Q&A With FCC Chairman Kevin Martin

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin does not see much chance of tightening program-access complaint rules or getting his free broadband proposal out the door before he exits as chairman in mid-January.

He is more sanguine about the prospects for the digital-television transition, though he concedes there will be challenges, including possibly running out of available money for DTV-to-analog converter boxes.

President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team has reportedly pushed for a more concentrated and coordinated call center program to field viewers’ calls around the time of the Feb. 17, 2009, switch. Martin says broadcasters will need to step up—NAB already has announced a call center plan—but that funds they have requested from the FCC would be subject to government contracting rules.

Check out the complete story.

Holiday Shopping Becomes Breeding Grounds for Identity Thieves

LifeLock’s Identity Theft Protection Available Through Best Buy, Office Depot, CVS and HP

The busy holiday season has proven to be an ideal time for identity thieves to target unsuspecting victims. The Federal Trade Commission reports that in 2007, consumers reported losses from identity theft and fraud of more than $1.2 billion, and with consumers facing an already tough economy, they need to be particularly vigilant this holiday season.

There are many steps consumers can take to protect their credit and to ensure that when the holidays are over and they are done spending, their credit won’t need mending. This holiday season, LifeLock – the industry leader in identity theft protection – is offering everything from a discount on its service to a one-year membership at various retail outlets. Shoppers who purchase a new computer from HP can receive a discount on LifeLock’s services. Online shoppers can purchase a one-year membership to LifeLock at BestBuy.com. Traditional retail shoppers can purchase LifeLock’s Identity Theft Protection Starter Kit at Office Depot locations nationwide for just $9.99 or can purchase the same one-year membership to LifeLock offered at BestBuy.com in Best Buy stores nationwide. CVS Pharmacy also offers discounts to shoppers, as well as a CVS gift card upon enrollment with LifeLock.

“While the holiday season is surely a time for cheer and celebration, it is also a time when identity thieves are waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce on unsuspecting consumers,” said LifeLock® CEO Todd Davis. “Whether it takes place at shopping malls or online, identity theft can increase over the holidays. However, we are confident that if consumers are armed with the necessary tools to protect their personal information, thieves will not continue to profit nearly as much off innocent victims.”

First-of-Its-Kind Curriculum Sponsored by the Qwest Foundation Helps Teachers Fight Cyberbullying

Top Educators from Five States Come to Seattle Seeking Solutions to Growing Problem

Recent research conducted for the National Crime Prevention Council found that 43 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 were victims of cyberbullying in the last year. Cyberbullying, the act of using the Internet via computers, cell phones or PDAs to be cruel and harmful to others, has become more frequent among young people due to the increasing popularity of social networking sites, blogging and microblogging.

To address the growing issue of cyberbullying, the Qwest Foundation® will host top educators from several states to present a first-of-its-kind cyberbullying prevention curriculum funded by the Qwest Foundation and created by Mike Donlin, project manager for prevention-intervention and technology services at Seattle Public Schools. Donlin and educators from Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Oregon and Washington, as well as key Qwest executives, will gather at Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. to review and discuss the program, which was implemented in Seattle middle schools this fall.

At the event, Donlin will also offer tips for implementing the curriculum and will share his experience in working with teachers who have incorporated the course into their curriculum. A guide complete with key learnings from the curriculum and suggestions for building a standards-based curriculum at their schools will be distributed at the event. This guide is also available for free download at www.IncredibleInternet.com.

Bridgevine Ranked Number 57 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list for 2008

Attributes extraordinary revenue growth to compelling customer value proposition, marquee partnerships, and proprietary marketing software platform.

Bridgevine today announced that it ranked number 57 on Deloitte’s 2008 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in the U.S. and Canada. Rankings are based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth over five years, from 2003–2007. Bridgevine grew 4,582 percent during this period.

Bridgevine’s CEO, Vinny Olmstead, credits the growth to a strong customer value proposition, marquee partnerships and a world-class performance marketing software platform. He said, "We’re honored to be a part of this esteemed group of companies named to the Fast 500 list. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees and our impressive list of valued partners."

"Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 recognizes companies that have achieved extraordinary growth in North America’s most innovative and competitive market sectors,” said Phil Asmundson, Deloitte LLP vice chairman and national managing partner for Technology, Media and Telecommunications. "We congratulate Bridgevine on this significant accomplishment."

Fast 500 Selection and Qualifying Criteria

The Fast 500 ranks the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications and life sciences companies in North America. It is compiled from Deloitte’s regional North American Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to the Fast 500, and public company database research. Companies are selected based on percentage revenue growth from 2003 to 2007.

Entrants must own proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues or devote a significant proportion of revenues to research and development of technology. Using other companies' technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not qualify. Base-year operating revenues must be at least $50,000 USD or $75,000 CD, and current-year operating revenues must be at least $5 million USD or CD. Companies must be in business a minimum of five years, and they must be headquartered within North America.

About Bridgevine
Founded in 2003, Bridgevine, Inc. has offices in Atlanta, GA, and Vero Beach, FL. The company’s performance-based merchandising platform empowers marquee advertisers to efficiently market their products through multiple online and offline channels. Focused on the service industry, the company’s customer base of more than 110 leading companies includes Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Qwest, Verizon, Protect America, Real Networks, Verizon, Speakeasy, Covad, and D-link. The platform powers in excess of 1,000 websites and is licensed by leading retailers, websites, and Fortune 500 companies. The company also operates Bridgevine.com, a website dedicated to consumer for comparative shopping and exclusive promotions from the leading service providers. For more information, please visit www.bridgevine.com.

Corporate Contact:
Mark Ballard
Bridgevine, Inc.
772-539-0618
mark.ballard@bridgevine.com

Comcast Begins Rollout of Extreme 50 Mbps High-Speed Internet Service

Plans to Reach More Than 10 Major Markets and Nearly 10 Million Homes and Businesses in the Next Several Months

Two New, Faster Speed Tiers Introduced and Speeds Doubled for Most Existing Customers

Comcast, the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, today announced it is making the leap from broadband to wideband with the launch of next-generation DOCSIS 3.0. With wideband, Comcast will introduce a brand new echelon of Internet speed tiers, which will redefine the customer experience online and create a platform for Internet innovation in the years ahead.

In the next few weeks, Comcast’s new services will be available to millions of residential homes and businesses in parts of New England, including the Boston Metropolitan region and Southern New Hampshire, as well as areas of Philadelphia and New Jersey. These services also will be available in the Twin Cities where wideband was launched earlier this year. Comcast plans to continue to roll out wideband across its footprint and expects to reach more than 10 major markets and pass nearly 10 million homes and businesses in the next several months.

With wideband, Comcast will offer among the fastest speeds available today, including the Extreme 50 tier at up to 50 Mbps. It also will enable Comcast to double speeds for the majority of existing high-speed Internet customers at no additional cost.

“Wideband is a game-changer for the industry. With wideband running over our next-generation fiber-optic network, we can greatly enhance our customers’ online experience immediately. And these speeds are only a preview of what’s to come—wideband will provide the capability of delivering dramatically faster speeds in excess of 160 Mbps in the future,” said Mitch Bowling, SVP and General Manager, Comcast Online Services. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to offer more speed to more homes than any other U.S. Internet service provider.”

EA Passes Go to Release Monopoly Across Multiple Video Game Platforms

Digital Versions Complement the Classic Game with New Twists on Gameplay

The Casual Entertainment Label of Electronic Arts, Inc. today announced: MONOPOLY for the Wii™, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation 2 and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment systems is now available at retailers nationwide. The video game, which took inspiration from Hasbro’s brand new MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition board game, also is currently available on mobile phones and Pogo.com™.

The MONOPOLY video game brings the classic board game into the digital realm with state-of-the-art twists and turns while staying true to the rich 70-year heritage of the original brand.

“It’s exciting for EA to bring the world’s most popular board game to interactive life on a wide variety of gaming platforms,” said Chip Lange, General Manager and Vice President of EA Casual Entertainment. “We’ve brought a classic game that families have been enjoying for generations into the digital arena, giving players a new way to rediscover and experience their favorite board game.”

The MONOPOLY video game makes gameplay accessible for players of all ages and skill levels. The digital versions feature multiplayer capabilities allowing up to four aspiring tycoons to play simultaneously. In addition to classic MONOPOLY gameplay, EA has created several new features including the ability to unlock multiple never-before-seen game boards that each carry a unique theme such as jungle, snowy ice and delectable desserts.

Another digital twist includes shorter bursts of gameplay such as “Richest Mode” which allows players to complete a game of MONOPOLY in 30 minutes or less. Adding to the fun are 12 mini-games that have been designed to keep players engaged and entertained throughout gameplay such as “Get out of Jail” where you saw prison cell bars to escape and “Take a Ride on the Reading” which challenges gamers to stop on-time at each train station.

“MONOPOLY fans worldwide will be enthused about trying their hand at ‘winning it all’ with this modern classic,” said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. “EA has done a great job of digitally recreating one of the world’s best-selling board games, adding features that make the digital experience fresh and fun, but honoring the integrity of MONOPOLY’s history.”

AOL Launches New Lifestyle and Pop Culture Sites; AOL Programming Hits Record Traffic Numbers in August

AOL announced the launch of two new specialty sites, Lemondrop, http://lemondrop.com, which covers women’s lifestyle, and PopEater, http://popeater.com, which focuses on pop culture. The new sites continue AOL’s efforts to launch experiences targeted at specific audiences. Both sites provide consumers a forum to interact and engage in a fun and entertaining format about lifestyle and pop culture features. In addition, AOL announced that unique visitors and page views for its programming sites grew in August, the nineteenth consecutive month of growth. Unique visitors climbed 5% year-over-year in August, page views climbed more than 100%, and time spent climbed 49%, according to the August 2008 comScore Media Metrix report.

The new sites are supported by AOL’s digital advertising business, Platform-A, http://www.platform-a.com, which will identify key opportunities for advertisers and provide relevant display advertising and content-targeted links on the sites.

“As people change the way they use the Internet, we are continually looking to offer more relevant content that targets people’s passion points,” said Bill Wilson, Executive Vice President, AOL Programming. “The new sites provide comprehensive engaging and interactive experiences and offer a place for consumers and advertisers to connect with programming that is truly dynamic. In addition, our continued growth in traffic and engagement show that this approach is resonating with online consumers.”