CENTRAL PARK BIKE TOURS BRINGS YOUR BIKE TO YOU

NEWS FROM WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS




CONTACT: Steve Winston
President, Winston Communications
954) 575-4089
steve@winstoncommunications.com



CENTRAL PARK BIKE TOURS BRINGS YOUR BIKE TO YOU

NEW YORK, N.Y.: September 21, 2010 - Central Park Bike Tours takes the trouble out of renting a bike in New York City. This company, one of the pioneers of New York City bicycle-tours and rentals, will deliver its bikes to customers at Manhattan hotels – and pick them up again at the end of the day.

“When we started in 1994, we were pretty much the only bicycle-tour and rental company in the Central Park area, “ says Tom Ahern, owner of Central Park Bike Tours (www.centralparkbiketours.com). “And our philosophy has remained the same since then. We don’t care about being the biggest. We’re only interested in nurturing our reputation for innovative customer-service.”

For its “VIP” renters, many of whom come from out of town, the company takes all the hassle out of taking a bus or cab – or walking – to its store off Central Park. It cuts down on time, and it cuts down on cost. And customers can start pedaling the minute they walk outside their hotel.

In addition to rentals, Central Park Bike Tours is also one of the city’s leading bicycle-tour companies, leading guided tours into nooks and crannies and special places in Central Park that even some New Yorkers don’t know about. Customers pedal past beautiful meadows and old bridges and rarefied museums and horse-drawn carriages, and landmarks such as Strawberry Fields, the John Lennon International Peace Garden, the Wollman Skating Rink, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. In addition, the company also offers tours of special neighborhoods such as Harlem, Brooklyn, Times Square, and Little Italy.

Central Park Bike Tours was originally discovered by “New York” magazine in the mid-90’s, resulting in a new wave of business. Shortly afterward, foreign tourists discovered the company. It’s still one of the few New York bike companies with an actual store.

“If you Googled ‘bicycle tours in Central Park’ in 2005, we were the only ones that came up,” says Ahern. “Now, there’s plenty of competition. But we’re still growing at the rate of 40% a year – so we must be doing something right. And we’d like to think it’s our customer-service.”

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LEADING NEW YORK TOURIST ATTRACTION ADDS TO ITS FLEET

NEWS FROM WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS

CONTACT: Steve Winston
President – WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS
(954) 575-4089
steve@winstoncommunications.com


ZIP AVIATION PURCHASES NEW SIGHTSEEING HELICOPTER


NEW YORK, NY: September 7, 2010 – Zip Aviation, one of New York City’s leading sightseeing and charter-helicopter companies, has announced the purchase of a new Bell Helicopter. The helicopter is an advanced Bell 407, and it brings a new measure of speed, comfort, and technical sophistication to Zip’s already-modern fleet.

Zip Aviation, known for superb customer-service, takes guests on a variety of helicopter tours around New York City, ranging from the “Liberty Island” tour to the memorable “Over the Top” and “Grand Island” tours. New York stretches out from horizon to horizon and side to side before the aircraft, with an incomparable view of the world’s most exciting city, its greatest skyline, and one of its busiest harbors. Visitors get birds-eye views (nighttime or daytime) of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid, the Wall Street district, the harbor, and three states. In addition to the sightseeing tours, Zip Aviation specializes in discreet charters (often for celebrities or international dignitaries) and aerial photography, along with executive and special-event transportation. Its new Bell 407 – modified to be the only one of its kind - features a state-of-the-art “glass cockpit” system, a luxurious custom-designed interior of leather and maple, and an in-flight entertainment system with touch-screen technology.

"We’re really excited about this new craft,” said Itai Shoshani, owner of Zip Aviation. “We think it’s revolutionizing helicopter sightseeing…and our guests love it. The Bell 407 has a luxurious cabin, a smooth ride, and large windows with great visibility. And this is a specially-enhanced model. It’s the nicest 407 in the world, in fact - and the first with the special Garmin glass cockpit.”

The Bell 407’s six-passenger cabin allows guests to get up-close-and-personal with New York City - from a brand-new perspective. And it will allow Zip Aviation to expand its range of services to corporate and VIP clients, as well.

“Many of our clients are celebrities,” Itai Shoshani said. “But all of our clients are treated like celebrities.”
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Zip Aviation (www.zipover.com) offers air tours and charters from Manhattan’s heliports at Wall Street and West 30th Street (in a private terminal) with an all-Bell fleet. The company also flies to all area airports, and can be reached at 1-866-ZIP-OVER (947-6837).

NEWS FROM WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS

NEWS FROM WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS


CONTACT: Steve Winston
President, WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS
(954) 575-4089
steve@winstoncommunications.com


TOP NEW YORK ATTRACTION HITS 7.5-MILLION-VISITOR MARK

New York, NY: August 30, 2010 – NY SKYRIDE, one of New York City’s top ten attractions according to attendance figures, reached a new milestone recently – the 7.5-million-visitor mark. That’s an average of more than half-a-million visitors a year since the attraction opened in 1996.

NY SKYRIDE is located in one of the biggest tourist draws in the world for the past eighty years – the Empire State Building. And it takes visitors on the most unusual ride in New York City – up, up, and away, over the Big Apple, while never leaving the ground. It’s a virtual helicopter tour of the city, from the comfort of a seat on the second floor of the world’s most famous building. You’ll feel the sensation of flight, as you lift off and then “fly” low over one great attraction after another. The ride is narrated by actor Kevin Bacon, a New York City resident. And you’ll get an aerial “tour” of the world’s greatest city.

“Reaching the 7.5 million mark really means something,” said Matthew Day, NY SKYRIDE’S Vice President of Business Development. “This is an attraction you won’t see anywhere else, and – combined with the fact that it’s located in the most famous building in the world – it really makes for a special experience. And while you’re ‘flying’ over New York, you can get a bird’s-eye view of thirty other attractions you may also want to explore.”

One of those attractions is about a hundred floors north of NY SKYRIDE – the Observatory of the Empire State Building. The two attractions offer a joint Combo ticket that not only gets you into both for a discounted price, but also gains you access to the “Fast Track” line for the observatory. The Fast Track allows visitors to bypass most of the regular Observatory line, which can sometimes have waits of up to three hours.

NY SKYRIDE (www.skyride.com) is New York’s only virtual aerial simulator, and it’s one of only a few New York attractions that also serves as a tourist guide to the city. This “aerial” swing over the streets of the Big Apple utilizes digital technology, moving platforms, and an 18-foot-screen. And it’s also proven a very big draw for local residents, as well, along with corporate, civic, and student groups that can get special rates.

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WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS (www.winstoncommunications.com) is an award-winning public relations, marketing, and communications firm in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Its Client List includes organizations such as CitiGroup, American Airlines, Alamo Rent A Car, The Florida Panthers National Hockey League Club, and The State of Florida. Steve Winston, President of WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS, was named by “PR Week” as one of the Top Twenty Public Relations Executives in America.

WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS SIGNS MAJOR NEW CLIENT

NEWS FROM WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS


CONTACT: Steve Winston
President, WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS
(954) 575-4089
steve@winstoncommunications.com


WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS SIGNS MAJOR NEW CLIENT

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: August 25, 2010 – Winston Communications today announced a major new addition to its client roster – NY SKYRIDE, one of the top ten attractions in New York City.

NY SKYRIDE recently hit the 7.5-million-visitor mark - an average of more than half-a-million visitors a year since it opened in 1996. The attraction is located in one of the biggest tourist draws in the world – the Empire State Building. And it takes visitors on the most unusual ride in New York City – up, up, and away, over the Big Apple, while never leaving the ground. It’s a virtual helicopter tour of the city, from the comfort of a seat on the second floor of the world’s most famous building. Visitors feel the sensation of flight, as they lift off and “fly” on an aerial tour of the world’s greatest city. The ride is narrated by actor Kevin Bacon, a New York City resident.

‘Winston Communications has a long and very successful history in the travel/tourism market,” said Steve Winston, President of the company. “For us, helping NY SKYRIDE tell its story is a natural extension of what we do. And it’s a very exciting addition to our client list – because it’s the only attraction of its kind.”

NY SKYRIDE is New York’s only virtual aerial simulator, and it’s one of only a few New York attractions that also serves as a tourist guide to the city. This “aerial” swing over the streets of the Big Apple utilizes digital technology, moving platforms, and an 18-foot-screen.

Winston Communications is an award-winning public relations, marketing, and communications firm that has worked with organizations such as CitiBank, American Airlines, Alamo Rent a Car, The Florida Panthers NHL Hockey Club, and The State of Florida. And it has regularly generated coverage of its clients in media such as CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX-TV, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, “Business Week,” “Forbes,” “Fortune,” USA Today, and The Associated Press. Steve Winston was named as one of the top twenty public relations executives in America by “PR Week.”

“Attendance figures show that we’re already one of the top ten attractions in New York,” said Matthew Day, Vice President of Business Development for NY SKYRIDE. “And now we’re going to really get our story out, with a partner that specializes in generating new business for its clients. We’re thrilled to hook up with Winston Communications.”

IS NEWS DEAD?

IS NEWS DEAD?

I’m convinced it is. Or, at least, after watching the hysterical reaction to a young woman’s recent Facebook posting, I’m convinced it’s on its death-bed.

I’ve spoken often, in this space about our preoccupation with “news” stories about the rich-and-famous…specifically, rich-and-famous athletes and movie stars and born-with-a-silver-spoon-in-their-mouths who get drunk, do drugs, get in brawls (often with their own spouses), and do a host of other really-unimportant things that somehow manage to become “news” stories. But the transformation of this recent Facebook posting into “news,” in my opinion, took the cake.

The Facebook posting to which I’m referring, of course, is the one by the young Israeli former-soldier who posted a photo of herself posing in front of a few blindfolded Palestinian prisoners.

Yes, the photo was a stupid decision by a young woman who obviously had no clue about the sensitivities involved, both human and political. Yes, the photo was offensive. Yes, it was no doubt humiliating to the prisoners. And – for sure – it does show the corrupting influence of an occupation on at least one “occupier” – if not THE “occupier.” (Although, as some have pointed out, she did not then turn around and chop off the heads of her prisoners after taking the photo, as some Islamo-terrorist groups have done.)

But, really…this is news?? This former soldier posted some disturbing photos on Facebook. She wasn’t representing her government. She wasn’t even representing her army – whose officers are justifiably pissed off at her. But have you seen any of the other stuff that young people post on Facebook? And – if you have two daughters on the site, as I do – you realize that all those initials posted by young people are actually curse-words (such as “wtf” – “What the f____k”)? You realize, as well, that the site has plenty of very suggestive photos by young women. And plenty of tasteless, inappropriate photos and comments by young men.

What is real news? Well, let’s see. Thirty million Pakistanis are homeless. The Federal budget is out of control. The war in Afghanistan is still raging (and most likely will continue to rage indefinitely). The recession is still hovering over our lives like a nightmare. Iraq, which has taken seven-and-a-half years and thousands of lives, seems anything but stable. More people lose their jobs every day. Any semblance of reasoned political discussion in our country has turned into screaming and shouting. And our political processes seem sorely corrupt. This is news! Not the social-media posting of an immature, insensitive young woman.

If this is what our “news” is coming to because of the electronic/viral influence, I’m wondering if we should really let the good ole newspaper – and the traditional ways of reporting news - die out.

Steve Winston
President, WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS
www.winstoncommunications.com
steve@winstoncommunications.com

WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS SIGNS MAJOR NEW CLIENT

NEWS FROM WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS

CONTACT: Steve Winston
President, WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS
(954) 575-4089
steve@winstoncommunications.com
www.winstoncommunications.com


WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS SIGNS MAJOR NEW CLIENT

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: July 29, 2010 – Winston Communications today announced a major new addition to its client roster – NY SKYRIDE, one of the top ten attractions in New York City.

NY SKYRIDE recently hit the 7.5-million-visitor mark - an average of more than half-a-million visitors a year since it opened in 1996. The attraction is located in one of the biggest tourist draws in the world – the Empire State Building. And it takes visitors on the most unusual ride in New York City – up, up, and away, over the Big Apple, while never leaving the ground. It’s a virtual helicopter tour of the city, from the comfort of a seat on the second floor of the world’s most famous building. Visitors feel the sensation of flight, as they lift off and “fly” on an aerial tour of the world’s greatest city. The ride is narrated by actor Kevin Bacon, a New York City resident.

‘Winston Communications has a long and very successful history in the travel/tourism market,” said Steve Winston, President of the company. “For us, helping NY SKYRIDE tell its story is a natural extension of what we do. And it’s a very exciting addition to our client list – because it’s the only attraction of its kind.”

NY SKYRIDE is New York’s only virtual aerial simulator, and it’s one of only a few New York attractions that also serves as a tourist guide to the city. This “aerial” swing over the streets of the Big Apple utilizes digital technology, moving platforms, and an 18-foot-screen.

Winston Communications is an award-winning public relations, marketing, and communications firm that has worked with organizations such as Citibank, American Airlines, Alamo Rent a Car, The Florida Panthers NHL Hockey Club, and The State of Florida. And it has regularly generated coverage of its clients in media such as CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX-TV, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, “Business Week,” “Forbes,” “Fortune,” USA Today, and The Associated Press. Steve Winston was named as one of the top twenty public relations executives in America by “PR Week.”

“Attendance figures show that we’re already one of the top ten attractions in New York,” said Matthew Day, Vice President of Business Development for NY SKYRIDE. “And now we’re going to really get our story out, with a partner that specializes in generating new business for its clients. We’re thrilled to hook up with Winston Communications.”

MY '73 TOYOTA

It was one of my first cars. I bought it used, probably around 1977. I have no recollection of from whom I bought it, or under what circumstances.

It was white…well, more like cream, especially when you considered the ground-in dirt all over it. And the interior was one piece of creaky plastic after another. Yet, it was sort of cool, in a not-too-long-out-of-college, see-my-still-unusual-car sort of way. It was Japanese. No one – including me – had any pretensions that this Toyota Corolla was a “good” car. That it was solid. Or that it would last. Toyota, in those days, was still a long way from that status. But this little car served its purpose. It would get me where I had to go. And it would do so without costing me an arm and a leg for gas.

I remembered, when I had bought it, the stories my fifth-grade teacher had told us about “Made in USA.” He had related the story that, in the depths of a thousand miles of rubble after World War II, Japan needed to devise a way to stimulate its destroyed economy. And the best way to do that was to develop a market for its products in America. So they built a new town, called it Usa, and began stamping everything – from cars to push-pins – with “Made in USA.” I never found out if it was really true. But, to us, it was a hell of a story.

In fact, in those days, you didn’t see a hell of a lot of Toyotas on the road. My Dad, a World War II veteran who landed at Normandy and was wounded in Germany, was less than thrilled at my purchase of a Japanese car. And my uncle, who had fought the Japanese all through the Pacific, and had come home from Iwo Jima with a captured Japanese rifle and bayonet, was even less thrilled.

Most Americans don’t even know that the Japanese eventually learned to make quality products – including cars – from an American businessman and industrialist named W. Edwards Deming. After the war, Deming had been asked by the American government to go to Japan and help re-build the Japanese manufacturing sector, by teaching them American production methods and operations systems. And Deming taught them so well that they eventually, of course, passed us in the production of highly-reliable and quality automobiles.

So – like anyone else who once drove a Toyota, and who has admired the product even after he never drove one again – I’m disappointed and disillusioned by the betrayal of the public trust by a once-great company. How quickly, these days, the mighty can fall. And, like many people, I’m willing to cut Toyota a bit of slack for the problems with their cars. But I’m not sure I can ever forgive the apparent deceptions and story-spinning by a once-beloved company that seems to have put profits above people.

Steve Winston
President, WINSTON COMMUNICATIONS
www.winstoncommunications.com
steve@winstoncommunications.com
(954) 575-4089