INRIX®, Inc., a global leader for transportation analytics, today released its 2015 Traffic Scorecard, a benchmark for governments and agencies in the U.S. and Europe to measure progress in improving urban mobility.
The report reveals the U.S. faces large challenges to solve congestion issues, fueled by continued economic and population growth, higher employment rates and declining gas prices. Cities that have experienced the most economic improvement during the past year are at highest risk for consequences related to worsened traffic conditions, including reduced productivity, higher emissions and increased stress levels. For example, Washington D.C., San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Boston all saw reduced unemployment rates bringing them below the national average of 5.3 percent for 2015.1 However, according to the INRIX Traffic Scorecard, congestion in those cities alone combined to waste 1.5 billion hours for daily car commuters last year. Nationwide, commuters spent a total of more than eight billion extra hours stuck in traffic, representing almost 50 hours per driver.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7775551-inrix-2015-traffic-scorecard/
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/
In 2011, PetSafe® brand launched its nationwide Bark for Your Park program to help communities build their own off-leash dog parks. In order to help even more communities this year, PetSafe brand is restructuring the contest into a grant-giving program and increasing the number of awards from five to 25.
“In the past five years, we’ve given away over $850,000 to communities to build dog parks of their own, but now we want to help communities during every stage of development,” said Tracy Mulder, marketing manager, PetSafe brand. “Our new Bark for Your Park program is expanding to not only help break ground on new parks, but also help fund maintenance and improvements for existing parks.”
Communities can submit a grant application now through June 30, 2016 on www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark. The applications will be reviewed by an internal committee and PetSafe brand will award five new park grants valuing $25,000 each, 10 park makeover grants valuing $10,000 each, and 10 park maintenance grants valuing $5,000 each. This year’s award recipients will receive a combination of funds and commercial-grade dog park equipment from UltraSite, a PlayCore Company. The winning communities will be announced over a 5-week period during August through September.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7827752-petsafe-dogs-bark-for-your-park/
CVS Health, the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, today launched an in-store fundraising campaign at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide to benefit the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative which aims to make lung cancer, the leading cancer killer of women in the United States, a public health priority.
Now through June 11, customers can donate $1, $3 or more at the register at 7,900 CVS Pharmacy locations and online at www.cvs.com/lung (all proceeds will support the initiative). CVS Health is the national presenting sponsor of LUNG FORCE, which is focused on raising awareness about lung cancer in women, and increasing research funding to save lives.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7817251-cvs-health-lung-force-fundraiser/
Today, Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and French’s® announce a national effort to help children and families who struggle with hunger. For every specially-marked bottle of French’s Mustard sold between April 18 and November 30, and specially-marked bottles of French’s Ketchup sold between April 18 and December 31, one meal* will be donated to the Feeding America nationwide network of 200 food banks.
More than 48 million people in America struggle with food insecurity, including 15 million children – at a life stage when food is critical to healthy growth and development. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life, according to the USDA. It is an issue that affects every single county in our country.
“Food insecurity all too often goes unseen, but every day, millions of people in America are faced with insufficient food for themselves or their families,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “Through this partnership with French’s, our nationwide network of food banks is better able to help fill this gap. This initiative not only helps to bring national attention to the massive problem of hunger in the U.S., but also provides everyone the opportunity to fight hunger in their local communities.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7843051-feeding-america-frenchs-fight-hunger/
Hunger, French’s, Feeding America, food banks, food, family, healthy, children, Ketchup, MultiVu 7843051
Bonefish Grill is turning National Martini Day into a month-long celebration in June. While the official day dedicated to America’s favorite cocktail is June 19th, the fresh fish experts are offering guests a flavorful array of hand-crafted martinis priced at $5 every Monday for the entire month.
Bonefish Grill martinis are already a favorite on the restaurant’s extensive bar menu – perfectly complementing their wood-grilled fresh fish and seasonal seafood offerings. In fact, the mighty martini is on-the-rise nationwide. A report published by the U.S. Beverage Alcohol Forum found that vodka – a main ingredient in martinis – accounts for over a third of all spirits consumed in the country, and that number continues to grow.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7848751-bonefish-grill-national-martini-month/
MAMMA MIA! You can’t say it without an exclamation point and you can’t say it without smiling. Two simple words of this famous Italian expression sum up a world of emotion, from celebration to exasperation. It’s bold, it’s fun and it captures a life filled with character, and now there’s a wine to match. Available nationwide this summer, Mamma Mia introduces Mamma Mia Red Blend and Mamma Mia White Blend, wines to share around crowded tables filled with family, friends, laughter and—and of course, delicious food.
Mamma Mia wines boast Italian roots, Vino d’Italia, so all of the fruit for the wines is sourced from Italian vineyards. The wines are made and bottled in Puglia, Italy, located in the heel of Italy’s boot, by Winemaker Davide Sarcinella who has been making Italian wines since 2000. Creating exceptional wines from both international and local varietals, these wines are characterized by Sarcinella’s vast and unparalleled experiences throughout Chianti and Puglia. In Mamma Mia wines, he strives to make intense, but never too heavy, silky reds and excitingly fresh whites that express the individual personality of the fruit from which they are created.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409458-mamma-mia-wines-u-s-launch/
The Ad Council today launched a groundbreaking public service campaign designed to encourage audiences to welcome and support refugees who have recently resettled in the U.S. The campaign aims to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions and connect audiences to EmbraceRefugees.org where they can learn more about the issue and find local resources to assist refugees in their communities. Launching to coincide with World Refugee Day, the integrated effort was developed with creative firm Tongal and its global network of filmmakers, marking the first time in the Ad Council’s 75-year history the organization has created a new campaign through crowdsourcing. The public service ads (PSAs) debuted this morning and will be distributed to media outlets nationwide this week.
“America has a proud legacy of welcoming refugees. In return, they serve their communities and our country -- as teachers and soccer coaches, as nurses and engineers, and as members of our armed forces,” said Heather Higginbottom, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. “Refugees are thoroughly checked and we apply the highest security standards, so every community can welcome those who are resettling with open arms, as we would with any new neighbors.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7856251-ad-council-embrace-refugees/
Chili’s® Grill & Bar, one of America’s leading casual dining restaurant brands, started with burgers on its original menu and today added new craft burgers tied to the launch of the brand’s new national heritage campaign, Chilin’ Since ’75™. Starting July 5, all restaurants nationwide will launch the new Sunrise Burger featuring a cage-free egg on top and the Ultimate Bacon Burger, both of which are now available with the option of a 100 percent grass-fed patty, which has no antibiotics or added hormones.
Zelda was found filthy, hungry and matted. Barely recognizable as a dog, her rescuers cleaned her up to reveal a tiny Shih Tzu. Unfortunately, Zelda’s story is similar to the nearly 8 million other animals entering shelters each year. That’s why Wahl has teamed up with GreaterGood.org to donate funds and grooming supplies to shelters nationwide. The goal: Transform more than 20,000 dogs this year and get them ready for adoption.
“Due to lack of resources, less than half of dogs entering shelters are getting the grooming they desperately need,” says Shay Moeller, pet product manager for Wahl. “First impressions are crucial, and without proper grooming, many of these dogs are perceived to be ‘damaged goods.’ By providing shelters with much-needed grooming supplies, we can transform these dogs into the healthy, fun loving pets they really are.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7828751-wahl-dirty-dogs-contest/
In an effort to support the health and wellness of its guests nationwide, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has announced that all meats sold in every location will contain “No B.S.” (Bad Stuff) by sourcing only responsibly raised, quality meats. Starting August 15, all chicken sold will now be raised without antibiotics. This breakthrough in sustainability not only comprises the brand’s traditional slow smoked chicken breast, but also will include whole smoked chickens and chicken nuggets served in kids’ meals at select stores. To learn more, click here.
The chicken is 100% vegetarian fed and humanely raised. It is also completely hormone-free and cage-free, ensuring that Dickey’s guests are served only the highest quality poultry with no additives. This announcement accompanies other advances in sustainability by the barbecue brand including humanely handled and sustainably raised brisket as well as locally-made sausage with no nitrates, nitrites* or artificial coloring or flavors. Additionally, all of Dickey’s pork products are free from added hormones**, nitrates, nitrites* and artificial coloring and flavors.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7717951-dickeys-barbecue-pit-no-bad-stuff-initiative/
For millions of American kids and teens, back-to-school means more than class time, it also means ‘Club time’ as they spend after school hours at local Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation. This fall, Club members at 50 Boys & Girls Clubs – one in each state – will be greeted with refreshed, enhanced or expanded facilities as Lowe’s gives fifty $50,000 grants through Renovation Across the Nation, a $2.5 million initiative through its national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes vaulted the program into the spotlight this morning, kicking off the initiative at one of the 50 Clubs, the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem in New York City. The nationwide revitalization effort will enhance both the environment and the experience for more than 50,000 Club members, driving new membership among kids and teens. Dawes, a long-time friend of Boys & Girls Clubs and a mother herself, understands the value of the Club experience in bringing hope and strength to kids and teens in need of a safe and inspiring place to go after school.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7906451-lowes-bgca-renovation-across-nation/
