New Orleans Advertising

Based on over 25 years of experience in branding and advertising, Allen Adamson will speak about BrandSimple, in New Orleans and discuss why the world’s leading brands are based on simple ideas that are easy to understand and better built for long-term success.

In BrandSimple, Adamson discusses how to sync branding signals with the brand idea to serve a company's business strategy. Using examples of venerable and modern brands like Cleveland Clinic, HBO, iPod and the National Football League, he deciphers what those brands have done to arrive at where they are today, in a straightforward and familiar voice. BrandSimple serves as a manual for people just beginning in the industry and for those who have been in it for decades.

Under Adamson’s leadership, Landor’s New York office has partnered with a wide array of clients, including Diageo, GE, IBM, Lenovo, P&G, PepsiCo, Pfizer and Verizon. Additionally, he counsels professional organizations on branding.

Join New Orleans AMA on May 3 as Allen Adamson shares his expertise on branding, 522-4367.

Horse Illness

Recent calls to the state’s Agricultural Chemistry Lab concerning horse illness and death have led Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Bob Odom to remind equine owners to be cautious when feeding their animals.

            “Anytime you are feeding an animal, whether it’s a household pet or livestock, you should always carefully read the label first,” Odom said. “When the lab started looking into the calls, it became apparent the horses were given feed not suitable for equine consumption.”

            The Agricultural Chemistry Lab is a facility operated in partnership by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the LSU AgCenter. The agencies are working together to educate horse owners of proper feeding practices.

            “The horses in question had been fed bulk pellets labeled for cattle and other livestock, not horses. Cattle feed can have higher mold content and other additives that horse feed should not contain,” Odom explained. “These things, at certain levels, are suitable for some livestock but can be toxic to horses.”

            Odom said equine owners should consult their veterinarian to establish a proper feeding program for their horses and again before changing to a new feed or supplement.

            “The veterinarian is there to help keep your animal healthy. After discussing your horse’s eating habits, exercise level and current health, you and the vet can design a feeding regimen that custom fits the animal’s needs,” Odom said.

            The following tips from Dr. Christine Navarre, extension veterinarian with the LSU AgCenter, are general recommendations to follow when developing a feeding program for horses. Every animal and farm is different, so it’s always best to consult an equine nutritionist or veterinarian for specific recommendations.

·        A balanced diet doesn’t always have to include a grain supplement. A horse’s digestive system is made to have forage (grass or hay) as the main ingredient in the diet. If good quality forage is available, most horses do not need corn or other grain supplements. Horses that are exercised frequently, are growing, lactating, or are underweight may need some supplementation. But too much energy in the diet due to over supplementation of grain supplements can cause over conditioning and even obesity, both of which lead to other health problems. Even some high quality hay, such as alfalfa, or pasture may need to be limited to avoid too much weight gain. Always have hay tested for nutritional content to determine how much to feed and if grain supplementation is necessary. 

·        Feed to avoid heat and cold stress. Hay, especially grass hay, produces heat when it is digested. In times of cold stress, provide more hay. In times of heat stress, feed the highest quality hay available, so fewer pounds are needed, thus reducing the amount of heat produced during digestion. As state earlier, have hay tested and talk to a nutritionist or professional before making changes to the diet.

·        Keep feeding consistent. The most common cause of digestive upsets in horses is a change in diet. Any change in feed amount or type needs to be made slowly over a few weeks. And, unlike cattle which have a large first stomach, horses have a small stomach, so need to eat small amounts frequently. In general, hay should be fed free choice. If needed, grain should be limited to ½ pound of grain per 100 pounds of body weight per feeding.

·        Minerals are essential. Matching a mineral supplement to a specific local area is important for horses grazing pasture. A different supplement may be needed if hay was harvested in another geographic area or state. When having hay tested, make sure analysis of mineral content is included.

·        Avoid toxicities. Horses are very sensitive to molds and their toxins. Although many grain supplements are labeled for more than one species of livestock, some grain supplements suitable for other livestock should not be fed to horses. Feeds such as “screenings” or “fines” have a higher mold content than whole grains. These may be harmless to cattle, but should not be fed to horses. Cattle, sheep and goat feed may also have chemical additives, such as monensin, that can be toxic to horses. In general, only give supplements to horses that are actually labeled for horses. Other ways to avoid mold problems are: 1) store only a few weeks supply of grain at one time and clean storage bins between loads, especially in humid summer months: 3) store hay inside or at least cover, especially if round bales are used; 4) feed only the amount of hay horses will actually eat to avoid having old hay buildup on the ground. 

Energy Partners

Energy Partners, Ltd. today announced the extension to 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on April 23, 2007 of its cash tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase up to 8,700,000 issued and outstanding common shares, or approximately 22% of the Company’s shares, at $23 per share.

The Company expects to purchase the shares tendered on a pro rata basis pursuant to the procedures specified in the Offer to Purchase upon the closing of its previously announced sale of $450 million of senior notes, the refinancing of the Company's revolving credit facility and the repurchase of its 8 3/4% senior notes.

As of midnight, New York City time, on April 20, 2007, the initial expiration date for the Offer, 39,679,160 shares had been tendered, including 7,838,612 shares tendered through notice of guaranteed delivery.

Banc of America Securities LLC (1-888-583-8900, ext. 8426) is the dealer manager for the Offer. MacKenzie Partners (1-800-322-2885) is the information agent for the Offer.

Founded in 1998, EPL is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Company's operations are focused along the U.S. Gulf Coast, both onshore in south Louisiana and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bank of America
Bank of America Corp. has reportedly agreed to buy ABN Amro Holding NV’s LaSalle Bank Corp which would make it Chicago’s largest bank. 

Medicaid

According to Public Citizen, Louisiana's Medicaid program beat out South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, and Mississippi but were topped by Massachusetts, Nebraska, Vermont, Alaska, and Wisconsin on issues such as quality of service, poor women and children eligibility. 

Zurich Classic
Nick Watney beat Ken Duke and the Zurich Classic for his first PGA Tour title.  The event was a major accomplishment concerning the damage done by the hurricanes of 2005. 

Join Jeff Crouere as he emcees Politics With a Punch for our 5th Anniversary program.  Check out our panel.  It will be "funnier than laughing gas"

Bayoubuzz is sponsoring Friday Buzz: Putting On The Glitz at the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans.  The Event starts at 5:00 p.m. as a “happy hour” and proceeds throughout the night featuring incredible talent such as Jeremy Davenport, Marva Wright, Armand St. Martin, Suzaune Yee McKamey  and others.  There is no charge, but, there is a cash bar and magnificent restaurant.  It is a great opportunity to get out, meet people, enjoy a beautiful atmosphere and ambiance, dance and obviously, do business of all kinds.  The location is the Ritz Carlton, Third Floor on Canal Street.  Music ends at 1 a.m.  Start planning now and tell your friends.