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Nike Flyknit has redefined basketball, running, soccer, and training footwear and now defines the next generation of footwear on the gridiron with the new Nike Vapor Ultimate football cleat. Designed for dynamic athletic strength and force, this new cleat combines Nike’s most innovative plate and traction technology with advanced upper technology – Nike Flyknit. As football gets faster and more physical, so do the athletes. Stronger and more agile, football athletes at every position are continuing to push the game to new limits just as Nike continues to push the limits of innovation.

Nike Flyknit creates a “second skin” feel around the foot, providing a more responsive fit while dialing up the sensation of movement and interaction with the ground. Combined with Nike’s latest game-changing cleat plate, the Nike Vapor Ultimate becomes a true extension of the foot, designed to allow the athlete to make faster split-second movements on the field without compromise.

This new cleat delivers lightweight durability, lock-down fit, and increased awareness of the body’s movements to meet the pressures of the game and create Nike’s fastest game cleat yet.

LIGHTWEIGHT STRENGTH ENGINEERED FOR THE FORCES OF FOOTBALL
Nike Flyknit debuted with the Nike Flyknit Racer in 2012 and more recently in the KOBE 9 Elite basketball shoe, Nike Magista soccer boot and Nike Mercurial Superfly.

This revolutionary technology defies conventional shoe manufacturing processes by creating an engineered one-piece upper that knits lightweight strength and durability directly into the cleat. For football, a new Nike Skin overlay material works in concert with the Flyknit, providing additional durability, strength, and protection in high-impact areas. Flywire cables, wrapping the arch of the foot, are also woven directly into the knit fabric to create a full one-piece upper engineered for strength and durability. The dynamic fit augments the natural motion of the Carbon V-plate.

“We’ve created a cleat that can withstand the forces generated by today’s athletes on the football field,” said Ken Link, Nike Football Cleated Design Director. “Flywire and Nike Flyknit combine to create a second-skin, sock-like fit that adapts to each individual player’s foot as well as to his style of play. Our most innovative upper combines with our most revolutionary, proven football plate technology to help athletes perform at the highest level.”

DESIGNED FOR MULTIDIRECTIONAL SPEED
While the 40-yard dash is championed as football’s defining speed metric, the game itself is all about multidirectional acceleration. The Nike Vapor Ultimate incorporates the Carbon V-Plate that debuted on the Nike Vapor Carbon 2014 Elite. The Carbon V-plate is the culmination of intense athlete-driven research into football-specific speed, and the first plate inspired by, and developed from, Nike’s 3-D printing and testing facilities—accelerating development and testing timelines, pushing faster innovation and supporting faster athletes.

“3-D printing (SLS) revolutionized the way we design cleat plates – even beyond football,” said Link. “The process gives Nike the ability to accelerate innovation and create solutions that were not possible within the constraints of traditional manufacturing processes.”

The groundbreaking studs on the Nike Vapor Ultimate are designed for zero-slip traction in both acceleration and breaking. The pattern allows for optimal ignition off the back foot, hitting the precision cuts to avoid a tackle, and the explosive propulsion required to make a critical catch. At the forefoot of the plate, an aggressive tri-star traction system allows for more confident movement overall.

The Nike Vapor Ultimate achieves the perfect balance of durability, power and speed. It is a cleat born from precision engineering, incorporating innovative technologies designed to match the forces generated by football’s new breed of athletes.

The Nike Vapor Ultimate is available for pre-sale on July 8 at Nike.com.

LAS VEGAS, — Caesars Acquisition Company (NASDAQ: CACQ) and Caesars Entertainment Corp. (NASDAQ: CZR) today announced the proposed development of Caesars New York, an $880 million luxury casino resort in Woodbury, New York. This afternoon, Caesars Acquisition Company, through its subsidiary, Caesars Growth Partners, submitted its application to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board for a gaming license, which will be managed and operated by Caesars Entertainment and its affiliates. The application details plans for the resort and presents information about Caesars’ operations and history.

Situated in the heart of the Hudson Valley, approximately 50 miles from New York City, the proposed project will be a sustainably designed, contemporary structure that complements the region’s natural surroundings to create a world-class entertainment retreat. The resort is projected to attract more than 10 million visitors a year, making it a strong economic engine for the State of New York, Orange County and Woodbury. Caesars New York will work closely with other businesses in the State to maximize the economic development opportunity in the region as outlined in the Gaming Act.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to bring the Caesars brand to New York State and create a world-class entertainment facility, adding a new destination the Total Rewards loyalty network and attracting visitors from throughout the region and around the world,” said Gary Loveman, chairman and chief executive officer of Caesars Entertainment. “If we are successful in winning a license, Caesars New York will create thousands of jobs and become an engine for economic growth in the area. We are grateful for the support we have received from Woodbury residents and businesses and look forward to working closely with local officials if we win a license.”

Based on current estimates, Caesars projects an estimated total of $230 million in anticipated annual tax revenues with $29 million annually going to the local community and $10 million to Orange County. The project is anticipated to create approximately 4,500 direct jobs including 1,500 construction jobs and approximately 3,000 permanent, well-paying, mostly union jobs.

Caesars has entered into a neutrality agreement with the New York Hotel Trades Council and a project labor agreement with the Hudson Valley Building Trades Council with regard to the operation and construction of the proposed resort. In its application, Caesars has outlined a plan to open the resort approximately 24 months after receiving necessary permits and approvals.

Resort Details
“Caesars New York exemplifies the high-growth opportunities that Caesars Growth Partners was established to pursue,” said Mitch Garber, CEO of Caesars Acquisition Company. “We are excited about the opportunity to develop in Woodbury.”

The proposed resort, situated on a wooded 115-acre site in Woodbury, will include approximately 300 luxury hotel rooms, suites and villas, 2,560 state-of-the-art slot machines, 190 table games and 50 poker tables. The poker room will carry the World Series of Poker brand and become a leading East Coast home to the WSOP and its events, many of which are broadcast on ESPN. Caesars New York will include a flexible entertainment space, ideally suited for business meetings, celebrations, entertainment and WSOP circuit events.

The resort will also add a world-class dining program to the Hudson Valley, potentially including restaurants from some of the celebrity chefs who work with Caesars across its network of properties. The six planned restaurants include a range of concepts from fine dining to a Streets of New York food hall concept featuring cuisine from local restaurateurs. Caesars has successfully showcased local operators in many of its properties around the country. Among those who have expressed interest in developing a restaurant at Caesars New York are Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa. Caesars New York will also include a luxury spa and fitness center.

Community Benefits
Caesars has worked closely with officials from Woodbury and has entered into host community benefit agreements for the local area. Caesars has committed in these agreements to make various upfront and ongoing payments intended to mitigate the project’s impacts on the host communities, as well as to provide additional community benefits such as funding local police and fire, sewer and water infrastructure investment, and to address other ongoing costs. Caesars has also agreed to employ a private ambulance service, invest in local workforce development and support local businesses. In addition, Caesars will invest more than $10 million for community benefits including the development of two all-weather turf recreation fields.

Caesars has also committed to invest a minimum of $20 million to improve traffic circulation near the proposed resort, including funding a substantial portion of the long-delayed improvements at Exit 131 on the New York State Thruway. The contribution will be satisfied through a combination of construction of critical improvements and financial contributions to the NYDOT’s previously planned improvements.

About Caesars Entertainment
Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) is the world’s most geographically diversified casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, Caesars has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and now operates casinos on four continents. The company’s resorts operate primarily under the Caesars®, Harrah’s® and Horseshoe® brand names. Caesars is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. We are committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognize the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.

About Caesars Growth Partners
Caesars Growth Partners is a casino asset and entertainment company focused on acquiring and developing a portfolio of high-growth operating assets and equity and debt investments in the gaming and interactive entertainment industries. Through its two businesses-Interactive Entertainment and Casino Properties and Developments-Caesars Growth Partners will focus on acquiring or developing assets with strong value creation potential and leveraging interactive technology with its well-known online and mobile game portfolio and leading brands. Assets include Caesars Interactive Entertainment (with its social and mobile games, the World Series of Poker and regulated online real money gaming businesses), Planet Hollywood, Bally’s Las Vegas, The Cromwell, The Quad Resort & Casino, Harrah’s New Orleans and Horseshoe Baltimore (currently being developed by a joint venture). Through its relationship with Caesars Entertainment, Caesars Growth Partners has the ability to access Caesars Entertainment’s proven management expertise, brand equity, Total Rewards loyalty program and structural synergies. For more information, please visit www.caesarsacquisitioncompany.com.

About Caesars Acquisition Company
Caesars Acquisition Company (NASDAQ: CACQ) was formed to make an equity investment in Caesars Growth Partners, LLC , a joint venture between CACQ and Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), the world’s most diversified casino entertainment provider and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company. CACQ is Growth Partners’ managing member and sole holder of all of its outstanding voting units. For more information, please visit www.caesarsacquisitioncompany.com.

GRAPEVINE, Texas– GameStop, a family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, is exclusively partnering with Twitch, the world’s leading video platform and community for gamers, to broadcast live from the annual consumer video gaming show, GameStop EXPO. Gaming fans that want to catch all the announcements and action, but may not be able to make it to the Anaheim Convention Center in CA on September 10, will be able to watch the event exclusively via Twitch.

Twitch will stream live from the primary stage, featuring news as it happens from the show floor, games from marquee publishers, tournament play and interviews with industry leaders, developers and special guests. Gamers will be able to access the stream at www.Twitch.tv/GameStop and through their Xbox One and PlayStation®4 consoles and via the Twitch app on their mobile devices. EXPO attendees will also be welcome to watch the Twitch team live in Hall C-D on the show floor.

“With its ability to reach more than 45 million unique viewers in its gamer-focused community, Twitch is the premier live video platform and we are happy to partner with them to bring the excitement of our EXPO to gamers that can’t attend the show,” said Bob Puzon, senior vice president of merchandising at GameStop.

EXPO 2014 will offer access to more than 300,000 square feet of video gaming fun and technologies, including the latest consoles, upcoming games from top developers, such as Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Take-Two Interactive, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, thought-provoking panels with industry elite, and celebrity signing opportunities.

“GameStop is producing a lot of compelling content at this year’s EXPO which our community will definitely appreciate,” said Ernest Le, Director, Publisher & Developer Partnerships, Twitch. “So shining a global spotlight on this historically private event for the first time ever is a big deal.”

Attendees will have access to the top video game publishers, favorite console and tablet suppliers and game accessory vendors. They will be able to play not-yet-released, highly anticipated titles, check out never-before-seen footage, and much more.

Registration is currently underway. Ticket options include:

Early bird general admission for Wednesday, September 10 for $40
A limited number of *VIP passes for $110. VIP admission includes:
VIP-only events on Tuesday, September 9
Early admittance to the show floor on Wednesday, September 10
Access to the VIP lounge, gaming tournaments, and panel discussions featuring some of the biggest names in the industry
Swag bag of gaming goodies
New this year is a VIP PLUS admission for $175, which includes all the benefits of the VIP ticket and adds the ability to line jump at all the major booths.
Also available is the student ticket. This $20 pass is available on-site only starting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10. The ticket allows EXPO access to students and late arrivals from 3:00 p.m. until close.
Ticket purchases are payable with PowerUp Rewards™ points or credit card, online at www.gamestop.com/expo or at your local GameStop store.

For more information on becoming a GameStop PowerUp Rewards member, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com.

For more information about GameStop EXPO, details on the VIP experience and to register for the show, visit http://www.gamestop.com/expo.

Attendees must be 17 years of age or older or accompanied by an adult. Some activities or games may feature mature content. Exhibitors reserve the right to censor content for guests under the age of 17 even when a consenting parent or guardian is present.

*Adults who purchase VIP and VIP PLUS tickets do NOT have to purchase a VIP ticket for their children under the age of 17. Purchase a general admission ticket for your child and he/she will be allowed to accompany you to all VIP events. With this option General Admission children will not receive VIP swag bag.

GameStop and Twitch will announce the broadcast schedule later this summer.

About GameStop Corp.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 6,600 stores across 15 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; and www.buymytronics.com, an online consumer electronics trade-in platform. In addition, our Technology Brands segment includes our Simply Mac, Spring Mobile and Cricket stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, operates 23 stores, selling the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, smartphones and offering Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, http://springmobile.com, sells post-paid AT&T services and wireless products through its 210 AT&T branded stores. Cricket Wireless, www.cricketwireless.com, is a new AT&T brand offering pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories. We operate 37 Cricket stores in select markets throughout the United States.

NEW YORK– Nickelodeon closed 2Q14 as basic cable’s number-one network in total day with Kids 2-11 (2.6/834K) and total viewers (1.6M), marking the net’s third consecutive quarter at the top. Nick’s quarterly performance also led its closest competitor by double-digits among Kids 2-11(+13%) and total viewers (+15%).

SpongeBob SquarePants was the top animated series across all of TV with Kids 2-11 (4.0/1.3M) for the quarter. The series also ranked as basic cable’s top animated kids’ show with total viewers, averaging 2.6M P2+.

Nickelodeon is also first with Kids 2-5, sweeping the top six spots among preschool programming. PAW Patrol led the net’s hit lineup, averaging a 6.0/740K; Team Umizoomi ranked second, scoring a 5.7/708K; Wallykazam! placed third with a 5.6/692K rating; Peter Rabbit was fourth with a 5.5/680K average; Bubble Guppies comes in fifth with a 5.4/668K average; and Dora the Explorer rounded out the group in the sixth spot, averaging a 5.3/649K.

Additionally, Nick at Nite closed the quarter as the number-one basic cable net in total day with Women 18-49 (0.6/300K). Nickelodeon’s niche nets, TeenNick and Nicktoons both notched record quarterly performances and double-digit gains with their core demos: TeenNick scored double-digit quarterly gains with Teens 12-17 (0.5/80K, +67%) and averaged 260K total viewers (+58%); Nicktoons averaged a 0.5/73K with Kids 6-11 (+25%), a 0.8/53K with Boys 6-11 (+33%) and drew 202K total viewers (+16%).

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

Following the budget approval by FIFA’s 64th Ordinary Congress in São Paulo, world football’s governing body is set to invest USD 900 million in football development during the cycle 2015 – 2018. FIFA.com looks at some of the most remarkable figures behind FIFA’s daily development work and the key priorities for the next cycle.

800,000,000 USD was FIFA’s development budget for the cycle 2011 – 2014. This amount represents 56 times more than the amount invested in 1995-1998, when some of the flagship development initiatives were originally launched. The budget was used as follows: 41% on financial assistance, 30% on development project funding, 18% on education and technical support, 8% on development services and 3% on medical.

6 are the development programmes established during the cycle 2011 – 2014: MA Extranet (information platform for member associations), PERFORMANCE (football management programme), Less Privileged Member Associations (tailor-made assistance programme for specific member associations), Income Generation (programme to foster revenue creation in member associations), Connect (registration and unique ID platform worldwide) and Youth Football (specific educational activities and competitions).

900,000,000 USD is the development budget for the cycle 2015 – 2018. Key priorities for the new term are: doubling of women’s football development funds; support to new and existing national youth competitions; multiply by five the capacity to provide football equipment on priority projects such as youth, women’s football, grassroots, futsal and beach soccer; increase the financial support to member associations for youth tournament qualification rounds; strengthening of football’s information system; and increase the investment on football’s information system.

600,000 USD will be the standard Goal project allocation as of 2015. This represents an increase of 50% since 2010. So far FIFA has supported 668 Goal projects in 202 member associations for an overall investment of 284 million USD.

565,000 USD is the approximate daily amount invested by FIFA in football development in 2014. According to FIFA’s 2013 financial report, a total of USD 183 million went into funding football development and corporate social responsibility projects during the past year, equivalent to more than USD 500,000 per day.

2,000,000,000 USD is the overall amount provided by FIFA to its member associations and confederations since 1999. 50% has been channeled through FIFA’s direct financial assistance. All 209 member associations and six confederations have benefited from FIFA’s financial support which has contributed to increasing football’s unique popularity as well as the uncertainty of results particularly at youth level.

This news is courtesy of www.fifa.com

MIAMI, FL – HBO Latin America and NBCUniversal International TV Distribution announced today a multiple year deal to bring NBCUniversal’s feature films to HBO subscribers across Latin America (excluding Brazil) and the Caribbean, effective 2015.

This agreement grants HBO Latin America exclusive first-run premium pay television rights to a host of award-winning titles, Hollywood blockbusters and family-friendly animated movies for its HBO and MAX branded channels, HBO GO, as well as rights for the studio’s rich catalog of films for these channels and Cinemax.

“We are very proud to have accomplished this deal, as the addition of NBCUniversal’s very strong content offering will reinforce our position as leaders in the industry. We look forward to bringing the best titles, with extended rights, to subscribers throughout the region, complementing our critically acclaimed original programming and reaffirming the important role that movies have in the pay-TV industry,” said Gaston Comas, CEO of HBO Latin America Group.

“With a stellar reputation of offering only the best movies and TV series to its subscribers, HBO Latin America is a key leader in the pay-TV industry. This deal is a testament to the caliber of NBCUniversal’s films and we are delighted to partner with HBO Latin America to bring our movies to their subscribers in this region,” said Belinda Menendez, President, NBCUniversal International Television Distribution and Universal Networks International.

ABOUT HBO LATIN AMERICAN GROUP
HBO Latin America Group is composed of affiliates of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. and Ole Communications Group. HBO Latin America Group owns, operates and distributes the leading cable and satellite programming services in Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean, including HBO, HBO2, HBO Signature, HBO Plus, HBO Family, HBO Caribbean, HBO On Demand, HBO GO, Cinemax, MAX, MAX Prime, MAX HD, MAX Caribbean, A&E, AXN, E! Entertainment Television, Sony Entertainment Television, Lifetime, History, H2 and Warner Channel.

ABOUT NBCUNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION
NBCUniversal International Television Distribution, a division of NBCUniversal, is responsible for the distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television and new media outside of the U.S. and Canada. This includes a rich library of more than 4,000 feature films and 75,000 television episodes, including current and classic titles, non-scripted programming, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming, and locally produced content from around the world.

This is courtesy of www.timewarner.com

Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Theatrical Productions announced today that Disney’s landmark musical event, The Lion King, is coming to the Walt Disney Grand Theatre—a new, world-class, 1,200-seat Broadway-style theater, to be located at Shanghai Disney Resort’s retail, dining and entertainment area—currently under construction adjacent to Shanghai Disneyland park. This will be the world’s first production of The Lion King—Julie Taymor’s production, exactly as seen on Broadway and in productions around the world—performed in Mandarin.

“We are thrilled to bring Disney’s THE LION KING to Shanghai Disney Resort,” said Mike Crawford, General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. “Working with our partners at Disney Theatrical Productions to have the world’s most successful and popular stage musical in Mandarin for the first time, here at our ‘must-visit’ entertainment district, will provide a great centerpiece for the area and an amazing opportunity for the people living in and traveling to Shanghai.”

“It is especially exciting for us to premiere THE LION KING at this brand new theatre at Shanghai Disney Resort, marking our first collaboration with our partners at Disney Parks and Resorts,” said Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions. “This uniquely Chinese production will be our most ambitious yet, featuring the very best of local talent, who will perform the show for the first time in Mandarin as they bring Julie Taymor’s singular theatrical vision to life.”

At the time of its opening, the Mandarin production will mark the 10th concurrent worldwide production of Disney’s THE LION KING – the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show’s history. To date, Disney’s THE LION KING has played 18 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

ESPN announced that in-progress and post-match highlights from ESPN FC and live matches on WatchESPN for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be featured on Google for relevant game, team and tournament searches. Searchers that use Google for information on the World Cup are often looking for video replays of exciting moments from the tournament and where to watch matches live. With this new integration, searchers can access links to ESPN FC for highlights right after they happen during the game across computers, smartphones and tablets. Additionally, links to live matches on WatchESPN will be featured in search queries with the intent to watch a live World Cup match. The agreement with ESPN marks the first fresh in-game video highlights integration for sports on Google Search.

In addition to the episodes of a new Star Wars trilogy, Lucasfilm and Disney continue development of multiple stand-alone movies that will offer new stories beyond the core Saga. The newest director to come on board is Josh Trank.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Josh into the family,” says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “He is such an incredible talent and has a great imagination and sense of innovation. That makes him perfectly suited to Star Wars, and for this new slate of movies that reach beyond the core characters and storylines of Episodes I through IX.”

Trank states, “The magic of the Star Wars Universe defined my entire childhood. The opportunity to expand on that experience for future generations is the most incredible dream of all time.”

Trank captured imaginations worldwide with his critically lauded directorial debut Chronicle, a fresh and engaging take on the superhero genre. Trank is currently at work on The Fantastic Four for 20th Century Fox.
This news is courtesy www.thewaltdisney.com

Five more years – that is the commitment Shell is making to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and its Louisiana neighbors. Today the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival announced that Shell will continue as the presenting sponsor of the event through 2019 when the festival celebrates its 50th anniversary.

“Louisiana’s rich and diverse history takes center stage each year at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Shell is proud to continue our partnership in this regional and cultural celebration,” said Shell Deep Water Executive Vice President John Hollowell.

“Almost every aspect of Shell’s business is represented in Louisiana – from our growing deep water business to our extensive pipeline network to our operating facilities in the River Parishes. Our continued involvement with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is our way of honoring the place we call home.”

The announcement comes during the 45th annual edition of Jazz Fest, which runs through Sunday, May 4 and is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest and most influential annual celebrations. As a part of the agreement, the official name of the event will remain the “New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell”.

The alliance with Shell first began in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Shell stepped up as the event sponsor to ensure the survival of the city’s signature cultural celebration.

Jazz Fest Producer/Director Quint Davis said, “In extending its presenting sponsorship of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Shell continues to set the bar for supporting the culture and cultural economy of New Orleans and Louisiana. We thank Shell, and its thousands of employees, for embracing the Jazz Fest and for supporting our ongoing effort to promote the unique traditions of our region.”

Jay Marciano, COO of AEG and Chairman of AEG Live, co-producers of Jazz Fest, said, “Shell’s major support of Jazz Fest is vital to keeping the event at the forefront of American music festivals. In the dynamic business of live entertainment, having committed corporate partners like Shell helps drive creative and production advances, leading directly to the once-in-a-lifetime experiences fans expect and deserve.”

“We are grateful to Shell and proud of their participation in Jazz Fest,” said Anthony J. Ruda, President of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, which owns the festival. “Without this partnership with Shell, the festival would not be able to provide the resources that it does to the foundation – which we use for year-round programs in education, economic development and cultural enrichment.”

Started in 1970, Jazz Fest institutionalized the innovative multi-stage model of festival presentation that has been followed by most major music festivals in America and beyond. But it is the Festival’s steadfast focus on the unique culture of New Orleans and Louisiana that has set it apart. Combining the best local and regional artists with musicians of national and international renown, the event has succeeded in capturing the imagination of millions of fans during its four and half decades of existence.

Gospel, blues, traditional and contemporary jazz, rock, R&B, Cajun, country, zydeco and much more provide the nonstop rhythms of the seven-day event, but the Festival is also famous for its irresistible Food Fair served from dozens of booths and for its four acclaimed contemporary and folk arts and crafts fairs. Each year all of these elements are installed at the Fair Grounds Race Course with architectural precision, turning the Festival site into a city within a city—a cultural wonderland showcasing the soul of New Orleans.

For additional details on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, visit www.nojazzfest.com.

BURBANK, Calif — Nickelodeon has announced a 13-episode order of The Loud House, the first series to be greenlit out of its 2013 Animated Shorts Program. Inspired by first-time creator Chris Savino’s (Rocko’s Modern Life, The Powerpuff Girls) chaotic life growing up in a huge household, the series will follow 11-year-old Lincoln as he gives an inside look at what it takes to survive in the bedlam of a large family, especially as the only boy with 10 sisters. The series is based off a short of the same name from the 2013 Animated Shorts Program, and will air on Nickelodeon.

“The Loud House has all the qualities Nickelodeon looks for in creator-driven content that has strong central characters blended with comedic storylines,” said Jenna Boyd, Senior Vice President, Animation Development, Nickelodeon Group. “Chris Savino comes to us already with an industry background, but the firsthand experience he brings to this project really puts a personal touch on it, making it not only relatable but laugh out loud funny.”

The global program is designed to identify and develop original comedy-driven content for kids. Pitches chosen from the program are developed into animated shorts with the potential to air on Nickelodeon, appear on www.nick.com, or on the Emmy Award-winning Nick App, with the possibility of becoming a long-form animated series on the network.

Additionally, Nickelodeon today announced its 11 finalists from its 2014 Animated Shorts Program. The shorts will be produced by the end of the year to feed the development pipeline. They are:

“Francine” by writer/comedian Katie Crown – The story of a strangely brilliant girl who battles a robot version of herself for her life and a slice of pizza.
“Meat Pie vs. the Dark Ages” by Nickelodeon director Gabe Swarr – Crusty boar Meat Pie is about to pull off yet another amazing con when he accidentally sells his beloved cousin to an axe-wielding wolf.
“Shelf Life” by Nickelodeon storyboard artist Robert Iza – While working at a warehouse full of everything, overprotective cat Ashley is driven to the brink of madness after her oblivious best friend Max gets himself fired.
“Summer Memories” by writer/director Adam Yaniv – Jason has 24 hours to find his missing tooth after a parachuting accident caused by his loyal but questionable friend Ronnie.
“Ice Station Zedonk” by Nickelodeon director Tom Parkinson – Stevo the Cheese Weasel’s peaceful day of ice fishing is rudely interrupted by his slacker best friend, Bigbogs the Ice-Troll, when he invites the whole town to join in.
“Night Crew” by independent animators Caitlin Boyle and Tara Helfer – Two rat best friends, Buck and Lou, pursue a legendary giant hoagie to celebrate the anniversary of their friendship.
“Planet Claire” by Nickelodeon executive producers Chris Viscardi and Will McRobb – Claire’s a girl with a big heart and a big mouth who’s got her very own superhero and knows 27 different dances including the Spanish Vortex.
“The Outsiders” by writer Eric Bravo – When Miles drags his pal Gerald into the woods for a dance emergency, he has no idea it will lead to a sticky run-in with a hungry bear.
“Leander, Dre and Cyppy” by Nickelodeon storyboard artist Monica Ray – Leander is a young boy thrown into a world where magical creatures don’t understand his odd human ways.
“Ugly Mutt” by PUNY Entertainment’s Shadi Petosky and Dave Hagen – Ugly Mutt, an eternally optimistic dog takes on an unlikely challenge: getting a human baby adopted.
“Bad News Bunny” by California State University, Fullerton, graduate Tarryn Henderson – A stuffed toy bunny stuck babysitting two bored kids will stop at nothing to entertain them.
As part of the network’s search for original and funny content to fuel its dynamic development slate, the Animated Shorts Program was launched in 2012 and collected more than 600 pitches in its inaugural year. The program turned global its second year, and accepted more than 1000 pitches worldwide. Now in its third year, the program amassed more than 900 pitches from a broad spectrum of creative talent in 2014. Concepts are received in all animation, styles from 2D, digital 2D, stop motion, CG and mixed media. Finalists are provided with the necessary artistic and production support teams to help them complete their fully animated original, humor-based and character-driven shorts.

About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 35th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

Shanghai, China, – Alibaba Group’s digital entertainment business group today announced the launch of the Yu Le Bao (娛樂寶) platform. By investing as little as RMB100, users of the platform can potentially earn investment returns from top-notch and popular television and movie projects. They may also enjoy the privilege of paying visits to TV and movie sets and meeting their favorite superstars. The first batch of investment projects will accept preorders via the Yu Le Bao platform from today. The official launch of sales will be coming soon.

Users can access the Yu Le Bao preorder page via the Mobile Taobao application and invest in entertainment projects of their choice. The total investment amount of the four projects in the
first phase is RMB73 million. Board lots of TV and movie projects have been priced at RMB100, while board lots of online game projects have been priced at RMB50. Individuals can purchase up to two board lots of each project.

The first batch of investment projects available on the Yu Le Bao platform include “Tiny Times 3” and “Tiny Times 4,” directed by Guo Jingming and starring Yang Mi; “Wolf Totem,” a movie based on a best-selling fiction starring William Feng and Shawn Dou; “Impossible,” a 3D fantasy-comedy directed by Sun Zhou and starring Wang Baoqiang and Xiaoshenyang; and “Mofan Xueyuan,” the world’s first celebrity-themed, large-scale social networking game in which fans can interact with Fan Bingbing.

“The influence of Internet innovation on the cultural industry is no longer restricted to movie ticket sales but has expanded to investment and content production,” said Liu Chunning,
president of the Alibaba Group digital entertainment business group. “Yu Le Bao aims to provide a grassroots investment platform to bring the public closer to the cultural industry. In the future, public investors will even be able to select the directors, heroes and heroines of a movie or TV show.”

The investment projects available on the Yu Le Bao platform not only deliver an expected annualized return of 7%, but also bring fans of the directors and stars additional perks such as
opportunities to attend producer meetings, movie screenings, props auctions, filming locations visits, as well as access to exclusive authorized e-magazines, celebrity autographs and so on.

Movie producers can also collect first-hand user feedback via investors of Yu Le Bao, such as preferences for movies and TV drama directors, actors and screenplays. More importantly, with the investment made by Yu Le Bao users, a huge, loyal audience base can be tapped for new movie projects at early stages of production. Upon commencement of filming, fans can also potentially interact with producers via online platforms such as Laiwang.

In the initial phase, investments made via the Yu Le Bao platform will be used to purchaseinsurance and wealth management products offered by Guohua Life. The funds will be then invested in the cultural industry.

About Alibaba Group
Alibaba Group’s mission is to make it easy to do business anywhere. Founded in 1999, the company is committed to developing a technology-driven commerce ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, merchants and service providers. Alibaba Group’s major businesses include Taobao Marketplace (www.taobao.com), China’s most visited online shopping destination according to Alexa.com; Tmall.com (www.tmall.com), China’s leading online mall for quality, brand-name goods; Alibaba.com (www.alibaba.com), the leading global wholesale platform for small businesses; AliExpress (www.aliexpress.com), a popular international e-marketplace for consumers; and Alibaba Cloud Computing (www.aliyun.com), a developer of platforms for cloud computing and data management. Alipay (www.alipay.com), China’s leading online and mobile payment solution, is an affiliate of Alibaba Group.

This news is courtesy of www.alibaba.com

SEATTLE– (NASDAQ: AMZN)—There’s a new way to keep kids entertained—and engaged—all summer long. Amazon today announced the premieres of its first-ever original kids series coming exclusively on Prime Instant Video. The first six episodes of each show will debut this summer, beginning with animated series Tumble Leaf on May 23, followed by Creative Galaxy on June 27, and live-action series Annedroids on July 25. Additional episodes of the shows will follow later this year. Amazon Original children’s programming is designed to inspire kids to learn through creativity, imagination and play. Prime members and their families can stay engaged all summer long by watching the new series and partaking in creative activities that reinforce educational themes found in the shows. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a 30-day free trial at www.amazon.com/prime.

“Amazon Studios is thrilled to bring its first original children’s series to kids and their families this summer. We’re working with some of the most renowned creators in the business to introduce programming that promotes life-long learning through play,” said Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming at Amazon Studios. “The kids programming team and series creators have had so much fun developing these new series. We can’t wait to share it with kids and their families across the country and see the learning experiences it fosters.”

Amazon Original preschool programming is being developed with the support of Dr. Alice Wilder. Dr. Wilder earned universal acclaim for her work as the producer and director of research and development for the hit series Blue’s Clues and Blue’s Room. During her nearly decade-long involvement with Blue’s Clues, Dr. Wilder helped pioneer a new level of interaction between a show and its young viewers. She brings her expertise to Amazon’s programming to give parents confidence that these programs will provide valuable skills and life lessons that children can use in their real life—while being entertaining at the same time.

“It’s been extremely exciting to partner with Amazon on developing the content and activities that will be available through Prime Instant Video. We share the belief that creativity and curiosity are muscles that need to be exercised, refined and nourished to provide children with the skills they need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world,” said Dr. Alice Wilder, Educational Psychologist and Educational Advisor for Amazon Studios’ kids programming. “With an educational system that is focused on test-preparedness, literacy and numeracy, many parents find their kids faced with a curriculum gap. By combining core content with creativity and play, we will be able to help parents fill that gap.”

Amazon Original children’s series premiering exclusively on Prime Instant Video this summer include:

Tumble Leaf (for preschool-aged children)
Tumble Leaf debuts May 23 and comes from Emmy Award-winning director Drew Hodges and award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment. The preschool aged show follows Fig the Fox and his best friend Stick as they discover adventure, friendship and love around every bend. Themes found in the show promote exploration and scientific thinking through play. The talent behind the characters includes Christopher Downs as “Fig” and “Stick,” Zak McDowell as “Hedge,” Addie Zintel as “Pine,” Brooke Wolloff as “Maple,” and Alex Trugman as “Ginkgo.”

Creative Galaxy (for preschool-aged children)
On June 27, Amazon Studios will introduce Creative Galaxy from acclaimed creator Angela Santomero and Out of the Blue (Super Why!, Blue’s Clues, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood), and features Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), Christian Distefano, Jason Jones (The Daily Show), Cloris Leachman (Malcolm in the Middle), and Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210). In this make-along, create-along, interactive art adventure series for preschoolers, characters Arty and Epiphany travel around the galaxy to solve problems with art, inspiring creative thinking through crafts, music and dance. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to re-create Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode will take viewers through the craft project that Arty showcased in the galaxy.

Annedroids (for children ages 4 to 7 years)
Annedroids, about a young scientist, will be available starting July 25. Created by Emmy-nominated JJ Johnson (Dino Dan) and Sinking Ship Entertainment, and aimed at children aged four through seven, Annedroids is a live-action adventure series about a young female genius, her human friends, android assistants and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. Addison Holley (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) stars as “Anne,” Adrianna Di Liello (Stage Fright) plays her friend “Shania,” and Jadiel Dowlin plays “Nick.”

All Amazon Original children’s series will be available for unlimited streaming through Prime Instant Video on Fire TV, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPhone, Roku, Xbox, PlayStation, Wii and Wii U, and other connected devices, and online at www.amazon.com/PIV. The series will also be available through Amazon’s Kindle FreeTime app and via Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, the first-ever all-in-one subscription service that brings together books, games, educational apps, movies, and TV shows that both kids and their parents will enjoy. Customers who are not already Prime members can sign up for a trial at www.amazon.com/prime.

About Amazon Studios
Last year Amazon Studios launched its first two prime time series Alpha House and Betas, and will debut its first three children’s shows this summer. The company recently announced six additional, original series including Chris Carter’s The After, Michael Connelly’s Bosch, Jill Soloway’s Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle from Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman, Wishenpoof! from Angela Santomero, and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street from David Anaxagoras. Amazon Original Series are available exclusively to Prime members through Prime Instant Video.

Amazon Studios launched in 2010 as a new way to develop feature films and episodic series—one that’s open to great ideas from creators and audiences around the world. Anyone can upload a script and Amazon Studios will read and review all submissions and those who choose to make their projects public will also receive feedback from the Amazon Studios community.

Comprehensive cast and crew information, including bios and filmographies, is available on Amazon’s IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world’s most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content.

About Amazon.com
Amazon opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by three principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire, and Fire TV are some of the services pioneered by Amazon.

This news is courtesy of www.amazon.com

NEW YORK– Macy’s (NYSE:M) and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that on Friday, July 4, a national historic landmark will set a dramatic stage for dazzling pyrotechnics as the 38th Annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks® return to the East River. Set to deliver the nation’s largest display of patriotic firepower and ready to dazzle more than 3 million spectators and millions more on television nationwide, Macy’s Fireworks this year will be launched from the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge and from barges positioned on the lower East River.

“We’re grateful to Macy’s for lighting our skyline every fourth of July – and I’m thrilled that, after years of working with Macy’s and my colleagues to make this a reality, the fireworks will return to the East River this year!” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Now even more New Yorkers will get to take part in this extraordinary celebration, against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Harbor, and our skyline.”

“Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks are a one-of-a-kind spectacle that will once again inspire audiences nationwide as we illuminate the shores of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn with stunning effects, color and sound,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks. “We are thrilled to be working with our partners in the City of New York to have the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge as our canvas and stunning backdrop for this year’s bigger-than-life display.”

Since 1976, Macy’s Fireworks have grown in scale and artistry as they burst to life over many of New York City’s waterways and neighborhoods. Incorporating landmarks and milestones is a Macy’s Fireworks signature. Macy’s last showcased the Brooklyn Bridge in its Fireworks spectacle in 1995. This year’s creative presentation of the Bridge’s renowned architecture will reach new heights of imagination during the 25-minute display. Amy Kule, added, “We’ve had our eye set to feature this world-famous landmark in our show for many years and with the advancements in pyrotechnic technology and artistry, we expect to create jaw-dropping effects that will delight millions of spectators as this quintessential New York icon joins the fourth of July party.”

The 38th annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks will fire more than 40,000 pyrotechnic shells and effects during the expertly synchronized display. Pyro Spectaculars by Souza is once again at the helm of the pyrotechnics positioned on barges spanning the Manhattan Bridge south towards the shores of the South Street Seaport and Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Macy’s explosive spectacle is made possible in part by Cracker Jack®, Kool-Aid®, Planters®, and is presented in partnership with the City of New York. Revelers lining viewing locations are encouraged to enjoy the full experience by tuning in to radio station 1010 WINS-AM to hear the musical score to which the show is choreographed. Spectators from coast-to-coast will also have a front row view of the pyro in the sky by tuning to NBC’s national broadcast of “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” (check local listings). In addition to the pyrotechnics, the fourth of July’s most popular entertainment special will feature performances from the nation’s hottest musical acts.

For more information on the 38th annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, please visit www.macys.com/fireworks or call the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
Full 2014 information will be available as of June 2014.

About Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks
Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks are the nation’s largest fourth of July pyrotechnic display. Produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza of Rialto, CA, Macy’s Fireworks are a digitally-synchronized display of firepower that is choreographed to a rousing popular music and patriotic score. Annually fired from various locations across New York City, Macy’s Fireworks features shells from all over the world. Seen by more than 3 million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks have become the nation’s premiere fourth of July celebration event.

This news is courtesy of www.macys.com

OAK BROOK, IL – Customers around the globe will soon notice something different at McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD). Starting next Monday, the brand will change the look of its iconic red French fry packaging globally with bold, new artwork to celebrate the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ in Brasil. In addition, the new fry boxes will be the key to “unlocking” a new Augmented Reality (AR) app that will reward customers with an engaging, virtual trick-shot challenge.

“This is the first time in brand history we’re changing the packaging design of one of our customers’ most favourite menu items on a global scale, and what better reason than to share in the excitement of one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world,” said Steve Easterbrook, Senior Executive Vice President and Global Chief Brand Officer of McDonald’s. “This is about bringing fun, innovative programming to our customers and celebrating our shared love of futbol. We’re excited to be able to do that through an engaging, interactive mobile experience, and of course with our World-Famous Fries.”

The redesign will treat customers and futbol fans with an exclusive collection of original street art that reflects the beauty and passion of the game of futbol. Twelve artists from around the world were chosen to create the special new designs, which will canvas McDonald’s Medium and Large fry boxes in the majority of company-owned and franchised restaurants worldwide and trigger the downloadable app, entitled “McDonald’s GOL!”

Customers can download the app and begin play as soon as they have their specially-designed fry box in-hand. It’s as easy as holding the screen of their mobile device up to the front of the box. As the device recognizes the artwork, a futbol pitch will appear in an AR scene on the screen, with the fry box as the goal and other built-in objects as obstacles. The idea is to “kick” the ball with the flick of a finger and divert or use obstacles to get the ball into the goal.

Created for McDonald’s in collaboration with Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc. and Trigger, the app brings a truly new mobile play experience to customers using the Qualcomm® Vuforia™ mobile vision platform. This app showcases the Vuforia platform’s new cutting-edge Smart Terrain™ feature, representing a technology breakthrough that allows users to build their own play spaces using everyday objects.

“Our digital vision at McDonald’s is to bring an entirely new level of everyday convenience and fun to the world, and our Augmented Reality app is just one example of how we are bringing fun to our customers’ lives,” said Atif Rafiq, McDonald’s Chief Digital Officer. “We are very excited about the numerous opportunities in front of us to bring even more innovative digital experiences to our customers in ways only McDonald’s can do.”

“McDonald’s GOL!” will be compatible with most Android and Apple mobile devices and will be available for download in the Google Play store and Apple App Store™ starting on May 26. Instructions for download will be available on the back of each specially designed fry box or can be found on gol.mcd.com. The new fry boxes will be available throughout the duration of the 2014 FIFA World Cup while supplies last.

The artists showcased on the specially-designed fry boxes include:

Australia: David Spencer, Artwork Title – ‘The Perfect Kick’
Brazil: Eduardo Kobra, Artwork Title – ‘O mundo unido pelo futebol’ (translation: ‘The world united by football’)
Canada: Mügluc, Artwork Title – ‘Unite Together’
China: Hua Tunan, Artwork Title – ‘World of Victory’
England: Ben Mosley, Artwork Title – ‘Fans of the World’
France: Skwak, Artwork Title – ‘The Maniac Football Party’
Germany: Roman Klonek, Artwork Title – ‘Freaky Fan Club’
Japan: Doppel, Artwork Title – ‘Kick the One’
Russia: Egor Koshelev, Artwork Title – ‘The Perfect Goal’
South Africa: Adele Bantjes, Artwork Title – ‘Heart of the Game’
Spain: Martin Satí, Artwork Title – ‘Flamenco Number One’
USA: Tes One, Artwork Title – ‘Formations’
A number of marketing and communication activities are planned to support this program. This includes the online release today of a lively video that features real-life futbol trick-shot talent from around the world.

McDonald’s has been an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of FIFA World Cup for 20 years. Other activities planned to bring the excitement of the Tournament to life worldwide include:

McDonald’s Player Escort Program
McDonald’s will provide 1,408 children (ages 6-10) from 69 countries worldwide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the thrill of the Tournament and walk hand-in-hand onto the pitch with their futbol heroes. This marks the largest number of countries participating in the program since McDonald’s first began sponsoring it in 2002.
McDonald’s Ultimate FIFA World Cup™ Football Fan
McDonald’s will bring together some of the most passionate fans from around the world with the “ultimate” trip to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Customers selected as a McDonald’s Ultimate FIFA World Cup Futbol Fan will have the opportunity to attend matches, have their photo taken with the FIFA World Cup Trophy, have VIP treatment at exclusive parties during Tournament, and more. Each market determines the criteria and selection process for their selected fans.
More detailed information on our sponsorship and activation programs, including fact sheets and visuals, can be found by visiting our online media newsroom.

About the Qualcomm® Vuforia™ Platform
Vuforia is a mobile vision platform that enables apps to see and connect the physical world with digital experiences that demand attention, drive engagement, and deliver value. Vuforia is supported by a global ecosystem of more than 100,000 registered developers in 130 countries and has powered more than 9,000 apps for iOS and Android devices. Additional information is available at www.vuforia.com.

Qualcomm Vuforia is a product of Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Qualcomm and Vuforia are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries, used with permission.

About Trigger
Founded in 2005, Trigger is a company of inventors that blends Hollywood Creative with Mobile Innovation, working with a number of global brands like McDonald’s to prototype concepts, market initiatives and develop new digital products. With world-class creative teams in Los Angeles and Shanghai, Trigger transforms great visions into ground breaking mobile experiences for a global audience. Trigger is a pioneer for the movie industry with digital marketing, mobile gaming and augmented reality, developing worldwide campaigns for a variety of top franchises. In addition, Trigger is a Qualcomm portfolio company and a preferred developer for their Augmented Reality technology, Vuforia. For more information about Trigger, please visit www.triggerglobal.com.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global food service retailer with more than 35,000 locations serving approximately 70 million customers in more than 100 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business men and women. To learn more about the company, please visit: www.aboutmcdonalds.com

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2014 – The U.S. Forest Service finalized policy guidelines that will open opportunities for ski areas to promote year-round recreation activities that are natural resource-based and that will create additional jobs for communities with ski areas on the National Forests.

“The new directives will help usher in a wider spectrum of developed recreation opportunities that will encourage more people to enjoy the national forests,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “This change will allow ski areas to offer expanded recreation choices that will benefit local communities and recreationists.”

The guidelines – referred to as directives – will be published in the Federal Register this week and take effect immediately. They will be used by agency administrators to determine which summer recreation activities and associated facilities will be allowed on ski areas operating on national forests. There are 122 ski areas on nearly 180,000 acres of public land administered by the Forest Service.

Early estimates by the agency indicate that expanding ski area recreation activities will increase by 600,000 the number of summer visits on national forests; ski areas now average 23 million visits annually. Also expected are an additional 600 full- or part-time jobs and almost $40 million infused in local mountain communities.

The revised directives were spurred by the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which amended the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 that limited recreation to Nordic and alpine skiing. The 2011 act specifically includes such activities as zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, disc golf courses and rope courses. These types of activities are natural resource-based and encourage further exploration of Forest Service lands in contrast to theme or amusement parks.

The agency received more than 300 comments to the proposed directive, which helped to formulate the final guidelines. The guidelines require that new activities are natural resource-based, encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature, and are consistent with the intent of the act. The guidelines also will address the types of facilities that will be permitted.

The guidelines also address management of other recreational uses within the operational boundary of ski areas by the non-paying public, such as snowshoeing and hiking.

“This is more than just a policy change,” Tidwell said. “This opens up new opportunities to bring people onto national forests to enjoy the great outdoors, become more physically active and recreate in new ways.”

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

This news is courtesy of www.usda.gov

LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK– Centric, BET Networks’ 24-hour music and entertainment network, today unveiled an exclusive co-production deal with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment to produce new content for the network. The production company, owned by Queen Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere, has quickly established itself, with #1 hits including The Perfect Holiday, Beauty Shop, Bringing Down The House and its first ever scripted romantic comedy “Let’s Stay Together,” which premiered with 4.4 million viewers on BET.

Centric’s slate of programming has a particular appeal to the African American woman. This new partnership strengthens Centric’s position as the network for the African American woman.

Flavor Unit Entertainment’s #1 new talk show, The Queen Latifah Show will also begin airing in primetime on Centric. The Queen Latifah Show is a daytime, talk-variety series that showcases Queen Latifah’s extraordinary range of talents as a global entertainment icon featuring chart-topping musical guests, celebrity interviews and everyday heroes who are changing lives in their local communities. The Queen Latifah Show is produced by Flavor Unit, Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television.

“We are thrilled to be working once again with Flavor Unit Entertainment and Queen Latifah. She does it all and we are happy to have her join us as a creative force as we continue to grow Centric into a premiere destination for African American women. We couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead,” said Debra L. Lee, BET Networks Chairman and CEO.

As part of the deal, BET Networks will develop and premiere an all-new Season 4 of the highly rated Single Ladies on Centric. This modern, romantic comedy series is set in the world of Atlanta fashion, music, and celebrity as best friends share their differing views on love, sex and relationships. Single Ladies asks the question: what do women really want?

“At more than 10 million strong, and in control of 20 billion dollars in buying power, the African American woman is an increasingly powerful, yet often overlooked consumer. No other network has embraced her with content designed specifically for her – until now,” said Louis Carr, BET Networks President of Broadcast and Media Sales. “Centric is the first network to deliver the programming that celebrates, inspires and addresses her unique perspective.”

Centric’s popularity with African American audiences, most notably with African American women ages 25 to 54, continues to grow, with the network marking its most watched quarter in its history. For FY14 Q2 (Jan-Mar), Centric experienced its best quarter ever for Total Day and Primetime viewership, posting gains of +20 percent.

Centric announced the following programming at the BET Networks’ Upfront presentation in Los Angeles:

NEW PROGRAMMING ON CENTRIC:

SINGLE LADIES: SEASON 4 – This modern, romantic comedy series is set in the world of Atlanta fashion, music, and celebrity where friends share differing views on love, sex and relationships.
RETURNING PROGRAMMING ON CENTRIC:

BEING – “Being” is a documentary series highlighting music and entertainment’s most dynamic figures – and a place where the stars tell their own stories, in their own words. Featuring never before seen photos, videos, and revealing interviews, “Being” delivers a compelling inside look at the inspiring lives of the biggest names in music, media and more.
ACCORDING TO HIM & HER – “According to Him & Her” approaches timely topics involving relationships, friendships, dating and sex in a “he said, she said” battle of the sexes. Every week an onslaught of comedians, relationship experts and surprise celebrities will engage in a series of questions resulting in a no-holds-barred banter giving audiences the opportunity to finally see how the other sex thinks from a comedic perspective.
RETURNING MEGA-SPECIALS ON CENTRIC:

SOUL TRAIN AWARDS – The Hippest Trip In America keeps grooving forward. The iconic brand that defined a generation returns for 2014 with its signature awards show. Featuring never before-seen musical collaborations and powerful tributes from world-class performers, the Soul Train Awards brings you the most revered and promising voices in soul and R&B. The Soul Train Awards is simulcast on Centric and BET.
CENTRIC COMEDY ALL-STARS – Bill Bellamy will host the third annual comedy event, honoring an industry icon. Some of the top names in comedy, plus the hottest comedians on the rise will make appearances during the show that is sure to keep you laughing.
About CENTRIC

Centric is a 24-hour music and entertainment channel that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today’s African-American and multicultural adult viewer. With a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing beat, its compelling music content fuses Soul, R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, Jazz, Old School, New School and everything in between with today’s hottest artists. It is a unique mix of music, culture and lifestyle programming that embodies the lives, tastes and aspirations of the Centric viewer. Centric: What’s Good.

About Flavor Unit

Flavor Unit Entertainment is a production company owned and operated by Queen Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere. Flavor Unit Entertainment, which started in New Jersey and is now based in Miami, is quickly establishing itself as one of the most important production companies in the film industry. They began by executive producing Disney’s box office # 1 hit Bringing Down the House, and then continued with Beauty Shop for MGM and The Perfect Holiday for Paramount. They have also produced The Cookout with Lion’s Gate, as well as the film Just Wright with Fox Searchlight. On the small screen, they executive produced HBO’s critically acclaimed film Life Support which garnered a number of awards including an Emmy® nomination and Golden Globe® win for Queen Latifah. Flavor Unit Entertainment made a multi-year deal with BET to create new original programming including the original movie The Cookout 2, and its first-ever scripted romantic comedy titled Let’s Stay Together, which premiered with 4.4 million viewers. In 2011, Flavor Unit Entertainment’s original film Single Ladies was expanded into VH1’s first hour-long scripted series with approximately 3 million viewers throughout its two-season run. Flavor Unit produced Latifah’s film Joyful Noise. Most recently, Flavor Unit produced Lifetime’s Original Movie Steel Magnolias, which stars Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Alfre Woodard. The movie premiered in October 2012 as the third most-watched telecast ever on the network, averaging 6.5 million total viewers. Flavor Unit most recently struck a multi-year licensing deal with Netflix. Their first release includes the thriller House of Bodies, which stars Terrence Howard and Peter Fonda.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & ATLANTA — The Weather Channel will return to DIRECTV (channel 362) tomorrow as both companies have settled on a new agreement, the financial terms of which were not disclosed.

As part of the new pact, The Weather Channel agreed to reduce reality programming by half on weekdays; return instant local weather and allow authenticated DIRECTV customers to watch The Weather Channel video programming on multiple devices inside and outside the home.

“Our apologies to DIRECTV and their customers for the disruption of our service and for initiating a public campaign,” said David Kenny, CEO of The Weather Company, parent to The Weather Channel. “Our viewers deserve better than a public dispute, and we pledge to reward their loyalty with exceptional programming and more weather-focused news.”

“It’s a shame these disputes are played out on a public stage, but I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work together with The Weather Channel in a way that will benefit everyone,” said Dan York, DIRECTV’s chief content officer. “I know this was frustrating for many of our customers, but their patience was ultimately rewarded with a better deal and a better product.”

About The Weather Company: Where the World Gets its Weather Through The Weather Channel, weather.com, Weather Underground, Intellicast.com, and third-party publishing partners, the company provides millions of people every day with the world’s best weather forecasts, content and data, connecting with them through television, online, mobile and tablet screens. Through WSI and Weather Central, the company delivers superior professional weather services for the media, aviation, marine and energy sectors. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBCUniversal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. For more information, visitwww.weather.com/press.

About DIRECTV: DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 37 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 20 million customers access to more than 195 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 17 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.

This news is courtesy of www.weather.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. & BURBANK, Calif.–In the weeks immediately following the announcement of their groundbreaking, multi-year distribution deal, DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) today announced the availability of WATCH ABC, WATCH ABC Family, WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WatchESPN, enabling DISH’s 14 million video subscribers to access live and on-demand news, entertainment and sports programming on computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and connected devices. Access to WATCH Disney Junior as well as authenticated services from SEC ESPN Network and Longhorn Network will launch later this year.

DISH customers can now conveniently watch live programming from ABC Family, Disney Channel and Disney XD as well as live network streams of ABC, which are currently available in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Fresno, Philadelphia and Raleigh-Durham. Additionally, live events and programming from ESPN networks – including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes – are now accessible. ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater will also be available on WatchESPN when those channels are in season. Video subscribers will need to log in with their DISH online IDs and passwords to access all services.

In addition to live streaming, DISH video subscribers can watch the most current episodes of ABC and ABC Family original series the day after they air online at ABC.com and ABCFamily.com or on smartphones and tablets via the WATCH ABC and WATCH ABC Family apps, which are available free to download in the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore and Windows Store. WATCH ABC is also accessible on Apple TV.

DISH customers can access live and popular on-demand programming from Disney Channel and Disney XD online at WATCHDisneyChannel.com and WATCHDisneyXD.com. The WATCH Disney Channel and WATCH Disney XD apps are free to download in the App Store and Amazon Appstore. The networks are also accessible on Apple TV and Roku.

For WatchESPN, DISH video subscribers can visit WatchESPN.com on their computers for live access to ESPN networks. Customers with a supported smartphone or tablet can also download the free WatchESPN app by visiting the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore or Windows Store. The app features access to live content and on-demand video clips. WatchESPN live programming and on-demand clips are also available on Xbox 360, Xbox One, Apple TV and Roku.

About DISH
DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides approximately 14.057 million satellite TV customers, as of Dec. 31, 2013, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. Subscribers enjoy a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit www.dish.com.

About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $45 billion in its Fiscal Year 2013.

This news is courtesy of www.dish.com

ATLANTA, – The largest marketing program in the history of The Coca-Cola Company invites the world to celebrate football as a force for social good. Through “The World’s Cup” campaign, Coca-Cola will create unrivalled access, participation, empowerment and conversation with the goal of delivering the most accessible and inclusive FIFA World Cup™ ever. “The World’s Cup” will be brought to life through a number of key elements:

“One World, One Game” television and digital film
“Where Will Happiness Strike Next” documentary-style short films
The official music anthem for the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup™ campaign
The Happiness Flag – the largest photomosaic ever created featuring fan faces and messages
FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola
A uniquely Brazilian visual identity
“Just as Brasil is everyone’s country and Coca-Cola is everyone’s drink, the FIFA World Cup™ is everyone’s cup,” said Joseph Tripodi, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, The Coca-Cola Company, about the brand’s new campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. “Through “The World’s Cup”, Coca-Cola wants to celebrate real people playing football, demonstrating how the game is a force for a more inclusive and connected world.”

The “One World, One Game” television and digital film goes live across the globe today and is the brand’s invitation to the world to join “The World’s Cup”. The film, created in partnership with Wieden + Kennedy Sao Paulo, brings to life the stories of four football teams from four different corners of the world who have each overcome life’s challenges through their love of the game. The film sees the teams share their stories of the happiness that football brings them as Coca-Cola surprises each team with invitations to Rio de Janeiro, to see the preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. The teams’ experience will culminate in attending the tournament this summer, where they will have the honor of carrying the national team flags onto the pitch at Germany vs. Portugal on June 16th.

In a series of poignant, documentary-style, short films entitled Where Will Happiness Strike Next captured during stops along the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour, Coca-Cola will share stories of passionate football fans that are using the game to help them triumph over adversity, in turn inspiring others to use the power of football to overcome difficulties. At each film’s climax, the stars are surprised by Coca-Cola and a special viewing of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy.

“Coca-Cola prides itself on celebrating the power of football and the ability of the sport to bring the world together. Football is for everyone, regardless of geographical and social boundaries, that’s why this year we are launching “The World’s Cup”.” added Tripodi.

‘The World Is Ours’ is the official music anthem for the Coca-Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup™ campaign featuring vocals from Brazilian born David Correy and sounds from Monobloco – a Brazilian street band. As Correy travelled across the globe championing the song, local artists were encouraged to put their own spin on the track, giving it a truly global flavor.

In an unprecedented move, Coca-Cola is giving fans from across the globe the chance to be part of the largest flag mosaic ever created and show the power of football to bring people from different backgrounds and beliefs together. The Happiness Flag – constructed from photos and tweets submitted by fans from around the world – will be seen on-pitch prior to the Opening Match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Sao Paulo on June 12th.

Underpinning the entire campaign is the longest ever FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. Starting in September 2013 Coca-Cola has taken the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on a journey spanning more than 92,000 miles and visiting 90 countries to encapsulate the true spirit of the campaign – that the FIFA World Cup™ really is “The World’s Cup”.

The visual identity for “The World’s Cup” campaign will be featured on all brand communication during the tournament and represents happiness, togetherness and celebration. For the first time, the design was created in collaboration with a street artist, employing the unique style and talent of Brazilian artist Speto. It features the color and characteristic designs of Brazilian street art with the faces of four young people from Brazil reproduced in Speto’s signature graphic style.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1974 and has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 17 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com,

This news is courtesy of wwww.cocacolacompany.com

GRAPEVINE, Texas –GameStop (NYSE: GME) announced today the launch of the GameStop Technology Institute (GTI), a new business unit focused on creating affiliations with leading technology corporations and academic institutions to discover and deliver business innovation and technology solutions to better address the needs of today’s empowered consumer.

Joining GameStop as founding partners of GTI are IBM and the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School. By joining forces with these industry leaders, GameStop will leverage GTI to explore and build best-in-class research and development processes to create and implement within its global retail locations the next generation of new, innovative business applications.

“Now more than ever, GameStop’s internal rate of change must continue to exceed the rate of change occurring within the retail environments in which we compete,” said Paul Raines, chief executive officer for GameStop. “The launch of GTI represents GameStop’s commitment to cultivate innovation within the retail industry, as well as lead the charge in discovering new technology advancements to drive positive customer experiences.”

Collaborating with Industry Leaders to Digitize the Physical Space

IBM will bring to GTI its cloud development experience, and design expertise from the IBM Design Lab. GameStop will leverage IBM’s open cloud development platform, BlueMix, to build new mobile and cloud applications that integrate with GameStop’s existing systems, creating a hybrid cloud environment that will allow GameStop to add greater context around both in-store and online customer interactions. By seamlessly linking a customer’s online and in-store experiences using IBM’s open-standards based, high-value cloud platform, GameStop will be able to remove the complexity involved with transactions and improve the level of service that they deliver to their customers. Harnessing the power of BlueMix enables GameStop developers to quickly innovate, prototype and connect with their customers at the right time using APIs for big data, analytics and mobile.

“We are excited to collaborate with GameStop to bring the power of our cloud development platforms and design teams to the greater GameStop community,” said Steve Robinson, General Manager of IBM Cloud Platform Services. “This cloud partnership will integrate existing systems into a new class of applications to build even deeper relationships for GameStop with their clients and will help GameStop lead the next phase of retailing by restoring the balance between physical and digital commerce platforms.”

Texas A&M University brings to GTI a specific focus on retail research, consumer technology and the evolving consumer experience at the intersection of the two. The Center for Retailing Studies has a 30-year history of serving retailers, and is one of the only retail education institutions housed in a business school.

Meeting the Needs of the Consumer

Executives from every retail sector are trying to anticipate what next innovative technology, mobile app, or virtual store experience will win over today’s empowered consumer. According to the global ‘Understanding Leading Merchants’ survey conducted by IBM’s Center for Applied Insights, 83 percent of the 325 senior-level retail merchants who responded indicated they were concerned about how to respond to the shifts in the way customers engage with retailers. In the same survey, 78 percent worried about being able to provide a holistic, cross-channel experience.

Rooted in GameStop’s strong legacy of technology, understanding customer needs and ability to deliver exceptional customer service through its PowerUp Rewards loyalty program, the GTI R&D portfolio will include a focus on enhancing consumer interaction technologies and developing business solutions that help drive traffic to all retail channels.

GameStop’s Jeff Donaldson will chair the direction and efforts of the institute, serving in the role of senior vice president of GTI.

“As GameStop continues to transform its business beyond video gaming and into the technology space, we formed GTI to address our growing need for new innovation as a specialty retailer,” said Donaldson. “As we begin our partnership with IBM and Texas A&M University, GTI’s initial focus will be on the digitization of the physical retail space which would allow customers to interact with the brick-n-mortar store environment in ways that mimic interaction with digital platforms.”

GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics, and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 6,600 stores across 15 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; www.buymytronics.com, an online consumer electronics trade-in platform; Spring Mobile, an authorized dealer of AT&T wireless services; and Simply Mac, the largest certified retailer of Apple’s full line of products.

This news is courtesy of http://news.gamestop.com

WAYNE, NJ – At presentations today for investors, industry analysts and the media, Toys“R”Us, Inc. outlined its strategy for improving the company’s operational performance and positioning the business to drive profitable growth in the future. Antonio Urcelay, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc., and Hank Mullany, President, Toys“R”Us, U.S., provided a comprehensive assessment of the company’s fiscal 2013 performance and discussed the go-forward priorities and actions that will drive its “TRU Transformation” strategy.

“As we look to the future, our strategy will establish a path to sustainable business growth, building upon the company’s unique strengths. Toys“R”Us is one of the most recognized brands in the world with a strong international presence and a large and loyal customer base,” Mr. Urcelay said. “Our global network of stores generates strong profitability, and together with our $1.2 billion global e-commerce business, is integral to our growing omnichannel capabilities. And, as the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, we have well-established relationships with our manufacturing partners, and can provide them with a year-round distribution outlet that showcases the broadest selection of their products in 36 countries around the world.”

Mr. Urcelay added, “Our 2013 performance was, no doubt, disappointing. While this was partly driven by macro conditions, such as the decline in birth rates since 2007 which has contributed to stagnating overall toy and baby industry sales, and the rapid growth of online shopping, we cannot blame these factors. We believe that several execution issues also impacted these results. Over the past several months, we have undertaken a comprehensive analysis and diagnosis of the business, and believe we have four main issues to resolve – improve the customer experience in-store and online, make progress on changing price perception, put disciplines back into inventory management, and right-size our cost structure on a global basis. We are encouraged that all of these foundational issues are firmly within our own control to fix, and our strategy will address these to improve the business over the short-term and put the company on track for the future.”

Mr. Mullany noted, “Our ‘TRU Transformation’ strategy is grounded in consumer research and customer insights, and is anchored by three guiding principles – Easy, Expert, Fair. Among our highest priorities will be to deepen our focus on the customer, build meaningful relationships through loyalty and targeted marketing programs, and improve the shopping experience both in-store and online. This will include putting more emphasis on the distinct needs of our customer base of new and expectant parents and gift-givers. We are committed to delivering on our mission to bring joy into the lives of our customers by being the toy and juvenile products authority and definitive destination for kid fun, gift-giving solutions and parenting services.”

For 2014, the objective of “TRU Transformation” will be to slow the company’s sales decline, stabilize cash flow and improve EBITDA to effectively position the business to grow revenue and profits in 2015 and beyond. “TRU Transformation” will focus on four key priorities:

Transform the shopping experience in-store and online. To improve the customer experience in-store and online and become a customer-centric business, the company has already begun to implement initiatives, such as cleaning up existing stores and improving in-store execution; improving out-of-stocks and the speed of checkout; solidifying customer relationships through strengthened loyalty and targeted marketing programs;improving price perception by developing a clear pricing strategy and simplifying promotional offers; and optimizing the e-commerce experience by capitalizing on the online shopping growth and omnichannel integration with stores.

During the meeting, Mr. Mullany unveiled a new customer promise to provide the broadest selection of products to help kids and babies develop, learn, have fun and be safe; be the easiest place to research and find solutions throughout the journey of parenthood; and be the best resource for children’s gift-giving occasions – all at fair prices in an environment that offers expert service and unique services with the ability to shop whenever, wherever and however they want.

Collaborate with business partners to drive differentiation, innovation and value. As part of “TRU Transformation,” Toys“R”Us will leverage business partner relationships in the U.S. and abroad to drive category leadership and effective differentiation in products, events and services, and create exciting shops and product statements in-store.

Develop high-performing, highly engaged, diverse talent. Internally, priorities will include reviewing the organizational structure, creating an infrastructure that promotes talent development, maintaining a culture of productivity and accountability, driving training in the areas that matter most for customers, cultivating a culture of engagement, and enhancing the ability to hire and retain great talent.

Become fit for growth. The company will focus on improving operational and financial performance, while positioning the business to capitalize on future growth opportunities through the implementation of a right-sized cost structure, a strong focus on disciplined inventory management, and the deployment of capital to key growth initiatives.
Right-size the cost structure. Overall, the company is in the midst of a renewed assessment of its operations and business structure to determine where greater efficiencies can be created and where additional resources can be allocated to help best serve customers. As part of this evaluation, in a comprehensive review of functional areas throughout the organization, a number of opportunities were identified to streamline functions and reduce headcount. In total, throughout its U.S. and International operations, Toys“R”Us, Inc. has now eliminated more than 500 positions across all functions. The company has been actively helping with the transition of those impacted by offering all eligible employees severance benefits and outplacement services. In addition, there are some areas of the business where the optimal go-forward structure is still being evaluated based on strategic reviews currently underway.
Like all retailers, the company regularly looks at the performance of its physical locations to ensure they are meeting the needs of the business. While it may close some stores during the year primarily due to lease expirations, at this time the company has no plans to close a significant number of stores. After a thorough evaluation of its current fulfillment capabilities in the U.S., the company has made the decision to close the McCarran Distribution Center in Storey County, Nevada effective June 1, 2014. Over the past few years, the company has expanded its omnichannel capabilities and the ability to ship online orders from stores and distribution centers that serve stores, resulting in the ability to flex inventory more efficiently, leverage underutilized space and ship from points closer to customers. The company will continue to open stores and expand fulfillment capabilities in markets where it makes the most sense, including in China where growth has accelerated.
No near-term debt, strong balance sheet, ample liquidity. The company ended the year with a strong liquidity position of approximately $1.8 billion and reduced its total long-term debt by $322 million to $5 billion. In addition, it successfully refinanced its $1.85 billion senior secured revolving credit facility in last week, a key component of the company’s capital structure. The execution of this transaction ensures the company’s ability to appropriately fund the working capital needs of its operations at rates that are significantly lower than the prior revolving credit facility. The company has no material outstanding debt repayments due until 2016, providing a large window to grow and develop new strategic initiatives.
To learn more about “TRU Transformation,” please visit the company’s corporate website, Toysrusinc.com, where it has posted presentation materials.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 873 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, and in more than 715 international stores and over 180 licensed stores in 35 countries and jurisdictions. In addition, it exclusively operates the legendary FAO Schwarz brand and sells extraordinary toys in the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its strong portfolio of e-commerce sites including Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com, eToys.com and FAO.com, it provides shoppers with a broad online selection of distinctive toy and baby products. Headquartered in Wayne, NJ, Toys“R”Us, Inc. employs approximately 70,000 associates annually worldwide. The company is committed to serving its communities as a caring and reputable neighbor through programs dedicated to keeping kids safe and helping them in times of need. Additional information about Toys“R”Us, Inc. can be found on Toysrusinc.com.

This news is courtesy of www.toysrusinc.com