Reminder: Deadline To File Claims In The Purdue Pharma L.P. Bankruptcy Is June 30, 2020

May 1, 2020

NEW YORK, May 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The following is being issued by Prime Clerk, the court-appointed claims and noticing agent.

This is a reminder that Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. (Prevailing Eastern Time) is the deadline or bar date for filing claims in the bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma L.P., a U.S. limited partnership, its general partner and its subsidiaries, including Imbrium Therapeutics L.P., Adlon Therapeutics L.P., Greenfield BioVentures L.P., Avrio Health L.P., Rhodes Technologies, and Rhodes Pharmaceuticals L.P. (“Purdue“).

If someone thinks they have suffered harm from Purdue or its prescription opioids, such as OxyContin, they have the right to file a claim but will lose that right if they don’t file that claim by the bar date.

Filing a claim means you are seeking payment or other compensation from Purdue. Examples of claims that may be filed include claims alleging addiction, dependence, wrongful death, lost wages, loss of spousal relationship benefit for things such as child-rearing and enjoyment of life, or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (sometimes referred to as “NAS”).

Claims can be filed by you, your lawyer, a legal guardian, survivors, or relatives of people who have died or are disabled. You may file a claim even if you have received reimbursement from insurance.

Depending on the type of claim you file, you may be required to file a Personal Injury Claimant Proof of Claim Form and supporting documentation. Those claim forms and supporting documentation will be kept highly confidential and not made available to the public. You do not need an attorney to file a proof of claim for you.

Additionally, partnerships, corporations, joint ventures, trusts, governmental units, and Native American Tribes may also file a proof of claim against Purdue.

Go to www.PurduePharmaClaims.com to find Proof of Claim Forms and a complete list of instructions on how to file a claim. You will also find a list of the opioids produced, marketed or sold by Purdue. You can also request a claim form by mail, email or phone:

Purdue Pharma Claims Processing Center
c/o Prime Clerk LLC
850 Third Avenue, Ste. 412, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1.844.217.0912

SOURCE Prime Clerk the Court-Appointed Claims and Noticing Agent

Mazda Reports April Sales Results

May 1, 2020

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.

IRVINE, Calif., May 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total April sales of 10,940 vehicles, a decrease of 44.5 percent compared to April 2019. Year-to-date sales totaled 78,610 vehicles, a decrease of 13.2 percent. With 26 selling days in April, compared to 25 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 46.6 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 2,401 vehicles in April, a decrease of 53.8 percent compared to April 2019. Year-to-date CPO sales decreased 16.5 percent, with 19,052 vehicles sold.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported April sales of 1,920 vehicles, a decrease of 55.3 percent compared to April last year. Year-to-date sales decreased 27.6 percent, with 14,842 vehicles sold.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.


	Month-To-Date				Year-To-Date

	April	April	YOY %	% MTD	April	April	YOY %	% MTD
	2020	2019	Change	DSR	2020	2019	Change	DSR

Mazda3	1,492	4,351	(65.7)%	(67.0)%	9,610	19,566	(50.9)%	(51.4)%
Mazda6	746	2,340	(68.1)%	(69.3)%	5,252	9,261	(43.3)%	(43.8)%
MX-5 Miata	552	782	(29.4)%	(32.1)%	2,252	2,312	(2.6)%	(3.6)%
CX-3	363	1,019	(64.4)%	(65.7)%	2,915	4,272	(31.8)%	(32.4)%
CX-30	1,483	0			9,847	0
CX-5	5,220	9,592	(45.6)%	(47.7)%	40,431	47,088	(14.1)%	(15.0)%
CX-9	1,084	1,618	(33.0)%	(35.6)%	8,303	8,036	3.3%	2.3%


CARS	2,790	7,473	(62.7)%	(64.1)%	17,114	31,139	(45.0)%	(45.6)%
TRUCKS	8,150	12,229	(33.4)%	(35.9)%	61,496	59,396	3.5%	2.5%

TOTAL	10,940	19,702	(44.5)%	(46.6)%	78,610	90,535	(13.2)%	(14.0)%


*Selling Days	26	25			102	101

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SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

HITEC Welcomes Google Cloud to the HITEC Familia

May 1, 2020

CHICAGO, May 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — We are proud to announce Google Cloud has joined the HITEC community as a Gold-level Corporate Partner. This partnership highlights Google Cloud’s commitment to advancing diversity and to working collaboratively to develop the next generation of Hispanic technology leaders.

HITEC is the leading executive leadership organization for Hispanics in technology. HITEC’s vision is to connect, inspire, and grow influential Hispanic technology executives while developing the next generation of leaders.

“We’re honored to welcome Google Cloud to the HITEC Familia,” said Omar Duque, HITEC President. “We are excited to partner with an organization that has such an impactful footprint in the technology industry that will collaborate with us to share best practices and resources for talent growth and facilitate connections with the best and brightest Hispanic executives in technology.”

“Google Cloud is proud to partner with HITEC in our shared commitment to building and supporting teams that are representative of our global community,” said Carlos Granda, VP, Customer Success, Google Cloud and a 2019 HITEC 100 recipient. “I’m looking forward to Google Cloud and HITEC’s ongoing collaboration and I am excited to further support Hispanic executives and businesses through this partnership.”

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud provides organizations with leading infrastructure, platform capabilities and industry solutions. We deliver enterprise-grade cloud solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology to help companies operate more efficiently and adapt to changing needs, giving customers a foundation for the future. Customers in more than 150 countries turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to solve their most critical business problems.

About HITEC:

Founded to increase Hispanic representation in the diversity-challenged technology industry, HITEC is a premier global executive leadership organization of senior business and technology executives who have built outstanding careers in technology. HITEC’s premiere network spans the Americas and is focused on building stronger technology and executive leaders, leadership teams, corporations, and role models in a rapidly changing, flatter, and technology-centric world. These global leaders include executives leading Global 1000 corporations while others lead some of the largest Hispanic-owned technology firms across the Americas. HITEC enables business and professional growth for its members and fills the executive pipeline with the next generation of Hispanic technology leaders.

SOURCE Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council

Cancer Patients Face High Mortality from COVID-19

May 1, 2020

BRONX, N.Y., May 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — People with cancer who develop COVID-19 are much more likely to die from the disease than those without cancer, according to physician-researchers at Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The study, published today in the online edition of Cancer Discovery, is the largest so far to assess outcomes for patients with cancer who have also been infected with COVID-19.

“Our findings emphasize the need to prevent cancer patients from contracting COVID-19 and—if they do—to identify and closely monitor these individuals for dangerous symptoms,” said Vikas Mehta, M.D., M.P.H., a co-lead author of the study, a surgical oncologist at Montefiore and associate professor of otorhinolaryngology—head and neck surgery at Einstein. “We hope that our findings can inform states and communities that have not yet been so severely struck by this pandemic about the unique vulnerability cancer patients face.”

The study involved 218 cancer patients who tested positive for COVID-19 from March 18 to April 8, 2020 at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York City, one of the regions in the United States hit hardest by the pandemic. A total of 61 cancer patients died from COVID-19, a dramatically high case-fatality rate of 28%. (The mortality rate for COVID-19 in the United States is 5.8%, according to the World Health Organization.)

“A key element is that mortality appears to be more closely related to frailty, age, and co-morbidities than to active therapy for cancer,” said co-senior author Balazs Halmos, M.D., M.S., director of the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program at Montefiore and professor of medicine at Einstein.

“Our data suggest that we should not stop lifesaving cancer therapies, but rather develop strategies to minimize potential COVID-19 exposures and re-evaluate therapies for our most vulnerable cancer populations,” explained co-senior author Amit Verma, M.B.B.S., director of the division of hemato-oncology at Montefiore and professor of medicine and of developmental and molecular biology at Einstein.

The time period during which these patients were treated was earlier in the epidemic when testing was almost exclusively done in sicker, symptomatic patients who required hospitalization. This may partially explain the high fatality rate within the study’s cancer population. However, even when compared to mortality rates in non-cancer patients at Montefiore and across New York City during the same time period, cancer patients demonstrated a significantly higher risk of dying from COVID-19.

As a group, COVID-19 patients with hematologic (blood) cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, had the highest mortality rate: 37% (20 of 54 patients). For patients with solid malignancies, the mortality rate was 25% (41 of 164). Striking differences were observed among specific solid cancers: the mortality rate for patients with lung cancer was 55% and colorectal cancer was 38%, compared with mortality rates of 14% for breast cancer and 20% for prostate cancer.

Certain underlying conditions—older age, hypertension, heart disease, and chronic lung disease—were significantly associated with increased mortality among cancer patients with COVID-19.

A detailed analysis of patients with cancer who died from COVID-19 shows that more than half of these individuals—37 of 61—had been in places with a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as nursing homes, hospitals or emergency departments within the 30 days before being diagnosed with COVID-19. This was before widespread social distancing had been implemented.

Montefiore has already changed clinical practice as a result of the study’s findings, by using telemedicine and early and aggressive social distancing for cancer patients, and by opening a dedicated cancer outpatient and inpatient clinical service. It has also instituted bilingual peer counseling and deployed social workers and food deliveries to its at-risk population.

Montefiore is able to quickly identify patients with a known history of cancer who test positive for COVID-19 based on a daily collection and collation of data across the health system. This allows the care team to act immediately to ensure appropriate care for these individuals and track outcomes.

The study’s other co-lead authors are Sanjay Goel, M.B.B.S., and Rafi Kabarriti, M.D. The paper is titled “Case Fatality Rate of Cancer Patients with COVID-19 in a New York Hospital System.”

Additional Montefiore-Einstein authors are: Daniel Cole, M.D., Mendel Goldfinger, M.D., Ana Acuna-Villaorduna, M.D., Kith Pradhan, Ph.D., Raja Thota. M.S., Stan Reissman, M.S.W., Joseph A Sparano, M.D., Benjamin A. Gartrell, M.D., Richard V. Smith, M.D., Nitin Ohri, M.D., Madhur Garg, M.D., Andrew D. Racine, M.D., Ph.D., Shalom Kalnicki, M.D. and Roman Perez-Soler, M.D.

This study was supported in part by the Albert Einstein Cancer Center (P30CA013330).

About Montefiore Health System
Montefiore Health System is one of New York’s premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 11 hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube.

About Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine is one of the nation’s premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2019-20 academic year, Einstein is home to 724 M.D. students, 158 Ph.D. students, 106 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 265 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has more than 1,800 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2019, Einstein received more than $178 million in awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, clinical and translational research, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States through Montefiore and an affiliation network involving hospitals and medical centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn and on Long Island. For more information, please visit www.einstein.yu.edu, read our blog, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and view us on YouTube.

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SOURCE Montefiore Health System; Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Prominent neurosurgeon Michael McDermott, M.D., joins Baptist Health South Florida to lead Miami Neuroscience Institute

April 30, 2020

CORAL GABLES, Florida, April 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Baptist Health South Florida welcomes Michael McDermott, M.D., a world-renowned leader in neurosciences with clinical expertise in the field of meningioma research and gamma knife radiosurgery, as its new chief medical executive of Miami Neuroscience Institute, formerly known as Baptist Health Neuroscience Center.

Dr. McDermott, widely known for advancing neurosurgical techniques, pioneered surgical management of meningioma, a slow-growing tumor in the head that affects the brain. He is an expert in the treatment of a wide variety of neurological disorders, in addition to meningiomas, skull base tumors, brain metastases, gliomas, hydrocephalus, central nervous system infections and complex tumors of the skull base and spinal cord.

“I am delighted to have a colleague of his caliber join our organization,” said Michael Zinner, M.D., chief executive officer and executive medical director at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida. “His expertise will help enhance our collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research and delivery of the best cancer treatments for our patients.”

Dr. McDermott has conducted leading research that generated more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and comes from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as third in the nation in neurology and neurosurgery, where he was co-director of the Gamma Knife and CyberKnife Radiosurgery Program and held the distinguished Wolfe Family Endowed Professorship in Meningioma Research. In addition to serving as professor and vice chairman of neurological surgery, he is an accomplished educator. As residency program director, he trained young physicians from around the world.

“The arrival of Dr. McDermott to lead Miami Neuroscience Institute represents Baptist Health’s ability to harness the collective expertise of physician leaders and to offer the most innovative, comprehensive and individualized care available to our patients,” said Jack Ziffer, PhD, M.D., executive vice president, chief clinical officer and chief physician executive for Baptist Health South Florida.

Miami Neuroscience Institute provides care at all the Baptist Health facilities, with the exception of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, home to the renowned Marcus Neuroscience Institute, and Bethesda Hospital East and Bethesda Hospital West’s neuroscience programs. For the first several months, Dr. McDermott will focus on working with clinical and administrative leadership to plan and build the infrastructure as well as clinical depth and breadth of the program and set the stage for growth as a destination for neuroscience care.

“The multidisciplinary team approach we have at Baptist Health creates a special synergy between medical specialists from various fields to provide the most advanced care to our patients. This exceptional physician and surgeon will complement the tremendous medical talent that resides within Baptist Health and will continue to grow our national leadership in the treatment of conditions of the brain, spine and nervous system,” added Dr. Ziffer, PhD, M.D.

Miami Neuroscience Institute

Miami Neuroscience Institute, formerly known as Baptist Health Neuroscience Center, offers comprehensive and compassionate treatment for neurological conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. From non-surgical treatments and minimally invasive procedures to complex brain and spine surgery, the Center embraces a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Miami Neuroscience Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals, nearly 23,000 employees, more than 4,000 physicians and more than 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Baptist Health South Florida

Mastercard Study Shows Consumers in LAC Make the Move to Contactless Payments

April 30, 2020

Contactless payments trends in Latin America & the Caribbean

MIAMI, April 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — During first quarter of 2020, as many countries imposed necessary restrictions on social distancing, a growing number of consumers in Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) turned to contactless payments for necessary purchases, a new Mastercard study shows. According to the survey, 35% of people in the region have increased their usage of contactless payments, citing simplicity, safety and cleanliness.

Consumer polling by Mastercard paints a picture of accelerated and sustained contactless adoption. This shift in consumer behavior is particularly clear at checkout as people express a desire for contactless cards and concerns over cleanliness and safety at the point of sale, according to the study. In fact, findings of the study show that the impact of social distancing and other safety guidelines on consumer payment behavior is extensive:

56% of Latin Americans said they are more aware of dirtiness of cash.
84% of Latin Americans believe contactless is a cleaner way to pay.

1. Mastercard’s own initiatives, along with the intelligence of its technology, data analytics and investments in security, will continue to propel a world beyond cash. Already, more than half of consumers around the world (63%) are using cash less often, or not at all, since the pandemic began. The same is true in LAC, where on average 66% of consumers are using cash less often, or not at all:

77% of Brazilians indicated that they are using cash less, or not at all, since the pandemic.
61% of Colombians indicated that they are using cash less, or not at all, since the pandemic.
68% of Costa Ricans indicated that they are using cash less, or not at all, since the pandemic.
58% Dominican Republicans indicated that they are using cash less, or not at all, since the pandemic.

2. Consumers are quickly appreciating the benefits of contactless payments with 79% across LAC finding them more secure when compared to keeping or paying with cash. Additionally, regional consumer polling by Mastercard indicated sustained contactless usage with consumers preferring the quick and efficient checkout experience.

78% of Latin Americans indicated they will continue using contactless payments even after the pandemic is over.
The belief was even stronger among those under the age of 35, where 82% of this population indicated continued use post-COVID.

“As we all experience the first global pandemic in an age defined by the digitalization of our lives, contactless card payments have taken on a new urgency. It has been both encouraging and gratifying to see our partners throughout the LAC region adopt the changes and acceleration of contactless. The technology is available, and it’s clear that the change we are witnessing in consumer behavior is here to stay,” said Walter Pimenta, Senior Vice President, Products & Innovation, Mastercard Latin America and Caribbean.

Accelerating faster, cleaner, safer payments
Throughout the world, Mastercard has been spearheading the transition to contactless for more than 15 years, championing it as the simple, safe and fast way to pay. As a region with countries where contactless technologies are a newer experience, LAC has seen a rapid increase in infrastructure, with 75% of point of sale terminals ready to accept contactless transactions, and 60% of financial institutions issuing contactless-enabled cards.

In March, Mastercard led a move to increase the contactless payment limits across the LAC region as people looked for safer ways to pay in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, four countries have already raised their contactless payment limits including, Colombia, Argentina, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, with many others expected to follow soon. The initiative is in line with similar actions taking place around the world as health officials recommend social distancing and a growing number of merchants are encouraging consumers to pay with contactless instead of cash to avoid contact.

“As the spread of COVID-19 highlights the steadfast mindset for ‘contact-free’ environments and experiences in many aspects of our lives, the increased interest in contactless payments is far reaching. We believe in providing consumers with the freedom of choice in how they pay and peace of mind when they pay. With increased convenience and security, we look forward to expanding the contactless footprint more than ever before,” added Pimenta.

Contactless Payments Growth
As consumers increasingly seek out ways to quickly get in and out of stores without touching terminals, Mastercard data reveals over 40% growth in contactless transactions globally in the first quarter of 2020¹. Further, 80% of contactless transactions are under $25, a range that is typically dominated by cash. LAC, a less mature region when it comes to contactless penetration, saw exponential growth, with contactless transactions up 500% overall since March of last year.

While countries worldwide are at different stages of contactless card deployment and usage for daily shopping habits, Mastercard’s insights on grocery and pharmacy trends – two areas where many day-to-day essentials are being purchased – showed that nearly all regions experienced significant spikes in February and March. Further, reinforcing changing behaviors and consumer checkout preferences, Mastercard saw the number of contactless card payments at grocery stores and pharmacies grow twice as fast as non-contactless transactions globally².

Notes to Editors:

¹ Growth calculated as the percentage increase in contactless transactions compared to the percentage increase in non-contactless transactions, comparing March 2020 to March 2019, at Grocery and Pharmacy categories

²Growth calculated as the percentage increase in contactless transactions compared to the percentage increase in non-contactless transactions, comparing March 2020 to February 2020, at Grocery and Pharmacy categories

Survey Methodology

Online interviews of 17,000 consumers in 19 countries worldwide
1,000 banked respondents per country in the US and Canada (North America); Australia, Singapore (Asia Pacific); UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa (Middle East and Africa); UK, Italy, France, German, Spain, Poland, Russia, the Netherlands (Europe).
500 banked respondents per country in Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Colombia (Latin America and the Caribbean)
Research conducted April 10-12, 2020
Nationally representative sample
Readable sample sizes of:

Gen Z/Millennials
Affluent [defined at a country level]
Contactless users
Primary shoppers
Those with high levels of concern about Covid-19

About Mastercard
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

CONTACT:
Marcus Carmo
[email protected]
+1 (305) 5369476

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SOURCE Mastercard Latin America & the Caribbean

Ilyas Akbari Introduced as Senior Partner at Wilshire Law Firm

April 30, 2020

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Amid an unprecedented global slowdown, Wilshire Law Firm continues to grow. Today the firm warmly welcomes Senior Partner and Bioengineer A. Ilyas Akbari, Esq. as the director of its all-new aviation litigation division.

“Ilyas is an incredible addition to the firm and we could not be more thrilled to have him join our family,” said Founding President and Managing Attorney Bobby Saadian, Esq. “Adding an aviation litigation division is an exciting development for Wilshire Law Firm – this division will be very meaningful to our practice long-term.”

An experienced aviation litigator with more than 200 aviation cases worked since 2005, Ilyas has represented clients in most of the major airline disasters, including the September 11 Litigation, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 (only case proceeding to trial, settling prior to voir dire), Germanwings Flight 9525 (represented only Americans on plane crashed by suicidal pilot; 2018 Elite Trial Lawyer finalist), and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (Boeing MAX8 litigation), among others.

“I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge or an injustice,” noted Akbari, who has helped recover awards and settlements totaling over $350,000,000 in his career. “I’m excited to be joining a firm with the same commitment to their clients and to excellence as my own.”

Beyond aviation, Ilyas has successfully represented clients in many high-profile crashes, including a 2015 duck boat crash in Seattle ($20,000,000 verdict) and many rail disasters.

He currently is honored to serve as Plaintiff Vice Chair to the Aviation and Space Law General Committee of the American Bar Association, the Editor of its Newsletter, a member of the Aviation Trial Association – Top 10, and as Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America.

About Wilshire Law Firm
Founded in 2007 by Bobby Saadian, Esq., Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning personal injury, employment law, and class action law firm. Recognized by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers as one of 2020’s “Best Law Firms,” the firm’s attorneys are consistently honored throughout the legal industry for their excellence. To date, our team of over 150 legal professionals has recovered more than $750,000,000 for the Wilshire Law Firm client family, providing exceptional service every step of the way.

To find out more, call (844) 790-8018, or visit: https://www.WilshireLawFirm.com

Instagram: @WilshireLawFirmPLC
Twitter: @WilshireLawFirm
Facebook: @WilshireLawFirm

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/537344/Wilshire_Law_Firm_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Wilshire Law Firm

(Español) Presentación de Ilyas Akbari como socio superior en Wilshire Law Firm

April 30, 2020

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

NO MORE And National Domestic Violence Hotline Help Address Spike In Domestic Abuse During The COVID-19 Crisis With Multifaceted Campaign

April 29, 2020

NEW YORK, April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Reports from many cities and countries indicate that the COVID-19 crisis is leading to a significant spike in domestic violence, with several countries and cities citing more than double the usual number of calls to police, hotlines and/or support services. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) is hearing from many survivors how COVID-19 is being used by abusive partners to further control and abuse. In direct response, The NO MORE Foundation (NO MORE) and The Hotline are significantly expanding their recently launched public awareness and action campaign.

Entitled #Listeningfromhome and created by MRM, the campaign aims to heighten people’s awareness of domestic violence, and encourage them to safely get help if they experience, hear, or observe incidents of domestic abuse. In addition to an expanded social media effort, the campaign will now be included on more than 300 of Lamar’s digital billboards in over 50 U.S. markets. In the U.K., in partnership with the U.K. Says NO MORE chapter, the campaign posters will go up in pharmacies and on several billboards across the country, mobilizing key community spaces as places to access information and support.

Specifically, people who hear of a loved one or neighbor experiencing domestic violence, are advised to:

In the U.S., contact The Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to get support. In the U.K., find details of local support through the Bright Sky App.
Call the police in case of an emergency
Learn more about all forms of abuse at nomore.org
Donate to The Hotline so they can continue to provide critical, life-saving services for hundreds of thousands of survivors.

One in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With many isolating at home to contain the spread of COVID-19, many victims of domestic violence are trapped with their abusers. Any external factors that add stress and financial strain can negatively impact survivors and create circumstances where their safety is further compromised.

“These are difficult times for everyone, even more so for victims of domestic abuse,” said Ian Dallimore, Lamar Advertising VP of Digital Growth. “The NO MORE message is such an important one during times like these. We are proud to support the efforts of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and to help raise awareness of the horrors of domestic abuse with our digital network.”

“Like with COVID-19, the signs of domestic abuse are not always visible. However, now that people are home, they might hear more coming from their neighbors’ homes than usual. We want to enlist these people as allies in the effort to stop the epidemic of domestic violence—now, and beyond this immediate crisis,” said Pamela Zaballa, Global Executive Director of The NO MORE Foundation.

“Isolation is one of the strongest tactics an abuser can use, so building community around a survivor during COVID-19 is more important than ever before,” said Katie Ray-Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. “For those who know and care about survivors or for those who observe abuse, you can be a part of their safety plan. Whether you are a survivor or someone who cares about a survivor, the Advocates at The Hotline are here to help you understand the best ways to protect yourself and support those at risk.”

“This is a moment in time we cannot miss; a moment to activate the nation to get ‘Listening from Home’ whilst ‘Working from Home.’ And importantly, to point people towards the resources to help,” said Nicky Bullard, Chairwoman and Chief Creative Officer, MRM.

”We know that victims of domestic abuse struggle to access help due to the stalking and control that they experience. We recognise the role that pharmacies play in society and even more so in a time of crisis such as now,” said Sandra Gidley, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. “We’re committed to encouraging all our members across the UK to be part of the response to domestic abuse, by ensuring we can enable victims to access specialist domestic abuse support services.”

“During this critical time, it is important we check in with family members, friends and neighbours this may impact. Emergency responders are waiting for our calls and can provide the necessary tools to signpost to support. If we all listen for the sounds of violence, we may save a life,” said Lyndsey Dearlove, head of UK SAYS NO MORE.

About NO MORE: The NO MORE Foundation is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. With more than 1,400 allied organizations and over 40 state, local, and international chapters, NO MORE sparks grassroots activism, encouraging everyone—women and men, youth and adults, from all walks of life—to be part of the solution. The Foundation creates and provides public awareness campaigns, educational resources and community organizing tools free-of-charge for anyone wanting to stop and prevent violence. First launched in 2013, NO MORE has brought together the largest coalition of advocacy groups, service providers, governmental agencies, major corporations, universities, communities and individuals, all under a common brand and a unifying symbol in support of a world free of violence.

About the National Domestic Violence Hotline: For nearly twenty-five years, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has answered the call – over 5.2 million calls, chats and texts to date – from those affected by relationship abuse. As the only 24/7/365 national service provider offering services via call, chat, and text, they work to shine a light on domestic violence by supporting and advocating for survivors, providing hope in times of crisis, and promoting healthy relationships for all.

The Hotline works at every level to ensure a future where all relationships are positive, healthy, and free from violence. Advocates provide support through online chat at loveisrespect.org and TheHotline.org, via text by sending loveis to 22522*, and by phone at 1-800-799-SAFE for The Hotline or 1-866-331-9474 for loveisrespect.

About Lamar Advertising Company
Founded in 1902, Lamar Advertising Company is one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the world, with more than 360,000 displays across the United States and Canada. Lamar offers advertisers a variety of billboard, interstate logo, transit and airport advertising formats, helping both local businesses and national brands reach broad audiences every day. In addition to its more traditional out of home inventory, Lamar is proud to offer its customers the largest network of digital billboards in the United States with over 3,500 displays. Please feel free to explore our website www.lamar.com or contact us at [email protected] for additional information.

About MRM: MRM is a leading data science, technology innovation and creatively driven relationship marketing agency that helps brands grow meaningful relationships with people. The agency leverages the power of creativity, the beauty of data, the magic of technology and the impact of connections to drive business results. MRM//McCann is part of the Interpublic Group and a lead agency in the McCann Worldgroup network, with 40-plus offices across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. For information, please visit mrm-mccann.co.uk.

MRM Credit List:
Chief Creative Officer/writer – Nicky Bullard
Executive Creative Director – James Thorley
Deputy Creative Director/art director – Jon Wells
Designer – Agatha O’Neill
Account Director – Sarah Tille

SOURCE The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Hispanic Public Relations Association Announces National Board Member Additions

April 29, 2020

NEW YORK, April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) announced today an impactful change to its national board of directors. Five leading industry professionals have been added to the national board of the foremost organization of Hispanic public relations practitioners. Joining the Board are Alejandra Molinari, Senior PR Communications Manager at Intuit, Carla Santiago, Acting General Manager at Edelman, Carlos Correcha-Price, Chief Executive Officer-USA at LLYC, Darcy Brito, Business PR Manager at Aflac and Oscar Suris, Executive Managing Director at Zeno Group.

“HPRA’s leadership is strong and I look forward to working alongside this stellar group of seasoned professionals to move forward the organizations’ mission of advancing the practice; serving as the voice for professionals working in Hispanic communications; empowering our members through support, resources and education; and offering guidance and assistance to students pursuing careers in the field,” stated Andy Checo, president of the Hispanic Public Relations Association. “During these challenging times, I am confident that the contributions of our new and established board members will be valuable not only to our organization, but to our overall industry.”

The new board members bring on a wealth of experience to the organization which expands decades and include the following:

Molinari spearheads Latino and Self-Employed communication strategy for the TurboTax brand. Prior to Intuit, she worked at Entravision San Diego and Jenny Craig.
Santiago oversees the U.S. Hispanic Strategy at Edelman. Prior to Edelman, she served in communications roles at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, FleishmanHillard and Univision Communications.
Prior to joining LLYC, Correcha-Price was General Manager for Edelman’s Miami and Colombia offices and oversaw the firm’s public affairs efforts in Latin America and was responsible for Edelman’s Hispanic-Outreach Center of Excellence.
With Aflac since 2007, Brito has received numerous industry recognitions including, 2019 Top Woman in PR by PR News, 2018 American Business Awards’ Silver Stevie honoree in the Communications Professional of the Year and 2017 Women World Awards’ Silver honoree in the Female Executive of the Year. She currently serves on the board of Girls Inc. of Columbus, the Muscogee County Library Foundation and the CSR Board.
Prior to his current role leading C-suite and Crisis Strategy at Zeno Group, Suris was EVP of Communications at Wells Fargo and held communications roles at Ford and AutoNation. Earlier on, Oscar was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal and the Orlando Sentinel and assistant to the chairman and publisher of The Miami Herald Publishing Company.

The new group is part of the expanded board of directors who voted to implement the following resources available at no charge to industry professionals, agencies and corporations, all who have been impacted by the unprecedent COVID-19 environment.

Complimentary Job Board: Effective immediately, HPRA is waiving job postings fees on its website and encourages agencies and corporations with open positions to leverage this resource to connect with talent.
Introduction of a Talent Board: The free online resource will feature individuals who are looking for work or more opportunities. To be featured, individuals are asked to upload their professional information and resume onto the HPRA portal. The platform will leverage HPRA’s network to maximize connections between candidates including recent college grads and talent-seeking professionals.

In addition to the above mentioned, the HPRA National Board of Directors is comprised of the following individuals: Brenda Mendoza, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Jennifer Morales, Entercom, Lourdes Rodriguez, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Maggie Hernandez, Cision/PR Newswire, Maria Amor, Havas FORMULATIN, Mario Flores, Sportivo, Mayra Ramos-Miro, Red Heels PR, Sabrina Macias, DraftKings, Sonia Diaz, Balsera Communications, Veronica Salcedo, NBCUniversal and Yvonne Lorie, ReFresh PR.

Local HPRA Chapters are led by the following Chapter Presidents: Erika Sanchez, Braid Communications – New York, Erika Souza Cruz, Edelman – Miami, Natalia Flores, APR, AC&M Group – The Carolinas and Sandra Bernardo, Experian – Orange County (CA) and Stephen Chavez, Chavez PR – Los Angeles Chapter President (Los Angeles)

The Hispanic Public Relations Student Association chapter at the University of Florida is led by Martha Paz-Soldan with Catalina Santana taking over as president for the 2020-2021 academic year.

For additional information regarding the Hispanic Public Relations Association, please visit HPRAUSA.org.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/324910/hpra_usa_logo_3_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Hispanic Public Relations Association

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