Its been said that getting there is half the journey, but
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Making Holiday Travel Work for You
Theres no way to put this lightly the holidays are hectic.
Between social gatherings, family drama, shopping, cooking, and,
especially, traveling the responsibilities never end. The only way
to get through it all and not lose your mind is to stay organized.
Well try to arm you with Read More...
Between social gatherings, family drama, shopping, cooking, and,
especially, traveling the responsibilities never end. The only way
to get through it all and not lose your mind is to stay organized.
Well try to arm you with Read More...
Best Eco Hotel Chains
Not long ago, people who wanted to stay in an environmentally
friendly hotel had to find their sleeping spot in an obscure, out
of the way inns. Or else they would simply have to pitch a
tent. Over the past decade or so, modern boutique-style
hotels have incorporated Read More...
friendly hotel had to find their sleeping spot in an obscure, out
of the way inns. Or else they would simply have to pitch a
tent. Over the past decade or so, modern boutique-style
hotels have incorporated Read More...
The Secret Lives of Air Marshals
Do you know who youre sitting next to on the plane? How do
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget
Ah, vacation time, the treasured reward for toiling away at
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Top 35 Travel Blogs
There are plenty of lists out there of popular travel sites
and interesting travel blogs, but our list pretty much covers it
all. Use this as a resource for all your travel needs. Almost
Fearless General Almost Fearless is a blog about a new mother who
decided to drop Read More...
and interesting travel blogs, but our list pretty much covers it
all. Use this as a resource for all your travel needs. Almost
Fearless General Almost Fearless is a blog about a new mother who
decided to drop Read More...
What are You Flying In?: The Types of Airplanes Airlines Use
They dot the sky and constantly remind us were in the modern
age: Airplanes fly millions of people to countless destinations in
every corner of the globe. But just who is behind all these winged
beasts hurling through the air up there? You might be surprised to
learn Read More...
age: Airplanes fly millions of people to countless destinations in
every corner of the globe. But just who is behind all these winged
beasts hurling through the air up there? You might be surprised to
learn Read More...
7 Ways to Entertain Yourself at the Airport
Youre traveling alone. Maybe youre flying for business, maybe
youre meeting a friend half way across the country. Your flight
gets delayed significantly. Now what do you do with yourself? Youve
come to the right place because weve got the answers for you. Make
a friend. In our Read More...
youre meeting a friend half way across the country. Your flight
gets delayed significantly. Now what do you do with yourself? Youve
come to the right place because weve got the answers for you. Make
a friend. In our Read More...
7 Best Social Media Travel Sites
You cant go very far on the Internet without running into a
social media site. And travel lends itself better than almost any
other industry to social networking. Videos, reviews, photos,
suggestions, travel tales what better avenue for research and the
telling of your travel stories? If youre Read More...
social media site. And travel lends itself better than almost any
other industry to social networking. Videos, reviews, photos,
suggestions, travel tales what better avenue for research and the
telling of your travel stories? If youre Read More...
The Ins and Outs of Travel Insurance
Like any other type of insurance; you take travel insurance
for granted until you really need it. While the last thing you want
to dwell on when planning a vacation is some sort of disaster
situation ruining your trip, the fact is that, in addition to
flights, hotels, Read More...
for granted until you really need it. While the last thing you want
to dwell on when planning a vacation is some sort of disaster
situation ruining your trip, the fact is that, in addition to
flights, hotels, Read More...
Eco Friendly Airlines
Going green these days isnt what it used to be. Any
organization, group, or company that doesnt take active measures to
go green, is subject to scrutiny from the increasingly, aware
environmentally friendly public. Airlines are no doubt in an
industry critically assessed for how theyre taking measures Read
More...
organization, group, or company that doesnt take active measures to
go green, is subject to scrutiny from the increasingly, aware
environmentally friendly public. Airlines are no doubt in an
industry critically assessed for how theyre taking measures Read
More...
Everything You Need to Know About Private Jets
Take it or leave, but they say the more intricately you can
visualize something and the more often, the more likely it is that
the thing your visualizing will become a reality. So private jets
may not yet be in your future but it cant hurt to visualize Read
More...
visualize something and the more often, the more likely it is that
the thing your visualizing will become a reality. So private jets
may not yet be in your future but it cant hurt to visualize Read
More...
The Evolution of Air Travel
Commercial air travel has come a long way since the early
days when smoking on the plane was a no-brainer and flying was an
occasion calling for your Sundays best. Passengers now have endless
more destination choices and significantly improved technology and
safety, but they also have a Read More...
days when smoking on the plane was a no-brainer and flying was an
occasion calling for your Sundays best. Passengers now have endless
more destination choices and significantly improved technology and
safety, but they also have a Read More...
5 Unspoken Rules of Flying
It can often be a bear to fly anymore. With constant changes
to FAA regulations, its not unlikely that the next time you fly
therell be a new rule youll have to adhere to. Baggage charges,
taxes, prohibited items and the list goes on. Many of these are
Read More...
to FAA regulations, its not unlikely that the next time you fly
therell be a new rule youll have to adhere to. Baggage charges,
taxes, prohibited items and the list goes on. Many of these are
Read More...
The Weary Travelers Guide to Airport Amenities
Youve just rolled in to the airport; either youre on a
layover, an arrival, or a departure. Regardless, depending on the
airport (and the services it provides) your arrival can either be
something to dread OR something to remember. Many airlines have
stepped up their game when it Read More...
layover, an arrival, or a departure. Regardless, depending on the
airport (and the services it provides) your arrival can either be
something to dread OR something to remember. Many airlines have
stepped up their game when it Read More...
8 Worst Cities for Airline Delays
Theres nothing more annoying than flight delays. Whether
youre traveling for business or pleasure, being at the mercy of the
airlines and their scheduling problems or mechanical errors or
Mother Nature herself is a terribly inconvenient situation to be
in. If at all possible, you may want to Read More...
youre traveling for business or pleasure, being at the mercy of the
airlines and their scheduling problems or mechanical errors or
Mother Nature herself is a terribly inconvenient situation to be
in. If at all possible, you may want to Read More...
Best Airlines to Earn Rewards
Pretty much all the major airlines have cooked up rewards
programs that offer incentives and kickbacks for selecting them
over their competitors. A great many of them also include
incentives for using other travel-related services from car rentals
to hotels to restaurants. Where you stay, how you get Read
More...
programs that offer incentives and kickbacks for selecting them
over their competitors. A great many of them also include
incentives for using other travel-related services from car rentals
to hotels to restaurants. Where you stay, how you get Read
More...
7 Tips for Flying with a Family
You have to juggle luggage, carry-ons, airplane tickets,
boarding passes, IDs, and personal items now multiply that by two,
by three, by four, by maybe even five when you factor in flying
with a whole family. Air travel can easily get out of control when
personalities clash, Read More...
boarding passes, IDs, and personal items now multiply that by two,
by three, by four, by maybe even five when you factor in flying
with a whole family. Air travel can easily get out of control when
personalities clash, Read More...
12 Tips for Getting Through Airport Security
September 11, 2001 changed everything for the air travel
industry. Its hard to remember the days when taking off your shoes
in a public place wasnt common place or when liquids didnt need to
be housed in plastic bags. Seasoned travelers are experts at
navigating airport security relatively Read More...
industry. Its hard to remember the days when taking off your shoes
in a public place wasnt common place or when liquids didnt need to
be housed in plastic bags. Seasoned travelers are experts at
navigating airport security relatively Read More...
Get Talking: 7 Best Forums for Travelers
The excitement begins building as soon as the tickets are
purchased and the trip is booked. Now, the real work begins. What
are you going to do once your plane lands? Where exactly will your
vacation take you? Travel books can be pricey and arent always
current or Read More...
purchased and the trip is booked. Now, the real work begins. What
are you going to do once your plane lands? Where exactly will your
vacation take you? Travel books can be pricey and arent always
current or Read More...
The Airline Industry vs. The Environment: Let the Battle Begin
One of the biggest issues globally is no doubt the
environment. No industry gets a pass card on their contribution to
the degradation of the earth, particularly the airline industry,
and no single topic is trendier lately than saving the earth.
Lately, the nations airlines have come under Read More...
environment. No industry gets a pass card on their contribution to
the degradation of the earth, particularly the airline industry,
and no single topic is trendier lately than saving the earth.
Lately, the nations airlines have come under Read More...
Top 4 Bizarre Airline Incidents
In-flight disturbances were a problem long before the
heightened security of the post-9/11 world. In 1997, The Air Line
Pilots Association (ALPA) hosted a conference dealing solely with
the issue of disruptive airline passengers. Among the list of
shocking happenings: the usual alcohol-assault combo, threats to
pull a Read More...
heightened security of the post-9/11 world. In 1997, The Air Line
Pilots Association (ALPA) hosted a conference dealing solely with
the issue of disruptive airline passengers. Among the list of
shocking happenings: the usual alcohol-assault combo, threats to
pull a Read More...
How to Keep Yourself Entertained on Long Flights
Trans-ocean flights can be uncomfortable. Spending all
that time in re-circulated air, trapped in an upright position, is
tough on even the most hardened air traveler. There is no
shortage of products that try to help people endure long-haul
flights. These range from inflatable pillows that fit around
Read More...
that time in re-circulated air, trapped in an upright position, is
tough on even the most hardened air traveler. There is no
shortage of products that try to help people endure long-haul
flights. These range from inflatable pillows that fit around
Read More...
Best U.S. Airlines
Sometimes the standard fare just wont do when you fly; lets
say you want some excitement or to be pampered like royalty. Or
maybe youre looking for some incredible savings opportunities.
Perhaps youre feeling anxious about flying and need to find a
carrier with a spotless (or near-spotless) safety Read
More...
say you want some excitement or to be pampered like royalty. Or
maybe youre looking for some incredible savings opportunities.
Perhaps youre feeling anxious about flying and need to find a
carrier with a spotless (or near-spotless) safety Read
More...
Best and Worst Airlines to Work For
Even as the airline industry is consolidating, it is still
one of the larger employers in the country. And while some airlines
have made a name for themselves as the best airlines to travel,
those airlines dont necessarily correspond with the best airlines
to work for. Southwest Airlines Homebase: Read More...
one of the larger employers in the country. And while some airlines
have made a name for themselves as the best airlines to travel,
those airlines dont necessarily correspond with the best airlines
to work for. Southwest Airlines Homebase: Read More...
The Secret Lives of Air Marshals
Do you know who youre sitting next to on the plane? How do
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
Barnes Noble Reports Record NOOK Sales
Barnes Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the leading retailer of
content, digital media and educational products, today reported
record holiday sales for its NOOK business, including devices and
digital content. During the nine-week holiday period ending
December 31, 2011, NOOK unit sales, including NOOK Simple Touch,
NOOK Color and the new NOOK Tablet, increased 70% over the same
period last year. Sales of NOOK Tablet exceeded expectations, while
sales of NOOK Simple Touch lagged expectations, indicating a
stronger customer preference for color devices. Digital content
sales also grew briskly during the same nine-week period,
increasing 113% on a comparable basis. Content sales are defined to
include digital books, digital newsstand, and the rapidly growing
apps business. The entire line of NOOK products have been acclaimed
widely as the best in the marketplace, and validate the Companys
first-class digital organization. While the Company has invested
heavily in developing its new platform, including recruiting
world-class talent and increasing its advertising and marketing
spend, its customer Life-Time-Value (LTV) models continue to
indicate these up-front investments will create significant value.
The Company expects fiscal 2012 digital content sales to be
approximately $450 million. By fiscal 2012 year-end, based upon
forecasted device sales, the Company expects annualized U.S.
digital content sales will achieve a run-rate of approximately
$700-$750 million. Due to the increased significance of the NOOK
business platform, the Company is evaluating its reporting
segments. The evaluation is expected to be complete by the end of
this fiscal year, which may result in reporting NOOK as a separate
operating segment. STRATEGIC EXPLORATION OF NOOK DIGITAL BUSINESS
In order to capitalize on the rapid growth of the NOOK digital
business, and its favorable leadership position in the expanding
market for digital content, the Company has decided to pursue
strategic exploratory work to separate the NOOK business. We see
substantial value in what weve built with our NOOK business in only
two years, and we believe its the right time to investigate our
options to unlock that value, said William Lynch, Chief Executive
Officer of Barnes Noble. In NOOK, weve established one of the
worlds best retail platforms for the sale of digital copyright
content. We have a large and growing installed base of millions of
satisfied customers buying digital content from us, and we have a
NOOK business thats growing rapidly year-over-year and should be
approximately $1.5 billion in comparable sales this fiscal year.
Between continued projected growth in the U.S., and the opportunity
for NOOK internationally in the next 12 months, we expect the
business to continue to scale rapidly for the foreseeable future.
The Company also said that it is in discussions with strategic
partners including publishers, retailers, and technology companies
in international markets that may lead to expansion of the NOOK
business abroad. There can be no assurance that the review of a
potential separation of the NOOK digital business will result in a
separation. There is no timetable for the review, and the Company
does not intend to comment further regarding the review, unless and
until a decision is made. RETAIL HOLIDAY SALES RESULTS During the
nine-week holiday period, Barnes Noble store (or Retail) sales
increased 2.5% over the prior year period to $1.2 billion.
Comparable store sales increased 3.4%, on top of a 9.7% increase
last year. Retail core comparable store sales, defined as the sales
of non-digital merchandise, increased 4.5% over last year. Book
sales were strong overall, fueled by strength across multiple
categories. Juvenile titles were exceptionally strong, led by The
Hunger Games, Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #6),
Inheritance, and The LEGO Ideas Book. In addition, there was
significant crossover between physical and digital book sales,
including big movie books like The Help, The Girl With the Dragon
Tattoo and War Horse among the holiday hits. Physical book sales on
a comparable basis increased by 4% at Barnes Noble stores,
exhibiting growth for the first time in five years. The Companys
continued emphasis on Toys Games led to 30% growth in that area, on
top of a 48% increase last year. Top sellers included LEGO building
sets, Harry Potter collectibles and games, Angry Birds games and
electronic learning tablets such as LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer and
Vtech Innotab Tablet. Barnes Noble continues to benefit from a
consolidating physical book market. The Company benefited from the
closure of Borders stores during the holiday season and now expects
the sales lift to be in a range of $200 million to $230 million in
fiscal 2012. The Company reinvested the Borders upside in its
digital business. BN.COM/NOOK HOLIDAY SALES RESULTS BN.com sales
increased 43% over the prior year period to $327 million, with
comparable sales increasing 52%, on top of a 78% increase a year
ago. This increase was driven by continued growth of the NOOK
business, offset by a decline in online physical product sales. The
consolidated NOOK business across all of the Companys segments,
including sales of digital content, device hardware and related
accessories, increased 43% during the holiday period to $448
million, on a comparable sales basis. A substantial portion of the
70% year-over-year NOOK unit increase was driven by sell-through at
third-party retailers as the Company expanded NOOK distribution.
This growth in sales with customers at retailers outside of Barnes
Noble stores is indicative of the increasing awareness of the NOOK
brand and demand for the product from customers new to Barnes
Noble. BN.com and NOOK comparable sales reflect the actual selling
price for eBooks sold under the agency model rather than solely the
commission received. Additionally, it includes all deferred eReader
device revenues, and includes device sales to channel partners on a
sell-in basis net of estimated returns. UPDATED GUIDANCE The
Company now expects full fiscal year 2012 consolidated sales
between $7.0 billion and $7.2 billion. Comparable sales at Barnes
Noble stores are expected to increase 1%, Barnes Noble College
sales are expected to be flat, and sales are expected to increase
40% to 50% at BN.com. The Company now expects full year earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to
be in a range of $150 to $180 million. The change in guidance is
due primarily to a shortfall in the expected sales of NOOK Simple
Touch, as well as additional investments in growing the NOOK
business, such as advertising to support new products and
international expansion in the back half of the year. The Company
now expects full year losses per share to be in a range of $1.40 to
$1.10. Although Barnes Noble was the first to the market with a
revolutionary color eReader and has since introduced NOOK Tablet,
which has exceeded expectations, the Company over-anticipated the
growth in consumer demand for single purpose black-and-white
reading devices this holiday. Nevertheless, NOOK Simple Touch saw
strong sales this holiday, remains the highest rated eReader in the
market, and the Company plans to continue to market this successful
product for years to come. Barnes Noble, Inc. will report third
quarter earnings results on or about February 21, 2012.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information
relating to Barnes Noble that are based on the beliefs of the
management of Barnes Noble as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to the management of Barnes Noble.
When used in this communication, the words "anticipate," "believe,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will" and similar
expressions, as they relate to Barnes Noble or the management of
Barnes Noble, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements
reflect the current views of Barnes Noble with respect to future
events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks,
including, among others, the general economic environment and
consumer spending patterns, decreased consumer demand for Barnes
Noble's products, low growth or declining sales and net income due
to various factors, risk that international expansion will not be
successfully achieved or may be achieved later than expected,
possible disruptions in Barnes Noble's computer systems, telephone
systems or supply chain, possible risks associated with data
privacy, information security and intellectual property, possible
work stoppages or increases in labor costs, possible increases in
shipping rates or interruptions in shipping service, effects of
competition, possible risks that inventory in channels of
distribution may be larger than able to be sold, possible risk that
returns from consumers or channels of distribution may be greater
than estimated, the risk that the expected sales lift from Borders
store closures is not achieved in whole or part, the risk that
digital sales growth is less than expectations and the risk that it
does not exceed the rate of investment spend,
higher-than-anticipated store closing or relocation costs, higher
interest rates, the performance of Barnes Noble's online, digital
and other initiatives, the performance and successful integration
of acquired businesses, the success of Barnes Noble's strategic
investments, unanticipated increases in merchandise, component or
occupancy costs, unanticipated adverse litigation results or
effects, product and component shortages, the potential adverse
impact on the business resulting from the review of a potential
separation of the digital business, the possibility that no digital
business separation transaction may occur or the form or nature of
any related transaction, the impact on the retail business of any
separation of the digital business, the costs and disruptions
arising out of a separation of the digital business, the risk that
Barnes Noble may not recoup its investments in the digital business
as part of any separation of the digital business and other factors
which may be outside of Barnes Noble's control, including those
factors discussed in detail in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in Barnes
Noble's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A, and in Barnes
Noble's other filings made hereafter from time to time with the
SEC. Our forward looking statements relating to international
expansion are also subject to the following risks, among others
that may affect the introduction, success and timing of the NOOK
e-reader and content in countries outside the United States: we may
not be successful in reaching agreements with international
companies, the terms of agreements that we reach may not be
advantageous to us, our NOOK device may require technological
changes to comply with applicable laws, and marketplace acceptance
and other companies have already entered the marketplace with
products that have achieved some customer acceptance. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes
may vary materially from those described as anticipated, believed,
estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and
oral forward-looking statements attributable to Barnes Noble or
persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. Barnes
Noble undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise after the date of this communication.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to purchase securities. ABOUT BARNES
NOBLE, INC. Barnes Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS), the world's largest
bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 703 bookstores in 50
states. Barnes Noble College Booksellers, LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Barnes Noble, also operates 637 college bookstores
serving over 4.6 million students and faculty members at colleges
and universities across the United States. Barnes Noble conducts
its online business through BN.com (www.bn.com), one of the Web's
largest e-commerce sites, which also features more than two million
titles in its NOOK Bookstore (www.bn.com/ebooks). Through Barnes
Nobles NOOK eReading product offering, customers can buy and read
digital books and content on the widest range of platforms,
including NOOK devices, partner company products, and the most
popular mobile and computing devices using free NOOK software.
General information on Barnes Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the
Internet by visiting the company's corporate website:
www.barnesandnobleinc.com. NOOK, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Simple Touch ,
NOOK 1st Edition, NOOK 1st Edition Wi-Fi, NOOK Color, Readers
Tablet, PagePerfect, Best-Text, Fast Page, NOOK Books, NOOK Store,
NOOK Bookstore, NOOK Newsstand, NOOK Magazines, VividView,
ArticleView, NOOK Newspapers, NOOK Comics, NOOK Cloud, NOOK Apps,
FREE NOOK Reading Apps, PubIt!, NOOK Discover, NOOK Kids, Read and
Play, Read to Me, Read and Record, NOOK Digital Shop, Read In
Store, More In Store, NOOK Friends, LendMe, NOOK Library, NOOK
Boutiques, The Barnes Noble Promise, NOOK Books en español, NOOK
Study, Free Friday, Lifetime Library and Read What You Love.
Anywhere You Like are trademarks of Barnes Noble, Inc. Other
trademarks referenced in this release are the property of their
respective owners. Follow Barnes Noble on Twitter
(www.bn.com/twitter), Facebook (www.facebook.com/barnesandnoble)
and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/bnstudio).
content, digital media and educational products, today reported
record holiday sales for its NOOK business, including devices and
digital content. During the nine-week holiday period ending
December 31, 2011, NOOK unit sales, including NOOK Simple Touch,
NOOK Color and the new NOOK Tablet, increased 70% over the same
period last year. Sales of NOOK Tablet exceeded expectations, while
sales of NOOK Simple Touch lagged expectations, indicating a
stronger customer preference for color devices. Digital content
sales also grew briskly during the same nine-week period,
increasing 113% on a comparable basis. Content sales are defined to
include digital books, digital newsstand, and the rapidly growing
apps business. The entire line of NOOK products have been acclaimed
widely as the best in the marketplace, and validate the Companys
first-class digital organization. While the Company has invested
heavily in developing its new platform, including recruiting
world-class talent and increasing its advertising and marketing
spend, its customer Life-Time-Value (LTV) models continue to
indicate these up-front investments will create significant value.
The Company expects fiscal 2012 digital content sales to be
approximately $450 million. By fiscal 2012 year-end, based upon
forecasted device sales, the Company expects annualized U.S.
digital content sales will achieve a run-rate of approximately
$700-$750 million. Due to the increased significance of the NOOK
business platform, the Company is evaluating its reporting
segments. The evaluation is expected to be complete by the end of
this fiscal year, which may result in reporting NOOK as a separate
operating segment. STRATEGIC EXPLORATION OF NOOK DIGITAL BUSINESS
In order to capitalize on the rapid growth of the NOOK digital
business, and its favorable leadership position in the expanding
market for digital content, the Company has decided to pursue
strategic exploratory work to separate the NOOK business. We see
substantial value in what weve built with our NOOK business in only
two years, and we believe its the right time to investigate our
options to unlock that value, said William Lynch, Chief Executive
Officer of Barnes Noble. In NOOK, weve established one of the
worlds best retail platforms for the sale of digital copyright
content. We have a large and growing installed base of millions of
satisfied customers buying digital content from us, and we have a
NOOK business thats growing rapidly year-over-year and should be
approximately $1.5 billion in comparable sales this fiscal year.
Between continued projected growth in the U.S., and the opportunity
for NOOK internationally in the next 12 months, we expect the
business to continue to scale rapidly for the foreseeable future.
The Company also said that it is in discussions with strategic
partners including publishers, retailers, and technology companies
in international markets that may lead to expansion of the NOOK
business abroad. There can be no assurance that the review of a
potential separation of the NOOK digital business will result in a
separation. There is no timetable for the review, and the Company
does not intend to comment further regarding the review, unless and
until a decision is made. RETAIL HOLIDAY SALES RESULTS During the
nine-week holiday period, Barnes Noble store (or Retail) sales
increased 2.5% over the prior year period to $1.2 billion.
Comparable store sales increased 3.4%, on top of a 9.7% increase
last year. Retail core comparable store sales, defined as the sales
of non-digital merchandise, increased 4.5% over last year. Book
sales were strong overall, fueled by strength across multiple
categories. Juvenile titles were exceptionally strong, led by The
Hunger Games, Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #6),
Inheritance, and The LEGO Ideas Book. In addition, there was
significant crossover between physical and digital book sales,
including big movie books like The Help, The Girl With the Dragon
Tattoo and War Horse among the holiday hits. Physical book sales on
a comparable basis increased by 4% at Barnes Noble stores,
exhibiting growth for the first time in five years. The Companys
continued emphasis on Toys Games led to 30% growth in that area, on
top of a 48% increase last year. Top sellers included LEGO building
sets, Harry Potter collectibles and games, Angry Birds games and
electronic learning tablets such as LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer and
Vtech Innotab Tablet. Barnes Noble continues to benefit from a
consolidating physical book market. The Company benefited from the
closure of Borders stores during the holiday season and now expects
the sales lift to be in a range of $200 million to $230 million in
fiscal 2012. The Company reinvested the Borders upside in its
digital business. BN.COM/NOOK HOLIDAY SALES RESULTS BN.com sales
increased 43% over the prior year period to $327 million, with
comparable sales increasing 52%, on top of a 78% increase a year
ago. This increase was driven by continued growth of the NOOK
business, offset by a decline in online physical product sales. The
consolidated NOOK business across all of the Companys segments,
including sales of digital content, device hardware and related
accessories, increased 43% during the holiday period to $448
million, on a comparable sales basis. A substantial portion of the
70% year-over-year NOOK unit increase was driven by sell-through at
third-party retailers as the Company expanded NOOK distribution.
This growth in sales with customers at retailers outside of Barnes
Noble stores is indicative of the increasing awareness of the NOOK
brand and demand for the product from customers new to Barnes
Noble. BN.com and NOOK comparable sales reflect the actual selling
price for eBooks sold under the agency model rather than solely the
commission received. Additionally, it includes all deferred eReader
device revenues, and includes device sales to channel partners on a
sell-in basis net of estimated returns. UPDATED GUIDANCE The
Company now expects full fiscal year 2012 consolidated sales
between $7.0 billion and $7.2 billion. Comparable sales at Barnes
Noble stores are expected to increase 1%, Barnes Noble College
sales are expected to be flat, and sales are expected to increase
40% to 50% at BN.com. The Company now expects full year earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to
be in a range of $150 to $180 million. The change in guidance is
due primarily to a shortfall in the expected sales of NOOK Simple
Touch, as well as additional investments in growing the NOOK
business, such as advertising to support new products and
international expansion in the back half of the year. The Company
now expects full year losses per share to be in a range of $1.40 to
$1.10. Although Barnes Noble was the first to the market with a
revolutionary color eReader and has since introduced NOOK Tablet,
which has exceeded expectations, the Company over-anticipated the
growth in consumer demand for single purpose black-and-white
reading devices this holiday. Nevertheless, NOOK Simple Touch saw
strong sales this holiday, remains the highest rated eReader in the
market, and the Company plans to continue to market this successful
product for years to come. Barnes Noble, Inc. will report third
quarter earnings results on or about February 21, 2012.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information
relating to Barnes Noble that are based on the beliefs of the
management of Barnes Noble as well as assumptions made by and
information currently available to the management of Barnes Noble.
When used in this communication, the words "anticipate," "believe,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will" and similar
expressions, as they relate to Barnes Noble or the management of
Barnes Noble, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements
reflect the current views of Barnes Noble with respect to future
events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks,
including, among others, the general economic environment and
consumer spending patterns, decreased consumer demand for Barnes
Noble's products, low growth or declining sales and net income due
to various factors, risk that international expansion will not be
successfully achieved or may be achieved later than expected,
possible disruptions in Barnes Noble's computer systems, telephone
systems or supply chain, possible risks associated with data
privacy, information security and intellectual property, possible
work stoppages or increases in labor costs, possible increases in
shipping rates or interruptions in shipping service, effects of
competition, possible risks that inventory in channels of
distribution may be larger than able to be sold, possible risk that
returns from consumers or channels of distribution may be greater
than estimated, the risk that the expected sales lift from Borders
store closures is not achieved in whole or part, the risk that
digital sales growth is less than expectations and the risk that it
does not exceed the rate of investment spend,
higher-than-anticipated store closing or relocation costs, higher
interest rates, the performance of Barnes Noble's online, digital
and other initiatives, the performance and successful integration
of acquired businesses, the success of Barnes Noble's strategic
investments, unanticipated increases in merchandise, component or
occupancy costs, unanticipated adverse litigation results or
effects, product and component shortages, the potential adverse
impact on the business resulting from the review of a potential
separation of the digital business, the possibility that no digital
business separation transaction may occur or the form or nature of
any related transaction, the impact on the retail business of any
separation of the digital business, the costs and disruptions
arising out of a separation of the digital business, the risk that
Barnes Noble may not recoup its investments in the digital business
as part of any separation of the digital business and other factors
which may be outside of Barnes Noble's control, including those
factors discussed in detail in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in Barnes
Noble's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A, and in Barnes
Noble's other filings made hereafter from time to time with the
SEC. Our forward looking statements relating to international
expansion are also subject to the following risks, among others
that may affect the introduction, success and timing of the NOOK
e-reader and content in countries outside the United States: we may
not be successful in reaching agreements with international
companies, the terms of agreements that we reach may not be
advantageous to us, our NOOK device may require technological
changes to comply with applicable laws, and marketplace acceptance
and other companies have already entered the marketplace with
products that have achieved some customer acceptance. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes
may vary materially from those described as anticipated, believed,
estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and
oral forward-looking statements attributable to Barnes Noble or
persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. Barnes
Noble undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise after the date of this communication.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to purchase securities. ABOUT BARNES
NOBLE, INC. Barnes Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS), the world's largest
bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 703 bookstores in 50
states. Barnes Noble College Booksellers, LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Barnes Noble, also operates 637 college bookstores
serving over 4.6 million students and faculty members at colleges
and universities across the United States. Barnes Noble conducts
its online business through BN.com (www.bn.com), one of the Web's
largest e-commerce sites, which also features more than two million
titles in its NOOK Bookstore (www.bn.com/ebooks). Through Barnes
Nobles NOOK eReading product offering, customers can buy and read
digital books and content on the widest range of platforms,
including NOOK devices, partner company products, and the most
popular mobile and computing devices using free NOOK software.
General information on Barnes Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the
Internet by visiting the company's corporate website:
www.barnesandnobleinc.com. NOOK, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Simple Touch ,
NOOK 1st Edition, NOOK 1st Edition Wi-Fi, NOOK Color, Readers
Tablet, PagePerfect, Best-Text, Fast Page, NOOK Books, NOOK Store,
NOOK Bookstore, NOOK Newsstand, NOOK Magazines, VividView,
ArticleView, NOOK Newspapers, NOOK Comics, NOOK Cloud, NOOK Apps,
FREE NOOK Reading Apps, PubIt!, NOOK Discover, NOOK Kids, Read and
Play, Read to Me, Read and Record, NOOK Digital Shop, Read In
Store, More In Store, NOOK Friends, LendMe, NOOK Library, NOOK
Boutiques, The Barnes Noble Promise, NOOK Books en español, NOOK
Study, Free Friday, Lifetime Library and Read What You Love.
Anywhere You Like are trademarks of Barnes Noble, Inc. Other
trademarks referenced in this release are the property of their
respective owners. Follow Barnes Noble on Twitter
(www.bn.com/twitter), Facebook (www.facebook.com/barnesandnoble)
and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/bnstudio).
Tips For Flying Comfortably
While you may not be able to control the weather, the
aircraft maintenance schedule, or whatever other hang-ups are out
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Cheapest Flights to Exotic Destinations This Winter
Warm weather destinations are in high demand during the
winter months. Because of this, airfares and hotel rates rise
significantly (between December and March). During the
holiday season, prices at beach destinations usually reach their
annual high. People are willing to pay more if it means that
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The High Costs of Airline Industry Mistakes
The airline industry is a giant in the global economy and,
just like any other market, it has ups and downs, losses and gains.
In an industry full of high operating costs and plenty of outside
scrutiny, airlines are under enormous pressure. If theyre going to
encounter a Read More...
just like any other market, it has ups and downs, losses and gains.
In an industry full of high operating costs and plenty of outside
scrutiny, airlines are under enormous pressure. If theyre going to
encounter a Read More...
New Face of the Airline Industry: The Continuing Trend of Mergers Acquisitions
Theyre common in almost every industry, but mergers and huge
industry structure shakeups seem to be a recurring trend in the
airline industry. From 1978, the beginning of the period now known
as deregulation, up until the mid-to-late 2000s, when the airlines
experienced a resurgence in profitability, legacy Read
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industry structure shakeups seem to be a recurring trend in the
airline industry. From 1978, the beginning of the period now known
as deregulation, up until the mid-to-late 2000s, when the airlines
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7 Popular Summer Destinations
Whether your kids are on summer vacation or its you whos
taking a break from classes, summer is the perfect time to travel.
The U.S. west coast will entice with its sun and sand, the U.S.
east coast will impress with its innumerable activities and events,
and for Read More...
taking a break from classes, summer is the perfect time to travel.
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east coast will impress with its innumerable activities and events,
and for Read More...
The Secret Lives of Air Marshals
Do you know who youre sitting next to on the plane? How do
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
Campus Crest Acquires Full Ownership Interests in Two Joint Venture Properties
Campus Crest Communities, Inc. (NYSE:CCG) (the Company) today
announced it has closed on the purchase of the remaining 50.1%
interests in The Grove at Huntsville, TX and The Grove at
Statesboro, GA from Harrison Street Real Estate Capital (HSRE). The
Company closed on the $13.5 million acquisition on December 29,
2011, increasing its equity interest in both properties from 49.9%
to 100.0%. Based on an estimate of the next 12 months net operating
income, the acquisition implies a nominal cap rate of approximately
6.6%. Additionally, both properties include excess land for future
development of additional phases containing approximately 240 beds
each. Including these potential expansions, the acquisition implies
a nominal cap rate of approximately 6.8% - 7.3% based on stabilized
net operating income. Concurrently with the acquisition, the
Company closed on $28.7 million of term loans for the two
properties. The loans provided by Citibank, N.A. (Citi) have a term
of one year with an option to extend for an additional year, and
bear interest at LIBOR plus 250 basis points. The loans replace
more expensive construction debt and provide flexibility as the
Company evaluates longer-term financing alternatives. Huntsville
and Statesboro are two great additions to our wholly-owned
portfolio. The properties are within close proximity to campus at
universities that are experiencing significant enrollment growth,
said Ted Rollins, the Companys Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. The ability to increase our ownership in assets
developed and successfully operated by Campus Crest since opening
represents another attractive growth alternative for our Company.
Additionally, the land for potential expansions make this
acquisition a great opportunity for us. Opened in 2010, The Grove
at Huntsville is located approximately 0.2 miles from the Sam
Houston State University campus in Huntsville, TX. For the fall of
2011, the university had an enrollment of 17,618, up almost 11%
since the fall of 2006. The property was 92.7% occupied as of
December 31, 2011 and achieved an average occupancy of 99.0% in its
first year of operation. The Grove at Statesboro, also opened in
2010, is located approximately 0.7 miles from the Georgia Southern
University campus in Statesboro, GA. For the fall of 2011, the
university had an enrollment of 20,212, up over 23% since the fall
of 2006. The property was 98.9% occupied as of December 31, 2011
and achieved an average occupancy of 97.6% in its first year of
operation. On December 29, 2011, the Company also closed on a term
loan for The Grove at Conway, a HSRE joint venture project, under
the same terms described for The Grove at Huntsville and The Grove
at Statesboro. In total, the Company closed on $77 million of
Citi-funded term loans secured by six properties during the fourth
quarter of 2011. The other three properties The Grove at Lawrence,
The Grove at Moscow and The Grove at San Angelo are also HSRE joint
venture projects and were financed in October 2011. With the
completion of these acquisitions, we have now purchased
wholly-owned interests in five properties from HSRE and are excited
about the opportunity to continue to do so as we grow our business,
said Rollins. About Campus Crest Communities, Inc. Campus Crest
Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCG) is a leading developer, builder,
owner and manager of high-quality, purpose-built student housing
properties located close to campuses in targeted U.S. markets. The
Company is a self-managed, self-administered and
vertically-integrated real estate investment trust which operates
all of its properties under The Grove brand. Campus Crest
Communities owns interests in 33 student housing properties
containing approximately 6,324 apartment units and 17,064 beds and
boasts the youngest standardized portfolio in the industry. Since
its inception, the Company has focused on customer service,
privacy, on-site amenities and its proprietary residence life
programs to provide college students across the USA with a higher
quality of living. Additional information can be found on the
Company's website at http://www.campuscrest.com. Forward-Looking
Statements This press release, together with other statements and
information publicly disseminated by the Company, contains certain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends
such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor
provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this
statement for purposed of complying with these safe harbor
provisions. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations,
beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated
events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that
are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as may, will, should, expects, intends, plans,
anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts or potential or the
negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases
which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and
which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking
statements in this press release include, among others, statements
about implied cap rates, growth opportunities and long term value
creation. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since
they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions
and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Companys control
that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those
expressed in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking
statements reflect the Companys good faith beliefs, assumptions and
expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance.
Furthermore, except as otherwise required by federal securities
laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in
underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or
methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion
of these and other factors that could cause the Companys future
results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements,
see the risk factors discussed in the Companys most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K, as updated in the Companys Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q.
announced it has closed on the purchase of the remaining 50.1%
interests in The Grove at Huntsville, TX and The Grove at
Statesboro, GA from Harrison Street Real Estate Capital (HSRE). The
Company closed on the $13.5 million acquisition on December 29,
2011, increasing its equity interest in both properties from 49.9%
to 100.0%. Based on an estimate of the next 12 months net operating
income, the acquisition implies a nominal cap rate of approximately
6.6%. Additionally, both properties include excess land for future
development of additional phases containing approximately 240 beds
each. Including these potential expansions, the acquisition implies
a nominal cap rate of approximately 6.8% - 7.3% based on stabilized
net operating income. Concurrently with the acquisition, the
Company closed on $28.7 million of term loans for the two
properties. The loans provided by Citibank, N.A. (Citi) have a term
of one year with an option to extend for an additional year, and
bear interest at LIBOR plus 250 basis points. The loans replace
more expensive construction debt and provide flexibility as the
Company evaluates longer-term financing alternatives. Huntsville
and Statesboro are two great additions to our wholly-owned
portfolio. The properties are within close proximity to campus at
universities that are experiencing significant enrollment growth,
said Ted Rollins, the Companys Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. The ability to increase our ownership in assets
developed and successfully operated by Campus Crest since opening
represents another attractive growth alternative for our Company.
Additionally, the land for potential expansions make this
acquisition a great opportunity for us. Opened in 2010, The Grove
at Huntsville is located approximately 0.2 miles from the Sam
Houston State University campus in Huntsville, TX. For the fall of
2011, the university had an enrollment of 17,618, up almost 11%
since the fall of 2006. The property was 92.7% occupied as of
December 31, 2011 and achieved an average occupancy of 99.0% in its
first year of operation. The Grove at Statesboro, also opened in
2010, is located approximately 0.7 miles from the Georgia Southern
University campus in Statesboro, GA. For the fall of 2011, the
university had an enrollment of 20,212, up over 23% since the fall
of 2006. The property was 98.9% occupied as of December 31, 2011
and achieved an average occupancy of 97.6% in its first year of
operation. On December 29, 2011, the Company also closed on a term
loan for The Grove at Conway, a HSRE joint venture project, under
the same terms described for The Grove at Huntsville and The Grove
at Statesboro. In total, the Company closed on $77 million of
Citi-funded term loans secured by six properties during the fourth
quarter of 2011. The other three properties The Grove at Lawrence,
The Grove at Moscow and The Grove at San Angelo are also HSRE joint
venture projects and were financed in October 2011. With the
completion of these acquisitions, we have now purchased
wholly-owned interests in five properties from HSRE and are excited
about the opportunity to continue to do so as we grow our business,
said Rollins. About Campus Crest Communities, Inc. Campus Crest
Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCG) is a leading developer, builder,
owner and manager of high-quality, purpose-built student housing
properties located close to campuses in targeted U.S. markets. The
Company is a self-managed, self-administered and
vertically-integrated real estate investment trust which operates
all of its properties under The Grove brand. Campus Crest
Communities owns interests in 33 student housing properties
containing approximately 6,324 apartment units and 17,064 beds and
boasts the youngest standardized portfolio in the industry. Since
its inception, the Company has focused on customer service,
privacy, on-site amenities and its proprietary residence life
programs to provide college students across the USA with a higher
quality of living. Additional information can be found on the
Company's website at http://www.campuscrest.com. Forward-Looking
Statements This press release, together with other statements and
information publicly disseminated by the Company, contains certain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends
such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor
provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this
statement for purposed of complying with these safe harbor
provisions. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations,
beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated
events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that
are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify
forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as may, will, should, expects, intends, plans,
anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts or potential or the
negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases
which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and
which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking
statements in this press release include, among others, statements
about implied cap rates, growth opportunities and long term value
creation. You should not rely on forward-looking statements since
they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions
and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Companys control
that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those
expressed in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking
statements reflect the Companys good faith beliefs, assumptions and
expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance.
Furthermore, except as otherwise required by federal securities
laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in
underlying assumptions or factors, new information, data or
methods, future events or other changes. For a further discussion
of these and other factors that could cause the Companys future
results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements,
see the risk factors discussed in the Companys most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K, as updated in the Companys Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q.
Tech MA Spending Increases 17% in 2011 as Number of Transactions Hits a Five-Year High
Led by multibillion-dollar strategic deals from Hewlett
Packard (NYSE: HPQ) Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT),
SAP (NYSE:SAP), Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) and others, technology
acquirers increased MA spending for the second year in a row in
2012. Acquirers spent $219bn to purchase 3,690 information
technology, telecommunications and Internet companies around the
world last year, a 17% increase in spending and a 13% increase in
number of deals from 2010. The total deal count hit its highest
level since 2006, as MA activity continues to dig out from its
downturn in the recession of 2008-2009. The data, released today,
is available to subscribers of 451 Researchs MA KnowledgeBase. The
fact that deal-makers managed to generate an increase in spending
last year is remarkable given the turmoil that has shaken the
financial markets since summer," said Brenon Daly, Research
Director for MA at 451 Research. Daly noted that just two of the 10
largest deals of 2011 came in the final four months of the year,
when concerns about Europes debt crisis reached their highest
point. Much of the increase in activity in 2011 can be explained by
growth in acquisitions outside of North America as US buyers
increased their cash outlays for international targets. MA spending
on non-North American targets increased 48% year-over-year while
the number of deals increased 28%. Private equity firms did little
to contribute to the increase in spending. While the total number
of private equity-sponsored transactions increased by 44% in 2012,
their total outlays increased only seven percent from the
prior-year level, accounting for 14% of the past years tech
spending, a couple of percentage points less than financial buyers
represented in 2010. In fact, there wasnt a single private equity
transaction among the 10 largest deals of 2011 the first time that
has happened since 2008. Among the significant transactions of the
past year: -Google, looking to bolster its mobile business through
both hardware and patents, paid $12.5bn for Motorola Mobility,
spending more than it has spent, collectively, on the more than 100
deals it had announced up to the point. - In early December, SAP
inked the largest software-as-a-service transaction ever, spending
$3.65bn to acquire human capital management software vendor
SuccessFactors (NASDAQ:SFSF). -Hewlett-Packard, looking to
jumpstart its software business, paid a startlingly high premium to
take home British information management vendor Autonomy. The
$11.7bn price tag represents the largest software deal in seven
years, but also contributed to the ouster of the architect of the
deal (Leo Apotheker) after less than a year as HPs chief executive.
- Texas Instrumentss $6.5bn acquisition of National Instruments
(NYSE: NSM) stands as the largest semiconductor deal yet by a
strategic buyer. - Microsofts $8.5bn purchase of Skype marked the
software giants largest acquisition. - And a tech consortiums
purchase of Nortel patents for $4.5bn underscored the growing
importance of having legal defense of IP, particularly in the
rapidly emerging wireless sector. More growth expected for 2012
Tech MA professionals expect deal growth to continue in 2012,
according to recent surveys of MA professionals by 451 Research. In
the surveys, completed in early December, 56% of corporate
acquirers and 67% of senior investment bankers said they expect to
see an increase in technology MA this year. Further, when asked
about the overall climate for MA in 2012, three times the number of
corporate development executives projected that it would get better
rather than worsen (43% vs. 14%). That said, financial crises in
both Europe and the U.S. will weigh heavily on MA. Two-thirds of
the corporate buyers said tech MA would likely pick up if European
leaders could make 'meaningful progress' in their debt crisis.
Without a doubt, the on-going economic turbulence in Europe is
creating a number of headwinds for deal-makers right now, said 451
Research's Daly. To get a deal done, buyers need both currency and
confidence. While most tech companies have record levels of cash to
spend, the outlook for the companies they can spend it on is fairly
murky. Thats causing some buyers to hold off on acquisitions. And
so far, European leaders have done precious little to restore
confidence, much less resolve the crisis. Notes: Tech MA spending
totals from 451 Research are based on announced transactions, and
include both officially announced deal values and our analysts
proprietary deal-value estimates for key transactions across core
IT, telecommunications, Internet and IT services categories
globally. The surveys, completed by 451 Research in the first week
of December, 2011, drew responses from 112 technology corporate
development executives and from 130 senior technology investment
bankers. For additional information on 451 Research, survey results
and the 451 MA KnowledgeBase, go to: www.the451research.com. About
451 Research 451 Research, a division of The 451 Group, is focused
on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The companys analysts
provide critical and timely insight into the competitive dynamics
of innovation in emerging technology segments. Business value is
delivered via daily concise and insightful published research,
periodic deeper-dive reports, data tools, market-sizing research,
analyst advisory, and conferences and events. Clients of the
company at vendor, investor, service-provider and end-user
organizations rely on 451 Researchs insight to support both
strategic and tactical decision-making. 451 Research is
headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including
San Francisco, Washington DC, London, Boston, Seattle and
Denver.
Packard (NYSE: HPQ) Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT),
SAP (NYSE:SAP), Texas Instruments (NYSE:TXN) and others, technology
acquirers increased MA spending for the second year in a row in
2012. Acquirers spent $219bn to purchase 3,690 information
technology, telecommunications and Internet companies around the
world last year, a 17% increase in spending and a 13% increase in
number of deals from 2010. The total deal count hit its highest
level since 2006, as MA activity continues to dig out from its
downturn in the recession of 2008-2009. The data, released today,
is available to subscribers of 451 Researchs MA KnowledgeBase. The
fact that deal-makers managed to generate an increase in spending
last year is remarkable given the turmoil that has shaken the
financial markets since summer," said Brenon Daly, Research
Director for MA at 451 Research. Daly noted that just two of the 10
largest deals of 2011 came in the final four months of the year,
when concerns about Europes debt crisis reached their highest
point. Much of the increase in activity in 2011 can be explained by
growth in acquisitions outside of North America as US buyers
increased their cash outlays for international targets. MA spending
on non-North American targets increased 48% year-over-year while
the number of deals increased 28%. Private equity firms did little
to contribute to the increase in spending. While the total number
of private equity-sponsored transactions increased by 44% in 2012,
their total outlays increased only seven percent from the
prior-year level, accounting for 14% of the past years tech
spending, a couple of percentage points less than financial buyers
represented in 2010. In fact, there wasnt a single private equity
transaction among the 10 largest deals of 2011 the first time that
has happened since 2008. Among the significant transactions of the
past year: -Google, looking to bolster its mobile business through
both hardware and patents, paid $12.5bn for Motorola Mobility,
spending more than it has spent, collectively, on the more than 100
deals it had announced up to the point. - In early December, SAP
inked the largest software-as-a-service transaction ever, spending
$3.65bn to acquire human capital management software vendor
SuccessFactors (NASDAQ:SFSF). -Hewlett-Packard, looking to
jumpstart its software business, paid a startlingly high premium to
take home British information management vendor Autonomy. The
$11.7bn price tag represents the largest software deal in seven
years, but also contributed to the ouster of the architect of the
deal (Leo Apotheker) after less than a year as HPs chief executive.
- Texas Instrumentss $6.5bn acquisition of National Instruments
(NYSE: NSM) stands as the largest semiconductor deal yet by a
strategic buyer. - Microsofts $8.5bn purchase of Skype marked the
software giants largest acquisition. - And a tech consortiums
purchase of Nortel patents for $4.5bn underscored the growing
importance of having legal defense of IP, particularly in the
rapidly emerging wireless sector. More growth expected for 2012
Tech MA professionals expect deal growth to continue in 2012,
according to recent surveys of MA professionals by 451 Research. In
the surveys, completed in early December, 56% of corporate
acquirers and 67% of senior investment bankers said they expect to
see an increase in technology MA this year. Further, when asked
about the overall climate for MA in 2012, three times the number of
corporate development executives projected that it would get better
rather than worsen (43% vs. 14%). That said, financial crises in
both Europe and the U.S. will weigh heavily on MA. Two-thirds of
the corporate buyers said tech MA would likely pick up if European
leaders could make 'meaningful progress' in their debt crisis.
Without a doubt, the on-going economic turbulence in Europe is
creating a number of headwinds for deal-makers right now, said 451
Research's Daly. To get a deal done, buyers need both currency and
confidence. While most tech companies have record levels of cash to
spend, the outlook for the companies they can spend it on is fairly
murky. Thats causing some buyers to hold off on acquisitions. And
so far, European leaders have done precious little to restore
confidence, much less resolve the crisis. Notes: Tech MA spending
totals from 451 Research are based on announced transactions, and
include both officially announced deal values and our analysts
proprietary deal-value estimates for key transactions across core
IT, telecommunications, Internet and IT services categories
globally. The surveys, completed by 451 Research in the first week
of December, 2011, drew responses from 112 technology corporate
development executives and from 130 senior technology investment
bankers. For additional information on 451 Research, survey results
and the 451 MA KnowledgeBase, go to: www.the451research.com. About
451 Research 451 Research, a division of The 451 Group, is focused
on the business of enterprise IT innovation. The companys analysts
provide critical and timely insight into the competitive dynamics
of innovation in emerging technology segments. Business value is
delivered via daily concise and insightful published research,
periodic deeper-dive reports, data tools, market-sizing research,
analyst advisory, and conferences and events. Clients of the
company at vendor, investor, service-provider and end-user
organizations rely on 451 Researchs insight to support both
strategic and tactical decision-making. 451 Research is
headquartered in New York, with offices in key locations, including
San Francisco, Washington DC, London, Boston, Seattle and
Denver.
UBS Declares Coupon Payments on Seven ETRACS Exchange Traded Notes
UBS Investment Bank today announced coupon payments for seven
ETRACS exchange traded notes (the ETNs), all traded on the NYSE
Arca. Three of the ETNs are linked to Alerian MLP Indexes: ETRACS
Alerian MLP Infrastructure ETN (Ticker: MLPI), ETRACS 2x Monthly
Leveraged Long Alerian MLP Infrastructure ETN (Ticker: MLPL) and
ETRACS Alerian Natural Gas MLP Index ETN (Ticker: MLPG). One ETN is
linked to the Wells Fargo MLP Index: ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP ETN
(Ticker: MLPW). Two of the ETNs are linked to the Wells Fargo
Business Development Company Index: ETRACS Wells Fargo Business
Development Company ETN (Ticker: BDCS) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged Long
Wells Fargo Business Development Company ETN (Ticker: BDCL). And
finally, one ETN linked to The Fisher-Gartman Risk Index: ETRACS
Fisher-Gartman Risk On ETN (Ticker: ONN). The table below
summarizes the relevant coupon information for the seven ETNs:
NYSEArcaTicker
Name CouponValuationDate Ex-Date RecordDate PaymentDate
CouponAmountperNote Current Yield(annualized)* MLPI ETRACS
AlerianMLP InfrastructureETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.4060 4.91% MLPL ETRACS 2xMonthly LeveragedLong
Alerian MLPInfrastructure ETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.9593 9.43% MLPG ETRACS AlerianNatural Gas
MLPIndex ETN 12/29/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012 01/24/2012 $0.4202
5.66% MLPW ETRACS WellsFargo MLP ETN 12/23/2011 01/11/2012
01/13/2012 01/24/2012 $0.3457 5.08% BDCS ETRACS WellsFargo
BusinessDevelopmentCompany ETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.4654 9.16% BDCL ETRACS 2xLeveraged LongWells
FargoBusinessDevelopmentCompany ETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012
01/13/2012 01/24/2012 $0.8197 18.74% ONN ETRACS
Fisher-Gartman Risk OnETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.2510 1.00% * Current Yield equals the current
Coupon Amount annualized and divided by the closing price of the
ETNs on December 30, 2011 or, if the closing price is not available
on December 30, 2011, the previous available closing price, and
rounded to two decimal places for ease of analysis. The Current
Yield is not indicative of future coupon payments, if any, on the
ETNs. You are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount
under the ETNs. About ETRACS For further information about ETRACS
ETNs, go to http://www.etracs.com. Exchange Traded Access
Securities ETNs (ETRACS ETNs), are exchange-traded notes, an
innovative class of investment products offering access to markets
and strategies that may not be readily available to investors, and
offer unique diversification opportunities in a number of different
sectors. ETRACS ETNs may offer: Access to asset classes with
historically low correlations to more traditional asset classes
Convenience of an exchange-traded security Transparent exposure to
a published index ETRACS ETNs are senior unsecured notes issued by
UBS AG (UBS), are traded on NYSE Arca, and can be bought and sold
through a broker or financial advisor. An investment in ETRACS ETNs
is subject to a number of risks, including the risk of loss of some
or all of the investors principal, and is subject to the
creditworthiness of UBS. We urge you to read the more detailed
explanation of risks described under Risk Factors in the prospectus
supplement for the ETRACS ETN. There are 41 ETRACS ETNs: ETRACS ETN
Name Ticker Master Limited Partnerships
Alerian MLP Infrastructure MLPI 2x Monthly Leveraged Long Alerian
MLP Infrastructure MLPL 1x Monthly Short Alerian MLP Infrastructure
TR* MLPS Alerian Natural Gas MLP MLPG Wells Fargo MLP Index MLPW
Business Development Companies Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index BDCS 2x Monthly Leveraged Wells Fargo
Business Development Company Index BDCL Alpha Strategies
Long-Short SP 500 VIX Futures XVIX Natural Gas Futures Contango ETN
GASZ Oil Futures Contango ETN OILZ Hybrid SP 500 Gold Hedged
SPGH Fisher-Gartman Risk On ETN ONN Fisher-Gartman Risk Off ETN OFF
Commodities CMCI TR UCI CMCI Agriculture TR UAG CMCI Energy
TR UBN CMCI Food TR FUD CMCI Gold TR UBG CMCI Industrial Metals TR
UBM CMCI Livestock TR UBC CMCI Long Platinum ER* PTM CMCI Short
Platinum ER PTD CMCI Silver TR USV DJ-UBS Commodity Index TR DJCI
Equities Next Generation Internet ETN EIPO Monthly
2xLeveraged Next Generation Internet ETN EIPL Long ISE Solid State
Drive Index SSDD 2xLeveraged Long ISE Solid State Drive Index SSDL
Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Cloud Computing TR LSKY Volatility
Long-Short SP 500 VIX Futures XVIX Long 1-Month SP 500 VIX Futures
VXAA Long 2-Month SP 500 VIX Futures VXBB Long 3-Month SP 500 VIX
Futures VXCC Long 4-Month SP 500 VIX Futures VXDD Long 5-Month SP
500 VIX Futures VXEE Long 6-Month SP 500 VIX Futures VXFF Short
1-Month SP 500 VIX Futures AAVX Short 2-Month SP 500 VIX Futures
BBVX Short 3-Month SP 500 VIX Futures CCVX Short 4-Month SP 500 VIX
Futures DDVX Short 5-Month SP 500 VIX Futures EEVX Short 6-Month SP
500 VIX Futures FFVX *TR=Total Return and ER=Excess Return
The contents of any website referred to in this communication are
not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this communication.
UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as
supplemented by a prospectus supplement for the offerings of the
ETRACS ETNs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC)
for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you
invest, you should read these documents and any other documents
that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about
UBS and the offering to which this communication relates. You may
get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website
at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you can request the prospectus and
the applicable prospectus supplement by calling toll-free
(+1.877.387.2275). Futures and futures options trading is
speculative, involves a high degree of risk and is not suitable for
all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of
future results. UBS 2012. The key symbol, UBS and ETRACS are among
the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. UBS Bloomberg
Constant Maturity Commodity Index and CMCI are service marks of UBS
and/or Bloomberg. Dow Jones, DJ-UBS Commodity Index and DJ-UBSCI
are service marks of Dow Jones Company Inc. and UBS AG, as the case
may be. Standard Poors, SP, SP 500, Standard Poors 500, SP 500 Gold
Hedged, SP 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index, SP 500 VIX 2-Month
Futures Index, SP 500 VIX 3-Month Futures Index, SP 500 VIX 4-Month
Futures Index, SP 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, and SP 500 VIX
6-Month Futures Index are trademarks of Standard Poors Financial
Services LLC (SP) and have been licensed for use by UBS. VIX is a
registered trademark of the Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated (CBOE) and has been licensed to SP. The ETRACS ETNs
are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SP or CBOE and
neither SP nor CBOE makes any representation regarding the
advisability of investing in the ETNs. ISE Cloud Computing Total
Return Index, ISE Solid State Drive Index, ISE Oil Futures Spread,
ISE Natural Gas Futures Spread, ISE, and International Securities
Exchange are trademarks of International Securities Exchange, LLC
("ISE" or "Licensor") and have been licensed for use for certain
purposes by UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates. UBS AGs ETRACS
Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Cloud Computing TR Index ETN, ETRACS ISE
Solid State Drive Index ETN, ETRACS Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Solid
State Drive Index ETN, ETRACS Natural Gas Futures Contango ETN and
ETRACS Oil Futures Contango ETN based on the ISE Cloud Computing
Total Return Index, ISE Solid State Drive Index, ISE Natural Gas
Futures Spread Index and the ISE Oil Futures Spread Index,
respectively, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ISE,
and ISE makes no representation regarding the advisability of
trading in such product(s). Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index,
Alerian Natural Gas MLP Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total
Return Index, AMZI, AMZIX and ANGI are trademarks of GKD Index
Partners, LLC d/b/a Alerian and their use is granted under a
license from GKD Index Partners. Wells Fargo Securities, Wells
Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index and Wells Fargo Master Limited
Partnership Index are trademarks of Wells Fargo Company and have
been licensed for use by UBS AG. The ETRACS Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index and ETRACS
2xLeveraged Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index are
not issued, guaranteed, sponsored, or advised by Wells Fargo
Company, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or their subsidiaries and
affiliates (collectively, "Wells Fargo"). Wells Fargo makes no
representation or warranty, express or implied, to investors in the
ETRACS ETNs or any member of the public regarding the ability of
any data supplied by Wells Fargo or any Index to track financial
instruments comprising the Index or any trading market and no
guarantee of performance of the ETRACS Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index or ETRACS
2xLeveraged Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index.
Wells Fargo Company does not guarantee that the Index referenced by
the ETRACS ETNs has been accurately calculated and shall not have
any liability for any error in the calculation. Wells Fargo's only
relationship to UBS AG is the licensing of certain intellectual
property rights relating to the Index as well as trademarks and
trade names of Wells Fargo and of the data supplied by Wells Fargo
that is determined, composed, compiled and calculated by Wells
Fargo or a third party index calculator, without regard to the
ETRACS Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index, ETRACS Wells
Fargo MLP Index or ETRACS 2xLeveraged Long Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index. Wells Fargo has no obligation to take
into consideration the ETRACS Wells Fargo Business Development
Company Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index, ETRACS 2xLeveraged
Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index or investors in
the ETRACS ETNs when determining, composing, compiling or
calculating the data. Wells Fargo has no obligation or liability in
connection with the issuance, listing, registration, distribution,
administration, trading or redemption or settlement by the issuer
or otherwise of the ETRACS Wells Fargo Business Development Company
Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index or ETRACS 2xLeveraged Long
Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index.WELLS FARGO DOES NOT
GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR OF
ANY DATA SUPPLIED BY IT OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WELLS FARGO
MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED
BY UBS AG AND THE ETRACS WELLS FARGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
INDEX, ETRACS WELLS FARGO MLP INDEX, OR ETRACS 2XLEVERAGED LONG
WELLS FARGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY INDEX OR ANY OTHER PERSON
OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF INDEX OR OF THE DATA SUPPLIED BY WELLS
FARGO OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WELLS FARGO MAKES NO EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH
RESPECT TO THE INDEX AND THE DATA SUPPLIED BY WELLS FARGO OR ANY
DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO
EVENT SHALL WELLS FARGO HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST
PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. "MBF
Index Holdings, LLC, The Fisher-Gartman Risk Index, The
Fisher-Gartman Equity Subindex and The Fisher-Gartman Sovereign
Bond Subindex are trademarks of MBF Index Holdings, LLC and have
been licensed for use by UBS AG. The ETRACS Fisher-Gartman Risk On
ETN and ETRACS Fisher-Gartman Risk Off ETN are not issued by,
sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MBF Index Holdings, LLC or
its affiliates and MBF Index Holdings, LLC makes no representation
regarding the advisability of investing in the product. MBF Index
Holdings, LLC does not guarantee that the Index referenced by the
product has been accurately calculated and shall not have any
liability for any error in the calculation. Other marks may be
trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved. UBS
assumes sole responsibility for this marketing material, which has
not been reviewed by Bloomberg.-Ends- Notes to Editors UBS draws on
its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate
clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. We
combine our wealth management, investment banking and asset
management businesses with our Swiss operations to deliver superior
financial solutions. UBS is present in all major financial centers
worldwide. It has offices in over 50 countries, with about 37% of
its employees working in the Americas, 37% in Switzerland, 16% in
the rest of Europe and 10% in Asia Pacific. UBS employs about
65,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX
Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
www.ubs.com/media
ETRACS exchange traded notes (the ETNs), all traded on the NYSE
Arca. Three of the ETNs are linked to Alerian MLP Indexes: ETRACS
Alerian MLP Infrastructure ETN (Ticker: MLPI), ETRACS 2x Monthly
Leveraged Long Alerian MLP Infrastructure ETN (Ticker: MLPL) and
ETRACS Alerian Natural Gas MLP Index ETN (Ticker: MLPG). One ETN is
linked to the Wells Fargo MLP Index: ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP ETN
(Ticker: MLPW). Two of the ETNs are linked to the Wells Fargo
Business Development Company Index: ETRACS Wells Fargo Business
Development Company ETN (Ticker: BDCS) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged Long
Wells Fargo Business Development Company ETN (Ticker: BDCL). And
finally, one ETN linked to The Fisher-Gartman Risk Index: ETRACS
Fisher-Gartman Risk On ETN (Ticker: ONN). The table below
summarizes the relevant coupon information for the seven ETNs:
NYSEArcaTicker
Name CouponValuationDate Ex-Date RecordDate PaymentDate
CouponAmountperNote Current Yield(annualized)* MLPI ETRACS
AlerianMLP InfrastructureETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.4060 4.91% MLPL ETRACS 2xMonthly LeveragedLong
Alerian MLPInfrastructure ETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.9593 9.43% MLPG ETRACS AlerianNatural Gas
MLPIndex ETN 12/29/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012 01/24/2012 $0.4202
5.66% MLPW ETRACS WellsFargo MLP ETN 12/23/2011 01/11/2012
01/13/2012 01/24/2012 $0.3457 5.08% BDCS ETRACS WellsFargo
BusinessDevelopmentCompany ETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.4654 9.16% BDCL ETRACS 2xLeveraged LongWells
FargoBusinessDevelopmentCompany ETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012
01/13/2012 01/24/2012 $0.8197 18.74% ONN ETRACS
Fisher-Gartman Risk OnETN 12/30/2011 01/11/2012 01/13/2012
01/24/2012 $0.2510 1.00% * Current Yield equals the current
Coupon Amount annualized and divided by the closing price of the
ETNs on December 30, 2011 or, if the closing price is not available
on December 30, 2011, the previous available closing price, and
rounded to two decimal places for ease of analysis. The Current
Yield is not indicative of future coupon payments, if any, on the
ETNs. You are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount
under the ETNs. About ETRACS For further information about ETRACS
ETNs, go to http://www.etracs.com. Exchange Traded Access
Securities ETNs (ETRACS ETNs), are exchange-traded notes, an
innovative class of investment products offering access to markets
and strategies that may not be readily available to investors, and
offer unique diversification opportunities in a number of different
sectors. ETRACS ETNs may offer: Access to asset classes with
historically low correlations to more traditional asset classes
Convenience of an exchange-traded security Transparent exposure to
a published index ETRACS ETNs are senior unsecured notes issued by
UBS AG (UBS), are traded on NYSE Arca, and can be bought and sold
through a broker or financial advisor. An investment in ETRACS ETNs
is subject to a number of risks, including the risk of loss of some
or all of the investors principal, and is subject to the
creditworthiness of UBS. We urge you to read the more detailed
explanation of risks described under Risk Factors in the prospectus
supplement for the ETRACS ETN. There are 41 ETRACS ETNs: ETRACS ETN
Name Ticker Master Limited Partnerships
Alerian MLP Infrastructure MLPI 2x Monthly Leveraged Long Alerian
MLP Infrastructure MLPL 1x Monthly Short Alerian MLP Infrastructure
TR* MLPS Alerian Natural Gas MLP MLPG Wells Fargo MLP Index MLPW
Business Development Companies Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index BDCS 2x Monthly Leveraged Wells Fargo
Business Development Company Index BDCL Alpha Strategies
Long-Short SP 500 VIX Futures XVIX Natural Gas Futures Contango ETN
GASZ Oil Futures Contango ETN OILZ Hybrid SP 500 Gold Hedged
SPGH Fisher-Gartman Risk On ETN ONN Fisher-Gartman Risk Off ETN OFF
Commodities CMCI TR UCI CMCI Agriculture TR UAG CMCI Energy
TR UBN CMCI Food TR FUD CMCI Gold TR UBG CMCI Industrial Metals TR
UBM CMCI Livestock TR UBC CMCI Long Platinum ER* PTM CMCI Short
Platinum ER PTD CMCI Silver TR USV DJ-UBS Commodity Index TR DJCI
Equities Next Generation Internet ETN EIPO Monthly
2xLeveraged Next Generation Internet ETN EIPL Long ISE Solid State
Drive Index SSDD 2xLeveraged Long ISE Solid State Drive Index SSDL
Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Cloud Computing TR LSKY Volatility
Long-Short SP 500 VIX Futures XVIX Long 1-Month SP 500 VIX Futures
VXAA Long 2-Month SP 500 VIX Futures VXBB Long 3-Month SP 500 VIX
Futures VXCC Long 4-Month SP 500 VIX Futures VXDD Long 5-Month SP
500 VIX Futures VXEE Long 6-Month SP 500 VIX Futures VXFF Short
1-Month SP 500 VIX Futures AAVX Short 2-Month SP 500 VIX Futures
BBVX Short 3-Month SP 500 VIX Futures CCVX Short 4-Month SP 500 VIX
Futures DDVX Short 5-Month SP 500 VIX Futures EEVX Short 6-Month SP
500 VIX Futures FFVX *TR=Total Return and ER=Excess Return
The contents of any website referred to in this communication are
not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this communication.
UBS has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, as
supplemented by a prospectus supplement for the offerings of the
ETRACS ETNs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC)
for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you
invest, you should read these documents and any other documents
that UBS has filed with the SEC for more complete information about
UBS and the offering to which this communication relates. You may
get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website
at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you can request the prospectus and
the applicable prospectus supplement by calling toll-free
(+1.877.387.2275). Futures and futures options trading is
speculative, involves a high degree of risk and is not suitable for
all investors. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of
future results. UBS 2012. The key symbol, UBS and ETRACS are among
the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. UBS Bloomberg
Constant Maturity Commodity Index and CMCI are service marks of UBS
and/or Bloomberg. Dow Jones, DJ-UBS Commodity Index and DJ-UBSCI
are service marks of Dow Jones Company Inc. and UBS AG, as the case
may be. Standard Poors, SP, SP 500, Standard Poors 500, SP 500 Gold
Hedged, SP 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index, SP 500 VIX 2-Month
Futures Index, SP 500 VIX 3-Month Futures Index, SP 500 VIX 4-Month
Futures Index, SP 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index, and SP 500 VIX
6-Month Futures Index are trademarks of Standard Poors Financial
Services LLC (SP) and have been licensed for use by UBS. VIX is a
registered trademark of the Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated (CBOE) and has been licensed to SP. The ETRACS ETNs
are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SP or CBOE and
neither SP nor CBOE makes any representation regarding the
advisability of investing in the ETNs. ISE Cloud Computing Total
Return Index, ISE Solid State Drive Index, ISE Oil Futures Spread,
ISE Natural Gas Futures Spread, ISE, and International Securities
Exchange are trademarks of International Securities Exchange, LLC
("ISE" or "Licensor") and have been licensed for use for certain
purposes by UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates. UBS AGs ETRACS
Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Cloud Computing TR Index ETN, ETRACS ISE
Solid State Drive Index ETN, ETRACS Monthly 2xLeveraged ISE Solid
State Drive Index ETN, ETRACS Natural Gas Futures Contango ETN and
ETRACS Oil Futures Contango ETN based on the ISE Cloud Computing
Total Return Index, ISE Solid State Drive Index, ISE Natural Gas
Futures Spread Index and the ISE Oil Futures Spread Index,
respectively, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ISE,
and ISE makes no representation regarding the advisability of
trading in such product(s). Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index,
Alerian Natural Gas MLP Index, Alerian MLP Infrastructure Total
Return Index, AMZI, AMZIX and ANGI are trademarks of GKD Index
Partners, LLC d/b/a Alerian and their use is granted under a
license from GKD Index Partners. Wells Fargo Securities, Wells
Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo, Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index and Wells Fargo Master Limited
Partnership Index are trademarks of Wells Fargo Company and have
been licensed for use by UBS AG. The ETRACS Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index and ETRACS
2xLeveraged Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index are
not issued, guaranteed, sponsored, or advised by Wells Fargo
Company, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or their subsidiaries and
affiliates (collectively, "Wells Fargo"). Wells Fargo makes no
representation or warranty, express or implied, to investors in the
ETRACS ETNs or any member of the public regarding the ability of
any data supplied by Wells Fargo or any Index to track financial
instruments comprising the Index or any trading market and no
guarantee of performance of the ETRACS Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index or ETRACS
2xLeveraged Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index.
Wells Fargo Company does not guarantee that the Index referenced by
the ETRACS ETNs has been accurately calculated and shall not have
any liability for any error in the calculation. Wells Fargo's only
relationship to UBS AG is the licensing of certain intellectual
property rights relating to the Index as well as trademarks and
trade names of Wells Fargo and of the data supplied by Wells Fargo
that is determined, composed, compiled and calculated by Wells
Fargo or a third party index calculator, without regard to the
ETRACS Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index, ETRACS Wells
Fargo MLP Index or ETRACS 2xLeveraged Long Wells Fargo Business
Development Company Index. Wells Fargo has no obligation to take
into consideration the ETRACS Wells Fargo Business Development
Company Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index, ETRACS 2xLeveraged
Long Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index or investors in
the ETRACS ETNs when determining, composing, compiling or
calculating the data. Wells Fargo has no obligation or liability in
connection with the issuance, listing, registration, distribution,
administration, trading or redemption or settlement by the issuer
or otherwise of the ETRACS Wells Fargo Business Development Company
Index, ETRACS Wells Fargo MLP Index or ETRACS 2xLeveraged Long
Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index.WELLS FARGO DOES NOT
GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR OF
ANY DATA SUPPLIED BY IT OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WELLS FARGO
MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED
BY UBS AG AND THE ETRACS WELLS FARGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
INDEX, ETRACS WELLS FARGO MLP INDEX, OR ETRACS 2XLEVERAGED LONG
WELLS FARGO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY INDEX OR ANY OTHER PERSON
OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF INDEX OR OF THE DATA SUPPLIED BY WELLS
FARGO OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WELLS FARGO MAKES NO EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH
RESPECT TO THE INDEX AND THE DATA SUPPLIED BY WELLS FARGO OR ANY
DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO
EVENT SHALL WELLS FARGO HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST
PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. "MBF
Index Holdings, LLC, The Fisher-Gartman Risk Index, The
Fisher-Gartman Equity Subindex and The Fisher-Gartman Sovereign
Bond Subindex are trademarks of MBF Index Holdings, LLC and have
been licensed for use by UBS AG. The ETRACS Fisher-Gartman Risk On
ETN and ETRACS Fisher-Gartman Risk Off ETN are not issued by,
sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MBF Index Holdings, LLC or
its affiliates and MBF Index Holdings, LLC makes no representation
regarding the advisability of investing in the product. MBF Index
Holdings, LLC does not guarantee that the Index referenced by the
product has been accurately calculated and shall not have any
liability for any error in the calculation. Other marks may be
trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved. UBS
assumes sole responsibility for this marketing material, which has
not been reviewed by Bloomberg.-Ends- Notes to Editors UBS draws on
its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate
clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. We
combine our wealth management, investment banking and asset
management businesses with our Swiss operations to deliver superior
financial solutions. UBS is present in all major financial centers
worldwide. It has offices in over 50 countries, with about 37% of
its employees working in the Americas, 37% in Switzerland, 16% in
the rest of Europe and 10% in Asia Pacific. UBS employs about
65,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX
Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
www.ubs.com/media
General Patent Corporation Secures Settlement with U.S. Government in Patent Lawsuit in the Court of Claims
General Patent Corporation (GPC), a leading patent licensing
and enforcement firm, announced today on behalf of its subsidiary,
Leighton Technologies LLC (Leighton), that it reached a settlement
with the U.S. government in a lawsuit in the Court of Claims over
unlicensed use of Leightons portfolio of six Contactless Cards and
related patents. The settlement with the federal government is an
outcome of a lawsuit, Leighton Technologies LLC v. United States of
America, U.S. Court of Federal Claims (1:10-cv-00003), filed by GPC
on behalf of Leighton Technologies in January of 2010. In the
lawsuit, Leighton Technologies asserted that the federal government
engaged in unlicensed use and manufacture of ID cards issued to
employees at 54 federal agencies including the Department of
Defense, Federal Reserve Board and General Services Administration,
as well as e-Passports and other contactless technology. The
federal government ultimately decided to settle the lawsuit and
take a license for the patents. We are pleased to reach a
settlement with the federal government, said Alexander Poltorak,
Chairman and CEO of General Patent Corporation. This license will
ensure availability of this patented technology which is vital to
national security to the federal government and its agencies.
Federal law provides a cause of action for patent infringement
against the United States whenever, without a license, the
government uses or manufactures a patented process or product.
However, the patent owner must sue the government in the United
States Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. explained Anthony
Amaral, Chief IP counsel of General Patent Corporation. About
General Patent Corporation General Patent Corporation,
headquartered in Suffern, N.Y., is aleading intellectual
property boutique focusing on patent licensing and enforcement. GPC
represents inventors, businesses, universities and other patent
owners in patent assertion matters by managing and financing patent
litigation on a contingency basis. GPC is the oldest patent
enforcement firm in the U.S. GPC is the managing member of Leighton
Technologies LLC. For more information, visit
www.generalpatent.com. About Leighton Technologies LLC Leighton
Technologies LLC is the owner of six Contactless Cards and related
U.S. Patents: 1. 5,817,207: Radio frequency identification card and
hot lamination process for the manufacture of radio frequency
identification cards 2. 6,036,099: Hot lamination process for the
manufacture of a combination contact/contactless smart card and
product resulting therefrom 3. 6,214,155: Radio frequency
identification card and hot lamination process for the manufacture
of radio frequency identification cards 4. 6,441,736: Ultra-thin
flexible durable radio frequency identification devices and hot or
cold lamination process for the manufacture of ultra-thin flexible
durable radio frequency identification devices 5. 6,557,766: Hot
lamination method for a hybrid radio frequency optical memory card
converting sheets into a web process 6. 6,514,367: Hot lamination
process for the manufacture of a combination contact/contactless
smart card Leighton Technologies is a portfolio company of IP
Holdings LLC, and is managed by General Patent Corporation. A
non-exclusive license under these patents is available on fair,
reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. For licensing terms,
please contact Kathlene Ingham at (845) 368-4000 x107. For more
information, please visit www.leighton-tech.com. About IP Holdings
LLC IP Holdings LLC, a member of the GPC Group of Companies, is an
IP-centric merchant banking organization. IP Holdings provides IP
advisory services, IP-related financial services and IP brokerage,
and operates an IP incubator. IP Holdings is a member of Leighton
Technologies. For more information, visit www.ip-holdings.com.
Release Summary: General Patent Corporation settles a patent
lawsuit filed against the federal government on behalf of its
subsidiary, Leighton Technologies LLC, in the U.S. Court of Federal
Claims for the use of ID cards issued to federal employees and
contractors, with the U.S. Government taking a license for the
Leighton patent portfolio. Keyword Tags: patent, patent licensing,
assertive licensing, patent assertion, patent enforcement, patent
litigation, patent infringement, patent infringement lawsuit,
intellectual property, IP, General Patent, General Patent
Corporation, GPC, contactless cards, smart cards, e-passport,
Leighton, Leighton technologies, court of federal claims, court of
claims
and enforcement firm, announced today on behalf of its subsidiary,
Leighton Technologies LLC (Leighton), that it reached a settlement
with the U.S. government in a lawsuit in the Court of Claims over
unlicensed use of Leightons portfolio of six Contactless Cards and
related patents. The settlement with the federal government is an
outcome of a lawsuit, Leighton Technologies LLC v. United States of
America, U.S. Court of Federal Claims (1:10-cv-00003), filed by GPC
on behalf of Leighton Technologies in January of 2010. In the
lawsuit, Leighton Technologies asserted that the federal government
engaged in unlicensed use and manufacture of ID cards issued to
employees at 54 federal agencies including the Department of
Defense, Federal Reserve Board and General Services Administration,
as well as e-Passports and other contactless technology. The
federal government ultimately decided to settle the lawsuit and
take a license for the patents. We are pleased to reach a
settlement with the federal government, said Alexander Poltorak,
Chairman and CEO of General Patent Corporation. This license will
ensure availability of this patented technology which is vital to
national security to the federal government and its agencies.
Federal law provides a cause of action for patent infringement
against the United States whenever, without a license, the
government uses or manufactures a patented process or product.
However, the patent owner must sue the government in the United
States Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. explained Anthony
Amaral, Chief IP counsel of General Patent Corporation. About
General Patent Corporation General Patent Corporation,
headquartered in Suffern, N.Y., is aleading intellectual
property boutique focusing on patent licensing and enforcement. GPC
represents inventors, businesses, universities and other patent
owners in patent assertion matters by managing and financing patent
litigation on a contingency basis. GPC is the oldest patent
enforcement firm in the U.S. GPC is the managing member of Leighton
Technologies LLC. For more information, visit
www.generalpatent.com. About Leighton Technologies LLC Leighton
Technologies LLC is the owner of six Contactless Cards and related
U.S. Patents: 1. 5,817,207: Radio frequency identification card and
hot lamination process for the manufacture of radio frequency
identification cards 2. 6,036,099: Hot lamination process for the
manufacture of a combination contact/contactless smart card and
product resulting therefrom 3. 6,214,155: Radio frequency
identification card and hot lamination process for the manufacture
of radio frequency identification cards 4. 6,441,736: Ultra-thin
flexible durable radio frequency identification devices and hot or
cold lamination process for the manufacture of ultra-thin flexible
durable radio frequency identification devices 5. 6,557,766: Hot
lamination method for a hybrid radio frequency optical memory card
converting sheets into a web process 6. 6,514,367: Hot lamination
process for the manufacture of a combination contact/contactless
smart card Leighton Technologies is a portfolio company of IP
Holdings LLC, and is managed by General Patent Corporation. A
non-exclusive license under these patents is available on fair,
reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. For licensing terms,
please contact Kathlene Ingham at (845) 368-4000 x107. For more
information, please visit www.leighton-tech.com. About IP Holdings
LLC IP Holdings LLC, a member of the GPC Group of Companies, is an
IP-centric merchant banking organization. IP Holdings provides IP
advisory services, IP-related financial services and IP brokerage,
and operates an IP incubator. IP Holdings is a member of Leighton
Technologies. For more information, visit www.ip-holdings.com.
Release Summary: General Patent Corporation settles a patent
lawsuit filed against the federal government on behalf of its
subsidiary, Leighton Technologies LLC, in the U.S. Court of Federal
Claims for the use of ID cards issued to federal employees and
contractors, with the U.S. Government taking a license for the
Leighton patent portfolio. Keyword Tags: patent, patent licensing,
assertive licensing, patent assertion, patent enforcement, patent
litigation, patent infringement, patent infringement lawsuit,
intellectual property, IP, General Patent, General Patent
Corporation, GPC, contactless cards, smart cards, e-passport,
Leighton, Leighton technologies, court of federal claims, court of
claims
Chase Partners with Southwest Airlines to Enhance Ultimate RewardsSM Travel Options for Cardmembers
Today, Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase Co.
NYSE: JPM, announced the addition of Southwest Airlines as its
newest Ultimate RewardsSM point transfer partner. This addition
makes Ultimate Rewards a great program for consumers who want the
flexibility to transfer points for travel to 72 cities in 37 states
on more than 3,400 flights a day, coast-to-coast. Southwest offers
travelers a wide variety of benefits, from flexible fares to no
fees for first or second checked bag (weight and size limitations
apply) to in-flight WiFi access. Under this new partnership, Chase
Sapphire PreferredSM, Ink PlusSM and Ink BoldSM cardmembers will
now be able to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Rapid Rewards
accounts at full value meaning one Ultimate Rewards point is equal
to one Rapid Rewards Point. There are no restrictions or limits to
the number of points cardmembers can transfer to Rapid Rewards.
Ultimate Rewards, Chases proprietary, world-class rewards program,
offers virtually limitless opportunities to earn and redeem rewards
without earnings caps, airfare blackout dates or points expiration.
Customers may access Ultimate Rewards via
http://www.ultimaterewards.com, a single, comprehensive website
that provides simplicity, flexibility and ease of navigation. About
Southwest Southwest Airlines, which this year celebrates its 41st
Anniversary, continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare
carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer
Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in
terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has acquired
AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest
Airlines Co. With the addition of Atlanta (which opens on Feb. 12,
2012), Southwest will serve 73 cities in 38 states and remains one
of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment
to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To
read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good
citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines
One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than
3,400 flights a day and has more than 37,000 Employees. About Chase
Sapphire Since its launch in 2009, Chase Sapphire has been a
rewards credit card offering premium travel rewards and benefits, a
range of redemption choices and exceptional customer service. Chase
Sapphire Preferred offers two points per dollar spent on travel and
dining purchases and no foreign transaction fees. Chase Sapphire
cardmembers have enjoyed redeeming their rewards for trips and a
variety of unforgettable experiences, including attending The
Sundance Film Festival, premiere parties with celebrities, skiing
with Olympic Gold medalists, golfing with PGA champions and hearing
recipe tips from celebrity chefs. More information about Chase
Sapphires experiences for cardmembers is available at
www.ChaseSapphire.com About Ink from Chase Ink from Chase is a
portfolio of business cards offering robust, flexible payment
solutions and resources to meet the unique needs of small business
owners, from spending habits to cash flow needs to rewards. This
business card portfolio, which features Chases pay-in-full charge
card, includes the Ink Bold, Ink Plus, Ink Classic and Ink Cash
cards. In addition, Ink Bold and Ink Plus customers get 20% off
travel when redeemed on Ultimate Rewards for airfare, hotels, car
rental and cruises with no earnings caps, blackout dates or travel
restrictions, plus they receive airport lounge access. Customers
also have access to Jot SM, a free mobile application and online
solution to easily track, categorize and organize business expenses
in real-time from an iPhone and Android mobile devices or online,
and Zip SM, an online invoicing and cash management solution
powered by PaySimple to simplify invoicing and accelerate
receivables. About Chase Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial
banking business of JPMorgan Chase Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading
global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and
operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves consumers and
small businesses through 5,200 bank branches, 16,200 ATMs, mortgage
offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through
relationships with auto dealerships and schools and universities.
Chase also has issued more than 90 million credit cards. More
information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.
NYSE: JPM, announced the addition of Southwest Airlines as its
newest Ultimate RewardsSM point transfer partner. This addition
makes Ultimate Rewards a great program for consumers who want the
flexibility to transfer points for travel to 72 cities in 37 states
on more than 3,400 flights a day, coast-to-coast. Southwest offers
travelers a wide variety of benefits, from flexible fares to no
fees for first or second checked bag (weight and size limitations
apply) to in-flight WiFi access. Under this new partnership, Chase
Sapphire PreferredSM, Ink PlusSM and Ink BoldSM cardmembers will
now be able to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Rapid Rewards
accounts at full value meaning one Ultimate Rewards point is equal
to one Rapid Rewards Point. There are no restrictions or limits to
the number of points cardmembers can transfer to Rapid Rewards.
Ultimate Rewards, Chases proprietary, world-class rewards program,
offers virtually limitless opportunities to earn and redeem rewards
without earnings caps, airfare blackout dates or points expiration.
Customers may access Ultimate Rewards via
http://www.ultimaterewards.com, a single, comprehensive website
that provides simplicity, flexibility and ease of navigation. About
Southwest Southwest Airlines, which this year celebrates its 41st
Anniversary, continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare
carriers--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer
Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in
terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has acquired
AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest
Airlines Co. With the addition of Atlanta (which opens on Feb. 12,
2012), Southwest will serve 73 cities in 38 states and remains one
of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment
to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To
read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good
citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines
One Report. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than
3,400 flights a day and has more than 37,000 Employees. About Chase
Sapphire Since its launch in 2009, Chase Sapphire has been a
rewards credit card offering premium travel rewards and benefits, a
range of redemption choices and exceptional customer service. Chase
Sapphire Preferred offers two points per dollar spent on travel and
dining purchases and no foreign transaction fees. Chase Sapphire
cardmembers have enjoyed redeeming their rewards for trips and a
variety of unforgettable experiences, including attending The
Sundance Film Festival, premiere parties with celebrities, skiing
with Olympic Gold medalists, golfing with PGA champions and hearing
recipe tips from celebrity chefs. More information about Chase
Sapphires experiences for cardmembers is available at
www.ChaseSapphire.com About Ink from Chase Ink from Chase is a
portfolio of business cards offering robust, flexible payment
solutions and resources to meet the unique needs of small business
owners, from spending habits to cash flow needs to rewards. This
business card portfolio, which features Chases pay-in-full charge
card, includes the Ink Bold, Ink Plus, Ink Classic and Ink Cash
cards. In addition, Ink Bold and Ink Plus customers get 20% off
travel when redeemed on Ultimate Rewards for airfare, hotels, car
rental and cruises with no earnings caps, blackout dates or travel
restrictions, plus they receive airport lounge access. Customers
also have access to Jot SM, a free mobile application and online
solution to easily track, categorize and organize business expenses
in real-time from an iPhone and Android mobile devices or online,
and Zip SM, an online invoicing and cash management solution
powered by PaySimple to simplify invoicing and accelerate
receivables. About Chase Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial
banking business of JPMorgan Chase Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading
global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and
operations in more than 60 countries. Chase serves consumers and
small businesses through 5,200 bank branches, 16,200 ATMs, mortgage
offices, and online and mobile banking as well as through
relationships with auto dealerships and schools and universities.
Chase also has issued more than 90 million credit cards. More
information about Chase is available at www.chase.com.
Top Chicago Entrepreneurs to Convene at Slates Invent Your Future
Chicagoans and Slate readers are invited to join top
entrepreneurs for a lively discussion about how individuals can
invent new career opportunities for themselves in todays economy.
This live, free, open-to-the-public event will take place on
January 11, at The Murphy Auditorium, (50 E. Erie Street, Chicago,
IL 60611), from 6 to 9 p.m. and is part of The Hive, a Slate
enterprise that harnesses the collective intelligence of Slate
readers to solve some of societys biggest challenges. The Hive,
Invent Your Future, is sponsored exclusively by The Responsibility
Project by Liberty Mutual and focuses on one of the most urgent
questions of our time: How can our societyin the classroom and
beyondhelp people succeed in todays self-starter environment. The
following entrepreneurs will speak at Invent Your Future in
Chicago: Stephanie Izard, chef and co-owner of The Girl and the
Goat and winner of Bravos Top Chef Season Four Kevin Willer,
co-founder of Googles Chicago office and president CEO of the
Chicago Entrepreneurial Center Dominique Raccah, CEO and publisher
of Sourcebooks, Inc. Sherman Wright, co-founder and managing
partner of Commonground Marketing David Plotz, editor of Slate,
will moderate the panel. In this Slate Hive, as in all Slate Hives,
weve set out to solve a problem, said David Plotz, editor of Slate.
For Invent Your Future were looking to curate the best advice for
taking full ownership of your career and we couldnt be more
thrilled to have these entrepreneurial superstars joining the
conversation and sharing their stories. Were excited to be part of
the Invent your Future event to help spark a conversation about
entrepreneurship and responsibly creating career opportunities in
our communities, said Paul Alexander, senior vice president of
communication, Liberty Mutual Group. We hope Chicagoans are
inspired by the panel discussion and how these entrepreneurs built
successful local businesses. Invent Your Future kicked off in
mid-October with an introduction and call to action by Plotz. Since
then, readers have written in with their best advice for
reinventing a career, the Slate audience has voted on their
favorite submissions and Slate has spotlighted the ten best reader
ideas for starting a business or reviving a career. Invent Your
Future live, is open to the public and free of charge. Those
interested in attending should RSVP via
www.slate.com/inventyourfuture. For more information about Invent
Your Future, The Hive and to view the most popular Slate reader
entries to-date for how to best start your own business and take
charge of your future, please visit
http://hive.slate.com/hive/invent-your-future. About Slate and The
Slate Group Slate is a daily magazine on the Web that offers
analysis and commentary about news, politics, culture, business,
law, and technology. Slate's strong editorial voice and witty take
on current events have been recognized with numerous awards,
including the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online
and the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in
Journalism. Reaching over eight million unique visitors per month,
Slate is the centerpiece of the Slate Group, an online publishing
subsidiary of the Washington Post Co. that also publishes The Root,
and Foreign Policy. (NYSE:WPO) About The Responsibility Project The
Responsibility Project, created by Liberty Mutual, is an organic
evolution of the companys advertising campaign that has showcased
personal acts of responsibility and daily examples of ordinary
people making the decision to do considerate things for strangers.
These ads featured the tagline, "Responsibility. Whats your
policy?" Through The Responsibility Project, Liberty Mutual is
using entertaining content, including independently produced short
films, blogs, articles, advertising and television programming, as
catalysts for examining the decisions that confront people trying
to "do the right thing." The Responsibility Projects online
community launched in the beginning of 2008, and to date there have
been more than 25 million unique visitors to the site. Individuals
can participate in online conversations about personal
responsibility and watch and discuss live-action and animated short
films at The Responsibility Project website and online community at
www.ResponsibilityProject.com.
entrepreneurs for a lively discussion about how individuals can
invent new career opportunities for themselves in todays economy.
This live, free, open-to-the-public event will take place on
January 11, at The Murphy Auditorium, (50 E. Erie Street, Chicago,
IL 60611), from 6 to 9 p.m. and is part of The Hive, a Slate
enterprise that harnesses the collective intelligence of Slate
readers to solve some of societys biggest challenges. The Hive,
Invent Your Future, is sponsored exclusively by The Responsibility
Project by Liberty Mutual and focuses on one of the most urgent
questions of our time: How can our societyin the classroom and
beyondhelp people succeed in todays self-starter environment. The
following entrepreneurs will speak at Invent Your Future in
Chicago: Stephanie Izard, chef and co-owner of The Girl and the
Goat and winner of Bravos Top Chef Season Four Kevin Willer,
co-founder of Googles Chicago office and president CEO of the
Chicago Entrepreneurial Center Dominique Raccah, CEO and publisher
of Sourcebooks, Inc. Sherman Wright, co-founder and managing
partner of Commonground Marketing David Plotz, editor of Slate,
will moderate the panel. In this Slate Hive, as in all Slate Hives,
weve set out to solve a problem, said David Plotz, editor of Slate.
For Invent Your Future were looking to curate the best advice for
taking full ownership of your career and we couldnt be more
thrilled to have these entrepreneurial superstars joining the
conversation and sharing their stories. Were excited to be part of
the Invent your Future event to help spark a conversation about
entrepreneurship and responsibly creating career opportunities in
our communities, said Paul Alexander, senior vice president of
communication, Liberty Mutual Group. We hope Chicagoans are
inspired by the panel discussion and how these entrepreneurs built
successful local businesses. Invent Your Future kicked off in
mid-October with an introduction and call to action by Plotz. Since
then, readers have written in with their best advice for
reinventing a career, the Slate audience has voted on their
favorite submissions and Slate has spotlighted the ten best reader
ideas for starting a business or reviving a career. Invent Your
Future live, is open to the public and free of charge. Those
interested in attending should RSVP via
www.slate.com/inventyourfuture. For more information about Invent
Your Future, The Hive and to view the most popular Slate reader
entries to-date for how to best start your own business and take
charge of your future, please visit
http://hive.slate.com/hive/invent-your-future. About Slate and The
Slate Group Slate is a daily magazine on the Web that offers
analysis and commentary about news, politics, culture, business,
law, and technology. Slate's strong editorial voice and witty take
on current events have been recognized with numerous awards,
including the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online
and the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in
Journalism. Reaching over eight million unique visitors per month,
Slate is the centerpiece of the Slate Group, an online publishing
subsidiary of the Washington Post Co. that also publishes The Root,
and Foreign Policy. (NYSE:WPO) About The Responsibility Project The
Responsibility Project, created by Liberty Mutual, is an organic
evolution of the companys advertising campaign that has showcased
personal acts of responsibility and daily examples of ordinary
people making the decision to do considerate things for strangers.
These ads featured the tagline, "Responsibility. Whats your
policy?" Through The Responsibility Project, Liberty Mutual is
using entertaining content, including independently produced short
films, blogs, articles, advertising and television programming, as
catalysts for examining the decisions that confront people trying
to "do the right thing." The Responsibility Projects online
community launched in the beginning of 2008, and to date there have
been more than 25 million unique visitors to the site. Individuals
can participate in online conversations about personal
responsibility and watch and discuss live-action and animated short
films at The Responsibility Project website and online community at
www.ResponsibilityProject.com.
ACCESSMyTV OTT Multiscreen Video Platform Launches at CES Allowing Consumers to Create, Watch and Share Personal Video Channels on any Connected Device
ACCESS CO., LTD, a global provider of advanced software
technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, today
announced that it will launch its social video monetization
platform ACCESSMyTV at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics
Show (CES), January 10-13, Las Vegas. ACCESSMyTV is an open,
multi-screen social video platform for connected devices, which
allows for the monetization of free and premium web content, games
and apps. The solution leverages the consumption of web video to
create new revenue opportunities for content providers, consumer
electronics (CE) device manufacturers and service providers.
ACCESSMyTV creates deep consumer engagement and a viral marketing
dynamic through the creation of personalized web video channels
that can be shared with friends and family via social networks such
as Facebook and Twitter. This deep consumer engagement in turn
enables ACCESSMyTV to support highly targeted advertising. The
platform is the simplest and most powerful route to launching a
multi-screen OTT service, giving CE device manufacturers,
broadcasters and operators the opportunity to embrace the social TV
revolution and create new recurring revenues, said Dr. Neale
Foster, VP of Global Sales IA, ACCESS. ACCESSMyTV makes life easy
for operators, allowing them to launch a social TV service with an
abundance of content from the word go. The platform operator can
further serve the needs of the ever-hungry consumer by providing
them with access to free web video, premium content, games and
apps. Key Features Benefits The ACCESSMyTV platform is offered as a
white label service, which can be privately branded and deployed
globally on any connected CE device, while delivering low start-up
and running costs. At CES ACCESS will announce the partnership of
several hardware manufacturers who will be offering the platform
through their products. ACCESSMyTV fills the holes that other OTT
platforms cant, overcoming issues of technical device fragmentation
and rising to the challenges of multi-screen access to content,
said Kiyo Oishi, Chairman and CEO of ACCESS Europe and ACCESS
System Americas. This is exceptionally powerful when combined with
the way in which the platform meets the ever-growing desire of
viewers to share video across social networks. Social TV is set to
see an exponential rise in popularity over the next year and we
believe that ACCESSMyTV will be at the heart of this. About
ACCESSMyTV ACCESSMyTV is a comprehensive, IP-centric OTT solution
managed by ACCESS that can be privately branded and deployed
throughout the world on any connected consumer electronic device
including set-top boxes, TVs, mobile devices, tablets and PCs.
ACCESSMyTV resolves the technical fragmentation barriers that
impede the delivery of OTT content services to multiple devices and
builds upon ACCESS experience of powering over 1 billion CE
devices. Technical highlights include: Client/Browser independent
service layer for maximum flexibility using web standard REST APIs
Pre-validated solution available with high performance ACCESS
NetFront Browser PCs, set-top-boxes (STBs)/Connected TVs, tablets
and smartphones can be provisioned with a customised UI or
application Highly customizable user interface for service operator
branded services Leverages latest standards such as HTML5, HbbTV
and OTT web video delivery Existing STBs/Connected TVs with an
integrated browser component can be upgraded over-the-air to
enhance operators current value proposition with an ACCESSMyTV
service offering Consumers can build their own personalized
channels from all content available to them (not just a single
content provider) Includes a Multi currency, multi platform PCI
compliant billing engine to allow secure purchase by Consumers of
content from any provider with a single 4 digit PIN Personalization
is also available via saved search results and favourites system
recommendations and personal recommendations via social networks
Dynamically updated as newly added content matches personal
channels and favorites criteria ACCESSMyTV can provide access to
regional catch-up TV services (where available) and premium content
Open APIs for content ingestion and management, payment/billing
platforms, recommendation engines Premium content providers can
create subscription, bundled or pay-per-view content offerings and
branded destinations that can be accessed via the ACCESSMyTV UI or
application Search results can be utilized to promote premium
content and TV portal services Digital Rights Management (DRM)
platform-agnostic enabling integration with the widest range of
content services Note to editors: If you would like to meet with an
ACCESS spokesperson at CES, please contact Sally Douglas of
Platform PR: sally@platformpr.com, (T) +44 (0)20 7486 4900 or
Ursula Herrick of Herrick Media: Ursula@herrickmedia.com (T)
408-202-0865. ACCESS at International CES 2012 Join ACCESS at
International CES 2012 for demonstrations of ACCESSMyTV. To
schedule an appointment, please contact the ACCESSMyTV team at
tv@access-company.com. For additional information please visit:
www.access-company.com/news/events/ces_2012/index.html About ACCESS
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology,
software products and platforms for web browsing, mobile phones,
wireless handhelds, digital TVs and other networked devices.
ACCESS' product portfolio including its NetFront series provides
customers with solutions that enable faster time to market,
flexibility and customizability. Recently, ACCESS has launched
NetFront Life as a global brand with applications and services for
end users. Additional information about NetFront Life is available
at www.netfrontlife.com. The company, headquartered in Tokyo,
Japan, operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the
United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers
Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS,
please visit www.access-company.com. 2012 ACCESS CO., LTD. All
rights reserved. ACCESS, the ACCESS logo, and NetFront are
registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the
United States, Japan and/or other countries. All other trademarks,
logos and trade names mentioned in the document are the property of
their respective owners.
technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, today
announced that it will launch its social video monetization
platform ACCESSMyTV at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics
Show (CES), January 10-13, Las Vegas. ACCESSMyTV is an open,
multi-screen social video platform for connected devices, which
allows for the monetization of free and premium web content, games
and apps. The solution leverages the consumption of web video to
create new revenue opportunities for content providers, consumer
electronics (CE) device manufacturers and service providers.
ACCESSMyTV creates deep consumer engagement and a viral marketing
dynamic through the creation of personalized web video channels
that can be shared with friends and family via social networks such
as Facebook and Twitter. This deep consumer engagement in turn
enables ACCESSMyTV to support highly targeted advertising. The
platform is the simplest and most powerful route to launching a
multi-screen OTT service, giving CE device manufacturers,
broadcasters and operators the opportunity to embrace the social TV
revolution and create new recurring revenues, said Dr. Neale
Foster, VP of Global Sales IA, ACCESS. ACCESSMyTV makes life easy
for operators, allowing them to launch a social TV service with an
abundance of content from the word go. The platform operator can
further serve the needs of the ever-hungry consumer by providing
them with access to free web video, premium content, games and
apps. Key Features Benefits The ACCESSMyTV platform is offered as a
white label service, which can be privately branded and deployed
globally on any connected CE device, while delivering low start-up
and running costs. At CES ACCESS will announce the partnership of
several hardware manufacturers who will be offering the platform
through their products. ACCESSMyTV fills the holes that other OTT
platforms cant, overcoming issues of technical device fragmentation
and rising to the challenges of multi-screen access to content,
said Kiyo Oishi, Chairman and CEO of ACCESS Europe and ACCESS
System Americas. This is exceptionally powerful when combined with
the way in which the platform meets the ever-growing desire of
viewers to share video across social networks. Social TV is set to
see an exponential rise in popularity over the next year and we
believe that ACCESSMyTV will be at the heart of this. About
ACCESSMyTV ACCESSMyTV is a comprehensive, IP-centric OTT solution
managed by ACCESS that can be privately branded and deployed
throughout the world on any connected consumer electronic device
including set-top boxes, TVs, mobile devices, tablets and PCs.
ACCESSMyTV resolves the technical fragmentation barriers that
impede the delivery of OTT content services to multiple devices and
builds upon ACCESS experience of powering over 1 billion CE
devices. Technical highlights include: Client/Browser independent
service layer for maximum flexibility using web standard REST APIs
Pre-validated solution available with high performance ACCESS
NetFront Browser PCs, set-top-boxes (STBs)/Connected TVs, tablets
and smartphones can be provisioned with a customised UI or
application Highly customizable user interface for service operator
branded services Leverages latest standards such as HTML5, HbbTV
and OTT web video delivery Existing STBs/Connected TVs with an
integrated browser component can be upgraded over-the-air to
enhance operators current value proposition with an ACCESSMyTV
service offering Consumers can build their own personalized
channels from all content available to them (not just a single
content provider) Includes a Multi currency, multi platform PCI
compliant billing engine to allow secure purchase by Consumers of
content from any provider with a single 4 digit PIN Personalization
is also available via saved search results and favourites system
recommendations and personal recommendations via social networks
Dynamically updated as newly added content matches personal
channels and favorites criteria ACCESSMyTV can provide access to
regional catch-up TV services (where available) and premium content
Open APIs for content ingestion and management, payment/billing
platforms, recommendation engines Premium content providers can
create subscription, bundled or pay-per-view content offerings and
branded destinations that can be accessed via the ACCESSMyTV UI or
application Search results can be utilized to promote premium
content and TV portal services Digital Rights Management (DRM)
platform-agnostic enabling integration with the widest range of
content services Note to editors: If you would like to meet with an
ACCESS spokesperson at CES, please contact Sally Douglas of
Platform PR: sally@platformpr.com, (T) +44 (0)20 7486 4900 or
Ursula Herrick of Herrick Media: Ursula@herrickmedia.com (T)
408-202-0865. ACCESS at International CES 2012 Join ACCESS at
International CES 2012 for demonstrations of ACCESSMyTV. To
schedule an appointment, please contact the ACCESSMyTV team at
tv@access-company.com. For additional information please visit:
www.access-company.com/news/events/ces_2012/index.html About ACCESS
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology,
software products and platforms for web browsing, mobile phones,
wireless handhelds, digital TVs and other networked devices.
ACCESS' product portfolio including its NetFront series provides
customers with solutions that enable faster time to market,
flexibility and customizability. Recently, ACCESS has launched
NetFront Life as a global brand with applications and services for
end users. Additional information about NetFront Life is available
at www.netfrontlife.com. The company, headquartered in Tokyo,
Japan, operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the
United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers
Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS,
please visit www.access-company.com. 2012 ACCESS CO., LTD. All
rights reserved. ACCESS, the ACCESS logo, and NetFront are
registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the
United States, Japan and/or other countries. All other trademarks,
logos and trade names mentioned in the document are the property of
their respective owners.
DMG Strengthens Advisory Board of Governors with Appointment of iProspect CEO Robert Murray
iProspect, a leading global digital performance agency, is
pleased to announce the appointment of the companys global chief
executive officer, Robert Murray, to the Board of Governors of dmg
:: digital marketing. Murray will join the Boards 20 members in
formulating strategy to continue the explosive growth of dmg ::
digitals marketing events. Since its inception in 2009, the Board
of Governors has been an essential part of the overall digital
media ecosystem, guiding their events to become the go-to-place for
marketers to learn and cultivate business strategies in the
evolving digital world. "I've been participating in dmg :: digitals
marketing events, including ad:tech and iMedia Summits, for many
years, theyre strong and effective platforms that provide some of
the most thoughtful digital-focused insights around," said Murray.
"I look forward to collaborating with the group as we seek to
educate fellow marketing professionals on how to increase their
company's enterprise and brand values through successful online
marketing programs." As the Global CEO of iProspect, Murray
oversees the growth and expansion of the brand in the U.S. and
around the world. With more than 20 years of strategic consulting
and financial analysis expertise, Murray is also responsible for
developing the agencys strategic direction, negotiating strategic
alliances and identifying acquisition opportunities. iProspect
enables brands to reach their target audiences efficiently and
effectively through various digital performance channels including:
paid search, brand engagement and performance based display media,
social media strategy, SEO, conversion optimization, mobile
marketing and attribution modeling. "The addition of Rob Murray to
an already illustrious Board of Governors makes it even stronger.
Rob's profound understanding of performance digital will allow us
to keep our events finely tuned to one of the industry's most
crucial vectors. I welcome Rob's leadership along with that of
fellow inductees Dave Friedman, CMO, Sears; John Montgomery, COO,
GroupM; Shiv Singh, Global Head of Digital, Pepsico; Rishad
Tobaccowala, CEO, Vivaki; and Tara Walpert Levy, Managing Director
of Ads Marketing, Google, noted Susan MacDermid, President of dmg
:: digital marketing. Since becoming CEO of iProspect in 2007,
Murray has overseen iProspect's expansion to 39 offices in 28
global markets. In 2011, Murray lead the acquisition of ICUC
Moderation Services, which helped iProspect expand into social
media management and moderation. iProspect was recently ranked
fourth out of 30 agencies on Advertising Age's 2011 Best Companies
to Work For In Marketing and Media list. For the past four years,
Murray has been named to BtoB Magazines Whos Who in search. He is
also a member of the Board of Directors of Aegis Media North
America, and serves on the Board of the New England Chapter of the
American Association of Advertising Agencies.
pleased to announce the appointment of the companys global chief
executive officer, Robert Murray, to the Board of Governors of dmg
:: digital marketing. Murray will join the Boards 20 members in
formulating strategy to continue the explosive growth of dmg ::
digitals marketing events. Since its inception in 2009, the Board
of Governors has been an essential part of the overall digital
media ecosystem, guiding their events to become the go-to-place for
marketers to learn and cultivate business strategies in the
evolving digital world. "I've been participating in dmg :: digitals
marketing events, including ad:tech and iMedia Summits, for many
years, theyre strong and effective platforms that provide some of
the most thoughtful digital-focused insights around," said Murray.
"I look forward to collaborating with the group as we seek to
educate fellow marketing professionals on how to increase their
company's enterprise and brand values through successful online
marketing programs." As the Global CEO of iProspect, Murray
oversees the growth and expansion of the brand in the U.S. and
around the world. With more than 20 years of strategic consulting
and financial analysis expertise, Murray is also responsible for
developing the agencys strategic direction, negotiating strategic
alliances and identifying acquisition opportunities. iProspect
enables brands to reach their target audiences efficiently and
effectively through various digital performance channels including:
paid search, brand engagement and performance based display media,
social media strategy, SEO, conversion optimization, mobile
marketing and attribution modeling. "The addition of Rob Murray to
an already illustrious Board of Governors makes it even stronger.
Rob's profound understanding of performance digital will allow us
to keep our events finely tuned to one of the industry's most
crucial vectors. I welcome Rob's leadership along with that of
fellow inductees Dave Friedman, CMO, Sears; John Montgomery, COO,
GroupM; Shiv Singh, Global Head of Digital, Pepsico; Rishad
Tobaccowala, CEO, Vivaki; and Tara Walpert Levy, Managing Director
of Ads Marketing, Google, noted Susan MacDermid, President of dmg
:: digital marketing. Since becoming CEO of iProspect in 2007,
Murray has overseen iProspect's expansion to 39 offices in 28
global markets. In 2011, Murray lead the acquisition of ICUC
Moderation Services, which helped iProspect expand into social
media management and moderation. iProspect was recently ranked
fourth out of 30 agencies on Advertising Age's 2011 Best Companies
to Work For In Marketing and Media list. For the past four years,
Murray has been named to BtoB Magazines Whos Who in search. He is
also a member of the Board of Directors of Aegis Media North
America, and serves on the Board of the New England Chapter of the
American Association of Advertising Agencies.
8 Most Luxurious Ways to Travel
As the old saying goes, getting there is half the battle;
and, most certainly, choices in transit can heavily influence how
enjoyable a vacation pans out. When it comes to luxury
vacations, they must be accompanied by modes of transit that live
up to the elegance of their Read More...
and, most certainly, choices in transit can heavily influence how
enjoyable a vacation pans out. When it comes to luxury
vacations, they must be accompanied by modes of transit that live
up to the elegance of their Read More...
10 Best iPhone Travel Apps
With the exception of being able to physically fly you to
your destination, you iPhone can pretty much fill any travel need
pre, post or during flight. From memory-making, to navigation, to
language translation, iPhone apps have got you covered. In fact,
were so confident with our list Read More...
your destination, you iPhone can pretty much fill any travel need
pre, post or during flight. From memory-making, to navigation, to
language translation, iPhone apps have got you covered. In fact,
were so confident with our list Read More...
How Airlines Make Money
Its no secret that airlines have been struggling to stay
profitable over the last few years layoffs, mergers, fees, after
fees, after fees. But for the average traveler who seems to be
shelling out more and more dough for an airline ticket and who
seems to be Read More...
profitable over the last few years layoffs, mergers, fees, after
fees, after fees. But for the average traveler who seems to be
shelling out more and more dough for an airline ticket and who
seems to be Read More...
7 Unusual Uses for Airplanes
For the most part, planes are used to get people or things
from Point A to Point B, but ever since man conquered the sky,
endless innovations have focused on using aircraft for purposes
other than travel and shipping. There is much more that flight has
imparted to Read More...
from Point A to Point B, but ever since man conquered the sky,
endless innovations have focused on using aircraft for purposes
other than travel and shipping. There is much more that flight has
imparted to Read More...
How to Save Money on Airport Parking
Youve planned your itinerary, booked your tickets, reserved
your hotel and got it all within budget. Youre ready to go. Didnt
factor in parking? Seems like a negligible cost, but to leave your
car in airport parking longer than three days can easily cost you
an extra $50 Read More...
your hotel and got it all within budget. Youre ready to go. Didnt
factor in parking? Seems like a negligible cost, but to leave your
car in airport parking longer than three days can easily cost you
an extra $50 Read More...
Tips for Getting the Best Airfare
The convenience and accessibility of the Web has opened a
world of possibilities for numerous industries, few of which have
been more affected than airlines. Anyone with access to a computer
and an Ethernet connection can book a flight to anywhere in the
world. But accessibility doesnt always Read More...
world of possibilities for numerous industries, few of which have
been more affected than airlines. Anyone with access to a computer
and an Ethernet connection can book a flight to anywhere in the
world. But accessibility doesnt always Read More...
How to Get Over a Fear of Flying
Aviophobia: fear of flying; often a combination of
claustrophobia and acrophobia. Its probably a lot more common than
you think. For a lot of people, theres just something off about the
idea of a very large, very heavy metal object safely propelling
itself through air and space tens Read More...
claustrophobia and acrophobia. Its probably a lot more common than
you think. For a lot of people, theres just something off about the
idea of a very large, very heavy metal object safely propelling
itself through air and space tens Read More...
Weirdest Things You Can Buy In Flight
Once you get over the initial entertainment (or horror) of
takeoff, airline travel is pretty mundane: seatbelt, tray table,
peanuts. Luckily, if youre willing to throw down, there are still a
few cool and kooky things for sale at 30,000 feet to keep you
amused. Food People tend to rate Read More...
takeoff, airline travel is pretty mundane: seatbelt, tray table,
peanuts. Luckily, if youre willing to throw down, there are still a
few cool and kooky things for sale at 30,000 feet to keep you
amused. Food People tend to rate Read More...
This Years Best Halloween Events
Halloween is on the way. While this holiday is mostly
about kids and candy, there are events, from parties to parades,
that are fit for people of any age. Costumes and scares are
part of most experiences, but the different Halloween activities
actually have little in common beyond Read More...
about kids and candy, there are events, from parties to parades,
that are fit for people of any age. Costumes and scares are
part of most experiences, but the different Halloween activities
actually have little in common beyond Read More...
50 Blogs to Read Before Going on a Golf Vacation
Golf vacations are an amazing experience whether its your
first time or your hundredth. Golf travel allows you to see new
places while improving your game and enjoying some relaxation. All
of these things are good for your mental wellbeing, making you a
more well-rounded person with a Read More...
first time or your hundredth. Golf travel allows you to see new
places while improving your game and enjoying some relaxation. All
of these things are good for your mental wellbeing, making you a
more well-rounded person with a Read More...
Most Over-Rated Destinations in the World
Some travel destinations get more than their share of buzz
from travel writers, travel agents and travel forum
participants. These places have either just been anointed as
cool by trend-setting travelers or have always carried a certain
level of street cred amongst travelers. Either way, it is
puzzling Read More...
from travel writers, travel agents and travel forum
participants. These places have either just been anointed as
cool by trend-setting travelers or have always carried a certain
level of street cred amongst travelers. Either way, it is
puzzling Read More...
Crazy Things People Bring on Airplanes
However arbitrary and invasive airport security measures are,
they do serve to communicate the fact that threats to airline
safety do exist. People do try (and some succeed) at bringing very
inappropriate items on board aircrafts. The following is a sampling
of some of the outrageous, funny, and Read More...
they do serve to communicate the fact that threats to airline
safety do exist. People do try (and some succeed) at bringing very
inappropriate items on board aircrafts. The following is a sampling
of some of the outrageous, funny, and Read More...
Best Thanksgiving Destinations
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for people to stay at
home and mingle with friends and family. However, it is also
an attractive time for travel, with cheap fares to some highly
popular destinations and major events taking place at cities around
the country. Here are some of Read More...
home and mingle with friends and family. However, it is also
an attractive time for travel, with cheap fares to some highly
popular destinations and major events taking place at cities around
the country. Here are some of Read More...
Whats Behind the Transportation Security Administration?
Whats Behind the Transportation Security Administration? They
are 50,000 strong and responsible for one of the most important
tasks necessary to keep Americans safe. They are the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA), a league of security agents,
inspectors, air marshals and more who keep our transportation
infrastructure safe presumably. Unfortunately, Read More...
are 50,000 strong and responsible for one of the most important
tasks necessary to keep Americans safe. They are the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA), a league of security agents,
inspectors, air marshals and more who keep our transportation
infrastructure safe presumably. Unfortunately, Read More...
Celebrities: Free to Move Around the World
Whether doing the flying or paying someone to do it, private
jet or in some cases helicopter travel is usually reserved for the
ultra-rich. Private air travel represents the chariot of the modern
age: a status symbol representing the power to possess and do what
few Read More...
jet or in some cases helicopter travel is usually reserved for the
ultra-rich. Private air travel represents the chariot of the modern
age: a status symbol representing the power to possess and do what
few Read More...
Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget
Ah, vacation time, the treasured reward for toiling away at
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
Most Luxurious Hotel Rooms
Its been said that getting there is half the journey, but
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget
Ah, vacation time, the treasured reward for toiling away at
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
Making Holiday Travel Work for You
Theres no way to put this lightly the holidays are hectic.
Between social gatherings, family drama, shopping, cooking, and,
especially, traveling the responsibilities never end. The only way
to get through it all and not lose your mind is to stay organized.
Well try to arm you with Read More...
Between social gatherings, family drama, shopping, cooking, and,
especially, traveling the responsibilities never end. The only way
to get through it all and not lose your mind is to stay organized.
Well try to arm you with Read More...
Most Luxurious Hotel Rooms
Its been said that getting there is half the journey, but
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Best Eco Hotel Chains
Not long ago, people who wanted to stay in an environmentally
friendly hotel had to find their sleeping spot in an obscure, out
of the way inns. Or else they would simply have to pitch a
tent. Over the past decade or so, modern boutique-style
hotels have incorporated Read More...
friendly hotel had to find their sleeping spot in an obscure, out
of the way inns. Or else they would simply have to pitch a
tent. Over the past decade or so, modern boutique-style
hotels have incorporated Read More...
Making Holiday Travel Work for You
Theres no way to put this lightly the holidays are hectic.
Between social gatherings, family drama, shopping, cooking, and,
especially, traveling the responsibilities never end. The only way
to get through it all and not lose your mind is to stay organized.
Well try to arm you with Read More...
Between social gatherings, family drama, shopping, cooking, and,
especially, traveling the responsibilities never end. The only way
to get through it all and not lose your mind is to stay organized.
Well try to arm you with Read More...
The Secret Lives of Air Marshals
Do you know who youre sitting next to on the plane? How do
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
you know that he or she is who they appear to be? Relax; sometimes
thats a good thing. Thats because that sly character sitting next
to you could very well be an air marshal, and Read More...
Most Luxurious Hotel Rooms
Its been said that getting there is half the journey, but
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
that still leaves the glass half full. Thats why where you stay
plays such a huge role in your experience. How much journeying can
you really do when the twin bed fills up half the hotel room? Read
More...
Ways to Stretch Your Travel Budget
Ah, vacation time, the treasured reward for toiling away at
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
ones day-to-day life. It represents the time to put work aside and
focus on you/family/friends/significant others. With all the rest
and relaxation youll be undertaking you may still need to be
considerate of your spending. Peruse these helpful Read
More...
Monday, 2 January 2012
Why Cant Green Card Holder Vote? Could Face Deportation
According to The New York Times, legal immigrants (including
those who have green cards) who register to vote could face
deportation charges for it. Please read the following two articles
before you register to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen:
http://colorlines.com/archives/2010/10/in_an_ironic_twist_the.html
http://washingtonindependent.com/101000/why-cant-legal-immigrants-vote-in-most-of-america
those who have green cards) who register to vote could face
deportation charges for it. Please read the following two articles
before you register to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen:
http://colorlines.com/archives/2010/10/in_an_ironic_twist_the.html
http://washingtonindependent.com/101000/why-cant-legal-immigrants-vote-in-most-of-america
Green Card Lottery begins October 5 2010
The Diversity Visa (DV-2012) Lottery begins at Noon EDT on
October 5, 2010, and ends at Noon EST on November 3, 2010. Here are
the instructions (direct quote) from the U.S. Department of State
website: Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Instructions DV Lottery 2012
Online Registration The online registration for DV-2012 DV Lottery
begins noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4), Tuesday, October
5, 2010, and ends noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4),
Wednesday, November 3, 2010. All entries must be submitted
electronically during the registration period, when applicants may
access the Electronic DV Entry Form DS-5501 at
http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.Paper entries will not be
accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the
last week of the registration period to enter. Heavy demand
may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted
after noon, EST, on November 3, 2010. Diversity Visa Lottery
Instructions Review the DV-2012 Instructions below for detailed
information. The English version of the DV-2012 Lottery
Instructions, updated 9/22/10, is available in PDF format for your
convenience and required use. The English language version of the
DV-2012 Lottery Instructions is the only official version. Some
unofficial translations in additional languages will be published
and will be addedRead more
October 5, 2010, and ends at Noon EST on November 3, 2010. Here are
the instructions (direct quote) from the U.S. Department of State
website: Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Instructions DV Lottery 2012
Online Registration The online registration for DV-2012 DV Lottery
begins noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4), Tuesday, October
5, 2010, and ends noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT -4),
Wednesday, November 3, 2010. All entries must be submitted
electronically during the registration period, when applicants may
access the Electronic DV Entry Form DS-5501 at
http://www.dvlottery.state.gov.Paper entries will not be
accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the
last week of the registration period to enter. Heavy demand
may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted
after noon, EST, on November 3, 2010. Diversity Visa Lottery
Instructions Review the DV-2012 Instructions below for detailed
information. The English version of the DV-2012 Lottery
Instructions, updated 9/22/10, is available in PDF format for your
convenience and required use. The English language version of the
DV-2012 Lottery Instructions is the only official version. Some
unofficial translations in additional languages will be published
and will be addedRead more
Immigration Debate is Tiring.
The immigration debate is tiring; skilled, unskilled and
brilliant our country needs them all. Businesses should not be
limited to only U.S. workers, nor should the government tell
business who they can/cannot hire; nor should we encourage
companies to set up shop and jobs overseas. Just the opposite.
Three legitimate issues for an immigrant workforce remain: a
security check, payment into the federal tax system, and no
wholesale undercutting U.S. wage scale (if a business does opt for
a non citizen worker). The world has changed and our immigration
system is outdated and inefficient, hurting our business community
and our ability to compete in the world. None of this is to say
U.S. citizens are not a vital and important resource for U.S.
companies. However, artificially protecting U.S. workers, giving
them a leg up against foreign competition, is a system of welfare.
The business community must be free to make their own hiring
decisions provided they are not destroying our U.S. wage scale by
focusing on a community that may, at least initially, be willing to
work for less. Yes, wages go up and down based on supply and
demand, but today our jobs are leaving the U.S. shoresRead
more
brilliant our country needs them all. Businesses should not be
limited to only U.S. workers, nor should the government tell
business who they can/cannot hire; nor should we encourage
companies to set up shop and jobs overseas. Just the opposite.
Three legitimate issues for an immigrant workforce remain: a
security check, payment into the federal tax system, and no
wholesale undercutting U.S. wage scale (if a business does opt for
a non citizen worker). The world has changed and our immigration
system is outdated and inefficient, hurting our business community
and our ability to compete in the world. None of this is to say
U.S. citizens are not a vital and important resource for U.S.
companies. However, artificially protecting U.S. workers, giving
them a leg up against foreign competition, is a system of welfare.
The business community must be free to make their own hiring
decisions provided they are not destroying our U.S. wage scale by
focusing on a community that may, at least initially, be willing to
work for less. Yes, wages go up and down based on supply and
demand, but today our jobs are leaving the U.S. shoresRead
more
Canadian Immigration
Canadian Immigration 1/800 863-4448 Who can qualify Investor
Immigration H1B1 Contact us Contact Us for a Free Attorney
Telephone Consult You can email us directly at canada@hilglaw.com,
use the call us button top right, or if you prefer request a
consultation via a form email. Besides using the call us button you
may also call the office toll-free at: 1-800 863-4448. Formal paid
telephone and in-office consults with Mr. Heller can also be
arranged by making an appointment.
Immigration H1B1 Contact us Contact Us for a Free Attorney
Telephone Consult You can email us directly at canada@hilglaw.com,
use the call us button top right, or if you prefer request a
consultation via a form email. Besides using the call us button you
may also call the office toll-free at: 1-800 863-4448. Formal paid
telephone and in-office consults with Mr. Heller can also be
arranged by making an appointment.
Top 10 booming-est and highest-paying jobs
Here is a list of top 10 U.S. careers with great pay and
growth prospects: Rank Job title Job growth (10-year forecast) 1
Software Architect 34% 2 Physician Assistant 39% 3 Management
Consultant 24% 4 Physical Therapist 30% 5 Environmental Engineer
31% 6 Civil Engineer 24% 7 Database Administrator 20% 8 Sales
Director 15% 9 Certified Public Accountant 22% 10 Biomedical
Engineer 72% Source (top 100
careers):http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/ If
you want to know how you can get U.S. green cards through
employment, please contact me for a free or paid lawyer
consultation. Visit http://greencard1.com to schedule an
appointment. I have more than 25 years experience in the U.S.
Immigration Law.
growth prospects: Rank Job title Job growth (10-year forecast) 1
Software Architect 34% 2 Physician Assistant 39% 3 Management
Consultant 24% 4 Physical Therapist 30% 5 Environmental Engineer
31% 6 Civil Engineer 24% 7 Database Administrator 20% 8 Sales
Director 15% 9 Certified Public Accountant 22% 10 Biomedical
Engineer 72% Source (top 100
careers):http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2010/ If
you want to know how you can get U.S. green cards through
employment, please contact me for a free or paid lawyer
consultation. Visit http://greencard1.com to schedule an
appointment. I have more than 25 years experience in the U.S.
Immigration Law.
The Dream Act: Not Likely to Pass
I have two feelings about the Dream Act. One, Id like it to
pass. At the same time, I can see reasons to hold off. The other
side calls it an amnesty, an open door. There is the potential,
almost a certainty, that thousands will file fraudulent and
undeserved applications. Of course, for those that eventually
obtain U.S. citizenship through Dream, there are also subsequent
beneficiaries. Essentially, the act itself would give illegal
parents and older siblings reason to stay. My long standing
approach would be to document all those that are here and who will
surrender themselves to digital fingerprints and background checks.
For those that are presently working under the table, for the first
time theyd pay into the federal tax system. Issue a fraud proof
identity card, the same smart card technology would also be issued
to everyone else living or visiting the United States. Criminal
aliens wont sign up leaving themselves high visible and vulnerable
to removal. Each documented alien will have 10 years to learn
English, and through whatever immigration system is in place must
find a way to obtain citizenship. The commission of a serious crime
during this period would violate ones conditional status.Read
more
pass. At the same time, I can see reasons to hold off. The other
side calls it an amnesty, an open door. There is the potential,
almost a certainty, that thousands will file fraudulent and
undeserved applications. Of course, for those that eventually
obtain U.S. citizenship through Dream, there are also subsequent
beneficiaries. Essentially, the act itself would give illegal
parents and older siblings reason to stay. My long standing
approach would be to document all those that are here and who will
surrender themselves to digital fingerprints and background checks.
For those that are presently working under the table, for the first
time theyd pay into the federal tax system. Issue a fraud proof
identity card, the same smart card technology would also be issued
to everyone else living or visiting the United States. Criminal
aliens wont sign up leaving themselves high visible and vulnerable
to removal. Each documented alien will have 10 years to learn
English, and through whatever immigration system is in place must
find a way to obtain citizenship. The commission of a serious crime
during this period would violate ones conditional status.Read
more
H1b Cap Count_8/26/2011
FY 2012 H-1B Cap Count Cap Type Cap Amount Cap
Eligible Petitions Date of Last Count H-1B Regular Cap 65,000
29,000 8/26/2011 H-1B Masters Exemption 20,000 15,800
8/26/2011
Eligible Petitions Date of Last Count H-1B Regular Cap 65,000
29,000 8/26/2011 H-1B Masters Exemption 20,000 15,800
8/26/2011
H-1B close to the quota
H-1B Masters Exemption is close to the quota (See the image
below). To catch the quota before it runs out, call Immigration
Lawyer Paul M. Heller, Esq. for a free consultation
(1/800-863-4448).
below). To catch the quota before it runs out, call Immigration
Lawyer Paul M. Heller, Esq. for a free consultation
(1/800-863-4448).
Treaty Investors
Overview The Immigration and Nationality Act provides
nonimmigrant visa status for a national of a country with which the
United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who is
coming to the United States to carry on substantial trade,
including trade in services or technology, principally between the
United States and the treaty country, or to develop and direct the
operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested, or
is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital. For
a list of Treaty Countries, click here. Requirements: Treaty Trader
The applicant must be a national of a treaty country. The trading
firm for which the applicant is coming to the U. S. must have the
nationality of the treaty country. The international trade must be
substantial in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing
volume of trade. The trade must be principally between the U.S. and
the treaty country, which is defined to mean that more than 50
percent of the international trade involved must be between the
U.S. and the country of the applicants nationality. Trade means the
international exchange of goods, services, and technology. Title of
the trade items must passRead more
nonimmigrant visa status for a national of a country with which the
United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who is
coming to the United States to carry on substantial trade,
including trade in services or technology, principally between the
United States and the treaty country, or to develop and direct the
operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested, or
is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital. For
a list of Treaty Countries, click here. Requirements: Treaty Trader
The applicant must be a national of a treaty country. The trading
firm for which the applicant is coming to the U. S. must have the
nationality of the treaty country. The international trade must be
substantial in the sense that there is a sizable and continuing
volume of trade. The trade must be principally between the U.S. and
the treaty country, which is defined to mean that more than 50
percent of the international trade involved must be between the
U.S. and the country of the applicants nationality. Trade means the
international exchange of goods, services, and technology. Title of
the trade items must passRead more
USCIS_Immigration_ Announces Initiative: Be Skeptical
USCIS_Immigration_ Green Card_ Announces Initiative: Be
Skeptical Paul M. Heller, Esq: Beware and be skeptical this
initiative is unlikely to change anything. USCIS culture and
perspective on employment-based immigration is the opposite of what
it should be. Ive read the USCIS guidelines and there is nothing
new, no new visa categories, additional visas or mandate or
direction to the adjudicators to focus on how to approve cases as
opposed to looking for ways to deny or harass intending those
seeking immigration. The police mentality will remain. Yesterday,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano
and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director
Alejandro Mayorkasannounced a series of policy initiatives
designed to fuel the nations economy and stimulate investment by
attracting foreign entrepreneurs who can invest in fields of high
unemployment, create jobs, and form startup companies. Its
important that the agency keep this recognition in mind as it
adjudicates visa petitions and applications. The release of
theUSCIS guidelines coincided with ameeting in Palo
Alto, CA, of the Presidents Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.
The meeting, which included a number of Silicon Valley
CEOsincluding Facebookhighlighted the need for reforms in both
educational and immigration policies. As the participants inRead
more
Skeptical Paul M. Heller, Esq: Beware and be skeptical this
initiative is unlikely to change anything. USCIS culture and
perspective on employment-based immigration is the opposite of what
it should be. Ive read the USCIS guidelines and there is nothing
new, no new visa categories, additional visas or mandate or
direction to the adjudicators to focus on how to approve cases as
opposed to looking for ways to deny or harass intending those
seeking immigration. The police mentality will remain. Yesterday,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano
and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director
Alejandro Mayorkasannounced a series of policy initiatives
designed to fuel the nations economy and stimulate investment by
attracting foreign entrepreneurs who can invest in fields of high
unemployment, create jobs, and form startup companies. Its
important that the agency keep this recognition in mind as it
adjudicates visa petitions and applications. The release of
theUSCIS guidelines coincided with ameeting in Palo
Alto, CA, of the Presidents Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.
The meeting, which included a number of Silicon Valley
CEOsincluding Facebookhighlighted the need for reforms in both
educational and immigration policies. As the participants inRead
more
WHAT WOULD I DO? COMING TO AMERICA
Having worked in this field now almost 30 years, Ive always
felt that my knowledge and insight about how immigration
adjudicators (and the bureaucracy itself) actually think, from an
insiders perspective, is of utmost importance and help to our
clients. Although this insiders view is not technically legal in
nature, and goes beyond statutes and immigration regulations, that
is, the law, it is profound. Over the years, this insight has
allowed my firm to succeed where others might fail. But it is also
important for immigration practitioners to know how a foreign
national thinks about immigration, even before they arrive or
become a client? Ive found over the years that most intending
immigrants do not fully appreciate how illogical our immigration
system is; they assume, wrongly, that it is a rational and fair
system that it makes sense. This presumption is a gross mistake.
For example, one would never guess that if you marry a permanent
resident (a green card holder), one must wait in line, right now
for years, before joining ones spouse here in the United States. Of
course, this makes no sense to any rational person. One would
naturally ask how is it that the U.S.Read more
felt that my knowledge and insight about how immigration
adjudicators (and the bureaucracy itself) actually think, from an
insiders perspective, is of utmost importance and help to our
clients. Although this insiders view is not technically legal in
nature, and goes beyond statutes and immigration regulations, that
is, the law, it is profound. Over the years, this insight has
allowed my firm to succeed where others might fail. But it is also
important for immigration practitioners to know how a foreign
national thinks about immigration, even before they arrive or
become a client? Ive found over the years that most intending
immigrants do not fully appreciate how illogical our immigration
system is; they assume, wrongly, that it is a rational and fair
system that it makes sense. This presumption is a gross mistake.
For example, one would never guess that if you marry a permanent
resident (a green card holder), one must wait in line, right now
for years, before joining ones spouse here in the United States. Of
course, this makes no sense to any rational person. One would
naturally ask how is it that the U.S.Read more
THE NEW H1B REGISTRATION PROPOSAL: CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS
There is lots of confusion about the proposal, what is
required, and when it becomes law. The USCIS has made it clear that
for fiscal year 2012, beginning October 1, 2011, the H-1b lottery,
as it has become known, will remain the same. Full package H1b
petitions will be accepted on April 1, 2011, without change.
Although theoretically I like the idea of a pre-registration, the
question remains for me: what is the process of registration, will
entities such as Microsoft, Apple, and others, who often file
hundreds, if not more, petitions, be able to capture and have set
aside multiple visas? That is, will they get to designate how many
H1b candidates they are registering for? If so, will they have to
identify the individuals? Will they be able to later substitute a
candidate? It is important to note that as of now this is only a
proposal, with little if any answers. It is a period of public
comment. My concern, and I am not alone, is how this process will
impact small employers and/or startups. Will they be at a
disadvantage? Hopefully, any pre-registration is just that,
registering as a company or entity that is eligible toRead
more
required, and when it becomes law. The USCIS has made it clear that
for fiscal year 2012, beginning October 1, 2011, the H-1b lottery,
as it has become known, will remain the same. Full package H1b
petitions will be accepted on April 1, 2011, without change.
Although theoretically I like the idea of a pre-registration, the
question remains for me: what is the process of registration, will
entities such as Microsoft, Apple, and others, who often file
hundreds, if not more, petitions, be able to capture and have set
aside multiple visas? That is, will they get to designate how many
H1b candidates they are registering for? If so, will they have to
identify the individuals? Will they be able to later substitute a
candidate? It is important to note that as of now this is only a
proposal, with little if any answers. It is a period of public
comment. My concern, and I am not alone, is how this process will
impact small employers and/or startups. Will they be at a
disadvantage? Hopefully, any pre-registration is just that,
registering as a company or entity that is eligible toRead
more
READ MY LIPS: IMMIGRATION IS NOT A DIRTY TERM
Unfortunately, the immigration debate, in fact, the word
immigration itself, has been, and is, associated with pejorative
terms such as: illegal immigration and amnesty. I see the
word immigration quite differently, not a dirty word at all. I
myself associate it with being an important and necessary part of
any solution in these terrible economic times. Something we
should embrace, not push away. I think of words like innovation,
entrepreneurship, hard work and skilled workers, investors, bright
people, scientists, engineers and researchers. I think needed
people in STEM professions and occupations (science, technology,
mathematics, engineering). I wonder why we put limits on the
workforce U.S. business can hire, only to see highly talented
individuals unavailable to such companies, who would otherwise have
positions for them. I then find those same companies opting to go
abroad and seek overseas talent that they could otherwise have
hired here. Questions like why we force brilliant minds home after
allowing them to obtain a first class education, more often a post
graduate education, in this country? I ask what is wrong with
us?
immigration itself, has been, and is, associated with pejorative
terms such as: illegal immigration and amnesty. I see the
word immigration quite differently, not a dirty word at all. I
myself associate it with being an important and necessary part of
any solution in these terrible economic times. Something we
should embrace, not push away. I think of words like innovation,
entrepreneurship, hard work and skilled workers, investors, bright
people, scientists, engineers and researchers. I think needed
people in STEM professions and occupations (science, technology,
mathematics, engineering). I wonder why we put limits on the
workforce U.S. business can hire, only to see highly talented
individuals unavailable to such companies, who would otherwise have
positions for them. I then find those same companies opting to go
abroad and seek overseas talent that they could otherwise have
hired here. Questions like why we force brilliant minds home after
allowing them to obtain a first class education, more often a post
graduate education, in this country? I ask what is wrong with
us?
The DREAM Act
Dear Readers, We just received this from the Immigration
Policy Center and wanted to reproduce it here. I believe that the
DREAM Act will once again fail to be enacted by Congress (although
one never knows). Political winds and realities change rapidly and
our elected representatives, often hesitantly and cautiously, will
follow such changes especially if they perceive a true shifting
current. I receive calls daily from individuals who would be helped
by such legislation, but Obama himself has many unilateral
immigration tools that he could use to benefit the immigrant
community (well beyond this) and, so far, has chosen to stay on the
sidelines. Just my thoughts. Best, Paul M. Heller, Esq.
______________________________________ For Immediate Release
Senators Reintroduce the DREAM Act May 11, 2011 Washington, D.C.
Today, Senators Richard Durbin, Harry Reid, and Robert
Menendezre-introduced the Development, Relief, and Education
for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Last fall, the DREAM Act passed the
House of Representatives, and garnered the support of a majority in
the Senate, but was ultimately defeated when the Senate failed to
invoke cloture and proceed to debate.The sponsors of the
DREAM Act hope to build on last years momentum and continue to
highlight theRead more
Policy Center and wanted to reproduce it here. I believe that the
DREAM Act will once again fail to be enacted by Congress (although
one never knows). Political winds and realities change rapidly and
our elected representatives, often hesitantly and cautiously, will
follow such changes especially if they perceive a true shifting
current. I receive calls daily from individuals who would be helped
by such legislation, but Obama himself has many unilateral
immigration tools that he could use to benefit the immigrant
community (well beyond this) and, so far, has chosen to stay on the
sidelines. Just my thoughts. Best, Paul M. Heller, Esq.
______________________________________ For Immediate Release
Senators Reintroduce the DREAM Act May 11, 2011 Washington, D.C.
Today, Senators Richard Durbin, Harry Reid, and Robert
Menendezre-introduced the Development, Relief, and Education
for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Last fall, the DREAM Act passed the
House of Representatives, and garnered the support of a majority in
the Senate, but was ultimately defeated when the Senate failed to
invoke cloture and proceed to debate.The sponsors of the
DREAM Act hope to build on last years momentum and continue to
highlight theRead more
New Student Initiative: Study in the States_Stay tuned.
Dear Readers, As with all USCIS or U.S. government
initiatives that you read about (here or anywhere), please be
skeptical, patient, and generally dont expect anything to happen
immediately. It wont. Further, the below does not mean that
everyone, from every country, will be granted a student visa. That,
I assure you, will not happen. Stay tuned. Best, Paul M. Heller,
Esq ________________ For Immediate Release Office of the Press
Secretary Contact: 202-282-8010 WASHINGTON Secretary of Homeland
Security Janet Napolitano and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) Director John Morton today announced a new initiative to
streamline the international student visa process for foreign
students seeking to study in the United States. The Study in the
Statesinitiative is a key component of a government-wide
effort to encourage the best and brightest foreign students to
study and remain in the U.S. Attracting the best and brightest
international talent to our colleges and universities is an
important part of our nations economic, scientific and
technological innovation and competitiveness, said Secretary
Napolitano. Foreign students and exchange visitors bring invaluable
contributions to our nation, and the Study in the States initiative
is an important step in empowering the next generation of
international entrepreneurs, right hereRead more
initiatives that you read about (here or anywhere), please be
skeptical, patient, and generally dont expect anything to happen
immediately. It wont. Further, the below does not mean that
everyone, from every country, will be granted a student visa. That,
I assure you, will not happen. Stay tuned. Best, Paul M. Heller,
Esq ________________ For Immediate Release Office of the Press
Secretary Contact: 202-282-8010 WASHINGTON Secretary of Homeland
Security Janet Napolitano and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) Director John Morton today announced a new initiative to
streamline the international student visa process for foreign
students seeking to study in the United States. The Study in the
Statesinitiative is a key component of a government-wide
effort to encourage the best and brightest foreign students to
study and remain in the U.S. Attracting the best and brightest
international talent to our colleges and universities is an
important part of our nations economic, scientific and
technological innovation and competitiveness, said Secretary
Napolitano. Foreign students and exchange visitors bring invaluable
contributions to our nation, and the Study in the States initiative
is an important step in empowering the next generation of
international entrepreneurs, right hereRead more
USCIS Increases Immigration Fees Effective November 23, 2010
USCIS will increase immigration fees by an average of 10%
Effective November 23, 2010. Here is the table of existing and
adjusted fees:
Effective November 23, 2010. Here is the table of existing and
adjusted fees:
First Preference Employment-Based Immigration (EB-1)
A First Preference Immigration Petition (EB-1) is an
employment-based petition for permanent residence reserved for
those who are among the most able and accomplished in their
respective fields within the arts, sciences, education, business,
or sports. There are three (3) types of EB-1 petitions: Alien of
Extraordinary Ability EB-1(a) Outstanding Researcher/Outstanding
Professor EB-1(b) Managers and Executive Transferees EB-1(c) The
most notable advantage for those who qualify for an EB-1 petition
is the lack of a Labor Certification requirement. Obtaining a Labor
Certification is a time-consuming and expensive process that seeks
to determine whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill
the position sought by the petitioning alien. In addition to the
time and expense of the Labor Certification process, an alien risks
being denied a Labor Certification if a U.S. worker with technical
qualifications for the employment is found (even if the alien is
actually more suitable for the position based on factors not
considered in the Labor Certification process). In an EB-1
petition, Labor Certification is not required at all. In an EB-1(a)
petition, a permanent job offer is not required, and an alien may
petition for immigration by herself. However, in EB-1(b) and
EB-1(c) petitions, a permanentRead more
employment-based petition for permanent residence reserved for
those who are among the most able and accomplished in their
respective fields within the arts, sciences, education, business,
or sports. There are three (3) types of EB-1 petitions: Alien of
Extraordinary Ability EB-1(a) Outstanding Researcher/Outstanding
Professor EB-1(b) Managers and Executive Transferees EB-1(c) The
most notable advantage for those who qualify for an EB-1 petition
is the lack of a Labor Certification requirement. Obtaining a Labor
Certification is a time-consuming and expensive process that seeks
to determine whether a qualified U.S. worker is available to fill
the position sought by the petitioning alien. In addition to the
time and expense of the Labor Certification process, an alien risks
being denied a Labor Certification if a U.S. worker with technical
qualifications for the employment is found (even if the alien is
actually more suitable for the position based on factors not
considered in the Labor Certification process). In an EB-1
petition, Labor Certification is not required at all. In an EB-1(a)
petition, a permanent job offer is not required, and an alien may
petition for immigration by herself. However, in EB-1(b) and
EB-1(c) petitions, a permanentRead more
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