Looking to upgrade from multicast positioning to fee-based carriage by year’s end, Universal Sports is launching an ad campaign aimed at raising awareness and getting consumers to call their TV providers.

The “I Want Universal Sports” consumer and trade campaign will begin this week, with promo spots featuring on-air talent on the network’s air and website, as well as ads in local print and digital outlets in priority markets. Messaging will feature the above tagline and a toll-free number, 1-800-55-GET-US, aimed at connecting them to TV providers.

A joint venture of Leo Hindery’s InterMedia Partners and Comcast’s NBC Sports Group, Universal Sports is currently available in some 55 million homes in all of the top 10 DMAs and 20 of the top 25 via multicast carriage and its first affiliate deal with DirecTV. The nation’s top DBS provider made Universal Sports available to all of its customers via a freeview in July and now offers it on a sports package. License fee terms were not disclosed.

David Sternberg, CEO of Universal Sports, said the network launched via multicast on broadcast stations in 2008 and after monitoring that approach determined that transitioning the service to a fee-based cable network was “the best way going forward.” He noted that contracts with the stations expire by year-end and are “synced up in a way to facilitate” this migration.

Sternberg said the network has engaged in such talks with cable, satellite and telco distributors since he joined the company in 2010, with an eye toward increasing distribution for the service, which presents an array of Olympic- and endurance-style sports, competitions and championships.

He noted that Universal Sports is in “advanced discussions with a number of MVPDs. We expect to have some announcements very soon and throughout the fourth quarter. “

The campaign is slated to run through the balance of the year with tactics changing as new distribution partners and carriage in markets are secured. Tent-pole network programming will be used to inform viewers of the switch, including promos running on its coverage of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup, Kona Ironman, the Gymnastics Worlds, New York City Marathon, alpine skiing, figure skating and its countdown to London Olympics fare.

Sternberg said the network will also ply on-site grass-roots marketing initiatives at a number of events, including the NYC Marathon and Skate America in Los Angeles.

Part of Universal Sports’ pitch for carriage centers on primary and secondary research indicating that its affluent, highly-educated and gender-balanced audience has affinity for these types of sports throughout the year. The network also over-indexes against premium channel, high-speed data and high-definition subscribership.

Speaking of HD, Sternberg said Universal Sports will launch an enhanced signal in January, an offering that was previously hamstrung by multicasting bandwidth constraints.

Since Universal Sports holds the rights to its myriad sports properties, it can also present video-on-demand and “TV Everywhere” services. Sternberg said DirecTV will launch an authenticated product with Universal Sports in the fourth quarter.

Technology media company TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTGT) today announces the launch of two new websites designed to bring needed information to technology buyers who are researching cloud versions of storage solutions and how to manage compliance and security in the cloud. These new sites, SearchCloudSecurity.com™ and SearchCloudStorage.com™, build on the Company’s existing portfolio of cloud and virtualization media by targeting the specific areas of cloud computing that are experiencing the most rapid growth and are in need of the most resources. They will complement the existing properties in the TechTarget cloud and virtualization portfolio which include: SearchCloudComputing.com™, SearchServerVirtualization.com™, SearchVirtualDesktop.com™, SearchVirtualStorage.com™, BrianMadden.com™, and the BriForum® conference.

“Cloud computing initiatives are reducing costs and finding new potential in technology organizations every day”

TechTarget first launched cloud and virtualization media in 2006, when the technology was first emerging. Over the last 6 months, the TechTarget network has experienced an 80% increase in cloud computing related research activities. In a recent survey, 50% of respondents reported plans to implement new cloud solutions this year, however security and compliance concerns continue to be a top barrier to adoption. Additionally, 46% of the audience survey is either using or considering cloud storage services in 2011 (source: 2011 TechTarget Storage Purchase Intentions Survey).

Cloud storage is a data storage strategy that involves sending a copy of a company’s data to an off-site storage server, frequently hosted by a third-party service provider. SearchCloudStorage.com provides market news, product analysis and practical advice on choosing and managing cloud storage solutions, including: public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, cloud backup and disaster recovery.

SearchCloudSecurity.com is a top resource for information security professionals who have a strategic or operational role in their enterprise’s cloud computing initiatives. The site provides news and technical content on securing many types of cloud computing deployment models and challenges, including: software as a service (SAAS), infrastructure as a service (IAAS), platform as a service (PAAS), security operations in the cloud, risk management, data governance and compliance. After maintaining compliance and developing a disaster recovery plan, the Survey found that securing the cloud is expected to see the largest spending increase in the next year.

“Cloud computing initiatives are reducing costs and finding new potential in technology organizations every day,” said TechTarget CEO, Greg Strakosch. “SearchCloudStorage.com and SearchCloudSecurity.com have the editorial content, vendor resources, and peer-to-peer contributions needed to help the IT professionals make smarter purchase decisions and realize these benefits,” continued Strakosch.

About TechTarget

TechTarget, Inc. (www.techtarget.com) (NASDAQ: TTGT) is a leading global technology media company with over 100 technology-specific websites, 10 million registered members, and more than 10 years of groundbreaking accomplishments. Our extensive editorial and vendor-sponsored content fulfills the needs of tech pros looking for in-depth coverage of technology topics throughout their buying process and positions us to meet the needs of technology marketers targeting qualified technology audiences. Outside of North America, TechTarget runs 23 websites and has offices in London, Mumbai and Beijing.

TORONTO, ONTARIO — Officially confirmed today, fitness icon, entrepreneur and seven-time WWE Women’s Champion, Trish Stratus, has teamed up with HoMedics Canada to produce her own line of unique yoga and fitness gear, Stratusphere Living, following the success of her Stratusphere Yoga Studio.

The Stratusphere Living line will hit select Canadian retailers in September, and will also be available online via trishstratus.com.

The new line of yoga and fitness products include the weighted Fitgloves – a first for yogis – an eco-friendly TPE yoga mat, ultra-absorbing yoga towel, a yoga block, and an all-inclusive yoga kit incorporating a yoga mat, Trish’s Stratusphere Yoga DVD and her nuTrishion journal.

HoMedics Canada CEO Shaun Kobrin, says the partnership brings together HoMedics’ expertise in product development and distribution of health, wellness and lifestyle products across North America, and Trish’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading fitness experts and yoga ambassadors, making it the perfect match.

“I am extremely happy with this new partnership. Trish Stratus and the Stratusphere brand project the key values everyone should live by, and which HoMedics Canada strongly supports – balanced living and a healthy lifestyle,” Kobrin said.

The Stratusphere Living line has been crafted personally by Stratus herself, and she provides her personal touch to every product. “I wanted to give people the tools to help get them on the right track to healthy living. Every item in my line addresses the steps you need to make a lifestyle shift. Stratusphere Living is a lifestyle,” Stratus says.

After a decade long career in the industry, fitness fans are sure to be ‘stratusfied’ with the release of Trish’s first-ever workout DVD. Using yoga to rehabilitate a back injury, and drawing on her diverse fitness background, Trish was inspired to create a total mindbody workout that combines the benefits of strength training and yoga.

The Stratusphere Living brand will also be making its debut on a local and global scale via the popular IT Lounge gifting suite, to be held during the Toronto International Film Festival this year. Held from September 8 to 14, the celebrity gifting suite will be located at the NKPR Adelaide Street, Toronto location. Stratusphere Living’s presence in the Lounge will help raise funds and awareness for local and global charities, Artists for Peace and Justice and Camp Oochigeas.

Stratusphere Living will be available at London Drugs and Sportchek this September, followed by Sears, GNC, and Home Outfitters in early October.

About Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus is a fitness icon, TV personality and entrepreneur who is recognized as one of the top sports entertainment athletes in the world through her achievements as a seven-time WWE Women’s Champion. Over the last decade, Stratus has dedicated her life to health and fitness, and has parlayed her success and passion into a recognized lifestyle brand. Stratusphere was officially launched with the opening of her yoga studio, the largest in Canada. Stratusphere Living, a yoga fitness product line created by Trish rolls out nationally this fall with the release of her DVD ‘Stratusphere Yoga’ all of which reflect her core philosophy of achieving wellness through balanced living. For more information please visit www.trishstratus.com or follow @trishstratuscom.

About HoMedics

HoMedics established its reputation as the leading manufacturer of back and body massagers. Today, it designs and markets one of the most comprehensive assortments of personal health, wellness and relaxation products sold in North America. This assortment spans a wide range of categories including: massagers, footbaths, diagnostic healthcare products, weight management products, sensory and relaxation products, sleep solutions, and home environment products. Since its launch over 20 years ago, the brand’s focus has been on affordably improving consumers’ lives. HoMedics products are available across Canada at most major department, mass market, discount, drug and specialty stores and are distributed internationally through retailers in more than 60 countries. For more information please visit www.homedics.ca.