Blockbuster Offers Moms Movie Rental Advice

To help moms select quality movies to watch with their kids, Blockbuster says it has surveyed close to 14,000 moms nationwide, asking them which movies they like best for keeping their kids entertained. Blockbuster says it is sharing the resulting list of "go-to" movies that moms can refer to all year long just in time for Mother's Day.

"Moms are the most widely-turned to authority on family entertainment," said Keith Leopard, product director, rental film, with Blockbuster Inc. "Now when the kids can't agree what to rent, the sleepover is at your place or the kids are headed to their grandparents' house for the weekend, mothers will have an easy reference to help them choose or recommend kid-friendly movies approved by moms just like them."

Topping the list of mom-approved movies for all age groups were the Shrek movies, the animated features that follow the adventures of the grumpy green ogre with a heart of gold. The funny fairytale stars comedic giants like Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Cleese, whose animated antics are almost as popular with parents as they are with their kids.

Moms also chose the best movies for different age groups. Shrek came out tops again for kids ages five to seven, but the animated fish tale Finding Nemo was more popular for moms of two- to four-year-olds. Moms selected the swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean for their eight- to 10- year-olds, while the magic of the Harry Potter series was reserved for older children ages 11 to 13.

If you realize you need a kid-friendly film, Blockbuster says it makes it easy to pick up a mom-approved movie. BLOCKBUSTER stores are open seven days a week, including on Sundays and Mother's Day. BLOCKBUSTER Total Access® members who rent DVDs online also have the option of returning any not-so-kid-friendly online rental to a store where it can be exchanged for a more suitable movie free of charge.

Blockbuster also reminds moms and others choosing entertainment for kids that they should always consult ratings and make their own determinations about whether content is suitable for their child and their child's age group.

For an overview of the survey results, check out the Blockbuster press release.

811 "Call Before You Dig" Telephone Number Launched

At a press conference last week on the National Mall, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) joined with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, the Federal Communications Commission, and representatives from national launch partners the Associated General Contractors of America, John Deere, The Travelers Companies, Inc., and Cox Communications, to ceremonially connect 811, the new national 'Call Before You Dig' number.

"Now that there is a single number to call, any time, there's no excuse for putting lives at risk by striking a utility line," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters. "If 911 is the number you call to report emergencies, 811 is the number to call to prevent them."

The 811 number was designated by the FCC in 2005 at the direction of an Act of Congress in 2002. Its creation was supported by more than fifteen industry stakeholder groups who encouraged its development and creation and now promote its use nationwide.

To ensure that all Americans know and use 811, today's event on "America's Front Yard" also kicked off a national public education campaign, which will use an educational Web site, television and radio PSAs, industry and consumer outreach, and local events to raise awareness of the new number and demonstrate its relevance to consumers and professionals who conduct digging activities. Additionally, the campaign's national launch partners and promotional sponsors will promote the new number through a variety of tactics designed to leverage the grassroots power of their customers, clients and members, creating awareness and positive behavioral change among those most likely to dig.

"Knowing the approximate locations of where utility lines are buried before each digging project helps protect America's pipelines, industry and people," said CGA President Bob Kipp. "We believe the new 811 number will encourage more people to have their lines marked to protect themselves, their neighbors and their community."

Nationwide, risky assumptions about the location of underground utility lines, which are buried at various depths below the ground, lead to more than one unintentional hit per minute every day, every year. Even simple digging jobs can damage utility lines and disrupt vital services to an entire neighborhood, harm those who dig, and result in expensive fines and repair costs.

For more information about the 811 service, campaign, and a new national survey on consumer digging habits, visit www.call811.com.

CEA Study: American Adults Spend $1,200 Annually on Consumer Electronics

The average U.S. household owns 25 consumer electronics (CE) products and the average adult spends $1,200 annually on these products according to a study released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®). The 9th Annual Household and Teen CE Ownership and Market Potential Study also revealed the most owned CE products and tracks the growth rates of popular product categories.

The top five growth sectors were digital video recorders (DVRs), network routers or hubs, MP3 players, cable modems and digital cameras. DVR ownership and network/routers in U.S. households grew eight percentage points since 2006 to 25 and 30 percent respectively. Thirty-two percent of households now own an MP3 player, up seven percentage points since last year. Cable modem ownership grew six percentage points and digital camera ownership rose to 62 percent of all U.S. households.

"It's interesting to note here that two of the fastest movers and shakers in the CE industry are devices that enable home networking," said CEA Senior Research Analyst Elena Caudle. "The other three products enable consumers to create, shift or transport digital content. As consumers continue to embrace digital technology this new convergence will continue to change the way Americans live, work and play."

Other categories with significant growth include HDTV with penetration reaching a quarter of U.S. homes. More than three-quarters of U.S homes have at least one cell phone; CEA estimates 178.5 million wireless phones are in use. DVD players have reached 84 percent household penetration and have surpassed VCRs, partially because of the availability of portable DVD players.

In addition to identifying top growth categories, the study reveals the five most owned products beginning with the television (92 percent), DVD player or recorder, VCR (82 percent), cordless phone (82 percent) and the cellular phone (76 percent).

"Many of the top owned products have enjoyed mass market saturation for years and will likely see growth based on upgrade and replacement sales. Some of the more intriguing categories are those that still occupy niche markets, such as mobile CE devices like GPS systems and satellite radio, which have seen healthy growth in the past few years," said Caudle.

The study also sets out the spending habits of consumers by age demographics. While adults spend $1,200 annually on CE products, teens spend $350 each year which is about half of their total annual discretionary income. Adults with children and teens spend up to $500 more on CE purchases than the national average.

"This is excellent news for the industry as children and teens who currently influence household CE purchase decisions grow up to become the next generation's early adopters," said Caudle.

9th Annual Household and Teen CE Ownership and Market Potential Study (April 2007) was conducted in February 2007. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry.

For more information, check out the CEA press release.

Dell, AMD Partner for 'Plant a Tree for Me'

Dell recently announced that Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will become the first corporate partner of its 'Plant a Tree for Me' program through a $16,000 donation on behalf of the company's 16,000 worldwide employees.

"We applaud AMD for its extraordinary leadership and commitment to building on the enthusiasm of the program," said Tod Arbogast, director of Dell Sustainable Business. "The company's generous contribution is a clear example of industry's ability to join together, take proactive steps and make a difference for the environment."

Dell's non-profit partners, The Conservation Fund and Carbonfund.org, also reported that initial customer interest and donations have made possible the planting of more than 20,000 trees that over their lifetime will help sequester 38 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

"Addressing global climate change is one of the great challenges of the 21st century," said Larry Vertal, senior strategist, AMD Green. "AMD is committed to reducing impacts through leadership in energy-efficient computing, sustainable manufacturing, and industry and government partnerships like this one with Dell's innovative 'Plant a Tree for Me' program. We share Dell's commitment to partnering with businesses and consumers to protect the global environment for future generations."

When launched in January, the program enabled Dell customers to offset the carbon impact of their notebook computer use for $2 and desktop system use for $6. Last month, Dell expanded the program to include U.S.-based consumers and businesses with no product purchase required and for an extended portfolio of IT products. Dell also recently introduced 'Plant a Tree for Me' in the virtual world Second Life to help raise awareness of the importance of climate stewardship and provide a way for participants to link back to the program's Web site.

"Through 'Plant a Tree for Me,' Dell is harnessing and consolidating the enthusiasm of businesses and consumers who want to be a part of a solution-oriented process," said Eric Carlson, executive director of Carbonfund.org. "We are delighted to welcome AMD and its employees as partners in this process."

In addition to climate stewardship, Dell says it makes continual improvements to its design, manufacturing and administrative facilities around the globe, and partners with a number of stakeholders to help set environmental policies. The company remains the only computer manufacturer to offer consumers free and convenient product recycling around the world, irrespective of product purchase. Earlier this week, the company joined with the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Recycling Coalition to host a free recycling event for consumers in Washington, D.C.

The company hosts two Web sites, Dell IdeaStorm and StudioDell to provide customers the opportunity to share their own ideas and feedback. Dell also recently launched Dell Earth, a comprehensive online resource that provides in-depth information about the company's environmental programs and policies.

For more information, check out the Dell press release.

The Home Depot Introduces Eco Options

The Home Depot® recently expanded its long-term commitment to the environment and sustainability by launching its Eco Options^SM program in the United States. Eco Options is a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment and empowers them to help make a difference in their own homes.

The Home Depot has identified more than 2,500 Eco Options products, including all-natural insect repellents, cellulose insulation, front-load washing machines, organic plant food and vegetables in biodegradable pots. The wide array of Eco Options also includes compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, programmable thermostats and certified wood.

As The Home Depot works with vendors and independent experts, the Eco Options line will be continuously expanded to include scores of innovative products that reduce the impact on the environment.

As part of its Eco Options launch, The Home Depot gave away 1 million CFL bulbs at its stores on Earth Day, April 22, and launched an interactive Web site dedicated to the program. The CFL bulb has become an icon of energy efficiency, and replacing 1 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs will result in savings of $12 million in annual energy costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 147 million pounds. The Home Depot also sold more than 50 million CFL bulbs in 2006.

"For more than a decade, The Home Depot has been a proponent of environmental sustainability. From our wood purchasing policy to having our first store certified as green by the U.S. Green Building Council, we are committed to helping improve the environment and lessen our impact on it," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. "Eco Options is the next step in expanding our commitment and making sure we help our customers who want to make a difference themselves."

Products with the Eco Options label are either eco friendly by definition, such as solar lights that use natural power, or have met certain environmental performance criteria verified by Scientific Certification Systems, an independent standards development and certification company. Eco Options products fall into one of five categories: clean air, water conservation, energy efficiency, healthy home and sustainable forestry.

The first Eco Options displays are rolling out now in The Home Depot stores across the country. The launch will capitalize on the growing trend of consumers embracing environmentalism and seeking ways to protect the environment.

The Company also is working to reduce its own impact on the environment. To save energy in its stores, The Home Depot has begun the process of replacing the incandescent bulbs in its Lighting department displays with CFL bulbs. The bulb replacement is under way at 200 The Home Depot stores and will be expanded to others throughout the year.

For more information on the Eco Options program, check out The Home Depot press release.

Verizon FiOS TV Adds Three National High-Definition Channels

Verizon recently announced it is adding HGTV HD, Food Network HD and LMN HD (Lifetime Movie Network) to the company's FiOS TV national channel lineup.

"By adding HGTV HD, Food Network HD and LMN HD to our FiOS TV lineup, we're enriching the customer experience for our HD customers, who now can enjoy their favorite shows on these channels in brilliant HD and digital surround sound," said Terry Denson, Verizon vice president - FiOS TV content and programming. "With these high-definition networks, Verizon continues to deliver the breadth of content that consumers want in a way that best fits their lifestyles."

The three channels will be available in all FiOS TV markets by the end of April, bringing the total number of HD channels to at least 27 in most markets, depending on the number of local channels that broadcast in HD. FiOS TV subscribers with an HD-capable TV and an HD set-top box will receive the three new channels at no additional cost.

HGTV and Food Network are America's leading networks in home, food and lifestyle programming. HGTV HD and Food Network HD air some of the same popular shows that appear on the standard definition networks including "Cash in the Attic," "Decorating Cents," "Barefoot Contessa" and "Everyday Italian." LMN, the second highest-rated women's network on basic cable behind sibling Lifetime Television, offers nearly 200 different movie titles each month, including exclusive film and cable premieres.

John Baird, executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing for Scripps Networks, parent company of HGTV and Food Network, said, "FiOS TV is growing in popularity just as our high definition networks are, making this agreement a winning partnership for viewers."

Louise Henry Bryson, president, distribution and affiliate business development, Lifetime Networks, said, "We're delighted to partner with FiOS TV for this HD offering, which will provide our customers with LMN's high-quality entertainment in Verizon's high-quality picture."

Verizon FiOS TV offers a all-digital programming of more than 400 total channels, 8,600 video-on-demand titles and more. It is currently available in parts of California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

For more information, check out the Verizon press release.