Month: March 2010

In this photo provided by AT&T, PADRES Contra El Cancer national spokeswoman Eva Longoria Parker watches as cancer survivor Jaylen McWilliams, 6, shows off his dance moves Saturday morning, March 20, 2010 in Burbank, Calif. AT&T presented a check of $300,000 and celebrated a $1 million total donation from AT&T to PADRES, an organization which raises money to support families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer. Photo, AT&T, Susan Goldman, handout. (PRNewsFoto/AT&T Inc) BURBANK, CA UNITED STATES

21 Mar 2010 01:12 Africa/Lagos

Eva Longoria Parker to Celebrate AT&T $1 Million Total Donation to PADRES Contra El Cancer

Longoria Parker to Accept Oversized Check from AT&T in Support of Young Cancer Patients and Their Families

BURBANK, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T* today presented a $300,000 check to PADRES Contra El Cancer (PADRES) national spokeswoman Eva Longoria Parker, signifying a $1 million total donation to benefit the organization. The money was raised during AT&T’s fourth annual campaign to benefit PADRES, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100320/AQSA001 )

“I’m thrilled to accept a fourth check from AT&T, especially since today we are celebrating a $1 million total donation to PADRES,” said Longoria Parker, actress and PADRES national spokeswoman. “This organization is near and dear to my heart and I’m so thankful that the money donated by AT&T will help us continue supporting families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer.”

Adds Beto Cuevas, three-time Grammy winner and PADRES Ambassador, “PADRES is providing critical support to Hispanic families in the most trying times when they need it most.”

This year, for every LG phone purchased between November 22 and January 2 in AT&T’s more than 130 retail stores in the Greater Los Angeles area, AT&T donated $20 to PADRES. Customers who purchased LG phones also received a free LOUVER by Louis Verdad designer cap.

“In times like these it’s so important to support community organizations like PADRES, which has given hope to so many families,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles Area. “We are proud to have once again partnered with PADRES and delighted that we have reached the $1 million mark.”

Cancer affects approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50 percent of those children are Latino. In California, cancer kills more children from birth to age 14 than any other disease.(1)

For more information about PADRES, visit http://www.iamhope.org/.

Note: This AT&T release and other news announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

ABOUT PADRES

PADRES Contra El Cancer (PADRES) is a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families. PADRES programs, activities and services, while primarily oriented to the Latino community, serve childhood cancer patients from all races and ethnic origins. No family is turned away. Celebrating more than 20 years of service, PADRES brings together children, families, healthcare professionals and community leaders to promote a comprehensive understanding of childhood cancer and other blood disorders, as well as effective methods for treatment. Since March 2005, actress Eva Longoria Parker has served as the organization’s national spokesperson. To learn more about PADRES, visit http://iamhope.org/.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T’s Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

(C) 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

(1) California Cancer Registry (CCR) and American Cancer Society, California Facts and Figures, 2010

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100320/AQSA001
Source: AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Deborah Rapoport of Fleishman-Hillard, +1-310-482-4276, or
mobile, +1-310-561-0621, drapoport@attnews.us, for AT&T Inc.

Web Site: http://www.att.com/

18 Mar 2010 02:55 Africa/Lagos

UPDATE #2: Los Angeles Premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – March 21st, 2010

LOS ANGELES, March 17 /PRNewswire/ —
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090316/DREAMWORKSLOGO)

WHAT: LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S “HOW TO TRAIN
YOUR DRAGON”

WHEN: Sunday, March 21, 2010, Promptly at 3:00 p.m.
Arrivals begin at 2:00 p.m.
Photo call for dragon training is at 1:30 p.m.
Press invited to “train dragon” at: 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: GIBSON AMPHITHEATRE
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

WHO: Cast members and filmmakers attending include: Jay Baruchel
(Hiccup), Gerard Butler (Stoick), Craig Ferguson (Gobber),
America Ferrera (Astrid), Jonah Hill (Snotlout), Christopher
Mintz-Plasse (Fishlegs), TJ Miller (Tuffnut), Kristen Wiig
(Ruffnut), Chris Sanders (director/co-writer), Dean
DeBlois (director/co-writer), Will Davies (writer),
Cressida Cowell (author – book), Kristine Belson (executive
producer), Tim Johnson (executive producer), Bonnie Arnold
(producer), Bruce Seifert (associate producer), John Powell
(composer)

Celebrities attending include: Jack Black, Andy Richter,
Rainn Wilson (The Office), Wayne Brady, Kenny “Babyface”
Edmonds, Eric McCormack, Marlon Wayans, Fred Willard, Tori
Spelling, Romany Malco (The Love Guru), Lil JJ (Men of a
Certain Age), Kim Raver (Grey’s Anatomy), Maxsim
Chmerkovskiy (Dancing With the Stars), Rico Rodriguez
(Modern Family), Holly Robinson Peete (Speed Dating)

Nickelodeon talent attending include: Ryan Ochoa (iCarly),
Sammi Hanratty (Suite Life of Zack and Cody), Jennette
McCurdy (iCarly)

**MORE TO BE ADDED AS RSVPS ARE RECEIVED**

ABOUT “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON”:

From the studio that brought you “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda” comes DreamWorks’ “How to Train Your Dragon.” Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup’s world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.
Release: March 26, 2010
This film has been rated PG for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language.
ALL PRESS MUST BE ACCREDITED TO COVER THE EVENT
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090316/DREAMWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Paramount Pictures
CONTACT: Broadcast, Gail Silverman, gail_silverman@paramount.com; or
Print/Online, Wendy Martino, wendy_martino@paramount.com; or Photo,
photo_rsvp@paramount.com, all of Paramount Pictures

16 Mar 2010 00:37 Africa/Lagos

Next Up On ‘THE MO’NIQUE SHOW’….

NEW YORK, March 15 /PRNewswire/ — It’s getting hot in here! BET’s queen of late night, Mo’Nique, is cranking up the heat with another exciting week of must-see celebrity interviews and sizzling musical performances. The recent “Best Supporting Actress” Academy Award® winner is in high gear and ready to knock viewers off their seats. Check out Mo’Nique showcasing her talent and interviewing the hottest stars weeknights at 11:00 p.m.* on BET.

BET Networks’ #1 late night show, THE MO’NIQUE SHOW keeps the late night party going. From A-list celebrity guests to sizzling performances by the hottest musical artists in the game, Mo’Nique delivers viewers a fun-filled hour of entertainment. Here’s a look at what’s ahead on THE MO’NIQUE SHOW.

THIS WEEK ON THE MO’NIQUE SHOW

Monday, March 15
Cast of Showtime’s “Soul Food”
Music: Donell Jones

Tuesday, March 16
Rochelle Aytes
Marcus Paulk
Music: Teairra Mari ft. Soulja Boy

Wednesday, March 17
Geoffrey Fletcher
Music: Maysa

Thursday, March 18
Roland Martin
Judith Jamison
Performance: Alvin Ailey Dancers

Friday, March 19 (Repeat Episode)
Danny Glover
Jermaine Dupri
Music: Kurtis Blow & Furious 5

For more information about THE MO’NIQUE SHOW, please visit www.bet.com.

*All times ET/PT.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks – BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Press, Tricia N. Newell of BET Networks, +1-212-975-8230,
tricia.newell@bet.net

Web Site: http://www.bet.com/

Nneka is 2010’s First Breakout Artist to perform on “The Late Show with David Letterman” on February 3rd.

“…righteously bold and heartbreakingly fragile.”
-SPIN, 10 To Watch in 2010

“Nneka…is pure hotness.”
-Rolling Stone

Nneka had a successful US tour from January 27th to Valentine’s Day. It was called the Concrete Jungle Tour and launched her stateside debut album that was released on February 2nd.
The tour took her to 14 cities across the US, including New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Nneka made her US late night television debut on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” on February 3rd.

Rolling Stone selected her as an Artist to Watch in 2010, and her video for “The Uncomfortable Truth” has been getting regular spins on both BET and MTV.

Shot throughout the course of her recent November 2009 visit to the US, the Who Is Nneka? video is an intimate look at the artist.
“My main message is to wake people up,” Nneka said. “To make them feel themselves; to make them feel their spirit; to be in touch with their innermost.”

From the critical acclaim of her recent collaborative mixtape The Madness (Onye-Ala) with DJ and producer extraordinaire J.Period to her sold-out performances with The Roots in NYC, Nneka’s certainly only just getting started.

“There’s so much that I, myself, have to learn in my life…and there’s still much that I do not know. At the same time I’m sharing my music with people, [I’m] learning from that sharing.”

For more information or to interview Nneka, give us a ring!

Pam Nashel Leto (212) 989-2222 x 111 pam@Girlie.com
Kabeer Malhotra (212) 989-2222 x 123 kabeer@Girlie.com
Vickie Starr (212) 989-2222, x101 vickie@girlie.com
Alexandra Dunne (212) 833-5429 alexandra.dunne@sonymusic.com

www.myspace.com/nnekaworld

FINAL FANTASY XIII LAUNCHES IN NORTH AMERICA TODAY
The Battle Within Begins! Experience the Next Evolution of FINAL FANTASY with the Most Highly Anticipated RPG of This Generation

LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that the eagerly anticipated 13th entry in the series, FINAL FANTASY® XIII, is now available at retail outlets across the nation. Developed for both the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, FINAL FANTASY XIII marks the dawning of a new era for the celebrated franchise.

“It is with great joy and pride that we send FINAL FANTASY XIII into players’ hands today,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. “The series has come a long way since its first release over 20 years ago, and FINAL FANTASY XIII is proof that our stance in reinventing the series with each installment remains strong to this day. With an innovative battle system, groundbreaking visuals and an intriguing cast of characters, FINAL FANTASY XIII is the ultimate RPG package, and we are thrilled that players around the world can finally experience the game firsthand.”

Offering nothing less than the finest creative vision, graphical quality and gameplay system of its generation with every installment, the FINAL FANTASY series has continued to captivate audiences around the globe, shipping over 92 million copies worldwide. FINAL FANTASY XIII is no exception to this legacy, and promises to introduce players to a dynamic gaming experience with breathtaking, never-before-seen sights, unparalleled storytelling and an addictive new battle system.

Story
Cocoon — a utopia in the sky.
Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise.
Under the Sanctum’s rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity.

Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal’Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever.

Their tranquility was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal’Cie.

The moment that fal’Cie from Pulse — the feared and detested lowerworld — awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end.

Fal’Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants.

They become l’Cie — chosen of the fal’Cie.

Those branded with the mark of a l’Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself.

A prayer for redemption.

A wish to protect the world.

A promise to challenge destiny.

After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins.

Features
Take Part in a Gaming Experience That Sets New Standards – The first in the series developed for a simultaneous release on multiple high-definition consoles, FINAL FANTASY XIII pushes new boundaries in cinematic presentation, sound and gameplay.
Experience the Unity of Speed and Strategy with the Ultimate Active Time Battle System – The familiar system has evolved, granting players the freedom of executing numerous commands in a single turn with the multi-slot ATB gauge. Whether inputting singular commands in each slot for consecutive attacks, or expending multiple slots at once to activate a devastating blow, it’s up to the players to respond effectively to the battle conditions at hand.

Adapt to the Ever-Changing Tide of Battle with Paradigms – A brand-new game mechanic enabling players to assign roles to their party members at any time during battle, shifting between combat paradigms. Consisting of various combinations of the game’s six roles, ranging from Commando, the offensive specialist, to Medic, the quintessential healer, paradigms allow players to respond and adapt instantly to any given situation to turn the tide and seize victory.

Witness the Battle Scene Transform with an All-New Summon System – Introducing Gestalt Mode, a powerful dimension of the summon system that elevates the action to a whole new level. In Gestalt Mode, characters and their transformed Eidolons fight as one, dealing massive damage to enemies through simple button commands.
Delve Into an Emotional Experience – An immersive storyline connects players to an intriguing cast of characters. Will they have the strength to confront their cursed fates, or will destiny prevail over all that they believe in?

A Brand-New Song for an International Audience – Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Leona Lewis has come on board with Square Enix to provide her new song, “My Hands,” for the North American and European versions.
About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America, and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises —

FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 92 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 53 million units worldwide — under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

Media Contact:
Sonia Im/Amelia Cantlay/Klee Kuo
Square Enix, Inc.
310.846.0400
na.pr@square-enix.com
Jennifer Poulson/Monica Bouldin
Ogilvy Public Relations for Square Enix, Inc.
310.248.6113/310.248.6114
jennifer.poulson@ogilvypr.com

monica.bouldin@ogilvypr.com

———-
©2009, 2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA. DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from the owner.

Director Mahama Johnson Traoré © Monique Phoba, 2009.
.

One of Africa’s foremost filmmakers, Mahama Johnson Traore of Senegal died Monday morning in Paris after a protracted illness. He was 68 years old.

He was trained in France and shot his first film, “Diankha-bi” (The Maiden, in Wolof) in 1968.