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ShipIn Systems Secures Funding for Innovative Visual Fleet Management Platform from Munich Re Ventures

ShipIn

ShipIn Systems, the world’s first Visual Fleet Management Platform, today announced an investment by Munich Re Ventures, the venture capital arm of Munich Re Group, one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance, and insurance-related risk solutions. “By partnering with Munich Re Ventures, we are helping to build a safer and more productive future for the maritime industry,” said Osher Perry, Co-Founder and CEO of ShipIn Systems. “The reality is that as ships are getting bigger, crew are getting smaller. ShipIn’s mission is to give seafarers the advanced digital tools required to do their jobs better and fleet managers the experience and benefits of working ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ with their seaborne teams. We believe every ship will have Visual Fleet Management in the near future.” By deploying AI-powered cameras and real-time visual analytics, ShipIn proactively alerts shipowners, managers, and seafarers to onboard anomalies around bridge activities, safety and security, cargo operations and maintenance. With real-time notifications, benchmarking of vessel performance, and remote audits, ShipIn delivers a reduction of 40% in incidents and increase of cargo operations efficiency by 8%, directly improving financial performance of global fleets. "By investing in ShipIn, Munich Re Ventures has clearly shown their belief in the platform and the power it has to reduce incidents onboard ships, making voyages safer with AI technology,” said Dr. Kirsi Tikka, ShipIn Advisor and Maritime Leader. “I can foresee a future where having ShipIn onboard may reduce the cost of insurance for ship owners and will benefit the insurance industry as well." The maritime industry transports more than 90% of the world’s goods and energy, accounting for $14 trillion in world trade. The partnership with Munich Re Ventures will support ShipIn’s expansion, broadening access to Visual Fleet Management for fleets worldwide. “ShipIn’s patented platform brings the vision and capability to support the broader digitalization of the marine and cargo shipping industry,” said Timur Davis, Investment Principal, Munich Re Ventures. “We see this trend as an important enabler for marine organizations to make more informed decisions in managing assets at sea. Munich Re Ventures looks forward to collaborating with ShipIn to reduce incidents on a ship, improve overall safety and operations, and ensure effective and timely resolution to on-board incidents.” With more than $1 billion in assets under management, Munich Re Ventures invests in the most innovative startups engaged in developing new technologies and business models that will transform the future of risk and risk transfer. With its inaugural maritime investment, Munich Re Ventures supports a future of marine insurance and reinsurance driven by ShipIn’s innovative AI solutions to de-risk the future of transportation. “It’s clear to see the potential in ShipIn’s advanced AI technology for the maritime industry.” said Ronald Kargl, Chief Underwriting Officer for Marine Reinsurance, Munich Re. “We’re excited to see a solution that can make shipping safer for all onboard.” ShipIn Systems is the world’s first Visual Fleet Management Platform, enabling seamless ship-to-shore collaboration for maritime fleets. By deploying AI-powered cameras and real-time visual analytics, ShipIn’s platform proactively alerts shipowners, managers, and seafarers to onboard anomalies, reducing incidents onboard and increasing cargo operations efficiency. Creating a digital bridge between ship and shore, ShipIn provides objective insights into safety, security, cargo operations, maintenance, and more. With all tracking rolling up to an analytics dashboard, the platform makes it easy to benchmark performance, conduct remote audits, and improve the operational ROI of your entire fleet. Learn more at ShipIn.ai. Contact Details ShipIn Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-260-0480 c.walker@morganmarketcomm.com

April 05, 2022 12:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Stagwell’s (STGW) Flagship Media Agency Assembly Selected by Lenovo as Global Agency of Record For EMEA, North America, & Latin America

Assembly

Global omnichannel agency Assembly has been named a Media Agency of Record for Lenovo, one of the world’s largest technology companies. Assembly will lead Lenovo’s full-funnel paid media program for its consumer (including Yoga and Lenovo Legion gaming), commercial (including ThinkPad), and small and medium-sized business segments (including ThinkBook) across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Lenovo has brought Assembly on to strengthen its audience-centric and insight-led media approach, with an emphasis on data convergence, performance measurement, and technology, to drive greater marketing effectiveness. The appointment supports the operationalization of Lenovo’s global marketing strategy, which sees agency partners and Lenovo’s Global Media Strategy Center of Excellence working together in an innovative hybrid model. “As the technology and marketing industries undergo a profound transformation in an increasingly fragmented digital ecosystem, marketing needs to adapt and modernize as we navigate this new environment,” said Gina Qiao, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Lenovo. “We look forward to working with our new agency partners to continue innovating how and where we tell Lenovo’s vision of smarter technology for all, and to further advance the industry.” Lenovo represents one of the world’s widest portfolio of technology devices, solutions and services, with a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, from smarter supply chains to human-centered technology that improves the lives of communities everywhere. “It's such an exciting time to partner with Lenovo. With huge opportunities for transformation and growth, we look forward to bringing data, technology, and omnichannel media solutions to Lenovo’s global marketing strategy,” said James Townsend, Global CEO of Assembly and Global CEO of Stagwell Media Network. “This is a partnership aligned in the ambition to continue transforming marketing and we’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the whole Lenovo team.” Assembly is part of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. “Lenovo is a world-class, globally-recognized brand, and we look forward to growing their business and transforming their marketing capabilities for the future,” said Mark Penn, Stagwell CEO and Chairman. Assembly’s appointment is effective April 2022. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. ABOUT ASSEMBLY: Assembly is made of the ingredients of the modern agency, bringing together data, talent, and technology to deliver a connected set of solutions for media + more to the best brands on the planet. We're home to more than 1,500 of the industry's top talent, who bring unmatched global omnichannel media expertise + data, technology, and business consulting capabilities that help brands find the change that fuels growth. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Visit www.assemblyglobal.com for more information. ABOUT LENOVO: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$60 billion revenue Fortune Global 500 company serving customers in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that power (through devices and infrastructure) and empower (through solutions, services and software) millions of customers every day and together create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society for everyone, everywhere. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com and read about the latest news via our StoryHub. ABOUT STAGWELL: Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 10,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com. ABOUT STAGWELL MEDIA NETWORK: Stagwell’s Media Network is a group of leading multichannel agencies home to more than 3,000 experts with an expansive global footprint across 40+ offices in 20 countries, managing close to $5 billion in media. Agencies include Assembly, MMI Agency, Goodstuff and Grason, creative consultancy GALE, B2B specialist Multiview, multi-lingual content agency Locaria, and travel and media experts Ink. The network offers marketers a more dynamic partner for global B2B and B2C solutions spanning data, technology, media, and creativity aimed at accelerating business growth for brands worldwide. Contact Details Assembly Sara Pollack, VP of Marketing +1 917-438-4922 sara.pollack@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

April 04, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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WATCHDOG GROUP SAYS FOREIGN AGENT INVESTIGATION OF HUNTER BIDEN SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO NONPROFIT GROUP AND UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

National Legal & Policy Center

The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), an ethics watchdog group, called upon U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David C. Weiss to investigate the Truman National Security Project, the University of Pennsylvania and its Penn Biden Center to determine whether they violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for engaging in political activities on behalf of Burisma and Chinese interests. Recent press reports indicate a Delaware grand jury is looking into possible violations of FARA by Hunter Biden, and whether foreign payments received from CEFC China Energy, which paid $4.8 million to entities controlled by Hunter Biden and his uncle, should have triggered registration. NLPC’s 12-page complaint originally filed in October 2020 with the Department of Justice’s FARA Unit, draws upon press reports and other evidence that disclose incriminating emails and text messages on Hunter Biden’s laptop computer and statements against Hunter and his father President Biden by Tony Bobulinski, Hunter’s partner on Burisma, the Ukrainian oil company. Bobulinski was interviewed by the FBI in a criminal investigation into activities that most likely involve money laundering, tax evasion, wire fraud, and other crimes, and implicates his uncle James Biden, and his father, President Biden. The complaint cites one such text message on May 1, 2017 by Hunter to Bobulinski regarding their Chinese energy client, CEFC, “We don’t want to have to register as foreign agents... which is much more expansive than people who should know choose not to know.” In another email dated April 17, 2015, Burisma’s Vadym Pozharski thanks Hunter for arranging a meeting with his father, who was then Vice President. Hunter served as a board member until 2019 on the liberal Truman National Security Project along with Sally Painter, COO of Blue Star Strategies, a lobbying firm retained by Burisma to promote its interests before the State Department. The Truman Project, which endorsed Kamala Harris in 2016 for her Senate race, failed to note on its 2017 tax filing that Hunter and Painter had a business relationship with each other through Burisma. Finally, NLPC demands that U.S. Attorney Weiss investigate the source of over $22 million in anonymous donations from China to the University of Pennsylvania and its Penn Biden Center that may have been earmarked to promote Chinese interests and thus trigger registration as foreign agent. NLPC’s complaint cited prior FARA rulings in similar cases. “Hunter Biden did not act alone in a crack-induced fog. He was part of a network of individuals and institutions that received millions from foreign interests,” said NLPC Chairman, Peter Flaherty. “U.S. Attorney Weiss should pursue the larger Biden family influence-selling operation without any political pressure from the Merrick Garland Justice Department,” said Paul Kamenar, NLPC’s counsel who drafted the complaint. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. www.nlpc.org. Contact Details Paul Kamenar +1 301-257-9435 paul.kamenar@gmail.com Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

April 01, 2022 12:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Smiley Company Illuminates Cities for International Day of Happiness

YourUpdateTV

Timed to International Day of Happiness, The Smiley Company unveiled large-scale projections around the world featuring the iconic smiley logo in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The projections are in support of the United Nations International Day of Happiness “2022 Happiness for All, Ukraine”* initiative and serve to call attention to and honor the bravery and resilience of the people of Ukraine. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/AyFO6v2Ihbg The Smiley projections appeared on the streets of major cities around the world including London, Los Angeles, New York, Berlin, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Sydney. As part of this announcement, Smiley also donated to various humanitarian organizations supporting Ukraine and has been using its platform, The Smiley Movement, to further raise awareness and share resources for ways to donate to the Ukraine effort. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, International Day of Happiness aims to remind people around the world that actions matter and each person can help build a more compassionate world, wherever they are. Since its inception 50 years ago, Smiley’s mission is to spread good news to demonstrate the immense power in a smile through the spread of positivity, good news and optimism around the world. For more information on how to support Ukraine, visit https://smileymovement.org/ for a list of charities, ways to donate and resources taking positive action. * This initiative is in support of the United Nations official International Day of Happiness campaign and The Smiley Company is not officially affiliated with the UN or their initiatives surrounding International Day of Happiness. About The Smiley Company: For the past 50 years, Smiley has embraced positivity, creativity, and collaboration, inspiring forward-facing optimism around the world. Born as a symbol for good news in the newspaper France Soir in 1972, Smiley is now a universally recognised TOP 100 global licensing company registered in over 100 countries. Working with brand partners and leading retailers, Smiley spreads positivity through fashion, accessories, beauty, homewares, food packaging, stationery, and entertainment products. A lifestyle brand that encourages everyone to express more empathy, compassion, and gratitude, Smiley is determined to build a better future. About The Smiley Movement: Smiley Movement is a nonprofit community interest company sponsored by the original SmileyⓇ brand. Our vision is to inspire positive change in society by creating a happier, more equal and sustainable world, where everyone works hand-in-hand to address urgent societal and environmental problems. In 2017, philanthropist and social entrepreneur Nicolas Loufrani – Smiley’s CEO – identified a gap in the market between the people looking for opportunities to give back and the millions of charitable causes in need of support. Market research at the time showed ‘92% of the UK public want to do good in the world but are unsure how to’ and ‘82% would volunteer more if they were better informed about the charity sector’. Smiley Movement was born in 2018 to address this need by providing the technology and ecosystems that empower communities around the world to act on issues important to them. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 31, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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137 Countries Agree to Phase-Out Major Category of Fluorescent Lightbulbs

CLASP

At the Minamata Convention on Mercury fourth Conference of Parties (COP4), 137 governments adopted amendments to phase out a major category of fluorescent lighting, but actions were stalled on others. All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, a chemical of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization. In a major win for environmental and human health, the Parties agreed to phase-out compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by 2025. By accelerating the transition to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and non-toxic, the move will avoid 26.2 metric tonnes of mercury pollution and 261.5 million metric tons CO 2 emissions from 2025-2050, and save people $77.8 billion in lower energy bills. However, last-minute interventions delayed a decision on linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), the long tubes commonly found in offices and stores, until Minamata COP5 in November 2023. “LEDs are a rare silver bullet technology – they’re ready now, they cost half as much to run as fluorescents, and they constitute a double win for climate change mitigation and reducing toxics pollution. We were amazed to see the international cooperation on lighting at COP4. We hope for continued global alignment and momentum at COP5,” said Corinne Schneider, Chief Communications Officer at CLASP. Over days of intense negotiations, a group of countries came together to agree on phase-out dates for all lighting categories, including the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Pakistan, Switzerland, the US, and many Latin American governments, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Colombia. However, not all Parties were prepared to move forward, citing the need for more time and additional feasibility analysis. A phase-out of LFLs by 2027 – the date that most countries rallied around by the end of the week – would have captured significantly greater benefits, avoiding a further 71.7 million metric tons mercury pollution and 2.72 Gt of CO2 emissions and saving $1.06 trillion in cost savings, according to experts at CLASP. Last year, 36 governments representing the Africa region submitted a proposal to the Minamata Convention to phase-out virtually all fluorescent lighting by the end of 2025. With many OECD countries banning fluorescents in the coming years in favor of more efficient LEDs, less regulated markets risk becoming dumping grounds for toxic lighting. “The Africa region recognizes that lighting is crucial in promoting livelihoods. Through our proposal, we took the first step towards a global phase-out of mercury-containing fluorescent lighting,” explained Oumar Cissé, Head of Delegation (Mali) in his opening statement at COP4. “The case to phasing out fluorescent lamps – both CFLs and LFLs – is already justified today from a public health, environmental, technical as well as economic perspective.” “The original proposal by the Africa region is consistent with our findings that a transition to clean and efficient lighting is feasible everywhere today. The move to phase out CFLs represents a major win, as it will remove toxic, inefficient bulbs from our homes. But keeping LFLs on the market continues to disadvantage our offices, hospitals, schools and childcare centers, needlessly increasing energy costs and risking mercury exposure,” said Ana Maria Carreño, Director of Climate at CLASP. NGO groups around the world advocated over the past year to address mercury in lighting at COP4. The Climate Action Network launched a petition that garnered over 200 signatures from climate and environmental groups, as well as the private sector, urging governments to take action to phase out fluorescents. “We are leaving this COP with mixed emotions. Un- and under-regulated markets are increasingly vulnerable to dumping of fluorescents that many countries have already banned due to their toxicity and inefficiency,” said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, International Co-coordinator of the Zero Mercury Working Group. “The decision to phase out CFLs is one step in the right direction, and we congratulate governments for their efforts to progress the Convention’s promise to ‘Make Mercury History.’ We hope to see action on LFLs at COP5 in November 2023.” “We are proud of the work the Africa region has done to protect people from toxic lighting products,” said Roger Baro, Vice President of COP4 (Burkina Faso). “We will continue working to phase-out all fluorescent lighting and stop it from causing further mercury pollution in our communities.” Fluorescent lighting represents about 10% of mercury in all products globally. In the past, fluorescent lamps were promoted as an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent and halogen lamps, and the mercury risks were tolerated as a necessary tradeoff. Today, thanks to major advances in LED technology, mercury-free LED lamps can cost-effectively replace fluorescents in virtually all applications. CLASP improves the energy and environmental performance of the appliances & equipment we use every day, accelerating our transition to a more sustainable world. Contact Details CLASP Alexia Ross +1 339-222-4311 aross@clasp.ngo Company Website http://www.clasp.ngo/

March 31, 2022 09:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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National Land Realty Sells More Than $1.5 Billion in Land

National Land Realty

National Land Realty, the nation’s fastest growing real estate land brokerage company specializing in farm, ranch, country estates, timber, recreational, and commercial development properties, today announced that it hit more than $1.5 billion in sales in 2021. While total transactions and acres of land sold in the past year have increased 51.5 and 80.4 percent respectively, overall sales volume skyrocketed 131 percent. Meanwhile in the same timeframe, the company also added a new CMO and CTO, as well as dozens of new brokers nationwide. A total of 291,449.82 acres changed ownership through 2,201 transactions. Comparison Sales 2021 vs 2020 With 86 offices in 41 states, National Land Realty currently employs 360 active agents. In 2021, the company opened new offices in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Virginia. “Rediscovery of a safe haven asset” “More and more people are rediscovering the value of land as a safe haven asset in the current volatile economy. Land has offered a store of value since this country was settled and continues to be a safe haven for investors that no equity, bonds or even gold can compete with,” says Jason Burbage, President of National Land Realty. “In the past year, National Land Realty has grown at an extremely fast clip. We hired Mac Christian, our new CMO, who will make sure that our marketing function is up to the task of consolidating and expanding on our growth. Meanwhile, under the direction of our new CTO, Tyler Van Meeteren, we are continuing to invest in our land touring and mapping technology which makes our agents better equipped than any of their peers to guide clients through their purchasing journey. Combine all of that with our hiring of new agents and you have a company that is ready for more rapid growth in 2022,” said Jason Walter, CEO of National Land. As a reflection of the company's growth, National Land Realty recently recognized several agents who made it possible at its annual company conference, the National Land Summit. A few of those include: Clint Flowers, ALC (Gulf Coast Office) who received the Top Gun Award for being the company’s top producer with the highest total gross commissions. Austin Hill (Middle GA Office) who received the Rising Star Award, an award given to an individual who is newer to the company (within 10 years) and is on a path to success in sales, education, support, and core values. Beth McLellan (Kosciusko, MS Office) who received the Trailblazer Award for her positive influence on the lives of her team and helping them achieve the highest levels of success, not only in business, but in life. About National Land Realty National Land Realty (NLR) is the nation’s fastest growing real estate land brokerage company specializing in farm, ranch, country estates, timber, recreational, and commercial development properties. Highly regarded for its proprietary land touring technology, Land Tour 360 ®, as well as its GIS land mapping system, LandBase™, which catalogs land data in extremely detailed ways, the company makes it easy to view and zero in on the right property in the right place. Founded in Greenville, S.C. in 2007, NLR has more than 85 offices in 41 states. To learn more visit www.nationalland.com or call (855) 384-5263. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://nationalland.com/

March 31, 2022 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NCMA Announces Newly Elected Committee Members

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) today announced the addition of five newly elected committee members who will join its leadership group of distinguished volunteers. “I am pleased to announce the election of these outstanding members who will be relentless in leading work to advance our mission,” said Wendy Masiello, NCMA program year 2023 President. These members serve on NCMA Board Committees that develop tactics to meet strategic goals and improve service to the NCMA community of contract managers and acquisition-related professionals. Committee members include: Joann Campbell Maher, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, R&D Director of Contracts, SRC, Inc Clara Anderson, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, and Fellow, Director of Contracts, Information Systems Laboratories Bruce Tackett, Fellow, Chief Pricing Strategist, U.S. Army Contracting Command Jessica Grant-Johnson, CPCM, CFCM, Director of Contracts, The MASY Group Leslie Fessler, CPCM, CFCM, Director of Mission Systems Contracts, Collins Aerospace “NCMA is powerful because of its volunteers who generously apply their time and talents to our mission. I look forward to partnering with you to propel NCMA and the profession forward,” said Kraig Conrad, NCMA CEO. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world’s leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. Contact Details Jennifer Knowlton +1 571-382-1127 jennifer.knowlton@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

March 30, 2022 04:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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NCMA Announces National Board Appointments

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is proud to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors and announce the next President-Elect. These Directors are community influencers and powerful supporters of contract management and related acquisition professions. The appointments include: President-Elect: Denyce Carter New Directors: Megan Dake, CPCM; Eugene Scott II, JD, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, and Fellow; and, Shanna Webbers The newly appointed National Directors join 12 other Directors who bring extensive experience from both industry and government to the NCMA Board. Returning directors include Wendy Masiello, Denyce Carter, Amanda Christian, Iris Cooper, Heather Dallara, Major General Cameron Holt, Ted Harrison, Jeff Napier, Steve Sarris, Heidi Timmerman, Joy M. White, and Michael Wooten. Denyce Carter will assume President-Elect responsibilities on July 1, 2022, and will serve as one of the three officers to expand NCMA thought leadership and elevate the profession. Denyce Carter is Vice President of Contracts and Purchasing at General Atomics, one of the world's leading resources for high technology systems. In her capacity as Vice President of Contracts & Purchasing, Ms. Carter is responsible for the company’s commercial and government contracts and procurements and related systems. Since taking over leadership of the company’s Contracts and Purchasing department she has elevated the acquisition organization through recruitment, training, process improvement, terms and conditions, and policy and procedures development. Ms. Carter is widely recognized and respected throughout the purchasing and contracting community for her knowledge and understanding of U.S. Government procurement laws and regulations. “Ms. Dake, Mr. Scott, and Ms. Webbers bring their unique backgrounds and perspectives to the Board as NCMA grows and advances in service of members. I am personally delighted to welcome such a strong group of new board members, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year," said Wendy Masiello, NCMA program year 2023 President. “I welcome our new Directors and celebrate Denyce’s move into a new Board leadership role. It is an honor to have these engaged thought partners as we increase impact and service to this amazing community,” said Kraig Conrad, CEO of NCMA. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world’s leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. Contact Details Jennifer Knowlton +1 571-382-1127 jennifer.knowlton@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

March 30, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Omnichannel Engagement Is Becoming a Centerpiece of Customer Experience Strategy for Many Organizations, According to Dash Research

Dash Network

Although brands have been transforming their customer experience (CX) models over the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated many organizations’ plans for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies, according to a new report from Dash Research. An omnichannel strategy is a cross-channel strategy that gives a seamless and integrated experience to users across multiple channels. Unlike multichannel strategies, where each channel is managed individually, omnichannel engagement strategies streamline all customer touchpoints under a single platform, with a consistent and continuous experience for the user. “To enable omnichannel engagement, companies must remove data silos and capture and analyze customer interactions at scale,” says principal analyst Keith Kirkpatrick. “With these insights, organizations can uncover pain points, concerns, or challenges, and take action to improve omnichannel CX and drive increased customer retention and loyalty.” Kirkpatrick adds that there are five key market drivers for the growth of omnichannel engagement strategies: Poor levels of customer support A growing shift to digital interactions Changing demographics of customers The COVID-19 impact on sales, service, and support CX as a competitive differentiator Like any technology or approach, however, there are technical and operational barriers to complete market adoption. Dash Research’s analysis indicates that the most notable barriers to adopting and incorporating an omnichannel engagement strategy within the enterprise are: Technical challenges with implementing disparate software and workflow processes A lack of an agreed-upon and supported omnichannel vision Training and personnel issues Privacy issues Dash Research’s report, “Omnichannel Customer Engagement”, examines the market issues, drivers, and barriers for the use of platforms, software applications, and services that enable the deployment of omnichannel engagement strategies for CX. Several case studies illustrating the various ways omnichannel engagement is being used by end users are included in the report, along with best practices, software selection criteria, and recommendations for deploying omnichannel engagement strategies. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website. About Dash Research Dash Research, the market intelligence arm of Dash Network, provides in-depth research and insights on the worldwide CX market including a comprehensive assessment of technology solutions, business issues, market drivers, and end-user dynamics across industry sectors. Dash Research’s global market coverage combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a complete view of emerging business opportunities surrounding contact center technologies, customer data & analytics, customer data platforms, customer insights & feedback, customer relationship management, personalization & optimization, and employee experience. For more information, visit www.dashresearch.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Dash Network is an independent, integrated B2B research, events, and digital media platform focused on best business practices and technology solutions for the global Customer Experience (CX) market. The company provides a unique, CX-focused, full-service content and marketing solution, designed to enable industry participants’ strategic planning and go-to-market initiatives, while simultaneously extending the market reach of corporate brands and product messaging to a global audience of CX practitioners. For more information, visit www.dashnetwork.com or call +1.720.603.1700. Contact Details Clint Wheelock +1 720-603-1700 press@dashnetwork.com Company Website http://www.dashnetwork.com

March 29, 2022 05:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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