Over the past six months UK small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have grown on average by six per cent despite the broader UK economy struggling, according to the latest SMB Index from HP.
HP’s survey of 1,000 SMBs, with between 1 and 50 employees shows that, compared to that of the previous six months, growth for UK SMBs has slowed slightly but optimism is still strong, with SMBs expecting to grow by up to 13 per cent over the next year. Optimism in the economy is also strong, with 66 per cent of SMBs optimistic about the year ahead. SMBs in Financial Services have grown the most (13 per cent), followed by Manufacturing (10 per cent). SMBs in Retail (4 per cent) and Professional Services (1 per cent) have seen the least growth. Nearly half of UK SMBs (48 per cent) are turning to social media to help grow their business and reach new audiences, with 56 per cent of sole traders recognising its value the most. However, although SMBs are finding social media beneficial for networking purposes (83 per cent), and as a mechanism for advertising (57 per cent), many SMBs are underestimating its true potential for business growth and lead generation.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/hp/48901/
Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today introduced its new udesign™ by Callaway personalization and customization platform. udesign by Callaway, an online customization tool, gives golfers purchasing a RAZR Fit® Driver the unprecedented ability to design their own version of the Company’s hot new club that is already in the hands of Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Alvaro Quiros.
Featuring an innovative and easy-to-use online interface, golfers can visit www.callawaygolf.com/udesign to select their own color choices on RAZR Fit’s clubhead and grip, as well as a myriad of shaft model and other custom configurations. udesign by Callaway presents the opportunity to design one of more than 70,000 unique versions of the award-winning RAZR Fit Driver, giving golfers the ability to express their individualism on the course like never before.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/callawaygolf/55469/
UBMStudios, the world leader in digital events, environments and communities, is capitalizing on the rapid growth in Marketing-as-a-Service (MaaS). According to the BtoB “Marketing Services: What Marketers Want From Their Media Partners” research report, 55 percent of marketers have used b2b media companies for marketing services in the past 12 months. Additionally, CMO Survey’s August 2011 research shows that nearly 75 percent of respondents currently outsource marketing activities. These studies highlight that companies are making investments in outsourced marketing due to bandwidth and increased areas of marketing specialization.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49987-ubm-studios-capitalizing-on-the-growth-of-marketing-as-a-service
The MedTech Industry’s Premier Design Competition is now accepting entries. Proudly presented by UBM Canon and MD+DI, the Medical Design Excellence Awards program has provided market visibility to over 500 innovative MedTech products that are changing the face of healthcare today. The MDEA also celebrates the achievements of medical product manufacturers, their suppliers, and the many people behind the scenes—engineers, scientists, designers, and clinicians—who are responsible for these groundbreaking innovations.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58607-2013-medical-design-excellence-awards-call-for-entries-medtech-mdea13
U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: USX) ("U.S. Xpress" or the "Company"), a leading, national trucking company, today announced the launch of “Full Ride,” a college scholarship program for drivers and their families that is the first of its kind in the trucking industry.
The U.S. Xpress Full Ride scholarship program provides U.S. Xpress drivers the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited school, Ashford University, at no cost in one of dozens of disciplines ranging from business and logistics to accounting or behavioral science. And, in a first for the trucking industry, children of U.S. Xpress truck drivers may earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees from Ashford University as well, at no cost and courtesy of the company. Each driver may have a total of two family members enrolled in school at one time (either two dependents or the driver and one dependent). Dependents must be aged 17 to 26. The benefit will also be available to drivers working for Total Transportation of Mississippi, LLC, a subsidiary of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8386851-us-xpress-full-ride-scholarship-truck-drivers-dependents/
Today, Hotels.com®, the largest provider of lodging worldwide, released their biannual Hotel Price Index (HPITM ) illustrating an increase in average hotel room rates for the first time since the end of 2007. Despite the 2% increase, hotel room rates are still markedly lower than rates at the peak of the market. As the Hotels.com 2009 HPI predicted, 2010 continues to be another great year for great travel values.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/hotels/46039/
Fans of The CW Network’s hit series “America’s Next Top Model” can have their own model experience in New Zealand, following the show’s trip to the breathtaking island nation in last night’s episode. Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand have announced a special offer for fans who find the backdrop just as stunning as the models featured in three episodes, the first of which screened last night with two more airing May 5 and May 12 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. Central on The CW.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/tourismnewzealand/43584/
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/
Cigna (NYSE: CI) today unveiled its new TV Doctors of America campaign to encourage people to improve their health by going for their annual check-up, knowing their biometric numbers for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index (BMI), and taking control of their health. Supporting Cigna’s effort are actors Patrick Dempsey, Donald Faison, Neil Patrick Harris and Kate Walsh. All four actors starred as doctors on TV and are striking doctor poses, donning scrubs and using their celebrity influence to shine a spotlight on preventive care and the importance of going to a real doctor for an annual check-up that can help save lives.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8163851-cigna-americas-tv-doctors-go-know-take-control/
ATA Karate For Kids is a specialized program created exclusively for children. The Karate for Kids program includes two age groups. Pre-school karate for kids classes are for children ages 3-6 and the karate for kids classes for children ages 7 through 12. The foundation of the martial arts ATA curriculum is the ongoing ATA review and development of life-skills such as positive mental attitude, high goal-setting, perseverance, self-control and confidence.
Karate For Kids training is designed to be fun and fulfilling for each student. This is because Taekwondo is an individual activity rather than a team sport. Therefore every student is an active and valuable participant in class. They work out with kids their own age and size under well-supervised conditions, and progress at their own pace.
Through personal growth and achievement, students advance with a martial arts belt rank but are also acknowledged for outstanding performance in martial arts class, school, home, special events, or in tournament competition.
ATA Karate For Kids is a specialized program created exclusively for children. The Karate for Kids program includes two age groups. Pre-school karate for kids classes are for children ages 3-6 and the karate for kids classes for children ages 7 through 12. The foundation of the martial arts ATA curriculum is the ongoing ATA review and development of life-skills such as positive mental attitude, high goal-setting, perseverance, self-control and confidence.
Karate For Kids training is designed to be fun and fulfilling for each student. This is because Taekwondo is an individual activity rather than a team sport. Therefore every student is an active and valuable participant in class. They work out with kids their own age and size under well-supervised conditions, and progress at their own pace.
Through personal growth and achievement, students advance with a martial arts belt rank but are also acknowledged for outstanding performance in martial arts class, school, home, special events, or in tournament competition.
