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OpenText™ has been awarded two 2011 SAP^® Pinnacle awards: Global Software Solution Partner of the Year and Global Enterprise Support Partner of the Year. SAP Pinnacle awards are presented annually to leading SAP partners that have excelled in developing and growing their partnership with SAP and driving customer success. Winners were selected based on over 150 nominations in 18 categories received from partners and SAP employees. OpenText will formally receive the awards on May 16th at SAPPHIRE^® NOW, SAP’s international customer conference being held in Orlando, Florida this May 15th through 18th. The company’s solutions will be featured in more than 20 sessions throughout SAPPHIRE NOW and the 2011 ASUG Annual Conference.

“This year’s SAP Pinnacle awards and our growing presence at SAPPHIRE NOW truly reflect the strong and productive partnership OpenText and SAP enjoy together,” said Patrick Barnert, vice president, SAP Solutions at OpenText. “Not only have we won a Pinnacle award for the fourth straight year, but this year we have the honor of winning two in the same year, which is an impressive achievement. This is a true reflection of our teams’ dedication and hard work in delivering world-class ECM solutions, tightly integrated with SAP solutions, to our mutual customers.”

OpenText’s solutions for use with SAP applications are offered as part of the OpenText ECM Suite, which brings together the broad range of enterprise content management capabilities organizations need to securely and safely manage all types of enterprise information, documents, vital records, Web content, video, images, email, forms and reports across many different enterprise systems and applications and to make content available on mobile devices. The key benefit to customers is the transparent combination of content, collaboration and integrated business processes, which further ensure users can easily access relevant content.

“SAP is more committed than ever to a sound ecosystem strategy, which is key to delivering unmatched value to our customers and enabling SAP to reach its aggressive business goals,” said Eric Duffaut, president, Global Ecosystem and Channels, SAP. “We understand the power of our partnerships, through which we continue to drive game-changing co-innovation and expand our market reach and customer touch points – leveraging our partners’ local and industry expertise as an extension of our sales and services efforts – to satisfy the needs of customers of all sizes. As a recipient of two 2011 SAP Pinnacle awards, we recognize OpenText’s outstanding commitment and efforts in developing and growing its partnership with SAP and driving customer success.”

In addition to live demonstrations at SAP and OpenText (booth # 1936) exhibits, SAPPHIRE NOW attendees will have multiple opportunities to learn more about ECM solutions for use with SAP applications from their peers, from SAP and OpenText experts and from implementation partners. The more than 20 sessions being held at SAPPHIRE NOW and the 2011 ASUG Annual Conference cover a range of ECM topics touching on such areas as reducing paper in the HR department, managing content in the cloud, and further ensuring brand consistency and efficiency.

The Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario (RGD) presents RGD Design at Work: Best of Ottawa, a juried exhibit of professional graphic design demonstrating how design creates value for business. On display at 350 Albert St. Lobby, from May 9-20, the reception will take place this evening from 6-8 P.M.

Design at Work presents exemplary graphic design projects created in the last two years. Each project is a miniature case study of how design can impact a client’s ability to communicate messages to key stakeholders and convey an organization’s unique qualities with clarity, consistency and energy.

“In this year’s Design at Work exhibit, you will see many great examples of the power of design and the marvelous results that can be achieved when a designer and client work together,” says Roger Martin, Dean, Rotman School of Management. “Whether it’s the website for a small start-up retailer, a promotional campaign for a global brand, or the rebranding of one of Canada’s leading media companies, professional designers, and more specifically, Registered Graphic Designers, can help any client to produce memorable, stunning and timeless communications.”

Featured design firms in this year’s Ottawa exhibit include: BmDodo Strategic Design, Cayenne Creative, Greenmelon, Mario Godbout Design, Natural Resources Canada, St. Lawrence College Marketing and Communications and Storm Communications. Clients range from the City of Gatineau, the Canadian Transportation Agency and the Canadian Judicial Council to the Egg Farmers of Canada, the Canadian Tulip Festival and Randall’s Home Décor.

RGD Design at Work: Best of Ottawa is sponsored by The Lowe-Martin Group.

Fundica, providers of unique services that help entrepreneurs efficiently find suitable funding programs and products, has launched new proprietary online services to intelligently help entrepreneurs and funding providers in Québec and Ontario. Fundica finds and tracks available grants, tax credits, loans and equity funding offered by federal, provincial and municipal governments, and private funding providers. Additionally, these services elevate the visibility of public and private funding providers’ initiatives.

Fundica offers a unique solution through its proprietary search, intelligent filtering and timely notification software. With an intuitive user interface, the Fundica solution allows for quick and easy matching of entrepreneurs with funding programs/products through an extensive and up-to-date database.

“Québec and Ontario have some of the best government and private sector funding programs/products in the world,” says Mike Lee, Eng., MBA, CFA, Partner, Fundica. “But, finding and tracking these initiatives can be mysterious and costly for busy entrepreneurs. Additionally, high advertising and administration costs can make programs/products completely ineffective for governments. We created Fundica to simplify the funding process for both entrepreneurs and funding providers,” adds Mr. Lee.

Fundica offers a free Basic Service that allows entrepreneurs to evaluate the number and size of potentially applicable programs/products before making a purchase decision. Fundica’s Premium Service includes comprehensive details on programs/products, advanced notifications and one hour of expert consulting. Depending on individual circumstances, it may be possible to fully complete applications within this one-hour period. Fundica’s Premium Service costs $40.00 per month, based on a 12-month subscription. Funding providers may change programs/products within Fundica’s database listings at any time and at no cost.

By now you’ve probably already heard that Electronic Arts Inc. has announced that EA Sports™ FIFA Soccer 12, currently in development at EA Sports in Burnaby, will deliver the most authentic, innovative and feature-rich 3D soccer experience on Nintendo 3DS™ when the game launches this fall. FIFA Soccer 12 on Nintendo 3DS will feature over 500 officially licensed clubs, new touch screen controls that will change the game play experience, and the first-ever 3D Street Soccer. With eight different game modes, it is the largest feature set ever developed by EA Sports for a hand-held soccer game.

Take to the pitch with superstars like Real Madrid’s Kaká and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, and become a true marksman using all-new optional touch screen controls. Enjoy precision shooting by picking a spot precisely from the player’s viewpoint using the lower touch screen and then finessing a shot with pinpoint accuracy. Utilize touch screen controls on set pieces to draw a shot that curves the ball around, or even power it over the wall for the match-winning goal that lifts your club to victory.

“We challenged our development team to develop innovative features that would maximize the FIFA experience on 3DS. They delivered intuitive new touch screen controls and a curved pitch in our Street mode that truly brings the 3D elements to life,” said Matt Prior, Producer for FIFA Soccer 12 on Nintendo 3DS. “When you combine these features and many other innovations with all the authentic players and kits for the upcoming season, we are confident that this will be the best soccer game available on Nintendo 3DS.”

Whether fans choose to take to the pitch as a real-world superstar or re-create themselves in the first-ever 3D Street Soccer mode, the environment will come alive through an innovative curved pitch and unique lower camera view that maximizes 3D planes, enabling gamers to experience the depth of the field and player movement with full 3D effects. Featuring players wearing the latest street gear, the stage will be set for epic 5 versus 5 matches in exotic street locales and indoor environments that are true to the spirit of street soccer. Plus, in Be A Pro, fans will be able to take their created player on a journey from the streets to ultimately compete for their favourite club and national side and become the next soccer legend.

FIFA Soccer 12 on Nintendo 3DS will feature fully authentic 11 versus 11 gameplay, head-to-head online matches using Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, Tournament Mode with over 50 real-world competitions, a full in-depth Career Mode that enables gamers to play or manage their way to glory, 3D Street Soccer, Be A Pro and a Training Mode. It also features eight different camera angles to choose from for the perfect view of the pitch.

FIFA Soccer 12 has not yet been rated by the ESRB, and will be available in stores world-wide this fall.

TVOKids is calling on students across Ontario to nominate their favourite teacher in its fifth annual Best Teacher Ever Contest, presented by Scholar’s Choice and in partnership with City Parent magazine. With the chance for both teachers and students to win great prizes, the contest is a perfect way to end the school year on a high note.

From May 2 until June 12, the contest gives kids in Junior Kindergarten up to Grade 6 an opportunity to recognize their teachers for the valuable work that they do. Last year’s contest received over 9,900 entries.

Both teachers and the students who nominate them have a chance to win. One teacher from each of three grade categories will win a $400 gift card from Scholar’s Choice and a netbook computer, and the students who nominated them will win a $100 gift card from Scholar’s Choice, an iPod Shuffle and a pizza party for their class. Five other entrants in each grade category will also win TVOKids prize packs.

To enter, kids must write to TVOKids describing what makes their teacher so special. Is it because they make every kid feel welcome and at home in the classroom? Do they go out of their way to give extra help after class? Or do they just make learning fun? Children from across the province can nominate their teacher in one of three categories: Junior and Senior Kindergarten; Primary (grades 1-3); and Junior (grades 4-6).

Entries can be submitted online or kids can send their submission by mail, being sure to include the name of the teacher they would like to nominate and their reason for nominating them, their school’s name, the child’s own name, grade level and phone number, and an original drawing showing why their teacher is the best teacher ever. Mail should be addressed to:

TVOKids The Space
Attn: Best Teacher Ever Contest
Box 200, Station Q
Toronto, ON
M4T 2T1

Winners will be chosen in a random draw and announced the week of June 12. Throughout the contest, a “Teacher of the Day” will be featured on tvokids.com. For complete rules, submission requirements, and prizing information, please visit tvokids.com.

Kids and parents visiting TVOKids.com beginning May 31st will be introduced to two new and inspiring additions to the team. Ten-year-old Emma Evans from Toronto, and 16-year-old Hisham Mohammad from Whitby, join TVOKids.com as its newest Kid Reporters bringing back stories from the field from a typical kid’s point of view.

TVOKids producers worked with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, where Emma and Hisham receive services, to help find kids who had talent and who could inspire kids who face challenges of their own.

“When TVOKids approached us to help find a Kid Reporter, we were thrilled because we know so many enthusiastic kids with great stuff to contribute,” says Genevieve Scott, Senior Communications Associate at Holland Bloorview. “Many people don’t know a child with a disability. Sometimes this can lead to false impressions about differences and misunderstandings. Emma and Hisham are role models for kids with and without disabilities. We are so proud of them and excited to see them on TV.”

For TVOKids producers the search of Emma and Hisham presented them challenges of a welcome kind.

“At first, we were looking for only one new reporter,” says Pat Ellingson, TVO’s Creative Head of Children’ Media, “but Emma and Hisham’s auditions were so wonderful that when it came to making the selection we realized we had to have two. They’re both enthusiastic, interested in people, and both have exceptionally bright minds. They are great examples of kids who demonstrate that there are no limitations to what you can achieve in life.”

Emma is a Girl Guide, a member of the Toronto Children’s Chorus, an avid reader who hosts monthly book clubs in her home and has published a short piece of writing in her school where she is a grade 4 student. Emma was also featured in a video for HeartSpeak, in which she talks about Cerebral Palsy, the challenges it presents to her in her life, and confessed to wanting to become an actress when she grows up.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dxRYY_qbP0]

Hisham is a grade 10 student in the Performing Arts program at O’Neill Collegiate & Vocational School in Oshawa. A budding musician and athlete, Hisham plays alto saxophone and sledge hockey, is a member of the Junior National wheelchair basketball team, and names Rick Hansen as his role model. Hisham is also civic-minded, becoming the first page in a wheelchair in the Ontario Legislative page program at Queens Park.

In April, Emma and Hisham along with some of their friends met with TVOKids producers to talk about what stories they think should be on their editorial calendars including, a trip to the Toronto Zoo, bush-plane ride, the Canadian Air & Space Museum, Wheelchair sports, and Harbourfront Kids Camp.

Look for Emma and Hisham’s stories in the TVOKids Reporters page at TVOKids.com Ages 11 and Under.

Bong of the Dead, an independent movie by writer, producer and director Thomas Newman keeps getting better and better news. Film festivals and distributors are lining up to get a piece of flesh from this zombie film and they don’t come any bigger than the Cannes Film Festival. Newman received notice that the film Bong of the Dead will be added to the Cannes 2011 program. Newman hit the Indy home run but the good news didn’t stop there.

The king of pot comedy Tommy Chong said of Bong of the Dead, “This is a sure winner”. Tommy Chong is still being courted to appear at the May 15, 2011 movie premiere in Vancouver at the Rio Theatre so fans will want to stay tuned and hurry up and get some of the few remaining tickets. There will be prizes and giveaways so don’t miss out!

For 3 solid years Thomas Newman has been plugging away relentlessly on his dreams by creating his film all by himself in his basement. The movie was originally shot on location 3 years ago with a small crew compiled of close friends and family. He then took the footage which was shot over the course of only 15 days on one camera and went to work editing, mixing music and enhancing over 365 shots by hand.

If you are in France during the Cannes Film Festival, be sure to check out what all the hype is about as the film will be premiering there on May 12th and 14th. Conversely, if you reside in or near Vancouver, then hop over to the Rio Theatre on East Broadway and catch the film’s Vancouver 6:30pm premiere on May 15th.

Rogers Media, in partnership with iVillage, is thrilled to announce that iVillage.ca is here for Canadian women. iVillage.ca launched today, providing Canadian women with a one-stop online destination for engaging content, community and a ground-breaking multimedia campaign. The new iVillage.ca offers Canadian women content, community and the chance to pick up one of over 250 prizes.

iVillage.ca is all about passion and what better way to launch than with The iVillage Passion Project – an interactive program that invites Canadian women to share their passions for the best things in life; for things like family, fashion, fitness, celebrity, work and relationships. It’s also a chance to watch other women – including CityLine’s Tracy Moore and Sportsnet’s Martine Gaillard – talk about the things that matter most in a collection of over 50 vibrant original videos.

Watching videos also gives viewers a chance to WIN one of over 250 prizes – instantly – plus score daily entries into a grand-prize sweepstakes, where one lucky participant will pick up a trip for four to Universal Orlando^® Resort. To collect bonus entries, users are invited to add their passions to the dynamic iVillage Passion Wall. Editorial about all-things-passion will live throughout the site during the months of May and June and is sponsored by Pantene^® Pro-V^®, COVERGIRL^® NatureLuxe, Pampers^® and Olay Regenerist.

“Rogers Media is thrilled to launch iVillage.ca in partnership with iVillage,” said Jason Tafler, Chief Digital Officer of Rogers Digital Media. “We are proud to bring a Canadian perspective to such a prominent brand. With iVillage.ca added to our list of more than 250 digital products, we will continue to provide Canadian women with trusted, top-tiered online content.”

iVillage.ca will feature original content, alongside top features from iVillage.com and stories from popular Rogers Media brands such as Chatelaine, CityLine and sweetspot.ca. The community-driven site will also connect women to their much beloved iVillage.com discussion boards and feature new discussions for Canadian women about issues important to them.

iVillage.ca is proud to bring a slate of A-list experts and contributors to the table for launch, including one of Babble’s top 10 Canadian mommy bloggers, Catherine Connors (Her Bad Mother) who will write an exclusive weekly column titled “Straight Up from Her Bad Mother” Home Heist‘s Cheryl Torrenueva who comes on board as the iVillage.ca home expert; and Lianne Phillipson-Webb, author of SproutRite, who will dish out weekly nutrition advice for the family.

“We’re delighted to welcome the new iVillage.ca site, which beautifully reflects iVillage’s brand mission as a trusted community and valued resource for women,” said Jodi Kahn, Executive Vice President, iVillage. “Rogers is the perfect partner to bring iVillage to Canada given their strong female brands.”

Ode To A Post-It Note has been named the best Branded Entertained Online Film & Video by the 15th Annual Webby Awards. The film was produced by Vancouver’s Meditating Bunny Studio Inc. and commissioned by 3M Canada.

The film begins with a cluttered office desk plastered with to-do lists scribbled on Post-it Notes. One brave Post-it Note escapes on an incredible journey of self-discovery to find his father, which brings him to St. Paul, Minnesota where he tracks down Art Fry, the inventor of Post-it Notes.

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WelIo6EOPvA]

“The Webby Awards honour the very best of the Internet,” said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of the Webby Awards. “Jeff Chiba Stearns’ achievement for Ode To A Post-it Note is a testament to the skill, ingenuity and vision of its creators.”

Producer Jeff Chiba Stearns, of Meditating Bunny Studio Inc., and executive producer Sherry Browne, of 3M Canada, are honoured to be among the winners of the annual Webby Awards which will presented in New York City on Monday, June 13, 2011.

The Webby Awards are infamous online and around the world. They’re considered the Internet’s highest honour and winners are chosen by members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (which includes such members as David Bowie, Beck, Arianna Huffington, Internet inventor Vint Cerf, and Richard Branson). The 15th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries.

“3M Canada is very honoured that Jeff Chiba Stearns is receiving this award for his work on Ode To A Post-it Note,” commented Sherry Browne, Marketing Manager at 3M Canada. “This animated film has touched the hearts of people around the world, especially those who are fans of Post-it products”.

IGLOO Software has announced it is the recipient of the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA) Recognized Innovator Award for Social Collaboration. The company won the honour for its social intranet and extranet solutions at the spring 2011 Technology Services World (TSW) conference in Silicon Valley.

IGLOO was also awarded Best in Tour, as voted by attendees, following the Innovation Tours at the conference. Conducted by John Ragsdale, TSIA vice president of technology research, the tours featured demos from all of the Recognized Innovator finalist companies, including CitrixOnline, Coveo, InQuira and LivePerson.

Communities, powered by IGLOO, allow business professionals to share files and capture knowledge, locate documents and expertise, communicate with colleagues and customers, build connections and work better together around projects. Services professionals frequently use IGLOO to build a knowledge base and encourage peer-to-peer interaction in order to reduce support costs and increase sales.

“Technology innovation is a driving force for businesses in every sector of the market,” said John Ragsdale, vice president of technology research for TSIA. “IGLOO Software was selected as a winner for its leadership in developing an innovative social collaboration solution that aims to improve the capture, sharing and consumption of ideas and expertise across employee, partner and customer communities. We were proud to honor them at our spring TSW event.”

The Recognized Innovator Awards are the only independently judged awards program that recognizes innovation in technology services products and service offerings documented with customer case studies of measurable business value and results. The Recognized Innovators in each category were selected by a panel of judges, including industry experts and TSIA members.