Count Down to Christmas with New Care Bears™ Advent Calendar

Make this holiday season a beary merry adventure with your cuddly friends, the Care Bears. The brand new Care Bears Advent Calendar is a magical interactive calendar you can download to your desktop or iPad, and each day brings festive fun!  Follow your favorite Care Bears through a jolly experience filled with games, activities, videos and more to build the holiday excitement as you explore the dazzling sights of Care-a-Lot at Christmas time.

Count Down to Christmas with Brand-New Care Bears(TM) Advent Calendar! This interactive digital calendar is available for PC, Mac and iPad and brings sharing and caring to holiday anticipation. (PRNewsFoto/American Greetings Corporation)

First introduced by American Greetings in 1982 through consumer products, greeting cards, and later an animated CGI television show, Care Bears has become one of the world’s most popular and endearing children’s properties. Today, fans of all ages are falling in love with these huggable bears who help kids have fun while sharing and caring.

Each day, click on the stars to reveal another special Care Bears surprise and check out all of the wondrous Christmas activities. Whether you’re helping trim the tree in the center of Care-a-Lot, making your own snowflakes or creating joyful scenes with interactive coloring pages – there’s something for everyone. We even saved the best for last – on Christmas Day, a full-length Care Bears holiday video will be unlocked!  For only $2.99 per download, this video adds an extra value to gifting a Care Bears Advent Calendar. It’s easy to order and send extra copies to friends and family, so everyone can count down to Christmas together!

“The joyful and generous spirit of the holiday season and excitement of anticipating Christmas are a perfect fit for the sharing and caring message that’s synonymous with Care Bears,” said Derek Roberto, vice president of new media at AG Properties. “The interactive experience of exploring Care-a-Lot at Christmas is sure to make the season merry and bright with sights and sounds that will delight fans of all ages.“

Swarovski Announces ‘Living Yangtze’

A Creative Collaboration With Eric Valli To ‘Win Hearts Not Just Heads’

Swarovski has announced a major creative collaboration with the distinguished film director and photographer Eric Valli which aims to use film as a positive medium to generate empathy and awareness about the importance of clean, sustainable water sources. Since 1981 Eric Valli has captured on camera some of the most inaccessible locations in the world, working for titles such as National Geographic, Life, GEO, Paris Match, Stern and Smithsonian magazines, and The Sunday Times of London.

TEA – Swarovski – Eric Valli (PRNewsFoto/Swarovski)

Swarovski Waterschool – Eric Valli (PRNewsFoto/Swarovski)

Painter – Swarovski – Eric Valli (PRNewsFoto/Swarovski)

Eric specializes in mountain scenery and is an expert on the Himalayas, in particular Nepal, Tibet andAfghanistan. In 1987, his photo story Honey Hunters – documenting the cliff-climbing Gurung tribesmen of west-central Nepal – won a World Press Award.In 1990 Eric and his Australian wife Diane Summers shot Shadow Hunters, which captures the gathering of birds’ nests for soup in a vast cave in western Thailand. The film received an Academy Award nomination for best documentary. In 1999 he directed the adventure story Himalaya – a tale of survival in the mountain region – which became the first Nepalese film to receive an Academy Award nomination for best foreign film. Eric has published 14 books to date, including in 2006 The Sky Will Be My Roof, a memoir of adventure and travel. In total, his photography has been recognized with three World Press Awards. In addition he has shot commercial work for Hermes and Louis Vuitton. For his most recent project – a book and film about the Yangtze river in China, made in conjunction with Swarovski – Eric spent six months documenting life along the world’s third largest waterway. An exhibition will accompany the launch in 2015.

‘Living Yangtze’, a multi-media project which tells the stories of the communities living along the great Yangtze River, was previewed yesterday by Eric Valli at the closing session of the Nature Conservancy’s Global Water Summit.

“‘Living Yangtze‘ started with a basic observation: as human beings we have a tendency to forget numbers, data and things we don’t like to hear about,” Valli told an audience of 400 scientists, practitioners, corporate leaders and policy makers at the Art Institute of Chicago‘s Rubloff Auditorium. “But we remember what emotionally touches us – beauty, tenderness, passion, and harmony – for the rest of our lives. So instead of bombarding people with data and gloomy statistics, we decided to do the opposite. We wanted to make them aware of the beauty of their own heritage and traditions; to make them proud; to motivate them to act rather than discouraging them with guilt.”

The award-winning photographer was joined by film maker Jamie Redford and Producer Dave Allen in a panel discussion exploring the role of media and entertainment in “winning hearts, not just heads” by generating awareness and inspiring consumers to action around environmental issues like the importance of clean water. During a panel talk entitled “Entertainment as a Conservation Strategy”, Valli argued that the best way of raising environmental awareness was to inspire new audiences with an appreciation of the beauty of our natural landscapes, not “with doomladen statistics”.

Swarovski commissioned Eric Valli to spend six months documenting the lives of communities around the locations of its Waterschools along the Yangtze River. The Swarovski Waterschool China is a not for profit organisation which has been working in the Yangtze basin since 2008. It is active in nine regions along the Yangtze from the source in the Tibetan plateau down to the river mouth were it flows into the Chinese sea. Working alongside the Shangri-La Institute and with the support of local governments and the Ministry of

The Swarovski story began in 1895 when Daniel Swarovski invented a machine for cutting and polishing crystal. This machine not only revolutionized jewelry manufacturing, it has inspired the worlds of art, design, fashion and cinema for over a hundred years. Today Swarovski is the world’s leading producer of precision-cut crystal and gemstones, with over 2,350 stores in about 170 countries, 25,135 employees and revenues of 2.38 billion Euros in 2012.

Education in Shanghai, the program teaches in 59 schools and will have reached 200,000 children by the end of 2014. Founded in Austria 15 years ago and now a global network located on some of the world’s greatest rivers, Swarovski’s Waterschools teach children and their families about the importance of clean, sustainable water sources through engaging images and storytelling.

Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented: “Our global water challenges call for creative solutions, but also relevant information for this pressing topic. We are therefore thrilled to collaborate with Eric Valli on this exciting project, which tells the uplifting story of communities living in harmony with their environment and their river.

“It was an abundance of fresh water that first drew our founder, Daniel Swarovski, to the Alpine valley where our company is still headquartered today. But water is not just a key element in our production, it also flows through the culture and philosophy of our business, and it inspired the Swarovski Waterschool program. We hope that Eric’s beautiful images will bring to vivid life the urgent issues around our reliance on water, elevating the story of water through creativity.”

Water has always been a key element in the production of Swarovski crystal, but it also runs through the company’s culture and philosophy, which from the earliest days 120 years ago demanded a respect for human and environmental values. The objectives of the Swarovski Waterschools are to create awareness of the fact that water is essential to our survival; to teach the principles of sustainable water management; and to provide clean drinking water and water sanitation in schools and surrounding communities where the Waterschool program is active.

Fifteen years ago the first Swarovski Waterschool was established on Austria’s Inn River. Since then Swarovski has set up Waterschools around the globe on the world’s greatest rivers – in India’s Ganges Delta, on China’sYangtze River, in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and in the Amazon Forest of Brazil. The program has reached 200,000 children and their families and been taught in 2,655 schools worldwide. Around 1,470 teachers have been trained and 264,995 community members have been involved in various water projects.

Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity that goes beyond the manufacturing of crystal. Founded in 1895 in Austria, Swarovski designs, manufactures, and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones, and finished products such as jewelry, accessories, and lighting. In addition, Swarovski Crystal Worlds was established as a unique venue dedicated to showcasing artistic interpretations of crystal. Swarovski Entertainment collaborates with established industry partners and exceptional talent to produce international feature films, while the Swarovski Foundation supports creativity and culture, promotes wellbeing, and conserves natural resources. Now run by the fifth generation of family members, Swarovski Crystal Business has a global reach with approximately 2,480 stores in around 170 countries, more than 24,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.33 billion euros in 2013. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2013, the Group generated revenue of about 3.02 billion euros and employed more than 30,000 people.

Images from Living Yangtze by Eric Valli for Swarovski will be published in a book next year, accompanied by an exhibition of images and short films.

BREITLING CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE BREITLING EMERGENCY II

THE ULTIMATE HIGH-TECH SURVIVAL INSTRUMENT IN ALL DISTRESS SITUATIONS ON LAND, AT SEA AND IN THE AIR

To celebrate the launch of the Breitling Emergency II, the Swiss watch brand hosted a party on board the iconic warship HMS Belfast in London. The Breitling Emergency II (Breitling Emergency II RRP from £12,040 and Emergency II Night Mission RRP from £13,570 available to purchase nationwide from certified Breitling Dealers) is the first ever wristwatch to feature a dual frequency personal locator beacon, a revolutionary rechargeable battery, a miniaturized dual frequency transmitter and an unprecedented integrated antenna system – features specifically developed for this model.  This miniaturized transmitter and antenna system, developed in conjunction with the specifications of the Cospas Sarsat international satellite system, serves both to issue alerts and to guide search and rescue missions. As the first ever wristworn dual frequency PLB, it establishes itself as a safety and survival instrument in all distress situations on land, at sea and in the air.

Breitling Emergency II RRP

Breitling Emergency II RRP

Breitling Emergency II RRP

Emergency II Night Mission RRP

Emergency II Night Mission RRP

Emergency II Night Mission RRP

Breitling Emergency II RRP

All eyes were on the Thames as the Emergency Night Mission – the ultra-cool all black titanium version of the watch – arrived under a veil of darkness, delivered by a Stealth 710 vessel equipped with state of the art anti-detection systems.

Breitling Emergency Night Mission

Of the event, Breitling UK Managing Director Gavin Murphy says: “It is very fitting for Breitling to be hosting the launch of the Emergency II on board HMS Belfast. Not only does Breitling have a long heritage of working with the military in the UK but also the ship itself when built was equipped with the most advanced radar systems of the time; this pioneering spirit is reflected in everything Breitling does and nowhere more so than  the second generation Emergency”

Charlie Casely-Hayford, Joe Casely-Hayford

Jade Williams

Jack Guiness, Amber le bon

Quentin Smith and Neil Lawton

Breitling Launches The Emergency II on HMS Belfast, on Tuesday 25, November 2014, London, England.

Breitling Launches The Emergency II on HMS Belfast, on Tuesday 25, November 2014, London, England.

The event was attended by special guests of the brand including pilots and military personnel as well as adventurers Neil Laughton and Quentin Smith, a pilot rescued from his life raft after he deployed his Breitling Emergency in the Antarctic in 2003.

 

 

 

Groundbreaking Documentary “It’s Not Over” Debuts on Netflix and SnagFilms

In honor of World AIDS Day, It‘s Not Over, a feature length documentary film made possible by the M.A.C AIDS Fund, the charitable arm of M.A.C Cosmetics, will be available worldwide on Netflix and SnagFilms on the 1^st December, offering a global audience an inspiring look at how young people today are facing the challenges of HIV. Viewed from the perspective of filmmaker Andrew Jenks, It‘s Not Over tells the story of three young people from different parts of the world who are living with or affected by HIV in vastly different, yet astonishingly inter-connected ways. Jenks visits India, South Africa and the United States to experience the epidemic first hand. The result is a deeply personal and uplifting story that is rarely represented in popular culture.

Viewers will be taken on a journey, traveling all over the world with Jenks, to put a face on the AIDS epidemic. Partnering with three courageous young people, Andrew works to humanise the issue as they show us an inside look at how their lives are affected by HIV as well as the lives of those around them. In America, Jenks meets Paige Rawl, a college freshman in Indiana who has been living with HIV her entire life. After years of battling the harsh stigma and depression she turned everything around to become a powerful advocate for fighting the disease from dance marathons at her university to supporting other children impacted by the disease. In India, Jenks meets Sarang Bhakre, a Mumbai playwright who is openly gay in a country that outlaws homosexuality. Sarang’s current play addresses gay marriage, and filmmaker Jenks is along for the ride, from rehearsal to debut, witnessing the courage and bravery it takes Sarang to face these issues. In South Africa, Jenks meets Lucky Mfundisi, a Soccer Coach and educator with Grassroot Soccer, an AIDS organization that teaches youth prevention through soccer. Lucky acts as a tour guide around Khayelitsha, the largest and fastest growing township in South Africa, with some of the highest rates of HIV in the world. Lucky shows Jenks how he is working to transcend the poverty with a message of hope and perseverance.

The subjects in the film are active with M.A.C AIDS Fund grantees including Humsafar, Grassroot Soccer and Camp Kindle. These partners have received grants to help fight HIV/AIDS through the M.A.C AIDS Fund, which raises funds exclusively through the sale of M.A.C‘s VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass. In the UK, the full R.R.P Less V.A.T from the sale of VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipglass goes towards helping women, men and children everywhere affected by HIV/AIDS. To date, MAF has raised more than $340 million (U.S)

Netflix, the world’s largest global streaming platform, is hosting the film for viewers worldwide, and SnagFilms, a leader in high-quality free film content, is making it available through its applications on Roku^®, Xbox™, Sony^®and more.

“Young people can end this epidemic, but to engage and motivate them toward this goal, we need to recognise that the era of PSAs and finger-wagging messages is gone. We’ve got to make them part of the solution, which we set out to do with this film,” said Nancy Mahon, Global Executive Director, the M.A.C AIDS Fund. “It‘s Not Over represents the latest bold, creative strategy from the M.A.C AIDS Fund as we look to engage young people in impactful, meaningful, action-oriented ways to end the AIDS epidemic.”

UNAIDS welcomes the film and calls upon young people around the world to mobilize around its vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. Globally, an estimated 5 million adolescents and young people (ages 10-24) were living with HIV in 2013. Millions of young people living with HIV do not know they have the virus. Every day approximately 1,800 adolescents and young people become infected with HIV, accounting for nearly 31 percent of all new HIV infections.

“Young people will lead us to an AIDS-free generation. By ensuring adolescents and young people are aware of and have access to HIV services, we are not only saving lives, but also investing in a healthier future for generations to come,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “We are proud of the strong partnership we have with the M.A.C AIDS Fund to advance global efforts toward ending the AIDS epidemic.”

DEWAR’S® Reimagines Iconic Profiles Campaign

DEWAR’S®, the world’s most awarded Blended Scotch whisky, is proud to announce an extension of the DEWAR’S ‘Live True’ campaign with the launch of“DEWAR’S Profiles,” a digital version of the brand’s successful print campaign from years ago. This series of short video interviews celebrates individuals and notable personalities who have the courage to drive unexpected pursuits that positively impact the lives of others and the world around them. DEWAR’S ‘Live True’ Profiles is the latest iteration of the brand’s global ‘Live True’ advertising campaign, which features extraordinary people who follow their passion, who live according to their own convictions and who value authenticity above everything – just like the brand’s founder John Dewar himself.

DEWAR’S(R) Reimagines Iconic Profiles Campaign (PRNewsFoto/DEWAR’S)

Founded in 1846 by John Dewar, DEWAR‘S has grown from a small wine and spirits merchant shop in Scotland, to one of the largest Scotch whisky brands in the world.  Best known for its iconic DEWAR’S White Label, the top selling blended Scotch whisky in the USA, it has expanded its family to create a portfolio of premium and super premium whiskies including DEWAR’S 12 Year Old, DEWAR’S 18 Year Old and the exclusive DEWAR’S Signature. These whiskies are crafted using the DEWAR’S double barrel ageing process. Pioneered by DEWAR’S in 1899, it involves returning the hand-crafted blend to vintage oak casks for further maturation. The result is a smoother taste with a long, lingering finish; a taste that wins medals and applause, making DEWAR’S the world’s most awarded Scotch. The DEWAR’S brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

The individuals highlighted in the series come from all walks of life and include Mark Bustos, a hairstylist who provides haircuts to the homeless; Hilary Knight, professional women’s hockey player and two-time silver medallist Olympian; Zio Zeigler, a muralist promoting free art for all; Sal Masekela, television personality and founder of the charitable organization Stoked Mentoring; and Jon Rose, professional surfer and founder of Waves For Water, which provides filters that give everyone the opportunity to have clean water. Over a glass of DEWAR’S, viewers can delve deeper into the stories and lives of these remarkable individuals.

Mark Bustos – Entering the hair industry at the age of 14 years old, Mark Bustos has evolved into one of the industries most well rounded and sought after hairstylists. At the young age of 30, Mark works with some of the biggest names in the fashion industry such as Phillip Lim, Mark Badgley, and James Mischka. In his spare time, Mark can be found making his way around New York City offering haircuts and styling for the homeless, allowing them the opportunity to feel clean and equal to those around them. Whether their new appearance affords them the comfort to apply for a job or they simply have a moment of joy, Mark’s efforts do not go unnoticed.

Hilary Knight – A two-time silver medallist in women’s hockey, this Olympian and professional hockey player has achieved almost every accolade the sport has to offer. She found initial success as the star of theUniversity of Wisconsin hockey team, going to the championship finals during all four years of college. Most recently, Hilary had the honor to practice with the Dallas Stars, the first female hockey player to practice with a professional team. Today, Hilary is partnering with a variety of national organizations to promote the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle. She is working with the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, Kids Eat Right Campaign, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and Let’s Move in School.

Sal Masekela – A  beloved commentator, journalist, musician and producer and TV host, Sal has certainly made a name for himself in the media and sports industries. He gained awareness for his cultural reporting inSouth Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and in February 2014, Sal made his Olympic broadcasting debut from the Winter Olympics in Sochi. In addition to his hosting, producing, acting, writing and voice over work, Sal lends his name and time to the charity he cofounded, Stoked Mentoring, a nonprofit action sports organization for at-risk youth whose mission is “developing successful teens with opportunity, knowledge, experience, and determination through the use of action sports, mentoring and coaching.” Sal also serves on the board of the Tony Hawk Foundation™.

Jon Rose – After 13 years of professional surfing, Jon decided to look for his next move amidst his worldwide travels. After extensive research and during his time abroad, Jon discovered that the technology to create potable water through a simple filtration process, not only existed, but was cost effective and readily available. In 2009, Jon left for Bali on what was to be his first clean water mission with 10 new filters he bought with his own money. During a quick surf stop on the way, Jon was in the city of Padang (Indonesia), when the earthquake that completely devastated the area hit. Surviving the earthquake without a scratch, Jon traveled inland to distribute the filters where they were most needed. He did not know it yet, but this was the birth of Waves for Water (W4W). Waves For Water is a non-profit organization that primarily provides clean water solutions to people who need them, whether for communities that do not have access to clean water, or to provide assistance in the face of disaster. Jon’s objective is to identify the problem and quickly connect an existing user-friendly solution – such as portable water filters or rainwater harvesting systems.

Zio Zeigler –An American artist, Zio is most well known for his paintings and large scale outdoor murals. His early work was inspired by the 1990 graffiti movement in the Bay Area and Europe as well as skateboard graphics and naive art. He is known for being an artist who bridges the accessibility of public art with a serious in studio practice. In conjunction with hand printing and creating garments and paintings, Ziegler began to peripherally teach second and third grade art classes at neighboring schools in order to create a symbiosis with the community. In 2011, he co-founded Weekend Swap, an outdoor gear sharing platform. He has painted murals for large corporations in dowtown Las Vegas, Brooklynn New York and many other places as well. While collaborating, he insists that products are not his focus, “just tangents in order to make his art more accessible to the public”, while murals and canvases are his true focus, and will remain so for the rest of his life.

“DEWAR’S is proud of our heritage, our history, and our commitment to authenticity,” said DEWAR’S VP and Brand Managing Director Dan Pilas.  “We have a truly rich story and want to celebrate the inspirational stories of remarkable individuals who ‘Live True’ in their daily lives.”

In addition to the digital series, the ‘Live True’ campaign is backed by advertising across broadcast, print and social media channels. DEWAR’S ‘Live True Profiles’ can be found at DewarsProfiles.com.

BVLGARI Announces The Opening Of Their First Canadian Flagship Boutique

Bulgari, the contemporary Italian jeweler and master of colored gemstones, announces the opening of its first boutique in Canada, within Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall. This milestone marks a special moment for the 130 year old brand, as it brings Bulgari’s Italian roots and spirit of excellence to a new market.

Bulgari Flagship Boutique at Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall (PRNewsFoto/Bulgari)

Renowned for its distinctive and richly hued jewels and timepieces, which have adorned kings and queens, movie stars and more, Bulgari will carry the brand’s full portfolio of products including jewelry, accessories, watches and fragrances. From Bulgari’s iconic collections of Serpenti, DIVA, MVSA and Monete within jewelry, accessories and watches to one-of-a-kind high jewelry pieces, each piece represents the brand’s undeniable craftsmanship and style.

“Bulgari represents the ultimate in craftsmanship, creativity and innovation,” said Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari.  “We are thrilled to open this store and to bring that extraordinary combination to Canada in a manner that perfectly represents the modern Bulgari brand while still paying tribute to our rich Roman heritage.”

The new Toronto store comprises of 1,800 square feet, and draws its inspiration from Bulgari’s storied history, utilizing Mediterranean marble and stone, and many of the brand’s signature architectural elements.

The exterior facade is remarkable for its design aesthetic and its magnificence, with oversized windows and soaring marble columns of richly coloured Gris Pulpis marble pilasters and Trani Chiaro stone, with the BVLGARI logo backlighted on the cream stone.

One of the brand’s key design elements, the Condotti eight point star, lies on the store entrance.  A universal symbol of balance, harmony and cosmic order, the eight lines are symbolic of the four cardinal points (North, South, East, West) and time (two solstices and two equinoxes). As per the legend, the star means “Roma Caput Mundi”, meaning that all the routes lead to Rome. In fact, the original star is part of the original flooring inside the historic Bulgari via Condotti store in Rome. The iconic star is a unifying symbol found in all Bulgari boutiques around the world.

In the main central area, an eight-shaped infinity counter is an invitation to browse the shop and to explore the Bulgari collections of jewels. On top of them, two Murano crystal chandeliers by Vistosi (Ecos, designed by the Venetian studio Renato Toso, Noti Massari e Associati) brighten the products and the atmosphere.

Further enriching the shopping experience, a truly personal touch is provided by the exclusive Bridal, Male, Accessories and VIP areas, where the most precious creations can be viewed in privacy.  Walls are adorned with silk printed panels, expression of the brand’s heritage and most famous VIP endorsements, including the legendary Elizabeth Taylor with Richard Burton, whose many visits to the Condotti store are well known.

The Yorkdale Mall boutique will also be the launching pad for the new Bulgari MVSA jewelry collection. This collection honors the muses of ancient Greece with an ensemble of 26 pieces – rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings – that sing with colour.  With daring combinations using blue topaz, amethyst, citrine, chalcedony, onyx, rubellite, pink quartz, prasiolite, tourmaline, tanzanite, mother-of-pearl and diamonds, the MVSA Collection embodies the Bulgari style. It is art, inspired by a feminine beauty.

Today part of the LVMH Group, Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewelry shop and progressively imposed itself with its magnificent jewelry creations, emblems of Italian excellence. The international success made the Company evolve into its current dimension of a global and diversified player in the luxury market, with a store network in the most exclusive shopping areas worldwide and a portfolio of products and services ranging from jewels and watches to accessories, perfumes and hotels.

The Bulgari Flagship Boutique in the Yorkdale Mall, Toronto opened on November 10, 2014.  Store hours are Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The boutique phone number is: +1 (416) 784-1448.