Archive for December, 2009

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Profiles in Business: David Filo

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Born in Wisconsin in the 20th of April 1966, David Filo ranks as the 240th richest person in the world. In 2006, he was estimated to have a net worth of $2.9 billion. A year earlier, in 2005, he reportedly donated a total of $30 million to Tulane University, his alma mater.

Moving to Moss Bluff, a suburb lake in Charles, Louisiana at the age of 6, David Filo finished his secondary education at Sam Houston High School. Afterwards, he earned a BS in Computer Engineering through a Dean’s Honor Scholarship at Tulane University in New Orleans. That degree was later on supplemented by an MS, which he obtained from the Stanford University.

In 1994, David Filo initiated the birth of Yahoo! together with his friend from Stanford, Jerry Yang. Of the two founders, David Filo serves as the key technologist, having his attention fixed on the more technological side of things. The more outgoing Jerry Yang, on the other hand, serves as the company’s cheerleader.

Starting off as a pair of Net-surfing doctoral students, David Filo and Jerry Yang launched their very own Website called “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web”. The site was created to serve as an index for their favorite websites. By organizing web pages by subject, Filo and Yang’s simple software makes it easier for internet users to get to their favorite sites. It was initially used by the students of Stanford since it resided on the Stanford server.

Seeing it as a useful tool, the website became known to other people in the university. Within months, the site attracted thousands of other users. Since the site was often visited, David Filo and Jerry Yang decided to change the name into Yahoo!. The site became very popular so much so that another on-line company, AOL, offered to buy it. However, David Filo and his partner retained ownership of their brilliant creation and in 1995, they successfully established their very own company.

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Giving Comes Easily to Roni Lynn Deutch

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Roni Lynn Deutch, known by millions as The Tax Lady, has been quite busy this holiday season. According to a recent press release, her firm’s Community Action Committee has teamed up with the Sacramento Children’s Home to sponsor a toy drive for children in need. It’s no coincidence that Roni chose this particular organization. The home is a non-profit that she has been working with over the past few years. The organization works diligently to find children a healthy home within their community and promotes positive parenting practices, child safety, and mental health.

This holiday season, Roni Lynn Deutch has asked that every employee at her firm participate in the toy drive to benefit the home. All were encouraged to collect toys and make monetary donations in hopes of sponsoring a snow day for the children.

This year’s toy drive is only part of the connection between Roni Lynn Deutch and the Sacramento Children’s Home. Each year, the firm throws a Halloween party and children at the home are invited to participate. The party includes a haunted house created by the firm’s employees as well as trick-or-treating. Roni Lynn Deutch’s Community Action Committee has sponsored several other events including a day of work where employees put together a baby boutique in the home’s crisis nursery.

Roni Lynn Deutch is incredibly grateful for her success and the success of her firm, and this motivates her to give back to the community. She has helped taxpayers nationwide resolve their tax woes for over 18 years. Not only is she an industry leader who has saved her clients millions of dollars, but she is also a leader in her community who cares deeply about improving the lives of others.

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Profiles in Business: Steve Jobs

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

American businessman and co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs is one of the most remarkable innovators in Science and Technology today. He previously served as the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios and frequently makes it in most rosters of the rich and famous.

Steve Jobs was born February 24, 1955 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino, California in 1972 and entered in Reed College in Portland, Oregon. Jobs took up philosophy and foreign cultures in college.

During his years at Atari, which was the leading producer of video games at that time, he became friends with fellow designer Steve Wozniak and attended Homebrew Computer Club meetings. Eventually the two created one of the first successful PCs. Yet after losing a power struggle with the board of directors in 1985, Jobs quit from Apple and set up NeXT, a computer platform development company focusing in higher education and business markets.

In 1986, Steve Jobs obtained the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm Ltd. The division later became Pixar Animation Studios. He stayed as CEO and majority shareholder until it was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 2006. At present, Jobs is part of Walt Disney Company’s Board of Directors. In a twist of fate, NeXT’s subsequent 1997 takeover by Apple Computer Inc. brought Jobs back to the company. He has since served as its Chief Executive Officer since then.

Jobs’ background in business has added greatly to the myths of the distinctive, individualistic Silicon Valley businessman, stressing the significance of design and the critical role of aesthetic appeal. Steve Jobs’ work focuses on the development of products that are both stylish and practical such as the minimalist style of iPod.

Steve Jobs was listed as Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Businessman of 2007.

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Wilson College’s Harry Brook Science Complex Opens

Friday, December 18th, 2009

At Wilson College, the Harry Brook Science Complex is the newest place to facilitate and enjoy science-related learning. Students will be able to use the facility to do work or study on science subjects like chemistry and biology.

With a worth estimated at $25 million, the Harry Brook Science Complex is Franklin County’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy an Environmental Design) certified building. It boasts of air exchange vents, two-way flushing toilets, and solar panels. The science facility also uses slate chalkboards and showers for people who travel to work by bicycle.

Considered a work of art, the science complex features a waterfall and an atrium. The waterfall provides the 76,500 square foot facility all-natural light.

Environmentalists and green thumbs will also enjoy the greenhouse, while history and science fans will love the rocks, stuffed animals, eggs, and fossils found in the natural history museum.

Veterinary medicine students can also study the skeleton of a thoroughbred, which they can take into the laboratories whenever needed.

Last January 2009, students started attending classes in the science facility.

Named after Harry R. Brooks, the Harry Brook Science Complex thrived on donations by Brook’s daughter, Marguerite Brook Lenfest. Together with her husband H.F. Lenfest, Marguerite gave $10 million for the completion of the science facility. In addition to this, the couple promised to match other donations with another $10 million.

According to news releases, Wilson College received a total of $17 million from the couple, together with over $16 million that came from other sources.

One of the reasons why the Lenfests donated to Wilson’s new building is their observation that majority of Wilson College’s students, about 63% to be exact, take up science-based or science-related majors. Science, together with math, is also a general education requirement in virtually all schools.

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Celebrity Tattoos

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Somehow celebrity tattoos are the whole reason why body art has become so popular and universally accepted these days. Body art was somehow taboo for some few decades back — it was viewed as proof of an eccentric past and an indication of being an ex-convict.

Tattoos on women was something else, but celebrity tattoos changed all that. When Hollywood celebrities radically started getting and publicly displaying tattoos, it instantly became a fashion statement.

Seventh century explorers brought the idea of tattooing to Europe. However, at that time, it was very difficult to get and was only meant for the upper class since it was very expensive. Later, when it became more accessible to the general public, the value became less. And then celebrities made it popular. Since celebrities are some sort of royalty for most people, they become role models in one way or another. When they began taking tattoo seriously, they gave the public access to explore the ancient art of tattooing. This then resulted to a more improved design —customized classic and classy style.

British singer Robbie Williams is undoubtedly the king of celebrity tattoos. Depending on how you count, he has about 14 tattoos. The queen of celebrity tattoos is certainly Angelina Jolie, who has a serious love for the said art. She has a dozen tattoos at last count. Her personalized tattoos are focused more on text with various ethnic backgrounds.

Melanie C, Spice Girls member, comes next in line. She has about 10 tattoos on her body, mostly inspired by eastern origin, though there have been rumors that she is regretting getting tattooed.

Other tattoo-toting popular celebrities include Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Johnny Depp, George Clooney, and Britney Spears.

Celebrity tattoos have been a big contributing factor to restoring the richness of ancient art, thus making it desirable and acceptable for the rest of us

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Suze Orman

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Susan Lynn Orman, the renowned host of CNBC’s “The Suze Orman Show,” was born on the fifth of June 1951 to parents of Russian-Jewish descent. Having graduated with a BA degree in social work from the University of Illinois, Suze Orman now holds a variety of occupations. She is currently juggling her duties as a financial advisor, an author, motivational speaker, as well as an influential television personality.

As a financial advisor, Suze Orman runs her own financial firm in Emeryville, California. Orman had established the Suze Orman Financial Group way back in 1987, right after her resignation at the Prudential Bache Securities, where she served as vice president of investments.

As a writer, Suze maintains a Q&A advice section in Oprah Winfrey’s monthly O magazine. Aside from that, she also contributes her skills as a writer to various other publications including Lowes MoneyWorks, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Your Business at Home Magazine. Suze Orman is also an author of various self-help books. For 2009, she was able to publish the Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan. In addition to that achievement, she was also able to receive an honorary degree of humane letters from her alma-mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for the same year. For the previous years, she was able to publish several of her written works including the Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke in 2005, The Laws of Money, the Lessons of Life… in 2003, The Road to Wealth in 2001, and many others.

Her books, being sensational, had been one of the factors that had contributed to her success in television. For her series of PBS pledge drive specials, Suze Orman was honored with two Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Service Show Host category in 2004 and 2006. Throughout her career in television, she became the recipient of five Gracie Awards. Suze Orman was the first person to ever receive such number of awards for the entire 33-year history of the prestigious Awarding Group.

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AOL previews new brand identity as independent, content-driven company

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Earlier this fall, AOL previewed its new brand identity for its future as an independent company. The new brand identity will be fully unveiled on Dec. 10, when AOL common stock begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The new AOL brand identity aims at being a simple, confident logotype, revealed by ever-changing images. Although it remains consistent, there are countless ways to reveal.

“Our new identity is uniquely dynamic,” said Tim Armstrong, chairman and chief executive officer of AOL. “Our business is focused on creating world-class experiences for consumers and AOL is centered on creative and talented people – employees, partners, and advertisers. We have a clear strategy that we are passionate about and we plan on standing behind the AOL brand as we take the company into the next decade.”

AOL partnered with Wolff Olins, a global brand and innovation consultancy, to develop a brand identity that speaks to the company’s future. The identity itself is a platform for expression and creativity reflecting the content, products and services that AOL offers. Some of the world’s best creative artists, including Universal Everything, GHAVA and Dylan Griffin created art and animations for the brand.

“Historically brand identity has been monolithic and controlling, little more than stamping a company name on a product,” said Karl Heiselman, chief executive officer of Wolff Olins. “AOL is a 21st century media company, with an ambitious vision for the future and new focus on creativity and expression, this required the new brand identity to be open and generous, to invite conversation and collaboration, and to feel credible, but also aspirational. We’re delighted to have worked so closely with the AOL leadership team to create something bold and exciting that sets AOL apart.”

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The Home Depot announces launch of exclusive Martha Stewart Living brand paint

Monday, December 7th, 2009

The Home Depot, one of the world’s largest home improvement retailer, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSLO) on Dec. 7, 2009 announced an agreement to develop an exclusive Martha Stewart Living brand of interior and exterior paint.

Developed in a partnership with and manufactured by AkzoNobel, Martha Stewart Living Paint will be available at The Home Depot stores across the U.S. and Canada in March 2010.

The Home Depot will also sell Martha Stewart Clean, a new eco options-certified line of cleaning products, developed with and marketed by the Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

Martha Stewart Clean will be available at all The Home Depot stores across the U.S. starting January 2010.

The Martha Stewart Living paint palette will consist of 280 handpicked colors created by Martha Stewart and the MSLO design team, according to a press release from The Home Depot.

All colors will be available in interior and exterior paint in four interior and two exterior sheens. In addition, the interior paint palette will be available in 8-ounce tint-able testers, and 12 of “Martha’s Picks” will be available pre-tinted.

“Partnering with Martha Stewart on a new brand of paint allows us to continue our efforts in enabling our customers to easily coordinate décor and design elements when taking on home improvement projects, all while staying true to our commitment to value and everyday low price,” said Gordy Erickson, senior vice president of merchandising and décor for The Home Depot. “We are also excited to announce the addition of Martha Stewart Clean to our cleaning category. Martha Stewart Clean will offer consumers an environmentally friendly yet effective option in cleaning.”

Martha Stewart Clean will include 10 environmentally friendly cleaning products for laundry, kitchen, bath and general cleaning needs for the household. Martha Stewart Clean will carry the Eco Options label, The Home Depot’s certification for products that meet certain environmental performance criteria.

This designation allows consumers to identify products that have less of an impact on the environment than traditional products in the same category.

“I’m thrilled to be working with The Home Depot to provide consumers with a beautiful paint palette inspired by nature and unique objects,” said Martha Stewart. “I’m also delighted that our natural Martha Stewart Clean products will be available at The Home Depot, providing safe and effective cleaning solutions for those who are concerned about the environment in their home and in the wider world beyond it.”

In September, The Home Depot announced a partnership with MSLO that will weave the Martha Stewart Living brand throughout many of The Home Depot’s existing Do-It-Yourself (DIY) categories, including Outdoor Living, Home Organization and now Paint, in addition to the Martha Stewart Clean line of products.

Both The Home Depot and MSLO are in the process of developing additional product offerings that will be available in 2010, and more details will be announced in the first part of next year.

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Profiles in Business: Dan Hesse

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Fifty-five-year-old Dan Hesse was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas-based telecommunications company, Sprint Nextel, Dec. 18, 2007.

Prior to becoming Sprint Nextel’s chief, Dan Hesse had served as the chief executive officer and chairman of Embarq Corporation, a $6 billion company providing data, voice, entertainment and wireless services across 18 states.

Aside from Embarq Corporation, Dan Hesse had also served as the chairman and chief for Terabeam Corporation, a technology company providing wireless telecommunications services. He was able to hold that position for three years from 2000 to 2004.

Moreover, Hesse was also able to dedicate 23 years of his career to serve as the president and chief executive officer at AT&T Wireless Services. The wireless services provider was at that time the largest wireless carrier in the United States.

From 1997 up to 2000, Dan Hesse was able to launch AT&T’s international online initiatives. As the head of the Online Services Group, Dan Hesse was also able to launch AT&T’s Worldnet family of Internet services. From 1991 up until 1995, Hesse was the president and chief executive officer of AT&T Network Systems International, a joint-venture telecommunications company. Prior to his AT&T management duties, Dan Hesse was assigned to several Network Operations, Network Engineering, International Services, Strategic Planning, Human Resources, Product Management and Sales.

For his dynamic leadership, Dan Hesse received the recognition of many prestigious publications in the telecommunications and technology industry.

He was named as the Wireless Industry’s “Person of the Year” by the RCR magazine, “Most Influential Person in Mobile Technology” by LAPTOP Magazine, as well as “Executive of the Year” by the Wireless Business and Technology magazine. In addition to those, Dan Hesse was also able to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor as well as Wireless Week magazine’s Leadership Award.

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Zerona laser producer attends Microsoft gala

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Santa Barbara Medical Innovations, a company that’s goal is to produce innovative health products, and Erchonia, a laser distributor, recently participated in the Microsoft Founder’s Gala on Nov. 18 in Bellevue, Wash.

The event, held in association with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, celebrated members of the Microsoft community who deserve special recognition for their work on behalf of people in need around the world.

Rowland Hanson, chairman of Santa Barbara Medical Innovations and Global Business Development general manager for Erchonia, was the founding and former vice president of corporate communications for Microsoft.

Hanson is widely credited with developing and executing the original branding and marketing strategy for Microsoft, which included the naming and launch of Windows. This strategy laid the foundation for the brand dominance of Microsoft today, according to Santa Barbara Medical Innovations.

Santa Barbara Medical Innovations produces the Zerona laser. Zerona laser is the only proven, non invasive procedure that safely removes fat with zero pain and zero downtime

Through participation in the gala and by the donation of wound healing lasers to healthcare organizations in emerging countries in Africa, Santa Barbara Medical Innovations and Erchonia have furthered its goal of establishing the credibility and use of low level laser technology in healthcare.

The event also recognized leading Zerona physician, Dr. Elizabeth VanderVeer from Portland, Ore. Dr. VanderVeer had the opportunity to meet with both Jeff Raikes (chief executive officer of the Gates Foundation), Bill Gates and Santa Barbara Medical Innovations Chairman, Rowland Hanson.

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