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May 21, 2005

Bally Total Fitness PR Update: Announces Resignation from Board of Directors

Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation (NYSE:BFT), North America's leader in health and fitness products and services, announced today that David Wilhelm, recently appointed to the Board of Directors, has resigned.

Mr. Wilhelm is a partner in venture capital companies that bring investment capital to underserved markets in the Midwest and Appalachia. After Mr. Wilhelm's appointment to the Bally board, it came to our attention that one of the investments his companies made is in a business founded by another board member. While this fact does not constitute a legal, ethical or corporate governance conflict, Mr. Wilhelm has resigned from the board in order to avoid even the slightest appearance of a conflict of interest.

About Bally Total Fitness

Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide commercial operator of fitness centers, with approximately four million members and 440 facilities located in 29 states, Mexico, Canada, Korea, China and the Caribbean under the Bally Total Fitness(R), Crunch Fitness(SM), Gorilla Sports(SM), Pinnacle Fitness(R), Bally Sports Clubs(R) and Sports Clubs of Canada(R) brands. With an estimated 150 million annual visits to its clubs, Bally offers a unique platform for distribution of a wide range of products and services targeted to active, fitness-conscious adult consumers.

Forward-looking statements in this release including, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: the outcome of the SEC and Department of Justice investigations and Bally's internal investigation, including review and restatement of its previously announced or filed financial results and the costs and expenses associated therewith; the audit of the restated financial statements; the identification of one or more other issues that require restatement of one or more prior period financial statements; the completion and audit of Bally's 2004 financial statements; the communication by Bally's management and independent auditors of the existence of material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting; general economic and business conditions; competition; success of operating initiatives, advertising and promotional efforts; existence of adverse publicity or litigation (including various shareholder litigations) and the outcome thereof and the costs and expenses associated therewith; acceptance of new product and service offerings; changes in business strategy or plans; quality of management; availability, terms, and development of capital; business abilities and judgment of personnel; changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations; ability to remain in compliance with, or obtain waivers under, the Company's loan agreements and indentures; and other factors described in prior filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Posted by at 02:52 PM | TrackBack

Estee Lauder Public Relations Update

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to another 20.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock or about 9.0% of the total outstanding common stock. This increases the total authorization to 48.0 million shares, of which 25.5 million have been repurchased to date. The Company has a total of approximately 221.9 million common shares outstanding.

Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions, and there will be no specific time frame. The repurchased shares will be held as treasury shares and may be used for general corporate purposes including employee stock option programs. Cash on hand or short-term borrowings will be used to fund the purchases.

The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements include unexpected changes in the Company's needs for cash, changes in interest rates and changes in law.

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company's products are sold in over 130 countries and territories under well-recognized brand names, including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Aramis, Prescriptives, Origins, M--A--C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Stila, Jo Malone, Bumble and bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, Rodan + Fields, American Beauty, Flirt!, Good Skin(TM) and Donald Trump, The Fragrance.

Posted by at 02:41 PM | TrackBack

May 20, 2005

Plastic Surgery Marketing; How to Determine Who is the Best.

When asked, "Which Specialists in your field would you consider most desirable for care of a loved one?" many doctors, though extremely busy don't hesitate to answer.

MDNationwide.org randomly asked that question of 5,000 board-certified plastic surgeons nationwide With 33 percent responding and after checking our research for proper licensure status, disciplinary status, education, and training our results determined 358 top plastic surgeons in America.

(See http://www.mdnationwide.org/search.php.) “We are Pleased to recognizing these surgeons as the pinnacle of plastic surgeons, and we thank them for contributing a high quality of health care nationwide.” Said Hugo Gallegos, president of MDNationwide.

“Choosing a well-trained, certified practitioner means you have somebody who can handle unexpected complications,” says Dr. Richard Gregory, a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon in Florida, and one of the survey’s respondents.

A doctor’s education, training, experience, and recognition are crucial components in receiving the highest quality of health care. Experience varies from doctor to doctor, especially in today`s world where advancements in technology, lead to more advanced surgical procedures being offered.

"Board-certification specialty fields are not federally regulated. Therefore, an MD who is board- certified in "surgery" can legally perform the same surgical procedures as an MD who is board- certified in plastic surgery. Even an Anesthesiologists, dermatologist, or gynecologist, can legally perform plastic surgery," Says Hugo Gallegos. With the plastic surgery industry booming, more doctors are going out of bounds and performing surgical procedures where their qualifications, experience, and training endanger the consumer.

More now than ever, consumers are researching their doctors, and demanding the highest quality of health care. There is no universal agreement on how to find, the best doctors, however there are establishments which, specialize in finding only the top doctors. These have their own methodologies in place, some more extensive than others. There are countless online doctor directories, for which any doctor can pay to be listed. And there are establishments where consumers can check doctors’ credentials, disciplinary actions and medical doctor ratings, all of which differ from each other.

“Our methodology consists of contacting only board-certified doctors throughout the country and asking them: ‘Which specialists in your field would you consider most desirable for care of a loved one?’ Those doctors who are recognized the most from their peers are advanced to the next logistical phase, where our research team then looks through their training, education, experience, and licensure status. If they meet our in-house high company standards, their names and credentials information are then added to our Best Doctor database” explain Gallegos Because not all doctors participate in our surveys, we then communicate with medical societies, and hospitals as further research.

Things to look for when choosing a plastic surgeon: He or She
* Is well recognized from his/her peers
* Is board-certified in plastic surgery
* Has hospital privileges
* Is a member of a recognized medical society
* Is well recognized throughout the community
* He/she is fellowship trained in their specialty field

Be wary of a plastic surgeon who:
* Is not affiliated with any hospitals
* Has serious disciplinary actions issued against him/her
* Does not explain the pros and cons clearly, and is eager to start the surgery
* Has a rude and/or unprofessional staff
* Is not certified with the American Board of Medical Specialists in plastic surgery.

Make sure your surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery with the American Board of Medical Specialists (abms.org). It is the governing board of 24 member boards, and the most approved and accredited credentialing board in America.

Check with the Federation of State Medical Boards (fsmb.org) regarding disciplinary actions. The FSMB is a national association with membership consisting of 68 medical-licensing state boards. All states are included; therefore one search can determine if your doctor has ever been disciplined in any state.

MDNationwide™ was founded in 2002 as a privately held for-profit Research & Information Company that specializes in researching and recognizing the top medical doctors in America. "We are a comprehensive source for unbiased advice about America’s top doctors," says Hugo Gallegos, its president. MDNationwide.org provides top doctor credential information to consumers, thus helping consumers select the best quality providers of medical care. Its website is http://www.mdnationwide.org

Posted by at 08:23 PM | TrackBack

Applications Now Available for the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Shade

With warm, sunny weather outside, no one wants to find themselves cooped up indoors, especially children. But heading
outdoors without adequate sun protection can lead to a sunburn that lingers long after the outdoor fun has ended. Sunburns are known to have a cumulative effect and can lead to future skin cancers including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. To help make it safer to have fun outdoors, applications for the American Academy of Dermatology's (Academy) shade structure grants are now available for schools, park districts, religious institutions or other organizations in need of shade for outdoor locations.

"The incidence of skin cancer continues to rise. In fact, there was a 10 percent increase in new cases of melanoma within the past year," said dermatologist Clay J. Cockerell, M.D., president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "Dermatologists also are seeing younger and younger patients with skin cancer, making it more important than ever to protect young people from the dangerous rays of the sun."

This year, the Academy will award seven grants to community-based,
non-profit organizations in need of shade for an outdoor location. These outdoor locations can include any area where children and adults gather and are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun, such as playgrounds, pools, bleachers and eating or recreation areas. In order to be considered, organizations must complete an application which demonstrates a commitment to sun safety and is accompanied by a letter of support from an Academy member.

Applications are available on the Academy's Web site, http://www.aad.org The deadline for applications is Friday, June 17, and winners will be announced in late August.

In addition to seeking shade whenever possible, other important components of a comprehensive sun protection program include: wearing a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays; re-applying sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or strenuous activity; avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the strongest; and wearing sun-protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats,
long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses.

Posted by at 07:55 PM | TrackBack

Black Media Update: Sam's Club President Kevin Turner to Speak Today with Black Enterprise

Sam's Club President Kevin Turner to Speak on Friday, May 20
BLACK ENTERPRISE (BE) is pleased to announce the addition of Wal-Mart/Sam's Club to the roster of leading corporate sponsors of the 10th Annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference hosted by General Motors. This year's gathering, currently underway
in Dallas from May 18-22, is recognized as the nation's leading networking event for African American entrepreneurs and business leaders. As such, SAM'S CLUB President Kevin Turner is scheduled to address the assembly on the morning of Friday, May 20.

"The participation of Wal-Mart/Sam's Club in this year's Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference demonstrates the company's support for diversity as a business imperative," says Black Enterprise Unlimited President Johnny Graves. "A diverse workforce is an essential component of doing good business, and we are delighted to have the support of Wal-Mart/Sam's Club at this year's event."

"At Wal-Mart our commitment to our customers is 'Always Low Prices,' and at SAM'S CLUB our commitment to our Members is, we are 'In Business For Small Business'," said SAM'S CLUB President Kevin Turner. "Our company takes both of these commitments very seriously. We also believe advertising in BLACK ENTERPRISE and sponsoring the Entrepreneurs Conference provides a perfect opportunity for delivery of this message. We recognize that BE readers are savvy consumers and smart business owners who are concerned with ensuring their financial stability through intelligent purchases and participation.
Likewise, at Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB, we are committed to giving our customers and members quality merchandise at great prices."

The 10th Annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneur's Conference hosted by
General Motors concludes on Sunday, May 22. For more information about SAM'S CLUB or to arrange an interview contact
Jolanda Stewart at 479-640-4054.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate guide to financial empowerment, is the
premier business and investment resource for African Americans. For 35 years BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. The publication provides 3.8 million readers with monthly information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. As the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, BLACK ENTERPRISE is the authority for business news and trends. The magazine is published by Earl G. Graves Publishing Co. Inc.

Posted by at 02:05 PM | TrackBack

Spa Business with Steiner Leisure Limited Announces Mandara Spa Projects in Malaysia, Palau and Maldives

Steiner Leisure Limited (NASDAQ:STNR) is pleased to announce that the Asian operations of Mandara Spa, its premier resort spa brand, has entered into agreements to operate a total of six spa facilities in Malaysia, the Maldive Islands and Palau. Under these agreements, Mandara is required to provide funds towards the build-out of the facilities totaling approximately $1.7 million. Four of the agreements have terms of 10 years and two have five year terms.

One of the spas in Malaysia recently opened at the Marriott in Miri. The other spa in Malaysia will be located at the Pacific Suetra in Kota Kinabalu and is expected to open next month. Mandara's Palau operations will consist of two facilities in Koror including a spa at the Palau Pacific Resort and a spa at the Nikko Palau Resort. Both are scheduled to open in September 2005. In the Maldives, Mandara anticipates opening its spas at the Island Hideaway resort in July 2005 and at the Lonuhuahutta Resort in December 2006. Both of these venues are in the North Maldives.

"We are thrilled to expand our global scope by cultivating new relationships and extending our existing affiliations with luxury resorts," said Leonard Fluxman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Steiner Leisure Limited. "By continuing to develop and operate spas at exclusive resorts, we can offer exceptional quality in prime locations."

Corporate Overview

Steiner Leisure Limited is a worldwide provider of spa services. The Company's operations include spas and salons on 118 cruise ships, and in 51 resort spas and two luxury day spas. Our cruise line and land-based resort customers include Carnival Cruise Lines, Caesars Entertainment, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard/Seabourn Cruise Lines, Hilton Hotels, Holland America Line, Kerzner International, Marriott Hotels, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Our Elemis Limited subsidiary manufactures its Elemis(R) brand products for use in our cruise ship and land-based spas. This top quality European line of beauty products is also distributed worldwide to exclusive hotels, salons, health clubs and destination spas. Elemis(R), as well as other Steiner products, including La Therapie(R), Ionithermie, and Steiner Hair Care, are available at http://www.timetospa.com.

Steiner Leisure also owns and operates three post secondary schools (comprised of a total of seven campuses) located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Sarasota, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; York, Pennsylvania and Charlottesville, Virginia. Offering degree and non-degree programs in massage therapy and skin care, these schools train and qualify spa professionals for health and beauty positions within the Steiner family of companies or other industry entities.

Our statements with respect to the proposed opening dates of our operations at the above resorts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. Such statements do not guarantee the timely construction of these new spas. Known and unknown risks and uncertainties may preclude results that match these statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those beyond our control that could adversely affect the timely construction of land based spas, including our lack of control over the construction and the venues where the spas will be located and possible weather-related delays. Other risks are described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2004.

Posted by at 01:11 PM | TrackBack

The Most Expensive Spa & Resort EVER

At $2.7 billion, Wynn Las Vegas will be the most expensive resort ever built. It also has the highest per-room cost ever at $1 million, exceeding the $775,000 average cost of the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii, previously the most expensive. It also will be more than twice the $415,000-per-room cost of The Venetian, and nearly double the per-room cost of Atlantic City's Borgata ( $550,000 ) and the Strip's Bellagio ( $533,000 ).

While some industry observers question whether Wynn will be able to turn his colossus into a profitable venture, Wynn himself acknowledges the importance of the challenge.

"The responsibility of using capital is much more daunting than getting it. The qualitative and quantitative judgments that you have to make when capital is being used responsibly are far more daunting than raising capital," Wynn said in the weeks leading up to Thursday's opening of Wynn Las Vegas.

Some industry experts, including University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor Bill Thompson, who specializes in gaming studies, see pitfalls for Wynn because of the project's cost when compared with those of his competitors' resorts. Still, no one is counting Wynn out, given his track record.

"Yes, ( Wynn ) may be in over his head, but then he has found ways to survive before," Thompson said.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas history department Chairman Hal Rothman compared doubts about Wynn Las Vegas's future profitability to those surrounding the opening of Wynn's first major resort 16 years ago.

"If you remember the opening of The Mirage in 1989, Wynn needed to make a nut of $1 million a day. Everyone thought he was nuts; 'couldn't be done,' they all said," Rothman said.

But Wynn, who had seven years to pay off his debt, paid it off in 18 months.

"The moral of the story? No one has yet made money selling Steve Wynn short," Rothman said.

Analysts generally view Wynn as something akin to a master magician who has another winner on his hands. But they cautioned that his success will hinge on timing and showmanship.

"Wynn will certainly have something up his sleeve," Rothman said. "He's been building to this since 1989: Mirage, Bellagio, Wynn; the compendium of experiences in the collective memory see this endeavor in ways that no other opening ever has ( been seen )."

Deutsche Bank analyst Andrew Zarnett believes the critical difference between Wynn Las Vegas and other projects lies in a formula Wynn first used at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas and its sister operation in Atlantic City, and that has applied to gaming resorts ever since.

"The key is that Steve developed a formula where nongaming revenues drove gaming revenues. He believes in giving the customer more to do because that will drive gaming revenues more than anything else," he said.

Wynn described it as giving guests "a great place to walk around and see, with attractions that are fun, good shopping, good restaurants, some shows, and if there's gambling, that's good, too. It's another thing to do."

Wynn stresses that the average guest does not get carried away with gambling but will play if it is available.

"That's the average person. It's me. It's you. There's nothing wrong with blackjack, but you wouldn't go anywhere because they've got blackjack. You'd play blackjack because it's someplace you wanted to go," Wynn said.

Simply put, Zarnett said Wynn plans to give visitors more reason to come to his resort than to his competitors' and he's going to have a lot more cash registers ringing up sales than his competitors because of the development's complexity.

He said those differences will undercut any comparisons with noncasino resorts, such as Grand Wailea, because the absence of gambling at the Maui eliminates a large revenue stream.

Instead, Wynn Las Vegas should be compared with The Venetian, Bellagio and Borgata, Zarnett said, which fall short in sizzle, precisely because of the money that is spent on other amenities to increase the demand and cachet at those resorts.

Rothman said Wynn operates on a different plane than those competitors.

"Wynn is an idea guy. ... As a result, his amenities have always had the ability to excite in ways that other properties have yet to match," he said.

Zarnett said by increasing excitement and demand, Wynn will be able to command higher room rates, higher restaurant covers, higher ticket prices for shows, more expensive retail prices and higher charges at the spa.

For example, Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone estimates that Wynn Resorts Ltd. is booking rooms at a 10 percent to 15 percent premium to the market so far, with average daily rates of $300 to $330 through November. That is above his earlier estimates of $230 daily room rates.

In addition, the dining and retail outlets are largely owned by Wynn Resorts, with a profit-sharing component for the operators, said Brian Gordon, spokesman for Applied Analysis, a Las Vegas-based financial consulting firm.

The exception to the owner-operator scheme is the Ferrari/Maserati dealership, which Wynn will operate with a partner, he said.

Another ace Wynn has up his sleeve, which he did not have at his previous resorts, is a low cost of capital, lower than any other recent development in Las Vegas.

Zarnett estimated Wynn is paying a blended rate of 6.75 percent to bring the multibillion-dollar project to market.

He also compared Wynn Las Vegas with Borgata, the newest resort in Atlantic City.

The Borgata, a joint project of Boyd Gaming Corp. and MGM Mirage with 2,000 rooms, is throwing off about $220 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, a key measure of profitability.

By comparison, the 2,700-room Wynn project should be able to generate more than $300 million in EBITDA, which would represent approximately a 15 percent return on the adjusted cost of the resort, "just to do as well as the Borgata."

Zarnett added the resort's $2.7 billion price tag exaggerates its cost because it includes the start-up costs and land acquisition for later phases of the development Wynn plans for the former Desert Inn site.

"When the guy has a cost of capital in the high 6 percents, that's a pretty attractive return on investment, Zarnett said.

Falcone, taking the adjusted cost into account, is even more optimistic.

"While initial staffing levels will be high, with 9,500 full-time employees, we believe management will yield margins much quicker than other new properties, Falcone, leasing to EBIDTA estimates of 26.4 percent in 2005 and 30.6 percent in 2006.

Zarnett estimated that Wynn's recently announced second megaresort, Encore, will bring the number of rooms and suites to about 4,700, significantly cutting the cost per room for the overall project and increasing the company's earnings after it opens in 2008.

Applied Analysis' Gordon estimated the average cost per room when the second resort is done will drop to $820,000. That represents almost a 20 percent reduction in cost, although it would still leave the project at the top of the heap among competing hotels.

However, it is also higher than the original $1.95 billion cost estimate, or $720,000 per room.

Wynn Resorts spokeswoman Denise Randazzo said the main items behind the $750 million cost increase are the addition of 18 fairway villas, the Avenue Q showroom, an employee parking lot on Koval Lane and the purchase of serveral golf course lots.

Beyond cutting the initial per-room cost with Encore, Thompson said Wynn probably has contingency plans in the event his numbers don't meet expectations.

Such contingencies could include building additional towers, which Wynn hinted at when he bought the Desert Inn property five years ago; borrowing added capital or issuing additional stock; leasing or selling portions of the former Desert Inn site; or selling part of his interests in Macau or Singapore, he said.

"I'm sure he doesn't think that way, but I don't think he's ever sold any property in the past in a completely voluntary way, although he told me that he put the deal to ( Kirk ) Kerkorian ( to sell Mirage Resorts ) and Kerkorian took his price," Gordon said.

Posted by at 01:08 PM | TrackBack

Spa Marketing Fountainbleau Miami Beach Franchise! Move Over Wynn Las Vegas Resort.

The Fontainebleau name, famous on Miami Beach for more than half a century, is becoming a brand. Its owners plan to splash the name on a string of resorts worldwide, including one in Las Vegas.

In its 1950’s and 1960’s heyday, Frank, Sammy and Dean performed and partied at the Fontainebleau hotel on Miami Beach. Stretch limousines and Hollywood glitz were as integral to the resort’s landscape as the unique curved Morris Lapidus-designed architecture that still punctuates the beachfront. It was the place to be and be seen.

It was Las Vegas Southeast. After years of decline, partly from being supplanted by South Beach, the Fontainebleau is again looking to Las Vegas sparkle for its next incarnation. New owner Turnberry Associates, an Aventura, Fla., property developer, just formed Las Vegas-based Fontainebleau Resorts, and plans to bring celebrity chefs, splashy entertainment productions, swank clubs and a high-end spa to the hotel.

Turnberry and its chief executive, Jeffrey Soffer, who is also founder and chairman of Fontainebleau Resorts, just completed the acquisition of the resort hotel from owner and developer Stephen Muss. The acquisition agreement was announced in January at undisclosed terms.

Fontainebleau Resorts isn’t just bringing Las Vegas to points south again; it is rolling the Fontainebleau name out as a brand and plans to unveil a number of destination resorts around the globe, the company said.

Although some Fontainebleau resorts will not sport casinos, condominium units are almost certain to be on the drawing boards. Fontainebleau Resorts pointed to Turnberry’s deep condominium portfolio in both Miami and Las Vegas, as well as the higher returns on capital from condo-hotels over pure-play hotel developments.

“We are launching a compelling brand and breed with Fontainebleau Resorts,” Soffer, the majority owner in the company, said in a statement.

So far, Fontainebleau Resorts is detailing just one of those projects, aptly enough in Las Vegas, where the company owns a 25-acre site on the Strip’s renewed north end. Fontainebleau Resorts said it plans to develop a 4,000-room resort and casino under the Fontainebleau brand. It is aiming for a 2008 opening.

Fontainebleau Resorts isn’t just banking on success by planting its headquarters in Las Vegas. Turnberry Associates is developing three condominium projects in Las Vegas. (Turnberry and Muss also developed the condominium-hotel towers at the Miami Beach Fontainebleau.)

In addition, Soffer has hired 30 former Mandalay Resort Group executives to tap Vegas-style development savvy, the Miami Herald reported. Glenn Schaeffer, formerly president and chief financial officer of Mandalay Resorts, was named Fontainebleau Resorts president and chief executive.

For the Fontainebleau Miami Beach renovation, Fontainebleau Resorts plans to expand the property to 1,750 rooms, up from its current 1,340. The company said the room count would be more than twice the capacity of Miami Beach’s next-largest hotel

Posted by at 01:04 PM | TrackBack

Madonna Shows Support For Kylie Minogue

MADONNA has urged fans to pray for KYLIE MINOGUE, who is battling breast cancer.

The MATERIAL GIRL took time out to post a personal message on her official website MADONNA.COM, in which she insists the SPINNING AROUND beauty will conquer the deadly disease.

The touching message reads, "I was saddened to learn about Kylie Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis. I'm so grateful that they found it early. Yet another reminder for all women to have annual mammograms.

"Aside from being tremendously talented, Kylie's a fighter and I know this is a battle she will win. Let's all pray for her speedy recovery and send all of our best wishes her way. With love and light to you Kylie... Madonna."

Posted by at 12:48 PM | TrackBack

Men's Grooming Going Under the Knife

800,000 men had plastic surgery procedures last year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery, and the number is growing.

Lloyd M. Krieger, M.D., founder and Medical Director of Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, now supplies Sports Illustrated along with Vogue in the waiting room.

But the bodies, goals and temperament of men are different from those of women. Men are impatient with long recovery periods, and often seek plastic surgery to remain professionally competitive.

Facelift and rhinoplasty procedures that work well on women tend to feminize men, who need techniques that will ensure a masculine look with less recovery time.

8 Things Men Should Know About Plastic Surgery

1. Liposuction can remove love-handles that even gym rats can’t shed; it is also excellent for removing fatty breast tissue and giving men back the abs they had in college.

2. Liposuction can remove localized fat deposits that the gym can’t touch. Dr. Krieger’s male patients refer to his liposuction machine as a “mechanical personal trainer”.

3. Results from liposuction will be best if men continue regular workouts at the gym after the procedure.

4. Facelifts tend to feminize men. Men tend to have fewer problems with jowls and do better with chin liposuction, neck lifts and forehead lifts. These three smaller procedures can often be combined and provide a better result than the larger facelift. The recovery time is shorter, so the male impatience factor is not overly tested.

5. When men do go for facelifts, their thicker skin means they need a unique procedure -- less pulling of the skin itself, which tends to become overly thin when pulled, and more work tightening the deeper tissues of the face.

6. Men often have more resilient skin than women, so it tends to shrink better following the procedure. This allows for more fat removal in some men during liposuction.

7. Calf implants and pectoral implants tend to migrate with time and have other problems. Better to use liposuction to sculpt the surrounding areas, and make the pecs and calves appear more distinct.

8. A chemical peel, which can be done without general anesthetic, is not a "facial" and can get rid of fine lines and blotchiness that make sportsmen look older than their years.

Posted by at 12:39 PM | TrackBack

Gemological Institute of America NEW Men's Jewelry Contest

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has opened its 29th Annual George A. Schuetz Design Competition to all entrants who wish to submit a men's jewelry design for consideration, through June 15.

Named for men's jewelry designer George A. Schuetz, GIA's contest is the world's only men's jewelry design contest, recognizing the best original creations in that category. Judging for this year's contest will be completed in August, and announced internationally at that time, according to a GIA release.

"Innovation in design for men's jewelry is a growing trend that is welcome, and will continue," said GIA's Museum Director and former Schuetz competition judge in the release. "Entering the contest is an excellent way to debut a design career. Winning designers are given great exposure, and gain recognition as a result."

A panel of independent industry experts judges all contest entries blindly, on the basis of design, wearability, feasibility and appeal. Second- and third-place honorable mention winners will be recognized with a plaque, while the first-place winner will receive a plaque and a prize of $500. Winning entrants will be notified via mail.

For more information or for entry forms, visit: www.gia.edu,

Posted by at 12:34 PM | TrackBack

GQ Style from the UK... Rich with Men's Grooming & Male Fashion is Ready to Print

Conde Nast is launching GQ Style, a biannual fashion magazine for men, which will have a £5 cover price. The first issue will appear on 22 September. It is the first time that GQ has published a specialist fashion title. It will compete head-to-head for fashion advertising with Emap's Arena Homme Plus. GQ Style will have a 30% ad ratio and about 312 total pages. The print run is 100,000; 20,000 copies will be controlled circulation, with the remainder sold through newsstands. The second issue will be published in spring 2006. David Bradshaw, former creative director at Prada, will take the same role at the magazine.
Content will include features on fashion, interiors, art, media and travel. Men's grooming will be covered in a dedicated section in the first half of the magazine.

Posted by at 12:25 PM | TrackBack

Everlast Fragrances Teams Up with Clarins For Men's Grooming Launch

Everlast Worldwide Inc. (Nasdaq: EVST - News), manufacturer, marketer and licensor of sporting goods and apparel under the Everlast brand name, today announced that France-based PAC Paris, the company's worldwide fragrance licensee, has selected New York City- based Clarins Fragrance Group, a DIVISION OF CLARINS GROUP USA, a leading fragrance and cosmetics company, to serve as the U.S. distributor for all Everlast fragrances and grooming products beginning January 1, 2006 with a new launch slated for Spring 2006.

Clarins Group USA is a subsidiary of the Paris based GROUPE CLARINS. Clarins is international in scope and markets products in all cosmetics segments. In addition to the skin care and make-up lines under the Clarins brand, the company's fragrance brands include Thierry Mugler, Azzaro and Stella Cadente.

PAC Paris, which is in the process of identifying additional companies to distribute Everlast products throughout the world, was founded by highly-regarded fragrance marketers, Etienne de Swardt and Laurent Jugeau, who possess a combined 30 years of high level experience with several of the largest fragrance houses in Paris. The Everlast fragrance and grooming line was developed by PAC Paris in conjunction with Givaudan, Paris and Clarins Fragrance Group.

George Q Horowitz, chairman and CEO of Everlast Worldwide Inc., said, "Clarins is truly a great company with excellent marketing and distribution strengths. In addition to building a solid sales base for the Everlast line of men's fragrances and grooming products, Clarins will further heighten Everlast's image by introducing the brand into some of the best retailers throughout the U.S. We will continue to seek additional opportunities for licensing the Everlast brand into appropriate consumer categories which represent large and untapped markets for us."

Added Clarins Fragrance Group president Ben Gillikin, "Everlast is a perfect brand for a fragrance and grooming line. The brand's image conveys a sense of strength and individuality and adds a completely new and exciting dimension to our existing portfolio of fragrances. With its tremendous heritage and consumer appeal, the Everlast line will be very well received in the United States. We intend to support its introduction with aggressive marketing and merchandising programs and look forward to working with the management of Everlast Worldwide."

About Everlast Worldwide Inc.

Everlast Worldwide Inc. manufactures, markets and licenses sporting goods and apparel products under the Everlast brand name. Since 1910, Everlast has been the preeminent brand in the world of boxing and is among the most dominant brands in the overall sporting goods and apparel industries. Over the past 90 years, Everlast products have become the "Choice of Champions(TM)," having been used for training and professional fights by many of the biggest names in the sport. Everlast is the market leader in nearly all of its product categories, responsible for leading eight of the top ten boxing equipment products in sales. Through its apparel division, Everlast men's and women's active wear products are sold to over 20,000 retail locations throughout the United States and Canada, including a variety of department stores, specialty stores, catalog operations and better mass merchandisers. In addition to producing and marketing the equipment and accessories, Everlast Worldwide Inc. licenses its brand to providers of men's and women's sportswear and active wear, children's wear, footwear, watches, cardiovascular exercise equipment and gym/duffel bags. At the retail level, Everlast's licensed products generate over $700 million in revenues. The company's Web site can be found at http://www.everlast.com.

About Groupe Clarins

GROUPE CLARINS is a family-run French cosmetic company founded in 1954. CLARINS FRAGRANCE GROUP is a division of CLARINS GROUP USA, a subsidiary of the Paris based, parent company GROUPE CLARINS. GROUPE CLARINS are creators, marketers and distributors of skin care, make-up and fragrance products globally. CLARINS established a global presence by the early 1970's and the Company currently consists of 19 subsidiaries across 150 countries with nearly six thousand employees and sales of more than $1 billion. For more information on CLARINS please visit Company's web site at http://www.clarins.com.

Statements made in this Press Release that are estimates of past or future performance are based on a number of factors, some of which are outside of the Company's control. Statements made in this Press Release that state the intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions of Everlast Worldwide, Inc. and its management for the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in filings of Everlast Worldwide with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting Everlast Worldwide or the SEC

Posted by at 12:15 PM | TrackBack

Ask Men and How Stuff Works Rank #1 for Men on Editorial Conntent

AskMen.com And HowStuffWorks.Com Reiterate that Content is King The leader in online men's lifestyle content and one of the Web's most popular editorial reference sites, have been successfully exchanging links to content that resonates with each sites respective user base.

AskMen.com's articles in men's lifestyle topics such as fitness, entertainment, fashion, and health are made available on HowStuffWorks.com, providing varied and opinioned content to accompany HowStuffWorks' award-winning articles on how just about anything works. In turn, AskMen.com's audience benefits from access to the wealth of information available at HowStuffWorks.com. The two sites' union was recently exemplified as part of a recent special section devoted to the upcoming "Star Wars Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith" movie. By featuring "Star Wars"-related articles from HowStuffWorks.com directly alongside AskMen.com's own content, readers at both sites were provided with varying styles of writing, that when combined, offered a more complete user experience.

"Being able to provide HowStuffWorks' straightforward and engaging content on AskMen.com is a fantastic bonus for our readers," said Chris Rovny, AskMen.com’s VP of Marketing, "and teaming up with them on our recent Star Wars feature proved what a great content partner they really are. Providing quality content to our predominantly male audience is our top priority, and HowStuffWorks certainly delivers in that regard."

HowStuffWorks also anticipates that the partnership will be a fruitful one. "HowStuffWorks exists to provide positive consumer experiences. Over the past six years, we've realized that the only way to do that is by offering consistently good content that is both informative and entertaining. Providing access to AskMen.com content provides our users with a style of writing that, although is markedly different from what HowStuffWorks normally features, ultimately adds to the user experience," said Gabe Vehovsky, VP of Marketing and Business Development at HowStuffWorks.

About AskMen.com
AskMen.com is a leading website for men in the world, with 3.8 million unique visitors in March 2005, according to comScore Media Metrix*. One of the Web's foremost content providers, with an archive of over 11,000 articles available for free online, AskMen.com updates daily and features over 200 new articles a month across a variety of sections: Dating & Love, Sexuality, Celebrity Profiles & Interviews, Health & Sports, Fashion & Lifestyle, Power & Money, and Entertainment. AskMen.com also publishes daily features such as the Cool Site of the Day, Joke of the Day, Fact of the Day, Quote of the Day, Question of the Day, Video of the Day, and Gadget of the Day. The annual Top 99 Most Desirable Women feature is a popular draw on the site. AskMen.com hosts an active and popular online community with over 25,000 members. AskMen.com has had content partnerships with the likes of MSN, AOL, Netscape, CompuServe, Univision, Overture, Lycos Asia, and more.

About HowStuffWorks:
HowStuffWorks is widely recognized as the leading source for clear, reliable explanations of how everything around us actually works. Through the flagship Web site HowStuffWorks.com, a popular series of books, an acclaimed kids' magazine, as well as many other ventures, the award-winning company has helped explain the world for millions of curious people. With thousands of articles, content features and illustrations populating ten different content channels, HowStuffWorks is updated daily and has something for everyone. Attracting several million unique users each month, HowStuffWorks.com has become a popular destination among an information-seeking audience interested in learning how just about anything works.

Posted by at 12:11 PM | TrackBack

Central Park Event Tomorrow with Allure Magazine

WHO:
KELLY CLARKSON PERFORMS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW YORK'S CENTRAL PARK

WHAT:ALLURE'S BEAUTY LIVE! CONCERT FEATURING A PERFORMANCE BY KELLY CLARKSON WITH PROCEEDS BENEFITING THE SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION. WILL INCLUDE A BEAUTY VILLAGE FILLED WITH FREE MAKEOVERS, PRODUCT
SAMPLES, EXPERT SKINCARE ADVICE AND ACTIVITIES.

WHEN:
SATURDAY, MAY 21ST. 1-5PM
**PRESS CALL: 1.30PM**
*KELLY CLARKSON PERFORMANCE: 2:30PM*

WHERE:
CENTRAL PARK, RUMSEY PLAYFIELD, NYC
(Fifth Avenue at 69th Street entrance to Central Park)

WHY:
Skin cancer continues to rise at epidemic rates; more than one
million new cases of skin cancer will be reported in 2003, and
estimates show that it will affect 1 in 5 people in their
lifetime. The Skin Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization
entirely devoted to providing education and raising public
awareness of the need for sun protection, reducing the incidence
of skin cancer, and finding a cure.

Allure is the only women's magazine dedicated to beauty and is
read monthly by nearly 5 million American women interested in
news, trends, and facts about cosmetics, fragrance, skin and hair
care, and how they impact a woman's image.

Posted by at 11:51 AM | TrackBack

Mountain Resort Magazine

From an unlikely home base in Southern Shores, North Carolina, Mountain Resort Magazine will launch in June as a service to ski and snowboard area professionals and employees. It will be provided free to 4,000 identified individuals at 500 North American resorts in all departments and at all levels of resort operations, marketing and management.

The bimonthly, full color publication is dedicated to the exchange of operations information, human resource opportunities, management practices, and entertaining reviews of the dynamic daily challenges that face today's area operators.

"No other industry overcomes the diverse range of obstacles as today's mountain resort," said publisher Gard Skinner. "We've evolved from uphill transportation in the 60s into comprehensive resources for golf, mountain biking, hiking, events, and a dozen other diversions. The media swirls around, environmentalists take their swings, and our guests are caught right in the middle.

"But through all this, it's remarkable how adamant the people are about sticking together. The partnerships, cooperation and lifelong friendships are unique. They're not found out there in the flat world where competition turns things ugly--and that spirit is what we want to share. We hope this is where we fit in.

"The hill has given us all remarkable lives," he continued. "It paid for our children to be born and our bodies to be healthy. It found us our best friends and, for a lucky few, someone we could love for the rest of our days. If MRM can give back just a piece of what we've all gained, it'll be worth every bit of the effort."

Gard and his wife Janice, who runs graphics for the magazine, have worked in the industry since 1981 and 1990, respectively. Their pay stubs include Bogus Basin, Copper, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Vail, Durango, Mountain Sports Media, ABC TV, RSN, Powder, Bike, Ski Press, SAM, The Denver Post and The US Ski Team.

Posted by at 11:46 AM | TrackBack

SYLVESTER STALLONE is involved in a legal battle over the name of his new magazine SLY.

Stallone's male interest publication enjoyed a triumphant launch last month (MAR05) - but disaster struck yesterday (19APR05) when women's magazine SLY MAGAZINE LLC accused the ROCKY actor's publisher AMERICAN MEDIA of copyright infringement and filed a $1 million lawsuit (GBP500,000).

Sly Magazine LLC is aimed at style-conscious young women with money to spend, while Stallone's brainchild focuses on fashion and lifestyle for men who "believe that life begins at 40".

There was unintentional irony in the back of Stallone's debut issue - in a list of top tips, he warns, "If other people can steal your idea, they will."

Posted by at 11:43 AM | TrackBack

New Weekly Magazine Launched

The publishers of TV Guide have launched a new weekly magazine aimed at young female television viewers. The first edition of "Inside TV" hit newsstands Thursday, featuring a cover photo of "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria.

The full-sized, glossy magazine will be sold primarily at newsstands, competing alongside such celebrity-driven titles as "People" and "US."

It includes a selection of program picks organized around such categories as drama, comedy and reality, rather than the familiar time and network grid featured in TV Guide.

In Bruce Lee's Shadow: Asians Struggle to Create New Hollywood Images
Are 'Star Wars' Fans Spoiled by Spoilers?
'Star Wars' finale blasts off at box office

The magazine launch comes at a time when parent company Gemstar-TV Guide is focused on expanding its electronic offerings, including the TV Guide channel and its interactive program guide.

But the company said it saw an opportunity to target younger female TV viewers who have incorporated such programs as HBO's "Sex and the City" into their lifestyle.

"There is a sea change occurring in the way younger women watch television today," said John Loughlin, president of the TV Guide Publishing Group. "TV is social currency and has become an arbiter of what they wear, where they go, how they measure their relationships."

The magazine will cost $1.99 and is edited by Steve LeGrice, a former editor of "In Touch Weekly" and "Star."

Loughlin expects the magazine to be a newsstand impulse buy the opposite of the company's flagship TV Guide, which is sold mainly through subscriptions.

Posted by at 11:37 AM | TrackBack

Paris Hilton Blushes With Parlux Cosmetics

Parlux Fragrances says it made an exclusive worldwide license agreement to develop and market a line of cosmetics for Paris Hilton, in a bid to further capitalize on the incredible brand power already created by the fashionist and media figure, reports Simon Pitman.

The company already manufacturers and distributes Paris Hilton fragrances, and recently signed two other agreements to manufacture and distribute Paris Hilton watches and handbags. And at the beginning of this month the company also announced the launch of the fragrance in Europe.

Parlux Chairman and CEO, Ilia Lekach, commented, “The demand for Paris Hilton fragrances has encouraged us to complement our fragrances with a line of Paris Hilton cosmetics. The addition of this line offers important synergies and has the support of our retailers and distributors."

With the consideration of further synergies in mind, Lekach added: “We are evaluating a potential joint-venture arrangement to provide manufacturing and distribution of the line in the United States.”

Although Parlux did not release any details about what sort of products the cosmetics line would include, it is expected that it will be launched towards the end of the year, in time for the all-important holiday season.

Paris Hilton fragrance is marketed as a high fashion product, primarly to the 16-24 age category and the cosmetics line is expected to fall in line with this market focus.

Florida-based Parlux signed up Hilton to promote its fragrance brand in June of last year. By October the company was reporting that its success had already positively impacted its financial performance leading teh company to double the number of retail outlets where the fragrance is available in the US.

At the beginning of this month the company reported that its yearly revenue for the year ending 31 March 2005, is expected to exceed $100 million of the first time ever, an increase of over 26 per cent compared to the previous year.

The company also said that the Paris Hilton fragrance has been one of its most successful new launches to date, a fact that has spurred the company on to maximise exposure and the product portfolio of the brand.

Parlux has built its fragrance business from lucrative sponsorship deals with high profile media celebrities as well as a number of leading fashion brand names. These include Perry Ellis, Guess, Ocean Pacific, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, and Fred Hayman Beverly Hills.

Posted by at 11:32 AM | TrackBack

Cosmetic Marketing Leader L'Oreal Purchases Medical Skin Care Line SkinCeuticals

L'Oreal has agreed to buy SkinCeuticals. SkinCeuticals a privately held maker of skin-care products had 2004 sales of 35 (M) million dollars. The company sells its products to dermatologists, plastic surgeons and high-end spas. L'Oreal will integrate SkinCeuticals into its Active Cosmetics Division.

Posted by at 11:25 AM | TrackBack

Pierce's Favorite Cosmetic Critic; Paula Begoun Tells All

I remember working behind the cosmetics counter at Dillards department stores 10 years ago when Paula's first book launched entitled; Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me. I LOVE IT! I have been a die hard fan ever since.

Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun Answers the Question: Is Any Cosmetic Better than Botox®?

Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun receives numerous letters asking if there are any cosmetic lotions or creams that can work better than or as good as Botox. Begoun provides the answer in her special report, "Is Any Cosmetic Better than Botox?"

Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun's Web site offers answers to frequently asked questions about the many lotions and creams claiming to mimic the effects of Botox. Her new report, “Is Any Cosmetic Better than Botox?”, includes detailed product reviews and is available at www.cosmeticscop.com to those who sign up for her free Beauty Bulletin.

The number of letters and e-mails Paula receives asking about those products claiming to mimic the effects of Botox is astounding. Results from Botox injections are so instantaneously impressive, it's no wonder it has become the most commonly performed cosmetic corrective procedure in the United States and such a recognizable name. In 2003, there were 2,272,080 Botox injections administered, making it the No. 1 non-surgical cosmetic corrective procedure.

“Alas, Botox is also expensive and the thought of being injected with the botulinum toxin (that's what Botox is) leaves some people fearfully furrowing their brow," Paula says. "This explains why myriad cosmetics companies are launching their own non-invasive, topical products claiming to be better Botox alternatives.”

Better Than Botox? Bogus!
Is there any cosmetic lotion or cream that can work better than or as good as Botox? Paula can barely hold herself back, “Absolutely not! Botox injections relax muscle movement and you can't affect muscle movement topically, in part because you can't localize it. If topical applications worked they would also relax muscles you do not want affected, such as those in your hands or near your mouth. But, of course, this hasn't stopped the cosmetics industry from trying to convince women otherwise. As nice as it would be to get Botox-like results 'without painful injections,' the reality is there are no ingredients that can improve wrinkles as effectively as Botox. It just isn’t possible.” Paula adds, “By the way, about those painful injections, I'm not going to pretend Botox injections don't hurt, but from the millions who have this done on a regular basis, it is more of a mild, temporary discomfort than a painful experience. From my perspective, wasting money on products that can't live up to their claims is far more painful.”

Plumped-Up Promises?
Paula knows many women are hoping that the next “works-like-Botox” product will truly fulfill that promise, but she also warns, “The appalling lack of substantiated information and absence of any published studies demonstrate that there is no cosmetic that can work as well or come close to any cosmetic corrective procedure performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Any product claiming to work like Botox should be considered completely bogus.”

For the complete “Is Any Cosmetic Better than Botox?” report, including detailed product reviews, visit www.cosmeticscop.com and sign up for Paula's free Beauty Bulletin.

Posted by at 11:16 AM | TrackBack

Unilever Sells To Coty

Unilever is to sell its fragrance business to Coty of the US for $800m in cash as part of the Anglo-Dutch consumer products company’s strategy to focus on its core products.

The purchase of Unilever Cosmetics International gives Coty, a privately held cosmetics and perfumes company, licences for fragrances such as Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Chloe and Lagerfeld. It includes a manufacturing and distribution centre in Mt Olive, New Jersey, and a distribution centre in Lille, France. Staff at both centres will transfer to Coty along with the business.

Posted by at 11:12 AM | TrackBack

Hispanic Multicultural Outreach for Hotel Chain

Hilton Hotels Corporation Expands Multicultural Outreach; Company Forms First-Ever Multicultural Advisory Board, Eyes Expanded Outreach to Hispanic and African American Markets

As part of its continued commitment to formalizing its diversity practices company-wide, Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) has created a Multicultural Advisory Board that will recommend business standards and practices and guide its outreach to multicultural markets. The Multicultural Advisory Board is comprised of a diverse representation of industry leaders with proven success in the hospitality industry and reaching diverse markets. The board met for the first time in February at the Hilton New York in conjunction with the inaugural Hilton Diversity Review, during which media, analysts and key business partners were presented with an overview of Hilton's diversity practices in all areas of the company. The board will convene annually.

"Hilton Hotels Corporation has shown a historic commitment to diversity, and this Multicultural Advisory Board will help us convey that commitment to multicultural audiences," said William Holland, vice president, Workforce Planning & Analysis. "The incredible level of expertise represented on this board will help us shape our diversity outreach so we can attract a broader and more diverse consumer base into the Hilton Family."

The members of the Multicultural Advisory Board currently are:

-- J.D. Andrews, Ph.D. - Chairman of the Board, Council for Professional Recognition

-- Ana Aponte-Curtis - Director of Events Planning, NAACP

-- Barbara Collins - Director of Meetings and Travel, National Urban League, Inc.

-- Carlos Conejo - President, Multicultural Associates

-- Sylvia Cyrus-Albritton - Executive Director, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc.

-- Manuel Espinoza, CPA - CEO, Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting (ALPFA)

-- Antonio Flores - President & CEO, Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU)

-- Margaret Gonzalez - President, International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals (IAHMP) and Managing Editor, Hispanic Meetings & Travel

-- Ampy Kollman-Moore - Owner, International Business Consultants

-- Quentin Lawson - Executive Director, National Alliance of Black School Educators

-- David Lizarraga - Chairman of the Board, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and President & CEO of The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU)

-- Kevin C. Marshall - President, Consortium of Information and Telecommunications Executives

-- Patricia Norman, CMP - Director of Conference Services, National Medical Association

-- Milagros Pereyra - Executive Director, Latin American Studies Association (LASA)

-- John Saunders III, CAE - Executive Director of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators

-- Sharon Seay, CMP - Executive Director, National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association

-- Kim Thompson, Sr., CMP - President, The TraMar Group, LLP

-- Connie Valiente - VP of Sponsorship & Event Services, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)

-- Delia de la Vara - Deputy Vice President, National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Strategic Communications Group

-- Brent Wilkes - Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Hilton has also created two director of sales positions that are responsible for creating initiatives to increase the market share in the African American and Hispanic markets. Carnita Chopin has been named the director of multicultural sales for the African American market, and Elvida Aparicio Rogers has been named director of multicultural sales for the Hispanic market.

"The creation of these dedicated multicultural sales positions will greatly enhance our ability to effectively target our outreach to these important markets," said Larry Luteran, vice president of Group Sales and Industry Relations. "We believe Carnita Chopin and Elvida Rogers have the insight and tenacity required to increase our brand awareness and broaden our reach into markets that are critically important to the Hilton Family of Hotels."

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The company develops, owns, manages or franchises approximately 2,300 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton(R), Conrad(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels(R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Hilton Grand Vacations Club(R) and Homewood Suites by Hilton(R).

Posted by at 12:17 AM | TrackBack

People en Espa�ol�s �50 Most Beautiful� Star-Studded Event was Held on Wednesday, May 18th at Capitale in New York City

Last night, People en Espanol hosted its annual “50 Most Beautiful” star-studded event at Capitale in New York City. Dozens of today’s hottest Hispanic celebrities turned out including sexy Mexican singing sensation Paulina Rubio.

WHAT:

People en Español’s hottest and most-anticipated issue came to life at the magazine’s 4th annual “50 Most Beautiful” gala. The magazine transformed its best-selling issue into a star-studded celebration featuring some of today's hottest and most talented Hispanic entertainers. American Airlines, Johnnie Walker, Biolage, Maybelline New York & Pontiac sponsored the red carpet VIP gala. Over 700 guests attended and enjoyed the sounds of DJ extraordinaire Tony Touch while hundreds of fans lined the streets to see the arrivals of their favorite celebrities.

WHO:

Joining People en Español’s editor Richard Pérez-Feria and publisher Jackie Hernández-Fallous were dozens of today’s most recognized Hispanics celebrities including:

-- Dayanara Torres – model/TV personality
-- Enrique Murciano – “Without A Trace” (CBS)
-- Frankie J – R&B singer
-- Gloria Estefan – singer
-- Inés Rivero – supermodel
-- Paulina Rubio – singer
-- Ricardo Chavira – “Desperate Housewives” (ABC)
-- Wilmer Valderrama – “That 70’s Show” (Fox)
-- Zoë Saldaña – actress
-- Mario Vasquez – “American Idol” (Fox)
-- Jai Rodriguez – “Queer Eye” (Bravo)
-- Thom Filicia – “Queer Eye” (Bravo)
-- Kyan Douglas - “Queer Eye” (Bravo)
-- Lorenzo Lamas – “Bold & the Beautiful”
-- Ana María Montero - CNN en Español
-- Eduardo Xol – “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
-- Sabrina Barnnett – singer
-- Carolina Bermudez –Z100 radio personality
-- Raul Olivo – actor
-- Argelia Atilano - LA’s KLVE radio personality
-- Bárbara Bermudo - Univision TV personality
-- Bárbara Mori - Univision Telenovela actress
-- Cristián de la Fuente - Univision Telenovela actor
-- Jimena - singer
-- Gabriel Soto - Univision Telenovela actor
-- Karyme Lozano - Univision actress/singer
-- Manolo Cardona - Telemundo Telenovela actor
-- María Celeste Arrarás - Telemundo TV personality
-- Paola Rey - Telemundo Telenovela actress
-- Pilar Montenegro - singer/actress
-- Poncho de Anda - Telemundo TV personality
-- Sebastián Rulli - Univision Telenovela actor
-- Shalim - singer
-- Víctor Manuelle – singer
-- Antonio Sabato Jr. – “Bold & the Beautiful”
-- Brenda K. Starr – singer
-- María Elena Salinas – Univision TV personality
-- Gabriella Spanic – Telemundo TV personality

People en Español was launched in 1998 and today is the best-selling Hispanic magazine in the United States. Each month, the magazine brings its readers exclusive stories that entertain and inspire, as well as information that enriches their lives. Distinguishing itself from its English-language counterpart, People en Español delivers celebrity access that is second-to-none, beauty and fashion coverage, award-winning design and human interest stories across a multitude of platforms including print, television and online.

WHEN:

Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Red Carpet Arrivals – 7:30pm

WHERE:

Capitale/130 Bowery (at Grand Street), New York City

Posted by at 12:04 AM | TrackBack

May 19, 2005

Beauty PR Move for Riley Keough aka Elvis Presley's Grandaughter Appointed New Dior Model

Elvis’ granddaughter is to be the new face of Christian Dior’s new fragrance Miss Dior Cherie.

Riley Keough is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and ex husband Danny Keough. With her grand dads sake it was inevitable that the teenager would have a career in the media spotlight.

“I love the idea of being a perfume girl” she said as she joins the prestigious French cosmetic giant.

The sixteen year old is no stranger to the modelling world; she previously made her catwalk debut in 1994 at the tender age of 15.
Top designers Dolce and Gabbana hired her to show off last year’s collection at Milan fashion Week.

Posted by at 11:49 PM | TrackBack

Givenchy Meets Dan Brown

Just in time for summer reading, Escober is shamelessly plugging his "The Givenchy Code: An Homage and A Parody" as being the most salacious writings since Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code hit the stalls.

The book's publicist, in terms bordering on pleading, warns the Catholic Church it is in for another shocker: "There is also definitely the potential here that readers may take The Givenchy Code �secret� as fact and may become profoundly troubled by it. Uh-oh, it looks like the Vatican has another apocryphal problem on its pious hands. It certainly appears like a baptism of fire for the new Pope Benedict XVI."

Monsters and Critics says about the book: "The murder of a prominent French personality in the fragrance industry jumpstarts this exhilarating code-cracking ride all over Paris and deep into the heart of a religious conspiracy that centers around the real identity of a religious icon. In a spine-tingling blend of electrifying adventure, scholarly intrigue and unforgettable, unpredictable moments, The Givenchy Code gleefully, perversely parodies scenes and pays homage to that brilliantly written �other code� novel, while poking benign fun at the fragrance industry and ultimately conjecturing an out-of-this-world theory that the most venerated relic of them all was indeed not a cup but something far more shockingly extraordinary!"

Escober "does not try very hard to hide the almost literal similarities of his narrative to those of the Da Vinci Code�to the point where you would swear you were reading The Da Vinci Code all over again," said book reviewer Allen Gaborro. "In The Givenchy Code, you have the hair-raising specters of cold-blooded murder, conspiratorial machinations, perilous escapades and intractable machinations afoot� which closely simulates the structure and atmosphere of Dan Brown�s book while steering clear of the sensitive borders of plagiarism.�.

"As a parody, the book�s inventive spoof and imitation of The Da Vinci Code, especially its own bombshell of a secret concerning the Grail, can be considered as explosive-- and as offensive to the Catholic Church-- as the Da Vinci Code�s Mary Magdalene storyline," according to the press statement. "The Givenchy Code�s cover, a Mona Lisa who not only smiles but also conspiratorially winks at us, hints at this surprising-beyond-belief mystery of the Holy Grail. No shortcuts are permitted here, though this much can be revealed: the �secret� has nothing to do with Mary Magdalene�and the Grail is not a cup�definitely not a cup."

Escober� admits that his Givenchy Code, like The Da Vinci Code, mixes "some fact with a great deal of fiction," to support his Grail�s identity with factual evidence.

Escober worked as a copywriter for McCann-Erickson Advertising Agency in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States, and initiating a career in writing both fiction novels and screenplays. Previously Escober wrote a novel titled Not My Bowl of Rice.

"In the Philippines, after finishing a course in Mass Communications, I worked as a copywriter for an American advertising agency. In America, I used that experience to gain employment as a classified ad representative for an East Coast-based newspaper, an advertising salesperson for a California-based real estate newspaper, then an advertising copywriter, and finally, a researcher/recruiter for a Berkeley-based pharmaceutical marketing research firm. During all this, I knew that my real ambitions lie in writing and I worked actively during my off time creating screenplays and my first novel," according to Escober's website at: TheGivenchyCode.com.

ER Escober's The Givenchy Code is available at Amazon.com and Xlibris.com (ISBN 1413480314)

Posted by at 11:33 PM | TrackBack

Fat Book For Kids

It is tough to talk to kids about being overweight, but now there is a new book that can help. Freddy Fights Fat by Dr. Lawrence E. Shapiro tells the story of a boy who wakes up one day to find that his pants are surprisingly tight. On the school bus Freddy almost squishes another boy off the seat! In gym class he huffs and puffs around the track and almost throws up at the finish line. Freddy finally has to face the facts... he is getting fat.

The new, colorfully illustrated storybook, written by prominent child psychologist and parenting expert, Dr. Shapiro, addresses America’s increasing number of overweight children and seeks to help children understand the emotional issues of being fat and losing weight.

“Being overweight presents children with significant health risks and mental health risks as well. Freddy Fights Fat was written to help children and adults open a discussion about this difficult and rapidly escalating issue,” Dr. Shapiro said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children and adolescents who are defined as overweight has more than doubled since the early 1970s. Data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that 16% or 9 million+ U.S. children ages 6-19 are overweight.

The numbers will continue to increase according to the “Fitness Facts” published in the Center for Disease Control 2004 Annual Health Protection Impact Report, which states:
• Nearly half of Americans 12–21 say they are not regularly and vigorously physically active.
• About 14% of young people report no recent physical activity.
• Participation in all types of physical activity declines as age or grade in school increases.
• Only 19% of all high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more, 5 days a week in physical education classes.

Addressing the problem of obesity in the book, Freddy gets help from his physical education teacher, his parents, and his pediatrician, who guide him toward developing better eating habits and daily exercise. Although Freddy is tempted by his favorite fattening foods, and he has a few lapses, gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement from others helps him to lose some weight and he gets healthier physically and emotionally.

Freddy Fights Fat is part of the Emotional Literacy Series, being developed by CTC Publishing. The series includes: Arthur Gets Angry, Betty Stops the Bully, Catherine Finds Her Courage, Ethan Has Too Much Energy, and Debra Doesn’t Take the Dare. Each book is designed to help children develop the emotional skills to solve common problems and to lead them towards a happier, healthier, and more successful life. The books also include suggestions for adults to help kids with their specific problems.

Freddy Fights Fat is written for children ages 4-8, and retails for $14.95. This book and other books in the Emotional Literacy Series can be purchased or by calling 1-800-440-4003.

About the Author
Dr. Lawrence E. Shapiro has written dozens of books and games, including How to Raise a Child with a High EQ: A Parents’ Guide to Emotional Intelligence, which has been translated into more than 22 languages. He is a regular guest expert on radio and television.

About CTC Publishing:
CTC Publishing creates products which are designed to enhance family communications, address common problems, and promote healthy living. CTC Publishing is a division of the 10-year old catalog company, Courage To Change.

Posted by at 11:24 PM | TrackBack

Gary Null Sets Record in Internet Radio Broadcasting: Beats Sirius Satellite Listenership

The Gary Null Show experienced immediate success on Internet talk radio. This may rank as the fastest – and biggest – audience leap in internet radio history. Listenership to Null's show on VoiceAmerica (www.voice.voiceamerica.com) exceeds Sirius Satellite's listenership by 1.3 million.

National Health Expert Gary Null's listeners appreciate one huge advantage that internet radio has over Satellite radio (such as Sirius). That advantage is the archiving of programs - Null's shows are available 24/7 at the click of a mouse. With Satellite radio, once a program is over, it's gone. Sirius has reached 1.2 million subscribers (reported by Mediaweek). Null's internet listenership went from zero listeners in January to an astonishing 2.5 million in March (reported by Kino Communications). VoiceAmerica flagship channel’s listenership has more than doubled since Gary Null's debut and they foresee even faster growth in the next few months.

The Internet itself is growing at an enormous rate. According to Arbitron Inc./Edison Media Research, as of January 2005, “the Internet radio audience has grown to an estimated 37 million” compared to the 4.9 million that have invested in Satellite radio. Arbitron Inc./Edison states the reason for the huge Internet radio figures is because “Satellite radio has good distribution in new cars, but limited ability to deliver in the workplace. Most tuning to Internet audio occurs in offices with broadband connections. Eight in 10 Americans have access to the Internet from any location.” Paul Maloney, editor of RAIN Publications, Inc. says that “44% of all Americans have used Internet audio or video. That is almost twice what it was two years ago.”

Null's VoiceAmerica health program airs every day from Noon to 1 pm at http://www.voice.voiceamerica.com/ and is growing at a rate of 100,000 listeners per week. That is the fastest growing radio audience in the world. Null had the largest audience in all non-commercial radio for nearly 27 years at WBAI (99.5 FM) and had the #1 Health show on WABC. Those same listeners are now tuning into him on VoiceAmerica.

Professional observers of the internet scene have watched Null's figures with interest and amazement. According to Ben Bassi, CEO of CommonPlaces e-Solutions, Inc. and former founding executive of Lycos, “Gary Null is the #1 Internet radio host out there. He is pioneering the power of Internet radio. I haven't seen such high numbers for any radio personality".

Gary Null, PH.D., is a broadcast veteran of more than 27 years and a New York Times best-selling author of over 70 books. Gary is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker and talk radio host. He appears regularly on public television, and has been featured in numerous publications, including Time, The Daily News and Fitness.

The VoiceAmerica Network is leading the world in online talk radio, live and on demand.

For an interview with Gary Null, please contact Gary Null & Associate’s PR department at 646-505-4660

Posted by at 11:17 PM | TrackBack

One2One Living Magazine Unveiled its New Advertising Campaign, at Magazine Day in New York

One2One Living's provocative, witty and stylish ad campaign, which will run on city scapes in major metropolitan cities across the U.S. and Canada, appropriately features two singles stranded on a surreal desert, with the catchy slogan: 'One2One Living -- Fuel for The Single Life.' This represents One2One Living's mission of continuing to offer insight, options, opportunities and resources for single men and women in North America, and around the globe.

Also, One2One Living vows to promote laughter, discussion, and thought - in essence, all the elements needed to make the single life as fulfilling as possible.

To that end, One2One Living's new contributors include CNBC columnist and NBC Producer Brian Balthazar; FOX’s 'Good Day L.A.' Executive Producer Paul Suchecki; JoJamie Tyler, an Image Consultant; Kerry McCloskey, star of reality TV's 'My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss' and author of 'The Ultimate Sex Diet'; David Essel, the nine-year veteran radio show host, whose shows have been syndicated to 240 markets; and 'Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus' author Dr John Gray, a permanent staple in the One2One Living editorial team.

Furthermore, also included in One2One Living's acclaimed content is 'Social Autopsy' from Christian Finnegan, a stand-up comedian and regular on VH1’s 'Best Week Ever.'

With this all-star team, One2One Living is attracting legions of single men and women, who are looking for an alternative to the usual.

Accompanying the new creative is an updated content server, which syndicates unparalleled content to the dating industry, as well as a new network television show that will premier on the Oxygen Television Network during the upcoming fall season. The show is being produced by Media Evolutions; the production company owned by former *NSYNC band member Joey Fatone, Ian McDaniel, Steve Fatone and Mark Argenti.

When asked why One2One Living is no longer providing online dating, Editor-in-Chief Mary Spio states, “We are an entertainment and lifestyle magazine, providing content is what we do well, and with our new partnerships with the best online dating companies, we believe that we will better serve our market and audience, by referring them to partners, allowing us to concentrate on generating the best content on the face of the planet, for single men and women.”

Posted by at 11:06 PM | TrackBack

ABC Closes it's Eyes To Their Short Lived Drama

Called "Smart," "Sexy," "Dazzling," and "Stylish," ABC's "Eyes" has garnered the kinds of rave reviews most shows can only dream of. So when it comes to drama, television fans have their "Eyes" on ABC. Worried that the acclaimed new midseason drama (which airs after "Alias" at 10 p.m. on ABC) may not get the time it needs to develop into a hit, television fans have already begun to rally to save the show, launching a new "Save ‘Eyes'" campaign and website at Save Eyes.

In addition, in an unprecedented move, "Eyes" fans are also promising to do their part for ratings, with a new petition at Petitiononline in which each fan promises to keep watching "Eyes" -- and commits to getting at least three other separate audience members to watch the show as well.

When it comes to drama, television fans have their "Eyes" on ABC. Worried that the acclaimed new midseason drama (which airs after "Alias" at 10 p.m. on ABC) may not get the time it needs to develop into a hit, television fans have already begun to rally to save the show, launching a new "Save ‘Eyes'" campaign and website at www.Saveeyes.com.

Called "Smart," "Sexy," "Dazzling," and "Stylish," ABC's "Eyes" has garnered the kinds of rave reviews most shows can only dream of. Some of the nation's top critics are raving about "Eyes" -- from Variety, to The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, CNN, The Chicago Sun-Times, and dozens more. Commented The New York Daily News, "Daly's Harlan is the most playfully lovable private eye since Bruce Willis burst onto the scene as David Addison in ‘Moonlighting.'"

But while "Eyes" made a critical splash on ABC in its midseason debut, its ratings (fair, but not spectacular, to date) demonstrated that it's a show that will need a little momentum to build into a bona fide hit for the network. "Eyes" has been averaging 8-9 million viewers in its 10 p.m. Wednesday timeslot (solid numbers against CBS's CSI: New York), and with a 3.1 rating among the coveted demographic of adults 18-49 -- a 29 percent improvement over last year's figures in the same timeslot.

TV fans at "Save Eyes" have therefore founded the "Save our Show" campaign to rally fans -- and network executives -- to give the show a chance. Led by consultant Cynthia Smith, webmaster Brooke Cradic, entertainment publicist Angela Mitchell, and many more, the new coalition of fans is already embarking on an intensive letter-writing campaign to Stephen McPherson at ABC, in addition to a host of other proven "Save our Show" tasks, including upcoming full-page advertisements in trade papers like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter (donations are being taken now via Paypal to e-mail protected from spam bots).

In addition, in an unprecedented move, "Eyes" fans are also promising to do their part for ratings, with a new petition at Petitiononline (http://www.petitiononline.com/SaveEyes/petition.html) in which each fan promises to keep watching "Eyes" -- and commits to getting at least three other separate audience members to watch the show as well.

The new "Eyes" SOS website launched by fans can be found at www.SaveEyes.com. Fans interested in taking part in the campaign can e-mail e-mail protected from spam bots, sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/SaveEyes/petition.html, or take part in the SOS campaign forums found at www.Sarkgasm.com (Forums, Television, Eyes).

About "Eyes"
From the executive producer of "Fastlane" and the co-creator of the much-analyzed "Profit" comes "Eyes," the suspenseful one-hour, midseason drama series full of risks, bluffs, blackmail and intrigue.

Run by sharp-witted, impulsive Harlan Judd (Tim Daly), Judd Risk Management is a discreet, high-tech firm that handles cases with the highest possible stakes, while operating at the absolute fringe of the law. Along with ruthlessly efficient Nora Gage (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) and a staff of brilliantly skilled, driven individuals -- some with their own agendas and secrets -- Harlan does whatever it takes to prevail in a world of unsteady alliances and uncertain loyalties.

"Eyes" stars Tim Daly ("Wings") as Harlan Judd, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon ("NYPD Blue," "The Jamie Foxx Show") as Nora Gage, A.J. Langer ("My So Called Life") as Meg Bardo, Laura Leighton ("Melrose Place") as Leslie Town, Eric Mabius ("Resident Evil," "The L Word") as Jeff McCann, Rick Worthy ("Collateral Damage") as Chris Didion and Natalie Zea ("The Shield") as Trish Agermeyer.

Created and executive-produced by John McNamara ("Fastlane," "Profit"), "Eyes" is a McNamara Paper Products production in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Posted by at 10:51 PM | TrackBack

Summer In A Can Is Finally Instore

Summer is rapidly approaching and everyone is searching for the perfect tan. In place of the traditional sunless lotions that promise a golden tan from a bottle, technology now offers a more advanced and convenient application process. Sunless Airbrush Tanning may very well be one of the fastest-growing cosmetic treatments to hit the market in the last decade and until now was a treatment only available in Salons. MOON Tans, Inc. a Colorado Corporation, with more than 200 salons nationwide that offer airbrush tanning, has taken the result of the professional sunless airbrush tanning process one step further.

Almost anyone who has ever had the desire to be tan has tried at least one over the counter sunless tanner. Many even remember the "orange" glow of QT in the early 60's. Then there were the sunless tanning foams, and eventually spritz type sunless tanners that weren't quite as difficult to rub in. However, with almost all of these type of sunless tanners rarely do they go on even or look natural. "I know people who until recently, made it a three hour event to apply their sunless tanner," says Linda Dillon, owner and founder of MOON Tans, Inc. "What we wanted to create was the perfection of an airbrush tan in an aerosol can" says Dillon. "We have used the same professional formula found in salons, and because it is an aerosol it sprays on very similar to an airbrush. The results - a streak free, natural looking tan."

Because it doesn�t require any rubbing in as do many of the other spray self-tanning counterparts it is easy to apply and offers superior results. "There are so many sunless tanners out there," says Terri of Aspen. "I have probably tried about 15 different ones, and regardless of how you apply it it is very difficult to get an even application when you have to rub it in. I love the aerosol concept because it is just like a professional salon airbrush application and it goes on evenly without rubbing it in."

MOON Tans, Inc. has recently introduced two new products that offer the perfection of an airbrush tan in an aerosol can. Bronzed Beauty Airbrush Tan and Sport Tan are �perfect for people who want to tan in the privacy of their own home or just want their legs or arms tanned" says Dillon.

But who says women are the only ones looking for that golden glowing tan? "Sport Tan was designed with Men in mind because of the goofy tan lines they experience from various outdoor sports. "Sport Tan will do a great full body tan, but most men use it to fill in tan lines from golfing, softball and tennis. Men love it because it doesn't look fake or carry the stigma of applying a "self tanner" says Dillon.

Bronzed Beauty Airbrush Tan and Sport Tan both come in a seven ounce can which will cover an average size person about two or three times. Dillon says each tan will last between five and seven days and once applied takes about six to eight hours to develop.

Bronzed Beauty Airbrush Tan and Sport Tan both contain DHA � the active ingredient that creates the same reaction in your skin as the sun does - DHA has been approved by the FDA and is found in airbrush tanning solutions and all self-tanning creams and sprays on the market. Dillon says, both of these products are incredibly easy to use and only take about two or three minutes to dry, �You spray it on, let it dry and in 6-8 hours once the DHA develops you are tan!�

Bronzed Beauty Airbrush Tan and Sport Tan sell for $29.99 and are available at participating MOON Tans salons as well as on online at http://www.moontans.com.

Posted by at 10:28 PM | TrackBack