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Mar
21
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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WAYNE, Pa., March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – International Commercial Television, Inc. (OTCQB: ICTL) a premier multi-channel distribution company utilizing highly profiled infomercial campaigns to market and brand exclusive products to international consumers, is announcing the following: On March 14, 2012, the Company completed the execution of an agreement with Hutton Miller LLC for the production of one and two minute direct response television commercials to be aired on major US children’s cable channels, featuring the wholly Company owned construction toy, Glo-B’s.

Glo-B’s is a toy building block system that bends, moves, shapes and curves.  Solidly made of quality glow-in-the-dark neon colored plastic, the blocks glow in their respective colors. Glo-B’s are designed for children 3 + years and will connect with and enhance other popular building block sets. Recent years have seen the “construction toy” segment of the toy market in the USA on a sharp increase, with actual “building and doing” once again enjoying a resurgence of popularity with both children and parents alike. The Glo-B’s system is based on the Glow-In-The-Dark BetterBlocks toy system that was a huge success 15-20 years ago.

The production agreement calls for “best efforts” completion of the TV spots by 5/31/12 and the Company expects to begin testing the commercials on kids’ cable stations during the summer months, while children are home from school on summer vacation. The goal is to be in a good position for a profitable DRTV, internet, and live television home shopping for a 2012 Christmas promotion, with a continued DRTV push through 2013. We plan to begin a progressive retail rollout beginning May 2013, climaxing in an anticipated full Christmas retail placement later in that year.

Kelvin Claney, CEO and the person responsible for Company product development stated, “In recent years some of the most successful DRTV to retail items have been toys e.g Floam, Bendaroos, Happy Nappers, CuddleUppets and Kids Snuggies to mention a few. The creative behind all these successful DRTV spots was either John Miller or his new company Hutton Miller.  John Miller was also the major factor in the past successes of Better Blocks, Glow-In-The-Dark BetterBlocks and Magic Color Change Better Blocks. We firmly believe that given the current fast growing sales in the children’s building block market, this is a perfect time to be launching the Glo-B’s project and we look forward to building a profitable children’s toy business.”

International Commercial Television trades publicly on the OTCQB under the symbol ICTL. The OTCQB is a dynamic electronic stock exchange consisting of SEC fully reporting companies. OTCQB stocks may be easily traded through most major brokerages such as E- Trade, Scottrade and TDAmeritrade.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: International Commercial Television, Inc. Kelvin Claney, Investor Relations 1-206-780-2921 Email Contact: Claney@ictvonline.com Website: http://www.ictvonline.com

SOURCE International Commercial Television, Inc.

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Mar
21
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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Subscription Service Ships Themed Activity Boxes to Consumers

CHICAGO, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Parents face a daily challenge searching for enriching, engaging things to do with their kids.  They know it is important, but many don’t know where to begin or lack the time to gather all the materials.  That’s where the BabbaBox comes in.

Arriving in the mail each month, the BabbaBox is a new, subscription service providing activities, materials and instruction for enriching engagement between parents and their 3- to 7-year-old children.  BabbaBox contains hands-on projects, books and online adventures – all revolving around a theme-of-the-month.  All materials are included in the box, making it one-stop shopping for child engagement.

Like so many children’s products, the BabbaBox is a mother’s invention, born out of need.

“I’m a busy working mom, but nothing is more important to me than spending quality time interacting with my children,” explains Jessica Kim, inventor of the BabbaBox.   “I want to spend my limited time engaging with them, not searching for ideas and shopping for supplies.”

“The BabbaBox helps create memories,” Kim explains. “In the end, it’s not the things they got that they’ll remember:  They’ll remember what we did as a family.”

Each BabbaBox revolves around one theme or life lesson — such as gratitude, feelings or sun/moon/stars — and incorporates four main ways children engage and learn:

  • Create: Hands-on craft projects
  • Explore:  Adventures, activities and a tool or instrument — such as a camera, or binoculars — to engage children with the world
  • Story Tell:  A theme-related book, selected from scores of award-winning volumes
  • Connect:  Prepaid downloads, selected by child development specialists to reinforce each month’s theme

Monthly memberships are available for $29.99 per month and annual subscriptions are $25 per month, delivering 12 BabbaBoxes for the price of 10.  Gift subscriptions are available for one, three, and six months or a year. 

BabbaCo, maker of the BabbaBox, began in 2008 to provide simple, functional baby products, including the BabbaCover, a stylish baby carrier cover to shield infants from the elements. In the fall of 2011, BabbaCo introduced the BabbaBox, a subscription membership service born of parents’ desire for quality engagement activities for their children and the company’s interest in connecting directly with customers.

SOURCE BabbaCo

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Mar
20
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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Reflect Live application for iPad devices provides more versatility to classroom observers

SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Starting today, classroom observers can more easily conduct classroom observations in schools that are lacking stable Internet connectivity. Teachscape, the leader in delivering online professional learning content, innovative tools, and expert services to improve teaching practice, has developed an iPad application for its Teachscape Reflect Live classroom observation management and reporting system software. The application allows observers to quickly and accurately collect classroom evidence in an offline environment and then upload that data when a Wi-Fi connection is available.

“With the increased demand for classroom observations and teacher evaluations, observers need a simple tool that supports efficient observations,” said Jonathan Stowe, chief operating officer of Teachscape. “This app exploits the power of the iPad by allowing for its use in environments where connectivity is not always available.”

Teachscape’s new Reflect Live application for iPad devices features a simple user interface that makes it easy to start a new observation and upload the classroom observation data securely to the Teachscape Reflect Live system. Once the data has been uploaded, classroom observers can align the data with an instructional framework, and then score and review the lesson with the observed teacher. Teachscape Reflect Live comes pre-loaded with Charlotte Danielson‘s Framework for Teaching, however districts have the flexibility of loading any instructional rubric, as well as pre- and post-observation forms.

The app also takes advantage of the dictation feature included in the new iPad introduced earlier this month. Principals can dictate evidence into an observation without using the keyboard.

The Teachscape Reflect Live application is available at no additional cost to Teachscape Reflect Live users. To download the app from your iPad, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reflect-live/id505717115?mt=8. To learn more about Teachscape Reflect Live, go to http://www.teachscape.com/products/reflect-live.

About Teachscape
Teachscape uniquely combines innovative technology, engaging content and expert services to develop great teachers. From its Classroom Walkthrough technology, to its powerful web-based content delivery platform, to its online masters programs, Teachscape’s award-winning products and services have been inspired by its dedication to sparking transformative change in teaching practice.  Since 1999, Teachscape has worked with schools and school districts, charter networks, archdioceses, universities and state education departments to measurably and continuously improve the effectiveness of teachers and instructional leaders to produce gains in student achievement. Teachscape’s partners include Charlotte Danielson, ETS, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, Stanford University, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Kogeto to help shape its vision, its products, and its strategies. To learn more about Teachscape and its complete collection of professional development offerings, go to http://www.teachscape.com.

 

         
                       

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Mar
20
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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Star Ceremony Held at Historic El Capitan Theatre Coincides With the In-Home Release of “The Muppets” Available Today

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – The world-renowned Muppets received a star on the Hollywood Walk (“Wocka Wocka”) of Fame today from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in celebration of the release of Disney’s “The Muppets” on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD.  The celebration was emceed by Chamber President and CEO Leron Gubler, with special guest speakers Rich Ross, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios and Lisa Henson, CEO, The Jim Henson Company.  Several Muppets were on hand to receive the star including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, Animal, Pepe, Sweetums, and Walter, the newest Muppet, who made his debut in Disney’s 2011 film.  The Muppets’ star is the 2,466thstar on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is located in front of the historic El Capitan Theatre.  

“Thanks to creative genius Jim Henson and these extraordinary puppeteers, the Muppets are truly worldwide icons and Hollywood stars,” said Ross. “They are a treasured part of the Disney family, and we’re thrilled to see them join so many other luminaries on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

Background
What began with Kermit’s first TV appearance in 1955, has led to a global phenomenon that is still going strong more than 50 years later!  Since “The Muppet Show” began in 1976, audiences worldwide have embraced the Muppets.  With the success of “The Muppet Show,” the Muppets branched out to the big screen, releasing their first feature film, “The Muppet Movie,” in 1979. The film starred a myriad of actors, including Bob Hope, Cloris Leachman, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor and Paul Williams. This impressive list of celebrity cast and cameos became the hallmark of all Muppet films, six of which followed, including “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984), “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992), “Muppet Treasure Island” (1996) and “Muppets from Space” (1999).

The latest film, “The Muppets” (2011) follows Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), from Smalltown, USA, as they head to Los Angeles for vacation and discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze Muppet Studios and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds.

All seven films have signature soundtracks that received countless awards, including an Academy Award® nomination for Best Song for “Rainbow Connection,” Best Original Score for “The Muppet Movie” and winner of the 2012 “Best Original Song” Academy Award® for “Man or Muppet,” from the “The Muppets” (2011).

In addition to feature films, Muppet mania continued long after “The Muppet Show” ended its run.  Many television specials and documentaries featuring the classic Muppet characters have been produced. Muppet Magazine was published from 1983-1988 and “The Muppets” comic strip was syndicated in U.S. newspapers from the early to mid 1980s. Museum exhibits (“The Art of The Muppets,” “The World of Jim Henson: Muppets, Monsters Magic,” “The Vision of Jim Henson” and others) featuring Muppet characters toured domestically and internationally from 1980-2001.

Multiple record albums for “The Muppet Show,” “Muppet Babies” and all of the Muppet movies have been released worldwide. Hundreds of Muppet books have also been published around the world since 1976.

Throughout the years the Muppets have also produced numerous public service announcements and have acted as spokespeople for many causes both domestically and internationally, ranging from The National Wildlife Federation, UNICEF and the American Film Institute, to the University of Maryland, the American Library Association and the Better World Society. Kermit regularly appears as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

One of the year’s best-loved family comedies and among the best reviewed films of 2011, Disney’s “The Muppets,” starring Jason Segel, Academy Award®-nominee Amy Adams, and favorite celebrity couple Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy — debuts March 20 on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, Digital Download and On-Demand formats.  A must-own movie the entire family can enjoy, Disney’s “The Muppets” in-home release includes the DVD and digital soundtrack packaged together and also offered as the ultimate Muppets experience, a ‘Wocka-Wocka Value Pack,’ which contains the movie on Blu-ray high definition, DVD and Digital Copy (three discs), plus a download card which allows fans to own all the songs including Bret McKenzie‘s Oscar®-winning “Man or Muppet,” from the film’s hugely popular soundtrack from Walt Disney Records.

About Walt Disney Studios
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

These press materials are available in electronic form at www.WDSHEpublicity.com

© 2012 Disney

 

SOURCE Walt Disney Studios

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Mar
20
By: bryboy | Discussion (0)


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Dazadi.com, #706 on the 2011 Edition of Internet Retailer’s top e-commerce websites, continues record growth in January and February.

LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Dazadi.com has been featured in the March 19th issue of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. The article appears in the Entrepreneur section of the journal and details the company’s background, current operations, and plans for the future. Dazadi sells home recreational products in the following categories: Sports Fitness, Game Rooms, Toys Games, and Backyard Patio. 

“This is the first time we’ve been interviewed by an actual business journal. It’s nice to know that our hard work is getting recognized, especially in our own community,” says Josh Klaristenfeld, Co-Founder and EVP of Operations. ”We’ve been reading the San Fernando Valley Business for years and it is really exciting to have them do an article about us. We are very appreciative. The funniest part was that they were hoping to get a photo of us with some of the cool products we sell like treadmills, air hockey tables, arcade games, pool tables, and basketball hoops, but our office is fairly spartan. We used to have an air hockey table but we had to get rid of it because no one was getting any work done,” laughs Josh.

Founded in the May of 2002 by four brothers, Dazadi.com is a specialized online retailer of home recreational products. Dazadi.com sells over 10,000 unique items for the home including Game room equipment (Pool Tables, Air Hockey Tables, and Foosball Tables), Home Gym Equipment (Treadmills, Stairmasters, Elliptical Trainers), Patio Furniture, Toys and Games, and Basketball Hoops and other sporting goods.  Dazadi.com constantly strives to live up to its tagline, “The Home of Awesome,” by carrying only curated, hand-picked, awesome products.

For more information on Dazadi please visit (www.dazadi.com), follow Dazadi on Twitter at (www.twitter.com/dazadi) or on Facebook at (http://www.facebook.com/dazadi.com)

Contact: Elan Klaristenfeld, Co-Founder EVP of Marketing.
Tel. (818) 336-9450
Email: marketing@dazadi.com

SOURCE Dazadi.com

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