Mr. Gelb said he attributes part of the dip to "cannibalization" from the Met's successful Live in HD series, which has broadcast performances in more than 1, 900 movie theaters in 64 countries.

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The mayor attributes part of the area's success to cooperation between his office, the Biloxi City Council, the city's Planning Commission, state and U.S. lawmakers and his close relationship with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.

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Former Starbucks CIO Stephen Gillet is the most prominent example of someone who attributes part of his career success to the management skills he learned as Guild Master in the MMORPG World of Warcraft.

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