Tag: BRD

Fashion

Kenneth Cole Launches Kenneth Cole Connect™ Fashion Smart Watch

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NEW YORK, March 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Kenneth Cole and Geneva Watch Group announce the launch of the new Kenneth Cole Connect™ Smart Watch Collection as wearable technology takes over the accessory market. The simple and stylish smart watches hit stores in April.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7461651-kenneth-cole-connect/

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150326/194767

“As a designer, I always try to give customers what they want but in a way that they don’t necessarily expect it,” states designer Kenneth Cole. “Wearable technology is one of the fastest growing fashion categories today and I am excited to be on the forefront of embracing this platform.”

Kenneth Cole Connect™’s assortment of men’s and women’s smart watches was introduced in March at Baselworld, the international watch and jewelry trade show. Highlights included a photo booth where visitors showed off their favorite Kenneth Cole Connect™ watch and shared photos in real time over social media. The activation gained 13,127 impressions in three days.

Kenneth Cole is leading the watch pack as one of the first fashion brands to enter the smart watch market, starting at $135. Featuring Bluetooth smart technology, Kenneth Cole Connect™ comes in 12 styles containing app-enabled functionality that lets users stay discreetly connected via alerts for incoming calls, texts and calendar events.

Buyers can control music on their smartphone remotely as well as take selfies longer than their arm. With the “selfie” trend growing rapidly, Kenneth Cole Connect™ allows wearers to control their smartphone’s camera and take pictures straight from their wrists.

Other features include a stopwatch, low battery phone alert, 3 ATM water resistance and “Don’t Leave Me Alerts” that inform wearers when they are losing Bluetooth connection, so they will never lose their phone again. Further differentiating itself from other smart watches, Kenneth Cole Connect™ operates on a normal watch battery, so no charger is necessary.

About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources, and markets handbags, apparel, and accessories under the names Kenneth Cole Collection, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, and Unlisted, as well as footwear under Gentle Souls. The Company has also granted third-party licenses for the production of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel among fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and other accessory categories. The Company’s products are distributed through department stores, specialty stores, company-owned retail stores, and its e-commerce website. Further information can be found at KennethCole.com.

About Geneva Watch Group

Founded in 1974, Geneva Watch Group is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of digital and analog watches and clocks. The company creates timepieces under license for fashion and lifestyle brands such as Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Bahama, Ted Baker London, and Zoo York as well as producing its own proprietary brands including Freestyle, Game Time and Breil. Additionally, Geneva Watch Group designs and manufactures watches and clocks under private label for most of the world’s largest retailers. For more information, please visit GenevaWatchGroup.com

ENT Fashion MEN

Shanghai Media Group Selects LiveU’s Portable Video Transmission Technology

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– SMG has standardized on LiveU’s flagship LU500 backpack across its TV, newspaper, traditional and new media outlets

HACKENSACK, N.J., March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — LiveU, the pioneer in IP-based live video services and broadcast solutions for acquisition, management and distribution, announced today that Shanghai Media Group (SMG), one of the largest media and entertainment companies in China, has selected LiveU’s bonding transmission technology for live broadcasts across its diverse media outlets. After conducting an in-depth evaluation of competitive solutions, SMG has standardized on LiveU’s professional, lightweight LU500 backpack for its newsgathering operations, deploying multiple units across the Group.

LiveU’s technology is being supplied and supported by LiveU’s Chinese partner Diadem.

SMG first leased LiveU’s technology from Diadem to cover football events, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and to support the Washington news reporting division. Since then, SMG has increased its usage to cover news and sports events worldwide, including the Airshow China 2014 (the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition), Australian Open Tennis Championships 2015, 2015 AFC Asian Cup, 17th Asian Games in Incheon 2014, 2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters, Apple releases and Alibaba listing in the USA 2014.

Mr. Sheng Song, Chief of the Section, The 2nd T Production Dept. of STV Technical Section, of SMG, said, “LiveU’s technology offers a highly cost-effective option for live HD coverage, with no need for satellite trucks. The LU500 stood out from other solutions in our tests in terms of video quality and resiliency – crucial in China because we’re covering stories all over the country, often with variable cellular coverage. With its multiple internal modems and antenna modules, the LU500 enables us to transmit live video with minimum delay even in remote areas. We’re also utilizing LiveU’s mobile app, LU-Smart, for smartphones and tablets, allowing our reporters to extend their coverage on-the-move.”

Mr. Song continued, “We’re planning to expand our deployment going forward, with additional LU500 units in our overseas news reporting division, and in our local news and sports channels. We’re also adding the LU200 mini newsgathering unit, LiveU’s Xtender external antenna and new smartphone applications.”

Mr. Gordon Gu, CEO of DiaDem Technologies Inc., LiveU’s local partner, said, “SMG is a trailblazer in China and the region in general. They’re using LiveU to transmit live coverage from many different events, across different media platforms, enhancing the viewers’ experience. SMG is an excellent example of how cellular bonding technology is transforming the media industry.”

LiveU’s global units and services are connected via the LiveU Central management system for easy preview and remote control using any computer or tablet from anywhere around the world.

Mr. Doron Meirom, VP Sales APAC, LiveU, said, “We’re proud that Shanghai Media Group, one of the leading media companies in APAC, has selected LiveU’s technology to enhance their newsgathering and event coverage capabilities. The LU500 has once again proved to be the most robust live transmission unit on the market, offering top video performance and global services, together with ultimate portability and flexibility.”

LiveU owns the patent for cellular bonding for remote news gathering in the US, China and other countries. All LiveU products are based on this fourth-generation patented technology.

See LiveU’s solutions at DiaDem’s stand (7509 in Hall 7) at CCBN2015, China International Exhibition Center (CIEC), March 26 – 28, 2015.

About Shanghai Media Group

Shanghai Media Group (SMG) is one of the largest media and entertainment companies in China. SMG boasts the most valuable and comprehensive business portfolio including radio, TV, newspaper and magazine traditional media outlets, TV program/drama and motion picture productions and distribution, multiplatform video distribution such as IPTV and Internet TV, and online video offerings, digital advertising, online and console gaming, TV shopping and ecommerce , live and performing arts and tourism. By the end of 2013, SMG had RMB 44.6 billion in assets and RMB 21 billion annual income.

In terms of media outlets, SMG currently operates 15 satellite and cable networks, including news, entertainment, sports, finance, documentary, children networks, which are based on a free-to-air advertising business model.

About DiaDem:

DiaDem Technologies Inc. has operations in Beijing and Shanghai, China, and investment in the Bay Area, USA, combining creative US high-tech culture with China’s continually-growing prosperous economy to bring innovative Sino-US economic and technological development for mutual prosperity.

The DiaDem team is uniquely experienced in core technology fields, such as baseband, radio frequency chip design, wireless communication, information security, satellite communication, video processing, cloud computing and others, etc. with product lines including Intelligent Mobile Terminals (mobile terminals, rugged smart phones, tablets, mobile power bank, IP cameras), Intelligent Systems, and Cloud Service (Cloud HD live broadcasting service, SEEi-www.seei.tv, Cloud Secu-Call mobile information security service, Cloud Network video monitoring service, etc.).

With its technology-based service-concept focus, DiaDem’s solid hardworking team works across Sino-US and European, African and Latin America markets to explore opportunities together with its strategic partner LiveU. DiaDem aims for great success and benefit to both China and the international community.

For more information, visit www.diadem-tech.cn and its sister company ADINNO, www.adinno.org.

Press/Sales Contact:
For DiaDem:
Ms. Lei Gao
Mr. YunQing Wang
+86-21-5522 9560
diadem@diadem-tech.cn

About LiveU

LiveU is the pioneer in IP-based live video services and solutions for acquisition, management and distribution. LiveU’s award-winning technology enables live video transmission from any location around the world with lightweight, easy-to-use equipment. From backpacks to smartphones, and satellite/cellular hybrid to external antenna solutions, LiveU offers a complete range of devices for live video coverage anytime, anywhere. In addition, LiveU offers extensive cloud-based management and video distribution solutions. With top-tier customers in 60+ countries, LiveU’s solutions are being utilized for breaking and developing news and high-profile events, such as the FIFA World Cup™, Winter and Summer Olympic Games, Presidential Campaigns, Super Bowls, US Collegiate Championships and red-carpet events. LiveU’s solutions include multiple 4G LTE/3G, HSPA+, WiMAX and Wi-Fi cellular links, which are optimized for maximum video quality based on the available network conditions. For more information, visit www.liveu.tv, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.

Press Contact:

For LiveU:
Joss Armitage
+44-7979-908-547
joss@jumppr.tv

Sales Contact:
201-742-5228
info@liveu.tv

ENT Fashion MEN

BroadcastAsia2015: Meeting the Demands of the Connected Consumer

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Reuben Verghese, Global Head of Multiscreen Solutions & Vice President of Asia at Accedo and BroadcastAsia2015 exhibitor and conference speaker shares his top technology predictions for the broadcasting industry

SINGAPORE, Feb. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Asia Pacific has a unique broadcasting market dynamic that boasts a new generation of the Connected Consumer. According to IDC, due to the combination of a fast growing economy and a lack of fixed infrastructure in the developing countries, mobility is crucial to the lives of many consumers and businesses in the region. Enterprises need to adapt their business to suit the changing consumer preferences or risk getting left behind.

Taking this into consideration, Mr Verghese believes that the broadcasting industry is one to watch out for in 2015 as more businesses learn to best leverage the mobile device adoption and to utilize it to engage with consumers. He shares his views with BroadcastAsia2015, and looks ahead on how the changing broadcasting industry will impact enterprises as it finds new ways to engage audiences, monetize those engagements, and better manage the user experience. Mr Verghese presents a sneak preview of his speech, so let’s take a look at some of the key trends set to change the broadcasting industry in 2015…

Audience fragmentation

It is no secret that more consumers are turning to their mobile devices for updates on world news, and for the latest in entertainment. In the past decade, since the proliferation of smart connected display devices, there has been a shift in the way consumers and enterprises consume and deliver video, with more access to their news, sports, videos and entertainment on a myriad of sources as opposed to traditional television. This added convenience and accessibility have changed the consumption patterns of the Connected Consumer and by extension, the broadcasting industry — spreading the audience reach across borders and across multiple platforms. This shift in audience preferences has also resulted in changes to business models with new revenue streams from these new platforms.

Varying degrees of infrastructure

While the distribution and delivery of content has evolved over the years, one of the key challenges is in sustaining high quality services over multiple platforms and varying quality of network infrastructure.

Given that the broadband speeds are higher than it used to be, more broadcasters are choosing to use the internet as a platform to deliver their own video and content. Broadcasters are able to leverage the rising broadband speeds and technological infrastructure in the region to offer better and higher video streaming qualities that tie in with the connected lifestyle that many consumers enjoy now.

Players in the broadcasting industry are increasingly leveraging on cloud services to address the challenge of offering consumers content anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Take Malaysia for example, with fiber optics and high speed mobile broadband roll-out, consumers are increasingly spending more time on both local and international OTT services as opposed to traditional broadcast services. This creates both immense opportunities and challenges to broadcasters as they adapt their distribution methods to suit the changing consumer needs.

Content partnership  

Another interesting trend in the region is content partnerships between telecommunications companies, and content aggregators. We are now seeing a regionalisation of services where local broadcasters are expanding their reach towards regional and global audiences via OTT services provided by a telecommunications company. Another example of regionalisation is TV channels that have developed mobile applications to engage with a wide audience base beyond their market. This helps to further promote their brand and generate advertising revenue. These applications typically have an authenticated experience with extended access to the content library so they are also intended to have a positive impact on subscriber revenue for the channel.  Broadcasters are also today partnering with connected device manufacturers to maximize reach and enhance appeal of these devices at the point of sale.  

Data & Analytics

Businesses need to do more than react to today’s trends — they need to be able to see emerging trends that will dictate the future of television and develop richer relationships with viewers. With digital video products in the hands of millions of users, there is now a huge amount of data being generated for broadcasters. Analytics on this data now allows us to delve into the consumer psyche to unearth consumption patterns and behaviours for better insight into the consumer profile to tailor services and unique content offerings, better helping broadcasters to stand out from the crowd.

Catch Mr Verghese at BroadcastAsia2015 to find out how your business can leverage smart technologies to meet the demands of the Connected Consumer. 

BroadcastAsia2015 International Conference / Creative Content Production Conference

Date:

2-5 June 2015

Venue:

Level 3, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Opening Hours:

2-4 June 2015: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | 5 June 2015: 9:00 am –  12:30 pm

Admission:

Registered delegates only

Website:

http://www.broadcast-asia.com/conference/fees-and-registration/

 

BroadcastAsia2015 Exhibition

Incorporating:

SatComm2015

Date:

2-5 June 2015

Venue:

Level 4 & 5 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Opening Hours:

2-4 June 2015: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm | 5 June 2015: 10:30 am –  4:00 pm

Admission:

Trade professionals only

Website:

http://www.broadcast-asia.com 

Media Enquiries:  

 

June Seah / Patricia Yee
Singapore Exhibition Services
Tel: +65-6233-6621 / +65-6233-6637

Email: june.seah@sesallworld.com / patricia.yee@sesallworld.com   

Anu Ramasamy / Chan Shu Ling
FleishmanHillard Singapore
Tel: +65-6424-6371 / +65-6424-6379

Email: Anu.Ramasamy@fleishman.com / ShuLing.Chan@fleishman.com

ENT Fashion

The Word Network On Faith Broadcasting Network In Africa And The U.K.

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DETROIT, Dec. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Word Network, the largest African American religious network in the world, launched select programming on the Faith Broadcasting Network, formerly known as TBNSA. The Word Network together with Faith Broadcasting Network have forged a new relationship on the African Continent where select programming from The Word Network will be broadcast across Africa and the UK on multiple satellite channels reaching 50 million viewers.

“We are glad to be partners with the Faith Broadcasting Network, continuing our efforts to bring our programming around the globe,” says Kevin Adell CEO of The Word Network. 

“This is truly a demonstration of The Kingdom of God at work and the heart of networks which have a passion for souls, Thank you Word Network,” states Dr. Andre Roebert, CEO of Faith Broadcasting Family of Networks.

Paul Crouch, Jr., Program Director of The Word Network adds, “This historic partnership between Faith Broadcasting and The Word Network only reinforces how if Christian organizations will work together, we can effect change in people’s lives, and also bring hope and healing to a hurting world!”

MEDIA CONTACTS: MORT MEISNER ASSOCIATES, MORT MEISNER, 248-545-2222

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Inaugural Singapore Media Festival to Bring Together Global Industry Players in a Celebration of Asian TV and Film Industry

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“More than 15,000 expected to celebrate Asia’s best content and talent at the Singapore Media Festival”

SINGAPORE, Nov. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Singapore Media Festival (SMF) brings together four complementary film and TV events comprising markets, conferences, awards and festival screenings. Ahead of the inaugural event, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), event partners and chairman of the SMF Advisory Board, shared their vision and goals for the festival taking place from 4 to 14 December 2014.

SMF shines spotlight on Southeast Asia’s growing media industry

The combined strengths of the four marquee events under the umbrella of SMF is set to attract the best and brightest film and TV talent from Southeast Asia and beyond to forge partnerships, exchange ideas, trade content and celebrate creativity and talent. More than 5,000 industry professionals including filmmakers, producers and celebrities from over 60 countries are expected to attend the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), ScreenSingapore and the Asia TV Awards, while an audience of more than 10,000 are expected to participate in the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF).

“The Southeast Asian media industry has experienced rapid growth and development over the past few years[1], becoming a source and strong contender of creative and innovative content. Many media industry professionals now recognise the huge potential of Southeast Asia[2], and are looking to tap into this burgeoning market,” said Mr Robert Gilby, chairman of the SMF advisory board and Managing Director of The Walt Disney Company (SEA).

“SMF aims to ride on this potential to strengthen Singapore’s position as the gateway to the region, and fill the need for a regional media event that will bring together Singapore and Southeast Asian content and talent to be enjoyed by viewers from all over the world,” he added.

As a prominent platform to showcase Southeast Asian films, SGIFF has launched the careers of many reputable Southeast Asian filmmakers such as Singapore’s Eric Khoo, Kelvin Tong and Indonesia’s Riri Riza. ATF and ScreenSingapore also have a strong draw in the region, with 52% of buyers coming from Southeast Asia, while The Asian Television Awards receives more than 1,300 submissions from Asia, of which Southeast Asian entries make up 64%.

SMF to facilitate international interest in Asia as a valued partner in content creation

Singapore is home to over 6,000 media businesses, including international film production and service companies such as Double Negative Visual Effects and Lucasfilm which have set up studios locally. Leading media brands such as HBO Asia have also worked with Singapore partners to co-produce TV series Serangoon Road and Grace, while Hollywood blockbusters, Agent 47 and Equals, were shot and produced in part in Singapore this year, in collaboration with companies and talent based here.

“International players are increasingly looking to Asia for innovative stories and original content, and SMF aims to create more opportunities for international and Asian media players to meet and explore opportunities for collaboration. Singapore is a focal point for business and talent in Southeast Asia. This makes it a great home for both international and home-grown media companies. SMF leverages on the city’s connectivity and thriving media sector to serve as a platform for media professionals from Asia and beyond to meet and build meaningful partnerships,” said Ms Angeline Poh, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry) of the Media Development Authority.

SMF to harness cross-over synergies between TV and Film

The growing synergies between TV and Film, as evident by the frequent cross-over of talent and content between the silver screen and small screen, serves as another compelling reason for the need of an event like SMF.

Last year, when ATF and ScreenSingapore were co-located for the second year running, it out-performed the previous two editions of ScreenSingapore with more than 4,300 film and TV trade participants from 60 countries, and achieved business deals worth US$220.33 million. This was a 10% increase in attendance from 2012 with a corresponding increase of 8.2% in content sales. The growth also further bolsters the event’s role as one of Asia’s key platforms for international and regional media companies to come together to network and trade.

With the media industry operating in an increasingly converged environment, SMF provides a seamless platform that allows more opportunities for cross-over collaborations by bringing together players from the film and TV industries.

More information on SMF can be found at: http://www.sgmediafestival.com/

For more information on SMF’s constituent events, please refer to the links below:

For more quotes from the partners of SMF, please refer to Annex A.

Notes:

[1] PWC’s Global Entertainment and Media Outlook Report for 2013 to 2017 – According to industry forecasts, SEA countries like Thailand and India will become the fastest-growing film entertainment market in the world, following on the back of China

[2] PwC Global entertainment and media outlook 2014 to 2018 – The total spend on Entertainment and Media in the Asia-Pacific* is expected to grow from approximately USD 447 billion in 2013 to over 632 billion in 2018 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%, according to statistics from PwC (*Asia-Pacific includes Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam).

About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society. MDA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Communications and Information (www.mci.gov.sg).

About the Singapore Media Festival

The Singapore Media Festival is set to become one of Asia’s leading international media events, where the industry meets to discover the latest trends, talent and content in Asia for Film and TV. It brings together four complementary events- Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) and ScreenSingapore (SS), Asian Television Awards (ATA) and Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), which will take place from 4-14 December 2014. The Singapore Media Festival is hosted by the Media Development Authority of Singapore, and organised by Reed Exhibitions, Contineo Media and SGIFF Ltd.

Annex A

Quotes from SMF partners

Michelle Lim, Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions Singapore said, “We are excited to be part of the inaugural Singapore Media Festival and envision that it will strengthen the events’ abilities to further attract market leaders and prominent brands from around the world to Singapore. The co-location of TV and film events also presents more opportunities for collaboration and growth to meet the changing demands and habits of consumers, fuelled by the rapid development of technology. The line between film and TV will continue to become more porous as the emphasis shifts to quality content that can be packaged for the big screen, small screen and even smaller screens, that is, computers and mobile devices. Having a combined film and television event leverages this exciting trend, and feedback from the industry has been tremendously positive. As a testament to our combined film and TV markets platform, last year’s ATF and ScreenSingapore saw over 4,000 attendees from 52 countries, and we anticipate an even stronger turn out this year.”

Mike Wiluan, Chairman of Singapore International Film Festival said, “The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and our focus has always been on discovering and promoting films and filmmaking talent from Southeast Asia. There are a lot of synergies for a film festival like ours to be part of a broader film and TV event — talents get discovered, exchanges and discussions take place and at a more macro level, the industry gets to experience growth through cross-market regional collaboration.”

Raymond Wong, CEO of Contineo Media Pte Ltd and Chairman of the Asian Television Awards (ATA), is pleased that the ATA will be part of the Singapore Media Festival, “Every December, Singapore becomes a hotbed for the distribution of content and the exchange of ideas; and with both ScreenSingapore and SGIFF exhibiting quality films; it leaves ATA the distinct honour of celebrating the best of television in Asia. The ATA is a celebrated industry event that recognises excellence in programming, production and performance, and received close to 1400 entries from across 14 countries this year. The Awards ceremony this December will be broadcasted to more than 30 million homes across Asia Pacific through FOX Star World, MediaCorp Channel 5 and Bangkok Broadcasting Channel 7.”

Ms. Neeta Lachmandas, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board said, “The Singapore Media Festival is set to become a leading business platform for the international film and television industry. With a programme that promotes greater business opportunities and mindshare, and an integration of business and consumer-facing events, attendees will find the festival a comprehensive and compelling experience. We are confident that the first run of the Singapore Media Festival will be a hit and that it will help establish Singapore as a premier media hub in the region.”

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The Walt Disney Company & Shanghai Media Group Expand Strategic Entertainment Alliance in China

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Long-standing relationship to be broadened to include television content development, movie co-production, content distribution and marketing cooperation

SHANGHAI, Nov. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — At a meeting in Shanghai this week, The Walt Disney Company in Shanghai and Shanghai Media Group (SMG) announced they would expand their strategic relationship to include television content development, movie co-production, content distribution, and co-operation on marketing. The series of projects represents another significant step by both organizations to develop a vibrant creative content industry and connect with audiences in China and globally.

Disneynature Born in China Landscape

Disneynature Born in China Landscape

 

Disneynature Born in China Panda Family

Disneynature Born in China Panda Family

 

Disneynature Born in China Snow Leopard Family

Disneynature Born in China Snow Leopard Family

“The strength of this deepening relationship with Disney, and the volume and diversity of the initiatives that we are pursuing, helps set the foundation of a multi-faceted strategic alliance with Disney,” said Mr. Li Ruigang, Chairman, Shanghai Media Group.

“The series of projects we are announcing today represents an exciting new phase in our long-term alliance. We believe that they will serve as the cornerstone of actualizing SMG’s vision in applying world-class creative process; contribute towards the success of local content creation for international markets and create new business models across both digital media and traditional spaces. The endeavors will help us to transform the organization and accelerate its path towards digital success,” Mr. Li added.

“Disney is committed to providing high quality entertainment experiences to audiences worldwide,” said Mr. Robert Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “SMG’s spirit of innovaton, diverse platforms, digital destinations and assets provide unparalleled access to that entertainment in China.”

Disney and SMG enjoy a long-standing relationship that would be expanded to include television content development, movie co-production, content distribution and marketing cooperation.

  • Born in China, a new Disneynature film currently in production in China, will showcase to the world the spectacular wildlife and natural beauty of China when it opens at the global box office in 2016.  Disneynature today revealed that the movie includes rare footage of endangered snow leopards. This film is in addition to the previously announced multi-year studio movie script and talent development fund between The Walt Disney Studios and Shanghai Media Group Pictures (SMG Pictures) with the ultimate goal of co-developing Disney-branded movies for US-China co-productions.
  • Disney is in active discussion with Toonmax to produce a kids’ animation series that centers on one of China’s most popular cultural icons. By combining the best talent, creative processes, and cultural insights from both sides, Disney and Toonmax will set out to create a top quality show for kids and families with an ambition for global distribution.
  • In 2013, Disney and BesTV New Media Company Limited (China’s number one IPTV operator and the digital media subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group) agreed to form, and today are in the final steps of registering, a joint venture company in Shanghai that will expand families’ and kids’ digital choices.
  • SMG and Disney intend to work closely on a number of marketing initiatives, expanding on their prior collaborations in television and film.

“This unique and far reaching cooperation between Disney and SMG is testimony to the strength of our 15-year relationship and commitment to serving audiences with world class family entertainment,” said Mr. Stanley Cheung, Chairman, The Walt Disney Company Greater China.

Images Copyright (C) Disneynature 2014

-End-

About The Walt Disney Company in China

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a diversified international family entertainment enterprise with five business segments with over 137 000 employees. Our first animation screened in China in the 1930s and today our long association continues with offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou with over 3000 employees.  Disney is a Dow 30 Company, had annual revenues of over US$48 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of US$155billion as of 19 November 2014.

About SMG

Shanghai Media Group (SMG) is one of the largest media and entertainment company in China. SMG boasts the most valuable and comprehensive business portfolio including radio, TV, newspaper and magazine traditional media outlets, TV program/drama and motion picture productions and distribution, multiplatform video distribution such as IPTV and Internet TV, and online video offerings, digital advertising, online and console gaming, TV shopping and ecommerce , live and performing arts and tourism. By the end of 2013, SMG had RMB 44.6 billion in assets and RMB 21 billion annual income.

In terms of media outlets, SMG currently operates 15 satellite and cable networks, including news, entertainment, sports, finance, documentary, children networks, which are based on free-to-air advertising business model. Among them, the flagship channel Dragon TV is one of the most influential satellite TV channels in China, reaching 1 billion audience members in China and overseas markets, covering Hong Kong, Macao, the United States, and Canada. Meanwhile, SMG has 15 pay TV channels distributed national wide, only based on subscription business model.SMG also owns and operates 12 radio stations, including news, sports, finance, music stations ,and 8 newspapers and magazines. In terms of industrial development, SMG has two public listed companies: BesTV New Media and Oriental Pearl, with the total market value exceeding 70 billion RMB and ranking No1 and No2 in all public listed media and entertainment companies in market capitalization. Also, SMG runs the largest home shopping business in China. It also owns several landmark properties in the city including Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower. Looking forward, SMG will stick to its mission of “spreading uplifting power and enriching people’s life” and strive to become China’s most innovative media and entertainment conglomerate with global influence.

About Toonmax

Toonmax is China’s leading company in children’s programming and animation productions. It operates two TV networks including a satellite channel targeted at teenagers and a local cable channel whose core audiences are kids and families. Its businesses also encapsulate animation investment & branded exhibition, children’s arts education, licensing and consumer products. It is a core member of the Shanghai Animation Association, a key national animation production enterprise and cultural export entity.

About BesTV

BesTV New Media Co Ltd (SHA:600637) is an A-share listed new media company controlled by Shanghai Broadcasting TV Station and Shanghai Media Group (SMG). BesTV New Media owns 100 percent equity of BesTV NetTV Technology Development Co., Ltd, Shanghai Media & Entertainment Technology Group and Shanghai Film, Radio & TV Production Co., Ltd. BesTV also controls Funshion Network, and has established a joint venture with Microsoft, Lenovo and ZTE Corporation. All of these have led BesTV to build the largest new media industry cluster in China. The company covers more than 20 provinces/cities in Mainland China and South East Asia with a new media business portfolio including IPTV, internet TV, smart TV, OTT and mobile TV, and established a presence in Asia-Pacific and Africa regions with technologies, equipment and film & television production channel.

About Disneynature

Disneynature was launched in April 2008. Its mission is to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife stories on the big screen in order to engage, inspire and educate theatrical audiences everywhere. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1948 and 1960, which earned eight Academy Awards®. The first five Disneynature films, “Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats”, “Chimpanzee,” and “Bears, “are five of the top six highest overall grossing feature-length nature films to date, with “Chimpanzee” garnering a record-breaking opening weekend for the genre. Disneynature’s commitment to conservation is a key pillar of the label and the films empower the audience to help make a difference. Through donations tied to opening-week attendance for all five films, Disneynature, through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, has planted three million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, established 40,000 acres of marine protected area in The Bahamas, protected 65,000 acres of savanna in Kenya, protected nearly 130,000 acres of wild chimpanzee habitat, cared for chimpanzees, educated 60,000 school children about chimpanzee conservation and funded research and restoration grants in US National Parks supporting conservation projects across 2.9 million acres of parkland and protecting endangered species. For more information about Disneynature, like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/Disneynature and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Disneynature

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141121/0861408770-a
Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141121/0861408770-b
Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141121/0861408770-c

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Yujiapu Hosts Binhai International Micro-Film Festival

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TIANJIN, China, Nov. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the 2014 Binhai International Micro-Film Festival (BIMFF) was held in Yujiapu Financial District, Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA), China by Communist Youth League TBNA Committee, TBNA Youth Union, TBNA Central Business District Management Committee, Tianjin Innovative Finance Investment Co., Ltd. (TIFI) and Tianjin North Film Group.

First Meet is the Best micro-film

First Meet is the Best micro-film

 

Yujiapu Dream Factory Signing ceremony by TIFI and Oriental Stories

Yujiapu Dream Factory Signing ceremony by TIFI and Oriental Stories

Founded in 2012, BIMFF is one of the most-widely-acknowledged micro-film festival in China. Since its entry solicitation began last October, over 1,000 works from both at home and abroad have been collected, of which the outstanding ones were posted on popular domestic video websites such as Tencent, 56 and Fun.tv. In the end, First Meet, the micro-film greatly favored by netizens, was awarded as Best Micro-Film.

With the support of TBNA Culture and Broadcasting Bureau, BIMFF Organizing Committee also hosted New Media Entrepreneurial Investment Meeting, one that focuses on the development trend and profit model of micro-film and new media, to bring financial capital to the micro-film industry and new media industry. During the meeting attended by industry leaders, New Film Association, Tianjin North Film Group, LIC China and several others jointly announced to start preparing for the New Media and Film Association.

With China Tang Real Estate, a pioneer of innovative and futuristic life, Binhai Cultural Center and Tianjian District, where historical stories and modern scenes weave into each other, TBNA is a great nursery for micro-film.

While moving towards a demonstration base for financial reform and innovation, Yujiapu is also keen on the innovative development of its new media, film and television industry. During BIMFF, TIFI, the operator of Yujiapu, signed with Sina, a top China web portal, a cooperation agreement on settling its Weibo marketing platform company in Yujiapu for better district promotion and the growth of local new media industry. TIFI also partnered with Oriental Stories to found the Yujiapu Dream Factory, building an entire new media, film and television chain that covers talent training, project support, financing, production technique and so on.

By bringing together film capital, scriptwriter and other interest-related parties, Yujiapu Dream Factory facilitates the convergence of capital and visual asset production and thus contributes to the growth of the new media and film industry.

Innovation has been a prominent part of Yujiapu’s DNA since its first days. Over the years, TIFI has been taking on an exemplary role in policy exploration, global citizen, green city, creativity and entrepreneurship. The booming micro-film industry and creative incubation of the new media and creativity industry will stand to prove to Yujiapu’s stance of where “opportunities become realities.”

Located in the heart of Tianjin Binhai New Area and covering an area of 3.86 square kilometers and a construction area of 9.5 million square meters, YJP plans to be developed in four phases as 120 land parcels. The first phase project that involves 35 parcels totaling a floor area of 1 million square meters and a construction area of 4 million square meters will serve modern finance, market exhibition, inter-city transport, catering, residence, meeting, art and leisure.

Under the drive of Tianjin Binhai New Area’s preferential policies, YJP is positioned as a nation-leading, world-class, fully functional and conductive base for financial reform and innovation including financial leasing, private equity fund, settlement and commercial factoring. Along with the integrated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, YJP will strive to become the second financial street in China and a magnet for resources from the capital city.

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141103/0861408048-a
Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141103/0861408048-b

ADV Fashion Media

UGG® Launches First Global Brand Campaign

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— “THIS IS UGG” Expresses the Emotional Power of the Brand by Celebrating Life’s Biggest, Small Moments

NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Lifestyle brand UGG Australia announced today the launch of its first global brand marketing campaign called “THIS IS UGG.” The campaign debuts on August 18th around the world. “THIS IS UGG” is designed to connect with consumers on emotional levels that transcend any product, with the goal of further strengthening UGG as a global, premium lifestyle brand, year round. The campaign explores the theme that life’s biggest moments are actually the small ones – a place where the brand lives in consumers’ lives. Whether personal or intimate, reflective or celebratory, it’s often the smaller moments where life’s most important interactions and connections occur. The campaign will use this storytelling platform to showcase such moments and illustrate the fact that UGG ‘Feels Like Nothing Else.’

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7299751-ugg-australia-launches-first-global-brand-campaign-this-is-ugg/

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140818/136867

“In launching this brand campaign, we challenged ourselves to communicate the unique physical and emotional experience that occurs when you own UGG products,” said Connie Rishwain, President of UGG Australia. “We are showcasing the personal moments where UGG exists in our consumers’ lives. We know how our product enhances any experience, but this is the first time we’ve tried to capture that magic.”

“THIS IS UGG” is a multi-media, cross-channel campaign presented primarily in black-and-white that features real moments with real people captured in personal settings that celebrate the small moments that mean the most to them.  For example, sketch-artist Langley Fox, Ernest Hemingway’s great-great-granddaughter, is featured in her own Los Angeles home working on an illustration project, and later spending time with her best friends; Tom Brady, who typically appears in UGG campaigns crafted specifically for him, will be integrated into “THIS IS UGG,” in moments together with his mother and father; and California architect Harry Gesner with his son and grandsons who share a lifelong love of the ocean, surf the Malibu coast in a nod to UGG’s surfing roots.

“The stories with Langley, Tom and Harry and his family are both personal and authentic,” said Vice President of Marketing Nancy Mamann.  “Because each of our moments highlights real people, we’re able to dive deeply into who they are and what moment they’re experiencing—whether it’s on our blog, on our website, even our social channels—and bring to life the environment in which people from all walks of life, doing very different things in their private lives, live with UGG.”

CREATIVE AGENCIES:

  • THIS IS UGG:
    • AGENCY: HOUSE DESIGN AND FILM, LOS ANGELES
    • PHOTOGRAPHER: CRISTINA TRAYFORS
  • THIS IS UGG –TOM BRADY:
    • AGENCY: M+C SAATCHI, LOS ANGELES
    • PRODUCTION COMPANY: HSI, LOS ANGELES
    • DIRECTOR: BRENDAN MALLOY
    • PHOTOGRAPHER: CARTER SMITH

LINK TO ANTHEM VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV8t7wSe52s&feature=youtu.be

LINK TO IMAGES: https://drop.deckers.com/THISISUGGIMAGES2

UGG Australia has built a reputation on luxury and comfort by using only the finest materials in the world, employing the highest standards of craftsmanship and delivering new and innovative styles well beyond the original sheepskin boots and slippers.  UGG Australia is recognized as a premium lifestyle brand that offers footwear, apparel, outerwear, accessories and handbags and has grown to over $1 billion in sales.  UGG Australia concept stores offer the ultimate brand experience with over 70 stores worldwide including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Moscow.  UGG Australia operates on several social media platforms including Twitter, Vine, Pinterest, in addition to a branded blog entitled Plush Hour. In 2012 the brand exceeded two million fans on Facebook.  Every genuine UGG product is linked together by the unforgettable sheepskin experience, and a feeling that is truly like nothing else. 

About Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a global leader in designing, marketing and distributing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories developed for both everyday casual lifestyle use and high performance activities.  The Company’s portfolio of brands includes UGG®, I HEART UGG®, Teva®, Sanuk®, TSUBO®, Ahnu®, MOZO®, and HOKA ONE ONE®.  Deckers Outdoor products are sold in more than 50 countries and territories through select department and specialty stores, 126 Company-owned and operated retail stores, and select online stores, including Company-owned websites.  Deckers Outdoor has a 40-year history of building niche footwear brands into lifestyle market leaders attracting millions of loyal consumers globally.  For more information, please visit www.deckers.com.

Contact: Emma Oldenkamp
UGG Australia
Emma.Oldenkamp@deckers.com 
+1-212-247-8552

Information

BBC Selects Mindtree for Digital Testing Services

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BANGALORE, India and LONDON, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

– Multi-year, multi-million contract awarded as part of the BBC digital services framework initiative

Mindtree, a global information technology services company, announced that it has been selected by BBC to test a range of its digital products.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140416/681203)

As part of this non-exclusive engagement, Mindtree will deliver and support testing of digital products and applications. Digital products include applications and websites that run on a wide variety of digital and broadcast platforms. Some of them are desktop computers, mobile devices, cloud, integrated digital TV, internet protocol TV, terrestrial, cable, satellite TV and the web.

Mindtree testing services will include functional, non-functional, test management, exploratory, automation and load testing. BBC selected Mindtree for its testing capabilities, test tools expertise and the ability to effectively deliver the engagement.

Ramesh Menon, Senior Vice President and Head of Technology & Media, Mindtree said, “We are excited to be part of the BBC digital services framework. Millions of citizens globally benefit from BBC and we hope to enrich their experience with our superior digital testing capabilities.”

Richard Smith, Head of Market Engagement, BBC covers the program details on digital services framework at his blog.

About Mindtree 

Mindtree [NSE: MINDTREE; CIN: L72200KA1999PLC025564] delivers technology services and accelerates growth for Global 1000 companies by solving complex business challenges with breakthrough technical innovations. Mindtree specializes in e-commerce, mobility, cloud enablement, digital transformation, business intelligence, data analytics, testing, infrastructure, EAI and ERP solutions. We are among the fastest growing technology firms globally with more than 200 clients and offices in 14 countries.

Visit us at http://www.mindtree.com.

For more information, contact:

Sweta Mohanty
Mindtree
+91-98865-20141
Sweta_Mohanty@mindtree.com

Kiran Farooque
PPR Worldwide
+44(0)207-300-6181
Kiran.Farooque@pprww.com

Siddhartha Tanti
Genesis Burson-Marsteller
+91-99863-62435
Siddhartha.Tanti@bm.com

Pamela Fieldhouse
PPR Worldwide
+44(0)207-300-6181
Kiran.Farooque@pprww.com

David Barkoe
Max Borges Agency
+1-305-374-4404 x167
davidbarkoe@maxborgesagency.com

Mindtree Limited, Global Village, RVCE Post, Mysore Road, Bangalore-560059; CIN: L72200KA1999PLC025564; Phone: +91-80-6706-4000; Fax: +91-80-6706-4100; E-mail: info@mindtree.com / investors@mindtree.com; Website: http://www.mindtree.com

Information

PowerbyProxi Announces Availability of Wireless Power Evaluation Kits for Consumer Electronic Devices

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– Evaluation kit enables Resonant Mode charging and Qi compliance

PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — PowerbyProxi, developer of the world’s most advanced and safest wireless power solutions, today announced the release of Proxi-2D EVK-1, an evaluation kit for wireless charging of consumer electronic devices. The evaluation kit enables customers to test the capabilities of PowerbyProxi’s resonant technology features such as full spatial freedom, 7.5W power transfer per receiver (the highest power delivery available on the market) and multi-device charging up to 15W.

Video – http://youtu.be/fcaoST7Nqq0
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140106/SF40590LOGO

PowerbyProxi recently demonstrated this system at Computex in June, showing significant improvements over the 3.5 to 5W systems currently available. “The Proxi-2D EVK-1 is the next step towards getting advanced resonant wireless charging technology in the hands of consumers,” said Greg Cross, CEO, PowerbyProxi. “Allowing customers to experience the safety, efficiency and speed firsthand, furthers our goal to enable innovation in the market.”

High speed resonant wireless charging of multiple devices, and backwards compatibility with the Wireless Power Consortium’s (WPC) Qi standard, make this an attractive option for OEMs looking to build upon the 50 million Qi devices currently in use through the 500 products on the market today.

Proxi-2D EVK-1 – specifications

PowerbyProxi’s newest evaluation kit includes a transmitter and two receiver modules to test charging of multiple devices at 7.5W per receiver. The system displays resonant mode charging across the entire charging surface for both Qi v1.1 and resonant receivers. The Proxi-2D EVK-1 kit also highlights a critical next step towards the advancement of the Qi specification by delivering a resonant solution capable of Qi v1.1 compliance.

See the Proxi-2D EVK-1 in action on the PowerbyProxi YouTube channel or find more information through the website: http://powerbyproxi.com/evaluation-kits/proxi-2d-evk-1/ .

About PowerbyProxi
PowerbyProxi is a leader in advanced, safe, wireless power solutions for consumer electronics (CE) and industrial markets. Our resonant technologies deliver a better consumer experience with full spatial freedom and multi-device charging, and solve mission-critical problems in demanding, hostile industrial environments. We license technologies and deliver modules to battery and semiconductor suppliers, OEMs/ODMs and system integrators, with proven highly resonant implementations ranging from less than one watt to multiple kilowatts. PowerbyProxi is a venture-backed company spun out of The University of Auckland — an internationally recognized leader in wireless power innovation — and holds a comprehensive portfolio of 221 patents worldwide. For more information visit: www.powerbyproxi.com