Page 2348

Forbes Travel Guide Announces 2018 Star Rating Awards

0

ATLANTA, Feb 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — As it celebrates its landmark 60th anniversary, Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its 60th list of worldwide Star Rating winners, continuing its exceedingly selective approach for recognizing the world’s finest properties and rewarding gracious, intuitive service.

The 2018 award winners include 27 new Five-Star hotels, 70 new Four-Star hotels and 76 new Recommended hotels. Other first-time recipients include five Five-Star restaurants, 24 Four-Star restaurants and 10 Recommend restaurants. The list also honors five new Five-Star spas and 29 new Four-Star spas. See the complete list of winners here.

Forbes Travel Guide rates properties in 50 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. New destinations for 2018 include: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Aruba, Chengdu, Dubai, Hokkaido, Jamaica, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, Marrakech, Okinawa, Panama, Prague, Sanya and Vienna. As Forbes Travel Guide marks its 60th year, it will expand to 60 countries for its 2019 Star Ratings.

“This is a momentous year for Forbes Travel Guide. Our anniversary commemorates 60 impressive years of serving hotels and guests,” said Gerard J. Inzerillo, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “As the most trusted source for travelers, we continue to carry out our mission to verify luxury worldwide. We are delighted to honor the 2018 Star Rating recipients, an outstanding collection of hotels, restaurants and spas with a strong service culture. It’s the largest and most global group of Star-Rated properties in our company’s history. We congratulate these properties for their dedication to service excellence.”

In conjunction with Forbes Travel Guide’s anniversary, the company unveiled its redesigned website, forbestravelguide.com, which beautifully showcases its global collection of Star-Rated properties.

To celebrate the awards, Star-Rated winners are invited to Verified, The Forbes Travel Guide Luxury Summit at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills February 27 and 28. It will feature an all-star chef lineup, including: Geoffrey Zakarian and Wilfrid Hocquet, Georgie, Beverly Hills; Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Richard Archuleta, Jean-Georges Beverly Hills; William Bradley, Addison Restaurant, San Diego; Samir Roonwal, The Blvd, Beverly Hills; Hilary Henderson, CUT, Beverly Hills; Kaleo Adams, The Polo Lounge, Beverly Hills; Giuseppe Manco, The Restaurant at Mr. C, Beverly Hills; Craig Strong, Studio, Laguna Beach; Hugo Bolanos, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, Beverly Hills; and Derek Poirier, Valrhona. Moët & Chandon, Forbes Travel Guide’s Official Champagne of 2018, will help everyone toast the festivities. Diageo will host the spirits, and Luxe Bloom will provide florals.

To highlight Forbes Travel Guide’s 60 years in travel, the popular Pan Am Experience will land at Verified and transport participants back to flying’s heyday with a retro airline-inspired event.

HIGHLIGHTS, TRENDS & FUN FACTS FOR 2018

  • Among the 1609 Winners
    • 199 Five-Star, 513 Four-Star and 309 Recommended hotels.
    • 64 Five-Star, 171 Four-Star and 83 Recommended restaurants.
    • 60 Five-Star and 210 Four-Star spas.
  • New and Noteworthy
    • The Middle East emerged with big wins. It picked up four Five-Star hotels (Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai; Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi; Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre; Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach). It also tallied 21 Four-Star hotels and six Recommended hotels.
    • South America captured its first Five-Star hotel. Tucked inside Brazil’s Iguacu National Park amid the Iguassu Falls, Belmond Hotel das Cataratas leads the region in service excellence.
    • Marrakech launched with two Five-Star hotels (Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech; Royal Mansour Marrakech), a pair of Four-Star properties (Four Seasons Resort Marrakech, La Mamounia) and two Recommended hotels (Amanjena, Selman Marrakech).
    • New York City seized two new Five-Star wins: Baccarat Hotel and Residences and Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown. A new Four-Star hotel was added, too: Archer Hotel New York.
    • Munich welcomed its inaugural Five-Star hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Munich. It joined Four-Stars The Charles Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel; Hotel Bayerischer Hof; and Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich, along with Recommended properties Hotel München Palace and Sofitel Munich Bayerpost.
    • Japan had significant gains. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto brought the city its first Five-Star accolade. Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto and Suiran, A Luxury Collection Hotel snagged Four-Stars awards. Kyoto Hotel Okura earned a Recommended honor. In Tokyo, Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo won a Five-Star award. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu and The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho picked up Four-Star honors.
    • Independent hotels made a strong showing. First-time Five-Star awards went to Le Richemond Genève; Magee Homestead, Wyoming; Meadowood Napa Valley; Nemacolin Woodlands Resort — Falling Rock, Pennsylvania; and Williamsburg Inn, Virginia.
    • The new Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is Hilton’s first Five-Star hotel in the Western Hemisphere. The brand also has Five-Star Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund.
    • Rosewood Beijing achieved a Five-Star rating–a first-time win for the brand in Asia. This was Rosewood’s first property in China, opening in 2014. The Peninsula Beijing also scooped up a new Five-Star distinction.
    • Trump Hotels earned Five-Star honors for its D.C. and Vancouver outposts, which is unusual for new properties.
    • New wins help further anchor the Riviera Nayarit as a luxury destination with Five-Star The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four-Star Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.
    • Forbes Travel Guide made significant strides in its global expansion, bringing its ratings to new destinations such as Amsterdam (Four-Star hotels Conservatorium, De L’Europe Amsterdam and Hotel Okura Amsterdam; as well as Recommended properties Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, The Dylan, Hotel Pulitzer Amsterdam, InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, W Amsterdam) and Vienna (Four-Star properties Hotel Sacher Wien, Palais Coburg, Palais Hansen Kempinski and The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna; along with Recommended properties Grand Hotel Wien; Hotel Bristol, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna; Hotel Imperial, A Luxury Collection Hotel; Hotel Sans Souci Wien; Park Hyatt Vienna; and The Ring Hotel Vienna).
  • Stars All Around
    • An elite group of 13 properties earned Five-Star awards for their hotel, restaurant and spa. These triple Five-Star winners include: Banyan Tree Macau; The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs; The Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia; Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego; The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas; Mandarin Oriental, Macau; Meadowood Napa Valley; Montage Laguna Beach; Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island; The Peninsula Hong Kong; Wynn Las Vegas; and Wynn Palace, Macau. 
    • Altira Macau and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong received four Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and two restaurants.
    • Nüwa Macau won five Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and three restaurants.
    • Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and Wynn Macau achieved a remarkable total of six Five-Star awards for the hotel, spa and four restaurants.
  • Where the Hotel Stars Shine Brightly
    • U.S. cities with the most Five-Star hotels: New York (10), Beverly Hills (6), Las Vegas (5) and Miami (5).
    • Globally, Macau reclaimed its spot as the city with the most Five-Star hotels (12). Last year, it tied Paris (10). Other cities with the largest number of Five-Stars include: Paris (10), London (9) and Hong Kong (8).
  • Where the Restaurant Stars Shine Brightly
    • U.S. cities with the most Five-Star restaurants are New York (7) and Las Vegas (6).
    • Worldwide, cities with the highest number of Five-Star restaurants are Macau (12) and Hong Kong (9). 
    • Disney gets its first Five-Star restaurant. Victoria & Albert’s makes fine dining an attraction in Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
  • Where the Spa Stars Shine Brightly
    • In the U.S., the greatest number of Five-Star spas is in: California (9), Florida (5) and Nevada (5). California’s new Five-Star spa is The Spa at Rancho Valencia in San Diego.
    • Luna y Mar in Los Cabos and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou mark the first Five-Star spas in their respective destinations.
    • Globally, cities with the most Five-Star spas include: Macau (8), Hong Kong (5), Las Vegas (5) and Shanghai (4). 

ABOUT FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE

Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Started as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958, the company created the first Five-Star rating system in the U.S. Today, Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on up to 900 rigorous, objective standards. The company’s annual Star Ratings and daily travel stories help travelers select the world’s best luxury experiences. Visit forbestravelguide.com.

Connect with Forbes Travel Guide:

Instagram
Twitter 
Facebook

PRESS CONTACTS:

USA OR JERRY INZERILLO
Key Group Worldwide
keygroup.tv 
Jaret Keller             [email protected] 
Tara Halper            [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL
Ruder Finn
ruderfinnasia.com 
Tripti Gusain           [email protected] 
Manali Pattnaik       [email protected] +65-91269831

 

SOURCE Forbes Travel Guide

Upliftv Offers a Chance to Win an All-Inclusive Trip to the Holy Land with the Experience Israel Sweepstakes

0

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Upliftv, the leading faith-based network offering inspirational movies, captivating series and documentaries, as well as a variety of TV ministries, is inviting its viewers to enter the Experience Israel Sweepstakes for a chance to win a 7-night all-inclusive tour for two of Jesus’ footsteps through the Holy Land, Israel.

Participating is simple. To enter, all potential candidates must text the word ISRAEL to 94253 or complete the online entry form and accept the official terms and conditions by visiting upliftv.com/Israel. All eligible participants are offered the chance to win a once in a lifetime opportunity of exploring the promised land with a guest of their choosing.

“We are excited to offer to our viewers, and the general public, such an amazing opportunity. Israel has always held a significant importance to Christians from every denomination across the globe. Christianity traces its origins to Jerusalem, it’s where Jesus ministered, and most importantly, where he died for our sins and resurrected,” stated Bob Higley, CEO of Upliftv.

All entries must be submitted by March 31, 2018, at 11:59:59 p.m. EST. The potential prize winner will be selected in a random drawing on April 1, 2018, in accordance with the official rules sponsored by Olympusat, Inc. The Experience Israel Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Puerto Rico; must be 18 years old or older to participate.

Upliftv is owned and operated by Olympusat, Inc., a leader in the Hispanic television and media space through its 100+ SD and HD Spanish and English-language television networks, and it’s currently available in over 20 million U.S. households on DIRECTV, Buckeye Broadband, Consolidated Communications, Frontier Communications and Hotwire Communications.

For more information on Upliftv’s programming, including tune in dates and times, please visit upliftv.com.

To learn more about Olympusat’s industry-leading efforts, please visit olympusat.com.

Olympusat – Editorial Contact:
Jesús Piñango
561-249-5228
[email protected] 

SOURCE Upliftv

(Español) Dirigiendo la atención a desafíos en la esfera médica de nuestra comunidad: iniciando un programa de enfermeros practicantes

0
Legacy Health Endowment logo

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

The Home Depot Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2017 Results; Increases Quarterly Dividend by 15.7 Percent; Provides Fiscal 2018 Guidance; Reaffirms Fiscal 2020 Sales and Operating Margin Targets; Updates Fiscal 2020 Return on Invested Capital Target

0
The Home Depot logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Home Depot) (PRNewsFoto/)

ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $23.9 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, a 7.5 percent increase from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Comparable store sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 were positive 7.5 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 7.2 percent.

The Home Depot logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Home Depot) (PRNewsFoto/)

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 were $1.8 billion, or $1.52 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $1.7 billion, or $1.44 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2016. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, diluted earnings per share increased 5.6 percent from the same period in the prior year.

On January 25, 2018, the Company announced that it expected the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to result in an additional net tax expense of approximately $150 million. The provisional amount recorded in the fourth quarter was $127 million. This charge, coupled with the one-time bonus payment to hourly associates that was also announced on January 25, 2018, negatively impacted fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.17.

Fiscal 2017

Sales for fiscal 2017 were $100.9 billion, an increase of 6.7 percent from fiscal 2016. Total company comparable store sales for fiscal 2017 increased 6.8 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 6.9 percent for the year.

Earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2017 were $7.29, compared to $6.45 per diluted share in fiscal 2016, an increase of 13.0 percent.

“Our ongoing commitment to enhance the interconnected retail experience for our customers, provide localized and innovative product, and deliver best in class productivity resulted in record sales and net earnings for 2017,” said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO and president. “I would like to thank our associates for their solid execution and exceptional work in service to our customers.”

Dividend Declaration

The Company today announced that its board of directors declared a 15.7 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.03 per share. “As a testament to our commitment to create value for our shareholders and our positive outlook for the business, the board has increased the dividend for the ninth consecutive year,” said Menear. The dividend is payable on March 22, 2018, to shareholders of record on the close of business on March 8, 2018. This is the 124th consecutive quarter the Company has paid a cash dividend.

Fiscal 2018 Guidance

The Company will have 53 weeks of operating results in fiscal 2018 and provides the following guidance for fiscal 2018:

  • Sales growth of approximately 6.5 percent including the 53rd week
  • Comparable store sales growth of approximately 5.0 percent for the 52-week period
  • 53rd week projected to add approximately $1.6 billion to total sales
  • Three new stores
  • Gross margin of approximately 34.0 percent
  • Operating margin of approximately 14.5 percent
  • Tax rate of approximately 26.0 percent
  • Share repurchases of approximately $4.0 billion
  • 53-week diluted earnings-per-share growth, after anticipated share repurchases, of approximately 28.0 percent to $9.31
    • 53rd week expected to contribute approximately $0.19 of diluted earnings per share
  • Capital spending of approximately $2.5 billion
  • Depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $2.1 billion
  • Cash flow from the business of approximately $14.1 billion

The Company plans to adopt ASU No. 2014-09, which pertains to revenue recognition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company will update its fiscal 2018 guidance to reflect the impact of this accounting change during its first quarter earnings call in May. The Company does not expect the accounting change to have a material impact on its fiscal 2018 sales or operating margin guidance. 

Long-Term Financial Targets

Today the Company reaffirms and updates its fiscal 2020 financial targets as follows:

Reaffirms:

  • Total sales ranging from approximately $115 billion to approximately $120 billion
  • Compounded annual sales growth rate ranging from approximately 4.5 percent to approximately 6.0 percent
  • Operating margin ranging from approximately 14.4 percent to approximately 15.0 percent
  • Annual average capital spending of approximately 2.5 percent of sales

Updates:

  • Return on invested capital target of more than 40 percent. Note that the return on invested capital target has been updated to reflect the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,284 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. 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.

Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable store sales; effects of competition; state of the economy; state of the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; demand for credit offerings; inventory and in-stock positions; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; management of relationships with our suppliers and vendors; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation, including those related to the 2014 data breach; issues related to the payment methods we accept; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2018 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended January 29, 2017 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Fiscal Year Ended

in millions, except per share data and as noted

January 28,
2018

January 29,
 2017

% Change

January 28,
2018

January 29,
 2017

% Change

Net sales

$

23,883

$

22,207

7.5

%

$

100,904

$

94,595

6.7

%

Cost of sales

15,790

14,654

7.8

66,548

62,282

6.8

   Gross profit

8,093

7,553

7.1

34,356

32,313

6.3

Operating expenses:

Selling, general and administrative

4,440

4,183

6.1

17,864

17,132

4.3

Depreciation and amortization

464

443

4.7

1,811

1,754

3.2

   Total operating expenses

4,904

4,626

6.0

19,675

18,886

4.2

Operating income

3,189

2,927

9.0

14,681

13,427

9.3

Interest and other (income) expense:

Interest and investment income

(23)

(11)

N/M

(74)

(36)

N/M

Interest expense

269

246

9.3

1,057

972

8.7

   Interest and other, net

246

235

4.7

983

936

5.0

Earnings before provision for income taxes

2,943

2,692

9.3

13,698

12,491

9.7

Provision for income taxes

1,164

948

22.8

5,068

4,534

11.8

   Net earnings

$

1,779

$

1,744

2.0

%

$

8,630

$

7,957

8.5

%

Basic weighted average common shares

1,160

1,206

(3.8)

%

1,178

1,229

(4.1)

%

Basic earnings per share

$

1.53

$

1.45

5.5

$

7.33

$

6.47

13.3

Diluted weighted average common shares

1,167

1,211

(3.6)

%

1,184

1,234

(4.1)

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.52

$

1.44

5.6

$

7.29

$

6.45

13.0

Selected Sales Data (1)

Customer transactions

366.5

359.2

2.0

%

1,578.6

1,544.0

2.2

%

Average ticket (actual)

$

64.00

$

60.65

5.5

$

63.06

$

60.35

4.5

Sales per square foot (actual)

394.87

366.25

7.8

417.02

390.78

6.7

(1)  Selected Sales Data does not include results for Interline Brands, Inc., which was acquired in fiscal 2015.

N/M – Not Meaningful

 

 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

in millions

January 28,
2018

January 29,
 2017

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,595

$

2,538

Receivables, net

1,952

2,029

Merchandise inventories

12,748

12,549

Other current assets

638

608

Total current assets

18,933

17,724

Net property and equipment

22,075

21,914

Goodwill

2,275

2,093

Other assets

1,246

1,235

Total assets

$

44,529

$

42,966

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Short-term debt

$

1,559

$

710

Accounts payable

7,244

7,000

Accrued salaries and related expenses

1,640

1,484

Current installments of long-term debt

1,202

542

Other current liabilities

4,549

4,397

Total current liabilities

16,194

14,133

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

24,267

22,349

Other liabilities

2,614

2,151

Total liabilities

43,075

38,633

Total stockholders’ equity

1,454

4,333

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

44,529

$

42,966

 

 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Fiscal Year Ended

in millions

January 28,
2018

January 29,
 2017

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

Net earnings

$

8,630

$

7,957

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

2,062

1,973

Stock-based compensation expense

273

267

Changes in working capital and other, net of acquisition effects

1,066

(414)

  Net cash provided by operating activities

12,031

9,783

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures, net of non-cash capital expenditures

(1,897)

(1,621)

Payments for business acquired, net

(374)

—

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

47

38

Other investing activities

(4)

—

  Net cash used in investing activities

(2,228)

(1,583)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

Proceeds from short-term debt, net

850

360

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts

2,991

4,959

Repayments of long-term debt

(543)

(3,045)

Repurchases of common stock

(8,000)

(6,880)

Proceeds from sales of common stock

255

218

Cash dividends

(4,212)

(3,404)

Other financing activities

(211)

(78)

  Net cash used in financing activities

(8,870)

(7,870)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

933

330

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

124

(8)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

2,538

2,216

  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

3,595

$

2,538

 

 

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

SOURCE The Home Depot

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® raises $4.3M during national radio event with Univision and the THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES T-shirt movement

0

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® raised $4.3 million dollars during this year’s Promesa y Esperanza® (Promise and Hope) radio event held in 14 media markets in the U.S. with Univision radio stations on February 1st and 2nd. Thanks to events such as this one, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

During the event, thousands of Univision’s radio listeners across the U.S. called in or went online to become Angeles de Esperanza (Angels of Hope) and joined the #ThisShirtSavesLives  movement by pledging to make a monthly donation of $20 or more to St. Jude. The on-air push coincided with a social media campaign encouraging Univision listeners, employees, and talent to participate by wearing and sharing photos in their THIS SHIRT on their social media channels.

Several Univision popular on-air personalities participated in St. Jude’s event, including: Omar Velasco and Argelia Atilano of El show de Omar y Argelia, Sylvia del Valle “La Bronca,” Jose Gutierrez “El Tambochi” and Carlos Ivan Paez “El Compa Ivan” of El Free-Guey, Raúl Molinar, Carla Medrano and Andrés Maldonado of El Bueno, La Mala y El Feo, Alejandro Gonzalez and Maikel Rodriguez of Los Pichy Boys, Javier Romero of Desayuno Musical, Alberto Sardiñas of El Show de Alberto Sardiñas, Raúl Brindis of El Show de Raúl Brindis, Maria Esther Mendez and Pancho Mercado of La Chula y La Bestia, Santi y  Laurita of AMOR 107.5 as well as TV personalities like Tony Dandrades, Pamela Silva Conde & Borja Voces of Primer Impacto and Maity Interiano & Chef Jesús of Despierta América. 

Some of the many participating Latin artists included: Luis Fonsi, Intocable, Banda MS, Prince Royce, Banda El Recodo, Juanes, Gerardo Ortiz, Los Huracanes del Norte, CNCO, Becky G, Jon Secada, Jencarlos Canela, Tommy Torres, Nacho, Leslie Grace, Frankie J., Ana Gabriel, Calibre 50, La Séptima Banda, Horacio Palencia, Jesús Mendoza, Jonathan Sánchez, Ulices Chaidez, Adriel Favela, Kevin Ortiz, Calibre 50, Christian Nodal, Adriel Favela, Regulo Caro, Cornelio Vega y su Dinastía, La Maquinaria Norteña, Banda Los Recoditos, Revancha Norteña, Brandon Solano, Konzentido, Banda La Maravillosa and Victoria Ortiz “La Mala”, among others.

“It is our responsibility as the leading media company serving Hispanic America to give a platform to those organizations dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the community we serve,” said Randy Falco, president and CEO of UCI. “St. Jude’s lifesaving mission has helped thousands of families and we are proud of our long-standing partnership to bring awareness to their cause and to empower our employees and audience to unite on important issues that matter.”

St. Jude began celebrating radiothons with Univision in 1998 and launched the first national radiothon with Univision’s radio stations in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles in 2006. The national radiothon first took place across all Univision’s radio markets in 2009. Since its inception, the St. Jude/Univision national event has raised more than $65 million.

“For 20 years, radiothon events with Univision have connected listeners across the U.S. to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, enabling them to easily and quickly become Angeles de Esperanza and come together to directly impact pediatric cancer treatment, said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., the president and Chief Executive Officer of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The generosity of Univision employees, listeners and viewers also supports St. Jude research efforts where we freely share the discoveries made here; and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.”

To join the THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES movement, visit: www.thisshirtsaveslives.org.

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org or following St. Jude on facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

About Univision Communications Inc.
Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. The Company, a chief content creator in the U.S., includes Univision Network, one of the top networks in the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country, available in approximately 90% of U.S. Hispanic television households; UniMás, a leading Spanish-language broadcast television network available in approximately 84% of U.S. Hispanic television households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavisión, the most-watched U.S. Spanish-language entertainment cable network, as well as UDN (Univision Deportes Network), the most-watched U.S. Spanish-language sports cable network, Univision tlnovelas, a 24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to telenovelas, ForoTV, a 24-hour Spanish-language cable network dedicated to international news, and an additional suite of cable offerings – De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson and Telehit; as well as an investment in El Rey Network, a general entertainment English-language cable network; Univision Local Media, which owns and/or operates 62 television stations and 58 radio stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Now, a direct-to-consumer, on demand and live streaming subscription service; Univision.com, the most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. Hispanics; and Uforia, a music application featuring multimedia music content. The Company also includes the Fusion Media Group (FMG), a division that serves young, diverse audiences. FMG includes news and lifestyle English-language cable network FUSION TV, and a collection of leading digital brands that span a range of categories: technology (Gizmodo), sports (Deadspin), music (TrackRecord), lifestyle (Lifehacker), modern women’s interests (Jezebel), news and politics (Splinter), African American news and culture (The Root), gaming (Kotaku), and car culture (Jalopnik). FMG also includes the Company’s interest in comedy and news satire brands The Onion, Clickhole and The A.V. Club. Headquartered in New York City, UCI has content creation facilities and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information, please visit corporate.univision.com.

SOURCE St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

March of Dimes Observes 4th Annual World Birth Defects Day

0
March_of_Dimes_Foundation_Logo

WHITE PLAINS, New York, Feb. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — March of Dimes will join nearly 100 organizations worldwide in observing the fourth annual World Birth Defects Day on Saturday, March 3. This annual event was created by March of Dimes and partners to raise awareness of the serious global problem of birth defects and to urge more research, prevention, and care for individuals and families.

March_of_Dimes_Foundation_Logo

An estimated 8 million babies around the world are born with a serious birth defect each year, taking a toll on families, communities and nations. “World Birth Defects Day is such an important event because it brings together people who care about better health for us all,” says Stacey D. Stewart, president of March of Dimes. “We know that when communities work together, even the toughest problems can be solved.”

March of Dimes advocates for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies, and empowers women and families with the knowledge and tools they need to have healthier pregnancies.

Everyone can join in observing World Birth Defects Day 2018 by signing up for the Thunderclap at http://po.st/WBDD18 and joining the Buzz Day on Twitter on March 3, using hashtag #WorldBDDay. To learn more, including more ways to support World Birth Defects Day, go to worldbirthdefectsday.org.

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 baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. 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

sonnen Powers Remote School in Puerto Rico Using Solar + Battery Storage Microgrid Technology

0
The sonnen smart energy storage system powering S.U. Matrullas, a K through 9 school that educates over 150 students in the remote town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico

LOS ANGELES and SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – sonnen, the global market leader in intelligent residential energy storage, today announced the commissioning of a solar + battery storage microgrid at S.U. Matrullas, a K through 9 school that educates over 150 students in the remote town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico. The microgrid, established in collaboration with sonnen’s local energy partner Pura Energía, serves as a model for the resiliency created by solar + storage technologies, as it represents a fully off-grid site deep in the mountains of Puerto Rico.

The sonnen smart energy storage system powering S.U. Matrullas, a K through 9 school that educates over 150 students in the remote town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico

The school has been completely off-grid since Hurricane Maria and is not expected to have power for many months to come. sonnen has donated two smart energy storage systems, an eco 8 (4kW / 8kWh) and eco 14 (8kW / 14kWh), to be paired with a 15kW rooftop solar system provided by Pura Energía. The microgrid will provide enough energy to keep the school open, enabling the facility to use clean and renewable energy to keep classes going instead of relying on a noisy, gas fueled generator. During sonnen’s most recent visit to the site in February, students were using the sonnen system to charge their laptops for an upcoming technology lesson.

Orocovis is known for its breathtaking beauty and is one of the highest peaks in Puerto Rico, with the ocean visible on both the north and south shores of the island. However, the remote area is difficult to reach due to road and bridge wash-outs along the single-lane road that winds throughout the mountains. With the installation of the microgrid, S.U. Matrullas currently does not plan to reconnect with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), even once power is restored to the area. Further, the school will soon be off-water, as Por Los Nuestros – an organization with ties to local TV star Jay Fonseca as well as Manuel Cidre and others in the private sector – has helped facilitate recovery efforts and plans to donate a water collection and filtration system to bring the school to 100% sustainability.

S.U. Matrullas is the site of the ninth and tenth microgrid systems that sonnen and Pura Energía have installed on the island since Hurricane Maria struck in September 2017. Other microgrids have included community and relief centers, washing machines and laundromats, food distribution centers and a school for behaviorally challenged children in Aguadilla. All efforts and technology were donated by sonnen and Pura Energía via the del Sol Foundation for Energy Security, thus far exceeding $350,000.

“We have witnessed first-hand not only a collaborative humanitarian effort that has aided critical recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, but one that has fostered forward-thinking strategies leveraging an integrated renewable energy capable of providing power to a large group of people,” said Adam Gentner, sonnen’s Director of Business Development, Latin American Expansion. “These microgrids effectively form the blueprint for more than just recovery, but for preparation for islands and regions around the world that are susceptible to natural disasters and power outages. As sonnen continues its global expansion, we will maintain our focus on bringing clean and affordable energy to all.”

About sonnen
At sonnen, we believe clean, affordable, and reliable energy for all is one of the greatest challenges of our time. sonnen is a proven global leader in intelligent energy management solutions that provide greater energy control for residential customers through increased solar self-consumption, reduced peak energy usage and reliable backup power during outages – contributing to a cleaner and more reliable energy future. sonnen has won several awards for its energy innovations, including the 2017 Zayed Future Energy Prize, MIT’s Technology Review’s 50 Smartest Companies in 2016, Global Cleantech 100 for 2015-2017, Greentech Media’s 2016 Grid Edge Award for innovation, and Cleantech’s 2015 Company of the Year Award in both Israel and Europe.

The solar array for the sonnen microgrid at S.U. Matrullas, a K through 9 school that educates over 150 students in the remote town of Orocovis, Puerto Rico

 

sonnen, Inc. logo (PRNewsFoto/sonnen) (PRNewsFoto/sonnen)

 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/642422/Orocovis_sonnen_Microgrid.jpg 
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/642421/Orocovis_sonnen_Solar_Microgird.jpg 
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/325856/sonnen_Logo.jpg

 

SOURCE sonnen, Inc.

Goya Foods Announced as the Official Spice and Olive Oil Partner for the South Beach Food & Wine Festival

0
Goya Foods

MIAMI, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For the seventh consecutive year, Goya Foods, Inc. will participate in the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®). Also for the seventh year in a row, the company will serve as the Official Latin Foods Provider and reprise its role as the title sponsor of the Grand Tasting Village for the third year running. This year, Goya will expand its participation in the festival by becoming The Official Spice and Olive Oil Partner. Festival-goers will now be able to experience Goya Foods in more ways throughout the event. 

Goya Foods

Goya’s lineup of celebrity chefs will delight attendees with their culinary prowess. Participating chefs include Fernando Desa, Goya’s executive chef; Jose Mendín, executive chef of Food Comma Hospitality Group; Richard Ingraham, personal chef to Dwyane Wade; and Sean Brasel, executive chef and owner of Meat Market.

Throughout the five-day festival – which runs from Wednesday through Sunday, February 21-25, 2018 – Goya Foods invites guests to experience the mouthwatering variety of its Latin American products.

“Goya wants everyone, from the expert chef to the home cook, to enjoy authentic Latin recipes that are both delicious and easy to make,” said Frank Unanue, president of Goya Foods of Florida. “With the wide selection of Goya products available, it’s easy to stretch the imagination and combine new flavors to create dishes that are uniquely yours, and fun to eat.” 

Goya will delight guests with the brand’s authentic Hispanic flavors during three signature events throughout the Festival:

Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village featuring MasterCard Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid® Culinary Demonstrations (Friday, February 23 – Sunday, February 25):

  • As a culinary captain, Goya’s Executive Chef Fernando Desa will open Goya Foods’ “Savory Studios” activation at the Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village, which runs Friday, February 23 – Sunday, February 25. Chef Desa is responsible for the research and development of new products and recipes for the family-owned company. This year, Chef Desa will serve delectable Goya recipes dreamt up exclusively for the event: Crunchy Pork Belly Taco, Tuna Tataki Tostada and Red Bean Crème Brûlée. On Sunday, Chef Desa will partner with one of Miami’s elite Chefs, Jose Mendin, executive chef and co-founder of Food Comma Hospitality Group, who will showcase a Bao with Lechon.

Fun and Fit as a Family featuring the Goya Foods’ Kidz Kitchen (Saturday, February 24 – Sunday, February 25):

  • For junior chefs, Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Goya Foods Kidz Kitchen offers family-friendly fun including healthy food tastings, physical fitness activities, and star-studded healthy cooking demonstrations. Chef Ingraham, personal chef to basketball superstar Dwyane Wade, will serve as the emcee and introduce the astounding lineup of chefs presenting cooking demos at the Goya Foods Kidz Kitchen. Chef Ingraham, in collaboration with Chef Desa, will participate in a live interactive food demonstration to kick-off the Goya Foods’ Kidz Kitchen on Saturday. Throughout the event, Chefs Desa and Ingraham will prepare black bean quesadillas that will be served from Goya’s outpost at Fun and Fit.

Goya Foods’ Swine, Wine & Spirits (Sunday, February 25):

  • Bringing the five-day festival to a close, Goya will once again take over the Biltmore Hotel for the Goya Foods’ Swine, Wine & Spirits presented by The National Pork Board and hosted by Giorgio Rapicavoli. Goya’s Chef Desa will partner with Sean Brasel, executive chef and owner of Meat Market, to prepare different variations of pork dishes. These master chefs promise to once again craft iconic creations such as chili rubbed pork belly and seared pork rib and pork cheek.

For more about Goya Foods, including new recipes and cooking tips, visit Goya.com. Follow the conversation on Facebook at @GoyaFoods, Twitter at @GoyaFoods, Pinterest at @GoyaFoods, and Instagram at @GoyaFoods using #GoyaSOBE.

About Goya Foods 
Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages and distributes more than 3,000 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/641600/goya_foods_Logo.jpg  

 

SOURCE Goya Foods, Inc.

Actress Sonequa Martin-Green Joins Stand Up To Cancer In PSA Encouraging Clinical Trial Participation

0
Stand Up to Cancer

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Calling clinical trials of new cancer treatments “the brightest torch researchers have to light their way,” actress and Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador Sonequa Martin-Green is featured in a new public service announcement (PSA) urging patients to participate in trials that could help make new treatments available and give new hope to the patients themselves.

Stand Up to Cancer

“Clinical trials are a fundamental path to progress and the brightest torch researchers have to light their way to better treatments,” Martin-Green says in the PSA to be distributed nationwide.  “And if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, they may be your brightest ray of hope. That’s because clinical trials allow researchers to test cutting-edge and potentially life-saving treatments while giving participants access to the best options available.”

The “Stand Up For All of Us” PSA, which will run in English and Spanish beginning in February, is designed to increase awareness about the critical importance of participating in cancer clinical trials, which allow researchers to study innovative and potentially life-saving new drugs with the goal of finding cancer treatments that improve upon what’s currently available. The therapies doctors currently prescribe for treatment have been studied and made possible by people participating in clinical trials. However, fewer than five percent of cancer patients enroll in clinical trials nationally.

“I’m proud to join Stand Up To Cancer in this critically important campaign,” said Martin-Green, who stars as Michael Burnham on “Star Trek: Discovery” on CBS All Access. She previously appeared on AMC’s “The Walking Dead” as Sasha Williams. “Participation in clinical trials is so important, and I’m honored to lend a voice to this message so that more patients can be aware of their options,” she added, noting that she has lost several family members to cancer and has others, including her mother, who are cancer survivors.

The broadcast PSA is an infographic directed by Noma Bar, animated by Ale Pixel Studio and produced by Dutch Uncle NYC with a script written by creative agency, Wondros. Noma Bar is one of the world’s most inventive and provocative illustrators, whose innovative, incisive approach to illustration has won him countless accolades and awards. Martin-Green provides the voice-over for both the broadcast and radio PSAs.

The PSA encourages patients and their loved ones to visit StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials to learn more about clinical trials and begin the conversation with their doctor to find out which clinical trial may be right for them. The campaign and online resources aim to include people from all ethnicities and backgrounds, as it is important that clinical trials include diverse participants so researchers can see how different people respond to a study treatment.

Visitors to StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials will find easy-to-understand content (in English and Spanish) explaining what clinical trials are and the many terms one may hear when discussing trials; the benefits of participating; and what to expect if you or a loved one participates in a clinical trial. The website also provides a list of questions that can be printed for reference during discussions with a healthcare provider.

Additionally, StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials provides a free and confidential Clinical Trial Finder service through EmergingMed allowing patients or their caregivers interested in finding an appropriate clinical trial to submit an online form, or call a toll-free number, to begin the process. Links are also provided to several organizations which help with financial, transportation, lodging and other needs for patients participating in clinical trials. With support from the digital agency, D-2 Creative, the website provides short animated videos to help illustrate many aspects of clinical trials.

The print, online and out-of-home PSAs developed by Wondros also feature Martin-Green, together with cancer survivors who have participated in cancer clinical trials, including: Alvin Clary; Connor Coughenour; Jose de Jesus; Lisa Dias; Marshella Griffin; Shelby Nish; Marlo Palacios; Nicole Papadopoulos; Joseph Rick; and Lori Turner.

“We are so grateful to Sonequa Martin-Green for lending her voice to this campaign and to the survivors who appear in it,” said Stand Up To Cancer President and CEO, Sung Poblete, Ph.D., RN. “Stand Up To Cancer’s goal is to make everyone diagnosed with cancer a survivor, and we can only reach it with increased participation of patients in cancer clinical trials. Sonequa has been touched profoundly by this disease, making her a powerful ambassador. She is helping us raise awareness for clinical trials in the hope of providing patients with a resource to discover which clinical trial may be right for them.”

To learn more or to view the PSA, visit StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials. To join the conversation, like us on Facebook @StandUpToCancer or follow us on Twitter at @SU2C and on Instagram at @SU2C.

About the Stand Up To Cancer Initiative
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by film and media leaders who utilize the industry’s resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, and to increase awareness about cancer prevention as well as progress being made in the fight against the disease. As SU2C’s scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, conduct rigorous, competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, Ellen Ziffren, and Kathleen Lobb. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, has served as SU2C’s president and CEO since 2011.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer, visit www.standuptocancer.org.

Stand Up To Cancer

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/642605/SU2C_ClinicalTrialsAds.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/592026/SU2C_Logo.jpg

 

SOURCE Stand Up To Cancer

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Names Fernand Fernandez Interim CEO

0
Fernand Fernandez

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Board of Directors of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has named Fernand “Fern” Fernandez interim CEO and President. Mr. Fernandez, former Vice President Global Marketing for American Airlines, was supported unanimously for this interim position.

Fernand Fernandez

“I’m humbled by this opportunity and look forward to working with the talented staff, partners and chambers who tirelessly foster Hispanic development,” said Mr. Fernandez.  “The USHCC is moving ahead and intends to be stronger than ever, while building trust among our constituents. As an organization we will be inclusive, transparent, and have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct or financial impropriety. The USHCC board and staff is committed to strengthening our partnership with local chambers and our members, and help unite the communities that we serve.”

The USHCC Board of Directors has also established a Governance Committee that together will work with Mr. Fernandez to conduct a national search for a new, permanent CEO and President.  “Our goal is to have a transparent and methodical process to ensure that the new CEO and President is representative of the countless Hispanic owned businesses and local chambers that the USHCC represents,” said Mr. Fernandez.

“The USHCC appreciates the overwhelming support we have received from our members and sponsors during this transition,” said Don Salazar, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We recognize the importance of moving expeditiously to safeguard the credibility and integrity of our organization.”

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce serves more than 4.4 million Hispanic businesses and is the voice of the Hispanic business community.

 

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/642487/Fernand_Fernandez.jpg

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

1...2,3472,3482,349...3,049Page 2,348 of 3,049
Copyright © 2016 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.