South Florida’s Top Startups And Coders To Compete At eMerge Americas 2017 Hackathon

May 22, 2017

Inspiration, Innovation, and a Nod to the Future Take Center Stage at eMERGE Americas 2016

MIAMI, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Leading up to the event, eMerge Americas, the technology conference connecting revolutionary startups, cutting-edge ideas, and global industry leaders and investors from Latin America, North America and Europe, announced that the Hackathon will be back during its fourth edition to highlight some of the brightest tech talent and most promising startups in South Florida. The official eMerge Americas Hackathon is scheduled to start on Saturday, June 10 at 8:00 a.m. until Sunday, June 11th at 2 pm.

This mind-stimulating, adrenaline-fueled event, sponsored by Visa Inc. and Celebrity Cruises, attracted more than 125 coders last year and is expected to be even more exciting this year. The Hackathon presents a wonderful opportunity for computer programmers and other software development professionals to openly collaborate in a creatively-fueled environment.

“eMerge Americas is proud to team up with Wyncode, the coding bootcamp in Miami that teaches business acumen, for the 2017 Hackathon. Our goal for this year is to showcase the local talent in Miami and South Florida,” said Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of eMerge Americas. We are also excited to announce that teams can now register, which will allow more businesses and startups to promote their talent and create something innovative and cutting-edge.”

There will be two types of teams; company organized teams, and team made up of individuals. The top scoring teams will receive up to $6,000 in cash and prizes. The VISA Grand prize winner will earn $2500 in cash, as well as a meet and greet with Apple Co-Founder, Steve Wozniak. All Hackathon participants will be awarded a Tech Pass to the eMerge Conference – a $400+ value.

Hackathon participants will have 24 hours (from 10 a.m. to 10. a.m.) to tackle complex challenges, build projects and present demos to a panel of judges. Several factors will be considered, such as innovation, user experience, implementation and others.

Registration for eMerge Americas hackathon is now open at emergeamericas.com/hackathon/

For more information visit, emergeamericas.com. For the latest eMerge Americas news, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@eMergeAmericas), Instagram (@emergeamericas) and LinkedIn.

About eMerge Americas
eMerge Americas serves as the preeminent innovative thought exchange transforming Miami into the technological hub of the Americas. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with America’s top business executives, IT decision-makers, and entrepreneurs, partnerships are forged that spur visionary innovation and technological advancements for the betterment of business and society. eMerge’s founding partners include: Medina Capital, A Rod Corporation, Greenberg Traurig, Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County, and the Miami Herald. For more information about eMerge Americas, please visit: emergeamericas.com.

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SOURCE eMerge Americas

Dove Real Beauty Productions and Shonda Rhimes Release First Film to Change How Women & Girls See Themselves Represented in Media and Culture

May 22, 2017

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, New Jersey, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With Shonda Rhimes as its Creative Director, Dove Real Beauty Productions has released its first film titled “Meet Cathleen.” Launched in March, Dove Real Beauty Productions is a new collaborative content studio that shifts the power of storytelling from Hollywood into the hands of real women. The premiere three-minute film follows Cathleen Meredith on her journey to realizing her own beauty through her love of dance. With 69% of women saying they don’t see themselves reflected in media, Dove is proud to give a platform to Cathleen’s story with the hope of encouraging women to be fearless in taking on challenges so that they can find self-love and through the celebration of their passions.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8105751-dove-real-beauty-productions-meet-cathleen/

Dove research shows 71% of women and 67% of girls wish media did a better job of portraying women of diverse physical appearance – age, race, shape and size. With Real Beauty Productions, Dove is setting out to change that.

“Dove and I have a shared passion in emphasizing what’s real. The characters that I write about come from the fact that I wanted to see real women on TV – the real and messy stuff that makes us human,” said Shonda Rhimes. “In working with Dove and Real Beauty Productions, we get to talk to real women and hear their own beauty stories. The idea that Cathleen defines beauty as self-love is a very mind blowing concept. I don’t think a lot of us, me included, define beauty in terms of self-love. And, to me, that is so empowering.”

Cathleen and her dance group Fat Girls Dance became a body-positive modern dance movement when they began challenging themselves to learn, perform and record one dance a week for a year. It was through watching herself dance in videos that Cathleen start loving and embracing her body – a feeling she never knew she was missing. Watching herself perform fearlessly helped Cathleen find a renewed confidence, falling in love with her body and beauty with every move. Through the process, she unknowingly encouraged others watching her dance to embrace their bodies as well.

“I don’t think we know how much we are told that there is something wrong with our bodies. I think beauty should be fearlessness. I think beauty should be resilience. I think beauty should be creativity,” said Cathleen. “I feel so lucky to have worked with a powerful role model like Shonda Rhimes on such an important project – one I hope will inspire every other woman out there to define beauty for themselves.”

For 60 years, Dove has championed #RealBeauty and, true to our pledge, the brand remains committed to only feature real women, to never digitally alter their appearance, and to help the next generation develop a positive relationship with their beauty. In fact, the Dove Self-Esteem Project has reached more than 20 million girls with self-esteem education to date, and we are committed to reach 20 million more by 2020. We launched Real Beauty Productions to show the world that beauty is not defined by shape, size or color – it’s feeling like the best version of yourself. Together, with real women and girls, we will change the way women and girls are seen for the next 60 years.

Tune-in to see the full film “Meet Cathleen” at Youtube.com/DoveUS.

Women can learn more about the campaign and share their story at Dove.com/RealBeauty.

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 Unilever United States, Inc.
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home Care, Personal Care and Refreshment products with sales in more than 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Caress, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy, Country Crock, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Good Humor, Hellmann’s, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond’s, Popsicle, Promise, Q-tips, Seventh Generation, Simple, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TIGI, TONI&GUY, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.
Unilever employs approximately 8,000 people in the United States – generating more than $9 billion in sales in 2016.

The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan commits to:

Helping more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being by 2020.
Halving the environmental impact of our products by 2030.
Enhancing the livelihoods of millions of people by 2020.
Unilever ranked number one in its sector on the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Facebook visit: www.facebook.com/unileverusa
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Twitter follow: @unileverusa

CONTACT:
Sherria Cotton / Edelman
917.344.4761
[email protected]

SOURCE Dove

Miller Lite, Chef Aarón Sánchez And Thrillist Announce Summer Grilling Collaboration

May 22, 2017

Miller Lite (PRNewsFoto/Miller Lite) (PRNewsFoto/Miller Lite)

CHICAGO, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Miller Lite, the original light beer, is partnering with renowned chef Aarón Sánchez to create original recipes for the summer grilling season. Get Grilling, a video series produced by Thrillist, will feature Sánchez creating great tasting, yet easy-to-make original grilling recipes that feature Miller Lite.

“Miller Lite is the ideal beer to add to any recipe or pair with a meal because of its light, flavorful taste,” said Aarón Sánchez. “I have fond memories of hanging out with my friends and family during hot summer days, grilling and kicking back with a cold Miller Lite – which makes this partnership so rewarding.”

Sánchez is a James Beard award-winning chef, restaurateur, philanthropist and cookbook author, known for his prowess with Mexican and Latin American cuisine. He co-starred on the Food Network hit-series, “Chopped” and “Chopped Junior.” This summer, he will join the permanent judges’ panel on the upcoming season of FOX’s “MASTERCHEF” and “MASTERCHEF JUNIOR.”

Through the partnership, Sánchez has created a wide range of recipes including dips, skewers, sandwiches, tacos and more that either incorporate or pair well with Miller Lite. All of the recipes are simple to make ensuring ample time this summer to hang out with family and friends.

“These recipes are original and great tasting, just like our beer,” said Sheryl Rosa, director of marketing, Miller Lite. “We take pride in our authenticity and originality so we were immediately drawn to Aarón who holds true to himself and his craft.”

To check out the recipes and how-to videos with Chef Aarón Sánchez, please visit www.MillerLite.com/grilling.

For more information on Miller Lite, visit www.MillerLite.com or www.Facebook.com/MillerLite and follow @MillerLite on Twitter.

About Miller Brewing Company

Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter, YouTube.com/MillerLite) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. The brewery’s oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and still is brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. Miller Brewing Company is part of MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at Facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.

About Aarón Sánchez:

Aarón Sánchez is a James Beard award-winning chef, restaurateur, philanthropist and cookbook author. With locations in New Orleans and Baltimore, his restaurant Johnny Sánchez bridges traditional Mexican food with a modern approach. Sánchez is the author of two celebrated cookbooks – Simple Food, Big Flavor: Unforgettable Mexican-Inspired Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours and La Comida del Barrio. In 2016, he launched his own charity – the Aarón Sánchez Scholarship Fund where he aims to empower aspiring chefs from the Latin community to follow their dreams and attend culinary school in the United States. In summer 2017, he will join the permanent judges’ panel on the eighth season of FOX’s MASTERCHEF and MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. An avid tattoo lover, he is a partner of world-famous ink shop “Daredevil Tattoo” in New York City.

About Thrillist:

Thrillist means fun; we are the essential resource for how to spend your time and money. We’re eaters, drinkers, travelers, and doers. We serve the curious and believe that new experiences are what drive the richest lives. We bring our passion, expertise, and taste to bear on the things that are truly worth your time and money. Life’s for living, and that’s why we’re here. Today will be great. [Thrillist recently joined forces with NowThis, The Dodo and Seeker to form Group Nine Media.]

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SOURCE Miller Lite

Ivan And Simona Aguilera, The Son And Daughter-In-Law Of The Late Juan Gabriel, File $100 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Univision, Telemundo And Other Defendants

May 22, 2017

MIAMI, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ivan and Simona Aguilera, the son and daughter-in-law of the late Mexican icon, Juan Gabriel, have filed suit in Florida state court in Miami-Dade County against Univision, Telemundo and other defendants for defamation and related causes of action.

The amended complaint alleges that the defendants have falsely stated, among many other defamatory statements, that Ivan contributed to his father’s death; that Ivan and Simona “robbed” Juan Gabriel and/or his estate of properties; and that Ivan and Simona have handled the estate against Juan Gabriel’s wishes. The amended complaint states that all of these statements are 100% false and highly defamatory.

At the time these defamatory statements were made, Ivan and Simona Aguilera were in mourning, and also were organizing a public memorial for Juan Gabriel, organizing a public tribute concert featuring his music, with proceeds to be donated to a charity for poor children, and were managing Juan Gabriel’s estate consistent with his expressed wishes.

The lawsuit will seek in excess of $100 million in damages against Univision, Telemundo and the other defendants.

A copy of the First Amended Complaint, with exhibits, can be found at www.AguileraVsUnivision.com.

Ivan and Simona Aguilera are represented by attorneys:
Charles J. Harder of Harder Mirell & Abrams LLP in Los Angeles, California, and
Kenneth G. Turkel and Shane B. Vogt of Bajo Cuva Cohen & Turkel LLP in Tampa, Florida.

SOURCE Harder Mirell & Abrams LLP

Cal/OSHA Urges Employers to Prepare For Sizzling Temperatures

May 19, 2017

OAKLAND, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As Northern California braces for triple digit temperatures, Cal/OSHA urges all employers to revisit their Injury and Illness Prevention Programs and their emergency response procedures to make sure they are thoroughly prepared for high heat. Sacramento’s National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the 90s today and through the weekend. Early next week temperatures will reach triple digits in much of Northern California, from south of Stockton up to Redding.

“During heat waves and whenever temperatures reach or exceed 95 degrees, employers must take additional steps to monitor workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “Water, rest and shade can protect workers from the heat.”

California’s outdoor workplace Heat Illness Prevention regulations require employers to take four steps to prevent heat illness:

Training – Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
Water – Provide enough fresh water so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.
Shade – Provide shaded areas upon request or when temperatures exceed 80 degree, and encourage any worker to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes to protect against overheating. Workers should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
Planning – Develop and implement effective written emergency response procedures for complying with Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Cal/OSHA will inspect outdoor worksites of industries such as agriculture, construction, and landscaping throughout the heat season. Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention program, the first of its kind in the nation, includes enforcement of heat regulations as well as multilingual outreach and training for California’s employers and workers.

Information on heat illness prevention requirements and training materials is posted on Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention web page and on the “Water. Rest. Shade. The work can’t get done without them” educational campaign website. A Heat Illness Prevention e-tool is also available on Cal/OSHA’s website.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from safety and health hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their safety and health programs. Employers should call (800) 963-9424 for assistance from Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers’ Information line at 866-924-9757 provides recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics. Complaints can also be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Members of the press may contact Peter Melton or Paola Laverde at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR
https://twitter.com/CA_DIR
http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR
http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

Charm City’s Top Latino Financial Conference Announces All-Star Line-up

May 19, 2017

BALTIMORE, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE — The William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation and the Consular Section of the Mexican Embassy present a free, financial empowerment conference “Mi Dinero, Mi Destino” Saturday May 20 at the University of Baltimore.

Cónsul Rafael Laveaga and Deputy Cónsul Mariana Diaz of the Mexican Embassy’s Consular Section will headline the event. Cónsul Laveaga will provide the keynote address.

The region’s top financial event provides the Latino community with practical skills – in Spanish – that help shape critical personal finance decisions. Attendees will learn about budgeting and financial goal-setting, attaining homeownership, paying for college, entrepreneurship: making start-ups thrive and more! “Education and access to financial resources are critical tools needed to help eradicate poverty, said Cónsul Rafael Laveaga, Consular Section of the Mexican Embassy. “We’ve been delighted to partner with the Featherstone Foundation for three consecutive years.”

Catalina Rodriguez-Lima, director of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs (MIMA), will discuss the creation of a special immigrant education and defense fund called Safe City Baltimore in collaboration with the Open Society Institute-Baltimore.

During a special awards ceremony, six talented Latino students will receive the inaugural Featherstone Latino College Scholarships, $2,000 merit-based awards as an incentive to increase Latino enrollment in higher education. “I created these scholarships to help eliminate financial barriers to higher education,” said Lanaea C. Featherstone, president, William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation and OSI-Baltimore Fellow Alumna. “I’m thrilled to recognize Baltimore’s young Latino talent.” “The University of Baltimore was so pleased by the quality of scholarship applicants for this year’s awards and is excited to assist the recipients on their way to a college degree,” said Victoria Reid, vice president of enrollment management and marketing at the University of Baltimore.

The family-friendly event offers financial workshops organized by State Farm™. “State Farm is honored to support such a vital event that helps Baltimore’s Hispanic families thrive,” said State Farm Agent David Rosario. “Financial education is a critical component to a robust workforce and a vibrant economy; we are pleased to sponsor the event again this year.”

“BGE is proud to work in partnership with the Featherstone Foundation to help develop and advance the skills and knowledge of adult learners. An educated workforce not only benefits the individual but also contributes to preparing them to compete in and contribute to the local and global economy,” said Chimaobi Chijioke, manager of external affairs, BGE.

The conference is expected to attract 100 families; Girl Scouts of Central Maryland will also provide activities for children. Sponsors include: State Farm, BGE, the Consular Section of the Mexican Embassy, University of Baltimore and Howard Bank. The conference kicks off 10am on May 20 at the University of Baltimore’s H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons:1415 Maryland Ave. Baltimore, MD 21201.

Business Leaders From Latin America Enhance The Regional Presence At eMerge Americas 2017

May 19, 2017

MIAMI, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — eMerge Americas, the global technology conference, where corporations and entrepreneurs incubate for two days in Miami to launch new opportunities, will showcase some of Latin America’s business and government leaders during its 2017 event. eMerge Americas is THE event to learn from top visionaries about their stories and how their work or business has successfully contributed to disrupting the industry, not just in the region, but also globally.

This year’s conference will feature renowned Latin-American speakers, including Gustavo Cisneros, Chairman of Cisneros, one of the largest privately held media, entertainment, telecommunications and consumer products organizations, as well as Adriana Cisneros, the CEO of Cisneros who is also President of the Fundacion Cisneros, an educational not-for-profit organization, dedicated to improving education in Latin America.

Marcelo Claure, CEO of Sprint, will be sharing his expertise in a moderated fireside chat. Marcelo founded Brightstar Corp. in 1997 in Miami, which turned into a multi-billion dollar, global operation and the largest Hispanic-owned business in the United States. In addition, Blanca Treviño, President and CEO of Softtek, will be part of the lineup of speakers. Under her leadership, Softtek has become the leading information technology services company in Latin America. Andrés Oppenheimer, columnist for The Miami Herald, anchor of Oppenheimer Presenta on CNN en Español, and author of Innovate or Die: How to re-invent yourself and thrive in the innovation age, will compliment this impressive group of Latin-American speakers.

“The pace of technology has drastically increased in the last 10 years, defying all global trends. Foreign investors, individuals, owners and entrepreneurs have become a significant force in Latin America,” said Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of eMerge Americas.

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to interact with these key players that have transcended, and gained a deeper understanding of their latest investments, which support their current business activity.

“eMerge Americas is where innovation and ideas are born, shared, and expanded in the region, and that is why we identified the importance of having these speakers lead by their example to the next generations,” said Xavier Gonzalez.

Registration for eMerge Americas 2017 is now open. Visit emergeamericas.com. For the latest eMerge Americas news, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@eMergeAmericas), Instagram (@emergeamericas) and LinkedIn.

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CDC and March of Dimes partner on new initiative for babies exposed to drugs during pregnancy

May 19, 2017

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The March of Dimes, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has awarded grants to conduct one year of surveillance on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in three states with high rates of NAS: Vermont, Illinois, and New Mexico. The project will enable each state to conduct enhanced identification of babies born with NAS and evaluate the health services needed by these babies through one year of age.

“The March of Dimes has made it a priority to help and support women and infants affected by opioid use and other substance use disorders,” says Stacey D. Stewart, president of the March of Dimes. “There are few things more tragic than an infant starting out life in drug withdrawal. We owe it to these babies to do everything in our power to ensure they are treated appropriately and can recover fully from drug exposure.”

“We know that more babies are being born exposed to drugs during pregnancy, but we need more accurate estimates of the scope of the problem,” says Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, senior vice president for Mission Impact and chief medical officer of the March of Dimes. “The surveillance data gathered by this project will help these three states understand what is happening in their states and the resources that pregnant women and babies need.”

“We believe the lessons learned from this three-state initiative can be applied in other states across the nation,” Dr. Jarris says.

The states were selected through a competitive application process and are being funded under a cooperative agreement between the March of Dimes and CDC to strengthen the nation’s capacity to deliver public health services through public health departments and community organizations.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. For the latest resources and health information, visit our websites marchofdimes.org and nacersano.org. For detailed national, state and local perinatal statistics, visit peristats.org. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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Ralphs Announces Grand Re-Opening of its Remodeled Western & Manchester Supermarket

May 18, 2017

Ralphs - Even more Low prices... and fast checkout too! (PRNewsFoto/Ralphs Grocery Company)

LOS ANGELES, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Ralphs Grocery Company is continuing its goal of bringing health, wellness and jobs to the diverse communities its supermarkets serve with the grand re-opening of its latest remodeled store at 1730 Manchester Avenue in South Los Angeles on Friday, May 26.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/513744/Ralphs_Western_Manchester_Store_Exterior.jpg

The 45,000 square-foot store’s renovation includes expanded and upgraded produce, meat, seafood, bakery and deli departments. The store will also offer customers a wide range of fresh, organic and natural meats, produce and seafood.

“Our remodeled Western & Manchester store has an even greater focus on health and wellness with a large assortment of natural and organic offerings,” said Valerie Jabbar, Ralphs president. “We designed this store with the neighborhood it serves in mind – offering specialized design features, an outstanding selection of fresh food options, personalized customer service and great prices.”

Customers will enjoy a variety of new and unique enhancements, including:

An expansive selection of natural foods, including organic, gluten-free and other specialty, dietary-specific items
A full-service Bakery with artisan breads, pastries, cakes, donuts, rolls baked daily in-store, along with ethnic treats
A service Delicatessen featuring a sandwich bar and a full menu of fresh-prepared entree items and salads
An expanded Meat/Seafood Department featuring a full-service meat and seafood counter with an added selection of natural and organic products
An enlarged Produce Department featuring an abundance of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables
An in-store Starbucks café with seating and free Wi-Fi. The store’s Starbucks also features a specially-commissioned mural by local Los Angeles artist Allison Kunath
A “Money Shop” offering a wide variety of financial services, including money transfers, money orders, payroll and government check-cashing.

The remodeled store also boasts several environmentally-friendly features that contribute to a greener community. It is Ralphs’ second totally illuminated LED store, which provides for superior lighting and reduced energy consumption. The store also features other green technologies designed to improve energy efficiencies.

To serve customers, the Western & Manchester Ralphs will employ approximately 90 full- and part-time associates, including 20 new-hires from the surrounding community. The store is managed by Ray Sum, who began his career in 1982 as a part-time Courtesy Clerk. He has managed the Manchester & Western Ralphs since 2012.

“We are excited to share our newly remodeled store with our customers,” Sum said. “At Ralphs, we focus on friendly service and fresh products, and we believe that shoppers will be pleased with our renovated store with a new bakery, deli, fresh meats, greater selection of fresh produce as well as the great prices we offer every day. We are also pleased and proud to bring new jobs into this vibrant neighborhood.”

In celebration of the store’s grand re-opening, Ralphs officials, store associates and local dignitaries will participate in the store’s grand re-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 26 at 8 a.m. Richard Thomas, the store’s most senior associate, will have the honor of cutting the ribbon. Thomas, a produce clerk, began his Ralphs career in 1976.

Ralphs will also make donations to George Washington Preparatory High School and La Salle Elementary School as part of its ongoing commitment to make a positive impact in the communities it serves. The Washington High School Marching Generals marching band will also perform at the store’s grand re-opening celebration.

Other special grand re-opening events include character appearances, product giveaways, samplings and raffle drawings.

The Western & Manchester Ralphs has been serving the community for more than 60 years.

Like Us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter
Ralphs invites shoppers to share their Western & Manchester store shopping experience on Facebook. Visit the Ralphs Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ralphs. Customers can also follow Ralphs on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ralphsgrocery. Fans of the Ralphs Facebook page and followers of Ralphs Twitter account will receive information about weekly specials, sales events, charitable campaigns and more.

About Ralphs
Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates 197 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles. Last year, Ralphs contributed more than $6 million to support education, hunger relief, women’s health and local nonprofit organizations in the communities served by the company’s stores. Ralphs is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs, please visit our web site at www.ralphs.com.

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AHAA Honors Ford with the 2017 Marketer of the Year Award

May 18, 2017

FAIRFAX, Virginia, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing announced today that Ford Motor Company is the winner of the 2017 AHAA Marketer of the Year Award. Ford joins a prestigious short list of elite brands that have received the award, including McDonald’s, State Farm, Toyota, and Walmart. David Rodriguez, multicultural marketing director for Ford, will accept the award and discuss the automaker’s commitment to the Hispanic and multicultural market at AHAA’s 2017 Annual Conference. The session will take place on Wednesday, June 14 at 9:15 a.m. at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

“We are honored to accept the 2017 AHAA Marketer of the Year award,” said Rodriguez. “With so many vehicle options, we are proud to have earned the trust of so many Hispanic families that choose our trucks, SUV’s and cars every year – it means that what we are doing is resonating and that means a lot.”

To be considered for this prestigious award, companies had to demonstrate a top-down commitment to multicultural marketing and significant spending commensurate with the opportunity in marketing efforts targeting Hispanics. Ford has invested in and been committed to the Hispanic market for more than 20 years, consistently leading the category in Hispanic investment. In fact, over the last three years, Ford has topped the automotive category in Hispanic market spend with 17 percent in 2016 alone, according to Ad Insights. This has earned the company numerous accolades for their multicultural work from the U.S.H. Idea Awards, Cannes, Clio, Wave, Addy’s and El Sol. In fact, Ford took home a combined 47 awards between 2015 and 2016.

“Over the last few years, Hispanics have made headlines as being top new car buyers, but for more than two decades, Ford has valued the Hispanic consumer with dedicated segment campaigns, multi-figure sponsorships and branded creative steeped in Hispanic insights – long before the hype. This is what makes Ford a leader in the automotive category and a best-in-class Hispanic partner,” said AHAA Chair Linda Lane Gonzalez.

As automakers intensify their pursuit of Hispanic car buyers, the Hispanic market has long been central to Ford’s marketing efforts, which also includes pivotal Latino-overlapping markets like Millennials and women. According to Viant’s 2016 Hispanic American Auto Buyers report, Hispanic consumers accounted for $27.9 billion in registered new vehicle transactions in 2016, representing 11 percent of the total market – a figure that grows year to year. In 2014, Hispanic buyers delivered 96 percent of Ford’s year-over-year retail sales growth, according to IHS Automotive’s Polk market data unit. The success was significant enough for Ford to direct part of its launch funds in 2016 for the redesigned F-150 pickup into Hispanic media, including Fox’s MundoFox channel. As part of its 360-campaign spearheaded by the recently WPP-acquired Hispanic firm Zubi Advertising, Ford was also an official partner for The Copa America Centenario soccer tournament which took place in 10 markets across the United States.

When it comes to Ford, there is more than just Hispanic marketing. Not only do they have a Ford Hispanic Network internal resource group for their corporate executives but diversity hiring practices are in place across all departments to ensure there are no gaps in customer service and there is an organic knowledge base to help make decisions about multicultural initiatives.

The AHAA Annual Conference, with a theme of Next Generation Marketing, will tackle the hottest topics in marketing today: technology, disruption, culture, creativity and content. From June 12-14 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, AHAA will bring together experts and trendsetters to discuss how powerful U.S. Hispanics are to brands, how disruption and innovation is changing the way we consume content, and how marketers must adapt, ensuring efforts are free of stereotypes and inclusive of the multicultural community.

Speakers include Keith Reinhard, chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide; Laura Desmond, former CEO of Starcom Mediavest; Alvaro Luque, president of Avocados from Mexico; Javier Delgado-Granados, group director, multicultural marketing from The Coca-Cola Company; Beatriz Rojas, senior director, multicultural marketing at Kaiser Permanente; José Romero, general manager at Sling TV, DishLatino; Luís Martinez, director of digital marketing, Denny’s; Kevin McLaughlin, the SVP of marketing for T-Mobile & MetroPCS; Ana Navarro, conservative strategist and political commentator; CNN en Español anchor Juan Carlos Lopez; Katie Manderfield, head of content, T-Brand Studio, New York Times; Adrian Williams, director of diversity and inclusion, marketing, Atlanta Braves; Sheena Quinn, director of public relations, Chicago White Sox; Kathy Schwab, senior director of marketing, Milwaukee Brewers; Lance Rios, president & founder, Being Latino, Inc.; Rene Sánchez, vice president, client strategy & insights, Culturati; John Santiago, founder and CEO of digital advertising agency M8; Juan Ruiz, director of Hispanic insights, Mintel; Matt Krepsik, global head of MROI products, Vanessa Strain, vice president, multicultural growth & strategy, and Michelle Zweig, senior vice president for media analytics, Nielsen; Vine comedian Oscar Miranda; Kay-Lani Martinez, top beauty influencer on Instagram and YouTube; and YouTube sensation Jorge Narvaez.

For more information, please visit http://ahaa.org and follow all conference chatter on Twitter using the @ahaa handle and hashtag #ahaanextgen.

About AHAA
Founded in 1996, AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing is the national trade organization of all marketing, communications and media firms with trusted Hispanic expertise.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 202,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

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