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HUTTO, Texas, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Inc. today ranked Formaspace Technical furniture () No. 1,314 on its annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy — America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.
(Logo: )
“Our second annual Inc. 5000 continues the most ambitious project in business journalism,” said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. “The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth.”
Formaspace Technical Furniture, a custom workbench manufacturer based outside of Austin, TX, has been ranked in the Inc. 5000 for the second year running. Formaspace achieved a five-year sales growth from 2004 to 2007 of 289%, with revenues growing to $7.2 million in 2007. Formaspace’s continued growth was fueled by a number of factors, including its entry into the laboratory furniture () market and growing international () technical furniture sales presence.
“This is a real testament to the team we have built at Formaspace as well as our products,” said Formaspace CEO Jeff Turk. “Customers have learned that they can turn to us to build them outstanding custom workbenches () and lab furniture and consequently we’ve grown proportionately. It’s a tremendous challenge to make such a distinguished list, and we are especially gratified to have made the list for two years in a row.”
The 5000 companies that made the list reported aggregate revenue of $185 billion and median three-year growth of 147 percent. Most important, the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 826,033 jobs since those companies were founded.
With 75% of all new job creation in the U.S. coming from small businesses, the Inc. 5000 is a prescient indicator of the companies and industries that are driving the economy forward. Over the years, the Inc. 5000 has identified the next generation of world-class companies, with Microsoft, Stonyfield Farms, Timberland, Oracle, Princeton Review, Morningstar, E* Trade, Intuit and Domino’s Pizza all appearing on the list before they became industry powerhouses.
The 2008 Inc. 5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, for profit, independent — not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies — as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007. Inc. verifies all information using tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants and by conducting interviews with company officials.
Inc., the premier magazine for growing companies, may be accessed online at . Formaspace’s ranking may be found at .
About Formaspace Technical Furniture
Formaspace Technical furniture advances the spirit of discovery and creation through the design and manufacture of custom workbenches, workstations, and technical furniture. The company develops elegant, practical, flexible solutions for customers in laboratory, technical, and industrial environments. Formaspace is located eighteen miles northeast of Austin, Texas, and can be reached at 1.800.251.1505. The company is majority owned by Council Oak Investors, LLC.
About Council Oak Investors
Council Oak Investors, LLC is a private equity firm based in Austin, Texas. Council Oak Investors is committed to providing liquidity options and seasoned management to outstanding manufacturers and distribution firms nationwide.

Formaspace Technical Furniture

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LAS VEGAS, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Selling Source, LLC has moved up 41 places to number 68 on the Inc. 5000 list thanks to rapid growth fueled by its unique business model. The only full-service provider of end-to-end online technology for specialty finance lenders, the company was ranked 109 nationally last year in Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
Las Vegas-based Selling Source leapfrogged to number 68 with a four-year revenue growth rate of 2,494 percent. The company ranked 7th in the financial services category and 11th for companies with annual revenues of more than $100 million. It is one of only seven Las Vegas-based businesses on this prestigious list. Selling Source is one of a few firms ranked in the 2007 and 2008 Inc. 5000 because growth rates required to make the list are often unsustainable even for the most successful companies. London Bay Capital, a private equity firm based in San Francisco, acquired a controlling interest in Selling Source in December 2007.
According to Selling Source Chief Executive Officer Derek LaFavor, the company has enjoyed phenomenal growth in part because it alone offers online lenders a single-source platform throughout the micro-loan life-cycle. “Only with Selling Source do specialty finance lenders have an end-to-end solution to acquire, fund, underwrite and retain customers while increasing their overall lifetime value,” he said.
“Consumers needing micro-loans have been underserved by conventional lending solutions, a situation creating a gap filled by the specialty finance industry,” LaFavor said.
Selling Source offers an integrated suite of services forming a complete financial and marketing infrastructure — from back-end to online storefront — from which micro-lenders can run their businesses smoothly, efficiently and profitably.
This pioneering approach stems from the company’s groundbreaking principles defining the six phases of the micro-loan life cycle: loan management; consumer acquisition; lead sourcing and verification; modeling and data analytics; consumer retention management and second-touch marketing.
With this micro-loan life cycle as its roadmap, Selling Source provides lenders fully integrated customer communication and retention programs — including e-mail, text and direct mail — as well as loan management software. Along with its subsidiary companies and partners, Selling Source also features services that include:
— Lead generation and customer acquisition from PartnerWeekly.

— Credit reporting and data verification from DataX, Ltd.

— Data centers, co-location, hosting and disaster recovery from MarquisNet.

LaFavor also credits the company’s continued growth to its strategic acquisition of companies like LeadRev, Inc. — one of the industry’s top lead-generation firms — and other key businesses providing turnkey services for the online finance market.
“By bringing together companies, technologies, innovation and creativity, we have a single, all-inclusive package, making us a dominant force in our sector. This acknowledgement by Inc. magazine for a second year in a row is indeed an honor for which we are excited and grateful. Once again this award is a tribute to our talented and focused team members, our strong leadership and our cutting-edge technology.”
With the addition of LeadRev, Inc., Selling Source is expected to generate pro forma combined revenues in 2008 of approximately $175 million and EBITDA in excess of $40 million, representing an EBITDA growth rate of 35 percent over 2007. Selling Source was acquired in December 2007 by an affiliate of London Bay.
“Our second annual Inc. 5000 continues the most ambitious project in business journalism,” said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. “The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth.”
The 5,000 companies that made the list reported aggregate revenue of $185 billion and median three-year growth of 147 percent. Most important, the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 826,033 jobs since those companies were founded. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at .
About Inc.com
Inc.com, the daily resource for entrepreneurs, delivers how-to guides, advice, tools, breaking news, and rich multi-media to help business owners and CEOs start, run, and grow their businesses. Inc.com offers dynamic marketing solutions to help advertisers effectively reach Inc.com’s audience of business leaders. Visit .
About London Bay Capital LLC
London Bay Capital LLC is a private equity firm based in San Francisco. It focuses on management buyouts of middle-market growth businesses in the U.S. and Europe. It invests its partners’ capital as well as funds it manages on behalf of one of the world’s largest family offices
About Selling Source, LLC
Selling Source, LLC, named number 68 on the 2008 Inc. 5000 list, up from number 109 in 2007, develops technology and marketing solutions for the specialty finance industry. Its affiliated companies offer turnkey lender solutions, data solutions, consumer communication services, prepaid and stored-value marketing solutions, consumer acquisition services, payment processing and infrastructure solutions including co-location and disaster recovery hot sites. For more information, please visit .
Contact: Ron Kalb
Selling Source, LLC
Phone: 702-851-9528
Mobile: 702-498-8916

Selling Source, LLC

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Park Foundation and Olympus Imaging America Inc. challenge everyone who can point and click to grab their camera, head to a federal land, and enter the 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest. This year’s official contest is sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Olympus in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
The 2008 Share the Experience Photo contest will run from August 18, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands, drawing entries from all across the United States.
All 2008 entrants will have the opportunity to win one of five exciting prize packages with a total of 14 winners. The Grand Prize winner will earn the international honor of having the winning image grace all the 2010 “Federal Recreation Lands Pass,” an annual admission that provides access to all participating Federal Land Management Agency sites where an entrance fee is charged. Additionally, the grand prize winner will receive an Olympus E-3 DSLR digital camera kit and a five-day, four-night trip to a Federal Recreation Land of his/her choice.
“The National Park Foundation is grateful to Olympus for supporting the 8th annual federal lands photo contest, providing park goers with the opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity of our nation’s protected lands and share that experience with all of America,” said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “By entering in the 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest, individuals can take part in a truly American pastime: helping others see the beauty and value of our national parks. The National Park Foundation is delighted to sponsor this year’s contest with Olympus to get people out to the parks to capture great photo memories.”
“Olympus is proud to be the official sponsor of the National Parks photo contest,” said F. Mark Gumz, President, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “We offer shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and highly portable cameras, which are perfect for capturing the parks’ elements in any season. We are committed to respecting nature and promoting healthy, active lifestyles. We encourage everyone to capture our nation’s parks through photography while leaving these majestic lands untouched for future generations to appreciate.”
Citizens and legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter by submitting up to three photo entries online at ; or via mail in a hand-written, stamped envelope to:
Share the Experience Official Federal Recreation Lands Photo Contest
c/o ePrize, LLC
PO Box 8070
Royal Oak, MI 48068

All photographs entered must be taken in one of the Federal Recreation Agency Lands between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, must be original creations, and must be submitted by the original photographer. PLEASE SEE OFFICIAL RULES AT .
Mail-in entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2008 and received by the close of business on January 8, 2009. Each envelope must include only one entry. All photos will be judged on creativity; photographic quality; visual appeal; appropriateness; ability to show diversity and the richness of the Federal Recreation Lands.
Additionally, the public will be able to view an online photo gallery of 2008 submissions from January 9, 2009 - January 16, 2009 and vote on their favorites from January 17, 2009 - January 31, 2009.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation () is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
About Olympus Imaging America Inc.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets. Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day. These include:
— Digital and Film Cameras as well as related Underwater Products and
Accessories
— Professional Digital SLR Imaging Systems as well as related Underwater
Products and Accessories
— Digital and Microcassette Recorders
— Digital Media
— Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: .
National Park Foundation

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NEW YORK, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Beach tennis USA(R), the organization responsible for launching the pro sport of beach tennis in North America, will hold its 2008 National Beach tennis Championship in Long Beach, New York on Labor Day Weekend. The National Championship tournament, which is the final event of a 10-city tour, will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31 and will be taped for broadcast to over 60 million homes on SportsNet New York (SNY), tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, and select Comcast SportsNet affiliates. The event site is located on the beach at Riverside Blvd. near the Boardwalk in Long Beach, New York.
This year as many as 75 Men and Women’s Pro division teams from 12 countries are expected to compete in the National Championship event. Although the defending champions, Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi (Ravenna, IT) are favored to win, several teams from the U.S. and other countries are hoping to quell the Italian’s dominance in the new pro sport. One such team that looks to have the best chance is the 2005 & 2006 National Champions Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson (Charleston, SC), who are vying to reclaim their crown after having experienced a resurgence this season. In the Women’s Pro Division, three-time National Champion Nadia Johnston (Long Beach, NY), will be entering into the competition with a new partner and after having participated in only one tournament this season. The finals match just might pose a rematch from last season, with Johnston defending her title against a team that has completely dominated the Women’s division this year-Laura and Lisa Maloney (San Diego, CA).
Preliminary qualifying play for the Women’s Pro divisions will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with elimination rounds throughout the day. Elimination rounds for the Men’s Pro division will begin Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and the Men and Women’s Pro finals will take place Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.
About Beach tennis USA
Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Now in its fourth season, Beach tennis USA has garnered increased attention while hosting events in South Florida, Southern California and New York. Beach tennis USA has also gained recognition in the tennis world, attracting many former top-rated tennis players and having televised competitions featured on tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, Comcast SportsNet, and SportsNet New York (SNY). The company continues to grow by adding new licensees in various U.S. cities and establishing “Team Beach Tennis,” which promotes year-round league play. To learn more about this fast-growing sport, or to become a licensee, please visit .
Beach tennis USA

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SYDNEY, Australia and WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Aug. 14
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The PMI Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Australian mortgage insurance subsidiary and related Australian holding company to QBE Insurance Group Limited (”QBE”), Australia’s largest international general insurance and reinsurance group. This transaction will enhance PMI’s overall liquidity and support opportunities for its U.S. mortgage insurance operations.
The purchase price is approximately 100% of the net tangible asset value of PMI Australia under U.S. GAAP as of June 30, 2008. The aggregate purchase price payable upon closing is approximately $920 million, subject to adjustment under certain limited circumstances, including in the event of a material adverse change in PMI Australia’s business prior to closing. The purchase price will be payable 80% in cash at closing and 20% payable in the form of an interest-bearing promissory note issued by QBE. The promissory note matures and is payable in September 2011, and the actual amount payable on the note could be reduced to the extent that the performance of PMI Australia’s existing insurance portfolio as of June 30, 2008 does not achieve specified targets. Interest will be accrued from July 1, 2008 for the cash component of the purchase price until the closing of the transaction and through September 2011 for the note. In connection with the transaction, PMI will also fund premiums of approximately $46.5 million to assist in procuring an excess of loss reinsurance cover for PMI Australia. The agreement provides for reinsurance profit-sharing for one-half of the reinsurance premiums at the end of the three-year policy life, subject to certain conditions.
“This transaction is a strategic move that will benefit both companies,” said Steve Smith, Chairman & CEO of The PMI Group, Inc. “PMI Australia’s customers will benefit from the financial strength, expertise, and operational excellence of QBE, and PMI Australia’s employees will gain the scale and resources QBE will bring them to expand and grow their business in Australia. We are extremely proud of the business operations that our Australian team, with assistance and support from our U.S. team, has built and the reputation for outstanding customer service that PMI Australia enjoys in the mortgage market.” Mr. Smith added, “this transaction also represents an important step in our five-point plan for progress, specifically maintaining our financial strength and focusing on our core U.S. mortgage insurance business.”
PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. acquired the Australian operations in 1999 from AMP Limited, a large Australian insurance and financial services company. In 2001, PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. acquired CGU’s Australian mortgage insurance company. The combined operations of the AMP and CGU acquisitions became PMI Australia.
PMI and QBE have also reached an agreement in principle for the sale of PMI Asia, based in Hong Kong. The net tangible assets of PMI Asia as of June 30, 2008 were approximately $55 million. Details of this transaction will be announced when a definitive agreement between the parties has been executed.
Closing of the transactions is subject, among other things, to the receipt of necessary regulatory, bank and other third party approvals and consents. Closing is expected to be completed before the end of September 2008.
Credit Suisse and Caliburn Partnership acted as financial co-advisors to The PMI Group, Inc. Allens Arthur Robinson and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP provided legal advice to The PMI Group, Inc.
About The PMI Group, Inc.
The PMI Group, Inc. , headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, provides innovative credit, capital, and risk transfer solutions that expand homeownership and fund essential services for our customers and the communities they serve around the world. Through its wholly and partially owned subsidiaries, PMI offers residential mortgage insurance and credit enhancement products, financial guaranty insurance, and financial guaranty reinsurance. PMI has operations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and the United States. For more information: .
About QBE Insurance Group Limited
QBE Insurance Group Limited is Australia’s largest international general insurance and reinsurance group, and one of the top 25 insurers and reinsurers worldwide.
Cautionary Statement: Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, or that relate to future plans, events or performance are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements by their nature involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Many factors could cause actual developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. For example, there can be no assurance that regulatory, bank or other third party consents and approvals will be obtained, that other conditions to the sale of PMI Australia to QBE will be satisfied, that the sale will completed or, if completed, that the purchase price payable will not be reduced as a result of material adverse developments affecting PMI Australia’s business prior to closing. In addition, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into for the sale of PMI Asia to QBE, or, if entered into, that the sale of PMI Asia will be completed. Other risks and uncertainties are discussed in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (in Item 1A) and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, and June 30, 2008. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

The PMI Group, Inc.

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — MIPS Technologies, Inc. , a leading provider of industry-standard architectures, processors and analog IP for digital consumer, home networking, wireless, communications and business applications, today introduced the industry’s first 40nm usb PHY IP core and first USB-certified 1.8v 45nm usb PHY IP core. These cores enable developers to quickly and confidently integrate usb functionality into their advanced SoCs for a vast number of consumer applications. A leading cellular communications chipset provider will be first to go into production with an SoC that integrates MIPS Technologies’ silicon-proven 1.8v 45nm PHY.
According to technology market research firm In-Stat, more than 2.6 billion wired USB-enabled devices were shipped in 2007, penetrating PCs, PC peripherals, consumer electronics, communications, and automobiles. The firm predicts that annual shipment growth of USB-enabled devices through 2012 will be 8.3%.
“With our new usb PHY IP offerings, we continue our strategy of being first to offer proven IP in the most advanced technology nodes, giving our customers early access for next-generation development,” said Celio Albuquerque, director of physical connectivity solutions, Analog Business Group, MIPS Technologies. “As usb market growth continues, customers are leveraging our usb IP solutions, including PHYs and controllers, to get to market quickly at the lowest possible cost and the fastest time to integration.”
MIPS Technologies’ new usb PHY IP cores represent a new generation of usb physical layer architectures using 1.8v or alternatively 2.5v IO devices to deliver the industry’s lowest power consumption for 45nm and 40nm SoC designs. Low power, along with a compact, silicon-saving design, makes these IP cores especially well-suited for leading-edge mobile applications. Advanced programmability allows developers to fine-tune the analog parameters of their system for maximum performance results in silicon.
MIPS Technologies offers the broadest IP portfolio in the market, with silicon-proven and certified solutions in all major foundries and processes-including half nodes-backed by deep usb expertise and professional engineering support. MIPS Technologies has more than 90 usb PHY IP customers worldwide with more than 200 usb 2.0 PHY instantiations, more than 30 usb 2.0 certified products in mass-production, and more than 200 million high-speed usb chips produced to-date. MIPS Technologies is the first in the market to offer a choice of 2.5v and 1.8v transistors for usb PHYs.
About MIPS Technologies, Inc.
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NasdaqGS: MIPS) is the world’s second largest semiconductor design IP company and the number one analog IP company worldwide. With more than 250 customers around the globe, MIPS Technologies is the only company that provides a combined portfolio of processors, analog IP and software tools for the embedded market. The company powers some of the world’s most popular products for the digital entertainment, home networking, wireless, and portable media markets-including broadband devices from Linksys, DTVs and digital consumer devices from Sony, DVD recordable devices from Pioneer, digital set-top boxes from Motorola, network routers from Cisco, 32- bit microcontrollers from Microchip Technology and laser printers from Hewlett-Packard. Founded in 1998, MIPS Technologies is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices worldwide. For more information, contact (650) 567-5000 or visit .
MIPS is a trademark or registered trademark in the United States and other countries of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Chipidea is a trademark or registered trademark in the United States and other countries of MIPSABG Chipidea, Lda. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.
MIPS Technologies, Inc.

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DALLAS, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — football fans who have U-verse TV now have a new way to enjoy all of this season’s action. AT&T Inc. today announced the launch of Yahoo! (R) Sports Fantasy football on AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. Sports fans can use the interactive AT&T U-bar to simply and conveniently track their fantasy football team and receive customized information on their favorite NFL teams directly on their U-verse TV.
AT&T U-bar is an interactive feature available to all U-verse TV customers that allows viewers to receive customized sports, weather, stock and traffic information on their U-verse TV screen. Yahoo! Sports Fantasy football is one of several U-bar enhancements now available to U-verse TV customers at no extra charge.
“The popularity of fantasy sports is on the rise, and our customers will be able to stay up-to-date on their leagues and teams from the comfort of their couch, all while watching the big games,” said G.W. Shaw, AT&T executive director of U-verse marketing. “Because of the powerful integration that Internet Protocol (IP) enables, we’re able to bring your personalized fantasy sports and NFL information directly to your TV screen. You’ve got the games and the stats right at your fingertips. What more could a fan want?”
Football fans can set up their fantasy league and team preferences at by using their AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet master account. They can then automatically track the progress of their fantasy team — including current team matchups and league standings — directly from their TV screen through the AT&T U-bar.
Fantasy football enthusiasts can also purchase StatTracker(R), a real-time application that tracks player, team and league statistics, for $9.99 at . StatTracker delivers snap-by-snap updates to users via AT&T U-bar, personal computers and mobile devices, allowing fans to track winning fantasy teams no matter where they are.
In addition to viewing their favorite team’s scores, customers can now display even more personalized sports information through AT&T U-bar. During the NFL season, fans will be able to conveniently view up-to-date NFL game stats on their favorite teams, including the top passing, rushing and touchdown stats for each player and team; scoring logs with a brief description of how each score in the game was made and by which player; and NFL league leaders in receiving yards, tackles, touchdowns and more.
In addition to viewing AT&T U-bar at the bottom of the TV screen, customers can also now enjoy a full-screen version of their customizable weather, stock, sports and traffic information with the touch of a button. The AT&T U-bar also has an enhanced interface, with more navigation options to quickly access information while watching live programming.
Yahoo! Sports Fantasy football is the latest interactive feature added to U-verse TV. AT&T has also rolled out NBC Olympics Interactive, a single on-screen location that offers the latest headlines, live Olympic Games programming, a medal tracker and bios of Team USA athletes; AT&T Online Photos from Flickr, which allows you to simply and conveniently browse the photos you’ve uploaded to flickr.com on your U-verse TV screen; YELLOWPAGES.COM TV, which lets you easily search for local businesses and other information via their TV screen; and AT&T Yahoo! Games.
AT&T is the only national provider to offer a 100 percent IP-based television service, making AT&T U-verse TV one of the most advanced television offerings available anywhere. AT&T is deploying next-generation video services, including AT&T U-verse TV, as part of its mission to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else.
Customers who want additional information on AT&T U-verse TV — or to find out whether it’s available in their area — can visit or stop by the nearest AT&T retail location.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation’s leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America’s Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at .
(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at . For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at .
Yahoo! is the trademark and/or registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc.
AT&T Inc.

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ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TOP Ships Inc. announced today that it has entered into agreements to terminate its bareboat charters for four Suezmax tankers, the Priceless (DWT 154,970, built 1991), the Flawless (DWT 154,970, built 1991), the Stopless (DWT 154,970, built 1991) and the Timeless (DWT 154,970, built 1991) and one Handymax tanker, the Sovereign (DWT 47,071, built 1992), in connection with the sale of these vessels by their owners to third parties.
The Suezmax charters are expected to be terminated by the end of September of 2008 upon sale of the vessels from their owners to third parties. The Handymax lease is expected to be terminated by August 20, 2008 upon sale of the vessel from its owner to third parties.
The aggregate unamortized portion of the deferred gain from the original sales of approximately $13.3 million is expected to be recognized in the third quarter of 2008. Moreover, the Company will receive the amount of approximately $11.3 million in cash, which represents the partial redemption of the initial seller’s credit agreement with the lessors of the four Suezmaxes.
About TOP Ships Inc.
TOP Ships Inc., formerly known as TOP Tankers Inc., is an international provider of worldwide seaborne crude oil and petroleum products and drybulk transportation services. Upon delivery of the remaining suezmaxes to their new owners, the Company will operate a combined tanker and drybulk fleet as follows:
– A fleet of seven double-hull Handymax tankers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 0.3 million dwt, of which 58% are sister ships. All of the Company’s Handymaxes will be on time charter contracts with an average term of two years with all of the time charters including profit sharing agreements above their base rates.
– Six newbuilding product tankers, which are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2009. All the expected newbuildings have fixed rate bareboat employment agreements for periods between seven and ten years.
– a fleet of five drybulk vessels with a total carrying capacity of approximately 0.3 million dwt, of which 70% are sister ships. All of the Company’s drybulk vessels have fixed rate employment contracts for an average period of 30 months.
Forward Looking Statement
Certain statements and information included in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,”"anticipate,”"intends,”"estimate,”"forecast,”"project,”"plan,”"potential,”"will,”"may,”"should,”"expect,”"pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include possible shareholder objections to the settlement of the class action, possible shareholder opt outs from the settlement, possible disapproval of the Court of the settlement, possible shareholder class appeals of the settlement and adverse outcomes on appeal, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in the demand for our vessels, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.
Contact: Michael Mason (investors) Stamatis Tsantanis, CFO
Allen & Caron Inc TOP Ships Inc.
212 691 8087 011 30 210 812 8199

TOP Ships Inc.

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SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ — PlayFirst, Inc., the innovative entertainment company making games appealing to everyone, today announced the release of Cooking Dash(TM), a spin-off of the DinerTown(TM) story world. Diner Dash(R) and its three sequels, four of the most popular titles in the casual games industry, all feature the spunky, pragmatic Flo, following her adventures as she uses waitressing and customer service skills to become DinerTown’s top restaurateur. Cooking Dash, PlayFirst’s first game featuring Flo that isn’t a direct Diner Dash sequel, introduces a new gameplay style to her loyal fans.
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Cooking Dash is an assembly-management game featuring Flo and her beloved grandma. The duo find themselves filling in at DinerTown’s busiest kitchens as they work to cover a cook shortage brought about by a reality TV program featuring Flo’s hardworking chef, Cookie.
“Cooking Dash serves up Flo like you’ve never seen her before,” says Kenny Shea Dinkin, vice president and creative director of PlayFirst, Inc. “She’s out off the floor and behind the grill, learning a new skill while the player learns a new type of gameplay.”
PlayFirst continues to innovate new experiences in casual gameplay within exclusive story worlds built around richly defined characters and compelling storylines. This innovation consistently brings consumers back to their favorite characters while offering a wide variety of gameplay options.
An exciting story world expansion, Cooking Dash does not replace the Diner Dash series, which is scheduled to release new episodic content as well as full-length sequel games.
Cooking Dash is now available for both Mac and PC. Play a free 60-minute trial or purchase the full-version for $19.95. For more information on the game, or to purchase Cooking Dash, please visit .
About PlayFirst, Inc.
PlayFirst is an innovative entertainment company that makes games appealing to everyone. PlayFirst creates engaging story worlds that capture the imagination and makes those experiences available everywhere consumers want to play. PlayFirst teams create outstanding games, then bring those games to life across popular platforms worldwide, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld, and console. The company’s portfolio includes world-renowned titles, such as Diner Dash(R), wedding Dash(R), Chocolatier(R), and Dream Chronicles(R). PlayFirst games are available in major retailers and on more than 500 sites in 20 languages. For more information, visit .
PlayFirst, Chocolatier, Cooking Dash, Diner Dash, DinerTown, Dream Chronicles, Flo, wedding Dash, Dash, and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of PlayFirst, Inc. PlayFirst, Chocolatier, Diner Dash, Dream Chronicles, and wedding Dash are registered in the U.S.

PlayFirst, Inc.

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NEW YORK, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Superstar David Beckham opens up in the September issue of Men’s Health magazine, on newsstands August 12, 2008, about his unique formula for success. Having reached the one year milestone of playing for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham reflects on bringing notoriety to “football” and to U.S. fans across the pond, choosing his kids over sports, the importance of training in his overall success, and the “madness” that constantly surrounds his family. At age 13, Beckham was discouraged from pursuing soccer from a teacher when he was told, “You’ll never play for England, because you’re too small and not strong enough.” It was those words that set Beckham on a path to change the sport forever.
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Peek inside Beckham’s workout regime from weight training to practice sessions, and learn how one of the most recognized athletes stays focused when game time comes.
On juggling family and sports…
“There is this madness around me, around my family. Without a doubt, out on the field is where I’m most comfortable, where I’m happiest, because I know what I’m doing, and I know I can do it.”
“People always ask me, ‘Do you play golf?’ Because a majority of sportsmen do. I used to play, quite a few years ago, but to be honest, I’d rather spend 4 hours with the kids than 4 hours on a golf course. As much as it can be relaxing, it’s a frustrating sport. My way of relaxing is listening to music and spending time with the kids.”
On the growing popularity of soccer in America…
“I never do anything where I don’t believe in what I’m doing. I see that something could happen in U.S. soccer. That change isn’t going to happen in a year or two. It’s more of a 5-, 10-, or even 15-year plan. I believe in it, and I believe that in years to come, this could be one of the biggest sports here in America.”
On training and handling stress…
“I’m a really bad loser. It stays with me for a while. I always take it quite personally when we don’t win as a team or I don’t win in everything else I do.”
“I don’t worry about any other players. I’ve always concentrated on what my job is more than anything, more than how good the other team is, no matter who the opponent is-even off the field. If you do your job, then there’s nothing else.”
“Preseason if where you get the stability for the rest of the season. I’ll never perform at my highest level unless I’m 100 percent fit. That’s one of my biggest attributes, the energy I’ve got on the field. For me, training is as important as the games.”
“My game’s all about moving around the pitch. I went through a stage a few years ago where I lifted a lot of weights and put on about a stone [about 14 pounds] and ended up not being able to run.”
On his superstar status…
“To be someone kids look up to is a great honor. What matters is how you carry yourself, off and on the field.”
“People always say to me, ‘Why would you place yourself in a position where you have to put pressure on yourself?’ But it’s what gives me energy.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Beckham says of his fashion style.

On what motivated his success…

Beckham credits his father with helping him harness his focus. “Even if I had a great game he’s always say, ‘You played well, but these were the mistakes you made.’ If I had a bad game, I’d hear all about that. When I was playing for Manchester United, playing something like 200 games and winning European Cup finals, he still wouldn’t let me get away with saying, ‘I’ve made it.’ So that’s one thing I have never done and never will do.”
“You’ll never play for England, because you’re too small and not strong enough,” Beckham heard these words from a soccer player at age 13, which led him to his professional career in “football.”
An image of the September cover of Men’s Health magazine featuring David Beckham is available upon request.
About Men’s Health
Men’s Health is the largest men’s lifestyle magazine brand in the world with 36 editions and a worldwide readership of 18.5 million. Published 10 times a year in the U.S. by Rodale, Men’s Health speaks to every aspect of a man’s life, providing its readers with the latest information on health, fitness, fashion, nutrition, relationships, travel, gear and money. Men’s Health was named to Adweek’s “Hot List” of top-ten magazines (’04, ‘05); Advertising Age’s “A-List” for general excellence (’03, ‘04); a Capell’s Circulation Report “Best Newsstand Performer of the Decade” (’04) and top-ten “Best Performer in Circulation” for the past three consecutive years; as well as one of min magazine’s “Most Notable Launches” of the past 20 years. The magazine also won a National Magazine Award in the personal service category (’04).

Men’s Health

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