T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots

Capping off a year of game-changing firsts, T-Mobile US, Inc. today announced it’s got some skin in the Super Bowl this Sunday, airing its first ever TV commercials produced especially for the Super Bowl – both featuring Tim Tebow making the case for contract freedom.

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots (Photo from ad shot by Stacy Wall, Imperial Woodpecker Prod.)

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots (Photo from ad shot by Stacy Wall, Imperial Woodpecker Prod.)

The commercials (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItbUe2QZ2CQ and www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyK2UG334C8), which will debut during the game on Sunday, are the first T-Mobile spots created specifically for the Super Bowl. They feature Tebow in a series of tongue-in-cheek vignettes showing how awesome life can be when you aren’t tied down to a long-term contract.

T-Mobile came to me with a great idea around a fun and creative Super Bowl spot. I love what they’ve been doing and how they treat their customers,” said Tim Tebow. “It was a blast filming all of the various scenes, and working with T-Mobile to highlight their concept around no contracts for their customers.”

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots (Photo from ad shot by Stacy Wall, Imperial Woodpecker Prod.)

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots

T-Mobile Drafts NFL Free Agent Tim Tebow to Showcase Contract Freedom in Two New Super Bowl XLVIII TV Spots (Photo from ad shot by Stacy Wall, Imperial Woodpecker Prod.)

Contract Freedom,” T-Mobile’s latest game-changing offer announced earlier this month, pays contract termination fees to any new or existing customers who port-in their number to a post-paid Simple Choice plan and trade-in their eligible phones(ii). T-Mobile offers up to $300 per line for smart phones traded-in and reimburses contract termination fees up to $350 per line, for a total of up to $650 per line. This provides families (up to five lines) with a quick and easy way to escape carrier annual service contracts that have deterred them from pursuing a better and more affordable wireless experience with T-Mobile.

Over the past year, T-Mobile has become America’s No.1 choice in wireless by eliminating the frustrations that the wireless industry is so famous for, with moves such as eliminating annual wireless service contracts and offering customers upgrade flexibility and freedom(i). In its latest move announced earlier this month, T-Mobile announced its ground-breaking “Contract Freedom” offer to pay off the contract termination fees of customers who switch to T-Mobile from other carriers and trade in their devices.

Why would anyone in their right mind stay in a situation that restricts them?” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile US. “We want everyone to be able to exercise their own choice which comes with contract freedom. We thought Tim Tebow was the perfect choice for these spots. And, like T-Mobile, he has the grit, determination and passion for doing the right thing.”

We’ve seen such a huge response from our Contract Freedom launch that we wanted to showcase the momentum of our latest Un-carrier move on a much grander stage,” said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer of T-Mobile US. “You can’t get more visibility for a big message like this than at the Super Bowl, and who better than Tim Tebow to embody the relevance of contract freedom.”

[i]Based on net postpaid phone subscriber additions in Q2-Q4 2013 combined.

[ii]Eligible device trade-in, qual’g service, device purchase, & port-in from eligible carriers req’d. Up to five lines. See participating store for details

General Mills Details New Products Launching in Company’s Second-Half of Fiscal 2014

Company enhances focus on quality product innovation to deliver unwavering consumer demand for taste, health and convenience at a good value

Today General Mills announced an aggressive lineup of new products set to bring more consumers to General Mills’ leading brands. More than 50 new items will debut from the company’s U.S. Retail business with dozens more rolling out in international markets during the second-half of the company’s fiscal 2014, which ends in May.

This lineup builds on strong introductions during the company’s first-half of fiscal 2014, with standouts including Nature Valley Protein Granola, Yoplait Greek blended yogurt, Nature Valley Soft Baked Oatmeal Squares and Old El Paso frozen entrees.

The latest wave of new products from General Mills is poised to meet growing consumer interest in snacks, protein-rich breakfast items, and globally-inspired convenience meals.

Today General Mills announced an aggressive lineup of new products set to bring more consumers to General Mills' leading brands and drive profitability for the company. More than 50 new items will debut from the company's U.S. Retail business with dozens more rolling out in international markets during the second-half of the company's fiscal 2014, which ends in May.  (PRNewsFoto/General Mills)

Today General Mills announced an aggressive lineup of new products set to bring more consumers to General Mills’ leading brands and drive profitability for the company. More than 50 new items will debut from the company’s U.S. Retail business with dozens more rolling out in international markets during the second-half of the company’s fiscal 2014, which ends in May. (PRNewsFoto/General Mills)

Snack Foods on the Rise

Consumers are seeking snack foods more than ever. General Mills continues to lead growth in the grain snacks category in the U.S., adding almost 10 points of market share over the past five years. Through the first-half of fiscal 2014, strong new product innovation from Fiber One and Nature Valley has driven a gain of nearly four more share points and retail sales gains of 11 percent.

In the second-half of the fiscal year, General Mills is launching a diverse lineup of new items across its portfolio geared to meet consumers’ increasing appetite for snacks that offer added benefits like protein, fiber, whole grains, or a full serving of a fruit or vegetable.

Most notable:

  • Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits – Available in Blueberry and Honey flavors, the new breakfast biscuits provide 26 grams of whole grain, 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving.
  • Fiber One Meal Bars – The Fiber One franchise enters the nutrition bar category with new Fiber One Meal Bars touting 10 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber and fortified with 14 vitamins and minerals. Available in Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry Greek Yogurt and Dark Chocolate Almond varieties.
  • Yoplait Greek 100  Taste plus protein all in 100 calories. New indulgent flavors of Yoplait Greek 100 include Apple Pie and Strawberry Cheesecake.
  • Yoplait Light Dessert Mix-Ins – Yoplait Light Dessert Mix-Ins come with a serving of yogurt and a separate pack of toppings. Consumers can mix together flavors like Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Crumbles, Boston Cream Pie with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles, and Coconut Cream Pie with Graham Cracker Crumbles.
  • Nature Valley Nut Clusters (exclusive to convenience stores) – These bite-sized clusters of nuts, dried fruit and seeds pack in 8 grams of protein per serving. Nature Valley Nut Clusters come in two varieties: Roasted Nut and Seed, and Apple Cinnamon.
  • Cascadian Farm Protein Bars – For consumers seeking alternative protein, these new bars are made with organic pea protein and are available in Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Honey Roasted Nut.
  • LA RABAR uber bars – These sweet, salty and chewy bars add two new decadent flavors: Dark Chocolate Turtle and Dark Chocolate Peanut.
  • Green Giant savory snacks – Building on the growing popularity of its veggie snack chips, Green Giant is introducing new Baked Sweet Potato Fries and Baked Veggie Puffs.
  • Chex Mix Popped – Popped popcorn plus traditional Chex Mix combine for a lighter snack option. Available in Sweet & Salty and White Cheddar flavors.
  • Chex Chips (exclusive to convenience stores) – A bigger, puffier version of the Chex pieces consumers love, in four bold flavors: Caramelized Onion, Cheddar Jalapeño, Cinnamon & Sugar, and Wasabi.
  • Food Should Taste Good Pita Puffs – Available in four sophisticated flavors – Pesto, Chive, Cinnamon Sugar, and Multigrain – these pita puffs are big on flavor with a light, crisp texture.

Breakfast Still a Great Start

Ready-to-eat cereal is still the most popular at-home breakfast choice in the U.S., with more than 90 percent of U.S. households purchasing cereal each year. Big G has led category performance for several years and gained share through the first half of fiscal 2014. General Mills plans to drive growth in the second-half by bringing product news and innovation to the cereal aisle with:

  • Fiber One Protein Cereal – For protein seekers, this sweetened granola cereal offers 10 grams of protein with milk and 20 percent Daily Value of fiber. Available in Maple Brown Sugar and Cranberry Almond varieties.
  • Nature Valley Protein Granola – Great taste plus 10 grams of protein per serving, the new Cranberry Almond flavor is ideal with milk, on top of yogurt or all on its own.
  • Multi-Grain Cheerios Dark Chocolate Crunch – Dark chocolate flavored O’s and clusters made with real cocoa and five different whole grains, the newest Multi-Grain Cheerios variety provides 15 grams of whole grain, 9 grams of sugar and just 110 calories per serving.
  • Chocolate Toast Crunch – Consumers who love those irresistible squares will be excited to try this new chocolate variety.
  • Cascadian Farm Graham Crunch – These delicious organic graham squares are made with wheat, rice, oats and a sprinkle of sugar. Continue reading

Eddy Anemian – Winner of the H&M Design Award 2014

The winner of the H&M Design Award 2014 is Eddy Anemian, a 24 year-old student at La Cambre in Brussels. The winning collection was presented with a fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week. In addition to the show, Eddy has won €50,000 and the opportunity to sell pieces developed from his collection in selected H&M stores and online later this autumn.

HMDA2014_Eddy_Anemian_portrait

The H&M Design Award jury included fashion designer Erdem, actress Michelle Dockery, style expert Michelle Harper, executive fashion editor of Vogue UK Serena Hood, senior fashion editor of Vogue Italy Sara Maino, as well as H&M’s creative head of design Ann-Sofie Johansson, and H&M’s creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch.

All of the judges fell in love with Eddy’s collection, both the romance of how it looks when it is worn, and the extraordinary skill of his work seen up close. He is a worthy winner, and a bright new star for fashion’s future,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s creative head of design.

Eddy’s work was very beautiful. The textile techniques used were interesting, as well as the elegant silhouettes he created. The future is very bright for him. I’m excited to see what he will do next,” says fashion designer Erdem.

Eddy, from Saint Chamond in France, won the H&M Design Award 2014 with his fourth-year collection titled They Can Cut All The Flowers, They Cannot Keep Spring From Coming. It was inspired by Tilda Swinton in the movie I Am Love, and the French painter Ingres, with floral upholstery fabrics cut and reconstructed into fluid shapes, contrasted with flounces of waterproof fabric with the effect of marble. Eddy is now in his final year at La Cambre, and hopes to one day have his own label. Continue reading

POV’s “American Promise” Is a Rare and Compelling Exploration of Race, Class and Opportunity in America, Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 on PBS

Two African-American Boys Enter a Prestigious Private School and Their Families Confront the Opportunities and Frustrations Presented by the Changing Face of Success in America

A Co-production of Rada Film Group with ITVS and POV’sDiverse Voices Project, Which Receive Funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; Film Is Part ofAmerican Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen. A Co-presentation with the National Black Programming Consortium.

American Promise provides an outstanding, honest portrayal of the complexities involved in steering black boys to success where cultural barriers and environmental obstacles still remain.”
Alvin F. Poussaint, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

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American Promise is an intimate and provocative account, recorded over 12 years, of the experiences of two middle-class African-American boys who entered a very prestigious–and historically white–private school on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The Dalton School had made a commitment to recruit students of color, and five-year-old best friends Idris Brewster and Oluwaseun (Seun) Summers of Brooklyn were two of the gifted children who were admitted. The boys were placed in a demanding environment that provided new opportunities and challenges, if little reflection of their cultural identities.

Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson

Filmmakers Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson

Idris’ parents, Joe, a Harvard- and Stanford-trained psychiatrist, and Michèle, a Columbia Law School graduate and filmmaker, decided to film the boys’ progress starting in 1999. They and members of the large Summers family soon found themselves struggling not only with kids’ typical growing pains and the kinds of racial issues one might expect, but also with surprising class, gender and generational gaps. American Promise, which traces the boys’ journey from kindergarten through high school graduation, finds the greatest challenge for the families–and perhaps the country–is to close the black male educational achievement gap, which has been called “the civil rights crusade of the 21st century.”

Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson’s American Promise, winner of a Special Jury Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, has its national broadcast premiere on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 at 10 p.m. (check local listings), closing the 26th season of the award-winning POV (Point of View) on PBS. American television’s longest-running independent documentary series, POV is the winner of a 2013 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

The Dalton School, which provides classes from kindergarten through high school, is a launching pad for success, but also a high-pressure learning environment for all its students. Joe and Michèle, along with Seun’s parents, Tony, a systems engineer for CBS, and Stacey, a nursing care manager for elder health, have worked hard to build their careers despite early disadvantages and are united in their drive to have their sons succeed at school and in life. But there are differences in outlook. Michèle, with Latino-Haitian roots, has some hesitation about sending Idris to private school, where she is afraid he will lose touch with his heritage, while Stacey, who hails from Trinidad, wants Seun to learn something she admits she hasn’t–how to be comfortable around white people. While both fathers have high expectations for their sons, Joe is particularly demanding, while Tony tends to be more forgiving of Seun’s ups and downs. Continue reading

NFL Star Quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton To Host Cartoon Network’s Fourth Annual HALL OF GAME(TM) AWARDS

Musical Guests Fall Out Boy and Jason Derulo To Perform

Annual Awards Show Premieres February 17 at 7 p.m. (ET/ PT)

Cartoon Network is pleased to announce quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) and Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) will host Cartoon Network‘s fourth annual Hall of Game Awards, premiering Monday, February 17 at 7 p.m. (ET/ PT). Cartoon Network (www.CartoonNetwork.com) is regularly the #1 U.S. television network in prime among boys 6-11 & 9-14. Currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.

Cartoon Network's fourth annual Hall of Game Awards, premieres Monday, February 17 at 7 p.m. (ET/ PT).  (PRNewsFoto/Cartoon Network)

Cartoon Network’s fourth annual Hall of Game Awards, premieres Monday, February 17 at 7 p.m. (ET/ PT). (PRNewsFoto/Cartoon Network)

Taking over the reins from past hosts like Tony Hawk, Shaquille O’Neal and Nick Cannon, Kaepernick and Newton will bring their own unique sense of style to this year’s show and promise that this year’s show will be the one of the most raucous and outrageous sports awards show while maintaining the charisma that TV viewers enjoy year after year.

 Colin Kaepernick (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Colin Kaepernick (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Last year’s show was hosted by Shaquille O’Neal and Nick Cannon, and featured appearances by one of this year’s hosts Colin Kaepernick as well as Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion, Jessica Alba  Jacoby, Bryant, Jimmy Smith, JJ Watt, Victor Cruz, David Price, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Chris Johnson,  Dominic Monaghan, Rico Rodriguez, Raini Rodriguez, Jeff Probst, Laura Marano, Bridgit Mendler, Lucas Cruikshank, James Maslow, Carlos Pena, Jr. & Kendall Schmidt, Shauna Case, Shameik Moore, Tristan Pasterick, Chanelle Peloso, Jeremy Shada, and Brandon Soo Hoo andGaelan Connell, Connor del Rio, Jessie T. Usher, Aimee Carrero), Toby Turner, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Allyson Felix, Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Nathan Adrian, Carmelita Jeter, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber and the 2012 SI Kids SportsKid of the year Cayden and Conner Long, along with musical performances by The Wanted.

The Hall of Game Awards lets viewers vote for their favorite sports stars and sports moments of the year.  Voters can log on to http://www.HallofGame.com and cast their vote for their favorites now.  A new category has recently launched on http://www.HallofGame.com featuring WWE headliners. The “Rumble Royalty” category features WWE Superstars Daniel Bryan, John Cena, The Miz and Randy Orton. Along with two of the hottest musicals acts Fall Out Boy (“My Songs Know What You Did… Light ‘Em Up”) and Jason Derulo (“Marry Me”), the annual sports awards show promises to be the biggest and coolest award show of the season.

This year promises to be bigger and more electrifying with performances by the Harlem Globetrotters, the extreme pogo group Xpogo, Mascots from the NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL competing in an obstacle course, skateboarder Nyjah Huston, Olympic gold medalist for downhill skiing Lindsay Vonn, two year old trick shot master Titus, WWE Superstars The Miz and Alicia Fox, skateboarders, BMX bikers and skiers in an extreme sports demo and many, many more.  There will also be a special segment honoring the 2013 SI Kids SportsKid of the year Jack Wellman.  Also Hall of Game commentators John DiMaggio and Tom Kenny (voice of Jake the Dog and Ice King respectively on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time) will keep viewers laughing with their witty observations throughout the show. Continue reading

ACADEMY RESCINDS ORIGINAL SONG NOMINATION FOR “ALONE YET NOT ALONE”

On Tuesday night, the Academy’s Board of Governors voted to rescind the Original Song nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone,” music by Bruce Broughton and lyric by Dennis Spiegel. The decision was prompted by the discovery that Broughton, a former Governor and current Music Branch executive committee member, had emailed members of the branch to make them aware of his submission during the nominations voting period.

No matter how well-intentioned the communication, using one’s position as a former governor and current executive committee member to personally promote one’s own Oscar submission creates the appearance of an unfair advantage,” said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President.

The Board determined that Broughton’s actions were inconsistent with the Academy’s promotional regulations, which provide, among other terms, that “it is the Academy’s goal to ensure that the Awards competition is conducted in a fair and ethical manner. If any campaign activity is determined by the Board of Governors to work in opposition to that goal, whether or not anticipated by these regulations, the Board of Governors may take any corrective actions or assess any penalties that in its discretion it deems necessary to protect the reputation and integrity of the awards process.

An additional nominee in the Original Song category will not be named. The remaining nominees in the category are:

“Happy” from “Despicable Me 2”
Music and Lyric by Pharrell Williams

“Let It Go” from “Frozen”
Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

“The Moon Song” from “Her”
Music by Karen O; Lyric by Karen O and Spike Jonze

“Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
Music by Paul Hewson, Dave Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen; Lyric by Paul Hewson

The members from each of the Academy’s branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, musicians and composers nominate song and score.

During the nominations process, all 240 voting members of the Music Branch received a Reminder List of works submitted in the Original Song category and a DVD copy of the song clips with film and song title only (additional information including composer and lyricist is not provided).  Members were asked to watch the clips and then vote in the order of their preference for not more than five nominees in the category. A maximum of two songs may be nominated from any one film.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.  The Oscars, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Swarovski Announces Its Autumn/Winter 2014 New York Fashion Week Swarovski Collective Designers:Rodarte, Prabal Gurung, SUNO, Wes Gordon, and Brandon Sun

 Swarovski has announced its line-up of Swarovski Collective designers who will be showcasing their Autumn/Winter 2014 collections during New York Fashion Week. Selected for their creative flair and ability to demonstrate exquisite

Brandon Sun crystal sketch for the Autumn/Winter 2014 Swarovski Collective.  (PRNewsFoto/Swarovski)

Brandon Sun crystal sketch for the Autumn/Winter 2014 Swarovski Collective. (PRNewsFoto/Swarovski)

craftsmanship with crystal, the Collective designers receive financial support as well as the opportunity to experiment with Swarovski’s extraordinary crystal range. Founded in 1999 by Nadja Swarovski following a collaboration with Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow, the Swarovski Collective has grown to support over 150 designers in producing some of the most avant-garde fashion looks of the past decade.

Putting our crystals into the hands of creative talents always seems to inspire and results in the most extraordinary experimentation. Members of the Swarovski Collective continue to amaze us with their ability to fuse crystal so imaginatively into their collections. This season is no exception and we are thrilled to welcome some exciting new talents into the program for Autumn/Winter 2014,” says Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board.

Designers this season include Collective veterans Rodarte, Prabal Gurung, SUNO, and Wes Gordon as well as Brandon Sun, who is partnering with Swarovski for the first time. Sun crafted a successful career at both J Mendel and Oscar de la Renta before presenting his first collection in 2012. He commented: “I am honored to be partnering with Swarovski. I always choose to work with the finest materials, whether fur or fabric, and Swarovski offers the best one can use for embellishments.”

Swarovski has brought us so much over the past few years, it’s impossible to summarize all it means. The crystals have helped to elevate our designs to another level, adding a new dimension to the collections,” stated SUNO designers Erin Beatty and Max Osterweis.

Jim Beam® Partners With Mila Kunis For Its First-Ever Global Marketing Campaign, Make History™

World’s #1 bourbon kicks off its 2014 “Make History™” TV ads with long-term brand partnership

 Jim Beam®, the world’s #1 Bourbon, and award-nominated actress Mila Kunis are teaming up to “make history” in 2014 and beyond. Kunis joins the Jim Beam family as a global partner and spokesperson, and will play a leading role in Jim Beam’s new Make History™ multi-media brand campaign that will reach more than 100 markets worldwide. Make History™ is the first-ever global marketing campaign for the iconic American brand, which traces its history to 1795. The television campaign featuring Kunis will premiere in the next few months in the brand’s largest markets, including the U.S., Australia and Germany.”Jim Beam has been making history by producing the world’s finest bourbon through seven generations of family distillers, and this partnership truly signifies a new era for the brand – an era in which we push boundaries even further, attracting new fans across the globe and continuing the great growth we’ve enjoyed on the brand,” said Kevin George, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Beam Inc. “Mila’s love of bourbon, her appreciation for the authenticity of our brand, her warm personality and her global relevance to our Make History™ campaign make her the perfect partner. Anyone would want to share a Jim Beam with Mila. We love that about her, and couldn’t be happier to have her join the Jim Beam family.”

Jim Beam(R) Partners with Mila Kunis.  (PRNewsFoto/Beam Inc.)

Jim Beam(R) Partners with Mila Kunis. (PRNewsFoto/Beam Inc.)

The Make History™ campaign will premiere three new television commercials featuring Kunis in the U.S. in mid-February and will roll out in markets worldwide over the next few months. Kunis will also be featured in retail materials and content on Jim Beam’s website, www.jimbeam.com, Facebook (www.facebook.com/JimBeamUS) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/jimbeamofficial).

As a fan of bourbon and a huge proponent of making history, I am thrilled to be the newest member of the Jim Beam family,” said Kunis, who has spent time in Clermont, Ky., with Jim Beam’s seventh generation Master Distiller, Fred Noe, immersing herself

Mila Kunis and Fred Noe.  (PRNewsFoto/Beam Inc.)

Mila Kunis and Fred Noe. (PRNewsFoto/Beam Inc.)

in the heritage, traditions and craftsmanship of “America’s Native Spirit.”

Jim Beam’s TV advertising campaign was created by FutureWorks, a partnership between three independent agencies who lead Jim Beam creative efforts in key markets: StrawberryFrog (New York), The Works (Sydney) and Jung von Matt (Hamburg). In the U.S., the ads will appear across multiple media properties, including Turner Sports/BleacherReport, NBA telecasts, FXX, Spike, History Channel, AMC, Food Network and ESPN networks, as well as in media properties across the globe.

The U.S. campaign will feature Jim Beam’s full portfolio of brands, including Jim Beam® White, Jim Beam Black®, Devil’s Cut®, Jim Beam® Honey, Jim Beam® Maple, Jacob’s Ghost® Aged White Whiskey, Jim Beam® Signature Craft and Red Stag by Jim Beam®. To view a video of Kunis’ visit to the Jim Beam Distillery, visit: http://youtu.be/MC_35SsHANM. And for more information on the world’s #1 bourbon, please visit www.jimbeam.comwww.facebook.com/JimBeamUS or http://twitter.com/jimbeamofficial.

New KINKY® Blue Launches Nationwide

KINKY® Blue joins KINKY® Liqueur just in time for Valentine’s Day

A fusion of super premium vodka distilled five times with tropical and wild berry flavors, KINKY® Blue provides a fun new drink option for consumers. The highly anticipated release of KINKY® Blue follows the successful 2011 launch of the brand’s flagship product, KINKY®Liqueur — one of the hottest spirit brands in America, which blends super premium vodka with the flavors of mango, blood orange and passion fruit. KINKY® Blue was released in New York and Massachusetts this month and is now available nationwide. The sweet taste profile and bright colors of KINKY® Blue and KINKY® Liqueur make them the perfect adult beverages for Valentine’s Day. At 17 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), both products can be enjoyed alone over ice, but they also serve as a great foundation for any Valentine’s Day specialty cocktail.

KINKY® was created by Crosby Lake Spirits, a Twin Cities-based beverage development and packaging company. Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), a leading global information and insights provider, named KINKY® Blue the number one innovation brand of 2013. Its launch is supported with a national advertising campaign through print and social media.

We’re thrilled that KINKY® Blue is now available in all 50 states,” said Jessica Reckinger, marketing manager, KINKY®. “No other drink is this fun and flirty, and can be enjoyed for a variety of occasions — especially an indulgent and playful holiday like Valentine’s Day.

Here are just a couple of options sure to make even Cupid blush:

Man Hater Martini
1 oz. KINKY® Liqueur
1 oz. vodka
3 oz. cranberry juice
1 lime wedge

Mr. Right Now
1 oz. KINKY® Blue
2 ½ oz. Risata® Pink Moscato
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. cranberry juice

Available in two varieties, original KINKY® Liqueur and KINKY® Blue, KINKY® is a fusion of super premium vodka and fruit flavors. With an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 17 percent (34 proof), KINKY® Liqueur is available at liquor stores and major retailers nationwide. KINKY® Liqueur is owned by Crosby Lake Spirits, St. Paul, Minn., and distributed by wholesalers throughout the United States. For more information visit, kinkyliqueur.comFacebook.com/kinkyliqueur or follow on Twitter@KinkyLiqueur.

Joyce Foundation Announces 2014 Joyce Award Winners

Four African American Women to Lead Innovative Performing Arts Projects in the Midwest.

Four African American women will contribute to vigorous dialogue through theater, dance and classical music arts across the Midwest, thanks to generous grants from the Joyce Foundation. The prestigious Joyce Awards recognize artists of color who collaborate with nonprofit institutions by awarding them $50,000 to commission thought-provoking works of art, which aim to strengthen cross-cultural understanding by bringing diverse audiences together.

Throughout the Joyce Awards’ 11 years, we have been so proud to support over 35 community-oriented arts projects to diversify and engage audiences and artists,” said Ellen Alberding, the President of the Joyce Foundation.  “This year’s endeavors bring strong voices to the table and showcase the incredible artistic talent of these four women, and we’re excited to be part of the process.

An anonymous national panel of cultural organization and business leaders selects winners based on artistic merit, quality of work and community engagement in the artistic process. This year’s panelists included leaders from stalwart institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Theatre Communications Group, the Southwest Latino Art Council and Ariel Capital Management. Winners include artists from Minneapolis, Cleveland and Detroit.

2014 Winners:

Camille A. Brown collaborating with DANCECleveland to create, Black Girl, a powerful dance and music composition that will depict the complexities of carving out a positive identity for African American females in urban American culture. Brown and her dancers will interview communities of African American women, both young and old, in Cleveland and other parts of the country. Their struggles and triumphs will be incorporated as spoken text during the performance. Combining history and musicology with the fantastical approach of imagery in “Alice in Wonderland,” this work will shed light on feminism, patriarchy, stereotypes and beauty. The piece will premiere in New York and tour the country in 2015.

Lynn Nottage commissioned by the Guthrie Theater to stage a premiere production of Reading Play, a play she began writing after interviewing the people of Reading, Pennsylvania, named the poorest city in America in 2011. Nottage’s engagement with the community will include classes and public Q&A sessions with places of worship, diversity groups, nonprofits and Minneapolis schools. Participants will explore the themes of poverty in Reading Play juxtaposed with the city’s own struggles with poverty. Additionally, the Guthrie Theater will offer $2 tickets for public assistance programs and human services agencies when the play premieres in 2015.

Jessie Montgomery will work with Detroit’s Sphinx Organization to compose, produce and perform “Banner!” a tribute to the 200th anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner.” With the goal of reflecting diversity in American society and culture, the composer will draw influence from rock, jazz, and folk music. “Banner!” will premiere in October 2014 and perform nationally through the Sphinx Virtuosi Tour, which reaches more than 10,000 people a year. As a member and leader of the Sphinx Virtuosi, Montgomery will expand the reach of “Banner!” through special performances for schools, community centers and churches in underserved areas in each city, as well as Detroit.

Tracey Scott Wilson will work with the Pillsbury House Theatre to write Prep, a play about a group of teachers changing their students’ test scores to receive yearly bonuses. Racial and sexual tensions arise as the teachers try to cover their transgressions. To weave Minneapolis’s own racial tensions into the performance, Scott Wilson will interview residents from a local conflict that pitted white dog owners against longtime African American residents. For one year, the two groups battled over the proposal to place an off-leash area in a park named for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Like her other works, Scott Wilson’s goal is to spark a real conversation about race—devoid of political correctness and off-limits topics. Production is planned for the fall of 2015.

Additional information for each artist and their partnering organization is available on the Joyce Foundation’s website. Since 2003, the Joyce Awards is the only program supporting artists of color in major Midwest cities.

We are so excited to bring these four talented women and artists to the Midwest,” said Angelique Power, The Joyce Foundation’s Senior Program Officer for Culture. “They will continue the Joyce Awards’ tradition of strengthening cross-cultural understanding in the Great Lakes region.”

American Heart Association and Macy’s “Go Red” for Women’s Health This February

The founding sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement, Macy’s continues to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against heart disease

Programs include Macy’s annual Wear Red Sale, exclusive red dresses from Calvin Klein, Kensie, and XOXO, plus Go Red Total Makeover events in select markets

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As the American Heart Association’s founding national sponsor of Go Red For Women, Macy’s will provide its customers with merchandise, promotions and select in-store events this February, all fashioned to bring awareness and funds to the cause of women’s heart health. Over the past decade, Macy’s has proudly raised $46 million dollars through the generosity and commitment of Macy’s associates and customers, which has helped to fund research and education credited by the American Heart Association with saving 627,000 women’s lives.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement has been impacting the health of women for 10 years. More than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved, but the fight is far from over. Now is the time to shout louder, stand stronger and demand change. It’s time to come together in a movement that is not just FOR women, buy BY women. It’s time for women to Go Red. Visit http://www.GoRedForWomen.org for more information or call 1.888.MY.HEART. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s with additional support from our cause supporters.

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Macy’s annual Wear Red Sale, along with a collection of exclusive red dresses by Calvin Klein, Kensie, and XOXO, which benefit Go Red For Women, will help make this February’s American Heart Month more fashionable than ever. Customers will find these limited-edition red dresses in select stores and on http://www.macys.com in time for National Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014.

Macy’s has been a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement since its inception in 2004. As more than 70 percent of our customers and associates are women, we believe in the importance of funding research that can make a difference in fighting the number one killer of women – heart disease,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s chief marketing officer. “Since 2004, through efforts including our Wear Red Sale, exclusive red dresses that benefit the cause, and in-store events, we have raised $46 million for Go Red For Women to fund the life-saving research that the American Heart Association credits with helping save 627,000 women’s lives.” Continue reading

G-SHOCK Debuts A New Series Of WINTER G-LIDE – GLS-8900 Just In Time For The Winter Games

Casio G-SHOCK is back with an impressive assortment of the WINTER G-LIDE GLS8900 Series. Emphasizing superior functionality and performance, the recent G-LIDE collection is designed for athletes specializing in winter sports including snowboarding, cross-country and freestyle skiing– and their fans.

The technology showcased in the WINTER G-LIDE GLS8900 is ideal for athletes  competing in cold weather environments due to its impressive ability to function  in sub-zero  conditions.  A low temperature resistant LCD that can tolerate temperatures to  -20C means that G-SHOCK WINTER G-LIDE is suited for athletes and the spectators cheering them on.

To further support athletes’ performance, the GLS8900 series comes equipped with twin 1/1000 second stopwatches; capable of measuring elapsed times, split times, and 1st & 2nd place times, in addition to a full auto Super Illuminator LED light for high visibility under low-light conditions.  Five daily alarms, 12/24-hour time formats and 48-city world time help keep training regimes in check.  In addition to all these impressive features, the WINTER G-LIDE comes with G-SHOCK ‘s legendary 200M water and shock resistant structure.  All this makes for a winning combination for any winter sport athlete or enthusiast.

Available is an array of colors, WINTER G-LIDE timepieces are sure to stand out, whatever the environment.  The series comes in four color-ways including: teal, black, magenta, and gold yellow, each with matching resin band and titian detailing along the inner bezel.

We are thrilled to continue to grow our popular WINTER G-LIDE series,” said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America, Inc, “The superior athletes of the winter games personify everything CasioG-SHOCK stands for: Toughness, precision & performance.  As these athletes prepare to race against the clock, we wish them all great success.”

The WINTER G-LIDE GLS8900 men’s watches will retail for $110, available this January at select fashion boutiques, key jewelry stores, the G-SHOCK Soho NYC store and www.g-shock.com.

Miles At The Fillmore – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3 4CD Box Set To Be Released March 25

MILES DAVIS’ MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3 – INTRODUCING BITCHES BREW-ERA MILES TO FILLMORE AND ROCK AUDIENCES OF GRATEFUL DEAD, NEIL YOUNG, STEVE MILLER, SANTANA, AND MORE – CELEBRATES MILES DAVIS’ AND BILL GRAHAM’S TRIUMPH

Four-CD box set presents four nights of historic performances at legendary Fillmore East in New York, in their complete unedited form for the first time

Over two hours of previously unissued music, including bonus tracks recorded at Fillmore West in San Francisco

1970 band comprised Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Airto Moreira, and Steve Grossman

Fillmore 1970 performances contributed significantly to Miles’ induction into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – the only jazz artist and only solely instrumental artist ever inducted

Available everywhere March 25, 2014 through Columbia/Legacy

Miles Davis’ historic four-night stand at promoter Bill Graham’s legendary Fillmore East in New York City, June 17-20, 1970, is presented in its entire full-length unedited form for the first time as MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3. The four-CD box set will be available everywhere on March 25th through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. Please go to: http://smarturl.it/miles_fillmore_amzn.

At one of the most crucial moments in jazz and rock history, two months after the release of Miles’ groundbreaking double-LP Bitches Brew in April 1970, he was beginning to discover – and be discovered by – the burgeoning rock audience that came of age in the late 1960s. Miles, inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006, the only jazz artist and only solely instrumental artist ever inducted, had started listening to the funk of James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, the Chambers Brothers, and Jimi Hendrix, not to mention the Beatles. Bitches Brew was a turning point for jazz and rock. Bill Graham had a long history of presenting jazz artists at the Fillmores (Charles Lloyd, John Handy, and Roland Kirk among them) but it was Miles who carried rock audiences to a new plateau.

MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3

MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3

In October 1970, Columbia Records released the 2-LP set Miles Davis At Fillmore, which consisted of performances culled from the four nights of shows at the Fillmore East (where Miles opened for fellow Columbia artist Laura Nyro). At that time the shows were edited to fit the LP format. The full unedited shows are now presented for the first time yielding 100-plus minutes of previously unreleased music.

The three additional bonus tracks add another 35 minutes of music, released here for the first time, recorded in April 1970, at the Fillmore West in San Francisco (where Graham put Miles and band on a bill with the Grateful Dead and Stone The Crows). MILES AT THE FILLMORE – Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg Series Vol. 3 now contains 135 minutes of previously unreleased music.

The extensively researched 36-page booklet that accompanies the box set contains a number of specially written pieces. These provide a context for Miles’ musical transformations in the turbulence of the Fillmore rock epoch, as the psychedelic era of the late-1960s segued into the politically-charged intersection of the anti-war movement, Black Power, and the rise of funk:

  • An eloquent and authoritative 2,200-word first-hand account by Carlos Santana (as told to author Ashley Kahn), examining Miles’ complex place in the pantheon of jazz, funk and rock, and his intriguing relationship with Bill Graham during the near two-year span that Miles played shows at the Fillmores;
  • An introductory Producers’ Note written by reissue producers Richard Seidel and Michael Cuscuna, providing a concise overview of Miles’ Fillmore period and the project itself, its correlation with the original Columbia double-LP, especially the additional 100 minutes of unreleased music from the shows, and 35 minutes of unreleased music on the bonus tracks;
  • An illuminating 2,500-word chronologic essay by Cuscuna, who was also a first-hand witness (as a disc jockey on New York’s influential WPLJ-FM) to Miles’ development at the time, further underscoring progressive underground FM radio and the late-’60s rock generation’s discovery of Miles at this crucial turn of his career.

With the release of his groundbreaking double-LP Bitches Brew on Columbia just two months earlier in April 1970, Miles was front-page news around the world. He was leading a quintet lineup that included Chick Corea on electric piano, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jack DeJohnette (all of whom had been at the core of the Bitches Brew sessions recorded in August 1969), plus two members who had played on studio sessions since November, 1969 and then joined the touring band in February and April of 1970 respectively – tenor and soprano saxophonist Steve Grossman, and percussionist, flutist and vocalist Airto Moreira. Continue reading

Arista/Legacy Set To Release The Alan Parsons Project – The Complete Albums Collection on March 31, 2014

11-CD Definitive Library Box Houses All 10 APP Studio Albums Plus First-Ever Release of The Sicilian Defence, The Alan Parsons Project’s Notorious Experimental Fifth Album

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Arista Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release The Alan Parsons Project – The Complete Albums Collection on March 31, 2014. An 11-CD box set, The Alan Parsons Project – The Complete Albums Collection covers the APP’s complete history from 1976-1987, marking the first time all 10 of the group’s art rock studio masterpieces–including the 1976 debut, Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe (from 20th Century/Mercury/Universal) alongside nine Arista classics from 1977’s I Robot through 1987’s Gaudi–have been assembled under one roof.

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The Alan Parsons Project – The Complete Albums Collection offers fans and collectors a chance to finally experience The Sicilian Defence, the notorious never-released fifth APP album. Taking its name from a series of opening chess moves, The Sicilian Defence was an aggressive musical response to stalled contract negotiations.  Composed and recorded over an intense three day marathon session at Super Bear Studios in France (during the same period Eve was made), The Sicilian Defence is a complex and challenging work, full of atonality and dissonance.  Delivered to Arista in March 1981, the masters were locked away and the controversial recordings unheard for three decades.  While an edited version of one of the album’s tracks, “Elsie’s Theme” was included as a bonus track on an expanded edition of Eve, The Sicilian Defence is being released for the first time in its entirety for this collection. Continue reading

Elizabeth and James founders and designers Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen Introduces Elizabeth and James NIRVANA WHITE™ and Elizabeth and James NIRVANA BLACK™

Now Available Exclusively in All North American SEPHORA Stores

 

After unprecedented demand during the sneak peek pre-sale in December 2013, Elizabeth and James NIRVANA WHITE™ and Elizabeth and James NIRVANA BLACK™, the two exquisite new fragrances for the fashion brand launched by Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, are now available for sale in all North American SEPHORA stores.
Elizabeth and James NIRVANA BLACK and Elizabeth and James NIRVANA WHITE

Elizabeth and James NIRVANA BLACK and Elizabeth and James NIRVANA WHITE

The Elizabeth and James NIRVANA fragrances were developed by Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Kendo for SEPHORA and Batallure Beauty. The fragrances, created in tandem with Firmenich include Elizabeth and James NIRVANA WHITE, an alluring floral musk with notes of peony, muguet and musk, and Elizabeth and James NIRVANA BLACK, a sensual, woody scent with notes of violet, sandalwood and vanilla. The architectural lines, rich gold accents and distinctive texture of the bottles, designed by Ashley and Mary-Kate, are stylistically inspired by a vintage keepsake and mirror the design elements seen throughout the Elizabeth and James brand.

Elizabeth and James NIRVANA

Elizabeth and James NIRVANA

Under Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen’s creative direction, the two women’s fragrances were developed to reflect the celebration of intimacy as well as individuality.

Everyone wants to experience their nirvana,” stated Mary-Kate Olsen. “Ashley and I understand everyone’s nirvana is different so we’re asking our Elizabeth and James girl, ‘What is your nirvana?’.”

Elizabeth and James founders and designers Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen

Elizabeth and James founders and designers Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen

Our nirvana is reflected in the juice, bottle, packaging and campaign imagery for Elizabeth and James NIRVANA and we’re excited to share it with the SEPHORA client,” said Ashley Olsen.

Elizabeth and James NIRVANA fragrances are each available in three different sizes – 30 ml ($55), 50 ml ($75), and a rollerball ($22), exclusively available at all SEPHORA stores andSephora.com.

STATEMENTS REGARDING THE PASSING OF FORMER ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES PRESIDENT TOM SHERAK

The following is a statement from the Sherak family regarding the death of former Academy President Tom Sherak.

“To the entertainment community,

With broken hearts we want to share with you the news that Tom Sherak passed away today after a long 12 year battle with prostate cancer.  He died at home surrounded by his family giving him hugs, kisses, and love.

Tom is, was, and always will be, our loving husband, daddy, papa, brother, friend, and “Go to Guy.”  He blessed this earth for 68unnamed incredible years, and he will be missed every single day.

Tom lived his life as an open book.  He opened his heart and let the world in, and anyone who was lucky enough to know him knew first hand the power of his love.  He gave everything he had to help others, regardless of whether or not he knew them.  Tom is a true hero in our lives who has a star on the sidewalk and wings to fly.

We love him so very much.”

The Academy is deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved former president Tom Sherak.

Sherak joined the Executives Branch of the Academy in 1983. He served three terms on the Board of Governors, from August 2003 through July 2012, the last three as President.

He was most recently named Los Angeles film czar by Mayor Eric Garcetti to support local film production and serve as a liaison between state lawmakers and the entertainment industry.

Sherak’s remarkable five-decade career has seen him at the pinnacle of motion picture marketing, distribution and production at companies including Revolution Studios, 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures.

He was founder and chairman of the MS Hope Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the needs of the Multiple Sclerosis community.

His passion and tireless energy impacted the Academy in countless ways – especially his support of our new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Statement from Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy President

In the more than 30 years I’ve known Tom, his passionate support of and excitement about the motion picture business, the Academy, his family and friends never wavered. He was truly larger than life, and he will be missed.”

Statement from Dawn Hudson, Academy CEO

He was my mentor and my friend.  I learned from him, I laughed with him, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the time we shared together.  He had a huge influence on the direction of our Academy and on me personally.  I will miss laughing with him most of all.”

Valentine’s Day Lasts All Winter in Door County, WI

Special getaway packages offer couples a chance to reconnect on Wisconsin’s scenic peninsula

A couple enjoys a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods in Door County, Wisconsin during the annual Nature of Romance promotion. Photo courtesy Mike Roemer/DoorCounty.com.

A couple enjoys a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods in Door County, Wisconsin during the annual Nature of Romance promotion. Photo courtesy Mike Roemer/DoorCounty.com.

In Door County, Wisconsin, the spirit of Valentine’s Day lasts all winter long. Door County is a bucolic peninsula that juts out into Lake Michigan in Wisconsin’s northeast corner.  Named one of the Top 10 Vacation Destinations in North America byMoney magazine, Door County features 300 miles of shoreline, 11 lighthouses, 5 state parks and 19 county parks. It is known for its natural beauty, artistic offerings and outdoor recreation opportunities.
The sun rises over Lake Michigan at Whitefish Dunes State Park on a crisp winter morning in Door County, Wisconsin. Capture Door County photo courtesy Markos Berndt.

The sun rises over Lake Michigan at Whitefish Dunes State Park on a crisp winter morning in Door County, Wisconsin. Capture Door County photo courtesy Markos Berndt.

Now through the end of March, Door County offers couples a chance to escape into the pampering luxury and scenic beauty of Wisconsin’s peninsular jewel with more than twenty specially priced romantic getaway packages for two.
Each of these Door County Nature of Romance packages includes two nights’ lodging at one of Door County’s renowned resorts, inns or B&Bs. Choose from among accommodations that include in-room fireplaces, four-poster canopied beds, water views, whirlpool tubs and indoor swimming pools. Continue reading

Lands’ End Unveils Its New Coastal Living Body Care Collection: Launch Marks Lands’ End’s Entry into the Body Care Category

Today Lands’ End announced it is entering the body care category with the launch of its Coastal Living Body Care Collection, further expanding its position as a global lifestyle brand.   The body care collection, consisting of fresh lavender and honey blossom scented body lotion, hand cream and body wash, is now available at landsend.com.

Lands' End unveils its new Coastal Living Body Care Collection, marking its entry into the body care category. The Coastal Living Collection, consisting of fresh lavender and honey blossom scented body lotion, hand cream and body wash, is now available at landsend.com.  (PRNewsFoto/Lands' End)

Lands’ End unveils its new Coastal Living Body Care Collection, marking its entry into the body care category. The Coastal Living Collection, consisting of fresh lavender and honey blossom scented body lotion, hand cream and body wash, is now available at landsend.com. (PRNewsFoto/Lands’ End)

The Fresh Lavender and Honey Blossom Nourishing Body Lotion is a naturally nourishing blend of lavender and honey.  Specially formulated to smooth and nourish without leaving the skin feeling oily or greasy, the hydrating shea butter extracts moisturize and condition the skin while vitamin E helps protect skin from daily damage.  The Coastal Living Body Lotion is available in an 8 oz. bottle for $16.50.

Designed to soften, smooth and replenish dry skin, the Fresh Lavender and Honey Blossom Soothing Hand Cream features naturally occurring oils and emollients that absorb instantly to hydrate and strengthen skin – creating a healthy skin tone and texture.  It pairs aloe with vitamins A and E to help protect skin from daily damage and is most effective when reapplied throughout the day.  The 2 oz. bottle of Coastal Living Hand Cream ($8.50) is perfect for purses, desk drawers and gym bags alike.

Cleanse, renew and reveal all-day skin radiance with the Fresh Lavender and Honey Blossom Refreshing Body Wash.  The non-irritating formula gently cleanses without stripping, drying or damaging the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.  A 6.7 oz. bottle of Coastal Living Body Wash is available for $14.50.

The launch of this exciting new collection comes on the heels of months of research and development,” said Michele Donnan-Martin, chief merchandising and design officer, Lands’ End.  “We set out to create a skin care collection that refreshes, soothes and nourishes from head to toe.  One that embodies a fragrance that transports the wearer to a lighthouse by the sea, capturing the essence of our nautical brand heritage.  I think the delicate balance of lavender and nourishing honey blossom does just that.”

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Lands’ End is also offering three limited-edition gift sets, beginning February 1, at landsend.com.  The Coastal Living Three-Piece Gift Set featuring full-sized bottles of the Coastal Living Body Lotion, Hand Cream and Body Wash, valued at $39.50, will be available to savvy shoppers for just $34.50.  The limited-edition Coastal Living Canvas Gift Set pairs Lands’ End’s iconic Small Open Top Canvas Tote in Natural/True Navy with full-sized bottles of the Coastal Living Body Lotion, Hand Cream and Body Wash, a $60 value, for $39.50.  Finally, the Coastal Living Oxford Gift Set features full-sized bottles of the skin care trio with an Oxford Cosmetic Case, valued at $59.50, for $39.50.

John Frieda Frizz Ease 2014: New Look and New Curly Hair Arsenal Products

For years, John Frieda Frizz Ease has been the go-to frizz-solution for women everywhere. However, the experts at John Frieda know that no two women have the same hair—and everyone’s frizz-fighting needs are different. Frizz Ease is thrilled to announce five new additions to its arsenal, all developed to help women achieve a customizable frizz-free style. The innovative Frizz Ease® range gives users everything they need from the shower to the finishing touches to banish frizz and create salon-quality, enviably frizz-free curls, waves and everything in between.

The innovative John Frieda® Frizz Ease® range curl options give curly haired users everything they need from the shower to the finishing touches to banish frizz and create salon-quality, enviably frizz-free curls. Before the Frizz Ease® line, curly haired women only wanted to control their curls. But with the Frizz Ease® curly haired regimen on their side, they have the freedom to create any style with confidence and fully claim their curls. More than ever, it’s not just about stick straight styles; women are embracing their coveted natural texture with sensual curly hair looks. And because naturally curly hair is more prone to frizz, the foundation for any great curly style has to start with smooth, properly aligned hair. So turn to the John Frieda® brand frizz-control experts who’ve gone one step further to combine essential frizz elimination with custom curly-styling solutions.

As part of a total curl care regimen, the John Frieda® Hair Care experts created Frizz Ease® Dream Curls® Shampoo and Conditioner to smooth hair from the start. Frizz Ease® Go CurlierTM Heat-Activated Spray and Frizz Ease® Unwind CurlsTM Calming Crème transform hair to the exact level of desired curl, and custom curly hair styling products enhance and define curly looks while eliminating frizz.

John Frieda® International Creative Consultant, Harry Josh says, “It’s a new era in curly haired styling. Polished curls, undone waves, and big shiny ringlets are what I’m seeing more and more editorially and on the world’s most beautiful women. With the Frizz Ease® curl products, the John Frieda® Hair Care experts have given all women the tools they need to create beautiful curls right at home.”

The John Frieda® Frizz Ease® Curly Hair Arsenal (Available at Food, drug and mass retailers nationwide) includes:

NEW Frizz Ease® Dream Curls® Shampoo and Conditioner ($6.99): Infuse strands with moisture and shine, reducing frizz before you even begin to style. Formulated to cleanse, hydrate and minimize tangles, just comb these curl perfecting products through wet hair right in the shower to realign curls without weighing hair down. Infused with unique cationic polymers, the shampoo reduces frizz-causing friction and creates slip. Featuring an all new ester, the innovative conditioner detangles and delivers a cushioned, soft feel.

NEW Frizz Ease® Go CurlierTM Heat-Activated Spray ($9.99): Enhance natural curl patterns with this first-of-its-kind spray that creates touchable frizz free definition and even more curl for up to 48 hours. Designed to work with the heat of styling tools, this unique formula delivers even, consistent curls. This product works alongside your curling iron or hot rollers to create truly transformative results.

NEW Frizz Ease® Unwind CurlsTM Calming Crème ($6.99): Revamp tight, kinky ringlets into looser curls with this breakthrough crème. New John Frieda® Unwind CurlsTM Calming Crème delivers undone, relaxed curls with a soft—never stiff—feel. Featuring an innovative, proprietary styling polymer, Unwind CurlsTM crème elongates and stretches curls as they air dry, while luxurious conditioners eliminate frizz and puffiness.

Frizz Ease® Dream Curls® Daily Styling Spray ($6.99): This best-selling, alcohol-free curl perfector transforms wilted waves and limp, tired curls into sexy swirls and beautifully defined curls that are soft and silky, never crispy or sticky. Featuring an innovative, magnesium-enriched formula, this daily spray penetrates into hair to restore elasticity and bounce to any style while boosting your natural curl pattern.

Frizz Ease® Clearly Defined® Gel ($6.99): This must-have gel smoothes and controls unruly curls, delivering a firm, all day

Frizz Ease® Nourishing Oil  Elixir

Frizz Ease® Nourishing Oil Elixir

hold that’s never sticky or greasy. Containing encapsulated silicone beads, this alcohol-free formula is the only gel specifically targeted to calm and smooth frizz, giving a pliable but long-lasting hold full of shine.

Frizz Ease® Curl Reviver Mousse ($6.99): Restore bounce, spring, and shine to fatigued curls and waves. This instant curl rescue boosts manageability so even the most difficult hair can be quickly and easily styled. Thanks to a specially enriched, alcohol-free formula, this essential mousse tames frizz while also giving a touchable hold that never feels crispy or sticky.

INTRODUCING NEW JOHN FRIEDA® FRIZZ EASE® NOURISHING OIL ELIXIR

Whether on its own or part of a pro-inspired product cocktail, new Frizz Ease® Nourishing Oil Elixir ($9.99) works into the hair to deliver the ultimate in softness and manageability. Like you, each day your hair deserves its daily dose of health. So the John Frieda® Hair Care experts created this nourishing new oil to give strands an extra boost of softness and shine. With

natural Argan Oil, a precious oil rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, this nourishing, yet non-greasy, versatile product softens and conditions hair. Whether you need to treat distressed, heat-damaged strands or simply add a coveted extra level of shine, this fast-absorbing oil delivers immediate results you can see and feel.

Apply just a few drops of this frizz blocking, strand-smoothing elixir alone or mixed in with your favorite Frizz Ease® Mousse, Gel, or Crème to transform frizz into fabulous style. Apply a small amount to wet or dry hair, to improve manageability, restore hair’s softness, and eliminate frizz. Try it alone or as an added boost of shine and softness to other products.

Harry Josh explains, “In the salon, stylists are always creating custom product cocktails to suit their clients’ exact styling and hair care needs. Now, with new Frizz Ease® Nourishing Oil Elixir you can use this pro-trick at home by adding a bit of oil elixir to another styling product to give it an extra nourishing benefit.”

Malibu® Pops the Top Off Its Latest Product Innovation: Malibu® Rum Sparkler

Malibu® Rum Sparkler Surprises and Delights Cocktail Lovers by Uncorking then Bubbly Fusion of Coconut Water and Caribbean Rum

Malibu® is ringing in the New Year in a big way with Malibu® Rum Sparkler, their newest product innovation announced today that combines the much-loved Malibu with coconut water, and infuses them with refreshing bubbles. With a pop of the cork, Malibu Rum Sparkler gives party people everywhere yet another reason to get together and enjoy life’s everyday moments with a unique sparkling and refreshing cocktail. Whether it is a job promotion, weekend get-together with friends or impromptu day-off from work, Malibu Rum Sparkler gives you permission to simply pop and enjoy the party. Malibu Rum Sparkler is

Malibu(R) Pops the Top Off Its Latest Product Innovation: Malibu(R) Rum Sparkler.  (PRNewsFoto/Pernod Ricard USA)

Malibu(R) Pops the Top Off Its Latest Product Innovation: Malibu(R) Rum Sparkler. (PRNewsFoto/Pernod Ricard USA)

bottled in both coconut and peach flavors and is available now at retailers nationwide.

As the #1 coconut rum in the U.S.(1) and around the world, Malibu takes a fresh take on the brand by combining the classic Caribbean rum with coconut water and carbonation. Consumers will get another surprise when they pick up a bottle – Malibu Rum Sparkler debuts today with a cork and colorful foil wrap, a first for the brand, truly giving them a new, fun and exciting way to enjoy a sparkling cocktail. Malibu Rum Sparkler’s blend of coconut water and light bubbles make it the newest refreshing cocktail of choice when looking for a taste of summer anytime. Once popped open, it is perfect when served chilled and straight in a flute, or mixed into a lively cocktail.

Malibu Rum Sparkler joins a rum portfolio that truly challenges and delights the taste buds of cocktail lovers – from higher proof Malibu Black, to low-calorie Malibu Island Spiced, to tequila spiked Malibu Red and perfectly pre-mixed Malibu Cans, we clearly aim to push the boundaries,” said Josh Hayes, Senior Brand Manager, Malibu. “With Rum Sparkler, we’re capitalizing on the growing demand and popularity of coconut water and giving consumers yet another reason to party with friends.”

To celebrate the launch of Malibu Rum Sparkler, the brand will be hosting a series of off-premise sampling events at select retailers nationwide. The launch will also be supported through digital, social and OOH activations.

Pop-Worthy Malibu Rum Sparkler Signature Cocktails: Add a pop to your party with these Malibu Rum Sparkler signature cocktail recipes:

Beach Bubbles
3 parts Malibu Rum Sparkler
1 part pineapple juice
¼ part simple syrup
Dash fresh lime juice
Build in a chilled flute glass. No garnish.

Pool Party
3 parts Malibu Peach Sparkler
1 part orange juice
¼ part simple syrup (optional)
Build in a chilled flute glass. Garnish with an orange zest.

Malibu Rum Sparkler (11% alc. / vol., 22 proof) is available in 750ml for a suggested retail price of $16.99 in both coconut and peach flavors. To learn more about Malibu Rum Sparkler, other Malibu products and to get exclusive content head over to Malibu’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Malibu-Rum.

TV Producer Neal Baer to Be Honored By Point Foundation

Actress Mariska Hartigay will present Leadership Award to Baer at Point Honors New York on April 7

Point Foundation (Point) will present its Leadership Award to acclaimed TV Producer, educator and M.D., Neal Baer at the April 7 Point Honors New York gala. The event will be held at the landmark New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue, a venue befitting the mission of Point, which is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit. Point Foundation empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society and promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training.

Neal Baer.  (PRNewsFoto/Point Foundation)

Neal Baer. (PRNewsFoto/Point Foundation)

Dr. Baer’s good friend, the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress Mariska Hargitay, will present the Point Leadership Award to him. Dr. Baer, the Executive Producer and Showrunner for the current CBS hit television show “Under The Dome,” has never shied away from writing ground-breaking, pivotal LGBTQ storylines and characters in his award-winning television programs such as “ER” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

As a recently out gay man, I’m deeply honored to be recognized by the Point Foundation for my television work over the years depicting the stories of LGBTQ youth,” said Baer. “I know firsthand the critical importance of striving to live honestly and authentically, and the Point Foundation is leading the way to insure that LGBTQ youth receive academic and leadership support to overcome obstacles that may impede their success. Had there been a Point Foundation when I was growing up in Denver,

Point Foundation logo.  (PRNewsFoto/Point Foundation)

Point Foundation logo. (PRNewsFoto/Point Foundation)

Colorado, and while I was attending college, I know that my struggle to live openly as a gay man would have been made so much easier and less traumatic.  I commend the Foundation for shining a light on LGBTQ youth scholars and for providing support to them during this crucially significant phase of their lives.”

I am often at a loss for words for how much Neal means to me,” said Mariska Hargitay. “I am thrilled to honor him like this, not only because he so richly deserves it, but because I am always grateful for the opportunity to show my deep affection and admiration. And to be able to do so in the community of others who feel the same way about him is a true gift.”

It is a privilege for Point Foundation to honor Neal Baer with the Point Leadership Award, which is given to an individual who has achieved prominence in their professional career and unequivocally supported the LGBTQ community,” said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Point Foundation. “Dr. Baer completed medical school before going on to his tremendously successful career in television. He is an inspiring example of innate creativity and altruistic spirit empowered by education and perseverance.”

The Honorary Co-Chairs for Point Honors New York are Judith Light, Herb Hamsher, and David Mixner. Other honorees and talent appearing at the event will be announced soon.

Presenting Sponsors for Point Honors New York are the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and Wells Fargo. Premier Sponsors, Audi and Time Warner. Principal Sponsor, Philippe Brugere-Trelat and Mitchell Draizin. For more information about attending or supporting Point Honors New York visit www.pointfoundation.org/NYHonors.

UXURIOUS SKY VILLA SUITES UNVEILED AT THE NEW TROPICANA RESORT IN LAS VEGAS

 The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas unveils the Sky Villa Suites, which offer an entirely new level of luxury accommodations for guests. Located on the 20th floor of the Paradise Tower, the suites offer breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip with floor-to-ceiling windows in an elegant and glamorous atmosphere. The Sky Villa Suites are a key part of the resort’s approximate $200 million transformation that has touched every corner of the property including all 1,467 guestrooms, the casino floor and restaurants, and the Tropicana Theater.
Bathroom in Sky Villa Suite at The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas

Bathroom in Sky Villa Suite at The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas

Bedroom in Sky Villa Suite at The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas

Bedroom in Sky Villa Suite at The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas

The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas redefines the expectations of today’s global travelers with a transformation that provides a casually elegant resort experience. In addition to a South Beach rhythm and vibe, the transformation of the resort includes a fresh redesign of every best-in-class room and suite, the 50,000-square-foot casino, more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, several new restaurants and bars, a new race and sports book, and Glow®, a Mandara Spa and fitness center. First-class entertainment includes headliners in the all-new Tropicana Theater, Laugh Factory and live music in the Tropicana Lounge. Coming spring 2014, the Tropicana Theater will be home to the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!  Continue reading

Slinger Debuts BigBag Collection of Camera, Video Bags, Available Exclusively at Adorama

Designed to carry photo and video gear and accessories, Slinger BigBags are a necessity for durable, budget-friendly carrying solutions

Adorama, one of the world’s largest photography, video, imaging and electronics retailers, recently enhanced its Slinger camera bag collection with nine new BigBag camera bags, available exclusively at Adorama. Designed for a wide range of photo and video accessories, including tripods, lighting accessories and lenses, Slinger bags meet every carrying need with style, durability and simplicity. The line offers nine new selections fit for all levels of expertise.

If you’re a photographer or filmmaker, you aren’t just worrying about carrying your camera during on-the-go shoots. Likely, you will be lugging around a tripod, various lighting options, cables, memory cards, a laptop and many more accessories necessary to get that perfect shot. If you’re using an insufficient case, you risk damaging your expensive tools and wasting precious time searching for components you need. Adorama’s Slinger camera bags come highly recommended because of their ability to safely hold a camera system, lenses, filters, memory cards and more in one simple carrying solution.

Wrap, pack, protect and transport all of your delicate gear in the ultimate protective Slinger cases. Bags come complete with compartments for accessories big and small, including micro digital memory cards, optical filters, iPods, cameras and lenses for still or video. Each custom-designed, ready-for-action bag provides secure and easy access to gear with ample space, flexible padded partitions, and lightweight balance. An Adorama exclusive, the Slinger BigBag collection is the durable solution for value cases.

Slinger bags are now available from the low price of 29.95 USD for lightweight, modest options, to 179.95 USD for more heavy duty and versatile solutions. All Slinger bags include free shipping to US addresses when ordered through Adorama’s online store.

Slinger Lighting Bags
The Slinger BigBag Lighting Bag (model SLBBL5) comes with three full-length adjustable dividers for the safest and most efficient organization of lighting equipment. With two adjustable extra long outer straps with clips for attaching and carrying your light stands, this model is designed with the versatility necessary for professional on-the-go transportation. The Slinger BigBag Lighting Bag is large enough to hold all lighting needs and at only 69.95 USD, it is a budget-friendly option that will last for years.

For the highest protection possible, consider the Slinger BigBag Heavy Duty Light Stand Bag with Wheels (model SLBBL3). This light stand bag is a powerhouse on wheels with two inner straps to prevent damage from shifting, weather seal zippers, D-rings for straps and additional elements, and padding for comfort and further protection. Ideal for ultimate safety in an easily transportable package, the Slinger BigBag Heavy Duty Light Stand Bag with Wheels is now available for 119.95 USD. For a more versatile option, try the Slinger BigBag Heavy Duty Lighting Bag Large with Wheels (model SLBBL1). Combining the features of the rolling BigBag Heavy Duty Light Stand and the BigBag Lighting Bag, this option can safely enclose an entire lighting kit. It includes side handles, five sections, a padded light stand divider with Velcro straps, and an outer business card/ID holder. The large Slinger light stand bag is now available for 179.95 USD.

Slinger Video Bags
The Slinger BigBag Video Handbag Large (model SLBBV3) offers all of the protection needed for the filmmaker’s most important tool. The inside of the handbag consists of one full-length, five-part divider while the outside features a pocket with an internal organizer for batteries, cables, cards and drives. Enjoy padded straps and handles for additional comfort and a rain cover to keep tools completely dry. The large option is available now for 109.95 USD. For a more heavy-duty option, choose the Slinger BigBag Video Handbag XL with Wheels (model SLBBV2). This handbag brings luxury and convenience to transporting video gear. It comes with extra features such as an extendable handle, top and side handles, weather sealed zippers, an additional inner divider, and load-bearing security buckles. Add two side pockets and eight padded dividers to fill the 25”x13”x14” trolley and you are ready to tote some serious equipment. The XL handbag option is now available for 159.95 USD.

For the ultimate simple carrying solution, try the Slinger BigBag Video Backpack (model SLBBV1). The Slinger Video Backpack supplies generous space with inner measurements of 20”x13”x9” and features nine full length and inner adjustable dividers for ample organization. Also including a removable, built-in tripod holding system, this model is the perfect one-bag solution for shoots involving travel. The backpack comes with a rain cover as well as supportive, contoured padding lining the back of the bag, protecting your valuable equipment while keeping you comfortable. The Slinger BigBag Video Backpack is available now for just 129.95 USD.

The Slinger BigBag Video & Accessory Handbag (model SLBBV4) is the perfect solution for photographers and filmmakers desiring heavy capacity and organization for multiple accessories. It features two adjustable, full-length dividers and two outer front compartments. Inner compartments include pockets for cards, pens and markers. The Slinger BigBag Video & Accessory Handbag is now available for 99.95 USD.

Slinger Tripod Bags
At a lightweight one pound, the Slinger BigBag Tripod Bag (model SLBBT1) makes it easy to transport and protect your tripod in any situation. This model features an outer business card/ID holder as well as an inner pocket for additional QR plates and tools. Ideal for a quick solution when simultaneously transporting other heavy equipment, the Slinger BigBag Tripod Bag is now available for only 29.95 USD. If you’re carrying light stands, umbrellas and cables in addition to a tripod, the Slinger BigBag Tripod Bag & Light Stand (model SLBBT2) for 39.95 USD is the option for you.

Pricing and Availability
Slinger BigBags are now available at prices ranging from $29.95 to $179.95 and can be purchased in the Adorama store, located at 42 West 18th Street in New York City, or online at http://www.Adorama.com.

A Super Bowl Tradition Makes its New York Debut as GoBowling.com and Ed “Too Tall” Jones Host the Celebrity Bowling Classic

NFL Heroes and Fans Unite to Raise Funds for the NFL Foundation in a Celebrity Bowling Showdown at Bowlmor Chelsea Piers

GoBowling.com is teaming with one of the biggest NFL legends of all time to host the 9th Annual NFL Foundation Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic at Bowlmor Chelsea Piers. Emceed by celebrated Super Bowl champion and football star, Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones, the tournament aims to increase awareness and bring in donations for the NFL Foundation. The event will begin at 10:30 am EST on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

The NFL Foundation Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic brings together fans and NFL heroes alike for an exciting day of bowling. Bowlers will be teamed up with current and former NFL stars, Pro Football Hall-of-Famers and wounded warriors from joint base McGuire Air Force, Fort Dix Army and Lakehurst Naval Air in New Jersey, who will serve as rotating celebrity captains throughout the event. Fans will get an opportunity to bowl and engage with the honorary legends on an up-close and personal level.

Prominent NFL stars and Pro Football Hall of Fame members confirmed to participate in the Classic include: OJ Anderson, John Baker, Erich Barnes, Lem Barney, Hank Bauer, Scott Brunner, Jarrod Bunch,Greg Buttle, Chris Calloway, Harry Carson, Parnell Dickinson, Carl Eller, Chuck Foreman, Nesby Glasgow, Rodney Hampton, Thomas Henderson, Ted Hendricks, Paul Hornung, Lamonte Hunley, Ricky Hunley, Brian Kelly, Jerry Kramer, Sean Landeta, Tom Mack, Curtis McGriff, Erik McMillan, Chuck Mercein, Michael Merriweather, Tom Nowatzke, Bart Oates, Brig Owens, Joe Pisarcik, Gary Reasons,Steve Reece, Willie Roaf, Pete Shaw, Mike Sherrard, Jim Taylor, Sandra Taylor, DeeDee Trotter, Justin Tucker, Everson Walls, Chris Ward, Ickey Woods and Garo Yepremian.

I’m so proud to once again team up with GoBowling.com to host this great event that combines two of America’s favorite pastimes, bowling and football, all to benefit a terrific cause. The Classic has become an annual tradition and its continued success speaks to both the enduring popularity and the fundraising power of bowling,” said Jones. “With more than 69 million people taking to the lanes every year, bowling is our nation’s number one participatory sport and an activity that can be enjoyed by people of any age, any background and from all walks of life.

There’s no other event like the Classic, a day where fans get to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with NFL legends in a fun and relaxed setting, and knock down some pins all for a great cause,” said Frank DeSocio, president of Strike Ten Entertainment (STE). STE is the centralized sponsor-activation arm for bowling and the creator of GoBowling.com, the top online destination for bowling fans. “This will be a special year for the Classic as we host the game with one of the NFL’s ‘biggest’ legends of all time in the Big Apple. We’re also pleased to welcome a number of past and present NFL stars who will take part in the tournament.”

GoBowling.com is the destination for bowling fans and enthusiasts seeking news and information about one of America’s favorite pastimes and the nation’s number one participatory sport.  With more than 69 million people taking to the lanes every year, GoBowling.com is a one-stop location where people of all ages can go to satisfy their love of bowling.  Consumers turn to GoBowling.com every day to find bowling fun – discovering new bowling centers, tips and tricks to use on the lanes, event news and great deals at more than 2,100+ family-friendly bowling centers across the country.

GoBowling.com encourages interested parties to sign up in teams of four for a total donation of $3,000 or for $750 per bowler. Guests of bowlers may also attend the event for a charge of $250 per person. Each bowler will receive a limited edition commemorative Super Bowl XLVIII bowling ball, pin and bowling shirt as well as a buffet meal and soft drinks. All proceeds will benefit the NFL Foundation, a non-profit organization. Interested parties should contact Tournament Director Nick Nicolosi at 201-489-0049 or n.nicolosi@verizon.net.

Premier Selection of Galleries to Participate in Art Basel’s second edition in Hong Kong

Preview (by invitation only) Wednesday, May 14, 2014
12pm – 5pm Private View
5pm – 9pm Vernissage

Public Show Dates: Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18, 2014
Thursday 12pm – 7pm General entry
Friday 12pm – 9pm General entry
Saturday 12pm – 7pm General entry
Sunday 12pm – 5pm General entry

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Opening Ceremony | Left to right: René Kamm, CEO MCH Basel Exhibition, The Hon C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Guy Morin, President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Opening Ceremony | Left to right: René Kamm, CEO MCH Basel Exhibition, The Hon C Y Leung, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Guy Morin, President of the Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt

Art Basel has announced details of its second edition in Hong Kong, taking place Thursday, May 15, to Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The Hong Kong show of Art Basel, whose Lead Partner is UBS, will feature 245 premier galleries, from 39 countries and territories. With over half of its galleries having exhibition spaces in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region – including 24 galleries with exhibition spaces in Hong Kong – Art Basel underlines its commitment to showcasing the best art from the region. The show will include for the first time a Film sector, curated by Li Zhenhua, and hosted in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The Selection Committee for Art Basel in Hong Kong is comprised of renowned international gallerists: Emi Eu, Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore; Shireen Gandhy, Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai; Suzie Kim, Kukje Gallery, Seoul; Maho Kubota, Scai The Bathhouse, Tokyo; David Maupin, Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong; Urs Meile, Galerie Urs Meile, Beijing & Lucerne; Massimo De Carlo, Massimo De Carlo, Milan; Zhang Wei, Vitamin Creative Space, Guangzhou and Beijing. The experts for the Discoveries sector are Atsuko Ninagawa, Take Ninagawa, Tokyo, and Finola Jones, mother’s tankstation, Dublin. The expert for Modern Art is Mathias Rastorfer, Galerie Gmurzynska, Zurich.

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Galerie du Monde

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Galerie du Monde

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Impression

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Impression

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Impression

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Impression

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Hanart TZ Gallery

Art Basel | Hong Kong 2013 | Hanart TZ Gallery

Galleries, the main sector of the show, will present 171 Modern and contemporary art galleries. Returning galleries will be joined by 19 exhibitors who will be new to the Art Basel show including: Anna Schwartz Gallery, Applicat-Prazan, Brame & Lorenceau, Galleria Franco Noero, Galerie Hubert Winter, Galerie Nikolaus Ruzicska, Galerie Peter Kilchmann, gdm, Gerhardsen Gerner, Grieder Contemporary, Mazzoleni Galleria D’Arte, Meessen De Clercq, Meyer Riegger, Michael Hoppen Gallery, Michael Lett, Mitchell- Innes & Nash, Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Tokyo Gallery + BTAP, and Zach Feuer Gallery. For the full gallery list, please visit www.artbasel.com/hongkong/galleries. Continue reading

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Entenmann’s Sweet Valentine’s Edible Bouquet

Entenmann’s lovers can enter the Entenmann’s Sweet Donut Sweepstakes on the Entenmann’s Facebook page

Entenmann's Sweet Valentine's Edible Bouquet

Entenmann’s Sweet Valentine’s Edible Bouquet

Entenmann’s Bakery, part of Bimbo Bakeries USA and 115-year-old brand, has delicious plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Entenmann’s Sweet Valentine’s Edible Bouquet and Entenmann’s Sweet Donut Sweepstakes. Entenmann’s fans won’t want to miss out on this mouthwatering celebration!
ENTENMANN’S SWEET VALENTINE’S EDIBLE BOUQUET

  • Consumers can create the Entenmann’s Sweet Valentine’s Edible Bouquet, using the recipe card with simple step-by-step instructions and easy-to-find ingredients. Click here for the recipe card.
  • With chocolate, sprinkles and a pinch of creativity, readers can the most delicious bouquet their loved ones have ever received!

ENTENMANN’S SWEETDONUT SWEEPSTAKES

  • Entenmann’s lovers can enter the Entenmann’s Sweet Donut Sweepstakes on the Entenmann’s Facebook page starting January 3, 2014 and ending on February 28, 2014 for the chance to win one of ten prize packages that include $35 worth of Entenmann’s coupons, a Mr. Rich Frosted and Ms. Crumb plush toy, a $75 1-800-Flowers gift card and a $30 AMEX gift card for the supplies to create an Entenmann’s Sweet Valentine’s Edible Bouquet. Entenmann’s fans can also enter to win one of 40 Mr. Rich Frosted and Ms. Crumb plush toys. No purchase is necessary. Details can be found on http://www.Facebook.com/Entenmanns or on 8-pack boxes of Rich Frosted Donuts and 8-pack boxes of Crumb Donuts.

DOVE® MEN+CARE® INTRODUCES FIRST PREMIUM LINE OF EXPERT SHAVE PRODUCTS

Professional barbers and dermatologists agree that the key to a smoother, more comfortable shave is not only the razor, but the products used on the skin and beard. Caring for men’s faces just got better with the launch of the new Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave range. The brand’s first advanced three-step approach delivers the ultimate caring shave experience.
The Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave range is developed in collaboration with barbers and is clinically proven to better moisturize skin for the ultimate caring shave.

The Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave range is developed in collaboration with barbers and is clinically proven to better moisturize skin for the ultimate caring shave.

Built on the Dove heritage in cleansing, moisturizing and care, Dove® Men+Care® has collaborated with leading barbers and dermatologists to develop the range. Clinically proven to better hydrate men’s faces, the new Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave range will better care for skin before, during and after shaving.

Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave is an upgraded shaving experience for men — the products are specifically designed to allow for smooth razor glide across the skin and an advanced level of moisturization, before, during and after shaving,” said Carmelo Guastella, award-winning barber with 30 years of experience who collaborated on the creation of the range. “I believe that how you prepare men’s skin and the ingredients used in products are as important as blade selection when it comes to shaving.

Upgrade His Shave in Three-Steps
The Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave Range three-step approach delivers a superior shave experience for men. Used together, the products better care for men’s faces before, during and after shaving:

  • Step 1 “Pre-Shave:” Products cleanse and soften men’s skin and stubble/beard to better prepare the face for a smooth shave
  • Step 2 “Shave:” Shave creams are clinically proven to provide superior hydration for the ultimate caring shave
  • Step 3 “Post-Shave:” Absorbs quickly to soothe skin and help relieve shaving irritation

Superior Shave Experience
The Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave range includes five products, each of which draws on the 50 years of experience Dove has caring for and moisturizing skin:

  • Exfoliating Pre-Shave Scrub: clinically proven to hydrate skin as it cleanses, while lifting and scrubbing stubble to help reduce ingrown hairs
  • Softening Pre-Shave Oil: formulated to soften hair and prepare the face for a closer, more comfortable shave with moisturizing ingredients
  • Smoothing Shave Cream: creamy lather helps protect from shaving irritation and ensures a smooth razor glide to leave skin feeling soft and moisturized
  • Total Comfort Shave Cream: moisture-enriched formula designed for men with dry skin, this protective cream softens hair on contact for a smooth razor glide and is clinically proven to hydrate skin and help reduce shaving irritation
  • Intense Post-Shave Repair Balm: fast-absorbing, soothing formula is clinically proven to re-hydrate skin and help reduce irritation after shaving

Pushing the boundaries
The Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave Range includes only shave creams, not traditional shave gels or foams, because cream formulas have the ability to provide higher levels of moisturization. New Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave Smoothing Shave Cream and Total Comfort Shave Cream are formulated to help skin stay hydrated and ensure optimum levels of slick when gliding a blade over the face.

The two shave creams in Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave contain high levels of moisturizing ingredients that are clinically proven to offer superior moisturization compared to competitor shave products on the market,” said Matt Kuznitz, Unilever Scientist who spearheaded the research and development for the range. “We developed Expert Shave to be the most caring line of Dove® Men+Care® shaving products available and to deliver the shave experience we knew men needed and would appreciate.”

For more information on Dove® Men+Care® Expert Shave visit www.dove.com/expertshave

Dove® Men+Care® is the first brand from Dove® developed specially for men. Manufactured by Unilever, it is the #1 recommended body wash by dermatologists. Launched in 2010, the Dove® Men+Care® portfolio includes: Body Washes and Bars with skin care built in, Deodorants and Antiperspirants with 48-hour odor and wetness protection designed to be tough on sweat, not on skin, Hair Care that fortifies to make men’s hair three times stronger, and a Face Range designed to help men take better care of their skin in three easy steps. All Dove® Men+Care® products are available nationwide in food, drug, and mass outlet stores.

CELEBRITIES GEAR UP FOR FIRST EVER “CHOPPED TOURNAMENT OF STARS”

ATHLETES, ACTORS AND COMEDIANS, OH MY!

Chopped Tournament of Stars premieres Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network

Five Episode Competition Featuring Celebrities Competing in the Chopped Kitchen for Charity

With a $50,000 grand prize for charity on the line, celebrities from different walks of life compete in the ultimate Chopped Tournament of Stars, premiering Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT. The five-part competition series, hosted by Ted Allen, includes four celebrities going head-to-head each week in themed episodes over three rounds: appetizer, entrée and dessert – each featuring mystery ingredients within the Chopped basket. Featuring sports stars, comedians, actors, and for the first time, veterans from Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, the celebrities are judged by a rotating roster of Chopped regulars, including Maneet Chauhan, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Chris Santos and Geoffrey Zakarian, to determine which celebrity will advance each week to face off in the finale on Sunday, April 6th at 9pm ET/PT, with a chance to win the grand prize for the charity of their choice.
This tournament brings together the most diverse, talented group of celebrities we have ever had compete in the Chopped Kitchen, “ said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network. “With $50,000 on the line for their charity, these celebs fill the kitchen with action, drama and comedy as they do everything they can to be the victor.

Episodes include:

Sports Stars compete on Chopped Tournament of Stars

Sports Stars compete on Chopped Tournament of Stars

Premiering Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT
“Sports Stars!”
Four famous athletes bring their fierceness and passion to the Chopped Kitchen for a five-part $50,000 celebrity tournament! With the charities they are playing for in their minds, the competitors open the first basket to find a scary ingredient – alligator. Then in the entrée round, the celebs must cook with some strange eggs and some tiny limes. The final two sports stars that make it to the dessert round put their athleticism and enthusiasm into making a great final dish that includes crystallized ginger and wafer cookies.
Competitors: Brandi Chastain, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Greg Louganis, Charles Oakley
Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Geoffrey Zakarian

Lou Diamond Phillips on Chopped Tournament of Stars

Lou Diamond Phillips on Chopped Tournament of Stars

Premiering Sunday, March 16th at 9pm ET/PT
“Rachael vs. Guy!”
These four competitors are all cooking-competition veterans, alums of Food Network’s Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, but they have never stepped foot in the Chopped Kitchen! How will they do with beef tongue and microwaveable chocolate cake in the appetizer basket? Then the stars have a pizza party in the entrée round after they discover leftover slices in the basket. With hopes of making it to the $50,000 finale, two competitors must make desserts using chocolate bars and banana chips.
Competitors: Penn Jillette, Coolio, Lou Diamond Phillips, Carnie Wilson
Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Marc Murphy, Chris Santos Continue reading

Lenox Corporation Celebrates 125 Years Of American Style, Design And Craftsmanship

Lenox, the leader in home entertaining, is proud to announce its 125th anniversary year in 2014.  This momentous event in the company’s history will be celebrated throughout 2014 and will serve as a gateway to create new excitement about the brand among loyal consumers while drawing new customers to the exciting variety of products that Lenox offers. The company is celebrating its landmark 125th anniversary in 2014 and markets its products under the Lenox, Donna Karan Lenox, Marchesa by Lenox, kate spade new york, Dansk and Gorham brands.

Lenox Corporation Celebrates 125 Years Of American Style, Design And Craftsmanship.  (PRNewsFoto/Lenox Corporation)

Lenox Corporation Celebrates 125 Years Of American Style, Design And Craftsmanship. (PRNewsFoto/Lenox Corporation)

Lenox is the leading purveyor of fine china, casual dinnerware, crystal stemware and 18/10 stainless flatware.  From everyday and intimate gatherings to pull-out-all-the-stops formal gala occasions, Lenox offers the widest range of products relevant to the way people of all ages entertain today.  Across the board, Lenox has everything customers need to create stylish table settings that make every event a treasured memory.

Lenox is the only American brand that has built a 125-year history of trust with generations of consumers offering unrivaled artistry and superior craftsmanship that make the brand the premiere market destination for entertaining, bridal and gifting.  In addition, Lenox is the only manufacturer of fine bone china in the United States and has been chosen to provide the White House dinnerware for numerous presidential services.  All Lenox formal dinnerware is made in the USA by talented American artisans in North Carolina.  Using only the finest materials to produce its formal bone china, including accents of 24 kt gold and precious platinum, Lenox is proud to backstamp even the most detailed patterns as dishwasher-safe.

As part of the anniversary year, Lenox has introduced a new branding campaign across all media.  Created around the theme Lenox, Where Entertaining is @, the brand speaks to modern consumers in language they can understand.  The new multi-platform campaign, which comes to life on www.Lenox.com, inspires, educates and provides expert tips on how to entertain at home with your own personal style. Using memorable how-to videos and beautiful visual layouts accompanied by informative text, the new campaign demonstrates that Lenox is the one-stop shopping and gifting resource for consumers who want to entertain at home.  More than simply advertising key products, the new branding initiative will engage consumers with an incredible array of exclusive recipes, expert tips and unique product suggestions geared toward deepening our customers’ relationship with the Lenox brand while inspiring them to entertain at home with confidence and style.

In addition, Lenox will showcase their best-selling patterns in their 125th anniversary year.  Lenox introduces new American-made formal dinnerware each season but the most popular bridal pattern remains Opal Innocence, which has sold over one million place settings since its 2002 launch.  Butterfly Meadow porcelain dinnerware is known the world over as the most popular pattern for casual dining.  With its garden motif of butterflies and flowers, it evokes the beauty of springtime all year around.  The freezer-to-oven-to-table durability and microwave and dishwasher-safe convenience make it perfect for everyday while the beautifully scalloped shape and large eating surface make it an entertaining must-have.  Paired with best selling Tuscany Classics lead-free crystal stem and barware in sizes suited to each specific wine or beverage and with popular Vintage Jewel stainless flatware, creating a beautiful tablescape becomes easy for home entertainers everywhere.

Pop-Tarts® Teams Up With U.S. Teen Freeskiiers Torin Yater-Wallace & Maggie Voisin To Make Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Crazy Good(TM)

The countdown to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games is on, and Pop-Tarts® has partnered with U.S. Olympic hopefuls and freestyle skiers Torin Yater-Wallace and Maggie Voisin to put a Crazy Good(TM) spin on the competition. Eighteen-year-old Torin was nominated to the U.S. Men’s Freeskiing Team this week, and is a rising star heading into the Sochi Games. Maggie was also nominated this week to the U.S. Women’s Freeskiing Team – making her the youngest U.S. Winter Olympic hopeful at 15 years old since 1972. With the help of Pop-Tarts, they’re giving teens an exclusive look inside their Crazy Good Winter adventures.

Winter Olympic Hopeful & Freestyle Skier Torin Yater-Wallace

Winter Olympic Hopeful & Freestyle Skier Torin Yater-Wallace

I’m pumped that I was nominated to join Team USA in Sochi,” said Yater-Wallace. “This is the first time freeskiing is in the Olympics, and to be making history while representing my country is amazing. I’m excited to team up with Pop-Tarts so we can give fans an inside look at my journey and a new Winter Olympic sport.

Since he hit the slopes at age seven, Torin has challenged himself to go bigger and be more creative each day on skis. His Start Story video illustrates the support he receives from family and friends, and the drive that pushes him toward great things. In 2011, he nailed his landing onto the freeskiing scene when he became the youngest Winter X-Games medalist in history – and is quickly becoming the face of the sport.

Youngest Winter Olympic Hopeful & Freestyle Skier Maggie Voisin

Youngest Winter Olympic Hopeful & Freestyle Skier Maggie Voisin

Having the chance to compete in the Winter Olympic Games as one of the youngest Winter Olympic athletes would be a dream come true,” said Voisin. “I’m really excited that Pop-Tarts is helping Torin and me include our fans in this awesome experience.”

The brand’s partnership with Torin and Maggie isn’t the only way Pop-Tarts is making this winter Crazy Good. Team USA enthusiasts can use the Crazy Good Me app on the Pop-Tarts Facebook page to create their own unique winter athlete avatar – complete with customizable clothes and competition gear – and share it with friends through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. New accessories like Torin and Maggie’s favorite hats and mittens will be updated throughout the Games so the Crazy Good characters can look stylish all the way through the Closing Ceremony.

Pop-Tarts bring fun to breakfast, and we’re excited to partner with two athletes who are competing in a fun new Olympic sport,” said Aleta Chase, director of marketing for Pop-Tarts. “We want to give fans a taste of life as a teenage athlete through a cool new app and exclusive access during their quests for gold.”

Fans can also head to the breakfast aisle to find Torin on the back of limited edition Pop-Tarts boxes sold nationwide or to the Facebook page for updates on his Olympic journey via epic photos and videos of tricks and moments off the slopes. For more behind-the-scenes access to Torin and Maggie, and additional Team USA updates at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, join the #CrazyGoodWinter conversation on Twitter and follow poptarts411 on Instagram.