AARP and Jackstreet Media Offer Mature Workers Fast Answers to Top Employment Questions

Los Angeles, CA, January 21, 2007 -- Today Jackstreet Media and AARP announced the expansion of a radio pilot program aimed at jobseekers over the age of 50. The program titled, "Job Security 50+" was created to serve the needs of a rapidly expanding number of mature workers who either want or need to work beyond the traditional age of retirement. Hosted by AARP's Director of Employment Security Deborah Russell and "Employed for Life" author Anthony Burnham, the program helps older workers stay on top of the skills, insights and new resources needed to get and keep a good job at age 50 and beyond. The expanded program now offers mature workers fast answers to many of the most frequent questions 50 plus jobseekers routinely ask. Some of the questions answered in the new segments include:

?    How do I sell myself to an employer at age 50?

?    I'm 58. Is it worthwhile, at my age, to go back to school to get my degree?

?    I think I've been discriminated against because of my age, what should I do?

These new vignettes typically run 3-5 minutes, are available 24/7 on iTunes http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=267151815 and may be streamed via computer or downloaded to an mp3 player.

"Eighty percent of boomers say they intend to work into their so called retirement years. Half of our 37 million members are working" said Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP. "Employees have to keep themselves employable? This is one of the top priorities for us, promoting older workers," said Novell.

"Many employees over 50 are confounded by the new workplace," said Anthony Burnham of Growthport Partners http://www.growthportpartners.com and co-host of the show. "Mature workers need answers to their unique workplace issues," said Burnham.

The program launched as AARP projections point toward a continued jump in the percentage of mature workers in the economy. Fourteen percent of the workforce is aged 55 and older now; the percent is expected to reach 19 percent by 2012. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of workers age 35-44 is expected to decline 7.8 percent between 2004 and 2014. The number of workers ages 55-64 will increase 42.3 percent, and the proportion of workers age 65 and older will jump by 73.8 percent.

As the ranks of workers age fifty and over have rapidly increased, so have the questions from mature workers about how to remain or fit in to a profoundly changed workplace.

"Older workers are increasingly staying in the workplace, and employers are looking to capitalize on their skills and experience," said Deborah Russell, co-host of the show.

The program concept was developed by Jackstreet Media and the show is produced by Emmy winning broadcaster Errol Smith. Initially launched in December 2007, the program was featured on iTunes and immediately moved to number 27 on the list of most popular career program. "What we released as a beta version of the program has emerged as a highly valued resource. The program has received a very strong initial response," said Smith.

About AARP

With over 37 million members, AARP is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over in the United States.

The group is known for providing a host of services to this evergrowing segment of the population by:

?    Informing members and the public on issues important to this age group

?    Advocating on legislative, consumer and legal issues

?    Promoting community service

?    Offering a wide range of special products and services to members

Membership in AARP is open to any person age 50 or above. The median age of AARP members is 65, and slightly more than half of them are women.

About Jackstreet Media

Jackstreet Media a leading new media company specializing in combining traditional broadcasting with new media technology to package and deliver information to underserved markets. Jackstreet Media is based in a suburb of Los Angeles, California.

For more information about the program contact Brian Dau, AARP media relations manager at 202-434-2531 or by email at JDau@aarp.org. To subscribe to the free podcast go to http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=267151815.

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