CEMEX Completes Deployment of CEMEX Go with Customers Worldwide

MONTERREY, Mexico -Friday 31 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

    CEMEX Go is a cutting-edge digital solution for customers’ business needs.
    Underscores CEMEX’s commitment to providing a superior customer experience through digital technology.

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (“CEMEX”) (NYSE: CX) announced today that it has successfully completed the deployment of its CEMEX Go platform, setting the foundation for a higher standard of customer service in the global building materials industry. CEMEX is committed to proactively developing innovative products and cutting-edge solutions to help fulfill its customers’ business needs. The ongoing success of CEMEX Go is a testament to the company’s customer-centric commitment and relentless focus on continuous innovation and improvement.

Fernando A. Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of CEMEX, said: “We are incredibly proud that our vision of providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technology has been deployed to our customers around the world. CEMEX Go has proven itself as a game changer, an established and essential tool for our customers, accessible anywhere, any time to help them run their businesses with increased efficiency.”

Mr. Gonzalez continued: “And we will not stop here. We are still only in the initial stages of an ongoing digital transformation within CEMEX to provide customers with an unparalleled omnichannel experience and to reinvent the building materials industry from the ground up. We will continue evolving CEMEX Go in order to keep enhancing the service we provide to our customers.”

Significant CEMEX Go milestones reached to date include:

    Now available in 21 countries.
    96% of the company’s total recurring customers are using CEMEX Go.
    45% of CEMEX’s total global sales are processed through CEMEX Go.
    Over 500,000 payments completed through the platform on an annualized basis.
    1.5 million deliveries using CEMEX Go on an annualized basis.

CEMEX Go is a transformative, state-of-the-art digital solution that automates order-to-cash workflows, enabling CEMEX’s customers to purchase products, track deliveries and manage orders seamlessly in real time. The platform creates a superior customer experience to anything that has been offered in the past and is the only platform of its kind in the global building materials industry. In addition, CEMEX Go keeps transforming the role of the company’s salesforce, allowing them to dedicate more time to better serve customers.

With CEMEX Go, customers can control all aspects of their business relationship with CEMEX, empowering them with self-reliance and complete control of their orders 24/7. Moreover, CEMEX Go is a fully secure and trusted digital solution that makes customers’ lives easier, gives quick access to detailed information, and provides in-depth analytics and business insights, allowing them to make more informed decisions and streamline their experience.

CEMEX Go is a CEMEX R&D, Innovation and Business Development project developed by its global R&D collaboration network, headed by CEMEX Research Centers, based in Switzerland.

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high quality products and reliable services. CEMEX has a rich history of improving the wellbeing of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future. For more information on CEMEX, please visit: www.cemex.com

Follow us on: facebook.com/cemex, twitter.com/cemex, instagram.com/cemex/, youtube.com/cemex

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of CEMEX or the transaction herein described to be materially different from those expressed or implied in this release, including not satisfying all customary closing conditions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. CEMEX assumes no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this press release. CEMEX is not responsible for the content of any third-party website or webpage referenced to or accessible through this press release.



View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190530005139/en/

Contacts

Media Relations
Jorge Perez
+52 (81) 8888-4334
mr@cemex.com

Investor Relations
Eduardo Rendon
+52 (81) 8888-4256
ir@cemex.com

Analyst Relations
Lucy Rodriguez
+1 (212) 317-6007
ir@cemex.com

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UAE-Jordan Strategic Partnership in Government Modernization Launches One Million Jordanian Coders Initiative

Amman, Jordan,-Friday 31 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

The Jordanian capital Amman witnessed the launch of the One Million Jordanian Coders initiative under the patronage and in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II as part of a strategic partnership in government modernization between the UAE and Jordan.

A high-level UAE delegation led by His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, attended the launch.

One Million Jordanian Coders seeks to train young Jordanians in coding to enable them to keep pace with the rapid developments in computer science and increase their competitiveness in the job market. The initiative aims to equip them with the necessary tools to serve the future needs of the country, spearhead the development of its digital economy and bridge the existing digital gap in the Arab world to make Jordan one of the most advanced countries in coding.

The initiative is inspired by the One Million Arab Coders initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that aspires to contribute to restoring the Arab civilization to its former greatness, elevate the status of the region and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage. It also seeks to stimulate innovation in young people, invest in their capabilities and empower them to take on an active role in building a knowledge-based economy.

Managed by the Crown Prince Foundation, the One Million Jordanian Coders initiative, hosted in partnership with Microsoft, Udacity, Facebook and Bayt.com, includes the launch of an online platform that offers free training courses for young people in Jordan interested in developing their digital skills across different domains.

Creating a virtual home for a community of coding students, educators and experts, the platform features online coding courses that provide successful participants with accredited certificates, as well as e-forums for those interested in coding, and listings of available coding jobs for certified graduates. Students who excel in the courses can also receive scholarships for internationally recognized training programs.

At a later stage, the initiative will provide an opportunity for exceptional graduates to become world-class software developers through free advanced six-month training courses. Graduates will receive a globally accredited coding certificate.

Contacts

APCO Worldwide

Tasnim Hijazi, Senior Account Manager, +971521607687

thijazi@apcoworldwide.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/uae-jordan-strategic-partnership-in-government-modernization-launches-one-million-jordanian-coders-initiative/en

Zynga Launches First-of-its-Kind Game of Thrones® Slots Casino

 New Mobile Game Celebrates the Series with Stunning Visuals and Standout Social Features

SAN FRANCISCO -Friday 31 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Zynga Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNGA), a global leader in interactive entertainment, announced that Game of Thrones Slots Casino has launched globally on the App Store and Google Play, with versions for Facebook and the Amazon Appstore coming soon. A new entry to Zynga’s social casino portfolio, the game transports players to the realm of Westeros for an authentic, social slots experience inspired by the acclaimed Game of Thrones television series from HBO®.

In Game of Thrones Slots Casino, players are immersed in the epic drama, arresting dialogue, iconic characters and driving musical themes of the series. From cliffhanger moments across the Seven Kingdoms, to sweeping landscapes and locations like The Wall, the best-in-class slots gameplay is infused with the fire and ice atmosphere of Westeros and its most illustrious inhabitants, including Cersei, Jaime, and Tyrion Lannister and House Stark members, Sansa, Arya, and Jon Snow.

“As longtime fans of the series, Zynga is honored to contribute to the Game of Thrones universe, and honor-bound to provide players with an experience that reflects the scale, scope, intensity, and community of the series,” said Bernard Kim, President of Publishing at Zynga. “The visual and audio design of the game truly evokes marquee moments from the series, and with our House-themed social features, players can band together to chase the throne themselves. Westeros lives on!”

Exciting social features and in-game chat in Game of Thrones Slots Casino allow players to band together to seek the seat of power and all of its rewards. By joining or forming their own House, players work with their brethren to rally through an interactive map of the Seven Kingdoms. In the weekly ‘For the Throne’ challenge, Houses are challenged to conquer each territory in turn, in a play to rule them all. The player from the victorious House that stays on top until the end of the challenge gains the right to sit atop the Iron Throne – until a new challenger claims the crown.

Game Features:

    Authentic Game of Thrones atmosphere. Slots casino gameplay is steeped with the sounds, characters, environments and ethos of Westeros, including unforgettable dialogue such as “Winter is coming.”
    Best-in-class slots features. Spin on exciting, Game of Thrones-themed machines, featuring real-word mechanics like Progressive Jackpots, Bursting Wilds and more.
    Join a House and reap the rewards. Gain advantages and rewards by joining or forming a House with other players, collecting coins for every housemate’s win.
    Strategize, scheme, align. Connect and conspire with friends via the in-game chat at any time, even when spinning the slots.
    Collect iconic cards. Spin to earn and level up cards featuring characters from the series, from the adventurous Arya Stark, to Jon Snow’s beloved companion wolf, Ghost. Collect all of the cards to earn a massive in-game reward.

Game of Thrones Slots Casino is now available for free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and Google Play for Android devices. Visit www.gameofthronesslotscasino.com for more information and follow Game of Thrones Slots Casino on Instagram and Facebook.

About Zynga Inc.

Zynga is a global leader in interactive entertainment with a mission to connect the world through games. To date, more than one billion people have played Zynga’s franchises including CSR Racing™, Empires & Puzzles™, Merge Dragons!™, Words With Friends™ and Zynga Poker™. Zynga’s games are available in more than 150 countries and are playable across social platforms and mobile devices worldwide. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with locations in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, India, Turkey and Finland. For more information, visit www.zynga.com or follow Zynga on Twitter and Facebook.

About HBO Licensing & Retail

HBO Licensing & Retail, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., partners with best-in-class licensees around the world to give HBO's global audience new and exciting ways to engage with their favorite shows. The division leverages iconic, award-winning HBO programs such as Game of Thrones, VEEP, Sex and the City, Silicon Valley, Insecure, The Sopranos, Big Little Lies, True Blood and more to create officially licensed consumer products, innovative merchandise programs, retail activations and live immersive experiences. HBO Licensing & Retail works across a broad range of product categories, including collectibles, apparel, publishing, live branded experiences, digital gaming, fashion and beauty collaborations, luxury accessories, and beyond. Officially licensed HBO merchandise can be purchased in retail stores around the world and online in the US at http://store.hbo.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190530005142/en/

Contacts

Dana Whitney
dwhitney@zynga.com | (415) 359-7006

Or

Kjell Vistad | Gilberto Williams-Gamboa
ONE PR Studio (for Zynga in the US) / zynga@oneprstudio.com / (510) 893-3271


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/zynga-launches-first-of-its-kind-game-of-thronesreg-slots-casino/en

GSMA Reveals Shortlist for 2019 Asia Mobile Awards

HONG KONG -Friday 31 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The GSMA today announced the nominees for the 2019 Asia Mobile Awards (AMO Awards). Winners of the AMO Awards will be honoured at MWC19 Shanghai during the AMO Awards Ceremony and Networking Reception which takes place Thursday, 27 June on the Leaders Stage, Hall N5 at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre (SNIEC).

“We congratulate all nominees for the 2019 AMO Awards,” said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd. “The AMOs recognise the region’s leading companies, individuals, products and services that are revolutionising the capabilities and reach of mobile and digital technology. We wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck and look forward to unveiling the winners at MWC19 Shanghai.”

For 2019, 50 nominees have been shortlisted for 10 awards across six categories to honour the greatest achievements and innovations across the Asian mobile industry. The AMO Awards are judged by nearly 70 world-leading independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics from almost 20 countries and regions and, in some cases, mobile operator representatives. For information on AMO judging panel, visit: www.mwcshanghai.com/conference-programmes/asia-mobile-awards/2019-judges/.

Award Categories and Presentations
This year’s award categories and presentations include:

    “Mobile Tech”, “Consumer”, “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, “Social Good” and “Outstanding Achievement”, which will be presented in the AMO Awards Ceremony and Networking Reception at 17:00 on Thursday, 27 June in Hall N5, SNIEC;
    “Women4Tech – Asian Industry Leadership Award”, which will be announced during Women4Tech Summit on Thursday, 27 June at 13:30; and
    “4YFN Award Shanghai 2019”, which will be presented at 4YFN exhibition hall on Friday, 28 June, at Hall E7, SNIEC, starting at 14:00, the five finalists will be invited to present in front of the judges, investors and audience to compete for the award.

Full details of the schedule and presentations are available at: www.mwcshanghai.com/conference-programmes/asia-mobile-awards/onsite-presentations/.

Supporting Partners for the AMO Awards include 36kr, Asia Pacific Daily, AVING News, Smart Cities Association and Yesky. Space and Tomato is the sponsor of the Mobile Tech award category. Full list of nominees, as well as additional information on the AMO Awards, is available at: www.mwcshanghai.com/conference-programmes/asia-mobile-awards/nominee-shortlist/.

Register and Get Involved at MWC19 Shanghai
Registration to attend MWC19 Shanghai is now open, for information on registration and pass types, please visit: www.mwcshanghai.com/attend/register/.

For more information on MWC19 Shanghai, including how to attend, exhibit, partner or sponsor, visit www.mwcshanghai.com. Follow developments and updates on MWC19 Shanghai through our social media channels – follow us on Twitter at @GSMA and use #MWC19, get regular updates through our LinkedIn Showcase Page at www.linkedin.com/showcase/mwcshanghai/, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mwcshanghai. In China, you can follow us on Sina Weibo weibo.com/mwcshanghai or search “GSMA_MWCS” in WeChat.

About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190530005317/en/

Contacts

For the GSMA
April Tsui
+852 2533 9956
atsui@webershandwick.com

Beau Bass
+44 79 7662 4962
beau.bass@webershandwick.com

MWC19 Shanghai Press Office
press@mwcshanghai.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/gsma-reveals-shortlist-for-2019-asia-mobile-awards/en

Alaka’i Technologies Launches World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Air Mobility System

Skai is Uniquely Designed to Change the Way the World Moves

HOPKINTON, Mass.-Thursday 30 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Alaka’i Technologies unveiled Skai, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered air mobility solution designed to transform the way the world moves. From its sleek, uncluttered design, radically simple and safe electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, to its fuel source - a system that runs entirely on hydrogen fuel cells - Skai is poised to be one of the safest, cleanest and most versatile air mobility solutions introduced to the world.

Skai’s core team members are nationally-recognized aerospace experts, engineers, and veteran pilots who have served in top-level positions at NASA, Raytheon, Beech, Cirrus, DayJet, and the Department of Defense who collaborated on the vision of solving some of the world’s most-pressing global challenges across transportation, energy and the environment. Skai is co-designed by Designworks, the design innovation studio for the BMW Group, to leverage its creative expertise to help shape a world-class vehicle. The result is Skai, stripped away of all unnecessary complexity, waste and possible points of failure, leaving the most essential elements for the craft and optimizing them for the most intuitive experience.

“This remarkably impressive team have come together to build on our collective experience to finally realize our singular, critical vision to launch Skai and transform transportation,” said Brian Morrison, Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer of Alaka’i Technologies. “Skai offers practical, real-life solutions to everything from relieving traffic congestion to delivering supplies during natural disasters. Skai is set to offer affordable, realistic applications in the commercial, private, freight, and personal air mobility markets.”

The heart of Skai, and one of its most revolutionary features, is the use of hydrogen fuel cells, a clean environmental solution from end to end. With the advantage of being 95% reusable and the remaining (99%) recyclable, Skai’s hydrogen fuel cells offer reliable, safe and environmentally clean emission comprised solely of heat and water. This is a stark alternative to traditional fuel and battery sources. Hydrogen fuel cells allow Skai to travel further distances and carry a greater payload.

“Air mobility is a very exciting and fascinating topic,” said Holger Hampf, President of Designworks. “Our focus for this project was to help build a new consumer facing brand from scratch - considering and designing all touchpoints - digital, physical and service. And as a result, delivering an all-encompassing user-centric experience which is purposeful and highly desirable in all aspects.”

Alaka’i Technologies has initiated their test program with the FAA. Pending certification, Skai will create new possibilities in personal mobility for everyone, efficient emergency responses, economical freight distribution, and the utilization of hydrogen fuel cells as a highly reliable, zero-emission power source.

Skai Highlights Include:

• Co-designed by Designworks with inherent quality craftsmanship
• Powered by clean hydrogen fuel cells, with zero emissions
• Range: Up to 4 Hours, ~400 Miles
• Six reliable, quiet, efficient electric motors with designed-in redundancy
• Seats up to five passengers
• Reliable, fault-tolerant architecture for safety and security
• Piloted version launched first, with autonomous versions to follow
• Designed for the ultimate in safety, with an Airframe Parachute

For more information: http://skai.co.

ABOUT ALAKA’I

Alaka’i Technologies is an emerging air mobility design and manufacturing company, headquartered in Hopkinton MA. Founded by Brian Morrison in 2015, Alaka’i Technologies assembled a distinguished executive team with decades of aerospace development, production, executive and airspace integration experience (NASA, Raytheon, Beech Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas, Hughes, DayJet, SATSAir, Cirrus, Metro Aviation, Delta Airlines) and FAA certification experience. Working together since the 1990’s on industry-defining projects such as the NASA AGATE and SATS Programs, they also built and flew the world’s first-ever Fly-By-Light aircraft. Today, the Alaka'i team is engineering proprietary, progressive air mobility solutions to offer point A-to-Anywhere transportation that are clean, simple, safe, and accessible for everyone. Ultimately, transforming transportation through hydrogen-powered mobility.

ABOUT DESIGNWORKS

Designworks is the design innovation studio for the BMW Group. Designworks is ‘the architect of future’ — designing holistic systems that impact and improve the world we live in. Designworks inspires and challenges the companies it works with to be and stay at the forefront of their industries in design, technology and innovation. For 25 years it has been stimulating the BMW Group as well as a select group of companies with ambitious visions for the future.

Contacts

John Moore
Press@alakai.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/alakarsquoi-technologies-launches-worldrsquos-first-hydrogen-powered-air-mobility-system/en

Binance and Cred Partner to Bring Decentralized Financial Services and LBA to Binance Chain

The largest cryptocurrency exchange and the leading platform for crypto lending and borrowing will offer Cred’s services to the Binance ecosystem

SAN FRANCISCO-Thursday 30 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and developer of proprietary blockchain Binance Chain, and Cred, the leading platform for crypto lending and borrowing, today announced an agreement to work together to spur the decentralization of finance. As part of the agreement, Cred will migrate a portion of its ERC20 LBA tokens to Binance Chain and will become the official lending and borrowing platform for the DeFi ecosystem. As both an investor and partner in Cred, Binance will also look for opportunities to leverage and support Cred’s industry-leading services within the Binance ecosystem.

“We are delighted to be working with Cred to help scale their efforts to more markets and users around the world through the power of the Binance Chain, which has a one-second block time and will ensure transactions and interactions by Cred’s users will be fast, efficient and effortless,” said Ted Lin, Chief Growth Officer of Binance.

Cred is a licensed lender, based in California and has secured over $300 million in lending capital. Cred enables crypto wallet providers, custodians, exchanges and crypto application providers the ability to offer some of the most competitive lending and borrowing rates in the industry. This year, Cred has announced partnerships with several influential organizations and custodians in the crypto community. Cred LBA holders will be able to commit their crypto to a fixed term and have the option to rollover assets for additional periods. Customers receive the best rates when staking Cred’s LBA token. No account minimum is needed and interest is paid out in Stablecoin. The principal is paid back in the crypto amounts that were initially received.

“Binance has been a strong partner and investor from Cred’s inception and we are very happy to support Binance Chain and continue to collaborate with Binance to bring decentralized finance to everyone in a sustainable way,” said Dan Schatt, Co-Founder of Cred. “We look forward to continuing the Cred-Binance partnership.”

Cred is backed by some of the largest investors in crypto and tech including Binance Labs, 500 Startups, Arrington XRP Capital, Blocktower and FBG Capital. Cred is also a founding member of the Universal Protocol Alliance, a board member of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition.

About Cred:

Cred is a decentralized global lending platform that facilitates open access to credit anywhere and anytime. Founded by former PayPal financial technology veterans, Cred has secured over $300 million of lending capital with offices in San Francisco and Shanghai. Cred’s mission is to harness the power of blockchain to allow everyone to benefit from low-cost credit products. Cred brings together a diverse team of entrepreneurial leaders, machine learning, and the power of blockchain technology. For more information, visit mycred.io or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, or join our community on Telegram.

About Binance

Binance is a blockchain ecosystem comprised of several arms to serve the greater mission of blockchain advancement and the freedom of money. The Binance ecosystem is comprised of Binance Exchange (the leading global cryptocurrency exchange), Labs (venture capital arm and incubator), Launchpad (token sale platform), Academy (educational portal), Research (market analysis), Charity Foundation (blockchain-powered donation platform and non-profit for aiding in sustainability) and Trust Wallet (Binance’s official multi-coin wallet and dApps browser), as well as Binance Chain, a blockchain software system developed by Binance and the community.

To learn more visit:

www.mycred.io

www.binance.com

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190529005333/en/

Contacts

Addison Huegel
addison@blockpr.io

Winnie Kong
pr@binance.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/binance-and-cred-partner-to-bring-decentralized-financial-services-and-lba-to-binance-chain/en

As a Global Partner of Manchester City, Truxtun Capital Officially Launches the Wega City Supporter’s Card - the World’s First Commercial Deployment of a FIDO Certified Payment Card

Innovative Know-Your-Customer process and strong multi-factor authenticators: The winning combination of the next generation payment platform.


GENEVA & PARIS-Thursday 30 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- With its Wega 3DSA 2.0 product, Truxtun Capital has reached an unachieved milestone in the payment industry by releasing the first broadly available FIDO® Certified, multi-factor strong authentication payment solution for consumers. The Geneva-based Fintech uniquely combines several technologies in a mobile app, City Wega, available now on iOS.

Truxtun Capital’s exclusive white label technology solution is leveraging European and global security requirements with a unique online on-boarding and identity validation process. The Wega payment solution developed by Truxtun Capital provides customers with mobile, virtual and physical card products in a simple user experience. Each customer takes control of their own digital identity and security profile on a mobile phone, while activating security credentials such as personalised codes, customer-selected biometrics, and a FIDO, EMV and Mastercard-compliant secure payment card.

Strong customer authentication and secure management of customer identity combats payment fraud, and provides more trust in financial services.

In giving the customer full control of authentication methods, this solution, while reducing fraud, helps banks and eFinance institutions to increase their overall service value and usage. Typical customer usage includes secure access to financial applications and services, access to bank account balances, card to card transfers, third party payments and much more.

With Truxtun Capital’s white label technology, Financial Service Providers can leverage identity profiles and trusted strong authentication in order to ensure safe message and document deliveries to their customers. Each trusted identity account encloses a secure data repository (electronic safe box) used to store customers’ personal and financial documentation, including financial statements, payment slips, transfer notices, and approved customer confirmations.

The Wega City Supporter’s Card is Available Now

This state-of-the-art payment method is currently available through Truxtun Capital’s Wega partnership with Manchester City Football Club. Fans and interested parties alike can download the iOS City Wega app, available in the UK, and order a Wega City Supporter’s Card fully equipped with all of the specs listed above, including patented Acoustic Technology. Wega 3DSA 2.0’s patented payment card with Acoustic technology is a cutting edge solution to prove the card is present at the time of any digital transaction by using a secret element issued by the card itself, a dynamic and different set of notes delivered by a press of the Mastercard logo on the card. The sound is unique every single time and is accepted through the Wega mobile app, to provide proof of approval of purchase, almost exactly like giving the card itself at the moment of purchase. This feature is currently being used as an option for logging into the app, but is earmarked for future use in completing and validating purchases.

Truxtun’s Wega Card is FIDO Certified, which means it has been validated as complying with FIDO specifications for simpler and cryptographically secure consumer authentication.

Truxtun Capital’s next steps

Truxtun Capital is conducting a continuous market evolution watch, and systematic innovation research in various fields such as:

3DS Secure friction-less authentication, and proven customer confirmation documents
Convergence between virtual and physical world authentication solutions, in a search to optimise biometric usage and its components
Truxtun Capital's groundbreaking field and intelligence analysis are being achieved with the sole purpose of a transparent technology strategy in identity management and financial information security.

Patrick Moynier, President of Truxtun Capital said:

“We are very pleased that the Wega City Supporter’s Card, already well in advance of the requirement to adapt to new banking regulations introduced in Europe for strong customer authentication, fully meets all standards and new requirements today, here and now, offering a unique product to all regulatory requirements of PSD2 and the RTS (Regulatory Technical Standards), eIDAS and GDPR.”

Andrew Shikiar, Chief Marketing Officer of the FIDO Alliance, said:

“Truxtun’s Acoustic technology introduces an innovative way to provide simpler and stronger FIDO Authentication to consumers making digital transactions. With the Wega City Supporter’s Card now available, City fans will benefit from the strong security, privacy and convenience that FIDO Authentication provides.”



About Truxtun Capital

Truxtun Capital has developed a state-of-the-art financial payment solution and digital platform, providing the most robust and secure payment method on the market. Through the City Wega app, Truxtun Capital offers a FIDO Certified Mastercard with patented Acoustic Technology, and advanced security features which include biometric verifications - making it virtually impossible for anyone to access your account other than you.

About the FIDO Alliance

The FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance, fidoalliance.org was formed in July 2012 to address the lack of interoperability among strong authentication technologies, and remedy the problems users face with creating and remembering multiple usernames and passwords. The FIDO Alliance is changing the nature of authentication with standards for simpler, stronger authentication that define an open, scalable, interoperable set of mechanisms that reduce reliance on passwords. FIDO Authentication is stronger, more private, and easier to use when authenticating to online services.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190529005144/en/

Contacts
Nikhita Dunphy, nikhita.dunphy@truxtuncapital.com, +33 7 67 69 44 72
www.truxtuncapital.com
www.wegamc.com


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Ascend Offers EV Safety, Performance Solutions in Chinaplas Presentation

HOUSTON-Wednesday 29 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ascend Performance Materials, one of the largest fully integrated producers of polyamide 66 resin, recently presented on PA66 solutions for electric vehicles at Chinaplas 2019. The presentation focused on improving EV safety, reliability and performance using PA66.

The presentation is the latest demonstration of Ascend’s growing presence in Asia. Last fall the company strengthened leadership in the region with the hiring of Dr. Kevin Wu to lead Ascend’s Asia-Pacific region.

Global EV sales grew by 62 percent last year, with China accounting for over half of all EVs sold in 2018. But EVs still lag behind internal combustion engine vehicles, largely due to concerns around range and safety.

“China is currently the biggest EV market and is driving the trend to transition away from ICE vehicles. However, the technology is still evolving – consumers are expecting more in the areas of EV safety, reliability and performance. For EV adoption to continue, we need to meet these expectations and support our customers in China and throughout Asia,” said Wu, Ascend’s senior vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific.

The company offers a number of Vydyne® PA66 solutions for EVs, from its corrosion-resistant J series for electrical connectors to its impact-modified grades that protect EV battery cells from puncture.

“PA66 is an excellent material for lightweighting, battery protection and cooling, and fast charging applications. Our PA66 is currently being used in commercial EVs, which see more regular, continuous use than personal vehicles,” added Wu.

To better communicate with customers, Ascend recently launched its website in local language ascendpm.com.cn. The company also established a dedicated WeChat account (Ascend Performance Materials).

Ascend’s EV presentation is available on the company’s website at ascendmaterials.com/EV.

About Ascend Performance Materials

Ascend Performance Materials is a global premium provider of high-quality plastics, fibers and chemicals and is the world’s largest integrated producer of PA66 resin. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Ascend has nine global locations, including five fully-integrated manufacturing facilities located in the southeastern United States and an engineering plastics compounding facility in Europe, all dedicated to the innovation and safe production of PA66. With three of the world’s largest chemical processing facilities, Ascend’s materials form the building blocks for products used in everyday applications from apparel to airbags, cable ties to circuit boards and carpets to car parts. Ascend’s 2,600-person global workforce is committed to making a difference in the communities we serve and leading the development of PA66 solutions that inspire everyone, everywhere, every day.

Together, we’re making a difference.
Together, we’re inspiring everyday.

More information about Ascend can be found at www.ascendmaterials.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190528005562/en/

Contacts

Alison Jahn, 713-210-9809
ajahn@ascendmaterials.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/ascend-offers-ev-safety-performance-solutions-in-chinaplas-presentation/en

MPEG LA Introduces One-Stop License for EV Charging

Initial Patent Owners Include GE, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Robert Bosch, and Siemens

DENVER -Wednesday 29 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MPEG LA, LLC today announced the availability of the EV Charging Patent Portfolio License (“EV Charging License” or “License”) providing one-stop access to technologies underlying worldwide standards for conductive AC and DC charging, connection, communication and safety used in equipment that provides electric charging in and to electric vehicles. Standards used in China, Europe, India, Japan and the US are included.

“Just as MPEG LA’s one-stop licenses addressed the market’s need for efficient and affordable access to technologies that introduced ubiquity to the digital video age,” said Larry Horn, President and CEO of MPEG LA, “we are pleased to offer efficient and affordable access to innovative technologies in the emerging EV industry that will allow for the wide adoption of interoperable EV charging infrastructure so critical to its deployment.”

The initial patent owners to MPEG LA’s EV Charging License are GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.; Robert Bosch GmbH; and Siemens AG.

“We commend these companies for their foresight, initiative and cooperation in making possible a joint license for the benefit of the worldwide EV Charging marketplace,” said Dan Abraham, MPEG LA Vice President, Science and Business Strategy. “We welcome other owners of EV Charging technology to join them in offering one-stop access to their technologies covered by these standards through MPEG LA’s EV Charging License.”

The EV Charging License agreement and a summary of the License terms may be obtained here.

MPEG LA’s objective is to offer worldwide access to as much EV Charging essential intellectual property as possible to everyone on the same terms under a single license. Therefore, MPEG LA welcomes any party that believes it has patents that are essential to the EV Charging standard to submit them for an evaluation of their essentiality by MPEG LA’s patent experts and inclusion in the License if determined to be essential. Interested EV Charging patent owners may request a copy of the terms and procedures governing patent submissions here.

MPEG LA, LLC

MPEG LA is the world’s leading provider of one-stop licenses for standards and other technology platforms. Starting in the 1990s, it pioneered the modern-day patent pool helping to produce the most widely used standards in consumer electronics history. MPEG LA has operated licensing programs for a variety of technologies consisting of more than 20,000 patents in 90 countries with some 250 patent holders and more than 6,000 licensees. By assisting users with implementation of their technology choices, MPEG LA offers licensing solutions that provide access to fundamental intellectual property, freedom to operate, reduced litigation risk and predictability in the business planning process. For more information, go to www.mpegla.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190529005490/en/

Contacts

Tom O’Reilly
MPEG LA, LLC
Tel: 303.200.1710
toreilly@mpegla.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/mpeg-la-introduces-one-stop-license-for-ev-charging/en

The Langham Hotels & Resorts Introduces New Logo and Global Brand Campaign: “Celebrate The Everyday”

HONG KONG-Wednesday 29 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Langham Hotels & Resorts unveils today its new logo and brand campaign to affirm its well-earned position within the ultra-luxury hotel segment. Through the use of video, photography, and digital experience platforms, “Celebrate The Everyday,” which has been a year in the making, draws on The Langham brand’s respected reputation to set the scene where people choose to celebrate their lives’ most significant milestones.

“As The Langham brand grows with new hotels being established throughout the world, we wanted a landmark campaign that clearly defines those rare and exceptional things that characterize true luxury and what our hotels do best,” said Stefan Leser, chief executive officer of Langham Hospitality Group.

“For the past year, we have been listening to our guests and immersing in deep-dive discussions about what they want from their luxury hotel experience, and the answer was right there staring at our face all along: people come to The Langham to create joyful memories for their future. They are trusting that their most special occasions, be they big or small, will be cherished and valued by us. And we realized then that there’s really no bigger honour for hoteliers than to fully own that mantle of celebrations and play a part in creating these wonderful memories for our guests.”

The new campaign also addresses a key priority that Leser believes is essential to The Langham’s long-term success within an evolving luxury consumer mind-set: to raise the awareness of the brand as an ultra-luxury contender to match the reality of The Langham hotels’ exemplary service and stellar product offerings.

“We have consistently high favourability ratings and reviews amongst our guests about our hotels,” commented Leser. “However, we discovered that many of them would describe The Langham using terms such as 'best kept secret' and 'hidden gem.' Whilst flattering and complimentary, however, that only spurred us to elevate the public’s understated perception of the brand to match the verified reality of their positive Langham luxury experience. That was when we decided to amplify our marketing voice with this campaign, which will, in turn, achieve fundamentally beneficial results for the company in terms of raising its brand value.”

Unique to the brand’s previous platforms which were inspired by whimsical takes on fairy tale-like scenarios, “Celebrate The Everyday” features vignettes of cherished moments from real-life guests’ experiences. These were infused and recreated in the lead character’s narrative as she reminisced about her treasured memories at The Langham (e.g. a surprise dinner for two in the depths of a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, an impromptu family picnic on a sun-dappled garden terrace, a joyous weekend with best friends in the suite,) – to wit, scenes that are imbued with kinetic energy, an up-tempo soundtrack, and the signature Langham pink hues.

Watch the teaser trailer here: https://youtu.be/KiXnkGgV-Ok

If the new campaign looks completely different from its predecessor which had depicted sleek models in languid, detached poses attired in resplendent formal dress, Leser said that was purely intentional: “We wanted 'Celebrate The Everyday' to move away from the stilted postures and reflect instead the real life celebratory whims of our guests, which are sometimes spontaneous, a little playful, and a touch irreverent.”

He added, “Being in the luxury level does not mean one has to be stuffy, conventional and staid. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – I believe that true luxury lies in the freedom to express joy and humour, and we at The Langham can help create and share those endearing moments for our guests.”

Filmed on location in and around The Langham hotels in London, New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, and Sydney, the brand journey was guided by creative director Alex Delgado whose work has been championed by iconic establishments such as Lane Crawford, Ippolita and Revlon, director Ernest J. Martin (Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman) and celebrated still photographer Tom Craig (Vogue, Louis Vuitton, Vanity Fair and Net-a-Porter.)

“Celebrate The Everyday” will be rolled out worldwide in phases throughout the year, with key executions in print publications, online sites, LanghamHotels.com, hotel rooms, and social media networks.

The refreshed Langham logo draws its inspiration from the brand’s distinctively British heritage when The Langham, London was opened in 1865 by the Prince of Wales. Known as Europe’s first grand hotel, The Langham played host at the time to elegant soirees and inspirational dinners; notable revellers included Oscar Wilde, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Marie Louise de la Ramée, and members of European royalty.

About The Langham Hotels and Resorts

Combining modern sophistication and timeless glamour, The Langham Hotels & Resorts is globally recognized for its signature pink touches, exceptional intuitive service, contemporary art collections, and award-winning culinary expertise. Drawing on the brand’s distinctive British heritage from the opening of the flagship hotel in London in 1865, The Langham continues the legacy through unwavering commitment in delivering exceptional experiences in London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hefei, Haikou, Ningbo, Haining and Xiamen. Learn about the brand by visiting LanghamHotels.com, and follow The Langham Hotels and Resorts on Instagram (@langhamhotels) and Facebook (@thelanghamhotels) and Twitter (@thelanghamhotel).

Contacts
Media Contact:
Serene Tan
Director of Public Relations
Tel: +852 2186 2309
Email: serene.tan@langhamhotels.com

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/the-langham-hotels-amp-resorts-introduces-new-logo-and-global-brand-campaign-ldquocelebrate-the-everydayrdquo/en

2019 China Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair Concludes, with Number of Professional Buyers up 48.41% Year-on-Year

YIWU, China -Wednesday 29 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 2019 China Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair, a key platform to accelerate Yiwu’s opening up to the world, closed on May 26, 2019 in Yiwu City of China.

With an exhibition area of 50,000m2, the Fair of this year gathered exhibitors from 85 countries and regions, including Spain, Italy, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Australia, and Tanzania, to show more than 100,000 varieties of daily necessities covering handcrafts, household goods, maternal and baby care, clothing accessories, food and beverage.

The four-day event attracted 119,600 person-times of visitors, including 48,800 professional buyers, up 48.41% compared to last year, from 81 oversea countries and all over China.

This year, three professional business matching meetings, namely Comprehensive Imported Commodities Purchasing Meeting, Spanish Products Purchasing Meeting and Chained Retail Enterprises Purchasing Meeting were held with great success. 50N Natural Ecology Group from Canada signed a million-dollar deal of flaxseed oil with a buyer from China’s Hunan Province. The renowned Dutch supermarket brand Albert Heijn (AH), with its unique operation mode and local supplies, attracted more than 100 potential franchisees including China’s leading chain supermarkets Yonghui and Trust-Mart.

As the guest of honor, Spain had a record number of over 40 companies exhibiting at the Fair. In addition, a series of activities such as the National Image Conference, Food and Wine Tasting, “España Fantasitica” Art Performance, and Charity Fair were held, presenting a unique Spanish style. Furthermore, special areas such as China International Import Expo (CIIE) Enterprises Area and Sister Cities Exchange Area were set up to boost the quality of the Fair.

In recent years, Yiwu has been accelerating its transformation to a city capable of buying and selling globally by seizing new opportunities in the upgrade of domestic consumption and deepening its reform in import trade. In the first quarter of this year, Yiwu's import trade increased by 150%, with the daily necessities imports increasing by 811%. Yiwu Imported Commodities Fair will continue to adhere to the “Belt and Road” initiative, and build itself as a benchmark for China's imported daily necessities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190529005470/en/

Contacts
Chim Chen
service@yiwufair.com


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/2019-china-yiwu-imported-commodities-fair-concludes-with-number-of-professional-buyers-up-4841-year-on-year/en

Solera Holdings Announces Jeffrey R. Tarr as New CEO

Tarr’s extensive experience leading data and technology-enabled services companies will usher in a new phase of growth

WESTLAKE, Texas -Wednesday 29 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Solera Holdings, Inc. (“Solera”), a global leader in risk and asset management data and software as a service (SaaS) solutions for the automotive and insurance industries, today announced that Jeff Tarr has joined the company as a director and its new CEO. Tarr, who replaces Tony Aquila as Solera’s CEO, will be leading the company in its next phase of growth.

Tarr has two decades of experience leading data and technology-enabled services companies spanning multiple sectors. Most recently, Tarr served as CEO and President of DigitalGlobe, Inc. where he led the launch of innovative products that leveraged AI and other new technologies, entered new markets and nearly tripled the company’s revenue. Prior to DigitalGlobe, Tarr was President and COO of IHS Inc. (now IHS Markit Ltd.) where he helped transform the business into a high-growth, high-margin provider of information and insight.

“Jeff’s wealth of experience and his focus on building a high-performing team and culture committed to unlocking value for customers and shareholders alike make him the perfect leader for this next phase in Solera’s growth,” said Darko Dejanovic, Vista Operating Principal and Solera Board member. “During Tony’s tenure, the Solera team built the company into a global leader. Solera is in a place of strength and we look forward to working with and supporting Jeff as he leads Solera to new heights.”

“I am honored to be joining Solera, and I look forward to working with the team to continue to grow the company, invest in our products and deliver an industry-leading experience to Solera’s customers and partners,” said Jeff Tarr, CEO of Solera. “For over 50 years, Solera has been leveraging data and software to serve the automotive and insurance industries. With more than 300 million transactions annually across the Solera ecosystem today, no company is better positioned to apply data and technology to protecting the assets people depend upon in their daily lives.”

Tarr serves on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards, including as Member of the Board of Directors of EchoStar Corporation, Chairman of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Management Board, Co-Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s Council on the Future of Space Technologies, Member of the Board of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

About Solera

Solera is a global leader in risk and asset management data and software as a service (SaaS) solutions for the automotive and insurance industries. Solera is active in over 90 countries across six continents. Solera has over 235,000 customers and partners, including many of the largest U.S. and European P&C insurance companies and most of the world’s largest vehicle OEMs, as well as national governments, financial institutions, vehicle dealership, vehicle repair shops, salvage yards and vehicle buyers and sellers. For more information, please visit www.solera.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190528005674/en/

Contacts

Alan Fleischmann
solera@laurelstrategies.com
202-776-7776


Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/solera-holdings-announces-jeffrey-r-tarr-as-new-ceo/en

PRI Meets Security Regulations and Data Retention Mandates with ExaGrid-Veeam Solution

Solution Maximizes Storage and Increases Backup Speed While Securing Data with Encryption-at-Rest


MARLBOROUGH, Mass.-Wednesday 29 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- ExaGrid®, a leading provider of intelligent hyperconverged storage for backup, today announced that Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers (PRI) uses ExaGrid disk-based backup systems to significantly increase data protection with secure backups.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190528005580/en/

PRI is a leading provider of professional liability insurance for physicians and medical facilities. As the second largest medical malpractice insurer in New York State and one of the top ten in the U.S., PRI is recognized as one of the most respected names in its field.

PRI replaced its previous system with ExaGrid and Veeam after its IT staff spent too much time troubleshooting backup issues. Al Villani, PRI’s senior system administrator said, “Veritas NetBackup wasn’t set up to send us any kind of alerts if there was an issue, so we had to log in and look through it, which was a lot of manual work. Our calls to Symantec support were sent offshore right away, and by the time they got back to us, we had usually found the solution by searching online. Veritas eventually reacquired NetBackup, but the support never improved.”

ExaGrid solved backup issues PRI had struggled with, including:

Storage capacity issues
Backups that exceeded window, slowing company-wide systems during workday
Time-consuming backup management
Complicated offsite storage
The security of data storage in the insurance industry has been moving toward stricter regulation, so PRI looked for a solution that would help keep the company ahead of the curve. “The insurance claims we process contain sensitive information, such as birth dates and Social Security numbers—even the tape we used was encrypted, the cases we stored them in were locked, and Iron Mountain had to sign for them—the state regulations are pretty thorough when it comes to security. Many solutions don’t offer encryption or the ability to encrypt at rest like ExaGrid does,” said Villani.

A major issue that PRI faced was that its backups took days and slowed the entire system down, impacting workflow. “Our weekly full backup used to run from Saturday morning at 2:00 a.m. all the way into Tuesday afternoon. Every Monday, users would be calling in and asking why the system was so slow. Now, our weekly full takes just three hours! We thought something was broken the first time we used ExaGrid, so we called our support engineer who confirmed that everything ran correctly. It’s totally incredible! Working with our [ExaGrid] support engineer has been a saving grace. Managing backups had been a nightmare at times, but switching to ExaGrid has been a dream come true. We’re saving about 25-30 hours a week on managing backups. The ExaGrid system doesn’t need a lot of babysitting, and our support engineer is available whenever we need help with any issue.”

As an insurance company, PRI has a complex retention policy for its data. “We keep five weeks of daily backups, eight weeks of weekly backups, a year’s worth of monthly backups onsite, and one yearly onsite with seven yearlies offsite, as well as offsite storage for infinite fiscals and monthly backups,” said Villani. “We were skeptical at first that an ExaGrid system could handle that amount of storage, but the engineers sized everything really well and ExaGrid guaranteed the sizing would work for two years, and that if we needed to add another appliance, they would supply it. Seeing that in writing was pretty impressive!”

Read the complete PRI customer success story to learn more about the company’s experience using ExaGrid.

ExaGrid’s published customer success stories and enterprise stories number over 360, more than all other vendors in the space combined. These stories demonstrate how satisfied customers are with ExaGrid’s unique architectural approach, differentiated product, and unrivalled customer support. Customers consistently state that not only is the product best-in-class, but ‘it just works.’

About ExaGrid
ExaGrid provides intelligent hyperconverged storage for backup with data deduplication, a unique landing zone, and scale-out architecture. ExaGrid’s landing zone provides for the fastest backups, restores, and instant VM recoveries. Its scale-out architecture includes full appliances in a scale-out system and ensures a fixed-length backup window as data grows, eliminating expensive forklift upgrades. Visit us at exagrid.com or connect with us on LinkedIn. See what our customers have to say about their own ExaGrid experiences and why they now spend significantly less time on backup.

ExaGrid is a registered trademark of ExaGrid Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190528005580/en/

Contacts
Stacey Foster
ExaGrid
sfoster@exagrid.com
508-898-2872 x0248



Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/pri-meets-security-regulations-and-data-retention-mandates-with-exagrid-veeam-solution/en

PMI: World No Tobacco Day Should Be World No Smoking Day

Philip Morris International Makes a Bold Call to the Public Health Community: People Who Smoke and Do Not Quit Deserve Access to Less Harmful Smoke-Free Alternatives

NEUCHÂTEL, Switzerland-Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Philip Morris International (PMI) is marking World No Tobacco Day by publishing a call to the global regulatory and public health community to leave aside ideological differences and instead leverage technology, science and innovation to more rapidly improve public health.

World No Tobacco Day is meant to improve public health by addressing the serious issues related to smoking and tobacco use. It is clear, however, that despite the well-known health risks associated with smoking, many people continue to smoke and will do so in the near future. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that there will be more than 1 billion people who smoke in 2025, about the same number as today. While the best choice would be to quit, many people who smoke don’t.

“In the late 1990’s, some of our company’s fiercest critics challenged us to produce less harmful smoke-free products. We listened—and accepted the challenge,” said Jacek Olczak, PMI’s Chief Operating Officer. “It’s taken hundreds of scientists, thousands of tests and billions of dollars to invent products without cigarette smoke: Smoke-free products that don’t burn tobacco, products that adult smokers can switch to completely and not return to cigarettes.”

These smoke-free products contain nicotine and are not risk free. However, the science shows they are a better choice than continuing to smoke. PMI shares its science and data openly with the scientific and medical communities, as well as with governments throughout the world.

Old ideological fights are confusing smokers and those who care about them. While many health experts and governments today clearly support the adoption of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers who would continue smoking, others prefer to focus on past issues. This just misdirects the conversation.

“Adults who smoke deserve access to smoke-free alternatives backed by solid science. They also deserve current information in order to make their own choices,” said Olczak. “By encouraging the men and women who don’t quit to completely adopt smoke-free alternatives, we can eventually leave cigarettes behind. That’s the smoke-free future.”

Put simply: It’s time to unsmoke.

To learn more about the “It’s Time to Unsmoke” initiative, visit www.PMI.com/ItsTime.

Philip Morris International: Who We Are

Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes with smoke-free products to the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company and its shareholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, smoke-free products and associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the U.S. PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, PMI aims to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements.

Contacts
Philip Morris International
Media enquiries
Philip Morris International media office
T: +41 (0)58 242 4500
E: Ryan.Sparrow@pmi.com

https://www.aetoswire.com/news/pmi-world-no-tobacco-day-should-be-world-no-smoking-day/en
 

Medical examinations reveal child’s diarrhoea to be actually chronic constipation

 One of the 10 conditions for parents to seek medical attention, constipation among children is rising and is particularly affecting their self esteem

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, -Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

Reem visited Emirates Hospital - Jumeirah (EHJ) – an Emirates Healthcare company and an internationally recognised 100-bed beacon of progress in the region’s healthcare system after her 4-year-old son, Rayan complained of what she believed was diarrhoea. She sought medical attention after she realised something was wrong especially because Rayan was periodically releasing small quantities of loose stools.

On evaluation by Dr Sripradha Sudarsanam, a Specialist Paediatrician at EHJ, Rayan was diagnosed with chronic constipation.

“Many children who suffer from chronic constipation experience leaking of soft stools in their underwear which poses a big problem in their social and emotional dimensions. Because of the unconscious leaks, the children are almost always smelly and are being neglected and isolated in classroom by their peers. The leaky stools are the newly formed stool which trickles down through the hard stools stuck to the intestine. Sometimes vigorous pushing due to urge to defecate can cause a tear in the anal region and cause bleeding as well,” explained Dr Sudarsanam.

According to studies, 30 percent of children are affected by constipation at some point in their lives. When not adequately treated, chronic constipation can lead to haemorrhoids, anal fissures, bowel bleeding and faecal incontinence.

“Children who are improperly toilet-trained and lack fibre intake in their diet often complain of chronic constipation. Parents should ensure that children avoid processed food and eat food rich in fibre, such as fruits and whole grains. They must also monitor their child’s fluid intake and ensure that they drink between 1 to 1.5 litres of water each day,” said Dr Sudarsanam.

Constipation is a vicious cycle, and seeking medical attention at the right time can help avoid further complications in children while also helping their emotional and mental health from deteriorating.

About Emirates Hospital - Jumeirah:

An Emirates Healthcare Company, Emirates Hospital - Jumeirah is an internationally recognised 100-bed beacon of progress in the region’s healthcare system. It provides personalised, real-time healthcare solutions, and its core values are Simplicity, Accessibility, Agility, and Empathy.

Located on Jumeirah Beach Road alongside the Dubai Canal, Emirates Hospital - Jumeirah is home to some of the world’s leading medical professionals, and it delivers the highest quality of healthcare.

Emirates Hospital - Jumeirah partners with regulators, institutions, insurers and manufacturers to develop and nurture new ideas and long-term strategies that create positive change in people’s homes and everyday lives. Emirates Hospital - Jumeirah is operated by NMC Health Plc; KBBO Group is the largest single shareholder of NMC.

Emirates Specialty Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City is an Emirates Healthcare Company. A 90-bed facility with superior technology and experienced, internationally-trained staff, Emirates Specialty Hospital delivers an unrivalled range of much-needed specialties.

Emirates Healthcare is a subsidiary of KBBO Group. A leading holding company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, KBBO Group invests in healthcare to safeguard the region’s communities, and to help deliver world-class medical outcomes powering an inclusive and improved quality of life.

Contacts

SAHARA Management Consultancy

Maria Tayem, Senior Account Manager, +971501714347, +97143298996
m.tayem@saharapr.com / www.saharagcc.com

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/medical-examinations-reveal-childrsquos-diarrhoea-to-be-actually-chronic-constipation/en

Andersen Global Expands in the Middle East

Al Alawi and Co. Enters Collaboration Agreement with Andersen Global



SAN FRANCISCO-Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Al Alawi and Co., a leading full-service law firm located in Oman, has finalized a collaboration agreement with Andersen Global. The addition of Al Alawi and Co. brings 37 years of professional experience to the Andersen Global team in the Middle East.

Al Alawi and Co. is one of the largest and oldest independent law firms in Oman, with offices in Muscat and Salalah. Dr. Ali Khamis Al Alawi founded the firm in 1982, and since then the firm has provided tax and legal services to multinational and national corporations, private businesses, government agencies and individuals. These services include banking, finance, restructuring, partnerships, international trade, equity, commercial, IP, and real estate law.

“Collaborating with Andersen Global will not only allow us to further expand our services to a greater breadth of clients, but we view it as growing our family,” said Dr. Ali Khamis Al Alawi. “My son and daughter are also highly-experienced members of our firm, and we see our shared values of best-in-class, efficiency, and seamlessness echoed in the Andersen family.”

Mark Vorsatz, Andersen Global Chairman and CEO of Andersen Tax LLC said, “I was most impressed, when we first met, that their firm operates with openness, transparency, coupled with best-in-class service. These are values that we share. Because of this, they are going to fit in very well with our extended team.”

Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax and legal professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 4,500 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 144 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190528005006/en/

Contacts

Megan Tsuei
Andersen Tax
415-764-2700

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/andersen-global-expands-in-the-middle-east/en

COMPUTEX 2019 Kicks Off Tomorrow in Taipei

Brand-new Exhibition Brings Business Opportunities for the Technology Ecosystem

TAIPEI-Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- COMPUTEX 2019 officially kicks off on Tuesday with focuses on AI & IoT, 5G, Blockchain, Innovations & Startups, and Gaming & XR. A total of 1,685 exhibitors will showcase their technologies in 5,508 booths, which is a near 10% growth from last year. The keynote speakers reflect this emphasis as AMD, Intel, and Microsoft are getting ready to give talks at COMPUTEX.

Exciting Lineup of Keynote Speeches; Technology Giants Gather at the Forum to Share Insights

For the first time, a CEO Keynote is incorporated in the international press conference where AMD President and CEO Dr. Lisa Su addresses how the next-generation of computing will drive innovation. AMD will, at the same event, unveil details about upcoming products with its ecosystem partners in Taiwan. AMD will share with the audience how to build an all-new high-performance computing system and achieve technology revolutions.

TAITRA welcomes everyone to join Intel Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group Gregory M. Bryant at COMPUTEX 2019 on the opening day to discover how the company is transforming intelligent computing for our data-centric world. On the second day, the Microsoft Keynote Forum offers a look into new intelligent cloud and intelligent edge advancements by Microsoft Corporate Vice President Nick Parker.

In addition, the much anticipated COMPUTEX Forum and InnoVEX Forum will respectively focus on "Pervasive Intelligence" and "Connecting Global Startups with Taiwan's Advantage". Global tech giants and innovators will meet to exchange ideas about trends, future business opportunities, and international collaborations.

The Taipei 5G Summit is being held during COMPUTEX to give an in-depth perspective on the latest technology and industry trends. As COMPUTEX 2019 continues to take the leadership role in the global technology ecosystem to help its international partners expand its business opportunities, the parallel event— Taipei 5G Summit—will lead discussions in 5G market development opportunities, technology, and innovative applications on the third day of the event.

COMPUTEX 2019 Highlights 5 Major Themes; Business Opportunities in Advanced Technologies Revealed

COMPUTEX 2019 takes place across multiple venues this year at TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall 1 & 2 (TaiNEX 1 & 2), TWTC Hall 1 and TICC. Each exhibition hall offers valuable information and exciting features that deserve a visit.

A Cyber Security & Video Surveillance exhibition area is created to display the latest computer vision technology and market opportunities. InnoVEX, with 20% more exhibitors this year, is relocated to TWTC Hall 1 to provide more room for displays, pitches, and matchmaking. Also for the first time, a charity esports event—ZOTAC CUP Fight for Charity LoL Tournament—is held at COMPUTEX. This heartwarming event invites everyone to play for charity!

Walter Yeh, TAITRA President & CEO said, “In 2018, the World Economic Forum named Taiwan as one of four "super innovators", alongside Germany, the United States, and Switzerland. This proves that the international community has recognized Taiwan for its innovative power in the technology industry and market. TAITRA has been committed to facilitating transformation so Taiwan can become a leading community for innovators around the world. COMPUTEX targets to create a synergy of global and local resources to provide a comprehensive platform for technical exchange and collaboration, innovative thinking, and resource integration. This year, in addition to expanding the scope of InnoVEX, TAITRA will contribute to innovation by forging a stronger connection between Taiwan's industry and global resources. With its global partners in the ICT industry, COMPUTEX will transform the world."

COMPUTEX 2019 will be held from May 28 to June 1, 2019, and InnoVEX will display from May 29 to May 31. Together with exhibitors, buyers and related industry professionals from around the world to fully demonstrate the future technology ecosystem and master emerging business opportunities.

For more updated info

COMPUTEX website: http://www.computextaipei.com.tw/zh_TW/
COMPUTEX Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COMPUTEX.TAITRA/

About COMPUTEX TAIPEI (also called COMPUTEX):

Established in 1981, COMPUTEX is one of the leading global ICT, IoT, and startup tradeshows with a complete supply chain and IoT ecosystems. Co-organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taipei Computer Association (TCA), COMPUTEX, based upon Taiwan’s complete ICT clusters, covers the whole spectrum of ICT industry, from established brands to startups and from ICT supply chain to IoT ecosystems. With strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities and IPR protection, Taiwan is a strategic destination for foreign companies and investors looking for partners in global technology ecosystems. Follow COMPUTEX on its website at www.computextaipei.com.tw and Twitter @computex_taipei using the hashtag #COMPUTEX.

About TAITRA:

Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the foremost non-profit trade promotion organization in Taiwan. Jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organizations, TAITRA assists Taiwan businesses and manufacturers with reinforcing their international competitiveness and in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets.

TAITRA boasts a well-coordinated trade promotion and information network of over 1,200 trained specialists stationed throughout its Taipei headquarters, five local branch offices in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, and 60 overseas branch offices worldwide. Together with its sister organizations, Taiwan Trade Center (TTC) and Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC), TAITRA has created a wealth of trade opportunities through effective promotion strategies.

In addition to organizing trade delegations & providing customized procurement services, TAITRA also hosts more than 35 international trade shows annually in Taipei and Kaohsiung.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190527005076/en/

Contacts
Press Contact: Belinda Chen
Exhibition Dept., TAITRA
TEL: +886-2-2725-5200 Ext. 2636
FAX: +886-2-2725-3501
Email: cph@taitra.org.tw

https://www.aetoswire.com/news/computex-2019-kicks-off-tomorrow-in-taipei/en

IVF Baby Delivered At Fakih’s Muscat Branch

 A healthy child was given birth to at the clinic’s Oman center



DUBAI, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

Doctors at Fakih IVF Fertility Center in Oman delivered their first IVF baby girl earlier this year. This was followed by a string of successful pregnancies and deliveries. Fakih IVF is one of the leading Infertility, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Genetics and IVF centers in the GCC Region catered towards helping families battling infertility.

Dr. Walaa Zidan, specialist Obstetrics & Gynecology said, “We are absolutely delighted that the family chose to use our expertise and services for such an important decision in their lives. Although it was challenging for us, the team at Fakih put all their efforts and best resources into use in achieving this feat.”

Fakih IVF Fertility Centre in Oman opened its doors to the public during February last year. Their aim is to reach out to all families battling infertility by providing the best possible treatment facilities at affordable prices.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome our child into this world. What once felt impossible to achieve was made possible by the pure diligence and efforts of the medical team at Fakih IVF, and the support of my family,” said the patient (name withheld on request).

 “It was an obstacle free procedure and we believe this will instill more confidence in families that are contemplating undergoing the treatment worried about the consequences. Every family wants a healthy baby and we are putting our best foot forward in giving just that,” said Dr. Walaa.

Being one of the only fertility centers in the Middle East with an in-house genetic laboratory, Fakih IVF fertility center is continually advancing by investing in the newest technology aimed towards providing the best in patient care.

Contacts

SAHARA Communications

Noor Abdelhafez, Account Executive, +97143298996, +971506946519

n.hafiz@saharapr.com / www.saharagcc.com



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Velodyne Wins Patent Challenge

Patent Trial and Appeal Board Upholds Validity of Velodyne’s US Patent 7,969,558

SAN JOSE, Calif. -Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Velodyne has won a patent challenge brought by competitor Quanergy. In making its ruling the US Patent Trial and Appeals Board on May 23, 2019 upheld the patentability of all claims in Velodyne’s pioneering ‘558 patent. The ‘558 patent relates to a lidar based 3D point cloud measuring system used for Autonomous Vehicles, ADAS, Robotic vision, and other diverse applications.

“Velodyne Lidar Inc. is the inventor of the surround view lidar and we were confident that our patent would be upheld,” said Marta Hall, President, Velodyne Lidar, Inc. “The ruling was not a surprise because real-time surround view lidar was invented by our Founder, David Hall, and the company holds a number of foundational patents relative to this technology. We are an invention-based company and will always be inventing and innovating technologies, so we take protecting our hard-earned intellectual property seriously. In response to the ruling, we’ll be evaluating our enforcement options moving forward.”

Velodyne is the highest volume supplier of lidar sensors to the automotive industry with more than 250 customers globally. Lidar sensors are a central component of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Initially introduced as a solution for AVs, the lidar market is rapidly growing for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which could reduce forward-facing driving accidents, biking, and pedestrian fatalities. The 3D vision of lidar is increasingly recognized as an important sensor to detect roadway danger and promote public safety.

The technology provides 3D vision, providing “eyes” for robotics and machines, for uses beyond automotive applications. Velodyne’s sensors are currently sold and used in a wide range of new technologies and rapidly growing industries, including unmanned aerial vehicles, delivery services, mapping, industrial robotics, industrial safety, security, precision agriculture, gaming, and marine uses.

About Velodyne Lidar

Velodyne provides smart and highly powerful lidar solutions for autonomy and driver assistance. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Velodyne is known worldwide for its portfolio of breakthrough lidar sensor technologies. In 2005, Velodyne’s Founder and CEO, David Hall, invented real-time surround view lidar systems, revolutionizing perception and autonomy for automotive, new mobility, mapping, robotics, and security. Velodyne’s high-performance product line includes a broad range of sensing solutions, including the cost-effective Puck™, the versatile Ultra Puck™, Alpha Puck™, which is optimized for L4-L5 autonomy, the ADAS-optimized Velarray™, and the groundbreaking software for driver assistance, Vella™.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190528005173/en/

Contacts

Media Contact:
Craig MacLellan
Landis Communications Inc.
(415) 359-2306
velodyne@landispr.com

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/velodyne-wins-patent-challenge/en

Egon Zehnder and Sinequanon (SQN) Formalize Business Partnership to Scale SQN’s Revolutionary, AI-enabled Approach to Culture Transformation Through the Harnessing of Human Potential

• Egon Zehnder makes long-term investment in SQN to bring a proprietary, AI-enabled culture change solution to its clients that allows them to unlock potential.

• The SQN Living Analytics™ platform, featuring the SQN Flow Operating System™, accurately measures the impact of culture on an organization’s bottom line. It is the first culture change platform and approach that consistently links to improved performance.

• SQN clients show 10 to 20 percent productivity improvements annually after 18 months, as well as large shifts in employees’ energy and purpose.




ZURICH-Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Egon Zehnder, the world’s leadership consulting firm, has formalized an agreement to purchase a minority stake in Zurich, Switzerland-based Sinequanon (SQN), a firm that uses AI and advanced analytics to improve workplace culture and performance. SQN is the first to have cracked the code linking culture to performance consistently over time and in every client engagement.

The investment in SQN signals Egon Zehnder’s intent to build on its 55 years of experience shaping leadership and culture through SQN’s unique combination of advanced technology and a human approach to leadership. The companies will work together to disseminate SQN’s Living Analytics™ platform and Flow Operating System™.

SQN’s flowOS™ uses a data-driven and AI-enabled process to identify an organization’s optimal culture and then drives the behavioral change needed by individuals, teams and business units. In its work with clients, flowOS™ has consistently delivered significant improvements in people energy and productivity.

“We hear consistently from clients that culture change is one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. In SQN we have found an innovative partner to deliver integrated services to our clients by marrying both human leadership insights and pioneering technology,” said Jill Ader, Chairwoman, Egon Zehnder. “We strongly believe the best consulting services we can offer our clients combine technology and humanity,” she added.

The partnership is founded on the shared belief that culture change is critical to helping organizations adapt to and thrive in today’s complex world. It combines Egon Zehnder’s expertise advising and unlocking the potential of senior leaders with SQN’s ability to assess and accelerate the power of the full organization through cultural change.

“It has always frustrated me that large organizations trap massive amounts of human energy. In fact, our data shows that less than 10% of employees operate at their full potential. Now as organizations are feeling the brutal effect of disruption, an extraordinary win-win opportunity between employees and businesses is emerging. My life’s mission is to find a business-minded method to enable this – and that is flowOS™,” said Per Lagerstrom, Chief Executive Officer, SQN. “Egon Zehnder and SQN share a core mission to unlock human potential. I believe we can make magic together, and am excited to be partnering with them,” he added.

“We believe the world needs more great leaders. In fact, recent research we conducted with 402 CEOs revealed they find culture change one of the most challenging aspects of the role,” noted Gabriel Andrade, Partner, Egon Zehnder and Board member, SQN. “With SQN, the intelligence of the end-to-end operating system and guided support we can provide clients can change human resources and performance management for the foreseeable future.”

SQN brings new capabilities to an already powerful set of partnerships. Egon Zehnder’s strategic alliance with Mobius Executive Leadership, the London and Cambridge, MA-based leadership development firm, delivers customized executive development programs at the CEO and executive levels that enable breakthroughs often described by participants as “life changing,” which in turn can serve as a multiplier to the impact of SQN. In addition, Egon Zehnder has partnered with Paradox Strategies, the consulting firm co-founded by Harvard University Professor Linda Hill, to develop the Innovation Quotient (IQ), a proprietary culture diagnostic based on Hill’s research that helps clients better understand the degree to which their cultures enable – or inhibit – their ability to innovate.

Notes to Editors

Sinequanon (SQN) is a privately held PeopleTech start-up founded in 2015. While we work globally and across industries, our home is in Switzerland with operations in South Africa and the Czech Republic.

SQN has a passionate team of 60, unified by a fundamental belief in our ability as humans to radically change and grow and a hunger to marry the soft skills with the hard. Our people work across behavioral, neural and data science, technology and client services.

At SQN, we believe that human capital management and change consulting are ripe for disruption. We have combined data, science and sound business principles into a ground breaking approach that taps into the well of human energy, so often trapped in large businesses, delivering material improvements to both the employee experience and the company’s bottom line.

We offer a suite of culture change products and services under the Living Analytics™ and flowOS™ brands, coupled with a disruptive tech enabled client delivery model.

http://sqn.world.

About Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world’s leadership consulting firm, sharing one goal: to transform people, organizations and the world through great leadership.

We know what great leaders can do and are passionate about delivering the best leadership solutions for our clients.

As One Firm, our more than 480 Consultants in 68 offices and 40 countries bring our individual strengths to form one powerful collaborative team.

We partner closely with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide Board advisory services, CEO search and succession, executive search, executive assessment, leadership development and organizational transformation.

We offer a range of integrated services to support our leadership consulting work: Our strategic alliance with Mobius Executive Leadership, the London and Cambridge, MA based leadership development firm, delivers customized executive development programs at the CEO and executive levels that enable breakthroughs often described by participants as “life changing.” In addition, we have partnered with Paradox Strategies, the consulting firm co-founded by Harvard University Professor Linda Hill, to develop the Innovation Quotient (IQ), a proprietary culture diagnostic based on Hill’s research that helps clients better understand the degree to which their cultures enable – or inhibit – their ability to innovate.

We share a commitment and pride in doing work that contributes to successful careers, stronger companies and a better world.

www.egonzehnder.com

Contacts

Global media
Hilary Crnkovich
Global Head of Marketing and Communications
P: +1 312-260-8978

Stacy Drumtra
US Head of Marketing and Communications
P: +1 312-260-8974


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Ivory Coast Accelerates Digital Migration with SES

 Ivorian TV viewers will be able to watch 60 digital TV channels via SES’s satellite at 22 degrees West



ABIDJAN, Cote d’Ivoire & Luxembourg-Tuesday 28 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ivory Coast’s public broadcasting company, the Société Ivoirienne de Télédiffusion (SIDT), has selected SES as its digital partner in a major move to meet the country’s 2020 deadline for switching over from analogue to digital broadcasting. Under this multi-year agreement, 60 analogue turned digital channels will be broadcast with brighter, sharper picture and better sound, via the SES-4 satellite at 22 degrees West.

SES will be using the comprehensive coverage of SES-4 to ensure high service availability of bandwidth and to broadcast all channels via the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) infrastructure across Ivory Coast. These digital channels will then be available to all Ivorian television (TV) viewers who have a digital set-top box or an integrated digital TV with a built-in DTT decoder.

In addition to using SES-4 to accelerate the digital switchover, the capacity leased on SES-4 for digital broadcasting will also be used to broadcast Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI), the state's public TV network, to fulfill its public service mission of providing local news and information to Ivorians.

“SES has provided us with an innovative solution to ensure deployment of digital TV by broadcasting multiplexes across the country. This is an important milestone as we are now one step closer to ending analogue service,” said Yeo Adama, General Manager of the SIDT. “We are excited to work with SES, which has both the technical capabilities and the practical experience required to support our ambitious projects, including the implementation of new broadcasting standards.”

“The move from analogue to digital broadcasting can be complex, and we are fully committed to making this as hassle-free as possible for the SIDT in Ivory Coast. Our satellite will provide the reliability to broadcast high-picture-quality TV services to Ivorians, while our teams are well-positioned to deliver the technical services and innovative solutions required to facilitate a successful digital migration for Ivory Coast,” said Clint Brown, Vice President of Sales and Market Development for SES Video in Africa.

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About SES

SES is the world’s leading satellite operator with over 70 satellites in two different orbits, Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). It provides a diverse range of customers with global video distribution and data connectivity services through two business units: SES Video and SES Networks. SES Video reaches over 355 million TV homes, through Direct-to-Home (DTH) platforms and cable, terrestrial, and IPTV networks globally. The SES Video portfolio includes MX1, a leading media service provider offering a full suite of innovative services for both linear and digital distribution, and the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest DTH television reach in Europe. SES Networks provides global managed data services, connecting people in a variety of sectors including telecommunications, maritime, aeronautical, and energy, as well as governments and institutions across the world. The SES Networks portfolio includes GovSat, a 50/50 public-private partnership between SES and the Luxembourg government, and O3b, the only non-geostationary system delivering fibre-like broadband services today.

Further information is available at: www.ses.com

About SIDT

Société Ivoirienne de Télédiffusion (SIDT) is a state company, created by decree n° 2017-844 during the Council of Ministers on December 20, 2017. Its main purpose is to ensure the broadcasting of radio and television programs on the national territory of Ivory Coast.

Its role as a broadcaster also gives it the following prerogatives: Management of sound and television broadcasting centers installed on the national territory; creation, operation, maintenance and extension of digital terrestrial television broadcasting networks; management and maintenance of the analogue television broadcasting network during the simulcasting period; provision of multiplexing, transport and broadcasting services for channels, TV packages, and public and private radios; promotion of cooperation with international technical bodies, coordinating with the institutions involved.

Further information is available at: www.sidt.ci

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190527005177/en/

Contacts

Suzanne Ong
Public Relations
Tel +352 710 725 500
suzanne.ong@ses.com

Yeo Adama Benoit
General Manager
Société Ivoirienne de Télédiffusion
Tel +225 22 01 05 00
contact@sidt.ci

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Stanford Seed Partners with Entrepreneurs in Africa and India to Catalyze Economic Growth

STANFORD, Calif.-Monday 27 May 2019 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Frank Omondi is a wildlife biologist turned entrepreneur. His desire to lead a business that makes a positive impact on the community led him to become the managing director of Ten Senses Africa, a fair trade cashew and macadamia nut processing company based in Nairobi, Kenya.

With a background in wildlife biology, Omondi realized he needed further training to help him continue to drive the company forward. That realization led him to join the Stanford Seed Transformation Program in 2016.

Stanford Seed is a one-year certificate program delivered by Stanford University through Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) that operates in East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, and India. The program, which is designed exclusively for busy business owners and CEOs, provides management training, one-on-one support, and networking opportunities to growth-minded business leaders.

Following Omondi’s participation in the program, Ten Senses Africa doubled its sales, now provides 1 million cashew seedlings to support 30,000 local farmers, and employs 600 people, two-thirds of whom are single mothers. The company was able to expand to Tanzania with the support of the Seed Transformation Network, a group composed of past participants in the program.

“The program created a lot of trust between the participants,” said Omondi. “It is difficult to know anyone in Tanzania if you are based in another African country. Through the program, we were able to learn what other people were doing in those countries, which enabled us to have entry.”

Surveys of past participants of the Seed Transformation Program reveal the impact participants and their organizations have on their communities. After completing the program, 89 percent of participants grew their customers, 72 percent introduced a new product or service, 64 percent increased their revenue, and 50 percent expanded into new geographies.

“I’m inspired by the change participants are effecting in their communities,” said Darius Teter, executive director of Stanford Seed. “One organization’s growth and success can have a significant impact, and we’re thrilled to partner with promising entrepreneurs as they take their businesses to the next level.”

Participants work with Stanford GSB faculty to gain the essential business and leadership skills that will enable them to grow their companies and, in turn, positively impact their communities. Admitted participants:

    Create an action plan to grow and scale their business;
    Get in-company support from trained facilitators who help introduce what they’ve learned to their management team and promote buy-in;
    Develop relationships with like-minded leaders to share experiences and develop an ongoing peer-to-peer support network;
    Receive pro-bono project-based consulting services from senior executives.

The program is now accepting applications through June 15, learn more and apply here. A free, online information session will be held on Thursday, May 30. Register here for further details.

About Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) is developing the next generation of principled global leaders. Since 1925 we’ve been delivering rigorous and experiential management education combined with personal development and leadership that has the power to change both careers and lives. Our faculty are empowered to design and discover original research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. Our diverse programs include: the 2-year MBA program; 1-year Master of Science program for experienced leaders (MSx); PhD program; Executive Education; Stanford LEAD, an online certificate program; and Stanford Seed, a Stanford GSB-led initiative that partners with entrepreneurs in emerging markets to build thriving enterprises that transform lives.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190526005025/en/

Contacts

Kristin Harlan
kharlan@stanford.edu


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