Communications

Advertising Communications Graphic Design Internet Marketing Media Publishing SEO
News Release Digital Asset Direct

Influencers Are Driving Consumers To Discount Clubs And Major Retailers Like Costco Finds IZEA’s Latest Survey

Benzinga

By James Blacker, Benzinga As digital marketing continues to evolve and consumer behavior is increasingly swayed by social media personalities, influencer marketing has become a critical strategy for brands aiming to expand their reach. Recent research by IZEA Worldwide (NASDAQ: IZEA) sheds light on the powerful impact that influencers have on purchasing decisions at discount clubs and major retailers, driving sales in brick-and-mortar stores such as Costco (NASDAQ: COST), Sam’s Club (NYSE: WMT) and BJ’s (NYSE: BJ). Based on a survey of over 1,100 U.S.-based consumers, the report reveals that 68% of respondents have an active membership at a discount club store. The percentage of influencers with an active membership is a notable 81%, of whom 93% have recommended a product they purchased inside a store to someone else. This shows that influencers not only promote these clubs to drive consumer interest but also participate in these clubs themselves. Influencer-Driven Purchasing Decisions IZEA’s report underscores how effective influencers can be in getting people to buy products. Among the respondents, 58% said they had purchased a product after seeing it being used by an influencer. Broken down by the discount club, 74% of BJ’s members have made an influencer-driven purchase, compared to 68% of Sam’s Club shoppers and 66% of Costco shoppers. Interestingly, influencer posts were shown to have the greatest impact on product consideration compared to other forms of marketing. This is the case across all age groups, but especially so for the 18-29 age group, with 39% of this demographic saying influencer posts are the most likely to persuade them to try a product. In terms of content preferences, short video content emerged as the most influential medium, with 41% of respondents in the 18-29 age group saying it is the type of content most likely to drive them to a store to make a purchase. Another revelation was that discount club members are also likely to search on social media before making a purchase, with 41% of BJ’s club members indicating that they do this. YouTube was the top platform used for this kind of product research. “Our latest report provides fascinating insights into the intersection of influencer marketing and discount club memberships,” said Ted Murphy, IZEA CEO and founder. “When it comes to shopping at brick-and-mortar locations, Influencers are significantly more likely to drive purchases at discount clubs among club members. This is especially true for Costco members, who are 2.3 times more likely to make their influencer-inspired purchases at the store vs. Target or Walmart.” Strategic Opportunities For Brands With IZEA The findings from this report highlight the significant opportunities available for companies to partner with influencers to boost sales through discount clubs. As a trailblazer in the influencer marketing space, IZEA offers a suite of tools and services designed to facilitate these partnerships and help make the most out of them. The company’s award-winning, next-gen influencer marketing platform, IZEA Flex, connects creators with brands to facilitate collaborations. Brands can also use it to track and measure campaign performance with detailed analytics. IZEA furthermore offers a suite of AI tools called FormAI, which brands and creators can use to create high-quality content. IZEA's recent research underscores the growth potential of influencer marketing. As a leader in the space, IZEA seems well-positioned to continue helping brands leverage this increasingly relevant form of digital marketing. To read the full report and learn more about IZEA’s services, visit the company’s website. Featured photo by Grant Beirute 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 not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

June 25, 2024 08:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

SIGMA Announces Launch Schedule of SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary for Canon RF Mount

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce pricing and availability of the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN |Contemporary for the Canon RF Mount System. It is the smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras*. This is the first lens from SIGMA to be released for Canon RF Mount, and the lens offers a 28.8-80mm full-frame equivalent focal range on Canon APS-C format mirrorless cameras. R etail price is $599 through authorized US retailers, and the lens will be available in mid-July 2024. The SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary is currently available for Sony E-mount, L-Mount, and Fujifilm X Mount camera systems. *since time of original release in October 2021, and effective June 2024. Launch schedule of SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary for Canon RF Mount SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the launch schedule of SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN｜Contemporary for Canon RF Mount. Supplied accessories: PETAL-TYPE HOOD LH582-02, FRONT CAP LCF-55 III, REAR CAP LCR II Mount: Canon RF Mount Launch: July, 2024 * Product appearance and specifications are subject to change. #SIGMA #SIGMA1850mmF28Contemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMADCDN #SIGMARFMount A large F2.8 aperture zoom lens that need never leave your camera. This exceptionally light, bright, and sharp standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras is the ultimate workhorse lens. 【Long-awaited Canon RF Mount addition】 SIGMA's first APS-C size mirrorless dedicated zoom lens, the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary, will now be available for the Canon RF Mount. This addition allows users to enjoy high-performance, and high-quality SIGMA zoom lenses in native mount on their Canon RF Mount system. A control algorithm including AF drive and communication speed optimization has been developed specifically for Canon RF Mount interchangeable lenses. In addition to realizing high-speed AF, the lens also supports Servo AF and in-camera aberration correction*. The mount is rubber-sealed to cater for use in a variety of environments. * Available on supported cameras only. Mount Conversion Service is available to convert other mounts of SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN｜Contemporary to Canon RF Mount. 【Features】１．Large F2.8 aperture and superb image quality The compact body offers a versatile full-frame equivalent zoom range of 28.8mm to 80mm, a wide aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range that allows you to enjoy bokeh expressions, and sharp images achieved by the latest optical design technology. With a minimum focusing distance of 12.1cm and a maximum magnification of 1:2.8 *1, it allows photographers to take advantage of the compact shooting system, such as shooting close-ups of your subject. ２．Exceptionally compact and lightweight body ideal for mirrorless cameras The main feature of the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary is its overwhelmingly compact and lightweight body that maximizes the excellent portability and advantages of an APS-C mirrorless camera. Despite its large aperture of F2.8, it is the smallest and lightest in its class *2 boasting a maximum diameter of φ69.2mm, a length of 74.5mm and weight of 300g. *3 This makes the large-aperture standard zoom easy to carry around in daily life. *1 The minimum focusing distance and maximum magnification ratio are both values at the wide end. *2 As an AF compatible, F2.8 constant aperture standard zoom lens for APS-C (as of June 2024, by SIGMA). *3 Size and weight measurements given for Canon RF Mount version. 【Specifications】 Values are for Canon RF Mount Lens Construction：10 groups, 13 elements (1 SLD and 3 aspherical lenses)｜Angle of View (APS-C)：73.4°(W)-30.0°(T)｜Number of Diaphragm Blades：7 (rounded diaphragm)｜Minimum Aperture：F22｜Minimum Focusing Distance：12.1 (W) -30 (T) cm / 4.8 (W) -11.9 (T) in.｜Maximum Magnification Ratio：1:2.8 (W) -1:5(T)｜Filter size：φ55mm｜Dimensions (Diameter × Length)：φ69.2mm × 74.5mm / φ2.7in. x 2.9in.｜Weight：300g / 10.6oz. 【 Product Barcode 】 Canon RF Mount: 00-85126-58572-3 【 Accessories (Supplied) 】 Name of product / Product Barcode LENS HOOD LH582-02: 0085126 939694 FRONT CAP LCF-55 III: 0085126 930066 REAR CAP LCR II: For Canon RF Mount 0085126 941468 【 Accessories (Optional) 】 Name of product / Product Barcode SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 55mm: 0085126 930912 SIGMA PROTECTOR 55mm: 0085126 931049 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 55mm: 0085126 930653 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 55mm: 0085126 930783 【Contact】 For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA representative listed in the link below: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/world-network/ 【Information】 SIGMA GLOBAL VISION： https://www.sigma-global.com/ SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary product information： https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c021_18_50_28/ SIGMA Canon RF Mount special page： https://www.sigma-global.com/en/contents/sigma_rfmount_lenses/ Contact Details SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA Jack Howard +1 631-201-7381 sigma.pr@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigmaphoto.com/

June 25, 2024 01:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Apple Becomes Latest Giant To Adopt AI, But Risks Persist – Brand Engagement Network May Have The Solution To Ensure Security In The Age Of AI

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga OpenAI, the brains behind ChatGPT, is taking off as companies like Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT), Shutterstock Inc. (NYSE: SSTK) and Bain & Company adopt this game-changing technology. Even Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), which has been relatively slower to embrace AI, seems to be going all in, recently announcing a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri and other areas of its operating system. That will undoubtedly bring more convenience and assistance to Apple’s millions of users, but this technology is not without risks. In the wrong hands, AI can be used to create fake videos and content, spread incorrect news and information, enable plagiarism and provide biased results. High-profile lawsuits lodged by celebrities and artists have highlighted AI's negative aspects and are raising awareness about the dark side of AI. A survey conducted in August by Pew Research shined a light on this. It found that 52% of Americans are more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI. That wariness is up from 2022 and coincides with an uptick in awareness about AI. Pew found individuals who heard a lot about artificial intelligence are 51% more likely to express more concern than excitement about AI. Among those most aware, concern outweighs excitement by 47% to 15%. On the topic of privacy, 53% of Americans polled said AI is doing more to harm than help keep people’s personal data private. “Americans’ concerns about AI include a desire to maintain human control over these technologies, doubts that AI will improve the way things are now, and caution over the pace of AI adoption in fields like health and medicine,” wrote the researchers. In The Right Hands, AI Can Improve Life In the right hands, however, AI isn’t as scary as it seems to many. Companies using it responsibly and securely can transform industries with AI. Take Brand Engagement Network Inc. (NASDAQ: BNAI) – or BEN – the developer of generative AI and AI avatars, for one example. With its human-like AI assistants, BEN enhances customer service, productivity and overall performance for businesses, targeting markets facing significant workforce gaps and presenting an opportunity to transform how consumers engage with networks, providers and brands. The company’s secret sauce is a broad portfolio of conversational AI applications that drive better customer experience, increased automation and operational efficiencies. BEN uses much smaller data parameters than larger models like ChatGPT – enabling it to offer companies AI that is scalable and can be tailored to specific use cases. At the heart of its business model is a security-first approach. Unlike many of the unsecured AI systems that rely on unknown data sources and unverified information, BEN trains its AI on client-provided data and follows clients' internal client data management and privacy protocols. It’s also HIPAA and SOC 2 Type 1 compliant, and its AI platform is deployed and secured in an Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Web Service environment, enabling BEN to support multiple companies securely. BEN Has To Be Secure Focusing on security is particularly important to BEN, given that its AI solutions are quickly finding their way into many data-sensitive areas like healthcare and finance. In healthcare, BEN says its conversational AI can improve patient experiences and medication understanding, leading to better outcomes. BEN takes the importance of security very seriously. Take Skye, BEN’s AI assistant that can assist patients taking Metformin, the diabetes drug, for another example. The assistant doesn’t claim to know everything, nor does it “hallucinate,” which occurs when generative AI gives incorrect answers. A big reason for that is that Skye is loaded with very specific pharmaceutical data provided by the drug maker, results from clinical trials and data from accredited medical groups like the American Diabetes Association. One of the biggest risks posed by generative AI in industries like healthcare is the risk of “hallucinations,” where the AI gives misleading or outright false answers because it is built on unknown data sources and designed to generate a response no matter what. This is where BEN may have the solution to the AI reliability and safety problem. BEN’s AI assistants won’t answer a question if it doesn’t know the answer. It is not connected to unverified information sources like the web, so when a patient asks a question, BEN’s AI, using what is known as RAG, draws from carefully selected and validated data sets. “More than generative AI, we like to call it retrieval AI,” said Paul Chang, BEN's Co-CEO, in a recent interview. The approach BEN is taking with Skye could be replicated over and over for the tens of thousands of drugs on the market. Healthcare is a big opportunity for BEN, given the company reports 145,000 organizations can benefit from BEN’s AI. In the financial market where security and data protection are top of mind all the time, BEN says its addressable market is over 227,000 organizations, while in automotive, there are over 450,000 companies that can leverage BEN’s platform. Businesses Are Taking Notice BEN’s focus on security and reliability seems to be proving to be a differentiator. It is why MedAdvisor Solutions (ASX: MDR), a global leader in pharmacy-driven patient engagement solutions, is partnering with BEN to bring BEN’s AI assistants to certain pharmacies to help enhance patient outcomes. Or why Provana, a highly specialized knowledge process management provider, is integrating BEN’s AI assistants into its contact center solutions. The list goes on, with all of BEN’s customers having one thing in common: a need for secure, reliable and responsible AI. AI is clearly taking off and will only get bigger as more companies embrace it. The ones who do it responsibly and securely like BEN will not only improve the quality of life for the masses but do it without infringing on their privacy and or compromising their data. Can the same be said about some of the other players in the AI marketplace? Featured photo by BoliviaInteligente 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

June 24, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Select Sector SPDR ETFs: A Focused Approach for Sector-Specific Portfolio Management

Select Sector SPDR

In the ever-changing landscape of the financial markets, Select Sector SPDR ETFs present a method for investors looking to engage in sector-specific investments. By breaking down the S&P 500 into distinct sectors, these ETFs provide a pathway for both individual and institutional investors to craft more targeted and strategic investment portfolios. The Select Sector SPDR ETFs encompass a range of sectors, each represented by a dedicated ETF. This structure allows investors to focus their investments on specific areas of the economy, depending on their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and market outlook. Overview of Select Sector SPDR ETFs: Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC): Focuses on telecommunications and media companies. Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY): Targets companies focused on non-essential goods and services such as luxury items, travel, and leisure. Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP): Concentrates on essential consumer goods and services like food, clothing, and personal products. Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE): Dedicated to the energy sector, focused on oil and natural gas. Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF): Encompasses banking, investment, and insurance industries. Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV): Focuses on pharmaceuticals, healthcare equipment, and services. Industrials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI): Includes manufacturing, construction, and logistics firms. Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB): Covers the chemicals, construction materials, and packaging industries. Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE): Targets commercial real estate services and REITs. Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK): Concentrates on the information technology, semiconductor, and electronics sectors. Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU): Dedicated to electric and gas utility companies. By offering a straightforward and transparent approach to investing in specific sectors, Select Sector SPDR ETFs enable investors to adapt their investment strategies in response to changing market conditions. The Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer a focused approach to investment, allowing for detailed sector analysis and strategic portfolio management. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, these ETFs provide a valuable tool for investors looking to refine their investment strategies through sector-specific allocations. DISCLAIMER: This is a work of research and should not be taken as investment or financial advice. Therefore, Select Sector SPDRs or the publisher is not liable for any decision made based on the publication. About the Company: Select Sector SPDR ETFs offer flexibility and customization opportunities. Many investors have similar outlooks, but no two are exactly alike. Select Sector SPDR ETFs let investors select the sectors that best meet their investment goals. DISCLOSURES The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The index is heavily weighted toward stocks with large market capitalizations and represents approximately two-thirds of the total market value of all domestic common stocks. The S&P 500 Index figures do not reflect any fees, expenses or taxes. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses before investing. One may not invest directly in an index. Transparent ETFs provide daily disclosure of portfolio holdings and weightings All ETFs are subject to risk, including loss of principal. Sector ETF products are also subject to sector risk and nondiversification risk, which generally will result in greater price fluctuations than the overall market. Diversification does not eliminate risk. An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 1-866-SECTOR-ETF (732-8673) or visit www.sectorspdrs.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. Media Contact: Company: Select Sector SPDRs Contact: Dan Dolan* Address: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203 Country: United States Email: dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Website: https://www.sectorspdrs.com/ *Dan Dolan is a Registered Representative of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, is the distributor for the Select Sector SPDR Trust. SEL007597 EXP 8/31/24 Contact Details Dan Dolan +1 203-935-8103 dan.dolan@sectorspdrs.com Company Website https://www.sectorspdrs.com/

June 24, 2024 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Inc. Magazine Names Goodway Group One of the Best Places to Work for Third Year in a Row

Goodway Group

Goodway Group, a leading independent digital marketing agency, is proud to announce that it has been recognized as one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces for the third consecutive year. This prestigious award honors companies that have created exceptional environments where employees are engaged, motivated, and committed to their work. Goodway Group continues to lead how the future of work evolves. With a steadfast commitment to a 100% remote workforce since 2008, the company’s values are rooted in employee well-being, continual learning, and unparalleled flexibility. By embracing work-life integration, teams are encouraged to bring their authentic self to work each day to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients. "Our approach, inspired by the infinity loop, is both simple and transformative: By prioritizing our employees, we ignite client success, creating an endless cycle of shared prosperity," said Kandi Gongora, Chief Transformation and People Officer at Goodway Group. "We are unwavering in our commitment to our team, offering flexible scheduling and fully remote work to support their personal and professional aspirations. Our dedication to continuous skill development ensures our employees remain relevant and future-ready, evolving alongside the ever-changing needs of our clients." Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces 2024 list is the result of a rigorous evaluation process, including a comprehensive survey of employees and an evaluation of company policies, practices, and culture. The winners are chosen based on their ability to create a positive and productive work environment, as well as their commitment to employee satisfaction and engagement. The selection process involves the following steps: Employee Survey: Inc. Magazine conducts an anonymous survey of employees at participating companies, asking questions about their job satisfaction, company culture, and overall work environment. Company Evaluation: Inc. Magazine's editorial team evaluates the company's policies, practices, and culture, including factors such as employee benefits, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance. Data Analysis: Inc. Magazine analyzes the survey data and company evaluations to identify the top-scoring companies in each category. Final Selection: The top-scoring companies are selected as Inc. Magazine's Best Places to Work. "Our infinity loop principle ensures that everything we do for our clients makes Goodway a great place for employees to grow their career, and everything we do for our employees grows our clients’ business," said Jay Friedman, CEO of Goodway Group. " When thousands of companies’ employees are asked anonymously by an outside party to rate their workplace, these are results worth paying attention to and for us, something to be proud of." 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 Group’s Outcome Engineering™ 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 AdExchanger’s 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. Learn more: www.goodwaygroup.com Follow us: Insights | X | LinkedIn | Facebook About Inc. Media The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. About Quantum Workplace Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Goodway Group Alexandra Morrison goodway@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.goodwaygroup.com/

June 20, 2024 04:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Hoffman Financial Group Joins Forces with AmeriLife’s Brookstone Capital Management

AmeriLife

Brookstone Capital Management (“Brookstone”), a leading, SEC-Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm and affiliate of AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), announced today that it has partnered with Hoffman Financial Group, a nationally recognized financial planning firm based in Atlanta. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We’re excited to partner with the Hoffman team. This collaboration will only strengthen both organizations and continue to provide best-in-class solutions for them and all the clients they serve,” said Dean Zayed, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management. “Additionally, this partnership underscores Brookstone’s ongoing investment and commitment to our advisors and our goal to be the leader at the intersection of insurance and securities.” “Hoffman Financial Group is a premier financial services firm – Chris and his team have created something special that we are excited to be a part of,” added Darryl Ronconi, president of Brookstone Capital Management. “With a broader relationship with Brookstone and AmeriLife, our goal is to help continue to accelerate their significant growth by providing them with even more resources and support.” Founded in 2011, Hoffman Financial Group is a comprehensive financial and retirement planning firm with one goal in mind: to be the go-to financial advisor for individuals wanting to retire. The firm offers a completely hands-on approach to retirement planning and a full suite of wealth management offerings, including investment management, 401(k) and IRA rollovers, tax planning, and more through its eight investment advisor representatives. Hoffman Financial Group has applied this high-touch approach to unique offerings such as Her Wealth Her Way ®, designed specifically to help women retire with comfort, confidence, and class. Hoffman Financial Group is also incredibly active in the media, bringing its expertise on money management to viewers of The Financial Edge on Atlanta’s CBS 46 and ABC’s Good Morning America Weekend every Sunday morning, and to listeners of Money Unleashed on Atlanta’s 95.5 WSB every Sunday afternoon. Additionally, the firm is an Official Partner of the University of Georgia Bulldogs ® and, most recently, was named Official Financial Advisor of former Bulldog and NFL player Brock Bowers, partnerships that have cemented Hoffman Financial Group as a leading financial services company alongside two distinguished names in collegiate sports. “I couldn’t be more excited to partner and expand our relationship with Brookstone,” said Chris Hoffman, founder of Hoffman Financial Group. “They are the best partner to take us to the next level. The entire team is thrilled about the opportunity of aligning Hoffman Financial Group with the extensive resources and talent that they offer.” Now, as part of the AmeriLife family of companies, Hoffman Financial Group will enjoy broad access to best-in-class platforms, tools, resources, and an expansive product portfolio to move quickly into new markets, accelerate production, and drive the firm’s growth for years to come. “Chris Hoffman has built a powerhouse brand and business that is reshaping retirement planning for America’s retirees,” said Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer for AmeriLife Wealth Group. “We’re incredibly excited for Hoffman Financial Group to join forces with Brookstone as part of AmeriLife Wealth Group, and look forward to integrating their unique approach, expertise, and leadership into our fast-growing distribution platform.” ### About Hoffman Financial Group Hoffman Financial Group is a leading financial planning firm based in Atlanta, Ga. With a personalized approach coupled with highest standards of financial advisory services, the firm specializes in principal protection, income planning, wealth accumulation, legacy planning, and more. For more information, visit HoffmanCorporation.com. About Brookstone Capital Management Founded in 2006, Brookstone Capital Management (BCM) is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm with over $9.5B in Assets Under Management (AUM), providing fee-based investment management services through its network of more than 750 financial advisors and firms. Brookstone is an innovator and industry leader and empowers independent financial advisors of all sizes to scale their business by providing access to a Turnkey Asset Management Platform (TAMP) along with a dedicated team to support every aspect of an advisor’s practice. Visit BrookstoneCM.com for more information. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

June 17, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Teads Unveils Next Generation Contextual and Identity Graph Built for the Premium Open Internet and CTV

Teads

Teads, the global media platform, today released the Teads Omnichannel Graph (OG), a proprietary tool extending contextual and audience-targeting capabilities into the CTV environment. Teads OG is built on the company’s understanding of what consumers read in editorial web environments and what consumers watch on connected TV. Using Teads OG, advertisers can plan, activate and measure cross-screen video campaigns to drive efficient reach on target, incrementality to linear TV and contextually aligned campaigns. Key capabilities of Teads OG include: Global Household & User-level Graph: Curated household and user graph enabling precision targeting and optimization across screens. The graph is based on a precise sample composed of over 50 Million CTV devices and over 100 Million users in 25 countries. Incremental Reach Planning & Measurement: Enabling TV buyers to efficiently extend their audience reach across screens. In addition to Teads’ content consumption data, Teads OG utilizes Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) data to target unexposed audiences. Granular CTV Contextual Signals: Deep contextual targeting capabilities based on standardized and enriched show-level information. Advanced contextual taxonomy is symmetrical to the Teads web contextual taxonomy for seamless omnichannel activation. Teads has a deep history of building unique capabilities to analyze contextual content consumption data on the open internet through direct integrations with premium publishers. Combining this contextual data with device and consumer behavior signals has served as a high-fidelity proxy for audience targeting through AI-based inference. These capabilities enable advertisers to activate media and reach audiences seamlessly with or without user identification with deep contextual targeting within editorial environments. “With Teads OG, we’re extending our knowledge of what people read into what content they watch and making that data actionable at scale across screens to drive better results,” said Jeremy Arditi, co-CEO of Teads. Teads expanded into omnichannel more than two years ago and has been delivering superior results for brands since launch. Since the beginning of 2024, Teads has delivered over 50 campaigns targeting and measuring incremental reach. In a campaign with Yokohama, Teads delivered brand lift using incremental reach planning and measurement. By leveraging cookieless strategies for the online video portion of the campaign and optimizing ad performance across multiple screens, the campaign achieved significant results, including a 27% cost savings, a 5.5-point increase in brand familiarity, and a 7-point lift in perception. "We wanted to create a stronger audience-centric approach for our campaign by expanding our understanding of individual performance impact. By utilizing Teads' innovative solutions, we unlocked exceptional outcomes that far exceeded our initial expectations," said Riley Mackey of Yokohama’s Agency, Charts + Darts. About Teads Teads operates a leading, cloud-based, omnichannel platform that enables programmatic digital advertising across a global ecosystem of quality digital media. As an end-to-end solution, Teads’ modular platform allows partners to leverage buy-side, sell-side, creative, data and AI optimization technologies. For advertisers and their agencies, Teads offers a single access point to buy the inventory of many of the world’s best publishers and content providers. Through exclusive global media partnerships, Teads enables advertisers and agencies to reach billions of unique monthly users in brand safe, responsible advertising environments, while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of digital ad transactions. Teads partners with the leading marketers, agencies and publishers through a team of 1,200+ people in 50 offices across more than 30 countries. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Teads Alexandra Morrison teads@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.teads.com/

June 14, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Roberts & Ryan Inc. expands its internship program in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem.

Roberts & Ryan, Inc.

Roberts & Ryan, Inc., America’s first Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) broker-dealer, announced the expansion of its summer internship program, which recently accepted 13 candidates from a diverse pool of students from a variety of schools and backgrounds. The expansion reflects the company’s commitment to supporting veterans and underprivileged youth. “At Roberts & Ryan, we believe that supporting future generations of financial professionals is important to the long-term success of our industry. This year’s internship class was bolstered by our relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem, who recommended two exceptional candidates, creating more opportunities for diverse talent in the financial services industry,” said Brian Rathjen, President of Roberts & Ryan. Seven interns completed Roberts & Ryan's internship program in 2023, a number the firm nearly doubled in 2024 due to increased student demand. Roberts & Ryan runs two internship cohorts per year to provide students from a variety of backgrounds with real-world experience in the financial services industry. Interns collaborate with experienced professionals on projects that demonstrate a range of services provided by Roberts & Ryan, from secondary equity and fixed income trading to debt and equity capital markets, business development, compliance, and marketing. Roberts & Ryan was recently approved for membership by the New York Stock Exchange, and summer interns have access to its iconic trading floor. "Breaking into the financial services industry can be a challenge, as most entry-level positions require either previous work experience or a professional connection with someone in the industry. We believe that our program provides our interns with both,” said Edward D’Alessandro, Chief Executive Officer of Roberts & Ryan. Roberts & Ryan is committed to increasing access to opportunities in the financial sector by finding high-quality candidates for their internship program. Through the program, interns gain valuable experience, make important connections, and build a talent stack for a successful career in finance. For current undergraduate and graduate students interested in participating in next year’s internship program, please email your resume to info@roberts-ryan.com. About Roberts and Ryan, Inc. Roberts & Ryan, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVO) broker-dealer with execution capabilities in the capital markets, equities, and fixed-income trading. The firm was founded in 1987 by a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. With over $2 million in committed donations, Roberts & Ryan is active in donating to charitable foundations that make significant positive impacts in the lives of Veterans and their families, primarily focusing on general wellness, mental health, and career transition. To learn more about Roberts & Ryan, please visit www.roberts-ryan.com. Contact Details Michael C. Del Priore +1 646-859-4061 mdelpriore@roberts-ryan.com Company Website https://www.roberts-ryan.com

June 13, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Teads Unveils Creative Consortium Built to Incubate Innovation to Bolster Results for Advertisers

Teads

Teads, the global media platform, today announced the formation of a Creative Consortium, a suite of new omnichannel partnerships to further enhance exceptional creative services and maximize campaign results for advertisers. The new offerings extend Teads’ ability to deliver personalized and engaging ad experiences for advertisers by implementing top-tier creative solutions and cutting-edge technology by collaborating with best-in-class partners such including Perfect Corp, Aryel, Threedium, Atelar, Geneee, Vyde, Stats Perform, SmartCommerce, and Audiostack. As part of the strategic launch, Teads Studio, the company’s in-house creative team, has integrated advanced creative solutions to optimize and repurpose ad content across various digital platforms for its partners, including: AI-Driven Audio Production: Powered by its partnership with AudioStack, Teads is unlocking addressable, high-quality video at scale and utilizing AI-driven audio production - across CTV video or native - to create dynamic, personalized and contextually relevant audio-visual experiences tailored to different languages, locations and audience segments. Real-Time Sports Data Integration: Embedding live sports statistics into ad creatives to enhance engagement among sports fans in partnership with StatsPerform. AR For The Open Web: Introducing immersive AR experiences such as Virtual Try-On (VTO), which significantly enhance consumer engagement and conversion rates in partnership with Perfect Corp, Aryel, Threedium, Atelar and Geneee. Interactive Shopping Solutions: Development of advanced shopping formats, including visualizations, 3D models, dynamic ads, and shoppable scenarios. Conversation Units: Revolutionizes shopper engagement with innovative in-ad chat units optimized for shoppable moments, allowing consumers to interact through a decision tree and select products based on their needs in partnership with Stats Perform. Omnichannel Integrations: Bridging online and offline experiences, enhancing direct response capabilities. Innovative 3D Models: Captivating audiences with engaging 3D ad formats, improving brand recall and interaction rates. Teads’ enhanced creative capabilities have already empowered brands like Nissan, McDonald’s, Pepsi, and Lenovo to expand the delivery of personalized ads across multiple touchpoints, enhance customer interaction, and drive business results. Teads’ cutting-edge campaign with Nissan integrated CTV, OTT, and Mixed Reality (XR) elements to promote the Nissan Qashqai. QR code integration amplified engagement and boosted brand favorability, reaching an impressive 41% of the UK population at least once, with an average frequency of 4.1. "We were thrilled to partner with Teads Studio to craft a cross-screen experience that effectively reached households on the big screen through OTT and integrated a unique VR experience,” said Niels Van Der Burg, Nissan’s director of marketing operations, Europe. “This innovative approach allowed us to showcase the e-POWER technology and the features of the Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai in a truly engaging and immersive manner." Other notable brands leveraging Teads’ enhanced creative offerings via its Creative Consortium include: Both McDonald’s and PepsiCo - McDonald’s and Lays (a part of PepsiCo) are partnering with Teads independently for UEFA Euro 2024, utilizing Stats Perform technology to integrate live stats based on match scores directly into their advertising creative. Lenovo - Lenovo was the first tech brand to launch the Teads Conversational Unit in the US, achieving remarkable results. The Lenovo Conversational Unit recorded a 0.25% interaction rate, representing a 66% increase compared to the benchmark. It also achieved a 28.09% active attention rate, marking a 180% increase over the benchmark, and a 0.18% click-through rate (CTR). “At Teads, we’re laser-focused on helping our partners succeed in today’s landscape by boosting engagement, increasing relevance and maximizing impact across all screens,” said Jonathan Lewis, global head of studio at Teads. “The Creative Consortium directly supports the company’s ongoing mission to be ‘best in glass,’ by partnering with innovative industry-leading creative technology and data vendors empowering us to provide the biggest brands in the world with exceptional creative solutions optimized for omnichannel environments.” About Teads Teads operates a leading, cloud-based, omnichannel platform that enables programmatic digital advertising across a global ecosystem of quality digital media. As an end-to-end solution, Teads’ modular platform allows partners to leverage buy-side, sell-side, creative, data and AI optimization technologies. For advertisers and their agencies, Teads offers a single access point to buy the inventory of many of the world’s best publishers and content providers. Through exclusive global media partnerships, Teads enables advertisers and agencies to reach billions of unique monthly users in brand safe, responsible advertising environments, while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of digital ad transactions.Teads partners with the leading marketers, agencies and publishers through a team of 1,200+ people in 50 offices across more than 30 countries. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Teads Alexandra Morrison teads@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.teads.com/

June 12, 2024 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

1 2 3 4 5 ... 155

Back