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Siboney gets US Airways' Hispanic work

Siboney USA has scored US Airways' Hispanic ad account, responsible for creating a Hispanic campaign for the airline as well as its soon-to-be expanded flight services to Latin America and the Caribbean. Ditka, Perry, McMahon, Rodman and Silestone team for Super Bowl ad.

Cosentino USA, producer of Silestone natural quartz surfacing, is set to promote its line of surfacing in the most super of advertising venues the Super Bowl. The Silestone brand will be highlighted in a 30-second national spot on the telecast. Consumers on an international basis will be exposed to Silestone, whose natural quartz surfacing sales are growing the faster than any other surfacing material on the market.

Freed Advertising created the concept and produced the 30-second spot, which had a 1 million production budget and was shot on 35 mm film. The ad features an entertaining, memorable script with football hall of famer and coach, Mike Ditka; William "Refrigerator" Perry; and Jim McMahon all of whom played for the Chicago Bears. In addition, Dennis Rodman, a very recognizable former National Basketball Association player, adds his unique style to the excitement.

Programming head leaving NextMedia

NextMedia Group announced that Vice President of Programming Don Parker is leaving the company to pursue personal projects and specialized consulting. Parker, who has been in the post for four years, will remain with NextMedia until his successor is chosen.

XM NavTraffic service to be offered on aftermarket vehicle navigation systems

On the heels of a similar announcement from CC Radio XM Satellite Radio announced that the XM NavTraffic service will be available with new, aftermarket vehicle navigation systems in 2005. XM NavTraffic is the nation's first satellite traffic data service, delivering current traffic information directly to a vehicle navigation system.

The service enables the navigation system to display local traffic data for the driver's personal route. The driver can see the traffic speed for specific roads, accident locations, road closures, and other incidents on the navigation map. It also suggests alternate routes based on the current traffic conditions. XM NavTraffic, powered by NAVTEQ Traffic, is available for 20 major cities across the U.S.

XM NavTraffic is currently available as a standard feature of the 2005 Acura RL, which debuted in fall 2004, and will be available on certain 2005 models of the Cadillac CTS. This year, consumers will be able to get XM NavTraffic with aftermarket vehicle navigation systems that can be installed in virtually any vehicle. Pioneer Electronics will offer XM NavTraffic as a feature of its upcoming AVIC-N2 navigation system, and it plans to offer an XM NavTraffic solution for the previously-released AVIC-N1 navigation system.

Alpine Electronics will offer the NVE-N872A navigation system with XM NavTraffic.

XM debuts the XM 'Connect-and-Play'

XM Satellite Radio introduced the XM "Connect-and-Play," a new technology designed to integrate XM into a broad range of home entertainment devices.

The centerpieces of the technology are XM's "Connect-and-Play" chip and data-port, a mini-serial bus connector (Mitsumi part CAM-C16). For a low relative incremental cost, manufacturers of popular consumer electronics products, such as stereo and home theater receivers, DVD players, table top radios and portable media players, can now add the XM "Connect-and-Play" chip and data-port, making their device instantly "XM-Ready." Through this new technology consumers simply plug an XM Connect-and-Play home antenna (MSRP: 49.99) into an XM-Ready audio product and activate the service to receive XM's 130-plus digital radio channels.

The Connect-and-Play antenna is similar in size and form factor to the current XM home antenna currently shipping with all of XM's "plug and play" and XM2go products.

SiriusConnect receiver debuts at CES

Sirius Satellite Radio announced the introduction of the SiriusConnect receiver. The new product utilizes Sirius' next generation technology to offer a single-piece system that is compatible with Sirius -ready headunits from manufacturers such as Alpine, Audiovox, JVC, Kenwood, Eclipse and Pioneer. The SiriusConnect receiver will also interface with XM-ready headunits from Alpine and Pioneer that are up to three years old.

The new system combines a receiver with a translation device all in one unit, which is significantly smaller than current receivers, as well as with those offered by competitive systems. Sirius also expects the SiriusConnect to be compatible with additional satellite-ready brands throughout 2005.

"The great advantage of this unit is its ability to interface with multiple in-dash radios that are SIRIUS-ready." said Larry Pesce, SVP/Product Management and Strategic Planning for Sirius. "Plus, the SiriusConnect has a unique pass-through feature that allows other audio components, such as iPods or CD changers, to be connected simultaneously with the SIRIUS receiver. No other satellite radio provider offers this feature."

Sirius and Pioneer offer tuner for satellite radio

Sirius Satellite Radio and Pioneer Electronics announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas the availability of a new tuner for Sirius that is compatible with satellite-ready head units and most IP-Bus head units from Pioneer. The new SIR-PNR1 tuner will come equipped with all installation hardware, including the Sirius antenna, for the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $120. The SIR-PNR1 will be available at retail stores beginning this month.


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