Employers expect to increase hiring for professional-level positions in the first quarter, but they have concerns about finding qualified candidates for these roles, a new Robert Half survey shows. A net 10 percent of executives interviewed for the Robert Half Professional Employment Report plan to add full-time staff in the first three months of the year, up three points from the fourth-quarter forecast. However, the number of respondents who report recruiting challenges also is on the rise: 67 percent of executives said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled employees today, up from 59 percent last quarter and 42 percent in the third quarter.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53176-robert-half-professional-employment-report-q12012
After precipitous declines during the prior two quarters, CEO confidence bounced back at year’s end with the largest quarterly gain since the start of the recovery in 2009. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 98.8 in the 4th quarter 2011 survey, up from 83.5 in the 3rd quarter, and reaching the highest level since 105.2 was recorded at the start of 2011. The Q4 2011 Vistage CEO Confidence Index reflects responses from 1,641 U.S. CEOs, surveyed between Dec. 12 and Dec. 22, 2011.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/51156/
Young adults have made saving a priority this year – ahead of losing weight, living healthier and other typical New Year’s resolutions – as financial concerns take a toll on their friendships and personal lives, according to a new survey by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ad Council.
The organizations released the results today to coincide with the launch of a new series of public service advertisements on behalf of their national Feed the Pig financial literacy campaign, which helps 25- to 34-year-olds take control of their finances and add saving to their daily lives.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53673-ad-council-aicpa-young-adult-financial-literacy-campaign
During flu season, when fever, aches, and chills hit, it is easy to forget one’s manners. A recent survey of more than 1,000 Americans found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of those who had influenza in the past three years admit to being “That Guy,” who despite experiencing flu symptoms, continues to go about his/her daily activities.
As part of its “Are You That Guy?” influenza education campaign, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is partnering with the Emily Post Institute to remind Americans to do the responsible thing during flu season and practice behavior that will help limit the spread of influenza, a highly contagious virus. The campaign also reminds Americans to see a doctor quickly if flu strikes. The campaign offers flu etiquette tips for managing common situations where the flu virus might be shared from one person to another, such as shaking hands during a business meeting, over a family dinner, or when faced with a fellow airplane traveler who is showing signs of flu.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53536-nfid-emily-post-institute-educate-about-spreading-manners-not-influenza
Job seekers who want potential employers to “show them the money” may be in luck, a new Robert Half survey suggests. More than one-third (38 percent) of executives interviewed said they are more willing to negotiate salary with top candidates than they were one year ago. Just 5 percent of respondents said they are less willing to negotiate.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53177-robert-half-survey-finds-executives-more-open-to-salary-negotiation
According to a recent national survey, 17.1 percent of Americans lack health insurance, and more than nine million of the nation’s uninsured rely on federally qualified health centers (FQHC), non-profit community clinics and free clinics each year for primary care. While these clinics serve the critical health care needs of the uninsured, patients oftentimes cannot afford the medications prescribed by the clinic’s physicians, or navigate a fragmented system that only offers partial solutions. This is a particularly growing problem for America’s working poor.
Today, Medco Foundation and Dispensary of Hope (DOH), a not-for-profit pharmacy-focused social venture for the uninsured, introduced a new, national initiative to substantially improve the supply, delivery and management of critical prescription drugs to thousands of uninsured Americans who are managing a chronic illness.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54424-medco-dispensary-of-hope-prescription-drug-program-clinics-uninsured
UBMStudios, the world leader in digital events, environments and communities, is capitalizing on the rapid growth in Marketing-as-a-Service (MaaS). According to the BtoB “Marketing Services: What Marketers Want From Their Media Partners” research report, 55 percent of marketers have used b2b media companies for marketing services in the past 12 months. Additionally, CMO Survey’s August 2011 research shows that nearly 75 percent of respondents currently outsource marketing activities. These studies highlight that companies are making investments in outsourced marketing due to bandwidth and increased areas of marketing specialization.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49987-ubm-studios-capitalizing-on-the-growth-of-marketing-as-a-service
Hotels.com®, the expert in online hotel booking and home to more than 20,000 hotel destinations worldwide, released its biannual Hotel Price Index™ (HPI®), reporting on the most popular travel destinations and the average price paid by travelers while visiting those destinations.
The HPI is a regular survey of hotel prices in major city destinations across the world, based on hotels.com bookings. Prices reported are those actually paid by customers (rather than advertised rates) during the calendar year of 2011. On a global scale, hotel prices increased by 4 percent on average in 2011 over 2010, while average prices in North America increased 5 percent year-over-year, continuing the process of steady recovery from the lows of 2008. Entering the third consecutive year of moderate price rises for guests, the global average price is still lower than it was in 2005, such was the depth of the financial crash-inspired trough.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52873-hotels-com-price-index-five-percent-rise-in-2011-in-north-america
Sixty percent of young adult drivers (16-24) said they have texted while driving, according to a national survey released by the Ad Council. To educate young adult drivers about the dangers of texting while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the State Attorneys General and Consumer Protection Agencies, and the Ad Council today revealed new public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne®. The new PSAs are being unveiled today to coincide with the first nationwide Stop the Texts Day, and the start of National Youth Traffic Safety Month.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55966-NASCAR-driver-Kasey-Kahne-and-the-Ad-Council-prevent-texting-and-driving
A landmark summer research study has unveiled a vital component of wellness and happiness…vacations. The survey, “The Takeaways from Getaways,” commissioned by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, draws attention to the serious physical and emotional implications of stress and feeling over worked, and the inextricable link between vacation and personal wellness and happiness.
The research revealed surprisingly that more than 9 out of 10 Americans reported feeling happier after taking a vacation. And seventy-seven percent (77%) believed that their overall health improves after a getaway. Even so, more than half of Americans admitted that doctors should be able to prescribe vacations as a curative and therapeutic option for stress-related maladies.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56160-the-takeaways-from-getaways-visit-las-vegas-lvcva
CGAP recently conducted a study of 426 Mexican households with income below $1,440 per month in an effort to better understand the financial habits, needs and wants of low-income customers. The nationally representative survey helped segment customers into six groups with common needs and behavior towards financial services. The study highlights in particular four lower-income groups – those living on US$4-10 per day (seasonal workers), US$10 per day (entrepreneurs), US$15 per day (informal salaried/wage workers) and US$12 per day (formal salaried workers) – and found that even across these income segments, households’ financial concerns and aspirations were similar.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50762-cgap-analysis-low-income-households-in-mexico-matches-financial-products
More than eight in ten (86 percent) fathers today are spending more time with their kids than their own fathers did in the previous generation, according to a new national survey conducted by the Ad Council. In advance of Father’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC), Fathers Incorporated, and the Ad Council are reaching out to all fathers across the country to inspire a new commitment to responsible fatherhood.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56331-ad-council-hhs-nrfc-inspire-nationwide-commitment-responsible-fatherhood
