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Business Lifestyle Travel & Leisure

Boingo Wireless expands its service delivering fast 5G connectivity at the Newark Liberty International Airport’s New Terminal A

  • Converged 5G Enabled Network Enhances the Passenger Experience and Powers Terminal Operations
  • Dedicated Private LTE Network Enables Critical Airside Activity

 

NEW YORK — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #WirelessSimplifiedBoingo Wireless, a total connectivity provider of distributed antenna systems (DAS), Wi-Fi and private networks, has deployed a state-of-the-art, converged network featuring Wi-Fi 6, DAS and private LTE at Newark Liberty International Airport’s (EWR) brand-new Terminal A. Now open for operations, the more than 1 million-square-foot terminal is ready to welcome an anticipated 14 million passengers a year with a convenient, connected, amenity-rich travel experience. The network infrastructure enables fast, seamless connectivity for passengers and reliable internet for critical airport operations with best-in-class cellular, Wi-Fi and LTE.

“This project represents a shining example of how leveraging a public/private partnership can help deliver technology innovation in service to a reimagined Newark Airport experience,” said Robert Galvin, Chief Technology Officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Boingo Wireless has deployed a world-class network that fulfills passenger demand for fast, seamless connectivity, while also providing a robust connectivity backbone to support digital airport operations. Newark Terminal A is utilizing a combination of leading wireless technologies to create a tech-forward experience for travelers and airport employees.”

 

The Boingo Private Network deployed at Terminal A supports daily activity on the airport apron, including airside and outdoor areas where aircraft are parked, loaded and unloaded, refueled, boarded and maintained. Boingo’s private network solution provides a cost-effective deployment for outdoor connectivity in a tough to access area requiring extensive bandwidth for connected devices.

 

“Newark Airport Terminal A is a stunning facility where technology is integral to the overall experience—from extensive digital signage to baggage handling, aircraft maintenance and logistics management. It required our team to think carefully about what use cases needed to be supported, break down the complexities and determine how to best leverage a combination of today’s leading wireless technologies to ensure reliable connectivity throughout the sprawling facility,” said Boingo CEO Mike Finley. “EWR is leading the way with a fully converged network, showcasing what’s possible when you combine the capabilities of 5G, DAS, LTE and Wi-Fi 6.”

 

Boingo is one of the largest DAS providers in the U.S. and works with New York’s transit hubs to deliver wireless connectivity that is built for the 5G era. The Boingo DAS network at Newark Terminal A is neutral host, bringing LTE and 5G solutions from all Tier One carriers under one central managed platform. Working alongside Wi-Fi 6—the next generation of the Wi-Fi standard—Terminal A’s free Wi-Fi delivers increased speed and reliability for passengers to enjoy streaming content, social media, mobile apps and more. The DAS and Wi-Fi 6 networks work in concert to power crucial operations, such as bag reconciliation systems, baggage scanners, a full digital signage journey for enhanced passenger communication, staff iPads, terminal operations and contractor delivery logistics as well as airport concessions and retail.

 

About Boingo Wireless

Boingo Wireless, Inc. simplifies complex wireless challenges to connect people, business and things. Boingo designs, builds and manages converged, neutral host public and private networks at major venues around the world. Boingo’s vast footprint of distributed antenna systems (DAS), Wi-Fi, small cells and macro towers securely powers innovation and connectivity in airports, transit stations, stadiums, military bases, hospitals, commercial properties and enterprises worldwide. Learn more at boingo.com.

Contacts

Melody Walker

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

mwalker@boingo.com

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Business Lifestyle Technology

Vonage recognised as Established Leader in Conversational Commerce by Juniper Research

HOLMDEL, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Vonage, a global leader in cloud communications helping businesses accelerate their digital transformation, has been recognised as an Established Leader in the Conversational Commerce space by Juniper Research, a Europe-based provider of business intelligence specialised in providing high-quality data and fully researched analysis to manufacturers, financiers, developers, and service/content providers across the communications sector.

Conversational Commerce is an in-demand retail trend that capitalises on the growing convergence of shopping and conversations on platforms such as Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram, using the chat feature to create a seamless shopping experience.

 

Elisha Sudlow-Poole, Research Analyst at Juniper Research, remarked: “Supporting enough communications channels is no longer enough to ensure the success of omnichannel experiences. Vonage’s ability to provide value-added services, such as strong AI capabilities, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solutions and payment integrations, into its platform ensures depth within existing communications channels. This secures its place as an established leader in this highly competitive market.”

 

The Conversational Commerce Competitor Leaderboard 2022-2027 ranks 19 vendors scored on criteria including capability and capacity, product and position, and market presence. The report highlights Vonage’s strong omnichannel support, including WhatsApp, Twitter, Messenger, LINE and Instagram, as well as the additional value and scalability provided by Vonage communications APIs, including the capability to seamlessly invite buyers to a live video interaction with an in-store associate or customer service agent in just one click.

 

Juniper Research also commends Vonage on its eCommerce and payment integrations, noting that “the ability to process payments and card transactions securely and accurately will be a key to the future growth of the conversational commerce market.” The report also asserts that Vonage’s strong financial performance in the conversational commerce market places the company in a strong position to invest in future technologies such as conversational AI, enhanced security features, region-specific payment features and even future channels as they emerge.

 

“We are thrilled to be named an Established Leader in the conversational commerce space by Juniper Research,” said Yash Kotak, Sr. Director Product Management at Vonage and Founder of Jumper.ai. “Backed by the power of the full Vonage Communications Platform, we will continue to innovate our conversational commerce application to meet customers’ evolving needs, with embedded commerce capabilities to drive more engaging, personalised experiences from anywhere, on any channel.”

 

Vonage’s conversational commerce application, Jumper.ai, is an end-to-end conversational commerce solution that enables brands to create omnichannel, messaging-first customer buying experiences across popular messaging, social and web platforms such as (WhatsApp, Messenger, Apple Business Chat, Instagram, Twitter, SMS, LINE, Google Ads, brand websites, and more). As social messaging becomes more important to consumers across the globe as a quick and direct way of connecting with their favorite brands, the application meets the needs of major global brands such as L’Oréal, Ben & Jerry’s, and Burger King, helping them to connect with consumers, while also turning these conversations into richer AI-enabled customer experiences.

 

Download the Conversational Commerce Leaderboard excerpt.

 

About Vonage

Vonage, a global cloud communications leader, helps businesses accelerate their digital transformation. Vonage’s Communications Platform is fully programmable and allows for the integration of Video, Voice, Chat, Messaging, AI and Verification into existing products, workflows and systems. The Vonage conversational commerce application enables businesses to create AI-powered omnichannel experiences that boost sales and increase customer satisfaction. Vonage’s fully programmable unified communications, contact center and conversational commerce applications are built from the Vonage platform and enable companies to transform how they communicate and operate from the office or remotely – providing the flexibility required to create meaningful engagements.

 

Vonage is headquartered in New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson. To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage. To become a fan on Facebook, go to facebook.com/vonage. To subscribe on YouTube, visit youtube.com/vonage.

Contacts

Vonage Media: Elise Leonard, 732-837-3801, elise.leonard@vonage.com

Categories
Business Healthcare Lifestyle

Aetrex Footwear continues year-over-year sales growth momentum with new fall 2023 styles

Following nearly 50% growth in footwear sales, brand to exhibit new data-driven footwear collection at Atlanta Shoe Market, Booth #1441

 

TEANECK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Aetrex, Inc. “(Aetrex),” a global market leader in foot scanning technology, orthotics and comfort & wellness footwear, today announced plans to showcase its new Fall/Winter 2023 collection at this year’s Atlanta Shoe Market, Feb. 18-20.

 

Building off a year of significant sales growth, Aetrex will present new footwear constructions based on global data and learnings from its 3D foot scanning technology. The collection features an assortment of dress, classic and retro-inspired footwear, as well as on-trend color expansions and fan-favorite athleisure and cozy styles.


“In 2022, we experienced nearly 50% growth in footwear sales – a pivotal moment for Aetrex. This dramatic increase is testament to our growing assortment of on-trend, year-round styles developed with a unique data-driven approach to creating anatomically correct designs that offer superior comfort for better foot health,” said Renee Newman, VP Footwear Sales at Aetrex.

 

The new collection is poised to meet consumer demand for more versatile options. “For the past few years, dressier styles have been on the rise and retailers have repeatedly asked Aetrex to continue expanding this category,” said Newman. “This collection is designed for consumers who want premium comfort without sacrificing fashion, featuring easy-to-wear styles that combine dressier, occasion-based, and cozy-chic silhouettes with all-day functionality and comfort.”

 

The collection brings versatility to timeless silhouettes in a variety of on-trend colors such as dark cognac, dark olive, honey, burgundy and dark teal. New, notable styles include the Brianna, a sleek ballet flat-inspired wedge with an elasticized topline and a soft, unstructured upper for a glove-like fit, and the Dawn, a 2 3/4” slip-on wedge boot with a lightweight, cork midsole—a signature material anchored across Aetrex’s collections. The Scarlett, a 3 ¼” heeled suede boot, brings a pop of shearling with a roll-over top, while the Mila ankle boot brings a bohemian touch with a tasseled lateral side zip and a pleated upper.

 

As wider-legged pants continue to grow in popularity, chunky, retro footwear, like clogs, are rising along with them. Expanding upon existing clog styles like the Finley and Corey with new materials and colorways, the brand also introduces two new wedge styles with this collection: the leather Beckie, which includes a functional heel strap, and the suede Madison.

 

All Aetrex shoes feature an orthotic footbed with proprietary arch support for proper alignment. Every shoe in the collection is designed based on scientific data and learnings sourced from more than 50 million global foot scans conducted on Aetrex’s foot scanners (i.e. Albert 2 Pro, Albert 3DFit, etc.) to ensure maximum comfort, support and a better overall fit.

 

Available in August 2023, this collection will also include sparkly athletic sneakers, fur-lined, casual slip-on boots, a knee-high boot and more. Atlanta Shoe Market attendees can stop by the booth (#1441) to experience the new collection.

 

To learn more about Aetrex, please visit www.aetrex.com.

 

About Aetrex

Aetrex, Inc. is widely recognized as a global leader in foot scanning technology, orthotics and comfort and wellness footwear. Aetrex has developed state-of-the-art foot scanning devices, including Albert, Albert 2 Pro and Albert 3DFit (2022 and 2023 CES Innovation Award Honorees), Albert Pressure and iStep, designed to accurately measure feet and determine foot type and pressure points. Since 2002, Aetrex has placed over 12,000 scanners worldwide that have performed more than 50 million unique customer foot scans, currently averaging more than 2.5 million scans a year.

 

The company is renowned for its over-the-counter orthotics – the worlds #1 premium foot orthotic. With fashion, function and quality at the forefront, Aetrex also designs and manufactures stylish, performance footwear. Based in New Jersey, Aetrex is consistently named one of New Jersey’s Top 100 Privately Held Companies and was also included in NJBIZ’s Top 30 Manufacturing Companies. It has remained privately owned by the Schwartz family for three generations. For additional information, visit www.aetrex.com.

Contacts

Media
Rajira Hernandez

Matter Communications

978-225-8082

aetrex@matternow.com

Categories
Business

AM Best withdraws Credit Ratings of Aegis Security Insurance Company

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insuranceAM Best has downgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “bbb” (Good) from “bbb+” (Good) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) of Aegis Security Insurance Company (Aegis) (Harrisburg, PA). The outlook of the FSR has been revised to negative from stable, while the outlook of the Long-Term ICR is negative. Concurrently, AM Best has withdrawn these Credit Ratings (ratings) as the company has requested to no longer participate in AM Best’s interactive rating process.

These ratings reflect Aegis’ balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.

 

The Long-Term ICR downgrade reflects the company’s overall risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and balance sheet metrics, which no longer support the prior balance sheet strength assessment of very strong. The company’s balance sheet strength has been impacted through the years by wide swings in premium levels without a corresponding increase in policyholder surplus. As a result, the company’s underwriting leverage results are well above those of the personal property composite average. In addition, in more recent years, the company has reported adverse reserve development on both the homeowner and commercial auto lines of business, which further diminished overall balance sheet strength.

 

The negative outlooks reflect the adverse trend in overall operating results over the last four years. The company’s combined ratio has been above break-even for several consecutive years and net underwriting losses have totaled more than $30 million in the latest five-year period (2017-2021). As a result, the company’s five year average pre-tax and total returns on revenue and equity are negative and compare unfavorably with the personal property composite. Aegis’ operating results have been impacted by weather-related issues and increased frequency and severity in commercial auto.

 

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Quentin Harris

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5821

quentin.harris@ambest.com

Joseph Burtone

Director

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5125

joseph.burtone@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

al.slavin@ambest.com

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Business Digital - AI & Apps Healthcare Lifestyle News Now! Science

CORRECTING and REPLACING zant. announces Jim Lusk as investor

zant., a mental health app dedicated to delivering low-cost support to college students announces Jim Lusk as an investor.

 

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Please replace the release dated January 26, 2023 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.

The updated release reads:

 

ZANT. ANNOUNCES JIM LUSK AS INVESTOR

zant., a mental health app dedicated to delivering low-cost support to college students announces Jim Lusk as an investor.

 

zant. believes that mental health professionals exist across a spectrum of services and conduct the work they do with the ultimate goal of supporting those struggling. They aim to use the resources they have throughout the team and investment to do something about the fragmented and broken system that exists today within the mental health industry.

 

According to MarketWatch, today, “one-third of Americans can’t afford therapy,” which is where zant. comes in. The revolutionary mental health app has focused its differentiation on low rates starting at $25 per session, special features to manage all aspects of finding, scheduling, paying, and having the session in one place, and offering services from life coaches, counselors, and specialists. As they continue in their fundraising efforts, zant. is thrilled to announce Jim Lusk as an investor. With extensive experience in strategic planning and business strategy, finance, and beyond – Lusk brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.

 

Lusk shared his enthusiasm for joining zant.: “I am proud to join zant., as it truly is leading the way in this sector of mental health in making traditional and non-traditional services accessible for all people regardless of their age, location, or financial and insurance situation.” He added, “zant.’s mission perfectly aligns with what I believe every person should have access to; high-quality mental health support without breaking the bank.”

 

Lusk earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Wharton School and his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Seton Hall University. His expertise in various aspects of business has been utilized in multiple executive roles since 1994 starting at the AT&T Corporation. Lusk has served as the interim CFO for Lucent, CFO for ABM Industries, and CFO for Bioscrip.

 

Lusk has a variety of skills which includes finance, treasury, and accounting. His expertise includes financial planning and analysis, operations, along with mergers and acquisitions activities allowing him to gain an understanding of global markets that can be applied to zant.’s growth.

 

“When I first met Jim, I could feel his passion and overwhelming love for people. I was not only thrilled to hear about his interest in investing himself but alongside his wife as a joint investment,” said Maggie Rose Macar, founder and CEO of zant. “Jim is and will continue to make an impact on the zant. team as a mentor and advisor, someone who is encouraging, passionate about helping others, and despite his busy schedule, makes time to meet with our team members and share his wealth of knowledge without hesitation.”

 

As an investor with zant., Lusk will continue to provide valuable insight into strategies that are designed to deliver lasting results that benefit this innovative mental health app, which is currently utilized by Americans around the country.

 

zant. launched September 1st on the iOS App Store and is now available for download on the Google Play Store for android users. To invest in zant., contact investments@zant.app and head to www.zant.app for more information.

 

zant. is a mobile app offering over 25 categories of support at low costs with discounted student and standard rates. We envision a world where mental health services are accessible, affordable, and still remain high-quality.

Contacts

Jake Ciccarelli, jake@zant.app

Categories
Business Lifestyle Sports & Gaming

Fan-favorite Online Slots by Konami Gaming rolling out on Caesars Sportsbook & Casino

Konami library of top slots now available for online casino play in multiple jurisdictions

 

LAS VEGAS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Konami Gaming, Inc. today announced the arrival of popular slot games such as China Shores™, All Aboard™ Dynamite Dash™, Quick Strike™ Online, and more to Caesars Sportsbook & Casino in New Jersey and Michigan. The partnership also makes Konami’s complete online games library available across all real money sites owned and operated by Caesars Digital. Caesars online players across jurisdictions including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario can now look forward to an ongoing release of fun and familiar Konami slot games that have become popular inside Caesars brick-and-mortar casino locations across North America.


“The iconic Konami slot characters, bonuses, features, and sounds that players find at the casino have launched online through Caesars, with real money wagering,” said Steve Sutherland, president and chief executive officer at Konami Gaming, Inc. “As a result, more people in more places can enjoy the entertainment they know and love, with convenience and comfort.”

 

“Our world-class casino mobile app and online sites provide an all-in-one destination for exceptional gaming entertainment,” said Matt Sunderland, senior vice president of online gaming at Caesars Digital. “We’re pleased to be working with Konami to bring even more diversified entertainment options to our online players that build on our goal of offering unmatched gaming experiences both in person and online.”

 

For more than 20 years, Konami Gaming has been a leading developer of land-based casino games. Through this collaboration between Konami and Caesars, online players can tap into casino classics like China Shores and in the next moment explore fresh hits like Ocean Spin™ Kingdom’s Treasures™—directly from an online device.

 

For more information about Konami Gaming, Inc., please visit www.konamigaming.com.

 

About Konami Gaming, Inc.

Konami Gaming, Inc. is a Las Vegas-based subsidiary of KONAMI GROUP CORPORATION (TSE: 9766). The company is a leading designer and manufacturer of slot machines and casino management systems for the global gaming market. For more information about Konami Gaming, Inc. or the SYNKROS® gaming enterprise management system, please visit www.konamigaming.com.

Contacts

Tashina Lazcano

Konami Gaming, Inc.

Director of Marketing & Communications

702.419.6025

wortham0609@konamigaming.com

Brad Harwood

Caesars Sportsbook & Casino

bharwood@caesars.com

Categories
Business Culture

New Jersey Resources reports Fiscal 2023 First-Quarter Results and increases net financial earnings guidance for fiscal 2023

Strong Operating Performance Across Organization During Winter Storm Elliott

 

WALL, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Today, New Jersey Resources Corporation (NYSE: NJR) reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Highlights include:

  • Consolidated net income of $115.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared with net income of $111.3 million for the same period last year
  • Consolidated net financial earnings (NFE), a non-GAAP financial measure, of $110.3 million, or $1.14 per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to NFE of $65.8 million, or $0.69 per share, for the same period last year
  • Increases fiscal 2023 net financial earnings per share (NFEPS) guidance to a range of $2.62 to $2.72, from $2.42 to $2.52, a $0.20 increase, as a result of the strong performance of our business units during Winter Storm Elliott, particularly Energy Services
  • Maintains long-term projected NFEPS growth rate of 7 to 9 percent(1)

First-quarter fiscal 2023 net income totaled $115.9 million, or $1.20 per share, compared with net income of $111.3 million, or $1.16 per share, during the same period in fiscal 2022. First-quarter fiscal 2023 NFE totaled $110.3 million, or $1.14 per share, compared to NFE of $65.8 million, or $0.69 per share, during the same period in fiscal 2022.

 

Steve Westhoven, President and CEO, stated, “NJR reported a strong first quarter of fiscal 2023, with solid operating performance during the recent winter storm event of 2022 driving better than expected results. We are raising our fiscal 2023 NFEPS guidance to a range of $2.62 to $2.72, largely driven by an exceptional quarter from Energy Services as well as favorable contributions from New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) and Storage and Transportation. Overall, these results reflect the strength of our complementary portfolio of businesses and the value of our physical infrastructure.”

 

Key Performance Metrics

Three Months Ended

December 31,

($ in Thousands)

2022

2021

Net income

$

115,921

$

111,312

Basic EPS

$

1.20

$

1.16

Net financial earnings

$

110,284

$

65,770

Basic net financial earnings per share

$

1.14

$

0.69

(1)

NFEPS long-term annual growth projections are based on the midpoint of the $2.20 – $2.30 initial guidance range for fiscal 2022, provided on February 1, 2021

A reconciliation of net income to NFE for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, is provided below.

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(Thousands)

2022

2021

Net income

$

115,921

$

111,312

Add:

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions

(31,503

)

(82,191

)

Tax effect

7,487

19,536

Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory

23,972

23,577

Tax effect

(5,697

)

(5,603

)

NFE tax adjustment

104

(861

)

Net financial earnings

$

110,284

$

65,770

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

Basic

96,485

95,944

Diluted

97,083

96,356

Basic earnings per share

$

1.20

$

1.16

Add:

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions

(0.33

)

(0.86

)

Tax effect

0.08

0.21

Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory

0.25

0.25

Tax effect

(0.06

)

(0.06

)

NFE tax adjustment

(0.01

)

Basic NFE per share

$

1.14

$

0.69

 

NFE is a measure of earnings based on the elimination of timing differences to effectively match the earnings effects of the economic hedges with the physical sale of natural gas, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) and foreign currency contracts. Consequently, to reconcile net income and NFE, current-period unrealized gains and losses on the derivatives are excluded from NFE as a reconciling item. Realized derivative gains and losses are also included in current-period net income. However, NFE includes only realized gains and losses related to natural gas sold out of inventory, effectively matching the full earnings effects of the derivatives with realized margins on physical natural gas flows. NFE also excludes certain transactions associated with equity method investments, including impairment charges, which are non-cash charges, and return of capital in excess of the carrying value of our investment. These are not indicative of the Company’s performance for its ongoing operations. Included in the tax effects are current and deferred income tax expense corresponding with the components of NFE.

 

A table detailing NFE for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, is provided below.

 

Net financial earnings (loss) by Business Unit

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(Thousands)

2022

2021

New Jersey Natural Gas

$

54,664

$

51,080

Clean Energy Ventures (CEV)

(3,582

)

(6,821

)

Storage and Transportation

6,243

2,962

Energy Services

52,533

17,567

Home Services and Other

(29

)

447

Subtotal

109,829

65,235

Eliminations

455

535

Total

$

110,284

$

65,770

 

Fiscal 2023 NFE Guidance:

NJR is raising its fiscal 2023 NFE guidance by $0.20 to a range of $2.62 to $2.72, subject to the risks and uncertainties identified below under “Forward-Looking Statements.” The following chart represents NJR’s current expected contributions from its business segments for fiscal 2023:

 

Company

Expected Fiscal 2023

Net Financial Earnings

Contribution

New Jersey Natural Gas

48 to 53 percent

Clean Energy Ventures

18 to 20 percent

Storage and Transportation

4 to 8 percent

Energy Services

20 to 25 percent

Home Services and Other

0 to 1 percent

 

In providing fiscal 2023 NFE guidance, management is aware there could be differences between reported GAAP earnings and NFE due to matters such as, but not limited to, the positions of our energy-related derivatives. Management is not able to reasonably estimate the aggregate impact or significance of these items on reported earnings and, therefore, is not able to provide a reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP equivalent for its operating earnings guidance without unreasonable efforts.

 

New Jersey Natural Gas

NJNG reported first-quarter fiscal 2023 NFE of $54.7 million, compared to NFE of $51.1 million during the same period in fiscal 2022. The improvement was due primarily to higher base rates, which became effective on December 1, 2021, as well as higher contribution from Basic Gas Supply Service incentive programs to utility gross margin.

 

Customer Growth:

  • NJNG added 2,132 new customers during first-quarter fiscal 2023, compared with 1,730 in fiscal 2022. NJNG expects these new customers to contribute approximately $1.8 million of incremental utility gross margin on an annualized basis.

Infrastructure Update:

  • NJNG’s Infrastructure Investment Program (IIP) is a five-year, $150 million accelerated recovery program that began in fiscal 2021. IIP consists of a series of infrastructure projects designed to enhance the safety and reliability of NJNG’s natural gas distribution system. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023 NJNG spent $8.8 million under the program on various distribution system reinforcement projects. On March 31, 2022, the Company filed its first rate recovery request with the BPU. On July 13, 2022, NJNG updated the filing with actual information through June 30, 2022, seeking recovery for $28.9 million of investments, including AFUDC, from November 30, 2020 through June 30, 2022. On September 7, 2022, the BPU issued an Order approving a stipulation of settlement effective October 1, 2022.

 

Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) Incentive Programs:

BGSS incentive programs contributed $8.7 million to utility gross margin in the first-quarter of fiscal 2023, compared with $3.8 million during the same period in fiscal 2022. The increase was due primarily to higher margins from off-system sales and the storage incentive program.

For more information on utility gross margin, please see “Non-GAAP Financial Information” below.

Energy-Efficiency Programs:

SAVEGREEN invested $10.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 in energy-efficiency upgrades for their customers’ homes and businesses. NJNG recovered $2.5 million of its outstanding investments during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 through its energy efficiency rate.

 

Clean Energy Ventures

CEV reported first-quarter fiscal 2023 net financial loss of $(3.6) million, compared with net financial loss of $(6.8) million during the same period in fiscal 2022. The improvement was due primarily to higher SREC and electricity revenue and lower operating expenses, partially offset by higher depreciation expenses.

Solar Investment Update:

  • During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, CEV placed 3 commercial projects into service, adding approximately 18 megawatts (MW) to total installed capacity.
  • As of December 31, 2022, CEV had approximately 405MW of solar capacity (including residential) in service in New Jersey, Rhode Island, New York and Connecticut.
  • Subsequent to quarter end, CEV placed a 25MW commercial project into service, and now has over 430MW (including residential) of total installed capacity as of February 2, 2022.

 

Storage and Transportation

Storage and Transportation reported first-quarter fiscal 2023 NFE of $6.2 million, compared with NFE of $3.0 million during the same period in fiscal 2022. The increase was due primarily to increased operating revenue at Leaf River and Adelphia Gateway, partially offset by increased depreciation expenses.

Energy Services

Energy Services reported first-quarter fiscal 2023 NFE of $52.5 million, compared with NFE of $17.6 million during the same period in fiscal 2022. The improvement for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to the prior year period was due primarily to higher natural gas price volatility during periods of colder than expected weather in December, allowing Energy Services to capture additional margin.

Home Services and Other Operations

Home Services and Other Operations reported first-quarter fiscal 2023 net financial loss of $(0.03) million compared with NFE of $0.4 million for the same period in fiscal 2022.

Capital Expenditures and Cash Flows:

NJR is committed to maintaining a strong financial profile.

  • During the first-quarter of fiscal 2023, capital expenditures were $137.0 million, including accruals, of which $80.7 million were related to NJNG, compared with $152.7 million, of which $59.7 million were related to NJNG, during the same period in fiscal 2022. The decrease in capital expenditures was primarily due to the completion of the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline project, which was placed into service in September 2022.
  • During the first-quarter of fiscal 2023, cash flows used in operations were $88.9 million, compared with cash flows used in operations of $37.4 million during the same period of fiscal 2022. The decrease in operating cash flows was due to higher working capital requirements as a result of higher energy prices.

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. NJR cautions readers that the assumptions forming the basis for forward-looking statements include many factors that are beyond NJR’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as estimates of future market conditions and the behavior of other market participants. Words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “should” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements and such forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current expectations, assumptions and beliefs as of this date concerning future developments and their potential effect upon NJR. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management’s expectations, assumptions and beliefs or that the effect of future developments on NJR will be those anticipated by management. Forward-looking statements in this earnings release include, but are not limited to, certain statements regarding NJR’s NFEPS guidance for fiscal 2023, projected NFEPS growth rates, forecasted contribution of business segments to NJR’s NFE for fiscal 2023, customer growth at NJNG, potential CEV capital projects, infrastructure programs and investments future decarbonization opportunities including IIP, the outcome of future Base Rate Cases with the BPU, and other legal and regulatory expectations.

Additional information and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from NJR’s expectations are contained in NJR’s filings with the SEC, including NJR’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings, which are available at the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov. Information included in this earnings release is representative as of today only and while NJR periodically reassesses material trends and uncertainties affecting NJR’s results of operations and financial condition in connection with its preparation of management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition contained in its Quarterly and Annual Reports filed with the SEC, NJR does not, by including this statement, assume any obligation to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement referenced herein in light of future events.

Non-GAAP Financial Information:

This earnings release includes the non-GAAP financial measures NFE/net financial loss, NFE per basic share, financial margin and utility gross margin. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP can be found below. As an indicator of NJR’s operating performance, these measures should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or operating revenues as determined in accordance with GAAP. This information has been provided pursuant to the requirements of SEC Regulation G.

NFE and financial margin exclude unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments related to NJR’s unregulated subsidiaries and certain realized gains and losses on derivative instruments related to natural gas that has been placed into storage at Energy Services and certain transactions related to NJR’s investments in the PennEast Project, net of applicable tax adjustments as described below. Financial margin also differs from gross margin as defined on a GAAP basis as it excludes certain operations and maintenance expense and depreciation and amortization as well as the effects of derivatives as discussed above. Volatility associated with the change in value of these financial instruments and physical commodity reported on the income statement in the current period. In order to manage its business, NJR views its results without the impacts of the unrealized gains and losses, and certain realized gains and losses, caused by changes in value of these financial instruments and physical commodity contracts prior to the completion of the planned transaction because it shows changes in value currently instead of when the planned transaction ultimately is settled. An annual estimated effective tax rate is calculated for NFE purposes and any necessary quarterly tax adjustment is applied to NJR Energy Services Company.

NJNG’s utility gross margin is defined as operating revenues less natural gas purchases, sales tax, and regulatory rider expense. This measure differs from gross margin as presented on a GAAP basis as it excludes certain operations and maintenance expense and depreciation and amortization. Utility gross margin may also not be comparable to the definition of gross margin used by others in the natural gas distribution business and other industries. Management believes that utility gross margin provides a meaningful basis for evaluating utility operations since natural gas costs, sales tax and regulatory rider expenses are included in operating revenues and passed through to customers and, therefore, have no effect on utility gross margin.

Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental measures to other GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of NJR’s performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are more reflective of NJR’s business model, provide transparency to investors and enable period-to-period comparability of financial performance. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP can be found below. For a full discussion of NJR’s non-GAAP financial measures, please see NJR’s most recent Report on Form 10-K, Item 7.

About New Jersey Resources

New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. NJR is composed of five primary businesses:

  • New Jersey Natural Gas, NJR’s principal subsidiary, operates and maintains over 7,700 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve over 570,000 customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean and parts of Morris, Middlesex, Sussex and Burlington counties.
  • Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar projects with a total capacity of more than 430 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
  • Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services and customized energy solutions to its customers across North America.
  • Storage and Transportation serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its ownership of Leaf River and the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline, as well as our 50% equity ownership in the Steckman Ridge natural gas storage facility.
  • Home Services provides service contracts as well as heating, central air conditioning, water heaters, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes throughout New Jersey.

NJR and its over 1,200 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project® and The Sunlight Advantage®.

For more information about NJR: www.njresources.com.

Follow us on Twitter @NJNaturalGas.

“Like” us on facebook.com/NewJerseyNaturalGas.

NEW JERSEY RESOURCES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(Thousands, except per share data)

2022

2021

OPERATING REVENUES

Utility

$

357,409

$

274,435

Nonutility

366,158

401,407

Total operating revenues

723,567

675,842

OPERATING EXPENSES

Gas purchases

Utility

182,446

122,269

Nonutility

232,070

278,794

Related parties

1,827

1,846

Operation and maintenance

79,501

68,984

Regulatory rider expenses

18,251

16,671

Depreciation and amortization

36,683

30,393

Total operating expenses

550,778

518,957

OPERATING INCOME

172,789

156,885

Other income, net

4,655

4,136

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest

29,491

19,477

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES

147,953

141,544

Income tax provision

32,978

30,807

Equity in earnings of affiliates

946

575

NET INCOME

$

115,921

$

111,312

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic

$

1.20

$

1.16

Diluted

$

1.19

$

1.16

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

Basic

96,485

95,944

Diluted

97,083

96,356

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(Thousands)

2022

2021

NEW JERSEY RESOURCES

A reconciliation of net income, the closest GAAP financial measure, to net financial earnings is as follows:

Net income

$

115,921

$

111,312

Add:

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions

(31,503

)

(82,191

)

Tax effect

7,487

19,536

Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory

23,972

23,577

Tax effect

(5,697

)

(5,603

)

NFE tax adjustment

104

(861

)

Net financial earnings

$

110,284

$

65,770

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

Basic

96,485

95,944

Diluted

97,083

96,356

A reconciliation of basic earnings per share, the closest GAAP financial measure, to basic net financial earnings per share is as follows:

Basic earnings per share

$

1.20

$

1.16

Add:

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions

$

(0.33

)

$

(0.86

)

Tax effect

$

0.08

$

0.21

Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory

$

0.25

$

0.25

Tax effect

$

(0.06

)

$

(0.06

)

NFE tax adjustment

$

$

(0.01

)

Basic NFE per share

$

1.14

$

0.69

NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION

A reconciliation of gross margin, the closest GAAP financial measure, to utility gross margin is as follows:

Operating revenues

$

357,746

$

274,772

Less:

Natural gas purchases

184,771

124,594

Operating and maintenance (1)

26,294

13,141

Regulatory rider expense

18,251

16,671

Depreciation and amortization

24,890

22,893

Gross margin

103,540

97,473

Add:

Operating and maintenance (1)

26,294

13,141

Depreciation and amortization

24,890

22,893

Utility gross margin

$

154,724

$

133,507

(1) Excludes selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $23.4 million and $23.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES (continued)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

(Unaudited)

December 31,

(Thousands)

2022

2021

ENERGY SERVICES

A reconciliation of gross margin, the closest GAAP financial measure, to Energy Services’ financial margin is as follows:

Operating revenues

$

321,782

$

369,244

Less:

Natural Gas purchases

233,287

278,687

Operation and maintenance (1)

3,455

(13,871

)

Depreciation and amortization

57

28

Gross margin

84,983

104,400

Add:

Operation and maintenance (1)

3,455

(13,871

)

Depreciation and amortization

57

28

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions

(39,886

)

(85,647

)

Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas inventory

23,972

23,577

Financial margin

$

72,581

$

28,487

(1) Excludes selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $(2.3) million and $17.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

A reconciliation of net income, the closest GAAP financial measure, to net financial earnings is as follows:

Net income

$

64,561

$

65,744

Add:

Unrealized (gain) on derivative instruments and related transactions

(39,886

)

(85,647

)

Tax effect

9,479

20,357

Effects of economic hedging related to natural gas

23,972

23,577

Tax effect

(5,697

)

(5,603

)

NFE tax adjustment

104

(861

)

Net financial earnings

$

52,533

$

17,567

FINANCIAL STATISTICS BY BUSINESS UNIT

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

(Thousands, except per share data)

2022

2021

NEW JERSEY RESOURCES

Operating Revenues

Natural Gas Distribution

$

357,746

$

274,772

Clean Energy Ventures

12,792

10,183

Energy Services

321,782

369,244

Storage and Transportation

26,838

12,143

Home Services and Other

14,266

13,951

Sub-total

733,424

680,293

Eliminations

(9,857

)

(4,451

)

Total

$

723,567

$

675,842

Operating Income (Loss)

Natural Gas Distribution

$

80,113

$

74,183

Clean Energy Ventures

(321

)

(3,972

)

Energy Services

87,315

86,778

Storage and Transportation

12,617

1,876

Home Services and Other

51

862

Sub-total

179,775

159,727

Eliminations

(6,986

)

(2,842

)

Total

$

172,789

$

156,885

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Storage and Transportation

$

909

$

1,056

Eliminations

37

(481

)

Total

$

946

$

575

Net Income (Loss)

Natural Gas Distribution

$

54,664

$

51,080

Clean Energy Ventures

(3,582

)

(6,821

)

Energy Services

64,561

65,744

Storage and Transportation

6,243

2,962

Home Services and Other

(29

)

447

Sub-total

121,857

113,412

Eliminations

(5,936

)

(2,100

)

Total

$

115,921

$

111,312

Net Financial Earnings (Loss)

Natural Gas Distribution

$

54,664

$

51,080

Clean Energy Ventures

(3,582

)

(6,821

)

Energy Services

52,533

17,567

Storage and Transportation

6,243

2,962

Home Services and Other

(29

)

447

Sub-total

109,829

65,235

Eliminations

455

535

Total

$

110,284

$

65,770

Throughput (Bcf)

NJNG, Core Customers

25.0

24.6

NJNG, Off System/Capacity Management

17.9

25.1

Energy Services Fuel Mgmt. and Wholesale Sales

44.2

63.5

Total

87.1

113.2

Common Stock Data

Yield at December 31,

3.1

%

3.5

%

Market Price at December 31,

$

49.62

$

41.06

Shares Out. at December 31,

96,803

95,962

Market Cap. at December 31,

$

4,803,389

$

3,940,188

Contacts

Media:
Mike Kinney

732-938-1031

mkinney@njresources.com

Investor:
Adam Prior

732-938-1145

aprior@njresources.com

Read full story here

Categories
Business Entertainment News Lifestyle Sports & Gaming

PLAYSTUDIOS announces games industry veteran Mickey Sonnino as global COO

LAS VEGAS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Today, Andrew Pascal, founder and chief executive officer of PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc., announced the appointment of Mickey Sonnino as Chief Operating Officer of PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc. As part of a global management team, she will be based in Tel Aviv, Israel, and report directly to Mr. Pascal.


“Mickey Sonnino’s breadth and depth of experience in both gaming and consumer marketing will bolster our company’s operating performance and further establish PLAYSTUDIOS as an innovator in the gaming industry. Her background and sensibilities make her ideally suited to further advance our unique position as the leaders in rewarded play,” said Mr. Pascal.

 

As a member of a globally based leadership team, Ms. Sonnino will have operational responsibility for studios in the Americas, Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

 

PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc (MYPS) is the developer and publisher of a diverse portfolio of free to play casual games, including the most enduring name in gaming, Tetris; the highly regarded myVEGAS suite of casino-style games featuring founding partner MGM’s properties on the famed Las Vegas Strip; and casual game leaders like Solitaire, Spider Solitaire and Sudoku.

 

Ms. Sonnino brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing across sectors and for some of the world’s biggest brands. Most recently, Ms. Sonnino served as a member of the Playtika Management Team in her role as Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications for Playtika Holding Corp in Tel Aviv. Prior to this role, Ms. Sonnino was Vice President of Monetization and subsequently General Manager for Slotomania, one of Playtika’s leading games.

 

Ms. Sonnino brings a global perspective shaped by her experience working across regions and industries. In her earlier career, Ms. Sonnino developed brand strategy for Revlon’s Almay brand in New York City, before taking over European brand marketing for over 400 beauty tool SKUs in the company’s London office. Prior to that, Ms. Sonnino served in positions of increasing responsibility within Bristol Myers Squibb, the global pharmaceutical company based in New Jersey.

 

“The playAWARDS platform is an innovative player retention tool for the gaming industry and offers Rewards Partners access to a highly motivated and unusually focused audience of players who in turn can enjoy rewards from some of the world’s best-known brands. Gaming lies at the intersection of entertainment and media, and I believe PLAYSTUDIOS is uniquely positioned to exploit its unique position and rapidly growing potential. I am excited to contribute and help guide the company during this dynamic stage in its evolution,” said Ms. Sonnino.

 

Ms. Sonnino holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a B.A. in computer science from Tel Aviv University, and a B.S. in mathematics and economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Before beginning her career in business, she served two years as a Course Commander in the Israeli Intelligence Forces. She lives with her husband, Avner, and their four daughters in Tel Aviv.

 

About PLAYSTUDIOS, Inc.

PLAYSTUDIOS (Nasdaq: MYPS) creator of the groundbreaking playAWARDS loyalty platform is a publisher and developer of award-winning mobile games, including the iconic Tetris® mobile app, Pop! Slots, myVEGAS Slots, myVEGAS Blackjack, myKONAMI Slots, myVEGAS Bingo, MGM Slots Live, Solitaire, Spider Solitaire and Soduku. The playAWARDS loyalty platform enables players to earn real-world rewards from a global collection of iconic hospitality, entertainment, and leisure brands. playAWARDS partners include MGM Resorts International, Wolfgang Puck, Norwegian Cruise Line, Resorts World, IHG, Bowlero, Gray Line Tours, and Hippodrome Casino among others. Founded by a team of veteran gaming, hospitality, and technology entrepreneurs, PLAYSTUDIOS apps combine the best elements of popular casual games with compelling real-world benefits. To learn more about PLAYSTUDIOS, visit playstudios.com.

Contacts

BerlinRosen

media@playstudios.com

Categories
Business

AM Best assigns Issue Credit Ratings to Elevance Health, Inc.’s new senior unsecured notes

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — AM Best has assigned Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings of “bbb+” (Good) to Elevance Health, Inc.’s (Elevance Health) (Indianapolis, IN) newly issued $500 million, 4.9% senior unsecured notes, due 2026; $1 billion, 4.75% senior unsecured notes, due 2033 and $1.1 billion, 5.125% senior unsecured notes, due 2053. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The proceeds from the issuance are intended to be utilized for general corporate purposes, including repayment of an upcoming debt maturity of Elevance Health’s $500 million, 0.45% senior unsecured notes, due in March 2023. In addition, part of the proceeds may be used toward closing the earlier announced acquisition – BioPlus, a specialty pharmacy provider. The transaction is expected to close later in 2023.

 

AM Best anticipates Elevance Health’s adjusted financial leverage ratio to be slightly above 40% at year-end 2023. However, the company has shown an ability to manage the financial leverage down to below 40% following temporary fluctuations due to debt issuances and acquisitions. In addition, the company continues to maintain strong earnings before interest and taxes interest coverage in the 10 times range. Elevance Health has a high level of financial flexibility, supported by its large commercial paper program, parent company cash and a revolving credit facility. Cash flows from operations have been very good over the past three years and exceeded net income levels.

 

The organization has continued to report double-digit revenue growth and strong earnings through year-end 2022. Overall earnings were impacted by better-than-expected underwriting results offset by higher operating expenses in support of business expansion. Elevance Health continues to benefit from its leading market position supported by its Blue Cross Blue Shield-branded entities across many states.

 

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Jennifer Asamoah

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5203

jennifer.asamoah@ambest.com

Doniella Pliss

Director

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5104

doniella.pliss@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

al.slavin@ambest.com

Categories
Business Lifestyle Perks

NICE and Cognizant announce strategic partnership for digital customer experience transformation

Latest collaboration between NICE and Cognizant opens up growth opportunities in CX, WFM, and digital transformation

 

HOBOKEN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #NICE NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) and Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) today announced the launch of a global strategic go-to-market partnership to accelerate customer experience (CX) transformation. This partnership leverages Cognizant’s deep consulting and business transformation capabilities along with NICE CXone’s industry-leading complete, integrated cloud platform to accelerate customer adoption of advanced CX solutions such as digital, analytics, and conversational AI. For both companies, this partnership will enable growth opportunities in their respective customer bases.

This partnership offers a comprehensive approach to bridge the gap between today’s consumer expectations and organizations’ delivery of extraordinary experiences. It is a step forward in transforming customer and agent experiences with a unified CCaaS suite encompassing omnichannel routing, AI, Analytics, WFO and Digital Self-Service offerings to redefine the way organizations engage and interact with customers. Previous collaboration between Cognizant and NICE has yielded impactful business outcomes, such as dramatically reduced answer and wait times as well as significantly accelerated platform deployments. This strategic partnership will further evolve our collaborative work.

 

Barry Cooper, President, CX Division, NICE, said, “As the CX landscape continues to demand a more consolidated collection of solutions built on a scalable cloud-native AI platform, NICE CXone emerges as a clear leader for digital transformation of the contact center and beyond. Teaming with Cognizant to leverage their Contact Center Advisory and Transformation services will bring more rapid, compelling business outcomes to our joint customers.”

 

Cognizant’s digital customer experience experts draw on strategy and research to link data to design, systems to stories, and insights to outcomes. Cognizant’s experience-led offerings span the entire customer life cycle and drive value across vertical markets. These solutions include customer and employee experience, content, and marketing services and omnichannel solutions.

 

“We are delighted to partner with NICE and integrate their Cloud Native Customer Experience Platform, CXone, AI-powered contact center software into our offering,” said Robert Vatter, Executive Vice President of Cognizant’s Enterprise Platform Services. “Together with NICE and our decades of expertise in the contact center market, we are now redefining customer experience by bringing hyper-personalized and intelligent ways for enterprises to engage with their users.”

 

About NICE

With NICE (Nasdaq: NICE), it’s never been easier for organizations of all sizes around the globe to create extraordinary customer experiences while meeting key business metrics. Featuring the world’s #1 cloud native customer experience platform, CXone, NICE is a worldwide leader in AI-powered self-service and agent-assisted CX software for the contact center – and beyond. Over 25,000 organizations in more than 150 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies, partner with NICE to transform – and elevate – every customer interaction. www.nice.com

 

About Cognizant

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we’re improving everyday life. See how at https://www.cognizant.com/us/en.

 

Trademark Note: NICE and the NICE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NICE Ltd. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners. For a full list of NICE’s marks, please see: www.nice.com/nice-trademarks.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including the statements by Mr. Cooper are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of NICE Ltd. (the “Company”). In some cases, such forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “should,” “project,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “estimate,” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those described herein, including but not limited to the impact of changes in economic and business conditions, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; competition; successful execution of the Company’s growth strategy; success and growth of the Company’s cloud Software-as-a-Service business; changes in technology and market requirements; decline in demand for the Company’s products; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; difficulties or delays in absorbing and integrating acquired operations, products, technologies and personnel; loss of market share; an inability to maintain certain marketing and distribution arrangements; the Company’s dependency on third-party cloud computing platform providers, hosting facilities and service partners;, cyber security attacks or other security breaches against the Company; the effect of newly enacted or modified laws, regulation or standards on the Company and our products and various other factors and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting the company, refer to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise them, except as required by law.

Contacts

Corporate Media Contact
Christopher Irwin-Dudek

media@nice.com

Investors
Marty Cohen, +1 551 256 5354, ET

ir@nice.com

Omri Arens, +972 3 763 0127, CET

ir@nice.com