Patrick Starrr’s One/Size Names First Brand Ambassadors for ‘New Era of Artistry’
Cosmetics brand One/Size by Patrick Starrr has appointed its first brand ambassadors as it expands globally. Influencer‑makeup artist Spencer Hedges, with over five million followers, joins as Global Brand Ambassador, while veteran celebrity artist Shanell Sorrells becomes the brand’s Educator and Pro Artist. Both will promote One/Size’s inclusive “one‑size‑fits‑all” philosophy and make professional makeup techniques accessible worldwide. The moves signal the brand’s shift toward a legacy positioning under Luxury Brand Partners.
How Contact Centers Detect and Prevent Fraud
Contact centers are increasingly targeted by fraudsters exploiting weak authentication and under‑trained agents, especially as operations shift to digital and remote channels. Common schemes include identity theft, account takeover, card‑not‑present purchases, and vishing attacks that leverage caller‑ID spoofing and synthetic...
Leaders Don’t Take ‘No’ as the Final Answer
The article argues that great leaders treat a "No" as a diagnostic signal rather than a final verdict. By probing the reasons behind rejection—whether it’s misunderstanding, timing, risk, or unclear value—leaders keep dialogue open and uncover actionable insights. This curiosity‑driven...
Global Life Reinsurance Capital Increased a Further 10% in 2025: Guy Carpenter
Guy Carpenter projects global dedicated life reinsurance capital to rise another 10% in 2025, topping $160 billion. Third‑party investors—private‑equity‑backed reinsurers and asset‑manager‑owned sidecars—now provide roughly one‑third of capacity, up from $24 billion in 2022 to $57 billion. Regional growth is broad‑based, with Asia...
Be the Least Intelligent Person in the Room – Varun Bhanot, CEO, MAGIC AI
Varun Bhanot, co‑founder and CEO of Magic AI, discusses scaling one of the UK’s leading AI firms and how its AI‑enabled mirror is disrupting the fitness industry. The mirror delivers real‑time coaching and personalized workouts, creating a new revenue stream...
The VinePair Podcast: Is Brown-Forman for Sale? To Whom?
Recent reports suggest French spirits giant Pernod Ricard is weighing a takeover of Brown‑Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s, while rival Sazerac has also entered negotiations. The discussions have sparked speculation about whether the deal will be a full merger or a...
Job Seekers Don't Trust AI Hiring Tools. Can Voice-AI Help?
Employers are rapidly adopting AI for resume screening and interview automation, with 80% planning AI resume reviews and 25% already conducting full AI interviews, according to an Aurora University survey. However, candidate trust is eroding—over half say AI screening makes...
How Google’s Removal Tools Work for SEO and Reputation Management by Erase Technologies
Google offers a suite of self‑service removal tools that let owners deindex URLs or request deletion of personal data, but each has strict limits. The URL Removal tool temporarily hides pages you control for about six months, while the Outdated...
Sparks Appoints Sebastian Dreyfus as Managing Director EMEA
Sparks announced the appointment of Sebastian Dreyfus as Managing Director for the EMEA region, effective immediately. Dreyfus will report to Melissa Levy, Sparks' president, and will oversee sales, client services, and regional strategy across Europe, the Middle East and Africa....
DNS Security Is Often Inadequate, and Network Engineers Should Get More Involved
Enterprise Management Associates’ DDI Directions 2026 report reveals that only 28% of DDI experts consider their DNS infrastructure fully secure. Threats are evolving, with 86% of enterprises witnessing AI‑enhanced DNS attacks and concerns ranging from malicious redirections to DDoS and...
JCPenney’s ‘Inside Lane’ Campaign Spotlights Women in Basketball
JCPenney unveiled the "Inside Lane" campaign, featuring five elite collegiate and professional women’s basketball athletes to align the retailer with the surge in women’s sports popularity. The initiative showcases diversity in geography, ethnicity, and body size while dressing the players...
How to Double EBITDA in 3 Years The Multi-Unit Retail Playbook
In this episode of the Raw Selection Private Equity Podcast, Jeff Helfgott, CEO of Boardroom Salon, shares his playbook for doubling EBITDA in three years within a multi‑unit retail business. He emphasizes that talent assessment and development are as critical...
How Google’s Removal Tools Work for SEO and Reputation Management by Erase Technologies
Google offers a suite of self‑service removal tools that let owners deindex URLs or request the deletion of personal data, but they cannot force third‑party sites to delete content. The guide distinguishes removal at source from deindexing, outlines five key...
How to Own a Market: Richard C. Wilson on Positioning, Authority & Attracting Pre-Qualified Leads
In this episode, Richard C. Wilson explains how mastering positioning can turn you into the go‑to authority that consistently attracts pre‑qualified leads. He shares his own journey—from cold‑calling investors to founding Family Office Club and becoming a recognized thought leader—by...
Cult Wine Stabilisation ‘Genuinely Encouraging’ Following Pre-Tax Losses of £5 Million
Cult Wine reported a pre‑tax loss of £5 million (≈$6.3 million) for the year to December 2024, with turnover down 43% and net liabilities rising to £21.6 million (≈$27 million). The company says the first quarter of 2026 delivered its strongest performance yet – revenue...
CA Update: Minimum Wage Increases for Hotel Employees
California’s major hospitality markets are set to raise minimum wages for hotel staff starting July 1, 2026. Long Beach will climb to $29.50 per hour by 2028, while Los Angeles adds an $8.15 hourly health benefit, pushing total compensation to...
AI Is Changing the Rules of Cloud Migration
Cloud migration, traditionally a months‑long, high‑risk effort, is being reshaped by AI. Microsoft’s Azure Migrate and GitHub Copilot now provide AI‑driven discovery, dependency mapping, and automated code refactoring, turning manual tasks into rapid, guided workflows. Competitors such as AWS, Google...
R26369 - EMS Issuer Services Advisor Trainee
Euronext is hiring an EMS Issuer Services Advisor Trainee in Dublin to manage issuer data, market notices, and corporate actions across its cash and markets platforms. The role involves daily updates of referential data, editing admission notices for a range...
Hollywood Titans Oppose $111 B Paramount‑Warner Merger in Open Letter
A coalition of leading filmmakers and actors, including Denis Villeneuve and J.J. Abrams, issued an open letter denouncing the $111 billion Paramount‑Warner merger. They argue the deal would shrink the studio pool, cut jobs and limit audience choice, while Paramount counters...
RAMSA’s Christina Victori Says AI Accelerates Luxury Farmhouse Design
Christina Victori, head of interior design at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, revealed how artificial‑intelligence tools are slashing administrative time on her 18th‑century New Jersey farmhouse project. The interview underscores a growing tension between AI efficiency and the handcrafted ethos of...
Strong Earnings and Balance Sheet Growth Signal Afreximbank's Rising Momentum
African Export-Import Bank reported a robust FY2025, with total assets climbing 21% to $48.5 billion and net loans rising 16% to $33.5 billion. The bank posted a 19% jump in net income to $1.2 billion, while maintaining a stable 2.43% non‑performing loan ratio...
Resilience and Leadership in Current Circumstances
Anouschka Menzies, co‑founder and co‑CEO of Bacchus, outlines how consistent leadership and internal resilience are essential for agencies navigating uncertain periods such as the pandemic. She stresses that agencies must act as steady partners, offering measured advice and clear communication...
Tax Deadline Tomorrow. But Is that the One You Should Be Worried About?
The IRS expects 164 million returns this season but had only received 88.4 million by March 27, highlighting a wave of last‑minute filing. The post draws a parallel, warning that business owners often wait until cash is tight or equipment breaks before seeking...
‘We Will Not Survive’: Toyota, Honda and Ford CEOs Issue Chilling Warning About China — and It Could Hit Your...
Chinese automakers now dominate the electric‑vehicle market, supplying roughly 70% of all new EVs worldwide. BYD’s rapid expansion has eclipsed Tesla, prompting CEOs of Toyota, Honda and Ford to warn that without drastic productivity changes they may not survive. Honda’s...
U.S. Economy Remains Resilient Amid Growing Global Risks
JPM's Dimon: "The U.S. economy remained resilient in the quarter, with consumers still earning and spending and businesses still healthy. Several tailwinds are supporting this resiliency, including increased fiscal stimulus, the benefits of deregulation, AI-driven capital investment and the Fed's...
How You Can Help Us Start a Radical Bookshop and Community Space
The Books From Below Collective is launching a crowdfunding campaign to open a radical bookshop and community hub in Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne. The city has been without a left‑leaning independent bookstore since the 1986 closure of Days of Hope. The initiative offers...
Zuckerberg's $1B Bet Yields $100B Return
Everyone laughed at Zuckerberg's "stupid" $1 Billion purchase. Now it makes more money than Uber and McDonald's combined. $100 BILLION in value from one decision. Here's how Mark Zuckerberg quietly made the best tech investment ever:
Ecobank's Pan-African Model Drives Profit Surge and Strong 2025 Performance
Ecobank Group posted a robust 2025 financial year, with profit before tax climbing 21% to US$801 million and net revenues up 17% to US$2.45 billion. Corporate and Investment Banking delivered a 40% surge in profit, while Consumer and Commercial Banking saw a...
Goldman Sachs Posts Record Q1 Profit as Equities Surge, Wealth Management Inflows Hit $62B
Goldman Sachs delivered $5.6 billion in net earnings for Q1 2026, driven by a record $5.3 billion equities segment and $62 billion of net inflows into its Asset & Wealth Management business. The surge in equities revenue helped offset a $4 billion FICC shortfall, underscoring...
Zillow and Redfin Forecast Mortgage Rates and Housing Market Amid Oil‑Price Surge
Zillow and Redfin released coordinated forecasts that mortgage rates are likely to hold near 6.4% as oil prices spike, while the housing market shows renewed momentum with record pending listings and higher buyer traffic. The outlook highlights a tug‑of‑war between...
IRS Refunds Jump 14% YoY, Boosting Consumer Cash Flow Ahead of Holidays
The IRS reports a 14% year‑over‑year increase in tax refunds, with the average refund up 11.1% and total payouts up 13.6% from 2025. The surge stems from retroactive tax cuts in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, putting more disposable income...
ServiceNow Embeds AI Across Entire Suite, Launches New Pricing and Build Tools
ServiceNow senior vice president John Aisien announced that AI is now embedded in every ServiceNow package, introducing three AI‑maturity pricing tiers, a Build Agent SDK for developers, and a Context Engine for personalized enterprise experiences. The moves signal a strategic...
Nemetschek to Acquire HCSS, Expanding Construction‑Tech Portfolio with $486 M Debt Deal
Nemetschek Group signed a definitive agreement to buy Heavy Construction Systems Specialists (HCSS) from private‑equity firm Thoma Bravo. The deal transfers roughly €450 million ($486 million) of debt to Nemetschek and gives Thoma Bravo a 28% stake in the newly formed Build...
Samsung Networks CEO and Orange CTO Warn Against Premature 6G Spending
At Mobile World Congress, Samsung Networks chief Woojune Kim told reporters he does not expect a 6G investment surge, while Orange’s chief technology officer warned that the industry’s obsession with the next "G" is premature. Both executives argue that telcos...
British Equestrian Saddles up for Sponsorship Boost
British Equestrian has hired global agency Mongoose to overhaul its sponsorship and partnership strategy. The review will map the sport’s £5 billion (~$6.3 billion) economic footprint and an additional £1.2 billion (~$1.5 billion) of social value into a structured rights‑package model. Mongoose will craft...
A&o Secures £761m Refinancing to Pave Way for Ambitious Growth Plans
European hostel operator a&o Hostels has secured a €874 million (≈ $952 million) refinancing facility from Apollo‑managed funds, replacing its prior loan. The new senior multi‑year loan is collateralised by its portfolio of 44 hostels in 32 cities and funds the second €500 million...
NYC 100-Year Hurricane Insured Losses Could Reach $100bn, Says KCC
Karen Clark & Company warns that a 100‑year return period hurricane striking New York could generate over $100 billion in insured losses. The state holds roughly $9 trillion of insured property value, with $6 trillion concentrated along its coast. A rarer 250‑year event...
The Illiquidity Crisis: Democratised and Distressed
Matthias Kirchgaessner’s latest editorial dissects an emerging illiquidity crisis that now spans both retail and institutional investors. He highlights a 40% year‑over‑year jump in retail fund redemptions during Q1 2024, while institutional portfolios confront tighter liquidity covenants and heightened margin calls....
FTC Negotiates Settlement with Major Ad Agencies Over X Boycott
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is finalizing a settlement with top advertising firms—including Publicis Groupe, WPP and Dentsu—over alleged coordinated boycotts of Elon Musk's platform X. The deal would prohibit agencies from directing spend away from media outlets for political...
Trump Tips DoorDash Driver $100 After Oval Office McDonald's Delivery, Touts No‑tax‑on‑tips Policy
President Donald Trump handed DoorDash driver Sharon Simmons a $100 cash tip after she delivered two bags of McDonald’s to the Oval Office. The exchange was framed as a live demonstration of the administration’s “no tax on tips” law, which...
LG Electronics Rolls Out End‑to‑end Smart‑factory Platform, Touts 17% Productivity Lift
LG Electronics announced an end‑to‑end smart‑factory solution that spans design, implementation and renewal, citing a 17% productivity gain at its Changwon plant and a 61% defect‑rate drop at a Tennessee facility. The move underscores the company’s push to monetize decades...
Banks Return to CRE Lending, Boosting $15 Billion Debt Market
Regional banks are back in the commercial‑real‑estate (CRE) lending arena, widening financing options and sharpening competition. CBRE’s debt team, managing a $15 billion book and $5 billion in annual transactions, says the market is now more competitive than in recent years, reshaping...
Ramp Leverages AI and Incrementality to Rethink Marketing Attribution
How Ramp is building an AI-pilled marketing team A few months ago I met Drew Pinta (he supports marketing in a growth/data science at Ramp) on one of our webinars and thought he came across as an impressive guy. Useful...
In‑season Transfers Free NIL Cap for Fresh Talent
In-season transfers are tough, but they free up cap space for transfer portal / high school additions... How does in-season transfer activity impact how schools manage their NIL cap? This is explained in my book NIL 101: The House Settlement Get 40% off https://t.co/yBVisUkFCL https://t.co/wGeTKum079
China Eases Curbs on Select BHP Iron Ore Shipments, Opening Path for Dollar‑Denominated Bids
China Mineral Resources Group told steel mills they can resume bidding for some BHP Group iron ore cargoes priced in U.S. dollars, marking a partial relaxation of export curbs that have hampered shipments for weeks. The move does not yet...
Swap Feedback for Suggestions to Reduce Resistance
"Get out of the feedback business and into the suggestion business. You can say more, more often, with a lot less resistance just by how you frame it." - Randall Stutman (EP.497) With thanks to @AlphaSenseInc, @CanoeAI, and Ridgeline.
Two‑Month Embargo Cuts China’s Emergency Reserves ~10%
"Even a two-month embargo would only see China depleting its emergency reserves by about 10%." https://t.co/9wseXtRVym https://t.co/ZfwXR9aAGx
North American Optimism Lifts Equities, Dents USD
Optimism seen in North America yesterday was contagious. Equities and bonds higher today, and oil lower. Another round of negotiations during ceasefire? $USD extending yesterday's losses. PRC trade surplus half as large as expected. MAS tightens. See https://t.co/N1Rv2Tyaik...
US Dollar Gains as Optimism Overpowers Global Pessimism
Optimism Weighs on the Greenback: North American participants shrugged off the pessimism seen in Asia Pacific and Europe yesterday after the US-Iran negotiations broke down over the weekend. The optimism was contagious and reports that another round of… https://t.co/xjkwmLy0gV https://t.co/5ocdwj561m
Iran's Economy Was Failing Before War, Now Deeper Decline
Don’t listen to the crazies, Iran’s economy was collapsing before the war and has only continued to fall off the cliff with the war. Islamic regime decisions have only weakened the country in every domain.