CaribPR Wire

Global Competition Calls on City Leaders to Generate Bold Solutions to Address Urban Challenges and Improve City Life

Approximately 900 Cities Eligible to Compete for $9 Million USD in Innovation Funds

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Michael R. Bloomberg today launched Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2016 Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire Latin American and Caribbean cities to develop bold new ideas that solve major problems and improve city life – and that ultimately can be shared with other cities. The competition includes a $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to four other cities that generate powerful ideas. The competition is one of the foundation’s flagship programs, reaching hundreds of cities in the U.S. and Europe.

“Cities around the world are pursuing bold policy innovations, and those in Latin America and the Caribbean are helping to lead the way. Expanding the Mayors Challenge to Latin America and the Caribbean provides new opportunities for progress on a wide range of issues that impact the lives of citizens. We’re looking forward to seeing what exciting new ideas emerge from creative city leaders throughout the region,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of New York City.

Cities with 100,000 or more residents in Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to compete in this year’s competition. More than 900 cities are eligible within the following countries – Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Uruguay; Suriname; and Venezuela.

All cities competing in the 2016 Mayors Challenge must submit ideas that do one or more of the following:

• Address a major social or economic issue in the local area
• Improve customer service for citizens or businesses
• Create government efficiencies
• Improve citizen engagement in local government

Winners will be selected based on their idea’s vision, potential for impact, implementation plan, and potential to spread to other cities. By design, the Mayors Challenge prompts participating cities to leverage resources, talent, and creativity from residents and from other sectors.

Key moments in the 2016 Mayors Challenge for those interested in participating include:

• By March 15, 2016, all cities must sign up for the competition at www.mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org
• By April 15, 2016, all cities must submit their ideas
• In late spring 2016, approximately 20 finalists will be announced
• In July 2016, teams from the finalist cities will attend Ideas Camp, a two-day gathering where finalist cities work with experts to stretch and strengthen their ideas
• In fall 2016, the five winning cities will be announced

Bloomberg Philanthropies will be supported by a selection committee of innovation and urban policy experts, largely from Latin America and the Caribbean, to help select the winning cities. The selection committee will be announced in the coming months.

All Mayors Challenge winners receive robust assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropies and its partners to support implementation and document lessons learned. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proudly partnered with the Centre for Public Impact (CPI) to implement this year’s challenge, provide related supports to city participants, and oversee coordination with other program partners. CPI is a not-for-profit, funded by The Boston Consulting Group, and dedicated to improving the positive impact of governments.

Facts on Prior Mayors Challenge Competitions

The Mayors Challenge is designed to surface bold new solutions, enable cities to test the best of these ideas, and help those ideas that work spread. To date, 465 U.S. and European cities have participated in the competitions. Highlights include:

• Providence Talks, the grand prize winner from the U.S. Mayors Challenge, aims to address the fact that low-income children hear millions fewer words than their peers from wealthier families by the time they reach kindergarten, negatively impacting future educational attainment. That program’s pilot showed promising results in increasing the number of words heard by program participants. Providence Mayor Elorza is aggressively ramping up the program to reach thousands of children.
• Santa Monica, a winner from the U.S. Mayors Challenge, successfully became the first city in the United States to conduct a wellbeing survey in early 2015. City officials are now using these data to align resources, programs, and policies to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. The survey will be conducted once every two years moving forward.
• Athens, Greece, a winner from the European Mayors Challenge, has established a robust program to unleash the power of civil society to solve community problems, and to reform outdated regulations that make it difficult for citizens to contribute. Over a thousand community activities have been promoted through the program.
• Barcelona, the grand prize winner from the European Mayors Challenge, aims to coordinate the activities of family members, neighbors, volunteers, and professional care givers around individual at-risk seniors to reduce isolation. The city has prototyped the technological platform and collected significant end-user feedback. An expanded pilot will take place in 2016 as they move toward their ultimate goal of reaching 20,000 seniors.
• Seven finalists from the European competition that did not receive funding are nonetheless pursuing their ideas: Amsterdam, Brno, Bologna, Bristol, Lisbon, York, and Stara Zagora.  Three of the finalists from the U.S. competition that did not receive funding implemented their ideas: Milwaukee, WI; Cincinnati, OH; and Highpoint, NC, while five other finalists continue to pursue the concepts.
• Winners from the U.S. and European competitions have received over 300 requests for information related to replication from other cities, universities, and civil society organizations.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has a strong history of work in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. In 2015, the foundation launched its Data for Health program in Latin America which will enable countries to vastly improve their public health data collection and use. Cities in Brazil and Colombia are participating in a new phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Road Safety Initiative, and the foundation is also assisting the region through its Vibrant Oceans Initiative, the largest philanthropic commitment to internationally reform fisheries management.

To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit www.mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org and @BloombergCities on Twitter and Instagram.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.

Media Contact

Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rebecca Carriero, (212) 205-0182, [email protected]

CORAL GABLES, Fla., July 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Redbridge is proud to announce that effective June 1, 2015, Redbridge Reinsurance Managers, LLC began operating with Life and Disability Reinsurance Binding Authority with worldwide territory for insureds domiciled in Latin America, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. We are authorized for a limit of USD 2,000,000 and are 100% supported by Lloyd’s Syndicate 779.

http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/234199/redbridge_reinsurance_managers_logo.jpg?p=distribution&token=br5thZeyux2xrRFS4R42×49FYaKEz1Ouq3mRN21FnYYDoZPT82BS/jUk5BLHHakNmlDgpOujr4KhtJqJlT88UxdYrKvBg4apaap5o0YIu3spQJfK03oh

Redbridge Reinsurance Managers is based in Coral Gables, Florida and is a Lloyd’s authorized coverholder. We guarantee quality service, and commit to provide a prompt quote once all required information is received.

The programs we are offering are as follows:

Group Life Reinsurance

• Group Life Insurance
• Total and Permanent Disability
• Credit Life
• Credit Disability
• Credit Involuntary Unemployment Insurance

Personal Accident Reinsurance

• Individual Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Travel Protection

Individual Life Reinsurance

• Individual Life Insurance

For any business related inquiries please contact:

Mariano Ruiz (Argentina) – [email protected]
Roberto Gomez (Dominican Republic) – [email protected]
Mario Aguilar (Guatemala) – [email protected]
Guiselle Monge (Costa Rica) – [email protected]

Our authorized binding executives:     Edmund Santiago, [email protected]
Dr. Boris Garcia Zakzuk, [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150708/234199LOGO

CONTACT:  Redbridge,  305-232-9040

New Laser Printer Series for Home and Small Offices Brings “Designed in Japan Quality” to Latin American Consumers and Small Businesses at an Attainable Price

CaribPR Wire, ROSEAU, DOMINICA, (September 9, 2013) Brother International, the office equipment manufacturer world renowned for quality, reliability and value, introduces a new series of monochrome laser printers and all-in-one machines designed specifically for emerging markets around the globe including the Latin American region.  The new series was developed for consumers, entrepreneurs and small business owners who desire more professional looking documents but until now thought the cost was prohibitive.

The new series enhances the Brother offering in the region by adding a line of entry-level laser printers to its already extensive line-up of printers, all-in-ones, scanners and P-touch label makers.  The new series was designed in Japan specifically to enable entrepreneurs and small businesses owners to have a feature-rich machine at an affordable price.  In addition, the compact stylish design can fit in any home or small office where space is at a premium.

“The new laser series gives consumers the opportunity to afford a laser product from a company world renowned for its quality and reliability,” said Don Cummins, Senior Vice President of Brother International.  “This expansion to our current line of office technology products shows our ongoing commitment to the region by providing quality products for every office need and budget.”

The new series consist of a single function printer (HL-1112), a three-in-one (DCP-1512) and four-in-one (MFC-1810) to meet any document output need.  They offer fast print speeds of up to 21 ppm as well as a high quality output of up to 2400 x 600dpi.  In addition, the machines use economical replacement toners and feature a Toner Save Mode to help save money throughout ownership.  Brother International also provides a one-year limited warranty on all machines as well as free phone support for the life of the product.

In addition to the features available on all of the printers, the DCP-1512 and the MFC-1810 also provide fast, stand-alone copying (no computer required), a high resolution glass flatbed scanner, and a 150 sheet  capacity paper tray that holds up to  legal size paper.  The MFC-1810 four-in-one, featuring fax capability, has a 10-page capacity auto document feeder for easy copying, scanning and faxing.

New Monochrome Laser Printer and All-in-Ones

HL-1112

• Paper tray holds up to 150 sheet capacity for legal sized paper
• Stylish, space saving design to fit virtually anywhere
• High-quality output at up to 2400 x 600 dpi
• Toner Save mode option for less critical business documents
• Economical, low cost replacement toner¹
• Designed in Japan for reliability
• Fast printing speeds of up to 21 ppm²
• 1 year limited warranty; toll-free technical support for the life of the machine

DCP-1512

All the same features as the HL-1112, plus:

• High-quality scanning with resolutions up to 19,200 x 19,200 dpi
• Stand-alone copying; ID copy and reduce/enlarge documents from 25-400% in 1% increments
• Convenient flatbed for easy copying and scanning to email, file and image

MFC-1810

All the same features as the DCP-1512, plus:

• Fax capability
• 10-page capacity auto document feeder for easy copying, scanning and fax

About Brother

Brother International Corporation is one of the premier providers of products for the home, home office and office. The company currently markets many industrial products, home appliances and business products manufactured by its parent company, Brother Industries, Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan.  These products include an award-winning line of Multi-Function Center® machines and printers. Brother also provides a line of facsimile machines and is the leader in electronic labeling, with its full line of P-touch® Electronic Labeling Systems. For more information you can visit the website at www.latinamerica.brother.com.

NOTE: All trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective companies.

¹Additional purchase required.

² PPM speed is based in printing in FAST mode and excludes time to complete first page and will vary depending on a variety of factors.

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 [email protected] 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.

Carib PR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, Sat. Feb. 26, 2011: Get ready for News Americas, newamericasnow.com.

Executives of Hard Beat Communications have rebranded their CaribWorldNews wire to fit the company’s new goal of covering a larger demographic and capturing the emerging interest in the Americas, especially Latin America.

NewAmericasNow.com will replace CaribWorldNews.com, though readers will still be able to access the site through domains: CaribWorldNews.com, CaribbeanworldNews.com and Hardbeatnews.com.

The company’s new aim is to focus more on the top news, entertainment, business, sports and lifestyle and cuisine of the Americas and the content will be syndicated across over 50 sites and via EBSCO publishing.

The brand new website featuring web 3.0 technology will also allow for live feedback from readers who can view a live weather forecast, translate stories to suit their language need, listen to a Caribbean audio newscast right on the site and check out the preview of the latest bold move by HBC executives – a Caribbean entertainment newscast that will be presented weekly by a swimwear-clad anchor.

The video cast pioneers a new look and feel in the presentation of Caribbean news that is targeted specifically to the news service’s growing Internet followers globally.

Known for their spirit of innovation and originality, HBC CEO Felicia Persaud says 2011 is all about upping the ante – expanding into the Americas while still keeping the sexiness of the beach and the Caribbean’s beauties – with the video news of Caribbean-born celebrities.

The V-cast is being produced in collaboration with Mark Wright of Flatbush TV and will feature both male and female hosts. Wardrobe will be provided by popular Caribbean designers, including Guyana’s own, Roger Gary.

Persaud added that the company will, however, keep its weekly audio news cast focused on the Caribbean, given the BBC’s pull out from the region. The cast is aired across the U.S. on 13 radio stations and podcasted on 32 African-American and Caribbean websites.

For more log on to NewsAmericasNow.com.

 Online shoppers in Latin America and the Caribbean enjoy easy, fast, cost-effective delivery from U.S. retailers

 MIAMI, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ – BrandsMart USA (www.BrandsMartUSA.com), one of the largest per-store-volume retailers in the United States, is now expanding its cross-border online shopping capability to customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The service is made possible through a strategic partnership with PuntoMio (www.PuntoMio.com), the international shopping facilitator that gives non-U.S. residents a U.S. address which they can use to place online orders from U.S. retailers. 

 With this new service, consumers accessing www.BrandsMartUSA.com from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and other countries are directed to the BrandsMart USA international website, through integration with PuntoMio.  Customers will see products displayed in local currency and the purchase price will include transportation to their country, duties, taxes, and delivery within 5 to 8 days of purchase. 

 ”We observe a large amount of Latin American and Caribbean shoppers in our stores every day. Relying on PuntoMio’s expertise to reach out to those customers in their own country is a valuable advantage that we believe will translate into a significant increase in online sales for us,” stated Bobby Johnson, Executive Vice-President of BrandsMart USA.

 E-commerce in LATAM experienced a nearly 40% growth last year, and is expected to increase another 27% in 2010, according to AmericaEconomia Intelligence. “With this partnership we reach out to a growing market and further extend PuntoMio’s visibility among potential customers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Patricia Voigt, General Manager of PuntoMio.  “We offered BrandsMart USA a truly integrated and easy to implement platform that eliminated their challenges with international e-Commerce.  With our private delivery network we were able to offer them much lower and more accurate costs compared to other international checkout solutions that depend on the major express carriers.”

 www.PuntoMio.com provides complete information on how to subscribe to the service and obtain a U.S. address for general shopping from more than 1.7 million other online stores and catalogues in the U.S.

 About PuntoMio

PuntoMio, a division of SkyShop Logistics, Inc (OTC Bulletin Board: SKPN) www.skyshoplogistics.com, is an international shopping facilitator for online buyers that transforms the shopping experience from the time of purchase through cross-border delivery. PuntoMio enables U.S. merchants to sell to non-U.S. residents without the risks associated with foreign sales.

 About BrandsMart USA

BrandsMart USA is the U.S. leading, multi-award winning retailer offering a large selection of high quality merchandise from top brands at low prices since 1977. Currently with 10 storefronts in the South Florida and Atlanta areas, BrandsMart USA provides employment for over 2600 individuals.

 Contact: Natalia Pinheiro

(561) 750-9800 x230

[email protected]

MIAMI, April 20 /PRNewswire/ — HBO Latin America announced the premiere of the new series Treme in the Caribbean on April 25th. The story chronologically follows the political and economic effects that arose after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans in 2005. 

“This new series illustrates how the residents of New Orleans lived after it was struck by one of largest natural disasters ever to hit the United States.  Musicians and other local artists participate in Treme along with a talented group of actors and creators. It presents the rich heritage of one of the most characteristic cities in this country,” said Gustavo Grossman, VP and General Manager of HBO Networks.

The story begins in the fall of 2005, three months after Hurricane Katrina, in one of the oldest and most traditional districts of New Orleans. The series tells the story of various residents and musicians like Antione Batiste (Wendell Pierce), a trombonist with great charisma who is trying to get ahead by any means he can, including playing at his friends’ and neighbors’ funerals, while his ex-wife LaDonna Batiste-Williams (Khandi Alexander) is divided between her business, the search for her brother, and Baton Rouge, where her new family has been relocated.

Treme, the historic neighborhood located lakeside of the French Quarter in New Orleans, also includes performances by Melissa Leo as Antoinette “Toni” Bernette; John Goodman as Creighton Bernette; Steve Zahn as Davis McAlary; Kim Dickens as Janette Desautel; Clarke Peters as Albert Lambreaux; Rob Brown as Delmond Lambreaux; Michiel Huisman as Sonny; and classical violinist Lucia Micarelli as Annie, among others.

Consisting of 10 episodes, Treme was created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer, under the executive production of David Simon, Nina K. Noble, Eric Overmyer and Carolyn Strauss.  The story is directed by Agnieszka Holland, Jim McKay, Ernest Dickerson, Anthony Hemingway, Christine Moore, Brad Anderson, Simon Cellan Jones, and Dan Attias.  The series was written by David Simon, Eric Overmyer, David Mills and George Pelecanos, in collaboration with native New Orleans writers Lolis Elie (author and local newspaper columnist) and Tom Piazza (renowned international novelist).

 About HBO Latin America

HBO Latin America is the leader in television network broadcasting which, besides being recognized for the quality and diversity of its original programming, movies and documentaries, delivers services of the highest technology in SD and HD formats in over 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through its channels HBO®, HBO® Plus, HBO® Family, Cinemax® and Max Prime(SM), and its SVOD service.