Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled four all-new customized vehicles at the opening day of the 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, showcasing America’s cultural diversity and our shared love of the automobile. Including a first-time SEMA appearance by the Trail’ster electric hybrid AWD concept that was first unveiled at last year’s Chicago Auto Show and a return by popular demand of the Ballast Point Sedona, Kia’s 2015 SEMA display commemorates a uniquely American form of wanderlust: A road trip to the farthest corners of the country and everywhere in between.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/74363511-kia-american-road-trip-sema-2015/
Call it a homecoming.
When Toyota introduced Lexus to the U.S. market in 1989, the Georgetown, Ky., plant – its first stand-alone vehicle manufacturing facility in America – was just in its second year of producing the Camry.
Fast forward 26 years and that same plant is celebrating the start of U.S. Lexus production. Today at a ceremony fit for a luxury brand king, the first-ever U.S.-produced ES 350 was unveiled before several thousand proud team members in Georgetown. And, just like a newborn foal at the nearby horse farms in Central Kentucky, the newcomer was brought into the world with plenty of TLC and hope for a bright future.
“This is really a proud moment for us and brings us full circle,” said Wil James, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. “To be the first wholly owned plant, building the number one best-selling car in America, the Camry, for 13 years in a row, and then to be selected to build the first Lexus is truly a tribute to our team members.”
For the past two and a half years, the Kentucky plant – Toyota’s largest in North America – has been gearing up to make the ES 350, Lexus’ best-selling sedan in the U.S. In all, $360 million was invested toward a new dedicated assembly line, adding 750 new jobs. Total capacity for the new line will be 50,000 vehicles.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7655351-lexus-kentucky-plant-es-350/
As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council announced today their first national public service campaign designed to prevent underage drinking and driving. Following the success of iconic campaigns including “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” and “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving,” the new public service ads (PSAs) were unveiled this morning by Mark Rosekind, Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Teen Safe Driving Summit in Washington, DC.
“One teenage death from drinking and driving is too many,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. “Our goal with this campaign is to raise awareness among teenagers that drinking and driving is one of the worst mistakes they can ever make, with deadly consequences that can’t be undone.”
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in America, and almost half of teens killed in crashes are the drivers themselves. Despite a minimum legal drinking age of 21 in all 50 states, almost one-quarter of young drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes had alcohol in their systems according to data from NHTSA.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7662551-ad-council-ultimate-party-foul/
New Orleans is one of the country’s most culturally, architecturally, and musically interesting cities. It will serve as the picturesque backdrop for Team Challenge, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s (CCFA) endurance training and fundraising program, to take over the city on February 28, 2016 for the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k.
For the first time ever, Team Challenge is recruiting for participants to run through the Big Easy while raising critical funds and awareness of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. There are more than 1.6 million Americans living with these chronic, debilitating diseases.
“Team Challenge provides people with an opportunity to raise critical research dollars while training to do something that, for many people, they never imagined they’d be able to do,” said Craig Comins, vice president of Team Challenge. “It is inspiring to see a group of people come together, some who have these diseases and some who do not, united in the mission of finding a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7512652-ccfa-team-challenge-recruit-nola/
Seniors 80 and over yearn to be connected but many are not, causing a more than quarter of them to become “virtual shut-ins.” While a new survey shows use of social technology is linked to better wellbeing for people in this age group and demonstrates its potential for combating isolation, it also reveals their frustration and need for assistance in becoming part of the digital world. These findings come from a “Rewiring Aging” survey supported by Brookdale Senior Living, conducted by Kelton, a leading global insights firm in collaboration with the Stanford Center on Longevity. It is the first in-depth study of how online social networking and similar tech-based activities affect the quality of life among America’s fastest-growing demographic segment.
Fifty-eight percent of seniors surveyed believe technology can improve communication with family and friends. This belief is borne out by the findings; respondents who indicated they interact with loved ones through social technology report having higher life satisfaction and health and being more likely to attain life goals than those who do not use social technology.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7617951-brookdale-seniors-technology/
Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the completion of a Pet Travel Seat Pilot Study as part of its continued partnership with Center for Pet Safety (CPS), a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit research and consumer advocacy organization. Subaru and CPS have tested pet products most commonly used by pet parents when traveling. Phase one tested pet harnesses, phase two tested pet crates and carriers, and now, phase three has tested pet travel seats.
A pet travel seat is typically used in a vehicle to hold or elevate the pet, but does not offer full containment. The Pet Travel Seat Pilot Study found that while a pet travel seat may offer distraction prevention, it will likely not offer crash protection in the event of an accident, which could lead to injury of the pet and the human vehicle passengers. The quality of commonly available pet travel seats did not provide effective protection in a crash scenario.
Based on the scientific test evidence collected over the past four years, in part through its partnership with Subaru, CPS can now identify the safest travel options for most pets. For small dogs and cats, Center for Pet Safety recommends one of the 2015 Top Performing Carriers; for medium and large dogs either the 2015 Top Performing Crate - Gunner Kennels G1 Intermediate with 8' Tie Down Straps, or a Center for Pet Safety Certified Harness. To view top performing products and CPS Certified products, visit www.CenterforPetSafety.org.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7074158-subaru-cps-pet-travel-seat-study/
Last night Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) named Whitney Stewart National Youth of the Year in a ceremony held at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. She accepted the honor before an audience that included members of Congress and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) partners and supporters, including National Spokesperson and Club alum Denzel Washington.
Youth of the Year is BGCA's premier recognition program for Club teens and the National Youth of the Year title is the highest honor a Club member can receive, representing the voice of four million Club youth. For nearly 70 years, the Youth of the Year program has recognized young people for their outstanding leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. The Youth of the Year program is presented by Disney with support from signature partner Toyota. Along with additional partners Taco Bell Foundation and University of Phoenix, the National Youth of the Year will receive $145,000 in academic scholarships, as well as a trip to Disney World and a brand new Toyota vehicle. This year Youth of the Year will award more than $1 million in scholarships to Club teens.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7640151-bgca-national-youth-of-the-year/
Boys, Girls, Clubs, America, Youth of the Year, Denzel Washington, program, Disney, children, mentor, MultiVu, MultiVu 7640151
Clayton home building group is excited to announce that The Patriot home will be available across America starting in September for prospective homeowners.
Available for purchase through Clayton qualified independent retailers, The Patriot is a Clayton Built™ home that features exciting amenities including a granite island top, walk-in tile shower and other modern design qualities throughout the floorplan. The Patriot home will embrace its namesake by supporting veterans and their families through the non-profit organization, Hope For The Warriors®. Clayton will be pledging a $100 donation to the organization for every Patriot home built, and anticipates selling several thousand of this model.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7623851-clayton-patriot-home/
Wine connoisseurs and novices alike can experience the art of winemaking at BLEND aboard Holland America Line’s new ms Koningsdam when the ship debuts in April 2016. In collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest and most acclaimed winery, the intimate venue will enable guests to blend their own wine and enjoy it at dinner or in the privacy of their stateroom.
BLEND — the first of its kind for Holland America Line and the only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea — will have a tasting table that accommodates 10 guests who can create their own blend from a selection of five barrels of single-vineyard red wine. In addition to participating in the blending process, guests also will learn about wine from the ship’s wine expert, who leads the blending session.
“At the core of every Holland America Line cruise is our desire to offer unique, immersive and innovative experiences, and BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle is all of those things and more,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “The BLEND experience on Koningsdam is designed to appeal to everyone, and it will be exciting for our guests to create an exclusive wine tailored to their personal taste that they can enjoy onboard with our exceptional cuisine.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7363852-holland-america-line-ms-koningsdam/
Varsity Brands, the recognized leader in team athletic gear, the driving force in cheerleading and dance, and the most trusted name in celebrating student milestones, today announced Vista Murrieta High School, from Murrieta, Calif. as the winner of its America’s Most Spirited High School Contest. The announcement today coincides with National School Spirit Day, which was recognized by Congress last year.
“Our students feel connected to Vista Murrieta and have an engrained sense of school pride,” said Mick Wager, Principal of Vista Murrieta, “The family atmosphere and sense of community is apparent and genuine.”
High schools across the country were invited to enter the contest, which called for each school to submit a 90-second video, a 500-word essay, two letters of recommendation and several photos demonstrating its school spirit. High schools from 33 states were represented in the contest. Vista Murrieta’s video submission won based on a nationwide vote and included footage from games, pep rallies, and student activities that epitomize a robust school spirit environment that seeks to include all students. Vista Murrieta estimates that 85% of their students are involved in at least one activity, club or sport, and their video was a true testament to the power of school spirit and its effects on high school students.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7636151-varsity-brands-vista-murrieta-award/
Globally renowned tennis champion and Supergoop! Co-Owner Maria Sharapova alongside Supergoop! Founder & CEO Holly Thaggard, are proud to announce the launch of Project Black Dot, a new education and activism platform with the singular mission to end the epidemic of skin cancer and improve skin health in America. Maria is the face and champion of this multidimensional platform that focuses on providing consumers with suncare education and activations year round, not just during the traditional “sun” months.
The Project Black Dot platform, which will unveil multiple initiatives throughout the coming year, will kick off today with “Project 1: Permission,” calling attention to current regulations on sunscreen in schools. This initiative will put the power into the hands of parents and schools by providing a simple, sunscreen permission slip which gives children the ability to use and apply sunscreen at school with the goal of obtaining 100,000 signed sunscreen permission slips.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7633051-supergoop-project-black-dot/