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QuestionPro Survey Finds Majority of Consumers Will Use Apple’s “Do Not Track” Feature and Admire Apple for Offering it

AUSTIN, Texas, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to a national poll of 1,000 adults in the United States by online survey and research leader QuestionPro, consumers are very concerned about apps and companies that track and share their online activity. A large majority plan to use Apple’s new “Do Not Track” feature, admire Apple for offering it, and strongly believe other companies should follow Apple’s lead.

The newest release of Apple’s iOS 14.5 includes a new feature that makes it easy for users to prevent third party applications, websites and advertisers to track and share information about their online activity.

The survey found that consumers are overwhelmingly aware of (92 percent) and concerned about (40 percent moderately and 29 percent very concerned) such activity tracking and sharing by others.

More than two thirds of consumers (67.5 percent) expect to use Apple’s new feature to block third parties, advertisers and apps from tracking their online activity, while 70 percent believe that other companies should follow Apple’s lead.

Last, consumers are glad Apple is making this feature available, with nearly two out of three (65.86 percent) reporting that they appreciate and admire Apple for doing so.

“Clearly consumers appreciate having more control over who can track and share their online activities and will be taking steps to limit such tracking,” said Dan Fleetwood, President of Research & Insights at QuestionPro. “What’s more, their belief that others should follow Apple’s lead and their appreciation for Apple’s leadership on this should send a signal to app developers and advertisers everywhere.”

The survey of U.S. consumers was fielded April 29, 2021 and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent. The survey was conducted using technology and multi-method behavioral fraud detection to verify respondents, including 80+ different security variables which accomplish the following: detection and rejection of suspicious IP addresses; digital fingerprinting; Captcha bot detection; event streaming and analysis, copy paste detection and translation of text detection. Mouse movements on desktops were also tracked.

About QuestionPro

Founded in 2006, QuestionPro is a global provider of online survey and research services that help companies make better decisions through data. From free consumer accounts to robust enterprise-level research, we offer tools for the creation, distribution, and analysis of surveys. We also offer platforms for polling, mobile research and data visualization. Fortune 100 companies rely on us to help unlock insights about customers, employees and the marketplace. With offices in the US, Mexico, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and India, we offer customers 24-7 access to highly trained support specialists and engineers. More information is available atwww.questionpro.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d1bb894b-a8e1-4171-bd15-40343ae13d6a



Media Contact
John Williams, Scoville PR for QuestionPro
206.660.5503, [email protected]

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LPL Financial and Inc Advisors Welcome Kraner, LLC

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC (Nasdaq:LPLA) today announced that wealth management professionals at Kraner, LLC have joined LPL Financial, aligning with Independent Network of Consultants & Advisors (INC Advisors), an existing large enterprise serving LPL-affiliated advisors. The team reported having served more than $200 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets*, and joins LPL from Voya Financial Advisors.

CEO and President Vladislav (Vlad) Zherenovsky founded the firm in 2010, choosing his mother’s maiden name, Kraner, for his business. With its main office in Montvale, N.J., and employees throughout N.J. and Iowa, Zherenovsky is joined by Wealth Advisor Nicholas Choman, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Certified Fund Specialist (CFS), and four support staff members, including a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to help advisors with tax loss harvesting and tax prep.

Born in Latvia, Zherenovsky found an interest in financial services at a young age. “In 1991, when Latvia became an independent country, its citizens quickly had to learn how to evolve and create an economy and currency. As a teenager, I watched my parents figure out how to work with money in a new way. When we relocated to the United States and I saw the complexity of the U.S. financial system, I knew I wanted to learn everything I could about finances so I could protect my family and the people I care about.”

After gaining industry experience, he decided he wanted to focus on helping people plan for their futures as an independent financial advisor. Since launching his practice, Zherenovsky has purchased 11 books of business in 11 years, and has been awarded 2015 – 2021 Five Star Wealth Manager Awards. LPL’s M&A Solutions was a key differentiator to support his continuing growth goals.

Why Kraner chose LPL and INC Advisors

“We did our due diligence and considered 14 different firms when making this decision,” said Zherenovsky. “You can tell LPL is not only striving to be the best, but truly is the best place for advisors to support, grow and manage their businesses. The technology is integrated and intuitive, making for an easy learning process. In addition, the local support and quality of professionalism by the INC Advisors team and its two partners, Rick Capozzi and Rich Dragotta, has been off the charts, and the ease of the transition has truly validated my decision.”

“It is my pleasure to welcome Vlad and the Kraner team to our independent network of financial advisors,” said Rich Dragotta, founder of INC Advisors. “As the evolution of an advisor’s role continues, having choice and control, coupled with innovative technology and a robust wealth management platform, becomes the standard for successful advisors and firms like Kraner. INC Advisors is committed to leveraging our economies of scale and decades of experience to help Vlad and his team continue to develop and grow their firm with the support of LPL.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Vlad and his team to INC Advisors. We understand advisors have many options, and in a very noisy and competitive marketplace, successful advisors like Vlad value deep industry experience and a proven track record of accelerating their growth,” said Rick Capozzi, INC Advisors managing partner and author of “The Growth Mindset.” “With over three decades of experience working with advisors from around the world and as a former senior executive at leading wirehouses, I’m passionate about helping advisors achieve greater success. I look forward to personally working with the Kraner team for many years to come.”

Scott Posner, LPL executive vice president, Business Development, said, “We welcome Vlad and the rest of the Kraner team to the LPL family, and congratulate INC Advisors on adding a high caliber group to its network. We recognize the work that Vlad has accomplished to build his practice and look forward to supporting him with M&A Solutions, tools and resources to help him continue his growth trajectory.”

Read about other firms that recently joined LPL in the LPL Financial News and Media section of LPL.com.

Advisors, find an LPL business development representative near you.


About LPL Financial


LPL Financial (Nasdaq: LPLA) was founded on the principle that the firm should work for the advisor, and not the other way around. Today, LPL is a leader** in the markets we serve, supporting more than 17,000 financial advisors, 800 institution-based investment programs and 450 independent RIA firms nationwide. We are steadfast in our commitment to the advisor-centered model and the belief that Americans deserve access to objective guidance from a financial advisor. At LPL, independence means that advisors have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources that allow them to run their perfect practice. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors, so they can take care of their clients.

** Top RIA custodian (Cerulli Associates, 2019 U.S. RIA Marketplace Report); No. 1 Independent Broker-Dealer in the U.S (Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine June 1996-2020); No. 1 provider of third-party brokerage services to banks and credit unions (2019-2020 Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting Annual TPM Report)

*Based on prior business and represents assets that would have been custodied at LPL Financial, rather than third-party custodians. Reported assets and client numbers have not been independently and fully verified by LPL Financial.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC, an SEC- registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. 

Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial LLC. We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

The 5 Star Wealth Manager Award is based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2015-2021 Five Star Wealth Managers.

Kraner LLC, INC Advisors and LPL Financial are separate entities.

Connect with Us!

https://twitter.com/lpl

https://www.linkedin.com/company/lpl-financial

https://www.facebook.com/LPLFinancialLLC

https://www.youtube.com/user/lplfinancialllc


Media Contact:


Lauren Hoyt-Williams
(980) 321-1232
[email protected]



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Tidewater to Nominate Robert E. Robotti to Board of Directors

Tidewater to Nominate Robert E. Robotti to Board of Directors

  • Enters into Cooperation Agreement with the Robotti Group

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Tidewater Inc. (NYSE: TDW) (“Tidewater” or the “Company”), a leading owner and operator of offshore support vessels providing offshore energy transportation services worldwide, today announced that it has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Robert E. Robotti and his affiliated and controlled entities (the “Robotti Group”). Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company has agreed to nominate Mr. Robotti to its Board of Directors (the “Board”) for election at the 2021 Annual Meeting, and the Robotti Group has agreed to vote in favor of the Company’s nominees and proposals at the 2021 Annual Meeting, as well as to abide by certain customary standstill provisions. With the addition of Mr. Robotti, the Tidewater Board of Directors will increase from seven to eight directors.

“We are pleased to welcome Bob to the Tidewater Board of Directors,” said Quintin Kneen, President, CEO and director of Tidewater. “Our Company has been positively transformed over the past couple of years with strong new leadership at both the board and management levels, streamlined cost structure, improved operational efficiency and a strengthened balance sheet – which all position Tidewater well to address both the ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities in the OSV industry. We look forward to the contributions Bob can make to our future success and value creation.”

Mr. Robotti stated, “I have been a large and long-term investor in Tidewater because I believe in the potential of the Company, its assets and its current leadership team. I would like to thank the Board for its constructive approach to our discussions, and I am excited about the future for Tidewater and bringing value to its shareholders.”

The Robotti Group will not be submitting a Proxy Card for tabulation at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will be voting for the Company’s full slate of nominees.

The complete agreement will be filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K.

About Robert E. Robotti

Mr. Robotti has been the president of Robotti & Company Advisors, LLC (a registered investment advisor) and Robotti Securities, LLC, formerly known as Robotti & Company, LLC (a registered broker-dealer), and their predecessors, since 1983. Robotti & Company Advisors’ investment approach is guided by the classic tenets of value investing. Robotti & Company Advisors believes that the market price of a security does not necessarily indicate its true economic value. Robotti & Company Advisors’ analysts identify and research companies with solid balance sheets, the ability to generate significant amounts of free cash flow and yet are misunderstood, neglected or just out-of-favor with Wall Street. Robotti & Company Advisors has followed this investment philosophy since its inception over 35 years ago in order to meet its goal of providing risk adjusted returns greater than the general market. Robotti & Company Advisors LLC frequently is a constructive and actively engaged owner with many of its portfolio companies.

Mr. Robotti has been the Managing Director (and previously, managing member) of Ravenswood Management Company, LLC (and its predecessor) since 1980, which serves as the general partner of The Ravenswood Investment Company, L.P. and Ravenswood Investments III, L.P. Mr. Robotti served as a portfolio manager of Robotti Global Fund, LLC, a global equity fund, from 2007 to March 2015. He currently serves as a director and Chairman of the Board of Pulse Seismic Inc. (PSD-TSX), a seismic data licensing business, and has held these positions for more than the past five years. Mr. Robotti has served as a director on the board of directors of AMREP Corporation (AXR-NYSE) since September 2016 and on the Board of PrairieSky (PSK-TSX) since October 2019. Mr. Robotti was a director of PHX Minerals Inc. (PHX-NYSE), formerly known as Panhandle Oil & Gas Inc. and Panhandle Royalty Company, from 2004 to May 2020 and was a director of BMC Building Materials Holding Corporation from 2012 to December 2015. Mr. Robotti was a member of the SEC’s Advisory Committee of Smaller Public Companies from 2005 to 2006 and served on its corporate governance subcommittee. He has an MBA in Accounting and was a certified public accountant earlier in his career, which license is currently inactive.

About Tidewater

Tidewater owns and operates the largest fleets of offshore support vessels in the industry, with over 65 years of experience supporting offshore energy exploration and production activities worldwide. To learn more, visit www.tdw.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Tidewater notes that certain statements set forth in this press release contain certain forward-looking statements which reflect our current view with respect to future events and future financial performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, and our future results of operations could differ materially from our historical results or current expectations reflected by such forward-looking statements. Investors should carefully consider the risk factors described in detail in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, most recent Form 10-Q, and in similar sections of other filings made by the Company with the SEC from time to time. The Company’s filings can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Forward-looking statements and written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or its representatives after the date of this release are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this paragraph and in other reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

Important Additional Information

Tidewater Inc., its directors, nominees and certain of its executive officers are deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Tidewater’s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at Tidewater’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Information regarding the names of Tidewater’s current directors and executive officers and their respective interests in Tidewater by security holdings or otherwise can be found in Tidewater’s proxy statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on June 18, 2020, and in other filings with the SEC. Information regarding Robert E. Robotti and his interests in Tidewater by security holdings or otherwise can be found in the amended Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021. To the extent our current directors’ and executive officers’ holdings of Tidewater’s securities have changed since the amounts set forth in Tidewater’s proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, such changes have been reflected on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Tidewater intends to file a proxy statement and accompanying BLUEproxy card with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies from Tidewater stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at Tidewater’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Additional information regarding the identity of participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in Tidewater’s proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting, including the schedules and appendices thereto. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ ANY SUCH PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO AS WELL AS ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY TIDEWATER WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Stockholders will be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement, the accompanying BLUEproxy card, and other documents filed by Tidewater with the SEC for no charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge at the Investor Relations section of Tidewater’s corporate website at www.tdw.com or by contacting Tidewater’s Corporate Secretary at Tidewater, Inc., 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77072, or by calling Tidewater’s Corporate Secretary at (713) 470-5310.

For Tidewater:

Investors:

Jason Stanley

Vice President ESG & Investor Relations

+1.713.470.5292

[email protected]

Media:

Sloane & Company

Dan Zacchei / Joe Germani

[email protected] / [email protected]

For Robotti & Company:

Profile

Greg Marose / Bela Kirpalani

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Maritime Automotive Transport Oil/Gas Energy Fleet Management

MEDIA:

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Superior Drilling Products to Report First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on May 12

Superior Drilling Products to Report First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on May 12

VERNAL, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Superior Drilling Products, Inc. (NYSE American: SDPI) (“SDP” or “Company”), an innovator and manufacturer of drilling tool technologies, today announced that it will release its first quarter 2021 financial results before the opening of financial markets on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

The Company will host a conference call and webcast that day to review the financial and operating results for the quarter and discuss its corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.

First Quarter 2021 Conference Call

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

10:00 a.m. Mountain Time (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time)

Phone: (201) 689-8470

Internet Webcast and accompanying slide presentation: www.sdpi.com

A telephonic replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. MT (3:00 p.m. ET) the day of the teleconference until Wednesday, May 19, 2021. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13718357, or access the webcast replay via the Company’s website at www.sdpi.com, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Superior Drilling Products, Inc.

Superior Drilling Products, Inc. is an innovative, cutting-edge drilling tool technology company providing cost saving solutions that drive production efficiencies for the oil and natural gas drilling industry. The Company designs, manufactures, repairs and sells drilling tools. SDP drilling solutions include the patented Drill-N-Ream® well bore conditioning tool and the patented Strider™ oscillation system technology. In addition, SDP is a manufacturer and refurbisher of PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) drill bits for a leading oil field service company. SDP operates a state-of-the-art drill tool fabrication facility, where it manufactures its solutions for the drilling industry, as well as customers’ custom products. The Company’s strategy for growth is to leverage its expertise in drill tool technology and innovative, precision machining in order to broaden its product offerings and solutions for the oil and gas industry.

Additional information about the Company can be found at: www.sdpi.com.

For more information, contact investor relations:

Deborah K. Pawlowski

Kei Advisors LLC

(716) 843-3908

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Utah

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Energy Oil/Gas Natural Resources Other Manufacturing Energy Other Natural Resources Mining/Minerals Manufacturing

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Citi Commercial Cards Collaborates with Corporate Spending Innovations in Global Payments Alliance

Citi Commercial Cards Collaborates with Corporate Spending Innovations in Global Payments Alliance

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Citi Commercial Cards and Corporate Spending Innovations, an Edenred company, have announced a collaboration to offer frictionless and innovative B2B payment solutions to Citi’s clients. The integration brings together Corporate Spending Innovations unique digital payment capabilities and Citi Commercial Card’s global network to jointly deliver fully integrated end-to-end payment solutions to customers.

With this collaboration, Citi Commercial Card clients, whether leveraging a Visa or Mastercard solution, will have the ability to integrate their virtual cards into Corporate Spending Innovations’ platform. For clients, this is especially beneficial for making supplier payments as the platform is connected to a large number of suppliers, including eCommerce and large digital advertising platforms. This new solution will allow clients to pay approved invoices via a Citi virtual card in addition to ACH or check payments. The platform will serve as both the centralized tool for payment initiation and reconciliation, providing clients with enhanced reporting and reconciliation data, together with greater visibility into their card spend.

By using this platform and moving spend to their card programs, clients will increase the overall value of payments processed and will benefit by improving working capital with increased rebates from suppliers. Suppliers will also benefit by receiving fast and secure payments, which are increasingly important in an environment where suppliers’ cash flows have been disrupted by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A core element of our strategy is providing our customers with innovative and efficient global payment options,” said Gonca Latif-Schmitt, Global Head of Citi’s Commercial Cards. “This integration with Corporate Spending Innovations will provide new ways for our clients to make streamlined payments to eCommerce suppliers, especially in the digital media and advertising space, leveraging Corporate Spending Innovations’ critical mass with supplier access via Citi’s global network.”

“CSI is excited about partnering with Citi to redefine B2B payments solutions delivered to their commercial card customers as part of our expansion in Corporate Payments,” said Marc Divay, General Manager, Corporate Payments, at Edenred.

The integration will launch in the United States first, with Canada and select European markets to follow. It will include access to suppliers across multiple verticals including digital media and advertising, eCommerce and telecommunications, which require complex solutions for managing payment reconciliation.

Citi’s Commercial Cards business provides Travel, Purchase and Virtual cards solutions to institutional clients, including corporations, financial institutions, and public sector entities. It has been recognized as a global market leader with the largest proprietary network in the industry, with local issuance in over 60 countries, 45 unique currencies and 30 languages. As a leading global commercial card issuer, Citi has one of the largest global footprints supported by unrivaled card acceptance.

Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) enables its clients’ success by providing an integrated suite of innovative and tailored cash management and trade finance services to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations across the globe. Based on the foundation of the industry’s largest proprietary network with banking licenses in over 90 countries and globally integrated technology platforms, TTS continues to lead the way in offering the industry’s most comprehensive range of digitally enabled treasury, trade, and liquidity management solutions.

About Citi: Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi |

Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi

About Corporate Spending Innovations: Corporate Spending Innovations provides innovative payment solutions to world-leading brands with their highly secure corporate payment solutions that include CSI Paysystems, CSI Travel, and global-fleet fuel cards. Corporate Spending Innovations’ customers can automate 100% of B2B payables including virtual credit card, proprietary network, ACH, check, or foreign exchange with cross-border payments settled in local currency. The company is a certified Mastercard processor and has obtained Visa Ready for Business Solutions approval. Corporate Spending Innovations is part of Edenred, a leading digital platform for services and payments and the everyday companion for people at work. For more information visit www.corporatespending.com.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/csi-corporate-spending-innovations/

Media:

Citi: Nina Das [email protected]

CSI Mary Brandon 239-221-3307 [email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Finance Marketing Advertising Banking Communications Professional Services Logistics/Supply Chain Management Transport

MEDIA:

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Liberty Latin America Appoints Rocío Lorenzo as Chief Customer Officer

Liberty Latin America Appoints Rocío Lorenzo as Chief Customer Officer

DENVER, Colorado–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Liberty Latin America Ltd. (“Liberty Latin America” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LILA and LILAK, OTC Link: LILAB) announced today that Rocío Lorenzo will join the company as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, starting in August. Ms. Lorenzo was most recently a Partner and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where she led the firm’s Telecommunications practice. Before joining BCG, Rocío worked for Siemens AG as a consultant. And in 2015, Rocío was named as a Top 25 female business leader by Handelsblatt, HuffPost, and Edition F.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210503005423/en/

Rocío Lorenzo, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Liberty Latin America (Photo: Business Wire)

Rocío Lorenzo, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Liberty Latin America (Photo: Business Wire)

Balan Nair, CEO of Liberty Latin America, said, “I am so happy to have Rocío join our team.With her significant experience working in telecommunications and media, advising large companies on strategy development, and creating growth programs in marketing and sales, she will undoubtedly help us improve our customer experience and enhance the value we provide.Rocío shares our ambitions and commitment to growth, innovation, and operational excellence. And equally important, she fits our culture.”

Ms. Lorenzo will relocate to Liberty Latin America’s Operations Center in Panama where she will lead the company’s customer experience teams, including: Digital, Customer Care, and Commercial Programming.

Rocío Lorenzo commented, “I am excited to join Liberty Latin America. It’s a great company with a strong culture, and there is a huge opportunity in the region to differentiate ourselves on the connectivity, access, and service we provide to our customers. I look forward to working with Balan and the entire team on this journey.”

ABOUT LIBERTY LATIN AMERICA

Liberty Latin America is a leading communications company operating in over 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean under the consumer brands VTR, Flow, Liberty, Más Móvil, BTC, UTS and Cabletica. The communications and entertainment services that we offer to our residential and business customers in the region include digital video, broadband internet, telephony and mobile services. Our business products and services include enterprise-grade connectivity, data center, hosting and managed solutions, as well as information technology solutions with customers ranging from small and medium enterprises to international companies and governmental agencies. In addition, Liberty Latin America operates a sub-sea and terrestrial fiber optic cable network that connects over 40 markets in the region.

Liberty Latin America has three separate classes of common shares, which are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols “LILA” (Class A) and “LILAK” (Class C), and on the OTC link under the symbol “LILAB” (Class B).

For more information, please visit www.lla.com.

Investor Relations:

Kunal Patel, [email protected]

Media Relations:

Claudia Restrepo, [email protected]

KEYWORDS: Colorado United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Mobile/Wireless Technology Other Communications Entertainment Communications Telecommunications Audio/Video Networks General Entertainment TV and Radio

MEDIA:

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Rocío Lorenzo, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Liberty Latin America (Photo: Business Wire)
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Farm Bureau Property & Casualty and FBL Financial Group Amend Merger Agreement

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty and FBL Financial Group Amend Merger Agreement

FBPCIC and IFBF to Take FBL Financial Group Private for $61 Per Share in Cash

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“FBPCIC”) and FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) (“FBL Financial Group” or “the Company”) today announced that they have agreed to amend their previously-announced definitive merger agreement, dated January 11, 2021. Pursuant to the amended definitive agreement (the “Merger Agreement”), FBPCIC increased the offer price to acquire all of the outstanding shares of FBL Financial Group Class A and Class B common stock that neither FBPCIC nor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (“IFBF”) currently own to $61.00 per share in cash. The amendment was approved by the Boards of Directors of both FBPCIC and FBL Financial Group.

The revised offer price of $61.00 per share provides an additional $47 million in cash consideration to FBL Financial Group’s unaffiliated shareholders, and represents an increase of 8.9% and 63.8%, respectively, over the previously agreed offer price of $56.00 per share and FBL Financial Group’s unaffected closing share price of $37.25 on September 3,2020. Based on the agreed price of $61.00 per share for Class A common stock and Class B common stock not owned by FBPCIC or IFBF as of April 30, 2021, the aggregate cash purchase price under the amended agreement is approximately $575 million.

“The Special Committee is pleased to announce the revised terms of our agreement with FBPCIC, which follows extensive discussions with our fellow unaffiliated shareholders with a focus on maximizing value,” said Paul Larson, Chairman of the Special Committee of the FBL Financial Group Board of Directors. “The amended agreement delivers even more compelling and certain value at a highly-attractive premium. Further, the transaction will advance FBL Financial Group’s ability to protect the livelihoods and futures of our customers as part of a private company with our long-term partner, FBPCIC. We strongly recommend that FBL Financial Group shareholders vote FOR the transaction to lock in this compelling value.”

“The revised terms of our agreement represent our best and final offer and reflect FBPCIC’s commitment to completing this transaction,” said Richard Felts, Chairman of the Board of FBPCIC. “As we have long said, FBL Financial Group and its affiliated companies make up a superb organization. We look forward to supporting its future as a private company, and to continue working to strengthen its relationships with its customers and communities.”

Additional Transaction Details

The transaction is subject to the receipt of FBL Financial Group shareholder approval, including approval from a majority of unaffiliated FBL Financial Group shareholders, and the satisfaction of specified closing conditions. FBL Financial Group has already completed the regulatory approval process for the proposed transaction. The companies continue to expect the transaction to close in the first half of 2021.

The Special Committee, upon being informed of FBPCIC’s intention to increase its offer to $61.00 per share, sought a further increase in price. FBPCIC rejected that proposal, clarifying that it would not increase the $61.00 per share purchase price further, including if the deal is not approved by FBL Financial Group’s unaffiliated shareholders.

Capital Returns Management, LLC (“CRM”), the owner of 0.9% of FBL Financial Group’s shares, has signed an agreement to vote its shares in favor of the transaction and withdraw its solicitation of proxies to vote against approval of the Merger Agreement.

The previously-adjourned Special Meeting of Shareholders of FBL Financial Group to approve, among other things, the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement will reconvene on May 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time at the Company’s headquarters at 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.

The record date for the Special Meeting remains March 11, 2021. Shareholders who have already voted do not need to recast their votes unless they wish to change their votes. Shareholders who have not already voted or wish to change their vote are encouraged to do so promptly using the instructions provided in their voting instruction form or proxy card. Proxies previously submitted will be voted at the reconvened meeting unless properly revoked. If shareholders have questions about how to vote their shares, they should immediately contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Okapi Partners, at (877) 629-6357 or at [email protected].

Upon closing, all shareholders of FBL Financial Group other than FBPCIC and IFBF will receive the same per share cash consideration for their shares, IFBF will continue to be the majority owner of the Company, and FBL Financial Group common stock will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Advisors

Barclays Capital Inc. served as financial advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of FBL Financial Group, and Sidley Austin LLP as its legal advisor. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to FBPCIC.

About FBL Financial Group

FBL Financial Group is a holding company with the purpose to protect livelihoods and futures. Operating under the consumer brand name Farm Bureau Financial Services, its affiliates offer a broad range of life insurance, annuity and investment products distributed by multiline exclusive Farm Bureau agents. Helping complete the financial services offering, advisors offer wealth management and financial planning services. In addition, FBL Financial Group manages all aspects of two Farm Bureau affiliated property-casualty insurance companies for a management fee. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, FBL Financial Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FFG. For more information, please visit www.fblfinancial.com and www.fbfs.com.

About Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company is an indirect subsidiary of Farm Bureau Mutual Holding Company. The company was formed in 1939 to write automobile insurance in Iowa. Today, Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company and its subsidiary insurance company serve in excess of 360,000 Farm Bureau client/members in eight Midwest and Western states through a network of over 900 exclusive multi-line agents and agency managers, offering a full line of personal and commercial property-casualty insurance products.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, FBL Financial Group has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A and a Schedule 13e-3 Transaction Statement, and may file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction. This press release is not a substitute for the definitive proxy statement or any other document that FBL Financial Group may file with the SEC. INVESTORS IN, AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF, FBL FINANCIAL GROUP ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement and accompanying proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by FBL Financial Group through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the individuals listed below.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements (or forward-looking information). When we use words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” “expect,” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, operational and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; the inability to obtain the requisite shareholder approval for the proposed transaction or the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the proposed transaction; the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the proposed transaction may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations; the ability to recognize the benefits of the transaction; the amount of the costs, fees, and expenses and charges related to the transaction; change in interest rates; changes in laws and regulations; differences between actual claims experience and underwriting assumptions; relationships with Farm Bureau organizations; the ability to attract and retain sales agents; adverse results from litigation; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any future pandemics and the impact. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, is contained in FBL Financial Group’s filings with the SEC, including FBL Financial Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and FBL Financial Group’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

FBL Financial Group:

Media:

Bryan Locke and Lindsay Molk

Sard Verbinnen & Co

[email protected]

Investors:

Kathleen Till Stange

Vice President Corporate & Investor Relations

[email protected]

Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company

Nancy Wiles

Marketing Communications Vice President

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Iowa United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Finance Consulting Banking Professional Services Insurance

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Ford Boosts Investment in Solid Power, Aiming to Accelerate Solid-State Vehicle Battery Development for Customers

Ford Boosts Investment in Solid Power, Aiming to Accelerate Solid-State Vehicle Battery Development for Customers

  • Ford today announced an additional equity investment in Solid Power for further development of solid-state vehicle battery technology, aiming to deliver longer range, lower cost and safer electric vehicles for customers

  • This investment builds on Ford’s 2019 investment, expanding the strategic partnership to test, pilot and scale solid-state battery cells and arrays and help accelerate their availability in future Ford EVs

  • With this investment round, Ford and the BMW Group are equal equity owners, and representatives from each company will join Solid Power’s board

  • Both automakers also have separate joint development agreements with Solid Power to develop and test its battery technology so each can meet the independent engineering and manufacturing requirements of their respective future vehicles

  • Ford’s newest Solid Power investment is in addition to the company’s previously announced $22 billion global investment in connected, electrified vehicles through 2025; it builds on Ford’s Tuesday announcement that it is creating a new global battery center of excellence

DEARBORN, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Ford Motor Company today announced it is growing its investment in Solid Power, an industry-leading producer of all-solid-state batteries for EVs.

Initially investing in Solid Power in 2019, Ford is making an additional equity investment to help accelerate further development of solid-state vehicle battery technology, contributing to a $130 million Series B investment round in which the BMW Group becomes an equal equity owner with Ford.

“Solid-state battery technology is important to the future of electric vehicles, and that’s why we’re investing in it directly as well as accelerating Ford’s in-house R&D on next-generation battery technology,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer. “Leveraging the speed of a startup and the expertise of some of the most seasoned battery experts in the world at Ford, we’re exploring different ways to power tomorrow’s fun-to-drive all-electric vehicles, using proven development and manufacturing processes.”

Solid-state batteries are showing great promise. They don’t use the liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries, can be lighter, with greater energy density and provide more range and lower cost.

Solid Power, which uses sulfide-based solid-state battery cells, has demonstrated its ability to produce and scale next-generation all solid-state batteries that are designed to power longer range, lower cost and safer electric vehicles using existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing infrastructure.

Solid Power’s leadership in all solid-state battery development and manufacturing has been confirmed with the delivery of hundreds of production line-produced battery cells that were validated by the BMW Group and Ford late last year, formalizing Solid Power’s commercialization plans with its two long-standing automotive partners.

“By simplifying the design of solid-state versus lithium-ion batteries, we’ll be able to increase vehicle range, improve interior space and cargo volume and ultimately deliver lower costs and better value for customers,” said Ted Miller, Ford’s manager of electrification subsystems and power supply research. “We look forward to delivering these improvements and working with Solid Power to seamlessly and quickly integrate their sulfide-based all-solid-state battery cells into existing lithium-ion cell production processes more efficiently than oxide-based solid-state battery cell makers can.”

Under the new agreement, Ford will receive full-scale 100 ampere hour (Ah) cells from Solid Power for testing and integration into its future vehicles starting next year. Solid Power already is producing 20 Ah solid-state batteries on a pilot manufacturing line using lithium-ion production processes and equipment.

Ford also has a separate joint development agreement with Solid Power to develop and test its specific battery cell design and help streamline Ford’s integration into future vehicles.

Ford Building EV, Battery Tech Momentum

Earlier this week, Ford announced a new global battery center of excellence – named Ford Ion Park – to accelerate research and development of its battery and battery cell technology – including future battery manufacturing.

Ford is building on nearly two decades of battery expertise by centralizing a cross-functional team of 150 experts in battery technology development, research, manufacturing, planning, purchasing, quality and finance to help Ford more quickly develop and manufacture battery cells and batteries, ultimately aiming to deliver more, even better, lower cost EVs for customers.

The Ford Ion Park team also is exploring better integration and innovation opportunities across all aspects of the value chain – from mines to recycling – working with all teams within Ford, including experts at Ford’s new Battery Benchmarking and Test Laboratory, Ford Customer Service Division, plus key suppliers and partners.

The Ford Ion Park team already is underway. In addition, a $185 million collaborative learning lab in Southeast Michigan that is dedicated to developing, testing and building vehicle battery cells and cell arrays opens late next year.

This world-class 200,000 sq.-ft. learning lab will include pilot-scale equipment for electrode, cell and array design and manufacturing and will use state-of-the-art technology to pilot new manufacturing techniques that will allow Ford to quickly scale breakthrough battery cell designs with novel materials once the company vertically integrates battery cells and batteries.

Committed to leading the EV revolution

Ford is committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution and this year has gained significant momentum on its plans.

In North America, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has found early sales success. Plus, the all-electric Ford Transit is set to go on sale late this year and the all-electric F-150 arrives by mid-2022. Ford will be the first automaker in the U.S. to offer commercial customers fully electric van and full-size pickup choices.

In Europe, Ford is moving to an all-electric lineup by 2030, with its commercial vehicle range 100 percent zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2024. Ford also is investing $1 billion in a new electric vehicle manufacturing center in Cologne to build a high-volume all-electric passenger vehicle for European customers starting in 2023.

In China, Ford is preparing to produce the Mustang Mach-E for local customers later this year, and recently announced it is establishing a BEV division with a direct sales model and network that will reach 20 major cities across China this year. In addition, Ford has partnered with China’s State Grid and NIO to offer EV customers access to more than 300,000 public charging stations, of which 160,000 are fast-charging, in more than 340 cities across the country.

Proven electrification expertise

Ford has been actively involved in battery research and electric vehicles dating back to the days of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. To date, the company has secured more than 2,500 U.S. patents in electrification technologies, with another 4,300 patents pending and has sold more than 1 million hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles since 2004.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.

Jennifer Flake

Communications

313.903.0429

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Michigan Colorado

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Research Other Energy Alternative Vehicles/Fuels Energy Technology Automotive Environment Science Engineering Chemicals/Plastics Automotive Manufacturing Other Technology Manufacturing

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fuboTV Announces Launch of Branded Content Studio at 2021 IAB NewFronts

fuboTV Announces Launch of Branded Content Studio at 2021 IAB NewFronts

Signs Soccer Greats Pablo Zabaleta, Melissa Ortiz to Lead Original Programming for South American Qatar World Cup 2022 Qualifying Matches

Fubo Sports Network to Premiere Terrell Owens and Matthew Hatchette’s Getcha Popcorn Ready as Vodcast, New Season of No Chill with Gilbert Arenas

Partners with LiveRamp to Enhance Addressable Targeting for Advertisers

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
fuboTV Inc. (NYSE: FUBO), the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform, will announce at the 2021 IAB NewFronts today the launch of a branded content studio for advertisers, new and returning shows from Terrell Owens, Matthew Hatchette and Gilbert Arenas on Fubo Sports Network and a partnership with LiveRamp to enhance its addressable advertising capabilities.

Through the new studio, advertisers can collaborate with fuboTV’s creative team to create custom branded content to air on Fubo Sports Network. Working with fuboTV, advertising partners have a full menu of creative options to choose from, including short and long form custom brand content and unique original integrations featuring Fubo Sports Network talent.

The launch comes as fuboTV and Fubo Sports Network are gearing up to exclusively stream the Qatar World Cup 2022 Qualifying matches of South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) beginning next month. In addition to CONMEBOL, fuboTV will stream many qualifying matches through its carriage of other channel partners.

To bolster its Qatar World Cup 2022 Qualifiers coverage, fuboTV will produce original programming, including pre, half-time and post match shows, to air throughout the season. fuboTV will announce today it has signed soccer legends Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City and Argentina star) and Melissa Ortiz (Colombia’s women’s national team) as hosts.

Additional hosts and programming details, including how consumers can stream all South American qualifying matches with fuboTV and Fubo Sports Network, will be announced.

Also during its IAB NewFronts presentation today, fuboTV will announce new original programming for Fubo Sports Network. Terrell Owens, a six-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and five-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver, and Matthew Hatchette, a veteran NFL wide receiver, will bring their Getcha Popcorn Ready podcast to TV for the first time when the show premieres as a vodcast on Fubo Sports Network this summer. Additionally, Fubo Sports Network will premiere the second season of its popular show, No Chill with Gilbert Arenas, hosted by the three-time NBA All-Star.

Getcha Popcorn Ready joins Fubo Sports Network’s growing lineup of talent-driven original programming featuring, in addition to No Chill with Gilbert Arenas, the Julie Stewart-Binks hosted Drinks with Binks and The Cooligans from the self-proclaimed soccer and stand-up comedians.

On the business front, fuboTV will announce today a new partnership with LiveRamp to enhance its existing addressable targeting capabilities. fuboTV advertisers can now seamlessly activate data and measure across all advanced connected TV (CTV) campaign strategies through access to LiveRamp’s unique Advanced TV products. LiveRamp’s products include privacy-safe subscriber file matching, viewership and best-in-class measurement with Data+Math.

“As advertising budgets continue to shift from TV to streaming video and CTVs, providing our clients with custom opportunities to engage their consumers further adds to the power of OTT platforms like ours,” said Diana Horowitz, senior vice president, advertising sales, fuboTV. “Through our new branded content studio, we can bring brands to life as only our fuboTV talent can, all while integrating them into some of the most sought-after live events on the sports calendar. And, aided by our new partnership with LiveRamp that enhances our existing advanced addressability capabilities, our advertising partners can ensure their campaigns are reaching highly engaged, targeted audiences.”

“I’m truly excited about the original programming opportunities fuboTV will be offering consumers and advertisers over the next year,” said Pamela Duckworth, head of fubo Sports Network and original programming. “From our exclusive streaming rights for South American Qatar World Cup 2022 Qualifying matches — and all of the shoulder programming we will produce with icons like Pablo Zabaleta and Melissa Ortiz — to our Fubo Sports Network original shows with Terrell Owens, Matthew Hatchette and Gilbert Arenas, there is no better platform to engage with all things sports.”

fuboTV continues to grow its leading position as a sports-first live TV streaming platform. The company closed 2020 with nearly 548,000 subscribers, an increase of 73% year-over-year. In addition to its growing subscription business, fuboTV’s ad sales operations also closed a record year. Advertising revenue grew 133% year-over-year to $29 million with advertising average revenue per user (ad ARPU) reaching $8.47, an increase of 52% year-over-year. Engagement was also strong with fuboTV users streaming 544.9 million hours of sports, news and entertainment content in 2020, and 7.2 hours per day.

Leveraging a powerful combination of live sports, premium video and custom executions, coupled with industry-leading advertising technology and targeting capabilities, fuboTV’s rapidly growing advertising business offers brands and marketers flexible solutions to reach a highly engaged audience, in a premium connected TV environment.

About fuboTV

With a mission to provide the world’s most thrilling sports-first live TV experience through the greatest breadth of premium content, interactivity and integrated wagering, fuboTV Inc. (NYSE: FUBO) is focused on bringing to life its vision of a streaming platform that transcends the industry’s current virtual MVPD model. fuboTV Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Spain.

Leveraging its proprietary data and technology platform optimized for live TV and sports viewership, fuboTV Inc. aims to turn passive viewers into active participants. Through its cable TV replacement product, fuboTV, subscribers can stream a broad mix of 100+ live TV channels, including 42 of the top 50 Nielsen-ranked networks across sports, news and entertainment — more than any other live TV streaming platform (source: Nielsen Total Viewers, 2020). fuboTV intends to add interactivity to its streaming experience with the launch of a predictive free-to-play gaming app in Q3 2021.

Fubo Gaming Inc., a subsidiary of fuboTV Inc., expects to launch Fubo Sportsbook, a comprehensive sports and entertainment experience through sports betting and interactive gaming, in Q4 2021, subject to obtaining requisite regulatory approvals.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of fuboTV and on information currently available to fuboTV. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent fuboTV’s views as of the date of this press release. These statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future events or future financial and operating performance, including revenue and subscriber guidance and efforts to implement sports wagering into our product. Although fuboTV believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, fuboTV can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause fuboTV’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, fuboTV does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. No representations or warranties (expressed or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause fuboTV’s actual results to differ materially are detailed from time to time in the reports fuboTV files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and are available from fuboTV without charge. However, new risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risk factors and uncertainties.

Investor Contact:

The Blueshirt Group for fuboTV

[email protected]

Media Contacts:

Jennifer L. Press, fuboTV

[email protected]

Katie Minogue, fuboTV

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Audio/Video General Sports Entertainment Online Events/Concerts Soccer General Entertainment Celebrity Sports Advertising Communications Internet TV and Radio

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Five9 Launches CX Maturity Model to Guide Enterprises through the Next Era of Digital Transformation in the Contact Center

Five9 Launches CX Maturity Model to Guide Enterprises through the Next Era of Digital Transformation in the Contact Center

Drawing on two decades of market leadership and input from industry experts, Five9 has developed a framework to help businesses reimagine CX and realize results in a fast-moving technology landscape.

SAN RAMON, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Five9, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVN), a leading provider of the intelligent cloud contact center, today announced the launch of the Five9 Customer Experience (CX) Maturity Model, a framework to help enterprises chart a path to digital customer experience maturity. Developed with input from leading contact center analysts, and experience from several thousand customer deployments, the model allows organizations to assess their current maturity level, map out transformation goals and embrace incremental levels of sophistication to reimagine CX and realize results in a rapidly changing marketplace.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210503005210/en/

Empowering contact center agents to deliver results anywhere - even from the face of a cliff - is one of the main criteria of CX Maturity. (Photo: Media One/Five9)

Empowering contact center agents to deliver results anywhere – even from the face of a cliff – is one of the main criteria of CX Maturity. (Photo: Media One/Five9)

“Improving customer experience is the top driver of digital transformation initiatives, which have been greatly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sheila McGee-Smith, founder and principal analyst at McGee-Smith Analytics, who advised Five9 during the development of the CX Maturity Model. “However, many businesses that invest in digital CX transformation face challenges in translating their best intentions into actions. It has become increasingly important for CX vendors to provide prescriptive tools that will help enterprises understand industry best practices, as well as where to begin their digital transformation journeys and how to make meaningful progress.”

The Five9 CX Maturity Model defines three stages of CX maturity: Emerging, Evolving and Leading. For each maturity stage, the model explores the current state of customer experience using four main criteria: workforce; self-service customer engagement; contact center Intelligence; and contact center administration and infrastructure.

The Five9 CX Maturity Model and Assessment helps organizations understand what separates an Emerging CX strategy from that of a Leading strategy, and provides step-by-step guides to moving CX strategy and processes from Emerging to Evolving to Leading. Organizations can take a free online self-assessment to learn where they stand in the Five9 CX Maturity Model and get specific recommendations on where to focus to achieve greater maturity.

The CX Maturity Model capitalizes on Five9’s partnership with Blackchair and their CX Clarity Platform. This partnership delivers unique insight into enterprise CX and generates decision-grade data to drive the Maturity Model transformation planning.

Blackchair, is recognized as an industry leader in CX automation and optimization. Five9 and Blackchair have built their joint success with enterprise customers who require pre-migration Clarity on what is relevant and irrelevant in their current CX operation. The output of a Clarity Analytics engagement will enable an enterprise to extract valuable operation CX IP to eliminate ineffective processes and configuration elements critical to the transformation planning process. Once the CX transformation plan is complete, Blackchair translates the relevant legacy CX configuration and automatically delivers the data into the Five9 platform. This process accelerates project delivery timelines, protects budget and allows for maximum CX optimization.

“The growing rate of CCaaS innovation, alongside the need to quickly respond to new ways of working and new consumer needs and preferences driven by COVID-19, present a compelling business case for enterprises to rethink the way they plan and execute CX transformation,” said Jason Owen, CEO of Blackchair. “Our experience shows that there is a significant opportunity to improve planning and accelerate transformation by contrasting how an organization performs each day to meet CX demand against their vision for CX, and focusing change efforts on the most relevant areas of the operation.”

Genefa Murphy, CMO, Five9, adds, “It is essential for customers to understand the different drivers of CX maturity, where they are today and where they want to go. The Five9 CX Maturity Model will be a valuable resource for businesses as they look to transform CX from a cost center to a value driver that delights customers. Drawing on 20 years of experience helping businesses of all sizes across many different industries improve customer care, we are committed to being a trusted partner for enterprises that want to continue their CX evolution.”

To learn more, click here.

About Five9

Five9 is an industry-leading provider of cloud contact center solutions, bringing the power of cloud innovation to more than 2,000 customers worldwide and facilitating billions of call minutes annually. The Five9 Intelligent Cloud Contact Center provides digital engagement, analytics, workflow automation, workforce optimization, and practical AI to create more human customer experiences, to engage and empower agents, and deliver tangible business results. Designed to be reliable, secure, compliant, and scalable, the Five9 platform helps contact centers increase productivity, be agile, boost revenue, and create customer trust and loyalty.

For more information, visit www.five9.com.

Engage with us: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blog, That’s Genius Podcast.

Five9

Allison Wilson

352-502-9539

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: North America United States Ireland United Kingdom Europe California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Technology Other Communications Marketing Communications Telecommunications Professional Services Software Networks Internet Other Professional Services

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Empowering contact center agents to deliver results anywhere – even from the face of a cliff – is one of the main criteria of CX Maturity. (Photo: Media One/Five9)
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Empowering contact center agents to deliver results anywhere – even from the face of a cliff – is one of the main criteria of CX Maturity. (Photo: Media One/Five9)
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Empowering contact center agents to deliver results anywhere is one of the main criteria of CX Maturity. (Photo credit: Media One/Five9)
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The Five9 CX Maturity Model is a framework to help enterprises chart a path to digital customer experience maturity. (Graphic: Five9)
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