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Now Four Years In, Here's How News Direct Leapfrogged the Legacy Newswire Industry

News Direct

In business parlance, the term “Leapfrog” refers to “ a strategy that involves making a significant change or innovation that goes beyond what is expected or incremental. The goal is to improve a position by either skipping stages or taking an alternative path to achieve a desired outcome”*. *Google AI Overview News Direct represents the latter of those two paths. Founded in 2020 by former Business Wire president, Gregg Castano, and owing to his 32+ year career with the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, News Direct enjoyed a head start unlike most other “challengers” to the established newswire industry order that also includes PR Newswire and Globe Newswire. Castano leveraged the vast industry knowledge and expertise accumulated across those three plus decades and combined it with a forward-looking vision brought to life with a state-of-the-art, custom-written tech stack sitting atop a cloud infrastructure. The result is what can best be described as a “Next-Gen” news and content distribution platform ideally suited for a 21 st -Century communications ecosystem. News Direct has either vastly improved or completely replaced virtually everything about the legacy newswire model, which Castano believed needed to more strongly embrace and adopt the leading-edge digital technologies that enable the user experience to be modernized and enriched. The features and functions of News Direct are in many ways unrecognizable from traditional wires, with the notable exception of their comprehensive distribution footprint, which is identical to the “Big 3”. Castano stated, “I felt strongly that for the newswire model to be sustainable, remain relevant and to grow, it needed to evolve. But more quickly than the classic interpretation of evolution, which suggests a slow, steady pace. Rapid evolution, I suppose, is what I envisioned, although at some point that becomes revolution. That’s a term I hesitate to use because it’s a bit shopworn and can seem hyperbolic, but there is no doubt that News Direct has changed the game in a big way.” Among the ways in which News Direct has upended and disrupted the traditional newswire model, highlights include: Cutting-Edge Technology: News Direct is built atop a modern, digital cloud infrastructure with a software stack custom-written to precise specifications that perfectly align with today’s communications landscape. Direct-to-SEO Optimization: The platform is engineered to automatically enhance news releases for search engines, ensuring greater visibility and reach. Multimedia Integration: Videos, images, and other rich media are easily incorporated into news releases to stimulate greater engagement – or can be sent as independent assets, no release required. This is a feature unique to the industry. User-Friendly Interface: The workflow is intuitive and designed for speed, efficiency and seamless collaboration, allowing users to create, review and distribute releases in minutes, rather than waiting for remote editors to “process” content. Greater Control and Flexibility: With News Direct, the user maintains complete control over their content throughout the distribution workflow. With no “middleman” editors, the distribution process can be directly managed end-to-end, ensuring that the news reaches the target audience without unnecessary delays, or the security risks of relying on intermediaries. Real-Time Analytics: Customers get instant insights into how their news is performing with real-time analytics that are retrievable on-demand from within the customer interface. Transparent, Cost-Effective Pricing: News Direct offers straightforward flat-rates with no word count limits, no fluctuating, geographically tiered pricing and no opaque hidden upcharges for things such as logos or trade media. Customers know exactly what they’re paying with a pricing model designed to be highly cost-effective and flat rates that make budgeting simple, easy and transparent, a particular advantage for high frequency users. No Distribution Trade-Offs: The News Direct distribution network is identical to that of legacy services, providing a superior user-experience without sacrificing comprehensive reach. Leadership and Industry Expertise: Founder and CEO Castano’s deep understanding of the market and vision for the future of news distribution that has been gained over a 40-year career is embedded into every aspect of News Direct. This wealth of expertise uniquely positions News Direct to meet the needs of modern communicators. News Direct was designed to be thoroughly modern, streamlined and user-friendly, offering unprecedented value, flexibility, and efficiency. The company is committed to helping communications professionals achieve their media outreach goals by meeting the demands they face in today’s fast-paced digital environment. About News Direct News Direct is a technology-driven content distribution and amplification platform for PR, IR, corporate communications and marketing professionals. Our automated platform delivers a completely reimagined, modernized user experience for newswire users that has reshaped the industry landscape. Additionally, the company has expanded its offerings to include an array of technology-enhanced message amplification tools ranging from sponsored content to podcasting products, all from a single online destination. Contact Details News Direct Corp. Media at News Direct +1 917-698-4131 media@newsdirect.com Company Website http://www.newsdirect.com

September 11, 2024 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Kevel and Placements.io Announce Strategic Partnership to Address Unique Challenges in Retail Media

Kevel

Kevel, the API-first ad serving company for building custom, in-house ad platforms, and Placements.io, the leading revenue management platform for media companies, today announced a strategic partnership that will empower retailers and ecommerce brands to seamlessly manage, optimize and scale their retail media networks with unparalleled flexibility and precision. The partnership will integrate Kevel’s state-of-the-art Retail Media Cloud™ solution with Placements.io revenue management system. With this unified platform, retailers can manage, monetize and scale their ad inventory effectively in-house, which will help to maximize return on ad spend and drive more significant results from retail media investments. “At Kevel, we’re committed to providing our clients with the tools they need to succeed and scale their retail media networks,” commented James Avery, CEO of Kevel. “This partnership is a no-brainer for us - we are aligned with Placements.io in our relentless drive to make the internet a better place. Now, we can extend our capabilities even further to offer a more comprehensive solution that meets the complex needs of our retail and ecommerce customers.” As retail media continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, the ability to efficiently manage ad inventory, optimize campaigns, and maximize revenue while maintaining control of data and reporting has become crucial for retailers. “This partnership can help unlock revenue opportunities for retailers, ecommerce and media companies,” said Edwin Fu, Founder and CEO of Placements.io. “By bringing together two powerful platforms, retailers can achieve their goals with greater accuracy and efficiency.” By integrating Kevel’s cutting-edge API infrastructure with Placements.io’s robust order and billing management capabilities, this partnership aims to provide a solution that unifies processes and data across ad operations, sales, and finance to show the true value of advertising and address the unique challenges of the retail media landscape. Key Benefits of the Partnership: Enhanced Customization: Retailers can now build fully-customized ad platforms, streamline operations, and take advantage of advanced revenue management tools. Seamless Integration: Combining Kevel and Placements.io’s tech on one unified platform will help retailers manage and monetize their ad inventory more effectively. Scalable Solutions: Both platforms are built to scale, allowing retailers to expand their retail media networks without the limitation of traditional black-box ad tech solutions. Improved ROI: The collaboration will help retailers and ecommerce brands maximize return on ad spend, driving more significant results from their retail media investments. This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to raising the bar within ad tech and retail media. By joining forces, Kevel and Placements.io are at the forefront of empowering today’s modern retailers to build custom, in-house, privacy-first, revenue-generating ad platforms that can adapt to the rapidly changing digital advertising landscape. For more information about the partnership and how it can benefit your business, please visit Kevel.com and Placements.io. About Kevel Kevel is powering innovative, flexible ad tech infrastructure APIs that fuel its Retail Media Cloud™. This unique offering is the only API-based solution for in-housing retail media technology that enables multi-brand retailers to differentiate based on their unique brand, improving shopper experience while maintaining total control of their first-party data.Kevel believes that every digital retailer should have the capability to build and scale their own distinct ad platform, just like big tech players like Amazon. Customers like Edmunds, Delivery Hero, Sonae, Leroy Merlin, Slickdeals, and other leading retailers and marketplaces all launched their own retail media networks with Kevel. The company has garnered numerous accolades, most recently earning recognition as one of the leading 100 innovative tech start-ups driving the future of brand-to-consumer in 2023 and awarded the MarTech Breakthrough Award for best overall ad tech company in 2022. Learn more at www.kevel.com About Placements.io Placements.io was founded in 2014 to provide a more modern platform for companies buying and selling digital-focused, omnichannel advertising. Placements.io powers over $12B in annual ad revenue for publishers, broadcasters, OTT/CTV companies, retailers, and emerging media companies. Placements.io has offices across the U.S. and in London, Singapore, and Taiwan. Contact Details Kevel Jennifer Choo Director of Marketing +1 973-343-8819 jchoo@kevel.com Placements.io Lindsey Bradshaw lindseyb@placements.io

September 11, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Alvarez & Marsal Report: Top Private Brand Retailers Outperform the Market: 7 out of Top 10 Retailers by Grocery Dollar Share Are Top Private Brand Players

Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group

· U.S. Private Label spending is 20% of total market, projected to rise to 24% by 2030 · Top 4 Private Brand retailers had 144% stock price growth in past 5 years · Over 250 new stores have been opened by top Private Brand retailers in the past year Global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group (A&M CRG) has released its latest report, Accelerate your Private Brand journey to win with customers and shareholders, which looks at how the Private Label market is accelerating even amid slower total grocery market growth, and what retailers need to do to gain and maintain success with their private brands. The report lays out the case for private label traction as a strategic imperative for grocers and provides examples of the ways in which prominent Private Brand retailers have built stronger loyalty and advocacy with their customers while delivering superior returns for their shareholders. “There’s a strong correlation between the most successful private brand grocers and their market share and financial performance,” noted Marco Valentini, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group. “The best players act differently from the rest of the pack. Their C-level executives are committed to growing their own brands and driving differentiation through them. Chief Merchants treat their Private Brands with the same priority and attention as they do National Brands. Marketing and branding efforts are aimed at elevating and differentiating products and increasing overall customer awareness and advocacy of their brands. Finally, product innovation cycles need to reflect the yearly cadence of line reviews and retailers must be able to constantly innovate and update their ‘Own Brand’ products.” The report lays out key enablers to winning with private brands, and the benefits of having a Private Brand strategy, including: · Value perception: Private Brand products should be 30 to 50% less expensive than National Brands and provide same or better quality. The majority of consumers cite value as a key driver of purchase. · Product innovation/differentiation: Private Brand products can be tailored to align with customer demographics and preferences. The second most important attribute that drives purchase of private brands is quality/taste. · Margin management: Private Brand margins typically surpass those of National Brands and the individual product should provide the same or better unit economics (“penny profit”) than their National Brand equivalents. Private Brands are a very effective way to drive value for customers in addition to price and promotion investment, which often dilute margins. · Brand development: More than 8 in 10 shoppers make decisions based on brand trust, so developing private label brands that resonate with consumers and provide strong advocacy is critical. Successful Private Brands can drive positive impact to retailers’ overall banner brand perception. · Sustainable sourcing: Direct control over product development, packaging, sourcing and supply chain can support specific sustainability goals. This is an important factor, especially for Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. "For many grocery retailers today, the lack of a comprehensive Private Brand strategy means that they’ll get left behind,” said John Clear, Senior Director in Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group. “To unlock the value of private label, grocers need to have a clear plan in place: a differentiated brand architecture and consistent positioning across categories; scalable processes and innovation capabilities that will ensure their success is repeatable.” To download a pdf of Accelerate your Private Brand journey to win with customers and shareholders, please visit: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/accelerate-your-private-brand-journey-to-win-with-customers-and-shareholders/ The Alvarez and Marsal Consumer and Retail Group (CRG) is a management consulting firm that tackles the most complex challenges and advances its clients, people, and communities toward their maximum potential. CRG combines the best of A&M’s broader firm bias toward action and practicality with deep consumer and retail industry experience. CRG partners with businesses across a wide range of categories including Grocery, Mass, Convenience, Discount/Dollar, Wholesale/Distribution, Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, and Apparel & Footwear to drive significant performance improvement. Contact Details David Schneidman dschneidman@alvarezandmarsal.com Company Website https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail

September 10, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Brand Engagement Network (NASDAQ: BNAI) Expands Global Footprint As It Secures $5.9M in Private Placement Financing And Enters $50M Standby Equity Purchase Agreement

Benzinga

By Anthony Termini, Benzinga Brand Engagement Network (NASDAQ: BNAI) (BEN), which creates artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for consumer engagement using human-like avatars as the interface to communicate with customers, hit multiple milestones recently Early in September, the company entered into an agreement with IntelliTek Health. IntelliTek Health is a subsidiary of SmarTek21 and creates solutions for virtual assistants that interact with medical patients. It develops clinical and patient-facing tools and focuses exclusively on bringing AI-enabled productivity and services to the healthcare industry. What The IntelliTek Deal Means For BEN The agreement grants BEN a worldwide license to provide AI-driven solutions to support healthcare operations and optimize patient engagement throughout the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India and Europe. Together, BEN and IntelliTek will offer a suite of AI-driven healthcare solutions to support and execute a broad range of tasks and operations that serve both medical professionals and patients. The agreement is intended to seek synergies in the strengths and solutions of both companies. Brand Engagement Network will combine its Healthcare AI Assistant, Sandy – which serves as a direct interface resource for patients – with IntelliTek’s Personal Virtual Assistant (PVA). Sandy can help patients schedule appointments and obtain up-to-date information on prescription drugs. The IntelliTek PVA is part of a collaboration with Samsung Mobile Solutions and other leading U.S. and multinational telecommunications companies. The deal also combines BEN’s AI technology with IntelliTek’s Clinical Virtual Assistant (CVA). The CVA is specifically designed for clinical teams looking to reduce their administrative burden. BEN reports that it has been shown to improve administrative efficiency by up to 50%, creating the opportunity to improve patient throughput by up to 17%. Another solution rolled into the agreement is IntelliTek’s hands-free and voice-enabled Document Search AI. This device-agnostic tool can quickly and securely search for and retrieve specific medical information in real time from many different document formats sourced from a wide variety of different repositories. Martyn Molnar, Chief Executive of Products at Intellitek Health, says that the “cooperation with BEN will enable both companies to offer a comprehensive suite of AI solutions for the healthcare industry, which is experiencing critical challenges surrounding workforce and resource availability.” “We’re proud to have found a like-minded ally in IntelliTek, as we both strive to elevate patient experiences and healthcare professional productivity with innovative AI technology,” added Paul Chang, BEN’s CEO. The two executives believe that together the platforms can serve as an end-to-end suite of solutions that offers continuous support to improve healthcare access and outcomes. They believe the collaboration will help each company broaden its customer base. It is expected that the agreement will expand the reach of both companies’ solutions to a larger number of healthcare providers and patients and increase access to life-saving AI technology. IntelliTek delivers highly curated products that automate over 2 billion interactions reaching more than 600 million global users, reports the company. The company and its parent, SmarTek21, ensure seamless connectivity of more than 100 pre-built integrations to support AI-driven solutions. Together they provide intelligent workflow automation across healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, finance and global eCommerce platforms. The healthcare industry represents one of BEN’s primary target markets. The company’s full-stack platform includes front-end, middleware and back-end functionality through scalable, customizable solutions that it says are fully optimized to deliver superior customer experiences, productivity and performance. New Financing Transactions Prior to the IntelliTek Health announcement, BEN completed two investment transactions that provide the company with increased financial flexibility and access to capital to support its ongoing strategic growth initiatives. In August, BEN closed a $5.9 million private placement, which will provide funding to the company on a monthly basis through the first quarter of 2025. The investment was supported by a group of BEN’s existing stockholders, who agreed to purchase nearly 1.2 million shares of common stock. The transaction was consummated at a price per share that was materially above the trading price of the company’s common stock at the time. For each share purchased, investors received an additional share of common stock from certain other existing stockholders. In exchange for transferring those shares, certain transferring stockholders received an aggregate of 960,000 warrants to purchase shares of BEN’s common stock at $5.00 per share. Concurrent with the private placement, BEN also entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (SEPA) with Yorkville Advisors. The SEPA provides BEN with the ability, but not the obligation, to cause Yorkville to purchase up to the aggregate amount of $50 million of BEN common stock. The SEPA is intended to provide BEN with access to capital on an as-needed basis to fund its business plan as it seeks to execute its growth and revenue strategies. The SEPA cannot be used until a registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. These two transactions are intended to help the company expand market validation and scale production of its human-like conversational AI assistants. For more information about BEN, please visit www.beninc.ai. Featured photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

September 10, 2024 08:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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VOESH New York Launches New 28 oz. Vegan Hand & Body Crème Collection

VOESH New York

VOESH New York is debuting a new 28 oz. Vegan Hand & Body Crème Collection, created to provide salon clients with a luxurious and healthier hydration experience. These larger bottles offer the same high-quality, vegan-friendly ingredients that have established VOESH as a leader in the body care industry. “We’re thrilled about the addition of these generously sized lotions to VOESH’s product line,” said Tom Harrison, Principal of Coleman Harrison. “VOESH consistently outshines the competition with expert formulas. This new size will undoubtedly enhance manicure and pedicure services, delivering superior results for both clients and technicians.” “As a bonus, technicians can pair these lotions with VOESH’s best-selling Pedi in a Box products,” added Kendall Stone, Principal of Jay Stone Sales. Enriched with 94+% natural-origin ingredients, VOESH’s 28 oz. crèmes are formulated with organic virgin olive oil and natural extracts. They are infused with 100% vegan, clean, and certified organic components and are free from parabens, phthalates, gluten, mineral oil, and more than 1,680 other potentially harmful substances. The velvety texture provides long-lasting moisture and a radiant glow without a greasy feel. These larger bottles not only provide a superior experience but also ensure lasting hydration and value. “Our lotions have always been a best-seller, so we’ve brought them back in a more convenient size for salons,” said Joseph Choi, Co-Founder of VOESH New York. “Salon owners have been asking for our popular massage butter in a bottle, and we’re ecstatic to fulfill this request.” The new collection is available in five delightful scents: Olive Sensation, Lavender Relieve, Vitamin Recharge, Jasmine Soothe, and Green Tea Detox. Each scent is made with premium, IFRA-certified fragrances that pair perfectly with VOESH’s best-selling Pedi in a Box Deluxe 4 Step pedicure kits. This allows for a cohesive pampering experience that caters to clients’ preferences. With a transparent ingredient list, dermatologist testing, and U.S. FDA registration, VOESH’s new 28 oz. Vegan Hand & Body Crèmes are the best addition to guarantee clients and technicians feel good about what goes on their skin. For more information about VOESH’s new 28 oz. Vegan Hand & Body Crèmes, please visit voeshpro.com. About VOESH New York: Founded in 2013, VOESH New York has emerged as a premier destination for clean and efficacious body care solutions catering to head-to-toe wellness. Noteworthy products include Pedi in a Box, Mani in a Box, the award-winning Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, and Collagen Gloves and Socks. VOESH New York is committed to providing 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products because every body deserves better beauty! All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the US Mocra, EU CPNP and UK SCPN, maintaining vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested standards. VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients. For more information, visit VOESH New York’s website at Voesh.com or contact press@voesh.com. All VOESH New York products are certified by PETA and registered with the EU CPNP, and UK SCPN. Always vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologist-tested, VOESH New York proudly excludes all 1,680+ EU-banned ingredients and an additional 400+ potentially harmful ingredients. Contact Details Colleen Mathis +1 917-690-5560 Colleen@absoluterrelations.com Company Website https://voesh.com/

September 06, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Goodway Group Secures Meta Media Certification: Elevating Expertise, Enhancing Efficiency, and Maximizing Media Investments as Meta Drives 21% of U.S. Ad Spend in 2024

Goodway Group

Goodway Group, a leading digital marketing agency, proudly announces that we have achieved Meta Media Certification. This prestigious recognition from Meta confirms our proven digital expertise and solidifies our position as an industry leader, enhancing our ability to deliver more efficient, effective campaigns that maximize our clients’ media investments for better outcomes. As reported by eMarketer, Meta—the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more—is a dominant force in the U.S. and global advertising landscape. With a projected $64.63 billion in U.S. ad revenues in 2024, Meta is expected to account for 21.3% of U.S. digital ad spend and 74.5% of U.S. social network ad spend, according to a March 2024 eMarketer forecast. To achieve this top-tier certification, agencies must meet stringent standards, including maintaining a minimum of 20 active certifications or 20% of the team being certified, whichever is higher. Goodway Group has now met and exceeded these criteria with 73% of eligible team members being certified, earning recognition from Meta for our exceptional digital expertise. Our certified team members possess deep knowledge of Meta’s platforms, which is crucial for driving greater buying efficiency and ensuring that every dollar our clients invest is optimized for maximum return. Goodway Group is uniquely positioned to leverage Meta’s advanced tools and insights, enabling us to deliver exceptional value through our Outcome Engineering approach. Meta's platforms are a core component in holistic omni-channel marketing for a more connected online customer journey, with Meta apps boasting 3 billion people using their products. This certification is validation that Goodway Group is better equipped to harness Meta’s full potential, ensuring that our clients’ media investments are fully maximized to yield the best possible outcomes. Our relationship with Meta has already delivered significant results. For instance, in a recently published joint case study, Goodway Group: Meta Business Partner Conversions API Success Story, we detailed our collaboration with Tacori, a leading jewelry brand. Tacori aimed to improve overall campaign performance by achieving more granular tracking of conversion events across their websites and eCommerce platforms. By utilizing Meta’s Conversions API (CAPI) Gateway, we helped Tacori increase bookings to view jewelry for purchase by 18% and reduce costs with a 27% decrease in CPMs. This case study highlights the tangible benefits of our Meta Media Certification and how it directly contributes to our clients' success. You can view the full case study here. “Being recognized as a Meta Media Certified Company is a significant milestone for Goodway Group,” said Stephani Estes, Chief Media Officer at Goodway Group. “This certification not only validates the exceptional talent of our team but also strengthens our ability to deliver top-tier results for our clients. As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of digital marketing, our partnership with Meta will be instrumental in helping us achieve new heights of success.” Goodway Group's Meta Media Certification provides our clients with the assurance that their campaigns are managed by experts who have been rigorously tested and certified by one of the world's leading digital platforms. This recognition solidifies our standing in the marketplace and further positions us as a leader in delivering innovative, outcome-driven digital marketing solutions that maximize buying efficiency and protect our clients’ investments. About Goodway Group Goodway Group is a leading independent digital marketing agency fueled by data, technology and a dedicated purpose of making your media investment perform. Goodway Groupâs Outcome Engineeringâ¢ powers our full ecosystem, a proprietary philosophy that connects strategy, analytics and precise execution for measurable growth. Goodway Group ranks among the top North American agencies, earning prestigious awards for innovative marketing technology, impactful work and fostering inclusive, remote-first workplaces. We've been honored as a multiyear Ad Age Best Places to Work and received AdExchangerâs Best Use of Technology by an Agency award among other accolades. Our collective media buying power has led to industry-renowned partnerships. We hold certifications and are recognized with preferred partner status across the Triopoly and all major marketing and media platforms. This ensures that our clients' media investments are optimally managed, minimizing fraud and waste, and maximizing effectiveness and value. Our company encompasses five distinct divisions: CvE, a marketing advisory firm; G-Comm, a retail media accelerator; TUFF, a performance marketing agency; Goodway, a managed service media and analytics partner; and GRADIANT, a modern funnel digital media agency. Together, we make up Goodway Group, the marketing engine that unlocks measurable growth for the world's most progressive brands. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Meta Inc. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Goodway Group +1 973-722-7881 goodway@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.goodwaygroup.com/

September 05, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Introducing Brick Media: A New Force in Media Management and Innovation

Full Scope PR

Brick Media announces its powerful entrance into the media landscape, asserting itself as a catalyst for transformation. With a bold vision for content innovation and unparalleled management expertise, Brick Media is set to redefine and lead the charge in shaping the future of media. As a full-service media management firm at the intersection of content strategy and business execution, Brick Media is committed to nurturing the growth and monetization of its clients' careers across the digital media landscape. With a multifaceted approach, the company aims to elevate brands and voices across sports, entertainment, and beyond. Drawing from over a decade of unparalleled success in sports and entertainment management, Aaron & André Eanes of A&A Management bring their strategic expertise and deep industry insights to position Brick Media as a transformative force in the media sector. Leading this ambitious venture alongside them is CEO of Brick Media, Maggie Clifton. Formerly with Blue Wire and Wasserman, Maggie brings a wealth of experience and a visionary outlook to the company. Under her guidance, a team of highly skilled media professionals will spearhead the optimization of innovative and compelling content. Together, they stand ready to redefine the boundaries of the industry, heralding a new era of influence. "We founded Brick Media with the strategic vision of being a vital resource in the media industry for those seeking to elevate their clients' success to new levels. When we helped with the launch of New Heights, it revealed a critical need for an independent partner adept at steering through the intricacies of advertising, ancillary revenue streams, digital creation, and social growth. Brick Media fulfills that role, offering expert guidance and the best-in-class resources to empower achieving maximum value." says Aaron & Andre Eanes of A&A Management Group. "Brick Media is here to support our partners’ media businesses via strategy, monetization, distribution, marketing, and all other opportunities for growth. We’ve been building quietly all year and are excited to finally launch publicly.” says CEO of Brick Media, Maggie Clifton. In a remarkable inaugural achievement, Aaron Eanes of A&A Management Group and Maggie Clifton of Brick Media led negotiations a ground-breaking deal between the leading podcast studio Wondery and the widely acclaimed show, "New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce," alongside Andre Eanes of A&A Management Group and Jason Bernstein of Clarity Football. This marks the beginning of Brick Media's mission to forge impactful partnerships and deliver unparalleled growth across the digital media landscape. Brick Media is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of creativity and strategic content development. As the company continues to forge influential partnerships and manage transformative projects, Brick Media is poised to become a leader in the digital media ecosystem. About Brick Media Brick Media is a media management firm specializing in content strategy and business development. Dedicated to fostering client growth and monetization across diverse media landscapes, including sports, entertainment, and news, Brick Media is set to make its mark on the future of media. Contact Details Alessandra Chisolm alessandra@fullscopepr.com

September 05, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

What If Your Most Profitable Strategy Also Made the World a Better Place?

Fordham Gabelli

As the world grapples with complex challenges such as climate change, poverty, and human rights issues, organizations are uniquely positioned to drive positive change. A new study titled “Social Profit Orientation: Lessons from Organizations Committed to Building a Better World,” recently published in the Journal of Marketing, explores how companies can simultaneously generate profit and foster societal well-being. The research, conducted by a team of esteemed academics, including Leonard L. Berry (Texas A&M), Tracey S. Danaher (Monash University), Timothy Keiningham (St. John's University), Lerzan Aksoy (Fordham University), and Tor W. Andreassen (Norwegian School of Economics), examines the benefits of adopting a social profit orientation to benefit both the organization and society. This approach encourages organizations to invest resources purposefully to enhance the common good. The study, based on 62 in-depth executive interviews across 21 organizations worldwide, reveals the significant benefits of embracing a social profit orientation. These organizations develop new approaches and strategies that address critical problems, thereby driving business innovation and improving societal outcomes. What is Social Profit Orientation? Social Profit Orientation is an organization-wide perspective where organizations embrace in their core mission the creation of sustainable, positive social and environmental impacts on individuals, communities, and society at large. Organizations with this orientation proactively invest resources such as knowledge, infrastructure, labor, reputation, money, and time to enhance the common good, especially improving the well-being of people and safeguarding the health of the planet. It reflects a deliberate, conscious effort to address systemic social or environmental challenges, rather than being merely a by-product of making financial profits. Examples from the Study Oportun tackles financial exclusion by providing affordable credit to underserved communities, offering an alternative to payday lenders. With significant investments in technology, Oportun has successfully issued millions of loans, enabling its customers to avoid exorbitant interest rates and fees. CEO Raul Vazquez highlights their challenge: “50% of customers who come to us have no FICO [credit] score, and other folks we serve may have a score based on limited history.” Despite these obstacles, Oportun has managed to provide more than $18.2 billion in credit by year-end 2023, saving its customers $2.4 billion in interest and fees. Gundersen Health System (renamed Emplify Health) exemplifies how a holistic approach to sustainability can be woven into the fabric of an organization. Under the leadership of Dr. Jeff Thompson, Gundersen became the first U.S. health system to offset 100% of its fossil-fuel use with self-produced energy. Their initiatives include harnessing solar and wind power and transforming landfill biogas into electricity and heat. Dr. Thompson remarks, “We are not just a ‘fix-it’ shop. Our mindset was: how do we protect the environment so it is a part of how we work, how we live, and how we work with our communities.” By adopting a social profit orientation, organizations not only drive meaningful societal impact but also experience enhanced legitimacy, stronger stakeholder relationships, improved employee engagement, and increased innovation. These benefits contribute to long-term business success and sustainability. Best Practices for Building a Social Profit Orientation Align employee and organizational values to create a unified mission. Ensure organizational resources and governance structures maximize societal benefits. Inspire executive and board leadership to deeply commit to social profit goals. Make informed investment decisions that focus on initiatives with the greatest social impact. Measure and evaluate social impact rigorously to ensure meaningful contributions. Foster external partnerships and communicate purpose through compelling storytelling. “Organizations today are at a crossroads where they can choose to be mere profit-generating entities or become catalysts for global change. Our study shows that the most profitable strategy might also be the one that makes the world a better place. By embracing a social profit orientation, organizations can lead their sectors, drive innovation, and make significant societal impacts,” said Lerzan Aksoy, Dean at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. To attain a full copy of the research and download the associated teaching guides click here. To interview any of the authors of the paper, please reach out to the press contacts above. About Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business Founded in 1920, the mission of Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business is to inspire and empower positive global change, developing students into compassionate business leaders and supporting faculty members and students in the ongoing generation of new knowledge. The Gabelli School has become a driver of social innovation by equipping graduates to be business leaders who understand and meet the need for sustainability in business and who are able to harness the power of social responsibility for both financial success and societal impact. Through its many graduate and undergraduate degree programs and a diverse range of faculty research initiatives, the Gabelli School of Business works collectively to redesign business as a sustainable force for prosperity. Contact Details Fordham Gabelli School of Business Paola Curcio-Kleinman +1 212-636-6311 pcurciokleinman@fordham.edu Marino Taryn Schofield +1 973-919-4377 fordhamgabelli@marinopr.com Company Website https://www.fordham.edu/gabelli-school-of-business/

September 04, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NAVEX Announces 2024 Excellence Awards Finalists

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, a leading provider of integrated risk and compliance management software, announces today the 2024 NAVEX Excellence Awards finalists. Now in its fourth year, the awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to corporate governance, risk mitigation, and ethical practices. Each year, the NAVEX Excellence Awards highlight how robust governance, risk and compliance (GRC) programs can strengthen corporate culture and meaningfully impact business outcomes that matter. The 2024 finalists exemplify how effective GRC initiatives can proactively manage and mitigate risks when woven into the organizational fabric. "Congratulations to this year’s nominees and finalists for their outstanding achievements," said NAVEX Chief Customer Officer, Steve Chapman. "We are proud to partner with customers who are dedicated to advancing their GRC efforts. These awards shine a spotlight on some of the most innovative and effective programs in the industry, and we applaud the compliance teams at these companies for their ongoing efforts to build highly ethical, risk-aware organizations." The winners will be honored in several categories, including Ethics & Compliance, Risk Management, and Risk and Compliance Program of the Year. Selected from a highly competitive pool of nominations, this year’s finalists include: As in previous years, the judging panel brings together a mix of NAVEX leaders and seasoned GRC professionals. This year’s esteemed panel features: Barbara Boehler, Senior Director, Program on Corporate Compliance and Ethics, Fordham Law Bill Cameron, Founder and Principal, Cameron Advisory Services Carol Williams, CEO and Enterprise Risk Management Consultant, Strategic Decision Solutions Carrie Penman, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, NAVEX Kyle Brasseur, Former Editor in Chief, Compliance Week Kyle Martin, Vice President of GRC Solutions, NAVEX Matt Kelly, Editor and CEO, Radical Compliance LLC Stephen Chapman, Chief Customer Officer, NAVEX Vera Cherepanova, Ethics Advocate, Consultant, Author, Studio Etica Award recipients will be announced after to the 2024 NAVEX Next Virtual Conference on October 1. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details Navex Global +1 617-388-5773 scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://navex.com

September 03, 2024 08:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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