EPSON joins 'Portraits of Love” advocacy event in support for children with Cancer

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Digital imaging leader Epson Philippines recently joined a group of volunteers with their continuing support for the ‘Portraits of Love’ advocacy to once again bring smiles to the faces of children afflicted with cancer.

Organized by renowned photographer Pilar Tuason and in cooperation with the Kythe Foundation, ‘Portraits of Love’ is a recurring initiative designed to give children with cancer a magical day full of laughter and love. The most recent event was held at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

“It’s always a joy to be a part of such a worthy endeavour. We are thankful to be here,” said Epson Philippines Corporation’s Head of Marcom & PR, Donna V. Ferro. 

“It’s a small offering – a print out of the portraits of the children with their parents. And yet, witnessing how the faces of the children light up when we give their photos to them is a profound experience. We’re happy to be part of the team that made their day even a little bit brighter,” Ferro added.

The Kythe Foundation is a non-profit, non-stock organization aimed toward improving the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illnesses. The Foundation has provided psychosocial support to over 8,000 children with cancer and other chronic illnesses and their families since 1992.

Bounty Fresh joins Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015 on July 26, 2015 at SMX Aura, Taguig, Philippines

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Bounty Fresh supports Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015. 

According to Ms. Joan Clarice N. Caccam, Assistant Brand Manager of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI), Bounty Fresh Chicken is a brand under the Bounty Fresh Group of Companies (BFGC), a privately owned company operating in the Philippines. BAVI and its sister company, Bounty Fresh Food Inc. supplies live chicken, dressed chicken, and various processed chicken products nationwide. Bounty Fresh Chicken was awarded "Asia's Best" in 2009 Asian Livestock Industry Award in Malaysia and is the most-liked chicken brand in the Philippines. It has over a million likes in one of the leading social media platforms, Facebook. 

This year the brand has launched its new online campaign, #DiskarteNaMayArte. This campaign aims to celebrate the Bounty Fresh Moms out there who always find creative and resourceful ways to make homemaking extra special for their loved ones.

Joan Clarice N. Caccam, Assistant Brand Manager, Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc and Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, CEO, TAG Media & Public Relations

Bounty Fresh supports Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015 because it acknowledges the powerful role of digital media in reaching and interacting with its customers and brand lovers. At Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015, different top executives will join together to share the future of Online Marketing in the Philippines and in Asia Pacific region with the following points:

• The digital economy of the Philippines
• Positioning the Philippines as a gateway from East to West and West to East
• Is the Philippines ready to be a cashless society?
• Disrupting tradition and embracing innovation
• Technology and Entrepreneurship driving inclusive growth
• Micro - multinationals E-commerce connecting SMEs to ASEAN and beyond

Partial list of speakers are as follows:

•    Constantin Roberts - Managing Director, Zalora Philippines
•    Earl Valencia- Head Corporate Development/Innovations, Smart Communications
•    Kristian Melquiades- General Manager, Viber Philippines
•    Donald Felbaum- Managing Director, Optel
•    Richard Upton- President, John Robert Powers Asia
•    Donald Lim- Chief Digital Officer, ABS CBN
•    Janette Toral- E Commerce Advocate, Digital Club Filipino
•    Robert Yupangco- President, Yupangco Group of Companies
•    Chinkee Tan- Best Selling Author, Motivational Speaker, Radio Host and Wealth & Wellness Coach
•    Rebecca Bustamante Mills- CEO, Chalre Associates & President, Asia CEO Awards
•    Mikel Yaw- CEO, Elabram Systems Group
•    Carlos Celdran- Brand Ambassador, Tour Guide
•    Maria Camille Montejo- CEO, NWSteel Technologies & Tree Top Adventure Inc.
•    Pocholo Gonzales- CEO, Creative Voices Productions
•    Tanya Llana- Marketing & Sales Director, Victoria Court
•    James Jimenez- Director, Commission On Elections
•    Lloyd Luna- CEO, Lloyd Luna Corporation
•    Jonathan Luzuriaga- President, Philippine Software Industry Association
•    Lewis Hong- Web Consultant, Xyxon Singapore
•    Kim Bernardo Lokin- Managing Editor, Business Class Magazine

For more information, you may visit www.asiadigitalmarketing.ph. For partnership and sponsorship, you may contact TAG Media & PR at 09166299381 or at grace@asiadigitalmarketing.ph

Burning facts about sunscreens

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Most of us are aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen, especially in the Philippines where the sun’s ultraviolet radiation levels are usually high. But with many sunscreen options available in the market today, it can be confusing to choose the right product.

“Sunscreens shield our skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. However, not all products labelled with sunscreen claims effectively do their job. Some can also irritate the skin and trigger allergies. People need to pay attention to the sunscreen’s ingredients and labels to ensure safety,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

Here are some essential sunscreen facts:

SPF ratings affect sunscreen effectiveness. SPF means “Sun Protection Factor,” which refers to the sunscreen’s ability to block ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation over a period of time. Overexposure to UVB rays can cause sunburn. A sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 94% of UVB rays while SPF 30 can block about 97% UVB. Higher SPF rating means higher UVB protection. However, SPF ratings do not make that much of a difference as they increase—SPF 50 can block about 98% of UVB, which is just faintly lower to the 98.9% UVB protection of SPF 90. No sunscreen product can also provide 100% protection from UV rays.

Sunscreens with Broad Spectrum SPF protect against UVB and UVA rays. A sunscreen with SPF may be effective in shielding the skin from UVB rays but it may not be strong enough to block UVA rays, which are linked to deeper skin damage, like skin cancer and early skin aging. Sunscreens that provide protection from both UVB and UVA rays have Broad Spectrum SPF. These products pass the FDA’s broad spectrum test, which measures the sunscreen’s magnitude of overall protection. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreens with a Broad Spectrum SPF rating of 15 or higher.

Sunscreens may contain ingredients that can irritate the skin or trigger allergies. Dermatologists discourage the use of sunscreens with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and benzephenones, which are linked to skin discoloration and skin cancer. Products with alcohol, fragrances and preservatives must also be avoided by people who have sensitive skin, especially toddlers and babies. Children 6 months or older are also advised to use kid-friendly sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher. 

“Water-resistant” is different from “waterproof.” Sunscreens with “waterproof” labels are misleading because all sunscreen products can only stay effective in water for up to 80 minutes. Since these products are water-resistant for a limited period of time, people need to reapply them regularly, ideally after every two hours of swimming.

Sunscreens are essential for year-round skin protection. The sun’s UV rays can damage the skin even during rainy season. Although people are not directly exposed to the sun, its UV rays can also come through the clouds. 

“Sunscreens don’t necessarily provide protection from the sun but from the UV rays that are emitted by the sun. People should make it a habit to wear sunscreens regularly to keep themselves protected from sunburn, melanoma and other skin diseases. It will also help them prevent premature skin aging,” advises Dr. Montoya.

MediCard Skin and Body offers modern aesthetic treatments for a healthy, glowing and younger looking skin. Visit its Skin and Body Clinics at The MediCard Lifestyle Center, Festival Mall and Centris. For more information, visit http://medicardphils.com. 

Global Study : Research Reveals Make-or-Break Business Attributes To Keep Pace With the Up and Coming “Information Generation”

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Global Study: Business Leaders Admit

“We’re Not Ready For The Digital Future”

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• New global research from Institute For The Future peers into the psyche and impact of the Information Generation
• Leaders (96%) believe new technologies have forever-changed the rules of business, democratizing information and rewiring customer expectations
• Business leaders agree on Top 5 “make-or-break” business attributes essential to keep pace with the Information Generation
• Research shows very few organizations doing the following extremely well and organization-wide: 9% innovate in an agile way; 12% can predictively spot new opportunities; 11% deliver personalized experience; 12% operate in real-time, and 14% demonstrate transparency and trust
• Leaders admit to limits on current ability to make use of data: 30% are able to act upon their information in real time; nearly 50% admit to not knowing how to get value from their data; 24% consider themselves “very good” at turning data into useful insights and information
• Forecasts major economic, technology, information consumption and privacy shifts of an entirely data-driven future by 2024

Whether we’re working, keeping fit, learning, playing, purchasing online or watching TV, we are making new digital demands of the businesses with which we deal. 

A new study, The Information Generation: Transforming The Future, Today, explores the impact of a growing global community of digital citizens. These individuals are always connected and engaged online, and have the world’s information at their fingertips. They also view the world very differently. Based on input from 3,600 Director-to-C-Suite business leaders across 18 countries, the study reveals new expectations of these individuals and identifies the fundamental business attributes critical for organizations to successfully compete and thrive in this new landscape.

Ronnie Latinazo

Country Manager, Philippines, EMC

Not surprisingly, nearly every (96%) business leader surveyed believes new technologies have forever changed the rules of business. 

In addition, 93% reported that recent technology advancements are resetting customer expectations, and nearly all say this will accelerate over the next decade. The top reported customer expectations are faster access to services, 24/7 and “everywhere” access and connectivity, access on more devices, and a more unique personalized experience.

The Quest To Redefine: Fundamental Business Attributes For The Future

Due to new Information Generation-driven demands, businesses agree that transformation is critical. To be a disruptor – and not disrupted – business leaders have identified five “make-or-break” business attributes, all of which have information at their core:

1. Predictively spot new opportunities in markets
2. Demonstrate transparency and trust
3. Innovate in agile ways
4. Deliver unique and personalized experiences
5. Operate in real time

While business leaders agree these attributes are high priority, they admitted that very few have thoroughly embodied them. Specifically, when asked whether they address these attributes both very well and company-wide, only 12% said they can predictively spot new opportunities, 9% innovate in agile ways, 14% demonstrate transparency and trust, 11% deliver personalized experience, and 12% operate in real-time.

In addition, by 2020 more than 7 billion people on at least 30 billion devices will have created 44 zettabytes of data (or 44 trillion gigabytes), according to Gartner and IDC respectively. This is rapidly leading to a world in which nearly every element of life will be data-driven. While businesses know they can get value from this data, 49% admit to not knowing how to turn all of their data into actionable information. This includes:

• Even though 70% say they can gain insights from data, only 30% are always on and able to act upon their information in real time, and are unable to achieve this very well and company-wide
• 52% admit they do not use their data effectively or are drowning in information overload
• Only 24% consider themselves “very good” at turning data into useful insights and information

While companies brace and prepare to meet evolving customer expectations, the world is evolving at an equally rapid pace. Institute For The Future has forecasted major macro shifts in how technology will continue transforming the world by 2024. There are strong signals of a move toward a world in which nearly every element of life will be data-driven. Individuals and corporations will sell, donate and trade information on open exchanges. Inanimate objects will spring to life all around us, becoming more aware, responsive and connected. Decision-making will be enhanced by artificial intelligence in ways never seen before. Information will be communicated and absorbed through multiple human senses.

Customers will be able to better control their own privacy through new tools. In this new world order, value will shift from products and services to the information they generate. 

Executive Quotes

“The Information Generation is demanding more from the organizations they interact with,” said David Goulden, CEO of EMC Information Infrastructure. “Businesses ‘born of the cloud’ are driving this shift in expectations, and mature businesses must redefine themselves to adapt and remain relevant.” 

“Our mission is to provide practical foresight for a world undergoing rapid change – and to help turn insights into action,” said Rachel Maguire, Research Director at Institute for the Future. 

“It’s critical that we systematically explore the longer-term implications of an age in which information is at the center of everything we do, continually re-conditioning us in ways we still have yet to imagine. The world’s most information-savvy organizations – if they ready themselves – will lead one of the most significant transformations in history.”

Methodology

The research was conducted by Institute for the Future and Vanson Bourne on behalf of EMC. Vanson Bourne surveyed 3,600 business leaders across 18 countries from mid-size to large enterprises in nine industries to determine top business imperatives required for success today and over the next decade. Institute for the Future led the creation of the study to identify and forecast the imperatives and shifts in the new digital world. The research questionnaire and imperatives are based upon in-depth interviews and workshops with 40+ influential global decision-makers and experts across multiple industries, with a diverse mix of academic, industry, nonprofit, and think-tank leaders.

About EMC

EMC Corporation  is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset – information – in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.EMC.com.

Join the fun as M&M’S Characters live here in the Philippines!

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People always love M&M's, the "colorful button-shaped chocolates as they were originated in the United States in 1941, and are now sold in as many as 100 countries. The company's longest-lasting slogan reflects this: "Melts in your mouth, not in your hand."

For the past weeks, I am exciting to meet M&Ms characters as we were informed that they will be here in the country this April for the M&Ms Philippine Tour.

“Mr Know-It-All” Red, cool Blue, optimist Yellow, sexy and confident Green and worrisome Orange – these world-famous M&M’S Characters drove their Filipino fans wild at a meet-the-fans session at The Atrium, Eastwood Mall.

These irresistible M&M’S Characters are here in Manila for a first-hand experience of fun in the Philippines whilst spreading their own brand of spontaneous fun! 

From now till 31st May 2015, they will be sharing the excitement of our favorite M&M’S Chocolate and Merchandise, making in-store appearances and introducing exciting activities such as the M&M’S Pose Pinoy Selfie Contest. 

Henry Azcarraga, Mars Chocolate, Southeast Asia Country Director and Luis Manzano with the M&M’S Characters

“The campaign – “M&M’S ®Philippines Tour” is a one and a half month campaign to reintroduce the much loved M&M’S Characters who, through in-store appearances and activities, will share the spontaneous fun and excitement of M&M’S Chocolates. We are excited for this tour to be in the Philippines as we Filipinos know the true meaning of the word “Fun”,” said Henry Azcarraga, Mars Chocolate, Southeast Asia Country Director.

Also joining in the fun is local celebrity Luis Manzano who had the opportunity to show the M&M’S® Characters the famous sights of Philippines. “I was so excited when I found out that I was going to tour with the M&M’S® Characters around the Philippines. During the tour, I made sure that Red, Yellow, Blue, Green and Orange had a true Filipino time! And they made sure I experienced the fun of M&M'S® Chocolate, the world's No. 1 Chocolate brand,” said Luis Manzano. 

M&M’S Characters Live in Manila

Luis Manzano 

From 24th to 26th April, patrons of the Eastwood Mall are invited to join the M&M’S Characters and Luis Manzano for a fun-filled weekend of activities with exciting prizes to be won. Fans can also get their hands on custom designed M&M’S brand apparel and participate in the Pose Pinoy Selfinas Contest. All you have to do is catch your favorite M&M’S Character during the mall show and in store appearances, document your encounter through a selfie and share your selfie by uploading it to your online social account with hashtag #MMsPh2015 and stand a chance to win exciting prizes!

Visit the M&M’S Philippines on Facebook for more information on the M&M’s Philippines Tour

For more information, please visit www.mars.com. 

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About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a “mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders” – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 72,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.