Following his acclaimed Spring/Summer 2009 ready-to-wear show for Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs knew exactly who he wanted to embody the spirit of the season: Madonna should be the face of Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer fashion campaign.
The iconic pop star was photographed by her long-time creative
collaborator Steven Meisel, the first time the influential fashion
photographer has shot a campaign for Louis Vuitton. The chemistry between the two is evident as - in a sepia-toned setting reminiscent of a Paris café in the Forties, with its zinc bar, bentwood chairs and air thick with smoke -
Madonna transforms into Marc Jacobs' vision of the quintessential Parisienne, striking provocative poses in the season's sexy short skirts, ethnic-inspired sandals and animal-print bangles.
"I wanted the campaign to be very bold, very sensual and very
atmospheric. To carry off all these references and all this sophistication, we needed the ultimate performer - and for me, that is Madonna," says Marc Jacobs.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Holiday Visitors Will Pedal to Light the 2009 Sign With Battery Power on New Year's Eve
For the first time ever, people can honestly say they helped power the New Year! Visitors to the Duracell Power Lodge in Times Square will have the opportunity to "put the pedal to the metal" and create the energy that will be used to fill batteries and power the iconic numerals 2-0-0-9 that light up as the New Year's Ball drops and the clock strikes midnight.
To capture the energy needed to illuminate "2009," Duracell is inviting guests to the Duracell Power Lodge at the Charmin Restrooms in Times Square to hop on a snowmobike to generate power. The snowmobikes operate through rotary technology, capturing energy through the spinning wheel when the bike is pedaled. From there, power is routed into the Duracell Battery Center where it will be stored until New Year's Eve and trusted to light the night's most important moment.
To capture the energy needed to illuminate "2009," Duracell is inviting guests to the Duracell Power Lodge at the Charmin Restrooms in Times Square to hop on a snowmobike to generate power. The snowmobikes operate through rotary technology, capturing energy through the spinning wheel when the bike is pedaled. From there, power is routed into the Duracell Battery Center where it will be stored until New Year's Eve and trusted to light the night's most important moment.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
ThinkFun Announces 36 Cube Contest to Challenge Puzzlers and Benefit Schools Nationwide
Need a fun challenge to beat the winter doldrums? ThinkFun, Inc., a leader in educational games, today announced a way to entertain and challenge minds while giving back to schools with the 36 CUBE Contest.
The first 36 puzzlers who can demonstrate they solved the 36 CUBE puzzle correctly will win a ThinkFun Game Club Kit for the school of their choice -- and have the glory of solving what is quite possibly the world's most challenging puzzle.
The contest begins December 2 and ends December 31, 2008. Entrants must prove they solved the 36 CUBE by submitting two photos -- one showing the completed top of the puzzle and another showing a completed side of the same puzzle.
The first 36 people to do so will be named winners, receiving a ThinkFun Game Club Kit to be donated to the school of their choice. Each Game Club Kit has an approximate retail value of $360.00 and is comprised of an assortment of problem-solving games and puzzles that bring fun and learning to the classroom.
"With the 36 CUBE Contest, contestants are not only able to show off their problem-solving skills, they also have the chance to give back to schools in an exciting and unique way," said Bill Ritchie, CEO and Founder of ThinkFun, Inc.
"This contest embodies our mission to challenge kids and adults to become better thinkers, and to develop the deduction skills that they can carry with them throughout life."
36 CUBE is available for the suggested retail price of $24.99 at Barnes & Noble, Calendar Club, specialty toy stores and www.ThinkFun.com. For official contest rules and details, visit www.thinkfun.com/36cube/contest.html.
ThinkFun, Inc., located in Alexandria, VA, is the leading creator of mind-challenging games. Since 1985.
The first 36 puzzlers who can demonstrate they solved the 36 CUBE puzzle correctly will win a ThinkFun Game Club Kit for the school of their choice -- and have the glory of solving what is quite possibly the world's most challenging puzzle.
The contest begins December 2 and ends December 31, 2008. Entrants must prove they solved the 36 CUBE by submitting two photos -- one showing the completed top of the puzzle and another showing a completed side of the same puzzle.
The first 36 people to do so will be named winners, receiving a ThinkFun Game Club Kit to be donated to the school of their choice. Each Game Club Kit has an approximate retail value of $360.00 and is comprised of an assortment of problem-solving games and puzzles that bring fun and learning to the classroom.
"With the 36 CUBE Contest, contestants are not only able to show off their problem-solving skills, they also have the chance to give back to schools in an exciting and unique way," said Bill Ritchie, CEO and Founder of ThinkFun, Inc.
"This contest embodies our mission to challenge kids and adults to become better thinkers, and to develop the deduction skills that they can carry with them throughout life."
36 CUBE is available for the suggested retail price of $24.99 at Barnes & Noble, Calendar Club, specialty toy stores and www.ThinkFun.com. For official contest rules and details, visit www.thinkfun.com/36cube/contest.html.
ThinkFun, Inc., located in Alexandria, VA, is the leading creator of mind-challenging games. Since 1985.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
5min VideoSeed offers how-to videos
Semantic technology allows publishers to match relevant, ad-supported instructional videos to their lifestyle, knowledge and information textual sites, 5min, (www.5min.com), a leading destination site and distributor of online how-to videos, last week announced its VideoSeed semantic syndication platform for instructional and knowledge video programming now reaches more than 110 million unique users a month via its vast network of comprehensive knowledge and information syndication partner sites. 5min pairs brand advertising with tens of thousands of professionally-produced, niche-specific "how-to" titles produced and licensed from hundreds of content partners for semantic delivery via the VideoSeed platform.
5min has closed syndication deals with horizontal sites such as Answers.com, wikiHow, Wikia and Articlesbase as well as vertical sites including Tim Carter's Ask the Builder, Recipe4Living and Pregnancy.org. Concurrently, 5Min has closed content agreements with Ford Models, Kiplinger's, Elle, Car & Driver, Petside, Britannica, Big Think, WatchMojo, Road & Track, Woman's Day and others.
5min believes VideoSeed's value proposition to brands lies in the idea that instructional content provides an ideal opportunity to advertise given how-to video audiences tend to be more engaged in the content and are typically close to making purchasing decisions.
The innovative approach taken by 5min evolves the model initially pioneered by broadcast cable networks for a broadband cable generation: Delivering relevant professionally-produced programming to passionate vertical audiences.
Unlike user-generated video sites, all 5min content is reviewed, filtered and meta-tagged prior to syndication. The VideoSeed proprietary semantic technology crawls the text of every syndication partner's site ensuring only the most relevant, contextual videos are served to each individual page, thereby integrating 5min's content deep within the site itself. Videos are streamed through 5min's proprietary SmartPlayer(TM) enabling a viewing experience unmatched in the industry.
5min has closed syndication deals with horizontal sites such as Answers.com, wikiHow, Wikia and Articlesbase as well as vertical sites including Tim Carter's Ask the Builder, Recipe4Living and Pregnancy.org. Concurrently, 5Min has closed content agreements with Ford Models, Kiplinger's, Elle, Car & Driver, Petside, Britannica, Big Think, WatchMojo, Road & Track, Woman's Day and others.
5min believes VideoSeed's value proposition to brands lies in the idea that instructional content provides an ideal opportunity to advertise given how-to video audiences tend to be more engaged in the content and are typically close to making purchasing decisions.
The innovative approach taken by 5min evolves the model initially pioneered by broadcast cable networks for a broadband cable generation: Delivering relevant professionally-produced programming to passionate vertical audiences.
Unlike user-generated video sites, all 5min content is reviewed, filtered and meta-tagged prior to syndication. The VideoSeed proprietary semantic technology crawls the text of every syndication partner's site ensuring only the most relevant, contextual videos are served to each individual page, thereby integrating 5min's content deep within the site itself. Videos are streamed through 5min's proprietary SmartPlayer(TM) enabling a viewing experience unmatched in the industry.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Free Online Career Development Course Now Available
With financial support and assistance from Microsoft Corp.'s U.S. Partners in Learning, students across the nation now have access to CareerForward, a powerful, free online course covering globalization, career planning, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
CareerForward empowers students in middle and high school to take charge of their own education, career path and future prosperity.
Global education leaders from more than 30 nations are learning how to implement this program in their home countries this week at the School of the Future World Summit in Seattle hosted by Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft, Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Virtual University offer CareerForward to help students prepare for a 21st-century workplace.
Increasingly, multinational corporations are seeking young people who possess a global perspective and an appreciation that their academic preparation is vital to their future.
Students who take the new online CareerForward course will better understand the crucial importance of their education and have the ability to improve their motivation and choices in high school and college.
Students, parents and teachers can access the course at http://review.careerforward.org/careerforward.
CareerForward empowers students in middle and high school to take charge of their own education, career path and future prosperity.
Global education leaders from more than 30 nations are learning how to implement this program in their home countries this week at the School of the Future World Summit in Seattle hosted by Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft, Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Virtual University offer CareerForward to help students prepare for a 21st-century workplace.
Increasingly, multinational corporations are seeking young people who possess a global perspective and an appreciation that their academic preparation is vital to their future.
Students who take the new online CareerForward course will better understand the crucial importance of their education and have the ability to improve their motivation and choices in high school and college.
Students, parents and teachers can access the course at http://review.careerforward.org/careerforward.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Triplepaste.com offers diaper rash tips
For the parents of the millions of diaper-clad babies, the winter months can mean cute little red outfits, cute little red button noses, and not-so-cute and oh-so-painful little red bottoms. Most don't think about their baby's skin health until sunscreen season comes around again.
But they should. Anecdotal evidence indicates that when the temperature plunges, the prevalence and severity of diaper rash increases. Primary care pediatricians see a jump in the number of parents bringing in babies with sore bottoms, and sales of over-the-counter diaper rash treatments peak when it's coldest -- from October through March.
"Diaper rash is the most common skin condition affecting babies and young children, and if it's not treated quickly and effectively, both the baby ... and the parents ... suffer," said Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, a leading pediatric dermatologist and chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center in San Diego, and Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine (Dermatology) at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
"In the winter, diaper rash can be more problematic. Parents are simply not aware that the risk increases as the temperature decreases," he said.
Caused by a combination of trapped moisture, irritants and the friction of a diaper against tender skin, diaper rash can be more problematic in the winter because parents tend to bundle up their babies to keep them warm - and unwittingly create the perfect warm, moist environment for diaper rash.
And, babies become sick more often in the winter because they spend more time indoors, exposed to viruses, colds and other pathogens.
"When a baby is sick and has diarrhea, a miserable case of diaper rash can certainly follow, because diarrhea irritates an already sensitive diaper area," said Dr. Eichenfield.
"And, medications often prescribed for children during the winter months -- like antibiotics to treat infections -can cause diarrhea and contribute to diaper rashes. Diaper rash is a common side effect of antibiotic treatment," he said.
Since the winter season is upon us, it's important for parents to be aware of the heightened risk of diaper rash, and to take steps now to take charge of their baby's skin health.
Summers Labs established the Rash-O-Meter Diaper Rash Severity Index to educate and inform parents about the increased risk of diaper rash during the winter, and to provide tips on prevention and treatment. The Index is based on relative risk during the winter, with a baseline of "mild" during the three previous seasons.
The 192nd edition of the Farmer's Almanac predicts the winter of 2008-2009 will bring above-average snowfall and lower than normal temperatures--thusly more diaper rash.
"We expect this season to be moderate to severe in terms of diaper rash risk. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk and to treat uncomplicated diaper rash safely and effectively," he added.
Prevention and Treatment of Diaper Rash
Following are tips to prevent and treat diaper rash:
1. Do not overdress your baby - layer just enough to stay warm.
2. Avoid restrictive clothing and plastic pants ... at all times.
3. Change diapers frequently, keep diaper area clean and dry (a coating of
cornstarch works well).
4. Give baby's bottom some "air time" without a diaper to reduce
diaper-to-skin friction and promote healing.
5. Apply a thin coating of a medicated, non-prescription ointment
containing zinc oxide -- like Triple Paste(R) Medicated Ointment -- at
diaper changes, after bath and before bed to provide protection from
irritation and promote healing.
6. Treat mild diaper rash early, before it becomes a bigger problem.
7. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics for your child, make sure you
have a premium over-the-counter diaper rash ointment like Triple Paste
handy. Start using it at the first sign of irritation, or as soon as
you administer the first dose.
8. Keep the ointment in multiple locations -- a tube in the nursery, a
tube in the diaper bag, a tube at daycare.
9. If diaper rash does not clear up in a few days, or worsens
dramatically, contact your pediatrician.
But they should. Anecdotal evidence indicates that when the temperature plunges, the prevalence and severity of diaper rash increases. Primary care pediatricians see a jump in the number of parents bringing in babies with sore bottoms, and sales of over-the-counter diaper rash treatments peak when it's coldest -- from October through March.
"Diaper rash is the most common skin condition affecting babies and young children, and if it's not treated quickly and effectively, both the baby ... and the parents ... suffer," said Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, a leading pediatric dermatologist and chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center in San Diego, and Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine (Dermatology) at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
"In the winter, diaper rash can be more problematic. Parents are simply not aware that the risk increases as the temperature decreases," he said.
Caused by a combination of trapped moisture, irritants and the friction of a diaper against tender skin, diaper rash can be more problematic in the winter because parents tend to bundle up their babies to keep them warm - and unwittingly create the perfect warm, moist environment for diaper rash.
And, babies become sick more often in the winter because they spend more time indoors, exposed to viruses, colds and other pathogens.
"When a baby is sick and has diarrhea, a miserable case of diaper rash can certainly follow, because diarrhea irritates an already sensitive diaper area," said Dr. Eichenfield.
"And, medications often prescribed for children during the winter months -- like antibiotics to treat infections -can cause diarrhea and contribute to diaper rashes. Diaper rash is a common side effect of antibiotic treatment," he said.
Since the winter season is upon us, it's important for parents to be aware of the heightened risk of diaper rash, and to take steps now to take charge of their baby's skin health.
Summers Labs established the Rash-O-Meter Diaper Rash Severity Index to educate and inform parents about the increased risk of diaper rash during the winter, and to provide tips on prevention and treatment. The Index is based on relative risk during the winter, with a baseline of "mild" during the three previous seasons.
The 192nd edition of the Farmer's Almanac predicts the winter of 2008-2009 will bring above-average snowfall and lower than normal temperatures--thusly more diaper rash.
"We expect this season to be moderate to severe in terms of diaper rash risk. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the risk and to treat uncomplicated diaper rash safely and effectively," he added.
Prevention and Treatment of Diaper Rash
Following are tips to prevent and treat diaper rash:
1. Do not overdress your baby - layer just enough to stay warm.
2. Avoid restrictive clothing and plastic pants ... at all times.
3. Change diapers frequently, keep diaper area clean and dry (a coating of
cornstarch works well).
4. Give baby's bottom some "air time" without a diaper to reduce
diaper-to-skin friction and promote healing.
5. Apply a thin coating of a medicated, non-prescription ointment
containing zinc oxide -- like Triple Paste(R) Medicated Ointment -- at
diaper changes, after bath and before bed to provide protection from
irritation and promote healing.
6. Treat mild diaper rash early, before it becomes a bigger problem.
7. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics for your child, make sure you
have a premium over-the-counter diaper rash ointment like Triple Paste
handy. Start using it at the first sign of irritation, or as soon as
you administer the first dose.
8. Keep the ointment in multiple locations -- a tube in the nursery, a
tube in the diaper bag, a tube at daycare.
9. If diaper rash does not clear up in a few days, or worsens
dramatically, contact your pediatrician.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Celebrities Kick Off Their Shoes to Help America's Shores
As the holiday season approaches, what better time to put your best foot forward and give back to the causes and organizations you care about? The Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project is hosting an online charity auction of shoes belonging to beach-loving celebrities in an effort to raise awareness and generate funds to support the Surfrider Foundation -- a grassroots, not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches.
To create the collection, Barefoot Wine asked actors, athletes and musicians to help "heel" America's beaches by kicking off their shoes and donating them in support of more "barefoot-friendly" beaches.
Notable surfing enthusiasts going barefoot for the cause include: actors Matthew McConaughey, Cameron Diaz, Sophia Bush and Andrew Keegan, athletes Kelly Slater and Lisa Andersen, Host of E!'s Daily Ten and the X-Games Sal Masekela and musicians Jack Johnson, G. Love (of G. Love and Special Sauce), Matt Costa, Nick Hexum (of 311) and Tristan Prettyman.
The autographed shoes will be listed on eBay's Giving Works, which empowers people to buy and sell for a cause. The charity auction will begin at 4:00pm PST on Tuesday, December 2 and end on Friday, December 12. Visit www.eBay.com/BarefootWine to view the collection of shoes and place your bids.
To create the collection, Barefoot Wine asked actors, athletes and musicians to help "heel" America's beaches by kicking off their shoes and donating them in support of more "barefoot-friendly" beaches.
Notable surfing enthusiasts going barefoot for the cause include: actors Matthew McConaughey, Cameron Diaz, Sophia Bush and Andrew Keegan, athletes Kelly Slater and Lisa Andersen, Host of E!'s Daily Ten and the X-Games Sal Masekela and musicians Jack Johnson, G. Love (of G. Love and Special Sauce), Matt Costa, Nick Hexum (of 311) and Tristan Prettyman.
The autographed shoes will be listed on eBay's Giving Works, which empowers people to buy and sell for a cause. The charity auction will begin at 4:00pm PST on Tuesday, December 2 and end on Friday, December 12. Visit www.eBay.com/BarefootWine to view the collection of shoes and place your bids.
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