ACS holds meeting in Camden County

If you are interested in the Relay for Life this summer. Stop by Collingswood Library this Friday evening

US Budget from Obama's Office

Click Image to view at Wall Street Journal

Seeing Red

The results of Obama's speech and traders around the world.

NFL chief takes pay cut after layoffs

Goodell says he will forego up to 25% of salary, freeze pay next year...

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The head of the National Football League will take a pay cut for the current fiscal year and freeze his salary for the coming year, the league announced Wednesday.

The move comes two months after the NFL cut about 15% of its staff.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will give up about 20% to 25% of his $11 million salary for the 2008 budget year, which ends March 31, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said. Goodell will also forgo a scheduled raise in his contract for the coming year, and the rest of the NFL's executive staff will take similar cuts, he said.

"All of us understand that it will continue to take collective sacrifice to get through this challenging economic environment, but these and other steps by our office and clubs will enable us to be more efficient and better positioned for future growth," McCarthy said in a statement announcing the decision.

The league's total 2008 attendance of about 17.1 million was down 6% from 2007. Goodell told reporters in January that fans are facing hard times, and some of the NFL's business partners were being strained by the recession as well.

Rick Santelli Speaks to Us, Best moment 1:00:00

Seth Rogan says, Boooooring.

This shot of Seth Rogan says it all. Please shoot me. And yes we waiting three hours to confirm our assumptions, Slum Dog was the winner of the evening.

Thanks for the funny Seth.

Video search 101: Marketing and optimization

In November '08 alone, more than 12.5 billion videos were viewed, up from 11.4 billion in July '08. In November, 146 million people accounted for these views, up from 142.5 million in July '08. At these rates, 50 percent of the U.S. population will be watching online videos by the end of April '09.

So how can marketers reach this growing audience with relevancy and appropriate messages?

First of all, it's important to understand that this is a new marketplace that needs new technologies. The legacy search technologies are based on text and HTML, and cannot readily discern what is in a video.

Two video practices that can be used to facilitate this targeting are:

• Video search engine optimization (VSEO): The optimization of any video asset to lift organic search listing results in order to increase views and create a "forced virality" of your content


• Video search engine marketing (VSEM): Targeting video content, on any site with indexed video, by the selection of paid keywords pertaining to what you are marketing, with video ads and/or accompanying banners

Next page >>

Social Media Nightmares

By Susan Kuchinskas

February 18, 2009

Just as marketers were getting a handle on blogging, social media blew up. Facebook surpassed MySpace with more than 150 million active users, who spend more than 3 billion minutes on it each day. Twitter's 700 percent growth in 2008 left it with more than 4 million users and counting. Brands have more ways than ever to start that hotly desired "consumer engagement" process, but the rule book gets rewritten faster than they can read it.

Sure, there are some obvious lessons that need to be reiterated:

• Content on the internet never goes away.
• Anything you say can and will be used against you.
• Companies need to listen to consumers and respond to their concerns.
• Viral media spread faster than trans-fat-free margarine.

There are some more subtle lessons that are worth examining. These nuances are genetic markers on the evolutionary path of media from one-to-many paid placements to the virally mutated amorphous monster of digital conversation.

For more

This Guy, Oy

Missing billionaire found in Virginia

The FBI locates and officially serves papers to financier Robert Allen Stanford, who is accused of running a $9.2 billion investment fraud scheme.

(CNN) -- Federal agents have located financier Robert Allen Stanford and served him with papers accusing him and three of his companies of orchestrating a $9.2 billion investment fraud scheme, the FBI said Thursday.

Stanford, who was located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has no criminal charges pending against him and was not taken into custody, FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said. But the Securities and Exchange Commission said Stanford was behind "a fraud of shocking magnitude," and the FBI served him a copy of the SEC complaint, Kolko said.

The FBI won't talk about a criminal investigation of Stanford's activities, but federal law enforcement officials familiar with the case leave no doubt that federal agents are investigating his financial dealings. Multiple officials indicated criminal charges are not imminent and would not discuss potential charges.

Stanford has arranged to give his passport to one of his attorneys who will offer it to federal authorities.

The FBI would not say whether Stanford is under surveillance, but said they expect to know his whereabouts. "He's not hiding from us at all," one official said.

Alaska Is a Frontier for Green Power

TOKSOOK BAY, Alaska — Beyond the fishing boats, the snug homes and the tanks of diesel fuel marking this Eskimo village on the Bering Sea, three huge wind turbines tower over the tundra. Their blades spin slowly in a breeze cold enough to freeze skin.

One of the nation’s harshest landscapes, it turns out, is becoming fertile ground for green power.

As interest in cleaning up power generation grows around the country, Alaska is fast becoming a testing ground for new technologies and an unlikely experiment in oil-state support for renewable energy. Alaskans once cast a wary eye on anything smacking of environmentalism, but today they are investing heavily in green power, not so much to reduce emissions as to save cash.

In remote villages like this one, where diesel to power generators is shipped by barge and can cost more than $5 a gallon in bulk, electricity from renewable sources like wind is already competitive with power made from fossil fuels. In urban areas along the state’s limited road system, large wind and hydroelectric projects are also becoming attractive.

Read More Here

Your Favorite Links All in One Place

So you thought Google was cool... well I have a new web page for you to help navigate your favorite websites. Here's a partial screen shot:

Everything is categorized into areas of interest. Have a looksee. Lets us know your thoughts. Click the image, its definitely worthy of a bookmark.

BG

Facebook Does an About Face

NEW YORK — Following a torrent of online protests, Facebook is backing off a change in its user policies while it figures how best to resolve questions like who controls the information shared on the social networking site.

The site, which boasts 175 million users from around the world, had quietly updated its terms of use — its governing document — a couple of weeks ago. The changes sparked an uproar after popular consumer rights advocacy blog Consumerist.com pointed them out Sunday, in a post titled "Facebook's New Terms Of Service: 'We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever.'"

Facebook has since sought to reassure its users — tens of thousands of whom had joined protest groups on the site — that this is not the case. And on Wednesday morning, users who logged on to Facebook were greeted by a message saying that the site is reverting to its previous terms of use policies while it resolves the issues raised.

Regardless of their repeal, I'm sure they'll find another way to sell your info... Why else would they be in business... This isn't the 60's people. Peace and Love, Peace and love. Wake up and smell your money burning in the incinerator they call the American economy. Now go out buy everything you can, this place needs a boost and George Calin's material about buying stuff needs some relevance.

Facebook: They Are Who We Thought They Were

Facebook users demand answers regarding new policy

By Elise Ackerman

Charging that Facebook wants to take control of their personal information, tens of thousands of the social network's users joined online protest groups Tuesday to denounce a new company policy that they view as a threat to their privacy.

Others simply canceled their accounts.

Protesters demanded that the Palo Alto-based Web site provide detailed answers to questions regarding a change to its "terms of service" policy that appeared to give Facebook legal rights to users' pictures, videos, messages and notes, even if the user had left Facebook and deleted his or her profile.

In a message posted Tuesday night on user homepages, Facebook released a statement saying they decided to restore the previous terms of use until they "resolve the issues that people have raised" after receiving questions and feedback about the new policy.

The change, made weeks earlier, came to light over the holiday weekend after a blog associated with Yonkers, N.Y.-based Consumers Union on Sunday accused Facebook of seeking to "do whatever it wants" with users' content. The company has 175 million registered users.

"Make sure you never upload anything you don't feel comfortable giving away forever, because it's Facebook's now," stated the post, which was written by Chris Walters.

In a response on the company's blog, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said on Monday, "Our philosophy is that people own their information and control who they shareit with."

for more click here

Liberty Media deal staves off Sirius bankruptcy

Kick Save and A Beaut
Sirius stays alive for one more day


Tuesday February 17, 1:39 pm ET
By Andrew Vanacore, AP Business Writer Liberty Media bails out Sirius XM with $530 million, fending off likely bankruptcy NEW YORK (AP) -- Facing a likely bankruptcy, Sirius XM Radio Inc. found a savior in Liberty Media Corp., which will lend $530 million to the satellite radio provider and block a bid for control that had been waged by a rival both companies share: Dish Network Corp. CEO Charlie Ergen.

Sirius had warned it could file for bankruptcy as early as Tuesday if it could not successfully negotiate with its debt holders.

Sirius XM Radio has 20 million subscribers who use the service to listen to sports, music and talk, including Howard Stern's show, which Sirius landed with a five-year, $500 million contract that could have been terminated in a bankruptcy.

The company found itself on the brink as credit markets dried up and auto sales plunged -- a critical factor for Sirius because many new subscribers buy the service in package offers with cars and trucks.

More here

Feel the Benefit of the Stimulus Package

Where's $787 Billion Going

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, approved by Congress last week, will try to rescue the economy with an unprecedented $787 billion package of government spending and tax cuts.

Spending is expected to account for nearly three-fourths of the package; tax cuts will make up the rest. The bill is loaded with public-works projects; green initiatives (such as incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency); and money for the social safety net, education and myriad federal and state programs.

If this jump-starts the stalled economy, then consumers and business stand to benefit regardless of how specifics of the plan -- a home buyer's credit, say -- directly affect them. The economic-stimulus bill also helps the unemployed through extended jobless benefits and subsidies on health-insurance premiums.

Follow the money:

TAX CREDIT

An income-tax credit of up to $400 ($800 for a couple) for 95% of workers is President Barack Obama's promised middle-class tax cut, somewhat scaled back. Individuals with incomes above $100,000 and couples with incomes above $200,000 won't get the tax credit.

Unlike the stimulus checks sent to taxpayers last year (up to $600 for an individual and $1,200 for a couple), the credit will show up this year in the form of lower payroll withholding -- meaning slightly bigger paychecks (the equivalent of about $8 a week). Economists think most workers will spend that money, whereas many consumers banked last year's checks (or used them to pay down debt).

Retirees and some others who don't work will get $250.

Winners: Retail, restaurants, movie rentals -- any seller of small-ticket goods or services.

The score: A small boost to this recession economy, sprinkling money far and wide in the next year.

HOME BUYERS

Congress passed a $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers last year, but it did little to revive the slumping housing market. The new bill increases the credit to $8,000 and eliminates a requirement that buyers repay the credit over time.

A bigger deal: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner committed $50 billion last week to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and renegotiate mortgages.

Winners: Homebuilders; Realtors; manufacturers and retailers of home products (a home purchase stimulates sales of carpeting, furniture and home-remodeling products and services); loan-service companies (government may pay fees to rework loans).

For more about the package click here

Some Market Numbers From Today.

Wow, kinda felt like we should archive these.
Perhaps we'll be up 30% in a year.

Ah Gotta love Cramer.

I really don't mind plugging the street.com. This Philadelphia native predicts the market well and loves the Eagles. See ya in the nosebleeds Cramer, alright mabye at the 50 yard line.

Microsoft to Open Its Own Retail Stores

SEATTLE -- Microsoft (MSFT Quote - Cramer on MSFT - Stock Picks) announced plans to open its own stores despite the economic downturn that has left many retailers struggling.

The company hired David Porter, a 25-year veteran of Wal-Mart(WMT Quote - Cramer on WMT - Stock Picks), as its corporate vice president of retail stores. Porter was head of worldwide product distribution at DreamWorks Animation SKG (DWA Quote - Cramer on DWA - Stock Picks) since 2007.

Porter, who is set to start work on Tuesday, is charged with improving the PC-buying experience. The company said his first task will be to set the timing, locations and design of Microsoft-branded retail stores, which will sell computers installed with Microsoft software as well as other company products.

Microsoft has been working to revive the image of its ubiquitous Windows operating system, starting with a $300 million advertising campaign that began last fall. Vista, the most recent version of the software, was widely criticized for being slow, requiring new and pricier hardware, and not working with devices like printers and scanners. Vista also has been the subject of a series of snarky television ads from Apple (AAPL Quote - Cramer on AAPL - Stock Picks)

At the same time it launched upbeat new TV ads last fall, some of which struck right back at Apple, Microsoft posted 144 of its own employees in electronics chain stores around the world to talk with shoppers about Windows.

The "Gurus" seemed to be Microsoft's answer to Apple's in-store "Genius Bar." With its newly announced retail store intentions, the software maker is taking yet another page from Apple's playbook. Apple credits its stores, concentrated mostly in the U.S., for helping boost its profile and draw new customers.

Liberty talks with Sirius do not involve takeover-source

NEW YORK, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Liberty Media Corp (LINTA.O) is in talks with Sirius XM Radio Inc (SIRI.O) to invest in the satellite radio company's capital structure, but the talks do not involve a takeover of the company, a source familiar with the talks said on Friday.

The talks between the two companies are friendly and do not include an equity stake, the source said.

Another person familiar with the talks said both EchoStar Corp (SATS.O) and Liberty Media continue intense talks with Sirius XM.

The discussions with EchoStar are more of a hostile nature while Liberty's talks are co-operative with Sirius management, but a winning party remains uncertain, the people said.

Sirius XM's talks with Liberty are seen as a last-ditch attempt by Sirius chief Mel Karmazin to stave off a takeover bid by Charles Ergen's EchoStar, which holds $175 million in Sirius convertible bonds due on Feb 17.

Industry experts have said a Sirius bankruptcy is likely if the company does not cut a deal with either party. (Reporting by Jui Chakravorty Das; Editing by Derek Caney)

Sirius XM Trying to Renegotiate Costly Deals

Business Week 2/12/2009

CEO Karmazin has talked to executives with Major League Baseball, the NFL, and Oprah Winfrey about their high-priced satellite radio contracts

In the midst of scrambling to keep his satellite radio company out of bankruptcy court, Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) CEO Mel Karmazin is trying desperately to renegotiate pricey programming deals with pro sports leagues and big-name talent like Oprah Winfrey.

For an executive who is known to lose sleep over an office lease that he considers too expensive, Karmazin is particularly bothered by the deal to air Major League Baseball games, a deal that costs his company $60 million a year, according to a radio industry source. As recently as last week, Karmazin met with top league officials in New York, including league COO Tim Brosnan, who negotiates television and radio deals. Talks apparently didn't go Karmazin's way. Brosnan declined to comment, other than to say "We have a binding agreement that we intend to honor." Karmazin inherited the baseball deal from XM, which merged with Sirius last year. The 11-year deal doesn't expire until 2015.

Patrick Reilly, a Sirius XM spokesman, declined to comment. Sirius XM is struggling to meet nearly $1 billion in debt obligations due this year, with the first installment due on Feb. 17 and another in May. The Wall Street Journal (NWS) reported Feb. 5 that EchoStar (SATS) has acquired a large chunk of Sirius XM debt in a bid to take over the company—a prospect that could make some of Sirius XM's talent more confident that the satellite broadcaster will avoid court protection.

Although Karmazin privately may be perturbed by having to pay for these programming deals, the consummate salesman is nothing but affable in his demeanor during these recent meetings, say sources who have attended.

Phils increase '09 payroll to $131.5M

Here is a look at that projected 2009 Opening Day payroll:

PITCHERS

Joe Blanton ($5.475 million)
Clay Condrey ($650,000)
Chad Durbin ($1.635 million)
Eaton ($8.5 million, plus a $500,000 buyout for 2010)
Scott Eyre ($2 million)
Hamels ($4.35 million)
J.A. Happ ($405,000)
Kyle Kendrick ($475,000)
Lidge ($11.5 million, plus an estimated $1 million signing bonus)
Madson ($3 million)
Moyer ($6.5 million)
Brett Myers ($12 million)
Chan Ho Park ($2.5 million)
Romero ($4 million, minus $1.25 million for 50-game suspension)

CATCHERS
Carlos Ruiz (unsigned)
Chris Coste or Ronny Paulino (unsigned)

INFIELDERS
Eric Bruntlett ($800,000)
Dobbs ($1.15 million)
Howard ($15 million)
Feliz ($5 million)
Rollins ($7.5 million, plus a $1 million signing bonus)
Utley ($11 million, plus a $250,000 signing bonus)

OUTFIELDERS
Ibanez ($6.5 million, plus a $2 million signing bonus)
Geoff Jenkins ($6.75 million, plus a $1.25 million buyout)
Matt Stairs ($1 million)
Shane Victorino ($3.125 million)
Jayson Werth ($3 million)

OTHER
Thome ($3 million)

Most Marketers Cutting Budgets, Renegotiating With Agencies

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- In case you weren't sure, it really is worse than you thought. In a new survey conducted by the Association of National Advertisers and released today, 77% of marketers indicated that they plan to reduce their advertising campaigns' media budgets. That staggeringly high number is an ominous sign of things to come.

"There's no good news in this report all," said ANA President-CEO Bob Liodice. "This is not good for advertisers, this is not good for agencies, and it's certainly not good for media."

This is especially true considering the marketing industry typically lags six months behind the economy overall, so even if things turn around in July, marketers won't feel the impact until 2010.

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN BEGINS SHOOTING IN PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA, PA- Law Abiding Citizen began filming in Philadelphia this week and will be shooting all of its approximate 50 days in the Philadelphia area. F. Gary Gray (Be Cool, The Italian Job, Set It Off) directs Gerard Butler (300, P.S. I Love You), and Academy Award-Winner Jamie Foxx (Ray, Dreamgirls, The Kingdom) in the two leading roles. Also in the cast are Leslie Bibb (Iron Man, Crossing Jordan) and Bruce McGill (W., Vantage Point), Colm Meaney and Regina Hall.

Antitrust woes for Ticketmaster, Live Nation?

How Much did you pay for that Phish ticket, or that Billy Joel concert? Many fear a merger would create a monopoly in the concert business.

LOS ANGELES - A proposed merger of concert promoter Live Nation Inc. and ticketing giant Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc. is expected to be announced within days, but antitrust concerns could delay its completion.

Board members for at least one of the companies were meeting Friday, and the announcement of the merger of equals was being planned for Monday morning, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The merger negotiations were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.

The deal would match the world's dominant ticket seller, Ticketmaster, with Live Nation, which was once its biggest client. Live Nation is the world's No. 1 concert promoter, owns 140-plus venues and has multiyear comprehensive rights deals covering the tours of Madonna, Jay-Z, U2, Nickelback and Shakira.

Live Nation ended a long-term contract to sell its concert tickets through Ticketmaster last year, and launched its own ticketing service for its venues in January. That threatened to siphon at least 15 percent of Ticketmaster's revenue and had set the two companies up for a head-to-head fight to win ticketing contracts.

A merger would quell that fight — which could raise the ire of regulators, antitrust experts said.

"Live Nation became an important rival to Ticketmaster," said Marc Schildkraut, a Washington-based antitrust lawyer and former assistant director at the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition. "Ticketmaster turns around and says, `Oops, let's buy Live Nation.' That could be a concern for antitrust authorities."

Because both companies are large — with market capitalizations of around $400 million — they are required to submit a notice to the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department for review of antitrust issues.

That review could take months — or even longer than a year — particularly in light of previous Justice Department investigations into allegations that Ticketmaster behaved like a monopoly.

In 1994, Pearl Jam complained to the government that Ticketmaster refused to agree to low concert ticket prices and fees, and that the grunge band couldn't organize a tour without Ticketmaster's cooperation. The case was dismissed a year later. Attorney General Janet Reno said then that new enterprises were entering the ticketing business.

Official: Yemen releases 170 al-Qaida suspects

Men were freed after signing pledges not to engage in terrorism

SAN'A, Yemen - Yemen released 170 men it had arrested on suspicion of having ties to al-Qaida, security officials said Sunday, two weeks after the terror group announced that Yemen had become the base of its activities for the whole Arabian peninsula.

The announcement also comes as government forces say they are poised to sweep through the northern city of Marib to combat an entrenched al-Qaida presence that includes both Yemenis and Saudis.

The officials who announced the release spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to speak to the press.

The men were freed Friday and Saturday after signing pledges not to engage in terrorism — a strategy the Yemeni government has often used with those suspected of fighting in militant causes abroad. Local tribal leaders are also expected to guarantee the good behavior of the released.

Ad Agency Life Destroys Soul of Peanuts Characters

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" remixed as life in an ad agency. They make Pigpen work through the weekend! Monsters. Click through for the video:

Great Dorito's Commercial

What up Holmes

TAMPA - Right after Larry Fitzgerald scored to put the Cardinals ahead with just 2:37 left in the Super Bowl, several Pittsburgh players sought out Santonio Holmes.

A couple grabbed the wide receiver and told him, "10, who wants to be the superstar? To be the superstar, now is the time to step in and shine."

"I almost lost it for a minute," Holmes said of his reaction.

Then, he went out and won it for the Steelers. The wide receiver, who grew up selling drugs on a street corner when he wasn't trying to catch rabbits in fields for a few extra bucks to buy clothes, is now a Super Bowl MVP.

Holmes enjoyed his breakout game on the NFL's biggest stage with nine receptions for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds remaining. Coincidentally, Plaxico Burress caught the game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds to go last year against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Football Commercial Greats

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1370868150/bctid9530234001