octubre 2020 – Página 185

MoneyGram Announces Three-Year Extension to Walmart Relationship

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — MoneyGram International (NASDAQ: MGI), a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers, today announced a three-year extension to its relationship with Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, through March 2024. MoneyGram’s services at Walmart, including Walmart2World, the MoneyGram powered white label money transfer service, are available in over 4,700 Walmart locations in <span…

«We are extremely excited to extend our relationship with Walmart for three additional years. This longer-term extension is a testament to our strong alignment on customer-centric strategies as well as continued preference for the MoneyGram brand at the point-of-sale,» said Alex Holmes, MoneyGram Chairman and CEO.

For over two decades, MoneyGram and Walmart have delivered innovative and affordable money transfer services to meet the evolving needs of their combined customer base through both digital and walk-in channels. In this extended term, MoneyGram and Walmart will continue focusing on customer experience initiatives as well as offering customers a variety of enhanced options for their family and friends to receive money from the comfort of their own homes. Customers increasingly seek options to send directly to bank accounts and mobile wallets abroad, and MoneyGram has rapidly expanded these capabilities to now provide customers with digital connections to over 75 countries.

About MoneyGram International, Inc.
MoneyGram is a global leader in cross-border P2P payments and money transfers. Its consumer-centric capabilities enable family and friends to quickly and affordably send money in more than 200 countries and territories, with more than 75 countries now digitally enabled.

MoneyGram leverages its modern, mobile, and API-driven platform and collaborates with the world’s leading brands to serve millions of people each year through both its walk-in business and its direct-to-consumer digital business.

With a strong culture of innovation and a relentless focus on utilizing technology to deliver the world’s best customer experience, MoneyGram is leading the evolution of digital P2P payments.

For more information, please visit moneygram.com and follow @MoneyGram.

MoneyGram Media Contact:
Stephen Reiff
Media@MoneyGram.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600838/MoneyGram_International_Logo.jpg

SOURCE MoneyGram

PointsBet Offering Extremely Favorable +86 Spreadline For Chicago Bears Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers On Thursday Night Football

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — PointsBet, official sports betting partner of the Chicago Bears and the fastest growing sportsbook in Illinois, is back again with an innovative «On the House Booster» promotion for sports bettors in the Prairie State.

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For this week’s Thursday Night Football matchup vs. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, PointsBet will offer the Bears at an extremely favorable +86 spreadline representing the 1986 Chicago Bears Superbowl victory.

In addition to this week’s «On the House Booster,» PointsBet is offering the best price in market for all Chicago Bears games this season across both the pregame spreadline and moneyline bet types. The operator also recently announced a partnership with Chicago Bears legend, Devin Hester, highlighting the symbiotic element of Hester’s world-class speed on the field and PointsBet’s unmatched speed and ease of use off it, thanks to PointsBet owning their technology end-to-end and placing an emphasis on an in-house development approach.

This marks the third time this season that PointsBet Illinois has offered a «Can’t Lose» Bears Booster. For Week 1 at the Lions, the Bears spread was boosted five points with every 200 bets placed from its starting position of +3, resulting in a final line of +100. For Week 2 vs. the Giants, PointsBet’s On the House Bears Booster started and remained at +89, representing the distance of brand ambassador Devin Hester’s longest punt return for a touchdown.

PointsBet and Hawthorne Race Course recently partnered together to open Illinois’ newest retail sportsbook and the closest in-person sports betting destination to downtown Chicago. PointsBet, a premium global sportsbook operator, debuted its mobile app and digital sports betting product in Illinois at the start of the NFL season. The brick and mortar sportsbook at Hawthorne is the first of four Chicagoland locations that the companies will open as Illinois partners, and is a precursor to the premium PointsBet Sportsbook that will be a part of Hawthorne’s historic $400 million casino development, scheduled to open in late 2021 (pending final regulatory approval).

About PointsBet
PointsBet is one of the fastest growing sportsbooks in the country and is rapidly expanding its U.S. footprint, now bringing its best-in-market proprietary technology, modernized and premium brand mentality, expert trading practices and proven growth marketing strategies to both the Illinois sports betting market and the notoriously passionate Chicago-area sports fans. Originally founded in Australia, PointsBet is a cutting-edge bookmaker that prides itself on having the quickest and most user-friendly app (iOS and Android) while also providing the best content and experience for sports bettors. PointsBet is the only U.S. online bookmaker to offer PointsBetting – a unique and innovative way to bet – and has also introduced a slew of well-received, bettor-first initiatives. PointsBet offers the most markets on all four major U.S. sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) and PointsBetting in the world, including up to 1,000 markets per NBA game.

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SOURCE PointsBet

Carlos Santana Launches New Cannabis Brand Mirayo™, Inspired By Latin Heritage

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Carlos Santana, the ten-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and longtime cannabis advocate, announced today the launch of Mirayo by Santana™, a line of premium cannabis products created in partnership with Left Coast Ventures. Inspired by his Latin heritage and dedication to spiritual well-being, this new line provides consumers with high-quality flower products that leverage the power of ancient remedies and act as a guide for consumers on their path to discovering their divine light.

Santana is one of the most recognized and celebrated musicians of our time, known for his timeless signature sound. His life as a musical icon and spiritual flame-keeper is built on determination, discovery, and self-actualization. Mirayo incorporates his philosophies into a product that is naturally sungrown and promotes the spiritual effects of cannabis. The name is a combination of «my» and «ray» in Spanish, which honors Santana’s heritage and hopes to empower everyone to «follow your light.»

»In my experience, cannabis has special properties that enhance meditative reflection and creative expression. It can dispel negative doubt to reveal the everlasting gift of our uniqueness,» said Carlos Santana. «With Mirayo, I hope to help people use cannabis as a door to a more benevolent behavior like kindness and compassion.»

To bring Mirayo to market, Santana partnered with Left Coast Ventures, a company that has launched cannabis brands with other iconic musicians, including Mind Your Head™, with famed Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, and Marley Natural™, a collaboration with the Bob Marley estate.

«It’s an honor to create a brand with a musical legend that embraces ancient heritage, deep spirituality and self-discovery. Mirayo celebrates the plant and its place within ancient Latin heritage,» said Brett Cummings, CEO of Left Coast Ventures. «We are so excited to work alongside Carlos Santana to curate a premium line of products that enhance the mind-body energy flow.»

Mirayo by Santana will include 5-packs of 0.5-gram pre-rolls and 7-gram jars of whole flower in the following strains, or categories of consciousness:

Radiance: A sativa that is intended to expand one’s energy outward, reaching for divine wisdom and inspiring creative expression.
Symmetry: A hybrid aimed at harmonizing the inward and outward, mind and body, for elevated perception.
Centered: An indica meant to nudge users toward inner peace, insightful stillness, and transcendence of the physical state.

Mirayo is available at select dispensaries in the Bay Area and Southern California, with priority placements in several Latinx-owned dispensaries. For more information, please visit mirayobysantana.com.

About Left Coast Ventures
Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Left Coast Ventures is a diversified cannabis and hemp company specializing in cultivation, manufacturing, brand development, and distribution. Left Coast Ventures and its subsidiaries are working to shape the future of the legal cannabis industry in the United States through acquisitions, investments, and incubation while building a respected portfolio of top shelf brands. Wholly owned, licensed, and/or distributed brands within the Left Coast Ventures portfolio include Marley Natural™, Mind Your Head™ by Mickey Hart, JEF™, SoulSpring™, Provault™, Chill™, Headlight™, Get Zen™, Half Lit™, New Frontier Brewing™, Big Pete’s, and Yummi Karma/High Gorgeous.

Media Contact
Noah Bethke
MATTIO Communications
leftcoast@mattio.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1307597/Carlos_Santana_Cannabis.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1076837/Left_Coast_Ventures_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Left Coast Ventures

Paving a Path Forward – New Union Bank Survey Finds Minority Small Business Owners in the U.S. Are More Optimistic, Adaptable and Innovative During COVID-19

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Despite experiencing significant hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher percentage of minority small business owners (SBOs) across the U.S. are innovating to keep their small businesses afloat than their non-diverse counterparts, according to new research from Union…

According to the Union Bank Small Business Mindshift 2020 survey, as of October 2020, minority SBOs, including Black, Latinx, and Asian American are two times more likely to say COVID-19 has had a positive impact on their business. As a result of their adaptability and agility, 34 percent of minority SBOs see a path forward to how their business can survive, compared to 20 percent of non-diverse SBOs.

However, over half of U.S. minority SBOs are still calling for more support – from their government (66 percent), from their communities (59 percent), and from the private sector (51 percent).

«This pandemic has hit all small businesses, and particularly minority owned small businesses, extremely hard, especially in California where we have had some of the most sustained and stringent closure guidelines,» said Todd Hollander, Head of Business Banking and Small Business for Union Bank. «But every day we see our clients finding creative ways to keep their doors open and their employees paid. We are here to support them in those efforts both as a bank and as members of our local communities.»

Despite this desire for additional support, U.S. minority SBOs have demonstrated significantly more adaptability than non-diverse SBOs during COVID-19 by adjusting their business practices – these changes include:

Products or services (52 percent minority SBOs vs. 38 percent non-diverse SBOs)
Online retail options (50 percent minority SBOs vs. 35 percent non-diverse SBOs)
Delivery options (47 percent minority SBOs vs. 29 percent non-diverse SBOs)
Online advertising (40 percent minority SBOs vs. 26 percent non-diverse SBOs)

«These survey findings reinforce what we already know – minority small businesses have always worked hard despite difficult circumstances or external environments – and as a result, have constantly been more resilient and adaptable,» said Frank Robinson, Diverse Markets and Community-Based Programs Executive for Union Bank. «Minority small businesses are at the heart and soul of their local communities, and as such, we are committed to helping them recover and thrive through our recently announced $10 million Community Recovery Program and other initiatives. We seek to provide them added support through critical economic stability and the tools necessary to succeed moving forward.»

California-based SBOs are struggling, but minority owners are more resilient.
SBOs in California are feeling more deflated and uncertain, as only 13 percent say they see a path forward, compared to 23 percent of SBOs across the U.S.

However, minority SBOs in California are demonstrating more innovation and optimism – which could be a product of their stronger community bonds.

Not only are minority SBOs in California more likely to have embraced their community leadership roles with 55 percent feeling an increased sense of responsibility to help their community (vs. 44 percent of non-diverse SBOs) – but they’re also getting more support in return with 39 percent feeling supported by their local community (vs. 33 percent of non-diverse SBOs).

«Each day I see the power of mutual responsibility and camaraderie between our minority small business owners and their local communities,» said Lilly Rocha, Executive Director, Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce. «As we work to recover our nation’s physical and economic health, we should learn from these minority communities and embrace this critical responsibility to lift each other up – particularly our local small business owners who have been hit hardest.»

Success and survival – determined first by a vaccine and then the election.
SBOs across the United States are highly engaged in the upcoming general election – with two in three saying it’s the most important election in their lifetime and one in three saying the outcome of this election will determine their small business’ survival.

But despite this, the highest percentage of SBOs rank getting a COVID-19 vaccine as–the No. 1 issue affecting their business success over the next six months – 24 percent compared to only 18 percent for the presidential election.

As a unified front, SBOs across the board agree that not politics, but science – and a COVID-19 vaccine – will be the determining factor toward recovery and further success.

About the Union Bank Small Business Mindshift 2020 survey
Research was gathered through an online survey of 850 SBOs across the U.S. and 151 SBOs in California, commissioned by Union Bank and conducted by independent research firm Edelman Intelligence. SBOs were defined as those who own businesses with 2-99 employees. Data was collected August 26 – September 8.

About Union Bank
Union Bank is a full-service bank with a rich history of investing in our clients, communities and colleagues throughout the West Coast for more than 150 years. Union Bank provides a wide range of personal and business banking products as well as wealth management services. With nearly 340 branches in California, Oregon and Washington, Union Bank remains committed to serving the needs of its local communities. As a member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), one of the world’s largest financial institutions, Union Bank holds our clients’ best interests to heart and remains committed to investing in their success.

About MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
As of June 30, 2020, MUFG Union Bank, N.A. operated 348 branches, consisting primarily of retail banking branches in the West Coast states, along with commercial branches in Texas, Illinois, New York, and Georgia. We provide a wide spectrum of corporate, commercial, and retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We also offer an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for clients, including investment banking, personal and corporate trust, global custody, transaction banking, capital markets, and other services. With assets of $136.3 billion, as of June 30, 2020, MUFG Union Bank has strong capital reserves, credit ratings, and capital ratios relative to peer banks. MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MUFG), one of the world’s largest financial institutions with total assets of approximately ¥341.9 trillion (JPY) or $3.2 trillion (USD)¹, as of June 30, 2020. The corporate headquarters (principal executive office) for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, which is the financial holding company, and MUFG Union Bank, is in New York City. The main banking office of MUFG Union Bank is in San Francisco, California.

¹ Exchange rate of 1 USD=¥107.7 (JPY) as of June 30, 2020

Press contact:
Sierra Wilson
(213) 236-5329
sierra.wilson@unionbank.com

Assaf Kedem
T: 212-782-4926
E: AKedem@us.mufg.jp

Edelman PR
unionbank@edelman.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/549576/Union_Bank_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Union Bank

This Election Season, Live Under a Rock (Literally!) With Hotels.com

DALLAS, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The 2020 news cycle has generated enough negative headlines for 1,000 years. And with the upcoming election season…it’s likely going to get much worse. As it is, nearly two-thirds of Americans* are worn out by the sheer volume of news they’re inundated with daily.

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For those of you experiencing any and all forms of election stress disorder (it’s a real thing!), Hotels.com is helping you escape the chatter to go live under a rock — literally!

After you’ve cast your ballot (by mail, absentee, early voting, etc.!), you can check out of the newsfeed negativity and check in to a man-made cave built 50 feet below ground for a five-night stay from November 2 – 7, 2020. This off-the-grid overnight experience in New Mexico will have you saying, «2020 who?» as you embrace the cave’s amenities, or lack thereof. Go ahead! Relax and cut all access to Wi-Fi, cable TV, and daily newspaper service. We won’t blame you!

«Political fatigue is real regardless of the year or election,» said Josh Belkin, Vice President, Global brand Hotels.com. «We’re transforming an age-old idiom into a bookable experience, so individuals can relax, recharge, and recover… because who knows what else 2020 has in store for us.»

The best part? The cost to stay is an Abraham Lincoln-inspired «presidential rate» of just $5 a night (yes, that’s right… your entire stay is only $25*). The property is available on a first-come, first-served basis to the fastest finger beginning Friday, Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. ET. Visit Hotels.com/page/underarock for more information.

For those who aren’t able to snag the exclusive getaway but are still in dire need to go live under a rock during election week, Hotels.com is also offering a limited-time 20% off code for select properties with «rock» in the name so you can still make your Patrick Star-style escape. Travelers can use the code «UnderARock» at checkout beginning Friday, Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. ET.

This election week stay is just one of the many ways Hotels.com rewards travelers across the globe with one-of-a-kind stays. This underground cave is one of the more than 250,000 vacation homes currently available on Hotels.com, with hundreds of thousands more being added this year. From caves, apartments and cottages to beach villas and woodland bungalows, no matter your needs, Hotels.com has you covered. Plus, your stay will also earn you stamps in your Hotels.com Rewards account, getting you closer to a reward night that can be redeemed on a future booking.

For more information on the Hotels.com Under A Rock stay, follow along on Hotels.com Instagram and Twitter.

*According to Pew Research Center
*Standard booking terms apply. Lodging taxes and fees apply. See site for details

About Hotels.com® (or Hotels.com™) Hotels.com is the most rewarding way to book a place to stay. We really love travel and we know you do too. That’s why we make it really easy to book with us. With hundreds of thousands of places to stay around the world and 90 local websites in 41 languages, Hotels.com has it all. So, whether you’re looking for value in Vegas, treehouses in Thailand or villas with views, it’s all just a click away. And with our «Reward-winning» loyalty program you earn free* nights while you sleep…what could be better? Booking just got smarter too. With over 25 million real guest reviews and an app so easy to use that it’s been downloaded 70 million times, you can be sure to find the perfect place for you.
*Exclusions apply. Reward night worth average price of previous 10. Taxes/fees payable on each Reward Night redeemed. A $5 fee is charged on each Reward Night redeemed, unless redeemed on the app. See T&Cs https://www.hotels.com/customer_care/terms_conditions.html?pos=HCOM_US&locale=en_US
© 2020 Hotels.com, LP, an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks of Hotels.com, LP. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners

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SOURCE Hotels.com

Virgin Hotels Recognized With Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards, Earning #1 Hotel In Chicago

MIAMI, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, today is recognized by the distinguished Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Virgin Hotels Chicago has been awarded the coveted title of «#1 Hotel in Chicago» – the third time the property has earned this honor – while Virgin Hotels Dallas has been named the «#16 Hotel in Texas,» ranking as the #5 property in Dallas.

Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels states, «It’s always an honor to be recognized for the heartfelt service and personalized hotel experience Virgin Hotels offers, even more so when the recognition comes directly from our guests. Virgin Hotels properties in Chicago, Dallas, and our newest location in Nashville serve as a second home for locals and travelers alike, and this recognition is an incredible testament to the disruptive hospitality model we provide across all of our properties.»

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to determine the winners.

Virgin Hotels Chicago opened in 2015 as the brand’s first property. Located in the heart of the Loop in downtown Chicago, the award-winning hotel was named the «#1 Hotel in United States» in 2016 by the Readers’ Choice Awards and «#1 Hotel in Chicago» in 2016, 2017 and once again this year. Consistently since opening, the property has ranked as one of the top five hotels in Chicago. Home to 250 Chambers, the property first introduced the brand’s mantra of serving as a member’s only club without dues, eliminating fees and surcharges while continuously championing the customer.

Located in the Dallas Design District, Virgin Hotels Dallas opened in December 2019. The new-build property features 268 Chambers and multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand’s flagship restaurant, bar and lounge Commons Club, helmed by Chef Matt McCallister. Guests also delight in The Pool Club, a lush rooftop space located on the fourth floor overlooking the Dallas skyline, perfect for relaxing amidst greenery and hanging Moroccan lanterns.

The 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.

About Virgin Hotels:

Virgin Hotels is a lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service, straightforward value and a seamless, personalized hotel experience with the track record of innovation and smart disruption that Sir Richard Branson’s global Virgin Group has pioneered for 50 years. Each property intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture, fusing with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. Virgin Hotels Chicago, – named the «#1 Hotel in United States» in 2016 and «#1 Hotel in Chicago» in 2016, 2017 and 2020 by the Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards – Virgin Hotels Dallas – named the «#16 Hotel in Texas» – and Virgin Hotels Nashville are now open. Locations in Las Vegas, New York, New Orleans, Miami and Edinburgh to follow. Virgin Hotels continues to explore hotel and office conversions as well as ground-up development in cities such as Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, and London.

About Conde Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler is the world’s most distinguished travel title providing inspiration and advice for discerning travelers. Authoritative and influential, Condé Nast Traveler is a multi-platform, transatlantic brand. Publishing US and UK print editions under Editor-in-Chief Melinda Stevens, Condé Nast Traveler offers award-winning expertise in luxury travel from around the world. For more, visit www.cntraveler.com.

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SOURCE Virgin Hotels

Traxis Customs Offers Solution to e-Commerce Operators Post-Brexit

PARIS, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Global Logistics Network and Next Terra International, two companies specialising in international transport and e-commerce logistics, have joined together in creating a new subsidiary company – Traxis Customs, with the purpose of targeting…

Historically, e-commerce operators have utilised London Heathrow as a main European gateway for customs clearance, but with the rapid approach of Brexit, international businesses are now seeking alternative solutions in mainland Europe.

Aicha Sow, Managing Director of Traxis Customs said: «We believe that Brexit will create some gaps in Europe, and we would like to jump on this opportunity to help transform Paris CDG airport into a European Gateway for incoming e-commerce flows into Europe. We have been supported by the French customs in our mission and we believe that all facilities are now ready for this movement.»

Launching in October 2020 and strategically located within Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, Traxis offers an intelligent and flexible customs clearance solution, both internationally as well as to those businesses based in the UK seeking European import and exports clearing solutions. A Registered Customs Representative, Traxis Customs is capable of handling all import, export and transit customs formalities in France, for all European countries, therefore aiding the free circulation of merchandise within Europe.

Supported by the two mother companies (gl-net.com & next-terra.com), Traxis Customs’ primary goal is the optimisation of the flow of imported goods. Specialists in providing express customs clearance for Import, Export or Transit flows, the company have the capability of handling huge e-commerce flows from Asia, USA, or UK using data exchange information and state of the art information technology. Customs Clearance services can be arranged individually by shipment for freight mode or over manifest covering a list of shipments arriving or leaving in express/courier mode.

Traxis Customs is a subsidiary company of two major logistic providers on the French market : Next Terra International and Global Logistics Network.

www.traxis-customs.com

www.next-terra.com

www.gl-net.com

Contact: info@traxis-customs.com

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SOURCE Global Logistics Network; Next Terra International

Allanando el camino hacia el futuro: Nueva encuesta de Union Bank de los propietarios de pequeñas empresas que pertenecen a minorías en los EE. UU. son más optimistas, adaptables e innovadores durante la COVID-19

LOS ÁNGELES, 6 de octubre de 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A pesar de experimentar dificultades significativas durante la pandemia de COVID-19, un porcentaje más alto de propietarios de pequeñas empresas (small business owners, SBO) pertenecientes a las minorías en todo EE. UU. están innovando para mantener a flote a sus pequeñas empresas que sus contrapartes , según una nueva encuesta de <a target="_blank"…

Según la encuesta titulada «Union Bank Small Business Mindshift 2020» (a partir de octubre del 2020), dueños de pequeñas empresas pertenecientes a las minorías, incluidos negros, latinos y asiáticoamericanos, tienen dos veces más probabilidades de decir que la COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto positivo en sus negocios. Como resultado de su adaptabilidad y agilidad, el 34% de estos empresarios pertenecientes a las minorías ven una luz al final del túnel para que su negocio pueda sobrevivir, en comparación con el 20% de pequeños empresarios que no pertenecen a alguna minoría.

Sin embargo, más de la mitad de los pequeños empresarios a las minorías de los EE. UU. aún están solicitando más apoyo: de su gobierno (66%), de sus comunidades (59%) y del sector privado (51%).

«Esta pandemia ha afectado a todas las pequeñas empresas con extrema dureza, y particularmente a las pequeñas empresas propiedad de las minorías, especialmente en California, donde hemos tenido algunas de las pautas de cierre más estrictas y sostenidas», afirmó Todd Hollander, Jefe de Banca Comercial y Pequeñas Empresas de Union Bank. «Pero todos los días vemos a nuestros clientes encontrando maneras creativas de mantener sus puertas abiertas y de pagar a sus empleados. Estamos aquí para apoyarlos en esos esfuerzos, tanto como banco como miembros de nuestras comunidades locales».

A pesar de este deseo de apoyo adicional, pequeños empresarios pertenecientes a las minorías de los EE. UU. han demostrado una adaptabilidad significativamente mayor que los pequeños empresarios no diversos durante la pandemia al ajustar sus prácticas comerciales; estos cambios incluyen:

Productos o servicios (el 52% de los pequeños empresarios pertenecientes a alguna minoría en comparación con el 38% no pertenecientes a alguna minoría)
Opciones para vender sus productos en línea (el 50% de pequeños empresarios pertenecientes a alguna minoría en comparación con el 35% no pertenecientes a alguna minoría)
Opciones de entrega (el 47% en comparación con el 29%)
Publicidad en línea (el 40% en comparación con el 26%)

«Estas conclusiones de la encuesta refuerzan lo que ya sabemos: las pequeñas empresas cuyos propietarios pertenecen a las minorías siempre han trabajado arduamente a pesar de las circunstancias difíciles o los entornos externos y, como resultado, han sido constantemente más resilientes y adaptables», dijo Frank Robinson, Ejecutivo de Mercados Diversos y Programas Comunitarios de Union Bank. «Las pequeñas empresas cuyos propietarios pertenecen a las minorías están en el corazón y el alma de sus comunidades locales y, como tal, estamos comprometidos a ayudarlas a recuperarse y prosperar a través de nuestro recientemente anunciado Programa de Recuperación Comunitaria de $10 millones y otras iniciativas. Buscamos proporcionarles apoyo adicional a través de la estabilidad económica fundamental y las herramientas necesarias para tener éxito en el futuro».

Pequeños empresarios con sede en California tienen dificultades, pero los propietarios pertenecientes a las minorías son más resilientes.
Dueños de pequeñas empresas de California se sienten más desanimados e inseguros, ya que solo el 13% dice ver un camino a seguir, en comparación con el 23% de empresarios en todo Estados Unidos.

En cambio, aquellos dueños pertenecientes a las minorías en California están demostrando más innovación y optimismo, lo que podría ser consecuencia de sus fuertes lazos con la comunidad.

Estos mismos empresarios en California no solo son más propensos a tomar las riendas en sus puestos de liderazgo comunitario con un 55% acertando que sienten d un compromiso personal para ayudar a su comunidad (en comparación con el 44% de dueños de pequeñas empresas no diversos), sino que también reciben más apoyo a cambio con un 39% confirmando que reciben más apoyo por parte de su comunidad local (en comparación con el 33% de empresarios no diversos).

«Cada día veo el poder del respeto mutuo y compañerismo entre nuestros propietarios de pequeñas empresas pertenecientes a las minorías y sus comunidades locales», expresó Lilly Rocha, directora ejecutiva de la Cámara de Comercio Latina de Los Ángeles. «Mientras trabajamos para recuperar la salud física y económica de nuestra nación, debemos aprender de estas comunidades étnicas y aceptar esta responsabilidad fundamental de ayudarnos mutuamente, particularmente de los propietarios de pequeñas empresas locales que han sido los más afectados».

Éxito y supervivencia: determinado primero por una vacuna y luego por la elección.
Pequeños empresarios en los Estados Unidos están muy involucrados con las próximas elecciones generales; dos de cada tres dicen que son las elecciones más importantes en su vida y uno de cada tres dice que el resultado de estas elecciones determinará la supervivencia de su pequeña empresa.

Sin embargo, a pesar de esto, el porcentaje más alto de pequeñas empresas califica encontrar una vacuna contra la COVID-19 como el factor principal que afecta su éxito comercial en los próximos seis meses: el 24% en comparación con solo el 18% que piensan que son las elecciones presidenciales.

Dueños de pequeñas empresas en general están de acuerdo en que no la política, sino la ciencia, y una vacuna contra la COVID-19, serán el factor determinante hacia la recuperación y el éxito posterior.

Datos sobre la encuesta «Union Bank Small Business Mindshift 2020»
La investigación se recopiló a través de una encuesta en línea de 850 pequeños empresarios en los estados unidos y 151 de ellos están en California, patrocinada por Union Bank y realizada por la empresa de investigación independiente Edelman Intelligence. Pequeños empresarios fueron definidos como aquellos que poseen negocios con entre 2 y 99 empleados. Los datos se recopilaron del 26 de agosto al 8 de septiembre.

About MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
As of June 30, 2020, MUFG Union Bank, .A. operated 348 branches, consisting primarily of retail banking branches in the West Coast states, along with commercial branches in Texas, Illinois, New York, and Georgia. We provide a wide spectrum of corporate, commercial, and retail banking and wealth management solutions to meet the needs of our clients. We also offer an extensive portfolio of value-added solutions for clients, including investment banking, personal and corporate trust, global custody, transaction banking, capital markets, and other services. With assets of $136.3 billion, as of June 30, 2020, MUFG Union Bank has strong capital reserves, credit ratings, and capital ratios relative to peer banks. MUFG Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE: MUFG), one of the world’s largest financial institutions with total assets of approximately ¥341.9 trillion (JPY) or $3.2 trillion (USD)¹, as of June 30, 2020. The corporate headquarters (principal executive office) for MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, which is the financial holding company, and MUFG Union Bank, is in New York City. The main banking office of MUFG Union Bank is in San Francisco, California.

¹ Exchange rate of 1 USD=¥107.7 (JPY) as of June 30, 2020

Contacto para la prensa:

Sierra Wilson
(213) 236-5329
sierra.wilson@unionbank.com

Relaciones públicas de Edelman
unionbank@edelman.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/549576/Union_Bank_Logo.jpg

FUENTE Union Bank

Carlos Santana Launches New Cannabis Brand Mirayo™, Inspired By Latin Heritage

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Carlos Santana, the ten-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and longtime cannabis advocate, announced today the launch of Mirayo by Santana™, a line of premium cannabis products created in partnership with Left Coast Ventures. Inspired by his Latin heritage and dedication to spiritual well-being, this new line provides consumers with high-quality flower products that leverage the power of ancient remedies and act as a guide for consumers on their path to discovering their divine light.

Mirayo by Santana will include 5-packs of 0.5-gram pre-rolls and 7-gram jars of whole flower in the following strains, or categories of consciousness:

Radiance: A sativa that is intended to expand one’s energy outward, reaching for divine wisdom and inspiring creative expression.
Symmetry: A hybrid aimed at harmonizing the inward and outward, mind and body, for elevated perception.
Centered: An indica meant to nudge users toward inner peace, insightful stillness, and transcendence of the physical state.

Media Contact
Noah Bethke
MATTIO Communications
leftcoast@mattio.com

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carlos-santana-launches-new-cannabis-brand-mirayo-inspired-by-latin-heritage-301146136.html

SOURCE Left Coast Ventures

Brazil Climbs Four Positions in 2020 Global Innovation Index Ranking

BRASÍLIA, Brazil, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, announced today that Brazil has moved up four spots in this year’s Global Innovation Index (GII). The Global Innovation Index, released annually, measures the innovative capacity and performance of more than 130 economies around the world. The report also revealed that Brazil ranks fourth among middle income countries when it comes to quality of innovation – and that it is one of only six middle-income countries to remain in the top 100 clusters of innovation.

«Brazil’s rise in the global innovation ranking, even amid the challenges of the pandemic, demonstrates the strength of our economy and the resilience of our innovation ecosystem. Over the past several decades, Brazil has implemented a number of policies to strengthen our R&D capabilities and encourage the generation of new ideas and technologies – from providing grants to cutting-edge research labs to offering tax incentives and subsidized credit to creative corporations,» said Sergio Segovia, President of Apex-Brasil.

The GII is seen as the premier benchmark for countries’ competitiveness when it comes to innovation. Each year, the report is co-published by Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). To determine global rankings, these organizations use more than 80 different «innovation indicators», evaluating countries’ political environment, educational opportunities, infrastructure, business sophistication, and more.

The theme of this year’s GII report – «Who Will Finance Innovation?»– zeros in on numerous stakeholders who fund the cultivation of new ideas and technologies. According to the report, Brazil has been setting the stage for increased investment in innovation through tax breaks – including the Lei do Bem (the «Good Law») and the Informatics Law – which incentivize companies to pursue groundbreaking research and enhance their digital capabilities. Likewise, Brazilian business leaders and entrepreneurs can take advantage of a number of programs, like the Innovation Call for Industry, that finance the development of innovative solutions and help companies increase productivity. In fact, since its inception in 2004, the Innovation Call for Industry has supported over 1,150 innovative projects through US$ 134 million in investments.

This year’s report also underscored Brazil’s healthcare sector as a primary driver of innovation, benefiting from its concerted effort to expand R&D programs. In recent years, Brazil has developed a comprehensive system of public research laboratories, including the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the Adolfo Lutz Institute, and the Butantan Institute. This extensive network has put Brazil on the map as a leading country in epidemiology research – a field that has been driving the fight against COVID-19.

«As highlighted by the theme of this year’s report, identifying adequate resources to support and finance innovation is one of the key challenges many countries face today. That’s why Apex-Brasil has been proud to support the efforts of Brazil’s government and corporations by serving as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for foreign investors looking to do business in Brazil. We always welcome those who are interested in new and innovative investment opportunities,» said Mr. Segovia.

To access this year’s Global Innovation Index report, visit: https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/

To learn more about Apex-Brasil, visit: http://www.apexbrasil.com.br/en/home.

About Apex-Brasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad, and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. Apex-Brasil organizes several initiatives aiming to promote Brazilian exports abroad. The Agency´s efforts comprise trade and prospective missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international trade fairs, arrangement of technical visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, and other select activities designed to strengthen the country’s branding abroad. Apex-Brasil also plays a leading role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, by working to identify business opportunities, promoting strategic events and lending support to foreign investors willing to allocate resources in Brazil.

Media Contacts
Lilian Leão Alves
Apex-Brasil
lilian.leao@apexbrasil.com.br
+55 (61) 9 8462 0525

YeaJin Lee
Ruder Finn – PR on behalf of Apex-Brasil in the U.S.
LeeY@ruderfinn.com
+1 931 237 1531

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brazil-climbs-four-positions-in-2020-global-innovation-index-ranking-301144840.html

SOURCE Apex-Brasil