Aflac Japan Corporate Offices Fully Operational, Employees Sustained No Injuries, Expected Impact on Japan Sales Minimal; Aflac Incorporated Affirms 2011 Operating EPS Target

/PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Incorporated today announced that its operations in Japan are up and running and ready to assist policyholders following the recent earthquake in the Tohoku area, which includes the cities of Sendai and Minami Sanriku. Aflac Japan's main offices, including the corporate offices in Tokyo and operational centers in both Tokyo and Osaka, are undamaged and fully functional.

Aflac Japan's employees are safe, and the company continues to reach out to their independent sales force to assess their needs. The Aflac leadership teams from both the U.S. and Japan remain in close contact.

While the hardest-hit areas were Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, less than 5% of Aflac Japan's new sales and in-force premiums are derived from these prefectures. Only two of Aflac Japan's 82 sales offices have been negatively impacted; these two offices, located in a single building in Sendai, have minimal damage, but will be closed temporarily due to power outages.

About this natural disaster, Aflac Japan President and Chief Operating Officer Tohru Tonoike commented: "First and foremost, our thoughts go out to all those affected here in Japan. We are very grateful none of our employees were injured. We are working with our sales force to ensure that we provide them with assistance and help them take care of our customers. We remain ready to respond to the needs of our policyholders by paying claims swiftly, and will prioritize our response to those in the affected areas. We successfully executed our disaster preparedness plan and as a result, our operations stand ready to serve our policyholders and claimants."

Aflac Incorporated Chairman and CEO Daniel P. Amos added: "In addition to sending our thoughts and prayers to each and every Japanese citizen, we want all of our Aflac Japan employees, sales agents and policyholders to know that your Aflac family here in the U.S. sends our support in every way possible. On Friday, we made an initial donation of 100 million yen to the International Red Cross to help with the start of the relief effort. Additionally, funds have been established by both our U.S. and Japanese employees and sales forces for our friends in Japan, including fellow employees and sales associates that have been most impacted by the disaster. Most importantly, we want our policyholders to know that we are here to deliver on our promise – we will be there when they need us most. Having operated in Japan for almost four decades, we know Japanese citizens are incredibly resilient and we want to help in any way possible as they work through this difficult time.

"As we look to the remainder of 2011, we expect Aflac Japan sales will only be minimally impacted by these events. Our earnings guidance for the year remains unchanged: we will likely be at the low end of the 8% to 12% range for operating earnings per diluted share growth in 2011, excluding the impact of currency."

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION


The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. We desire to take advantage of these provisions. This document contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected herein, and in any other statements made by Company officials in communications with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).


Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," "will," "assumes," "potential," "target" or similar words as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. We caution readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: difficult conditions in global capital markets and the economy; governmental actions for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets; defaults and downgrades in certain securities in our investment portfolio; impairment of financial institutions; credit and other risks associated with Aflac's investment in perpetual securities; differing judgments applied to investment valuations; subjective determinations of amount of impairments taken on our investments; limited availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments; concentration of our investments in any particular sector; concentration of business in Japan; ongoing changes in our industry; exposure to significant financial and capital markets risk; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; significant changes in investment yield rates; deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions; subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to Aflac Incorporated (the Parent Company); changes in law or regulation by governmental authorities; ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates and employees; decreases in our financial strength or debt ratings; ability to continue to develop and implement improvements in information technology systems; changes in U.S. and/or Japanese accounting standards; failure to comply with restrictions on patient privacy and information security; level and outcome of litigation; ability to effectively manage key executive succession; catastrophic events; and failure of internal controls or corporate governance policies and procedures. 

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The Franchise Event Southeast Expo in Atlanta is this weekend March 12th & 13th 2011

/PRNewswire/ -- The Franchise Event Southeast Expo is designed to connect you with top franchise, licensing and business opportunities from all over the United States in one location in Atlanta.

Host: http://www.thefranchiseevent.com

When: Saturday March 12th 2011 Noon – 6:00 PM & Sunday March 13th 2011 Noon – 5:00 PM

Where: North Atlanta Trade Center - 1700 Jeurgens Court Norcross, GA 30093

Cost: $10 at the door – If you order online now at: http://www.thefranchiseevent.com/Southeast-Expo.html and use Promo Code: "CHA" you will get half price tickets plus we will donate half to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta .

Meet face to face and speak directly to industry professionals to learn about their exciting offerings and see if it is a fit for you and your goals as an entrepreneur such as:

All at Home, Avion Energy, Barton's Laundry, Beef Jerky Outlet, Beef O' Brady's Brewster's Chicken, Buff & Coat Hardwood Floor Renewal, Carla's Sandwiches & Burgers, CMT Mentors, Cresco Montessori Schools, DePalma's Italian Cafe, Dickey's BBQ, EMT USA (Non Emergency Medical Transport), Fantastic Sam's, Franchise Gator, Frannet of Atlanta, Gentle Rain Marketing, Great American Cookie Co, Griffin Waste Management, Home Video Studio, Ikor (Senior & Disabled Patient Advocacy), Italian Joe's, Jantize America, Lenny's Subs, Maggie Moo's, Marble Slab, Novus Glass, Papa-N-Son's, Pretzel Maker, Quickie Coupons, Scoop Wizards, Shoebox NY, Send Out Cards, Southern Automatic, Sportclips, The Athletes Foot, Tranquility Coffee &Tea House, WIN Home Inspection, World Market Express Convenience Stores, Wow Cafe & Wingery and more…

You can also attend one or all of our four great seminars included this Saturday & Sunday:

* How to Avoid Franchise Failure
* The 7 Stages of Small Business Success "From Startup to Seven Figures in Three years or Less"
* How to Market your Franchise
* Creative Funding - With and Without Loan Payments


So if you ever wanted to be your own boss, you are already a seasoned franchise owner or anywhere in-between... plan now to spend March 12th and 13th 2011 with us at The Franchise Event Southeast Expo.

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Vision Airlines Sells 12,000 Tickets in 120 Hours

/PRNewswire/ -- Vision Airlines, the nation's newest big jet, low-cost carrier reports it sold more than 12,000 tickets during its first 120 hours of e-commerce operations at www.visionairlines.com.

On Tuesday, January 18, Vision Airlines unveiled its 23 city mega-expansion plan and its $49* introductory fare sale for its first flights to Florida, which are scheduled to take-off on March 25.

Vision Airlines says within 48 hours it sold-out of all $49 seats. Now, in response to immense customer demand, the airline is adding more $49 seats on every flight to Florida. The airline is also extending its introductory $49 fare sale, which was slated to end on Sunday but is now continuing through January 31, 2011.

Vision Airlines' chief operating officer David Meers says, "We received hundreds of calls from disappointed customers who did not understand that only a limited number of specially-priced $49 seats were available on each flight."

Meers adds, "At this juncture, Vision Airlines believes it is more important to satisfy first-time customers rather than turn them away because they missed-out on a fare sale. So, we put more $49 seats in our system."

Meers emphasizes, "Our first goal is to get passengers on Vision Airlines' jets so they can experience our fast, friendly and efficient service. After their first flight we are confident that we will earn passenger's repeat business."

"Running out of $49 seats was not the only glitch during our first week of operations," says Vision Airlines' spokesman Bryan Glazer.

"Once the morning TV and radio newscasts reported our story; once people read their local morning newspapers; once the headlines hit the internet we were overwhelmed by interested customers," says Glazer. "Vision Airlines website has recorded upward of 50,000 hits to date. And, on the first day of operations the website crashed several times and our reservations center was unable to handle the flood of customer phone calls."

Vision Airlines' Sales and Marketing Director Clay Meek says, "To remedy these technical problems, Vision Airlines has increased its web server capacity and added more customer call center representatives."

Mega-Expansion

After 16 years of building its reputation as one of the world's most-successful charter carriers, Vision Airlines is now expanding into regularly-scheduled commercial passenger service.

Most of Vision Airlines' flights depart from southern U.S. cities that lack low-cost, direct jet service to destinations in Florida.

Vision Airlines Cities

* Asheville, NC - Atlanta, GA - Baton Rouge, LA - Birmingham, AL - Chattanooga, TN
* Columbia, SC - Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, FL - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
* Greenville/Spartanburg, SC - Gulfport/Biloxi, MS - Houston, TX - Huntsville, AL
* Knoxville, TN - Little Rock, AR - Louisville, KY - Macon, GA - Miami, FL
* Niagara Falls/Buffalo, NY/Toronto, Canada - Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers, FL
* Sanford/Orlando, FL - Savannah, GA - Shreveport, LA
* St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa, FL


Vision Airlines' Hub

Most Florida-bound flights are to and through the airline's hub at Northwest Florida Regional Airport near Destin/Fort Walton Beach.

Florida's Governor Expects Vision Airlines will Revitalize Post Oil Spill Economy

Working with Florida Governor Richard Scott and local officials in Northwest Florida, Vision Airlines is expected to play a pivotal role in the revitalization of the state's gulf coast tourism economy, which was destroyed by last year's BP oil spill.

Destin/Fort Walton Beach, also known as Florida's Emerald Coast, is the most-effected area.

"It wasn't pollution that destroyed our tourism economy, it was the wave of negative publicity," says Northwest Florida Regional Airport Director Gregg Donovan. "Unlike neighboring gulf coast states to the west of us, there were no tar balls on our beaches, no oil slicks in the water and no petroleum-scented sea breezes. Yet, the tourists stayed away."

Mark Bellinger, Director of Okaloosa County's Tourism Development Council, says, "We forecast that Vision Airlines will deliver thousands of passengers to the Emerald Coast each week. That means tourists will be able to see first hand that our beaches are still sugary-white and the Gulf waters are still emerald green."

Bellinger adds, "Because airfares to our area have been so expensive, most tourists drive here for long vacations. Now they can afford to fly here -- even for weekend getaways."

Meek says, "Making air travel affordable means more tourist dollars, which will create jobs at resorts, restaurants and even miniature golf courses."

According to Governor Scott, Vision Airlines' passenger traffic will create upward of 4,000 jobs in related industries.

Florida Cities

Vision Airlines also offers direct flights from several cities to Ft. Lauderdale; Miami; Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers; Sanford/Orlando and St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa.

Intrastate Florida Flights

The airline is now linking Northwestern Florida with other areas of the state with flights to and from Southeastern, Southwestern and Central Florida.

Atlanta-Louisville

Vision Airlines also provides twice daily non-stop service between Atlanta, GA and Louisville, KY.

Mississippi's Casino Coast

Another Vision Airlines destination is Mississippi's Casino Coast. The carrier offers flights from Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX and St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa, FL to Gulfport/Biloxi, MS.

Business Model

Vision Airlines' business model is based on offering non-stop and direct flights to Florida from secondary U.S. cities that have been ignored by the major airlines.

People in these cities are currently forced to fly in cramped regional jets, endure long layovers while connecting through other cities and they must pay extremely high airfares.

Vision Airlines now offers Boeing 737 jet flights on direct routes that other airlines do not fly.

"Essentially, Vision Airlines has no competition," says well-known aviation industry analyst Michael Boyd. "Therefore, Vision Airlines is likely to be very successful."

FINE PRINT ABOUT FARES


*Fares shown exclude Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00, September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement and US segment fee of $3.70 per segment. A segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. All fares are one-way. Round trip purchase not required. All fares are non-refundable and a $100 fee per person applies to change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Baggage Fees of up to $30 each way per checked bag. Seats are limited and subject to availability and may not be available on all flights. Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice.

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Firth Rixson Announces the Grand Opening of its Georgia Based Aerospace Forging Facility

/PRNewswire/ -- Firth Rixson, a major provider of forged and specialty metal products to the Aerospace industry, announced today the Grand Opening of Firth Rixson Forgings LLC, the Company's fourth closed die forging operation, located in Liberty County, GA. The announcement was made during a two day Customer Appreciation event held at the facility, attended by representatives from every major aero engine manufacturer worldwide, many of their partners, and significant industrial gas turbine producers.

The most significant expansion in the Company's history, the Firth Rixson Forgings LLC facility was custom designed and built to provide rotating components for aircraft engines, with applications ranging from regional jet to wide body aircraft, as well as land based turbines. The manufacturing process will take place in three separate buildings, dedicated respectively to pre forge, forge, and post forge activities, totaling 200,000 square feet of floor space. Modular construction within each of the building structures provides Firth Rixson Forgings LLC extraordinary flexibility in response to customer and market demand.

In announcing the opening of the facility, David C. Mortimer, CEO of Firth Rixson, said, "Firth Rixson has completed a decisive move in the Aerospace industry. Within one year of announcing its construction, Firth Rixson Forgings LLC is fully operational. The technical organization assembled for this facility is industry leading. Our facilities, equipment and installations are of world class caliber. Today, Firth Rixson advances its prominent position in the Aerospace industry by delivering a broadened service to our valued customers."

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Three in Ten Organizations Will Close for Business on Martin Luther King Day

/PRNewswire/ -- In observance of Martin Luther King Day, three in ten employers (30 percent) will give all or most workers a paid holiday on Monday, January 17, according to BNA's most recent survey of holiday practices.

This is only a marginal change from figures reported by employers for 2010 (28 percent), and is in line with figures reported for 2009 (31 percent), 2008 (33 percent) and 2007 (31 percent). While there has been no significant change over the past five years in the proportion of organizations giving Martin Luther King Day as a paid holiday, recent levels of paid leave on Martin Luther King Day are a significant increase over what was observed in the first 11 years of this holiday. Only 14 percent of surveyed employers made Martin Luther King Day a paid holiday in its inaugural year of 1986 and figures stayed in the teens for six years until a spike in 1993 (24 percent). Figures remained in the low to mid-20 percent range before climbing to 30 percent for the first time in 2003.

Consistent with past years, nonbusiness employers are much more likely to make Martin Luther King Day a paid holiday than are nonmanufacturing or manufacturing establishments. More than one-half of nonbusiness organizations (56 percent) will make January 17 a paid holiday, compared with 21 percent of nonmanufacturing firms and 10 percent of manufacturers.

Organizations with a union presence are somewhat more likely than those without one to designate Martin Luther King Day as a paid holiday (36 percent of unionized establishments compared with 28 percent of nonunion organizations). There is no significant difference in paid time off for Martin Luther King Day between larger organizations with 1,000 or more employees and their smaller counterparts (32 percent versus 29 percent).

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Clayton State SBDC to Hold Free Class on Opening a Business, Dec. 13

The Clayton State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be holding a special free class to help educate people interested in owning their own business.

Designed to help the public decide if entrepreneurship is right, “Opening a Business in the New Year” will be held on Monday, Dec. 13, in the Allan Vigil Ford Conference Room, 6790 Mount Zion Blvd., Morrow. The class will run from 10 a.m. to noon.

“If you are considering starting a small business, attending this workshop is the first step for potential entrepreneurs” says Allison Segal, SBDC program coordinator. “Learn what it really takes to be successful by identifying needed skills and resources. This workshop is Part I in the start-up process. You can then follow this workshop with Part II, `Starting a Business.’”

To register on-line for this free, public workshop, visit the SBDC website at; www.business.clayton.edu/sbdc. For more information, please contact Segal at (678) 466-5100 or asegal@georgiasbdc.org.

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23rd Hunter Hotel Investment Conference Scheduled for March 6-8, 2011, in Atlanta

Keynote Speakers Are Jim Abrahamson and Jack DeBoer

Officials of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, one of the four major national annual hotel investment conferences, today announced that the 23rd annual event will be held March 6-8, 2011, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Two industry luminaries, Jim Abrahamson, president of Americas, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Jack DeBoer, founder and chairman, Value Place, will headline the event as keynote speakers.

“We have a strong tradition of bringing in the top industry leaders to share successful hospitality business practices as keynote speakers,” said Bob Hunter, CEO of Hunter Realty and conference co-chair. “Jim has played a leadership role in the development of a number of the world’s leading brands, while Jack is the acknowledged ‘father’ of the extended-stay concept. We look forward to hearing their unique insights into the industry and its future outlook.

“The conference has gained a strong reputation as an important networking and education event over the last 22 years,” Hunter added. “This conference focuses on the needs of hotel owners, who make up a large number of our total attendees. Proceeds from the event support special scholarships at Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality.”

Speaker Profiles:

· Jim Abrahamson—As president of the Americas, Abrahamson oversees management, growth and profitability of IHG’s portfolio of more than 3,400 hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America. Also, he has worked with The Marcus Corporation as president, limited-service lodging; Hilton Hotels Corporation as senior vice president, franchising; and Global Hyatt Corporation as head of development, the Americas.

· Jack DeBoer—Creating the extended-stay concept with the first Residence Inn, he expanded the business to 100 hotels, which were sold to Marriott International, Inc. He then co-founded the Summerfield Hotel Corporation, now owned by Global Hyatt Corporation. He later launched Candlewood Hotel Corporation and sold it to IHG after establishing 130 properties. Most recently, DeBoer established the extended-stay hotel chain Value Place which currently has a portfolio of 160 locations.

For more information on the program and to register, please visit the conference website at www.HunterConference.com, or contact Bob Hunter or Nancy Petenbrink, Conference Director, at 770-916-0300 or by email at nancy.petenbrink@hunterhotels.net. The conference headquarters are located at 300 Galleria Parkway, S-620, Atlanta, Ga. 30339.

NBAA Honors Governor Perdue with American Spirit Award

Characterizes those who created, advanced the American aviation community

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that Governor Sonny Perdue has been named the recipient of the 2010 American Spirit Award at NBAA’s 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010) in Atlanta.

The NBAA American Spirit Award is presented in recognition of an individual who exemplifies the service, courage and pursuit of excellence in support of business aviation that characterizes the men and women who created and advanced the American aviation community. The Governor was presented the award during this morning’s opening general session of the convention, which draws 25,000 aviation professionals and enthusiasts from across the world to the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Governor Perdue has two great passions – aviation and the state of Georgia – and has spent many years tirelessly supporting and nurturing the development of both,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA is proud to include him among the speakers at our convention’s opening general session, and also to honor him with the American Spirit Award for his dedication to all aviation, including business aviation.”

In 2007, Governor Perdue addressed attendees at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, also in Atlanta, welcoming the crowd to “the real state of aviation,” and proudly detailed Georgia’s long list of aviation superlatives, including the state’s role as home to the eighth-largest general aviation industry in the nation, with many thousands of people employed at more than 500 aerospace and aviation companies.

“NBAA applauds Governor Perdue for recognizing the value of business aviation, to citizens, companies and communities across Georgia,” Bolen added. “The Governor has long understood that the use of a business airplane helps promote the creation of jobs, provides service to small communities and helps companies of all sizes in the state compete and succeed. We thank Governor Perdue for his steadfast support for business aviation, and the many benefits it brings to the State of Georgia.”

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the NBAA is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

Past honorees of the NBAA American Spirit Award have included such aviation notables and pioneers as John and Martha King, founders of the King Schools, Inc., and Rep. John Mica (R-7-FL). For more information about the Convention's 2010 programming, visit NBAA's dedicated AM&C web page at http://www.nbaa.org/2010.

32 Percent of U.S. Businesses Plan to Hire Additional Staff in 2011

/PRNewswire/ -- Businesses across the globe are now looking to hire new staff, in one of the first signs that global economic recovery and growth is on a sustainable upward trajectory. This is the key finding of the bi-annual Regus Business Tracker survey that interviews more than 10,000 businesses around the world. The fact that companies are looking to hire additional staff will be regarded as a significant indicator that the mindset of organizations has shifted toward investment in growth through human capital. Regus, a global provider of flexible workplace solutions, found that more than a third of companies [36 percent net(1)] surveyed said they intend to increase headcount. U.S. business was close to the global average with almost a third (32 percent net) of companies preparing to add new staff in 2011.

These findings are particularly significant, coming in the wake of recent observations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and International Labour Organization (ILO) that global unemployment has reached record proportions in the last three years (up to 210 million since 2007). These organizations have warned about potential problems for national economies if this trend continues. Unemployment reduces national taxation income and increases public spending. The findings of the Regus Business Tracker provide important evidence that the world unemployment situation may be set to ease in 2011.

The survey canvassed the opinions of more than 10,000 senior business people in 78 countries asking them about their current revenue performance, their profitability, their projected future revenues and their wider expectations of national economic growth. These indicators form the basis for the report's Business Optimism Index, which unusually reflects actual performance as well as near-term outlook. Globally, this edition of the index revealed a far more positive outlook, with a greater proportion of optimist countries than six months ago. For the U.S. in particular, the global index revealed a bullish rating of 87, up seven points on six months ago.

Sande Golgart, regional vice president for Regus, comments: "The intention to increase headcount is a clear indicator that businesses want to be prepared to grasp the opportunities that recovering markets may throw their way. The U.S. in particular is still suffering from high unemployment levels, at 9.6 percent, although private sector payroll continues to increase slightly and this finding should be taken as a positive indication for employment.(2)"

"In spite of this optimism, our research also highlights that 41 percent of companies are still looking to reduce their overhead, through means other than reducing staff. This reveals an attitude of cautious optimism. As companies look to find economies in their own operations, we are likely to see more and more organizations offering flexible working practices to their existing or prospective employees in a bid to achieve a better work-life balance and run a leaner organization."

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World’s Ambassadors to Visit Atlanta on U.S. State Department’s Experience America Tour

Atlanta chosen because of its prominence as one of the nation’s most vital places to do business

Atlanta will host nearly 50 foreign ambassadors from all over the world from Oct. 12-15 to showcase the city as a great place to do business. The U.S. State Department’s Experience America program takes foreign ambassadors to key American cities for three days to create new, mutually beneficial partnerships and provide visitors with a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s people, culture and values.
“Choosing Atlanta to be visited by ambassadors from countries all over the world sends a strong signal -- that Atlanta is where the world comes to do business, make business connections and create jobs,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC). “Today Atlanta has the nation’s fourth-highest concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in the country, the world’s busiest airport, and a network of world-class universities and colleges.”

As a part of the trip, the ambassadors, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and top leaders in metro Atlanta’s business community will attend a breakfast hosted by the Metro Atlanta Chamber on Oct. 13. They will discuss Atlanta’s robust business community and the benefits of doing business in Atlanta.


WHO: United States Chief of Protocol Ambassador Capricia Penavic Marshall, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam A. Williams

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 13, 8 – 9:30 a.m.


WHERE: Metro Atlanta Chamber Board Room, 235 Andrew Young International Blvd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30303


“Atlanta already has a strong international presence, with more than 2,400 international companies here and 65 countries represented by consulates, trade offices and investment agencies,” Williams added. “This tour is yet another opportunity to build connections around the globe.”

Many Atlanta companies -- such as UPS, Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, AGCO, GE and others -- do business around the world. While in Atlanta, the ambassadors plan to visit the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Tech, CNN, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Carter Library, view the Martin Luther King Jr. papers at Morehouse College and visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Visitor’s Center. This is the sixth Experience America tour and other destinations have been California, Texas, Florida, New York and Chicago.

The Experience America is organized by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Chief of Protocol.

New Berlin Airport a Boon to American Businesses in Eastern Germany

/PRNewswire/ -- The twenty year anniversary of the reunification of Germany yesterday put the spotlight back on the formerly divided country and its capital, Berlin. Located at the center of Eastern Germany, Berlin now boasts one of the world's most impressive infrastructure projects, Berlin Brandenburg International airport. The airport adds to the region's portfolio as an international, high-tech business location, which is underscored by the presence of more investment projects in Eastern Germany from the USA than from any other country. Germany Trade & Invest will be presenting business opportunities in Eastern Germany to American companies at an event in Atlanta on October 5, 2010.

Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, slated to open in July of 2012, will serve the growing number of passengers to the region, with the ability to expand to serve 45 million travelers annually. At the same time, the airport provides an international hub in the center of Eastern Germany, a region currently characterized by growth in a number of cutting-edge fields like renewable energies, auto manufacturing and semiconductors. This project is expected to further attract businesses to the dynamic region.

The investor event on October 5, billed "Check in to Eastern Germany for European Business Success", will present new opportunities in the region arising from the opening of Berlin Brandenburg International airport in 2012, including business success stories in the region.

The USA is the number one source of foreign direct investment in Eastern Germany due to the region's growth potential, stable investment environment and concentration of high-tech industries. Several of the largest American companies are present here, including Atlanta-based Delta Airlines, First Solar, Amazon, General Electric, and Dell Computers.

On the whole, Germany is the top business location for American companies in Europe, according to a survey of American decision makers conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany. This is expected to continue, considering Germany's strong economic growth in the previous quarter. GDP grew by 2.2 percent, the highest quarterly result since reunification.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Helps Businesses Navigate Health Care Changes with New Online Tools

/PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help minimize confusion regarding implementation of health care reform provisions among business owners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) has created two new tools to help business navigate the changes in health care, a grandfathering tool and a tax calculator tool.

Both tools are available at www.anthem.com/healthcarereform. The small business tax calculator tool and tax content were developed by The Tax Institute at H&R Block and also may be viewed by visiting www.thetaxinstitute.com.

The interactive grandfathering tool is designed to help businesses better understand what grandfathering means, if they qualify for it, and what options are available to them with regard to their health plan. BCBSGa has also joined forces with H&R Block to provide a convenient, comprehensive tool to help small business owners understand the financial impact, as well as the opportunities that accompany the changes in the health care system.

"The grandfathering tool is another part of our commitment to help make health care reform work," said Morgan Kendrick, President, BCBSGa. "This tool will allow business owners to understand what grandfathering means to them, what the qualification parameters are, and if it is potentially in their best interests to grandfather their current health plan. This tool can help businesses quickly and easily determine a course of action based on their current plan in an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand tool."

Kendrick added, "We are also extremely pleased to be partnering with H&R Block to make the small business tax calculator available, which can help small business owners understand the tax credits they are qualified for and allow them to better control and anticipate their health care costs. It's BCBSGa's hope that this resource will enable owners to focus on running a successful business and add some clarity as they navigate the health care system."

The small business tax calculator can help users understand the following reform provisions:

* The small business health care premium credit for qualified employers with 25 or fewer employees and average annual wages under $50,000 (2010)
* Requirements to provide employee coverage for full-time employees who work for businesses with 50 or more employees (2014)
* Employer penalties for not providing coverage when at least one full-time employee is enrolled in a subsidized health care plan (2014)
* The excise tax on high-cost health plans, which applies to plans that cost more than $10,200 for an individual and $27,500 for a family (2018).


"These tools will provide us with an easy way to navigate and communicate the financial impact that health care reform may have on our small business customers," said Jeff Fishback, President and CEO, Purchasing Alliance Solutions. "They will also help us to better communicate about grandfathering and if it might be in their best interest. For example, whether they should take advantage of the available credits and other provisions designed to improve the affordability of health care. I anticipate that interactive tools such as these will help small businesses save time and money. This is just one more example of why BCBSGa is the leader in the industry."

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Obama Jobs Bill and Task Force Ignore Major Challenge for Small Businesses, According to the American Small Business League

/PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by the American Small Business League:

Neither the Obama Administration's Jobs Bill nor the recommendations released on Wednesday by President Obama's Small Business Task force contain any language that will stop the federal government from giving billions of dollars a month in small business contracts to Fortune 1000 firms.

During his campaign, President Obama promised to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to Fortune 1000 firms and stated, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)

Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found corporate giants from around the world as the actual recipients of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.

Some of the firms that have received government small business contracts include: Rolls-Royce, British Aerospace (BAE), Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, L-3 Communications, SAIC, Titan Industries, Raytheon, Dell Computer, Xerox, French firm Thales Communications, Italian firm Finmeccanica SpA, and Ssangyong Corporation headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Textron, a Fortune 500 firm, received over $775 million in federal small business contracts in a single year.

In 2005, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA IG) referred to the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants as, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today." (http://www.asbl.com/documents/05-15.pdf)

In Report 5-16, the SBA IG found large businesses had received federal small business contracts illegally by making "false certifications" and "improper certifications." The SBA Office of Advocacy found large businesses had received small business contracts illegally through "vendor deception." (http://www.asbl.com/documents/05-16.pdf)

Section 16(d) of the Small Business Act prescribes a penalty of up to ten years in prison for firms that misrepresent themselves as small businesses to illegally receive federal small business contracts.

As opposed to offering legislation and policy that will end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants, language in the "jobs bill" could actually protect large businesses that misrepresent themselves to illegally receive federal small business contracts.

Section 1341, paragraph 4 of H.R. 5297, Small Business Jobs Act, creates a legal loophole that could allow fraudulent firms to avoid prosecution and penalties by claiming they received federal small business contracts through, "unintentional errors, technical malfunctions, and other similar situations."

If the bill becomes law the American Small Business League (ASBL) plans to challenge the language in section 1341 in federal court.

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Three Georgia Companies on Counselor's 2010 Best Places to Work List

Alpharetta-based eCompanyStore is No. 24 of ad specialty companies with greatest corporate cultures

Loyal staffs, trustworthy management, solid benefits and team effectiveness helped land 75 companies on Counselor magazine’s 2010 list of best places to work in the ad specialty industry.

Every company on the list provides typical health-care and financial benefits. But some also infuse their corporate culture with unique benefits such as an incentive program offering $1,000 to employees who buy eco-friendly cars. Other companies use food to win over workers, including wine tastings and family barbeques.

The number one "Best Place to Work" is Dacasso, a Gainesville, FL-based supplier that emphasizes the fun and the progressive, whether it's a holiday party, wellness program or late-afternoon sales challenge. The company also provides a fitness room, favorable scheduling policies and a tax-advantaged profit-sharing plan that allows employees to become fully vested at three months.

Three Georgia companies are included on the list: eCompanyStore (Alpharetta), Pinnacle Promotions (Norcross), and The Icebox (Atlanta).

The list of 75 is a mix of large and small, geographically diverse companies identified by an in-depth survey process. To create the list, Counselor - published by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) - partnered with third-party research firm Quantum Workplace, which conducts Best Places to Work contests in more than 40 major cities, including Boston, Dallas, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

“At a time of unprecedented economic challenge, the companies on our list are rising to the task and providing a great workplace for their employees,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI. “In return, they’re rewarded with loyalty and creativity by hard-working employees who simply love their jobs and enjoy going to work every day.”

The list appears in the September issue of Counselor, the “voice” of the promotional products industry. The accompanying cover story was written by Counselor Editor Andy Cohen and Staff Writer Dave Vagnoni and includes an interactive map. To view, click here.

The “Best Places to Work” list includes distributors and suppliers, companies with hundreds of employees and small firms with only 12 staffers (to qualify, a company had to have at least 10 employees).

The Counselor 75 Best Places To Work List:

1 Dacasso (Gainesville, FL) 2 Royal Crest Promotions (Golden, CO) 3 Hirsch Gift (Houston, TX) 4 Albrecht & Co. (Milford, OH) 5 The Book Company (Delray Beach, FL) 6 Metromedia Marketing (Edmonton, Canada) 7 Catalyst Marketing (Seattle, WA) 8 SnugZ/USA (Salt Lake City, UT) 9 Talbot Marketing (London, Canada) 10 MadeToOrder (Pleasanton, CA) 11 LogoBranders (Montgomery, AL) 12 Custom Logos (San Diego, CA) 13 Overture Premiums & Promotions (Vernon Hills, IL) 14 Pingline (Chicago, IL) 15 Sunrise Identity (Woodinville, WA) 16 The Sunshine Group (Maitland, FL) 17 Akran Marketing (Ottawa, Canada) 18 NewClients (Richmond, VA) 19 Posh Xessories (Chino, CA) 20 BrandVia Alliance (San Jose, CA) 21 The Vernon Company (Newton, IA) 22 Identity Marketing Inc. (Tempe, AZ) 23 Zebra Marketing (Memphis, TN) 24 eCompanyStore (Alpharetta, GA) 25 JH Specialty (Fort Wayne, IN) 26 Bluegrass Promotional Marketing (Charlotte, NC) 27 Pinnacle Promotions (Norcross, GA) 28 Go USA (Wenatchee, WA) 29 Identification Services/Halls and Company (Brooklyn Park, MN) 30 The Icebox (Atlanta, GA) 31 iClick (Seattle, WA) 32 Stitch Designers (Louisville, KY) 33 Mac Mannes (Bethesda, MD) 34 Insight Resource Group (Orinda, CA) 35 Image Group (Vancouver, Canada) 36 Stowebridge Promotion Group (Chandler, AZ) 37 Immediate Sales Agency (Waterloo, Canada) 38 Boundless Network (Austin, TX)

39 Cotton Candy (Mississauga, Canada) 40 Greater China (Bellevue, WA) 41 Metropak (Richardson, TX) 42 Moore Exposure (Fayetteville, NC) 43 Indoff (St. Louis, MO) 44 Mid-Nite Snax (Mineola, NY) 45 Cavanaugh Marketing Network (Pittsburgh, PA) 46 American Ad Bag (Woodstock, IL) 47 Sonoma Promotional Solutions (Sonoma, CA) 48 Image Source & Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez (Kirkland, WA) 49 Bob Lilly Professional Promotions (Dallas, TX) 50 Crystal D (St. Paul, MN) 51 Show Your Logo (Oswego, IL) 52 Genumark Promotional Merchandise (Toronto, Canada) 53 Atlas Embroidery & Screen Printing (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 54 SanMar (Preston, WA) 55 Walker-Clay (Hanson, MA) 56 Proforma (Independence, OH) 57 Pinnacle Designs (San Fernando, CA) 58 Adco Litho (Broadview, IL) 59 Sweda Company (City of Industry, CA) 60 AddVenture Products (San Diego, CA) 61 CSE (New Berlin, WI) 62 Rightsleeve (Toronto, Canada) 63 Brand Fuel Promotions (Morrisville, NC) 64 BamBams (Lorton, VA) 65 ePromos Promotional Products (New York, NY) 66 14 West LLC (Pewaukee, WI) 67 Match-Up Promotions (Longwood, FL) 68 California Tattoos (Tucson, AZ) 69 MediaTree (Parsippany, NJ) 70 Bag Makers (Union, IL) 71 The Promotional Specialists (Markham, Canada) 72 Digispec/Visstun/CounterPoint (Las Vegas, NV) 73 Bag Designs (Concord, Canada) 74 Sonic Promos (Gaithersburg, MD) 75 HDS Marketing (Pittsburgh, PA)

Promotional products, or advertising specialties, are often imprinted with slogans or logos to market a company, organization, product, service, achievement or event. The items are used in marketing campaigns to dramatically increase response rates.
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King’s Hawaiian Announces Oakwood Location

State-of-the-art bakery and distribution operation to create 126 jobs

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Torrance, California-based King’s Hawaiian will locate a bakery and distribution operation in Oakwood in Hall County. The company produces its brand of Hawaiian sweet bread dinner rolls, sandwich and snack rolls and round bread. This project will create 126 new jobs over two years. King’s Hawaiian expects to add an additional 100 jobs around 2015.

“Georgia’s economy receives a considerable boost from the success of food processors in our state, which employ more Georgians than any other sector of manufacturing,” said Governor Perdue. “By selecting Georgia and Hall County, King’s Hawaiian serves as another example of how our state’s pro-business climate continues to create opportunities for new and existing companies, and for communities throughout the state.”

King’s Hawaiian is a leading producer of dinner rolls, and accounts for more than half of U.S. dinner roll sales. The company will complete construction on an existing 111,000-square-foot shell building in the Oakwood South Industrial Park for its Hall County operation. The bakery and distribution facility will be developed by Pattillo Industrial Real Estate.

“It’s always a pleasure to welcome new companies and jobs to Georgia, but it’s even better to welcome them to my hometown,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “King’s Hawaiian will quickly come to find that Georgia’s talented workforce, quality of life, and business friendly climate are second to none. I applaud Hall County for their commitment to this project and welcome King’s Hawaiian to our neighborhood.”

“In spite of the short time since our first meeting with the folks from the state of Georgia and Hall County, our relationship already feels as if it’s based on years of trust and collaboration to make this a great place to work and live,” said Mark Taira, King’s Hawaiian CEO. “We are looking forward to being a member of this fabulous community. I’ve learned that the spirit of Aloha lives in Hawaii and in Georgia; only the accent is a little different!”

“If there is a model for harmonious collaboration between a state, county and the business community, Georgia and Hall County wrote the patent on it,” said John Linehan, King’s Hawaiian executive vice president. “We’re grateful to the state and county officials who so graciously introduced us to this amazing environment.”

King’s Hawaiian will join Georgia’s vast community of food manufacturers and processors who employ nearly 70,000 Georgians. In addition to the state’s welcoming business environment, advanced manufacturers in the food processing sector can also leverage Georgia’s highly-skilled workforce backed by the Technical College System of Georgia and Quick Start. King’s Hawaiian will receive long-term support from the resources at nearby Lanier Technical College.

“The ‘Aloha Spirit’ is spreading in Hall County and Northeast Georgia,” said Kit Dunlap, president and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. “King's Hawaiian has an inviting corporate culture that produces irresistible products. We are very pleased with the quality jobs and long term partnership with this community and Georgia.”

Quick Start, Georgia’s acclaimed workforce training program, will provide King’s Hawaiian with training that is customized to the company’s own processes and technology. Quick Start is able to draw upon a rich background of experience training on the use of sophisticated automated control systems and quality-assurance procedures required to produce the distinctive products that have made King’s Hawaiian such a successful brand.

The company expects to begin production at its new bakery and distribution center in fall 2011. Applicants interested in employment opportunities with King’s Hawaiian should register at the Georgia Department of Labor’s Gainesville Career Center. Georgia Department of Economic Development statewide project manager Annie Baxter assisted the company with this project.
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First Quality Baby Products Announces Macon Modernization Project

Absorbent hygiene products manufacturer increasing Macon presence

Governor Sonny Perdue announced Friday that First Quality Baby Products, LLC, a Great Neck, New York-based manufacturer of absorbent hygiene products, will modernize and expand its manufacturing presence in Bibb County. The company plans to invest up to $200 million and bring its employee count to 375 over the coming years at the company’s Macon facilities.

“Since acquiring its manufacturing operation in Georgia in 2008, First Quality has played a significant role in the Macon business community, and in Georgia's ever-growing advanced manufacturing sector,” said Governor Perdue. “We are always excited to see our existing industries grow and thrive in Georgia.”

First Quality will construct a diaper manufacturing facility, with construction scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2010. First Quality’s current manufacturing operation in Macon produces multiple configurations of private label baby diapers and training pants for major retailers. The company’s expanded Macon operation will serve markets throughout the Southeast.

“First Quality is very pleased to expand our relationship with Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, and we look forward to working together to create real opportunities here with all our partners, both in government and the private sector, that will benefit the entire community,” said Bob Schiek, director of manufacturing for First Quality. “The strength of our existing workforce as well as our confidence in the pool of skilled labor contributed to the decision for First Quality to commit to Macon-Bibb County. As important, however, is the pro-business environment that you have created here in Georgia, especially in Macon-Bibb County.”

The new First Quality diaper manufacturing plant in Macon will make use of high-tech manufacturing advancements utilized at the company’s other recently completed plant in Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

“First Quality’s culture is focused on producing high quality products in their market segments and on exceeding customer expectations,” said Sam Hart, Chairman of the Bibb County Commission. “Based on my visit to their facilities in Pennsylvania last fall I would say they excel in both areas. We are proud to partner with First Quality to both retain good jobs and generate new employment opportunities for the citizens of our community! We look forward to a long and productive relationship.”

“First Quality is a great fit for our community, and is a high performing, high quality organization with a proven track record since its founding more than 20 years ago,” said Robert Reichert, Mayor of the City of Macon. “I am proud that the company has chosen to expand its presence in our community!”

“First Quality’s new facility in Macon validates our efforts to recruit high-tech manufacturing operations to Bibb County,” said Clifford Whitby, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority chairman. “We are both pleased and honored that the owners of First Quality have chosen to make their latest investment in our community, and see this as the beginning of a long and productive relationship between First Quality and our community!”

Jennifer Nelson, Georgia Department of Economic Development deputy director of Existing Industry & Regional Recruitment, assisted the company and community with this project.

About First Quality Enterprises, Inc.
Founded in 1990, First Quality Enterprises, Inc. and its affiliates are a closely-held diversified group of companies manufacturing, selling and distributing branded and private label absorbent hygiene, paper and non-woven products into the healthcare, retail and commercial channels. First Quality is dedicated to meeting the demands of the market by providing innovative and high-quality products manufactured utilizing state of the art technology. For more information please visit www.firstquality.com.
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An Employee by Any Other Name: The Thorny Side of Misclassification

/24-7/ -- The Hill's Congress Blog reports that there were an estimated 10 million misclassified workers in 2006, according to the Governmental Accountability Office. In a recent statement, Senator Tom Harkin cites Department of Labor statistics estimating that 30 percent of businesses misclassified employees as independent contractors. "That means the construction worker who falls and breaks his leg is denied workers' compensation, and the truck driver who works 60 hours a week doesn't receive the overtime pay his family deserves to help cover the rising costs of food and energy," says Harkin.

Employee Misclassification and the IRS

According to the IRS, determination of employee or independent contractor status requires examination of the degree of control and independence the worker is granted, with special consideration given to behavioral or financial control exerted by the hiring entity and the general type of relationship between the parties. The hiring party's classification is not definitive; for example, a trucking company may classify workers as independent contractors. However, if the company trains its drivers, owns the trucks or otherwise controls the way in which drivers complete their runs, the drivers may actually be employees, notwithstanding the employer's attempted classification.

Effects of Employee Misclassification

Misclassifying employees as independent contractors strips employees of their rights and protections, including labor protections such as minimum wage guarantees and overtime protection. Employers misclassify employees to avoid costs associated with employees, such as Social Security and Medicare payments, vacation, sick leave, pensions and, importantly, avoidance of workers' compensation costs. For example, a construction employer may attempt to classify roofers as independent contractors in order to avoid paying workers' compensation premiums and to escape liability for workplace injury or disability claims in the event an employee were to fall and get hurt.

Additionally, misclassification hurts honest employers. A representative of the Mason Contractors Association of America estimates that companies that misclassify their employees may reduce labor costs up to 30 percent. This allows dishonest employers an unfair advantage when bidding for jobs.

Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced the Employee Misclassification Prevention Act to prevent employer misconduct. In the meantime, truckers, roofers or other workers who have been injured in the course of their work should contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney. Although companies may have treated these workers as independent contractors, under other interpretations, they may actually be considered full time employees, eligible for workers' compensation benefits. An experienced attorney can advise them of their rights and protect their interests in the administrative process if they are eligible to file work comp claims.

Article provided by OhioBWCAttorney.com

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NLRB: Atlanta Coca-Cola Enterprise Employees to Get Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Back Pay

/PRNewswire/ -- In a victory for Atlanta Coca-Cola Enterprise workers seeking to form a union with the Teamsters, the National Labor Relations Board has approved a settlement that will grant thousands of dollars of wage adjustments for hourly employees at CCE's Marietta bottling plant that will be paid dating back to April 2, 2010.

Coca-Cola also agreed to refrain from committing a series of unfair labor practice violations against the approximately 340 workers at its Marietta, College Park and Atlanta West facilities. For more than a year, these Atlanta-area CCE workers have been trying to form a union with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The NLRB has required Coca-Cola to post a notice to employees stating the company will not interfere with their right to form a union, grant the retroactive raise to the Marietta employees, and rescind an unjust discipline issued to a key union activist.

"We're pleased that the NLRB has intervened to help negotiate an agreement with Coca-Cola Enterprises," said Randy Brown, President of Teamsters Local 728 in Atlanta. "We hope these workers can proceed with their organizing campaign free from intimidation, threats and broken promises, and we look forward to the day when we can welcome them as Teamsters."

"We are so excited by this settlement. It shows that we have power when we stand together. But the big goal is to win permanent change through a Teamster contract," said Delorace McFadden, a CCE worker and an Organizing Committee member. "We will not stop until the job is done."

The Teamsters currently represent more than 14,000 Coca-Cola employees throughout the United States.

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Sports Illustrated and Turner Sports Form New Digital Partnership

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Time Inc. and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) announced the formation of a strategic digital partnership between Turner Sports and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED to create one of the world’s most exciting sports destinations on the web. The agreement aligns two of Time Warner’s primary sports assets, capitalizing on each company’s core strengths to create an online sports powerhouse with new revenue and marketing opportunities for both portfolios.

“The deal also provides greater opportunity for advertisers to expand their reach and activate innovative marketing opportunities to access more potential consumers across multiple platforms. By leveraging Turner’s vast digital sports and entertainment portfolio, we expect to provide additional display, sponsorship and video advertising opportunities for SI.com and Golf.com.”

The combination marries the wealth of stories, perspective and photos from SI with Turner’s digital media and sales expertise, resources, video sports rights and video production. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED will create all editorial content across each of its platforms: the flagship magazine, its websites, mobile and the recently launched -- and widely acclaimed -- tablet version of the magazine.

Under the new agreement, Turner Sports will be responsible for business and technical operations, ad sales, product management and marketing for SI.com and Golf.com, which will be added to Turner’s portfolio of 19 digital sports and entertainment sites. The two organizations will collaborate on multiplatform sales across their collective properties. Additionally, Turner and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED will collaborate on the production of new mobile products and applications.

“The Sports Illustrated brand and award winning journalists complement and enhance Turner’s portfolio of sports offerings and reflects our combined commitment to bring fans greater content across a multitude of platforms,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “The deal also provides greater opportunity for advertisers to expand their reach and activate innovative marketing opportunities to access more potential consumers across multiple platforms. By leveraging Turner’s vast digital sports and entertainment portfolio, we expect to provide additional display, sponsorship and video advertising opportunities for SI.com and Golf.com.”

“SI’s journalism already powers extremely successful digital platforms that lead in every category from breaking news to community, creative design, info graphics and photography,” said Terry McDonell, Editor of The Sports Illustrated Group. “That makes this partnership the next step in an evolution for both SI digital and Turner that will make both stronger. Our brands will click naturally and strategically into place and everyone will win.”

Turner Sports brings renowned digital media capabilities and has successfully partnered with leagues to create compelling fan experiences and businesses. SI.com and Golf.com complement Turner Sports’ robust digital portfolio it manages, which includes the NBA Digital portfolio, NASCAR.COM, tbs Hot Corner on MLB.com, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com, as well as a strategic relationship with Yahoo! Sports. In addition to its digital portfolio Turner Sports broadcasts a number of events year round on TBS, TNT and truTV, including the NBA, MLB, NASCAR, the PGA Championships and, beginning in 2011, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

The Sports Illustrated Group’s award-winning journalism powers a media company that includes Sports Illustrated, SI.com, Golf Magazine, Golf.com, SI Golf Plus, SI Presents, SI Kids, SI International, SI Books, SI Mobile, SI Swimsuit, consumer products and experiential marketing. Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated was named to Adweek’s list of the industry’s hottest brands. Also in 2010, SI.com received a National Magazine Award for its NFL coverage, Editor & Publisher named SI.com the best sports website with over 1MM unique visitors and SI.com was a Webby Award finalist in the category of best sports website. The partnership with Turner Sports creates numerous opportunities to leverage these properties across a broader audience.

Time Inc., a Time Warner company, is a world class branded content company, investing in the future and engaging more than 138 million consumers monthly; whenever, however, and wherever they are. With 22 magazines and 26 web sites in the U.S., it is the country’s largest consumer publisher. Each month, one out of every two American adults reads a Time Inc. magazine, and one out of every five, who are online, visits a company web site (more than 52 million monthly unique visitors). Time Inc.’s popular brands and successful franchises extend to online, television, mobile devices, events and branded products.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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Lt. Gov. Applauds Launch of Bioscience Commercialization Center

/PRNewswire/ -- Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today (June 14) joined Georgia Bio, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Innovation Crescent business community in announcing the launch of the Georgia Bioscience Commercialization Center (GBCC), which will act as a start-up catalyst and resource center for bioscience entrepreneurs in Georgia.

"The Georgia Bioscience Commercialization Center is a first of its kind initiative in Georgia, drawing on the expertise of proven CEOs and senior executives to assist entrepreneurs in growing their potential business and producing jobs," Lt. Gov. Cagle said. "It will serve as an engine for economic growth supporting development of high-paying, 21st century jobs that will stay in Georgia and enhance our state's leadership in bioscience. This innovative mentoring program, as well as the tax credit for investing in early stage entrepreneurial endeavors we just passed this session, means entrepreneurs have a real chance for success in Georgia."

Seed funding for the GBCC was provided by Georgia Bio (GaBio) and the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA). The GBCC will be headquartered in the GaBio offices at 1180 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 4150, Atlanta, Ga, 30308.

UCB, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company based in Brussels with U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, served as backdrop for the GBCC launch. UCB President Greg Duncan, a member of the GaBio Board of Directors, said, "The GBCC will help Georgia build that critical mass of companies that is essential in sustaining industry growth and making Georgia an attractive destination for international companies such as UCB."

Laurence Downey, M.D., former President and CEO of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, and Robert Derricotte, President of Medical Marketing Insights LLC, led development of the GBCC and will serve as the primary contacts for the commercialization center.

Dr. Downey, a member of the GaBio Board, said, "The key element of the center's operation is the faculty of experienced bioscience executives who will offer guidance to start-up firms, free-of-charge. These experts are volunteering their time to advance the growth of Georgia's bioscience industry by assisting start-up companies that want to locate in Georgia and by helping scientists at our universities translate their discoveries into new bioscience products. The GBCC is a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs."

The GBCC website (www.GeorgiaBCC.com) also will contain useful "how-to" information, plus links to service providers, event notices, technology transfer opportunities and other resources.

Bryan White, Chairman and Co-founder of apothe-Linx, Inc., is one of the first entrepreneurs to engage the GBCC faculty. "I would not have been able to get my company off the ground without the help of the GBCC experts," White said. "I was amazed at the breadth of the faculty's experience. The GBCC fills an immediate need in Georgia to help entrepreneurs deal with the complexities of starting a company and of advancing their product development."

In addition to GaBio and GRA, other GBCC partners are the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and other members of the Innovation Crescent Regional Partnership, which includes the Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Foundation; Atlanta Development Authority; Barrow County Chamber of Commerce; Cobb County Office of Economic Development; DeKalb Private Hospital Authority; Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce; Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce; and the Oconee County Development Authority.

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