Page 2873

BMW Group U.S. Reports June 2015 Sales

0





BMW Group U.S. Reports June 2015 Sales

– BMW brand up 6.5 percent, sets June record

– MINI brand sales up 14.8 percent

– BMW Motorcycle sales increase 83.3 percent, sets all time sales record


WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 6.5 percent in June for a total of 32,176 compared to 30,201 vehicles sold in June, 2014.

“There’s no better follow-up to a record May than a record June with the numbers showing a consistent momentum for BMW as the year reaches the half-way point,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “It’s clear the U.S. is more in love with light trucks than ever before and the hardest part is supplying the demand.  At the same time, I am delighted to see MINI gaining more traction as model availability continues to increase.”

To see and hear more of Ludwig Willisch’s perspective on the June sales, click here.

In June, notable vehicle sales included the BMW 2 Series which increased 56.9 percent to 1,067 vehicles, the BMW 4 Series which increased 69.4 percent to 6,625 vehicles and the BMW X5 which increased 89.0 percent to 7,508 vehicles.

BMW Group Sales
In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported June sales of 38,350 vehicles, an increase of 7.8 percent from the 35,577 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago.

MINI Brand Sales
For June, MINI USA reports 6,174 automobiles sold, an increase of 14.8 percent from the 5,376 sold in the same month a year ago.

BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles
In June, BMW Certified Pre-Owned sold 9,326 vehicles, up 16.7 percent over June 2014, with a year-to-date gain of 23.8 percent to 58,396 vehicles sold over the same period in 2014. Total BMW Pre-Owned sales were 15,069 vehicles sold in June 2015, a 1.1 percent decrease from June 2014. The Total BMW Pre-Owned cars sold for the first six months were 93,141, a 4.9 percent decrease from the same period in 2014.

MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles
In June, sales of MINI NEXT (certified pre-owned) were 1,051 vehicles, up 35.6 percent over June 2014, with a year-to-date gain of 29.9 percent to 5,683 cars over the same period in 2014.  Total MINI Pre-Owned sales were 2,432 cars, an increase of 25.9 percent from June 2014. Total MINI Pre-Owned sales for the first six months were 12,972, a 5.1 percent increase from the same period in 2014.

Table 1: New Vehicle Sales BMW of North America, LLC, June 2015  

June 2015

June 2014

%

YTD June 2015

YTD June 2014

%

i3

551

358

54.0%

4,456

694

542.1%

i8

137

0

0.0%

733

0

0.0%

1/2 Series

1,067

680

56.9%

5,342

3,268

63.5%

3 Series

6,891

7,633

-9.7%

42,783

41,521

3.0%

4 Series

6,625

3,910

69.4%

24,906

15,402

61.7%

5 Series

2,965

7,940

-62.7%

23,581

27,617

-14.6%

6 Series

238

322

-26.1%

5,084

5,067

0.3%

7 Series

832

1,548

-46.3%

5,223

4,711

10.9%

Z4 

105

114

-7.9%

1,072

1,213

-11.6%

X1

1,118

1,052

6.3%

5,905

11,311

-47.8%

BMW passenger cars

20,529

23,557

-12.9%

119,085

110,804

7.5%

X3

2,301

2,105

9.3%

13,283

21,802

-39.1%

X4

390

0

0.0%

3,146

0

0.0%

X5

7,508

3,972

89.0%

29,151

22,438

29.9%

X6

1,448

567

155.4%

3,958

2,338

69.3%

BMW light trucks 

11,647

6,644

75.3%

49,538

46,578

6.4%

BMW brand

32,176

30,201

6.5%

168,623

157,382

7.1%

Cooper /S Hardtop 2 Door

1,425

2,304

-38.2%

10,227

7,721

32.5%

Cooper /S Hardtop 4 Door

1,886

0

100.0%

8,261

0

100.0%

Cooper /S Convertible

393

368

6.8%

1,707

1,737

-1.7%

Cooper /S Clubman

7

361

-98.1%

18

1,910

-99.1%

Coupe

51

78

-34.6%

258

512

-49.6%

Roadster

123

127

-3.1%

673

724

-7.0%

Countryman

2,041

1,956

4.3%

8,278

10,621

-22.1%

Paceman

248

182

36.3%

838

927

-9.6%

MINI brand

6,174

5,376

14.8%

30,260

24,152

25.3%

TOTAL BMW of North America, LLC

38,350

35,577

7.8%

198,883

181,534

9.6%

BMW Motorrad Sales
BMW motorcycles established a new all-time record for sales, retailing 2,433 motorcycles in June. This record was also 83.3 percent above the 1,327 motorcycles sold in June 2014.

The R 1200 RT was the best selling model in June with 270 units, and in combination with the new for 2015 R 1200 R, grew boxer model retails by 160% to 1,346 units compared to 517 in June of 2014.  S-Series models were boosted by the arrival of the all-new S 1000 XR adventure motorcycle, posting growth of 60% with sales of 463 units compared to 290 this time last year.  The recently introduced F 800 R helped F-Series models also outperform 2014, growing 50% with 337 deliveries compared to 225 in June 2014.

With growth of 10.9% after 6 months, BMW Motorrad also set a new half-year record.

Table 2: Motorcycle Sales BMW of North America, LLC, June 2015

June

 2015

June

 2014

%

YTD June

2015

YTD June 2014

%

BMW Motorcycles

2,433

1,327

83.3

9,254

8,348

10.9

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes.  The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148 BMW motorcycle retailers, 123 MINI passenger car dealers, and 36 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.


The Hispanic Public Relations Association Announces Call-For-Entries for the HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards

0





The Hispanic Public Relations Association Announces Call-For-Entries for the HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards

2015 awards program introduces new host city, four new categories and the inaugural ‘Pioneer of the Year’ award


NEW YORK, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) announced the call-for-entries for the highest accolade in Hispanic public relations – the HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards. Hosted in New York City for the first time in the organization’s 30-year history, the National ¡BRAVO! Awards celebrate the best corporate, agency, and non-profit PR teams, and the breakthrough work they produced.

“These are exciting times in our industry and I am proud to say that the HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards 2015 program will be the most ambitious in the award’s history,” said Andy Checo, president of HPRA National Board of Directors. “We look forward to celebrating the best work of our industry during an event full of firsts for our rapidly growing organization. It will mark the first time we host the event in the Big Apple, the first time we will recognize an industry leader with the ‘Pioneer of the Year’ award and the first time we will awarding four newly created categories.”

The HPRA ‘Pioneer of the Year’ award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated significant leadership and influence to advance the practice of Hispanic public relations. Nominees will be presented by the HPRA National Board of Directors who will also select the recipient of the prestigious award. The honoree will be recognized during the 2015 HPRA BRAVO Awards on October 8 at the New York Palace Hotel.

There are 16 categories available to enter for the HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards. These include:

  1. Technology
  2. Healthcare/Nutrition
  3. Fashion & Beauty
  4. Food & Beverage
  5. Public Education
  6. Sports
  7. New Product/Service Launch
  8. Pro-Bono
  9. Media Events
  10. Integrated Marketing Communications
  11. Non-Profit
  12. Digital PR Programs (Social Media Campaigns)
  13. Internal Communications (NEW)
  14. CSR Communications (NEW)
  15. Public Affairs (NEW)
  16. Multicultural PR Program (NEW)

How to Enter
All materials are required to be submitted digitally. Awards categories are open to all public relations, advertising, and marketing agencies, corporations, non-profit organizations and/or practitioners who practice in the United States, including Puerto Rico. Work must have been implemented between June 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, August 26, 2015. 

Entries will be judged by an unaffiliated panel of senior public relations professionals representing industry national organizations and trade publications. Entrants will be notified of results by early-September. Awards winners will be recognized at HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards dinner at The New York Palace Hotel in NYC on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015.

For more information about the awards program and to enter a submission, visit https://www.hpra-usa.org/bravo-awards/

For information about HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards sponsorship opportunities, please contact the HPRA National Office at [email protected].

All proceeds benefit the HPRA National scholarship and professional development programs.


Record June Sales Propel Kia Motors America To Best First-Half Performance In Company History

0





Record June Sales Propel Kia Motors America To Best First-Half Performance In Company History

Kia Surpasses 300,000 Units in Six Months for First Time; Year-To-Date Sales Up 4.6 Percent


IRVINE, Calif., July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After setting an all-time monthly sales record in May, Kia Motors America’s (KMA) momentum continued with best-ever June sales of 54,137 vehicles, capping off the greatest first-half performance in company history. With more than 300,000 vehicles sold in six months, Kia is up 4.6 percent year-to-date. Sales of the Sedona minivan, which was completely redesigned for the 2015 model year, reached new heights with a 707-percent increase over June 2014.

“Customers continue to turn to Kia in increasing numbers for our world-class design, technology, value and, of course, our quality, which was recently reaffirmed in J.D. Power’s annual Initial Quality Study in which Kia finished second overall and first among non-premium brands,” said Michael Sprague, Chief Operating Officer and EVP, KMA. “With our ‘Summer’s On Us’ promotion attracting even more traffic into showrooms, June proved to be a historic month for Kia as we recorded both the best quarter and first half sales performances in company history.”

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea, and in 2014 was the #1 ranked mainstream brand according to Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index.  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 14,000 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.

MONTH OF JUNE

YEAR-TO-DATE

Model

2015

2014

2015

2014

Rio

2,420

3,257

14,835

19,966

Forte

7,907

5,846

43,182

37,951

Optima

13,488

13,866

79,966

82,813

Cadenza

359

1,035

3,289

5,415

K900

168

224

710

816

Sportage

3,550

3,590

23,955

19,956

Sorento

8,967

9,831

56,421

51,921

Sedona

5,434

673

20,608

3,576

Soul

11,844

12,322

67,986

74,999

Total

54,137

50,644

310,952

297,413

_______________________________

* 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.

1 2015 K900 V8 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.

2 2015 Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.

 


Mary Kay’s “Suits For Shelters” Delivers A Fresh Start For Women In Need

0





Mary Kay’s “Suits For Shelters” Delivers A Fresh Start For Women In Need


Survivors of Domestic Violence Receive Professional Clothing through Annual Campaign


DALLAS, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As members of Mary Kay’s independent sales force start to pack their bags to travel to Dallas for the iconic beauty company’s annual Seminar, some make a little extra room in their suitcases to bring professional clothing for women in need. For the sixth year, Mary Kay’s Suits for Shelters is collecting women’s professional attire, shoes and accessories to benefit 12 Dallas area organizations supporting survivors of domestic violence.  

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150701/227537

From July 1 through Aug. 1, Tootsies, located in the Plaza at Preston Center, will host a community collection and in return provide benevolent shoppers with a $25 Tootsies gift card. WFAA is also running a series of public service announcements to encourage additional donations from Dallas area women.

“Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support is incredibly grateful to Mary Kay for their long-term support of our organization and their tireless efforts to bring an end to domestic violence,” said Jan Langbein, Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support. “Women leave everything behind when they flee an abusive home, often arriving at our Emergency Shelter with nothing but the clothes on their backs – this donation helps to provide women with the resources they need to rebuild their lives and create the bright futures they each deserve.”

A key component of ending the cycle of abuse is helping a survivor along her recovery secure employment and financial independence. A partnership between Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay FoundationSM, Suits for Shelters provides professional attire to boost a woman’s confidence to aid in her job search. Since 2009, the program has collected more than 14,000 pieces of professional attire for women in need. 

“Many of the women served by our community partners have suffered unspeakable abuse at the hand of someone they loved,” said Crayton Webb, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for Mary Kay Inc. “As a company dedicated to enriching women’s lives, it is our hope that the donations from Mary Kay’s Suits for Shelters will help these women as they take steps toward lives free from abuse.”

Mary Kay has a long-standing commitment to prevent and end domestic violence. Over the past 15 years, Mary Kay Inc. and The Mary Kay FoundationSM have given $50 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs to women’s shelters across the country in an effort to end the cycle of abuse. 

About The Mary Kay FoundationSM
The Mary Kay FoundationSM was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. The Mary Kay FoundationSM has awarded $54 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay FoundationSM, please visit www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737). 

About Mary Kay
Irresistible products. Positive community impact. Rewarding opportunity. For more than 50 years, Mary Kay has offered it all. With 3.5 million Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants and $4 billion in global annual sales, Mary Kay is a top beauty brand and direct seller in more than 35 markets around the world. Discover what there is to love about Mary Kay by connecting with a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant at marykay.com.

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
marykay.com/newsroom
972.687.5332 or [email protected]


Entrepreneurs’ Organization Announces New Global Chairman

0





Entrepreneurs’ Organization Announces New Global Chairman

– Mexican native, Gilberto Crombe, assumes leadership post in global organization for entrepreneurs –


ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), the world’s leading peer-to-peer community of entrepreneurs, welcomed Gilberto Crombe as its new chairman of the global board of directors for FY2015/2016. Crombe’s tenure as chairman will focus on bringing together EO’s global network while driving the organization’s strategic initiatives—and the leading entrepreneurs it supports—to achieve success and significance. EO’s thriving membership has increased to more than 11,000 members worldwide, and member companies now generate a combined US$536 billion in annual revenue and employ more than 2.4 million people.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150701/227380

“This year, our growing, global community is uniting under a core theme of togetherness. Our members are an integral part of an entrepreneurial community that celebrates diversity, rewards innovation and engages the world through business leadership. This is a testament to what entrepreneurs with a global mindset represent,” said Crombe. “We will continue building on the intrinsic value of, and need for, a peer-to-peer network of entrepreneurs by coming together as an organization and building synergy across all levels of the organization.”

A member of EO Monterrey since 1999, Crombe is a serial entrepreneur and strategic business consultant who has owned and operated more than 12 companies in Latin America. In addition to Crombe’s role on the board, EO also welcomes chairman-elect, Ivan Ting, of EO China South, and newly elected directors: Brian Brault of EO Western New York, Fred Johnson of EO Utah and Rosemarie “Bubu” Andres of EO Philippines.

About the Entrepreneurs’ Organization
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 11,000 influential business owners with 148 chapters in 48 countries. Founded in 1987, EO is the catalyst that enables leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow, leading to greater success in business and beyond. For more information, visit www.eonetwork.org.


The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) Responds To Derogatory Remarks By Donald Trump, Reiterates For Companies To #KnowUsOrLoseUs

0

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) denounces the statements made by Donald Trump during his New York City press conference on June 16 and his subsequent “double-down” statements in recent days. His remarks about Mexican Americans and immigrants were insulting, offensive, and disparaging to Hispanics and all who know the truth about the long and positive history of Hispanic contributions in the U.S.

“Donald Trump is a living breathing example that personal wealth does not equate to personal intelligence,” said Cid Wilson, President and CEO of HACR. “Mr. Trump’s statements were not only offensive and ignorant, it was also inaccurate and irresponsible. He has had numerous opportunities to apologize for his anti-Latino remarks and instead has doubled-down on his rhetoric.”

“We want to thank Univision Communications and Comcast Corporation, the parent company of NBC Universal, for doing the right thing by ending their business relationships with Donald Trump. We call on all other corporations with existing relationships with Donald Trump or his businesses, including Macy’s Inc., to end their relationships with Mr. Trump,” concluded Wilson.

HACR and its 16-member coalition of organizations will not host any future conferences or events at Trump properties. We call on Corporate America to exercise positive corporate social responsibility by not conducting any business activities at Trump properties worldwide.

Hispanic employees and consumers will associate with corporations who demonstrate a clear commitment to diversity, inclusion, and engagement. Donald Trump has made the decision to isolate himself from the Hispanic community with his derogatory remarks. That decision will prove to be financially and politically damaging to him and his businesses. Corporations must distance themselves from Mr. Trump to avoid the risk of brand association.

HACR reiterates the importance for Corporate America and corporate leaders to #KnowUsOrLoseUs as a community. Hispanics represents nearly 55 million consumers with nearly $1.5 trillion in buying power. We are among the fast-growing communities with an economic power that ranks us as the 14th largest economy in the world.

HACR will host a press conference today at 10:00am ET at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to further address our statement. For more information on HACR visit our website www.hacr.org, follow us on social media Facebook, LinkedIn, on Twitter @HACRORG, and viewing our videos on YouTube.

About the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility
Founded in 1986, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) is one of the most influential advocacy organizations in the nation representing 16 national Hispanic organizations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Our mission is to advance the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America at a level commensurate with our economic contributions. To that end, HACR focuses on four areas of corporate social responsibility and market reciprocity: Employment, Procurement, Philanthropy, and Governance.

Contacts: 
Dr. Lisette M. Garcia – Senior Director, HACR Research Institute
[email protected] 
202-682-4012

Ariana Solis Gomez – Manager of Communications 
[email protected] 
202-682-4012


Urban Health Plan, Inc. Appoints Dr. Jaime R. Torres As Vice President Of Community Relations And Partnerships

0





Urban Health Plan, Inc. Appoints Dr. Jaime R. Torres As Vice President Of Community Relations And Partnerships


BRONX, N.Y., June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Urban Health Plan, Inc. announced the appointment of Jaime R. Torres, DPM, MS, as Vice President of Community Relations and Partnerships.  In this new position, Dr. Torres will be responsible for facilitating, developing and managing strategic partnerships on behalf of the organization.  

Announcing his appointment, Paloma Hernandez, President and CEO said, “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Torres to the Urban Health Plan network. He brings vast experience and knowledge of the health care industry—federal, state and local–that will be a significant asset to our growing organization.”

Prior to this position, Dr. Torres was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Region II, covering New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In this role, he served as HHS Secretary’s representative in the Region, and was the lead contact with federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government officials.

Previously he served as Associate Director of Consultative Services at Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital in New York City, part of the Health & Hospital Corporation, which is the largest public health system in the nation.

Dr. Torres is president of Latinos for Healthcare Equity, a not-for-profit organization created to improve access to quality, affordable healthcare for the Latino community.  He earned a bachelor of science degree from Fordham University and a doctor of podiatric medicine degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He also has a master of science degree in community health administration from Long Island University.   

Contact information:
Jaime R. Torres, DPM, MS
Vice President of Community Relations & Partnerships
Urban Health Plan, Inc.
1065 Southern Boulevard,
Bronx, New York 10459
Tel: (718) 598-2440 x 2826
Cell: (929) 284-0672
[email protected]

About Urban Health Plan:
Urban Health Plan (UHP) is a network of federally qualified community health centers based in the South Bronx and Queens and has been serving the community since 1974. Our mission is to continuously improve the health of communities and the quality of life of the people we serve by providing affordable, comprehensive, quality, primary and specialty health care and by assuring the performance and advancement of innovative best practices.  We have nine clinical sites, nine school-based sites and four part-time sites.  In 2014, we served more than 68,000 patients through close to 350,000 patient visits. UHP is Joint Commission accredited.  For more information, visit www.urbanhealthplan.org and our social media platforms:  Twitter; Facebook;  YouTube and Instagram.

Contact: Robin West
(347) 604-0063
[email protected]

 


More than Ten Ways to Follow the Pan American Games Toronto 2015 on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Platforms

0





More than Ten Ways to Follow the Pan American Games Toronto 2015 on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Platforms


NEW YORK, June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — ESPN and ESPN Deportes team up for an unprecedented Olympic-style production to deliver complete multiplatform coverage of the 2015 Pan American Games from Toronto, starting Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Opening Ceremony live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

The production comes to live across all English and Spanish-language platforms with a state-of-the-art studio area in the host city, with a backdrop of the iconic Toronto skyline, featuring multiple production areas. The production will be led by a team of about 200 onsite, including more than 25 on-air personalities, supported by an in-studio team reporting from Bristol.

ESPN and ESPN Deportes’ extensive coverage includes daily, up-to-the-minute multimedia content and live broadcast throughout the 17-day event. Together, the brands will offer more than thirteen ways to follow the Games:

ESPN Deportes TV will telecast about 200 hours of live Pan Am Games content, dedicating 12 hours of live windows every day starting at 10 a.m., featuring soccer, swimming, diving, track & field, boxing, basketball and gymnastics. The live telecasts will be complemented with news and information programming throughout the day, followed by a nightly edition of SportsCenter and a recap of the top highlights of the day.

ESPN and ESPN2 will present live 66 hours. ESPN’s telecasts will kick off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. – marking the first English-language live presentation of the ceremony in 30 years – and wrap up with a five-hour live window on July 26 for the closing day of the Games, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Between July 11 – July 25, ESPN2 will present two to six hours of daily live coverage focused on Men and Women’s hoop and volleyball, diving, swimming, gymnastics, boxing, track and field, and soccer. The network will also present daily highlights of all medal winners and the action across every venue.

Longhorn Network will present 44 live hours dedicated to diving, swimming and Women’s Volleyball. The network will follow Team USA’s performance in these disciplines including some lifetime and rising Longhorns: In diving, Texas head coach Matt Scoggin will be in Toronto along with diving rising junior Murphy Bromberg, lifetime Longhorn Maren Taylor and rising senior Cory Bowersox. In swimming, lifetime Longhorn Jimmy Feigen will represent Team USA. In addition, lifetime Longhorns Lauren Paolini and Rachael Adams will be part of the Women’s Volleyball team.

ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes+ will present over 650 live hours of programming that will include 249 sports events in their entirety (210 in English and 39 in Spanish).

ESPN3 will carry 580 hours of Pan American Games programming, with live access to almost every competition in more than 15 different disciplines, including basketball, gymnastics, swimming, diving, soccer, volleyball, karate, taekwondo, track and field, and many others.

ESPN Deportes+, the Spanish-language broadband channel, will carry an additional 90+ hours of live content, including the complete broadcast of select men and women’s soccer, basketball and volleyball games. The channel will also feature medal final competitions in artistic gymnastics, judo, swimming, taekwondo and boxing.

Every Pan American coverage option on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Longhorn Network, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+ will also be available through WatchESPN, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360, and Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

For the first time, ESPN Deportes Radio will offer live play-by-play broadcast of select Pan American Game events, including the complete men’s soccer and basketball competition, and select women’s soccer matches and basketball games. These will be complemented by daily programming dedicated to the Games such as Al Despertar Panamericanos (6-9 a.m.), Zona Panamericana (12-2 p.m.), Destino Panamericano (7-9 p.m.), and Pan Am Express, an hourly update on the latest news and information happening in Toronto.

ESPN Deportes Radio’s coverage will also be available via SIRIUS Satellite Radio, ESPN Radio app available on iPhone and Android, and 24/7 audio streaming via ESPNDeportesRadio.com.

ESPN Radio will also provide daily updates on the latest news, information and results during SportsCenter. Coverage will also include live reports from Toronto and interviews with athletes across talk shows.

ESPNDeportes.com will offer a dedicated section for the Games with daily news and information, video analysis, reports and summaries around all sport competitions. Daily coverage will include events recaps, Hispanic athletes’ results, and post-event interviews with medalists. Content will also include highlights and the stories in anticipation of each day, medal count, and video reports and interviews. In addition, there will be color notes focused on Toronto, the villages, the delegations’ arrivals, marathon routes and Outside the Lines stories.

ESPN.com‘s Bonnie D. Ford and Jim Caple will provide onsite coverage around the Games for all digital platforms, including the dedicated Pan Am section on the site. Ford’s coverage will include an exclusive feature on 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin that will also be featured on espnW. Other special content will focus on U.S. boxing, basketball and soccer, as well as Olympic qualifier events such as diving, field hockey and men’s water polo.

ESPN and ESPN Deportes’ Social Media Channels will supplement the multimedia coverage, engaging fans with the latest news around the Games using the hashtag #PanAmXESPN and #YoDigoPresente. With a social reporter onsite and supplemented by video and images, ESPN Deportes’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will focus on daily results, top athletes and events of the day, and a behind-the-scenes look of the Games and ESPN’s onsite production.

For detailed, daily schedules across platforms visit ESPN.com and ESPNDeportes.com

To Tweet: http://es.pn/1eYhKYE
Version en Espanol: http://es.pn/1egWnB4


(Español) Mira TV estrena el primer informativo sobre redes sociales en el sur de la Florida

0
El periodista Antoni Belchi presenta ¡Mira que trending! cada sábado a las 5pm ET en Mira TV.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

MDX Launches New Cash Back Toll Dividend Program

0

MIAMI, June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — MDX Board of Directors announces that since it operates similar to a private sector corporation but with a public purpose, its toll payers should have a financial stake in this state governmental agency.

Believed to be the first of its kind by a government agency in the nation, the MDX Board of Directors, as it closes its fiscal year, will declare a distribution of dividends to its frequent users, after meeting its financial obligations which includes making its annual principal and interest payments, meeting its senior debt coverage ratio, and covering its operation and maintenance costs. MDX's Board of Directors will return the
remaining toll revenues directly to the toll payer through a dividend payment proportionate to their investment in MDX's infrastructure.

"Our Board of Directors is making a pledge to our customers, to continue to operate MDX as efficiently as any major private sector corporation, while meeting its public obligations as a transportation agency. Toll revenues remaining because of efficiency savings, do not belong to us, and we will return those monies to those customers who invested in our expressways in the first place–the daily commuter and daily commercial user," said Maritza Gutierrez, MDX's Chairperson.

"The Cash Back Program demonstrates the Authority's commitment to fiscal responsibility to our customers and bondholders, as well as reflects an on-going sense of good governance at the Authority," said Chief Financial Officer Marie
Schafer.

Schafer indicated that MDX's recent Credit Rating upgrade from an "A-" to an "A" with a stable outlook rating is just one example on how the agency's fiscal responsibility and efficiency will allow the customers/shareholders to reap the rewards of lower interest rates and lower cost of borrowing money to fund transportation infrastructure improvements.

"Our customers are the shareholders who have invested in financing MDX's infrastructure program, so that our expressways will be safe, functional and less congested. When we closed our system this year so that each customer pays for his or her proportionate use of our expressways, we pledged to them that we would utilize their toll money prudently to complete the final reconstruction of State Road 836 within the next five years," said MDX's Executive Director Javier
Rodriguez.

According to Mr. Rodriguez, MDX receives no local, state or federal government tax subsidy, so those loyal customers should be the direct beneficiary of any financial benefits derived from the agency's efficiency in delivering its infrastructure improvements on time and on budget, once its required financial obligations are met.

The criteria of the program would require customers to register each year, be individuals or a business, be a SunPass customer in good standing, and spend more than $2 weekly ($100 annually) in tolls on any of MDX's five expressways. Members who signed up this year for the MDX Advantage Program should expect to receive a cash-back dividend check by mid-December.

About MDX

MDX operates and maintains five user-supported expressways in Miami-Dade County – SR 112/Airport Expressway, SR 836/Dolphin Expressway, SR 874/Don Shula Expressway, SR 878/Snapper Creek Expressway, and SR 924/Gratigny Parkway. MDX expressways are funded by toll revenue, which is reinvested back into the community and funds the construction of projects that alleviate traffic congestion, create thousands of local jobs and provide new opportunities to small and local businesses. The agency also gives back a portion of its annual revenue to drivers through the MDX Advantage cash back program.

Media Contact: Mario Diaz

305-637-3277 x2140

[email protected]