Categoría: Aaron Sanchez

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

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 Bank, a leading West Coast bank.  

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

©2020 MUFG Union Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Union Bank is a registered trademark and brand name of MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

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

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.

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

­­

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

CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Condé Nast Traveler announced today that Chicago was voted the best large city in the United States in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Chicago was first voted «Best Large City» in 2017, repeating the selection in 2018, 2019 and has now won for a fourth year in a row for 2020, a first in the history of the category.

«This never-before-seen, four-time accomplishment is truly a testament to the resilience and rich diversity of our City,» said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. «Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has presented, our communities and businesses found innovative ways to strengthen our recovery efforts while still giving residents and visitors access to all our great City has to offer. I want to thank the entire team at Condé Nast Traveler and its readers for honoring Chicago with this award for yet another year and I look forward to safely welcoming people from near and far as we continue to reopen.»

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 participated in the voting period from April through June, submitting tens of thousands of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where they travel and what they enjoy.

«This validates the great momentum and tourism growth we’ve seen pre-COVID, the authenticity and allure of Chicago’s dynamic tourism and hospitality community that is second to none, and Choose Chicago’s sustained focus on elevating the city’s value proposition to both business and leisure travelers,» said Glenn Eden, chair of Choose Chicago’s Board of Directors.  «It also shows that we have a very endearing popularity with this group of seasoned travelers and continue to check all of the boxes for what matters most to them when visiting a big city.  I couldn’t be more proud of this unprecedented acknowledgement and its reassurance that people will continue to come back as the city continues to reopen in a safe and responsible way.»

The award comes as Chicago and the city’s partners are reimagining what it means to travel and convene. In these unusual times, the trust that visitors place in a destination when they choose to book a trip is the greatest vote of confidence. This year, the voices of Condé Nast Traveler’s readers are more important than ever, because they are a reflection of what they value most out of their travel experiences.

«For Chicago to be voted as best big city to visit by the savvy and knowledgeable readers of Condé Nast Traveler is in itself significant, not to mention the incredible honor of four consecutive years,» said David Whitaker, President & CEO of Choose Chicago. «We have seen these past few months how much people miss traveling, and this recognition simply reinforces how vitally important the connection between travelers and their destinations is and the incredible potential Chicago offers. As we welcome visitors back, it is even more important that we welcome them back responsibly; all the while sharing with them the experiences that have resulted in achieving this recognition the past four years.»

In spite of the challenges 2020 has presented to date, the city and its partners united earlier this year to continue offering visitors a fulfilling experience. This past spring, Choose Chicago launched Tourism & Hospitality Forward, an initiative to spur the city’s tourism industry and a broader economic recovery.

This alliance of over 250 local tourism, hospitality, meeting and event-related organizations worked together to establish best practices and safety measures for the health and safety of residents, visitors and business travelers alike in advance of the phased reopening of cultural institutions, hotels, attractions and restaurants at the start of the summer.

About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city and its member business community. Follow @ChooseChicago on Twitter and on Instagram @choosechicago. Like us on Facebook. For more, visit www.choosechicago.com.  #ChicagoHome | #Only1Chicago

About Condé 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. @cntraveler | #RCA2020

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1307363/Choose_Chicago_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Choose Chicago

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Ad Council, the American Medical Association (AMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation today announced a new campaign, No One Has Time for Flu, to encourage Americans to get vaccinated against flu. In any given season, as many as 45 million Americans get sick with influenza and as many as 810,000 are hospitalized. The campaign will inspire more people to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves, their families and their communities—which will also help conserve medical resources as hospitals and doctors continue to care for COVID-19 patients.

AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD, said:
«The flu vaccine is a safe, effective step that physicians and public health experts recommend to protect patients and their loved ones from getting sick with influenza. The potential impact of a bad flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic could place added burden on medical resources, which is why we are teaming up to urge all people to get a flu vaccine this fall and thereby help prevent seasonal influenza infections.»

CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, said:
«As Americans spend more time indoors in the fall and winter, the risk of flu and COVID-19 will rise. We can help take flu out of that equation by getting people vaccinated. We are focusing our efforts especially on communities of color, which bear a disproportionate burden in terms of serious flu illness, and which continue to experience disparities in flu vaccination coverage. I urge the American public to embrace flu vaccination to help protect themselves, their families and their communities. Simply put, flu vaccine can save lives.»

The No One Has Time for Flu will run nationwide throughout the 2020-2021 flu season, with a particular emphasis on engaging with Black and Latinx/Hispanic communities. Longstanding inequities that put undue burden and barriers on these communities have resulted in flu vaccine coverage disparities and disproportionate impacts of flu.

• According to CDC data, in the 2019-20 flu season, Latinx/Hispanic adults had the lowest flu vaccination coverage (38.3%), with  non-Hispanic Black adults next lowest (41.2%).  Non-Hispanic white adults had the highest flu vaccination coverage (52.8%).
• A new CDC analysis of 10 flu seasons from 2009-2019, when adjusted for age, showed that Black persons had the highest flu hospitalization rates (68 per 100,000) compared to Latinx/Hispanic persons (44 per 100,000) and white persons (38 per 100,000).

Additionally, a July 2020 survey by the Ad Council revealed that 40% of Black respondents and 39% of Latinx/Hispanic respondents were undecided about getting a flu vaccine this season, compared to only 24% of non-Hispanic white respondents. 

Ad Council President and CEO Lisa Sherman said:
«Although there are many factors that can contribute to hesitation about getting a flu vaccine, our research revealed that a key barrier is that many people don’t see a need for it. Our campaign will challenge that mindset by showing how getting a flu shot is one simple way we can protect ourselves and our families—a goal that has taken on new urgency amid the pandemic.»

The No One Has Time for Flu ads were created pro bono by advertising agency fluent360 and will appear in print, TV, radio, social media, out-of-home and digital formats nationwide in time and space donated by the media. Inspired by the insight that people are motivated by caring for their loved ones, and that many are juggling more responsibilities than ever this year, the campaign illustrates how getting sick with flu doesn’t just mean feeling ill—it could significantly disrupt the lives of individuals and their families.

fluent360 Executive Creative Director Jose Suaste said:
«I’m extremely pleased that we not only created something that benefits the multicultural community, but that we were also able to approach this subject with a fresh perspective and hone in on what people truly value: time and their loved ones.»

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older (with rare exceptions) get a flu vaccine each year—ideally before the end of October, when flu isn’t yet spreading in most parts of the country. Each year, the CDC and AMA undertake a range of efforts to increase the number of people who receive a flu vaccine, and this season that includes working with doctor’s offices and pharmacies to take steps to ensure vaccines can be provided safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign ads direct audiences to GetMyFluShot.org for more information, including where to get a flu vaccine in their area.

About the AMA
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.

About the Ad Council 
The Ad Council is where creativity and causes converge. The non-profit organization brings together the most creative minds in advertising, media, technology and marketing to address many of the nation’s most important causes. The Ad Council has created many of the most iconic campaigns in advertising history. Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. Smokey Bear. Love Has No Labels.

The Ad Council’s innovative social good campaigns raise awareness, inspire action and save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org, follow the Ad Council’s communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.

About fluent360
fluent360 unfolds the power of cultural influence for leading brands. We deliver outstanding creative solutions with a truly diverse team of specialists, wide cultural competency, and a work portfolio representing the major segments in the multicultural marketplace. Equal parts integrated marketing and cultural hub, we are the foremost experts in culture, and connecting brands to it. A multi-talented, multicultural agency, we offer a full spectrum of communication services from our Chicago, Nashville and NYC offices. Learn more at fluent360.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1307817/No_One_Has_Time_for_Flu.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/748305/Ad_Council_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The Ad Council

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today launched its ‘Mazda Heroes: Honoring The Human Spirit’ program (Mazda Heroes). The initiative aims to place a spotlight on individuals across the country who have selflessly dedicated themselves to their communities throughout 2020. Through Mazda Heroes, MNAO will select 50 deserving people and provide each hero with a special part of its history, a Mazda MX-5 Miata 100th Anniversary Special Edition.

«This year marks Mazda’s 100th Anniversary. We had hoped this time would be filled with moments of celebration and appreciation for our fans, employees and partners. But given the many tragic events of 2020, we decided to express, in another way, our brand’s unique heritage of trying to make things better,» MNAO President Jeff Guyton said. «In April, we launched our Essential Car Care Program to give free oil changes and car cleaning to healthcare workers across the U.S. Throughout this initiative we heard how grateful our dealers and employees were to be in service to those selflessly giving back every day. This inspired us to develop the Mazda Heroes program, which will honor individuals supporting communities and share their stories in a moment when people desire inspiration in their lives.»

From teachers going the extra mile to enhance distance learning, to community members sourcing PPE for others, there are countless examples of people across the country going above and beyond to support others without expecting anything in return. Mazda wants to honor these important acts of kindness, resilience and empathy. Stories can be submitted now through Oct. 25 at www.MazdaUSA.com/mazda-heroes for a chance to be honored as a Mazda Hero. Fifty individuals will be selected based on their demonstrated selfless acts, creative approaches, and contributions to community. Honorees will be announced beginning Dec. 2.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1306669/Mazda_North_American_Operations_100th_Anniversary_Edition_Series_MX_5.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1306670/MazdaHeroes_GettyImages_1.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1306671/MazdaHeroes_GettyImages_2.jpg

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1306672/MazdaHeroes_GettyImages_4.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/53154/mazda_north_american_operations_logo.jpg

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations