Systemic Racism, Access to Care, Poverty and Preexisting conditions Help Fuel U.S. Maternal And Infant Health Crisis, Particularly Devastating For Moms And Babies Of Color

November 16, 2020

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — March of Dimes, the nation’s leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies, has issued its new 2020 Report Card amid the coronavirus pandemic and calls for racial justice, shining a spotlight on factors that contribute to maternal and infant health. The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth and it’s even more dire for women and babies of color. The Report Card shows that for the fifth year in a row, the U.S. preterm birth rate increased to 10.2% of births, earning the nation a “C-” grade compared to last year’s “C” grade. Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality, which has slowly declined over the past few years. Yet, still in the U.S. two babies die every hour and two women die from pregnancy complications every day.

These statistics are worse for moms and babies of color – with the Report Card showing significant racial disparities that cut across maternal and infant health. Women of color are up to 50% more likely to give birth preterm and their children face up to a 130% higher infant death rate. Disparities in preterm birth have increased over the past several years in the U.S. The disparity ratio for preterm birth, a measure that tracks progress to eliminating racial/ethnic disparities shows that disparities have worsened in recent years by about 5%. Additionally, Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native women are up to three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications compared to White women.

While there is no single cause to this complex maternal and infant health crisis, contributing factors include maternal health and management of preexisting conditions. They also include social determinants of health such as being uninsured, living in poverty and having inadequate prenatal care – which again the Report Card shows most often affect women of color. Additionally, systemic challenges with health care systems and deeply entrenched structural racism are helping to fuel this health equity gap. March of Dimes supports and advocates for policies that concentrate on the health of all moms and babies and improve health outcomes especially for women of color.

“Although there has been some incremental progress in advancing policies that will address better maternal and infant health care, this progress is not happening quick enough, and is tempered by increasing racial/ethnic health care disparities in preterm birth,” said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes. “At a time of racial awakening in our nation, we must amplify our efforts to decrease deaths and health challenges facing our nation’s moms and babies and enact new policies that support health equity.”

The Report Card shows that almost 21,500 babies were lost in 2018 compared to 22,341 babies in 2017. Infant mortality rates have declined due to changes in maternal age – including a decline in teen births in the U.S. – decreases in adult smoking rates and decreases in death from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The leading causes of infant death include birth defects, preterm birth and low birth weight, maternal complications and sudden infant death syndrome. This year’s report also includes information on states’ efforts on Medicaid expansion, Medicaid postpartum coverage extension, Maternal Mortality Review Committees, Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, and other key factors including health insurance status, inadequate prenatal care, poverty level and race and ethnicity disparity ratios.

“A priority for March of Dimes is to close the health equity gap across the country,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Senior Vice President, and Interim Chief Scientific Officer at March of Dimes. “Using the concrete, detailed evidence in the 2020 Report Card, we can identify common-sense steps to reverse the alarming trends. A part of this work, we recognize a lack of uniform reporting and inconsistent access to real-time maternal and infant health data is impeding progress. Particularly during a pandemic, we need access to robust, uniform data sharing to inform evidence-based strategies that can be implemented across public and private sectors to address the specific needs of this crisis.”

Actions to Improve Maternal and Infant Health

March of Dimes works every day with individuals and organizations across the country to combat the maternal and infant health crisis through research, education, advocacy and programs. For example, with support from the Humana Foundation, March of Dimes is mobilizing cross-sector partners to address health equity at the national level through its Mom & Baby Action Network and in six communities: Atlanta, GA (Fulton County); San Antonio, TX (Bexar County); Miami, FL (Miami-Dade County); Chicago, IL (Cook County); Louisville, KY (Jefferson County and Hardin County); Broward County, Florida; Shreveport, LA (Caddo Parish); and New Orleans, LA (Orleans Parish). The partners will build a common agenda and deploy strategies to address the underlying causes and system challenges that negatively impact maternal and infant health within a community. The Mom & Baby Action Network will serve as the national backbone of support for these local communities and share best practices to drive systems change to eliminate the health equity gap.

“The Humana Foundation decided to invest in March of Dimes to help address social determinants of health and systemic racial inequity, barriers that the COVID-19 health crisis amplified for the most vulnerable among us,” said Walter D. Woods, CEO of The Humana Foundation. “It is our hope to address those barriers and close the health equity gap for mothers and children across the country through the Mom & Baby Action Network.”

Additionally, March of Dimes advocates for federal legislation that prioritizes the health of our nation’s moms and babies. The Helping MOMS Act of 2020, Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act of 2020 and Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 are examples of critically important policies that offer comprehensive solutions needed to address the health crisis head on. State and local legislation is also needed to fill the gaps associated with access to maternity care for women in rural and underserved communities. Just as important is education and implicit bias training to equip health care professionals with the tools they need to eliminate institutional racism in our health care system and provide more culturally competent care no matter where they practice.

Through the #BlanketChange movement, March of Dimes is urging policymakers and political candidates to protect and improve maternal heath by taking immediate action on series of policies to address equity, access and prevention. To learn more about the #BlanketChange agenda, visit BlanketChange.org.

To view the Report Card and actions you can take support moms and babies, visit marchofdimes.org/ReportCard.

2020 March of Dimes Preterm Birth Grades

The Report Card grades the nation, 50 states, the 100 largest cities and Puerto Rico on rates of preterm birth. Overall preterm birth rates worsened in 39 states and Washington D.C., with eight states—Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia—and Puerto Rico earning a failing grade compared to six last year. Between the 2019 and 2020 Report Cards, 25 states and Washington, D.C. had worse grades, 23 states and Puerto Rico had grades that stayed the same and only two states had grades that improved.

8 states and Puerto Rico earned a “F” (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia)
2 states earned a “D-” (Kentucky, Tennessee)
2 states earned a “D” (Missouri, Texas)
8 states and Washington, DC earned a “D+” (Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina)
6 states earned a “C-” (Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, Wisconsin)
5 states earned a “C” (Alaska, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming)
10 states earned a “C+” (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota)
4 states earned a “B-” (California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York)
1 state earned a “B” (Idaho)
4 states earned a “B+” (New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Washington)
0 states earned an A/A-

Additionally, the Report Card ranks the 100 largest U.S. cities based on their 2018 preterm birth rate. One hundred cities account for 24.7% of all births in the U.S. and 25.4% of all preterm births. Among the 100 cities, 1 in 4 (27%) received an F grade. The states with the most cities among the top 100 are California (12), Texas (18), New York (7), Florida (4). The states with most cities in the “F” category are Texas (4) and Ohio (4). Detroit, MI has the worst (highest) preterm birth rate at 15.2 percent.

The 10 cities with the highest rate of preterm births are (ranked in order, lowest to highest):

St Louis, MO
Buffalo, NY
Tulsa, OK
Milwaukee, WI
Memphis, TN
Baton Rouge, LA
New Orleans, LA
Birmingham, AL
Cleveland, OH
Detroit, MI

About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family.

Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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SOURCE March of Dimes

The Rhythm of Your Health!: New Series Informs Latinx Audiences about Best Health Practices Amidst the Pandemic

November 16, 2020

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) (hcnmedia.com) is launching a new series on its La Red Hispana (laredhispana.org) network titled: The Rhythm of Your Health! (¡El Ritmo de Tu Salud!). The multimedia series focuses on Latinx that are at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, including those living with underlying health conditions and chronic diseases, and their caregivers.

¡El Ritmo de Tú Salud! features Latin Grammy Nominee Leslie Cartaya, who shares her personal experiences and focuses on family members living with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes during the pandemic.

Storytelling is critical for Latinx to share real-life stories on how the pandemic is affecting real people. Through lived experiences, communities have the power to uplift one other amidst devastating hardships many Latinx families are facing.

“By highlighting the singer-songwriter’s story, we are tapping into music as a common denominator among Latinx cultures. Music is the universal language, and the soundtrack that gets us through rough times of difficulty and sorrow. Music also demands a steady rhythm, just as chronic conditions require steady and regular medical management and treatment. ¡El Ritmo de Tú Salud! is our pilot programming series to share practical and useful information during the pandemic through lived experiences, and encourage audiences living with chronic illnesses to not miss a beat,” says Alison Rodden, CEO of HCN.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Latinx are hardest hit by COVID-19, reporting the highest number of cases (2.8x higher), hospitalizations (4.6x higher) and deaths (1.1x higher). This disproportionate burden is due to numerous complex social determinants.

Many Latinx are classified as “essential workers” serving on the frontlines during the pandemic to uphold the food supply chain, waste management and sanitation, infrastructure, construction and healthcare industries. The vast majority of US Latinx (87%) must report to on-site work, putting them in constant exposure to people or materials that may be infected with COVID-19. In addition to work environments, crowded living conditions may also increase exposure to COVID-19 among multigenerational Hispanic families.

Living with chronic illness does not increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, but it can worsen the outcome of contracting the virus. This is alarming for Hispanics because they have higher rates of comorbidities, including both hypertension and diabetes, as compared to non-Hispanic whites.

“I have family and friends who suffer from hypertension and diabetes,” says singer-songwriter, Leslie Cartaya. I always encourage them to exercise regularly, follow a balanced diet and get a physical exam every year, including during the pandemic. This is why highlighting these issues for the Latinx community is so important to me, especially now considering the additional risks brought on by COVID-19.”

The Rhythm of Your Health! / ¡El Ritmos de Tú Salud! series, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, includes original audio, video, and digital productions with useful information for Spanish-speaking audiences living with chronic diseases. Due to a growing number of bilingual Latinx audiences, the series is in Spanish and English and can be accessed via LaRedHispana.org and its social media channels, including on its new podcast LatinEQUIS, geared toward Latinx Millennial and Gen Z audiences.

About Hispanic Communications Network & La Red Hispana

Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) is a hybrid culturally driven social impact agency that also serves as the largest producer and syndicator of public interest content and programming for Spanish-language media in the US. HCN works exclusively with government, nonprofit, philanthropy and CSR clients that match their mission to improve quality of life for US Latinx communities. Through its La Red Hispana multimedia networks and influencers personalities on radio, TV, digital, social media, print and mobile platforms, HCN currently reaches a measured audience of over 8 million Latinx consumers in urban, mid-sized and rural markets weekly.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

For more than 45 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are working alongside others to build a national Culture of Health that provides everyone in America a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1335574/HCN.jpg

SOURCE Hispanic Communications Network

For the First Time in 108 Years, Operation Santa is Nationwide!

November 16, 2020

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Let’s face it, this year has been a struggle for so many people in more ways than one. Thoughts of kids, the holidays and wondering how to provide for them may also be weighing heavily on many. But take heart, Santa and the Postal Service are way ahead of you, and are here to help.

The USPS Operation Santa program celebrates its 108th year in 2020 by opening up for nationwide participation. Now, more than ever, the program is needed to help less fortunate kids and families during the holidays.

The Postal Service established the USPS Operation Santa program to help those in need at the holidays experience the joy of opening presents — and to create special holiday memories. Since it began, millions of less fortunate children and their families have been helped by the kindness of others. The program is for every person of every belief, or non-belief. The purpose is to help as many deserving families as possible. And that can only be done if good-hearted adopters step forward.

To participate in the USPS Operation Santa program as a possible recipient of holiday gifts, all you have to do is write a letter, put it in a stamped envelope with a return address, and send it to Santa’s official workshop address:

Santa Claus
123 Elf Road
North Pole
88888

Letters will be accepted Nov. 16 – Dec. 15.

Program Details
Hundreds of thousands of letters are written to the USPS Operation Santa program every year in hopes of being adopted by kind and generous people across the country. These letters are opened by Santa’s Elves and, for safety reasons, all personally identifiable information of the letter writer is removed (i.e. last names, addresses, ZIP Codes) and uploaded to USPSOperationSanta.com for adoption.

Beginning Dec. 4, letters will be available for nationwide adoption by visiting USPSOperationSanta.com — all from the socially distant safety of your own home. Potential adopters can read the letters and pick one, or more, that they’d like to fulfill. For security reasons, potential adopters must be vetted by going through a short registration and ID verification process before they are allowed to adopt any letter.

Companies also help adopt letters. Every year many companies create teams and adopt several letters. All the better to help grant that special wish to deserving families and kids.

How to Write a Letter
Sending a letter to Santa is easy if you know how. The Postal Service is here to help with guides and tips to help kids write and send their best letters ever. All the information you could possibly need to write a letter, address an envelope, put on a stamp and send it on its way can be found on USPSOperationSanta.com and in our Holiday Newsroom. The only thing the Postal Service can’t help with is to tell kids what to ask for. That is up to their imagination, and we would never stifle creativity. These tips are also good all year-round for sending thank-you cards, birthday cards, or letters to Grandma and Grandpa just to say, “Hi.”

USPS Operation Santa History
While the Postal Service began receiving letters to Santa more than 108 years ago, it wasn’t until 1912 that Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local Postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to respond to them. This became known as Operation Santa.

The complete history can be found online at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom, along with additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

More USPS holiday news, including shipping deadlines and letters to Santa, can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Contact: Kim Frum
[email protected]
usps.com/news

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SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

Class Counsel in In re EpiPen (Epinephrine Injection, USP) Marketing, Sales Practices and Antitrust Litigation–Burns Charest LLP, Keller Rohrback L.L.P., Pritzker Levine LLP, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, and Sharp Law, LLP–announce that the Court has approved the following Short-Form Notice

November 16, 2020

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

Purchased an EpiPen®, EpiPen Jr®, and/or their Authorized Generics? A Class Action Lawsuit May Affect Your Rights

Your rights may be affected by a class action lawsuit regarding the price paid for branded or authorized generic EpiPen^® or EpiPen Jr^® (collectively, “EpiPen”) products. The case name is In re EpiPen (Epinephrine Injection, USP) Marketing, Sales Practices and Antitrust Litigation, and the civil action number is 2:17-md-02785-DDC-TJJ. This lawsuit asserts that Defendants violated certain state antitrust and federal racketeering laws in the United States, harming competition and causing class members to overpay for EpiPen products. Defendants deny that they violated any laws and contend that their actions enhanced competition and did not cause class members to overpay.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a recall, safety, or other similar notice. No one is claiming that EpiPen products are unsafe or ineffective.

This is only a summary. The Court has not decided whether Defendants did anything wrong. There is no money available now, and no guarantee there will be. For additional details, please read the Long-Form Notice available to download at www.EpiPenClassAction.com.

Who is Included?

On February 27, 2020, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas certified the following two Classes in this lawsuit (the “Class”):

Nationwide RICO Damages Class (“RICO Class”): All persons and entities in the United States who paid or provided reimbursement for some or all of the purchase price of branded or authorized generic EpiPens for the purpose of consumption, and not resale, by themselves, their family member(s), insureds, plan participants, employees, or beneficiaries, at any time between August 24, 2011, and November 1, 2020;
State Antitrust Damages Class (“State Antitrust Class”): All persons and entities in the Antitrust States who paid or provided reimbursement for some or all of the purchase price of branded EpiPens at any time between January 28, 2013, and November 1, 2020, for the purpose of consumption, and not resale, by themselves, their family member(s), insureds, plan participants, employees, or beneficiaries.

A more detailed notice, including the exact Class definitions and exceptions to Class membership, is available at www.EpiPenClassAction.com.

Your Rights and Options

DO NOTHING: If you do nothing, you are choosing to stay in the Class and you will be able to share in any money or benefits that may be recovered in this case. You will be bound by all orders and judgments of the Court, including any judgment in Defendants’ favor, and you will give up your right to sue the Defendants as part of any other lawsuit for the claims made in this case.

EXCLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE CLASS: If you exclude yourself from the Class (i.e., opt out), you will not be entitled to money or benefits if they are awarded or recovered. You will not be bound by any orders and judgments of the Court and you will not give up your right to sue Defendants as part of any other lawsuit for the claims made in this case. The deadline to exclude yourself from the Class is January 15, 2021. Specific instructions on how to request exclusion are included in the Long-Form Notice available to download at www.EpiPenClassAction.com.

The Trial

The Court has not yet determined whether a trial is required in this case. But, if the case proceeds to trial, the Court has scheduled a trial to begin on April 13, 2021 in the United States District Court, District of Kansas, located at 500 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101. Any changes to the date or location of the trial will be posted to the case website below. You may hire your own lawyer at your own expense, but you do not have to.

Want More Information?

Go to www.EpiPenClassAction.com, call 877-221-7632, or write to EpiPen Class Action, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 173113, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

McDonald’s HACER® Education Tour Goes Virtual, Reaching More Participants Than Ever Before

November 16, 2020

CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — McDonald’s is proud to offer its 2020 HACER® Education Tour virtually to help arm thousands of Hispanic students, parents and educators with information to help them navigate the college application process as they face the financial strain and limited access to resources brought on by the pandemic. Having kicked off in October, the workshops continue this month with dedicated student sessions, hosted by “Gentefied” actress and writer, Julissa Calderon. The tour will culminate in a combined student and parent session on Nov. 21.

By hosting the workshops digitally, more than 70,000 students are expected to tune in during the tour, a 400% increase from the 14,000 participants in 2019. Since many Hispanic students are first-generation who are managing the prospect of higher education alone, this expansion allows for even greater impact among these students, who will receive information on financial aid, writing workshops, and more during each session.

“With increased uncertainty about whether to continue their educational pursuits in today’s environment, students need resources to help them navigate the college application process now more than ever,” said Santiago Negre, HACER® scholarship committee judge, Illinois Owner/Operator, and Owner/Operator Hispanic Marketing Committee Lead. “We’re proud to continue the HACER Education Tour this year and offer even more high school students the opportunity to learn about how to get into college, despite the challenges they may be facing.”

Now in its eighth year, the HACER® Education Tour kicked off in October with new workshops designed for counselors, teachers and parents. Youth engagement group CoolSpeak returns to the tour to motivate and inspire participants by sharing their own personal life experiences. Following the student sessions, Julissa and CoolSpeak will conduct real-time Q&A, sharing advice and encouraging messages with youth from around the country.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the McDonald’s HACER Education Tour this year. I have been an advocate for education in the Latino community for a long time and recognize the importance of sharing these college-bound resources and information with families in my community,” said Julissa Calderon. “Being a part of the tour has allowed me to share my personal education story with students from all over the country, hopefully motivating more of them to pursue a college degree and letting them know that they have resources available to help them get there.”

The McDonald’s HACER® Education Tour is one of the many initiatives making up the HACER® National Scholarship program. The McDonald’s HACER® National Scholarship has awarded more than $31.5 million in scholarships to date and helped 17,060 students since its founding in 1985. It is one of the largest programs committed to college scholarships and resources for Hispanics, awarding a total of $500,000 to 30 outstanding Hispanic high-school seniors annually.

This year, McDonald’s has committed to do more to support Hispanic students through the HACER® National Scholarship. In addition to receiving scholarships, this year’s 30 winners of the 2020 HACER® National Scholarship received a “tech backpack” that included a laptop, wireless mouse, and headphones—some of the tools needed to succeed in a virtual learning environment. The company doubled its investment in the HACER program and committed $1 million toward assisting Hispanic students this academic year with an additional 100 scholarships.

Please visit www.hacertour.com to register to participate in an upcoming workshop and for more information on workshop schedules, the McDonald’s HACER® National Scholarship and additional educational resources.

ABOUT McDONALD’S
McDonald’s has always been committed to the communities it serves, and the people that make up those communities. But now they need support now more than ever, so McDonald’s is prioritizing its commitment to communities to feed and foster their futures via initiatives like the HACER National Scholarship and more.

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook. www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

CONTACT: Nathaly Renderos, [email protected]

SOURCE McDonald’s Corporation

The Home Depot Announces Agreement to Acquire HD Supply Holdings, Inc.

November 16, 2020

Acquisition to Accelerate Sales Growth; Expected to be Accretive to Earnings Per Share in 2021

ATLANTA, Nov. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire HD Supply Holdings, Inc., a leading national distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products in the multifamily and hospitality end markets. The acquisition is expected to position The Home Depot as a premier provider in the MRO marketplace.

“The MRO customer is highly valued by The Home Depot, and this acquisition will position the company to accelerate sales growth by better serving both existing and new customers in a highly fragmented $55 billion marketplace,” said Craig Menear, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot. “HD Supply complements our existing MRO business with a robust product offering and value-added service capabilities, an experienced salesforce that enhances the strong team we have in place, as well as an extensive, MRO-specific distribution network throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

“We’re thrilled that our associates are joining the Home Depot team and that our customers will be able to benefit from a broader product assortment, expanded delivery options and enhanced services nationally,” said Joe DeAngelo, chairman and CEO, HD Supply. “We are confident that this will position both The Home Depot and HD Supply for continued growth and success in the MRO distribution space.”

Under the terms of the merger agreement, a subsidiary of The Home Depot will commence a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of HD Supply common stock for $56 per share, for a total enterprise value (including net cash) of approximately $8 billion. The closing of the tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the tender of a majority of the shares of HD Supply common stock then outstanding (on a fully diluted basis) and is expected to be completed during The Home Depot’s fiscal fourth quarter, which ends on January 31, 2021. The transaction is expected to be funded through cash on hand and debt.

“We plan to access the debt capital markets to raise incremental indebtedness in support of this acquisition. We also expect the transaction to be accretive to earnings in fiscal 2021, with potential for significant shareholder value creation over the longer term,” said Richard McPhail, executive vice president and CFO.

The Company will hold its third quarter 2020 earnings conference call on Tuesday, November 17, at 9 a.m. ET.

Advisors
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as exclusive financial advisor, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel to The Home Depot in connection with the transaction.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,295 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

About HD Supply
HD Supply (NASDAQ: HDS) is one of the largest wholesale distributors in North America. The company provides a broad range of products and value-add services to approximately 300,000 customers with leadership positions in the living space maintenance, repair and operations sector. Through approximately 44 distribution centers, across 25 states and two Canadian provinces, the company’s approximately 5,500 associates provide localized, customer-tailored products, services and expertise. For more information, visit www.hdsupply.com.

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the proposed acquisition of HD Supply that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements (the “potential acquisition”); statements about the potential benefits of the potential acquisition; HD Supply’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the anticipated timing of closing of the potential acquisition (including failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals) in the anticipated timeframe or at all, including uncertainties as to how many of HD Supply’s stockholders will tender their shares in the tender offer and the possibility that the potential acquisition does not close; risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the potential acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits from the proposed transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the potential acquisition making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; negative effects of this announcement or the consummation of the potential acquisition on the market price of our or HD Supply’s common stock, credit ratings or operating results; significant costs associated with the potential acquisition; unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation and/or regulatory actions related to the potential acquisition; the impact on our business, operations and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and related quarantines, shelter-in-place and other governmental orders, and similar restrictions), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2020 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2020.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The tender offer referenced in this press release has not yet commenced. This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that The Home Depot and its acquisition subsidiary will file with the SEC. The solicitation and offer to buy HD Supply stock will only be made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase and related tender offer materials. At the time the tender offer is commenced, The Home Depot and its acquisition subsidiary will file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and thereafter HD Supply will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer.

THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. HD SUPPLY STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF HD SUPPLY SECURITIES SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SECURITIES. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, will be made available to all holders of HD Supply stock at no expense to them. The tender offer materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement will be made available for free at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additional copies may be obtained for free by contacting The Home Depot or HD Supply. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by HD Supply will be available free of charge on HD Supply’s internet website at https://ir.hdsupply.com/investors or by contacting HD Supply’s Investor Relations Department at (770) 852-9100. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by The Home Depot will be available free of charge on The Home Depot’s internet website at https://ir.homedepot.com/ or by contacting The Home Depot’s Investor Relations Department at (770) 384-2871.

In addition to the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, The Home Depot and HD Supply each file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. The Home Depot and HD Supply’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document-retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

Acura Sweeps IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Titles

November 15, 2020

Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor drove their #7 Team Penske Acura ARX-05 to the IMSA Championship in the season finale 12 Hours of Sebring on Saturday. Mario Farnbacher and Matt McMurry piloted their #86 Meyer Shank Acura NSX GT3 Evo to the production-based GTD class title.

SEBRING, Fla., Nov. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura was the big winner in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as the 2020 season came to a close Saturday night at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, winning all six major titles in the headline Daytona Prototype International and production-based GT Daytona classes.

Acura Team Penske
Acura’s second consecutive sweep of the DPi Manufacturers’, Drivers’ and Teams’ championships came with a second-place finish for the #6 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 of Dane Cameron, Juan Pablo Montoya and Simon Pagneaud.

Meanwhile, following an early race mechanical issue, their teammates in the #7 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 of Ricky Taylor, Helio Castroneves and endurance driver Alexander Rossi once again displayed incredible determination in battling back from a 12-lap deficit to finish eighth and claim the drivers’ and teams’ titles by a single championship point.

In typical Sebring fashion, the 12-hour endurance contest played out more like a sprint race, with action and suspense throughout the event. After starting from the pole, the #7 Acura with Taylor at the wheel lost turbocharger boost due to a component failure just 40 minutes into the race.

After going behind the wall for repairs, Taylor, Castroneves and Rossi resumed racing 12 laps behind the leaders, and raced hard into the night to cut the deficit by more than half. The resulting eighth-place finish crowned season-long drivers Taylor and Castroneves as champions, by a single point over the Wayne Taylor Racing pairing of Ryan Briscoe and Renger van der Zande. The title was the second for Taylor, and the first for Castroneves to cap an incredible, 21-year career with Team Penske.

Taking over at the front of the race as their teammates repairs continued, the #6 ARX-05 began a long battle for the lead with the #10 Wayne Taylor and #31 Action Express Cadillacs, with other competitors waiting in the wings should anyone at the front falter.

That opportunity came as night fell in the closing hours. Contact from Pipo Derani in the #31 sent Montoya spinning in the #6 Acura, dropping Montoya to third and resulting in a “drive through” penalty to Derani for the causing the collision. The pair of Mazda prototypes seized their chance to take control, until a cut tire and unscheduled pit stop for the #77 Mazda of Oliver Jarvis enabled Cameron to seize second place in the final hour, securing the DPi sweep as Acura claimed the Manufacturers’ Championship by a single point over Cadillac.

Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo
In the production-based GTD category, Meyer Shank Racing prevailed in a typically rough-and-tumble contest to complete a dominating season in the Manufacturers’ Championship, with the Acura NSX GT3 Evo claiming the crown by an eight-point margin over nine other competing performance car OEM’s, include Porsche, Lexus, BMW, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

In another typically gritty performance, the #86 MSR Acura of defending series champion Mario Farnbacher, Matt McMurry and Shinya Michimi used a third-place class finish to secure the drivers’ and team’s titles for full-season drivers Farnbacher and McMurry. This came despite contact from another competitor – for the fourth time the last five races – that set aside their hopes for a third GTD victory in 2020.

Still their season-long efforts – along with those of the partner trio of Joey Hand, Misha Goikhberg and Trent Hindman in the partner #57 Heinricher Racing with MSR Acura, was more than sufficient to secure the GTD Manufacturers’ Championship by a relatively comfortable eight-point margin to complete the sweep of all six season-long IMSA DPi and GTD titles for Acura.

Next
Today’s race concluded the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Acura will return to defend its prototype and GTD titles in the 2021 season, which opens January 28-31 with the Rolex 24 at the famed Daytona International Speedway.

Acura Motorsports social media content and video links from the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring are available on Instagram (www.instagram.com/hondaracing_hpd), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HondaRacingHPD) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/HondaRacing_HPD).

Quotes
Wayne Gross (Race Team Manager, Honda Performance Development) on today’s season-ending Twelve Hours of Sebring and championship sweep for Acura and HPD: “The Sebring 12 hour is always rough and challenging. This race was certainly no exception, full of drama, battles and excitement. But at the end of an incredible day and night, and an equally incredible IMSA season, Acura and our partner teams once again lived up to our motto of ‘Precision Crafted Performance’. We did what was needed to take home the drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers’ titles in both DPi and GTD, for a successful close to our relationship with Acura Team Penske in DPi, and Meyer Shank Racing in GTD. We are sincerely thankful to everyone at Acura Team Penske, and of course everyone at HPD, for their season-long efforts. Together, we’ve achieved success on so many fronts this year in truly unique, and always challenging, conditions.

“But there’s no time to rest, as the 2021 season will be starting before we know it. We have a lot of work to do as MSR moves to DPi and is joined Wayne Taylor Racing to fly the Acura banner, and we’re already working hard for next year.”

Ricky Taylor (#7 Acura Team Penske ARX-05) 2020 IMSA DPi Champion with four wins in nine races: “To me [co-driver Helio Castroneves] is Team Penske. For me, it was the privilege of a lifetime to get to drive for Acura Team Penske and to have the best three years of my career here. To win this championship with this team, and with him [Castroneves] is one of the highlights of my life. We’ll be friends for life.”

Helio Castroneves (#7 Acura Team Penske ARX-05) 2020 IMSA DPi Champion with four wins in nine races: “There’s just so much going through my mind right now. For me, being able to win this championship with this amazing organization, this incredible group of people, I’ll never, ever forget this time. I have to thank everyone here, this guy [co-driver Ricky Taylor] and of course Roger Penske. What an incredible journey.”

Mario Farnbacher (#86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo) 2020 IMSA GTD Champion with two wins and three podiums, successfully defends 2019 drivers’ title: “This championship means everything. I got into this team in 2018 as a third [endurance race] driver, and I’ve grown so much since then. I was named a full-season driver last year and we became champions with [co-driver] Trent Hindman, Acura, HPD and Meyer Shank Racing. And now, this year, we did it again with these amazing two gentlemen [McMurry and Michimi], Acura and this amazing crew. It hurts a bit that this program ends with Meyer Shank Racing [as MSR moves to the DPi class in 2020 and new teams take over the Acura GTD effort], but for sure a new chapter will open next year. It’s just so great to end this season with, first of all, the championship, and a podium at the end.”

Matt McMurry (#86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo) 2020 IMSA GTD Champion with two wins and three podiums; 2019 LMP champion: “There were a lot of ups and downs all throughout the race, but we just did consistent laps the whole time. The team did such an awesome job, they always do. [Co-drivers] Mario [Farnbacher] and Shinya [Michimi] did such an incredible job. We couldn’t have done it without everyone involved.”

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1334765/Acura_Motorsports_IMSA_Championship.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458749/acura_logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura Motorsports

Offensive Ads & Brand Irresponsibility Lead Gen Z To Breakup With Brands

November 13, 2020

FAIRFAX, Va., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Nine of 10 chief executives, advertising, promotions, sales & marketing managers are non-Hispanic white. Without breaking internal marketing “culture bubbles” to put cultural fluency and insights at the core of every brand strategy, brands risk a break up with Gen Zers and their parents. According to the second part of a new study by the Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing (CMC), Gen Zers and Hispanic and Black parents will quit a brand that offends any racial group (this ranked third among non-Hispanic white parents). As 2020 marks the first time the 0 to 17-year-old segment—or any American generation, for that matter—is a multicultural majority, marketers must think beyond price and focus on cultural literacy and social responsibility to capture market share among Gen Zers.

Building on more than 20,500 consumer touchpoints to date, the CMC released the second part of a comprehensive study on Gen Z (ages 13 to 17), IT’S TIME: Ready (or Not) for the Multicultural Majority, analyzing brand choices, paths to purchase and brand gaffes that led to breakups.

“Gen Z is a diverse generation that feels a sense of unity with other minority segments and understands that hate and racism are the biggest issues they face together,” said CMC Research Chair Nancy Tellet, founder, brand & consumer navigator at PureClarity LLC. “As a result, when they see brands acting in a way that doesn’t align with their values or that is culturally obtuse, they walk away and spread the word. Offending Gen Zers and their parents can be akin to brand implosion.”

1) Brands That Offend Can Kiss Gen Zers and Their Parents Goodbye

More than half of people ages 13 to 49 have quit a culturally illiterate brand, saying it “offended them or disrespected their values”—that number skyrocketing to 72 percent among Black female parents—but the number-one reason Gen Zers and Hispanic and Black parents have quit a brand is disrespect for their own or another racial group (it ranked third among NHW parents). Nearly a third of teens will quit a brand if it offends the LGBTQ+ community, compared to only 15 percent of their parents. Other issues for breakups include animal cruelty and sustainability.

2) Brands Can Take Calculated Risks If They Know Their Consumers’ Cultural Values First

Nike using Colin Kaepernick in their ads was a calculated risk based on knowing that their customers value “freedom of speech/right to protest” over patriotic symbols—sales did not suffer. When Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods took steps to address gun violence by tightening their restrictions and removing some types of firearms and ammunition from their stories, they saw no ultimate negative bottom-line impact—in fact, 67 percent of multicultural people ages 13 to 49 and 53 percent of NHW said they were more likely to shop in these stores after this move.

3) Brands Cannot Rely on Price Alone to Woo Gen Zers and Their Parents

Ninety-two percent of Gen Zers and their parents agree some things matter more than price: trust, reliability, healthy/organic and style were important. Teens often distance themselves from brands that commit offensive gaffes because those brands reflect poorly on their social media personas. When it comes to food, nearly a third of Gen Zers and their parents say healthy and organic matter more than price. Nearly one out to two parents buy healthy/organic foods and beverages just for their kids and not themselves—this number jumps to 62 percent among Hispanic parents. In addition, building relationships with Hispanic teens is critical to brands as they are more likely to make their own choices due to their heightened family responsibility role which includes bill paying and purchasing.

4) Brands Wooing Teens Should Supercharge Their Marketing Via Solid Social Media Strategies and Influencer Endorsements

Social media fashion and lifestyle influencers have the most cache when it comes to purchase behaviors by young consumers. Hispanic teens and Hispanic adults ages 25 to 49 are 55 percent and 44 percent, respectively, more likely to try a product endorsed by an influencer than a traditional ad compared to 37 percent of their non-Hispanic counterparts. When the celebrity or influencer is known to be unpaid, the numbers increase to 69 percent of Hispanic teens, 59 percent of Hispanic adults, and 48 percent of their non-Hispanic counterparts.

5) When Considering a Purchase, Teens Value Word of Mouth and Then Shop Online

When it comes to purchase consideration, word of mouth is most important followed by advertising and online inspiration. In the final path to purchase phase, 74 percent of Gen Zers and their parents go online, primarily to search for more information or head to a marketplace sales site. Fifty-five percent will go to Amazon, and 35 percent of NHB and Hispanics will go to Walmart compared to 28 percent of NHW. Surprisingly, 10 percent of Hispanic teens will go to Target, compared to only 2 to 3 percent of other segments.

6) Gen Zers Are All About Style, Savings and Sustainability

For many teens, style counts more than price, especially among NHB to the tune of 43 percent compared to 37 percent NHW and 33 percent Hispanics. Shops like Shein, Zara, Asos and Fashion Nova have wooed teens with throwaway fashion at low prices capitalizing on teens’ love for buzzy online celebrities and unpaid content creators mostly on Instagram. Teens are also adding to their style with affordable vintage, fueling thrifting fervor. Seventy-four percent of Gen Zers and their parents 13 to 49 love to thrift, skewing mostly female among non-Hispanics and gender neutral with Hispanics.

Methodology & Funders:

The study received financial or operational support from Kantar, ThinkNow, ViacomCBS and Univision.
Quantitative research came from 2,418 13-17s (Gen Z) and 25-49 parents of kids 8-12 (65% Millennials/ 35% Xers) with equal sample representation of Hispanics (HISP), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) & non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) from January 2020 to February 2020.
Qualitative interviews with 54 respondents (36T/18P), in-home pairs (HISP/NHB/NHW) and two Gen Z multicultural workshops (HISP/NHB/NHW/Asian-American/Other)

For more information, visit culturemarketingcouncil.org and follow the CMC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @cmchispanic.

About CMC: Founded in 1996 as the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, the Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications, and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise.

SOURCE Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing

Solis Health Plans Adds The University of Miami Health System

November 13, 2020

Solis Health Plans logo (PRNewsfoto/Solis Health Plans, Inc.)

MIAMI, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Solis Health Plans is pleased to announce the Florida Medicare Advantage plan now offers in-network coverage with the prestigious University of Miami Health System. Effective November 1, 2020, in-network coverage also includes cancer care with specialists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and vision care with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

“We are excited to bring our members in-network access to the University of Miami Health System, one of the nation’s most respected institutions,” said Solis CEO Daniel Hernandez.

The University of Miami Health System delivers leading-edge patient care by the region’s best doctors, powered by the groundbreaking research of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. As South Florida’s only university-based health system, UHealth is a vital component of the community that is leading the next generation of health care.

UHealth provides treatment options for a wide range of conditions and is made up of more than 1,300 physicians and scientists who are highly trained specialists focused on providing state-of-the-art medical care. The partnership with Solis includes all of UHealth’s specialists and primary care providers.

About Solis Health Plans
Solis Health Plans is a community-focused Florida Medicare Advantage health plan delivering outstanding member experience and exceptional service to its members, providers, and brokers and offers competitive plans with expanded benefits in multiple counties. The company is locally based and self-identifies as the Un-Corporate Plan: personal as opposed to bureaucratic, innovative instead of risk-averse, and accountable rather than ambiguous. Solis Health Plans is committed to exceeding expectations and to being the plan of choice for the communities served, with the goal of achieving better healthcare outcomes.

For more information on Solis Health Plans, please visit www.solishealthplans.com.

Solis Health Plans is an HMO with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Florida Medicaid Program for dually-eligible beneficiaries. Enrollment in Solis Health Plans depends on contract renewal.

UHealth & Solis Health Plans (PRNewsfoto/Solis Health Plans, Inc.)

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1033320/Solis_Logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Solis Health Plans, Inc.

Frontera® Celebrates Release of New Format with Latin GRAMMY® Acoustic Session

November 13, 2020

Frontera will host a virtual acoustic concert featuring GRAMMY® nominee and three-time Latin GRAMMY® nominee Raquel Sofía

The Official Wine of the 21st Annual Latin GRAMMY® Awards® & Top 5 Popular Import Brand[1]

Builds on Wine & Music Platform as New 3L Box Debuts

HOPLAND, Calif., Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In a new move celebrating the indelible combination of wine and music, Chilean wine powerhouse Frontera will host a virtual acoustic concert featuring GRAMMY® nominee and three-time Latin GRAMMY® nominee Raquel Sofía tonight, Thursday, November 12, at 6 PM ET on Facebook Live. As part of the Road To The Latin GRAMMYs™, this intimate special performance will showcase the acclaimed Latinx artist and Frontera wines, building on the brand’s 2020 wine and music programming just ahead of the December debut of Frontera’s anticipated 3-liter box format.

The official wine of the 21st Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, Frontera is expanding its reach with Latin music fans while continuing to creatively explore the intersection of wine and music through this latest activation. Earlier this year, Frontera announced a groundbreaking collaboration with music streaming service Spotify®, which pairs genre-specific playlists with each of four different wine styles in the Frontera portfolio. Rounding out the brand’s compelling music and wine campaign is the #FronteraMusicStage sweepstakes launching in January 2021—which will award $500 gift cards to 40 lucky winners, totaling $20,000 in prizes—for use at a future time when live music venues can re-open safely.

This all comes as Frontera prepares to launch its new 3-liter bag-in-box (BIB) format, which expands the way fans can experience the #1 South American popular-priced import brand in the U.S.²

“The wine and music connection continues to be an integral piece of Frontera’s consumer engagement, and we’re thrilled to partner with the Latin GRAMMY Awards to bring live music to fans around the world at a time when in-person concerts are on hold,” said Wayland Boyd, Senior Brand Manager for Frontera in the U.S. “This comes amidst exciting growth for the brand, as we’re poised to unveil three boxed wine offerings in a packaging innovation that makes it easier than ever to enjoy Frontera wines.”

Frontera—America’s #1 Chilean large-format wine brand³—is introducing its 3-liter BIB Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend and Cabernet Sauvignon at a time of skyrocketing growth for the boxed wine category⁴. Frontera’s eco-friendly, convenient packaging keeps wine fresh for up to 30 days after opening, giving Frontera fans more ways to savor some of America’s most coveted varietals. Frontera’s on-trend offerings align with market momentum in the 3L BIB segment: Sauvignon Blanc leads category growth⁵, Cabernet Sauvignon maintains a commanding market share in the category⁶, and red blends are growing faster than any other red varietal in the category⁷.

Frontera’s packaging innovation dovetails with its industry-leading focus on music at a time when consumers are yearning for new ways to experience wine and music at home. Through creative executions with music’s major players, including the Latin GRAMMY Awards and Spotify, Frontera is building on findings by Oxford University researchers that suggest listening to music can enhance the sensory experience of tasting wine⁸.

Enter for a chance to win a gift card at the #FronteraMusicStage sweepstakes on Instagram in January 2021, pair your favorite Frontera varietals with a curated playlist on Spotify, and tune in tonight at 6 PM ET for Frontera’s live-streaming acoustic concert with Raquel Sofía.

About Frontera
Frontera® offers expressive, New World wines from celebrated regions in Chile, through a collection of 14 varietals and blends, including fan favorites Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc. The 8th most powerful wine brand in the world and the #1 South American popular import brand in the U.S., Frontera makes delicious, accessible wines that are easy to enjoy with family and friends. Frontera is the first wine brand to partner with Spotify® to create innovative music and wine pairings and is the official wine of the 2020 and 2021 Latin GRAMMY® Awards.

Latin GRAMMY® is a registered trademark of the Recording Academy and is used under license.
Spotify® is a registered trademark of Spotify and is used under license.

¹ Source IRI: TTL US MULO+C/Imported Table Wine/$$ VOL/Popular Price Segment $4–$7.99/latest 26 weeks ending 11.01.20
²Source: IRI: TTL MULO+C/Imported Table Wine – SA Origin/$$ VOL/Popular Price Segment $4–$7.99/latest 26 weeks ending 11.01.20
³ Source: IRI: TTL US MULO+C/Table Wine / Chile Origin / $$ VOL / latest 52 weeks ending 11.01.20
⁴ Source: IRI: TTL US MULO+C / TTL Box Table Wine / +18.1% $$ Volume latest 52 wks ending 11.01.20 / +15.1% 9L case volume latest 52 wks ending 11.01.20
⁵ Source: IRI: TTL US MULO+C / 3L Box / Table Wine / Top 10 Varietals / +89% $$ volume latest 52wks ending 11.01.20 / +86% 9L case volume latest 52 wks ending 11.01.20
⁶ Source: IRI: TTL US MULO+C / 3L Box / Table Wine / #1 varietal in both $$ and 9L case volume / latest 52 wks ending 11.01.20
⁷ Source: IRI: TTL US MULO+C / 3L Box / Table Wine / leader in $$ growth for red varietals / latest 12 wks ending 11.01.20
⁸ Source: Spence, C., Wang, Q. (Wine and music (II): Can you taste the music? Modulating the experience of wine through music and sound. Flavour 4, 33 (2015).

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1333376/LatinGrammys_Graphic.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1333375/Frontera_3LBox.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1164581/Frontera_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Frontera

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