For the last three years, Taco Bell has been hard at work feeding bands on tour as part of their Feed The Beat program. Last fall, 100 of these bands participated in the “Best Of the Beat” competition. Fans voted on their favorite bands and the top 3 went on to become the winners of the program.

Taco Bell just re-launched www.feedthebeat.com and is currently offering free MP3 downloads from the winners of the program. Some of the winners invested their winnings into recording new music while others opted to go a different route. Regardless, the singular mission was clear for Taco Bell, work to help expose the public to the best in new music.

Go to www.feedthebeat.com and download brand new songs from Hit The Lights and Thousand Foot Krutch as well as get a free download from Fireflight.

Also, next time you head to your local Taco Bell for some eats, be sure to read up on the bands on their sauce packets.

Here’s a widget we created to help you spread the word. Grab the embed code and share with your friends.

You can read the entire press release after the jump.

TACO BELL® TURNS UP THE VOLUME WITH FIRST FEED THE BEAT MUSIC RELEASE

“Best of the Beat” Contest Winners Hit the Lights, Thousand Foot Krutch and Fireflight Become First Bands to Partner with Taco Bell to Produce and Promote Their Music

IRVINE, CALIF., April 21, 2009 – For the past three years, Taco Bell® has been feeding up-and-coming bands free Fourthmeal® meals while they are out on tour as part of its Feed the Beat music program. Last fall, 100 of these bands participated in Taco Bell’s “Best of the Beat” competition, where they competed for a chance to record, have Taco Bell produce a single and gain valuable marketing support for that single. More than 180,000 fans voted on Feed the Beat’s Virtual Music Festival Web site (www.feedthebeat.com) and Hit the Lights, Thousand Foot Krutch and Fireflight outlasted the competition to win the bracket-style contest. Today they become the first ever bands to have singles promoted by Taco Bell’s Feed the Beat program.

Each band collaborated with Taco Bell on a specific plan that would help advance their music careers. Hit the Lights worked to tap producer Mark Trombino, whom the band found suited perfectly to its sound and wanted to make their new single available to its fans for free via download. Thousand Foot Krutch brought on a familiar producer to the band, partnering with Aaron Sparkle and will use it to tease its new album, due next fall, with a free download for their fans. Fireflight elected to have Taco Bell promote its existing single produced by Rob Hawkins and want to break through to a new audience, and will have that song available for a free download. All three singles are available to music fans by going to www.feedthebeat.com.

“Thanks to all the good people at Taco Bell for the opportunity to record with one of our favorite producers and then give it to our fans for free,” said Nick Thompson, lead singer Hit the Lights. “The only thing that would make this better is if we had some fire sauce to go with it.”

The singles, titled “Pulse” by Hit the Lights, “Bring Me To Life” by Thousand Foot Krutch and “Unbreakable” by Fireflight, will be promoted on www.feedthebeat.com and through a unique in-store effort, via Taco Bell’s iconic Sauce Packet. The packets, tagged with the www.feedthebeat.com Web site, will reach more than 208 million people through Taco Bell’s 5,600 restaurants over the next five weeks. Additionally, Taco Bell will conduct some online promotional efforts to bring attention to the singles.

“We’re excited to have been chosen to be part of Feed the Beat and a big thank you to everyone who voted,” said Trevor McNevan, lead singer Thousand Foot Krutch. “‘Bring Me to Life’ is the song we chose to record and we are stoked to share it with you! Thanks to Taco Bell, we teamed up with producer Aaron Sprinkle (The Almost, Demon Hunter, MxPx) and mix engineer Randy Staub (Metallica “Black Album”, Nickelback “Dark Horse”) for this one and it was a perfect match. BIG, crunchy, adrenaline rock…umm…yes please. Our new album is out later this fall, so please download this track as our free gift to you!”

“Thanks Taco Bell for introducing Fireflight’s music to new fans,” said Dawn Richardson, lead singer of Fireflight. “We love being part of Feed the Beat and for audiences to hear our song ‘Unbreakable.’ The song is about breaking free, I hope it empowers listeners to face fears and not hold back.”

Earlier this year, Hit the Lights, Thousand Foot Krutch and Fireflight were also featured in this year’s Winter X-Games telecasts on ESPN and ABC. Taco Bell worked with ESPN to have Feed the Beat music, as well as footage of the bands performing in Aspen at Winter X, incorporated into highlight packages that aired on ESPN and ABC. The packages were complete with band name and song identification, to broaden the band’s fan base and expose new listeners to great indie rock.

“The release of these singles from the winners of ‘Best of the Beat’ reaffirms our commitment not only to feeding bands, but also feeding music to new audiences,” said David Ovens, Chief Marketing Officer, Taco Bell Corp. “Our hope is to continue to grow Feed the Beat and reach more bands because we love music.”

The codes will be found on all 12-ounce, 64-ounce, 89-ounce and 128-ounce containers, as well as the 59-ounce packages of the new Trop50 orange juice beverage. Enter the codes and save rainforest.

The Syndicate is helping this cause by working to help spread the word about this campaign and make impressions through both online and offline channels by targeting like-minded communities and lifestyles.

Press release after the jump.

Tropicana Teams Up with Cool Earth for ‘Rescue the Rainforest’ Campaign

Save One-Hundred Square Feet of Forest For Each Tropicana Pure Premium(R) On-pack Code Entered

CHICAGO, March 23 /PRNewswire/ — Destruction of the rainforest sends vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere — about as much as all the CO2 emitted by the U.S. every year — and it is accelerating at a rapid pace.(1,2) To help stem the devastation, Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo, has partnered with Cool Earth, an international trust dedicated to protecting the rainforest to offer consumers the opportunity rescue the rainforest — and it starts with just one carton of orange juice.

Through 2009, specially marked packages of Tropicana Pure Premium(R) and Trop50(TM) products will carry a code that consumers can enter online at www.tropicanarainforest.com. For each code entered, 100 square feet of rainforest will be saved. Once registered, consumers can enter additional codes with each purchase and increase area of rainforest they have rescued. There is no limit to how many codes a consumer can enter and Web visitors can register individually or as a group. Through the technology provided by Google Maps, those who register can watch the area of rainforest being saved by Cool Earth grow.

“We are proud to support Cool Earth and its mission to save the endangered rainforest and help reduce the impact of climate change,” said Neil Campbell, president of Tropicana, a division of PepsiCo. “We believe in doing our part to make the planet better and this campaign makes it easy for our consumers to join us in helping to preserve the natural environment. We hope that this campaign can trigger a movement with an extraordinary impact.”

Central to the Tropicana initiative is Peru’s Ashaninka Corridor, along an arc of deforestation that is being routinely cleared and burned. With Tropicana’s help, Cool Earth will secure threatened rainforest by putting it in a local trust, and work toward protecting it around the clock. Cool Earth employs locals, helps fund community-based livelihood and makes sure the rainforest is managed sustainably, generating a good income for the local economy. Tropicana has already protected 5,000 acres of endangered rainforest in the Amazon, which ensures that carbon stays where it belongs.

“Having Tropicana as the first U.S. company to get behind our mission is an important milestone in seeing our vision come to life,” said Matthew Owen, executive director of Cool Earth. “We hope the ‘Rescue the Rainforest’ initiative spreads across the country, thereby enabling us to make a significant impact on protecting the rainforest and its invaluable resources.”

Rainforests are being cleared at an alarming rate. On average, an area roughly the size of Los Angeles disappears every month(3). The destruction of rainforest is a major source of greenhouse gases and a driver of climate change(3). In addition, the Amazon is home to indigenous people, a wealth of natural products, and vital habitats for many exotic plants & animal species. The time to address this growing issue is now.

To help rescue the rainforest, or to learn more about Tropicana’s “Rescue the Rainforest” initiative, visit www.tropicanarainforest.com. Tropicana packages carrying the code are: 12-ounce, 64-ounce, 89-ounce and 128-ounce Tropicana Pure Premium(R) orange juice, as well as the 59-ounce package of the new Trop50(TM) orange juice beverage. Codes can be entered online through 12/31/09.
For more information about this promotion and Tropicana’s environmental initiatives, please visit:
http://newsroom.mbooth.com/Tropicana/CoolEarth-NewsRelease.html

About Tropicana’s Sustainability Mission
Tropicana is committed to using natural resources in a responsible manner and has made sustainability part of its mission. The company has a long history of decreasing its impact on the environment through efforts such as turning discarded orange peels into cattle feed and using renewable energy. In a first for any consumer brand in North America, Tropicana had the carbon footprint of its 64-ounce Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice certified with the Carbon Trust, providing the information needed to find opportunities to reduce carbon emissions. The company also launched a recycling initiative with Waste Management and carton suppliers, working toward increasing the number of cities accepting cartons for recycling.

About Cool Earth
Cool Earth was founded in 2007 by Johan Eliasch, one of the world’s most successful businessmen and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Special Representative on Deforestation and Clean Energy, and Frank Field, a longtime Member of Parliament. It began when Field learned of Eliasch’s purchase of 400,000 acres of Amazonian rainforest in order to protect it from destruction. Together, they created Cool Earth, an international trust to protect the rainforest, which acts as the Earth’s lungs. The organization’s goal is to allow companies, individuals, families, schools, and churches to “own” and protect part of the world’s rainforests. To date, Cool Earth has protected 40,000 acres of endangered rainforest and has garnered the support of such public figures as former Prime Minister Tony Blair and actor Ricky Gervais.

To learn more about Cool Earth, visit www.coolearth.org.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with 2007 annual revenues of more than $39 billion. The company employs approximately 185,000 people worldwide, and its products are sold in approximately 200 countries. Its principal businesses include: Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods. The PepsiCo portfolio includes 18 brands that generate $1 billion or more each in annual retail sales. PepsiCo’s commitment to sustainable growth, defined as Performance with Purpose, is focused on generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities the company serves. This includes meeting consumer needs for a spectrum of convenient foods and beverages, reducing the company’s impact on the environment through water, energy and packaging initiatives, and supporting its employees through a diverse and inclusive culture that recruits and retains world-class talent. As a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI North America), PepsiCo is a recognized leader in sustainability. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

All That Remains rhythm guitarist Mike Martin and renowned producer Zeuss (Shadows Fall, Hatebreed, Chimaira) have been added as panelists to the second annual Metal Insider Summit on Friday, April 17. The event, part of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, will begin at 1 PM with Zeuss speaking on the “Metal During a Recession” panel and Mike Martin partaking in the “Breaking Into the Industry” round table. Both sessions will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 35 Major Taylor Boulevard in Worcester, MA, adjacent to the Palladium.

Admission is free with an RSVP at MetalInsider.net and a ticket to the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, or appropriate proof of purchase. Those unable to attend will be able to contribute and learn with exclusive coverage at MetalInsider.net, MetalSucks.net and MetalInjection.net in the days following the event.

Times and panelists for the Metal Insider Summit are as follows:

METAL INSIDER SUMMIT LOCATION:
Hilton Garden Inn
35 Major Taylor Blvd
Worcester, MA 01608

Session One: Metal During a Recession (1:00 – 1:30)
Panelists:
Brian Slagel, Chairman/CEO of Metal Blade Records
Ash Avildsen, TKO Booking/ Sumerian Records/Summer Slaughter Tour
Rob “Blasko” Nicholson, Artist Manager for Mercenary Management/Bassist, Ozzy Osbourne
Scott Lee, Mass Concerts
Jason Rudolph, Artist Manager for Heavy Hitter (Daath, The Chariot, IWrestledABearOnce)
Zeuss, Producer/Mixer (Shadows Fall, Chimair)

Session Two: Breaking Into the Industry (1:45 – 2:15)
Panelists:
Bram Teitelman, Radio Promotion for The Syndicate/Editor for MetalInsider.net
Jody Dankburg, Director of Marketing and Artist Relations for Washburn/Randall/Eden/Parker
Scott Givens, Vice President of Metal for E1 Entertainment
Mike Martin, Guitarist for All That Remains
Amy Sciarretto, Director Of Publicity for Roadrunner Records
Josh Smith, Talent Buyer for MassConcerts
Will Putney, Producer/Engineer at The Machine Shop

The Metal Insider Summit is an interactive, educational conference consisting of two panels where fans and the metal music industry can engage, share ideas and help further the scene. The Metal Insider Summit will give fans an opportunity to meet key members in the business and gain valuable insight on how to start their own careers. It will also give labels, managers, agents, endorsers, publishers, media promoters, bands and more the chance to interact with the people who buy their albums, tickets and merchandise.

MetalInsider.net, scheduled to fully launch in May 2009, is a site that will offer a unique look into the metal music industry though news, interviews and editorials. The site will launch as an affiliate of the Blast Beat Ad Network. Other Blast Beat Network affiliates include Metalsucks.net, who will be live-blogging the Metal Insider Summit, and Metalinjection.net, who will be filming the Summit.

The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival is proudly presented by Randall, Washburn and Eden Electronics. Sponsors include Metal Blade Records, Prosthetic Records, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Monster Energy, Deathcote Records, 518 Prints, All In Merchandise, Atticus Clothing, R&D Express, Vic Firth, SJC Custom Drums, Chasers, Mazur PR, The Syndicate, Heavy Hitter, the Rock and Shock Festival, Roadrunner Records, Myspace Metal, Killer Tours, Scott Lee Clothing, Jeremy Saffer, Defyunlearn.com and Returntothepit.com.

Admission is free with an RSVP at MetalInsider.net and a ticket to New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, or appropriate proof of purchase. Those unable to attend will be able to partake and contribute with exclusive coverage at MetalInsider.net, MetalSucks.net and MetalInjection.net in the days following the event.

“I am very excited to moderate again this year at the Metal Insiders Summit at New England Metal Fest,” says Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel. “Last year was a lot of fun and I felt we had a great panel and discussion. I look forward to another great year, see you there!”

Mass Concerts’ Scott Lee, participating in the summit for the second year in a row, encourages casual fans and aspiring professionals alike to join. “If you are a fan or are interested in getting into the music business this is the place to be. Mass Concerts is proud to have The Metal Summit as part of the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest,” adds Lee.

Details for the Metal Insider Summit are as follows:

METAL INSIDER SUMMIT LOCATION:
Hilton Garden Inn
35 Major Taylor Blvd
Worcester, MA 01608

Session One: Metal During a Recession (1:00 – 1:45)
Panelists:
Brian Slagel, Chairman/CEO of Metal Blade Records
Ash Avildsen, TKO Booking/ Sumerian Records/Summer Slaughter Tour
Blasko, Artist Manager for Mercenary Management/Bassist, Ozzy Osbourne
Scott Lee, Mass Concerts
Jason Rudolph, Artist Manager for Heavy Hitter (Daath, The Chariot, IWrestledABearOnce)
Amy Sciarretto, Director of Publicity for Roadrunner Records

Session Two: Breaking Into the Industry (2:00 – 2:45)
Panelists:
Bram Teitelman, Radio Promotion for The Syndicate/Editor for MetalInsider.net
Jason Bittner, Drummer for Shadows Fall/Burning Human
Jody Dankburg, Director of Marketing and Artist Relations for Washburn/Randall/Eden/Parker
Scott Givens, Vice President of Metal for E1 Entertainment
Will Putney, Producer/Engineer at The Machine Shop

MetalInsider.net, scheduled to fully launch in May 2009, is a site that will offer a unique look into the metal music industry though news, interviews and editorials. The site will launch as an affiliate of the Blast Beat Ad Network. Other Blast Beat Network affiliates include Metalsucks.net, who will be live-blogging the Metal Insider Summit, and Metalinjection.net, who will be filming the Summit.

The New England Metal and Hardcore Festival is proudly presented by Randall, Washburn and Eden Electronics. Sponsors include Metal Blade Records, Prosthetic Records, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Monster Energy, Deathcote Records, 518 Prints, All In Merchandise, Atticus Clothing, R&D Express, Vic Firth, SJC Custom Drums, Chasers, Mazur PR, The Syndicate, Heavy Hitter, the Rock and Shock Festival, Roadrunner Records, Myspace Metal, Killer Tours, Scott Lee Clothing, Jeremy Saffer, Defyunlearn.com and Returntothepit.com.

THIS TIME NEXT YEAR formed in late 2006 and has made good use of their short time as a band. They’ve already released two independent EPs – 2007’s A Place For You (Escapist Records) and 2008’s The Longest Way Home (Run For Cover Records). They’ve also toured nationally and shared the stage with the likes of Set Your Goals, Cartel, Four Year Strong, and Just Surrender.

Most recently, This Time Next Year appeared on the coveted list of Absolutepunk.net’s “Absolute 100 Bands to Check Out”. Their video for “Alex In Wonderland” is also currently featured on Alternative Press’ website. Both are just previews of bigger things set to come for the band.

“We are proud to announce that we are working with The Management Syndicate. It’s been months in the making and for everything to be complete feels great. Since the day Jackie and Dave reached out to us, they’ve been a helping hand,” stated Brad Wiseman, the band’s guitarist/vocalist. “The Syndicate is a great company with honest, caring, hardworking individuals who understand the reality and hard work of being in a band and truly take pride in the artists they decide to work with.” Wiseman continued, “they have the same amount of enthusiasm and passion for this band as we do, and we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

The Syndicate’s Jackie Pedraza says, “This Time Next Year’s sound is what really set them apart for us. We are impressed with their strong drive and energy. We can’t begin to say how excited we are to have This Time Next Year as part of our unique roster.”

CANCER BATS just embarked on a Canadian tour with Johnny Truant and Black Lungs. After that they will head overseas to open for Funeral For A Friend through December.

It’s been a whirlwind year for Cancer Bats. Their latest album Hail Destroyer was released to rave reviews and landed them on the cover of Kerrang! Magazine. Hail Destroyer later earned one of the magazine’s nominations for “Album of the Year.” Cancer Bats would eventually lose the award, but not before Rage Against The Machine frontman Zach De la Rocha, feeling the band was robbed, led the awards ceremony crowd in a standing round of chants for Cancer Bats.

“We’re very excited to be jumping on the punk rock juggernaut that is Cancer Bats,” states Raw Power founder Craig Jennings. “We look forward to exciting times ahead. It is a huge addition to our roster and the whole team is looking forward to working closely with the band and building their career.”

Adam Mott of The Syndicate states, “We are truly excited to be teaming up with Craig Jennings to manage Cancer Bats. The band writes incredible music and already has a reputation for being one of the hardest working bands on the scene. It will be a pleasure for them to a part of The Syndicate’s management roster.”

For publicity and marketing opportunities contact Jackie Pedraza jackie@thesyn.com for This Time Next Year and Adam Mott adam@thesyn.com for Cancer Bats related inquiries.

Henderson has a busy year ahead of him: The instrumentalist will be playing on Bootsy Collins’ forthcoming CD, as well as recording with onetime Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Buckethead. He has a signature Epiphone guitar, “The Apparition,” coming out later this year, and is also endorsing a range of products for other companies including Digitech, Dean Markley, EMG and Krank. In addition, Henderson is a featured instructor on website www.guitarinstructor.com.

“The Syndicate not only care about and understand my career path, but they customize opportunities and events based on my personality and personal goals,” Henderson says. “I’m proud as hell to say I’m a Synner who has saints working with me!”

“Marcus’ passion for music is matched only by his desire to help people love and create music,” Syndicate partner Rev. David Ciancio says.” “We’re ecstatic to have him join Thursday, The End, Shadows Fall and Protest the Hero as a part of the Syndicate’s management roster. His work in the Guitar Hero series has helped to shape a revolution in video gaming and we hope to help him do the same with the rest of his works.”

For publicity and marketing opportunities, contact Rev. David Ciancio.

You can lay your eyes on Marcus’ signature Epiphone guitar, “The Apparition” after the jump.

Anyway, here at The Syndicate we feel it’s about time for you to hear the truth, so without further ado:

The Top 12 Reasons That Hoodstock Is Better Than Flag Day

1. “Hoodstock” is a delightful play on words, while the name Flag Day is simply plagiarized from a 5th rate holiday. Flag Day isn’t even a federal holiday. Amateurs.

2. Woodrow Wilson was the President who founded Flag Day. Nobody cares about Woodrow Wilson.

3. Hoodstock has been historically held on July 24th. The same day that:

- Amelia Earhart and Jennifer Lopez were born!
- British lecturer Gerald Brooke was returned to London after four years in a Soviet jail!
- Lance Armstrong won his seventh consecutive Tour De France!

4. One morning Don Larsen heard about Hoodstock. He then went on to pitch a perfect game in game five of the 1956 World Series

5. Number of cars lifted by forklifts during Flag Day: 0 
    Number of cars lifted by forklifts during Hoodstock: 1

6. Bruce Springsteen lives in New Jersey. Tourists and rats live in New York.

7. July 2002: The Syndicate decides to throw a pirate themed installment of Hoodstock. Petey the Pirate attends, hilarity ensues.

  Winter 2004: Doug and Steve decide to start a company called Pirate…Coincidence?

8. Outside of the States, in places like India, China and the UK, “flag day” refers to when a charity raises funds by collecting in the street and door-to-door. We think charity is cool and whatever, but come on – that is sooo annoying.

9. According to a recent Associated Press article titled, “Teen talk: Can You Hang With The Slang?” – Young hip trendsetters in various US metro areas have been observed using the word “hoodstock” in text messages to mean, ‘a role model or individual who has courage and integrity. Ex: “u want 2 com oVr N watch Senator Barack Obama’s speech on Net Neutrality 2nite? Dat dood iz hoodstock.”

10. Dead bodies found in lot where Flag Day takes place: 0
      Dead bodies found in lot where Hoodstock takes place: 1  (proof)

11. In addition to Flag Day, other notable events which occurred on June 14th:

- Anna Slesers becomes the first victim of Albert DeSalvo, better known as the Boston Strangler. (1962)
- Paris falls under German occupation. (1940)
- A weeklong product tampering scare occurs as customers throughout the USA discover syringes in unopened cans of Diet Pepsi. (1993)

Boy…Really makes you want to have a party, doesn’t it?

12. Doug Blake has nothing to do with Hoodstock.

Flag Day: 2
Hoodstock: 12

According to the band, they are “hunting for babes and money”. The band have released this press release.

Subject: MBD parts ways with East West, babe hunt begins.

After having released In Bocca Al Lupo on our own label, “Tent Show Records” through the East West system, MBD are free agents and looking for a new record deal. We would like to extend a thank you to East West for the good times.

If you run an amazing record company with limitless money and free babes for band members, please email us at band@murderbydeath.com, and include a sample of the money or babes.

Thank you, and goodnight.
- MBD

They are offering the first round of registration discounts to college students if you are able to REGISTER BY MARCH 27, 2007. As well as bulk packages available for groups of 10, 20, and 40 or more people.

Register now to save big on your CMJ Music Marathon registration badge – giving you access to PANELS, COLLEGE DAY, FILMFEST and of course OVER 1000 PERFORMANCES all in the heart of New York City. Student badges begin at $75 (discounted from the walk-up student registration cost of $295).

Register for Early Bird discounts [here]

As in years past, bands should submit entries to play via Sonic Bids [here]

CMJ Music Marathon 2007 Dates Announced, Early Bird Registrations Now On Sale

Clear your calendars! The 27th Annual CMJ Music Marathon will take place from Tuesday, October 16 to Saturday, October 20 in New York City. And for the first time in over a decade, the headquarters have moved downtown. Together with NYU, the world famous Puck building, and dozens of legendary venues, this year’s Marathon will continue to feature performances from the best of the best new artists from around the world.

Join 12,000 music professionals and over 100,000 music fans in New York this October. CMJ Music Marathon has helped thousands of artists gain worldwide success including the Shins, Arcade Fire, Black Eyed Peas, Modest Mouse, the Killers, and Wilco, just to name a few. The five-day festival also features panels, keynote speeches, film premieres, mentoring sessions, and tutorials.

Registration is open now at www.ticketweb.com, with extreme early bird prices available. Band/Artist Showcase submissions are also being accepted right now at www.sonicbids.com/cmjmusicmarathon2007 with a 20% discount until April 15, 2007. Potential panelists and speakers should contact the panels department at panels07@cmj.com.

www.cmj.com/marathon