WIRED – Eliot Van Buskirk

Television broadcasters are crying foul over the FCC’s recently announced vision for the nation’s wireless broadband plan, which would require them to give up valuable spectrum so wireless broadband companies can use it instead.

Broadcast television is more relevant than ever now that it’s purely digital, argue broadcasters and their investors, because so many people carry color screens around with them these days, and all a smartphone or tablet needs to in order to be a portable television receiver is a small piece of receiver hardware already installed in many cellphones around the world (though few in the U.S. have them).

On the other hand, wireless broadband providers argue, the smartphone explosion – not to mention tablets, if those catch on – will require more wireless bandwidth than they currently have. And not just for video. So, the FCC should give them more room on the spectrum dial to deliver it. (Full Article)

VentureBeat – Paul Boutin

San Francisco-based InsideView, which makes a software product called SalesView, today announced an $11.5 million second round of funding led by current investors Emergence Capital Partners, Rembrandt Venture Partners and Greenhouse Capital Partners.

SalesView seeks to maximize lead generation and qualification for sales teams by aggregating news about companies and their executives so salespeople can automatically identify the right prospect at the right time. SalesView brings social media updates into existing sales tools such as Salesforce.com and SugarCRM because, as the company’s site says, “There’s no time to maintain the parallel universes of social media and business information for the busy sales professional.”

SalesView is sold on a freemium model: There’s a free version to lure in new customers and more advanced features for sale starting at $99 per month, per user. (Full Article)

Marketwire – Press Release

Company Continues Expansion and Product Innovation in Sales Intelligence and Social Selling Technologies

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – March 31, 2010) – InsideView, Inc. today announced that it closed $11.5 million in Series B financing led by current investors Emergence Capital Partners, Rembrandt Venture Partners and Greenhouse Capital Partners. The new financing will be used to expand new customer acquisition efforts and scale user adoption and customer success, while accelerating the company’s investment in product development. InsideView is the leading provider of sales intelligence applications that help organizations tap into social intelligence to accelerate all aspects of the sales process.

“Over the last year we have seen hundreds of customers achieve new levels of sales productivity by using SalesView, which brings together social data and traditional business information to provide sales users a holistic customer view directly within CRM applications,” said Umberto Milletti, CEO of InsideView. “We’ve built a strong emerging leadership position in this new Sales 2.0 market, and we see tremendous interest from companies that want to put more power and science behind their sales efforts. We believe that sales, powered by InsideView, is the engine that will drive our customers’ growth — and our mission is to put the right information at the fingertips of salespeople precisely when and where they need it.” (Full Article)

Renewable Energy World – Press Release from White River Junction, VT

Revolutionary rail-free PV installation system to be unveiled through 12 training events across the nation

groSolar, a national leader in solar power distribution and installation, today announced the much anticipated launch of the Zep Solar rail-free mounting and grounding system for residential solar electric installations. During National Zep Week, April 19-23, the first-ever nationwide training program of this size, groSolar will train hundreds of installers nationwide in 12 cities across the country.

White River Junction, Vt. – groSolar, a national leader in solar power distribution and installation, today announced the much anticipated launch of the Zep Solar rail-free mounting and grounding system for residential solar electric installations. During National Zep Week, April 19-23, the first-ever nationwide training program of this size, groSolar will train hundreds of installers nationwide in 12 cities across the country. (Full Article)

PRWeb – Press Release

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Clean Energy Technologies markets. Rapidly increasing population, rising energy requirements, rapid advances in clean energy technologies beyond wind power and solar power generation, as well as government stimulus packages, will kindle global clean energy technologies market to reach US$201.8 billion by 2015.

San Jose, California (PRWEB) March 29, 2010 — Clean technologies or ‘cleantech’ play a fundamental role in determining the future of a nation’s economy. Adoption of cleantech solutions will decrease the energy requirements and other costs, in turn contributing to productivity, competitiveness of the industry, profits, and creation of jobs that boost the economy. Simultaneously, widespread implementation of clean technologies will help meet air contaminants and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. By 2015, renewable energy is expected to become the second largest energy source, as businesses will increasingly migrate from conventional energy sources (gas, coal, oil, nuclear) to clean energies, such as biomass, wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal heat. Also, both public sector (national laboratories, universities) and commercial sector (incl. national and international enterprises) will continue to step up investment in clean technologies for environmental remediation, air pollution control, and energy generation. (Full Article)

Bloomberg Businessweek – Steve Richard Posted on Harvard Business Review

No, social media haven’t rendered the cold call obsolete. It’s alive and profitable for those who execute it skillfully

As social media and web applications have become the hottest networking tools in business, too many sales managers are burying the cold call as an obsolete business practice. If you fall in this category I’ve got news for you: the cold call is not only alive, it’s kicking. And it should be utilized by every B2B sales force.

I see far too many sales teams focus all their attention toward hosting fancy webinars or creating snazzy web-based marketing channels. Still, cold calling remains the most effective way to set up appointments with the right decision makers at your target accounts. A Fortune 50 wireless telecom company hired our firm to train their sales force in the ways of cold calls, and saw a 10% jump in revenue after implementing the tips below. Other clients have seen similar leaps in meetings or demos scheduled, from 20-100%. (Full Article)

Renewable Energy World – Diane Zeigler, White River Junction, Vt.

Solar company unveils ‘Life – Powered by Solar’ national advertising campaign

Solar installation and distribution firm groSolar today announced the launch of a new national advertising campaign that hits newspapers, radio stations, events and online marketing channels across the country this Spring. The ‘Life – Powered by Solar’ ad campaign is groSolar’s largest in its 12 year history, and features images of real people in real life situations, and notably, includes no images of solar panels typically seen in solar advertising. (Full Article)

Fierce Wireless – Press Release

Extending the reach of its mobile media services with major wireless operators, MobiTV, Inc. today announced the availability of its MobiTV product on the HTC HD2 which is exclusively available in the U.S. from T-Mobile USA, Inc. The mobile technology company will deliver its MobiTV product, featuring live mobile television and on-demand programming, as a pre-loaded application on the HTC HD2.

“This new offering from T-Mobile underscores our company’s vision to bring great mobile media experiences to consumers who want them, across multiple networks and on a variety of quality products,” said Charlie Nooney, CEO MobiTV, Inc. “Our technology platform is scaled to meet the growing demand of mobile video consumption, and our robust solution works across multiple networks and mobile operating systems. The HTC HD2 is an example of the next wave of outstanding smartphones, and we’re proud to work with T-Mobile to be a featured service on this highly anticipated device.”

MobiTV, Inc. expects the expansion onto the HTC HD2 from T-Mobile to increase the already rapid subscriber growth and daily viewership for its mobile media service, which shot up 49 percent from 2008-2009. (Article Available Here)

SF Gate – Tom Abate, Chronicle Staff Writer

Clifton Broussard climbed onto a rooftop in Richmond and clipped his retractable harness to a catch bolt as he prepared to help install a solar energy array.

“Safety first,” said the 20-year-old trainee, who was getting paid for the work through an innovative program that matches novices with solar-installation veterans.
Broussard recently completed a series of construction, energy-efficiency and solar training programs that culminated with his graduation from Solar Richmond, the nonprofit group that arranged his on-the-job training opportunity.

What makes the program innovative is that homeowners Richard and Barbara Sandow and the two companies involved in the transaction – the solar shopping site One Block Off the Grid and its installation partner groSolar – each contributed $112 to cover the $15-per-hour cost of paying Broussard. (Full Article)

Rutland Herald – Staff

Jeff Wolfe, founder and CEO of groSolar anticipates hiring and expanding business.

Founded in 1998 by Jeff Wolfe, groSolar is the solar industry’s largest entirely domestically owned distributor and is the fourth-largest installation company in North America, specializing in both residential and commercial installations. In 2009, groSolar comprised 4 percent of all residential solar installations for the entire United States.

groSolar distributes solar electric and solar hot water systems from its company offices and warehouses in 12 states, including its headquarters here in Vermont. The company describes itself as a “mission-driven company dedicated to providing high quality solar energy solutions and whole energy appreciation.” (Full Article)

MocoNews.net – Tricia Duryee

MobiTV has fixed a digital rights management issue that was prohibiting it from offering users the ability to store content on their phone and then play it offline or on other devices. In doing so, MobiTV says there’s now a host of new business models to offer consumers, including subscriptions, rental, content metering, and sharing of content across multiple devices and platforms.

“It was imperative for us, as multi-screen distribution becomes core to our business, to create a solution that allows for consumption of content on multiple screens and platforms, whether someone is on a plane or sitting in front of their home television,” said Cedric Fernandes, MobiTV’s VP of Technology. (Full Article)

ABC 7 News

From Green Right Now Reports Adobe Systems, Incorporated has completed installation of 20 Windspire wind turbines at its San Jose, Calif., headquarters.

“With the installation of the Windspires, we’re adding renewable energy to a long list of green measures Adobe has taken to lessen our environmental impact,” said Randall H. Knox, III, senior director, Global Workplace Solutions, Adobe. “We’ll continue to seek innovative green technology solutions to reduce our energy dependence and inspire others to go green.”

Each tower is 30 feet tall, 4 feet wide and weighs 650 pounds. The propeller-free, vertical-axis wind turbine is designed to harness wind power in urban, suburban and rural locations. (Full Article)

PRNewswire – Press Release

Enables offline storage and viewing across multiple screens and platforms

LAS VEGAS, March 18 /PRNewswire/ — MobiTV, Inc. is broadening support to its managed technology platform carriers and operator customers with a robust and secure Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution that enables users to store content on their mobile device and watch it offline wherever they want.

MobiTV, Inc.’s DRM solution will allow for a number of business models including subscriptions, rental, content metering, and sharing of content across multiple devices and platforms. By having the same DRM solution on all platforms, MobiTV, Inc.’s technology allows easy authentication with minimal involvement by the end user. (Full Article)

PitchEngine – Press Release, Mariah Power

Long Term Contract Extends Production of Windspire® Wind Turbines in Michigan through 2014

RENO, NEV- Mariah Power (www.mariahpower.com), developer of the Windspire® wind turbine, and MasTech Wind today announced the execution of a new long term supply agreement. The new contract will extend production of the Windspire at MasTech Wind’s Manistee, Michigan factory through 2014.

MasTech Wind began manufacturing the Windspire at their Manistee, Michigan factory in April 2009 after retrofitting a plant formerly dedicated to the automotive industry. The Windspire is the only small wind turbine to be volume manufactured entirely in the United States.

“With this new contract in place we remain committed to using American workers to make the Windspire® a true “Made in the USA” product,” said Mariah Power President & CEO Walt Borland. “We are confident that with MasTech Wind we have the right partner to make the best possible product for our customers around the world.” (Full Article)

Fox Business – Press Release

LAS VEGAS, March 18, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —-MobiTV, Inc. is broadening support to its managed technology platform carriers and operator customers with a robust and secure Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution that enables users to store content on their mobile device and watch it offline wherever they want.

MobiTV, Inc.’s DRM solution will allow for a number of business models including subscriptions, rental, content metering, and sharing of content across multiple devices and platforms. By having the same DRM solution on all platforms, MobiTV, Inc.’s technology allows easy authentication with minimal involvement by the end user. (Full Article)

Natural Products Marketplace – Staff

SAN FRANCISCO-American Masters of Taste selected Zola Açaí Original Juice as the winning product line in the “Açaí Beverage” category for foodservice and retail. The judging was conducted “triple blind” in Northern California by a panel of Chef Masters of Taste. The Chef du Jury was Mâitre du Goût (Master of Taste) Jesse Sartain. The protocols of “triple blind” ensure evaluators do not know who the manufacturer is, what the product variety or appellation is, or what the other evaluators’ scores and comments are for each product tested.

“We commend the culinary commitment of the staff of Zola Açaí for the excellence and innovation of their product line. We applaud them,” commented Sartain.

“We are excited and honored Zola has continued to receive recognition for our Açaí Juice,” Said Chris Cuvelier, president and founder of Zola. “This is a testament to our superior sourcing, harvesting and processing practices which produce the best tasting Açaí Juice on the planet.” (Full Article)

groSolar – Katie Howell, E&E reporter

The renewable energy industry and environmental groups have pledged strong support for legislation introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that would encourage installation of 10 million solar energy systems on residential and commercial rooftops during the next decade.

The bill (S. 2993), introduced last month, would create a rebate program modeled on successful state programs in California and New Jersey. Home and business owners that install photovoltaic and solar hot water heating systems would be eligible for the rebates designed to offset initial installation costs.

The rebates authorized by the legislation could cover up to half the cost of installation of the solar power and water heating systems.

“We’re extremely excited about Senator Sanders’ bill,” said Sean Garren, clean energy advocate at Environment America. The organization today will release a report detailing its vision for solar power in the United States, including the policies, like Sanders’ legislation, needed to arrive at that vision. (Full Article)

MarketWatch – Press Release

20 Windspire Wind Turbines Create Renewable Energy at Silicon Valley Headquarters

SAN JOSE, Calif., Mar 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Adobe Systems Incorporated and Mariah Power (www.mariahpower.com) today announced Adobe has completed the installation of 20 Windspire(R) wind turbines at its San Jose, Calif., campus, marking the company’s first renewable energy installation. Adobe is a recognized leader for its green building efforts, which have earned it the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest accolade for green practices. Adobe is the first commercial office building to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED(R)-EB Platinum certification for its San Jose headquarters and the world’s first commercial enterprise to achieve a total of four Platinum certifications under the LEED program.

The new Windspires are located on Adobe’s sixth–floor patio, which doubles as a rooftop garden and recreational area above an office parking garage. The patio sits between Adobe’s three office towers, which create a wind tunnel effect from sustained winds off the Pacific Ocean. (Full Article)

PR-Inside.com – Press Release

Sometrics (www.Sometrics.com) and IGG, Inc. (www.IGG.com) today announced that they have partnered to provide advertiser-based offers to the 15 million registered players of IGG’s 15 popular MMO online games. The two companies made the announcement today from the Game Developers Conference, held in San Francisco through Saturday.

IGG – which stands for “I Got Games” – is a digital interactive entertainment company focused on MMORPGs. Its free-to-play games include Lords Online :, Tales of Pirates : Angels Online :, GodsWar Online :, and Myth War II Online : among others.

Sometrics’ Offer Solution delivers high-quality offers and surveys to a global gaming audience. The offers will enable IGG gamers to take an advertiser-sponsored action to earn points redeemable within the game. (Full Article)

Earth Times – Press Release

LOS ANGELES – (Business Wire) In a move that helps publishers of online games and virtual worlds expand their reach while giving gamers a place to swap tips and strategy with each other, Sometrics (www.Sometrics.com) today launched GameCoins.com – the company’s first direct-to-consumer play.

Co-founder and CEO Ian Swanson will be unveiling GameCoins.com at the Montgomery Technology Conference, today at 5:45 p.m. in Santa Monica, Calif.

GameCoins.com serves as a community site for gamers, where members can meet new gaming friends and participate in forums and blogs to discuss the latest tips, trends and news about favorite games and virtual worlds, like War Rock, Sorority Life, IMVU and many more.

The community also serves as an online marketplace for virtual goods and currency. Gamers can transact using the Sometrics Offer Solution, completing advertiser offers to earn their favorite MMO, virtual world, and social games virtual currency and goods. (Full Article)

Renewable Energy World – Press Release from groSolar

Wolfe to discuss solar financing models and the future of the PV Industry

White River Junction, Vt. – Jeff Wolfe, Founder and CEO of Vermont-based groSolar, a national solar installation and distribution company, will be speaking at two leading solar industry conferences in March 2010.

On March 18 Wolfe will participate in a panel discussion at the Solar Project Finance and Investment Summit in San Diego, California, an important networking venue for financial professionals and executives in the solar power industry. Wolfe will participate in the “Growing and Financing the Residential Solar Market” panel discussion will focus on the financing relationships that solar developers are looking to establish with the financial community to expand adoption of residential solar power in the United States. The session will cover the current financing models for residential solar financing, including the solar lease, the property tax assessment model and the residential power purchase agreement. (Full Article)

Earth Times – Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — 03/04/10 — Can social intelligence from LinkedIn or Facebook really accelerate the sales cycle? How do you successfully integrate multiple cloud sales productivity solutions to realize a meaningful ROI? And what does it take for sales professionals to work more efficiently to drive better results? Hundreds of sales experts and managers will be discussing these and other topics, as well as exploring the latest sales technologies and strategies next week at the Sales 2.0 Conference in San Francisco, Calif.

InsideView CEO Umberto Milletti and Selling Power founder Gerhard Gschwandtner will open the conference, which fills two days with panels and workshops about how best to revamp their sales organizations with new tools and methodologies to close more deals and drive revenue. (Full Article)

Business Wire – Press Release

Sometrics’ Broad Reach Affirms Rapid Growth of the Category and Success of the Company’s Offer Solution in Helping Publishers Maximize Revenue

Montgomery Technology Conference

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–While the “real world” economy still struggles to regain its footing, new numbers released today by Sometrics (www.Sometrics.com) demonstrate the virtual economy is robust and growing.

Sometrics today reports that the company has dispensed more than 1 trillion virtual currency credits to game users through its Offer Solution, which delivers high-quality offers and surveys to help game publishers increase advertising revenue from free-to-play gamers.

Sometrics is now connected to more than 100 million game user accounts in 228 different countries. The company’s products currently reside on hundreds of games, with an inventory of more than 7,500 advertiser-based offers.

Sometrics generates eCPMs as high as $700-$900 for its partners. Its Offer Solution reaches across social games, MMOs and virtual worlds, partnering with top publishers in each market – including Playdom, LOLapps, IMVU, K2, NHN, among others. (Full Article)