Marketing Information

ETS is pilot testing its new Major Field Test for Associate Degree Business Programs at 20 community colleges nationwide. This is the first of ETS's Major Field Tests (MFTs) specifically designed for use by two-year and community colleges.

The MFT for Associate Degree Business Programs, developed in partnership with the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), assesses knowledge and skills in the core curriculum of a two-year business program in the following areas: accounting, economics, management, finance and marketing.

"We developed this assessment in partnership with ACBSP and with heavy involvement from community college business department chairs and faculty so that ETS could produce the most useful measure of the knowledge and skills their students have acquired in the program area," says Linda Tyler, Executive Director of Postsecondary Solutions for ETS. "The test is designed to help community colleges assess student achievement, meet external r...

The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) announced that it will offer the MyPublicInfo, Inc. signature identity theft prevention service, IdentitySweep, as a discounted special benefit to RIMS members. IdentitySweep uses identity scoring, an innovative new method of fraud prevention, to search databases and chat rooms for Social Security numbers, debit card numbers, credit card numbers and other consumer information that may be hacked, stolen, or breached.

"As risk management professionals, our members take identity theft very seriously and we are enthusiastic about adding an identity theft prevention tool to the group of benefits that RIMS membership offers," says Joseph Restoule, RIMS secretary and member of the board of directors. "MyPublicInfo's innovative technology will play a significant role in helping deliver an important resource to the risk management community."

IdentitySweep is a real-time identity theft protection solution for the average consumer. T...

Hundreds of newspapers joined forces today to launch the industry's 2007 trade campaign with simultaneous publication of print and online ads that communicate to advertisers the value of the engaged audience delivered by today's newspapers in all their forms. With the tagline, "Newspaper. The Multi-Medium," the campaign communicates to media planners and buyers that the brand power, content and credibility of newspaper media -- from print and online to niche publications and wireless products -- serve the needs of advertisers better than any other medium.

"The 2007 campaign is an aggressive presentation of the innovative print and digital products newspapers use to engage a diverse and growing audience highly valued by advertisers," said NAA President and CEO John F. Sturm. "The ad campaign emphasizes newspaper's ability to combine the strengths of the Internet and print while expanding its reach and influence in a time of critical transformation for the industry."

The spring c...

Sage Software announced today the availability of Sage MAS 90 and Sage MAS 200 4.2, the latest versions of the company's most popular ERP (enterprise resource planning) solutions. Built upon years of cumulative input from thousands of customers, Sage MAS 90 and 200 4.2 deliver a unique combination of deep accounting functionality with renowned ease-of-use, simplified personalization features and advanced business intelligence tools. Sage MAS 90 and 200 4.2 provide comprehensive insight into a company's most important data, enabling small and mid-sized business owners to successfully grow their businesses through improved business decision making.

Sage MAS 90 and 200 anchor end-to-end business management solutions that give users visibility and insight into their entire operations. Providing accounting and financial reporting, in-depth distribution, manufacturing and e-business management, Sage MAS 90 and 200 automate and streamline business processes for greater efficiency. Sage MA...

Ohio tax reform is already significantly reducing Ohio tax burdens and improving the state's business climate just one short year after its enactment, concludes a report by the Ohio Business Roundtable (BRT).

The report, "Ohio Tax Reform: Year 1 in Review," is a sequel to the BRT's "Business Leaders' Guide," which was released in 2005 upon the legislative enactment of the tax reforms. The BRT engaged tax policy and financial modeling experts at Ernst & Young to assist the organization and state leaders with Ohio's tax reform efforts, as well as with the Year-1 Review.

The report is available to the public through the Ohio Business Development Coalition and can be downloaded at www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

In 2004, Ohio geared up to compete in an increasingly global marketplace for capital investment and jobs. On July 1, 2005 state ...

Sage Software today announced that Sage CRM SalesLogix has been recognized by VARBusiness magazine for outstanding achievement in technology innovation and was named a winner in the enterprise software category of the publication's Tech Innovators award competition. Sage CRM SalesLogix was among nearly 700 entries submitted in 14 technology categories. VARBusiness magazine, which covers the business of technology integration, honored Sage Software at an awards ceremony held earlier this week in Huntington Beach, California.

"The constant feedback we seek from our business partners and customers to drive continuous Sage CRM SalesLogix enhancement continues to pay dividends," said Elvin Monteleone, senior vice president and general manager for Sage Software Mid-Market CRM. "We strive to develop products that help our partners differentiate their value-added services and provide customers with significant business performance improvements. This honor from VARBusiness is made possible ...

The Ad Council and Datran Media today announced that the Environmental Defense's "Fight Global Warming" email communication campaign has launched across the U.S. The campaign provides millions of members with access to energy conservation tips to help curb global warming and pollution and to increase awareness of the seriousness of the issue. It is the second time the Ad Council and Datran Media have teamed to promote a public service advertising (PSA) campaign via email.

In 2004, the two organizations released information regarding an Earth Day campaign. The results of the Ad Council's previous work with Datran Media have proven email to be an extremely effective channel to universally communicate PSAs. When the Earth Day campaign launched, the Ad Council reported that combined HTML-rich media emails resulted in a 50 percent open rate within hours of delivery.

Barbara Shimaitis, Senior Vice President of Interactive Services at the Ad Council, says, "The Ad Council is pleased ...

Although it may be too late for sole proprietors to gain the tax advantages of forming an LLC or corporation in 2006, it's not too early to begin adopting these changes for 2007.

Converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC or corporation provides tax advantages and personal liability protection to a company's owners. Switching a sole proprietorship to a corporation, for example, may qualify a business for a Small Business Tax Deduction with an annual tax credit of 16% on the first $200,000 of taxable income; can result in self-employment tax savings; and may provide a number of other income and tax advantages.

"When converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC or corporation, timing is a consideration," said Troy Janisch, marketing director for BizFilings. "If you change your entity at the very end or very beginning of a new year, you can simplify reporting by putting all or most of the income and expenses on one return for the entity in ex...

National lifestyle brand KN Karen Neuburger and parent company KN Ltd. has selected San Francisco-based Allison & Partners as its new public relations agency of record.

KN Karen Neuburger is best known for sleepwear and pajamas deemed by Oprah as one of the media superstar's "favorite things." Today, this San Rafael, California-based lifestyle brand, sold across the nation in major department stores, specialty stores and online, has branched into comfort-inspired fashion, accessories, home and crafting products.

Allison & Partners will be handling all product, corporate and cause-related public relations for KN Karen Neuburger and parent company, KN Ltd., including support for the company's three major "Shop for a Cause" initiatives with nonprofit partners including The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, First Book and WomenHeart. In addition, the firm will assist with the launch of several new product lines in 2007, including a line of women's sportswear and accessorie...

Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT) today announced that Kelleher Corporation is the recipient of the 2006 Mobile Impact™ Award in the Sales Force Enablement category. The Mobile Impact Awards are presented by the Mobile Enterprise Alliance (MEA), a global advocacy group promoting the business benefits of workforce mobility to enterprise end users and decision makers.

The prestigious awards honor leading enterprises for successful and innovative deployments of mobile enterprise solutions that successfully balance technology investments with business objectives. The six winners were announced last week at the Yankee Group Mobilizing the Enterprise Summit in Boston, Massachusetts. More information about the Mobile Impact Awards program and the winning case studies may be found at www.mobileenterprise....