Science

FreeATM, an advertising-driven surcharge-free ATM network, unveiled today its first phase of FreeATMs across New York City. With a focus on merging marketing with consumer commerce, FreeATM’s footprint in phase one will cover twenty-five (25) locations in three boroughs including Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queens.

“New York thrives on two things: coffee & cash. Both are the lifeblood of this city. However, in communities where consumers don’t have access to their bank, consumers are left with only one option, paying a fee at independently owned and operated ATMs. For the first time, consumers now have a surcharge-free option at these independent ATMs. Any customer from any bank can use our FreeATMs and save $1.00 to $3.00 by simply watching an advertisement from a targeted brand. We hope that our customers in turn, spend locally within their communities, strengthening our great city,” notes Co-Founder & CEO, Clinton Townsend.

With strong demand from retail stores across New York City, FreeATM has already enrolled a total of 55 locations in the weeks leading up to today’s announcement. The next phase of 30 locations will be available to consumers in December, 2014.

Brands and their agencies seeking to create awareness, call to action, and/or cause marketing campaigns are provided a unique set of attributes from which to target and engage specific audiences based on geographic location, venue type, day part, demographic, & socioeconomic status.

Alongside advertising content, consumers will stay informed while on the go about national and local news through a partnership with Metro.US, whereby content will be delivered to FreeATM’s toppers daily.

FreeATM is made possible through the support of forward thinking investors led by Ithaca-based, Cayuga Venture Fund (CVF), including: Mogility Capital, Kima Ventures, Cornell University’s BR Venture Fund, TJNS Capital and a select group of angel investors spanning private equity, asset management, and consulting.

“Cayuga Venture Fund is thrilled to back an offering that provides such unique value by disrupting the status quo,” says Ken Rother, Venture Partner at CVF. “FreeATM’s vision provides consumers with saving and digital advertisers with a new out home screen, all while providing ATM operators and location owners with a revenue stream backed by a service that consumers will embrace instead of the current negative feelings toward high fee ATMs.”

Core to FreeATM’s market strategy is filling the void of a true software platform that allows for seamless media planning, content management, and distribution to digital screens of ATMs and Toppers. As part of the initial launch, FreeATM has secured partnerships with three of the Tri-State area’s largest ATM operators who will integrate the company’s software and operate FreeATMs in New York City as part of the beta; each with existing portfolios ranging from 1,000 – 3,500 ATMs. The beta will run inNew York City for the first 250 ATMs before expanding regionally to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Ballistic Protection Market by Type, sub-type , & by Application – Global Forecasts & Analysis to 2014 – 2020” report to their offering.

The global ballistic protection market was valued at $7.90 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach $11.03 billion by the end of 2020, to grow at a CAGR of 5.11%.

This report segments the ballistic protection market on the basis of aircraft type, regions, and countries. Further, it contains revenue forecasts and analyses technological trends that are predominant in this market. The geographical analysis contains an in-depth classification for North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, which contains major countries that cover the respective markets. The sections and sub-segments in the report would contain drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, and current market trends that are expected to revolutionize the ballistic protection market.

Key players profiled in the ballistic protection market report are Teijin Limited (Japan), Honeywell International (U.S.), BAE systems (U.K.), Royal TenCate Corporate EMEA (Netherland), E.L. Dupont DE Nemours & Co. (France).

The ballistic protection market can be segmented into two major types-personal protective equipment and vehicle armor. Personal protective equipment (PPE) consists of protective clothing, helmets, goggles, and other equipment designed to safeguard the personnel’s’ body from external injuries. PPE protects the body from hazards that include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, and bio hazards. PPE in the defense industry can be further segmented into soft armor, hard armor, and protective head gear.

Soft body armor is used in regular bullet and stab resistant vests, and hard armor, which is rigid reinforced body armor, and is, used in high risk situations by police tactical units and combat soldiers. Protective head gear mainly refers to high-quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar and aramid, which possess excellent bullet and fragmentation stopping power. Vehicle armor refers to the armor plating used mainly in military vehicles to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets, missiles, or shells, protecting the personnel inside from the enemy attack.

Polk Audio and Definitive Technology have launched their first national brand campaigns designed to highlight the powerful sound and immersive music listening experiences created by their new wireless music systems. Admired by audiophiles and music lovers alike, and renowned by the audio industry for pioneering decades of innovation and high-performance sound, Polk and Definitive Technology have developed multichannel advertising campaigns to celebrate both brands’ legacy of design and engineering expertise and communicate their continued commitment to bringing great-sounding music systems to the consumer.

“Polk and Definitive Technology have built a longstanding reputation for sound and product excellence, and we felt that now was the time to communicate how we continue to set the bar so high with the debut of the brands’ wireless music systems,” said Blair Tripodi, Chief Marketing Officer of Sound United, a division of DEI Holdings. “The campaign creative shows what makes our brands unique and our sound quality superior through disruptive ad concepts designed to cut through the clutter of more mainstream advertising. We are excited to share our campaign with our customers in a fun and engaging way that brings our new wireless music systems to life.”

Both companies tapped DOJO, a San Francisco-based advertising agency, to develop the creative campaigns that will be used primarily in digital, Internet radio and out-of-home advertisements with supporting social, mobile and local consumer activations in top markets.

Using the theme “Festivals,” Polk’s campaign expands on the brand’s passion for music. Founded in 1972 by three college grads in their small garage, the brand has remained steadfast in its commitment to innovating and pushing the limits of technology to deliver an authentic sound that allows consumers to live their love for music to the fullest anywhere in their home. With the debut of its first wireless music system, Polk seeks to transform people’s home into the ultimate music festival so they can make their favorite music truly come alive.

Definitive Technology’s loudspeakers have been praised by audio critics and consumer audiophiles for their premium materials, precise workmanship and uncompromising sound quality. The campaign theme, “What Obsession Sounds Like,” demonstrates its unyielding pursuit of achieving sound perfection through its first wireless music system crafted to produce flawless, uncompromising and superior music. Ads feature Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter John Legend, Definitive Technology’s brand ambassador.

To complement the campaign launch, Polk and Definitive Technology have created dedicated landing pages on their websites to view video content, learn more about their wireless music systems’ product features, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the category. Additionally, Polk has created a digital concert poster generator for consumers to create their own customized home music festival promotional materials with others. The generator allows for people to upload personal photos from social media, create personalized messages and choose from a series of color palettes and visual styles with a contest launching later this fall.

Compass Datacenters has implemented a unique new training program for customers that helps ensure that when they get the keys to their new data center facility, the handover and startup processes are seamless and successful. In collaboration with Schneider Electric and Lee Technologies, Compass has created a series of 16 video-based training seminars that are designed to prepare customers and each member of their data center team to successfully assume control of their new data center facility and begin operations. The training videos are designed to work hand-in-hand with Compass’ detailed operational documentation, including both Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Operating Procedures.

“The data center industry does a lot of things well, but one clear area of weakness has always been the way we as an industry hand over completed data center facilities to customers. Customers too often get inadequate support once they get the keys to a new data center, and that’s not fair to them, especially when you consider the complexity of data centers today,” said Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters. “Data center providers should do more, and Compass is setting a new standard for that level of support with our CompassCare program.”

“Handing over the keys to a new data center isn’t the end of the process for a data center provider. It should be the beginning of a new phase of a data center provider’s work with a customer,” said Rebecca Brese, Senior Vice President of Quality and Service at Compass. “This new video training program is one of the ways Compass is helping set customers up to succeed as soon as they walk into their new facility no matter if they buy or lease the facility. In addition, this training resource also ensures operational excellence over time by allowing new employees to receive the same training that a data center’s original staff receives.”

This video training program expands the support services that Compass provides to customers through CompassCare™. For customers that choose to operate their Compass data center with their own personnel (rather than have Compass manage it on their behalf), Compass Datacenters provides a full set of support services including:

• This new video-based training and hands-on training about key issues such as BMS operation, HVAC and electrical system maintenance, fire alarm/protection system operation, generator maintenance and more
• A comprehensive suite of documentation for all aspects of the facility’s operation, including both standard operations and emergency operations
• A warranty program that provides peace of mind and risk mitigation for customers, including the availability of extended warranties for key components that customers may want to back with stronger protection
• Special support for upgrades and changes that customers may want to make in the future, via Compass’ preferred relationships with vendors for enhanced solutions related to BMS, DCiM, security, HVAC and more
• Quarterly performance and business reviews to ensure aligned priorities.

ATK (NYSE: ATK), a world-leading producer of ammunition, precision weapons and rocket motors, announced today that it has received $65 million in contracts for medium- and large-caliber ammunition. These awards provide training and tactical ammunition for air, land and sea platforms, and advanced capabilities for existing ground platforms, providing combat overmatch against current and future threats.

The contracts awarded include both domestic and international orders for 25mm, 30mm and 120mm tactical and training ammunition.

The contracts were awarded through U.S. Army Maneuver Ammunition Systems in its role as the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition.

“The cornerstone of our business remains the production of proven tactical and training ammunition,” said Dan Olson, vice president and general manager of ATK’s Armament Systems division. “Also, providing advanced rounds such as programmable air bursting ammunition for platforms armed with our MK44Bushmaster^® Automatic Cannons enables superior warfighting capabilities for existing systems to defeat future threats without the requirement for new weapons and weapons platforms.”

“ATK’s broad ammunition expertise, proven through its production of millions of rounds and development of advanced capabilities, enables us to meet the continued demands of our customers,” said Mike Kahn, president of ATK’s Defense Group. “We are focused on providing both the U.S. military and our allies with safe, reliable and high-performing ammunition for everything from individual weapons to large-caliber tank rounds.”

The large-caliber ammunition award included funding to deliver 120mm, M1002 Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank, Target Practice with Tracer, designed for use with the M1A1/A2 Abrams main battle tank. This award provides for the final year of a multi-year contract previously awarded to ATK for tank training ammunition.

Medium caliber orders included an international order for the MK310 Programmable Air Bursting Munition (ABM) with Tracer from the Belgian Army for use with their Piranha III combat vehicles outfitted with ATK-produced MK44 cannons with ABM fuze setting capability.

Additional orders include the 30mm PGU-13 High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) cartridge; the LW30mm M788 Target Practice and M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose tactical round; the 25mm M792 HEI-T using the ATK-developed self-destruct fuze; and the 25mm PGU-23 untraced target practice cartridge.

Ammunition production occurs at ATK-managed facilities located within Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, West Virginia; Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri; and New River Energetics in Radford, Virginia. Program management for medium- and large-caliber ammunition is performed from ATK’s Armament Systems division in Plymouth, Minnesota.

ATK’s Defense Group is an industry leader in providing innovative and affordable ammunition, precision and strike weapons, electronic warfare systems, and missile components across air-, sea-, and land-based systems.

The snowy mountains of Maine will once again echo with the throaty roar of 900-horsepower off-road Pro 4 trucks as Red Bull Frozen Rush returns to the slopes for the second year in a row on January 8-9, 2015. The raw power and impressive speed of these machines will be put to the test by some of Mother Nature’s harshest winter conditions, as the trucks race head-to-head over jumps, around gates and down ski slopes. The action-packed competition will air on NBC as part of the year-long Red Bull Signature Series, the most progressive action sports event property in the world.

In 2014, Sunday River Ski Resort, just a few short hours north of Boston, played host to eight of the country’s best professional off-road truck racers, who ventured far from their usual dirt, sand and gravel tracks to tackle unprecedented terrain, including icy berms, snow-covered jumps and steep slopes.  In the end it was motorsports legend Ricky Johnson who was crowned champion in the first ever off-road truck race on snow.  He now looks to defend his title against this year’s stacked roster of industry greats and hungry newcomers.

“Winning the title last year was amazing, especially after going head to head with the best in the business.  It could have been anyone’s day, but I’m glad it was mine,” said the recent Motorsports Hall of Famer. “This year won’t be any easier.  Everyone wants that title now and like I said to Johnny (Greaves) last year… My a** is here, come kick it.”

Returning to compete this year alongside Johnson is Bryce Menzies, Todd LeDuc, Johnny Greaves, Scott Douglas, Rob MacCachren and Carl Renezeder. New to the wearies of winter weather racing will be decorated freestyle motocross rider turned off-road champion,Brian Deegan and young up-and-comer RJ Anderson.  Both are standout warriors in the 2-wheel drive off-road class and are stepping up to Pro 4 truck for a shot at the Red Bull Frozen Rush title.

The United States Auto Club, one of auto racing’s leading governing bodies and an international motorsports authority, has sanctioned the race for its second year and will again oversee safety and competition to ensure that Red Bull Frozen Rush will be an amazing experience for both spectators and competitors alike. One-of-a-kind, studded and specially designed Mud-Terrain tires from BFGoodrich’s Research and Development team will outfit each vehicle able to power up the hill. No lift access needed.