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Comscore Reveals New Insights on Online Gaming Communities

New insights including Roblox and Zynga performance highlight depth and availability of Comscore’s measurement for gaming space

PR Newswire

RESTON, Va., April 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Comscore (NASDAQ: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting, and evaluating media across platforms, today shared new audience insights that provide context behind online social gaming platform Roblox’s strong DPO performance in March 2021, and the strong growth in online gaming communities’ reach and engagement, especially amongst younger age groups. 

In February 2021, Roblox saw 34 million unique U.S. consumers spend 6.3 billion minutes accessing its desktop and mobile gaming platform, a growth of 32% and 39%, respectively. Comparatively, Zynga’s desktop and mobile platforms saw 28 million monthly unique digital visitors. Roblox’s strong performance is supported by strong engagement with younger age groups: it ranked first amongst selected gaming companies in February 2021 for desktop reach amongst A13 and under, and first for desktop reach with 13 to 17 year-olds.

Zynga, meanwhile, ranked first in reach amongst desktop and mobile A35+ groups. Roblox’s recent DPO success highlights the strength of Roblox’s user generated content model for younger audiences, as well as the potential for the industry to support the growth and success of new and existing online gaming communities.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, companies are racing to build strong online communities that help them strengthen their relationship with existing users and attract new ones. This top line digital footprint is helpful to understand the overall health of such communities, but Comscore also has other tools that can help companies to gain deeper insights into the gamers themselves. Comscore’s PC, mobile, and console gaming tracker can help platforms and publishers prove their worth in reaching sought-after demographics, which can help brands and advertisers leverage this incredible new channel to connect with their audiences. Comscore also works with a number of in-game advertising partners to evaluate the impact of in-game advertising.

To learn more about Comscore’s expertise with gaming measurement, contact us today.

About Comscore
Comscore (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a trusted partner for planning, transacting and evaluating media across platforms. With a data footprint that combines digital, linear TV, over-the-top and theatrical viewership intelligence with advanced audience insights, Comscore allows media buyers and sellers to quantify their multiscreen behavior and make business decisions with confidence. A proven leader in measuring digital and TV audiences and advertising at scale, Comscore is the industry’s emerging, third-party source for reliable and comprehensive cross-platform measurement. To learn more about Comscore, visit www.comscore.com.

 

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SOURCE Comscore

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Scotiabank targets $10 Billion commitment in support of affordable housing in Canada

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, April 12, 2021 /CNW/ – Scotiabank today announced that it is the first large financial institution in Canada to align with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to transform housing affordability across the country. Scotiabank plans to mobilize $10 billion over the next ten years in support of CMHC’s aspiration – that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs.  

“We are facing a clear shortage of affordable housing in Canada and Scotiabank is proud to work with CMHC to raise that supply,” said Jake Lawrence, CEO and Group Head of Global Banking and Markets at Scotiabank. “Scotiabank is committed to developing innovative lending, investing and underwriting solutions for retail, commercial and corporate clients who support the achievement of this important housing objective in Canada.”

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC is delivering the National Housing Strategy – a $70+ billion, 10-year federal investment in housing with additional funding committed by the provinces and territories.

“Governments alone can’t solve Canada’s housing challenges. The private sector also has a key role to play in supporting shared objectives of building strong, vibrant communities. We’re pleased to have Scotiabank join us in our efforts to create a new generation of housing in Canada. Safe and affordable housing is a basic need to creating a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to be well and succeed,” said Romy Bowers, President and CEO, CMHC.

Scotiabank’s Sustainable Finance Group – a Global Banking and Markets team that offers sustainable finance solutions to corporate, financial, public sector and institutional clients across our global footprint– was formed in 2020 to bolster Scotiabank’s leadership in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, offering integrated, superior solutions to our clients’ evolving sustainable finance and ESG requirements.

Scotiabank’s collaboration with CMHC to address housing affordability is aligned to ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s global community investment initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups. Through ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank will support programs and partner with organizations across its footprint that provide the tools people need to improve their education and employment prospects, adapt to changing circumstances, and increase the likelihood of financial success.

“Our commitment in support of CMHC’s aspiration is another way that Scotiabank is working to build economic resilience for the future,” said Mr. Lawrence. “By removing barriers to advancement and increasing access to opportunities, we are helping to create a more inclusive and resilient world.”

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: “for every future”, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of approximately 90,000 employees and assets of approximately $1.2 trillion (as at January 31, 2021), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About CMHC

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook. 

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Scotiabank

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Hinge Takes Video Dates to a New Level with the Launch of Video Prompts

Dating app Hinge is doubling down on video dating with Prompts to help singles kick off meaningful conversations, after a recent survey revealed that virtual dating is here to stay.

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, April 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Hinge, the dating app designed to be deleted, is doubling down on virtual dating with the launch of Video Prompts — a first-of-its-kind video chat experience that will help daters easily kick-start conversations with their matches. This launch comes as a recent Hinge survey revealed that a majority (65%) of users who have been on a video date plan to continue using virtual dates post-pandemic as a low-pressure first step to gauge compatibility before meeting in-person.

As the world starts to slowly open up with the rise in vaccine availability, consumers are adapting to a new hybrid in-person and virtual way of life, including everything from fitness to work, and dating is no different. Video dates are the new “Virtual Vibe Check” – a simpler, more relaxed way for singles to get to know each other and determine if they want to meet IRL.

Since the pandemic first began, video dates have become an easy way for singles to continue connecting with each other safely; however, the top reason why a majority (58%) of people still don’t go on virtual dates is because they think it will feel too awkward. Two out of three users believe that icebreakers would help ease any awkwardness while on a video date, so Hinge launched Video Prompts to support its community in going on fun and meaningful virtual dates.

Video Prompts will show conversation starters on screen that encourage daters to share their interests and personalities. Users select from one of eight unique conversation themes, and once a theme is picked, the collection includes five Prompts for users to ask each other. From warming up the conversation with basic “getting to know you” questions to interactive Prompts that take users on a mini scavenger hunt at home, Video Prompts are designed to bring users closer together by discussing topics they might not have talked about on their own.

Hinge’s recent study also found how much users appreciate the benefits and simplicity of coordinating video dates – allowing them to get a “Virtual Vibe Check” before spending the added time, money and effort that comes along with an in-person date. A majority (69%) of Hinge users said the biggest obstacle with planning an in-person date is finding time on both their and their date’s schedule, and nearly half reported spending double the amount of time getting ready for an in-person date compared to a video date. Video dates allow for singles to easily see if there’s chemistry before meeting, so they don’t waste their time or resources on the wrong person.

How it works:

  • Once you are on a video call in the Hinge app, both people will see the option to open Video Prompts in the corner of their screen.
  • One person will open Video Prompts and select one of the eight different Prompt themes. After a Prompts theme is selected, both daters view the same Prompt card.
  • After both people answer a Prompt, you swipe the screen to the next card and both people will see it.

“Hinge was the first dating app to introduce Prompts to profiles, and we’re excited to bring this innovation to virtual dates,” said Tim MacGougan, Chief Product Officer at Hinge. “Video Prompts helps you spark a good conversation during a video date and ultimately decide if you want to meet in person.”

“Video dates are here to stay. They’re an easy yet valuable ‘virtual vibe check’ that allow Hinge users to see if they have chemistry with someone before meeting up in person,” said Logan Ury, Director of Relationship Science. “You can skip the long commute and expensive cocktails, while getting a sense of your match’s sense of humor, values, and personality.”

About Hinge
Hinge is the dating app that’s designed to be deleted. We’re for people who want to get off the app and out on great dates. And it’s resonating. For two years running, Hinge has been the fastest-growing dating app in the US, UK, CA, and AU. Hinge was acquired by Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH) in 2018.

CONTACT: [email protected]

 

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SOURCE Hinge

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Launches Program with DaVita’s VillageHealth to Improve Care for Members with Kidney Disease

Collaboration aimed at slowing disease progression and increasing access to transplants and home dialysis

PR Newswire

EAGAN, Minn., April 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced the launch of an innovative new program with VillageHealth − a DaVita integrated kidney care program − that addresses the holistic health needs of certain eligible members with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end stage kidney disease (ESKD).

The value-based agreement is designed to improve health outcomes and reduce the total cost of care for eligible Blue Cross members by: 

  • Coordinating care for all eligible members with CKD or ESKD – VillageHealth and DaVita, in collaboration with nephrologists and primary care physicians, will coordinate all care into one integrated plan that can be managed on behalf of the patient. 
  • Reaching patients earlier through primary care – The program will include an awareness campaign for primary care providers to help them improve kidney disease screening; proactively manage early-stage CKD patients; and facilitate appropriately-timed referrals to nephrologists.
  • Using advanced predictive analytics to help identify high-risk members – In collaboration with the Nephrology Care Alliance (NCA), VillageHealth will help identify eligible high-risk members and inform providers about opportunities for individual health interventions, including home dialysis and transplantation. Proprietary predictive analytics from DaVita use more than one billion patient data points to help physicians target the right care at the right time and place.
  • Delivering award-winning patient education – Working with NCA’s independent nephrologists, DaVita will deliver community-based, in-office and virtual education to help empower eligible members to make active choices in their care.

“We have a significant opportunity to help delay the progression of kidney disease and better meet the complex health needs of those with kidney failure,” said Dr. Mark Steffen, chief medical officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “By collaborating with VillageHealth, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for thousands of members, while simultaneously reducing the cost of care by improving outcomes related to kidney disease.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 7 U.S. adults are estimated to have CKD. Because symptoms are often silent in the early stages, most are unaware of their condition. If left untreated, CKD can progress to ESKD, when a transplant or dialysis is necessary to sustain life.

“The earlier we identify patients and coordinate their care, the more impact we can have on important outcomes, such as slowing progression, transplantation or choosing home dialysis,” said Dr. Jeff Giullian, chief medical officer at DaVita Kidney Care. “By bringing Minnesota’s health care community together in an even more collaborative way, we can deliver better care to patients. We are honored to support Blue Cross members by delivering holistic, integrated kidney care.”

The program’s early-stage CKD interventions focus on comorbid condition management, including medication management and diet support. Late-stage CKD interventions support patients in making active choices in their care options, including preemptive kidney transplants, and in-home or in-center dialysis.

For members with ESKD, anticipating and preventing hospitalizations is an essential aspect of VillageHealth’s care model. Similar programs have reduced hospital admissions for patients with kidney disease by nearly 30 percent. Another key component for ESKD members is increasing the rates of transplantation and home dialysis treatment options, both of which can help improve patients’ health care experience and quality of life.1  


About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

For nearly 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. We are on a mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people and communities we serve by reinventing both ourselves and the broader system. Our more than 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe working to advance wellness for all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than for everyone to be able to achieve their full health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, which serves more than 107 million members across the U.S.


About VillageHealth

VillageHealth is a DaVita integrated kidney care subsidiary that supports people throughout their kidney care journey – whether a person is in the early stages of kidney disease, transitioning to dialysis or seeking a transplant. It operates in all 50 states and aims to provide comprehensive care, including complex chronic conditions that may affect kidney health. VillageHealth has impacted over 100,000 lives over 20 years of delivering integrated kidney care. Visit VillageHealth.com for more information.


About DaVita Inc.

DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. The company is one of the largest providers of kidney care services in the U.S. and has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 20 years. Through DaVita Kidney Care, the company treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage kidney disease. DaVita is committed to bold, patient-centric care models, implementing the latest technologies and moving toward integrated care offerings for all. Through these efforts, DaVita has also become the largest provider of home dialysis in the country. As of December 31, 2020, DaVita served 204,200 patients at 2,816 outpatient dialysis centers in the United States. The company also operated 321 outpatient dialysis centers in ten countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care industry to adopt an equitable and high-quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. Various important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the risks identified in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. DaVita disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this press release, except as may be otherwise required by law.

1  Modality selections and decisions related to a patient’s care are always made by the attending nephrologist and patient, and provided pursuant to a physician’s order.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

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BeeBank & Brokerage Wins 2021 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge

BeeBank & Brokerage Wins 2021 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge

The Sustainable Investing Challenge brings together future leaders seeking to help address today’s toughest sustainability issues through innovative financial solutions

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University today announced that the BeeBank & Brokerage team was named the winner of the 2021 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge. The team was one of 16 finalist teams competing in the virtual Challenge on Friday, April 9. The 16 finalists were selected from a field of 123 teams, composed of 414 students from 50 different countries. They represent 87 graduate schools, and their projects targeted impact in 33 countries.

The winning team of graduate students from University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit captivated the judges with their BeeBank & Brokerage proposal. The team presented their idea of pooling loans and contract assurance to help beekeepers scale operations and expand practices that drive biodiversity conservation.

Now in its eleventh year, the Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge is an annual global competition designed to inspire future leaders to develop innovative financial vehicles to help address critical social and environmental issues.

“Our finalist teams truly showcase the creativity of the next generation of sustainable investing talent,” said Matthew Slovik, Managing Director and Head of Global Sustainable Finance at Morgan Stanley. “The winning proposal by the BeeBank & Brokerage team is an excellent example of an innovative financial approach that is necessary to tackle today’s pressing social and environmental challenges.”

Finalists presented their proposals and took questions from a panel of judges over live video conference. After all teams presented, judges reconnected over a separate video call to determine the winner, first runner up and plastics winner.

In recognition of the Firm’s Plastic Waste Resolution, this year’s prize for the best student proposal focused on addressing plastic waste went to The European Circular Fund team from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. Their proposal for a plastic packaging-focused cap-and-trade system designed to support a loan fund for waste collection, waste treatment and recycling companies within the EU.

The winning team, BeeBank & Brokerage, consisted of Noah Law, Dawn Musil, Emilé Radyté and Annabella Wainer from the United Kingdom, United States, Lithuania and United Kingdom, respectively.

This year’s runner-up was Fund for E-Bus Batteries from University of Edinburgh Business School and University of Edinburgh School of Engineering. The team proposed a leveraged fund financed by private equity and asset investors seeking to help accelerate the adoption of electric buses in The Netherlands, by creating a solution for second-life application of batteries.

“This year’s winning team inspires us to think about capital for impact in a creative way, and with true progress at the center of their concept,” said Megan Kashner, Director of Social Impact and Clinical Assistance Professor at the Kellogg School of Management. “This concept and the top student ideas demonstrate that these graduate students are impatient for and insistent on change and rapid progress for the benefit of people and the planet.”

The Challenge seeks to inspire the next generation of sustainable investing practitioners, connect emerging leaders with industry professionals, and foster greater emphasis on sustainable finance at graduate schools around the world. More information on this year’s winner and the finalists can be found on the Morgan Stanley website and by following the conversation on social media with #SIChallenge.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 41 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit https://www.morganstanley.com/.

About The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing

The Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing builds scalable finance solutions that seek to deliver competitive market rate returns while driving positive environmental and social impact. The Institute creates innovative financial products, thoughtful insights and capacity building programs that help maximize capital to create a more sustainable future. For more information about the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, visit www.morganstanley.com/sustainableinvesting.

About Kellogg School of Management

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University develops brave leaders who inspire growth in people, organizations and markets. Based just outside of Chicago, the school is a global leader in management education, renowned for its distinctive thought leadership and pioneering approach to learning. Kellogg offers an innovative portfolio of programs: four Full-Time MBA programs including leading one-year program and joint degree programs with the engineering, law and medical schools; a Part-Time MBA Program; the premier Executive MBA global network; and extensive non-degree Executive Education programs. To learn more about Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, please visit http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu.

This material was published on April 12, 2021 and has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”), Members SIPC, recommend that recipients should determine, in consultation with their own investment, legal, tax, regulatory and accounting advisors, the economic risks and merits, as well as the legal, tax, regulatory and accounting characteristics and consequences, of the transaction. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.

This material contains forward-looking statements and there can be no guarantee that they will come to pass. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by Morgan Stanley with respect to the purchase or sale of any security, investment, strategy, or product that may be mentioned. It is not possible to investment directly in an index.

The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria.

Morgan Stanley, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving legal matters.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Members SIPC. All rights reserved.

Media Relations:

Morgan Stanley

Katherine Stueber

[email protected]

Kellogg School of Management

Haley Robinson

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Philanthropy Environment Finance Banking Professional Services University Philanthropy Education

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Polaris Launches New GEMs with Premium Style and Fun for Cruising Neighborhoods

Polaris Launches New GEMs with Premium Style and Fun for Cruising Neighborhoods

All-electric, street-legal GEM low-speed vehicles are now offered with new personal customization

ANAHEIM, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
GEM, an all-electric premium offering in personal carts, is now providing people who cruise their neighborhoods with all-new ways to extend their personality into their favorite vehicle. Today, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) is launching an entirely new line of offerings for street legal GEMs; a panoramic sky roof, 11 bold paint color options, premium upholstery options, new sport tires and rims, Rockford Fosgate® audio, and interior glow lighting. These new options paired with GEM’s already sustainable, safe and stylish design offers over 10,000 configurations for customers to create their own personalized cart to enjoy their communities and stand out with their style.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210412005010/en/

Polaris is launching an entirely new line of offerings for its street legal GEM vehicles. These all-electric premium personal carts provide people who cruise their neighborhoods with all-new ways to customize their GEM extending their personality into their favorite vehicle. (Photo: Business Wire)

Polaris is launching an entirely new line of offerings for its street legal GEM vehicles. These all-electric premium personal carts provide people who cruise their neighborhoods with all-new ways to customize their GEM extending their personality into their favorite vehicle. (Photo: Business Wire)

“GEMs have been used in beach towns, neighborhoods, and gated, golf and leisure communities for decades. We’ve seen trends that more and more residents in these areas want a cart to socialize, cruise to entertainment areas, and use in other ways to simply enjoy the community,” said Keith Simon, vice president and general manager, Polaris Commercial. “We’ve also seen a major increase in these customers wanting to find ways to make these carts their own, so we invested to make that happen with our GEMs, a street legal cart that already stands out in the crowd.”

Meet GEM at the Intersection of Style, Sustainability and Safety

GEM electric vehicles are the ultimate personal transport vehicles – and their designation as low-speed vehicles (LSVs) make them street legal. They are made to order in Anaheim, California with factory-installed accessories for the highest quality finish, tailored for each customer. Polaris GEM electric vehicles are allowed on any road posted 35 mph or less and are charged by standard outlets. Open air or with doors and windows, the vehicles offer a uniquely fun ride for drivers and passengers alike without sacrificing GEM’s established safety features like forward-facing bucket seats, three-point seatbelts, signal and headlights, automotive-grade windshield, side and rearview mirror, back-up camera and front and rear hydraulic brakes.

Panoramic Sky Roof Adds Open Feel

All-new, transparent Panoramic Sky Roof utilizes motorcycle windshield technology allowing the modified acrylic roof to span the entire length of the GEM in each model configuration – two, four and six-seat. The roof panels come in translucent smoked gray to help filter sunlight while maintaining a clear, expansive and unique view up. A white roof is also still available.

Bold Paint Colors Bring Personality

In addition to white and black exterior colors, GEMs can now be ordered in either a gloss or matte finish in Sunset Red, Navy Blue, Titanium Metallic Gray, Bronson Rock and Orange Rust as well as Radiant Green in a gloss finish for 11 new color options.

Premium Upholstery Gives Ultimate Comfort

Individual bucket seats with high backs are ergonomic for ultimate comfort over bench seats. A new seat pattern is highlighted by three high-end vegan leather fabrics to introduce appealing textures that elevate the style of the seat. The seats are offered in three new color options to add to the customization of each GEM. The weather-resistant, luxe seats can be covered in Beechwood, Avalanche Gray and Black or Beachwood and Black color combinations.

Integrated Rockford Fosgate® Audio Provides the Soundtrack for Fun

Superior sound quality is provided by the newly designed Rockford Fosgate® audio system. Made to withstand weather, the speakers are Element Ready™ and deliver superior outdoor audio performance without the need for an amplifier. A bigger, surround sound is possible with two speakers in front and two in back. These speakers are controlled by an in-dash tuner that is Bluetooth® and audio-in compatible to broadcast audio from another device, like a cell phone, or use the built-in AM/FM tuner for the radio.

Sport Tires and Rims Offer Superior Style

Customization continues with the addition of larger, blacked-out, 16-inch wheels. The new rims are painted black with bright machined accents and the new sport tire has an aggressive tread pattern for added style.

Interior Low-Glow Feature Lighting Adds Ambiance

Interior LED lighting can switch between blue and white with the flip of a switch for ambient or task lighting within the GEM.

In addition to these all-new options to add style and fun to GEM, Polaris has a full line of existing options that seamlessly integrate with the new options; doors, bumpers, aluminum wheels, tilt and power steering, a rear trunk box and more. All of these options can be viewed in GEM’s online configurator and built into a personalized cart to match individual styles and use for an ultimate street-legal electric cart.

Creating the Ultimate Rider Experience for Commercial Shuttles

The Polaris GEM’s comfortable interior, quiet ride, enjoyable open-air design and unique appearance also make it a popular platform for shuttle services on academic and corporate campuses, urban and entertainment districts, hotels and resorts. The premium look of the vehicle enhances a property’s brand, providing riders with a uniquely enjoyable experience. The rider experience can be accentuated with GEM’s all-new accessories. The transparent roof that lets passengers fully experience the outdoors unlike any other vehicle; the interior lighting not only help riders easily see their belongings but also helps the vehicle and associated property stand out on the road; and also all-new Bluetooth® Rockford Fosgate® audio provides for a fun experience.

As a company, Polaris is expanding its electric vehicle portfolio with “rEV’d Up,” an initiative focused on leading the powersports industry in electrification, investing even more in electrification for off-road and recreational vehicles. Over the last decade, Polaris has sold $1 billion in electric vehicles from across the portfolio – with GEM being a part of that. GEM will continue to advance electric benefits for the personal cart customer.

About Polaris GEM

GEM electric vehicles are the ultimate personal transport vehicles – and their designation as low-speed vehicles (LSVs) make them street legal. They are made to order in Anaheim, California with factory-installed accessories for the highest quality finish, bespoke for each customer. Polaris GEM electric vehicles are allowed on any road posted 35 mph or less and are charged by standard outlets. Since their introduction in 1998, more than 60,000 GEM low-speed vehicles have been produced. These street-legal personal carts are highly customizable with more than 10,000 configurations for customers to tailor the already sustainable, safe and stylish design. GEMcar.com

Editor Note: For high-resolution images and other information, please visit http://bit.ly/GEM-MediaKit or contact Katie Paulson, [email protected].

About Polaris

As the global leader in Powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. With annual 2020 sales of $7.0 billion, Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZRand Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; snowmobiles; and deck, cruiser and pontoon boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments, and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerican Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

Rockford Fosgate® is a registered trademark of Rockford Corporation; Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc.

Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Polaris Industries Inc.

Katie Paulson

Phone: 651-295-2800

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Alternative Vehicles/Fuels Transportation Automotive Recreational Vehicles Travel

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Polaris is launching an entirely new line of offerings for its street legal GEM vehicles. These all-electric premium personal carts provide people who cruise their neighborhoods with all-new ways to customize their GEM extending their personality into their favorite vehicle. (Photo: Business Wire)
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Northern Trust Wealth Management Announces Central Region Leadership Changes

Northern Trust Wealth Management Announces Central Region Leadership Changes

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) today announced leadership changes in two of its Central Region markets. James Kuehn is retiring as Wealth Management President of Wisconsin, with Bradley Peters being tapped to oversee the market. Daniel Pienta is retiring as Wealth Management President of Eastern Michigan, and Brian Hughes will assume the role.

“We are grateful for the long-standing stewardship consistently exhibited by Jim and Dan,” said John Fumagalli, President of the Central Region at Northern Trust. “I express my sincere appreciation for their remarkable contributions and dedicated service to their respective regions and the firm as a whole.”

“We are delighted to welcome Brad and Brian into expanded roles,” Fumagalli continued. “They both bring deep regional experience and expertise that will continue the strong trajectory of growth and expansion our business has experienced in the Central region.”

Peters assumes his new role in Wisconsin with more than 30 years of experience in wealth management, most recently serving as Investment Advisor and Team Leader for Northern Trust’s Private Client Advisory Team in Milwaukee. He joined Northern Trust in 2005 and prior to his role in Milwaukee, served as Investment Team Leader for Northern Trust in Lake Forest, Illinois. He received his bachelor of business administration degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin.

Peters is a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Public Accountant and CFA charter holder. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Milwaukee. He is a past member of the Finance Committee for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and has been involved with many other local community organizations.

Hughes assumes his new role in Eastern Michigan with more than 27 years of trust and investment experience working with high net worth families, not-for-profit organizations and institutions. Hughes’ most recent position was Senior Portfolio Manager for Northern Trust in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also held the roles of Investment Consultant and Senior Global Portfolio Analyst.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Business Administration from Calvin College and his master’s degree with honors in Finance from Kellstadt Graduate School of Management at DePaul University. He is an acting member of the Steelcase Foundation Investment Committee.

Northern Trust Wealth Management offers holistic wealth management services for affluent individuals and families, family offices, foundations and endowments, and privately held businesses. It is recognized for its innovative technology, service excellence and depth of expertise and ranks among the top 10 U.S. wealth managers, with $347.8 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2020. The Northern Trust Company is an Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has a global presence with offices in 22 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and across 22 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2020, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$14.5 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.4 trillion. For more than 130 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Please visit our website or follow us on Twitter.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Please read our global and regulatory information.

Alaina Kleinman

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Wisconsin Illinois Michigan

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

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Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions to Explore Major Changes in Attorney-Client Relationships in Upcoming Webinar

Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions to Explore Major Changes in Attorney-Client Relationships in Upcoming Webinar

April 15 webinar will cover emerging trends around law firm relationships from the company’s recently published LegalVIEW® Insights Report

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
While the disruption of the COVID-19 global pandemic appears to be lifting for many industries, the legal sector may be ready for a significant re-evaluation of how it does business. That’s according to Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions’ recently introduced LegalVIEW® Insights Report and the subject of discussion for an ELM Solutions webinar on April 15. The webinar will explore how a vast majority of corporate legal departments (CLDs) reduced or paused their active provider relationships in 2020 and other trends that may impact attorney-client relationships permanently.

Speakers at the event include Nathan Cemenska, Director of Legal Operations and Industry Insights for Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions; Brad Blickstein, Founder and Principal, Blickstein Group and Co-Head, NewLaw Practice Group, Baretz+Brunelle; and Richard Brzakala, Director Global External Legal Services, CIBC. During the presentation, they will delve into why some relationships grew and improved and what that means for the industry in a post-pandemic world.

The webinar is the first in a series of 2021 Thought Leadership pieces, including blogs, podcasts and other content leveraging information from the company’s LegalVIEW® Data Warehouse – the most comprehensive legal spend database in the world, with more than $140 billion in invoices.

“While many are focusing on law firms’ rise in profits in 2020, the LegalVIEW Insights Report uncovers that many law firms have seen a significant loss of work because of the pandemic and other factors,” said Blickstein. “Legal departments significantly reduced the number of law firms they used in 2020, and the question of whether firms will be able to reengage is one of the biggest I’ve seen in my decades covering the industry.”

Cemenska, who joined Wolters Kluwer in 2018, is responsible for developing research and thought leadership out of ELM Solutions’ LegalVIEW® Data Warehouse. He previously worked in management consultancy helping GCs improve law department performance and has prior experience as a legal operations business analyst.

Blickstein provides insight into the delivery of legal services and the relationship between clients, counsel, and alternative legal service providers. He applies his more than 25 years of experience to provide data, analytical acumen, and strategic advice. Brzakala is a thought leader with 20 years of experience in legal corporate strategy planning, operations, developing and executing national and global strategic legal projects in the financial institutions and legal marketplace.

ELM Solutions, part of Wolters Kluwer’s Governance, Risk & Compliance division, is the market-leading global provider of enterprise legal spend and matter management, contract lifecycle management and legal analytics solutions. The company provides a comprehensive suite of tools that address the growing needs of corporate legal operations departments to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. Corporate legal and insurance claims departments trust its innovative technology and end-to-end customer experience to drive world-class business outcomes.

Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions was named a leader in both the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Legal Spend Management 2020 Vendor Assessment and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Matter Management 2020 Vendor Assessment. The company’s award-winning products include Passport®, the highest rated ELM solution in the latest Hyperion MarketView™ Legal Market Intelligence Report and TyMetrix® 360°, the industry’s leading SaaS-based e-billing and matter management solution. CLM Matrix, meanwhile, was named a “strong performer” in The Forrester Wave™: Contract Lifecycle Management For All Contracts, Q1 2021 report. ELM Solutions’ LegalVIEW® portfolio of legal analytics solutions is based upon the industry’s largest and most comprehensive legal spend database, with more than $140 billion in invoices.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance

Governance, Risk & Compliance is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to help ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance.

Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of €4.6 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide.

Media Contacts

Paul Lyon

Global Corporate Communications Director

Governance, Risk & Compliance Division

Wolters Kluwer

Office +44 20 3197 6586

[email protected]

 

Andrew Ferraro

Corporate Communications Manager, Legal Solutions

Governance, Risk & Compliance Division

Wolters Kluwer

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Legal Technology Insurance Finance Security Banking Accounting Professional Services Software Data Management

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Terumo is building a Global Therapeutic Interventional Oncology team to offer more therapeutic solution to cancer patients

PR Newswire

LEUVEN, Belgium, April 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Terumo is proud to announce the launch of its Global Therapeutic Interventional Oncology team as of April 1st, 2021. This reflects Terumo’s aspiration to be a Global leader in the field of Interventional Oncology by focusing on improving patient’s quality of life and survival.

This organization will be comprised of Medical Strategy, Research & Development, Software Development, Medical Imaging Discovery, and Operations. It will be entirely dedicated to the development of Therapeutic Interventional Oncology solutions for patients with cancer. This team will be led by Laurent Domas, Vice President, Global Interventional Oncology Strategy and Therapy Development.

“With this team of specialists, we want to provide excellence in developing Interventional Oncology solutions to improve the clinical benefit for patients with cancer, and thus contribute to society through healthcare”, said Laurent Domas.

Terumo Interventional Systems is a leader in access technologies used in Interventional Oncology procedures and already offers a broad range of therapeutic solutions in EMEA. The Therapeutic Interventional Oncology portfolio comprises drug eluting microspheres with LifePearlTM microspheres, Selective Internal Radiation Therapy solutions with the Holmium platform (QuiremSpheresTM microspheres, QuiremScoutTM microspheres, QSuiteTM software) and Thermal Microwave ablation with TATO*.

The need for minimally invasive cancer treatments is growing to address the continuous rise of cancer in a global aging population. Terumo aims at being a major player in Interventional Oncology by facilitating access to loco-regional treatments for patients with cancer by focusing on innovation and clinical evidence and partnering with Health Care Professionals.

“It is excellent news to see, within Terumo, the launch of a Therapeutic Interventional Oncology focused team
, which is a dedicated entity that will help moving fast forward in the booming and promising field of interventional oncology”
, said Professor Thierry De Baère, head of Therapeutic Imaging department, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France

With this organization in place, Terumo Interventional Systems will accelerate the commercial deployment of the Holmium platform (QuiremSpheresTM microspheres, QuiremScoutTM microspheres, QSuiteTM software) in EMEA. It will further extend the availability of the Holmium platform in other regions, in particular US as the largest radioembolization market but also China and other countries around the globe.

The creation of the Global Therapeutic Interventional Oncology organization will contribute to complete Terumo Interventional Systems’ portfolio of solutions for the treatment of cancers in the liver and in other organs. In particular, it currently investigates the development of radiation oncology technologies for the treatment of pancreatic tumors. It will also innovate in new targeted drug delivery solutions.

* LifePearlTM microspheres is CE marked and available in Europe and is used in the treatment of unresectable primary and secondary liver cancer. It is also available in Russia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Latin America, Taiwan and Vietnam. It is not approved in US FDA.

QuiremSpheresTM microspheres, QuiremScoutTM microspheres, QSuiteTM software are CE marked and available in Europe for the treatment of unresectable cancers in the liver. It is not approved by US FDA

TATO is CE marked and available in Europe. It is not approved by US FDA

About Terumo

Terumo (TSE:4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to “Contributing to Society through Healthcare” for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 25,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technologies, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large.

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SOURCE Terumo

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Blackbaud CMO Catherine LaCour Named one of the 2021 Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology

PR Newswire

CHARLESTON, S.C., April 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, is pleased to announce that its Chief Marketing Officer Catherine Cook LaCour has been named one of the 2021 Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by DiversityFirst™ and the National Diversity Council. The award honors female leaders who have become champions for diversity in the technology industry, as well as inspirations in their communities.

“I’m humbled to be recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in Tech, and it’s an honor to be part of this prestigious group of female leaders,” said LaCour. “I have long subscribed to the theory that when one woman shines, the women around her do, too. I am passionate about lifting other women up, and it’s my hope that this award helps inspire other women to pursue their dreams and reach their goals—whether in technology or other fields—so that together we can achieve more.”

The Top 50 Women in Tech Award recognizes the achievements of women who are breaking barriers and setting high standards for themselves and others. Recipients are female leaders who have made increasingly significant contributions throughout their career to their company and the overall technology industry. They seek to improve not just their departments and companies, but their communities as well, and they strive to eliminate the gender gap in the technology C-suite.

As Blackbaud’s CMO, LaCour is responsible for the company’s global brand and marketing, corporate communications, and strategic go-to-market and retention functions. She is a passionate change agent focused on driving innovative business strategies and process improvements from ideation to implementation. She also helms the Blackbaud Institute, which brings together the best minds in philanthropy to develop and share leading-edge research and insight that accelerates impact throughout the social good community.

LaCour has a Master of Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) and a Bachelor of Science in business from the College of Charleston. A Charleston, S.C., native, she currently serves on the Coastal Community Foundation board of directors and chairs the marketing and communications committee. She also serves on the board of directors of the Women’s Refugee Commission, a non-profit advocating for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee women and children, and she chairs the external relations committee. In addition, LaCour serves on the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s Council for Innovation Initiatives and was named a South Carolina Liberty Fellow in 2017.

To see the full list of the 2021 Top 50 Women in Tech awardees, visit top50tech.org. Recipients will be honored at the 17th Annual National Diversity and Leadership Conference virtually on April 21-22 and April 28-29.

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, higher education institutions, K–12 schools, healthcare organizations, faith communities, arts and cultural organizations, foundations, companies and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through cloud software, services, expertise and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing and analytics. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit  www.blackbaud.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Inquiries

[email protected]

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding expected benefits of products and product features. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud’s investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

 

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SOURCE Blackbaud, Inc.