Cantu Beauty Announces Winners of Elevate Workshop Series in Partnership with 25 Black Women in Beauty

February 3, 2021

Cantu Elevate 2021 Winners: Kyutee Nails, NatruAll, and Range Beauty

Womenpreneurs Alicia Scott, Arah Sims, and Tomi Alisha will collaborate with Cantu on a marketing campaign for their budding businesses to launch this spring

STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Cantu Elevate, the latest initiative from Cantu Beauty, an award-winning multicultural hair care brand, and ‘25 Black Women In Beauty‘ (25BWB) has selected the winners of the beauty business accelerator: Alicia Scott of Range Beauty, Arah Sims of Kyutee Nails, and Tomi Alisha of NaturAll Club. Each winner participated in the Cantu Elevate workshop series last fall and was chosen out of more than 60 women-led beauty businesses to receive a Cantu-sponsored campaign valued at $160,000. Scott, Sims, and Alisha advanced in the selection process through their enthusiastic efforts and engagement during the workshops and coupled with their innovative product offerings, captured the attention of Cantu.

“With black entrepreneurs, especially women, starting businesses at a higher rate we wanted to provide a catalyst for these businesses to succeed,” says Dametria Mustin, Vice President of Global Marketing at Cantu Beauty. “After learning more about these amazing women-led businesses, I’m inspired by what they were able to take away from the experience to help navigate the shifts taking place in the beauty industry.”

As an entrepreneur, there is always room for continued education. During this transformative season, Cantu Beauty will team up with The Sasha Group (a VaynerX company) and Reddish to work directly with each womenpreneur to continue the journey of strengthening their brand. Together, Cantu, Sasha, and Reddish will use their respective expertise to help build a brand marketing campaign or e-commerce presence for each beauty brand to launch in spring 2021.

Sims, Alisha, and Scott will focus specifically on their business challenges to take their brand to new heights in the beauty space. After gaining public approval, Kyutee Nails, a direct-to-consumer nail glam company, came to fame using advanced technology to create nail polish art peel-n-press. Popular influencers and celebrities caught on and the trendy designs got exposed to over 20 million social platform users. Sims wants to leverage this opportunity to present Kyutee Nails as an innovative brand that fuses beauty with a purpose and revitalizes its e-commerce strategy.

NaturAll is seeking to set a new beauty standard by only using fresh, frozen, natural, and non-toxic ingredients to hand-make healthy hair formulas that provide ultra hydration. Vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand Range Beauty focuses on clean products for the forgotten shades, utilizing botanicals in makeup to create special formulas for acne and eczema-prone skin. Both brands are looking to learn how to manage a successful marketing campaign using the latest measurement tools to compare their metrics against other start-up competitors.

“The workshops were a great reminder to always tap back into our ‘why’ and ‘who’,” says Alicia Scott of Range Beauty. “My favorite part of the workshops was actually our homework after the first session. Writing out my North Star and thinking through my audience in more detail helped me think about our marketing efforts in a more targeted way.”

Cantu Beauty created Elevate with its marketing partners to provide access and education to help Black, female-led beauty businesses thrive economically within this new beauty landscape. Through guided workshops and a grant program, Cantu will continue its work with 25 BWB to provide a platform that accelerates continued growth for beauty businesses.

To learn more about each Cantu Elevate winner, follow Kyutee Nails (@kyuteenails), NaturAll Club (@naturallclub), and Range Beauty (@range_beauty) on Instagram. Additionally, follow Cantu Beauty on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates on upcoming Elevate workshops and events later this year.

ABOUT CANTU
It’s Cantu Beauty’s mission to celebrate you in all your glory. Whether you’re rocking coils, curls, waves, or straight tresses, Cantu designs products specifically with you and your hair’s versatility in mind. Cantu’s collection of award-winning products is inspired by beautifully textured hair to help you achieve any look you desire. With a one-of-a-kind formula, Cantu helps achieve everything from cutting-edge looks to classic styles.

ABOUT 25BWB
25 Black Women in Beauty is dedicated to elevating and celebrating Black female entrepreneurs, executives, and rising stars in beauty. The organization offers an exclusive network enabling intentional network, career placement, and other services. 25BWB has been featured by Glamour, Forbes, Essence, The Zoe Report, WWD, and other leading publications. Visit 25BWB.org to learn more.

ABOUT PDC
PDC Wellness & Personal Care Co. (formerly known as PDC Beauty & Wellness Co.) has its origins in Parfums de Coeur, Ltd., which was founded in 1981. PDC has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty and wellness companies in the world. PDC’s portfolio of category-leading brands includes Cantu®, Dr Teal’s®, Eylure®, and Body Fantasies®. PDC’s products can be found at major mass, chain drug, grocery, and specialty retailers throughout the US, UK, and in over 60 markets globally. PDC was recently named U.S. Supplier of the Year, Consumables, Health & Wellness, by Walmart. PDC is owned by affiliates of CVC Funds and Leonard Green & Partners, as well as its management. For more information, please visit pdcbeauty.com.

ABOUT CVC CAPITAL PARTNERS
CVC is a leading private equity and investment advisory firm. Founded in 1981, CVC today has a network of 23 offices and over 550 employees throughout Europe, Asia, and the US. To date, CVC has secured commitments of over US$160 billion from some of the world’s leading institutional investors across its private equity and credit strategies. In total, CVC currently manages approximately US$105 billion of assets. Today, funds managed or advised by CVC are invested in more than 80 companies worldwide, employing over 400,000 people in numerous countries. Together, these companies have combined annual sales of approximately US$92 billion. For further information about CVC please visit cvc.com.

ABOUT LEONARD GREEN & PARTNERS
Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (“LGP”) is a leading private equity investment firm founded in 1989 and based in Los Angeles. The firm partners with experienced management teams and often with founders to invest in market-leading companies. Since its inception, LGP has invested in over 90 companies in the form of traditional buyouts, going-private transactions, recapitalizations, growth equity, and selective public equity and debt positions. The firm primarily focuses on companies providing services, including consumer, business, and healthcare services, as well as retail. For more information, please visit leonardgreen.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Ariel Smith, Reddish
[email protected]
212-714-5748

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SOURCE PDC Wellness & Personal Care Co.

Legendary Latin Artist Celia Cruz’s African Roots Revealed Through Living Descendants and AfricanAncestry.com

February 3, 2021

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Known to many as ‘La Guarachera de Cuba‘ and the ‘Queen of Salsa,’ Celia Cruz, the most popular Latin artist of the 20^th Century, posthumously adds the Balanta people of Guinea-Bissau to her distinguished legacy. As part of AfricanAncestry.com’s Remember Who You Are campaign, Cruz’s iconic roots were traced using the DNA of a niece on her maternal line.

“This is an exciting moment for us because Celia Cruz fully embraced her African heritage in life and her music, which is pretty trailblazing for her time,” said AfricanAncestry.com President and Co-founder Gina Paige. “We’re proud to support the growing number of people from Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, etc., turning to us to add the ‘African’ to their identities and legends such as Cruz paved the way.”

AfricanAncestry.com used its single lineage MatriClan^® test to trace Celia Cruz’s mother’s mothers’ line to the Balanta people of Guinea-Bissau as means to honor Cruz. Celia Cody, Cruz’s niece and namesake provided her DNA through a simple swabbing of the cheek.

Records show that nearly 600,000 enslaved Africans were brought to Cuba during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Born in Havana, Cruz often integrated Yoruban Tribal influences in her work as a fearless show of African pride. “We now know she’s of the Balanta people — known as ‘those who resist’ — and we are honored to celebrate her legacy in this unprecedented way,” said Paige.

To see the video Reveal of Celia Cruz’s ancestry, visit AfricanAncestry.com/Remember. Visit www.AfricanAncestry.com for special Black History Month offers throughout February. For press inquiries in English and/or Spanish, contact Daniel Ali at [email protected].

SOURCE AfricanAncestry.com

(Español) Salud mental en tiempos de crisis

February 3, 2021

USA.gov en español. (PRNewsfoto/USA.gov en español)

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

The Ad Council and Autism Speaks Further Advocacy for Early Autism Screening Through Latest Awareness Campaign

February 3, 2021

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Identifying the early signs of autism can make a lifetime of difference in helping a child access resources and thrive later in life. As part of their ongoing commitment to lowering the age of diagnosis and empowering more autistic children to reach their full potential, the Ad Council and Autism Speaks launched an all-new bilingual awareness campaign today encouraging parents and caregivers of young children to spot the signs early and seek support when they need it. Families can learn more and access a simple screening questionnaire at ScreenForAutism.org or DeteccionDeAutismo.org.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8848651-ad-council-autism-speaks-screening-questionnaire/

According to the CDC, autism effects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the U.S., and though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 18 months, the signs can begin to appear even earlier. Despite this, the average age of diagnosis is 4 years and 3 months, and even later in minority and low-income communities. This later diagnosis results in missing out on access to critical, life-enhancing resources and supports. As COVID-19 prevented many families from regular well-visits to assess progress toward developmental milestones, experts believe that even more children have gone undiagnosed in recent months.

The new campaign, which features three children on the spectrum and their families, centers on a series of birthday parties with select examples of how children with autism may respond differently to day-to-day situations and how parents can identify the signs and support their child’s healthy development. The spots resolve in the positive outcomes that are possible following a diagnosis – conveying how identifying a child’s unique needs can be a pivotal turning point to help them achieve better outcomes.

The awareness campaign prompts parents and families to provide early support by visiting ScreenForAutism.org or DeteccionDeAutismo.org, to access both English and Spanish resources to identify the signs of autism, take part in a screening questionnaire and request information from the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team before, during and after a child’s diagnosis. In addition, the site features free, bilingual materials such as the 100 Day Kit, providing families pivotal information and advice for making the best possible use of the first 100 days following a diagnosis.

Autism Speaks also offers a virtual adaptation of the Caregiver Skills Training (CST) program, developed with support from the World Health Organization. CST is an evidence-based program that helps bring autism best practices to low-resource settings, and it has been successfully implemented in 33 countries around the world. This series of animated videos makes it easy for parents and caregivers to learn how to support their child’s development through everyday routines and activities, which is more important today than ever for the many families whose access to intervention has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Increasing early screening and timely interventions for kids on the spectrum is a crucial part of our mission, and our work with the Ad Council is so important to advancing this effort,” said Pamela Dixon, director of clinical services and inclusion at Autism Speaks. “The earlier a child can receive support – whatever their unique set of strengths and challenges are – the better their future outcomes can be. We believe in a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential, and early diagnosis is critical to making this a reality.”

By sharing the positive outcomes that can follow a diagnosis, the campaign aims to destigmatize autism screenings, by encouraging the dialogue that is essential to accessing support. Research shows that early intervention can improve learning, communication and social skills among young children with autism. The campaign urges parents to understand how learning the signs of autism, many of which are identifiable early in a child’s life, can afford the best opportunities to deliver benefits across the entire life span.

“It was important that the ultimate takeaway was one of hope and positivity. We chose to use a childhood birthday to underscore the message that it’s never too early to look for signs of autism, and reassure parents that a screening is not something to fear, but rather the first step to a better life for their child,” says David Povill, executive creative director at BBDO.

“Early detection and screening for autism continues to be an important issue for the Ad Council to communicate to families because diagnosis and early intervention improve outcomes for children. And COVID presents a particularly unique challenge for parents of young children right now, since they aren’t interacting with physicians or childcare workers as much as they normally would,” said Ad Council Chief Campaign Development Officer Heidi Arthur. “On the other hand, parents and caregivers are spending more time with their children than ever before. It’s critically important that those parents know what signs to look for and know where to go to learn more.”

To learn more about early screening for autism, visit ScreenforAutism.org or join the conversation with @AutismSpeaks on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For personalized support and questions, contact Autism Speaks’ Autism Response Team at 1-888-AUTISM2, en Español at 1-888-772-9050 or email [email protected].

About autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors influence the development of autism, and autism often is accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To find resources, join a fundraising walk or make a donation, go to www.AutismSpeaks.org.

About the Ad Council

The Ad Council brings together the most creative minds in advertising and media to address the most worthy causes. Its innovative, pro bono social good campaigns raise awareness. They inspire action. They save lives. To learn more, visit www.adcouncil.org, follow the Ad Council’s communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view our creative on YouTube.

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SOURCE Ad Council

Mazda Reports January Sales Results

February 2, 2021

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total January sales of 25,259 vehicles, an increase of 6.9 percent compared to January 2020. With 24 selling days in January, compared to 25 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 11.4 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

Sales Highlights

Sales of Mazda’s family of crossovers, including the CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, and CX-9, totaled 20,279 in January, an increase of 6.9 percent compared to January 2020.
Sales of the CX-9 increased 5.7 percent in January with 2,698 vehicles sold.
Sales of the CX-5 increased 5.2 percent with 13,583 vehicles sold.
Sales of the CX-30 totaled 3,624 in January, an increase of 53 percent compared to January 2020.
Sales of the MX-5 Miata totaled 536 vehicles, an increase of 35.4 percent compared to January 2020.
Sales of the Mazda3 increased 22 percent with 3,046 vehicles sold.
CPO sales totaled 5,247 vehicles in January, an increase of 12.4 percent compared to January 2020.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported January sales of 3,769 vehicles, a decrease of 21.2 percent compared to January 2020.

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

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


	Month-To-Date				Year-To-Date

	January	January	YOY %	% MTD	January	January	YOY %	% MTD
	2021	2020	Change	DSR	2021	2020	Change	DSR

Mazda3	3,046	2,496	22.0%	27.1%	3,046	2,496	22.0%	27.1%
Mazda6	1,398	1,755	(20.3)%	(17.0)%	1,398	1,755	(20.3)%	(17.0)%
MX-5 Miata	536	396	35.4%	41.0%	536	396	35.4%	41.0%
CX-3	374	1,146	(67.4)%	(66.0)%	374	1,146	(67.4)%	(66.0)%
CX-30	3,624	2,368	53.0%	59.4%	3,624	2,368	53.0%	59.4%
CX-5	13,583	12,908	5.2%	9.6%	13,583	12,908	5.2%	9.6%
CX-9	2,698	2,552	5.7%	10.1%	2,698	2,552	5.7%	10.1%


CARS	4,980	4,647	7.2%	11.6%	4,980	4,647	7.2%	11.6%
TRUCKS	20,279	18,974	6.9%	11.3%	20,279	18,974	6.9%	11.3%

TOTAL	25,259	23,621	6.9%	11.4%	25,259	23,621	6.9%	11.4%


*Selling Days	24	25			24	25

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SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

Beraja Medical Institute Joins Quigley Eye Specialists

February 2, 2021

FORT MYERS, Fla., Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Quigley Eye Specialists has partnered with Beraja Medical Institute (BMI) and Douglas Surgery Center (collectively “BMI”), a South Florida leader in the diagnosis and treatment of vision disorders. Beraja Medical Institute has been providing care to Miami-Dade County for over 30 years and now joins 19 other locations under Quigley Eye Specialists ownership in Florida. This partnership will establish Quigley Eye Specialists’ presence in Miami-Dade County.

BMI is led by ophthalmologists Dr. Roberto Beraja and Dr. Victor Beraja.

Roberto Beraja, MD, is a skilled ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon. In 1987, he earned his medical degree from the renowned McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Later that same year, Dr. Beraja co-founded Beraja Medical Institute, where he currently serves as the medical director of ophthalmic surgery.

Victor Beraja, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Beraja graduated from Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Facultad de Medicina and is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. He is also a clinical assistant professor in the department of surgery at Florida International University College of Medicine in Miami, and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.

“Partnering with BMI is an excellent opportunity for expansion into Southeast Florida,” said Dr. Thomas Quigley, Founder of Quigley Eye Specialists. “Miami-Dade is a vibrant market with impressive growth. For more than 30 years, Dr. Roberto Beraja and Dr. Victor Beraja have been taking great care of patients in Coral Gables and are respected surgeons with exemplary reputations. With a Southeast location, we will be able to build upon the success of BMI. We look forward to our partnership and are excited about the future.”

The partnership will ensure patients throughout Florida will have convenient access to industry-leading specialists, innovative treatments, and state-of-the-art equipment. Together, Quigley Eye Specialists and BMI have 36 optometric physicians and ophthalmic surgeons with three surgery centers in Southwest and Southeast Florida.

Founded in 1988, Quigley Eye Specialists consists of more than 100 medical professionals, including surgeons, optometrists, retina specialists, and technicians. Offices are conveniently located throughout Southwest and Southeast Florida in Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Coral Gables, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Naples, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Venice.

About Quigley Eye Specialists

Technology leaders in eye care, Quigley Eye Specialists is one of the nation’s leading multispecialty ophthalmology practices specializing in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, iLASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions, routine eye care and facial plastic surgery. As the number one choice for cataract treatment in Southwest Florida, Quigley Eye Specialists is committed to providing the highest level of quality eye care and service to the community. For more information or a full list of locations, visit www.QuigleyEye.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Frances Wilhelm	Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC
239-338-8681	239-277-5255
[email protected]	[email protected]

SOURCE Quigley Eye Specialists

Acura Wins IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona

February 2, 2021

#10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 Acura DPi, DPi: Helio Castroneves, Alexander Rossi, Filipe Albuquerque, Ricky Taylor winner

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Almost exactly 30 years after Acura’s first class win at Daytona International Raceway, the manufacturer triumphed over all this weekend as Wayne Taylor Racing won this weekend’s 59^th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The season-opening round in the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, this weekend’s 24-hour endurance contest came down to the final hour, with five teams contending for the overall victory. Combining speed with endurance – with the Acura ARX-05 prototype requiring fewer pit stops than the competition over the length of the race – the WTR driver lineup of Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Alexander Rossi and Helio Castroneves held off late-race charges from the Cadillacs of Chip Ganassi Racing and Action Express, the Mazda-Multimatic prototype, and fellow Acura team Meyer Shank Racing to score their third consecutive Daytona victory, and the first with Acura.

All five contenders were running within 30 seconds of each other as the race entered its final hour. A “short fill” and two tire only change at the final pit stop moved Albuquerque’s Acura to the head of the field, with the Ganassi prototype of Renger van der Zande less than two seconds back. However, a cut tire with just seven minutes remaining sent van der Zande to the pits, and Albuquerque went on to take the checkers, and Acura’s first overall victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

In the SiriusXM AutoNation Acura ARX-05, the Meyer Shank Racing lineup of Dane Cameron, Olivier Pla, Juan Pablo Montoya and A.J. Allmendinger also led multiple times throughtout the race, but was forced to deal with handling issues as winds increased in the final hours, taking the checkers in fourth.

Acura NSX GT3 Evo
Electronic issues and an early-race cut tire dented the Acura GTD debut of the Magnus with Archangel’s NSX GT3 Evo, driven by Andy Lally, John Potter, Spencer Pumpelly and two-time defending GTD champion Mario Farnbacher. The cut tire, likely the result of debris on track, damaged the underbody and led to an unscheduled pit stop for #44 Acura in the opening hour, and a series of delays through the night left the NSX GT3 Evo team 11^th at the finish.

Acura Rolex 24 Results

1^st overall – #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-05 DPi
Drivers Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Alexander Rossi, Helio Castroneves
4^th overall – #60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-05 DPi
Drivers Dane Cameron, Olivier Pla, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger
11^th GTD – Magnus with Archangel Acura NSX GT3 Evo
Drivers Andy Lally, John Potter, Spencer Pumpelly, Mario Farnbacher

DPi Manufacturers’ Championship (after 1 of 10 rounds)

Acura 380
Cadillac 355
Mazda 332

Acura Rolex 24 Fast Facts

Today’s overall win at the Rolex 24 comes almost exactly 30 years after Acura scored its first major endurance racing victory, the Camel Lights class win at Daytona, February 2-3, 1991.
Acura first entered IMSA competition in 1991, shortly after the company’s founding in 1986, and the 1991 Daytona race was the first major event for the company. Comptech Racing and drivers Parker Johnstone, Steve Cameron [uncle of current Acura racer Dane Cameron] and Bob Lesnett, driving a Spice Acura SE90P, claimed the victory that year in a class that compares to today’s LMP2 division.
Acura repeated as Camel Lights win at Daytona in 1992, with Comptech drivers Johnstone, and Cameron joined by Jimmy Vasser [who also won Honda’s first Indy car championship in 1996].
Today’s victory is the third consecutive Rolex 24 triumph for Wayne Taylor Racing but the first since WTR became an Acura team at the end of 2020.

Quotes
Filipe Albuquerque (#10 Konica Minolta Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-05) Rolex 24 at Daytona winner: “I think it was a hell of a show. I could almost see [Renger van der Zande’s] eyes in my mirrors, he was so hungry for this. He was faster than me, but it’s one thing to catch and another thing is to pass. He was really pushing hard. I was lucky that they had a puncture. This was probably the hardest race of my life.”

Dane Cameron (#60 Meyer Shank Racing ARX-05) finished 4^th: “All in all it was an okay day. Our goal was to put ourselves in contention [for the win] at the end of the day and we did that by finishing on the lead lap. The Meyer Shank Racing boys did a great job preparing the car and executing pit stops without issues. It is probably the first time in six or seven years that I have run this race without a problem on a pit stop. I am very pleased with the effort the guys put in, with a short off-season and a large transition to a new program. We lacked a bit of speed near the end of the race today, but we were able to compete for a victory when it counted. We will take good [championship] points from today for our championship effort and we’ll move forward and turn the page to Sebring.”

David Salters (President, Honda Performance Development) on this weekend’s Acura victory at the season-opening Rolex 24: “It’s an historic day for Acura, and thanks to IMSA for putting on a stunning event. I want to thank all of our teams for their huge effort to come and race here in arguably one of the most arduous endurance events on the planet. They came, and demonstrated just how good they were. This is all the result of a team effort. Everyone at HPD was integral in developing the strong relationship we have with our teams, and I believe it showed in today’s results. I also need to thank all the marvelous people at Team Penske for their efforts and success the previous three years. They established the foundations that we’re now building upon. Again, it’s all about a team of brilliant, hard-working people, and it shows the performance heritage of Acura.”

Next
The 2020 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship now moves to central Florida for the 69^th annual Mobil One 12 Hours of Sebring, March 20 in Sebring, Fla.

Acura Motorsports Social media content and video links from this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona are available on Instagram (www.instagram.com/hondaracing_hpd), Twitter (www.twitter.com/HondaRacing_HPD) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/HondaRacingHPD).

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1430518/Acura_Motorsports_ARX_05.jpg

SOURCE Acura Motorsports

The Home Depot Bringing 1,500 New Jobs to Dallas-Fort Worth Metro with New Distribution Center

February 2, 2021

DALLAS, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot^® today announced it has opened a new distribution center in Dallas to fulfill online orders and store orders. The 1.5 million square-foot distribution center is designed to meet customers’ delivery needs through multiple channels, whether delivering items directly to customers’ homes or for pickup at local stores.

The company’s newest Dallas supply chain site also manages customer delivery and installation of large appliances such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators ordered in stores or online. From final sale to removal of old appliances, the operation offers an improved purchase and delivery experience for Home Depot customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“We’re focused on creating an easier and more convenient shopping experience for our customers’ home improvement needs, whether they shop in stores or online,” said Stephanie Smith, senior vice president of supply chain for The Home Depot. “Our supply chain is the foundation for delivering on our Pro and DIY customers’ changing expectations, which is why we’re investing to offer same day and next day delivery to 90 percent of the U.S. population.”

The Dallas-Fort Worth market is a key hub for The Home Depot’s delivery and supply chain strategy. Early last year, the company opened another delivery center at the new Dallas campus that delivers building materials and other bulky products directly to DIY and Pro customers when and where they need it, all within the same day or the next day of ordering.

The new facility features a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell charging station — a sustainable and more efficient way to power material handling equipment. It also includes more than six miles of mechanized lines and other automation technologies that enable increased product flow.

The facility is part of the company’s $1.2 billion investment to expand its national distribution and delivery network. Ultimately, the company’s supply chain footprint in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will grow from 2.1 million square feet to 4.5 million square feet and will create approximately 1,500 new jobs by the end of this year. The company currently operates 20 distribution centers in the state.

Interested jobseekers should visit careers.homedepot.com or text JOBS to 52270 for a link to apply for local positions.

ABOUT THE HOME DEPOT
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,296 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2019, The Home Depot had sales of $110.2 billion and earnings of $11.2 billion. The company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

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SOURCE The Home Depot

Think You’ve Been Harmed by Products Containing Imerys Talc? Your Rights May Be Affected and Your Injury Claims May Be Eliminated. Your Vote Will Help Determine How Injury Claims are Treated.

February 2, 2021

Submit Your Vote by March 25, 2021.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2021 /PR Newswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The following statement is being issued by Prime Clerk LLC regarding the Imerys Bankruptcy.

If you have a Talc Personal Injury Claim, your rights are affected by an upcoming vote on a plan of reorganization (the “Plan”) as part of the bankruptcy proceedings of Imerys Talc America, Inc., Imerys Talc Vermont, Inc. and Imerys Talc Canada Inc. (collectively, the “North American Debtors“). Imerys Talc Italy S.p.A (“ITI“) may also file (but has not yet filed) a chapter 11 case in the United States. “Debtors” means the North American Debtors and, if it files a chapter 11 case before the Plan is confirmed, ITI. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan, which is available at ITArestructuring.com (the “Case Website“).

The Debtors filed a Disclosure Statement (available at the Case Website) containing information that will help you decide how to vote on the Plan, which proposes to set up a trust to resolve all Talc Personal Injury Claims. Your legal rights will be affected if the Plan is approved.

Only holders of “Talc Personal Injury Claims,” or their attorneys on their behalf, are entitled to receive a ballot to vote on the Plan.

Holders of Claims and Equity Interests in all other Classes under the Plan are presumed to accept the Plan, because they are either Unimpaired by the Plan or are Plan Proponents.

If you have a Talc Personal Injury Claim, you or your attorney on your behalf, as permitted by the

Voting Procedures, have the right to vote on the Plan. The deadline by which ballots must be received by the Debtors’ solicitation agent, Prime Clerk LLC (“Prime Clerk“) is March 25, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET. If you are unsure whether your attorney is authorized to vote on your behalf, please contact your attorney. Both the Tort Claimants’ Committee and the representative of future talc claimants support the Plan.

If the Plan is approved by the Bankruptcy Court and the District Court, all Talc Personal Injury Claims will be channeled to the Talc Personal Injury Trust and resolved pursuant to the Trust Distribution Procedures. If you are the holder of (a) a Talc Personal Injury Claim and you vote to accept the Plan, (b) a Claim that is presumed to accept the Plan, (c) a Talc Personal Injury Claim and you vote against the Plan and do not opt out of the releases, or (d) a Talc Personal Injury Claim entitled to vote for or against the Plan and you do not vote for or against the Plan and do not opt out of the releases provided in the Plan (subject to certain limitations described in the Plan), you will be presumed to grant the “Releases by Holders of Claims” set forth in Article XII of the Plan. Please read the Plan and other Plan Documents carefully for details about how the Plan, if approved, will affect your rights.

You have the right to object to the Plan. The deadline to file an objection is May 28, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET. There are requirements that must be followed to file an objection, which are set forth in the Voting Procedures Order. Objections received after the deadline may not be considered by the Bankruptcy Court and may be deemed overruled without further notice. You can obtain additional information or instructions, review the Plan Documents, or obtain a solicitation package with a ballot to vote, by contacting Prime Clerk.

Imerys Ballot Processing Center
c/o Prime Clerk LLC, One Grand Central Place
60 East 42nd Street, Suite 1440, New York, NY 10165.
Visit: ITArestructuring.com
Request More Information: [email protected]
Request Ballot with Solicitation Package to Vote on the Plan:
[email protected]
Call: (844) 339-4096 (Toll-Free) / +1 347 919 5767 (International)

SOURCE Prime Clerk

Toyota Reimagines the New Car Buying Experience with Complete Online Retail Solution

February 1, 2021

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has officially unveiled the next iteration of the SmartPath retail experience, allowing customers flexibility in how they buy their next Toyota. Working hand-in-hand with dealerships across the United States to integrate online and in-store retail, TMNA assumed the responsibility of the research and development of one, comprehensive retail program to offer customers the opportunity to lease, finance or purchase their new vehicle without the need to physically visit the dealership.

Developed in partnership with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) in response to shifting consumer purchase preferences, Toyota began piloting SmartPath in 2019 to expand the retail footprint, offering a flexible shopping experience that is convenient, interactive, connected, transparent, and customized. The COVID-19 virus accelerated consumer demand for digital transactions, with a recent digital shopping survey showing two out of three shoppers are more likely to purchase a vehicle 100% online¹.

Toyota’s SmartPath technology puts the car buying process in the hands of the customer, providing an integrated user experience across Toyota.com, buyatoyota.com, the dealership website and the physical dealership store. Customers can choose the path that works best for them by starting their journey online, saving their progress in the “digital garage” and picking up where they left off at the dealer, or completing their purchase with their SmartPath dealer entirely online.

By utilizing SmartPath, customers have more control over how they purchase their vehicle, increased transparency into current inventory and real-time pricing, and flexibility to shop when and how they want.

For Toyota dealerships, the new technology integrates with current inventory, the customer relationship management system (CRM) and directly with financing through TFS, allowing sales associates the opportunity to better understand customers wants and needs, while accessing time-saving tools, enhanced analytics and advanced lead handling that allows the dealer to pick up right where the customer left off online.

“Our goal is to ensure we create the best experience for our customers and our dealers,” said Jack Hollis, senior vice president, Automotive Operations, TMNA. “As our customers’ expectations evolve, SmartPath provides our dealers the technology to exceed those expectations. Our shared mission is to make the experience of shopping, buying, and owning a Toyota as easy and carefree as driving one.”

SmartPath customers have the option to finalize their purchase by physically visiting the dealerships, or through a digital appointment with the dealer.

SmartPath is currently available to customers in select markets through more than 50 dealerships, with an additional 50 dealerships launching this spring, and plans to aggressively bring more SmartPath dealerships to market through 2021. The all-new SmartPath complete online experience, which expands to allow customers the ability to complete their purchase online, will roll out market by market starting in mid-February 2021.

The new online retail experience will also be available to Lexus customers through Lexus Monogram. You can learn more about Monogram, here.

About Toyota:

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Media Contact:
Carley Hummel
469-292-8754
[email protected]

¹ Source: 2020 Cox Automotive COVID-19 Digital Shopping Study, April 4-5, 2020

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1430105/This_is_SmartPath.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/785813/TOYOTA_MEDIA_RELATIONS_LOGO.jpg

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America