2010年12月09日
Home Depot gives lackluste
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Top home improvement chain Home Depot Inc (HD.N) gave an outlook for the next financial year that could miss Wall Street expectations amid continued weakness in the U.S. economy and its shares fell.
Home Depot's forecast for the 12 months ending January 2012 calls for earnings of $2.19 to $2.23, while analysts on average were expecting a $2.22 a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
The retailer's shares were down 0.8 percent at $33.27 in premarket trading.
The news came ahead of a meeting with investors on Wednesday, when the company will shed light on its efforts to boost its online business and other efforts to drive sales and margins.
In a telephone interview ahead of the meeting, Chief Financial Officer Carol Tome told Reuters that the company will launch a facility that allows shoppers to buy online and pick up in store in 2011.
"The customer is changing... customers are shopping with their phones," Tome said.
For 2011, the company sees sales rising 2 percent to 2.5 percent and earnings per share from continuing operations rising 11 percent to 13 percent, after share repurchases.
Home Depot's 2011 financial year begins in February.
The company raised its outlook for the rest of this year citing strong sales in November.
"November was a terrific selling month for us. The trends continue into December," Tome said.
The home improvement retailer saw strength across the store in November, not just in holiday season items, Tome said.
For the current fiscal year, it now sees earnings of $1.97 a share, up from $1.94 a share. It sees sales rising 2.3 percent, versus its prior outlook of a 2.2 percent increase.
(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Derek Caney, Dave Zimmerman)
2010年12月08日
Still Satisfied: One Year A
Greater Boston's Roofing Contractor G.F Sprague provides full roofing, gutter and chimney services. We’re experienced and skilled in guiding a homeowner through options to meet their needs, or to the professional buyers who knows exactly what they want. Our company is fully licensed, insured and certified.
Needham Heights, MA (PRWEB) December 6, 2010
Last yearreceived a phone call from a couple in Brookline, Massachusetts about replacing the aging roof on their home. When G.F Sprague owner Jerry Sprague saw the address of the home, something clicked in his mind.
Jerry Sprague went back toarchive records of over 10,000 satisfied customers in the Massachusetts area – way back – To discover that the roof G.F Sprague were about to replace in Brookline was one that Jerry Sprague had installed himself, in 1969. That was Jerry Sprague’s very first year in business, and this home was one of G.F Sprague’s earliest roofing projects.
Though it now needed to be replaced, the 40-year-old roof was in remarkable condition considering that the original shingles were only designed as a “20 year” roof. Amazingly, this particular job had doubled its life expectancy.
The current owners had purchased this home shortly after G.F Sprague Roofing had installed the new roof back in 1969. Subsequently in the years to pass, G.F Sprague had worked on their church and many of their neighbors’ homes so they called G.F Sprague for the estimate. Boy, were they surprised to hear that their roof was a G.F Sprague roof!
G.F Sprague Roofing is happy to say that we installed a beautiful new roof on the home in Brookline and, in the fall of 2010 during a recent “one-year checkup” visit GF Sprague learned that the homeowners were delighted with the performance and look of their roof. G.F Sprague hopes this one lasts just as long as the original and that G.F Sprague gets the call again in 40 years.
Sincerely, GF “Jerry” Sprague (Owner and Founder)
# # #
Roger PifferGF Sprague Roofing617-480-6972Email Information
2010年12月07日
Eminem caps comeback year wi
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Eminem earned 10 nominations for the annual Grammy music awards, capping a comeback year for the once-troubled rap star, while Lady Gaga and Jay-Z also scored big.
Eminem got a Best Album nod for his album "Recovery," as well Best Song nomination with Rihanna for "Love the Way You Lie," at the 53rd Grammys show, set to take place in Los Angeles on February 13.
Hawaiian-born singer Bruno Mars, who performed twice during an hour-long concert to announce the Grammy prize shortlists, came second to Eminem with seven nominations including Best Male Pop Vocal.
US rap megastar Jay-Z, Nashville-born country trio Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga each earned six nods at the show.
Katy Perry, who opened the show with her catchy "California Gurls," is also in the running for Best Album along with Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire and Lady Antebellum.
Best New Artist nominees were Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber, quirky British singer Florence Welch's Florence and the Machine, country-tinged Brits Mumford and Son, as well as Drake and Esperanza Spalding.
Eminem -- real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III -- dropped out of music-making in the middle of the past decade as he battled with drug problems.
He returned with the album "Relapse" in 2009, before "Recovery" this year.
As well best album and record nods, he is also tipped for best song, best pop collaboration with vocals, best rap solo, best rap song (twice), best rap/sung collaboration, best rap album and best short form video.
While all the attention focuses on pop, rap and rock music for the young, Grammy organizers also select nomination lists for more than 100 categories, including classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal and others.
Some of the less-noticed nominees who could be called to the stage in February include Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis in the best traditional pop vocal album, and talent show sensation Susan Boyle for best pop vocal album.
British actress Emma Thompson should pencil February 13 in her diary as she is nominated for best children's spoken word album for "Nanny McPhee Returns," while Woody Allen is in the running for best spoken word album.
Comic Robin Williams is among the five nominated for best comedy album, along with "Daily Show" host and Tea Party scourge Jon Stewart.
Here are the nominations in the main categories:
- Record of the Year: "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B with Bruno Mars; "Love the Way you Lie" by Eminem featuring Rihanna; "Fxxx you" by Cee Lo Green; "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys; and "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum.
- Best Album: "The Fame Monster" by Lady Gaga; "Recovery" by Eminem; "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire; "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum; and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.
- Best Rock Album: "Emotion & Commotion" by Jeff Beck; "The Resistance" by Muse; "Backspacer" by Pearl Jam; "Mojo" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and "Le Noise" by aging folk rocker Neil Young.
- Best Female Pop Vocal: "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles; "Halo" by Beyonce; "Chasing Pirates" by Norah Jones; "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga; and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.
- Best Male Pop Vocal: "Haven't Met you Yet" by Michael Buble; "This is It" by Michael Jackson; "Whataya Want from Me?" by Adam Lambert; "Just the way You Are" by Bruno Mars, and "Half of My Heart" John Mayer.
A full list of nominees can be found at http://www.grammy.com.
2010年12月07日
L-com Designs Fourth Adapt
L-com, Inc, a global leader in the manufacture of wired and wireless connectivity products, has designed a simple adapter for the USB 2.0 micro B interface, popular on cell phones and PDAs. The new device will adapt from a standard USB type B male connector to a micro B male connector, giving the user the flexibility to use traditional A-B cables on micro B-enabled devices.
North Andover, MA (PRWEB) December 3, 2010
L-com, Inc, a global leader in the manufacture of wired and wireless connectivity products, has designed a simple adapter for the USB 2.0 micro B interface, popular on cell phones and PDAs. The new device will adapt from a standard USB type B male connector to a micro B male connector, giving the user the flexibility to use traditional A-B cables on micro B-enabled devices.
L-com already has an extensive line of USB adapters, mixing everything from standard Type A and Type B connectors, male and female, and even right-angle and USB 3.0 adapters. This new adapter is the fourth micro B USB adapter that L-com has introduced.
"The micro B USB connector has made a significant dent in the mini B 5 connectors market," said Steve Smith, Product Manager, "because of its latching design and even smaller form factor. This latest micro B adapter rounds out our product offering, allowing us to adapt pretty much any USB interface to a micro B."
For more information about this release, please contact:Dave Fallon, Internet Marketing Strategist978-682-6936 x1450, newsletters(at)L-com(dot)com
L-com, a global leader in the manufacture of wired and wireless connectivity products, offers a wide range of solutions and unmatched customer service for the electronics and data communications industries. The company's product portfolio includes cable assemblies, connectors, adapters, computer networking components, and custom products, as well as their Hyperlink line of wireless products which include Antennas, RF Amplifiers, Coaxial lightning and surge protectors, and NEMA rated enclosures. L-com's HyperLink wireless products are designed for WiFi, WiMAX, SCADA, 802.11a/b/g/n, RFID and Bluetooth applications. Trusted for over 25 years, L-com, which is headquartered in North Andover, MA, is ISO 9001: 2008 certified and many of its products are UL® recognized.
###
DAVE FALLONL-com Inc978-682-6936 ext. 1169Email Information
2010年12月07日
3 who admitted to CA teen
STOCKTON, Calif. – Three adults who admitted to holding captive and torturing a 16-year-old California boy for more than a year are each headed to prison for at least 30 years.
Michael Schumacher, his wife Kelly Lau and the teen's legal guardian, Caren Ramirez, learned their fates Monday. They pleaded guilty in October to more than a dozen felonies.
Ramirez got 34 years in prison, while Lau got 33 years and Schumacher got 30 years behind bars.
Prosecutors say the victim was beaten, burned and starved at the Tracy home of Schumacher and Lau. In December 2008, he escaped to a nearby fitness center covered in soot and wearing a chain around his ankle.
A fourth defendant, neighbor Anthony Waiters, was convicted at trial. He faces life in prison when sentenced next month.
2010年12月07日
Monmouth, N.J., edges Eastern
MOSCOW, Idaho – Will Campbell hit a 3-pointer with 6 seconds remaining to boost Monmouth, N.J., over Eastern Michigan 64-63 on Friday night in the Basketball Travelers Classic.
Mike Myers Keitt scored a season-high 17 points, going 6-for-9 and hitting three 3-pointers in the second half to help the Hawks (2-3) win Game 1 of the three-day tournament.
Brandon Bowdry had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Eagles (1-4). Antonio Green added 12 points, all on 3-pointers.
Eastern Michigan's Jay Higgins had two free throws with his team ahead 63-61 and 13 seconds on the clock. But Higgins missed both, and Monmouth capitalized, as Campbell hit his second 3 of the night for the winning shot.
Monmouth went 6-for-19 from 3-point distance. Eastern Michigan hit 9 of 25 3-pointers. Monmouth shot 47.9 percent and Eastern Michigan 36.8 percent.
2010年12月07日
L-com Designs Fourth Adapt
L-com, Inc, a global leader in the manufacture of wired and wireless connectivity products, has designed a simple adapter for the USB 2.0 micro B interface, popular on cell phones and PDAs. The new device will adapt from a standard USB type B male connector to a micro B male connector, giving the user the flexibility to use traditional A-B cables on micro B-enabled devices.
North Andover, MA (PRWEB) December 3, 2010
L-com, Inc, a global leader in the manufacture of wired and wireless connectivity products, has designed a simple adapter for the USB 2.0 micro B interface, popular on cell phones and PDAs. The new device will adapt from a standard USB type B male connector to a micro B male connector, giving the user the flexibility to use traditional A-B cables on micro B-enabled devices.
L-com already has an extensive line of USB adapters, mixing everything from standard Type A and Type B connectors, male and female, and even right-angle and USB 3.0 adapters. This new adapter is the fourth micro B USB adapter that L-com has introduced.
"The micro B USB connector has made a significant dent in the mini B 5 connectors market," said Steve Smith, Product Manager, "because of its latching design and even smaller form factor. This latest micro B adapter rounds out our product offering, allowing us to adapt pretty much any USB interface to a micro B."
For more information about this release, please contact:Dave Fallon, Internet Marketing Strategist978-682-6936 x1450, newsletters(at)L-com(dot)com
L-com, a global leader in the manufacture of wired and wireless connectivity products, offers a wide range of solutions and unmatched customer service for the electronics and data communications industries. The company's product portfolio includes cable assemblies, connectors, adapters, computer networking components, and custom products, as well as their Hyperlink line of wireless products which include Antennas, RF Amplifiers, Coaxial lightning and surge protectors, and NEMA rated enclosures. L-com's HyperLink wireless products are designed for WiFi, WiMAX, SCADA, 802.11a/b/g/n, RFID and Bluetooth applications. Trusted for over 25 years, L-com, which is headquartered in North Andover, MA, is ISO 9001: 2008 certified and many of its products are UL® recognized.
###
DAVE FALLONL-com Inc978-682-6936 ext. 1169Email Information
2010年12月07日
Eminem caps comeback year wit
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Eminem earned 10 nominations for the annual Grammy music awards, capping a comeback year for the once-troubled rap star, while Lady Gaga and Jay-Z also scored big.
Eminem got a Best Album nod for his album "Recovery," as well Best Song nomination with Rihanna for "Love the Way You Lie," at the 53rd Grammys show, set to take place in Los Angeles on February 13.
Hawaiian-born singer Bruno Mars, who performed twice during an hour-long concert to announce the Grammy prize shortlists, came second to Eminem with seven nominations including Best Male Pop Vocal.
US rap megastar Jay-Z, Nashville-born country trio Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga each earned six nods at the show.
Katy Perry, who opened the show with her catchy "California Gurls," is also in the running for Best Album along with Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire and Lady Antebellum.
Best New Artist nominees were Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber, quirky British singer Florence Welch's Florence and the Machine, country-tinged Brits Mumford and Son, as well as Drake and Esperanza Spalding.
Eminem -- real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III -- dropped out of music-making in the middle of the past decade as he battled with drug problems.
He returned with the album "Relapse" in 2009, before "Recovery" this year.
As well best album and record nods, he is also tipped for best song, best pop collaboration with vocals, best rap solo, best rap song (twice), best rap/sung collaboration, best rap album and best short form video.
While all the attention focuses on pop, rap and rock music for the young, Grammy organizers also select nomination lists for more than 100 categories, including classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal and others.
Some of the less-noticed nominees who could be called to the stage in February include Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis in the best traditional pop vocal album, and talent show sensation Susan Boyle for best pop vocal album.
British actress Emma Thompson should pencil February 13 in her diary as she is nominated for best children's spoken word album for "Nanny McPhee Returns," while Woody Allen is in the running for best spoken word album.
Comic Robin Williams is among the five nominated for best comedy album, along with "Daily Show" host and Tea Party scourge Jon Stewart.
Here are the nominations in the main categories:
- Record of the Year: "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B with Bruno Mars; "Love the Way you Lie" by Eminem featuring Rihanna; "Fxxx you" by Cee Lo Green; "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys; and "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum.
- Best Album: "The Fame Monster" by Lady Gaga; "Recovery" by Eminem; "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire; "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum; and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.
- Best Rock Album: "Emotion & Commotion" by Jeff Beck; "The Resistance" by Muse; "Backspacer" by Pearl Jam; "Mojo" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and "Le Noise" by aging folk rocker Neil Young.
- Best Female Pop Vocal: "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles; "Halo" by Beyonce; "Chasing Pirates" by Norah Jones; "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga; and "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.
- Best Male Pop Vocal: "Haven't Met you Yet" by Michael Buble; "This is It" by Michael Jackson; "Whataya Want from Me?" by Adam Lambert; "Just the way You Are" by Bruno Mars, and "Half of My Heart" by John Mayer.
A full list of nominees can be found at http://www.grammy.com.
2010年12月06日
Microsoft's Mr. Fun
NEW YORK –To challenge Google, Bing’s marketing chief, Eric Hadley, has a $100 million annual budget and gets to hang out with Jay-Z for work. Peter Lauria reports on Bill Gates’ opposite.
On a typically gorgeous late-October evening, about 300 tastemakers assembled at the trendy Delano Hotel in Miami’s South Beach. As Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Venus Williams, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and other celebrities looked on, Microsoft executive Eric Hadley stepped up to a microphone to address the crowd. Not one for attention, the megawatt star power caused Hadley’s voice to crack nervously as he started to speak, according to a source in attendance that night. Pulling himself together, Hadley led the crowd over to the Delano’s world-famous skinny pool and directed the underwater lights to come up for the big reveal: There, printed on the pool’s floor, were the lyrics to Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin,’” marking the official launch of aput together by Hadley and the rapper’s handlers to promote his autobiography, , through Microsoft’s Bing search engine.
Chances are you’ve never heard of Eric Hadley. But you’ve probably heard of Bing, which has achieved a remarkably high degree of awareness for a brand just two years old. And that is largely owed to Hadley’s work. Hadley’s official title is general manager in charge of worldwide marketing for Bing. A better way to think of him, however, is as Microsoft’s Mr. Hip. Hadley’s the guy making Bing, if not all of Microsoft, cool.
“He’s the one responsible for getting tastemakers to look at Bing differently,” says Steve Stoute, the branding expert of the hip-hop community who first introduced Jay-Z and Hadley roughly seven years ago. “Microsoft is a big ship to turn, but Hadley’s a guy who pays attention to what’s happening in subcultures and knows how to incorporate those ideas and values into the brand concept for Bing.”
Hadley, 39, cuts quite a different figure than the one the public has of a Microsoft executive. He lacks the nerdy glasses and bowl haircut of founder Bill Gates, the aggressiveness of CEO Steve Ballmer, the technological savvy of chief software officer Ray Ozzie, or the polish of any number of other executives inside the company. With his crew-cut close, receding blond hair and stoic face, he looks like a cross between Daniel Craig and Vladimir Putin. Hadley has the casual-chic fashion look down and is as comfortable at 1Oak as he is in the boardroom.
And while Hadley spends his fair share of time toiling over a keyboard analyzing spreadsheets and giving PowerPoint presentations in power suits, there’s no doubt that his is the most fun job within all of Microsoft. After all, going to events like the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, NBA All-Star weekend, and the Sundance Film Festival is a primary part of his job description.
“At the end of the day, EVERYTHING I do has to drive the business goals,” Hadley wrote in a followup email, emphasis his.
“The other guy is a technology play,” Hadley says, referring to Google not by name as all Microsofties do. “We want to be a consumer brand and make Bing relevant to people’s everyday lives, and the way to do that is to connect through pop culture.”
Armed with a reported , Hadley has struck deals to sponsor the “Two Kings Dinner” hosted by Jay-Z and LeBron James during NBA’s All-Star weekend, have Bing integrated into NBC shows The Philanthropist (since canceled) and Parenthood, and staged the first live event on Web video site Hulu in conjunction with talent agency CAA. Called the Bing-a-thon, the 81-minute show still ranks as the most viewed live event in Hulu’s history, ahead of any concerts and even President Obama’s inauguration.
Hadley’s also inked partnerships with Victoria’s Secret, Ryan Seacrest, and boutique hotel chain and club SoHo House. Seeing a rare opportunity to brand a film a la You’ve Got Mail, Hadley even produced a documentary about world-renowned cardiologist , though he has no affiliation with the search engine. (No vanity project, the film was accepted into Sundance.)
Tucked neatly behind the more headline-grabbing deals, Hadley has struck several savvy localized partnerships that smartly showcase Bing to an audience that might otherwise default to Google. He made walking billboards out of Manhattan dogwalkers from Big Paws, Little Claws by dressing them inand created promotional programming for New York City taxis with local personalities.
“He brings Hollywood and New York back to Seattle,” says Demand Media’s Joanne Bradford, who worked with Hadley at Microsoft and hired him when she was with Yahoo, “and that’s helping make Bing more culturally relevant.”
Statistics bear that out. Bing registered 21.4 million new search users its first year out of the gate and hassince then. Last month, users conducted 1.92 billion searches on Bing for 11.5 percent of the market, growth of 7 percent and 0.3 percent, more than any other search engine, respectively, according to . Google still owns the marketplace, of course, with a 66.3 percent share and 11 billion searches.
Microsoft knows that it can’t seriously challenge Google’s dominance, so its strategy is to capture the influencers instead. If Bing could grow its market share to, say, 20 percent, it would be a major psychological if not financial milestone for a software giant that has continually been out-innovated by Google, Apple, and others in the last two decades. That means there are a lot of eyes—and a concurrent amount of pressure—on Hadley. So far, he’s killing it.
“The work he’s doing has delivered results, therefore he’s attracting attention at Microsoft,” says CAA chief creative officer Jae Goodman, who first met Hadley through his wife while in college in the early ‘90s.
It’s easy to dismiss Hadley as a party boy burning through Microsoft’s money. To be sure, sources universally agree that he knows how to have a good time. But, to use the words of Ben Silverman that were echoed in sentiment if not vernacular by many of Hadley’s other associates that spoke to me for this piece: “That guy works his ass off. If he’s out until 2 a.m. it is because he is working, and he’ll still be the first one at the 8 a.m. meeting.” (Silverman is the CEO of Electus, which like The Daily Beast, is owned by IAC.)
If he’s in Seattle for the meeting, that is. Though Hadley grew up and lives in Seattle, he spends a week each in New York and Los Angeles per month, as he puts it, “meeting with people and going to events.”
Hadley is sheepish about the more glamorous aspects of his job, saying he “spends a small percent of time socializing, most of the time I’m at headquarters sifting through data.”
“At the end of the day, EVERYTHING I do has to drive the business goals,” Hadley wrote in a follow up email, emphasis his.
Hadley noted, for instance, that the Jay-Z deal was driven by research showing that the demographic groups who are his biggest fans—Gen Y (18-24 year olds) and African Americans—are more active online searchers than other groups. Going deeper, he trotted out data showing the 18-24-year-olds consume 61 percent more search pages online than average and African-American users view 29 percent more search pages. Moreover, affluent African Americans are more likely to use Bing over Google, one of the few demographic groups to do so, and those who listen to hip-hop weekly consume 19 percent more search pages monthly than others.
But Hadley hardly has to prove his marketing chops. Indeed, he doesn’t get nearly enough credit for them. Hadley came up on the agency side of business, most notably at Ogilvy & Mather, before jumping to Microsoft at the suggestion of CAA’s Goodman. He left Microsoft for a short-lived post at now-defunct online video site Heavy.com, worked under Bradford for a time at Yahoo, and then returned to Microsoft to run the Bing campaign.
“Eric was a pioneer in driving adoption of research methods to prove the effectiveness of online advertising,” says Bradford, who worked with Hadley on a landmark report on the topic for the Interactive Advertising Bureau.
Microsoft is the kind of company that doesn’t mind spending money as long it makes some, too. According to Silicon Alley Insider, Microsoft spends $667 million for every point Bing gains in market share. Though Microsoft executives insist that , SAI boss Henry Blodget estimates it would need for market share to climb to at least 30 percent for it to book profits large enough to be meaningful to the company’s overall business. (For a more complete analysis of Bing’s value proposition, see Blodget’s .)
“Microsoft has a lot of trust in Eric, otherwise they wouldn’t have brought him back,” Bradford says. “But they didn’t just give him a ton of money and say ‘Go party.’ Everything has to be backed up with numbers. He’s in the boardroom pitching why getting Bing into fashion, entertainment, culture is good from a return-on-investment perspective.”
For Hadley, however, it’s a lot simpler. For all his new-media cool, at bottom Hadley is an old-school relationship executive. He builds trust over time, prefers to do business in person, and excels at seeing the unifying thread that networks people and industries together.
Or, as LeBron James’ manager, Maverick Carter, put it, “For me, it’s less about Microsoft and more about my relationship with Eric. He’s the guy out there beating the street.”
Peter Lauria is senior correspondent covering business, media, and entertainment for The Daily Beast. He previously covered music, movies, television, cable, radio, and corporate media as a business reporter for The New York Post. His work has also appeared in Avenue, Blender, and Media Magazine, and he's appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg, BBC Radio, and Reuters TV.
Likeandfor updates all day long.
For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at .
