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DomainPeople Sponsors Contest for .CA Domain Websites

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Domain name registrar DomainPeople today announced a 'Tell us About Your .CA Contest' for websites utilizing the .CA domain extension, in order to drive branding and awareness in the Canadian market. Winners will be selected based on the innovation and creativity of their website goals, and how their .CA domain is helping or will help them achieve those goals. Entries can be submitted at http://www.domainpeople.ca/heycanada.html through March 30, 2012.

One winner will be selected in each of three categories – large sites, small sites and new site proposals – and assigned first, second or third prize at random. First prize is an Apple iPad 2. Second prize is one year of free Cloudhost PowerPack hosting from DomainPeople plus a choice of a free .CA domain for 10 years or .CA renewal for up to 10 years. Third prize is six months of free Cloudhost PowerPack hosting from DomainPeople plus a choice of a free .CA domain for five years or .CA renewal for up to five years.

Entrants must be DomainPeople customers that hold an active .CA domain registered through DomainPeople. During the contest period, DomainPeople is reducing the first-year price for organizations that do not yet have .CA domain extensions from $14.95 to $9.95 to help businesses reap the benefits of .CA identification.

In a recent study conducted by The Strategic Counsel, .CA easily outscored .com as 'Safe' (77% vs. 23%), 'Secure' (75% vs. 25%), and 'Trusted' (78% vs. 22%). Other studies have shown that Canadians prefer .CA over .com by a large majority for online banking (86% vs. 14%), online shopping (85% vs. 15%), and searching for news and current events (85% vs. 15%). In addition, nearly 90% of Canadians see .CA as an important resource for Canadians.

"Having a .CA domain name is like waving the Canadian flag: it clearly states that you, your business or your organization are Canadian, and research has shown that it makes a difference in how your site is perceived," said Chris Kruk, product manager of DomainPeople. "We are running this contest to raise awareness of the value of the .CA extension and to share the successes that people are having in choosing .CA over other options."

According to the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, more than 1.8 million .CA domain names have been registered, and .CA has been one of the fastest-growing country-code domain extensions in the world over the past five years. In Canada, .CA's market share has been steadily rising while the collective registrations of the other domain name extensions have been steadily declining.

About DomainPeople

Established in 1999, DomainPeople is a trusted, premier provider of Domain Solutions for the Internet industry. As the eighth ICANN-accredited domain registrar, DomainPeople has registered over 1,000,000 domains worldwide and has clients and customers in over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.domainpeople.com.

SOURCE DomainPeople

For further information:

http://www.domainpeople.com


Radiant Announces Change in Board of Directors

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VANCOUVER, March 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Radiant Communications Corp. ("Radiant") (TSX-V:RCN), a leading provider of managed network and cloud hosting solutions for medium-size enterprises, today announced that Rolf Dekleer has resigned from the Board of Directors.

Mr. Dekleer has represented the various investments of GrowthWorks Capital Ltd. in Radiant as a member of the Board for more than 10 years.

"Rolf has been a tremendous contributor and asset to the Radiant Board," said Radiant Chairman Don Calder. "Over the past 10 years he has been very involved in shaping the strategic success of Radiant and securing the necessary financing to help the company grow and prosper. During Rolf's tenure on the Board Radiant has grown from a small local supplier of internet connectivity to a national provider of managed networks and cloud hosting solutions. On behalf of the entire Board and our shareholders I would like to express my tremendous appreciation for Rolf's valuable contributions and commitment."

About Radiant
Radiant Communications is a leading provider of managed network and cloud hosting solutions for medium-size enterprises. Leveraging one of the largest Internet footprints across Canada, Radiant offers a comprehensive portfolio of reliable, secure and scalable IT infrastructure services, simplified under a single point of contact. For over 15 years, many of Canada's most recognized brand names have been relying on Radiant to support their mission-critical business operations.

All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of the respective owners.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the business and anticipated financial performance of Radiant, which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may cause Radiant's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, competitive pressures, the growth rate of the Internet and telecommunications concerns, constantly changing technology and market acceptance of Radiant's products and services. Investors are also directed to consider the other risks and uncertainties discussed in Radiant's required financial statements and filings. All other companies and products listed herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information:

Investors:  Chuck Leighton, CFO, 604.692.4531, cleighton@radiant.net
Media: Janice Keay, Senior Director of Marketing, 416. 646.9416, jkeay@radiant.net

Québec innovation and investment: Bell turns on broadband Fibe network throughout Québec City

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Fibe network supports fastest Internet, next-generation TV and reliable home phone service with free long distance calling to any phone number across Québec

QUÉBEC CITY, March 12, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - With an investment of more than $225-million in world-class broadband network technology, Bell today announced the launch of its next-generation Bell Fibe service in Québec City.

Bell has brought high-speed fibre optic technology directly to homes and business across the capital in what is the largest "fibre to the home" network rollout of its kind in Canada, supporting enhanced competition and choice in Québec with the latest broadband TV, Internet and Home Phone services.

"The people of Québec City now have access to the most advanced network technology available in Québec or anywhere in Canada," said Martine Turcotte, Bell's Vice Chair, Québec. "Bell is committed to leading investment and innovation in new broadband services, bringing the best technology the world has to offer here to our Québec home. With Fibe, Bell is proud to deliver to our capital city the fastest Internet speeds, the best television experience and free long distance calling to any number in Québec."

The Bell Fibe experience
Bell Fibe Internet offers Bell customers in Québec City the fastest Internet access, with download speeds of up to 175 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 30 Mbps. Customers can surf the Internet, share photos and videos, download music or work with business applications faster than with any other provider - and they can get a home wireless network at no charge too.

Bell Fibe TV offers the best television experience available with exceptional HD image quality, complete On Demand service, direct access to social media applications such as Facebook® and Twitter®, and the exclusive Whole Home PVR. The world's most innovative TV technology, and available in Québec only from Bell, Whole Home PVR allows you to set, manage and play back recordings from any TV in your home, and to pause and rewind live TV from any TV in your home.

And with Fibe Home Phone, Bell customers in Québec City can make no-charge long-distance calls to any phone number in the province - that's free calling to more than 8 million people. In contrast, competitors restrict free long distance only to certain numbers or groups.

Fibe is now available in the boroughs of Québec, Beauport, Sillery, Ste-Foy, Cap-Rouge, Charlesbourg, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Loretteville, Sainte-Thérèse-de-Lisieux and Montmorency. Lévis will also soon be connected to the Fibe network.

To learn more about the Bell Fibe network and services, please visit Bell.ca/Fibe.

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, Bell Internet high-speed, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network, and the country's most-watched specialty channels.

The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For Bell products and service information, please visit Bell.ca. For information about Bell Media, visit BellMedia.ca. For information about BCE, visit BCE.ca.

For further information:

Marie-Eve Francoeur
Bell, Media Relations
1 855 391-5263
marie-eve.francoeur@bell.ca
@Bell_News

iSkin Announces Cases, Covers and Carriers Ready for the New iPad (3rd Gen.)

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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 8, 2012) -

Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release.

iSkin, a premium brand for fashion and technology lifestyle accessories, today announces new cases, sleeves and carriers that style and protect the new iPad (3rd generation).

The Gravity Collection

Agent 6 Sling for the New iPad (3rd Gen.)

Headlining the new Gravity Collection, the Agent 6 Sling is a durable cross-body messenger crafted from premium ballistic nylon and ideal for the style-conscious commuter. This hand-crafted iPad sling features a padded body strap, a soft inner lining for maximum shock and impact protection, premium ballistic nylon exterior and an external, detachable pouch for your iPad charger, as well as a front-pocket for your iPhone or cables. The all-in-one design of Agent 6 Sling carrier is complete with a webbing detail for a military-inspired fashion statement.

Agent 6 Sling features:

  • Made for iPad, iPad2 and new iPad (3rd gen.)
  • Moisture seal zipper
  • Padded iPad compartment lined with moisture-resistant down-proof nylon
  • Detachable iPad power charger holder
  • Padded, adjustable shoulder strap with integrated mobile phone holder
  • Decorative military-inspired exterior with webbing design
  • Integrated D-Ring for attaching keys rings or similar items
  • Premium, lightweight ballistic nylon construction
  • Black on black design

Recon Sleeve for the New iPad (3rd gen.)

Also arriving as part of the collection is the Recon Sleeve for the new iPad (3rd gen.). Designed to exclusively hold the iPad, the Recon Sleeve has fitted neoprene elastic brackets stitched to restrain the corners of your iPad without obstructing the screen. The padded interior features additional nylon piping to keep the edges of the iPad unscratched, and lined with down proof nylon for an ultra smooth and secure interior. The Recon is crafted from premium ballistic nylon and finished with a military-inspired decorative band for an ultra-modern fashion statement. It also sports a genuine leather handle, non-scratching nylon zipper and is the perfect travel companion for the metro-tech iPad owner on the go.

Recon Sleeve features:

  • Made for iPad, iPad2 and new iPad (3rd gen.)
  • Crafted from premium, lightweight ballistic nylon
  • Non-metallic nylon zippers
  • Padded iPad compartment with down proof lining
  • Four-point fasteners to secure iPad
  • Internal piping for surface protection
  • Oil-edged genuine leather handle
  • Black on black w/ decorative front strap design

The Agent 6 Sling and Recon Sleeve will be available in Raven Black, and will retail for $99.99 and $59.99 USD respectively. As an exclusive online introduction, iSkin will offer an instant rebate of $20 towards the purchase of each item upon checkout for a limited time.

solo Smart for the new iPad (3rd Gen.)

The slim and sleek solo Smart cover returns for the new iPad (3rd generation). Its patent-pending CoverLock™ system enhances the connection between the Apple® Smart Cover and your third-generation iPad. The clever integrated CoverLock feature easily locks the Apple Smart Cover in place, reducing the chance of the third-generation iPad disconnecting from the Smart Cover. The solo Smart is the only soft case to offer this unique and useful benefit. Arriving in three eye-popping hues and classic clear, the solo Smart for the new iPad (3rd gen.) combines precision-fit, molded openings for the camera and protected buttons, ports and switches for comprehensive protection. Featuring embedded Microban® antimicrobial technology, the solo Smart also protects against fungus and bacteria that can cause stains and odors on the product. The solo Smart simply protects everywhere the Apple Smart Cover doesn't.

solo Smart features:

  • Soft, flexible and durable iPad (3rd gen.) protection
  • CoverLock™ Apple Smart Cover locking system
  • Embedded Microban antimicrobial technology
  • Perfectly molded to protect the third-generation iPad and offer advanced button and port coverage
  • Transparent, available in a variety colors and clear

The new solo Smart retails for $49.99 USD and will be available at iSkin.com later this month and select retail partners around the world soon after.

Available Now for the New iPad (3rd Generation)

iSkin is also offering specially reduced pricing to select items in their premium boutique Q.West Collection in celebration of the launch of the new iPad (3rd generation). The Q.West Collection was borne out of the need to not only offer first-class protection for mobile technology, but also set new fashion trends for tech devices.

For a limited time, iPad owners can sport Memo, a hi-tech leather sleeve in various eye-popping colors, for $55.00 USD ($110.00 reg.), the Summit, a soft, plush sleeve crafted in Italian nylon, at $47.50 ($95.00 reg.), and the lightweight Ballistic sleeve for $63.00 ($90.00 reg.). More products are readily available for the new iPad at iSkin.com/iPad3.

For additional information on this and other iSkin products, please contact iSkin PR at press@iSkin.com or at (416) 924-9607, ext. 226. Follow us on twitter.com/iSkin for live social updates.

About iSkin Inc.

iSkin Inc. designs and delivers an inspired line of accessories, enhancements and solutions for the thriving Digital Lifestyle marketplace. iSkin has earned the reputation of being one of the most trusted brands in the world by being a company that focuses on total in-house, top to bottom product development with unique designs, technologies and innovations.

iSkin is one of the first companies that started to create new-generation, protective solutions with fashionable style for mobile devices with the birth of the iPod® in 2001.

The iSkin word mark and logo are registered trademarks of iSkin Inc., registered in Canada, the United States and other countries. All Rights Reserved 2006-2012. iPad® and iPad® 2 are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. MICROBAN® is a registered trademark of Microban Products Company.

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/iPadWestCollection.jpg

http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/iPadGravityCollection.jpg

Contact Information

iSkin PR
Office: (416) 924-9607, ext. 226
press@iSkin.com
www.iSkin.com

Business Barometer® - Small business optimism continues to show signs of improvement

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TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - According to the latest Business Barometer® Index from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), small business confidence has risen to 66.0 in the last month—its sixth-consecutive monthly increase. The Index, however, still has a few points to make up before re-establishing the high levels seen this time last year.

"Small businesses saw a little more sunshine in February," remarked Ted Mallet, chief economist and vice-president for CFIB. "Better conditions in Ontario and the Maritimes, that were once held back by European and US economic worries, appear to be driving the gains in sentiment."

Businesses in Western Canada are generally the most optimistic with Alberta (72.3) and Saskatchewan (70.1) again at the top of the list. However, February also saw meaningful gains in optimism in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. Unfortunately BC's confidence fell last month and PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador are following the same direction.

Optimism weakened in construction and manufacturing, but it was more than offset by big improvements in retail and hospitality, suggesting that consumers are in a positive frame of mind. Owners in the natural resources and the business services sector are the most upbeat.

"For the first time on record agriculture makes it into the top-three, in a tie with financial services," said Mallett. "Overall, there is a very little gap between the most- and the least-optimistic business owners, by sector, which is a welcome sign of general economic stability."

"New orders levels are a little slower in February, on account of weaker manufacturing and construction sentiment, however, these leading indicators, including overtime levels and accounts receivables, remain much higher compared to recessionary levels," concluded Mallett.

Measured on a scale between 0 and 100,  an index level above 50 means owners expecting their businesses' performance to be stronger in the next year outnumber those expecting weaker performance. According to past results, index levels normally range between 65 and 75 when the economy is growing.  The February 2012 findings are based on 877 responses, collected from a stratified random sample of CFIB members, to a controlled-access web survey. Findings are statistically accurate to +/- 3.3 per cent 19 times in 20.

As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 108,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.

For further information:

For more information or to arrange an interview with Ted Mallett, contact Meghan Carrington or Gisele Lumsden at 416 222-8022 or email public.affairs@cfib.ca  

iPad Safety Inspection Revolution Begins with Field ID Mobile for the iPad

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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 8, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Just in time for the new iPad, Field ID, the leader in inspection software and safety compliance solutions for web and mobile devices, announced today the availability of the most robust yet easy-to-use safety and compliance application for the iPad. Safety professionals using Field ID's world-class, cloud-based inspection and safety compliance management application can now easily download Field ID for the iPad free from Apple's App Store. Field ID for the iPad is compatible with the iPad 2 and iOS 4 or later, as well as the new 4G iPad.

As safety professionals in industrial services, construction, mining, and many other industries continue to throw away their clipboards in favour of safety compliance efficiency, Field ID for the iPad will set a new standard for online and offline inspection management, auditing and traceability. Thousands of Field ID users have made the switch from traditional inspection and auditing with clipboards, pen and paper, and many will choose the iPad as a device of choice for safety inspections.

"Since day one, Field ID's vision has been to make the inspection and safety compliance process as simple as possible," said Matt Paterson, Chief Product Officer, Field ID. "The ease-of-use and productive power of the iPad will make it a device of choice for many safety and compliance professionals around the world. Field ID for the iPad just makes great sense for safety and compliance."

All Field ID users now have the option of using Field ID on the web, Windows Mobile devices and the iPad. The Field ID iPad App also includes a free trial for compliance and safety professionals who do not already subscribe to an account with Field ID.

"Field ID's world-class software development team has spent years refining a system that delivers the easiest way to manage safety compliance in a variety of industrial settings," said Mark Frederiksen, Chief Technology Officer, Field ID. "Field ID is committed to the highest quality in software design, and we've proven this on many different devices. Field ID for the iPad has been programmed to empower safety professionals with the full-featured functionality of the Field ID software and the iPad, by a team devoted to impeccable user experiences on every platform."

Features of Field ID for the iPad include:

  • Access your Field ID safety compliance information from the field
  • Direct access to asset information, historic inspections, images and documents
  • Record inspections, audits & QC/QA events either online or offline
  • Manage upcoming and overdue inspection schedules ensuring you are compliant
  • Capture defects and deficiencies in equipment, facilities, job sites and more

To download, Field ID Mobile for the iPad from the iTunes store for free, visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/field-id/id506111388?ls=1&mt=8.

To learn more about Field ID for the web and mobile devices, visit http://www.fieldid.com/.

About Field ID

Field ID is the world's leading paperless safety compliance and inspection management system. The company's easy-to-use, cloud-based inspection software has revolutionized the way companies manage safety compliance, create safer workplaces, and improve quality assurance processes. Field ID combines web-based technologies with the power of mobile devices and electronic identification (RFID and barcodes) to improve the efficiency, reliability and reporting of workplace safety management. Manufacturers, distributors, third party inspectors and end users worldwide use Field ID to inspect facilities and equipment, improve training management, and track assets such as cranes, slings and harnesses. For more information, please visit http://www.fieldid.com/.

Contact us at 416-599-6464 or 1-800-996-4797 toll-free in North America, or via email at contact@fieldid.com.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120308-ipad_app_login_screen_800.jpg.

Contact Information

Field ID
Jesse Kohl
Digital Marketing Manager
416-599-6464
pr@fieldid.com
www.fieldid.com

Canadian Rock Icon Kim Mitchell Set to Perform at CDMN Canada 3.0 2012 Digital Media Forum

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STRATFORD, ON, March 21, 2012  - Highlighting Canada's ability to compete on a global stage, Sarnia native and rock icon Kim Mitchell will be performing the evening of April 24th as part of the Canadian Digital Media Network's 4th annual CDMN Canada 3.0 digital media forum. Mitchell, who was lead singer/writer and guitarist in 'alternative' band Max Webster before launching a solo career that continues to this day, is known for breakout hits 'Go for Soda' and 'Patio Lanterns', and will no doubt be a big hit himself with attendees of Canada's premier digital media forum.

"Through Canada 3.0 2012, we're demonstrating that Canadians can aspire to compete on a global stage, much like Kim Mitchell has done as a performer," said Kevin Tuer, Managing Director, CDMN. "We're confident that Canada can be a leader in the global digital economy, and Canada 3.0 brings together all sectors in industry, government, and academia to make that a reality."

After three decades, three Juno awards and numerous gold and multiplatinum album sales, Mitchell accepted an additional challenge: his first 'day job'.  Six years later, he has become the number one afternoon drive announcer in the GTA at Corus's flagship station, Q107 in Toronto, a rating that makes him the most listened-to announcer in the country with males 25 to 54. It's through these achievements and more that Mitchell has earned celebrity status in Canada.

The spotlight will also be shining on an impressive array of speakers from other walks of life at Canada 3.0 2012, adding to the experience for the anticipated 2,000 registrants. Among the many speakers are:

·       Lynda Brown-Ganzert, Vice-President Nordicity (West)
·       David Fransen, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles
·       Mathew Ingram, Senior Writer with GigaOM.com
·       Mark Barrenechea, CEO of OpenText
·       Tom Perlmutter, Chair of the National Film Board of Canada
·       John Stackhouse, Editor-in-Chief of the Globe and Mail
·       Martin Soltys, Founder & CEO of Transmedia Entertainment Partners Ltd., and co-founder of restaurant chain Pete & Marty's
·       Lisa von Sturmer, CEO and Founder, Growing City

Organizers of the Canada 3.0 forum have worked to ensure that recommendations made at last year's event were acted upon and as a result, staged cross-Canada workshops over the past six months to determine the digital media needs and aspirations of each region. Opinions from industry, academia and government were distilled to create the topic streams at Canada 3.0 which include: Connectivity; Productivity; Content; Talent; and Access to Capital.

"The grassroots input, best practices and lessons learned we've collected from the cross-Canada tour has shaped the program for this year's forum, and will be reflected in the content and topics discussed," said Tuer.

The "Moonshot" goal of 'anyone can do anything online in Canada by 2017' has been the key focus of the forum over the past few years, Tuer said.  The forum is once again being hosted in Stratford, which has become an epicentre for the arts with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and for digital media innovation with the Stratford Institute and University of Waterloo Stratford campus, which bring arts and sciences together. The Intelligent Communities Forum (ICF) named the City of Stratford a Top Seven Intelligent Community of 2011 on the basis of its communications infrastructure and digital media adoption within the community.

Registration is in full swing for the forum which is just over a month away, being staged April 24-25. Early bird registration ends at 5 p.m. EST on Friday, March 23rd. Full information on the forum is available at: www.canada30.ca and you can follow CDMN Canada 3.0 2012 on Twitter @Can3_0 or join the conversation using #CDA30.

About CDMN Canada 3.0 2012
CDMN Canada 3.0 2012 is a forum organized by the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) www.cdmn.ca focused on advancing Canada's strength in digital media. CDMN encourages job creation and increases global competitiveness by linking Canada's leading digital media centres with industry, government and academia.

For further information:

Media Contact
Shelley Grandy, Sr. PR Advisor, Canada 3.0 2012, shelley@cdmn.ca

Larry Smith to deliver keynote address at Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show

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Montreal, Quebec – March 26, 2012 – The most pressing challenge facing Quebec manufacturers in 2012 is the need to do more with less, reports a recent survey conducted by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). The survey is being released just weeks before the launch of a newly-expanded Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS), which features an inspirational keynote address by Canadian senator and former CFLer Larry Smith.

More than one-half of manufacturers surveyed by SME cited improving workforce productivity as a primary concern, followed closely by the need to update equipment and processes, and to lower overall production costs.

“These findings demonstrate the important role that technology plays in the Quebec manufacturing sector,” said Nick Samain, Group Show Manager with the SME, organizer of MMTS, to be held May 14-16 at Montreal’s Place Bonaventure. “Manufacturers need up-to-date technology, equipment and services to remain competitive and it’s our job to present those solutions in a format that makes it easy for them to find the answers they need,” he said, noting that the bi-annual event is as much about education and networking as it is about purchasing new products.

Other challenges facing Quebec manufacturers, as identified by the SME survey, include: finding ways to expand into new markets; attracting and retaining qualified personnel; keeping up with industry trends; and, dealing with uncertain customer demand.

At MMTS, show visitors will receive a motivational message from Smith, former star fullback and president of the Montreal Alouettes Canadian Football League franchise, former president and publisher Montreal Gazette and one of Quebec’s most respected business leaders, who will show how mastering the three elements of change, vision and mission can help to overcome such hurdles and lead to business success.

One of Canada’s most inspiring sports heroes, Smith will share his business acumen and belief that how well you build your team – or business – depends on how well you sell your vision for change. Combining his powerful and successful leadership models with interesting anecdotes from his years as a leadership legend in the CFL, Smith will deliver measurable tools that manufacturers can use to bring the best out in their employees and processes.

Additional MMTS highlights include a new format with a greater emphasis on social media as a means to deliver a truly interactive user experience; a first-ever Interactive Practical Education Component (iPEC) that delivers open, informal, hands-on technical sessions presented in a modern, innovative Presentation Hub situated right on the show floor; and, a larger-than-ever product exhibition featuring a 15 per cent increase in show floor space.

The event will highlight key advances in such areas as high-speed machining, aerospace, transportation, energy, efficiency, lean manufacturing and more. Among the key exhibitors already secured include: Sandvik, Elliott Matsuura, Machineries BV, Huron Canada, Megatel, Ellison/Mori Seiki, Mazak, Okuma, Prima Finn Power and many more. Five thousand attendees are expected to visit the show, representing a cross-section of more than 20 manufacturing industries.

The event is produced in partnership with the Canadian Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (CMTDA), Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA), Canadian Wind Energy Association (CANWEA), Quebec Aerospace Association (AQA) and Les Affaires.

For more information about MMTS, to exhibit or to register for the event, visit www.mmts.ca or call 1-888-322-7333 ext. ext. 4435.

About the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www.sme.org)
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the world's leading resource for manufacturing information and knowledge. With Canadian headquarters in Toronto, the society promotes an increased awareness of the value of manufacturing among industry professionals and the general public, while supporting educational initiatives and introducing career options for those entering the industry. For half a million manufacturing engineers, executives and members in more than 70 countries around the globe, SME is the source for knowledge, networking and skills development opportunities that help them advance their careers, their companies and their industries.

Invest Ottawa’s experienced executives intent on building regional prosperity

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Ottawa ON, March 23, 2012 – The Invest Ottawa leadership team is now in place, ready to build Ottawa’s reputation as the best place in Canada to start and grow a knowledge-based business. Invest Ottawa’s CEO and President Bruce Lazenby is pleased to announce four full-time and three part-time executives that he says will “inject new blood and new ideas into Ottawa’s business ecosystem.”

“This is a dream team,” said Lazenby, “chosen from hundreds of qualified candidates who came forward, excited to be part of our city’s new economic development mission. And every one of our new executives are open and willing to collaborate with regional, national and international stakeholders to build Ottawa’s prosperity on a global basis.”

The four full-time Invest Ottawa executive team members include:

Kevin Carroll, Managing Director of Innovation

Kevin Carroll heads the Invest Ottawa Innovation team that provides services ranging from helping budding entrepreneurs get their small business ideas off the ground, to an innovation acceleration service for technology companies offered in a new 75-seat business accelerator facility at Invest Ottawa’s premises.
He has a track record of business achievement spanning more than 20 years, helping shape technology commercialization by bringing together the right teams to grow knowledge-based companies across the province.

Kevin has worked with over 200 companies and raised over $100 million in private and public seed financing. Kevin was previously the Director of Commercialization at the Centre of Commercialization of Research at the Ontario Centres of Excellence. This Federally funded Centre is focused on helping new technology based firms across Ontario grow and expand into foreign markets. He has also recently served as Interim CEO at Launch Lab, the Innovation Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

“I love working with companies and helping them get to from prototype to market-ready product”, he said. “I see the increased desire to support Ottawa’s entrepreneurs and my team, including our three new Entrepreneurs in Residence, are in place to accelerate the growth of startups across our knowledge-based sectors.”

Walter Hutchings, Managing Director of Investment and Trade

Walt Hutchings brings more than 30 years of banking and international business development experience to help expand and retain existing Ottawa companies while attracting new enterprises to the city. His previous position was with Export Development Canada (EDC) where as Group Vice President, International Business Development he nurtured high level contacts across Canada and worldwide from 15 sales offices spread around the globe.

In 2010, Walt’s team at EDC originated and signed business valued at $22 billion. In areas where he started new operating groups, business volume grew by as much as 500% per year.

“My team’s job is to match high growth companies with high growth markets. Our sector specialists are going to develop in-depth understanding of our local companies and then develop leads for those companies by working with partners like Canadian government trade commissioners, EDC, and trade and investment resources in key growth markets like China and Brazil.”

Jennifer Chorlton, Director of Marketing and Communications

Jennifer Chorlton takes ownership of Invest Ottawa’s new brand and ongoing communications strategy. Deeply involved in Ottawa’s marketing community for the last 15 years, for the last four years she was Director of Publishing at Magmic Games Inc., a global Ottawa-based success in the mobile video games industry.

Geneviève Ménard Hayles, Commissioner of Film, TV and Digital Media

Geneviève Ménard Hayles joined Invest Ottawa in January 2012. She had previously been the Executive Director of the Canadian Tulip Festival for 2011. She also served as the Events and Filming Group Manager for Westminster City Council in London where they facilitate over 850 events and 2500 filming activities per year.

Three New Entrepreneurs in Residence

Invest Ottawa has also added three new Entrepreneurs In Residence (EIR). The EIRs work on a part-time basis and bring a wide range of real-world business experience to share with entrepreneurs across Eastern Ontario and enable companies to accelerate growth on a global basis. The three new EIRs are:

  • Chris Johnson, a former software company CEO and marketing communications expert
  • Andrew Jackson, a consultant and virtual CMO to startups in digital media, with C-level experience in high tech and financial services
  • Andrew Moffatt, an enterprise software company founder who for the last eight years has funded and advised start-ups
  • The three new EIRs join Bob Huggins, a globally recognized Web-based media pioneer, who has worked as an EIR for the past three years

About Invest Ottawa
Invest Ottawa delivers economic development programs and initiatives that increase entrepreneurial momentum, wealth and jobs in the City of Ottawa and its surrounding region. Its goal is to make Ottawa the best place in Canada to start and grow a knowledge-based business. Invest Ottawa services include start-up incubation and mentorship, acceleration for existing companies, global business attraction and local business retention, targeted sector development, commercialization, and marketing Ottawa’s diversified economy and high quality of life. www.investottawa.ca

Invest Ottawa Contacts

Bruce Lazenby
President and CEO, Invest Ottawa
Phone: 613-828-6274, ext. 267
Email: blazenby@investottawa.ca

Paul Brent
Senior Communications Strategist
market2world communications inc.
Phone: 613-256-3939
Email: paul@market2world.com

TELUS introduces trade-in program - credit towards new device for your old hands

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TORONTO, March 21, 2012 /CNW/ - TELUS is making it even easier for customers to get into the latest, greatest wireless devices with the introduction of a trade-in program. TELUS' new trade-in program will reward customers with instant in-store credit for their used devices while giving them a chance to dispose of their electronic waste safely and smartly.

"Putting our customers first is at the core of what we do at TELUS, and that means we are listening and understand they want to upgrade devices more easily and more often," said Brent Johnston, TELUS vice-president of mobility solutions. "Over the last few years, we've launched a number of initiatives making our service easier and more transparent. We have applied the same principles to our new trade-in program. It's a smart and future friendly way for our customers to get to their next device faster by trading in their current device for credit toward the latest and greatest smartphones and accessories."

The need for a trade-in program has never been greater. TELUS recently commissioned a survey to find out what Canadians do with their old devices, and found that 61 per cent said they have between one and five old cell phones lying around at home. That same number of Canadians surveyed, 61 per cent, said they would happily trade their old phones in if they would get something in return for doing so. Furthermore, Canadians are very concerned about the electronic waste piling up at home, with 82 per cent stating they would hand in their old phones if they knew they would be disposed of safety.

Working in collaboration with eRecyclingCorps (eRC), TELUS is making its trade-in program available to all TELUS customers, both new and existing. As of today, customers can simply present their device at a TELUS store and will be offered a credit if the phone is recent enough that it can be refurbished or, if not, a donation of $3 to Tree Canada in their name toward the planting of a tree for each unit recycled. Customers can trade in up to three phones, mobile Internet keys or mobile Wi-Fi devices (with a maximum combined value of up to $200). Credits will be applied to device or accessory costs for a new activation or renewal at time of trade.

"This research shows that Canadians not only want a hassle-free way to trade-in their retired devices, but they would also like to be rewarded. TELUS is partnering with eRecyclingCorps to give them exactly what they want - instant credit for devices right at the store," said David Edmondson, CEO of eRecyclingCorps. "The TELUS trade-in program makes it easy for customers to get credit toward the purchase of the latest phones and accessories while safely keeping their old phones out of landfills."

The survey also found:

  • 54 per cent of Canadians would like to recycle their cellphones but don't know how to
  • 24 per cent of Canadians 18-34 years old see themselves as tech gurus and always use the latest wireless phone vs. 11 per cent for Canadians 35-54 years old
  • Quebec is the champion of device recycling with 61 per cent of Quebecers recycling their old devices

TELUS and its team members are committed to delivering a fair, transparent and reliable customer experience by continuing to make friendly changes to services and rate plans. Recent initiatives include:

  • Clear and Simple rate plans with no system access and carrier 911 fees
  • Flexible data rate plans to avoid bill shock
  • Free SMS data usage notifications
  • Device unlocking services
  • International roaming rates that have been reduced by up to 60 per cent and are available without a complex travel pass
  • Redefined device ownership terms that makes it easy to upgrade to the latest and greatest smartphones anytime.

For more information about how TELUS is putting customers first, please visit www.telus.com/you.

In 2011, at a ceremony in Ottawa, Tree Canada formally recognized TELUS as an Ultimate sponsor for contributing more than $1 million to their cause.

Visit about.telus.com/community/en/partnerships/treecanada to learn more.

About the survey

From February 9th to February 10th 2012, an online survey was conducted among a sample of 1,011 Canadian adults who are also Angus Reid Forum panel members. The margin of error — which measures sampling variability — is +/- 3.09 per cent, 19 times out of 20. The sample was balanced by age, gender, region and education according to the most recent census data, to be fully representative of the population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About eRecyclingCorps

eRecyclingCorps (eRC) is the world's leading provider of carrier-grade wireless device trade-in solutions.  Founded in 2009 to provide a scalable model to repurpose and reuse perceptually obsolete devices, eRC partners with global carriers and retailers to provide instant, in-store trade-in credit.  eRC renews devices to stringent certification standards and sells them to consumers in developing countries at an affordable price thereby bridging the digital divide.  eRC will complete more than 5 million wireless trade-ins worldwide in 2012.  For more information, please visit erecyclingcorps.com.

About Tree Canada

Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization established 20 years ago to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more than 77 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has organized 9 national urban forest conferences. For more information, please visit www.treecanada.ca.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.4 billion of annual revenue and 12.7 million customer connections including 7.3 million wireless subscribers, 3.6 million wireline network access lines and 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 500,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.2 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

For further information:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Elisabeth Napolano
TELUS Media Relations
416-906-9830
Elisabeth.napolano@telus.com

MTS Announces Data Plans for new iPad

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Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, MB, March 23, 2012 /CNW/ - MTS announced that beginning today, it will offer a range of attractive data plans for the new iPad that will allow customers to connect to its fast 4G network.

The third generation iPad is a category defining mobile device that features a stunning new Retina display, Apple's new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. It also still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G is world-ready, allowing users to connect to fast networks worldwide when they travel. 

For more information about iPad please visit www.apple.com/ipad/

MTS
MTS is the leading full-service communications provider for residential and business customers in Manitoba. The company's suite of products and services include the latest in wireless technology, high-speed Internet, an award-winning IPTV service, voice services, home security, and an extensive range of business solutions.  A technology leader, MTS operates advanced wireless networks delivering the best coverage for Manitobans with its 4G, CDMA and Wi-Fi wireless networks and is investing to build out its extensive fibre-to-the-home network in over 20 Manitoba communities. MTS's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and spirit of its 3,000 Manitoba-based employees. With over 100 years of operations, MTS is rooted firmly in the community and is a proud sponsor of the MTS Centre, home to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. MTS is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about the Company's corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives and future financial results and performance that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending", and other similar terms.

Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the "Material assumptions" section below, the "Risks and uncertainties" section, elsewhere in the Company's 2011 Annual MD&A and 2011 Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.  Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's expectations as of today. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For further information:

Media:          
Sylvie Houghton
Manager, Corporate Communications
MTS
(204) 612-9767
media.relations@mtsallstream.com

Changing the way Canadians pay: Current infrastructure hindering progress

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TORONTO, March 26, 2012 /CNW/ - KPMG advocates for more collaboration in modernizing Canada's payments system or Canada runs the risk of being a less attractive place to do business - a shared point of view with the Task Force for the Payments System Review (TFPSR).

Comprised of industry leaders, the TFPSR has been tasked with reviewing the security, soundness and efficiency of the system across all payment methods and users.

Canada's Minister of Finance, the Hon. Jim Flaherty released the TFPSR's final recommendations on how to modernize Canada's payments system on Friday, March 23, 2012. Key recommendations include:

  • The Government of Canada should take charge on making the move away from paper
  • Governance procedures need to be consistent, self-regulated and inclusive
  • Legacy systems and payments infrastructure require a complete overhaul in order to catch up to global counterparts

The KPMG Perspective

"The report highlights one of Canada's biggest challenges in implementing a new payments system - our dated infrastructure," says Ian Shelley, Partner, IT Advisory at KPMG and Member, Advisory Committee, Canadian Payments Association. "It comes down to who 'foots the bill' for the cost of changing the way Canadians pay - is it the banks, the credit card companies, the government or someone else?"

"There is a huge amount of innovation occurring around payments right now," says Yvon Audette, National Partner-in-Charge, IT Advisory at KPMG. "It's not clear if the current structures and government involvement are allowing payments system innovations to benefit users rapidly."

Recognizing it is a difficult balance between operating and innovating, KPMG identifies additional key considerations as Canada works to modernize its payments system:

  • The 'legacy question' should be a priority moving forward - adding new payment methods without removing old ones will only hinder advancements
  • The lack of infrastructure and collaboration in Canada stifles innovation in payments systems, making new products difficult to launch
  • While electronic and digital payments increase efficiency, they tend to have low adoption today in Canada

Background Information

About KPMG
KPMG LLP, an Audit, Tax and Advisory firm (kpmg.ca) and a Canadian limited liability partnership established under the laws of Ontario, is the Canadian member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG member firms around the world have 145,000 professionals, in 152 countries.

The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity, and describes itself as such.

For further information:

Michael Bodsworth
Manager, Media Relations, KPMG
(416) 777-3407
mbodsworth@kpmg.ca

Would you like the Markham Convergence Centre as the home for your start-up?

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Are you an entrepreneur, or do you know one who could benefit from the collaborative setting and ready access to (amazing) resources available at the MCC? 

  • Access to your own advisory board. 
  • Adjoining work stations that rent for about $300 per month. 
  • More than a clubhouse...Think MaRS North in terms of services. 
  • Access to meeting rooms. 
  • Free parking!

Furniture, meeting rooms, great connections...all available and waiting.

Deceptively affordable. Great address! Hot coffee and creative minds!

Contact Pat Shaw, Executive Director of the YTA, for details on how your company can be part of the MCC.
905.415.4558
patshaw@yorktech.ca

Samsung GALAXY Becomes the Ultimate Platform for Mobile Entertainment

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MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Samsung Electronics Canada, the leading supplier of mobile phones in the Canadian marketplace, announced the availability of the incredibly popular mobile game 'Angry Birds Space' for Samsung GALAXY users.

To support the launch of Angry Birds Space, Rovio has created "Danger Zone" - an exclusive package of 30 challenging levels for GALAXY users. Normally available as an in-app purchase, this package will be made available for free to all Samsung GALAXY users from Samsung Apps and the Google Play* for 3 months. This exclusive offer will be available from March 22nd with the launch of Angry Birds Space.

In addition to this special offer, Samsung is celebrating the successful worldwide launch of the Samsung GALAXY Note. All Samsung GALAXY Note users will receive an offer for Angry Birds Space with an exclusive GALAXY Note level for added fun. Providing the ultimate on-the-go entertainment experiences, the Samsung GALAXY Note is a perfect gaming device as it comes with a vivid and expansive 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED screen and a dual-core processor, which ensures incredibly fast and smooth game play.

"As an official launch partner of Angry Birds Space, a new blockbuster game from leading mobile developer Rovio, we are thrilled to provide our Galaxy users and Note owners with exclusive offers," said Paul Brannen, Vice President, Mobile Communications at Samsung Canada. "We are committed to providing extraordinary experiences for consumers, and we will continue to provide new features and upgrades to enrich our offering."

Also, all game players will find extra fun playing the game with new Angry Birds Space characters. One of these special birds - the Lazer Bird - is introduced by Samsung, and reflects the personality of Samsung GALAXY Note. The bird's lazer vision resembles the best viewing experience on the crisp and expansive screen and its lazer strike super power the high performance. New characters, including the Lazer Bird in Angry Birds Space have unique superhero powers to help in their fight against the space pigs and bring their eggs safely back home.

For more information about this exciting offer for Samsung Galaxy users, please visit http://samsung.angrybirds.com/.

*Level pack compatible above Android 2.1

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Canada delivers unrivalled consumer experiences. Samsung enables Canadians to pursue their passions by offering abroad range of award-winning digital consumer electronics, IT, telecommunications and home appliance products. The Canadian arm upholds Samsung's global mission to provide consumers with innovative digital convergence products that possess exceptional technology, quality, features, performance and value. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, Samsung has become one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. The company was ranked #17 in BusinessWeek/Interbrand "100 Best Global Brands" and was named as one of Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies of 2011."

For more information, please visit www.samsung.ca.

You can also Like Samsung on facebook.com/SamsungCanada or follow Samsung on twitter @SamsungCanada. For customer service inquiries, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864).

For further information:

Brenna Eller


North Strategic for Samsung Mobile Communications


brenna.eller@northstrategic.com | 416-836-9417

Rdio Among First to Launch Music App for Facebook Timeline in Canada

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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 21, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo and a video associated with this press release.

Rdio (www.rdio.com), the premier digital music service started by the creators of Skype is among the first music services integrated with Facebook timeline in Canada, allowing access to Rdio's new milestone 15 million songs straight from your Facebook timeline. With the integration, people who use Facebook in Canada will now be able to share their musical tastes with their friends and discover new music directly on Facebook.

"More than half of Canadians are connecting and sharing with their friends on Facebook. In the same way friends share their lives, Rdio lets music fans discover, play and share their favorite music with friends and influencers," said Carter Adamson, Rdio Co-Founder. "With Canada's vibrant music community, this integration combines Facebook's expansive reach with our social DNA. We know the future of music is all about social discovery, and this is a perfect way to expand on that."

People can log into Rdio with their Facebook account and add songs to their timeline as they listen. Songs will also appear in News Feed and Ticker, giving friends an easy way to discover music. For a person on Facebook who is not yet signed up to Rdio, clicking on a song will prompt the person to give permission and then create an Rdio account. The new account instantly activates a free trial to Rdio and no credit card or application download is needed to get started. People who wish to turn off sharing to Facebook can easily do so within Rdio's settings at any time, and can also remove specific songs directly from their timeline or control settings through their Activity Log on Facebook. As people see on Facebook that their friends are listening to music, they can also click "listen with" from the ticker and listen to that song together through Rdio.

Rdio's integration with Facebook timeline follows the recent announcement of the new Rdio, a completely redesigned experience and the expansion of its catalog to more than 15 million songs. These developments in Canada will amplify the social music experience, making discovering and listening to music shared by friends on Facebook through Rdio seamless.

To learn more about Rdio and sign up for a free trial, visit www.rdio.com.

About Rdio

Rdio is the ground-breaking digital music service that is reinventing the way people discover, listen to, and share music. With on-demand access to over 15 million songs, Rdio connects people with music and makes it easy to search for and instantly play any song, album, artist or playlist without ever hearing a single ad. Discover what friends, people with similar tastes, recording artists and more are listening to in real-time and share across Twitter and Facebook. Build a digital music collection that's available everywhere - on the web, in-home or in-car, on a tablet or smartphone, and even offline.

Launched in August 2010, Rdio is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded by Janus Friis, one of the creators of Skype. Currently available in the US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal and Denmark, Rdio is funded by Atomico, Janus Friis through his investment entities, Skype and Mangrove Capital Partners. For more information, visit www.rdio.com.

Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120320-Rdio_Open_Graph.jpg.

To view the video associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTJ7cIFTtnM.


Samsung Launches First HD Box and HD PVR in Partnership with Videotron

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MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Samsung Canada, the No. 1 TV and mobile phone provider in Canada1, announced today that they are enhancing the way Videotron customers watch TV with the launch of two new set top boxes - the Samsung HD box and the HD PVR. Both products will be available exclusively through Videotron, in support of their next generation illico digital TV service.

"We are very excited to enter the Canadian cable broadcasting market through illico TV new generation Service, the most advanced TV experience in Canada, provided by Videotron," said Paul Brannen, Vice President, Enterprise Business Group at Samsung Canada. "As an established leader in TVs and mobile devices, Samsung is focused on delivering premium and innovative products that enable Canadians to enjoy interactive home entertainment services team up with a telecommunications leader in Canada, Videotron."

The advanced features of Samsung set-top boxes provide illico customers with an enhanced multi-media experience, including high-definition video and functionality to record media for over 350 digital channels and practical interactive services to its customers. Samsung set-top boxes will be available throughout Videotron's retail network.

"Samsung consumers have told us that they want access to more content and a way to find it more easily," continued Brannen. "As a result, Samsung is focused on developing technologies that enable our customers to multitask - in their lives and through their devices."

"Samsung is known for their premium products and innovative services for consumers and were a natural fit to select as a set-top box provider for illico TV new generation," said Pierre Roy, Vice President, Engineering, Research and Development, Videotron. "As we looked to expand our Digital TV Service, it was a natural fit to work with Samsung as an established leader in TVs and mobile devices."

1Number one mobile phone provider in Canada, according to IDC Canada's Mobile Tracker.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Canada delivers unrivalled consumer experiences. Samsung enables Canadians to pursue their passions by offering a broad range of award-winning digital consumer electronics, IT, telecommunications and home appliance products. The Canadian arm upholds Samsung's global mission to provide consumers with innovative digital convergence products that possess exceptional technology, quality, features, performance and value. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, Samsung has become one of the most decorated brands in the electronics industry. The company was ranked #17 in BusinessWeek/Interbrand "100 Best Global Brands" and was named as one of Fast Company's "50 Most Innovative Companies of 2011."

For more information, please visit www.samsung.ca.

You can also Like Samsung on facebook.com/SamsungCanada or follow Samsung on twitter @SamsungCanada. For customer service inquiries, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864).

About Videotron

(www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, and Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its interactive Digital TV service and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of September 30, 2011, Videotron was serving 1,844,200 cable television customers, including 1,348,100 subscribers to its digital service. Videotron is also the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,306,400 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2011. As of the same date, Videotron had 258,100 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 1,179,400 Québec households and organizations. For the seventh consecutive year, Videotron was named Québec's most respected telecommunications company by Les Affaires magazine, based on a Léger Marketing survey.

For further information:

Brenna Eller  |  North Strategic
Mobile: 416-836-9417  |  Email: brenna.eller@northstrategic.com

Touch Version 3.1 | Sound and Video Clips Optimized, Fully Compatible Across Major Mobile Platforms

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WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 2, 2012) - Today, less than four months following its initial launch, a new release of the mobile interpersonal connectivity application "Touch," that is transforming social networking by seamlessly connecting people with their closest relationships, has been made available across all major mobile platforms. Fully compatible across iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices, Touch Version 3.1 adds functionality to support audio and video clips, in order to deliver robust multimedia support for a more engaging user experience. As the first and leading niche social networking platform, Touch has now served 350 million one-on-one messages and 40 million group messages, delivering a solution to users who want a more intimate and real-time social networking experience customized for the mobile device.

"The rapid and widespread adoption of the Touch platform validates our belief that people want a way to more easily connect with their most significant relationships - a need that is not being met by other solutions on the market today," said Derek Ting, co-founder and CEO, Enflick. "We are pleased to fill that need with Touch and to deliver even more of the cutting edge capabilities that our users want with this new release."

Touch delivers an on-demand social networking experience, enabling instantaneous chats and photo and experience sharing from any phone and allowing users to immediately connect with their closest relationships. Further - unlike many emerging mobile applications - Touch helps guarantee the safety of its users' personal data through a commitment to transparency and choice and never stores raw numbers anywhere on its system to protect its users' privacy.

Touch Version 3.1 - Features and Capabilities

Touch Version 3.1 includes sound and video clips that have been specifically designed and optimized for mobile, leveraging the following technology capabilities to further enhance the user experience:

  • Incremental uploading - allowing multimedia files to be split in 'chunks.' If any chunk falls, only that chunk will be re-uploaded, reducing the chance of media uploads failing.
  • Progressive streaming* - enabling users to immediately start enjoying audio and video without waiting to download the entire file first - significantly improving the user experience by minimizing the wait-time required to start watching or listening to the media (especially on unreliable mobile networks).

[*This capability will initially be available on the iOS, followed by Android and BlackBerry.]

The new release provides users with even more ways to connect and communicate with their closest relationships, through video and audio messages and voice notes. Touch 3.1 can be downloaded at touch.com. Touch supports iOS devices (OS version 3.0+), as well as Android (1.6+) and Blackberry (5.0+).

About Enflick

Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Enflick is a leading provider of real-time social software solutions designed to transform the way that individuals connect with each other online. Its Touch platform delivers a single, unified mobile connectivity solution that makes keeping in touch with close friends and family an immediate, intuitive and completely seamless experience. More than 25 million users worldwide use Enflick's TextNow and Touch applications, serving 1.3 billion impressions per month. Since TextNow went viral in 2009, Enflick has achieved a 400 percent year-over-year growth.

Enflick is committed to designing user-friendly products that make connecting online easier and simulate how people engage in real life with the exact same immediacy and continuity. Enflick was recently named a company to watch in the 2011 Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ Awards for its innovative technology and entrepreneurship and potential as a future leader in the Canadian technology industry. For more information, visit http://enflick.com.

NGHS Takes Health Care Compliance Management to the Cloud With Field ID

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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 3, 2012) - Northeast Georgia Health System Inc. (NGHS), a not-for-profit community health system in Gainesville, has successfully deployed Field ID's industry-leading inspection software and safety compliance system to improve health care compliance management and inspections across multiple facilities, including Northeast Georgia Medical Center - one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States, as recognized by the Hospital Strength Index.

As a large tertiary health care system connecting more than 40 facilities, NGHS has eliminated the use of paper when it comes to environmental safety inspections, assessments, and management of critical inspections for more than 100 performance measures. Field ID gives NGHS the flexibility to manage safety, compliance and inspection data from multiple facilities from a single cloud-based system - keeping critical information secure and accessible anywhere, any time.

"Using Field ID to digitize our inspection and compliance management made much more sense than keeping track of paper forms and different databases across our coverage area," said Kevin Matson, Director of Occupational Health & Safety, Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc. "The Field ID system helps keep us on track and compliant in real-time, around the clock."

NGHS uses Field ID for daily inspection management to help ensure regulatory compliance with numerous organizations, including OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services, the College of American Pathologists, the National Fire Protection Association, DNV (Det Norske Veritas), the Food and Drug Administration, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division of the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a given day, achieving compliance at NGHS requires inspections for interim life safety measures, medical and fire safety equipment, department-wide environmental assessments, and even waste shed inspections required of many hospitals by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"At Field ID, we aim to make safety and compliance as simple as possible, even when it involves complex requirements like those in health care environments," said Somen Mondal, CEO, Field ID. "We are very excited to count Northeast Georgia Health System among our valued users in health care."

For more information about NGHS, visit www.nghs.com.

About Field ID

Field ID is the world's leading paperless safety compliance and inspection management system. The company's easy-to-use, cloud-based inspection software has revolutionized the way companies manage safety compliance, create safer workplaces, and improve quality assurance processes. Field ID combines web-based technologies with the power of mobile devices and electronic identification (RFID and barcodes) to improve the efficiency, reliability and reporting of workplace safety management. Manufacturers, distributors, third party inspectors and end users worldwide use Field ID to inspect facilities and equipment, improve training management, and track assets such as cranes, slings and harnesses. For more information, please visit http://www.fieldid.com/.

Contact us at 416-599-6464 or 1-800-996-4797 toll-free in North America, or via email at contact@fieldid.com.

Contact Information
Field ID
Jesse Kohl
Digital Marketing Manager
416-599-6464
pr@fieldid.com

Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc.
Kevin Matson
Director, Occupational Health & Safety
770-219-7122
kevin.matson@nghs.com

Ceridian Powerpay Plus Enhanced Payroll Solutions Reduces Administrative Workloads by up to 40%

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MARKHAM, ON, April 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Ceridian Canada announces the launch of Ceridian Powerpay Plus, an enhanced, web-based payroll solution designed to meet the complex pay and workforce management needs of mid-sized businesses.

With payroll staff of mid-sized businesses (30-300 employees) spending an average of 605 hours a year on payroll related administrative tasks, Powerpay Plus can reduce that amount of time by up to 40%, thereby freeing up opportunities to pursue business development, employee engagement and overall company growth.

Designed to relieve payroll administrators from the complexities associated with payroll systems, Powerpay Plus provides easy, cost effective, compliant payroll processing that can be combined with business intelligence analytics tools to ensure accurate and efficient operational success without headaches.

In addition to existing Powerpay functionalities, Powerpay Plus includes features specifically designed to meet the needs of mid-sized businesses, including:

  • Mass compensation, deduction, contribution and organizational updating tools: enabling multiple employee updates to take place in an instant
  • Overall ease of application use:  including a newly designed, easily navigable user interface
  • Choice of mobile application: enabling customers to access and use Powerpay Plus from an iPhone, BlackBerry or Android mobile device
  • Configurable security settings: allowing for controlled access to salary and rate information and the ability for administrators to delegate and restrict overall information access so that data entry personnel see only the information they need to do their job
  • Optional HR self-service: including Employee and Manager self-service for online paystub display, mobile paystubs, automation of select employee and manager HR transactions
  • Optional Workforce Management solutions: giving customers the ability to add (starting in June 2012) Business Intelligence analytics reporting capabilities to their packaged solution, allowing for comprehensive insight into payroll analytics so they can plan and forecast effectively

"Most businesses want to concentrate on servicing their customers, developing their staff and growing their business rather than spending the time on payroll and administrative functions," said Shelley Ng, Vice President of Product Management at Ceridian Canada Ltd. "With Powerpay Plus, we're empowering the customer to take more direct control over their payroll processes while alleviating the burdens associated with data and record keeping."

"The development of Powerpay Plus is in direct response to customer demand," added Ng. "To date, over 37,000 small business customers are using the existing version of Powerpay Web - Canada's first web-based payroll service - which solidified the notion for us to expand the solution and product capability for the mid-market."

Given the proven return on investment associated with using Powerpay Web, Powerpay Plus customers will experience a similar return-on-investment.

For instance, Peter Crushing and Hauling Ltd. reduced the amount of time spent processing payroll by 89%, from three hours per pay period to just 20 minutes using Powerpay. With that extra time, the business was able to enhance its customer service and operational efficiencies by expediting turn-around and offering same-day deliveries.

With Powerpay Plus, mid-sized Canadian businesses can better manage their payroll process needs, maintain control and benefit from a proven return on investment.

About Ceridian

Ceridian offers people and payment solutions, which result in savings up to 60 per cent for organizations of all sizes. A trusted partner to 42,000 Canadian customers, Ceridian provides a comprehensive range of solutions from payroll services, recruitment and staffing, to EAP, learning & development, and workforce and talent management. Call 1-877-CERIDIAN or visit ceridian.ca.

Follow Ceridian on: Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

For further information:

Donna Teggart
Ceridian Canada Ltd.
905-947-7251  (c) 647-388-2464
donna_teggart@ceridian.ca

Sears Canada launches smartphone applications

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TORONTO, April 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Sears Canada (TSX: SCC) today announced the launch of its first applications for iPhone® and Android smartphones.

Sears is the only department store in Canada with a fully transactional mobile website and iPhone®/Android applications, giving Canadian customers instant access to the over 80,000 products available at Sears.ca.  Customers can now not only browse and research Sears products, but they can also complete a full purchase with the convenience of their smartphone - from anywhere, in English or French.

"Sears is always looking for ways to improve the shopping experience for our customers," said Calvin McDonald, President and CEO of Sears Canada.  "With these applications we are introducing a new way for Canadian families to engage with us.  Available as a simple download, it's a complete, user-friendly mobile solution that makes online shopping more convenient than ever."

In addition to being fully transactional, the applications are loaded with many special features available only to Sears mobile app users, including exclusive offers and daily deals.  As well, the apps make it easy for customers to find the closest Sears Retail, Specialty or Order Pick-up location and, once in-store, QR codes can be scanned to access additional product information, reviews and videos.  Customers gain early access to the weekly flyer as well as instant updates from Sears Canada's mobile Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

"As with our Wish Book app that we launched during the 2011 Holiday season, which was one of the 10 most downloaded apps for several weeks, Sears continues to be an industry leader in providing innovative online and mobile retail solutions for Canadian families,"  added Mr. McDonald. "With our fully transactional mobile website and smartphone applications, we're excited to provide a whole new channel to build a trustworthy and dependable relationship with Canadian families."

Sears mobile apps are available for download by visiting www.sears.ca/app on your smartphone.

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 196 corporate stores, 285 hometown dealer stores, 30 home services showrooms, over 1,700 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 108 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

Video with caption: "Sears Canada launches smartphone applications". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120403_C2668_VIDEO_EN_11899.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120403_C2668_PHOTO_EN_11899.jpg&clientName=Sears%20Canada%20Inc%2E&caption=Sears%20Canada%20launches%20smartphone%20applications&title=&headline=Sears%20Canada%20launches%20smartphone%20applications

Image with caption: "Sears iPhone app home screen (CNW Group/Sears Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120403_C2668_PHOTO_EN_11875.jpg

Image with caption: "Sears iPhone app shop tab (CNW Group/Sears Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120403_C2668_PHOTO_EN_11877.jpg

For further information:

Contact for Media: 
Alicia Richler
Sears Canada, Corporate Communications
416-941-4423
arichle@sears.ca

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