Boy Scouts Welcome New Chief

Posted by Shane Rhyne – March 18, 2010

KNOXVILLE, TN (March 18, 2010) — The Great Smokies Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America has a new Scout Executive.

Larry Brown comes to Knoxville from Tulsa, Oklahoma. A group of local Scout volunteers and supporters chose him from three finalists, all of whom were already Scout professionals.

“We felt like Larry would be an exceptionally good fit for East Tennessee,” said Council President Bob Talbott. “He understands our region; he shares our values and is committed to the 21 counties that we serve.”

“Obviously it’s a great honor to lead a Council with the history and continuous stability of the Great Smoky Mountains,” said Brown. “I hope to be here a very long time.”

Brown has been with the Scouts since 1986 having worked in Tallahassee and Tampa Florida, then Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina. For the past several years he has been the BSA’s Southern Region Area Director, supporting 9 different councils in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

“His understanding of our needs, both to serve young men and to attend to the business side of the Council were very important to us,” said Talbott.

“I look forward to working with our Scouts, Scout staff and volunteers all across East Tennessee,” said Brown. “I also look forward to backpacking the mountains with my family.”

Brown lists backpacking with his two daughters and time with his wife Carol as favorite pastimes, along with golf and tennis.

Brown has a BS degree in Computer Information Systems from Jacksonville State University, where he played on the 1985 NCAA Division II National Basketball Championship team.

Brown takes over from Ken Melhorn, who accepted a position as Scout Executive with the Council that serves the San Francisco area.

# # #

MEDIA NOTE: Brown has started his new job and is available for interviews. A digital image is available upon request.

For more information contact:
Mike Cohen, Ackermann PR
865-584-0550 office/865-659-4750 cell
MCohen@AckermannPR.com
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Lower Price Music Packages Praised by Top Distributor

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 18, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. - The CEO of one of America’s largest music distribution companies said today that packaging music for consumers priced at $10 or less is a key  part of the industry’s future.

“Last week, Warner recording artist Blake Shelton, came out with a “six pack”, (six songs sold for $6 in Walmart), and now Universal Music Group is endorsing the same concept by offering a wide range of music for under $10.” said Charlie Anderson, CEO of Anderson Merchandisers.  “I applaud them.  We all know this is where the music industry must head.”

Anderson Merchandisers, headquartered in Amarillo, TX, distributes music to all Walmart stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as to AAFES, the on-base stores for military bases.  No other American firm distributes more albums than Anderson.

“The change from vinyl albums to tapes to CD’s basically left the same album format in place,” said Anderson.  “The one song digital download has changed all that.  We need to keep pace with our consumers who are seeking more flexibility and value, both digitally and on disc.”

“What we all need to realize is that building a system that is more responsive to what consumers want is in everybody’s best interest.  No matter what the delivery system, it is still real talent that makes music sell.”

Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is one of the nation’s largest distributors of pre-recorded music, movies, and books.

A privately held company, Anderson Merchandisers, L.P. is an affiliate of Anderson Media, headquartered in Knoxville, TN which was established in 1917.  The company has more than 4,000 associates across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. 

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

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WBIR will broadcast three-hour special “An Evening Aboard The Titanic” this Saturday at 8 p.m.

Posted by Rick Laney – March 17, 2010

Beth Haynes, WBIR, Titanic Museum Attraction

Beth Haynes and the priceless life vest worn by Madeleine Astor, wife of Colonel John Jacob Astor (one of the wealthiest men in the world at the time) when she escaped the Titanic into a lifeboat. She wore the life vest 24-hours a day for three days and removed it only after reaching New York.

Knoxville, Tenn. — This Saturday evening Knoxville’s WBIR will broadcast three hours of Titanic programming beginning at 8 p.m.  The special, called “An Evening Aboard The Titanic” starts with a two-hour documentary produced by John Joslyn, owner of the new Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge.  Joslyn organized the $6 million expedition in 1987 that brought the world its first images of the Titanic in her final resting place two and a half miles beneath the surface of the ocean.  The documentary follows Joslyn and his crew as they spend 45 days at sea and make 32 dives to the Titanic to capture riveting video.

Following the documentary, at 10 p.m., Beth Haynes has produced and will host an hour-long behind-the-scenes look at the new Titanic Museum Attraction called “Titanic: The East Tennessee Experience.”  Viewers will get a sneak peek at the museum, see some of its priceless artifacts, and hear interviews with the owners, workers and Jaynee the First Class Maid and spokeswoman for the Titanic Museum Attraction.

The new $25 million dollar permanent Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. will open on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. with a star-studded Grand Opening hosted by Regis Philbin.  The event, which is open to the public, also will be attended by descendants and family members of those on board the Titanic and includes a christening of the ship.

Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck reproduction of the Titanic.  The museum houses 20 galleries to display hundreds of authentic, priceless Titanic artifacts that were either carried from the ship and into lifeboats by passengers and crew, or were found afloat soon after the sinking and quickly salvaged by rescue boats.

Inside the Titanic Museum, visitors find full-size reproductions (built to actual Titanic blueprints) of a First Class suite, First Class hallways, Third Class accommodations and – the museum’s centerpiece – a $1 million exact reproduction of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase.  The First Class suite will be a tribute to Isidor and Ida Straus, owners of Macy’s Department Stores, which  was also the cabin used in James Cameron’s blockbuster movie Titanic as Rose’s suite.

This key belonged to a crew member who perished when Titanic sank. Valued at $150,000, it will be one of nearly 400 artifacts displayed at the new Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge. Learn more this Saturday on WBIR at 8 p.m.

“We pay respect to Titanic by telling the story of the ship and her passengers,” said John Joslyn, owner of the new Titanic Museum Attraction.  “Visitors learn the individual stories of those onboard the ship as they are learning about the ship itself.  We have spent years researching these people – and their stories are absolutely amazing.

“In addition to an unparalleled collection of artifacts, we have built the Titanic Museum as a completely interactive attraction.  You hear the wonderful stories as you’re going through the museum, but you are also experiencing things the way they were in 1912 when Titanic sailed.  It’s one thing to hear about the men who shoveled coal into the boilers – but it comes to life for you when you pick up that shovel and feel what it means to shovel coal into a furnace.”

In addition to being a world class museum in the truest sense of the word, Titanic Pigeon Forge is also highly interactive and offers a hands-on experience for children, teenagers and adults.  The ship is anchored in water to create the illusion of Titanic at sea, and a two hour self-guided tour gives guests the sensation of sailing on the original ship’s 1912 maiden voyage. Upon entry, each guest receives a boarding pass bearing the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member whose fate is revealed on the Memorial Wall at tour end.

Watch the promotional spot for this special Titanic Event below and tune in this Saturday evening, March 20, 2010 at 8 p.m. for “An Evening Aboard The Titanic” on WBIR.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

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East Tennessee Medical Group focuses on commitment to recycle

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – March 17, 2010

Alcoa, Tenn. (March 17, 2010) – Imagine 53 dump trucks, containing paper, cardboard and aluminum, parked end-to-end across East Tennessee Medical Group’s parking lot, 266 Joule Street.

The contents of those 53 trucks are the equivalent of the materials ETMG shredded and recycled in 2009.

Since its beginning, the ETMG recycling program has been a rousing success. According to Rocky Davis, ETMG’s Director of Facilities and Safety, results for 2009 show ETMG recycled 31.4 tons of recyclable paper, which is equivalent to 6.3 million sheets of paper and saves:

  • A forest of 534 trees
  • 219,660 gallons of water
  • 12,552 kilowatts of energy
  • 2,824 cubic feet of landfill space
  • 33,138 gallons of gasoline

In addition, ETMG recycled 409 cubic yards of cardboard and 7,020 gallons of aluminum and #2 plastic.

Ron German, CEO of ETMG, said the practice’s employees have solidly embraced the act of processing used materials to create new products. The physician group uses Smith and Hammaker and SPECTRA to assist in its recycling goals.

“We’re committed to making our region a better place. A successful recycling program is one way we can give back to the community,” he said. “Our enthusiasm is high to surpass last year’s numbers and become ‘greener’ as 2010 progresses.”

East Tennessee Medical Group is a 48-provider multi-specialty medical group in Alcoa, serving Blount County for over 15 years.  Recently, ETMG was recognized as the #1 HealthCare Facility in Blount County by the Daily Times Reader’s Choice Awards.  For more information, call 984-ETMG or visit its website at www.etmg.net.

# # #

Media Contact:
Ron German
(865) 984-ETMG
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Tennessee State Legislators Mark National Colon Cancer Month with Briefing on Revolutionary New Colon Cancer Test

Posted by Shane Rhyne – March 17, 2010

Nashville, TN – (March 17,2010) – EDP Biotech, a Knoxville-based company today briefed Tennessee state legislators on its revolutionary ColoMarker™ colon cancer test which potentially could save 50,000 lives and more than $12 billion in healthcare costs annually in the U.S.  Legislators were also provided the opportunity to personally experience the ColoMarker™ test by enrolling in the control study group for EDP’s latest research.  The briefing and test were scheduled to coincide with National Colon Cancer Month, which is being observed throughout March 2010.

The company’s innovative colon cancer test has the potential to save thousands of lives each year through a simple blood test.  By measuring a unique biomarker discovered by EDP Biotech and a testing process that utilizes inexpensive existing technology, ColoMarker™ has shown a greater than 99% accuracy rate for detecting colon cancer in the most treatable stages (I, II and III).  This can be accomplished at a cost that should make ColoMarker accessible and affordable to all individuals.

“The State of Tennessee has one of the highest incidence rates of and mortality rates for colon cancer in the United States.  As a Tennessee-based company actively addressing this devastating disease, we wanted to make the state’s legislators aware of ColoMarker™ and the impact it can have on people’s lives and the U.S. healthcare system”, stated Dr. Kevin Jones, EDP Biotech, Chief Scientific Officer.  “Some 1200 Tennesseans lose their battle with colon cancer each year.  Most of these lives could have been saved with early detection.  Based on the encouraging results of our pre-clinical trials, we believe ColoMarker™ can be used for early detection, which will reduce colon cancer deaths in Tennessee and throughout the world.”

Early detection of colon cancer will save lives.  Yet, less than 20% of Americans who should be screened by colonoscopy actually are.  The ColoMarker™ test has the ability to reduce the physical, psychological and financial barriers to early screening.  EDP Biotech has achieved a significant milestone in developing a simple blood test that will have the potential to reach people who otherwise would not participate in more invasive screening procedures.

“EDP Biotech and its ColoMarker™ product is an excellent example of companies in Tennessee who are making significant contributions to our state, our country and the world”, commented State Representative Joe Armstrong, who is Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee.  “Through today’s briefing and the opportunity for Tennessee legislators to take the ColoMarker™ test, we are clearly demonstrating that the State of Tennessee is very serious about reducing mortality rates and healthcare costs for colon cancer.”

# # #

About EDP Biotech Corporation

EDP Biotech (EDP) is a medical device company focused on the development and sale of immunodiagnostic tests for both humans and animals.  EDP utilizes more than 30 years of research and development in the identification and purification of proteins present in the early stages of biological changes for production of in vitro diagnostics test whose primary target is the development of early detection products.

Media Contact
Jeff Hooper
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550
jhooper@ackermannpr.com
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Clayton i-house Unveiled in Evans

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 16, 2010

Evans, Colo. –  The new, Energy Star™ rated i-house from Clayton Homes has arrived in the Evans area and can now be viewed, toured and purchased at Clayton Homes of Evans.  The model i-house – one of only a few nationwide – was built at Clayton’s Albuquerque facility.  

The eco-friendly Clayton i-house, which is now available for purchase, launched nationally at the Berkshire-Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Neb. on May 2, 2009 when Warren Buffett showed the i-house to attendees.  Since that time, the i-house has been featured on numerous national cable television news shows and in newspapers and magazines across the country. 

The i-house is Energy Star™ rated, which means the home is at least 30 percent more energy efficient according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Although home buyers are likely to first notice the stylish design, cutting-edge color combinations and modern furnishings, the i-house also features solar panels, a rain water catchment system, high-end “low e” windows, a tankless water heater, low-flow faucets, easily renewable bamboo flooring and many other energy saving items. 

“The i-house will change the way people look at our products and housing in general,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes.  “We build these homes in a controlled environment away from the weather, so there’s a huge quality benefit simply because of how we build a home.  We also have far less scrap in our building process than a traditional home, so there are tremendous cost savings we pass along to the homebuyer.”

Built with an exterior of cement board and architectural metal, the home’s most distinctive feature is the V-shaped roof over the primary living space that includes the i-house’s rainwater catchment system and solar panels. The primary living area includes a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and a deck connects it to a separate living area that features a bedroom or den, a full bath and a roof-top patio.

Clayton Homes says the i-house’s energy costs are less than $70 a month, but that figure drops to less than one dollar per day when the optional solar panel system is installed.

The i-house is consistent with the overall environmental focus at Clayton Homes, which is in the process of obtaining LEED certification – the national benchmark for eco-friendly design – at its Tennessee headquarters.  Clayton has cut energy costs at its offices by 28 percent over the last two years, and has already started implementing many of the “green” features of the i-house into its traditional homes.

Although the i-house is expected to be a popular primary residence, it is also drawing considerable interest from people who wish to have a second home or vacation home because of its affordability, unique design and energy efficiency.  The $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s tax credit, is expected to attract many first-time homebuyers, many of whom will be drawn to the modern design and energy efficiency of the i-house. More information is available at http://claytonihouse.com. 

Clayton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, has built 1.5 million homes since 1934.  Clayton homes are precision-built in 35 state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facilities strategically located throughout the United States. 

### 

About Clayton Homes:  A Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Clayton Homes is a national, vertically integrated housing company. Through its family of brands, Clayton Homes builds, sells, finances, leases, and insures a full spectrum of affordable housing and is the nation’s leader in housing.  Visit Clayton Homes at www.claytonhomes.com. 

The i-house can be viewed, toured and purchased at Clayton Homes of Evans, 3455 W. Service Rd., Evans, CO 80620.  For more information call Mike Jansen at (970) 339-5500.

Media Contact:
Ryan Willis
(865) 584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

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Giving Back to Fight Local Hunger

Posted by Ryan Willis – March 15, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. – Walmart is known for ‘every day low prices’ on thousands of items to cut costs for Americans, and its associates are hoping that those low prices will draw people to donate peanut butter and make their very first food drive for Second Harvest a great success. 

From noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 20th, Walmart associates in Sevierville and Knoxville will volunteer their time hosting a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. 

Volunteers will be outside each Walmart store to collect peanut butter for Second Harvest. Food items for donation do not have to be purchased at Walmart. Donors may even drive up and hand-off their donation to volunteers who will place it in the food drive barrels. Walmart customers are encouraged to come out in support and donate nutritious peanut butter. 

“The goal is to gather as much peanut butter as possible, no matter where it comes from,” says Jonathan Harness, a volunteer and Walmart employee. “Many children in our community are going to be hungry tonight.  That circumstance is unbearable to us. Walmart associates are thrilled to volunteer and help turn that situation around by partnering with Second Harvest.” 

“The demand for food is continuing to grow in East Tennessee and the situation is so dire for so many all across the country. It’s exciting to see a group of volunteers come together and organize something like this. They are really showing compassion for the hungry in this region,” said Elaine Streno, Executive Director of Second Harvest. 

*Please note that this is not a Walmart Corporation sanctioned event. 

If you are interested in supporting Second Harvest or are interested in setting up an interview with a Second Harvest representative, please call Elaine Streno at 865-850-4284.  

For more info visit: www.secondharvestknox.org. 

# # #

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982.  In 2009, this organization provided food for more than 9.7 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee.  With 6 major programs and over 500 non-profit partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee distributes food to more than 155,000 kids, adults and seniors each month.  The service area includes Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne , Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier and Union Counties.

Media Contact:
Mike Cohen
(865) 584-0550
mcohen@ackermannpr.com

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$1,000,000 up for Grabs in Ruby Tuesday’s Million Dollar Bracket Challenge

Posted by Amelia Daniels – March 10, 2010

Maryville, Tenn. – Ruby Tuesday – with more than 800 casual dining restaurants across the U.S. – is giving guests and NCAA basketball fans alike a chance to win $1 million cash in its 2010 Million Dollar Bracket Challenge Sweepstakes. Guests can enter to win by completing their brackets on Ruby Tuesday’s Facebook page through a custom-built application created especially for its guests.

“Ruby Tuesday is the place to be for March Madness,” says Kimberly Grant, Ruby Tuesday’s Executive Vice-President. “Not only do you have the chance to win a million dollars, but you can meet up with friends at your local Ruby Tuesday to watch your favorite teams play in high-definition.” Ruby Tuesday recently installed new high-definition televisions in all its restaurants and, where DirecTV is available, restaurants will show all of the games with the NCAA Mega March Madness Package. During game days, all guests seated in the bar area can take advantage of $2 off any appetizer, one-of-a-kind $5 premium well cocktails, and an adventurous craft beer line-up.

Registration for the $1 million prize will begin on Sunday, March 14 at 10 p.m. and end at 9 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 18.  “If you miss out on the perfect bracket, not to worry,” says Grant, “this is not a single elimination contest, so you can still win great prizes.” As the tournament progresses, guests have several ways to win: the traditional overall million dollar bracket, round-by-round play and by inviting Facebook friends to enter. Participants who fill out their brackets before the start of each round are registered to win high-end consumer electronics including 46” Sony LCD TVs, Sony Home Theater Systems, digital cameras and much more.

There is a social media component to this sweepstakes as well.  “The more Facebook friends you recruit to enter, the more chances you have to win great prizes,” says Grant.  More information about the Million Dollar Bracket Challenge, including the official sweepstakes rules, can be found at Facebook.com/RubyTuesday.

###

Media Contact
Amelia Daniels
Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550

About Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has company-owned and/or franchise Ruby Tuesday brand restaurants in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 14 foreign countries. As of March 2, 2010, the Company owned and operated 659 Ruby Tuesday restaurants, while domestic and international franchisees (including Hawaii) operated 168 and 57 restaurants, respectively. For more information on Ruby Tuesday, please visit the company website at www.RubyTuesday.com.  Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol:  RT).
Source: Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

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Tennessee company holds the keys to improved port security

Posted by Shane Rhyne – March 9, 2010

Knoxville, TN (March 9, 2010) – More than $12 trillion in merchandise is shipped annually using approximately 200 million intermodal containers, according to a recent cargo security study. Merchandise shipped via these containers includes items of high street value including cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, computers and other high tech devices, consumer electronics, and more. However, each year, approximately $50 billion worth of merchandise in these containers is lost to theft, fraud, and vandalism. In the end, the costs of theft and inefficiencies, along with the potential costs of security risks are passed along to the consumer.

Far away from the busy seaports, however, a company in Tennessee is hard at work developing a high tech solution that will free businesses from having to choose between cargo shipping efficiency and homeland security. The company, TrakLok Corporation, has developed the GeoLok™, a locking system for containers that not only monitors the container’s location as it travels, but also can refuse to open itself until the container has arrived safely at its intended destination. It is a seemingly simple idea, yet one that has the potential to impact 90% of all global trade.

Knoxville-based TrakLok Corporation announced today it has been received venture funding from Innova Memphis as part of the Tennessee Investment Company Credit Act (TNInvestco) in order to expand its efforts to bring its innovative tracking and security system to market at a time of increased attention to the importance of port security.  The funding will allow the company to continue set-up of its manufacturing process and to make critical sales and marketing hires. “We have been watching TrakLok since the Tennessee Innovation Conference organized by TTDC in late 2008. Since then, the company has made enormous progress on a very tight budget – we like companies that know how to stretch a dollar.” says Jan Bouten, Partner at Innova Memphis. “The company’s portable GeoLok brings an unprecedented level of visibility and security to the logistics industry and can save manufacturers and shipping companies billions per year.”

Formed in 2008, TrakLok has developed a series of patents to create an electronic lock system to combat theft, smuggling, and vandalism to the millions of cargo containers arriving at ports and rail yards throughout the world. The locks can deny or allow entry to a protected container based on a combination of time, location, and authorization codes.

The high-tech lock system also allows companies to track and locate containers, improving efficiency and reducing losses related to spoilage, misplaced containers, and related shipping delays.

“This award represents the important role TrakLok can play in improving homeland security at our nation’s shipping ports and improving business efficiency at the same time,” said Eric Dobson, TrakLok CEO and co-developer of the TrakLok concept. “Innova Memphis singled our business out for this funding because of the strength of our management team and the viability of our product in the marketplace.  We are thrilled to become the first TNInvestment.”

Eligible businesses for funding through the TNInvestco pool must be independently owned and operated Tennessee-based businesses with at least 60% of the company workforce located in the state. The funds are targeted to Tennessee businesses developing transformational technology.

# # #

Media Contact
Shane Rhyne, Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550

About TrakLok Corporation

TrakLok Corporation’s mission is to commercialize products and services into the global shipping industry to revolutionize both cargo security and efficiency in order to return value to its shareholders. The company offers products that provide physical security and global visibility for highly mobile cargo and containers. Using physical security technologies, wireless communications, and wireless sensor networking, the GeoLok™ and TrakLog™ solution provides lock-tight security with total asset visibility for high value and high interest shipments throughout the world. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. For additional information about TrakLok and its products, visit online at http://www.traklok.com

About Innova Memphis

Innova is a pre-seed, seed and early-stage investor focused on starting and funding high-growth companies in the biosciences, technology and agbio fields across the state of Tennessee. Through its relationship with the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Innova provides entrepreneurs with access to incubator facilities, training and mentoring, industry networks and seasoned executives. For more information, visit www.innovamemphis.com.

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Moving Picture Books teams with Sesame Street to help create and inspire young readers

Posted by Rick Laney – March 9, 2010

Knoxville, Tenn. –  Moving Picture Books is featuring a new series of Sesame Street digital books as part of its dynamic animated book library available at www.movingpicturebooks.com.  Six Sesame Street titles are available for download to computers and mobile devices. Each story includes bonus educational material featuring long-time cast member Bob McGrath who plays “Bob” on the award-winning children’s show.

These animated books can be viewed with or without the read-along English text displayed on the screen. Each title is eight to 10 minutes in length and closes with interactive questions and activities for viewers that pertain to the story.  Titles including “Elmo Loves You,” “Rise And Shine,” “The ABCs of Cookies,” “Grover’s 10 Terrific Ways To Help Our Wonderful World,” “What Makes You Giggle?” and “Elmo Visits The Dentist” are available for $1.99 each.

Bob McGrath

“Moving Picture Books brings a new dimension to some of Sesame Street’s best-selling traditional books as they spring to life on the screen,” said Sesame Workshop’s Jennifer A. Perry, Assistant Vice President & Editorial Director, Worldwide Publishing.  “We are always looking for new and relevant ways to extend the learning and fun of Sesame Street, and these Moving Picture Books provide a new media platform for parents and children to enjoy reading together.”

“Digital media offers a new technique for engaging children to read at an earlier stage of life,” said Dr. Robert Rider, Dean and Professor at the University of Tennessee’s College of Education.  “Using digital media and animated picture books helps to attract the attention of kids and helps them focus on fluency, literacy and vocabulary in a way that advances them to a much higher level of literacy.”

Meg Lonon, the Vice President and Development Director for Moving Picture Books and mother of two young children, said, “Parents can read along with their kids or download a story for them to enjoy while they navigate through their busy days.  Accessing these stories is easy and moms can take them along on car trips, to waiting rooms, grocery stores, sports practices or anywhere else they need to go.  Sesame Street stories from Moving Picture Books are perfect for those who are just learning to read, those who read well and for those who are struggling.”

Moving Picture Books Sesame Street titles will also be available for download through iTunes starting April 5.

Moving Picture Books are designed to engage and inspire young readers.  The read-along text versions of the books have been hailed by education professionals and parents as a great early reading tool.  In addition, all of the books feature age-appropriate lessons that all parents can appreciate like caring, sharing, honesty and self-reliance.  Lonon says, “Because they can be viewed on iPods and cell phones, they are a hit with children and parents everywhere you go.”

Bringing children’s books to life is Moving Picture Book’s business. By combining high quality animation, rich narration, sound effects and music, Moving Picture Books provide a fun and educational digital reading experience for children.  Moving Picture Books are also intended to support busy parents in the digital age. The company’s digital downloads allow children to easily engage in learning wherever they are – on the school bus, at the doctor’s office, the airport or waiting in line at a store.

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 140 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company and Pinky Dinky Doo.  Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning.  Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.

For more information or to download titles, visit www.MovingPictureBooks.com.

Media Contact
Rick Laney
(865) 584-0550
rlaney@ackermannpr.com

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