Tag Archives: Super Bowl

Mayor Michael Bloomberg — Super Bowl ad


As you might have guessed, Boston Mayor Tom Menino and I have a friendly disagreement about who’s going to win the Super Bowl this Sunday.  But there’s one thing we agree on: America must do more to keep illegal guns off our streets.

That’s why we’ve filmed a short ad that will air during the game on Sunday – and we wanted supporters like you to be the first to see it.

We had some fun making the ad, but our message is a serious one: we can and must support the Second Amendment while keeping guns away from criminals and other dangerous people.  That’s something our 600 mayors agree on – and we know you do too.  We’re so grateful for your support.

Enjoy the game!

Mayor Michael Bloomberg

New York City

Baseball’s Most Marketable​, Insights From Russia, Video Games Webinar


Pinstripe Power: Jeter, Rivera Top List of 10 Most Marketable Players in Baseball

As Major League Baseball prepares for the first pitch of the new season March 31, two New York YankeesDerek Jeter and Mariano Rivera-are ranked as the two most marketable players in baseball, according to Nielsen and E-Poll’s N-Score ranking. (full story) http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3617707165047c721d70&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=

U.S. Console Gaming: The Living Room & Beyond

Today’s video game consoles offer many entertainment options beyond gaming, including Netflix, ESPN3, Pandora, Last.FM and YouTube on some or all platforms. As part of understanding the potential audience for services like these across the entire family, it is important to think about the household location of gaming platforms. (full story) http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3517707165047c721d71&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=

State of the Consumer: Wellness Watch & Nutrition Buzz

More consumers are online talking about fresh and unprocessed foods when it comes to healthy eating, and a segment of health enthusiasts are setting trends on ingredients and spices. (full story)  http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3417707165047c721d72&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=

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Special Report Consumer 360- Russia 

Why Brands that Invest in Distribution Win in Russia

Russia is easing its way out of the global recession, and its economy is exhibiting signs of recovery. In fact, with a large and expanding middle class, a youthful population, and vast natural resources, most observers agree that Russia is poised to experience strong economic growth. (full story) http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3217707165047c721d74&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=  

How to Succeed in Russia

Economic power is clearly moving east. According to the International Monetary Fund, GDP is expected to grow within the BRIC countries 61.3 percent between 2008 and 2012, compared with just 12.8 percent for the G7 nations. Today, global consumption patterns clearly favor developing markets and in Russia, the growth potential is tremendous. (full story )   http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3117707165047c721d75&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=     

Testing the Top 7 Innovation Myths in Russia

Russia is a huge economic powerhouse with significant room to grow. Its growing middle class, high education level and developed technology infrastructure make it ripe for opportunity. But innovation myths about Russia are impacting full growth realization. (full story) http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3017707165047c721d76&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=

Webinar

U.S. Gaming: A 360-Degree View

Gaming is more diverse and prominent in the U.S. than ever before, with engagement reaching across the three screens and key consumer demographics. In U.S. Gaming: A 360° View, Nielsen will discuss key findings on the state of the video game industry and its interconnections with other forms of media and entertainment – all from a consumer perspective. (download now)   http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2e17707165047c721d78&ls=fe031d717664037c75167171&m=fefc1c74716407&l=fe5d15757462067b711d&s=fe241576726c0075751273&jb=ffcf14&t=

thirsty Thursday &some News


Today  has an air of sadness in it because of the events in Japan as well as the uprisings in various parts of the Middle East these days. The impact on our family friends are both sad and rude realities of our lives today but as we all know life goes on so take some time to kiss , hug and love your family, tell them how you feel.

 – take time to reach up to the sky slowly while breathing in deeply through the nose and hold and while lowering your arms to your sides exhale through your mouth and roll slowly your head, neck, shoulders torso …. repeat when needed.  The weather on the other hand has gone from the upper 50’s back to the cold 30’s and that is maddening to me because spring officially starts this weekend but as we move into the last week of March college Basket Ball or March Madness is now in full effect and will play itself out to its final push toward the big dance in April.

My rant this week, well the last few weeks have been filled with crazy talk from some freshman tea party members and it definitely has driven many mad as the final push toward getting the budget for FY2011 finalized. We all have to wonder at what point do these amateurs of politics and governing understand the words negotiate and compromise. It is disturbing to watch folks from the right play with the rights and lives of Americans by offering up deep budget cuts in spurts let alone anything-long term. What we Americans have seen on the floor of the Republican led House is one after the other of many acts of calamity by Congress and includes DEFUNDING the following: BIG BIRD, Families, volcano and tsunami warning centers, Women ,Children oh and do not forget you old people or anyone else that is in need. The fact is Public Broadcasting only costs around $1.50 per person and as a parent watching Sesame Street with my child was just a great addition to learning … and it’s from home. Americans constantly need reminding that elections have consequences. The party of no plans, cohesiveness, and or experience is itching for a government shutdown, and seemingly wants to force Americans back into the 50’s living in my opinion.

Though both Political Parties support the “stopgap bill”, which is only a temporary solution ;who would have thought that keeping the Government in biz for 2-3 weeks at a time is acceptable let alone and I say that again, let alone have the Democratic Party be the ones who keep the absolutely unacceptable 2012 spending bill alive. This whole thing is offensive to Working Families. I will admit I was not happy that 85 left of centers voted with Republicans to make sure that the latest deal …a 3-week stopgap passed on the floor of Congress. It would have been great if our Democratic party could have said look you do not have the votes let’s negotiate a real CR a good compromise and permanent budget. I don’t know about you but the lack of leadership and or control Boehner has over his freshman tea members is hilarious. It should also be a warning and enlightenment to rightwing backers to see Speaker Boehner is an epic failure. The number of bills that the new members of Congress has blocked, stalled, or voted down by their members of the Tea Party is beyond funny; at least it is funny to this voter.

The great debate or debates among members of Congress, talking heads, so-called journalists and us civilians about WHO WILL VOTE NO on the floor of Congress on any given day and why or do Democrats really want to support the President’s agenda or save themselves has gotten way too much media play for my taste. It has changed my thoughts and opinions on how honest certain reporters and the cable stations they work for are. Most of us have to question just what side of the aisle they represent on any given day or hour in the day. There used to be a time when most maybe not all but most talking heads in “the media” actually did subscribe to “fair and balanced news”. Now, given the rhetoric no one should be representing a side whatsoever but then again we have FOX as an example, who has some sort of pass to all things considered compassion, equal rights, discrimination and just plain ole human being type behavior. Well, let’s remember it is FOX.

The President subjected himself to a FOX interview for the Super Bowl and though he was unable to respond to Fox host Bill O., who clearly was hostile toward the President, butted in, kept asking questions, and seemed to think that interview was all about him. The behavior by the host should have been quite an embarrassment for fox management; actually, for anyone who works for “the Media” and calls themselves a reporter and or journalist who intentionally acts with such bad manners but there were no reports suggesting he was held accountable, which is so typical and offensive.

Other News …

**Dozens of nuke plant workers injured,exposed

**ok, yes low radioactivity heads for N.America

**Senate sends 3wk funding bill to President Obama

**Four NYT journalists reported missing in Libya

**Gahadfi pounds “rebel” his own people -US hints at air strikes

**House is set to vote on defunding BIG BIRD

*Another Earth Quake rocks Japan 6.0

**  DEA takes lethat drum from GA dept of Corrections

**Republican led republicans want to cut tsunami warning centers .. odd

**RNC will sell tv rights of republican presidential primary debates

**Diplomats discussing “range of options” beyond no-fly zone

**Mexico confirms presence of the US drones

**The NRA will not talk gun control with Obama ..ask yourself why

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CSPAN …

 Capitol Hill

Is U.S. Prepared for Next Big Disaster

Also a look at earthquake monitoring

http://c-span.com/Events/Is-US-Prepared-for-Next-Big-Disaster/10737420262/

House To Vote To Defund NPR

http://c-span.com/Events/House-To-Vote-To-Defund-NPR/10737420260/

Republicans Push Drilling to Offset Rising Gasoline Prices

http://c-span.com/Events/Republicans-Push-Drilling-to-Offset-Rising-Gasoline-Prices/10737420263/

Senate Hearing on Winding Down of TARP

http://c-span.com/Events/Senate-Hearing-on-Winding-Down-of-TARP/10737420261/

Press Secretary Jay Carney conducts a daily briefing at the White House. Questions were mostly about the safety of Japan’s nuclear plants, in the aftermath of the recent earthquake and tsunami. Mr. Carney also responded to questions about the unrest in the Arab world.

http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Briefing-with-Press-Secretary-Jay-Carney/10737420233/

Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to President Obama & Special Adviser to the Treasury Secretary on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said she thinks the President will nominate a director for this new agency soon and added that if it was operational years ago “we won’t be in the mess we’re currently in.” She also said she’s only been offering advice to the Obama Administration involved in a formal settlement with mortgage servicers, but may participate in these discussions when the CFPB becomes operational in July.

http://c-span.com/Events/Warren-Defends-Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau/10737420228/

Representatives from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), joined by health and security experts, responded to concerns raised by the use of body imaging technology and other airport security measures at a House Oversight & Government Reform Subcommittee hearing.

http://c-span.com/Events/Congress-Hears-Publics-Concern-with-Full-Body-Scans/10737420257/

mashup Monday …&some News


The World is watching …

As more and more uprisings and demands for freedom break out all over the Middle East. Unfortunately in some cases a lot of violence against the Protesters …We see the people have not only had enough, they made an independent choice to speak up out, demand freedom, fair wages and an opportunity to vote for those who truly represent them.

To those people I say remember that there is always strength in numbers

People dying for wanting to be heard, for wanting to be participants in their own futures is not new … mothers with children, older men and women and college students are coming out in droves to let the current dictators know it’s time for a change –

I just want people to know that 30 years of rule will be a hard thing to change given the Army and it’s police were paid well to keep the peace. The question for them and other parts of the middle east will be can they give up some of their power and money in exchange for a democratic society?

We see numerous countries and or regions in possible transition, definitely a movement against a dictatorship run by clerics, the military, or those who are in line to have control without a vote. The votes of millions have gone uncounted for decades… the demand to be heard is great but to get the change they need and want, means the fear of authority is not an option… and the possibility of death imminent.

In Iran the supreme leader tried to cut off all connections to the outside world, stated the US meddled in the process to divert responsibility and was definitely willing to use extreme force —other parts of the Middle East are also choosing to crack down starting with shutting access to the social networks. We all know that Mubarak tried to keep the truth from the world by shutting down TV and the social networks but as we, all saw, it was just something that the protesters worked around and obviously were able to beat.

Those of us in countries who have the freedom to express personal opinions, against or for our government, vote freely, have relatively good wages, and live where we want. We all wonder why the police and or military in countries under rulers choose not to rise up against oppression. We ask out loud –why don’t they want personal freedom too … a change from the old ways to a more positive way of life … human rights, a chance for a better economy and a chance to be heard, to participant in the process of life. Unfortunately, reality is that the trickle down financial idea stops at those who help keep the peace whether that is by words and mostly with force.

Iran had a dictator/supreme ruler making threats and a militia shooting/ killing their own for non-violent protest the last time the World watched in horror as people protested against tyranny and of course, the response was shameful to watch. The 18-day effort to topple the dictatorship in

Cairo, Egypt; done with somewhat peaceful protests the demand for freedom was not easy. It took millions to decide that there was strength in numbers; it also could be a road map to how others can achieve such a historic opportunity –for freedom.

The journey toward freedom is sometimes paved with danger

I pray for all those involved in the change they want to believe in and want and if we do have Americans living in places engaging in uprisings for freedom – hope they are safe.

Other News …

**Egypt is a work in progress while other parts of the region protest for freedom

**Obama defends budget priorities

**US state dept starts Farsi twitter feed

**Sony announces new PlayStation smartphone

**Oil prices jump as unrest becomes the norm

**Nintendo hacker gets arrested 

**Boeing unveils intercontinental plane

**Italy alert over Tunisian influx of immigrants

CSPAN …

President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2012 http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Overview

OMB on President”s Budget (Today) http://c-span.com/Events/President-Submits-37T-Budget-for-FY-2012/10737419543-1/

Pres. Obama’s Remarks on the Budget (Today) http://c-span.com/Events/President-Submits-37T-Budget-for-FY-2012/10737419543-2/

Labor: What The NFL Lockout Teaches Us


Last Sunday, the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers celebrated their fourth Super Bowl victory in franchise history, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. Yet now that the Super Bowl media circus has subsided, and Packers quarterback and game MVP Aaron Rodgers has taken his obligatory march in a Disney World parade, a labor dispute between the league’s team owners and the NFL Players Association is receiving greater visibility. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement is set to expire on March 3. The owners opted out of the current agreement two years early, arguing that the players’ cut of the profits is too large (59.5 percent after a $1 billion credit is given to the owners). The owners are also pushing to extend the regular season by two games, to 18. But unless a deal gets done soon, the NFLPA expects the owners to impose a lockout, thus suspending next season indefinitely. In fact, the NFL owners‘ attempt to squeeze more profits from players is emblematic of what is happening to workers across the country, most of whom do not have anywhere near the amount of bargaining power as the NFLPA. As CAP’s David Madland and Nick Bunker wrote, “These negotiations are important not just to NFL fans but to all Americans because they show that collective bargaining — the process where unionized workers and management negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions — can create significant benefits for both workers and owners.”

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WORKS: Despite the owners’ complaints, teams and players have both prospered under the current agreement. The median player salary in 2009 stood at nearly $800,000 per year, an increase of 9.4 percent since 2006. While NFL teams are reluctant to open their financial books to the public, according to Forbes Magazine, the average NFL franchise is worth just over $1 billion (although these figures have been disputed). If true, an NFL franchise’s value has increased 16.2 percent, which Madland and Bunker point out is “a growth rate that is faster than the median player salary increase.” Anti-trust exemptions have also benefited the NFL’s owners, allowing them to maximize profits from marketing. As Time Magazine notes, “Public indicators of the game’s overall health are overwhelmingly positive. The sport is setting ratings records every week, revenues are strong, and ESPN is reportedly close to agreeing to increase the fee it pays the NFL to telecast Monday Night Football to around $2 billion annually, an increase of at least 65%.” In a statement, a representative for the NFL told The Progress Report that “the teams agree wholeheartedly that collective bargaining is critical, which is why they are committed to negotiating as much and as often as possible to get a deal that works for all sides. Each side bears responsibility for working as hard as they can to get a deal and avoid a work stoppage.

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?: “What happens in these disputes is that economic issues are presented as moral issues — good versus evil,” said Fay Vincent, a former commissioner of Major League Baseball who presided over the sport’s 1990 lockout. “But it’s hard to look at these circumstances and not see a case of owners’ wanting their cake and eating it, too.” Why should progressives care about wealthy NFL players? “Liberals should care and side with labor, even if some of the players do make a lot of money,” progressive blogger and economist Duncan Black wrote this week, adding, “This is about how the pie gets split, and that matters even if it is a really big pie.” Indeed, it does matter. High-profile NFL players are privileged multi-millionaires, but this is not the case for most players in the league, many of whom make the league minimum $300,000 and only stay in the league for just under four years on average before retiring. The wear and tear on the player’s body in an increasingly violent sport often leads to early retirement. A recent independent study found that, as Esquire reported, “Not only are pro-football injuries and concussions at a nine-year high, but brain-related injuries are the most common specified type of injury in NFL games.” And the New Yorker noted last week that retired NFL players “are five to nineteen times as likely as the general population to have received a dementia-related diagnosis” due to brain injuries. Steelers star receiver Hines Ward said of the NFL, “They don’t give a fuck about concussions. And now they want to add on two extra games? Are you kidding? Come on, let’s be real.” Citing health issues, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita said adding two games to the regular season “is completely unacceptable.” It “feels like a slap in the face,” he said.

WHAT ABOUT THE FANS?: NFL football has grown to be America’s most popular and most lucrative sport, thus, the party in the dispute most often ignored is the fans. The New York Times reports that “[c]urrently, 10 N.F.L. stadiums are 100 percent publicly financed and 19 are at least 75 percent publicly financed.” As Brian Frederick, executive director of the pro-fan lobby group Sports Fans Coalition, wrote this week, “Taxpayers (most of whom are NFL fans) have spent over $6.5 billion subsidizing NFL stadiums around the country, with nearly $4.5 billion of that coming in just the last 10 years” — a fact that has increased profits for both players and owners. “These stadium subsidies are important because they are what give the fans leverage and why this all matters in the political realm,” said Frederick, who is promoting a petition to “Save Next Season.” And while cities with NFL franchises stand to lose money if a lockout were to take effect, there is no doubt that thousands of those working in and around the stadiums will be out of a job and many local economies will suffer as a result. As Philadelphia Eagles lineman Winston Justice noted, “It will hurt local business owners, employees at restaurants, hotels, and all of the great people who work at Lincoln Financial Field [in Philadelphia], on game day, just to name a few.”