A survey released this month of independent business owners across the U.S., including bookstores, has found that the “buy local” message is helping to build customer traffic. However, businesses are still looking for policymakers to find ways to level the playing field for small businesses seeking to compete with their larger rivals.

“This data confirms what we experience assisting communities with ‘buy local and independent’ campaigns — they are raising consciousness and driving more business to local independents,” said Jeff Milchen, co-director of the American Independent Business Alliance. “The data is inspiring and suggests the future will be bright for America’s entrepreneurs once we change policies that handicap independent businesses.”

Worthy Publishing announced the addition of industry veteran Julie Jayne to the executive team in her new role as vice president of sales. Jayne will oversee new account development and the sales force for ABA stores, independent retailers and the gift market.

Jayne joins the Worthy executive team with more than 27 years in publishing sales, marketing and acquisitions. Jayne, who was named Barnes & Noble’s Mid-Size Representative of the Year in 2011, is a graduate of New York University’s School of Professional Studies Center for Publishing.

BET Networks and ICON MANN honored Charles Jenkins Feb. 11 as one of 28 Men of Change featured for Black History Month. A GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter and pastor of Fellowship Chicago, Jenkins was featured in an exclusive interview highlighting his success at combining his passions with his purpose.

“Charles Jenkins is a visionary who understands how to inspire, influence and elevate people of all ages to new beginnings,” said Louis Carr, president of media sales for BET Networks. “His type of leadership is what communities are in desperate need of today.”

CBA has announced the theme for the International Christian Retail Show June 22-25 in Atlanta. Registration opened Feb. 12.

The show’s “Cause to Celebrate” theme reflects Christian stores’ unique position to succeed in new retailing and the causes industry companies support. CBA is also celebrating its 65th anniversary.

The Recording Industry Association of America added song streams to its Gold & Platinum (G&P) Program in 2013, which helped fuel a record-breaking 663 Digital Single Awards—a 25% increase year-over-year and the most in G&P history.

“In a landmark year for our half-a-century-old Gold & Platinum Program, RIAA added music streams to awards to better recognize artists’ commercial success in a transformative marketplace,” said Cary Sherman, RIAA chairman and CEO. 

Among the Christian market music honors were Duck Dynasty’s The Robertsons, which went Platinum with Christmas album Duck the Halls (Universal Records Nashville/Capitol Christian Distribution). Chris Tomlin’s singles “I Will Rise,” from 2008’s Hello Love, and “I Will Follow,” from 2010’s And If Our God Is for Us… (both sixstepsrecords/Capitol Christian) received Gold status in the digital single category.

Laura Story’s “Blessings” (from Fair Trade Services/Capitol Christian’s Blessings) achieved Gold certification in the digital single category, and is her first song to do so. Matt Redman also received his first Gold for “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” from his sixstepsrecords/Capitol Christian album 10,000 Reasons.

Third Day’s 2007 Chronology albums (both Essential Records/Provident Distribution) each received Multi-Platinum status in the video longform category, as the albums are two-disc CD/DVD sets. The Multi-Platinum sales mark for video longform titles is 200,000 copies sold.

The sales thresholds in the album and digital single categories are 500,000 for Gold, 1 million for Platinum and 2 million for Multi-Platinum.

Cru’s Scripture-quoting movie classic to be available in three high-definition formats at retail and online

JESUS, the most watched film in history, has been remastered in high definition with a complete new musical score in Dolby 5.1 surround sound. Released 35 years ago, the film has been viewed billions of times.

Retitled The JESUS Film, the classic account of Jesus’ life will have select theatrical showings beginning this month. Additionally, partnering with Cinedigm and Mission Home Video, the high-definition film will be available in Blu-ray, DVD and digital formats in retail and online April 1.

JESUS depicts Christ’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection as told in the Gospel of Luke. Virtually every word Jesus speaks in the film is quoted from Scripture, with 450 leaders and scholars having reviewed the script for biblical accuracy.

“When the original JESUS film was released 35 years ago, it was ahead of its time,” said Erick Schenkel, executive director of The JESUS Film Project, a ministry of Cru. “Yet, while the film has introduced billions of individuals around the world to the person of Jesus, few in the U.S. have ever seen it. We believe this new remastered version will give audiences an accurate picture of who Jesus is and why individuals around the world have chosen to follow Him, shown with production values they have come to expect.”

The film has been recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Translated Film in history, and is now is available in 1,197 languages. More than 200 million individuals have indicated a decision to follow Jesus after viewing the film.

Alleged ethical breach disqualifies song sung by Joni Eareckson Tada

Enthuse Entertainment’s historical drama Alone Yet Not Alone garnered a 2014 Oscar nomination for Best Original Song—but then ran into trouble. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences rescinded the song’s nomination just days after the original announcement. 

Bruce Broughton, who composed the song with Dennis Spiegel, is a member of the executive committee at the Academy and was flagged for sending Oscar voters an email bringing to their attention the underdog song sung by best-selling author and Christian recording artist Joni Eareckson Tada.

While other nominees’ representatives had engaged in similar marketing efforts to draw attention to their songs, the Academy’s Board of Governors felt Broughton’s actions were inappropriate and constituted an ethical breach due to his position on the Academy’s executive committee.

Tada—a quadriplegic who founded Joni and Friends to meet the needs of the disabled—was excited about the nomination as a chance to bring attention not only to the film, but also to people with disabilities like herself. 

“While I can only imagine the disappointment of music writer Bruce Broughton and lyricist Dennis Spiegel in the rescinding of their Oscar nomination, it in no way detracts from either the song’s beauty or its message,” Tada said. “I was humbled and honored to have been asked to sing it for the film and was as surprised as anyone when I learned of the song’s nomination.”

It’s not all grim news, though, as Movieguide announced plans to feature Tada performing “Alone Yet Not Alone” at its Feb. 7 awards gala in Los Angeles. Furthermore, despite the disappointing turn of events for the Oscar hopeful, the movie’s visibility has been greatly increased by the surprise nomination and rare disqualification.

The title-track single is available digitally through iTunes, and the full soundtrack, composed by William Ross, will be available in stores in 2014. DVD release information has not yet been announced. Zondervan released Tracy Leininger Craven’s Alone Yet Not Alone (Zonderkidz) YA book in December.

Alone Yet Not Alone tells the story of Barbara and Regina Leininger and their journey of faith and survival during the French & Indian Wars in 1755. Captured by the Delaware Indians in a raid and transported 300 miles to Ohio, the sisters are sustained by their trust in God and their hope of escape. 

In its limited theatrical release last September, Alone Yet Not Alone became the highest-grossing film on its opening weekend in terms of per-screen average (combining theater and Seatzy ticket sales), reaching $13,396 per screen.