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Placecast Identifies the Top Digital Advertising Trends in 2009 : New Ways to Improve and Measure Ad Performance, Heightened Privacy Concerns and Online Video Are Trends to Watch

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) December 16, 2008

Looking back, 2008 marked a turning point in online advertising. Despite the slowing of growth in overall advertising spending, online has finally achieved its place at the table in mainstream media plans and continues to prove its value relative to traditional media. It was also a year for increased public scrutiny of industry practices as the medium achieves scale and prominence with advertisers.

“The year ahead will be difficult in many respects, but also very exciting,” said Placecast CEO Alistair Goodman. “We expect marketers who need to do more with less will put pressure on agencies, media providers, publishers and measurement firms to deliver more value. At the same time, tough market conditions always produce new ways of solving old problems. We see big opportunities for advertisers to find new ways to drive better performance for their campaigns.”

Six key trends identified in this release are:

1. The value of user data is questionable.

2009 will mark the year advertisers begin to look for alternatives to collecting and mining user data to improve the performance of campaigns. For several years, online marketers have attempted to incorporate increasingly large amounts of user data into the marketing equation with the goal of improving targeting and performance. Unfortunately, advertiser reviews of this approach are nearly universal: “anticipointed.” We now find ourselves in wave 2.0 of this effort in which firms are undertaking predictive modeling, attempting to analyze even more data in order to predict behaviors. However, these efforts will continue to disappoint and 2009 will mark the year advertisers begin to look for and incorporate new, non-user data sources for improving the performance of campaigns.

2. The Web will be connected to the physical world.

Until recently, the Web was built to ignore physical location. Several recent developments make clear that, beginning in 2009, location will drive the next wave of innovation on the Web. These announcements include: Geode for Firefox, a plug-in that allows the popular browser to determine and share the user’s location; Google’s releases of Android, Chrome and the Gears Location API, all of which incorporate location data; Fire Eagle from Yahoo! for location data management; more than 500 iPhone applications now using GPS location data as a critical component; and the news that Microsoft Windows 7 will include location data at the operating-system level for any application. All of these innovations and others still to come will bring location information into the mainstream Web-browsing experience, providing users with a way to connect their online experience to the real world.

For advertisers, this trend presages a host of new services launching in 2009 using location in various ways. Initial, simple applications from marketers will include couponing and advertising to users in proximity to potential offerings of interest (such as stores, cafés, restaurants, etc.). More advanced approaches will apply this new trove of location data to improve relevance, understand consumer intent and profile audiences. In the long term, we can expect location data to be incorporated into search algorithms as another way of increasing relevance, and also into performance marketing, where better relevance will drive significant improvements in performance.

3. Heightened privacy concerns plant the seed for regulation.

2008 will certainly go down as a year of turmoil for data mining models like NebuAd and Adzilla, and also as a year that brought small victories for privacy advocates. A new administration in Washington will bring new FTC regulators, and a climate that favors more standards and regulation. Despite the proactive efforts of industry organizations like the IAB and the NAI, 2009 will kick off a wave of new discussions about the collection and application of user data, with the balance of power shifting away from the advertising industry and towards the user.

President-Elect Barack Obama’s selection of Tom Wheeler, former head of major wireless organization CTIA, as a technology adviser also indicates we can expect to see a particular emphasis on mobile technology for the new administration.

4. View-through metrics gain traction in the downturn.

Down economies focus more attention and diligence on understanding the drivers of performance for online campaigns. 2009 will see more mainstream adoption of view-through as a complement to traditional metrics like click-through. View-through (also referred to as post-impression measurement) is a method for gauging the impact of an ad that a user sees but does not click on. It works by recording the exposure of a user to a specific display ad, then measures when that user returns to the advertiser’s site in a later session.

View-through gives marketers an ability to attribute value to the many impressions they deliver which do not immediately trigger an action. With average click-through rates on display ads dropping below 0.1% on average, marketers are recognizing that view-through provides a more complete understanding of how campaigns really drive traffic, and how impressions lift brand metrics such as awareness, favorability and intent.

5. The accessibility of display ad inventory will increase dramatically.

The combination of a downturn in the economy and continued automation of media planning and buying tools means that buyers will have easy access to display inventory in 2009. Even as broad networks consolidate or compress, exchanges are providing easy access for buyers to find reach and efficiency. The major players, including Google, Yahoo!, MSN and AOL, are capturing the largest share of available remnant inventory across their ad network offerings, and exchanges will continue to refine their operational and business models.

With the impressions themselves becoming ever more liquid and accessible through networks and exchanges, inventory value will be driven by services and technology. Next generation targeting approaches, which go beyond content and behavioral methods, will capture the attention of the buying community. Improved efficiency and valuable insights from reporting will give buyers the ability to focus media purchases even more efficiently over time.

6. Online video consumption will continue to grow.

In 2009, we will see significant increases in the online distribution and consumption of professionally-produced video content. This top tier video content will garner a majority of the video advertising spend. CPMs may contract slightly with broader distribution as audiences expect to find the content where they spend their time online. But with consumers in control and watching more video online, overall CPMs will remain quite healthy for video advertising in top content.

Several factors are fueling this trend: first, major advertisers are now thinking about online video at the creative stage and producing purpose-built material for the Web when they develop creative for TV. Secondly, production costs are also coming down, and we are beginning to see critical mass around a standard set of technologies and tools. Lastly, as more dollars migrate away from TV advertising because of the high cost, online video will become the beneficiary as it creates a similar immersive customer experience with TV and Hollywood appeal. Sites like Hulu provide TV-oriented brand advertisers with a captive audience – an example of why video will become a mainstream part of brand marketer advertising budgets in 2009.

About 1020 Placecast, Inc.

1020, Inc. is the developer and owner of Placecast™ Media, the first online advertising solution to target highly sought-after audiences using location-based information across the Web, mobile, and Wi-Fi. 1020′s groundbreaking Placecast service recently earned the company the “OnMedia Top 100″ Award, given to game-changing companies in the marketing, branding, advertising, and PR industries. Current advertisers include Microsoft Windows Mobile, FedEx Kinko’s, Avis and Budget Rental Cars and Hyatt Hotels. 1020 is funded by Voyager Capital and Onset Ventures. For more information about Placecast, visit http://www.placecast.net.

©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.



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New Plug-in-Shelf Portable Cell Phone Charging Station Eliminates Cell Phone Clutter

Franklin, MA (PRWEB) December 16, 2008

CP Docks introduces its latest cell phone charging station, the new, portable Plug-in-Shelf model, a product that eliminates the tangle of cell phone charger cord clutter from counters and tables. When you need to travel, simply unplug the unit and take your charger and charging station with you!

The Plug-in-Shelf cell phone accessory is a clever problem solver that allows cell phones, chargers and cords to be placed on a small convenient station that plugs into any electrical outlet in your home. The unit consists of a shelf for the phone, a cord holder to hide the charging cord and a unique plug adapter to plug in your existing charger. There is no need to store the charger when not in use since it can always stay with the charging station, even when you travel.

Manufactured from durable plastic with a skid-free pad to hold the phone or PDA, the Plug-in-Shelf plugs into any outlet and keeps your charger and cell phone in one place. No storing and looking for your charger and best of all, no more messy charger cords laying on your kitchen counter! The Plug-in-Shelf is $ 12.95 and available at http://www.cpdocks.com. with free first class shipping.

Professional home organizers have discovered the CP Docks cell phone chargers. Geralin Thomas, a professional organizer from North Carolina, recently learned about the units and put them in her own home.

“Recently, I discovered the Plug-in-shelf and I’m impressed! It’s a gizmo that requires no learning curve, no batteries and best of all, it is inexpensive. This product actually conquers and cures countertop-cord-confusion. Clients love them. Professional Organizers love them. Geeks love them. Families love them. I appreciate the way one intelligently designed little thing can change the entire landscape of a room. If your counter tops are covered with cords from iPods, mobile phones, digital cameras, computer cables, etc. I suggest the Plug-in-Shelf or EZ Mount Cell Phone Charging Stations.”–Geralin Thomas, Metropolitan Organizing, http://www.metropolitanorganizing.com

The benefits of the Plug-in-Shelf charging station include:

A permanent location for your cell phone and charger.
Uses your existing cell phone charger.
No more need to store your charger when not in use.
No more looking for your charger when you need to charge your phone.
Your cell phone is always charged and ready to use.
Keeps your tables and counters clear of messy charging cords.
Protects your phone from spills and damage.
It makes the perfect holiday gift.

Many other customers have discovered the benefits of the CP Docks line of cell phone charging stations.

“My kitchen counter space had disappeared with the mess of cell phone cords from my husband and my two teenagers. It seemed I was always pushing them out of the way … the EZ Mount solved my problems — and the kids can finally find their car keys!” — Carol, MN

“The Plug-in-Shelf works great for me. I am getting an extra one for my fiancb-Wendy, MI

“I am a contractor who can get a call in the middle of the night. I keep my EZ Mount next to my bed. The phone acts as a night light while charging and it is handy if I get a late night call. A great product!” — Dennis, MA

“I love it! It would be a great idea for a gift.” — Nancy, NH

The portable Plug-in-Shelf, along with the EZ Mount Charging Station, which features a built-in key hook, is now available online at http://www.cpdocks.com. You now have two great solutions to keep your home organized and clear of the tangle of cell phone charging cords.

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©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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Avis Budget Group to Roll Out TransCore’s eZGo Anywhere Wireless Toll Transponders for U.S. Car Fleet

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (PRWEB) December 16, 2008

“A tag that can be used to pay tolls wirelessly virtually anywhere in the country adds a new level of convenience for our renters,” said Michael Caron, vice president of product and program development for Avis Budget Group. “We were the first company in our industry to offer electronic toll collection, and our customers will now be the first to enjoy this enhanced new service.”

The new tags for Avis and Budget vehicles will be tested and deployed by HTA, which provides electronic toll payment services to Avis Budget Group.

“When I learned that the eZGo Anywhere transponder was being introduced in September of this year, I knew that a rental company’s customers could really benefit from this new service,” said David Centner, president and chief executive officer of HTA. “In addition, Avis Budget Group will benefit from having greater flexibility in managing its dynamic fleet movements because the transponders work virtually anywhere.”

The eZGo Anywhere transponders are interoperable with more than 95 percent of all toll systems in the United States, and have quickly garnered interest of motorists, business travelers, trucking companies, and rental businesses that want to enjoy the simplicity of wireless toll payment.

Kelly Gravelle, TransCore’s chief technical officer, explained, “The fleet management aspects of the rental car model along with the needs of their customers were among the factors that we considered in creating a new and better way for travelers to bypass cash toll lanes. With more and more municipalities and states adding electronic toll systems to highways, bridges and tunnels, some of which do not even offer a cash toll option, having a transponder that can go ‘anywhere’ the vehicle goes is a significant benefit for both drivers and transportation companies alike.”

Studies show that using electronic toll collection services helps reduce vehicle emissions, and saves travelers time, making their business travel more productive and their leisure travel more enjoyable.

About eZGo Anywhere Onboard Unit

The eZGo Anywhere onboard unit (OBU) operates in the 902-928 MHz frequency range, and is a high-speed, high-performance RFID tag suitable for electronic toll collection and traffic management applications where a standard on-board unit is specified. The eZGo Anywhere OBU employs advanced security techniques that ensure a tag’s authenticity while preventing data corruption and/or alteration. In addition, tag cloning, spoofing, copying, or duplicating is prevented. eZGo Anywhere OBUs support factory programming of fixed data fields that are locked at the factory and cannot be reprogrammed.

eZGo Anywhere is a trademark of TransCore, LLP.

About TransCore

TransCore’s 70-year heritage supporting the transportation industry spans a range of offerings for the toll, traffic management, airport, parking, access control, rail, intermodal, trucking, and homeland security markets. With products and installations in 46 countries, more than 100 patents worldwide, and pioneering applications of RFID and satellite communications technologies, TransCore’s expertise is unparalleled in the markets it serves. TransCore has more than 2,000 employees in 80 locations throughout the world.

TransCore operates as a unit of Roper Industries. Roper Industries is a market-driven, diversified growth company with trailing twelve month revenues of $ 2.3 billion, and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s S&P Mid-Cap 400, Fortune 1000, and Russell 1000 Indexes. Roper provides engineered products and solutions for global niche markets, including water, energy, radio frequency and research/medical applications.

About Highway Toll Administration (HTA)

HTA was the first electronic-toll-payment service provider to the car-rental industry and today has an estimated 75% market share by transaction volume. Through its patent-pending technology and proprietary services, HTA offers the most comprehensive solutions in its field, from transponder rentals to video tolling and violations processing. The company’s customers include Avis, Budget, National, Alamo and dozens of independents and franchises, such as of Dollar, Thrifty and Payless. HTA operates under the respective brands of its customers; for example, Avis eToll, and National and Alamo Toll Pass. HTA is based in Great Neck, N.Y. For more information, visit http://www.htallc.com.

Highway Toll Administration is a trademark of Highway Toll Administration, LLC.

About Avis Budget Group, Inc.

Avis Budget Group (NYSE: CAR) is a leading provider of vehicle rental services, with operations in more than 70 countries. Through its Avis and Budget brands, the Company is the largest general-use vehicle rental company in each of North America, Australia, New Zealand and certain other regions based on published airport statistics. Avis Budget Group is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. and has approximately 28,000 employees. For more information about Avis Budget Group, visit http://www.avisbudgetgroup.com.

MULTIMEDIA GALLERY http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5855472

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New Generation Virtual Viewing Simulation Product

Henderson, Nevada (PRWEB) December 16, 2008

On 11/11/2008, “Virtual Concept” released the RS1 racing simulator at the Performance Racing Industry show in Orlando, Florida. Based on their new “Force 180″ hardware platform, the RS1 brings virtual auto racing to a whole new level.

The RS1′s most significant feature is Virtual Concept’s’ new proprietary patent “Immersion Screen” design and technology, which gives racers a true 180 degree field of vision. This unique feature sets our product apart from the flat screen models more commonly in use today. Multiple high-output shakers increase the realism by reproducing vibrations. Add the RS1 control set, and driving through a simulated bend at 150 mph will never be the same.

The RS1 is available in the Xtreme package. Included with the base RS1 Xtreme package is a 900 degree force feedback wheel and 3 frame-mounted pedals, an 8-gate H-pattern shifter and a functional dashboard with LED shift lights, a gear selection indicator, and several programmable buttons. The VC Sims RS1 Xtreme is a turn-key package featuring a high-end PC and additional peripherals. Our product is software independent, meaning our customers use whatever simulation software they want to enjoy the experience on our simulator.The Xtreme package can be found in detail at http://www.vcsims.com.

Producing high-quality products for a reasonable price is a high priority at Virtual Concept. Expensive and unnecessary cosmetic additions are left out of the mix, leaving more room for features that improve the simulation experience.

“The Force 180 platform focuses on realism, not looks. Our tag line states just that. “It doesn’t need to look like one. It only needs to feel like one.” At Virtual Concept we want our multi-platform simulators to provide a great experience for even the most seasoned professionals. At the same time, we ensure that our units stay in a reasonable price range. The RS1 is a perfect example of this. We are very excited about our products and company direction,” says Ron Larabie, President of Virtual Concept.

Virtual Concept’s varied team of experts makes all of this possible. Virtual Concept’s aviation experts, who have experience dealing with multi-million dollar aircraft, ensure that all aspects of the simulator are top of the line. Their automotive experts and licensed race car driver add their input to product design to ensure that everything has a realistic feel.

“Having driven simulations for years I always felt that I was driving from the back seat. I wanted to create a product whereby I would feel immersed into the scene. With this idea I invented and created our VC Sims immersion screen for which we currently have a registered patent,” states Jean-Pierre Rivest, Inventor and Vice President of Concept and Design for Virtual Concept. In the 2nd quarter of 2009, Virtual Concept will be adding the VC Sims FS1 flight simulator to their product line-up. Although details have not been fully released, the FS1 control set will feature a multi-function joystick, separate throttle control, rudder pedals, and several other flight related features. It does not stop there; the company is also planning to release special edition packages of the RS1 in 2009. For future updates, be sure to visit the news section at http://www.vcsims.com.

About Virtual Concept:

With a focus on simulator hardware, the Virtual Concept team is dedicated to bringing consumers an ultra-realistic experience in computer simulation. From auto racing to aviation, Virtual Concept provides professionals and enthusiasts with the tools they need to train for real life situations. Virtual Concept has offices in Nevada, Florida, and Canada. Visit our web site at http://www.vcsims.com

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10 Ways Your PC Can Save You Money in the Bad Economy

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) December 18, 2008

As daily reports confirm, we’re now officially in the longest recession since the 1940s, with consumer spending down for the first time since 1991. Whether you’re one of the many people that want to avoid the cost of an unnecessary computer purchase and to continue using their old machine or you just managed to buy that dreamt-of newest model, the good news is you can follow these 10 easy steps outlined by the PC tune-up experts at iolo technologies to make your system – old or new – go a long way in the bad economy.

One of the most frequent reasons people cite as justification for a new computer purchase is that their old one has just gotten too slow. However, contrary to what many of us believe, computer electronics do not actually slow down as they get older. So, why is it that your snappy new PC seems to suffer from ongoing performance degradation over time? Over a decade of research shows that 98 percent of all slowdowns and other problems are caused by faulty settings, clutter, and fragmentation that result from normal everyday use.

The tips below can help keep your machine performing like the day you bought it. They will also help you save on energy, repair and recycling costs – perhaps enabling you to take advantage of some of this season’s unexpected travel specials and finally go on that Caribbean vacation instead of spending money on expensive computer service and upgrades.

RAM memory – with these three steps, you’ll soon forget you needed extra memory.

1.    Remove unnecessary Windows startup programs.

Many software programs will load unnecessary portions of themselves during startup eating up both memory and processor power.

How to: Use System Mechanic with its vast knowledge base of startup programs to safely recommend and automatically remove unnecessary memory wasting startup programs.

2.    Defragment your memory.

Memory fragmentation occurs over time as memory is allocated and released by programs. When RAM becomes highly fragmented and Windows runs out of free memory, programs do not have enough resources to function properly. Programs may not open or may run slower and frequently crash. Defragment your RAM and you’ll liberate enough memory to save you from buying an upgrade.

How to: Use System Mechanic to automatically defrag and rescue wasted memory

3.    Clean, compact and defragment the registry.

Inaccurate registry references frequently cause computer crashes and lock-ups, while a scattered and bloated registry wastes system memory and slows down Windows processing. With a cleaned-up and defragmented registry, programs will load faster and you’ll be able to run more items at the same time, without the extra RAM.

How to: Use System Mechanic to clean up, compact and defragment your registry and gain back all that wasted RAM memory

Hard drive – with two easy steps, you’ll save on buying a new one.

4.    Defragment the hard drive.

As you create, delete, and download files, your computer cannot store data as one unit and instead will split it up and store pieces in various drive locations. A fragmented hard drive has a large amount of such scattered data and can significantly slow PC performance. Files take longer to open and programs take longer to start. Defragment the drive and you’ll accomplish these common tasks faster without buying a bigger drive.

How to: Use System Mechanic to automatically keep your hard drives defragmented. System Mechanic will even defragment core Windows System files, boosting performance well beyond the capability of the Windows built-in defrag tool.

5.    Clean up clutter.

Over time, your hard drive steadily accumulates gobs of unnecessary files – old downloads, temporary internet cache, etc. Clean it up and you can recover gigabytes of hard drive space without spending time and money needlessly searching for a larger replacement drive.

How to: Use System Mechanic to automatically keep your PC free of clutter and your hard drive running at maximum capacity.

Energy use – follow these steps and you’ll see your energy bill shrink.

6.    Turn off the screensaver.

Research reveals that 53 percent of computer users never turn off their machine or turn it off only before they call it a day. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program touts figures estimating that people can save $ 25 to $ 75 in energy costs a year by merely turning off their screensaver.

How to: Go to Control Panel / Display / Screensaver and turn off the screensaver.

7.    Tune up your PC.

A tuned up computer uses less energy by allocating its resources more effectively. Tune up your PC and you’ll be able to run programs faster, accomplish more, and dramatically reduce your energy bill at the same time.

How to: Use System Mechanic, with more than 40 advanced tools and a range of options to satisfy both novice and expert users, to automatically tune-up your machine.

8.    Monitor the devices around your PC.

The various peripherals that are plugged directly into your computer use extra energy. Wireless mice and keyboards are expensive and require regular purchases of new batteries.

How to: Unplug peripherals when not in use and opt for wired mice and keyboards instead of wireless ones.

Everything else – regularly tune up your PC and you’ll save on much more than just the component upgrades.

9.    Perform comprehensive regular tune-up and maintenance and save money on expensive support calls and Service Center visits.

Service center visits and tech support calls can often be costly, time consuming and stressful. The good news is most of them can be avoided because the majority of Windows problems can be easily fixed by a software tune-up.

How to: Use System Mechanic’s patent-pending ActiveCare technology to keep your computer automatically tuned-up.

10.    Tune up your PC instead of throwing it out and you’ll save on recycling costs too.

You wouldn’t throw out your car if it started running a little slower and a simple tune-up would restore power, so avoid the same mistake with your PC when System Mechanic can easily and inexpensively bring it back to like-new performance. A study performed in 2001 showed that approximately half of 500 million computers discarded in the US were actually in good working order; their slowness named among the top reasons they were discarded. Before you decide to toss your trusted machine, consider the fact that disposing of your PC in an environmentally responsible way can be expensive. Even when you think you’ve recycled it, your old PC might end up being sold to third world countries, where underpaid employees will be exposed to hazardous substances in search for the precious metals contained in its parts. Limit the pollution, waste and your expenses by regularly tuning up your PC and thus extending its life well beyond the currently brief national 30-month average.

How to: Use System Mechanic to keep your old PC running like new instead of throwing it out for a new one every 30 months.

iolo technologies, makers of the #1 best-selling PC tune-up product used by more than 21 million users worldwide, hope that the tips above will help you get the most out of your personal computer this holiday season and put some much-needed cash back in your wallet.

However, if you decide you still want a brand new PC as your gift this holiday season – or just happen to discover an extra one lying around – make sure to donate your old one instead of throwing it out. You will get a tax break next year if you donate your computer before December 31, a local charity will benefit, and the environment will be spared more e-waste. iolo will offer you tips on how to safely and cost-efficiently donate your computer in time to write the donation off your taxes in the next installment in this tips series.

About System Mechanic:

System Mechanic, the #1 best selling PC tune-up product according to NPD Reports, is a comprehensive utility suite designed to keep computers in peak operating condition. The software combines over 40 robust tools in an integrated console designed to make it easy to fix, speed-up, and maintain PCs. Patent-pending ActiveCare™ technology proactively keeps computers operating at maximum performance by performing repairs and optimizations when the system is on but not being used, never interrupting the owner.

About iolo technologies:

iolo technologies, a privately held firm located in Los Angeles, produces award-winning software that repairs, optimizes, and protects computers running Windows. The iolo product line includes System Mechanic; System Mechanic Professional®, a comprehensive suite of PC tune-up and security tools; System Shield®, iolo AntiVirus™ and iolo Personal Firewall™, software for Internet security; Search and Recover™, a powerful data recovery tool that helps you recover lost files and photographs; and DriveScrubber®, a utility that permanently wipes data from hard drives.

Media Contact:

Julia Zamorska

iolo technologies

323-423-1030

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Same Cheap Car Insurance Quotes, New Owner.

Chicago (PRWEB) December 19, 2008

Internet start-up, Tomarro Media, recently acquired Insure-Net.com to provide users with a quick and easy way to compare insurance quotes. Insure-Net.com was originally created in the early 1990′s along with many other dot-com hopefuls, but never got off the ground. The site was purchased and redesigned by Tomarro Media in the fourth quarter of 2008. It has already become a fierce competitor in the market by gaining top search engine rankings and helping thousands of users get free insurance quotes.

Insure-Net.com offers users an efficient and simple way to get free insurance quotes for home, health, life and auto insurance. This site serves as a connection between people shopping for insurance quotes and insurance agents offering great rates. Site visitors simply fill out a short, basic form. Then, they will be contacted by up to five top insurance agents in their area who will offer the most complete coverage at the lowest possible price. All the site visitor has to do is pick the plan is right for them. Many save hundreds of dollars a year when they are shopping for more affordable home, health, life and cheap car insurance.

With more and more companies offering similar services, this model for searching for insurance quotes is not unique. However, Insure-Net.com will continue to grow and maintain it’s presence by offering the top-notch customer service, a consistently updated library of insurance articles of interest and by connecting users with top agents who can offer the most personalized plans at the lowest possible prices.

About Tomarro Media:

Tomarro Media is an internet advertising and marketing agency engaging in online lead generation for business, insurance, mortgage and auto financing. Our extensive experience with online lead generation enables our clients to leverage their brands and obtain ROI through a measurable, step by step program that establishes trust in us and the medium.

About Insure-Net.com:

Insure-Net.com is a leader in the online insurance marketplace. We connect people shopping for health, home, life and car insurance with agents offering the most complete coverage at the lowest possible rate. Insure-Net.com offers the thousands of daily online visitors a quick and easy way to get multiple insurance quotes from competing providers. To learn more about how to save on your insurance needs and to get free insurance quotes, visit Insure-Net.com.

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600 Jobs and 91 Shops Secured in £50m Deal as Swinton Champions the High Street

Swinton Insurance

Manchester, UK (PRWEB) December 20, 2008

Six hundred jobs and ninety one shops nationwide have been safeguarded in a £50m deal which sees Swinton expand to become the only national UK insurance retailer network on the high street.

In its 51st year of trading Swinton has acquired the Equity shop network of IAG (Insurance Australia Group Ltd) which is seeking to concentrate on its specialist motor underwriting business. IAG is one of Australia’s largest general insurance groups.

The deal will see all 91 of IAG’s Equity shops joining Swinton’s high street network increasing the overall total to 580, including 17 in Northern Ireland. (Equity’s popular Open and Direct branches in Northern Ireland will continue to trade as Open and Direct).

Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, led by Paul Foster, Deputy Area Director for the North West, has agreed to provide £175 million funding facility to Swinton.

Swinton now manages over 3.25 million individual home insurance and car insurance policies making it the third largest insurance retailer in the UK, and the only broker to have a truly nationwide network of branches.

Swinton, which last year announced record profits for its seventh consecutive year, is unique in the financial services sector for expanding its high street presence while competitors are deserting it.

The company’s business model combines internet retailing with a large high street presence giving every customer a single point of contact in a local branch. This approach of giving customers someone to speak to about car, home or other personal insurance matters has engendered significant brand loyalty among its customer base.

Swinton has three UK call centres in Manchester, Halifax and Norwich and will now employ nearly 5,000 people spread across the country and operates five motor and two home insurance brands on the internet.

Both Equity and ‘Open and Direct’ employees have been reassured by Swinton that no jobs are under threat as a result of this deal which underlines its steadfast commitment to stay on the high street.

Acquisition of Equity – Highlights:

600 jobs secured in £50m deal
Swinton now the 3rd largest personal lines insurance retailer in the UK
Swinton is now the largest personal lines retailer in Northern Ireland
91 new branches under Swinton control taking its UK total to 580
Policy Growth on acquisition +13% to c.3.25m policies
Swinton now employs nearly 5,000 staff

Patrick Smith, Swinton Group Chief Executive, said; “The acquired shops will be fully integrated into the business as will the Equity staff, whose expertise and knowledge of the communities in which they live and work, is very valuable to us. This deal is not about reducing staff numbers to increase margins; it is about providing great customer service to local communities.”

“The acquisition of the Equity shops cements our position as the leading High Street insurance retailer, but our success is due to our multi channel retailing capability. Customers want to choose how they buy insurance and many customers young and old want to speak to an expert member of staff face to face. The internet is a great research tool for consumers, but people continue to yearn for someone knowledgeable to speak to.”

“Recently many parts of the industry have focused on driving customers into e-commerce serviced by overseas call centres for the sole benefit of cost efficiencies. The credit crunch is not an excuse for the UK financial sector to abandon the High Street. Now is the time for our industry to safeguard UK jobs.”

In 2009 Swinton will continue to look for acquisition opportunities to enhance growth but is confident that the multi channel approach it has developed means it can also continue to grow organically.

Dave Allanson, Lloyds TSB Area Director and Head of Large Corporate in the North West commented; “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support Swinton with this important development in the company’s history. We’ve been working with Swinton for over two years and throughout this period Paul and the team have worked hard to develop a thorough understanding of this key, Manchester-based insurance player.

“Swinton has an enviable track record and has proved that is has the ability to succeed. The business is one of the most respected within the industry, both in the North West and nationally, and this latest acquisition should further strengthen its position in the market.

“This deal is one of the biggest that we’ve been involved in this year and the knowledge we have of Swinton and its growth plans enabled us to put together the right funding package, within the right timeframe. This deal once again demonstrates that despite the current economic climate, Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets is able to support top quality management teams – such as Patrick Smith and the team at Swinton – who have a clear vision for the future. We look forward to continuing the relationship with Swinton as they continue to drive the business forward.”

Lawyers Cobbetts advised Swinton on the deal with Paul Johnson, partner and Adam Kaucher leading. Johnson commented, “This is a significant acquisition for Swinton as one of the leading high street insurance brokers. Cobbetts is delighted to have assisted on this deal and it is particularly pleasing in these challenging times.” Banking advice was provided by Paul Brown.

For further information regarding Swinton please contact Daniel Kennedy on 07970 058 092, Anoushka Foster 07732 846 650, or Sarah Challinor at SKV Public Relations on Tel: 0161 838 7770 or email: daniel.kennedy@skvpr.co.uk

About Swinton:

    With 580 branches nationwide Swinton is the largest high street insurance broker;
Unlike many other companies in the financial services industry, Swinton is committed to keeping its branches open for business, and part of the community;
Swinton provides a one-stop-shop for the insurance and related needs of its clients, offering home, car, caravan, business, holiday, motorbike and even classic car insurance;
With a dedicated team of advisors on hand at every branch to search a panel of insurers to offer quality cover at competitive rates;
Swinton offers a ‘clicks and bricks’ approach to insurance – online prices with a high street presence.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.



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Contest Winner Presents Elaborate Entertainment System to Brother with Disability

Charlottesville, VA (Vocus) December 23, 2008

When Sam L. of Marion, Massachusetts, read about Crutchfield’s Holiday Dreams contest, his thoughts turned to his brother Ben, who has cerebral palsy. Sam’s idea was to transform Ben’s room into a home theater , so that Ben’s movie and music enjoyment wouldn’t be limited by his disability.

Contestants were challenged to make a dream come true for someone else by creatively using electronic gear supplied by Crutchfield. Two finalists would each win the products specified in their entry and would have their installations judged by Crutchfield’s online audience, which voted Sam’s entry the Grand Prize winner.

“Ben was born with cerebral palsy, and there are few activities that he can do,” Sam said. “One thing he absolutely loves is being in his own room watching movies and listening to music.”

“Ben’s eyesight makes it hard for him to see pictures on a small 13″ TV, which he has always had, so I chose a Panasonic 42″ 1080p model and an upconverting DVD player, so he can really see his movies like never before,” Sam said.

Sam’s Dream System also included a Yamaha receiver, Polk Audio speakers and an iPod®.

“The iPod will give him a variety of music to listen to, because he can never find music he likes on the radio. Also, the new shake feature on the iPod means that Ben could shuffle his music without any help.”

Along with up to $ 2,000 worth of electronics, the finalists also won access via telephone to Crutchfield Product Support Specialists to help them do the installation for their designated recipient. They had until November 24 to assemble their systems and submit photographs and videos of the installation process in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize — a $ 1,000 Crutchfield Gift Card.

The runner-up, Travis S. of Fairbanks, Alaska, designed a unique system for his father, who spends a lot of time working in the yard. Travis installed an impressive audio system on his dad’s riding lawn mower.

About Crutchfield

Crutchfield, which celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2009, is one of the nation’s leading catalog and Internet retailers of consumer electronics products. Since its introduction in 1974, the Crutchfield catalog has been a respected authority on car and home entertainment products, winning many awards for quality, design, and usefulness. The people who staff Crutchfield’s call centers are noted for their high integrity, product knowledge, and technical expertise. Crutchfield.com offers a full-service shopping destination to buyers of car and home audio/video products. Crutchfield was the first vendor-authorized audio/video retailer on the Internet and is one of only two retailers to have won BizRate’s coveted “Circle of Excellence” award nine times.

For more information, press only:

Jim Richardson

434-817-1000, ext. 2809

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Eric B. Paid in Full Twice: Features Brooklyn Rapper Avion in Debut Album

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 29, 2008

The multi-platinum producer and entrepreneur, Eric B. is breaking record deals for traditional as well as non-traditional music distribution. Music and Internet companies have proposals on the table to for Eric B. Feat. Avion album. The streets are talking about the new Eric B. project dropping sometime late spring 2009. Eric B. discovered the rapper, Avion, who delivers a unique sound and lyrics.

Born and educated in Brooklyn, NY, Avion has lived in Miami for ten years and both have an influence on his savvy style. Avion’s combination of east coast and southern appeal is the right mix for what music listeners want today. The single “Hit the Floor” with Rough Ryder RIAA Platinum rapper Jadakiss is on the hook. The Single already has rave reviews from several well-known industry music critics.

The interview took place in Eric B.’s head quarters, which is in one of his spacious mega mansions. Eric humbly says, “My goal is to build a 21st Century Motown. Motown an assembly line for hit music. Motown was a true music factory.” Eric B. continues, saying, “Product with the Motown name is still viable ten, fifteen, years after its initial release. Most of the hits made a decade ago are still playing on the radio airwaves today. This year the company will build the 21st Century Motown, which has both a music and film ventures under development. Eric B. Music Group is aggressively building the next generation of producers…”

Eric B. Special Projects is working with strong, young, talented producers that are consistently delivering the goods. During the interview Eric B. recently produced a duet for teen phoneme, Corey Golden and other well-known Radio Disney talent. The song sounds like a piece from the Broadway play Grease.

“Eric B. feels that it is important that we build a foundation on good product. The music, and lyrics, come from sought after talent working under the Eric B. brand and quality control. Most of our producers may not have gotten the shot with another label. We looked to develop raw talent…Eric B. hand picked talent that we feel have potential to be the next breaking artist. Music reviews are coming back strong,” states Richard V. Mahee, Executive at Eric B. Special Projects.

In the mid 80′s managed by Russell Simmons, Eric B. was paid in full with a $ 1 million advance from a record company (the first ever in hip hop game). Eric B. also was advanced another $ 1 million from a publishing deal on week later. $ 2 million in advance for a project is not even obtained by many signed artists in 2008. The reason why is because “Eric B. brings the highest quality of product in everything that he does. The Eric B. featuring Avion project will also bring tremendous opportunities for our partners and sponsors to leverage their brands,” says Richard V. Mahee.

Eric B. is also known for chart breaking music, selling out concert halls to Madison Square Garden. “It will be interesting to see the span of generations that will come out to the show. The show will pack many coliseums to the max,” says Richard V. Mahee.

In the mid 1980′s, Eric B’s influence was the inspiration for trends such as the valor Fila tennis suits, which then cost $ 1,700 each at the time, heavy solid gold rope chains. Eric B. is now setting more luxurious trends amongst his peers and today’s youth markets. When it comes to lifestyle, Eric B. raises the bar and always has. “People remember Eric B. as the first one in the industry to drive a Rolls Royce (his first car), but many people do not know that Eric B. is also behind music trends like party remix “Pump up the Volume”, which was produced by UK based M.A.R.S.,” notes Mahee.

His new project features the first artist to be released under Eric B. Music Group, “Avion”. Eric did this album with “A” (Avion) because he enjoys working with great musicians. Avion is an exception. Eric B will release an exclusive interview, which will be released through Billboard Publicity Wire next week. The article will focus on how Eric B. is on top of the game and being paid in Full Twice.

Eric B. started his music career at a New York Radio Station WBLS doing street jams. “It is important to the industry that we have people who understand music making artist and repertoire (A/R) decisions,” adds Eric B., who is the ultimate decision maker for the brand.

Coming from a background in radio, Eric B. hopes to continue to win over the ears and hearts of radio mix show DJ’s nationwide. Clubs and stations are starting to play the Eric B. feat. Avion record “Hit the Floor”. The complete album, which has 19 songs, including “Hit the Floor”, is under tight wraps until its release. The project is still untitled but has been played for a handful executives and insiders at and the other music publishing companies. The response is “this project will be a classic… Every song on the album is a hit record,” says Mahee. The team of executives and consultants are handing this project with special care. Eric dictates his ideas and concepts to Richard V. Mahee, who is known for his business development and marketing savvy have identified business targets of who we want to work with and are only knocking on those doors.

The video for “Hit the Floor” will hit the market in mid March. Eric B. Special Projects management team is also in negotiations with Boulevard Industries for a feature film, which is in pre-production. The cast will feature Eric B., Mahee and other members of Eric B. Special Projects executive management team such as: Supreme, Eddie Fuqon Brown, Freedom, John Cato, talent Avion and hot rising star model TL Blake. TL Blake now 20-years-old is one of the hottest new talents to break into young Hollywood scene may be featured in the video. TL Blake was recently the only teen model named to Stars Confidential Most Popular Teen List and Cultural Mall 100 Most Beautiful Worldwide List. TL Blake is now breaking out in to music videos and feature films. Casting for the project begins January 15, 2009.

Eric B. Special Projects is booking a series of shows (events) in major markets with a well-known international nightclub chain. “The vibe is luxurious private, mature and intimate… It’s about spending time with fans, friends and family to come out and enjoy themselves,” Says Mahee. Tickets for our club dates are rumored that VIP tickets start as high as $ 250 per person. No comment on the price for general entry as of yet. The events will launch off during the 51st Grammy Award Weekend.

Eric B and Avion will also do a series of Concerts dates which are already being scheduled for summer 2009. Eric B. and his legal team, headed by Washington D.C. based lawyer Floyd Blair, will make a decision on what deal Eric B. Music Group will sign before the album is dropped summer 2009. The Eric B. Feat. Avion single “Hit the Dance Floor” is released the January 7, 2009.

Eric B.: Previous Hits include:

“Paid in Full”, Chart positions: #58 US, #8 Top R&B/Hip Hop, Last RIAA certification: RIAA certification: Platinum Singles, “Eric B. Is President”, “I Know You Got Soul”, “I Ain’t No Joke”, “Move the Crowd”, “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em”, Chart positions: #32 US, #10 Top R&B/ Hip Hop, RIAA certification: Gold, Singles: “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em”, “In the Ghetto” “Mahogany”, “Don’t Sweat the Technique”, Chart positions: #22 US, #9 Top R&B/ Hip Hop.

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©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

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All New City to Excite with Dynamic Style, Class-leading Performance & Ingenious Practicality

Honda

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (PRWEB) December 29, 2008

Honda Malaysia today announced the arrival of the 3rd Generation City. Malaysian consumers looking for value-for-money sedans can find it all in the All-New City, which is now value-added and complete with a dynamic stylish design, class-leading performance and ingenious practicality.

In his speech at the All-New City’s launch ceremony, Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Honda Malaysia, said City has always been well received among discerned customers here in Malaysia, particularly for its practicality and economical features such as easy-to-maneuver size, spacious cabin, fuel efficiency and affordable price point. He emphasized Honda had significantly enriched the current model’s specifications with qualities and values that surpassed customers’ expectation in a sedan of its class. Honda had successfully integrated and packaged style, performance and practicality in the All-New City, which, according to him, “comfortably caters for both work and leisure to the out-going or family-oriented Malaysian.”

Mr Takeshi Nakamura, Chief Engineer of Honda R&D Co. Ltd, explained that the new model’s exterior styling had adopted the concept of the ‘Arrowshot Form’, which originated from the idea of an energetic arrow stringed on a bow and ready to be released. “The dynamic form and theme moved all the developing vectors in one direction and as a result, the design now features an imposing and ambitious look,” he said.

The ‘Arrowshot Form’ is expressed beautifully with a powerful forward thrusting front-end with character lines on both sides running from the rear rising roof and raised trunk deck. From the side view, the automobile conveys lots of pent-up energy with concentrating forces flying forward from a high tension rear-end. The headlights adopt a slim and wide design to give it a sharp look, while the rear combination lights took on the shape of feathers on an arrow to express aerodynamic and ‘cutting through the wind’ appearance.

The 3rd Generation City runs on the newly developed i-VTEC engine, which adopts a more advanced technology. Producing 120PS at 6,600 rpm, and 145Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm, it is currently the most powerful in its segment. It is also the first in the 1.5-liter sedan segment to come with the 5 Speed Automatic Gear Transmission. Both fuel efficiency and power output have been improved and balanced, without compromising one or the other, to achieve environmental-friendly performance. Fuel efficiency has been pursued from various angles, from improving oil retention, friction reduction, reducing fuel consumption in the high-speed and high-load ranges to reducing the overall weight of the car, thereby contributing to the model’s fuel efficiency. In terms of environmental performance, the 3rd Generation City meets the Euro 4 level of emission.

Interior spaciousness and comfort are greatly enhanced in the 3rd Generation City with a 100mm extended wheelbase that provides better styling and efficient space usage. It has a more adjustable and variable driving position and as such, providing better driving comfort, especially during long-distance drives. It now comes equipped with a tilt and telescopic steering column and driver seat height adjuster. The tilt and telescopic adjustment ranges have increased from 10 to 40 mm for each direction, and the driver’s ratchet height can be altered within a 50 mm range. A footrest has been widened by shifting the accelerator and brake pedals 15 mm to the right.

Developed for the best balance between maximum capacity and practical usage, the vehicle’s trunk capacity is now at an astonishing 506-liter, providing a lofty carriage space in cars of its 1.5-liter segment. Unique spaces such as the rear underseat tray (located beneath the rear seat) allow passengers to store their umbrellas and an extra pair of shoes for rainy days. Glove box and coin pockets are larger, allowing passengers the convenience to store more things. More storage areas are also incorporated – the cardholder located in the center arm rest, and extra cup holders are added in the front door pockets, between the two front seats, in front of the shift lever and in the rear armrest.

Drivers of the All-New City will be delighted by its new and multi-format compatible entertainment feature — the revolutionary ‘Advanced Audio’ digital media system is developed to be compatible with iPod, MP3 players and other sources of digital audio sound to allow driver and passengers to enjoy entertainment at their convenience. All major operations, such as song selection and volume adjustment, are controlled using four push buttons and a rotary selector similar to the Jog Dial function on an iPod. The system also provides high quality sound output with sophisticated acoustic tuning.

Honda incorporated All-New City with the revolutionary Advanced Compatibility Engineering or ACE body structure, which is an extension of Honda’s G-Force Control (G-CON) technology, designed to spread out and disperse collision impact so as to limit cabin intrusion and to effectively minimize driver and passengers as well as pedestrian injuries. Other safety features include SRS airbags, active headrests to prevent whiplash injuries and ABS and EBD.

Explaining the All-New City’s marketing campaign, led by the tagline – Excitement in the City, Mr. Fujimoto said, “We hope to enthuse and motivate our customers to approach the All-New City with a heart of discovering the excitement of a metropolis. In line with this, we have introduced an online portal at http://www.excitementinthecity.com.my to share our exciting discoveries with you.”

In closing to his speech at the launch, Mr Fujimoto added that local consumers’ sentiments have generally become much more cautious due to the challenging global economic outlook. “With the launch of the All-New City, we hope to excite the market and create some positive vibes to the Malaysians,” he said.

The 3rd Generation City is now available in the 1.5-liter i-VTEC Grade E and Grade S variants at all Honda authorized dealers nationwide. While the Grade S offers essential features of the All-New City, the Grade E variant offers additional features such as paddle shift, rear reclining seat, rear underseat tray and 16-inch alloy wheels. These two variants come in a selection of five colors: Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Deep Lapis Blue Metallic, of which the last two are new colors.

Starting today, customers can visit all authorized Honda showrooms nearby to view and test-drive the All-New City. For more information, please call Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to http://www.excitementinthecity.com.my for more details.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.