Monthly Archives: September 2014

Over 2,000 Groups Prepare to “Hit the Streets” with Volunteers and Celebrities for National Voter Registration Day on September 23, 2014

National Voter Registration Day 2014 is set to be the biggest yet, surpassing the total number of partners in 2012 and 2013.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over 2,000 groups in all 50 states have joined forces to celebrate National Voter Registration Day, the largest single-day effort of the year to register voters and involve them in the American political process. Now in its third year, more than 350,000 voters have registered on National Voter Registration Day through field and online efforts by thousands of partners and supporters.

The effort will bring together businesses, non-profits, volunteer organizations, and celebrity supporters for a coordinated day of national civic action. National Voter Registration Day organizers will host events all over the country, publish and promote online materials, and organize volunteers on and around September 23rd.

In 2014, this national day of civic action once again boasts the support and recognition of the National Association of Secretaries of State, which passed a five-year resolution proclaiming the fourth Tuesday of September as National Voter Registration Day. This year’s National Voter Registration Day is particularly important as Americans will vote in national and statewide elections. Ballots will include contests for 471 congressional seats, 36 governorships, the makeup of 46 state legislatures, and thousands of local elections that will impact families at home, including their communities, cities, school systems, local parks, and much more.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
• Celebrities will register voters and generate buzz at surprise locations.
• Volunteers will register eligible voters across the country with marquee events taking place in New York City; Miami; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Antonio, TX; Portland, OR; Denver, CO; and Boone, NC.
• Technology will be leveraged to help eligible voters find local voter registration events and to register to vote online.
• Like previous years, the day’s official hashtag—#CelebrateNVRD—will trend nationally and reach millions of Americans.
• A network of grassroots and local organizations will engage potential voters in their local communities.
• Hundreds of thousands of voters will be registering to vote online and in their communities in a single day.

A recently re-launched website, including a mobile-friendly version, will make it easier than ever to get involved by registering to vote and volunteering at hundreds of events across the nation. The new site features resources for partners to plan and promote their voter registration events on September 23rd with field planning and communications toolkits, posters, social media graphics, and much more.

Some partners include National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Voto Latino, Rock the Vote, Tumblr, League of Women Voters, YWCA, APALA, HeadCount and others.

To learn more about National Voter Registration Day, visit www.NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org. Follow the conversation on social media via the hashtag #CelebrateNVRD, on Facebook at facebook.com/CelebrateNVRD, on Twitter at twitter.com/CelebrateNVRD, and on Instagram at instagram.com/CelebrateNVRD.

About National Voter Registration Day
National Voter Registration Day is a one-day effort of coordinated field, technology, and media initiatives to create pervasive awareness of voter registration and voting. Led by thousands of national, state, and local organizations and their volunteers, National Voter Registration Day is to civic engagement what Earth Day is to environmental awareness. National Voter Registration Day, which started in 2012, is held every fourth Tuesday in September—before voter registration deadlines nationwide—and is designed to remind and encourage eligible Americans to prepare to exercise their most basic civil right, their right to vote.

Peace Corps Director Calls on College Students to Make a Difference After Graduation Through International Service

PeaceCorp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 202.692.2230 or pressoffice@peacecorps.gov

Peace Corps Director Calls on College Students to Make a Difference After Graduation Through International Service
Urges College Seniors to Take Advantage of New, Shorter
Application Process and Apply by September 30

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 19, 2014 – As many college seniors are thinking about life after graduation, Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet today called on students to consider making a difference through international service in one of the agency’s more than 60 countries around the world. As part of her call to service, Hessler-Radelet also urged college seniors to take advantage of the agency’s new, shorter application process and apply to become a Peace Corps volunteer before September 30.

“With our new, shorter application process, we’re seeing record numbers of Americans apply for Peace Corps service,” Hessler-Radelet said. “While the school year may have just begun, I want to make sure college seniors considering the Peace Corps apply as soon as possible so they can secure the volunteer position of their choice and leave for service shortly after graduation.”

In July, Hessler-Radelet announced sweeping changes to the agency’s application process that have made applying to the Peace Corps simpler, faster and more personalized than ever before. Under the new recruitment initiative, applicants can now choose their country of service and apply to specific programs through a new, shorter application that can be completed in less than one hour.

The key recruitment reforms include:

• Peace Corps applicants can now choose the programs and countries they want to apply to – selecting the path that best fits their personal and professional goals. Applicants can apply to between one and three specific programs at a time, or they can choose to apply for service wherever they are needed most. The Peace Corps website now lists all open programs (http://www.peacecorps.gov/openings/) by country, work area and departure date, so applicants can browse service opportunities.

• A new, shorter application is now available on the Peace Corps website that can be completed in less than one hour. What used to be more than 60 printed pages that took more than eight hours to complete is now a short online application that focuses solely but rigorously on the most relevant information to help the agency select the best candidates.

• Each open Peace Corps position now has clearly identified Apply By and Know By deadlines, so applicants know when they can expect to receive an invitation to serve. If they apply on time, they’ll know if they were selected on time – just like applying to college or a job. These deadlines give applicants more certainty than ever and help them plan for the future.

Click here (http://files.peacecorps.gov/openings/PC_Process_infographic.pdf) to view an infographic on Peace Corps’ new application and selection process.

“There is no better and more important time to apply to serve with the Peace Corps and make a difference,” Hessler-Radelet said. “Peace Corps’ work – helping to reduce poverty, fostering economic growth, and building relationships in some of the most vulnerable communities across the globe – has never before been more important.”

Hessler-Radelet, who was sworn in as the agency’s 19th director in June and comes from a four-generation Peace Corps family, has led one of the most extensive reform efforts the agency has ever undertaken since she joined the agency in 2010. In addition to the recruitment reforms announced this summer, the Peace Corps has dramatically improved the quality of support it provides to volunteers, strategically targeted its resources and country presence to maximize impact, and streamlined operations to create a culture of innovation and excellence.

About the Peace Corps: As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Peace Corps volunteers work at the grassroots level with local governments, schools, communities, small businesses and entrepreneurs to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. When they return home, volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences – and a global outlook – back to the United States that enriches the lives of those around them. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to foster a better understanding among Americans and people of other countries. Since then, more than 215,000 Americans of all ages have served in 139 countries worldwide. Visit www.peacecorps.gov to learn more.

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USA NETWORK AND VERIZON LAUNCH THE “CHARACTERS UNITE COLLEGE TOUR” COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS TO BRING A USA NETWORK CELEBRITY AND A WORTHY CAUSE TO THEIR CAMPUS

This Fall, Characters Unite College Tour Will Stop at Seven Campuses Around the Country with Special Activation to Engage Students to Stop Problems of Discrimination and Dating Abuse

College or University with the Most Entries Ensured a Stop on the Tour and a Visit From a Star of One of USA Network’s Hit Series

NEW YORK, NY – September 17, 2014 – Verizon and USA Network are teaming for the Characters Unite College Tour to encourage students to use technology and their voices to help solve some of the country’s biggest social issues, such as stopping hate and discrimination and preventing dating abuse. USA and Verizon today launched a national contest – the “Characters Unite College Tour Competition” – for colleges and universities to win the opportunity to become one of the seven campuses visited on the tour this fall.

From September 3 through September 26, all college and university students can enter the competition at charactersunitecollegetour.com. Once students have entered the contest, they can encourage their friends to enter by promoting the tour on Facebook and Twitter. For every friend they get to enter, their school receives a bonus referral vote. The school with the highest number of entries will be guaranteed a stop on the fall tour and get a very special guest – one of the stars from a USA Network hit series.

“Verizon’s culture of diversity and inclusion is the core of who we are as a company and allows our employees to unleash their full talent and potential,” said Michelle Watts, director of workforce performance, at Verizon. “We’re proud to join the Characters Unite College Tour to help engage the brightest minds of tomorrow in creating a more open and respectful society, and make a positive difference in the world.”

“The Characters Unite College Tour and Competition represents our continued effort to inspire students to speak out against hate, abuse and discrimination,” said Toby Graff, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, USA Network. “We are proud to partner with Verizon and their HopeLine campaign to encourage today’s students, our future leaders, to become champions of change at their schools and in their communities.”

At each stop of the Characters Unite College Tour, students will be invited to create a free “I Won’t Stand For…” t-shirt, personalizing it by stamping a word to fill in the blank, such as bullying, dating abuse, racism, religious intolerance, sexism, homophobia, ableism and more. In addition, they can take a photo to be a part of the Characters Unite online gallery and immediately share the image with their friends and family via social media, joining millions of people – including top musicians, movie and television stars, athletes and political leaders – in the Characters Unite campaign to combat all forms of violence and discrimination.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn more about loveisrespect, a program dedicated to empowering youth and young adults to prevent and end abusive relationships. Students will also be able to join Verizon in speaking out against dating violence through the company’s HopeLine program. The activation will include HopeLine Collection bins where guests can donate no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories in any condition, from any service provider. Donated phones are recycled or refurbished and turned into support in the form of cash grants for local and national domestic violence prevention organizations across the country. Through HopeLine, Verizon also provides wireless phones to local domestic violence prevention organizations across the country for use by their clients. In addition, students will be invited to share messages of hope to domestic violence survivors through HopeLine’s Because Voices Have Power initiative.

To enter the contest, view the rules and regulations and learn more about the Characters Unite College Tour Competition, please visit charactersunitecollegetour.com. To learn more about HopeLine from Verizon, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline or www.voiceshavepower.com.

About Characters Unite
Characters Unite, USA Network’s award-winning public service program, was created to address the social injustices and cultural divides still prevalent in our society. Inspired by USA Network’s iconic “Characters Welcome” brand and with the support of leading national nonprofit organizations, the ongoing campaign is dedicated to supporting activities and messaging that combat prejudice and intolerance while promoting understanding and acceptance — on-air, online, and in communities across the country. www.charactersunite.com

About USA Network
The #1 network in all of basic cable for an unprecedented seven straight years, USA Network is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. USA is a leader in scripted programming with a powerful stable of originals, spectacular live television and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, a broad portfolio of acquired series and entertainment events. A trailblazer in digital innovation and storytelling, USA is defining, driving and setting the industry standard for Social TV. USA is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. The award-winning website is located at http://www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

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USA Contact:
Melissa Cusack | 212.664.8993 | melissa.cusack@nbcuni.com

Verizon Contact:
Ray McConville | 908.559.3504 | raymond.mcconville@verizon.com
Cameka Crawford | 908.559.3497 | cameka.crawford@verizonwireless.com

WHEN GEORGIA SMILED: THE ROBIN MCGRAW REVELATION FOUNDATION TEAMS WITH PIVOT AND STUDENTS OF THE WORLD TO LAUNCH THE #iASPIRE GRANT CONTEST

Students are invited to apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support their efforts to address sexual violence, which includes issues of campus sexual assault, relationship abuse, and harassment.

(Los Angeles, CA – September 16, 2014) – When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation has teamed with Participant Media’s television network, Pivot and Students of the World to launch the #iAspire Grant Contest to raise awareness of the issue of sexual violence on university campuses across the country, and highlight student initiatives to prevent issues such as sexual assault, abuse, and harassment.

Participating students can apply for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 in funding. Applicants are asked to share not only the work they are doing on their campus and in their community, but also to share their vision for how they would use the funding.

“Statistics show that one in five women will experience sexual assault during her college experience,” notes McGraw. “I think that is unacceptable. I want to amplify the great work students are doing on college campuses to make a difference and raise awareness of how people can protect themselves and be a part of the solution around sexual violence.”

“We are so pleased to be working with Robin McGraw and her foundation, When Georgia Smiled, to support the people and programs looking to solve this serious issue,” said John Arianas, EVP Branded Solutions for Pivot.

Through October 15th, students can apply through the Studentsoftheworld.org/iaspire for $500 to $5,000 in funding to support their visions for programs, resources, and educational components addressing issues of sexual violence. Of the winners selected, Robin McGraw will select one student to be invited to attend a taping of the DR. PHIL show that will feature his or her initiative.

In addition to applying for a grant, students are encouraged to download Aspire News, a free smartphone app, available in the iTunes stores and at www.whengeorgiasmiled.org, that allows the user to create pre-written text or voice messages to be sent to designated numbers (911 or other chosen contacts) with just the tap of a button. The ignition of the app’s “go button” also starts a recording to capture the details of the domestic violence encounter or other dangerous event underway. Aspire News is designed to appear like any other smart phone app to the untrained eye, allowing it to be downloaded and used in secret. Launched by When Georgia Smiled in October 2013, the Aspire News app has already had more than 80,000 downloads and was recognized on Capitol Hill by the National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse as one of the two apps in 2014 most beneficial in the fight to end domestic violence.

The #iAspire Grant Contest is made possible with support from When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation. For further information, and to apply for a grant, visit http://www.studentsoftheworld.org/iaspire/ or WhenGeorgiaSmiled.org.

About When Georgia Smiled
When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation, creates and advances programs that help women and children, especially those affected by domestic violence, live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives. For more information, visit www.WhenGeorgiaSmiled.org.

About Pivot
Participant Media’s television network Pivot (http://www.Pivot.tv), launched nationally in August 2013, serves passionate Millennials (18-34) with a diverse slate of talent and a mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content, and connects audiences to a wealth of content and actions through its affiliated website TakePart (http://www.TakePart.com). Pivot is available in approximately 45 million homes in North America via traditional pay TV subscription, integrating a live and on-demand streaming option via the Pivot app. Follow Pivot on Twitter at @pivot_tv and on Facebook at facebook.com/pivottelevision.

Participant Media (http://www.ParticipantMedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing, and digital content that inspires social change. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network, and its television network, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.

Students of the World (SOW)
Students of the World is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with a national network of university students and creative professionals to produce media that inspires positive social action. We believe in the creative capacity of our generation, the transformative power of storytelling, and the value of highlighting positive change.

Latino Groups Launch National Campaign to Deliver Record Latino Turnout for 2014 Midterm Elections

With the Latino electorate expected to keep growing in the 2014 election and beyond, 50 national Latino groups are launching an online voter registration campaign to prove the power of the Latino vote.

The campaign kick-off, coinciding with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, urges Latinos to register to vote and then take their families and friends to the ballot box on Elections Day, November 4. Only by exercising the power of their vote, can the Latino community influence real policy changes.

The campaign will launch a national “Hispanic Heritage Month of Action” and will have three main voter registration pushes: (September 15), September 23 (National Voter Registration Day), and October 15 (the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month). The initiative is the first of its kind to mobilize Latinos during Hispanic Heritage Month and brings together partners across all industries to put the needs of the Latino community above individual politics.

Hispanic Heritage Month of Action relies heavily on digital and social media assets, along with ground components in key states, including outreach to young Latinos who have reached voting age. The initiative is led online by Voto Latino, on the ground by Mi Familia Vota in key Latino states, and nationally with partners. Voto Latino Chairwoman Rosario Dawson, Voto Latino Artist Coalition co-Chairs America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama, and Latino Victory Project co-founder Eva Longoria are also lending their voices to the campaign, which runs through October 15, the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“We are calling American Latinos to rise above our political differences and to unite as a community this November,” said María Teresa Kumar, President and CEO, Voto Latino. “Today and for the next month, we will show that Latinos stand tall because we have pride in our culture, and we recognize the power of our vote.”

Ben Monterroso, Executive Director, Mi Familia Vota, said the Latino community will not remain silent after the political stalemate in Washington over immigration reform, because, “Latinos understand that the only real way to impact our future is with a strong showing of our voting power. We began the immigration debate with our record turnout in the 2012 election, and we will continue fighting for our community and for immigration reform by voting.”

“Pride in our Latino culture includes pride in our Nation. As Americans, we are proud to exercise our right to vote and elect officials who reflect the values of our communities. We stand with our partners to mobilize our communities, register our family and friends, and ensure a path to reach the polls on Election Day,” said Cristóbal Alex, President of the Latino Victory Project. “Exercising our right to vote builds power in the Latino community so that the faces and voices of Latinos are reflected at every level of government and in the policies that drive our country forward.”

More than 7.8 million Latinos are expected to vote this November, up from 6.6 million Latinos who voted in the last midterm election in 2010, according to projections by National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). The record Latino voter turnout in 2012 propelled immigration to the top of the policy agenda. Latino voters must be heard again to create the political climate to find solutions for immigration, the economy, and other issues important to the Latino community.

For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month of Action or to register to vote please visit www.latinos2014.com.

The Power of Peer Support: Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” Hits Campuses

“I’m too young, too inexperienced,” Stephanie Mecham thought. “There’s no way I’d get the job.”

The 19-year-old had seen a posting for an internship that was exactly what she wanted to do—a legislative correspondent role in government. It was a perfect match for her skills, and her goals. And yet for some reason she convinced herself not to apply. (“Why waste the time only to get rejected?” she thought.)

The next week, Mecham sat down with members of her Lean In Circle, a group of students she meets with regularly to talk about school and life. The subject this week was stepping outside their comfort zones. One by one, the women shared stories of overcoming their fears and owning their abilities.

Mecham went home that night and applied for the job. She got it.

Women everywhere face unique challenges because of biases we all hold—biases that tell us women should be nurturers, not leaders, modest, not confident. LeanIn.Org, the women’s nonprofit founded by Sheryl Sandberg, is working to break down those biases. They believe the path forward begins with Lean In Circles.

Lean In Circles—small groups that meet regularly to learn and grow together—are as unique as the people who start them. At the University of Tennessee, a graduate student runs a Circle called “Systers” for female computer science students. A Circle of Asian-American men at Harvard meets to discuss the biases they face because of their race. At the American University of Iraq, a group runs pop-up events for female entrepreneurs. As different as they come, Circles all share one thing in common: the power of peer support.

Today there are more than 20,000 Circles in 73 countries—and on 350 college campuses. Like Stephanie, 75% of members attribute a positive outcome in their life to their Circle, and 83% say they’re more likely to take on a new opportunity or challenge.

“We believe that the world would be better with more women sitting at the tables where decisions are made—and we believe today’s students are the generation that can make this happen,” says Rachel Thomas, the president of LeanIn.Org.

On September 18, Sheryl Sandberg and the LeanIn.Org team will host a Livestream discussion (leanin.org/livestream) for students who are interested in learning more about Lean In Circles. Sheryl will share career advice, and Circle members will share their personal experiences from last year on campus.

Students face unique challenges as they head out into the world: what career path they want to take, who their life partner will be, what type of leader they want to become. LeanIn.Org believes Circles can help provide the support and skills to prepare for a successful transition into the workplace.

“Think of Circles as part peer learning and part peer support group,” says Thomas. “At leanin.org, we offer everything students need to run a successful Circle—including expert videos and discussion guides on how to communicate with confidence, accept feedback, and work effectively on teams,” says Thomas.

“Students everywhere can make a difference,” Thomas continues. “With each student that steps outside her comfort zone, takes the lead or speaks up, we will.”

Tune in for the LeanIn.Org Livestream on Sept18 at 7:30pm ET/ 4:30pm PT. Log on at leanin.org/livestream or start or find a Circle on your campus at leanin.org/circles.

Cengage Learning and Flashnotes.com to Transform the Learning Experience in Higher Education With Strategic Partnership

Flashnotes LogoCengage Logo

Integrated with Cengage Learning’s MindTap, Flashnotes.com Offers Student-Created Content to Deliver Improved Academic Outcomes for Today’s Students

BOSTON, Mass. September 10, 2014 – Empowering students to play an active role in how academic content is created and consumed, Cengage Learning, a global education company, and Flashnotes.com, the student-to-student study materials marketplace, announced a strategic partnership to integrate the Flashnotes.com marketplace into MindTap, the premier e-learning environment that delivers high levels of engagement to inspire improved student outcomes. Through this integration, students will have access to course-specific, student-to-student study materials – study guides, notes, flashcards, video tutorials and live video help. Cengage Learning will also invest in Flashnotes.com’s Series B round of funding.

MindTap’s immersive learning platform was developed to address how students live and learn, and combines traditional lesson content with interactive assignments, apps and collaboration tools to guide students through learning along a proven path.

“Cengage Learning is deeply focused on understanding the needs of students to deliver innovative tools and services that set them up for success,” said Jim Donohue, Chief Product Officer, Cengage Learning. “That means always looking for new ways to engage students. Our partnership with Flashnotes.com will enable us to enhance the higher ed learning experience in a way that reflects the way students work and study, with content generated by the students themselves. It is the sharing economy at work in education.”

This partnership recognizes the need for high quality, student-created content to augment existing study materials in today’s marketplace, and to enable students to study and learn in the way that works best for them.

“Our partnership with Cengage Learning recognizes the importance of student-created content in helping today’s college students excel academically,” said Michael Matousek, Founder of Flashnotes.com. “Cengage Learning is leading a transformative change in education that will benefit students in a profound way, and we’re excited they’ve chosen the Flashnotes.com platform to provide them with highly relevant, student-created content.”

Within the Flashnotes.com marketplace, students can create relevant study materials or offer services that will help other students. They have the ability to set the price for these materials or services and earn a commission of each sale, paid to them on a weekly basis. Flashnotes.com works with institutions and faculty members to ensure that the materials created by students fit into school guidelines. All Flashnotes.com study materials are originally created by students and are subject to rigid processes to ensure that the rights of copyright owners are fully respected.

Commenting on this partnership, Lester Lefton, President Emeritus of Kent State University and Flashnotes.com Board Member, said, “Cengage Learning and Flashnotes.com are working together within the higher ed ecosystem to foster meaningful change. Instead of trying to bring disruptive change to a world that is rooted in tradition, this inclusive approach benefits all stakeholders – the faculty, administrators, students and publishers.”

About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology, and services company for the higher education and K-12, professional and library markets worldwide.  The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience. Cengage Learning is headquartered in Boston, MA with an office hub located in San Francisco, CA. The company operates in more than 20 countries around the world. www.Cengage Learning.com.

About Flashnotes.com
Flashnotes.com is the student-to-student study materials marketplace. On Flashnotes.com, college students sell and buy course-specific study materials — study guides, notes, flashcards, video tutorials, and live video help. College students need two things — more money and better grades. Flashnotes.com Pays2StudyTM approach empowers smart college students to make money from their own study material while helping other students study smarter to get better grades. For further information, visit www.flashnotes.com. Flashnotes.com is headquartered in Boston, Mass.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Stanley
Cengage Learning
lindsay.stanley@cengage.com
203.965.8634

Caitlin Gribbons
Kel & Partners
Caitlin@kelandpartners.com
857.248.2842

PAOLO NUTINI CELEBRATES U.S. RELEASE OF “CAUSTIC LOVE”

WITH PERFORMANCES ON NBC’S TODAY AND ABC’S JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!
ALBUM STREAMING VIA PANDORA PREMIERES;
“LET ME DOWN EASY” NAMED MOST ADDED NEW TRACK
AT TRIPLE A RADIO OUTLETS NATIONWIDE;
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR GETS UNDERWAY SEPTEMBER 15TH IN TORONTO;
“CAUSTIC LOVE” ARRIVES ON SEPTEMBER 16TH

Atlantic recording artist Paolo Nutini has announced an array of activity surrounding the US release of his extraordinary new album. “CAUSTIC LOVE” arrives on Tuesday, September 16th and is now streaming on the new Pandora Premieres channel through Monday, September 15th – please visit www.pandora.com/premieres for complete information.

Recently honored with the British GQ Men of the Year Awards’ “Special Achievement Award,” Nutini has slated a series of high profile live performances, beginning this Saturday, September 13th with a headline appearance at London’s iTunes Festival. The Scottish soul singer/songwriter will then cross the Atlantic for the first leg of his upcoming North American headline tour. The dates get underway Monday, September 15th, at Toronto’s Sound Academy and then continue through the month (see attached itinerary). Highlights include Nutini’s first-ever headline performance at New York City’s world famous Apollo Theater, set for September 23rd, as well as Austin’s ACL Music Festival on Friday, October 3rd and Friday, October 10th.

Nutini has also scheduled a number of high profile TV and radio appearances, including visits to NBC’s TODAY and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, both slated for Wednesday, September 17th, as well as a performance on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, set for Tuesday, September 30th (check local listings).

“CAUSTIC LOVE” includes the brilliant new single, “Let Me Down Easy,” which has just been named Most Added at Triple A radio outlets nationwide. A full-on phenomenon worldwide, “CAUSTIC LOVE” debuted at #1 on the UK Album Chart upon its release and has proven a fixture on the upper reaches of the chart, earning top 10 placement for 18 weeks and counting. In addition, “CAUSTIC LOVE” has ruled the iTunes Store’s “Top Albums” chart in a stunning range of countries, with #1 sales in the UK, Ireland, Italy, and 6 other countries, as well as top 3 success in 21 countries.

Paolo Nutini’s debut album “THESE STREETS,” earned critical praise and worldwide sales in excess of 2 million. His sophomore release “SUNNY SIDE UP” debuted at #1 in the UK and has been certified 3x platinum, also earning a BRIT Awards nomination and a prestigious Ivor Novello Award. Nutini has toured worldwide appearing at some of the world’s biggest festivals. He has also performed alongside legends such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Etta James and Solomon Burke.

“You can hear a lot of history in Paolo Nutini’s voice. The scratch in his timbre and the wind in his lungs recall the most virile soul singers in U.K. history, from Joe Cocker to Paul Rodgers to Rod Stewart.” – NY Daily News
“This is a seriously clever album by an artist who has clearly matured and deserves to have a big hit on his hands. I’d bet the mortgage on this being one of 2014’s defining albums.” – Sunday Mirror
“The 27-year-old and his whisky-soaked words writhe their way around a multitude of Motown-inflected could-be singles, paying homage to Prince, Marvin Gaye, Echo & The Bunnymen, the Beach Boys, and D’Angelo along the way.” –The Guardian

“What’s he been doing (for the past five years)?” wondered The Sunday Times before answering, “Writing the best songs of his career.”

The Independent summed it up, declaring “CAUSTIC LOVE” to be “an unqualified success…the best UK R&B album since the 1970s blue-eyed-soul heyday of Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker.”

For more, please visit www.paolonutini.com, www.facebook.com/PaoloNutini, http://instagram.com/paolonutinihttps://twitter.com/paolonutini (@paolonutini), and www.atlanticrecords.com.

PAOLO NUTINI
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2014

SEPTEMBER
15 Toronto, ON Sound Academy
17 Washington, DC Lincoln Theatre
19 Boston, MA House of Blues
20 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre
22 New York, NY Terminal 5
23 New York, NY Apollo Theater
25 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
26 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
27 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
29 San Diego, CA House of Blues

OCTOBER
3 Austin, TX ACL Music Festival
4 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
6 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works
7 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
9 Austin, TX Stubb’s Outdoors
10 Austin, TX ACL Music Festival

# # #

Contact:
Christina Kotsamanidis (National)
212.707.2241
Christina.Kotsamanidis@atlanticrecords.com

Amy Laudicano (Online/Tour)
212.707.3067
Amy.Laudicano@atlanticrecords.com 

CDA Launches New Digital Copper Learning Center

Online learning center offers easily accessible information from copper experts

New York, NY (September 4, 2014) – The Copper Development Association (CDA) announced the launch of a new informational tool, the Copper Learning Center, that provides students and industry professionals easy access to extensive information on copper and its many  applications. This virtual classroom launched with an introductory course geared toward students and industry professionals, both new and experienced. This initial course covers mining, production, and typical applications of copper, as well as its unique properties. It has received approval from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and will earn students one Learning Unit credit hour.

CDA has gathered information from industry experts in order to provide the most accurate information on copper usage. The courses will be organized into concise, engaging and affordable modules that can be accessed on-demand. Future courses will be developed specifically for experienced professionals, and will focus on copper applications in building and construction, as well as sustainable energy.

“We feel that the Copper Learning Center will be a great resource for students and industry professionals alike, because it will provide an extensive, mobile-friendly and self-paced learning network,” said CDA Vice President Robert Weed.

“This learning center will continue to grow, and will provide a platform for other educational opportunities, including online webinars and access to a community of experts that can help users develop as professionals,” said Weed. “We are also working toward offering more Continuing Education credits for these courses, and will be constantly evolving the site to add even more resources for our users.”

Participants can receive a special discount by using the promo code “CU101” when purchasing the first course. If your organization would like to enroll multiple employees in the learning center, please contact the CDA and they will work with you to establish an organizational discount. You may reach out to Kyle Sexton, Program Coordinator for CDA, at kyle.sexton@copperalliance.us.

For more information about the Copper Learning Center, watch this informational video, or click here to register for the course.

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About the Copper Development Association
The Copper Development Association Inc. is the not-for-profit, market development, engineering and information services arm of the copper industry, chartered to enhance and expand markets for copper and its alloys in North America. Learn more on our blog. Follow us on Twitter.

Media Contact
Alexandra Carmichael
212-297-2120
acarmichael@kellencompany.com

Sierra Club Calls on University and College Students to Join the People’s Climate March

For Immediate Release:

September 03, 2014
Press Contact: Mark Westlund
mark.westlund@sierraclub.org
415-977-5719

Sierra Club Calls on University and College Students
to Join the People’s Climate March

Students Nationwide Joining Largest Environmental March in Global History

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –The Sierra Student Coalition, the youth arm of the Sierra Club, announced today that they are calling on students to join in the People’s Climate March in New York City, Sunday, September 21. The march will be staged in advance of the UN Climate Summit to be held on Wednesday, September 23 and is expected to be the largest climate march in history.

Leaders from around the world will be attending the summit with the expectation that this will lead to more serious attention to address global climate change. They’ll be met by students, members and volunteers from the Sierra Club who will join a coalition of close to 800 environmental, labor, and civil rights organizations that will march in New York to demand these leaders do more to halt climate disruption.

“This next generation is often characterized as the last one that can make a difference in climate change, and the march is an opportunity to tip the climate movement in favor of making that a reality,” stated Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club. “We’re asking students to march with us to show that this is an issue that affects all of us now and the only way to ensure it’s not a future problem is to start solving it now.”

Students who join in the march will have an opportunity to meet and work with other students at the Youth Convergence set up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th at Martin Luther King Education Campus, 122 Amsterdam Avenue between West 65th and 66th Streets. Different organizations, including the Sierra Club, 350.org, the NEC, and the Green Schools Alliance, will be conducting workshops and seminars on different environmental and social justice-related topics.

Youth Convergence organizers say the purpose is to create a space for young people from across the climate justice movement to come together to learn from others in the movement and prepare for the People’s Climate March the following day.

Buses are being organized to bring participants to New York from various points outside of the city. More information about the buses and how students can get involved with the Youth Convergence and the People’s Climate March can be found here http://ssc.org/PCM

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