NEW YORK, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino, members of the songwriting duo A Great Big World, joined forces with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation to announce their participation in the second annual Keys + Kids initiative open to K-12 public schools. The program was created in response to the growing need for high-quality, functional pianos in schools, and to provide students with an opportunity to have their school be an environment where their talent can shine.

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Beginning March 16th and through April 17th, interested K – 12 public schools can submit their application at vh1savethemusic.org/keyskids to receive one of ten packages valued at $10,000. Each grant includes a Kawai piano to support their music and arts program. A Committee made up of members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, VH1 Senior Staff and patrons of the Keys + Kids Leadership Circle will judge applications. Grant winners will be announced on the Foundation’s website on May 20, 2015.

Since meeting at The Steinhardt Music Program at New York University, Ian and Chad have used their instrumental and songwriting talents to create memorable melodies that have reached millions. Their song “This is the New Year” was featured on the hit show Glee in 2013 and, more recently a version of their song “Say Something” featuring Christina Aguilera won the Grammy for best pop duo/group performance. Much of their success is owed to their formal music training, which included vocal training as well as piano lessons that helped shape their signature sound. This knowledge of the importance of formal music education from an early age and their impeccable talent make A Great Big World wonderful ambassadors for this program. Axel and Vaccarino say “It is critical that kids have the tools they need to learn and excel at music. We can’t imagine where we would be right now if we didn’t have access to great teachers and music programs. We are thrilled to join VH1’s Save The Music and help put more pianos in schools.”

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization that restores instrumental music education programs in public elementary and middle schools across the country. Music and art are integral parts of a child’s development and key components of each student’s complete education. Music education helps improve performance in all core subjects, while encouraging collaboration and creative thinking. Now in its sixteenth year, the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Foundation, has provided more than $51 Million in new musical instruments to 1,900 public schools in 231 districts around the country, impacting the lives of over 2.3 million children.

“We are incredibly excited to have talented musicians like A Great Big World to help us promote the Keys + Kids Piano Program for its second year,” said Paul Cothran, Executive Director, VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “There is a bounce in pride and morale when a school has a robust music program and the feeling of community extends beyond the school doors. This initiative would not have been possible without our Keys + Kids Leadership Circle that includes: Avnet Inc., Alex and Ani : Charity By Design, JetBlue, Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., Music Drives Us, Mullen, NAMM, Bloomingdale’s and individuals nationwide.   Their continued support of this program has been integral to our mission of continuing to provide students the maximum benefits of music education.”

For more information, contest rules or to see how you can get involved please visit www.vh1savethemusic.org.

About the VH1 Save The Music Foundation:
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided nearly $51 Million in new musical instruments to almost 1,900 public schools in more than 192 districts around the country, impacting the lives of over 2.3 million children. The 2013 Ambassador Class – dedicated to raising awareness and funds to benefit The Foundation – includes:  Britney Spears, Gloria Reuben, Hunter Hayes, Taye Diggs, Cher Lloyd, Jason Derulo and Diane Birch.  Get involved at www.vh1savethemusic.com and follow us on twitter @vh1savethemusic.

About A Great Big World:
A Great Big World formed when friends Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino met at NYU and began a writing partnership. After funding and releasing their first six-song Self-titled EP through a Kickstarter campaign, they had their song “This is a New Year” performed on Glee. The song was also used in other television mediums such as ESPN, The Amazing Race and One Tree Hill. The song was also used as the theme song to MTV’s I Used to be Fat” They released a second EP after signing with Epic records and have since released their debut album “Is Anybody Out There?” to critical acclaim and commercial success. Their most recent hit, a duet with Christina Aguilera entitled “Say Something” recently won the Grammy award for Best Performance by a Pop Duo/Group. Ian is a New Jersey native and multi-instrumentalist who has been playing piano since he was very young. Chad met Ian in NYU and made an impression with his incredible singing talent. For more information on the band, visit their website http://agreatbigworld.com/ or follow them on Twitter: @chadvaccarino, @ianaxel

MIAMI, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For the third straight year, television host, inspirational author and lecturer Ismael Cala will be hosting the successful Inspirational event called “En Cuerpo y Alma” (Body and Soul), in Punta Cana.

The event will be held from November 4^th through 8^th at its usual location in the exclusive Hotel Sivory Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. Last year more than 110 people from 15 countries gathered at Punta Cana for this event.

“Come join us, and together we will work to create the best year of your life. At Cuerpo y Alma we explore what really makes us feel fulfilled, happy and alive,” Cala explains. “This is a gathering to take a break from routine, challenge your mind and feed your soul, while filling your body with oxygen. We’re already preparing a fascinating program, including lectures and all sorts of activities in a place that has been blessed by nature.”

Spaces are limited. Those purchasing tickets before May 31st will be able to enjoy a special discount.

For more information, please go to: http://ismaelcala.com/encuentro-inspiracional-en-cuerpo-y-alma-2015

ABOUT ISMAEL CALA

Ismael Cala, host of the CALA show on CNN en Espanol, has more than 25 years of media experience in Cuba, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, notably at Televisa, Univision, TLN and AmericaTeve.

His books, “El poder de escuchar [‘The power of listening’],” (2013) and “Un buen hijo de P [A real S.O.B.]” (2014) have become best sellers in Latin America and the U.S. Ismael directs the digital magazine “Cala 3.0,” and publishes a weekly column in more than 25 newspapers and magazines.

He has received a number of awards, among them Iberoamerican Personality (Organization of Iberoamerican Journalists, 2014), the John Maxwell Leadership Award in media, and the Golden Palm Award of the National Circle of Journalists of Mexico.

The program CALA is broadcast on CNN en Espanol at 9:00pm (U.S., ET). Follow him on Twitter: @cala y @calabienestar. And on facebook.com/IsmaelCala

LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, and PepsiCo today announced that PepsiCo will become the exclusive carbonated soft-drink and bottled water partner, providing popular brands such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist and Aquafina to venues, nationwide. Live Nation assets will serve as the cornerstone of Pepsi’s deep and continued involvement in music culture and bringing one-of-a-kind experiences to music fans.

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As the official carbonated soft-drink and bottled water partner, PepsiCo beverages will have exclusive pouring rights at 75 of Live Nation’s amphitheaters, clubs and theaters in the United States, as well as curated Pepsi “Out of the Blue” experiences with Live Nation artists, such as sound checks and meet & greets, ticket access, and tour and festival tie-ins. FarmBorough, New York City’s new country music festival, Lollapalooza and the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience will also be sponsored by Pepsi.

“Our partnership with Live Nation elevates our robust music platform to new levels,” said Adam Harter, VP, Pepsi Consumer Engagement. “For decades, Pepsi has been a leader in music and has always focused on providing fans with unparalleled access to great music and their favorite artists. Live Nation will play a dynamic role in our new ‘Out of the Blue’ music campaign as we deliver new and exciting music experiences in a way only Pepsi can deliver.”

The alliance officially kicked off last month when Pepsi launched the “Out of the Blue” campaign, a national promotion that spans 100 days and will give away numerous four-person flyaway trips to Live Nation festivals and events. VIP tickets for those festivals will be included as a part of the “Out of the Blue” effort. Through May 18, fans become eligible for a chance to win by following @Pepsi on Twitter, snapping a photo of any Pepsi™ beverage product and posting it to Twitter with #OutoftheBlue.

“We are looking forward to this long-term alliance with Pepsi, as we are perfectly positioned to further the brand’s music platform,” said Russell Wallach, president, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. “We are passionate about bringing incredible music experiences to consumers, and that mission will be at the heart of all the programming we develop together with Pepsi.”

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com. 

About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.