The first round of nominees in seven categories for "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" was announced today at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville by Justin Moore and Chris Young. Nominees for the remaining five categories will be revealed tomorrow on ABC News' "Good Morning America" with Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert.

"The 44th Annual CMA Awards" will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 10 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. "Country Music's Biggest Night™" will be hosted for the third time by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

"We are continuing a promising trend we saw last year with several artists receiving their first CMA Awards nomination or making a debut in a new category," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "The infusion of fresh faces is great for the format and speaks to the strength and future of Country Music."

The announcement of the final nominees in seven of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made by Justin Moore and Chris Young from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in recognition of the Grand Ole Opry's 85th Anniversary. The Grand Ole Opry House has been undergoing major renovations following devastating floods in May and is scheduled to reopen Sept. 28.

The finalists in the remaining five categories will be announced tomorrow morning on ABC News' "Good Morning America." Premiere Radio Networks, CMA's official radio partner, will make the full slate of announcements available to radio stations including the announcement of the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists made today by Steel Magnolia.  

The 2009 CMA Awards, held in Nashville during Sweeps (Nov. 11), ranked behind only the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards during the 2009-2010 season for awards shows among total viewers. With "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards," ABC won the night in both total viewers (17.2 million) and adults 18-49 (5.3/14). According to Nielsen research, 35.8 million unique viewers ages 2+ watched six minutes or more of the program.

The CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by the 6,000 industry professional members of CMA, which was formed in 1958 as the first trade organization dedicated to promoting an individual genre of music. The first CMA Awards Banquet and Show was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast on NBC television for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The show aired on NBC through 1971 and on the CBS Television Network from 1972 through 2005 before moving to ABC in 2006.

Winners of "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the County Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

In addition to coverage of today's events on CMT.com, "CMT Insider Special Edition: 2010 CMA Awards Nominations" will air on CMT Wednesday, Sept. 1 (11:00 AM/ET). The program, which features in-depth coverage of the nominees, artist interviews, and more, re-airs on Saturday, Sept. 4 (1:30 PM/ET) and Sunday, Sept. 5 (11:00 AM/ET).

A video news release including footage of the nominee announcements from Nashville, exclusive interviews, music video clips, and more will be serviced Wednesday, Sept. 1 (2:00-2:30 PM/ET). The VNR package will be available by Galaxy 28 – Transponder 10 (C-Band; analog) Downlink Frequency – 3900 Horizontal.

If you have difficulty picking up the VNR or have questions about the feed, please contact Scott Sklarin with Sklarin Communications at (917) 929-5564; or Maria Eckhardt at CMA (615) 664-1637, or by e-mail at meckhardt@CMAworld.com.

Tickets for the 2010 CMA Awards will go on sale to the public on Saturday, Sept. 18 (10:00 AM/CT) and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Bridgestone Arena box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway), Nashville. Ticket prices begin at $110 for Upper Level. All ticket prices include sales tax, but exclude applicable service/handling fees. Purchase tickets early for best available seats. In 2009, the CMA Awards sold out in advance.

"The 44th Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

The Final Nominees in Select Categories for "The 44th Annual CMA Awards" are:

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2010 CMA Awards. Chevrolet, Proud Sponsor of the CMA Awards and Official Ride of Country Music.

Visit www.CMApress.com for CMA Awards history, photos, press releases, and logos. Media can also visit this site for on-line media credential registration for the CMA Awards, beginning Sept. 1. This is a protected site for the media only with restrictions on use. The public should be directed to www.CMAawards.com.

SOURCE Country Music Association

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.cmaworld.com

INVISION, Inc., the leading provider of advertising planning and sales solutions to the media industry, today announced the appointment of Kami Ragsdale as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reporting to INVISION CEO Lynda Clarizio, Ragsdale will oversee all elements of the company's finance and administrative operations. Prior to this position, Ragsdale served as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Financial Planning and Analysis at AOL Inc.

"Kami is one of the industry's most talented finance leaders, and we're delighted that she's agreed to join the INVISION team," said Lynda Clarizio, CEO of INVISION. "The finance function is critical for an innovative and growing company like INVISION, and Kami brings both deep experience and great leadership skills to the CFO role."  

"This is an exciting time to be joining INVISION, as the company expands its industry-leading products and services to meet the ad sales needs of media providers across every distribution channel," said Ragsdale. "I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Lynda again and help INVISION continue to extend its leadership in the advertising solutions space."

Offered on both an enterprise and hosted basis, INVISION's software-based solutions manage the sale of more than $13 billion in annual television advertising inventory, helping more than 45 media outlets increase the revenue yield on available advertising inventory.

About Kami Ragsdale:

Kami Ragsdale brings over 17 years of financial and operational management expertise coupled with exceptional people and communication skills that will directly support the company's ongoing business growth objectives. Ragsdale served in a variety of financial planning and analysis roles at AOL Inc., including SVP of Finance for AOL's worldwide business operations, and previously SVP of Finance for AOL's web services division. Prior to joining AOL in 2002, Ragsdale served as Vice President of Finance for the radio division of Clear Channel Communications. She was part of the senior finance team for Evergreen Media that managed the company through over 100 acquisitions and three mergers to become Chancellor Media, then AMFM and eventually to merge with Clear Channel. Ragsdale was also Controller of Internet America, a local Internet Service Provider in Dallas, TX.

Ragsdale is a Certified Public Accountant who began her career in public accounting with KPMG. Ragsdale holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Tulsa and attended the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.  

About INVISION, Inc.:

Founded in 1993, INVISION, Inc. (http://www.invisioninc.com) develops software to support the ad sales and traffic processes for cable networks, broadcast networks, television syndicators and Hispanic-focused media. With offices in New York, Atlanta, and Northern Virginia, INVISION's clients include BET, Bloomberg, Bravo, CNBC, E! Entertainment Television, Galavision, Game Show Network, G4/Tech TV, TV Guide Network, Hallmark Channel, NBC Universal, ION, Sony Pictures Television, Telemundo, Telefutura, WGN America, Azteca America, Univision, Warner Bros. and The Weather Channel.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE INVISION, Inc.

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.invisioninc.com

A new report from DFC Intelligence forecasts that the market for English language client-based free-to-play (F2P) games on the PC is expected to grow from about $250 million in 2009 to $2 billion by 2015.  This growth is largely due to widespread adoption of high-speed Internet connections combined with a growing willingness of consumers to buy digital content and improved payment options such as prepaid retail cards.

The F2P market has been firmly established in Asia for many years.  According to DFC analyst Insun Yoon, "For many Korean companies the market in North America has not taken off nearly as fast as they expected.  Much of this can be attributed to the immature infrastructure and a lack of established payment and service mechanisms.  The good news is that this is starting to change and consumers are starting to realize that the game play of top high-end F2P games can be quite sophisticated."

Most F2P games operate under a model where users can download and play a game for free and have the option to buy virtual goods or upgrade to a subscription package that opens additional play content.  "F2P games can have multiple payment options and most successful games look to bundle products in creative packages such as the ability to buy a monthly or annual subscription that include a set amount of virtual currency.  Creativity in marketing, packaging and distribution are the keys to generating increased revenue," said David Cole, an analyst at DFC.

By the end of 2010, it is expected that English language client based F2P games will have a combined total of 128 million registered users.  While this is not as high as many browser based games and games on social networks,  F2Ps have fairly high conversion rates.  "Registered user numbers are a fairly meaningless metric in this market.  Once a consumer is able to get a game downloaded and running conversion rates for high-end F2P games tend to be fairly high," says Yoon.

One major problem is that in North America and Europe it is still difficult for consumers to successfully install a large client.  In conjunction with Pando Networks, a game delivery services company, DFC is providing a separate report on Online Game Delivery.  This report shows that consumers in South Korea, Romania, Japan and Sweden have significantly higher download speeds than the rest of the world.  According to the Pando report, eight of the fastest 12 cities in the world are located in Korea.

The new report entitled The Market for English Language Client-Based Free-to-Play PC Games has complete five-year forecasts, business model  scenarios and detailed company profiles.  DFC Intelligence also has several reports available surveying consumer attitudes on F2P and digital content in general.  Subscribers to DFC's research package services can get access to additional reports, consumer surveys, historical data, regular updates, more detailed breakouts by country and genre and the ability to search the DFC database and download data to Excel spreadsheets.

To get more information or receive a free sample DFC report, contact Ozzie Monge at omonge at dfcint dot com or go to www.dfcint.com.

About DFC Intelligence

DFC Intelligence is a strategic market research and consulting firm focused on interactive entertainment and the emerging video game, online game, interactive entertainment and portable game markets. Since 1995 DFC has published in-depth strategic market reports and subscription-based research services. DFC research is used by over 300 leading companies in over 30 countries worldwide.

SOURCE DFC Intelligence

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.dfcint.com

EUROBIKE 2010 -- Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook), announced today the availability of its N360 bicycle drivetrain utilizing NuVinci® Technology. The N360 is the next generation of Fallbrook's award-winning Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) transmission for bicycles. The NuVinci CVP is a significant "shift" in drivetrain technology, transmitting mechanical power with spheres instead of gears. With an unlimited number of ratios available within its nominal 360% ratio range, the NuVinci CVP is a highly attractive replacement for bicycle derailleurs and internally geared hubs as it provides a ride and shifting experience unlike any other.

Compared to the NuVinci bicycle drivetrain launched in 2007, the N360 model has an increased ratio of 360%, is over 30% lighter and is 17% smaller. Shift effort is significantly reduced even under high pedal forces and there is 50% less twist rotation required to move between the lowest and highest ratios. In addition, for better protection, the hub interface is now housed inboard of the frame drop-out.

"The original NuVinci bicycle CVP introduced a totally new cycling experience – very easy shifting," said Jack Brandsen, Fallbrook's Director of European Marketing and Sales. "The typical reactions after the first ride were: 'It's so smooth! or it's so easy!' However, bicycle manufacturers told us they would put it on more models if we could make the drivetrain lighter and smaller. We listened to the market and the N360 is the result. It's now being offered on many additional bicycle models including a number of e-Bikes."

The Gepida Reptila, Mosquito Classis Energy, Raleigh Dover 360, and Victoria NuVinci are some examples of new e-Bikes that will offer the N360 drivetrain. "The N360's ease of shifting is particularly beneficial for e-Bikes," said Alan M. Nordin, Fallbrook's Bicycle Division President. "e-Bike riders will shift more and that can result in less battery drain when starting up or going up a hill, which in turn equates to increased battery range." Examples of new European bike models with the N360 include the Batavus Venturo, Panther TR999 Gepard-N and Simpel Wegwarts and new North American N360 bike models include the Breezer Uptown Infinity, Ellsworth Enlightenment, and Organic Edwin.

For bike dealers looking to upgrade existing bicycles, an N360 aftermarket conversion kit is also available. Bicycle dealers in Europe will be able to order it directly on the NuVinci website, www.nuvinci.com where there is also a list of aftermarket kit distributors for other parts of the world.

About Fallbrook Technologies Inc.

Fallbrook Technologies Inc. is a technology and manufacturing company dedicated to improving the performance and flexibility of transmissions for vehicles and equipment. Fallbrook's NuVinci® continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology is applicable to virtually any machines that use a transmission such as bicycles, light electric vehicles, automobiles, agricultural equipment, and wind turbines, among others. The NuVinci CVP uses a set of rotating and tilting balls positioned between the input and output components of a transmission. Tilting the balls changes their contact diameters and varies the speed ratio.

The NuVinci platform offers companies the flexibility to design and produce next-generation products that are better tailored to their unique business, market and competitive requirements. Fallbrook has built an extensive portfolio of over 350 patents and patent applications worldwide.

To learn more about Fallbrook and its NuVinci technology, please visit www.fallbrooktech.com.

SOURCE Fallbrook Technologies Inc.

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.fallbrooktech.com
http://www.nuvinci.com

To combat the state of emergency that American religious intolerance has created, Catalyst Group CEO Leyla Turkkan, a twenty-year media relations veteran, is offering pro bono consultation to organizations aiming to build bridges between people of all denominations.  

"As a first-generation Turkish-American Muslim," stated Turkkan, "I am saddened by the rhetoric that has taken over the national dialogue about religion since 9/11. The media does not provide the correct representation of over a billion peace-loving Muslims in the world. Therefore, I intend on providing a more accurate portrayal of not only American Muslims, but all Americans who wish to preserve our identity as an inclusive society. I believe it is imperative we preserve the rich tradition of diversity and religious freedom that has always defined America."

A marketing and media strategist, Turkkan has worked with and represented a wide variety of influential, politically inclined figures and organizations, including:  

• Nobel Prize winner and UNESCO Good Will Ambassador Rigoberta Menchu
• Russell Simmons
• Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen's Christic Institute Benefit (Karen Silkwood defense team)
• Public Enemy's Chuck D.
• Music industry progressive and author Danny Goldberg
• New York Civil Liberties Union

Turkkan has also given her support with the pioneering, multi-artist Tibetan Freedom Concert I, II & III, the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, the historic "Stop The Violence" movement, as well as countless fundraising efforts to provide money and raise awareness around the homeless, Hurricane Katrina victims, HIV awareness, voter registration and Freedom of Speech.

Leyla Turkkan founded The Catalyst Group in January 2007.  Prior to that she held senior positions with Viacom/BET Networks/BET.com, Enclave/EMI Records, Atlantic/TAG Recordings, Columbia Records and 360HipHop.com

If you are an organization or celebrity promoting religious tolerance and understanding and would like to contact The Catalyst Group, please go to http://www.catalystgroup.biz for more information.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The Catalyst Group

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.catalystgroup.biz