Over 6,700 of the most influential people in the duty free & travel retail community converged on Cannes on the French Cote d’Azur last month for the annual TFWA World Exhibition & Conference.
This global trade summit is a not-to-be-missed event in the industry’s calendar and even severe flooding in the city just prior to the event could not deter the 3,000 companies from sending their representatives to the event.
Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President. “The fact that TFWA World Exhibition & Conference opened on schedule just two weeks after the appalling flooding in the city, with virtually all facilities laid on as planned, is thanks to the energy and commitment of our partners in the city.”
However, the fact that the overall attendance was actually two per cent lower than in 2014 is testament to the difficult trading conditions which prevail this year with various geopolitical and economic challenges impacting global travel, tourism and retail.
Fortunately for the 482 exhibiting companies which were showcasing their products on the 21,500m2 trade floor, the number of key buyer companies - duty free & travel retail operators and landlords of airports, airlines, ferry, cruise, border and downtown concerns – was actually four per cent above last year’s figure.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7628051-the-duty-free-travel-retail-global-summit/
Christina Nicols, senior vice president and director of strategic planning and research at Hager Sharp, was named the Washington Women in Public Relations’ (WWPR) 2015 Washington PR Woman of the Year Friday in a ceremony honoring top public relations executives and celebrating women in communications.
Nicols was one of three public relations professionals chosen as an honoree for the 26th annual award. The other finalists were Carrie Fox, president of C. Fox Communications, and Lisa Throckmorton, chief operations officer at SpeakerBox Communications. The three finalists represent women who have led some of the most influential communications campaigns in the District and across the country.
“This is a phenomenal honor and I am humbled to be surrounded by such exemplary leaders in the field who are dedicated to mentoring and supporting the next generation of public relations professionals,” said Nicols. “It is a special privilege to join the ranks of previous PR Woman of the Year recipients including Hager Sharp’s own cofounders Susan Hager and Marcia Sharp, as well as our CEO Jennifer Wayman and executive vice president Debra Silimeo.”
Nicols was presented the award by Silimeo, the 2010 PR Woman of the Year, at Friday’s luncheon.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7695751-2015-wwpr-woman-of-the-year-award/
Holiday car thieves had their busiest day in 2014 on, ironically, Labor Day, stealing 2,200 vehicles according to new data released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). NICB’s 2014 Annual Holiday Vehicle Theft Report analyzes data from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which showed a total of 695,246 vehicle thefts for the year.
After Labor Day, New Year’s Day was the next most active holiday with 2,011 thefts. Halloween came in third with 2,010 thefts followed by Memorial Day with 1,933 thefts. Independence Day rounds out the top five holidays for 2014 with 1,877 thefts.
The holidays with the fewest thefts in 2014 were Christmas Day with 1,225 thefts and Thanksgiving with 1,384 thefts.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7523155-nicb-holiday-vehicle-theft-report/
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/
Today in Pompano Beach, Fla., The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company set the Guinness World Record® for constructing the World’s Largest Game of Cornhole to kickoff a week of celebration leading up to the 80th Annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31 in Arlington, Texas.
Measuring an astounding 64 feet by 32 feet, the super-sized version of the traditional tailgate game, cornhole, was paired up with another larger-than-life college football tradition—the Goodyear Blimp. As their school mascots cheered from the ground, cheerleaders from Michigan State University and the University of Alabama flew more than 200 feet above the massive cornhole game board to toss beanbags out of Goodyear’s newest blimp, Wingfoot One. The students competed for bragging rights in the larger-than-life game of cornhole as their teams prepare to face off in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year’s Eve. The epic game ended in a 1-1 tie.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7404459-goodyear-world-s-largest-cornhole-board/
HMR Weight Management Services (HMR), a subsidiary of Merck, has been named a No. 1 Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets of 2016 rankings. This is the first year U.S. News has published the Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet category. HMR also held its position as the No. 2 Best Weight-Loss Diet in the annual rankings list for the second year in a row. HMR Programs focus on helping people lose weight quickly while teaching the healthy lifestyle skills needed for long-term weight management.
“HMR programs excel at providing the jump start many people need when beginning a healthier lifestyle program,” said Carol Addy, M.D. MMSc, Chief Medical Officer at HMR. “A common misconception is that losing weight quickly is not healthy, not sustainable, and will just lead to future weight re-gain. To the contrary, numerous clinical studies demonstrate that following a lifestyle change program which promotes fast initial weight loss can result in better long-term success.” Addy added, “On the HMR Program, people can lose weight without feeling hungry. Our programs achieve fast weight loss in a livable way by encouraging people to eat more and stay satisfied, which makes it easier to stick to the program in the short-term, and over the long haul.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7670751-hmr-program-named-best-weight-loss-diet/
On Saturday, May 21, 2016, Keep Memory Alive will host its extravagant 20th annual Power of Love™ gala at Las Vegas Arena honoring Tony Bennett with a spectacular 90th birthday celebration. True to its now-legendary style, the Power of Love gala will feature one-of-a-kind performances, exciting live auctions, remarkable wine and cocktails and exquisite cuisine by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Now in its 20th year, the gala continues to raise funds in support of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
Tony Bennett, who recently visited Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health commented, “During my tour of the Center, I saw first-hand the incredible care provided and ground-breaking initiatives in place, and I am honored to know that all proceeds from this 90th birthday event will benefit Keep Memory Alive and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7724851-keep-memory-alive-tony-bennett/
Want a sneak peek of the latest cell phone technology or newest flat screen TV? Are you anticipating the release of the newest appliances that will soon be featured in your kitchen?
The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is back! CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Held in Las Vegas every year, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
It’s not only the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology, but it is also America's largest annual tradeshow of any kind. The first CES took place in New York City in June of 1967 with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since then, CES has grown more than seven-fold. CES now showcases more than 3,600 exhibiting companies, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more and more than 150K attendees from 150 countries.
Nationally recognized consumer trends and technology expert Todd Townsend will provide viewers with a rare preview of some the latest technology available for 2016.
Havana will host the XVIII edition of the Habanos Festival, from February 29 to March 4, and present the most important launches for 2016. This year, Cohiba, the most exclusive Habanos brand, will play a special role because of its 50 Anniversary. The Hoyo de Monterrey brand will also have a significant presence with the presentation of Reserva Cosecha 2012. The Cuaba brand, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, will be launching an exclusive special edition for La Casa del Habano and the H. Upmann brand will introduce a significant addition to its regular line.
For five days, the guests attending the XVIII Habanos Festival will enjoy a full agenda focused on the world’s best tobacco. The Festival will begin with the Trade Fair, on February 29, that will attract over 1.500 attendants from more than 50 countries. The Welcome Evening, at the Old Tobacco and Wood Warehouse, will feature the presentation of Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Reserva 2012.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7757451-havanna-annual-event-tobacco-the-habano/
Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has named Hershel “Woody” Williams of Ona, West Virginia, as the Grand Prize winner of the 2016 Rare Life Award. Eagle Rare will donate $50,000 to Williams’ charity, the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, and host an awards ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky on February 27, 2016.
The Rare Life Award is an annual recognition program created to honor individuals who exhibit courage, leadership, survival, devotion, character and heroism. Candidates are nominated by friends, family and colleagues. Their stories and photos are posted online at www.eaglerarelife.com.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7761951-2016-rare-life-award/
The new edition of the Habanos Festival will feature an outstanding international musical line-up. For five whole days, from the 29th of February to the 4th of March, this annual event dedicated to Habano cigars will gather more than 1,500 attendees from over 50 countries that will discover this year’s major launches in an exclusive and inspiring setting.
The Welcome Event, dedicated to the Hoyo de Monterrey Reserva Cosecha 2012, will have Alexander Abreu, renowned trumpet player, composer and winner of a Latin Grammy, and his group Havana D’Primera to close the evening. On the other hand, the Gala Evening, in tribute to Cohiba on its 50th Anniversary, will feature performances by such distinguished artists as Chucho Valdés, the Cuban pianist and composer, winner of five Grammys and three Latin Grammys; Estrella Morente, the Spanish Flamenco singer; or Jorge Drexler, the Uruguayan singer and songwriter, winner of an Oscar and two Latin Grammys. They will share the stage with rising popular international names in Cuban music such as Alain Pérez, Geidi Chapman and Cucu Diamantes.
Talent will also be enjoyed at the International Habanosommelier contest, that this year celebrates its 15th anniversary, and will bring together the world’s best “Habanosommeliers”, the winners of all the previous editions, with the challenge of finding the “Maestro de Maestros” of Habanos pairings with the most famous drinks and cocktails.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7767951-top-music-artists-to-play-habanos-festival/
The sixth annual Productive Innovation Index released by IDEA Pharma today, which ranks biopharmaceutical companies by their ability to successfully bring innovations to market, sees Johnson & Johnson top the industry for the fourth year running.
The Productive Innovation Index measures, scores and celebrates a company’s ability to deliver innovation to patients, by objectively evaluating performance data based on a rolling five year period (2010-2015), and operates on the premise: if you gave the same molecule to two different companies in early phase, which would make the best of it?
The success of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and its consolidation of 1st place across the past four years’ rankings is driven largely by innovations in the field of oncology, immunology, neuroscience and cardiovascular/metabolism. Notable performers include Zytiga® (prostate cancer), Imbruvica® (chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma (co-developed and co-marketed with Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie company)), Simponi®/Simponi Aria® (rheumatoid arthritis), Stelara® (psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis), Invega Sustenna® and Invega Trinza® (schizophrenia).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7770851-johnson-and-johnson-tops-idea-pharma/
