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Hyundai Motor Group to Lead Charge into Electric Era with Dedicated EV Platform ‘E-GMP’

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Hyundai Motor Group to lead charge into electric era with dedicated EV platform ‘E−GMP’

SEOUL, Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ —

  • Hyundai Motor Group reveals E-GMP, its first dedicated BEV platform, for next-generation BEV line-up
  • BEVs based on E-GMP can provide range over 500km on a full charge (WLTP) and be charged up to 80% within 18 minutes through high-speed charging
  • High performance model based on E-GMP will accelerate from zero to 100kph in less than 3.5 seconds, with top speed of 260kph
  • Components optimize driving dynamics and safety, and maximize cabin space
  • Integrated Power Electric system includes world’s first multi-charging (400V/800V) and bi-directional power conversion function
  • Platform modularization and standardization enable rapid and flexible development depending on customer needs
  • Hyundai Motor Group plans to introduce 23 BEV models and sell 1 million BEV units worldwide by 2025

Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), a dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. Revealed online today during an ‘E-GMP Digital Discovery’ event, the platform will serve as the core technology for Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation BEV line-up.

Hyundai Motor Group to lead charge into electric era with dedicated EV platform ‘E−GMP’

The event was broadcasted through the Group’s official YouTube channel and Channel Hyundai, an online global content platform.

From 2021, the E-GMP will underpin a range of dedicated new BEVs, including Hyundai Motor Company’s IONIQ 5; Kia Motors Corporation’s first dedicated BEV to be revealed in 2021; and a series of other models.

Designed exclusively for BEVs, E-GMP provides various advantages compared to the Group’s existing platforms, which have each been engineered predominantly to accommodate internal combustion engines. Benefits include increased development flexibility, powerful driving performance, increased driving range, strengthened safety features, and more interior space for occupants and luggage.

“Today our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia BEVs are already among the most efficient ones in their segments,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group.   “With our rear-wheel driven based E-GMP, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.”

“E-GMP is the culmination of years of research and development and brings together our most cutting-edge technologies. Our BEV line-up will evolve and be strengthened by this innovative new platform,” said Fayez Abdul Rahman, Senior Vice President of Vehicle Architecture Development Center for Hyundai Motor Group.

Maximizing development flexibility through modularization and standardization
E-GMP reduces complexity through modularization and standardization, allowing rapid and flexible development of products which can be used across most vehicle segments, such as sedans, SUVs and CUVs. Moreover, flexible development can satisfy various customer needs for vehicle performance. Among these, a high performance model will accelerate from zero to 100kph in less than 3.5 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 260km/h.

E-GMP will be highly effective in expanding the Group’s EV leadership position as it will enable the company to enlarge its EV line-up over a relatively short period through modularization and standardization.

Designed for Driving Performance, Safety and Maximized Space
E-GMP is engineered to offer improved cornering performance and driving stability at high speed. This is due to optimal weight distribution between front and rear, a design which enables a low center of gravity thanks to its low-mounted battery pack, and the adoption of electric motors located in the space previously occupied by an engine.

The high-speed electric motor raises the driving performance of E-GMP vehicles. A five-link rear suspension system, which is typically used for mid and large sized vehicle segments, and the world’s first mass-produced integrated drive axle (IDA), which combines wheel bearings with the drive shaft to transmit power to the wheels, enhance ride comfort and handling stability.

The platform secures battery safety through a battery support structure made of ultra-high strength steel. Hot-stamped steel components surround this structure for additional rigidity. Collision energy can be absorbed efficiently thanks to energy-absorbent sections of the body and chassis, effective energy load paths, and a central section of the battery pack tightly bound to the vehicle body.

Moreover, by strengthening the structure of the load support section, located in front of the dashboard, engineers have been able to minimize collision energy to the power electric system and battery. The A-pillar’s load distribution structure also prevents deformation of the passenger cell.

E-GMP maximizes interior space through its long wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs and slim cockpit module. With the battery pack mounted beneath the floor, the E-GMP creates a flat floor for the cabin. This provides more legroom for passengers, while enabling various arrangements for the front and rear seats.

The battery pack itself – mounted between the front and rear wheel axles – will be the most power-dense system that Hyundai Motor Group has ever created. This is partly thanks to its enhanced cooling performance, a result of a new separate cooling block structure which helps make the battery pack more compact. With energy density enhanced by around 10% compared to existing EV battery technology, the battery packs are lighter, can be mounted lower in the body, and liberate more cabin space.

Efficient and Powerful Electrification System
The E-GMP’s compact new power electric (PE) system consists of a powerful motor, EV transmission and inverter. These three components are integrated into a single compact module. This ensures powerful performance by raising the motor’s maximum speed by up to 70 percent compared to existing motors. The high-speed motor is smaller than other motors while providing comparable performance, and it gives efficiencies in both space and weight.

Additionally, a standardized battery system can be tuned to offer performance appropriate for a specific vehicle segment, to maximize driving range, or to meet various customer needs.

The motor is controlled by the inverter power module, which adopts silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. This motor can enhance system efficiency by around 2~3 percent, which means the vehicle can be driven for approximately 5 percent longer on the same battery energy.

E-GMP relies on the rear wheel for propulsion. Customers will be able to choose between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations; models with the latter can be equipped with an additional motor. The all-wheel drive system includes an EV transmission disconnector, which can control the connection between the additional motor and front wheels, and switch between two-wheel and all-wheel drive modes to enhance efficiency by offering the ideal level of power or performance for current driving conditions.

All vehicles developed with the E-GMP platform use a standardized single type of battery module. This module is composed of pouch-type standard cells and can be packed in different quantities as required for each vehicle.

Multi (800V and 400V) and Bi-Directional Charging System
Most existing EVs and the fast-charging infrastructure provide 50kW~150kW charging for EVs equipped with a 400V system; however, the development of 800V infrastructure, with up to 350kW charging, will gradually enable even more fast-charging.

In line with this trend, Hyundai Motor Group has invested in IONITY, Europe’s leading high-power charging network, as a strategic partner and shareholder. IONITY operates 298 high-power charging (HPC) stations – using a charging capacity of up to 350 kW – along highways in European countries. The company plans to increase this number to 400 HPC stations by 2022, including 53 currently under construction.

E-GMP offers 800V charging capability as standard and enables 400V charging, without the need for additional components or adapters. The multi-charging system is a world’s first patented technology which operates the motor and the inverter to boost 400V to 800V for stable charging compatibility.

A BEV based on E-GMP is capable of a maximum range of over 500km with a fully charged battery, according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light-duty vehicle Procedure (WLTP). Moreover, it can high-speed charge up to 80 percent in just 18 minutes and can add up to 100km of driving range in just five minutes.

Unlike previous BEVs, which only accept one-way charging, the E-GMP’s charging system is more flexible. The E-GMP’s newly developed Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) represents an upgrade from existing On-Board Chargers (OBC), which typically only allow electricity to flow in a single direction from an external power source. The ICCU enables a new vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which can additionally discharge energy from the vehicle battery without additional components. This enables BEV based on the E-GMP to operate other electric machinery (110 / 220V) anywhere. The system can even be used to charge another EV.

The new V2L function can supply up to 3.5kW of power and operate a mid-sized air conditioner unit and a 55-inch television for up to 24 hours.

E-GMP to underpin future EV sales growth worldwide
Hyundai Motor Group has put in considerable effort to prepare for the era of electrification. Kia Motors Corporation launched its first mass-produced BEV in 2011, the Ray EV, in Korea, with the Soul EV sold in global markets from 2014. The Group completed the introduction of a mass production system for all electrified vehicles in 2015, including those with HEV, PHEV, BEV, and FCEV.

The E-GMP will underpin Hyundai Motor Group’s plans to introduce a total of 23 BEV models including 11 dedicated BEV models, and sell more than 1 million BEVs worldwide by 2025. As part of its BEV vision, Hyundai Motor Company launched its dedicated ‘IONIQ’ BEV brand in August 2020, which includes three dedicated BEV models, the IONIQ 5,6 and 7 by 2024. This currently covers various vehicle segments.

Kia is also undergoing a transformation for the era of electrification, based on its ‘Plan S’ mid-to-long term strategy. In September, Kia announced plans to increase the share of BEV sales volumes as a proportion of total sales to 20 percent by 2025. The company also recently published an early image of seven dedicated BEV models to be released sequentially by 2027.

About Hyundai Motor Group 
Hyundai Motor Group is a global corporation that has created a value chain based on automobiles, steel, and construction and includes logistics, finance, IT and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s automobile brands include Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on all challenges, we are working to create a better future for all. 

More information about Hyundai Motor Group, please see: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com 

More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: 
worldwide.hyundai.com or globalpr.hyundai.com 

Visit the Kia Motors Global Media Center for more information: www.kianewscenter.com 

For more information on Genesis and its new definition of luxury, please visit https://www.genesis.com 

Disclaimer: Hyundai Motor Group believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.  

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SOURCE Kia Motors America

2021 Honda Accord Earns IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Rating

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2021 Accord Hybrid

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The refreshed 2021 Honda Accord has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest accolade, the 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) rating. Further, Accord’s standard front crash prevention system earned “SUPERIOR” ratings from IIHS in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian avoidance tests. A combined seven Honda models have earned 2020 TSP ratings or better, with Accord, Insight and Odyssey achieving the pinnacle TSP+ rating.

2021 Accord Hybrid

Based on Honda’s “Safety for Everyone” approach, all Accord models provide the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard equipment on all trim levels, including Collision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM) with Pedestrian Detection; Forward Collision Warning; Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) incorporating Lane Departure Warning (LDW); Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS); and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). Honda Sensing® is now standard or available on all new Honda models, equipped on nearly 4 million Honda vehicles on U.S. roads today.

All Honda vehicles also benefit from Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body structure, designed to help protect occupants in a wide variety of frontal collisions, along with advanced supplemental restraint systems.

To qualify for a 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn “GOOD” ratings in six crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also needs “ADVANCED” or “SUPERIOR” ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, as well as “ACCEPTABLE” or “GOOD” headlight ratings across all trim levels.

Separately, every Honda model that has been fully evaluated in the NHTSA’s 2021 model year NCAP testing, including Accord, has received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score1.

2021 Honda Accord Earns IIHS TSP+ Award

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 2021 Honda models is available at hondanews.com.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of clean, safe, fun and connected vehicles sold through more than 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. Honda has the highest fleet average fuel economy and lowest CO2 emissions of any major full-line automaker in America, according to the latest data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 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’s electrified vehicle lineup includes the Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, Insight hybrid-electric sedan, and the Clarity Fuel Cell and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 38 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2019, more than 90 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Honda Commitment to Safety
Based on its vision for a collision-free society, Honda is working to improve safety for everyone sharing the road. The company operates two of the world’s most sophisticated crash-test facilities, in Ohio and Japan, and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety.

Advanced passive safety features include Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body structure and next-generation passenger front airbag technology, which are designed to provide a high level of collision protection for occupants. Advanced active safety and driver-assistive systems found in Honda Sensing® and AcuraWatchTM technologies, now on nearly 4 million vehicles on U.S. roads, are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions while also serving as a technological and perceptual bridge to the more highly automated vehicles of the future. 

1 Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). Not yet fully evaluated for the 2021 model year are the Clarity series and Civic Type R.

Honda Logo.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

As Scammers Leverage Pandemic Fears, FTC and Law Enforcement Partners Crack Down on Deceptive Income Schemes Nationwide

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Federal Trade Commission

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Federal Trade Commission, along with 19 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners today announced a nationwide crackdown on scams that target consumers with fake promises of income and financial independence that have no basis in reality. The impact of these scams has intensified as scammers take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis.

Federal Trade Commission

Called “Operation Income Illusion,” the crackdown encompasses more than 50 law enforcement actions against the operators of work-from-home and employment scams, pyramid schemes, investment scams, bogus coaching courses, and other schemes that can end up costing consumers thousands of dollars.

Income scams have a massive effect on consumers, according to a new analysis of FTC complaint data. Consumers have reported to the FTC that they lost more than $610 million to these scams since 2016, with reported losses of more than $150 million in the first nine months of 2020. The income scams that the FTC has pursued through its law enforcement actions in this sweep collectively bilked over a billion dollars from consumers.

“Scammers are preying on the unemployment and anxiety arising from the pandemic by making false promises of big income working from home,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “If someone promises you guaranteed income, but then tells you to pay them, tell the FTC right away so we can work to shut them down.”

In addition to ten previously announced cases, the FTC is bringing four new law enforcement cases as part of Operation Income Illusion, as well as announcing a new settlement in a previously filed case. In these cases, the FTC is asking the court to stop the deceptive schemes and to get money back for affected consumers. Other agencies reporting actions as part of the sweep include: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas, state agencies in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s office in Arizona.

Some of the schemes targeted in Operation Income Illusion had a noted impact on one or more specific groups: students, military families, people on a limited fixed income, immigrants, Black Americans, Latinos, the deaf and hearing loss communities, or older adults. A new analysis explores what groups of consumers were most likely to be affected in certain FTC income scam actions.

FTC Announces Four New Cases, One New Settlement Against Income Scammers

Digital Income System: On November 17, 2020, a federal court granted the FTC’s motion for a temporary restraining order against Digital Income System, Inc. and five individual defendants. The FTC’s complaint alleges that the Florida-based scam falsely told consumers that by selling memberships in the defendants’ programs, consumers were likely to earn large sums of money. For example, the website stated, “Consumers will earn between $500 and $12,500 per sale,” and “Every time one of our professionals closes a sale on your behalf, we will send you a huge commission check right to your doorstep.” The defendants allegedly charged consumers a substantial amount of money, ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. The complaint states, however, that the vast majority of consumers who paid the defendants never earned substantial income, and in fact many consumers earned nothing. The complaint alleges the defendants violated both the FTC Act and the Business Opportunity Rule. The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint against Digital Income System, Inc.; Derek Jones Foley, William Foley, Christopher Brandon Frye, Jennifer Hedrick, and Kaitlyn Scott was 5-0. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Moda Latina: The FTC’s complaint alleges that the company specifically targets Latina consumers in Spanish-language ads on TV with false promises of earnings at home. The defendants allegedly lure consumers into buying a work-at-home business with the false promise that consumers will earn “large profits” re-selling luxury products such as brand-name perfumes. Misrepresentations alleged in the complaint include “Want to have your own business and earn up to a thousand dollars per week?” and “Crisis? What crisis? I forgot about that ever since I started selling with Perfume Box. It completely changed my life and my finances.” The complaint also alleges that the defendants’ telemarketers routinely threaten consumers in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule. From March 2017 to August 2020, the FTC alleges, the defendants took more than $7 million from consumers who purchased their work-at-home opportunities but did not make the promised earnings. The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint against Moda Latina BZ Inc., Esther Virginia Fernandez Aguirre, and Marco Cesar Zarate Quíroz was 5-0. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

RagingBull.com: On December 8, 2020, a federal court granted the FTC’s motion for a temporary restraining order against RagingBull.com, LLC and its co-defendants. The FTC’s complaint alleges that the defendants fraudulently marketed investment-related services that they claimed would enable consumers to make consistent profits and beat the market. Instead, the FTC alleges that consumers—many of them retirees, older adults, and immigrants—have lost at least $137 million to the scam in just the last three years. The defendants claimed in their pitches that consumers don’t need a lot of time, money, or experience, and that the global coronavirus pandemic represents a great time to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to learn their secret trading techniques, claiming in one ad that the pandemic “…might be the most exciting opportunity in decades!” The defendants also made claims like “Learn how you could DOUBLE or TRIPLE your account in One Week!” The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the complaint against RagingBull.com, LLC; Jeffrey M. Bishop; Jason Bond (formerly known as Jason P. Kowalik); Kyle W. Dennis; Sherwood Ventures, LLC; Jason Bond, LLC; MFA Holdings Corp.; Winston Research, Inc.; and Winston Corp. was 5-0. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The FTC thanks the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for their assistance in this matter.

Randon Morris: On December 1, 2020, a federal court granted the FTC’s motion for a temporary restraining order against Randon Morris and four companies he controls for perpetrating a telemarketing fraud scheme. The FTC alleges that the defendants initiated millions of robocalls nationwide to promote sham work-from-home business opportunity programs. The defendants lured consumers into purchasing these programs with false promises that consumers could earn hundreds of dollars a day and claimed an affiliation with Amazon.com where none existed. They also invoked the coronavirus pandemic in robocall messages to prey on consumers who are concerned about working outside of their homes during a national public health crisis. The order stops the defendants’ deceptive sales practices, freezes their assets, and appoints a receiver over the companies. The Commission vote to authorize the filing of a complaint against Morris, National Web Design, LLC, B2B Website Design, LLC, Amazon Affiliate Program, LLC, and R&C Consultation, LLC was 5-0. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. The FTC thanks the Utah Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Police Department of Orem, Utah for their assistance in this matter.

8 Figure Dream Lifestyle: The ten defendants in this 2019 case, who the FTC alleged targeted older adults while selling phony money-making opportunities, have settled the FTC’s charges against them. Under the terms of two stipulated final orders, the defendants either are banned from selling money-making methods or business coaching programs, and nine of the defendants are banned from using robocalls for most purposes, including marketing or advertising. In addition, three defendants are prohibited from selling any investment opportunities. The stipulated final orders impose monetary judgements totaling more than $32 million, which are partially suspended based on the defendants’ inability to pay. The defendants have surrendered assets totaling more than $1.25 million to the Commission, and if they are found to have misrepresented their financial status, the judgments will become immediately payable in full. The Commission vote to authorize the settlement with 8 Figure Dream Lifestyle, LLC; JL Net Bargains, Inc.; Kappy Enterprises, LLC; Millionaire Mind Enterprises, LLC; Spirit Consulting Group, Inc.; John A. Bain; Alex Dee; Brian M. Kaplan; and Jerrold S. Maurer was 3-0-2, with Commissioners Christine S. Wilson and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter recorded as not participating. The Commission vote to authorize the settlement with OEA LLC was 5-0. The stipulated final orders were entered by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

New Educational Materials Help Consumers Spot and Avoid Income-Based Scams

In addition to law enforcement actions, the FTC has released updated information for consumers about a variety of income-based scams

All of these educational materials are also available in Spanish at consumidor.ftc.gov. As part of Operation Income Illusion, the CFTC and state authorities in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin, and the Fresno County District Attorney’s office in California have joined the FTC’s outreach efforts by disseminating the consumer education materials in their local communities. 

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Stipulated final injunctions/orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, get consumer alerts, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

PRESS RELEASE REFERENCE: 
FTC, Law Enforcement Partners Announce New Crackdown on Illegal Robocalls

CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT FOR CONSUMERS: 
FTC Consumer Response Center

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SOURCE Federal Trade Commission

New Book – Today’s Annuities by Industry Leader Harry N. Stout Guides Consumers Through the World of Annuities (financialverse.com/annuity)

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Today's Annuity Products - A Tool to Create Protected Lifetime Income

VERO BEACH, Florida, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Consumers are facing an income crisis and are scrambling to generate income from their accumulated assets.  With low interest rates there are few places to look to generate protected lifetime income streams.  The most misunderstood and underutilized available products are annuities.  Research has shown that one of the major reasons consumers overlook annuities is that they don’t understand the products.  They don’t understand how to use these products as a tool to create protected lifetime income.

Today's Annuity Products - A Tool to Create Protected Lifetime Income

In his new book, The FinancialVerse:  Today’s Annuities − A Tool to Create Protected Lifetime Income, Stout takes his over twenty-year experience in the annuity industry and presents an objective text to educate consumers on how to use annuity products in income planning and to address longevity risk.  The book provides a roadmap on the key questions surrounding annuity products including:

  • What Are Annuities and How Do They Work?
  • The Core Benefits of Annuities
  • Annuity Income Tax Benefits and Negatives
  • Annuity Product Types
  • Why Buy An Annuity?
  • The Major Positives and Negatives to Buying Annuities
  • How Much Income Should I Plan For?
  • Financial Strength Behind the Products
  • Where To Buy and The Buying Process

The FinancialVerse: Today’s Annuities can be ordered at financialverse.com/annuity and through Amazon and major national book distributors.

Harry N. Stout is a published author and former senior executive for several of the nation’s largest annuity companies.  He has over thirty years of experience in all aspects of annuity products.  A certified public accountant by training, he has industry experience in the U.S. and abroad.  He is acknowledged as a national annuity thought leader and has written for numerous financial publications and participated in national media of all types. 

He is a past director of the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA), the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA), the Financial Services Council of Australia and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association.

For more information visit www.financialverse.com/annuity or send an email to [email protected].

Contact Information
[email protected]

The FinancialVerse Organization

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SOURCE The FinancialVerse Organization

Culture Is King For SVOD & Social Media

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Culture_Marketing_Council_Logo

FAIRFAX, Va. , Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — According to a study by the Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing (CMC), subscription video on demand (SVOD) users ages 13 to 49 have become more culturally literate, primarily due to Netflix, YouTube creators and social media featuring increasingly diverse and global content. In fact, more than half of Gen Zers and parents have watched a show in a language they do not speak, with Hispanics over indexing on this trend.

“Culture reflects and amplifies what is happening in our society. Post-9/11, we saw the proliferation of police and military dramas, a reflection of the anxiety we felt as a nation. In 2019, Glee reflected the Millennial values of diversity,” said CMC Research Chair Nancy Tellet, founder, brand & consumer navigator at PureClarity LLC. “Today, our study found the majority of teens—and also parents—are watching a diverse cross-section of cultural content, particularly on Netflix and YouTube, often in a foreign language, reflecting a trend of content globalism  acting as a potentially powerful force to build cultural empathy.”

SVOD Becomes The Breeding Ground For Top In-Culture Content

Ninety-six percent of people ages 13 to 49 use paid or unpaid TV streaming services with 91 percent using SVOD (paid services). SVOD yesterday share viewing surpassed live TV viewing with all persons 13-49 in CMC’s study. Even pre-COVID, Netflix was a go-to streaming service for watching TV among 83 percent of 13 to 49-year-olds. Even though Prime, HULU and Disney+ are on the rise, Netflix has adopted an intentional global strategy of great storytelling grounded in local culture, and it is resonating with today’s viewers, with a 49 percent share of yesterday SVOD viewing among Gen Zers surveyed in the study and a 42 percent share among parents ages 25 to 49.

The Rise of Culture Cross-Pollination

People around the world have watched English-language American shows and exported American culture for decades; however, few have embraced foreign language programming in the U.S., until now. Today, driven by Netflix’s programming strategy and YouTube’s global organic content, 58 percent of non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), 53 percent of non-Hispanic whites (NHW) and 68 percent of Hispanics watch TV in a language they do not speak. For example, Money Heist, a Hispanic heist telenovela on Netflix, was #1 globally in ANY language with season 3 viewed by 34 million households in its first week. Also popular with CMC study participants were Bollywood, Nollywood and Turkish soap operas—in fact, Univision has capitalized on this trend with “Imperio de Mentiras,” its adaptation of the Turkish soap opera “Kara Para, Ask.”

Culture cross-pollination also extends to YouTube, where the #1 creator is from India and #2 is from Sweden, and social media where, surprisingly, 26 percent of all people regardless of ethnicity have global social media networks. Where their friends reside, however, does fall along cultural lines with NHW having contacts in Europe, Canada and Australia, NHB with contacts in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, and Hispanics with contacts in Mexico and Central/South America.

In-Culture Content Remains Strong, Including Spanish-Language Programming

Many marketers mistake Hispanic marketing for Spanish-language marketing, despite the vast majority of Hispanics not being Spanish-reliant. Today, Spanish is a powerful connector to culture, particularly among Hispanic teens, 94 percent of whom were born in the U.S.—and that is reflected in language viewing habits:

  • Three quarters of Hispanic teens ages 13 to 17 and 83 percent of Hispanic parents ages 25 to 49 watch SVOD content originally in Spanish—71 percent prefer the original Spanish while 29 percent opt for English dubbing/sub-titles.
  • Eight in 10 Hispanics ages 13 to 49 watch TV in Spanish on traditional channels like Univision and Telemundo.
  • More than three quarters of Hispanic Gen Zers and adults under 50 watch English SVOD using Spanish dubbing or subtitles. For 76 percent of them, they do this for practical reasons such as co-viewing in a language everyone in the family can speak. For the other 24 percent, they enjoy having new Spanish content to watch, beyond traditional Spanish-language TV.

But this is not just a Hispanic story. STARZ began specifically targeting Black viewers in 2017 with relevant, in-culture and overall content—in fact, two-and-a-half times as many NHB Gen Zers and parents surveyed by the CMC watch STARZ compared to non-Blacks. In addition, 67 percent of NHB and 73 percent of Hispanics ages 13 to 49 spend time on in-culture web sites.

Methodology  & Funders:

  • This study builds on more than 20,500 consumer touchpoints to date, the CMC released the third part of a comprehensive study on Gen Z (ages 13 to 17), IT’S TIME: Ready (or Not) for the Multicultural Majority, analyzing social media consumption, streaming video habits and the escalating power of culture in content.
  • The study received financial or operational support from Kantar, ThinkNow, ViacomCBS and Univision.
  • Quantitative research came from 2,418 13-17s (Gen Z) and 25-49 parents of kids 8-12 (65% Millennials/ 35% Xers)  with equal sample representation of Hispanics (HISP), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) & non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) from January 2020 to February 2020.
  • Qualitative interviews with 54 respondents (36T/18P), in-home pairs (HISP/NHB/NHW) and two Gen Z multicultural workshops (HISP/NHB/NHW/Asian-American/Other)

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

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

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SOURCE Culture Marketing Council: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing

DJ Khaled Announces “Another One” with his Entrance into The CBD Lifestyle & Wellness Sector

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Music magnate, mega producer and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist DJ Khaled announces his entrance into the CBD industry. Inspired by his personal wellness journey, Khaled, in partnership with Endexx Corporation (OTC: EDXC), a leading producer and manufacturer of hemp-derived CBD wellness products, will introduce his new company and debut the first collection in 2021.

Although most well-known for his contributions to the music world, the self-made businessman turned international music icon is also a dedicated family man- committed to instilling the importance of health and wellness into everyday life. Grateful to be a father, he released two albums in honor of his children, Father of Asahd in 2019 and Grateful in 2017.  With all these blessings, Khaled continues building his legacy and success by focusing his energies on the health and wellness sector.

“As a father, an entrepreneur, a music exec and visionary I am blessed with daily inspiration, a drive to work hard and a passion for success. CBD has become a part of my daily routine and allows me to focus myself and my energies, while striving to better myself every day,” says DJ Khaled. “I was drawn to Endexx Corporation because they’re an innovative company that has proven they have the keys to deliver consistent, top of the line, high-quality products.” 

“We are excited to announce our partnership with DJ Khaled,” stated Todd Davis, CEO of Endexx Corporation. “Khaled’s knowledge and passion for CBD is bountiful and we realized we are aligned in our approach towards product quality and business acumen. We understand and share the values that a brand goes beyond physical products; its needs to help people feel good about themselves and be part of a day-to-day lifestyle.” 

Miami based IMPACT Brokers, the third party in the joint venture, will be spearheading sales and integrated marketing efforts on behalf of the brand. “We are committed to accelerating innovation and diversity throughout this developing industry while offering strategic guidance to best-in-class CBD suppliers. IMPACT Brokers sits at the forefront of culture and has the ability to predict industry trends. We look forward to taking this newest business nationwide,” says Ryan Stender, CEO of IMPACT Brokers. 

The hemp-derived, cannabidiol-rich collection is anticipated to launch in early 2021.

About DJ Khaled 

For over two decades, the very mention of DJ Khaled has implied an elevated level of musical greatness, entrepreneurial excellence, and cultural impact. You’ve heard him across a GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum catalog, seen him in blockbusters such as Bad Boys For Life, caught him on the cover of Rolling Stone, watched him on numerous television programs, and felt his presence from the streets all the way up to the Barack Obama White House. He has achieved dozens of multiplatinum and gold certifications, including the sextuple-platinum Billboard Hot 100 #1 “I’m The One” [feat.  Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, & Lil Wayne], quadruple-platinum “Wild Thoughts” [feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller], and double-platinum “No Brainer” [feat. Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, & Quavo]. The latter propelled his 2019 album, Father of Asahd [We The Best Music Group/Epic Records], to the top of the charts. Not only did it garner a platinum certification, but it also became his third consecutive Top 2 debut on the Billboard Top 200 and emerged as the “#1 Most-Streamed Record” upon release. To date, he has moved 20 million singles and 6 million albums in addition to gathering 4 billion-plus streams. Not to mention, he launched We The Best Music Group—a record label, management, publishing, and production company and in-demand studio. As a committed philanthropist, he founded his 501(c)3 organization The We The Best Foundation. It uplifts individuals throughout underserved communities across the United States and supports various non-profits. He has supported the fight against COVID-19. U2 frontman Bono recruited him as the first social media ambassador for Project Red, and he serves as the national spokesperson for Get Schooled. Now, the power of this legacy defines his thirteenth full-length album—which bears his birth name—Khaled Khaled [We The Best Music Group/Epic Records], preceded by two chart-busting bangers alongside frequent collaborator Drake, namely “POPSTAR” and “GREECE.”

About Endexx Corporation  

Endexx Corporation, through its operating division CBD Unlimited, develops and distributes all-natural CBD products derived from cannabis sativa plant (Hemp), containing less than 0.01% THC. Its products range from oils, capsules, topicals, and pet products, all with the shared purpose of therapeutic and pain relief for humans and pets. Phyto-Bites are CBD soft chews for animal use that are formulated to promote health and support the reduction of separation anxiety, pain, and inflammation. The science behind these products involves over half a decade of clinical research in the field and lab work to provide accuracy in dosage and delivery of optimal absorption per serving.

About IMPACT Brokers

Founded in 2020, IMPACT Brokers provides total brand management services that deliver authentic connections between clients and the consumer. Through innovative strategies IMPACT provides unmatched access to an expansive network of over 300,000 unique retailers across North America. With over 75 years of collective experience in consumer-packaged goods, beverages, wine and spirits, hospitality, and entertainment, the company turns products into legacy high value brands. The long-standing relationships ensure best in class CBD suppliers get their products on and off the ever-evolving retail shelf.

Media Contacts: 

IMPACT Brokers
Jessica Meisels 
Email: j[email protected]

Endexx Corporation: 
Todd Davis 
[email protected]
480-595-6900

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1386735/DJ_Khaled.jpg

SOURCE Endexx Corporation

Berta Paredes’s new book ¿Habla Dios en Poesía? is an inspiring collection of poems that share God’s comforting love that touches the soul

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N. MIAMI, FL, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ –The book ¿Habla Dios en Poesía? was created by Berta Paredes. Berta Paredes is an author, a passionate poet, and a devoted follower of God.

Paredes said this about his book: “This book is divine inspiration. One afternoon I was alone in my house, waiting for my husband and children to have dinner, while they arrived I lay down on the bed for a moment and closed my eyes, after a while I began to read words that passed through my mind, all I saw was so beautiful, that it inspired me to write poems, that’s how this stage of life began. These poems will take you as in a journey of daily life, but at the same time, it will confront you with the truths that God teaches us in his Word.”

Published by Page Publishing, Berta Paredes’s new book ¿Habla Dios en Poesía? will fill the readers with divine wisdom and thanksgiving for the Lord’s graciousness and mercy.

Consumers who wish to be uplifted with spiritual poems inspired by the Word of God can purchase ¿Habla Dios en Poesía? in any bookstore or online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1386590/Berta_Paredes.jpg

SOURCE Page Publishing

Clarisa Casals-Castillo’s new book Memorias de un Secuestro, a gripping recounting of the author’s harrowing experience of being kidnapped

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MEDLEY, FL, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The book Memorias de un Secuestro was created by Clarisa Casals-Castillo. Clarisa is an author who hails from Acarigua, Venezuela. She is a lawyer from the University of Zulia, with specialties and master’s degrees at the Rafael Urdaneta and Rafael Belloso Chacín Universities respectively. She is also an aviation pilot, broadcaster, and host of radio and television programs

Clarisa said this about her book: “The narrative contained in this book largely constitutes the author’s memories stitched together after her rescue from the place where she remained for two months, twenty-two days, eighteen hours, and forty minutes. In it, the author weaves her routine of life after leaving and returning to normality with the events that occurred since she left her home on the day of the kidnapping with those raised in the place of confinement until the day of her rescue. There is no talk of that day because from there, it is only possible to speak of apprehension, confinement, or retention and rescue, understanding the latter as the product of a commando operation made up of officials belonging to various police forces of the Venezuelan state at the national and regional levels, causing fatal consequences for The Guardian.

In a very simple and moderate way, it refers to the mistreatment and threats suffered and the videos made by the kidnappers to present them as proof of life to the family members. Her nightmares, some more excruciating than others, given the emotional impact caused when waking up from them. In the same vein, it refers to the decision of the courts of justice before some of the participants in this event and their return to normal life, their work as a television presenter, and their passion for studying and traveling, all without leaving to play according to her customary style. Other events of greater or lesser relevance, she has had to witness or simply observe through the written press or radio, television, or what she already considers her long life.”

Published by Page Publishing, Clarisa Casals-Castillo’s new book Memorias de un Secuestro conveys the author’s grueling and unnerving circumstances while being kidnapped that affected her emotional and mental state, leaving scars and wisdom about life and freedom.

Consumers who wish to learn about a woman’s real-life troubles while being kidnapped can purchase Memorias de un Secuestro online at Apple iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries, you can contact Page Publishing, through the following number: 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1386408/Clarisa_Casals_Castillo.jpg

SOURCE Page Publishing

Every Step Counts – Toyota Releases its 2020 North American Environmental Report

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Toyota is helping monarch butterflies by offering these colorful commuters several pollinator “pit stops” on their trip south in the Fall and north in the Spring.

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota endeavors to help address major environmental issues facing the global community, such as climate change, water scarcity, resource depletion and habitat loss. To minimize environmental impact across its business and maximize positive outcomes, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has focused its 2020 environmental sustainability efforts on five key areas – carbon, water, materials, biodiversity and outreach.

Toyota is helping monarch butterflies by offering these colorful commuters several pollinator “pit stops” on their trip south in the Fall and north in the Spring.

North America highlights include:

  • Reduced absolute greenhouse gas emissions by nine percent in Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019. This improvement is attributed to energy efficiency improvements, investments in renewable energy and changes in production volumes and model mix.
  • New electrified product launches including the 2021 Toyota Mirai, RAV4 Prime Plug-In Hybrid, and Sienna Hybrid and Venza Hybrids. In keeping with our aim to offer an electrified version of our entire lineup by around 2025.
  • Water stewardship efforts at two prioritized locations – Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California, Inc. in Tijuana, Mexico and a west coast regional sales office. Over the next year, Toyota will address water conservation, water quality, local water conditions, and outreach activities with suppliers and local communities.

“We have a responsibility to help achieve a net positive impact on the environment and to promote a culture of improvement inside and outside our organization,” said Kevin Butt, director of environmental sustainability at Toyota Motor North America.  “These activities help scale up conservation efforts and drive educational awareness across our operations, partners and our communities.”

Toyota’s North American environmental efforts are anchored to Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050* and demonstrate respect for the planet by managing priority issues specific to the United States, Canada and Mexico and engaging in outreach by promoting awareness, developing strategic partnerships and sharing know-how with business partners and other stakeholders to create positive change.

*Unveiled in September 2015, Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050 consists of six goals that seek to make a game-changing contribution to some of the critical environmental issues facing the world today, including climate change, water scarcity, resource depletion, and species and habitat loss. Challenge 2050 was developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and applies to all Toyota affiliates globally.

To view the full report, visit Toyota.com/USA/Environment

Media Contact:
Tania Saldana
[email protected] 
859-815-9968

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1385537/Toyota_Motor_North_America_Butterfly_Biodiversity.jpg 
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Brentwood School Leads Independent K-12 Schools with Racial Equity and Inclusion Initiative

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Monday, December 14, Brentwood School (BWS), a private K-12, kicked off a year-long diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiative with an online keynote event. The project includes multiple segments: community forums; surveys of students, staff, parents/guardians and alumni experiences; dialogue sessions; a curriculum review; and DEI consulting. It will culminate in a multiyear strategic plan that includes new staff training, accountability systems, and further initiatives at the Southern California independent school.

“We want Brentwood to be a place of safety, equity, and respect for every single student,” Brentwood Head of School Dr. Michael Riera said, “Where our differences can make us better and where all feel welcome.”

This summer, with a national backdrop of racial justice activism, momentum for change at Brentwood School accelerated. Social media postings from alumni and families via #NoBlackoutBrentwood, active engagement from the school’s Black Family Association, and an open letter to the school evolved into on-campus dialogue and action. In the last five years especially, private U.S. schools like Brentwood have experienced DEI flashpoints where a bias event spilled into social media, often going viral and creating demand for change.

The Brentwood School initiative’s first phase will gather the perspectives and experiences of students, parents and guardians, faculty, staff, and alumni. It will also assess Brentwood’s social environment, curricula, communication practices, and disciplinary policies. Based on analysis of this data, the second phase will create a multi-year strategic plan to improve the experiences of all students, faculty and staff in a manner that is informed by data, evidence, and social science in this area. That plan will begin implementation in fall of 2021.

Brentwood’s initiative represents another major step to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the highly regarded independent school. “This project is a direct response to DEI-related concerns and calls to action that have been raised by members of the Brentwood School community,” Riera said.

Previously launched DEI initiatives include creating a full-time Director of Equity and Inclusion position in 2016, adding a full-time Assistant Director of DEI in 2019, DEI-focused professional development, increased financial support for families with demonstrated need, successful hires of diverse staff and faculty, and DEI specialists embedded in each school division.

Said Brian Lee, Chair of the Brentwood School Board, “From a board perspective, we want Brentwood School to be a strategic leader in this work. This initiative is an important next step for our entire community, and we are excited for the journey that will follow.”

This summer, Brentwood’s board commissioned a new DEI committee to help advance their work and to ensure successful integration of this new initiative with existing DEI efforts taking place at the school. Co-chaired by Erica Lockhart, a Brentwood School alumna and parent of past Brentwood School students, and Walter Delph, a current parent to Brentwood School students, this committee considered 19 diversity consultant proposals, eventually choosing The Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership and Social Innovation (CSDLSI), of Atlanta, Georgia to spearhead the initiative. Founded in 2009 by award-winning diversity pioneer and author of the best-selling books Strategic Diversity Leadership and The Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Damon A. Williams, the Center brings a diverse team of seasoned educational and DEI professionals to the project.

Dr. Williams previously served as Senior Vice President for Youth Development and Educational Achievement for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Associate Vice Chancellor for DEI at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He noted, “We look forward to partnering with Dr. Riera, with Director of Equity and Inclusion Dr. Trina Moore-Southall, and with the entire Brentwood community of students, families, faculty, staff, board, and administrators to create an environment that is inclusive and excellent for all.”

Updates on the initiative’s progress will be publicly accessible on the Brentwood School website, at www.bwscampus.com. For more information about CSDLSI, please visit https://DrDamonAWilliams.com.

Contact Information:

   

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SOURCE Brentwood School

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