Bridgevine Earns PCI Certification and Sets Security Bar for Internet Marketing Providers

Vero Beach, Fla.—March 23, 2010—Bridgevine today announced that it has earned PCI DDS certification as a PCI Level I Service Provider. The designation, granted by the PCI Security Standards Council, minimizes the company’s business risk and protects their advertiser and affiliate partner brands’ important financial processing information. The award is a testament to the high security measures put in place by Bridgevine, as it capped off an infrastructure strengthening initiative, and completed rigorous scans on firewall security and compliance.
PCI DSS is the payment card industry’s security standard for enterprises that process, store or transmit cardholder data. This comprehensive standard is intended to help organizations proactively protect customer account data.

“Obtaining Level I PCI certification is an immense accomplishment for Bridgevine, and a true validation of the security measures we’ve taken to protect our customers,” says Vinny Olmstead, Chief Executive Officer of Bridgevine. “This designation strengthens our advertiser services, and proves our affiliate Internet marketing programs are handled with the utmost care and security. We’re proud to give our customers the peace of mind that comes from knowing our internal processes and controls have been rigorously tested and validated according to industry standards.”

Companies that receive PCI DDS certification adhere to six core principles, including building and maintaining a secure network; protecting cardholder data and regularly monitoring and testing their networks.

Advertisers come to Bridgevine to generate customer relationships through world-class online marketing capabilities coupled with a proprietary services merchandising platform. Advertisers may choose to have their brands distributed through Bridgevine’s affiliate partners, gaining access to new distribution channels operated by leading players in e-tail, retail and call centers. The Bridgevine Network can generate substantial value for advertisers.

ABOUT BRIDGEVINE, INC.
Bridgevine is an Internet marketing company that seamlessly connects its advertising clients with new, high quality customers, and its merchandising affiliates with integrated customer monetization solutions. Its proprietary, PCI-certified platform acquires leads through multiple sources, including search, e-tail and retail, and then offers consumers a variety of services and money-saving bundles from its expanding base of participating brands. The company has expedited more than 8 million transactions generating over $1 billion in incremental revenue for a number of world class partners. It has been cited on the Inc. 500 list two times, as well as the Deloitte Fast 500 list, and is backed by major investors such as Safeguard Scientific (NYSE: SFE) and Constellation Venture/JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM).

Broadcasters on board with FCC National Broadband Plan

News by Todd Haselton on Tuesday March 16, 2010.

Yesterday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released details on its National Broadband Plan, which it hopes will help deliver affordable broadband to over 98 million Americans, improve our broadband infrastructure overall, and spur competition in the market.

Part of the plan requests and additional 500MHz of wireless spectrum by 2020, and 300MHz in the next three years, some of which would need to come from American broadcasting companies. Despite predictions that broadcasting networks would be against giving up spectrum, some are on board, Reuters reports. MORE

MegaPath Honors Top Channel Partners with New Award Program

First Ever Partner Awards Puts the Spotlight on Top Channel Performers for 2009 Channel Partners Conference & Expo

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MegaPath Inc., the leading provider of managed IP data, voice and security services in North America, announced the winners of the company’s inaugural 2009 Partner Awards at a private reception held Monday night during the Channel Partners Conference & Expo. These awards – Pinnacle, Best Year-over-Year Growth and Rookie of the Year – honor MegaPath’s channel partners for their dedication and successes over the course of the year by selling the company’s line of business-class broadband, voice and data and MPLS VPN services.

And the winners are…

Pinnacle Award: Telarus – As the partner that achieved the greatest overall success in 2009, Telarus embraced the true spirit of the MegaPath Channel Partner Program by providing their customers cost-effective, enterprise-level solutions that met their telecommunications needs. By utilizing innovative quoting tools and providing training and support to engage with Channel Managers and Sub Agents, Telarus offered MegaPath’s award winning broadband, MPLS and DuetSM line of services to its customers.

Best Year-over-Year Growth Award: Intelisys – Awarded to the partner with the greatest increase in growth from 2008 to 2009, Intelisys grew its revenue through a successful sales strategy by providing its customers with MegaPath’s innovative product line of broadband and voice and data services. As a Master Partner that sells through sub agents across the United States, the Company enabled the channel to close more deals and offered world class support.

Rookie of the Year Award: Bridgevine – As a new member to the Master Partner Program, Bridgevine hit the ground running in 2009 and has no intention of stopping in 2010. By taking advantage of the tools and resources provided by MegaPath, the Company was able to drive demand amongst its customers via an aggressive online marketing campaign. Since signing-on as a partner, Bridgevine’s customers have benefited by being more productive and realizing cost-savings by implementing MegaPath’s services such as its Duet and T1 offerings.

“In 2009, MegaPath put an increased emphasis on the channel by investing in programs and developing products and services that were based on partner feedback on what their customer’s were looking for in broadband and voice and data services,” said Dan Foster, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, MegaPath. “In providing our partners with training and marketing tools, as well as innovative products, our partners have realized financial success. We applaud the winners of the MegaPath Partner Awards, and look forward to the continued success of all our partners in 2010.”

In 2009, MegaPath created the Channel Partner Advisory Council to foster communication between the company and its valued channel partners. The council is chartered with guiding the strategic direction of the channel program and helping align the goals of MegaPath and its partners. In addition, Foster was selected to PHONE+ magazine and Channel Partners Conference & Expo joint 2009-2010 advisory board.

About MegaPath Inc.

MegaPath is the leading provider of managed IP communications services in North America. MegaPath leverages its wide selection of broadband connectivity, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Voice over IP (VoIP) and security technologies to enable businesses to lower costs, increase security and enhance productivity. Businesses of all sizes can easily and securely communicate between their headquarters, branch offices, retail locations, mobile workers, and business partners. To learn more about why 20,000 companies have chosen MegaPath’s managed IP data, voice and security services to improve their business communications, visit www.megapath.com or call 1-877-MegaPath (634-2728).