According to research released today by Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM], 2012 is shaping up to be the year of “do-it-yourself” among American consumers. From travel to fitness to managing money, the What’s on Your Slate? poll from Chase SlateSM with Blueprint® reveals that people are taking steps to achieve their goals – and have fun – on their own terms this year. For example, 46 percent will exercise at home or outdoors instead of at a gym or health club, and 59 percent will pamper themselves at home rather than making visits to a spa or salon.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53597-chase-card-services-poll-americans-embrace-do-it-yourself-lifestyle-diy
If you are like most consumers, the current economic environment and has you re-thinking your holiday shopping list. And, with holiday shopping now in full effect, what better time than now to start thinking about how you can save while still getting the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Nationally recognized consumer trends expert Drew Krasny has great gift ideas to help stretch your holiday dollar. He will discuss everything from the latest trends in gift giving and how to shop on a budget to tips on how to avoid the most common holiday shopping mistakes.
The list of winners of the Institute's TOP SAFETY PICK award is longer than ever this year, with vehicles in nearly every size category the Institute evaluates earning accolades. From minicars to sedans to pickups, consumers have a record number of choices among 2012 models.
In all, 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn TOP SAFETY PICK. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in Institute evaluations. The ratings, which cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes, help shoppers pick vehicles that offer the highest levels of crash protection. Because the federal government now requires all 2012 and later passenger vehicles to have electronic stability control to help drivers avoid loss-of-control crashes, ESC no longer is a requirement to win as it was in prior years.
The winners’ circle includes 18 new recipients for 2012, while 97 models that previously qualified for the 2011 award carry over to 2012.
Royal Caribbean International today launched a new brand campaign that embodies the most inspirational element at the very core of the global cruise line’s offering … the sea. The campaign is aimed at reawakening consumers to the sights and sounds of the sea and conveys the relaxation, romance and adventure that only can be had on the open waters aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. The campaign will kick off with playful imagery of a conch shell as a phone – dubbed the “Shellphone” – and communicates the campaign’s decree: “The Sea is Calling. Answer it Royally.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/royalcaribbean/46666/
Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW) announced today the launch of two new index annuities designed to meet the growing needs of America’s security-conscious consumers. SecureLiving® Index 7 and SecureLiving® Index 10 Plus will be issued by Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52562-genworth-introduces-new-fixed-index-annuity-product-suite-secureliving
No conversation is more top-of-mind for today’s business and marketing leaders than the impact of social media on the changing face of business in this tough economy.
Simon Mainwaring, author of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon bestseller “We First: How Brands and Consumers use Social Media to Build a Better World”, is at the forefront of this discussion, as he proposes a vision for the re-purposing of the private sector that he characterizes as a shift from “Me-First” to “We-First” capitalism. So timely is his proposal that Amazon named it a Top 10 Business Book for 2011, and strategy+business named it their best Marketing Book of 2011, stating, “We First is that rare marketing book that is truly visionary.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/51616-we-first-social-branding-seminar-simon-mainwaring
Kbb.com Offers Advice on Choosing New Cars Predicted to Maintain Value over Five-Year Ownership Period
Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, announces the all-new 2012 model-year vehicle winners of its annual Best Resale Value Awards, recognizing current and forthcoming vehicles for their projected retained value throughout the initial five-year ownership period. Since depreciation (or loss of value) is typically a car buyer's primary expense during ownership, these awards, like all of kbb.com's new- and used-vehicle information, are designed to help consumers make more informed car-buying decisions.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/53276-kbb-best-resale-value-awards-2012/
U.S. insurance companies continue to face an uncertain future. Evolving regulatory requirements and a still-shaky economy coupled with more demanding consumers, combine to present a new set of challenges to insurers today. While weaker companies continue to shake out, remaining contenders must realize that survival and success will depend largely on their willingness to innovate.
Frost & Sullivan recently published a whitepaper, Using Mobile Solutions to Improve Insurance Sector Performance, which examines how mobile technology can help control cost, manage risk and create new revenue.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/frostsullivan/53280/
PR Newswire Stockholm Holds Seminar on the Emerging Social Media Landscape.
PR Newswire, the global leader in content and news distribution, recently held a two day event themed around ‘Emerging Media Today and Tomorrow’ hosted by Michael Pranikoff, Global Director of Emerging Media.
The communications landscape is constantly evolving and as a result the way you communicate and engage with your target audience needs to be continually reevaluated.
Both journalists and consumers have changed their media consumption patterns and as more and more content is uploaded every day it becomes increasingly harder to get your message out there and engage with your target audiences.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/prnewswire/52142/
Hybrids have a safety edge over their conventional twins when it comes to shielding their occupants from injuries in crashes, new research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, shows. On average, the odds of being injured in a crash are 25 percent lower for people in hybrids than people traveling in nonhybrid models.
The new finding is more good news for green-minded drivers who don’t want to trade safety for fuel economy. Not so long ago, car buyers had to choose between the two because fuel-efficient cars tended to be smaller and lighter. Now, consumers have more options than ever when it comes to picking an environmentally friendly — and crashworthy — vehicle.
For more information, go to: www.iihs.org
According to the “2011 Financial Reality Check Study” conducted by Genworth, 75% of Americans have never had a conversation about long term care with their loved ones. However, 70% would not know what to do if a family member were to require immediate long term care assistance; an alarming statistic considering that 6 out of 10 people will need long term care sometime during their lifetimes. The data also suggests consumers are suffering from overall financial planning inertia; however, the lack of education around long term care (LTC) planning can have significant consequences.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52561-genworth-long-term-care-awareness-month
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, today announced that it will continue to offer instant issue debit cards with no monthly debit card purchase fees. Additionally, TD is empowering consumers with the convenience of free, same-day instant issue debit cards paired with the benefits of 7-day banking, extended hours and hassle-free products.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52947-td-bank-offers-no-monthly-fee-for-debit-card-purchases
