Citi Launches ThankYou Network Gift Card Design Contest

Winning Design to Be the Image of a ThankYou Network Gift Card

NEW YORK, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever wonder what it would be like to put your design or photograph into the hands of millions of consumers? Citi is offering members of its ThankYou Rewards Network the chance to put their creativity into wallets around the world with the launch of the ThankYou Gift Card Design Contest.

The winning design will become the face of a ThankYou Gift Card redeemable by millions of ThankYou Members nationwide. The winner will join the company of internationally renowned artist and designer Karim Rashid, who designs the current ThankYou Network gift cards which will continue to be available in the rewards collection. In addition to having his or her design on a gift card, the top winner of the contest also will receive 100,000 ThankYou Points.

"This contest is a great opportunity for our members to illustrate what Citi's ThankYou Network means to them through their card design," said George Awad, CEO, Citi Cards. "At its heart, ThankYou Network, as one of the world's largest loyalty programs, strives to help its members lead rewarding lives. This contest is a fun and creative way to acknowledge our loyal customers by letting them contribute to the meaning of the program."

The contest submission period runs from February 12, 2009 through 11:00 p.m. EST on April 11, 2009, during which time members can submit their designs through a special email address provided on ThankYou.com. Entries will be judged on overall creativity, aesthetic appeal, and compatibility with branding.

Three finalists will be selected by judges who are Citi employees, and designs will be posted on ThankYou.com. Between May 1, 2009 and May 30, 2009, consumers will be invited to vote for their favorite design. The first-prize winning design, along with the second- and third-place designs, who will win 50,000 and 25,000 points, respectively, will be announced on ThankYou.com after June 18, 2009.

Since its inception in 2004, ThankYou Network has reinforced Citi's focus on developing and nurturing long-term relationships with its customers. At launch, ThankYou Network represented an exciting way to show appreciation to members using select Citi credit cards and retail banking products.

ThankYou Network has grown to 13 million members, who can now earn points by making purchases with their Smith Barney Financial Management account cards and by booking qualified travel on Expedia. They can also earn even more points by shopping through the ThankYou Network Bonus Center, which features more than 300 brand-name online and in-store retailers.

The prepaid gift cards in Citi's ThankYou Network's rewards collection are issued by Citibank, N.A. and serviced by Citi(R) Prepaid Services, which provides fully custom prepaid solutions for public and private organizations looking for simple, convenient, economical electronic payment delivery.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. Through its two operating units, Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

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HBO, Woodruff Arts Center's Celebrate Diversity Through the Arts Initiative and the 100 Black Men of Dekalb County to Host Atlanta Premiere of the HBO Documentary Film 'THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 2' on Thursday, February 19 at Woodruff Arts Center

ATLANTA, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- HBO, in partnership with the Woodruff Arts Center's Celebrate Diversity Through the Arts Initiative and the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, will co-host the Atlanta premiere of THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 2 at an invitation-only screening on February 19 at The Woodruff Arts Center. Renowned photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and award-winning journalist, critic and radio host Elvis Mitchell will attend to present the second installment of a remarkable group of African-American notables sharing candid stories and revealing insights into the struggles, triumphs and joys of black life in the U.S.

THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 2, which debuts February 26, exclusively on HBO, is a collaboration between celebrated portrait photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, who directs, and award-winning journalist Elvis Mitchell, who interviews a host of influential people. The documentary profiles some of today's most fascinating African-Americans. From the childhood inspirations that shaped their ambitions, to the evolving American landscape they helped define, to the importance of preserving a unique cultural identity for future generations, these prominent individuals offer a unique look into the zeitgeist of black America, redefining the traditional pejorative notion of a blacklist.

The list of people featured in THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 2 includes activist and artist Majora Carter; activist and academic Angela Davis; producer Suzanne de Passe; actor Laurence Fishburne; Anglican Bishop Barbara Harris; Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick; pastor T.D. Jakes; physician and academic Valerie Montgomery- Rice, M.D.; filmmaker Tyler Perry; singer Charley Pride; fashion designer Patrick Robinson; actress Maya Rudolph; musician RZA; filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles; and artist Kara Walker.

Mitchell is never heard or seen on camera, which allows the subjects' own voices to remain the focus. The actual title was first conceived by Mitchell as an antidote to the persistent taint that western culture has applied to the word "black."

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and Elvis Mitchell conceptualized what would become "The Black List Project" in May 2006, discussing the idea of collaborating on a book on black culture, which led to the documentary. They wanted "The Black List Project" to be not just an enumeration of obstacles overcome, but also a unique source of insights that would emphasize the elegance and determination of its subjects.

A 2008 Sundance Film Festival selection, "The Black List: Vol. 1" debuted on HBO last August, and featured such notables as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sean Combs, Thelma Golden, Lou Gossett, Jr., Bill T. Jones, Vernon Jordan, Toni Morrison, Richard Parsons, Chris Rock, Al Sharpton, Slash, Faye Wattleton, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Serena Williams.

Inspired by "The Black List: Vol. 1," HBO launched a "Who's on Your Black List?" contest, asking viewers to submit a video of themselves, a relative, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor or anyone else who has a story to tell about his or her experience of what it's like to be black in America today. The four winning videos were selected by a distinguished panel of judges and general viewers and are currently viewable on whosonyourblacklist.com. In January 2009, the winners visited New York, where they had their portraits taken by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and were interviewed on film by Elvis Mitchell. Select clips from these interviews will be showcased on various HBO platforms throughout February.

HBO Documentary Films and Freemind Ventures & Perfect Day Films present THE BLACK LIST: VOL. 2. A film by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders & Elvis Mitchell. Directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders; interviews by Elvis Mitchell; producers, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Elvis Mitchell and Michael Slap Sloane; executive producers, Tommy Walker, Scott Richman, Christopher McKee and Payne Brown; associate producers, Lukas Hauser and Mary Bradley; editor, Benjamin Gray; music by Neal Evans; directors of photography, Joe Victorine and Graham Willoughby.

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Unisource Relaunches Unisourcegreen.com Paper Web Site Offering Green Knowledge and Expertise

NORCROSS, Ga., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisource Worldwide, Inc. one of the leading distributors of paper, packaging and facility supplies in North America, has relaunched its newly designed, customer-focused unisourcegreen.com paper Web site, offering the graphic arts industry the latest Green knowledge, resources and access to environmentally-friendly products and specialized services.

"Our new, interactive www.unisourcegreen.com paper Web site is specifically designed to assist our customers, suppliers and other companies in their efforts to meet the highest level of environmental stewardship, health and safety standards, and compliant Chain-of-Custody transactions," said Ed Farley, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Unisource. "Unisource has made a conscious effort to practice sustainability, provide environmentally-friendly products, and offer companies information they need to make their own Green commitments," he said.

Through continual RSS feed updates on a daily basis, visitors to the unisourcegreen.com paper Web site will find up-to-date, relative and informative news about what it means to be "Going Green." A featured benefit to the site is the ability for printers to sign-up for Unisource's respect(TM) Printers' Program, allowing corporate specifiers, designers and end-users searching for papers with Green attributes to easily locate Chain-of-Custody printers using the unisourcegreenfinder(TM) search tool. Another distinctive function of the site is the user's ability to ask Chain-of-Custody questions and receive responses directly through the unique "ASK unisourcegreen" feature, hosted by Erin Light, a Unisource Marketing Specialist and Chain-of- Custody expert.

An industry leader in corporate sustainability and environmental stewardship, Unisource is the first distributor to attain national Chain-of-Custody certification of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI); and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). With the relaunch of the unisourcegreen.com paper Web site, Unisource upholds its commitment to continuously develop and offer more value-added resources to its customer base by providing a one-stop Green Internet portal for the graphic arts industry.

About Unisource Worldwide, Inc.

Unisource Worldwide, Inc., (www.unisourcelink.com) is a leading independent marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business imaging papers, packaging systems and facility supplies and equipment in North America. Headquartered in Norcross, Ga., Unisource is one of the largest private companies in the United States and offers the most comprehensive suite of products and services in the industry. With more than 6,000 team members -- including sales, customer service and technical support specialists; approximately 85 distribution centers; and a fleet of "Big Red" trucks -- Unisource can deliver what your business needs when and where you want it -- locally, regionally and nationally.

Oklahoma City Ballet's Paris Rouge A Sensation!

OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Oklahoma City Ballet continued its remarkable 2008-2009 season on February 13th and 14th with performances of a triple-bill production entitled Paris Rouge. The show was enthusiastically received by nearly sold out audiences both nights. Leading off the evening was the classic white ballet Les Sylphides. Next came a world premiere contemporary ballet by popular choreographer Amy Seiwert named Finding/Almost, exhibiting a distinctive choreographic style never before seen by Oklahoma City audiences, enhanced by a unique stage and lighting design by Matthew Antaky. Completing the show was Artistic Director Robert Mills' ballet Paris Rouge, a fast, fresh and colorful romantic comedy set in 1900 Paris. Mills commented, "We're thrilled that the Oklahoma City dance community came out in force once again to enjoy our performances. Their response to this show was tremendous!"

At a time when many performing arts companies throughout the United States are experiencing declining support or are even shutting their doors, Oklahoma City Ballet is experiencing a resurgence under a new board and management. Ticket sales for Paris Rouge were higher than for any show since 2003, other than its December 2008 performances of The Nutcracker, which sold the most tickets since 2002. "We are exceeding our expectations in nearly all facets of our operations this season," stated Judith Hankins, the company's Executive Director. "Our success this year will give us a solid base to build from for next season."

Oklahoma City Ballet's upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz on March 27th, 28th and 29th is expected to be an immediate family favorite. An original adaptation of the book by L. Frank Baum, it will feature all the familiar characters including Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, the Wicked Witch of the West, and even Toto. The OKC Philharmonic will once again be in the pit to play an original orchestral score by composer Kermit Poling, who will also be the guest conductor. Call Oklahoma City Ballet at (405) 843-TOES or the Civic Center Box Office at (405) 297-2264 for tickets. Also visit www.okcballet.com.

David Rockwell Reveals Set Design Elements of the 2009 Oscars(R)

Rockwell is the First Architect to Craft the Environment for the World Renowned Academy Awards(R) Ceremony

NEW YORK, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally acclaimed architect and designer David Rockwell, who was selected by Academy Awards producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon to design the sets for this year's Oscar telecast, is now revealing select design elements of the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, airing February 22, 2009 at 8:00pm EST on ABC. The first architect to design the sets, he took his creative cue from the Kodak Theatre, which he also designed, to craft an immersive environment evocative of an intimate club.

Together with the producers, Rockwell took a fresh look at the award ceremony, and developed sets that create an atmosphere of an elegant party rather than a formal gathering. The theater and sets will be reorganized and re-envisioned to concentrate the energy for the live and broadcast audiences, powered by a visual narrative that will unfold through twelve transforming sets throughout the night.

"We created a spatial and architectural solution for the 2009 Oscars that is based on storytelling, spectacle, and community," explained David Rockwell, founder and CEO of Rockwell Group. "We wanted to use a surprising and dramatic integration of technology and movement to celebrate the awards ceremony, which has become one of the greatest shared rituals of our time."

Although most of the design will be kept a secret until the live event, there are some details that can be revealed. Rockwell created a new proscenium curtain comprised of approximately 100,000 Swarovski crystals in a variety of shapes and sizes, a nod to the high-profile fashion associated with the event. Instead of one giant flat screen to show movie clips and montages, there will be five LED screens that will transform and reconfigure, as well as 20 other still LED screens, the appearance and movement of which will be based on the needs of the choreography of the show. An elaborate bandstand will be placed on stage for a full orchestra, with the capability to move up and down the stage, and then break apart and disappear throughout the night. Rockwell also added a thrust stage to the theater, with only four steps between the stage and seating level in an effort to bring the presenters closer to the audience. On the stage floor will be an abstract floral pattern referencing the curve of the thrust stage.

Please go to www.rockwellgroup.com/oscars09 for high resolution images.

About Rockwell Group - www.rockwellgroup.com

Rockwell Group is an award winning, cross-disciplinary 150-person architecture and design firm specializing in cultural, hospitality, retail, product, and set design. Based in New York, with satellite offices in Madrid and Dubai, the firm crafts a unique narrative and an immersive environment for each project. Rockwell's interest in theater has informed much of the firm's work, including: the W Hotel, Union Square; Adour Alain Ducasse at The St. Regis New York; the central Marketplace of the JetBlue terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport; Canyon Ranch Miami Beach; the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles; Nobu restaurants worldwide; set design for Broadway's "Hairspray," and the upcoming "Houdini" and "Catch Me if You Can;" The Elinor Bunin-Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center; and the Imagination Playground initiative. David Rockwell is the 2008 recipient of the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum's National Design Award for Interior Design.

Photos: National Museum of American History and USA Weekend Magazine Partner for National Anthem YouTube Singing Contest

Winner to perform at the museum and the Baltimore Orioles game on Flag Day, June 14

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, home of the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the national anthem, has partnered with USA Weekend Magazine to launch the Star-Spangled Banner YouTube Singing Contest on Sunday, Feb. 15.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/americanhistory/37059/

"The Star-Spangled Banner is one of our nation's most treasured objects, a symbol of what this country stands for," said Brent D. Glass, director of the museum. "We thought that this contest would be a fun way to dispel the notion that history is boring and engage people with their flag and their anthem."

Fifteen semi-finalists will be selected by April 17 according to vocal performance, originality, accuracy and popularity on YouTube. All semi-finalists will receive a signed copy of the book "The Star Spangled Banner: The Making of an American Icon," and their videos will be featured on the museum's Star-Spangled Banner Web site.

The top video will be chosen by a panel of celebrities, Smithsonian judges and a representative from the Orioles and announced May 19. The winner will be invited to perform the national anthem at the museum and at the Baltimore Orioles versus Atlanta Braves game in Baltimore on Flag Day, June 14. USA Weekend will provide the winner with a trip for two to Washington, D.C., including airfare, hotel accommodation for two nights, tickets and transportation to the game and $400 spending money.

"This is the first YouTube contest at the Smithsonian and it fits well with the notion that the Star-Spangled Banner belongs to everyone," said Matthew MacArthur, the museum's director of New Media.

For contest rules, sample videos, lyrics and to enter, participants should visit the Star-Spangled Banner YouTube Singing Contest Web site. Entries may be submitted from Feb. 15 to April 13, 2009. Participants and others can follow the contest via Twitter: http://twitter.com/amhistorymuseum (@amhistorymuseum)

The National Museum of American History is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check http://americanhistory.si.edu or for general Smithsonian information, call (202) 633-1000; (202) 633-5285 (TTY).