All-Time Record High Gas Prices With Higher Prices Ahead

Gas Prices Hit New All-Time Record High - $3.50 Per Gallon With Higher Prices Ahead

On Sunday the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline broke through the $3.50 per gallon barrier for the first time ever. Just one month ago the price was $3.27 and compared to one year ago the average price is up from $2.86. That is a painful 64 cents per gallon price increase. The reasons for the high gas prices are high crude oil prices, increased seasonal demand, and a transition by refineries to summer fuel blends. Gas prices in the next few weeks and months are now expected to reach $3.65 per gallon.

Minneapolis, MN  -  April 20, 2008 -- On Sunday the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline broke through the $3.50 per gallon barrier for the first time ever. Just one month ago the price was $3.27 and compared to one year ago the average price is up from $2.86. That is a painful 64 cents per gallon price increase.

The primary reason for record gas prices is that crude oil is trading at all time highs of $117 per barrel which is nearly double the price of $63 per barrel one year ago. With crude oil accounting for 72% of the cost of a gallon of gas, the high oil prices translate into higher pump prices for consumers. In addition to high oil prices, other seasonal factors are also helping to drive gas prices higher. As we approach the start of summer driving season, gasoline demand typically increases by 100,000 barrels per day compared to winter consumption levels. Refineries are also making the seasonal switch to summer fuel blends which reduce smog, but are more costly to produce. These seasonal effects are worsened by the stronger than ever worldwide demand for gasoline and oil, most notably by developing nations such as China and India.

According to Jason Toews, gasoline price analyst with GasBuddy.com, the skyrocketing gas prices are not expected to end soon. Toews says that, "Gas prices will likely increase to $3.65 per gallon within the next month. If there are any major supply disruptions the national average price could easily reach $4.00 per gallon."

San Francisco drivers are suffering more than anywhere else in the nation. The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in San Francisco is currently $3.95. As of Sunday, some stations surveyed in Michigan were found to be charging as much as $4.99 per gallon for regular unleaded.

About GasBuddy.com
GasBuddy.com collects retail gasoline and diesel prices for up to 130,000 gas stations across the United States each day. GasBuddy.com is able to provide the most timely, comprehensive and accurate pump prices in the industry through its network of 700,000 fuel price spotters, direct station surveys and relationships with credit card companies. The GasBuddy.com data is relied on by some of the top companies in the country such as Google, Yahoo, Expedia, and over 1000 major media outlets.

Press Contact: Jason Toews
Company Name: GasBuddy.com
Phone: (612)875-2766
Website: www.GasBuddy.com

Entertainment Giant Reaches Out to Latino Consumers

Online Entertainment Giant Bodog Reaches Out to Latino Consumers

Online gaming and entertainment leader Bodog Entertainment announces new services for Latino consumers, including a full-service customer service line in Spanish and plans to have a fully functioning Spanish-language gaming site.

St. John's, Antigua  -  October 25, 2007 -- Online gaming and entertainment leader Bodog Entertainment is pleased to announce new services for Latino consumers, including a full-service customer service line in Spanish, available today, and plans to have a fully-functioning Spanish-language gaming site.

"Bodog Entertainment has always been a leader in providing our customers with the highest quality service, in our industry and beyond," said Calvin Ayre, billionaire entertainment mogul and Bodog founder. He added, "We are excited to expand our service to include in-language customer service to our Latino customers. We value their business, and I am sure that our world-renown service will exceed each caller's expectations on every single call."

Since Bodog Entertainment's customer service call center was based in Costa Rica for 10 years, it is a natural progression for the company to expand their call center service to Latino consumers who wish to receive service in Spanish. Customers will be greeted by a prompt in the beginning of the call that will allow the caller to continue in Spanish and speak to a representative. This Spanish language call center is operated under agreement with the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group who operate the Bodog brand in North America.

The entertainment giant recognizes the value of their Latino customers and has plans to develop capabilities to access all of Bodog's entertainment features online. In the meantime, players wishing to join Bodog in Spanish can call 1-866-205-3353, and a customer service representative will walk them through the steps of registering by phone completely in Spanish, or these instructions can also be accessed directly at http://www.bodoglife.com/promotions/spanish/cs/. As Bodog expands their in language capabilities, players can expect the same stellar customer service and, eventually, the same world-class gaming options, all in Spanish.

Bodog Entertainment proudly offers a host of entertainment properties, including: the production of a mixed martial arts competition television series, Bodog Fight and poker series, Calvin Ayre Sharks & Fools; a free play fantasy sports site, Bodog Fantasy; an international record label; an international band-search competition; a publishing division, with an online magazine and a blog; and, of course, it's market-leading, world famous gaming property at BodogLife.com. Bodog Entertainment aims to introduce new and compelling content to each of its properties, making them more culturally relevant to their valued Latino consumer. As in every other aspect of business, Bodog Entertainment's goal is to raise the bar for Latino entertainment and customer service, becoming a one-stop source of entertainment for Latinos everywhere.

About Bodog
Bodog, with its head office located in Antigua, is licensed in the United Kingdom, Antigua. Bodog Entertainment Founder Calvin Ayre, recognized as a world authority on branding in digital entertainment, was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine's best-selling 2006 "Billionaires" issue. Bodog offers a host of entertainment services, comprising: online gaming which includes Poker, Casino and a host of other gaming products; an international record label, Bodog Music; a million-dollar band search competition and accompanying TV series, Bodog Battle; a publishing division (with an online magazine, Bodog Nation, and blog, Bodog Beat; and an international television division, Bodog TV which produces reality series, such as Bodog Fight and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker. For more information, contact Media Relations at email protected from spam bots. BODOG is a registered trademark. The Bodog brand is operated for gaming in North America by Morris Mohawk Gaming Group under License.

Press Contact: TALIA RODRIGUEZ-SHAKUR
Company Name: STREETROPICAL MEDIA
Phone: 323-644-0606
Website: www.bodoglife.com

HotJobs Awards Marketing Firm for Attendance at HR Industry Tradeshow

Yahoo! HotJobs Awards Marketing Firm, M7 Inc., Multimedia & Branding Project for Attendance at HR's Biggest Industry Tradeshow

The Silicon Valley-based marketing communications firm, M7 Inc., has been awarded a substantial branding and multimedia project for Yahoo! HotJobs. This will be used as a key marketing tool at the largest Human Resources industry tradeshow running from June 22-25, 2008 in Chicago.

Campbell, CA  -  April 2, 2008 -- The Silicon Valley-based marketing communications firm, M7 Inc., has been awarded a substantial branding and multimedia project for Yahoo! HotJobs. This multimedia presentation will be a key marketing tool for their attendance at the largest HR industry tradeshow, SHRM's 60th Annual Conference and Exposition in Chicago, June 22-25.

"This is a really exciting, high profile project for us," says Lisa Orrell, President of M7 Inc. "The presentation is going to be very hip, very cool and filled with high energy music, graphics and video, and we will utilize a variety of new media technologies in development and post production. But I can't share what we'll be featuring in the presentation because we're all sworn to secrecy!"

The multimedia presentation will be featured in the "theater" within Yahoo! HotJobs' main booth, and the presentation will run several times per day during the 4-day event.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest professional association devoted to human resource management. Their mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most current and comprehensive resources, and to advance the profession by promoting HR's essential, strategic role. Founded in 1948, SHRM represents more than 225,000 individual members in over 125 countries, and has a network of more than 575 affiliated chapters in the United States, as well as offices in China and India.

For more information about the branding, marketing, design and direct marketing services offered by M7 Inc., contact Lisa Orrell at 866-906-M7M7, x: 701, or visit their website at M7Design.com

And to access M7's top-rated Marketing podcast for corporate marketing professionals, Marketing Matters With M7, go to: M7Design.com. Upcoming episodes include an exclusive interview with Guy Kawasaki in May.

Press Contact: Lisa Orrell
Company Name: M7 Inc.
Phone: 866-906-6767
Website: http://www.M7Design.com

Supply Chain Advantage Suite Offers Low Total Cost of Ownership and Simple Upgrades

HighJump Software Helps Clients Maintain Low Total Cost of Ownership and Simplify Upgrades With Launch of HighJump Supply Chain Advantage Suite 10.0

Newest Release Delivers Continued Innovation in Adaptability and Increased Support for Global Supply Chain Operations

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--April 22, 2008--HighJump Software, a 3M company, a global provider of adaptable supply chain execution solutions, today announced the release of HighJump Supply Chain Advantage suite 10.0. The release combines extended functionality in the HighJump product suite and a high level of adaptability to help clients better manage material flows throughout their operations and expedite upgrades. Expanded internationalization supports increasing supply chain globalization.

"Our clients require extensive functionality and a means to easily manage business processes which change due to regulations, continuous improvement initiatives, or new approaches to manufacturing and distribution models," said Chad Collins, vice president of global strategy, HighJump Software. "HighJump Software's key value proposition is our adaptable architecture and fast upgrades, which considerably drives down our clients' total cost of ownership."

"We're pleased with the enhancements in the release as well as our ability to quickly and easily upgrade our HighJump solution and maintain low total cost of system ownership," said Becky Randelin, systems analyst, maurices, inc. "Because each new release is included in our maintenance agreement, we receive tremendous value from our continued relationship with HighJump Software."

"Most HighJump Software clients are able to perform their own upgrades without requiring a paid consulting engagement," said Steve Banker, service director, Supply Chain Management, ARC Advisory Group. "For those clients that do elect to have a HighJump consultant involved, the services fees are typically around $10,000, a figure significantly below upgrade fees for other leading best-of-breed vendors."

HighJump Supply Chain Advantage 10.0 includes numerous advances across the supply chain suite:

Warehouse Management

The flagship HighJump Warehouse Advantage system now includes a warehouse wizard to support a user-friendly, streamlined approach to warehouse set-up. The system is fully internationalized and includes translations in nine languages, including Japanese. To support optimized outbound fulfillment processes, load and wave planning tools were enhanced and utilize a new Web-based user interface. The 10.0 release also includes a flexible approach for defining and tracking unique inventory attributes without limiting the number of attributes that can be tracked for a given item.

Adaptability Tools

HighJump Software's service-oriented architecture now provides more features that allow clients to optimize and modify supply chain business processes without changing underlying product source code and impacting their ability to perform fast upgrades. HighJump Software's supply chain process modeling tool, Advantage Architect, features broader revision tracking and the addition of an enterprise application repository. This helps HighJump solutions fit within clients' enterprise IT environments. HighJump Software's Web-based, common user interface framework, WebWise, also provides a more user-friendly experience and allows product screens to be run on handheld computers and cell phones.

Billing Management for Logistics Services Providers (LSP)

A new, comprehensive solution for managing and optimizing the billing process, HighJump Billing Management enables providers of logistics services and third-party logistics to support the complex contractual requirements that often exist with their clients. With this product release, billing can be based on material handling transactions, storage capacity utilization, and client-specific billing requirements. The solution gives companies visibility into actual costs with comparisons to what was invoiced to replace the oversimplified practice of spreading client costs evenly across all accounts.

HighJump Billing Management creates a single billing platform for all systems. This is possible by accepting data imports from other applications, such as those for transportation management, time and attendance, and parcel manifesting.

Labor Management

HighJump Software's labor management solution, HighJump Labor Advantage, provides a comprehensive performance management tool to plan and manage the distribution center workforce. In addition to being fully internationalized to support various languages and regions without engineering changes, the latest release includes the ability to forecast and plan for labor within all major fulfillment functions of a facility, such as picking, packing, loading and shipping. These features allow distribution center management to ensure the proper capacity in the workforce and assign employees to the appropriate functional areas.

Warehouse Management for Small and Mid-sized Businesses

HighJump Software recently launched HighJump Warehouse Advantage-45, a warehouse management system targeted at small and mid-sized businesses. The product is designed to be implemented in 45 business days with a well-defined scope of business processes. The solution speeds the setup of data in the warehouse, including an implementation playbook that guides the client through the implementation process and detailed user guides that help clients learn to use the system.

The solution is built upon the same world-class technology as the tier one HighJump Warehouse Advantage solution. This allows companies to support growth by adding more complex warehouse management capabilities as business demands warrant.

Manufacturing Execution

HighJump Manufacturing Advantage, HighJump Software's manufacturing execution system, has been fully internationalized and features translation in Japanese. Additionally, the release includes user interface improvements to the shop floor data entry touch screen to increase the efficiency and accuracy of an operator's data entry. The new version also reduces a company's reliance on paper-based lean inventory methodologies by providing enhanced support for lean manufacturing environments, including electronic kanban integrated with warehouse management.

About HighJump Software, a 3M Company

Forward-thinking companies entrust HighJump Software to power their supply chains. HighJump Software simplifies the art and business of creating, selling and moving products across global networks. Building upon 3M's history of innovation, HighJump Software helps more than 1,300 clients worldwide drive growth and manage change. www.highjump.com

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms - often in combination - to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries.

HighJump is a trademark of 3M. Other names and trademarks may be the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

HighJump Software LLC
Cara Strohack, 519-746-3736 ext. 5010
cara.strohack@mmm.com
http://www.3m.com/PressContact
or
LaBreche
Mark Holterhaus, 612-392-7616
mholterhaus@labrechereputations.com

Nation-wide Bankruptcy Education Approved

Advantage Approved for Nation-wide Bankruptcy Education

Advantage Credit Counseling Service has been approved by the Executive Office of the United States Trustee to provide consumers in 47 states* with the required pre-discharge bankruptcy education course through the internet.**

Pittsburgh, PA  -  November 8 -- Advantage Credit Counseling Service has been approved by the Executive Office of the United States Trustee to provide consumers in 47 states* with the required pre-discharge bankruptcy education course through the internet.**

The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005 mandates that consumers complete financial counseling and education as part of the bankruptcy process. Once the counseling and education requirements are met, Advantage CCS is approved to issue certificates in compliance with the bankruptcy law to allow consumers to complete the bankruptcy filing process.

"Advantage looks forward to serving clients who are going through the bankruptcy process," Advantage CCS President and CEO Stephen Piotrowski said. "The approval to provide online bankruptcy education gives Advantage the ability to help many more individuals struggling to exit bankruptcy across the United States."

In 2006, Advantage CCS provided bankruptcy counseling and education to over 6,000 consumers.

Consumers can enroll in and complete their bankruptcy education requirements by logging on to www.advantageccs.org.

Advantage Credit Counseling Service, formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, is a non-profit 501(c)3 community agency that educates consumers about wise money management and the responsible use of credit.

Since 1968, Advantage has provided help and hope to thousands of consumers who have been debilitated by enormous financial worries. The experienced counselors at Advantage provide confidential budget and debt management counseling.

Advantage is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Advantage is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the umbrella association for over 115 credit counseling agencies nation-wide that promotes the highest member standards for credit counseling.

*Advantage CCS is not approved to provide the internet bankruptcy education course in Alabama, North Carolina and Oregon.
**Approval does not endorse or assure the quality of an agency's services.

Contact:
Kristen Garrett, Public Relations Coordinator
(412) 390-1300 x 107

Press Contact: Kristen Garrett
Company Name: Advantage Credit Counseling Service
Phone: 412-390-1300
Website: www.advantageccs.org

Latest Music Phone From Motorola Rocks Out

Rock Out and Look Good with the Stylish New MOTO™ U9: The Latest Music Phone from Motorola

The sensuous and smart design of the new MOTO™ U9 combines Motorola's iconic style with the best mobile music experience.

Libertyville, IL  -  October 16, 2007 -- Motorola, Inc. is showing off the stylish side of music with the introduction of MOTO U9. Through unique advancements in mobile entertainment technology, U9 makes music a multi-sensory experience and lets consumers rock out and look good - with an elegant form factor, Stereo Bluetooth®, CrystalTalk™ Technology, external touch sensitive music controls and floating for the latest mobile music experience, and animated screensavers that appear on the external display.

MOTO U9 delivers cutting edge mobile music capabilities:

-- Easy transition from phone to music and back again, MOTO U9 allows one-touch access to your library and pauses music as calls come through.
-- Microsoft Windows Media® Player 11 makes the U9 ready to rock as soon as it's out of the box, with simple synching and automatic recognition of the device.
-- Integrated music player supports multiple audio files: Windows® WMAv10 plus Janus DRM, MP3, AAC, AAC+, AAC+ enhanced.
-- Ability to download the latest music hits from more than 200 music stores onto the device from a PC using USB 2.0 for speedy transfers and data access. (1,2)

Additional in-demand features round out a complete mobile experience:

-- Up to 25MB of on-board user memory (3) and an optional microSD memory card enables storage of 4GB of music, pictures and other media.
-- Innovative CrystalTalk technology for better call clarity
-- Stereo Bluetooth wireless technology enables users to enjoy a wireless mobile stereo experience (4).
-- Advanced "speaker independent" voice recognition dialing and talking phone features take "hands free" to the next level.
-- A 2.0 megapixel with 8x zoom camera, multi-shot feature, video capture and playback, and light and landscape viewfinder delivers quality, printable (5) and sharable images.
-- Impressive messaging capabilities via MMS, SMS, WVIM, Push Email.

"MOTO U9 combines the surprising with the familiar, the latest in premium design and inventive controls with the next popular spin on Motorola's classic clamshell design to deliver the most stylish and dynamic mobile music experience," said Rob Shaddock, senior vice president of Feature and Mass Market Phones, Mobile Devices, Motorola. "MOTO U9 embodies the stylish side of Motorola's music-enabled devices, further building on our strong portfolio of products for a diverse global audience."

Seamless, small and light weight, the curvaceous U9 has been designed to fit perfectly in the pocket or hand. Its metallic gloss finish comes to life with animated screen savers that appear to "float" across the borderless external display. The external display is not just for show, however, as touch sensitive, digital keys let users control their music player from the outside.

Additional Capabilities
Delivering on its commitment to provide the world's most compelling mobile music experience, Motorola has also created an ecosystem of additional products, accessories and services that make it easy to access, download and enjoy a wide array of digital music.

Through an exclusive arrangement with recording artist Fergie, in select markets Motorola will provide exclusive content on the phone, promotional activities, and TV and print campaigns.

"Fergie is a GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum superstar artist as well as a woman on the cutting edge of modern style. She is the perfect icon to help us communicate to consumers that style and music are integral to people as a way to express themselves -- and that MOTO U9 embodies those qualities," said Joni Christensen, director of Global Music Marketing, Mobile Devices, Motorola. More information about these promotions will be available soon.

For more information, please visit http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/motoU9.

Availability
MOTO U9 is expected to be available for purchase in fourth quarter of 2007 in Asia, Latin America and Europe. For specific regional availability and pricing, contact your local Motorola representative.

About Motorola:
Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.8 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com.

Certain mobile phone features may not be activated by your service provider, and/or their network settings may limit the feature's functionality. Contact your service provider for details. All features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

(1) Network and/or SIM card dependent feature, not available in all areas. Airtime, data charges, and/or additional charges may apply.
(2) The unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials is contrary to the provisions of the Copyright Laws of the United States and other countries. This device is intended solely for copying non-copyrighted materials, materials in which you own the copyright, or materials which you are authorized or legally permitted to copy. If you are uncertain about your right to copy any material, please contact your legal advisor.
(3) Available user memory varies due to the configuration of the phone, which varies by service provider.
(4) This device supports Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP profiles. In order for Bluetooth devices to communicate with one another, they must utilize the same Bluetooth profile. To determine the profiles supported by other Motorola devices, visit www.hellomoto.com/bluetooth. For other devices, contact their respective manufacturer.
Certain Bluetooth features including those listed may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices, or by certain wireless carriers. Contact your wireless carrier about feature availability and functionality.
(5) Optional printer required

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by their proprietor and used by Motorola, Inc. under license. Microsoft and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved.

Press Contact: Haley Boruszak
Company Name: Motorola
Phone: 212-453-2405
Website: http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/motoU9

Auction Rate Preferred Shares the Largest Case of Fraud in US History

Wall Street's Auction Rate Preferred Shares the Largest Case of Outright Fraud in U.S. History, Declares Americas Watchdog

Americas Watchdog is demanding the the Securities & Exchange Commission & every State's Attorney General start investigating "auction rate preferred shares" & the fact that citizens in every US state were sold these extremely risky investments by a bank or stock broker as, "same as cash". Now tens of thousands of US citizens are being told by a bank or stock broker, "we don't know when you will get your money back". Why is this the biggest single case of fraud in US history? Its because the investors did not want risk, they wanted safety, and instead of that they were given an exotic risky investment device by greedy Wall Street investment houses & US banks. Why does this story deserve to be on NBC, CBS, ABC, & CNN? Its because this is by far the largest case of outright fraud in US history.

April 8, 2008 -- Americas Watchdog and its Corporate Whistle Blower Center are demanding that name brand banks or Wall Street financial institutions refund 100% of the investment unsuspecting US citizens placed in exotic investment devises called auction rate preferred shares, or auction rate shares. According to Americas Watchdog, "tens of thousands of US citizens were told by a US bank or Wall Street financial institution that auction rate shares were just like a CD, they were perfectly safe, and a consumer would never have to worry about their investment."

"Now in most cases, these small investors are being told by their bank or stock broker, they cannot get their money back or it will take months or longer. These US citizens were lied to, and now Americas Watchdog intends to force the issue with the SEC, State Attorney Generals, & the TV networks. We are talking about a half trillion dollars +; the life savings of tens of thousands of Americans. Wall Street and the banks will not get away with the biggest con job in history," states Americas Watchdog.

Americas Watchdog alleges the ARPS/ARS fraud is the biggest case of fraud in US history for the following reasons:

    * Tens of thousands of US citizens were told by a name brand bank or a Wall Street stock brokerage firm that auction rate preferred shares (ARPS/ARS) were just like cash, they were safe, they were just like a money market account, etc. The consumers did not want risk. Relying on their US bank or Wall Street stock brokerage firm, mom and pops and small investors in many cases were given an auction rate preferred share as a "safe alternative to a CD". Small investors were talked into investing hundreds of billions of dollars into this scheme.

    * Now these same banks or stock brokers are telling their clients they cannot access their money right now. However, the banks or stock brokerage firms are offering the auction rate preferred US victims the ability to borrow back some of their money, with interest. According to Americas Watchdog, "what a pathetic joke, first the banks & major stock brokers lie to tens of thousands of US citizens about the liquidity of auction rate preferred shares, now these same banks or brokers want to lend the victims back their own money? Not one customer was ever given a prospectus to the best knowledge of Americas Watchdog.

    * Americas Watchdog is indicating that if banks or financial institutions do not refund the auction rate preferred shares money in full to consumers, in the very near future the group will start a state by state protest/media event where individual consumers get to tell their auction rate preferred shares story to the local news media in front of the bank of stock brokerage firm that sold them this exotic not very safe investment. Consumers who were tricked into buying an option rate preferred share can call Americas Watchdog anytime at 866-714-6466.

According to Americas Watchdog, "The gloves are coming off, we are tired of seeing US citizens ripped off over and over and over again by Wall Street, US banks or a bought and paid for US Congress."

Talk about Reform or transparency from banks and Wall Street. In another case Americas Watchdog has been demanding that Congress require banks and mortgage bankers disclose a little known mortgage kick back called a "yield spread premium" for the last six years. According to the group, "50 million US homeowners pay a higher monthly mortgage payment today, because a bank or mortgage banker did not have to reveal the huge kick back they received, for increasing a home loan borrower's interest rate/monthly mortgage payment. Mortgage brokers must disclose these kick backs. Banks or mortgage bankers get the same kick backs, but they have no disclosure requirement."

Americas Watchdog says, "this kick back scheme rates #2 right behind the auction rate preferred shares fraud." In the case of the yield spread premium kick back, Congress has not been willing to require banks to disclose mortgage kickbacks because of the large donations they get from banks, home builders and mortgage bankers. Americas Watchdog's National Mortgage Complaint Center estimates that banks, mortgage bankers or home builders not having to disclose huge mortgage kick backs combined with appraisal fraud, are two of the major reasons we now have a national real estate meltdown. The National Mortgage Complaint Center's web site is located at http://NationalMortgageComplaintCenter.com

According to Americas Watchdog, "It's time for some accountability on the part of Congress and Federal Agencies that are supposed to be protecting people. Whatever happened to Federal oversight, or consumer protection? Having the best Congress money can buy has given us:

    * The auction rate preferred shares mega disaster

    * The US biblical type real estate disaster

    * Tax breaks for oil companies

    * Billions in tax breaks for national home builders that have failed to pay federal or state taxes on their work force (most of whom were/are undocumented workers-Google Americas watchdog the worst case of tax fraud in US history)

    * High profile Congressional hearings on steroid use in baseball instead of Congressional hearings on drug companies paying off Congress for Medicare Part B that cost 30 billion dollars more per year than it should have (The drug companies actually wrote the legislation).

    * No Congressional hearings on Auction Rate Preferred Shares fraud even though its a $720+ billion dollar disaster

    * With lots of money going to Congress, the mortgage industry fought fiercely to spike a provision to let bankruptcy judges rewrite the terms of distressed mortgages. It won that battle; the provision was left out. This in light of the fact that home builders and banks artificially inflated the values of US homes.

    *      Contrary to the Wall Streeet lies about the credit crunch being over within the next 12 months 1 in 5 Americans will owe more on their home than it is worth.

"Things have to change at the top in the form of real national leadership, corporate honesty & integrity or our country will not survive," says Americas Watchdog.

Americas Watchdog is all about consumer protection, shareholder protection and corporate responsibility. Their web site is located at http://AmericasWatchdog.com

---

Investors are still waiting to learn if any of the financial institutions had bond insurance that might cover some of the losses. At this time suits are being filed for auction rate securities litigation. It may be some time before things are sorted out.

Rural Small Business Marketing Miserable Says Marketer

Small Rural Business Missing the Mark on Marketing

Survey completed in February shows 98% of small rural businesses are handling their marketing on their own, without the assistance of a marketing specialist. Canadian Bankers Association recommends small businesses outsource their marketing communications to a professional advisor. Rural small business is most at risk of failure according to Department of Industry figures, yet this group has not recognized the value of professional marketing advisors.

Alvinston, ON  -  April 2, 2008 -- Rural small businesses face more challenges than urban or suburban businesses and often struggle with marketing their goods and services. The Canadian Bankers Association recommends small businesses find a marketing communications specialist when they are setting up their business, just as they would find a lawyer and an accountant. However, a survey recently conducted by Mormac Brand Re-engineering showed 98 percent of small rural business are handling marketing on their own.

Mormac Brand Re-engineering has recently opened an office in Alvinston Ontario, a community with less than 1,000 citizens. Mormac offers the full spectrum of marketing communications services to rural and small business clients across Canada.

"We're really dedicated to rural and small business," explained Wendy MacQueen, owner of Mormac Brand Re-engineering. "I've always lived in the country or in a small town and have watched so many businesses fail because they tried to handle their marketing without getting a marketing specialist involved."

Ms. MacQueen has over 25 years of experience in marketing communications and has received awards at international and national levels for her work. She has worked with clients in the franchise, financial, retail, manufacturing, medical and agricultural fields.

"So often, companies are trying to do their own marketing without any training or experience. They can miss opportunities that a career marketer would see," Ms. MacQueen added. "We work with businesses at any level. Marketing is more than just putting an advertisement in the paper or on the radio. It's everything that touches your customers. We can just consult, or we can handle full campaigns and everything in between."

Through a network of marketing professionals spanning all the marketing communications disciplines, Mormac builds unique talented teams for each client to meet their specific needs.

"Many small to medium-sized businesses need marketing expertise to drive business growth but they just can't justify a full-time person," stated Bill Jamieson, vice-president of business development at CultureWorks Inc. "As well, it is difficult to find all of the different marketing expertise required in just one or two people. Access to a group of experts, such as Mormac, and paying for them only when required is a huge advantage, strategically and for cost-control reasons."

"We call it cherry-picking the marketing talent you need, only when you need it," added Ms. MacQueen. "This often results in cost savings on marketing projects and business development."

The survey was conducted in February and the results were surprising to Ms. MacQueen.

"I knew there were quite a few business owners doing their own marketing, but I never expected to see the number at 98 percent," she said. "Being a rural small business owner is challenging enough without putting extra barriers in your way. Why would you risk your business growth by doing work you aren't trained to do?"

For more information, contact Wendy MacQueen at Mormac Brand Re-engineering, 519-898-2997 or email protected from spam bots .

Press Contact: Wendy MacQueen
Company Name: Mormac Brand Re-engineering
Phone: 519-898-2997
Website: www.mormac.ca