Spring is around the corner, and it won’t be long before it’s prom and graduation seasons for many high schoolers. Rites of passage for many, these are times for teens to celebrate, but can also be times of poor decision-making, especially when vehicles are involved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 2,524 teen drivers and passengers were killed and 177,000 were injured in 2013. Twenty-seven percent of these fatalities occurred between April and June, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“The statistics are staggering, especially when you consider that most of these accidents and fatalities are preventable,” said Randy Petro, Mercury Insurance’s chief claims officer. “We don’t want any families to suffer through the loss of a child, so Mercury is taking action with the launch of the ‘Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge.’”
The Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge kicked off with a free defensive driving program, which included hands-on driving skills training and classroom material. An interactive website provides teens with detailed instruction, as well as gives parents the tools to shape responsible driving behavior.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7772251-mercury-teen-drive-safe-challenge/
Every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States, according to 2014 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Safety seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or injury. But 59 percent of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness, and over one-third of children killed in car crashes were completely unrestrained at the time of the crash. Today, NHTSA and the Ad Council unveiled a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.
“Life can change in an instant. We want parents and caregivers to prepare for the unexpected, rather than face their worst nightmare,” said Dr. Mark Rosekind, NHTSA administrator. “Buckling up a child correctly and in the right seat is the best protection any parent can do to see their child walk away unharmed from a car crash.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7774451-ad-council-find-the-right-seat/
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/
For consumers in the market for a new car, it can be difficult to keep up with all of the new—and newly redesigned—models that have been released since they last bought a car. Autotrader’s editorial team is helping consumers narrow down the many choices on the market today by selecting the top 10 vehicles that shoppers should experience for themselves. Announced today, Autotrader’s Must Test Drive vehicle lineup for 2016 includes a wide range of body styles to ensure that no matter what kind of vehicle a shopper is considering, the list will point them in the right direction for their next purchase.
“We created the Must Test Drive Awards to highlight vehicles that are unexpectedly good,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. “We have a chance to drive a lot of cars, but few leave us certain that shoppers are missing out if they don’t take them for a spin. The 10 vehicles we chose this year did just that.”
A car is typically one of the biggest purchases a consumer makes, and a recent Autotrader survey showed that 84 percent of consumers say it is extremely important to test drive a vehicle they’re considering. The top three things they look for during test drives are performance, comfort and handling. While 30 percent wait to test drive vehicles until they know the exact model they want to buy, 44 percent get behind the wheel when they’re still considering a few options.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7790751-autotrader-must-test-drive-awards/
According to a new survey from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Ad Council, one in three millennials (34 percent) ranked saving as their number one goal for the year – ahead of living a healthy lifestyle (20 percent), paying off debt (19 percent), and losing weight (14 percent). But while saving was a top priority, a majority of millennials attributed their lack of saving to impulse buying (65 percent).
For older millennials, those born between the early 1980’s and early 1990’s, saving is crucial as they work towards major milestones in their lives. When asked what they were saving money towards, respondents sought to secure their future by saving for an emergency fund (40 percent), saving for retirement (22 percent) or starting a family (15 percent). They also reported saving for larger purchases like a vacation (36 percent), a new house (27 percent), a car (26 percent), home improvements (20 percent), or a wedding (8 percent). To provide Americans aged 25 to 34 with the tips and tools to take control of their personal finances, AICPA and the Ad Council’s national advertising campaign, Feed the Pig, is continuing to collaborate with new partners to deliver this critical content in a relevant and engaging way.
“Many young adults think saving is impossible,” said Gregory Anton, CPA, CGMA, chair of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. “While low salaries and high debt levels can certainly be barriers to saving, the key is to create a budget and stick to it. Establishing a disciplined saving strategy early in life and avoiding missteps will reap substantial long-term dividends.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7790851-ad-council-feed-the-pig/
PDI, a leader in infection prevention products and solutions, announced the launch of its new EASY SCREEN™ CLEANING WIPE. This new product addresses the increasing use of touchscreen equipment in healthcare and the need for compatible cleaning products.
According to the Epocrates 2014 Mobile Trends Report, the presence of “digital omnivores,” a clinician regularly using digital devices including tablets, smartphones and computers, was 41 percent in 2014 and was predicted to increase to 74 percent in 2015. One of the biggest surges was expected to come from tablet usage, going from 45 percent in 2014 to 80 percent in 2015. Withstanding the apparent increase in touchscreen device usage in healthcare, a June 2015 study in the American Journal of Infection Control stated that proper protocols are lacking to address sensitive surfaces like touchscreen devices.
“Healthcare facilities are advancing everyday and it’s vital that we, as infection prevention leaders, are aware of the changes that are happening and able to adapt quickly. We created the EASY SCREEN™ CLEANING WIPE in response to the increasing usage of touchscreens and the need for a compatible product that wouldn’t damage the technology,” said PDI Senior Product Manager, Melanie Waddell.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7782451-pdi-easy-screen-cleaning-wipe/
WTF or WHAT THE FLUSH! The makers of the Stealth® ultra-high efficiency toilet and Bravo’s “Flipping Out” Star Jenni Pulos want to see more people saving both water and precious dollars when they flush.
On average, 27 percent of water consumption in the home comes from flushing it right down the toilet, which is completely avoidable – that’s not even mentioning the water lost by old or deteriorated flappers that leak. Niagara Conservation Corp. created the Stealth Toilet which uses less than one gallon of water per flush (0.8 gallons per flush to be exact) relative to the average toilet that uses 3.5 to 5 gallons per flush.
“As a California resident, I feel the gravity and importance of water conservation. That’s why I’m asking America to stop this invisible drain on our planet,” said Pulos. “With the Stealth Toilet we can do our part to save water and money with every flush. So join the cause for water conservation and say it with me – #WhatTheFlush!"
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7789051-niagara-conservation-whattheflush/
Meredith Corporation, (NYSE:MDP; www.meredith.com) the leading media and marketing company serving 100 million American women and 72 percent of U.S. millennial women (26 million), today announced that the 2016 MORE/SHAPE Women’s Half-Marathon, hosted by Meredith’s SHAPE magazine in conjunction with the New York Road Runners (NYRR), will celebrate the 13th anniversary of the 13.1-mile race by honoring 13 notable female leaders across multiple industries with its first-ever Women Run the World™ Relay & Mentorship Program.
The race, which will be held on Sunday, April 17, in New York’s Central Park, is one of the largest women’s-only half-marathons in the country, and draws 10,000 female runners and walkers of all ages, from around the world, each year.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7788251-shape-womens-half-marathon/
Debt is a buzzword for politicians, a burden for students, a necessity for most homeowners and a reality for 70 percent of Americans.
But despite this fact, 30 percent of those in debt have no plan to pay it off, according to a recent survey conducted by Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB).
Fifth Third commissioned the national survey to examine the financial beliefs and behaviors of American adults. The results provided a snapshot of our nation’s financial literacy, with 82 percent of respondents citing financial independence as a goal in their lives. The survey also revealed how the three largest generations in America differ in their understanding and management of savings, budgeting, retirement planning and credit.
“At Fifth Third, we were curious to discover how knowledgeable Americans are about their personal finances,” said Jada Grandy, senior vice president and Community Reinvestment Act strategies director, Fifth Third Bank. “The results of this survey give insight into financial literacy in America, as well as the needs of customers at different key stages of their lives. This knowledge arms Fifth Third with the tools to support our customers at every step on their journey to financial independence.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723851-fifth-third-bank-life/
Meredith Corporation, (NYSE:MDP; www.meredith.com) the leading media and marketing company serving 100 million American women and 72 percent of U.S. millennial women, today announced that Natalie Morales, TODAY show News Anchor and Third-Hour Co-Host; Erica Hill, NBC News’ Anchor and National Correspondent; and Carolyn Manno, NBC Olympics Host, will host and run the 2016 MORE/SHAPE Women’s Half-Marathon and kick off one of the largest women’s-only half-marathons in the country.
The race, held by Meredith’s SHAPE magazine in conjunction with the New York Road Runners (NYRR), will take place on Sunday, April 17, and draw 10,000 female runners and walkers of all ages, from around the world, to New York’s Central Park.
Morales and Hill are returning for the second year, after hosting the 2015 MORE/SHAPE Women’s Half-Marathon and completing the race in an impressive 1:38:59 and 2:06:52, respectively.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7788252-more-shape-womens-half-marathon-hosts/
BJ’s Wholesale Club announces today that Members now have the option to “pick up and pay” at all of its 213 locations along the east coast. Stock up on seasonal necessities, set aside the best new electronics and tech accessories, or save the trouble of moving large, bulky items around the Club – this new service is aimed at Members who prefer to shop online, but favor the convenience and immediacy of in-Club pick up.
In fact, in its annual year-end survey, the National Retail Federation found that while 86 percent of online shoppers find free shipping important, a significant 66 percent want the option of picking up their purchase at an actual store.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7792951-bjs-wholesale-pick-up-and-pay-service/
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/
