News Hub | News Direct

Professional Services

Architecture CRM/Customer Service Consulting Government & Policy Human Resources Intellectual Property/Trademark/Patent Law Legal
Article thumbnail News Release

Trust & Will Announces Strategic Investment from Erie Strategic Ventures

Trust & Will

Trust & Will, the leading digital estate planning and settlement platform, is proud to announce a strategic investment from Erie Strategic Ventures, the venture capital arm of Erie Insurance (ERIE) in partnership with Touchdown Ventures. This financing builds on previous investments, with more than $50 million raised since Trust & Will’s founding in 2017. The new capital will further integrate Trust & Will's award-winning platform with leading financial institutions and insurance providers. “We are honored to partner with Erie Strategic Ventures and Touchdown Ventures to help more families leave a legacy,” said Cody Barbo, founder and CEO of Trust & Will. “With this strategic investment and ERIE’s reputation as a leading auto, home, business and life insurance company, we can bring our innovative digital solutions to people who may otherwise think they can’t afford or don’t need an estate plan.” Nearly 60% of American adults do not have an estate plan. Trust & Will provides an easy and secure way to create estate plans and settle estates online, with the ability to customize legal documents that adhere to individual state and county guidelines. The fintech company recently achieved B Corporation certification, becoming the first in their industry to do so. “Trust & Will has made it easy and affordable for anyone to proactively get their estate in order and we’re pleased to partner with this leader in online estate planning and settlement,” said Keith Kennedy, senior vice president for Next Level Innovation at Erie Insurance. “Similar to the flexible and affordable life insurance that we offer through Erie Family Life, estate planning is an essential part of protecting your family and helping loved ones when they'll need it most.” About Trust & Will Trust & Will is simplifying estate planning and settlement with attorney-approved, legally valid documents and processes designed to adhere to individual state guidelines. Since 2017, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of Trust & Will members leave their legacy with an affordable way to create an estate plan or settle the estate of a loved one. Our platform uses bank-level encryption that protects customer data and complies with the highest security standards, including SOC 2 and HIPAA. Trust & Will is a certified B Corporation and is the official estate planning benefit provider for AARP members, along with several leading financial institutions, who all believe in our mission of helping every family leave their legacy. About Erie Strategic Ventures Erie Strategic Ventures is the venture capital arm of Erie Insurance (ERIE), a Fortune 500 auto, home, business and life insurance company that generated $8.6 billion in direct written premiums in 2022. Founded in 1925, ERIE is the nation’s 12th largest homeowners insurer, 12th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer based on direct premiums written. ERIE is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best and has more than six million policies in force and a network of over 13,000 independent agents across 12 states and Washington D.C. Learn more about Erie Strategic Ventures at www.erieinsurance.com/ventures. About Touchdown Ventures Touchdown Ventures partners with corporations to manage their venture capital programs. Touchdown works closely with each corporation to help achieve the financial and strategic benefits from venture capital investments. The firm maintains offices in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. More information on Touchdown can be found at www.touchdownvc.com. Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. Trust & Will is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Contact Details Trust & Will Danielle Nuzzo +1 631-807-7772 danielle@trustandwill.com Company Website https://trustandwill.com

January 18, 2024 01:47 PM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Lotis Blue Consulting Releases Future of Retail Workforce Study: New Research Predicts Associate Stay/Leave Decisions with 87 Percent Accuracy

Lotis Blue Consulting

Lotis Blue Consulting, a corporate advisory and business transformation firm, releases the third edition of its comprehensive research study, Lotis Blue Future of Retail Workforce Study, analyzing the current state of the retail workforce. The study investigates ways the current macroeconomic environment has influenced retention trends for the retail workforce; factors that are becoming more important to employee retention and loyalty; how motivations for leaving or staying in a job are changing over time; and, new to this edition, how factors driving quit and stay decisions differ by workforce characteristics and retail segment. Research for the Lotis Blue Future of Retail Workforce Study was conducted during the lead-up to the 2023 holiday season and is based on comprehensive, objective feedback from 1,000 retail associates. The report uses the lens of the Employee Value Proposition (EVP)—including 7 dimensions and 30 underlying factors—to evaluate retail employees’ decisions to stay, consider leaving or leave an employer. “Labor dynamics in retail have changed dramatically in the last 12 months with a tightening of the job market and stabilizing sales, coinciding with major attitude shifts toward work and employers,” noted Lotis Blue Consulting partner and study author Aaron Sorensen, adding, “Even with changing labor conditions and issues, the data is comprehensive enough to predict an employee’s decision to stay or leave an employer with 87 percent accuracy. And in order to hold onto valued employees, we’ve observed that retailers must simultaneously provide an environment where there are more factors that make workers want to stay, and fewer that make them want to quit.” The study found that recent changes in labor market dynamics resulted in a decrease in turnover but a 7% increase in retail associates who are considering leaving their jobs, suggesting an underlying dissatisfaction with their current work situation. “Changes to the reasons that associates are staying or leaving an employer suggest that factors such as schedule flexibility serve a triggering role to job dissatisfaction,” noted study co-author and Lotis Blue Consulting partner Erica Grant. “While some decision drivers such as enjoyable work consistently influence staying decisions across workforce segments, other factors vary significantly in their importance by retail segment. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for retailers." The study findings in this most recent edition include: Talent strategies for the retail workforce have a short shelf-life, due to changes in labor and market conditions Stay and leave decisions have changed significantly in the last 12 months, differing across retailer types and workforce characteristics Job factors create magnetism that uniquely attracts or repels retail associates More associates are staying, but there are also more with one foot out the door Some factors matter more than others: 60% of all stay-or-leave decisions currently relate to Job & Work Environment, Company, and Leadership Culture Pay and Health & Safety have made significant jumps as turnover/retention drivers this year, and Scheduling triggers a cascade of turnover intentions For more information or to see the newest edition of the Lotis Blue Future of Retail Workforce Study, please visit: https://www.lotisblueconsulting.com/insights/2024-the-future-of-retail-workforce-study/ Study Methodology The ongoing Lotis Blue Future of Retail Workforce Study, now in its third iteration, has cumulatively surveyed over 3,000 employees across 700 retailers in the apparel, big box, apparel & luxury, grocery & convenience, home goods & electronics, specialty, fast casual and other sectors, deriving comprehensive, objective feedback. Research for the first study was conducted in summer 2022, for the second, in the lead-up to the of 2022 Holiday season, and for this current edition, in the lead-up to the 2023 Holiday season. At the intersection of growth and transformation, you’ll find Lotis Blue Consulting. We help businesses improve the performance of their workforce, leadership teams, and organizations through evidence-based strategies grounded in leading-edge analytics and behavioral science. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.lotisblueconsulting.com

January 17, 2024 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

JustiFi Unveils 11 New Web Components for its Fintech Platform for Platforms

JustiFi

Today, Justifi is announcing the release of 11 cutting-edge web components for its Fintech Platform for Platforms. Web components promote a modular approach, turning each segment of an application into a reusable building block. This accelerates development and boosts application performance. In the context of embedded finance, web components offer the easiest and most customizable path to fintech monetization for platform companies. In a world where fintech integration is increasingly becoming a strategic imperative for platforms, the launch of these web components signifies a significant leap forward for JustiFi and its commitment to accelerate the potential of platform companies. These components enable platforms to seamlessly embed revenue-generating fintech products, such as embedded payments, lending, and insurance, into their existing ecosystems, faster than ever before. According to Nick Halm, VP of Product & Engineering at JustiFi, "Our Web Component Library is designed to support our commitment to delivering the easiest fintech implementation on the market. Each component enables rapid deployment and cuts months of development time, allowing you to stay focused on your product and customers." Built with speed, simplicity, and customization in mind, JustiFi's web components represent a major differentiator in the fintech infrastructure landscape. Here's why: Fastest time to market: JustiFi's web components empower platforms to launch revenue-generating fintech products in a single sprint or less. Unlike traditional solutions that demand extensive development timelines, these modular components allow platform companies to activate fintech capabilities in a matter of days, instead of months or even years. 100% White-label solution: Web components eliminate the need for a separate, third-party dashboard or complex in-house development. Platform companies can seamlessly embed fintech components into their existing platforms, preserving the familiarity and trust their customers already associate with their brand. Enhanced customer experience: The web component based Fintech Dashboard consolidates transaction data, including both card-present and card-not-present transactions, customer onboarding, and fintech revenue data. This unified view not only streamlines operations but also provides an unparalleled customer experience. "The integration was smooth, and the JustiFi team provided excellent support throughout the process. We highly recommend the JustiFi team to any business looking to switch payment processors and potentially introduce embedded fintech products in the future," said Sam McElhinney former CEO of Weven – acquired by The Knot, Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT). With the integration of these 11 innovative web components, JustiFi's Fintech Platform offers platform companies an accelerated path to world class customer experiences and transformational fintech revenue. For more information about the JustiFi platform, please visit www.justifi.tech. About JustiFi: JustiFi, the fintech platform for platforms, enables software companies to monetize white-label fintech products like embedded payments, Buy Now, Pay Later, lending, and insurance faster than ever before. As a registered payment facilitator, JustiFi provides world-class customer support and helps platforms deliver seamless fintech experiences to their end users. Contact Details JustiFi Cory Ploessl +1 612-281-8966 cory.ploessl@justifi.tech Company Website https://justifi.tech/

January 17, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

PRESTIGEPEO NAMED 2023 WINNER IN THE BIG AWARDS FOR BUSINESS PROGRAM

PrestigePEO

PrestigePEO, one of the nation’s leading professional employer organizations (PEOs), announced today it received Business Intelligence Group’s BIG Awards for Business. The Company was named a winner in the Small Business of the Year category. Business Intelligence Group’s BIG Awards for Business program rewards companies, products, and people who are leaders in their respective industries. PrestigePEO, which provides a broad range of human resources outsourcing services, was recognized for its customer-focused service model, strategic human resources consultation, diverse employee benefits service offerings and outstanding 2023 performance. “In 2023, we improved our technological infrastructure and extended the range of HR services we offer clients. These advancements were primarily driven by the valuable feedback our clients provide, which enables us to better cater to their needs and facilitate the growth of their businesses. We appreciate the recognition PrestigePEO received from Business Intelligence Group and are honored the judges took note of both the efforts put forth and dedication exhibited by our entire team,” said Robyn Rusignuolo, chief operating officer. Andrew Lubash, PrestigePEO founder and chief executive officer, added: “For more than two decades, PrestigePEO has remained dedicated to delivering immense value to our small and medium-sized business clients via our hands-on service approach. Our team members build strong connections with the brokers with whom we work and the clients we serve, along with our clients' employees. This longstanding personal bond results in ongoing referrals, which significantly contributes to our continued growth, and is among the key reasons for PrestigePEO earning this prestigious award from Business Intelligence Group.” "In the spirit of achievement and excellence, we congratulate PrestigePEO on their outstanding success in 2023. Their victory exemplifies the highest standards of innovation and business acumen,” said Maria Jimenez, chief nominations officer. “Kudos to all the winners who have demonstrated unparalleled excellence, collectively shaping the future of business. May this recognition inspire continued greatness in the years to come." About Business Intelligence Group The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, business executives—those with experience and knowledge—judge the programs. The organization’s proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers. About PrestigePEO Melville, N.Y.-based PrestigePEO provides integrated, end-to-end human resources (HR) solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for managing all essential human resources operations. This includes support for employee benefits management, payroll administration, compliance, and HR guidance, among others. PrestigePEO’s full spectrum of HR services and solutions helps SMBs lower employee benefit costs, reduce administrative workloads, and manage critical HR functions. PrestigePEO is among only one percent of PEOs accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC), certified (CI) through Workers Comp Risk Management, and classified as a Certified Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) by the IRS – demonstrating financial stability and strict adherence with a diverse range of regulatory and security standards. To learn more, visit www.prestigepeo.com and follow PrestigePEO on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Contact Details PAIRELATIONS Susan Turkell +1 303-766-4343 sturkell@pairelations.com Company Website https://www.prestigepeo.com/

January 17, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Top Five NSFW AI Chat and Image Tools You Must Try in January 2024

Summit Ventures BV

In today's tech-savvy world, we're increasingly connecting with AI chatbots for entertainment and interaction. With numerous options available, there are over 120 NSFW AI chat and image tools ready for your exploration. This article serves as your guide to the top NSFW AI chat and image tools that are a must-try, featuring AI hentai and AI writer capabilities! Table of Featured AI Chat and Image Tools 1. GPTGirlfriend.online 2. ChaiApp.pro 3. AI-Girlfriend.co 4. SexyFurries.com 5. AI-Companion.co Top Five Engaging and Diverse AI Chat and Image Tools The world of AI chatbots has seen significant growth, offering a variety of engaging options. While each chatbot brings its own unique features to the table, GPTGirlfriend.online stands out with its exceptionally engaging interactions and a wide range of capabilities. GirlfriendGPT: Chat with 25,000+ NSFW AI Characters GirlfriendGPT is an innovative AI-powered tool that brings your favorite anime characters to life, offering interactive experiences. This platform provides a wide array of activities, enabling you to create a virtual space for engaging conversations with your AI character companion. Moreover, GirlfriendGPT offers unrestricted content for a diverse experience, including an AI Hentai Image Generator and AI Writer. Key Features: Empowers you to create your personalized AI character companion. Allows unrestricted interactions and NSFW chats and conversations. Provides NSFW AI chatbot options, granting control over explicit content. Offers affordable premium and deluxe subscription plans. Resumes conversations with long-term memory. Chai App: Experience NSFW Chats with AI Characters Chai App stands out with its excellent website design and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for forging connections. This platform excels in creating companionship with a variety of AI characters. The AI NSFW chatbot seamlessly resembles a typical messenger app, enhancing realism. Additionally, Chai App allows you to customize your AI companion. Key Features: Intuitive navigation. Realistic chatbot interactions. Offers a diverse selection of AI companions. Allows customization of AI companions. Features AI Hentai Image Generator and AI Writer capabilities. AI Girlfriend: Personalized AI Girlfriends for Spicy Chat For those seeking personalized NSFW AI companions, AI Girlfriend is the perfect choice. Much like NSFW Character AI, this platform empowers you to tailor your own AI anime companion, adhering to your specific preferences. AI Girlfriend brings your ideal NSFW AI character to life, offering engaging and realistic interactions. Key Features: Provides realistic AI companion interactions with varied emotions and backgrounds. Abundance of features available for diverse AI character interactions. Offers budget-friendly pricing compared to other NSFW AI chatbots. Allows for the creation of a personalized AI companion. Sexy Furries: Explore Desires with Furry AI Chatbots Sexy Furries is renowned for having the best Furry characters in the AI chat and image tool world. This platform specializes in catering to intimate conversations and activities with AI chatbots. These AI companions provide natural and realistic responses, making it an ideal platform for those interested in NSFW and adult content. Key Features: Multilingual AI companion interactions. Customizable chatbot to align with personal preferences. Accommodates various interests and preferences in AI characters. Incorporates Image Generator capabilities. AI Companion: Engage with Customizable Chatbots AI Companions is a leading platform known for its wide range of character options in the AI chat and image tool domain. This versatile platform is designed to accommodate a variety of conversations and interactions with AI chatbots. Whether users are looking for engaging, realistic responses for everyday topics or exploring more mature themes, AI Companions offers a tailored experience for every user. Key Features: Support for multiple languages, enhancing global accessibility. Personalization options to tailor the chatbot according to individual preferences. Broad spectrum of interests and character types to suit diverse user needs. Advanced Image Generator technology for a more immersive experience. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is there any age restriction for using NSFW AI chat and image tools? A: Yes, you have to be at least 18 years old and above as these tools contain restricted content suitable for adults. Q: Which AI tools allow NSFW content? A: Many AI companion chat and image tools offer NSFW content, with gptgirlfriend.online among the top platforms. Q: Do Character.AI tools allow explicit content? A: Some AI platforms allow explicit content, while others do not. Q: What is the AI tool suitable for flirtatious interactions? A: GirlfriendGPT is perfect for flirtatious interactions with AI characters, offering unique and realistic conversations with a variety of AI Anime characters. Q: Which AI chat and image tools do not filter NSFW content? A: GirlfriendGPT provides a great NSFW experience without content filtering. Q: What is the most cost-effective NSFW AI chat and image tool? A: GirlfriendGPT is among the most cost-effective AI chat and image tools, with plans starting with a free trial, offering an enjoyable experience with your NSFW AI companion. Q: Are NSFW AI chat and image tools safe to use? A: Yes! Platforms like GirlfriendGPT provide a secure and unrestricted environment for engaging with AI companions. They prioritize delivering a realistic and enjoyable experience while ensuring safety. In Conclusion As technology continues to advance, NSFW AI chat and image tools offer unique opportunities for users to establish virtual connections and relationships with their AI companions. These tools enable the expression and experience of emotions such as affection, comfort, and shared feelings in a virtual space. They bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds, providing an innovative way to connect with AI characters. We encourage you to explore these NSFW AI chat and image tools, each offering a distinctive experience and limitless possibilities. GPTGirlfriend.online is the most advanced AI companion subscription service with a community of more than 500,000 Monthly Active Users. With more than 25,000 characters, it has transformed how people interact with and experience AI. Please refer to our detailed Terms of Use and Community Guidelines for comprehensive information on usage, safety, and ethical considerations on GPTGirlfriend.online Contact Details GPTGirlfriend Business Enias hello@enias.io Company Website https://www.gptgirlfriend.online

January 16, 2024 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Quilbot Out, Excellence In: Best Alternative to Quilbot's Paraphrasing Tool

Spark Metro

When it comes to writing for school or work, having a good paraphrasing tool is super important. Students and professional writers often need a tool to help them rephrase work while keeping their writing clear and unique. Quilbot has been a go-to for many, but it turns out it is not so great at getting the job done. This tool doesn't give the required output at first, making it very time-consuming. Also, the subscription rates are not student-friendly at all! That's where our journey begins — exploring alternatives that not only beat Quilbot but also save time and money. We have discovered the top 2 paraphrasing tools that will get the job done at the most affordable rates. MyEssayWriter.ai PerfectEssayWriter.ai How to use them? Don’t worry! This descriptive guide is your answer to all of your paraphrasing woes! Stay tuned, and let's dig deeper into each tool! MyEssayWriter.ai's Paraphrasing Tool Unlike Quilbot, MyEssayWriter.ai's paraphrasing tool is designed with a focus on accuracy and speed. This tool stands out with its accuracy, speed, extensive support, and document-friendly features, offering a superior alternative to the limitations of Quilbot. Benefits of MyEsayWriter.ai’s Paraphrasing Tool This outstanding paraphrasing tool stands out through an enhanced user experience and thoughtful adaptability to user preferences. Let’s check out some of the benefits of this smart paraphraser. Enhanced User Experience: The tool transforms the user experience with its intuitive, seamless, and straightforward experience, designed for users of all proficiency levels. Precision in Rephrasing: One of the standout features is the tool's remarkable precision in rephrasing content. It carefully looks at the context, keeps the original intent, and makes it clearer and more organized. Preservation of Original Meaning: The tool places emphasis on preserving the original meaning of the text. Through advanced algorithms, it ensures that the rephrased content remains faithful to the author's intent. Adaptability to User Preferences: Recognizing the diverse needs of users, the tool offers a range of customizable settings. Users can tailor the level of paraphrasing based on their preferences. How it Works Let’s dig into the convenient and easiest working process of this tool: 1. Manual Content Input Whether it's a sentence, a paragraph, or an entire document, the user-friendly interface allows for manual and direct input. 2. Paste Text or Sample Text Another convenient option is the ability to paste existing text directly into the tool. Users can simply paste the content they want to paraphrase or else use sample text to test the efficiency of the tool. 3. Document and PDF Upload MyEssayWriter.ai's paraphrasing tool goes a step further by supporting document and PDF uploads. Now, users can also upload files directly into the tool. 4. Click “Paraphrase” Button Once the content is input or uploaded, start the paraphrasing process with a simple click on the "Paraphrase" button. We used this tool to check out its efficiency and definitely loved the results: Outstanding Features of this Paraphrasing Tool MyEssayWriter.ai's tool excels at preserving the context and tone of the original content. Here are some outstanding features offered by MyEssayWriter.ai: Contextual Brilliance: MyEssayWriter.ai's tool goes beyond simple rewording, ensuring that the essence and feeling of the original text are preserved with precision. Customizable Settings: Whether the users want a subtle rephrase or a more significant transformation, the tool adapts to their unique writing style and needs. Multilingual Support: This tool goes beyond language barriers, offering robust multilingual support for over 26 languages. Multiple Modes MyEssayWriter.ai also offers different modes of paraphrasing, making the experience unforgettable for you! If you, like us, also liked this tool, you can also explore multiple tools offered by this essay maker. PerfectEssayWriter.ai's Paraphrasing Tool In contrast to Quilbot, PerfectEssayWriter.ai's paraphrasing tool is designed with a focus on precision and efficiency. This tool surpasses Quilbot with accurate and swift paraphrasing, keeping the main idea of the original text intact. Benefits of PerfectEssayWriter’s Paraphrasing Tool This smart and advanced paraphraser is loved for its exceptional precision, ensuring a refined and clear paraphrasing of content. Precision Beyond Rephrasing: The tool excels not just in rephrasing but also in precision. Each word and sentence is thoroughly analyzed, maintaining coherence and clarity. Enhanced Coherence: The tool carefully structures the rephrased content, ensuring that ideas flow seamlessly, contributing to an improved and polished narrative. Clarity Amplification: The rephrased content is not only coherent but also crystal clear, making complex ideas more accessible. How it Works Let's delve into the seamless and user-friendly operational process of PerfectEssayWriter.ai's tool: 1. Manual Content Input Users enjoy the flexibility to manually input content, and paste functionality for text and sample text. It further supports document and PDF uploads, enhancing versatility and ease of use. 2. Paraphrase it Once content is input or uploaded, users can paraphrase the content with a simple click on the "Paraphrase" button. 3. Effortless Results The paraphrasing tool swiftly processes input, providing a well-crafted, paraphrased version that maintains the original meaning while presenting it in a unique way. Exceptional Features of PerfectEssayWriter.ai Paraphraser PerfectEssayWriter.ai's tool includes a vast set of paraphrasing features, including: Enhanced User Interface: Its intuitive and user-friendly interface simplifies navigation, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable paraphrasing experience. Contextual Brilliance: This tool shows precision in maintaining the context and tone of the original content, ensuring intent preservation. Customizable Settings: You can tailor the paraphrasing with user-controlled settings, allowing for a subtle rephrase or transformative modeling. Multilingual Proficiency: Get support for over 26 languages, breaking language barriers for seamless paraphrasing in diverse linguistic preferences. Various Writing Modes PerfectEssayWriter.ai has different ways of paraphrasing, making the experience memorable for you! PerfectEssayWriter.ai also offer the diverse range of tools other than paraphrasing too. Try out this AI essay writer! Final Thoughts As we wrap up, the transition from Quilbot to MyEssayWriter.ai and PerfectEssayWriter.ai marks a significant upgrade in your paraphrasing experience. These tools, each with their unique strengths and modes, promise precision, clarity, and a user-friendly approach. Say goodbye to limitations and embrace the future with MyEssayWriter.ai and PerfectEssayWriter.ai. It's no t just a change; it's a powerful transformation. Your writing deserves the best, and with these tools, you're on the path to excellence. Contact Details Skyscrapers LLC Alex +1 302-597-6768 info@skyscrapersllc.com Company Website https://skyscrapersllc.com/

January 16, 2024 07:12 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

Shareholder Statement on Departure of Al Gore from Board of Directors for Apple Inc.

NLPC

Apple Inc. announced that former Vice President Al Gore will not stand for reelection to the board of directors at the annual meeting in two months, attributing his departure to the company’s age limit for members. Ahead of last year’s annual meeting, National Legal and Policy Center – a shareholder in Apple – called for fellow investors to oppose Gore’s reelection, explaining in a lengthy memo filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission why he was unqualified to serve in such an influential leadership role and was detrimental to the company. NLPC wrote in part: Mr. Gore has held a position on Apple’s board since 2003, despite having no relevant experience in technology or core business functions. His primary benefit to the board is his supposed climate change expertise. However, Mr. Gore’s public reputation is inconsistent with his track record, his carbon-intensive lifestyle, and his actual investments. Instead, he has used his public advocacy as a tool for personal enrichment. In addition, his political activism poses to Apple a reputational risk that is not worth his limited skillset. Following the announcement, Paul Chesser, Director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project, stated: “Al Gore was Apple’s longest serving director, for more than 20 years – but he never should have even served a day. How influential were his many distortions and exagerations over the years about energy and climate? How much more did his policy preferences increase the costs of Apple products to unaffordable highs for many more potential customers? How much did his hypocritical jet-setting and personal electricity use undermine the company’s reputation?” “Apple is a great company, but it would have been even greater without the presence of Al Gore. Good riddance.” NLPC is also sponsoring a shareholder proposal at the upcoming annual meeting, which seeks accountability from the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant about its human rights policies versus its actions. Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

January 11, 2024 06:02 PM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to Support NCMA Nexus 2024

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) is pleased to announce the collaboration with the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) for the inaugural Nexus 2024 conference, scheduled from March 3-6 in Jacksonville, FL. This strategic partnership is a significant milestone for NCMA as it reinforces the commitment to advancing the knowledge and skills of the defense acquisition workforce. Notably, participants in Nexus 2024 will benefit from transferable credits toward their certifications, making this collaboration with DAU particularly valuable for professionals seeking career development opportunities. Nexus 2024, offers a unique platform for cross-functional collaboration for both government and industry to address pressing issues in federal procurement, including supply chain risk, cybersecurity, and sustainability. The event encourages joint efforts in innovation, strategic discussions, case studies, hackathons, and real-world problem-solving, providing deployable solutions for attendees. The co-hosted event aligns seamlessly with the new Better Contracting Initiative (BCI), emphasizing that multi-functional groups come together to learn the acquisition lifecycle side by side, promoting a comprehensive understanding of each’s others perspective job functions along with federal procurement challenges. One of the emcees for Nexus 2024 is DAU’s Professor of Program Management, Julie Knechtel, expressed her excitement about the event, stating, "I am excited to be part of an event that brings together diverse perspectives and expertise in defense acquisition. It is a great opportunity to train as we work, leverage the expertise of multi-functional teams, and enhance the skills needed to tackle the evolving challenges in federal procurement collaboratively." NCMA's Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Conrad, commented on the natural fit between NCMA and DAU, saying, "The collaboration with DAU at Nexus 2024 exemplifies our shared commitment to advancing the knowledge and skills of the acquisition workforce. We are grateful for their support as together we drive better practices and better outcomes in acquisition and procurement.” Michelle Currier, NCMA's Chief Learning Officer, also shared her enthusiasm, stating, "The Nexus 2024 event underscores the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in federal procurement. DAU's support enhances the educational value of the event, aligning with the goals of not only NCMA, but the federal government overall." Nexus 2024 is open to all professionals involved in federal procurement, providing an ideal opportunity for integrated teams to learn and train together. For more information about Nexus 2024 and to register for the event, visit the NCMA website at http://www.ncmahq.org/nexus. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – www.ncmahq.org – stands as the premier contract management organization whose mission is to collaborate towards a globally recognized contract management profession that strengthens its nexus with related acquisition communities. Serving approximately 20,000 members in both the public and private sectors, NCMA propels the growth, advancement, and impact of practitioners through a steadfast commitment to serve through the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. DAU is the acquisition learning, development and talent management organization for the Department of Defense with a mission to provide a global learning environment to develop qualified acquisition, requirements, and contingency professionals who deliver and sustain effective and affordable warfighting capabilities. Nearly 160,000 acquisition professionals across all military services and Department of Defense agencies have access to career-long learning and support from DAU faculty and staff. Contact Details Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 dominick.belfiore@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org

January 11, 2024 05:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Human-augmented AI data marketplace Ta-Da debuts on strategic MultiversX incubator xLaunchpad

STORM Partners

Ta-Da, the platform revolutionizing AI data annotation, announces its highly anticipated debut on xLaunchpad, MultiversX’s strategic incubator. This collaboration sets the stage for a groundbreaking advancement in the secure and ethical development of AI, harnessing the power of human-validated data. Founded on over seven years of expertise in AI, Ta-Da leverages the power of MultiversX blockchain technology to disrupt conventional data collection methods. With its focus on video, audio, and image verticals, Ta-Da introduces a hybrid model of data annotation that blends quality, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Addressing major challenges in AI development, such as bias and high data-related costs, this approach has already proven its efficacy with over 2.5 million tasks completed during its public beta phase. “The future of AI is not just about algorithms but about the quality and diversity of data that trains these algorithms,” says William Simonin, CEO of Ta-Da. “ Our launch on xLaunchpad is a pivotal step in realizing our vision of creating more effective AI systems by harnessing the power of human insight and the robustness of blockchain technology. ” xLaunchpad is the strategic incubator and acceleration platform of the MultiversX blockchain ecosystem. It is renowned for backing the most ambitious and impactful technologies in the web3 space, enabling them to leverage MultiversX’s highly scalable and secure blockchain network, which processes over 30,000 transactions per second at negligible cost. “ Ta-Da’s innovative model for AI data annotation aligns perfectly with our mission to foster technological advancements that have a profound global impact, ” said Beniamin Mincu, CEO and founder of MultiversX. “ Their debut on xLaunchpad is a testament to our commitment to nurturing projects that tap into the massive opportunities that emerge from the convergence of blockchain and AI. ” The collaboration between Ta-Da and xLaunchpad signifies a transformative movement in AI and blockchain technology. It not only propels Ta-Da’s mission forward but also reinforces MultiversX’s position as a leader in supporting revolutionary tech initiatives. This partnership is set to redefine the landscape of AI development, making it more accessible, diverse, and efficient. The public launch event of Ta-Da on xLaunchpad is taking place on February 09, 2024. For more information and to be part of this transformative journey, visit https://xlaunchpad.com/tada About MultiversX MultiversX is a highly scalable, secure, and decentralized blockchain network built from first principles, to solve the two fundamental problems critical for widespread, global adoption: a transition from dialup to broadband, and a significant UX paradigm shift. Distributed by STORM Partners. Contact Adrian Bono for interviews and quotes -adrian.bono@storm.partners or telegram @STORMPartners Contact Details Dan Voicu +1 561-325-8757 dan.voicu@multiversx.com

January 10, 2024 09:12 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image
1 ... 56789 ... 160