PRSA-National Capital Chapter Connects With MembersThrough BIA Information Network’s ActiveAccess Desktop Application

CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)- January 30, 2008 - BIA Information Network (http://www.activeaccess.com), a leading provider of private-label desktop applications, announced today that the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (http://www.prsa-ncc.org) has made its ActiveAccess desktop application available to both the chapter’s membership and interested non-members as a free tool to keep apprised of upcoming networking events, programs, news, educational events, job postings, and podcasts; all from the convenience of their computer desktops.

Serving the greater Washington, DC-metro area, the PRSA-NCC is the largest chapter in the country, supporting more than 1,300 PRSA members. Its ActiveAccess application has been branded the National Capital Channel and can be downloaded through the chapter’s homepage or directly at http://www.prsa-ncc.org/content/view/386/25. When activated, the program will place a small branded Channel desktop icon on a user’s computer that will remain available whether minimized or enlarged. A live Internet connection keeps the Channel receiving updates and information directly through the application’s portal.

“The National Capital Channel will be the best way for our membership, as well as other local communications professionals, to stay informed about our outstanding events and networking opportunities this year,” said Heathere Evans-Keenan, president of the PRSA-NCC. “We are a large, busy Chapter – with more than 50 annual events and programs – so finding an efficient way to keep our vast membership base abreast of what’s happening is a constant challenge. Our goal this year is to make our education programs and social events more accessible to the broad community of communications professionals in the greater DC area. With ActiveAccess, PRSA-NCC has an efficient method of keeping our community informed, and a cutting-edge technology that everyone will find easy to use.”

Because the PRSA-NCC can continuously change the content on the ActiveAccess-driven portal page with important news for its members, Evans-Keenan sees the new tool as a key member benefit and component of the Chapter’s new member communication and retention initiatives. She also recognizes the many ways ActiveAccess can be customized among the chapter membership to deliver various types of information, including audio and video, or other targeted content based on user preferences and even zip code.

The Capital Chapter Channel is also promoting the higher-level Chapter sponsors through the application. When in full-view, sponsor logos continuously scroll through the bottom of the Channel and can be clicked to the sponsor’s webpage through a separate Internet browser. In addition, all Chapter sponsors are visible through the application’s portal.

“ActiveAccess provides a digital communications platform that associations, universities, businesses, and other organizations can use to break through the day-to-day clutter for reaching any targeted audience” said MacKenzie Lovings, director of marketing for BIA Information Network. “We are pleased to work in partnership with PRSA-NCC to engage their members effectively and to showcase the power of a Web 2.0 tool such as Active Access.”

ActiveAccess is the most secure private-label desktop application available and does not contain any adware, spyware or malware. The installation file is small and light-weight; it requires about as much memory as a single webpage and does not interfere with corporate servers or network environments. For more information on ActiveAccess for associations, visit www.activeaccess.com/associations.html.

About the PRSA-National Capital Chapter

The Public Relations Society of America National Capital Chapter represents the world’s leadership in the practice of public relations and is the essential network for practitioners in the Washington region. Supporting more than 1,300 PRSA members, the chapter provides high-quality and timely professional development programs, accreditation instruction and networking opportunities. The Chapter promotes public relations education through the support of five regional PRSSA chapters and a Career Academy for inner city high school students. For more information please visit http://www.prsa-ncc.org.

About BIA Information Network

BIA Information Network, LLC, a subsidiary of BIA Financial Network, Inc., is a Chantilly, Va.-based company focused on providing new media solutions for corporations, non-profits, education, government and media industries. BIN’s premier product, ActiveAccess, is a private-label desktop application used by more than one million people that has the ability to deliver customized interactive content directly to any computer desktop. ActiveAccess supports marketing initiatives by fostering brand loyalty and engagement with targeted audiences. Current clients include: Entercom Communications Corporation, Gray Television Incorporated, American Business Media, Meredith Corporation, Nexstar Broadcasting, The George Washington University, and Penn State University. Further information is available at: http://www.activeaccess.com.

Contacts:

BIA Information Network, LLC
Robert Udowitz, 703-621-8060
or
MacKenzie Lovings, 703-802-2991