According to the 2016 Franchise Business Economic Outlook report, employment growth in the franchise sector will continue to outpace the growth of employment in all businesses economy-wide, as it has in each of the last six years. The franchise industry is set to grow by 1.7 percent in 2016 which added over 13,000 new franchise businesses, generating over $900 billion in economic output and 278,000 new jobs in 2015.
Kumon, the world’s largest education franchise, continues to flourish as it surpassed company milestones in 2015 with nearly 300,000 students enrolled in its math and reading programs nationwide.
“Many of our 1,500 franchise owners opened Kumon centers after experiencing first-hand how Kumon gave their own children an academic advantage that put them ahead of their peers,” says Larry Lambert, vice president of franchise recruitment at Kumon North America. “Kumon is helping thousands of aspiring small business owners transform their lives with a career that rewards them and changes the lives of youth every day.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7720256-kumon-franchise/
Globally, 1.2 billion people have no access to electricity. On the occasion of VELUX 75th anniversary the company decided to address this issue. Together with the social business Little Sun and the NGO Plan International they are collaborating to bring clean, reliable and affordable light to off-grid regions in Zambia, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.
14,500 Natural Light lamps from the VELUX Group have now arrived in Africa and the first recipients can already look forward to a better quality of life.
Among them are young girls between 10 and 18 years of age who live in a safe house in the slum area Mntendere in the Zambian capital Lusaka.
"The lamps mean the girls can do their homework when they get back from school and can feel safer at night, instead of huddling together in the dark after sunset. And it’s particularly important for our children that they feel safe – many are carrying the mental baggage such as the trauma of violence, rape or drugs," says safe house manager Verann Delarey.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7769151-velux-natural-light-and-life-zambia/
The new edition of the Habanos Festival will feature an outstanding international musical line-up. For five whole days, from the 29th of February to the 4th of March, this annual event dedicated to Habano cigars will gather more than 1,500 attendees from over 50 countries that will discover this year’s major launches in an exclusive and inspiring setting.
The Welcome Event, dedicated to the Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Cosecha 2012, will have Alexander Abreu, renowned trumpet player, composer and winner of a Latin Grammy, and his group Havana D’Primera to close the evening. On the other hand, the Gala Evening, in tribute to Cohiba on its 50th Anniversary, will feature performances by such distinguished artists as Chucho Valdés, the Cuban pianist and composer, winner of five Grammys and three Latin Grammys; Estrella Morente, the Spanish Flamenco singer; or Jorge Drexler, the Uruguayan singer and songwriter, winner of an Oscar and two Latin Grammys. They will share the stage with rising popular international names in Cuban music such as Alain Pérez, Geidi Chapman and Cucu Diamantes.
Talent will also be enjoyed at the International Habanosommelier contest, that this year celebrates its 15th anniversary, and will bring together the world’s best “Habanosommeliers”, the winners of all the previous editions, with the challenge of finding the “Maestro de Maestros” of Habanos pairings with the most famous drinks and cocktails.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7767951-top-music-artists-to-play-habanos-festival/
A new solar power system is installed in the United States every 1.6 minutes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). With the number of residential solar installations expected to increase this year by 35 percent according to GTM Research, more consumers will have an opportunity to choose the best solar solution for their home, saving on electricity bills while generating clean energy. Offering a record-setting, proven solar power solution, SunPower reminds homeowners that better solar technology exists and is accessible today.
“Solar technology differs widely from brand to brand, so it’s important for consumers to consider that not all panels deliver the same amount of energy, look elegant on a roof, or are guaranteed to last as long as promised,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. “SunPower® panels are the most efficient that homeowners can buy, and we stand behind them for a quarter century. We’re proud to hold the world-record title for efficiency.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7706151-sunpower-residential-solar-panel/
Her wedding day turned into a nightmare. She followed Gary to a remote and dangerous monastery. But what they find there will test their bond and their fate. From #1 NY Times bestselling author Christine Feehan comes a tale of vampire hunters, adventure and romance. http://www.ChristineFeehan.com Paranormal Romance
The Meta “Heart 2 Heart” campaign, created to encourage more family dialogue about heart health, enlisted Emmy award-winning talk show host Michael Strahan to help jumpstart conversations during National Heart Month in February and beyond. Meta, the #1 doctor and pharmacist recommended fiber brand, is proven to help lower cholesterol to promote heart health† when paired with a healthy diet.
In an effort to lead by example and put his professional talk show expertise to use in a fresh way, Strahan invited the cameras in to capture his own personal father-son heart conversation, including practical tips on how to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle. The “Heart 2 Heart” video, now available for viewing on YouTube, will also be featured at this weekend’s Dad 2.0 Summit in Washington D.C., where over 400 influential dad bloggers will discuss the “new normal” of fatherhood. As a father himself, Michael Strahan will speak at the conference alongside Dr. Charles Lambert, Preventative Cardiologist at Florida Hospital, to discuss his role as a dad, the male influences in his life that contributed to his success, and how he maintains a heart-healthy lifestyle amid a growing busy schedule.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7764251-meta-michael-strahan-heart-2-heart/
Taking center stage at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show are more than 20 vehicles that made their world debut during the Media Preview including the Kia Niro, Ram Power Wagon, Nissan Armada, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Santa Fe and Infiniti Q50 among others. More than a dozen concept cars are also on parade, including the Acura Precision, Buick Avista, Genesis Vision G, Kia Telluride and Nissan Murano Winter Warrior.
This year marks the 108th edition of the Chicago Auto Show. First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. The show runs from Feb. 13-21 and opens at 9 a.m. each day. There are nearly 1,000 different vehicles on display throughout the more than 1 million sq. ft. of McCormick Place.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7660251-chicago-auto-show-2016/
Havana will host the XVIII edition of the Habanos Festival, from February 29 to March 4, and present the most important launches for 2016. This year, Cohiba, the most exclusive Habanos brand, will play a special role because of its 50 Anniversary. The Hoyo de Monterrey brand will also have a significant presence with the presentation of Reserva Cosecha 2012. The Cuaba brand, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, will be launching an exclusive special edition for La Casa del Habano and the H. Upmann brand will introduce a significant addition to its regular line.
For five days, the guests attending the XVIII Habanos Festival will enjoy a full agenda focused on the world’s best tobacco. The Festival will begin with the Trade Fair, on February 29, that will attract over 1.500 attendants from more than 50 countries. The Welcome Evening, at the Old Tobacco and Wood Warehouse, will feature the presentation of Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Reserva 2012.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7757451-havanna-annual-event-tobacco-the-habano/
Losing weight and being healthier are at the top of everyone’s New Year’s resolutions. But, despite the best intentions, work, kids, and social events often push lifestyle changes to the bottom of the list. While many are familiar with type 2 diabetes, fewer are aware of prediabetes, a serious health condition that affects 86 million Americans (more than 1 in 3) and often leads to type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
To raise awareness and help people with prediabetes know where they stand and how to prevent type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have partnered with the Ad Council to launch the first national public service advertising (PSA) campaign about prediabetes. The PSA campaign, featuring first-of-its-kind communications techniques, was developed pro bono by Ogilvy & Mather New York for the Ad Council.
Nearly 90 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it and aren’t aware of the long-term risks to their health, including type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Current trends suggest that, if not treated, 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. The good news is that prediabetes often can be reversed through weight loss, diet changes and increased physical activity. Diagnosis is key: research shows that once people are aware of their condition, they are much more likely to make the necessary lifestyle changes.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731551-ad-council-prediabetes-psa/
Georgia Power today marked another year of safe construction and significant milestones at the Vogtle nuclear expansion site. The new units are currently scheduled to go into service in June 2019 (Unit 3) and June 2020 (Unit 4) and the remaining projected customer rate impact is approximately 2.5 percent, an average of less than 1 percent per year through completion.
In addition, the company’s recent completion of the settlement process between the project co-owners (Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities) and the project’s contractors (Westinghouse and CB&I) settles all claims previously in litigation with the contractors, reaffirms the current in-service dates, adds additional contractual protections and positions Westinghouse and its affiliates as the primary contractor over the project.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7464951-ga-power-project-vogtle/
The world’s first all-in-one music player Smart Hearable 1.0, developed by VINCI, will make its debut in the North American market at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held from January 6 to 9 in Las Vegas, United States.
The highlight of the design is the artificial intelligence technology applied to create ME 1.0, the first smart assistant that makes the AI talking system from the 2013 film “Her” real.
VINCI Smart Hearable is a wireless and hands-free smart music player that can react to user body and consciousness dynamics with different kinds of music. With a built-in proximity sensor, the device automatically plays the music when user puts it on. It has a touch panel that responds to gestures like tapping and sliding, and a voice interaction system that allows users to guide the device with simple commands.
ME is able to respond with a song that best suits the moment by analyzing data collected from user including heart rate, current location and scenarios through intelligent algorithms, so that user can not only tell ME songs, albums or singers they desire to enjoy the music, but also share their mood and feelings with it.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7730451-vinci-smart-hearable-ces/
Clayton Homes, one of America's largest builders and retailers of manufactured and modular homes, today announced its Shut the Front Door promotion, an event for potential homebuyers looking to get the most from their tax return this year.
From Jan. 1 through March 31, Clayton is offering its popular The Breeze II model at the discounted price of $69,995*. This special price will be available at most retailers. At just over 2,000 square feet, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, The Breeze II is a spacious home with modern, beautiful features. Homebuyers can also select the optional Energy Smart Home upgrade package, allowing its owners to save money on their monthly utilities.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7413931-clayton-homes-avoid-refund-regret/
