New York, NY (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

SuccessMaker, Pearson’s personalized digital learning program for elementary and middle school learners, is a finalist in the prestigious 2011 Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) CODiE Awards. With strong correlation to the new Common Core State Standards, SuccessMaker offers students adaptive paths for building mastery of essential reading and math concepts and gives teachers important student data to support instructional decisions. SuccessMaker is a finalist in the Best K-12 Instructional Solution category.

Established in 1986, the CODiE Awards celebrate outstanding achievement across the software, digital information and education technology industries. Nominated products undergo an intensive review by subject matter experts, analysts, journalists and other respected authorities in education technology.

“When I visit a school where students are learning with Successmaker, it is amazing to see how their enthusiasm escalates as they achieve at higher and higher levels with our courseware,” said Bob Roliardi, president of Pearson Digital Learning. “This engagement in learning, coupled with our research-based, standards-aligned digital program, is the perfect combination for ensuring that our young people are on the path for success in college, careers and life. We are honored to add this recognition from our colleagues in the Software & Information Industry Association to SuccessMaker’s growing list of awards and accolades.”

With a strong focus on the most critical math and reading concepts, individualized learning for every student becomes a reality with SuccessMaker. Embedded assessment finds just the right starting point in the curriculum for each student, and the program’s dynamic presentation of content focuses instruction on areas where each learner’s skills need to be strengthened.

SuccessMaker delivers content through a highly engaging interface that makes math and reading instruction, practice and assessment fun. The program is highly interactive, addressing multiple learning styles and making students active participants in their learning, and the game-like formats of many activities are challenging and motivating.

SuccessMaker can be delivered through a variety of deployment models, including a new fully hosted model that allows SuccessMaker content and student data to be hosted by Pearson and delivered online via the web to school sites across a district.

For the second consecutive year, Pearson tops the list of companies with products named as CODiE finalists, with 15 innovative ed-tech and information management products earning recognition. All were developed based on the company’s commitment to leveraging the power of technology and innovation to prepare today’s students for success in college and careers. Pearson products earning finalist honors span the spectrum of today’s breakthrough education and business technology products, such as mobile learning apps, educational games, technology-driven professional development, and robust systems for managing information and data. Pearson’s programs are focused on college- and career-readiness and preparing students to meet the Common Core State Standards.

In addition to SuccessMaker, the company’s products moving on to the next round of competition in this year’s CODiE Awards are Calculus: Early Transcendentals (e-Book); enVisionMATH: Understanding Fractions; EQUELLA; Grammar Jammers Primary Edition; Hospitality and Tourism Interactive; MyMathLab Algebra I and II; MyMathTest; MyReadingLab; myWorld Geography; PowerSchool 6.2; PowerTeacher 2.0; SuccessMaker Collaborate; and Words Their Way Online Workshop.

In the next step of the CODiE Awards process, SuccessMaker will be voted on by the entire SIIA membership, who determines the winner in each category. The CODiE Awards will be announced at the 2011 Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco on May 23.

About Pearson

Pearson (NYSE:PSO), has as its mission to work side by side with states, districts, teachers, students and parents to ensure that every child is prepared for college and careers. For more information, visit http://www.pearsoned.com/.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

FliXpress.com is a new Web-based service that lets individual consumers, corporations, and organizations customize animated video templates to create their own automated media using only their browser. FliXpress’ feature rich presentation quality videos include high quality 3D animation and online video ads directed to the consumer. The easy-to-use and affordable online service saves users hundreds of dollars by utilizing high-end animated templates which people can customize and render in minutes. Most animated templates on FliXpress cost between $3 and $25 per rendered video.

The fast and user-friendly service allows the final output of animated templates to be used as TV ads, web videos and promos, product promotion, presentations, animated intros for shows and live events, and even as personal photo galleries and video e-cards. For those companies or individuals requiring more complex customizable media, FliXpress offers a wide range of custom options.

“By utilizing animated templates we’ve made high-end media production much more affordable and accessible for individuals and companies,” said Dr. Sev Hrywnak, Co-Founder and CFO of FliXpress. “Anyone can create high-end, broadcast quality media for just a few dollars in only minutes by using FliXpress – something that traditionally would have cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars and would have taken several days to produce,” concluded Dr. Hrywnak.

FliXpress adds new animated templates weekly to their ever growing database. To stay on top of the latest social media trends, FliXpress offers direct integration with Facebook and YouTube, the ability to email the link to friends or clients, or a one click download in standard and HD formats. “A seven year old can do it, a seventy year old can do it,” said Brij Desai, CMO of FliXpress.

Companies will benefit by saving time and money using FliXpress. “As a marketing executive I see FliXpress opening the door to a new demographic using video as a staple in everyday presentations, resumes, and press kits. As a producer and director for 30 years, the technology is feature rich and allows for a new hip small business world entering the television advertising market,” said Loren Comitor , partner at Chicago based Christopher Foltz & Company. In the television advertising arena, FliXpress’ Direct Delivery Pipeline allows processed video to be delivered directly to the cable networks via FTP and cloud storage, in addition to digital signage playlists, or mobile devices. Custom API’s can be developed to meet specific service integration needs.

“Companies of all sizes will greatly benefit from our custom media automation option,” said Andrey Arkhipov, Co-Founder and CTO of FliXpress. “We can design media specifically for their brand, which can then be customized from any browser in minutes,” concluded Mr. Arkhipov.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

Rivet Games, developer and publisher of the next generation of web, social and mobile games, announced it closed a Series B funding from existing investors Softbank Capital, Baseline Ventures, and Floodgate, also joined by new investor Outpoint Capital. Rivet Games has now raised a total of $15 million.

Rivet Games is led by former Playdom Executive, Jesse Janosov, who joined as CEO in August 2010. The company, formerly known as FooMojo, was rebranded Rivet Games in conjunction with the closing of the Series B financing.

“The nine months since I became CEO have seen the company evolve from its roots as the developer of virtual pet site, FooPets.com, toward a next generation, multi-platform game company. To reflect this evolution we have rebranded to Rivet Games,” said Jesse Janosov, CEO. “Going forward, we are leveraging the new DNA of the company to deliver core games to core gamers, across a variety of platforms. Combining the gaming experience with state of the art analytics and modern marketing, we aim to change how games are built and delivered.”

“Facebook, mobile, open web, PC and even console games are on a collision course where gamers will have multiple views of their data that are ultimately platform and channel appropriate,” Janosov added. “Our coming product launches take new and creative approaches to gaming on these platforms and our methods of marketing games to a games audience will set a new standard. This is a very exciting time for the games industry and we are only at the beginning of the creative disruption led by companies like Rivet Games.”

“Social gaming is an area of investment focus for Softbank and we believe that Rivet has the opportunity to deliver a highly differentiated game experience. This additional round of funding will enable Rivet to bring exciting new games to market,” said Ron Fisher, managing partner of Softbank Capital, who serves on the Board of Directors of Rivet Games.

About Rivet Games
Rivet Games is a mix of traditional, casual, and social game industry veterans, obsessively working to take gaming and entertainment to the next level. Our goal is to build the most fun games, and put them wherever you want to play them. Rivet Games is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Sunnyvale, Calif. (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

InvenSense, Inc., the leading solution provider of MotionProcessors™ for consumer electronics, today announced their latest software solution platform with the introduction of SmartMotion™ 4.0 for the mobile handset and tablet market. SmartMotion 4.0 is a complete software platform that in combination with the InvenSense flagship MPU-6000™ MotionProcessor will deliver robust, well-calibrated 9-axis sensor fusion data using its field proven and proprietary MotionFusion™ engine. Market adoption of motion sensors in leading consumer electronics products has sky rocketed in the past year. However, many handset and tablet manufacturers have realized that the mere integration of motion sensor components, such as, gyroscope, compass and accelerometer in their products does not translate to a truly functional motion enabled device. SmartMotion 4.0 brings real solution value to OEMs by enabling rapid integration of MotionProcessing technology and providing complex 9-axis sensor fusion algorithms, robust multi-sensor calibration and integration with leading mobile OS APIs to deliver responsive gaming experiences and predictable navigation heading performance while at the same time reducing processor load by 10X.

Application developers are learning to use sensor fusion data to design more immersive applications that fully leverage the capabilities of the gyroscope, accelerometer and compass sensors. High quality sensor fusion data must first start with well-calibrated sensors. SmartMotion 4.0 combines InvenSense’s expertise and experience in gyroscopes with the expertise of AKM and Aichi Steel, two leaders in compass technology, to provide the market’s most robust compass calibration solution. To start, SmartMotion 4.0 uses the integrated libraries from AKM and Aichi Steel to provide calibrated compass data into the MotionFusion engine for accurate 9-axis sensor fusion calculations. However, in everyday use, compass sensors are highly sensitive to stray magnetic fields which can affect navigation heading accuracy. To solve this problem, InvenSense has developed patent-pending adaptive algorithms that use the gyroscope to reject stray magnetic fields and provide stable heading guidance to the application. SmartMotion 4.0 addresses further calibration challenges, including a patent pending algorithm for gyro-assisted fast compass calibration, accurate sensor bias calibration and run-time gyro bias calibration while also adjusting for field corruption and tilt compensation issues.

As an essential integration step, Application Programming Interfaces (API’s) to popular mobile operating systems are also provided for delivering quaternion, rotation matrix, linear acceleration and gravity sensor fusion data allowing application developers to fully leverage the benefits of the gyroscope together with the accelerometer and magnetometer for a wide range of Mobile Applications.

The SmartMotion 4.0 platform has already been designed in by several leading OEMs, and general availability to existing and future customers will begin in May. For more information on InvenSense MotionProcessing solutions, please visit http://www.invensense.com.

About InvenSense
InvenSense is the leading solution provider of MotionProcessors for the consumer electronics market, with proven technology and cumulative shipments of over 100 million units to leading customers worldwide. The company’s patented and patent pending MotionProcessing technology and Nasiri-Fabrication platform address the emerging needs of many mass-market consumer applications such as gaming, image stabilization, remote controls, tablets and smartphone’s that require improved performance, enhanced features, and new and more intuitive motion and gesture-based user-interface solutions. InvenSense is a privately held company with headquarters located in Sunnyvale, California. More information can be found at http://www.invensense.com.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

On Monday at 11:50 pm EST, the U.S. tax filing deadline passed and estimates show that over 16 percent of Americans will fail to file their 2010 federal tax returns, report their full income or pay their full 2010 tax liability, costing the federal government upwards of $490 billion in revenue for the 2010 tax year.

“During a time of contentious fiscal debate in Washington, D.C. over the mounting deficit and needed funding for our country, it is not only the legal obligation of taxpayers but perhaps their most important patriotic duty to pay the IRS the money they legally owe,” said Patrick Cox, CEO of TaxMasters, the leading tax compliance and repayment services provider in the nation.

Cox adds, “Although tax filing can be a stressful and time consuming process, taxpayers need to remember that their returns support our soldiers fighting overseas, pay for police and fire programs in our communities, and provide us with the clean water and utilities we often take for granted. By choosing not to pay taxes and comply with IRS guidelines, these free riders are costing us all.”

TaxMasters advises those who have missed the April 18th deadline to contact a local CPA or tax representative to help prepare your returns and promptly file with the correct deductions and statements, in order to help avoid any further penalties or interest. If you have not filed in three or more years, or are being contacted directly by an IRS collection agency for significant amounts owed, it’s in your best interest to seek professional help from a tax representation firm.

“If you choose to take on the IRS independently, they will assume you know all of your options and hold you accountable for whatever you agree to. A tax representative can ask the questions and execute on options you might not be aware of,” says Cox. “The best strategy is to get your files in order months before the filing deadline and stay in compliance with the IRS, to help not only your own financial future, but the well being of the country.”

About TaxMasters, Inc.

TaxMasters, Inc. (OTCBB: TAXS) is the first publicly traded tax representation firm in the United States. Started by Patrick R. Cox in 2001, TaxMasters offers a full suite of compliance and repayment services to taxpayers across the country facing seemingly insurmountable tax problems and substantial federal tax debt. Tax services from TaxMasters include IRS consultations, tax return preparation, settlement analysis, and assistance with IRS automated collections, Revenue Officer involvement and collection due process.

Employing over 300 people, TaxMasters leverages the expertise of ex-IRS agents, enrolled agents, attorneys, CPAs, and seasoned consultants ready to counsel and assist the US taxpayer with their specific tax problems today. TaxMasters is not a law firm or a CPA firm.

For more information about TaxMasters, Inc. and its commitment to help taxpayers in the United States solve tax problems, please visit http://www.txmstr.com.

Follow TaxMasters on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gotaxmasters.

Visit TaxMasters’ blog at http://www.txmstr.com/blog/

Forward-Looking Statements
Any forward-looking statements, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in this release (often identified by such words as “believes,” “expects,” “beginning,” “intended,” “planned”) regarding future expectations, objectives, and plans for TaxMasters, Inc. are based on opinions and estimates of management at the time the statement was made. Various known and unknown factors may cause actual results to be materially different from the expected outcomes. TaxMasters, Inc. does not, as a matter of policy, update or revise forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially.

Media: Trey Ditto – 212-896-1248

Chattanooga, TN (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

AREA203 Digital (formerly AREA203 Marketing) has rebranded itself, introducing the redesign of a new interactive website, logo and brand new blog site. The new brand is designed to establish the dedication of AREA203 to client intimacy, delivering relevant results worldwide, and establishing the company’s position as a digital mentor.

AREA203 concentrates on delivering what companies of all sizes are in need of—digital marketing. AREA203 has dedicated itself to discovering and mastering the newest and most effective technologies, tools and platforms in order to better equip clients to reach their business goals and objectives. The agency’s multi-channel capabilities include strategic services, performance optimization, creative design and implementation, analytics, digital engagement, and emerging platform integration. The agency’s blog, AREA2oh3.com, is the representing voice of the expert team that make up AREA203.

Because technology and clients’ needs are constantly evolving, AREA203 approaches each job with the goal of setting clients in a forward and upward motion. “One of our goals is to ensure our clients’ marketing plans include sustainable movement towards success that positions them as leaders within their separate industries,” explained senior account strategist, Brian Kelley.

The concept of motion is an ongoing theme in the redesign. The new logo, made up of five open rings—one inside the other—has multiple layers of meaning. “We want to visually convey the importance of each of our departments, each of our parts, to the whole picture of AREA203,” said Chief Creative Officer Tavis Salazar. “In essence, the people, the website, the different departments—the whole brand—are dependent on each other to succeed and to help our clients succeed.”

AREA203 Digital emphasizes relationship building and strategic problem solving. President Doug Freeman said of the agency’s commitment to a higher level of intimacy with its clients: “Our mission is to cultivate a relationship with our clients that positions them at the top of their industries. Meanwhile, we want to personalize each relationship to such a degree that we become the first point of contact when a client seeks any type of advice—not just in our specialties.”

The rebranding was launched on the heels of the agency’s recent, rapid growth. A press release from AREA203, published earlier in 2011, reported 2010 revenues of nearly $46 million dollars—a 35% increase from 2009.

About AREA203 Digital
AREA203 is a digital marketing outfitter. We offer a comprehensive range of digital marketing services, including strategic services, performance optimization, creative design and implementation, analytics, digital engagement, and emerging platform integration. Our focus is to build lasting relationships with our clients that are geared towards growing their companies into industry leaders. To learn more about AREA203 Digital, visit AREA203.com; for the latest news, read our blog at AREA2oh3.com and follow us on Twitter @AREA203Digital.

Boston, MA (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

For this year’s 8th Annual Get Active America! program, health clubs across the country are opening their doors for free for several days in May and encouraging people in their local communities to develop healthy habits and join the “Million PALA Challenge,” the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced today. IHRSA and participating health clubs nationwide are working with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) —in support of Let’s Move!—to help America get physically active. To find participating health clubs, visit http://healthclubs.com/getactiveamerica. To enroll in the “Million PALA Challenge,” visit http://www.millionpalachallenge.org.

A joint initiative between PCFSN and Let’s Move!, the “Million PALA Challenge” aims to get at least one million Americans to sign up and achieve the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) by September 30, 2011. Get Active America! challenges participants to develop healthy habits by being active 5 days a week for at least 6 out of 8 weeks. Anyone with the desire to live a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life is encouraged to participate.

“It’s hard to make healthy lifestyle changes without the support of those around you,” says Joe Moore, IHRSA’s president and CEO. “The Get Active America! program offers inspiration. It gives individuals the support they need to springboard into a healthier, more active lifestyle—and not feel alone in doing it. By working with PCFSN and promoting the “Million PALA Challenge,” health clubs can have an even greater impact. Together, we can create a culture of wellness wherein enjoyable, physically active lifestyles are both the norm and an easy choice for all Americans.”

The Get Active America! program runs throughout May. From May 2 through 15, participating health clubs will enroll individuals—both club members and non-members—in the “Million PALA Challenge,” asking them to commit to being active 5 days a week for at least 6 out of 8 weeks. For adults, this entails 30 minutes of exercise a day—or 8,500 steps. For children, this entails 60 minutes a day, or 11,000 steps for girls and 13,000 steps for boys.

“Getting Americans active and healthy is a core objective for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and we’re thrilled to have the support of IHRSA, and IHRSA clubs, who will focus on fun, safe and affordable fitness opportunities for individuals across the nation,” notes Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the PCFSN. “This collaboration between the President’s Council and IHRSA will help Americans work toward achieving their recommended daily physical activity and earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.”

From May 2 through June 26, participating health clubs will provide local PALA enrollees with support and encouragement, including club-based activities, community walks and/or e-newsletters. At the program’s conclusion, IHRSA will collect the final number of award winners at each club and report the overall results to First Lady Michelle Obama and the Let’s Move! team.

Other important Get Active America! dates include:

• May 2-5, 2011: Members Bring a Friend. Participating health clubs invite current members to bring their friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers to get physically active at the club.
• May 6-8, 2011. Clubs Open Their Doors Free to the Public. Participating health clubs open their doors to the public, free of charge, to help Americans feel supported in learning to live more physically active and healthier lives—and in meeting their PALA or other Lifestyle Award goals.

“At a time when our communities are staggering from the effects of inactivity and related chronic disease, obesity and depression, health clubs are leading Americans to healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives,” Moore adds. “Health clubs are vital to solving America’s health woes. They are compassionate, prevention-based community partners to which Americans struggling to make smart lifestyle changes can turn. We hope many Americans, both young and old, will take advantage of Get Active America! this May and find the support they need.”

About the Million PALA Challenge

The “Million PALA Challenge” was launched on September 14, 2010, by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Council Co-chair Dominique Dawes; and Let’s Move! Executive Director Robin Schepper with the goal of having one million youth and adults across the Nation achieve the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award by September 30, 2011.

The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) recognizes the incorporation of regular physical activity into an individual’s everyday life. To receive the reward, adult participants 18+ years of age must be physically active 30 minutes per day (or 60 minutes per day for youth 6 to 17 years), 5 days per week, for 6 weeks. Over 100 indoor and outdoor activities count towards the daily requirement, including walking, running, aerobics, gardening and canoeing, as long as the major muscle groups are engaged at a moderate to vigorous activity level.

About IHRSA
IHRSA is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA is committed to taking a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical to America’s health and the battle against obesity and disease. IHRSA supports effective national initiatives to promote more active lifestyles for all Americans and is working to pass laws that will help
affect societal changes toward a more fit America.

About PCFSN
The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) is a committee of up to 25 volunteer citizens appointed by the President to serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors, PCFSN serves as a catalyst to promote healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, empower and engage Americans of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. For more information about PCFSN visit http://www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President’s Challenge programs, including the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) visit http://www.presidentschallenge.org.

About Let’s Move
The Let’s Move! campaign, started by First Lady Michelle Obama, has an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight. Let’s Move! will combat the epidemic of childhood obesity through a comprehensive approach that will engage every sector impacting the health of children and will provide schools, families and communities simple tools to help kids be more active, eat better and get healthy. For more information about Let’s Move! visit http://www.letsmove.gov.

Jersey City, NJ (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

Guests attending the Alliance for Women in Media, Southern California’s 54th Annual Genii Awards Gala, held at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on April 6th, were delighted to discover organza gift bags filled with luxury skin-care products by Hydroxatone®.

Julie Kertes, Co-President of Alliance for Women in Media, Southern California Chapter: “On behalf of the Alliance for Women in Media, Southern California, I’d like to thank Hydroxatone for contributing the anti-aging skin-care gifts to the VIP gift bags for our 54th Annual Genii Awards Gala. Your product was very well received by our honorees, presenters and VIP guests which included Florence Henderson, Brooke Burke, Holly Robinson Peete and others.”

The Alliance for Women in Media SoCal honored many outstanding achievers at the Genii Awards including Brooke Burke, Holly Robinson Peete and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Florence Henderson.

“We were so excited to hear that America’s ageless mom, Florence Henderson, was being honored by the Alliance for Women in Media,” said Andy Siegel, CMO of Hydroxatone’s parent company, ACMG. “She represents the same grace, beauty and elegance that Hydroxatone helps bring to our customers.”

Hydroxatone® – best known for its compelling presence on direct response radio, TV, print and web — launched in prestige retail stores nationwide last year and will continue to expand to additional retail distribution in 2011. The brand includes an assortment of high performance skin-care products including the flagship Hydroxatone® AM/PM Anti-Wrinkle Complex and the million-selling Hydrolyze® Advanced Under Eye Formula.

For product samples and additional information about Hydroxatone, please contact Matt Schapiro at mschapiro(at)hydroxatone(dot)com

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

Enough already with the bullying, braying and bad behavior! What the world needs now is a rededication to the reasonableness and respectfulness of civility. From cradle to grave, this basic social behavior, once cherished by the world, has been drowned out in an angry sea of malcontent. To address this incivility tsunami, Bay Area publisher THRIVE Publishing™ introduces their latest book, The Power of Civility – Top Experts Reveal the Secrets of Social Capital just in time to also recognize the month of May as International Civility Awareness Month. This designation officially appears in Chase’s Calendar of Events – The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months.

Founder of THRIVE is well-known business strategist Caterina Rando, Publisher & Speaker, who works with image, etiquette and civility professionals to grow their businesses. “The 18 authors featured in this book are the crème de la crème of civility and etiquette professionals,’’ says Rando. “Each author’s chapter highlights specific areas of wisdom and expertise that is encyclopedic in scope and will inspire genuine personal and professional growth to the reader.’’

Among the distinguished roster of civility expert authors is Lew Bayer, an internationally recognized Canadian authority on Civility at Work. She is founder of the Center for Cultural Competence, CEO of Civility Experts Worldwide and president of the International Civility Trainers’ Consortium. In her chapter, The Power of One–Choosing Civility, she writes: “Some experts argue that because civility is the outcome of choosing behaviors that are congruent with positive personal values, you can teach a person how to make decisions, or you can teach someone about consequences. However, you cannot, in fact, teach civility.’’

Maryland-based Yasmin Anderson-Smith AICI CIP, founder of KYMS Image International and co-founder of the Civility Counts Project for the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) where she currently serves on their international board as vice president of marketing, wants readers to “think of themselves as a personal brand.’’ Her chapter, Develop Your Personal Brand and Power It with Civility, gives six insightful steps needed to build a successful personal brand.

President of Final Touch Finishing School, Inc. (Seattle) and co-founder of Global Protocol, Etiquette and Civility Academy (Dallas) is Deborah King AICI CIP of Final Touch School who writes in her chapter Civility Begins at Home, “A home void of civility leaves little chance for the members to be civil outside the home. It is at home that lessons of civility are learned.’’

Nonnie Cameron Owens, president and CEO of Etiquette Plus based in southwest Florida, has trained thousands of college students, corporate executives and NCAA coaches, administrators and athletes, on the fine points of etiquette. Her chapter, Dining with Civility – Manners Matter at the Table, shows fine dining as both an art and a language. By learning the language of formal dining, you will be prepared for any situation, and actually enjoy the experience.

THRIVE Publishing™ celebrates the timely release of The Power of Civility in a month-long opportunity for book lovers to participate in The Power of Civility Virtual Book Launch Tele-Summit Series absolutely free! Each of the 18 civility and etiquette expert authors will be sharing their wisdom, innovative, insightful and success-building strategies straight from the book in one-hour sessions. The series starts Wednesday, May 4th, at 3pm PT/6pm ET and runs through Monday, June 6, 2011. For registration, or more information, visit the Web site: http://www.powerofcivilitytelesummit.com.

Specialty publisher, THRIVE Publishing™, a division of PowerDynamics Publishing, Inc., San Francisco, provides industry experts the system and support to produce quality how-to books to uplift and enhance the personal and professional lives of our books’ audiences. The Power of Civility (224 pages; $24 U.S.; $29 Canada) is the 11th in a series and now available at amazon.com or on the Web site: http://www.powerofcivilitybook.com. Other select books from THRIVE include: My Style, My Way, Inspired Style and Executive Etiquette Power, to name a few.

Expert Profiles of those mentioned in this press release can be viewed on PR Newswire Profnet at these links:
Lew Bayer http://www.profnetconnect.com/lew_bayer
Yasmin Anderson-Smith http://www.profnetconnect.com/yasmin_smith_anderson
Cindy Ann Peterson http://www.profnetconnect.com/cindy_ann_peterson
Nonie Cameron Owens http://www.profnetconnect.com/nonnie_cameron_owens

Framingham, MA (PRWEB) April 20, 2011

Sophelle, a leading retail consultancy devoted to helping major retail organizations create business strategies and implement technology initiatives, today announced the addition of retail technology expert Paul Butka to its executive team. Mr. Butka, former CIO of The TJX Companies, will serve as President of Sophelle.

“Paul Butka brings tremendous experience and expertise to our company,” Doug Weich, Founder and CEO of Sophelle said in announcing the appointment. “While Paul is best known for his expertise in IT strategy, security and compliance, application development, infrastructure and operations, his experience is much greater than that as he has managed virtually every aspect of retail technology for more than thirty-five years. Our company and our clients will greatly benefit from Paul’s wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Mr. Butka, a well-known and highly-respected industry leader, has worked in a broad spectrum of retail formats including self-service, discount department, off-price, specialty, warehouse club, shoe, chain drug, furniture, and Internet sales. A long-time veteran of The TJX Companies, Mr. Butka served there as CIO and Executive Vice President, Global Application Development. During his tenure, TJX grew to more than $20B in annual revenue and became a global Fortune 200 company. TJX now operates more than 2500 stores in North America and Europe under the T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Home-Goods, Winners and other banners. Most recently, Paul Butka served as Principal at PB Retail Advisors, LLC, an IT strategy and security consultancy, where he provided his skills and expertise to start-ups as well as Fortune 20 companies on both a national and international level.

“I am excited by this opportunity to work in Sophelle’s ‘hands on’ corporate culture alongside a diverse and highly skilled cadre of Practice Leaders,” commented Mr. Butka. “Through its Practice Leader teams and top-level executive involvement, Sophelle delivers a unique blend of both strategic expertise and proven implementation skills to the entire retail market. The effectiveness of Sophelle’s work is evidenced by the retention rate and the caliber of its client list which covers the full range of retail – from boutiques to international high-fashion powerhouses.”

Among Sophelle’s most recent clients are Restoration Hardware and Tom Ford. Sophelle has recently launched similar services to the restaurant industry with the addition of clients such as Olga’s Kitchen and Panera Bread.

Paul Butka is a long-time member of the National Retail Federation (NRF) CIO Council, an invitation-only committee consisting of the most prominent CIOs in retail who come together to share ideas and provide technology guidance to the NRF. Recently, the NRF named Mr. Butka CIO Emeritus. Mr. Butka also serves on many Advisory Boards including Deloitte & Touche’s Center for Security and Privacy Solutions, Lancope, Inc., ArcaTech Systems, and Fujitsu, Inc. He has previously held Advisory Board positions with AMR and Teradata.

In addition to his corporate success, Mr. Butka is also very active in his community. He is now serving his second elected term on his district’s regional School Board, and was recently named Humanitarian of the Year by the Cardinal Cushing Centers, Inc., a non-profit organization in his resident state of Massachusetts that cares for challenged children, adults and seniors.

For a photo of Paul Butka, please go to:
http://www.sophelle.com/Company/Management-Team/Paul_Butka.html

About Sophelle
Framingham, MA-based Sophelle is a leading retail consultancy offering IT strategy and implementation services to both emerging and Fortune 500 retail and restaurant clients. Since 1995, Sophelle has offered the high-level executive involvement of a boutique firm coupled with the capabilities and resources of a large consultancy. With expertise across retail channels, Sophelle helps clients utilize technology to drive business success. Sophelle’s services include: IT strategy, vendor selection & RFP process, project management, system integration, application development and hosting, quality assurance testing, website development and optimization, customer relationship management, network penetration testing, and recruiting.

For more information about Sophelle, please visit http://www.sophelle.com.