Today, Atom Factory CEO Troy Carter announced plans to host a second season of Smashd Labs from September 6 to November 18. For the inaugural class, there were over 200 applicants in two weeks, six startups in the inaugural cohort, 30 mentors, founders as young as 19 years old, and over $2M raised from investments within six months of the lab’s concluding Demo Day.
“We’re proud of the success the participating startups have had to date, and look forward to growing the Smashd Labs family by adding an additional set of startups led by talented founders with platforms and tech that can disrupt entertainment and culture,” stated Atom Factory CEO Troy Carter, who most recently served as a guest shark on the latest season of ABC’s hit prime-time show Shark Tank.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7817451-atom-factory-smashd-labs-startups/
What could an 87-year-young great-grandmother, a deaf dance instructor, and the Smirnoff ICE™ brand have in common?
They are determined to showcase how the world can become more inclusive through the platforms of dance and music with the launch of its Smirnoff ICE Electric Flavors line and the ‘Keep It Moving’ campaign.
Stemming from festival insights that adult music fans often have to choose between the dance floor and a beverage, Smirnoff ICE introduces its new line of flavored malt beverages (FMB) Smirnoff ICE Electric Flavors meant for fun, high-energy occasions. This new beverage option is non-carbonated so it will not weigh consumers down and packaged in a re-sealable plastic bottle so that consumers won’t have to make the choice between flavor and fun.
To launch the product, Smirnoff ICE has created the Keep it Moving campaign that shines a light on two inspirational movers: 87-year-old Instagram sensation and festival lover, Baddie Winkle (@baddiewinkle), and London-based deaf dance instructor, Chris Fonseca.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7811151-smirnoff-ice-keep-it-moving-campaign/
Hennessy V.S, the world’s #1 Cognac, announces the launch of The Piccards, the fourth installment of the brand’s award-winning Wild Rabbit advertising campaign. The effort centers on the theme of pushing the limits of potential and is set to roll out across digital and broadcast platforms starting this month. The new creative continues to bring to life the spirit of Hennessy’s ‘Never stop. Never settle.’ mantra, this time through the remarkable true story of the Piccards, a pioneering family of explorers whose relentless pursuits pushed the limits of potential and made history.
Breaking barriers and records is what the Piccard family has been good at for generations: in 1931, Auguste Piccard became the first man to touch the edge of space – taking flight in a pressurized capsule and balloon to reach the stratosphere. Three decades later, his son Jacques went the other direction and modified his invention to become the first man to reach the furthest depths of the ocean.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7813051-hennessy-the-piccards-wild-rabbit/
Sabra Dipping Company, maker of America’s best-selling hummus, has launched the most significant campaign in U.S. hummus history and along with it… a more mindful pre-dinner meal occasion for the American consumer. A national broadcast and digital campaign introduces the ‘Unofficial Meal,’ inviting consumers to foster a pre-dinner ritual that revolves around fresh, real food and human connections.
“We are on a mission to inspire consumers to start a tradition around the kitchen counter, creating a daily ritual of enjoying fresh food together,” said Eugenio Perrier, Sabra’s chief marketing officer. “Eating wholesome food should be easy as should finding fresh ways to create connections, embrace those you care about and enjoy a relaxed moment together. It is this sentiment we seek to bring to life through the Unofficial Meal.”
The campaign titled “Sabra. Welcome to the Unofficial Meal” debuts April 18th with 15 and 30 second spots that depict the Unofficial Meal as family and friends finally unwind, gather and graze after a long day. Fresh dips and vegetables are laid out on the countertop and it is clear that for this moment, it is perfectly fine to help yourself, open up, share a laugh and leave behind formalities. The creative includes filmed footage, animation and a charismatic voice to convey the enjoyment of this occasion. Fully integrated digital, PR, social and experiential activations will help deliver campaign messaging across platforms.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7754651-sabra-campaign-unofficial-meal/
Through thousands of hours meeting with women from Dallas to Taipei, Sao Paulo to Paris, Neutrogena® uncovered a universal truth – women are stepping back to examine what’s possible in their lives so they can pursue their dreams. Always on a mission to create, innovate, and rethink what’s possible in skincare, Neutrogena® identified this shared value and was inspired to launch its first-ever global campaign: “Neutrogena. See What’s Possible.™”
“Neutrogena® started as a dream, and through scientific discovery, creative thinking and the resilience to defy expectations without any compromises, a brand was born,” said Alicia Sontag, President, Beauty Care, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. “We support women around the world and are proud to help them put their best face forward as they pursue their own dreams – big or small.”
The “Neutrogena. See What’s Possible™” campaign will debut with a commercial voiced by Brand Ambassador and creative consultant Kerry Washington which features real women following their passions. The empowering video brings to life the brand’s point of view on beauty – what really makes a woman beautiful is the ability to look in the mirror and know that anything is possible. In addition, educational and inspiring digital content designed to encourage her along her journey will be leveraged through social platforms in over 27 countries around the world, making this the largest digitally-driven campaign the brand has ever executed.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770451-neutrogena-see-what-s-possible/
AARP is announcing the winners of a unique contest that encourages filmmakers to tell the story of family caregiving through short films. The competition was launched as part of Ad Council and AARP’s National Caregiver Awareness Campaign to help reveal the hard work and dedication of the nation’s 40 million family caregivers. These stories focus on three family caregiving themes: The Changing Face of Caregiving, Roles Change, and Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers. The winners share a $25,000 prize and the opportunity for their work to be featured on AARP and Ad Council web and social platforms.
“These three minute or shorter films really open up the world of family caregiving helping people to better understand the intense challenges as well as the deep personal rewards of caring for a loved one,” said Amy Goyer, AARP family and caregiving expert and author of the new award-winning book Juggling Life, Work, and Caregiving. “But more importantly, the stories show how much love is present in family caregiving, whether it comes from a family member, friend or even a stranger.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607231-aarp-caregivers/
As 2015 starts to wind down, Americans are already starting to make travel plans for 2016. But what are Americans–particularly Baby Boomers–looking for in their 2016 vacations?
A new survey released today 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, provides some great insight into how Americans want to get away in 2016, from desired destinations to lodging options to favorite trip planning tools.
“The vast majority of Baby Boomers are planning to drive, fly or set sail on leisure trips in 2016, with an average of 4 or 5 trips already in the works,” said Stephanie Miles, VP, Products & Platforms, AARP. “Boomers make up a large segment of the traveling public, and so it's particularly important for the travel industry to be aware of what Boomers are looking for in their vacations going into 2016. This new survey finds that their travel desires often differ greatly from younger travelers.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7488431-aarp-travel/
The Astana Economic Forum is among the world’s most prestigious expert dialogue platforms. In 2015, in accordance with tradition, the event was held in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana city, and counted more than 5,000 participants from around 100 countries. Heads of government, major international organizations, leading experts in economics and finance, and Nobel Prize winners met to discuss the most pressing issues on the global agenda.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7567851-astana-economic-forum/
Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today announced the launch of Beauty for a Purpose, a new global brand statement focused on the company’s commitment to empowering Avon Representatives and women around the world through beauty and financial independence.
Beauty for a Purpose provides a framework for the company to champion three defining areas: Avon’s beauty products of demonstrable quality and value; Avon’s earning opportunity, which allows millions of women around the world to build self-reliance and a better life for themselves and their families; and the network effect of empowered women empowering others.
The new branding effort will be powered through ongoing multi-channel communications campaigns designed to tell the whole Avon story to consumers and Representatives. The campaigns will be supported through paid media, and will also leverage the company’s digital and print channels as story-telling platforms. Central to the strategy is the launch of a new brand publishing site, BeautyforaPurpose.com, which includes a digital gallery featuring Avon Representatives around the world who have uploaded their photos to social media using #BeautyforaPurpose.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7546151-avon-beauty-for-a-purpose/
Iceland, known for its welcoming spirit has today launched a unique internet service with a difference; Ask Guðmundur, the world’s first human search engine.
The decidedly Icelandic and truly personable service will see special representatives from each of Iceland’s seven regions offer their insider knowledge to the world via Inspired By Iceland’s social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube). Each representative shares the name Guðmundur or Guðmunda, currently one of the most popular forenames in the country with over 4,000 men and women claiming it as their own.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7512351-ask-guomundur-human-search-engine/
Sigrid Olsen becomes an on-air broadcast persona, launching today, to premiere on HSN and debut the Spring 2015 collection of her first women’s fashion line since 2008. This new chapter of reinvention leverages Sigrid's 30 years of compelling career success as an artist, designer, and veritable icon to many American women. Sigrid's “marquee designer” partnership affords ability to sell beautiful clothes across various HSN platforms, including TV, online and mobile. Her commentary will feature the entire product line available for purchase over four hours of airtime today, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m./ET and again from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight/ET, as well as through the HSN.com.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7142231-sigrid-olsen-new-designs-for-living/
As anticipation builds for the December release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the first new film in the Star Wars Saga in a decade, The Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm Ltd., and 20th Century Fox today announced the upcoming release of The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection. For the first time ever, all six epic films in the Saga, from The Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi, will be available on Digital HD throughout the galaxy – or at least here on Earth – globally beginning Friday, April 10.
“Since the debut of the first film nearly 40 years ago, Star Wars has become a worldwide phenomenon with legions of fans from every generation,” said Alan Bergman, President, The Walt Disney Studios. “It’s only fitting that audiences enjoy this legendary Saga and its many fascinating behind-the-scenes stories on a wide variety of platforms, and we’re very excited to finally bring all six films to Digital HD for the first time.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7484751-star-wars-digital-collection-disney/