Microsoft Unveils ‘Surface,’ a Tablet to Take on Apple’s IPad

Microsoft Corp. unveiled its own Windows-powered tablet computer called Surface, altering its strategy of focusing on software and relying on partners to make the machines in a renewed attempt to take on Apple iPad.

The tablet has a 10.6-inch display and will run the new version of Microsoft’s operating system, CEO Steve Ballmer said at an event yesterday at Milk Studios in Los Angeles. The device’s cover serves as a full keyboard with a track pad. Surface will be available later this year.

The world’s largest software maker is stepping up its assault on the tablet market as consumers choose the devices over laptops, weakening the personal-computer market and curbing Windows revenue. The strategy threatens to sour Microsoft’s relationship with some PC makers, many of which have been investing to develop their own Windows 8 tablets and may not want to compete directly with Microsoft.

“What can I say? Hell froze over — this is totally antithetical to their core business,” said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Gartner Inc. “They’re taking their destiny into their own hands. It’s a bold move, but it’s a very risky one. This could turn into Microsoft’s next Zune or its next Xbox.” (www.adage.com)

Brewer, distiller concoct a joint venture

Boston Beer Co., maker of Sam Adams beers, is launching its first entry in the emerging craft spirits industry, producing two whiskeys in partnership with Berkshire Mountain Distillers in Great Barrington.

It will take at least two years for the whiskeys, which will be made from Sam Adams Boston Lager and a limited-edition brew called Cinder Bock, to be available to consumers; although the spirits are currently being distilled, they must still be aged in wooden barrels. The initial batch of 1,000 cases, or 12,000 bottles, will be Berkshire Mountain products, with the Sam Adams name indicated on the label.

Whiskey is a spirit distilled from beer, although distillers usually use a bland brew that is not intended for drinking.

“When you distill, you’re taking little slices of the essential flavors in beer,” said Jim Koch, Boston Beer founder. “To me, it’s just a continuation of learning and understanding beer.” (www.boston.com)

Cubic To Sponsor Tube Anniversary

Cubic Transportation Systems, a business segment of San Diego-based Cubic Corporation, and a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services for intelligent travel solutions, is proud to announce that it is to be the lead industry sponsor for next year’s 150th anniversary of the London Underground, the world’s oldest underground railway.

Ticketing and fare collection for the four million passenger journeys made on the Tube daily are handled by Cubic as part of its role as prime contractor for the provision of revenue services, ticketing, information for transport ticketing and fare collection within the Transport for London (TfL) system, which includes the London Underground, London Overground, buses and river bus services.

Cubic has worked with TfL and its predecessor London Transport since the 1970s on revolutionary developments in ticketing, not least of which has been the continued successful rollout of the Oyster card since its introduction in 2003. Today Oyster accounts for more than 80% of journeys taken on the TfL network and with over 50 million cards issued, it is the world’s most prolific and successful smart card ticketing system. But the story doesn’t end there:

Ongoing developments and new technologies are focused on delivering increased value, choice and service improvements for London public transport users, making transport in the capital even more convenient. (www.sponsorship.com)

CAVU Resources, Inc. Co-Sponsors The Okie Noodling Tournament As Shown On The History Channel

CAVU Resources, Inc. (”CAVU”), which trades as OTC: CAVR.PK, announced today it is providing the grand prize Money for the Okie Noodling Tournament to be held on June 23, 2012 in Wacker Park – Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. This event is one of the largest and most profitable events in the area.

CAVU is currently building its Southern Oklahoma Headquarters at the site of the new FILO SWDW #1 saltwater disposal well in the Pauls Valley area. To show the company’s regional support and to help bring more opportunities to Garvin County the company donated the largest prize purse ever offered by this tournament. The larger cash prizes have gotten the interest running high this year with event planners expecting greater crowds than ever before.

The 2012 Okie Noodling Tournament, Festival and Fish Fry is rapidly approaching, this is the event created for the documentary Okie Noodling (2001) that started it all. Please help us make the 13th Annual Okie Noodling Tournament the best yet through your financial sponsorship. This is a once-a-year chance for noodlers and handfishing enthusiasts to compete and meet-up in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma for the world’s largest noodling contest. The character of this event, much like the original documentary, is steeped in backwoods tradition given modern cultural relevance. The crowd in attendance is a unique concoction of local fishing enthusiasts from around Oklahoma as well as curious folks and media from around the globe. This is a marketing opportunity aimed at the many facets of the American Heartland.

This event is the only sponsored noodling tournament in the world and has resulted in the sport’s recent popular success through shows like Hillbilly Handfishin’ (Animal Planet) and Mudcats (History Channel.) Past years have brought The BBC, National Geographic, The New York Times, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and The Discovery Channel to cover this unique festival. (www.sponsorship.com)

ARINC To Sponsor Maryland Therapeutic Riding Annual Benefit Concert Featuring The Oak Ridge Boys

ARINC Incorporated is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Maryland Therapeutic Riding’s 12th Annual Live on the Farm Benefit Concert, Friday, September 7, 2012. Opening the concert will be local favorites The Hard Travelers followed by a feature performance from Grammy-award winning country music legends The Oak Ridge Boys.

As the primary fundraising event for Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR), the annual Live on the Farm Benefit Concert is a must-attend event for horse enthusiasts, country music fans, rehabilitative proponents, military and veteran support groups, community leaders, and all who value the life-changing results that therapeutic riding provides.

In addition to world-famous musical performances, a highlight of the evening is the presentation of the annual Exceptional Hero award. This year’s recipient is 21-year-old Katie Parry, an MTR rider since the age of 5. Ms. Parry will receive her award and kick-off the live auction.

“ARINC is honored to serve as the title sponsor for this year’s Live on the Farm Benefit Concert. MTR programs have changed their lives of many individuals and families and we are proud to help them continue their inspiring work,” said John M. Belcher, ARINC Chairman & CEO. (www.sponsorship.com)

American Express Canada And Toronto Pearson International Airport Announce Innovative Service And Marketing Partnership

American Express Canada and Toronto Pearson International Airport today announced a new collaboration covering advertising, marketing, sponsorship and customer experience at Canada’s biggest airport.

With 33 million travellers passing through Toronto Pearson every year and the average visitor spending 2.5 hours in the airport, American Express sees this as a perfect venue to promote its brand and to do so in a special way that fits with Toronto Pearson’s strategy of improving the guest experience and strengthening the airport’s position as a major gateway for Canada and North America.

“This is a very exciting partnership and one that goes far beyond traditional advertising” said David Barnes, Vice President, Advertising and Sponsorships, American Express Canada. “The real focus of our relationship will be on adding services and benefits to improve the travel experience for both our existing Cardmembers and other travellers who will be exposed to our brand in a meaningful way and get a taste of the special treatment we are famous for”. (www.sponsorship.com)

A Public Service Ad About Air, and an App

I MEAN, yeah, you can say it’s an unusual hobby,” says a man in his 20s wearing oversize glasses in a quirky new public service announcement from the American Lung Association. “I’ve had people laugh at me, but I don’t care. I just love collecting air.”

The words “Alvin Grimes, Air Collector” appear on the screen, and the camera draws back to show him sitting before a wall of jelly jars. The jars are labeled with masking tape, where he has written in a marker such locations as “Corner Bodega, Chicago, Il, 2002” and “Makeup Counter, Rockville, MD, 2007.”

In his backyard, Alvin, wearing a T-shirt that says Airhead, marvels at how a breeze twirls a large yellow pinwheel, then drops the pinwheel to sweep a jar out in front of him and quickly twist a lid on it, as if trapping an insect.

“Think it’s weird to collect air?” says a voice-over. “You wouldn’t think so if you saw what your lungs collect every time you breathe.”

The spot promotes a new smartphone app, State of the Air, which provides current local air quality — the ozone and particulate pollution levels — as well as a forecast for the next day. Users can elect to have notifications sent to their devices when the air quality reaches the code-orange level on the air quality index, which the Environmental Protection Agency defines as unhealthy for those with respiratory problems like lung disease or asthma. (www.nytimes.com)

JetBlue Launches Online Game Show

JetBlue Aiways is hosting a live, online game show this week called “Get Away With It.”

Consumers can win one of 25 JetBlue Getaways vacation packages. The first of five daily episodes aired June 18.

Contestants appear via Skype as the fake host, Mark Hammerberg, conducts the show live from New York City, in a studio outfitted with plasma screens where the contestants appear before him.

One winner per episode can win a getaway to the sandy beaches of Mexico or the turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos, among other destinations. Viewers can tune in to watch the live streaming games from their computers, smart phones or tablets at jetblue.com/getawaywithit. Episodes air daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET. (www.mediapost.com)

Nissan Rolls Out Biggest Campaign For Altima

Nissan North America is launching the campaign for its 2013 Altima. It will be the company’s largest ever. The effort, via TBWA\Chiat\Day, begins with four TV spots and a lot of digital advertising, plus print and out-of-home.

The tag for the brand has been “Innovation for All” since the launch of the Leaf electric car last year. For the Altima launch, however, the tag is “Innovation that Excites.” Earlier this year, Nissan launched a brand umbrella campaign, “Our Most Innovative Year Ever,” to presage the rollout of five new vehicles over 15 months.

The Altima effort touts such features as a redesigned suspension, a category-unique, tire-fill alert feature that tells you when the tire is at the right pressure, new NASA “zero gravity” seats, 3D driver display, and power/acceleration benefits.

The advertising push will also bring in the “Wouldn’t it be cool” mantra the company has been using for recent campaigns. That theme will also be applied to forthcoming efforts for the 2013 Pathfinder crossover and Sentra compact car. (www.mediapost.com)