News Hub | News Direct

Social Video-At-Scale Platform StoryTap Scales Up With Seed Round led by Refinery Ventures and StandUp Ventures

StoryTap Technologies Inc.

StoryTap, whose patented video storytelling platform enables well-known brands to engage and grow by harnessing the power of authentic social video stories at a global scale, has announced a seed funding round, led by Refinery Ventures and co-led by StandUp Ventures. Refinery Ventures Managing Partner Tim Schigel and StandUp Ventures Managing Director Michelle McBane have joined the StoryTap Board. The US$2.3 million round will enable StoryTap to meet a growing demand for its video storytelling platform in North America and around the world at a time when about 20% of total global commerce activity has shifted online, and marketers are seeking ways to engage consumers. With e-tail now representing a $26.7 trillion market according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the company, which enables major consumer brands to source, produce. curate, and distribute on-brand customer-generated content like video reviews, video Q&A and video content experienced 450% growth in the number of brands using its platform in 2020. “COVID-19 accelerated the rapid shift of businesses around the world from physical to online, so brands needed to quickly figure out how to humanize their e-commerce experience and pivot from an in-store experience to virtual. As the economy begins to reopen, e-tail buying shows no signs of slowing. Our customers are seeking authentic ways to build trust by educating, engaging and serving shoppers, and we are able to deliver a scalable, automatic authentic video storytelling solution for them at a time when society couldn’t get together in real life,” said Bernadette Butler, CEO of StoryTap. “We’ve grown by powering one brand after another, demonstrating how genuine consumer-generated videos can drive engagement and sales, and imbue companies with a true seal of approval. The growth and adoption of StoryTap in the past year has given us a glimpse of the massive opportunity that is in front of us, and the investment and network from Refinery and StandUp will enable us to bring our solution to even more brands on a global stage.” The company, founded by Butler and CTO Sean Braacx, bootstrapped the development and growth of its patented, scalable and secure video storytelling platform over five years. StoryTap works with major consumer products, retail and education companies, and customers include Reckitt Benkiser’s Enfamil, Cepacol, Veet, K-Y and Durex brands, numerous departments at UCLA, as well as for TELUS, the major telecommunications company. StoryTap enables retailer CanadianTire to generate video product reviews for Dyson, Instapot, Greco and Dewalt. In addition, enterprise companies now depend on StoryTap’s secure enterprise video marketing platform, launched this Spring, to help them generate authentic, on-brand customer and employee-specific video stories. Brands also rely on StoryTap’s video content to drive traffic, search engine optimization and engagement. “We are beyond excited to support the vision of StoryTap. The team identified a big problem for brands and marketers, which is to control the story about their brand and the voices of their customers, in an authentic and meaningful way. Video conveys so much more information for consumers” said Tim Schigel, Managing Partner at Cincinnati-based Refinery Ventures and founder of ShareThis. “Our decision to back StoryTap was simple: our investment strategy is focused on woman-led businesses, because data shows they deliver better returns,” said Michelle McBane, Managing Director at Toronto-based StandUp Ventures. “We were impressed with Bernadette’s vision, leadership style and proven track record as a marketer, as well as the opportunity before this team and this technology to grow exponentially.” About StoryTap StoryTap Technologies Inc. is a woman-led company founded in 2016 with teams in Vancouver and Toronto. The company’s patented and secure video storytelling technology enables a global roster of brands to engage consumers and employees to grow by sourcing, producing, curating and distributing authentic, user-generated video storytelling content. StoryTap content also helps brands drive traffic, increase search engine optimization, build engagement and conversions. StoryTap is a Techstars and Lazaridis ScaleUp company. For more information about StoryTap, visit www.storytap.com or follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for StoryTap +1 917-816-5773 storytap@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://storytap.com/

May 20, 2021 12:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video Image

Spruce Up Your Home this Spring (and Earn Money While You Do It)

YourUpdateTV

With Americans spending most of their time at home now, home décor and comfort have become incredibly important. In fact, online marketplace OfferUp recently found that 58% of Americans redecorated their homes last year with items to make their living spaces more comfortable and functional, TV Host, Lifestyle Expert and Interior Designer, Evette Rios, teamed with OfferUp and YourUpdateTV to discuss new design trends and the perks of using resale marketplaces. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/Nj1YZ68I2P0 Because people are spending so much extra time at home, Americans have become increasingly focused on how to make their living spaces work best for them - and shopping for home goods and furniture on resale marketplaces like OfferUp is one of the easiest ways to do that. According to OfferUp’s Annual Recommerce Report, 35% of Americans purchased home products on resale apps last year, and the average American saved $400 by doing so. People are turning to resale marketplaces to find the perfect furnishings for incredible deals, as well as vintage and homemade items... OfferUp is also a great place to shop for hard-to-find items that may not be available elsewhere, like desks and chairs. If you can’t find something at a store or online, chances are someone in your community might be selling it on OfferUp. Selling your unused things in an online marketplace is a great way to declutter your home quickly this spring and earn extra income, either to make ends meet or to support a side hustle. With OfferUp, all you need is a phone, so it’s as easy as snapping a picture of what you want to sell and adding a price. When listing an item, post great photos and descriptions, price items fairly, and take advantage of what people are currently interested in. To start buying and selling today, download the OfferUp app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or visit www.offerup.com. About Evette Rios: Hailed as “The Latina Martha Stewart”, Evette Rios is a bilingual TV host, Interior Designer, Cook, Writer, and Native New Yorker of Puerto Rican heritage. Host of Emmy nominated Recipe Rehab on CBS and Rachael Ray’s designer and Design Buddy. Responsible for home design/renovation content on Rachael’s daytime show, website and magazine. Regular appearances on national morning shows including Today on NBC, Telemundo and Univision programs About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 20, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Announcing the 2021 Bulldog PR Award Winners

Bulldog Reporter

Bulldog Reporter is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Bulldog PR Awards, recognizing both the most outstanding PR and communications campaigns, and the most extraordinary individual and agency contributions to the industry. The Bulldog Awards are the only PR awards program judged exclusively by journalists. "I was very moved to judge this year’s entries due to the pandemic,” says Mary Ellen Walsh, award-winning journalist and Bulldog Awards judge. “Nearly every team had to readjust strategic planning to include a more compassionate look at the power of public relations on a deeper level. The campaigns were less about the bottom line and much more about effectively bolstering outreach, offering expertise and raising awareness.” In October 2020, the Bulldog Awards announced it would be combining its two programs, the PR Awards and Stars of PR Awards, into a single program. As a result, there are three Grand Prize winners, one in each group: campaign, agency, and individual or team. LEWIS received the Grand Prize – Best Campaign of 2020 for their campaign Lucid Motors Launch - A Tale of David AND Goliath Fahlgren Mortine received the Grand Prize – Best PR Agency of 2020 KD Hall of KD Hall Communications received the Grand Prize – PR Star of 2020 Grand Prize winners are selected from among the nominations that are entered in multiple categories and win gold at least once. Our illustrious panel of journalist judges had their work cut out for them to select winners from entrants in 50+ categories, including three new campaign categories added to recognize the events of 2020. The Best COVID-19 Response The Best Virtual Event The Best PR Podcast “As a journalist for over 20 years, I’ve probably gotten hundreds of thousands of press releases,” says Eric Hartley, an opinion editor, newspaper journalist and Bulldog Awards judge. “However, I rarely see the work that goes into them. Judging these awards gave me a glimpse behind the curtain into the ways organizations—and their PR firms—think about how to promote something.” The winning individuals, teams, agencies, and companies have all earned bragging rights as Bulldog Awards recipients, along with extensive promotion on the Bulldog Awards website and through Bulldog Reporter’s newsletters and website. The Grand Prize winners also receive a Bulldog Awards trophy to add to their award collection. Congratulations to all the winners of the 2021 Bulldog PR Awards! Learn more about Bulldog Awards at bulldogawards.com and sign up to hear about updates on deadlines or upcoming awards programs. Campaign Categories Grand Prize - Best PR Campaign of 2020 Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Arts & Entertainment Campaign Gold: Sound Royalties Takes the National Stage by French/West/Vaughan Best Beauty, Fashion, or Lifestyle Campaign Gold: nixit by Matte PR Inc. Silver: Wrangler x Rick and Morty Collection by French/West/Vaughan Best Brand Launch Gold: Rebranding a Beloved Brand for Today’s Table by The GIANT Company Silver: YouthBuild by Goodfuse Bronze: Forefront by Forefront Communications Group, Inc Best Business to Business Campaign Gold: MWWPR + T&M Associates by MWWPR Silver: Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and Padilla by Padilla Bronze: SingleStore: What’s in a Name? by Bospar Best Business to Consumer Campaign Gold: OnwardMobility Delivers the Next BlackBerry by Rainier Communications Silver: Zebra Partners by Zebra Partners Bronze: D’Artagnan by Peppercomm Best Campaign on a Shoestring Budget Gold: NAVC’s COVID-19 Response by North American Veterinary Community Silver: Cinnadust Seasoning Sweetens 2020 with News of Official Cinnamon Toast Crunch Seasoning Launch by Gillian Small Public Relations Bronze: PPE Protects the Public from COVID, TerraCycle Protects the Planet from PPE Waste by TerraCycle Best Community Engagement Campaign Gold: ‘Choose Topeka’ $15,000 Relocation Campaign by Violet PR Silver: Let’er Buck Challenge by French/West/Vaughan Bronze: Know Narcolepsy® UGC Campaign by Evoke KYNE Best Community Relations Campaign Gold: 10,000 Turkeys by The GIANT Company Best Consumer Product Launch Gold: Enfusia Helps Customers Mask Up and Breathe Easy by SPM Communications Silver: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Covid-19 Response Campaign Gold: Lifelong Learning by Lifelong Learning Silver: Stony Brook Medicine by Stony Brook University Bronze: Marathon Strategies: COVID-19 Covered by Marathon Strategies Bronze: Verizon’s Feed the Frontlines, Pay It Forward Live, Comeback Coach Hub and Women In Business by Rogers & Cowan PMK Best Crisis Management Gold: Ambulnz COVID-19 Response by 10 to 1 Public Relations Silver: Keeping the Dream of Homeownership Alive: Mr. Cooper Advocates on Behalf of Homeowners and the Housing Market by Highwire PR Best Diversity/Inclusion Campaign Gold: Agency Guacamole – B.L.N.D by Agency Guacamole Silver: Red Fan Communications by Red Fan Communications Bronze: UGA PR Capstone Students by UGA PR Capstone Students Best Financial Services Campaign Gold: Aflac by Aflac Silver: Born Digital: Ally Bank Welcomes 10,000+ Newborns into the Digital Era, Giving the Future a Financial Head-Start on Theirs by Tier One Partners Bronze: BackBay Communications: Local Funding Announcement by BackBay Communications Best Food & Beverages Campaign Gold: Dittoe Public Relations by Dittoe PR Silver: The Charli Dances Onto Dunkin’s Menu by Dunkin with RF|Binder, BBDO, and DDOne Best Global Campaign Gold: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Silver: trivago by Peppercomm Bronze: Oracle AI@Work: Mental Health by Oracle Best Government/Public Service Campaign Gold: United States Postal Service Field Communications by USPS Silver: CDC Rx Awareness Campaign by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ICF Next Bronze: Orlando United Assistance Center by Poston Communications Best Green Environmental/Sustainability Campaign Gold: NewsmanPR’s “Connect & Protect” Campaign for the Florida Keys by NewmanPR Silver: Jet Zero: The Future of Electric Flight by Mission Control Communications Bronze: Vote Yes on Prop 1 by Kiwit Best Healthcare Campaign Gold: MUCINEX’s Goes Beyond Words with Three-Phased COVID-19 Public Health Information Campaign by Legend Silver: Amendola Raises Appriss Health’s Profile Through OpenBeds Campaign by Amendola Communications Bronze: CHPA by Reingold Best Integration of Traditional and New Media Gold: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Silver: Trane® Residential x Havas Formula by Havas Formula Bronze: Scotch-Brite™ Brand Holiday Gift Guide by HUNTER PR Best Investor Relations Gold: Feeding Pets of the Homeless 2019 Annual Report by G8 Strategies LLC Silver: Pushpay by Pushpay Bronze: The Buddy Group by The Buddy Group Best Issue/Cause Advocacy Campaign Gold: Red Fan Communications by Red Fan Communications Silver: Qorvis Communications by Qorvis Communications Silver: Combatting Youth Vaping Head On by GOLIN Best Media Relations Campaign Gold: Cinnadust Seasoning Sweetens 2020 with News of Official Cinnamon Toast Crunch Seasoning Launch by Gillian Small Public Relations Silver: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Bronze: 2020 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Leadership by The Harbinger Group Best Not-for-Profit/Association Campaign Gold: Dueling Dinosaurs Roars with Global Announcement by French/West/Vaughan Silver: Qorvis Communications by Qorvis Communications Bronze: Verizon’s Feed the Frontlines, Pay it Forward Live, Comeback Coach Hub and Women In Business by Rogers & Cowan PMK Best PR Podcast Gold: Disrupting the Podcasting Space with ASG’s Digital: Disrupted by V2 Communications Silver: Lay of the Brand Podcast by Merritt Group Bronze: PR 360 by Global Results Communications Best Public Affairs Campaign Gold: Marathon Strategies: Securing Justice for U.S. Victims of Terror by Marathon Strategies Silver: Yes on Proposition 22 | Clyde Group by Clyde Group Bronze: Counting Illinois by Kiwit Best Special Event or Publicity Stunt Gold: MUCINEX® Direct-to-Consumer Channel Launch w/ Fashion Show Livestreamed on YouTube by Legend Silver: Canadian Tire Christmas Trail by Canadian Tire Corporation Bronze: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Technology/Software Campaign Gold: OnwardMobility Delivers the Next BlackBerry by Rainier Communications Silver: Prodoscore: Making Work From Home Actually Work by Bospar Best Thought Leadership Campaign Gold: Cancer Treatment Centers of America – Shadow Curve by Goodfuse Silver: Invention in PR by Adam Ritchie Brand Direction Bronze: MWWPR + T&M Associates by MWWPR Best Travel & Tourism Campaign Gold: Hilton Extends Hospitality Through “Hilton at Home” Digital Content Series, Offering Insider Tips to Make Consumers’ Homes and Lives More Hospitable During Global Pandemic by Hilton Best Use of Influencers Gold: MUCINEX® Direct-to-Consumer Channel Launch w/ Fashion Show Livestreamed on YouTube by Legend Silver: SideChefxPanasonic: Cooking Made Easy by Dunn Pellier Media Bronze: V2 Executes Robust Influencer Program for Decibel During COVID-19 by V2 Communications Best Use of Personality/Celebrity Gold: #ForTheGrams: Amazon Helps Families Maintain Holiday Traditions in a Time of Social Distancing by HUNTER and Amazon Silver: Advantage Hers by Ruder Finn Bronze: Leanne Ford for Legend by Sharp Think Best Use of Research - Business/Consumer Gold: Back to Normal Barometer by ROKK Solutions Silver: Aflac by Aflac Bronze: Oracle AI@Work: Mental Health by Oracle Best Use of Social Media Gold: The Abbi Agency by The Abbi Agency Silver: American Dairy Association North East #MakeMilkMoments Social Media Campaign by Pollock Communications Best Use of Video/Multimedia Gold: Poseida Therapeutics by Poseida Therapeutics Best Viral Campaign Gold: Spin Master, The PAW Patrol Years by Spin Master Best Virtual Event Campaign Gold: Qorvis Communications by Qorvis Communications Silver: Reingold by Reingold Bronze: Lucid Motors Launch – A Tale of David AND Goliath by LEWIS Best Visual Storytelling Campaign Gold: CDC Rx Awareness Campa ign by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ICF Next Individual or Team Categories Grand Prize – PR Star of 2020 KD Hall, KD Hall Communications Leader of the Year (Agency) Gold: French/West/Vaughan team Silver: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar Bronze: Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn Media Relations Professional of the Year Gold: Beth Casteel, The Reis Group Silver: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar Bronze: Eric Hazard, Vested PR Professional Who Makes a Difference Gold: KD Hall, KD Hall Communications Silver: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar PR Star Under 40 Gold: KD Hall, KD Hall Communications Silver: Brian Hart, Flackable Bronze: Keith Chapman, Chap Public Relations, LLC PR Up and Comer Gold: Myrissa Stalter, Fahlgren Mortine Gold: Sonali Hitesh Mehta, Apples and Oranges Public Relations Silver: Sammie Yeager, ROKK Solutions Bronze: Luz Verduzco, SPM Communications Public Relations Professional of the Year Gold: Curtis Sparrer, Bospar Silver: Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn Bronze: Eric Hazard, Vested Agency Categories Grand Prize – Best PR Agency of 2020 Fahlgren Mortine Agency That Gets Results Gold: Fahlgren Mortine Silver: Bospar Bronze: Lumina Communications Best Boutique Agency Gold: Capwell Communications Silver: Affect/Gregory FCA Bronze: Fish Consulting Best Industry-Focused Agency Gold: Jaymie Scotto & Associates Silver: Bospar Bronze: SideCar Public Relations Business to Business (B2B) Agency of the Year Gold: Bospar Silver: BLASTmedia Bronze: Lumina Communications Business to Consumer (B2C) Agency of the Year Gold: Fahlgren Mortine Silver: French/West/Vaughan Large Agency of the Year Gold: Fahlgren Mortine Silver: French/West/Vaughan Midsize Agency of the Year Gold: Goodfuse Silver: Bospar Bronze: Publicity For Good Most Innovative Agency Gold: Ruder Finn Silver: Bospar Bronze: JConnelly Small Agency of the Year Gold: Adam Ritchie Brand Direction Silver: 10 to 1 Public Relations Bronze: Violet PR About Bulldog Reporter Bulldog Reporter has been providing news, best practices, and insights to PR and communications professionals since 1980. Filled with insights on topics critical to PR pros and communicators, including media relations, crisis communications, influencer marketing, and many other topics you won't find anywhere else, the Bulldog Reporter email newsletter brings you compelling and relevant articles, plus timely updates about journalist moves and agency news so you can stay on top of your PR game. The Bulldog Awards, the only PR awards program judged exclusively by working journalists, are run by Bulldog Reporter and celebrate the best and brightest in corporate communications and public relations. Bulldog Reporter and the Bulldog Awards are a subsidiary of Agility PR Solutions, a provider of media outreach, monitoring, and measurement solutions for PR and communication professionals. About Agility PR Solutions Agility PR Solutions, a subsidiary of INNODATA INC. (NASDAQ: INOD), streamlines media monitoring, outreach, and media intelligence in one intuitive platform for public relations professionals. Since 2003, global organizations have relied on Agility to help them achieve ambitious business goals using an outcome-based approach. Software backed by deep expertise offers high-performance results and PR insights for brands with advanced requirements in a shifting media landscape. Providing innovative technology, outstanding data quality, and high-caliber support, Agility enables success for today’s communicators. Learn more at www.agilitypr.com. Contact Details Richard Carufel Editor and Awards Judge, Bulldog Reporter +1 860-218-3469 richard.carufel@bulldogreporter.com Company Website https://bulldogawards.com/

May 20, 2021 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Cyvatar Wins Two Coveted Global InfoSec Awards at RSA 2021

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced two more prestigious industry award wins, this time as 2021 Global InfoSec award winners for the Cutting-Edge in Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) and the Most Innovative SecOps-as-a-Service, by Cyber Defense Magazine--the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine. This year marks Cyber Defense Magazine’s ninth year of honoring global InfoSec innovators. Its submission requirements are for any startup, early-stage, later stage, or public companies in the information security space who have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. “We’re thrilled to receive one of the most prestigious and coveted cybersecurity awards in the world from Cyber Defense Magazine,” said Cyvatar Co-Founder and Chief Executive Corey White. “We knew the competition would be tough, and with top judges who are leading infosec experts from around the globe, we couldn’t be more pleased.”. Award judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature, and other market variables. “We scoured the globe looking for cybersecurity innovators that could make a huge difference and potentially help turn the tide against the exponential growth in cybercrime, said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. “Cyvatar is absolutely worthy of these coveted awards and consideration for deployment in your environment.” CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. CDM is always asking “What’s Next?” so we are looking for Next Generation InfoSec Solutions. Whether you’re a small business starting from scratch or need to amplify your existing security investments, Cyvatar is here for you. Get started for free or reach out to Cyvatar at CYVATAR.AI. About Cyber Defense Magazine With over 5 Million monthly readers and growing, and thousands of pages of searchable online infosec content, Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of IT Security information for B2B and B2G with our sister magazine Cyber Security Magazine for B2C. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives. Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is power. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is headquartered in Irvine, California with locations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at CYVATAR.AI and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

May 19, 2021 12:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

COVID-19 crisis will lead to a new period of rapid, transformative growth and prosperity: Studio 44 reveal 10 key insights for business leaders

Stockwood Strategy

As we recover from the COVID pandemic, environmental, social and technological trends are converging, leading to rapid, disruptive and transformative change, the likes of which we have not experienced for more than a generation, argues Simon Sear, CEO and founder of Studio 44. Leaders need to ensure that they and their organisation are ready to innovate and transform. Sear said: “The COVID crisis will lead to a new period of rapid, transformative growth and prosperity just like the First World War led to the roaring twenties, the Second World War to the golden age of capitalism and the recession of the late 1970s to the expansive growth of the 1980s. Spring always follows winter.” Combining with this natural economic cycle are major tailwinds, such as society’s demand for more progress on racial and gender equality, social mobility and mental wellbeing, Studio 44 argues. Governments and wider society have reached a tipping point on progress with environmental sustainability, while technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), hyper-automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are supercharging change. These converging trends will result in rapid, disruptive and transformative change, the likes of which we have not experienced for more than a generation. Sear added: “Economists are predicting record growth and leaders need to ensure that their organisations are bold, more agile and quicker to change than at any time in history in order to deliver competitive performance in terms of cost efficiency, revenues and return on capital” Studio 44 has identified ten key insights by working with leaders during the challenging times of COVID, ranging from experimentation to mindset, technology to organisational culture. Sear concluded: “The crisis has highlighted many insights into how leaders can prepare for this next phase of growth and the journey ahead. They are at a once in a generation inflection point, opportunity is coming, and they need to ensure that they and their organisation are ready to innovate and transform.” Here is a summary of Studio 44’s top ten insights: Create a common mission: Often, in non-crisis times, organisations pay lip service to their mission. It’s written down, but no one really buys it. If the crisis did one thing very well, it was to provide a focus. The need for speed: The pace of change had been increasing, but the crisis supercharged this. Leaders need to focus their organisation on being able to respond quicker and with more agility than ever before. Change the corporate mindset: Many companies have long-held beliefs that limited their ability to respond and transform assumptions that need to be put in the bin. Make bold investments: The successful businesses of the last 12 months were the ones that had historically invested in new ways of working and bold new propositions. Experiment: In a decade that will be defined by rapid change and transformation, inexpensive, fast experimentation needs to be in the DNA of an organisation. Allocate your best people to your best opportunities: The pace of change is becoming ever faster and the war for talent continues to heat up. Leaders need to balance the need for transparency and fairness with quickly getting the right people in the right roles to optimise the chances of an organisation’s success. Teach more than new digital skills: In building on the successes of working from home and a period of change and disruption, it's crucial to teach employees new cognitive strategies and behaviours to enable them to adapt. Break the silos: During the COVID crisis innovative leaders gathered a multi-skilled team, incentivised them all for success in the same way and gave them the space to make it happen. Many leaders are now thinking about how they can maintain this kind of operating model and not return to older ways of working and the inefficiencies they create. Keep communicating: The pace of disruption and uncertainty in the next decade means that people will often feel unsettled and will seek reassurance. These are the same needs team members faced during the COVID crisis. Practice stakeholder capitalism: Leaders need to take a cooperative model into the next period of transformation. They need to take a long-term view, to have a strategy that not only ensures financial performance in the short term, but invests, and is seen to invest, in longer-term positive outcomes for all stakeholders. About Studio 44 Studio 44 is creating the future. It is a next generation consultancy that helps senior business leaders create step-out growth, disrupt markets and transform their culture and ways of working. It brings together smart people from tech, the arts, business and science with a common mission to create growth for clients with a focus on people and the planet. By bringing diverse thinking and the spirit and energy of a start-up to corporate clients Studio 44 radically shifts the operating model of a traditional consultancy. Contact Details Studio 44 Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://studio44.io/

May 19, 2021 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Digital transformation evades businesses that mismanage data

Stockwood Strategy

Data is poorly understood, inadequately valued and badly managed by global businesses costing them and their investors billions of dollars every year, according to a report published today by Anmut, the data valuation specialists. This is a big problem because it means most businesses are running on data that isn’t fit for purpose. The Anmut Data Leadership Report compiled data and anecdotal evidence from almost 100 Chief Data Officers from organisations headquartered on five continents whose collective annual revenues total over $1 trillion. The report finds that 91% of business leaders believe data is critical to the success of their businesses. However, only one in three (34%) of their companies manage their businesses’ data assets with the same disciplines as other business assets. These companies spend their allocated data management budget on creating value from their data that in turn helps them scale their businesses and develop their strategies. The remaining two thirds (66%) are using half of their data budgets to fix problems and errors identified within the data itself. According to the report, the average global business spends between 4% and 7% of annual operating expenses on managing its data. For a global financial services brand, that amounts to as much as $1.5-3 billion annually. “Time and again we’re seeing international businesses and household name brands coming under fire for reasons that seem preventable with hindsight,” says Herman Heyns, CEO of Anmut. "Those that succeed do so because they really understand the value of their data, and therefore prioritise and manage it well." Three quarters of respondents (76%) say their businesses are investing in large-scale data and digital transformation strategies. And, 63% say data is more critical than technology to achieve business transformation. Yet, Anmut's report also finds that technology investment regularly overshadows data investment. Technology gets three times the attention (73%) and five and a half times (88%) the budget as data. This is in spite of the fact that technology is dependent on reliable data to run well. Heyns adds: “The preference to invest in technology over data throws up a fascinating question about what digital transformation really means for businesses all over the world. Digital transformation is a term that’s used everywhere, in every annual report and corporate strategy document. Digital transformation is what companies do to become data-driven. The advances many companies make might be digital in name, but to create the transformation they're aiming for, they cannot lose sight of the data.” Chief Data Officers (CDOs) interviewed for the report regularly cite the challenge to make data something that everyone in their businesses understands, values and knows how to manage. The report finds that one third of company boards (33%) don’t consider data a ‘material asset’. 9 in 10 CDOs (87%) say putting a monetary value on data would enable people within the business to manage that data better. Heyns adds: “A critical issue for businesses’ data leaders is winning senior buy-in. When the board doesn’t appreciate the value of data to a company’s future performance, it’ll lack investment further down the business. That’s where data valuation comes into play. When the value of data assets are set out in pounds and pence, data can be thought of as a business asset. Then it climbs up the food chain, gets taken more seriously, impacts C-suite decision-making more readily, and receives greater investment. When data is treated like any other asset by assigning a monetary value to it, businesses can make better strategic decisions.” Anmut, whose clients include Smith & Nephew and Highways England, advises international companies across all sectors on how to manage, measure and value the data within their businesses. Intangible assets make up 90% of the total market value of the world’s largest companies. Anmut’s most conservative estimates put data at 20% to 30% of that. With only a third of companies managing that value well, it’s not a surprise that companies who do manage data well - the FANGS - have become the most valuable companies in history in the shortest time. In March, the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) published its report: Increasing Data Access across the UK Economy in which they commit to creating a framework within which the government may have the ability to make interventions into private and third sector organisations to unlock the full value of their data. DCMS follows governments in several leading economies including the US and Germany that are taking the lead to enforce better data management in business. About Anmut Consulting Anmut is the only data asset management company that makes the value of data unignorable, comparable and manageable for businesses investing in digital transformation. Anmut believes in the power of data-driven decisions to make people’s lives better, be they customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, local communities or future generations. Contact Details Anmut Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.anmut.co.uk/

May 19, 2021 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Airbnb Drives Job Support for Cities’ Post-Pandemic Recovery

YourUpdateTV

Cities are facing drastically reduced tax revenue and high unemployment among industries reliant on tourism. More than 61 million jobs were affected due to the pandemic, The World Tourism & Travel Council (WTTC) estimates. Recently, Christopher Nulty, Head of Global Public Affairs at Airbnb, participated in a satellite media tour to discuss how Airbnb is offering important economic benefits to small businesses and communities around the world. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/QS_84fewLlQ To better understand how Airbnb can help support local economies and cities as they plan for their post-pandemic recovery, Oxford Economics recently analyzed the economic impact of the Airbnb community in select destinations around the world. The analysis found that in 2019, in the 30 destinations studied, Airbnb supported over 300,000 jobs, including tens of thousands of jobs in industries like restaurants and retail that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Airbnb guests supported more than 100,000 restaurant industry jobs, nearly 95,000 retail jobs, nearly 50,000 transportation jobs, and more than 40,000 entertainment jobs. Travel is coming back, Airbnb’s 4 million Hosts are welcoming guests in cities across the world and Airbnb promotes the kind of travel, and tourism that is good for Hosts, guests, and local communities. As cities, states and countries plan for the months and years ahead, this data shows that Airbnb can be an important part of our economic revitalization. For more information, visit Airbnb.com/JobsReport About Christopher Nulty: Christopher Nulty is Airbnb's Head of Global Public Affairs. Prior to joining Airbnb in 2015, Christopher led public relations for Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. Christopher started his career in Washington, D.C., where he worked on Immigration and Healthcare Policy at the 2.2 million member Service Employees International Union (SEIU). A proud native of upstate New York, Christopher is a graduate of Colgate University where he currently serves as a director on the Alumni Council Board of Directors. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 18, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

News Release

ThreatModeler Software, Inc Wins Two Categories by Global Infosec Awards for 2021

ThreatModeler Software, Inc.

ThreatModeler Software, Inc is proud to announce that it has won the following two categories from Cyber Defense Magazine, the industry's leading electronic information security magazine exclusively for RSA Conferences: Most Innovative in Cloud Security Most Innovative in Threat Modeling The 9th annual Global InfoSec Awards were announced during the opening of the RSA Conference on May 17, 2021. We have been selected by CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals based on their independent reviews of the products/services. Innovation is the driving force here at Threatmodeler and believe this is what sets us apart to be the leader in our industry category. “We are very excited to see continuing recognition for our automated threat modeling platform and the innovation we bring to cyber security”, said Archie Agarwal, Founder and CEO of ThreatModeler Software, Inc. “We’re honored to be selected by a panel of expert judges around the globe from over 3,000 companies”. “These winners are the most innovative, forward thinking and proactive cyber security companies and service providers on the planet who are working to bring tomorrow’s cybersecurity solutions to market, today,” said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine. About Cyber Defense Magazine Infosec Awards This is Cyber Defense Magazine's ninth year of delivering and honoring the most innovative and valuable innovator for any startup, early-stage, later-stage, or public companies in the information security space who have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at https://cyberdefenseawards.com/ About ThreatModeler Software, Inc. ThreatModeler is an automated platform that provides a sustainable, self-service threat modeling practice for applications and infrastructure that evolves as your infrastructure grows. ThreatModeler encourages collaboration through its simple process flow diagram-based functionality that's easy to use in the creation of threat models that identify, prioritize and mitigate threats, while communicating them broadly. ThreatModeler integrates with JIRA, Jenkins, and Azure Boards and Pipelines, with bidirectional web services API also unifying stakeholders in collaboration. Teams are empowered to code fearlessly and deliver new products with security built-in as early as the design phase, which is based on global security and compliance standards. Click here to schedule a live demo with a threat modeling expert. Contact Details ThreatModeler Software, Inc Sarah Chan +1 201-266-0510 marketing@threatmodeler.com Company Website https://threatmodeler.com/

May 18, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST EQUIPS 10 COMMUNITY CENTERS AS WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” ACROSS SOUTHERN COLORADO

Comcast Colorado

As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast today announced the activation of 10 locations across Colorado Springs and Pueblo as WiFi-connected “Lift Zones.” Working with its network of nonprofit partners in the Southern Colorado region, Comcast is providing robust WiFi coverage in safe spaces to help low-income students and individuals get online, access critical resources, participate in digital literacy and workforce development trainings, and support their education during the school year and into the summer months for continuous learning. "We are grateful to Comcast for providing these Lift Zones at service providers across our city,” said Mayor John Suthers, City of Colorado Springs. “Internet connectivity has been a vital part of the continued functioning of our economy and our schools, and it’s important that we remove any obstacles that could keep people from working or learning during these unprecedented times.” "The pandemic underscored how critical a reliable internet connection is for Pueblo students and individuals,” said Mayor Nick Gradisar, City of Pueblo. "The Comcast Lift Zones being installed at community centers across the city are a welcome addition to our community, providing much-needed connectivity.” Southern Colorado organizations working with Comcast to establish Lift Zones in their respective facilities include: Colorado Springs • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pikes Peak Region • E.A. Tutt Club • El Pomar Club • YMCA • Southeast Family • Garden Ranch Family • Salvation Army • Red Shield • Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Pueblo • Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County • Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA) • Sprague Clubhouse • Pueblo YMCA • Southern Colorado Youth Development “Comcast has long been a steadfast partner to Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center as we team to support our military community,” said Robert “Bob” McLaughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center. “COVID-19 forced us to expand our virtual service delivery model and Comcast has once again come along side of us to offer a helping hand to enhance the connectivity of our clients. A sincere thank you to these tremendous teammates.” "The Comcast Lift Zone allowed our members to fully participate in their virtual classroom experience, which was not the case prior the Lift Zone installation due to the lack of internet speed with so many members utilizing the WiFi at the club at the same time,” said Cheryl Martinez, Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County Teen Director. These Lift Zones will feature free WiFi provided by Comcast, which allows students and adults to work on laptops simultaneously so they can successfully participate in the digital economy. This initiative provides free connectivity inside partner community centers for the next three years. “Access to the Internet is a critical component of digital equity, especially as we head into the summer months,” said Amy Lynch, Sr. Vice President Comcast Mountain West Region. “Reliable connectivity offered in a safe, clean space for students is a year-round necessity to combat summer learning loss. Consistent connectivity and locations for adults to get online, search for jobs, access healthcare information and adult education is key for all individuals in our communities to succeeded in an increasingly digital world.” Lift Zones sites are also being installed in communities throughout the state and Comcast is currently accepting nominations for potential Lift Zone sites. Visit Colorado.Comcast.com/Lift-Zones to nominate an organization and see the full list of current locations. In addition, the company is providing free access to hundreds of hours of digital skills content to help families and site coordinators navigate online learning. Lift Zone sites complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has connected more than more than 82,000 low-income Southern Coloradans and more than 480,000 Coloradans across the state to the internet at home. Today’s announcement also comes on the heels of Comcast’s recent $1 billion commitment over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

May 18, 2021 08:30 AM Mountain Daylight Time