Marketing Information

In J.D. Power and Associates' 2006 Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services Study, dealers ranked The Cobalt Group's Dealix division Highest in Overall Dealer Satisfaction among New Vehicle Lead Services. For the third consecutive year, Dealix outpaced competitors in key study factors, including Business Generation -- the most important driver of dealer satisfaction -- which encompasses quality and quantity of leads delivered, incremental business, and gross profit margin, as well as Dealer Support and Service (technical support, amount of contact, and training).

"It's great to see Dealix receiving the highest marks in this study," remarked Paul Miller, Internet director for Capital Ford of Raleigh, North Carolina, the No. 1 online Ford dealership. "Our dealership is a long time Dealix customer because they consistently deliver: Dealix helps us do our jobs better and sell more cars. With Dealix leads, we get a higher closing ratio than with any other lead source, plus they'...

Just in time for cooler weather, Michigan Retailers Association is offering a new program to help businesses save an estimated 8-12 percent off their natural gas utility bills.

The program is made possible through an agreement between MRA and Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. (VESI), a full-service natural gas supplier based in Columbus, Ohio, that offers services to commercial energy end-users. VESI has a strong track record of providing alternative energy supply and management to national clients (McDonald's, Wendy's, Yum Brands), as well as governmental agencies (the Ohio cities of Broadview Heights, Alliance), and industry affiliate groups (Ohio Grocers Association).

"This program is tailor-made for the variations in the retail industry, because there are no minimum purchase amounts, no long-term contracts and no added equipment or phone lines to install," said MRA President and Chief Operating Officer James P. Hallan. "It's another no-cost, value-added savings program offere...

Pervasive, web-connected imaging and the explosion of user-generated visual content are transforming how we communicate with each other in our personal, work, and community lives. In the past four years the number of cameras in people's hands worldwide has increased by 600%. It will double again over the next five years. Total number of analog and digital cameras sold in 2000: 85 Million units. Projected 2008 sales: One Billion units.

On October 24 and 25, the 6Sight™ Future of Imaging conference will ask the question: What happens when a billion people worldwide become equipped with the tools of visual communication? The two-day program (www.6sight.com/program.html) will provide cutting-edge answers through sessions emphasizing innovative use cases, breakthrough digital imaging technologies, and creativity. The presenters are an all-star lineup of thought leaders in digital imaging software and hardware, telecommunications, a...

@Road, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARDI), a global provider of next-generation solutions for Mobile Resource Management (MRM), today announced that E.ON UK has selected @Road as a preferred supplier. E.ON UK and @Road are currently discussing the details of a written agreement to govern E.ON UK's deployment of @Road Taskforce™ field service management solution to optimize the service delivery of approximately 1,300 field engineers. E.ON UK, part of the E.ON Group, is the UK's largest integrated power and gas company, generating and distributing electricity, and retailing electricity and gas.

"In today's increasingly competitive utility business environment where service is a key differentiator, it was important for us to identify and select a field service management solution with a successful track record of helping others in the industry achieve service delivery exce...

The proliferation of digital image capture devices and widespread Internet connectivity are creating new options for more efficient and effective interpersonal communications. Businesses who take advantage of these options are gaining a competitive edge by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their communications across the spectrum of their operations.

This topic will be explored at the 6Sight™ Future of Imaging conference held on October 24 and 25 in Monterey (CA). The event is hosted by Future Image Inc., Photo Marketing Association International (PMAI), and the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A).

The 6Sight program is an innovative and unique mix of information and entertainment featuring thought-provoking new perspectives, opinions by expert industry insiders, and first looks at exciting new products and technologies in development. Among the sessions which have direct relevance to IT and Operations executive are:

Building the Visual Enter...

Swoozie's, Inc., a 14-store specialty gift and paper retailer, announced an equity investment of approximately $14 million led by Northwood Ventures and TWJ Capital. Existing investor BEV Capital also participated in the investment. The proceeds of the investment will be used primarily to fund the Company's expansion plans, which include opening new stores throughout the country. Thomas Weisel Partners LLC acted as the Company's exclusive placement agent for the financing.

"Swoozie's represented a particularly attractive investment opportunity given its unusually distinctive concept and remarkably strong management team, attributes not frequently found in companies at this stage of development," said Hal Wilson, Managing Director at Northwood Ventures.

The Company also stated that Hal Wilson and Nigel Jones have joined its Board of Directors. Mr. Wilson is a Managing Director of Northwood Ventures, a venture capital firm investing across a wide range of industries. He serve...

Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. (TSX: FMI)(NASDAQ: FMTI) today announced that Finland based Kesko has expanded their Pirkka range of products containing Forbes Medi-Tech's cholesterol-lowering ingredient, Reducol™. The new products, sold under the 'Pirkka' premium brand name, includes a non-dairy margarine and additional yogurt flavors to complement the successful Buckthorn and Raspberry launch in May 2005. The new Pirkka Margarine will be in full distribution at all Kesko stores along with the Raspberry, Buckthorn, Natural (plain) and Cranberry flavor Pirkka yogurt products.

"Due to the success of the original Pirkka yogurts containing Reducol™, two new flavors have been added to the heart healthy category along with a non-dairy margarine ...

Omniture, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMTR), a leading provider of online business optimization software has received a Sears 'Partners in Progress' Award for providing exemplary service to the internationally recognized retailer. Chosen from among more than 40,000 suppliers and vendors, Omniture was recognized for its teamwork and contributions in partnering with Sears to build lifetime relationships with customers. Aylwin B. Lewis, chief executive officer and president of Sears Holdings Corporation, honored the recipients of the award during a reception held at the corporation's headquarters located in Illinois.

"Strong and productive supplier relationships are critical to building relationships with our Kmart and Sears customers," said Lewis. "As a new company, Sears Holdings has an opportunity to better serve our...

Billy Martin's USA, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BLYM) today released a letter to the shareholders from Mr. Doug Newton, CEO of the Company:

To the Shareholders of BLYM We want to give our shareholders an update regarding the status of six (6)initiatives we have been working on during the first half of 2006. During this period, management has pressed forward with its business strategy to identify new revenue sources for our brand within the "western lifestyle" market niche where we have operated for nearly 28 years.

Here are the initiatives we have on the table, in the hopper, and/or on deck for your Company at this time:

1. HBO Deadwood: In June, we have finally brought to fruition a major agreement to bring to market a collection of apparel, fragrance and accessory products carrying the co-branded names of Billy Martin's and HBO's critically acclaimed w...

This news release contains forward-looking information that is based upon assumptions and is subject to risks and uncertainties as indicated in the cautionary note contained elsewhere in this news release.

Andres Wines Ltd. ("Andres") (TSX: ADW.A)(TSX: ADW.B) announced today its results for the three months and year ended March 31, 2006. Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 rose 31% to $48.4 million from $36.9 million last year. For the year ended March 31, 2006 sales increased 26% to $211.8 million from $167.6 million last year. The increase is due primarily to the contributions made by the acquisitions during the year of Cascadia Brands Inc. ("Cascadia"), Thirty Bench Winery ("Thirty Bench") and Red Rooster Winery ("Red Rooster"), as...