The pace of economic growth has slowed significantly since the start of 2011 and the slowdown is expected to continue into the start of 2012, according to a survey of CEOs of small-to-medium-sized businesses. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 92.9 in the Q2 2011 survey, substantially below the 105.2 posted in Q1, and erasing all the gains recorded since 93.7 was registered in Q1 2010. Though declines were present in every major survey component, the largest losses were in evaluations of the overall economy. Rather than expecting a renewed economic downturn, the majority of CEOs anticipated a stagnating economy: growth too slow to support robust gains in employment or investment, and resulting in lower revenue and profit levels than previously forecast. Half of all firms put planned investments on hold due to the slowdown in economic growth.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/51040/
CEO confidence was up slightly in the third quarter, noting a slowing economic growth pace, but no evidence of a double dip recession, according to the Vistage CEO Confidence Index 3rd quarter results. Despite widespread recognition of the recent economic slowdown, CEOs were more confident in their firm’s ability to increase their revenues and profits in the year ahead. Yet, virtually every CEO (92%) expects rising employee health care costs, and 57% of all CEOs expect those cost increases to be more than 10%. Two-thirds of all CEOs said that without the extension of the Bush tax cuts their businesses would be harmed, and nearly half (46%) reported continued unfavorable credit market conditions. In response to a question about the upcoming elections, 62% of CEOs believe the Republicans will control the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2011.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/44998/
Small business CEOs expressed a remarkable resurgence of optimism both in the overall economy and for their own companies. The Vistage Confidence Index jumped to 106.3 in the 4th Quarter of 2010, after reporting 95.1 in the 3rd quarter, 94.4 in the 2nd quarter and 93.7 in the 1st quarter of this year. Of the 1,729 respondents in the Q4 Vistage CEO Confidence Index, 77% expect increased revenues and 63% foresee higher profits in their own companies.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/44999/
Two-thirds of all CEOs surveyed believe the economy has improved during the past year and half expect further gains during the year ahead. The Vistage CEO Confidence Index was 105.2 in the 1st quarter of 2011, slightly below 106.3 recorded in the prior quarter but well above the 93.7 in last year’s 1st quarter survey. CEO confidence has more than doubled since the recession low of 48.7 two years ago. However, the small decline reflects a renewed uncertainty about the impact of events in Japan and the Middle East on energy costs, consumer spending and inflation. Overall, the majority of CEOs still expect the recovery to continue and their own businesses to continue to grow.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/vistage/45000/
Varsity Brands, the recognized leader in team athletic gear, the driving force in cheerleading and dance, and the most trusted name in celebrating student milestones, today announced Vista Murrieta High School, from Murrieta, Calif. as the winner of its America’s Most Spirited High School Contest. The announcement today coincides with National School Spirit Day, which was recognized by Congress last year.
“Our students feel connected to Vista Murrieta and have an engrained sense of school pride,” said Mick Wager, Principal of Vista Murrieta, “The family atmosphere and sense of community is apparent and genuine.”
High schools across the country were invited to enter the contest, which called for each school to submit a 90-second video, a 500-word essay, two letters of recommendation and several photos demonstrating its school spirit. High schools from 33 states were represented in the contest. Vista Murrieta’s video submission won based on a nationwide vote and included footage from games, pep rallies, and student activities that epitomize a robust school spirit environment that seeks to include all students. Vista Murrieta estimates that 85% of their students are involved in at least one activity, club or sport, and their video was a true testament to the power of school spirit and its effects on high school students.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7636151-varsity-brands-vista-murrieta-award/
With the nation’s eyes on the biggest football game of the season this weekend, famed sportscaster Lesley Visser is partnering with Transitions Optical and sports vision specialist Dr. Larry Lampert, to raise awareness about healthy vision and its connection to sports performance among consumers across the country.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/transitions/48153/
Today, the Ad Council and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation launched new public service advertisements PSAs) on behalf of their national GED® Achievement campaign. This highly impactful multimedia campaign is designed to provide high school dropouts the information and encouragement needed to begin the road to earning a GED® diploma.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7292751-ad-council-dollar-general-literacy-foundation-encourage-young-adults-pursue-ged-diploma/
The UNCF in partnership with the Ad Council, announced today the launch of Better Futures, a national multimedia public service effort that will build on their 41-year old campaign to help African American students get to and through college.
Created pro bono by Y&R, new Better Futures PSAs transform the idea of donating to a cause to a more powerful idea of investing in the future, including the introduction of a stock for social change, where people can see the direct social return of their investment. Economists were consulted for the campaign and developed an algorithm to show the social return of donating just $10 to UNCF, including the impact on earnings, crime savings and health savings.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61200-uncf-ad-council-better-futures-campaign-african-american-education
Every 40 seconds a stroke occurs in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. To raise awareness about F.A.S.T. — an acronym to recognize and respond to the sudden warning signs of stroke, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Ad Council are unveiling a new, national multimedia public service advertisement (PSA) campaign. F.A.S.T. is designed to help bystanders spot a stroke fast because the quicker a stroke victim receives medical attention, the greater his or her chances of survival and a better recovery. To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58828-ad-council-american-stroke-association-stroke-awareness-f-a-s-t
In an effort to educate and empower parents to speak to their children about bullying, a new series of television public service advertisements (PSAs) are launching today as an extension of the Be More Than a Bystander campaign. The PSAs are being distributed nationwide to coincide with Bullying Prevention Month.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63684-ad-council-ddb-new-york-new-psas-for-national-bullying-prevention-month
The maker of Shell ROTELLA® engine oil is leading the effort to have the U.S. White House formally recognize the pickup truck as the “Official Vehicle of the United States.” To pay homage to the substantial role pickup trucks play in shaping our nation and working their way into all parts of our society, Shell is honoring the vehicle by leading a national Shell ROTELLA® campaign, entitled “Pickup Pride” which may forever change the way Americans view the pickup truck.
“The campaign celebrates the achievements of hard-working Americans and highlights the pickup truck, which for almost a century, continues to support those who have given their blood, sweat, and tears to help build our country,” said Megan Pino, Global Brand Manager for Shell ROTELLA® engine oil. “The pickup truck exemplifies America’s resilience and the work it takes to continue to build our communities and support our farms, both which deserve to be recognized.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8157351-shell-rotella-pickup-truck-official-us-vehicle/
In response to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the Ad Council joined the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Rajiv Shah, and the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) to launch a series of television, radio, print and Web public service advertisements (PSAs) encouraging Americans to make financial contributions to disaster relief efforts. The PSAs direct audiences to visit PhilippinesRelief.AdCouncil.org, where they can contribute to support the short and long-term recovery operations, providing supplies and services to those affected by the typhoon.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64502-ad-council-usaid-cidi-encourage-support-typhoon-relief-philippines
