American Honda Reports November Car and Truck Sales

December 1, 2015

2016 Honda Pilot sales climb 19 percent as American Honda reports November sales results.

TORRANCE, California, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported November sales of 115,441 Honda and Acura vehicles, a decrease of 5.2 percent in a month with two fewer selling days and one less weekend vs. a record-setting November 2014. Honda Division sold 103,197 units, with car sales reaching 53,900 and truck sales totaling 49,297 for the month. Acura sales totaled 12,244, with sedan sales of 4,461 and trucks reaching 7,783 units in November.

Honda

Strong sales of the all-new Pilot and core Honda models kept Honda on track for an all-time annual sales record, with the Accord, Civic and CR-V on course to reach a combined one million units in sales for the third consecutive year.

Pilot sales climbed strongly, rising 19 percent on sales of 10,975 units putting the all-new Pilot on the verge of its best sales year since 2006.
Civic posted an 8.6 percent November increase on sales of 25,050 units, even as the production ramp up of the 2016 Civic Sedan continues at Honda plants in North America.
Accord posted a November increase of 1.2 percent to 25,566 units, boosting YTD 2015 sales to 320,501 units.
CR-V continued on pace as the industry’s best-selling SUV, with sales of 25,931 units in November pushing its 2015 total over the 300,000-unit mark for the third consecutive year.

“It is incredibly gratifying to see our customers embrace the all-new Pilot and Civic,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. “We are going to race to the finish in the effort to earn a record number of new customers this year.”

Acura
Acura truck sales remain on pace for a record year with combined sales of MDX and RDX approaching the 100,000-unit mark for 2015, while Acura sedan sales are up more than 20% in 2015, topping 60,000 units for the first time since 2013.

Acura’s athletic RDX set a new November record, climbing 7.4 percent on sales of 3,691 vehicles.
TLX sales of 43,572 units through the first 11 months of 2015 has now nearly tripled the 2014 combined sales total of the TLX and the outgoing TL and TSX models it replaced.

“With the Acura brand on track for our fifth consecutive year of increased sales and our best annual sales total since 2007 we continue to build strong momentum toward next year’s celebration of Acura’s 30^th anniversary,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of the Acura division. “We also recognize and embrace the challenges of an ultra-competitive luxury market as we sharpen our portfolio with products like the technologically advanced NSX and continue to build the brand with highly desirable vehicles throughout the lineup.”

	American Honda Vehicle Sales for November 2015
			Month-to-Date				Year-to-Date
			November 2015	November 2014	DSR** % Change	MoM % Change	November 2015	November 2014	DSR** % Change	YoY % Change
	American Honda Total		115,441	121,814	3.0%	-5.2%	1,435,658	1,403,591	2.6%	2.3%
	Total Car Sales		58,361	61,430	3.3%	-5.0%	738,111	768,719	-3.6%	-4.0%
	Total Truck Sales		57,080	60,384	2.7%	-5.5%	697,547	634,872	10.3%	9.9%
	Honda Total	Car Sales	53,900	55,222	6.1%	-2.4%	675,809	717,312	-5.4%	-5.8%
	Honda Total	Truck Sales	49,297	51,735	3.6%	-4.7%	599,507	536,245	12.2%	11.8%
	Acura Total	Car Sales	4,461	6,208	-21.9%	-28.1%	62,302	51,407	21.6%	21.2%
	AcuraTotal	Truck Sales	7,783	8,649	-2.2%	-10.0%	98,040	98,627	-0.2%	-0.6%
	Total Domestic Car Sales		55,655	60,651	-0.3%	-8.2%	729,135	731,833	-0.0%	-0.4%
		Honda Division	51,314	54,688	2.0%	-6.2%	668,904	689,876	-2.7%	-3.0%
		Acura Division	4,341	5,963	-20.9%	-27.2%	60,231	41,957	44.1%	43.6%
	Total Domestic Truck Sales		57,080	60,384	2.7%	-5.5%	697,542	634,872	10.3%	9.9%
		Honda Division	49,297	51,735	3.6%	-4.7%	599,502	536,245	12.2%	11.8%
		Acura Division	7,783	8,649	-2.2%	-10.0%	98,040	98,627	-0.2%	-0.6%
	Total Import Car Sales		2,706	779	277.6%	247.4%	8,976	36,886	-75.6%	-75.7%
		Honda Division	2,586	534	426.4%	384.3%	6,905	27,436	-74.7%	-74.8%
		Acura Division	120	245	-46.8%	-51.0%	2,071	9,450	-78.0%	-78.1%
	Total Import Truck Sales		0	0	0.0%	0.0%	5	0	0.0%	0.0%
		Honda Division	0	0	0.0%	0.0%	5	0	0.0%	0.0%
		Acura Division	0	0	0.0%	0.0%	0	0	0.0%	0.0%
MODEL BREAKOUT BY DIVISION
	Honda Division Total		103,197	106,957	4.9%	-3.5%	1,275,316	1,253,557	2.1%	1.7%
		* ACCORD	25,566	25,275	9.9%	1.2%	320,501	356,785	-9.8%	-10.2%
		* CIVIC	25,050	23,060	18.1%	8.6%	302,588	300,644	1.0%	0.6%
		CR-Z	236	188	36.4%	25.5%	2,757	3,338	-17.1%	-17.4%
		FCX CLARITY	0	0	0.0%	0.0%	0	1	-100.0%	-100.0%
		* FIT	3,018	6,421	-48.9%	-53.0%	48,527	52,890	-7.9%	-8.2%
		INSIGHT	30	278	-88.3%	-89.2%	1,436	3,654	-60.6%	-60.7%

		CROSSTOUR	527	955	-40.0%	-44.8%	8,491	10,939	-22.1%	-22.4%
		* CR-V	25,931	32,378	-12.9%	-19.9%	314,462	302,650	4.3%	3.9%
		HR-V	3,505	0	0.0%	0.0%	37,232	0	0.0%	0.0%
		ODYSSEY	8,356	8,639	5.1%	-3.3%	115,936	112,370	3.5%	3.2%
		PILOT	10,975	9,228	29.3%	18.9%	122,868	97,378	26.6%	26.2%
		RIDGELINE	3	535	-99.4%	-99.4%	518	12,908	-96.0%	-96.0%

		*** Memo: Accord FHEV	288	1,094	-71.4%	-73.7%	10,841	12,744	-14.6%	-14.9%
		Memo: Accord PHEV	1	43	-97.5%	-97.7%	63	386	-83.6%	-83.7%
		Memo: Civic Hybrid	239	432	-39.9%	-44.7%	4,624	4,594	1.0%	0.7%
		Memo: Fit EV	0	5	-100.0%	-100.0%	1	375	-99.7%	-99.7%
	Acura Division Total		12,244	14,857	-10.4%	-17.6%	160,342	150,034	7.3%	6.9%
		ILX	1,353	1,652	-11.0%	-18.1%	16,571	16,124	3.1%	2.8%
		RLX / RL	120	225	-42.0%	-46.7%	2,036	3,180	-35.7%	-36.0%
		TL	1	78	-98.6%	-98.7%	88	10,540	-99.2%	-99.2%
		TLX	2,987	4,233	-23.3%	-29.4%	43,572	15,293	185.9%	184.9%
		TSX	0	20	-100.0%	-100.0%	35	6,270	-99.4%	-99.4%

		MDX	4,092	5,210	-14.6%	-21.5%	51,954	58,842	-11.4%	-11.7%
		RDX	3,691	3,436	16.8%	7.4%	46,084	39,709	16.5%	16.1%
		ZDX	0	3	-100.0%	-100.0%	2	76	-97.4%	-97.4%

		*** Memo: ILX Hybrid	0	10	-100.0%	-100.0%	22	370	-94.0%	-94.1%
		Memo: RLX Hybrid	13	37	-61.8%	-64.9%	234	104	125.8%	125.0%
		Memo: TSX Wagon	0	2	-100.0%	-100.0%	2	637	-99.7%	-99.7%
	Selling Days		23	25			280	281
	**** Hybrid		807	2,082	-57.9%	-61.2%	19,977	25,190	-20.4%	-20.7%

* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic & global sourced parts

** Daily Selling Rate

*** Memo line items are included in the respective model total

**** Hybrid includes FHEV, PHEV, CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Insight, ILX Hybrid, RLX Hybrid and RLX Sport Hybrid

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151201/292188
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100923/HONDALOGO

El Salvador Conducts First Investment Forum In New York

December 1, 2015

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NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — El Salvador Export and Investment Attraction Agency (PROESA) conducted its first Investment Forum, El Salvador: Opportunities Beyond Expectations, with invited guests from a cross-section of the business and investment communities in Manhattan and the surrounding metropolitan area. A panel of Salvadorian officials and a US businessman discussed the opportunities and advantages of doing business and investing in El Salvador.

Speaking at the forum Mr. Sigfrido Reyes, President of PROESA said: “More than 50 companies from all around the world have already established a home for their operations in El Salvador. We have every expectation that it will continue to grow.”

Referencing the benefits of commerce in El Salvador, Reyes continued: “The people of El Salvador are friendly and gracious in their hospitality.” El Salvador, located in the middle of the Americas, has adopted the US dollar – considered a major factor for investors. Citing the issue of safety, security, and overall stability of El Salvador, Reyes said: “We have fought and won corruption, have worked vigorously to promote economic growth, and today we offer a country that is ready, in all aspects, to be your partner.”

Speaking specifically to the issue of economics, Carolina Vides, Investment and Export Manager for PROESA, said: “It all starts with investment laws. El Salvador offers attractive tax incentives which guaranty investors a secure environment.” The country has begun to attract foreign direct investors (FDI), a statistic supported by the fact that it has more foreign direct investors than any other country in the region.

Phil Pedone, panelist and US businessman with operations in El Salvador, believes El Salvador is an outstanding place to conduct business, stating: “They have free trade agreements with 42 countries, and taxes are very favorable for foreign investors.” According to Pedone, profits from their Salvadorian business have allowed them to make investments that have helped grow their business both in US and El Salvador.

Salvadoran UN Ambassador, H.E. Ruben Zamora, in closing, stated: “We have been speaking today of all the advantages of investing in El Salvador. A major factor of foreign investors joining us in El Salvador is that it creates opportunities for everyone; we have created an environment for businesses to invest and grow with El Salvador.”

About PROESA:
Founded in 2000, PROESA is El Salvador’s Export and Investment Attraction Agency. PROESA is an independent government agency whose mission it is to improve the lives of the people of El Salvador through the promotion of exports, investments and public private partnerships. And to, increase national productivity by the creation employment opportunities and enhanced national development.

For more information about EL SALVADOR and PROESA please contact [email protected].

(Español) El escape de ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán, Lionel Messi, y Jennifer López entre lo más buscado en Yahoo en Español en el 2015

December 1, 2015

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The makers of the HERDEZ® and DONA MARIA® Brands Partner to Bring Las Posadas Celebrations to Community and Children

December 1, 2015

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ORANGE, California, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For the first time ever, the makers of the HERDEZ^® brand, the No. 1 salsa brand in Mexico and the makers of the DONA MARIA^®brand, the No. 1 mole brand in Mexico, are partnering to bring Las Posadas celebrations to local communities and children in Los Angeles, Calif. Las Posadas or the inns, is a nine-day celebration taking place from Dec. 16-24. The Mexican holiday features pilgrims on candlelit processions filled with singing and cheer culminating in festivities and traditional foods offered by an innkeeper. This year the two brands will kick-off the holiday by hosting a free posada for the local community on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the El Paseo Inn restaurant at Olvera Street. The community will enjoy a fun-filled celebration with food, music and live mariachi. To further celebrate, HERDEZ^® and DONA MARIA^® brands will gift a $10,000 cash sum donation and gifts to Los Angeles based Para Los Ninos, a non-profit organization that battles poverty and promotes academic success for disadvantaged children. The donation will serve to fund Para Los Ninos’ Felices Fiestas, a holiday festival that provides food and gifts for local families in need.

HERDEZ(R) and DOÑA MARÍA(R) Brands Partner to Bring Las Posadas Celebrations to Community and Children; Brands to Donate $10K and Gifts to Para Los Ninos Organization

“Para Los Ninos is thankful to receive such a generous donation from the HERDEZ^® and DONA MARIA^® brands,” said Martine Singer, Para Los Ninos CEO. “Partnerships such as these allow us to continue providing our kids with a safe learning environment in which to thrive.”

HERDEZ^® and DONA MARIA^® brands will also be coordinating a gift drop-off campaign to further benefit Para Los Ninos’ Felices Fiestas. Wrapped or un-wrapped presents can be dropped off at El Paseo Inn restaurant located at 11 Olvera Street in Los Angeles, Calif. from Dec. 1-16.

“Para Los Ninos’ Felices Fiestas celebrates and rewards the success of our children through this holiday festival, ensuring they are recognized and don’t walk away empty handed this holiday season,” said Gilberto Gutierrez, senior brand manager for HERDEZ^® brand a division of MegaMex Foods. HERDEZ^® brand is excited to team up with DONA MARIA^® brand for the first time ever, working together towards worthwhile causes such as these.”

“Las Posadas is a perfect time to warm our kitchens with savory flavors and celebrate with family, friends, food, salsa and mole,” said Elisa Velazquez, brand manager for DONA MARIA^® brand at MegaMex Foods. “DONA MARIA^® brand is honored to be a part of this longstanding tradition, and through this new partnership with HERDEZ^®brand, offer our community memorable holiday moments.”

For more information on Las Posadas events visit: www.herdeztraditions.com/las-posadas. Follow HERDEZ^® and DONA MARIA^® brands via social media on Facebook and Instagram @HERDEZTraditions, and on Twitter @HERDEZBrand. For a chance to win prizes, join the conversation via #MisPosadas.

About the HERDEZ® Brand

HERDEZ® salsa is made the authentic way, using fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, chile peppers and cilantro. Today, HERDEZ® Salsa is the No.1 selling salsa brand in Mexico and a growing staple in homes in the United States. HERDEZ® authentic Mexican products are available nationwide at major grocery stores. Visit www.herdeztraditions.com for more information.

About the DONA MARIA® Brand

When it comes to world-famous mole pastes and tender nopalitos, DONA MARIA® brand has been Mexico’s favorite brand for over 65 years. Made with rich, flavorful ingredients such as fiery ancho chiles, pasilla chiles, peanuts, chocolate, hearty pumpkin seeds and a blend of signature Mexican spices DONA MARIA® mole features a smooth, slow-cooked flavor, making it the No.1 mole brand in Mexico today. Based on authenticity, this robust sauce is remarkably easy to use delivering a unique homemade flavor to any dish. DONA MARIA® authentic Mexican products are available nationwide at major grocery stores.

About Para Los Ninos

Since 1980, Para Los Ninos has helped children and families succeed in school and life. Each year PLN serves 7,500 children and families at 11 sites in the most impoverished neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Para Los Ninos schools immerse children in rigorous learning and enriching environments, and offer families skills that support academic achievement and financial stability. The organization utilizes novel and innovative teaching methodologies to promote student achievement, along with coordinated case management to bring mental health and support services to all members of the community. By combining school-day education with valuable life services, Para Los Ninos gives children the opportunities to combat the achievement gap, escape poverty, and achieve success in school and in life.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151201/292280

Combate Americas Hits Hollywood!

December 1, 2015

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NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Combate Americas, the first-ever U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-creator Campbell McLaren, today announced that it will make its debut in Los Angeles, Calif. with a stellar, nine-bout fight card at Florentine Gardens, live on NBC UNIVERSO, the modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT.

“This event represents Combate Americas coming of age, and presenting a lineup that is second to none with a collection of the brightest up-and-coming Hispanic fighters in the U.S.,” said McLaren.

Priced from $40, tickets for “Premier Insurance Services and Aspira Mas Present Combate Americas: Road To The Championship Hollywood,” are on sale at www.HollywoodFightNight.com.

In the bantamweight (135 pounds) main event of the live, four-fight telecast on NBC UNIVERSO, John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda, fresh off his victory at the inaugural “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event in Las Vegas, Nev. on September 17, will square off with fellow striking sensation Federico “Kiko” Lopez.

The 23-year-old Castaneda (8-2), a seasoned striker who hails from Mankato, Minn., earned his third consecutive victory in the form of a unanimous decision over Justin Governale in the Combate Americas cage.

A 31-year-old member of Team Quest, Lopez (10-5) of Murrieta, Calif. is riding a five fight win streak, with four of those victories having come by way of either (T)KO or submission.

In the bantamweight co-main event, Combate Americas reality television series star and power puncher Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios will square off with dangerous scrapper Anthony Paredes of Murrieta.

Palacios (5-1), a 28-year-old resident of Mission, Texas who also boasts an unblemished professional boxing record of 2-0-1, scored a thunderous, first round (1:00) KO on Benji Gomez with a head kick at the “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event on September 17, while the 26-year-old Paredes, another member of Team Quest, is looking to return to the win column after suffering a loss in July that snapped a two-fight win streak.

In a featured women’s atomweight (105 pounds) attraction on the live telecast, Kyra “Mogwai” Batara will collide with “Lightning” Liz McCarthy.

Fighting out of Las Vegas, Batara (3-3) is a 21-year-old protege of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guru Eddie Bravo. During the “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship” event in Las Vegas, Batara pulled off a stunning upset win via unanimous decision over Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc, a former world championship challenger with five times as many professional bouts as Batara.

The 29-year-old McCarthy (2-3), also fighting out of Las Vegas, is a four-time veteran of Invicta FC, the world’s premier all-women’s MMA league. Prior to her professional debut at Invicta FC 2 where she defeated Jessica Philippus by way of first round (5:00) TKO (doctor stoppage) on July 28, 2012, McCarthy amassed a perfect, 6-0 record as an amateur.

The live NBC UNIVERSO telecast will kick off with a featherweight (145 pounds) matchup between Urijah Faber protege and prolific finisher Erick Sanchez (5-2) of Sacramento, Calif. and fellow rising star “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (3-3) of Las Vegas.

The complete, five-bout preliminary card for “Combate Americas: Road To The Championship Hollywood” will be announced soon.

Doors at Florentine Gardens open at 5 p.m. PT for the event, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.

ABOUT COMBATE AMERICAS
Combate Americas, LLC. is the first U.S. Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise in history, designed to build Latino fighting champions and serve Hispanic fans, one of the world’s most avid groups of prize fighting enthusiasts. The Combate Americas franchise includes reality TV programming, live events and mobile programming. The company’s CEO, Campbell McLaren, is universally recognized as the co-founder/co-creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New York Magazine described McLaren as “the marketing genius behind the UFC” and Yahoo! Sports proclaimed that he “knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today.” With an unprecedented product and a blue-chip ownership and management team, Combate Americas is poised to break new ground and bring about a new era in world championship level MMA competition.

About NBC UNIVERSO:
NBC UNIVERSO (www.nbcuniverso.com) is a modern entertainment and sports cable channel for Latinos, bringing the world’s top sports franchises and edgy programming to more than 40 million households in the U.S. As one of the most widely available modern cable channels for U.S. Latinos, NBC UNIVERSO delivers a thrilling mix of exclusive sports action – including FIFA World Cup™, Liga MX, Premier League, NASCAR Mexico Series, NFL and The 2016 Rio Olympics – along with signature series, blockbuster movies, music, must-see live events and strategic acquisitions, on TV, online and mobile devices. NBC UNIVERSO is part of NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, a division of NBCUniversal (www.nbcuniversal.com), one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (www.comcastcorporation.com). To find the NBC UNIVERSO channel number in your area, please visit www.nbcuniverso.com/encuentralo.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150716/237654LOGO

(Español) Lil Wayne anuncia la gira THE DEDICATION TOUR

December 1, 2015

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Kia Motors America Records Best November In Company History And Sells Six Millionth Vehicle In The U.S.

December 1, 2015

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IRVINE, California, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Propelled by the sale of its six millionth vehicle in the U.S. since arriving in 1994, Kia Motors America’s (KMA) year-long momentum continued with best-ever November sales of 45,553 vehicles, a 1.4-percent increase over the same period last year. The brand’s seventh straight monthly sales record was led by the Optima and Soul, with 13,048 and 10,045 units sold, respectively.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151201/292222

“Kia has outpaced the industry all year, and with our ‘Holidays On Us’ sales event in place throughout November customers visited our showrooms in record numbers to discover the new Kia,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KMA. “Kia continues to grow and mature at a rapid rate, and surpassing the six million vehicles mark as we push toward a strong finish to the year is the latest example of how far this brand has come in a very short period of time.”

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2014, surpassing the 500,000 unit mark for the third consecutive year. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K900¹ flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle², Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia’s U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 15,000 plant and supplier jobs.

Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

	MONTH OF NOVEMBER		YEAR-TO-DATE
Model	2015	2014	2015	2014
Rio	898	2,088	22,745	34,009
Forte	5,010	5,047	73,508	64,030
Optima	13,048	12,707	145,732	147,193
Cadenza	847	482	6,745	8,719
K900	228	69	2,362	1,237
Sportage	4,211	3,261	47,695	39,647
Sorento	9,023	8,598	103,377	92,832
Sedona	2,243	3,538	34,439	11,570
Soul	10,045	9,146	134,974	135,410
Total	45,553	44,936	571,577	534,647

___________________________________

¹ K900 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.

² Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.

New POPTALK Application to Launch Just in Time for the Holidays Allowing Android Users to Call and Text Their Families in Mexico and Latin America for FREE

December 1, 2015

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New POPTALK Application to Launch Just in Time for the Holidays Allowing Android Users to Call and Text Their Families in Mexico and Latin America for FREE

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Poptalk, a smartphone application created to bridge the communication and connectivity gap between immigrants and their families, will launch in the US and Latin America (these countries have the world’s most expensive mobile rates, and a limited number of companies offering services).

The free application allows Android users (iOS to follow in March) to call or SMS any phone for free by simply renting their smartphone lock screens to sponsors, receiving credits daily by using their phones normally. Users can also use these credits to pay for their relatives’ cellphone service and data in Latin America.

Poptalk offers the highest-quality voice service with rates that are just a fraction of calling cards (30x-100x) and local carriers (10x) so every free credit gets you an abundance of minutes and texts. For example, the average Poptalk user can call a Mexican landline for 600 minutes every month, for free.

There are 54M Latinos living in the U.S with over 1.5 trillion purchasing power. This, coupled with Latinos over indexing on international mobile communication and their propensity to be willing to view ads for free services is a tangible value proposition for advertisers targeting this highly coveted audience.

This is the first app to provide free international calling and SMS to any kind of phone within Latin America. Current apps require both parties to have smartphones and mobile data to communicate – only 19% of Latin America meets this requirement. Poptalk users can call their family members who have landline phones or text friends who don’t have a smartphone. With Poptalk 100% of Latinos (610M) can be reached.

The app is the brainchild of former Google managers, UC Berkeley graduate Victor Santos and Harvard graduate Sara Choi, both technology entrepreneurs with immigrant families, as a solution to serve underserved communities.

“From day 1 we created this company because we believe the ability to stay in contact with your loved ones shouldn’t be a privilege just for the rich, especially when 83% of the world lives in an emerging market” said co-founder Sara Choi.

“We want to help the under-served stay connected to their loved ones by being the first company to provide a completely free telecom alternative that includes calling (regardless of if you have internet), texting, and even data (through the ability to use Poptalk credits to top-up your prepaid phone)” added co-founder Victor Santos.

Poptalk will launch with the Android Market 4.0+. The iOS Market will follow in end of March 2016.

To learn more about Poptalk and to download the app, please visit: http://www.joinpoptalk.com

Join the conversation at
https://www.facebook.com/poptalkapp

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151130/291999

All segments of Texas housing market show strong gains in 2015

December 1, 2015

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AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Texas real estate made a strong showing in all segments of the housing market in 2015 due to continued growth in the state’s economy, jobs and population, according to the 2015 Texas Annual Housing Report released today by the Texas Association of Realtors.

“The Texas real estate market has been firing on all cylinders in 2015. People are relocating to Texas from far and wide, homes in all price classes are in high demand and the number of available properties is slowly rising,” said Scott Kesner, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors.

The 2015 editions of the Texas Quarterly Housing Report indicated that Texas real estate is on pace to potentially have a record year in 2015. Home sales and prices steadily increased throughout the year, while statewide housing inventory reached a two-year high – 4.0 months – in 2015-Q3. Once again, the 2015 Texas Homebuyers and Sellers Report showed that Texas is outpacing the nation in home sales, as median incomes for Texans rose 5.9 percent year-over-year – more than double the growth rate of incomes nationally during the same time frame.

Texas’s business-friendly environment and strong job growth continued to attract new residents from out-of-state and internationally in 2015. Texas was the No. 2 state for gains in out-of-state residents, with more than 538,000 Americans relocating to Texas, according to the 2015 Texas Relocation Report. Additionally, international homebuyers contributed more than $8.32 billion to the Texas economy in a 12-month period, according to the 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report.

“Texas’s diversified economy and our state’s enduring real estate demand shows that Texas remains to be a great place to live, work and do business,” said Kesner.

Two of the strongest segments of the Texas housing market were luxury home sales and small land sales. According to the 2015 Texas Luxury Home Sales Report, home sales priced at $1 million or higher grew between nine and 26 percent year-over-year in the state’s four largest metros. Small land sales throughout Texas also experienced double-digit growth, with 5,282 small land sales statewide. This was a 20.69 percent increase from the year prior, according to the 2015 Texas Small Land Sales Report.

Condominium and townhome sales in Texas continued to be strong, remaining fairly consistent with the previous year’s sales volume. The 2015 Texas Condominium Mid-Year Sales Report showed that existing condos spent less time on the market than new condos, as rising land and development costs may make new condominiums less affordable for some buyers.

Despite this rapid market growth, tough lending standards and a competitive homebuying market continued to make home remodeling a popular option among Texas homeowners. The 2014 Texas Remodel Valuation Report showed that remodeling projects continued to gain popularity and profitability, with smaller, functional projects that boosted a home’s curb appeal recouping the highest percentage of project costs.

Kesner concluded, “Once again, the Texas housing market has exceeded expectations and is on pace to possibly set another record for home sales. The market will remain highly competitive in 2016, making housing development and affordability key areas of focus throughout the state.”

About the Texas Annual Housing Report
The Texas Annual Housing Report is a recap of all market research reports distributed by the Texas Association of Realtors each year. The 2015 edition includes insights from the 2015 Texas Relocation Report, 2015 Texas International Homebuyers Report, 2015 Texas Luxury Home Sales Report, 2015 Texas Small Land Sales Report, 2015 Texas Remodel Valuation Report, 2015 Texas Condominium Mid-Year Sales Report, 2015 Texas Homebuyers and Sellers Report, and 2015 Texas Quarterly Housing Reports for Q1, Q2 and Q3. To view the Texas Annual Housing Report in its entirety, visit TexasRealEstate.com.

About the Texas Association of REALTORS®
With more than 100,000 members, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is a professional membership organization that represents all aspects of real estate in Texas. We advocate on behalf of Texas REALTORS® and private-property owners to keep homeownership affordable, protect private-property rights, and promote public policies that benefit homeowners. Visit TexasRealEstate.com to learn more.

CONTACT: Danielle Urban
Pierpont Communications
512-448-4950
[email protected]