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MP3Car.com launches largest online automotive app marketplace

Baltimore-based MP3Car.com is hoping to do for the automotive app what the Apple App store did for mobile apps with it's newly launched Auto App Mart.

Mp3Car, the largest car computing community online, is placing heavy odds that an in-dash computer will soon become a standard feature in every new car. The company points to the success of Ford's Sync, Genivi's selection of MeeGo as a reference platform and Google's entrance into telematics as clear indicators that in-vehicle infotainment is the new frontier in mobile computing.

Driving the market in that direction are d
rivers' demand for a smartphone-like application experience in their vehicle that provides access to a variety of helpful apps at little to no cost.

As the Apple App Store and other application platforms have proven, crowdsourcing application development is a successful marketplace that will continue to grow.

According to Heather Sarkissian, MP3Car's CEO, the Auto App will act as a conduit for carmakers, platform providers and others to connect with the its community of automative application developers with whom they can partner to create apps that balance consumer demands for functionality and a personalized experience with carmaker's concerns about safety and security.

"Essentially mobile computing will be increasingly available in cars over the next two to three years. The issue though is that the software for these systems becomes obsolete fairly quickly, are impossible to update, and right now there's no way to get apps to drivers that for the most part are free," she says.

MP3Car, Sarkissian says, is well positioned to become the leader in the auto app market. The Auto App Mart is important because it is mobilizing the global community of developers to consider developing a different kind of app, familiarizing them with what the concept of an automotive app would be, and getting them to start thinking about safety and usability concerns associated with these apps.

The company won't set industry standards, compatibility, other technical specifics, but rather to mobilize developers, acting as a central location for innovators.

"We're really focused on getting the developers all in one spot and being really aware of their needs and very supportive of what they need to do to innovate. Ideally [Auto App Mart] would be a resource that automotive makers will want to tap into to develop applications. The reality is that Ford isn't going to want to negotiate with 50 developers. They're going to want to negotiate with one -- MP3Car," says Sarkissian.

Source: Heather Sarkissian, MP3Car.com
Writer: Walaika Haskins


Maryland hands out $1.3M to biotech companies, starts process for FY2011 grants

Seven Maryland biotech companies were awarded $1.3 million through the state's Biotechnology Commercialization Awards and the Translational Research Awards. The programs are administered by the Maryland Biotechnology Center, part of the Marylarnd Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).
 
"Biotechnology continues to be a key driver of Maryland's economy," says Governor O'Malley. "The high quality of the biotechnology projects supported by these awards, as well as their link to a number of Maryland institutions of higher learning, demonstrates Maryland's significant potential to commercialize our unparalleled academic research."

"These funds provide critical support to companies bringing innovative technologies to market and play an important role in the Center's mission to support commercialization," says Dr. Judith Britz, Executive Director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center. "The Center is proud to fund these grants, which last year drew applications from more than 30 biotechnology companies and academic institutions."

The Biotechnology Commercialization Awards were made to three biotechnology companies to assist them in commercializing a product or service. College Park-based Zymetis, received a $200,000 grant to advance their work in converting whey to fuel; Fyodor, based in Baltimore's BioPark, received $200,000 for the commercialization of their flagship product, the Urine Malaria Test; and InfraTrac, located at the Silver Spring Innovation Center, received $100,000 to grow their counterfeit drug monitoring product.

"MBC's grant program is brilliant because it places critical resources into companies like ours at just the right time," says Scott Laughlin, CEO of Zymetis. "Right now, everyone is looking for companies that have made the leap from development to commercialization. These funds will help us achieve this milestone."

The Translational Research Awards, which are given to help commercialize basic science research and encourage bio companies to collaborate with academic institutions, were presented to Baltimore-based Gliknik Inc., in partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Dr. James S. Gammie of the University of Maryland Medical Center. Each has received a $200,000 award.

Gliknik will use its award to support development of a drug that aids in organ transplants, with a significant portion of the funding going to transplant researchers at the University of Maryland. Dr. Gammie will use the funding to develop surgical tools that will assist in repairing the heart's mitral valve through a minimally invasive procedure.

The Shared Resource Grants, totaling $400,000, were awarded to two University of Maryland programs that provide specialized services to local bio companies. The Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH) Biotechnology Research and Education program received $200,000 to expand its operations into a new facility at Shady Grove.

A second $200,000 grant was awarded to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for the purchase of new equipment, specifically a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer.

Applications are now being taken for grants available  in Fiscal Year 2011 through the Maryland Biotechnology Center to assist in commercializing promising research, encouraging bio companies to collaborate with academic institutions and expanding biotechnology resources. The Governor also announced that seven Maryland bio companies and universities received $1.3 million in FY 2010 grants, which was the first year of funding.

Applications for the Biotechnology Commercialization Awards and the Translational Research Awards must be submitted by Sept. 15 to the Maryland Biotechnology Center. These grants complement funding available through TEDCO's Maryland Technology Transfer and Commercialization Fund, the University of Maryland's Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program and DBED's Maryland Venture Fund programs.


Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Kilby Designs' iPhone app gives users photo props

Kilby Designs, a Mobile Application Studio founded and established by Terry Kilby,  in 2009. Kilby Designs has released Faceplay 1.0, its first self-portrait photography app exclusively for iPhone 4 devices. Faceplay allows users to add countless combinations of hand drawn props to the iPhone 4's front facing camera. Create and share comedic self-portrait photographs. Three different zones layer over the camera and allow users to add props such as hats, glasses and beards. With all the props hand drawn by artist Belinda Chance, Faceplay has a unique look that you simply won't find anywhere else in the app store.

"We have always supported artists that attempt to combine artistic tradition with new technology." says Terry Kilby, founder of Kilby Designs. "Belinda knew exactly how these props needed to look and mesh with the users photo, and I think we delivered just the right balance of functionality and simplicity."

Faceplay 1.0 is $1.99 and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Photography category.


Source: Kilby Designs
Writer: Walaika Haskins

MTech awards $3.3M to 16 Maryland company and faculty teams developing promising tech products

The Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS), an initiative of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) at the University of Maryland, has awarded $3.3 million to 16 teams of Maryland companies and faculty developing commercially promising technology products. All the funding goes to the faculty members conducting the research and development on company products.

Projects for this round of funding include floating wetlands to clean the Chesapeake Bay, bolts that change color as they are tightened, faster Internet-via-satellite upstream, wireless sensors for monitoring home energy use, bioremediation for restaurant oil, and a backup mass-emergency electrical system. Treatments, vaccines or tests for anthrax, malaria, influenza, staph infections and infertility are also included.

Totaling $3.3 million, the projects combine $1.9 million from participating companies and $1.4 million from MIPS. Funding supports research in the laboratories of participating university faculty, who work closely with partner companies to advance their products.

Nine company partners are in Montgomery County; four are in the Baltimore area, one is in Howard County, one is in Frederick and one is in Frostburg.

Projects awarded include:

  • Silver Spring-based Bio-Quick Corporation and Richard Zhao, associate professor and division head, pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore received $195,570 for the clinical study of Bio-Quick's ultrasound-facilitated tissue preservation system, which cuts down the time it takes medical and research facilities to preserve tissue samples from two days to one hour.

  • Ellicott City-based BlueWing Environmental Solutions & Technologies LLC and Joshua McGrath, assistant professor, environmental science & technology, University of Maryland, College Park was awarded $139,000 to develop BioHaven Floating Islands, which closely model natural floating island systems commonly found in clean waterways, to remove harmful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from impaired waters such as the Chesapeake Bay.

  • Rockville-based Cellex Inc. and Richard Zhao, associate professor and division head, pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore recieved $172,600 to perform a second phase clinical evaluation on the QFLU test, which simultaneously diagnoses influenza and detects flu virus drug resistance in point-of-care settings.

  • Frederick-based Cerona Networks Corporation and John Baras, Lockheed Martin Chair in Systems Engineering, and professor, electrical and computer engineering and Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park was awarded $161,500 to develop algorithms for Internet via satellite communications to improve upload speeds from users to the Internet, support more subscribers per satellite and enable communications on the move.

  • Takoma Park-based CoolCAD Electronics LLC and Shuvra Bhattacharyya, professor, electrical and computer engineering and Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Maryland, College Park will use its $150,000 grant to develop a cost- and power-consumption-optimized wireless sensor network for monitoring energy use in residential and commercial buildings.

  • Lutherville-based Corridor Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Gerald Rosen, professor, pharmaceutical sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore will test the use of a compound against bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax with its $223,031 award.

  • Olney-based EcoEmergence Corporation and Jianhong Meng, director, Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park will developing the first industry standard test to evaluate the efficacy of bioremediation products (including EcoEmergence's bacteria mixture) for fats, oils and grease, which clog sewer systems and have a negative impact on the environment using its $440,745 in MTech funds.

  • Baltimore-based Encore Path, Inc. and Jill Whitall, professor, physical therapy and rehabilitation science, University of Maryland, Baltimore will use the $138,872 award developing a new rehabilitative TREADTRAC Device to facilitate the recovery of walking in individuals with stroke in clinical and, eventually, community settings.

  • Baltimore-based Fyodor Biotechnologies, Inc. and Ganesh Sriram, assistant professor, chemical and biomolecular engineering, University of Maryland, College Park will use the $180,330 developing and optimizing a yeast-based platform to reliably produce the drug artemisinin, a therapeutic effective against malaria and other diseases.

  • Frostburg-based Instant Access Networks LLC and Hilkat Soysal, lecturer, physics and engineering, Frostburg State University will put the funds toward the $225,000 development of an economically viable backup electricity system by combining battery and hydrogen storage with renewable energy sources to provide power for mission-critical infrastructures in the case of a disaster when the electric grid becomes unavailable for a long period of time.

  • Germantown-based Integrated BioTherapeutics, Inc. and Mary-Claire Roghmann, professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore will use the $137,277 developing a toxin-based vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of both hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections and bacterial sepsis.

  • Halethorpe-based KYDES Pharmaceuticals, LLC and Stephen Hoag, professor, pharmaceutical sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore will use the $300,399 to develop compounds that deactivate drugs such as opiates, amphetamines and benzodiazepines when they are tampered with to prevent their abuse.

  • Rockville-based Opticul Diagnostics Corporation and Richard Venezia, professor, pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore will put the $325,849 towards pre-clinical and clinical testing of Opticul's rapid, point-of-care test system for antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium that causes staph infections such as MRSA.

  • Gaithersburg-based Pregmama, LLC and Istvan Merchenthaler, professor, epidemiology and preventative medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore will use the $143,278 to develop a therapeutic regimen called Fertamax to prevent egg aneuploidy, infertility, miscarriages, and trisomic pregnancies for women over 35.

  • Bethesda-based StarEnergyCo, Inc. and Nam Sun Wang, professor, chemical and biomolecular engineering, University of Maryland, College Park will use the $225,848 award to develop an economical, turn-key process to produce astaxanthin--useful as an antioxidant and as a pigment in aquaculture--from algae and using carbon dioxide emitted from ethanol plants.

  • Bethesda-based Stress Indicators Inc.and Chandrashekhar Thamire, professor, mechanical engineering, University of Maryland, College Park will be use $200,000 developing a reliable process for manufacturing the company's High Resolution (HR) Smartbolts, fasteners which are fitted with special visual tension indicators that show whether a joint is loose or tight with a clear, reversible color change.

Source: Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute
Writer: Walaika Haskins


Looking for Happy Hour? Bmore developers have an app for that!

Two guys are sitting in their hammocks when one turns to the other and says, "Hey let's hit a happy hour." Sounds like the opening line of a joke, but for Brian Chaplin, a Baltimore-area bartender, and Tom Camposano, a fireman, it turned into their big idea.

"We looked at our iPhone because we thought we'd be able to find a good solution. But we couldn't find anything we were happy with that had had good information," Chaplin recalls.

So the two decided to create their own app. They hired a developer to write the code and Chaplin bought TK and a book on how to use them. Their goal was to design an app that offered users the most accurate and up to date information.

The easiest way to do that was the pair decided was to have bars subscribe to the service. Bars receive access to a private website that allows them to update their information whenever they choose. The new details are instantly available.

Bars can also use the app's "dispatch" function to send blasts out to app users to alert them to last minute drink and dining specials, or any other information they want to get out. "That's limited only by their creativity. We wanted it to be more than just a tool to send out information, but also a means of communication too," Chaplin explains.

The application also needed to have a user-friendly interface, be fun to use and have the look and feel of Baltimore, says Chaplin. "There're a bunch of happy hour apps out there that are national, but they don't give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. We put that into it and people have really responded well to it."

One year later, and Chaplin and Camposano's Dilly Dally Apps, Llc, released the app. "We kept adding new features and making it better, but finally we got it to the point where we think it's a cool thing."

A one-year subscription to the service is $250. Chaplin says they kept the price low to make it possible for any bar owner to join the service. "We want to capture the majority of bars. That was another problem with the other apps, they were missing a lot of bars. So we set the price low so that bars would be interested in joining."

The free "Baltimore Happy Hour" app is available at the Apple App Store. It includes a map which displays participating bars with a drop down menu to select specific neighborhoods. There's also a list of member bars and the dispatch page where bars post their alerts. The taxi page enables users to call a cab with a single click and contact page for users to interact with the app's owners.

Users of the app can also send updates via buttons linked to their Twitter and Facebook accounts or email their friends to let them know which bar they'll be headed to that day. The messages will include the name of the bar and that day's special.

Chaplin says that he hopes to generate a grassroots movement among the app's users. "They can help us spread the word by showing the app to bar owners and also liking our Facebook page."

Future plans include an app for the Droid as well as expansion into the suburbs to the north and south of the city.

Source: Brian Chaplin, Dilly Dally Apps
Writer: Walaika Haskins


TidalTV teams with ShortTail Media to create new revenue stream for online publsihers

Baltimore-based TidalTV, an online marketing firm specializing in online video advertising, optimization and  yield management solutions, has signed a deal with ShortTail Media creating a strategic partnership that mutually leverages the two companies'  leading technologies in order to offer online publishers a simple way to bring online video advertising capabilities to their websites with scale and instantaneous monetization opportunities.

Through the collaboration, the companies will cross-market each other's products, providing publishers the option of seamlessly tapping into TidalTV's monetization tools and offering advertisers a unique way to harness the power of high-impact online video ads across premium websites.

By creating an entirely new layer of ad inventory that serves a video ad in front of any type of web page, ShortTail's D:30 Platform is designed to create a more sustainable ad model for websites. The D:30 has been effectively leveraged by marketers in all major brand categories to efficiently extend their existing television/video ad creative online and provide consistent brand messaging. Significantly, any publisher will now be able to meaningfully participate in the video ad marketplace with hundreds of brand advertisers by deploying a simple ad tag.

The companies will be able to offer clients an end-to-end solution by leveraging each other's technologies and expertise. While ShortTail has focused on creating new video ad inventory for publishers, TidalTV has built a state-of-the-art system that enables advertisers to reach their desired audience with highly impactful video ad placements and no waste. TidalTV's technology leverages the power of data and optimal ad decisioning to guarantee delivery of a brand's message against a target demographic.

"We're excited to bring this offering to the advertising and publisher communities," says Scott Ferber, CEO of TidalTV. "It delivers a scalable video advertising solution to the marketplace across high quality content, and by leveraging our optimal ad decisioning technology, TidalTV can ensure that the right ad reaches the right audience -- creating increased effectiveness for branded advertisers and a more relevant ad experience for the consumer."

"One of the reasons I am so excited about this partnership is that while we have focused on different industry segments, our companies share a belief that video must be at the core of online advertising," says David Payne, President & CEO of ShortTail. "By removing the artificial constraints on pre-roll, and opening up the opportunity for publishers without a lot of video views to generate material video revenue, ShortTail is helping redefine what the online ad model can be -- one that is sustainable and elegant without garish skins, flying cars, or pay walls. If it's archaic to believe that TV ads online aren't a better ad model than two-dimensional teeth whitening ads, then call me a dinosaur."


Source: TidalTV
Writer: Walaika Haskins


Medifast makes Fortune's 100 Fast growing companies list

Medifast, a Baltimore-based portion-controlled weight-loss program, ranked 29th on the Fortune Magazine's 2010 "100 Fastest-Growing Companies" list.

According to Fortune's Managing Editor Andy Serwer, "The troubled economy is on all of our minds these days, but sometimes we forget that even in the long slog we seem to be in, entrepreneurs are hard at work creating the next Cisco or Amgen or Starbucks."

"We are extremely proud to be recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Fastest-Growing Companies," says Michael S. McDevitt, Medifast's CEO. "Everyone at Medifast continues to work tirelessly toward our long-term goal of helping Americans regain control of their health. Medifast is committed to providing clinically proven, innovative and superior quality products to support our multi-platform distribution channels."

"Our business model is demonstrating tremendous results by addressing each individual client's weight-loss and weight-maintenance needs. We look forward to building on this success over the next several years," he continues.

Medifast has been recommended by over 20,000 doctors since 1980. Clients can expect to lose up to two to five pounds per week on the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan, which consists of eating five Medifast Meals and one Lean & Green Meal per day. Medifast provides customers over 70 different menu options, as well as a variety of support options to assist customers on their weight-loss journey.

To qualify for Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, foreign or domestic companies had to meet the following criteria: be trading on a major U.S. stock exchange; file quarterly reports with the SEC; have a minimum market capitalization of $250 million and a stock price of at least $5 on June 30, 2010; and have been trading continuously since June 30, 2007. The company must also have revenue and net income of at least $50 million and $10 million, respectively, for the four quarters ended on or before April 30, 2010. Finally, the company must have posted an annualized growth in revenue and earnings per share of at least 15% annually over the three years ended on or before April 30, 2010.

Companies that meet the above criteria were ranked by revenue growth rate, EPS growth rate, and three-year annualized total return for the period ended June 30, 2010. (To compute the revenue and EPS growth rates, FORTUNE uses a trailing four quarters log linear least square regression fit.) The overall rank was based on the sum of the three ranks. Once the 100 companies were identified, they were then re-ranked within the 100, using the three equally weighted variables. If there is a tie, the company with the larger four-quarter revenue receives the higher rank.


SmartCEO mags expand -- new Philly edition arrives hot off the presses in August

SmartCEO Publishing, a regional business magazine publisher based in Baltimore, will expand into the Philadelphia area in August. The new edition, Philadelphia SmartCEO, edition will feature entrepreneur and former Philadelphia 76ers owner Pat Croce on the cover of the premier edition.

SmartCEO will host a kick-off party with title sponsor Leopard Hanhausen on September 16 at the Franklin Institute, inviting local business leaders to join us in celebrating our entry into the Philadelphia market.

Founded in 2001 by Craig Burris, SmartCEO magazine has been educating, motivating and inspiring its C-level readers for nearly a decade. The publisher expanded five years ago to also include a Washington, DC, edition.

"We are proud to be an indispensable resource for leaders of growing businesses," Burris says. "With the addition of Philadelphia, SmartCEO will reach more than 50,000 C-level readers in the mid-Atlantic." 

In November, SmartCEO's expansion will also bring its BRAVA! Women Business Achievement Awards program to the Philadelphia market, highlighting 25 top female business leaders. In January, SmartCEO will recognize 50 of Philadelphia's fastest-growing companies with its prestigious Future 50 Awards.

Source: SmartCEO
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Local company launches URL shortner to raise money for charities

Edeems, an social media marketing company based in Annapolis, has developed an innovative and pain-free way for Internet users to make charitable donations all with just a few clicks of their mouse. The company has teamed with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to drive charitable donations through online purchases.

Edeems' innovative URL shortening service is modeled on the typical B2B affiliate marketing developed by Internet retailers like Amazon.com in which website and blog owners post ads on their site and a recieve a percentage of any merchandise sold through those links. Instead of posting ads, Edeems provides users with shortened URLs  they can post on their Facebook, Twitter or other social media page. Now, the company has pushed the B2B affiliate marketing to the charitable giving level by allowing anyone to shorten links to products or services online and earn affiliate commissions.

Users can opt to keep the cash back rewards they have earned or have the proceeds donated to their charity of choice using a specially shortened URL. 

Composed of thousands of online merchants that pay referral fees, Edeems places an innovative spin on traditional fundraising. For example, a member who elects to donate to NWF finds a deal on Shoes.com, creates a link using http://nwf.honr.it and shares the shortened link with friends and family. As a result, based on the affiliate commissions provided by Shoes.com, NWF receives a charitable donation of $11.70 for every $100 purchase.

"We are excited to launch the Edeems platform while simultaneously providing a unique fundraising tool for large charitable organizations such as National Wildlife Federation," says Brenden Salta, CEO of Edeems, Inc. "Given the recent oil spill disaster and the economic downturn, this is a crucial time for National Wildlife Federation and other charitable organizations to find new, user-friendly channels of giving. Millions of links are posted on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, or personal blogs daily without any rewards. We wanted to create a way to not only reward individuals, but also offer a way to give back to the community."

To raise awareness and increase charitable donations to NWF, supporters are encouraged to visit http://nwf.honr.it before shopping online or recommending a product to a friend. Edeems' charitable service, honr.it, donates 90 percent of affiliate commissions to NWF, or any charity a member selects. In this case, donations would go to NWF to benefit its causes throughout the U.S., from protecting imperiled wildlife and its habitat in the Gulf and across the nation.

"Edeems not only gives National Wildlife Federation supporters another avenue with which to raise awareness and funds, but also provides a way to reach audiences who may not normally be inclined to donate to charity," says Anne Senft, vice president of membership and online marketing at NWF. "We are excited to embark on a new means of giving that will help us continue to support our mission to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for future generations."

The company plans to introduce more shortened URLs for a variety of charities in the coming weeks. Plans are also in the works to launch a shortened URL service for community-based fundraising. Local fire departments, schools, and other community organizations will be able to sign up for the service and receive up to 50 percent of affiliate commissions generated by the URL, says Salta.

Source: Brenden Salta, Edeems
Writer: Walaika Haskins


Encore Path, Millennial Media bring home top honors from the American Business Awards

Two Maryland companies received national honors last week from  at the 2010 American Business Awards. Millennial Media, the largest independent mobile advertising platform, announce was awarded a Stevie for "Most Innovative Company-- Breaking Ground for Mobile Advertising" in 2010, while Encore Path, a Baltimore company that makes devices for recovery from stroke and brain injury, received the award for "Best New Product or Service of the Year" for its Tailwind rehabilitation device.

Stevie Awards were presented in over 40 categories including Best Overall Company of the Year, Executive of the Year, and Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year. More than 2,700 entries from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration.

More than 200 executives across the country participated in the judging process to determine the Finalists and Stevie Award winners.

"2010 has been an explosive year of growth for our company and we are grateful to the American Business Awards for this national recognition of our achievements in mobile innovation," says Mack McKelvey, senior vice president of marketing, Millennial Media. "We have made it our mission to significantly increase advertisers' awareness on the effectiveness of mobile, and to remain on the forefront of mobile creative, technology and business innovation." 

Bringing home the Stevie award is akin to winning  an Oscars for the business world. Encore Path, an emerging life sciences company, competed along with long-time leaders of American industry. Encore Path beat out other finalists for "New Product or Service of the Year" including products such as an external defibrillator and services such as a LEED certification training program. 

"Encore Path is proud to be improving the quality of life for stroke and brain injury survivors around the world, and we are proud to be recognized for this by the American Business Awards," said Kris Appel, president EncorePath, in accepting the award.

"To be in the company of winners such as Ford, Apple, and Oracle is a tremendous honor, and an acknowledgement of the hard work of the people who have supported Encore Path and helped bring this important product to the market."

Source: Millennial Media, Encore Path
Writer: Walaika Haskins


Baltimore Concert Opera does a duet with social media for fundraiser

There's a common perception that a fine line seperates the old from the new. Most people for instance wouldn't think that lovers of opera and users of social media like Twitter and Facebook would have anything in common. Brendan Cooke, general director for Baltimore Concert Opera (BCO), thinks its time to change the way people -- young and old -- think about opera and those who enjoy the centuries old art form.

"Opera isn't just about a fat lady wearing horns screaming at you. There's a lot of fantastic music. And if people give it a shot, we're pretty certain they'll be back soon," he says.

The mashup of opera and social media for the BCO came from a desire to get more people interested in opera.

"We realized that a lot of people running opera companies talk a great deal about bringing in a younger audience. I hate that idea. We just want to bring in a different audience. We realized that a lot of the people we want to bring in, the energetic people who can help spread the word about us are the social media users out there," he explains.

Lacking a budget that would support a large marketing campaign, Cooke looked for no cost alternatives. "Opera can be a tough sell. We realized that we would have to reach these people where they wanted to be reached and find them on their iPhones, iPads in that environment and give them enough reason to want to find out more about what we're doing. We really found that these are the most effective outlets for us, in terms of growing our audience."

His efforts have paid off and captured the attention of a new audience that receives special offers through Twitter and Facebook.

Now, the BCO has taken its social media marketing to the next level with its first Social Media Scavenger Hunt. The event, running from July 9 to July 18 will help the opera company raise money to support its upcoming performance at Artscape. The winner of the scavenger hunt won't leave empty-handed, either. That person will win $1000.

Cooke has enlisted the help of local retailers and as with traditional scavenger hunts, participants will search the city for these shops and specific objects hidden there. Once they've located the object, that's when the social media aspect comes into play with participants tweeting, posting Facebook updates, and uploading videos.

Everyone involved, the BCO, retailers and participants will benefit from the experience. The BCO raises the money it needs and gets its name out to a larger audience, the vendors also get a marketing bump and the hunters get to have some fun and learn more about opera and the city.

"It's about sharing the love a little bit. We have vendors who joined Twitter because of this and others that have thriving followings. The motivation is to grow our networks. The relationships we're building now will continue to flourish. It's a community project, but ultimately its meant to bring people out to our free performance at Artscape and get more people interested in opera," he says.

Anyone interested in participating in the scavenger hunt should sign up sooner rather than later. The fee to play goes up with every 10 people who sign up. The first 10 people pay $1, the next 10 will pay $2 and so on up to $9.

Source: Brendan Cooke, Baltimore Opera Company
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Columbia, MD firm LJT & Associates lands $117M contract with NASA

Columbia-based LJT & Associates, an engineering services provider, has nabbed a major contract from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The NASA Wallops Flight Facility Range Operations Contract (ROC) covers a five year base period with a total estimated cost-plus-award-fee contract/Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity value of approximately $117 Million.

The firm will provide support services to manage the Wallops Research Range operations and maintenance; training; command, control, and communications information; and computer systems services. Contract support also includes testing, modifying and installing communications and electronic systems at launch facilities; launch control centers and test facilities; and range technology development engineering services. We are proud of our team which includes ITT Industries, CSC, Orbital Sciences, BAH, Airtec Inc, and LKC.

"LJT has supported NASA Wallops for the past 8 years," says Jim Bishop, vice president of Civilian Programs. "We look forward to continuing our support and beginning a new era for the Wallops Range Operations program, and helping NASA advance range technology, range use, and continuing the tradition of the Wallops Range as the "Premier Provider" of Research Range Capability."

Source: LJT & Associates
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore's CityLit Project launches CityLit Press

CityLit Project, the Baltimore-based non-profit that aims to nurture the culture of literature in Baltimore and throughout Maryland, is going into the book publishing business.

The new publishings house, CityLit Press, will offer authors who might otherwise be overlooked by larger publishers due to the literary quality or regional focus of their projects an opportunity to have their work publsihed, says Gregg Wilhelm, founder of CityLit Project.

"[We'll] publish anything that has literary merit or regional purpose. At the end of the day I get to publish anything that strikes me," he continues.

Wilhelm expects to publish two chat books and three other books each year to start, but adds that as the organization grows he hopes to put out more books.

First of the presses is the just released "City Sages: Baltimore" edited by Jen Michalski, an anthology of fiction writing; a chat book (slim volume)from CityLit's first winner of the Clarinda Harriss Poetry Prize and a post-Katrina book from a New Orleans-based poet, according to Wilhelm.

Started in 2004, CityLit Project puts on the CityLit Festival in April and the CityLit stage at the Baltimore Book Festival in September. The organization also conducts a lot of outreach with CityLit Teens and workshops to help adults develop their craft. Wilhelm, who has worked in publishing since 1992, says starting a publishing house was always "in the back of his mind."

"Launching CityLit Press took six years. We had to get [CityLit Project's] feet on the ground and establish a reputation. I don't see CityLit Press any different from CityLit Project, it is part and parcel of that mission, but I knew that it would be a program that would have th emost expenses involved. So, we needed to have a good financial base before we took on those publishing expenses," he explains.

Wilhelm meets the expenses associated with both projects through a variety of city and state grants, and ecently recieved grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Private donations are also a major soruce of support. So, to that end, CityLit Press is hosting a fundraiser tonight, June 22 at Langermann's in Canton where guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages. Tickets for the event are $40 and available at the door.

The CityLit Press publications will be available on Amazon.com, independent book stores throughout the region, and also at some area Barnes & Noble stores.

Source: Gregg Wilhelm, CityLit Project
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Maryland entrepreneurs get a hookup at FundingUniverse event

What do you get when you take the setup for a television talent show, that includes a panel of judges and audience, but replace the singers, dancers and comedians, with entreprenuers? The result isFundingUniverse's CrowdPtich, which was hosted by Towson Global last Wednesday at Towson University.

Billed as the "American Idol for entrepreneurs," CrowdPitch offers selected technology-based entrepreneurs 4 minutes to pitch to both a panel of business experts and a live audience of 60 to 80 spectators. The winner is selected based on the number of votes received from the audience and the panel of judges that included, Dave Troy, Baltimore Angels; Rick Faint, Evergreen Capital; Laura Gamble, Skipjack Partners; and  Adam Suri, Maryland State Department of Economic Development.

Some 55 companies applied to participate in the free event, but only 5 were selected, ArtiNNet Corp., MYiLIVE. Port Networks, Tots2Tweens, and WinTheTrophy. The winning company receives more than $8800 worth of services, including  startup services and Amazon: web service  from FundingUniverse and is also profiled in the company's newsletter that goes out to 120,000 subscribers.

FundingUniverse also offers the companies a pre-CrowdPitch coaching session, one of the most beneficial aspects of the experience for entrepreneurs, says Monica Beeman, regional director for FundingUniverse Maryland.

"ArtiNNet won CrowdPitch. The company, VoicePath, won with its voice-activated security software for cellphones. It has 99 percent accuracy rate, which is greater than AT&T, Verizon and the government have at this point. He won because he has a couple of contracts in the works with some big name companies,  is working on Apple iPhone and Android apps, and is just going forward full strength. He's also incredibly personable." Beeman says.

On Thursday, FundingUniverse also held BankPitch. Much like CrowdPitch, it offers selected entrepreneurs interested in debt financing four minutes to present their company to area bank representatives. Then the banks have four minutes to explain their services to the entrepreneurs. Representatives from PNC Bank, M&T Bank, Columbia Bank, TD Bank, Citibank and Wachovia Bank participated in the event.

"It's beneficial for both sides because we prescreen the companies and only select companies that have FICO scores of 700 or greater, have been business for two years or more, and have revenues of $100,000 or more. For the banks it's beneficial because they're getting six companies in front of them that have been pre-screened and they can tell them what the bank is about in the hopes of building a relationship with the entrepreneur," Beeman explains.

"The entrepreneur is looking for debt financing and a bank to do business with. They want a banking relationship with someone who will go to bat for them," she continues.

The winner is chosen based on which company the bankers think is most fundable and the most lilely to get a loan or other type of deal.

"Port Networks won BankPitch and rightfully so, because they were much more a debt deal than equity. We were intrigued by their service and their business model. The provided a very accurate and thorough executive summary which made a huge difference when we were making our decision. They didn't need a huge amount of money, but they provide WiFi to residential and commerical locations at much cheaper rate than Comcast or Verizon. It's $30 a month with no contract," says Beeman.

The remaining companies don't leave empty handed, however. After the winner was selected several banks indicated their interest in forming a banking relationship with the remaining companies or indicated that they would refer them to other organizations that could help them find the funding they sought.

With the success of CrowdPitch and BankPitch, FundingUniverse will soon begin offering a new service in Maryland, FundingUniversity. The 8-week bootcamp teaches entrepreneurs everything they need to know to get their company started. The course will cost about $500.

"We teach them how to decide if they're company should be debt or equity financed, how to prepare a balance sheet and all the numbers they need to present to investors, how to pitch an investor and bank, and everything else they'll need to know," Beeman explains.

"We want to make Baltimore the startup capital of the East Coast. To make it a place where people can come to for the resources they need to start a business," Beeman says.

Warschawski named the "Best Small Agency to Work for" in the U.S.

Warschawski, a full service branding, marketing, public relations, advertising and interactive agency, based in Baltimore has been named the number one "Best Small Agency to Work For" in the country by The Holmes Report, the acclaimed national news and opinion publication for the communications industry.

In addition, Warschawski was ranked fourth as the best agency overall. This is the ninth year in a row that the agency has placed among the top 20 "Best Agencies to Work For" in the country and among the top 10 "Best Boutique Agencies." Warschawski was the only Maryland-headquartered firm to receive the award.

The Holmes Report turned to more than 5,700 employees throughout the United States asking them to answer questions about all aspects of their agency's culture, including the quality of management, compensation, commitment to client service, ethics and values. Survey responses were kept strictly confidential and could not be seen by any party other than.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be named the number one agency to work for in the U.S. We continuously strive to create a work environment that is thrilling and caring for our team members and our clients," commented. "Receiving this recognition for nine years in a row underscores the emphasis we place on doing great work and having fun at the same time � two things we take very seriously!" says David Warschawski, CEO of Warschawski

He attributes the agency's success with its employees to a philosophy that values people more than the bottom line.

"In 2009, as most agencies were laying off employees and cutting employee programs and benefits, we did the opposite. Instead of cutting costs in these areas during difficult economic times, we instead grew our investment in our people and our culture. All team members received significant raises during 2009 -- between 5 to 15 percent raises -- and most team members were promoted as well," Warchawski explains.

"Additionally, we did not cut any spending on team members (e.g. healthcare, gifts, parties, birthday wishes, education) or agency culture programs, such as our Martini Marketing events or our monthly half-day outings for all team members. We could have made these cuts and enjoyed a better bottom line, but that is what makes us different from other agencies," he continues.

To keep his staff happy and committed to the success of the agency, once a month the entire team goes out on a fun, half-day outing. Outings this past year included a hip-hop class, laser tag, a 70's themed murder mystery game, and dressing up as zombies and learning the Michael Jackson Thriller dance. And to make sure that planning the outings are not extra work, Warchawski says time spent on planning the outings are counted toward the fulfillment of team members' billable hour requirements.

This year the agency created the "ExTC Program" (the "External Thrill and Care" program) where Warschawski team members participate in public service/volunteer opportunities each quarter as way to give back to the community. just finished our Bowl-A-Thon for the Boys and Girls Club.

The agency's "birthday wish" program was also launched this year. It allows team members to create a unique "treat" that they want for their special day. This program was the brainchild of a team member and according to Warchawski, exemplifies the fun and open atmosphere Warschawski fosters -- empowering team members to express our brand in their own way.

Examples of recent "birthday wishes" include Halloween in the Spring complete with costumes, team members rapping their favorite 80s rap song for the birthday boy, and wear your favorite team jersey to the office day.

"Warschawski was founded on the ideal that doing great work and having a great time are not mutually exclusive concepts. In fact, we feel that the marriage of the two is a key component of our agency's success. That is why we place such great emphasis on creating a great workplace culture and why our agency has always ranked in the Top 20 Agencies to Work For in the U.S," he says.

The happiness of the staff has been an essential ingredient in the agency's success, according to Warchawski.

"Much of the reason why we have won 200 industry awards in the last ten years alone and been ranked as the #1 Small Agency in the U.S. for four of the last seven years is a direct reflection of the fact that a happy and motivated team of great folks will always create better results for clients than a moderately happy or unhappy team."

"Clients want to work with smart, accomplished people who love what they do and bring their excitement to bear on the work they are doing for the client. There is no question that when you have a team that is happy and motivated, they will be more engaged and do better work their clients. That translates into better results for our clients," he adds.

And there's even more good news! Warchawski is currently hiring and looking for other outstanding, motivated and fun marketing communications professionals to join our team.

Source: David Warchawski, Warchawski
Writer: Walaika Haskins

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