NEW YORK, April 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the same headline yesterday, April 29, 2014, by TEDxTimesSquare, the organization is updating this release to include additional speakers.  The complete updated text follows.

TEDxTimesSquare, an organization committed to showcasing stimulating talks from thought leaders with a strong connection to Times Square and New York City, is hosting "PUSHING BOUNDARIES" on May 2, 2014 from 9:00AM to 1:30PM at The NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square. The event will culminate with the ringing of the NASDAQ Closing Bell at the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square. This year's speakers, including many CEOs and transformational leaders, will focus on the ideas and innovations that are pushing the boundaries of business, science, media, art and technology.

"How do we make change happen? We are bringing to the stage innovative leaders to share their wisdom and techniques for excellence and proven success strategies," said Randy Joy Epstein, Founder & Producer of TEDxTimesSquare. "TEDxTimesSquare is a global platform for bringing transformative ideas to the world stage to drive change."

Drawing on the success of November's TEDxTimesSquare conference "Transformation," which attracted over 300 high-level attendees and 4,000 live streamers, TEDxTimesSquare talks have been viewed over 200,000 times on YouTube; "PUSHING BOUNDARIES" will include speakers from tech, digital, social enterprise entrepreneurship and publishing with a passion for provoking change in and beyond New York City.

Speakers at TEDxTimesSquare "PUSHING BOUNDARIES" include:

• Dr. Deepak Chopra, The Chopra Foundation
  
  Dr. Chopra is "Reinventing the Body" by breaking down the barriers between mind and body, consciousness and corporeal, to help people live longer and better.
   
• Michael Kriak, COO and CFO, Mashable 
  
  At Mashable, the leading source for news, information and resources for the Connected Generation, Mike is changing the way we consume content. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 34 million monthly unique visitors and 14 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged digital networks in the world. 
   
• George John, CEO and Co-Founder, Rocket Fuel 
  
  As the Co-Founder of Rocket Fuel, George is turning the marketing industry on its head by harnessing the power of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to radically improve consumer targeting and experience.
   
• Edward Bilous, Director of the Center for Innovation in the Arts, The Juilliard School 
  
  Edward is a composer, producer, artistic director, teacher, and thought leader in the world of the arts and arts education. He is a trailblazer in the use of creative arts education as a means to nurture and help improve thought and learning within our high-tech society. 
   
• Bill Goodwyn, President & CEO, Discovery Education
  
  At Discovery Education, Bill oversees all content distribution strategy, sales and marketing activity on behalf of Discovery's U.S. content portfolio, encompassing more than 13 networks and their high-definition and video on demand extensions including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science Channel. Bill leads the company's fast-growing Discovery Education division, the nation's top provider of curriculum-based digital content and professional development resources in U.S. schools.
   
• Dr. Jedd Wolchok, Chief of Melanoma and Immunotherapeutics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Ludwig Cancer Research 
  
  Dr. Wolchok develops and applies innovative methods to help the body's own immune system treat, suppress and perhaps eventually control cancer. 
   
• Kelly Parisi, Chief Communications Executive, Girl Scouts of the USA
  
  Kelly oversees the organization's internal and external communications, as well as the organization's various public relations initiatives. Girl Scouts, in partnership with the Lean In Foundation, is challenging the world to change its perception of girls, one word at a time, by "banning bossy" and saying "yes" to girls' leadership. 
   
• Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children's Media, PBS 
  
  Lesli is responsible for the strategic direction of PBS' multi-platform children's media service that meets the needs of a new generation of children, their parents and teachers, helping to prepare children for success in school and in life. PBS opens up worlds of possibilities for all children through educational television, mobile, the Web, interactive whiteboards, an award-winning line of toys and streaming video. 
   
• Bob Cancalosi, Director of Global Customer Education, GE  
  
  Bob delivers high-impact leadership learning experiences at GE Crotonville that drive customer success and accentuate the unique value of GE. With a rich heritage dating back to Thomas Edison, GE has a deep commitment to reinvention applied to its products, its leaders and the company.
   
• Jessica Banks, Founder, RockPaperRobot 
  
  Jessica is a roboticist, product designer, and interactive artist. She holds a Computer Science and Electrical Engineer's degree and a Master's in robotics from MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab as well as a B.S. in General Physics from the University of Michigan. A fellowship at Eyebeam Art & Technology brought her back to New York to become an entrepreneur.

"We are thrilled to be hosting TEDxTimesSquare's May event at the NASDAQ MarketSite. This year's theme of Pushing Boundaries is the essence of the pursuit of excellence that NASDAQ and our listed companies embody," said NASDAQ OMX Vice Chairman Sandy Frucher. "We invented the electronic exchange and pioneered new technologies to address the constantly evolving global economy. In line with the event's themes of pushing boundaries, we at NASDAQ believe that staying on the cutting edge is at the heart of our business."

All press requests should be sent to Josh Machiz at 212.231.5614, josh.machiz@nasdaqomx.com. Josh Machiz is the official spokesperson for TEDxTimesSquare. Please note that TEDx event organizers are not able to speak for the TED Conference. Any inquiry regarding TED should be sent to: Melody Serafino, TEDx Media Liaison, TEDxPR@groupsjr.com. 

While we appreciate any coverage, we kindly ask that all journalists and/or bloggers be respectful of the difference between the TED and TEDx brands. The 'x' in 'TEDx' stands for "independently organized events." Any headline or text, which implies "TED" is coming to TEDxTimesSquare is misleading. 

For more information on TEDxTimesSquare, visit www.TEDxTimesSquare.com.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California almost 30 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes on a diverse mix of topics. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The TED2014 Conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, along with the TEDActive simulcast in neighboring Whistler. TEDGlobal 2014 will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; and TEDBooks, short e-books on powerful ideas. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world get help translating their wishes into action; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDNews, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED.

For information about TED's upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration

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