Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Sanitas Medical Center Unveil New Medical Center to Advance Primary and Value-Based Care

50 Years of Tackling Addiction

“Everything You Treasure — For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons” Exhibition Shown in Kazakhstan

Lamothe Advocates for “Climate-Smart Zones” in the Caribbean

Honda Returns to Austin City Limits Music Festival with Diverse Artist Lineup on the Honda Stage and New Interactive Seat Belt Forest Experience

Hennessy Collaborates With Maluma To Blend The Rhythm Of Many Nations

National Pork Board Report Calls for Pork Industry to Better Meet the Needs of Hispanic Consumers

Armed or meditating? Ismael Cala brings the problem of guns in the U.S. to the screens of Times Square

American Honda Reports September Sales Results

Miracle Man, Trump Republican & Proud Hispanic Frank Acosta Sr. Announces Congressional Campaign for MI- 11

October 4, 2019

RICHARDSON, Texas, Oct. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sanitas Medical Center (Sanitas) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) today unveiled the first of 10 new medical centers that will be opened over the next several months in the Dallas and Houston regions. The medical centers feature an advanced primary care model that takes an integrated, holistic approach to patients’ health by providing multiple healthcare services – under one roof.

Earlier this year, Sanitas and BCBSTX announced a collaboration to open the medical centers to serve as one-stop shops for BCBSTX members by delivering primary care, urgent care, lab and diagnostic imaging services, care coordination, and wellness and disease management programs in one place.

“To address the gaps and fragmentation in care that create barriers to good health, our goal with this collaboration is to provide value-based primary care to increase the opportunities for coordinated, high-quality health outcomes for our members,” said Dr. Dan McCoy, president of BCBSTX. “Primary care physicians are the cornerstone of optimal health care outcomes. They, in combination with their team of other healthcare professionals, help members and their families deal with the majority of their healthcare needs, navigate the healthcare system and coordinate care with the right specialists when care is needed outside a primary care setting.”

“The idea is to make flexible and affordable healthcare options more accessible for our members and their families. We are optimistic that this collaboration will help advance value-based care, and in the process, have an impact on the cost of care for our members.”

The centers will reflect the culture and diversity of Dallas and Houston with bilingual doctors and staff providing all clinical services, while BCBSTX customer service representatives will also be on the premises to help members coordinate non-clinical aspects of their care such as answering questions in English and Spanish about enrollment, Medicare and other questions related to health insurance. The medical centers will service BCBSTX card holders and accept self-pay patients and seniors with traditional Medicare coverage.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas to bring our high-value, patient-centered care to Texas,” said Sergio Martinez, Global CEO, Keralty Group, the parent company of Sanitas USA. “We believe patients will appreciate the convenience our centers provide through expanded services, extended hours including weekends and mobile access to our doctors.”

Dr. Adriana Higuera, Regional Medical Director for Sanitas, added: “Patients of all ages can expect friendly doctors and care teams who will spend extra time with them to meet their healthcare needs. Our emphasis on preventive care, wellness and chronic disease management programs and community engagement will help our patients stay healthy and have peace of mind.”

While most of the medical centers will open in the coming weeks, the official opening is January 1, 2020. As the centers open in the coming weeks, BCBSTX members and patients are welcome to visit locations near their homes for enrollment and community awareness events. Most locations will be open 365 days a year, but every location will have extended weekday and weekend hours for the convenience of members.

Centers in the Dallas region are:

Richardson – 350 S Plano Rd., 75081
Irving – 3917 W Airport Fwy, 75062
Las Colinas – 6500 N MacArthur Blvd., 75039
Mesquite – 2021 N Town East Blvd., Suite 500, 75150

In the Houston region the Center locations are:

Katy – 2610 N Mason Rd., 77449
Meyerland – 10101 S Post Oak Rd., 77096
Willowbrook – 12302 Jones Rd., 77070
Southbelt – 12823 Gulf Fwy., 77034
Spring – 18532 Kuykendahl Rd., 77379
Briarforest – 12586 Westheimer Rd., 77077

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer, and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX

About Sanitas
Sanitas is a subsidiary of Keralty, a leading multinational health organization serving more than 4 million people with presence in Spain, United States, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Sanitas also includes educational and socially-focused organizations that complement its world of health mission. In the United States, Sanitas has 29 medical centers in Florida, Connecticut and New Jersey in close collaboration with local leading health insurance organizations. Sanitas brings a unique integrated care model that improves access to quality and culturally relevant primary and urgent care while reducing the total cost of care. For more information visit mysanitas.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1006366/Sanitas.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/248862/blue_cross_and_blue_shield_of_texas_logo.jpg

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

October 4, 2019

Montefiore-Einstein Leaders Share Research and New Strategies as the Opioid Epidemic Marches On

NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — It was a high profile gathering of addiction experts, clinical leaders, community advocates and policymakers all searching for answers. In the face of a growing opioid epidemic, especially in the Bronx where the meeting took place, the question is: what have we learned so far and where are we going?

The event, “On the Front Lines of the Opioid Epidemic,” was held at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System.

Designated as a celebration of 50 years of Einstein’s research and Montefiore’s progressive community care and outreach services, it was also a day of shared experiences and concern about one of the biggest public health crises today: 2.1 million Americans have an opioid use disorder, but only 21 percent receive treatment. The Bronx has the highest rate of overdose deaths in New York City, according to 2018 data from the NYC Department of Health.

“More than 130 people die every day in this country because of massive opioid over-prescription and distribution. At this point, the opioid epidemic has touched everyone,” said Gordon F. Tomaselli, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein and Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Montefiore Medicine.

Participants all agreed that solving the problem requires a multi-pronged approach that marries scientific research, medicine and community outreach.

We’ve Come a Long Way
Neuroscience was not recognized as a field until the 1960s. In 1974, Albert Einstein College of Medicine became one of the first medical schools in the country to create a Department of Neuroscience. This marked the first step towards researchers at Einstein understanding the root causes of addiction.

Einstein scientists have zeroed in on nerves involved in drug-oriented behaviors, focusing on the brain’s “reward circuits” as areas that might be targets for effective medical treatments. Clinical trials on brain pathways linked to alcoholism are currently underway.

As addiction science has advanced so have innovative ways of treating addiction. Montefiore and Einstein experts shared their firsthand knowledge that the key to saving lives is getting medication to the people and communities most in need.

They emphasized the following successes and the need for continued community partnerships.

Bringing buprenorphine education and treatment into primary care settings is critical. Buprenorphine is a medication that prevents opioid withdrawal and can be prescribed in many different settings. After a non-fatal overdose, buprenorphine is associated with a 37% reduction in subsequent overdose deaths. To get this lifesaving narcotic in the hands of people who need it most, nearly 50 professionals work across six Bronx clinics to care for patients and provide buprenorphine and support services. Because of this effort, more than 1,000 people have received buprenorphine since 2005.
Creating the first partnership between an academic health system and the non-profit New York Harm Reduction Educators, known as NYHRE, has made a difference. NYHRE focuses on distribution of safe syringes and preventing overdoses, while Montefiore and Einstein provide healthcare support to drug users, including buprenorphine treatment, HCV treatment, PrEP/PEP for HIV prevention, wound care, and re-engaging patients in HIV and primary care who have been out of care. These measures have greatly reduced rates of Hepatitis C infections. 143 overdose deaths have also been avoided.
Developing a home toolkit for people struggling with addiction has improved the standard of care. The kit includes buprenorphine, supplementary medications, an instruction sheet and education on self-management for people beginning buprenorphine. This tactic eliminates the need for day-long, observed evaluations and is now standard of care at Montefiore clinics. The toolkits have even been incorporated into national treatment guidelines.

“We have made tremendous progress in understanding that addiction is a brain disease and that the best way to reach people in danger is at the community level, through programs like these,” said Steven Safyer, M.D., president and CEO, Montefiore Medicine. “We have the right tools, and it is time to make them work.”

What Does the Future Hold?
More research led by Montefiore and Einstein includes an initiative to review opioid prescribing across the health system and to assess patients’ preferences for reducing prescribed pain medications. This is critical because when doctors prescribe fewer pills and reduce doses, patients are four times more likely to stop seeing their providers, and often seek other sources for opioid pain medicines. Other research will focus on prescribing patterns for people leaving Montefiore hospitals after surgery. Enhancing residency education and care guidelines for opioid management are also priority areas.

Honoring the Leaders in the Field
The 50th anniversary event also paid tribute to nurses, counselors, pharmacists, secretaries and security guards who have dedicated their careers to Montefiore-Einstein’s substance abuse centers for more than 40 years.

Dr. Joyce H. Lowinson, the founding director of the Division of Substance Abuse, which has been providing preventive care, primary care, counseling, art therapy and peer support for thousands of Bronx residents, was one of the main honorees.

Click here for the list of presenters and topics: https://www.montefiore.org/agenda-7487.

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 10 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 2018-2019 academic year, Einstein is home to 711 M.D. students, 160 Ph.D. students, 107 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 2018, Einstein received more than $172 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.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/675671/Montefiore_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Montefiore Health System

October 4, 2019

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan and TOKYO, Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The exhibition “Everything You Treasure — For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons” is on display in the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy in Nur-Sultan (Astana), from October 2 – 13, to mark the 30th anniversary of the end of nuclear weapons testing at the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site and the 10th anniversary of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (CANWFZ).

With an estimated 1.5 million of its people suffering the effects of the testing of 456 nuclear weapons at Semipalatinsk over a 40-year period, Kazakhstan is known for its commitment to ridding the world of nuclear weapons. On August 29 this year, it became the 26th country in the world to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Cosponsored by the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy, this showing of “Everything You Treasure” aims to attract support for the nuclear ban treaty and to galvanize further interest in this issue in Central Asia. Kazakhstan is the 21st country in which it has been shown, and this is the first showing in the Russian language.

The exhibition asks viewers to consider how all they treasure in life would be threatened by nuclear weapons. It reexamines the nuclear weapons issue from diverse perspectives including environmental, medical, economic, human rights, energy, spiritual, gender, generational and security aspects.

Amerkhan Rakhimzhanov, Director of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Elbasy, Kuanysh Sultanov, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Kazakhstan, and Hirotsugu Terasaki, Director General of Peace and Global Issues of SGI, spoke at the opening ceremony that was attended by 100 people.

Amerkhan Rakhimzhanov commented, “It is especially exciting for me to hold within this building this traveling exhibition. The Library of the First President deeply values partnerships with both local and international like-minded people.”

In his message to the opening (https://www.daisakuikeda.org/sub/resources/works/lect/20191001-msg-nuke-abol-kazakhstan.html), SGI President Daisaku Ikeda expressed his respect for Kazakhstan’s contributions to nuclear abolition, stating: “Semipalatinsk was the venue for the signing ceremony for the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. It was also a pivotal site for a popular movement opposing nuclear weapons…, the Nevada-Semipalatinsk Movement that famously developed into a global grassroots effort to ban nuclear weapons testing and nuclear weapons themselves.”

The exhibition “Everything You Treasure — For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons” (https://www.sgi.org/in-focus/2012/eyt-world-free-nuclear-weapons.html) was jointly created by the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist network and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner. It was first shown in 2012 in Hiroshima and has been shown in 90 cities around the world.

www.sgi.org

Contact:
Joan Anderson
Office of Public Information
Soka Gakkai International
+81-80-5957-4711
anderson[at]soka.jp

SOURCE Soka Gakkai International

October 3, 2019

MIAMI, Sept. 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — This week at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, Former Prime Minister of Haiti, Laurent Lamothe, stressed the importance of “Climate-Smart Zones” to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Speaking at the Smart Climate Day event hosted by the Monaco Better World Forum (MBWF), Mr Lamothe spoke about how climate change multiplies the power of cyclones and hurricanes. Island states and territories in the Caribbean are extremely vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.

“Haiti is a poster-child for natural disasters and I have experienced first-hand the devastation. Every year the Caribbean braces itself for hurricane season. As a region we need mitigation strategies that better prepare our countries for natural disasters. Large shares of the region’s population live in high-risk areas with weak infrastructure. Economies rely heavily on sectors sensitive to weather, such as tourism and agriculture, while capacity and resources to manage risk are limited.”

It is for this reason that politicians and philanthropists from the Caribbean established the world’s first “Climate-Smart Zone” and Accelerator. The Accelerator has created an unprecedented coalition including 26 countries and over 40 private and public sector partners which will implement climate solutions for resilience, renewable energy, development of sustainable cities, oceans and transportation. This climate-smart zone will not only protect the region but create jobs and a new economy in climate-smart infrastructure.

The Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator was formed in 2017 to strengthen the region’s readiness and response to disasters. Its objective is to help transform the Caribbean economy through fast-tracking sound public and private investment opportunities that support climate action. Building more resilient countries, cities, and industries through partnerships across the public and private sectors, with the goal of creating the world’s first climate-smart zone.

For more information visit https://www.caribbeanaccelerator.org/home

For media queries and requests for interviews, please contact Cecilia Braunagel, [email protected]

SOURCE LSL Worldwide Initiative; MBWF

October 3, 2019

Honda will have multiple GIFographers roaming the Seat Belt Forest to help fans capture shareable GIFs, boomerangs and photos.

TORRANCE, California, Oct. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Honda is returning for its 11^th consecutive year at the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) to bring music fans unforgettable performances on the Honda Stage and an exclusive onsite experience only Honda can deliver. The complete performance lineup for the Honda Stage is available at http://aclfestival.com/schedule.

New to the festival this year is the Honda Seat Belt Forest, a bright, colorful experience created from 600 seat belts that is ideal for eye-catching photographs and videos. Honda will have multiple GIFographers roaming the forest to help fans capture shareable GIFs, boomerangs and photos. Festivalgoers who visit Honda’s activation this year also can check out the Civic Type R, a Millennial and Gen Z favorite, and Honda’s all-new Passport SUV, perfect for adventuring. Honda also will offer festivalgoers complimentary air-brushed tattoos.

Also new this year, Honda and Billboard are partnering to host the Honda Stage Artist Lounge, a welcoming space where ACL Fest artists can not only hang out, but can create and be featured in exclusive ACL Fest content that will be shared on Billboard.com and Billboard’s social channels. In addition, Billboard is capturing ACL Fest performances by Koffee and Rosalia for upcoming Billboard mini-documentaries that will also showcase the background stories behind these impressive artists.

“ACL Fest continues to play a major role in connecting the Honda brand with Millennial and Gen Z music fans who represent the next generation of auto buyers,” said Meliza Humphrey, manager of national advertising for Honda. “We’re pleased to again provide unforgettable performances on the Honda Stage and an immersive Honda brand experience for festivalgoers.”

Extending the brand’s reach beyond festival attendees, Honda is running a national sweepstakes providing fans the chance to win a new Honda Civic of their choice – Coupe, Sedan or Hatchback – as well as VIP passes to weekends one and two of ACL Fest. In addition, the Central Texas Honda Dealer Ad Association will run a local radio promotion from September 21 to October 3, giving away a Honda Passport Sport 2WD and 240 pairs of single-day tickets to this year’s ACL Music Festival.

Honda Stage & Millennial Music Lovers
Music festivals and live events are at the heart of Honda’s deep connection and long-standing tie to music, which includes more than 17 years of Civic Tour. This year, Honda celebrates 11 years at Austin City Limits Music Festival and eight years at The Governors Ball in New York City.

Honda Stage is Honda’s major music initiative that includes a unique combination of live events, including the Honda Civic Tour and premier music festival partnerships with Austin City Limits Music Festival and Governor’s Ball, and exclusive online content, offering fans access to custom music programming, live performances, artist interviews and more. In 2018, Honda expanded Honda Stage with the introduction of Honda Backstage, a behind-the-scenes series that explores the fascinating stories of up-and-coming artists. These videos, in partnership with UPROXX and Billboard, include interviews with the artists sharing their inspirations, obstacles and dreams en route to musical careers. For nearly two decades, Honda has been bringing exclusive and unforgettable music experiences to fans and younger buyers.

Civic is the best-selling vehicle in the industry with Millennials, Gen Z and multicultural buyers, and has been the most popular vehicle with Millennials since 2011. Civic also captures more first-time new vehicle buyers than any other vehicle in the industry, followed directly by Accord. According to Experian data, Millennials and Gen Z are the only generations gaining automotive market share this year.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at automobiles.honda.com. To join the Honda community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/honda. Additional media information including detailed pricing features and high-resolution photography of all 2018 Honda models is available at hondanews.com.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Insight, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V, Passport and Pilot sport utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2018, more than 90 percent of all Honda brand vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

About Honda Stage
Building on its deep foundation of bringing music to fans, Honda has brought together an unprecedented group of entertainment and technology leaders, including Billboard, UPROXX, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, Vevo, and iHeartMedia to produce and distribute some of the best original, high-quality music content available. Honda Stage is a unique combination of live events including the Honda Civic Tour and premier music festival partnerships with Austin City Limits and Governor’s Ball; and, exclusive online content offering music fans access to custom live and online music programming and performances, artist interviews and more. For more go to:
http://www.youtube.com/HondaStage
http://www.twitter.com/HondaStage
http://www.instagram.com/HondaStage
http://www.facebook.com/HondaStage

About Austin City Limits Music Festival
Launched in 2002 and inspired by the long-running PBS show, Austin City Limits, The Austin City Limits Music Festival has grown into a two-weekend experience, featuring world-renowned and up-and-coming acts on 8 stages in Austin’s crown jewel Zilker Park. The festival, now among the largest and most recognized in the country, hosts 75,000 music lovers per day from Austin and around the globe. Its diverse lineup spans pop, rock, folk, alt-country, blues, gospel, R&B and electronic music.

About Central Texas Honda Dealer Ad Association
Honda has always been a major force in the automotive market, and the Central Texas Honda Dealers are no different. We want to be more than a major automotive force. We want to give every customer the ultimate car buying experience in Central Texas. That’s why we established a collaborative force in six cities and four markets. The Result- A great customer experience at all seven dealerships with a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles that have advanced safety technologies. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Insight, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Festivalgoers can experience the enchanted Honda Seatbelt Forest, visit Civic Type R and Passport displays, and receive complimentary festival-themed spray tattoos

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1005378/American_Honda_Austin_City_Limits.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1005379/Honda_Seatbelt_Forest.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/451598/Honda_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

October 3, 2019

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Hennessy, the world’s best-selling Cognac, and global artist Maluma announce a new formal partnership in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, bringing to life the spirit of the brand’s “Never stop. Never settle.” mantra for Latinx audiences. Embracing the music industry has always been part of Hennessy’s DNA, recognizing creative minds who blend a rhythm that will never stop and never settle, just like Maluma’s, whose music transcends cultures, languages and nations by staying authentic to himself. The integrated partnership is rooted in shared themes of family, community and legacy, and will feature U.S. tour support, original content, cross-channel promotions, and a special, limited edition collectors’ item- all intended to inspire others to “Never stop. Never settle.”

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8615651-hennessy-maluma-hispanic-heritage-month-never-stop-never-settle/

“Hennessy has a long history of celebrating cultural icons who push the limits of potential, and Maluma couldn’t fit this criterion better as someone who’s making history right before our eyes. Maluma’s willingness to push boundaries in music, coupled with his passion and energy for his craft are a true inspiration and a perfect reflection of our values.” says Giles Woodyer, Senior Vice President, Hennessy U.S.

The eight-generation relationship between the Hennessy and Fillioux family of Master Blenders is at the heart of the Cognac producer’s 250+ year history. And like Hennessy, Maluma recognizes the importance of family in building a legacy. In fact, the artist’s career is bigger than himself, as demonstrated by a thoughtfully selected stage-name to keep his family with him everywhere he goes: Ma is for his mother Marlie, Lu for his father Luis, and Ma for his sister Manuela.

Maluma’s highly-anticipated 11:11 U.S. tour, featuring music from what has been billed as one of this year’s breakout crossover artists, will kick off the partnership, along with the release of content captured during the artist’s recent trip to Hennessy’s estate in Cognac, France. Hennessy puts a spotlight on the artist’s relentless dedication to his craft – which reflects the Cognac producer’s own commitment to excellence – chronicling the many factors that have propelled Maluma into global stardom. A digital narrative will further highlight his song-writing process and performance preparation, as well as his “Never stop. Never settle.” journey to becoming what many consider to be this generation’s most influential music icon.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor Latinx individuals across the globe, Hennessy invites the millions of fans who also support Maluma’s NsNs journey and desire to blend cultures, to raise a glass with an inspired cocktail:

The 11:11

2 parts Hennessy V.S Cognac
Splash Raw Cane Syrup (or Demerara Syrup)
1 dash Smoked Chili Bitters
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Orange Twist

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill, strain into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with orange twist. https://www.hennessy.com/us/cocktails/1111/

To learn more, please visit Hennessy.com/US, YouTube.com/HennessyUS, Facebook.com/Hennessy or Instagram.com/HennessyUS.

About Hennessy
The leader in Cognac, the Maison Hennessy has shined around the world with its exceptional blends for more than 250 years. Built on founder Richard Hennessy’s spirit of conquest, the brand is present in more than 130 countries. Based in the heart of the Charente region, Hennessy is also a steadfast pillar of the regional economy, the standard-bearer for a sector rich in expertise. The House’s success and longevity are rooted in the excellence of its cognacs, each of which is born of a unique process of transmission from generation to generation.

The first wine and spirits house to be certified ISO 14001, Hennessy unites its capacity for innovation and the support of all of its partners to protect this exceptional area. As the crown jewel of the LVMH Group, Hennessy is a major contributor to French international trade, with 99% of production sold in export, and a worldwide ambassador for the French art de vivre.

Hennessy is imported and distributed in the U.S. by Moët Hennessy USA. Hennessy distills, ages and blends spanning a full range: Hennessy V.S, V.S.O.P Privilège, Hennessy Black, X.O, Privé, Paradis, Paradis Imperial and Richard Hennessy. Imported Cognac Hennessy® 40% Alc./Vol. (80º), ©2019 Imported by Moët Hennessy USA, Inc., New York, NY

About MALUMA
At only twenty-five years of age, Maluma is widely considered one of the leading voices in Latin music and a bona fide global youth idol. The 2018 Latin GRAMMY award winner for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album (for F.A.M.E.) is one of social media’s most popular artists with over 23 million Facebook fans, 6 million Twitter followers, and a whopping 46.5 million Instagram followers (making him the leading Latin male artist on Instagram). His official YouTube/VEVO channel has garnered over 9 billion views and has more than 22 million subscribers. With his Maluma World Tour he has achieved unparalleled success, having sold over one million tickets in 105 worldwide concerts in 2017 alone and becoming the top concert-selling Latin artist in the world. In 2018, he broke records achieving full houses in all of his shows throughout the United States and Europe with his F.A.M.E. World Tour selling out the Madison Square Garden arena (New York), the American Airlines Arena (Miami) and two The Forums (Los Angeles), among others. His 11:11 World Tour is setting records once again selling out shows throughout Europe, Latin America and the USA. Since joining Sony Music Latin in 2015, Maluma has released three albums, all of which have debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Latin Albums chart: Pretty Boy Dirty Boy (2015), F.A.M.E. (2018) and 11:11 (2019). To date, Maluma has had thirteen #1 songs according to Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart.

SOURCE Hennessy

October 2, 2019

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A National Pork Board report shows U.S. Latinos’ affinity for pork and growing purchasing power make it a critical audience for the industry, but as Hispanics acculturate, their pork consumption declines. The new report, Time to Tango: Latinos are Pork’s Future, reveals steps food retailers and packers must take to connect with these influential consumers who represent the biggest growth opportunity of the next several decades.

The report is the latest in the National Pork Board’s Insight to Action research program examining key behaviors, attitudes, and cultural nuances of U.S. Hispanic shoppers. It outlines top motivators for Hispanics when selecting their preferred retailer and protein choice.

“Pork is entrenched in Hispanic heritage and culture, and extremely relevant to the fast-growing and economically powerful Hispanic segment,” said José de Jesús, director of multicultural marketing for the National Pork Board. “The pork industry must proactively engage them and better meet their needs, otherwise we risk losing the Latino consumer.”

According to the report, as Hispanic consumers become acculturated in the United States, the link between pork and culture weakens. Often, they can’t find the cuts they want for traditional dishes in mainstream stores, so they use other proteins or shop at specialty stores that offer the service to deliver the cuts they want. Nearly half (49%) of Hispanics do not choose mainstream retailers as their go-to store, and instead opt for specialty stores, ethnic markets and bodegas. The meat case is a contributing factor — 44% of Hispanics choose to buy their fresh meat at non-mainstream grocery stores.

To maintain and increase loyalty among Hispanic consumers, the report outlines three key motivators retailers and packers must address:

Accessibility: Most (79%) Hispanic consumers shop with someone else in their family and seek out stores that offer a family friendly experience. More than half seek out stores offering specialty cuts. Therefore, the shopping experience and value must meet Latinos’ expectations, and the cuts and preparations they want need to be more easily available in mainstream stores.
Authenticity: Traditional family recipes are important to Hispanic consumers, but those traditions vary by the country of origin. What’s relevant to the Cuban or Puerto Rican consumer will be different than those from Mexico or Central American countries. While two of three Hispanics in the U.S. are originally from Mexico, a third are from other nations. A “hyper-local” strategy is best and should extend beyond the meat case. Having the right cuts available is key, but also offering the seasonings, spices and ingredients that are needed to complete those traditional pork dishes is just as important.
Health: Nearly two-thirds (63%) of unacculturated Hispanics mistakenly believe pork is unhealthy. The industry must focus on the nutritional value of specific cuts, including pork’s protein profile.

“The food industry is changing rapidly; foresight and adaptability are the keys to survival. U.S. Hispanics spend $95 billion a year on consumer packaged goods and their purchasing power is growing,” said David Newman, a pig farmer and president of the National Pork Board. “It’s no longer enough to offer a Hispanic aisle or packaging in Spanish. We need to look at each area of the store and ensure we’re meeting Hispanic consumers’ needs.”

The report is the first in a series of reports, articles and updates the National Pork Board will provide in the months ahead to help the food industry better respond to Hispanic consumers’ needs. The Pork Board has also developed a free marketing toolkit that includes content and information for retailers and packers to leverage in their own communications channels. The full report, and more information about the National Pork Board’s Insights to Action research, is available at www.Pork.org/marketing.

About the Research  
The National Pork Board commissioned custom research with C+R Research and Datassential. The multi-phased custom studies included a variety of qualitative methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviews, shop-alongs and dine-alongs, as well as surveyed 11,000+ consumers, including more than 2,000 Hispanic consumers, and paired foodservice operator interviews, volumetric data, and syndicated foodservice data to gain a comprehensive, in-depth look at the needs, offerings, considerations and motivations that impact Hispanic dining decisions.

About the National Pork Board 
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Pork Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in consumer education and marketing, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, science and technology, swine health, pork safety, and environmental management and sustainability. For the past half century, the U.S. pork industry has delivered on its commitment to sustainable production and has made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of pig farming. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. Importers of pork products contribute a like amount, based on a formula. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or visit www.pork.org

Media Contact:
Jason Menke, National Pork Board
[email protected]
515-499-0883

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/887711/Pork_Checkoff_Logo.jpg

SOURCE National Pork Board

October 2, 2019

“Instead of carrying a pistol at our waist so we can feel safe, what we need is to do a better job of managing our emotions, training young people and adults to be balanced,” explains Cala as he invites us to download his meditation app.

MIAMI, Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Through an ad on the screens at New York’s Times Square, strategist and communicator Ismael Cala has taken up the problem of guns in the United States, proposing meditation to balance people’s minds.

“Armed or meditating? I know what I want: Escala Meditando, the new app from Ismael Cala“, says the ad.

This year more than 300 mass shootings have occurred, more than 42,000 incidents with guns and more than 11,000 people dead and 22,000 wounded, according to the organization Gun Violence Archive.

On October 1st, the “Guardian” program in Florida entered into force, which allows teachers to go to school armed.

“There are still people who think that the solution to shootings is to carry a weapon to defend yourself! Instead of carrying a pistol at our waist so we can feel safe, what we need is to do a better job of managing our emotions, training young people and adults to be balanced,” Cala explains.

He called on people to download his meditation app to their cellphones: “With many balanced minds, the scanners would vanish from school entrances. And no one would have to wear a bullet-proof vest to the shopping center, excuse the exaggeration to underscore this tragic problem.”

Meditation is the path to enlightenment. According to a study published in Biological Psychiatry, conscious meditation allows for greater communication between the parts of the brain related to stress; in addition to greater activation of the areas involving concentration and tranquility.

After many years of study, Ismael has created Escala Meditando, his own app for meditation, personal growth and mindfulness, totally in Spanish, in a joint venture with the company Kingmagination.

Cala guides meditations for people to achieve their maximum potential and equilibrium between body and mind, as well as to drive them to overcome their physical and emotional ailments.

Escala Meditando has two categories: Building Wellbeing and Conscious Equilibrium. It also contains free meditations.

Escala Meditando is available for Android and iOS – and also via @escalameditando on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT ISMAEL CALA

A life and business strategist; he hosts and directs the interview show CALA, which is aired in some twenty countries. For five and a half years he was the prime-time host of CALA on CNN en Español. A businessman and social entrepreneur. Author of eight bestsellers on themes of leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development, including El poder de escuchar (‘The power of listening’), and Despierta con Cala (‘Wake up with Cala’). He was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1969, and holds a degree in Art History from Oriente University. He is the co-author of the book “Beat the Curve,” with Brian Tracy. He graduated from the School of Communication at York University in Toronto, and has a diploma from Seneca College in Television Production. He is President and founder of Cala Enterprises Corporation and the Ismael Cala Foundation

SOURCE Cala Enterprises

October 2, 2019

Acura's gateway luxury sport sedan sales increased 16 percent in September, helping solidify its #2 position in segment.

TORRANCE, California, Oct. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

American Honda			Honda			Acura
Total	Cars	Trucks	Total	Cars	Trucks	Total	Cars	Trucks
113,925	50,340	63,585	102,827	47,459	55,368	11,098	2,881	8,217
-14.1%	-14.5%	-13.8%	-13.7%	-14.8%	-12.7%	-17.9%	-9.1%	-20.5%

“Following the best sales month in our company’s history in August, the Honda brand delivered balanced sales performance across our passenger car and light truck offerings,” said Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of Automobile Sales at American Honda Motor Co. “As we enter the final quarter of 2019, we are expecting a strong finish to the year for both the Honda and Acura brands.”

Acura		BRAND REPORT
Sales Highlights		Model Notes
While the shorter month and luxury brands competing on price challenged year-over-year results for the Acura brand, gateway Acura models ILX and RDX performed well to maintain brand momentum. ILX gained a solid 15.9% on sales of 1,078 units. While key competitors are spending aggressively to capture sales, RDX remains strong with sales topping 4,300 units to maintain its #2 position in segment Acura SUV sales continue to lead the brand with total sales of over 8,000 units		The RDX is on pace for another record in 2019. Acura’s hugely popular compact luxury SUV has earned annual sales records in 8 of the past 9 years.
		Following its 2019 refresh, ILX is America’s fastest growing compact luxury sedan, serving as Acura’s gateway model by bringing in more first time, millennial and multicultural buyers than any other model.

	American Honda Vehicle Sales for September 2019
					Month-to-Date					Year-to-Date
					September 2019	September 2018	DSR** % Change		MoM % Change	September 2019	September 2018	DSR** % Change	YoY % Change
	American Honda Total				113,925	132,668	-6.7%		-14.1%	1,206,209	1,206,997	0.4%	-0.1%
	Total Car Sales				50,340	58,883	-7.1%		-14.5%	545,984	555,618	-1.3%	-1.7%
	Total Truck Sales				63,585	73,785	-6.3%		-13.8%	660,225	651,379	1.8%	1.4%
	Honda			Total Car Sales	47,459	55,714	-7.4%		-14.8%	515,360	522,920	-1.0%	-1.4%
	Honda			Total Truck Sales	55,368	63,443	-5.1%		-12.7%	578,036	569,594	1.9%	1.5%
	Acura			Total Car Sales	2,881	3,169	-1.2%		-9.1%	30,624	32,698	-5.9%	-6.3%
	Acura			Total Truck Sales	8,217	10,342	-13.6%		-20.5%	82,189	81,785	0.9%	0.5%
	* Total Domestic Car Sales				44,797	46,665	4.3%		-4.0%	460,145	461,138	0.2%	-0.2%
			Honda Division		41,962	43,660	4.5%		-3.9%	430,320	429,857	0.5%	0.1%
			Acura Division		2,835	3,005	2.5%		-5.7%	29,825	31,281	-4.2%	-4.7%
	* Total Domestic Truck Sales				62,643	73,785	-7.7%		-15.1%	640,068	651,379	-1.3%	-1.7%
			Honda Division		54,426	63,443	-6.8%		-14.2%	557,879	569,594	-1.6%	-2.1%
			Acura Division		8,217	10,342	-13.6%		-20.5%	82,189	81,785	0.9%	0.5%
	Total Import Car Sales				5,543	12,218	-50.7%		-54.6%	85,839	94,480	-8.7%	-9.1%
			Honda Division		5,497	12,054	-50.4%		-54.4%	85,040	93,063	-8.2%	-8.6%
			Acura Division		46	164	-69.5%		-72.0%	799	1,417	-43.4%	-43.6%
	Total Import Truck Sales				942	0	0.0%		0.0%	20,157	0	0.0%	0.0%
			Honda Division		942	0	0.0%		0.0%	20,157	0	0.0%	0.0%
			Acura Division		0	0	0.0%		0.0%	0	0	0.0%	0.0%
MODEL BREAKOUT BY DIVISION
	Honda Division Total				102,827	119,157		-6.2%	-13.7%	1,093,396	1,092,514	0.5%	0.1%
		ACCORD			20,326	25,357		-12.9%	-19.8%	204,463	215,299	-4.6%	-5.0%
		CIVIC			22,337	24,806		-2.1%	-10.0%	255,484	255,036	0.6%	0.2%
		CLARITY			548	2,200		-72.9%	-75.1%	9,359	13,314	-29.4%	-29.7%
		CR-Z			0	0		0.0%	0.0%	2	35	-94.3%	-94.3%
		FIT			2,707	1,507		95.2%	79.6%	27,268	32,934	-16.8%	-17.2%
		INSIGHT			1,541	1,844		-9.2%	-16.4%	18,784	6,302	199.4%	198.1%

		CR-V			25,904	30,587		-7.9%	-15.3%	280,739	277,621	1.6%	1.1%
		HR-V			7,528	5,978		36.9%	25.9%	70,314	69,979	0.9%	0.5%
		ODYSSEY			7,457	8,878		-8.7%	-16.0%	74,258	79,289	-5.9%	-6.3%
		PASSPORT			2,890	0		0.0%	0.0%	25,123	0	0.0%	0.0%
		PILOT			9,262	15,464		-34.9%	-40.1%	103,969	119,901	-12.9%	-13.3%
		RIDGELINE			2,327	2,536		-0.3%	-8.2%	23,633	22,804	4.1%	3.6%

	Acura Division Total				11,098	13,511		-10.7%	-17.9%	112,813	114,483	-1.0%	-1.5%
		ILX			1,078	930		26.0%	15.9%	10,697	8,242	30.4%	29.8%
		NSX			16	11		58.1%	45.5%	202	122	66.3%	65.6%
		RLX / RL			46	164		-69.5%	-72.0%	799	1,417	-43.4%	-43.6%
		TLX			1,741	2,064		-8.3%	-15.6%	18,926	22,917	-17.1%	-17.4%

		MDX			3,833	4,643		-10.3%	-17.4%	37,231	37,187	0.6%	0.1%
		RDX			4,384	5,699		-16.4%	-23.1%	44,958	44,598	1.2%	0.8%

	Selling Days				23	25				229	230
	**** Electrified Vehicles				4,028	6,226		-29.7%	-35.3%	48,124	33,518	44.2%	43.6%

* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts

** Daily Selling Rate

**** Electrified Vehicles equal: Total sales of Hybrid (FHEV & PHEV), EVs (BEV) and Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) from the Honda and Acura brands.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004345/American_Honda_Motor_Co_Inc_2019_Acura_ILX.jpg

PDF – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004366/Honda_September_2019_Sales_Release.pdf?p=original

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/477245/HONDALOGO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

BRAND REPORT

Sales Highlights

Model Notes

With fewer selling days and none of the big Labor Day holiday sales totals falling in September, Honda brand sales were down compared to Sept. 2018. Still, both cars and trucks posted solid sales to counter industry trends.

Gateway models Fit and HR-V performed well, gaining 79.6% (2,707 units) and 25.9% (7,528 units) respectively, vs. 2018.

CR-V posted a strong month despite a brief stop sale to allow owner’s manuals to be updated before deals could be consummated.

Civic and Accord continue to fight industry truck trends, with combined sales totaling over 42,000 units as Honda cars topped 46% of Honda brand sales for the month, compared to industry sales of about 30%.

The 10^th-gen Civic is headed for its 4^th straight year as America’s retail best-selling car and a full decade as the country’s most popular compact.

With the 2019 Passport named a Top Safety Pick, every Honda light truck—SUV, minivan and pickup—now earns a TSP crashworthiness rating from IIHS.

October 2, 2019

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Oct. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Frank Acosta, Sr. of Northville Michigan officially announced his campaign for the US House of Representatives in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District as a Republican. Frank is an entrepreneur from the Information and Communications Technology industry. He currently oversees the daily operations of the Frank Acosta Foundation established for the benefit of cancer patients who need spiritual help. Frank was inspired to start his foundation and publish his book “God, Cancer and Me” after Jesus’s prayer helped heal him from stage 4 throat cancer in 2010.

“I am running for Congress because the current democratic majority in the House of Representatives is leading this country off a cliff. Rather than legislate, they only produce media sound bites. They have abdicated their power to pass laws in lieu of pushing the President to issue Executive Orders. When the sitting President has been from their own party they cheer or look the other way when bad things happen. When the President is a Republican, they use the Federal Courts to impede his actions. This is especially acute with regards to immigration.”

“Mexico and the United States both are forced to commit precious resources to the current border crisis. These resources could be reallocated to projects that better serve their citizens if each country could secure their borders in a sensible and effective manner. Working together, we can solve these problems. However, the far left in America has done everything in its power to subvert rational solutions and inflame the crisis. First they shifted the language so we can’t have intelligent conversations about lawful immigration. Now they are denying the basic idea that sovereign nations have a duty to protect their borders and establish rules for citizenship.”

“I don’t think the voters of Michigan’s 11th District want to continue with this nonsense. In the real world, we try to find solutions that would benefit both sides of a deal. In the political world, it appears to be more important that your opponents fail than it does to actually solve problems. Look at DACA. The President is ready to solve that issue but the congress won’t pass legislation that he can sign into law.”

“If Congress and the Executive Branch can work together, along with Mexico and the other nations of the Americas, we could secure our borders and implement sensible immigration policy. This could include better guest worker programs and increase the prosperity of the whole hemisphere. This would improve the commercial success of every nation involved. Given time and progress, it may re-open conversations about the consensual annexation of Mexico as a creative way to strengthen the future of all North Americans.”

About Frank Acosta

Frank Acosta has lived in Northville, Michigan since 2013. He has been a resident of the State of Michigan for 36 years. Frank was the President of Video Tape Plus. Before this he worked for Fuji Photo Film Corporation for over 18 years. Frank was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969 in the Communications Center in Darmstadt, Germany.

Frank’s mother was born in Dr Arroyo Nuevo Leon Mexico in 1904 and his father was born in San Angelo, Texas in 1899 as a first generation Mexican-American. His parents loved this country for the freedom and opportunities it provided.

Frank speaks Spanish. He supports the second amendment and Pro-Life movement. He believes in fair trade between nations.

Frank is a member of Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church in Plymouth, Michigan.

For more information: frankacosta2020.com

SOURCE Frank Acosta 2020

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