Category: Press Releases

Mobile drove the majority of the growth, with revenue from smartphones increasing by 164% PHILADELPHIA, April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Retail sales typically slow down after the holiday season — but that wasn’t the case for sales from Google Shopping ads. E-commerce marketing technology company Sidecar found that revenue from Product Listing Ads (PLAs) grew […]

The First Music and Comic Con Tour Kicks Off With Shows Planned Throughout the U.S. in 2016 LOS ANGELES, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Wizard World, Inc., the predominant producer of Comic Cons across North America, which is set to provide Philadelphia comic con fans with unparalleled access to the hottest talent from Chris Evans […]

10 Best SEO recently handed out its Best Social Media Marketing Agency awards for April 2016. These top ten agencies of the social media marketing industry offer unique solutions to businesses and are selected based on customer reviews, proprietary analytics, and real world successes and failures. PHILADELPHIA, PENN. (PRWEB) APRIL 13, 2016 10 Best SEO […]

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rnSEWELL, NJ/PHILADELPHIA, PA/BRONX, NY/PACOIMA, CA (PRWEB) APRIL 12, 2016rnrnOn the evening of May 7, 2016 at the landmark Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia's first skyscraper and the home of America’s first savings bank, heritage and tradition merge with youth, modernity, and progress.rnrnOn that evening, Ms. Charlie Fusco, a Mexican-American, wife, mom of three, and the CEO and Creative Director of Synergixx LLC in Sewell, NJ, celebrates her 40th birthday with the traditional Mexican coming of age party she missed at age 15. Beyond making her own dream come true, Charlie and her company decided to make "Cinderella’s Noche Latina Quadentraceñera" a charity fundraising gala for the advancement of underprivileged youth in Philadelphia, the South Bronx, and Los Angeles.rnrnThe public can read about the three charities and donate via the Fund Youth Opportunity site. Invited guests will meet members of each group at the event, walk through a youth opportunity hallway, and in lieu of gifts are asked to make a donation to three charities with close ties to Charlie and her company.rnrnFifth Grader Turned Designer rnrnOn May 7th, Charlie will celebrate in full pageantry, wearing a gown designed by 5th grade student Albert Barajas of Pacoima, CA. Her goal is to help advance Albert’s dream of becoming a high fashion clothing designer, a seemingly impossible dream for a child from the Pacoima projects. Charlie connected Albert with award-winning Philadelphia-based costume designer Stephanie Nichols, who now mentors Albert via Skype and will be handcrafting Charlie's gown from his final design. Synergixx is flying the 5th grader (and his teacher) out for the event, where both Charlie and Albert will see the dress for the first time. Charlie will be blindfolded at her April 23rd dress fitting and on May 7th until the special grand entrance.rnrnCharlie met Albert on Facebook through his teacher, Samantha Sidman, who attended high school with Charlie in Reseda, CA, just 13 miles from Pacoima.rnrn“After seeing Charlie's event on Facebook, I shared it with my class, most of whom share Charlie’s Latin American heritage. I used the history of the Quinceñera as a teaching tool to discuss the importance of culture and tradition,” said Sidman. “Immediately, Albert confidently asked if he could design the dress.”rnrnThe iLEAD Pacoima website iLEAD Pacoima describes the school as a “project-based learning studio environment that promotes deep and lasting learning while celebrating independent thinking, cooperation and the development of critical 21st century skills.” One-third of the event's donations will be used to inspire and fund the classroom dreams of Ms. Sidman’s combined 4th and 5th grade class.rnrnThe majority of learners in Albert’s tuition-free, public learning studio, participate in the free/reduced lunch program due to economic disadvantage according to Sidman, who said, “proceeds from this event will be put to very good use for an educational trip or to fulfill another dream for the children.”rnrnAnother third will go to Covenant House Philadelphia, which serves homeless, trafficked, and runaway youth. Synergixx employee Lauren Ketterman sits on the Associate Board of this charity. The mission of Covenant House is to change the current statistic that 1 in 3 kids will be approached by a human trafficker within 48 hours of being on the streets. Monetary donations help support their Crisis Center, which is always open and houses 51 youth nightly without question or cost. Most program participants have aged out of foster care and have nowhere else to go. This organization provides kids with their basic needs – food, a shower, clean clothes, and a warm bed in a safe place – so that they can take the next step towards stability and success.rnrnThe final one-third of donations go to Open Hydrant Theater Company in the South Bronx, led by Charlie’s high school drama teacher Sarah (Rosie) Rosenberg and Luis Reyes Cardenas. The Open Hydrant Theater students will be performing original a cappella music at the event. Located in the nation’s poorest congressional district, Open Hydrant Theater Company helps high school students at Democracy Prep Public Schools earn college scholarships and careers on Broadway through Shakespearean theater and national speech and debate championships. The kids and their teachers are featured in Kevin Spacey’s Showtime documentary "Shakespeare High" and are the subject of the Guardian US documentary, "From the Bronx to Yale: The Power of High School ‘Speech.’"rnrnThe Promise of Youth & Appreciation of Age rnrn“Due to my parents’ divorce and family’s economic challenges, my girlhood dream was deferred for 25 years,” said Fusco. “Not only can I make my childhood dream a reality, but now I’m able to help others in difficult circumstances to realize their dreams. This is a thrill for me and my entire organization,” she added. “For almost two decades, Synergixx has hired kids as young as 16, not as interns, but as respected, paid team members. We give ‘unqualified,’ young people the chance to contribute and experience different roles not typically provided to such individuals, with the goal of creating entrepreneurial spirit and drive within them. It’s a part of our corporate DNA.rnrn"Everyone is familiar with the story of the glass slipper that changed a young girl’s life. I’ve always believed that the true magic was not in the glass slipper but in the opportunity the young girl was given to attend the Prince’s Ball,” said Fusco. ”It was how Cinderella embraced that opportunity which has always captured my entrepreneurial imagination, much in the same way that a young 5th grader from the other side of the country recognized and embraced his.rnrn“I became an entrepreneur with a baby on my lap at age 24 after I hit my head hard on the glass ceiling,” said Fusco. “I do not believe that entrepreneurs and change-makers have a responsibility to pay it forward, but to clear a path and encourage others to walk towards their own success,” added Fusco.rnrnThe formal event will include Quinceñera traditions, gowns, and black tie fashion, and performances from the Grammy-Award winning Latin group, Yerason.rnrnThe public is reminded to kindly make donations via the Fund Youth Opportunity site at FundYouthOpportunity.eventbrite.com.rnrn###rnrn****Pre- and On-Site Interviews Invited**** rn****Photos of 5th grade designer Albert and his designs available, upon request****

Theo tin PRNewswirernrnPHILADELPHIA, April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Senate Candidate Everett Stern has announced he is running on the independent ticket in Pennsylvania, following efforts by the state's Republican leadership to keep him off the ballot and protect their incumbent, Pat Toomey. By running as an independent, Stern plans to expose the broken and sometimes criminal system hidden within American politics.rnrn"I'm not another politician – I'm a fighter, and I intend to stand tall for the values of honor, integrity and loyalty," explains Stern. "We've entered a sad new world of profits over people, both in business and politics. My goal is to push back against the apathy that's allowed this disease to flourish. Voters deserve to be represented by individuals of high character – not puppets doing the bidding of corporate masters."rnrnStern has more than walked his talk. As the whistleblower in the HSBC money laundering scandal, he put truth and justice ahead of any personal interests. Stern plans to embody that same ethical position once elected, getting dirty money out of American politics and restoring transparency to the U.S. Congress.rnrnIn a provocative letter to Pennsylvania voters, Stern explains how the incumbent, Senator Toomey, has been part of the problem for too long. He describes a major conflict of interest between the senator and the banking industry – the senator serves on the Bank Financing Committee, while at the same time accepting campaign contributions from the banks he's supposed to be regulating. The best interests of the American people are a non-factor in this perverse equation.rnrn"What I have that Toomey doesn't is a steely resolve to do what's right for every American citizen," concludes Stern. "While politicians today stand for the establishment, I stand for the people."rnrnAbout Everett SternrnrnEverett Stern is a U.S. Senate Candidate, Intelligence Director at Tactical Rabbit, and the HSBC Whistleblower. He has received extensive international media coverage, including a feature in Rolling Stone Magazine. He uncovered, analyzed, and reported terrorist financing/national security threats to the CIA and then the FBI. As the whistleblower in the ongoing HSBC money laundering scandal, he uncovered billions of dollars of illegal money laundering transactions that led to an SEC investigation and a $1.92 billion fine against HSBC in 2012.rnrnIn the fall of 2013, Stern (R-PA) worked across the aisle with Maxine Waters (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, on the Holding Individuals Accountable and Deterring Money Laundering Act, which sought to give the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network the authority to litigate on its own, and to stiffen penalties and criminal sentences for bank executives involved in money laundering. Stern received a BA from Florida Atlantic University and an MBA from Stetson University. He was the winner of the F&M Presidential Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement and was a highly-ranked national debater.rnrnContact:rnrnEverett SternrnThe Committee to Elect Everett Stern to U.S. Senaternwww.EverettStern.comrn890 S. Matlack Street, Ste 449rnWest Chester, PA 19382rnPhone: 703-229-1412rnrnSOURCE Everett SternrnrnRelated Linksrnrnhttp://www.everettstern.com

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rnBackground On Philadelphia’s History, Art & Culture, Food, Neighborhoods, Parks, LGBT Scene, Beer, Music Legacy, DNC Players & Ben Franklin ObsessionrnrnPhiladelphia hosts the 2016 Democratic National Convention, July 25-28—and this city has stories to tell. VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the region’s official destination marketing organization, can provide interview subjects for morning shows, ties to other states, interesting convention stories, tours around town and other colorful locals who can speak about the below scenes in Philadelphia.rnrnHistory:rnPhiladelphia provides a poignant backdrop for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. It is the birthplace of the United States and the country’s first and only World Heritage City.rnrnOur Founding Fathers met, discussed, debated and formed a new country in Philadelphia. The two most important documents in our history, the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, were drafted and signed here. Independence Hall, one of only 20 World Heritage sites in the country, stands just steps away from the mighty Liberty Bell, a symbol of the abolitionist movement.rnrnThe independent streak that forged a new nation lives on today. It’s a distinctly Philly attitude and a forward-looking promise that’s obvious in the city’s independent shops, owner-run restaurants, artist collaboratives and grassroots innovation and tech movements.rnrnArt & Culture:rnPhiladelphia bursts with beauty inside and out. The region is home to one of the country’s top five art museums (Philadelphia Museum of Art); the world’s greatest collection of impressionist, post-impressionist and modern works (Barnes Foundation); an internationally lauded public arts initiative (Mural Arts Philadelphia); and under-the-radar gems.rnrnMuseums and institutions house collections devoted to science, animals, literature, African-American culture, Jewish-American history, chemistry and even medical oddities.rnrnFood:rnThere should be a convention just for Philadelphia’s food. Chefs choose Philadelphia for their passion projects; it’s where they can run their (usually small) restaurants and fully commit to their vision. As such, there’s a lot of good food to eat here, and there’s a story behind every dish.rnrnWhat makes up Philly’s diverse dining scene? Street food, 300+ bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) restaurants, sidewalk seating reminiscent of European cities, bars with great food, craft pizza spots, vegetarian and vegan eateries (that aren’t just for vegetarians and vegans) and the storied Reading Terminal Market and Italian Market. And of course, cheesesteaks.rnrnNeighborhoods:rnPhiladelphia is a city of neighborhoods—personality-packed districts inside and surrounding the downtown Center City. Each neighborhood has its own history, storied streets, buzzed-about restaurants, artistic expressions, parks and festivals.rnrnIn 1998, the long-established Rittenhouse neighborhood saw Philly’s first restaurant with sidewalk seating (Rouge), a trend that’s now ubiquitous in this district and beyond, with nearly 400 alfresco establishments all over Philly. The Old City success story started nearly 20 years ago when Ellen Yin opened Fork just a couple blocks away from America’s most historic square mile. Midtown Village, which includes the Gayborhood, forged its personality thanks to a small-business influx concentrated along 13th Street. Fishtown has become a destination all its own for new families, cool young professionals and artists. Graduate Hospital experienced a similar boom, with most of its public and retail space located along South Street.rnrnRecently, Kensington and Point Breeze have grown into newer development stories thanks to the momentum from neighboring Fishtown and Graduate Hospital, respectively.rnrnParks & Public Spaces:rnResidents and visitors are heading outdoors in huge numbers thanks to the activation of many under-utilized spaces in recent years—think Schuylkill River Trail, Dilworth Park, Race Street Pier, The Porch at 30th Street Station and Spruce Street Harbor Park. Much of the development action can be spotted in Center City and on Philadelphia’s two rivers, the Schuylkill and Delaware.rnrnStarted in 2015, Indego bike share further boosted Philadelphia’s reputation as a bicycle-friendly city, where a grid layout, mostly flat terrain and 435 miles of bike lanes make it ideal for two wheels.rnrnBen Franklin, Colonial Re-enactors & Historic Storytellers:rnThe city’s favorite Founding Father? No contest. In his adopted hometown, Benjamin Franklin founded institutions, discovered new concepts and invented products still in use. He’s as relevant today in Philadelphia as he was back in in the 18th century. Residents and institutions—notably, the Benjamin Franklin Museum—invoke the spirit of Franklin to make the world a better, Franklin-approved place.rnrnIn addition to uncovering Ben’s spirit throughout Philadelphia, VISIT PHILADELPHIA can arrange interviews with the man himself, as well as other Colonial re-enactors, such as Harriet Tubman, Thomas Jefferson, Betsy Ross and George Washington, and professional storytellers who regale visitors with funny, sad and inspirational stories at 13 benches located throughout Independence Mall.rnrnLGBT:rnThe first major U.S. protest for LGBT rights took place more than 50 years ago in front of Independence Hall. An historic marker at 6th and Chestnut streets commemorates the event. Since then, Philadelphia has become one of the country’s best LGBT destinations travelers. Nearly 70 rainbow street signs, rainbow crosswalks and LGBT bars and restaurants populate the Gayborhood, located right in the downtown Center City area.rnrnFun fact: In 2004, Philadelphia became the first destination in the world to air a gay-themed television commercial, part of VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s campaign, Philadelphia – Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay®. The resulting Daily Show With Jon Stewart segment is worth the four and a half minutes. Trust us.rnrnBeer:rnIt was in Philadelphia taverns that the American Revolution took hold (see City Tavern for proof), and 100 years ago, Philadelphia was known as the greatest brewing city in the Western Hemisphere, or the “Cradle of American Libation.” In the mid-19th through the early 20th centuries, 90 breweries operated in Philadelphia proper, and another 100 operated in its environs. Prohibition in 1920 brought the brewery boom to an end, and the decline—and near demise—of virtually all of Philadelphia’s beer producers.rnrnToday, craft breweries have reclaimed the region’s reputation by brewing some of the world’s best beer. Victory, Sly Fox and Yards produce and distribute some of the Philadelphia region’s most well-known and accessible craft beers, and in recent years, they’ve been joined by newer microbreweries and brewpubs, such as Tired Hands, Forest & Main and Round Guys.rnrnIn the warmer months, beer lovers head outside. The seasonal Independence Beer Garden offers a beer break right on Independence Mall, while Spruce Street Harbor Park and Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest attract people to the Delaware River waterfront with food, beer, hammocks, games and a roller-skating rink. Pop-ups including The Oval and the PHS Pop Up Gardens activate underused spaces, much to the delight of beer fans and urban dwellers. In summer 2016, Philadelphia will be home to more beer gardens than ever before.rnrnMusic Legacy:rnThere would have been no 1970s soul, no R&B, no disco, without Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the inventors of the Sound of Philadelphia. One of the most important moves Gamble and Huff made was to differentiate their sound from Motown’s by incorporating strings, horns and harps—courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Founded in 1900, The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the world’s greatest classical music organizations and one of the most prolific recording acts in history.rnrnOther major music names have hailed from Philadelphia. Think Chubby Checker, Hall & Oates and Patti LaBelle, and more recently, The Roots, Will Smith, Pink, The Dead Milkmen, Chill Moody and Kurt Vile.rnrnThe city also has played host to big music events in the past, including Live Aid in 1985 and Live 8 in 2005. Today, artists of all genres entertain crowds at large and intimate venues and during music events, such as the Roots Picnic and Wawa Welcome America’s free Fourth of July concert.rnrnDNC Players:rnWe’re all in. Elected officials from both parties, the hospitality industry, community and civic groups and citizens have pledged their enthusiasm and support for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. They understand the tremendous positive effect that a political convention can have on a city’s reputation across America and around the world.rn rnrnVISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.rnrnOn Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.rnrnContact(s):rnCara Schneider, (215) 599-0789rnDonna Schorr, (215) 599-0782

Theo tin prnewswire.comrnrnARRISBURG, Pa., April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — During a presentation today with social services providers at Philadelphia's Center in the Park, Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann announced the release of a new tool that will help professionals working with senior citizens, retirement communities, and others help prevent the spread of elder financial abuse.rnrn"As Pennsylvania's population grows older, more of our senior citizens are at risk of having their hard-earned retirement savings stolen," Wiessmann said. "Governor Wolf and I believe we need to do more to help those who work with our senior citizens identify signs of and prevent elder financial abuse. In our technological and financially complex age, financial abuse, fraud, and hoaxes have become the 'Crime of the 21st Century.'"rnrnThrough the PA Investor Education Facebook, the department will begin to promote "Investment Fraud Bingo" through a video presentation produced in cooperation with AARP Pennsylvania and the Investor Protection Trust. The video was shot during the playing of Investment Fraud Bingo at Garden Spot Village in New Holland, featuring testimony of several participants and commentary by Mary Bach, Chair of the AARP Consumer Issues Task Force.rnrn"I am pleased to make this announcement at Center in the Park, one of the first venues to incorporate Investment Fraud Bingo into its programming. This new video tells the story of this game, which mixes learning, community, and fun to help senior citizens learn how to protect themselves from financial scams," Wiessmann continued. "We hope more social services providers will use the video, adopt the game for use with their clients, and help spread the word about this innovative approach to empowering our senior citizens." rnrnGovernor Wolf's Consumer Financial Protection Initiative, announced last November, focuses on four issues, including providing educational programming to help senior citizens protect their retirements.rnrnThe Department of Banking and Securities Investor Education and Consumer Outreach Office can accommodate groups of 15 or more for Investment Fraud Bingo free of charge to the sponsoring group. Interested parties can call 717-783-4247 or email ra-DoBSInvestorEd@pa.gov for more information. Information on the department's educational presentations can be found online at www.dobs.pa.gov.rnrnMedia contact: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721rnrn rnrnSOURCE Pennsylvania Department of BankingrnrnRelated Linksrnrnhttp://www.state.pa.us

Theo tin Pennsylvania Department of StaternrnHARRISBURG, Pa., April 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors ordered a probation period for no less than five years and a total $50,000 penalty against funeral director and funeral supervisor John M. Price Jr and his establishment Price Funeral Home located in the city of Philadelphia.rnrnAt its March 30 meeting, the Board imposed a penalty of $25,000 against Price for aiding and abetting another funeral director in violating the Funeral Director Law. The Board also imposed a $25,000 penalty against Price Funeral Home for its role in aiding and abetting, as well as for operating on a lapsed license, and for conditions at the funeral establishment that violated the Board's regulations.rnrn"The Department of State, through the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, is committed to protecting the public from unethical practitioners," said Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortés. "We will not tolerate behavior that preys on people in need of immediate and trustworthy professional services."rnrnThe funeral director whom Price and Price Funeral Home assisted in violating the Funeral Director Law was Janet M. Dailey. In January, the Board revoked Dailey's licenses, as well as the license of the funeral establishment she owned and operated. The penalties were imposed due to Dailey's violation of regulations in providing services to three deceased individuals, whose remains were discovered in a garage at 2626 E. Hagert St., Philadelphia, on August 25, 2015. rnrnIn its recent order, the Board found that Price and Price Funeral Home aided and abetted Dailey in engaging in gross incompetency, negligence, or misconduct in carrying on the funeral-directing profession and in engaging in gross immorality. Price and Price Funeral Home also aided Dailey in breaching her professional responsibilities to promptly dispose of deceased individuals entrusted to her care, to properly store remains of deceased, and to treat the deceased with respect. rnrnIn its final adjudication and order to Price, the State Board of Funeral Directors noted that "a funeral director who opens his or her funeral establishment for use by another licensed funeral director cannot turn a blind eye to violations of the Law or regulations" that may occur.rnrnThe Bureau's 29 boards and commissions license and oversee nearly 1 million active professionals and businesses, including a range of occupations in health and business fields.rnrnA comprehensive list of sanctions imposed by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is available online.rnrnThe Bureau also maintains a searchable database which allows the public to check the license status of all the professionals and establishments it licenses.rnrnAnyone who suspects unlicensed activity by an individual or facility, or who has been a victim of unethical treatment, can file a complaint either online or through the Bureau's hotline at rn1-800-822-2113.rnrnMEDIA CONTACT: Wanda Murren, (717) 783-1621rnrn rnrnSOURCE Pennsylvania Department of StaternrnRelated Linksrnrnhttp://www.state.pa.us