Bridgevine Named To "HOTTEST COMPANIES IN THE SOUTHEAST"

LOS ANGELES, Calif., - July 13, 2010 - In order to recognize the fastest growing technology companies in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, Lead411 is proud to announce the release of its "Hottest Companies in the Southeast" award.

Background
Each day, the Lead411 research team scours through 600+ press releases and business articles including venture capital fundings, company launches, new office openings, customer press releases, etc. This information has given insight to which are the fastest growing companies in the U.S. Their "Hottest Companies" awards have been created to recognize these fast growing companies in different geographic regions. This particular list originally started with over 2400 companies and it has been narrowed down to the top 91.

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"We have been tracking fast companies for our customers for the past 10 years," said Tom Blue, CEO of Lead411, "and we felt it was important to recognize these growing brands publicly."

Bridgevine Names Mickey Smith President and Chief Operating Officer

Vero Beach, FL—Bridgevine Inc. announces the promotion of Mickey Smith from Chief Operating Officer to President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Smith has over 23 years of successful management experience in competitive, customer-driven environments. Mr. Smith’s expertise in developing systems and controls that deliver the highest levels of customer service has benefited Bridgevine’s goal of becoming the premier online marketing company for services and products

“As COO for the past 3 years Mickey has been instrumental to the growth and success of Bridgevine,” states Vinny Olmstead, CEO of Bridgevine. “This promotion formalizes Mickey’s expanded responsibilities and represents a commitment to our customers which has always been his focus.” “Mickey will continue to focus on internal operations as the “voice of the customers” and by providing world class service to our impressive list of advertising clients.”

“Our goal is to anticipate the needs of our customers by continually expanding our platform and offering top quality services”, states Mickey Smith.

ABOUT BRIDGEVINE, INC.
Bridgevine is an Internet marketing company that seamlessly connects its advertising clients with new, high quality customers, and its merchandising affiliates with integrated customer monetization solutions. Its proprietary, PCI-certified platform acquires leads through multiple sources, including search, e-tail and retail, and then offers consumers a variety of services and money-saving bundles from participating brands. The company has expedited more than 8 million transactions generating over $1 billion in incremental revenue for a number of world-class partners. It has been cited on the Inc. 500 list two times, as well as the Deloitte Fast 500 list, and is backed by major investors such as Safeguard Scientifics (NYSE: SFE) and Constellation Ventures/JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM).

Press contact:
Mark Ballard
Bridgevine Inc.
Main: 772-564-9871
Mark.ballard@bridgevine.com

Bridgevine Earns PCI Certification and Sets Security Bar for Internet Marketing Providers

Vero Beach, Fla.—March 23, 2010—Bridgevine today announced that it has earned PCI DDS certification as a PCI Level I Service Provider. The designation, granted by the PCI Security Standards Council, minimizes the company’s business risk and protects their advertiser and affiliate partner brands’ important financial processing information. The award is a testament to the high security measures put in place by Bridgevine, as it capped off an infrastructure strengthening initiative, and completed rigorous scans on firewall security and compliance.
PCI DSS is the payment card industry’s security standard for enterprises that process, store or transmit cardholder data. This comprehensive standard is intended to help organizations proactively protect customer account data.

“Obtaining Level I PCI certification is an immense accomplishment for Bridgevine, and a true validation of the security measures we’ve taken to protect our customers,” says Vinny Olmstead, Chief Executive Officer of Bridgevine. “This designation strengthens our advertiser services, and proves our affiliate Internet marketing programs are handled with the utmost care and security. We’re proud to give our customers the peace of mind that comes from knowing our internal processes and controls have been rigorously tested and validated according to industry standards.”

Companies that receive PCI DDS certification adhere to six core principles, including building and maintaining a secure network; protecting cardholder data and regularly monitoring and testing their networks.

Advertisers come to Bridgevine to generate customer relationships through world-class online marketing capabilities coupled with a proprietary services merchandising platform. Advertisers may choose to have their brands distributed through Bridgevine’s affiliate partners, gaining access to new distribution channels operated by leading players in e-tail, retail and call centers. The Bridgevine Network can generate substantial value for advertisers.

ABOUT BRIDGEVINE, INC.
Bridgevine is an Internet marketing company that seamlessly connects its advertising clients with new, high quality customers, and its merchandising affiliates with integrated customer monetization solutions. Its proprietary, PCI-certified platform acquires leads through multiple sources, including search, e-tail and retail, and then offers consumers a variety of services and money-saving bundles from its expanding base of participating brands. The company has expedited more than 8 million transactions generating over $1 billion in incremental revenue for a number of world class partners. It has been cited on the Inc. 500 list two times, as well as the Deloitte Fast 500 list, and is backed by major investors such as Safeguard Scientific (NYSE: SFE) and Constellation Venture/JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM).

MegaPath Honors Top Channel Partners with New Award Program

First Ever Partner Awards Puts the Spotlight on Top Channel Performers for 2009 Channel Partners Conference & Expo

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MegaPath Inc., the leading provider of managed IP data, voice and security services in North America, announced the winners of the company’s inaugural 2009 Partner Awards at a private reception held Monday night during the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. These awards – Pinnacle, Best Year-over-Year Growth and Rookie of the Year – honor MegaPath’s channel partners for their dedication and successes over the course of the year by selling the company’s line of business-class broadband, voice and data and MPLS VPN services.

And the winners are…

Pinnacle Award: Telarus – As the partner that achieved the greatest overall success in 2009, Telarus embraced the true spirit of the MegaPath Channel Partner Program by providing their customers cost-effective, enterprise-level solutions that met their telecommunications needs. By utilizing innovative quoting tools and providing training and support to engage with Channel Managers and Sub Agents, Telarus offered MegaPath’s award winning broadband, MPLS and DuetSM line of services to its customers.

Best Year-over-Year Growth Award: Intelisys – Awarded to the partner with the greatest increase in growth from 2008 to 2009, Intelisys grew its revenue through a successful sales strategy by providing its customers with MegaPath’s innovative product line of broadband and voice and data services. As a Master Partner that sells through sub agents across the United States, the Company enabled the channel to close more deals and offered world class support.

Rookie of the Year Award: Bridgevine – As a new member to the Master Partner Program, Bridgevine hit the ground running in 2009 and has no intention of stopping in 2010. By taking advantage of the tools and resources provided by MegaPath, the Company was able to drive demand amongst its customers via an aggressive online marketing campaign. Since signing-on as a partner, Bridgevine’s customers have benefited by being more productive and realizing cost-savings by implementing MegaPath’s services such as its Duet and T1 offerings.

“In 2009, MegaPath put an increased emphasis on the channel by investing in programs and developing products and services that were based on partner feedback on what their customer’s were looking for in broadband and voice and data services,” said Dan Foster, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, MegaPath. “In providing our partners with training and marketing tools, as well as innovative products, our partners have realized financial success. We applaud the winners of the MegaPath Partner Awards, and look forward to the continued success of all our partners in 2010.”

In 2009, MegaPath created the Channel Partner Advisory Council to foster communication between the company and its valued channel partners. The council is chartered with guiding the strategic direction of the channel program and helping align the goals of MegaPath and its partners. In addition, Foster was selected to PHONE+ magazine and Channel Partners Conference & Expo joint 2009-2010 advisory board.

About MegaPath Inc.

MegaPath is the leading provider of managed IP communications services in North America. MegaPath leverages its wide selection of broadband connectivity, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and security technologies to enable businesses to lower costs, increase security and enhance productivity. Businesses of all sizes can easily and securely communicate between their headquarters, branch offices, retail locations, mobile workers, and business partners. To learn more about why 20,000 companies have chosen MegaPath’s managed IP data, voice and security services to improve their business communications, visit www.megapath.com or call 1-877-MegaPath (634-2728).

AOL Celebrates First Anniversary With Goowy Media, Inc.

AOL People Networks celebrated the first anniversary of its acquisition of enterprise widget platform Goowy Media, Inc. Founded in 2004, Goowy makes it easy for content owners and third-party developers to build, syndicate and measure user interaction for widgets across social networks such as myAOL, Bebo, and Facebook. Throughout 2008, Goowy drove almost 2 billion widget impressions for AOL, and served more than 3 billion widgets.

Prior to joining AOL People Networks, Goowy created original widgets for myAOL, (http://my.aol.com), and a number of major retailers, and since has allowed third parties within AOL to create widgets including, Daily Horoscope, MapQuest, MP3 of the Day, and PopEater's Pop the Question.

"Over the past year, we've put a lot of focus at Goowy on building the most interactive and innovative widgets on our platform, and developing the tools that content creators and third-party developers need to measure engagement across the social networking community," said Gary Benitt, founder & COO of Goowy Media, Inc. "Joining the AOL family has really accelerated our ability to do this -- we've since grown our team, migrated to the AOL infrastructure and signed on with new partners. We're excited to offer unique monetization opportunities for them."

With its rich analytics, content creators have the power to better understand how their widgets are performing and being used, allowing them to serve their users more relevant content and advertising. Goowy's sophisticated measurement tools include visual representations of where users have clicked within a particular widget, illustrating interactivity as a "click heatmap", and allowing developers to visualize how users engage with their widgets.

Goowy also offers a dynamic ad unit that includes real-time content and provides a rich media experience with greater interactivity than traditional online ads. Since its acquisition by AOL, Goowy has launched widgets as ads on both the AOL Network and third party networks for a range of leading retailers. To increase the viral nature of its widgets, Goowy lets consumers to copy widgets to social networks, blogs, and their desktops, creating both additional exposure and turning consumers into marketers.

Nintendo Wii – A Console for the Entire Family

After a little over two years, sales of the Nintendo Wii are still going strong—and for good reason. The Wii is affordable, adaptable, downward compatible, and fun. Families throughout the US are learning that the Wii is the game system of choice for family-friendly gaming. Take a look at some of the many reasons to look into getting a Wii for your family.

Physically Involving Games

One of the main reasons so many parents are thrilled with the Wii is the fact that it is a physically demanding game system. Wii Sports, which comes with the console, includes games like baseball, golf, bowling, and tennis, which all required players to stand up and physically interact with one another as the TV acts as an interface.

Wii Fit, another extremely popular game offered by the folks at Nintendo, actually tests the balance of participants, measuring body mass index, weight, fitness age, and much more all while tracking progress over a period of time. The balance board used with Wii Fit is also used for participation in yoga exercises demonstrated on screen, which must then be performed by players. The balance board is also being used in conjunction with skateboarding and snowboarding games.

Family-Friendly Characters and Games

Nintendo has long been identified with more family-friendly games. Mario is still a character used in many of the games, which have grown far past the Super Mario Brothers games of the mid-80’s. Most games made by Nintendo are intended to encourage cooperative and competitive play, all while keeping things fun and friendly.

Besides their own games, many other companies have made games for the Wii with great success, like EA Games’ Boom Blox, designed for interactive play. Additionally, using the Wii Ware option on the online store, customers can purchase and download new Wii games directly from their console, leaving players able to enjoy new games in just minutes.

Multiple Systems in One Unit

Also available for download are many games from the systems of yesteryear, including NES, Sega Genesis, Turbo Grafix 16, and Nintendo 64. The system itself can play Gamecube games and even has ports for Gamecube controllers. Used games can be purchased at gaming stores fro as little as four dollars. In all, this system is one of the most family friendly units for a variety of reasons—including its versatility and wide selection of gaming possibilities.


This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of an internet provider. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12@gmail.com

Bundled Service, Unbundled Customer Service

Memo to telecom service providers: "We never thanked you, but you did a great job offering us consolidated billing. It is hard to remember now, as for the last few years yo have been so aggressive in promoting bundled services, but five years ago, this was a major pain point. Three bills for ISP, cable and telephone, and usually three different due dates a well

Click here for the complete story

Verizon Wireless Invests $155 Million to Enhance Florida Network During 2008

Florida Network Now 100 Percent 3G; Investment Totals $1.8 Billion in State since 2000

Verizon Wireless announced today that it invested nearly $155 million to further expand and enhance coverage to customers throughout Florida in 2008. The company’s ongoing network investment now totals $1.8 billion in Florida since the company was formed.

The company completed enhancements to its 3G high-speed wireless network throughout the state this year, allowing customers to access advanced wireless services more reliably and at even faster broadband speeds. The enhancements, which took nearly two years to complete, entailed installing the most advanced hardware and software on thousands of cell sites in the Verizon Wireless network in Florida, as well as updating and optimizing technology in five Verizon Wireless regional network switching facilities throughout the state.

In addition, Verizon Wireless constructed more than 90 new advanced digital cell sites throughout the state in 2008.

These upgrades help provide high-speed access to advanced services such as V CAST – which allows customers to stream video clips, play cutting-edge 3D games and download full song tracks over the air; and VZ Navigator – a location-based service offering maps, audible driving directions, traffic updates, gas station locations and pricing.

This technology also enables customers to wirelessly access their e-mail and calendars, the Internet and other information anytime, anywhere via a secure connection with the company’s BroadbandAccess service. BroadbandAccess offers average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and upload speeds of 500-800 kbps, which means being able to upload or download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment – the equivalent of a small PowerPoint^® presentation or a large PDF file – in less than two seconds.

Small Businesses See 10 Percent Increase on Cyber Monday

Consumers Buying from Smaller Online Retailers Too

Network Solutions, a leading provider of small business web services, announced today that its more than 7,000 e-commerce customers saw a collective 10 percent year-over-year increase in sales on Cyber Monday, the highly anticipated start of online holiday shopping. While retailers across the country reported slow same-store sales, smaller online entrepreneurs enjoyed a jump in holiday sales this year, with more consumers shopping online in greater numbers.

As many brick-and-mortar shop owners struggle with increased costs and shrinking in-store sales, small businesses with e-commerce sites are augmenting their revenues with online sales. As more consumers search Google first to find bargains and products, local small businesses with properly marketed Web sites are benefiting from national exposure. According to a report from iProspect and Jupiter Research, 62 percent of searchers click on a link within the first page of results. Having an e-Commerce Web site and using search engine optimization tools from Network Solutions, small businesses have secured new audiences to increase holiday sales.

“With small businesses across the country struggling, Network Solutions’ is excited to see that our e-commerce customers are benefiting from greater exposure,” said Scott Ableman, Chief Marketing Officer at Network Solutions. “Whether you own a small shop or work out of your home, having a professional web site is an economical way to build sales during tough times.”

Bebo Launches ‘Social Inbox’

Bebo Builds on the Foundations of Social Networking to Become the First Major Network to Give Consumers a One-Stop Destination from Which to Experience Life Online

Social Media Network Opens Its Doors to Aggregated Social Feeds, Mail and Media Recommendations

Launch Companies Include Twitter, Flickr, Del.icio.us, AIM, YouTube, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail and AOL Mail

Every AOL and AIM User Now Can Now Log into Bebo Using Their Credentials

Bebo today made it easier for Internet users to manage their online life by providing users with a one-stop “Social Inbox” that combines e-mail, social networking and media recommendations in one easy-to-use interface. Designed to allow consumers to organize their lives online, Bebo’s Social Inbox makes it simple for users to keep in touch with the information and people who are important to them. The Social Inbox aggregates feeds and updates from Twitter, Flickr, Del.icio.us, YouTube, AIM and others, so users can see at-a-glance what's going on in their online world. The new experience also offers one-click access to Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, as well as user-selected media favorites, such as videos, music and photos. In addition, more than 100 million* users of AOL and AIM can now log directly into the Bebo service, http://www.bebo.com, using their existing screen names.