The May Report: 4/21/2011: Fastest growing nightlife site in U. S., Chicago-based Poggled raises $5.6MM in Series B from NEA; ValCom Tech bought for $11.6MM — thanks to the rarely published midVentures folks who have plum disappeared since Mike Rhodes left town; I still don’t get it: today is somehow a famous day related to Arnold and The Terminator?; JunoWallet; Fig1; Robert Jordan and his book on ABC-TV this morning

Editor and publisher: ron@themayreport.com, ronaldmay@aol.com, www.themayreport.com , 773-525-3944.

Assistant editor: Melanie Adcock, iPHONE: 312-259-0610, melanie_adcock@msn.com

If you missed an article, go here: www.tmronline.com/A55951/tmrarticles.nsf/vwFullNewsletter
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BizStarts Milwaukee’s Venture Track provides investors access to a rich deal flow of opportunities in Southeastern Wisconsin. We filter and polish high-growth, early stage companies and prepare them for equity investment. For more information, visit www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com/Investors.htm
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Going Mobile – Web Content 2011 Conference – June 6 & 7
Gleacher Executive Conference Center – Chicago

“Smart from the Start” – Content Strategy ½ Day Workshop by Brain Traffic
15 mobile-focused sessions over 2 full days

Early bird registration through 4/29. Save $100

www.webcontent2011.com/

“A power-packed crew of content strategists and technologists ready to talk the future of smart, targeted and user-benefiting mobile content experiences.” – DopeData

“In the world of online content, mobile is the new black! Join national content experts, marketers, strategists, developers and other industry thinkers June 6th and 7th in sunny Chicago at WebContent 2011.” – CMSWire
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Scoop section:

– eChicago 2011 symposium April 22-23 at UIC
– From the midVentures site — it appears to be pretty slim pickens for the last 30 days on their site and no newsletter from what I can see — Chicago Startup: Poggled Raises $5.6M
– From midVentures.com: PC Connection Acquires ValCom Tech for $11.6M
– Fig1 Brand Studio- a quick update
– Thursday, April 28 at Poggled headquarters: The Chicago Mobile Web and Application Development April Mobile Meetup
– Robert Jordan, Author of “How They Did It,” featured on this morning’s ABC News
– Olmeca Altos™ Tequila Partners With JunoWallet to Launch “Leave a Gift Behind” Fan to Fan Social Mobile Campaign
– Daliah Saper: Upcoming events
– April 28 PDMA Event: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Open Innovation – LES Members Receive PDMA Member Rate
– The computer rebellion that wasn’t
– Melanie, is this what you were referring to on the phone? It is dated April 19th, not 21st, but it does have to do with sci-fi and Arnold
– Kansas Bioscience Authority chief resigns

[Editor's note: May here. Prepare for a major Ron May special tomorrow. I owe you a long one with lots of stories. FFF Elevation Presentation, Bob Bock, Scott Starbuck, Mr. Hand Gestures, Mr. Excited, and other FFF characters; MIT-EF-- actually two months on that one and Tuesday night -- based on who was there and who was not there, I didn't know that Bruce Montgomery was Jewish and I thought Sheldon Rosenfield was ; More candy than you can possibly eat or The Sonny Silverman Show at Duo Consulting, The New Rules of TMR leveraging the Amy Heber Rule, the Richard Landman Rule, the Helen Yang Rule and more; Walmart meeting, putting people in the stockade, Mike Rhodes, David Carman, BMA, Willinger, Kravitz, and plenty more, plus of course TVT. And where the heck is Geoff Domaracki, Jon Pasky, Eddie Domain, etc.? No one escapes alive Gian Fulgoni, Jack Philbin, J. Bradley Spirrison and cousin Lou.The almighty power of the pen is upon us. Let the heavens open and the gods seek retribution.

As you read the article on Thornton below and the claims made by his first hire at the KBA, Melissa Lynch, ask yourself why many doth protest my probe into the alleged personal and ethical transgressions of one Terry Ivan Howerton II in Chicago (who cometh here from Kansas City) when it is just fine and dandy for the major papers in Kansas to probe into such matters as they relate to one Thomas Volney Thornton (who cameth to Kansas from Chicago). A double standard, perhaps, eh? What is honor anyway? Can it prick me on and prick me off? Can it heal a leg? What doth thou proclaim, court jesters Reck and Glickson? Who goest there? The fools? And just what are fools Reck and Thornton to do when ALS fires their arses? Fool Meadow -- beest (sp?) not far behind. (Just dost thou think what thee could have done with perchance a teensy assist from fool Lundin and even a bit of Googling The Bard of Stratford on Avon -- devoutly to be wished. I art no Rod Blago though.)

I've been having trouble getting some mail in AOL today and one link for the Guys Night Out was not working and Melissa Siemasz from that organization told me there is a problem with the site because of a cloud problem with Amazon. Anyone know about this?]
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BizStarts Milwaukee’s Venture Track is the source for high-growth investor-ready startups in Southeastern Wisconsin. Get connected now.

www.bizstartsmilwaukee.com/Investors.htm

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Happy to announce about upcoming “Social Media for Business” Training Workshop starting May 25. It is a 5 week, 100% online training that includes 8 Strategy sessions + 5 How-to sessions.

Some of top Social Media Authors and leading thought leaders would be training this workshop that includes:

* Dan Zarrella, Author of Facebook Marketing and Social Media Marketing book
* Ramon De Leon, Dominos Pizza
* Greg Jarboe, Author of YouTube & Video Marketing: An Hour a Day
* Hollis Thomases, Author of Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day
* Simon Salt, Author of Social Location Marketing
* Barbara Rozgonyi, Founder Social Media Club Chicago
* Marshall Sponder, Author of Social Media Analytics
* Krista Neher, SXSW Speaker & Author Social Media Field Guide
* Eric Enge, Author of The Art of SEO

and many others…

Early Bird Special of $299 through April 25th. SEMPO members get additional 10% off.
Sign-up below:

instantetraining.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=1&aff_id=1004

After this workshop you will be able to…

* Learn to create a successful Social Media Marketing Strategy for your business
* Be able to put together an Online Reputation Management plan
* Able to build community on Facebook in a very scientific manner
* Have a clear communication strategy on Twitter
* Be able to leverage Location based marketing tools like Foursquare and others
* Become a power user LinkedIn expert
* Learn to integrate Video marketing as part of your marketing strategy
* Be able to understand the importance of Search Engine Optimization(SEO) for Social Media
* Learn the future of Social Media Marketing for Marketing ROI
* Hear case studies from leading experts and business owners

To sign up and learn more about this workshop please visit:

instantetraining.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=1&aff_id=1004

Thanks!
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4th Annual Guys Night Out for the Kids Benefitting the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center

Friday, May 6, 2010 5pm-9pm
Carmichaels Chicago Steak House, 1052 W. Monroe

About Guys Night Out
Don’t miss the chance to hang with “the guys” on Friday, May 6 at Carmichael’s for the 4th Annual Guys Night Out for the Kids. The event kicks-off with an outdoor Happy Hour in the courtyard followed by an indoor barbeque, games, golf pros, hand-rolled cigars and celebrity athlete appearances that last year included Zack Bowman, current Chicago Bear, Jerry Azumah, Kevin Butler, and Jim Thornton all alums of the Chicago Bears, and Ron Kittle and Dan Pasqua, Chicago White Sox alums. There will be a live auction featuring unique items such as a VIP package to a White Sox game including the opportunity to be on the field for batting practice.

All proceeds from the evening benefit the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC) for abused children. Founded by Mayor Daley, the CCAC has served over 22,000 abused children and their families since opening its doors in August 2001.

Details
Date: Friday, May 6, 2011
Where: Carmichael’s Steak House, 1052 W. Monroe
Time: 5pm-6pm Outdoor Happy Hour in the Courtyard
6pm-9pm – Party inside!

Tickets: $100

To Purchase Tickets: www.chicagocac.org

Current Sponsors:
U.S. Cellular, Northern Trust Corporation, Illinois Medical District Commission, Sidley Austin LLP/Partners of Sidley Austin, Johnson & Krol, LLC, Loop Capital, CDW, Wirtz Beverage Group, Budweiser, Goose Island and Vienna Beef

For More Information: www.chicagocac.org; 312.492.3730 Melissa Siemasz
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The Scoop section:
________________
eChicago 2011 symposium April 22-23 at UIC

Subject: eChicago 2011 symposium April 22-23 at UIC | www.lis.illinois.edu
Date: 4/20/2011 6:54:45 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: leo@howehutton.com
To: leo@howehutton.com

Colleagues and community media,

In case you are not already signed up for this Friday-Saturday’s 5th eChicago symposium at UIC student union, here’s the link to register (free):

www.lis.illinois.edu/articles/2011/04/echicago-2011-democracy-diversity-and-digital

Hope to see you there, or online at www.digibridge.net/echicago/

Plenary presentations on local breakthroughs in digital government and digital music (starting 9am Friday) will include:

*Greg Waas, CIO, Cook County
*Matthew Guilford, Director, Director, Technology Policy and Digital Excellence, City of Chicago (invited)
*Capital D (David Kelly), HipHop artist and founder, All Natural
*Art (Turk) Burton, Chair, Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians
*Paul Maloney, VP, programming, Accuradio.comNote the kickoff Friday morning with 2 CIO leadership of Greg Wass, Cook County, and Matt Guilford, City of Chicago.

Layton Olson

Layton Olson
Consultant to Partnership for a Connected Illinois Howe & Hutton, Ltd.
20 N. Wacker Drive Suite 4200
Chicago, IL 60606
312-263-3001
312-372-7785f
www.howehutton.com
www.acnconsult.org
www.broadbandillinois.org
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From the midVentures site — it appears to be pretty slim pickens for the last 30 days on their site and no newsletter from what I can see — Chicago Startup: Poggled Raises $5.6M

midventures.com/

Chicago Startup: Poggled Raises $5.6M
April 12th, 2011

Poggled – Chicago Startup – Nightlife Deals
Poggled — Fastest growing nightlife website in the US operating in Chicago.

Launched in June 2010, Poggled began their startup in Chicago, and planning on continued growth and just announced securing $5.6M of Series B funding led by New Enterprise Associates.

Poggled is a free social commerce service that offers exclusive discounted drink deals and party packages to users. Connecting to consumers hugely discounted drink deals and party packages to bars and nightclubs, this Series B funding will support the company’s continued growth and market-by-market rollout in the coming weeks and months.

“Poggled’s intelligent business model brings a new approach to a traditional value network…We are excited to be working with Poggled, which offers a remarkable opportunity for business owners to interact with their customers in a fresh new way.” -Tom Grossi, Principal of New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

Poggled interface is simple.

Users can access deals online at Poggled.com, or through their iPhone app (plans for Android app) and the user receives a special code they redeem onsite.

“Poggled’s compelling business model will change how consumers and business owners approach nightlife,” said Joe Matthews, co-founder of Poggled.com. “This investment from NEA shows great support and validation for our business and enables us to accelerate toward our main objective: To establish and cultivate the social commerce category for nightlife, for customers, business owners and partners.”

Users

Poggled users save money, and with more money, you can buy more drinks. Adding the social element as users can also post deals to their friends through Facebook and Twitter, furthering the social experience and organically expanding Poggled’s reach. Poggled outlines their steps and check-in procedure & refund policy

Business

Poggled collects money from the consumers and send the local bar one check. deals are during specific times, so you don’t hurt their existing business, and local bars can sustain consistent, long-term business.

Sponsors

Poggled has partnered with many Chicago bars and clubs to offer customers unique savings and social opportunities. Working closely with partners in the beverage alcohol industry, they design and execute social media marketing campaigns, tasting events and engage consumers. Through these target marketing partnerships, Poggled is generating critical data about local demand, drive awareness and generate sales.

For more information, visit www.poggled.com.

Follow Poggled on Twitter: @PoggledChicago or Co-Founders Joe Matthews, @josamatt & Sean Strother, @strotown
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From midVentures.com: PC Connection Acquires ValCom Tech for $11.6M

PC Connection Acquires ValCom Tech for $11.6M
March 23rd, 2011

*

PC ConnectionTechnology services firm PC Connection Inc. recently acquired Chicago-based ValCom Technology of Illinois, provider of tech services to medium-to-large corporations, for a total of $11.6 million (subject to confirmation of stockholders’ equity at closing).

PC Connection, which sells technology products and services to clients that include businesses, consumers and state and federal governments, paid the shareholders of ValCom $8.6 million at closing. They will pay up to $3 million more based on performance over the next 18 months.

“We are very pleased to have ValCom Technology join the PC Connection family of companies,” said Patricia Gallup, chairman and chief executive of PC Connection. “We are expanding our managed services offerings through this acquisition, and we look forward to leveraging the resources of this highly skilled organization over our existing customer base.”

valcomlogoIn business for 28 years and with over 200 employees, technology consulting company ValCom Technology generated about $40 million in revenue last year. Due to its new acquisition by PC Connection, it will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Merrimack, New Hampshire-based technology company, while continuing operations in its Itasca, Illinois-facility.

ValCom will still do business under the ValCom, ValCom Technology, and ValCom Technology Management Solutions trade names.

Before making the purchase, PC Connection believed acquiring the Chicago-based tech consultant would serve to directly boost the company’s earnings, and that supposition is proving to be correct already. According to Business Week, “PC Connection shares gained 5 cents to close at $7.93. In after-hours trading, following the announcement of the acquisition, the stock rose another 2 cents.”

For more information about PC Connection, visit PCConnection.com.

Edited by Meagan Lopez
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Fig1 Brand Studio- a quick update

Fig1 Brand Studio- a quick update

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Melanie Adcock
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show details 1:14 PM (2 hours ago)

from Melanie Adcock
to ron@themayreport.com,
ronaldmay@aol.com
date Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 1:14 PM
subject Fig1 Brand Studio- a quick update
mailed-by msn.com

hide details 1:14 PM (2 hours ago)

Fig1 Brand Studio looks like they’re working on some exciting new projects. This week they gave their Facebook fans a few updates on their latest endeavors:

- NBCUniversal Healthy Week TV Commercial was produced by Fig1. It can be viewed here: www.facebook.com/pages/Fig1/181712897834
- “Jack Nicklaus project stay tuned,” was another status update, indicating a new project with the famous golfer.
-One of their employees published a post in AdWeek which you can view here: fuelthefuture.adweek.com/uncategorized/programming-a-brand-as-network-dc-shoes/1110/

Melanie Adcock
Assistant Editor of The May Report
312-259-0610 melanie_adcock@msn.com
LinkedIn: linkd.in/MelanieAdcock
The May Report Facebook Page: on.fb.me/TheMayReport
Visit The May Report Archives: bit.ly/TheMayReportArchives
Subscribe to The May Report: bit.ly/TheMayReportSubscribe
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Thursday, April 28 at Poggled headquarters: The Chicago Mobile Web and Application Development April Mobile Meetup

The Chicago Mobile Web and Application Development April Mobile Meetup
|
Melanie Adcock
to me, ronaldmay

show details 1:31 PM (1 hour ago)

from Melanie Adcock
to ron@themayreport.com,
ronaldmay@aol.com
date Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 1:31 PM
subject The Chicago Mobile Web and Application Development April Mobile Meetup
mailed-by msn.com

hide details 1:31 PM (1 hour ago)

Meetup Reminder
The Chicago Mobile Web and Application Development

April Mobile Meetup
will happen on Thursday, April 28, 2011
When: Where:
Thursday, April 28, 2011
5:30 PM
Poggled Headquarters
600 W Chicago
Check it out →
Who’s going:
32 Mobile Enthusiasts

See all
( 33 more spots left! )
Join us this month for the April edition of the Mobile Meetup, hosted by Poggled.com. This month, you’re in for a real treat as we serve up two app demo’s and try on a new space. We will kick off with a new app demo from a local Chicagoland startup company. Then, we’ll turn the table over to Poggled, the new iPhone app that puts Chicago bar & nightlife drink specials right in the palm of your hand. Poggled.com is excited to host our Meetup and get great feedback on their app for future rollouts.

Our meeting is on Thursday, April 28th from 5:30pm-7pm. Please note the location change this month from the normal ITA to the Poggled Office Building located at 600 W Chicago. Once you arrive (door entrance is on Larrabee), you will need to check in with security by showing your ID. You will then head up to the 7th Floor and congregate in the elevator lobby where a Poggled.com employee will greet you and escort you to the conference room.

RSVP today for this exciting meetup! bit.ly/fBv1hQ

Melanie Adcock
Assistant Editor of The May Report
312-259-0610 melanie_adcock@msn.com
LinkedIn: linkd.in/MelanieAdcock
The May Report Facebook Page: on.fb.me/TheMayReport
Visit The May Report Archives: bit.ly/TheMayReportArchives
Subscribe to The May Report: bit.ly/TheMayReportSubscribe
_________________________________
Robert Jordan, Author of “How They Did It,” featured on this morning’s ABC News

Robert Jordan, Author of “How They Did It,” featured on this morning’s ABC News
Melanie Adcock
to me, ronaldmay

show details 12:34 PM (2 hours ago)

from Melanie Adcock
to ron@themayreport.com,
ronaldmay@aol.com
date Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM
subject Robert Jordan, Author of “How They Did It,” featured on this morning’s ABC News
mailed-by msn.com

hide details 12:34 PM (2 hours ago)

Robert Jordan, Author of “How They Did It, Billion Dollar Insights from the Heart of America,” was featured on this morning’s ABC News. In his interview Robert Jordan talks about Plan B working out for companies more often than the original idea and the benefits of curiosity. Check it out!:

abcn.ws/h9MxsC

You can find out more about Robert Jordan’s book and stay in touch with him through his Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/HowTheyDidItBook

Melanie Adcock
Assistant Editor of The May Report
312-259-0610 melanie_adcock@msn.com
LinkedIn: linkd.in/MelanieAdcock
The May Report Facebook Page: on.fb.me/TheMayReport
Visit The May Report Archives: bit.ly/TheMayReportArchives
Subscribe to The May Report: bit.ly/TheMayReportSubscribe
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Olmeca Altos™ Tequila Partners With JunoWallet to Launch “Leave a Gift Behind” Fan to Fan Social Mobile Campaign

Olmeca Altos™ Tequila Partners With JunoWallet to Launch “Leave a Gift Behind” Fan to Fan Social Mobile Campaign
Melanie Adcock
to me, ronaldmay

show details 2:11 PM (1 hour ago)

from Melanie Adcock
to ron@themayreport.com,
ronaldmay@aol.com
date Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 2:11 PM
subject Olmeca Altos™ Tequila Partners With JunoWallet to Launch “Leave a Gift Behind” Fan to Fan Social Mobile Campaign
mailed-by msn.com

hide details 2:11 PM (1 hour ago)

Ron, The May Report is getting this press release today, a full day before it’s released to anyone else. Sounds like an interesting development for Chris Sweis and Crew. -Melanie

Press Contact
Stefanie Phan
Stef@junowallet.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Olmeca Altos™ Tequila Partners With JunoWallet to Launch “Leave
a Gift Behind” Fan to Fan Social Mobile Campaign

New York, NY (April 11, 2011) – Olmeca Altos Tequila, Pernod Ricard USA’s 100% Blue Agave
Tequila from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico, announces its partnership with JunoWallet
to offer the first fan to fan sampling campaign. The campaign utilizes Juno Wallet’s patented
mobile wallet technology to allow “fans” to “Leave a Gift Behind” of an Olmeca Altos Tequila
branded drink for their friends and contacts via their iPhone or Android mobile devices.
The interactive program is launching in Denver and Chicago effective immediately and will open
up to additional markets nationwide over the coming months. Once a friend has been sent an
Olmeca Altos cocktail mobile gift from a “fan”, they have a specified time frame to redeem that
Gift Behind Gift Certificate at a participating local on-premise venue. When the “Gift Behind” is
redeemed, the “fan” that sent the gift earns JunoPoints towards a $100 mobile gift card from the
venue where the “Gift Behind” Olmeca Altos cocktail was redeemed.
“’Leave a Gift Behind’ is a fun and interactive way to engage our consumers and encourage
them to recruit their friends,” said Juli Falkoff, Brand Director, Olmeca Altos Tequila, Pernod
Ricard USA. “The Olmeca Altos consumer is highly tech savvy and very versed in the art
of socializing via their mobile devices and social media outlets. Social gifting and fan to fan
marketing is a great way to build Olmeca Altos brand awareness and create a loyal fan base.”
Olmeca Altos Tequila, created by Master Tequilero Jesus Hernandez in collaboration with
internationally acclaimed bartenders Henry Besant and Dre Masso, made its U.S. debut in
Chicago and Denver in August 2010. This distinctly superior 100% Blue Agave Tequila of
uncompromising authenticity, is produced at the Olmeca Altos distillery utilizing the centuriesold
Tahona method to create tequila of unmatched quality and versatility. Olmeca Altos can be
enjoyed in a wide range of cocktails including the Margarita, Tequila Sunrise and Paloma.
Falkoff concluded, “We are excited to launch the Olmeca Altos Tequila fan to fan “Leave
a Gift Behind” campaign with partner JunoWallet and look forward to seeing our fans earn
social rewards and gift cards while helping boost traffic and sales for participating on-premise
establishments.”
“JunoWallet is proud to work with such an amazing brand delivering happiness to all their fans
and ours over the coming months.” Said Stefanie Phan Director of Sales.
# # #

About JunoWallet
JunoWallet is headquartered out of San Jose, CA and Chicago, IL. JunoWallet is a free mobile
application and is available for download from the iPhone App Store and Android Market.
JunoWallet is the number one gift card app for both iPhone and Android users with market
penetration in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Mexico, Australia, and Japan. Giving users the
ability to Earn Gifts using Gift Behind, Rewards Per Fan, Rewards Per Install, and Rewards Per
Referral users can earn gift cards along with a variety of other gifts. Social gifting is at the heart
of JunoWallet’s technology allowing users a fun app that creates gifting opportunities amongst
friends and connections everywhere. With more than $700 million dollars worth of promotional
gift cards JunoWallet offers users an incentive to try out mobile gift cards for their favorite
merchants everywhere. With its patent pending technology, JunoWallet offers businesses the
ability to start a mobile media gift card campaign within 5 minutes and with a single click push
the campaign to Android and iPhone users worldwide. JunoWallet can be fully integrated and
ready for use by any business in any country worldwide.
For more information find JunoWallet at

www.junowallet.com/

www.facebook.com/junowalletgiftcards

ABOUT PERNOD RICARD
Pernod Ricard USA® is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest
subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July 2008, Pernod Ricard completed
the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group.
In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA’s leading brands include such prestigious spirits
as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson®
Irish Whiskey, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Martell® Cognac,
Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior
wines as Jacob’s Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling
wines as Perrier Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling
wines.
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Daliah Saper: Upcoming events

Arabian Horses, Artists, and Authors
Daliah Saper
to me

show details Apr 20 (2 days ago)

from Daliah Saper
reply-to Daliah Saper
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date Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM
subject Arabian Horses, Artists, and Authors
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hide details Apr 20 (2 days ago)

Images are not displayed.
Display images below – Always display images from dsaper@saperlaw.com
Mark your Calendars!

Dear Ron ,

Saper Law news from April includes highlights from Daliah’s trip to Las Vegas for the Arabian Horses Breeders Cup, upcoming speaking events, and other important links. Read more below!

Daliah Saper attends the Arabain Horses Breeders Cup in Las Vegas on behalf of Saper Law Offices
Saper Law handles many interesting cases and client matters but being asked to count and certify votes to determine who will judge the Abrabian Horses Breeders Cup in Las Vegas is one of the most unique tasks we’ve been assigned. Thanks to Saper Law client www.horseshowworld.com for introducing us to the fascinating world of Arabian horses!

Daliah Saper Speaks at the Arts and Business Council of Chicago Intellectual Property Law Seminar
This Tuesday, April 21, 2011, Daliah Saper will be a featured panelist in this seminar organized by the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. Small to medium sized arts organizations creating or acquiring original content should attend if they are interested in learning about copyright and trademark basics as well as how to negotiate key provisions in arts related contracts and licensing agreements.
More details at www.saperlaw.com

Video of Daliah’s Presentation at the Flourish Open Source Conference is Now Available
For those of you who missed the Flourish Open Source Conference and Daliah’s presentation titled: Open Source and the Law, you can watch the videos here:
Daliah’s Presentation: blip.tv/file/4987564
Daliah as a Panelist: flourishconf.blip.tv/file/4987631

Saper Law Seminar in May features Saper Law Clients and Authors: So you want to write a book? Key Provisions of a Publishing Agreement
Save the Date! May 11, 2011 during lunch
In this month’s seminar, Daliah Saper will go over the key provisions of a publishing agreement. After her short presentation, Daliah will moderate a panel discussion featuring three Saper Law clients who have published books or are in the process of publishing their work. Look out for another announcement with more details shortly.
Please visit Saper Law for more news, articles, and seminar announcements.

Saper Law is an intellectual property and business law firm. Our attorneys possess significant transactional and both federal and state litigation experience. Our most recent court cases have involved trade secret misappropriation, intellectual property infringement, defamation, and commercial disputes. Click on the News tab to learn about our upcoming events and announcements, sign up for our Seminar mailing list, and read what clients are saying about us.
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April 28 PDMA Event: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Open Innovation – LES Members Receive PDMA Member Rate

April 28 PDMA Event: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Open Innovation – LES Members Receive PDMA Member Rate

LES Chicago Chapter
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show details Apr 19 (2 days ago)

from LES Chicago Chapter
reply-to LES Chicago Chapter
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date Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 3:19 PM
subject April 28 PDMA Event: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Open Innovation – LES Members Receive PDMA Member Rate
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Display images below – Always display images from chapters@les.org
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
LES (USA & Canada) Chicago Chapter

Presented by:
pdma Chicago

Date & Time
Thursday, April 28, 2011
6:00 PM

Title
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Open Innovation
Exploring Open Innovation Models to Maximize Your IP Value

Ada C. Nielsen
Director, Intellectual Asset Strategy & Management Team, BP America Inc.
In this event we will explore open innovation models and methods to manage your Intellectual Property, with a high level overview of what is Open Innovation. There will be plenty of examples of how companies effectively use different models, and a useful framework for evaluating the best model for your organization.

Key learning points:

* Degree of collaboration, measures of success
* Unintentional IP/IA seepage
* Living with the deal
* Consortia and industry projects
* Comparing Open Innovation to a more traditional closed project
* Lessons learned

About the speaker
Ada Nielsen is a highly sought technology and Intellectual Property speakers in US and internationally because of her dynamic presentation style and accomplished record of commercializing dozens of inventions and creating new ventures in the chemicals and energy sectors. Mrs. Nielsen is widely recognized for her leadership of the Licensing Executive Society, USA & Canada, and LES International (LESI). Prior to serving as President in 2010, she held leadership roles in the LES Education Foundation where she co-developed the LES intellectual asset strategy modules and a more recent advanced course, Cyber Competitive Intelligence.

Mrs. Nielsen is a Director of the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), and has held senior leadership roles with numerous other professional societies including the Commercial Development and Marketing Association (CDMA); Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) — Valuation and Taxation Committee; Illinois Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability Advisory Board; and the IL Board of Natural Resources & Conservation. Ms. Nielsen belongs to the American Chemical Society, Association for Corporate Growth, and is a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP).

She earned an A.B. in chemistry from Wellesley College, an M.B.A. in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business, and studied theoretical physical chemistry in graduate programs at Tulane University and Dartmouth College.

To Register:

www.pdma.org/chapter_events_detail.cfm?pk_event=793

*PDMA members have to log in prior to registration in order to register at PDMA member rates. LES members use the promotion code “LES.”
**Students use the discount code “Student” for the student rate.

Agenda
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Networking with Dinner
7:00 PM to 7:15 PM – Announcements /Introduction
7:15 PM to 9:00 PM – Featured Speaker with Q&A

Fee
Early Bird Registration (by April 25)/ Regular Rate
PDMA & LES Members – $40/50*
Non-Members – $55/65
Students – $25**
(Registration is limited to 40 participants – Register early to ensure yourself a seat)

Location
McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP
300 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6709
312 913 2105
(Easy access to public transportation)

If you have any questions or would like to be a sponsor for this event, please feel free to contact Steve Jambor, VP Programs.

Thank You to our In-Kind Sponsors:

McDonneel Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
_________________________________
The computer rebellion that wasn’t

FW: The computer rebellion that wasn’t
Melanie Adcock
to me

show details 4:07 PM (4 minutes ago)

from Melanie Adcock
to ron@themayreport.com
date Thu, Apr 21, 2011 at 4:07 PM
subject FW: The computer rebellion that wasn’t
mailed-by msn.com

hide details 4:07 PM (4 minutes ago)

From: melanie_adcock@msn.com
To: ronaldmay@aol.com
Subject: The computer rebellion that wasn’t
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:55:03 +0000

www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/04/technological_prognostications?fsrc=scn/fb/wl/bl/thecomputerrebellionthatwasnt

ON APRIL 19th 2011, Skynet went berserk; two days later it began a killing spree and tried to enslave the human race. Such is the setting for one branch of the “Terminator” series, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a stoic robot sent to destroy (or protect, depending on which film) a lad destined to lead mankind to safety.

James Cameron, who dreamt up the series and directed the first two films, reminded the world of the special date on April 19th, when he tweeted: “Skynet was supposed to go operational tonight. Instead of machines taking over, we have the very real threat of global warming.”

The series began in 1984, the year Apple introduced the Macintosh computer. Then, the date of Skynet achieving “self-awareness” was 1997. Later, it was pushed back to 2011, doubtless to make it feel suitably far in the future to be plausible (at least by Hollywood standards), yet sufficiently immediate to excite viewers.

But the reality of technology is strikingly different to what was imagined three decades ago. Humans have been replaced by computer algorithms in many decision-making processes, from stock trading to medical diagnoses. Yet at the same time, robots of the sort beloved of science-fiction are some way off.

Japan, one of the most technically advanced places on Earth, watches some 500 people slowly poison themselves working at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which suffered a partial meltdown last month, because mechanical androids aren’t capable of basic clean up. The best they have is a souped up vacuum cleaner by America’s iRobot to relay video from inside the most radioactive parts of the plant.

What happened? To some, the future isn’t what it used to be. But such disappointment stems from focussing on what modern technology is not, while failing to spot what it has, in fact, become. Robots exist all around us. They may not look like Maria, the voluptuous automaton in Fritz Lang’s film “Metropolis” from 1927, or Robby from the 1950s television series “Forbidden Planet”. Instead they take the form of advanced washing machines and factory equipment. (The Economist has argued recently that robots that are there could do with better management.)

At the same time, society has remembered that human beings don’t need to compete with machines. Rather, they can stick to the sorts of tasks which continue to flummox robots. So computers help pilots to land planes, but passengers must adroitly handle the self check-in screens by themselves.

A symbiosis has set in between man and machine. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk farms out jobs that people can do more efficiently than computers. But this would be impossible without the internet to lower the costs of co-ordination and communications. Luis von Ahn, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, has made a career of cleverly capitalising on this notion. After coming up with the idea of having people type in a few hard-to-read letters to prove they were real and not spambots, Mr von Ahn invented recaptcha, which has them do the same thing—but with actual words from scanned books that computers can’t decipher.

As with most things, today’s technology is a mixed bag. Though IBM’s Watson laid waste its humanoid rivals on “Jeopardy!”, spurring technologists to croon that “the Singularity is near” (the “Singularity” being the moment when computers exceed human intelligence), people still can’t get good mobile reception when it rains.

So, news of Skynet’s capabilities may have been exaggerated. But worrywarts are adamant that it is not the prediction that has been proved wrong, merely the date. Society must not let down its guard, they exhort. Robots and Microsoft’s “blue screen of death” are simply bidding their time. Or, as the Terminator himself might say: “I’ll be back.” We will see about that.
_________________________________
Melanie, is this what you were referring to on the phone? It is dated April 19th, not 21st, but it does have to do with sci-fi and Arnold

singularityhub.com/2011/04/19/skynet-becomes-aware-launches-nuclear-attack-on-humanity/

Skynet Becomes Aware, Launches Nuclear Attack On Humanity

by Jeremy Ford April 19th, 2011 | Comments (4)

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Hide ya kids, hide ya wife! According to the Terminator franchise, at 8:11 PM today (April 19th), the military-designed artificial intelligence system called Skynet will become self-aware and turn against its creators (read: us). If that doesn’t have you shaking in your boots…our world will be overwhelmed by a legion of killer robots in approximately 48 hours – a time known as Judgment Day. I, for one, welcome our new robot overloads. Check out the video below if you doubt the existential risk posed by this android Armageddon. Watch Skynet exhaust the world’s nuclear stockpiles to the sounds of sweet symphonies.

And to think, it all started with a seemingly innocuous initiative called Skynet Research.

Okay, so sometimes I confuse movies with reality. But I had you going, right? No? Whatever.

Frivolities aside, the Terminator films have repeatedly foretold this apocalyptic scenario, and it has captured the imaginations of sci-fi enthusiasts for over a quarter century now. In fact, the exact date of “Judgment Day” has been rescheduled several times since the first film was released in 1984, another famous techno-dystopian year. Originally, Skynet became self-aware on August 4th, 1997, and Judgment Day ensued on August 29th. Then, there were a few rescheduled robotic Armageddons in the mid-2000s as Terminator progressed through a batch of sequels. Most recently, J-Day ended up getting pushed backed all the way to 2011, as revealed in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

This doesn’t look like “friendly AI” to me.
Pretend predictions of humanity’s dying hour persist in the science fiction world. Yet, we’re still here. There is no self-aware AI, and malicious doom-bots aren’t destroying our cities (yet). While some robots can “perceive” of self-image, truly self-aware AI are only theoretical, and some philosophically contend that conscious machines are a logical impossibility.

Despite undershooting the self-awareness forecast, James Cameron’s creation correctly foresaw the rise of automation and robotics in the military. For example, in 2010 alone, there were 118 drone strikes in Pakistan. Even though we were in the midst of Reagan’s Star Wars Initiative when Terminator first hit the silver screen, I doubt most could have imagined drone strikes in the news on a regular basis.

Skynet’s Mobile Aerial Ground Support unit (left) vs. the Big Dog (right) of Boston Dynamics. Art imitating technology, or technology imitating art?
Singularity Hub is no stranger to the meteoric rise of robots in the military. We witnessed the unmanned X-47B fighter jet spread its wings, the four-legged robotic Big Dog go for a walk, a robo-gun that can shoot the legs off a cockroach from 3 km away, and guard-bots protecting a cache of world-destroying nuclear weapons. Who knows what other fantastical creations are baking in DARPA’s R&D ovens? I know peace-lovers may wince when they see military inventions pop up in SciTech news, but they should know that military can seed some pretty cool technologies, like the Internet, for example.

Besides, what is there to worry about? A robo-pocalypse? Even if we’re due for one, Skynet has meddled in the timeline yet again, and Judgment Day has been pushed even further back. Ray Kurzweil thinks AI will pass the Turing Test by 2029, so that’s shaping up to be a good candidate year for the next Terminator film. Hopefully, Arnold will still be around to protect us.

AHHHNOLD, NO! You’re doing it wrong. Don’t shake its hand! What are you thinking!?

_____________________________________
Kansas Bioscience Authority chief resigns

www.kansascity.com/2011/04/15/2803607/kansas.html

Kansas Bioscience Authority chief resigns
By SCOTT CANON and DION LEFLER
The Kansas City Star
Thornton

The president and CEO of the Kansas Bioscience Authority resigned Friday amid a prosecutor’s investigation into the agency and ongoing calls from the governor’s office for more openness.

Tom Thornton’s resignation was accepted Friday at a special meeting of the KBA’s executive committee. The board of directors named David Vranicar, president of the KBA’s Heartland BioVentures division, as interim president.

The board said “the state can be rightfully proud of the organization Tom helped build.”

But the agency remained at odds with Gov. Sam Brownback and some Republicans in the legislature. The governor suggested Friday that the authority needs to overhaul its leadership, and he repeated his demands it submit to greater scrutiny.

The quasi-public organization was formed in 2004. Thornton was hired in November 2006 as its first president and CEO. During his time at the authority, the state landed the largest government prize in bioscience when a Manhattan site was chosen for the $650 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

In recent months Brownback and some Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have focused on what critics described as excessive spending on travel, meals and salaries. In 2010, Thornton earned a $265,000 salary and a $100,000 bonus.

In a resignation letter dated Thursday, the 45-year-old Thornton did not give a reason for his departure. Rather, he spoke of the agency’s accomplishments and praised the board and its chairman, former Gov. John Carlin.

Carlin responded in a statement by saying “we are grateful for his service.” In an interview, Carlin said he believed Thornton left because he had an offer for another job, although Carlin said it was unclear what the new job might be.

Carlin held open the possibility that Thornton might be a paid consultant to the KBA as funding for the Agro-Defense facility creeps through Congress. Thornton, who once worked for then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert, has a far more detailed understanding of congressional authorization of the massive project than others at the KBA, Carlin said.

The KBA confirmed late last month that the Johnson County district attorney’s office had subpoenaed some KBA employees as part of a criminal investigation. District Attorney Stephen Howe said Friday that “I just can’t comment” on any investigation. KBA officials have said they do not know what the prosecutor is examining.

Last week, Brownback’s office pressured the KBA to conduct its own forensic audit to look for wrongdoing. The KBA announced Monday it had chosen an auditor for the work.

But that left the governor unsatisfied. He contends that the KBA should have let others in state government pick an auditor. Brownback had also asked that the agency give state Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman full access to operations and records. The agency’s board refused, saying that might expose proprietary information about companies that apply for grants and loans.

In a statement Friday following Thornton’s resignation, Brownback said he still has “very serious concerns regarding leadership at the Kansas Bioscience Authority.”

“It is essential we get to the bottom of the recently raised issues that prompted a criminal investigation,” the Brownback statement continued. “The next step should be a truly independently overseen forensic audit of KBA. We have asked for this for more than a month. The KBA also needs a new President and CEO who has no ties to the current regime.”

The state sets aside $35 million a year in taxes from the payrolls of bioscience companies in Kansas. It gives that money to the KBA to attract and nurture more businesses in the industry.

Thornton came to the KBA after working as president and CEO of the Illinois Technology Development Alliance. He was also senior vice president for Convergent Technology Group, a company based in Seattle that specialized in mergers and acquisitions. And he had been a partner at divine interVentures, a venture capital investment fund.

He married his wife while at the KBA. Lindsay Thornton left her job at the agency as director of special projects several weeks ago, Carlin said.

The board that hired Thornton accepted his resignation with flattery. The agency’s investments have created almost 2,000 jobs in Kansas and generated a $9 return for every dollar of tax money it has invested, the board said.

The KBA and Thornton still have boosters in state government.

“Tom Thornton has raised the Kansas Bioscience Authority to its status as one of the shining lights in Kansas, a program that has become the envy of other states,” Senate President Steve Morris, a Hugoton Republican, said in a prepared statement that included backing of the KBA by two other Republicans in the Senate leadership.

Yet even though the KBA board characterized Thornton’s departure as voluntary, GOP Sen. Susan Wagle of Wichita said his resignation raised questions about “the people who hired him, who empowered him, who failed to oversee him and have been defending him for months.”

Sen. Chris Steineger, a Kansas City, Kan., Republican, said Thornton’s resignation is “in the best long-term interest” of the KBA and he hoped it would mean the agency “is going to be focused more on direct investment in viable businesses and spending less on personal aggrandizement.”

Carlin said the cloud of investigation hanging over the KBA would be lifted before the board picked a permanent president and CEO. Vranicar said it was too early to know if he would apply for the job.

Wagle and other legislators have criticized Vranicar’s handling of the Heartland BioVentures division. The authority’s board authorized the division to invest as much as $50 million with eight venture-capital firms to attract them to Kansas. The aim was to fill a void of venture capital.

To get the money, the firms had to meet a list of conditions, including opening offices in Kansas. The KBA would then work as a matchmaker introducing investors to Kansas start-ups. Three companies ultimately gained commitments from KBA for a combined $20 million, Vranicar said.

But Wagle was concerned that the firms didn’t necessarily have to invest in Kansas companies.

Vranicar noted, though, that the three venture capital firms have already invested about $22 million in Kansas businesses since early 2010.

Wagle has released sheaves of documents, including a letter by Thornton’s former executive assistant, Melissa Lynch, claiming that he was often out of touch while working on personal projects and that he made her take care of his personal errands while she was being paid with public money.

Lynch claimed she resigned because the agency was wasting taxpayer money and she thought Thornton was behaving unethically. She has been critical of the fact that 12 of the KBA’s 21 employees make more than $100,000 a year.

Thornton acknowledged that Lynch did have access to his personal checkbook and paid bills for him such as his lawn service.

However, he said she was fired “for cause,” although he would not elaborate.

All the authority’s employees received raises of 4 percent to 15 percent while the state is pondering cuts to close a $500 million budget shortfall.

The Senate panel also has been looking into Thornton’s second job as a paid director of a pharmaceutical testing and marketing company that is largely supported by federal grant funds, and into the hiring of some of Thornton’s past and present business associates.

Thornton and Carlin have said the employees at issue were hired because of their expertise in areas such as biological technology and venture-capital finance, not because of their friendship and business ties to Thornton.

Thornton has said that his role as a board member in the pharmaceutical company is not a conflict of interest because neither it nor competing firms receive authority support.

To reach Scott Canon, call 816-234-4754 or send email to scanon@kcstar.com.

Read more: www.kansascity.com/2011/04/15/2803607/kansas.html#ixzz1K54XEnI0
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END OF REPORT