Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

We’ve all heard of people branching out and diversifying their goals and objectives. A clothing designer might introduce a fragrance; movies may turn into action figures, but an athlete becoming a political figure? I guess stranger things have happened, just look at Arnold Schwarzenegger.

If you’re like me, Super Bowl Sunday stirs little excitement in me, aside from the big laughs I get from the commercials. But I don’t want to waste the last day of the weekend watching million dollar ads when I can catch them later in the week during my normal TV programming. Thanks to MSN.com’s City Guide, there is a list of activities to keep me active while Americans everywhere are gorging themselves with chicken wings, beer and football.

Get the complete list of anti-super bowl activities at MSN.com now.

The Riu Palace Riviera Maya, a luxury all-inclusive beachfront resort, will open its doors today. Riu Hotels & Resorts, the premier vacation hotel chain in the world, just announced a Grand Opening All Inclusive Special at the new Riu Palace Riviera Maya, from $185 per person/night, double occupancy, for stays from February 3 through April 16, 2006.

Ok - so who was there yesterday? Come on, fess up. Pamela Anderson showed up. Nude Models to Don Dress Designs by Zac Posen, Heatherette and Vivienne Tam as Painted by M-A-C Artists M-A-C Cosmetics, the ground-breaking professional cosmetics brand, officially kicked off fashion week on February 2nd with a live exhibition of the Qi Pao (chi pau), the classic Chinese Dress, created entirely with M-A-C makeup products. Nude models were painted in Qi Pao inspired designs including creations from renowned New York designers Zac Posen, Heatherette and Vivienne Tam. The M-A-C Chinese Dress exhibition, held at Eyebeam Studio, was attended by over 700 of New York's fashion and media elite.

Maybe putting your makeup on daily could be a fear factor ritual? Bugs anyone? The FDA is making moves towards listing a red coloring derived from the ground bodies of female cochineal beetles on the basis that it is a potential safety hazard to a handful of individuals. Used in a spectrum of cosmetics ranging from lipstick to blusher, the move comes as pressure mounts from watchdogs and consumers to label the ingredient more clearly.
Currently the FDA only require that the ingredient is labeled as a ‘color added' or ‘artifical color', but fears over allergic reactions as well as consumer demands to be better informed if the products they buy are animal-derived are prompting the move towards change.

Fashion forecasters predicted a chilly fall as New York Fashion Week opened Friday with a blizzard of buttoned-up looks on the runway.

While style is a consideration for the designers presenting their collections during the eight-day event, practicality is not. That might explain the sexy _ and quite attractive _ banded stiletto sandals that Kenneth Cole paired with turtlenecks and trench coats to kick off the new style season.

Among the highlights:

Kenneth Cole: Cole set the stage for an office romance, dressing women in refined dresses, wool skirt suits and high-neck tie blouses and men in cashmere sweaters, sportcoats and tailored trousers in varying shades of gray and brown.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced it will open a new luxury resort on the island of St Lucia in the West Indies.

The 232-room property will be operated under Starwood’s Westin brand and will be built in phases.

The first phase, expected to open in August 2007, will include an 18-hole golf course, a casino and a 9,125sq ft (847sq m) spa with 16 treatment rooms.

Further phases will include an additional 234 hotel rooms and the expansion of the spa to 26 treatment rooms.

Ben Roethlisberger will become the second athlete publicly shaven by a Gillette razor, behind Johnny Damon of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. After capturing his first Super Bowl ring, Gillette signed Roethlisberger to promote their latest innovation, Fusion, tonight on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Isabelle Dinoire, a 38-year-old Frenchwoman and mother of two, became the recipient of the world’s first face transplant during a 15-hour surgery in Amiens that took place on Nov. 27th of last year. On Monday, she revealed her new face to a room full of anxious reporters. I know how anxious I am before a big event, so I can only imagine her nerves before unveiling her new face.

Dinoire, who is still hospitalized for physical therapy, was chosen for the landmark procedure after being brutally attacked by a dog, a tragic accident that left her gums and teeth exposed and most of her nose missing. Thanks to the surgery, she now has a face where before there was only a gaping hole. The only reminder is a scar: a faint, circular line of buckled skin around her nose, lips and chin.

“Since the day of my operation, I have a face like everyone else,” reports Newsday. “Thanks to them [the donor’s family] a door to the future is opening for me and others.”

I think this is an exciting new frontier for reconstructive surgery. I’ve worked with surgeons for more than five years now, and I’m always happy to see medical advancements like this save, and in this case, radically improve a person’s life.

John T. (Tom) Wyatt has resigned as president and CEO of sportswear maker Cutter & Buck as of March 8, 2006 to become the president of GapBody, part of Gap, Inc. He also will relinquish his position as a member of the Cutter & Buck board of directors. Wyatt was not long on the job, just a little over a year. He joined Cutter & Buck in December 2004, succeeding Fran Conley who had left the company in September 2004. Before coming to Cutter & Buck, Wyatt was president of Warnaco’s Intimate Apparel Group.

I recently got my March 2006 issue of Men’s Fitness, the first fitness magazine I ever bought as a much too skinny and gangly 14 year old hoping to someday be buff (btw, still working at it 15 years later). As I was flipping through the magazine picking which articles I want to go back later and read, as I always do, I was struck by the number of full page ads taken out by nutritional supplement companies. I felt bombarded by overly muscled men and unrealistic washboard abs telling me to take this pill or powder to give me additional strength, muscle mass and endurance. These nutritional supplements have been around for years with mixed reviews from athletes and consumers alike. But why are over 50% of the ad pages in Men’s Fitness being taken by these companies?

Coapt Systems, Inc., developer of bioabsorbable implants for the fixation of soft tissue in the plastic and reconstructive surgery markets, announced today that it released the SurgiWire Incisionless Dissector for commercial sale in the U.S. market at the prestigious Baker Gordon Symposium held in Miami, Florida on February 2nd through the 4th.

"This is the first in a series of minimally invasive products that we plan to introduce. This product will enable us to address the needs of patients who desire the removal of deep skin defects, such as wrinkles between the brow, the creases that run between the nose and mouth, and facial scars, with only a few needle punctures," said John Kraczkowsky, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "A considerable number of patients who would prefer cosmetic fillers to correct these defects are not ideal candidates for fillers alone due to the depth of the skin defects."

CEO and Founder Rudy N. Vogel announced today the formation of TransBorder Marketing, Inc., a global company organized to create, develop and market unique imported luxury products to sophisticated consumers throughout the world.

The new company's first product launch through its TransBorder Spirits USA subsidiary will be vodka imported from Poland which utilizes an industry first patented diamond filtration process. The process utilizes nearly one hundred diamonds of up to one carat in size, and results in a Vodka with unsurpassed clarity and smoothness.

How on earth with all this gay media today can a global leader in air transportation be so stupid? Northwest Airlines violated California's anti-discrimination laws when it refused to allow a gay couple to use tickets an employee won at a holiday party, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California said today in a letter urging the company to change its policies.

The ACLU sent the letter on behalf of La Mirada resident Rob Anders, a longtime airline industry employee, who won round-trip domestic airfare on Northwest Airlines for him and a companion at his company holiday party last December. But when he tried to redeem the tickets for himself and his registered domestic partner, Northwest refused.

If the clothes displayed on New York fashion runways this week were anything to go by, men might show up for work this fall in tight green Peter Pan leggings and women could come to the office in dresses made of nothing but pink and purple feathers.

But fashion experts warn fashion lovers not to take what they see too seriously because it takes an expert eye to find wearable looks, especially for the office, amid the flounces and fluff at design shows.

"I don't think runway shows are really meant for any slightly normal person to watch," said Robert Burke, who runs a luxury consulting company. "They're really made for the industry and made for a very select few people.

"If you're trying to make sense of a runway show, you'll probably be highly disappointed," he added. "It's an insiders' kind of game."

Oakley has acquired privately held luxury eyewear maker Oliver Peoples Inc. of Los Angeles for approximately $55.7 million, a price that included $5 million in debt and up to $4 million in incentives. The company, which includes the Oliver Peoples, Mosley Tribes and licensed Paul Smith eyewear brands, will remain based in L.A. and operate as wholly owned subsidiary, according to co-founder Larry Leight, who will remain in his role as chief design officer and CEO. In a statement, Oakley CEO Scott Olivet called the acquisition “a tremendous start in the creation of a targeted portfolio of brands,” and said its position in the fashion eyewear market “complements Oakley’s leadership in sport performance and active eyewear.” Oakley’s stock reacted negatively the day following the news, closing at $15.04 per share, down $1.20 or 7.39 percent from the previous day’s close of $16.24.

While growing up in a small town in Maine, every Valentine’s Day we would have a party at school, which consisted of over dosing on sugar, buying carnations for one dollar and giving every person in your class a cheesy card that came in a box of twenty for about three dollars. It was polite to give everyone in the class a card, no matter if you liked them or not. The carnation game was a different story. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, you played the game of guessing who would get a carnation and from whom. The couples that were, “going out,” obviously were recipients, but there were the surprise secret crushes.

The best way to usher in a new fashion season is with clothes and accessories that are feminine, modern and extremely wearable.

This season, fashion differs dramatically from years past. For a start, the palette is softer.

"The colors are more muted with very natural embellishments," said Laura McDowell, T.J. Maxx fashion spokesperson.

White is clearly a favorite, with neutrals a close second. When mixed with color, the look is softer and very contemporary. Try navy with white (for the ever-popular nautical look), yellow, chocolate brown and oatmeal as complementary color tones. Graphic black and white combos look surprisingly fresh.

Shape-shifting" is something most women know about all too well. As the years pile on, so do unwanted pounds that-even among those who remain relatively slim-can literally change the body's contours.

"One may go from an hourglass to more of a shot glass," says Dr. Pamela Peeke, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, best-selling author and creator of the "Body For Life For Women Workout" DVD (rodale store.com). "Aging gracefully is all a matter of girth control."

Not to mention understanding women's hormones.

It's Peeke's assertion that recognizing what she calls "women's unique hormonal hard-wiring" is key to achieving and maintaining a peak body for life. There are four hormonal milestones involved:

A growing number of people are discovering the nutritional and cosmetic benefits of la chevre, the goat.

From a nutritional standpoint, goat's milk and cow's milk are remarkably similar. However, there are significant differences in the protein and fatty acids that are found in goat's milk.

It has twice the vitamin A as cow's milk and 50 percent more vitamin B. More calcium and protein, too. It also has a unique molecular structure that allows for easy digestion and absorption. This enables the vitamins, protein and nutrients to be absorbed by epidermis cells, where they instantly go to work replenishing moisture and restoring your skin's vitality.

Canus offers two full lines of gentle, effective family skin care products based on the naturally moisturizing properties of farm- fresh goat's milk: one for adults and Li'l Goat's Milk for children. For more information and to find out where it can be purchased, visit the Web site at www.canusgoatsmilk.com.

Goat's milk has been shown to replenish and revitalize the skin.

If you've had weight reduction (bariatric) surgery, are living with Crohn's disease or suffer from other serious stomach or intestinal disorders, you may be at risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Named the "red vitamin," vitamin B-12 is unique for two reasons: it is the only vitamin that contains the essential mineral cobalt and it cannot be manufactured by the body, but rather must be obtained via food sources. A healthy body obtains B-12 from eggs, meat, poultry, shellfish and dairy products. In people who have had their small intestine bypassed or surgically removed altogether, absorption of B-12 from these food sources becomes virtually impossible.

We at Pierce Mattie - have built up quite a data list of people who follow us, who inspire us and who we in return share our trends and client's news. To stay alert and up to speed in our reach we often use a little program called; Constant Contact.

E-mail marketing is an easy, effective, and affordable way for today's businesses to reach their customers and grow their own businesses.

For example, a newsletter allows you to develop interest in your company while demonstrating your expertise and depth-your biggest assets as a small business. Sending an e-mail newsletter keeps your company in the mind of your growing network. Plus, good e-mail newsletters are frequently forwarded to friends of the recipient, thereby growing your network even further.

So, how do you get started?

Eighty-three percent of Americans say they want to write a book, but only a small percentage actually have both the drive and discipline to do it. Finishing a manuscript is a huge accomplishment-an achievement that affords writers the reward of seeing their hard work in print.

Prospective authors can take pride in the fact that despite whether their magnum opus is a novel, guide, autobiography, cookbook, book of poetry, or how-to manual, they have alternative and effective ways to publish it affordably and efficiently-in some cases, making it available to online retailers in fewer than 90 days.

Red means stop. It evokes passion and excitement. Green means go. It evokes things fresh and new. Blue connotes reliability and cool quietness. There's no denying it: Color has near universal power. It carries deep associations and works at an emotional level.

Small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are brushing up on the power of color printing because they need maximum effectiveness and impact when communicating with customers. In fact, research shows that almost half of SMBs are now producing color-marketing materials in-house.

http://www.AllBusi ness.comThere's good news for small businesses that don't have a budget for self-promotion, according to AllBusiness.com. One of the leading business sites, AllBusi ness.com offers advice and solutions that help businesses succeed, such as these seven "guerrilla marketing" strategies.

1. Press releases. Write and distribute press releases that are newsworthy and send them to newspapers, magazines and television and radio stations. If only one media outlet airs the story, you'll have free access to thousands of people. Design the headline to grab readers' attention in as few words as possible. Use active verbs. Get to the point quickly, with a lead sentence that will draw the reader into a convincing piece.

What does today's woman want when it comes to makeup? Because she considers herself an individual and not just a carbon copy, today's woman wants makeup that doesn't mask who she is but rather brings out what's individually beautiful about her own skin.

"Women want to create a flawless complexion. The good news is that women's skin is in the best shape ever these days-from good habits, using sunscreen, good skin care. Everyone can use just a hint of coverage-from covering blemishes, to covering dark circles," said Mary MacLean, executive beauty editor, Glamour Magazine."

Enter products such as those found in Individualist Natural Finish Makeup line developed by Estée Lauder. Ideal Match, the key technology in this line, allows foundation to automatically adjust to all skin types.

The technology uses a new type of titanium that is unlike the white, chalky titanium used in other foundations. This technology captures natural skin color while evening skin tone. Shades have been custom-designed so that every skin tone will have a perfect match.

There's myth and then there's reality when it comes to skin care, and knowing the difference could help give you the healthy glow that everyone craves.

To help you get the best from your skin, leading dermatologist Dr. Linda Franks debunks the top five skin myths-and lets you know what you should be doing instead.

Myth #1: You should wash your face until it's squeaky clean.

Most people know that good skin care means washing your face and ridding it of excess dirt and oil. Problem is, says Dr. Franks, people are actually stripping their skin of its essential oils.

The right way to clean your face is to use a gentle, soap-free cleanser that's effective at removing dirt, excess oil and makeup but won't rob skin of moisture.

Recently on a cruise I went into the gym and took the body age test, as seen on Oprah. What did I learn? That my body actdually was 8 years older than I really was. Tears aside - this is what I learned to reverse my damage.

Signs of aging are not limited to the over-30 set. In fact, it is the habits that are established in adolescence that determine how quickly a person ages. And the sooner good habits are acquired, the more likely an age revelation down the road will elicit gasps of admiration. Who-man or woman -wouldn't like to hear someone say, "Really?! You're 40? You must be kidding-you can't be more than 31!" Here's how to get started.

"Real men" may not be as blinged out as hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, but jewelry has become an important part of the way many guys dress.

Men's new-found interest in jewelry may be the result of a chain reaction that started in the world of hip-hop, found its way to the runways and eventually ended up in Hollywood. Musicians such as Jay-Z, Usher and Diddy have long since donned Platinum bling, but only recently has it begun showing up on the likes of Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp. Perhaps more surprising, though, is that many men seem to be buying this precious bling by themselves, for themselves.

"Research shows that men visit malls more often than females and they shop at stores 18 times a year," says jewelry and style expert Michael O'Connor. "Men are choosing Platinum because its heft provides a masculine feel while still looking stylish." He offers these tips to help men add a little bling to most any outfit:

What makes a good communicator?

Some advice from Americans for Financial Security (AFS), an association dedicated to helping its members succeed in a competitive economy, may help you understand just what's involved and learn how you can improve your own communication skills.

• Remember the objective-to communicate. Seek to speak the language used and understood best by those with whom you wish to communicate. Know your customer and vendor.

• Drop all pretenses. Avoid being haughty and condescending. No one is offended by plain language. Speak and write plainly.

• Keep in mind the "rule of three." When delivering your message, sum it up to begin, outline the details, then sum it up to end.

• Write the way you speak. Be consistent. Speak and write in the same way-the way that works.

• Listen and ask. Listen to your customers and they will tell you what it is that they want.

Tips and information like this can be found in AFS's monthly online magazine, Focus on Success. Focus on Success gives valuable information and fresh ideas to help entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. You can find Focus on Success at www.afswebsite.org. For more information about AFS, call 800-492-1016 or visit the Web site.

Healthier hair, more radiant skin and a whiter smile all before the alarm clock buzzes may sound like just a dream, especially for today's busy women. However, Quick & Simple magazine's beauty editor Carrie Stern says that nighttime is the right time for your beauty routine.

"Before-bed beauty rituals deliver optimal results. They take advantage of the body's natural replenishing and renewal period and don't contend with the damaging daytime activities," says Stern. "Also, most nighttime beauty treatments provide extra benefits and do the work for you while you sleep."

Every day, everywhere, a woman is making a difference in her community and adding beauty to the world around her through her words and deeds.

These actions define her because she knows that the simple act of giving back is a key component of her own sense of self-worth.

The phrase "Because I'm Worth It" has been a part of popular culture since 1973, when it was introduced in an advertising campaign. These four words have become synonymous with empowered women who embrace their beauty and personal strength and who proudly express a sense of self-worth.

Bigger and better-two words to describe what could be seen at the XX Olympic Games held in Torino, Italy, February 10-26, 2006.

With a population of over one million, Torino is the largest city to host any Olympic Winter Games.

Located in the northwest region of Italy, the area lets spectators immerse themselves in the Italian culture and experience the unique attributes of the Alpine Valleys, while taking in such sports as cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, snowboarding and ski jumping. NBC offered more live coverage than any Winter Olympic broadcast in history.

Mary Carillo, host of USA Network's "Olympic Ice," figure skating broadcasters Sandra Bezic and Andrea Joyce, and women's hockey studio analyst and Olympic hockey gold medallist Cammi Granato kept in style during the Torino Games with the help of Liz Claiborne's contemporary and versatile clothes.

To check out these winning looks, go to www.lizclaiborne.com

Mike Mallowe has been named editor of Professional Jeweler magazine. The appointment became effective Monday.

Mallowe is the former founding editor of Main Line Today magazine, a suburban Philadelphia publication, and has won numerous awards for his work as an investigative reporter with Philadelphia Magazine, including The Society of Professional Journalists, The National Press Club, and Women in Communications honors. He has also been a senior editor at Business Philadelphia magazine and has written for magazines such as Life, Rolling Stone, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, and Reader’s Digest.

Mallowe replaces Peggy Jo Donahue who left the jewelry trade magazine to become director of public affairs for Jewelers of America.

Swiss watch brand Tissot has inked a deal with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing to become its “official timekeeper” and the “official watch” of NASCAR. Tissot will introduce a new line of official NASCAR watches, debuting this month, the start of the 2006 season.

“Within the world of NASCAR, timing is everything,” said Francois Thiebaud, Tissot’s president. “At Tissot, we have a long history of timing speedway events like MotoGP and championship cycling. We’re looking forward to working with NASCAR Timing & Scoring to explore opportunities to integrate our expertise and technology. And since we are, at our core, a watch company, we are pleased to design and produce the first official NASCAR watch.”

Partnering with Tissot, is “a landmark in the evolution of NASCAR sponsorship,” said Steve Phelps, vice president corporate marketing at NASCAR. “[It] illustrates the global appeal of NASCAR and our sport’s diversifying sponsor base.” In addition, he noted, “the reputation and status Tissot brings to our association echoes NASCAR’s growing international fan base.”

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani and Dubai's Emaar Properties planned to triple to as many as 30 the number of luxury hotels they developed together on greater-than-expected demand, Emaar's chairman, Mohamed AlAbbar, said yesterday.

Armani's Milan-based company last year granted Emaar, the world's largest property developer by market value, the right to build at least 10 luxury hotels and resorts during the next decade for about $1 billion (R6.08 billion). That may triple to $3 billion.

While lover’s exchanged red velvet boxes lined with chocolates this Valentine’s, workers at Budget Living were receiving pink slips and sharp arrows in the back. The magazine, which launched in 2002 and won a National Magazine Award for general excellence in 2004, "Launch of the Year" honors from Ad Age and "Start-up of the Year" from Adweek, was put up for sale two months ago by Chairman Don Welsh. The start-up attracted a few perspective buyers, but all fell through.

According to an article that ran in the February 15th edition of the New York Post, “No one was willing to take over the iconoclastic lifestyle pub and keep it running. In fact, many of the major publishers who watched Budget Living rack up editorial and reader successes simply entered the market themselves rather than buy out an entrepreneur.”
"Imitation is the best form of flattery," said Welsh, "But maybe this time I didn't need so much flattery."

"Imitation is the best form of flattery," said Welsh, "But maybe this time I didn't need so much flattery."

Who:
Marc Ecko, the visionary behind several of today's most respected youth lifestyle brands and creator of Atari's Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, the first truly authentic video game based on urban culture and graffiti art.

What:
Marc Ecko will greet fans, sign autographs, and conduct live demonstrations of Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure - one of the most innovative, unique and compelling video games of the year available for PlayStation(R)2, Xbox(R) and Windows platforms.

Zale Corp. has created a new retail jewelry division, incorporating its signature Zales Jewelers chain, effective Feb. 17, and is rethinking its strategic repositioning of its Zales. It also said Friday that the president of Zales has resigned and that its second-quarter profits, was down 11.5 percent.

John A. Zimmermann has assumed the newly created position of president, Zale North America. The new retail jewelry division includes Zales in the United States and Canada’s Mappins Jewellers, and Peoples Jewellers (Canada’s largest), both owned by Zale Corp.

Zimmermann, formerly president of Zale Canada, has the responsibility for merchandising and store operations of Zales, Peoples and Mappins. He has 25 years of retail experience, the last five with Zale Corp.

We can lose it, we never find it and we always want it. It's sleep. Ask any traveler-especially one on business with high-adrenaline days-sleep is almost as valuable as gold. The marathon meetings, the late-night dinners, rushing to and from the airport and the multiple time zones all make getting a few winks harder to achieve.

It happens to most of us: a sleepless night in a hotel room just before a big meeting. You want to sleep. You need to sleep. No matter how hard you try, you just can't get to sleep.

No two small businesses are alike, but most want to be like their larger counterparts in some key respects. For example, even if you own a company with only a few really great customers, you want to be visible enough to attract new customers, boost your odds of securing repeat business and do all you can to improve customer satisfaction.

The key, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is having a business Web site. The SBA's own Web site notes that the Web "levels the playing field between small business and big business" because it is such a dynamic, inexpensive medium for advertising and customer service. "The Internet is making it possible for small- to medium-sized businesses to compete with the big guys," the SBA said.

On an average day, more than one million Americans visit tanning salons. Many of those people are high school and college students who want to get a base tan before heading to the beach or the pool.

But whether the tan comes from a salon, or the sun, young adults are not doing their skin any favors.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says chronic sun exposure eventually causes signs of premature aging - including wrinkles, sagging cheeks and skin discoloration. In other words, says AAP President Louis Z. Cooper, MD, FAAP, "All that effort put into looking 'good' now will probably leave high school and college students looking a lot worse in the future."

The 2006/2007 Autumn-Winter shows in Milan, the fashion centre of the world, will mark the official confirmation of the partnership of collaboration between Ducati Corse and C'N'C Costume National. Loris Capirossi to be present at C'N'C's new collection of street wear in the 06/07 Autumn-Winter Collection.

After the success of the first 2006 Spring/Summer collection with the "C'N'C Ducati" label, the Italian prêt-à-porter fashion company belonging to Carlo and Ennio Capasa, respectively managing-director and designer of Costume National, is now continuing along the same line, inspired by passion for motorcycles and dedicated to urban bikers. The synergetic and constructive rapport between the two companies has led C'N'C to cement even further its collaboration with Ducati by linking its brand and image with the world of racing and by becoming official sponsor of the Ducati MotoGP Team in the 2006 season.

The Dial Corp. has agreed to buy Right Guard and other deodorant brands from Procter & Gamble Co. for about $420 million.

Dial will acquire the No. 2 brand, along with Soft & Dri and Dry Idea, from P&G subsidiary Gillette Co. under the deal signed Monday. P&G was required to divest to win approval for its acquisition last year of Gillette.

P&G spokesman Terry Loftus said the Cincinnati company is keeping its Old Spice, Gillette series, Tag, Sure and Secret deodorant brands.

P&G is the leader in the U.S. market, followed by Netherlands-based Unilever NV, maker of Axe deodorants, Loftus said. Old Spice is the top men's deodorant in the U.S., followed by Right Guard

Dial, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., is the U.S. subsidiary of Duesseldorf-based Henkel KGaA. Dial's consumer brands include Purex, Tone, Renuzit and Soft Scrub.

Small businesses- from florists to realtors-are quickly catching on that e-mail marketing can be an effective way to quickly reach thousands of customers inexpensively.

E-mail marketing refers to the communications that businesses have with current customers who have given permission to receive e-mails about special offers and new products or services. By categorizing customers by their buying preferences and creating e-mail offers that address those preferences, a small business can personalize their marketing for the cost of a mouse click.

It seems small businesses are bracing for a big year. Two-thirds of small- and medium- sized-business owners said they expect their companies to grow in 2006, according to an Administaff Business Confidence Survey-and that's just the start of what could be welcome news for employees. How will these companies invest and in what direction will they grow? Experts offer these predictions for 2006 business trends:

Advancements In Technology

Forrester Research's Ken Vollmer writes that organizations are focusing on "Integration-centric business process management" solutions. These solutions involve improving interactions between co-workers, customers and business partners. In plainer terms, this could mean that 2006 is the year of the all-in-one device.

Long gone are the days of the weekly "wash and set" at the beauty parlor. Today-no matter what type of hair you have-there are products and hairstyles made for you.

A new online poll commissioned by Regis Corporation and conducted by Impulse Research Corporation of 1,631 women across the U.S. reveals that many of them aren't taking advantage of today's "hair technology." Based on their findings, Regis has put together a list of some essential hair "do's":

• Change Your Color With the Seasons: With today's advancements in color, you can lowlight, highlight or mix it up. Regis Salons' Mary Gail Hall suggests matching your color to the amount of sun in a season. "In the summer, add highlights to your hair to lighten it up. In the fall, add some lowlights to your hair and go a bit darker."

Wearing red-the color of life and love-can do more than help you stop traffic. It could help save lives.

As part of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, millions of women are wearing this joyful color to celebrate their commitment to keeping their hearts healthy.

The movement has helped revive interest in making the color red even more fashionable. Wearing this vibrant color offers women a chance to stand out and make a statement.

"Color is an easy and affordable way to express yourself through what you wear," says style and beauty expert Andy Paige. "Red is an empowering color. Once you feel the lift this color gives your spirits and see the attention it attracts, you may decide to make it a mainstay of your wardrobe all year."

L'Oreal SA, the world's largest maker of cosmetics, said it may make an offer for Body Shop International Plc, the U.K. retailer of natural cosmetics started by Anita Roddick. Body Shop's shares gained as much as 13 percent.

L'Oreal is considering a ``wide range of strategic alternatives,'' including a cash offer for Body Shop, the French owner of Lancome said today in a Regulatory News Service statement. The company said it hasn't approached Body Shop, which is based in the English town of Littlehampton.

Cosmetics companies are increasingly moving into retailing as more consumers purchase cosmetics at specialty chains rather than department stores. LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA has its own stable of Sephora stores to boost sales of products including Dior perfumes. Estee Lauder Cos., the maker of Clinique cosmetics, has MAC stores.

Tourneau Inc., the leading U.S. watch retailer, said Thursday that it is in a joint venture to start a chain of retail stores in China to sell luxury watches. Specifically, it has signed a letter of intent with Peace Mark (Holdings) Ltd. of Hong Kong, a leading manufacturer of watches, and the International Watch Group of New York City (and brought Tourneau and Peace Mark together) to form a company called Peace Mark Tourneau (Holdings) Limited. The transaction should be finalized by the end of March, subject to approval by the companies' boards of directors.

The new company will engage in retail distribution of luxury-brand timepieces to the high-end market in what it calls the "Greater China" region, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Its retail outlets will operate under Tourneau name. The first two will open this year in Shanghai; a total of 30 stores are planned to open within the next five years.

Picture taken at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California February 23,

Hollywood wants to return to its heyday of sophisticated glamour -- the days when a star was a star and knew how to dress like one -- at this year’s Academy Awards, fashion insiders say.

But don’t expect to see a single slinky fashion dominating the red carpet on Oscar night March 5.

A variety of styles will be key. Long, flowing silk charmeuse gowns will share the stage with vintage show-stealers from glamorous eras gone by. A smattering of ballet-length hems will be seen among floor-length gowns, and warm shades like copper and olive will vie with vivid hues of fuchsia and lilac.

Models for designers Dolce & Gabbana during their fall/winter 2006-2007

When Jennifer Lopez sashayed into Dolce & Gabbana's catwalk show on Thursday, she was met with whoops and roaring applause as even the front rows -- packed with top buyers and the cream of the fashion press -- stood to get a glimpse of the pop diva.

But Lopez, in a figure-hugging dress, was all but eclipsed by the rich gold embroidery and sumptuous empire-line brocades that filled a collection inspired by Napoleon and his time.

"It was so beautiful, so gorgeous," Lopez told Reuters backstage after the show as she sat between designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. "It was everything you expect from Dolce & Gabbana -- sexy, powerful, ethereal."

New studies indicating a low-fat diet does not reduce the risk of cancer and calcium supplements do little to prevent broken bones are unlikely to change consumers' habits and may only add to confusion about the link between diet and health.

In the last year, researchers have released a series of medical studies that fly in the face of conventional wisdom, which holds that weight loss, nutritional supplements and diets low in fat and calories help fight disease and prolong life.

But three studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association published earlier this month showed that women who ate less fat and more fruits and vegetables did not reduce their risk of cancer or heart disease. And Wednesday's New England Journal of Medicine found that calcium and vitamin D supplements were unlikely to prevent broken bones in women as they age.

What do you get for the star who apparently has everything?

How about a diamond-encrusted bra and panty set? Or a 22-carat gold leaf and crystal hammer, value $2,500?

These are just some of the goodies being sent to Oscar nominees this year in an explosion of celebrity gifting by companies hoping for the kind of publicity that money can't buy -- a star seen using their phone, wearing their purse or gushing about their coffee machine.

What started out in 1989 as a discreet thank you gift from Oscar organizers to the (unpaid) presenters of the Academy Awards has turned into a multimillion-dollar industry that has spawned a wave of freelance gifting and the arrival of the "gift lounge" at most of Hollywood's movie and music awards ceremonies.

"It's certainly something that the Elizabeth Ardens and Casios and Procter & Gambles of the world have seen and deemed to be so valuable that they do it year after year," said Lash Fary, owner of Los Angeles-based Distinctive Assets.

Italian fashion group Prada SpA said Thursday it has agreed to sell its Jil Sander label to Change Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in branded goods and retail.

Prada did not disclose the agreed price for Jil Sander, which is on track to break even on an operating basis in 2006 on expected sales of more than euro140 million ($166 million).

Avon Products Inc. the world's largest direct seller of cosmetics, on Friday said its turnaround plan would cost about $500 million, the high end of its previously announced $300 million to $500 million range.

The company also said it still expects revenue to be flat to up slightly this year.

Avon has pegged 2006 as a transitional year as it cuts jobs, increases advertising spending by 50 percent and works on other plans to improve sluggish results. The company was pressured in 2005 as lower-income consumers curbed purchases and competitors rolled out new skin-care products.

There has been so much in the news lately about James Frey’s book, A Million Little Pieces, and the fact that his “memoir” was based on false events. I even read in the NY Post this morning that Frey has lost his book deal with his current publisher, Penguin-owned imprint Riverhead, as a result. But was his lie really such a bad thing?

You have to remember that most of what we see in the media is an exaggerated or altogether false account of reality. So sometimes you have to exaggerate the truth to make a point. And in Frey’s case, I think that his book has accomplished a lot of good. This is something I’ve witness firsthand.

One of my best girl friends mother is an alcoholic and has been for most of her life. Luckily, her mother always watches Oprah because 1) she loves Oprah and 2) it comes on around the time she is coming out of her daily drunken stooper. Thankfully, she caught the episode with Frey. I guess his story triggered something in her because she went out that same day to buy his book. It took her all of three days to finish the book and she hasn’t had a drink since then.

So why does it matter that Frey wasn’t completely honest about all the events in his memoir? Maybe he should have labeled it a fictional account based loosely on his life, but I don’t know that it would have had the same impact. I guess when all is said and done, it is up to each individual to see if they can take a piece from his story and learn from it.

On a recent posting I wrote about the scandal surrounding James Frey’s bestselling book, A Million Little Pieces. One of the comments I made regarded the illusions made in the media and the fact that everything is not always what it seems. A perfect example is reality TV. In particular, Project Runway is notorious for doing voiceovers during the elimination round. In one shot you see Heidi Klum talking to the designers and then they cut away to a reaction shot of the designer. This is where they add in the new dialogue.

Klum isn’t alone though. Editors take creative licenses all the time, creating their own alternate reality. But hey, it often makes for a more entertaining story.

As a filmmaker myself, I find it hilarious how easy it is to change the final outcome with some fancy editing. I recently came across several re-cut trailers from hit films like Top Gun, Fight Club and Brokeback Mountain. Today I found one for The Shining. If you’re a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s hit thriller, you already know the storyline. If you’re not from this planet, the movie is about an alcoholic writer, played by Jack Nicholson, who gets a winter job maintaining a snowbound resort. The endless months end up pushing him to the break of insanity, leaving his doting family at the wrong end of an ax.

In the new trailer, some amazing editor has reworked the entire film, making it come across as a comedy, comparable to As Good As It Gets. In it, the little boy in the film, who has no father, goes on a trip with his mother, only to meet an alcoholic writer who he befriends. Not only is this one of the most hysterical things I’ve seen in ages, but it’s one of the cleverest things too.

So the next time you’re watching reality TV, remember that it is probably less reality and more make believe from the mind of an amazing editor.

You can check out the re-cut trailer for The Shining by clicking HERE (Shining Trailer).

In the business of print media I view dozens of publications each month as resources to cater my editorial pitches, view trends and leisurely reading. If I can ever get to the editorial hidden amongst the overwhelming ads, that is. We view an advertisement as a message looking to provoke or persuade. When we look at Dolce & Gabbana’s GQ ads, the most confrontational of the prints, I can’t help but wonder the reasoning behind the blatant gay references. If you’ve yet to witness these overly provocative pages, you’re missing out on greasy bodies, raunchy innuendos and stares of sexual prowess.

Scientists now say sunlight in the form of UVB rays isn't the main culprit in melanoma.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Getting a lot of sun early in life is linked to melanoma. It's also linked to nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

As one gets more and more UVB exposure over time, one's risk of BCC and SCC goes up. That isn't true for melanoma. Now researchers may know why.

Longing to get that Hollywood glow, those pouty lips, or smoky eyes? Four top celebrity makeup artists reveal their secrets.

So you're not in Hollywood, prancing down Oscar's red carpet and clutching at a golden statue. That doesn't mean you can't look the part. As gilded and glamorous as these cinema lilies are, beauty experts say getting that red carpet glow is not all that difficult -- if you know the right products to try.

"It's all about the products -- it's knowing what to use and how to use it -- that's what makes Hollywood glamour," says legendary celebrity makeup artist Adrien Arpel, who now conducts the "world's largest beauty classroom" seen regularly on the Home Shopping Network and HSN.com.

Men flocked to stores to buy suits and other tailored clothing last year, helping drive U.S. apparel sales up 4 percent overall, according to an industry study released on Tuesday.

Men spent almost $53 billion on apparel in 2005, up 5 percent from 2004, according to the study by retail research group NPD.

Spending on women's clothing rose 3 percent to $101 billion, while spending on children's apparel rose 2 percent.

"The surge in men's apparel sales came from some of the most unexpected places, such as young men buying a suit," Marshal Cohen, who headed the study, said in a statement. "We are seeing a shift in the younger generation reaching their image through grooming and dressing up."

Indeed, Casual Male Retail Group Inc. (CMRG.O: Quote, Profile, Research), known for its chain of Big & Tall stores for men, has said it will change the name and design of its flagship stores to better attract a younger, thinner, more fashion-conscious customer.

The week of preview showings that ended Saturday produced lots of beautiful clothes but no clear look for the fall-winter 2006-2007.

In the past, each season had a theme common to most designers from feminine and romantic to sporty and classic, to sensual and sexy - the latter for many years the trademark of Italian fashion.

Donatella Versace, who Friday night showed a collection based on geometric silhouettes, puts the "blame" on the client, not the designer.

"Women today dress above all to please themselves," she said before the show, implying that no man - or designer - is going to tell them what to wear.

The antidote to this fashion independence is to offer lots of choice, which is what next winter is all about.

Amid gawking stargazers and a grinding mix of '70s rock, socialite/designer Nicky Hilton unveiled her new upscale fashion line at a hip Las Vegas nightclub.

Nicky Hilton Beverly Hills is the sequel to Hilton's Chick, a tween-targeted casual wear line that was launched in 2004.

Hilton, 22, said her latest creations are "clothes my friends and I could wear," adding that her designs will sell for far less than what she and her friends could afford to pay.

"This ain't Prada," said the hotel heiress, who is the sister of "The Simple Life" star Paris Hilton.

She was one of several celebrities promoting their clothing lines at the MAGIC fashion industry trade show this week. Along with actress Jaime Pressly, hip-hop star Nelly and sports stars Magic Johnson and Randy Moss - all pushing their lines - the convention drew more than 100,000 designers, buyers and manufacturers to the Las Vegas Hilton.

MAGIC is known as the practical, business-minded companion to New York Fashion Week. The clothes follow a more direct path from runway to rack.

Feb. 26: Actress Betty Hutton is 85. Singer Fats Domino is 78. Guitarist Paul Cotton of Poco is 63. Singer Mitch Ryder is 61. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain of Journey is 56. Singer Michael Bolton is 53. Actor Greg Germann ("Ally McBeal") is 48. Actress Jennifer Grant is 40. Singer Erykah Badu is 35. R&B singer Rico Wade of Society of Soul is 34. Singer Kyle Norman of Jagged Edge is 31.

Seven paratroopers from the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division have been charged with being paid to have sex that was filmed for a gay pornographic Web site, an Army spokesman said on Saturday.

Three men will face court-martial on charges of sodomy, pandering and engaging in sex for money while being filmed, said Pfc. James Wilt, an 82nd Airborne spokesman. Having sex while being taped is illegal under the U.S. Military Code of Justice.

WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST-SELLERS

FICTION

1. "5th Horseman" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Little, Brown)

2. "Cell: A Novel" by Stephen King (Scribner)

3. "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown (Doubleday)

4. "The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury (Dutton)

5. "In the Company of the Courtesan" by Sarah Dunant (Random House)