UL’s Independent Certification Body, DEWI-OCC Achieves Reaccreditation from DAkkS and Significantly Expands its Wind Certification Offering

CUXHAVEN, Germany, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — UL, a leading global safety science company, announced today that the DEWI Offshore and Certification Centre GmbH (DEWI-OCC), an independent certification body within UL, has achieved reaccreditation from Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) to provide certification for offshore wind turbines and their components; wind turbines, wind farm projects, small wind turbines and grid connection of decentralized power generating units and…

CUXHAVEN, Germany, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — UL, a leading global safety science company, announced today that the DEWI Offshore and Certification Centre GmbH (DEWI-OCC), an independent certification body within UL, has achieved reaccreditation from Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS) to provide certification for offshore wind turbines and their components; wind turbines, wind farm projects, small wind turbines and grid connection of decentralized power generating units and plants. This expanded offering will make UL’s independent certification body a leading provider of wind turbine and grid code certification services.

UL Logo

UL’s DEWI-OCC received reaccreditation from DAkkS along with a significantly expanded list of DNVGL service specifications, type certification scheme IS/IEC61400-22 for India, the IECRE Operational Documents and country-specific grid codes requirements such as the Norma Técnica de Supervisión (NTS) in Spain and the Central Electric Authority’s (CEA) 2019 standard in India. With these accreditations DEWI-OCC is able to provide services for wind turbine type, component, project and grid code compliance certification worldwide.

«We are pleased to announce that UL’s DEWI-OCC is now an all-inclusive provider for global market access in wind turbine and grid code certification,» said Kai Grigutsch, managing director, DEWI-OCC. «There are many countries, such as India and Korea, that have specific requirements when it comes to certification schemes. DEWI-OCC already has a long list of countries we can provide certification for and now we can extend this offering to any country.»

The DAkkS accreditation is proof of UL’s commitment to quality and competence, consistency and impartiality for activities as a conformity assessment body according to ISO/IEC 17065. For the wind industry the DAkkS accreditation helps ensure that once tested, components, parts and wind energy technology accepted- making wind energy technology safe, compliant and cost effective.

About UL
UL helps create a better world by applying science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. We empower trust by enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. All of our work, from independent research and standards development, to testing and certification, to providing analytical and digital solutions, helps improve global well-being. Businesses, industries, governments, regulatory authorities and the public put their trust in us so they can make smarter decisions. To learn more, visit UL.com. To learn more about our nonprofit activities, visit UL.org.

Press Contact  
Steven Brewster 
UL 
steven.brewster@ul.com
+1.415.577.8851 

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SOURCE UL

Canela Media Launches Free Streaming Service Targeting U.S. Latinos

NEW YORK, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Canela Media, a minority and female-owned leading digital media tech company, announces the launch of <a target="_blank"…

NEW YORK, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Canela Media, a minority and female-owned leading digital media tech company, announces the launch of Canela.TV, a streaming service that enriches the new generation of U.S. Latinos by providing free access to unique, culturally relevant content. With more than 8,000 hours of entertainment for adults and children including comedies, docuseries, novelas, cartoons, dramas and action films, the brand aims to disrupt the television model and serve as the destination for premium video at home and on-the-go.

«Hispanic millennials are a diverse and intricate generation in search of quality content that reflects the depth of our culture through an accurate portrayal of Hispanics’ life experiences,» said Isabel Rafferty, CEO and Founder at Canela Media. «Through Canela.TV we are expanding and enhancing the entertainment options available to this consumer through content that is captivating, high-quality, culturally relevant and free 24/7, accessible on any device of their choice.»  

Entertainment is a significant part of Hispanic households with more than seven in 10 Hispanics streaming movies and shows on a weekly basis, according to Mintel. However, as the bilingual population continues to grow, their choices are not only driven by language, but rather relevance. Canela.TV has carefully curated a library of series and films in Spanish and English that will reflect and celebrate the Hispanic identity through compelling storylines from leading partners including Atr3s Media, Caracol Television, Legendary, Polka, Shoreline, and Spanglish, to mention a few. Among the award-winning content includes:

  1. Mas de 100 Mentiras (Series) – this Spanish thriller will keep viewers on their toes as a hacker leaks the deep, dark secrets found in five students’ mobile phones, turning it into the worst digital catastrophe of their lives.
     
  2. Argentina, Tierra de Amor y Venganza (Series) – an Argentinian drama that follows the journey of Torcuato and Bruno, two Spanish friends, who flee from the Civil War to take refuge in Argentine territory, but their differing luck leads them to betrayal.
     
  3. Guapas (Series) – this dramatic comedy from Argentina features five women between their 30s and 50s, who all lose their fortune when their bank closes overnight, forcing them to reevaluate their priorities as they form a priceless friendship.
     
  4. Huevo Kids (Kids) – from the popular Huevocartoon productions, come Huevo Kids, featuring five eggs who live inside a refrigerator and offer educational content for children including math problems, geometry, colors, etc.  
     
  5. Todos tus Muertos (Movie) – what would you do if you woke up to find a pile of corpses on your land? This award-winning Colombian film features Salvador, a farm worker who discovers dead bodies on his crops and must deal with it without the help of local authorities.
     
  6. Chavela (Documentary) – this award-winning documentary features the captivating life of Costa Rican singer Chavela Vargas, and how her passionate rendition of ranchera songs transformed her into an icon.  
     
  7. Underground: La Historia del Reggaeton (Series) – set in the 90s, this series features a group of young music producers and singers in Puerto Rico who create Reggaeton, a new music genre that initially wasn’t well-received but ended up conquering the world.

Canela.TV can be accessed anytime, anywhere at no cost and is now available for download at App Store and Google Play, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs.

About Canela Media

Canela Media is a leading digital media tech company offering brands a complete ecosystem to connect with multicultural audiences leading with its free streaming service, Canela.TV, offering on-demand Latino-focused movies and TV entertainment through multiple platforms.  Additionally, Canela Media reaches more than 20 million unique Hispanics across its 180+ premium Spanish-language sites and influencer database. Combined with the company’s proprietary data, Canela Media possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to establish meaningful and culturally relevant connections with the new mainstream – U.S. Hispanics. Headquartered in New York, Canela Media is ranked as the fourth largest Hispanic ad-focused company and is female- and minority-owned. For more information please visit http://www.CanelaMedia.com.

SOURCE Canela Media

SBS Entertainment Celebrates Father’s Day with a special edition of ‘Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series’

MIAMI, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — SBS Entertainment, the live music entertainment division of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), a leading Hispanic-owned media company, will celebrate Father’s Day throughout the month of June with a special edition of its ‘Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series.’ Alejandro Fernandez, Banda MS, Gerardo Ortiz and Christian Nodal will…

MIAMI, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — SBS Entertainment, the live music entertainment division of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), a leading Hispanic-owned media company, will celebrate Father’s Day throughout the month of June with a special edition of its ‘Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series.’ Alejandro Fernandez, Banda MS, Gerardo Ortiz and Christian Nodal will headline the exclusive live audio stream performance series across some of SBS’s leading radio stations and the LaMusica app.

«Celebrations have become especially meaningful and have played a significant role in keeping us virtually connected throughout the coronavirus pandemic,» said Alessandra Alarcón. «We’re thrilled to be working with some of the biggest names in Latin music to celebrate fathers, our heroes at home, on the frontlines and in communities across the nation, through their love and passion for music.»

The Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series was created with the goal to entertain and support the Hispanic community, who has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with the live audio stream performance and motivational messages by some of the biggest artists who represent all genres of Latin music. The widely popular series premiered on April 24 with performances by Pitbull and Calibre 50, respectively, and has continued every week with artists such as Maluma, Banda Carnaval, Reik, Natti Natasha and many more. Thousands of fans across the U.S. have been tuning in since its inception via SBS’s leading terrestrial stations and LaMusica app.

«This series is very special to my sister, brother and me because we share an extremely close bond with our father and chairman of SBS, Raul Alarcón,» continued Alessandra. «From our house to yours, we encourage the Hispanic community to join us as we tune in to each performance in June. It will be memorable and full of surprises for dads and the whole family.»

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series June Dates
All concerts will take place at 7 p.m. ET/CDT/PT and will also be streamed on the LaMusica App

ARTIST

MARKET & PARTICIPATING SBS RADIO STATION

Alejandro Fernandez

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

Banda MS

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

Gerardo Ortiz

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

Christian Nodal

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

LATIN MUSIC HAPPENS HERE AT SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. owns and operates 17 radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Spanish Tropical, Regional Mexican, Spanish Adult Contemporary, Top 40 and Latin Rhythmic format genres. SBS also operates AIRE Radio Networks, a national radio platform which creates, distributes and markets leading Spanish-language radio programming to over 250 affiliated stations reaching 95% of the U.S. Hispanic audience. SBS also owns MegaTV, a television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts and events and owns multiple bilingual websites, including LaMusica, a mobile app providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. For more information, visit us online at www.spanishbroadcasting.com.

MEDIA CONTACT SBS:

Vladimir Gomez
vgomez@sbscorporate.com
(786) 470-1644

SOURCE Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

SBS Entertainment Celebrates Father’s Day with a special edition of ‘Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series’

MIAMI, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SBS Entertainment, the live music entertainment division of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), a leading Hispanic-owned media company, will celebrate Father’s Day throughout the month of June with a special edition of its ‘Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series.’ Alejandro Fernandez, Banda MS, Gerardo Ortiz and Christian Nodal will headline the exclusive…

MIAMI, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SBS Entertainment, the live music entertainment division of Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), a leading Hispanic-owned media company, will celebrate Father’s Day throughout the month of June with a special edition of its ‘Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series.’ Alejandro Fernandez, Banda MS, Gerardo Ortiz and Christian Nodal will headline the exclusive live audio stream performance series across some
of SBS’s leading radio stations and the LaMusica app.

«Celebrations have become especially meaningful and have played a significant role in keeping us virtually connected throughout the coronavirus pandemic said Alessandra Alarcón. «We’re thrilled to be working with some of the biggest names in Latin music to celebrate fathers, our heroes at home, on the frontlines and in communities across the nation, through their love and passion for music.»

The Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series was created with the goal to entertain and support the Hispanic community, who has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with the live audio stream performance and motivational messages by some of the biggest artists who represent all genres of Latin music. The widely popular series premiered on April 24 with performances by Pitbull and Calibre 50, respectively, and has continued every week with artists such as Maluma, Banda Carnaval, Reik, Natti Natasha and many more. Thousands of fans across the U.S. have been tuning in since its inception via SBS’s leading terrestrial stations and LaMusica app.

«This series is very special to my sister, brother and me because we share an extremely close bond with our father and chairman of SBS, Raul Alarcón,» continued Alessandra. «From our house to yours, we encourage the Hispanic community to join us as we tune in to each performance in June. It will be memorable and full of surprises for dads and the whole family.»

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa Live Music Series June Dates
All concerts will take place at 7 p.m. ET/CDT/PT and will also be streamed on the LaMusica App

ARTIST

MARKET & PARTICIPATING SBS RADIO STATION

Alejandro Fernandez

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

Banda MS

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

Gerardo Ortiz

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

Christian Nodal

Los Angeles – KLAX 97.9 FM; San Francisco – KRZZ 93.3 FM; Chicago – WLEY 107.9 FM

LATIN MUSIC HAPPENS HERE AT SPANISH BROADCASTING SYSTEM

About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. owns and operates 17 radio stations located in the top U.S. Hispanic markets of New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Puerto Rico, airing the Spanish Tropical, Regional Mexican, Spanish Adult Contemporary, Top 40 and Latin Rhythmic format genres. SBS also operates AIRE Radio Networks, a national radio platform which creates, distributes and markets leading Spanish-language radio programming to over 250 affiliated stations reaching 95% of the U.S. Hispanic audience. SBS also owns MegaTV, a television operation with over-the-air, cable and satellite distribution and affiliates throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. SBS also produces live concerts and events and owns multiple bilingual websites, including LaMusica, a mobile app providing content related to Latin music, entertainment, news and culture. For more information, visit us online at www.spanishbroadcasting.com.

MEDIA CONTACT SBS:

Vladimir Gomez
vgomez@sbscorporate.com 
(786) 470-1644

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sbs-entertainment-celebrates-fathers-day-with-a-special-edition-of-mi-casa-es-tu-casa-live-music-series-301061741.html

SOURCE Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc.

Toyota and Discovery Education Announce TeenDrive365 Video Challenge Winners as Part of Digital Learning Program Supporting Students’ Lifelong Safe Driving Habits

PLANO, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) and Discovery Education announced the winners of the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, a national safe-driving public service announcement competition for high school students. From the nearly 1,000 submissions, ten winners were selected, along with 24 state merit prizes and one People’s Choice winner. See all the winners at <a target="_blank"…

PLANO, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) and Discovery Education announced the winners of the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, a national safe-driving public service announcement competition for high school students. From the nearly 1,000 submissions, ten winners were selected, along with 24 state merit prizes and one People’s Choice winner. See all the winners at teendrive365.com

Toyota logo. (PRNewsFoto/Toyota Media Relations)

High school senior Palmer W. from Hillgrove High School in Georgia takes first place for his original video entitled «HEY!» urging peers to keep their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and yield from distractions. The full list of winners are:

  • Grand Prize: Palmer W. for «HEY!» from Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga., receives $15,000 and the chance to work with a Discovery Education film crew to reshoot the winning video as a TV-ready PSA
  • Second place prize: Giselle C. for «Don’t Do What I Did» from Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Ark., receives $10,000
  • Third place prize: Holden B. for «The Three R’s of the Road» from Aptos High School in Aptos, Calif., receives $7,500
  • Fourth to tenth place prizes: Each of the following receives $2,500
    • Isaiah C. for «Look Up» from Great Valley High School in Malvern, Penn.
    • Ethan W. for «Stash it, Stow it, Hide it!» from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas
    • Ethan W. «Driving Mindfully» from Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Mass.
    • Jadin B. for «Distractathon Decathlon» from Bay Port High School in Green Bay, Wis.
    • Grayson Z. for «Cars in the Wild» from Palm Beach Gardens Community High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
    • Lynsey R. For «Stay Focused» from Parkland High School in Allentown, Penn.
    • Ayden P. for «A Lesson from Bud» from Village Tech School in Cedar Hill, Texas
  • People’s Choice prize: Ethan W. for «Stash it, Stow it, Hide it!» from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas, receives an additional $5,000
  • NEW! State Merit prizes: A total of 24 teams of teens across the country receive exclusive prize pack from TeenDrive365

Since 2011, TMNA’s TeenDrive365 Video Challenge has awarded more than a quarter million dollars to high school students across the United States to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Students submit self-directed 30-60 second videos for a panel of judges to vote. The student-created PSAs are published nationally by TMNA, effectively sharing the importance of safe driving to teens and families.

«The TeenDrive365 Video Challenge demonstrates the power of peer role modeling while showcasing creativity through this dynamic project-based learning initiative,» said Lori McFarling, President of Corporate Education Partnerships at Discovery Education. «We’re proud to partner with Toyota to amplify the importance of teen safe driving.»

The TeenDrive365 Video Challenge supplements TeenDrive365, a digital program produced in partnership between Toyota and Discovery Education, offering no-cost digital learning resources empowering educators, families, and teens with life-saving habits. The Toyota TeenDrive365 resources are available at teendrive365.com and through Discovery Education Experience

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.7 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com

About TeenDrive365
TeenDrive365 is a comprehensive program designed by Toyota and Discovery Education to help teens avoid distractions and stay safe behind the wheel. The initiative offers a range of content, tools and resources designed specifically for educators and teens. The program aims to help guide teens through those critical first years behind the wheel, as well as a develop a lifetime of safe driving habits.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.

Contacts
Victor Vanov Toyota Motor North America victor.vanov@toyota.com 
Grace Maliska, Discovery Education, gmaliska@discoveryed.com

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Children Not Immune To Coronavirus; New Study From Pandemic Epicenter Describes Severe COVID-19 Response In Children

NEW YORK, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — While most children infected with the novel coronavirus have mild symptoms, a subset requires hospitalization and a small number require intensive care. A new report from pediatric anesthesiologists, infectious disease specialists and pediatricians at the

NEW YORK, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — While most children infected with the novel coronavirus have mild symptoms, a subset requires hospitalization and a small number require intensive care. A new report from pediatric anesthesiologists, infectious disease specialists and pediatricians at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children hospitalized with COVID-19, during the early days of the pandemic.

Montefiore

Published in the Journal of Pediatrics, the report compares 46 children between one month and 21 years old, who received care either on a general unit, or in the Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) at CHAM. This is the largest single-center study from the United States to date to describe in detail the full spectrum of COVID-19 disease in hospitalized children.

Researchers found that children requiring intensive care had higher levels of inflammation and needed additional breathing support, compared to those who were treated on a general unit. Of the children being cared for in the PCCU, almost 80% had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is more commonly associated with critically ill adult COVID-19 patients, and almost 50% of children with ARDS were placed on ventilators. On average, children in the PCCU stayed in the hospital four days longer than children on the general unit. Researchers at CHAM and Einstein also found that while obesity and/or asthma was highly prevalent in children in this study, these complications did not increase the likelihood that a child would need enhanced levels of care.

«We know that in adults, obesity is a risk factor for more severe disease, however, surprisingly, our study found that children admitted to the intensive care unit did not have a higher prevalence of obesity than those on the general unit,» said lead author Jerry Y. Chao, M.D., M.Sc., pediatric anesthesiologist, CHAM, and assistant professor of anesthesiology, Einstein.

Researchers also found that more than half of the children had no known contact with a COVID-positive person. This may reflect the fact that the virus can be spread by asymptomatic people and COVID-19 may be more prevalent in communities with a high population density.

«Thankfully most children with COVID-19 fare well, and some do not have any symptoms at all, but this research is a sobering reminder that children are not immune to this virus and some do require a higher level of care,» said senior author Shivanand S. Medar, M.D., FAAP., attending physician, Cardiac Intensive Care, CHAM, and assistant professor of pediatrics, Einstein. «These preliminary findings contribute to our understanding of COVID-19 in pediatric patients, but more research is needed to determine how the virus truly impacts children.»

Co-authors of the paper include Kim Derespina, M.D., critical care attending, CHAM, and assistant professor of pediatrics, Einstein; Michael D. Cabana, M.D., M.P.H., Physician-in-Chief at CHAM and The Michael I. Cohen, M.D., University Chair, Department of Pediatrics at Einstein and Montefiore; and Betsy Herold, M.D., chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases and vice chair for research, CHAM and Einstein, and professor of pediatrics, of microbiology & immunology, and of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health, Einstein.

For next steps, the investigators plan to follow the patients and examine their long-term outcomes.

About Montefiore Health System
Montefiore Health System is one of New York’s premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 11 hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and more than 200 outpatient ambulatory care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/675671/Montefiore_Logo.jpg  

SOURCE Montefiore Health System

HITEC Announces 2020 HITEC 50 Recognizing Top Hispanic Technology Leaders In Latin America, Spain and Portugal

CHICAGO, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HITEC, the premier global executive leadership organization of senior-level business and technology executives, announced today the award recipients of the 2020 HITEC 50.

«During these unprecedented times, we are proud to recognize the top 50 technology leaders across the Americas that have contributed to the advancements in their field, which ultimately, allows the world to stay connected,» said Omar Duque,…

CHICAGO, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — HITEC, the premier global executive leadership organization of senior-level business and technology executives, announced today the award recipients of the 2020 HITEC 50.

«During these unprecedented times, we are proud to recognize the top 50 technology leaders across the Americas that have contributed to the advancements in their field, which ultimately, allows the world to stay connected,» said Omar Duque, HITEC President.  «We’re living in a world where physical contact is limited, yet we stay connected across the globe now more than ever and technology has been the driving force providing us this ability of interconnectedness. We are proud to recognize these global technology leaders,» Duque said. 

The HITEC 50 list, highlighted since 2011, is a compilation of the top Hispanic Professionals in Technology across Latin America, Spain and Portugal to celebrate their leadership and achievements. Honorees are evaluated on their accomplishments in the ever-changing global landscape of technology and for their mentoring and professional development activities. 

«The HITEC 50 represents a group of technology leaders that we, as a global community, look to for inspiration, innovation and impact.  It is an honor to recognize and celebrate the HITEC 50 leaders and to showcase HITEC’s global reach throughout Ibero-America,» said Guillermo Diaz, Jr., HITEC Chairman and CEO of Kloudspot, Inc. 

Click here to view the full list of the HITEC 50.

HITEC 50 – Latin America/Ibero-America Objectives:

  • Recognize talented individuals and highlight their achievements.
  • Foster business and professional growth for our members
  • Build and develop strategic business relationships that will encourage growth within the industry globally.

About HITEC:
Founded to increase Hispanic representation in the diversity-challenged technology industry, HITEC, is a premier global executive leadership organization of senior business and technology executives who have built outstanding careers in information technology. HITEC’s premiere network spans the Americas and is focused on building stronger technology and executive leaders, leadership teams, corporations, and role models in a rapidly changing, flatter, and information technology-centric world. These global leaders include executives leading Global 1000 corporations while others lead some of the largest Hispanic-owned technology firms across the Americas. HITEC enables business and professional growth for its members and fills the executive pipeline with the next generation of Hispanic technology leaders.

SOURCE Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council

Money Management International Meets Growing Consumer Demand in Florida, Opens Tampa Office

SUGAR LAND, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Money Management International (MMI), a leader in nonprofit financial education and empowerment, today announced the opening of a location in Tampa, Florida. A bilingual counselor will staff the office at <a target="_blank"…

SUGAR LAND, Texas, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Money Management International (MMI), a leader in nonprofit financial education and empowerment, today announced the opening of a location in Tampa, Florida. A bilingual counselor will staff the office at 100 South Ashley Drive. While services at the branch are temporarily paused due to COVID-19, confidential one-on-one consultations will soon be available by appointment. In the interim, certified experts are available by phone and online 24/7.

Upon counseling 45,000 Floridians since 2015, and helping local debt management clients repay more than $86 million in the same period, MMI is proud to launch a new location in the Tampa Bay area. The announcement is especially timely, as Florida is among the top three states from which MMI is receiving COVID-19-related counseling requests.

«MMI has a strong history in West Central Florida and we are affirming our commitment to the community by providing bilingual services in Downtown Tampa,» said Emanuel Rivero, Director of Counseling at MMI. «Over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant influx of Tampeños navigating a variety of financial challenges. Our physical presence here was a natural next step and will afford us new opportunity to stabilize households and strengthen neighborhoods.»

Florida is a key market for MMI, as more than 500,000 residents accessed the organization’s online resources over the past five years. Additionally, Tampa is a leading region for MMI’s housing counseling activities, with more than 2,000 households seeking mortgage or rental support in 2019 alone.

The nonprofit previously operated as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida & The Florida Gulf Coast (est. 1974) before merging with Clearpoint, a division of MMI, in 2009. MMI maintains another location in Florida, with its award-winning Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence in Miami.

To learn more about the organization’s impact, visit MMI’s 2019 Annual Report.

About MMI 
Money Management International (MMI) is changing the way financial challenges are solved. MMI helps create, restore, and maintain a life of financial wellness through empowered choices. For over 60 years, our clients have achieved financial confidence through nonprofit programs that educate, motivate, and liberate. MMI inspires action by delivering expert professional guidance and timely solutions aligned with our clients’ goals. Experiencing a financial challenge? Find your solution 24/7 at 866.864.8995 and MoneyManagement.org.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Powell, Pierpont Communications 
jpowell@piercom.com 
972-567-3937 

Thomas Nitzsche, Money Management International 
Thomas.Nitzsche@moneymanagement.org
713-394-3290  

 

SOURCE Money Management International

The Home Depot Announces First Quarter Results; Supports Associates with Approximately $850 Million of Expanded Benefits; Suspends 2020 Business Outlook; Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.50 Per Share

ATLANTA, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $28.3 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a 7.1 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were positive 6.4 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. were positive 7.5 percent.

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ATLANTA, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $28.3 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2020, a 7.1 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were positive 6.4 percent, and comparable sales in the U.S. were positive 7.5 percent.

The Home Depot logo.

«As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, we anchored to the core values of our Company by focusing on two key priorities: working to ensure the safety and well-being of our associates and customers, and providing our customers and communities with essential products.  We took early and decisive action to intentionally limit customer traffic in our stores which we believe had a significant impact to sales in many markets,» said Craig Menear, chairman, CEO, and president. «Even with these actions, the robust and flexible interconnected infrastructure that we have invested in for over a decade allowed us to quickly adapt to changing customer preferences and achieve strong sales performance in the quarter.»

In support of these two objectives, the Company took several actions to prioritize safety and enhance associate benefits. To promote a safe environment for associates and customers, the Company implemented a number of operational changes in mid-March, including closing stores earlier to allow more time for sanitation and replenishing of essential products, limiting customer traffic in stores, and canceling traffic-driving events such as Spring Black Friday.

To support its associates during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company took the following actions:

  • Expanded paid time off for all hourly associates with additional hours that can be used at their discretion and will be paid out at year-end if not used;
  • Provided additional paid time off for associates who are 65 and older or deemed to be at higher risk according to CDC guidelines;
  • Provided weekly bonuses for hourly associates in our stores and distribution centers, and doubled overtime pay; and
  • Extended dependent care benefits and waived related co-pays.

As a result of the actions taken to support our associates, the Company incurred a total of approximately $850 million of pre-tax expense, or approximately $640 million after tax, equaling $0.60 per diluted share.

Net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $2.2 billion, or $2.08 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $2.5 billion, or $2.27 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2019.  For the first quarter of fiscal 2020, diluted earnings per share decreased 8.4 percent from the same period in the prior year.

«I want to thank our associates and express how grateful and proud I am of the resilience and strength that our teams have demonstrated as we navigate these extraordinary circumstances together,» said Menear.

Fiscal 2020 Guidance

While sales trends were strong at the end of the first quarter and into the first two weeks of the second quarter, as a result of the uncertainty related to the duration of COVID-19 and its impact on the broader economy, the Company is suspending its previously communicated fiscal 2020 guidance.

Dividend Declaration

The Company today announced that its board of directors declared a first quarter cash dividend of $1.50 per share. The dividend is payable on June 18, 2020, to shareholders of record on the close of business on June 4, 2020. This is the 133rd consecutive quarter the Company has paid a cash dividend.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at ir.homedepot.com/events-and-presentations.

At the end of the first quarter, the Company operated a total of 2,293 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs more than 400,000 associates. The Home Depot’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

Certain statements contained herein constitute «forward-looking statements» as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, the impact on our business, operations and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic (which, among other things, may affect many of the items listed below); the demand for our products and services; net sales growth; comparable sales; effects of competition; implementation of store, interconnected retail, supply chain and technology initiatives; inventory and in-stock positions; state of the economy; state of the housing and home improvement markets; state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit; impact of tariffs; issues related to the payment methods we accept; demand for credit offerings; management of relationships with our associates, suppliers and vendors; international trade disputes, natural disasters, public health issues (including pandemics and related quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and similar restrictions), and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products or services; continuation of share repurchase programs; net earnings performance; earnings per share; dividend targets; capital allocation and expenditures; liquidity; return on invested capital; expense leverage; stock-based compensation expense; commodity price inflation and deflation; the ability to issue debt on terms and at rates acceptable to us; the impact and expected outcome of investigations, inquiries, claims and litigation; the effect of accounting charges; the effect of adopting certain accounting standards; the impact of regulatory changes; store openings and closures; guidance for fiscal 2020 and beyond; financial outlook; and the integration of acquired companies into our organization and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of those acquisitions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information and our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to future events, risks and uncertainties – many of which are beyond our control, dependent on the actions of third parties, or are currently unknown to us – as well as potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A, «Risk Factors,» and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended February 2, 2020 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

in millions, except per share data

May 3,
2020

May 5,
2019

% Change

Net sales

$

28,260

$

26,381

7.1

%

Cost of sales

18,635

17,364

7.3

Gross profit

9,625

9,017

6.7

Operating expenses:

Selling, general and administrative

5,829

4,940

18.0

Depreciation and amortization

520

480

8.3

  Total operating expenses

6,349

5,420

17.1

Operating income

3,276

3,597

(8.9)

Interest and other (income) expense:

Interest and investment income

(17)

(15)

13.3

Interest expense

324

288

12.5

  Interest and other, net

307

273

12.5

Earnings before provision for income taxes

2,969

3,324

(10.7)

Provision for income taxes

724

811

(10.7)

Net earnings

$

2,245

$

2,513

(10.7)

%

Basic weighted average common shares

1,073

1,101

(2.5)

%

Basic earnings per share

$

2.09

$

2.28

(8.3)

Diluted weighted average common shares

1,077

1,106

(2.6)

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

2.08

$

2.27

(8.4)

Three Months Ended

Selected Sales Data (1)

May 3,
2020

May 5,
2019

% Change

Customer transactions (in millions)

374.8

390.0

(3.9)

%

Average ticket

$

74.70

$

67.31

11.0

Sales per retail square foot

$

466.58

$

435.18

7.2

—————

(1)    Selected Sales Data does not include results for the legacy Interline Brands business, now operating as a part of The Home Depot Pro.

 

 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

in millions

May 3,
2020

May 5,
2019

February 2,
2020

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

8,696

$

1,882

$

2,133

Receivables, net

2,610

2,317

2,106

Merchandise inventories

14,989

15,495

14,531

Other current assets

982

859

1,040

Total current assets

27,277

20,553

19,810

Net property and equipment

22,697

22,270

22,770

Operating lease right-of-use assets

5,634

5,629

5,595

Goodwill

2,220

2,250

2,254

Other assets

909

813

807

Total assets

$

58,737

$

51,515

$

51,236

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Short-term debt

$

$

372

$

974

Accounts payable

10,056

10,311

7,787

Accrued salaries and related expenses

1,974

1,418

1,494

Current installments of long-term debt

4,200

1,084

1,839

Current operating lease liabilities

853

793

828

Other current liabilities

6,265

5,695

5,453

Total current liabilities

23,348

19,673

18,375

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

31,622

26,804

28,670

Long-term operating lease liabilities

5,075

5,145

5,066

Other liabilities

2,182

2,036

2,241

Total liabilities

62,227

53,658

54,352

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

(3,490)

(2,143)

(3,116)

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

58,737

$

51,515

$

51,236

 

 

THE HOME DEPOT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

in millions

May 3,
2020

May 5,
2019

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

Net earnings

$

2,245

$

2,513

Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

607

547

Stock-based compensation expense

88

86

Changes in working capital

2,834

1,471

Changes in deferred income taxes

(68)

5

Other operating activities

31

91

  Net cash provided by operating activities

5,737

4,713

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures

(586)

(681)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

8

6

Other investing activities

(13)

  Net cash used in investing activities

(578)

(688)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Repayments of short-term debt, net

(974)

(967)

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discounts and premiums

4,960

Repayments of long-term debt

(27)

(15)

Repurchases of common stock

(791)

(1,368)

Proceeds from sales of common stock

18

34

Cash dividends

(1,611)

(1,499)

Other financing activities

(125)

(98)

  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

1,450

(3,913)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

6,609

112

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(46)

(8)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

2,133

1,778

  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

8,696

$

1,882

—————

Note: Effective February 3, 2020, we reclassified cash flows relating to book overdrafts from financing to operating activities for all periods presented on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The amounts of these reclassifications were not material.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/118058/the_home_depot_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Home Depot

Sony/ATV Music Publishing Wins BMI Latin Publisher of the Year Award

NEW YORK, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Sony/ATV Music Publishing announced that for the fifth year in a row, it has won BMI’s Latin Publisher of the Year Award. This distinguished honor was recognized virtually for BMI 27th annual Latin Awards, which celebrate the top songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed Spanish-language songs in the United States.

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NEW YORK, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Sony/ATV Music Publishing announced that for the fifth year in a row, it has won BMI’s Latin Publisher of the Year Award. This distinguished honor was recognized virtually for BMI 27th annual Latin Awards, which celebrate the top songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed Spanish-language songs in the United States.

Sony/ATV secured this year’s prestigious award at BMI with 16 of the most-performed songs including «Ambiente,» «Amigos Con Derechos,» «Clandestino,» «El Préstamo,» «Estamos Bien,» «Krippy Kush,» «No Es Justo» and «Reggaeton» to name a few. Additionally, BMI announced that Sony/ATV songwriters Wisin Y Yandel will be honored with its coveted President’s Award at next year’s awards show.

Jorge Mejia, Sony/ATV President & CEO, Latin America and U.S. Latin stated, «Thank you so much to BMI, we are thrilled to receive this honor. Congratulations to our songwriters – thank you for continuing to believe in magic and for continuing to write songs, this award is really yours. Finally, thank you to our amazing Sony/ATV Latin team, for continuing to take care of the dreams that our songwriters have entrusted to us. Congratulations to all!»

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sonyatv-music-publishing-wins-bmi-latin-publisher-of-the-year-award-301061099.html

SOURCE Sony/ATV