James Wood's holiday prospects brighten after visiting the MC Resource Centers.

A programmer/analyst from Pensacola, Florida, is the lucky winner of MC Press Online's drawing for a Nintendo Wii in the publisher's "Win a Wii" contest. 

James Wood won the popular game console after entering the MC Press Online contest that was open to readers who download white papers, Webcasts, or software from the MC Resource Centers. Wood's name was picked in a random drawing among a large number of entrants who participated in the contest, which ran from October 1 to December 15. MC Press Advertising Sales Manager Kara Keating-Stuart chose Wood's name in the drawing conducted December 16. 

"We had a record number of entrants in the contest held during the fourth quarter, and no doubt the approaching holidays played a role in encouraging people to enter," said Jeff Phillips, MC Press Director of Marketing. "However, we also are noticing a very strong increase in readers downloading white papers and other materials from the MC Resource Centers, where we have made it very easy for them to just check a box to enter the contest." 

For his part, Wood was delighted to win the Wii but declined to divulge whether he would give it away as a holiday gift or keep it for himself. "I can't believe little old me won the Wii," Wood joked. "Thank you so much, MC Press!" 

Phillips said the staff at MC Press was gratified to be able to brighten Wood's holidays and extended the sentiment from everyone at the company to its many loyal readers and advertisers. 

"While we can't give a game console to every visitor, we do hope that people appreciate the free information that is available from the MC Resource Centers and realize the value of the on-demand Webcasts, free-trial software, and complimentary white papers, the cost of which all is borne by the many respected IBM Business Partners who participate in the program," said Keating-Stuart. 

Those who entered the contest but didn't win this time can take heart in the fact that MC Press is launching a new contest right after the holidays. The prize? A Garmin automotive GPS system*--definitely a toy for grownups. With real-time traffic updates, technology for hands-free calling, and a wide display, the Garmin is a top-of-the-line navigation system with a suggested retail price of more than $500. 

The upcoming contest, called "Charting a New Direction in 2009," will launch January 1 and run for three months, Phillips said. "Throughout the contest period, we will be encouraging everyone in the IBM space to visit all of the many MC Press Web sites, including MC Press Online, the news portal and home to a family of online publications; the MC Resource Centers; and the highly popular MC Press Bookstore, where a semi-annual inventory blow-out sale is now underway with dozens of IBM i books available from only $5 to $25.

Related Links

MC Press Online: http://www.mcpressonline.com/

MC White Paper Center: http://whitepapers.mcpressonline.com/

MC Software Center: http://software.mcpressonline.com/

MC Webcast Center: http://webcasts.mcpressonline.com/

MC Press Bookstore: http://www.mc-store.com/

*Due to the forward nature of the contest, MC Press may, at its sole discretion and for any reason, substitute a similar brand or model of its choosing.