

  • Determine if a product is feasible for an infomercial campaign
  • Build a compelling product offer
  • Choose the best creative approach and production format
  • Build a sound financial model
  • Analyze media placement results
  • Maximize effectiveness of telemarketing and product fulfillment vendors
  • Integrate web sales with a DRTV campaign
  • Brand DRTV products for sale at the retail level

The Back-End Management program completes the course. Participants learn to manage a campaign when an infomercial is a hit, concentrating on the sales process, telemarketing, fulfillment, customer service, and financial components.

This program is designed for anyone involved in direct response television, from marketing and advertising managers, to inventors, entrepreneurs, and DRTV service providers.

The course will be held at the Marriott South Beach from February 18-20. For more information, contact Mark Warren at markw@directresponseacademy.com. Visit: www.DirectResponseAcademy.com/

The Direct Response Academy in Austin, Texas is the only educational company dedicated to teaching the best practices of direct response television marketing. The Academy offers on-site and public training, infomercial campaign management, and consulting services for companies and individuals who are launching or managing DRTV campaigns.

    CONTACT:  Patricia Mellody
              512-301-5900
              pat@directresponseacademy.com

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Greg Sarnow

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=67583

Marketing and Media Veteran Eileen Prose Joins Renaissance Group as Director of Public Relations

Marketing powerhouse and award-winning broadcaster to focus on Alliance of independent insurance agents who offer unprecedented solutions to consumers.

WELLESLEY, Mass., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance Group, one of New England's fastest growing and most innovative insurance organizations, announced today that marketing luminary and Emmy award winning broadcaster Eileen Prose has joined the company as Director of Public Relations. Prose will drive the PR efforts for all of the Renaissance Group divisions, including the Renaissance Alliance Group of 80 independent New England agents.

"Eileen's record of promotion success is extraordinary," said Bruce Cochrane, CEO of Renaissance Group. "She will super-charge our marketing and public relations efforts - just when our success is really starting to soar. We are thrilled Eileen has joined the Renaissance Team."

"Eileen brings 20 years of Fortune 500 integrated media program management and event production skills to our organization. At Renaissance, she will focus on accelerating an already rapid rate of growth while establishing a strategic, community based, Public Relations infrastructure able to support the company and its affiliated agents on a local, regional, and national level," said First Senior Vice President Joe Solomon.

"Renaissance Group has amazing people and services - real paradigm changers," said Eileen Prose. "With this kind of talent, momentum, and commitment to the consumer driving every decision, I truly see no limit to the growth of this outstanding organization and their partner agents."

A remarkable broadcasting career further enhances the industry savvy and dynamism Prose brings to Renaissance Group. As the longtime host of the Good Day show on WCVB/Channel 5, Prose won four Daytime Emmy Awards. She has hosted numerous high-profile programs including Working Mother, a daily national program on Lifetime Television, for which she won the coveted cable ACE award, Your Baby and Child, also a national program on Lifetime Television, and WRKO's The Eileen Prose Show. She won a Telly Award for the writing and production of an Ocean Spray signature film, was Second Runner-up and the Talent Award Winner in the Miss America Pageant, and was named Best in the Media by many organizations and Woman of the Year by the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Prose has won many honors for her public service and continues to serve on the boards of several charitable foundations.

About Renaissance Group

Renaissance Group is an integrated group of specialty services for New England based insurance agencies, insurers and vendors that leverage their considerable combined expertise to deliver "Best in Business" insurance services to business, individuals and families throughout the region. Renaissance agents have learned the advantages of unprecedented growth, increased efficiencies and cutting-edge technology. In an era of increasingly impersonal sales and service, Renaissance Group offers a fresh, relationship based, alternative to its affiliated agencies, insurance partners and the thousands of consumers who rely on Renaissance Alliance Agents.

Generate Inks Exclusive Television Development & Production Deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Generate (www.generatela.com), the cross-platform production and management company, has signed an exclusive multiyear television development and production deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television (TCFTV). The announcement was made today by Generate CEO, Jordan Levin, Pete Aronson, president of Generate Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Television Executive Vice President of Creative Affairs, Jennifer Nicholson-Salke at the annual National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) conference taking place this week in Las Vegas.

Under the multiyear deal, Generate will develop scripted broadcast and cable series concepts exclusively for TCFTV, which will also get a first look at any alternative or reality programming concepts developed by Generate over the course of the deal.

Generate, which develops franchise entertainment properties across broadband, television, film and publishing, is responsible for producing two of the fall television season's most critically-lauded new series: The David Alan Grier vehicle, Chocolate News for Comedy Central and Somebodies, BET's first original scripted series based on the Sundance-honored film of the same name.

"We are very excited to be partnering with Twentieth, a studio my partners and I have had the pleasure of working with in various capacities over the years," said Levin. "Forging this increasingly rare type of deal is an important milestone for our growing television division."

"We have a long history with Jordan and Pete and are excited to be working with them again," commented Nicholson-Salke. "They are smart, creative guys with fantastic taste in both talent and material and we can't wait to get a crack at their development."

As CEO of the WB Television Network, Levin worked in partnership with TCFTV Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden on audience favorites like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Reba and Roswell. Aronson served as president of Regency Television, the studio created from a partnership between News Corp.'s Fox TV Studios and Arnon Milchan's Regency Enterprises, before joining the studio's Bernie Mac Show as executive producer.

"Following a busy 2008, we are well-positioned for further growth and continued success creating compelling entertainment concepts, informed by our background in both traditional TV and multiplatform digital content," added Aronson.

In addition to Chocolate News and Somebodies, Generate's fall 2008 slate included two scripted, original Web series: The political satire Republicrats produced exclusively for MSN; and the second season of the dark comedy, Pink: The Series, which recently cracked the top 15 most-subscribed channels on YouTube.

Generate is represented by UTA and Abel Lezcano of Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano, LLP.

About Generate

Launched in 2006 by leading entertainment executives with diverse experience in television, film, digital and talent management, Generate is the first cross-platform production and management company established to develop franchise entertainment properties for the transmedia generation. Generate develops professionally produced, premium content that can migrate from broadband to television, film, publishing and beyond, and creates innovative concepts to integrate into the advertising, technology and entertainment communities. Generate's talent management arm boasts a large concentration of online talent including actors, comedians, writers, producers and directors. Headquartered in Los Angeles and New York, Generate was recently named by TV Week magazine as a Top Web Video Creator and to the 2008 AlwaysOn OnHollywood 100 as a top private company in digital entertainment and media. The company completed a $6 million Series A round backed by Velocity Interactive Group and MK Capital in March 2008. For more information on Generate visit www.generatela.com.

About Twentieth Century Fox Television

Twentieth Century Fox Television, a division of News Corp, is a leading supplier of entertainment programming domestically and around the world.

FLW Outdoors Highly Acclaimed Television Show to Premiere on VERSUS

Program will air Sundays from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- FLW Outdoors, the largest tournament-fishing organization in the world and the home of FLW Fantasy Fishing, today announced that its programming will premiere on VERSUS, the network which brings anglers the best fishing programming on television featuring the most trusted authorities on the water. Beginning in April, the Emmy-nominated "FLW Outdoors" program will air approximately 30 original shows, produced in high definition (HD) television, Sundays from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ET.

In 2009, the Forrest Wood Cup will receive a pair of one-hour shows. Each of the six Walmart FLW Tour qualifiers, eight Walmart FLW Series and five Walmart FLW Walleye Tour events will each be given a one-hour show. National Guard FLW College Fishing, a new addition to the 2009 season, will also receive television exposure as the five Regional Championships will be covered with one-hour shows. Lastly, the Walmart BFL All-American, Stren Series Championship and TBF National Championship will be aired on VERSUS. FLWOutdoors.com provides an online guide listing upcoming episodes on "FLW Outdoors." Each episode of "FLW Outdoors" will also be available on demand in its entirety on FLWOutdoors.com.

"Our multi-year partnership with FSN was instrumental in putting competitive fishing in the forefront," said Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors. "That being said, we feel there is room for continued growth, and our new partnership will place our television programming on the fastest-growing network in the nation. Quite simply, VERSUS is home to the best outdoor programming in the world, which makes it a perfect fit for FLW Outdoors."

"VERSUS is very excited to be the new home of FLW Outdoors," said Jeff Macaluso, Director of Field Sports and New Media Programming and Production for VERSUS. "These high quality shows represent the best fishing tournaments with the most talented anglers from all around the country and are the perfect blend of outdoors and competition which is exactly what we promise to deliver to all our viewers."

"FLW Outdoors," hosted by Jason Harper, is also broadcast internationally through agreements with WFN (World Fishing Network) and Matchroom Sport to more than 429 million households in such countries as Canada, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.

FLWOutdoors.com

ABOUT VERSUS

VERSUS celebrates real competition across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 74 million homes, the network is the national cable home of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the IndyCar(R) Series as well as best-in-class events such as The Tour de France, Davis Cup Tennis, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Boxing. The network also offers collegiate sports featuring nationally-ranked teams from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12, Mountain West and Ivy League. VERSUS features the best field sports programming on television and is a destination for sports fans, athletes and sportsmen to find exclusive, competitive events and original programs, such as TapouT, Sports Soup and The Contender, that audiences can't find elsewhere. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world and is offering anglers the chance to win more than $33 million through 231 tournaments in 2009. FLW Outdoors also is taking fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports, $10 million in cash and prizes. Sign up for Player's Advantage for only $10 to get your edge and win. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player's Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com.

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee Celebrates Black History Month With Kids of Different Races Uniting to Change Their World on We Shall Not Be Moved - February 8, at 9:00 p.m.

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- American history was changed forever when Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States, and so, in celebration of Black History Month, 2009, Nick News with Linda Ellerbeeshowcases stories of kids of all races coming together to fight injustice on We Shall Not Be Moved, premiering Sunday, Feb. 8, at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. In the special, kids unite to make changes in their neighborhoods, in their schools, and in themselves -- through political action, poetry and art. For, as President Obama says, "There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America."

"When I was young, there was a song called 'We Shall Not Be Moved.' It was about strength and courage and was often sung during the civil rights movement. One verse said, 'Black and white together, we shall not be moved.' What this really meant was that black and white together, we cannot be stopped," said Ellerbee. "We know racism still exists, but these kids show us how we can really embrace each other's diversity and celebrate those differences."

Racism still exists. For instance, kids of different races who were friends in elementary school often begin to pull apart in middle school. In Ohio, a group of high-school kids, recognizing the problem, formed the Student Group On Race Relations (SGORR). Members of SGORR go into elementary schools and give kids of different races concrete ways to stay friends through middle and high school. "As children, we grow up believing we can be everybody's friends. The world teaches us differently, and I think the older we get, we tend to be afraid to cross that barrier," says Colin, one of the SGORR volunteers. "If we're going to change how we interact with other people, then it has to start with us and our friends," says Ayanna.

In Illinois, some kids noticed a big difference between the quality of schools in primarily black neighborhoods and schools in primarily white neighborhoods. "Schools are funded by property taxes, so it basically means the zip code you live in determines what kind of school you're going to have," says Matt, who is white and lives in suburban Chicago. "We want to challenge them (the politicians) to tell us to our face that our schools don't deserve the same funding as suburban schools," says Brandon, a student from the inner city school. Now kids from both races are doing just that -- challenging authority -- together.

Kids are also fighting racism through art. In Rochester, Minnesota, two students, Habib and Candice, put on a poetry slam in which kids wrote and recited poetry based on the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "We have to keep learning from what our ancestors did," says Habib. Candace explains, "Our generation is thought to be detached, so this is our way to prove that we are attached. We do still know what Martin Luther King stood for, who he was, what he did, that we still believe that his dream can come true in our world today." In Rolling Prairie, Indiana, students recently participated in an art project called "Hue-man Being" to demonstrate how people of all hues can learn to live together in harmony. The kids' artwork is being shown across the country and published in an upcoming book. "My picture is about three hands trying to touch each other. I put them trying to touch, but not touching, because I don't think we're all the way there yet," says Nick.

Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is now in its 19th year, and is the longest-running kids' news show in television history. It has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it speaks to kids about the important issues of the day. Over the years, Nick News has received more than 20 Emmy nominations and numerous Emmy wins, including last year, when "The Untouchable Kids of India" won the 2008 Prime Time Emmy for Outstanding Children's Program. In 2007, "Private Worlds: Kids and Autism" won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 1994, the entire series, Nick News, won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 1998, "What Are You Staring At?" a program about kids with physical disabilities, won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 2002, "Faces of Hope: The Kids of Afghanistan," won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. In 2004, two Nick News Specials, "The Courage to Live: Kids, South Africa and AIDS" and "There's No Place Like Home," a special about homeless kids in America, were both nominated for the Outstanding Children's Programming Emmy. In 2005, it won the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming for its show, "From the Holocaust to the Sudan." Nick News, produced by Lucky Duck Productions, is also the recipient of three Peabody Awards, including a personal award given to Ellerbee for her coverage for kids of the President Clinton investigation. The series has also received two Columbia duPont Awards and more than a dozen Parents' Choice Awards.

Nickelodeon, now in its 30th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 98 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 14 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

COMEDY CENTRAL(R) Ain't Got Nothing But Love for the Network Television Premiere of 'Christopher Titus: Love is Evol' Debuting Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 P.M. *

The DVD "Christopher Titus: Love is Evol" Will Be Released On COMEDY CENTRAL Home Entertainment On Tuesday, February 17 As Will The CD Of "Love is Evol" On COMEDY CENTRAL Records

NEW YORK, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Christopher Titus gives viewers his funny Valentine in the Network Television Premiere of "Christopher Titus: Love is Evol" premiering Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 p.m.

The encore presentation of "Love is Evol" will air Monday, February 16 at 12:00 a.m.

Love is patient, love is kind, love is -- Oh, come on! Love is basically "evil" spelled backwards and that's just how Titus sees it. Watch as Titus takes the stage and riffs his way to Loverville as he tackles relationships, divorce and the root of all "evol" in this all-new, one-hour special.

In addition, the "Christopher Titus: Love is Evol" DVD arrives in stores nationwide on Tuesday, February 17 and will also be available at http://shop.comedycentral.com.

"Christopher Titus: Love is Evol" DVD is a single disc and features the following bonus materials: "Titus vs. Cupid: Behind-The-Scenes at the Photo Shoot," "The Fans Speak: Love on the Rocks," man-on-the-street interviews with fans and "Countdown to V-Day," Titus gives love advice starting on February 1 and counting down to Valentine's Day. It also includes over 40 minutes of stand-up, never aired on COMEDY CENTRAL.

Also hitting stores on February 17 is the Christopher Titus' "Love is Evol" double CD, released by COMEDY CENTRAL Records.

Christopher Titus' breakout hit, one-man show, double CD "Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding" was released on COMEDY CENTRAL Records in July 2008. Recognized as one of the funniest comedians working today, Christopher Titus is rare in that he is innovative and fearless with any subject matter and constantly works on the edge on stage. Employing what he calls "hard funny," Titus can take the audience to the darkest place and always bring them back with uproarious laughter.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.

*All Times ET/PT