Furthers Efforts to Build on Illinois' Global Competitiveness, Create Jobs

SHANGHAI, CHINA - September 22, 2011. During his economic and business trade mission throughout China, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), an Illinois-based association that represents leading research universities and technology companies, iBIO, an Illinois-based life sciences industry association, and China-based Shanghai Bio Pharmaceutics Association (SBIA) to increase economic opportunities for both regions in the bio-technology field.

"Illinois and China are each leading global sources for biotechnology, life sciences and medical innovation," Governor Quinn said. "This agreement provides a framework for Illinois and China to enhance business and education partnerships and collaborate on the scientific breakthroughs that will accelerate company growth and foster the creation of jobs."

The agreement, which was signed during a breakfast ceremony in Shanghai today, will create an important line of communication between the organizations, allow for collaboration among researchers and industry, and open the lines of communication amongst technology parks to increase exports and investment.

As the home of more than 200 institutions of higher education, as well as several prestigious national labs, the state of Illinois is uniquely positioned as a Midwestern and national leader in science and technology research and development. In Illinois, academic research expenditures in the biosciences totaled $1.3 billion in 2008, according to the Battelle Memorial Institute. Illinois has 58,000 workers directly employed in the biosciences sector at more than 2,000 biotech establishments (with an average wage of nearly $90,000). Indirectly, this sector supports more than 330,000 Illinois jobs. Six of the top 20 pharma and life sciences firms also have their North American HQ's headquarters in Illinois.

"Collaboration and partnership strengthen our ability to tackle tough scientific and technological problems," said ISTC President Matthew Summy. "We look forward to working with the SBIA to identify and produce solutions that not only offer the potential to improve medical treatment, but also offer the promise of increased investment and new jobs."

The mission of the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition is to cultivate economic development in Illinois by working with public and private partners to attract and retain research, development and innovation resources and talent to the state.

SBIA is a non-profit organization that represents biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions in Shanghai by participating in policy-making and creating industry networks to improve the competitiveness of the bio-pharmaceutical industry. With six bio-pharmaceutics parks, Shanghai has become one of the main platforms for bio-tech innovation and development in the world.

The mission of iBio is to make Illinois and the surrounding Midwest one of the world's top life sciences centers, a great place to do business and grow new technology ventures. The national BIO organization selected Governor Quinn as the 2011 BIO "Governor of the Year" at the recent BIO International Convention in Washington D.C.

For updates on Governor Quinn's trip, visit www.Illinois.gov or follow him on Twitter at @GovernorQuinn. More information about Illinois trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website at http://www.illinoisbiz.biz.

Rock Island  , IL / August 9, 2011 - Advertisers have never had more options available to them.   Comparing how specific options deliver to a target audience can be mind-numbing.  One local advertising agency is addressing the need for a system that better filters all the options through the standardized metrics that measure effectiveness.  Rock Island-based Media Link is announcing the nationwide launch of its own cutting-edge web-based media buying system, Media Link Software™ (MLS).  MLS provides small to mid-size advertising agencies and internal marketing departments the tools to better manage the demands for effective marketing strategies in a constantly changing media landscape.  

"There are so many media choices now that our industry really needed a software system addressing each media equally.  That really didn't exist. So we did it ourselves.  Now we're offering this system to other large media buyers," said Media Link President Natalie Linville-Mass.  

"When I started this agency 10 years ago, hiring an Advertising Agency was really just an option some businesses chose for convenience.  Now, with all of the changes in the media landscape, an advertising agency has become a vital 'extender' for marketing directors struggling to keep their eyes on the big picture," says Linville-Mass and then goes on to explain.  "The myriad of choices have created an enormous assortment of options, frankly, many businesses are drowning in as a result.  The decisions need to be driven by hard data and thoroughly understanding this data is pivotal to the effectiveness of any marketing plan."  

Media Link Software™ (MLS), the brainchild of Linville-Mass and a creative team of industry experts, delivers data-driven results while crafting media strategies for traditional and online media outlets. Determined to provide agencies like hers an affordable, time-saving solution to media buying, Linville-Mass said, "This new software not only gives the companies we serve precise information, it also is designed to save advertising agencies a tremendous amount of time" said Linville-Mass.      

MLS challenges the limitations of other systems through enhanced user-friendly functions, easily accessible customer support and advanced technologies designed to deliver more accurate media guidance. The system utilizes a comprehensive process for placing buys to pinpoint the most cost-effective options clients need to achieve the maximum return on investment.  

To achieve her goal of creating an easy-to-use and comprehensive media buying software, Linville-Mass turned to Breur Media Corporation, a web development and programming company centered in   Cedar Rapids ,  IA.   "It isn't often that an opportunity arises to completely re-imagine an entire industry's way of thinking, "says Arthur Breur, President of Breur Media.  "This software does just that by completely overhauling the media buying experience and bringing the process up to date by including 21^st century media types in the mix."      

Using standard industry formulas to help identify how to best reach the intended target audience, MLS paints a clear picture of what works and what doesn't to facilitate comparative buys in TV, radio, print, outdoor, online and specialty advertising outlets.  

Media Link, Inc. is an 8(a) SDB Certified, woman-owned small business and full-service advertising agency dedicated to helping companies at local, regional and national levels develop strategic marketing plans and make informed advertising decisions.  

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Data Portal Increases Access to Information;
Establishes Platform for Creative Uses

CHICAGO - June 21, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced the launch of a state website designed to provide open access to state data and greater transparency in state government. The platform is the second initiative of the Governor's Illinois Innovation Council.

The State of Illinois Open Data site, www.Data.Illinois.Gov, is a searchable clearinghouse of information from state agencies that will help inform residents about the operation of state government and encourage the creative use of state information, including the development of applications for mobile devices that can be built around the data.

"The Open Data initiative opens the doors of state government to everyday citizens and technology professionals alike in creating an unprecedented level of transparency and access to information. This is a creative new opportunity to use state data in novel and interesting ways that engage residents, plugging them into their state government like never before," Governor Quinn said. "It will also help spur economic development by encouraging software developers to create innovative and useful applications for this data."

The data site is an initiative of the Illinois Innovation Council, created by Governor Quinn in February, to promote economic development through innovation and the engagement of citizens, developers, academia and industry. The council promotes the role and importance of innovation in economic development and quality of life. For more information, please visit www.illinoisinnovation.com.

"The Illinois Innovation Council is working to connect the dots between research, talent, capital, ideas, government and technology to accelerate the growth of businesses and industries in the Midwest. Today, we start to add the troves of public data to the mix. This underutilized asset holds untapped potential to fuel the growth of Illinois' innovation economy," said Lightbank Managing Partner, and Groupon Co-Founder and Director Brad Keywell.

The first phase of the site was launched with data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Residents who explore the site will find a host of helpful information, such as traffic data from IDOT or tourism data from DCEO. The site will continue to grow with data as more state agencies are added, with the goal of being a comprehensive source of information on how state government operates.

The council held its second meeting this week and will hold two additional meetings in the coming year. The Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is also assisting the council.

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Saving the world, one mile at a time

May 9, 2011 Davenport, IA - The nationally acclaimed Green Bus Project will be pulling into the Quad Cities over Memorial Day weekend.  The Green Bus is both literally and figuratively green, running entirely on waste vegetable oil and driven by two yoga masters who are traveling from Florida to Wisconsin to raise awareness of personal empowerment, healthy lifestyles, sustainable living.  The Green Bus Quad Cities kickoff event will be on Thursday, May 26 in the Great Hall of the RiverCenter.

"The Green Bus Project carries the message that we all have the power to change anything into something positive", said Mary Davidson, organizer of the event, "Whether it be the environment, our local or global community, or our personal health and well being - we are all empowered to make things better for ourselves and the world."

Elite yoga masters Moses and Zeina Love will be teaching yoga, nutrition, sustainability, personal empowerment workshops and more. Moses is the founder of I love Yoga (www.iloveyoga.com) and travels the globe teaching workshops, yoga conferences and retreats.  Zeina is a powerful public speaker, writer, teacher and co-founder of Girls Gone Gorgeous (www.girlsgonegorgeous.com), a company dedicated to empowering women and promoting self-love.  Their mission is simply to move, touch and inspire people to themselves be empowered.

The tour starts on Thursday at 4:30pm at a special yoga practice in the Gold Room of the Hotel Blackhawk.  There is a minimum donation of $15 for the one hour session followed by a VIP reception for participants and sponsors.  "This is a great opportunity for a preview of the weekend and a chance to meet Moses and Zeina" said Davidson. "The practice is open to all levels of experience, as well as those who have not tried yoga yet.  Teachers from yoga schools and studios in the area will be instructing a portion of the class, offering a sample of what is available in the community."

The Green Bus will be located in the River Center Great Hall and available for viewing from 6:30 - 8:30pm.  The general public is invited to come meet Moses and Zeina, hear about their eco-friendly travels around the country and learn more about yoga, self empowerment and healthy living at booths set up by community businesses and organizations.  A raffle will offer the opportunity to win a dinner with Moses and Zeina on the Green Bus, as well as local yoga studio passes and other merchandise.  There is a $1 minimum donation and healthy concessions will be available.

The Green Bus will be visiting three underserved and at-risk groups to use the transformative power of yoga to reduce stress and improve concentration, self-esteem and overall health and well-being.  There will be sessions with World Relief refugees settled in Rock Island, the Pre-K for All group from Skip-A-Long Development Services, and a women's group from Casa Guanajuato Quad Cities.  With all these groups, the goal is to provide the tools to develop self-awareness, and to enhance physical, mental and emotional health.  Additional events will be offered throughout the weekend, including yoga practices at area studios, a women's healing circle and a session on the Yoga of Nutrition.  A full schedule of events will be available at www.goldroomlegacy.com.

The Green Bus Project is being presented by the Gold Room Legacy Project, an effort to bring enriching, educational and entertaining events to the Quad Cities while preserving the legacy of the Gold Room at the Hotel Blackhawk.  The Green Bus Project shares their proceeds with the Africa Yoga Project, a non-profit organization that uses the transformative power of yoga to empower communities and change lives in Kenya.  Locally, proceeds will be shared with YogaG, a non-profit organization mobilizing yoga instruction exclusively in domestic violence shelters.

For more information on the events or to inquire about booth space, contact Mary Davidson at mdavidson@goldroomlegacy.org, go to www.goldroomlegacy.org or join the Green Bus Project Quad Cities on Facebook.

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