“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.

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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.

Knoxville

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.

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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.

Knoxville, Tenn

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

The Army found it could create housing for 1200 military medical trainees faster and more cost effectively by turning to modular construction. Some universities are reaching the same conclusion about how to quickly create more student housing…and do so while keeping costs down. 

At Fort Sam Houston the Army chose Trendsetter Construction’s modular design and construction process. In essence, 250,000 square feet of barracks were transported and assembled keeping the construction time involved to an absolute minimum.  That’s just the beginning. Eventually there will be five such buildings, supplying housing for 3,000 members of the armed forces. 

Trendsetter manufactured the modular units in their Belton, Texas facility and then transported each module to the site in San Antonio.  The building which stands four-stories tall, features 600 hotel-style apartments.  Along with Trendsetter, other companies involved in the project included, Hensel Phelps Construction Co., and the Warrior Group. 

“We have a strong team that includes our manufacturing partner and Hensel Phelps Construction Co, the general contractor,” said Gail Warrior-Lawrence, president of Warrior Group.  “It is an honor to be a part of providing housing for the men and women who defend America.” 

This type of construction allows for a speedier and more accurate construction, saving both time and money.  The manufacturing process also provides significant reduction in waste and energy costs.  “On typical project timelines, we can save 40-50% of the time on-site as compared to traditional construction techniques, while increasing control and reducing waste,” says Doug Henriquez, Trendsetter’s Director of Business Development.  “Our on-site finish includes assembly, corridor completions, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing connections.  This moves the bulk of work and risk to a manufacturing environment which increases consistency and accuracy.” 

“The Fort Sam Houston project has been such a rewarding project for our company,” added Henriquez.  “We were thrilled to be selected as the manufacturing partner on this job, and to be able to provide housing for the men and women serving our country as they go through their training programs.” 

Trendsetter is a subsidiary of Clayton Homes, a Berkshire-Hathaway Company. 

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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 number one retailer of modular and manufactured homes. Learn more at www.claytonhomes.com. Learn more about Trendsetter Construction, a Clayton subsidiary, at www.trendsetter-construction.com. 

MEDIA NOTE: Digital images available upon request

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

Knoxville

“All of our dealers put in a great deal of time and effort each day to help make our company a successful leader in the pet safety industry, and we are happy to recognize those leading the way,” said Lori Sharp, Invisible Fence Brand Manager.  “Each of these award winners has proven to be invaluable members of the Invisible Fence^® Brand Dealer Network and we feel fortunate to have them on our team.” 

This year’s National Dealer of the Year recipient in the Mega Dealer division is no stranger to the award.  For the past four years, Tony Hettinger with Invisible Fence of Upstate New York has owned this title.  “Tony has done an unbelievable job, growing his business in a market that has consistently produced the highest sales penetration performance for Invisible Fence^® Brand in the country,” said Sharp.  A consummate professional, Hettinger manages both the broader sales and installation activities while also focusing on the smaller, finer points of customer service that lead to extremely high levels of customer satisfaction. 

The other two deserving finalists in this category were Jim White, Invisible Fence of the Carolinas and Bradlee Arvin, Shelley Bennett & Bennett Associates of Invisible Fence Brand of Central Indiana. 

Top honors in the Super Dealer division went to Michael Dugan with Invisible Fence of Buffalo Niagara, located in Williamsville, N.Y.  To counteract a tough economy, Dugan made a number of changes that significantly impacted his dealership last year.  “We took a look at our processes and programs and decided to make a number of changes and improvements,” said Dugan.  “Fortunately we had an extremely successful year due in large part to the changes we made.”  Other finalists in the Super Dealer division were Jim White, Invisible Fence of Raleigh and Joyce Brennan and Kathy Orzey, Invisible Fence of Dundee-McHenry County. 

The Sprinter Cup division recognizes the achievements of the dealers located in smaller markets.  This year’s winner, Brodie Bergeson, resides in Montana, overseeing Invisible Fence of the Big Sky.  His Montana markets include Bozeman and Billings, where he doubled his sales in 2009.  “Even though he is in a small market, Brodie is just as tenacious and focused as our largest dealer in our largest market, said Sharp.  “This drive and determination is what has made him and his dealership the leader of our smaller market dealers.”  The two additional finalists in this division were Tim and Ann Schoenfelder, Invisible Fence of the Tennessee Valley and Juli Stroka, Canine Solutions by Invisible Fence Brand. 

Michael Sundbye of Invisible Fence of Northern Kentucky was named this year’s Rookie Dealer of the Year.  Sundbye may be in his first year as a dealer, but he is no rookie when it comes to Invisible Fence^® Brand, having been a part of the team since 2002.  “Michael has done an outstanding job in the short time he has been a dealer,” said Sharp.  “We couldn’t be more pleased with the success he has demonstrated in his first year and look forward to many more.”  The other finalist in the Rookie Dealer division was Tom Kurrack, Invisible Fence of Central Florida. 

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

Knoxville, Tenn.

Started at its unique Knoxville Training Center where the company has state-of-the-art classroom facilities, the free courses have been popular with businesses wanting to maximize their investment in today’s latest technologies.

Verizon Wireless Training Coordinator Dustin Lashley helps participants understand the nuances of using and simplifying over-the-air business platform transmissions.  He points out that programs like Google-sync can help business owners easily manage sensitive data entries.

“Many businesspeople need to be able to overcome scheduling conflicts when working away from the office,” Latchey explained.  “Various mobile platforms can help office employees seamlessly coordinate with business travelers while they are on the go.  The ability to share information between Blackberry and offices can help drastically simplify the lives of those in the office and those in the airport or hotel room.”

A Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless classroom

In addition to helping business students learn how to manage communication between office and remote personnel, the training sessions teach travelers how to allow friends and family members to access their calendars and travel schedules in a secure manner and make communications easier with those they care about.

Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless representatives participate in the training sessions explaining the latest mobile technologies and how to best use them to simplify their businesses and maximize returns from traveling and remote employees.

Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless is a 15-year old privately held company headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn.  The company currently operates throughout the United States.  Cellular Sales – which attributes its rapid growth to unparalleled customer service – now operates more than 300 locations throughout the country.  For the past two years, Inc. Magazine has named Cellular Sales one of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held companies. This year, the company was in the Top 200 for the nation’s fastest-growing retailers.

For more information about Cellular Sales Verizon Wireless store, visit the company’s web site at www.cellularsales.com or call (865) 588-3855.

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

Maryville, Tenn.

“This is a great opportunity for CMSS to expand our business and our existing footprint in Afghanistan,” said CMSS President, Eric Barton.  “We’ve had a great start to 2010 and are excited about the direction of the company as we continue to grow and expand throughout the year.” 

With this most recent contract awarded, CMSS has already secured 25 percent of its total new business revenue goal for the entire year.  As revenues grow, so to does the number of employees.  By the end of 2010, CMSS expects to add 77 new staff employees to support its global operations. 

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Critical Mission Support Services (CMSS) is a global “turn-key” service provider dedicated to delivering world-class solutions to complex projects around the globe.  The company offers a wide variety of services, including construction, life support, demining, logistics/procurement, security and IT communications.  

The company is headquartered in Maryville, with additional U.S. offices in San Antonio and offshore offices in Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, Jordan, and Libya.  

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

Knoxville

In just their second year, Tim and Ann Schoenfelder, owners of Invisible Fence of the Tennessee Valley have experienced a great deal of success despite the economy and tough business climate.  Although only in their second year as owners, the Schoenfelders are no strangers to the pet industry, possessing a wealth of previous experience. 

“We take a tremendous amount of pride in ensuring the safety and happiness of pets at home,” said Tim Schoenfelder.  “We are involved first-hand in the development of customized solutions for each and every customer, ensuring their complete satisfaction.” 

While the company has focused strongly on growing and continuing to succeed, Invisible Fence of the Tennessee Valley has also become very active in the local community.  They continue to work with local animal shelters, veterinarians and the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley on raising awareness around pet safety and reasonable solutions that are available. 

Another important community initiative the company is involved with is the donation of pet oxygen masks to local fire departments.  Just recently Invisible Fence of the Tennessee Valley donated masks to the Maryville Fire Department with the hopes of providing oxygen masks for pets to as many departments as possible in the future. 

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For more information on Invisible Fence of the Tennessee Valley, contact Tim Schoenfelder at (865) 588-2999 or tennesseevalley@invisiblefence.com. 

ABOUT INVISIBLE FENCE® BRAND
Invisible Fence® Brand is the original electronic fence pet containment system trusted for over three decades and has safely contained over 1 million pets. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Invisible Fence Brand is sold nationwide by professional dealers who offer Safe Dog® and Perfect Start™ Pet training and custom installation resulting in the best performance of the system and creating an environment of both safety and freedom for pets. For more information, visit www.invisiblefence.com. 

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

Asheville

“The solar age has dawned,” said FLS Energy’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Shore. “FLS Energy converted an old landfill to an electricity generation facility, creating jobs and clean energy along way.” 

This solar PV array project created five new construction jobs for a five month period and is expected to generate approximately 730,000 kilowatt-hours every year. This is roughly equivalent to the annual electricity demand from 51 average North Carolina homes. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 525 tons per year, which is the equivalent of removing 100 vehicles from the roads in Western North Carolina. 

“Sustainability and economic development can go hand-in-hand to provide solutions to climate change and the financial crisis,” said Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville).  “I am proud to welcome the area’s first solar farm, and look forward to the impact it will have on creating jobs and sustaining our planet.  This project, along with Asheville’s National Climactic Data Center, and dozens of growing clean energy businesses across the region, position Western North Carolina to become the national hub for green energy and green jobs.”  

This is the Progress Energy’s fourth large-scale solar PV array to begin operating in North Carolina. Another four are under contract. Including small-scale projects, Progress Energy has contracts for a total of more than 11,000 kilowatts of solar power. 

“We believe that solar power, along with energy efficiency and state-of-the-art power plants, will play an important part of a balanced approach to meeting the challenges of growing energy demand and global climate change,” said John Smith, vice president of Progress Energy Carolinas’ Western Region. “We are proud to partner with FLS Energy and the community on this innovative project and excited to see it come online.” 

The Evergreen Solar Farm has a unique design that makes it one of the first solar arrays in the country to be installed on a landfill. FLS Energy constructed concrete pads on top of the landfill to provide a base for the 2,340 Sunniva solar panels, because the installation could not penetrate the two-foot soil cap. The pads provide counterweight against high winds and support on the ground.  

“This is yet one more way our company can show our commitment to the environment,” said Derric Brown, Evergreen’s Director of Sustainability. “This is a great use of our closed landfill and we are happy to participate. Combined with our support of sustainable forests in the region for wood chips and our participation in expanding recycling for our products like milk cartons we hope to be a leader in smart environmental practices.” 

FLS Energy proposed this solar PV project in response to Progress Energy Carolinas’ 2007 request for renewable energy proposals, which is part of the company’s plan to meet the requirements of North Carolina’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency Portfolio Standard. The law requires utilities to provide a portion of their energy sales using renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. 

About FLS Energy
FLS Energy’s mission is to establish solar as a mainstream technology through the development, design and installation of quality, clean energy systems for both businesses and homeowners. For more information about FLS Energy, please visit www.flsenergy.com 

About Evergreen Packaging
Evergreen Packaging, Inc., formerly Blue Ridge Paper Products, Inc., is a world leader in beverage packing solutions, publication and converting papers. It has operated in Western North Carolina for 100 years. For more information about Evergreen Packaging, Inc., please visit www.evergreenpackaging.com. 

About Progress Energy:
Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 22,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Award, the industry’s highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence, and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder’s Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system. Visit the company’s Web site at www.progress-energy.com.  

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

A little more than two years ago, the Beeler family of Knoxville, Tenn. began their adventure of starting a company called BKW Seasonings. Today, the company’s products, which are marketed under the brand name “Big Kahuna Blends,” are available in more than 1,100 grocery stores throughout 20 states.

BKW Seasonings recently added three new, unique flavors: Butter Blend, Pepper Blend and Cajun Rub flavors, in addition to its Original Gourmet Blend, Light Blend, FIRE Blend and Barbeque Rub flavors. The company now offers a total of seven unique gourmet blends.

“Enthusiastic consumer acceptance and the growing demand for our products were the drivers for expanding the product line,” said Matt Beeler, Founder and President of BKW Seasonings. “BKW Seasonings has a great customer base and we wanted to give our customers more flavors to choose from and more options for cooking in the kitchen.”

The Original blend was created in the 1960s to produce a unique, dry buffalo wing. Today, the various blends may be used on any food, from steak, chicken, and hamburgers to eggs and popcorn.

BKW’s Big Kahuna Blends are available at all Food City, Harris Teeter, and Bi-Lo grocery stores, and will be available in all Winn-Dixie stores by the end of March.  They can also be found at several Fresh Market locations, plus other independent and specialty shops.

For more information on BKW’s Big Kahuna Blends, visit www.BKWSeasonings.com.

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Media Contact:
Sarah Malak
(865) 584-0550
SMalak@AckermannPR.com