Page 2267

The Dove Self-Esteem Project And Shonda Rhimes Team Up To Launch Girl Collective: An Unprecedented Sisterhood Of Women And Girls On A Mission To Raise The Self Esteem Of The Next Generation

0

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, New Jersey, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — From a young age, outside voices such as school dress codes and harsh comments from peer groups influence how girls feel about their appearance. While girls today are strong and resilient, these comments still have a negative impact on her self-esteem and make her less likely to participate in things like trying out for sports or raising her hand in class. It’s time for her to hear something different. Dove and Shonda Rhimes have teamed up to launch the Girl Collective, a multigenerational sisterhood created to build confidence and challenge beauty stereotypes through honest, authentic and practical conversations shared between women and girls. The Girl Collective is powered by the Dove Self Esteem Project which has been hosting self-esteem workshops in schools and providing at-home self-esteem materials and exercises since 2004. Now, with the Girl Collective, these self-esteem experiences from Dove can continue to spread and support girls and women everywhere.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8415951-dove-self-esteem-project-shonda-rhimes-girl-collective/

Inaugural members of the group include Shonda Rhimes, Musician SZA, Transgender Activist Jazz Jennings, intimate apparel brand Aerie, Viral Dance Group Syncopated Ladies, and many more powerful and inspiring voices. 

“Six in 10 girls believe that to do well in life they have to look a certain way and that just shouldn’t be,” says Shonda Rhimes who has been working with Dove for two years as Chief Storyteller in an effort to ensure every woman and girl sees herself represented in media and culture. “Last year I participated in my first-ever Dove Self-Esteem Workshop and I was inspired by the power of women and girls connecting to tackle issues that impact so many of us. I’m proud to be a part of this remarkable community which illustrates the magic we can unlock when we work together to inspire change and build confidence.”

Girl Collective IRL: Content Creators, Actresses, Influencers & Musicians Bring the Collective to Life

Dove marked the launch of Girl Collective with an electrifying super-event in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 6 – the largest convening of its kind in the brand’s history. Hundreds of women and girls attended a series of powerful social conversations inspiring everyone to take action to raise self-esteem, all powered by Dove Self-Esteem Project accredited curriculum.

  • More Like Me: Chief Storyteller Shonda Rhimes participated in a stimulating panel with powerful young women about expanding representation. Shonda urged women and girls to remember they are the main character of their own story, encouraging them to claim their power and begin defining beauty for themselves.
  • Skin Deep: Musician SZA and Dove Self-Esteem Educator Dre Brown explored the relationship our culture and ethnicity play in defining our beauty identities. SZA encouraged girls to create their own beauty standards rather than subscribe to someone else’s.
  • Girl Redefined: Transgender Activist Jazz Jennings joined Sexuality & Relationship expert Dr. Logan Levkoff to challenge ideas of gender, beauty and femininity to create new appreciation for and acceptance of beauty that is fluid. Through examples of her own journey, Jazz’s helped the collective understand that they have the power to create their own reality.
  • From “the Gram” to the Ground: With a shared mission of helping girls develop a positive relationship with the way they look, Aerie teamed up with Dove to join Girl Collective along with #AerieReal ambassador and former Fashion Editor Lauren Chan and provide actionable ways girls can be body positive champions in their schools and communities.

Check out more inspiring highlights, including the full panel discussion, from the Dove Girl Collective event here.

Girl Collective in Schools Across the US
On International Day of the Girl, October 11, 2018, Dove is bringing Girl Collective to schools across the country. Teachers from across the US attended the super-event and received accredited Dove Self-Esteem Project training that they can bring back to help the young people they serve in their schools every day.

“We launched the Dove Self-Esteem Project in 2004 with the intent of helping the next generation develop a positive relationship with beauty and provide parents and mentors the resources to impact the self-esteem of the girls in their lives,” said Amy Stepanian, Director of Marketing at Dove. “Since then, we are immensely proud to have reached more than 20 million young lives with self-esteem education and are working to reach 40 million by 2020. With Girl Collective, we’re excited to offer an always-on, evolving resource for real women and girls to explore the issues that inhibit self-esteem and collaborate to find solutions and inspire one another.”

Join the sisterhood today at Facebook.com/groups/DoveGirlCollective to share honest, authentic and practical advice and co-create real solutions that can ensure girls are in control of their own confidence and happiness.

About Dove
Dove®, manufactured by Unilever, is the No. 1 dermatologist recommended personal wash brand nationwide. One in every three households uses a Dove® product, which includes beauty bars, body washes, face care, anti-perspirant/deodorants, hair care, styling aids and Dove® Men+Care™, developed specially for men.  Dove® is available nationwide in food, drug and mass outlet stores.

About Aerie
Aerie is a lifestyle brand offering intimates, apparel, activewear and swim collections. With the #AerieREAL movement, Aerie celebrates its community by advocating for body positivity and the empowerment of all women. Aerie believes in inspiring customers to love their real selves, inside and out. Retouching free since 2014. Visit www.aerie.com to learn more. Let the Real You Shine.™

CONTACT:
Sherria Cotton / Edelman
917.344.4761
[email protected]

SOURCE Dove

March Of Dimes Calls For #BlanketChange

0
March of Dimes Foundation Logo

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — March of Dimes, the nonprofit organization leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies, today launched #BlanketChange, a powerful advocacy campaign designed to cultivate awareness about the urgent health crisis moms and babies face – including increased rates of maternal mortality and preterm birth – and inspire advocacy and action in support of March of Dimes’ Blanket Change Agenda.  The organization also released a landmark report that reveals more than 5 million women live in counties where there are no hospitals offering obstetric services and no obstetrics providers, representing 35 percent of all counties nationwide.

March of Dimes Foundation Logo

More than 700 women die from causes related to pregnancy each year, and an estimated 50,000 suffer life-threatening complications, making America the most dangerous developed country in which to give birth. Women of color are most at risk of facing complications, and black women are more than three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes.

“Even one death of a new mother is a tragedy. Seven hundred is a public health crisis,” stated March of Dimes President Stacey D. Stewart. “These deaths of pregnant women and new mothers are completely unacceptable. The time for #BlanketChange is now, and March of Dimes urges all those who are concerned about the health and well-being of women and babies to join us.”

Today March of Dimes also released a report entitled “Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S.” identifying counties in which access to maternity health care services is limited or absent, either through lack of services or barriers to a woman’s ability to access that care. There are 1,085 counties in the U.S. that are identified as maternity care deserts – counties with no hospital that is staffed appropriately to provide care for pregnant women and no obstetrician/gynecologist or certified nurse midwives to care for them.  Additional key findings from the report include:

  • More than 5 million women in the U.S. live in maternity care deserts, yet nearly 150,000 babies are born to women living in these areas.
  • Over 10 million women live in counties with limited access to maternity care, with few hospitals staffed appropriately to provide care for pregnant women, few providers available to appropriately to provide care for pregnant women and a high proportion of women without health insurance.
  • While the majority of maternal care deserts are in rural areas, the problem also exists in large metropolitan areas or urban settings.

March of Dimes is calling on candidates to protect moms and babies and reduce the number of deaths each year by:

  • Passing maternal mortality and morbidity bills that will help prevent tragic and needless deaths of mothers during and after pregnancy;
  • Requiring all health plans to cover people with pre-existing conditions;
  • Requiring all health plans to cover maternity and newborn care;
  • Ensuring new moms don’t have to trade maternal health benefits they need to afford health coverage.
  • Passing the PREEMIE Act, a bill to renew the only federal law dedicated to the prevention and treatment of preterm birth

Starting at 7:00am today, October 10, 700 blankets will be displayed on the National Mall to represent the 700 women who die from pregnancy-related causes each year. The blankets provide an arresting visual of the epidemic of maternal deaths and mission of the campaign: to demand that all candidates promise to fight for #BlanketChange this election season.

March of Dimes is enlisting volunteers, partner organizations, and the general public to urge every congressional candidate to commit to support these measures and bring #BlanketChange to the United States. The campaign will run through October and into November, which is Prematurity Awareness Month.

Visit blanketchange.org to learn more.

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

From Silicon Valley To Nashville — Pleasanton-Based Company Making The Right Moves In Tech And Talent

0
TechCentrix_Logo

PLEASANTON, California, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With a mission to revolutionize the Consumer Packaged Goods  (CPG) arena, Pleasanton-based TechCentrix Solutions the licensing arm of parent, Medea, Inc., announced a growing list of new partners for use of its patented technology. 

For Additional Information on Technology and Services, Visit: https://techcentrix.com/services/.

Along with the company’s expansion in the market place, comes the announcement of a new Advisory Committee member, Matt Irwin, Nashville Predators defenseman, formerly with the San Jose Sharks.  

Irwin joins the informal advisory committee where imagination, passion and a desire to expand the multi-dimensional use of the technology are key.     The first sports luminary to join the Advisory Board was Shaquille O’Neal.   Both sports figures share excitement about the vast possibilities of the technology.

Known as the  Bēkan ™,  the patented technology provides services from personalization to interactive communication.

A licensing agreement for use of the LED technology, has been signed with Jim Beam Brands (Beam Suntory), for its EFFEN Vodka, which is expected to roll out on store shelves this month. (Effen Marquee Bottle App for your smartphone.)

Last year a licensing agreement was signed with Syndicate Sales of Indiana, the largest floral distributor in the United States.  Within the year, Syndicate Sales, using TechCentrix’ technology, won its industry’s coveted International Award for Innovation. (https://youtu.be/2mxovggw6GI.)

“The potential to revolutionize marketing is huge and that’s why we have twenty-four patents to protect our partners. Our technology gives brands real-time data for analytics to provide marketing to their individual consumers. The future scale of success for CPG industry leaders will demand the importance to know your customer’s needs in real-time.” said Brandon Laidlaw, CEO of TechCentrix and Medea, Inc.

Mr. Laidlaw continued, “Additionally, the use of wearable technology in the form of wristbands has evolved quickly. To date, none match the interactive ability of the Bēkan™, he added.

Wearable technology, an industry that has seen rapid growth in recent years, is poised for an exciting breakthrough with the introduction of the Bēkan™ allowing interactive communication. A characteristic of which major sports associations have taken notice. 

The ability to communicate with the crowd whether at a sport or entertainment venue, can transform the experience and can literally light up the the venue.  Opt-in data collection and analytics are provided in real-time.    No other product in the CPG marketplace offers these opportunities for business or their customers.

Collaborations are underway to build the first, in-store inventory-tracking smart shelf and will be implemented in the market by early 2019.  The Bēkan™ communication protocols and tools can provide real-time inventory levels at each location by sending the information through the cloud to an application program interface (API). 

For further information visit TechCentrix.com, or download the Effen Marquee Bottle or viizzii™ app at the Apple App store or Google Play.

 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766616/TechCentrix_Logo.jpg

 

SOURCE TechCentrix

Middle America calls for an end to escalating us-versus-them polarization, new study finds

0

NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Just days after the Senate voted to confirm Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, nearly nine in ten Americans feel the nation is more divided than at any point in their lifetime. Yet despite a sense of deep polarization, 77% of Americans say that our differences are not so great that we cannot come together. These dynamics of polarization are explained in a new national study by More in Common, an independent nonprofit focused on uniting divided societies.

Hidden Tribes: A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape is a landmark study undertaken by a team of social scientists and researchers at YouGov in partnership with More in Common. The study launches a year-long project to examine what is driving Americans apart, and what can bring them back together. It is based on a representative survey of 8,000 Americans and in- depth conversations with everyday Americans across the country.

“From every corner of the country, we have heard from Americans that politics is tearing apart their families and friendships, and affecting their jobs and daily life,” said Tim Dixon, co-founder of More in Common. “We found that most Americans are fed up with this. Their views may differ on many issues, but a clear majority feel exhausted by the us-versus-them conflict which has spread from far-away debates in Congress to bitter disputes among neighbors, coworkers, and even family members at the Thanksgiving table.”

The study finds seven ‘tribes’ with distinctive beliefs, psychology and levels of engagement:

  • Progressive Activists (8% of the US population)
  • Traditional Liberals (11%)
  • Passive Liberals (15%)
  • Politically Disengaged (26%)
  • Moderates (15%)
  • Traditional Conservatives (19%)
  • Devoted Conservatives (6%)

The views of Progressive Activists and Devoted Conservatives are starkly polarized, and on several key issues their views differ dramatically from the majority of Americans. They are more ideologically dogmatic, more hostile towards the other side, and more active in elections and on social media. Although they comprise just 14% of the population, their voices dominate public debate in the digital age.

But a majority of Americans belong to one of the middle groups, who do not identify with the unequivocal views of Progressive Activists or Devoted Conservatives. For example, 82% of Americans believe that the United States still has a serious problem with racism, but 80% also believe that political correctness has become a problem.

“Social media and angry pundits are distorting the national debate,” said Dixon. “The public is constantly shown cartoon character versions of the other side’s views. Most Americans – including both liberals and conservatives – are actually more reasonable than people on the other side are made to think.”

The study identifies an ‘Exhausted Majority’ comprising 67% of the American population (Traditional Liberals, Passive Liberals, Politically Disengaged and Moderates). While they hold a range of political views (and are not all centrists) they are united in three ways:

  • They dislike tribalism and are fed up with America’s polarization.
  • They feel that today’s political debates do not speak to them or their priorities.
  • They have a more flexible and less ideological approach to issues than the partisans of the left and right, and feel compromise is necessary in politics, as in other areas of life.

Those in the Exhausted Majority are almost twice as likely as other Americans to say that “both parties are at fault for today’s division” (53% of the Exhausted Majority versus 28% of other Americans), when asked about the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh.

The study sorted people into tribes on the basis of their responses to questions about their values and worldview, not questions about current political debates or demographic information. Yet once a person’s tribe was determined based on their core beliefs, their views on a wide range of current issues could be predicted more accurately than by referring to their visible traits such as race, gender or income.

The study concludes that distinctive beliefs do not need to lead to conflict, as is reflected in the overwhelming majority of Americans saying that despite profound polarization, our differences are not so great that we cannot come together. It identifies a set of underlying beliefs and values on which Americans differ, as well as the values which bring Americans together across the lines of difference.

The Hidden Tribes project is identifying partner organizations across the United States with whom to explore how to counter the drivers of polarization, from the algorithmic design of social media to opportunities to connect diverse groups in local communities.

Survey Notes

Findings on the Justice Kavanaugh vote were conducted by YouGov and collected between October 3-5, 2018 in a representative sample of 2,000 US adults through an online panel. The margin of error for this study is +/- 2% (higher for subgroups).

www.hiddentribes.us gives further details of the study’s findings. It will continue to be populated with new data over the next year.

About More in Common

More in Common works on strengthening societies against the increasing threats of polarization and social division. We aim to build more united, inclusive and resilient societies in which people believe that what they have in common is greater than what divides them. In the past year, More in Common has published definitive studies of the drivers of polarization in Germany, France and Italy, which have featured in The Economist, the New York Times, The Atlantic, the Washington Post and other publications.

SOURCE More in Common

Where Did the Time Go? Holidays are Just Around the Corner

0
US_Postal_Service_Logo

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — The calendar says October, and you’re contemplating fall-related items, such as pumpkin spiced anything, seasonal festivals, or what to wear for Halloween. The holidays seem so far away, but they’ll be here before you know it. With that in mind, the U.S. Postal Service has the mailing deadlines for the expected delivery of cards and gifts to your loved ones this holiday season.

2018 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office and domestic addresses*:

  • Nov. 6      – APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground®
  • Dec. 4      – APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail® and First-Class Mail®
  • Dec. 11    – APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 14    – USPS Retail Ground
  • Dec. 18    – APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express®
  • Dec. 20    – First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
  • Dec. 20    – First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
  • Dec. 20   –  Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 20    – Priority Mail
  • Dec. 20    – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
  • Dec. 22    – Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
  • Dec. 22    – Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
  • Dec. 22    – Priority Mail Express

*Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before December 25. Actual delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express® shipments mailed December 22 through December 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two (2) business days.

Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days
Thanks to more people shopping earlier and shopping online, the Postal Service’s “busiest day” notion is now a thing of the past. Instead, the Postal Service now has a busiest time, and it starts two weeks before Christmas. Beginning the week of Dec. 10, customer traffic is expected to increase and the Postal Service expects to deliver nearly 200 million packages per week during these two weeks. The week of Dec. 17-23 is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week. During this week alone, the Postal Service expects to process and deliver nearly 3 billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards.

Skip the Trip and Ship Online
Consumers don’t even have to leave home to ship their packages, simply visit usps.com. The Postal Service anticipates Dec. 17 will be the Postal Service’s busiest day online with more than 8 million consumers predicted to visit usps.com for help shipping that special holiday gift. It’s predicted that nearly 105 million consumers will visit the USPS website between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And usps.com is always open.

It’s estimated nearly 400,000 consumers will use the Click-N-Ship® feature and other online services on Dec. 17 to order free Priority Mail boxes, print shipping labels, purchase postage and even request free next-day Package Pickup.

New for this Year
Packages and cards have been sent on time, now what? USPS Informed Delivery™ is the Postal Service’s free daily digital preview of what’s coming to your mailbox. This holiday season, not only can you manage your packages and sneak a peek at cards headed your way, you can also see some exterior images of magazines and catalogs — all from your mobile app, dashboard, tablet or computer. Informed Delivery™ is one more way the Postal Service is helping you anticipate, communicate and celebrate this holiday season.

Additional news and information, including all domestic, international and military mailing and shipping deadlines, can be found at the Postal Service Holiday Newsroom: usps.com/holidaynews.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com.

More USPS holiday news, including shipping deadlines and Santa mail, can be found at usps.com/holidaynews.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Contact: Kim Frum
[email protected]
usps.com/news 

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/645058/US_Postal_Service_Logo.jpg

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service

Duke Energy estimates Hurricane Michael could cause between 100,000 and 200,000 power outages in Florida

0
Duke_Energy_Logo

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Based on Hurricane Michael’s current forecasted track, Duke Energy Florida projects 100,000 to 200,000 power outages in the northern part of its service area on the Florida Panhandle.

The outage projections are based on the company’s storm modeling tool, which analyzes variables including storm magnitude, wind speed, size of the wind field and ground saturation.

Duke Energy anticipates significant, widespread power outages, particularly along the coastline of the company’s service area due to storm surge.

Historical data and company experience indicate complete restoration from a storm of this magnitude could take multiple days to over a week – depending on the extent of actual damage, crews’ ability to access remote areas and islands, and conditions following the storm, such as flooding.

Duke Energy has mobilized more than 7,000 personnel, prepared to work around the clock to restore customers’ power.

Crews from Duke Energy’s Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky operations will assist – as will workers from other utility companies based in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Illinois, Texas and Missouri.

Restoring power after a storm can be extremely challenging for repair crews, as travel and work conditions can be impacted by high winds and widespread flooding – making repair work lengthy and difficult.

Before power can be restored, crews first must assess the extent of damage – which can take 24 hours or more – to determine which crews, equipment and supplies are needed before repairs can begin.

Duke Energy urges customers in the projected path of the storm to pay close attention to information and advice from state and local emergency management officials.

Important reminders

The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:

  • Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
  • Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm strikes.
  • Maintain a supply of water and non-perishable food.
  • Keep a portable radio or TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.
  • Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of the storm to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.
  • Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs or evacuation is required.
  • Pet owners can make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets, friends’ or family members’ homes, or pet-friendly hotels. Review insurance policies, and include extra copies of the policies and other important documents in your emergency supply kit (ideally in a waterproof container).
  • Report all power line hazards using the following phone number 800.228.8485.
  • If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

For a “Hurricane Kit Checklist,” and important safety information visit www.ready.gov. In addition, tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be found at www.duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety. A checklist serves as a helpful guide, but it’s critical before, during and after a storm to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency management officials in your area.

Click here for a video demonstration and to read more about safety around power lines.

Outage reporting

Before the storm hits, customers should note how to report power outages. Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:

  • Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
  • Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800.228.8485.

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy).

High-water safety reminders

  • People who live along lakes and rivers, and in other low-lying areas or areas prone to flooding, should pay close attention to local emergency management officials, national weather service and media for changing weather conditions and rising lake and river levels.
  • High water conditions can create navigational hazards and the public should use caution and adhere to the advice of local emergency management officials before going on area lakes or rivers.
  • Members of the public who have electrical service to facilities (piers, outside lighting on seawalls, etc.) on or near water, should have this service de-energized to avoid injuries and equipment damage.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix, including natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 9,300 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.

Duke Energy Florida is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK).

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

The company’s Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2018 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ 2018 “America’s Best Employers” list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766613/Duke_Energy_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Duke Energy

The Home Depot Names Manuel Kadre to its Board of Directors

0
The Home Depot logo.

ATLANTA, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today announced the appointment of Manuel Kadre, chairman and chief executive officer of MBB Auto Group, to its board of directors.

The Home Depot logo.

Kadre has served as chairman and CEO of MBB, a premium luxury retail automotive group with a number of dealerships in the Northeast, since 2012.  Additionally, Kadre is chairman of Republic Services, Inc., an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste. He was CEO of Gold Coast Caribbean Importers, LLC from 2009 until 2014. From 1995 to 2009, Kadre served in a number of roles, including president, vice president, general counsel and secretary for CC1 Companies, Inc., a distributor of beverage products in markets throughout the Caribbean. Kadre is also a member of the board of trustees of the University of Miami.

Kadre will serve on The Home Depot board’s Finance and Audit committees. He brings significant chief executive and senior management expertise to The Home Depot board, together with financial, strategic, environmental, and real estate experience. 

“I’m very pleased to welcome Manny to our board of directors,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “His service on other boards, including service as chairman and lead independent director of two public companies, further enhances our board’s capabilities in the areas of management oversight, corporate governance and board dynamics.”

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,286 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2017, The Home Depot had sales of $100.9 billion and earnings of $8.6 billion. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

Maseca Corn Flours Test Positive for Toxic Residues of Monsanto Weedkiller

0

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Organic Consumers Association Mexico (ACO), a project of US-based Organic Consumers Association (OCA), today announced that samples of Maseca brand white and yellow corn flours tested positive for residues of glyphosate and its main metabolite, AMPA. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller.

“It’s clear from our testing that Maseca’s claims of selling a ‘natural’ and ‘nutritious’ product are false and misleading,” said OCA’s international director, Ronnie Cummins. “Consumers in Mexico and the US who care about pesticide contamination and GMOs should seek organic non-GMO alternatives to Maseca flours until the company agrees to source only non-GMO grains for its products.”

ACO test results on samples of Maseca white and yellow corn flour, sourced from different regions of Mexico, showed glyphosate concentrations of between 5.14 ppb to 17.59 ppb. Some flour samples tested as high as 94.15 percent for the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Activists have fought for and won a temporary ban on the open-field production of GM corn in Mexico. Mexico’s incoming president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said that GMO corn will be permanently banned from Mexico when he takes office on December 1.

In March 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.

In a landmark and potentially precedent-setting case, a California jury recently awarded $289 million to a terminally ill former school groundskeeper who said the exposure to Roundup caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Fairfield, Iowa-based Health Research Institute conducted the tests, under FAO testing protocols.

Maseca, owned by Mexico-based Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., is the leading international brand of corn flours used widely in the production of tortillas.

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocacy organization focused on food, agriculture and environmental issues.

SOURCE Organic Consumers Association

Luis Villanueva adds a film production company

0
SOMOS_Group_SOMOS_Films

MIAMI, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Luis Villanueva, CEO of SOMOS Group (an entertainment group based in Miami), announced the creation of SOMOS Films, company dedicated to the production of feature films in Spanish. Mr. Villanueva highlighted that with SOMOS Films, SOMOS Group consolidates its participation in the film industry by adding a unit with a high degree of synergy with the other group’s companies (SOMOSTV, SOMOS Next, SOMOS Distribution and SOMOS Productions).

“Film production is an activity of great interest for the Group since we offer content in various platforms with a special focus on feature films,” stated Villanueva. “This way we expand our catalog, support the industry and its talent and guarantee a volume of content to be exploited through our channels and distribution company.” SOMOS Films, with Luis Villanueva as Executive Producer, has already participated in several of movies, including “Muerte en Berruecos” (historical drama narrating the murder of Antonio Jose de Sucre, a South American hero), directed by filmmaker Caupolican Ovalles; “Voy Por Ti” (film addressing the problems of “bullying” and “sexting”), directed by Venezuelan Carmen La Roche; and  “El Paraíso de La Serpiente,” by Bernardo Arellano (a story anchored in the tradition of magical realism). SOMOS Films is involved in a number of new and exciting projects that will soon be announced.

SOMOS Group participates in several aspects of film business. SOMOSTV is owner and producer of the pay-TV movie channel “ViendoMovies”, which programs films in a commercial-free format for the United States and Puerto Rico. “ViendoMovies” is widely distributed in cable, satellite and Telcos. SOMOS Next is owner and distributor of FlixLatino, a direct to consumer app offering feature films, series and documentaries in Spanish, and SOMOS Distribution is a company with a strong catalog of films, telenovelas, series, formats and other types of programs. SOMOS Group will benefit from the films produced by SOMOS Films, which together with SOMOS Productions, favors a better integration of the Group’s companies.

SOMOS Films is led by a group of professionals with experience in the production of feature films. According to executives, the company is well positioned to take advantage of the availability of innovative scripts and production advantages offered by different Spanish-speaking countries throughout the region.

About SOMOS Films: SOMOS Films, LLC is a company specialized in the production of films in Spanish, led by a team of highly specialized professionals. SOMOS Films participates in co-production and wholly financed projects. The company generates, evaluates and develops ideas, with a philosophy of flexible participation in all phases of film production. For more information please visit us at www.somosfilms.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/765860/SOMOS_Group_SOMOS_Films.jpg

SOURCE SOMOS Group

HBO Latino® To Premiere Exclusive Concert Film “Gente De Zona: En Letra De Otro” On October 26

0

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — New on HBO Latino this October is an electrifying music special from Latin GRAMMY® winners Gente de Zona. In Gente de Zona: En Letra de Otro, the Cuban duo reinvent ten classic hits for new audiences. Shot entirely in Havana, Cuba, the music special features a stunning performance before a live – and dancing – audience along the picturesque Havana seaside promenade. Gente de Zona: En Letra de Otro premieres on Friday, October 26 at 8pm ET/PT and will be available on HBO GO®, HBO NOW®, HBO On Demand® and partners’ streaming platforms.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8280052-hbo-latino-gente-con-zona-en-letra-de-otro/

In addition to the show, the group’s lead singers, Alexander and Randy, recount memories, visit their old neighborhoods, and tell the stories that inspired their song selection. This dynamic mix of interviews and performances personalizes the special and makes for a more intimate evening. Hit songs covered include “El Rey,” “Cuando Calienta el Sol,” “Si Tú No Estás,” “Idilio,” “A Bailar el Toca Toca,” and more.

Gente de Zona’s career spans over a decade and a half, as they’ve explored and refined their sound, evolving from a grassroots rap collective to the chart-topping duo we know today. Their launch into the high-profile Latin music scene began with “Bailando,” a collaboration with Enrique Iglesias and Descemer Bueno, which became one of the biggest hits of 2014. In 2015, Gente de Zona released their own back-to-back critically-acclaimed “La Gozadera” and “Traidora,” in collaboration with Marc Anthony. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the amazing team at Sony Music Latin once again, to bring Gente de Zona’s new project, dedicated to bringing some of Latin music’s hit songs to life,” said Lucinda Martinez, SVP of Multicultural and International Marketing, HBO. “With this concert, we’re giving audiences an opportunity to reminisce in the nostalgia of the music and experience firsthand the beauty and history of Cuba.”

This is the second edition of the En Letra de Otro series. En Letra de Otro: Pedro Capo, the first edition, premiered in August 2017 and can be streamed now on HBO®. The special has been nominated for a Latin GRAMMY® in the Best Long Form Video category.

Stay in tune with HBO Latino’s latest news and updates, view compelling video content and get sneak peeks with behind-the-scenes footage on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE HBO Latino

1...2,2662,2672,268...3,068Page 2,267 of 3,068
Copyright © 2016 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.