The Stone News Channel (SNC) - a new quarterly video and Internet-based communications vehicle featuring news about the natural stone industry around the world - will be launched this month by the Marble Institute of America (MIA).

The SNC, approved by MIA’s board of directors at StonExpo in Las Vegas, NV, this past November, will be featured on the association’s Web site, distributed to all of MIA’s nearly 1,800 members via DVD, and made available via the Internet to thousands of others in the industry. The Stone News Channel is being produced by MIA’s marketing firm, Levy Media Group of Cleveland, which has vast experience in developing video and marketing programs for use by the natural stone industry.

Sponsorship for the 20-minute quarterly program will be provided by a limited number of suppliers to the industry, said Gary Distelhorst, executive vice president of MIA. “By using video and the Internet, sponsors will be able to dramatically demonstrate how their machinery, tools and other stone industry products really work in real time,” said Distelhorst. “This concept really breaks the mold of traditional media communications and provides sponsors an opportunity to separate their companies from others in the marketplace.”

The first program will be available for viewing in mid-February, providing sponsors an opportunity to preview what they will be showing at the new StonExpo East in Atlanta, GA, from March 22 to 24 and/or at Coverings in Chicago, IL, from April 17 to 20.

To view a pilot of SNC, visitwww.stonenewschannel.com. For information about sponsorship, contactblevy@marble-institute.comor call 216-861-6778 or 216-374-1759.