Planetary Resources, Inc., the asteroid mining company, announced today that it has secured US$21.1 million in Series A funding. The capital will be used to deploy and operate Ceres, an advanced Earth observation business that features the first commercial infrared and hyperspectral sensor platform to better understand and manage humanity’s natural resources. The funding was led by Bryan Johnson and the OS FUND; and joined by Idea Bulb Ventures; Tencant; Vast Ventures; Grishin Robotics; Conversion Capital; The Seraph Group; Space Angels Network, a syndication of investors from Angel.co; and Larry Page. Earth observation will be another aspect of Planetary Resources’ operations in addition to prospecting and mining asteroids.
Conceived from the company’s vision for the exploration and utilization of asteroid resources, Ceres will leverage Planetary Resources’ Arkyd spacecraft to deliver affordable, on-demand Earth intelligence of our natural resources on any spot on the planet. While typical satellite imagery provides only a picture, Ceres will provide actionable data with higher spectral resolutions – going beyond what the human eye can see – by measuring thermographic properties and detecting the composition of materials on Earth’s surface. The midwave-infrared sensor is the first ever commercial capability from space to offer thermographic mapping and night-imaging, and the hyperspectral sensor includes an unprecedented 40 color bands in the visible to near-infrared spectrum.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7847251-planetary-resources-ceres/
Up to 40% of businesses affected by a natural or man-made disaster never reopen, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In a nationwide effort to raise the business community’s awareness about how to prepare their businesses and employees in the event of an emergency, the Advertising Council, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross, announced today the launch of new public service advertisements (PSAs) on behalf of Ready Business.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/50292/
A blockbuster trade was made official [today] when star running back Reggie Bush was traded for a $10 pizza in a new ad from Pizza Hut. The new spot heralds the return of the $10 Any pizza deal from Pizza Hut — any size, any crust, any toppings for just $10.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52225-pizza-hut-10-dollar-pizza-deal-football-star-reggie-bush
At the Goody\\\\\\\'s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, the friendly rivalry between racing legend and Goody\\\'s spokesman Richard Petty, and country music superstar and BC Powder spokesman Trace Adkins, got serious for two very good causes. Victory Junction, chosen by Petty, and Adkins\\\\\\\' chosen charity, Wounded Warrior Project, each received a donation of $50K from the powder brand they represent. Last year, BC and Goody\\\\\\\'s launched their joint Pick A Powder Campaign (www.pickapowder.com) to see which powder is the fastest at getting rid of pain. While the rivalry led by their respective spokesmen remains neck and neck, today\\\\\\\'s truce resulted in a total donation of $100,000.
Philips Respironics, a unit of Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and a pioneer in science-based sleep solutions, today announces a significant advancement in sleep therapy with the commercial release of a first of its kind minimal contact nasal mask – Wisp. Designed to fit more than 98% of sleep apnea patients, Wisp brings distinctive styling and patented technology for a better overall mask experience that may improve patient compliance.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62230-philips-respironics-announces-advancement-in-sleep-therapy-with-wisp
Bulbs.com, one of the nation’s largest Philips Lighting distributors, announced today that it is adding the new Philips InstantFit LED T8 lamps to its product assortment, making energy efficient lighting even more accessible for its customers. LED T8s will provide customers with an opportunity to slash conversion cost and time to replace fluorescent tubes with LED technology.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/65767-bulbs-com-new-philips-instantfit-led-t8-now-available
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today introduced the HomeLox portable liquid oxygen system. The innovative system enables oxygen users to generate and store the liquid form of oxygen in the home setting. The HomeLox system offers users the long-lasting and lightweight characteristics of traditional liquid systems, while freeing them from difficulties of filling and dependence on deliveries associated with conventional systems.
Home oxygen is a critical, life-sustaining medical treatment prescribed to nearly 1.5 million Medicare patients annually who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/philips/45648/
In an unprecedented gesture of love and kindness coinciding with Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2012, the relationship matching services company, Valenti International, announced a pledge today by its Founder, Irene Valenti, to personally donate $5000 along with a commitment to raise an additional $25,000-$30,000 to recoup the losses suffered by the non-profit organization Empty Cradle, which recently fell victim to embezzlement. The fundraising campaign was launched by Valenti International which will collect and administer donations from private individuals, corporations and foundations, plus fund the remainder of the balance until the financial goal is reached.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54440-valenti-international-valentines-day-donation-empty-cradle
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
Despite signs of economic recovery, a new survey says Americans’ confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement remains at historic lows as workers appear to be grasping the realities of what they need to save.
The 2013 annual Retirement Confidence Survey, released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, and co-sponsored by the Principal Financial Group®, finds overall confidence levels are essentially unchanged since the record lows set in 2011. Only 13 percent are very confident they will have enough money for a comfortable retirement. A full 28 percent1— the highest number recorded during the 23 years of the survey—are not at all confident.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60106-principal-financial-group-ebri-retirement-savings-confidence-survey
For the busy, urban pet owner, it can sometimes be difficult to provide the structure, time and care pets need to thrive. Since city-dwelling pet owners face different challenges than their suburban counterparts, PetSafe® brand has compiled a line of products that cater to downtown dogs, cats and their owners. The line includes products designed to help urban pet owners automatically feed their pet on time, create safe zones in small living areas, improve morning walks and please neighbors with less barking.
“Pets bring so much joy to our lives, but caring for a pet while living in a smaller, urban space can be somewhat tricky, especially if you’re lacking some of the amenities that are more common among suburban living,” said Willie Wallace, CEO of Radio Systems® Corporation, makers of PetSafe branded product. “With so many products available on the market today, it’s difficult to determine which best suit your lifestyle and needs. Our goal is to simplify the pet ownership process by compiling a go-to resource of the top products for downtown living.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7827753-petsafe-urban-pet-owners/
Public relations and communications professionals imagine, create and inspire daily. How do you keep that process fresh? Incorporate the latest tools, technologies and strategies? And, reach previously unrealized levels of success? Learn how by registering today for the PRSA 2011 International Conference. Gain from the perspectives of CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, “Trust Agents” author Chris Brogan, X Prize CEO Peter Diamandis and Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. Share in the experiences of more than 200 experts on everything from social media to reputation management to measurement. And glean unique insights from professionals from around the world — All at the largest annual gathering of public relations professionals.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/50911-prsa-2011-international-conference/