Thursday, May 29, 2008

Technology: MO-Call now offers low-cost calls from Blackberry mobiles

London (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Morodo Ltd is pleased to announce that its popular low-cost calling software, MO-Call, is now available for Blackberry mobiles. MO-Call provides seamless international calling from the Blackberry Curve 8300, 8310 and 8320; Pearl 8100, 8110, 8120 and 8130; and the Blackberry 8800, 8820 and 8830.

Andrew Reid, Managing Director at Morodo stated that, "Blackberry users can now benefit from the substantial savings of MO-Call.

Business users finally have a viable alternative to the very expensive outbound international calling tariffs levied by Mobile Network Operators. No change in user behaviour is required to use MO-Call, there's no need to change handset, mobile number or network provider, that's an important consideration for IT Managers responsible for reducing costs whilst maintaining vast fleets of company mobiles." Mr Reid said.

James Barnes, Morodo's Technical Director, said, "MO-Call for Blackberry mobiles has been developed to offer a seamless way of using the MO-Call service. It's simple to make calls, once the application is switched on, just dial and save."

Mr Barnes went on to say that he was, "Very happy with this achievement as it represents a good example of porting an existing application to yet another technology platform. Morodo's Research and Development team in Beijing, China intends to provide software applications for every popular mobile device group, operating system and manufacturer, offering the widest possible hardware footprint for the MO-Call service. Today we support 550 devices."

MO-Call software for Blackberry mobiles is available as a free download from the MO-Call website: http://www.mo-call.com

About Morodo

Morodo Group offers mobile services to a global customer base under the MO-Call brand. The company also offers software services (under license) to traditional telecoms carriers, mobile networks and brand name owners.

Headquartered in London UK, Morodo Group owns and operates Beijing Morodo Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Beijing Morodo), a Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise in the People's Republic of China. Beijing Morodo's Research and Development facility focuses on innovation in the wireless world.

Morodo news is available at the company website: http://www.morodogroup.com

CONTACT: Andrew Reid (e-mail: areid@morodo.co.uk)
+44(0)20-7096-4880 Morodo Limited Level 7 80 Cannon Street
London EC4N 6HL United Kingdom

Business: Achieving the 'Best-Fit' for Enterprise IT Security

Singapore (BUSINESS WIRE) - Frost & Sullivan's exclusive Executive MindXchange summit, Secure Enterprise Summit, kicks off today. The two-day summit will focus on the need for enterprises to achieve the best fit between the business, IT security and the external environment.

Speaking at the keynote address, Mr Thomas Frazier, Principal Consultant of Security Solutions at Verizon Business says, "Security should be delivered as an ongoing process, addressing all parts of the security life-cycle, providing visibility and control, with the aim of constant service improvement - thus, reducing risk.

"No one-size fits all; security solutions simply have to be aligned with the business requirements and working practices of the enterprises, which this summit will address," adds Mr Frazier.

The summit will touch on a variety of topics relevant to corporations regardless of their industry type or size, including security governance, security convergence and its impact on businesses, the need for a chief security officer (CSO), end-point security, business continuity planning and managed security services.

With businesses becoming more diverse in terms of their IT set-up, it is now even more pertinent to find the right security fit for enterprises; unlike past concepts of utilising general security products available in the market.

Investing in a sound security solution that complements an enterprise's business model, adapts to the ever-changing external environment, and creates intelligence from chaos is a balance that many organisations are striving to achieve today.

Mr Arun Chandrasekaran, Industry Manager at Frost & Sullivan acknowledges that many enterprises in Asia are finally beginning to appreciate the key role of security in integrating technology with their businesses.

"Enterprises should align their investments to the tripartite concept of attaining the best fit between their business models, technology and security needs. It is important to note that attaining the best fit is not an end in itself; they need to maintain adherence to the best-fit concept by constantly adapting to their external environment, in the shape of emerging threats, technologies and business processes," he highlights.

A highly interactive summit, it features end-user case studies and panel discussions with senior representatives from Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) of Singapore, Oracle Corporation, BT Global Services, Malaysia Airlines, Juniper Networks, Macquarie Telecom and others. Besides networking and best practices exchange, the latest in security solutions are also on exhibit for delegates which include representatives from various local companies, government agencies and multinational companies.

Juniper Networks, Macquarie Telecom, Websense, Riverbed, Tumbleweed Communications, Datacraft, BoxSentry and RSA are the sponsors for the summit. Network World Asia, Enterprise Innovation and ZDNet Asia are the official media partners.

For more information on the summit and 2009 registration, please visit www.frost-ses.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Frost & Sullivan Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific:
Surbhi Dedhia, +65-6890-0926 surbhi.dedhia@frost.com
or Neethiya Sadagopal, +65-6890-0966
neethiya.sadagopal@frost.com

Technology: Groundbreaking Palestinian-Israeli start-up G.ho.st showcased

Groundbreaking Palestinian-Israeli start-up G.ho.st showcased at Wall Street Journal's prestigious D conference
Unveils revolutionary free virtual computer announces investment from benchmark capital

Ramallah and Modi'in (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - The G.ho.st(TM) Virtual Computer was selected yesterday as one of just five new consumer technologies from around the world to launch on-stage at the Wall Street Journal's prestigious D: All Things Digital conference.

G.ho.st (the Global Hosted Operating SysTem at http://G.ho.st, pronounced "ghost") offers its Web-based Virtual Computer (VC) free of charge to every human being.

G.ho.st is proud to be the first joint Palestinian-Israeli technology start-up and one of the only companies developing a major new technology in the Palestinian territories. The unique joint Palestinian-Israeli team comprises over 40 Palestinian
and Israeli professionals collaborating across political and physical barriers, primarily using Internet videoconferencing.

The G.ho.st Virtual Computer (VC) advances the trend of Web software (software-as-a-service) to the next generation with an entire personal computing environment (desktop, file system, applications, and settings) hosted in the cloud. Benefits of the G.ho.st Virtual Computer include:

* Access to user's desktop from any Web browser.
* Admin-free: Secure, up-to-date and backed up with no installation required.
* G.ho.st desktop, file system and many of the applications are free of charge.
* Manages web resources: files, applications and web stuff with one URL, one sign-on and interoperability.

G.ho.st is in public alpha and expects to launch a beta service that will be ready for "prime time" use around Halloween 2008. Users worldwide are encouraged to adopt G.ho.st as their primary computing environment or as a secondary environment to be used away from home.

According to G.ho.st Founder & CEO Zvi Schreiber, "G.ho.st is bursting through cultural, technological and physical barriers. Our team spans the Palestinian-Israeli divide and our Virtual Computer provides a rich personal computing environment that is not tied to any specific location, hardware or budget."

Rami Abdulhadi, G.ho.st's Director of Marketing Communications, speaking in Ramallah, Palestine, added "G.ho.st is demonstrating that Palestinians and Israelis can work together and that Palestine has the potential to host a thriving high tech industry. Collaboration and economic growth could energize the Palestinian-Israeli peace process".

G.ho.st also announced today that its lead investor is Benchmark Capital which operates in California and Israel, has $2.5billion under management, and is known for such successes as EBay and MySQL. The financing will be used to accelerate research and development in order to ensure a strong beta launch.

"We are very excited about our investment in G.ho.st and look for it to become the organizing principal for all web services in this next generation of the Web. The remarkable team has moved technological mountains to bring G.ho.st to life." said Michael Eisenberg, partner at Benchmark Capital Israel.

Several individual investors, including ex-Mircrosoft executives and veteran industry investors, have participated in investment rounds in a personal capacity. These included Paul Maritz, who managed the development of Windows at Microsoft.

About G.ho.st

G.ho.st (the Global Hosted Operating System, pronounced "ghost") provides a free Web-based Virtual Computer (VC) to every human being. The G.ho.st VC service includes a personal desktop, files and applications, available from any browser. G.ho.st is the world's first and only true open Web Operating System (Web OS), working seamlessly with leading third-party Web applications. The G.ho.st VC delivers a mature computing environment to every person, which is free of charge, available everywhere and admin-free. The G.ho.st VC service is available at http://G.ho.st. G.ho.st has 40 employees in Palestine and Israel and is funded by Benchmark Capital.

Contact details: Rami Abdulhadi Director MarCom, G.ho.st...
No walls
Email: press@corp.g.ho.st
Skype: Rami Abdulhadi Mobile: +972-599-222276
Source: G.HO.ST

Business: The Nippon Foundation calls for Alliance to end poverty in Africa

Yokohama, Japan (BUSINESS WIRE) - Mr Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, has pointed to lack of infrastructure as one of the key problems facing Africa's farmers, preventing the kind of "green revolution" that took place in Asia. Speaking to African leaders in the plenary session on private public partnership (29 May) at the Fourth Tokyo Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), he said that "even if farmers increase their harvest, there are no markets where they can sell their produce.
Or where markets exist, the farmers lack access to them."

As a result, he said, "they cannot convert the increased harvest into income, so their quality of life does not improve.""The time has come to act. Together we can form an alliance to end poverty in Africa." He stressed that The Nippon Foundation "stands ready to play its part."

Mr Sasakawa, who is WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, said he had seen "how effective such an alliance can be in the field of leprosy. In just over two decades, the disease has gone from being a public health problem in 122 countries to just two countries today."

He concluded by highlighting the urgent problem of the soaring price of fertilizer "which has serious consequences for Africa's farmers."

He called for this issue to be taken up by the G8 Summit in Japan later this year.

Over the past 22 years, The Nippon Foundation has funded the Sasakawa-Global 2000 (SG2000) programme which has worked with small-scale farmers in 14 African countries to increase and diversify their food crops and improve rural livelihoods. The programme was launched in 1986, in co-operation with former US President Jimmy Carter and Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Norman Borlaug, father of the "green revolution" in India and Pakistan.

To strengthen the capacity of agricultural extension services, The Nippon Foundation has funded education programmes for mid-career extensionists at 13 universities and colleges in nine African countries.

To date nearly 2,300 extensionists have graduated, or are currently benefiting from the programme.

The Nippon Foundation has invested over US $180 million in these programmes.

Keyword Tags: africa, african leaders, Infrastructure, partnership, philanthropy, poverty, poverty in africa, Sasakawa, sg 2000, ticad The Nippon FoundationKeiko Mori, +81-3-6229-5131 k_mori@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jporPatrick Orr,
+44-0207 630 9778 Patrick@raittorr.co.uk

Business: Survey Sampling International earmarks $50,000 for disaster relief

Survey Sampling International earmarks $50,000 for disaster relief in China and in Myanmar
Global Sample Provider launches client and respondent charitable donation program

Fairfield, Connecticut (BUSINESS WIRE) - Survey Sampling International (SSI) announces a charitable campaign to support children and families devastated by the recent natural disasters in China and in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

SSI's In Our Thoughts Campaign for Asia will donate up to $10,000 each week for five weeks from late May through June to the Red Cross Society of China and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support their relief efforts in these countries.

Since May 2, when Cyclone Nargis hit southwestern Myanmar, nearly 134,000 people have been reported killed or missing. On May 12, a massive earthquake hit southwestern China Sichuan province, claiming more than 67,000 lives and leaving more than 12 million people homeless to date.

"Our concern for the victims of these tragedies is the basis for our decision to join forces with relief organizations and donate 1% of our global online sampling revenue, up to $50,000, in late May and through the month of June," explains Jim Follett, chief executive officer of SSI.

"As an organization that depends on people - our clients, our online community of respondents, and our staff - we take the role of corporate social responsibility very seriously," he stresses.

"We share the concerns of many regarding the millions of people who are suffering in both China and Myanmar. We are all part of one global community, and this is the time to help our neighbors in need."

Members of SSI's online survey communities, OpinionWorld and SurveySpot, also will be encouraged to donate their rewards to the Red Cross through the end of May and June. An option to donate will be offered at the end of surveys. SurveySpot and OpinionWorld members offer opinions that help shape government programs, marketing campaigns, new products, and services. Now members can donate their rewards to help those in need in Asia.

Charitable donations are not new for SSI's respondent communities. In the past seven years, SSI has donated more than $1.2 million to 45 charities around the world on behalf of OpinionWorld members. SSI also previously allied with Save the Children, an organization that improves the lives of children across the globe. SSI's ongoing charity programs focus on three key areas: environmental protection; social/development work; and health issues.

SSI clients can get involved by contacting their SSI account or client service representative. For those wishing to make an additional contribution to the Red Cross to help people in need in China and in Myanmar, a Web site has been established for this cause at http://american.redcross.org/ssi-pub.

About Survey Sampling International

Survey Sampling International is the premier global provider of sampling solutions for survey research. SSI offers access to consumer and business-to-business respondents via Internet, telephone, and mobile.

Additional services include survey programming and hosting, data processing, and sampling consultation. SSI serves more than 1,800 marketing research clients, including nearly three-quarters of the top researchers worldwide.

SSI provides access to more than 3.5 million research respondents in more than 70 countries via proprietary communities and managed affiliate relationships. Founded in 1977, SSI has an international staff of 335 people representing 50 countries and 36 languages. The company is based in Fairfield, Conn. with additional offices in London, Paris, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Madrid, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, and La Quinta, Calif. For more information, visit www.surveysampling.com.

Keiler & CompanyJason Kannon, 860-674-3861
jasonk@keiler.com

Business: Orangefield Trust enters Singapore mkt through APES acquisition

Hong Kong, (ANTARA News/Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Netherlands-based Orangefield Trust, formerly known as ING Trust and specializing in trust and corporate management services, has officially announced the acquisition of APES SG Pte. Ltd., a private equity fund management service company in Singapore with over US$2 billion of assets under administration.

The acquisition expands Orangefield's geographical reach in Asia and helps position the company as a preferred provider of fund management services in the region.

The transaction was completed April 1, 2008. The new Singapore entity, Orangefield Management Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd, will be led by Mr Charles Kwun, Managing Director of Orangefield Trust in Hong Kong. Mr Kwun will serve as Director of the Singapore office alongside APES founder and owner Mr Tek Yok Hua, who will take up his new role as Director and Managing Administrator.

The new office not only provides on-the-ground presence for Orangefield Trust, but also added flexibility for Hong Kong-based and other clients to access the growing Singapore market.

Commenting on this strategic development, Mr Eelko Bronkhorst, CEO of Orangefield Trust, said, "We plan on enhancing our presence in Asia both through organic growth and M&A, and this is a very significant step for us.

"With our 30-year track record and APES' fund services leadership in Singapore, we believe this acquisition gives us a strong foothold in the growing market for Asia fund services."

Mr Kwun added, "We have high expectations for the Singapore market based upon the influx of foreign and public funds there. The acquisition of APES enables us to tap into this potential, service current and future fund management clients in Singapore and Hong Kong, and provide a platform for future expansion both in terms of our network and our services."

Orangefield Trust is the newly independent continuation of ING Trust, a leading global trust and management services provider, and a preferred supplier of the ING Group. With a diverse client portfolio of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized businesses and private customers, Orangefield Trust applies a boutique approach to a wide range of specialist services to further its reputation as a professional international management and trust services provider.

For media inquiries, please contact: Charles Kwun Managing
Director Orangefield Management (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Tel: +852-2295-2989 Email: charles.kwun@orangefield.hk
Wade Lundin GolinHarris Tel: +852-2501-7915 Email:
wade.lundin@golinharris.com
SOURCE: Orangefield Trust

Business: Alpha Hightheft Security device provides shrink drop, sales rise

Hong Kong, (ANTARA News/Xinhua-PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Checkpoint Systems' Alpha Division, a global leader in innovative security and merchandising solutions for high-shrink products, today presented the first study on razor blade shrink in the retail sector.

The study was conducted by Read Hayes, Ph.D., Director of the Loss Prevention Retail Council (LPRC) based in Florida, U.S., and a well-known expert on retail security and loss prevention. The research assessed the effectiveness of the Alpha Keeper(TM) system in reducing shrink, increasing sales, affecting out-of-stock occurrences and gauging perception from retail customers and employees alike. The project was conducted during the latter part of 2007 in several stores of a large grocery store retailer in the United States.

Keepers are clear polycarbonate cases with specialized electronics designed specifically to protect high-theft merchandise. The merchandise is kept safely inside while still allowing customers to browse the shelves and visually examine the products inside. This enables customers to make purchasing decisions much more easily on products that would otherwise be located in another area of the store, inside a locked cabinet, behind a shelf, or otherwise require assistance of a store employee - adding time and hassle to the customer shopping experience. Instead, customers can easily take the products in the Keepers off the shelves, and the Keepers are unlocked at the cash register when the customer purchases the products.

Results of the study, which involved the use of Keepers with 69 different wet shaving blade and razor products, show Keepers significantly reduce shrink and also increase sales compared to the normal options at the control stores.

In all test stores, shrink was significantly lowered, and the positive effect of decreased shrink became greater as more time elapsed. Sales of the products also increased due to increased availability of products on shelves without the need for associate assistance and a decrease in out-of-stock merchandise. When such factors as costs of goods, reduced shrink, increased sales, cost of labor, cost of capital, time and out of stocks are measured, the study found Keepers pay for themselves in about seven months, and had an internal rate of return of 139 per cent during the test period.

The study also found that retail customers find it easy to select and access the appropriate merchandise, and they react positively to the aesthetic design of the Keepers. On-shelf access is appreciated, so that they don't have to seek assistance from store employees to get the product from another area of the store or unlock it from a cabinet.

Cashiers noticed more razors coming through the check-out lines due to the on-shelf availability. They stated that Keepers are easy to use and require minimal additional time to remove products from Keepers. Interviewed employees and customers both affirm: "Keeper systems are an excellent combination of security and accessibility".

Dr. Hayes states: "This is the most rigorous evaluation research in stores that supports the efficacy and effectiveness of an asset protection solution as measured by real-world ROI results we're aware of today. Security and Loss Prevention Managers can use the study results to help justify retailers' investments in similar security solutions for their stores."

Larry Yeager, Vice President and General Manager, Alpha Division, added: "We were very pleased to sponsor the LPRC research. We know our product solutions have a quick ROI in terms of shrink reduction, and this research confirms this fact while adding compelling evidence about their positive effect on retail sales."

About the Loss Prevention Research Council:

The Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) uses fact-based research to develop crime and loss control solutions that improve the performance of its members and the industry. The LPRC was founded in 2001 by leading retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, OfficeMax, CVS, The Home Depot, Barnes and Noble and others in an effort to support the fact-based needs of the Loss Prevention industry.

To date, the LPRC has conducted over 40 real-world loss prevention research projects for retailers and partners. The research involves industry publications, research literature, our members, innovative suppliers, academia, and in-house data. The LPRC explores, develops, and measures the loss reduction and financial impact of these initiatives using scientific methods like e.g. field experimentation, statistical analyses and benchmarking among others.

LPRC also conducts confidential, proprietary research, training, expert witness and consulting for both members and non-members. For more information, visit www.lpresearch.org

About Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

Checkpoint Systems, Inc. is the leading supplier of retail shrink management solutions. Checkpoint's global team helps retailers - and their suppliers - reduce theft, increase inventory visibility and provide consumers with greater merchandise availability through the company's rapidly evolving RF technology, expanding shrink management offerings and Check-Net labeling solutions.

Checkpoint has more than one million RF devices installed in stores today and has secured more than 100 billion products. Scaling cost efficiently, Checkpoint's solutions provide increased revenues and profits to a fast-growing community of successful retailers and a superior experience for their consumers. Checkpoint acquired Alpha in November 2007.

For more than 30 years Alpha has provided retailers with the most innovative and technically advanced products engineered to protect high-theft merchandise. Every Alpha product is designed to defend retailers' bottom lines by helping them reduce theft and increase sales.

Listed on the NYSE (NYSE:CKP), Checkpoint operates in every geographic market and employs 3,200 people worldwide.

For more information, visit http://www.checkpointsystems.com or http:/alphaworld.com .

Contact: Natalie Chan Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
Tel: +852-2995-8350
SOURCE: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

Environment: International Transport Forum 2008 opens in Leipzig

International Transport Forum 2008 "Transport and Energy: The Challenges of Climate Change" has opened

Leipzig - /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ - The Secretary General of the International Transport Forum, Jack Short, along with Leipzig's mayor, Burkhard Jung, opened the International Transport Forum 2008 in Leipzig yesterday with a tour of the concomitant exhibition.

International Transport Forum 2008 is one of the world's largest transport summits, with over 600 attendees from politics, industry, science and civil society. It focuses on important strategic transport issues and is the only global platform for Transport Ministers. More than 100 journalists from around the world are covering this unique event. The spotlight is on climate change and rising energy consumption.
"The transport sector is facing a most difficult challenge, as it must find the right balance between strengthening transport and trade on one hand and reducing transport-related greenhouse gases and dependence on crude oil on the other hand", Jack Short said.

Transport ministers and senior officials from 52 countries are participating in the Forum. Decision makers have to devise strategies and actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly. These must be enacted at the national and international level. In this context, the organisers underlined the fact that the event is one of the first in the sector to be carbon neutral.

An exhibition on energy and transport as well as numerous other events are taking place simultaneously with the Forum. A detailed programme can be found at http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/forum2008.html

The exhibition at the Leipzig Congress Centre between 28-30 May, has been made possible by representatives from associations, companies, cities and local authorities, including the city of Leipzig. In addition, there is an "Open Forum" where scientists present their current research programmes and participants can learn about best practice examples in technology, energy and transport.

Additionally, on 28-29 May, Deutsche Bahn AG is presenting its contribution to climate protection in an exhibition at the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof/Central Station (Track 16/17, daily from 4 until 7 pm). The famous Leipzig Children's University has taken on the topic of transport and climate change (Neues Rathaus/NewTown Hall Leipzig, 28 May 5 to 6 pm).

A competition for young scientists who have devoted their research to the reduction of greenhouse emissions was also held. At the gala dinner on Thursday night, the winners will be announced in the presence of the transport ministers.
Further highlights of the programme include contributions by Angela Merkel (followed by a photo session on 29 May at 12.30 pm), Rajendra Pachauri, Yvo de Boer, Thomas Enders, Hartmut Mehdorn and many other participants. On the concluding day, there will be a closing press conference at 1 pm.

Exclusive events have been arranged for participants of the International Transport Forum, such as visits to the DHL European Hub and the BMW plant in Leipzig. Press attendance is possible by arrangement.

For more information please contact the Press Counter at the Press Centre Tel. +49(0)341-41455-573, Fax. +49-341-678-8182,
pr@leipziger-messe.de

SOURCE: International Transport Forum

Business: Crazy John's takes the rational approach to payments with TNS

Sydney (BUSINESS WIRE) - Crazy John's, the largest independent phone retailer in Australia, has chosen the Transaction Network Services (NYSE:TNS) Merchant Payment Gateway Solution to provide secure card not present payment processing.

The TNS hosted recurring billing service provides Crazy John's with one interface for processing both credit card and direct debit payments. This significantly reduces the costs normally associated with managing multiple vendors for a variety of payment mechanisms.

Crazy John's will also use the PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant Merchant Payment Gateway Solution to maintain the security of real time credit and debit card processing - including top-up cards - and stored card details for recurring transactions.

In addition to processing payments, TNS stores all sensitive card data offsite for Crazy John's. This ensures Crazy John's is compliant, but without the additional expense of changing its internal systems and processes.

Stephen Tuffley, head of operations at Crazy John's, explains, "We needed processing services that are extremely reliable, highly available, scalable, and secure. We also wanted a company we could trust, as the project involved a variety of third party organizations, each having a hand in our critical payments operation. TNS' professional services, project management and delivery teams have excelled in the co-ordinated implementation and their technical expertise in the payments industry is outstanding."

TNS also ensured Crazy John's finance department has efficient reconciliation processes across the multiple payment channels, which has resulted in significantly reduced administration overheads and streamlined processes.

Christopher Hughes, Vice President Sales TNS Asia Pacific, comments: "Crazy John's has built one of the most recognized retail brands in the mobile phone market in Australia. We are delighted to be a part of this growing and innovative business and are extremely well positioned to support growth needs through our extended value proposition, giving Crazy John's an easy migration option into new markets in the future."

About Crazy John's

Founded by John Ilhan in 1991, Crazy John's is Australia's most sucessful independent mobile phone retailer with over 120 retail outlets employing over 700 staff.

In July 2007 Crazy John's launched its own virtual mobile network with a real-time converged billing platform to deliver customers a better mobile phone service, with a greater choice of products and plans and industry leading customer service with real time access to view charges on-line or on the mobile itself.

Crazy John's is majority owned by the Ilhan family together with shareholders National Australia Bank, the Smorgon family and Selpam Group. For more information, please visit www.crazyjohns.com.au.

About TNS

Transaction Network Services (TNS) is an international communications company that enables payments, money and voices to move around the world.

In June of 2007, TNS acquired local Australia Payment Gateway provider Dialect Payment Technologies. Dialect's products - Safepay Lite, SafePay Standard and SafePay Enterprise are now offered within TNS' Merchant Payment Gateway Solutions product family.

TNS' mission is to enable the world to transact. It does this through a broad range of networking, communications and value added services, which it provides to many of the world's leading retailers, banks/processors, telecommunications companies and financial markets.

Since its inception in 1990, TNS has designed and implemented multiple data networks, each designed specifically for the transport of transaction-oriented data. TNS' networks support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols and are designed to be scalable and accessible by multiple methods. Today, TNS has 32 offices across 28 countries with the ability to provide services in other countries. For further information about TNS' transaction solutions, please refer to www.tnsi.com.

Statements and information contained in our press releases and newsletters that are not descriptions of historical fact may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or performance and from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods.
www.tnsi.com

TNS
Clare Cockroft
Tel: 0114 292 6416 ccockroft@tnsi.com
or
Beka HortonTel: + 1 703 453 8432 bhorton@tnsi.com

Energy: BlackLight Power Inc. announces commercial ready alternative energy solution

Cranbury, N.J. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - BlackLight Power Inc. today announced the successful testing of a new energy source. The company has successfully developed a prototype power system generating 50,000 watts of thermal power on demand. Incorporating existing industry knowledge in chemical and power engineering, BlackLight Power (BLP) is pursuing the immediate design and engineering of central power plants utilizing the BlackLight Process. BLP plans on developing pilot plants with architecture and engineering firms with anticipated delivery in approximately 12 to 18 months. The BLP process has been replicated and validated by independent scientists and has received interest from financial institutions and power utility plant operators around the world. BLP plans on licensing its technologies.

"If you make cheap heat, you can make cheap electricity and if you can make cheap electricity you can make cheap hydrogen," says Randall Mills, Chairman, CEO, and President of BlackLight Power Inc. "The BlackLight Process generates enormous amounts of cheap, non-polluting heat that will replace the thermal power in coal, oil, gas and nuclear power plants that is then converted to electricity."

And with gasoline prices setting record after record, BlackLight CEO Randall Mills, says the BlackLight Process is the breakthrough we've all been waiting for. "The hydrogen-burning car has been possible for decades, but there has never been a way to produce cheap hydrogen until today. We are projecting that we will be at the scale of power generation necessary for a power plant to replace the gasoline pumped in a day at a station with hydrogen from water in approximately 24 months."

Dr. Shelby Brewer, former CEO of ABB Combustion Engineering and Assistant Secretary of Energy during the Reagan Administration called today's announcement remarkable. "In my nearly 50 years in and around the energy business, I've yet to see a breakthrough as promising as this one. When I was studying to become a nuclear engineer in the 1960s, I never imagined I would see a day like today." Brewer, a current board member of BlackLight Power, added "This breakthrough was entirely supported by private capital with no government investment."

Michael Jordan, former CEO of Westinghouse and current board member of BlackLight Power, says "The breakthroughs announced by Randall Mills and his team of scientists will go down as one of the most important advances in the field of energy in the last fifty years."

BlackLight CEO Randall Mills has released a paper outlining the full documentation and explanation of the BlackLight Process that is available at: http://www.blacklightpower.com/

Mills is committed to announcing all future progress as it occurs.

About BlackLight Power

BlackLight Power Inc. is the inventor of a new primary energy source and a new field of hydrogen chemistry with broad commercial applications.

BlackLight Power has invented a new primary energy source with applications to heating, distributed power generation, central power generation, and motive power based on a new chemical process of releasing the latent energy of the hydrogen atom, the BlackLight Process.

For more information, please visit http://www.blacklightpower.com/
Media Contact:
Ramya Kumaraswamy
Mobile: 510-316-4926
Office: 212-885-0552
ramya.kumaraswamy@hillandknowlton.com

SOURCE BlackLight Power Inc.
CONTACT: Ramya Kumaraswamy, Mobile: +1-510-316-4926, Office:
+1-212-885- 0552, ramya.kumaraswamy@hillandknowlton.com, for BlackLight Power Inc.
Web site: http://www.blacklightpower.com

Business: Business Wire enters gulf states region with an exclusive sales

Business Wire enters gulf states region with an exclusive sales agreement with news services group-Middle East
UAE-based news distribution company will represent business wire throughout the MENA region

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-binmmg.cgi?eid=5690931

Dubai, United Arab Emirates & New York (BUSINESS WIRE) - Seeking to introduce Business Wire's complement of global media and investor relations services to one of world's fastest growing financial centers, Business Wire has entered into an exclusive sales agreement for the MENA region with Dubai-based News Services Group-Middle East [NSG-ME], it was announced today.

NSG-ME (www.nsg-me.com) will market Business Wire's services throughout the Middle East and North Africa region including:
Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen.

In response to members anxious to reach the booming Gulf region, Business Wire will leverage NSG's ME Newswire (www.me-newswire.com) to expand its regional coverage. ME Newswire includes direct network access to the Emirates News Agency [Wakalat Anab'a al-Emarat, also known by the acronym "WAM"].

WAM reaches all major print and online media, as well as corporations and government ministries. NSG will supplement WAM's network with targeted delivery to individual editors and trade media drawn from NSG-ME's proprietary media database.

Agence France-Presse will continue to provide the media backbone of Business Wire's Arabic-language regional Middle East network.

"Dubai has catapulted to the top ranks of the world's leading business hubs" said Cathy Baron Tamraz, Business Wire's president and CEO, in making today's announcement. "NSG-ME brings local knowledge and insight, coupled with a strong understanding of the portfolio of possibilities available to reach global investors, businesses and consumers. Business Wire anticipates that the corporate news flow out of the region will grow dramatically as a result of NSG-ME's links to business and government decision-makers."

"Our agreement with Business Wire is a significant development for companies and organizations based in the Middle East and North Africa," noted Managing Director Tony Abi Hanna, speaking from NSG-ME's headquarters in Dubai Media City. "We are providing a convenient and powerful platform to reach tens of thousands of media outlets worldwide, including both regional and global markets. We provide an added dimension in that our staff of media professionals and consultants will counsel clients on how to best maximize the communications opportunities that we are introducing into the marketplace."

About Business Wire

Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is utilized by thousands of member companies and organizations to transmit their full-text news releases, regulatory filings, photos and other multimedia content to journalists, news media, trade publications, institutional and individual investors, financial information services, regulatory authorities, Internet portals, information web sites, business-to-business decision-makers and consumers worldwide. With a news distribution network spanning 150 countries?and 45 languages, Business Wire's multi-channel delivery network?has access to dozens of international and national news agency networks throughout?the Americas, Europe, Asia,the Middle East and Africa.

The Business Wire news network is powered by its patented NX high-speed data platform and supports XML, XHTML and XBRL code to deliver the most sophisticated news file to enhance news release interactivity, customization and search engine optimization. Business Wire has 31 bureaus in cities including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami,
Paris, Frankfurt, London, Brussels, Tokyo, Toronto and Sydney with reciprocal offices throughout the world.
Business Wire was founded in 1961.

About News Services Group-Middle East

NSG - News Services Group Middle East is the Middle East & North Africa leading corporate news services provider - Distribution, Monitoring & Search Engine Optimization.

ME Newswire, the news distribution arm of NSG, assists the top companies in each country across the MENA region in raising their profile, increasing awareness of their image, products, reputation and the effectiveness of their corporate communication strategy. ME Newswire works with PR Agencies and in-house communication departments in supporting their communication distribution requirements.

ME Newswire allow clients to communicate their messages unaltered to domestic, regional and global most relevant audience increasing the chance of pick-up and therefore maximizing its visibility. Moreover, ME Newswire will be operating network stations through out the Middle East and North Africa countries making interactions with clients more convenient.

Business Wire
Neil Hershberg, +1-212-752-9600
or
NSG - News Services Group Middle East
Tony Abi Hanna, +971-505050-957

Business: International Transport Forum 2008 opens in Leipzig

International Transport Forum 2008 "Transport and Energy: The Challenges of Climate Change" has opened

Leipzig (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - The Secretary General of the International Transport Forum, Jack Short, along with Leipzig's mayor, Burkhard Jung, opened the International Transport Forum 2008 in Leipzig yesterday with a tour of the concomitant exhibition.

International Transport Forum 2008 is one of the world's largest transport summits, with over 600 attendees from politics, industry, science and civil society. It focuses on important strategic transport issues and is the only global platform for Transport Ministers. More than 100 journalists from around the world are covering this unique event. The spotlight is on climate change and rising energy consumption.
"The transport sector is facing a most difficult challenge, as it must find the right balance between strengthening transport and trade on one hand and reducing transport-related greenhouse gases and dependence on crude oil on the other hand", Jack Short said.

Transport ministers and senior officials from 52 countries are participating in the Forum. Decision makers have to devise strategies and actions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly. These must be enacted at the national and international level. In this context, the organisers underlined the fact that the event is one of the first in the sector to be carbon neutral.

An exhibition on energy and transport as well as numerous other events are taking place simultaneously with the Forum. A detailed programme can be found at http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/forum2008.html

The exhibition at the Leipzig Congress Centre between 28-30 May, has been made possible by representatives from associations, companies, cities and local authorities, including the city of Leipzig. In addition, there is an "Open Forum" where scientists present their current research programmes and participants can learn about best practice examples in technology, energy and transport.

Additionally, on 28-29 May, Deutsche Bahn AG is presenting its contribution to climate protection in an exhibition at the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof/Central Station (Track 16/17, daily from 4 until 7 pm). The famous Leipzig Children's University has taken on the topic of transport and climate change (Neues Rathaus/NewTown Hall Leipzig, 28 May 5 to 6 pm).

A competition for young scientists who have devoted their research to the reduction of greenhouse emissions was also held. At the gala dinner on Thursday night, the winners will be announced in the presence of the transport ministers. Further highlights of the programme include contributions by Angela Merkel (followed by a photo session on 29 May at 12.30 pm), Rajendra Pachauri, Yvo de Boer, Thomas Enders, Hartmut Mehdorn and many other participants. On the concluding day, there will be a closing press conference at 1 pm.

Exclusive events have been arranged for participants of the International Transport Forum, such as visits to the DHL European Hub and the BMW plant in Leipzig. Press attendance is possible by arrangement.

For more information please contact the Press Counter at the Press Centre Tel. +49(0)341-41455-573, Fax. +49-341-678-8182, pr@leipziger-messe.de

SOURCE: International Transport Forum

Business: CORRECTION - Piers now offers Argentine import-export trade data

Newark, N.J. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - In the news release, PIERS Now Offers Argentine Import-Export Trade Data, issued earlier today by PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the sixth paragraph, first sentence, should read "US$55.4 billion" rather than "US$55.4 million" as originally issued inadvertently.

Complete corrected release follows:

PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, a Commonwealth Business Media company and the leading provider of U.S. trade data, has expanded its international import-export database resources to include current and historical data on Argentina's overland, water- and airborne cross-border commerce with the rest of the world.

"This is an important addition to our Latin American database, which now includes the top seven of the 12 South American national economies -- Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador -- as well as U.S.-NAFTA partner Mexico," explains Wael Jarous, vice president of PIERS Commercial Sales.

"At PIERS, we always intend to enlarge our commercial intelligence assets," continues Jarous. "It takes time because we want to ensure that our agents abroad have the access to authoritative sources -- typically Customs authorities - and can provide data that meets the same industry-leading standards of accuracy and comprehensiveness set by our U.S. import-export trade database."

The PIERS Argentine data will yield the "who, what, when and where" of import-export transactions, Jarous says, including names of shippers & consignees, points of origin and destination, commodity descriptions, and actual freight and goods values. PIERS offers online access to its international database by subscription, or as custom datasets for one-time purchase. Data may also be delivered via CD or in print report formats.

A key player in global commerce, Argentina is one of the five full members (the others are Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela) of MERCOSUR, South America's largest and the world's fourth largest trading block after the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to U.S. State Dept. figures, Argentina exports in 2007 amounted to US$55.4 billion, with MERCOSUR (22%), the EU (18%) and NAFTA (11%) the top markets. Imports in 2007 totalled $44.8 billion, with MERCOSUR partners (36%), EU (17%) and NAFTA (16%) the top sources -- with the U.S. accounting for approximately 13% of Argentine imports. Two-way trade in goods between the U.S. and Argentina neared US$9 billion in 2006, while two-way trade in services exceeded US$3.2 billion according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Argentine economy, in strong resurgence since 2003, is expected to continue to perform well in 2008 with GDP growth projected at 6.9%, according to the Argentine Central Bank's consensus survey.

For information about PIERS Argentine or other international trade databases, go to http://www.piers.com/piersproducts.aspx, or call 800-952-3839 ext 7175.

About PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions

PIERS is the primary source of U.S. waterborne trade information and a leader in global trade solutions.

Launched over 30 years ago by The Journal of Commerce as the Port Import Export Reporting Service, its first venture in electronic information, PIERS quickly became the standard reference on container trade for the maritime industry.

The database that is at the core of PIERS information products is unique. Based on the manifests and bills of lading that document import-export activity, and checked by reporters in every port, the PIERS database yields the most timely, accurate, comprehensive information available on trade through U.S. Ports.

More specialized PIERS databases also offer historical data back to the 1950's, trade finance data, and Asia and Latin American trade data.

PIERS economists and researchers supply expert data analysis and interpretation to support decision-marking, while detailed and customizable datasets yield solutions for cross-border marketing, supply-chain management and competitive intelligence.

A roster of over 6,000 private industry, trade association, and domestic and foreign government clients, representing more than 40 countries, relies on PIERS to translate trade data into meaningful intelligence that guides their global business strategies. For more information visit http://www.piers.com

About Commonwealth Business Media

Commonwealth Business Media, Inc., a subsidiary of United Business Media plc, is the leading information provider to the global trade and transportation market with comprehensive proprietary data, news and analytical content. Its leading brands include The Journal of Commerce, PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions, BACK Aviation Solutions, Air Cargo World, Traffic World, OAG and Aviation Industry Group, a number
of directory databases covering the international trade, railroad and trucking markets. The Company also produces more than 30 conferences serving the international trade, aviation and maritime markets. Commonwealth is headquartered in East Windsor, New Jersey, with offices in Newark, San Francisco, New Haven, Long Beach, Atlanta, Montreal, Toronto, Washington DC, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Singapore, Hong Kong and London. For more information on Commonwealth Business Media, Inc. and the products they offer, visit http://www.cbizmedia.com

SOURCE: PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions
CONTACT:
Lisa Wallerstein of Commonwealth Business Media
Vice President, PIERS Marketing
+1-973-848-7026
lwallerstein@piers.com
Web site: http://www.cbizmedia.com
http://www.piers.com

Business: Korn/Ferry implements Verizon Business solutions

Korn/Ferry implements Verizon Business solutions to streamline its Asia-Pacific communications Verizon private IP enhances information delivery to maintain competitive business edge

Singapore (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Korn/Ferry International has streamlined its Asia-Pacific communications capabilities by implementing a Verizon Private IP solution to provide secure, fast and reliable connectivity between Korn/Ferry's 17 offices across the region and its Singapore administrative headquarters.

A premier global provider of talent management solutions, Korn/Ferry International helps companies identify, deploy, develop, retain and reward their talent around the world. With operations across 39 countries, the firm's ability to harness technology to seamlessly exchange information and expertise both internally and with clients is a key competitive advantage. Korn/Ferry's success relies on its consultants' ability to quickly and securely locate and share highly confidential information. In addition, the firm delivers custom leadership-development solutions directly to its customers via a secure online executive centre.

As Korn/Ferry's business has continued to expand regionwide, it became clear that the firm could achieve cost efficiencies and optimise overall network performance by consolidating its resources with a single service provider. To achieve this, Verizon Business completed the first phase of the Private IP network rollout in March; additional sites will be brought online in the coming year.

Korn/Ferry also plans to further consolidate its regional IT resources by co-locating its key IP telephony, e-mail and database systems within the Verizon Business secure data centre in Singapore.

"Our clients trust us with significant and confidential information," said Stein Bang, senior director, IT Asia Pacific, Korn/Ferry International. "Network security and reliability are absolutely essential to our business, but so is performance -- speed of delivery is a real business differentiator. While Verizon Business' Private IP solution and advanced data centre and co-location capabilities help us support our clients, it's Verizon Business' service commitment that has really given us the assurance we needed to entrust a third party with this information. By partnering with Verizon Business, we are better able to focus on our own customer service delivery."

Andrew Dobbins, regional vice president, Verizon Business Asia Pacific, said, "We pride ourselves in the quality of both our solutions and customer service. For customers like Korn Ferry International, their network and communication requirements are absolutely fundamental to their industry leadership position. This is a good example of how Verizon Business solutions and service capabilities combine to support a customer in achieving its own business goals."

About Korn/Ferry International Asia Pacific

Korn/Ferry International, with more than 80 offices in 39 countries, is a premier global provider of talent management solutions. Korn/Ferry was the first major U.S. executive search firm to operate in Asia Pacific when it opened its doors in Tokyo in 1973. Today it has 17 offices in key business centers throughout the region, including: Auckland, Bangalore, Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo and Wellington.

Based in Los Angeles, the firm delivers an array of solutions that help clients to identify, deploy, develop, retain and reward their talent. For more information on the Korn/Ferry International family of companies, visit http://www.kornferryasia.com

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), operates the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed. The company integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services. These solutions power innovation and enable the company's customers to do business better. For more information, visit http://
www.verizonbusiness.com

SOURCE: Verizon Business
CONTACT: Junaidah Dahlan of Verizon Business,
+65 6248 6827,
junaidah.dahlan@sg.verizonbusiness.com
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/618232.html
Web site: http://www.verizonbusiness.com
http://www.kornferryasia.com

Health/Medical: Frost & Sullivan sees huge growth in Korea's healthcare sector

Seoul, South Korea (BUSINESS WIRE) - Frost & Sullivan, has appointed Ms. HyoYoung Suh as Director for its Healthcare Practice in South Korea to strengthen its portfolio as it sees huge growth potential in the sector.

"The healthcare market revenue in South Korea is expected to increase to US$ 21.0 billion in 2008, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%, from US$ 18.8 billion in 2007.
Also, with developed healthcare infrastructure in place, premium healthcare products and services would be in higher demand," says Ms. Reenita Das, Vice President of Asia Pacific Healthcare Practice, Frost & Sullivan.

Ms. Das also said that 2008 will be marked by a shift towards a successful healthcare business model. "It is no longer about simply making and marketing medicines and devices; it will involve collaboration outside the core business focus," she added.

"HyoYoung Suh is a strong addition to the Asia Pacific Healthcare team," she said.

In her new role at Frost & Sullivan, Ms. Suh will be responsible for growing the company's healthcare business in South Korea.

"I am thrilled to be taking on this new role as I believe I can truly add value to Frost & Sullivan's client base. I look forward to the challenge of this exciting industry," Ms. Suh said.

She added that prospects for the Korean healthcare market are bright. "The healthcare sector has been one of the fastest growing markets in South Korea with an affluent and ageing population which is extremely concerned with healthy living.
This offers huge growth opportunities for healthcare companies," she said.

Frost & Sullivan analysis shows that the growth of non-reimbursement areas and generic markets presents a sizeable opportunity for domestic pharmaceutical and medical device companies in Korea.

Ms. Suh brings vast experience and an enviable track record to Frost & Sullivan's Healthcare Practice in South Korea with her 17 years in the industry, both in consulting and multinational corporations. She has previously worked with leading healthcare companies such as Smith & Nephew, the then GlaxoWellcome, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Rhone-Plounc Rorer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Pfizer, Esso, McKinsey and the former Andersen Consulting.

Frost & Sullivan Healthcare Practice has a large team of 90 analysts in Asia Pacific, dedicated to researching the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, healthcare IT and medical devices markets as well as emerging technology trends in the region.

About Frost & SullivanFrost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Frost & Sullivan

Corporate Communications - Healthcare, Asia Pacific
Shereen Gill, +603 6204 5909 cell: +6017 617 8300
shereen.gill@frost.com

Business: RISI launch of free North American Lumber & Panel News Headlines Service

Boston, MA. (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, today announced the launch of a free daily email update with top lumber and panel industry news headlines. This free email is part of Crow's Lumber & Panel News Service -- a comprehensive news service dedicated to the North American wood products industry. The service is produced by the editors of Crow's Weekly Market Report -- the longest running softwood lumber and panel price reporting service in the industry.
Crow's Lumber & Panel Update will provide subscribers headlines on the latest lumber news and wood products industry developments -- market shifts, mergers and acquisitions, price changes, project news and more.

Ken Tennefoss, Editor of Crow's Lumber & Panel News, commented, "This new service provides news you just can't find anywhere else. It's reported by a team of veteran forest products journalists who have a combined 60 years of experience and who take pride in ensuring each story is as accurate and meaningful as possible to our audience of industry insiders."

He continued, "We think customers will find this service to be a valuable time-saver, by delivering all the key daily news items that today's lumber and panel executives need directly to their computer, helping them to consistently make the most timely and informed business decisions."

For more information, or to subscribe for FREE to Crow's Lumber & Panel News, please visit us at http://www.risiinfo.com woodnews, contact us at wt@risiinfo.com or call us at 866.271.8525

About RISI

RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The company works with clients in the pulp and paper, wood products, timber, tissue, nonwovens, printing and publishing industries to help them make better decisions.

Headquartered in Boston (Bedford), Massachusetts, RISI operates offices in Brussels, Belgium; Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Shanghai, China; Singapore; and Charlottesville, Virginia. More information can be found at http://www.risiinfo.com

Contact:
Dan Blenk
Marketing Manager Wood & Timber Information
RISI
4 Alfred Circle, Bedford MA 01730 U.S.A.
Tel: +1.781.734.8949
Email: dblenk@risiinfo.com
SOURCE: RISI
CONTACT: Dan Blenk,
Marketing Manager Wood & Timber Information of RISI,
+1-781-734-8949,
dblenk@risiinfo.com
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080521/NEW122LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk:
photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.risiinfo.com
http://www.risiinfo.com/woodnews

Business: Epsilon International names Cynthia Richmond Regional Director, Australasia

Sydney, Australia (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Epsilon International today announced the appointment of Cynthia Richmond as Regional Director, Australasia.

Richmond will be based in Sydney, overseeing the day to day operations in the Australia and New Zealand markets, guiding client services and business development efforts. She will report to Dominic Powers, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific for Epsilon International.

Richmond brings with her a wealth of strategic consulting and business development experience from leading companies such as Sun Microsystems, IBM, Avaya and Novell in Australia. Prior to joining Epsilon International, she ran her own business management and change management consultancy servicing clients across a number of industries including finance, pharmaceuticals and technology.

"Cynthia's proven experience at driving results and managing large client portfolios for leading enterprise software and services organisations is truly exceptional. Her ability to identify challenges with client processes and strategy, and to provide innovative and practical solutions that drive client ROI will be indispensable as the Epsilon business continues tosee strong double digit growth in Australia and throughout the Asia Pacific region", said Dominic Powers. "We are very pleased to welcome such a talented and experienced individual to the regional management team."

"It is very exciting to be a part of an organization with the capability and reputation that Epsilon has, not just in Australia, but globally. The solutions and services that Epsilon provides allow marketers to plan strategic campaigns that are targeted, relevant, and most importantly drive significant ROI on every dollar spent", said Cynthia Richmond.

"The ability to use information gained from statistical analysis of campaigns and to immediately leverage this in real-time into actionable marketing activities profoundly changes a company's ability to deliver results." said Richmond.

About Epsilon

Epsilon - including its Abacus division - is a 21st Century Marketing Services Company that uses consumer and business data together with proven techniques to maximize marketing power for clients worldwide. Services include strategic consulting, database and loyalty technology, proprietary data, predictive modeling and a full range of creative and interactive services including brand and promotional development, web design, email deployment, search engine optimization and direct mail production. Among other notables, Epsilon is the world's largest permission-based email marketer. Epsilon is an Alliance Data company. For more information, visit http://www.epsilon.com .

Contact:
Regina Leung
Marketing Director, Asia Pacific
Epsilon International
Email: rleung@epsilon.com
http://www.epsilon.com/international
SOURCE Epsilon International