BIGGEST POST-ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL COMING TO ASIA NEXT MONTH

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- Asia's largest post-rock music festival, the Offside Music Festival, will be held in Anji Zhejiang, on Nov 4 to 5.

A number of well-known post-rock bands, including Wang Wen, Mooncake, and April Rain, are invited to the two-day event.

According to a statement, the music festival is different from the performance lineup of the traditional music festival as it advocates for "backing to the initial music".

The goal of the music festival is to connect everyone with the sensation by music and body instead of words and to get "offside" from the status quo.

To emphasise the theme of this music festival and fuse into “natural whispers" and "instrumental resonance", the organisers deliberately selected Anji city, where is famous for the bamboo forests and white tea, and hope that every aspect of the nature and humanity will be echoed, ultimately creating a utopia, where nature, music and people coexist in harmony.

In addition to the musical performances, the organisers will establish the “Offside Community” with all participants, encompassing four main themes, namely, unity, responsibility, individuality and participation.

Moreover, it covers society, sustainable development, multiple expression, shared space, and other aspects, for building a public platform to stimulate more sensitive perception and fresh imagination of music, art, and life.

-- BERNAMA

DIWALI GIFT TRADITION: UNWRAP SPECIALLY CURATED HAMPERS WITH FNP.SG

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- This Deepavali, as a gesture of goodwill, Asia's leading gifting firm FNP.sg is offering a selection of Diwali hampers filled with goodies that are only available in Singapore.

According to a statement, its specially curated range of hampers are bursting with Deepavali staples like classic diyas, dry fruits and nuts, whereby each hamper is presented in Deepavali themed packaging.

“Deepavali is much more than a festival. It is an emotion, a reminder of home, of family gatherings and the emotions we grew up with.

“Our aim, through these hampers, is to bring back these emotions, and to recreate the authentic essence of Deepavali for our patrons in Singapore,” said FNP Chief Executive Officer, GCC & SEA, Rajesh Kumar.

The firm is also offering delectable assortments of silver dusted Indian sweets and finest chocolates, in addition to scented candles that add a modern touch to the festive tradition alongside colourful diyas and prayer flowers, among others.

FNP.sg brings its global sourcing power to the widest selection of festive offerings this Deepavali season with over 10 times as many choices to pick from compared to others as the essence of the festive season is gathering people together over memorable experiences.

Buyers can delve into FNP.sg's exclusive Deepavali collection if they yearn for more than just a gift, or seek an emotional connection, because every hamper is not just a gift but it is an emotion waiting to be unwrapped.

-- BERNAMA

KFSH&RC STRIVES TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has highlighted its Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceuticals Department’s pioneering role in nuclear medicine, during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This includes enhancing the capabilities of healthcare providers in both research and education, as well as ensuring the quality in the production and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals to hospitals across the Kingdom and beyond.

For the past four decades, the Cyclotron and Radiopharmaceuticals Department has been addressing the needs of local and regional medical centres for radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnosing and treating various specialised diseases.

Since its establishment, the department has produced over 25 types of radiopharmaceuticals with a production capacity exceeding 600,000 radiopharmaceutical preparations.

According to a statement, the department continues to provide its products to over 50 specialised Saudi medical centres, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in the field of radiopharmaceuticals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Conducting research to develop high-quality radiopharmaceuticals for KFSH&RC and other hospitals throughout the Kingdom, to meet all healthcare needs of patients, the department aspires to become a diagnostic and molecular imaging centre and the first facility for Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) generators in the Kingdom.

The department adheres to high-quality standards for automated quality control and assurance while striving to advance cyclotron technology, precise radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, and the development of radiopharmaceuticals used in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).

-- BERNAMA

KFSH&RC RAPID WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCING SERVICE IDENTIFIES RARE, GENETIC DISORDERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- In a groundbreaking development for the Middle East, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has introduced a service called Rapid Whole-Genome Sequencing (rWGS) as part of its healthcare solutions.

This service is designed to help doctors diagnose rare and genetic disorders, particularly in critically ill newborns, who require fast and precise identification of their conditions, according to a statement.

The rWGS service is invaluable for newborns with rare diseases, as it helps them avoid the often lengthy process of tests and treatments that can stretch for months or even years without a precise diagnosis.

This increases the chances of survival and reduces the overall healthcare cost by minimising hospital admissions, unnecessary tests, and medical care, on top of that, the hospital has reduced the time required for this genetic testing from the typical two-month duration to less than 35 hours.

Response time is paramount when planning healthcare for critically ill newborns, and swift delivery of test results ensures a prompt and tailored medical response, preventing delays that could otherwise lead to worsening the patient's condition or even death.

As part of its participation in the Global Health Summit, where KFSH&RC plays a vital role as a strategic healthcare partner, the hospital shares details about the rWGS service at the event.

The hospital's cutting-edge capabilities include analysing up to 99 per cent of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences from patient blood samples, along with several innovative healthcare solutions.

The comprehensive genetic composition examination involves a streamlined four-step process in which the DNA is first broken down into manageable segments. Then, it is encoded with a barcode-like symbol for easy identification, similar to tracking products in a store.

Later, the examination itself is conducted using specialised equipment. Finally, advanced computer systems and software compare these sequences, identifying differences in DNA sequences and pinpointing the genetic mutations responsible for diseases.

-- BERNAMA

TDCX CONTINUES EUROPEAN GROWTH TRAJECTORY WITH NEW ROMANIAN OFFICE

^{Daniel Mereuta, Country Director of TDCX Romania (first row, fifth from right) and employees settling into their new office space. (Photo: Business Wire)}


BUCHAREST, Romania, Oct 30 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- TDCX (NYSE: TDCX), an award-winning digital customer experience (CX) solutions provider for technology and blue-chip companies has deepened its presence in Europe through its move to a bigger campus in Romania. Located in the northern part of Bucharest in Green Court Campus, the heart of the most dynamic business district in the north of Bucharest, the campus boasts inviting meeting spaces, recreational areas, a cafeteria and a cinema room for employees to enjoy movie nights together.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231029584846/en/

 

The expansion of TDCX’s Romanian campus represents the company's growth in the region and underscores its commitment to help more clients tap Europe as an outsourcing destination.

In just over two years, TDCX Romania has doubled its employee headcount, serving clients across diverse industries including automotive, e-sports, health-tech and software. Apart from serving existing clients and the new mandates, the expanded Romania campus is a strategic investment that will better equip TDCX to meet future client needs.

TDCX’s Romanian campus already has the ability to provide support in 15 languages, thus enabling it to deliver the type of multilingual and personalized service that is needed to serve Europe’s linguistically and culturally diverse market.

Ms. Sophie Chelmick, Executive Vice President, EMEA, TDCX, said, “Our campus in Bucharest is an important hub for our Europe operations. Romania is situated in the heart of Europe, making it easy to collaborate with clients and partners across the continent. Its business-friendly environment, cost-effectiveness and skilled workforce make it a favorable location for outsourcing, and we see strong potential in expanding our presence here. We hope that through our efforts to grow our Romanian campus, we will be able to attract interesting jobs that will lead to meaningful careers for our talents here.”

Contributing to the growth of Europe’s CX industry

The need for good CX is becoming increasingly important among European companies. Almost nine in 10 (89 per cent) of mid-sized and enterprise level companies in Europe acknowledge that CX innovation is required to protect their business from competitors¹.

This is echoed by a report² that stated that there is room to provide European customers more personalized services. This includes enabling frictionless and conversational customer interactions on a single channel. Brands therefore must continually invest and deliver improved experiences to keep their customers.

Mr. Daniel Mereuta, Country Director, TDCX said, "Today’s customers are better informed, better connected, and more demanding than before. Hence, it is getting increasingly tough for brands to navigate customer expectations, keep pace with technological innovations and hire the talent needed to drive customer satisfaction.

“As a specialist CX provider, we have an intimate understanding of the elements that are needed to deliver exceptional service and have refined our approach through years of experience. Our ability to balance technological innovations with the human touch, combined with our focus and agility, enables us to help our clients set up CX teams in less than three months. This covers the entire process from establishing the delivery model and hiring and training the required talent, thus providing clients with the speed and efficiency that is required to start delivering on their goals quickly.”

TDCX’s new Romanian campus is situated within a LEED Platinum-certified building, consistent with the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability in its choice of buildings. It is easily accessed by public transportation and is supported by various facilities, including a prominent shopping mall across the street.

About TDCX

Singapore-headquartered TDCX provides transformative digital CX solutions, enabling world-leading and disruptive brands to acquire new customers, to build customer loyalty and to protect their online communities.

TDCX helps clients achieve their customer experience aspirations by harnessing technology, human intelligence and its global footprint. It serves clients in fintech, gaming, technology, travel and hospitality, digital advertising and social media, streaming and e-commerce. TDCX’s expertise and strong footprint in Asia has made it a trusted partner for clients, particularly high-growth, new economy companies, looking to tap the region’s growth potential.

TDCX’s commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our clients extends to its role as a responsible corporate citizen. Its Corporate Social Responsibility program focuses on positively transforming the lives of its people, its communities and the environment.

TDCX employs more than 18,700 employees across 30 campuses globally, specifically in Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mainland China, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.tdcx.com.

____________________________
¹ Source: Zendesk. Report: The State of CX Maturity among Midsize and Enterprise Companies of Europe
² Source: Zendesk Blog: Here’s how EU businesses are keeping up with the latest customer expectations


View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231029584846/en/

Contact

For enquiries:
media@tdcx.com

Source : TDCX

#IDENTITYWEEKASIA 2023: UNMISSABLE NETWORKING FOR IDENTITY LEADERS ACROSS THE APAC REGION

LONDON, Oct 27 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Identity Week Asia is back for 2023, and it promises to offer unmissable networking for identity leading professionals and organisations across the APAC region. The scope of identity topics covered at the conference span digital identity, biometrics, identity documents and authentication technology. 

This premier event will take place from 7- 8 November at the Suntec Convention Centre in Singapore, showcasing the latest innovations, trends and best practices in identity to 2,500+ members of the community. 

Identity management plays a pivotal role in our increasingly connected and digital world. From securing personal data to ensuring smooth and safe interactions online, the importance of robust identity solutions cannot be overstated. Identity Week Asia 2023 will gather experts, thought leaders, and industry pioneers to delve into the challenges, opportunities, and advancements around identity security. 

Key highlights to expect at Identity Week Asia 2023: 

1. World-class speakers: The conference will feature a line-up of 150+ global experts and thought leaders from organisations, including: PayPal, Philippine Statistics Authority, GovTech Singapore, Philippine Airlines, The Unique Identification Authority of India, IATA, National Australia Bank, FIDO Alliance, UNICEF, and lots more! 

2. A packed expo floor: A bustling exhibition floor will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions from 150+ leading companies in the identity space. Companies to meet on our expo floor include: iProov, Innovatrics, HID Global, Iris ID, Dermalog, Integrated Biometrics, IQ Structures and more.

3. Networking Opportunities: Identity Week Asia 2023 will offer numerous networking opportunities, enabling attendees to connect with like-minded professionals, potential business partners and peers. 

4. Global Insights: Gain international perspectives on identity management as experts from around the world share their experiences and knowledge. 

Identity Week Asia 2023 is the ideal platform for private sector and government entities to explore and leverage the ever-evolving landscape of digital identity, physical credentials and authentication technology. 

Don't miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event for FREE in November, promising to be the biggest edition of Identity Week Asia yet!

For more information and registration details, please visit our website. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47342

NEW RESEARCH FROM GETTY IMAGES SHOWS THAT VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF ASIAN COMMUNITIES IN APAC ADVERTISING REMAINS STEREOTYPICAL

· Getty Images’ research revealed most popular visuals for Australasia, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan continue to rely heavily upon stereotypical, inauthentic imagery representing various communities.

· Despite Asia-Pacific’s extensive span of cultures and demographics, there is limited diversity in imagery. Representation gaps range from disparities in depicting cultural specificities, to limited portrayals of Asian working life, among others.

· Getty Images today launched the “Inclusive Visual Storytelling for Asian Communities” report to support brands and businesses in APAC as they endeavor to be more inclusive in visual choices.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

SINGAPORE, Oct 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getty Images, a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, today launched “Inclusive Visual Storytelling for Asian Communities” report to help brands expand and deepen Asian narratives. This guidance is a result of Getty Images’ ongoing global research initiatives, revealing that visual representation of Asian communities in Asia-Pacific (APAC) advertising remains stereotypical.

Powered by insights from Getty Images' VisualGPS research, the guidelines informed that less than 10% of most popular visuals for Australasia, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan accurately represent Asian people and their lived experiences. Instead, most used imagery tends to lean heavily towards perpetuating common stereotypes: depicting Asians as youthful, slender, possessing lighter skin tones, and predominantly portrayed in work-related contexts. Furthermore, popular visuals remain similar in their underlying messages, styling, and emotion: often overly happy, and with little to no connection to each culture.

According to these guidelines, 4 out of 5 consumers across APAC agree that simply increasing the representation of individuals from diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and appearances within advertising and media is insufficient, stating that companies also need to do a better job at capturing people’s true lifestyles and cultures. Strikingly, 3 out of 5 also said to feel they have been discriminated against based on body size, lifestyle choices, race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, and sexuality. These findings underscore the imperative for the media and advertising industry to not only recognize the intricate diversity and multidimensionality inherent in Asian cultures, but also to align with consumer expectations in delivering authentic and meaningful portrayals of Asian identities.

To provide a comprehensive guide to visual storytelling centered on Asian communities, Getty Images’ new guidance encompasses various aspects of their identities, passions, and lived experiences, such as age, body, culture, disability, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, profession, race and ethnicity. By presenting a robust spectrum of perspectives, the guidelines supply media and advertising professionals with practical and applicable insights, serving as visual checkpoints and equipping them to enrich Asian visual narratives within their brand communications.

“Despite the region's diversity, everyday images and videos that aim to capture Asian experiences often fall short, perpetuating harmful stereotypes or missing the mark entirely. This misrepresentation and underrepresentation in TV shows, social media and advertising has led to significant gaps in consumers’ understanding of the region's realities,” said Yuri Endo, Creative Insights Manager at Getty Images. “By sharing these guidelines, the report takes a significant step towards helping brands serving APAC customers promote accurate and respectful portrayals of Asian communities, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and equitable visual landscape.” 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47336

AM Best To Join 2023 Global Insurance Forum

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best will participate in the 2023 International Insurance Society’s (IIS) Global Insurance Forum, from Nov 5 to 7 at Hilton Singapore Orchard, Singapore.

In a statement, AM Best said its managing director and chief executive officer of Singapore operations, Rob Curtis will have a one-on-one discussion on the subject of insurance regulation at the event titled, “Regulatory Priorities from a Rating Agency Perspective”.

The discussion will explore the evolving landscape in insurance regulation, the changing methodologies from credit rating agencies that may influence or complement regulation, new insurance capital standards and the evolution toward risk-based capital requirements.

Presented by the IIS and the Pacific Insurance Conference, the Global Insurance Forum is marking its return as an in-person event for the first time since 2019. 

Key themes include the rise of Asian economies, capital market innovations for insurers, the impact of Artificial Intelligence, and how to manage an uncertain future.

AM Best is a bronze partner of the IIS, and its market development team for Asia Pacific will be attending the conference.

-- BERNAMA

LABUAN RE CREDIT RATINGS AFFIRMED EXCELLENT - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed Malaysia’s Labuan Reinsurance (L) Ltd (Labuan Re) Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent).

The credit ratings (ratings), which have a stable outlook, reflected Labuan Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

In a statement, AM Best said the company’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, which is at the strongest level at year-end 2022.

Labuan Re adopts a prudent capital management approach to support risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level over the medium term, along with an appropriate regulatory solvency position.

The rating agency views the company as having a moderate risk investment strategy with investment assets predominantly held in cash, deposits and high quality fixed-income instruments, albeit with a modest exposure to equities.

Labuan Re’s operating performance was viewed as adequate, with its overall earnings historically supported by robust investment returns, and it has recorded an elevated average combined ratio of 105.6 per cent over a five-year period between 2018 and 2022, primarily due to catastrophe-related losses.

However, following remedial actions taken by management, the company’s underwriting performance improved in 2021 and 2022.

Prospectively, AM Best expects an adequate level of operating performance to be maintained and underpinned by positive underwriting results and investment income, despite short-term volatility driven by unrealised fair value investment losses in recent periods.

The rating agency assesses Labuan Re’s business profile as neutral given its position as a well-established regional non-life reinsurer and its business profile continues to benefit from portfolio diversification via its participation as a corporate member in Lloyd’s syndicates.

-- BERNAMA

NX IRELAND ACQUIRES GDP CERTIFICATION FOR COMPANY-OWNED WAREHOUSE

TOKYO, Oct. 27, 2023 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

Nippon Express (Ireland) Ltd. (hereafter "NX Ireland"), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., has received Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification from the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), effective September 21, for the temporary storage and air/ocean forwarding of pharmaceutical products at its warehouse near Dublin International Airport.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202310251667-O1-km0aRcz6

Photo1: Warehouse exterior
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202310251667/_prw_PI2fl_97X311Fi.jpg

Photo2: Warehouse room interior
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103866/202310251667/_prw_PI3fl_T0i5f1z4.jpg

As one of the world's leading manufacturers and exporters of pharmaceutical products as well as home to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), Ireland has attracted a broad range of life science companies. All the world's top 10 pharmaceutical companies have set up operations in Ireland, and the country is expected to continue seeing growth in businesses related to pharmaceuticals.

The recently GDP-certified NX Ireland Contract Logistics Center is located approximately 3 km from Dublin International Airport and 12 km from Dublin Port, making it an ideal site for both air and sea transport. The facility is equipped with a temperature-controlled facility (2,509 m2) that can accommodate two temperature ranges -- refrigerated storage from 2 C to 8 C and constant-temperature storage from 15 C to 25 C -- and provides a safe and high-quality pharmaceutical logistics platform by combining the NX Group's international temperature-controlled transport services with temporary storage capabilities in a GDP-certified warehouse.

The NX Group will continue strengthening its efforts in the pharmaceutical industry, which is positioned as a priority industry in the Group's current business plan, as well as expanding and developing its services globally to meet increasingly sophisticated and diverse pharmaceutical logistics needs.

Name and address of facility
- Name: Contract Logistics Center, Nippon Express (Ireland) Ltd.
- Address: Unit 23, Cedar Drive, Dublin AirPort Logistics Park, Dublin, K67
R2H7, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Nippon Express website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/

Nippon Express Group's official LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nippon-express-group/

Source: NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

--BERNAMA

NEW AI STUDY REVEALS HIGH USAGE DESPITE LOW POLICIES

Global digital trust association ISACA surveyed more than 2,300 professionals who work in audit, risk, security, data privacy and IT governance to get their take on the current state of generative AI. (Graphic: ISACA)

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- A new poll of global digital trust professionals has revealed a high degree of uncertainty around generative artificial intelligence (AI), few company policies around its use, lack of training, and fears around its exploitation by bad actors.

According to Generative AI 2023: An ISACA Pulse Poll, global digital trust professionals weighed in on generative AI, in a new pulse poll that explores employee use, training, attention to ethical implementation, risk management, exploitation by adversaries, and impact on jobs.

The poll found that many employees at respondents’ organisations are using generative AI, even without policies in place for its use, according to a statement.

Only 28 per cent of organisations said their companies expressly permit the use of generative AI, while only 10 per cent stated a formal comprehensive policy is in place, and more than one in four claimed no policy exists and there is no plan for one.

These employees are using generative AI in a number of ways, including to create written content (65 per cent); increase productivity (44 per cent); automate repetitive tasks (32 per cent); provide customer service (29 per cent); and improve decision making (27 per cent).

However, despite employees quickly moving forward with use of the technology, only six per cent of respondents’ organisations are providing training to all staff on AI, and more than half (54 per cent) indicated that no AI training at all is provided, even to teams directly impacted by AI.

The poll also explored the ethical concerns and risks associated with AI as well, with 41 per cent saying that not enough attention is being paid to ethical standards for AI implementation.

Furthermore, examining how current roles are involved with AI, respondents believe that security (47 per cent), information technology operations (42 per cent), as well as risk and compliance (tie, 35 per cent) are responsible for the safe deployment of AI.

Despite the uncertainty and risk surrounding AI, 80 per cent of respondents believe AI will have a positive or neutral impact on their industry, 81 per cent believe it will have a positive or neutral impact on their organisations, and 82 per cent believe it will have a positive or neutral impact on their careers.

ISACA equips individuals and enterprises with the knowledge, credentials, education, training and community to progress their careers, transform their organisations, and build a more trusted and ethical digital world.

-- BERNAMA

MCO Among World’s Top Risk, Compliance Technology - Chartis Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- MyComplianceOffice (MCO), a global conduct risk and compliance technology provider has been ranked among the world’s top risk and compliance technology solutions as part of the RiskTech100 2024 by global research and analysis firm Chartis Research.

According to a statement, MCO provides compliance management software that enables financial services firms to reduce their risk of misconduct and maintain an ethical culture.

MCO’s integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) platform lets compliance professionals demonstrate they are proactively managing the regulated activities of the company, employees and third-party relationships on a single risk and compliance platform.

“We are thrilled to be acknowledged as a top participant in the global risk and compliance technology marketplace through the rigorous Chartis benchmarking and assessment process.

“MCO was founded with the mission of delivering an integrated technology framework for helping firms keep pace with stringent and evolving regulatory requirements. This honour is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire MCO team to deliver on that mission,” said MCO Chief Executive Officer, Brian Fahey.

The Chartis RiskTech100 is a comprehensive independent study of the world's major players in risk and compliance technology, in which rankings are based on functionality, core technology, strategy, customer satisfaction, market presence and innovation, and focus on solutions, industry segments and success factors.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, MCO provides powerful compliance management software that companies around the world use to reduce the risk of misconduct and effectively oversee regulatory obligations.

-- BERNAMA

THE MOST DISRUPTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MEETS AT TOMORROW.BUILDING WORLD CONGRESS

BARCELONA, Spain, Oct 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Showcasing the most groundbreaking projects to promote innovative and sustainable construction. This is the main goal of Tomorrow.Building World Congress (TBWC), an event organized by Fira de Barcelona featuring leading companies in the transformation of the sector, as well as startups with innovative initiatives. In addition, TBWC also aims to promote debate on the future of the sector with a hundred experts who will address its challenges in decarbonisation, digitalisation and sustainable urban development.

From November 7 – 9, the event will gather some 50 companies with a disruptive spirit and a firm commitment to sustainability willing to transform the construction sector.

These include major international companies such as Samsung C&T Corporation and Siemens, leaders in the development of smart cities; Samoo Architects & Engineers, a Korean architecture firm with sustainable and efficient designs worldwide, as well as CBRE, Drees&Sommer, Johnson Controls, Roshn Group and SPIE. There will also be room for companies with innovative projects such as Bioo, which has developed an initiative to produce electricity through plant photosynthesis.

The event also aims to promote knowledge and debate in the industry on issues such as design technology, green districts, decarbonisation and PropTech, as well as issues of today's and tomorrow's cities, such as access to affordable and sustainable housing, urban readiness to welcome refugees and the acceleration of the energy transition.

The congress programme will feature a hundred experts including, among others, Nate Blecharczyk, Co-founder and Director of Strategy of Airbnb; Lebanese architect and specialist in Artificial Intelligence, Chantal Matar; Peter Körte, Director of Technology at Siemens; Peggy Deamer, Professor Emeritus at the Yale School of Architecture and Founder of The Architecture Lobby; Natalia Oliver, architect and specialist in BIM; and Piero Pelizzaro, Director of the National Hub for the Regeneration of Public buildings and expert in climate change policies.

In addition, FC Barcelona will present the latest details of the construction project of the new Spotify Camp Nou and its initiative for the renovation of its urban environment, Espai Barça.

Tomorrow.Building is held alongside Smart City Expo World Congress, Tomorrow.Mobility, Tomorrow.Blue Economy and PUZZLE X. Together the events will gather more than 25,000 attendees, 1,000 exhibitors, and representatives from more than 800 cities and 140 countries.

For media requests please contact:

Salvador Bilurbina
email: sbilurbina@firabarcelona.com
phone: +34628162674

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd5da650-0297-4005-b058-177cebdc1970 


SOURCE : Fira De Barcelona

Boyden Asia/Pacific Sees Growth Via New Hires, Promotions

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Boyden, a premier global leadership and talent advisory firm, announced its new partners with Neil Bevan in Japan, Kent Yar in Singapore, John Gordon Holme in Thailand, as well as new Principal Kashinath Vishwanath in India.

The regional team also celebrates promotions from Principal to Partner of Krista Espaldon in Singapore, Philip Graham in Australia, and promotion to Principal of Katherine Miller in Australia.

As the firm nurtures its next generation talent, the next progression from Principal is to partnership according to Boyden in a statement.

“These remarkable professionals boost our capabilities locally and in the region as a whole. We are delighted to welcome them and celebrate their career success.

“The strength of our cross-border collaboration delivers results for clients looking for new skills and future-focused leaders,” said Boyden Managing Partner and Member, Board of Directors, William J. Farrell.

Through a collaborative footprint and collegiate culture, specialist teams deliver exceptional talent to leading digital organisations, family businesses, local firms, PE- and VC-backed companies and multinationals.

Boyden has seen exceptional growth in Asia/Pacific, including the addition of a 17-member team from Stones International in China, Hong Kong and Singapore in 2020, as well as prominent executive search experts in platform technology and human resources leadership.

With 14 offices across the region, Boyden is one of the best-known executive search firms in Asia/Pacific, providing executive search and leadership consulting.

-- BERNAMA

HONG KONG CYCLOTHON TESTAMENT FOR CITY AS TOP-OF-MIND TRAVEL DESTINATION - HKTB

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The annual outdoor sports gala, “Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon”, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) concluded on Oct 22, with around 5,000 cyclists participated in the seven rides and races.

“With rich international elements, we are delighted to see that both local and visiting cyclists enjoyed their rides across six districts and taking their memorable journey on the three-tunnel, three-bridge route.

“The programme of the event served as a perfect testimony of how HKTB highlights Hong Kong’s diversity and reinforce its status as Asia’s World City through staging different mega events, promoting Hong Kong as a top-of-mind travel destination to global audiences continuously,” said HKTB Chairman, Dr Pang Yiu-kai in a statement.

The cyclists dashed on a number of the city’s major traffic routes and passed through various iconic landmarks, in which the seven action-packed cycling events and international professional competitions take place from the early morning in the bustling city of Hong Kong.

In addition to the popular 50 kilometre (km) and 30km non-competitive rides, this year's Hong Kong Cyclothon also featured the highlight event, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 1.1 Road Race which was won by rider from Team JAYCO ALULA from Australia.

A total of 14 teams from Australia, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand, the Mainland and Hong Kong participated in the event, with nearly 100 professional riders riding on Hong Kong’s uniquely curvy and narrow racetrack.

Furthermore, about 200 children aged six and above enjoyed the Family Fun Ride with their parents cycling on the road, while more than 20 celebrities from different sectors joined the CEO Charity and Celebrity Ride, promoting the cycling sports together.

-- BERNAMA

KING FAISAL SPECIALIST HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTRE ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE CLINICAL PHARMACOGENOMICS

Enhances Drug Effectiveness and Patient Safety  


RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 25 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural phase of its clinical pharmacogenomics service within its Heart Center. This pioneering service leverages the patient's DNA to tailor drug dosages and selections, heralding a new era in healthcare that prioritizes personalized treatment for each individual. This groundbreaking approach is poised to enhance treatment outcomes and reduce potential harm.

KFSH&RC's experts have said that this analysis empowers physicians to prescribe medications customized to each patient, factoring in their unique health conditions and genetic traits. Patients' responses to pharmaceuticals can significantly differ based on their genetic profiles. As a result, what proves effective for one patient may have minimal impact in another. It is worth noting that statistics reveal that 15% of hospital admissions stem from adverse drug reactions, imposing substantial financial and human burdens on healthcare systems across the globe.

This innovative service is a collaborative endeavor between the Centre for Genomic Medicine, Healthcare Information Technology Affairs, and the Pharmaceutical Care Department at KFSH&RC. In its initial phase, this service encompasses six of the most frequently prescribed medications, as determined by hospital data, whose efficacy is known to be influenced by genetic variations.

KFSH&RC has made it clear that it remains committed to expanding the scope of this service progressively, encompassing all hospital departments. This expansion underscores the hospital's unwavering dedication to providing personalized healthcare to every patient, ensuring the utmost level of safety, and minimizing harm, while adhering to the latest globally endorsed scientific practices.

At the Global Health Exhibition held in Riyadh from October 29th to 31st, where KFSH&RC plays a vital role as a strategic health partner, the hospital is set to unveil the innovative service that promises to advance healthcare outcomes in the region.

KFSH&RC stated that it is moving to gradually expand the scope of application of the service to include all medical specialties as part of its commitment to providing personalized health care for each patient at the highest level of safety and prevention of harm and to harness the latest scientifically proven practices around the world.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center is considered among the most prominent in the world in providing specialized health care, a pioneer in innovation, and an advanced medical research and education center. It also seeks to develop medical technologies and raise health care worldwide in partnership with prominent local, regional and international institutions. To achieve world-class service in the clinical, research, and educational fields.

Contact information:

kfshrc@mcsaatchi.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e826983-52ae-4fe5-8579-0cbdfcca9d1c 

SOURCE : King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre

IRDETO PARTNERS WITH ANYPOINT MEDIA TO OFFER END-TO-END ADVERTISING PLATFORM FOR TV AND OTT SERVICE PROVIDERS

The solution allows marketers to accurately and quickly insert the right ads, targeting the right audiences, to drive sales for ad revenue monetization


AMSTERDAM, Oct 24 (BERNAMA-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irdeto, the world leader in digital platform cybersecurity, is proud to announce a partnership with Anypoint Media, the ad-tech company provider of FLOWER, a linear advertising platform for TV & OTT service providers worldwide. Irdeto has integrated Anypoint Media’s Flower Ad Server into its Server Side Ad Insertion (SSAI) product and onto its Android TV Hybrid Box offering.

Anypoint Media offers best-in-class addressable TV and OTT advertising solutions, with a proven track record of over seven years in commercial services for major Tier-1 accounts, such as SKB, LGU+ and Telkom Indonesia. Recently, the company added new Tier-1 accounts to its portfolio, including VNPT in Vietnam, sporki in Korea and beIN Sports in APAC.

Dynamic Ad Insertion is an important part of publishers’ ad sales strategy and with Irdeto SSAI for OTT streams and Anypoint Media’s CSAI for Hybrid Set Top Boxes, a high quality, seamless experience is possible by making ad breaks addressable to give the user a more personalized advertising experience during live events on linear channels.

The new solution will enable customers to personalize advertisements based on individuals’ profiles. By stitching the ads directly into the video content, providers can transition from content, to ad, and back to content, providing the same seamless user experience as live broadcast TV. Each ad break is tailored to the audience, based on their viewing history, device, demographics, and geographical location. Once the ad server has selected the ads, Irdeto SSAI stitches the ad into the content stream before reaching the viewer’s playback device.

As the ads are inserted directly into the live stream, latency and buffering are eliminated, and continuous high quality video is maintained, providing a smooth TV-like viewing experience. In addition, the solution can minimize the impact of ad blocking, and eliminate timeout and black screen during ad playback caused by device fragmentation.

“The partnership with Anypoint Media will complement our advertising offering and open the door for increased capitalization on the growing broadcast and online advertising market in the APAC region, where pay-TV operators and streaming service providers are increasing their investments in ad technology,” said Andrew Bunten, COO of Video Entertainment Irdeto.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Irdeto, to enable an end-to-end advertising solution that will work on OTT and hybrid set-top boxes alike, enabling publishers’ opportunity to generate increased advertising revenue lift on both their live and VOD content, using either CSAI or SSAI,” said Won Baek, CEO, Anypoint Media.

Access our page to learn more about Irdeto’s end-to-end anti-piracy tools.

About Irdeto
Irdeto is the world leader in digital platform cybersecurity, empowering businesses to innovate for a secure, connected future. Building on over 50 years of expertise in security, Irdeto’s services and solutions protect revenue, enable growth and fight cybercrime in video entertainment, video games, and connected industries including transport, health and infrastructure. With teams around the world, Irdeto’s greatest asset is its people and diversity is celebrated through an inclusive workplace, where everyone has an equal opportunity to drive innovation and support Irdeto’s success. Irdeto is the preferred security partner to empower a secure world where people can connect with confidence.
For more information, please visit www.irdeto.com.

About Anypoint Media
Anypoint Media is an Ad-Tech company leading the Addressable TV market with its one-of-a-kind Addressable Linear TV Advertising Platform since 2015. Anypoint Media helps Pay-TV and OTT Service Providers to monetize under-utilized Linear TV inventory with addressability, frame-accurate ad insertion, mediation, linear ad podding, and sales automation through programmatic integrations while also offering a unified Ad Management tool that can be used to manage all inventory types including Linear TV, VOD pre/mid/post-rolls, banners, EPG banners, L-bands and Pause-Ads.
For more information, please visit www.anypointmedia.com.

For more information, contact:

Irdeto Media Team

Daniel Butschek
media@irdeto.com
Tel. +31 6 2765 0973 

Sabrina Orlov
media@irdeto.com
Tel. +1 343 997 7220

SOURCE : Irdeto

Chiba Prefectural Museum Of Art To Hold Theo Jansen Exhibition

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art will hold an exhibition of Theo Jansen, a world-renowned Dutch artist, from Oct 27 to Jan 21, next year, as a cultural exchange project with the Netherlands.

The exhibition is in conjunction with this year marking the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Chiba Prefecture, according to a statement.

Chiba Prefecture has a long history of exchanges with the Netherlands as Dutch studies used to be encouraged in a region within the prefecture.

Meanwhile, Jansen who was born in 1948 is called the "Leonardo da Vinci of modern times" as an artist, inventor and a scientist.

His major work is the so-called "strandbeest" (Dutch for 'beach lifeforms'), made by piecing together off-the-shelf materials such as plastic tubes and adhesive tapes based on physics calculation. Strandbeest feeds on wind to come to life and walk on sandy beaches.

This exhibition will showcase more than 10 works, including an enormous strandbeest measuring over 10 metres in length, together with Jansen's hand-drawn sketches, and tools used in their production, among other items.

A daily event where the strandbeest walks in the museum will also be held, while on Dec 3, there will be an event in which the public can participate in walking the strandbeest on the beach, first-ever such programme in Japan.

Hence, visitors will have the opportunity to watch before their very eyes the gigantic art piece moving as if it was a living creature against the backdrop of the ocean.

-- BERNAMA

Negative Outlook On Taiwan’s Non-life Insurance Segment - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- AM Best has maintained a negative outlook on Taiwan’s non-life insurance segment, citing increased reinsurance costs and a decline in the investment asset base, as some assets were liquidated to pay pandemic-related claims, according to its new report.

In the Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Taiwan Non-Life Insurance”, the global rating agency states that the non-life segment suffered a huge net loss of NT$173 billion (US$5.4 billion) in 2022 due to the pandemic, which outstripped the cumulative earnings of the last decade. (US$1=RM4.77)

In addition, insurers needed to sell off investments to pay pandemic-related claims, and saw total investments shrink nearly 20 per cent in 2022, while some non-life insurers continued to see unfavourable claims development and reported net losses in the first quarter of this year, but the majority had returned to operating profitability as of second-quarter.

AM Best financial analyst, Madison Fan said weaker capitalisation will become the new normal following the Taiwanese non-life segment’s huge pandemic insurance losses.

“The industry’s average capitalisation has rebounded strongly thus far in 2023 but remains materially below pre-pandemic levels,” said Fan in a statement.

Insurers also have adopted more conservative investment strategies and de-risked their portfolios. The local stock market has recovered through the first nine months of 2023; however, non-life insurers continue to grapple with the low interest rate environment and volatility in operating results through capital gains and losses.

AM Best expects full-year 2023 operating performance to be bolstered by the recovery in the capital markets and reserve releases, given that pandemic policies have all matured, and ultimate claims should be close to fully developed.

However, one counterbalancing factor to the favourable operating performance is heightened reinsurance costs due to the current hardening cycle in the global reinsurance market.

-- BERNAMA

AM Best Affirms South Korea’s Construction Guarantee Cooperative Credit Ratings

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) of Construction Guarantee Cooperative (CG), South Korea.

The credit ratings (ratings), which have a stable outlook, reflected CG’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The company’s risk-adjusted capitalisation is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, underpinned by a large capital base of 6.8 trillion Korean won (US$5.4 billion) as of year-end 2022, extremely low underwriting leverage, and a conservative and liquid investment portfolio with the majority of its investments placed in stable fixed-income assets. (US$1=RM4.77)

CG’s strong operating performance is backed by its favourable underwriting performance with a five-year average combined ratio of 62 per cent (2018-2022), as calculated by the rating agency.

The company’s surety premiums continued to be stable over the past years and contributed to its very low loss ratio, along with growing insurance business that also remained profitable supported by its prudent underwriting management to ensure steady profitability.

Despite sizeable unrealised capital losses in 2022 from the stock market volatility, AM Best expects CG’s investment yield to improve over the coming years supported by a high interest rate environment and its efforts to realign investment strategy.

AM Best in a statement said it considers the company’s risk management capabilities to be appropriate with a comprehensive ERM structure to manage its key risk areas effectively.

Established under the Korea Construction Financial Cooperative Law, CG is a government-designated surety underwriter for general contractors in South Korea, having the largest share of the construction surety segment and a strong membership base.

-- BERNAMA

PSA, UOB Recognised For Innovative Use Of Red Hat Solutions

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Red Hat Inc, an open source solutions provider, announced the winners of the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2023 for Singapore, honouring the remarkable achievements of PSA Corporation Limited and UOB.

PSA and UOB which won the Automation; and Digital Transformation and Cloud-Native Development categories respectively, were honoured for their outstanding use of Red Hat solutions to foster innovation, showcase their ingenuity, and elevate customer experiences in an ever-evolving business environment.

According to a statement, in an environment of economic fluctuations and technological upheavals, Red Hat continues with the theme “Explore what’s next” at this year’s Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards.

This year’s accolades celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of organisations in adapting to today’s uncertain landscape, proudly recognising the digital transformation achievements of 31 organisations from 13 countries in the region.

By harnessing the power of open source creatively, these remarkable organisations propel themselves forward while prioritising unforgettable customer experiences.

Their unwavering resilience, strategic thinking, and ingenious utilisation of Red Hat solutions have allowed them to conquer new business challenges and stay one step ahead of evolving customer demands.

According to the Red Hat 2023 Global Tech Outlook, businesses continue to rank innovation as a powerful differentiator, allowing organisations to rise above their competitors and forge their unique path to success.

The awards’ five categories focus on key technologies that can help businesses stand out amid today’s uncertain landscape, namely Digital Transformation, Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud-native Development, Automation, and Resilience.

The winners were selected based on the positive impact their Red Hat deployments had on their business goals as they showcase the possibilities of open source, pushing the boundaries of business processes, productivity, innovation, and resilience.

-- BERNAMA

PEAK REINSURANCE, SUBSIDIARY CREDIT RATINGS AFFIRMED - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a-” (Excellent) of Hong Kong’s Peak Reinsurance Company Limited (Peak Re) and its subsidiary, Peak Reinsurance AG, Switzerland.

The outlook of these credit ratings (ratings) is negative, which reflected Peak Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

In addition, the ratings factor in a neutral impact from the company’s ultimate parent, Fosun International Holdings Ltd (Fosun).

Despite the company’s capital and surplus having declined by 18.5 per cent to US$1.2 billion as of year-end 2022, the rating agency expects Peak Re’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, to remain at the strongest level over the short to intermediate term. (US$1=RM4.77)

In a statement, AM Best said Peak Re reported its first net loss in 2022 since establishment, as the combined result of underwriting performance dragged by catastrophe losses, unfavourable investment returns and foreign exchange losses.

AM Best views Peak Re’s retrocession programme to be effective in mitigating negative impacts from event losses to a manageable level.

In recent renewals, the company has put stronger focus on risk selection with an aim to lower catastrophe exposure and improve the expected technical margins of its non-life portfolio across different product lines and geographies.

While the investments result was impacted negatively in 2022 amid the volatile market conditions, Peak Re has continued to de-risk its investment portfolio gradually and benefit from consistent interest and dividend income.

Peak Re’s non-life portfolio is diversified by product lines and geography, with a focus on the Asia Pacific region, and aims to expand its United States casualty business selectively and continue growing its non-proportional treaty business.

-- BERNAMA

IMMUNOSCAPE USES MACHINE LEARNING TO PREDICT VIRUS SPECIFICITY OF HUMAN T-CELLS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Biotechnology company ImmunoScape has published new peer-reviewed research that demonstrates the use of machine learning to predict the virus specificity of human T-cells.

Led by ImmunoScape Scientist Michael Fehlings, and published in the scientific journal, Cell Reports, the research could have profound implications for the use of machine learning in the discovery and development of T-cell based immunotherapies.

This study opens novel avenues to address the challenges of finding T-cell receptors (TCRs) that can be transformed into therapeutics against different diseases and indications.

The company has built a discovery engine that offers 360-degree views of lab-validated data from millions of T cells, which serves as the foundation for its machine learning platform.

“Our proprietary multi-omics database includes an unparalleled set of T-cell phenotypes and corresponding TCRs against viral, cancer and other antigens and builds the foundation for our computational models.

“Our mission is to harness the power of machine learning to accelerate the discovery of cancer-specific T cells while expanding access to more effective therapeutics,” said ImmunoScape co-founder and chief executive officer, Choon-Peng Ng in a statement.

The findings include identification of unique phenotypes of T cells specific for different virus antigens; inference of phenotypic signatures from virus-specific T cells via machine learning; and utilisation of machine learning to predict antigen specificity from T-cell phenotypes.

ImmunoScape developed and trained machine learning models to identify and learn common phenotypic signatures inherent to T cells specific for different antigen categories in the study.

With the validation of its platform, ImmunoScape will expand the use of machine learning to identify tumour-specific TCRs to support its pipeline for the development of novel TCR-based therapeutics against solid tumours.

-- BERNAMA

SIMPRO ACCELERATES DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FOR THE FIELD SERVICES INDUSTRY AT THE FIRST ANNUAL SIMPROSIUM

New security enhancements, payments integrations and customer experience improvements introduced at customer-focused roadshow


BROOMFIELD, Colo., Oct 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Simpro, the leading total business management software for commercial and residential trade service businesses, hosted its first user conference, Simprosium, across four cities in Australia and New Zealand. The roadshow, titled "Turn Chaos into Clarity," attracted a diverse audience of more than 700 Simpro customers, industry experts and ecosystem partners eager to learn about the latest platform features and celebrate the company's momentum.

The overall theme of Simprosium centered around supporting customers as they navigate the adoption of new technology innovations shaping the future of the trades industry while providing an open forum as Simpro continues to build a community. New Simpro product features were announced including security enhancements to improve customer experience, integration of Stripe payment processing software and new business intelligence (BI) reporting features and dashboards, highlighting the ability to subscribe to and automate BI reports and, for Xero customers, to reconcile sales invoices. Also, the incorporation of ClockShark time tracking capabilities to the platform and new digital form enhancements were announced. The adoption of these new Simpro product features is vital to helping trade service businesses reduce time spent on admin tasks, meet the needs of their digital-savvy customers and grow exponentially.

"Simpro transformed our approach from mere estimation on spreadsheets to a comprehensive solution integrating sales, operations and more," said Porty Ushan, director at Aloka Technology. "Simpro's powerful API capabilities allowed us to seamlessly connect various systems, ensuring a holistic view without technological hindrance. Simpro is more than an operations manager; it became the connective tissue that unified our processes, empowering our business to thrive."

Attendees of the inaugural roadshow heard from Simpro’s leadership, partners and customers on topics around inflation, staff retention and how leveraging data to drive company insights can support company innovation. Simprosium attendees heard from Simpro leaders including CEO, Gary Specter; Jason Penkethman, Chief Product Officer; Stephanie Wilkinson, CRO; and Wayne Barelds, VP of Product with customer spokespeople from Modus Operandi, Aloka Technology and Mouldmen. Customer discussions centered around adaptability, highlighting how business leaders respond to change and how Simpro facilitates and drives these transformations. The conversation also focused on BI reporting and underscored the significance of BI tools in steering growth and investments within this industry, providing insights into time and financial resource allocation and meeting a critical need expressed by Simpro customers.

"The Simprosium roadshow was all about meeting our customers and understanding what is top of mind for them,” said Gary Specter, CEO of Simpro. “It was important to me that we did not just talk at them, but talk with them to truly hear them so that together we can collaborate and create a community where we can invest in each other and be successful. It was an invigorating and humbling experience to be met with such honesty, enthusiasm and excitement around the community we will be building together."

With the success of this inaugural event, Simpro plans to activate these conferences in its growing US and UK markets in 2024. This move is a testament to Simpro's dedication to fostering a thriving community with its customers. Continuing to build a collaborative ecosystem where customers partner with Simpro to lead the way in innovation in the global trade service sector.

About Simpro
Simpro is the total business management software for commercial trade service businesses. From job quoting and scheduling to inventory tracking, invoicing and everything in between, Simpro’s smart technology solutions and expert long-term support help businesses build, repair and power their future with complete control over operations. Founded in 2002 by an electrical contractor and headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, Simpro supports more than 8,000 businesses and 200,000 users worldwide in the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, security and fire protection industries with 700+ employees in six global offices. To learn more about Simpro, visit our website.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231017274163/en/

Contact

Media:
Trish King
VP Revenue Marketing
trish.king@simpro.us

Source : Simpro

PubMatic-FreeWheel Integration Partnership Revolutionises CTV Ad Inventory

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- PubMatic, an independent technology company has announced a new integration partnership with FreeWheel, a global technology platform for the television advertising industry.

According to a statement, through this enhanced integration, PubMatic’s Activate will now have direct access, through FreeWheel, to premium publisher connected television (CTV) ad inventory.

“Since launching this year, Activate has gained traction worldwide as the end-to-end supply path optimisation solution of choice for agencies and advertisers.

“FreeWheel has been an important PubMatic partner for many years, and we look forward to deepening our relationship through this integration, giving buyers more control over their CTV investments,” said PubMatic Vice President, CTV/OTT and Video, Nicole Scaglione.

Meanwhile, FreeWheel Vice President, US Head of Demand, Jon Mansell said: “In integrating with PubMatic’s Activate, our goal is to drive incremental demand for publishers while giving advertisers more control and choice into how publisher inventory can be purchased.

“We hope that by doing so, we can drive more growth, momentum and innovation in today’s TV ad ecosystem,” he added.

This new partnership will bring key benefits and new capabilities for the TV ad ecosystem whereby ad buyers working with PubMatic will now have an enhanced and streamlined ability to transact across a larger and more diversified pool of premium CTV ad inventory.

In addition, FreeWheel publishers will have access to unique campaign budgets only available through Activate.

In doing so, the two companies aim to provide increased interoperability, efficiency and transparency for buyers and sellers of premium CTV ad inventory at scale.

-- BERNAMA

SENEGAL, MAURITANIA SUPPORT SAUDI ARABIA'S EXPO 2030, WORLD CUP 2034 BIDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The leaders of Senegal and Mauritania have formally endorsed Saudi Arabia's bids to host the Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup as a sign of their deepening diplomatic ties and shared goals.

According to a statement, these endorsements demonstrate the growing international confidence in Saudi Arabia's vision and its capability to host events of a global magnitude.

Senegal President Macky Sall warmly welcomed Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb, and the Special Envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud.

During their discussions, they focused on enhancing bilateral ties and Senegal's commitment to Saudi Arabia's global aspirations while Al Khateeb expressed his gratitude and highlighted the significance of the endorsement, symbolised further when he was honoured with the Senegalese National Order of the Lion.

Similarly, in the Presidential Palace of Nouakchott, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani received Al Khateeb and his delegation.

The meeting, attended by dignitaries from both countries, underscored Mauritania's endorsement of the Kingdom's initiatives and a mutual desire to strengthen relations.

The Kingdom remains committed to building strong relationships, fostering mutual growth, understanding and shared objectives on the global stage.

-- BERNAMA

Japan's Life Insurance Market Outlook Remains Stable - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has maintained its stable outlook on Japan’s life insurance market segment, citing in part the prospects for higher premium income based on rising interest rates, according to its new report.

In a new Best’s Market Segment Report, titled “Market Segment Outlook: Japan Life Insurance,” AM Best notes an increase in sales for foreign currency-denominated savings products amid the rise in foreign interest rates, which should bolster premium income for Japan’s life insurers.

Additional factors include potentially higher domestic interest rates and expected improvement in core profits due to the decline in COVID-related benefit payments, according to AM Best in a statement.

Japan’s life insurers have posted positive top-line growth in recent years; however, their core profits were adversely affected by pandemic-related losses and higher foreign-currency hedging costs in fiscal year 2022, which ended March 31, 2023.

In view of Japan’s current operating environment and the significant drop in COVID-related claims, AM Best expects that the Japanese life insurers’ premium income will be stable for the remainder of the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2024).

The report also notes that, despite several long-term challenges, life insurers’ operating performance will benefit from the improvement in core profits and a rise in investment income due to potentially higher domestic interest rates over the near term.

Japan’s life industry posted an increase of nearly 16 per cent in premium income, to 34.5 trillion Japanese yen (US$232.4 billion) in fiscal year (FY) 2022. The double-digit growth was also due to a low base effect from depressed new business premiums in FY2021 due to the pandemic. (US$1=RM4.72)

The rating agency expects the United States interest rates to remain at the current elevated level but Japan’s interest rates to remain at a significantly lower level.

However, the report notes that the rise in sales of foreign currency-denominated products owing to foreign interest rate movements is usually temporary in nature and cannot be sustained over the medium term.

-- BERNAMA

Smart City Expo to hold in 2023 its biggest edition ever

BARCELONA, Spain, Oct 17 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the international summit on cities and smart urban solutions, organized by Fira De Barcelona, will hold its biggest edition to date in 2023. Taking place from November 7^th to 9^th, the event's theme is "Welcome to the New Urban Era" and it is set to break records with a 55% increase in exhibition floorspace and 20% more attendees compared to previous years. Over 1,000 exhibitors, 25,000 delegates, and representatives from more than 800 cities and 140 countries are expected to travel to Barcelona.

SCEWC is a global showcase for innovative urban solutions and projects that focus on transforming cities into more sustainable, efficient, and livable spaces. To achieve this goal, the congress will structure its program into eight main tracks: Enabling Technologies, Energy & Environment, Mobility, Governance, Living & Inclusion, Economy, Infrastructure & Buildings, Safety & Security, and Blue Economy.

The event will feature a lineup of 600 speakers, including notable figures such as computer scientist and expert in Algorithmic bias Margaret Mitchell, AI-specialized lawyer Micaela Mantegna, and sustainable development expert Claire O’Neill, the former UK Minister for Energy & Clean Growth.

Airbnb and FC Barcelona, keynotes

Amongst the highlights of SCEWC are the keynotes from Airbnb and FC Barcelona. The co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb, Nathan Blecharczyk, who will discuss how the company faces the future and wants to help tackle overtourism through new features to help disperse guests and benefits across Europe.

The representatives of FC Barcelona will explain how the club is leading the transformation of the surroundings of its stadium to redefine the urban fabric through enhanced infrastructure and sustainability aiming to build a new city landmark and improve the quality of life for its residents.

In addition, SCEWC has fully booked its exhibition floorspace, with companies such as AWS, Aramco, Axis, Cisco, Dassault Systemes, Dell, Deloitte, FCC, Honeywell, Microsoft, Nvidia, PWC, Roshn, Siemens, Smart Ports: Piers of the Future, and Veolia.

The event will also feature pavilions from cities and countries including Brazil, China, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nordics, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and USA, among others.

SCEWC will feature three co-located events, Tomorrow.Building, Tomorrow.Mobility, and Tomorrow.BlueEconomy, that focus on specific topics such as construction, transportation, and the opportunities of the sea for coastal cities, further establishing Barcelona as a global hub for innovative urban solutions.

For media requests please contact:

Salvador Bilurbina
email: sbilurbina@firabarcelona.com
phone: +34628162674

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0b5b3fa-5e84-4649-919e-accfcf53592e

 

Source: Fira De Barcelona