CHICAGO, Ill. -- Alterian (LSE: ALN), the leading global enterprise marketing platform provider, has been selected by Protocol Integrated Direct Marketing to provide analytics software. The Alterian Marketing Services Platform will power Protocol's B-to-B and B-to-C clients' ability to gain instant insight into their marketing data and use this to drive a coordinated marketing strategy across multiple online and offline channels.

ATLANTA, Ga. -- M2SYS Technology, a biometric technology research and development firm, announced today its partnership with SecuGen Corporation to support their revolutionary fingerprint reader, the Hamster Plus. The Hamster Plus fingerprint reader features innovative Auto-On technology that automatically checks for the presence of a finger.

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas -- The 102nd annual convention of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association will take place at the Wyndham New Orleans at Canal Place August 22-24, 2007. Special guests include Admiral Joel Whitehead, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District; Steve Stockton, deputy director of Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Congressman Ted Poe, 2nd Congressional District of Texas.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- Economic and development opportunities in West Central Wisconsin will be the focus of a formal study of the region being commissioned by Momentum Chippewa Valley (MCV), says GSP Consulting Corp. The study kicked off August 9 with a visioning session in which local leaders developed a framework for the future economic development of the region.

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -- Mundus Institute of Honaunau, Hawaii, and China National Tourism Administration have agreed to launch a joint venture to utilize Mundus educational software, textbooks, and curricula in colleges, universities, and training centers throughout China. The cooperation agreement will be formally signed at a public ceremony to be held in Beijing, China on November 7. The announcement was made by Dennis Foster, chairman of Mundus Institute.

WAYNE, N.J. -- The Ballantine Corporation, a full-service direct mail production company based in New Jersey, is excited to announce a new client service - personal URLs; clients have reported success. A recent success story involves The Blood-Horse magazine, a publication devoted to international thoroughbred racing and breeding.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Author D.L. Carroll announces her first novel, "West Coast Lady" (ISBN 1-4241-7318-3). Carroll reveals the secrets of Annabelle's past and stirs your emotions with her courage and passion to thrive against the odds in this adult novel for women. The author conveys a realistic perspective on happily ever after and discloses subtle, yet profound, messages throughout the story.

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- UnitingCouples(TM) today announced they are giving back to couples that are serving our Country in the U.S. Military by providing free lifetime memberships to www.UnitingCouples.com, the Internet's first cyber community aimed specifically at helping couples preserve, meet and build platonic friendships with other couples.

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- After an investigation by Federal and State authorities for allegedly running a methamphetamine lab and unlawfully selling iodine at a feed and tack store, Southwest Feed, The State of Arizona has issued a temporary seizure order. Federal authorities have since dropped out of the investigation and returned the two cases of seized iodine and apologized after finding no evidence of any wrongdoing. The state of Arizona is still proceeding with the seizure.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Stephens' Original Foods Company announced the launch of a Gourmet Specialty Foods Gift Basket now available on their website, www.stephensoriginal.com. Mark Stephens, President of The Stephens' Original Foods Company, said that "The gift basket is long over-due."