<![CDATA[www.contentactive.com RSS Feed]]>http://www.contentactive.com/en-gb<![CDATA[A front-row seat Former Miss America runner-up Jade Simmons will host Van Cliburn webcast ]]>http://www.contentactive.comWednesday May 22, 2013

A front-row seat

Former Miss America runner-up Jade Simmons will host Van Cliburn webcast

By Alyson Ward
Alessandro Deljavan popped up on the screen with a mess of a wig plopped on his 26-year-old head. “Tell me, do you like it?” the Italian pianist asked, mugging for the webcam. Jade Simmons leaned back in her chair and laughed.
“I love it,” she said. “Kind of like ‘Bob Marley Comes to the Cliburn.’ ”
Their Skype chat will soon be shared with piano fans around the world. The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition — often referred to as the Olympics of the music world — opens Friday in Fort Worth. And Simmons, who lives in Humble, will be the face of the competition on the Cliburn’s webcast. From an orchestralevel box in Bass Performance Hall, she’ll guide an international audience through the competition’s 17 days and three elimination rounds, offering a mix of classical music analysis and some fun personal touches — including interviews with Deljavan and the rest of the 30 competitors, who hail from 13 countries.
“We’re up close,” Simmons said, “and not only do I get to see the competitors, but I get to sense what’s going on in the audience.” Simmons, though, is there for the audience outside the building. Her goal with the webcast is to satisfy classical music connoisseurs without talking over the heads of other viewers — to strike a balance between “heady, academic talk about music” and the chatty, casual tone of a TV talk show.
Simmons and a social media team will post constant Cliburn updates to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and more. Between sessions in Bass Hall, she will take viewers into Fort Worth, dropping in on local shops, restaurants and museums. And she’ll do a regular segment called “Stage Style,” which will share the details about the competitors’ fashion choices on stage — and about her own webcast wardrobe.
It’s the second time the quadrennial competition has been streamed online. The Cliburn first hired Simmons in 2009 to provide insight and color commentary for its longdistance audience. She had the right combination of music and media savvy: a concert pianist who’d been first runner-up at the 2000 Miss America pageant. A music degree from Northwestern University; a master’s degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. A great smile and plenty of charisma.
Simmons, 35, has performed all over the country, including at the White House. She released her second recording last fall: “Playing With Fire” is a genre-jumping piano performance influenced by bossa nova, hip-hop, “all the music that I would listen to but never think to perform.” On the final track, Simmons raps.
Outside of her performing career, Simmons promotes the arts in education, advises musicians who are struggling to launch their careers and writes a column for the Huffington Post. She and her husband, Jahrell Simmons, have a 5-yearold son named Jaden, and they’re expecting a baby girl in August.
Four years ago, the webcast was a new experiment, and Simmons accepted the role of host “not knowing what the heck I was getting into.” But talking about piano music came naturally, she said, and she ad-libbed easily about the intricacies of a performer’s Schumann, the challenges of playing Liszt.
The first Cliburn webcast got about 423,000 visits from 158,000 viewers, who tuned in from 157 countries and watched for an average of 48 minutes at a time. Those numbers are expected to increase this year, said Maggie Estes, the Van Cliburn Foundation’s director of marketing and public relations.
It was an automatic choice to bring Simmons back, Estes said. “As a classical pianist, she knows exactly what (the competitors) are going through, and she provides exceptional commentary because of that.”
In fact, Simmons auditioned for the Cliburn in 2005. She wasn’t selected, but the experience has given her a kinship with the young pianists on stage.
Van Cliburn shared that kinship, she said. Simmons interviewed Cliburn, who died in February, for the 2009 webcast.
“One of the things I remember the most about him is he had such great compassion for the competitors,” Sim-mons said. Cliburn, of course, knew how it felt to be a young pianist, playing for a jury at competition. In 1958, he was the 23-year-old winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, an accomplishment that propelled him to a lifetime of international fame as a performer.
Cliburn didn’t attend all of the competition that was named for him; he’d come and go, especially in the competition’s early rounds.
“It was literally — this is what he said to me — it was painful for him to watch them suffer,” Simmons said. “Now, he called it suffering. The audience says they’re performing. But I can tell you, as a performer, that there is an element of suffering.”
Webcast viewers will see more than suffering. When competitors were selected in March, the webcast team traveled to cities all over the world to interview them, Estes said, and a short video will profile each competitor before he or she performs. There also will be highlights from those Skype chats.
In her Skype interview, American competitor Lindsay Garritson talks about her love for singing jazz standards. In his, Italian pianist Luca Buratto gets excited at the prospect of eating Tex-Mex and barbecue in Texas.
When audience members see the pianists as complete people, Simmons said, they often become fiercely loyal to one competitor or another.
This year, after each day of performances, Simmons will take her camera crew into the hall to interview audience members.
“We’ll talk to the audience, get their immediate reactions, see what they’re feeling,” she said. “It’s my job to stay neutral, but people still want to hear opinions, so it’ll be nice to give that job to the audience.” alyson.ward@chron.com  


Mayra Beltrán / Houston Chronicle
Humble-based concert pianist Jade Simmons will give viewers an inside look at competitors and the competition at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

About the Cliburn
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, for pianists ages 18-30, is held every four years. In the preliminary round, 30 performers each play two 45-minute recitals. Twelve semifinalists perform 60-minute solo recitals and with the Brentano String Quartet. Beginning June 6, six finalists will each perform two concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. The gold medalist receives $50,000 and professional management through three seasons of high-profile concert dates.
Watch the webcast
Go to www.cliburn.org  . The first competitor plays at 11 a.m. Friday; the Cliburn continues through June 9.

Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 600 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List six years in a row, 2007-2012, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2
# # # # # # #



Mayra Beltrán / Houston Chronicle




















]]>5/23/2013<![CDATA[The Powerful and Philanthropic Wake Up Early for Houston Center for Literacy's Annual Mayor’s Literacy Breakfast on May 9 Mayor Parker Headlines; Emmy Award Winner Khambrel Marshall emcees]]>http://www.houliteracy.org/media/43310/050913-%20Mayors%20Breakfast%20Post%20Event.pdf5/14/2013<![CDATA[Better Business Bureau Recognizes ContentActive with Winner of Distinction Award]]>http://www.contentactive.comDate: May 8, 2013
Contact Person: Leisa Holland-Nelson
Contact phone number: &13-895-3747

PRESS RELEASE

Better Business Bureau Recognizes
ContentActive  with Winner of Distinction Award

ContentActive received the Winner of Distinction Award at the Better Business Bureau Awards for Excellence luncheon held Wednesday, May 8 at the Westin Galleria. This was ContentActive’s third time to be recognized by the BBB for service excellence.
The BBB Awards for Excellence recognizes businesses and non-profits for their achievements and commitment to overall excellence and quality in the workplace. Proceeds from the event help fund the BBB Education Foundation which educates consumers about scams and fraudulent business practices in the Greater Houston area.
When asked what it means to ContentActive to receive this recognition, Leisa Holland-Nelson, President and Co-founder of the company states “We work hard to provide top notch service to our customers and clients and it is an honor to be recognized for our efforts. Our mission at ContentActive is “Clients for Life”, you do not have them without great product and great service.”

Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 600 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List six years in a row, 2007-2012, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2
# # # # # # #
 ]]>5/9/2013<![CDATA[Houston BBB Announces Mobile Version of Online Directory Created by ContentActive]]>http://www.contentactive.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston BBB Announces Mobile Version of Online Directory
HOUSTON, Texas (December 12,2012) - The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas today announced the launch of a mobile version of its popular Accredited Business Directory. The mobile version was created by ContentActive, LLC, a Houston-based web and mobile business solutions company.
The mobile directory will assist the public in finding reputable, trustworthy companies to do business with in the greater Houston area. The directory allows the consumer to search for companies by business category or by name and will, of course, provide all the pertinent information that the public expects from the BBB.
Leila Perrin, Vice President of Marketing for the BBB commented, “We are pleased that our partnership with ContentActive has resulted in a customized mobile site that will not only promote BBB Accredited Businesses but guide consumers in their purchasing decisions. With the popularity of mobile devices, this site will only enhance the BBB brand image.”
Leisa Holland-Nelson, President/CMO of ContentActive added, “ContentActive is proud to partner with the BBB delivering this mobile online guide to the consumer. This forward technology will make the BBB available anytime and anywhere. “
To view the directory from your mobile device, simply open your browser and go to www.bbbhouston.org or go to http://bbbhouston.mobi
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas has been serving the Houston area for 90 years. The BBB collects, investigates, researches and shares information on business practices. The BBB is not an enforcement agency and does not have police powers. However, the BBB works closely with several government agencies, providing investigation and information collaboration. The BBB also provides mediation and arbitration services. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas is a non profit 501(c)(6) organization. The Better Business Bureau Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity.

Contact:
Jordan Rzad, Marketing
jrzad@bbbhou.org
713-341-6156
# # #

Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 600 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List six years in a row, 2007-2012, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2





]]>3/19/2013<![CDATA[Leisa Holland-Nelson Co-chairs as Female Powerhouses Share their Wisdom at University of Houston Women's Studies Table Talk ]]>http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-03-13-female-powerhouses-share-their-wisdom-at-university-of-houston-womens-studies-table-talk/3/4/2013<![CDATA[Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce Names New Chairman for 2013 Succeeding Leisa Holland-Nelson]]>http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/01/29/greater-houston-womens-chamber-names.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2013-01-291/29/2013<![CDATA[Internet Marketing Trends for 2013]]>http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/01/internet-marketing-trends-for-2013.html1/3/2013<![CDATA[ContentActive Ranks #2 on Houston Business Journal's Top Web Design and Development Companies' List for 2012]]>http://www.contentactive.comFor immediate release:


ContentActive, LLC, a Houston, Texas based Web and Mobile Development Company and SAAS provider, is proud to announce that it has again been named to The Houston Business Journal's Top Web Design and Development Companies' list for the sixth year in a row. ContentActive moved up to #2 on the list for 2012, having ranked #5 on the 2011 List.
The 2012 list honors the twentyfive companies in Houston with the highest number of websites created for 2011.

"Mobility and mobile web have been key to our continued growth. Once again, we are so pleased to be recognized on this list. Our team continues to make it possible for us to serve our current clients and continually add to our base. Our creative agency partners have continued to show their confidence in us and our innovative products, we appreciate their support." said Brian Gaubert, CEO of ContentActive, LLC.


Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 600 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award  six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List six years in a row, 2007-2012, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2]]>12/11/2012<![CDATA[ContentActive gives Mobile Workshop at HIMA Event]]>http://www.contentactive.comHouston Interactive Marketing Association Workshop.

Mobile Stats were compiled by our sister company in a blog post regarding current state of mobility covering the following:
  • Mobile Marketing Statistics
  • Mobile Usage Statistics
  • Local and Mobile Search
  • Mobile Web and Mobile Apps
  • Mobile Marketing Strategies
  • Mobile Marketing Revenue
  • Mobile Commerce
  • Mobile and Travel
  • Mobile Growth
  • Mobile Advertising
  • Social Media
Please click here to get the stats!!



]]>12/6/2012<![CDATA[Mobile Marketing @ Trade Shows - AMA Event]]>http://www.contentactive.comHouston American Marketing Association Event: Event Marketing Trends: Why The Trade Show Is Not Dead.

Tradeshow marketing requires engagement. With mobility solutions, businesses can create engagement using the following functionalities:
  • Micro Mobile Website - delivers exact marketing of your brand and products you are promoting
  • Text Campaigns - Text 2 Win, Text 2 Contact and Event usage of text messaging
  • QR Codes - deliver exact product and service information to users within your booth.

Get more information from this presentation! (Click Here)


]]>11/8/2012<![CDATA[Politicalendar.com gets a Facelift!]]>http://www.contentactive.com
Also, Politicalendar has a new, cleaner and more user friendly look. You can add your events to the site simply by registering or by emailing Politicalendar at info@politicalendar.com. Here are some of the other things you can do from the site:

Electronically RSVP
Add the event to your Outlook calendar
Collect contributions on-line by credit card (no merchant account needed!)
Search by date or date range to see what events have already been scheduled
Set up your own website for your campaign
There have now been nearly 2,000 events posted on Politicalendar. If you want to know what is happening in politics, www.Politicalendar.com is the place to go.
]]>10/16/2012<![CDATA[Houston Restaurant Weeks raises $1.2MM for Food Bank, ContentActive Donated Website gets 4.4MM Page Views in August!]]>http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2012/10/10/houston-restaurant-weeks-raises-12m.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2012-10-1010/10/2012<![CDATA[ContentActive Launches New 2012 Houston Restaurant Weeks Website ]]>http://www.contentactive.com
HOUSTON, TX
For immediate release:

ContentActive, LLC, a Houston, Texas based Web and Mobile Development Company and SAAS provider, is proud to announce the launch of www.HoustonRestaurantWeeks.com for 2012

Houstonians Fight Hunger One Plate at a Time
During Houston Restaurant Weeks 2012
Event now includes Galveston and Montgomery County restaurants and text-to-give fundraising

HOUSTON, July 13, 2012 – From Aug. 1 – 31, Houstonians will dine out to help out during Houston Restaurant Weeks, Houston's premier philanthropic culinary event benefiting the Houston Food Bank. The event, established in 2003, provides diners with the opportunity to enjoy special menus at Houston's finest eateries while helping fight hunger in Houston. To date, the event has collectively raised more than $1.7 million to support hunger relief in Houston.

For the first time, the 2012 event will include Galveston and Montgomery County restaurants, with their donations directly benefiting the Galveston County Food Bank and Montgomery County Food Bank, respectively. Also new this year is the opportunity to give via text. Consumers simply text the keyword ‘HRW' to 20222 to donate $10 to the Houston Food Bank through Houston Restaurant Weeks.*

All participating restaurants will offer a three-course gourmet dinner menu for $35 per person, with $5 of each dinner sold benefiting the Houston Food Bank. In addition to the dinner menu, select restaurants will also offer a $20 two-course lunch menu, donating $3 of each lunch sold to the Houston Food Bank. All Houston Restaurant Weeks meals exclude beverages, tax and gratuity.

On July 15, diners are encouraged to visit www.HoustonRestaurantWeeks.com for a complete list of participating restaurants, menus and reservation information. On the website, visitors can search restaurants by name, cuisine, neighborhood and zip code. Reservations are required, but restaurants may accept walk-ins at their discretion.

"Houston's restaurateurs and chefs never cease to amaze me with their generosity to help fight hunger," said Cleverley Stone, Houston Restaurant Weeks founder and chair. "Last year, thanks to the support of our participating restaurants, we were able to raise $800,000 for the Houston Food Bank, providing 2.4 million meals for people who are food insecure. We hope to raise even more this year to support the Houston Food Bank in its mission to provide food for hunger relief charities in 18 southeast Texas counties."

"Houston Restaurant Weeks gives people in Houston an opportunity to experience Houston's exceptional restaurants while providing much-needed relief for families suffering from hunger," said Brian Greene, CEO of the Houston Food Bank. "We are grateful to once again be the beneficiary of this incredible event."


Houston Restaurant Weeks 2012 sponsors include Momentum Audi, Momentum BMW, Sysco, FKM, The Cleverley Show on Talk 650/CBS Radio Houston, ContentActive, 104.1 KRBE, 97.5 ESPN, Houston Magazine, CultureMap, 002houston, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, Prime Living and Retna Media.

Houston Restaurant Weeks' text giving program is certified by the Mobile Giving Foundation and is administered through Give by Cell.

About Houston Restaurant Weeks
Houston Restaurant Weeks was established in 2003 by Cleverley Stone, host of "The Cleverley Show," a talk show about food, wine and dining on Talk 650 / CBS Radio Houston and contributor to Fox 26 Morning News. To date, the event has raised more than $1.7 million to fight hunger in Houston. For the latest Houston Restaurant Weeks information, including restaurant listings, menus, sponsor information, and reservations, visit www.HoustonRestaurantWeeks.com. Follow HRW on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/HouRestaurantWk and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HoustonRestaurantWeek.

About The Houston Food Bank
Now operating from a new, 308,000 square-foot facility, the Houston Food Bank is the nation's largest size Feeding America food bank and source of food for hunger relief charities in 18 southeast Texas counties. They have been named one of 10 Top-Notch Charities across the nation by Charity Navigator. A network of nearly 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and other agencies, feeding a total of 137,000 people each week, provides more than 53 million nutritious meals annually. Fresh produce, meat and nonperishables are distributed from the new warehouse at 535 Portwall, and hot meals are prepared and distributed from Keegan Center, a 15,000 square-foot industrial kitchen. Additional community services range from nutrition education to assistance with food stamp applications and hands-on job training. Red Barrels offer a convenient way for grocery shoppers to donate nonperishables for their neighbors in need. The Houston Food Bank, founded in 1982, is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network. The organization plans to grow to an annual distribution of 100 million nutritious meals by 2018.

About Give by Cell
Give by Cell is one of a select group of approved providers of mobile giving technology, licensed by the Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) to provide text message donation services. The company provides qualifying nonprofits with services to capture text message donations and reach a new generation of first-time donors. Give by Cell is a division of Guide by Cell Inc., the world's largest provider of mobile technologies to nonprofits and cultural institutions. Services include cell phone audio tours, text message services, iPhone and Smartphone applications mobile web, and mobile training. For further information visit www.givebycell.com.

About Mobile Giving Foundation
The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) was founded in 2007 to create a "mobile giving channel" that empowers non-profit organizations and donors. Working with North America's top mobile carriers, the MGF enables the mobile channel for charitable giving by providing the organizational layer, operational guidelines and technical infrastructure for non profit organizations and donors to use the incredible power and convenience of mobile technology. The "Mobile Giving Channel" gives wireless users a simple and immediate way to receive and respond to appeals from worthy causes with the donation charged back to the carrier bill and 100% of the donation going to the designated charity. For further information, refer to the MGF Web site at www.mobilegiving.org.

* A one-time donation of $10.00 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. User must be age 18 or older or have parental permission to participate. By texting YES, the user agrees to the terms and conditions. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Houston Food Bank by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. Message & Data Rates May Apply. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to short code HRW; Text HELP to HRW for help.




Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 550 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. Other ContentActive products include ContentMOBI, mobile website publishing platform, NOW on the MENU, mobile website/text messaging opt-in solution and RENTthesite.com, Instant Interactive Presence.
ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award in six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List five years in a row, 2007-2011, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2

 
]]>7/16/2012<![CDATA[The Businessmakers Show and Women Mean Business Moving to News92 FM July 15]]>http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2012/07/the-businessmakers-radio-show-moving.html?ana=e_hstn_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2012-07-137/13/2012<![CDATA[Houston's own Parentspost.com is Live...Launched by ContentActive]]>http://www.contentactive.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
Press Contact:
Bernadette Verzosa
832-830-8936
Bernadette@parentspost.com

Houston’s own ParentsPost.com is Live!
Word of Mouth on the Web
Recommendations & Reviews from Houston Moms & Dads
(with Google Translate – Houstonians can enjoy in more than 5o languages)

What can we do with the kids today? Where should we go for swim lessons? Are there any good live children's shows this month? Parentspost.com can help Houston families answer these questions, and more. We are an online-only daily resource offering information in all things relevant to Houston families including cultural enrichment, recreational activities, and health & nutrition. Topics are thoughtfully selected to help families enhance their enjoyment of the wonderful programs available in Houston.

*Our Culture Calendar has family events listings hours, days, weeks or months in advance, so parents can look last-minute or plan ahead.
*Our Parents Picks spotlight places, products and services that have been tried, tested and approved by Houston moms, dads and kids! Categories include piano classes, theater classes, soccer leagues, and swim classes.
*Our Adventures section has tips on 2-hour or half-day to full-day Houston excursions, as well as family weekend trips and vacations.
*Our Party Planning section has tips on birthday party places recommended by other parents, as well as articles on party-related issues: cakes, decorations, themes, etc.
*Our First 100 section offers resources and helpful articles to families with newborns up to about three months, a joyful and vulnerable time for new parents.
*Our First 1,000 offers resources and helpful tips on navigating the milestones of approximately the first three years of a child’s life. During this period, families pass many phases including crawling and teething.

About Bernadette Verzosa
Bernadette Verzosa is the founder, creator and editor in chief of ParentsPost.com. She is a Houston Mom who, like many other parents, is always searching for fun and interesting things to do with her family. Bernadette is an Emmy-Award winning television news journalist. She has produced documentaries, morning shows and newscasts in New York City, Atlanta, and West Palm Beach, Florida. She has been a feature reporter for Balitang America, a Filipino-American newscast. She is also a freelance writer and has written for numerous publications.

Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 600 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. Other ContentActive products include ContentMOBI, mobile website publishing platform, NOW on the MENU, mobile website/text messaging opt-in solution and RENTthesite.com, Instant Interactive Presence.
ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award in six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List five years in a row, 2007-2010, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2

 
]]>5/10/2012<![CDATA[Better Business Bureau Recognizes ContentActive with Winner of Distinction Award]]>http://www.contentactive.com
HOUSTON, TX
For immediate release:


Better Business Bureau Recognizes
ContentActive with Winner of Distinction Award

ContentActive received the Winner of Distinction Award at the Better Business Bureau Awards for Excellence luncheon held Wednesday, May 2nd at the InterContinental Houston near the Galleria. This was ContentActive’s second time to be recognized by the BBB for service excellence.
The BBB Awards for Excellence recognizes businesses and non-profits for their achievements and commitment to overall excellence and quality in the workplace. Proceeds from the event help fund the BBB Education Foundation which educates consumers about scams and fraudulent business practices in the Greater Houston area.
When asked what it means to ContentActive to receive this recognition, Leisa Holland-Nelson, President and CMO, stated “We work hard to provide top notch products and service to our clients and it is an honor to be recognized for our efforts by an organization as outstanding as the BBB.”


Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 550 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. Other ContentActive products include ContentMOBI, mobile website publishing platform, NOW on the MENU, mobile website/text messaging opt-in solution and RENTthesite.com, Instant Interactive Presence.
ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award in six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List five years in a row, 2007-2011, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2

 
]]>5/7/2012<![CDATA[ContentActive and GHP Launch New SharePoint 2010 Website Proof Points ]]>http://www.contentactive.com
HOUSTON, TX
For immediate release:


ContentActive, LLC, a Houston, Texas based Web and Mobile Development Company and SAAS provider, is proud to announce the launch of the Greater Houston Partnership's new Sharepoint 2010 website Proof Points., http://technology.houston.org

Proof Points are clear and compelling evidence that the Houston region is a world class technology leader that can enable technology based businesses. They describe how Houston companies are developing and deploying better, smarter ways to use and benefit from technology. Proof Points will focus on Houston's specialities: Manufacturing Aerospace / Aviation, Biotechnology / Life Sciences, Distribution / Logistics, Energy, Headquarters, Advanced Technology, and Nanotechnology.

This website will expand on the variety and uniqueness of Houston's technology developments. Local organizations are invited to showcase their unique technological developments through submittal of proof points. You are invited to browse through the developments highlighted on this website and to submit your own proof points.

"Working with the Greater Houston Partnership is always inspiring for us here at ContentActive, especially when we are helping economic development by identifying Houston as a leading tech center", said Brian Gaubert, CEO. "We look forward to the next exciting project in this space."



CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 500 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. Other ContentActive products include ContentMOBI, mobile website publishing platform, NOW on the MENU, mobile website/text messaging opt-in solution and RENTthesite.com, Instant Interactive Presence.
ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List five years in a row, 2007-2011, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.

ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2

 
]]>5/2/2012<![CDATA[New Rockwell Fund Website from ContentActive Goes Live]]>http://www.contentactive.com
HOUSTON, TX
For immediate release:

ContentActive, LLC, a Houston, Texas based Web and Mobile Development Company and SAAS provider, is proud to announce the launch of the new website for Rockwell Fund, http://www.rockfund.org/. The redesign was coordinated to improve site navigation, usability, menu organization, and aid in providing and loading their compelling content presentation.

The Rockwell Fund is a private foundation supporting nonprofits located in the Houston-Gulf Coast region.

The fund strategy is to tackle core issues through grant making and strategies that enable grantees to be more effective, including:

• Providing seed grants to test new ideas or models that show promise
• Serving as an early investor in emerging areas and fields
• Funding intermediaries that advance the work of our grantees through creating networks and other opportunities that individual grantees otherwise would not have
• Funding advocacy and public policy efforts that increase awareness, dialogue and new knowledge within an issue area
• Encouraging collaboration among grantees, and between grantees and funders, and supporting those collaborations through funding and technical assistance
• Developing partnerships with other funders in order to learn from, and encourage support for, our grantees and issue areas
• Planning and evaluation grants that allow grantees to better track and communicate the outcomes of their work
• Capacity building and infrastructure development grants to build high-functioning nonprofits that are better equipped to tackle their missions.


"We were honored to be chosen by Rockwell Fund to develop their website that was designed by Pennebaker,one of our long time partners" said Brian Gaubert, ContentActive CEO. "The fund's mission coincides with ours, we do better here at ContentActive by doing good works in our community."



Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 500 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. Other ContentActive products include ContentMOBI, mobile website publishing platform, NOW on the MENU, mobile website/text messaging opt-in solution and RENTthesite.com, Instant Interactive Presence.
ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List five years in a row, 2007-2011, and won the 2010 and 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2

 
]]>4/10/2012<![CDATA[Mayor Annise Parker Appoints Two New Members to HOUSTON CENTER FOR LITERACY Board]]>http://www.contentactive.comMedia Contact: Annie Criner
Phone: 713.640.8202
Email: ann.criner@houliteracy.org

Mayor Annise Parker Appoints Two New Members to HOUSTON CENTER FOR LITERACY Board

Leisa Holland-Nelson and Lisa Langston welcomed to Board of Directors

(Houston, Texas) March 21, 2012 – On Tuesday, Mayor Annise Parker appointed Leisa Holland-Nelson and Lisa Langston to join Houston Center for Literacy’s Board of Directors. Houston Center for Literacy, formerly Houston READ Commission, is working to build a literate, prepared workforce in the Greater Houston area.

“I am very appreciative of the new Houston Center for Literacy Board members who are volunteering their time for such an important cause,” said Mayor Annise Parker. “I know they will have new ideas and help implement the great projects that have already begun. Houston has such a diverse population that we need to be creative about our approach, especially when it comes to literacy.”

Mayor Parker’s decision to appoint Holland-Nelson and Langston was met with enthusiasm from City Council Members. Council Member Ellen Cohen remarked, “I’ve been familiar with the outstanding work of the Houston Center for Literacy for a number of years and I commend their efforts to improve literacy in Houston. The stellar credentials of these women make them excellent additions to the already terrific board and I was thrilled to confirm their nomination.”

Holland-Nelson is Co-Founder, President and CMO of Houston based company ContentActive, bringing with her years of experience in brand positioning, organizational development and technology management. Her knowledge of efficient communication methods in growth and development of organizations will be a vital tool in the success of Houston Center for Literacy’s current rebranding process, led by Yaffe | Deutser, a local strategic communications firm.

Holland-Nelson is an active member in the Houston community, and will serve as the Co-Chair for Houston Center for Literacy’s Mayor’s Literacy Leadership Award Breakfast on May 10, 2012 with Co-Chair Ellie Francisco.

Langston’s appointment to Houston Center for Literacy’s Board of Directors comes after her service on the Houston Center for Literacy’s Advisory Board for over a year, using her expertise in accounting to benefit the Finance Committee of the organization. Langston has a strong financial background as a CPA at Houston based firm, Ham, Langston and Brezina LLP, with extensive experience auditing nonprofit organizations.

About Houston Center for Literacy

Houston Center for Literacy (formerly Houston READ Commission) is working to build a literate, prepared workforce
by supporting literacy agencies and programs, engaging the entire community to join us in solving our illiteracy problem and connecting learners with the education they need to be prepared for the future. Houston Center for Literacy, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is working to improve literacy rates by connecting literacy providers and resources to support adult learners.

Established in 1988 by the Mayor and City Council, Houston Center for Literacy supports the Mayor’s Coalition for Literacy, an association of more than 175 literacy sites in Houston. Its vision is to create a literate, prepared workforce by building high capacity, effective and top performing literacy agencies and programs throughout the greater Houston area. This work is done through best practice and resource distribution, advocacy, and volunteer training and placement, serving more than 50,000 Houstonians at over 175 literacy sites in greater Houston area.

Posted by:
CONTENTACTIVE, LLC (www.contentactive.com) based in Houston, Texas, is a leader in the integration of custom CMS functionality with powerful search, social, and mobile innovation. Across web or mobile platforms, and whether the goal is leads, brand impression, purchases, donations, or participation, ContentActive is one of the country's leaders in the next generation of web effectiveness. ContentActive has served the technology communications market in the areas of Content Management, Intranets, Extranets, Payment Solutions and Hosting since 2000, and Mobility since January 2009. With over 550 implementations using our flagship product ContentActive is the link for defining and implementing functionality with pixel perfection, a driving force in marrying functionality to brand. Other ContentActive products include ContentMOBI, mobile website publishing platform, NOW on the MENU, mobile website/text messaging opt-in solution and RENTthesite.com, Instant Interactive Presence.
ContentActive, LLC has won the Houston Business Journal's Fast Tech 50 Award six times, was named to its Top Web Developers List five years in a row, 2007-2011, and won the 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Workplace Flexibility.
ContentActive Contact:
Leisa Holland-Nelson
lhnelson@contentactive.com
713-866-8800 Ext. 2

 ]]>3/22/2012<![CDATA[Karen Love and Leisa Holland-Nelson to Chair 2012 HTC Celebration of Entrepreneurs]]>http://houstontech.org/news/gala-co-chairs-announced/2/28/2012 3:49:00 PM