Allstate Foundation Purple Purse® ambassador Kerry Washington unveiled her latest purse design to bring attention to domestic violence and financial abuse before an audience of community leaders, survivors and VIPs on Sept. 24 in New York City. In so doing, she also kicked off a month-long effort to raise funds for domestic violence programs nationwide.
Golden Globe and Emmy nominated Washington partnered with handbag designer, Dee Ocleppo, to create the 2015 Purple Purse. The limited-edition, on-trend clutch was created to encourage the public to talk about domestic violence and financial abuse. This year, the purple purse, retailing at $350, is available for purchase beginning Sept. 25 at select Saks Fifth Avenue locations and on Saks.com with 25 percent of proceeds supporting abuse programs.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7616851-allstate-foundation-purple-purse/
October is National Plan a Cruise Month and the cruise industry is celebrating by launching #CruiseSmile, a simple and exciting chance to win one of 31 cruise vacations from 23 different cruise lines awarded each day, from October 1 through October 31, 2015. Anyone can enter each day during the sweepstakes by simply submitting a photo featuring a ‘cruise smile’ at CruiseSmile.org, or posting their ‘cruise smile’ on Twitter or Instagram using #CruiseSmile and #Sweepstakes. Participants will have the opportunity to share their posts for more chances to win.
“Those who cruise have a secret: they love cruising and cannot stop smiling about it. Whether it's planning, booking, dreaming about or basking in the memories of taking a cruise vacation, it's hard not to smile,” said Cindy D'Aoust, Acting CEO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “The #CruiseSmile campaign is a fun way for the cruise industry to spread the love of cruising during National Plan a Cruise Month as well give vacation dreamers the chance to win a remarkable cruise vacation for two.”
The #CruiseSmile sweepstakes prize calendar is filled with incredible cruise vacations for two, including a seven-night luxury voyage to Tahiti and the Society Islands in the South Pacific, an eight-day European river cruise on the Seine River from Paris, a magical family-friendly three-night Bahamian voyage at sea and even a 14-day Far-East Discovery cruise visiting exotic ports throughout Southeast Asia.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7584131-clia-national-plan-a-cruise-month/
Children with physical disabilities are twice as likely to be bullied, impacting their educational, physical and emotional development.* In support of National Bullying Prevention Month this October, Shriners Hospitals for Children® and award-winning actor, model and philanthropist, RJ Mitte, are once again partnering to encourage the public to help #CutTheBull.
Teens and adults alike are encouraged to visit CutTheBull.org and see how they can help create a more positive, accepting environment for kids living with disabilities. There, Shriners Hospitals will announce “RJ's Heroes”, honoring individuals who have helped reduce bullying in their communities. Supporters can also share their anti-bullying stories and purchase #CutTheBull t-shirts, with proceeds going to Shriners Hospitals for Children to provide life-changing care to kids.
Born with cerebral palsy, Mitte was bullied as a child and knows firsthand the effects it can have. The doctors and staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children helped Mitte overcome many of the physical effects of cerebral palsy, which made him stronger and able to succeed despite the bullying. Now a successful actor and model, Mitte wants to help other kids with disabilities who may be experiencing the same thing.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7559151-shriners-hospital-cut-the-bull/
Wheels Up, the revolutionary membership-based private aviation company, officially unveiled the first-ever pink Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft yesterday evening at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event hosted by Kenny Dichter, Founder and CEO of Wheels Up, kicked off the #WheelsUpGoesPink campaign in support of the Company’s ongoing commitment to the Dubin Breast Center of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai in New York City, one of the world’s most renowned and advanced facilities for breast cancer treatment and research.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7628751-wheels-up-pink-plane/
November is National Family Caregivers Month and AARP is launching a national campaign to bring awareness to the important role that family caregivers play in the lives of their loved ones. AARP's Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers contest will begin on October 15 with the goal of encouraging people to recognize and reward caregivers - many of whom spend 18 hours per week providing care like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, administering medications, driving to doctor visits or paying bills - in small but meaningful ways.
“Caregiving may be one of the greatest expressions of love and it's woven into the lives of one in six adults,” says AARP Family and Caregiving Expert Amy Goyer, author of the new book Juggling Life, Work and Caregiving. “A staggering 40 million family caregivers provide support for loved ones and, as a caregiver myself, I know that the smallest acts of kindness - like holding a door for someone pushing a wheelchair, surprising them with flowers, or even taking a caregiver's dog for a walk - can be memorable moments in the life of a caregiver.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607231-aarp-caregivers/
Brooklyn-based Victoria Fine Foods, the top-selling slow kettle cooked pasta sauce manufacturer in the U.S., announces today that it will expand distribution this month in more than 400 cities across Florida and California. In total, nearly 2,500 stores across Florida and southern California will stock the company’s premium line of kettle-cooked pasta sauces by the end of the month. Suggested retail price for Victoria’s premium line of pasta sauces range from $7.99 - $8.99 per 24-ounce jar.
Victoria’s growth is, in part, a reflection of growing consumer interest in better-for-you, minimally-processed foods; a trend that fits the company’s core ingredients-first approach. In fact, since its inception in 1929 the company has used only fresh, real food ingredients that are kettle-cooked in small batches to provide a true homemade sauce in ready-to-eat form.
To celebrate its new availability in California and Florida, Victoria has launched a recipe contest to identify the best pasta dish in each new region. Participants can enter simply by uploading a photo of their favorite pasta recipe using the hashtag #Pastaratzzi for a chance to win a $1,000 kitchenware makeover and other prizes. For contest details, visit www.Facebook.com/VictoriaFineFoods.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7630151-victoria-fine-foods-expansion/
This month, stylish wearable hair brand Hairdo is launching a new campaign to find their next “It” Girl. As of Monday, October 5th, fans are now able to submit their best selfies that capture the brand’s fresh, fearless personality over Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the tag #HairdoItGirl, or online at http://bit.ly/HairdoItGirlContest.
The grand prize winner will receive a 3-day trip to New York for a personalized makeover and photoshoot with celebrity stylist Kristina Barricelli, complete with $1000 for a Manhattan shopping spree. Ten runners-up will choose up to $500 worth of their favorite styles from the brand. Entries will be collected over the course of five weeks, and voting for the top girl will begin on Monday, November 11th. Voting will close on Monday, November 17th, and the winner will be announced the following Thursday, November 19th.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7648351-hairdo-it-girl-contest/
If there’s one thing that socially responsible businesses have learned, it’s that they can’t go at it alone. Whether it’s implementing responsible sourcing initiatives or creating a positive corporate model to make an impact on sustainability, there is strength in numbers. So where did Ben & Jerry’s turn for help and inspiration for its latest ice cream flavor? Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing. Never has the phrase “polishing off a pint” been so perfectly poised in any partnership for a delicious double-entendre.
Collectively committed to making a better impact in their global communities, the two B Corp companies proudly introduced Salted Caramel Brown-ie Ale ice cream, which will be featured in Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops as well as in pints across the country as a Limited Batch flavor this fall (MSRP $4.89). The concoction consists of New Belgium Brown Ale Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Swirls and Fudge Brownies. The ice cream, arriving on shelves this month, was unveiled Wednesday evening at a Washington D.C. launch “Brew-Ha-Ha” in the confines of the historic Howard Theatre. The launch event was heralded as “a night of music, climate activism, beer, and ice cream.” Musicians Galactic and Dr. Dog performed at the unveiling of Ben & Jerry’s newest ice cream flavor to highlight climate activism.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7648451-ben-and-jerry-s-new-belgium-brewery/
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing substance abuse among adolescents, today launched a new multimedia campaign for teens that illustrates some of the pressures they face, including peer pressure to drink and use drugs, issues with body image and bullying, among others. The “Who Controls You” campaign breaks this month and was created pro-bono by advertising agency, Hill Holliday and award-winning, social media influencer, Maris Jones, as part of the Partnership’s Above the Influence (ATI) teen program.
“We are incredibly proud of this work. We struck gold when Hill Holliday collaborated with Adolescent Media and Maris Jones to bring this campaign to life,” said Chief Marketing Officer for the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Kristi Rowe. “Partnering with a young, talented social media influencer like Maris lent such a unique and authentic voice to this effort. Combining the extraordinary insight and passion of the Hill Holliday team with Maris’ distinct artistry brought an unexpected style to the campaign that makes this creative truly break through.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7103751-drug-free-partnership-who-controls-you/
For negotiators at the Paris climate conference (COP21) to successfully advance global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, nations must embrace a prominent role for nuclear energy.
The Obama administration highlighted the crucial role of nuclear energy when it convened a White House Summit on Nuclear Energy earlier this month. “As America leads the global transition to a low-carbon economy, the continued development of new and advanced nuclear technologies along with support for currently operating nuclear power plants is an important component of our clean energy strategy,” a White House fact sheet developed for the summit states. Many environmentalists are also giving nuclear energy a second look, as they seek practical solutions to constrain carbon emissions.
Nuclear energy facilities provide 63 percent of America’s zero-carbon electricity. Globally, nuclear power plants provide one-third of all zero-carbon electricity. One of nuclear energy’s major advantages relative to other low-carbon energy sources is its unique ability to produce large-scale electricity around-the-clock in extreme weather conditions. Nuclear energy facilities don’t rely on the wind blowing, the sun shining, or just-in-time deliveries of fuel by truck, barge, rail or pipeline. In 2014, the U.S. nuclear energy industry’s average capacity factor—a common measure of efficiency and reliability—was 92 percent.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7694251-nuclear-energy-cop21-climate-goals/
Mighty, motorized micros! Playmates Toys announced today the launch of T-Sprints, an innovative new figure and wheels play pattern that goes beyond traditional vehicle play, available first at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide for the month of December, and rolling out to additional retailers beginning in January. The highly stylized figures, which capture the personalities of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, each come with a different vehicle and feature a unique flywheel so kids can rev and send them sprinting into action.
“As the company behind the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line for decades, Playmates Toys continually strives to develop innovative new play patterns which allow fans to experience their favorite characters in unique and entertaining ways,” said Karl Aaronian, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Playmates Toys. “The T-Sprints collection offers fans a humorous, unique new experience, bringing the personalities of each Turtle to life in whole new way.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7404458-playmates-toys-t-sprints-toys-r-us-tmnt/
More than 15 percent of reproductive-aged women have filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the years 2008–2013, according to a new analysis published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and the CDC is working with the March of Dimes to raise awareness about the use of antidepressant medications by women of reproductive age, and what women should know and do for their own health and that of their babies. There is conflicting evidence about the potential link between some antidepressants and certain birth defects. Some commonly used antidepressants are sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), and citalopram (Celexa).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7709851-march-of-dimes-antidepressant-pregnancy-study/