CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 24, 2013: The countdown is on to the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now forum, the definitive Caribbean investment meeting and the most promoted item on the Caribbean Week calendar, set for June 5^th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Martinique, 49 West 32nd Street at Broadway in New York City.

With over 1,000 media placements already including on the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Bloomberg and Reuters, the conference remains true to its goal of matching international financial influencers with government officials and policy makers from “Paradise,” the last emerging market on earth.

Speakers and panelists confirmed for ICN 2013 are:

Anthony Eterno, U.S. State Department

Dr. Rufus Ewing, Premier Turks & Caicos Islands, (TCI)

Washington Misick, Finance Minister, Turks & Caicos Islands

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO) and Commissioner Tourism, USVI

Alan Lowenstein, managing director, Wedgewood Investment Group

E.Jay Saunders, CEO, Digicel TCI

Heather Floissac, managing director, Belle Vue Properties Ltd

Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television

Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International

Miguel Reyna, director, port business development and asset management, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Dr. Grace Lappin, managing director, Avalon Partners

Xiaoguang Liu, consul in charge of economic & commercial affairs of the Consulate General of China in New York

Jianxin Lin, president of American Chinese Commerce Development Association, (ACCDA)

Li Li, managing director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, (CABDC)

Ganesh Ramanathan, creative director, Hard Beat Communications

Felicia Persaud, CMO, Hard Beat Communications.

Government attendees will include:

John Percy de Jongh, Jr,   Governor, US Virgin Islands

Hubert Hughes, Chief Minister, Anguilla

Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs, St. Kitts

Lorne Theophilus, Minister Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia

Stephen Cadiz, Minister Tourism, Trinidad & Tobago

Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago

Mark Brantley, Minister Tourism, Nevis

Nicolaas Sneek, Commissioner St. Eustatius

Hugh Riley, secretary general, Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO).

Private sector representatives will include senior executives from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Nomura, CIBC World Capital, Ibis Investments, Aegis Capital, Portfolio Credit Management Limited, DHL, Marriott International, Spackman Capital, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Ltd., One Caribbean Television, Avalon Partners, Digicel, TCI, Scotiabank TCI and Sun Realty among others.

A VIP only reception for sponsors, speakers, panelists and special guests will precede the forum on June 4^th at the Yale Club and will be sponsored by The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency.

Tickets at US$185 are available only through May 24^th for the June 5^th forum at http://investcaribbeannow.com/registration/

The coveted 2013 ICN Leadership Award will be presented to Royal Caribbean International.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York.

ICN 2013 is sponsored by marquee sponsor Avalon Partners; gold sponsors, The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd; bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television and supporting sponsors, The Chinese American Business Development Center, the American Chinese Commerce Development Association and No-Jet-Lag.

2013 media partners are: The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter , The Bahamas Weekly and Bahamas Local.

NECKER ISLAND, British Virgin Islands, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – In a joint effort to safeguard and bolster the Caribbean region’s tourism-dependent economy, fifteen Caribbean governments and seventeen corporations met on Necker Island, home of Sir Richard Branson, in the British Virgin Islands this weekend and committed approximately $64 million USD to preserve and protect the region’s marine and coastal environment, and accelerate efforts to transition to renewable energy.

“Protecting and harnessing the natural world is the greatest opportunity of our lifetimes,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder and Chairman of the Virgin Group. “We can’t have much economic growth without a healthy Caribbean environment, and we can’t have a healthy Caribbean environment without healthy economic development. Solving the energy challenge and marine conservation challenge in the Caribbean go hand-in-hand.”

The event, launching the second phase of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI), was co-hosted by the Prime Minister of Grenada, Premier of the British Virgin Islands, and Sir Richard Branson.  The event’s sponsoring partner was Tiffany & Co. Foundation, and the event was organized by The Nature Conservancy, with support from Virgin Unite, the non-profit entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group, and the Carbon War Room.

“We are honored to be part of such a historic event, and we applaud our fellow Caribbean nations participating in this Summit,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honourable Keith C. Mitchell of Grenada. “We are charting a path for future generations, stressing the importance of conservation throughout the region.”

“Governments and their people, companies and their consumers, and local communities all must work together to protect this beautiful region,” said Glenn Prickett, Chief External Affairs Officer for The Nature Conservancy. “This event has demonstrated that no longer is protecting nature viewed as a luxury, it is critical to the success of the region’s economy.”

Commitments announced at the Summit by individual governments to support these efforts included the establishment of a national trust fund to protect biodiversity in The Bahamas; adoption of a Protected Areas System Plan to protect 33 percent of marine and coastal environments in the British Virgin Islands; the establishment of 14 fish sanctuaries in Jamaica; a commitment to double the number of protected areas in Puerto Rico; Grenada’s reaffirmation to protect 25 percent of its marine and coastal environment; and Belize’s commitment to protect 30 percent of its marine and coastal environments with over 10 designated as no-take fishing zones.

In addition to these commitments, Defend Paradise, a campaign designed to generate funding for marine conservation in the Caribbean and raise consumer awareness of the marine environment was launched.

Access the full press release, video footage from the Caribbean Summit and photos.

May 20^th, 2013

News Release

Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, INC.

CaribPR Wire, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Mon. May 20, 2013: The 3^rd annual Caribbean Investment Forum, (CIF), takes place on June 10^th and 11^th, 2013 with an exciting line up of local, regional and international speakers, headlining with Ben Cohen, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, INC.

Ben is the part of the duo which has helped to build a store-front venture into a $300 million ice-cream empire by making social responsibility and creative management, strengths instead of weaknesses. His business plan has been featured in his 2007 book “Values-Driven Business: How to Change the World, Make Money, and Have Fun” and explores the road map for starting a successful business. Ben has maintained that successful businesses can be environmentally and socially conscious and uses real-life examples in his book to show how “triple bottom line” practices-profits, people and planet, have helped businesses thrive.

The Ben & Jerry’s community –oriented approach to business where by good will, good times and good ice-cream are shared, will come to life at CIF 2013. Today a model for business success Ben and Jerry have been recognized for fostering their company’s commitment to social responsibility.

Ben’s presentation will deliver a rousing tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit, full of anecdotes and focusing on the importance of bringing social responsibility to the business world.

Ben Cohen will speak at the Opening Plenary of the Caribbean Investment Forum on June 10th, 2013, with a presentation titled: “Ben & Jerry’s Homemade – A Radical Business Philosophy,” and on Tuesday June 11th, 2013, he will share “The Ben & Jerry’s Story.”

Caribbean Investment Forum is an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment (MTII) and presented by invesTT, the investment promotion agency of Trinidad and Tobago. CIF takes place on June 10th and 11th 2013 at the Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre and will feature sessions on industries targeted for growth inclusive of Maritime, Agribusiness, Tourism, Business Process Outsourcing, ICT, Creative Industries and Energy.

Trinidad & Tobago’s Trade, Industry & Investment Minister, Vasant Bharath, second from right, chats with (l to r): President of InvesTT , Kelvin Mahabir,; TIC Chairman, Anthony Aboud, and Managing Director Full Circle Animation, Jason Lindsay, during the formal launch of the Caribbean Investment Forum held at the Hyatt Hotel on May 14, 2013. (PHOTO: SHIRLEY BAHADUR)

CaribPR Wire, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Tues. May 14, 2013: The 3^rd annual Caribbean Investment Forum, (CIF), an initiative of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, (MTII), and presented by invesTT, was launched today at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain. CIF 2013 will take place on June 10^th and 11^th at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre and is expected to deliver two impactful days of high level discussions on investment opportunities in the Caribbean.

Emphasizing the forum’s mandate to attract potential investors was feature speaker Senator the Honourable Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment. The Honourable Minister noted that meticulous planning was involved in the staging of CIF 2013 with the aim to not only bring investors to Trinidad and Tobago but to keep these investors here.

According to Mr. Kelvin Mahabir, president of invesTT, “As a platform for face to face discussion, Caribbean businessmen and industry experts have the opportunity to showcase the competitive advantages that their businesses and countries have to offer to the potential investor. It is an avenue for direct engagement of international counterparts and a direct link to new projects and investment profiles.”

CIF 2013 will build on the success of last year’s forum which welcomed more than 500 business persons and over 60 international, local and regional speakers to Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to develop industries with the potential for growth.

The targeted industries which will be the focus of parallel and plenary sessions at CIF 2013 include Maritime, Agribusiness, Tourism, Business Process Outsourcing, ICT, Creative Industries and Energy. The presentations will surround the 2013 theme: “Caribbean Competitiveness- The nexus of Innovation & Entrepreneurship” and will provide real and imminent examples of opportunities for development and growth. Leading the cadre of international speakers will be Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry Homemade Inc. who will present on successful business models.

The launch also served as an opportunity to highlight successful outcomes of CIF 2012, with a presentation by Mr. Jason Lindsay, Managing Director of Full Circle Animation. The animation sub-sector of the Creative Industries has benefited from the CIF model and is poised for further growth with the announcement of an animation incubator project which was recently established. This seeks to develop pilot projects of independent animators and the animation industry within Trinidad and Tobago and will be elaborated further at CIF 2013 during the parallel session on the Film Industry.

Foreign participation and potential investors are expected from the US, CARICOM, Canada, UK, Poland, United Emirates, India, Korea, Ghana, South Africa, and in Latin America-Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela.

Caribbean Investment Forum is the first event in a packed week of business activity in Trinidad and Tobago, and is followed by the Trade and Investment Convention (TIC). CIF 2013 is presented by invesTT, Trinidad and Tobago’s investment promotion agency.

Acquisition Accelerates Growth Strategy

NEW ORLEANS, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas, today announced financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2012.

Revenues grew 19 percent to $560 million, while pre-tax operating earnings were down 27 percent to close the year at $25.6 million as a result of one-time acquisition-related charges of $19 million.  Excluding these charges pre-tax operating income increased by 13 percent.  Revenue gains were primarily attributable to growth in the Latin American markets where PALIG operates and the acquisition of MetLife Algico/Alico assets in the Caribbean, Panama and Costa Rica.   Net income for the year was $46 million compared to $32 million in 2011, reflecting strong operating results in all segments and one-time adjustments such as increased acquisition expenses, investment gains and the impact of M&A activity during the year.

“This was a milestone year for Pan-American Life and we’re beginning 2013 in an excellent financial position,” said Jose S. Suquet, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group. “This year we’ve been successful in continuing to execute our core strategy by expanding our operations in growth markets, while maintaining conservative financial management and a prudent risk profile.  Our improved revenue and operating earnings reflect our continued focus on execution exemplified by the acquisition of certain MetLife operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the initial realization of value in markets such as Costa Rica and our continued investment in promising opportunities, such as Mexico and the Private Client Major Medical business.”

In addition to the MetLife acquisition and the opening of Pan-American Life’s Mexico office, the company also launched several new products in 2012, including LifeAccess, a competitive universal life product in Latin America and PanaBridge Advantage in the United States to capitalize on the supplementary health insurance market.

During the last six months of 2012, PALIG closed its acquisition on select businesses and assets from MetLife’s Alico/Algico units in the Caribbean, Panama and Costa Rica, providing the company with additional scale in its life and health segments and expansion into 13 new markets.  Operating results of MetLife businesses acquired by PALIG are included in the company’s 2012 consolidated financial statements.  2013 financial statements will reflect full year impact of these operations.

“The MetLife acquisition advances Pan-American Life Insurance Group’s strategy to become one of the leading life and health insurance providers in the Americas,” added Mr. Suquet. “This purchase enhances PALIG’s financial strength and expands our size and geographic footprint, and makes our high quality services available to customers in the Caribbean.”

“The acquisition adds 36 percent to our asset base, which now stands at more than $3 billion, increases our statutory gross earned premium by 42 percent to more than $685 million, more than doubles the number of countries in which we offer products to 22, and increase the number of insured lives by 54 percent to more than 1 million,” said Mr. Suquet. “The added scale, financial strength, depth of product offerings and added expertise offers PALIG the opportunity to continue to meet our growth objectives and become the preferred provider in all the markets in which we compete.”

PALIG’s financial strength and stability continue to be recognized within the industry. Earlier in 2012, Fitch Ratings and A.M Best reaffirmed Pan-American Life’s ratings with ‘A’ Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating and Stable Outlook.

2012 financial and sales highlights follow:

2012 Financial Highlights

• Total Assets: $3.0 billion
• Total Equity: $600 million
• Net Income: $46 million
• Total Revenues: $560 million

2012 Sales Highlights

• Overall sales in 2012 increased 15 percent
• Global Life showed a 9 percent increase
• International Group increased 28 percent
• Domestic Markets showed a 7 percent increase

About Pan-American Life

The Pan-American Life Insurance Group is a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas. New Orleans-based Pan-American Life Insurance Company, the Group’s flagship member, has been delivering trusted financial services since 1911, employing more than 1,300 worldwide, providing top-rated life and health insurance, employee benefits and financial services in 47 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Group’s member companies offer individual and/or group life and health insurance throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group has branches and affiliates in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and 15 Caribbean markets, including Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago. For more information, visit the Pan-American Life Web site at palig.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. May 13, 2013: The Obama administration is sending a representative to Invest Caribbean Now this June, as the Caribbean Diaspora in the U.S. gears up for Caribbean American Heritage Month and Caribbean Week in New York.

Anthony Eterno, of the U.S. State Department’s Office of Caribbean Affairs, Western Hemisphere division, will attend the June 5^th forum in New York City and speak on the US’ views on trade and investment in the Caribbean.

Eterno is a 15-year veteran diplomat with the Department who has worked in the Caribbean for close to two years and whose expertise includes economic affairs.

Invest Caribbean Now is organized annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, during Caribbean Week in New York. This year it is being presented by marquee sponsor, Avalon Partners in conjunction with The Turks & Caicos Islands Investment Agency and One Caribbean Television.

This year the event is set for the Radisson Martinique hotel in New York City from 7:30- to 11:30 a.m. and will be preceded by an invitation only reception at The Yale Club on June 4^th.

Other speakers will include Alan Lowenstein of Wedgewood Investment Group; Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Dr. Rufus Ewing; Finance Minister of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Washington Misick and panellists on Development Tourism as well as on China and the Caribbean.

Government attendees will include Governor of the US Virgin Islands, John Percy de Jongh, Jr; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes; Chairman of the CTO and Commissioner of Tourism For the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Lorne Theophilus, Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia; Stephen Cadiz, Minister of Tourism, Trinidad &  Tobago; Orville London, Sec. of the House of Assembly, Tobago; Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation – Tobago and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Hugh Riley. Private sector reps will come from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Nomura, CIBC World Capital, Ibis Investments, Aegis Capital, Portfolio Credit Management Limited, DHL, Marriott International, Spackman Capital, the Lugano Group, Damoola, One Caribbean Television, Avalon Partners, Digicel, TCI and Scotiabank TCI.

Only a few tickets at $185 each are still available for the June 5th forum at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Supplementary information on the event can be found on the event’s pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/invest.caribbean and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib

TAMPA, Fla., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – The following statement is being issued by the United States Department of Justice:

Persons who lost money from investments in companies operated by David A. Smith, doing business as Overseas Locket International Corporation (”OLINT”), and related companies may be eligible to receive compensation from the United States Government.

Smith claimed that the companies were private investment clubs that purportedly traded in foreign currency on investors’ behalf. Smith made false and fraudulent statements indicating that members could expect high returns on their investment with low risk to principal. Rather than investing the funds as promised, Smith used them for personal gain and paid returns using new investors’ money, in a classic Ponzi scheme.

Smith was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in September 2011 on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering, in the case of United States v. David A. Smith, No. 6:10-cr-232-35DAB (M.D. Fla.). As part of his criminal sentence, Smith was ordered to forfeit assets seized by federal authorities.

The forfeited funds will be returned to victims of the scheme through a process called Remission. To be considered for Remission, a Petition for Remission Form must be submitted to the Remission Administrator. A copy of the Petition Form can be obtained from the Remission Administrator’s website: www.gilardi.com/DSmithRemissionFund. The Petition Form must include evidence of relevant investments and returns, including copies of all required supporting documentation.

Persons needing assistance in completing the Petition Form or with questions about the Remission Fund may call 1-877-281-4446; or send an email to classact@gilardi.com; or visit the Remission website at www.gilardi.com/DSmithRemissionFund.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 3, 2013: The deadline for exhibitors and advertisers to sign up for the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013 forum is drawing to a close and so is the opportunity to reach and do business with almost a dozen Caribbean governments, investors and high net worth delegates.

Invest Caribbean Now, (ICN), which is presented annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization, (CTO), and digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications during Caribbean Week in New York and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States, is set for June 5^th from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Radisson Martinique Hotel, 49 West 32 Street in New York City. An invitation only VIP reception at The Yale Club, presented by The Government of The Turks & Caicos Islands, will precede the event on June 4th.

The definitive Caribbean investment forum, will feature a United Nations-type “general assembly” of ministers from about a dozen nations from the Caribbean, including a delegation from the Turks & Caicos Islands led by Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing Finance Minister and Washington Misick; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, International Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs St. Kitts, Ricky Skerritt; Chief Minister of Anguilla, Hubert Hughes; Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, St. Lucia, Lorne Theophilus; Chairman of the CTO and Commissioner of Tourism for the USVI, Beverly Nicholson Doty and Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary, Division of Tourism and Transportation of Tobago, among others.

Only six exhibitor table spots are available and four ad spots remain in the 2013 Program Directory. Interested companies can email Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com before May 7^th to sign up or get more information at http://investcaribbeannow.com/partnership-options/

Speakers will include Alan Loewenstein of Wedgewood Capital; Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing and Minister Washington Misick of the Turks & Caicos Islands; Sun Guoxiang, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York City; Chair of the CTO, Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Brian Lilly, CEO of Lilly Broadcasting and One Caribbean Television, Ganesh Ramanathan of Hard Beat Communications, and Grace Lappin of Avalon Partners.

Tickets for the June 5th forum are now $185 and only a few remain at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Invest Caribbean Now is the most promoted event on the Caribbean Week in New York calendar, with over 200 media placements to date in the US, Caribbean and Latin American media and advertising via 30 media partners – on television, on radio and the web.

ICN 2013 is made possible with sponsorship dollars from marquee sponsor Avalon Partners, gold and reception sponsor, The Government of the Turks & Caicos Islands; and bronze sponsor, One Caribbean Television.

CaribPR Wire, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Weds. May 1, 2013: Latin American buyer attendance at The Trade & Investment Convention is on the upswing for 2013, as Argentina, Brazil and the Dominican Republic have made commitments to bring delegations from leading businesses from their countries to conduct trade on the showroom floor.

Buyers, (businesses seeking suppliers of goods and services from exhibitors on the tradeshow floor), are also registered from Poland, Panama, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Belize, Canada, the United States of America, Curaçao, the UK, Saint Maarten, Peru, Venezuela and as far afield as the United Arab Emirates.

Representatives from these countries will include distributors, exporters, importers, manufacturers and service providers interested in several local sectors such as agriculture, construction, energy, paper and printing, packing and labeling and food and beverage.

According to Anthony Aboud, Executive Chairman of TIC: “TIC has always received tremendous support from our local manufacturers and businesses and so it is even more rewarding to know our foreign counterparts understand that for anyone serious about doing business in T&T, TIC is the place to be.”

Hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, the Trade & Investment Convention, (TIC), will celebrate its Fourteenth Anniversary from June 12th – 15th, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

One of the largest and most influential business-to-business events in the region, TIC is focused on business networking and trade, and includes a tradeshow, business to business matchmaking, a business education programme and multiple networking events.

TIC is sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, First Citizens and the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago.

For more information on TIC please contact:

Ms. Natasha Brown

Email: ticbuyers@ttma.com

Tel: (868) 675-8862 ext. 227

Fax: (868) 675-9000

Delegates at ICN 2012. (Sharon Bennett image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 26, 2013: Invest Caribbean Now officials are urging all Caribbean nationals and friends of the Caribbean to assist those who suffered from the Boston terror bombing on April 15th.

Felicia Persaud, the organizer of Invest Caribbean Now, said everyone should put the victims of the attack and Boston first. Invest Caribbean Now, while still seeking support for its next event, took time to make a donation to the Boston Fund. Persaud urges everyone involved to do the same.  ”If we can set an example in our own small way we hope that is worth something,” she said.

Boston is made up of some 27 percent of Caribbean immigrants.“Caribbean nationals have lived in the United States since during slavery and continue to build this country up not tear it down,” said ICN officials. “So it is important for us to show our love and support in a tangible way for this our adopted homeland. We hope all Caribbean nationals and friends of ICN will support the people of Boston in this tragedy.”

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the creation of “The One Fund Boston,” which will raise money to help those affected by the tragic events that unfolded during the Marathon.

Invest Caribbean Now is being presented this year by Avalon Partners in conjunction with The Caribbean Tourism Organization; digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications and One Caribbean Television, during Caribbean Week in New York.

Attendees this year will get the chance to learn about investment opportunities in the Turks & Caicos from its premier, Dr. Rufus Ewing and the country’s Minister of Finance C. Washington Misick while also getting a chance to meet ministers of government from several other territories.

Additionally, there will be panels of development, tourism and beyond as well as a discussion on China’s growing involvement in the Caribbean and the special presentation to this year’s corporate leadership award winner.

Early bird tickets for ICN 2013 will be available only through April 30^th at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe. Persons seeking tables of 10 are also urged to book before April 30^th at http://investcaribbeannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Tablesponsor.pdf

A US$500 journal ad offer is available through April 30^th at http://investcaribbeannow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ProgramJournal.pdf for companies who would like to target the high end audience but cannot be present. The half-page color ad will be published in the event’s journal and stay archived on the website, InvestCaribbeanNow.com for year-round exposure.

Partners for ICN 2013 are: Avalon Partners, One Caribbean Television, The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Caribbean Lifestyle Communications of Trinidad, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, The Bahamas Weekly, the Bajan Reporter , Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, and Bahamas Local.

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, WI, Wednesday April 24, 2013: At the 4^th District American Advertising Federation, (AAF), ADDY Awards Gala on April 20th, agencies from the Caribbean scooped up 32 Gold and Silver District awards as well a Charlie Award for the best of Sales Promotion. One thousand, three hundred and thirty-four entries were judged in the competition including Fortune 500 companies like Disney, Royal Caribbean and McDonald’s.

This year was a blockbuster year for the Caribbean Advertising Federation, (CAF). The CAF took home top honors for the 4^th District of Florida and the Caribbean, for having the most ADDY entries and sixth largest increase in entries for the entire United States.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment across the Caribbean region. The CAF has gained widespread recognition which not only elevates our organization but focuses national attention on our members,” said Renae Quinton, CAF President.

AAF National rewards this accomplishment by providing registration and travel expenses for the CAF President and ADDY Chair to attend the national AAF convention and national ADDY awards presentation in Phoenix, Arizona in June.

This year’s success was celebrated enthusiastically by a large showing of Caribbean members at the District Gala in Florida. Trinidadian agency, Ross Advertising attended and took home a Gold for its flawless campaign creation of, The Hoop of Life.

2013 Charlie Award winners Everything Slight Pepper's Jeuannae Alkins and Shelly Ann Scott, (l-r.)

Everything Slight Pepper, won a Charlie Award for Best of Sales Promotion and a Gold ADDY for Single Unite Packaging for 3ZERO Rums by 3ZERO Ltd.

Michelle Rushing, District ADDY Chair said:  “Right from the start the 3ZERO Rum bottle design by Everything Slight Pepper stood out with its understated elegance. It was not just about the label, logo and bottle design as individual elements, it was how they organically came together to showcase the product capturing the judges’ attention.”

This is the first time in history a Caribbean agency has won a district Charlie Award.

Trinidadian agency McCann Erickson took home the District’s coveted Mosaic Award that recognizes cultural diversity.

Not only were the agencies in the region highly awarded, but the remarkable woman who started the CAF 18 years ago, Terri Brown, CAF ADDY Chair, took home the highest District award, The Jack Phillips Award for ongoing commitment and service to the advertising industry.

“I am honored to receive this award for my life’s passion — advertising,” commented Brown.

“Terri Brown is most deserving of the Jack Phillips award. She has been a champion in the Caribbean for the advertising industry for many years and is a strong proponent of the talent in the region,” stated 4^th District Governor, Marla Lucas.

Listed below are the District Gold ADDY wins that have automatically been entered to complete for a National ADDY, the third and ultimate level of the ADDY competition. National ADDYs will be presented in Phoenix, Arizona, in June at the national AAF convention.

2013 Caribbean and Virgin Islands Advertising District ADDY Winners and 2013 National ADDY Finalists

GOLD DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS

3ZERO RUMS

3ZERO Limited

Everything Slight Pepper

SALES PROMOTION— Packaging Single Unit

Poppitz, the frog who flew

Leizelle Guinness

Bepperton Entertainment Productions

COLLATERAL MATERIAL—Book Design

Abed’s “Ribbons” Mad Hatter Pantomime AD

Abeds

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd.

CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION—Fractional Page Four-color

Hoop of Life

Ministry of National Security

ROSS ADVERTISING

PUBLIC SERVICE—Campaign

State Election Commission

The State Election Commission

McCann San Juan

PUBLIC SERVICE—Campaign

Guardsman Limited Audio

Guardsman Limited

Generousitas

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING—Sound / Music Only

SILVER AAF DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS

‘Welcome to Tobago’ Airport Sign

BP Trinidad and Tobago

McCann Port of Spain

OUT-OF-HOME / Outdoor Board Flat

Banks Can Launch “Obama” Magazine Ad

Banks Breweries

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd

CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION

Grotto

Altman Real Estate

Virgo Communications

CONSUMER / TRADE PUBLICATION

Arden Park Vision Tree

Standard Pacific Homes

MLB Creative

NON-TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING

Digicel Value How I Roll

DIGICEL Trinidad

OGM Communications Limited

NEWSPAPER Color Campaign

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters Tourism Campaign

Caribbean Buzz Helicopters

MLB Creative

INTEGRATED CAMPAIGN

Cama

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local :30

Baño

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local :30

Caídos

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local Campaign

Choice Wireless “Cut the Cord”

Choice Wireless

MLB Creative

RADIO :30

AL Thompsons – Valspar Paint TVC

AL Thompsons

Cayman 27

TELEVISION Local :30

No Weh No Betta Dan Yard

J. Wray & Nephew Ltd.

Advertising & Marketing (Ja.) Ltd.

TELEVISION Local :30

bmobile Epic

TSTT bmobile

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Local :60 or more

BPTT “I4TANDT”

TV Campaign

BPTT

McCann Port of Spain

TELEVISION Local Campaign

STAG Santana Series

Carib Brewery Limited

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Local Campaign

Guardsman Limited Video

Guardsman Limited

Generousitas

TELEVISION Cinema Advertising

bmobile epic

TSTT bmobile

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Cinema Advertising

smartWorld Posters

McCann Worldgroup

Generousitas

ADVERTISING INDUSTRY SELF-PROMOTION Single Medium Campaign

Choice Wireless “Cut the Cord” Jingle

Choice Wireless

MLB Creative

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING, Music with Lyrics

1962 Productions/One People Documentary Logo

1962 Productions/One People Documentary

Generousitas

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Logo

Caribbean Buzz Business Card

Caribbean Buzz Business Card

MLB Creative

COLLATERAL, STATIONERY

Poppitz, the frog who flew

Leizelle Guinness

Bepperton Entertainment Productions

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Illustration

La Toya Woods Carnival Centerfold

Feb 19 Newsday MENTALITY

Julie Mango Productions Ltd

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Photography

Dana Mc Intyre Centerfold

April 22 Newsday MENTALITY

Julie Mango Productions Ltd

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Photography

Get Rubis, Get GoingRubis

West Indies Limited

Virgo Communications

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Music with Lyrics

MLB Creative 15th Anniversary T-shirt

MLB Creative

SELF PROMOTION

The Caribbean Advertising Federation is the first and only non-American member of the American Advertising Federation representing thousands of advertising companies in the US and Caribbean.

For membership information and entry materials for next year’s competition, email Terri Brown at terri@mlbcreative.com or like us www.facebook.com/CAFADDY.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 12, 2013: The Caribbean’s region’s diverse investment options go way beyond its talents like Barbados-born Rihanna, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Trinidad & Tobago’s Nicki Minaj.

Those options will be up for discussion when Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands as well as over a dozen other Caribbean ministers of governments gather for the international investment forum, Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013, (ICN 2013), on June 5th at the Radisson Martinique in New York City.

“Contrary to popular opinion, the Caribbean region is not just a vacation destination but a region that is rich in its diversity of  investment opportunities and talent, like we have seen in Rihanna, Usain and Nicki among others,” commented Invest Caribbean Now organizers.

“U.S. and Latin American investors in alternative markets would be well advised to look at this last emerging market on earth that is attractive to Chinese and Russian investors as well and make it a date to attend Invest Caribbean Now.”

Invest Caribbean Now is presented annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization; digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications and One Caribbean Television, during Caribbean Week in New York, which falls during Caribbean American Heritage Month in the United States.

Limited partnership opportunities are still available by contacting Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com or logging on to ICN’s brand new website at Investcaribbeannow.com.

Tickets for the June 5th forum are also still available. Register today at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Supplementary information on the event can be found on the event’s pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/invest.caribbean and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib

Partners for ICN 2013 are: Avalon Partners, One Caribbean Television, The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Caribbean Lifestyle Communications of Trinidad, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter and The Bahamas Weekly.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) announces the selection of Mr. Rui Mesquita Cordeiro as the director of Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) programs.

In this role he will lead strategic programming initiatives in the region, managing a team based in the foundation’s Mexico City office. He will report to James McHale, vice president – program strategy.

“Rui has been a dedicated contributor to the Kellogg Foundation’s work for nearly a decade. He is an experienced and capable international leader and we are pleased he will continue to contribute to the Kellogg Foundation’s work to ensure that all children have opportunities to realize their full potential,” said McHale.

“The Kellogg Foundation has had a long-term historical commitment to Latin America and to the Caribbean, with important work in leadership building, health, agriculture, philanthropy, local development, children and youth and racial equity. This commitment continues in a long-term, place-based strategy in Mexico and Haiti where we are striving to help create new conditions for social justice and development,” said Rui.

Over the past 10 years, Rui has held several positions at the foundation. From June 2003 to August 2005, he served as a consultant for WKKF work in Brazil. He joined the foundation’s staff in February 2007 as a program associate and was promoted to program officer for Brazil in 2010, leading the foundation’s program efforts there in racial equity and social inclusion. Since August 2012, he served as interim director of LAC programs.

Born in Fortaleza, Brazil, Rui is a passionate promoter of civil society and an experienced development professional. His areas of expertise in program development include children and youth issues, entrepreneurship, institutional development of nongovernmental organizations, local development, policymaking and social control of public policies, participation for social justice, racial equity and international cooperation. As an academic researcher and consultant, he has worked in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, the United States, France, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Australia.

Over the course of his professional career, he has served as executive staff, consultant and board member for several organizations, including: Volunteer Center of Recife, Casa de Passagem, the Social Development Academy Institute, the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation, Oxfam Australia, UNOY Peacemakers and the Brazilian National Youth Council (representing GIFE – the Brazilian Group of Institutes, Foundations and Business).

Rui holds a master’s degree in development studies from the Institute of Social Studies at The Hague, Netherlands; a bachelor’s degree in administration from Pernambuco State University at Recife, Brazil; and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo. He is fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish and speaks some French.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.

ATLANTA, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Cummins Power South today announced plans for expansion in the Caribbean as the official Cummins Power Generation distributor for the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos.  Through a network of dealer and distributor locations in Florida, Georgia, Chattanooga, TN and parts of the Caribbean, Cummins Power South provides sales and service expertise for Cummins diesel engines, power generation products and Cummins Genuine Parts throughout its territory.

While the company has maintained a presence within the Caribbean through local dealers who specialize in the sales and service of Cummins marine engines and generators, the company plans to grow its power generation business over the next year by providing dedicated support for Cummins commercial and residential generators.  David Hagewood, Vice President of Power Generation Sales and Marketing stated, “We are pleased to have the opportunity to serve the generator needs of the Bahamas and Turk & Caicos Islands.  We look forward to partnering with local businesses to provide world class support of Cummins Power Generation products and providing the exceptional customer service for which Cummins is well known.”

Detailed information on the company and the expansion in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos may be obtained by visiting the company’s website at www.cumminspowersouth.com/bahamas/.

Established in 2006, Cummins Power South, LLC is a joint venture distributorship within the Cummins North American Distributor System. Cummins Power South specializes in the sales and service of all Cummins engines, generators and related products within Georgia, Florida, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as selected areas of the Caribbean.  Cummins Power South is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) with service locations in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Gainesville, Savannah, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Ocala, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Chattanooga, TN. Additional information about the company may be found at www.cumminspowersouth.com

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Tues April 2, 2013: Following an announcement cancelling the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, (CHTIC), Invest Caribbean Now 2013, (ICN 2013), officials reiterated this week that ICN 2013 is going strong and on for June 4 and 5th in New York City.  ICN 2013 is now the only investment forum on the Caribbean region confirmed for 2013.

Grace Lappin, managing director of Avalon Partners and the marquee sponsor of Invest Caribbean Now 2013, said ICN is the definitive investment forum which has brought together over 600 high powered investors and Caribbean government officials in the past two years. This year it is returning in an expanded form, with a June 4th pre-forum VIP cocktail reception at The Yale Club and the major event the following morning at the Radisson Martinique Hotel.

Lappin said ICN 2013 is saddened to hear of the cancellation of CHIC, but insisted that the ICN 2013 forum is more than ready to fill the void by providing a platform to connect overseas businesses and investors with investment opportunities in the Caribbean. This year’s expanded format will ensure organizers reach their goal of boosting foreign direct investment in the region through ICN’s exclusive match-making platform.

“The event will begin on June 4th from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Yale Club with a private VIP cocktail reception while the June 5th forum will see ICN2013 focus on real investment opportunities in this emerging market from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Radisson Martinique hotel in NYC.  Targeted discussions and panel presentations will include a spotlight on the Turks & Caicos Islands; attention to the Jamaica Stock Exchange as well as an exploration of opportunities across the region,” said Lappin. “Real estate and marina development options will also be shared while our major corporate awardee will be announced.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com or logging on to ICN’s brand new website at Investcaribbeannow.com.

Limited tickets for the June 5th forum are available. Register today at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Media partners for ICN 2013 are: One Caribbean Television, The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Caribbean Lifestyle Communications of Trinidad, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle, Dominica Gazette, Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, the Bajan Reporter and The Bahamas Weekly.

Supplementary information on the event can be found on the event’s pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/invest.caribbean and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib

Li Ruogu of the Export-Import Bank of China finances a resort in the Bahamas ((AP Photo/Tim Aylen)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. March 22, 2013: Chinese businesses looking at investment opportunities in the Caribbean are coming to the Avalon Partners Invest Caribbean Now power forum in New York City this June, set for the Radisson Martinique Hotel.

Digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications, which presents the annual forum in association with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, is this year also teaming up with the Chinese American Business Development Center to put the spotlight on Chinese foreign direct investment in the region. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, investments in the Caribbean by China totaled nearly $7 billion in 2009, a more than 300 percent increase from the 2004 foreign direct investment of $1.7 billion.

In commenting on the partnership, Peter Zhang, President of the Chinese American Business Development Center, said: “We are very happy to be a partner of Invest Caribbean Now 2013, and although it’s the first year of our collaboration, we look forward to many years together and to providing a great platform for Chinese investors to understand and learn more about investment opportunities in the Caribbean.”

“In recent years, the Chinese have quickly expanded their business activities in the Caribbean region,” he added. “As those countries continue to develop, China will undoubtedly play a significant role in their business progress and advancement. We are confident this event would be a great opportunity for China and Caribbean governments and enterprises as well as U.S. investors, to communicate and achieve a win-win solution.”

Felicia Persaud, founder of Invest Caribbean Now, welcomed the partnership, noting that with growing Chinese investments in the region, and with millions of Chinese traveling abroad annually, the Chinese American Business Development Center’s involvement in ICN 2013 will only help to boost more interest and investment in the economically viable Caribbean region.

The Chinese American Business Development Center will bring together businesses from China interested in doing business in the Caribbean to be a part of the forum. Additionally, China’s Economic Counsel is expected to address delegates, who will include Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing of the Turks & Caicos Islands, as well as over a dozen ministers of government from the Caribbean, on why this region is such an attractive investment destination.

Invest Caribbean Now 2013, which will be more expansive and longer this year, with a broader focus from panels on the Caribbean and investment opportunities there, will be held on June 5^th from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in New York City. A private VIP reception will be held on June 4^th at The Yale Club.

More information on the event is available on ICN’s brand new website, which was launched this week at InvestCaribbeanNow.com.

Media partners for ICN 2013 are: One Caribbean Television, The PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Caribbean Lifestyle Communications of Trinidad, WINN FM of St. Kitts, South Florida Caribbean, Caribseek, Antigua Tribune, Bahamas Spectator, Barbados Gazette, British Caribbean News, Caribbean ET Roundup, Caribbean Financials, Cuba Chronicle,Dominica Gazette,Dominican Republic Post, Dutch Caribbean News, French Caribbean News, Grenada Chronicle, Guyana Inquirer, Haiti Gazette, Jamaica Inquirer, Puerto Rico Tribune, St. Kitts Gazette, St. Lucia Chronicle, St. Vincent Tribune, Trinidad Tribune, The Bajan Reporter and The Bahamas Weekly.

Limited partnership and speaker/panellist opportunities are currently still available. For more information email Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com

Limited tickets for the June 5^th forum are available. Register today at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7phqhyn6&oeidk=a07e6oz57kp0f880fbe

Supplementary information on the event can be found on the event’s pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/invest.caribbean and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/InvestingCarib

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, WI, Thurs. Mar. 21, 2013: The American Advertising Federation, (AAF), has announced the prestigious 2013 District ADDY Winners. 26 entries from the Caribbean Advertising Federation, (CAF), have earned the right to compete as National Finalists in the National ADDY Competition.

The ADDY Awards are sponsored by AAF and is the advertising industry’s most comprehensive and prestigious competition recognizing creative excellence in numerous categories of various media types. The 3-tiered competition starts all over the US and Caribbean at over 200+ local competitions. The winners of these competitions are sent forward to each of the 15 districts to compete at that level. Winners from this tier are National finalists competing for a coveted National ADDY Award.

CAF is part of the 4^th District AAF, including agencies from all over Florida and around the Caribbean. 1,334 entries were judged at District. 92 entries earned Gold awards and 148 earned Silver. The Caribbean Advertising Federation earned 26 of those awards or 11% of the overall awards given at District.

“It is a great honor to have work awarded at the District Level, especially with the level of competition in Florida. Work for companies such as Guardsman Limited, Banks Breweries, Altman Real Estate and Garnier stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Disney and Carnival Cruise Lines,” said Renae Quinton, CAF President. “It is no longer a secret that our region’s creative ranks among the best in the world.”

Among the 26 winners were 6 Gold awards, each won by a different CAF member agency. The CAF ADDY Best of Show winner, 3Zero Rums, from Everything Slight Pepper in Trinidad, was awarded for Packaging.

Three-time National ADDY winner Christopher Guiness took Gold again this year with his Bepperton Entertainment Productions illustrated book design for “Poppitz, the frog who flew.” Red Advertising & Marketing took Gold for Abed’s “Ribbons” trade publication ad. “Hoop of Life” for the Ministry of National Security earned Gold for Ross Advertising for public service. McCann San Juan took Public Service Gold as well for their State Election Commission campaign. And Generousitas took Gold for their Guardsman Limited soundtrack.

Overall awards were lead by Generousitas from Jamaica and McCann Puerto Rico with 4 awards each. All of the Golds plus the 20 Silver awards will now move on to compete in the National ADDY competition.

To honor the winners, AAF 4th District will host the 2013 District ADDY Awards Gala on Saturday evening at 6 P.M., April 20th during the District Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Entrants and supporters are invited to join advertising professionals and business owners from all over Florida and the Caribbean as the 2013 District ADDYs are awarded.

In addition, to the announced awards, 4AAF will also present the highest awards for the year, the “Charlie Awards” for the Best in Category. These results are not made public prior to the event. CAF District Gold entries are all eligible for these awards. For more information on the District Conference or to register for the ADDY Gala, visit <http://aafjacksonville.org/2013-annual-conference/> .

The Caribbean Advertising Federation is the first and only non-American member of the American Advertising Federation representing thousands of advertising companies in the US and Caribbean. For membership information and entry materials for the 2012 competition, email Terri Brown at terri@mlbcreative.com or visit www.facebook.com/CAFADDY. Like the page to get automatic updates on National ADDY wins, membership, programs and more.

2013 Caribbean Advertising District ADDY Winners

GOLD DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS

3ZERO RUMS

3ZERO Limited

Everything Slight Pepper

SALES PROMOTION— Packaging Single Unit

“Poppitz, the frog who flew”

Leizelle Guinness

Bepperton Entertainment Productions

COLLATERAL MATERIAL—Book Design

Abed’s “Ribbons” Mad Hatter Pantomime AD

Abeds

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd.

CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION—Fractional Page Four-color

Hoop of Life

Ministry of National Security

ROSS ADVERTISING

PUBLIC SERVICE—Campaign

State Election Commission

The State Election Commission

McCann San Juan

PUBLIC SERVICE—Campaign

Guardsman Limited Audio

Guardsman Limited

Generousitas

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING—Sound / Music Only

SILVER AAF DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS

‘Welcome to Tobago’ Airport Sign

BP Trinidad and Tobago

McCann Port of Spain

OUT-OF-HOME / Outdoor Board Flat

Banks Can Launch “Obama” Magazine Ad

Banks Breweries

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd

CONSUMER OR TRADE PUBLICATION

Grotto

Altman Real Estate

Virgo Communications

CONSUMER / TRADE PUBLICATION

SILVER AAF DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS (con’t)

Digicel – Value How I Roll

DIGICEL Trinidad

OGM Communications Limited

NEWSPAPER Color Campaign

Cama

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local :30

Baño

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local :30

Caídos

Garnier

McCann San Juan

RADIO Local Campaign

AL Thompsons – Valspar Paint TVC

AL Thompsons

Cayman 27

TELEVISION Local :30

No Weh No Betta Dan Yard

J. Wray & Nephew Ltd.

Advertising & Marketing (Ja.) Ltd.

TELEVISION Local :30

bmobile Epic

TSTT bmobile

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Local :60 or more

BPTT “I4TANDT”

TV Campaign

BPTT

McCann Port of Spain

TELEVISION Local Campaign

STAG Santana Series

Carib Brewery Limited

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Local Campaign

Guardsman Limited Video

Guardsman Limited

Generousitas

TELEVISION Cinema Advertising

bmobile epic

TSTT bmobile

Collier Morrison Belgrave

TELEVISION Cinema Advertising

smartWorld Posters

McCann Worldgroup

Generousitas

ADVERTISING INDUSTRY SELF-PROMOTION Single Medium Campaign

1962 Productions/One People Documentary Logo

1962 Productions/One People Documentary

Generousitas

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Logo

Poppitz, the frog who flew

Leizelle Guinness

Bepperton Entertainment Productions

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Illustration

SILVER AAF DISTRICT ADDY AWARDS (con’t)

La Toya Woods Carnival Centerfold

Feb 19 Newsday MENTALITY

Julie Mango Productions Ltd

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Photography

Dana Mc Intyre Centerfold

April 22 Newsday MENTALITY

Julie Mango Productions Ltd

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Photography

Get Rubis, Get GoingRubis

West Indies Limited

Virgo Communications

ELEMENTS OF ADVERTISING Music with Lyrics

TORONTO, March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – With a strong emphasis on client-focused values and a high-performance team, J. S. Cheng & Partners Inc. has rebranded itself to JSCP, Actuaries Who Care™.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130318/LT78998LOGO)

The new brand and attractive, effective web site (www.jscp.com) provide a mobile-savvy environment that highlights the firm’s extensive actuarial skills, services and experience. The site brings a new level of sophistication to the firm, while providing a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in risk assessment and management.

The new logo was developed/designed by tcgpr (The Communications Group Inc.) and Helena Ng Design. The website was designed by Trevithick & Farr.

“Our goal is to help clients, prospects and business executives learn what we do and who we are,” said Joe Cheng, JSCP Founder and President. “Building relationships and upholding our core values remain the foundation of everything our firm represents.”

Those four core values — genuinely caring for their clients, the profession, their employees and the community – guide the firm’s conduct and influence every decision made.  ‘Actuaries Who Care’ is more than a slogan for the firm.

Founded in 1991 as J. S. Cheng & Partners Inc., the firm has earned the respect of clients and industry peers. From its Toronto headquarters, JSCP delivers the highest level of service to a diverse roster of clients in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean.

As property-casualty actuarial consultants who do not accept commissions or sell insurance, JSCP maintains the strictest codes of objectivity and independence in their analysis; a right-sized team means they are large enough to handle the most complex assignments, and yet small enough to react quickly and provide personal client service.

“The services we offer are as diverse our clients,” said Mr. Cheng. “It’s important to retain that flexibility and nimbleness we have perfected through working across different industries and applying to the wealth of our experience to offering real-world solutions that are customized, comprehensive and practical.”

The new website reflects “the clear, concise and warm communication style that makes the JSCP team much more than number-crunchers. Success always comes down to people, and that extends not just to the way we demonstrate our regard for our clients but for our team as well,” added Mr. Cheng. “We’re proud of the quality of work produced and the exceptional dedication our team members display.  We cultivate an atmosphere that not only nurtures happy and productive employees, but also encourages innovation through new ideas and processes, while respecting those time-tested protocols that continue to comprise the industry’s best practices.”

JSCP is located at 1500 Don Mills Rd., Ste.706, Toronto, ON, M3B 3K4.  Telephone:  416-510-8360. E-mail: info@jscp.com.

The Bank teams up with SickKids to support telemedicine program

TORONTO, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Today, through Scotiabank’s global philanthropic program, Bright Future, the Bank announced a pledge of $1 million to support the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project. These funds will be used to support the project’s telemedicine programs in Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas.

The telemedicine element of the project will allow physicians in the Caribbean to connect directly with leading paediatric cancer and blood disorder experts at SickKids. As well, physicians specializing in areas other than cancer and blood diseases can also connect with both Caribbean and international colleagues, enhancing their ability to diagnose and care for Caribbean children. The goal of this project is to expand access to world-leading medical professionals allowing children to get the best care possible in their own country.

“The Caribbean is a big part of Scotiabank’s history and our future. This donation and our partnership with SickKids are directed at giving the next generation a better chance of growing up healthy and making their contribution to the Caribbean,” said Sabi Marwah, Scotiabank Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer. “Supporting our communities through the Bright Future program is a big part of Scotiabank’s culture and our way of giving back to the network of 55 countries we call home.”

Through SickKids Foundation, Scotiabank also previously pledged $1 million to the International Patient Program.

“We are grateful for Scotiabank’s generous support of the telemedicine element of the project,” said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. “Too often, children in the Caribbean succumb to cancer because the proper diagnostics and treatments are not available. This gift will help build capacity for these Caribbean countries to more effectively diagnose and treat children.”

In the Caribbean, there is often a combination of factors that negatively impact on the ability to deliver clinical care, including: a lack of medical professionals with specialized training in paediatric cancer care; limited technological resources which often prohibits proper diagnoses; few nurses and pharmacists able to provide specialized front-line health care; and limited data on the effectiveness of treatments and epidemiology of paediatric cancer. Working with local hospital partners in the Caribbean, the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project includes a five-year plan to address the region’s gaps in research, care and education in order to advance the diagnosis and management of paediatric cancer and blood disorders.

Elements of this five-year plan include using telemedicine, physician envoys, and the SickKids International Learner Programme to provide customized, hands-on training to local individuals, establishing and maintaining a patient registry to provide high-quality data and key outcomes, and increasing the knowledge of primary care practitioners and pharmacists in the region to improve cancer care access. Trainees will also travel from the Caribbean to SickKids on a regular basis for hands-on training and experience within the Garron Family Cancer Centre at SickKids.

For more information on the Caribbean-SickKids Paediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Project, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com/caribbean. To watch a video about the Project, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvntNAnvuSY.

About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids — one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $61.3 million in children’s health, a direct result of community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For media enquiries:

Scotiabank
Paula Cufre, Scotiabank Media Communications, 416-866-4833 or
paula.cufre@scotiabank.com

SickKids Foundation
Janessa Bishop, Media Relations; 416-813-2944;
janessa.bishop@sickkidsfoundation.com

CaribPR Wire, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Fri. Mar. 8, 2013: The Caribbean Advertising Federation, (CAF), President, Renae Quinton with Electric Villages, Inc., in Barbados today announced the 2013 Caribbean Advertising Federation ADDY Award winners in a release to media, members and entrants.

The CAF is a member of the American Advertising Federation, (AAF), which represents thousands of advertising companies in the United States and the Caribbean. The ADDY Awards are sponsored by the AAF and are the advertising industry’s most comprehensive and prestigious competition recognizing creative excellence in numerous categories of various media types.

This year’s 678 entries were judged from over 37 different companies representing Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico. It was the largest submissions in the CAF history.

2013’s Best of Awards went to four different companies, with the coveted overall “2013 Best of Show” Award going to Everything Slight Pepper for the 3ZERO Rum bottle package design.

The judges, Gina Nacey, Creative Strategist with Adventure™ in Minnesota and Mike Rainy, Chief Creative Officer of Zehnder in Louisiana, and Interactive Judge Charles Rosenberger with MLB Creative felt the 3Zero high shouldered bottle to have elegant typography, excellent design of the bottle, dimensional label, cap, cork and seal.

Best of Print went to McCann Puerto Rico for The State Election Commission Poster Series. Best of TV to Collier, Morrison, Belgrave for Stag Santana Series Campaign, Best of Radio to Valdez & Torry for Lockhead Bake and Clutch “Beans” and Best of Interactive to Rostant DDB for  for Myenergytt.com web site for Trinidad & Tobago Energy Company.

The judges also awarded special recognition for Best Copywriting to Ross for Hoop of Life TV “for a flawless script;” Best Musical Score to Generousitas to Guardian Radio for incorporating  devices and gadgetry like listening to an episode of 24;” Best Illustration to Bepperton Entertainment Productions for Poppitz The Frog Who Flew because “every page was beautiful with phenomenal styling and creating a virtual environment for the mind;” Best Art Direction to OMG for Digital Voice – How I Roll for “subtle, elegant art direction” and Best Packaging to 3Zero Rum bottle.

An Award for best cultural diversity, The Mosaic Award, was given to Ross Advertising for “FireOne Independence Day Ad.”

Red Advertising & Marketing Ltd. from Barbados took the most awards with 15 Gold and 9 silver. Ross Advertising from Trinidad took 21 total awards; McCann Trinidad took 17; Generousitas from Jamaica 17, and Valdez & Torry 13, plus the Best of Radio award.

2013 ADDY Chairperson, Terri Brown with MLB Creative in St. Thomas, reported that entries increased by 58% over last year and the number of companies entering rose from 24 to 37.

President Renae Quinton was present at the judging in St. Thomas. “It is very inspiring to see such a huge collection of outstanding work created in the region,” said Quninton. “I am very impressed by the quality of work. The CAF had more entries than any other club in the 4^th District of Florida. As a result, we are sending more than 150 entries on to compete in the next level of awards, the District competition. We expect many of those entries to move on and compete in the top tier, the National ADDY competition, bringing even greater exposure to the creative talent in the Caribbean.”

The Caribbean Advertising Federation is the first and only non-American member of the American Advertising Federation and is part of the 4^th District of Florida and the Caribbean. For membership information and entry materials for the 2012 competition, email Terri Brown at terri@mlbcreative.com.

Top awards were:

2013 Best of Show Overall:

Everything Slight Pepper — 3Zero Rums Packaging

2013 Best of Show TV:

Collier Morrison Belgrave — Stag Santana Series

2013 Best of Show Radio:

Valdez & Torry International — Lockheed & Brake Clutch Interview

2013 Best of Show Print:

McCann Erickson Puerto Rico – State Election Commission

2013 Best of Show Interactive:

Rostant DDB – MyenergyTT.com Website

Judges’ Choice for Outstanding Copywriting:

Ross Advertising — “Hoop of Life” TV

Judges’ Choice for Outstanding Music:

Generousitas — “Guardsman” Audio

Judges’ Choice for Illustration:

Bepperton Entertainment Productions — Poppitz, the frog who flew

Judges’ Choice for Best Art Direction:

OGM Communications Limited — Digital Value “How I Roll”

Judges’ Choice for Best Packaging:

Everything Slight Pepper — 3Zero Rums Packaging

2013 Mosaic Award:

Ross Advertising — FireOne Independence Day Ad