The 20 Dream CMO finalists will be further winnowed to a Top 10 before the three-week voting window opens March 2. The Top 3 vote getters travel to a Disney theme park in mid-April for a head-to-head competition that will be videotaped and voted on again by the online public. The winner serves as a goodwill ambassador at Disney parks around the world.

So far, 10 finalists have turned up in Disney chat rooms promoting their candidacy.

The contenders:

By far the best of the bunch is Andy Peterson’s inspired video entry featuring animated cannonballs, poison apples and forest creatures. In fact, I could see Peterson landing a permanent job as an animator for the Mouse at the end of his CMO gig. Karrie Duncan’s animation-heavy video will duke it out with Peterson’s entry for the cool vote (the contest rules strictly forbid music, but I guess singing is OK).

Peter Yu earns high marks for his mock infomercial advertising a fictional CMO college called the Magical Institute & Center for Knowledge, Education & literacY (MICKEY, sort of). Courses include How to Whistle While You Work and How to Fastpass Your Way to the Top.

Justin Muchoney earns the bronze medal just for his crazy energy alone. Muchoney’s screwball Snoop Dogg vocabulary — “adventurosity,” “extrovertaneous” and “obsessidisivation” — made me fashizzle my izzle off.

A pair of imaginative pixie dust cuties — Daisy Francisco and Meggin (no last name) — tied for honorable mention and have just the peppy personality I imagine Disney desires in a candidate. College student Nicole Lee trades the pixie dust for a creative magic mirror bit.

Further down the list, Eric Kidwell and David Driver offer similar family-focused, Disney-obsessed pitches that were good but not great. I loved Driver’s CGI Mickey tears. Kidwell’s wife gets the best line in his piece: “I like the magic — the pixie dust I can do without.”

Radio DJ Tripp West the cut. Disney obviously included Tripp in the Top 20 finalists for the free on-air publicity.

It’s important to keep in mind Disney has yet to make an official announcement on the Dream CMO finalists, and there’s a 50/50 chance these candidates won’t make the Top 10.

Disney Interactive Studios would be eligible to recover 30% of its sales, payroll and corporate taxes. The Governor's Office of Economic Development announced the deal today.

Former U.S. national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel welcomed the break, with Blackburn having a free weekend following its surprise elimination in the third round of the FA Cup.

"We have 12 games left to get ourselves in at least a top-six position and are very close to that goal right now," said Friedel. "Hopefully training here will give us the rejuvenation we need to finish the season strong as we are normally an exceptional second half team."

Rover fans like Eric Dewberry, who traveled the nearly 450 miles and seven-hour drive from Atlanta, Ga. to Disney's Wide World of Sports, came out to catch a glimpse of their favorite football club.

"Once I heard that Blackburn was coming to Disney to train, I knew this was a great opportunity for me to come and watch my favorite English club up close," said Dewberry. "Once I told my wife about this opportunity, she knew there was no stopping me. Hopefully more teams will do this as it is great exposure for them here in the United States."

The agencies are the incumbent Carat, MindShare, ZenithOptimedia and Media Planning Group, sources close to the pitch suggest.

The winning agency will handle media for Walt Disney’s television, studio and parks interests in Europe.
 

Of the money raised, $5.6 million went to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and $900,000 went to the AT Children's Project -- which is working to find a cure to a rare childhood disease -- and $1 million went to various other charities. A total of 19 charities benefited from the event.

About 18,000 runners ran the 26.2-mile race, and 16,000 ran the 13.1-mile half-marathon.

The event has raised more than $52.1 million since its creation 15 years ago.

Developed by Traveller’s Tales, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for home consoles and Windows-based PC takes players throughout Narnia and includes a level, which is unique from both the novel and the film. The level, which is set between the events of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” and “Prince Caspian,” takes place at the castle of Cair Paravel and tells the story of how Narnia fell to the Telmarine hordes. In “Prince Caspian,” Cair Paravel is seen only as abandoned ruins the Pevensies discover hundreds of years later.

The action/adventure game offers gameplay for one or two players on the same system and drop-in/drop-out features, allowing either player to join the game and leave. With combat, exploration and puzzle solving that extends beyond the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is the ideal complement to the movie-going experience. The game features more than 20 playable characters including the ability to play as Prince Caspian. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian game is the sequel to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for consoles, which received the prestigious IGN.com Editor’s Choice Award.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian game is an epic adventure that provides memorable experiences as it takes players throughout the familiar areas of Narnia from the second film,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Fans of the films and books will re-live the excitement, the battles and the memorable characters while going beyond the events of the film.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS, which is an action/role playing game, will debut DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios’ innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected game community for Disney video game fans. With DGamer, players earn content, interact and chat with others on Nintendo DS through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or on a computer through the Disney.com website. DGamer will be offered in North America in future Nintendo DS games from Disney Interactive Studios with a future launch scheduled in other global regions. Prince Caspian for Nintendo DS is being developed by Fall Line Studio, the Nintendo platform-dedicated development studio of Disney Interactive Studios.

About “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” film

The enchanted characters of C.S. Lewis’s timeless fantasy come to life again in this second installment of the seven book series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically and mysteriously transported back from England to Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them.

About Walden Media

Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Walden Media creates films, books and interactive media for the whole family to enjoy together. By working closely with the best talent in film and publishing and by collaborating with educators and parents, Walden Media develops stories that delight and enlighten audiences young and old. Founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films’ Dimension label, and education reformer Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media is a subsidiary of Anschutz Film Group.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS - News). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California and has five internal game development studios around the world including Avalanche Software, Fall Line Studio, Propaganda Games, Black Rock Studio and Junction Point Studios.

Tune in on TV or log on the Internet and you're in a rich interactive world of education and entertainment that builds counting and reading skills, plus creativity, cooperation and self-esteem.

Feld Entertainment, the folks who brought you stage productions of the Doodlebops and Disney on Ice, are back on tour with Playhouse Disney Live, a show for preschool-aged kids and their families.

In the show, characters search the world for music to jump-start a big party at the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. There's Winnie the Pooh and Tigger; Handy Manny, the fix-it man; and, of course, the Little Einsteins — Leo, Annie, Quincy and June — on their rocket ship. On the Disney Channel, these playful, interactive shows celebrate childhood with games, stories and international music.

The Rays will play against the Toronto Blue Jays from April 22-24. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series from the Texas Rangers at the Disney Sports Complex last May, marking the first regular-season major league games ever played in the Orlando area.

"From the atmosphere at the ballpark, to the exposure the games generated throughout the state of Florida, to the series sweep, our experience at Disney last year was a great success," said team president Matt Silverman. "More importantly, we provided fans in the Orlando area a first-hand look at the Rays. We are committed to extending the Rays deep into Central Florida and growing interest in our exciting, young team throughout the state."

Disney's contract with EMI has about a year to run, according to people familiar with the matter, and the company may extend the agreement.

However, Disney's discussions with rivals mean that Mr Hands, who acquired EMI last year for £4bn ($7.8bn) through his Terra Firma private equity group, may have to pay a premium to keep the contract.

Disney has approached Universal Music, which currently handles its US distribution, according to people familiar with the matter.

Warner Music, which managed Disney's overseas distribution before EMI took it over in 2005, could also be in the running. Both Universal and Warner declined to comment.

Disney said: "Over the past two years we have enjoyed a successful relationship with EMI as our record licensee in Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand. We look forward to that relationship continuing."

Some record executives suspect that Disney may be starting conversations early to increase its leverage over EMI. "Their timing is very good," one said, pointing to the strong recent sales of soundtracks to Disney's TV franchises.

Disney's moves highlight the challenges confronting Mr Hands as he attempts to radically restructure EMI - cutting jobs and costs - without alienating its roster of artists or putting off business partners.

Last month, the Rolling Stones, a longtime EMI band, announced they would release their latest album, Shine a Light , through Universal.

A person close to the band said the decision reflected unease about the state of the company. Radiohead and representatives for Robbie Williams have also expressed discontent with EMI.

People familiar with the discussions said it was possible that Disney could opt to move a single international release to a competitor while leaving the rest of its business with EMI intact.

Disney managed to score big hits last year in spite of a double-digit decline in overall album sales for the music industry.

Disney Theatrical Group also announced today that after an unprecedented six seasons of touring two companies of THE LION KING, one of the two record-setting tours would complete its final stop in Milwaukee, WI on March 2. As demand for the production remains strong, the second tour will continue indefinitely. Together the two tours have played to a combined audience of over 10 million people to date and grossed more than $100 million a year since the two tours began.

"I am hugely proud of THE LION KING's continued success on the road and our historic achievement in South Africa," said Thomas Schumacher, President of the Disney Theatrical Group. "This show continues to be embraced by audiences around the world and brings us to places we never would have dreamed of a decade ago."

When the Johannesburg production closes on February 17, 2008, the show will have sold over 550,000 tickets making it the most successful stage production in South African history. Ticket sales have more than doubled the previous record-holder, "The Phantom of the Opera." Leaving behind the legacy of a theatre built specifically for the production, THE LION KING has literally changed the theatrical landscape of South Africa for generations to come.

When the South African production opened on June 6, 2007, THE LION KING was originally expected to run through fall 2007. After several extensions due to high demand, THE LION KING will now conclude its run on February 17, 2008. The show will ultimately have played for a record-breaking forty weeks. In a special Wednesday matinee program with principal sponsor Telkom, 38,000 South African children, mainly from the local townships, will have had the opportunity to see the show for free. As the first theatrical experience of their lives, the show has given them an experience like none other. THE LION KING in South Africa is co-produced by Lebo M and Pieter Toerien.

Over the past five years, THE LION KING's two national touring productions have played to more than 10 million people in more than 50 major cities in North America grossing a total of over $500 million. THE LION KING's second tour continues to draw capacity crowds to highly successful engagements, including recent sold out returns to Dallas and Minneapolis. In 2008, THE LION KING will premiere in Toledo, Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, and play return engagements in Atlanta, Tampa and Columbus with more cities to be announced.

For tickets and more information, visit http://www.lionkingtour.com

The first tour of THE LION KING debuted in Chicago, IL at The Cadillac Palace Theatre in April, 2003, following the sit down engagement in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theatre from November of 2000 through January 2003. In an effort to share the experience of THE LION KING with additional communities across the United States, Disney also launched a tour in Denver, CO in April 2002 at The Denver Performing Arts Center and immediately began achieving record-breaking success while entertaining audiences nationwide.

THE LION KING first tour (known as the 1st National Tour) finished a 13-week run in Honolulu in December, grossing $15 million for the engagement and was the longest running and highest grossing theatrical engagement ever to play Honolulu. The production set a house record for The Blaisdell Concert Hall, grossing $1.3 million during its final week. Sales for the recently concluded four-week Mexico City engagement were 106 million pesos for the four week engagement (approximately $10 million US), with over 150,000 people attending the production at the Auditorio Nacional.

Warren, who started the OBJ in 1984, joined Disney (NYSE: DIS) in 1995 and served as vice president of public affairs for the Orlando Resort. Warren previously was head of internal and external communications for Florida Power Corp.

In his new role, Warren, 51, will be responsible for Disney's governmental affairs and advocacy at the state and local levels.

"Bill has spent his career building relationships with leaders in Central Florida. He has in-depth knowledge of our company and passion for the community, and I look forward to his contributions," says Shannon McAleavey, senior vice president of public affairs for Walt Disney World Resort.

McAleavey also announced that Eugene Campbell, 41, has been promoted to vice president of community relations and minority business development.

Campbell joined Disney in 1999 as a senior manager in the Alliance Development organization. He was promoted to director of the Walt Disney World Minority Business Development department in 2003.

"Eugene's promotion is well deserved," McAleavey says. "Under his leadership, Disney donated more than $33 million in cash and in-kind support to local organizations in 2007."