Sir Richard Branson News

Michael R. Drew, marketing expert and author of "Pendulum: How Past Generations Shape Our Present and Predict Our Future," announces the availability of his latest eBook 'The #1 Way to Increase Your Close Rate: Define What You Stand Against" (Amazon download link). Throwing conventional marketing and sales tactics out the window, including the concept of unique selling propositions, Mr. Drew suggests that the most important thing for a company to do is to stand out from the crowd. He says the best way to do that is to define what the company is not, or "What You Stand Against."

TED, the non-profit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, and WNET, in partnership with PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), will co-produce TED's first-ever original television special this spring, featuring content created and curated exclusively for the show.

Kitesurfing expert Shawn Tieskotter recently released his book How to Kitesurf on Amazon.com - and he's giving away 10,000 digital copies in order to further his favorite sport. The book is intended not just to teach people to kitesurf but also to teach them how to be safe while doing it. How to Kitesurf will be distributed on BN.com and in the iBook format in the future.

Ali Gilmore is determined to be more than a story about beating the odds of late stage cancer survival. She wants to inspire people to face their fears and enjoy life now, regardless of what obstacles come their way, and to get her point across she's willing to face one of her worst fears of all time.

Today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, PBS president Paula Kerger announced that the first-ever autobiographical documentary of physicist Stephen Hawking, called A BRIEF HISTORY OF MINE (w.t.), is slated to air in 2013.

Clive Davis and The Recording Academy will present the annual Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening before the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards (www.grammy.com). Sponsored by Harman, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide, this exclusive, star-studded celebration will feature special musical performances and will be attended by the world's most renowned artists and top industry VIPs in music, film, television and new media. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

Clive Davis and The Recording Academy will present the annual Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening before the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards (www.grammy.com). Sponsored by Harman, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide, this exclusive, star-studded celebration will feature special musical performances and will be attended by the world's most renowned artists and top industry VIPs in music, film, television and new media.

Sundog Pictures announced today the release of their first feature documentary, "Breaking the Taboo," which takes a critical look at the global war on drugs and how it's failed. In making the announcement, Sundog Pictures founder Sam Branson said, "Having spent two years working on Breaking the Taboo, I am convinced, now more than ever, that this is a debate that has to happen. Not just on a local level, in our own communities, but on the global stage." Watch the trailer below!

Though up to 20% of students are dyslexic, many pass through school unidentified, misunderstood and performing below their potential. Paradoxically, these disorders are often found in highly intelligent, creative minds, and can also be seen as a gift, because many people with dyslexia naturally think outside the box and see the big picture, finding alternative solutions to problems that others might not see.

On May 15th, 2012, people from around the globe picked up their cameras to record their lives, and A Day in the World is the result. This inspiring project, the first time capsule of its kind, is an extraordinary worldwide account of an ordinary day, celebrating diversity, connections, and the human spirit with vibrant imagery.

HBO/Cinemax has released the 2012-13 programming overview.

HBO Documentary Films continues its commitment to groundbreaking films in the second half of 2012. From an in-depth portrait of Ethel Kennedy by her daughter, to Rosie O'Donnell's DON'T DIVORCE ME! KIDS' RULES FOR PARENTS ON DIVORCE, to a moving look at dyslexia from James Redford, HBO showcases works by top directors who tackle thought-provoking topics.

Our Focus on the Fringe preview of the Hollywood Fringe Festival continues with a spotlight on Carpe Noctem, Genetic Eddy, On the Rag to Riches, Robert and the Magic Mirror, and 30 Minute Musicals: Showgirls/Jurassic Park. Check them out below and get ready to Fringe-ify your June!

Piers Morgan was honored at the BritWeek 'An Evening with Piers Morgan' on May 4th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, benefiting Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

The special 30-minute BETWEEN TWO FERNS: A FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK, hosted by Galifianakis and produced by Funny Or Die, will air tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and serve as a precursor to the 2nd annual 'The Comedy Awards' airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

According to The Huffington Post, Scott Aukerman previously announced on his 'Comedy Bang Bang' podcast that he had just completed his TV directing debut with a half hour episode of Comedy Central's BETWEEN TWO FERNS. The episode features comedians Tina Fey and Jon Stewart and airs tonight, May 6.

The special 30-minute BETWEEN TWO FERNS: A FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK, hosted by Galifianakis and produced by Funny Or Die, will air at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT and serve as a precursor to the 2nd annual 'The Comedy Awards' airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Coming off Syfy's most watched First Quarter ever in total viewers, Adults 18-34 and key women demos, Syfy and Chiller President Dave Howe today ignited the imagination of the advertising community by unveiling the next phase of the channel's largest original programming slate in history.

According to The Huffington Post, Scott Aukerman announced on his 'Comedy Bang Bang' podcast today that he has just completed his TV directing debut with a half hour episode of Comedy Central's BETWEEN TWO FERNS. The episode will feature comedians Tina Fey and Jon Stewart and will air on May 6.

TVGuide.com reports that 'Two and a Half Men' star Ashton Kutcher has signed on to become the 500th astronaut on Sir Richard Branson's upcoming Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo rocket plane.