Piano-driven pop band Augustana is premiering their upcoming album on the Ecast network. Beginning this week, Augustana’s “Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt” went live across Ecast’s more than 10,000 nationwide venues nearly one week before its release in stores. To drive music plays of the album, it appears in proven promotional features including Ecast’s Just Added playlist as well as an artist-dedicated interactive video loop and the Ecast New Releases video loop, which are seen by a half million music enthusiasts each week.

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Torrance, CA, April 22, 2008 — The Rock-Ola wraps up the “green conversion” of its Torrance factory just in time for Earth Day on April 22. The facility’s prominent new green awnings are a sign of the environmentally conscious changes taking place inside the renowned 70,000 square foot factory.

Throughout the Rock-Ola headquarters and factory building, all standard fluorescent light fixtures—almost 1,700 plus emergency exit signs—have been replaced with high-efficiency fluorescent tubes and computer-controlled electronic ballasts. Service for the conversion was provided by California Edison, who also picked up three-quarters of the cost of replacement. In exchange, California Edison can draw down 10% of Rock-Ola’ s power during peak summer usage hours, helping to offset power needs in other parts of the state. “It’s a win-win for Rock-Ola and the environment,” beamed CEO Glenn Streeter.

The conversion is estimated to pay for itself in energy cost savings within 11 months and lighting expenses are estimated to be 40% of the cost prior to the new lighting hardware. In addition to the cost savings, the new system provides significantly more light than the older conventional fixtures.

LAS VEGAS — The 58th annual NBVA trade show and convention, held at Caesars Palace Hotel here April 17-19, posted disappointing attendance figures. The show, sponsored and produced by the National Bulk Vendors Association (Chicago), attracted some 355 visitors, down significantly from the previous year's 516. Association officials attributed the low turnout to the nation's ailing economy, which has resulted in falling revenues on both the operator and supplier sides of the industry.

Despite the disappointing show numbers, the NBVA successfully completed a full agenda of association business, including the election of new officers. Randy Chilton of Coinstar (Louisville, CO) was installed as president, succeeding Peter Becker of What's Up LLC. Rounding out the new officer roster is Steve Siegel, Great American Vending Machine Co. (Hauppauge, NY), who becomes vice-president; Mark Pogue, MEPCO (Fresno, CA), as secretary; and Bernie Schwarzli, Beaver Machine Corp., as treasurer.

For more of the story, visit: Vending Times

SAN FRANCISCO — Ecast Inc. said the piano- driven pop band Augustana is premiering its upcoming album on the company's location-based jukebox network. Augustana's "Can't Love, Can't Hurt" went live on April 23, nearly a week before its release in stores. The album is highlighted in promotional features including Ecast's Just Added playlist as well as an artist-dedicated interactive video loop and the New Releases video loop, which are seen by a half- million music enthusiast each week.

Since its 2003 debut album, Augustana has been gaining traction, with the help of Grammy-winning producer Stephen Short, exclusive promotions and the MySpace social network. In 2005, its hit single "Boston" from "All the Stars and Boulevards" sold a million copies, and the album reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. The band also toured with Counting Crows, the Goo Goo Dolls and Snow Patrol.

For more of the story, visit: Vending Times