Super Bowl ads rival game in 2010
Poll predicts ads will drive Web traffic and social media chatter
Super Bowl ads remain a big draw for viewers, with over 57 percent of U.S. adults who expect to watch Super Bowl XLIV planning to tune in as much or more for the commercials as for the game. This is a 5 percent increase from 2009. According to the latest Hanon McKendry/Mindscape at Hanon McKendry poll conducted online this month by Harris Interactive®, 71 percent of U.S. adults plan to watch Super Bowl XLIV, with 35 percent of those anticipated viewers watching equally for the ads as for the game and nearly 22 percent tuning in exclusively or predominantly for the commercials.
The 2010 poll also found that over 35 percent of those who watch Super Bowl commercials say they are more likely to visit an advertiser’s Web site after seeing a Super Bowl ad, up from 30 percent in 2009. Additionally, among online U.S. adults who watch Super Bowl ads, 48 percent say they are at least somewhat likely to discuss the ads on a social networking site.
“After five years of running this poll, I’d like to say that nothing surprises us,” said Bill McKendry, founder and chief creative officer at Hanon McKendry. “But even we were surprised at the level of online engagement that will be driven by Super Bowl ads. With 35 percent of viewers saying they are likely to visit an advertiser’s Web site and 48 percent of those engaged online stating they’d likely chat about the ads, the synergy between traditional broadcast advertising and digital engagement only appears to be growing.”
Building on the synergy between TV and Web, Hanon McKendry launched www.superadbowl.com in 2009, where visitors voted for their favorite Super Bowl ads after each quarter and got real-time results as they submitted their ballots. The site will go live again on Thurs., Jan. 28. In advance of the game, visitors will be able to weigh in on Super Bowl advertising via Twitter and Facebook and can cast their votes for their favorite ads starting at the close of the 1st quarter on game day.
The Hanon McKendry survey aims to quantify the draw of Super Bowl commercials among the more than 95 million anticipated viewers.(1) Now in its fifth year, the poll found interest in Super Bowl commercials even higher in 2010 than in 2009, when 52 percent of U.S. adult viewers planned to watch as much or more for the ads. The question that gets at online U.S. adult viewers’ likelihood to discuss a Super Bowl commercial on a social networking site is new in 2010.
While interest in Super Bowl commercials is growing among both men and women, the 2010 Hanon McKendry / Mindscape at Hanon McKendry survey confirms highest interest in Super Bowl ads among women:
– While anticipated female Super Bowl viewership remains statistically steady — 67 percent in 2009 vs. 65 percent in 2010 — the percentage of female viewers who say they’ll tune in as much or more for the ads has grown 5 percentage points in 2010, up from 62 percent in 2009.
– A significantly higher percentage of women than men who plan to watch the Super Bowl will do so at least as much for the commercials as for
the game — 67 percent of female vs. 48 percent of male viewers.
– Female viewers are 2.5 times more likely than male viewers to watch exclusively or predominantly for the commercials — 32 percent of female viewers vs. 13 percent of male viewers.
The Survey
Harris Interactive fielded the study on behalf of Hanon McKendry and Mindscape at Hanon McKendry between Jan. 8 and Jan. 12, 2010, via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,215 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sample included 1,121 men and 1,094 women. Data were weighted using propensity score weighting to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online. Data for questions related to online use or behaviors were weighted specifically to the respective “online” populations. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
(1) In its annual Guide to the Super Bowl, The Nielsen Company reports that Super Bowl XLIII drew a record average viewership of 98.7 million, up from 97.5 million in 2008.
Source: Hanon McKendry
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National study finds Americans are hopeful for 2010 Decade after learning from past ten years
OfficeMax Survey Uncovers How Consumers Really Feel About Past and Future Decades
With one decade concluding and another on the horizon, Americans are gearing up for 2010 by learning from the past and making plans for a better decade ahead. According to a nationwide survey from OfficeMax® Incorporated Americans have high hopes for the approaching decade with clear plans for their personal lives and heightened focus on family and personal wellbeing while embracing change and opportunity. When referring to the 2010 decade, nearly four in ten (38%) Americans prefer to use the phrase “the twenty-tens” over other popular terms that include “the oh-tens” (16%), “the tens” (14%) and “the teens” (11%).
Moving forward, Americans predict that family, personal development and self-discovery will define the next ten years. Many believe they will spend more time with family (64%) and reconnect with old friends (42%). Others plan to nurture themselves by grabbing the reins on their health (62%) and finally creating a work-life balance (38%). Over half (57%) of Americans believe the next decade will be about discovering what’s most important in life, while others think they’ll laugh more than ever before (47%).
As Americans consider the advancements and transformations they hope to achieve during the next decade, it’s fitting that nearly three in ten people think “Changes” by David Bowie (28%) is the song title that best represents their outlook on the approaching decade. Others selected “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash (13%) to demonstrate their optimism while some shared their apprehension choosing “Help!” by the Beatles (16%) and “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (12%) to illustrate their future outlook.
Gearing up for the next decade, Americans plan to learn from the past and incorporate these lessons into the future. Demonstrating the importance of action in 2010, a large number of Americans selected the expressions – “action speaks louder than words” (73%) and “talk is cheap” (67%) – to illustrate what they learned over the past decade. Nearly seven in ten people selected “knowledge is power” (69%) and “don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched” (67%) to describe their hopes for smarter, more calculated decisions in the future. With the touch economic times, personal finances were also top-of-mind for most Americans, which is perhaps why phrases like “a penny saved is a penny earned” (66%) and “money makes the world go round” (50%) are what many will use as a springboard for the new decade.
“Everyone has the chance to start fresh in 2010 with a new decade ahead of them, and we’re excited to learn through this national survey that consumers are ready to take the express train to a brighter, more prosperous future,” said Bob Thacker, SVP of Marketing & Advertising for OfficeMax. “At OfficeMax, we’re kicking off the year by celebrating positive achievements and helping people do their best work at home, the office, or on-the-go. It’s going to be a delightful decade as we focus more on what’s important and improve on the past ten years.”
The national survey of 1,000 consumers was conducted by Kelton Research in December 2009 using Random Digit Dialing of listed and unlisted phone numbers. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over.
TripAdvisor travellers reveal 2010 trends
TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest and most popular travel community, announced the results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 700 Britons, revealing that travellers are unable to predict the final cost of their flight, with nearly one-third paying unexpected additional costs at check-in.
Flight Costs
Travellers have become more surprised by the final price of their air ticket in the past three months. As a result of ‘add-ons,’ 73 percent have been surprised by the final cost of flight, up five percent from a survey conducted in September.*
Additionally, 32 percent, up 18 percent from three months ago, have checked in at an airport and paid additional costs they were not expecting.
Top Airlines
The favourite airline for British travellers is Virgin Atlantic, for the second year running, followed by British Airways and Singapore Airlines. For the fourth year in a row,Ryanair is travellers’ least favourite airline by an overwhelming 41 percent, up from 30 percent last year. Eighty-two percent of travellers said that the brand of airline is at least somewhat important when making a booking decision, with 41 percent identifying it as very or extremely important.
When choosing an airline, the most important factor is price followed by preferred route. Twenty-three percent are willing to fly the same airline, if it’s the cheapest option, after a really bad experience on a flight.
Leisure Spending
Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of travellers will spend more than GBP1,700 on leisure travel next year, with more than one-quarter (28 percent) spending more than GBP5,300.
Mobiles and Wifi
British travellers are in favour of staying connected while flying, as 62 percent think Internet access should be allowed on flights, up 16 percent from last year. Nine percent are even willing to pay extra for it. In regards to mobiles, 13 percent think they should be allowed on flights, compared to 10 percent last year.
Germs While Travelling
H1N1 virus threats will cause British travellers to be more concerned about germs when travelling this year, with 26 percent packing hand sanitizer and 28 percent washing their hands more frequently. Seven percent of travellers’ holiday plans are likely to be affected by concerns about illness or the flu in the upcoming year. Additionally, 10 percent of travellers find the biggest traveller faux pas is sneezing or coughing without covering up.
Environmentally Conscious
Fourteen percent of British travellers will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2010 than they were last year, far less than the French (20 percent), Italians (30 percent) and Spaniards (23 percent) revealed in a survey of 2,800 European travellers. According to Brits, the most suitable country to plan an eco-friendly holiday is Sweden, followed by Norway and Switzerland. One-fifth (21 percent) of travellers said there aren’t enough resources to easily plan an eco-friendly holiday.
Holiday Activities
Over three quarters of British travellers will visit a historic site in the next year, 68 percent are likely to visit a national park and over half (52 percent) will go to the theatre or opera. Nearly one-quarter (22 percent) are likely to attend a festival and 27 percent will go hiking.
British Traveller Tidbits:
- Fifteen percent have taken slippers from a hotel room, while 10 percent have taken a washcloth and 9 percent towels.
- Thirty-three percent would do a holiday “house swap” if given the right opportunity.
- Perhaps because of its implementation at some U.K. airports in the past year, only 67 percent are comfortable with the new body scanners, compared to 80 percent last year.
- Sixteen percent of travellers will book their holiday earlier this year than last year.
- Rude seat recliners (33 percent) and children kicking the back of seats (32 percent) top the traveller faux pas onboard a flight.
Troncones, Mexico is TravelCast’s Emerging Hotspot for 2010
The TripAdvisor TravelCast identifies up-and-coming travel destinations based on site data**, including increases in search activity and postings for the past year on TripAdvisor.
TripAdvisor TravelCast Top Five World Destinations for 2010
1. Troncones, Mexico
2. Nairn, Scotland
3. El Chalten, Patagonia
4. Patara, Turkey
5. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
*600 Britons took part in the TripAdvisor survey (September 2009)
**Site data on TripAdvisor.com
Source: TripAdvisor
Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year
EPA-estimated 42 MPG highway is highest of any luxury car sold in the U.S. – Audi TDI clean diesel 2.0 engine delivers optimal power with uniquely low emissions
The Green Car of the Year(R) award is the industry measure of environmental innovation
Green and performance luxury needn’t be mutually exclusive concepts. That’s a core belief at Audi. Today, that philosophy paid off with the all-new A3 TDI earning the prestigious title of 2010 Green Car of the Year®.
The announcement came this morning during the Los Angeles Auto Show as Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com presented the award to Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. The Audi A3 TDI was among five model finalists nominated for the award, which began in 2005.
The 2010 Audi A3 TDI arrived at U.S. dealerships last month and initial sales have been promising. The A3 TDI is the latest example of the fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions benefits provided by the critically acclaimed TDI clean diesel product line, following the wildly popular Q7 TDI, which launched in June 2009. TDI clean diesel technology was first developed by Audi 20 years ago and has come to signify the brand’s commitment to trailblazing automotive performance executed in an environmentally responsible way.
The groundbreaking TDI 2.0 engine available in the A3 delivers 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, yet achieves an EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway fuel economy that is the best of any luxury car sold in America. That means the Audi A3 TDI achieve 50% better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine.
“We consider the Green Car of the Year® title one of the most important industry accolades,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “It is of paramount importance for us to develop vehicles that achieve the very touchstones this award stands for — fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Rather than novelty features, we consider these attributes imperative to the future of automobile design. We are honored with this recognition for the Audi A3 TDI.”
In addition to setting the new industry standard in fuel efficiency, the 2010 A3 TDI remains a stylistic pacesetter as well. All new A3 models now come standard with S line exterior equipment. In addition the wheels have been upgraded and standard Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are available on Premium Plus models. “The Audi A3 TDI really defines what a ‘green’ car should be,” said Cogan. “At 42 mpg, it sets the bar for highway fuel efficiency in the luxury car segment. Its 50-state certified clean diesel engine is quiet, responsive, and achieves its mission without the need for exotic technologies. Plus, it’s sporty and just plain fun to drive.”
Indeed, the TDI technology in the A3 has a strong performance heritage. Audi was the first automaker to find success with diesel engines in motorsports, winning several times at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, among other competitions. That same fundamental technology is found in the A3 TDI, meaning motorists do not have to sacrifice performance for efficiency.
Source: Audi of America Inc.
Travelers interest in vacation rentals soars in 2010
Nearly 87 percent of travelers who looked into the availability of vacation rentals in the past plan to stay in one in 2010 – Demand for vacation rentals in New Orleans is up by more than 300 percent in third quarter of the year – About 60 percent of vacation rental owners report bookings in the third quarter of 2009 were on par with or higher than the same period last year
Vacation rental homes continue to grow in popularity among travelers in the coming year, according to HomeAway, Inc. – the world’s leading online vacation rental marketplace – which today released its quarterly “HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace Report.” In fact, 87 percent of travelers who looked into a vacation rental in the past say they plan to stay in a vacation rental in 2010 – a significant increase from the 67 percent who stayed or plan on staying in a vacation rental in 2009.
Of those travelers who stayed or will stay in a vacation rental in 2009, 75 percent previously stayed in a vacation rental – 25 percent were first-time renters.
“The fact that so many travelers who’ve stayed in a vacation rental home are returning to rent again shows the high satisfaction they had with their experience,” said Brian Sharples, chief executive officer of HomeAway®. “And in this economy, vacation rentals are also attracting many first-time renters who are looking for greater value from their travel dollar. We expect this trend to continue even as the economy improves, as there has been a significant shift toward value in the overall consumer mindset.”
Travelers Look for Value and Ways to Still Get Away in 2010
While more than one-quarter of travelers (28 percent) say the economy will not impact their vacation plans in 2010, most travelers will look for ways to save when it comes time to get away next year.
When travelers were asked how the economy will affect their 2010 vacation plans:
– 41 percent plan to look for specials or deals on vacation rentals
– 40 percent plan to stay in a vacation rental to save or split on the costs of accommodations
– 21 percent will look for hotel specials or deals
– 17 percent will vacation at a destination within driving distance from home
– 7 percent will shorten the length of the vacation
The average booking window (how long travelers book a property before their trip) has begun to climb to its pre-recession pattern. Travelers are booking an average of 94 days out in the third quarter – up from an average of 76 days during the second quarter of the year.
In 2010, only two percent of travelers say they will be unable to take a vacation due to the economy — a decrease from the eight percent who were affected in 2009.
Vacation Rentals Provide a Whole Home for Less than the Cost of a Hotel
Of the cities analyzed in the third quarter, HomeAway finds the following markets offer particularly good value for travelers, especially in Orlando, where the price per square foot for a vacation rental is nearly five times less than the cost per square foot of a hotel.
New Orleans Rebounds; Interest Grows in Miami as Super Bowl Nears
Not surprisingly, the report shows beach destinations continue to draw travelers, with eight out of the top 10 most popular destinations booked in the third quarter located in coastal areas. New York and Las Vegas stand as the two exceptions. The HomeAway Vacation Rental Marketplace report also identifies some emerging and reemerging vacation destinations among travelers. Demand for vacation rentals in the Big Easy is up by more than 300 percent in the third quarter.
“We believe we’re seeing renewed interest in New Orleans vacation rentals because the average daily rate for hotels in the city have increased in the past months, and there are now more vacation rental choices on HomeAway, with listings increasing 133 percent in the third quarter,” says Sharples.
The top five destinations with the largest percent increase in traveler interest from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009 include:
1. New Orleans (307%)
2. Estero, Fla. (149%)
3. Austin, Texas (141%)
4. Wear Valley, Tenn. (129%)
5. Manhattan Beach, Calif. (121%)
Miami, which hosts the Super Bowl in February 2010, is also generating increased demand. Traveler interest in Miami vacation rentals are up 50 percent, compared to last year during the third quarter.
New Vacation Rental Listings on the Rise in Some Markets
As travelers focus on value and owners of second homes look to generate extra income in today’s economy, many markets are seeing significant increases in new vacation rental listings. Carnelian Bay, Calif., and Austin, Texas, retain their positions from the last quarter as the destinations with the fastest percent increase in new listings.
The top 10 destinations with the largest percentage increase of new vacation rental listings in the third quarter of 2009, compared with the same time period last year, include:
1. Carnelian Bay, Calif. (317%)
2. Austin, Texas (155%)
3. Beverly Hills, Calif. (145%)
4. New Orleans (133%)
5. Truckee, Calif. (122%)
6. Canyon Lake, Texas (120%)
7. Santa Monica, Calif. (116%)
8. Lake Norman, N.C. (108%)
9. Chicago (106%)
10. Estes Park, Colo. (103%)
For those who rent out their second homes, approximately 60 percent say their bookings for the third quarter of the year are about the same or higher compared with last year, which represents a negligible dip from the second quarter of the year when 62 percent of owners reported bookings were the same or higher.
Vacation Rental Owners Offer Deals, Make Home Improvements to Attract Renters
To continue to attract travelers and generate income from their properties, approximately 55 percent of vacation rental owners say they will offer some type of special deal or incentive to travelers in the coming year – down from 66 percent earlier this year. Of those:
– 69 percent to offer a specific dollar amount or a percentage off the rental rate
– 35 percent plan to offer a free night with the purchase of a specific number of nights
– 17 percent do not plan to require a minimum-night stay– 16 percent plan to offer complimentary products or services, such as free tickets to a theme park
Beyond adjusting the rental rate for their vacation homes, nearly three quarters of vacation rental owners (73 percent) have other plans for attracting potential renters in the coming year.
Source: HomeAway, Inc.
Most employers making changes to their 2010 medical program expect to increase employee contributions
Introducing or expanding wellness programs also an expected change for 2010
As employees flip through their open enrollment packets, they may notice substantial changes to their medical plan for 2010, from increases to employee contributions to introducing a wellness program, according to the 2009 Benefits & Talent Survey by Aon Consulting, the human capital consulting firm of Aon Corporation.
Aon Consulting surveyed 1,313 employers nationwide in its 2009 Benefits & Talent Survey and found that 41 percent of employers are expecting to make more substantial changes to their 2010 medical program than they did this year. Specifically, 70 percent are planning to increase employee contributions(1) and 67 percent are expecting to raise deductibles(2), co-pays(3), coinsurance(4) or out-of-pocket maximums(5).
In addition, more than half of employers are expecting to introduce or expand a wellness program next year, and 34 percent are planning to introduce or increase financial incentives for wellness programs in 2010.
“As in year’s past, many employers are expecting to shift additional health care costs to employees in 2010 to share the burden of double-digit rate increases,” said John Zern, U.S. Health & Benefits Practice Director with Aon Consulting. “However, it may be more dramatic next year, as many organizations try to avoid taking other drastic measures such as layoffs or salary freezes. Conversely, the good news is found in that more than half of employers are planning to either introduce or expand wellness programs, in an effort to build a healthier and more productive workforce, and ultimately lower health care costs.”
Short-term solutions
To reduce employer and employee health care costs, employers have been implementing various types of audits as a short-term savings solution. According to the Benefits & Talent Survey, 46 percent of organizations conducted a dependent eligibility verification audit in 2009 or earlier, and 20 percent are planning to do so in 2010 or later. These audits are designed to save on health care costs by ensuring only eligible dependents are covered.
“Employers who conduct dependent eligibility audits can see immediate savings ranging from 3 percent to 10 percent in dependent health care costs,” said Tom Lerche, U.S. Health Care Practice Leader with Aon Consulting. “Achieving savings from removal of ineligible dependents may reduce the need for further employee layoffs and will ensure program integrity,” he added.
Other audits employers are planning to implement in 2010 or later include electronic prescription drug (16 percent of employers); medical claims (13 percent of employers); and prescription rebate (12 percent of employers).
Long-Term Solutions
Not only are employers taking advantage of short-term cost savings opportunities, they are also offering wellness and disease management initiatives to help improve the health care cost trend in the long-term. The survey found 67 percent of employers have promoted exercise/physical activity in 2009 or earlier, and another 12 percent are planning to implement this initiative in 2010 or later. Additionally, 63 percent of respondents offer disease management programs and 10 percent plan to do so in 2010 or later.
Wellness programs rely on improved health to lower costs. In order to measure progress, organizations offer employees a health risk appraisal (HRA) and biometric screenings as benchmarks. In fact, the survey found 52 percent of organizations have already offered both an HRA and biometric screenings. What’s more, 20 percent are planning to implement an HRA and 16 percent are planning to implement biometric screenings as early as next year.
“Both the HRA and biometric screenings are important components of a wellness program,” said Paul Berger, chief medical officer with Aon Consulting’s Health & Benefits Practice. “Based on self-reported data, HRAs provide employees with personalized feedback to help meet their health goals. Biometric screenings, on the other hand, provide employers with objective data based on such tests as cholesterol and blood sugar. This gives employers a better understanding of the health risks in their employee population on an aggregated basis; as a result, they can develop the right wellness and disease management programs for their workforce.”
Incentives and tracking wellness & disease management programs
The key to a successful wellness and disease management program depends on participation, and one way to motivate employees to sign-up is by offering incentives, according to Berger.
The survey found 41 percent of employers offer a gift card or merchandise as an incentive, and of those organizations that offer at least one incentive, 39 percent offer between $50 and $249 as the maximum value an employee can earn in one year.
Tracking the status of health measures also is an important component of any wellness or disease management program. According to the survey, some of those measures employers are tracking include:
– Medical costs of chronic conditions (45 percent)
– Participation in corporate wellness/preventive activities (36 percent)
– Participation in corporate disease management programs (32 percent)
– Biometric data (28 percent)
“While these numbers are encouraging, the overwhelming majority of employers are still not tracking the indirect affect of chronic conditions: presenteeism(6) and absenteeism,” Berger said. “Only 10 percent of employers are tracking measures of presenteeism, and only 13 percent are tracking absence costs of chronic conditions.”
“Once employers know the impact chronic conditions have on their employees’ productivity and absences from the workforce, they can begin to make greater improvements to their programs to lower health risk factors and build a healthier, more productive workforce,” Berger added. “Done right, a wellness program will reduce medical trend, presenteeism, absences from work and the incidence and duration of disability.”
About the Study
Aon Consulting surveyed more than 1,300 employers nationwide for its 2009 Benefits and Talent Survey. This annual survey provides a glimpse into the strategies and tactics companies are using to ensure that they continue to improve talent, reward success and prepare for economic recovery. It includes findings in the areas of Retirement, Health Care and Workforce Management. To learn more about this survey, please click on the following link http://insight.aon.com/?elqPURLPage=4552.
(1) An employee contribution is the employee portion of the premium, which is the dollar amount taken out of the employee’s paycheck each pay period to pay for health insurance.
(2) The deductible is the portion of a claim that is not covered by the health plan. It is the amount of expenses that must be paid out-of-pocket before an insurer will cover any expenses.
(3) Copay is the fixed amount the employee owes for an approved medical or prescription drug expense.
(4) Coinsurance is the percentage of the cost that the employee owes for an approved medical expense.
(5) Out-of-pocket maximum is the most an employee will pay for covered medical services during a benefit period.
(6) Presenteeism is a term used to describe employees who are working but who are not productive due to illness, stress, depression, or injury.
Source: Aon Corporation
Nissan LEAF Electric Car reservations to begin in the U.S. in Spring 2010
Nissan North America Targets 20,000 Reservations by Launch Near End of 2010; Will Expand Production to U.S. in 2012
In response to strong initial demand for the Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric car, Nissan North America, Inc. announced it will begin taking reservations for LEAF in spring 2010. Nearly 22,000 people in North America have contacted Nissan since the company unveiled the car in August.
“The groundswell of interest, especially from people in our initial launch markets, demonstrates to us the importance of a reservation system,” said Carlos Tavares, head of Nissan’s operations in North, Central and South America. “Our goal is to confirm at least 20,000 reservations for Nissan LEAF by the time we deliver the world’s first mass-market zero-emission car in late 2010.”
Nissan will invite people to “opt-in” and receive updates and information about LEAF through a reservation system that will tell them when the electric car is available – either for test drives or to take home. Participants will receive the latest news about the company’s zero-emission activities as well as information about Nissan LEAF and how to become “plug-in ready.”
“We’ll continue to reach out to this enthusiastic and rapidly growing group as we approach launch,” said Tavares.
About 70 percent of the people in North America who have contacted Nissan about LEAF reside in markets where the all-electric zero-emission car first will be brought to market.
Of those who have contacted Nissan, about half report that they want to obtain LEAF as soon as it’s available, and another 45 percent indicate interest in owning an electric vehicle within the next two to three years. Metro areas with the strongest consumer responses are San Diego, Calif.; Tucson, Ariz.; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Los Angeles – all of which are among the first markets where LEAF will be available globally.
More than 90 percent of the people who have contacted Nissan indicate that they drive less than 100 miles daily, which is the range of LEAF when fully charged. Meanwhile, 75 percent indicate that they are members of two-car households – prime candidates for an efficient commuter car like the all-electric, zero-emission LEAF.
People interested in zero-emission mobility will have the opportunity to see Nissan LEAF starting in November, on the heels of its appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show, when it will be on tour throughout the major launch markets in the United States. The tour will kick off in Los Angeles at a dedicated event.
Nissan is the only automaker committed to making all-electric vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale. Beginning in late 2012, Nissan will manufacture LEAF and its advanced lithium-ion battery pack for the U.S. market at the company’s plant in Smyrna, Tenn. Initially, LEAF will be manufactured in Japan.
Nissan LEAF will be available for private and fleet customers. People who wish to participate in the reservation program can visit www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car. Details about the program and pricing are being finalized.
In the United States, Nissan – in conjunction with the Renault-Nissan Alliance – is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an electric-vehicle infrastructure through partnerships in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle, and Raleigh, N.C. Additional partnerships will be announced in the near future.
Source: Nissan North America
MV Agusta unveils brand new Brutale 990R and 1090RR models for 2010
Renowned Italian Motorcycle Maker Introduces Highly Anticipated Newly Engineered Naked Bike Designed in the Spirit of Award Winning Predecessor
With 15,400 Brutale models sold globally through a decade boasting countless international design awards and accolades, MV Agusta proudly introduces the new Brutale 990R and 1090RR for 2010. Conceived at MV Agusta’s CRC design center, the highly-anticipated launch of the new Brutale models signifies a new renaissance for the distinguished Italian brand, known for its success crafting high-performance, beautifully designed motorcycles. (see 2010 MV Agusta Brutale 990R and 1090RR Video Presentation)
With U.S. prices set at $15,000 for the Brutale 990R and $18,000 for the Brutale 1090RR, MV Agusta is currently unveiling the 2010 naked bikes for the first time at the famed Misano Autodromo circuit in Italy. Completely reengineered in every facet of its design with only the newest components featuring the latest technology, MV Agusta produced a brand new Brutale 990R and 1090RR which still capture the aggressive, legendary aesthetic of its predecessor.
Made in the world famous spirit of MV Agusta, the company ensured every aspect of the design and production for the new Brutale was overseen in-house. Using the knowledge gained from a winning tradition of racing excellence with 38 world championship titles and 37 manufacturers’ championships alongside motorcycle icon Giacomo Agostini, MV Agusta focused on producing the most versatile Brutale to date, with all the track-ready power of previous models, but with revolutionary attention brought to comfort and ease of riding at any speed.
“With the unveiling of the new Brutale 990R and 1090RR, MV Agusta looks forward to once again showing the world why the company continues to be one of the most respected names in the motorcycle industry,” comments MV Agusta Director of US Operations, Larry Ferracci. “The launch of the new Brutale models marks a revolution for the MV Agusta brand as it moves forward producing motorcycles echoing the spirit of its Italian heritage while also demonstrating the highest quality of manufacturing.”
For more information on the Brutale 990R and Brutale 1090RR, visit www.mvagustausa.com.
U.S. News Media Group announces 26th Annual America’s Best Colleges: Harvard, Princeton, and Williams Top Rankings
New edition includes specialty rankings and online guides for admission and paying for college -
U.S. News Media Group released the 2010 edition of America’s Best Colleges, which includes rankings of more than 1,400 schools nationwide. Harvard University and Princeton University tie the top of the list for Best National Universities, while Williams College is ranked top for Best Liberal Arts College. The exclusive rankings, available online today at www.usnews.com/colleges, will also be published in the September issue of the U.S.News & World Report magazine, on newsstands starting August 20th.
Over the past 26 years, the U.S. News college rankings, which groups schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. The America’s Best Colleges ranking package, which includes extensive editorial content and multimedia resources, has helped families navigate the difficult decisions involved throughout the college process, from college admission and selection to financing options.
“As it becomes increasingly difficult to choose the right school – and pay for it – U.S. News strives to provide students and families with the best information to help guide them through the entire college process,” said U.S.News & World Report Editor Brian Kelly. “This year, the recession has seriously challenged the traditional model of paying for college, and so we’ve developed ranking and editorial content to address the many ways to finance an education as well as information on how to get the most out of such a big investment.”
The 2010 America’s Best Colleges features the established rankings of the Best National Universities, Best Liberal Arts Colleges, and Best Historically Black Colleges, and includes rankings of Best Colleges for Financial Aid, A+ Schools for B Students, and Up-and-Coming Schools. This year, U.S. News has further expanded the ranking categories on USNews.com to include:
Best Colleges for Undergraduate Teaching: Top college officials nominated these colleges and universities for having faculty and administrators with the strongest commitment to undergraduate teaching.
In addition to the new list, U.S. News offers an extensive resource of ranking and college information on USNews.com, which hosts the new Advanced Search feature, enabling students and parents to search for colleges based on specific criteria, such as region, cost and financial aid, student body makeup, student activities, sports offered, and more. The site also features additional interactive tools designed to help students and parents navigate through the college selection process, including:
100 Best Colleges and Universities Application by HP: Free, web-based application that helps prospective college students and their parents evaluate the colleges and universities through a rich, interactive experience.
College Click Videos: 2,000 videos offering candid advice on over 150 colleges & universities.
Interactive College Calendar: Provides important regional and nationwide events and deadlines.
The 2010 America’s Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance (National Universities and Liberal Art Colleges).
For more information about America’s Best Colleges, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. To access the Premium Online Edition, go to www.usnews.com/usnews/store/products/college_index.htm
America’s Best Colleges Rankings 2010
*For full list of rankings, visit www.usnews.com/college
Best National Universities
1. Harvard University (MA)
2. Princeton University (NJ)
3. Yale University (CT)
4. California Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Inst. of Technology
Stanford University (CA)
University of Pennsylvania
Best Liberal Arts Colleges
1. Williams College (MA)
2. Amherst College (MA)
3. Swarthmore College (PA)
4. Middlebury College (VT)
Wellesley College (MA)
Up-and-Coming Schools
National Universities
1. Univ. of Md. – Baltimore County
2. George Mason University (VA)
Northeastern University (MA)
4. Drexel University (PA)
5. Arizona State University
University of Central Florida
Liberal Arts Colleges
1. Hendrix College (AR)
2. Agnes Scott College (GA)
Davidson College (NC)
Furman University (SC)
5. Calvin College (MI)
Dickinson College (PA)
University of Richmond (VA)
Ursinus College (PA)
Source: U.S. News Media Group
U.S. News Media Group Announces the 2010 America’s Best Graduate Schools
20th Annual edition most extensive to-date, featuring new discipline rankings and first part-time law programs
U.S. News Media Group released the 2010 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, available online at www.usnews.com/grad and featured in the May U.S.News & World Report magazine, on newsstands April 28, 2009.
The 2010 America’s Best Graduate Schools, which includes over 1,500 graduate school programs nationwide, is the most comprehensive listing of its kind. This year’s edition includes new rankings of a variety of Ph.D. programs, as well as a first-ever ranking of part-time law school programs. In addition, having modified the law school rankings methodology to include class admissions data for both full and part-time entering students, U.S. News updated the rankings of main law schools as well.
“For the past 20 years, prospective students have turned to U.S. News’s America’s Best Graduate Schools for reliable information on the full range of graduate school programs,” said Brian Kelly, editor of U.S.News & World Report. “However, this year’s package is especially relevant, as more and more Americans face an increasingly tough job market. With our new and updated rankings, America’s Best Graduate Schools serves as a crucial resource for anyone considering professional development and continuing education opportunities.”
America’s Best Graduate Schools includes rankings in disciplines such as law, business, education, engineering, and medicine, among others (see listings below of the top 10 schools in each of these disciplines). The complete rankings in all disciplines will be available online at www.usnews.com/grad beginning at 12:01 AM ET on Thursday, April 23. The Premium Online Edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools features the most extensive rankings data available and is searchable based on user criteria (including location, specialty area, and more).
Highlights of the 2010 Best Graduate Schools package include:
- New rankings of Ph.D. programs in criminology, economics, English, history, political science, psychology, and sociology and graduate programs in library and information studies.
- New ranking of part-time J.D. law programs as well as updated overall law programs.
- New listing of the largest online graduate programs in business, education, engineering, library science, nursing, and public health.
- New editorial package including: Online Education: E-Learning clicks with students, Four Strategies to Save Money: Getting through graduate school without putting yourself in the poorhouse; Help for Your Student Loan Payments; and more stories on USNews.com.
For more information about America’s Best Graduate Schools, visit www.usnews.com/grad, and to learn more about the methodology and data research, visit www.usnews.com/aboutgrad.
U.S. News Media Group
The U.S. News Media Group is a multi-platform digital publisher of news and analysis, which includes the monthly U.S. News & World Report magazine, the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine, www.usnews.com, and www.rankingsandreviews.com. Focusing on Health, Money & Business, Education, and Public Service/Opinion, the U.S. News Media Group has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. The U.S. News Media Group’s signature franchises include its News You Can Use(R) brand of journalism and its “America’s Best” series of consumer guides that include rankings of colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, health plans, and more.
2010 Graduate School Rankings
Schools of Business
1. Harvard University (MA)
2. Stanford University (CA)
3. Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL)
University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
University of Chicago
7. University of California-Berkeley (Haas)
8. Dartmouth College (Tuck) (NH)
9. Columbia University (NY)
10. Yale University (CT)
Schools of Education
1. Vanderbilt University (Peabody) (TN)
2. Stanford University (CA)
3. Teachers College, Columbia University (NY)
4. University of Oregon
5. University of California-Los Angeles
6. Harvard University (MA)
7. Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Northwestern University (IL)
University of California-Berkeley
University of Texas-Austin
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Schools of Engineering
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Stanford University (CA)
3. University of California-Berkeley
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
5. University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
6. Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
7. California Institute of Technology
University of Southern California (Viterbi)
9. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
10. University of Texas-Austin (Cockrell)
Schools of Law
1. Yale University (CT)
2. Harvard University (MA)
3. Stanford University (CA)
4. Columbia University (NY)
5. New York University
6. University of California-Berkeley
University of Chicago
8. University of Pennsylvania
9. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
10. Duke University (NC)
Northwestern University (IL)
University of Virginia
Schools of Law (Part-time)
1. Georgetown University (DC)
2. George Washington University (DC)
3. Fordham University (NY)
4. American University (DC)
5. George Mason University (VA)
6. University of Maryland
7. Temple University (PA)
University of San Diego
9. University of Denver (Sturm)
10. Illinois Inst. of Technology (Chicago-Kent)
Schools of Medicine (Research)
1. Harvard University (MA)
2. Johns Hopkins University (MD)
3. University of Pennsylvania
Washington University in St. Louis
5. University of California-San Francisco
6. Duke University (NC)
Stanford University (CA)
University of Washington
Yale University (CT)
10. Columbia University (NY)