The changes were intended to help the distributor "continue to set the pace as the leading independent music and video distributor in North America," said E1 Entertainment CEO Michael Koch.

Targeting worship leaders and teams as well as church leaders, the contest and promotion also seeks to appeal to the audience of two popular singers/authors, Glenn Packiam and Brian Doerksen. One of the founding leaders and songwriters for the Desperation Band, Packiam wrote Secondhand Jesus: Trading Rumors of God for a Firsthand Faith, set for release in June. An award-winning songwriter, Doerksen wrote Make Love, Make War: NOW is the Time to Worship, scheduled for release in August.

Total Valentine's Day spending is expected to reach $14.7 billion, down slightly from last year. "A bad economy won't stop Cupid this Valentine's Day, but it might slow him down," said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. "This year more than ever, consumers will look for creative and inexpensive ways to show those they love how much they mean to them."

The film starring Kirk Cameron as a firefighter who turns Christ to save his marriage received the $100,000 Epiphany Prize for Film, while the movie broadcast on the Hallmark Channel garnered the $100,000 Epiphany Prize for Television during the 17th Annual Movieguide Faith & Values Awards & Report to the Entertainment Industry, held last night in Beverly Hills, Calif., the Associated Press reported.

"LifeWay's financial health is good," Jerry Rhyne, LCR's chief financial officer said at their semiannual meeting, Feb. 9-10, Baptist Press (BP) reported. He cited a strong balance sheet, no debt, a healthy reserve fund, a growing revenue trend, a strong and diverse customer base and a steady stream of theologically sound resources.

The month's sales for religious books were $ 49.3 million, while the category's sales were down 7.6% for the year. Sales of religious books previously decreased 9%, 25.6%, 11.8% and 10.8% for the months of November, October, September and August, respectively.

Tooth & Nail Records/BEC Recordings has promoted Tamara Moore as national promotions manager. Moore's duties include managing the radio team and developing new artists as well as continuing to support the established roster. Moore previously worked with the label as an independent promotions coordinator since 2007.