In its annual report on the EU budget published today, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) warns that the budget system is too focused on just getting funds spent and needs to place more emphasis on achieving results. As independent auditor, the ECA signed off the 2013 accounts of the European Union, but stresses that the management of EU spending is not yet good enough overall - either at EU level or in the Member States.
Throughout the 2007 to 2013 spending period, say the EU Auditors, the priority was given to spending the money - ‘use it or lose it’ - rather than to achieving good results. For instance, the choice of projects to receive EU funds focused first on disbursing the EU money available, secondly on complying with the rules, and only then - and to a limited extent - on results and impact.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762585-EU-must-focus-on-better-results/
Spring is around the corner, and it won’t be long before it’s prom and graduation seasons for many high schoolers. Rites of passage for many, these are times for teens to celebrate, but can also be times of poor decision-making, especially when vehicles are involved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 2,524 teen drivers and passengers were killed and 177,000 were injured in 2013. Twenty-seven percent of these fatalities occurred between April and June, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“The statistics are staggering, especially when you consider that most of these accidents and fatalities are preventable,” said Randy Petro, Mercury Insurance’s chief claims officer. “We don’t want any families to suffer through the loss of a child, so Mercury is taking action with the launch of the ‘Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge.’”
The Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge kicked off with a free defensive driving program, which included hands-on driving skills training and classroom material. An interactive website provides teens with detailed instruction, as well as gives parents the tools to shape responsible driving behavior.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7772251-mercury-teen-drive-safe-challenge/
To outsource or not, and even if I do will I get it right? That’s the question on the minds of people who need some extra help in their lives but are unable to get it. Virtual Assistance is no longer a novelty, but ask someone who runs a small business, startup or is just too busy and can do with some help, if they would. And the overwhelming answer would be ‘I am unsure’. Yet there are millions of small businesses and busy individuals across the globe that need assistance, but are reluctant to try it because they are apprehensive.
‘GetFriday’, a leading global Virtual Assistance firm based in India that has been in service since 2005 was instrumental in making outsourcing accessible and more importantly, successful for busy individuals and small businesses across 60 countries.
Despite the numerous successful outsourcing stories of small-medium enterprises and individuals over the years, many first-timers remain indecisive about outsourcing, owing to the fears associated with sending off important work virtually to assistants halfway across the world.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7821451-global-virtual-assistant-everyday-getfriday/
Spotted: Nick Offerman and his dad Ric fishing in a handmade canoe on a serene and quiet lake, communicating as only fathers and sons do.
Of the experience, Offerman said, “Working with my Dad (aka my hero) was a sincere honor and a treat - especially since all we had to do was go fishing. And if people have enjoyed my stoic expressions, then I expect they’re about to have their hats fly off when they lay eyes on the face of the august edifice from whence I sprung.”
Grab your dad, pour yourselves a glass of Lagavulin and enjoy responsibly.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7848951-my-tales-of-whisky-fathers-day/
FedEx Office and eBay have teamed up to bring the eBay Valet Drop-Off Program to more than 1,600 FedEx Office retail stores, making it easier for consumers to sell items online and earn money. With kids back in school and the holiday season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to clear the home of items no longer needed, such as electronics, small appliances, sporting goods and more to make some extra money. According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, the average household has more than 50 extra or unused items worth more than $3,000, if sold on eBay.
The eBay Valet Drop-Off Program is designed to make selling items as simple as possible. Customers bring their items to the nearest participating FedEx Office location. Once in the store, trained FedEx Office team members can help set up an eBay account from an in-store tablet or log in to an existing account. They will then vet items to ensure they can be sold on eBay. FedEx Office then packs and ships items to the nearest eBay Valet processing center where they will be listed and sold. Once the item sells, customers receive payment via PayPal, with updates and notifications throughout the process.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7910351-fedex-office-ebay-valet-drop-off-program/
https://youtu.be/9a--dmZ8cm8 Without social media and marketing knowledge it’s not likely that your Etsy store, ecommerce biz, or blog will get off the ground or that you’ll be able to compete effectively on the internet of MEGA COMPETITION.
In 2011, PetSafe® brand launched its nationwide Bark for Your Park program to help communities build their own off-leash dog parks. In order to help even more communities this year, PetSafe brand is restructuring the contest into a grant-giving program and increasing the number of awards from five to 25.
“In the past five years, we’ve given away over $850,000 to communities to build dog parks of their own, but now we want to help communities during every stage of development,” said Tracy Mulder, marketing manager, PetSafe brand. “Our new Bark for Your Park program is expanding to not only help break ground on new parks, but also help fund maintenance and improvements for existing parks.”
Communities can submit a grant application now through June 30, 2016 on www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark. The applications will be reviewed by an internal committee and PetSafe brand will award five new park grants valuing $25,000 each, 10 park makeover grants valuing $10,000 each, and 10 park maintenance grants valuing $5,000 each. This year’s award recipients will receive a combination of funds and commercial-grade dog park equipment from UltraSite, a PlayCore Company. The winning communities will be announced over a 5-week period during August through September.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7827752-petsafe-dogs-bark-for-your-park/
Guests at the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Airport got the surprise of a lifetime, thanks to a pop-up concert by triple platinum recording artist Andy Grammer. The pop artist joined IHG® Rewards Club, the loyalty program for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), to kick-off the brand’s new Priceless Experiences promotion that brings members the excitement of the unexpected this winter. Grammer performed a set of his chart-topping songs, including “Honey, I'm Good” and “Keep Your Head Up,” as well as his newest hit single “Fresh Eyes.”
The Priceless Experiences promotion is valid for IHG Rewards Club members that stay at an IHG hotel between Dec. 1, 2016 and Feb. 15, 2017. To register for the promotion, or for more information and eligibility details, please visit www.ihgrewardsclub.com/priceless2016.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8005651-ihg-rewards-club-priceless-experiences-promo/
Jewelry Television (JTV) will kick off a 96-hour Black Friday shopping event at 12:00 a.m. EST on November 27. JTV's international buying power enables them to offer gift options at every price point, including a variety of exquisite jewelry and rare gems from around the world.
The 96 Hour Black Friday sale kicks off a series of shopping events spanning the entire holiday season and highlighting discounts on select jewelry and gemstone collections, holiday gifts, watches, Jewel School products, and more.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7372631-jewelry-television/
Hawaii Film + Arts International today announced their First Annual Hawaii Film Challenge, an international screenwriting contest open to a global pool of talent, and awarding three winners airfare and lodging for their creative team, as well as casting, production staff, and equipment support, and a 10-day shoot and production experience in Hawaii, culminating in an exclusive screening.
The competition is open to entrants 21 years of age and older, and is targeting short film scripts (10-12 minutes) from passionate filmmakers who want the opportunity to have their story produced.
“We created this challenge to give emerging filmmakers a once-in-a-lifetime platform for their voices, and to extend established talent the opportunity to have a truly unique shoot experience,” said Mark Blackburn, co-founder of Hawaii Film + Arts International, patron to several leading Pacific artists, and one of the country’s foremost Polynesian art scholars.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/8021051-hawaii-film-arts-international-2017-challenge/
From urban cat owners in multi-floor walkups, to parents who could use help with litter box chores or cat lovers who just have trouble lifting their litter, Tidy Cats® understands some lifestyles require a lighter litter. That’s why today, Tidy Cats is helping cat lovers lighten up with the LightWeight Littervention™ Contest and teaming up with design enthusiast and lifestyle expert Jenni Pulos to make over one lucky cat’s litter box area and help cross chores off of the winner’s to-do list.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7423651-tidy-cats-littervention/
