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Forward Air announces new intermodal drayage operations in Linden, NJ, servicing Port Newark

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ: FWRD) (the “Company” or “Forward”) continues to execute a growth strategy that involves organic infrastructure investments, including its ongoing less-than-truckload (LTL) network expansion, as well as acquisitions of complementary businesses. Today, Forward announced that it will expand its intermodal drayage service offering in the New York and New Jersey area with new operations in Linden, NJ.

Forward Intermodal will operate a secure container drop yard in the area, while cohabitating with an existing LTL terminal which is expected to create transloading efficiencies and improve speed for its customers. The intermodal operation is expected to move into a new building in the coming months and create approximately 35 driver and support staff jobs.

 

The Linden operation marks Forward Intermodal’s 30th terminal, signaling the business’ continued investment in the marketplace and its long-standing goal to meet customer needs. Customers can rely on Forward Intermodal’s expertise in servicing major port markets such as Port Newark and gain access to its massive LTL network for expansive shipping options.

 

Tom Schmitt, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer said, “Customer demand continues to drive growth within our intermodal business. Our new facility in Linden will give customers access to all our services to help them win more business. The partnerships we build with our customers and the local communities in North America are an important part of our growth strategy.”

 

About Forward Air Corporation

Forward Air is a leading asset-light provider of transportation services across the United States, Canada and Mexico. We provide expedited less-than-truckload services, including local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation/deconsolidation, warehousing, and customs brokerage by utilizing a comprehensive national network of terminals. In addition, we offer final mile services, including delivery of heavy-bulky freight, truckload brokerage services, including dedicated fleet services; and intermodal, first-and last-mile, high-value drayage services, both to and from seaports and railheads, dedicated contract and Container Freight Station warehouse and handling services. We are more than a transportation company. Forward is a single resource for your shipping needs. For more information, visit our website at www.forwardaircorp.com.

 

This press release may contain statements that might be considered as forward-looking statements or predictions of future operations including with respect to the expected growth and future expansion of the Company’s network and footprint and the growth and expansion of its intermodal drayage operations. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on management’s belief or interpretation of information currently available. These statements and assumptions involve certain risks and uncertainties including that the Company is not able to achieve the anticipated benefits and operational synergies with the new Linden terminal. Actual events may also differ from these expectations as a result of the risks identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider the forward-looking statement contained herein in light of such risks. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.

Contacts

Justin Moss – Forward Air

JMoss@forwardair.com
404.362.8933

Categories
Business Healthcare International & World Science

Stemmer Distribution optimizes communications infrastructure with Avaya – Delivering 50% cost savings and enhanced employee experiences

Largest Dental Product Distributor in France Harmonizes Communications Solutions with Avaya Cloud Office® by RingCentral

 

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Avaya, a global leader in solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collaboration, today announced Stemmer Distribution, the largest distributor of dental products in France, has successfully harmonized and modernized its communications infrastructure with the help of Avaya Cloud Office® by RingCentral. Stemmer Distribution sought a new, more modern communication solution that met all the needs of reachability and mobility, while rationalizing costs for the present and future.

Avaya partner, Artelcom, conducted a technical and functional audit of the entire existing communications infrastructure, identifying various strategies for the evolution of the communications solutions for the 250 employees spread over six business units in France. Stemmer Distribution chose the Avaya UCaaS solution, Avaya Cloud Office, which met the group’s specifications, providing an intuitive, easy-to-use solution that is perfect for their mobility needs.

 

“We had considered migrating to a hosted solution in a datacenter, but the feedback from our provider Artelcom convinced us of the reliability and flexibility of the Avaya Cloud Office public cloud solution,” explains Alexandre Sicard, Infrastructure Manager, Stemmer Distribution. “In just a few months, we migrated to an innovative and high-performance cloud solution. Avaya Cloud Office has allowed us to harmonize and modernize our communication infrastructure while providing a more intuitive and mobile-friendly solution for our employees. We have been able to reduce our telecom budget, delivering cost savings without compromising on performance. Avaya Cloud Office truly embodies innovation without disruption.”

 

Thanks to the Avaya Cloud Office solution, Stemmer Distribution has reduced its cost-per-user by 50%, while harmonizing the communications infrastructure to deliver a consistent experience for employees and customers. The solution also facilitates simplified management and administration for the IT Department, allowing them to focus on more strategic projects.

 

“Today’s businesses are evolving their processes and a cloud communications platform provides everything employees need to be effective communicators, all on a single device, from anywhere they may be,” said Tim Sherwood, GVP of Product and Offer Management, Avaya. “Avaya Cloud Office is one of the ultimate solutions for today’s businesses seeking seamless communication and collaboration, with enterprise grade voice, video, messaging, meetings, and conferencing capabilities. With Avaya Cloud Office, customers can have their entire workforce on a single system, enabling easy collaboration and efficient operations, whether in-office, remote, or mobile. By simplifying communication and delivering greater cost savings, Avaya Cloud Office is the perfect choice for businesses seeking a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced world.”

 

The success of the solution in France has opened the possibility of deploying the Avaya Cloud Office solution in other European organizations to modernize their businesses.

 

Additional Resources

 

About Avaya

Businesses are built by the experiences they provide, and every day millions of those experiences are delivered by Avaya. Avaya is shaping the future of customer experiences, with innovation and partnerships that deliver game-changing business benefits. Our communications solutions power immersive, personalized, and memorable customer experiences to help organizations achieve their strategic ambitions and desired outcomes. Together, we are committed to helping grow your business by delivering Experiences That Matter. Learn more at http://www.avaya.com.

 

About Stemmer Distribution

The Stemmer Distribution Group is the largest distributor of dental products in France.

It supplies all health professionals in the dental sector with consumables, laboratory products, equipment and equipment repair services. Founded in 1978 by Armand Stemmer, the company has experienced strong growth and has since established itself in 8 European markets: Portugal, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The Stemmer Group, headed by Vivian Stemmer (CEO), is organized around three Business Groups: Distribution, Innovation and Digital.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking” statements for purposes of the U.S. federal and state securities laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “our vision,” “plan,” “potential,” “preliminary,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” or “would” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, risks attendant to the bankruptcy process, including the Company’s ability to emerge successful from the Company’s voluntary cases under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC and other public statements made from time-to-time. These risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results, performance, liquidity or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance, liquidity or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Company’s SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this report may not in fact occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

 

All trademarks identified by ®, TM, or SM are registered marks, trademarks, and service marks, respectively, of Avaya Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

Source: Avaya Newsroom

Contacts

Alex Alias, Avaya

alalias@avaya.com

Categories
Business International & World Lifestyle Regulations & Security

AM Best upgrades Credit Ratings for Trustmark Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance — AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a” (Excellent) from “a-” (Excellent) of Trustmark Insurance Company, Trustmark Life Insurance Company of New York (Albany, NY) and Trustmark Life Insurance Company (collectively referred to as Trustmark Group). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive.

 

In addition, AM Best has upgraded the Long-Term ICR to “bbb” (Good) from “bbb-” (Good) of Trustmark Group, Inc. (TGI). The outlook of the Long-Term ICR has been revised to stable from positive. Subsequently, AM Best has withdrawn the rating of TGI due to the fact that the trust preferred securities issued by TGI’s subsidiary, Trustmark Financial Trust I were paid down in 2022; therefore, there is no outstanding debt, as its obligations were satisfied, and Trustmark Group, Inc. will no longer require a Credit Rating. All companies are domiciled in Lake Forest, IL, unless otherwise specified.

 

The ratings reflect Trustmark Group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

 

The rating upgrades reflect Trustmark Group’s continued maintenance of the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), favorable liquidity metrics and moderate investment risks. Trustmark Group has shown incremental strengthening of its risk-adjusted capital over the last few years, driven by strong operating results and a flexible dividend policy. Trustmark Group manages each insurance entity’s statutory capital to ensure appropriate levels are maintained. Furthermore, Trustmark Group has access to additional funds from the holding company, if required. Invested assets are exposed to higher risk investments, but the portfolio is actively managed to ensure risks are maintained at a moderate level. During 2022, Trustmark Group took steps to mitigate some of its asset risk as allocations in equities, cash, short-term investments and Schedule BA were reduced and shifted into fixed income, while mortgage loans, real estate and contract loans remained at the same levels from the prior year. The mortgage portfolio is made up of just commercial loans, and there were no delinquencies or foreclosures during 2022.

 

Trustmark Group’s operating performance remains adequate, with voluntary benefits driving overall results. Higher claims volume has led to material margin compression on its small-group third-party administration business. The group has reported favorable premium development following a recent strategic growth opportunity in the Washington state market. During 2022, better-than-expected persistency and revenue from sales in Washington drove revenue growth. The organization divested its closed long-term care block of business to its reinsurance partner and sold its large-group third-party administrator in 2022. Prospective revenues are expected to decline due to the divestiture of these businesses, and to a lesser degree, from pricing actions in the small-group business. This decline will be offset partly by Trustmark Group’s new contract with a large federation of local unions to provide universal life insurance with long-term care coverage to their actively employed members, starting in second quarter 2023.

 

Trustmark Group’s business diversity reflects the wide breadth of its operating subsidiaries’ voluntary life, supplemental health and small-group stop-loss products, as well its non-insurance administrative, wellness and fitness management services. The non-insurance entities also provide the organization with additional financial flexibility through their non-regulated earnings, which contributed favorably to Trustmark Group’s earnings. As noted above, in October 2022, Trustmark Group completed the sale of Trustmark Health Benefits, Inc. to Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). The sale proceeds are expected to be used to grow the insurance businesses. AM Best notes that Trustmark Group operates in the highly competitive voluntary benefits market, which includes many national and regional insurers, and the group remains somewhat exposed to geographic concentration risk, as more than half of its business is generated in five 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

Jeffrey Lane

Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5567
jeffrey.lane@ambest.com

Bridget Maehr
Associate Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5321
bridget.maehr@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, 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 International & World Lifestyle Regulations & Security

AM Best extends comment period on proposed revisions to Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, available Capital and Holding Company Analysis

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance — AM Best has extended the comment period on proposed updates to Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM) and the criteria procedure “Available Capital and Holding Company Analysis” to April 28, 2023.

 

These draft documents are available in the methodology section of AM Best’s website at https://web.ambest.com/ratings-services/rating-methodologies. The extended comment period is in response to feedback from various insurance market participants and other interested parties. The original comment period was scheduled to end on March 31, 2023.

 

For a synopsis of the draft updates to BCRM and the criteria procedure (to be known as “Available Capital and Insurance Holding Company Analysis”), please see AM Best’s press release announcement, from February 28, 2023.

 

A video discussion on these proposed updates with Mahesh Mistry, senior director, credit rating criteria, and Mathilde Jakobsen, senior director, analytics, both of AM Best, also is available at http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ambholdingscocriteria223.

 

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 subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Mahesh Mistry
Senior Director, Credit Rating Criteria
Research & Analytics
+44 20 7397 0325
mahesh.mistry@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Mathilde Jakobsen
Senior Director, Analytics
+31 20 308 5427
mathilde.jakobsen@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098
al.slavin@ambest.com

Categories
Business International & World Lifestyle News Now! Regulations & Security Technology

ETC Group unveils new future-forward global brand

Unified global branding reflects the company’s integrations and focus on innovation to shape the future of global communication networks

 

EDISON, N.J. & EAUBONNE, France — (BUSINESS WIRE) — ETC Group (“ETC”), a leading global value-added distributor for the telecom network and digital infrastructure industry, on Monday announced its intent to rebrand to Netceed.

 

The Group’s brands will integrate into a singular organization across the globe including USTC Corp, Walker, Comstar Supply, and Multicom in the U.S.; EuroTechnoCom in France; ETCP and iETC in Portugal; Comtec in the UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong; ILDC in Israel; DNT in the Dominican Republic; ETC Morocco Networks; ETC Germany Networks; Klonex-VCS in Poland; and Tiba Produktions & Vertriebs GmbH in Austria. The unification of the Group reflects the already well-established global reach and local expertise of the companies powered by ETC Group, now coalescing them under one brand worldwide.

The transition to the unified global Netceed brand is planned sequentially over six months, starting with its brands in the U.S., France, and the UK. The new name, Netceed, paired with a bold and vibrant new brand design embodies the company’s commitment to shaping the future of global communication networks with agility, flexibility, and reliability. The dynamic and future-forward visual design channels the company’s focus on innovation and solidifies its dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions with an unmatched level of telecom industry expertise.

 

ETC Group, soon-to-be Netceed, was founded in 1993 by Cédric Varasteh, and is a value-added distributor of passive and active telecommunications equipment and tooling with best-in-class technical and logistics solutions for network deployment, upgrades, and maintenance, supporting FTTH, FTTx, HFC, Wi-Fi, 5G/mobile, and data center technologies with over 30 years of industry expertise. The Group is backed by majority owner, international private equity firm, Cinven, with Cédric Varasteh and Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (“CETP”) holding significant minority stakes. ETC Group has over 1,250 employees across more than 40 locations that span 14 countries and supports 15,500+ customers worldwide including major American and European cable operators and telecommunications service providers.

 

CEO Cédric Varasteh commented “Our Group has transformed rapidly through acquisitions, organic growth, and Investor backing from Cinven and Carlyle Europe Technology Partners. This momentum and evolution into a singular impactful brand marks a huge milestone for our Group and renews our one team, one vision, one goal mentality under the name Netceed.”

 

Lindsay Hittner, Director of Marketing, said “This is a symbol of change, not just a change of symbol. Netceed’s evolved branding crystalizes the role we play in the industry as a leading global distribution telecoms specialist, while honoring the 30-year legacy of ETC Group. By keeping the letters ‘etc’ in our new name, we’re paying homage to the incredibly dynamic organization Cédric has built.”

 

The rebrand announcement follows on the heels of their appointment of Alper Turken, telecommunications executive, as Deputy CEO, to lead global growth alongside CEO, Cédric Varasteh. Turken added “The timing of our rebrand aligns with our global integration. This Group has the right mix of people, products, partnerships and processes and continues our unwavering dedication to unlocking value for our customers and partners on a global scale.” ETC also recently announced the acquisitions of BTV Multimedia and Amadys; both transactions are subject to customary regulatory approvals.

 

About ETC Group

ETC Group, soon-to-be Netceed, is a global leader in distribution, logistics, technical engineering, and product design with over 30 years of expertise and performance supporting the telecommunications and broadband industry. Founded in 1993 by Cédric Varasteh, ETC Group supplies and distributes a comprehensive range of passive and active equipment and tooling for network deployment, upgrades, and maintenance, supporting all technologies including FTTH, FTTx, HFC, Wi-Fi, 5G/mobile, and data center. The Group’s comprehensive portfolio of 70,000+ products from close to 1,000 industry-leading suppliers, along with their value-added supply chain solutions support carriers’ seamless delivery of high-speed Internet, Video, Data, and Voice services to Residential, Business, and Mobile Users. ETC Group employs over 1,250 people across 14 countries, and its experienced team works hard every day enabling technology and innovation to create a more connected future. To learn more, visit www.etc.group and www.netceed.com

Contacts

Media:
Lindsay Hittner, Director of Marketing

Phone: +1 732-718-6283

Email: Press@netceed.com

Categories
Business International & World Lifestyle Weather & Environment

Best’s Market Segment Report: French Insurers reconsider natural catastrophe assumptions following another very expensive year

AMSTERDAM — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insurance — Growing frequency and severity of weather-related events such as drought, storms and wildfires are prompting French insurers and reinsurers to rethink their appetite and pricing for natural catastrophe risks, according to a new report from AM Best.

The Best’s Market Segment Report, “French Insurers Reconsider Natural Catastrophe Assumptions Following Another Very Expensive Year,” notes that record-breaking temperatures and severe droughts led to significant property damage losses in 2022. The latest estimate from France Assureurs puts insurers’ weather-related natural catastrophe losses for 2022 at around EUR 10 billion, prompting reinsurers to push up prices and tighten conditions in the January 1 renewals.

 

To access a complimentary copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=329668.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising 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

Pierre Tournier
Associate Director, Analytics
+31 20 308 5423
pierre.tournier@ambest.com

Morgane Hillebrandt
Financial Analyst
+31 20 308 5422
morgane.hillebrandt@ambest.com

Mathilde Jakobsen
Director, Analytics
+31 20 808 3118
mathilde.jakobsen@ambest.com

Richard Banks
Director, Industry Research – EMEA
+44 20 7397 0322
richard.banks@ambest.com

Edem Kuenyehia
Director, Market Development & Communications
+44 20 7397 0280
edem.kuenyehia@ambest.com

Categories
Business International & World Lifestyle

Prudential, Vitality Global expand partnership in Latin America

Building on success in Argentina and Brazil, Prudential Financial and Vitality Global are making holistic wellness achievable for more Latin Americans.


NEWARK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) and Vitality Global, a leading health and well-being company offering smart InsurTech with the goal to build a healthier world, have entered a 10-year, expanded partnership. Under this agreement, Prudential will leverage Vitality’s model to promote healthier lifestyles to complement its Total Wellness offering throughout Latin America.

 

This new agreement expands on the successful partnership the two firms launched in 2020 to offer health and wellness services in Brazil and Argentina through the Vitality program. This collaboration supports Prudential’s broader strategy of expanding access to a suite of physical, mental and financial wellness solutions across emerging markets in Latin America and beyond.

 

“Based on the outstanding results of our joint offering in Brazil and Argentina and aligned with our mission to democratize access to Wellness, I am proud that our expanded partnership with Vitality will allow Prudential to help more people to live longer and better lives,” said Federico Spagnoli, vice president, International Wellness Solutions at Prudential International Insurance. “This collaboration will enable our growth in emerging markets by delivering the differentiated products customers need and want.”

 

Prudential’s Total Wellness offering allows insurers and employers to provide customers and employees tools and resources to promote their physical, mental and financial health, leading to better productivity and performance.

 

Using a smartphone and/or fitness tracker, participants can easily access a diverse range of activities and track their progress. By meeting their weekly activity goals, members can earn rewards that are redeemable for a variety of goods and services, such as movie tickets, coffee, and other merchandise. Additionally, there is a monthly reward program where participants can earn a free wearable device if they meet their monthly activity goals. For insurance customers, an annual discount on insurance premiums is available based on their Vitality status. This powerful wellness ecosystem offers an easy and effective way to encourage healthy behaviors and promote a more active lifestyle.

 

“Together with Prudential, the opportunity we have to impact a continent’s health is hugely exciting for us,” said Barry Swartzberg, CEO of Vitality Global. “Our expansion across Latin America will enable us to enhance the lives of tens of millions of people in the coming years. A common trend across the region is a strong demand for digital care and wellness solutions — which we will help provide.”

 

ABOUT PRUDENTIAL

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2022, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better by creating financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for nearly 150 years. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.

 

ABOUT VITALITY GLOBAL

Vitality Global is a leading health and well-being company offering smart InsurTech with the goal to build a healthier world. Vitality Global is responsible for Discovery’s expansion of Shared-Value Insurance beyond South Africa and the United Kingdom. Through partnerships with forward-thinking insurers and employers, Vitality Global unlocks shared-value insurance — with a growing membership base of 30 million people across 40 markets. Visit vitalityglobal.com.

 

CONNECT WITH US:

Visit prudential.com
Follow @PrudentialNews
Follow on LinkedIn

Contacts

MEDIA
For Prudential
Mei-Tai Yee
+1 973-715-2953
mei-tai.yee@prudential.com

For Vitality Global
Felicity Hudson
+27 71 680 0234
felicityh@discovery.co.za

Categories
Art & Life Business Culture Digital - AI & Apps International & World Lifestyle Regulations & Security

Humanity Communications Collective receives international recognition for Human & Civil Rights work

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Affirming its commitment to amplifying social justice issues through strategic and creative communications, Humanity Communications Collective recently announced it was selected as a 2023 Anthem Awards winner.


HCC was awarded a Bronze award in the Human & Civil Rights category for their work with the Bring Sundiata Acoli Home Alliance in 2022. HCC led a comprehensive communications approach to bring Black Panther Sundiata Acoli home last year. Acoli, 85, had been incarcerated since 1973 and was repeatedly denied parole for more than 24 years, violating New Jersey law. HCC strategically and methodically told the story of his humanity and key tenets of the law and created a compelling and nuanced narrative around the law’s intent, justice and civil rights.

 

Over the 9-month project, HCC:

  • Generated 1,268 social media posts with 1.9 million impressions, with a 544% engagement increase across social platforms.
  • Secured 763 media articles reaching an audience of 11.4 million.
  • Increased website visits by 400%.
  • Increased email subscription rates by 52% and open rates to 44%.
  • Drove the online petition calling for Sundiata’s release to more than 20,000 signatures.

 

In May 2022, Sundiata Acoli was granted parole and released after nearly 50 years of incarceration.

 

“While the true honor of this work was the rightful and just release of Sundiata Acoli, we are overjoyed by this international recognition and the esteemed group HCC joins,” said HCC CEO Yanira Castro. “Our goal was to galvanize support for Sundiata and encourage the state to faithfully discharge the law – even when it may not be popular. This is what social justice is all about; holding an unwavering commitment to speaking out and demanding equity for all, without exception. We all must move together to free the rest of our political prisoners. Now.”

 

In a video associated with the award announcement, Castro and the project’s team urged the release of political prisoners, further signifying HCC’s commitment to issue amplification.

 

The Anthem Awards was launched in response to the prevalence that social good has taken within the national conversation and cultural zeitgeist in recent years. The 2nd Annual competition received nearly 2,000 entries from 43 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. A portion of program revenue will fund a new grant program supporting emerging individuals and organizations working to advance the causes recognized.

 

Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, with members that include: Nicholas Thompson, CEO, The Atlantic, Christina Swarns, Executive Director, Innocence Project, Zarna Surti, Global Creative Director, Nike Purpose, Maurice Mitchell, National Director, Working Families Party, Lindsay Stein, Chief Purpose Office, Tombras, Jennifer Lotito, President & Chief Operating Officer, (RED), Lisa Sherman, President & CEO, The Ad Council, Emily Barfoot, Global Brand Director Dove, Unilever, Trovon Williams, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, NAACP, Roma McCaig, Senior VP of Impact, Clif Bar, Michelle Egan, Chief Strategy Officer, NRDC, Dinah-Kareen Jean, Senior Manager, Social Innovation, Etsy, Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO, GLAAD, Jad Finck, Vice President of Innovation & Sustainability, Allbirds, Christopher Miller, Head of Global Activism Strategy, Ben & Jerry’s, Shayla Tait, Director of Philanthropy, The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation.

 

“Since launching this platform in June of 2021, we have seen that social change has emerged as a dominant force in mainstream culture,” said Anthem Awards Managing Director Jessica Lauretti. “The sheer number, breadth and overall quality of the entries shared with us in the 2nd Annual Awards is a testament to the strength of this growing movement and demonstrates an enduring commitment to the work that is both humbling and inspiring to see. From the war in Ukraine to protests in Iran and the ongoing battle for equality here at home in the States, the call for change not only perseveres but is a growing global chorus.”

 

Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, the Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, GLAAD, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.

 

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites; Video; Advertising, Media & PR; Apps, Mobile, and Voice; Social; Podcasts; and Games. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received more than 13,500 entries from all 50 states and 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include Verizon, WP Engine, YouGov, Brandlive, Canva, NAACP, KPMG, Fast Company, Wall Street Journal, MediaPost, Podcast Movement, and AIGA.

 

Humanity Communications Collective is a luxury, justice-driven, strategic communications agency focused on making human and emotional connections. We provide communications strategy, content creation, branding, media relations, social media services, and event activations for non-profits and social impact organizations. We live at the intersection of communications, digital, social impact, and cultural competency. HCC is owned by an Afro-Latina with a team of strategic communications experts in three different countries.

 

Contacts

Heather Hansen

Humanity Communications Collective

Heather@humanitycom.com
410-991-4444

Categories
Business Culture International & World

SHI International names Dwight Moore Chief Information Officer

Moore, who joined SHI last year, has more than 20 years’ experience in technology management with large IT corporations

 

SOMERSET, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — SHI International, one of the largest IT solutions providers in the world, has appointed Dwight Moore its Chief Information Officer.

 

Moore, who joined SHI last year as Chief Technology Officer, assumes overall responsibility for the continued strategic planning, development, and implementation of transformative technologies that will increase efficiencies, improve the digital experience of customers, partners, and employees, and support SHI’s continued growth goals.

 

Moore brings more than 20 years of senior IT management experience, holding VP or CTO positions at Dell, Dell Financial Services, Presidio, and multiple early-stage, venture-backed companies. His successful track record of IT strategy and management, combined with business and product development, make him ideally positioned to oversee the complex ecosystem of the global IT solutions provider.

 

“Dwight’s unique set of skills and technology management experience made him the right choice to be our CTO last year, and he’s shown what he can bring to SHI’s leadership team ever since,” said Thai Lee, President and CEO of SHI International. “Just as we help our customers use technologies to transform their business, SHI must reinvest in our own technology stack to provide a world-class experience to customers and the employees that support them. Dwight brings the right mix of expertise to his new role as CIO to help the company achieve its goals, and I’m eager to see the progress he and his team will make in 2023 and beyond.”

 

Moore holds a degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University.

“SHI has a well-earned reputation for being one of the most friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable technology partners in the industry,” said Moore. “After joining and experiencing this for myself in 2022, my vision is to use technology to reinforce these existing cultural strengths while further developing others, such as efficiency and effectiveness. Taking a holistic approach to our systems and technologies, I believe we will deliver a better experience for all our stakeholders, including customers, industry partners and our 6,000 colleagues.”

 

ABOUT SHI

SHI International Corp. is a $14 billion transformational technology solutions provider serving the needs of more than 15,000 corporate, enterprise, public sector and academic customer organizations around the world. It helps companies achieve business goals through the use of technologies ranging from software licensing and end user computing devices to innovative cloud and edge solutions. With over 6,000 employees worldwide, SHI is the largest Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) in the U.S.

 

For more information, visit https://www.SHI.com.

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Press Resources

SHI Corporate Website: http://www.SHI.com
SHI Blog: http://blog.SHI.com
SHI Twitter Handle: @SHI_Intl

Contact

Gregory FCA for SHI International
Matt McLoughlin
610.228.2123
Matt@GregoryFCA.com

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GARP launches new chapter in Japan

Chapter to host inaugural Tokyo event on January 18 discussing climate risk

 

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Adding to its global network of local risk communities, the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) is announcing the establishment of a new Chapter in Japan, offering educational and networking opportunities for risk professionals in Japan to share best practices and stay on top of emerging trends.

GARP’s Japan Chapter will celebrate its official launch with an event on January 18 in Tokyo. The in-person meeting will include a discussion on the trends and challenges of responsible investing amid sustainability and climate change initiatives, featuring a presentation from the PRI’s Minako Yoneyama. The Chapter plans to organize and host educational sessions on a quarterly basis going forward.

 

“We are very excited about the launch of our new Chapter in Japan, beginning with this timely event,” said GARP President and CEO Richard Apostolik. “We look forward to more closely engaging with risk managers in Japan, while also expanding our work with risk professionals throughout the Asian region.”

 

The launch event continues GARP’s ongoing emphasis on climate risk research and education established through its Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) Certificate, the newest of GARP’s educational offerings. Created in 2020 to meet the growing demand for comprehensive climate risk education, the SCR is the top global practitioner-driven certificate program addressing the financial risks associated with climate change, regulatory initiatives, reporting requirements, and green finance instruments.

 

The SCR program follows in the footsteps of GARP’s flagship Financial Risk Manager (FRM®) Certification, which just celebrated its 25-year anniversary. To date, there are now more than 77,000 FRMs worldwide, who have come from more than 190 countries and territories, and include individuals working in banking, fintech, asset management, consulting, and many other industries.

 

GARP’s establishment of a Japan Chapter seeks to recapture and build on the risk education and networking opportunities of a pre-COVID world in the region. In 2018, GARP co-hosted a Global Risk Forum with the JFSA in Tokyo.

 

The introduction of a Japan Chapter brings the total number of GARP Chapters around the world to 29, with Italy, Indonesia, and Peru as the other most recent additions. GARP’s overall community includes nearly 300,000 professionals across more than 195 countries and regions.

 

“We are looking forward to helping build a vibrant local risk community,” said Akira Yamamoto, FRM, and Stefano Spillo, FRM, co-directors of the GARP Japan Chapter who earned the FRM in 2017 and 2015 respectively. “Working with a team of local risk managers, our mission is to help give the current and next generation of risk professionals in Japan an opportunity to acquire the skills they need to build fulfilling and successful careers.”

 

Learn more about the benefits of GARP Membership as well as all upcoming Chapter events at garp.org.

 

About the Global Association of Risk Professionals

The Global Association of Risk Professionals is a non-partisan, not-for-profit membership organization focused on elevating the practice of risk management. GARP offers the leading global certification for risk managers in the Financial Risk Manager (FRM®), as well as the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) Certificate and ongoing educational opportunities through Continuing Professional Development. Through the GARP Benchmarking Initiative and GARP Risk Institute, GARP sponsors research in risk management and promotes collaboration among practitioners, academics, and regulators.

 

Founded in 1996, governed by a Board of Trustees, GARP is headquartered in Jersey City, N.J., with offices in London and Hong Kong. Find more information on garp.org or follow GARP on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

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press@garp.com