INRIX®, Inc., a global leader for transportation analytics, today released its 2015 Traffic Scorecard, a benchmark for governments and agencies in the U.S. and Europe to measure progress in improving urban mobility.
The report reveals the U.S. faces large challenges to solve congestion issues, fueled by continued economic and population growth, higher employment rates and declining gas prices. Cities that have experienced the most economic improvement during the past year are at highest risk for consequences related to worsened traffic conditions, including reduced productivity, higher emissions and increased stress levels. For example, Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Boston all saw reduced unemployment rates bringing them below the national average of 5.3 percent for 2015.1 However, according to the INRIX Traffic Scorecard, congestion in those cities alone combined to waste 1.5 billion hours for daily car commuters last year. Nationwide, commuters spent a total of more than eight billion extra hours stuck in traffic, representing almost 50 hours per driver.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7775551-inrix-2015-traffic-scorecard/
The National Climate Assessment: Climate Change Impacts in the United States concludes that warmer and drier conditions have already contributed to increasing wildfire events across the western United States, and future increases are projected in some regions. Already this year, there have been over 44,000 wildfires that have damaged or destroyed almost 8.5 million acres. Long periods of record high temperatures are associated with droughts that contribute to dry conditions and drive wildfires in some areas.
USDA Secretary Vilsack recently stated, “This year, we are experiencing yet another devastating wildfire season, particularly in the drought-ravaged West. Climate change, drought, fuel buildup, insects and disease are increasing the severity of unprecedented wildfire in America's forests and rangelands, which impacts the safety of people, homes and communities. Development close to forests has also increased the threat to property, with more than 46 million homes in the United States, or about 40 percent of our nation's housing, potentially at risk from wildfire.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607931-fema-national-prepareathon/
Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid (HEV) at the Chicago Auto Show. The Optima HEV enjoys the same full redesign – inside and out – as the conventional gas-powered model, the all-new fourth-generation Optima sedan, bringing with it a new hybrid powertrain that targets a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing model. The enhanced HEV blends modern styling and a premium driving experience with an even more intense focus on efficiency and is being introduced under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics environmentally friendly sub-brand.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731855-kia-2017-optima-hybrid-cas/
No need to break the bank at juice bars for all-natural fresh fruit and veggie-blended juices. Today, leading juice manufacturer Old Orchard Brands launches Fruit & Veggie, a new line of 100 percent natural fruit and vegetable juice blends available for the first time as a frozen fruit juice concentrate. Each 12-ounce container reconstitutes to six, 8-ounce servings and every glass contains a full serving of both fruit and vegetables.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61241-old-orchard-brands-first-fruit-and-veggie-juice-blend-preservative-free
Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM], today announced the launch of the new Chase Ultimate RewardsSM website developed to meet the changing needs of Chase cardholders and deliver a more personalized experience. According to a recent survey Chase conducted in partnership with Mercator Advisory Group, 35 percent of consumers surveyed ranked an attractive rewards program ahead of other factors like interest rates and credit line when selecting which credit card to use most. Additionally, the survey found that 55 percent of consumers surveyed said that, as a rule, they try to use a credit card with rewards that are relevant to them.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7328251-chase-launches-new-website-offering-enhanced-personalized-rewards/
Today, SC Johnson celebrated the anniversary of one of its recent renewable energy investments, two wind turbines at the company’s largest manufacturing facility, Waxdale, in Mt. Pleasant, Wis. These turbines have successfully cut nearly 6,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases in their first year. Combined with the site’s cogeneration systems already in place, the Waxdale facility, which is the size of 36 football fields, is now able to generate, on average, 100 percent of its electrical energy onsite.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64680-sc-johnson-renewable-energy-goals-cut-greenhouse-gases-wind-power
The last year saw many achievements for Chengdu’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry. According to data from the Chengdu Municipal Statistics Bureau, Chengdu hosted 530 major exhibitions, conferences and forums in 2014, of which 214 were exhibitions, 45 more than a year earlier or a year-over-year (YOY) growth rate of 26.6 percent, and 113 were international conferences and forums, 8 more than a year earlier, or a YOY growth rate of 7.6 percent. The events took up 3.25 million square meters of space in the aggregate, a YOY growth rate of 8.0 percent, of which 49 were international in nature, occupying 1.74 million square meters, a YOY growth rate of 16.0 percent. Direct revenue derived from the industry for 2014 totaled 6.95 billion yuan, up 14.9 percent year-on-year while overall revenue (direct plus indirect) revenue reached 58.4 billion yuan, up 14.5 percent year-on-year.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7511651-chengdu-china-mice-industry/
A new survey from the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) finds many Americans with gout may be placing too much emphasis on diet when it comes to managing the disease and controlling painful flares. Of all the steps taken to manage gout, respondents cited changing their diet by eliminating or reducing consumption of certain foods as their top step taken (50 percent)—even ahead of taking medications to lower their uric acid levels (40 percent) and maintaining an overall healthy fitness level (33 percent). Furthermore, nearly one in three with gout incorrectly believes that the disease can be completely avoided by eliminating certain foods; and more than one in four said they would not take medications if they were making dietary changes.
“Physicians all too often see patients who believe they can successfully manage their gout with diet alone,” said N. Lawrence Edwards, M.D., a rheumatologist and GUAES chairman. “But even with extremely rigid diet restrictions, most gout patients will only be able to lower their uric acid levels slightly—not nearly enough to achieve a healthy level to control flares and reduce risk for long-term damage.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7835451-guaes-diet-survey/
February 24 -- There are more than one billion cars on the road worldwide today, and only one tenth of one percent of them have a plug. OPEC contends that even in the year 2040, EVs will make up just one percent. But don't be so sure. By 2020, some electric cars and SUVs will be faster, safer, cheaper, and more convenient than their gasoline counterparts. What if people just stop buying oil? In the first episode of our animated series, Sooner Than You Think, Bloomberg's Tom Randall does the math on when oil markets might be headed for the big crash.
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Americans want more joy in their busy, over-scheduled lives – in fact, a recent survey from Reddi-wipi shows that 93 percent want to find more ways to experience joy every day and 94 percent agree joy is more intense when shared with others. Despite that yearning, however, people don’t always stop and savor the moment, missing out on feeling – and sharing – the moments of joy they crave.
So, starting now, Reddi-wip is on a mission to #ShareTheJoy and help others #ShareTheJoy every day, too. Reddi-wip will encourage people to connect with others, give joy and watch it grow exponentially; to truly live in the moment and experience joy by being present and to awaken and indulge the senses. Reddi-wip will provide inspiration through a new advertising campaign and social content and tips created in partnership with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, psychology professor at the University of California, and author of The How of Happiness.
“With the delicious taste of real cream, Reddi-wip has always made everyday occasions more joyful,” said Angela Joyner, vice president and general manager of the Refrigerated Foods and Sweet Snacks Portfolio at ConAgra Foods. “Through our #SharetheJoy program, our goal is to spark a joy movement that will have a ripple effect. Our mission is to ultimately make the world a more joyful place.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7636651-reddi-wip-sharethejoy-campaign/
Suffering from an in-law overdose? Recovering from a shopping overload? Planning on feeling a little fuzzy? With more than a third (35 percent) of Americans* planning to drink on New Year’s Eve already predicting a hangover on New Year’s Day, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin) has the perfect remedy for guests in need of some relief this holiday season! To ring in the New Year, the Gourmet Burger Authority™ will unveil The Cure Burger, available by request only at participating restaurants nationwide beginning January 1.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7404451-red-robin-the-cure-burger-exclusive-menu/
Every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States, according to 2014 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Safety seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But 59 percent of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness, and over one-third of children killed in car crashes were completely unrestrained at the time of the crash. Today, NHTSA and the Ad Council unveiled a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.
“Life can change in an instant. We want parents and caregivers to prepare for the unexpected, rather than face their worst nightmare,” said Dr. Mark Rosekind, NHTSA administrator. “Buckling up a child correctly and in the right seat is the best protection any parent can do to see their child walk away unharmed from a car crash.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7774451-ad-council-find-the-right-seat/