Annual Economic Outlook: Thriving and likely to flourish into 2020

May 10, 2019

TEMPE, Ariz., May 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A crowd of engaged leaders throughout the Phoenix business community came together Thursday, May 2, 2019, to hear top experts from the W. P. Carey School of Business answer questions about the state and nation.

The event featured three speakers, including Dennis Hoffman, professor of economics and director of the Seidman Research Institute, who examined recent national trends and discussed the factors that will influence those trends going forward.

“People worry about global warming, but I worry about global graying,” Hoffman said. “For the first time ever, we have more people 65 and older than 5 and younger. That will change the way people consume, what they’ll buy, and how much they spend.”

Lee McPheters, research professor of economics and director of the JPMorgan Chase Economic Outlook Center, offered a first look at the year ahead for Arizona and the Phoenix metro area, along with an update on year-to-date performance in 2019.

“Are we on the verge of a bubble? Well, as a percent of all jobs, construction is about 5.7%, not the 9 or 10% it was in 2006,” Hoffman said, noting that the additional construction jobs are supporting job growth. “It’s construction of office space, distribution space, and public-sector investment.”

Mark Stapp, Fred E. Taylor Professor in Real Estate and executive director of the Master of Real Estate Development program, explained the concerns over affordable housing amid the rapid growth in home prices.

“We are building what we need to house the population that is moving here and not building in excess, and that continues to push prices up,” Stapp said. “There’s no slack in the inventory.”

The bottom line: The economy should remain strong this year
The U.S. and local economy are still growing, businesses continue to hire, and employees are reaping the rewards of a tight labor market. The W. P. Carey economists expect the booming economy to continue through 2019 but say they’re uncertain about 2020. While they agree with other economists that no recession is expected next year, growth compared to the past six quarters will feel slow.

The event was hosted by the Economic Club of Phoenix and included the 13^th Annual Economic Confidence Quiz in which Research Professor McPheters challenged guests to answer a set of questions about what’s driving the Arizona economy.

To schedule an interview with Hoffman, McPheters, and Stapp, email [email protected], managing editor for ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business.

About the W. P. Carey School of Business
The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is one of the top-ranked business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its research productivity and its distinguished faculty members, including a Nobel Prize winner. Students come from more than 100 countries and W. P. Carey is represented by alumni in more than 160 countries. Visit wpcarey.asu.edu.

SOURCE W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University

More Than 45 Members Of Congress Support Annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala

May 9, 2019

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — More than 45 Members of Congress came together for an evening of friendly competition and good food to support the health of all moms and babies at the 37^th Annual March of Dimes Gourmet Gala at the National Building Museum last night. The Gala, a nonpartisan event featuring lawmakers as celebrity chefs, raised more than $1.3 million to support the organization’s advocacy, research, education and programs across the country.

“The Gourmet Gala is among the longest running and most successful fundraisers of its kind to support maternal and child health, and it’s all thanks to the tremendous support we receive from Members of Congress, our event co-chairs and generous corporate sponsors,” said March of Dimes President and CEO Stacey D. Stewart. “We’re so grateful to all of them for giving their time, energy and financial support to improve health outcomes for all moms and babies.”

More than 800 guests attended the event including Senator David Perdue (R-GA) and Mrs. Bonnie Perdue, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Mrs. Julie Heinrich, Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Mrs. Suzanne Conaway, Representative Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and Mrs. Lauren Kennedy, as well as Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). Legacy Chefs, who have participated in the Gala for 10 or more years, included Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Mrs. Caroline Aderholt, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Mrs. Bobbi Barrasso, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Mrs. Abigail Blunt , Representative Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Mrs. Teresa Loebsack, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Dr. Susan Blumenthal Markey, Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Mrs. Lisa McGovern, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Mrs. Franki Roberts, Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mrs. Jill Cooper Udall.

The lawmakers took part in a friendly cook-off competition, serving their favorite hors d’oeuvres, desserts and drinks. Their creations were judged by acclaimed Washington-DC area chefs and awards were presented in six categories:

Judge’s Choice – Sen. Angus King (Lobster Stew)
People’s Choice – Rep. Dean Philips (Miriam’s Potato Latkes)
Healthiest Recipe – Rep. Salud Carbajal (Central Coast Ceviche)
Hometown Hero – Rep. Bob Latta (Johnny Appleseed Crisp)
Best Presentation – Sen. Gary Peters (Michigan Cherry, Goat Cheese and Sage Crostini)
Easiest Preparation – Sen. Jim Risch (Idaho Baked Potato Sunday)

Gourmet Gala Co-Chairs were Mrs. Bonnie Perdue (GA), Mrs. Julie Heinrich (NM), Mrs. Suzanne Conaway (TX) and Mrs. Lauren Kennedy (MA). The Finance Co-Chairs were Gina Rigby of Aflac, Amy Hawkins of BNSF Railway and Terri Fariello of United Airlines.

Serving as judges for this year’s competition were: Mike Friedman, All Purpose/The Red Hen; Johanna Hellrigi, Dio Moi; Chef Ris Lacoste of RIS, Bryan Moscatello, 701 Restaurant; Riccardo Rinaldi, Tosca and John Rorapaugh, Ivy City Smokehouse.

More than 100 sponsors supported this year’s event, including: Samsung, Presenting Sponsor; Chevron, Comcast NBCUniversal, National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation and P&G Pampers Platinum Sponsors; Aflac, BNSF Railway, Delta, S&P Global and United Airlines, Signature Sponsors; BlueCross BlueShield Association, CVS Health, United Technologies and Volkswagen Group of America, Regional Sponsors; and The Hill, National Journal, Washington Diplomat and Washington Life, Media Sponsors.

To learn more about March of Dimes Gourmet Gala, including a list of Congressional chefs and event photos, please visit marchofdimes.org/gourmetgala.

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/513643/March_of_Dimes_Foundation_Logo.jpg

SOURCE March of Dimes

Texas home sales continue to grow while housing inventory increases in the first quarter of 2019

May 9, 2019

Texas Realtors releases 2019-Q1 edition of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report

AUSTIN, Texas, May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The number of homes sold across Texas continued to rise and median price moderately increased during the first quarter of 2019, according to the 2019-Q1 Texas Quarterly Housing Report released today by Texas Realtors.

“Housing market activity in Texas continues to break records,” said Tray Bates, chairman of Texas Realtors. “The number of sales and median price aren’t going up as steeply as in recent years, but Texas real estate remains in high demand as the Lone Star State continues to be a popular place to live and do business.”

During the first quarter of this year, 70,827 homes were sold in Texas, an increase of 0.7% compared to the first quarter of 2018. Statewide, the median price increased 2.7% to $230,000. Of all the homes sold in the first quarter in 2019, 32% were priced from $200,000 to $299,999, the highest share of sales among all price-class distributions. Homes priced from $100,000 to $199,999 represented the second-highest share of sales with 30.5%.

Jim Gaines, Ph.D., chief economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, commented, “Sales activity rebounded in March from negative showings in January and February as lower interest rates and winter’s colder weather diminished to increase buyer spirits. During the first quarter, sales increased by around 1% across the state with notable gains in sales volume in March in the major markets. The median price also continued to rise, but at a substantially slower rate. Furthermore, listings finally showed signs of growth with a corresponding rise in months inventory, but it’s still a tight market overall.”

Active listings jumped 14% from a year ago to 104,620 listings in the first quarter of 2019. Texas homes spent an average of 68 days on the market during the same time frame, one day more than the first quarter of 2018.

Housing inventory in Texas also increased 0.4 months from 2018-Q1 to 3.6 months of inventory. According to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, a market balanced between supply and demand has between 6.0 and 6.5 months of inventory.

Chairman Bates concluded, “We’re encouraged by the increase of housing inventory statewide. The Texas economy has primed itself for continued increases in home sales activity throughout the year, setting the state up for another strong summer selling season ahead.”

About the Texas Quarterly Housing Report
Data for the Texas Quarterly Housing Report is provided by the Data Relevance Project, a partnership among local REALTOR® associations and their MLSs, and Texas REALTORS®, with analysis by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M. The report provides quarterly real estate sales data for Texas and 25 metropolitan statistical areas in Texas. The Texas Real Estate Year-in-Review Report in February and the Texas Real Estate Mid-Year Report in August are released in lieu of the Q2 and Q4 reports each year.

About Texas REALTORS®
With more than 125,000 members, Texas REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We are the advocate for REALTORS® and private property rights in Texas. Visit texasrealestate.com to learn more.

CONTACT:
Hunter Dodson
Pierpont Communications
512-914-6745
[email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/175272/texas_association_of_realtors_logo.jpg

SOURCE Texas REALTORS

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises Leads Hispanic Media Upfront With Over 900 Hours Of Groundbreaking Contemporary Content For Today’s Latinos

May 9, 2019

MIAMI, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, the leading media company serving Hispanics, announced a robust lineup of multiplatform programming for the 2019-2020 season featuring more than 900 hours of original content. Telemundo continues to push the boundaries of traditional Hispanic media with contemporary original productions featuring four Super Series™, including the seventh season of the most successful franchise in Hispanic media’s history “El Señor de los Cielos;” a new Limited Series named “No Te Puedes Esconder;” and the return of Telemundo’s most popular Series including “El Final del Paraíso,” “La Doña,” “Enemigo Intimo” and “Falsa Identidad.” The upcoming line-up will feature recharged seasons of the network’s successful reality shows such as “La Voz,” (The Voice) and “Exatlon” and will debut the Spanish-language version of NBC’s gameshow hit, “The Wall.”

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8540751-telemundo-hispanic-media-groundbreaking-contemporary-content/

Telemundo made history last season by ending as the number one Spanish-language network in weekday primetime for two consecutive years. This season the network continues its momentum as it has seen its investments and strategy pay off across other day parts allowing it to close the gap with its competitors in total day by nearly 60% among adults 18-49. Most recently, the network had the successful premiere of La Reina del Sur which ranked as the number one show in America regardless of language at 10pm among adults 18-49. This Summer, Telemundo will be the first Spanish-language network to bring the first Democratic presidential primary debate to U.S. Hispanic audiences, as well as launch its first ever English-language newscast on YouTube. The network will also roll out “Summer of Soccer,” the biggest-ever coverage plan for FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ and Copa America from Brazil.

“Hispanics are no longer just a demographic story. They are trendsetters driving social, cultural, digital and, most importantly, economic impact. Almost 60 million strong, Latinos are without question a business imperative for growth regardless of industry or category,” said Cesar Conde, Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and NBCUniversal International Group. “Our audience asked us for more and Telemundo listened by redefining Hispanic media and leading the way, setting a new standard of excellence with the biggest and best scripted, reality, sports and news content in the industry. Only NBCUniversal and Telemundo can connect with this growing influential audience, across genres, across platforms, and across languages.”

Combined with the power of the NBCUniversal portfolio, Telemundo is ahead of the digital curve as the media company reaching the largest number of Hispanics and millennials online in the U.S. every year. For the 2019 – 2020 season, the network is focused on giving its fans more content touchpoints across the digital landscape. The network will create more multiplatform experiences around news, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, and expand the digital distribution of its productions.

Leaning into the network’s award-winning news offering, Telemundo is ramping up to fulfill its mission to be the choice and voice for Latinos during the 2020 Census and upcoming presidential election. With the launch of Hazte Contar (Be Counted), the network’s robust civic engagement campaign, Telemundo will utilize its multiplatform portfolio and community partnerships to drive engagement among U.S. Hispanics and raise awareness about the importance of the 2020 Census, the voting process and civic involvement.

Yielding $1.7 trillion of buying power, Hispanics are young, bilingual, ambicultural and digitally fluent. As a top five network regardless of language, Telemundo affords marketers a critical platform for speaking directly to a key audience of young bilinguals. NBCUniversal’s expansive portfolio reaches 99% of US Hispanics, a feat which no other premium content media company can do.

“Marketers cannot underestimate the power of the Hispanic audience, and no other media company can offer the expertise, authenticity, and capabilities that Telemundo and NBCUniversal provide,” said Laura Molen, President, Advertising Sales and Partnerships, NBCUniversal. “Alongside our unparalleled content, we are committed to setting new standards for delivering engagement, scale, and impact for our partners by providing the best content, data and distribution all under one roof. As advertisers look ahead this upfront season, Telemundo is a critical part of any media plan.”

In conjunction with NBCUniversal’s Upfront presentation, being held on Monday, May 13, and to underlie the value of the U.S. Hispanic consumer and Telemundo’s unique ability to tap into this segment’s growing influence, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises will hold an exclusive evening event for advertising clients and business partners at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City featuring a private concert with global superstar Armando Christian Pérez (Pitbull).

TELEMUNDO PROGRAMMING

SUPER SERIES™

Operación Pacífico is a new Super Series™ starring Majida Issa and Mark Tacher inspired by real-life events that tells the story of Amalia Ortega, a prominent and brilliant federal agent who leads an investigative unit for the national police. Amalia has the mission and personal goal of capturing “El Guapo,” one of the last drug lords in the northern border of Mexico. To achieve this, she will have to infiltrate not only drug trafficking networks, but corruption networks at the highest levels of power in her country, putting her own life, and her family’s life, at risk.

Telemundo’s record-breaking El Señor de los Cielos franchise returns for its seventh season. In this new season, Amado Casillas has turned himself in to the authorities to avoid falling into the hands of Mexican law. As he is about to be transferred to court to hear his charges, his family has prepared a surprise no one is expecting. The new season of the series will feature retuning talent including Rafael Amaya, Matías Novoa, Robinson Díaz, Carmen Aub and Isabella Castillo.

The second season of Enemigo Intimo picks up two years later. After re-establishing the cartel Mil Cumbres, Roxana turns herself in and is serving a five-year sentence at Las Dunas jail. Roxana understands that everything is in jeopardy including her empire and realizes that the only person who can help her is her brother, Alejandro.

SERIES

The second season of La Doña makes a comeback to Telemundo this season featuring super star Aracely Arámbula as the lead actress. The electrifying series will continue to be a story of revenge, seduction and betrayal. Altagracia Sandoval returns determined to recover her power, but her enemies try to stop her from hurting loved ones. Motivated by her desire for justice, La Doña faces old and new enemies in a war of power and vengeance.

The second season of Falsa Identidad will bring Diego and Isabel back to Mexico, forcing them to see each other, and their enemies, again. The sophomore season will continue to tell the story of two strangers fleeing their past who must assume new identities and pass themselves off as a happily married couple to escape their enemies and survive.

From the producers of Telemundo’s hit series ‘Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso,’ a franchise that has had four successful seasons and the highest social engagement rate, comes the spinoff, El Final del Paraíso. In this new series, Catalina Santana’s new mission will force her to face demons that threaten to destroy her and her family.

LIMITED SERIES

Shot in Mexico and Spain, and with an internationally renowned cast including Blanca Soto, Kuno Becker, Eduardo Noriega Maribel Verdú and Ivan Sanchez, the 10-part TV event, No Te Puedes Esconder, is a thriller exploring the life of a nurse who is trying to rebuild her life, a former policeman turned into a hitman, a photographer obsessed with death, a politician with forbidden relationships and a group of idealistic friends. All of them, unknowingly, are united by half-truths which, when crossed, will expose their darker side, compromising their lives.

ALTERNATIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The Spanish-language version of the successful NBC hit, The Wall, comes to Telemundo hosted by popular television personality Marco Antonio Regil. The family-friendly show is a new and exhilarating game show that will offer ordinary people the opportunity to win extraordinary money. Part knowledge and part luck, fortunes can be lost, or gained, at the drop of a ball.

After the successful first season of La Voz, the first-ever Spanish-language version of the Emmy-Award winning hit NBC series The Voice in the U.S., the family-friendly show returns to Telemundo in hopes of finding the next U.S. Hispanic superstar. With the final episode of the first season, Telemundo ranked as the number one Spanish-language network on all of Sunday primetime with adults 18-49. Following the same format as the English language edition, La Voz will bring back first-class entertainment to Telemundo’s Sunday nights. La Voz is a production of Telemundo, Talpa Media USA, Inc. and Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television. The series is created by John de Mol, who serves as an executive producer.

Exatlon Estados Unidos, the exciting family-friendly sports and reality survival competition, returns to Telemundo for its third season presenting Hispanics from all over the United States. The number one show Monday through Friday and Sunday among adults 18-34 at 8pm features two teams and 20 contestants including professional athletes and ordinary people in extraordinary physical condition, competing in different challenges that will test their physical, mental and competitive skills.

MULTIPLATFORM CONTENT

In 2018, Telemundo partnered with E! to create LatinX Now! the first of its kind entertainment news show for the YouTube generation. Originally launched as a weekly show, in the upcoming television season, the show will be expanded to daily to tap into the growing demand for LatinX music and entertainment programming.

For Hispanics, food is more than physical nourishments — it provides them with a connection to their culture and sense of community. To super serve the growing and thriving demographic of foodies, Telemundo is launching Secret Salsa, a unique omnimedia brand that will reach consumers across all platforms with added-value content. The weekly 20-minute show will have linear and social extensions and will become the food master brand for all of Telemundo.

LIVE SPECIALS

Billboard Latin Music Awards is Latin music’s most prestigious award show. The annual award show honors the most popular albums, songs and performers in Latin music, as determined by actual sales, radio airplay, streaming and social data. Finalists, and the eventual winners, reflect performance of new recordings on Billboard’s albums and songs charts, including Top Latin Albums, Hot Latin Songs, Latin Airplay, Latin Streaming Songs and Latin Digital Songs, among others.

The Latin American Music Awards honors artists in the genres of Pop/Rock, Regional Mexican, Urban, and Tropical, as well as categories for Favorite Crossover Artist, Favorite Collaboration, New Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, among others. The “Latin American Music Awards” nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including (but not limited to) sales, airplay, streaming and social activity tracked by Billboard through its data partners Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound.

NOTICIAS TELEMUNDO

Telemundo will be doubling down on its news content with robust and comprehensive coverage of the 2020 elections. For the first time in the history of Spanish-language, and in partnership with NBC News and MSNBC, Telemundo will co-host the first Democratic presidential primary debates on back-to-back night June 26 and 27 from Miami. Season-to-date, Noticias Telemundo has seen double-digit growth for all its properties, positioning itself to be the undisputed Hispanic leader in the coverage of the 2020 election. Noticias Telemundo’s growth has been fueled by the investment and unveiling of an innovative 360° studio at Telemundo Center, the announcement of an English-language newscast for YouTube, an alliance with the fact-checking organization PolitiFact, and the launch of the Emmy Award winner “Noticias Telemundo Investiga” — its first-ever investigative unit – as well as the launch of “Noticias Telemundo Planeta Tierra,” a second investigative unit devoted to environmental journalism.

UNIVERSO PROGRAMMING

Hit Celeb-Realities:

The Hernandez family is back for the eighth season of Larrymania. This new season will be filled with new adventures, tough decisions and family drama. After a long hiatus, Larry is ready to reconquer the stage. In this new season, we see Larry like never before, vulnerable and doubting himself, struggling, but pushing through. Kenia continues to juggle family life and her bustling career as CEO of Kenia Beauty and just when she thought things were going smoothly, her trusted right-hand leaves the company.

The Riveras return with a powerful fourth season fueled with love, drama, madness and many life changes. Season four will show how the Riveras have grown up, but prove they can never grow apart. Chiquis will be putting it all on the line for love, but will choosing Lorenzo mean stepping away from her siblings? No matter what, she’s ready to face the rumors and the gossip, even within her own inner circle.

SPORTS

In 2020, Telemundo Deportes, the Spanish-language home of the Biggest, Best, Global Sports in Spanish-language, will present the most extensive Olympic coverage ever in Spanish-language for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games taking place July 24-August 9. Through the duration of the event, Telemundo will produce more than 2,600 hours of live content across Telemundo Deportes’ platforms. In addition to the Summer Olympics, Telemundo Deportes will continue presenting exclusive, Spanish-language coverage of Premier League, the top-level English soccer league that features some of the best players in the world. For the 2019-2020 season, Telemundo Deportes will carry over 220 matches, complemented by the Emmy-nominated sports analysis program and the only Spanish-language show dedicated exclusively to Premier League, La Liga Premier: Tercer Tiempo, wrapping the weekend every Sunday afternoon throughout the season. In 2020, “Boxeo Telemundo,” the longest-running sports program in Spanish-language television that recently celebrating its 30^th anniversary, will expand to four installments, presenting more fights than ever before on Telemundo with 16 events on the schedule that are set to showcase the best up-and-coming Hispanic contenders competing for championship titles. On the digital front, and in line with the current consumption landscape of the younger Spanish-language audience, Telemundo Deportes will continue expanding its recently launched esports channel with more live events and programming. Telemundo Deportes will also leverage the learnings that the NBC Sports RSNs are getting around their current sports gambling (gamification) initiative for live events to create unique opportunities for the Spanish-language sports audience.

Connect with Telemundo on Facebook and Twitter, or visit us at telemundo.com and YouTube.

About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a world-class media company leading the industry in the production and distribution of high-quality, Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. This fast-growing multiplatform portfolio is comprised of the Telemundo Network and Station Group, Telemundo Deportes, Telemundo Global Studios, Universo, and a Digital Enterprises & Emerging Business unit. Telemundo Network features original Spanish-language entertainment, news and sports content reaching 94% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 local stations, 51 affiliates and its national feed. Telemundo also owns WKAQ, a television station that serves viewers in Puerto Rico. Telemundo Deportes is the designated Spanish-language home of two of the world’s most popular sporting events: FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the summer Olympic Games through 2032. Telemundo Global Studios is the company’s domestic and international scripted production unit including Telemundo Studios, Telemundo International Studios, Telemundo International, as well as all of the company’s co-production partnerships. As the #1 media company reaching Hispanics and millennials online, the Digital Enterprises & Emerging Business unit distributes original content across multiple platforms, maximizing its exclusive partnerships with properties such as BuzzFeed, Vox and Snapchat. Through Telemundo Internacional, the largest U.S.-based distributor of Spanish-language content in the world and Universo, the fastest growing Hispanic entertainment cable network, the company reflects the diverse lifestyle, cultural experience and language of its expanding audience. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

SOURCE NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

(Español) South Shore Furniture retira del mercado cómodas debido a graves riesgos de volcadura y atrapamiento; una muerte reportada

May 9, 2019

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http://www.saferproducts.gov. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

GALLEGOS United & Comcast XFINITY Collaborate With Renowned Artist Kim Jung Gi For “Storytellers” At CAAMFest Film Festival 37

May 9, 2019

HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On behalf of client Comcast’s XFINITY, the nation’s largest video and high-speed Internet provider, leading culturally-attuned creative agency GALLEGOS United, together with sister content production agency LUNA United, today will showcase “Storytellers” at CAAMFest Film Festival 37. The video will be shared with festival attendees on opening night May 9th, prior to film screenings, as part of Comcast’s sponsorship package.

A first-time collaborative effort with world-renowned artist Kim Jung Gi, “Storytellers” recognizes the many contributions of Asian Americans to the film and TV industries, both in front of and behind the camera – from lighting technicians and wardrobe stylists to directors and actors, spanning a wide range of movie genres.

Kim Jung Gi is an established artist from South Korea whose artwork has attracted international attention. Working from memory, Kim has the rare ability to visualize drawings beforehand, creating incredible illustrations without reference in record time. As an illustrator and influencer, Kim’s work, firmly rooted in pop culture, is well loved and admired across the United States.

CAAMFest, an annual festival from the Center for Asian American Media, celebrates the world’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian film, food and music programs and honors Asian Americans of all backgrounds, from Korean and Chinese to Filipino, Vietnamese and Indian. CAAMFest, now in its 37^th year, runs May 9-19 in San Francisco, taking place during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM).

“Asian culture is not as elusive or mysterious as it may have seemed in the past because there is a much greater representation of Asian culture in today’s media. And, I think its such an advantage for an artist to know two different cultures, so I hope Asian American artists take advantage of that,” said Kim.

“I’ve been a big fan of Kim Jung Gi for a long time. Collaborating with him on this project to shine a light on the many contributions that Asian Americans bring to film and storytelling has been a tremendous honor,” said Dino Spadavecchia, Executive Creative Director at GALLEGOS United. “As an agency that specializes in culturally relevant and culturally attuned work, GALLEGOS United’s approach is rooted in representing the tapestry of today’s America. Creatively we strive to speak to the diverse cultural make-up of the entire country, through pop culture and meaningful storytelling.”

“Storytellers” furthers Comcast’s commitment to the Asian American community. The company offers a specially curated content collection of Asian American shows, movies, music and podcasts, available to all Xfinity X1 customers across platforms.

About “Storytellers”

The video shorts, available in a variety of formats including 30 and 60-second, will be available online beginning May 9.

Key GALLEGOS United executives involved in the campaign include:

Chief Creative Officer/President: Harvey Marco
Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer/President: Andrew Delbridge
Executive Creative Director: Dino Spadavecchia
Creative Director/Art Director: Jonathan Maldonado
Creative Director/Writer: Jeb Quaid
Head of Production: Harry Lowell
Sr. Producer: Lillian Lopez
Producer: Ingrid Ruiz
Head of Account Management: JP Rodriguez
Group Account Director: James Kulp
Account Director: Sandhya Pathak
Account Executive: Jeremy Bunya
Head of Strategy & Planning: Silvina Cendra
Director of Communications Planning: Angel Xie
Illustrator: Kim Jung Gi

About GALLEGOS United
Founded in 2001 by John Gallegos and formerly known as Grupo Gallegos, GALLEGOS United is a creatively-driven, agency dedicated to providing clients with strategic marketing solutions that push the boundaries and propel business growth. GALLEGOS United counts Comcast, Coronado Brewing Co., California Milk Processor Board (Got Milk?), TurboTax and Chick-fil-A as clients, to name a few. GALLEGOS United is the creative arm of UNITED COLLECTIVE, a communications group comprised of five interconnected independent agencies. For more information, visit gallegosunited.com.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVOt-v0LfaM

SOURCE GALLEGOS United

MundoHispanico.com celebrates the release of The New York Times Op-Doc featuring Atlanta-based journalist Mario Guevara

May 8, 2019

MundoHispanico senior reporter Mario Guevara on location in Maricopa County, Az. Image by: Miguel Martinez, MundoHispanico.com

ATLANTA, May 8, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — MundoHispanico.com’s senior reporter Mario Guevara is the subject of a documentary that debuted Tuesday at nytimes.com/opdocs.
Produced by Concordia Studio and directed by Jesse Moss for The New York Times Op-Docs, Boca del Lobo is a short film that follows Guevara’s work covering immigration for MundoHispanico.com, one of America’s longest surviving Latino media outlets. Boca del Lobo premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on May 4 as part of Tribeca N.O.W.

“As a journalist, my priority is to serve the community,” said Guevara. “I’m humbled and encouraged that Concordia and Jesse have taken an interest in the stories we tell at MundoHispanico, and especially the people behind them.”

Originally from El Salvador, where he began his career as a journalist, Guevara began reporting for MundoHispanico in 2008. Guevara reports for MundoHispanico’s print and digital platforms on a range of topics, including crime, natural disasters and human-interest stories. As chronicled in Boca del Lobo, Guevara is perhaps best known for his reporting on immigration and issues facing Hispanics in the U.S. from his base of Atlanta, Ga., which has the highest Latino growth rate in the country.

The stories Guevara has broken or originally reported include numerous raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and stories from the U.S. border. MundoHispanico has published dozens of exclusive videos Guevara has obtained and produced in the course of his reporting, which allow readers to experience American immigration policy first-hand.

“Over and over again, Mario’s connection to the Latino community distinguishes MundoHispanico’s coverage,” said Rene Alegria, CEO of Mundo Hispano Digital Network. “The stories Mario is documenting are extremely important and we couldn’t be happier that Concordia Studio and The New York Times recognized this and decided to shine a light on his work.”

Launched in 2011, Op-Docs is The New York Times’s Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning documentary film series. Exploring the most important issues of our time, the collection’s films garner millions of views across The Times’s platforms. Contributors include Oscar-winning directors, as well as emerging filmmakers and artists from around the globe.

About Mundo Hispano Digital Network
From its start in Atlanta, Ga. in 1979, Mundo Hispano Digital Network’s flagship media property MundoHispanico has quickly grown from the most-read Spanish language weekly newspaper in the Southeast to one of the largest Spanish-language news and information websites in the U.S. In addition to breaking news, MundoHispanico.com delivers exclusive lifestyle content in categories such as Auto, Food, Latina, Health, Money, and more. MHDN reaches an audience of 14 million loyal users each month.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/883562/Mundo_Hispano_Digital_Network_Miguel_Marquez.jpg

SOURCE Mundo Hispano Digital Network

Judge Resolves the Largest Work Comp Fee Dispute in California History With a Scathing Rebuke of One Firm and Affirmation of Another

May 8, 2019

LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — According to Asvar Law, P.C., with the issuance of his “Findings of Fact and Order Re Attorney Fee Division Issues; Opinion on Decision” (“Order”), administrative Judge Daniel Dobrin of Los Angeles Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has concluded the long-standing trial of the largest workers’ compensation attorney fee dispute in California history in Enriquez v. Willies Painting, SCIF (ADJ2137779).

In January of 2012, attorney Chris Asvar, formerly of Asvar, Odjaghian & Associates, APC (“AOA”), concluded what was then the highest workers’ compensation settlement and award in the nation at $8.9 million. Asvar substituted into the case in September of 2009. Prior counsel, Shandler & Associates had the case from May of 2004 to September of 2009.

AOA was founded by former partners Chris Asvar and Tina Odjaghian. Shandler & Associates was comprised of husband and wife attorneys Jaclyn Shandler and Garrett Shandler. Mr. Enriquez was a young painter who had suffered a “mild” traumatic brain injury in 2004 when his scaffolding had given way, causing a 20-foot fall from a ladder.

The fee dispute arose when Jaclyn Shandler demanded most of the $1,335,000 attorney fee on the case, strictly based on her time of “representation.” The problem was that in the 5-plus years of allegedly handling the case, neither Jaclyn Shandler nor Garrett Shandler ever met their client. The client and his father had gone to Shandlers’ office some 35 times to speak with “an attorney,” always to be told no attorney was available. The first time Jaclyn Shandler ever met her client was at the March 2013 deposition that she set for him as an adverse witness in the fee dispute.

The fee dispute trial took 14 court days, separated by months in between, taking three years and two months to complete. The trial itself was preceded by three and half years of highly litigious pretrial discovery, during which time Jaclyn Shandler refused to submit to a deposition to explain the basis of her fee claim. Ms. Shandler was assisted by her daughter Jannell Shandler, of no formal title or status. Attorney Ron Feenberg represented the AOA partnership throughout the three-plus years of the WCAB fee trial.

In a remarkable 37-page opinion, Judge Dobrin detailed the basis for his award of 89% of the attorneys’ fee to Mr. Asvar’s firm, and the remaining 11% to Shandler & Associates, despite Shandlers having the case for 70% of the time. In his Order, the judge applied the Bentley v. IAC, 11 CCC 204 criteria, focusing on the responsibility assumed by the attorney; care exercised in representing the applicant; time involved; and results obtained.

The judge concluded that there was a “significant contrast” in the responsibility assumed by Mr. Asvar compared to that by the Shandler firm. According to the judge, “AOA took an ‘A to Z’ approach to the case and rendered an extraordinarily wide range of services…. The contrast in assumption of responsibility on the part of Shandler and Associates begins with the initial opening of the file,” Judge Dobrin wrote. “A preponderance of evidence leads me to conclude that at no point in the handling of Enriquez’s case did an in-person or even a telephone meeting take place with either Mr. or Ms. Shandler, the only two attorneys regularly associated with the firm.”

Commenting on Garrett Shandler’s conspicuous absence, the judge wrote: “Mr. Shandler…as per the ‘paper trail’ placed in evidence, never prepared or signed a single document that I am aware of other than a typewritten signature on a one page letter advising SCIF and [employer] Willies’ Painting (but not the client) that he would be taking over the case as of the date of Ms. Shandler’s State Bar suspension.”

In 2006, some two years into her alleged representation of Mr. Enriquez, Jaclyn Shandler was suspended by the State Bar for willfully violating the Rules of Professional Conduct by intentionally, recklessly or repeatedly failing to perform legal services competently, failing to communicate with her clients, for disobeying court orders, and for committing acts of moral turpitude against her former client Karen Salvatierra; and for multiple wrongs committed against another of her former clients, Jose De La Cruz. The former clients’ complaints to the State Bar about Shandler’s failure to communicate with them mirrored Enriquez’s complaints against Shandler in this case.

Here, the judge surmised: “Thus, the long and short of it is that during five years of handling of a matter that, per Shandler, was ‘destined to be a high value case’… no individual from the firm with any clear credentials or expertise in workers’ compensation law ever met with the applicant or his father and future guardian.”

The judge also criticized Shandler for never advising the client about his potential third-party remedies on a catastrophic claim related to the collapse of the scaffolding at the time of injury. Judge Dobrin stated, “In this regard, the overall handling and posture of the Shandler firm toward any potential third party liability is of particular concern to this judge in light of the known facts in this case.”

The judge also commented on the time factor, indicating that the actual amount of skilled attorney time devoted by AOA greatly exceeded that spent by the Shandler firm. The judge states, “[I]t would truly surprise me if even 40 hours of actual attorney time, implying the equivalent of a solid work week of attorney labor, was devoted to [Enriquez’s] case. Assuming this many hours were spent, which I am compelled to question, this [award] works out to nearly $4000 per hour, which amply awards the Shandler firm’s actual attorney services…” By this calculus, Shandler was seeking fees exceeding $20,000 per hour.

As to the results obtained, Shandler repeatedly questioned the adequacy of the $8.9 million award. At trial, under a grueling cross-examination by Asvar, Shandler admitted that despite some 38 years of practice and handling thousands of cases, her record best settlement of all time was perhaps $500,000.

In this regard, Judge Dobrin writes, “The dollar amount of the $8.9 million settlement speaks for itself…[I]t strikes me that a settlement of this sum on behalf of an individual with a normal brain MRI, a paucity of neurological findings as per AME Richman, and an ability to acquire fluency in English language… and appear at trail as a very presentable and fairly articulate (in his non-native language) individual strikes me as a notable achievement in advocacy. Moreover, the settlement was provided to him not just as a lump sum dumped on a disabled person ill-equipped to handle it but rather through a carefully worked out plan involving some money for a structure, other sums which enable the applicant and his guardian to buy a house free and clear and some devoted to necessary conservatorship services to see to it that the money was handled responsibly.”

In response to the favorable outcome, Mr. Feenberg stated: “The case represented ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ or more appropriately ‘a Tale of Two Law Firms’. A compassionate, caring, thorough law firm rightfully prevailing over an unfocused, legal mill who never even met its client during five years of questionable representation.”

Commenting on the Outcome, Mr. Asvar stated, “This trial encompassed in excess of 135 exhibits, thousands of pages of records and over one hundred hours of witness testimony. Judge Dobrin’s depth, breadth and detailed knowledge of the case, evident in his meticulous 37-page ruling is nothing short of astonishing. I am truly grateful for his acknowledgment of the work that was put into this case.”

As to Mr. Feenberg’s invocation of the Dickens classic, Asvar said: “Ron is amazing and I am so thankful for his representation. For me, the work that kept coming to mind, especially in that tough first year, was Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. After so much care, time and labor, having finally caught the 18-foot marlin for your client, you’re nearly home when the sharks attack to chew off the fame and fortune brought on by your work. To have this judge go back with such great care to chronicle the details of what actually occurred in this case, is a profoundly spiritual moment.”

“I’m also grateful for the patience and the fortitude my clients showed throughout this long process,” Asvar said. “In order to spare them the harassment of this fee dispute, I offered Ms. Shandler a considerable sum of money at the very start, far in excess of what she was awarded here. But unfortunately, people are who they are.”

Reflecting on the litigants personally, Judge Dobrin wrote, “Though I would freely admit that my interactions with both sides in this lengthy fee dispute were vexing at times, I nevertheless believe that AOA lead attorney Asvar took a deep personal interest in the welfare and well-being of his client Enriquez.”

The Enriquez case remained the highest workers’ compensation settlement and award in the nation until 2017, when Asvar and his firm, Asvar Law, P.C., broke his prior record and obtained a new national record of $10,000,000 on behalf of his client in TBC v. Ernst & Young; The Insurance Co. of the State of Pennsylvania. Asvar Law represents victims of catastrophic injury throughout California.

SOURCE Asvar Law, PC

(Español) Century 21 Real Estate y la Hispanic Heritage Foundation celebran a las agentes de bienes raíces de Houston más recientes con el programa de becas “Empowering Latinas”

May 8, 2019

Century 21 Real Estate and Hispanic Heritage Foundation honor newest Houston real estate agents at "Empowering Latinas" scholarship celebration event

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

(Español) L’Oréal transforma la experiencia de teñirse el cabello en casa con el lanzamiento de Color&Co, una nueva marca directa al consumidor que se especializa en el color personalizado del cabello y cuenta con la asesoría de coloristas profesionales

May 8, 2019

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

1...2,1582,1592,160...3,052 Page 2,159 of 3,052