Did You See That Press Release? Smelliest Sneakers, Most Annoying Car Features

With thousands of news releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire for Journalists. Here are some of this week’s most newsworthy releases you might have missed.

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Source: PRNewsFoto/Kraft

H.J. Heinz and Kraft Foods Group Sign Definitive Merger Agreement to Form Kraft Heinz Co.

H.J. Heinz Co. and Kraft Foods Group Inc. announced on March 25 that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create the Kraft Heinz Co. forming the third largest food and beverage company in North America with an unparalleled portfolio of iconic brands.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by both Heinz and Kraft’s boards, Kraft shareholders will own a 49 percent stake in the combined company, and current Heinz shareholders will own 51 percent on a fully diluted basis. Kraft shareholders will receive stock in the combined company and a special cash dividend of $16.50 per share.

The aggregate special dividend payment of approximately $10 billion is being fully funded by an equity contribution by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital. See the full release to learn more about the terms of the merger.

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Enduring Brands Top The 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend List

The brands Americans love say a lot about how they live. Based on the top brands in the 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend study, classic trusted brands increasingly co-mingle with “connected” internet brands.

EquiTrend is Harris Poll’s annual study of brands. The EquiTrend Brand Equity Index comprises three key factors — familiarity, quality, and consideration — that result in a Brand Equity rating for each brand. Brands that rank highest in Equity receive the Harris Poll EquiTrend “Brand of the Year” award for their category.

For this, the 27th annual study, more than 38,000 Americans assessed more than 1,400 brands across 148 categories. See the full release to discover the most respected brands in the country.

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Source: PRNewsFoto/Odor-Eaters

Kane Young-Hiss Wins the National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest in its 40th Anniversary Celebration

The National Odor-Eaters Rotten Sneaker Contest celebrated its 40th anniversary with a fan-fare of festivities in New York City on March 25.

The competition that tests just how offensive sneakers can get, culminated with the crowning of the 40th pair of most odorous soles in the nation. Ready to be judged were seven finalists, ages six to 15, from across the country. They gathered at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Times Square wearing the decrepit and redolent rubber-soles that won them regional recognition.

Only one competitor’s sneakers were declared the stinkiest, and they belonged to 14-year-old Kane Young-Hiss from Berthoud, Colo. See the full release to watch a video about the contest.

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Wyoming Named Best State for Retirement, Arkansas the Worst

Florida and Hawaii may be dream retirement spots for some, but Wyoming is actually the best state for retirees, according to new research from Bankrate.com. The worst state for retirees is Arkansas.

Bankrate.com ranked all 50 states according to several factors. They included local weather, cost of living, crime rate, health care quality, tax burden, and senior well-being (a measurement from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index that quantifies how satisfied residents 65 and older are with their surroundings).

Each factor was weighted according to a national survey on what people value in retirement. See the full release to learn where your state ranks.

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Source: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Cars.com Experts List the Top 10 Most Annoying Car Features

Experts at Cars.com, the premier online resource for car shopping, have listed the top 10 most annoying features that can be found in today’s cars. The list focuses on a range of features that Cars.com experts have deemed the most frustrating, annoying and unnecessary to help shoppers know what features they might want to consider avoiding.

“Every year, we test hundreds of new cars on all types of roads and in all kinds of weather,” said Dave Thomas, Cars.com managing editor. “During that time we form meaningful opinions and impressions of each car that influences the reviews we write on Cars.com. We also have the opportunity to evaluate the latest car features, not all of which are necessary or practical. Over time, we’ve developed some serious frustration with certain features, even those you might not expect.” See the full release to learn which features are the most annoying.

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Larry Grady is online content manager at PR Newswire for Journalists. He has worked in business media for nearly 30 years and enjoys reality TV and daydreaming about travel and wine.