Pierre Choueiri: “We’re proud of the mutual trust, record growth and shared successes with MBC Group, over 16 years. New partnerships with top industry players in perspective.”

  Tackling the non-renewal of the partnership between MBC Group and AMS FZ LLC after nearly 16 years of sustained commercial growth…



Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday 29 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

In his first comments on the non-renewal of the strategic commercial partnership between MBC Group AMS FZ LLC – “Arabian Media Services”, the Chairman and CEO of Choueiri Group, Pierre Choueiri said: “We are proud of the mutual trust, record growth and shared successes with MBC Group, over nearly 16 years of sustained growth, across all MBC channels, platforms and offerings.” Choueiri further added:” Initiated in 2005, our partnership comes to an end on December 31, 2020. Our journey has been paved with challenges, opportunities, great achievements and tangible results. We obviously have a lot of gratitude and appreciation to MBC.”  

Commenting on this multi-year partnership, Choueiri continued by saying that: “Our key objectives have always been to grow the Advertising market in MENA, drive innovation, increase investments and consumption activity, create jobs and instill measurability, up to international standards. Clearly, representing MBC Group and partnering with the region’s top Advertisers and Ad/Media Buying Agencies were privileges that have helped us achieve most of these outlined objectives, while stabilizing and growing the regional Advertising market, especially in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, among others.”

In terms of results, Choueiri highlighted the fact that: “MBC Group’s Advertising revenues witnessed sustained exponential, record growth during our multi-year partnership, consistently exceeding the TV Advertising market performance. Basically, this growth – coupled with MBC’s unique know-how - enabled millions of individuals in MENA, over the years, to experience the best multi-media, family entertainment offerings and to enjoy premium TV and Digital content that’s world-class.”

Going forward, Choueiri said that his group is: “Optimistic, or rather bullish about the future, especially in light of the sharp “Vision 2030” in KSA. We are currently assessing new partnerships with top industry players across the advertising, media and entertainment spectrum; and we are investing in state-of-the-art technologies, with a primary focus on data and analytics.”

Finally, Choueiri concluded: “We are committed to further growing the industry and to moving it forward, while trying to energize the consumption activity; create more jobs and opportunities for Arab youth; and instill global best practices.”

“Messages of respect, gratitude and appreciation”

In the same context, Pierre Choueiri - in his personal capacity; and on behalf of Choueiri Group business partners, directors and CG team members - extended what he described as "messages of respect, gratitude and appreciation" to the "Dream Team" at MBC Group, represented by its visionary leader-founder; senior management and top executives; and all team members. Choueiri went on to ascertain that this partnership has always been marked by trust, mutual respect, professionalism and stellar performance.

These messages of respect, gratitude and appreciation go out from Pierre Choueiri to: Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim (Chairman, MBC Group); Ali Al-Hedeithy (Group General Manager); Sam Barnett (Former Group CEO over 18 years); John Whitehead (Group Legal Counsel); as well as Abdul Rahman AlRashed, H.E. Adel Al-Toraifi, H.E. Turki Al-Dakhil; Mamdouh Al-Muhaini; Matar Al-Ahmadi; Nakhlé El-Hage, Dr. Nabil Khatib; Jamil El-Hage; Faisal Abbas… in addition to:  Dawood Alshirian, Mohammed Altunisi; Ali Jaber, Mohamed Abdel-Motaal, Samar Akrouk, Mazen Hayek, Fadel Zahreddine, Sharif Badreddine, amongst many others. Finally, Choueiri concluded by wishing Mark Antoine D’Halluin, MBC Group’s new CEO, a successful journey ahead.

About Choueiri Group

As the leading media representation group in the Middle East, Choueiri Group is a company built from the ground up over the past forty plus years. Today, the Group’s companies' market and manage the advertising space of 6 satellite and 1 terrestrial television stations, 10 print titles, 10 radio stations, 40+ web portals along with their apps and the largest network of outdoor signs in the GCC. Choueiri Group operates in ten markets covering the MENA region, Europe and Japan and ensures the best support for its regional and international clients through its extensive network of thirteen subsidiaries, 3 representative offices and more than 700 committed executives.

Contacts

Walid YARED

CMO

Choueiri Group

+971 554542642

wyared.mr@choueirigroup.com



Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/pierre-choueiri-ldquowersquore-proud-of-the-mutual-trust-record-growth-and-shared-successes-with-mbc-group-over-16-years-new-partnerships-with-top-industry-players-in-perspectiverdquo/en

PMI to Address Equality & Transformation During Upcoming International Events

 LAUSANNE, Switzerland-Tuesday 29 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) today announced its participation in several global forums focused on equality in the workplace. Members of PMI’s Senior Management Team—including Chief Diversity Officer Silke Muenster—will detail the steps PMI is taking to further diversify its workplace and explain how fostering a culture built on broader perspectives increases creativity and productivity, ultimately driving innovation and consumer-centricity.

Events include:

- Sept. 30: Marian Salzman, senior vice president, global communications, will address The Hill’s “Century of the Woman,” an event bringing together remarkable women leaders and decision-makers to discuss progress toward equality and the barriers that remain today.

- Oct. 1: Silke Muenster and Marian Salzman will participate in the Financial Times LIVE “Accelerating Equality” digital conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the UN Conference on Women. Thought leaders and international experts in gender equality will convene to discuss what policymakers, businesses, and civil society can do to accelerate progress on gender diversity and equality.

- Oct. 8: Silke Muenster will join the Financial Times LIVE “Women at the Top UK” digital conference in a panel titled “How to be an inclusive leader,” discussing how to lead teams to adopt more inclusive behaviors and strategies.

- Nov. 16-20: Michael Voegele, chief technology officer, will speak at this year’s Women in Technology World Series virtual event about PMI’s business and IT transformation and the range of equal opportunities for talent in tech to accelerate progress toward a smoke-free future.

- Nov. 19: Marian Salzman will join the Financial Times LIVE “Women at the Top USA” digital conference in a panel discussing “The future of work—and why it matters for equality.” The conversation will feature implications of the pandemic and how it will transform the way we connect at work.

To find out more about Inclusion & Diversity at PMI, click here.

Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future

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, as well as smoke-free products and associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the United States. PMI ships a version of its smoke-free devices and consumables authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to Altria Group, Inc. for sale in the United States under license. 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. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com.

# # #

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200929005799/en/

MILAN AIRPORTS MALPENSA & LINATE FIRST IN ITALY TO DEPLOY ECAC STANDARD 3 CABIN BAGGAGE SCREENING SYSTEMS WITH SMITHS DETECTION

  Smiths Detection partners the SEA Group to support Milan in meeting the aviation industry’s highest standards

MILAN-Tuesday 29 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Smiths Detection today announced that it has been awarded a contract by SEA Group to support the upgrade of Malpensa and Linate Airports, two of the three international airports in Milan, to the highest security standard for cabin baggage in the industry - ECAC EDS CB C3. As part of the implementation, up to 18 advanced Computed Tomography (CT) screening systems — HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX — will be installed at Milano Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 along with up to 10 more at Milano Linate Airport.

Besides providing advanced explosives detection with low false alarm rates, the CT technology allows electronic devices and liquids to remain in bags. SEA Group also selected Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX carry-on baggage scanners to help protect the health of travellers by reducing the number of trays required during security screening and minimising points of contact at security lanes.

“As key gateways to the rest of the world for Milan, our priority for Malpensa and Linate airports is to provide passengers with the highest standards of security, including taking the precautions to safeguard health. With CT technology and high-resolution 3D images, their security officers will be able to make quick and accurate assessments, speeding up security checks to ease any crowding and allow travellers to maximise their safe distance from others at the security lanes,” said Smiths Detection Vice President Europe and Africa, Tony Tielen.

The multi-phase installation will begin in the third quarter of 2020 and is projected to close by end 2021. The first four CTiX units will be installed and put into operation in Linate Airport by the end of October 2020.

This contract also comes with a Full Risk service, comprising of preventive and corrective maintenance.

Besides ECAC EDS CB C3 approval, the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX has also achieved the highest level of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) AT-2 certification.

About Smiths Detection

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports and borders, defence and urban security. Our experience and history across more than 40 years at the frontline, enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect society from the threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals and narcotics.

Our goal is simple – to provide security, peace of mind and freedom of movement upon which the world depends.

For more information visit www.smithsdetection.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200928005224/en/

Contacts

Terri Teo
Edelman on behalf of Smiths Detection
SmithsDetectionRHQ@edelman.com

Sophie Mills
Global Communications Manager
sophie.mills@smithsdetection.com

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/milan-airports-malpensa-amp-linate-first-in-italy-to-deploy-ecac-standard-3-cabin-baggage-screening-systems-with-smiths-detection/en

“Japanese Cuisine and Food Culture Human Resource Development Program 2020” (Tokyo Japan) Now Accepting Applications for Online Participants

 TOKYO-Wednesday 30 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Applications are now being accepted for a training program on Japanese cuisine for non-Japanese chefs who are serious about studying Japanese cuisine, officially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan.

We are now accepting applications for an online training program to acquire correct knowledge and skills in Japanese cuisine and food culture. Study under a curriculum taught by first-class chefs in your own country. It’s a great opportunity to learn techniques in authentic Japanese cuisine and obtain official certification by the Japanese government in a short period of time.

Application Deadline: Oct. 30, 2020

E-learning Course: Oct. 19 - Nov. 30, 2020

Real-time Online Course (selected participants only): Dec. 1, 2020 - Feb. 28, 2021

(Dates are Japan standard time)

Participate by watching videos of top chefs*1 supervised by the Japanese Culinary Academy*2 free of charge! Study the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine via videos and textbooks.

During the program, trainers from the prestigious Kyoto Culinary Art College*3 (partnership school of the Japanese Culinary Academy) will be available to attentively answer participants’ questions.

Those who complete the e-learning course can take the exam for Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries, Bronze*4 established by MAFF.

If you have internet connection that enables you to watch the online training videos, you can participate whenever you like.

All participants will be provided a Japanese kitchen knife, whetstone, and textbook needed for the program (participants must provide their own ingredients).

Participants who demonstrate outstanding performance in the e-learning course will be able to join a special real-time face-to-face online course taught by a master chef. Those who complete this course will also be given additional materials to acquire more advanced skills and knowledge.

The aim of this program is to provide participants with correct knowledge and skills in Japanese cuisine, so they can spread the magnificence of Japanese food, food culture, and Japan-produced ingredients around the globe.

List of chefs supporting the program:

YOSHIHIRO MURATA (Kikunoi)

MASAHIRO KURISU (Tankuma Kitamise)

HIROSHI SASAKI (Gion Sasaki)

TAKASHI TAMURA (Tsukiji Tamura)

MAMORU SUGIYAMA (Ginza Sushiko Honten)

MASAYOSHI KAZATO (Sakae Sushi)

MOTOKAZU NAKAMURA (Issisoden-Nakamura)

SHIGEO ARAKI (Uosaburo)

AKIO SAITO (Shichijyuniko)

MOTOI KURISU (Arashiyama Kumahiko)

TAKUJI TAKAHASHI (Kinobu)

SHINICHIRO TAKAGI (Zeniya)

YOJI SATAKE (Takeshigero: Minokichi Main Restaurant)

KIMIO NONAGA (Nihonbashi Yukari)

HARUYUKI TAKADA (Takada Hassho)

HIROTOSHI OGAWA (WSSI (World Sushi Skills Institute))

NAOYUKI YANAGIHARA (Kinsaryu-Shika, Yanagihara School of Traditional Japanese Cuisine)

RYOHEI HAYASHI (Tenoshima)

Supervisor:

MASAHIRO NAKATA (President of Taiwa Gakuen Kyoto Culinary Art College)

Note:

This program is organized by the Japanese Cuisine and Food Culture Human Resource Development Committee (JCDC), with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

*1. The program will be supervised by master chefs from famous restaurants, including Mr. Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi in Kyoto, one of the most well-known restaurants in Japan.

*2. NPO that promotes global understanding of Japanese cuisine, holds training programs, conducts research, and more.

https://culinary-academy.jp/english

*3. Prestigious culinary school boasting 90 years of history and tradition that has produced many famous chefs in Japanese cuisine.

https://sites.google.com/st.taiwa.ac.jp/eng/kyocyo?authuser=0

*4. A certification program established to certify non-Japanese chefs of Japanese cuisine who have gained correct knowledge and skills in Japanese cuisine in accordance with the guidelines established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).

https://www.maff.go.jp/j/shokusan/syokubun/pdf/chori_o_e.pdf

Eligibility to Participate in the Program

Applicants must:

Have internet connection that enables them to watch the online training videos.

Have a place where they can practice kitchen knife techniques (cutting vegetables and filleting fish).

Be a non-Japanese national (non-Japanese nationals residing in Japan are also eligible).

Be 18 or older at the time of the start of the program.

Have the ability to speak (at a conversational level or above), read, and write English or Japanese.

Be able to cover costs that incur during the program for things other than those stated in Covered Costs below.

Have basic culinary skills and a strong will and desire to actively learn about Japanese food and food culture.

Covered Costs

Tuition for the training program

Basic Japanese cuisine set needed for the program: textbook, Japanese kitchen knife (usuba hocho), whetstone, etc.

Note: Participants must pay any telecommunication costs involved in participating in the program. Participants must pay for any other ingredients and materials needed during the program besides those provided above.

Other

The collaboration tool Lark will be used for the program, so participants will need to install the application.

https://www.larksuite.com/

Schedule (All times are in Japanese Standard Time. The current schedule is subject to change.)

1. Application period

(Until Friday, October 30, 2020, 23:59)

Submit the following documents to nihonshoku@tow.co.jp before 23:59 on Friday, October 30, 2020:

Application form, photograph of face

Copy of an official government-issued ID such as a passport

2. Notification of results

(From the time the application documents arrive until Monday, November 2, 2020, 23:59)

Application documents will be reviewed in the order they arrive, and you will be contacted about the results.

3. Agreement ~ Online training system setup, shipment of basic set

(From the time of completion of the agreement until Monday, November 30, 2020, 23:59)

Sign pledge

Once you have signed the pledge, you will be officially accepted as a participant.

4. E-learning course and tests

(From the time of completion of the agreement until Monday, November 30, 2020, 23:59)

A training course (lesson 0-10) based on an e-learning curriculum created in line with the Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries, Bronze established by MAFF. A test will be given after each lesson.

5. Bronze certification exam

(From the time of completion of the agreement until Monday, November 30, 2020, 23:59)

Exam for the Certification of Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries, Bronze established by MAFF. Those who pass the exam will be registered as Bronze certified chefs and will receive a Bronze Certificate.

6. Real-time face-to-face online course by master chef for outstanding performers

(Tuesday, December 1, 2020 to Sunday, February 14, 2021, 23:59)

Real-time face-to-face online course taught by a master chef held in a small group, which only those who were specially selected for their outstanding performance in the above e-learning course can participate. While the e-learning course covered one of the five basic techniques for Japanese cuisine (goho or “five methods”), that of “cutting/peeling,” participants in this course will acquire more practical skills and know-how while making actual dishes using not only cutting/peeling technique but also the other basic techniques of simmering, grilling, steaming, and frying.

7. Final exam, and shipment of Certificate of Completion and materials

(Until Sunday, February 28, 2021, 23:59)

One-on-one online exam with a master chef to confirm understanding of what was taught in the real-time face-to-face online course. Those who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and materials to enable more in-depth study of and further their dedication in Japanese cuisine.

Application documents will be reviewed in the order they arrive, and you will be contacted about the results. After that, you can start the program once you have signed the pledge, so the sooner you apply and are accepted, the longer you can participate.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200929005401/en/

Contacts

Direct inquiries to the email address below.

(Contact people: Yayoi Makino and Aya Hamasuna)

Japanese Cuisine and Food Culture Human Resource Development Committee

nihonshoku@tow.co.jp

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/ldquojapanese-cuisine-and-food-culture-human-resource-development-program-2020rdquo-tokyo-japan-now-accepting-applications-for-online-participants/en

Sintavia Acquires Two Additional M400-4 Printers from EOS GmbH

 Acquisition brings company’s total number of industrial metal printers to twenty-one

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.-Tuesday 29 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sintavia, LLC, the leading Tier One additive manufacturer supporting the Aerospace, Defense, & Space industry, announced today that it had acquired two additional M400-4 quad laser printers from EOS GmbH of Krailling, Germany. The printers, which were delivered in September 2020, represent the seventh and eighth M400 printers operated by the company, as well as the 20th and 21st industrial printers it owns overall. The purchases follow Sintavia’s announcement in July of its acquisition of an additional Arcam Q20+ electron beam printer from GE Additive.

 “As we have grown over the past several years, we have shied away from issuing press releases when we acquire new equipment. In a normal year, these announcements are kind of boring. However, this is an unusual year, and we feel it is important to let the industry know that demand for aerospace additive manufacturing is booming,” said Brian Neff, Sintavia’s CEO. “The global pandemic has turned the traditional aerospace supply chain on its head, creating real opportunities for companies like Sintavia to offer high precision solutions to OEMs worldwide, and this trend underpins our announcement today. The EOS M400-4 is the workhorse of our factory, and we continue to see great results with it.”

The company stated that it expects to add an additional 6-8 large, industrial printers by the end of 2021, and 8-10 in 2022.

About Sintavia

Sintavia is the global leader in applied additive manufacturing for the Aerospace, Defense, & Space industry. With high-speed printers co-located alongside precision post processing equipment, a full complement of mechanical testing equipment, and a full metallurgical and powder laboratory, Sintavia is able to optimize parameters, serially manufacture, and audit quality parts for aerospace applications. A founding member of the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association, Sintavia is committed to the highest quality standards in the industry and holds multiple Nadcap and other aerospace accreditations. For more information visit http://www.sintavia.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200929005046/en/

Contacts

Sintavia, LLC

Lindsay Lewis, Marketing Manager

+1 954.474.7800

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/sintavia-acquires-two-additional-m400-4-printers-from-eos-gmbh/en

PCI Pharma Services Introduces First-of-its-Kind Digital Platform to Provide Clients with Real-Time Supply Chain Data and Analytics

 pci | bridge launch is part of larger three-year corporate digital transformation strategy



PHILADELPHIA-Tuesday 29 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PCI Pharma Services (PCI), a leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical global outsourcing solutions provider today announced the launch of pci | bridge, an innovative digital platform that will give customers immediate visibility into their clinical and commercial supply chain, and provide instantaneous data and insights to inform decision-making. Created using an agile development process whereby key clients collaborated and provided input, PCI built an industry-leading digital interface that delivers greater transparency to clients – saving time and resources to ultimately help bring life-changing therapies to patients faster. The launch of pci | bridge is one of many initiatives that PCI has undertaken to incorporate digital transformation as core to its business strategy.

 “At PCI, we are always looking to the future and could see the potential that technology and digital systems held for the pharmaceutical supply chain industry,” said Salim Haffar, Chief Executive Officer, PCI Pharma Services. “Twelve months ago, we made the deliberate decision as an organization to invest more in this area, with the goal of enhancing client experiences, digitizing business processes and aligning our IT to scale as we grow. The launch of pci | bridge represents a key milestone achievement in our digital transformation journey. We believe our unique offering will simplify how our clients interact with us and create a leading-edge client experience.”

A direct connection between PCI and clients, the platform will make real-time information readily accessible to clients including inventory, production, distribution and shipping data, presented in organized, customizable formats. The platform also features a document repository where electronic paperwork can be stored and accessed in one place, and signatures secured on the platform.

“Having a fully functioning supply chain, whose foundation is built on digitally-enabled capabilities and technologies, means we can be more adept at moving resources, assets and inventory – quickly and effectively,” said Wayne Hull, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, PCI Pharma Services. “We are embracing new technologies at PCI because they improve client experiences, give greater visibility into the supply chain, and provide data insights to optimize efficiencies and mitigate risks.”

The technology behind pci | bridge will closely and very securely integrate PCI’s systems with those of clients so that the supply chain can be easily managed by both parties. One significant advantage is removing manual processes that are often time intensive for both sides.

“Seeking input from multiple customers to understand how we hope to use the platform and previewing iterations with us is invaluable in terms of structuring the tool so it can actually be helpful to our work,” said Wendy Xia, Senior Director, Head of Supply Chain at Agios Pharmaceuticals, a key PCI client who collaborated with the company on pci | bridge. “I am very excited about my team using pci | bridge because I think it will greatly increase productivity and efficiency on both ends.”

“The benefits I see of using pci | bridge is that is that it eliminates the need for clients to constantly reach out to the project teams for updates. Now, we will have that information at our fingertips and can instead focus on the bigger picture with PCI, such as what’s coming next,” added Kevin Gregorczyk, Director, Development Operations at eFFECTOR Therapeutics, another key PCI client who participated in the development process.

Post-launch, PCI will continue to evolve and update pci | bridge features to meet client needs.

To learn more about pci | bridge, click here.

About PCI Pharma Services

The global healthcare industry trusts PCI for the drug development solutions that increase their products’ speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. Only PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 50 successful product launches a year and over five decades in the healthcare business. Leading technology and continued investment enable us to address global development needs throughout the product life cycle — from Phase I Clinical trials through commercialization and ongoing supply. Our clients view us as an extension of their business and a collaborative partner, with the shared goal of improving patients’ lives. For more information, please visit www.pci.com or follow us on Twitter at @PCI_Social.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200928005059/en/

Contacts

Bailey Watroba, WE Communications
bwatroba@we-worldwide.com / +1-617-234-4110

Permalink : https://www.aetoswire.com/news/pci-pharma-services-introduces-first-of-its-kind-digital-platform-to-provide-clients-with-real-time-supply-chain-data-and-analytics/en

ACI Worldwide and Mastercard to Collaborate and Advance New Payment Solutions and Experiences for Customers

 ACI and Mastercard will begin their collaboration by working together to offer industry-leading technology and expertise to central banks, scheme operators and market participants to fast-track the migration and modernization of real-time payment solutions around the world



NAPLES, Fla. & PURCHASE, N.Y.-Tuesday 29 September 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading global provider of real-time digital payment software and solutions, and Mastercard, the global multi-rail payments technology company, today announced that they will partner to provide a wide range of real-time payment solutions globally. They will initially collaborate to offer best-in-class central infrastructure, payments localization and access solutions to central banks, scheme operators, financial institutions, payment service providers, and other organizations launching real-time payments initiatives.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200929005265/en/

The real-time account-to-account payments market continues to quickly expand. Prime Time for Real-Time — a recent study analyzing global real-time, account-to-account payment volumes and forecasts across 30 global markets — projects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.4 percent from 2019 to 2024. While existing schemes around the world are adding new participants and value-added services, additional country and regional schemes are launching each year, including more than 20 schemes in varying planning stages.

With a complementary real-time payments vision, the combination of Mastercard’s central infrastructure and ACI’s payments access and real-time message transformation technology delivers an unmatched end-to-end offering. The new joint solution delivers key benefits including:

    Flexible deployment options — Mastercard and ACI collaboration provides deployment options that range from a fully managed service in the cloud, to supporting on-premise software for government, central bank and system operator-owned platforms
    Ability to support existing local market requirements — the joint solution reduces the amount of time to onboard participants and provides flexibility to accelerate real-time adoption
    ISO20022-first approach — joint real-time capabilities support organizations today and tomorrow, and provide translation to and from existing standards
    Digital services — further capabilities to support new digital services such as request to pay, proxy services and biller services
    Global proposition, local expertise —Mastercard and ACI collaboration brings together global reach, international experience and the local market knowledge

“With more countries and regions embarking on the modernization of their payments systems to capitalize on real-time technologies and customer demand, the market opportunity is significant,” said Paul Stoddart, President of New Payment Platforms, Mastercard. “Working together with ACI, we will explore a wide range of opportunities to accelerate the development and usage of real-time and multi-channel payment platforms, driving choice and innovation to market participants and end customers.”

“Mastercard and ACI share an extensive and complementary track record of real-time payments success — driving global central infrastructure clearing and settlement schemes, and this partnership creates the most robust and complete set of real-time capabilities in the market today,” said Craig Saks, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, ACI Worldwide. “Our companies are the leaders in real-time payments and aligning on an end-to-end solution will provide great benefit not only to banks and central infrastructures, but to merchants, billers, fintechs and intermediaries — and their customers — as well.”

Mastercard is a leading provider of account-to-account and card payments technology globally, with markets including the US, UK and Singapore as real-time payment infrastructure customers. ACI currently supports 18 real-time domestic schemes around the world, including Zelle and TCH in the US. Approximately 50 percent of the UK’s Faster Payments (UKFP) and 75 percent of Hungary’s GIRO transactions are processed through UP Immediate Payments. The solution is also the core processing infrastructure for Malaysia’s Real-Time Retail Payments Platform (RPP), and STET’s real-time payments platform for PSPs in Europe. Additionally, ACI has customers using UP Immediate Payments to access Singapore FAST and the Australian NPP (New Payments Platform).

About ACI Worldwide

ACI Worldwide powers digital payments for more than 6,000 organizations around the world. More than 1,000 of the largest financial institutions and intermediaries, as well as thousands of global merchants, rely on ACI to execute $14 trillion each day in payments and securities. In addition, myriad organizations utilize our bill presentment and payment services. Through our comprehensive suite of software solutions delivered on customers’ premises, through the public cloud or through ACI’s private cloud, we provide real-time payment capabilities and enable the industry’s most complete omni-channel payments experience. To learn more about ACI, please visit www.aciworldwide.com. You can also find us on Twitter @ACI_Worldwide.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA) www.mastercard.com

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

© Copyright ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2020
ACI, ACI Worldwide, ACI Payments, Inc., ACI Pay, Speedpay and all ACI product/solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACI Worldwide, Inc., or one of its subsidiaries, in the United States, other countries or both. Other parties’ trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

Product roadmaps are for informational purposes only and may not be incorporated into a contract or agreement. The development release and timing of future product releases remains at ACI’s sole discretion. ACI is providing the following information in accordance with ACI's standard product communication policies. Any resulting features, functionality, and enhancements or timing of release of such features, functionality, and enhancements are at the sole discretion of ACI and may be modified without notice. All product roadmap or other similar information does not represent a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making a purchasing decision.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200929005265/en/

Contacts

ACI
Dan Ring
dan.ring@aciworldwide.com
781-370-3600

Mastercard
James Thorpe
James.Thorpe@mastercard.com
+44 20 7557 5430

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