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New York, NY – This May, the most anticipated comic event of the year will officially unleash as Marvel Comics launches its epic event, Secret Wars. An initiative that shakes the foundation of the entire Marvel Universe, Secret Wars presents a gripping original series that features new incarnations of Marvel’s iconic heroes and villains, intense battles and the emergence of new worlds. One of the hottest and most anticipated Secret Wars storylines – ARMOR WARS – centers on a civil war in a city of iron men and iron women that threatens to destroy the Stark dynasty. But the origins of this cataclysm all lay within the pages of SECRET WARS: ARMOR WARS #½, which will be released as a free gift with purchase exclusively at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com. As part of the company’s massive Marvel’s Avengers: The Age of Ultron retail program, Toys“R”Us customers will receive a complimentary SECRET WARS: ARMOR WARS #½ comic with any Marvel purchase of $25 or more from Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9, while supplies last.*

In this directly connected Secret Wars comic, Eisner Award-winning writer James Robinson (Armor Wars, All-New Invaders) and artist Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man, Hulk) treat readers to a heart-pounding look at the events that lead to ARMOR WARS.

“This is a really cool prelude that sets the stage for Eisner award-winning writer James Robinson’s SECRET WARS: ARMOR WARS techno-noir thriller. And you’ll love the detail, mood and action that superstar artist Mark Bagley delivers,” says series editor Mark Paniccia. “It’s a great introduction to TECHNOPOLIS and the earth-shattering mystery that’s at its center.”

In the retro-future city of Technopolis, the population is now in the clutches of a disease that makes it impossible for anyone to survive without a suit of armor. Rival brothers Tony and Arno Stark provide the technology that keeps the city alive.

But, there are secrets on the street about the origin of the disease that confine the citizens of Technopolis…and key players begin to make their moves based on data that could take down the protectors of the city Tony Stark (IRON MAN) and Jim Rhodes (THOR).

Who has learned a revelation so stunning it will lead to their end? Find out as Marvel teams up with Toys“R”Us to release this epic 12-page prequel comic book, available for a limited time only through the retailer’s exclusive ARMOR WARS free gift with purchase program. Customers visiting Toysrus.com can also discover the secrets of ARMOR WARS and receive a complimentary comic with their online Marvel purchase of $25 or more from Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9, while supplies last.*

Additionally, fans can now shop a broad assortment of must-have Marvel’s Avengers: The Age of Ultron merchandise at dedicated, front-of-store feature shops in Toys“R”Us stores nationwide, including exclusive products from Hasbro®, such as Marvel’s Avengers Titan Hero Series™ 3-Pack Iron Man, Quicksilver and Marvel’s War Machine, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron Cycle Blast Quinjet, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron Avengers HQ Hulk Buster Breakout Playset and Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron Avengers HQ Captain America Tower Defense Playset.

“We are thrilled to be the first retailer to bring SECRET WARS: ARMOR WARS #½ to Marvel Universe fans and collectors nationwide, and to offer them the opportunity to receive this special Secret Wars comic book as a complimentary gift with purchase only at Toys“R”Us,” says Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “Not only can customers experience the secret ARMOR WARS world, they can shop our unparalleled assortment of Marvel products and exclusives, just in time for the upcoming debut of Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Stay tuned to Marvel.com/secretwars as the new Marvel Universe continues to be forged. Follow Marvel on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/marvel and be sure to join the conversation on Twitter with #Marvel, #SecretWars, and don’t forget to follow us @Marvel.

About Marvel:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com.
© 2015 MARVEL

About Marvel Custom Solutions:
Custom Solutions is Marvel’s in-house creative agency that leverages all the greatest talent within Marvel Entertainment to create highly dynamic and compelling content and campaigns for global brands. Marvel Custom Solutions has the ability to deploy the work it creates through its robust print, digital, social and theatrical platforms, adding scale to the programs it creates.

About Toys“R”Us, Inc.:
Toys“R”Us, Inc. is the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer, offering a differentiated shopping experience through its family of brands. Merchandise is sold in 872 Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam, and in more than 725 international stores and over 235 licensed stores in 36 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. Follow Toys“R”Us, Babies“R”Us and FAO Schwarz on Facebook at Facebook.com/Toysrus, Facebook.com/Babiesrus and Facebook.com/FAO and on Twitter at Twitter.com/Toysrus and Twitter.com/Babiesrus.

NEW YORK- BET Networks is pleased to announce that it is stepping into the ring with Roc Nation Sports as their exclusive broadcast partner to air live throne boxing events on the network. The partnership between BET Networks and Roc Nation Sports is the first of its kind for the network and includes airing up to nine live, two-hour telecasts of Roc Nation Sports throne boxing events over the next 18 months. The first main event fight to air on BET Networks will feature WBA Super Middleweight World Champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KO’s) facing former World Title Challenger Paul Smith (35-5, 20 KO’s) of England on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. In addition to the great action inside the ring, the telecast will feature several notable Roc Nation touches that offer an unprecedented fan experience, including a live musical performance and a name DJ to keep the energy at a high level throughout the night. Fans can catch the action live on BET in the United States and globally on TIDAL.com, the newly launched music streaming service that combines the best high fidelity sound quality, high definition music videos and expertly curated editorial.

Tickets priced at $250, $125, $90, $60 and $30, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Friday, April 24 at 10:00 AM PT and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 FREE.

“BET is constantly searching for ways to expand its portfolio of content with the sole goal of satisfying our audiences,” said Stephen G. Hill, President of Programming, BET Networks. “Roc Nation is doing very exciting things in the entertainment space and we are excited to partner with them on this groundbreaking deal positioning BET Networks as a go-to destination for premier live boxing events. Together, we’ll provide unique entertainment.”

“We’re thrilled to not only be introducing our newest broadcast partnership with BET Networks, but also to use this new platform to telecast Andre Ward’s highly anticipated return to the ring,” said David Itskowitch, COO – Boxing of Roc Nation Sports. “On June 20, we will once again provide fans a night of exciting throne boxing fights, live musical entertainment and an unprecedented fan experience.”

“I’m very excited to be coming back on June 20 at Oracle Arena in my hometown of Oakland which has been a long time coming,” said Ward. “I’m equally excited to be fighting on BET in front of a potential viewership of over 90 million homes. As a fighter, this diversifies my portfolio and puts me in front of a whole different audience. I have an extremely tough fighter in front of me in Paul Smith who’s looking to pull the upset, but I can’t let that happen. I have to be on my best game to turn Smith away and beat him the way I want to beat him. As always, I’m ready to put on a tremendous performance in front of my hometown fans and those watching on BET. This is a fight you don’t want to miss.”

“I cannot wait to get back in the ring and test myself against a class act like Andre Ward. I proved that I belong at the top level with my performances against Arthur Abraham and this is a challenge that I am relishing,” said Smith. “Andre is a top pound-for-pound fighter and someone I respect a lot, but he has only boxed once in almost three years and I will give it everything I have got. I am fresh and confident going into this fight. It’s a massive opportunity for me and one that I took with both hands when it was offered. I have spent a lot of time boxing in the United States and I look forward to returning for this fight.”

Known for his strong character and integrity outside the ring and his killer instinct inside it, Andre Ward’s skill and talent were apparent early in his outstanding amateur career. He racked up every title in the books, culminating with a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. As the only male American boxer to claim Olympic gold since 1996, Ward joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar De La Hoya. He turned professional on December 18, 2004, scoring a second round technical knockout victory over Chris Molina at Staples Center in a fight that was televised live on HBO. He has gone on to rack up 26 more victories since then, building an ever-growing legion of fans in the process. After becoming the Ring Magazine and WBA Super Middleweight World Champion, rising to the number two spot on the pound-for-pound list and winning the 2011 Fighter of the Year Award (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America), it was announced that Ward signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Roc Nation Sports in January 2015, opening a new chapter in his storied boxing career. Now the Bay Area product is ready to return to the ring on June 20 at the Oracle Arena in front of his hometown fans in Oakland, California.

Paul “Real Gone Kid” Smith enters his fight against pound-for-pound star Ward coming off of two heroic performances against WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Arthur Abraham. Smith challenged the Armenian-German for his title in Kiel, Germany in September 2014 and put on the performance of his career in his world title first shot. The 32-year-old native of Liverpool was the clear winner of large parts of the fight and celebrated at the bell in front of a hushed partisan crowd that thought that Abraham had been dethroned. Smith was not expecting the wide scorecards that were read out in favor of the hometown fighter and, judging by the far-reaching outrage at the lopsided numbers, neither were the majority of the boxing world and beyond, with Smith receiving support from some of Britain’s biggest sports stars on social media. A rematch was the only possible scenario and, like a true champion, Abraham duly obliged. Smith returned to Germany in February of this year to face Abraham again, this time in Berlin, but Abraham was a different fighter the night of their second fight, successfully defending his belt against a brave challenge from Smith. Once again the judges’ were forced to give a verdict and this time a decision win by Abraham was met with no outcry of controversy. On June 20, “Real Gone Kid” will return to the ring and once again venture into hostile territory to take on one of boxing’s best, looking to silence the crowd.

Ward vs. Smith, presented by Roc Nation Sports, takes place Saturday, June 20 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, will be televised live on BET and streamed globally on TIDAL.com at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT and is presented in association with Matchroom Sport.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

ABOUT ROC NATION SPORTS:
Roc Nation Sports, a sub-division of Roc Nation, launched in spring 2013. Founder Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s love of sports lead to the natural formation of Roc Nations Sports, helping athletes in the same way Roc Nation has been helping artists in the music industry for years. Roc Nation Sports focuses on elevating athletes’ career on a global scale both on and off the field. Roc Nation Sports conceptualizes and executes marketing and endorsement deals, community outreach, charitable tie-ins, media relations and brand strategy. Roc Nation Sports launched its boxing division, a full service promotional company which represents world champions Miguel Cotto and Andre Ward, in August 2014. Roc Nation Sports’ roster includes premiere athletes such as Robinson Cano, Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Geno Smith, Victor Cruz, CC Sabathia, James Young, Dez Bryant, Ndamukong Suh, Rusney Castillo, Yoenis Cespedes, Jaelen Strong, Todd Gurley, Wilson Chandler, Erick Aybar and Frances Tiafoe. For more information please visit www.rocnation.com. Follow Roc Nation on Twitter and Instagram @rocnation and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RocNation.

ABOUT ORACLE ARENA & O.co COLISEUM:
Oracle Arena and O.co Coliseum, managed by AEG Facilities, are the premiere sports and entertainment complexes in Northern California. Home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the NFL’s Oakland Raiders and MLB’s Oakland Athletics as well as host to concerts, family shows and special events. Additional information on Oracle Arena and O.co Coliseum, including a complete schedule of events can be found online at www.coliseum.com. Follow Oracle Arena on Twitter, Instagram, Vine and Snapchat @OracleArena and on Facebook www.faecbook.com/OracleArenaO.coColiseum.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., and Hulu today announced an extensive, multi-year licensing agreement that will grant Hulu the exclusive SVOD rights to previous seasons of Turner’s popular programming from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim as well as select current and upcoming series from TNT and TBS. The deal marks the first-ever licensing agreement between Turner Broadcasting and Hulu.

All episodes from past seasons of TNT’s The Last Ship and Murder in the First will be available to stream exclusively for Hulu subscribers. Additionally, all episodes from past seasons of popular Adult Swim original series including Rick and Morty, Black Jesus, NTSF:SD:SUV and Cartoon Network original series such as The Amazing World of Gumball, Steven Universe, Over the Garden Wall and Clarence will be made available to stream through an SVOD service for the first time ever on Hulu. All Cartoon Network series will be available to stream ad-free in the Hulu Kids environment.

Full prior seasons of Adult Swim and Cartoon Network series such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dexter’s Laboratory and Ben 10, as well as current juggernauts Robot Chicken, The Venture Bros., Adventure Time and Regular Show will be available to stream exclusively to Hulu subscribers for the first time through the deal. Hulu will also become the exclusive SVOD destination to stream Adult Swim and Cartoon Network classics, including Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Sealab 2021 and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack.

Through the agreement, Hulu obtains exclusive SVOD rights to certain future series that will launch on TNT, TBS, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network over the coming years – including TBS’s upcoming series Angie Tribeca, which will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu after its full-season run on TBS.

“This deal with Hulu demonstrates the power of Turner Broadcasting’s branded networks and the high demand for our programming in the marketplace,” said David Levy, president of Turner Broadcasting. “This is a great opportunity to grow the reach of the networks’ original programming and complements our strategy of utilizing multiple platforms – including SVOD – to drive sampling, introduce new viewers to our content and give current fans the opportunity to explore and enjoy Turner’s new and existing series in a branded environment.”

“The addition of multiple titles from Cartoon Network represents a significant step forward in continuing to build a strong programming offering for the kids audience on Hulu,” said Craig Erwich, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Hulu. “The adult animation series from Adult Swim, as well as the additional series from TNT and TBS, are a perfect addition to our current offering.”

About Hulu
Hulu is a premium streaming TV destination that seeks to captivate and connect viewers with the stories they love by creating amazing experiences that celebrate the best of entertainment and technology. As we pursue this mission, we strive to continue to redefine and reinvent the TV-viewing experience. (www.hulu.com)

About Turner Broadcasting
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

MONTRÉAL and SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2015 – Cirque du Soleil (“Cirque”), the world’s leading producer of high-quality live artistic entertainment, today announced an agreement under which TPG, a global private investment firm, will acquire a majority stake in Cirque du Soleil to fuel growth and take Cirque’s iconic blue and yellow big top to exciting new markets.

Cirque du Soleil’s Founder, Guy Laliberté, will maintain a stake in the business and will continue to provide strategic and creative input to the company. Fosun, one of China’s leading privately-owned investment groups, will acquire a minority stake in Cirque du Soleil via a fund under its management, and together the firms will work with the company to launch and expand in China. In addition, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (the “Caisse”) will also acquire a minority interest in the company. Québec businessman Mitch Garber, who has strong business ties to TPG, will also be part of the investor group. Mr. Garber will become Chairman of Cirque du Soleil, adding valuable expertise and a strong Montréal-community presence to the board of directors. No financial terms of the transaction were disclosed.

“After 30 years building the Cirque du Soleil brand, we have now found the right partners in TPG, Fosun and the Caisse to take Cirque du Soleil forward to the next stage in its evolution as a company founded on the conviction that the arts and business, together, can contribute to making a better world,” said Guy Laliberté. “Just as importantly, I am thrilled that the investors have demonstrated such a strong commitment to Cirque’s unique Québec cultural heritage and the creativity and imagination of our people.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring our global platform of resources and know-how to propel the growth of Cirque’s unique brand, content and capabilities around the world,” said David Trujillo, partner at TPG. “We are inspired by Guy Laliberté’s imagination and vision, and look forward to working with him and his talented team, as well as the vibrant Montréal creative community.”

Mitch Garber added, “Guy has built one of the most extraordinary companies in the world. I have worked with TPG for many years and know they are the perfect partners to take this business forward. Cirque is a great source of pride for all Québecers and we intend to continue to make them proud.”

Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun said, “To date, Fosun has established a global prototype for platforms that capture lifestyle trends in China. Building on top of this model, we have an objective to become one of the global leaders in businesses driven by lifestyle needs, which are quickly taking root in China. The performances of Cirque are very attractive and are a standard bearer for the quality content expected by global citizens. We have known Cirque and TPG’s team for quite some time so we respect their cultural heritage. We envisage deeper cooperation with Cirque and are excited to have Cirque as a major new growth platform within our lifestyle services and content portfolio.”

Guy Laliberté and his team have grown Québec-based Cirque du Soleil into one of the world’s largest and most well-recognized entertainment brands, touching 150 million spectators worldwide. As part of the agreement, Cirque du Soleil’s talented team will remain in place and TPG has made binding commitments to ensure that the headquarters and the creative activities of Cirque du Soleil will remain in Montréal, a community that has always been at the heart of Cirque’s success. Daniel Lamarre will remain as Cirque’s President and CEO.

Michael Sabia, President and CEO of the Caisse, added: “This is an important moment in the history of the Cirque. Today, we are partnering with the company as it seeks to conquer new markets. We are confident that TPG, alongside Fosun, has all the expertise to expand the Cirque’s global presence. We are pleased that this new era of growth will be directed from Montréal, the Cirque’s decision-making and creative center, under the direction of Daniel Lamarre, CEO.”

“Our partners believe in Cirque du Soleil’s extraordinary artistic vision, and together, we will nurture that vision and take it to new heights,” said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. “TPG’s track record of helping legendary brands deliver powerful experiences, Fosun’s expertise in China and the Caisse’s homegrown financial strength are a powerful combination that will fuel new growth in our business.”

TPG is one of the world’s leading private investment firms, with its largest office in San Francisco. The firm has a successful track record of growing legendary brands that deliver unique consumer experiences, such as Beringer, Chobani, Ducati, Fender, J.Crew and Neiman Marcus. The firm’s focus on Internet and media investments, including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Lynda.com, RentPath, STX Entertainment and Univision, amongst others, also enables TPG to leverage its digital ecosystem for the benefit of portfolio companies such as Cirque.

The combined expertise and resources of the TPG-led investor group offer compelling opportunities to broaden the creative reach of Cirque for the benefit of all stakeholders, including:

New revenue opportunities through TPG’s deep experience building iconic consumer brands and strong media and entertainment relationships;
Greater reach and access to large new audiences in China and other Asian markets for Cirque du Soleil’s shows; and
Expanded offerings with third-party intellectual property deals, increased licensing, digital media and ticket sales.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the third quarter 2015.

Commitments to Québec and Canada

As part of the transaction, the investors are committing to a comprehensive package of binding undertakings that will ensure that Montréal remains the creative and management international headquarters for Cirque du Soleil, including:

Ensure that Cirque’s headquarters in Montréal, Québec remain the centre for creative and artistic services for the business and locus of strategic decision-making;
Continuing to support the growth of Cirque du Soleil’s core business, while expanding job and training opportunities for employees based in Québec and across Canada;
Significant Québec and Canadian presence on the leadership team of Cirque du Soleil and its Board of Directors; and
Active support of the continued growth and vitality of Québec’s flourishing creative arts community through funding to cultural and community organizations, continued support of Cirque du Monde, and maintaining funding for the research activities of C:LAB, the creative laboratory of Cirque du Soleil.
Advisors

Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Cirque du Soleil. Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal advisor to Cirque du Soleil. Ropes & Gray LLP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as legal advisors to TPG. McCarthy Tétrault acted as legal advisor to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

About Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the company, which has its International Headquarters in Montréal, extends its creative talent to other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings to innovative projects the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows.

Cirque du Soleil is a Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1984, almost 160 million spectators in over 330 cities and 48 countries have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil. In 2015, 18 shows will simultaneously be presented around the world. Cirque du Soleil has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix and Rose d’Or de Montreux. For more information visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

About TPG
TPG is a leading global private investment firm founded in 1992 with over $67 billion of assets under management and offices in San Francisco, Fort Worth, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. TPG has extensive experience with global public and private investments executed through leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, growth investments, joint ventures and restructurings. The firm has helped build many well-known consumer brands including J.Crew, Ducati, Neiman Marcus, Chobani, Fender, Petco and e.l.f. Cosmetics, and invested in premier media and entertainment companies including CAA, STX Entertainment and Univision. The firm also has a long track record of investing in Asia, with investments that include Chindex International, China Grand Auto, Masan Group, Shenzhen Development Bank, and Shriram Transport. For more information visit www.tpg.com.

About Fosun
Fosun was founded in 1992 in Shanghai. Fosun International Limited (00656.HK) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 16 July 2007. Fosun has been persistently taking roots in China and investing in China’s growth fundamentals. It has been actively implementing its investment model of “Combining China’s Growth Momentum with Global Resources”. Fosun is dedicated to making a major stride towards becoming a world-class investment group underpinned by the twin drivers of “insurance-oriented comprehensive financial capability” and “global industrial integration capability taking roots in China”. Today, Fosun’s businesses include two major parts, integrated finance and industrial operations. In 2014, Fosun focused more on investments in the healthcare and happy and fashionable lifestyle industries around the world, including cases like the privatization of Chindex, the acquisition of the entire Luz Saúde healthcare group of Portugal, the establishment of Studio 8 as a controlling shareholder, the privatization of Club Med and investment in Thomas Cook which have just been concluded in March of this year. For more information, please visit www.fosun.com.

About La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and parapublic pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2014, it held $226 billion in net assets. As one of Canada’s leading institutional fund managers, la Caisse invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate. For more information: www.lacaisse.com.

MELBOURNE, Australia,- Live Nation Australasia, a Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: LYV) company, is pleased to announce an official partnership with Europcar Australia and New Zealand as the exclusive car rental partner across Australia and New Zealand.

The three-year partnership brings together travel and live entertainment, connecting Europcar with some of the biggest live events throughout Australia and New Zealand. In addition, Europcar will become the preferred supplier for Live Nation’s vehicle hire.

As part of the partnership, customers of Europcar will gain access to an exciting suite of Live Nation benefits including exclusive content, ‘Money Can’t Buy’ experiences and VIP ticketing to Live Nation events. Additional benefits will also be available to Europcar Privilege members.

Michael Coppel, president and CEO of Live Nation Australia and New Zealand, said: “We welcome Europcar to the family of brand partners and look forward to working with them on enhancing their customer value proposition and loyalty program. Live Nation’s 2015 calendar of events is truly exciting for our brand partners as we continue to provide the best all-round entertainment offering for a select group of exclusive partners.”

Ron Santiago , managing director of Europcar Australia and New Zealand, said: “This relationship is highly valuable to Europcar customers, our Privilege members and Live Nation ticket holders. Travel and live events belong together, and we want to ensure these special experiences are memorable. Because of this, Live Nation ticket holders will have access to exclusive Europcar car rental offers and enjoy the convenience of booking their car of choice to get to their live event of choice.”

Europcar joins Qantas, Spark, Rdio and NSW Health, plus international partners American Express and Hilton Hotels and Resorts, as current Live Nation Brand Partners.

Live Nation’s partnership with Europcar is one of a limited number of exclusive brand partnerships Live Nation Australia and New Zealand will enter.

The partnership was brokered by Sydney-based entertainment partnerships agency mixitup Australia, a Live Nation Australia and New Zealand joint-venture company.

Greg Segal , managing director of mixitup, said: “Live Nation continues to provide benefits that excite and motivate new and existing customers with truly unique opportunities that can be tailored to various objectives. We look forward to working closely with Europcar over the course of our partnership to continue to evolve their loyalty and rewards programs with truly unique opportunities.”

About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

About Europcar Australia and New Zealand:
Europcar is one of the leading mobility players in Europe. Present in 145 countries, the group provides customers with one of the largest vehicle rental networks through its own operators, franchisees and partnerships. Europcar operates worldwide its own brands Europcar® and InterRent, which is its low cost brand. The group puts customers at the heart of its mission whether it is innovation or service. All the employees of the group are committed to delivering customer satisfaction. Europcar is actively promoting Corporate and Environmental social responsibility. Europcar has been awarded again in 2013 for the 5th consecutive year, by the World Travel Awards. Europcar is owned by Eurazeo, one of the leading listed investment companies in Europe. In Australia and New Zealand, Europcar is one of the most popular providers of car rental services, operating a large fleet of quality vehicles across a network of more than 123 locations in Australia and 19 locations in New Zealand. Visit: www.europcar.com.au or www.europcar.co.nz

About mixitup:
mixitup is Australia’s leading brand entertainment agency, working across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Established in 2006, mixitup creates and exclusively represents cultural assets, connecting customer centric brands to game changing content and experiences. For additional information, visit: www.mixitup.com.au

Beverly Hills, Calif., – A secret agent mouse, a cyborg detective, crazy outback animals, and a group of kids who run a toy company, are just a few of the adventurous and funny characters joining the world’s leading Internet TV network beginning this year. Working with award-winning global partners, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is adding five new animated and live-action comedy series to its already broad selection of high-quality kids and family entertainment.

“We’ve seen great characters and rich storytelling work for a global audience time and time again,” said Erik Barmack, Vice President of Global Independent Content. “That’s why we’re proud to be working with some of the industry’s best producers and animators on these shows and we can’t wait for kids and families all over the world to get to know these stories.”

Danger Mouse – Spring 2016
The world’s greatest superspy, Danger Mouse, returns in dashing, globe-spanning style with a new animated series that features all the classic characters, catchphrases and comedy that made it an 80’s cult favorite. With the world once more teetering on the edge of disaster, the small but heroic secret agent is back to thrill a whole new generation of fans as he attempts to overthrow a host of villainous rivals with the help of hapless hamster Penfold and a collection of state-of-the-art gadgetry and vehicles. Originally a loose parody of British spy fiction, this new Danger Mouse series will feature British actor and comedian, Stephen Fry, as Colonel K. Netflix will premiere the show in North America, Latin America, Nordics, Benelux and Japan with all other Netflix territories launching at a later date.

Inspector Gadget – March 2015
Everyone’s favorite bumbling bionic detective, Inspector Gadget, is back in an all new CGI animated series. Dr. Claw has reactivated his global crime syndicate MAD and Inspector Gadget must stop him! Backed up by his niece, Penny, her dog Brain, and an arsenal of high-tech gadgetry, the lovable Gadget fights crime as only he can. The 26-episode series, produced by DHX Media (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), premieres exclusively in the U.S. on Netflix this March and will join the service at a later date in Latin America, the U.K., Ireland, Benelux, France and the Nordics – after the initial broadcast in each country.

Some Assembly Required – Summer 2015
As the new owner of Knickknack Toys, fourteen-year old Jarvis Raines hires a group of friends from school to help him create awesome new toys. Following the teens’ comedic day-to-day adventures, this live-action series created by Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) and produced by Thunderbird Films, stars Young Artist Awards nominee, Kolton Stewart, and 2015 Canadian Screen Awards nominee, Charlie Storwick. Netflix will premiere the series in all Netflix territories this year, except in Canada, where it is currently the #1 show on YTV.

Bottersnikes & Gumbles – Spring 2016
Bottersnikes & Gumbles is a fast-paced community comedy series that follows the adventures of three young Gumbles -Tink, Bounce and Willi – as they bounce about and play while avoiding getting tin-canned by their lazy and grumpy neighbors, the Bottersnikes. Developed and adapted from the much loved Bottersnikes & Gumbles books, this new CGI-animated series is created by Cheeky Little, Mighty Nice and CAKE and co-commissioned by Netflix, BBC and Channel 7 Australia. The first 13 episode season will debut exclusively on Netflix around the world in 2016, with the UK and Australia launching at a later date.

In addition, SUPER 4, a brand new CGI animated series inspired by PLAYMOBIL®, makes its U.S. premiere in April exclusively on Netflix. SUPER 4 follows four main characters—Alex the Knight, Ruby the Pirate, Agent Gene, and Twinkle the Fairy— as they explore the distinct islands of their planet, fight bad guys, and have fun along the way.

In 2011, Netflix launched a dedicated section for kids under 12 years old featuring TV shows and movies from great partners like PBS, Disney Channel, DreamWorks, Cartoon Network, Mattel, Hasbro, Lego and Scholastic, all in a commercial free environment. In 2012, Netflix and the Walt Disney Company signed an industry-first agreement making Netflix the Pay TV home of all live action and animated feature films released by Disney theatrically beginning in 2016. Additionally, all DreamWorks feature films are now available on Netflix in the Pay TV window. And DreamWorks is creating 300 hours of original kids shows exclusively for Netflix, including Turbo F.A.S.T., All Hail King Julien, Puss In Boots, Dragons and DinoTrux.

The dedicated section for kids is available across a broad range of devices including PCs and Macs, iPads, game consoles, streaming devices and smart TVs. Members are provided a kids profile upon sign up and can customize additional profiles for their kids. The kids experience features a character bar where you can find a deep selection of great TV shows and movies featuring that character. Kids, parents and caregivers will also be able to scan through row after row of movies and TV shows organized by easy-to-understand genres like superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs and girl power, featuring clear and simple descriptions of the plot of each title.

For more information visit pr.netflix.com.

About Netflix
Netflix is the World’s leading Internet television network with over 57 million members in nearly 50 countries enjoying more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series, documentaries, and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause, and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Feb 23, 2015. After a strong 2014 season, Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion, kicks off the 2015 with his first ever Daytona 500 victory. With Shell technology under the hood, the win at the Daytona International Speedway is the first 2015 points race victory for the Shell-Pennzoil team.

“That feeling of winning the Daytona 500, I can’t explain how cool this is, said Logano. “I said in an interview that this was our worst race track last year and we worked really hard to figure out how we could get better at it and all the hard work got us the win today.”

“We are honored to be part of the winning tradition with Team Penske and couldn’t be more thrilled that our lubricants technology helped Joey take home his first win of 2015. Throughout the season, Shell and Pennzoil scientists will work closely with Team Penske to develop bespoke racing oil formulations to help maximize performance and engine reliability,” said Paul Bogers, General Manager of Lubricants Technology for Pennzoil. “But, what’s even more exciting is that our work at the track and the knowledge we gain is used to develop the next generation of high quality products for our customers.”

Shell and Pennzoil® scientists, with the help of Team Penske, use the extreme test bed of the NASCAR track to optimize the special formulation of Pennzoil racing oil that Logano uses in the No. 22 Pennzoil Platinum Ford Fusion.

The Pennzoil race oil in the No. 22 car is formulated using PurePlus™ Technology, a unique process that converts pure natural gas into a first-of-its-kind, high quality full synthetic base oil. This pure, clear PurePlus™ base oil has fewer of the impurities found in crude oil, allowing it to fully enhance the benefits of the additives in Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ Full Synthetic motor oils. In addition to blending a unique formulation for the Ford engine from week to week, Shell and Pennzoil scientists also tailor high performance lubricants for the Team Penske gearbox.

“The relationship that Team Penske has with Shell and Pennzoil goes beyond a sponsorship. With their world-class knowledge and technical leadership, we are able to customize the racing motor oil which helps us to optimize the performance, efficiency, and engine reliability giving us an edge on race day. We know that our work with Shell and Pennzoil scientists to develop racing motor oils gives us a unique advantage at the track and was a part of the win for Logano at the Daytona 500.” said Travis Geisler, Director of Competition at Team Penske.

The Tradition Continues….When Logano Wins, Shell Customers Save on WINsday

Shell has a long tradition of taking our learnings from the track and transferring that to our high quality consumer products, but that’s not the end of how consumers benefit from our involvement in motorsports. Shell $aver Cardholders also benefit every time Logano wins a points race. Every time Joey Logano wins a points race, such as this one, Shell $aver Cardholders win by receiving a savings of 22 cents per gallon* on any grade of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline or Shell Diesel the Wednesday after the race **- also known as WINsday!

There are 35 more points races remaining in the 2015 season, giving existing and new Shell Saver Cardholders 35 more chances to save.

For more information about the Shell-Pennzoil sponsorship, visit www.shell.us/racing. For more information about Pennzoil motor oil formulations, visit www.Pennzoil.com. For more information about WINsdays, visit www.shell.us/winsday. For more information about Team Penske, visit www.penskeracing.com.

* Shell Saver Card fuel savings will be reflected in your bank account statement. Fuel savings are limited to 25 gallons or limits placed by Shell and/or limits placed on your payment card by your financial institution, each of which may be lower. At participating stations only.

** If a points race ends later than a Monday, the savings are available two days after the win. (For example, if Joey wins a race on a Tuesday, the 22 cents per gallon savings will occur on Thursday).

About Shell and Pennzoil

Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with 93,000 employees in more than 90 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 22,000 people using technology and innovation to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. The Shell downstream organization manages a portfolio of top-quality brands, including Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum™ Full Synthetic motor oils with revolutionary PurePlus™ Technology and the No. 1 selling gasoline, Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines and premium gasoline, Shell V-Power®.

Shell’s motorsports technical alliances around the world provide a testing ground for fuel and lubricant technologies and products in demanding road conditions. The knowledge Shell and Pennzoil gain through these alliances help address tomorrow’s world mobility energy challenge with efficient solutions that power and protect motorists around the globe. http://www.shell.com http://www.pennzoil.com

About the Shell Saver Card®
The Shell Saver Card is a non-credit payment product exclusive to Shell that links directly to cardholders’ checking accounts and offers savings at the pump. While Shell Saver Card earnings apply only to gasoline and diesel purchases, the card can be used for any purchases at Shell-branded stations except lottery tickets. Through Telecheck® and the use of personal PIN numbers, the Shell Saver Card offers safety mechanisms that enhance consumer security. Since the Shell Saver Card directly links to a checking account, applying for the card does not affect consumer credit scores, nor are there any application or annual fees.

The Shell Saver Card makes organizing family budgets easier by using one card that lists all Shell fuel purchases and offers cardholders earnings every time it is used, allowing consumers to get the most out of every drop of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines.

From gasoline cards to credit cards, the Shell Family of Cards addresses the diverse financial needs of today’s consumers with a range of payment options. For more information about the Shell Saver Card and the Shell Family of Cards or to apply instantly, visit www.shell.us/cards.

About Penske Racing
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 364 major race wins, 423 pole positions and 24 National Championships, including the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. The team has also earned a record 15 Indianapolis 500 victories in its storied history. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.

Burbank, CA – Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ Oscar-nominated blockbuster “American Sniper” continues to make cinema history, crossing $300 million at the domestic box office today. The announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, “American Sniper” has continued to fill conventional and IMAX theatres nationwide. It is now the top-grossing war movie of all time, Bradley Cooper’s biggest live-action feature ever, and the second-highest-grossing R-rated drama ever. In addition, it is the first Warner Bros. non-franchise film, only the seventh Warner Bros. release of any kind, and one of only 50 films in cinema history to achieve this milestone domestically.

In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “This is another extraordinary benchmark for an extraordinary film. Rarely does a film come along that strikes such an emotional and thought-provoking chord with such a wide audience. Congratulations to Clint Eastwood and everyone involved in ‘American Sniper’ on the film’s huge success, both at the box office and in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.”

“American Sniper is also showing strength overseas. With just 40% of international markets launched to date, the film has grossed an impressive $85.7 million, with many major territories prepping to release next week, including France, Spain, Japan, Brazil and Mexico.

Eastwood directed “American Sniper” from a screenplay written by Jason Hall, based on the book by Chris Kyle, with Jim DeFelice and Scott McEwen. Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller star in the film, produced by Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Cooper and Peter Morgan. Tim Moore, Jason Hall, Sheroum Kim, Steven Mnuchin and Bruce Berman served as executive producers.

“American Sniper” has earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Cooper), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Jason Hall). In addition, Eastwood was honored by his peers with his fourth Directors Guild of America Award nomination and also won the National Board of Review Award for Best Director. The film’s other honors include a Producers Guild of America Award nomination, a Writers Guild of America Award nomination, and a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Mad Chance Production, A 22nd & Indiana Production, “American Sniper.” The film is being distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. “American Sniper” has been rated R for strong and disturbing war violence and language throughout, including some sexual references. americansnipermovie.com

The sweet and tart flavor fusion of the treat known as SweeTARTS will debut the all-new SweeTARTS® Ropes in a celebrity dating show hosted by actress Shay Mitchell. The ‘Get Roped In’ Dating Show is a one-of-a-kind, live dating experience, with fun and flirty challenges made especially for millennials used to finding connections online with just the swipe of a finger. Now, with SweeTARTS they will have the opportunity to enter the dating world offline where they will balance, dance, roll, and flirt their way to sparking a connection.

The ‘Get Roped In’ Dating Show involves three digital celebrities as contestants including Ryan Tellez of The Warp Zone, Meghan Rienks and Catherine Valdes of Catrific. Some of their biggest fans will try to spark a connection with these online personalities through a series of challenges involving SweeTARTS Ropes. Unique tests will require creative skill, ample coordination, and lip service. Winners will join their YouTube stars on a group date following the show.

“New SweeTARTS Ropes features an electrifying flavor that tastes absolutely amazing,” said actress and longtime brand fan Shay Mitchell. “I love the unexpected flavor burst of SweeTARTS Ropes, and with the ‘Get Roped In’ Dating Show, we’re showing everyone new ways to flirt and make bold connections around Valentine’s Day.”

“SweeTARTS is redefining flavor with the electrifying sweet and tart taste of SweeTARTS Ropes,” said Daniela Simpson, SweeTARTS brand manager. “Inspired by this spark of bold flavor we created a one-of-a-kind dating experience timed to Valentine’s Day to spark fun and flirty connections between fans and their favorite YouTube stars. Our goal is to turn every moment into a spark of possibility that connects people together.”

SweeTARTS Ropes is the first of its kind, licorice-style candy with an electrifying flavor and a soft texture. Sold in single and shareable packages, SweeTARTS Ropes will be available in an explosive cherry flavor with punch-flavored filling for a soft, chewy treat.

SweeTARTS Ropes is now available in candy aisles of major retail stores nationwide. For more information about SweeTARTS Ropes and the SweeTARTS collection of products follow us on Twitter @SweeTARTSCandy and Tumblr #GetRopedIn #SweeTARTS.

About Nestlé USA
Named one of “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for seventeen consecutive years, Nestlé provides quality brands that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine® to baking traditions with Nestlé® Toll House®, Nestlé USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that make good living possible. That’s what “Nestlé. Good Food, Good Life” is all about. Well-known Nestlé USA brands include: Nestlé® Toll House®, Nestlé® Nesquik®, Nestlé ® Coffee-mate®, Stouffer’s®, Lean Cuisine®, HOT POCKETS® and LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches, Nescafé® and NESCAFé CLASICO ™, Buitoni®, SKINNY COW®, DREYER’S/EDY’S®, Nestlé ® Crunch®, Nestlé® Butterfinger®, Wonka® and DIGIORNO®. Nestlé USA, with 2013 sales of $10 billion, is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2013 sales of $99 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.

New York, – Comedy Central today has launched Discover Comedy Central on Snapchat as one of eleven select media partners, and the only comedy brand, at the launch of Snapchat’s Discover. Discover Comedy Central on Snapchat will provide a new avenue to be creative, build the Comedy Central brand, and reach new audiences by telling and sharing stories on a daily basis.

“Discover Comedy Central on Snapchat provides Snapchat’s audience with a window into the best Comedy Central programming every day. It is another example of how we give new and existing fans the ability to access our premium content wherever and whenever they want it,” said Michele Ganeless, president, Comedy Central.

Discover Comedy Central on Snapchat will provide five-six stories for each new edition, curated and produced by Comedy Central’s editorial team and updated daily. Stories will be created from existing franchises of the #1 brand in comedy including late-night series “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore,” and “@midnight with Chris Hardwick,” along with primetime series such as “Broad City,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Key & Peele,” “Kroll Show,” “Workaholics,” and more.

This new platform for Comedy Central solidifies its place as the leading comedy brand in digital where it boasts over 140 million fans for its collective franchises across digital and social platforms, with fans engagement registering over one million engagements on average per month.

Available on-air, online and on-the-go, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB). For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Comedy Central’s press Web site at press.cc.com and follow us on Twitter @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.

Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, apps, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 160 countries and territories. Viacom’s media networks, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr.,TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach approximately 700 million television subscribers worldwide. Paramount Pictures, America’s oldest film studio, is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

New York, NY – iHeartMedia, the media and entertainment company with the largest reach of any radio or TV outlet in America, announced today the launch of “iHeartMedia SoundBoard,” a one-of-a-kind audio-centric branded entertainment studio. iHeartMedia SoundBoard will invite brands to collaborate with iHeartMedia’s portfolio of talent and personalities to produce original long and short-form audio, video and experiential content that moves seamlessly across radio, apps, and events, creating the next generation of brand storytelling.

iHeartMedia SoundBoard productions will each be designed from the ground up, uniquely pairing the right brands, creators and talent to tell stories in new ways designed to take particular advantage of the power of audio to engage, entertain and capture the imagination.

“As the number one creators of live, daily content, brands have been asking us for more ability to craft original stories that leverage the power of sound to reach consumers when they’re ready to be entertained,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia. “We’re launching the first branded audio studio for the digital era to prove the power of radio, the power of live content, and the power of cross-platform programming designed for a media world without walls.”

Pittman continued, “No one but iHeartMedia has the arsenal of talent, experience and cross-platform audiences that we can deliver to brands. The key to iHeartMedia SoundBoard’s success will be our ability to collaborate and scale successful programming immediately from online to radio to mobile, social and our 20,000 live events.”

iHeartMedia will tap its amazing network of on-air personalities, from national names like Ryan Seacrest and Elvis Duran, to the many local personalities who resonate in their communities — and its unique access to the most innovative thinkers in music and entertainment — to develop new original productions that combine the power of live radio with richer storytelling across platforms.

“Brands are recognizing the power of radio to tell stories in uniquely powerful and immediate ways,” said Ryan Seacrest, host and producer of iHeartMedia’s local and nationally syndicated radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest. “With the new iHeartMedia SoundBoard team, I know we can develop original audio programming that captures the attention of consumers in new ways, because it’s made for the medium and the moment.”

iHeartMedia SoundBoard, available to iHeartMedia’s largest advertising and marketing partners, will also bring brands together with some of the most innovative thinkers in music and entertainment, like Oscar-winning actor, singer, songwriter and director Jared Leto, who will be an iHeartMedia SoundBoard collaborator.

“This is about making something entirely new, so let’s be bold, break some rules and make something that challenges us, in all the right ways,” said Jared Leto.

The new iHeartMedia SoundBoard Studio will be led by John Sykes, President of iHeartMedia’s Entertainment Enterprises Group, a media pioneer who helped to create record-setting events like the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Awards, served as a member of MTV’s original start-up team and President of VH1, and is a former record label President, music publishing executive and artist manager; Gayle Troberman, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer of iHeartMedia, a former advertising agency executive who founded the web’s first branded entertainment capability at MSN; and Vanessa Adamo, Senior Vice President of Entertainment Enterprises and former branded entertainment executive at Starcom MediaVest Group’s Liquid Thread. Together, they bring decades of experience producing original content for TV, radio and the web as well as launching some of the fastest-growing live event franchises in history.

“With a monthly reach of 245 million consumers and our unmatched connection with talent, we have an exciting opportunity to engage consumers on all platforms, capturing the personal intimacy of one on one storytelling,” said Sykes.

Added Troberman, “We cannot wait to hear what kind of sounds and stories will emerge when we get the most creative minds in advertising and entertainment riffing together. In media terms, we believe eardrums are the new eyeballs and brands that win with sound, will win.”
About iHeartMedia
With 245 million monthly listeners in the U.S., 97 million monthly digital uniques and 196 million monthly consumers of its Total Traffic and Weather Network, iHeartMedia has the largest reach of any radio or television outlet in America. It serves over 150 markets through 858 owned radio stations, and the company’s radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company’s radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on tablets and smartphones, and on gaming consoles.

iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s digital radio platform, is the No. 1 all-in-one digital audio service with over 500 million downloads; it reached its first 20 million registered users faster than any digital service in Internet history and reached 50 million users faster than any digital music service and even faster than Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. The company’s operations include radio broadcasting, online, mobile, digital and social media, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation.

The March 29, 2015 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will host its seventh annual Elite Club 8K Competition, featuring men’s and women’s USATF-member racing teams from across the country vying for a $20,000 prize purse.

Last year’s competition attracted more than 200 national and local elite runners from nine states and more than 40 clubs.

For the third year in a row, runners from the Michigan-based Hansons-Brooks Distance Project won both the men’s and women’s elite individual titles, but the Playmakers Elite from Lansing, Mich., stole the show on the men’s side, outpacing a competitive field and winning the team title. The Hansons-Brooks Distance project captured the women’s title, led by overall first-place finisher, Katie Kellner.

“The Elite Club Competition continues the event’s tradition of hosting some of the nation’s best runners on the flat and fast streets of downtown Chicago,” said Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “Hosting the Club Competition gives us a unique opportunity to foster a competitive spirit among our top runners, and to thank our national running clubs for supporting the development of U.S. distance runners. Our clubs do so much in the running community at both the elite and non-elite levels, and it is important that they continue to thrive.”

The Elite Club 8K Competition is open to all USATF-member running clubs whose members meet the event-required qualifying standards. For qualifying standards, event information and registration details, visit http://www.shamrockshuffle.com/eliteclub.

The return of the “green guys and green girl”
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K is widely recognized as Chicago’s classic kickoff to a new spring running season, and a way to keep the St. Patrick’s Day spirit alive. It’s considered a 4.97-mile celebratory event through the city’s Loop for runners of all abilities – from the elite athlete to the recreational runner – to gather as one united community.

The return of the “green guys and green girl” will capture the fun, festive atmosphere of that the Shamrock Shuffle has evoked for 36 years: celebrating the “heart and sole” of running while having a good time.

The “green guys” debuted at the Shamrock Shuffle in 2008. The original two members, John Atchison and Ryan Giuliano, painted themselves green from head to toe, donning fancy green wigs and a pair of race shorts. Spectators and runners repeatedly referred to them as the “green guys” and the name stuck. Over the past seven years, they have become synonymous with the Shamrock Shuffle, and this year’s crew will consist of one original member, John Atchison, Atchison’s fiancée – the first ever “green girl” – Brittany Sorensen, and Oscar Muñoz and R.J. Puoci.

Atchison, 30, a physical education teacher at James Otis Elementary School in Chicago, believes that the green guys and green girl embody the camaraderie and fun of Chicago’s running community.

“All of us realize that runners are a completely different breed of human,” he said. “No matter if they are racing competitively or helping someone get in shape, they are the nicest community I have ever been a part of. I like running PRs, but for the Shuffle, I wave my arms in the air to get people cheering. We find the fun in running.”

About the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
Long recognized as an annual rite of spring, a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the kickoff to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the 36th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K takes runners on a scenic tour of downtown Chicago, starting and finishing in Grant Park. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, and will conclude with live music at the traditional Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of the event, the two-day Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Health & Fitness Expo will take place at McCormick Place on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28, featuring more than 80 industry-related exhibitors. The Health & Fitness Expo is free and open to the public. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to www.shamrockshuffle.com.

NEW YORK- Nickelodeon announced today the kickoff of its 2015 Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack kindergarten readiness initiative geared to help parents and caregivers prepare their preschoolers for academic success. The campaign features Tia Mowry-Hardrict (Instant Mom) starring alongside beloved preschool characters, including Dora, Wally and Blaze in a PSA series airing across Nickelodeon’s TV and digital platforms. The campaign also includes: an advisory committee comprised of leaders in children’s education who are lending their expertise to Beyond the Backpack; a dedicated web site resource; bilingual (English/Spanish) educational materials; and a parent-targeted mobile program providing weekly tips and information. Every campaign element focuses on five key areas deemed critical to educational achievement: family engagement; health and wellness; early literacy; social and emotional development; and fundamental STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills.

Nickelodeon has also partnered with an advisory committee of dedicated educators and children’s advocates to create, distribute and promote Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack-branded resources. Organizations include: Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), Boston Children’s Museum, Children’s Defense Fund, Common Sense Media, Jumpstart, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), National Head Start Association, National Parent Teacher Association, Reach Out and Read and Too Small to Fail.

“Our goal with Nick Jr.’s Beyond the Backpack, along with our partners, is to provide parents and caregivers with the information and resources they need to prepare their preschoolers for those important first steps toward formal education,” said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public, Affairs, Nickelodeon Group. “Family engagement plays a crucial role in providing a solid foundation for young children to help ensure they not only succeed in school, but thrive.”

“Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack provides parents, who may not know where to start, with a customized learning plan from experts in the field of early childhood education, that will provide a solid foundation for preschoolers preparing to attend kindergarten,” said Mowry-Hardrict. “As a mom of a preschooler, I am thrilled to partner with Nickelodeon on such an important issue.”

Throughout the year, Mowry-Hardrict will be featured in PSAs alongside the most popular characters from Nick’s hit preschool series, including Dora the Explorer, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Wallykazam! and PAW Patrol. The spots, airing across Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and on the Beyond the Backpack site (www.beyondthebackpack.com), are designed to raise awareness of the important role early preparedness plays in the success of preschoolers entering kindergarten.

Originally founded in 2010 as a part of the 10th anniversary of the curriculum-driven preschool hit Dora the Explorer, the 2015 Beyond the Backpack initiative has expanded to include a broad range of educational and socio-emotional topics using the network’s stable of hit preschool programs and characters, including Wallykazam!, which features a literacy curriculum; Team Umizoomi, which combines action-adventure with an interactive math curriculum; Bubble Guppies, which features core elements of kindergarten readiness including math, literacy, the arts, science and socio-emotional development; Peter Rabbit, which encourages problem-solving and interpersonal skills; PAW Patrol, which focuses on social skills and problem-solving; and Blaze and the Monster Machines, which comprehensively covers all areas of STEM in every episode.

The elements of the 2015 Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack campaign include:

A SMS text program – Beginning today parents can opt-in to “Beyond the Backpack On-the-Go” to get weekly activities and tips to make learning more fun for their preschoolers. Parents and caregivers can sign up by texting “BACKPACK” to 91757.

A dedicated website – Parents and caregivers looking for more information can also visit www.beyondthebackpack.com, where they can take a quiz that when completed provides access to a customized learning plan, educational games, interactive videos and printable activities for their preschoolers.

Beyond the Backpack Toolkit – A bilingual kindergarten readiness guide that features a checklist to help parents ensure their preschoolers have the appropriate developmental skills necessary to be successful in school, as well as interactive and skill building activities that can help kids meet necessary milestones.

Kindergarten Readiness Block Party – In March Tia Mowry-Hardrict is teaming up with Nickelodeon and the Compton Unified School District in Compton, Calif. for a kindergarten readiness and registration event, featuring fun and educational activities, Nick Jr. costume characters and more.

Additional Beyond the Backpack events – will be scheduled throughout the year. Visit www.beyondthebackpack.com for more information.

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 more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 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, VIAB).

PAWTUCKET, R.I.- TRANSFORMERS fans around the world are invited to help create a new character for the popular TRANSFORMERS brand — but not just any character. Following on the heels of the 30th anniversary “Fan Built Bot” poll, which led to the fan-assisted creation of the popular new AUTOBOT character, WINDBLADE, Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is launching the new “Fan Built Combiner” poll. This crowdsourcing project seeks fan input to create a new team of TRANSFORMERS robots that combine into one giant new character in celebration of the theme of the 2015 TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS line, COMBINER WARS!

As of Thursday, January 22, 2015, the official TRANSFORMERS brand app (formerly the official TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION app) has been updated and fans are able to log-in and answer a round of questions to help shape the identity of the new Combiner characters. The Fan Built Combiner poll will allow fans to determine everything from the types of vehicles involved, to whether the characters will be AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS, and eventually the name of the new character. Voting for each round will be open for one week, after which the results will be announced and a new round of voting will begin the following week, with three rounds of questions in all. A full reveal of the new Fan Built Combiner is expected later this year, with the character available as a toy in 2016.

“The first ‘Fan Built Bot’ effort was massive, resulting in the creation of WINDBLADE who has her own widely popular comic series from IDW Publishing and toy product,” said Tom Warner, senior vice president of the TRANSFORMERS franchise at Hasbro. “With the TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS: COMBINER WARS line celebrating the venerable COMBINER characters from throughout TRANSFORMERS history this year, this is the perfect time to let fans help create something even bigger than a new TRANSFORMERS character — a Combiner team that will become part of TRANSFORMERS lore.”

The new “Fan Built Combiner” character will be part of the TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS: COMBINER WARS toy line. Like all the toys in the line, which debut in stores this month, the new Combiner figure will be able to mix-and-match limbs with other figures in the line so kids and fans can create their own custom TRANSFORMERS COMBINERS figures.

To participate in the vote, fans will need to download the free official TRANSFORMERS brand app on iOS [http://hasb.ro/TF4APAIT514] and Android [http://hasb.ro/TF4APAS514]. Starting with the Fan Built Combiner update on January 22, the refreshed app will become the premiere destination for TRANSFORMERS fans and will feature first-look and behind-the-scenes images and information on new TRANSFORMERS: GENERATIONS toys. Additional information is available at TRANSFORMERS.COM as well as the official TRANSFORMERS Facebook page at Facebook.com/Transformers.

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 180 territories around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.” Learn more at www.hasbro.com.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.- Paramount Pictures today announced that Google will sponsor a screening of the Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe-winning film “SELMA” for students, teachers and administrators at Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) at BAM Rose Cinemas on Friday, January 23rd.

The sponsorship marks the first time since the inception of the nationwide Selma for Students program that a company has provided the funds for an entire school to see the film. Nearly 500 students and staff at the STEM high school in Brooklyn will experience the film due to the contributions of Google and the support of software company Infor and Paramount Pictures.

“As the Founding Principal of P-TECH and as a proud Morehouse College graduate, I am thrilled that our most famous alum, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is at the center of the film ‘Selma,’ and I commend P-TECH teacher Zakiyyah Ali for her efforts in helping to make the ‘Selma’ experience a reality,” said Rashid Ferrod Davis, Founding Principal (P-TECH). “We are grateful for the generosity of Google, Paramount Pictures and the others who are making it possible for our entire student population, faculty and staff to see ‘Selma.’ Our Brooklyn students are pioneering a movement and the collective experience of seeing the film will be powerful and empowering for all of us.”

“It is imperative for me to keep alive the stories about how African-Americans have dealt with struggle and resistance to injustice. It is equally important for my students to see that activism is selfless work. As our students live in an age of activism, ‘SELMA’ and the digital technology used to make the film provide them with a visual blueprint on how generational cooperation works for the good of all people. At one point in time, our pioneers could only record their histories through griots with limited reach. Today, technology allows these heroic stories to be told in ways in which the reach is nearly endless,” said P-TECH history teacher Zakiyyah Ali, whose desire to bring “SELMA” to her students led to the partnership with Google.

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) is a new type of school (grades 9 through 14) that brings together the best elements of high school, college (New York City College of Technology) and the professional world (IBM). P-TECH enables students to begin their college and professional lives more quickly and with more support than the typical school-to-work pathway. Graduates of P-TECH have the opportunity to earn an associate in applied science degree and leave the school with the skills and knowledge they need in order to continue their studies or step seamlessly into competitive jobs in the Information Technology (IT) industry.

President Obama, Secretary Duncan and other dignitaries visited P-TECH in Fall 2013 in praise of its curriculum and model, which has been replicated. P-TECH offers college-level courses in math and science and offers students a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree in computer systems or electromechanical engineering.

The Selma for Students program has grown steadily since its launch in New York City on January 8th. To date, African-American business leaders in 32 locations across the U.S. have raised funds for free admission for middle and high school students to see “SELMA.” More than 300,000 students nationwide will experience the critically acclaimed film for free.

Due to the program’s popularity and the ongoing efforts of the organizers, student tickets in Boston, Detroit, New York and Northern New Jersey are sold out. Philadelphia expanded its program and added 3,000 more tickets to meet the overwhelming demand, while the business leaders in Northern New Jersey raised additional funds to send 1,000 students in Trenton to see the film.

Viacom’s Paramount Pictures, which is distributing “SELMA,” is coordinating the programs with participating theaters in the U.S. For a list of participating theaters in select cities offering free admission to students during this program and for information on group sales, visit www.SelmaMovie.com/studenttickets

Middle and high school students who present a current student ID or report card at the box office of any participating theater will receive free admission while tickets last.

To help get the word out about the program, tweet using the hashtag #SelmaForStudents.

Directed by DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., “SELMA” is nominated for Academy Awards® for Best Picture and Best Original Song for “Glory” by Common & John Legend. The film earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Song for “Glory” and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

Paramount Pictures, Pathé, and Harpo Films present “SELMA.” Produced by Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey, the film is executive produced by Brad Pitt, Cameron McCracken, Diarmuid McKeown, Nik Bower, Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes and Nan Morales. The film is written by Paul Webb. “SELMA” is directed by Ava DuVernay.

“SELMA” is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s “SELMA” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history. The film also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Common, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, with Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey as “Annie Lee Cooper.”

“SELMA” is playing in theaters nationwide. To learn more about the film, go to http://www.selmamovie.com

About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.