Maya Sienna's New Single "Dollar" Hits iTunes

(Tampa, FL) June 13 - Maya Sienna, A New International Pop Star Singer, is releasing her debut first Single, "Dollar" TODAY!

Maya began singing at age 6 and is now releasing her debut Single, "Dollar". You can find it at iTunes, Rhapsody, Spotify, and more. Maya Sienna's single was produced by Grammy-Nominated Producer Shawn Campbell and choreographed by well renowned Choreographer Darrien Henning, who has worked with stars such as Cody Simpson and Britney Spears.

When asked about "Dollar" Maya stated, "Yes, it's true.", she laughs. "I wrote Dollar about a boy I had a crush on. I wanted to let him know that I don't care about how much he does or doesn't have. And that I don't need him to buy me expensive things like diamonds and pearls or take me to fancy places. I only care about him and what his heart has to offer. Anything else doesn't matter to me."

Please check out "Dollar" (Audio Only) on her YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_vjvLqaBy8

Maya Sienna's Official Music Video for Dollar, will be Released in June! Shawn Campbell played her dad & her mom was played by her real mom, Michele Turner in her Music Video, "Dollar".

Satechi USB Portable Humidifier Converts Water Bottles into Humidifier

SAN DIEGO – June 13, 2013 – The Satechi USB Portable Humidifier, available now, is the perfect travel companion to ensure a soothing, comfortable environment wherever you go. The user-friendly humidifier attaches to the top of most water bottles and the filter extends downward into the water. Powered via USB 2.0 or 3.0, the USB Portable Humidifier draws water through the filter, dispensing it into the air as vapor, providing relief to cold, cough and flu symptoms, itchy dry skin, chapped lips, headaches and more. http://www.youtube.com/portablehumidifier

The versatile USB Portable Humidifier when used with cold water also acts as a mister to cool users off during a hot summer. It can also be used as an aroma diffuser. Simply add liquid fragrances or essential oils into the water for a relaxing, soothing environment. Lastly, the humidifier also provides a dim blue light perfect to use as a nightlight.

The compact USB Portable Humidifier fits easily into any purse, laptop bag or suitcase allowing users to take it with them anytime, anywhere. The environmentally friendly humidifier allows users to recycle water bottles, uses only 2 watts of power and automatically shuts off after 8 hours. It can be conveniently charged through the included USB cord via laptop or USB-based phone charger, and it comes with two filters which should be changed about every 3 months depending on usage.

The Satechi USB Portable Humidifier is available now for an introductory price of $22.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.

For more on the USB Portable Humidifier and all of Satechi’s award winning products, “like” Facebook.com/Satechi and follow @Satechi.

About Satechi:
Established in 2005, Satechi is fully committed to offering unique accessories that people can integrate with their electronics in their homes, cars, and on the go. Satechi offers a broad selection of accessories from FM transmitters, battery chargers and speaker systems to car mounts, stands and keyboards. For more information, please visit www.Satechi.net.

Introduce Dad to Wally this Father’s Day for 20% Off

Distil Union, a micro-collective of three designers who get to the essence of a problem and solve it with design that’s simply useful, attractive and considered, offers their Wally attachable leather wallet for $39.99 this Father’s Day in honor of design-loving Dads everywhere. Crafted from fine Italian leather, Wally attaches to the back of your iPhone 4/4s or 5 and most cases to hold what you carry most right where you want it.   Now through Sunday, June 16, you can purchase Wally for 20 percent off the original price at www.distilunion.com. 

Wally’s slim design accommodates the three cards you use most, keeping them out of sight until they’re needed. Simply pull the integrated ribbon to access your cards and push them back to conceal them. No need to keep track of a bulky wallet and a phone, Wally makes life easy by keeping everything streamlined in one place. Now Dad can stay in touch, keep his credit cards close and look good doing it.    

Available in Ninja Black or Cowboy Brown, Wally is the perfect complement to any style, classically and effortlessly. To attach Wally, make sure your iPhone is clean, then simply pull back the cover on Wally’s adhesive and stick him to the back of your iPhone. Like most fine things and Dad’s wisdom, Wally gets better over time, developing that rich and handsome patina vegetable-tanned leather is known for. To learn more secrets about making the most of your long-term relationship with Wally, visit the Wally Support Page. One more cool tip: you can receive free shipping on Wally anywhere in the U.S. by entering the code 1STCLASSWALLY at checkout. 

Let Wally show Dad how much you care this Father’s Day by making his life simple and stylish.  While you’re at it, show us how much you care by sharing a photo of your favorite father figure on Instagram  @DistilUnion and tag it #WinAWally. One lucky winner will receive a Wally for themselves (since you already got one for Dad).  Winners will be picked on June 7 when the contest ends. 

Wally is available in Ninja Black or Cowboy Brown in models for iPhone 4/4s or iPhone 5 at distilunion.com for $39.99 until midnight on Sunday, Father’s Day, June 16, 2013.  Last chance to order to receive for Father’s Day is Thursday, June 13^th by 2 pm with UPS Overnight shipping. Media members interested in more information may contact PR representative Meghan Petchel at (305)374-4404 x 162 ormeghanpetchel@maxborgesagency.com. 

What's a Distil Union?

Launched in 2012, Distil Union is a micro-collective of three designers with a combined 15 years of experience in the Apple accessories market. “Distil” references their philosophy of getting to the essence of a problem and solving it with design that’s simply useful, attractive and considered. “Union” – that’s easy, it’s how they’ve joined together to have fun (and work hard) creating seamless solutions to real-life problems. Their debut products include Snooze the iPhone alarm dock with slappable snooze bar and Wally the Stick-On Leather iPhone Wallet. For more information please visit distilunion.com.

Mid-Year Brings Painful Performance Reviews - Why Do We Need Them?

As the mid-year mark approaches, it’s time for the dreaded mid-year performance reviews. But do we really need them?  Julie Redfield, talent management expert at PA Consulting Group, says yes and explains why.

Redfield says, “Performance reviews often have an un-needed negative connotation. But they don’t have to be an unknown Pandora’s box of your worst fears. If managers are comfortable delivering solid, performance-based, specific feedback, then the experience not only can be beneficial but actually can lead to an ‘ah-ha’ moment about your potential as a leader.”

Why Painful Experience?

However, Redfield notes that in her experience, the performance management processes can become painful with any of these three factors:

1)      Line managers surprise employees with totally new and unexpected negative feedback. This typically happens if a line manager hasn’t been giving feedback all year and sees the process as a once-a-year time to tell someone about their performance.
2)      Performance management is treated as an HR Process that “Has-To-Be-Done” versus an opportunity to help an employee understand clearly the expectations of his role, and how he can perform even better.
3)      Line managers are not comfortable with the process of giving feedback because they haven’t been properly trained and/or they haven’t experienced being the recipient of a great performance discussion themselves.

Talent Management

“Performance review” can itself be a misleading term. Redfield explains that the entire paradigm of performance management can take on a positive connotation in employees’ minds if organizations can look at the process as an ongoing cycle of “talent management,” rather than once-a-year backward looking performance review.

“It takes effort to do it the right way,” says Redfield. “The word ‘review’ is backward-looking; instead you have an ongoing cycle of ‘talent management’ which practices looking at the strengths and development needs individuals possess. Talent management should help give an organization a positive way to play to people’s strengths, make employees understand their value to the company, and help employees deliver exceptional results. Using this method makes the performance review extremely valuable to both the employee and the organization.”

Stickability!

Once this new process of an ongoing cycle of talent management is implemented, sticking to the program is important. Redfield observes that one of the hurdles she encounters with some organizations is that people get frustrated when the performance management processes change; it leaves line managers with the (false) feeling that they can’t fully support an idea because “it will change anyway.” Keeping the process going helps vanquish that feeling.

If line managers are well practiced and well versed in having direct conversations with unbiased data about performance outcomes, the process won’t be painful – it will instead be fruitful, notes Redfield.

Julie Redfield is a talent management expert at PA Consulting Group. She brings a commercial focus to the HR function by having it motivate and engage employees, focus on business outcomes and drive bottom line growth. For more information about talent management at PA Consulting group, visit www.paconsulting.com/talent.

About PA Consulting Group

PA Consulting Group (PA) is an employee-owned firm of over 2,500 people, operating globally from offices across North America, Europe, the Nordics, the Gulf and Asia Pacific. PA has experts in energy, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, manufacturing, government and public services, defense and security, telecommunications, transport and logistics. PA’s deep industry knowledge, together with skills in management consulting, technology and innovation, allows them to challenge conventional thinking and deliver exceptional results with lasting impact. For more information about PA Consulting Group, visit www.paconsulting.com/us.

"Anchorman: The Exhibit" opens Nov. 14 at the Newseum

WASHINGTON — On November 14, 2013, the Newseum, in partnership with Paramount Pictures, will open “Anchorman: The Exhibit,” featuring props, costumes and footage from the 2004 hit comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” prior to the release of its highly anticipated sequel “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” from Paramount Pictures on December 20.

The original film, written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay, directed by McKay, and starring Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner, takes a comic look at a 1970s-era television newsroom and the legendary local anchorman who ruled it until a female reporter arrived to challenge the all-male news team. “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” reunites Ferrell and McKay with the original cast.

Included in “Anchorman: The Exhibit” will be costumes worn by the Channel 4 Evening News team and a number of original props from the movie, including Ron Burgundy’s jazz flute and the whip used by rival anchorman Arturo Mendez during the film’s memorable fight scene between rival news teams. The exhibit also includes a re-creation of the KVWN-TV anchor desk and news set where visitors can pose for photo ops.

“For millions of viewers, the news anchor represents the authority and credibility of television news. But anchormen and women also are popular targets for pop culture laughs,” said Cathy Trost, vice president of exhibits and programs at the Newseum. “The exhibit explores the reality behind the humor of “Anchorman” and tracks the rise of personality-driven news formats in the 1970s.”

Visitors to the exhibit also will have an opportunity to step in front of the camera and participate in an Anchorman-themed TV spot at one of the Newseum’s Be a TV Reporter stations. With lead anchor Ron Burgundy providing a snappy introduction, budding reporters can find out if they have what it takes to become a member of the Channel 4 News team. The exhibit also will feature clips from the movie and special commentary by Will Ferrell.

“I’m literally trapped in a glass case of emotion,” said Ron Burgundy, commenting on his inclusion in the museum’s exhibit.

“Anchorman: The Exhibit” will be on display at the Newseum through Aug. 31, 2014.

About the Newseum
The mission of the Newseum is to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment through education, information and entertainment. One of the top attractions in Washington, D.C., the Newseum’s 250,000-square-foot news museum offers visitors a state-of-the-art experience that blends news history with up-to-the-second technology and hands-on exhibits. The Newseum is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded, in part, by the Freedom Forum. The First Amendment Center at the Newseum and in Nashville and the Diversity Institute serve as forums for the study and exploration of the First Amendment. For more information visit newseum.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”
With the ’70s behind him, San Diego’s top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Also back for more are Ron’s co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) — all of whom won’t make it easy to stay classy … while taking New York’s first 24-hour news channel by storm. Produced by Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay. Directed by Adam McKay.

Carbon Audio's Zooka Goes from Sketch to the Shelves of Walmart, the Largest U.S. Retailer

Zooka, a Bluetooth speaker that is designed to go where you go, makes everything up to five times louder; Now available at Walmart

PORTLAND, ORE. – June 4, 2013 - Carbon Audio LLC, the design-driven audio products company brings the Zooka to Walmart.  Zooka, a Red Dot Award winning design and top-selling wireless Bluetooth speaker, redefines loud by making your mobile media five times louder, enhancing everything you listen to at home or on-the-go. The Zooka is now available at Walmart stores nationwide.

“From conception to execution, or as we like to call it, sketch to shelves, our team grabbed the attention of America’s top retailer, Walmart, in only 15 months.  That’s a remarkably short time period for any company to create, produce and sell a product at this level,” says Jason Martin, co-founder and chief creative officer of Carbon Audio. “It’s been an incredible ride since our debut in Apple stores, and we are excited to see what’s next.”

Zooka is a wireless speaker designed to be as mobile as your media. With a 30-foot Bluetooth range, multiple vibrant colors, and a low price point there are more than a few reasons for you to listen “LOUDERER” with Zooka. So whether its movies, music or a video of a toy monkey playing the drums, you can be sure you'll hear it louder.
     

• LOUDERER  PHONE - Zooka has a built-in microphone that enhances the use of Skype and FaceTime, and is perfect for incoming and outgoing phone calls.
• LOUDERER  LAPTOP - Zooka slides onto the edge of your laptop giving you LOUDERER portability without inhibiting the use of the camera.
• LOUDERER KICKSTAND - Each Zooka comes with one removable metal stand which raises the iPad to the perfect viewing angle.

TECH SPECIFICATIONS

• Two 30mm speaker drivers are positioned on either end of the Zooka to create a true omni-directional soundstage
• 80dB at 1m sound pressure level
• 30-foot Bluetooth range
• Rechargeable battery providing up to 8 hours of play time
• Frequency Response of 150Hz to 20,000Hz

Zooka is available in red, navy blue and black for $99.95 MSRP at Walmart. For additional colors and retailers visit www.carbonaudioinc.com.  

To learn more about Zooka and Carbon Audio visit www.carbonaudioinc.com.

About Carbon Audio
Carbon Audio is a non-traditional and highly innovative audio company that launched in early 2012 in Portland, OR. After a successful fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com, they released their first product called Zooka: a Bluetooth® tablet speaker that has since received the prestigious Red Dot award for its unique functional design and is now distributed and sold on a worldwide stage ranging from Apple stores to Walmart.

Carbon Audio was originally formed by a like-minded group of music lovers who saw traditional audio products in a different way – a way that solved true consumer problems rather than simply creating products that followed the competition. Their products are inspired by the true mobile lifestyle of the 21st century – a lifestyle that understands that being loud is more than just making a sound, it's about making a statement. Loud is bolder, brighter, and more fun, which is why Carbon Audio's increasingly mobile products will ensure that you can live out loud wherever you and your media want to go.

Learn more about Carbon Audio's loud products and other future projects at carbonaudioinc.com.

iTwin Connect Now Available for Mac Secure Personal VPN Product Adds Cross-Platform Support

iTwin is excited to announce the addition of Mac OS X (Mountain Lion, Lion, Snow Leopard) compatibility to iTwin Connect, a unique combination of Private VPN and Public VPN services, built around a plug-&-play USB device for enhanced security and ease of use.

Intuitive to use, the iTwin Connect device consists of two identical halves. To create a Private VPN to access a home/office network, simply plug the device with both its halves joined together into a USB port on any computer in your home/office network to initialize the device. Detach one half of the device and plug it into your Internet-connected laptop - a secure VPN tunnel is instantly created to the home/office computer. iTwin Connect thus enables you to setup a VPN server and access your home/office network remotely.

To use the Public VPN to tunnel out of a restricted network or to browse privately, simply plug one half of the device into your computer and select one of the public servers deployed by iTwin. Public VPN is especially useful during travel to regions with internet restrictions or at times when users are unable to leave a server running at home/office.

Other Benefits of iTwin Connect include:

• Remote Desktop: Launch the improved “remote desktop” on both Macs and PCs with a single click, to access applications (and their data) on the home/office computer.
• Remote File Access: Access all shared files on the home/office computer, via the standard file interface and from within the applications on the laptop.
• Hardware Grade Security: All data transmitted is encrypted using industrial strength AES 256 bit encryption. Every time the two halves are paired, they generate a unique crypto key that is used to generate a session key which protects all data transmitted over the Internet. iTwin Connect also provides an optional password for 2-factor authentication. Only you possess the hardware “key” required for remote access.
• No Fees: There are no subscription fees. You just make the one-time payment for lifetime use of the device

“We are excited to be able to offer iTwin Connect to OS X users,” says Lux Anantharaman, co-founder of iTwin. “Mac support has been the number one request since our launch of iTwin Connect in January and we are confident that Mac users too will be thrilled with the ease and security of VPN access provided by iTwin Connect. We have also improved the popular remote desktop feature.”

What current iTwin Connect users are saying:

• “VPN solution to control remote server with minimum setup.” – Pelham Wood
• “My experience has been very good. The installation was simple and it has been performing as expected.” – Priscilla Smith
• “I use iTwin to connect to the office. It works great and was very fast. I was able to use the program flawlessly. I am very pleased with the remote access desktop function. It's the best I've used. The iTwin Connect sits in my bag to use from home or as needed.” – Brandon Lim
• “Simple VPN access to my office machine while I'm traveling.” – Natalie Roberts

With this upgrade (available now at http://www.iTwin.com/products/Connect/mac/installer/), Mac users can use iTwin Connect on their Macs and seamlessly between their Mac and a PC, for both VPN and remote desktop.

The improved iTwin Connect is now priced at $199 and is available at iTwin.com and Amazon.com.

To see iTwin Connect in action, view a demonstrational video here: http://youtu.be/QmYGQ47t9sQ

About iTwin
iTwin specializes in simple network-privacy and security solutions. iTwin Remote File Access enables users to remotely access all their files and media from any online computer. Its SecureBox feature helps users to secure their files before uploading them to cloud storage. iTwin Connect enables users to access their computer remotely and browse privately, without geo-restrictions. Both iTwin products provide 2-factor authentication and hardware-key based encryption, by leveraging the plug-and-play device.

For more details, please visit iTwin.com, or follow us at Facebook.com/iTwinFeed.