Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rentrak Corporation (Nasdaq: RENT), today announced the official weekend theatrical box office numbers for the weekend period of February10, 2012 through February  12, 2012 according to the company's Box Office Essentials™ theatrical box office data collection and analytical service.

To access the Top-12 grossing motion pictures for the weekend, per data collected as of Sunday, through February 12, 2012, please visit RENTRAK.com.

About Box Office Essentials®Rentrak's Box Office Essentials® and International Box Office Essentials are the theatrical industry's source for comprehensive global box office intelligence.  Boasting a footprint that covers 90% of the worldwide theatrical market, Rentrak is able to provide its clients with box office intelligence for 26 countries, streamlined through one unique system.  Delivered in near real-time, this data is primarily collected through an electronic connection with thousands of theater box offices, allowing users to view online reports from anywhere around the world, while virtually watching the minute-by-minute sale of tickets.  Box Office Essentials® transforms masses of data into a comprehendible view of the market and, as such, is used by every studio as well as many independent distribution entities.

About Rentrak Corporation Rentrak (NASDAQ: RENT) is a global digital media measurement and research company, serving the most recognizable companies in the entertainment industry. With a reach across numerous platforms including box office, multi-screen television, and home video, Rentrak has developed more efficient metrics to be used as database currencies for the evaluation and selling of media. Rentrak is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with additional U.S. and international offices. For more information on Rentrak, please visit www.rentrak.com.

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RENTO

SOURCE Rentrak Corporation

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Music Entertainment today issued the following statement regarding Whitney Houston:

"Whitney Houston was an icon and a once-in-a-lifetime talent who inspired a generation of singers and brought joy to millions of fans around the world. She had a voice of unmatched beauty and power that changed music forever, and she leaves behind an indelible legacy of timeless songs that will never be forgotten. She also was an important member of the Sony Music family who spent her storied recording career with Arista Records. She will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to her daughter and her entire family."

SOURCE Sony Music

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers (USW) issued the following statement today on hearing reports of President Obama's budget proposal that's going to Congress, asking millions for a new trade enforcement center and the resources to more effectively enforce U.S. trade laws:

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"President Obama has acted to enforce America's laws against unfair trade since coming to office and announced in his State of the Union address last month, a clear commitment to this effort.  The USW is especially pleased to know the President's budget will be asking for millions of dollars to arm his new Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) with the resources needed to fight for American jobs.

"Too many American workers have had their jobs stolen from them by foreign unfair, predatory and illegal trade practices.   Many of our trade competitors agree to the rules, but then fail to abide by them.  Enforcing our laws – and the commitments other countries have made – must be high priority. President Obama is devoting resources to accomplish that goal.

"Our union members work hard and play by the rules. We want a government that will stand up to foreign unfair trade for all American workers.  President Obama has demonstrated a willingness to do just that.

"In his State of the Union message, the President highlighted the success of the trade case brought by the Steelworkers against a flood of tire imports from China that had been decimating employment here.   His leadership has helped to return the industry to stability, put American tire builders back to work and has stimulated the expansion of production and investment here at home.  His efforts deserve, and have, our sincere gratitude.

"The President also highlighted that that we can't lose sight of the importance of our nation's manufacturing sector. It is a key to long-term economic growth and job creation.  Enforcing our trade laws is the key to manufacturing success.

"This President's budget makes an important investment in trade law.  The Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, would jeopardize our successes and reverse course on enforcing the rules. Romney opposed the use of trade laws to support our nation's tire producers, who employ thousands of workers and make great products.   The provision Romney opposed that President Obama used was one agreed to by China when they joined the World Trade Organization. The President's actions were later upheld by the WTO.

Mitt Romney also publicly opposed the stabilization plan for the auto industry that has returned them to profitability and resulted in workers returning to the factories.  Romney said the companies should go bankrupt.  Two weeks ago, the Steelworkers, with elected leaders and the support of others in organized labor, began an effort to ensure that China's unfair and illegal trade practices in the auto parts sector would not go unchallenged. 

Romney's refusal to support America's auto sector would leave the more than 1.6 million workers directly and indirectly employed in the auto parts sector fighting China's predatory trade practices on their own. Romney's record on trade issues would further embolden Chinese leaders and put at risk more jobs here at home."

Contact: Gary Hubbard, 202-256-8125, ghubbard@usw.org; Wayne Ranick, 412-901-8442; wranick@usw.org

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockboard rocked the coveted Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year (T.O.T.Y.) awards by earning top honors in the 'Outdoor Toy of the Year' category with the revolutionary Rockboard Scooter Mini. The awards were presented Saturday evening in the Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York City at the Toy Industry Association's Annual T.O.T.Y Awards gala.

"It's an absolute honor to win the Outdoor Toy of the Year award," said Richard Miller, President of M.Y. Products, the company that manufactures Rockboard. "It's exciting to see that the Rockboard Scooter is recognized for its impact on the way kids play with its cutting edge technology that offers a new way to get up and get active."

Nominated products cover all aspects of the industry. The TOTY ballot was overseen by the TOTY nominations committee, which is comprised of major retailers, TIA board members, toy trade journalists and academics.

About the Rockboard Mini Scooter

Built for an exciting ride just like the Original, the Rockboard Scooter Mini is a scaled down version made specifically for younger kids weighing up to 90 lbs. Rockboard Scooters offer the versatility of a propel-action scooter with the practicality of a kick model. The genius of the scooter is the advanced Rockboard Propulsion Technology™, a human-powered mechanism that enables kids of all ages to tear up the pavement without the assistance of an electric or gasoline-powered motor. The innovative hybrid scooter combines the drive-chain propulsion of a bicycle with the practicality of a kick-scooter, which can also be folded up for easy storage and transportation, so kids can take their ride anywhere. The Rockboard Scooters are built to last, with an ultra-strong steel box frame and front fork, an ultra-strong deck, and a rear spring-enhanced suspension creates the smoothest ride even on unforgiving surfaces.

About Rockboard

Founded in 2008 by partners Richard Miller and Dillion Yu, Rockboard is manufactured by M.Y. Products LLC, a privately-owned company based in Franklin, IN. Rockboard's mission is to provide children and adolescents with a fun, safe, and effective way to stay active during outdoor play with products such as the award-winning hybrid Rockboard Scooter. Rockboard is dedicated to developing innovative and versatile products of the highest quality and most superior design. For more information, visit www.rockboard.com.

SOURCE Rockboard

DALLAS, Feb. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mexican helicopter service provider ASESA (Aeroservicios Especializados, S.A. de C.V.) to jointly explore assembly and service opportunities in support of BLACK HAWK helicopters.

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"The MOU marks another step in our commitment to support BLACK HAWK aircraft operated by the Mexican military and Federal Police," said Steve Estill, Sikorsky Vice President for Mexico. "This agreement will establish a working relationship with ASESA in preparation for expected growth in Mexico, which could include helicopter assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul work." 

The Mexican Air Force, the Mexican Navy and Federal Police currently operate 21 UH-60L and UH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft acquired since the mid 1990s. Fifteen of those aircraft have been acquired since 2007. Sikorsky expects the Federal Police to take delivery of another two UH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft in early 2012. In September 2011, the State of Jalisco acquired an S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter, the first state government in Mexico to acquire the newest variant of the world's most employed military utility aircraft.

"We couldn't be more pleased to have signed the MOU with Sikorsky," said Humberto Lobo, president of ASESA. "We have a strong interest in Sikorsky products both as it relates to our off shore oil transport business as well as our aircraft services businesses. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with one of the best-known helicopter manufacturing companies in the world. This action improves and enhances the program to develop the Mexican Aeronautical Industry as a strategic provider of products and services with a world class company."

Aeroservicios Especializados, S.A. de C.V. (ASESA), a subsidiary of Grupo Lomex, is a leading helicopter services operator for the oil and gas Industry in Mexico and South America. Founded in 1977, ASESA serves several markets, with Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the Mexican state-owned petroleum company being a major customer.  ASESA is recognized for customer service innovation and superior quality. ASESA has experience with numerous helicopter models and has accumulated more than 470,000 flight hours and a strong tradition as provider of maintenance services for helicopters in Mexico. The company operates three maintenance centers based in Monterrey, Mexico City, and Ciudad del Carmen, which cover all Mexican territory.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.   

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.