CARICOM Leaders and Haiti’s Minister of the Interior Agree that Collaboration is Key to a Stronger Caribbean
February 15, 2012
Capacity building, best-practice sharing and job creating opportunities are addressed with CARICOM leaders during two-day mission to Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – In meeting with the President of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr. Desire Delano Bouterse and the Bureau of Heads of Government during CARICOM’s two-day mission to Haiti, Haiti’s Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul stressed that Haiti is charting a new course for sustainable economic development. ”We are focusing our efforts on investment and job creation, particularly in Haiti’s heartland,” he said, articulating the Martelly administration’s new vision for Haiti. ”We understand that the key to driving sustainable development in Haiti is to map it throughout our entire nation and then drive it through local initiatives and decentralized cooperation.”
CARICOM leaders are in Haiti to forge stronger ties and closer cooperation between the 14 member states while exploring ways to strengthen Haiti’s participation in the organization. Under discussion is the adoption of French as an official and working language for the organization.
After thanking CARICOM members for their ongoing support of Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, Mayard-Paul emphasized that his nation is progressing in its recovery efforts, saying, “President Martelly’s new vision for Haiti is to build a socially just, economically free, and politically independent nation that does not end with reconstruction but rather, begins with renovation. This is aligned with the administration’s vision for decentralization and job creation through investment.”
Stressing the fact that Haiti offers an energetic and willing workforce, Mayard-Paul said, “It is clear that what Haitians want and need is jobs that will restore their dignity. We are therefore looking forward to working in close collaboration with our CARICOM neighbors to promote opportunities that reflect our communities’ most pressing priorities – jobs. We also seek to share those best practices that are yielding results for other member nations.”
The Minister pointed to collaboration in Civil Protection activities, such as disaster preparedness and relief. ”All of our nations are in geographic locations that make us vulnerable to the variances of nature,” he said. ”Therefore, we welcome best-practice sharing focused on institutional capacity building for preparedness and response, and equipment that will allow us to react more quickly and effectively.”
In encouraging investments from CARICOM nations, the Minister highlighted the myriad of investment opportunities waiting in Haiti’s heartland, especially in social infrastructure initiatives that enable communities to generate jobs and sustainable development. “With so many great opportunities in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development and other sectors, we would be looking to CARICOM to help steer investments and contributions in these areas,” he said. “Additionally, as part of CSME [Single Market Economy of the Caribbean], we should be looking at standards that will facilitate the export of Haitian products to our Caribbean neighbors.”
The Haitian minister asked for closer collaboration on cultural exchange activities and cited the possibility of establishing a Caribbean Youth Parliament or Organization that seeks to build lasting relationships among the future leaders of the Caribbean. ”Caribbean universities could also embark on region-wide research related to the environment, the economy and social integration. The idea is that future leaders have a common understanding and culture that will facilitate a common market,” he said.
Overall, the Ministry of the Interior identified 40 key projects pertaining to meeting the needs of Haiti’s population outside the capital of Port-au-Prince, telling CARICOM representatives, ”We would welcome the opportunity to present and discuss them with you. Our brother nations of CARICOM have been of great support to us since the earthquake and we are grateful.”
Dr. Ivonne Chirino-Klevans, Walden University, to Speak at Opening of Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS) Consortium Annual Conference
February 13, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Ivonne Chirino-Klevans, program director for Walden University’s Center for International Programs, will speak at the opening of The Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS) Consortium Second Annual Best Practices Showcase, Feb. 16–17, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dr. Chirino-Klevans will join Dr. Jose Rivera, president of Universidad del Sagrado Corazon, and Reggie Smith III, chair emeritus of the United States Distance Learning Association, to discuss attracting and retaining Hispanic students in online higher education.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110920/MM71012-b )
In her position at Walden, Dr. Chirino-Klevans works to develop tools, activities and improvements that enhance and support the international student experience at the online university. She also explores new partnerships in Latin America, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico to expand online higher education access in the region.
Dr. Chirino-Klevans is a member of the HETS board of directors as well as the chief editor of HETS Online Journal. She has written extensively about the specific needs and concerns that Hispanic students have as online learners. Her articles appear in The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine, HispanicBusiness.com, Poder 360 Magazine, Diversity Executive and Hispanic Executive.
Prior to joining Walden in 2005 as a professor of organizational psychology, she worked with Fortune 500 companies designing training and development programs and serving as program director for Duke Corporate Education. Dr. Chirino-Klevans received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the Universidad Iberoamericana. She also holds an M.B.A. from the Universidad de las Americas and a master’s degree in psychology from Georgia College.
The HETS Consortium annual conference celebrates innovative technology strategies in higher education. Conference presentations will highlight best practices for access, retention and assessment strategies as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for Hispanics.
As a member of HETS Consortium, Walden partners with the organization’s 27 other members to focus on making a positive impact on the Hispanic student population by improving college retention, completion and successful learning outcomes. For more information about Walden University, visit www.WaldenU.edu.
About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 48,500 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 55 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.
Walden offers more than 65 degree programs with more than 330 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.
About HETS
The Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS) is the first bilingual consortium dedicated to serving the higher education needs of the fast-growing Hispanic communities. Starting in 1993 as a group of institutions interested in sharing courses at a distance, the HETS Consortium has evolved from the use of telecommunications into the asynchronous modes of anywhere-anytime learning, to the use of technology to reach greater collaboration among and within educational institutions. For more information, go to www.hets.org.
Green Investment Power Forum For Guyana
February 10, 2012
CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 10, 2012: The first Green Investment power forum has been added to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 13th annual Sustainable Tourism Conference and is set for Guyana this April.
The CTO is partnering with Invest Caribbean Now, the brand founded by Felicia Persaud, the Guyana-born CEO of the New York-based digital media company Hard Beat Communications, to present the inaugural green forum.
The event is set for April 8, 2012 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal and will feature Greg Watson, head of the Climate Change team at the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of The Inter-American Development Group and Tony Fiddy, President of Naanovo Energy UK Ltd.
Persaud explained that the green forum will be similar to the company’s Invest Caribbean Now New York forum, which took place last June in New York, allowing presentations from both speakers while giving ministers of government, tourism officials, entrepreneurs and other delegates the opportunity to pitch their investment ideas and prospects to both Watson and Fiddy.
The successful June 9, 2011 event at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel featured over 300 money managers, investors, hoteliers, ministers of governments and real estate developers as part of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Caribbean Week in New York series of events. The event returns this June 6th to New York City and will feature CEO of McKinney Rogers, Damian Rogers as the key note speaker along with the chairman of Blue Equity, LLC, Jonathan Blue and President of Solamon Energy, Jay Neo.
“The Caribbean and Guyana has tremendous potential for investments, especially for green investors, as evidenced by the interest of many renewable companies in a region rich with sun, wind and waterfalls, all of which have become attractive potential sources of power,” said Persaud. “This event presents an opportunity for the government of Guyana as well as Caribbean ministers and entrepreneurs to do business in renewables.”
Watson re-joined the Multilateral Investment Fund of the IDB Group in 2008, having previously worked there from 2004-2007. He serves as the team leader for the MIF’s environment and clean energy team, conceptualizing, overseeing, and implementing the MIF’s climate change projects, investments and research in clean and efficient energy, natural capital, and adaptation.
Watson leads several projects in the Caribbean, including a recent regional project on adaptation, projects on energy efficiency in Jamaica and Barbados, and a project on sustainable tourism and biodiversity in Guyana.
Reporting to the President and CEO of Naanovo Energy Inc., Fiddy holds the dual position of President of Naanovo’s Waste to Energy Division and the Regional Vice President for Europe and Africa. As head of the WTE Division, his primary responsibility is to oversee the global deployment of WTE/MaaxTM systems and to work with regional representatives of Naanovo and its subsidiaries in the development of WTE projects. This includes projects in the Caribbean, among them St. Kitts/Nevis.
Partnership and exhibitor opportunities to be a part of the historic Guyana Green Energy forum are available by calling 1-646-820-5694 or emailing Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com.
Guyana has become a key player in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions which significantly contribute to climate change. The Caribbean Tourism Organization has been staging its Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC) since 1997. This conference will be keynoted by former Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo on April 15th and is part of the information dissemination and regional awareness component of CTO’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. STC also serves as a primary arena where new and creative ideas about enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism product are generated.
Partners to date for the April 18th Green Investment forum include One Caribbean Television, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.
Solamon Energy President For Invest Caribbean Now 2012
February 7, 2012
Carib PR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 7 2012: The man who is set to build the Caribbean’s largest solar energy plant is among the speakers confirmed, for the 2012 Invest Caribbean Now.
The second annual Caribbean Tourism Organization and Hard Beat Communications investment forum is set for June 6, 2012 in New York City and comes on the heels of June 9, 2011that drew over 300 high powered investors to the New York Marriott Marquis event and earned rave reviews from money managers, real estate developers, architects, entrepreneurs, ministers of governments and the media, and the top speakers including Wendell Dave Dowrich, Vice President, Goldman Sachs; David Brillembourg, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Brilla Group and Martin Mohabeer, Managing Director, Spackman Group and CEO of Spackman Capital.
President and co-founder of Solamon Energy Corp, Jay Yeo, will join other top speakers this year, including Damion McKinney, CEO of McKinney Rogers and Jonathan Blue, Chairman of Blue Equity LLC.
Solamon Energy Corp is a renewable energy developer, providing Caribbean clients with cost effective and reliable RE power generation solutions. The company recently announced it will build the biggest solar energy plant in the Caribbean in Jamaica. With a keen understanding of the Caribbean energy marketplace, Yeo has become a cornerstone of organization, developing business opportunities in key territories across the region. Solamon presently has over 100 MW of projects in their pipeline.
An export of the blossoming Canadian solar industry, Jay previously worked with Spark Solar, a solar development firm and manager of the AGRIS Solar Co-operative, an agricultural energy co-operative with over 700 PV installations.
Prior to his career in renewables, Jay held several executive positions with emerging technology companies working in the areas of business development and marketing.
Ideally suited for the burgeoning renewable energy sector, Jay has made a career of articulating the benefits and value of new technologies to consumers and business professionals.
Jay presently splits his time between Toronto and Barbados.
Additional sponsors include the PR Newswire, WSEE TV, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Damoola Inc. and ALTA.
For additional sponsorship opportunities log on to http://investcaribbean.wordpress.com/sponsorship-opportunites/
Grammy Nominee Monty Alexander Brings 50 Year Career Celebration To New York With 14-Day Musical Festival
February 7, 2012
Monty Alexander (Crush Boone Photo)
Carib PR Wire, New York, NY: Grammy Award nominee and jazz great, the scintillating Monty Alexander, is set to take one of New York’s premier jazz venues by storm later this month as he marks the 50th year of his musical career with a multiple genre celebration.
The Jamaican-born Commander of Distinction will marry his Caribbean musical roots with his American jazz influence and expertise as he plays the renowned Blue Note Jazz Club for two weeks – from February 20th to March 4th.
The musician will take fans back on a 50-year musical journey – from his homeland of Jamaica where he first learnt to play the piano as a child and later fell in love with the island’s music of reggae and ska as well as the music of neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, to his American experience after moving to the U.S. as an immigrant in 1961 at the age of 17.
That journey for Alexander, who says he plays music for the joy of playing, will include reflections from the famed New York City nightclub, Jilly’s, that Frank Sinatra called his favorite bistro. Jilly’s was ‘the place’ where many showbiz greats performed and was frequented by jazz greats like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson. The two-week celebration will also showcase an insight into the man who assisted Natalie Cole in her tribute album to her father, Nat “King” Cole in 1991, on the album, ‘Unforgettable.’ That album won seven Grammy awards. Fans will also be able to see the side of Alexander that featured during his performances with George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” under the direction of Bobby McFerrin at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and his recording of the piano track for the film score of Clint Eastwood’s ‘Bird,’ a movie about the life of jazz titan Charlie Parker.
‘The Monty Alexander Festival at the Blue Note,’ which is being dubbed, “The Full Monty,” will feature the top jazz musician along with several specially invited guest artists.
The first week of the Monty Alexander “One Love Train Ride,” will see performances from Jamaican guitar sensation Ernest Ranglin; Trinidad’s Othello Molineaux, as well as American jazz greats, including Freddie Cole, Nat King Cole’s youngest brother who just turned eighty and whose live performance is a rare treasure; Tony Award-winning Jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater; jazz vocalist, bass and drum duo John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton; jazz guitar genius Pat Martino; Jennifer Hatrswick, guitarist Russell Malone; bassist Christian McBride and organist, Dr. Lonnie Smith.
During week two, Alexander will take the audience as the conductor of the ‘Harlem Kingston Express Train’ to the Caribbean, as he celebrates his heritage and appreciation of both Jamaica, the land of his birth and the steel pan music of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Fans will be able to experience a festival of genres that will travel from the early years of mento, ska, rock steady to reggae and pan music. The special invited guest performers are a Who’s Who of Caribbean artists and include vocalists – Grammy-winning singer, Shaggy; Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare, Taurus Riley, Dean Fraser and Diana King as well as Trinidad and Tobago singer, Designer.
Alexander has been dubbed “a masterly pianist who delights audiences everywhere” by the London Evening Standard since the release of his two collections – ‘Uplift,’ a trio album on JLP Records, and ‘Harlem-Kingston Express’ on Motema Music – last year. Between ‘Uplift’ and ‘Harlem-Kingston Express,’ Monty Alexander has officially dominated the US Radio Charts with three number 1 spots, all in the summer of 2011. ‘Harlem-Kingston Express’ has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Reggae Album category at the Feb. 12th event.
Hear more from Monty here or for more information visit www.montyalexander.com.
For tickets to the Feb 20th to March 4th concerts at 8 and 10:30 p.m. each night, click here:
About The Blue Note:
Since its inception in 1981, The Blue Note has become one of the premier jazz clubs in the world and a cultural institution in Greenwich Village. Owner and founder Danny Bensusan had a vision to create a jazz club in Greenwich Village that would treat deserving artists with respect, while allowing patrons to see the world’s finest jazz musicians in a close, comfortable setting. Artists who had stopped playing in jazz clubs decades before, such as Sarah Vaughn, Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Tito Puente, soon called Blue Note home. Located between 6th and McDougal St., Blue Note offers music every night at 8 and 10:30 p.m.
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust
February 5, 2012
A Lasting Tribute for a Lifetime of Giving
Celebrating sixty years. From and for all generations of the Commonwealth Family
LONDON, Feb. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Today marks the formal launch of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, on the 60th anniversary of the accession of the Queen to the throne.
The establishment of the Trust was originally announced at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Australia in 2011. The Trust aims to celebrate HM The Queen’s enormous contribution and unswerving dedication to the Commonwealth over the course of her 60 year reign.
Sir John Major, Chairman of the Trustee Board said, “I am delighted and honoured to have been invited to Chair the Diamond Jubilee Trust. The purpose of the Trust is to raise funds throughout the Commonwealth, and then work with strategic partners to identify charitable projects that will enrich the lives and opportunities of all its citizens – across generations and geographical boundaries – in order to provide a lasting legacy for HM The Queen.
It is our hope that individuals, organisations and countries will all wish to contribute to the Trust, as a tangible and enduring way of honouring HM The Queen, and to demonstrate the enormous respect and affection in which she is held, not only within the Commonwealth family, but also the wider world.”
The Trust aims to reflect the qualities that citizens respect and value in Her Majesty. It will identify investments in legacy projects which will have a transforming impact on the life of Commonwealth citizens. The Trust will aim in particular to invest in some projects which encourage generations to work together for the benefit of communities, and activities that bring Commonwealth citizens together across geographical boundaries.
The Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, also on the board of Trustees, said, “Throughout sixty years of dedicated service and leadership as Head of the Commonwealth, The Queen has shown personal and unwavering commitment to all that the Commonwealth represents and holds dear – especially our shared values of democracy, development and diversity. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust is an opportunity for Commonwealth citizens everywhere both to contribute and to be associated with initiatives that will ensure Her Majesty’s commitment and service are celebrated in ways that are to the enduring benefit of our global Commonwealth family.”
Details of some of the initial planned investments and partnerships will be announced in due course.
During the Jubilee year, individuals, groups, organisations and companies inside or outside the Commonwealth are invited to contribute to the Trust, as a lasting tribute to HM The Queen.
More details about the Trust, including a way to contribute, can be found at the Trust’s website: www.jubileetribute.org
Notes to Editors:
- Queen Elizabeth is Head of the Commonwealth of 54 states embracing 2 billion people living in 16 Commonwealth Realms.
- The Trust will be run and administered to ensure that every donation is used to the maximum benefit of commonwealth citizens and delivers results that make a real difference to people’s lives. It will not establish a major new institution. It will work with established partner charities and organisations across the Commonwealth, both in the UK and elsewhere, to deliver iconic projects that are a fitting tribute to The Queen.
- As announced at CHOGM this may include tackling curable diseases, promoting all forms of education and culture and other Commonwealth priorities.
- The trustees are: The Rt Hon Sir John Major (Chairman), The Commonwealth Secretary General, The Rt Hon Lord Robertson, Professor Sir Mervyn King, The Rt Hon Sir Christopher Geidt & the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London.
- Projects will be chosen by the Trustees, who will consult widely before reaching decisions
China, India, Brazil! Is The Caribbean Next?
February 3, 2012
CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 3, 2012: Find out this June when the second Invest Caribbean Now power forum returns to New York City.
“The first Invest Caribbean Forum in June 2011 was a pivotal moment in developing interest in a new era of entrepreneurship and investing in the Caribbean. This year’s forum promises to be even more significant in advancing U.S. and worldwide interest in emerging opportunities throughout the Caribbean,” said Felicia Persaud, the convener of Invest Caribbean 2012 for the Caribbean Tourism Organization, in announcing this year’s forum.
Coming on the heels of an ultra successful event in 2011 that featured over 300 money managers, investors, hoteliers, ministers of governments and real estate developers, the Invest Caribbean Now power forum will return to New York City this June as part of Caribbean Week in New York.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization will again partner with digital media company, Hard Beat Communications, to present the second investment forum on June 6, 2012 in New York City.
The event earned rave reviews in its inaugural years in 2011 and secured significant media coverage for its impassioned appeal from Hard Beat CEO, Persaud, and presentations from Wendell Dave Dowrich, Vice President, Goldman Sachs; David Brillembourg, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Brilla Group and Martin Mohabeer, Managing Director, Spackman Group and CEO of Spackman Capital.
2012 is set to be more exciting as the event will feature private equity investors in the region, telling their “Why Caribbean” story to other investors and attendees. This year’s confirmed speakers are CEO and founder of the award winning firm, McKinney Rogers, Damian McKinney; President and co-founder of Solamon Energy Corp, Jay Yeo; and Chairman and Managing Director of Blue Equity, LLC., Jonathan S. Blue.
In just ten years McKinney, a former British Royal Marine has built a global organization with offices on every sub-continent. Today, McKinney Rogers is a premiere global consultancy, specializing in business execution. The firm has delivered tangible and sustainable results for such respected global organizations as Walmart, Bacardi, Grohe and Diageo. McKinney was also the winner of the coveted Executive of the Year Award for 2011.
Solamon Energy Corp is a renewable energy developer providing Caribbean and Central American clients with cost effective and reliable RE power generation solutions. Jay and his team work recently announced plans to build the Caribbean’s largest solar power plant in Jamaica. It is expected that the program, estimated to cost 450 million dollars, will enhance and improve Jamaica’s energy infrastructure, as well as help attract additional investment in the ICT and green tech sectors.
Blue Equity is a private equity firm with a diverse and innovative portfolio of business enterprises, with concentrations in oil and gas, media, healthcare, defense, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, art commerce, and sports and entertainment. Jonathan and Blue currently are already investing in the Caribbean through Cool Petroleum Limited, the licensed user of Shell brands in Jamaica and Island Ice & Beverage Company Limited, which manufactures and distributes packaged ice in the Caribbean. Blue Equity LLC says it will be expanding the network of gas stations in Jamaica under the Cool Petroleum brand and also hinted at another acquisition later this year, saying it remains optimistic about Jamaica’s prospects as an investment destination.
“The Caribbean Tourism Organization is proud to team up with Hard Beat to present this event for the second year, since in these tough economic times, investment in the Caribbean and Latin America is critical and the CTO believes strongly in continuing to boost the tourism sector of this vibrant region by presenting investment opportunities for its members,” said Sylma Brown Bramble, director of CTO-USA Inc.
Partners to date include the PR Newswire, WSEE TV, CaribPR Wire, News Americas Now, Damoola Inc and The Affiliated Lawyers of the Americas (”ALTA“).
For partnership and exhibitor opportunities log on to the sponsorship section of http://investcaribbeannow.com/ or call 646-820-5694.
From T20 Champion To Top 20 Superstar – Blazing West Indies Cricketing All-Rounder Dwayne Bravo – Releases Second Hit Collaboration With Grammy-Award Winning International Superstar Beenie Man
February 2, 2012
Beenie Man and Dwayne Bravo
CaribPR Wire, Tues. Feb. 1, 2012: As if winning the Caribbean T20 tournament as part of the championship Trinidad and Tobago “Red Force” cricket team and being member of a star-studded Sydney Sixers squad that went onto win this year’s glittering Australian Big Bash title, much to the delight of his millions of fans and followers worldwide wasn’t enough, the energetic, high-profile West Indian international cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, hasn’t simply been sitting back relaxing during a rare few days off in his hectic schedule.
Instead, accompanied by his agent and close friend, Grammy-award winning international superstar Beenie Man, the charismatic Bravo has been back in the studio, busy recording a hit new single which was released late Monday evening via Trinidad’s leading stations, Slam 100.5FM and Synergy TV, causing a media and fan frenzy over the catchy new track.
But Bravo, nicknamed the “Caribbean Powerhouse,” hasn’t stopped there. The exciting new Dwayne Bravo Surprise-A-Super-Fan initiative is also becoming an enormous hit with his supporters around the world after Bravo and his team decided to show his deep appreciation for his global fan base by surprising unsuspecting “Dwayne Bravo Super Fans,” nominated for a Bravo Surprise Visit by their friends and family. The sporting celebrity stated that he wants to use the “Surprise-A-Super-Fan” initiative to “inspire” people to reach for the same goals he has worked towards all his life, and to give something back to his fans for their years of unwavering support.
His management team have also put into place a carefully constructed social media campaign ahead of his much-anticipated official website launch, with the Brand Bravo campaign set to include exciting competition giveaways from sponsors, signed memorabilia from Bravo himself and ongoing updates on the sporting megastar’s cricketing successes and his forthcoming commercial projects, including an exclusive new clothing line set to launch in 2012.
Despite a hectic schedule and a multitude of ventures being developed under the shining star of Brand Bravo, the gifted 28 year-old cricketing all-rounder remains humble, down-to-earth and certain about one thing: cricket remains his greatest priority and biggest love; his determination to get back into the West Indies uniform being his most crucial focus.
The hit new single by Dwayne Bravo and Beenie Man, “Bad Man Soca,” is out now! Listen to the tune for your chance to win exclusive, autographed memorabilia via Dwayne Bravo’s official Twitter and Facebook pages. Sponsors, advertisers, media, international leagues and tournaments seeking partnerships with Bravo are urged to contact his Agent, Emma Everett via: agent@officialdwaynebravo.com
Leading Puerto Rico Benefits Attorney, Juan Luis Alonso, Joins Groom Law Group, Chartered in Washington, D.C.
January 31, 2012
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Groom Law Group, Chartered, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm that focuses exclusively on employee benefits law, announced today that Juan Luis Alonso – a widely respected attorney with broad-based expertise in Puerto Rico employee benefits matters, has joined the Firm.
Before joining Groom Law Group, Alonso spent over a decade at McConnell Valdes LLC in Puerto Rico, most recently serving as Chair of the Employee Benefits team. He has an extensive background in the design and qualification of Puerto Rico and U.S. qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, ERISA litigation support, and Puerto Rico, U.S. tax code and ERISA compliance, including fiduciary issues. Alonso, who is also a CPA, worked for a Big 4 accounting firm for three years as a tax consultant before joining McConnell Valdes.
“Adding Juan Luis to our Plan Design and Taxation Group fits the firm’s strategic expansion plans – consistent with our goal to provide clients with ‘one-stop benefit services’ from a single location in the nation’s capital,” explains the Firm’s managing partner, John McGuiness.
McGuiness notes that many of the firm’s Fortune 500 clients maintain pension and savings plans for their Puerto Rico workers, and many other firm clients invest the funds of Puerto Rico plans. Groom has advised clients on plan qualification, distribution taxation, and ERISA issues on Puerto Rico plan matters for many years. Most recently, Groom has spearheaded efforts to persuade IRS and Treasury policymakers to provide relief for Puerto Rico plans to invest alongside their U.S. counterparts. Alonso’s expertise will greatly enhance Groom’s ability to meet client needs in this important area.
Extensive 2011 changes in the Puerto Rico tax code have further harmonized the plan qualification rules in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. McGuiness adds, “Juan Luis’ knowledge of Puerto Rico law – and of Hacienda’s policies and procedures – will complement and add substantial value to Groom’s practice in this area, benefitting firm clients.” Alonso will continue to be actively involved with Puerto Rico legislative and regulatory officials when working from the firm’s D.C. office.
Groom’s Plan Design and Taxation Group has a national reputation for its expertise in the design and operation of all forms of employee benefit programs. The firm provides services to Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, government entities, tax-exempt organizations, churches, and financial institutions – working with them to create and maintain a wide variety of employee benefit programs that adhere to the highest regulatory standards.
About Groom Law Group
Groom Law Group, Chartered (www.groom.com) is the premier employee benefits law firm in the United States with 55 attorneys dedicated to this dynamic and complex area of law. Groom provides clients with cost-effective, creative, and practical solutions to sophisticated benefits and tax law challenges.
HBO Latin America Presents its New Channel, HBO Signature
January 22, 2012
MIAMI, Jan. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — HBO Latin America enriches its premium television offering with the launch of a new HBO channel, HBO Signature. This new channel, which can only be enjoyed by those who subscribe to HBO’s premium package, arrives to further enhance the originality and exclusivity of the brand’s original programming by offering the market’s most premium and acclaimed content.
HBO Signature will be the destination of the most award-winning material from pay-tv, and will reinforce the importance and excellence of the material produced exclusively by and for HBO. The new service, which will be available as of Feb. 1, will allow viewers to enjoy shows, miniseries, exclusive films made for TV and documentaries that have set milestones in the industry not only for their production value, but for the talent found both in front of and behind the camera.
As part of its programming schedule, HBO Signature will offer impactful and exclusive shows such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Entourage; successful miniseries such as Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Mildred Pierce; Premium television films such Too Big to Fail, Grey Gardens and You Don’t Know Jack; and also documentaries, all with HBO’s seal of exclusivity and vanguard.
“With this announcement, HBO continues demonstrating its commitment to the continent’s premium television and its consumers and clients, by offering unique and stand-out content all consolidated into one channel, HBO Signature. These innovative productions are what define this one-of-a-kind television experience, adding value to HBO’s Premium package,” stated Gustavo Grossmann, the channel’s vice-president and general manager.
HBO Signature will begin transmission in all of Latin America and Brazil as of Feb. 1. For more information, visit www.hbomax.tv
About HBO Latin America Group
HBO Latin America Group is a group of affiliated businesses belonging to Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. and Ole Communications Group. HBO Latin America Group’s companies operate, direct, and are proprietors of the leading cable and satellite service providers in Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean, including the signals of HBO, HBO2, HBO Plus, HBO Family, HBO Caribbean, HBO HD, HBO On Demand, MAX, MAX HD, Max Prime, Cinemax, A&E, A&E HD, AXN, AXN HD, The Biography Channel, E! Entertainment Television, The History Channel, The History Channel HD, Sony Entertainment Television, Sony Entertainment Television HD, Sony Spin, Warner Channel and Warner Channel HD.
