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Eight HBCU Bands Selected to “March On” to the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase

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Eight HBCU Bands Selected to "March On" to the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase





Eight HBCU Bands Selected to “March On” to the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase


Tickets Now On-sale to Attend the Nation’s Premier Marching Band Showcase


TORRANCE, Calif., Oct 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Students, alumni and fans of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) cast their votes online and took to social media to help their favorite marching bands advance to the 13th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. The final eight bands have been selected and will take the Georgia Dome by storm on January 24, 2015, when they showcase their incredible musical talent and electrifying showmanship in front of a packed crowd in Atlanta, GA.

Eight HBCU Bands Selected to "March On" to the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141028/154727LOGO
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO

The following eight bands will perform at the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:

  • Alabama State University, Mighty Marching Hornets (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
  • Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
  • Howard University, Showtime Marching Band (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference); performing at Honda Battle of the Bands for the first time
  • Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
  • North Carolina A&T University, Blue and Gold Marching Machine (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
  • Southern University, Human Jukebox (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
  • Talladega College, Marching Tornado Band (Gulf Coast Athletic Conference); performing at Honda Battle of the Bands for the first time
  • Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)

Tickets to the Honda Battle of the Bands are available for purchase now on the official website, starting at just $10. The participating eight HBCUs will receive a $20,000 grant from Honda to support their music education programs, plus travel to and accommodations in Atlanta for the Invitational Showcase. The final eight were selected through a process that included online fan voting, as well as feedback from band directors, HBCU school presidents and representatives from American Honda.

This year’s theme, “March On,” serves as a reminder to students and fans that life on and off the field is a journey, and no matter the challenge, the dream or what may lie ahead, learning never stops as long as you commit to “March On.”

“Honda congratulates the eight bands selected to participate in the Invitational Showcase and thanks all of the schools, students, alumni and fans that participated in the process leading to Atlanta,” said Stephan Morikawa, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Community Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is committed to supporting education at HBCUs by investing in their programs and providing a platform aimed at helping students realize what Honda calls The Power of Dreams.”

The 2015 Invitational Showcase will feature the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands Power of Dreams Award. Participating teams and fans will have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding member of their community who is working to help students achieve their dreams. Honda will then select a winner who will be recognized in Atlanta at the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

For updates, follow the Honda Battle of the Bands and join the social media conversation using #HBOB.

For more information on the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands, visit HondaBattleoftheBands.com.

About Honda

Honda’s long-standing commitment to the support and success of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) began more than 20 years ago with the establishment of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, a program designed to showcase the academic gifts and prowess of HBCU students. American Honda began its support of Honda Battle of the Bands more than 12 years ago as an effort to support HBCU music programs.

Honda seeks to be a company that society wants to exist, creating products and technologies that improve the lives of people while minimizing the environmental impacts of its products and business operations to ensure a sustainable future for society. Honda is also committed to making positive contributions to the communities where we do business, to socially responsible business practices and to the promotion of diversity in our workforce. From our involvement in STEM education and HBCUs to our support of pediatric brain tumor research, and support of volunteer efforts by Honda associates, including environmental clean-up activities, Honda believes in giving back to the communities where we live and work. Find out more at csr.honda.com.

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(Español) Celebridades se unen a Carmina Zamorano en el evento benéfico Haras Cup a favor de los niños

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Children’s Teeth Tops Parents’ Halloween Concerns, According to New Survey

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Children’s Teeth Tops Parents’ Halloween Concerns, According to New Survey

Kids’ Healthy Mouths Campaign Celebrates National Brush Day® on November 1st


NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — This Halloween more than two-thirds of parents say they are concerned about their children’s teeth; far more than those who are concerned about stomachaches, costume choices and nightmares. With more than 80 percent of parents saying their kids will participate in a Halloween celebration this year, and with cavities being a top concern, the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign is celebrating National Brush Day® on November 1st to reiterate the importance of brushing for two minutes, twice a day every day.

National Brush Day® is an ongoing initiative celebrated on November 1st on behalf of the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign, which was initially launched by The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives and the Ad Council in August 2012. Kids’ Healthy Mouths recently announced a new series of PSAs, created pro bono by ad agency Grey New York, which feature humorous depictions of life lessons which make the point that while parenting can be tricky at times, getting kids to brush for two minutes, twice a day can be easier than many other things parents will try to teach their children.

“National Brush Day® is a wonderful time to remind parents about the importance of their children’s oral health, especially after a candy-heavy holiday like Halloween,” said campaign spokesperson, and former host of E! News, Kristina Guerrero. “This will be my son Mateo’s second Halloween and first ever National Brush Day®. It is crucial to instill good dental habits early in life and it’s great to have a day dedicated to spreading the word about getting kids to brush for two minutes, twice a day.”

To take part in National Brush Day®, parents and caregivers can join the Kids’ Healthy Mouths communities and share new campaign images on Facebook and Twitter (@brush2min2x). In addition to an extensive public relations and social media campaign, Kids’ Healthy Mouths is kicking off its first video contest leveraging Zooppa.com, the world’s leading crowd sourced marketing platform for producing creative content. The contest will encourage amateur and professional video makers to create videos showing how difficult it is to teach a child something if a parent only has two minutes, leveraging the campaign strategy and using the hashtag #BrushRules. 

“We are so excited to see the continued success of this extraordinary campaign,” said Ad Council CEO, Peggy Conlon, “This campaign truly exemplifies the power of advertising to impact attitudes and behaviors and National Brush Day® is an ideal time to remind parents about children’s oral health.”

Parents are also encouraged to visit the campaign website, 2min2x.org where parents and children can watch entertaining videos–all 2 minutes in length–while brushing their teeth. Campaign media partners, including Cartoon Network and myKaZootv, donated snippets of videos for the site.

“Seventy five percent of parents report that their child sometimes or frequently forgets to brush his or her teeth,” said Gary Price, Secretary and CEO of the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation. “We need all parents to get involved in National Brush Day® so we can instill lifelong habits in children that will continue throughout their lives.”

As an extension of the campaign, the Ad Council also recently launched a mobile program in-house on behalf of Kids’ Healthy Mouths that will engage parents and their kids in a fun and creative brushing challenge that supports the campaign’s main goal of encouraging parents to make sure their children brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Users will meet the voice of the program, “Joy,” who will help brand and personalize the texter’s experience. The campaign also includes a mobile gaming app called “Toothsavers” which has received over 120,000 downloads since January of 2014.

Since its launch in 2012, more than 1.7 million people have visited 2min2x.org and the English and Spanish-language PSAs have received more than $64 million in donated media across TV, radio, print, web and outdoor outlets. Additionally, a 2013 Ad Council survey showed that in one year, English-speaking parents reported that their children were significantly more likely to brush twice a day (55 percent in 2013, up from 48 percent in 2012) and significantly more likely to brush for two minutes each time (64 percent in 2013, up from 60 percent in 2012). Spanish-speaking parents report improvement as well, with an increase in those saying that their child brushes at least twice a day (66 percent in 2013, up from 63 percent in 2012) and significantly more reporting their kids are brushing for two minutes (77 percent in 2013, up from 69 percent in 2012).

For more information about the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign, visit 2min2x.org and follow the campaign’s social media communities on Facebook and Twitter (@brush2min2x).

The Ad Council’s survey was conducted by LightSpeed Research in September 2014. The nationally representative online survey included 600 parents with children 0-12.

Campaign Partners:

The Ad Council 
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has affected, and continues to affect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit http://www.adcouncil.org/, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or view our PSAs on YouTube.

Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives 
The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives is a coalition of the leading organizations in the field of oral health. The Partnership is committed to improve children’s oral health so that they can develop into healthy, productive adults. The coalition shares the view that no child should be in pain and suffer broader health issues or endure the social stigma and lack of opportunity resulting from untreated dental diseases and conditions. The coalition’s primary mission is to teach parents and caregivers, as well as the children themselves, to take control of their own health through oral disease prevention. A complete list of members of the Partnership can be found here.


Building more than cars: Toyota Opportunity Exchange brings Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) into automotive game

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Building more than cars:  Toyota Opportunity Exchange brings Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) into automotive game


CINCINNATI, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kevin Shurn operated his business from a two-bedroom apartment when he attended Toyota’s first-ever Opportunity Exchange in 1990. Three years later, he secured his first contract, providing janitorial services to Toyota’s Georgetown, Ky., plant. Today, his Elizabethtown, Ky.-based Superior Maintenance Co. has more than 500 employees, serving Toyota manufacturing facilities in Kentucky, Indiana and Texas.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7353151-toyota-opportunity-exchange-minority-woman-owned-business-enterprises/

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141024/154337

“No one goes to the extent that Toyota does to help minority and women-owned businesses,” said Shurn, now a Tier I-level supplier. “Just as Toyota expects you as a supplier to meet quality, cost, safety and delivery expectations, it has an expectation – not only a target but an expectation – for their Tier I suppliers to work with minority and women-owned businesses.”

It is a formula that has proven successful: now in its 25th year, Toyota’s annual Opportunity Exchange (OE) has resulted in more than $250 million in contracts for M/WBEs like Shurn’s.

The two-day event – which included best-practice seminars, panel discussions and a trade show – concluded Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) started OE with about 100 attendees, and it has grown to become one of the largest minority business events in the country – attracting nearly 2,000 people who attend the event free of charge.

One of those is Rosa Santana. Recently, Toyota announced her newest company – Forma Automotive LLC – as its first Hispanic woman-owned direct supplier. Beginning in 2015, Forma Automotive will assemble Tacoma truck beds at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX). Her business success story also began at Opportunity Exchange.

“Had I not participated in OE, my company would not have been known the way it is by Toyota, and we would not have been offered this great opportunity,” said Santana, who began attending Opportunity Exchange in 2005.

To show how OE works, Santana met Shurn at the 2005 event, which resulted in a chance to provide maintenance and janitorial services to TMMTX. Superior Maintenance contracted with Santana’s original staffing company, Integrated Human Capital, to provide workers for that operation; since then, IHC has provided staffing, recruitment and direct-placement services to an additional 17 suppliers at that site.

“Twenty-five years ago we saw the need to put our commitment to diversity into action – to make it real, to reflect an example for our team, for our community and for our suppliers,” said Gene Tabor, general manager of purchasing for TEMA. “I believe Toyota’s commitment leaves our own company, our Tier I suppliers and especially our M/WBEs in a better situation.

“We have examples too numerous to mention. It starts with an introduction, and can lead to a thriving business opportunity.”

Toyota has a 5 percent goal for Tier I supplier spending with minority business enterprises in North America, and, at last year’s event, a new 2 percent goal for purchases of goods and services from women-owned businesses was announced. Toyota buys from 500 suppliers across North America, which results in $27 billion worth of purchases annually.

“I think the WBE spending goal is a positive for women,” said Linda Torakis, president of McKechnie Vehicle Components, headquartered in Roseville, Mich. “This is still a male-dominated industry and I think it’s great to encourage suppliers to look at women-owned businesses. Just providing the opportunity for us to be out there and to open the door is a great thing. We can compete on our own merits.”

Torakis began attending Opportunity Exchange in 2008, just after she and her husband had purchased McKechnie – which was on the verge of collapse. In 2010, McKechnie began talks with OE attendee Murakami Manufacturing USA Inc., which produces exterior mirrors for Toyota. This year, McKechnie secured a $1.2 million contract to supply chrome trim to Murakami for the Lexus RX350. McKechnie also connected with Tokai Rika at OE, resulting in more than $1 million for production of chrome-plated parts for the Ford Mustang and Fusion this year, and, in 2015, for the Nissan Maxima.

Tier I suppliers see a distinct value in partnering with smaller minority-owned firms.

Larry Crawford, chairman and CEO of Diversity-Vuteq LLC, is a Tier I supplier who has attended OE for nearly 15 years. “At an event like this we are always looking because people come up with innovative ideas,” Crawford said. “What’s discounted a lot is that minority companies have to be really innovative just to survive because usually they’re small in scope and face enormous challenges, so sometimes they come up with things the big companies haven’t thought of and better ways of doing them.”

Over the course of more than two decades, Opportunity Exchange has helped generate new business for M/WBEs and continues to help direct suppliers diversify their own supply base. These partnerships help add value and innovation to Toyota’s products and services. For more information about Toyota’s supplier diversity program, please visit www.toyotasupplier.com. Additional information can be found at www.toyotaopportunityexchange.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToyotaOE and Twitter, www.twitter.com/ToyotaOE.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM), the world’s top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands.  Over the past 50 years, we have built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 40,000 people (more than 32,000 in the U.S.).  Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.5 million cars and trucks (more than 2.2 million in the U.S.) in 2013 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.   

Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment.  As part of this commitment, we share the company’s extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good.  For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com. 

Contacts:
Mike Triebsch (502) 693-5975
Danielle Waller (502) 974-4021

 

Kevin Shurn, left, owner of Superior Maintenance Co., with Jim Holloway, center, general manager of supplier relations for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA), and Osamu “Simon” Nagata, President and CEO, TEMA, at the Toyota Opportunity Exchange.

 

Rosa Santana, right, speaks with Matt Bonne, purchasing manager for TEMA, at the Toyota Opportunity Exchange. Santana’s Forma Automotive recently became the first Hispanic woman-owned direct supplier for Toyota.


Free Tricks, Treats, Halloween Photos and Spooktacular Celebration for Adults, Kids and Pets at the Encinitas Cricket Wireless Store

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Free Tricks, Treats, Halloween Photos and Spooktacular Celebration for Adults, Kids and Pets at the Encinitas Cricket Wireless Store


WHAT: Calling all Encinitas-area trick-or-treaters and furry friends of all sizes, Cricket Wireless is offering free in-store family and pet Halloween photos, treats and more. Come in your costume or borrow one of ours—the store has plenty of extra family, kid and pet costumes.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140819/137623

  • Choose haunted backgrounds to create your creepiest keepsake photo.
  • Print your free photo and post your favorite shot directly to your social media networks.
  • Not a Cricket customer?  No problem! Cricket’s Spooktacular Celebration is open to all and there’s no purchase necessary.

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE: 114 Encinitas Blvd. Encinitas, CA 92024  

Now through Nov. 2, 2014, Cricket is offering T-Mobile and Metro PCS customers a $100 bill credit to switch to Cricket Wireless.* There is no limit on the number of lines a customer can switch to Cricket, receiving a $100 bill credit for each line transferred.

ABOUT CRICKET WIRELESS: Cricket is bringing consumers more value with a simple, friendly, and reliable nationwide wireless experience with no annual contract.  The power of Cricket is our fast, reliable, nationwide 4G LTE network; easy and affordable unlimited plans with taxes and fees included; annual loyalty rewards; and a great selection of phones customers love. Cricket, Something to Smile About. Cricket is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc. To learn more about Cricket or find a store near you, visit www.cricketwireless.com and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/cricketnation and Twitter at twitter.com/Cricketnation.

* $100 T-Mobile/MetroPCS Switcher Credit – Offer ends 11/02/14.  Available only to T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers porting a number to Cricket Wireless who purchase and activate a new line of service on a Basic, Smart or Pro rate plan.  One $100 Switcher Credit per line of service.  Credit issued to customer’s account approximately 5 days before end of initial service period.  Customer’s account must be in active status and customer must be on a qualifying rate plan to receive Switcher Credit.  Suspended or cancelled accounts are not eligible to receive Switcher Credits.  Lines added to Group Save (multi-line) accounts 5 or fewer days prior to the end of a bill cycle will receive Switcher Credits during the following month of service.  Switcher Credits have no cash value, are not redeemable for cash or any cash equivalent and are not transferable or refundable.  Account credits are forfeited if your account is cancelled for any reason.  May not be combined with any other offer.  © 2014 Cricket Wireless LLC.  All rights reserved.  Cricket and the Cricket logo are trademarks under license to Cricket Wireless LLC.

Contact:  Ashley Vitale, 858-882-9410, [email protected]

/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE — Oct. 28, 2014/


Free Tricks, Treats, Halloween Photos and Spooktacular Celebration for Adults, Kids and Pets at the San Jose Oakridge Mall Cricket Wireless Store

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Baha Mar Announces Highly Anticipated and Carefully Curated Culinary Experiences

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Baha Mar Announces Highly Anticipated and Carefully Curated Culinary Experiences

Deuce, Katsuya, Brasserie des Arts and Shuang Ba are Revealed as the
First of 40 Food and Beverage Offerings at Baha Mar


NASSAU, Bahamas, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Baha Mar, the $3.5 billion integrated gaming resort opening in the Spring of 2015, is introducing the first four signature restaurants of its highly anticipated culinary experiences. The resort’s food and beverage selections complement an elite collection of hotel brands – The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts®, Grand Hyatt and SLS LUX – as well as a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, and ESPA spa among other remarkable experiences.

Deuce, Katsuya, Brasserie des Arts, and Shuang Ba are part of the best in global cuisine curated through the 40 restaurants, bars and clubs at Baha Mar. They are the signature, bespoke experiences located at the heart of the resort: in and around the 100,000 sq ft Las Vegas-style Baha Mar Casino. Featuring 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the clearest waters in the world, The Baha Mar Casino revolutionizes traditional casino design, and provides guests of these signature restaurants the choice of being steps away from the fast-paced energy of the casino floor, or retreating to quiet tables overlooking the breathtaking turquoise waters of The Bahamas.

“The selection of these restaurants as our signature offerings is very simple, they are my favorite from around the world. Baha Mar is about an authentic experience and our restaurants are no exception. Our guests can select from several options for dining from high-end to more casual fare,” said Sarkis Izmirlian, Baha Mar’s Chairman and CEO. “Deuce, Katsuya, Brasserie des Arts, and Shuang Ba will be centered around the most discerning guests’ needs. Whether delivering to players right at the Casino high limit rooms, or offering private dining rooms within the restaurants themselves, our mission is to ensure superior dining, world-class service, and authentic Bahamian charm.”

Deuce takes its name for being only the second location of Bone’s, the award-winning Atlanta steakhouse that has been providing the finest steaks and seafood since 1979. Long recognized as the best steakhouse in Atlanta, Bone’s is also ranked by Zagat Survey as highest in food and service of any steakhouse in America. In keeping with Baha Mar’s commitment to an elevated level of dining, as well as attentive, intuitive, world-class service, Deuce is a perfect choice.

Deuce consists of more than 350 seats and will be the largest restaurant at Baha Mar. In addition to private dining rooms, Deuce offers a superb dining experience in its beautifully crafted interior dining area, mezzanine and patio. The restaurant will feature interior designs by the celebrated Johnson Studio, an Atlanta-based architecture and design firm noted for creating extraordinary spaces that connect food to one-of-a-kind experiences.

Katsuya is an internationally renowned contemporary Asian restaurant that has been hailed for its innovative interpretations of classic Japanese cuisine and inventive cocktails. Katsuya has garnered a loyal following for its culinary offerings as well as its distinct, sleek, architectural designs by French design icon Philippe Stark. Widely known as a favorite of locals and celebrities alike in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, South Beach and Dubai, the 250-seat restaurant at Baha Mar will be home to Katsuya’s eighth location. This exciting restaurant, a signature dining experience at SLS hotels, is expected to attract celebrities and critics alike in search of the culinary artistry of Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi.

Baha Mar will be home to the fourth location of Brasserie des Arts, the chic restaurant and lounge which is also found in São Paulo, Brazil and two locations in France – Megeve and Saint Tropez, where it was voted one of the best places to eat by Elle magazine. The 200-seat establishment will offer an authentic taste of fine French cuisine created by classically trained French chefs. Brasserie Des Arts will include indoor and outdoor seating extending to an elegant terrace overlooking the white-sand beach and a DJ for late night entertainment.

Shuang Ba takes guests on a journey of classic and modern Chinese cuisine in an elegant setting. Representing the figure 88, which signifies ‘double fortune’ in Chinese culture, Shuang Ba is designed to ensure good luck extends from this 88-seat restaurant to the casino floor. With sophisticated private dining salons draped in shades of rich woods, gold and jade, guests will be provided with exclusive experiences that will cater to every need prepared by our culinary team directly from China. The central dining salon features a grand liquor case in the shape of a Moon Gate, surrounded by warm wood elements and pops of red. Large circular dining tables give diners the view of a marvelous 30,000 pound hand-carved Chinese stone column, and traditional screens and artifacts sourced directly from China complete the exquisite setting.

About Baha Mar
Baha Mar is set on 3,000 feet of white sandy beach just 10 minutes from Nassau’s fully renovated and expanded international airport. It will feature an elite collection of hotel brands with gaming, entertainment, private residences, shopping and natural attractions that reflect an authentic Bahamian experience. The resort’s Grand Opening celebration is planned for Spring 2015. The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel includes a 1,000-room hotel and a 100,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino. Baha Mar also will include a 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room SLS LUX, and a 200-room Rosewood at Baha Mar. Amenities will include a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course; 200,000 square feet of flexible convention facilities, including a 2,000-seat entertainment venue; an ESPA spa; art galleries featuring Bahamian art; more than 40 restaurants, bars and clubs; global luxury designer and local artisan boutiques; and 20 acres of exquisitely landscaped beach and pool experiences, including a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna. In addition, upon completion of renovations, the all-inclusive Meliá Nassau Beach will become part of Baha Mar. For more information please visit www.bahamar.com.


November Is Prematurity Awareness Month

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November Is Prematurity Awareness Month



Celebrities Raise Awareness About The Need To Give Babies A Healthy Start In Life


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — An estimated 15 million babies around the world are born premature each year and more than one million of them do not survive their early birth. Although the United States has seen sustained improvement in its preterm birth rate, it has one of the highest rates of preterm birth of any industrialized country.  

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/65164-march-of-dimes-march-for-babies-2014/

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141027/154682

Next month, organizations and individuals around the globe will observe Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Day.  World-famous photographer Anne Geddes, and international superstars Thalia and Hilary Duff, will join other celebrity parents to spread the word that premature birth is a very serious health problem for babies worldwide.

“I’m working with the March of Dimes to prevent premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death. Every newborn deserves a healthy life,” said Mrs. Geddes. “With each week these precious babies stay and thrive in the womb, the risk of death and disabilities is reduced.”

Prematurity Awareness Month events are scheduled nationwide throughout November. Prominent buildings and landmarks in several states, including the Empire State Building in New York City, will be shining in purple light to symbolize hope for a healthy start for more babies. There also will be professional education programs, as well as family events and gatherings.

“Raising awareness of premature birth is the first step to defeating it,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Our thanks go out to the celebrities, state officials and business and community leaders who are working to bring attention to this serious infant health problem. March of Dimes is dedicated to giving all babies a healthy start in life. We’re investing in research and programs to prevent preterm birth so more women will have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.”

November 17 will be recognized around the globe as the fourth annual World Prematurity Day. More information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay, where families and volunteers can share stories and videos about babies born too soon. The page features an interactive world map showing the home place for each story told.

Anne Geddes, renowned for her baby photos has created a signature image of a baby born too soon, cradled in the hand of a Leonardo DaVinci-inspired sculpture.  She donated the image of baby Alfred, who was born 8 weeks early, weighing just two pounds, six ounces, to the March of Dimes, which made the photo the center of its 2014 World Prematurity Day campaign. “Tiny baby Alfred sends a fragile and yet powerful message. The initial heart-wrenching sight of such a tiny human being, quickly gives way to admiration for their sense of strength and their will to survive against all odds,” she explains.

As a volunteer ambassador for the March of Dimes, Mrs. Geddes is featured in a global public service message, which is being shared internationally to raise awareness about the need to prevent preterm birth and the work being done to give more babies a healthy start in life. Her message can be seen at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX6GTlAt1AE&feature=youtu.be

Thalia, Latin Grammy Award-winning recording artist, actress, and media personality, serves as March of Dimes global ambassador.  Thalia will reach millions of fans worldwide through social media and a World Prematurity Day public service messages which can be viewed in English at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrtmRQEjZ7o and Spanish at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdjOwUA1QP0

Actress, singer and busy mom Hilary Duff also is lending her voice to the prematurity campaign. As part of her year-round volunteer support of the March of Dimes, she recently released a public service announcement featuring her new music in support the Foundation’s global awareness campaign. The video message is available at: http://youtu.be/0iVwvEPAITY.

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign is supported by corporate partners including Johnson & Johnson and Cigna, and gifts from millions of individual donors. Prematurity Awareness Month is nationally sponsored by First Response and the WellPoint Foundation.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.  For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


Settlement Administrator Dahl Administration Announces Class Action Settlement in the Aguiar v. Merisant Company and Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC Litigation

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Settlement Administrator Dahl Administration Announces Class Action Settlement in the Aguiar v. Merisant Company and Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC Litigation


MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — If you purchased any Pure Via® Consumer Products, you could receive compensation from a class action settlement.

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Merisant Company and Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC (collectively, “Merisant”), the manufacturers of Pure Via® Consumer Products, including all Pure Via low calorie sweetener products. The lawsuit claims that Merisant mislabeled its Pure Via Consumer Products by describing the products and their ingredients as “natural.” Merisant denies the allegations in the lawsuit, asserts it has not violated any laws, and says that its description of various Pure Via products and ingredients as “natural” is accurate. To avoid further litigation, the Parties have reached a class action settlement, which was preliminarily approved by the United States District Court for the Central District of California on October 6, 2014.

Under the terms of the Settlement, you may be entitled to compensation if you are a member of the Settlement Class, meaning that you purchased any of the Pure Via Consumer Products in the U.S. from January 1, 2008, through October 6, 2014, for individual or household use. Excluded from the Class are Merisant and its board members, officers, and attorneys; governmental entities; the Court presiding over the Settlement; and those persons who timely and validly request exclusion from the Settlement Class.

What Does The Settlement Provide? Settlement Class Members may submit a properly completed Claim Form and be eligible to receive a cash refund of up to $30. Merisant has also agreed to make certain changes to Pure Via product labels and modify the www.purevia.com website to further explain the products and their ingredients.

How Do You Submit A Claim? To qualify for payment, you must submit a Claim Form by February 10, 2015. Claim Forms can be obtained and returned by mail to: Pure Via Settlement Administrator, c/o Dahl Administration, P.O. Box 3614, Minneapolis, MN 55403-0614, or online at www.PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com. Claim Forms can also be obtained by calling 1-888-805-9126.

What Are Your Other Options? If you don’t want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you must exclude yourself (“opt-out”) by January 2, 2015. The detailed notice available at www.PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com or by calling 1-888-805-9126 explains how to exclude yourself from the Settlement. If you exclude yourself, you will not be entitled to any compensation and you cannot object to the Settlement. You also will not be bound by the Settlement and may be able to sue (or continue to sue) Merisant or others involved in the sale of Pure Via Consumer Products regarding the claims in this lawsuit.

If you are a Class Member, you may object to any part of the Settlement you don’t agree with, and the Court will consider your views. Your objection must be timely, in writing and must provide evidence of your membership in the Class. Procedures for submitting objections are set out in the detailed notice available at www.PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com or by calling 1-888-805-9126.

The Court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing at 9:00 a.m. on February 2, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. At this Hearing, the Court will consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate and whether to approve the Class Representative’s Incentive Award up to $4,000 and attorneys’ fees and expenses of up to $495,000. You may attend the hearing, and you may hire your own lawyer, but you are not required to do either. The Court will consider timely written objections and may listen to people who have made a prior written request to speak at the Hearing. After the Hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement.

What To Do If You Have Questions. Information contained in this Press Release is just a summary. Detailed notice, as well as the Settlement Agreement and other documents filed in this lawsuit, can be found online at www.PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com. For more information, you may call the Pure Via Settlement Administrator at 1-888-805-9126, write to P.O. Box 3614, Minneapolis, MN 55403-0614 or email [email protected].

QUESTIONS?  CALL 1-888-805-9126 or VISIT www.PureViaSweetenerSettlement.com.

MEDIA:  Jeff Dahl, 952-562-3601

 


FIBRA Prologis Announces Third Quarter Earnings Results

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FIBRA Prologis Announces Third Quarter Earnings Results

– Operating Portfolio Occupancy Increased to 95.3 Percent –

– Rents on Rollover Increased 7.5 Percent –

– 3.3 Million Square Feet Leased –


MEXICO CITY, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — FIBRA Prologis (BMV: FIBRAPL 14), the leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico, today reported results for the third quarter of 2014. 

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140703/124469

FIBRA Prologis began trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange June 4, 2014. As such, the company does not have comparable results from prior quarters. For the operational metrics included here, the company referred to the performance of the properties in its portfolio prior to ownership by FIBRA Prologis.

Funds from operations (“FFO”) in the third quarter were Ps. 323.8 million (approximately US$ 24.0 million). Net earnings per fully diluted share were Ps. 296.0 million (approximately US$ 22.0 million) or Ps. 0.47 per CBFI (approximately US$ 0.03 per CBFI).

“We had an exceptional quarter, and we feel great about our business for the remainder of the year,” said Luis Gutierrez, CEO, FIBRA Prologis. “Real estate fundamentals in Mexico are solid and we see greater demand for our product due to its superior quality and location.”

STRONG OPERATING RESULTS

FIBRA Prologis leased 3.3 million square feet (approximately 305,000 square meters) in the third quarter. Operating portfolio occupancy at quarter end was 95.3 percent, an increase of 100 basis points over the prior quarter. Tenant retention in the third quarter was 97.2 percent. Net effective rents on leases signed in the quarter increased 7.5 percent from prior in-place rents. Lease renewals totaled 3 million square feet (278,700 square meters) of which 27.5 percent were leases set to expire in 2015 and thereafter.

Cash same-store net operating income (“NOI”) increased 0.4 percent. Cash same store NOI gains derived from an increase in occupancy and positive net effective rent change were offset by free rent that resulted from the quarter’s higher leasing volume.

SOUND CAPITAL STRUCTURE

As of September 30, 2014, FIBRA Prologis’ liquidity was approximately Ps. 5.9 billion (US$ 430.5 million), which includes Ps. 3.4 billion (US$ 250.0 million) of available capacity on its credit facility, Ps. 478 million (US$ 35.0 million) of unrestricted cash and a Ps. 2.0 billion (US$ 145.5 million) Value Added Tax receivable.

WEBCAST & CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

FIBRA Prologis will host a webcast/conference call to discuss quarterly results, current market conditions and future outlook tomorrow, Oct. 28. at 10 a.m. CT. Interested parties are encouraged to access the live webcast by clicking the microphone icon located near the top of the opening page of the FIBRA Prologis Investor Relations website (http://www.fibraprologis.com). Interested parties also can participate via conference call by dialing +1 (877) 256-7020 (from the United States and Canada toll free) or +1 (973) 409-9692 (from all other countries) and enter conference code 11062100.

A telephonic replay will be available from Oct. 29 through Nov. 28 at +1 (855) 859-2056 from the U.S. and Canada or at +1 (404) 537-3406 from all other countries using conference code 11062100. The webcast replay will be posted when available in the Investor Relations section on the FIBRA Prologis website.

ABOUT FIBRA PROLOGIS

FIBRA Prologis is the leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of September 30, 2014, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 178 strategically-located logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 29.8 million square feet (2.8 million square meters) of gross leasable area.

The statements in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which

FIBRA Prologis operates, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Such statements involve uncertainties that could significantly impact FIBRA Prologis financial results. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to rent and occupancy growth, acquisition activity, development activity, disposition activity, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate, our debt and financial position, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may affect outcomes and results include, but are not limited to: (i) national, international, regional and local economic climates, (ii) changes in financial markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, (iii) increased or unanticipated competition for our properties, (iv) risks associated with acquisitions, dispositions and development of properties, (v) maintenance of real estate investment trust (“FIBRA”) status and tax structuring, (vi) availability of financing and capital, the levels of debt that we maintain and our credit ratings, (vii) risks related to our investments (viii) environmental uncertainties, including risks of natural disasters, and (ix) those additional factors discussed in reports filed with the “Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores” and the Mexican Stock Exchange by FIBRA Prologis under the heading “Risk Factors.” FIBRA Prologis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this report.

Non-Solicitation – Any securities discussed herein or in the accompanying presentations, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Any such announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities discussed herein or in the presentations, if and as applicable.

 


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