Acquity Group Wins an Interactive Media Award for Outstanding Achievement with ZICO. com Redesign

Acquity Group Wins an Interactive Media Award for Outstanding Achievement with ZICO. com Redesign

The IMA recognizes Acquity Group's re-launch of ZICO. com with their second-highest honor.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 12, 2009

Acquity Group, a leading services firm that focuses on digital solutions, has been named the recipient of an Interactive Media Award (IMA) for Outstanding Achievement in the design and development of ZICO. com.

Each year the IMA's, created by the Interactive Media Council, Inc., recognizes individuals and companies for their success in web site design and development. With a total of 73 entries for the Food & Beverage category for the 2008 award year, Acquity Group's work on ZICO. com was named one of the best.

"The Outstanding Achievement award is the second highest honor bestowed by IMA and an extremely challenging award to win," said Aaron Warner, of IMA's Nominations Support Services. "The web site has excelled in all areas of our judging criteria and represents a very high standard of planning, execution and overall professionalism."

ZICO, a company that specializes in 100 percent pure coconut water, desired a powerfully branded, user-friendly web site to support its growing national exposure as a provider of a healthy, replenishing drink with natural ingredients. Acquity Group worked with ZICO to provide enhanced brand identity and improved navigation to its existing site, also incorporating social media and email to extend its communicative abilities.

Judging was based on a points system that comprehensively evaluated the design, content, feature functionality, usability, and standards compliance & cross-browser compatibility of the web site.

Recognized sites had to have a well-developed design that relayed the site purpose and message through color, space, graphics and layout. Content needed to be presented in an "appealing and engaging way and show clear relevance to their target audience," while all code, links and scripts had to function appropriately. Information had to be easy to find, with defined links and a smooth navigation. Cross-platform designs were also required, which allow for site compatibility with each type of browser.

"Our team took the time to thoroughly understand the ZICO brand's DNA, constituents, and audience," said Acquity Group CEO Chris Dalton. "The research enabled us to develop a compelling and highly branded visual design. We also incorporated a User Experience and Architecture track to help improve the web site's user functionality. I'm thrilled the IMA recognizes ZICO. com as having all the essential qualities of an exceptional web site. It further validates our expertise in the digital space."

Visit the award-winning web site at www. ZICO. com.

About the Interactive Media Awards:
The Interactive Media Awards™ recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement.

Created by the Interactive Media Council, Inc. (IMC), a nonprofit organization of leading web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other web-related professionals, the competition is designed to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet and offer winners a boost in marketing and exposure. IMC serves as the primary sponsor and governing body of the Interactive Media Awards, establishes the judging system and provides the judges for the competition. Visit http://www. interactivemediaawards. com/ (http://www. interactivemediaawards. com/) for more information.

About Acquity Group:
Acquity Group (http://www. acquitygroup. com) delivers award-winning, tailored solutions to elevate brands and businesses by maximizing the digital channel. Acquity Group's innovative strategy, marketing & design, IT planning, and commerce & content services are the cornerstone of effective digital communication for today's leading brands. Acquity Group is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in Irvine, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Overland Park, KS; Scottsdale, AZ; and Dallas, TX. To define a unique perspective for your business, contact Acquity Group at www. acquitygroup. com.

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New Hampshire Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Discusses Silicone Breast Implants after Breast Augmentation becomes No. 1 Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

New Hampshire Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon Discusses Silicone Breast Implants after Breast Augmentation becomes No. 1 Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

Silicone breast implants went through a long period of relative dormancy after a series of lawsuits prompted their removal from the market. Now, two years after the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved them for use in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction procedures, cosmetic plastic surgeon Richard L. Zeff, MD comments on why he feels the FDA’s decision was correct.

Stratham, NH (Vocus) April 3, 2009

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has just released a report finding that, after twelve years, breast augmentation is now the number one most-performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the U. S. Last year, more than 355,000 breast augmentations were performed, bumping liposuction to the number two spot. This trend coincides with the two-year anniversary of a decision that reshaped the field of breast surgery.

In 2006, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of silicone breast implants in breast reconstruction procedures for patients of any age, and in breast augmentation surgery for patients aged 22 and above. This significant decision came in the wake of intensive clinical trials and rigorous studies to determine the safety of silicone implants after being pulled from the market in 1991. Dr. Richard Zeff, a New Hampshire cosmetic plastic surgeon, says that since the FDA approved the implants, the public comfort level has improved dramatically. “The FDA approved gel after a 14 year moratorium during which studies compared large numbers of women who have implants with a similar group of women who do not. Because there were no significant differences in the health risks demonstrated in these extensive studies, the FDA approved the gel. I’m very comfortable with their findings.”

Dr. Zeff says he typically uses the word ‘gel’ when describing silicone breast implants to patients because saline implants, the type that were still available for use during the silicone implant moratorium, also have a silicone exterior. “That alone is often surprising to some patients. Patients are also comforted by the fact that the newer implants are ‘cohesive’ so they hold together if cut or ruptured. They might bulge, but they won’t drip or run.” The issue of implant leakage was at the heart of the silicone implant controversy. Saline implant leaks are more noticeable because the breast often takes on a deflated appearance; whereas silicone implant leaks are not as easy to detect without an MRI or an examination by the plastic surgeon. However, today’s silicone gel implants are known for their strength and durability, and Dr. Zeff says, while he always explains the intricacies of both silicone and saline implants, the controversy over silicone implants may have actually helped in making patients understand that they are indeed safe. “For some patients there is still a residual fear based on memories of the controversy rather than on the facts. I try to explain the history and the facts. I feel that the controversy was constructive because it provided the opportunity to prove scientifically that gel implants are safe.”

Dr. Zeff feels that one of the major benefits of silicone ‘gel’ implants over saline is that they have a more natural look and feel. He says that he advises each of his New Hampshire breast augmentation patients on the basis of what their ultimate goals are, and what may best suit their individual needs. “The difference between gel and saline is much more noticeable in some patients than in others. I think they look at least a little more natural than saline but still youthful or perky. They definitely feel more natural in almost all patients. I try to be as objective as possible, but with women who are very thin, I feel more strongly about the benefits of gel. In particular, the risk of visible or palpable wrinkling or rippling is less likely with gel.”

Coinciding with the new study indicating breast augmentation as the number one surgical cosmetic enhancement procedure, Dr. Zeff says he’s also seeing an uptick in the number of silicone gel procedures at his New Hampshire breast implants facility. “I have been using progressively more gel than saline implants, and I believe it’s now more than 50% gel. Part of the reason is that women have become more comfortable with gel, making it easier for me to express my preference.”

What’s more, Dr. Zeff says his patients love the results.

Dr. Richard Zeff is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the New Hampshire Medical Society, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. His office is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), and is equipped with a fully operational surgical suite.

For more information on breast surgery in New Hampshire, Dr. Richard Zeff can be reached at 137 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH 03885 - (603) 684-2339, or via his website at http://www. drrichardzeff. com.

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Centauri International Introduces PharmaLaunch(TM), a Turn-key Service for Companies entering the U. S. Generic Pharmaceutical Market

Centauri International Introduces PharmaLaunch(TM), a Turn-key Service for Companies entering the U. S. Generic Pharmaceutical Market

Centauri International, a leading pharmaceutical and medical device consulting company, has recently expanded its service offerings to include PharmaLaunch™. This new service was added to provide a turn-key solution for generic pharmaceutical companies looking to establish their first commercial operation within the U. S. Market. PharmaLaunch™ is a fully customizable service offering, which incorporates all of the necessary components to build a profitable and sustainable U. S. pharmaceutical company.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) August 19, 2010

Centauri International, a leading pharmaceutical and medical device consulting company, has recently expanded its service offerings to include PharmaLaunch™. This new service was added to provide a turn-key solution for generic pharmaceutical companies looking to establish their first commercial operation within the U. S. Market. PharmaLaunch™ is a fully customizable service offering, which incorporates all of the necessary components to build a profitable and sustainable U. S. pharmaceutical company. Centauri International’s PharmaLaunch™ includes, but is not limited to, the following key start-up services:
Business plan creation and implementation. Obtaining all of the necessary state pharmacy licenses to conduct interstate commerce. Negotiating cost savings, outsourced functions including: customer call center, financial services, IT services, post-marketing surveillance and product warehousing and distribution to allow the company to maximize growth, while controlling expenditures. Establishment of a pharmaceutical company’s presence within all U. S. group purchasing organizations, wholesalers, distributors, managed care operations; retail, long-term care and home care programs. Performing ongoing marketing and sales functions including contracting and trade relations. Identification and monitoring of new product opportunities and market segments not previously considered. Continuous monitoring of market trends, published and non-published, to ensure validity of pricing, inventory demand-pull and tracking of potential new market entrants. Sourcing and securing potential product acquisitions through business development programs. Centauri International’s PharmaLaunch™ Program will provide the company with a turn-key approach, allowing for greatly reduced financial risk and rapid revenue creation.

About Centauri International:
Centauri International specializes in helping start-up to mid-size pharmaceutical, medical products and related companies design and implement sound business strategies. Being entrepreneurial is more than a catch phrase at Centauri. Centauri International brings seasoned consultants and innovative approaches that are at the forefront of today’s healthcare industry, and can guide an operation through the challenges that they face.

Additional information is available at Centauri International’s Website at www. centauriint. com.

Media Contacts:
David Ritchie or Nick Uchyn
702/202-0546
Info(at)centauriint(dot)com

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Blue Collar Comedy’s Superstars Reunite to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary in Two New CMT Specials

Blue Collar Comedy’s Superstars Reunite to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary in Two New CMT Specials

“TRUE BLUE: TEN YEARS OF BLUE COLLAR COMEDY” and “BLUE COLLAR COMEDY: TEN YEARS OF FUNNY” Premiering Saturday, March 13 on CMT

Nashville, TN (Vocus) February 4, 2010

When Blue Collar Comedy, featuring Bill Engvall (http://www. cmt. com/artists/az/engvall_bill/artist. jhtml), Jeff Foxworthy (http://www. cmt. com/artists/az/foxworthy_jeff/artist. jhtml), Larry the Cable Guy (http://www. cmt. com/artists/az/guy_larry_the_cable/artist. jhtml) and Ron White, was born ten years ago, no one could have guessed that these four comedians were embarking on what would become one of the most successful franchises in entertainment history.

Now, ten years later, CMT celebrates the Blue Collar Comedy phenomenon with two all-new specials: the retrospective TRUE BLUE: TEN YEARS OF BLUE COLLAR COMEDY; and BLUE COLLAR COMEDY: TEN YEARS OF FUNNY, an original reunion special featuring Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy together onstage before a live audience, reflecting on their Blue Collar journey and experiences. Both specials will air back-to-back on Saturday, March 13, starting at 8:00 p. m. ET/PT as the finale of CMT BIG NEW COMEDY WEEK – a week filled with new comedy premieres that begins on Monday, March 8. Complete programming line-up to be announced.

The one-hour special, TRUE BLUE: TEN YEARS OF BLUE COLLAR COMEDY, chronicles the Blue Collar sensation – its origin, personalities, behind-the-scenes players, successes, set-backs, conflicts and triumphs – and reveals why Blue Collar Comedy has become so popular.

In BLUE COLLAR COMEDY: TEN YEARS OF FUNNY, hosted by Jaime Pressly (“My Name is Earl”), Foxworthy, Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy will reunite onstage in front of a live audience to tell it like it was. They will recall their favorite moments from the Blue Collar juggernaut, introduce and joke about their most memorable film clips from the historic Blue Collar tours, and recreate their signature finale where they improvise together onstage.

The Blue Collar Comedy franchise has sold more than nine and half million DVDs since its debut in 2003 with the release of “Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie.” The 2004 follow-up release, “Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again,” became the all-time fastest-selling stand-up comedy DVD ever with over a million units sold in its first week of release. The films also aired on Comedy Central, and became some of highest rated films in the network’s history. The comedy tour concert grossed more than 15 million dollars and not only spawned the movie franchise, but also the sketch comedy show "Blue Collar TV" which ran for several seasons on the WB. “Blue Collar Comedy Tour - One for the Road” was nominated for a 2006 Grammy award.

Bill Engvall is a multi-platinum recording artist, author and comedian. He is currently the host of the CMT series, COUNTRY FRIED HOME VIDEOS and starred in the film “Bait Shop” with Billy Ray Cyrus. He was also a star in the movie “Delta Farce” in 2007 with Larry the Cable Guy and D. J. Qualls. Prior to his big screen debut, Engvall was one of the stars of “Blue Collar TV.” Engvall's first album “Here’s Your Sign” is certified platinum, and held the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Comedy Charts for 15 weeks. As an author, the comedian has written many books including his autobiography, Bill Engvall – Just A Guy. His latest comedy special, "Aged and Confused," premiered recently on Comedy Central.

Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. He is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award-nominee and best selling author of more than 26 books. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature, a style that has been compared to Mark Twain’s. Foxworthy is currently hosting the hit show “Are Your Smarter Than A 5th Grader,” which airs in syndication and on CMT. Prior to that, he created, executive produced and starred in, “Foxworthy’s Big Night Out” and the television series, ”Blue Collar TV.”

With his signature catchphrase, “Git-R-Done”, Larry the Cable Guy continues to sell out theatres and arenas across the United States. Larry’s television specials have included “Tailgate Party” which will air on Comedy Central in January of 2010 with a DVD release to follow, and “The Comedy Central Roast of Larry The Cable Guy,” which garnered top ratings for the network. Larry has also starred in many films, including “Witless Protection,” “Delta Farce,” “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector” and he was the voice of ‘Mater’ in the Golden Globe-winning animated feature film, “Cars.” He is a platinum-selling recording artist and a two-time Grammy nominee. LARRY THE CABLE GUY'S HULA-PALOOZA CHRISTMAS LUAU, his most recent special which premiered on CMT, was recently released on DVD from Jack Records/Warner Bros. Records.

A Parallel Entertainment production, BLUE COLLAR COMEDY: TEN YEARS OF FUNNY is executive produced by JP Williams, CEO and founder of Parallel Entertainment, and Alan Blomquist. Producers are Dave Higby and Jennifer Novak. Ryan Polito directs. John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux are executive producers for CMT. Executive producers for CMT for TRUE BLUE: TEN YEARS OF BLUE COLLAR COMEDY are Lewis Bogach and John Hamlin. The special was written and produced by Shane Caldwell.

Visit CMT's press-only web site www. cmtpress. com for more information.

CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA. B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 88 million homes in the U. S. CMT and its website, CMT. com (http://www. cmt. com/), offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA. B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

Beverly Hills-based Parallel Entertainment, which was profiled by New Yorker Magazine in 2006, and featured in a 2006 “60 Minutes” profile, produces all Blue Collar Comedy projects, as well as develops, finances and produces a wide range of entertainment projects, including feature films, specials for network and cable, DVD premiere films, as well as television specials and series, such as “Larry the Cable Guy’s Hula Palooza Christmas Luau.”,“The Bill Engvall Show,”, Comedy Central Specials “Bill Engvall, Aged and Confused”, Larry the Cable Guy’s “Tailgate Party”, HBO special “Lisa Lampanelli, Long Live The Queen”, Parallel has also financed and produced the motion pictures WITLESS PROTECTION, starring Larry the Cable Guy, Jenny McCarthy, Ivana Milicevic, Yaphet Kotto, Peter Stormare, Joe Mantegna and Eric Roberts released by Lionsgate in 2008; DELTA FARCE, starring Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, and D J Qualls; and LARRY THE CABLE GUY: HEALTH INSPECTOR, starring Larry, also both distributed by Lionsgate.

PRESS CONTACT:
Cindy McLean
615-335-8404

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RTS Realtime Systems Group Retains Hire Golden as Recruitment Firm

RTS Realtime Systems Group Retains Hire Golden as Recruitment Firm

The national recruitment firm, Hire Golden, was recently awarded responsibility for sourcing, screening, and recommending candidates for all new hires in the United States for RTS Realtime Systems, the market leader in connection software for electronic trading systems around the world.

King of Prussia, PA (PRWEB) August 3, 2005 -

The national recruitment firm, Hire Golden, was recently awarded responsibility for placement of all new hires in the United States for RTS Realtime Systems, the market leader in electronic trading systems around the world. Hire Golden will source, screen, and recommend candidates for all positions, such as account managers, software engineers, and product managers. Hire Golden has already filled a number of positions for RTS.

As personnel selection counsel for RTS, Hire Golden (www. hiregolden. com) not only recruits top-performing candidates, but also protects RTS from the risk of employee turnover with their industry-first, Long-Term, No-Fault Hiring Insurance—an unconditional 36-month replacement guarantee. If one of their hires leaves the employer within 3 years, Hire Golden promptly replaces the employee at no charge—no matter what the reason. Hire Golden can back their hires with such a strong guarantee thanks to the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of their revolutionary recruitment process, a proprietary process that is the result of a major breakthrough in employment screening technology. It works equally well identifying great secretaries and great sales people as it does selecting great engineers and great CEOs.

According to RTS Deputy CEO, Steffen Gemünden, Hire Golden was selected because, “If I am looking to hire a new employee, it means I'm under time pressure, so every day counts. Hire Golden has found me great employees, very quickly. I don't have to review hundreds of resumes. And no other recruiter has a guarantee as good as Hire Golden's.”

John Thomas, Hire Golden's Chairman, points out that, “Even with top-quality candidates, there are still unforeseen factors beyond anyone's control that can cause a great hire to leave your company prematurely. Some of the unforeseen reasons include: marriage, trailing spouse, child or elder care, return to school, change of career, health, accident, or even death. The list of unforeseen reasons is endless. As a result, the recruitment industry has been understandably resistant to guaranteeing their hires for any more than a nominal one to three months. Our process is dramatically more efficient than traditional screening methods, allowing Hire Golden (www. hiregolden. com) to stand behind our candidates for a 3 full years.”

About RTS Realtime Systems Group -- RTS Realtime Systems Group is a dynamic, global software company specializing in the development and sales of electronic trading and front office systems. Their exclusive system enables Futures, Options, and Equity Traders to trade from a single window on over 60 global electronic exchanges such as CBOT, CME, CBOE, EUREX, LIFFE, ISE, BOX, PCX, PHLX and AMEX. Their client base ranges from the largest international banks and brokerage firms to intermediate and small market makers as well as security trading firms. With offices in Amsterdam, Chicago, Frankfurt, London, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Sydney and Athens, RTS covers all international financial centers. For more information, please see www. rtsgroup. net.

About Hire Golden, Inc. -- Hire Golden is a recruitment firm that recruits locally in over 160 markets for 34 leading industries. The company contributes to its clients' success by rapidly providing great hires backed by their pioneering No-Fault Hiring InsuranceSM—an unconditional 36-month guarantee. Hire Golden was founded in 2000 and nominated in 2004 for Fast Company magazine's “Fast 50” awards, for their innovation and quality. For more information, visit www. hiregolden. com.

CONTACT:

Joe Vitale

Hire Golden, Inc.

610-287-3558

FAX 801-749-5112

E-mail: jvitale@hiregolden. com

Www. hiregolden. com

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Vent to College Students about Your Misery

Vent to College Students about Your Misery

Students Levi Blackman and Brandon Brady, residents of Denton, TX, have decided to take a bite out of the stress of others by starting their own stress relief service. For years these two friends have listened to others vent about how horrible their life is, and now they have decided to turn it into an occupation. In order to connect to everyone who needs it, they had decided to use the phone as their medium. With a listing through the website www. keen. com and 1-800-ASK-KEEN, Blackman and Brandon plan to sit around on the phone all day while playing video games, studying college text books, and changing peopleÂ’s lives, one at a time.

(PRWEB) September 28, 2004

Students Levi Blackman and Brandon Brady, residents of Denton, TX, have decided to take a bite out of the stress of others by starting their own stress relief service. For years these two friends have listened to others vent about how horrible their life is, and now they have decided to turn it into an occupation. In order to connect to everyone who needs it, they had decided to use the phone as their medium. With a listing through the website www. keen. com and 1-800-ASK-KEEN, Blackman and Brandon plan to sit around on the phone all day while playing video games, studying college text books, and changing peopleÂ’s lives, one at a time.

By signing up for an account with Keen, either through the website or over the phone, you can be connected to one of many different college students ready to hear your woes. You can call from almost any phone in the world and for a fee of $1.50 per minute vent to college students about your misery. Once on the phone you can just talk to the person who picked up, or ask for your personal favorite.

About the College Students

Levi Blackman - 19 year old studying News and Editorial Journalism at the University of North Texas. Likes computers, drums, girls, video games, stock market analysis, and food.

“I like to hang out with my friends in my small little apartment and talk about how our day was. I enjoy playing the drums, and I have started to learn the guitar. I dream of being a investigative journalist one day so that I can travel the world. I love music from bands like Modest Mouse, Radiohead, The Rapture, Sublime and many others. I like to write short stories, essays and columns, and run a web site called cricketsoda. com where I publish many of the things I write. I’m also interested in snow boarding, movies, computer science, and many more. Call me to know more!” - Blackman (09/09/2004)

Brandon Brady - 20 year old studying english and herbal research. Likes music, THC, TLC, TV, Acronyms, Chuck Palahniuk, House of Leaves, sex, and selling things for more than they are worth.

“I’m not actually studying English, and I do absolutely no kind of herbal research. Since however I live with college students, I lie to our peers so as to fit into the appropriate social standard. Despite my bohemian lifestyle, I am in all honesty much more intelligent, cocky, and charismatic than any of my friends listed around me. Music is good, and I plan towrite a book some day. Probably about people like you.”- Brady (09/14/2004)

Crissy Blah - 19 year old studying Film at the University of North Texas. Interests are music, movies, Brownsville, the border patrol, the beach, surfing, getting high and watching the sunset, and talking on the phone to really rad people. All my friends say I am super sexy. I am shy and can't wait to talk to you.

Michelle Mashburn – 20 year old studying Public Relations at the University of North Texas

Kayla Olson – 19 year old studying Theater at the University of North Texas

Vicky Riddle – 20 year old studying English at the University of North Texas

About Keen. com

For most of us, every day is filled with small moments when we need advice or information: "How can I prepare my taxes?" "How do I upgrade the memory on my computer?" "Is this relationship right for me?" Until now, getting the advice we needed was often a time-consuming challenge - when we could get it at all. But now there's Keen, offering live, immediate advice for everyday life by connecting customers and advisors. The Internet is a valuable research tool, but there's nothing more satisfying than getting information live from another person in a private one-on-one conversation.

That's where Keen comes in. Blackman and Brady for example, are prepared to give people their time on the phone, and help them work through their personal problems by letting them yell (vent).

"For years, friends and neighbors have been coming to use to vent their frustrations about life.” Blackman said. “It felt good to help people, so I decided I wanted to bring my help to the entire nation, and hopefully earn a little for my efforts.”

How Keen Works

Launched in November 1999, Keen has helped over 10 million members get advice easily through a website, www. keen. com, or by telephone, 1-800-ASK-KEEN. Once connected to Keen, members select the advisor who's right for them by browsing a directory of listings -- from dieting and relationship advice to computing and Internet help or counseling on life's everyday problems. Listings include the type of advice the advisor wishes to provide, his or her per-minute fee, and how Keen members have rated their calls with this advisor in the past.

Once they've chosen an advisor, members can simply click that person's "Call Now" icon and Keen will automatically connect the two parties for a live, anonymous phone call. People accessing Keen through 1-800-ASK-KEEN simply follow spoken prompts to choose an appropriate advisor. Advisors can also provide recorded or email advice to their customers; these other options also protect both the advisor's and the customer's anonymity. Keen offers a full money-back guarantee if customers aren't completely satisfied with their experience.

Keen Lets Consumers Build Businesses Online

Keen makes it easy to build your business as an advisor by creating a listing or listings that describe the knowledge you wish to share and giving advice to customers for a per-minute fee on topics ranging from personal advice to computers to taxes. Some of Keen's top advisors are now making over $2,000 per week!

There are three ways to make money on Keen:

•Live Advice - You can list yourself in as many areas as you like and set a per-minute fee for giving advice over the telephone. You keep 70% of the revenue from every call you take.

•Recorded Advice - You can record a message for regularly updated information such as ski conditions or horoscopes, as well as "evergreen" information such as health, fitness or tax advice.

•Paid Keen Mail - You can set a fee for written advice such as reports, financials or detailed instructions.

Keen is Private and "Customer Approved"

Keen maintains privacy and quality in two unique ways. Because Keen initiates the call to both parties, the privacy of both customers and advisors is completely protected, since no one's name, phone number, email address or any other personal information are ever revealed - not even on Caller I. D. devices. Keen employs a consumer-based rating system which lets customers rate advisors on the quality of the advice and information they provide. Advisors can also have their credentials verified by a third party, in order to assure potential customers that their academic degrees, professional licenses or employment history are valid.

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Global Spa Summit Announces Travel and Tourism Industry Visionary, Philippe Bourguignon, as a 2010 Keynote Speaker

Global Spa Summit Announces Travel and Tourism Industry Visionary, Philippe Bourguignon, as a 2010 Keynote Speaker

The Global Spa Summit (GSS), the premier annual event for spa and wellness industry executives, today announced that prominent ‘futurist’ and analyzer of macro consumer trends, Philippe Bourguignon, will address delegates as a keynote speaker.

New York, NY (PRWEB) February 10, 2010

The Global Spa Summit (GSS), the premier annual event for spa and wellness industry executives, today announced that prominent ‘futurist’ and analyzer of macro consumer trends, Philippe Bourguignon, will address delegates as a keynote speaker. The Summit is being held this May 17-19 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Bourguignon will share his vast, global expertise in the travel, tourism, and real estate industries, as current CEO of Miraval (the world-class resort spa in Tucson, Arizona), and Vice Chairman of Revolution Places, a company dedicated to developing new tourism models/companies that promote unique, authentic experiences and healthy lifestyles.

His extraordinary resume also includes stints as Co-CEO of the Davos-based World Economic Forum; Executive VP of Disney Europe and Chairman and CEO of Euro Disney; CEO/Chairman of Club Med; and President of Accor Group, Asia-Pacific. He currently sits on the Board of companies and institutions ranging from eBay, to the Centre for Contemporary Art in Paris, to Informed Judgment, a Geneva-based think tank. He’s been named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and Officer in the Ordre National du Mérite, and serves on the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Bourguignon is renowned for his out-of-the-box approach, which helps entrepreneurs develop creative new models that can capitalize on future cultural and market realities. His Summit keynote, ‘2025: What’s Next?’ will bring his unique ‘future-focused’ vision to bear on the spa, travel, and wellness industries.

“By 2025 we will be on the threshold of a whole new civilization, and one that will be marked by unique paradoxes and developments. Older generations are already moving away from an age of excessive passion to excessive reason, and younger generations are embracing intuition and new freedoms,” said Bourguignon. “I’m looking forward to discussing topics that help our industry ‘free their minds,’ while exploring our shared future together.”

The GSS has played host to a wide range of prestigious speakers, industry panels, and collaborative meetings. Past speakers include Adolf Ogi, former president of Switzerland; Steve Case, CEO, Revolution Health; Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th US Surgeon General; Ian Schrager, famed American hotelier and real estate developer; and Reto Wittwer, CEO of Kempinski - among others.

Bourguignon will join a slate of 2010 Summit keynote presenters that will be announced in upcoming weeks. GSS’s Board of Directors anticipates a sold-out event this year, reporting a record number of invitees registered this month.

For media information contact: Beth McGroaty, beth(at)rbicom(dot)com, +1 213 300 0107 or +44 (0) 870 121 6066.

For registration/sponsorship information contact: info(at)globalspasummit(dot)org, or visit: www. globalspasummit. org

About Global Spa Summit: The award-winning Global Spa Summit is an annual event that attracts top-level executives and leaders from around the world with interest in the spa and wellness industries. Delegates from diverse sectors including hospitality, investment, finance, real estate, medicine, manufacturing, technology, consulting, product, tourism and other related industries attend this intimate, high-level gathering focused on advancing the spa and wellness sectors. With increasing attendance by more countries each year, the Global Spa Summit delegation represented 32 different countries from all continents in 2009.

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