Stern calls Clive Davis comments 'sickening'

Louis Lanzano / AP file

By Us Weekly

Howard Stern is adding his voice to the very public, very messy back-and-forth between Kelly Clarkson and Clive Davis. The radio shock jock, who is known more often for slamming celebrities than defending them, took a surprisingly sympathetic stance toward the "American Idol" alum's accusations that Davis had "bullied" her during their collaborations -- and mischaracterized her in his memoir, "The Soundtrack of My Life."

"I always find it sickening when management guys like to set the record straight about how f--king creative and what geniuses they are," Stern said on his show on Wednesday, Feb. 20. "And, like, this guy's trying to diminish what she does? Doesn't he have enough in life? Can't he sort of tell his story without f--king degrading her and putting her down?"

PHOTOS: Shocking celeb feuds

Earlier this week, Clarkson, 30, took to her blog to slam what she called Davis' "memory lapses and misinformation."

"First, he says I burst into 'hysterical sobbing' in his office when he demanded 'Since U Been Gone' be on my album. Not true at all," she wrote of her 2004 album?"Breakaway." "I cried because he hated ["Because of You"] and told me verbatim that I was a 's--tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.'"?

The legendary 80-year-old record producer defended the details of his memoir, though he did own up to "a few creative differences' in their years working together.

PHOTOS: Kelly's funny night at the Grammys 2013

"As anyone who has read 'The Soundtrack of My Life' knows, I think Kelly Clarkson is a tremendous vocal talent and performer," he wrote on Twitter one day later, on Wednesday, Feb. 20. "In the book, I provide an in-depth look at our years together during which we shared major multi-platinum success, as well as a few creative differences. I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together."

Stern's comments Wednesday similarly praised Clarkson's vocal prowess, though he too saw Davis' memoir as a knock on the "Stronger" singer's talents.

PHOTOS: Kelly's body evolution

"I think she has an amazing voice, and the girl has worked hard to get to where she is," he said. "I don't understand Clive Davis' motivation for knocking this chick down."

The 59-year-old radio host is no stranger to controversy himself, having come under fire earlier this year after calling 'Girls' creator Lena Dunham a "little fat girl" and likening the HBO show's sex scenes to "rape" -- he offered Dunham an on-air apology a few days later.

"It makes me feel bad, and I think she is getting the impression that I somehow think she's just a talentless little fat chick," he said.

Related content:

Source: http://todayentertainment.today.com/_news/2013/02/24/17078286-howard-stern-finds-clive-davis-comments-on-kelly-clarkson-sickening?lite

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South Korea firm had U.S. contract while investing in Iran gas: GAO

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A South Korean construction company reported to have recently engaged in Iran's energy sector had a contract with the U.S. government even as Tehran came under pressure for its disputed nuclear program, a U.S. government watchdog said on Monday.

Daelim Industrial Co had a nearly $1.5 million U.S. government contract to build family housing at a military base in South Korea at some point between mid-2011 and late 2012, the General Accountability Office said in a report on Monday. The GAO is the investigative arm of Congress.

Under U.S. sanctions law, any foreign company that has an investment in Iran's energy sector equal to or greater than $20 million is subject to punishments including being cut off from the U.S. financial system. Such companies should also be denied contracts with the U.S. government, it says. The GAO did not say how much Daelim's investments in Iranian energy were worth.

The U.S. sanctions aim to hinder Tehran's nuclear program, which the West believes is enriching uranium that could be used to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.

The sanctions law signed in August gave the Obama administration the authority to punish companies that help Iran develop its energy resources, an important source of revenue for the country.

Daelim was one of at least seven companies from China, India, South Korea and South Africa that continued to have investments in Iran in 2012, the GAO said in December, in a report required by a U.S. sanctions law.

A Daelim spokesman in Seoul said the company was simply completing a construction project in Iran that predated the U.S. sanctions.

He added that the building contract did not constitute an investment in Iran's energy sector, as stipulated in the U.S. sanctions law, and that Daelim had not signed any new contracts in the Islamic Republic since 2010.

Daelim, which the GAO said had helped to develop Iran's South Pars gas fields and a liquefied natural gas project in Tombak, was the only one of the companies found also to hold a contract with the U.S. government, the GAO said on Monday.

The GAO has not determined whether the activities of the companies are sanctionable, a determination that would be made by the State Department and other agencies. The GAO provided a copy of the report to the State Department, which declined to comment.

(Additional reporting by Somang Yang in Seoul; Editing by Leslie Adler and Edmund Klamann)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/south-korea-firm-had-u-contract-while-investing-024826610--finance.html

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The Ego! Smartmouse Combines Hardware Authentication With A Mouse That Doubles As A Motion Controller

A new Kickstarter project called the Ego! Smartmouse blends together some recent trends in computing, including hardware identity authentication and 3D motion control to come up with a unique input device that wears many hats. The Ego! is a mouse in the traditional sense, allowing you to control your desktop or laptop computer, and it also has on-board file storage, can work as an authentication device for various services, and features built-in acceleration and motion detection to work like a Wiimote for controlling games.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/dn6ngiAAszA/

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93% Amour

All Critics (174) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (162) | Rotten (12)

Trintignant perfectly captures the resolve that eventually borders on obsession, as the woman he loves gradually, maddeningly, disappears before his eyes, and he does whatever he can to prevent it, though he knows it's impossible.

Many viewers will find echoes of their grandparents, parents, or even themselves in these characters.

A movie that is utterly worthy of its all-encompassing title.

The resulting interplay of ruthless restraint and unavoidable passion, plus the film's refusal to shrink from depicting the inevitable horrors of physical deterioration, is devastating.

In many ways it's the best horror film I've ever seen. At the same time, it's hard to recommend; I believe I will be struggling to forget this film as long as I live. I doubt I'll succeed.

As remarkable as Haneke's films are, not a one has been as transcendently generous as Amour, which is nominated for five Academy Awards, including best picture, best director and best foreign-language film.

This is a profound look at love about a couple who have lived with each other for so many years, know each other so well and this terrible thing that is facing them and there's a serenity there which makes it even more moving, I think.

It's Haneke's searing honesty and lack of sentimentality, and his talent as a writer-filmmaker that lifts this film to the heights of achievement. I know that the storyline may sound gloomy, the film is not. It is beyond wonderful.

Ultimately, the title of the film demands to be taken as a question: is this truly what love looks like? A little smugly, Haneke refuses to answer.

A multiple award winner at film festivals around the globe, and it is easy to see why. Highly recommended.

Michael Haneke's most intimate and painfully truthful film - an exploration of what love means at the far end of life.

This is a movie almost too painful to watch at times, yet so masterfully composed and acted - Riva absolutely deserves her Oscar nomination, while Trintignant was robbed - that it's impossible to turn away.

Georges' irreversible decision may be courageous, but it requires no sacrifice on the part of his creator: for Haneke, it's business as usual.

Trintignant and Riva are unforgettably brilliant as the aging couple we can all identify with.

Haneke's startling film stands in stark contrast with other recent, comedic fare that seemingly addresses similar issues.

My review is categorized as 'favourable' not because I enjoyed the film (that's not Michael Haneke's intent) but because I recognise what he is trying to say and that he says it with a unique cinematic voice

Debilitation and loss of control is a harsh topic, yet Haneke's film is surprisingly gentle, exploring the constraints and options faced, as old age delivers its ultimate blow - the loss of self and ability to function with dignity

Amour is a pure depiction of love, in all its many forms.

The furthest thing from sweet sorrow imaginable, Amour gets real about the pain of parting in every sense of the word.

This subject matter is ripe for sentimentalization, but Haneke resists it at every turn, opting instead for unflinching honesty. It is the economy of theme paired with the subtle richness of character that make Amour so powerful.

Clearly, Amour, Michael Haneke and Emmanuelle Riva don't really need me to additionally sing their praises (although praise is indeed all I have), so let's discuss Jean-Louis Trintignant for a moment.

All is presented in Haneke's exacting style, one that I find controlling and a bit, well, smothering.

An insightful, memorable film about what it means to love.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/771307454/

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Figures on government spending and debt

WASHINGTON --?

(AP) Figures on government spending and debt (last six digits are eliminated). The government's fiscal year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Source: http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/ap/2013/02/22/Figures_on_government_spending_and_debt/?cid=rss

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New film tells story of unsung civil rights leader (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/286834369?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Flipping the 'off' switch on cell growth: Protein uses multiple means to help cells cope when oxygen runs low

Feb. 22, 2013 ? A protein known for turning on genes to help cells survive low-oxygen conditions also slows down the copying of new DNA strands, thus shutting down the growth of new cells, Johns Hopkins researchers report. Their discovery has wide-ranging implications, they say, given the importance of this copying -- known as DNA replication -- and new cell growth to many of the body's functions and in such diseases as cancer.

"We've long known that this protein, HIF-1?, can switch hundreds of genes on or off in response to low oxygen conditions," says Gregg Semenza, M.D., Ph.D., a molecular biologist who led the research team and has long studied the role of low-oxygen conditions in cancer, lung disease and heart disorders. "We've now learned that HIF-1? is even more versatile than we thought, as it can work directly to stop new cells from forming." A report on the discovery appears in the Feb. 12 issue of Science Signaling.

With his team, Semenza, who is the C. Michael Armstrong Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Institute for Cell Engineering and Institute for Genomic Medicine, discovered HIF-1? in the 1990s and has studied it ever since, pinpointing a multitude of genes in different types of cells that have their activity ramped up or down by the activated protein. These changes in so-called "gene expression" help cells survive when oxygen-rich blood flow to an area slows or stops temporarily; they also allow tumors to build new blood vessels to feed themselves.

To learn how HIF-1?'s own activity is controlled, the team looked for proteins from human cells that would attach to HIF-1?. They found two, MCM3 and MCM7, that limited HIF-1?'s activity, and were also part of the DNA replication machinery. Those results were reported in 2011.

In the new research, Semenza and his colleagues further probed HIF-1?'s relationship to DNA replication by comparing cells in low-oxygen conditions to cells kept under normal conditions. They measured the amount of DNA replication complexes in the cells, as well as how active the complexes were. The cells kept in low-oxygen conditions, which had stopped dividing, had just as much of the DNA replication machinery as the normal dividing cells, the researchers found; the difference was that the machinery wasn't working. It turned out that in the nondividing cells, HIF-1? was binding to a protein that loads the DNA replication complex onto DNA strands, and preventing the complex from being activated.

"Our experiments answered the long-standing question of how, exactly, cells stop dividing in response to low oxygen," says Maimon Hubbi, Ph.D., a member of Semenza's team who is now working toward an M.D. degree. "It also shows us that the relationship between HIF-1? and the DNA replication complex is reciprocal -- that is, each can shut the other down."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. M. E. Hubbi, Kshitiz, D. M. Gilkes, S. Rey, C. C. Wong, W. Luo, D.-H. Kim, C. V. Dang, A. Levchenko, G. L. Semenza. A Nontranscriptional Role for HIF-1? as a Direct Inhibitor of DNA Replication. Science Signaling, 2013; 6 (262): ra10 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2003417

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/XQflXj1NWK4/130223111517.htm

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Best iPhone calculator app for accountants and finance professionals

HP 12c Financial Calculator for iPhone is a great companion tool for anyone in accounting, real estate, finance, or banking. Features include calculating the time value of money, net present value, and more. It also supports RPN entry, which many financial pros are already familiar with. The traditional HP 12c financial calculator is used by many industry professionals and the iPhone version not only brings all those features in app form, but will cost you a fraction of the price.

After downloading HP 12c Financial Calculator for iPhone and launching it, you'll be presented with the main calculator layout. If you've ever used a tradition HP 12c, you'll immediately notice the interface and design as it looks just like the real model. In portrait mode you'll have standard mathematical operation options. Turning your iPhone in landscape will give you all the options that you're most likely looking for. While in this orientation you will notice the layout is very simliar to the traditional 12c. Along the top you've got all your most used functions such as periods, interest rate, present value, and future value. If you're calculating payments and other time value of money variables, this is where you'll live.

The orange menus will give you options for amortization, bonds, depreciation, and more. You have function keys along the bottom row that allow you to toggle to different functions easily. The only option I can think of that this calculator doesn't have is an option to turn off the key clicks. If your phone is on vibrate, you obviously won't hear them, but if it's not, there currently isn't a way to turn off the sound effects for keys.

Most finance professionals were probably required to carry around an HP 12c financial calculator during college and for most, it's what they've carrier over into their careers. That's what makes the HP 12c for iPhone so great. It's exactly what you're used to using, but in app form. It's one less thing to carry around and you'll always have it handy. Not to mention, you buy it once and you own it across all your iOS devices, for as long as you'd like to use it, at a fraction of the cost of a traditional 12c.

If you rely on a financial calculator in any sort of regular capacity, the HP 12c for iPhone is a great option.

• $14.99 - Download Now

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/vcYUjcz0z0o/story01.htm

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Researchers talk science and society at AAAS national meeting ...

February 21st, 2013

From germs in space, to supporting minorities in science and engineering, to communicating the importance of science to the public and developing effective science policy, Arizona State University faculty talked up science at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This year?s meeting took place Feb. 14-18 in Boston.

Researchers today more than ever focus their work on real-world problems, often times making their research relevant to the public locally, regionally and nationally. But engaging the public in their research can be a daunting task for researchers professionally and personally.

Leah Gerber, associate professor in ASU?s School of Life Sciences and a senior sustainability scientist in the School of Sustainability, has identified impediments to productive science communication and she shared her recommendations at AAAS.

?We must find a way to make engagement rise to the top of the pile,? Gerber said.

Read more ?

Source: http://sustainability.asu.edu/news/gios-news/researchers-talk-science-and-society-at-aaas-national-meeting/

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Visa Debuts New Mobile Payments And NFC Partner Program For Merchants And Developers, Ready

Credit card company Visa is ramping up its partner program to help integrate its payments technologies in mobile devices and platforms. The new initiative, called the Visa Ready Partner Program, aims to help mobile device manufacturers, technology partners, mobile network operators, and others gain access to Visa IP, licenses and more.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/CWloUoO5vyI/

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Ford Focus Outside Mirrors

The vehicle is too new to give you an answer. We don't have service information as of yet on it. You might want to swing into your dealer and ask them.

Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up on your threads when a problem is resolved.

Source: http://autoforums.carjunky.com/Automotive_Repair_C1/General_Discussions_F5/Ford_Focus_Outside_Mirrors_P137535/

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How China securities firms got 1 trillion yuan

Caixin Online

BEIJING (Caixin Online) ? The amount of assets managed by Chinese
brokerage firms soared last year, exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan
($193 billion) by the end of December, up from 280 billion yuan
at the beginning of the year, data from the industry group
Securities Association of China shows.

However, most of those assets ? 80% to 90% of the total
according to some analysts? estimates ? was tied to banks and
had nothing to do with the brokers? investment ability.

In a typical bank-to-securities company asset management agreement,
the bank entrusts the securities firm with funds raised from wealth
management products, and the securities firm uses the money to buy
the bank?s notes or invest in other types of financial instruments.
The arrangement allows the bank to shift assets off its balance
sheet and circumvent lending restrictions. The securities firm, in
return, charges the bank a fee for using its service.

But there is a growing concern among people in the securities
industry that the boom may not last. One of the reasons, an analyst
from a securities firm said, is that the business is almost an exact
replica of what the banking regulator has sought to curb.
The way securities firms help banks maneuver wealth money resembles
a cooperative scheme between banks and trust companies, an arrangement
that allows banks to channel money through trust products to borrowers
that otherwise couldn?t receive bank loans.

The tactic is still used today but much less frequently, the analyst
said, because the China Banking Regulatory Commission released a policy
in August 2010 that required all trust companies to cap the value of
trusts tied to bank loans at 30% of their total outstanding products.
Also, banks were required to include loans made through trusts on their
balance sheet.

Source: http://www.thechinamoneyreport.com/2013/02/16/how-china-securities-firms-got-1-trillion-yuan/

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Six Links Worthy Of Your Attention #139 | Six Pixels of Separation ...

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (BitCurrent, Year One Labs, GigaOM, Human 2.0, the author of Complete Web Monitoring and Managing Bandwidth: Deploying QOS in Enterprise Networks), Hugh McGuire (PressBooks, LibriVox, iambik) and I decided that every week or so the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person "must see".

Check out these six links that we're recommending to one another:

• How Luther went viral - The Economist. "Hugh and I spent some time this week telling the world why the future of books is their interfaces, now that everything is digital and everyone is connected. So it's good to know that viral sprawl has been going on for a few centuries, at least. In the shadow of the Arab Spring, and subsequent rethinkings, the Reformation has a lot to teach us. Not the least of which is headlines: was Luther's '95 theses' the precursor to '23 romantic movies revised for honesty'?" (Alistair for Hugh).
• Take A Minute To Watch The New Way We Make Web Headlines Now - The Awl. "The fine art of headline writing has fallen prey to the harshly trackable world of the Web. Turns out, we love lists of numbered things ('promise me 11 things, I will at least read three of them.') But there's more -- headline trends wax and wane, as we first find a new angle, then let it lapses once readers get wise to our manipulations. 'Here's the real reason...' and 'Meet the man who...' are a weird dysfunction indeed." (Alistair for Mitch).
• Symbolic representation and working memory in chimpanzees - YouTube. "This chimp reads and counts. Seriously." (Hugh for Alistair).
• Goats Yelling Like Humans - YouTube. "What can I say, it's been a long week!" (Hugh for Mitch).
• Clayton Christensen Wants to Transform Capitalism - Wired. "As the years wane on, we tend to look to brain heroes who have done the thinking that transcends both time and fads. Clayton Christensen is one of those minds. Without question. So many brands find themselves stuck and it's amazing to think how they have fallen or are trapped in The Innovator's Dilemma. The book was published in 1997... you would think companies would know better. Sadly, we do not. As this article highlights, Christensen has been through a lot: 'In July 2010 he suffered a debilitating stroke that left him unable to speak. But within weeks he was using Rosetta Stone to reteach himself the English language, and within months he had begun writing again. His recent book How Will You Measure Your Life? came out last year, and a new work, The Capitalist's Dilemma, is due out in 2014.' This is a great Q&A with Christensen who understands the power of disruption and what we must do to get through it/avoid it." (Mitch for Alistair).?
• 'I need rules' - Columbia Journalism Review. "Many thought that Jonah Lehrer was on the verge of Malcolm Gladwell fame. Everything was pointing in that direction for the 31-year-old. He was a recognized name, bestselling book author, a journalist for some of the world's most respected publications and he had a thriving public speaking business. It's the kind of life many people (like me!) would dream of. It all came crashing down, when it was revealed that he had made up quotes and plagiarized some work. In his first public appearance since the self-destruction of his career, Lehrer spoke to an audience at a Knight Foundation event. It turns out that everyone got some shrapnel from this bizarre event. Read this article and ask yourself if the world of journalism is working overtime to punish Lehrer and everyone in his path. It would seem that apologies may only work when you're a celebrity without the title of journalist attached to it." (Mitch for Hugh).

Now it's your turn: in the comment section below pick one thing that you saw this week that inspired you and share it.

By Mitch Joel

Source: http://www.twistimage.com/blog/archives/six-links-worthy-of-your-attention-139/

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Mobilite: Sony Xperia Z'yi 30 dakika su i?inde tuttuk, en pahal? Android telefonu, Galaxy S IV '?n yeni test sonu?lar? ve daha fazlas?...

Gartner : Ge?en y?l son ?eyrekte sat?lan ak?ll? telefonlar?n yar?s? Samsung ve Apple'a ait BlackBerry PlayBook i?in yeni bir yaz?l?m g?ncellemesi yay?nland? HABERE ATLA YORUMLARI G?R (99) YORUM YAZ

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Mobilite: Sony Xperia Z'yi 30 dakika su i?inde tuttuk, en pahal? Android telefonu, Galaxy S IV '?n yeni test sonu?lar? ve daha fazlas?...

Video Haber enderc 13 ?ubat 2013, ?ar?amba 22:15 12396 00:35:00 Mobilite'nin ikinci sezonunun ???nc? b?l?m? yine dopdolu ve bu defa?bir ilki ger?ekle?tiriyor. Xperia Z s?rprizimiz, HTC'nin en yeni ve en iyi ak?ll? telefonu olarak g?sterilen??One (kod ad?yla M7)? hakk?nda en son detaylar, Galaxy S IV GLBenchmark test sonu?lar?, Turkcell'in kendi markas?n? ta??yan ilk tablet bilgisayar? MaxiIQ tablet, Nokia'n?n ekonomik?telefonu?Asha 310, T?rkiye Apple ma?azas? ve mobil teknolojilerle ilgili bir ?ok geli?me Erdi ?Z?A? (@fx57) ve Ender YILDIZ (@enderyldz) taraf?ndan de?erlendiriliyor.?

?

?

Yorumlar yeniden eskiye do?ru listelenmektedir. S?ralamay? de?i?tirmek i?in sa?daki men?y? kullanabilirsiniz.

ED?T?R?N SE??M? V?DEO

Source: http://www.donanimhaber.com/Mobilite_Sony_Xperia_Zyi_30_dakika_su_icinde_tuttuk_en_pahali_Android_telefonu_Galaxy_S_V_un_yeni_test_sonuclari_ve_daha_fazlasi-39880.htm

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Buffett's Berkshire in $23 billion deal to buy Heinz

Staff reports , CNBC.com ? ? ? 9 hrs.

Two iconic brands -- legendary investor Warren Buffett and 125-year-old ketchup-maker H.J. Heinz -- are coming together in the largest deal ever in the food industry's history.

Heinz confirmed Thursday that it agreed to be acquired by Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital Management for $72.50 a share, or $23.3 billion. Including debt, the deal is valued at $28 billion. The deal was first announced on CNBC.

Berkshire and and 3G will each put up $4.4 billion in equity for the deal, along with debt financing from JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Berkshire is also buying $8 billion of preferred stock that pays 9 percent.

The deal is an unusual one for Buffett since he is partnering with 3G, a Brazilian investment firm that owns a majority stake in Burger King. Typically, Buffett prefers to make his acquisitions outright. However, the billionaire investor told CNBC that he was approached with the idea for the deal in December, and thought it was "my kind of deal."

"This is my kind of deal and my kind of partner," he added. "Heinz is our kind of company with fantastic brands." Buffett added, "but I have a file on Heinz that goes back to 1980."

3G founder Jorge Paulo Lemann approached Buffett in mid-December about a possible deal, and both approached William Johnson, Heinz's chairman, president and CEO, soon after. The first offer was made in mid-January.

According to Buffett, 3G will be the primary supervisor Heinz's operations after the deal closes. Other 3G founders include Carlos Alberto Sicupira, Marcel Hermann Telles, Roberto Thompson Motta, and Alex Behring. "We look forward to partnering with Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital, both greatly respected investors, in what will be an exciting new chapter in the history of Heinz," Johnson said in a statement.

Buffett noted that the Heinz deal leaves Berkshire with enough cash on hand to bag another "elephant."

More from CNBC: Buffett says he's 'ready for another elephant'

Berkshire and 3G were both advised by Lazard, JPMorgan, and Wells Fargo. 3G's legal advisor was Kirkland & Ellis and Berkshire was advised by Munger, Tolles & Olson.

Heinz was advised by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Centerview Partners, and Davis Polk & Wardwell.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/warren-buffetts-berkshire-23-billion-deal-buy-heinz-1C8369091

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TFC's coach Ryan Nelsen in the right place

Ryan Nelsen abruptly retired from playing football with QPR in England to become TFC?s new head coach earlier this month. (GETTY IMAGES)

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KISSIMMEE, FLA.?-?

When Toronto FC announced a current Premier League player as former head coach Paul Mariner?s successor, supporters were, at best, cautiously optimistic about the prospects of having Ryan Nelsen coach by correspondence.

According to Nelsen, though, that was never going to be the case ? and both TFC and its new coach?s former club had already agreed to the terms.

While he and general manager Kevin Payne maneuvered through questions last month regarding when the New Zealander would join the Reds permanently, the former Queens Park Rangers captain told the Sun this week his arrival time was decided at the time of the agreement.

?It was always going to be Feb. 1 just to give QPR the ability (to work the market),? Nelsen said, explaining he and Payne tried to drop hints during a press conference to introduce TFC?s eighth manager. ?If we?d said that publicly the price of centrebacks would have gone up (for QPR).?

Looking back, it was the right way to approach an unusual situation. But as QPR?s captain, its leader, most thought Nelsen?s decision to leave mid-season would leave a sour taste in the mouths of of those who support the central London club, making his final few Premier League matches rather intriguing.

After being asked about perceived turmoil his decision to join TFC stirred up across the pond, Nelsen himself admitted English fans and media often formulate quite harsh opinions of players ? something he would potentially have to deal with while deserting a club in the midst of a relegation battle.

The opposite was true.

?The QPR fans were fantastic,? Nelsen told the Sun when asked to reflect back on his decision to abruptly retire from the game after two decades. ?I never had a problem with the QPR fans because I tried to give everything I could. There?s only 90 minutes in a week.?

Even better was the way his playing career ended ? a goalless draw against Premier League giants Manchester City at QPR?s home ground, Loftus Road. Nelsen was showered with supportive chants as he crossed over the white line for the final time as a player.

BUT WHY, RYAN?

Until now, Nelsen?s teleprompter responses to tired questions have left most wanting more. While his overtly positive demeanour seems a bit rehearsed at times, the World Cup veteran opened up earlier this week when asked to finally explain why he stepped away from playing.

?If you?re not challenged you might as well be retired,? he said. ?I think for me I didn?t enjoy playing (at the end) because I was 35. I wasn?t enjoying playing and I?d proved everything. I?d played at the highest level.?

After capturing an MLS Cup with D.C. United in 2004, Nelsen moved to the Premier League?s Blackburn on a free transfer in 2005. Following seven quality seasons with Rovers, Nelsen completed a brief stint with Tottenham before moving to QPR, enjoying a legendary career with the New Zealand All Whites throughout.

?There was nothing I could really do as a player that was going to be anything I?ve already done,? he said.

BLAST FROM PAST

Now, after close to a decade, Nelsen is back in MLS, set to return after a brief hiatus from a league he says is vastly different.

?The league has changed dramatically ? and so much for the good as well,? he said. ?I think in any league you?ve got to go through bad times to get to the good times and I really do believe that when I (was in the league) it was probably going through a time that it was trying to find its niche in the market.?

Toronto FC?s new bench boss recalled the league?s struggles as he looked out over a Florida golf course near the resort where the Reds are located.

?Everything was done with shoe-string budget,? he said. ?I wouldn?t say unprofessional, but people were just trying to work with what they were given. I think there was also, on the players side, a hangover of trying to entertain.?

Entertainment in the form of embarrassing MLS overtimes and dribble-up shootouts, a pair of gimmicks Nelsen can laugh about when looking back on a league where he got his playing start ? and, now, another new start.

NELSEN: ?NOT A CHANCE? I?LL PLAY

KISSIMMEE, Fla. ? Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen has repeatedly insisted his playing days are over.

So, of course, we had to badger him at least once more on the topic.

As New Zealand will likely emerge from Oceania in 2014 World Cup qualifying, it will enter a playoff with whichever nation finishes fourth in CONACAF qualifying at the end of this year, a playoff that will likely occur during the MLS off-season.

?One thing I?ve learned about football is as soon as you think you know something it can come and bite you in the back side,? Nelsen said when discussing qualifying.

Is that to say he would return for a potential home-and-away for another shot at a World Cup?

?Not a chance,? he said emphatically. ?And I?ll be cheering for New Zealand massively.? ?

Source: http://www.torontosun.com/2013/02/14/tfcs-coach-ryan-nelsen-in-the-right-place

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Customer Service on Facebook: 4 Tips to Make It Great | Social ...

We've had enough experience with social media now to realise how effective it is as a customer service tool. Even my Mum now knows that if she's unhappy with the customer service she receives over the phone or by e-mail, her next move will always be to take to Facebook to ensure she gets optimum attention.

So the question is; as a business how can you make the most of this opportunity bestowed upon you, to both prepare and act upon the customer engagements you encounter on your Facebook Page?

1. Don't delete user-generated content.
   Only recently I?ve seen a business who had received quite a lengthy complaint from a customer on their Facebook Page, decide to deal with it by simply hitting the delete button. The result was the customer responding by highlighting the fact they had deleted their previous comment. The only thing the business had achieved by taking this course of action was to frustrate the customer more, causing an initially straightforward customer complaint to develop into an enormously embarrassing situation.

   If you delete negative comments they aren't going anywhere and it won't solve anything. As a result customers may get savvy and end up sharing their experiences on other platforms out of the reach of your trigger happy delete button! Of course there are exceptions to this rule; if the comment is quite clearly spam or is using offensive language for example.

2. Use the private messaging function.
   A fantastic feature implemented to Facebook Pages along with the timeline update was allowing fans to privately message the Facebook Page directly. Once a private message has been sent by a fan it opens up the ability for the Facebook Page to respond and develop into a private discussion to and fro.

   Some customers will already be aware of this feature and are likely to utilise it, others however, may not be aware of the recently implemented feature. You can direct customers who are unaware of the private messaging function by offering it as a solution to customers who require assistance with an order which may involve giving sensitive information such as order numbers, contact details etc.

   
   This feature is not compulsory and can be enabled or disabled through the Facebook Page's admin panel.

3. Respond as soon as possible.
   Time is most certainly of essence; do not ignore your customers! Even if you don?t have a fully comprehensive answer immediately it is much more courteous to at the very least acknowledge the customer?s enquiry rather than ignore it.

   Ignoring customer enquiries and requests will only succeed in burning bridges. Even if it's not initially a complaint, customers will become irate if they're comment or question isn't at least acknowledged by the Facebook Page in some form. Even if it's a positive review or recommendation, a simple 'Like' of that individual's post may be sufficient.

   The very reason people opt to comment on Facebook and turn to the internet in general for their issues with companies is because they are guaranteed recognition. Even if it?s not from the brand itself they will still generate engagement from existing users who will add fuel to the fire.

4. Be personal.
   You have the customer's name, use it. And let them know they're talking to a real person, not a faceless corporation.

   
   It's easy to shout and hurl abuse at a logo, but as soon as they discover they're talking to someone called Jack from the customer service team who is actually quite a nice chap and promptly responds, it's a little harder for a customer to then continue to direct so much anger towards that individual.

Essentially what your customers really want is acknowledgement, that someone is listening and ready and willing to assist them. When customer service is done well it has the potential to improve brand reputation. Done badly however, you risk jeopardising the loyalty and continued profitability of customer relationships.

Connect:

Authored by:

Liam 'Lewy' Shepherd

Liam ?Lewy? Shepherd began working in the digital marketing sector in 2007. Since then Lewy has attained considerable experience generating positive ROI for a diverse array of businesses, ranging from blue-chips to sole traders. He is also Google Analytics Qualified and accomplished in a variety of highly technical areas. You can reach Lewy on @LiamSShepherd or Google+.

See complete profile

Source: http://socialmediatoday.com/lewy/1241826/4great-customer-service-facebook

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Royce White Logs 18 Minutes In NBA D-League Debut For Rockets' Affiliate

Rockets rookie Royce White made his highly anticipated NBA D-League debut with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday night and went on to have moderate success.

The Rio Grande Valley Vipers scored a season high during their 139-122 victory over the Maine Red Claws (who happen to now boast five NBA D-League All-Stars), but perhaps nothing that happened on Tuesday night was bigger (especially as it relates to NBA basketball) than the debut of Rockets' assignee Royce White.

The moment finally came when the rookie hit the hardwood for the first time in his professional career. Needless to say, such a debut was ever so highly anticipated after White chose to hold out until a better understanding was reached (and proper attention/care was given) with regard to the needs of his anxiety disorder.

Nevertheless, White enjoyed moderate success and filled up the stat-sheet a bit in limited minutes. The forward scored 7 points, grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, and had a plus/minus of +8 in 18 minutes off the bench. It should be noted he also committed 5 fouls and 3 turnovers.

During White's debut, a couple of RidiculousUpside.com's theories and/or informal predictions from this piece here were proven correct. In the spirit of the Rockets rookie's first outing, let's review them below:

White won't be force fed minutes in the D-League: It appears as though White will have a bit of an extended stint with RGV as he progresses, but that doesn't mean he'll lead the minor league team in minutes. In addition to the newly assigned Viper, the Rockets are constantly plucking their young guns back forth between Houston and the NBADL affiliate. What's more, as the second seed in the D-League, the Vipers have a very talented roster with solid depth from A to Z. The mass majority of such prospects have all graced the NBA hardwood some time in the last two seasons. The talent is abundant, so expect White to fight for his minutes in RGV just as he'll eventually have to do with the Rockets.

He won't lead the Vipers in scoring and/or be a featured player on offense: As we've mentioned before, White's game while in college seemed to thrive on him being able to contribute by doing all of the little things, such as rebound, play defense, and help move the ball. As the Vipers look to help him develop and get ready to finally don a Rockets jersey again, expect them to help him embrace the type of player he is and has the potential to be in the NBA. White should be able to progress by doing what he's known for, all the while proving he can be a team player and not a distraction in such an atmosphere. He can leave the scoring to his other skilled teammates.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Source: http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2013/2/13/3983476/royce-white-logs-18-minutes-in-nba-d-league-debut-for-rockets

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Oldsters are hip in Hollywood

Older actors are triumphing during awards season and at the box office, and they don't seem to be leaving pop culture anytime soon.

By Molly Driscoll,?Staff writer / February 12, 2013

?The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?

Fox Searchlight Films/AP

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It sounds like a fairly rote story for a Hollywood crime drama ? after a mobster gets out of jail, he and his old buddies team up for a wild night on the town.

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What sets "Stand Up Guys" apart? The leads, Christopher Walken, Al Pacino, and Alan Arkin, shuffle instead of leap into a stolen getaway car.

Yet "Stand Up Guys," with its not-so-young stars, isn't an oddity in entertainment anymore. Think of comedian Betty White's recent resurgence. Or Taco Bell's lauded Super Bowl commercial of oldsters gyrating on the dance floor. It seems Grandma and Grandpa not acting their age has become a lucrative story line.

As for full-length features with a cast of seasoned actors, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2012) is helping to prove that youth-obsessed pop culture is growing up. The story of a group of retired British tourists living in a ramshackle hotel in India, portrayed by legends Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, and Tom Wilkinson, grossed more than $46 million in the United States.

In addition, Dustin Hoffman's directing debut, "Quartet," starring Ms. Smith as a former opera star settling into a group home, was released late last year to positive reviews. And "Last Vegas," to be released in December, follows the escapades of a group of retirement-age men who decide to hit Sin City one last time.

But it's not all fast cars and funny lines for the film industry's mature performers. "Amour" a French film focusing on poignant end-of-life issues, received love from America when awards season arrived. It's a Best Picture nominee for the 2013 Oscar season and its female lead, Emmanuelle Riva, earned a Best Actress nod, making her the oldest nominee in Oscar history.

Richard Walter, screenwriting chairman and professor at the School of Theater, Film, and Television at the University of California at Los Angeles, says the close release dates of all these films is probably a coincidence. But the fact that baby boomers are entering their retirement years means these kinds of films are likely to continue to appear. "I think there will be more films for older audiences because there are more older audiences," Mr. Walter says.

And while mature moviegoers may enjoy watching films featuring life experiences similar to their own, Walter says the appeal of "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" also lies in the fact that it was simply an enjoyable film.

"It's a good story," he says. "That's all audiences want."

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/0xeG4cF4DDA/Oldsters-are-hip-in-Hollywood

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Los Angeles police get 600 clues in hunt for ex-cop wanted in killings

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Detectives were pursuing some 600 clues in their hunt for an ex-police officer suspected of killing three people, Los Angeles police officials said on Monday, a day after a $1 million reward was posted for information leading to the wanted man's capture.

Christopher Dorner, 33, has not been spotted since early on Thursday, when he is accused of ambushing two policemen at a red light in Riverside, 60 miles east of Los Angeles. One of those officers was killed, the other wounded.

That confrontation came shortly after the former Los Angeles police officer and U.S. Navy veteran is suspected of exchanging gunfire with police in nearby Corona, wounding one officer.

Riverside prosecutors formally charged Dorner on Monday with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder in connection with those shootings and said they had issued a "no-bail" arrest warrant for the fugitive.

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach told a news conference that the evidence already amassed against Dorner was strong enough that "there was no reason to withhold filing of charges" against him.

"This individual, by both his words and his conduct, has made it very clear to all of us that every law enforcement officer in Southern California is in danger of being shot or killed," Zellerbach said.

Aside from several false sightings, the search for Dorner has centered on the San Bernardino Mountains northeast of Los Angeles, where his truck was found burning on a fire road near the ski resort community of Big Bear Lake.

That effort has not been abandoned, LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Andrew Neiman said, but detectives were also busy following up hundreds of clues and tips from the public in hopes that one of them would lead them to the fugitive.

"As of 6 a.m. this morning, our investigators were working on over 600 clues, and I'm sure that number has increased since then," he said.

RECORD REWARD OFFERED

Dismissing speculation that Dorner's four-day silence may suggest he had taken his own life, Neiman said: "We are operating on the premise that he is still out and about and we are going to find him."

Police officials urged Southern Californians to call a tip line with any information on Dorner's whereabouts. But they said anyone who actually spots him in person should call 911 immediately.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck has said that the $1 million reward, raised from private donations, police unions, businesses and local governments, the largest sum ever offered in Southern California in a criminal investigation.

Beck has also described the manhunt for Dorner as the most extensive ever mounted in the Los Angeles area.

"This is a man who has targeted those who we entrust to protect the public. His actions cannot go unanswered," Beck told a news conference on Sunday.

A manifesto posted on Dorner's Facebook page last week claimed he was wrongly terminated from the LAPD in 2008 and vowed to seek revenge by unleashing "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare" on police officers and their families.

More than a week ago, he was named as a suspect in the slayings of a campus security officer and his fiance, the daughter of a retired Los Angeles police captain that Dorner's manifesto blames for his dismissal.

The couple, Keith Lawrence, 27, and Monica Quan, 28, were found shot dead eight days ago in their car on the top level of a parking structure in the city of Irvine, south of Los Angeles.

Dorner had ended his military service two days earlier, and the Navy has not disclosed the circumstances of his discharge.

Beck announced on Saturday a reopening of the inquiry into Dorner's firing to "reassure the public that their police department is transparent and fair."

The LAPD also has opened an investigation into an incident in which two women were wounded when apparently skittish officers opened fire on a pickup truck resembling Dorner's. The two women were delivering newspapers when they were shot.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb, Brandon Lowrey and Steve Gorman; Writing by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by David Gregorio)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-police-chase-600-clues-hunt-ex-211730544.html

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LASD To Review Catholic Church Sex Abuse Files For More Clues

Angie Story

Survivor Angie Story, 67, right, holds on to a picture of "Eric," a victim of sexual abuse who committed suicide, as members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, before holding a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Esther Miller

Survivor Esther Miller, holds newly released files of her perpetrator Rev. Deacon Michael Nocita, seen in middle picture, as she joins Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Frank Zamora

Frank Zamora, 67, holds an old photo of his son Dominic Zamora, then 8, sitting on the lap of his abuser, priest Michael Stephen Baker, as Zamora joins members the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles Monday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Jim Robertson and Rita milla

Abuse victims Jim Robertson (R) and Rita Milla (L) are joined by supporters holding quilts bearing the portraits of abused children while gathered outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California, on February 1, 2013, one day after the release of personnel files of priests accused of sexual misconduct. The archbishop of Los Angeles Jose Gomez stripped his predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, of all church duties on January 31. In all, 124 files were released on the Los Angeles archdiocese's website, listed by priests' names, including 82 containing information on allegations of childhood sexual abuse. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

SNAP

Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests hold a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Rita Milla

Survivor Rita Milla, center, hugs a fellow member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, before holding a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

This Monday, Jan. 21,2013 photo visitors tour the grounds of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels the seat of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this photo taken Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, an parishioner prays inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Roger Mahony of the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the United States was stripped of his duties in an unprecedented move by his successor Archbishop Jose Gomez, who described the church's actions during the growing sex abuse scandal as evil. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Ken Smolka

Alleged clergy abuse victim Ken Smolka walks past the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels after a news conference in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. Prosecutors will review internal priest personnel files kept by the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese that show retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and other top church officials worked to shield molester priests. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Xavier Ruiz, Sherida Ruiz, Frank Zamora

Xavier Ruiz, right, wife Sherida and Frank Zamora, foreground, whose sons are alleged clergy abuse victims, listen during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. Prosecutors will review internal priest personnel files kept by the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese that show retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and other top church officials worked to shield molester priests. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Mary Stenger, Betty Schmitt

Alleged clergy abuse victims Mary Stenger, left, is comforted by Betty Schmitt during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. Prosecutors will review internal priest personnel files kept by the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese that show retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and other top church officials worked to shield molester priests. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Ken Smolka, Manuel Vega, Joelle Casteix

Alleged clergy abuse victims Ken Smolka, center, and Manuel Vega, left, listen to Joelle Casteix, western regional director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. Prosecutors will review internal priest personnel files kept by the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese that show retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and other top church officials worked to shield molester priests. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Jim Robertson

Alleged clergy abuse victim Jim Robertson, 66, holds up handcuffs during a news conference outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. Prosecutors will review internal priest personnel files kept by the Los Angeles Roman Catholic archdiocese that show retired Cardinal Roger Mahony and other top church officials worked to shield molester priests. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Roger Mahony

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2007 file photo, Cardinal Roger Mahony speaks during an annual multi-ethnic migration Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Cardinal Mahony and other top Roman Catholic officials from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles maneuvered behind the scenes to shield molester priests, provide damage control for the church and keep parishioners in the dark, according to church personnel files. Mahony, who is retired, issued a statement Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, apologizing for his mistakes and saying he had been "naive" about the lasting impacts of abuse. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/11/lasd-catholic-church-sex-abuse_n_2665624.html

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UN Security Council Meets on North Korea Nuclear Test (Voice Of America)

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'Soda' for breakfast? Mountain Dew thinks so

NEW YORK?? If you don't like coffee or tea, Mountain Dew has a new breakfast drink that might perk you up.

PepsiCo Inc. is rolling out a new drink called Kickstart this month that has Mountain Dew flavor but is made with 5 percent juice and Vitamins B and C, along with an extra jolt of caffeine.

The company, based in Purchase, N.Y., is hoping to boost sales by reaching Mountain Dew fans at a new time of day: morning.

PepsiCo said it doesn't consider Kickstart to be an energy drink, noting that it still has far less caffeine than drinks like Monster and Red Bull and none of the mysterious ingredients that have raised concerns among lawmakers and consumer advocates.

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But Kickstart, which comes in flavors such as "energizing orange citrus" and "energizing fruit punch," could nevertheless give the company a side-door into the fast-growing energy drink market without getting tangled in any of its controversies. The drink comes in the same 16-ounce cans as popular energy drinks made by Monster Beverage Corp., which also offers options with juice content. And the TV ad features young men skateboarding, reminiscent of the marketing themes used by energy drink makers.

Simon Lowden, chief marketing officer for PepsiCo's Americas beverages, says the idea for Kickstart came about after the company learned through consumer research that Mountain Dew fans were looking for an alternative to traditional morning drinks such as coffee, tea and juice.

"They didn't really see anything that fit their needs," he said.

Lowden said Kickstart was developed independently from a Taco Bell breakfast drink introduced last year that combines Mountain Dew and orange juice. PepsiCo says Kickstart, which is carbonated, is also not a soda because its 5 percent juice content qualifies it to be considered a "juice drink" under guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration. A spokeswoman for the FDA said the agency doesn't have definitions for what qualifies as a soda or an energy drink.

Energy drinks' growth slowing
With the growth of energy drinks such as Monster and Red Bull expected to slow, Kickstart could also signal the emergence of a new category that plays off the promise of energy and other health benefits, said John Sicher, publisher of the trade journal Beverage Digest.

In a nod to the growing concerns about sugary drinks, for example, Kickstart also uses artificial sweeteners to reduce its caloric content to about half that of regular soda; a can has 80 calories.

"It's a very interesting experiment capturing a number of attributes," Sicher said, likening it to Starbucks' Refreshers drinks, which promise "natural energy" from green coffee extract.

The promise of "energy" has been a big seller in the beverage industry in recent years, with the energy drink market increasing 17 percent in 2011 even as broader soft drink consumption has continued to decline, according to Beverage Digest. PepsiCo and the Coca-Cola Co. have largely watched that growth from the sidelines, however, with players such as Monster Beverage and Red Bull dominating the market.

But the surging popularity of energy drinks has also led to sharper scrutiny. This summer, New York's attorney general launched an investigation into the marketing prices of energy drink makers including Monster and PepsiCo, which also makes Amp. Lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups have also called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the safety of the high levels of caffeine in energy drinks for younger people.

Although Kickstart may look like an energy drink, it has far less caffeine, at 92 milligrams for a 16-ounce can. A comparable amount of regular Mountain Dew would have 72 milligrams of caffeine while a can of PepsiCo's Amp energy drink has 142 milligrams, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

By comparison, a 16-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee has 330 milligrams of caffeine.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/50770431/ns/today-money/

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