Private employers hired the most workers since last April and the nation’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in nearly three years, according to the Labor Department.

Whirlpool’s fourth-quarter net earnings increased to $205 million, compared with net earnings of $171 million during the same period last year. Their North America region reported operating profit of $202 million for the quarter, compared with $53 million in the previous year. And for the full-year 2011, sales reached $18.7 billion, up 2% from the prior year.  Have you been watching the stock? Shares are up a full 20 points since mid-January!

In more general channel news — according to the U.S. Commerce Department — construction spending across all sectors reached an estimated $816.4 billion in December 2011, a 1.5% increase above the revised November estimate and 4.3% above the December 2010 results of $782.9 billion. Spending on residential construction was reported at $241.2 billion in December, 0.8% above the November 2011 estimate of $239.4 billion.

Bob Agnew

(December 2011)- On The House Media (OTHM) is pleased to announce the addition of Bob Agnew to their expanding media communications team. Effective immediately, Agnew will serve as general manager, overseeing all programming and sales operations. Additionally, he will serve as a liaison for marketing and public relations.

On February 2, 2012, the company will also launch a new television show called “On The House”, which will air on PBS KIXE channel 9 in Redding, Calif. KIXE covers a 10 county area in Northern California.

“Our entire team is thrilled to have Bob lead our media franchise as it enters its twenty-sixth year,” stated James Carey, radio personality for On The House Media. “Bob’s unique combination of management capabilities make him exceptionally qualified to guide our team into this new broadcast medium.”

Along with the show’s launch, On The House Media will be collaborating their marketing efforts with Kleber & Associates, an Atlanta-based marketing agency who specializes in representing clients from the home and building industry.

“We are incredibly excited about this new opportunity with PBS and cannot wait to see the results from our expansion,” says Agnew. “I look forward to joining On The House Media and working with K&A to produce a great new TV show.”

To learn more about On The House Media, visit www.onthehouse.com. To learn more about Kleber and Associates, visit www.kleberandassociates.com.

About On The House Media
For the past 25 years, On The House Media (OTHM) has served as a nationally syndicated, multi-media franchise specializing in radio, digital, and multi-media platforms. Based in Brentwood, Calif., OTHM integrates home improvement and lifestyle into insightful entertainment for builders and homeowners. For more information visit www.onthehouse.com.