2007'02.11.Sun
Taste Renowned Wines from Italy and Enjoy Foreign Cultures -- Vinitaly China 2006 to Open at the End of November
November 13, 2006
SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. announced today
that as a part of 2006 "the Year of Italy in
China," Vinitaly China 2006 is scheduled to open from
November 23 to 25 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center.
Co-organized by VeronaFiere, Fiere di Parma and Shanghai
International Exhibition Co., Ltd (SIEC), Vinitaly China
2006 aims to promote Italian wine culture and speciality
foods. Over 100 Italian and international wineries will
meet in Shanghai to showcase their quality produce. Mr.
Paolo De Castro, Minister of the Italian Ministry of
Agriculture will address the opening ceremony with a speech
entitled "Sino-Italian Cooperation."
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Thus far, boosted by the powerful momentum of the
economic growth in Shanghai, as well as the 2010 World
Expo., the wine market in Shanghai is extraordinarily
active, with an ever increasing number of retailers both
the supply and demand are prosperous. The annual volume of
wine handled approximates 50,000 tons. In 2005, the sale of
wines increased by 25%, the biggest growth among all kinds
of alcohols and the fastest in recent years. With the wine
tariff largely reduced, a large number of wines Are coming
to China, including brands from France, Italy, the US,
Spain, Australia, New Zealand and South America. With
Shanghai residents enjoying their wines, they have driven
the market to prosper in both sales and purchasing.
Shanghai has become one of the regions with bigger growth
of wine consumption, and is regarded as the core domestic
wine market by industry insiders.
Vinitaly is an annual gala for the global wine
production industry, boasting a history of almost 40 years.
As the only wine expo to be consistently held in China,
since its first appearance in 1998, Vinitaly has seen seven
events here. It now serves as the bridge to connect China
and the world's wine cultures: a platform to promote the
exchange between international buyers and sellers, and the
window to showcase the magnificence of quality wines. The
biggest highlight of Vinitaly China 2006 is the Italian
Food Exhibition entitled CIBUS. As an internationally
prestigious biyearly Food Exhibition, CIBUS will cooperate
with the famous ALMA cooking school to introduce how to
make the most famous Italian foods. The audience can also
watch the whole cooking process on LCD screens. On site,
there will be wine experts to explain how to match quality
wines with good foods.
The 13 most prestigious, most expensive and most
recognized members of the Institute of Fine Italian
Wines-Premium Brands will participate in Vinitaly China
2006 together with importers, so the audience will have the
opportunity to perceive the best Italian wines. Zonin, the
biggest wine producer in Italy will showcase their new
series of packaged premium wines. Viticoltori Friulani La
Delizi will exhibit its series of red wines, white wines
and sparking wines. In addition, the delegation from
Veneto, the home of Vinitaly and Marco Polo, has organized
15 wine producers to the exhibition. Veneto is famous for
Venice and Gondola, and it is also one of the most famous
wine production areas. In the exhibition, people can see
various specialilty foods and wines from Campania, Sicily,
Piemonte and Tuscany.
The organizers will arrange a series of wine tasting
parties characterized by abundant choices and focused
topics, seminars and related education initiatives,
enabling the audience to feel the Italian wine culture and
the splendid wine production areas in Italy. Meanwhile,
they will also invite the Shanghai Brewing Association to
provide some special lectures on the prospects for western
wines who enter the China market with a view to promoting
the exchange between the Chinese wine industry and its
Italian peers.
About Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
(SIEC)
Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (SIEC) is
jointly invested by Shanghai World Expo (Group) Co., Ltd.
and the Council for the Promotion of International Trade,
Shanghai. The SIEC was founded on July 1st, 1984 with the
approval of the Ministry of Foreign Trade & Economic
Cooperation and the People's Government of Shanghai
Municipality.
The SIEC is a full member of Union des Foires
Internationales (UFI). The SIEC has held 500 international
exhibitions of various themes and sizes. It also has
successfully held a number of solo exhibitions at national
level.
"AUTO SHANGHAI," "SHANGHAITEX,"
"CHINA CYCLE," "FASHION SHANGHAI,"
"ELE/PT COMM CHINA" are among the first eight
exhibitions approved excellent by THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE
OF SHANGHAI CONVENTIONAL & EXHIBITION INDUSTRIES.
For more information, please contact:
Dai Xianjun
Exhibition manager
Add: 8/F, OOCL Plaza, 841 Yan An Zhong Road,
Shanghai 200040, China
Tel: +86-21-6279-2828
Fax: +86-21-6545-5124
Email: info@siec-ccpit.com
Web: http://www.siec-ccpit.com
SOURCE Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
PR
2007'02.11.Sun
November 14th is World Diabetes Day
November 13, 2006
BRUSSELS, Belgium, Nov. 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- World
Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on 14 November. The
date commemorates the birthday of Frederick Banting, who,
along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of
insulin in 1921.
In almost every country of the world, diabetes is on
the rise. The current number of people with diabetes stands
at over 230 million. The disease is a leading cause of
blindness, kidney failure, amputation, heart attack and
stroke. It is one of the most significant causes of death,
responsible for a similar number of deaths each year as
HIV/AIDS.
President of the International Diabetes Federation
(IDF) Professor Pierre Lefebvre outlines the facts:
"Over a fifty year period, diabetes has become a
global problem of devastating human, social and economic
impact. The total number of people living with diabetes is
increasing by more than 7 million per year. If nothing is
done, the global epidemic will affect over 350 million
people within a generation. Unchecked, diabetes threatens
to overwhelm healthcare services in many countries and
undermine the gains of economic advancement in the
developing world."
The theme chosen by the IDF and WHO for this year's
World Diabetes Day is `diabetes in the disadvantaged and
the vulnerable'. Diabetes representative organizations
worldwide are drawing attention to diabetes health
inequalities and promoting the message that every person
with diabetes has the right to the highest attainable
healthcare that their country can provide.
Diabetes hits the poorest hardest
Contrary to the widely held perception that diabetes is
a disease of the affluent, studies show that the
economically disadvantaged are at higher risk. The global
picture reveals that within 20 years 80% of all people with
diabetes will live in low- and middle-income countries, in
many of which there is little or no access to life-saving
and disability-preventing diabetes treatments.
In affluent countries, people who are relatively poor
are at greater risk of type 2 diabetes. In the USA, for
example, households with the lowest incomes have the
highest incidence of diabetes.
A cruel choice
The impact of diabetes on these individuals and their
families is often devastating. It is estimated that poor
people with diabetes in some developing countries spend as
much as 25% of their annual income on diabetes care. As IDF
President-Elect Martin Silink puts it, "For some, the
consequences of diabetes can be merciless. The economically
disadvantaged are pushed further into poverty and face a
terrible choice: pay for treatment and face catastrophic
debt, or neglect their health and face disability or
premature death."
The elderly, ethnic minorities and indigenous
communities are all disproportionately affected by the
diabetes epidemic. In developed countries, people over the
age of 65 are almost 10 times more likely to develop
diabetes than people in the 20-40 year age group. In the
United States, it is estimated that one in two people from
ethnic minorities born in the year 2000 will develop
diabetes during their lifetime, compared to one in three
for the general population. In Canada, the prevalence of
diabetes among First Nation peoples is three to five times
higher than that of the general population in the same age
group. The same is true among Australian Aborigines.
To do nothing is not an option
The diabetes epidemic threatens to be one of the
greatest health catastrophes the world has ever seen. To
coincide with November 14th this year, the International
Diabetes Federation is calling on the global diabetes
community to rally behind the campaign for a United Nations
Resolution on diabetes by signing an online petition at
http://www.unitefordiabetes.org and passing a virtual
version of the blue circle that has come to symbolise
diabetes.
Note to Editors:
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an
organization of over 190 member associations in more than
150 countries. Its mission is to promote diabetes care,
prevention and a cure worldwide. IDF leads the campaign for
a UN Resolution on diabetes. See
http://www.unitefordiabetes.org .
World Diabetes Day is an initiative of the
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World
Health Organization (WHO). Visit
http://www.worlddiabetesday.org for further information .
For more information, please contact:
Kerrita McClaughlyn
IDF Media Relations
Tel: +32-2-5431639
Mobile: +32-487-530625
Email: kerrita@idf.org
SOURCE The International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
2007'02.11.Sun
China.com Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of 2006
November 13, 2006
Continual Profitability and Strong Balance Sheet
-- Financial highlights for the three months ended 30
September, 2006:
-- Total revenue was HK$132 million, up 22%
year-on-year
-- Gross profit was HK$82 million, up 33% year-on-year
-- Profit attributable to shareholders was HK$17.5
million, up 251% year-
on-year
-- Company sustained positive operating cash flow and
has maintained a
strong balance sheet, with over HK$949 million in
net cash and cash
equivalents
BEIJING, Nov. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -©¤ China.com Inc.
("China.com"; Hong Kong Stock Code: 8006), a
mobile value added services ("MVAS"), Internet
services and online game provider operating principally in
China, and a 77%-owned subsidiary of CDC Corporation
(Nasdaq: CHINA), today announced its financial results for
the three months ended 30 September, 2006. During the
period, the Company recorded total revenue of HK$132
million, representing an increase of 22% over the same
period last year, while gross profit was HK$82 million, up
33% year-on-year. Profit attributable to shareholders was
HK$17.5 million, up 251% from Q3 2005. Balance sheet
position remained strong with net cash and interest-bearing
securities at over HK$949 million as at 30 September 2006.
Mobile Value Added Services
As noted in prior announcements, the company was
alerted in June to policy changes for all subscription
services on China Mobile's ("CMCC") Monternet
platform which may affect the company's MVAS subscription
services. The changes, which are being implemented under
the policy directives of China's Ministry of Information
Industry, were aimed to address industry-wide objectives
including reduction of customer complaints, increase in
customer satisfaction and to promote the healthy
development of the MVAS industry and CMCC's Monternet.
As expected, the company's MVAS business activity was
initially negatively impacted at the beginning of Q3. Its
July revenue from mobile services and applications
experienced a 39% month-on-month decline and a 29% decrease
compared to the same period last year. However, the company
had already begun a recovery by the middle of the quarter
and had shown continuing growth on a monthly basis since
the end of July.
In August, it successfully reversed the downtrend of
mobile services and applications revenue, with a 2%
month-on-month increase. In September, it continued the
growth trend with a 21% increase in revenue compared to
August.
The main reasons for the growth can be attributed to
its proactive revamp of the service offerings and marketing
channels, as well as exploring new cooperation opportunities
with mobile operators in China, in an effort to minimize the
impact of the policy changes. In August, the company won a
contract from Beijing Mobile for the exclusive right to
design, develop and operate the graphic channel of
"Beijing in my hand", which features and promotes
popular products through the download of WAP pictures. The
company was also awarded the contract from Jiangsu Wuxi
Mobile to send MMS on its behalf to its VIP customers.
These contract wins further demonstrate China.com's
leadership position in the MVAS sector.
In early August, the company announced the acquisition
of TimeHeart Science Technology Limited and Beijing
TimeHeart Information Technology Limited (collectively
"TimeHeart Group"), another MVAS operator with a
full line of mobile services and applications products.
The company believes this acquisition complements its
current mobile services and applications platforms and
provides it with the opportunity to further expand its
market share. Further, due to the short-term industry-wide
negative impact resulting from the regulatory changes,
China.com is acquiring the company at a relatively low
price/earnings ratio of approximately 4.5x. The company
will continue to aggressively look at other opportunities,
as it believes that this is an opportune time to make
further acquisitions and consolidate its position in the
industry.
"With more than 500 million mobile phone
subscribers, China's mobile market remains the largest in
the world and will continue to be the largest in years to
come. We have strong confidence in the long-term future of
the sector. MVAS has been our core business unit and will
continue to provide us with growth opportunities. The
Group will employ its strong cash position to selectively
acquire synergistic and earnings accretive companies in the
industry. We aim to become one of the top three players in
the Chinese mobile value added services sector. We are
currently in the late stages of evaluating a number of
value added service providers in the Chinese mobile
industry. Some of them have won exclusive contracts for
vertical industry applications while others have innovative
products and services or strong local provincial or
municipal marketing and distribution channels," said
Dr. Xiaowei Chen, Executive Director and Chief Financial
Officer of China.com.
Online Games
In Q3 2006, the online game revenue increased by 10% to
HK$66.8 million as compared to Q2 2006. Yulgang, the
company's current blockbuster online game in China,
maintained a stable performance in Q3 2006. After 3
consecutive quarters of robust growth, the peak concurrent
users and the average concurrent users of Yulgang remained
healthy at 331,000 and 218,000 respectively, a slight drop
of 5% and 7% respectively from Q2 2006. However, the
registered users increased to 37,000,000 in Q3 2006, up 23%
from 30,000,000 in Q2 2006. The number of virtual items
that have been sold in the game climbed 29% higher to 27.4
million. Server groups throughout China supporting Yulgang
and the company's other online games numbered 54, up 13%
from 48 server groups in Q2 2006.
The company has licensed 3 new games, 1) Special Force,
2) Stone Age 2 and 3) Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of
Angmar, during the quarter to strengthen its China gaming
pipeline and currently plan to launch the games in 2007.
Portal
Based on the agreement signed by Google and China.com
in July 2006, Google is extending its advertisers' reach to
millions of China.com's audience, in both China and abroad.
China.com is leveraging Google's leading technology to
provide search service for its users. Google will also
expand its presence on China.com beyond the text search
functions when it launches video ads in China.com's English
Channel serving primarily multinational companies (MNC) in
China. This is the first time Google Video Adsense will
enter China's Internet market.
During the quarter, the China.com portal has also been
appointed by Jilin Government as the exclusive web sponsor
of the 2007 Asian Winter Games. This is the first time
that Asian Winter Games athletes will all register online,
using China.com's web platform.
The portal online video program, "The Straight
Show", has achieved wide popularity among Chinese
Internet users. The program has been downloaded 5 million
times during this quarter. "The Straight Show"
is specifically positioned as mobile content for the 3G
era. It is another demonstration of the synergies between
the company's MVAS and portal businesses.
Overall, China.com is strengthening its position as the
leading portal for Chinese professionals. The company's
focus channels include Entertainment (including The
Straight Show), Lifestyle, Health and Career. The portal
most recently launched v.china.com, which features an
interactive platform of online video programs.
The company believes that interactive platforms will
continue to be the direction of Internet development, and
this is a direction that fits strategically with its
position as the leading portal for Chinese professionals.
To strengthen its position in the Chinese Internet
industry, China.com recently launched a US$20 million Web
2.0 Developer Program to establish strategic relations with
leading local Web 2.0 companies to accelerate the
development of innovative products and services targeted
specifically for the Chinese market. The company is
currently evaluating a number of potential investments,
including companies specializing in community, instant
messaging, and interactive technology service providers.
China.com will also leverage its deep relations with
advertisers and broad knowledge of the market as one of the
first Internet companies in China to provide marketing,
advertising and sales support to its partners for their
products and services. As part of the strategic
partnership, the development partners' will also be able to
leverage the extensive market coverage of the Group
including millions of growing subscribers of our MVAS and
Portal businesses.
Dr Chen concluded: "Looking forward, China.com
will continue to explore new growth opportunities and
create values for our customers through continuous
innovation and expanded offerings. As the Chinese new
media space continues to evolve with changing regulations
and market landscape, we will continue to seek the best
opportunities, leading the market with both organic growth
and strategic acquisitions."
Notes to the Editors:
This press release should be read in conjunction with
the announcement posted on the website of the Growth
Enterprise Market of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong
Limited.
About China.com Inc
China.com Inc. (stock code: 8006; website:
http://www.inc.china.com ), a leading Mobile Value Added
Services (MVAS), and Internet services company operating
principally in China, and a 77%-owned subsidiary of CDC
Corporation (formerly chinadotcom corporation) (Nasdaq:
CHINA; website: http://www.cdccorporation.net ), was listed
on the GEM of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on
March 9, 2000. In December 2000, China.com Inc. was
admitted as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng IT and IT
Portfolio Indices.
Safe Harbor Statement
There is no assurance that the current growth of
China.com Inc.'s business can be maintained. The
statements in this news release, other than historical
financial information, may contain forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ from anticipated results.
For more information, please contact:
Jenny Hu
China.com
Tel: +86-10-8518-4499 x662
Fax: +86-10-8518-7189
Email: huying@np.china.com
SOURCE China.com Inc
2007'02.11.Sun
Cadence and SMIC Collaborate to Address Wireless Design Challenges In China
November 10, 2006
Design Chain Collaboration Combines Cadence RF Methodology Kit and SMIC Processes for Successful RF IC Designs
SAN JOSE, Calif. and SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 10
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: CDNS), the leader in global electronic-design
innovation, and Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation (SMIC) (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 0981.HK) today
announced a new collaboration to deliver the Cadence(R) RF
(Radio-Frequency) Design Methodology Kit to the China RF IC
design market. SMIC will develop process-design kits (PDKs)
that will support the Cadence RF Design Methodology Kit and
will validate the PDKs in a test chip by the end of 2006.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/sa/200611101605.jpg )
The CMOSRF 180-nanometer PDKs will be available to
customers by the end of 2006. Cadence and SMIC will jointly
deliver RFIC methodology workshops and provide RF Kit
Applicability Consulting to Chinese RF designers.
With this collaboration, wireless chip designers in
China will have the necessary tools to achieve shorter,
more predictable design cycles by ensuring that silicon
performance matches design intent. As part of their joint
effort, both companies will also offer applicability
training and workshops.
"There are many techniques peculiar to wireless. A
design kit with recommendations on methodologies and tools
is a benefit to our customers. Our collaboration with
Cadence on RF design will help customers in China design
and deliver high-quality RF devices," said Paul
Ouyang, vice president of Design Services at SMIC.
"The combination of the Cadence advanced full-custom
RF IC design technologies, RF Methodology Kit with SMIC's
RF CMOS process technologies will offer the highest levels
of quality and productivity enabling silicon success for
our customers. We look forward to continuing our close
partnership with Cadence to provide to our mutual customer
a joint RF IC solution based on 130-nanometer and
90-nanometer RF CMOS processes."
The RF Methodology Kit includes an 802.11 b/g WLAN
transceiver reference design, a full suite of block-,
chip-, and system-level test benches, simulation setups,
test plans, and applicability training on the RF design and
analysis methodologies. The kit focuses on top-down RF IC
design and full-chip verification and addresses behavioural
modelling, circuit simulation, layout, parasitic extraction
and re-simulation, and inductor synthesis. It also focuses
on IC verification within a system context, leveraging
system-level models and test benches for use by designers
in the IC environment.
"We are pleased to collaborate with SMIC on a key
effort to help customers in the Chinese RF-design market
improve the quality and productivity in the design of their
RF devices," said Jan Willis, senior vice president of
Industry Alliances at Cadence. "We look forward to
jointly engaging mutual customers through workshops and RF
Applicability training in China throughout 2007."
About SMIC
SMIC (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 0981.HK) is one of the leading
semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and
most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing
integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing service at 0.35um to
90 nanometers and finer line technologies. Headquartered in
Shanghai, China, SMIC operates three 200mm fabs in Shanghai
and one in Tianjin, and one 300mm fab in Beijing, the first
of its kind in Mainland China. SMIC has customer service and
marketing offices in the U.S., Italy, and Japan as well as a
representative office in Hong Kong. For additional
information, please visit http://www.smics.com .
About Cadence
Cadence enables global electronic-design innovation and
plays an essential role in the creation of today's
integrated circuits and electronics. Customers use Cadence
software and hardware, methodologies, and services to
design and verify advanced semiconductors, consumer
electronics, networking and telecommunications equipment,
and computer systems. Cadence reported 2005 revenues of
approximately $1.3 billion, and has approximately 5,200
employees. The company is headquartered in San Jose,
Calif., with sales offices, design centers, and research
facilities around the world to serve the global electronics
industry. More information about the company, its products,
and services is available at http://www.cadence.com .
Cadence is a registered trademarks and the Cadence logo
is a trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Safe Harbor Statements (Under the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
This press release contains, in addition to historical
information, "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of
the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements, including statements
concerning the timing specified products will be available
to customers, the benefits of the collaboration to
customers and the continuing collaboration between SMIC and
Cadence, are based on SMIC's current assumptions,
expectations and projections about future events. SMIC uses
words like "believe," "anticipate,"
"intend," "estimate,"
"expect," "project" and similar
expressions to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
words. These forward-looking statements involve significant
risks, both known and unknown, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause SMIC's actual performance, financial
condition or results of operations to be materially
different from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements.
For more information, please contact:
Michael Fournell
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
Tel: +1-408-428-5135
Email: fournell@cadence.com
Reiko Chang
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
Tel: +86-21-5080-2000 x10544
Email: PR@smics.com
SOURCE Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation
2007'02.11.Sun
Dr Margaret Chan to be WHO's Next Director-General
November 10, 2006
Organization's Work to be Judged by Impact on the People of Africa and on Women
GENEVA, Nov. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Dr Margaret Chan
of China will be the next Director-General of the World
Health Organization (WHO). After her appointment, she told
the World Health Assembly she wanted to be judged by the
impact WHO's work has on the people of Africa and on women
across the globe.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )
In her acceptance speech, Dr Chan said: "what
matters most to me is people. And two specific groups of
people in particular. I want us to be judged by the impact
we have on the health of the people of Africa, and the
health of women. Improvements in the health of the people
of Africa and the health of women are key indicators of the
performance of WHO."
"All regions, all countries, all people are
equally important. This is a health organization for the
whole world. Our work must touch on the lives of everyone,
everywhere," she said. "But we must focus our
attention on the people in greatest need."
Dr Chan was nominated as Director-General on Wednesday
by the WHO Executive Board and her appointment was
confirmed on Thursday by the World Health Assembly. The
Director-General is WHO's chief technical and
administrative officer. She was previously WHO Assistant
Director-General for Communicable Diseases and
Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic
Influenza.
Dr Chan obtained her Medical Degree from the University
of Western Ontario in Canada and also has a degree in public
health from the National University of Singapore. She joined
the Hong Kong Department of Health in 1978, and was
appointed as Director of Health in 1994. As Director, she
launched new services focusing on prevention of disease and
promotion of health. She also introduced new initiatives to
improve communicable disease surveillance and response,
enhance training for public health professionals, and to
establish better local and international collaboration. She
has effectively managed outbreaks of avian influenza and the
world's first outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS).
The procedures for the current nomination and election
process were decided following the sudden death of Dr LEE
Jong-wook, WHO Director-General, on 22 May 2006. At its
meeting on 23 May, the WHO Executive Board agreed on an
"accelerated process" for electing a
Director-General.
Dr Chan paid tribute to her predecessor. "We are
all here because of the untimely death of Dr LEE Jong-wook.
We are also all here because of many millions of untimely
deaths. I know Dr Lee would have wanted me to make this
point. He will always be remembered for his 3by5
initiative. That was all about preventing untimely deaths
on the grandest scale possible."
Dr Chan told the Assembly that as Director-General she
would focus on six key issues for WHO: health development,
security, capacity, information and knowledge, partnership,
and performance.
She emphasized the importance of global health security
in her vision of the Organization's role: "Health
security brings benefits at both the global and community
levels. New diseases are global threats to health that also
bring shocks to economies and societies. Defence against
these threats enhances our collective security."
Underlining the importance of strong systems to deliver
health care to the people who need it, she said: "All
the donated drugs in the world won't do any good without an
infrastructure for their delivery. You cannot deliver health
care if the staff you trained at home are working
abroad."
She especially praised the people who deliver health
care. "The true heroes these days are the health
workers with their healing, caring ethic. They are
determined to save lives and relieve suffering, and they
work with impressive dedication, often under difficult
conditions. The world needs many, many more of them."
Dr Chan underlined the diverse approaches needed to
strengthen health and health care in different parts of the
world. "Many countries in Africa face the challenge of
rebuilding social support systems. Others in central Asia
and Eastern Europe are undergoing transition from planned
to market economies. They want WHO support. They want to
make sure that equitable and accessible systems built on
primary health care are not sacrificed in the
process."She said she would strengthen WHO's
commitment to gather, analyse and build recommendations
based on evidence: "I plan to set up a global health
observatory to collect, collate and disseminate data on
priority health problems. I will integrate WHO's research
activities to more strategically address a common health
research agenda."
There is a growing number of initiatives and players in
the field of global health. Dr Chan said she would work
strategically with partners to deliver the best possible
results for global health. " Today, collaboration to
achieve public health goals is no longer simply an asset.
It is a critical necessity. WHO needs to develop an
approach to collaboration that emphasizes management of
diversity and complexity."
Turning her attention to the internal management of
WHO, Dr Chan said: "I will also accelerate human
resource reform to build a work ethic within WHO that is
based on competence, and pride in achieving results for
health."
She also addressed the challenges ahead of the
Organization: "As we know, not all of the problems
faced by WHO in its efforts to improve world health are
subject to scientific scrutiny, or yield their secrets
under a microscope. You know the ones I mean: lack of
resources and too little political commitment. These are
often the true `killers'."
Ending her address, Dr Chan repeated her pledge to work
hard to improve the health of people around the world.
"The work we do together saves lives and relieves
suffering. I will work with you tirelessly to make this
world a healthier place."
Dr Anders Nordstrom, appointed by the Executive Board
as Acting Director-General of WHO in May, will continue in
this role until a new Director-General takes office.
All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as
well as other information on this subject can be obtained
on Internet on the WHO home page: http://www.who.int/.
For further information, please contact
Christine McNab
Acting Director
WHO Communications Department
Tel: +41-22-791-46-88
Mobile: +41-79-254-6815
Email: mcnabc@who.int
Iain Simpson
Team leader
News and Advocacy
Tel: +41-22-791-32-15
Mobile: +41-79-475-55-34
Email: simpsoni@who.int
Fadela Chaib
WHO Communications officer
Tel: +41-22-791-32-28
Mobile: +41-79-475-55-56
Email: chaibf@who.int
SOURCE World Health Organization
2007'02.11.Sun
EDN Study Ranks Arrow First in both Asia and China
November 10, 2006
HONG KONG, Nov. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Arrow Asia
Pac was ranked the number one distributor in both Asia and
mainland China in EDN's 2006 Worldwide Semiconductor and IC
Brand Study. A leading design information publication for
the electronics industry, the EDN worldwide network of
publications has a global readership. The study
interviewed readers on brand awareness, usage and
preference for suppliers and distributors of integrated
circuits (IC) and semiconductors. Last year's EDN brand
study also named Arrow as the number one distributor in
mainland China.
"Arrow's top rankings in this year's EDN study
clearly testify to our success in Asia and mainland China.
We have established a strong presence in Asia over the last
ten years ago and have invested significantly to cater to
the dynamic and ever-changing needs of customers here. The
study demonstrates that Arrow outperformed all its nearest
competitors in addressing customer needs -- from product
availability and technical support, to supply chain
services. Going forward, we will continue to improve our
services and capabilities and are committed to becoming the
clear No. 1 electronic components distributor in both Asia
and mainland China," said Peter Kong, President, Arrow
Asia Pac.
Conducted in July and August 2006, the study generated
more than 2,775 responses globally. These primarily
comprised R & D engineers, engineering staff, project
managers and R&D management from a number of
geographical areas, including North America, Europe, Asia
and mainland China.
Respondents were provided with a list of electronics
distributors in their region and asked to score them by:
'level of awareness', 'would recommend to industry peers',
and 'prefer to do business with'. In the 2006 study,
customers clearly indicated that 'product availability',
'supply chain services' and 'technical support' are the key
factors when selecting distributors in Asia and China.
Arrow was ranked number 1 for all these attributes in Asia
and China. Arrow also received top rankings in these in
the Worldwide, North American, and Europe geographical
categories.
About EDN
Reed Business Information Asia has been publishing
leading business to business electronic titles in Asia
since 1990. The current portfolio of market-leading
regional publications includes EDN Asia and Electronic
Manufacturing Asia, published in association with the Reed
Electronics Group headquartered in the United States. EDN
is part of the EDN Worldwide network of publications and
websites comprising the premier source of design
information for the worldwide electronics industry.
About Arrow Asia Pac
A subsidiary of Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW),
Arrow Asia Pac is one of Asia Pacific's leading electronic
component distributors. In addition to its regional
headquarters in Hong Kong, Arrow Asia Pac operates 42 sales
offices, four primary distribution centers and eleven local
warehousing facilities in eleven countries/territories
across Asia.
Providing a full range of semiconductors, passive,
electromechanical and connectors products from over 60
leading international suppliers, Arrow Asia Pac serves more
than 10,000 original equipment and contract manufacturers
and commercial customers in Asia Pacific. Visit us at
http://www.arrowasia.com .
For more information, please contact:
Ray Leung
Marketing Communications Director
Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.
Tel: +852-2484-2683
Email: ray.leung@arrowasia.com
Grace Kung
Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +852-2484-2682
Email: grace.kung@arrowasia.com
SOURCE Arrow Asia Pac Ltd.
2007'02.11.Sun
Data I/O Announces Strategic Alliance with Intel* FlashMemory Group to Offer Higher Value, Integrated Solutions
November 10, 2006
REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Market
leader Data I/O(R) Corporation, (Nasdaq: DAIO), today
announced a global alliance with Intel's Flash Memory Group
to deliver higher value to their mutual customers. The two
companies will offer integrated solutions to reduce
time-to-market and facilitate easy adoption and
manufacturing with Intel's flash memory devices and Data
I/O's automated programming solutions.
Under the terms of Data I/O's Preferred Partnership
Program, Data I/O will coordinate with Intel's Flash Memory
Group to dedicate resources for closer customer support at
the device level as well as the local sales, marketing and
technical levels. Areas of collaboration include:
-- Focusing attention on increasing the quality of
service and value to
mutual customers for cellular, consumer
electronics, communications,
computing and industrial applications.
-- Enabling concurrent engineering practices to reduce
time to market
during the transition from development to the
manufacturing floor.
-- Helping our customers improve profitability through
lean manufacturing
and higher quality processes.
-- Enhancing customer capability through joint
seminars and other
educational forums.
-- Providing "Priority Support" for Intel's
customers.
-- Collaborating closely to develop and/or license
technology to enable
full solutions for Intel's customers.
-- Engaging our sales teams early in the design
process to eliminate
manufacturing-related issues.
"Intel and Data I/O have shared customers around
the world for years and this agreement elevates our
cooperation to better service those customers," said
Harald Weigelt, VP of World Wide Sales and Services.
"Both Intel and Data I/O share a common commitment to
higher quality through automation and excellence in
service. Having Intel in our Preferred Partnership Program
reinforces this message and takes our historically
successful relationship and technical collaboration to a
new level that will generate value for Intel, Data I/O and
our mutual customers," added Weigelt.
"As a leading supplier of NOR and NAND Flash
memory, we continually strive to enable customers to get to
market faster," stated Darin Billerbeck, vice president
and general manager of Intel's Flash Products Group.
"By capitalizing on our long-standing association with
Data I/O, our customers can realize faster development time
and improved manufacturing throughput."
The two companies will also explore collaboration
opportunities vis-a-vis the Open NAND Flash Interface
(ONFI) initiative to establish a standard interface for
NAND Flash memory devices with other ONFI members.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the
property of others.
About Data I/O
With more than 34 years of innovative leadership in
device programming solutions, Data I/O Corporation provides
manual and automated device programming systems that
specifically address the requirements of engineering and
manufacturing operations. FlashCORE(TM) is the architecture
behind a family of Flash programmers that deliver the
highest throughput and the lowest cost per programmed
device. For Flash, microcontroller and logic device
support, the MultiSyte and UniSite families provide
universal support and versatility to address a wide variety
of programming needs. The company's newest products are the
ImageWriter line of In-System Programming products, and the
new FLX500 automated desktop device programming system.
Data I/O provides solutions beyond products, including
a unique Applications Services offering and global service
and support capability. Data I/O Corporation is
headquartered in Redmond, Washington and has sales and
service offices worldwide. More information is available at
http://www.dataio.com or call 800-426-1045.
Forward-Looking Statements
All company and product names mentioned may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders and are used for identification purposes only. The
matters discussed in this news release include
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary
significantly. These risks include market and competitive
factors, and other risks described in the Company's most
recent annual report and/or in any of its other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the information in this
release. Reference to the Company's website above does not
constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon
into this press release.
For more information, please contact:
Kennan M. Yilmaz
Data I-O Corporation
Tel: +1-425-867-6910
Email: yilmazk@dataio.com
Connie Brown
Intel Public Relations
Tel: +1-503-264-4339
Email: connie.m.brown@intel.com
SOURCE Data I/O Corporation
2007'02.11.Sun
Give Your Porsche its Own Name with `Name Your Porsche'
November 10, 2006
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, Nov. 10 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
There's a unique new way for Porsche owners, male and
female, to give their car its own special identity. Where
the model type normally goes, you can now opt to have the
wording of your choice in the same style of lettering.
Normally, instead of the model names such as Cayenne,
Turbo, Carrera, Cayman or Boxster, the name of any owner,
his or her girlfriend or boyfriend, dog, company or
anything at all can be put on the car: from Bruce to
Michelle, from David to Roxanne to Jade and so on.
Furthermore, creative thinking can lead to all sorts of
amusing phrases, with endless possibilities. Phrases like:
`My Seventh' or `Thanks Daddy'? `Not Leased' and `Follow Me'
are just some examples.
With its own unique wording, a Porsche becomes just a
little more exclusive and that's what this unique new
service is all about. The lettering can also be ordered in
different colors -- black, silver, and even gold -- at
http://www.nameyourporsche.com , where you'll also find a
range of examples and full information about quality,
price, and delivery all over the world.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Images to accompany this press
release can be downloaded from:
http://www.nameyourporsche.com/press . /
For more information, please contact:
Milou van der Zanden
Name your Porsche
Tel: +31-40-2920710
Email: milou@vladimirenhiemstra.nl
SOURCE Name Your Porsche
2007'02.11.Sun
Ekahau Launches Next-Generation Software Engine for Real-Time Location Tracking
November 09, 2006
EPE 4.0 Features Improved Accuracy and Scalability, Ease of Deployment and Integrated Tag Management Capabilities
SARATOGA, Calif., Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Ekahau
Inc., a leading provider of Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location
Systems (RTLS), today introduced the Ekahau Positioning
Engine (EPE) 4.0, a major upgrade of Ekahau's server
software that features faster and more accurate location
tracking capabilities than its predecessor. As the key
component of Ekahau's turn-key RTLS solution, the EPE 4.0
significantly eases the deployment and management of a
real-time location solution, while providing the ability to
track more than 10,000 objects.
"Since our first positioning engine was introduced
in 2002, we have been working with our customers on ways to
improve the functionality of RTLS and simplify its
use," said Lare Lekman, chief technology officer at
Ekahau. "Ekahau's extensive research and development
efforts, coupled with customer feedback, have resulted in a
product set that is unrivaled in its capabilities. The
launch of this next-generation server software seals
Ekahau's position as an innovator with the best-in-class
solutions for the RTLS industry."
The EPE 4.0 includes a number of new features that
improve the performance of Ekahau's turn-key RTLS solution.
These features include:
* Improved Accuracy and Scalability: New,
patent-pending
probabilistic algorithms in the EPE 4.0 deliver a
higher
percentage of accuracy in locating tracked items or
people
to within up to one to two meters. The software is
capable
of tracking more than a total of 10,000 objects and
can
complete 600 location transactions per second.
* Simplified Set-Up and Monitoring: The EPE 4.0
includes a
new web-based administrator interface and a new
deployment
tool, the Ekahau Location Survey, for pre-survey and
site
calibration that cuts deployment time of Wi-Fi-based
RTLS
in half compared to the previous version. The new EPE
also
supports the site survey data collected with Ekahau
Site
Survey (ESS) 2.2, enabling end-to-end process from
Wi-Fi
planning and surveys to RTLS deployment.
* Rapid Application Development and Integration: The
EPE 4.0
features a new HTTP-XML application programming
interface
(API) that speeds application development and
integration
with third-party systems. The 4.0 version also
enables
tighter integration of EPE to support different Wi-Fi
vendors' network architecture, and enhanced support
to
Wi-Fi based client devices.
* Remote Tag Management: The EPE 4.0 includes
integrated tag
management tools that enable users to monitor battery
level,
control LED and buzzers, and reconfigure and update
firmware
over the air.
The EPE 4.0 has undergone extensive beta testing with a
number of Fortune 1000 companies. It also is being
integrated with the middleware applications available from
Ekahau partners, including Sybase iAnywhere.
"Our strong partner relationship has resulted in
tight integration with the EPE 4.0 right from the
start," said Martyn Mallick, director of RFID and
Mobile Solutions at Sybase iAnywhere. "By combining
the EPE 4.0 with Sybase's RFID Anywhere solution, our
customers are able to easily extend Ekahau's RTLS
capabilities, along with other sensory data, into their
applications."
The EPE 4.0 powers the Ekahau RTLS solution. Ekahau has
deployed its RTLS system worldwide in hospitals,
manufacturing facilities, mines, museums and on military
bases. The applications of Ekahau RTLS allow these
industries to track people and assets in real time, as well
as improve efficiency, safety and security.
The EPE 4.0 will be generally available in November
30th, 2006. Free evaluation software is now available. For
more information, please visit http://www.ekahau.com/eval .
About Ekahau Inc.
Ekahau Inc. is the industry leader in providing Wi-Fi
based RTLS solutions. Ekahau's customers, including several
Fortune 500 companies worldwide, are realizing the benefits
of Wi-Fi based location services and innovative Wi-Fi
network planning and optimization tools. Ekahau partners
include wireless software developers, leading system
integrators, and international OEM partners, who develop
and market wireless enterprise applications. Ekahau is a
U.S. based corporation, with offices in Saratoga, CA;
Reston, VA; Helsinki, Finland; and Hong Kong, China. For
more information about Ekahau, please visit at
http://www.ekahau.com .
For more information, please contact:
Media Contact U.S.
Juliet Travis
Rocket Science PR
Tel: +1-415-464-8110 x5
Email: juliet@rocketscience.com
Europe
Arttu Huhtiniemi
Director,
Product Management
Tel: +358-20-743-5910
Email: products@ekahau.com
Nina Mattsson
Sr Marketing Manager
Tel: +358-50-556-6998
Email: marketing@ekahau.com
SOURCE Ekahau Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
TOM Online Inc. Reports 3Q 2006 Results
November 09, 2006
BEIJING, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- TOM Online Inc.
(Nasdaq: TOMO; Hong Kong GEM: 8282) ("TOM Online"
or "the Company"), a leading wireless Internet
company in China, announced today its financial results for
the third quarter ended September 30, 2006
("3Q06").
Financial Highlights
-- Total revenues were US$38.95 million
("mn"), a decrease of 15.2% from
the same period last year and 22.3% from last
quarter.
-- Wireless Internet revenues were US$34.71 mn,
representing a 19.6%
decrease from the same period last year and a 24.1%
decrease from the
previous quarter due to the impact from recently
implemented operator
and government policies. Wireless Internet revenues
made up 89.1% of
the Company's total quarterly revenues.
-- Online advertising revenues were US$3.53 mn,
representing a 36.3%
increase from the same period last year but a 9.2%
decrease from the
previous quarter. Online advertising revenues made
up 9.1% of the
Company's total quarterly revenues.
-- Net income was US$5.28 mn, a decrease of 55.1% from
the last quarter
and a decrease of 59.0% from the same period last
year.
-- Excluding share-based compensation ("SBC")
expenses of US$0.74 mn,
Non-GAAP net income was US$6.02 mn.
-- Fully diluted earnings per American Depository Share
("ADS") were
US$9.9 cents per ADS or US$0.12 cents per common
share.
-- Excluding SBC expenses, Non-GAAP fully diluted
earnings per ADS were
US$11.3 cents per ADS or US$0.14 cents per common
share.
-- Balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term
bank deposits was
approximately US$128.59 mn at the end of the third
quarter of 2006.
Wang Lei Lei, Chief Executive Officer and an Executive
Director of TOM Online, said: "Although the current
regulatory environment has severely impacted TOM Online's
operational efficiency and financial performance in the
third quarter, I believe the Company remains as strong as
ever in terms of its abilities to grow and expand our
position in the wireless Internet space, strengthen our
close working relationships with industry partners as well
as continue to lead the market with our operational
capabilities. With an outstanding workforce, I am
confident TOM Online will be able to successfully navigate
through this difficult period together with our
partners."
Business Results:
The Company's unaudited consolidated revenues for the
three months ended September 30, 2006 were US$38.95 mn, a
decrease of 15.2% year on year ("YoY") and a
decrease of 22.3% quarter on quarter ("QoQ").
Wireless Internet revenues were US$34.71 mn,
representing a 19.6% decrease from the same period last
year and a 24.1% decrease compared to the previous quarter
due to the impact from recently implemented operator and
government policies. Wireless Internet revenues made up
89.1% of the Company's total quarterly revenues compared to
91.2% in the second quarter.
Online advertising revenues were US$3.53 mn,
representing a 9.2% decrease QoQ, but an increase of 36.3%
YoY. Online advertising revenues made up 9.1% of TOM
Online's total quarterly revenues, up from 7.8% in the
second quarter.
Gross profit was US$12.77 mn representing a decrease of
37.0% compared to the same period last year and a 33.0%
decline QoQ. Gross margins declined to 32.8% in 3Q06 from
38.0% in the 2Q06 and 44.1% in the 3Q05. The sequential
decline in gross margins was due to the steep decline in
revenues while a portion of the Company's cost of sales are
fixed in nature, such as staff compensations, depreciation,
bandwidth and some marketing costs, amongst others. Total
cost of sales in 3Q06 was US$26.18 mn compared to US$31.05
mn in 2Q06, or a QoQ decline of 15.7%. Total revenues
dropped 22.3% QoQ.
Total operating expenses were US$8.55 mn in 3Q06, 6.8%
higher than 2Q06 and roughly flat compared to the same
period last year. The slight QoQ increase in operating
expenses was in part due to higher operating and
amortization expenses associated with consolidating Infomax
for the first full quarter. Otherwise, due to the new
operator and government policies, the Company strived to
control costs while maintaining historical levels of sales
and marketing activities to continue to build brand
awareness for its portal.
In addition, during 3Q06, the Company recognized
US$0.74 mn in SBC expenses which are excluded from the
Company's non-GAAP presentation of earnings.
Operating income was US$4.22 mn, down 63.3% from the
same period last year and 61.8% from the previous quarter.
Excluding SBC expenses, Non-GAAP operating income would have
been US$4.96 mn. Operating margins were 10.8% in the third
quarter, compared to 22.1% in the previous quarter.
3Q06 EBITDA ("Earnings before Interest, Taxes,
Depreciation and Amortization") were US$6.76 mn, a
decrease of 50.0% YoY and 49.5% QoQ. EBITDA margins were
17.3% for the quarter compared to 26.7% in 2Q06. Excluding
SBC expenses, 3Q adjusted EBITDA was US$7.50 mn.
Net Income was US$5.28 mn, a decrease of 59.0% YoY and
55.1% QoQ. This includes an exchange gain of US$ 0.74 mn
primarily due to the appreciation of RMB upon translation
of the Company's net non-RMB liabilities at the period end
as the Company's functional currency is RMB. Excluding SBC
expenses, Non-GAAP net income was US$6.02 mn, a decrease of
53.3% YoY and 51.9% QoQ.
US GAAP basic earnings per ADS were US$9.9 cents for
the quarter. US GAAP basic earnings per Hong Kong ordinary
share were US$0.12 cents for the quarter. Shares used in
computing US GAAP basic earnings per ADS were 53.25 mn and
shares used in computing US GAAP basic earnings per Hong
Kong ordinary share were 4,259.63 mn.
Excluding SBC expenses, Non-GAAP basic earnings per ADS
were US$11.3 cents and Non-GAAP basic earnings per Hong Kong
ordinary share were US$0.14 cents for the quarter. Shares
used in computing basic earnings per ADS were 53.25 mn and
shares used in computing basic earnings per Hong Kong
ordinary share were 4,259.63 mn.
US GAAP diluted earnings per ADS were US$9.9 cents for
the quarter. US GAAP diluted earnings per Hong Kong
ordinary share were US$0.12 cents for the quarter. Shares
used in computing US GAAP diluted earnings per ADS were
53.25 mn and shares used in computing US GAAP diluted
earnings per Hong Kong ordinary share were 4,259.63 mn.
Excluding SBC expenses, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per
ADS were US$11.3 cents and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per
Hong Kong ordinary share were US$0.14 cents for the
quarter. Shares used in computing diluted earnings per ADS
were 53.25mn and shares used in computing diluted earnings
per Hong Kong ordinary share were 4,259.63 mn.
Balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term
bank deposits was approximately US$128.59 mn at the end of
the third quarter of 2006. This cash and cash equivalent
balance takes into account US$18.75 mn used to pay for the
first installment of the Infomax acquisition and another
US$20.04 mn for the repayment of the Company's loan with
TOM Group.
Wireless Internet Services
Total wireless Internet service revenues were US$34.71
mn for the third quarter of 2006, a decrease of 24.1% QoQ
and 19.6% YoY. Wireless Internet revenues accounted for
89.1% of the Company's total revenues in the third quarter
compared to 91.2% in 2Q06.
In addition, 3Q06 was the first full quarter to include
Infomax, which contributed US$6.95 mn in total wireless
revenues in 3Q06 compared to US$0.98 mn in 2Q06, which only
reflects consolidation as of June 1, 2006. This represented
20.0% of total 3Q06 wireless Internet revenues. SMS usage
based services contributed over half of Infomax's revenues
and SMS revenues derived from CCTV-2's "Dream
China" talent contest show contributed roughly 40% of
Infomax's 3Q06 revenues. As "Dream China" ran
mainly during August and September, the Company expect to
see a drop-off in Infomax's business in the fourth quarter
of 2006, although it expects the decline should be somewhat
offset by ongoing synergies and other marketing and product
development activities that Infomax and TOM Online
management are currently working on together.
Excluding Infomax from 3Q06 revenues, total wireless
Internet revenues would have been US$27.76 mn, representing
a decrease of 37.9% QoQ and 35.7% YoY.
On July 7, 2006, TOM Online issued a press release
relating to policy changes for all subscription services on
China Mobile's ("CMCC") Monternet platform. The
changes, which have been implemented under the policy
directives of China's Ministry of Information Industry
("MII"), aim to address a number of issues,
including reducing customer complaints, increasing customer
satisfaction and promoting the healthy development of
Monternet. In addition, under the same MII policy
directives, China Unicom ("Unicom") has also
implemented similar policies to that of CMCC during 3Q06.
As had been previously discussed, these new policies
have had a substantial negative impact to the Company's
wireless business, resulting in substantial revenue and
profit declines from prior periods.
Although it appears that the regulatory environment had
begun to stabilize towards the end of 3Q06, in the
near-term, due to policies such as double confirmation and
a more stringent operating environment, TOM Online
continues to expect to see depressed levels of business
activity in its wireless business.
Looking forward, the Company continues to believe that
its mobile operator partners will consolidate their value
added service business towards a smaller group of large
scale wireless Internet service providers and believes this
will benefit business in the long run.
SMS ("Short Messaging Service") revenues in
3Q06 were US$14.21 mn, down 25.1% QoQ and 19.4% YoY. SMS
revenues made up 40.9% of total wireless Internet revenues
for the quarter. The primary factor for the steep decline
in SMS business was due to the cancellation of per message
subscriptions beginning in July for both CMCC and Unicom.
Other factors such as double confirmation and extended free
trial periods were only less significant contributors to the
QoQ decline as they were offset by the contribution from
Infomax's SMS business in 3Q06.
MMS ("Multimedia Messaging Service") revenues
for 3Q06 were US$2.08 mn, down 47.6% QoQ and 32.4% YoY. MMS
revenues made up 6.0% of total wireless Internet revenues in
the quarter. Similar to SMS, the cancellation of per
message subscriptions was the primary factor for a decline
in MMS business. However as discussed before, the Company
continues to believe that MMS is a transitory product
category and does not expect MMS to be a key business
driver to overall business in coming years.
WAP ("Wireless Application Protocol")
revenues for 3Q06 were US$7.40 mn, representing a 10.8%
increase QoQ but a 11.5% decrease YoY. WAP revenues made
up 21.3% of total wireless Internet revenues in the
quarter. In the second quarter, roughly 90% of WAP
revenues had been based on monthly subscriptions, but due
to the new policies, the Company has begun to shift the
business towards one-time ("usage") based
services in early 3Q06. However, excluding Infomax, WAP
revenues would have declined QoQ and YoY. Factors
contributing to a decline in WAP business included the
introduction of one-month free trials for subscriptions,
silent user clean-up periods shortening from 6 months to 4
months and a more stringent operating environment limiting
marketing and other cross-selling activities. Exiting
3Q06, the majority of WAP revenues were from usage based
services.
IVR ("Interactive Voice Response") revenues
in 3Q06 were US$8.15 mn, down 31.3% QoQ and 22.5% YoY. IVR
revenues made up 23.5% of total wireless Internet revenues
in the quarter. IVR business performed poorly due to the
suspension of cross-selling activities, which continues to
persist in most CMCC provinces at the end of 3Q.
CRBT ("Colour Ringback Tones") revenues in
3Q06 were US$1.61 mn, down 50.1% QoQ and 30.6% YoY. CRBT
revenues made up 4.6% of total wireless Internet revenues
in the quarter. Continued strong price competition in the
average CRBT per song fees and a more stringent operating
environment due to the new policies, contributed to the
poor performance in CRBT business.
Other wireless Internet revenues were US$1.26 mn,
representing a 24.4% increase QoQ and roughly flat YoY.
Other wireless Internet revenues made up 3.7% of total
wireless Internet revenues and consisted of primarily
revenues from Indiagames and, to a lesser extent, mobile
games distributed by TOM Online in the mainland China
market.
Online Advertising and Portal
Online advertising revenues were US$3.53 mn in 3Q06,
representing a slight decrease of 9.2% QoQ but an increase
of 36.3% YoY. Due to the strong performance in 2Q06 driven
by advertising related to the World Cup on the Company's
sports channel and Wanleba campus roadshows on its
entertainment and music channels, the Company saw a slight
let up in online advertising activities in 3Q06.
As the Company transits the current wireless Internet
operating environment, management will continue its efforts
on the portal and bolster the Company's online presence and
communities to continue to grow its online advertising
business. In particular, the portal strategy will be
aligned to best position the Company in anticipation of the
introduction of 3G wireless services in China.
New Business Opportunities
TOM-SKYPE JV and UMPay
At the end of October 2006, the Company had over 23.5
mn registered TOM-Skype users, up from over 15.5 mn
registered users at the end of July 2006, or an increase of
over 8 mn new registered users since the end of July. The
recent growth in TOM-Skype users is due to increased
marketing activities surrounding the voice and community
functions of the TOM-Skype service as well as the scale of
the user base beginning to exhibit positive network
effects. More importantly, the Company continues to explore
advertising opportunities through the TOM-Skype client,
which it hopes to begin monetizing in early 2007.
Regarding its alliance with UMPay, the Company
continues to work closely with UMpay on micropayments
services. The Company continues to work as UMPay's
exclusive business partner to develop China's mobile
payment market as a longer term opportunity.
Jay Chang, Chief Financial Officer and an Executive
Director of TOM Online, said: "While the new operator
policies have had a significant impact on our business, we
nonetheless continued to generate positive cashflow. As
the regulatory environment has appeared to have stabilized,
we are proactively managing our business structure to
improve our market position for future growth."
Business Outlook
At the time of this announcement, the Company
anticipates total revenues for the quarter ending December
31, 2006 to be in the range of US$ 34.5 mn to US$ 35.5 mn
which represents a 8.8% - 11.4% sequential decline and
reflects the sequential decline in Infomax which accounts
for Dream China having no contribution in 4Q as it was a
special 3Q event.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement contains statements that may be
viewed as "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such
forward-looking statements are, by their nature, subject to
significant risks and uncertainties that may cause the
actual performance, financial condition or results of
operations of the Company to be materially different from
any future performance, financial condition or results of
operations implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements include, without limitation,
statements that are not historical fact relating to the
financial performance and business operations of the
Company in mainland China and in other markets, the
continued growth of the telecommunications industry in
China and in other markets, the development of the
regulatory environment and the Company's latest product
offerings, and the Company's ability to successfully
execute its business strategies and plans.
Such forward-looking statements reflect the current
views of the Company with respect to future events and are
not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results may
differ materially from information contained in the
forward-looking statements as a result of a number of
factors, including, without limitation, any changes in our
relationships with telecommunication operators in China and
elsewhere, the effect of competition on the demand for the
price of our services, changes in customer demand and usage
preference for our products and services, changes in the
regulatory policies by relevant government authorities, any
changes in telecommunications and related technology and
applications based on such technology, and changes in
political, economic, legal and social conditions in China,
India and other countries where the Company conducts
business operations, including, without limitation, the
Chinese government's policies with respect to economic
growth, foreign exchange, foreign investment and entry by
foreign companies into China's telecommunications market.
Please also see "Item 3 -- Key Information -- Risk
Factors" section of the Company's annual report on
Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Non-GAAP financial measures
To supplement the financial measures prepared in
accordance with US GAAP, the Company uses Non-GAAP
financial measures including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA,
Non-GAAP Net Income, Non-GAAP basic and diluted EPS which
are adjusted from results based on US GAAP in analyzing its
financial results. The use of Non-GAAP measures are
provided to enhance the reader's overall understanding of
the Company's current financial performance and its
prospects for the future. Specifically, the Company
believes the Non-GAAP results provide useful information to
both management and investors by excluding certain items
that are not expected to result in future cash payments.
In calculating the EBIDTA, depreciation and
amortization expenses have been excluded from the income
from operations. In calculating adjusted EBIDTA, the
share-based compensation expense has been further excluded
from EBIDTA to derive at the adjusted EBIDTA. In addition,
share-based compensation expense has also been excluded from
the Net Income Attributable to Shareholders to derive at the
Non-GAAP Net Income. The reason to exclude the share-based
compensation expense to derive at the adjusted EBIDTA and
Non-GAAP Net Income is that the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard 123R "Share-Based Payment"
has been adopted by the Company since January 1, 2006 and
the Company believes that the exclusion of such expense
could enhance the comparability of its current operating
results from prior periods. Correspondingly, the Non-GAAP
basic and diluted earnings per share data were calculated
based on the Non-GAAP Net Income as shown below. The
number of shares used in the calculation has been disclosed
in Appendix 1.
Although the Company has historically reported US GAAP
results to investors, the Company believes the inclusion of
Non-GAAP financial measures provides further clarity in its
financial reporting. These Non-GAAP financial measures may
be different from Non-GAAP financial measures used by other
companies, and should be considered in addition to results
prepared in accordance with US GAAP, but should not be
considered a substitute for or superior to US GAAP
measures.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Audited
Unaudited
December
31, September 30,
2005
2006
(in
thousands of U.S. dollars)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents 99,869
100,274
Short-term bank deposits 1,863
28,315
Accounts receivable, net 33,950
30,242
Restricted cash 300
300
Prepayments 6,053
5,412
Income tax prepaid --
127
Deposits and other receivables 2,503
2,881
Due from related parties 189
180
Inventories 53
112
Total current assets 144,780
167,843
Available-for-sale securities 38,519
--
Restricted securities 59,122
97,640
Investment under cost method 1,494
1,568
Long-term prepayments and deposits 132
134
Property and equipment, net 15,346
14,709
Deferred tax assets 521
687
Goodwill, net 184,678
209,289
Intangibles, net 1,415
3,404
Total assets 446,007
495,274
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
Audited
Unaudited
December
31, September 30,
2005
2006
(in
thousands of U.S. dollars)
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
5,031 5,445
Other payables and accruals
16,002 18,075
Income tax payable
569 491
Deferred revenues
69 130
Consideration payables
16,615 --
Short-term loan
-- 35,340
Due to related parties
19,430 25
Total current liabilities
57,716 59,506
Non-current liabilities:
Secured bank loan
56,099 55,271
Deferred tax liabilities
182 150
Total liabilities
113,997 114,927
Minority interests
2,900 3,171
116,897 118,098
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital
(ordinary share, US$0.001282 par value,
10,000,000,000 shares authorized,
4,224,532,105 and 4,259,628,528
shares issued and outstanding as at
December 31, 2005 and September 30,
2006 respectively)
5,416 5,461
Paid-in capital
312,643 321,633
Statutory reserves
11,396 11,396
Accumulated other comprehensive (losses)/
incomes
(3,187) 6,680
Retained earnings
2,842 32,006
Total shareholders' equity
329,110 377,176
Total liabilities, minority interests and
shareholders' equity
446,007 495,274
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
Three months ended
Nine months ended
September 30,
September 30,
2005 2006
2005 2006
(in thousands of
U.S. dollars, except
number of shares
& per share amounts)
Revenues:
Wireless Internet services 43,158 34,709
117,264 125,913
Advertising 2,590 3,531
6,012 10,122
Commercial enterprise
solutions and Others 193 706
723 1,585
Total revenues 45,941 38,946
123,999 137,620
Cost of revenues:
Cost of services * (25,689) (26,180)
(72,069) (85,843)
Total cost of revenues (25,689) (26,180)
(72,069) (85,843)
Gross profit 20,252 12,766
51,930 51,777
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing
expenses * (1,762) (2,074)
(4,947) (5,502)
General and administrative
expenses * (6,361) (5,718)
(16,286) (18,354)
Product development
expenses * (428) (386)
(1,044) (1,224)
Amortization of intangibles (208) (368)
(767) (782)
Total operating expenses (8,759) (8,546)
(23,044) (25,862)
Income from operations 11,493 4,220
28,886 25,915
Other income/(loss):
Net interest income 274 334
2,089 1,218
Gain on disposal of
available-for-sale
securities -- --
450 --
Loss on issuance of shares by a
subsidiary -- --
(69) --
Exchange gain 1,132 737
1,132 1,695
Income before tax 12,899 5,291
32,488 28,828
Income tax credit/(expenses) 106 (21)
(6) 158
Income after tax 13,005 5,270
32,482 28,986
Minority interests (123) 8
(196) 178
Net income attributable to
shareholders 12,882 5,278
32,286 29,164
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS (continued)
Three
months ended
September 30,
2005
2006
(in thousands of
U.S. dollars, except
number of shares
& per share amounts)
Earnings per ordinary share - basic
(cents): 0.31
0.12
Earnings per ordinary share -
diluted (cents): 0.31
0.12
Earnings per American Depository
Shares - basic (cents): 24.5
9.9
Earnings per American Depository
Shares- diluted (cents): 24.5
9.9
Weighted average number of shares
used in computing Earnings Per
Share:
Ordinary shares, basic 4,200,439,916
4,259,625,175
Ordinary shares, diluted 4,203,069,703
4,259,625,175
American Depositary Shares, basic 52,505,499
53,245,315
American Depositary Shares, diluted 52,538,371
53,245,315
* Included share-based compensation
expense under SFAS 123R
Cost of services --
23
Selling and marketing expenses --
2
General and administrative expenses --
711
Product development expenses --
8
Total --
744
Nine
months ended
September 30,
2005
2006
Earnings per ordinary share - basic
(cents): 0.79
0.69
Earnings per ordinary share -
diluted (cents): 0.79
0.68
Earnings per American Depository
Shares - basic (cents): 63.4
54.9
Earnings per American Depository
Shares- diluted (cents): 63.4
54.4
Weighted average number of shares
used in computing Earnings Per
Share:
Ordinary shares, basic 4,073,373,960
4,252,713,087
Ordinary shares, diluted 4,074,260,188
4,289,453,234
American Depositary Shares, basic 50,917,174
53,158,914
American Depositary Shares, diluted 50,928,252
53,618,165
* Included share-based compensation
expense under SFAS 123R
Cost of services --
71
Selling and marketing expenses --
4
General and administrative expenses --
2,187
Product development expenses --
24
Total --
2,286
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Number
Share Paid-in
of shares
capital capital
(in thousands
of U.S. dollars,
except
number of shares)
Balance as of January 1, 2005 3,896,200,000
4,995 260,867
Issuance of shares to Cranwood as
earn-out purchase consideration for
acquisition of Puccini Group 304,155,503
390 47,158
Issuance of shares on exercise of
employee share options 5,190,000
7 991
Unrealized loss on securities --
-- --
Currency translation adjustments --
-- --
Net income for the period --
-- --
Balance as of September 30, 2005 4,205,545,503
5,392 309,016
Balance as of January 1, 2006 4,224,532,105
5,416 312,643
Issuance of shares on exercise of
employee share options 35,096,423
45 6,704
Share-based compensation --
-- 2,286
Unrealized gain on securities --
-- --
Currency translation adjustments --
-- --
Net income for the period --
-- --
Balance as of September 30, 2006 4,259,628,528
5,461 321,633
Accumulated
other
Statutory
comprehensive
reserves
(losses)/incomes
Balance as of January 1, 2005 9,452
(670)
Issuance of shares to Cranwood as
earn-out purchase consideration for
acquisition of Puccini Group --
--
Issuance of shares on exercise of
employee share options --
--
Unrealized loss on securities --
(2,436)
Currency translation adjustments --
501
Net income for the period --
--
Balance as of September 30, 2005 9,452
(2,605)
Balance as of January 1, 2006 11,396
(3,187)
Issuance of shares on exercise of
employee share options --
--
Share-based compensation --
--
Unrealized gain on securities --
280
Currency translation adjustments --
9,587
Net income for the period --
--
Balance as of September 30, 2006 11,396
6,680
(Accumulated
deficit)/
Total
Retained
shareholders'
earnings
equity
Balance as of January 1, 2005 (40,220)
234,424
Issuance of shares to Cranwood as
earn-out purchase consideration for
acquisition of Puccini Group --
47,548
Issuance of shares on exercise of
employee share options --
998
Unrealized loss on securities --
(2,436)
Currency translation adjustments --
501
Net income for the period 32,286
32,286
Balance as of September 30, 2005 (7,934)
313,321
Balance as of January 1, 2006 2,842
329,110
Issuance of shares on exercise of
employee share options --
6,749
Share-based compensation --
2,286
Unrealized gain on securities --
280
Currency translation adjustments --
9,587
Net income for the period 29,164
29,164
Balance as of September 30, 2006 32,006
377,176
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS
Nine months ended
September 30,
2005 2006
(in thousands of
U.S. dollars)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income
32,286 29,164
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangibles
767 782
Amortization of premium on debt securities
290 284
Allowance for doubtful accounts
666 368
Depreciation
5,111 6,362
Deferred income tax
-- (186)
Minority interests
196 (178)
Exchange gain , net
(1,081) (1,695)
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of property and equipment
81 (1)
Gain on disposal of available-for-sale securities
(450) --
Loss on issuance of shares by a subsidiary
69 --
Share-based compensation expense
-- 2,286
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects
from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable
(4,701) 5,507
Prepayments
(869) 798
Deposits and other receivables
(74) 128
Due from related parties
(43) (2)
Income tax prepaid
-- (129)
Inventories
51 (57)
Accounts payable
1,563 (2,016)
Other payables and accruals
6,074 1,415
Income tax payable
(303) (112)
Deferred revenues
(51) 58
Due to related parties
(764) 187
Net cash provided by operating activities
38,818 42,963
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS (continued)
Nine months ended
September 30,
2005 2006
(in thousands of
U.S. dollars)
Cash flow from investing activities:
Payments for purchase of property and equipment
(6,449) (4,954)
Cash paid for short-term bank deposits
(1,449) (51,110)
Cash paid for entrusted loan provided to a related
party
(2,461) --
Cash received from short-term bank deposits
-- 24,949
Cash received on disposal of available-for-sale
securities
16,392 --
Net cash used in acquisition of subsidiaries
(99,937) (34,519)
Net cash used in investing activities
(93,904) (65,634)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Issuance of ordinary shares from the exercise of
share options, net of expenses
998 6,749
IPO share issuing expenses
(803) --
Cash received from issuance of shares by a
subsidiary, net of issuing expenses
3,985 --
Bank loan, net of handling charges
56,539 35,340
Partial repayment of bank loan
-- (828)
Repayment of loans due to parent company
-- (20,038)
Net cash provided by financing activities
60,719 21,223
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
5,633 (1,448)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
79,320 99,869
Foreign currency translation
990 1,853
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
85,943 100,274
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash (paid)/received during the period:
Cash paid for income taxes
(154) (277)
Interest received from bank deposits and debt
securities
3,681 5,230
Interest paid for bank loans and loans due to
parent company
1,119 3,296
Non-cash activities
-- --
The Non-GAAP financial measures have been reconciled to
the nearest US GAAP measures as follows:
Three months ended
Nine months ended
September 30,
September 30,
2005 2006
2005 2006
(in thousands
of U.S. dollars)
Income from operations 11,493 4,220
28,886 25,915
Add back: Depreciation 1,801 2,168
5,111 6,362
Amortization 208 368
767 782
EBITDA 13,502 6,756
34,764 33,059
Add back: Share-based compensation -- 744
-- 2,286
Adjusted EBITDA 13,502 7,500
34,764 35,345
Net income attributable to
shareholders 12,882 5,278
32,286 29,164
Add back: Share-based compensation -- 744
-- 2,286
Non-GAAP Net Income 12,882 6,022
32,286 31,450
Appendix 1.
Earnings per share
a) Basic earnings per share
The calculation of basic earnings per share for the
three months and
nine months ended September 30, 2006, is based on:
-- the weighted average number of 4,259,625,175 and
4,252,713,087 (2005:
4,200,439,916 and 4,073,373,960) ordinary shares
outstanding during
the periods; and
-- 53,245,315 and 53,158,914 (2005: 52,505,499 and
50,917,174) American
Depositary Shares ("ADS") outstanding
during the periods.
b) Diluted earnings per share
The calculation of diluted earnings per share for
the three months and
nine months ended September 30, 2006, is based on:
-- the weighted average number of 4,259,625,175 and
4,289,453,234 (2005:
4,203,069,703 and 4,074,260,188) ordinary shares,
after adjusting
for the effects of all dilutive potential shares
during the periods;
and
-- 53,245,315 and 53,618,165 (2005: 52,538,371 and
50,928,252) ADS
outstanding during the periods.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, stock
options were
excluded from the computation of diluted earnings
per share primarily
because the exercise prices of the options were
greater than the
average market price of the ordinary shares.
Conference Call
Company management will hold an investor conference
call at 8:30 PM Hong Kong time (7:30 AM EST) to present an
overview of the company's financial performance and
business operations during the period.
The dial-in numbers for the call are:
Australia: 1-800-504-629; China A (China Netcom
subscribers): 10800-852-0607; China B (China Telecom
subscribers): 10800-152-0607; Hong Kong: 852-2258-4000;
India: 000-800-852-1115; Singapore: 800-852-3237; United
Kingdom: 0800-068-9056; USA: 800-365-8460. Password: TOM
Online.
The conference call will be accompanied by a slide
presentation on http://ir.tom.com .
An audio replay of the call can be accessed by dialing
the following numbers: Hong Kong: 852-2802-5151; USA:
1-800-839-3144. Password: 794630. The audio replay will be
kept for seven days.
About TOM Online Inc.
TOM Online Inc. (Nasdaq: TOMO, Hong Kong GEM: 8282) is
a leading wireless Internet company in China providing
value-added multimedia products and services. A premier
online brand in China targeting the young and trendy
demographics, the Company's primary business activities
include wireless value-added services and online
advertising. The company offers an array of services such
as SMS, MMS, WAP, wireless IVR (interactive voice response)
services, content channels, search and classified
information, and free and fee-based advanced email. As at
September 30, 2006, TOM Online is the only portal in China
that enjoyed a top three ranking in every wireless Internet
segment.
For more information, please contact:
Rico Ngai
TOM Online Inc.
Tel: +86-10-6528-3399 x6940
Mobile: +86-139-118-95354
Skype: ricoinrio
SOURCE TOM Online Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
Texas Instruments Application Suite Ecosystem Boosts Development of Affordable Multimedia Feature Phones
November 09, 2006
BEIJING, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its
commitment to accelerate wireless growth in China and
high-growth markets worldwide, Texas Instruments
Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:TXN) is working with leading
application software providers to offer a scalable,
integrated application suite to boost development of
affordable multimedia feature phones. Application suites
from an ecosystem of leading software providers are
integrated onto TI's "LoCosto" single-chip value
platform and OMAP-Vox(TM) multimedia product family for a
highly customizable solution on mobile phones. TI customers
can select an application suite such as Motorola Ajar,
OpenPlug's ELIPS, Sasken's ARIA and SKY MobileMedia's
SKY-MAP(TM), that can be easily adapted to the unique needs
of their handset products and specific operator and consumer
requirements.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/back/upload/story_attchment/20061107170439-20.jpg
)
"Together with its ecosystem of application suite
providers, TI is committed to helping its customers
differentiate in the highly-competitive wireless market by
providing a variety of solutions," said Remi
El-Ouazzane, General Manager of TI's 2.5G business for its
Wireless Terminals Business Unit. "TI's applications
suite ecosystem provides multiple pre-integrated offerings
based on selected superior solutions, resulting in flexible
choices and faster time to market with customized,
differentiated products."
The process of porting, validating and integrating
software takes significant monetary and time investment.
TI is committed to helping customers maximize those
investments by offering them a choice of pre-integrated
application suites, simplifying the development process of
mass market multimedia feature phones and reducing time to
market by as much as six months. Each partner provides a
unique modular and scalable offering based on a framework
which allows development of multiple phone models for
various market segments. This gives handset manufacturers
the ability to add or remove applications to best address
market and consumer needs. A common TI software
foundation, built with open industry standard APIs,
provides for software re-use and easy, consistent migration
across TI's "LoCosto" and OMAP-Vox solutions.
In choosing its ecosystem application suite providers,
TI thoroughly evaluates suppliers on multiple selection
criteria including: software architecture; scalability;
breadth of application components; MMI customizability;
robust worldwide engineering support and meeting operator
grade compliancy. The result is that handset manufacturers
can choose from a selection of proven, scalable solutions
on TI's "LoCosto" and OMAP-Vox platforms for
differentiated feature phone development.
Availability
Pre-integrated solutions from TI's application
ecosystem partners on the "LoCosto" platform are
available today. Application suite solutions on OMAP-Vox
are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2007.
Texas Instruments - Making Wireless
TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless
semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless
technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI
provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of
wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base
stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN,
Bluetooth, A-GPS, mobile TV and Ultra Wideband. TI offers
custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets
and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application processors, as
well as core digital signal processor and analog
technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes.
Please visit http://www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for
additional information.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Educational
& Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in
more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
Trademarks
OMAP and OMAP-Vox are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to
their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Amy Drozd
Tel: +1-214-567-7513
Email: a-drozd@ti.com
Gail Chandler
Tel: +1-214-480-6808
Email: g-chandler1@ti.com
Tracy Zhou
Tel: +86-10-6513-8056 x216
Email: zhoupeilei@ti.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.11.Sun
Casino Royale / Buckingham Palace Special Event Package
November 09, 2006
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- In
anticipation of the release of "Casino Royale,"
the new James Bond film, and to celebrate the 60th
Anniversary year of the Cinema and Television Benevolent
Fund (CTBF), The Band of the Scots Guards will play a
selection of Bond themes during the Changing of the Guard
Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, on Thursday, November 9.
Columbia Pictures' and MGM's "Casino Royale"
will be released in theaters on November 17.
Daniel Craig stars as "007" James Bond, the
smoothest, sexiest, most lethal agent on Her Majesty's
Secret Service in "Casino Royale." Based on the
first Bond book written by Ian Fleming, the story recounts
the making of the world's greatest secret agent. Martin
Campbell is directing the 21st adventure in the 44-year-old
franchise, from a screenplay by Neal Purvis & Robert
Wade and Paul Haggis.
SATELLITE INFORMATION
EUROPE
Feed 1
November 9th, 2006
6:00PM-6:15PM London Local (1800-1815 GMT)
Feed 2
November 10th, 2006
6:00AM-6:15AM London Local (0600-0615 GMT)
Satellite: Eutelsat W2 - 9mhz Transponder B6 - Slot
D
Downlink Frequency: 11153.83 V
FEC: 3/4
Symbol: 5.632
Color: PAL
Uplink: Arqiva Winchester - UKI-WIN3 +44 (0) 1962
823000
Also available at BT Tower from Pacific Television
Center's ABQH9
UK broadcasters can call for complementary refeeds via
Tower. +144.207.702.1427
ASIA/PACIFIC
Feed 1
November 10th, 2006
3:00AM-3:15AM Tokyo Local (1800-1815 GMT on 11/9/06)
Feed 2
November 10th, 2006
10:00PM-10:15PM Tokyo Local (1300-1315 GMT)
Satellite: PAS-2/08C MCPC CH.4 (169' E)
Downlink: 3901.000 MHz Horizontal
FEC: 3/4, Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 30.80000
Virtual Channel: 4, Network ID: 1
Color: NTSC
Uplink: PAS NAPA +707.253.9466
LATIN AMERICA
Feed 1
November 9th, 2006
3:00PM-3:15PM Buenos Aires Local (1800-1815 GMT)
Feed 2
November 9th, 2006
6:00PM-6:15PM Buenos Aires Local (2100-2115 GMT)
Satellite: PAS-9/10C MCPC CH.7 (58' W)
Downlink: 3880.000 MHz Horizontal
FEC: 7/8,
Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 27.69000
Virtual Channel: 7, Network ID: 5002
Color: NTSC
Uplink: PAS NAPA +707.253.9466
For more information, please contact:
Black Diamond Media, Inc.
Tel: +1-310-451-5500
SOURCE Sony Pictures Entertainment; MGM
2007'02.11.Sun
Dr Margaret Chan Nominated to be WHO Director-General
November 09, 2006
GENEVA, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Dr Margaret Chan
of China was nominated today by the Executive Board of the
World Health Organization for the post of Director-General.
The Director-General is WHO's chief technical and
administrative officer.
(Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )
The nomination will be submitted to the World Health
Assembly, which will meet for a one-day special session on
Thursday, 9 November to appoint the next Director-General.
The procedures for the current nomination and election
process were decided following the sudden death of Dr LEE
Jong-wook, WHO Director-General, on 22 May 2006. At its
meeting on 23 May, the WHO Executive Board agreed on an
"accelerated process" for electing a
Director-General.
On Monday the Executive Board selected a short list of
five candidates. Yesterday the Board interviewed the five
candidates and today selected Dr Chan as its nominee.
Dr Chan is a well-known public figure because of her
record of leadership in fighting disease first in Hong
Kong, and more recently at WHO. During her nine-year
tenure as Director of Health, Dr Chan confronted the first
human outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in 1997 and
successfully defeated Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) in Hong Kong in 2003. She also introduced primary
health care `from the diaper to the grave' with a focus on
health promotion and disease prevention, self-care and
healthy lifestyles. In 2003, she joined WHO and rose to
the position of Representative of the Director-General for
Pandemic Influenza as well as Assistant Director-General
for Communicable Diseases. Now 59, Dr Chan obtained her
Medical Degree from the University of Western Ontario in
Canada and a public health degree from the National
University of Singapore.
The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 Members who
are technically qualified in the field of health. The main
functions of the Board are to give effect to the decisions
and policies of the World Health Assembly, to advise it and
generally to facilitate its work.
The countries represented on the current Executive
Board are: Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain,
Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Djibouti, El
Salvador, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho,
Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Mali, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda,
Singapore, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Thailand, Turkey and
the United States of America.
Dr Anders Nordstrom, appointed by the Executive Board
as Acting Director-General of WHO in May, will continue in
this role until a new Director-General takes office.
For further information, please contact:
Christine McNab, Acting Director,
WHO Communications Department
Tel: +41-22-791-4688
Mobile: +41-79-254-6815
Email: mcnabc@who.int
Iain Simpson, Team leader,
News and Advocacy
Tel: +41-22-791-3215
Mobile: +41-79-475-5534
Email: simpsoni@who.int
Fadela Chaib,
WHO Communications officer
Tel: +41-22-791-3228
Mobile: +41-79-475-5556
Email: chaibf@who.int
All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as
well as other information on this subject can be obtained
on Internet on the WHO home page: http://www.who.int .
SOURCE World Health Organization
2007'02.11.Sun
Texas Instruments Delivers Wireless Technology to Help China Connect More People in Rural Areas and Across the Country
November 09, 2006
-- CEO Rich Templeton Calls Mobile Phones Both a Market Opportunity and a Chance to Serve the Public Good
DALLAS and BEIJING, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Rich
Templeton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas
Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) (TI), today told an
audience of handset manufacturers and mobile service
operators that "all of us have an important role to
play" in helping China connect more people in its
rural areas and across the country. Speaking at a summit
of wireless industry leaders, Templeton highlighted the
growing opportunities for cell phones in China and said,
"For many people here, when they one day connect to
the Internet for the first time, they will experience it
through their cell phones."
Templeton also affirmed TI's commitment to the China
wireless industry. "As the world's largest cellular
phone market, China's success is important to Texas
Instruments," he said. "And we are determined to
help our customers here innovate, grow their businesses and
be more competitive around the world."
As part of that commitment, TI announced earlier today
its new OMAP-Vox(TM) single-chip processor to support
GSM/GPRS/EDGE standards. Code named "eCosto" the
new wireless processor combines TI's single-chip DRP(TM)
technology with the multimedia features of OMAP-Vox. TI
designed "eCosto" to help customers in China, as
well as other regions, serve the need for low-cost
multimedia phones. This is TI's second single-chip cell
phone solution. The first, called "LoCosto" and
developed for GSM and GPRS standards, is in volume
production today, deployed with 15 low-cost handset
manufacturers.
According to In-Stat, China is the world's largest cell
phone market with 400 million subscribers, and that number
is expected to increase to 600 million by 2008. This
growth is coming at both the high- and low-ends of China's
handset market. China is now the fastest growing market
for lower-priced cell phone, while its young, urban
consumers embrace high-end mobile phones that offer
multimedia features, like cameras and MP3 players. Needs of
these two markets are addressed with solutions today with
tremendous growth opportunity existing in the mid-tier.
"The size and diversity of China's
population," Templeton told summit attendees,
"create a consumer market that cannot be served with a
`one size fits all' approach. At TI, our goal is to provide
our customers in China with products that help them meet the
broad range of consumer needs."Templeton also discussed
TI's commitment to innovating and integrating for all
GSM-based standards, GSM/GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA and TD-SCDMA,
noting that "GSM is the leading wireless standard in
the world, one that gives consumers greater choice, freedom
and flexibility." Templeton also told the audience,
"GSM-based technology enables China handset
manufacturers to compete more effectively around the
world."
Templeton concluded his remarks by laying out TI's
strategy. "It's simple," he said. "We
build our business around our customers, giving them the
right products and support to help make them successful.
It's the best way to ensure the growth of China's wireless
industry and to help this country reach its goal of giving
more people the ability to connect with more information,
more resources and with each other."
Texas Instruments - Making Wireless
TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless
semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless
technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI
provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of
wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base
stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN,
Bluetooth, A-GPS, mobile TV and Ultra Wideband. TI offers
custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets
and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application processors, as
well as core digital signal processor and analog
technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes.
Please visit http://www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for
additional information.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Educational
& Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in
more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
Trademarks
DRP, OMAP and OMAP-Vox are trademarks of Texas
Instruments. All registered trademarks and other trademarks
belong to their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Amy Drozd
Tel: +1-214-567-7513
Email: a-drozd@ti.com
Gail Chandler
Tel: +1-214-480-6808
Email: g-chandler1@ti.com
Tracy Zhou
Tel: +86-10-6513-8056 x216
Email: zhoupeilei@ti.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.11.Sun
Texas Instruments Single-Chip Cell Phone Technology Will Make Multimedia Phones Affordable for Mass Market
November 09, 2006
-- New OMAP-Vox(TM) Single-Chip Platform Supports EDGE, Enables Software Reuse for Faster and More Cost-Effective Multimedia-Rich Feature Phone Development
BEIJING, China, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- During a
summit of wireless industry leaders held today in Beijing,
China, Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) (TI)
announced a new OMAP-Vox(TM) single-chip solution to foster
development of lower-cost multimedia-rich feature phones.
Codenamed "eCosto," the new single-chip platform
is leveraging TI's innovative DRP(TM) technology which is
successful with the "LoCosto" value platform in
volume production today. The "eCosto" platform
also leverages the multimedia capabilities of the OMAP-Vox
platform in volume production today with the OMAPV1030
solution. The first product in the new "eCosto"
platform will be the OMAPV1035 single-chip solution, which
will be manufactured in 65-nanometer (nm) and will support
GSM, GPRS and EDGE standards.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/back/upload/story_attchment/20061107170439-20.jpg
)
The "eCosto" platform represents the latest
advancement in TI's sophisticated and integrated DRP
technology, a pioneering approach to wireless chip design
which applies digital technology to simplify radio
frequency (RF) processing in advanced CMOS process
technology. Integrating the RF transceiver and analog codec
with the digital baseband significantly reduces board space,
extends battery life, and makes for a more powerful and
versatile handset.
With the new OMAPV1035 single-chip solution, customers
currently using TI's "LoCosto" platform and
OMAP-Vox processors will be able to easily expand their
handset portfolio with competitive, affordable
multimedia-rich handsets. As the current OMAPV1030 and new
OMAPV1035 solutions share a common software platform,
OMAP-Vox customers will be able to re-use their application
and modem software investments for faster and more
cost-effective multimedia-rich feature phone development.
TI today also announced work with leading application
software providers to further boost rapid integration of
multimedia applications into handsets (for additional
details on this program, go to http://www.ti.com/omapv1035
).
"As the emerging markets evolve beyond
voice-centric, basic multimedia applications, we must
support the integration of more advanced multimedia
features into our single-chip cell phone solutions,"
said Alain Mutricy, TI's Vice President and General Manager
of Cellular Systems Solutions for its Wireless Terminals
Business Unit, during a press conference at today's summit.
"Now ramping into mass production with `LoCosto'
solutions, we are taking our DRP single-chip technology to
the next level with the `eCosto' platform, dramatically
lowering system costs of advanced multimedia
handsets."
China is among the world's largest mobile phone market
with more than 400 million subscribers today and expected
annual growth of 15-20%, according to market analyst firm
In-Stat Group. In-Stat also sees a rise in multimedia
adoption in China, driven by music and camera features on
the mobile phone. The OMAPV1035 solution, specifically
designed as a cost-effective, multimedia-rich solution,
makes it the natural choice for next generation advanced
GPRS or EDGE handsets.
The "eCosto" platform multimedia-rich
capabilities include advanced video capture, playback and
streaming with up to QVGA screen quality at 30
frames-per-second; digital still camera up to three
megapixels with sub-second shot-to-shot delay; color LCD;
and interactive 2D/3D gaming with graphics comparable to
that of portable video consoles. The OMAPV1035 solution
boasts high-speed hardware-accelerated Java and 3D graphic
processing up to 100-K polygons-per-second. The OMAPV1035
solution is the industry's first ARM9(TM) fully integrated
single-chip digital baseband with DSP in 65nm, addressing
the power challenge for performance-hungry
multimedia-intensive applications, as well as the
requirement for smaller solutions with more
functionality.With the new "eCosto" single-chip
platform, TI continues to deliver on its single-chip
roadmap, further supporting the adoption of wireless
technology in emerging countries. In 2004 TI introduced the
industry's first single-chip solution for mobile phones. To
date, more than 15 handset manufacturers worldwide have
adopted TI's "LoCosto" single-chip platform to
offer affordable GSM/GPRS handsets. Enabled by TI's DRP
technology, handsets based on the "LoCosto" value
platform range in capability from voice-only GSM phones with
black and white displays to more advanced handsets with
robust features such as MP3, Bluetooth(R) solutions, and
megapixel cameras. The emerging markets are expected to
represent the next billion subscribers by 2010 (source: GSM
Association), demonstrating significant potential for
continued wireless growth.
Availability
The OMAPV1035 single-chip solution will sample in first
half 2007 and will be in production in 2008. The OMAPV1030
solution is in mass production in handsets today. For more
information on the OMAPV1035 solution, go to
http://www.ti.com/omapv1035 .
Texas Instruments -- Making Wireless
TI is the leading manufacturer of wireless
semiconductors, delivering the heart of today's wireless
technology and building solutions for tomorrow. TI
provides a breadth of silicon and software and 15 years of
wireless systems expertise that spans handsets and base
stations for all communications standards, wireless LAN,
Bluetooth, A-GPS, mobile TV and Ultra Wideband. TI offers
custom to turn-key solutions, including complete chipsets
and reference designs, OMAP(TM) application processors, as
well as core digital signal processor and analog
technologies built on advanced semiconductor processes.
Please visit http://www.ti.com/wirelesspressroom for
additional information.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Educational
& Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas,
Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in
more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
Trademarks
OMAP and OMAP-Vox are trademarks of Texas Instruments.
All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to
their respective owners.
For more information, please contact:
Amy Drozd
Tel: +1-214-567-7513
Email: a-drozd@ti.com
Gail Chandler
Tel: +1-214-480-6808
Email: g-chandler1@ti.com
Tracy Zhou
Tel: +86-10-6513-8056 x216
Email: zhoupeilei@ti.com
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
2007'02.11.Sun
K2.net 'BlackPearl' Enhanced With Over 200 New Features
November 09, 2006
Highlighting Advanced Workflow and People Ready Business Solutions at the Microsoft TechEd: Developers and TechEd: IT Forum Conferences
BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
SourceCode Technology Holdings Inc. (SourceCode) announces
the addition of over 200 new features to the award winning
K2.net(TM) 2003 advanced workflow and BPM platform.
SourceCode will be highlighting some of the key features
that customers and partners have asked for in the next
release of K2.net, code named BlackPearl.
SourceCode will be showcasing many of the new features
available in K2.net BlackPearl at the TechEd Developers
event this week in Barcelona. One of the primary benefits
of building upon the K2.net platform is to help customers
maximize their investment in current technologies while
ensuring a smooth upgrade path. This is a critical request
from customers and partners. SourceCode has heard this
request and has made the upgrade to K2.net BlackPearl as
seamless as possible -- including the ability to use
existing K2.net 2003 workflow solutions in conjunction with
K2.net BlackPearl solutions. Demonstrations will include
examples where attendees will see how K2.net extends and
enhances the next generation of the Microsoft products and
technologies, including Microsoft BizTalk Server, Windows
Workflow Foundation, Microsoft's 2007 Office system --
including integration with SharePoint, Live Communications
Server, InfoPath, and Visio.
"We are very pleased that SourceCode will be
showing its K2.net BPM and Advanced Workflow offering at
both TechEd Developers and TechEd IT Forum," said
Gordon Frazer, managing director, Microsoft UK.
"Customers can directly increase their business
performance by taking advantage of the skills and expertise
offered by certified Microsoft partners, and we're delighted
SourceCode's K2.net continues to highlight the entire
Microsoft product stack, helping customers maximize their
technology investment."
SourceCode continues to support the Microsoft TechEd
events and will be a premium sponsor of the TechEd events
in Barcelona. The TechEd Developers conference is being
held on November 6-10 in Barcelona and the TechEd IT Forum
held on Nov 11-17 in Barcelona, Spain. TechEd events draw
thousands of technical and business professionals from both
customer and partner organizations and from a broad array of
industries.
"We have continued to come back to TechEd because
many of our existing customers and partners are here,"
said Dennis Parker, Vice President -- Europe, Middle East,
Africa, and Asia Pacific. "This year we will continue
a trend by showing how K2.net allows customers and partners
to achieve a faster time to value. We will be highlighting
several new and exciting areas where K2.net extends and
enhances Office 2007, BizTalk, Visual Studio, Exchange, and
Windows Vista to potential new partners and customers."
"The efficiency gains we have already experienced
prove that the combination of Microsoft architecture and
the K2.net solution help us better serve the needs of our
citizens by providing improved access to a larger bank of
online resources." Jorge Remuinan Suarez, Head of Unit
Information Technology, The Galician Parliament
"We have the largest SharePoint sites and the
largest BizTalk sites in the world running K2.net
today," said Jeff Shuey, Global Alliance Director at
SourceCode. "With our next generation product,
code-named K2.net "BlackPearl" and the 200+ new
features we have added, we are confident that many more
large scale enterprises will look to K2.net and the
Microsoft platform to build their business critical
solutions."
K2.net continues to evolve as both a platform and a
foundation for innovative solutions. In conjunction with
our worldwide partner network SourceCode's K2.net is a core
component in the creation of industry specific solutions for
financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, government
and many other vertical industries. Our partners bring
their subject matter expertise with K2.net, Microsoft
Office system, BizTalk Server, and Exchange Server to
design, develop and deploy people ready business
solutions.
SourceCode's continued involvement in the Microsoft
TechEd event series is an important step in the evolution
of the Microsoft partner ecosystem that should encourage
System Integrators and Independent Software Vendors to
develop solutions for the Microsoft platform. K2.net, the
award winning BPM and Advanced Workflow solution has been
highlighted at TechEd events around the world. In 2006
K2.net has been shown in Australia, Boston, Kuala Lumpur,
at all three events in China, South Africa, Taiwan, and
this week in Barcelona. For additional information,
contact: Jeff Shuey jeff@k2workflow.com, Tel:
+1-425-883-4200
About SourceCode
SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc. develops the
award-winning K2.net(TM) 2003 enterprise workflow offering.
K2.net 2003 is the leader in business process management for
.NET by enabling rapid solution assembly to optimize
interactions between people, systems and process. Customers
derive significant value from their Microsoft investments by
leveraging K2.net 2003 powerful, proven and seamless
integration across a range of products including: Microsoft
Office 2003, Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003, Microsoft
Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003, Microsoft Office
Project Server 2003, Microsoft Content Management Server
2002, Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004, Microsoft Exchange
Server 2003, and Microsoft Visual Studio.NET. In
conjunction with its global partner network, SourceCode has
developed solutions to help manage and monitor processes
that are designed to help customers increase profitability,
reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, and maintain
compliance efforts.
SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc. is headquartered
in Redmond, Washington and has offices in the United
States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, South
Africa, Australia, and Singapore.
NOTE: SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc. products
K2.net 2003 components and the K2.net 2003 SmartForms(TM)
controls are trademarks of SourceCode Technology Holdings,
Inc. All other company, brand and product names are the
property and/or trademarks of their respective companies.
For more information, please contact:
Jeff Shuey of SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc.,
Tel: +1-425-883-4200 or +1-425-671-0411
SOURCE SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
EcoSecurities Registers 22 Anaerobic Digestion CDM Projects in Mexico and the Philippines
November 09, 2006
DUBLIN, Ireland, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
EcoSecurities, one of the world's leading companies in the
business of originating, creating and trading carbon
credits, announces the registration of 22 Methane Recovery
and Electricity Generation projects under the Kyoto
Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The projects
are planned and in some cases underway at a series of pig
farms in Mexico and the Philippines. Each project calls for
construction of a covered in-ground anaerobic reactor to
convert animal waste into biogas, an energy source that can
be used to generate clean electricity on the sites.
Eighteen of the 22 projects, planned in the Mexican
states of Puebla and Veracruz, were developed by
EcoSecurities in conjunction with Cargill and Granjas
Carroll de Mexico (GCM), The additional 4 projects, in the
Phillipine provinces of Tarlac and Bulacan, were developed
by EcoSecurities and Philippine BioSciences Co. (PhilBio).
These projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions
produced by the release of methane from wastewater lagoons.
Combined, the projects have the potential to generate over
131,000 Certificates of Emission Reduction (CERs) per
year.
EcoSecurities Implementation & Monitoring Manager
Jessica Orrego states, "The registration of these
projects represents a significant achievement, not just
from the sizeable reductions achieved in greenhouse gas
emissions but also in other environmental and sustainable
development benefits such as the elimination of odour,
additional employment opportunities and diversification of
energy sources".
The CDM is an article of the Kyoto Protocol which
allows industrialised countries with a greenhouse gas
reduction commitment (so-called Annex 1 countries) to
invest in emission reducing projects in developing
countries and count them towards their Kyoto targets.
Notes to Editors:
About EcoSecurities:
EcoSecurities is one of the world's leading companies
in the business of originating, developing and trading
carbon credits. EcoSecurities structures and guides
greenhouse gas emission reduction projects through the
Kyoto Protocol, acting as principal intermediary between
the projects and the buyers of carbon credits.
EcoSecurities works with companies in developing and
industrialising countries to create carbon credits from
projects that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
EcoSecurities has experience with projects in the areas of
renewable energy, agriculture and urban waste management,
industrial efficiency, and forestry. With a network of
offices and representatives in 20 countries on five
continents, EcoSecurities has amassed one of the industry's
largest and most diversified portfolios of carbon projects.
Today, the company is working on 273 projects in 27
countries using 16 different technologies, with the
potential to generate more than 146 million carbon
credits.
EcoSecurities Group plc is listed on the London Stock
Exchange AIM (ticker ECO.L). Additional information is
available at http://www.ecosecurities.com .
About Cargill:
Cargill is an international provider of food,
agricultural and risk management products and services.
With 149,000 employees in 63 countries, the company is
committed to using its knowledge and experience to
collaborate with customers to help them succeed.
About Granjas Carroll de Mexico:
GCM is the largest commercial pig producer in Mexico.
Starting in 1993, their operations are based in the states
of Puebla and Veracruz currently, GCM has 57,000 sow in 16
farms. They are owned by US-based Smithfield Foods and
Mexican-based AMSA (AgroIndustrias Mexicanas SA)
(AgroIndustrias Unidas de Mexico SA).
About Philippine Bio-Sciences Co. Inc:
Philippine Bio-Sciences Co. Inc., "PhilBIO",
designs, constructs, finances and operates proven, advanced
waste-to-energy-systems to recover methane gas as a viable
fuel for onsite electric power. Principally operating in
The Philippines and Thailand, the firm has installed more
than 35 of its digesters at hog farm operations in the last
seven years with nearly 4MW of installed electricity
capacity.
For more information, please contact:
Jill Barker
EcoSecurities
Tel: +44-186-520-2635
Email: jill.barker@ecosecurities.com
SOURCE EcoSecurities Group plc
2007'02.11.Sun
TCOM Launches Performing Education Online College Targets Millions of Star Dream Makers in China
November 09, 2006
HONG KONG, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Telecom Communications, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TCOM), the Total Solutions Provider, announced today that its subsidiary, Guangzhou TCOM Computer Tech Limited (GTCT) today announced the release of a new online performing education college called Mystaru.com (http://www.mystaru.com) in China. Mystaru's content launch includes ten hours of multimedia performing education courses developed by Stareastnet ( http://www.stareastnet.com ), and addresses management of talent agents for artists. The content draws on the popularity of Stareastnet's unique 30-minute presentation concept. Stareastnet has been producing artist profiles and talent management since 1999, and delivers several live seminars each year. Another ten hours of Stareastnet content will be added in the near future and Mystaru.com is producing ten additional hours later this month, which are expected to be available online later this year. The system is a prototype for state-of-the-art delivery of streaming video performing education courses in the broader music and movie industries in greater China. The new courseware was developed using the GTCT's EDU v5.0 Education Management System and is delivered to viewers via the Mystaru platform. The multimedia content is produced using Adobe Flash(r) video synchronized presentations and demonstrative video clips. The result is users view multimedia performing training presentations that include downloadable video files of course materials and are then able to upload their exercise video files to teachers for analysis, which affords users the opportunity to have questions answered by course teachers. Mystaru intends to use this new capability to reach hundreds of thousands of young people who are interested in entering the performing artist, music anc movie industries, whether or not they are able or unable to attend any of the college's capacity-limited live programs. "Our EDU v5.0 Education Management System delivers established infrastructure and the ability to deliver education content online without meaningful limitations or restrictions," said HT Zhang, CEO of GTCT. "The mystaru.com online education revenue generating monthly fee of $20 for each end-user starts on January 1, 2007. We believe this new service offering will add one more substantial revenue stream for us, forecasted to be 60,000 users in 2007. We are also working with a main talent management firm and production companies in Hong Kong /China to adapt their platforms specifically to suit the unique needs of the artists' talent market." About Telecom Communications, Inc. Telecom Communications, Inc. (TCOM) is a Total Solutions Provider that offers Integrated Communications Network Solutions and Internet Content Service in universal voice, video, data web and mobile communications for interactive media applications, technology and content leaders in interactive multimedia communications. It develops, markets and sells a universal media software solution for enterprise-wide deployment of integrated voice, video, data web and mobile communications and media applications. Telecom Communications, Inc. does business in Asia via its wholly owned subsidiaries, Alpha Century Holdings Ltd. ( http://www.subaye.com ), IC Star MMS, Ltd. ( http://www.icstarmms.com ), 3G Dynasty Inc. ( http://www.skyestar.com ) and Guangzhou TCOM Computer Technology Limited ( http://www.mystaru.com ). Safe Harbor The statements made in this release constitute "forward-looking" statements, usually containing the words "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," or similar expressions. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changing economic conditions, interest rates trends, continued acceptance of the Company's products in the marketplace, competitive factors and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward- looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release. For more information, please contact: Ms. Sandy Tang Telecom Communications, Inc. Tel: +852-782-0983 Email: pr@tcom8266.com SOURCE Telecom Communications, Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
KongZhong Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2006 Unaudited Financial Results
November 09, 2006
Revenue Up 24% Year-over-year
BEIJING, Nov. 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- KongZhong
Corporation (Nasdaq: KONG), a leading provider of wireless
value-added services and the operator of a leading wireless
Internet portal in China, today announced its unaudited
third quarter 2006 financial results.
(Logo:
http://211.154.41.99:9080/xprn/back/upload/story_attchment/20061108202413-56.gif
)
Third Quarter 2006 Financial Highlights:
-- Total revenues in the third quarter of 2006 grew 24%
year-over-year to
$25.08 million, exceeding the Company's third
quarter revenue guidance
of $23 million to $24 million.
-- Total advertising revenue generated from KongZhong's
wireless internet
portal Kong.net increased from $22,000 in the second
quarter of 2006 to
$59,000 in the third quarter of 2006.
-- US GAAP net income grew 41% year-over-year but
decreased 37%
sequentially to $4.82 million. Diluted earnings per
ADS in the third
quarter were $0.14. The Company made a one-time
provision of $3.5
million related to the settlement of a class action
lawsuit during the
third quarter of 2005.
-- Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2006
grew 57% from same
period last year but decreased 33% from the second
quarter of 2006 to
$5.53 million. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS
were $0.16. Non-GAAP
Financial Measures are described and reconciled to
the corresponding
GAAP measures in the section titled "Non-GAAP
Financial Measures".
Commenting on the results, Yunfan Zhou, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, said, "As we anticipated, due
to some regulatory changes introduced by the
telecommunication operators in the third quarter, our
revenue in the third quarter declined from the previous
quarter. However, we are pleased that our revenue exceeded
our third quarter guidance. As previously announced, we
still anticipate challenges in the wireless value-added
business during the remainder of 2006. On the other hand,
we continue to make progress in our wireless internet
portal business. Although the wireless internet portal is
in the early development stage, we have begun to see the
growth of our mobile advertising revenue. We will continue
to invest in the wireless internet portal Kong.net and we
are confident about its future."
Business Highlights:
-- KongZhong signed an agreement with Beijing Mapabc, a
digital map
provider, to provide local search services on
Kong.net.
-- Kong.net was named ``Media with the Highest
Potential'' at the 2006
China Advertising Summit.
-- On October 17, 2006 KongZhong's in-house developed
mobile networking
game "e 3-Kingdom" was named "Most
Popular Mobile Networking Game"
at the 2006 China Joy Best Games Contest. In
addition KongZhong and
KongZhong Mammoth, KongZhong's wireless game
subsidiary, received the
following awards:
-- Best Mobile Game Developer
-- Best Mobile Game Publisher
-- Best Mobile Networking Game Operator
Financial Results:
(Note: Unless otherwise stated, all financial statement
amounts used in this press release are based on US GAAP and
denominated in US dollars.)
Revenues
Total revenues for the third quarter increased 24% from
the same quarter of 2005 to $25.08 million but decreased 17%
from the second quarter of 2006. Revenue from 2.5G services
accounted for approximately 44% of total revenues and
revenue from 2G services represented the remaining 56%.
Revenue from 2.5G services, which include services
delivered using wireless application protocol (WAP),
multimedia messaging service (MMS), and Java technologies,
decreased 24% from the same period in 2005 and decreased
20% from the second quarter of 2006 to $10.97 million. The
sequential revenue decrease was primarily due to new
regulatory changes introduced by China Mobile during the
third quarter that, among other things, imposed a one-month
free trial period for new users, required that subscription
reminders be sent to existing users and cancelled the
billing of WAP subscriptions that have not been active for
more than four months. WAP revenue in the third quarter of
2006 was $5.79 million, a decrease of 39% from the same
quarter of 2005 and a decrease of 13% from the second
quarter of 2006. MMS revenue in the third quarter of 2006
was $4.76 million, an increase of 27% from the same period
of 2005, but a decrease of 27% from the second quarter of
2006. Java revenue in the third quarter was $0.43 million,
a 60% decrease from the third quarter of 2005 and a 27%
decrease sequentially.
Revenue from 2G services, including short messaging
service (SMS), interactive voice response (IVR), and color
ring back tone (CRBT), grew 139% year-over-year but
decreased 14% quarter-over-quarter to $14.04 million in the
third quarter of 2006. Year-over-year growth in 2G revenue
was primarily driven by the acquisition of Sharp Edge,
which was completed in the first quarter of 2006. The
sequential revenue decrease was primarily due to the
regulatory changes described above as well as new
requirements by telecommunication operators that new users
confirm subscriptions twice. SMS revenue in the third
quarter of 2006 was $10.88 million, which was 165% higher
than the same period of 2005 and 14% lower than the
previous quarter. IVR revenue in the third quarter of 2006
was $1.72 million, a 22% increase
year-over-year but a 21% decrease sequentially. CRBT
revenue grew by 324% year-over-year, but decreased 1%
sequentially to $1.44 million in the third quarter of 2006.
The table below sets forth the revenue breakdown by
technology platforms.
3Q05 Q405 1Q06
2Q06 3Q06
2.5G: 71 % 67 % 64 %
46 % 44 %
WAP 47 % 40 % 32 %
22 % 23 %
MMS 19 % 22 % 28 %
22 % 19 %
Java 5 % 5 % 4 %
2 % 2 %
2G: 29 % 33 % 36 %
54 % 56 %
SMS 20 % 25 % 29 %
42 % 43 %
IVR 7 % 6 % 4 %
7 % 7 %
CRBT and others 2 % 2 % 3 %
5 % 6 %
Total 100 % 100 % 100 %
100 % 100 %
The Company continues to make progress in diversifying
operator relationships. Total revenues from China Unicom,
China Telecom, and China Netcom accounted for approximately
25% of the total third quarter revenues, compared to 23% in
the second quarter of 2006.
Total advertising revenue generated from KongZhong's
wireless internet portal Kong.net increased from $22,000 in
the second quarter of 2006 to $59,000 in the third quarter
of 2006.
Expenses
The cost of revenue in the third quarter of 2006
totaled $11.39 million, an increase of 40% from the third
quarter of 2005 and a decrease of 12% from the second
quarter of 2006. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2006
was 55% compared to 57% in the previous quarter. The lower
gross margin was primarily due to the fixed nature of
certain costs of revenue despite the decline in revenue.
Total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2006
were $9.77 million, an increase of 6% year-over-year but a
decrease of 3% quarter-over-quarter. Product development
expenses increased by 7% quarter-over-quarter and
represented 13% of revenue. General and administrative
expenses decreased by 15% from the second quarter of 2006
and represented 8% of revenue. Sales and marketing
expenses decreased by 4% quarter-over-quarter and
represented 18% of revenue. The increase in product
development expenses was primarily due to a one-time
expense related to the headcount reduction program.
Total cost associated with the Company's wireless
internet portal business in the third quarter 2006 was
approximately $2.7 million, slightly lower than previous
quarter. It included $1.2 million in marketing expenses.
The Company recorded $0.52 million in non-cash
share-based compensation expenses in the third quarter,
compared to $0.47 million in the second quarter of 2006.
On July 31, 2006, the Company announced a headcount
reduction program, which has been completed. The Company's
total headcount declined from 1,016 as of June 30, 2006 to
816 as of September 30, 2006. The Company estimated that
the headcount reduction will result in a cost savings of
approximately $500,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Earnings
US GAAP net income totaled $4.82 million in the third
quarter of 2006, an increase of 41% from the same period of
last year but a decrease of 37% from the second quarter of
2006. The Company made a one-time provision of $3.5
million related to the settlement of a class action lawsuit
during the third quarter of 2005. Diluted US GAAP earnings
per ADS were $0.14 for the third quarter.
Non-GAAP income in the third quarter of 2006 was $5.53
million, a 57% increase from the same period in 2005 but a
33% decrease from the previous quarter. Diluted Non-GAAP
earnings per ADS were $0.16.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of September 30, 2006, the Company had $118.61
million in cash and cash equivalents. Cash flow from
operating activities totaled $7.74 million in the third
quarter of 2006.
Business Outlook:
As a result of the continuing impact of regulatory
changes introduced by telecommunication operators and
Ministry of Information Industry, and based on information
available on November 9, 2006, the Company expects total
revenues for the fourth quarter of 2006 to be between $20.5
million and $21.5 million.
Conference Call:
The Company's management team will conduct a conference
call at 8:30 am Beijing time on November 9, (7:30 pm Eastern
time and 4:30 pm Pacific time on November 8, 2006). A
webcast of this conference call will be accessible on the
Company's web site at http://ir.kongzhong.com .
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(US$ thousands, except percentages, per share data, and
share count)
(Unaudited)
For the Three For the
Three For the Three
Months Ended Months
Ended Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2005 Jun. 30,
2006 Sep. 30, 2006
(Note 1) (Note
2) (Note 3)
Revenues $20,255
$30,068 $25,082
Cost of revenues 8,120
12,943 11,394
Gross profit 12,135
17,125 13,688
Operating expenses
Product development 2,315
2,970 3,186
Sales & marketing 1,326
4,712 4,531
General & administrative 5,608
2,417 2,053
Subtotal 9,249
10,099 9,770
Operating income 2,886
7,026 3,918
Non-operating expenses (income)
Interest expenses (income) (689)
(915) (1,036)
Other expenses (income) --
87 4
Subtotal (689)
(828) (1,032)
Income before tax expense 3,575
7,854 4,950
Income tax expense 149
255 131
Net income 3,426
7,599 4,819
Basic earnings per ADS $0.10
$0.22 $0.14
Diluted earnings per ADS $0.10
$0.21 $0.14
Margin Analysis:
Gross margin 60 % 57
% 55 %
Operating margin 14 % 23
% 16 %
Net margin 17 % 25
% 19 %
Additional Data:
2.5G revenue $14,366
$13,773 $10,974
2G revenue 5,866
16,256 14,043
ADS outstanding (million) 34.45
34.89 35.15
ADS used in diluted EPS
Calculation (million) 35.64
35.67 35.66
Note 1: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) for the
third quarter of 2005 is based on the weighted
average rate of
USD 1.00=RMB 8.1391 (the exchange rate quoted
by the People's
Bank of China).
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) for the
second quarter of 2006 is based on the
weighted average rate of
USD 1.00=RMB 8.0130 (the exchange rate quoted
by the People's
Bank of China).
Note 3: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) for the
third quarter of 2006 is based on the weighted
average rate of
USD 1.00=RMB 7.9678 (the exchange rate quoted
by the People's
Bank of China).
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(US$ thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the 9
Months For the 9 Months
Ended
Ended
Sep. 30 2005
Sep. 30, 2006
(Note 1)
(Note 2)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net Income $15,911
$21,028
Adjustments
Share-based compensation expenses 270
1,337
Depreciation and amortization 1,265
2,284
Loss on disposal of property and
equipment 3
4
Gain on sales of investment --
(1,241)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities 6,059
(6,862)
Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities 23,508
16,550
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales of investment --
1,741
Purchase of property and equipment (1,820)
(2,164)
Acquisition of long-term investments (500)
--
Acquisition of subsidiaries (819)
(17,325)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (3,139)
(17,748)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Exercise of employee share options 109
1,538
Decrease in minority interest (97)
--
Net Cash Provided by Financing
Activities 12
1,538
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments 630
1,125
Net increase in Cash and Cash
Equivalents 21,011
1,465
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of
Year 90,714
117,142
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year 111,725
118,607
Note 1: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) for the
first 9 months of 2005 is based on the
weighted average rate of
USD 1.00=RMB 8.2307 (the exchange rate quoted
by the People's
Bank of China).
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) for the
first 9 months of 2006 is based on the
weighted average rate of
USD 1.00=RMB 8.0106 (the exchange rate quoted
by the People's
Bank of China).
KongZhong Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(US$ thousands)
(Unaudited)
Sep. 30, 2005 Jun. 30,
2006 Sep. 30, 2006
(Note 1) (Note
2) (Note 3)
Cash and cash equivalents $111,725
$122,285 $118,607
Accounts receivable (net) 10,243
18,900 17,471
Other current assets 1,504
2,424 2,110
Total current assets 123,472
143,609 138,188
Rental deposits 392
556 565
Intangible assets 276
2,226 2,078
Property and equipment (net) 3,089
3,080 3,426
Long-term investment 500
-- --
Goodwill 646
4,434 15,751
Total assets $128,375
$153,905 $160,008
Accounts payable $4,048
$5,009 $5,625
Other current liabilities 7,248
5,849 4,712
Minority interest 24
24 24
Total liabilities 11,320
10,882 10,361
Shareholders' equity 117,055
143,023 149,647
Total liabilities & shareholders'
equity $128,375
$153,905 $160,008
Note 1: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) is based on
the exchange rate of Sep 30, 2005 USD1.00=RMB
8.0920 (the
exchange rate quoted by the People's Bank of
China).
Note 2: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) is based on
the exchange rate of Jun 30, 2006 USD1.00=RMB
7.9956 (the
exchange rate quoted by the People's Bank of
China).
Note 3: The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US
dollar (USD) is based on
the exchange rate of Sep 30, 2006 USD1.00=RMB
7.9087 (the
exchange rate quoted by the People's Bank of
China).
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the unaudited condensed statements of
income presented in accordance with United States Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the
Company uses non-GAAP financial measures ("Non-GAAP
Financial Measures") of net income and net income per
diluted ADS, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP
to exclude certain infrequent or unusual or
non-cash based expenses, gains and losses. The Non-GAAP
Financial Measures are provided as additional information
to help both management and investors compare business
trends among different reporting periods on a consistent
and more meaningful basis and enhance investors' overall
understanding of the Company's current financial
performance and prospects for the future.
The Non-GAAP Financial Measures should be considered in
addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but
should not be considered a substitute for or superior to
GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of the Non-GAAP
Financial Measures may be different from the calculation
used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be
limited.
For the periods presented, the Company's non-GAAP net
income and non-GAAP net income per diluted ADS exclude, as
applicable, the amortization or
write-off of intangibles, and non-cash share-based
compensation expense.
Reconciliation of the Company's Non-GAAP Financial
Measures to the GAAP financial measures is set forth below.
For the Three For the
Three For the Three
Months Ended Months
Ended Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2005 Jun. 30,
2006 Sep. 30, 2006
GAAP Net Income $3,426
$7,599 $4,819
Non-cash share-based
compensation 80
469 521
Amortization or write-off of
intangibles 26
167 192
Non-GAAP Net Income $3,532
$8,235 $5,532
Non-GAAP diluted net income per
ADS 0.10
0.23 0.16
About KongZhong
KongZhong Corporation is a leading provider of wireless
value-added services and also operates one of the leading
wireless Internet portals in China. The Company delivers
wireless value-added services to consumers in China through
multiple technology platforms including wireless application
protocol (WAP), multimedia messaging service (MMS), JAVA,
short messaging service (SMS), interactive voice response
(IVR), and color ring back tone (CRBT). The Company also
operates a wireless internet portal, Kong.net, which
enables users to access media and entertainment content
directly from their mobile phones.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements
include, without limitation, statements regarding trends in
the wireless value-added services market and our future
results of operations, financial condition and business
prospects. Although such statements are based on our own
information and information from other sources we believe
to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on
them. These statements involve risks and uncertainties,
and actual market trends and our results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in these forward
looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
continued competitive pressure in China's wireless
value-added services market and the effect of such pressure
on prices; unpredictable changes in technology, consumer
demand and usage preferences in this market; the state of
and any change in our relationship with China's
telecommunications operators; our dependence on the billing
systems of telecommunication operators for our performance;
changes in the regulations or policies of the Ministry of
Information Industry and other relevant government
authorities; and changes in political, economic, legal and
social conditions in China, including the Chinese
government's policies with respect to economic growth,
foreign exchange, foreign investment and entry by foreign
companies into China's telecommunications market. For
additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and
other factors, please see the documents we file from time
to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We
assume no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements, which apply only as of the date of this press
release.
For more information, please contact:
KongZhong Contacts:
Investor Contact:
Jillian Wang
SVP of Corporate Development and IR
Tel: +86-10-8857-6000
Fax: +86-10-8857-5893
Email: ir@kongzhong.com
Media Contact:
Mike Fang
VP of Marketing
Tel: +86-10-8857-6000
Fax: +86-10-8857-5900
Email: mikefang@kongzhong.com
SOURCE KongZhong Corporation
2007'02.11.Sun
Robert Redford Announces Sundance Film Festival: Global Short Film Project for Mobile
November 09, 2006
Sundance Institute Announces Pilot Project in Collaboration With the GSM Association, to Create Short Films for Viewing on Mobile Phones
NEW YORK, Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Sundance
Institute, a champion for independent filmmakers for over
25 years, announced today that it is joining forces with
the GSM Association (GSMA), whose members serve more than 2
billion mobile phone customers across the globe, to create
the Sundance Film Festival: Global Short Film Project, a
groundbreaking pilot project that will showcase and extend
the reach of the independent short film genre to mobile
users worldwide.
Unveiled at a press conference at the Museum of
Television & Radio in New York, the organisers of the
Sundance Film Festival in conjunction with the GSMA, have
commissioned six independent filmmakers to create five
short films, crafted exclusively for mobile distribution.
All of the filmmakers participating in the project have
screened films at the annual Sundance Film Festival.
"Cell phones are fast becoming the `fourth screen'
medium, after television, cinema and computers," said
Sundance Institute president and founder Robert Redford.
"We feel this experiment embodies fully, our
quarter-century dedication to exploring new platforms to
support wider distribution of independent voices in
filmmaking. We are excited about bringing this opportunity
to independent filmmakers and most excited to see what they
will do with it," added Redford.
While cell phones have previously been used to deliver
film and entertainment content, this pilot project is
believed to be the first to commission high calibre
independent filmmakers to create original stories
specifically for the mobile environment. The project
presents creative challenges to the filmmakers who will be
working with a limited budget, time and resources to make a
3-5 minute film for a small mobile screen.
"The Global Short Film Project takes us into the
realms of a uniquely intimate new medium, one which holds
tremendous promise for maximising the impact and
international reach of the short film genre, and in doing
so serving the artists," said John Cooper, Director of
Programming for the Sundance Film Festival and Creative
Director for Sundance Institute, who will oversee the
project.
Citing the experimental and groundbreaking nature of
the collaboration, Bill Gajda, Chief Marketing Officer at
the GSM Association said, "The emergence of mobile as
the fourth screen is already changing the way people are
educated and entertained. This project will explore the
potential of the mobile medium to deliver compelling,
cinematic entertainment to a global audience on an
unprecedented scale."
The six filmmakers featured in the Sundance Film
Festival: Global Short Film Project are Jonathan Dayton and
Valerie Faris (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - 06 SFF), Justin Lin
(BETTER LUCK TOMORROW - 02 SFF), Maria Maggenti (PUCCINI
FOR BEGINNERS - 06 SFF), Cory McAbee (THE AMERICAN
ASTRONAUT - SFF 01) and Jody Hill (THE FOOT FIST WAY - SFF
06).
The Sundance Institute will exclusively premiere these
completed short films on the opening day of the world's
biggest annual mobile event, the 3GSM World Congress in
Barcelona next year (12-15 February 2007). The event
attracts more than 50,000 visitors annually from across the
mobile value chain. The films will be available for cell
phone download during the congress for attendees, and for
broader distribution through mobile carriers immediately
following the event -- further details will be announced
early next year.
About the Sundance Institute:
Dedicated year-round to the development of artists of
independent vision and to the exhibition of their new work,
Sundance Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2006.
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, the Institute has grown
into an internationally recognised resource for thousands
of independent artists through its Film Festival and
artistic development programs for filmmakers,
screenwriters, composers, playwrights and theatre artists.
The original values of independence, creative risk-taking,
and discovery continue to define and guide the work of
Sundance Institute, both with US artists and, increasingly,
with artists from other regions of the world. The Sundance
Film Festival has introduced American audiences to some of
the most innovative films and film makers of the past two
decades. It is the premier showcase for American and
international independent film, held annually in Park City,
Utah, USA. The 2007 Sundance Film Festival will take place
January 18-28th.
About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade
association representing 700 GSM mobile phone operators
across 215 countries of the world. In addition, more than
180 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's
initiatives as key partners. The primary goals of the GSMA
are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work
globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value
to individual customers and national economies, while
creating new business opportunities for operators and their
suppliers. The Association's members serve more than two
billion customers -- 82% of the world's mobile phone users.
See: http://www.gsmworld.com &
http://www.3gsmworldcongress.com .
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Hubley
Sundance Institute
Tel: +1-435-658-3456
Email: patrick_hubley@sundance.org
Mark Smith
GSM Association
Tel: +44-7850-229-724
Email: press@gsm.org
US:
Sharron McDevitt
Hill & Knowlton
Tel: +1-212-885-0300
Email: Sharron.McDevitt@hillandknowlton.com
International:
Richard Fogg
Companycare
Tel: +44-118-939-5900
Email: Richard.fogg@companycare.com
Paul Nolan
Companycare
Tel: +44-118-939-5900
Email: paul.nolan@companycare.com
SOURCE The GSM Association; The Sundance Institute
2007'02.11.Sun
Robert Redford to Announce Pilot Global Filmmaking Project at New York Press Conference
November 09, 2006
NEW YORK, Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Robert Redford,
President and Founder of Sundance Institute, will announce a
pilot project of the Sundance Film Festival in conjunction
with the GSM Association, representing the global mobile
industry.
What: Sundance Institute and GSM Association press
conference
When: Wednesday, November 8, 10am EST (3pm GMT)
Where: The Museum of Television & Radio New
York, NY
How: Conference call or web-based audio cast
Conference call details: Number: +1-785-832-1508
Passcode: GSM
Audio cast details: The press conference audio will be
broadcast live over the internet. Simply log on to the web
at the following address:
http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=36598
Minimum Requirements to listen to broadcast:
The Windows Media Player software, downloadable free
from http://www.microsoft.com and at least a 56Kbps
connection to the Internet .
If you experience problems listening to the webcast,
send an E-mail to: webcast@multivu.com .
For more information, please contact:
International
Paul Nolan
Companycare
Tel: +44-118-939-5900
Email: paul.nolan@companycare.com
Richard Fogg
Companycare
Tel: +44-118-939-5900
Email: Richard.fogg@companycare.com
US
Sharron McDevitt
Hill & Knowlton
Tel: +1-212-885-0300
Email: Sharron.McDevitt@hillandknowlton.com
Lori Robinson
Hill & Knowlton
Tel: +1-212-885-0300
Email: lori.robinson@hillandknowlton.com
SOURCE Sundance Institute
2007'02.11.Sun
London Business School Appoints Robin Buchanan as Dean
November 09, 2006
HONG KONG, Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- London
Business School is delighted to announce that Robin
Buchanan is to be its new Dean. Buchanan is currently the
Senior Partner in the UK of Bain & Company Inc., the
global business consultancy. He will bring to the School
over 30 years' experience of providing advice on strategy,
organisation, operations and acquisitions to international
business clients. Buchanan was elected Managing Partner of
Bain in the UK in 1990, and became Senior Partner in 1996.
Buchanan will be the seventh Dean in the School's
42-year history. He succeeds Laura Tyson who will be
returning to the University of California at Berkeley as
Professor of Business Administration and Economics at the
Haas School of Business.
The Chairman of London Business School's Governing
Body, Sir John Ritblat commented: "We are fortunate to
have attracted someone of Robin Buchanan's calibre, and are
delighted that he has agreed to join us. Whilst London
Business School is indeed well-placed on the global stage,
the commercial perspective that Robin will bring to bear
will be invaluable at this point in the School's life. He
is recognised by cutting-edge businesses for his
thought-leadership around corporate strategy and board
effectiveness. His leadership style is results driven,
client-focussed, high-energy and team-orientated.
I know he is looking forward to building on our efforts
to recruit the best faculty, deliver the finest degree and
executive programmes and strengthen the School's financial
firepower to achieve its aims. His record in the
commercial world, in particular his skills in nurturing
relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, will
ensure that the School becomes even more powerful at
meeting the needs of both students and businesses."
Buchanan said of his appointment: "London Business
School is an outstanding asset, not only to this city and
this country, but also to businesses around the globe.
They look to London Business School to produce leaders with
the knowledge, skills and attributes to propel them to
success.
London Business School has built an extraordinary
reputation, standing for the very best in business
education. It attracts the finest faculty and students
from all over the world. Working alongside many of its
highly intelligent, creative, ambitious graduates, I have
been hugely impressed with the quality of London Business
School alumni. I am privileged to have been asked to take
on this role.
London Business School is determined to be the
pre-eminent global business school providing students and
businesses with the capabilities to succeed in an
increasingly competitive marketplace. That requirement
also demands that the School continues to produce rigorous
and innovative research that is of essential value to
executives and their businesses. My priority will be to
ensure that London Business School delivers on those
promises."
Outgoing Dean, Laura Tyson added: "I am proud of
what we have achieved at London Business School over the
past five years. We have established a very firm
foundation for future growth. I am delighted that Robin
has been chosen as my successor. He has the talent and
experience required to take the School to the next level.
I wish him, and the entire School community, a brilliant
future."
Buchanan will commence his appointment no later than 1
July 2007.
Following Laura Tyson's departure in December 2006,
Professor Sir Andrew Likierman will assume the position of
Acting Dean. Sir Andrew is Professor of Management
Practice in Accounting. His previous roles have included
Managing Director, Government Financial Management
Directorate and Head of the Government Accountancy Service,
HM Treasury. Sir Andrew has recently been serving on the UN
Governance Review Committee. He will start in his interim
role on 1 January 2007 until he hands over to Buchanan.
Notes for Editors
London Business School's Vision is to be the
pre-eminent global business school, nurturing talent and
advancing knowledge in a multi-national, multicultural
environment. Founded in 1965, the School graduated over
800 MBAs, Executive MBAs, Masters in Finance, Sloan Fellows
and PhDs from over 70 countries last year. The School's
executive education department serves over 6,000 executives
on its programmes every year. London Business School is
based in the most accessible and international city in the
world and is one of only two UK business schools to have
twice been awarded the highest research rating of five-star
(5*), by the Higher Education Funding Council for England
(HEFCE), confirming the School as a centre of world-class
research in business and management. http://www.london.edu
.
Bain & Company is a leading global business
consulting firm, serves clients on issues of strategy,
operations, technology, organization and mergers and
acquisitions. The firm was founded in 1973 on the
principle that Bain consultants must measure their success
by their clients' financial results. Bain clients have out
performed the stock market 4 to 1. With offices in all
major cities, Bain has worked with over 3,300 major
multinational, private equity and other corporations across
every economic sector. For more information visit:
http://www.bain.com .
Short biography of Robin Buchanan
Robin Buchanan joined Bain & Company, the global
business consultancy, in 1982. He was elected as Managing
Partner of the UK business in 1990. He became the Senior
Partner in the UK in 1996. During that period he was
elected as a member of its Management Committee,
Compensation Committee and chairman of its Nominating
Committee to the Board of Directors. He has headed its
worldwide Acquisitions & Alliances practice and the
London Organisational Enhancement and Change Management
practice. He has spoken at numerous conferences, mostly on
strategy, customer management, acquisitions and the
management of change. He has written or been quoted in
over 80 articles frequently on the role of the Board,
customer management and acquisitions & alliances.
From 1979-82 Mr Buchanan worked for American Express
International Banking Corporation and prior to that worked
with accounting firm Mann Judd Landau (now Deloitte &
Touche).
He is a director of Liberty International Holdings
(1997 to date) where he chairs the Remuneration Committee
and sits on the Audit and Nominations Committees. Since
2003 he has been a director of Shire plc and sits on its
Remuneration Committee. He sits on the Professional
Standards Advisory Board of the Institute of Directors and
is a member of the Trilateral Commission.
Mr Buchanan was awarded a Masters of Business
Administration with High Distinction (Baker Scholar) from
Harvard Business School. He is a Fellow of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales.
(Photo of Mr Buchanan:
http://www.london.edu/assets/images/Irregularsizes/100Robin-Buchanan.jpg
)
For more information, please contact:
Jenny Chan
Burson-Marsteller Hong Kong
Tel: +852-2963-5625
Email: jenny_chan@hk.bm.com
Kerry Taylor
Senior Press Officer,
London Business School
Tel: +44-20-7000-7252
Email: kerrytaylor@london.edu
Kate Watkins
Press Officer,
London Business School
Tel: +44-20-7000-7251
Email: kwatkins@london.edu
SOURCE London Business School
2007'02.11.Sun
`The pure Luxury of St. Moritz' With Immediate Effect On-Line
November 09, 2006
ZURICH, Switzerland, Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- What
do exclusive fashion and the famous winter vacation resort
St. Moritz have in common? Not only the name. For the time
being, from November 6, 2006, the fashion label will be
exclusively distributed on-line.
Crystal clear mountain lakes, exhilarating nature and
rendezvous of the rich and beautiful -- this is St. Moritz.
The fashion of "The pure Luxury of St. Moritz"
truly incorporates these qualities and puts them into
practice. The result: exquisite textiles, first-class
workmanship, and exclusive design. Manually applied
Swarovski jewels ( http://www.swarovski.com ) give added
resplendence to the part of the glamorous fashion
collection. The "One" collection comprises
Leisure Wear for Men and Women and carries the name
"The Mountain Religion". The internationally
renowned, former Joop designers, Khadija Larens and Bulent
Ocal design the formal wear collection, which will expand
the range of garments in spring of 2007.
Not only fashion, but even the channel of distribution
will be exclusive for the time being: "The pure Luxury
of St. Moritz" will be exclusively distributed via the
Internet. The specially created on-line store
http://www.stmoritz-store.ch will make sure that the noble
fashion from Dubai will be available via Japan to Moscow.
By spring 2007 the on-line store range will be extended
with St. Moritz license products; e.g. with St. Moritz
champagnes, for: Whoever mentions the name of St. Moritz,
will not be able to miss the noble king under the list of
wines.
FASHION BOX Group ( http://www.fashionbox.ch ) is a
licensee of the St. Moritz trademark. The former Miss
Switzerland Tanja Gutmann has been engaged as
representative for the "St. Moritz-The Mountain
Religion" collection.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Wendel
CEO FASHION BOX AG
Tel: +41-44-245-49-00
Email: mwendel@fashionbox.ch
Web: http://www.fashionbox.ch
Tom Behrens
Head Communications & PR St. Moritz-Online Store
Tel: +41-79-465-78-59
Email: Tom@stmoritz-store.ch
Web: http://www.stmoritz-store.ch
SOURCE The pure Luxury of St. Moritz
2007'02.11.Sun
VWR International, Inc. Names MK Sathya as Managing Director, India
November 09, 2006
WEST CHESTER, Pa., Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- VWR
International, Inc., a leader in the global research
laboratory industry with worldwide sales of over $3.1
billion, announced the promotion of Mr. MK Sathya to the
position of Managing Director, India. In this new role,
Mr. Sathya will be responsible for the strategic planning,
operations, and management of the India office. He will
play a significant role leading sales and marketing efforts
within the country and the region.
"We have long standing relationships with many
pharmaceutical and biotech multinational companies who are
rapidly expanding their operations within India. The
establishment of VWR's new Bangalore office underscores
VWR's commitment to build a global presence, further
supporting our customers with a full range of laboratory
products and first-class local customer service," says
Ted Pulkownik, VWR's Senior Vice President of Strategy,
Corporate Development and Emerging Markets.
Mr. Sathya will continue to lead VWR's global sourcing
effort as Vice President, Global Sourcing. He has been
instrumental in establishing fully staffed sourcing offices
in India, China and Slovakia; further expanding VWR's
international supply chain and bringing the best value to
customers.
Mr. Sathya has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from
Bangalore University and a Masters in Manufacturing
Technology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Prior to joining VWR he held several positions with Alcoa,
GE and Textron.
About VWR International
VWR International is a leader in the global research
laboratory industry with worldwide sales in excess of $3.1
billion US dollars. VWR's business is highly diversified
across a spectrum of products and services, customer groups
and geography. The company offers more than 1,200,000
products, from more than 2,500 manufacturers, to over
250,000 customers throughout North America and Europe.
VWR's primary customers work in the pharmaceutical, life
science, chemical, technology, food processing and consumer
product industries. Other important customers include
universities and research institutes; governmental
agencies; environmental testing organizations; and primary
and secondary schools. VWR International affiliates operate
in 20 countries and employ approximately 6,100 people. The
company's mission is to deliver excellence in the
distribution of scientific supplies. The VWR International
Group is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
VWR-G
For more information on VWR International or a copy of
this filing, phone (610) 430-7258 or visit
http://www.vwr.com , or write, VWR International, Inc.,
1310 Goshen Parkway, P.O. Box 2656, West Chester, PA
19380-0906.
VWR and design are trademarks of VWR International,
Inc.
For more information, please contact:
US
Robin Gervasoni
Tel: +1-610-430-7258
Fax: +1-610-719-0799
Email: robin_gervasoni@vwr.com
India
Deepak Rote
Tel: +91-80-4123-2088
Fax: +91-80-4123-7117
Email: deepak_rote@vwr.com
MK Sathya
Tel: +91-80-4123-2088
Fax: +91-80-4123-7117
Email: mk_sathya@vwr.com
Jay Gopalan
Tel: +91-80-4123-2088
Fax: +91-80-4123-7117
Email: jay_gopalan@vwr.com
SOURCE VWR International, Inc.
2007'02.11.Sun
Spider-Man(R) 3 Trailer World Debut
November 09, 2006
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A complex
web of secrets, vengeance, love and forgiveness, Columbia
Pictures' Spider-Man(R) 3 is a riveting adventure that will
transport worldwide audiences to thrilling new heights on
May 4, 2007.
In Spider-Man(R) 3, based on the legendary Marvel
Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a
balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a
superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. As
Spider-Man basks in the public's adulation for his
accomplishments, Peter becomes overconfident and starts to
neglect the people who care about him most. His newfound
self-assuredness is jeopardized when he faces the battle of
his life against two of the most feared villains ever,
Sandman and Venom, whose unparalleled power and thirst for
retribution threaten Peter and everyone he loves.
Spider-Man(R) 3 reunites the cast and filmmakers from
the first two blockbuster adventures -- which have grossed
more than $1.6 billion worldwide.
SATELLITE INFORMATION
EUROPE
Feed 1
November 10th, 2006
6:00PM-6:15PM London Local (1800-1815 GMT)
Feed 2
November 11th, 2006
5:00AM-5:15AM London Local (0500-0515 GMT)
Feed 3
November 11th, 2006
11:00AM-11:15AM London Local (1100-1115 GMT)
Satellite: NSS-7 NAV6/EUH6 at 338 degrees east
Downlink Frequency: 11539.70 Horizontal
FEC: 3/4
Symbol: 6.1113
Color: PAL
DCI Uplink trouble number: +1.202.728.9560
Also available at BT Tower on ABQ H9.
Call Pacific Television Center London for access
+44.207.702.1427
ASIA/PACIFIC
Feed 1
November 11th, 2006
3:00AM-3:15AM Tokyo Local (1800-1815 GMT on 11/10/06)
Feed 2
November 11th, 2006
2:00PM-2:15PM Tokyo Local (0500-0515 GMT)
Feed 3
November 13th, 2006
6:00AM-6:15AM Tokyo Local (2100-2115 GMT on 11/12/06)
Satellite: PAS-2/08C MCPC CH.4 (169' E)
Downlink: 3901.000 MHz Horizontal
FEC: 3/4, Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 30.80000
Virtual Channel: 4, Network ID: 1
Playout point: Pacific Television Center
+1.310.287.3800
LATIN AMERICA
Feed 1
November 10th, 2006
3:00PM-3:15PM Buenos Aires Local (1800-1815 GMT)
Feed 2
November 11th, 2006
2:00AM-2:15AM Buenos Aires Local (0500-0515 GMT)
Feed 3
November 11th, 2006
10:00AM-10:15AM Buenos Aires Local (1300-1315 GMT)
Satellite: PAS-9/10C MCPC CH.7 (58' W)
Downlink: 3880.000 MHz Horizontal
FEC: 7/8, Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 27.69000
Virtual Channel: 7, Network ID: 5002
Playout point: Pacific Television Center
+1.310.287.3800
This film is not yet rated by the MPAA. For future
ratings information refer to http://www.filmratings.com .
For more information, please contact:
Black Diamond Media, Inc.
Tel: +1-310-451-5500
Email: dubs@blackdiamondmedia.com
SOURCE Columbia Pictures
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