More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a wearable-enabled voice control system.
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including, setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo’s mobile app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.
In November 2015 Volvo and Microsoft announced their high-profile collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology. HoloLens is the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy car. Now the two companies are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717752-volvo-cars-microsoft-enable-people-to-talk/
Volvo Cars is looking ahead to when its drivers can sit back and enjoy free time in their car on the daily commute.
At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Volvo revealed that it is developing intelligent, high bandwidth, streaming capabilities with its technology partner, Ericsson, that will ensure drivers and passengers get the most out of their time travelling in an autonomous Volvo.
“We recently unveiled our design vision for fully autonomous cars with Concept 26. Now we are actively working on future solutions to deliver the best user experience in fully autonomous mode. Imagine a highway full of autonomous cars with their occupants sitting back watching their favourite TV shows in high definition. This new way of commuting will demand new technology, and a much broader bandwidth to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience,” said Anders Tylman General Manager Volvo Monitoring & Concept Center at Volvo Car Group.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7717751-volvo-ericsson-intelligent-media-streaming/
Imagine looking outside your home window and seeing a group of deer partying in your swimming pool or, in a twist on the Goldilocks children’s story, you found a bear has broken into your home and has been tasting the food left in your refrigerator? Scenarios similar to this are the basis of a new ad campaign launched by Farmers Insurance®, one of the nation’s largest insurer groups. The company’s new, We Know From Experience, advertising campaign kicks off today with two television spots and a new interactive website that humorously convey to consumers that Farmers, over its 87 year history, has helped customers recover from some of the most unique --- yet very real --- claims.
“The amazingly unlikely events we’ll be featuring in our new campaign are based on real claims experienced by our customers,” said Mike Linton, chief marketing officer for Farmers Insurance. “Through this new campaign we hope consumers realize that we know a thing or two about insurance and that our agents are ready to help consumers understand coverage options so consumers can select the coverages they want.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7585551-farmers-insurance-we-know-from-experience/
El período entre las Navidades y el Año Nuevo suele tener uno de los mayores índices de muertes causadas por conductores con las capacidades disminuidas por estar ebrios, según la Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras (NHTSA) del Departamento de Transporte de los Estados Unidos. En un esfuerzo por reducir los incidentes causados por conductores ebrios durante los días festivos, la NHTSA, el Ad Council y el Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) lanzaron hoy su 12º campaña anual "Project Roadblock: Local TV Puts the Brakes on Drunk Driving" (Proyecto Barricada: la televisión local frena a los conductores ebrios).
Project Roadblock se creó en 2004 para apoyar la campaña de anuncios de servicio público (PSA) Buzzed Driving Prevention (Prevención Contra Manejar Entonado) de la NHTSA y el Ad Council. Hasta la fecha, las estaciones de televisión abierta de todo el país han donado más de $40 millones en medios para apoyar este esfuerzo. La asociación tiene el propósito de unir a las estaciones de televisión locales en la creación de una barricada publicitaria nacional transmitiendo PSA (Anuncios de Servicio Público) de Project Roadblock entre el 26 de diciembre y el 31 de diciembre. Las estaciones de televisión locales participan voluntariamente en la campaña donando tiempo y espacio en el aire, en línea y móvil, con un énfasis especial a las 10 p.m., hora local, la víspera de Año Nuevo. Además, las estaciones de televisión contactarán a sus comunidades en los medios sociales para compartir gráficas sociales y mensajes para llegar aún más a las audiencias.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/Spanish/7701752-ad-council-nhtsa-manejar-achispado/
The period between Christmas and New Year’s typically has one of the highest rates of impaired driving fatalities, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In an effort to reduce drunk and buzzed driving related incidents during the holidays, NHTSA, the Ad Council and the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) launched their 12th annual “Project Roadblock: Local TV Puts the Brakes on Drunk Driving.”
Project Roadblock was created in 2004 in support of NHTSA and the Ad Council’s Buzzed Driving Prevention public service advertising (PSA) campaign. To date, broadcast TV stations across the nation have donated more than $40 million in media to support this effort. The partnership aims to unite local television stations in creating a nationwide advertising roadblock by airing Project Roadblock PSAs (Public Service Announcements) between December 26 and December 31. Local broadcast stations voluntarily participate in the campaign by donating on-air, online and mobile time and space with a special push at 10 p.m. local time on New Year’s Eve. In addition, TV stations will be reaching out to their communities on social media to share social graphics and messaging to further reach audiences.
“Drunk driving remains a serious threat on our roads and claims more than 10,000 lives a year,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. ”Local broadcast television is an effective tool in reaching consumers, and we thank the TVB, all the stations, and the Ad Council for their ongoing support of drunk driving prevention, especially during the holiday season.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7701751-ad-council-nhtsa-buzzed-driving-psa/
Mighty, motorized micros! Playmates Toys announced today the launch of T-Sprints, an innovative new figure and wheels play pattern that goes beyond traditional vehicle play, available first at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide for the month of December, and rolling out to additional retailers beginning in January. The highly stylized figures, which capture the personalities of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, each come with a different vehicle and feature a unique flywheel so kids can rev and send them sprinting into action.
“As the company behind the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line for decades, Playmates Toys continually strives to develop innovative new play patterns which allow fans to experience their favorite characters in unique and entertaining ways,” said Karl Aaronian, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Playmates Toys. “The T-Sprints collection offers fans a humorous, unique new experience, bringing the personalities of each Turtle to life in whole new way.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7404458-playmates-toys-t-sprints-toys-r-us-tmnt/
Over the summer, architects, contractors and designers have been busy with an incredible home transformation on the sunny coast of Florida to bring fans the first ever HGTV® Dream Home Giveaway renovation. The sneak peek at this beautiful, one-of-a-kind makeover is now available at hgtv.com/hgtvdreamhome.
The waterfront property is shaded by giant royal palm trees and situated on the Indian River Lagoon with Intracoastal Waterway access. The updated, transitional take on Floridian style offers casual elegance with a clever play on classic coastal. The light and bright paradise is built for entertaining and relaxing by the water, complete with a private pool and a three-car garage. With approximately 3,150 square feet of living space, including three bedrooms and five bathrooms, the home blends the sophistication of the Hamptons with punches of tropical vibrancy.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7687151-hgtv-dream-home-2016-renovation/
Jewelry Television (JTV), the only shopping network focused exclusively on the sale of fine jewelry and gemstones, is celebrating the holiday season with eight days of exclusive savings and offers. From Nov. 23 through Nov. 30, JTV's customers will be able to purchase select gifts and jewelry up to 70 percent off. Early holiday shoppers can take advantage of special offers and savings on jewelry, gemstones and more each day, online and during programming on JTV.
“Every year, holiday shoppers try to get an earlier head start on their shopping,” said Jill Johnson, vice president of marketing at JTV. “With our weeklong Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, customers can enjoy the holidays with their families while shopping from home.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7372631-jewelry-television/
Food Network kicks off the New Year with a new season of Worst Cooks in America, the hit competition series that transforms kitchen disasters into skilled cooks, and five-time winner Chef Anne Burrell returning for a rematch against Chef Tyler Florence. Premiering on Sunday, January 3rd at 9pm ET/PT, the seven episode series pits Anne against Tyler, each leading a team of disastrous cooks in an intense kitchen boot camp designed to vastly improve the food skills of their recruits. The contestant who makes the most impressive culinary transformation is awarded a $25,000 grand prize, in addition to delivering victory and bragging rights for their team leader.
“Worst Cooks is comical, competitive and ultimately, inspiring,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network. “Under Anne and Tyler's guidance, these cooking-challenged contenders transform their hilarious kitchen blunders to refined culinary techniques - and the journey is truly entertaining to watch.”
In the season premiere, Anne and Tyler are confronted with some of the worst cooks they've ever seen during an open casting call. They then chose fourteen recruits including a lunch lady, truck driver, Army veteran and special education teacher to send to boot camp, and each contestant whips up the “offending dish” that landed them in hot water. After a stomach-wrenching tasting, Anne and Tyler pick their teams and attempt to teach them to make a well-balanced meal. Two recruits are not up to the task, and are sent home. Upcoming episodes feature a game show - style battle called “Family Food,” internationally-flavored empanada and Asian street food challenges and a visit from the competitors’ loved ones. The season culminates in a finale on Sunday, February 14th at 9pm ET/PT where the most improved recruit is awarded $25,000 and bragging rights for their mentor.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7619231-food-network-worst-cooks-in-america/
Volvo Cars’ ongoing research into autonomous driving has confirmed what we all know - that the daily commute is taking the joy out of driving. It is during the commute and on long-haul motorway trips that people are most willing to delegate the act of driving to their car.
With this in mind Volvo has developed Concept 26, named to reflect the average daily commute to work of 26 minutes – time that could be spent doing something more meaningful than sitting in stop-go traffic. Volvo has set out to bring choice and freedom back to the driver; to enjoy the driving experience when they want to, or to delegate driving to the car when they want to do something else.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7694951-volvo-cars-unveils-concept-26/
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/
As part of their ongoing Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks. Texting and Driving Prevention campaign, the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are partnering with YouTube creator and actress Meg DeAngelis to raise awareness of this dangerous behavior. The collaboration also coincides with the release of new television campaign public service advertisements (PSAs) and the launch of Project Yellow Light, a national video contest and scholarship program that aims to educate young drivers on and generate engagement around this issue.
Meg is joining the effort as part of the Ad Council’s Creators for Good program by distributing new exclusive video content to her almost four million subscribers on YouTube. The video amplifies the campaign message, showing drivers that no matter how “safely” they think they can drive while doing other things, distracted driving is always dangerous. Created as an advice video, Meg runs through “10 Everyday Things You’re Doing Wrong” - from putting in bobby pins to folding your clothes - and ends with a serious message to her fans about the dangers of texting and driving.
“Texting and driving is such a serious issue, so I'm really proud to be a voice of this important campaign,” said DeAngelis. “I want all of my viewers to stay safe, so I hope that together, we can spread the word on the dangers of distracted driving.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7682151-ad-council-project-yellow-light/
