Florida Agenda

I hope everyone had a great season and enjoyed many of the wonderful things South Florida has to offer. Over the past few months, Guy Magazine and the Florida Agenda have transitioned our circulation to work towards becoming Fort
Lauderdale’s number one choice for our avid readers and loyal advertisers in 2012.

For our valued advertisers, we are now exclusively distributing our publications within a 50-mile radius in South Florida only. This represents over 90% of the customers that will frequent your businesses. The result of this dynamic strategy is that our advertisers will no longer need to pay a premium to any other publication for out- of- area circulation that has proven ineffective in bringing the anticipated business to your establishments.

Thanks to all of our advertising business partners who have embraced this proven strategy, we look forward to working with new clients, who will benefit substantially from this cost-effective way to grow your businesses. Additionally, you will maximize your marketing budgets, as we target ALL the LGBT spending power in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami marketplace.

My goal to grow Multimedia Platforms, LLC has come to fruition. This past week MMP entered into a joint venture partnership with publicly traded company Cybermesh International (stock symbol CYTL). I was also named new CEO of Cybermesh International and Chairman of the Board. MMP received 12 million shares of common stock in the transaction and I personally signed a three-year employment contract.

We are now positioned to begin the process of executing LGBT print and online business acquisitions to grow our media company throughout North America. Having access to the public markets for capital, and having stock to offer our future business partners, provides Publishers around the country with a valued exit strategy to reward them for their incredible commitment to LGBT publishing. To our loyal readers and viewers online, this also provides you an opportunity to own your own fair share of our company as a shareholder, so you can be a part of producing publications, online platforms, and mobile applications that are educating and entertaining our readers and viewers all over the world.

It is imperative that we report the news and support initiatives in our newspaper and future newspapers around the country that are important and relevant to the LGBT community today, and for future generations to come. It is also important that we continue to showcase the great people, places and things that entertain us all around the world through our Men’s Entertainment Magazines and future Magazines in newly acquired markets. Our online platforms have exploded in strength, as we now have over 7,000 fans on our Facebook page, and enjoy over 5,000 weekly page views on our entertainment website guymag.net. Our news site, FloridaAgenda.com , enjoys thousands of viewers, and offers a great online platform to stay up -to- the- minute with cutting-edge LGBT news stories, features, and insightful editorial discussions.

Last month, we relocated our offices to 2435 N. Dixie Highway, in Wilton Manors. This move was done strategically to merge with Sterling Accounting to manage all our accounting, bookkeeping and invoicing. Jeff Sterling has also become the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for Cybermesh International, and will be named to the board of directors.

I want to thank all of our readers, online supporters, and our loyal advertising business partners for the past several years of incredible support. Without you, we could not serve the community in the ways that we do. The media can and does change lives. We take this responsibility very seriously, and we encourage you to join us as we strive towards being your voice and the voice of those who cannot be heard.

Hope all have a great summer.

Best Regards,
Bobby Blair
Publisher
CEO

Cybermesh International LLC/Mulimedia Platforms LLC/Multimedia Platforms Worldwide LLC
Stock Trading Symbol CYTL

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—On Wednesday, Cybermesh International Corp (OTCBB: CYTL), a technologybased company focused on supporting media industries with online distribution, analysis and revenues protection, and Multimedia Platforms LLC (MMP), publishers of the Florida Agenda and Guy Magazine , announced a joint venture, effectively combining the individual strengths of both companies.

Multimedia Platforms Worldwide LLC (MMPW), will be managed by Bobby Blair, MMP’s current CEO and managing partner, and Publisher of the Agenda and Guy, who will serve as the new venture’s CEO. “This joint venture provides MMPW the perfect positioning for our long-term goals as a company to expand at a steady targeted rate. In the next few months, we will be acquiring existing online and print publications while developing platforms to lead and support positive change and equality in the growing LGBT business community,” Blair said. “In addition, we are excited about leading the industry in mobile and online vehicles to showcase the entertainment, travel, and lifestyle segments of the markets we serve.”

Research conducted by Witeck- Combs Communications, Inc. and Marketresearch.com indicates that the collective buying power of the LGBT community is poised to top $800 billion by 2013. “MMP expects to capture a healthy share of that business, and fully intends to function as the essential source of information for the growing LGBT segment of the American and world populations,” said Blair. Sam Porter, CEO of Cybermesh, shares Blair’s enthusiasm. “We believe that Robert Blair has built the most dynamic, inclusive, and integrated media company in the LGBT marketplace, and is positioned for infinite expansion potential. This joint venture will allow Multimedia Platforms Worldwide LLC to access the public capital markets to build resources and seize growth opportunities now and in the future.”

As part of the terms of the joint venture, MMP will receive 12 million restricted shares of common stock in CYTL. Boris Epshteyn, a popular commentator on CNN, and Managing Director of Business and Legal Affairs at West America Securities Corp., is advising MMP.

MMP has built an all-inclusive media platform consisting of newspaper, magazine, entertainment, and news website formats, and has recently expanded to include video and mobile applications to reach all facets of the international LGBT community. MMP’s top brands include Florida Agenda , the Fort Lauderdale-based weekly LGBT newspaper that covers world, national, and local news and events, and Guy Magazine, a weekly entertainment and lifestyle publication that features and blankets through distribution the burgeoning South Florida LGBT marketplace. According to Blair, MMP’s focus is to reach new consumers with the latest technology and market expertise, delivering the highest quality news and entertainment information via a variety of platforms.

Cybermesh International is a technology-based company that focuses on developing technologies to assist the entertainment, telecommunications, and media industries, through online distribution, analysis, and revenue and copyright protection. Currently headquartered in Southern California, Cybermesh International will be relocating to Fort Lauderdale as part of the joint venture.

WILTON MANORS – What began as an interim arrangement that turned into a two-year partnership and “living arrangement” ended on Monday as Multimedia Platforms, LLC (MMP), publisher of the Agenda and its sister publication, Guy Magazine, bade a fond farewell to its former publishing offices at 2157 Wilton Drive, to take up residence just around the bend—literally and figuratively speaking—at 2435 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors.

From its inauguration in 2010, MMP took up residence in half of the bay space occupied by Copy This and Planet Press. “This was going to be a temporary arrangement, with Bruce [Bogan, owner of Copy This] giving up half of his operating space to accommodate us while we built up the newspaper and entertainment magazine into what both publications have become,” according to Bobby Blair, Managing Partner and CEO of MMP, and publisher of the Agenda and Guy.

“It has been such a rewarding partnership, and we were so sad to leave, but we are going to always be grateful to Bruce and Billy [Sands, Bogan’s partner] for their hospitality and for being such gracious ‘roommates’,” adds Blair. “I know it was sometimes crazy.” Bogan, who suffered a heart attack earlier this year, is expanding his successful Copy This and Planet Press operation, and needs the office space formerly occupied by the publishing offices of the Agenda and Guy Magazine, which received the 2011 “Bestie Award” for Best Publisher and the 2012 “Bestie” for Best Entertaining Magazine (the Besties are hosted annually on Academy Awards night at The Manor Restaurant and Nightclub Complex and are awarded based upon the results of online community voting via social media).

On Monday, May 14, 2012, the sister publications formally took possession of their new publishing offices, located within the Sterling Accounting and Tax Services suites, just south of Five Points on Dixie Highway’s antique row. “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Agenda and Guy to our suites,” says Jeff Sterling, president and owner of Sterling Accounting. A three-day move supervised by project manager Silas Thebert, MMP’s online administrator, was undertaken over an event-filled Mother’s Day weekend, one that incurred no disruption to operations or publication schedule for either weekly print platform.

“Mission accomplished,” said Thebert with a wink. “We loved our experience on Wilton Drive and are equally excited and honored to be welcomed as we have been on the Dixie Highway side of town,” notes Blair. “This part of Wilton Manors and Greater Fort Lauderdale is undergoing a Renaissance, and with the offices of SFGN across the street, we are building our own version of London’s Fleet Street,” he joked, referring to the historic former location of Britain’s major newspapers.

Greetings to all,

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce that Multimedia Platforms, LLC has sold its interest in Markslist Media, LLC, the owner of www.jumponmarkslist.com. As a result of this sale, we will be renaming our South Florida men’s entertainment magazine and launching a state-of-the-art website—the most innovative in LGBT media history!

We have spent the last six months creating this new web platform and look forward to making it available to you on March 8th. It is our goal to provide all of our online friends with a fun and exciting social media experience, a place to discover everything entertaining in South Florida. I think you will be quite impressed.

On March 8th at 7 p.m. in The Manor Complex in Wilton Manors, we will be hosting a Pride party—and you’re invited! It’s our special thank you to the readers and advertisers of both our magazine and newspaper, the Florida Agenda.  It is vital that we have this community voice throughout the state of Florida, as well as online around the world. This way, Multimedia Platforms, LLC can ensure that we continue to support those issues that change lives for the better in the LGBT community today and for years to come. Our trademark will remain hard-hitting editorial content and fair reporting of facts with no
hidden agenda.

I look forward to personally greeting all of you at our Pride party on March 8th at the Manor Complex at 7 p.m. I also hope to see you at our multimedia media booth a few days later on PrideFest weekend.  The world is a fast-changing place, and we have much to be proud of. Having said that, there is much work yet to do to ensure equality and opportunity will continue to grow for our LGBT family today and for future generations to come.

Your support of our print magazine, newspaper and online platforms is your way of doing your part to ensure that the voice of the media can fight for you, while at the same time keeping you informed and entertained. That is what we love to do at Multimedia Platforms, LLC.  We thank
you for providing us this opportunity and responsibility 52 weeks a year.

Best regards,

Bobby Blair
Publisher

By Brad ‘Scoop’ Casey

One of South Florida’s entertainment success stories is Matty’s on the Drive in Wilton Manors. The club celebrates its 3rd anniversary on Monday, August 22nd. It will be a weekend of festivities leading up to the big night on the 22nd, including the finals of the 2012 Charity Calendar Contest.
The popularity of Matty’s even surprises its owners. “We were looking to have a small neighborhood bar,” said Matt Auslander. “Yes, we were surprised and humbled at the response from the community.”

Matty’s opened as an 1800 square foot, no smoking bar on August 22nd, 2008. Over the past three years, it has grown into two extra bays totaling 3600 square feet and will soon open the long awaited deli.

What are the ingredients of success for Matty’s? Auslander credits its staff, the no smoking policy and its customers. Expect one heck of an anniversary party.

Celebration of Life Get Together

Mona’s bar is having a Celebration of Life get together in memory of the late John ‘Mary’ Lyons on Thursday, August 25th. Mona’s owner, Jerry Schultz, is planning an upbeat and happy gathering for the popular mixologist who passed away recently. “It’s going to be a heavenly celebration and remembrance of John,” said Schultz. An open mic will be available, plenty of drink specials and a cookout. Festivities will begin at about 2PM on the 25th.

Victor Zepka in The Hot Seat

We will roast loveable Victor Zepka of Boardwalk fame on Sunday, August 21st. The Celebrity Roast will be held at The Manor starting at 8PM. Victor is a longtime fixture in the South Florida entertainment scene, having the first Boardwalk in North Miami Beach and promoter of the Miss Florida Pageant.
Victor has legions of friends who are dying to take the stage and tell a few tales. Joe Posa, as Joan Rivers, will be Master of Ceremonies. A pre-fix dinner special will be available at $25.00. We urge you to call in advance to reserve a table.

Congratulations to Bobby Blair

Bobby is one of the hardest working guys I know. He has a positive energy and tends to see the good in everyone and everything. Last week, Bobby Blair’s good fortunes came to fruition when it was announced that Multimedia Platforms, LLC had merged with Cybermesh International, a technology based company based out of California. Bobby’s duties have expanded and he will become the CEO of this company. Congrats, Bobby, and expect some earth shattering news over the next few months.

Short Takes
• Club Entrepreneur Mark Lowe has found a location for his new Miami club. Expect an opening in November.
• Bill’s Filling Station hosts Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan on Monday, Aug. 22nd, at 9PM. No cover!
• Belated birthday wishes to my good friend Pompano Bill.
• Our very own Electra held over in Atlantic City where she has had a fabulous three month gig. Electra has been playing to packed houses.

Thanks for picking us up this week and remember: To have a friend, you must first be a friend.

If you have a “scoop” for Brad Casey, please e-mail your information to BradC@jumponmarkslist.com

Multimedia Platforms, LLC and Cybermesh International Corp (OTCBB:CYTL) Announce Merger

BOBBY BLAIR, PUBLISHER

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Multimedia Platforms, LLC, (MMP) will be merging with Cybermesh International Corp (OTCBB: CYTL).

Cybermesh International Corp (OTCBB: CYTL) is a technology based company focused on supporting media industries with online distribution,
analysis and revenue protection and Multimedia Platforms, LLC, (MMP) is  an emerging leader in the field of LGBT multimedia which has successfully
integrated print and online publishing to become a principal entertainment and news source nationwide.

MMP will remain the surviving entity and I will be serving as the new CEO.   This merger provides MMP the perfect positioning for our long terms goals as a company and comes at an ideal time to accommodate the growth we are experiencing. MMP is currently operating cash flow positive and anticipates revenue in excess of $1.5 million in 2011.

Sam Porter, CEO of Cybermesh commented, “We believe that Robert Blair has built the most dynamic, inclusive and integrated media company in the LGBT market space–and we believe his proven platform has almost infinite expansion potential. This acquisition will allow Multimedia Platforms to access the public capital markets to build resources and seize growth opportunities now and in the future.”

Multimedia Platforms, LLC started in November 2009, at that time MMP  purchased 50% of Mark’s List and all of their assets, websites, products and domains. We did this for the sole purpose of integrating our print publications with an online platform.

When 411 and the South Florida Blade filed bankruptcy jointly, I hired all the staff away within 24 hours and that very same week, three days later in-fact, produced two brand new publications, Mark Magazine and the Florida Agenda. At that point in time I worked closely with Kevin Hopper and

Mark Haines to begin to develop the Multimedia concept of integrating print publications and an online platform.

Consequently due to the success of the integration, both Mark Magazine and the Florida Agenda have grown in size and revenue and the Mark’s List website (www.JumpOnMarksList.com) has developed at an unprecedented rate in terms of google index pages, page views, millions of visitors and revenue.

As you know we also recently launched MyGayRadio.com, which is a 24/7 online pop and dance radio station. This has been positively received on a global scale.

The result of our successful integration process and growth in business has provided us with this incredible opportunity to merge with Cybermesh International, a fully reporting, public company.

Based in Southern California’s technology hub, Cybermesh International is a technology-based company focusing on developing and exploiting technologies that assist the entertainment, telecommunications and media industries with online distribution, analysis and revenue protection.

As part of the terms, Multimedia shareholders will receive ten million restricted shares and $500,000 cash.

We will be building upon our success as an all-inclusive media platform consisting of newspaper, magazine, online radio, entertainment and news website formats and will expand this to include video and mobile devices to reach all facets of the LGBT community internationally. First, we are focused on reaching new consumers with the latest technology and market expertise and second, delivering the highest quality of news and entertainment to our readers, viewers, listeners and advertisers. This merger allows us to do the above and much more.

We are looking forward to taking our proven integrative approach across the entire United States to bring the LGBT community news, entertainment and above all to make a difference to all the communities we serve.

I would like to personally thank my entire staff, all our business partners, who are our loyal community advertisers and a special thanks, to our readers, viewers and listeners, for your incredible support across our entire Multimedia Platform.

Sincerely,

Bobby Blair, Publisher

I hope everyone is having a great  summer and enjoying all that our great state has to offer. It has been a very
exciting time for all of us at Multimedia Platforms, LLC in 2011 as we have continued to develop the most all inclusive LGBT media company in the United States.

Our latest online success story is MyGayRadio.com which launched 4th of July weekend to an incredible audience at our live streaming events at the Living Room, The Manor, Rosie’s and the legendary Tea Cruise under the fireworks on the 4th. This dynamic music web site offers 24/7 music that ensures to entertain all along with live streaming events at South Florida’s hottest clubs and will soon expand around the country as we work with the best DJ’s, promoters and night clubs in the industry.

Mark Magazine has evolved to become South Florida’s premier gay men’s entertainment magazine that focuses just on South Florida. For our loyal advertisers, we truly appreciate your support and are pleased to extend to you our business friendly South Florida advertising rates versus South Florida businesses like yours having to pay more for state-wide reach that in most cases does not benefit your South Florida business. The magazine has developed considerably  incorporating further editorial content such as Style, Opinions and Interviews with incredible people who are helping to develop and improve our community.

The Florida Agenda, our State-wide newspaper has extended our circulation, which now includes Key West, Orlando, Tampa and the entire Bay area with North

Florida coming later this summer to include the Panhandle. This one stop shop publication has developed measurably in terms of added content, a weekly business column and our new Style & Entertainment section – this, in addition to delivering the news you need to know every week, has put us at the forefront of the LGBT community. It also allows you, the reader, to experience all of what Florida has to offer. For our loyal advertisers this dynamic publication provides you a state-wide readership to showcase your business at our very affordable and well received pricing structure which starts as low as $49.00 a week.

We thank our loyal readership for ensuring an increase in distribution on a wider scale.

Our flagship web site, www.JumpOn-MarksList.com, one of America’s most visited entertainment web sites, with over 2 million annual visitors and over 30 million page views, has electrified our online viewers and readers with our over 30,000 google indexed pages to entertain and inform. This proves that our website is perfectly placed, with constantly evolving and updated content to reach our very diverse community.

This summer we also launched our “Jump on the Hopper” free transportation service in and around Wilton Manors and Oakland Park with Fort Lauderdale beach and all the guest houses coming soon. We are proud to safely transport locals and tourists to all the great establishments we serve along with providing a point of distribution for our print publications 7 days a week.

We are looking forward to even more growth and new partnerships over the coming months and I would like to personally thank all of our loyal readers, viewers and listeners for the incredible support you have provided us and to all of our advertising business partners for your remarkable commitment as we work together to grow and prosper your businesses. A relationship to all I look forward to for years to come.

Sincerely,

Bobby Blair, Publisher

LGBT Greater Fort Lauderdale:  The Future is in Your Hands

Part 6 of 6

By BOBBY BLAIR & CLIFF DUNN

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.”
– Abraham Lincoln

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers…”
– William Shakespeare, Henry V

One of the last century’s great economists said that good ideas have to be relearned anew by each successive generation. Those of us in LGBT media know (and often quote the stats) that most gay men and women prefer to buy products from, or do business with, businesses and companies that support LGBT causes and that do outreach through various LGBT-themed media forms.

But there is an inverse side to these numbers.

A now-infamous Web posting that went semi-viral last year concerned the owner of a short-lived Wilton Manors business who announced his store’s swansong on his business’ site with a posting that was more accusatory than informative [“We were here for you.”]. To further drive home the none-too-subtle point, the message states, with finality and a tone that is sweeping in its indictment: “Due to the lack of business and SUPPORT from ‘our community’ the [business] has no toher (sic) choice but to close!”

The haranguing tone of the post notwithstanding, it is hard not to sympathize with the sense of disappointment that was surely conveyed: part Jeremiad, part cry for help, part reminder that we are all of us to some degree or other in this thing together.

In Wilton Manors over the past 18 months, 17 businesses have closed their doors; as many as 10 more are projected to do likewise in the next few months. And many owners are facing the possibility of forced relocation for their businesses in response to what they perceive as egregious increases in their rent by landlords with unknown agendas.

And yet, business remains an exercise in cooperation. This involves, to a large degree, getting large numbers of strangers to trust one another.

It means persuading large numbers of people – bosses and employees, stockholders and suppliers, to say nothing of customers – to work together towards a common purpose.

The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC) of Greater Fort Lauderdale began as a group of likeminded business owners and community leaders who wanted to pool their individual ideas and best practices (hence the original working name, the “Think Tank”) in cooperation to achieve mutual goals.

“The RBC endorses, sponsors, and promotes opportunities that benefit business,” offers Reece Darham, owner of Island City Health & Fitness in Wilton Manors and the current chair of RBC. “Sometimes an opportunity may be to promote a type of industry; sometimes an opportunity may be to promote across the business spectrum.”

In its sophomore year, the group has been granted such an opportunity The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGLTA) decision to hold its 28th Annual Global Convention in Greater Fort Lauderdale represents an important short term economic fix that could bestow the benefits of long term, sustainable business opportunities.

The Convention, which began on Tuesday, May 10, will include seminars and meetings for IGLTA members, as well as a number of events for delegates to interact with Greater Fort Lauder-dale’s gay locals and scene. The largest of these is expected to be Friday’s Consumer Trade Show in Hagen Park, next to Wilton Manors City Hall. The Trade Show, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m., will befollowed by a free live concert featuring Billboard recording artist Kristine W.

By Darham’s best guess, “the IGLTA convention is estimated to bring in $1.3 million in the short week they are here, and has the potential to generate millions more in the months and years to come.”

He recognizes, too, the long term impact to the entire area. “As a Travel and Tourism convention,” he notes, “this is even more salient for Fort Lauderdale in that we are a tourism destination and many, if not most, businesses rely on the additional influx of tourism dollars in season to carry those businesses in the off-season.”

Both the Trade Show and concert have been underwritten by the RBC, which translated means its member business owners, and in some instances sponsors who have donated cash, product, or both. Darham insists that the owner/members have given “each according to his or ability,” and cites as standouts Jackson Padgett and Mark Negrete, owners of Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s in Wilton Manors, who absorbed the costs for the concert and entertainers, including travel expenses, as well as Ken Kelley and Lloyd Pagels, the owners of Scandals Saloon in Wilton Manors and The Stable in Oakland Park.

“I don’t think Jackson knows the meaning of ‘no’,” Darham laughs. “Ken and Lloyd have been tremendous: not only will they be donating $3,500 in beer, but they have also secured Barefoot Winery as the wine sponsor.” He adds: “They will be the alcohol vendors for the event, giving the RBC 100% of all proceeds from sales.”

Darham notes that Brown Forman Brands, makers of Chambord Vodka, “also gave a $3,000 cash donation and an additional $1,500 in-kind donation to the event and will be the sponsor of the VIP tent for the IGLTA delegates.”

The business and community leaders who are investing their time, energies, and a-not-inconsiderable amount of money in the enterprise are upbeat and optimistic.

“With so many nations represented at the convention, this event may very well secure Fort Lauderdale as a premier gay destination of choice for international traveler,” says Scandals’ Kelley. “We have a unique opportunity to let the world know that Florida is not just Miami. The potential economic impact will hopefully be realized, not just during this weekend, but for many years to come.”

The Alibi’s Padgett agrees. “I believe the community will begin seeing some immediate financial influx of international dollars being spent over the next several months, but more importantly over the years to come.”

In the end, how the community responds to this unique opportunity to meet new friends from exotic places and encourage them to make Fort Lauderdale a regular part of their – and their clients’ – travel plans will determine in large measure what the long-term payoffs will be.  As Dr. Seuss wrote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” Another good idea it’s time to relearn.

The Hopper is a safe and free transportation service that runs throughout Oakland Park and Wilton Manors and supports all local businesses. The idea of The Hopper is to create ways for the local community and international tourists to find a safe and economical way to enjoy the area and the great businesses we have to offer.

Bobby Blair, CEO of Multimedia Platforms says that the Hopper will further promote “our online and print publications in a way to ensure that we continue to offer the very best circulation and reach in the market today. It brings us great pleasure to know tourists and locals will be reading our publications as they are transported around Wilton Manors and the Fort Lauderdale area.”
The rollout of the venture started with two cars that will run in the evenings. By June 1st, they will add a day car, with the intention to add cars as demand grows to service the areas.

As it stands now, the Hopper will shuttle people between the bars on the drive and outer bars, such as Boardwalk and Monkey Business on Andrews Ave, Mona’s on Flagler, all the way to Cosmo’s on East Oakland Park Blvd.

In the future, the Hopper will also service all the Gay Guesthouses in the area.

Jeff Sterling, President of Sterling Tax, said Tuesday, “I am so excited to be working with Multimedia Platforms on the venture. When the Green Hopper closed, it left a void for a free shuttle service in the area. We are very excited to help local small businesses flourish. Most businesses here in Fort Lauderdale are small and we need to attract locals and visitors to all we have to offer and help the area thrive.”

Mark Haines, founder of Mark’s List, said Tuesday, “This is an innovative way to reach locals and travellers while they are out in Wilton Manors. Mark’s List is working on an initiative that will allow Droid and iPhone users to access the site for instant updates and specials using QR Codes that will be made available to Hopper riders. This new feature of the site will make use of the information on Mark’s List in a dynamic way and build business along Wilton Drive.”

FORT?LAUDERDALE, FL – Sterling Tax, in a joint venture with Multimedia Platforms, LLC, officially announced this week that they would be bringing a Hopper back to Wilton Manors. They will be approaching local areas business to create branded vehicles over the next two to six weeks.

“The Hopper will be a safe and free transportation service that runs throughout Oakland Park and Wilton Manors and will support all our local businesses”, Bobby Blair, CEO of Multimedia Platforms, said on Tuesday. He continued, “the idea is for us, as a business, to create ways for our local community and international tourists to find a safe and economical way to enjoy the area and the great businesses we have to offer.”

The Hopper replaces the recently sold Green Hopper, which used to offer free transportation between the bars.

Bobby Blair also said that the Hopper will further promote “our online and print publications in a way to ensure that we continue to offer the very best circulation and reach in the market today. It brings us great pleasure to know tourists and locals will be reading our publications as they are transported around Wilton Manors and the Fort Lauderdale area.”

The rollout of the venture starts with two cars that will run in the evenings. By June 1st, they will add a day car, with the intention to add cars as demand grows to service the areas.
As it stands now, the Hopper will shuttle people between the bars on the drive and outer bars, such as Boardwalk and Monkey Business on Andrews Ave, Mona’s on Flagler, all the way to Cosmo’s on East Oakland Park Blvd.

In the future, the Hopper will also service all the Gay Guesthouses in the area.

Jeff Stirling, President of Stirling Tax, said Tuesday, “I am so excited to be working with Multimedia Platforms on the venture. When the Green Hopper closed, it left a void for a free shuttle service in the area. We are very excited to help local small businesses flourish.

Most businesses here in Fort Lauderdale are small and we need to attract locals and visitors to all we have to offer and help the area thrive.”
Kevin Hopper, Publisher of Mark Magazine and the Florida Agenda (and no relation to the machine!), said, “As the Drive continues to grow, so does a need for convenient transportation. I’m excited the Hopper is filling that void.”

Mark Haines, founder of Mark’s List, said Tuesday, “This is an innovative way to reach locals and travellers while they are out in Wilton Manors. Mark’s List is working on an initiative that will allow Droid and iPhone users to access the site for instant updates and specials using QR Codes that will be made available to Hopper riders. This new feature of the site will make use of the information on Mark’s List in a dynamic way and build business along Wilton Drive.”