There's something about the road trip that really speaks to many Americans. It gives them the freedom to travel the country's highways and back roads to explore new places and familiar destinations. It allows them to taste local food and experience local culture–on their own timeline. And it's a cost-conscious way to have a truly memorable vacation.
It's only natural, then, that many people think road trips are the best way to travel. A brand-new survey from AARP Travel (http://travel.aarp.org), a valuable resource for America's 76 million baby boomers who spend over $120 billion annually in leisure travel, finds that more than 7 in 10 people 45-plus say that road trips are their favorite way to travel.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7488431-aarp-travel/
Later this year, Hyundai will be the first mainstream automaker to launch an augmented reality owner's manual app. The Hyundai Virtual Guide app is the brand's modern take on the traditional owner's manual, allowing consumers to use their smartphone or tablet computer to get how-to information for repairs, maintenance and vehicle features.
At launch, the Hyundai Virtual Guide is compatible with the 2015 Sonata model, and will soon become available for additional models. The new app recognizes more than 45 major features of the Sonata and is available for free download on the Apple App store and Google Play.
Hyundai used quality consumer survey results to determine the top difficult-to-use features to incorporate into the Virtual Guide. The app also contains 82 how-to videos, six 3D overlay images that appear once users scan areas of their vehicle like the engine bay and more than 50 informational guides.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7506058-hyundai-virtual-guide-app/
Last winter was one of the harshest, hitting millions of Americans with spikes in their winter utility bills. Unfortunately, here we are, one year later, facing yet another polar vortex. Meteorologists predict some of the coldest blasts of frigid temperatures over the next several days, which has energy experts worried about the impact on consumers’ utility bills, as well as on the reliability of the electric grid we all depend on.
As Polar Vortex 2015 moves across the country, consumers could face spikes in electricity bills, with seniors on fixed incomes and lower income Americans hit the hardest. According to a recent survey, high energy prices already have forced more than 40 percent of low-income seniors to go without needed medical or dental care, and even to skip meals or shut off the heat on cold days.
It may seem odd to be predicting another energy price spike since oil, natural gas and coal prices have all fallen recently. But it’s not the market that will be driving prices higher. It’s politics.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7221731-national-mining-association-americans-electricity-bill-increase-due-to-epa-regulations/
BabyCenter.com, the #1 pregnancy and parenting digital resource, today released its 2016 U.S. Cost of Raising a Child report, which examines the rising cost of having a baby. More than 1,100 BabyCenter moms completed the survey, which found that parents spend an average of $13,000 per year on each child.
In 2016, 7 out of 10 moms say they are worried about having enough money to raise their kids – a 5 percent increase since last year. BabyCenter also found that 9 out of 10 moms are in debt and nearly 4 in 10 don’t see a day when they will be entirely debt free. Also, 1 in 4 is receiving financial aid from a parent or family member, and 1 in 3 is experiencing relationship issues with their partner due to working longer or irregular hours.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7700853-babycenter-cost-of-raising-a-child-report/
New research by Johnson Controls, the global leader in delivering solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, shows energy efficiency interest rose 116 percent globally since 2010, with those who set goals making the greatest strides in reducing energy use. Momentum is also growing for green-building certification and green-tenant space leasing although many cite a lack of funding and uncertainty over government reform as obstacles to investment.
To view MultimediaNews Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/57694-johnson-controls-2013-energy-efficiency-indicator-global-survey/
This October, Red Gold is making it easy for people to give back when sharing their family meal. For any Red Gold canned tomato product purchased throughout the month, Red Gold will donate one meal* to help families facing hunger, with a goal of donating 2 million meals to Feeding America and its network of food banks. Whether it’s labeled Red Gold, Redpack, Tuttorosso or Huy Fong, consumers can simply buy a can, and help feed a family.
The philanthropic effort comes at a time when millions of American families struggle to put food on the table. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 in 8 Americans face hunger, including 13 million children. However, most families don’t recognize the extent of hunger in America; a Red Gold survey found that nearly 7 in 10 households were either unsure of the number of Americans struggling with hunger, or they severely underestimated the problem.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8111351-red-gold-feeding-america-crush-hunger-october-2017/
Snack bar maker Larabar is launching a movement inspired by the brand’s foundational belief to make simple and wholesome food accessible for all and joining Feeding America® in the fight to end hunger along the way. The partnership is part of a larger integrated marketing campaign titled “Food Made From Food” that challenges consumer misperceptions of packaged food.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Larabar, 72 percent of participants responded that there is a difference between packaged food and real food. However, the majority also believe that primary Larabar ingredients fruits and nuts are real food at 90 and 78 percent, respectively. By highlighting the whole, simple ingredients within each bar, Larabar aims to show consumers just how easy it can be to choose real food.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726951-general-mills-larabar-share-real-food/
Clayton home building group, a national home builder and Manufactured Housing Institute’s 2017 Manufacturer of the Year, today unveiled its newest home building facility in Athens, Texas designed to transform industry standards with focus on team member experience, sustainability and innovation.
After listening to the needs and wants of Clayton team members through an in-depth survey, the company analyzed how best to support their team members throughout the off-site construction process in their home building facilities. The response was a 160,000-plus square foot facility that has since surpassed those needs, which started with simply making team member jobs easier and more enjoyable.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8011657-clayton-home-building-facility-athens-texas/
For consumers in the market for a new car, it can be difficult to keep up with all of the new—and newly redesigned—models that have been released since they last bought a car. Autotrader’s editorial team is helping consumers narrow down the many choices on the market today by selecting the top 10 vehicles that shoppers should experience for themselves. Announced today, Autotrader’s Must Test Drive vehicle lineup for 2016 includes a wide range of body styles to ensure that no matter what kind of vehicle a shopper is considering, the list will point them in the right direction for their next purchase.
“We created the Must Test Drive Awards to highlight vehicles that are unexpectedly good,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. “We have a chance to drive a lot of cars, but few leave us certain that shoppers are missing out if they don’t take them for a spin. The 10 vehicles we chose this year did just that.”
A car is typically one of the biggest purchases a consumer makes, and a recent Autotrader survey showed that 84 percent of consumers say it is extremely important to test drive a vehicle they’re considering. The top three things they look for during test drives are performance, comfort and handling. While 30 percent wait to test drive vehicles until they know the exact model they want to buy, 44 percent get behind the wheel when they’re still considering a few options.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7790751-autotrader-must-test-drive-awards/
New survey results from Connections Academy, http://www.connectionsacademy.com, one of the country’s leading providers of full-time online school for students in grades K through 12, reveals the reasons parents enroll their children in online schools. The results are from the Connections Academy 2014 Parent Satisfaction Survey, an annual third-party survey now in its twelfth year. All families with students enrolled at the time of the survey were invited to participate – 45% of the families responded to the survey, totaling more than 18,000 respondents. The survey results suggest key explanations for the continuing growth of virtual schooling in the United States.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7067853-connections-academy-parent-survey-why-k-12-students-attend-online-schools-full-time/
Debt is a buzzword for politicians, a burden for students, a necessity for most homeowners and a reality for 70 percent of Americans.
But despite this fact, 30 percent of those in debt have no plan to pay it off, according to a recent survey conducted by Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB).
Fifth Third commissioned the national survey to examine the financial beliefs and behaviors of American adults. The results provided a snapshot of our nation’s financial literacy, with 82 percent of respondents citing financial independence as a goal in their lives. The survey also revealed how the three largest generations in America differ in their understanding and management of savings, budgeting, retirement planning and credit.
“At Fifth Third, we were curious to discover how knowledgeable Americans are about their personal finances,” said Jada Grandy, senior vice president and Community Reinvestment Act strategies director, Fifth Third Bank. “The results of this survey give insight into financial literacy in America, as well as the needs of customers at different key stages of their lives. This knowledge arms Fifth Third with the tools to support our customers at every step on their journey to financial independence.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723851-fifth-third-bank-life/
General Mills Cereals has committed to removing artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources from the rest of its cereals in response to consumers’ changing preferences. Today, more than 60 percent of General Mills Cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Original Cheerios are already without artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources and have been that way for a long time.
According to a survey conducted by Nielsen on behalf of General Mills, 49 percent of households are making an effort to avoid artificial flavors and colors from artificial sources.(1) To respond to this growing need, General Mills Cereals will be using more recognizable, familiar ingredients to create its colors and flavors.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7557051-general-mills-cereals-artificial-free/
