In public policy arena, the Internet has secured game-changing status.(Commentary)

Some moments you never forget. One of those occurred almost 15 years ago when a senior client asked me if I truly felt people would turn to the Internet for serious public policy debates.

I convinced him the Internet was a powerful medium, but he remained doubtful it would be a useful public affairs tool.

Fifteen years later, the Internet and its progeny, social media, are game changers in every area of American life--and essential parts of PR strategies for anyone looking to influence or tap into the public consciousness. They are also the most powerful political tools since the advent of TV.

Two years ago, Barack Obama successfully harnessed social media's power to help capture the presidency. Just recently, antigovernment organizers in Egypt used Twitter and Facebook to organize massive protests aimed at toppling the Mubarak regime.

Social media has not only had a dramatic impact on the ballot box - it has given voice to constituents who impact how public policies are being developed in city council hearings, at state houses, and in the halls of Congress.

It has emerged as a "must have" in any communications effort that seeks to influence public debate. People are utilizing their own networks to gather information, viewpoints, and influence. Smart communicators know how to reach those networks in legitimate, authentic ways. No longer are the words of the editor the only perspective. Bloggers and tweets have become talking points that form impressions and opinions.

A smart public affairs strategist will recognize the importance of a well-thought-out social media effort and realize that simply establishing a Facebook page or an account on Twitter will not suffice.

Harnessing the power of this direct communication requires integration with a full complement of other valuable communications tools and techniques. Successful campaigns help frame an issue, move public opinion, promote ideas, and create a groundswell of support or opposition. Public affairs is in a constant state of change. Successful practitioners adapt to new challenges on an almost daily basis. During my career, I've seen industry practices turned upside down and back again as new and more powerful tools become available.

Still, some constants remain. Your message needs to be strong, your strategy sound, and your story authentic--especially in the brave new world of social media. I'm sure my old client will read this--likely on the Internet.

Gloria Story Dittus is chairman of Story Partners. She cofounded Direct Impact and founded Dittus Communications.

PlanetOut, Leading Lesbian and Gay Internet Portal, Recruits Power Executive Team.

Names President, CFO, and General Manager

www.planetout.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- PlanetOut, the leading online portal for the lesbian and gay market, named Mark Crumpacker as its president and chief operating officer. Crumpacker is former chief executive officer of Studio Archetype (now Sapient Corporation), a leading Internet design and strategy firm. In addition, Gregory Morey, managing director of Providence Investors, a New York-based hedge fund, was named chief financial officer. Susan Schuman, former vice president and general manager of Studio Archetype and former managing director of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest U.S. gay and lesbian civil rights organization, was named executive vice president and general manager.

Eric Wilson, former senior vice president of Studio Archetype, was named executive vice president of business development. John D'Alessandro, past president of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and former VP of sales at ETAK, a News Corp. company, was named VP of sales. Megan J. Smith remains CEO, and founder and chairman Tom Rielly assumes the additional title of EVP. Christian Williams, VP and chief technical officer, and David Stazer, VP and executive producer, round out the management team.

"We now have the amazing combination of talent, knowledge, and experience we'll need to take PlanetOut to the next level as the first world-class lesbian and gay Internet company, with the potential to reach the entire gay world," said Smith. "With this team, PlanetOut will solidify its position as the undisputed leader in the gay and lesbian market."

Mark Crumpacker, President and Chief Operating Officer

Mark Crumpacker spent 5 years as CEO of Studio Archetype, a leading Internet design and strategy firm based in San Francisco. Crumpacker guided the organization through a transition from a 15-person organization to a company with more than 150 employees and over $30 million in revenue. In 1997, he led the company through an acquisition by the Sapient Corporation. Crumpacker has 10 years of experience in creating user-centered Internet design, marketing and branding, with tenure at several Silicon Valley companies including SuperMac and Global Village.

Gregory Morey, Chief Financial Officer

Gregory Morey arrives from Providence Investors in New York City, a hedge fund specializing in corporate governance issues, where he has been a principal and managing director since 1996. As an operational CFO, Morey has guided several companies through venture financing, IPOs, and acquisitions. An accomplished venture capitalist with Tessler and Cloherty, Inc., he has financed many biotechnology and technology ventures. Morey also has significant experience in industry consolidation, particularly in the hazardous waste and solid waste industries.

Susan Schuman, Executive Vice President and General Manager

Susan Schuman comes to PlanetOut from Studio Archetype, where she was vice president and general manager of the San Francisco office. Throughout her career, Schuman has managed her own marketing and product strategy consulting firm, working with a number of Internet startups and computer firms. She also spent seven years at Apple Computer. During a two-year hiatus from the high tech industry, she served as managing director of the Human Rights Campaign. Schuman rebranded, repositioned, and restructured the organization, increasing membership from 85,000 to 250,000 and revenues from $7 million to $12 million.

Eric Wilson, Executive Vice President, Business Development

Before joining PlanetOut, Eric Wilson was as senior vice president at Sapient Corporation (formerly Studio Archetype), in charge of business development, sales, and client services for the e-business group. He was responsible for $70 million in annual revenue and led a variety of large Internet and branding campaigns for clients including IBM, the Nagano Winter Olympics, and American Express.

John D'Alessandro, Vice President, Sales

Prior to joining PlanetOut, John D'Alessandro was president and founder of Out and Traveling Representation, a company which provides mainstream travel companies with sales and marketing services focused on the gay and lesbian market. He also managed sales and marketing for the News Corporation for 14 years.

About PlanetOut

PlanetOut, founded in 1995 and launched on AOL and the World Wide Web in 1996, is the number one worldwide online community of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their family and friends. Based in San Francisco, with offices around the U.S. and in Canada, PlanetOut offers news, entertainment, travel, personal finance, Internet radio, online cinema, chat, message boards, personals, shopping, directories, and even an advice column by Betty DeGeneres to its audience of 280,000 registered members and 500,000 unique monthly visitors. In January 1999, PlanetOut received the Best Community Site award from Yahoo! Internet Life. PlanetOut is privately held. Additional terms of the financing were not disclosed. Find PlanetOut at www.planetout.com or AOL Keyword: PlanetOut.

For a complete online press kit, with photos, staff bios, a company history, and more, please visit http://www.planetout.com/about/press/presskit.html

NOTE: PlanetOut, PNO, and the PlanetOut logo are registered trademarks of PlanetOut Corporation. All rights reserved. All other trademarks belong to their holders.

Music to your ears.

Provided by 7DAYS.ae

Fed up of not being able to download your favourite songs on iTunes because your credit card is registered in the UAE? Now, there's a solution. Digital entertainment firm Arvato Middle East yesterday teamed up with the Abu Dhabi Media Company to form a joint venture initiative, GETMO Arabia, as a platform to provide more content for music and film fans in the region.

"This is pretty much the iTunes for the Middle East, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and South-East Asia," Simon Rahmann, vice president of alliances at Arvato Middle East, told 7DAYS. GETMO Arabia, a 50:50 joint venture to be based in Abu Dhabi, will have access to the local content archive of Abu Dhabi Media Company and the global content archive of Arvato. Sony BMG is one firm already to have already licensed its music content to the platform.

Partners will be able to provide their customers with a combination of music, movies, games and infotainment services. These will be available at any time on devices ranging from mobile phones and PCs connected with broadband, to set-top boxes.[R]P[R]P Rahmann points out that the converged GETMO platform enables content to be transferred from a PC to a mobile phone. "We can do every single handset except for the iPhone," he says, claiming this is 98 per cent of the population. His target is to get 25 million customers on board in the next three years.

GETMO will offer services direct to consumers through its web site, www.getmo.com, where customers can download content in English, Arabic and other Asian languages to their mobile phones and home computers.[R]P It claims the content will be available to users at "significantly reduced rates", heralding a "new era of mobile and PC entertainment in the region".

The rates will be lower because of sponsorship deals being negotiated, with the entertainment industry set to see a large chunk of a growing Middle Eastern advertising budget. Abu Dhabi Media Company CEO Ed Borgerding said he saw "the emergence of ad-supported content, customer loyalty programmes and entertainment bundled with devices as three important trends".

Industry research has also revealed consumer demand for instant and personalised access to content, among the region's 80 million mobile phone users and 33 million internet users, is constantly increasing. "We believe that through collaboration with big brands across the region, we will be able to give consumers a rich mobile and digital entertainment experience at a price they can afford. For us, the convergence of media and telecommunications is the market of the future," said Arvato Middle East CEO Sean Emery.

"We feel that consumers should be offered a significantly more compelling entertainment service compared to what they are presently getting from their operators and ISPs (internet service providers). Fully authorised download platforms that have accreditation from the international content labels will enable consumers to access more music, allow retailers to offer interesting music products [and] provide new revenue streams for enterprises and

service providers."

[R]A 2007 Al Sidra Media LLC

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company

Research and Markets: Profiles of MNC Software Operations in India - 2011 Report Profiles 187 of India's major Software Development Centres of MNC's.

DUBLIN -- Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/50c6f4/profiles_of_mnc_so) has announced the addition of the "Profiles of MNC Software Operations in India" report to their offering.

The companies profiled in the report can be broadly classified into two categories on the basis of their parent companies - IT and End User companies; 148 companies fall into the former category and the balance 39 in the latter. Out of the IT companies, 65% are from IT services and balance is IT product companies. About 82% of the companies profiled have their parents from the North American region, 13% from the Europe and the balance Asia.

The Profiles of MNCs' India Software Operations profiles 187 of India's major software development centres of MNC's.

The main line of business of all these companies broadly falls into following categories:

* BFSI and related software

* Healthcare, life sciences etc

* Electronics, Wireless Telecommunications, Semiconductors, microprocessors, Networking, storage and connectivity SW

* Engineering, Scientific, Automobile, Aerospace & CAD/CAM Software

* Application Development, Enterprise solutions like SCM, ERP, CRM, etc

* Web Services, security, e-commerce and Internet based technologies

* Data processing, Billing, Smart cards, business process & ITs

* Packaged software, multi media, publishing and allied

Considering that all companies are not equally large, 104 companies are profiled into greater detail and the balance profiled briefly. Section 1 of the report contains the 104 companies and section 2 the balance 83 companies. For ease of reference, companies are placed alphabetically. Besides, in order to help in navigation of the companies of specific interest to the readers, a Ready Reckoner is prepared ,which provides critical elements of information on the basic line of business of the Indian company (development of IT products or IT services) and on parent companies (Country and line of business) . Each profile covers company description, main line of business, number of employees in India, activities of the development centre and contact details, including key persons.

This report can be of immense use to understand the activities of the Software operations of the major MNCs in India. Indian IT product and service companies, infrastructure and equipment vendors and other service providers like banks may find it useful in business development. It can also help Indian IT service vendors to explore business partnerships with them. The report can help MNCs that are already operating in India to know the operations of the other MNCs. MNC's planning to enter India will find the report useful to know the experience of the other MNCs that have been operating in India.

Companies Mentioned:

* 3SG Software India Pvt Ltd

* ASAP Automation India Pvt. Ltd

* Autodesk India Center of Excellence (CoE)

* BMC Software India-offshore Development Centre (ODC)

* Cisco Systems (India) Private Limited

* Dell India R&D Center

* ExcelSoft Technologies Pvt Ltd

* FCG Software Services (India)

* Genesys International Corporation Ltd

* Google India Pvt Ltd

* Hitachi Global Solutions Center (GSC)

* HSBC Software Development (India) Private Limited

* Huawei Technologies India Pvt Ltd. (HTIPL)

* IBM India Research Lab (IBM-IRL)

* Juniper Networks India Pvt Ltd

* KBACE Technologies Pvt Ltd

* LG Soft India (LGSI)

* Motorola India Private Limited

* NCR Corporation India Pvt. Ltd

* Nokia India Pvt. Ltd

* OL Bangalore Development Centre (BDC)

* Philips Innovation Campus

* Qualcomm India Private Ltd

* SAS Institute (India) Pvt Ltd

* Symantec India

* Unisys Technology Development Centre

* Valtech India Pvt Ltd

* Wyse Technology Software Development India Private Ltd

* Xerox India Ltd.

* Yahoo! Software Development India Pvt Ltd

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/50c6f4/profiles_of_mnc_so

Gorilla Logic Announces Its Nomination for the 2011 Technology Apex Awards.

Gorilla Logic's outstanding work and dedication in enterprise application development leads to recognition in the 11th annual CSIA Apex Awards

BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gorilla Logic, (www.gorillalogic.com), a leader in enterprise application development services and creators of open source test tools for mobile and rich Internet applications, announced today it has been nominated for the 2011 Apex Awards, the prestigious technology awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments and leadership by Colorado's advanced technology companies and professionals. The winners and finalists will be announced live on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver.

Since the program's inception in 2000, CSIA's Apex Awards have provided well-deserved recognition to the numerous technology companies in Colorado by highlighting their success stories and technical advancements. Presented in five categories for companies and five categories for professionals, the awards recognize success, innovation, vision, leadership, excellent customer support and community contributions.

"We are honored to be named a nominee for these prestigious awards that recognize technology excellence," said Stu Stern, CEO of Gorilla Logic. "This nomination reinforces the overall mission of Gorilla Logic, to help each and every customer exceed their software development business goals through the delivery of exceptional application development services."

"Colorado's technology industry has experienced much growth over years, and it's important for these successful companies to be recognized," said Su Hawk, president, CSIA. "Our Apex Awards provide the industry a once-a-year opportunity to celebrate their success, and generate awareness around these notable companies, which includes Gorilla Logic."

About Gorilla Logic

Gorilla Logic provides custom enterprise application development services to many of the world's leading software-driven organizations. It has a rich history of applying software engineering best practices to reduce the time and cost of delivering high-quality, full-featured applications with advanced functionality. Its technical leadership in mobile, rich Internet and enterprise applications showcases its broad platform expertise and exemplifies its commitment to software development best practices and quality. Its innovative work with emerging development platforms led to the creation of two industry leading open source tools for automated testing, FlexMonkey (Flex applications) and FoneMonkey (iPhone/iPad Apps). To download Gorilla Logic's open source tools, and to learn more about the company and its services, please visit (www.gorillalogic.com).

About CSIA:

CSIA is the technology industry leader in uniting and growing Colorado's information technology industry by providing advocacy, education, business connections, and information, while supporting economic development, unification of technology stakeholders, and larger recognition of the industry and the people involved to develop and promote Colorado's technology industry. CSIA also works nationally to ensure Colorado's technology voice is heard, through TECNA, a coalition of technology associations across the United States and Canada, as well as with TechAmerica, the national lobbying organization for federal issues. Since 1994, CSIA has been involved in legislative issues and public policy to represent the information technology industry in Colorado, and has provided a number of annual programs, events and connections to support business success. For more information on CSIA please call (303) 592-4070 or visit www.coloradotechnology.org

Media Contact: Christie Denniston Catapult PR-IR Office: 303-581-7760, ext. 13 Mobile: 303-827-5164 cdenniston@catapultpr-ir.com

SOURCE Gorilla Logic

News: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett to Keynote National School Choice Summit, May 9, 2011.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett will deliver a major policy address on school choice at the second annual National Policy Summit of the American Federation for Children on Monday, May 9, 2011, in Washington, D.C., the organization announced. (www.FederationForChildren.org)

Corbett, who made education reform one of the hallmarks of his 2010 campaign for governor, is a supporter of school choice, charter schools, scholarship tax credits, and school vouchers for disadvantaged children.

In his luncheon speech to state and national school choice leaders on May 9, he is expected to address his goals for education policy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

"We are honored that Governor Corbett will join us to discuss the future of education reform in Pennsylvania and the need for enhanced school choice across America," said Betsy DeVos, chairman of the American Federation for Children. "Governor Corbett will address school choice supporters at a crucial time for his state and for the nation. Just as Pennsylvania is debating the future of a promising new school voucher proposal, other states are making unprecedented headway toward giving parents the option of selecting the best schools for their children--public or private."

The AFC National Policy Summit, School Choice Now: Empowering America's Children, will be held at the Washington Marriott (1221 22nd Street NW, Washington, D.C.) on Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 10, 2011. The event will inform and encourage school choice supporters to promote school choice programs in their own states and communities and will feature some of the nation's leading public policy-makers and analysts--including former D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, renowned pollster and political analyst Frank Luntz, and Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony Williams, a chief sponsor of Pennsylvania's Senate Bill 1. The summit is open to the public via registration at www.FederationForChildren.org/Summit.

Last year, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also delivered a major address on school choice and education reform at the same event.

Prior to his election, Governor Corbett served as the state's attorney general and as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. As attorney general, he fought to protect children from Internet predators, cracked down on illegal drugs, and reined in government corruption. A lifelong Pennsylvania resident, Governor Corbett taught history and civics at Pine Grove Area High School in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania before becoming an attorney.

AFC is a national 501[c](4) organization dedicated to the advancement of school choice--particularly for disadvantaged families--through school vouchers, tax credit scholarships, and public charter schools.

For more information about the summit and to register online, please visit www.FederationForChildren.org.

SOURCE American Federation for Children

American Federation for Children

Keywords: American Federation for Children, Education Policy, Government, Legal Issues, Political Analyst, Politics.

This article was prepared by Education Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Education Letter via VerticalNews.com.

Khuhro to inaugurate telephone exchange at CMC.

Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro will inaugurate the digital telephone exchange at the Chandka Medical College teaching hospital on Wednesday (today). The exchange would provide 800 extensions, 50 Internet and 20 video connections, this was stated by Dr Zulfiqar Ali Siyal, Medical Superintendent, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana, in a statement on Tuesday.ECe

Copyright Plus Media Solutions Private Limited. All rights reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company