50 year anniversary of “The Demise of the SS Corfu Island”

LIGHTNING RELEASES (12/26/2013) – Wattle Publishing has published “The Demise of the SS Corfu Island” by Frixos Elia Sekkides. December 2013 marks the 50 year anniversary of when the SS Corfu Island ran aground off the coast of the Magdalen Islands. Anastasia Cavouras, Publisher of Wattle Publishing said: “We are delighted to have published this book as it depicts the personal account of one of the last remaining survivors and his colorful experiences as a mercantile sailor during the 1960’s.”

Sekkides was born in Cyprus and graduated from the Kyrenia Greek College. He studied Radio and Radar at Norwood Technical College, London. After spending fifteen years at sea, he retired and now resides in London. Sekkides said: “Finally, when I was safe in the dory … I glanced back at the SS Corfu Island for the last time … She had been built in Canada and had ended up in Canada to finally shed her crew safely on the shores of the Magdalen Islands: like the salmon that spent years in the open oceans, returning from their long and arduous journey against strong currents and myriads of other dangers to their natal stream, primarily to spawn and … to die”

As journalist George Gaudet says in his foreword: “the story is the story of the past without compromise, as open as the author, generous and as truthful as his faithful and prodigious memory”.

“The Demise of the SS Corfu Island” by Frixos Sekkides is available in paperback and eBook format from leading stockists.

For further details: www.wattlepublishing.com

For all inquiries please contact Emma Taylor at publicity@wattlepublishing.com

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/50-year-anniversary-of-the-demise-of-the-ss-corfu-island-2/

50 year anniversary of “The Demise of the SS Corfu Island”

LIGHTNING RELEASES (12/26/2013) – Wattle Publishing has published “The Demise of the SS Corfu Island” by Frixos Elia Sekkides. December 2013 marks the 50 year anniversary of when the SS Corfu Island ran aground off the coast of the Magdalen Islands. Anastasia Cavouras, Publisher of Wattle Publishing said: “We are delighted to have published this book as it depicts the personal account of one of the last remaining survivors and his colorful experiences as a mercantile sailor during the 1960’s.”

Sekkides was born in Cyprus and graduated from the Kyrenia Greek College. He studied Radio and Radar at Norwood Technical College, London. After spending fifteen years at sea, he retired and now resides in London. Sekkides said: “Finally, when I was safe in the dory … I glanced back at the SS Corfu Island for the last time … She had been built in Canada and had ended up in Canada to finally shed her crew safely on the shores of the Magdalen Islands: like the salmon that spent years in the open oceans, returning from their long and arduous journey against strong currents and myriads of other dangers to their natal stream, primarily to spawn and … to die”

As journalist George Gaudet says in his foreword: “the story is the story of the past without compromise, as open as the author, generous and as truthful as his faithful and prodigious memory”.

“The Demise of the SS Corfu Island” by Frixos Sekkides is available in paperback and eBook format from leading stockists.

For further details: www.wattlepublishing.com

For all inquiries please contact Emma Taylor at publicity@wattlepublishing.com

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/50-year-anniversary-of-the-demise-of-the-ss-corfu-island/

Tell Me Who’s WONDERFUL Builds Children Up with the Truth of the Bible

Author Jo Clem sets a beneficial example for parents with delightful color book.

LIGHTNING RELEASES: MAITLAND, FL (12/19/2013) -Within the pages of Jo Clem’s new book, Tell Me Who’s Wonderful, (hardcover, 9781628712605;) readers will discover an enjoyable story surrounding a special little girl and her family. The characters in the book take part in a traditional question-and-answer game, which provides an illustration for each child to know that he or she is wonderful in God’s eyes. The author references Psalms 139, in which the psalmist proclaims, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

“The greatest gift a parent can give a child is the gift of self-esteem,” states the author. “[This book] is a message [that] our world desperately longs for and needs to hear and, as simple as the concept is, it can and will change lives for the better both for the one who questions and the one who answers.”

Of her expertise, the author expresses: “In more than three decades as a teacher, writer and parent, I have seen the joys and challenges of parenting and relationships. Parenting is the most important job we ever do. Few of us are ‘taught’ how to be parents. We just follow the model we experienced. The problem is that we cannot give something we may have never personally received. If we do not know and believe and live based on a keen awareness of both our divinity and our purpose, because a model of that was not provided to us, we must go right back to the beginning and listen to the Heavenly Father. He tells us how wonderful we are. Don’t take my word for it; this message is from Him.”

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/tell-me-whos-wonderful-builds-children-up-with-the-truth-of-the-bible/

Thicker Than Water: The Tankards Is Ratings Hit For Bravo

LIGHTNING RELEASES (12/19/2013) – Thicker Than Water, the new hit Bravo series that follows former pro basketballer and Smoothjazz / Gospel legend Ben Tankard with his blended family, smashed ratings records with it’s fifth episode airing this past Sunday.

Bravo’s newest series, “Thicker Than Water” was up from a season best 1.85 million total viewers to over 2.05 million total viewers. Additionally, it topped the key demos ratings at a whopping .9 million reports Bravo. In comparison, Bravo’s hit show Million Dollar Listing of LA averaged 1.3 million viewers with .6 million demo and peaked at 1.7 for their finale episode before being renewed for season 6 this past October.

The show is produced for Bravo by Sirens Media (of Real Housewives of New Jersey fame). Even though the show is not marketed as religious or ” faith based “, the Tankards strong Christian values leak through and the show has a massive “kingdom” following (much like the bearded ministers of Duck Dynasty).

The Tankards who are volunteer senior Pastors, were cast by Bravo for the series’s because of their multiple business successes and their blended family. Ben is the Bestselling Gospel/Jazz artist of all time with walls and walls of gold and platinum albums, as seen on the show. He performs over a hundred concerts each year which he flies to on his own airplane as a private pilot, and is in high demand as a motivational speaker for pro athletes like the NBA and NFL. Tankard states on the show ” I’m not a preacher, I’m a reacher…..I try to speak in a manner that reaches and inspires everyone”. One of his catch phrases from episode one went viral when he stated, ” Heaven is about the B.L.I.N.G. which is a descriptive acronym for how heaven will be: Bright-Loving-Inclusive-NeverEnding-Glory = B.L.I.N.G. “.

Jewel is a power financial planner, network marketer and motivational speaker with a community wide women’s group called The Millionairess Book Club. Her goal is to empower women to be become successful and she has recently been recruited by JET magazine to write a financial wellness column. Whew, these Tankards are NOT lazy!

With five children, two daughter-in-laws, a grandchild, and a housekeeper, there’s never a dull moment at the massive Tankard Palace and it looks like millions of viewers cannot get enough of seeing it all unfold every Sunday night. According to BravoRatings.com, Thicker Than Water ratings have doubled the ratings of other freshman reality shows on the network. In addition, they have also surpassed the best ratings of recent faith based shows like Mary Mary, Preachers of LA, The Sheards, and Run’s House, all of which did well in their own right drawing close to 1.4M viewers at best.

It Looks like Bravo has struck gold with their millionaire positive power team in Ben & Jewel Tankard. The Tankards are on a Hollywood promo tour this week that includes The Hollywood Insider. Even with all their business travel, the Tankards have a strong love for their community and always beat it home by Sundays to serve and give back as non-salary Pastors of Destiny Center Church of Murfreesboro,TN. A small quaint town near Nashville. Their congregation of under 500 members is loving and very friendly. When in the area, drop in and see them, they will no doubt ” leave the light on for you “.

Tune in this Sunday, December 22, at 9pm ET/PT for a new episode of “Thicker Than Water,” where Brooklyn’s excessive drinking habits have Ben and Jewel worried that she’s heading down the wrong path again. Meanwhile, Benji’s grandiose wedding plans hit a road block when costs start to add up. The chaos continues when Cyrene is the only sister chosen to be a bridesmaid, leaving Brooklyn and Britney out of the bridal party.

www.bravotv.com www.bentankard.org

RealityTvWatch

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/thicker-than-water-the-tankards-is-ratings-hit-for-bravo/

360incentives Shortlisted for 2013-14 Cloud Awards Program

International Cloud Computing Program Announces Shortlist

LIGHTNING RELEASES: Whitby, ON (12/17/2013) – 360incentives.com has been shortlisted in the 2013-2014 Cloud Awards Program in the category Most Promising Start-Up.

Identifying and celebrating excellence in the field of cloud computing, the cloud computing awards program encourages entries from across the entire globe – the US, Canada, Australasia and EMEA regions. Entrants can be from organizations of any size, including start-ups.

Categories this year included Best Cloud Infrastructure, Data Innovation of the Year, “Best in Mobile” Cloud Solution, Most Promising Start-Up and Best Software as a Service.

Jason Atkins, CEO & Founder, 360incentives said: “For 360 to be shortlisted in the “Most Promising Start-Up” category of the 2013-14 Cloud Awards program is a special honour, and we are delighted to be recognized among the other nominees.”

Cloud Awards organizer Larry Johnson said: “Every year, we think we must have met the ceiling on how high the standard of entries will get. Every year those expectations are smashed, as a new wave of Cloud pioneers and innovators shows us their successes – and more importantly, their drive for success.

“Cloud technologies are like no other, showing a remarkable ability to act as a catalyst for scalable, intuitive, hardworking solutions for business and modern life. We are lucky enough to be able to showcase some of the brightest and best.

“We’re seeing entries from Europe and the UK, from Canada, from the Middle East – and they’re matching pace with US offerings. It’s always sad for those who can’t make the final shortlist, even after splitting awards into geographic regions where necessary, but I can say that every single entry would have been worthy of a place in the final list.

“We have no idea what the 2014-15 Cloud Awards program will bring next year, but it looks like the only way is up.”

Over 200 organizations entered, with entries coming from across the globe, including Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

Final winners will be announced on Tuesday 28 January 2014.

The Cloud Awards (http://www.cloud-awards.com/) will return in 2014-15 for a fresh awards program seeking excellence in cloud computing.

Full shortlist

Best Cloud Infrastructure

• JobDiva


• Voxeo


• CloudByte


• DocuSign


• Abacus Group LLC


• Strikeiron


• Cbeyond


• DOSarrest Internet Security

Best Platform as a Service / Cloud Middleware

• MessageSolution, Inc


• DocuSign


• Abacus Group, LLC


• OpenShift by Red Hat


• Eccentex


• MuleSoft


• VASCO Data Security


• Mendix, Inc

B2B Customer Strategy

• Panasonic / Marketo


• TechQuarters


• Identified


• Cbeyond, Inc.


• Unitrends


• TOA Technologies


• TeamSupport.com

Security Innovation of the Year

• Accellion


• Intralinks


• CloudPassage


• HOB GmbH & Co KG


• PerspecSys, Inc.


• AccelOps


• Prolexic Technologies


• Zscaler


• Duo Security

Best Cloud Consultancy or Systems Integrator

• Appirio


• Simplion Technologies India Private Ltd.


• TechQuarters


• 2nd Watch


• Idealist Consulting


• Blue Wolf Group LLC

Best Cloud Payment, Chargeback or Billing Solution

• PEX Card


• Magnaquest Technologies Ltd


• Ensim Corporation

Best Cloud Business Intelligence or Analytics Solution

• Anaplan


• Identified


• FirstRain


• InsightSquared


• Glassbeam


• Birst


• Alteryx Inc


• XRS Corporation

Best Cloud Hosting Provider

• FireHost


• MessageSolution, Inc


• Abacus Group LLC


• GreenQloud


• AirWatch


• iWeb


• Infinitely Virtual


• PEER 1 Hosting

Most Innovative Use of “Big Data in the Cloud”

• Identified


• MapR Technologies

“Best in Mobile” Cloud Solution

• AppFolio


• MyMusicCloud


• Cbeyond, Inc


• Workshare


• ServiceMax


• Broadview Networks


• Brainshark, Inc


• Citrix / Citrix Sharefile


• HOB GmbH & Co KG


• MyCase


• Perfecto Mobile, Inc


• AirWatch

Best Software as a Service (US)

• ShopVisible, LLC


• QuickSchools School Management System


• Cvent Inc


• Securimate


• iCIMS, Inc


• NetSuite, Inc


• Talent Rover


• Citrix Podio


• etfile


• Protech Associates, Inc


• RiverMeadow Software

Best Software as a Service (outside US)

• BeGlobal – SDL (UK)


• HRBoss (Singapore)


• ECmanaged (Spain)


• Xero (NZ, Aus, US, UK)


• Workshare (UK)

Data Innovation of the Year

• Identified


• DocuSign


• StrikeIron


• MuleSoft

Best Cloud Accounting/Payroll/HR Solution

• SurePayroll Inc


• Thomsons Online Benefits


• FinancialForce.com

Best Hybrid Cloud Solution

• Voxeo, an Aspect company


• University of Derby, UK


• TechQuarters


• Quorum


• CloudSigma


• iWeb


• Radware, Inc

Cloud CRM Solution of the Year

• Enrollment Rx


• Veeva Systems


• NetSuite, Inc

Best Cloud Reseller / Reseller Program

• NetSuite, Inc


• Infinitely Virtual


• CloudByte


• PEER 1 Hosting

Most Promising Start-Up

• ITinvolve


• UberConference


• Contract Room, Inc


• Identified


• Talent Rover


• GreenQloud


• 360incentives

Cloud ITSM (IT Service Management) Solution of the Year

• SysAid Technologies


• FrontRange HEAT


• Supportworks – myservicedesk.com

Best Cloud Automation Solution

• Juju – Canonical / Ubuntu


• QualiSystems


• Ensim Corporation

Web Services Excellence

• StrikeIron


• GreenQloud


• UberConference

ATTACHED: Photo of 360incentives’ founder/CEO Jason Atkins

Contact details

360incentives

Christina O’Reilly

Marketing Director

coreilly@360incentives.com

888-665-4927 x142

For the Cloud Awards
Larry Johnson – 2013-14 organizer

www.cloud-awards.com

larry@cloud-awards.com

Notes for editors

About the Cloud Awards

The Cloud Awards is an international program which has been recognizing and honoring industry leaders, innovators and organizational transformation in cloud computing since 2011. The awards are open to large, small, established and start-up organizations from across the entire globe, with an aim to find and celebrate the pioneers who will shape the future of the Cloud as we move into 2014 and beyond. Categories include the Software as a Service award, Most Promising Start-Up, and “Best in Mobile” Cloud Solution. Finalists were selected by a judging panel of international industry experts. For more information about the Cloud Awards please visit http://www.cloud-awards.com/.

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/360incentives-shortlisted-for-2013-14-cloud-awards-program/

Arrow Flick 2.0 includes all-new zombie apocalypse scenario

Arrow Flick 2.0 includes all-new zombie apocalypse scenario

Hit mobile game takes archery to the graveyard

LIGHTNING RELEASES: KANSAS CITY, MO (12/18/2013) -Just in time for the holidays, PocketCake has announced a new version of its popular mobile game Arrow Flick, available on iTunes and Google Play, in which players fling arrows at dummies, animals and fruit.

Arrow Flick now includes a mode called “Holiday Apocalypse” featuring zombies hellbent on — you guessed it — brains. The good news is that players are armed with an infinite number of arrows to survive 50 waves of zombies. Each wave brings more zombies whose aggression and evasiveness grow greater and greater as well.

Players aren’t limited to an old-fashioned bow and arrow, either. Holiday items littered throughout the scenario — presents, stockings, ornaments — unlock special weapons to combat the dead men (and women) walking. Weapons include bows capable of shooting three arrows at once and arrows that can be rapidly fired or tipped with explosives.

In order to be killed, zombies must be struck twice or, of course, just once in the head. Players can earn special achievements — such as “I see dead people” and “Here’s looking at you, zombie” — for hits, headshots, kills and misses.

Arrow Flick has been downloaded more than 60,000 times on iOS and Android since its mid-November release. All 93 of Arrow Flick’s ratings for the current version on iTunes are five stars. The game reached 197 on the list of top new games on Google Play.

CONTACT

Jim Bassett

General Manager

PH 816.295.1091

jb@pocketcake.com

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/arrow-flick-2-0-includes-all-new-zombie-apocalypse-scenario/

FirstOntario Credit Union Implements ADFLOW In-Branch Digital Signage

LIGHTNING RELEASES: Burlington (12/13/2013) – FirstOntario Credit Union has selected ADFLOW Networks as their digital signage provider. Digital signage is rapidly changing the way financial institutions interact and communicate with their customers and, with this in mind, First Ontario Credit Union has formed a mutually beneficial partnership with ADFLOW Networks.

The main goal of digital signage for FirstOntario Credit Union was, and remains, the ability to provide their members with dynamic multiple messaging within their branches that highlights their core products and services, showcases their community involvement and that also enables them to provide FirstOntario members with up-to-the-minute rate changes as the market indicates. Upon meeting the knowledgeable team at ADFLOW Networks, FirstOntario was confident that they were the right fit for their organization, not only to meet their present day needs but also their future digital media communications requirements as they become more comprehensive going forward. “They are definitely a vendor we can grow with as our digital endeavours expand”, said Karen Bragdon, Senior Manager Branch Marketing Strategy, FirstOntario. One of FirstOntario’s ongoing strategies is to deal with vendors in the communities in which they serve and employing a local company, ADFLOW Networks, has turned out to be a fantastic experience for both companies. Everything went very smoothly, from the initial meeting, through the agreement on design specifications and the actual branch installations. From the project manager, to the account manager, to the installers and the creative team, everyone from the ADFLOW team made important contributions to the initiative, “it was a real collaborative effort,” said Bragdon.

From a technical perspective, ADFLOW utilized dual-feed media players configured specifically for FirstOntario, every aspect of which ADFLOW monitors and manages, which makes technical support exceptional. “ADFLOW bends over backwards to support us; they want to get it right”, said Matt Barton Director, Enterprise Technology Operations, FirstOntario. Their response time to any inquiries has been exceptional. In the past dealing with other digital signage suppliers had been an issue due to different time zones, “they’re quick – in 24 hours we can establish our needs, 24 hours later approval is gained and then from there we’re done and dusted – ADFLOW consistently delivers,” said Bragdon. New branches have been outfitted with a minimum of two screens per branch installed in various positions throughout their locations such as in waiting areas, teller locations and vestibules while older branches have also been retrofitted with digital screens. The goal is to complete the transition of all branches to digital screens by 2015 and to eventually introduce interactive stations as well. One unique installation was FirstOntario Credit Union’s first-ever external facing digital screen, positioned to generate business through local foot traffic. FirstOntario was further impressed with ADFLOW’s customer service when they went out of their way to temporarily install sample screens outside so that they were able to view them in direct sunlight before agreeing to purchase. That kind of service sets ADFLOW apart from the competition.

FirstOntario Credit Union digital signs are used to:

• Display multiple messaging to members that showcases their core products and services, highlights their community involvement and to instantly post up to date rate changes across their branches.

Type of content displayed:

• Multiple messaging – rates, products, services, community involvement

Installation:

• In addition to the special “High Brightness” screen used in the Dundas location, most branches have opted for a two-screen configuration using displays ranging in size from 32” to 55”. The digital screens are installed in strategic areas within the FirstOntario branch locations, such as waiting area, teller areas and vestibules.

About FirstOntario Credit Union

In business since 1939, today’s FirstOntario Credit Union has evolved from familiar roots. In Hamilton, they began as the Stelco Employees Credit Union, and later Avestel Credit Union. In Niagara, they were once The St. Catharines Auto Worker’s Credit Union, later Family Savings. Today, membership in FirstOntario Credit Union is open to anyone living in Ontario, serving nearly 90,000 Members with a full suite of banking products including; chequing and savings accounts, mortgages, lines of credit, loans, investments, insurance, expert wealth management and commercial services. FirstOntario has 23 full-service branches serving 13 communities within the Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Haldimand/Norfolk and Oxford regions. FirstOntario is a proud advocate and supporter of the people and communities in which they serve. With donations, sponsorships, bursaries and their Blue Wave employee volunteer program, they support many important community organizations such as the Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation, the Hamilton Hive, Hamilton SoupFest, Co-operative Young Leaders Summer Camp and the Fergie Jenkins Foundation.

About ADFLOW

Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Canada with U.S. offices in Chicago, IL, ADFLOW Networks is an industry leader in delivering award-winning digital signage, interactive and marketing solutions to some of the most recognized retailers and brands in North America, all powered by ADFLOW’s Dynamic Messaging System™, featuring patented AdSecure™ technology. Since 2000, ADFLOW has offered turn-key software and services that reshape the customer experience for its clients. From store design, screen placement, hardware selection, installation, and content services, ADFLOW has become a trusted partner to many Fortune 500 customers. As a result, ADFLOW has grown to become one of North America’s largest Digital Signage and Interactive Kiosk providers.

via Lightning Releases http://lightningreleases.com/firstontario-credit-union-implements-adflow-in-branch-digital-signage/