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Munich 1972: Era-Defining Games of Joy and Tragedy

International Olympic Committee

Fifty years ago, an air of vibrant optimism surrounded the Olympic Games Munich 1972. The athletes delivered mesmerising performances, and the event continues to benefit the local community to this day. However, the Games were overshadowed by a tragedy – a terrorist attack on the Israeli team that shocked the entire world. The Games brought together 7,134 athletes from 121 countries to compete in 195 events – a record at the time. Notable performances included those by US swimmer Mark Spitz, the first athlete to win seven gold medals in one edition of the Games, and Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut, who captivated crowds with unique routines that had never been seen before. Munich 1972 also showcased a confident and capable host recovering from the trauma of the Second World War, enchanting visitors with a new spirit of openness, joy and modernity. The world watched, admiring the Munich Olympic Park’s stunning architecture – not least the iconic venues’ tented roof structure, echoing the Bavarian Alps beyond. Its pedestrianised Olympic Village was a revelation in urban planning, placing people and streets above motor traffic and parking located underground, in an age when cities were configured around the car. “The Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 stand for the new Germany of the post-war period,” said IOC President Thomas Bach at a recent event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Games. “The architecture and conception of these Games reflected the spirit of openness, frankness and joie de vivre down to the smallest detail. With a unique design of the Olympic Park and the stadium, architect Günter Behnisch captured exactly this zeitgeist. He deliberately avoided borders and barriers of any kind in order to focus on the unifying power of the Olympic Games.” Even the pictogram signage system – designed for the Games by a team led by Otl Aicher – was ground-breaking, yet entirely in keeping with the Olympic ideal of understanding that transcends languages and borders. “Understanding across language and cultural borders – that is one of the characteristics of the Olympic Games,” said President Bach. “A congenial expression for this was found in 1972 in Otl Aicher's pictogram system, which he designed specifically for these Games. These pictograms are still ground-breaking today.” An Olympic champion in fencing, President Bach recalled the Munich 1972 sporting triumphs of his countrymen and women – the winning long jump by Heide Ecker-Rosendahl; record-setting Ulrike Nasse-Meyfarth continually raising the high jump bar; and the “golden hour” in which Hildegard Falck, Klaus Wolfermann and Bernard Kannenberg won three track and field gold medals. The Munich public also celebrated the success of outstanding GDR athletes, he added, citing legendary swimmer Roland Matthes and the five medals won by Karin Büttner-Janz, “the most successful German athlete of these Games”. September tragedy Against this backdrop and the athletes’ sporting achievements in the Games’ first week, the 5 September terrorist attack came as a shock to the Olympic Movement and the entire world. Eleven Israeli athletes, coaches and a sports official and the German police officer who were assassinated are commemorated by the Park’s “Einschnitt” (incisions) memorial, and with a plaque outside the Village apartment where they were taken hostage. Speaking at a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Games on 1 July 2022, IOC President Thomas Bach recalled the tragic events of 1972: “Even today, the brutal attack on the Israeli team fills us with horror and disgust, with shame and horror. For many of us, it's one of those moments in life where we know exactly where we were when the news broke. I myself followed the developments on television with incredulous horror. The terrible, inhumane images continue to have an effect on me to this day. “The attack on the Israeli team was at the same time an attack on the entire Olympic community and their values. (…) Despite this cowardly attack, the Israeli NOC [National Olympic Committee] has never turned its back on the Olympic Games. Israeli athletes have continued to compete and embrace the unifying power of the Olympic Movement.” Urban planning The Games fulfilled the ambitions of planners as well as elite athletes. The city authorities already had ambitious urban improvement plans on the drawing board when the Bavarian capital was named host of the Games of the XX Olympiad in April 1966, accelerating investment and development in preparation for the Games. Covered in rubble, the site of the former Oberwiesenfeld airport was transformed into Munich Olympic Park, with nine sports venues, an artificial lake, meadows and lawns, and its Village was landscaped to resemble Alpine foothills. The city’s road and public transport were upgraded with a new S-Bahn suburban rail system, the first two subway lines, and new expressways and ring roads. Other developments included underground car parks, schools, a shopping centre and housing, plus the restoration of Munich’s old town. After the Games, Munich soon established itself as one of the world’s most desirable cities to live in and a magnet for business and investment. Compelling legacy Munich Olympic Park remains a compelling example of how to create an enduring legacy. The Olympic Village, which welcomed the world’s athletes at the time of the Games, is credited with inspiring sustainable aspects of London’s 2012 Games, including the priority given to green spaces, playgrounds and access to public transport. Today, it is home to some 10,000 residents, being well suited for young families with its quiet terraces, green spaces and easy access to shops and local amenities. The apartments and bungalows of the former Women’s Village have proved just as attractive to students. The “Olypark”, as it is known by its young residents, also has a strong sense of community and an active residents’ association, set up shortly after the Games. With the unique concentration of different event and leisure venues, as well as corresponding offers, the Munich Olympic Park has developed into one of the most important centres of its kind. Around 14,800 events have been staged in the Park since 1972. Around 221.5 million registered people have attended sporting, cultural and commercial events, and made use of the Olympic Park's leisure and tourism facilities. Beyond its international reputation as an event and leisure centre, the Olympic Park also represents an important source of economic potential for the Bavarian capital. Germany has also enjoyed a significant legacy in sporting performance and science over the decades. The founding of the Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe (German Sports Aid Foundation) predated the Games in 1967, and this was followed three years later by the creation of the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft (Federal Institute for Sports Science). These have had a lasting impact, helping to sustain Germany’s position as a leading sporting nation. Munich 1972 saw the introduction of a standardised doping control protocol, with drug testing in all sports disciplines. The golden jubilee evokes many memories in Germany and worldwide. It is fitting that the centrepiece of the year-long celebrations was Munich Olympic Park’s biggest multi-sports event since 1972, with some 4,700 athletes from 36 nations competing in the European Championships Munich 2022 between 11 and 21 August, in nine Olympic sports and disciplines: athletics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, sport climbing, table tennis and triathlon. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Olympic Committee on 3blmedia.com

August 26, 2022 02:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Access to CASE IH Machinery Heralds New Era for Somali Farmers

CNH Industrial

June 30, 2022 /3BL Media/ - CNH Industrial has signed a trailblazing import and distribution agreement with Gaalooge Farming & Livestock Cooperative for CASE IH products in Somalia. Following decades of setbacks and severely challenging circumstances, thanks to this recently signed agreement, farmers in Somalia can now look forward to accessing reliable new machinery, as well as service and parts support. Sustainable growth For many years these farmers have only been able to import used machinery for their farms. Additionally, farmers and rural communities have endured debilitating droughts and decades of civil war, the COVID-19 pandemic, macroeconomic challenges, and a recent desert locust upsurge. Attention is now focused on how the country´s private sector can drive and sustain agricultural growth in a country that relies on agricultural production. Key requirements for boosting agricultural investment in Somalia are to better exploit international and regional linkages and create strategic partnerships for sustained national growth. The beginning The Gaalooge-Case IH partnership was initiated at the Italy-Somalia Business Forum in Mogadishu in December 2019 where negotiations were supported by teams of experts from the Enterprise Development Units in Somalia and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Somalia Programme. Gaalooge, based in Baidoa, Somalia, is registered as a cooperative under the local Ministries of Commerce and Agriculture. Owned by a group of Somali farmers, it is a dedicated agro-business enterprise actively involved in the production and distribution of a variety of agricultural inputs and farm machinery throughout the country. “The new partnership enables, for the first time in recent history, the supply of new agricultural machinery to Somalia. Case IH, a brand of CNH Industrial, with its distinctive red livery and world famous reputation for reliability, is the brand of farm machinery that Somali farmers will employ on their farms. Case IH tractors and equipment, including combine harvesters, are held in high regard throughout Africa, with proven performance in the toughest conditions” says Adam Mohamed, Gaalooge’s CEO. Agricultural environment Somalia has considerable productive resources, which offer huge potential for delivering rapid economic growth, with important impacts on people’s livelihoods. These resources include 8.5 million hectares of arable land, more than 50 million livestock and about 1.8 million tons of fish annually for export. However, only 2.3 million hectares are under rainfed agriculture plus another 630,000 hectares under irrigation. With the agricultural sector renowned for being one of the best drivers to improve livelihoods and to take national economies forward quickly and effectively, this new partnership represents a key step in rebuilding the country of Somalia. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com

June 30, 2022 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The U.S. Tire Industry Seeks to Better Understand and Mitigate Road Wear Particles

TriplePundit

In addition to supporting a vehicle’s weight, absorbing impacts and withstanding weather conditions, tires are a car’s only connection to the road — and as such are essential to vehicle safety and performance. But that critical grip also leads to abrasion of both the tire and the road surface, producing tiny debris called tire and road wear particles, or TRWP. As TriplePundit has previously reported in this series, public awareness of TRWP and their potential impact on the environment and human health is beginning to emerge. But as more information about TRWP has been learned, tire industry stakeholders — including the Tire Industry Project (TIP), a voluntary CEO-led sustainability collaboration under the umbrella of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), which represents tire companies in the United States — have ramped up efforts to better understand TRWP and mitigate their potential impacts. “Sustainability directs USTMA member companies' business practices and operating principles,” said Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of USTMA. “As part of this, the industry supports additional and ongoing research on TRWP that considers the latest science.” Existing research shows that TRWP have distinct characteristics. They are tiny, elongated particles comprised of approximately half tire tread material and half road pavement material, measuring less than 100 micrometers — which is about the size of fine-grained sand. Since 2005, tire industry stakeholders have supported independent, peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted by TIP to fill knowledge gaps about these particles. It has also built a public-facing website to provide a multimedia introduction to the topic of TRWP and a detailed account of the studies it has sponsored to date. “TIP continues to sponsor and share research that uses cutting-edge methodologies for studying tire and road wear particles,” said Anne Cécile Rémont, the Director of TIP. Researching the impact of tire and road wear particles (TRWP) TIP has supported studies of TRWP in multiple environments, including freshwater systems, roadside soil, and ambient air. In freshwater environments, testing of recommended species showed low risk of toxicity under environmentally relevant conditions. However, results of toxicity testing of tire-related particles by various researchers have been highly variable and depend on the test material used in the study, species tested, exposure concentrations, and endpoints evaluated, according to TIP and USTMA. Low levels of TRWP were measured in airborne particulate matter from high-traffic locations in Europe, Japan and the U.S. Specifically, TIP-sponsored studies into airborne TRWP have concluded that TRWP have a relatively low contribution to particulate matter of the size fractions of most significance to human health. To date, TIP-sponsored toxicity studies of airborne TRWP demonstrate that human health risk related to short-term cardiopulmonary effects is low, although additional research is needed to understand risk from longer-term exposures, TIP and USTMA said. TIP’s ongoing research includes extended scanning of TRWP presence in air, studying the degradation of TRWP in the environment, modeling TRWP fate and transport in environments such as air, rivers, soil, and oceans, and investigating the potential impact of long-term exposure to TRWP on organisms. Stakeholders come together to solve research challenges Understanding TRWP and their impacts is an ongoing subject of study that brings industry, academic and public-sector partners together — often with one novel discovery prompting a new wave of inquiry and testing. For example, researchers at the University of Washington and the Washington Stormwater Center published findings in 2020 suggesting a connection between exposure to a chemical called 6PPD-Quinone and coho salmon mortality. While 6PPD-Quinone is not used to make tires, the researchers discovered that 6PPD-Quinone may be created when the chemical 6PPD — an antioxidant and antiozonant that provides a key safety feature of preventing heat buildup inside tires — reacted with oxygen and ozone in the environment. Although earlier studies of 6PPD and its transformation products had not identified 6PPD-Quinone, “the discovery in Washington led USTMA to act quickly, requesting that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) pursue an alternatives analysis to assess whether there is a safer alternative to 6PPD in tires under the state’s green chemistry regulations,” USTMA said. USTMA also formed a global task force in collaboration with TIP and the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) to identify relevant data gaps related to this newly discovered chemical. And it says it’s “actively engaging with other researchers and stakeholders” to fill those gaps and identify effective treatment solutions to mitigate 6PPD-Quinone in stormwater. For example, the organization recently partnered with UC Berkeley's Greener Solutions Program, a project-based academic course supported by DTSC, the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where graduate students engaged in the study of possible alternatives to 6PPD that could ensure both tire safety and environmental protection. The USTMA also participates in working groups at the federal and state levels that are focused on identifying 6PPD-Quinone hot spots and pushing effective mitigation solutions forward. Another key barrier to further TRWP research – which includes the study of 6PPD-Quinone – is that scientists face limitations in creating representative tire tread particles for accurate study. To support researchers and their work, TIP created a methodology to produce cryogenically milled tire tread (CMTT) samples. These samples, created through a standardized laboratory process that grinds (or mills) tire tread, simulate tire particles that are normally generated by the friction between tires and road surfaces. This mix of tiny rubber pieces are representative of tire tread, but unlike TRWP, they do not contain elements arising from pavement or any interactions with pavement. “CMTT is not a direct replacement for TRWP in TRWP-related studies, but it allows researchers to study the tire tread component,” Rémont explained. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to reduce tire wear Many factors impact tire wear and the generation of TRWP — including tire design and vehicle characteristics like weight, distribution of load and location of driving wheels, as well as the type of road surface. Even things like weather and driving behavior can affect the production of TRWP. That means effective mitigation requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach. Industry stakeholders are already looking toward innovations in tire design, as well as the automotive, road construction and infrastructure value chains, to mitigate TRWP. For example, USTMA says its members are increasing the use of advanced compounds in tire tread, which helps to improve vehicle fuel efficiency leading to fuel savings, reduced vehicle CO2 emissions, and better tire wear performance. Incorporating sustainable infrastructure in roadway development can also provide long-term solutions for reducing TRWP. Specifically, USTMA is encouraged by the documented benefits of rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), an innovative paving material made from asphalt and ground end-of-life tires that has been shown to reduce tire wear by up to 50 percent. RMA also presents another potential opportunity to support a circular economy for tires. The Ray — a nonprofit pursuing net-zero roadway solutions on an 18-mile stretch of interstate highway in Georgia — recently partnered with USTMA and the University of Missouri to study rubber-modified asphalt. Along with installing the material on a one-mile stretch of the test highway, the study reviewed more than 300 scholarly sources and surveyed 26 state highway agencies — and it found the material to be a promising circular solution that repurposes scrap tires, cuts the carbon footprint of road construction, and reduces tire wear, among other benefits. Green infrastructure, such as stormwater infiltration galleries and rain gardens (also known as bioswales), has also proven effective in reducing the impact of potential pollutants and TRWP. For example, the San Francisco Estuary Institute found that microparticles were well captured by rain gardens, reducing microplastics in stormwater runoff by 91 percent. Stormwater infiltration galleries made with tire-derived aggregate have also been found to reduce stormwater pollutants and runoff. Finally, motorists can also help reduce the amount of TRWP produced by maintaining proper tire pressure and not driving aggressively. USTMA recommends that consumers check their tire pressure at least monthly to ensure proper inflation, which can also provide the added benefit of increased fuel efficiency. “Understanding any potential impacts of TRWP and solving for those is key to our sustainability strategy as we remain committed to reducing our environmental footprint and providing safe, high-performing products,” Forristall Luke of USTMA added. This article series is sponsored by the Tire Industry Project and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team. Members of the Tire Industry Project (in alphabetical order) are Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho Tire, Michelin, Pirelli, Sumitomo Rubber, Toyo Tires, and Yokohama Rubber. Image credit: helivideo/Adobe Stock View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from TriplePundit on 3blmedia.com

June 24, 2022 10:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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EcoVadis Secures $500M Investment to Usher in New Era of Sustainability-Led Business Decisions

EcoVadis

Investment led by Astorg and BeyondNetZero, General Atlantic’s Climate Investing Venture; Ratings and Insights Leader Leverages Sustainability Intelligence to Fundamentally Transform Supply Chains, Private Equity, ESG-linked Loans, Climate Impact and More NEW YORK and PARIS, June 15, 2022 /3BL Media/ - EcoVadis, the leading provider of business sustainability ratings, has raised $500M with plans to accelerate its vision of influencing every business decision with sustainability intelligence, becoming a sustainability impact unicorn. The global investment round – the largest equity fundraising for a sustainability data SaaS company to date – brings EcoVadis’ total capital raised to over $725M and was led by Astorg and BeyondNetZero, General Atlantic’s climate investing venture, with participation from Singapore-based GIC and Princeville Capital’s Climate Technology Fund. “This investment is validation of EcoVadis’ model for scaling impact across global value chains, despite the pandemic, geopolitical or financial headwinds," said Frédéric Trinel, co-founder and co-CEO of EcoVadis. “ We continue to experience record demand as more companies are empowered to integrate the planet and society into their business operations. We expect this investment to enable us to build on our traction to meet companies - including SMEs and private companies - at any stage of their sustainability journey, and collaboratively drive improvement in practices and impact at scale.” More than 95,000 businesses across 200 industry categories and 175 countries rely on EcoVadis to monitor and improve the sustainability performance of their own business and trading partners. Today, EcoVadis - a pioneer in the use of sustainability intelligence in procurement and global supply chains - is used across a growing number of use cases, including Scope 3 carbon emissions management, private equity, ESG-linked loans, supply chain finance, third-party risk and resilience and more. “We invest in companies that have the potential to combat climate change at scale,” said Rhea Hamilton, Managing Director at BeyondNetZero. “We believe EcoVadis has all the critical elements to make global impact and a meaningful contribution to the net zero transition, including a high-quality business model, strong leadership, innovative technology and a bold vision for driving ESG-oriented transformations across supply chains and industries. We are excited to back EcoVadis as the company enters a new phase of growth and look forward to partnering with its management team as we aim to further accelerate the company’s global expansion and climate impact.” EcoVadis continues to experience rapid growth across its global customer base and network. Over the past 18 months, EcoVadis’ revenue grew 50% and its global workforce rose by 105%, reaching 1300 employees, 15,000 companies engaged with EcoVadis' new Carbon Action Module, and more than 500,000 companies were screened using EcoVadis IQ. In addition to its own growth, EcoVadis has become a partner of choice in bringing sustainability intelligence into all key business decision points across its ecosystem of enterprise, procurement, financial and risk management platforms. Building on EcoVadis’ existing partnerships with Microsoft, SAP, Celonis, Coupa, Taulia and 40 others, this investment positions the company to scale impact and positively influence decision-makers around the world. “We have tracked EcoVadis for many years and have been impressed with its strong leadership position and track record of fast global growth”, said Benoit Ficheur, Partner at Astorg. “Further, Astorg has been the first private equity client of EcoVadis, using its services to assess and measure our portfolio companies’ ESG performance and to raise sustainability-linked financing. This partnership has had a transformative impact across our portfolio, contributing to making Astorg one of the leaders in ESG and sustainability across the private equity world. Going forward we see very meaningful opportunities to support the company in its ambition to become the standard for private equity and finance”. Previous funding rounds have included investments from CVC Growth Partners II (“CVC Growth Partners”) in January 2020 and Partech in 2016, as well as strategic participation from Bain & Company in February 2020. CVC Growth Partners, the growth-oriented middle-market technology investment arm of CVC Capital Partners, remains the largest institutional shareholder in the business. EcoVadis plans to leverage the funds to accelerate its global scale-up, deepen its artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, make strategic acquisitions and fulfill its vision as a purpose-led company. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2022 following regulatory approvals. For more information, visit www.ecovadis.com. About EcoVadis EcoVadis is a purpose-led company whose mission is to provide trusted business sustainability ratings. Businesses of all sizes rely on EcoVadis’ expert intelligence and evidence-based ratings to monitor and improve the sustainability performance of their business and trading partners. Its actionable scorecards, benchmarks, carbon action tools, and insights guide an improvement journey for environmental, social and ethical practices across 200 industry categories, 175 countries. Industry leaders such as Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, Unilever, LVMH, Salesforce, Bridgestone, BASF and JPMorgan are among the 95,000 businesses that collaborate with EcoVadis to drive resilience, sustainable growth and positive impact worldwide. Learn more on ecovadis.com, Twitter or LinkedIn. GP Bullhound acted as financial advisor to EcoVadis and its shareholders. About Astorg Astorg is a European private equity firm with over €17 billion of assets under management. Astorg works with entrepreneurs and management teams to acquire market leading global companies headquartered in Europe or the US, providing them with the strategic guidance, governance and capital they need to achieve their growth plans. Enjoying a distinct entrepreneurial culture, a long-term shareholder perspective and a lean decision-making body, Astorg has valuable industry expertise in healthcare, software, technology, business services and technology-based industrial companies. Astorg has offices in London, Paris, New York, Frankfurt, Milan and Luxembourg. About BeyondNetZero BeyondNetZero is the climate investing venture of General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm. BeyondNetZero invests in growth companies delivering innovative climate solutions that have the potential to meet and exceed net zero emissions targets, with a focus on decarbonization, energy efficiency, resource conservation and emissions management. This venture combines General Atlantic’s growth equity experience and global network with a team of experienced climate investors, advisors and industry executives who bring decades of experience in both addressing climate-focused problems and building pioneering growth companies. For more information on BeyondNetZero, please visit: https://beyond-net-zero.com. About General Atlantic General Atlantic is a leading global growth equity firm with more than four decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 445 growth companies throughout its history. Established in 1980 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and deliver lasting impact, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to scale innovative businesses around the world. General Atlantic currently has over $84 billion in assets under management inclusive of all products as of December 31, 2021, and more than 215 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Munich, Palo Alto, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Stamford. For more information on General Atlantic, please visit: www.generalatlantic.com. ### Press Inquiries US: Corporate Ink for EcoVadis 617-969-9192, ecovadis@corporateink.com Astorg Stéphanie Tabouis, Publicis Consultants stephanie.tabouis@publicisconsultants.com BeyondNetZero / General Atlantic Casey Gunkel media@generalatlantic.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from EcoVadis on 3blmedia.com

June 15, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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'You Were Made to do Amazing Things'

Regions Bank

By Mel Campbell “You were made to do amazing things.” It’s a phrase Eric Smith, a renowned financial literacy coach, uses with young people. It’s also a message that underlies the reason behind having him and other Regions associates go out into the community and share the basics of financial education. At the 2022 Regions Tradition, more than 20 students from Birmingham’s Wenonah High School were part of a special event held during the first round of the PGA TOUR Champions major. But their involvement wasn’t just to see the sights and sounds of pros playing at hall-of-fame levels. It was to see and experience something that each of them is working toward as a part of their education. The students – who are seniors and part of the Hospitality and Tourism Academy through the Alabama school – were also treated to overviews of event planning, sport sponsorship and the world of charitable giving as part of a whirlwind exposure to real-world experiences in their day at the tournament. The event was the brainchild of an effort between the Birmingham Education Foundation, which Regions supports, Regions Bank and the Hospitality and Tourism Academy at Wenonah High. “The best part of education is when you put what is being learned into action,” said Quiwintre Frye, director of programing and operations at the Birmingham Education Foundation. “Today, the students got to come to an event, one of the biggest in the area… (and see) examples of their careers and opportunities for them. Smith, who leads financial training sessions for athletes from college to the professional level, talked about the importance of saving money, and what saving means in the long run. Using the simple math of saving $20 for some 50 years, he showed the kids what that could mean: $1.33 million And like he told them, “Money grows a certain way.” He followed up that wise observation by providing an explanation of credit scores, the use of debit and credit cards, and basic budgeting – providing fun examples and interactive games that kept the students involved and competing for prizes. “I really liked the cup game. I learned about credit scores, and that a good number is in the 700s,” said student Katona Jackson. “One thing I learned was the 80-10-10 rule,” said De’Avonte Shanks. “I was already saving for a car, about 30 percent, but I understand that it important to put money away in case the unexpected happens.” The students ended the day taking in great golf, awesome weather and a bit more aware of what they need to do manage their finances, as they begin to navigate their post-high school world. Did You Know? Regions and its associates continued their commitment to financial education in 2021, leading 124,000 financial education workshops. For more information, check out Regions’ Community Engagement Report. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com

May 18, 2022 01:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Foresight to Host a Virtual Investor Webinar: Market Trends and Its Solutions for the Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Era

Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd.

Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX) (“Foresight” or the “Company”), an innovator in automotive vision systems, today announced that the Company will host a virtual investor webinar titled “Market Trends and Foresight’s Solutions for the Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Era”, on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 12:00 PM ET. Interested participants are invited to register in advance by clicking here. During the webinar, leading executives will review the hottest market trends and latest technological developments in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Learn how Foresight’s and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd.’s (“Eye-Net”) technologies gain traction worldwide, while enhancing road safety by reducing accidents involving vehicles and vulnerable road users. This webinar will provide valuable insight into how Foresight and Eye-Net are well positioned to lead urban solutions optimizing public space and serving citizens around the world. Speakers and Agenda: 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM - The Renaissance of Stereo Vision in ADAS and Autonomous Vehicles. Speaker: Christian Weber, Head of Advanced Engineering ADAS of Continental ADAS 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM - Integrating Foresight into the World of Autonomous Vehicles. Speaker: Doron Cohadier, VP Business Development of Foresight 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM – Changing the Road Safety Paradigm by Foreseeing Beyond Line of Sight. Speaker: Dror Elbaz, COO & Deputy CEO of Eye-Net 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM – Q&A Session For more information regarding this event, please visit Foresight’s Investor Relations page here. About Foresight Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX) is a technology company developing smart multi-spectral vision software solutions and cellular-based applications. Through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Foresight Automotive Ltd., Foresight Changzhou Automotive Ltd. and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., Foresight develops both “in-line-of-sight” vision systems and “beyond-line-of-sight” accident-prevention solutions. Foresight’s vision solutions include modules of automatic calibration and dense three-dimensional (3D) point cloud that can be applied to different markets such as automotive, defense, autonomous vehicles and heavy industrial equipment. Eye-Net Mobile’s cellular-based solution suite provides real-time pre-collision alerts to enhance road safety and situational awareness for all road users in the urban mobility environment by incorporating cutting-edge AI technology and advanced analytics. For more information about Foresight and its wholly owned subsidiary, Foresight Automotive, visit www.foresightauto.com, follow @ForesightAuto1 on Twitter, or join Foresight Automotive on LinkedIn. Contact Details Investor Relations Contact: Miri Segal-Scharia, CEO, MS-IR LLC +1 917-607-8654 msegal@ms-ir.com Company Website https://www.foresightauto.com/

May 09, 2022 08:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Powering Customers Forward in an Era of Data, Digitization, and Decarbonization

NRG Energy

By Robert Gaudette Executive Vice President, NRG Business The energy market is in transition. Change and disruption are at hand. For the businesses we serve, I see that as a good thing. It’s my team’s job to help educate customers on possibilities in the energy space, helping them to move forward. To do that requires our most important asset — expertise. Knowledge and perspective allow us to match the right energy solution to the right customer. It also means getting inside each business we serve — with a real understanding of their energy use, current objectives, and future goals. That’s expertise, too. As we embrace change and use our expertise to guide customers, here are four trends I see impacting their energy decisions: The impacts of climate change — In an era of extreme weather events, and the energy market volatility that can result, our ability to guide businesses to energy solutions that bring resilience, stability, and control to their operations is more valuable than ever. Access to data and digitization — The explosion of information and the means to access it opens all kinds of possibilities. Simplification is a valuable outcome here, taking shape in hands-on tools like the online energy portals we provide, and in bigger solutions that can turn energy managers into even more effective data managers. Progress toward decarbonization — The rise of renewable energy has happened for many reasons. Affordability due to steadily lower costs is one. So is our ability to find approaches that make clean energy an easy, simple, stable, and effective option. Rise of electrification — Many customers are electrifying their operations, particularly as electric vehicles emerge, and more companies transition to EV fleets. Our role is to help make that transition cost-effective and seamless for fleet managers. The biggest idea of all Making customers a central focus is the right thing to do and an idea all of us at NRG have taken on without hesitation. In my mind, that means always asking the questions: “How do we create value for the businesses we serve?” and “How do we make it simple for our customers to take advantage of new opportunities?” Technology is exciting. Delivering results is even better. Bringing these two elements together with a customer-focused approach is how we can best serve businesses and elevate their energy future. Learn more about NRG Energy here View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from NRG Energy on 3blmedia.com

April 28, 2022 04:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Non-opioid Solution Driving the Next Era of Pain Management

Boston Scientific

“Pain is one of the most common reasons for a patient to visit the doctor, yet it’s one of the most under-treated and poorly treated issues,” says Dr. Nilesh Patel, vice president of medical affairs for Boston Scientific, a medical device company headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., that develops and manufactures devices and therapies for pain management. “As a result, most patients end up suffering needlessly.” Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the opioid epidemic, and the need for a broader menu of non-opioid treatment options has never been greater. AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) has been used for decades to treat chronic pain, but thanks to recent innovation, now doctors can better personalize therapy and work with patients to optimize treatment. The Boston Scientific WaveWriter Alpha SCS System provides multiple therapy options that can be used in combination to help patients find relief. Some address pain with a mild tingling sensation, while others use a type of stimulation patients don’t feel at all. The device provides immediate relief through an advancement called Fast-Acting Sub-perception or FAST therapy. Instead of waiting days or weeks to feel results, “a patient will know before they leave the office whether or not this therapy is going to work for them,” Patel says. View the full article here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3blmedia.com

April 20, 2022 09:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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A New Era of Un-carrier

T-Mobile

By Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile Two years into this merger, and by pretty much any objective measure, we are proving the thesis that we fought so hard for. In our opening statement about our strategy for this merger, we laid out why a combined company was in the best interest of consumers who have always had to unfairly choose value, experience OR network. We also explained why only the combined resources of T-Mobile and Sprint could address this age-old dilemma and truly deliver the full promise of the 5G future. Together we would be the best in the world at connecting customers to their world and become a force for change in this ever-crazy industry of ours. We’ve done just that, and I am incredibly proud of all that we’ve accomplished! Today, healthy price and quality competition has delivered all sorts of goodness for American consumers in the form of better connectivity, more value and greater experiences. Because we held true to our deeply rooted belief that we could defy the odds, we are creating a better wireless industry for consumers. I’m also really proud of another program that is delivering for those who didn’t have options before. Project 10Million has been fulfilling our bold aspiration to ensure no student is left behind without access to reliable connectivity. We set out an audacious plan to deliver free or highly subsidized connectivity, and so far we’ve done just that for more than 3.2 million students. This program and others like it demonstrate the meaningful difference that T-Mobile and its unique 5G network can make in today’s society. We do it with the most capable, empathetic, customer-loving team in the wireless industry. Across Retail, Care, Engineering and more, Team Magenta is the heart, soul, face and voice of this company. T-Mobile thrives because of them. And we’re continuing to grow this team of customer-obsessed heroes. We hired thousands of employees in 2021 and will keep bringing in more diverse talent whose various backgrounds, skillsets and experiences will continue to drive our business. Continue reading here View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from T-Mobile on 3blmedia.com

April 05, 2022 03:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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