Los Angeles Foundation Awards $1.5 Million Humanitarian Prize

The Los Angeles-based Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has announced HelpAge International, an NGO which provides assistance for disadvantaged older people in developing countries, as the winner of the 2012 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest humanitarian award.    HelpAge provides funds and training for elderly people world-wide to enable them to lead dignified, active, healthy and secure lives.   

The organization’s work is increasingly critical with the world’s population aging at historic rates.  By 2015, nearly 900 million people will be older than age 60 which is close to three times the population of the U.S.  The aging trend is happening fastest in the developing world where incomes are lower and many elderly people live in extreme poverty.  HelpAge will receive $1.5 million from the Hilton Foundation as this year’s winner. 

www.helpageusa.org

www.hiltonfoundation.org 

Los Angeles Firm Designs New Master Plan for Atlantic City

Rendering of the Boardwalk

The Jerde Partnership, a Venice-based architecture and design firm that is known locally as the architect of Santa Monica Place, has designed a new Master Plan for Atlantic City’s tourism district with the goal of rejuvenating the city and making it a world class destination once again. 

The plan was approved yesterday and presents a realistic framework for transforming Atlantic City into a clean, green and safe city that pays homage to its storied history, takes advantage of its unique island setting and offers a wide range of attractions and experiences for all ages. The centerpiece of the master plan is the revitalization of the entire length of the world famous Boardwalk, the City’s iconic attraction and prime tourist destination, to create a unique environment that can only be found in Atlantic City. 

For more information:
www.jerde.com

AT&T “Txting While Driving … It Can Wait”

AT&T “Txting While Driving … It Can Wait”

While distracted driving is an issue for all motorists, teenagers are particularly at risk.  Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and the proliferation of distracted driving among teens is a huge challenge.

That’s why AT&T”s “Txtng & Drivng … It Can Wait” public awareness campaign is especially focused on educating teens about the risks of texting while driving and spreading the message that text messages can wait.  Not even red lights, professionals say, signal a “safe” time to text.

As part of its campaign, AT&T has developed a powerful documentary called “The Last Text” that examines the real world consequences of texting and driving.  Each of the eight individuals in the video volunteered their stories to help educate Americans – particularly youth – on the risks of texting behind the wheel.  The documentary can be viewed online on the AT&T “It Can Wait” website and on the AT&T YouTube page.

Texting is so dangerous because it takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds.  At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field completely blind.  Studies show a driver’s reaction time is doubled when reading or sending a text, and that motorists sending a text while driving are 23 more times likely to be in a crash.

AT&T has taken the next step in their campaign against texting and driving.  Last weekend at a teen safety fair AT&T shot the following video of a simulator designed to showcase the dangers of texting and driving.   In a city like Los Angeles where traffic is routine, teens and adult drivers need to be reminded of what can happen when attention is taken away from the road to send a text. 

The thing that sets this video apart is that it focuses on an AT&T Texting While Driving simulator.  The simulator features an actual car where the teen gets in, put on virtual reality goggles and starts driving on a streetscape where pedestrians are walking and other cars are close-by. While taking their eyes off the road to send a text message the inevitable result is that the teen driver crashes into a car or a pedestrian.  Here is the video: 

 

 

4G LTE FROM AT&T AVAILABLE IN LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTY

Customers to benefit from ultra-fast mobile broadband on new LTE compatible devices

AT&T* has turned on its 4G LTE network in Los Angeles, bringing customers the latest generation of wireless network technology. AT&T 4G LTE provides several benefits, including:

·         Faster speeds. LTE technology is capable of delivering speeds faster than many other mobile broadband technologies. Customers can stream, download, upload and game faster than ever before. 

·         Faster response time. LTE technology offers lower latency, or the processing time it takes to move data through a network, such as how long it takes to start downloading a webpage or file once you’ve sent the request. Lower latency helps to improve services like mobile gaming, two-way video calling and telemedicine.

·         More efficient use of spectrum. Wireless spectrum is a finite resource, and LTE uses spectrum more efficiently than other technologies, creating more space to carry data traffic and services and to deliver a better network experience.

·         Cool new devices. AT&T offers several LTE-compatible devices, including new AT&T 4G LTE smartphones and tablets.

“We continue to see demand for mobile broadband skyrocket, and our 4G LTE network in Los Angeles responds to what customers want from their mobile experience — more, faster, on the best devices,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager. 

ANALYST FIRM RECOGNIZES AT&T AS A LEADING U.S. TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER

Leading analyst firm Gartner Inc. today named AT&T a Leader in its 2011 Magic Quadrant for U.S. Telecommunications Service Providers. AT&T was also named a Leader in the 2011 North America MSSP Magic Quadrant Report.

AT&T Makes Major Network Improvements in 2011

Great News!!!! AT&T customers in the Los Angeles area are getting better coverage than ever before.  With so much broadband traffic on the smart phone highway, AT&T has added thousands of more lanes to its mobile super-highway. 

More than 1,700 network improvements were completed in Los Angeles, many in the last few months.  And because AT&T knows how important reliable and fast communication is to its customers the company continues to build its network.

Angelenos can also expect fewer dropped calls on the enhanced AT&T 4G network.  Dropped call rates have plummeted 41% this year.  Faster speeds, more capacity and increased reliability are the company’s highest priorities.

“We are committed to deliver the best customer experience possible, by expanding network capacity and improving service quality,” said Andy Shibley, AT&T Vice President and General Manager in Los Angeles.  “These improvements translate into tangible customer benefits.”

Oscar de la Hoya teams up with AT&T for Boys & Girls Club

President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar de la Hoya with kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley

Andy Shibley AT&T VPGM of Greater Los Angeles, President of Golden Boy Promotions Oscar de la Hoya, Executive Director Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley Shanna Warren

President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya, speaks to kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley

AT&T U-verse and Oscar de la Hoya delivered a knock out event for more than 100 young people at the Burbank, CA Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley.  In a sea of snapping cameras and excited kids, Andy Shibley, AT&T Vice President & General Manager, and boxing icon and President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya didn’t disappoint with positive messages of working hard for your dreams and keeping up with technology. Oscar talked about AT&T’s innovation especially around U-Verse and the future of television.  The presentation culminated in a donation of $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Club, with free tickets to the upcoming boxing fight at the Honda Center along with popcorn, movies, and classic boxing matches courtesy of AT&T U-verse TV.