After successful exploration runs in 2013 and 2015 the Dutch polar cruise company Oceanwide Expeditions has announced two new expeditions to the Ross Sea in 2017. The ice-strengthened vessel “Ortelius” will be accommodated with helicopters for the two Antarctica cruises, sailing from the South-American continent to the Antarctic Peninsula, crossing the Polar Circle, further west to Peter I Island, sailing in the Bellingshausen sea along the ice-edge of “deep Antarctica” into the Ross Sea. The voyage continues to the uninhabited sub-Antarctic Campbell Island and ends after 32 days in New Zealand. The second cruise offers the same itinerary, but in reverse.
The Ross Sea Challenge
The Ross Sea region of Antarctica has always presented a dream but also a challenge to visit to explorers. The Ross Ice Shelf prevents a full seasonal operation and distances are enormous. Apart from the extremes, landing sites are still difficult to reach. “With the advantages of the “Ortelius” in combination with the use of helicopters, our travelers are having some great opportunities exploring Antarctica’s most fascinating sites”, says CEO Michel van Gessel.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726051-oceanwide-expeditions-new-ross-sea/
Ranked a hot city for business, a top-20 college town and listed as one of the friendliest places in America by Travel & Leisure magazine, Knoxville, Tennessee, is the location of HGTV Urban Oasis® 2017. Fans can now take a virtual tour of the renovated 1925 bungalow and then enter for a chance to win the fully furnished home during the upcoming sweepstakes period.
Located in the historic Fourth and Gill neighborhood close to vibrant downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee campus, the charming home features an all-new interior and enhanced exterior with eye-catching design touches and aptly lends itself to sustainable urban living in one of Knoxville’s hottest neighborhoods. Fourth and Gill was chosen for HGTV Urban Oasis 2017 due to its unique vibe and proximity to the heart of downtown, which features a plethora of restaurants, bars, outdoor concerts, shopping and other year-round activities.
“With our corporate headquarters right here in Knoxville, we know what an up-and-coming metropolis our city truly is – it has it all, including an urban feel infused with Southern hospitality,” said Ron Feinbaum, General Manager of HGTV Home Promotions. “Our team is accustomed to traveling the country to produce the top-notch homes we give away to our viewers each year. With this project, it’s particularly gratifying to be able to showcase all that our ‘Scruffy City’ has to offer – from an exploding culinary scene to endless outdoor adventure.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8041053-hgtv-urban-oasis-2017-knoxville-tennessee/
2017 Renault Zoe
Renault has introduced a new Z.E. 40 battery for ZOE. At the same, ZOE owners can benefit from a range of new connected services and equipment upgrades. Order books for the new ZOE line-up are open. The new ZOEs fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery are made at Renault's Flins plant in France and will be available for delivery before the end of 2016.
Double the range for even longer journeys
As the pioneer of all-electric mobility and Europe's number one seller of electric vehicles, Renault has stepped up its innovation programme and the deployment of its Zero Emissions strategy.
Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery, the Renault ZOE now delivers a record NEDC driving range of 400km, which is twice the distance delivered by the model at the time of its original launch.
The new Z.E. 40 battery has a real-world range of 300 kilometres in urban or suburban areas, for example.
The range permitted today by the ZOE is the longest of any mainstream all-electric vehicle and motorists can take advantage of this step forward now.
The ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and provides a real alternative to internal combustion-engine cars, since average daily commuting distances are well within the ZOE's capabilities.
The new battery removes the final psychological barrier that stands in the way of buying an electric car since ZOE users can now travel further and enjoy a wider variety of driving situations without worry about charging. This makes weekend trips a real possibility.
The Z.E. 40 battery's charging rate is similar to that of the standard battery, so 'topping up' doesn't take long at all. For example, just 30 minutes are required on average to charge the battery for an extra 80 kilometres of driving range when plugged into one of the many public charging points in operation in Europe. The ZOE continues to be equipped with the Quick Charge function to take full advantage of the maximum capacity of fast charging points located predominantly along motorway corridors.
An innovation that doubles battery capacity with no increase in size
The ZOE's new Z.E. 40 battery boasts 41kWh of useful energy, equivalent to almost double the storage capacity of the ZOE's standard battery (22kWh of useful energy).
Developed in close partnership with LG Chem, the battery uses high-energy density lithium-ion technology.
Renault and LG engineers have succeeded in increasing storage capacity without making the battery any bigger or a lot heavier. It was optimised by working on the chemistry of the cells in order to increase their energy density, rather than stacking additional battery modules, a commonly used technique.
This major new technology has been developed while ensuring the battery's reliability or safety.
The battery's large storage capacity ensures longer range for the ZOE thanks to the meticulous work that went into integrating the battery in the vehicle. The electronic management system of the battery optimises the ZOE's energy use on the move, while the new air circulation system maintains the temperature of the ZOE's battery at a constant level, making the car economical to run in very hot or very cold weather.
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/
The 2017 Christmas Book and legendary Fantasy Gifts were unveiled today by luxury omni-channel retailer Neiman Marcus in Dallas. The 91st edition of this renowned book continues Neiman Marcus’ unmatched tradition of offering a selection of spectacular and unique holiday gifts sure to make even the wildest of dreams come true.
The arrival of the Christmas Book marks the official start of the holiday shopping season. This year’s edition carries on the Neiman Marcus tradition of presenting a refined selection of items across a broad range of categories for everyone on your holiday shopping list. With a new collection of Fantasy Gifts certain to satisfy even the most indulgent appetites, the Christmas Book features exceptional and distinctive gifts and experiences, including an aerial photo session with Gray Malin, a pampering experience in Paris with Sisley, and a bespoke handbag collection and Parisian experience with Olympia Le-Tan. This year’s “Yours & Mine” Fantasy Gift is a pair of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited-Edition Dawns in two color options.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8154751-neiman-marcus-2017-christmas-book-fantasy-gifts/
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/
SMIRNOFF has announced a new extension of its “Equalizing Music” global campaign through a new partnership with Spotify that promotes equality for women musicians around the world.
According to Spotify data, none of the top 10 most-streamed tracks were performed by women artists or bands in 2017. To help make a difference in the music industry, the makers of SMIRNOFF have teamed up with Spotify to increase representation of women in music by allowing consumers to impact their own listening habits through an industry-first application programming interface (API), dubbed the Smirnoff Equalizer.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8279551-smirnoff-equalizer-spotify-music-womens-day/
Hyundai Motor America today unveiled the Ioniq Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Electric models for the U.S. market at the New York International Auto Show. The Ioniq eco-focused vehicle is the first in the world to offer three distinct electrified powertrains on a single, dedicated vehicle platform. Hyundai’s approach for the Ioniq line delivers an uncompromising design and driving experience coupled with the latest in safety and convenience technologies, making it an appealing choice for a wide range of buyers. The Hyundai Ioniq is an important milestone in Hyundai’s global sustainability strategy.
“Ioniq will attract an entirely new group of eco- and efficiency-oriented buyers in the U.S. market,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “With outstanding powertrain flexibility, design, connectivity, and advanced technologies, Ioniq meets the needs of a large and growing group of buyers needing a highly efficient, low-emissions vehicle without compromise to their daily lifestyles.”
The driving experience inside Ioniq is enhanced through state-of-the art connectivity features like Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto®, as well as wireless charging of smartphones. Even more, the 7-inch TFT instrument cluster displays all key driver information with outstanding resolution. Ioniq also offers the very latest in advanced safety, including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise Control, for high levels of both active and passive vehicle safety.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7506053-hyundai-ioniq-model-debut-nyias/
2017 Long range Renault Zoe EV A practical winner First Drive, That's because Renault has managed to increase the Zoe's range with an impressive 41-kWh battery, called the R90, that gives an official NEDC range of 403 kilometers (250 miles). Sure, the NEDC range is a optimistic fiction concocted by European regulators – something that even Renault admits – but the new Zoe's real-world range should be around 200 km (124 miles) in the winter and 300 km (186 miles) in the summer. Compared to the first-gen Zoe's 250 km (155 mile) NEDC range, this is a tremendous improvement.
This year, the HGTV® Smart Home finds the perfect backdrop in “The West’s Most Western Town,” Scottsdale, Arizona. Fans can visit HGTV.com/Smart to get a first look at the new home that embraces the desert modern style.
Planned by local architect Candelaria Design Associates and constructed by local builder Eagle Luxury Properties, the home is part of a grand prize package valued at more than $1.5 million that will be awarded this summer. In addition to the home and all its furnishings, the grand prize package includes a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e 4MATIC® and $100,000 from national mortgage lender Quicken Loans®.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8041051-hgtv-smart-home-2017-virtual-tour/
Primrose Schools®, a national high-quality early education and care provider, raised more than $773,000 for local and national children’s charities in 2017, breaking its previous record by more than $53,000. More than 350 Primrose preschools across the U.S. contributed to this effort, demonstrating the company’s mission to forge a path that leads to a brighter future for all children.
Last year, more than 55,000 preschool children and their families – in addition to Primrose National Leadership Support Team members, Franchise Owners, teachers and staff – participated in a variety of fundraising efforts throughout the year. These initiatives are part of the company’s Primrose PromiseSM corporate social responsibility program, which was founded in 2014 and represents the company’s commitment to make a difference in the lives of all children, especially those at greatest risk.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8014458-primrose-childrens-charity-fundraising-donations/
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and National Company “Astana EXPO-2017” have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.
The document was signed at an official ceremony at the Madrid headquarter of the organization by Akhmetzhan Yessimov, Chairman of the Board of NC Astana EXPO-2017, and Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO.
"We expect that “EXPO-2017” will bring a large number of visitors to Kazakhstan. Therefore, we have focused our efforts on training personnel in the service industry," reported Mr. Yessimov following the signing of the memorandum.
We are counting on UNWTO's support and assistance in holding training sessions for Kazakhstan tour operators."
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7859751-unwto-expo-2017-agree-sustainable-tourism/
