General Mills announced today that by the end of 2020, oat farms that supply oats for Honey Nut Cheerios will host approximately 3,300 total acres of dedicated flower-rich pollinator habitat. It takes about 60,000 acres of oats to make Honey Nut Cheerios products each year. More than two thirds of the crops used to feed people, accounting for 90 percent of the world’s nutrition, are pollinated by bees.1 Flower-rich habitat is critical in helping maintain the nutritional health of bees and the continued supply of crops that we depend on for food. Without bees and other pollinators, food as we know it would be forever changed.
Bees have experienced an unprecedented scale of habitat loss with more than 9 million acres of grass and prairie land converted to crop land since 2008.2 Although Honey Nut Cheerios famous spokesbee, Buzz Bee, and his honey bee friends may not be in danger of extinction like some other pollinators, in the interest of protecting our food supply, Honey Nut Cheerios is committed to helping all pollinators thrive through the planting of these habitats.
“Pollinator habitats are one of the most effective solutions in ensuring bees get the daily nutrition they need,” said Dr. Marla Spivak, a world-renowned bee scholar at the University of Minnesota who has been collaborating with General Mills on this initiative. “Every day, 4,000 species of North American bees are traveling from flower to flower, shopping for the variety of good nutrition they need in order to thrive. My hope is this partnership between farmers, the Xerces Society and General Mills will not only beautify the North American countryside with vibrant wildflowers, but also help the bees we all rely on so much get back on their own six feet!”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7803951-honey-nut-cheerios-pollinators/
The Ad Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council today launched “Save The Food,” a major national public service campaign to combat food waste from its largest source—consumers, who collectively waste more food than grocery stores, restaurants or farms. The initiative hopes to encourage consumers to reduce the amount of food they trash in their homes, thereby saving the water, energy and money that are lost along with it. Watch the TV ad here.
“As it turns out, we can’t blame the epidemic of food waste on our kids’ aversion to vegetables. We’re all culprits here, tossing out staggering amounts of food in kitchens nationwide,” said NRDC President Rhea Suh. “But with small steps, we can save large amounts of food —and along with it, money and precious natural resources. The more food we save, the more we can share with hungry Americans, the more we can reduce climate pollution, and the more water won’t go to waste.”
In the U.S., 40 percent of all food goes uneaten each year, at a cost of $162 billion annually. Consumers are responsible for 40 percent of this waste—more than any other part of the supply chain. It’s a problem that costs the average family of four roughly $1,500 per year.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7808251-ad-council-save-the-food/
With lower fuel cost and less emissions, many automakers and fleets are turning to compressed natural gas (CNG) as a vehicle fuel. Even though the fuel has been used in this capacity for decades, increasing prices of gasoline and growing concern for the environment has reignited interest. In this video we talk with Kathryn Clay, the executive director of the Drive Natural Gas Initiative, and Stephe Yborra, the director of market development at NGV America, about the growth, development and future of CNG in America.
Millennium Systems International, creators of Millennium and Meevo salon & spa software, have been busy working on a new initiative to showcase the deep connections consumers have with their hairstylists. “It’s so important to bring to light and recognize the deep connections that we have with our hairstylist,” said Millennium’s Marketing Director, Jen Martinelli. “I personally have been through proms, a wedding day, my daughter and son’s first haircut; all with my hair stylist by my side.”
The campaign starts with a grassroots effort by interviewing real people and real experiences in salons. Its purpose is to bring awareness to everyone, everywhere that beauty professionals play a very significant role in all of our lives. Happy moments, sad moments, and even in moments of feeling lost or confused, hairstylists are the consistent rock making us look and feel beautiful, confident, ready to take on the world. “Confidence is everything. It can mean landing a job, or picking up the pieces after a tragedy, or fighting through an illness,” continues Jen Martinelli. “You can’t buy confidence. Beauty professionals everywhere are making our lives more beautiful… in every sense of that word.”
Millennium Systems International has released its first video of the campaign today and it’s promising to be a tearjerker for everyone. One interviewee talks about the comfort she received from her hair stylist, “when my grandson passed away, when he was seven…. and I called her.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7753551-millennium-systems-dearhairstylist-campaign/
CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, today announced Be The First, a five-year $50 million initiative to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation. Through this initiative, which is funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, the company is extending its commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives. Recognizing that tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States and that youth use of some tobacco products is on the rise, Be The First comprises comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming in partnership with organizations uniquely positioned to tackle this public health challenge.
“We are at a critical moment in our nation’s efforts to end the epidemic of tobacco use that continues to kill more people than any other preventable cause of death, and threatens the health and well-being of our next generation,” said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H., and Chief Medical Officer for CVS Health. “Ensuring our youth stay tobacco-free requires increased education and awareness of healthy behaviors. We’re partnering with experts across the public health community who have established best practices to help prevent tobacco use. And, by establishing more public-private partnerships to implement these strategies more aggressively, we can help increase the number of people leading tobacco-free lives and move us one step closer to delivering the first tobacco-free generation.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7775151-cvs-health-be-the-first/
The Epilepsy Foundation launched the “Talk About It!” public service announcement featuring actor Greg Grunberg to raise awareness and encourage open dialogue about epilepsy and seizures. Greg, best known for his roles on Heroes, Alias, and Felicity, has an adult son who lives with epilepsy, a condition that affects nearly 3 million Americans. The Epilepsy Foundation and Greg teamed up for this PSA, sponsored by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., to drive much needed conversation about epilepsy – bringing the condition out of the shadows and honoring a community that deserves better awareness and understanding. More information about the PSA and initiative can be found by visiting the Epilepsy Foundation at epilepsy.com.
For a group of budding business people, living with senior citizens for five days gives impetus to their dreams. It also encourages innovation that could improve the lives of the aging. They are all participants in Brookdale’s Entrepreneur in Residence program, part of the company’s “Rewiring Aging” initiative to enrich seniors’ lives through technology. Recently launched by America’s largest senior living provider, the program offers those entrepreneurs developing products and services for seniors the opportunity to move in for that period of time so they can better understand the true wants and needs of the aging.
“The majority of start-ups focus on younger markets, but we have seen a growing number of entrepreneurs interested in building solutions for seniors and their families” said Andrew Smith, Brookdale’s director of strategy and innovation. “The 80 and above age group is America’s fastest-growing population. We believe there’s an enormous opportunity to enhance seniors’ lives with new technologies, services, products and business models. This program gives entrepreneurs a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we hope will inspire even more innovation for the aging.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722155-brookdale-senior-living-innovate/
Clayton, one of America’s largest homebuilders, announced the launch of a customer-driven ‘Clayton Built™ Storytelling’ initiative. The video series reinforces the national homebuilder’s purpose of opening doors to a better life, one home a time, through the eyes of manufactured and modular homeowners across America. The goal of the series is to tell the before and after stories of real customers who purchased Clayton Built™ homes.
The first video in the series tells the story of long-time spouses, Lucille and Lee Allen, as they reflect on the past 10 years of living in a Clayton Built™ home. The couple recounts this pivotal point in their lives and the excitement they experienced as their new home was delivered. They marvel as the home is built in steps by trained craftsmen and assembled in two sections at the final home site.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7716451-clayton-homes-storytelling-campaign/
With the onset of winter season in the country, breathing problems and respiratory diseases will also be on the rise. To ensure that patients with respiratory problems breathe with ease, a comprehensive patient Mobile App named “My Breathefree” has been launched as a virtual caregiver by ‘Breathefree’, a public service initiative by Cipla. This app is specifically designed for Indian conditions and is available on Google play store and iOS platform for all patients, caregivers and doctors.
One of the major chronic respiratory problems in the country is asthma and “My Breathefree” app will be a great help towards better asthma management and control. Asthma causes limitations in daily activities, loss of school and work days, lung function impairment, reduced quality of life and an adverse socioeconomic burden. However, if monitored and treated properly, asthmatics can control their disease and lead an absolutely normal and healthy life.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7562351-lung-care-asthma-mobile-app/
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched a global thought leadership platform to help frame and stimulate regional and global debate on vital development issues shaping the Middle East.
The “Middle East Exchange” will commission original articles from international experts including Nobel laureates, heads of state, academics and intellectuals. New articles will be published weekly in newspapers globally on a wide range of topics relevant to the region, from health and education to development and innovation.
UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi discussed the project at a meeting with Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Abu Dhabi on December 6. Speaking after the meeting, H.E. Al Gergawi said:
“The Middle East has spent too long in the global spotlight as a source of conflict and trouble. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision is for innovative and tangible solutions that benefit people’s lives on the ground. There is a huge appetite for practical ideas. The Middle East Exchange will be the number one global platform for positive voices and ideas for the Middle East.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7719851-mohammed-al-maktoum-global-initiatives/
The National Limousine Association (NLA) and When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation (WGS) join forces on The Aspire Initiative, a domestic violence program, which aims to reduce the level of intimate relationship violence in the US and instill the importance of bystander responsibility. With an escalating number of passenger assaults alleged against ride-hailing app drivers, the NLA believes Aspire is vital to ending violence and sexual assault. Robin McGraw announced the partnership in a video message posted to her Foundation’s Facebook timeline on Friday, November 20th. The message was then shared by Robin’s husband and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw to his show’s Facebook page timeline on Monday, November 23rd.
The Aspire Initiative is available free of charge and includes a potentially-lifesaving smartphone app, Aspire News, a smartphone app available as a free download on Google Play, as well as at www.whengeorgiasmiled.org, that allows the user to create a pre-written text or voice message to be sent to designated numbers (i.e., 911 or other chosen contacts) with just the tap of a button. The ignition of the app‘s “go button” also starts a recording to capture the details of the domestic violence encounter and/or other dangerous events taking place. Aspire News is designed to appear like any other smart phone app to the untrained eye, allowing it to be downloaded and used discreetly.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7430253-nla-wgs-the-aspire-initiative/
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered charity dedicated to funding childhood cancer research, announces its Kids Are Special: Let’s Treat Them That Way national campaign. Focused on celebrating kids and giving them the happy childhoods they deserve, the campaign highlights the need for finding treatments that are specifically designed for kids with cancer.
With this bold new initiative, St. Baldrick’s looks to change the narrative around pediatric cancers, by showing kids as their truest selves – fun-loving, carefree, refreshingly honest, and always a little goofy. St. Baldrick’s puts the emphasis back on kids, while disempowering the label of “cancer.” All communication is strategically designed to remind us all that as adults we have the power to give kids happy childhoods free from cancer by helping to fund the best research worldwide. The campaign includes TV, print, radio, digital, and billboard placements featuring real kids doing kid-like things; from playing with their food to getting caught with paint on their faces, all with the message: Kids Are Special: Let’s Treat Them That Way.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7610752-st-baldricks-kids-are-special/
