Later this year, Hyundai will be the first mainstream automaker to launch an augmented reality owner's manual app. The Hyundai Virtual Guide app is the brand's modern take on the traditional owner's manual, allowing consumers to use their smartphone or tablet computer to get how-to information for repairs, maintenance and vehicle features.
At launch, the Hyundai Virtual Guide is compatible with the 2015 Sonata model, and will soon become available for additional models. The new app recognizes more than 45 major features of the Sonata and is available for free download on the Apple App store and Google Play.
Hyundai used quality consumer survey results to determine the top difficult-to-use features to incorporate into the Virtual Guide. The app also contains 82 how-to videos, six 3D overlay images that appear once users scan areas of their vehicle like the engine bay and more than 50 informational guides.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7506058-hyundai-virtual-guide-app/
Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry, today announces the winners of the 2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, honoring the top new model-year vehicle choices available in the U.S. market. The 2016 Honda Civic is named Kelley Blue Book’s Overall Best Buy of 2016, alongside Best Buy Award winners in 12 major vehicle categories.
“After carefully analyzing a wealth of data and conducting extensive vehicle testing and evaluation from the hundreds of models available for the 2016 model-year, we chose this year’s elite group of 12 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winners because they proved to be the top values in their class,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Our group of expert vehicle testers chose the totally redesigned 2016 Honda Civic as the Overall Winner in our Best Buy Awards because it sets a new standard in a segment already known for delivering great value, providing an up-level experience to drivers and passengers in every facet of the driving and ownership experience.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7641651-kbb-2016-best-buy-awards/
Consumers seeking locally sourced products can easily find one in an everyday pantry staple – vegetable oil, which is primarily 100 percent soybean oil made from soybeans grown in the U.S. Sales of vegetable oil support more than 550,000 U.S. soybean farmers who strive to leave the land in better shape than they found it for America’s next generation of farmers. “I work hard to help produce an ingredient that I am proud to serve to my own family, as well as families across the U.S.,” said United Soybean Board (USB) Chairman Bob Haselwood. “Every time you purchase vegetable oil, or soybean oil, you’re supporting local farmers.” Haselwood produces soybeans on his farm in Berryton, Kansas. Many retailers sell soybean oil primarily produced with U.S.-grown soybeans. This past summer, USB partnered with a large Midwest grocery retail chain with 200+ stores to emphasize the importance of knowing where food comes from and educate about the benefits of soybean oil. During this promotion, unit sales of the store brand vegetable oil rose more than 27 percent over the same time last year, and shoppers commented that they were more likely to purchase soybean oil knowing it’s a U.S.-grown product. To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7689851-united-soybean-board-eat-local/
Clayton, a Berkshire Hathaway company, recently completed a series of educational videos designed to guide consumers through the sometimes confusing process of purchasing a new home. The cartoon series takes consumers on a step-by-step journey beginning at ClaytonHomes.com and continues to guide potential new homebuyers through the homebuying process, concluding with the buyers selection of a lender in the financing stage. First-time homebuyers in particular may benefit from the video series which simplifies the stages of the homebuying process with helpful tips and step-by-step guidance.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7413931-clayton-homes-avoid-refund-regret/
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/
Nearly 50 vehicles meet tougher criteria for 2016 to take home the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, earning good ratings in all five IIHS crashworthiness evaluations and an advanced or higher rating for front crash prevention. An additional 13 models qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK.
The baseline requirements for both awards are good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a standard or optional front crash prevention system. The 48 winners of the “plus” award have a superior- or advanced-rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities. These vehicles must stop or slow down without driver intervention before hitting a target in tests at 12 mph, 25 mph or both. Models with a basic-rated front crash prevention system, which typically only issues a warning and doesn’t brake, qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK.
IIHS inaugurated TOP SAFETY PICK in the 2006 model year to help consumers home in on vehicles with the best safety performance. The TOP SAFETY PICK+ accolade was introduced in 2012 to recognize vehicles that offer an advanced level of safety.
The plan for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants that President Obama unveiled at the climate conference in Paris will come with an overall price tag that should greatly trouble American consumers and business and will have little meaningful impact on global warming, cautioned the National Mining Association.
“The plan will replace low-cost power supplies with more expensive and less reliable sources of power. And these increases will show up in monthly utility bills and have a particularly devastating effect on low-income households. About half of all American families already pay close to 20 percent of their disposable income on energy-related expenses.” said Luke Popovich, Vice President, Communications, National Mining Association.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7221731-national-mining-association-americans-electricity-bill-increase-due-to-epa-regulations/
The most stressful week of the year is upon us; the last week of holiday shopping. As consumers across the country seek those last minute gifts, their stress levels rise. Zazen Bear, the retailer whose concept is about connection, harmony and peace, is offering consumers gifts that inspire finding those moments of peace in your day.
To celebrate this season, Zazen Bear has released a video series, titled “Zen Tree,” to showcase their jewelry collections while giving the viewer a sense of relaxation and peace. Every Holiday Season, consumers decorate trees to reflect the festive spirit; whether it is with ornaments, lights, garland, or a combination of all, each tree has its own specific design. Zazen Bear took this holiday staple, visualizing it with a peaceful and minimal aesthetic. The “Zen Tree” series celebrates the Holiday Season by presenting the Zazen Bear jewelry collections as ornaments decorating a forest of Christmas trees.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7656031-zazen-bear/
Water has played an important role in the Stella Artois brewing heritage for more than 600 years, and is an essential ingredient in the Stella Artois that is brewed today. Yet 663 million people lack access to clean water – a global crisis that disproportionately affects women, who spend millions of hours a day collecting it. Stella Artois has again partnered with Water.org to drive awareness of the global water crisis, and calls on consumers to help leave a legacy as the generation that ends this crisis, once and for all.
The “Buy a Lady a Drink” campaign was first launched in 2015 to utilize Stella Artois’ global footprint to help positively impact this important issue. Last year the campaign focused on women’s long journeys for clean water. This year, the campaign showcases the positive impact that access to clean water can have, while inspiring consumers to leave a positive mark on the world.
“I’ve seen how the lives of women and their families can change when they get access to clean water,” said Water.org Co-Founder Matt Damon. “Access to water is access to education, access to work, access to the kind of future we want for all humankind. Thanks to our partnership with Stella Artois, this year’s ‘Buy a Lady a Drink’ campaign helps us tell this story – and gives consumers the chance to help us change it.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7733451-stella-artois-partners-with-water-org/
Snack bar maker Larabar is launching a movement inspired by the brand’s foundational belief to make simple and wholesome food accessible for all and joining Feeding America® in the fight to end hunger along the way. The partnership is part of a larger integrated marketing campaign titled “Food Made From Food” that challenges consumer misperceptions of packaged food.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Larabar, 72 percent of participants responded that there is a difference between packaged food and real food. However, the majority also believe that primary Larabar ingredients fruits and nuts are real food at 90 and 78 percent, respectively. By highlighting the whole, simple ingredients within each bar, Larabar aims to show consumers just how easy it can be to choose real food.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726951-general-mills-larabar-share-real-food/
The countdown to Super Bowl 50 has begun! As fans nationwide finalize their Super Bowl Sunday plans and snacks starting lineup, it’s hard to choose which delicious dishes make the final cut! Will it be helmet shaped cookies? Or football fields made from guacamole and sour cream? Once you have your half-time snacks lined up, it’s also important to not fumble when it comes to the perfect beverage.
This year, why not try a new spin on an old favorite with some Fizzology, an innovative approach that reimagines the way you can enjoy soda through non-alcoholic mixology. Fizzology combines unexpected flavors and ingredients that excite your taste buds – imagine sprinkles and shredded coconut topping your favorite Pepsi soda. It’s a great way to be creative and playful in how you experience and enjoy drinking a soda – especially when you’re watching Super Bowl 50!
Whether you are celebrating at home or in the stadium, you can elevate your Super Bowl 50 experience by bringing some fizzology to the party. At the NFL Experience in San Francisco visit F!ZZ, a playful celebration of bubbles with unexpected ingredient combinations -- including flavor shots, bursts, garnishes and foams -- creating a fun, adventurous way for consumers to deconstruct and reconstruct soda.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7743251-pepsi-fizz-drinks-super-bowl-50/
Persil® ProClean®, Henkel North America’s new premium laundry detergent brand, made its first-ever Super Bowl® advertising debut with a commercial that aired in the second quarter of Super Bowl 50. As a new brand in the U.S. Persil ProClean has only been available to U.S. consumers since early 2015, but the Persil brand has been globally renowned for over a century. Its exceptional stain-fighting, whitening, and freshness have translated into impressive repeat-purchase rates, showing that once consumers try it, they love it.
Persil ProClean chose this coveted platform to launch their 2016 advertising campaign featuring the brand’s debonair tuxedo-wearing, stain-fighting superhero, “The Professional,” played by Peter Hermann. “The Professional” brings humor to a historically predictable category, while showing off some serious stain-fighting to relay a simple yet impactful message to viewers. Packed with powerful stain-fighting technology, Persil ProClean 2in1, received the highest laundry detergent rating in recent rankings by a leading consumer testing publication. Persil ProClean 2in1 didn’t only beat market-leader Tide, it beat every single detergent tested.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7750351-persil-proclean-super-bowl/
