Emotive Nabs Ex-M+C Saatchi Director As Head Of Social & Content
Emotive has appointed former M+C Saatchi Sydney social strategy director Clement Simon as head of social & content. Simon brings award‑winning experience from campaigns for CommBank, Woolworths, Lifeblood and the Minderoo Foundation. His hire reinforces Emotive’s push toward culture‑first, earned‑first output. The agency recently added Google Pixel, North and El Jannah to a roster that now exceeds 20 cross‑category brands.
TXT ‘HAPPY’ to 414: Skinny Turns Customers’ Calls Into Ads in New Campaign via Colenso BBDO
New Zealand telco Skinny, partnered with Colenso BBDO, launched a four‑week campaign that inserts short pre‑recorded ads into customers’ phone calls. Participants text “HAPPY” to 414, opt‑in, and receive up to 10‑second ad breaks during calls, earning entries to win...
Harbert Buys 535-Bed Liverpool PBSA Asset From Blacklight
Harbert European Real Estate (HERE) has purchased the 535‑bed Limelight student‑housing complex in Liverpool from Blacklight Capital Partners. The asset, spanning 162,554 sq ft, was previously marketed for over £61 million (approximately $78 million) but the final price remains undisclosed. Since opening in 2024,...
Café De Coral and Dentsu Hong Kong Bring Local Slang and Pop Culture to Breakfast Campaign
Café de Coral has launched a new Scrambled Egg Breakfast campaign in partnership with dentsu Hong Kong, introducing the brand platform “Hong Kong flavour is a must.” The initiative taps the Cantonese Gen Z slang “MNYY” to frame breakfast as an essential, feel‑good ritual....
We’ve Adapted to Hybrid Work. Has Our Infrastructure?
Hybrid work is now entrenched across Asia‑Pacific, but digital friction is eroding productivity. TeamViewer research shows employees lose an average of 1.33 workdays per month, and 42% of firms attribute revenue loss to IT inefficiencies. AI‑driven remote support and intelligent...
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Why Preferred Stock Values Differ: A Guide for Investors
Preferred stocks blend equity and debt traits, featuring a fixed face (par) value that determines dividend calculations, while their market value fluctuates with investor sentiment and interest rates. The article explains how callable and retractable preferreds differ, noting that issuers...
AI Wearables Are Here To Stay; Can NeoSapien Make The Most Of This Wave?
Bengaluru‑based NeoSapien launched Neo 1, a thumb‑size AI wearable that records conversations, creates transcripts and reminders, and retails for roughly $120. The startup recently closed a $2 million seed round backed by Merak Ventures and several angel investors, and claims to be...
US Asset Recycling: This Time for Real or Still a Pipe Dream?
Australian investors are reviving the concept of US asset recycling as a way to bridge America’s massive infrastructure funding shortfall. The approach involves selling or leasing existing public assets to private capital, then repurchasing them later, freeing up cash for...
Insurtech Startup Plum Nets ₹193 Cr To Expand Employee Health Benefits Platform
Insurtech startup Plum announced a $20.6 million Series B round, raising ₹193 crore led by Peak XV Ventures with participation from Tanglin and GMO Venture Partners. The funding will finance talent acquisition, AI‑driven claims processing, enterprise‑grade security, and deeper HR‑payroll integrations. Plum also plans...
Sert Invests 50 Million Euros in Data Centre Development Fund AiOnX
Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust (Sert) has committed €50 million (≈ $54 million) to AiOnX’s data‑centre development fund through a mandatory convertible loan. The loan carries a 7.25% cash coupon, equating to roughly €3.6 million ($3.9 million) per year, and is expected to lift AiOnX’s distribution...
Nothing Bundt Cakes Acquired by Private Equity Firm for $2B-Plus
KKR has agreed to acquire the Dallas‑based bakery chain Nothing Bundt Cakes for more than $2 billion, taking the brand from private‑equity owner Roark Capital. The franchise‑heavy concept, founded in 1997, sells a focused line of Bundt cakes that benefit from steady demand...
Ambitious Firm Expands After Acquiring Long-Established Letting Agency
Orlando Reid has acquired the long‑established lettings agency Bergins in South Manchester, adding more than 250 properties to its portfolio. The Bergins team will stay on board to maintain continuity for landlords and tenants. This marks Orlando Reid’s first acquisition...
Private Credit Takes Flight: Redefining Airport Infrastructure Finance Beyond Equity
Private credit is emerging as a key financing tool for airport infrastructure, complementing traditional private‑equity models. Unlike equity investors, credit providers supply debt without taking ownership, reducing risk exposure for both parties. The trend is driven by public‑private partnership structures...
Temporary Workers in the NHS Need a Stronger Voice
A new National Guardian review finds that roughly two‑thirds of temporary NHS staff in England feel they have no voice, with fear of losing shifts the primary deterrent to speaking up. Ethnic minority temps report even higher levels of silence,...
Walmart Isn’t Just a Retailer Anymore — It’s an Advertising Powerhouse
Walmart’s advertising division, Walmart Connect, has evolved into a major revenue engine, posting $4.4 billion in 2024—a 27% jump from the prior year. The platform capitalizes on Walmart’s massive first‑party shopper data, delivering ads across its e‑commerce site, in‑store screens, and...
Comings & Goings
Property services firms announced three senior leadership changes. Savills appointed Luke Kearns, formerly of Knight Frank and Marsh & Parsons, as head of lettings in Edinburgh, aiming to grow portfolios amid a stabilising Scottish rental market. Cushman & Wakefield’s international partner Yvonne Court will retire...
Meet Keith – the AI-First Law Firm Looking to Transform Conveyancing
AI‑first law firm Keith has secured $2.5 million in seed funding to launch a fully automated conveyancing platform this summer. The firm will use a network of 38 specialized AI agents to handle up to 80% of the transaction workflow, aiming...
SAFI and MBCS Empower Young Malaysian Women Through Biasiswa Siswi Raya Campaign
MBCS Malaysia and halal personal‑care leader SAFI have launched a new Raya film and the third‑year Biasiswa Siswi SAFI scholarship, a RM 1 million (≈ $210,000) programme supporting young Malaysian women. The brand film, “Memperindahkan Versi Terbaikmu,” follows Bunga, an aspiring artist confronting financial...
HP Delivers AI-Powered Updates to the Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) Designed to Help IT Leaders and MSPs Navigate the Current...
HP announced AI‑enhanced upgrades to its Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) aimed at reducing device downtime and easing memory‑capacity constraints for enterprises and managed service providers. The new features include AI remediation, a workflow builder, custom data reports, Teams pulse notifications,...
PE-Backed Firm Sees Capping Billable Hours as Key to Growth
IDR Law, a Yorkshire‑based probate specialist, caps solicitors at 25 billable hours per week and has posted 40% annual growth over the past two years. The firm processed more than 20,000 inheritance disputes, generates roughly 500 referrals monthly, and secured a...
Sachin Malik: How First-Party Data Is Redefining Precision Advertising
First‑party data has become a strategic asset as third‑party cookies disappear, reshaping advertising infrastructure. Sachin Malik, Block’s VP of revenue strategy, cites his experience at Uber, Walmart Connect, and Block’s Cash App and Afterpay to illustrate how transaction‑level signals turn...
Apple’s MacBook Neo Could Upend India’s Mid-Range Laptop Market, Say Experts
Apple has launched the MacBook Neo, priced at $599 globally and $499 with student discounts, with an Indian launch price of Rs 69,900 (about $840). The device retains premium features such as an aluminum body, 13‑inch Liquid Retina display, long battery...
Supply Shock Coming, Consumer Confidence Rock Bottom: Warnings From the CommsCon Stage
The Business Council of Australia warned that a looming supply shock and accelerating inflation will put corporate trust to the test, as consumer confidence falls to its lowest level since the index began in 1973. ANZ’s head of strategic communications...
National Minimum Wage Welcomed as a Positive Step for Businesses and Workers
The UK National Minimum Wage will rise 4.1% in April, moving from £12.21 (≈ $15.3) to £12.71 (≈ $15.9) per hour. IRecruit4 founder Ashlea Fisher argues the increase can strengthen employee motivation, loyalty, and retention, especially when employers adopt the higher Living...
‘Do You Want some Privacy with That?’
Burger King, via Restaurant Brands International, will deploy an AI‑powered voice assistant called “Patty” in Canadian restaurants after a U.S. pilot in 500 locations. The headset listens to employee‑customer interactions, offering real‑time coaching, task prompts and performance data. While executives...
Pagaya Offers $586.2 Million in Consumer Loan ABS
Pagaya Structured Products is launching a $586.2 million asset‑backed securities (ABS) program backed by unsecured consumer loans from 11 partner lenders. The deal comprises 15 note classes, most maturing on November 15, 2033, with the senior A1 tranche extending to April 15, 2027. Credit enhancement...
How Marketplaces Are Navigating the K Shaped Economy
The February 2026 jobs report revealed a modest 92,000‑person decline in U.S. payrolls, driven largely by government layoffs and the resolution of a nurses’ strike. While overall employment slipped, service and frontline positions remained stable, with quit rates climbing and...
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Using Profit-Sharing Funds for a Home Down Payment: What to Know
Profit‑sharing plans let employers allocate a portion of profits to employee retirement accounts, with contributions capped at 25% of compensation or $69,000 for 2024. Withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% early‑distribution penalty, and many plans impose vesting schedules...
Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. (DLPN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Dolphin Entertainment reported fourth‑quarter 2025 results on March 25, 2026, highlighting $112 million in revenue, a 9% year‑over‑year increase driven by its streaming‑content licensing segment. Adjusted EBITDA posted a $4.3 million loss, while the company ended the quarter with $38 million in cash and a...
Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (PLNH) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Planet 13 Holdings held its Q4 2025 earnings call on March 25, 2026, presenting both quarterly and full‑year financial results. Co‑CEOs Larry Scheffler and Robert Groesbeck led the discussion, with interim CFO Steve McLean providing financial commentary. The company reminded participants that forward‑looking...
Nikolay Grebentsov: Entrepreneur Turning Real-World Needs Into Innovation
Nikolay Grebentsov, president of Nikovit Inc., is scaling a clean‑energy venture that sells affordable heat‑pump and mini‑split systems through its EZCOOL brand. Recent accolades—including the Best Entrepreneur in HVAC award and a Small Business Breakthrough Award—coincide with a push to...
Production Cuts, Cost Pressures Cloud War-Driven Commodity Windfall
Indonesia is seeing a surge in coal and crude palm oil (CPO) prices as the US‑Israeli war on Iran pushes oil to about $100 a barrel, prompting countries to seek cheaper coal and bio‑fuel alternatives. Newcastle coal futures have climbed...
Singapore: Enhanced Facilities Empower Start-Up Ecosystem
JTC Corporation announced major upgrades to LaunchPad @ One‑North, including the new Meeting Point co‑working and event space. The hub now partners with NUS Enterprise, INSEAD and 19 international startup nodes, giving Singaporean startups direct access to markets in Paris,...
Marchex, Inc. (MCHX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Marchex, Inc. held its Q4 2025 earnings conference call on March 25 2026, delivering both GAAP and non‑GAAP financial results for the quarter and full year. The leadership team—including COO Francis Feeney, Executive Chairman Russell Horowitz, President Troy Hartless, and CFO Brian Nagle—walked investors through the numbers...
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ITnews Executive Retreats: Navigating Leadership in the Age of Data and AI
The iTnews Executive Retreat returns on 28‑29 May 2026 at Château Élan in the Hunter Valley, shifting its focus from security to data and artificial intelligence. Building on the success of its inaugural security edition, the retreat gathers senior technology, data and AI...
Union Drives and Front-Line Managers: Lessons From No Frills Case
The Alberta Labour Relations Board ruled on a No Frills franchise, dismissing a complaint against Loblaw but allowing claims against the franchisee for manager conduct during a union drive. The decision highlights that front‑line managers’ actions—such as shift reductions and union‑related...
Co-Pay Scheme, Emergency Projects to Get B300bn
Thailand’s caretaker finance ministry plans to redirect roughly 300 billion baht (about $8.4 billion) into the central budget to fund the “Khon La Khrueng” co‑payment scheme and urgent emergency projects. For fiscal 2026, 861 billion baht ($24 billion) is slated for investment, but 41% ($9.9 billion) remains...
Ascentage Pharma Reports Full Year 2025 Unaudited Financial Results and Provides Business Updates
Ascentage Pharma reported unaudited 2025 results, showing product sales surged 90% to $82.1 million while total revenue fell 41.5% after a $92.9 million drop in intellectual‑property income. Olverembatinib generated $62.2 million, up 81% YoY, and the newly launched Lisaftoclax contributed $10.1 million in its...
Verse8 Raises $5M for AI-Driven Game Creation Platform
Verse8, an AI-native platform that lets creators instantly turn ideas into playable games, announced a $5 million seed round. Since its stealth launch in July, the service has attracted more than 3.5 million monthly active users, supported by over 5,000 active creators...
Fathom Entertainment CEO Ray Nutt Retiring
Fathom Entertainment announced that CEO Ray Nutt will retire later this year after nine years at the helm. Nutt, who joined as CEO in 2017 following a long tenure at Regal Entertainment Group, will assist the board in finding his...
G Mining Ventures Reports Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Results; First Full Year of Commercial Production at Tocantinzinho Drives Strong Cash...
G Mining Ventures Corp. posted strong Q4 and full‑year 2025 results, marking the first full year of commercial production at its Tocantinzinho mine with 171,871 ounces of gold produced. The operation generated $255 million in free cash flow and $288 million in...
Snowy 2.0 Budget to Be Exhausted in Coming Months, Ratings Agency Says, as Gas Plant Hit by New Delays
Snowy Hydro’s flagship Snowy 2.0 pumped‑hydro scheme, a 2,200 MW storage project, is projected to breach its $12 bn AUD (≈$7.9 bn USD) capex by fiscal 2026, with the work only 70% complete. The federal government has already supplied $5.98 bn AUD (≈$3.9 bn USD) in...
The Oil Price Shock Could Make Italian Ice More Expensive
The U.S.-led war in Iran has sent oil prices soaring, pushing gasoline costs for a heavy‑duty pickup in Houston from about $70 to $90 per tank. Phrostibe Italian Ice, a family‑run mobile vendor, is feeling the squeeze, redesigning delivery routes,...
IDB Invest and Total Servicios Financieros Boost Financing for MSMEs in Peru
IDB Invest is providing a revolving loan of up to $10 million to Total Servicios Financieros, with an additional $10 million expected from third‑party investors, to broaden financing for Peru’s micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs). The funds will support factoring and financial leasing...
Press Release - Fiscal-Year 2025 Results: AFL Group Delivers Record Results, Doubling Its Net Profit
AFL Group posted record fiscal‑year 2025 results, doubling net profit to €10.8 million (about $11.9 million) and lifting net banking income 28% to €30.8 million ($33.9 million). The bank’s gross operating income surged 70% to €13.3 million, while its CET1 capital ratio climbed to 59.45%...
'Less Is More' – Nicola Rosin on Turning Colnago Into Cycling’s Most Desirable Brand
In 2020 Abu Dhabi‑based Aurora Vision Group bought a majority stake in Italy’s heritage bike maker Colnago and installed Nicola Rosin as CEO. Rosin refocused the brand on ultra‑luxury cyclists, launching limited‑edition models tied to the Tour de France that...
Productivity by Design: How Government Investment in AI Translates to Better Outcomes for Citizens
Australia’s government is accelerating digital transformation and AI adoption to reverse a decade‑long slowdown in labour productivity, which has fallen to just 1.1% annually. While modernisation has introduced cloud services and collaboration tools, employees still waste time on data duplication...
Recent Geo Political Events Have an Impact on Food and Gas Prices
Economists note February CPI showed modest food price shifts—beef remains high while chicken and eggs fell. A new conflict with Iran has driven Texas gasoline up 90 cents, a 38% jump, foreshadowing higher March CPI. The war threatens the Strait...
Ministers Must ‘Trade More’ in Face of Iran War
British Chambers of Commerce chief Shevaun Haviland will urge UK ministers to keep an energy‑bailout option on the table as the Iran‑Israel conflict drives oil prices higher, warning that disrupted shipping lanes will lift business energy costs. She stresses calm,...
JBS Reports Record Revenue of US$ 86.2 Billion and Closes 2025 with US$ 2 Billion in Net Income
JBS announced record full‑year 2025 revenue of $86.2 billion, a 12% increase over 2024, and net income of $2 billion, up 13%. Earnings per share rose 15% to $1.89, while adjusted EBITDA reached $6.8 billion with a 7.9% margin. Strong contributions came from...