August 31, 2007
U.S. Open: Action Heats Up in New York
Photo: Czech's Nicole Vaidisova defeats, 6-2, 7-6, Italy's Flavia Pennetta in their second round match of the Tennis US Open tournament held at the Arthur Ashe stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York City, NY, USA on August 30, 2007 (Abaca Press)
The U.S. Open is heating up with favorites Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Justine Henin all advancing to third round action. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 3:34 PM
August 30, 2007
"Project 2000: The Rise and Fall of Oldsmobile." GM Insider's Book Reveals Secret Project Leading to Crumbling of GM's Empire : GlobalGiants.com
Photo: 2003 Oldsmobile Alero.
MIAMI, Aug. 30 -- As General Motors' empire started to crumble, automotive expert Bob Horvath was hardly surprised.
"In fact, Detroit's Big Three forgot how to satisfy customers and dealers back in the eighties," says Horvath, a 40-year GM veteran, who details one of the carmaker's notable missteps in "Project 2000: The Rise and Fall of Oldsmobile."
In the mid-80's, when GM had Oldsmobile, their world market share was 54 percent. In 2007, it has declined to 13 percent, according to Automotive News.
The key to success in the car industry is simple. Keep customers happy by giving them the products they want, and keep your dealers happy too. Horvath says GM forgot about all that and squandered its market dominance in the process.
Horvath continues, "GM's attitude and regime change in the mid-80's allowed Japan to make significant inroads in the U.S. and world-wide auto industry."
Failure to recognize consumer demand for a Toyota Camry-type or Honda Accord-type car, and failure to compete in this market, partly led Toyota to becoming the world's number-one auto manufacturer through June of 2007, Horvath says.
Tatsuya Mizuno, a Fitch Ratings auto analyst, said it was inevitable that GM would hand over its crown to Toyota at the end of 2007, ending its 76-year reign as the world's best-selling automaker.
"One key element in GM's demise was the closing of the Oldsmobile Division. From 1970 to 1985, the Olds Cutlass was the number-one selling car in America and Oldsmobile was the most sought-after franchise in the world. Oldsmobile went from best to worst in 20 years and became a dinosaur in October 2005," says Horvath.
Horvath said another key element contributing to GM's declining share was a secret project that GM called "Project 2000" which was the systematic elimination of dealers to take place by the year 2000. This benefited GM's upper management at the expense of the dealers who were betrayed.
Horvath, who had a front seat to the "Project 2000" scheme hatched by GM, offers an insider's viewpoint in his book why GM has lost its spot as the perennial number-one carmaker to Japan's Toyota, and backs it up by hundreds of documents contained in the book. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 2:10 PM
Fashion Rocks Update
NEW YORK, Aug. 30 -- Conde Nast Media Group announced today the following updates regarding New York Fashion Week's most star-studded event:
• Mary J. Blige Joins Stellar Performance Line Up
• Show will feature duet performances from Mary J. Blige and Usher, Fergie and Ludacris, and Alicia Keys with Santana
• Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Teri Hatcher, Jessica Alba, Denis Leary, Mischa Barton, 50 Cent, Sean Lennon, Tyra Banks, LeAnn Rimes, Tommy Hilfiger, among others join a star-studded lineup of previously announced performers.
• Portion of Proceeds to Benefit Keep a Child Alive.
The show, hosted by Entourage star Jeremy Piven, will include performances by Aerosmith, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Carrie Underwood, Chad Kroeger, Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Ludacris, Maroon 5, Mary J. Blige, Martina McBride, Santana and Usher.
The concert returns to the legendary Radio City Music Hall on September 6, 2007 and will air the following night, Friday, September 7, 2007 in a two-hour special on the CBS television network (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).
FASHION ROCKS(TM) is a production of Conde Nast Media Group, a unit of Conde Nast Publications, which includes corporate sales, marketing, interactive and direct sales efforts for all of Conde Nast's consumer magazines and websites. Conde Nast Media Group is recognized as an industry leader for its creation and execution of large-scale, integrated, multi- platform advertising programs and events.
FASHION ROCKS(TM) is sponsored by Chevrolet, Citi, Revlon, Dillard's, and Nexxus. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 10:35 AM
August 29, 2007
Amy Grant's First Ever Career-Spanning Hits Collection to be Released on October 2 by Sparrow/EMI America Records
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 29 -- During her award-winning 30-year music career, Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums around the world. EMI CMG Label Group and EMI Music Marketing have partnered with Amy Grant Productions for an in-depth global catalog campaign, including remastered catalog titles and digital sales initiatives. On October 2, Amy Grant's first-ever career and label-spanning hits collection, Greatest Hits, will be released around the world in CD and Special Edition CD/DVD packages and digitally. In the U.S., the new title will be released by Sparrow/EMI America Records.
Amy Grant has achieved unparalleled success as a crossover Contemporary Christian artist. In the U.S. alone, Grant's achievements include nine platinum and platinum-plus albums and nine gold albums, six Grammy Awards and 21 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 2:37 PM
August 27, 2007
Writers of the Future Awards Ceremony
24 Writing and Illustrating Careers Launched at the California Institute of Technology Athenaeum.
Photo: NYT bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson (Dune series) gets his book signed by newly published illustrator Marcus Collins at the L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Athenauem at Caltech where 24 writers and illustrators were feted at black tie celebration.
PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 27 -- Over 300 fans, along with two-time Emmy nominated actress Lee Purcell (Due South, Valley Girl) and Latina singer/songwriter Carina Rico, attended the 23rd L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards ceremony this past weekend at the Athenaeum situated at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena to honor the 24 winners of the international Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests and cheer the release of Writers of the Future Volume 23, the book featuring their first professional sale.
Each writing and illustrating contest winner was presented their trophy by contest judges at the ceremony. The Gold Award to the author of the Story of the Year was presented by actress Lee Purcell to Steven Kotowych from Toronto, Ontario, for his story "Saturn in G Minor". The Gold Award for the Illustrator of the Year was presented to Lorraine Schleter from Fort Branch, Indiana by Latin vocalist Carina Rico.
Prior to the awards ceremony, the winners were flown in from as far away as France, United Kingdom and Ukraine to attend a week long workshop taught by contest judges-including New York Times bestselling authors Kevin J. Anderson (Dune series), Tim Powers (Three Days to Never), Sean Williams (The Resurrected Man) and internationally acclaimed artist, Stephen Hickman -- each one an experienced professional in the field providing sound advice based on hard-won experience. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 8:56 AM
August 25, 2007
Volkswagen is the Official Pace Car of SCCA and SCCA Pro Racing : GlobalGiants.com
Volkswagen and Sports Car Club of America announced today an official partnership naming Volkswagen the Official Pace Car of SCCA and SCCA Pro Racing. As part of its official sponsorship, Volkswagen will provide pace vehicles for the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs(R) Presented by AT&T as well as course vehicles for The Tire Rack(R) SCCA Solo National Championships.
Founded in 1944, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 55,000-member motor-sports organization that, along with subsidiary SCCA Pro Racing, incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 5:07 PM
Blake Lewis Sixth Season Runner-Up on 'American Idol,' Signs To 19 Recordings / ARISTA Records : GlobalGiants.com
Beatboxing Singer Working on Debut Album Due for Release Late 2007.
Blake Lewis, the popular runner-up on the sixth season of "American Idol," has been signed to 19 Recordings / ARISTA Records and is already working on his debut album with a stellar line-up of producers and songwriters. The album is due for release in late 2007.
Lewis, who has already charted on 'The Billboard Hot 100' with his versions of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" and the Zombies' "Time of the Season," has been finding time to go into the studio to work on his first album while touring the United States and Canada on the "American Idols Live" tour. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 1:47 PM
August 24, 2007
Egyptian Blogger, Burmese Reporter Named 2007 Knight International Journalism Award Winners : GlobalGiants.com
Along with Tom Brokaw, they will be honored at the International Center for Journalists Awards Dinner on Nov. 13.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 -- The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) has named Egyptian blogger Wael Abbas and Burmese investigative reporter May Thingyan Hein as the 2007 Knight International Journalism Award winners.
They will be honored along with Founders Award recipient Tom Brokaw at the 10th annual ICFJ Awards Dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC, on November 13. The dinner also will feature Keynote Speaker Bob Woodruff and Master of Ceremonies George Stephanopoulos.
The International Center for Journalists, a non-profit, professional organization, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. Since 1984, ICFJ has worked directly with more than 40,000 journalists from 176 countries. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 12:46 PM
P&G Secret(R) Partners With Jennifer Lopez in Search of America's 'Hottest' Dancer : GlobalGiants.com
America Votes to Determine Who Will Appear in an Upcoming Jennifer Lopez Music Video.
Secret(R), the number one female anti-perspirant/deodorant in North America, has partnered with the music and movie star Jennifer Lopez to kick-off the "Secret's Show Us Your Moves" contest in New York City August 23. The nationwide search is looking for America's hottest female dancer. The dancer who best conveys her unique confidence while showing her "moves" will be eligible for a chance to appear in an upcoming music video with Ms. Lopez.
After the August 23 casting call in New York, the contest will travel to Dallas, Atlanta , Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas through the end of September. Contestants who can't make it to one of the six casting calls can submit a 30-second video of their "Secret Hot Moves" online.
P&G Beauty sells more than 130 different brands in over 180 countries worldwide. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 10:35 AM
August 23, 2007
CAPITOL/EMI: Dean Martin Hits the Top 40 With Forever Cool : GlobalGiants.com
New Album from the 'King of Cool' Strikes a Chord with Youth Market; iTunes, Yahoo! Music, AOL Music, MP3.com and MySpace Help To Lead the Charge.
Around the world, entertainment superstar Dean Martin has the market cornered on charisma, easygoing charm, playful wit, and gracious humility, all of which combine to make him infinitely cool to each new generation of fans. Released worldwide on August 14 by Capitol/EMI, Martin's new all-star collaborations album, Forever Cool, debuts at #39 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, with first week sales totaling 17,242.
More than 40 years after knocking the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" out of the #1 chart position with "Everybody Loves Somebody" in 1964, Dean Martin continues to enthrall music fans around the world. Said famed producer Phil Ramone, "I think Dean's whole re-birth, so to speak, is that young people have realized how cool he is and how funny he is ... and he could sing."
Said Martin's daughter, Gail Martin, "It gives me a warm glow to know that everybody -- all ages, all generations -- just seem to adore him and want more of him. That's exciting, and it doesn't surprise me." |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 1:20 PM
August 21, 2007
VOGUE SHOPVOGUE : GlobalGiants.com
Photo: The home page of the new ShopVogue.TV from Vogue magazine. (Vogue)
Posted by Editors at 9:31 AM
August 20, 2007
Wal-Mart Offers Free Download of New Eagles Single 'How Long' With Pre-Order of Exclusive CD : GlobalGiants.com
Advance orders begin today on Walmart.com for Eagles' first album of new music in 28 years.
Photo: Eagles CD cover - Long Road Out of Eden. (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)
Today, August 20, Wal-Mart announced it will begin accepting advance orders for the Eagles' first studio album of new music in 28 years, "Long Road Out of Eden." Fans nationwide USA can now pre-order the album on Walmart.com and receive a free MP3 download of the new radio-released single How Long with purchase.
The "Long Road Out of Eden" CD, scheduled for an October release, will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club in the U.S. and Canada and through Walmart.com and Samsclub.com.
Photo: Eagles band members. (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)
The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning four #1 U.S. singles and four Grammy Awards. "Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" is the best-selling album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units. Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 8:43 AM
August 14, 2007
HARRIS CORPORATION INSTANT REPLAY SYSTEM : GlobalGiants.com
Photo: Minnesota Vikings instant replay technician Lauri Karpinen examines an on-field play August 10, 2007 using the new high definition instant replay system installed by Harris Corporation. The National Football League last week became the first major sports league to use the new HD instant replay system, which provides referees with the sharpest images possible for determining questionable calls. Harris Corporation, a digital broadcast equipment pioneer, installed the equipment at 28 NFL stadiums for use during the 2007-08 season. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 3:29 AM
August 13, 2007
Barack Obama: GQ Hits the Road with the Presidential Candidate : GlobalGiants.com
"I'm in this to win, I want to win, and I think we will win. But I'm also going to emerge intact. I'm going to be Barack Obama and not some parody."
Photo: Senator Barack Obama is the first politician to be on the cover of GQ since presidential running mates Bill Clinton and Al Gore appeared in November 1992.
NEW YORK, Aug. 13 -- Senator Barack Obama is conducting a determined and closely watched bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. And yet the candidate remains a citizen, son, husband, and father. In an in-depth cover story for the September issue, GQ correspondent Ryan Lizza reports on Obama's campaign trail life and the successes and challenges he's experienced as a presidential candidate in 2007.
GQ is the leading men's general-interest magazine and part of Conde Nast Publications. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 2:05 PM
August 4, 2007
NIKE BEIJING STORE : GlobalGiants.com
Photo: Nike athlete Liu Xiang, left, the world-record holder in the 110m hurdle and the first Chinese track-and-field athlete to win the a gold medal, and FC Barcelona's two-time FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldinho were on hand for the opening of Nike's Beijing flagship store, located at Wang Fu Jing in one of Beijing's premier shopping districts. (Nike) |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 3:25 AM
August 3, 2007
Longines Royal International Horse Show (Hickstead, United Kingdom) : GlobalGiants.com
Photo: Wim Schroeder on Eurocommerce Pennsylvania.
The Royal International Horse Show celebrates its prestigious centenary as the Swiss watchmaking brand Longines celebrates its own 175th anniversary and launches a new sports collection in the UK with the presentation of the new special Cavalier watch. Beezie Madden (USA) and Wim Schroder (Netherlands), winners of this stage of the Longines Award for Elegance, were given Longines evidenza watches to celebrate this auspicious occasion. The Longines Classic on Saturday, 28th of July was won by Irish rider, Marie Burke. The final competition on Sunday, the prestigious King George V Trophy, offered an all French podium and was won by Aymeric de Ponnat, with, an increased total prize money for this class this year of £45,000, and winners receiving watches from the traditional Longines Master Collection.
The Longines Press Award for Elegance was judged on Friday, 27th July during the Super League competition by a distinguished group of specialist equestrian journalists, including press from the Horse & Hound, Local Rider, the Daily Telegraph and the Independent newspaper. Riders were judged on their elegant attributes and awarded points determined by given criteria, including harmony between horse and mount, fluidity of movement, and overall turnout.
Longines also launched at this event its new watch designed specifically for horse riding enthusiasts: the “Instrument pour Cavalier”. This watch, which bears a tachymeter specially calibrated to enable the calculation of a horse’s speed, is part of the Longines Sport Collection which will be available in the UK this autumn. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 4:14 AM
Munter to Drive SMART Papers Car in Debut at Kentucky Speedway Aug. 11 : GlobalGiants.com
Photo: 200-MPH Woman: Leilani Munter, One of World's Top Female Race Car Drivers, Wins Indy Pro Series Lead Sponsorship from U.S. Papermaker SMART Papers.
SMART Papers announced August 1 that it is the lead sponsor of open-wheel race car driver Leilani Munter for her debut in the Indy Pro Series Aug. 11 at the Kentucky Speedway and again Sept. 9 at the Chicagoland Speedway. The Indy Pro Series is the pathway to the Indy 500, the world's preeminent open-wheel motorsport event. Munter, who drives at speeds topping 200 mph, bumper-to-bumper, was recently named as one of the world's top female race car drivers in 2007 by Sports Illustrated magazine. Munter's race car will prominently display the SMART Papers logo for both races, which will be broadcast on ESPN2. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 2:39 AM
July 29, 2007
Ford Escape Hybrid Sponsored BPM Magazine's Anniversary Party : GlobalGiants.com
Paris Hilton poses with the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid at the 11th Anniversary BPM Party at the Avalon Hotel in Hollywood July 19, 2007. The Ford Escape Hybrid sponsored the party celebrating the magazine's environmental issue. |GlobalGiants.com|
Posted by Editors at 2:50 PM
July 27, 2007
Manchester U Asian Tour 2007 : GlobalGiants.com
Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha (L), known as Nani, of Manchester United, performs a somersault after scoring a goal during a friendly soccer game between Manchester United and Shenzhen Shangjingyin Football Club in Macau, southern China, Monday, 23 July 2007. Manchester United defeated Shenzhen Shangjingyin 6-0 in the third game of their Asian tour. (EyePress)
Posted by Editors at 8:13 AM
July 24, 2007
2007 Empressa World Chess Tournament in Montreal : GlobalGiants.com
Chess Grand Master Vassily Ivanchuk, number four in the world, participates at the 2007 Empresa World Chess Tournament in Montreal. (Photo Dimitri Papadopoulos/Quebec Press)
Posted by Editors at 12:54 PM
