Wednesday, August 27, 2008

The Best Visual Display and One of the Safest Ways for Kids to Search the Internet


With school back in session and families gearing up for the nightly homework grind, Ask.com announces the upgrade and expansion of its popular children's and tweens' search engine, Ask Kids (www.askkids.com). Built with Ask.com's proprietary search technology, Ask Kids delivers a search experience unlike anything for kids on the Internet today -- including more relevant, kid-friendly search results presented in the most graphically vivid display of any major search engine. The Ask Kids launch advances Ask.com's strategy of using its core search technology to fuel vertical search properties such as RushmoreDrive.com, the search engine for the Black community, launched in April 2008.

Studies prove that visual learning improves children's comprehension, retention, critical thinking, and organization.* Additionally, children are better at "mousing" than typing. Ask Kids was built with this in mind, and organizes search results in a graphically vivid three-panel display that includes SmartAnswers and related images, current events, videos and encyclopedia results. For example, a child who enters the query "George Washington" will see options to narrow their results with "Facts on George Washington," along with options to expand their results to learn about the "Declaration of Independence," "American Revolution," and "Mount Vernon."

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Verizon FiOS TV Broadens Multicultural Content With 14 New In-Language Channels From World TV


New Content Includes Leading Channels for Arabic, Portuguese and Russian Audiences, Among Others

As part of Verizon's continual expansion of its FiOS TV channel lineup, the company announced Monday (Aug. 25) that it has started adding 14 new multicultural channels from World TV. The channels, broadcast in eight different languages, offer a diverse mix of programming to FiOS TV subscribers.

"This new programming from around the world is part of what makes FiOS TV the ultimate home-entertainment experience," said Terry Denson, vice president -- FiOS TV content and programming. "It also helps to expand our multicultural channel lineup, making FiOS TV an outlet for emerging and independent networks to showcase their diverse content."

The 14 new channels come from World TV, a division of content management and delivery company GlobeCast, which previously signed a distribution deal with Verizon for top-tier international channels.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

BRIDGEVINE RANKS ON INC 500 LIST FOR SECOND YEAR BY SIMPLIFYING SHOPPING FOR HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND CABLE TV BUNDLES


COMPANY RANKED NO. 182 ON THE 2008 LIST OF FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES

VERO BEACH, Florida, and ATLANTA, Georgia
— August 20, 2008 — Bridgevine, Inc., the trusted source for consumers to compare and shop for cable TV, high speed internet and other digital home services, announced the company was recently ranked No. 182 on the 2008 Inc 500 list of the fastest growing private companies.

The digital services market is so fragmented with deals and packages that consumers are baffled. Bridgevine's web site allows shoppers to choose the best values from online video rental and high speed internet to cable TV, moving services or home security. “A listing on the Inc. 500 for the second straight year demonstrates how consumers realize the value our service provides them,” states Bridgevine’s President and CEO Vinny Olmstead. “Our remarkable growth is the result of a strong team, solid technology and listening and responding to consumer needs and wants.”

Bridgevine’s CFO Rob Hamilton goes on to state, “Our Company will continue raising the bar higher to deliver the best service possible, for the millions of consumers with unique needs. We are very proud of this Inc. 500 honor and we look forward to building upon it again next year.

Bridgevine’s consumer-facing website, Bridgevine.com, addresses the often daunting task of shopping for services in a marketplace where constantly changing prices, promotions and package offerings can leave consumers unsure if they are getting the best deal, or even the service that best meets their need. Unlike other “comparison” shopping sites, the Bridgevine experience is differentiated by a unified shopping cart, real-time pricing, order status and scheduling to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. Bridgevine’s deep integration with leading service providers enables the company to deliver the most accurate information on services, pricing and special promotions, adding even more value to the bundled services shopping experience.

About Bridgevine
Founded in 2003, Bridgevine, Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, FL with an office in Atlanta, GA. The company’s consumer-facing website, Bridgevine.com, is a trusted source for consumers to compare and shop for the services that shape their lives. From communications to entertainment to security, Bridgevine.com lets consumers choose individual services that are best for them, or create personalized bundles from trusted providers resulting in saved time and money. Unlike other “comparison” shopping websites, Bridgevine’s powerful technology offers a unified shopping cart, real-time pricing, order status and scheduling to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. Bridgevine’s deep integration with leading service providers from across the country — including Comcast, AT&T, D-Link, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, DIRECTV, RealNetworks, Panasonic, GameFly and more — enables Bridgevine to deliver the most accurate information on services, pricing and special promotions, adding even more value to the bundled services shopping experience. The company’s proprietary ecommerce platform is licensed by leading retailers, websites and Fortune 500 companies, making it possible for them to monetize online, call center and in-store traffic. Bridgevine was ranked 57 on the prestigious 2007 Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies. For more information, please visit www.bridgevine.com.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

NWA WorldVacations Launches Online Travel Story Contest


Win a trip to Cancun, Mexico by submitting your favorite travel story to the NWA WorldVacations Travel Blog.

Until September 14, 2008, travelers can win a Cancun vacation by submitting a travel story to the NWA WorldVacations® Travel Blog.

After an entry is posted on the Travel Blog, the writer will be automatically entered to win a WorldVacations trip to Cancun, Mexico, including roundtrip air and hotel, valued up to $2,200. The stories can be about a favorite travel memory or a travel tip, and they should be 600 words or less.

Almost everyone has a great, unique travel story to tell and its so cool that some lucky person is going to win a trip to Cancun just for sharing their story on a blog, said Susan Worwa, Manager of Corporate Communications at NWA WorldVacations.

Visit the NWA WorldVacations Travel Blog for more contest details and to read the trips and travel experiences that others have blogged about. Also, the Travel Blog offers great ideas and information on where to go and what to do for people wanting to create new travel memories for future contests.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Yahoo! Announces New Privacy Choice for Consumers

Will Expand Its Opt-Out Policy to Customized Advertising on Yahoo.com

Today Yahoo! Inc. announced that it will offer users greater choice in how they manage their privacy online by enabling them to opt-out of customized advertising on Yahoo.com. This new option expands Yahoo!s existing opt-out program for customized advertising served by Yahoo! on third party networks.

Yahoo! announced the new opt-out capability as part of its response to a Congressional inquiry about customization sent to 33 companies from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Yahoo!s full response to the letter from Congressman Dingell is attached below.

Anne Toth, head of privacy and VP for policy, said, Yahoo! understands the trust of our users is our greatest asset, so we strive to create the most trusted, compelling online experience.

Yahoo! strongly believes that consumers want choice when customizing their online experience and they have also demonstrated a strong preference for advertising that is more personally relevant to them, continued Toth. However, we understand that there are some users who prefer not to receive customized advertising and this opt-out will offer them even greater choice.

This new opt-out capability is expected to be available for consumers by the end of August. Users will be able to access the opt-out in the Yahoo! privacy center, which is linked on the home page and nearly every page on the Yahoo! network. Users will also be able to access the opt-out through a link in the public service advertising campaign Yahoo! has been running with online ads across its network to educate users about customized advertising.

Monday, August 11, 2008

DogTime.com Launches Most Comprehensive Online Dog Breed Center


New Features Provide Easier Access to More Information and Capability to Upload Dog Photos

DogTime.com (dogtime.com/), the premier destination for dog people, today announced the launch of its enhanced Dog Breed Center (dogtime.com/dog-breeds.html), the most comprehensive guide to dog breeds on the Internet.

Users will find details on nearly 200 breeds in the new DogTime Dog Breed Center, including a dog's unique personality, coat, color, size, care, feeding, grooming, health, and history. Profiles are now easily sorted by breed name, or dozens of breed characteristics, including compatibility with kids, amount of shedding, apartment appropriateness, ease of training, energy level, intelligence, playfulness and more.

"DogTime encourages the adoption of both pure breed and mixed breed dogs," said DogTime CEO Trevor Wright. "Our new Breed Center provides insight into the key characteristics of every breed of dog and will help users better understand the make-up of mix breed dogs, which will help them choose a pet that is compatible with their lifestyles and thereby keep more dogs out of shelters."