Posts

Posted on

Charter Offers Senior Secured Notes

PR Newswire

STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) (along with its subsidiaries, “Charter”) today announced that its subsidiaries, Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“CCO”)  and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., intend to offer the following securities:

  • Senior secured notes due 2032 (the “2032 Notes”),
  • Senior secured notes due 2051 (the “2051 Notes”). The 2051 Notes will form a part of the same series of 3.700% Senior Secured Notes issued on April 17, 2020 in the aggregate principal amount of $1.4 billion, and,
  • Senior secured notes due 2061 (The “2061 Notes,” and together with the 2032 Notes and 2051 Notes, the “Notes”).

Charter intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes, including to fund potential buybacks of Class A common stock of Charter or common units of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, to repay certain indebtedness and to pay related fees and expenses.

The offering and sale of the Notes will be made pursuant to an effective automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The offering is subject to, among other things, market conditions.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co LLC will act as Joint Book-Running Managers for the senior secured notes offering. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement dated November 19, 2020 and the accompanying base prospectus, copies of which, when available, may be obtained on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by contacting Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Attention: Prospectus Group, 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005; Telephone: (800) 503-4611; E-mail: [email protected], or by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10179; Telephone: (212) 834-4533, or by contacting Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014; E-mail: [email protected].

This news release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale, nor is it an offer to purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale is unlawful.


About Charter
 
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 30 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.

For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial.  Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations.  Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, the factors described under “Risk Factors” from time to time in our filings with the SEC.  Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this communication may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated,” “aim,” “on track,” “target,” “opportunity,” “tentative,” “positioning,” “designed,” “create,” “predict,” “project,” “initiatives,” “seek,” “would,” “could,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “upside,” “increases” and “potential,” among others. 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this communication.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/charter-offers-senior-secured-notes-301177252.html

SOURCE Charter Communications, Inc.

Posted on

Medical Properties Trust Announces Public Offering of $1,000,000,000 of Senior Notes

Medical Properties Trust Announces Public Offering of $1,000,000,000 of Senior Notes

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (the “Company” or “MPT”) (NYSE: MPW) today announced that its operating partnership, MPT Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), and MPT Finance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Partnership (together with the Operating Partnership, the “Issuers”), intend to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers, guaranteed by the Company.

The Issuers intend to use (i) approximately $833.0 million of the net proceeds from the offering to fund the redemption of all of their $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2024 and $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2024, including accrued and unpaid interest thereon, required make-whole premiums, and related fees and expenses, and (ii) the remainder of the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repaying amounts outstanding from time-to-time under the revolving credit facility, working capital and capital expenditures, and potential future acquisitions.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Credit Agricole CIB, Wells Fargo Securities, Barclays, BBVA, BofA Securities, Credit Suisse, J.P. Morgan, KeyBanc Capital Markets, MUFG, RBC Capital Markets, Scotiabank, Stifel and Truist Securities will act as joint book running managers for the offering.

The offering will be made under an effective shelf registration statement of the Company, the Operating Partnership and MPT Finance previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, final prospectus supplement and the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained by contacting Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, telephone: (866) 471-2526 or email: [email protected]; Credit Agricole CIB at 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, Attention: Fixed Income Syndicate, email: [email protected]; Wells Fargo Securities at 550 South Tryon Street, 5th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, Attention: Leveraged Syndicate, email: [email protected]; or by visiting the SEC’s EDGAR public database at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world’s largest owners of hospitals with approximately 385 facilities and roughly 42,000 licensed beds in nine countries and across four continents on a pro forma basis. MPT’s financing model facilitates acquisitions and recapitalizations and allows operators of hospitals to unlock the value of their real estate assets to fund facility improvements, technology upgrades and other investments in operations.

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “objectives,” “outlook,” “guidance” or other similar words, and include statements regarding our strategies, objectives, future expansion and development activities, and expected financial performance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: (i) the risk that we may not be able to complete the offering and apply the net proceeds as indicated; (ii) the economic, political and social impact of, and uncertainty relating to, the COVID-19 pandemic, including governmental assistance to hospitals and healthcare providers, including certain of our tenants; (iii) the ability of our tenants, operators and borrowers to satisfy their obligations under their respective contractual arrangements with us, especially as a result of the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and government regulation of hospitals and healthcare providers in connection with same; (iv) risks related to our expectations regarding Adjusted EBITDA, Total Transaction Adjusted Gross Assets, annual run-rate net income and NFFO per share; (v) our success in implementing our business strategy and our ability to identify, underwrite, finance, consummate and integrate acquisitions and investments; (vi) the nature and extent of our current and future competition; (vii) macroeconomic conditions, such as a disruption of or lack of access to the capital markets; (viii) our ability to obtain debt financing on attractive terms or at all, which may adversely impact our ability to pursue acquisition and development opportunities and pay down, refinance, restructure or extend our indebtedness as it becomes due; (ix) increases in our borrowing costs as a result of changes in interest rates and other factors, including the transition away from LIBOR after 2021; (x) international, national and local economic, real estate and other market conditions, which may negatively impact, among other things, the financial condition of our tenants, lenders and institutions that hold our cash balances, and may expose us to increased risks of default by these parties; (xi) factors affecting the real estate industry generally or the healthcare real estate industry in particular; (xii) our ability to maintain our status as a REIT for federal and state income tax purposes; (xiii) federal and state healthcare and other regulatory requirements, as well as those in the foreign jurisdictions where we own properties; (xiv) the value of our real estate assets, which may limit our ability to dispose of assets at attractive prices or obtain or maintain equity or debt financing secured by our properties or on an unsecured basis; (xv) the ability of our tenants and operators to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations in the operation of the our properties, to deliver high-quality services, to attract and retain qualified personnel and to attract residents and patients; and (xvi) potential environmental contingencies and other liabilities.

The risks described above are not exhaustive and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance, including the risk factors discussed under the section captioned “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 8, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and actual performance or outcomes may vary materially from any forward-looking statements and the assumptions on which those statements are based. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We disclaim any responsibility to update such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made.

Drew Babin, CFA

Senior Managing Director – Corporate Communications

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

(646) 884-9809

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Alabama United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Construction & Property REIT

MEDIA:

Logo
Logo
Posted on

Men’s Risk of Depression Up 69%; PTSD Up 68%; General Anxiety Up 55%

The Mental Health Index Reveals Troubling Trend; Men’s Mental Health Risks Nearing Levels Not Seen Since the Onset of the Pandemic

PR Newswire

SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Until now, the Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition has shown women bearing the emotional brunt of COVID-19. However, brain assessments taken in August through October reveal a troubling new trend. Men’s mental health is declining, and is, in some cases, on par with or worse than that of women. Men’s risk of depression is up 69% (154% greater risk than in February); and risk of general anxiety is up 55% (66% greater risk than in February). Between September and October, risk of PTSD went up 68% (74% greater risk than in February). The data show men’s mental health risks are nearing levels not seen since the onset of the pandemic.

Additional noteworthy data among working men:

September to October

·         Focus declined 76%

August to October

·         Stress levels climbed 20%

·         Negativity rose 12%

The Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition, powered by Total Brain, a mental health and brain performance self-monitoring and self-care platform, is distributed in partnership with the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, One Mind at Work, and the HR Policy Association and its American Health Policy Institute.

According to Louis Gagnon, CEO, Total Brain, “Research suggests distinct gender differences in coping styles. When it comes to dealing with stress, men tend to focus on fixing problems, as opposed to women who try to change their internal response to stressors. A problem-focused approach is often successful, except when the source of the stress cannot be eliminated. We believe that given the robust resurgence of COVID-19, the Mental Health Index illustrates this concept quite eloquently.”

“The impact of the pandemic on mental health is starting to even out across the gender gap,” said Michael Thompson, National Alliance president and CEO. “While men may have been less impacted environmentally over the last eight months, their passive approach to coping may be catching up with them as the pandemic endures.”

Garen Staglin, Chairman of One Mind at Work, commented, “Employers should see this latest data and understand that all of their employees – men and women alike – are suffering from the pandemic. Workplaces should use this uncertain time to start prioritizing employees’ mental wellbeing by providing critical support now while incorporating and maintaining best practices for workplaces that prioritize mental health and neurodiversity.”

Colleen McHugh, executive vice president of the American Health Policy Institute and strategic advisor for HR Policy Association said, “As we head into the holiday season, typically a more challenging time for many Americans, American Health Policy Institute member companies remain concerned about the mental health of their employees. These large employers are continuing to innovate new ways to support their employees and are also focusing on increased outreach and communications during this tough time.  The new data released by the Mental Health Index show that such support is needed now more than ever.”

The full Mental Health Index results can be found here. For more information and additional insights there will be a complimentary 30-minute webinar on Friday, November 20 at 12 p.m. ET. Joining Gagnon, Thompson and McHugh are Katy Schneider Riddick, Director of Strategy and Engagement, One Mind at Work and James Garvie, SVP HR, Total Rewards & Technology, Southern Company. Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3806035773333986571.

Methodology: The Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition contains data drawn from a weekly randomized sample of 500 working Americans taken from a larger universe of Total Brain users. The Index is NOT a survey or a poll. Data is culled from neuroscientific brain assessments using standardized digital tasks and questions from the Total Brain platform. Participants include workers from all walks of life and regions, job levels, occupations, industries, and types of organizations (public vs. private). The brain assessments used to compile the Mental Health Index were taken weekly from February 3 to November 3, 2020.

About Total Brain: Total Brain is based in San Francisco and publicly listed in Sydney, AUS (ASX:TTB). Total Brain is a mental health and brain performance self-monitoring and self-care platform that has more than 950,000 registered users. Benefits for employers and payers include better mental healthcare access, lower costs and higher productivity. totalbrain.com

About the National Alliance: The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (National Alliance) is the only nonprofit, purchaser-led organization with a national and regional structure dedicated to driving health and healthcare value across the country. Its members represent private and public sector, nonprofit, and Taft-Hartley organizations, and more than 45 million Americans spending over $300 billion annually on healthcare. nationalalliancehealth.org

About One Mind: One Mind at Work is a leading mental health non-profit that catalyzes comprehensive action across the scale of the brain health crisis, working from science to patients to society. Moving towards its VISION of HEALTHY BRAINS FOR ALL, One Mind is accelerating treatments and cures for mental disorders and providing hope to patients and their families. Launched in 2017, One Mind at Work is a global coalition of employers from diverse sectors who have joined together to transform approaches to mental health and addiction. One Mind at Work now includes more than 60 global employers and 25 research and content partners. The coalition covers nearly 7 million people under its Charter. onemindatwork.org

HR Policy Association:

 
HR Policy Association is the lead organization representing Chief Human Resource Officers at major employers. The Association consists of over 390 of the largest corporations doing business in the United States and globally, and these employers are represented in the organization by their most senior human resource executive. Collectively, their companies employ more than 10 million employees in the United States, over nine percent of the private sector workforce, and 20 million employees worldwide. These senior corporate officers participate in the Association because of their commitment to improving the direction of human resource policy. hrpolicy.org.

American Health Policy Institute: American Health Policy Institute is a non-partisan non-profit think tank, started by the HR Policy Foundation that examines the practical implications of health policy changes through the lens of large employers. The Institute examines the challenges employers face in providing health care to their employees and recommends policy solutions to promote the provision of affordable, high-quality, employer-based health care.  The Institute serves to provide thought leadership grounded in the practical experience of America’s largest employers. Their mission is to develop impactful strategies to ensure that those purchasing health care are able to not only bend the cost curve, but actually break it, by keeping health care cost inflation in line with general inflation. americanhealthpolicy.org.

For More Information

Contact:

Kelly Faville

Rocket Social Impact


[email protected]

978-621-6667

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mens-risk-of-depression-up-69-ptsd-up-68-general-anxiety-up-55-301177246.html

SOURCE Total Brain

Posted on

Enterprise Holdings Teams Up with Clorox® Extending its Complete Clean Pledge; Effort to Offer Industry-First in Car Rental Cleaning Practices and Customer Control

PR Newswire

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Enterprise Holdings today announced a new initiative with Clorox®, one of the most trusted brands in cleaning, to implement near- and long-term enhancements to its cleaning procedures. The collaboration reinforces the company’s Complete Clean Pledge to help customers feel confident as they begin to travel again.

To kick off the initiative, Enterprise Holdings will begin providing a one-count Clorox Disinfecting Wipe in every vehicle rented through its brands – Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-A-Car. The distribution of the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes marks an industry-first in car rental. The effort is rolling out throughout the southeast United States in November. After the first of the year, it will expand to locations throughout the rest of the U.S. and Canada, as well as to the Enterprise Truck Rental and Enterprise Car Sales businesses.

“This is a simple but first-of-its-kind effort in the car rental industry, and it’s our way of increasing customers’ peace of mind,” said Will Withington, Senior Vice President of North American Operations for Enterprise Holdings. “We heard this loud and clear from car rental customers – they want more personal cleaning control, in addition to our already rigorous cleaning and sanitizing procedures that follow each rental. In fact, nearly 80% of those we surveyed said they would feel most comfortable renting if they were to receive a disinfecting wipe to wipe down high-touch areas themselves.”

Since introducing its Complete Clean Pledge in May, Enterprise Holdings and its three car rental brands have continuously worked to advance the health and safety practices throughout their operations.

“That’s why we are proud to provide an additional layer of customer control and peace of mind on top of our Complete Clean Pledge with the trusted cleaning and disinfecting expertise of Clorox,” added Withington.

The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are approved by the EPA to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, when used as directed. Each wipe includes directions for use and is accompanied by instructions to use it on the vehicle’s high-touch, hard nonporous surfaces.


Innovations, Enhancement and Products

By bringing together two strong brands working to benefit customer health and safety, Enterprise and Clorox’s collaborative efforts will improve consumer confidence across North America for years to come.

“As the world continues to confront the global COVID-19 pandemic, disinfectants play an important role in and out of the home. Helping to restore confidence in essential travel is an important step in our recovery as a society,” said Heath Rigsby, Vice President of Out of Home at The Clorox Company. “Our program with Enterprise, a company committed to the highest standards of cleanliness, allows us to continue supporting businesses as they serve their customers in a responsible way.” 

In addition to the one-count wipes, Enterprise is teaming up with Clorox to look at ways to incorporate other products into its safety and car cleaning practices and test new technologies throughout its rental operations over the long term.

“We want customers to know we are working closely with trusted experts and always reviewing our cleaning standards and protocols – and that their safety is our highest priority as they begin to travel, now and in the future,” Withington said.


Enterprise Holdings’ Complete Clean Pledge – A Long-Term Commitment to Well-being and Safety

Enterprise Holdings’ Complete Clean Pledge is a long-term commitment to industry-leading health and safety practices throughout all of its operations.

  • Vehicles: Enterprise Holdings’ vehicles are thoroughly cleaned between every rental and backed with an in-vehicle Complete Clean Pledge notification. This includes washing, vacuuming, general wiping down and sanitizing with a disinfectant that meets leading health authority requirements, with particular attention to more than 20 high-touch points. Enterprise also is making a significant investment throughout its global operations to upgrade cleaning and car wash facilities. This includes everything from enhanced industrial vacuuming and cleaning equipment to lighting and more.
  • Branches: Employees frequently sanitize touchable surfaces with disinfectant throughout the day in branch locations, including counter tops, phones, tablet devices, payment devices and door handles, among other high-touch areas. The company also has accelerated efforts to invest in and improve the rental experience, including implementing permanent low- and no-touch rental options such as advanced check-in at Enterprise’s neighborhood locations and enhanced curbside and delivery processes. This echoes National’s Emerald Club experience, where members enjoy a virtually no-touch process and bypass the counter to reserve and choose a car from the Emerald Aisle, check out and go.
  • Shuttles: High-touch areas of Enterprise Holdings’ shuttles are cleaned and sanitized with a disinfectant frequently and between trips. Social distancing protocols are implemented as passengers board, ride and depart, and the number of passengers on each bus are limited.
  • Employees and Customers: Employees working in branch locations follow the best practices recommended by health authorities to help protect and reduce risk. This includes requiring employees and customers to wear face coverings inside locations, limiting numbers of employees and customers in branches ,and using social distancing inside and outside of locations. Plexiglass and counter shields also have been installed at branch locations.

For more information about Enterprise Holdings Complete Clean Pledge and its new program with Clorox, click here.


About Enterprise Holdings


Enterprise Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of mobility solutions, owning and operating the Enterprise Rent-A-Car,National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands through its integrated global network of independent regional subsidiaries. Enterprise Holdings and its affiliates offer extensive car rental, carsharing, truck rental, fleet management, retail car sales, as well as travel management and other transportation services to make travel easier and more convenient for customers. Privately held by the Taylor family of St. Louis, MO., Enterprise Holdings, manages a diverse fleet of nearly 1.7 million vehicles through a network of more than 9,500 fully staffed neighborhood and airport rental locations in nearly 100 countries and territories. For more information about Enterprise Holdings visit www.enterpriseholdings.com.


The Clorox Company


The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 8,800 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2020 sales of $6.7 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags and wraps; Kingsford® charcoal; Hidden Valley® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products; Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products; and RenewLife®, Rainbow Light®, Natural Vitality Calm™, NeoCell® and Stop Aging Now® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro™ and Clorox Healthcare® brand names. More than 80% of the company’s sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories.

Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The company has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, listed No. 1 on the 2020 Axios Harris Poll 100 reputation rankings and included on the Barron’s 2020 100 Most Sustainable Companies list and the Human Rights Campaign’s 2020 Corporate Equality Index, among others. In support of its communities, The Clorox Company and its foundations contributed more than $25 million in combined cash grants, product donations and cause marketing in fiscal year 2020. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com, including the Good Growth blog, and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo.

CLX-B

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enterprise-holdings-teams-up-with-clorox-extending-its-complete-clean-pledge-effort-to-offer-industry-first-in-car-rental-cleaning-practices-and-customer-control-301176665.html

SOURCE Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Posted on

Nuvve Corporation and Lion Electric Announce Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Collaboration

V2G technology leader and leading electric heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer partner to provide V2G-enabled electric school buses and trucks

PR Newswire

SAN DIEGO and MONTREAL, QC, Nov. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Nuvve Corporation (Nuvve), a San Diego-based, green energy technology company and the global leader in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, and The Lion Electric Co. (Lion Electric), a leading original equipment manufacturer of all-electric heavy-duty vehicles based in Saint-Jérôme (Québec, Canada), announced today their collaboration on launching vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology as a standard feature of their zero-emission school buses. Last week, Nuvve announced a definitive merger agreement with Newborn Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: NBAC) which will result in Nuvve becoming a listed public company at closing.

Lion recently launched LionA, an all-electric mini school bus, on top of an already impressive portfolio of electric vehicles (EVs) including the LionC and LionD school buses and a wide range of electric trucks. Lion shares its electric technology across its different vehicle platforms, which means that the experience and learnings from its 6 million miles of real-world operation are transferable to all of its products. With this collaboration, Lion’s buses and Nuvve’s V2G technology will be fully integrated, which will enable the batteries of Lion vehicles to dynamically store and discharge energy when plugged in and controlled by Nuvve’s software platform. 

Nuvve and Lion have already partnered on key projects demonstrating the feasibility of V2G for school districts and utilities in California and New York. A joint project in White Plains, NY is currently in operation with bidirectional power flow.

“We have been designing around V2G implementation on our platforms so as to provide our customers with the most advanced technology currently available,” said Marc Bédard, CEO and Founder of Lion Electric. “Nuvve brings its cutting edge and experienced aggregation platform to complement our robust product offering, giving our customers added value in the process.”

Nuvve has over 10 years of experience in V2G projects and deployments with operations across four continents providing several levels of services. V2G enables a more efficient use of energy on the site at which the vehicles are parked by intelligently managing the loads of energy in conjunction with local buildings. Customers can save money through reduced energy costs since EVs can be charged when electricity demand is low and costs are optimized. Furthermore, Nuvve’s V2G platform offers specialized aggregation services that pool together the collective energy stored in multiple EV’s batteries to create a virtual power plant (VPP). From this VPP, energy and power may be sold on energy markets, both at the local level and at the system level, creating additional savings.

Energy storage has been identified as a key requirement to increase the amount of renewable energy integrated onto electric grids to buffer intermittent wind and solar production and contribute power to the grid at times when it is most needed. The ability to create more resilient energy grids is a cornerstone of increasingly relying on renewable sources and can stave off catastrophic energy shortages when faced with dramatic events like the ones recently witnessed in California that led to rolling blackouts.

“Lion’s modular platform approach to designing electric vehicles provides an ideal basis for integrating V2G and enabling all of their medium and heavy vehicles to serve new purposes such as providing grid services,” said Gregory Poilasne, CEO and chairman of Nuvve. “There are many use cases for vehicles like school buses, delivery fleets, and refuse trucks that are parked for many hours during the day and overnight that make their batteries ideal for what V2G can do to stabilize the grid.”

About Nuvve Corporation

Nuvve Corporation is a San Diego-based green energy technology company whose mission is to lower the cost of electric vehicle ownership while supporting the integration of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind. Our proprietary vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology – Nuvve’s Grid Integrated Vehicle (GIVe™) platform – is refueling the next generation of electric vehicle fleets through cutting-edge, bidirectional charging solutions. Since its founding in 2010, Nuvve has been responsible for successful V2G projects on five continents and is deploying commercial services worldwide. For more information please visit www.nuvve.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Nuvve Press Contact

Marc Trahand, EVP Marketing

[email protected]

+1 858 250 9740

Nuvve Investor Contact

Lytham Partners

Robert Blum

[email protected]

+1 602 889 9700

About Lion Electric

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles all its vehicles’ components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies. 

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life.

Lion Electric, The Bright Move

Lion Electric Press Contact:

Patrick Gervais, Vice President Marketing and Communications [email protected]

514-992-1060

About Newborn Acquisition Corp.

Newborn Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company, holding approximately $57.5 million in its trust account, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

Important Information and Where to Find it

In connection with the proposed business combination, Nuvve Holdings, as the successor to Newborn, will file a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”) with the SEC. The Form S-4 will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of Newborn and Nuvve Holdings, which Newborn will file with the SEC as a proxy statement on Schedule 14A, for the solicitation of proxies from Newborn’s shareholders and for the offering of Nuvve Holdings’ securities to the security holders of Newborn and Nuvve in the business combination. Additionally, Newborn and Nuvve Holdings will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the business combination. Copies may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Newborn shareholders as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed business combination. Investors and security holders of Newborn are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting decision with respect to the proposed business combination because they will contain important information about the business combination and the parties to the business combination. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

Participants in the Solicitation

Newborn and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Newborn’s shareholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Nuvve and its officers and directors may also be deemed participants in such solicitation. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of Newborn’s executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Newborn’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the business combination when they become available. Information concerning the interests of Newborn’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of their stockholders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the business combination when it becomes available.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval.

Forward Looking Statements

The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this presentation, regarding the proposed business combination between Newborn and Nuvve and Nuvve’s strategy, future operations, estimated and projected financial performance, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Newborn and Nuvve disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Newborn and Nuvve caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of either Newborn or Nuvve. In addition, Newborn cautions you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to the following factors: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the business combination or give rise to the termination of the agreements related thereto; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Newborn or Nuvve following announcement of the transactions; (iii) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of Newborn, or other conditions to closing in the merger agreement; (iv) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts Nuvve’s current plans and operations as a result of the announcement of the transactions; (v) Nuvve’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Nuvve to grow and manage growth profitably following the business combination; (vi) costs related to the business combination; (vii) risks related to the rollout of Nuvve’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; (viii) Nuvve’s dependence on widespread acceptance and adoption of electric vehicles and increased installation of charging stations; (ix) Nuvve’s ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, including the remediation of identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting relating to segregation of duties with respect to, and access controls to, its financial record keeping system, and Nuvve’s accounting staffing levels; (x) Nuvve’s current dependence on sales of charging stations for most of its revenues; (xi) overall demand for electric vehicle charging and the potential for reduced demand if governmental rebates, tax credits and other financial incentives are reduced, modified or eliminated or governmental mandates to increase the use of electric vehicles or decrease the use of vehicles powered by fossil fuels, either directly or indirectly through mandated limits on carbon emissions, are reduced, modified or eliminated; (xii) potential adverse effects on Nuvve’s revenue and gross margins if customers increasingly claim clean energy credits and, as a result, they are no longer available to be claimed by Nuvve; (xiii) the effects of competition on Nuvve’s future business; (xiv) risks related to Nuvve’s dependence on its intellectual property and the risk that Nuvve’s technology could have undetected defects or errors; (xv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (xvi) the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect directly on Nuvve and the economy generally; (xvii) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed business combination; (xvii) risks relating to privacy and data protection laws, privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data; and (xix) the possibility that Nuvve may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this press release materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the reports that Newborn has filed and will file from time to time with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Newborn’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nuvve-corporation-and-lion-electric-announce-vehicle-to-grid-v2g-collaboration-301177245.html

SOURCE Nuvve Corporation

Posted on

The Sequoia Project Publish Person Matching Case Study with 99.5% Accuracy

New Person Matching Case Study Applies Previous Healthcare-focused Patient Matching Framework to Payer Community To Expand Interoperability Potential

VIENNA, Va., Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Sequoia Project, a non-profit and trusted advocate for nationwide health information exchange, patient identity management experts collaborated with the Blue CrossBlue ShieldAssociation(BCBSA) to apply A Framework for Cross-Organizational Patient Identity Management for the payer community and develop person matching strategies. Today, The Sequoia Project published Person Matching for Greater Interoperability: A Case Study for Payers which demonstrates high matching accuracy rates, and provides actionable insights for improving person identity matching across the payer community, a critical component of successful health information exchange and interoperability.

“Since our provider-focused framework was published in 2016 and revised in 2018, we’ve seen tremendous interest in how we apply those principles to raise the floor for interoperability,” said Mariann Yeager, CEO of The Sequoia Project. “When the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association agreed to collaborate on the application of these principles to the unique needs of the payer community, we were thrilled for the opportunity to work together to expand our thinking from ‘patient matching among providers’ to ‘person matching in other settings.’”

The Sequoia Project published A Framework for Cross-Organizational Patient Identity Management with its research partner Intermountain Health Care in 2016. This pioneering, proposed framework for patient matching across disparate companies and organizations included a detailed provider-to-provider case study, actionable best practices, and a maturity model serving to create a roadmap for future growth and improvement in nationwide patient matching strategies. This sparked a national dialogue on the efficacy of the proposed framework, the formation of a Patient Identity Framework Work Group, and a disposition of the many hundreds of public comments received. The resulting 2018 Revised A Framework for Cross-Organizational Patient Identity Management has become indispensable guidance for providers and health information networks nationwide.

The new case study published today is considered a supplement to this framework that continues to be downloaded daily. While this paper documents the journey of a specific payer entity to developing an algorithm with a 99.5% accuracy rate across 36 independent companies, the concepts and practices described can be applied to a broader payer population.

“The ability to match someone with their health data – regardless if they’ve changed insurers – is critical to ensuring people receive the care they need and deserve,” said Rich Cullen, vice president at BCBSA. “To address this health industry need, we developed a way to safely and securely match a person’s health data from one Blue Cross and Blue Shield company to another. We believe this will lay the foundation for larger health data-sharing efforts within the broader health care system. We thank The Sequoia Project for their expertise and collaborative leadership, which is critical now as we continue to advance industry standards to make meaningful health information easily accessible.”

Patients and government leadership expect health information to flow among the many types of care settings as well as to insurance companies and smartphone apps. The broader healthcare sector is entering the world of on-demand health information sharing across platforms not previously considered, and person matching will be essential to success in this expanded ecosystem. As the nation adopts new technologies and best practices to improve match rates, The Sequoia Project will continue to refine and share strategies in digital identity management and person matching.

The Sequoia Project and BCBSA are hosting a free, public webinar on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern to share the details of this case study and concepts that may be applied to others. Register online: https://bit.ly/2IMvLwL.

The Person Matching for Greater Interoperability: A Case Study for Payers is available to download now.

About
The Sequoia Project

The Sequoia Project is a non-profit, 501c3, public-private collaborative chartered to advance implementation of secure, interoperable nationwide health information exchange. The Sequoia Project focuses on solving real-world interoperability challenges, and brings together public and private stakeholders in forums like the Interoperability Matters cooperative to overcome barriers. Sequoia also supports multiple, independently governed interoperability initiatives, such as Interoperability Matters, which focuses on Information Blocking compliance, improving data usability and interoperability to support emergency preparedness. The Sequoia Project is also the Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT’s Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), for which it will develop, implement, and maintain the Common Agreement component of TEFCA and operationalize the Qualified Health Information Network (QHIN) designation and monitoring process. For more information about The Sequoia Project and its initiatives, visit www.sequoiaproject.org. Follow The Sequoia Project on Twitter: @SequoiaProject.

Contact:  
Hera Ashraf   Jim Lubinskas
The Sequoia Project  Spire Communications
[email protected]  [email protected] 
371.529.5862     703.907.9103



Posted on

NFTE Convenes Emerging Entrepreneurs and Global Executives to Discuss Innovative Solutions to Social Inequities

Panel Discussion Marks Global Entrepreneurship Week

New York, NY, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The coronavirus pandemic has forced businesses, schools and communities to find ways to cope with the social and economic fallout. On Wednesday, November 18, the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) asked a gathering of young entrepreneurs, global business innovators and nonprofit leaders how society might use technology to improve quality of life and address inequities. The discussion was the focus of NFTE’s third annual UN Global Goals Conversation, a program of the World Series of Innovation, a global innovation challenge series that invites young people to develop innovative ideas to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Held annually during Global Entrepreneurship Week, NFTE’s UN Global Goals Conversation convenes a diverse panel of established and emerging voices specifically to explore topics related to social entrepreneurship around the UN SDGs. The 2020 UN Global Goals Conversation was presented by Citi Foundation, Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and Mary Kay, with additional support from Bank of the West BNP Paribas.

The event kicked off with remarks by UN Deputy Director Ramu Damodaran, Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative. Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics, served as the moderator for the event and led the panel discussion. Panelists from the corporate sector included Jeff Wong, Global Chief Innovation Officer, EY, and Bessie Schwarz, CEO and Co-founder, Cloud to Street. Wong is a noted technology enthusiast and change agent who is also a passionate supporter of STEM education. Schwarz, who appeared on behalf of Mary Kay, is an expert in human-centered design for empirically based disaster response tools and was one of six social entrepreneurs awarded top honors in the 2020 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge, a global business competition focused on advancing the UN Global Goals.

Youth voices on the panel included Jyoti Rani, 17-year-old founder of the nonprofit Code 4 Tomorrow, and Anurag Koyyada, 20-year-old director of the King’s College London Blockchain Society and a UN Youth Expert who serves on the youth coalitions of the UN Internet Governance Forum and the UN Economic Commission for Europe. Rani is an NFTE program alumna who was a finalist in the 2019 World Series of Innovation Mastercard Financial Access Challenge and a semifinalist in the 2020 National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Koyyada led the team that won the 2019 World Series of Innovation Moody’s Foundation Climate Action Challenge.

The panelists discussed innovative ways to use technology to emerge from this crucible—of pandemic, unemployment, economic recession, a widening wealth gap and increasing social unrest—ready to build a more equitable and inclusive society in a post-COVID world.

“This year has shown us that, even in the midst of difficult times, entrepreneurs, businesses and philanthropies can find ways to innovate and create solutions to support the economy and society,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, NFTE’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Programs such as the annual World Series of Innovation challenges and the Global Goals Conversation are designed to help young people understand some of the most important issues facing the world today and see for themselves how innovative thinking and entrepreneurship can lead to solutions that advance the SDGs by promoting equity and inclusion.”

The World Series of Innovation challenges are open to young people ages 13 to 24. Currently, open challenges include:

World Series of Innovation challenges give youth an opportunity to investigate the UN SDGs and win cash prizes by proposing innovative ideas for tackling global issues. The deadline for entries in the current challenge series is Monday, December 14, 2020. Winners will be announced in the spring. Learn more at www.nfte.com/innovation.

About NFTE

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower all students to own their futures. Research shows the entrepreneurial mindset—a set of skills including initiative, self-reliance, adaptability, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration—leads to lifelong success. Empowered by the entrepreneurial mindset and equipped with the business and academic skills NFTE teaches, program alumni are prepared to thrive. NFTE works with schools and community partners in 25 US states and partners with youth development organizations in 12 countries around the world. Since its founding, NFTE has served over 1.2 million young people worldwide. Learn more at nfte.com.



Barbara Clement
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
732-996-8951
[email protected]

Posted on

Armored Things Adds Chris Dill, Sports Venue Technology Veteran, to Executive Team

Former Portland Trailblazers’ CIO joins company to expand market reach and applications of its technology in sports, education, retail and corporate campuses

BOSTON, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Armored Things, the crowd intelligence software company, today announced the appointment of sports venue technology innovator Chris Dill as Vice President, Business Development. In the newly created role, Dill will help the company expand its presence and adoption in sports and entertainment venues, retail, corporate campuses and university settings, with a focus on safe reopenings, security management, fan experience and revenue optimization.

Dill brings over 30 years of experience to the software company including twelve years as CIO of the NBA Portland Trailblazers where he led the organization’s technology strategy and execution. Most recently, he was head of business development for sports and mobile platform Venuetize whose clients include the Texas Rangers, Miami Dolphins, LAFC and TD Garden. Prior to that, he was Vice President Business Development for the Sports & Entertainment Alliance in Technology (SEAT), an organization focused on the intersection of tech, fan experience and operations in the world of sports. Dill also currently serves as an advisor to ImagineAR, an augmented reality company working with sports organizations on mobile AR campaigns.

“Armored Things is very well-positioned to help major sports, entertainment, education and business venues welcome people back, and optimize many aspects of their facilities, both short and long term,” said Dill. “The ability to understand and anticipate the flow of people in a given space in real time fills a number of important data gaps for security and operational teams. This more informed decision-making will help users stay one step ahead to deploy resources more intelligently and efficiently, optimize the guest/team member experience, and drive higher revenues for years to come.”

The Armored Things AI-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution enables security and operations teams to leverage existing Wi-Fi systems and security data to gain an accurate, real-time understanding of how many people are gathering and moving around specific locations in a venue or campus. This information is available via command centers and mobile devices to alert staff to potential problem areas and inform real-time decisions related to fan, student and team member safety and experience. The solution also provides valuable data trends to assist in planning.

“As one of the first CIOs in professional sports, Chris was an early innovator in connecting and applying different technologies in large venue settings to optimize operations and engage visitors in ways that delivered very tangible business results,” said Julie Johnson Roberts, Armored Things co-founder and CEO. “His experience will be invaluable to us as we expand our footprint and deploy new use case applications for our crowd intelligence platform.”

About Armored Things

Armored Things provides Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for crowd intelligence. By combining data from existing security and IT systems with predictive analytics, we provide facilities management teams with a real-time visual representation of people and flow within any campus or venue space. Easy-to-use dashboards equip clients to anticipate changes and inform decisions to improve service, operations, staffing and security. Since our founding in 2016, Armored Things has built a team of security and technology experts to deliver world-class solutions to stadiums, corporations, and campuses around the country. As a team, we’re pushing technology towards a safer future. For more information, visit https://www.armoredthings.com/.                                            



Press Contact:
for Armored Things                                        
Tim Walsh                                                
[email protected]                        
617.512.1641  

Posted on

ORYX Gaming and SoftSwiss agree on content deal

TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ORYX Gaming, a Bragg Gaming Group company (TSXV: BRAG, OTC:BRGGF), has struck a deal with SoftSwiss that will see ORYX’s exclusive RGS content go live on the supplier’s aggregation platform.

SoftSwiss will initially integrate ORYX’s proprietary titles and content from RGS studio partners GAMOMAT, Kalamba Games, Givme Games and Golden Hero, with games from CandleBets, Peter & Sons and Aracdem to follow.

ORYX’s RGS offering provides operators with an extensive range of world-class titles that appeal to a wide audience of players.

SoftSwiss offers a premium online casino platform featuring more than 10,000 casino games from leading game providers and holds licenses in numerous jurisdictions with clients operating in Europe, LatAm, and the CIS region. The SoftSwiss Game Aggregator has seen significant growth over the last 12 months with over 30 new providers adding their content, and the monthly volume of bets has tripled. Founded in 2012, the supplier also offers White Label Casino and Sportsbook solutions, a Crypto casino product with secure payment processing, and an Affiliate Marketing System.

This latest deal comes off the back of a successful year for ORYX which has seen the supplier add three new studio partners to its RGS offering and taking its content live with 36 operators, including 888casino, Microgaming, Maxent and Admiral. A total of 38 new games have been launched with nine titles still to come in 2020. Total wagered amount on ORYX’s RGS content has increased 89% compared with the same period last year, highlighting the success of the offering.

ORYX is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN) and its content is certified or approved in 18 major jurisdictions.

Matevz
Mazij
, Managing D
irector of ORYX Gaming, said: “SoftSwiss is a well-established casino content supplier who offers a robust aggregation platform driven by first-class technology.

“By adding our RGS content to the SoftSwiss platform we will introduce our exciting and innovative slot content to new audiences and we have plenty more upcoming releases in the pipeline to keep players entertained.”

Max
Trafimovich
, CCO of
SoftSwiss
, said: “We are constantly on the lookout for fresh games that will ensure our offering is diverse, fun and thrilling and ORYX’s RGS content ticks all the right boxes. We can’t wait to introduce the titles to our operator partners and look forward to working together with the ORYX team.”

About Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (TSXV:BRAG, OTC:BRGGF) is a next generation gaming group with cutting-edge technology, leading brands and world-class management expertise, developing into a global gaming force. Formed by a team of gaming industry experts, Bragg’s main portfolio is ORYX Gaming, an innovative B2B gaming technology platform and casino content aggregator.

Through this brand and targeted acquisitions, Bragg is focused on becoming a leader within the evolving global gaming industry. Learn more at https://www.bragg.games.

For Bragg Gaming Group, contact:

Yaniv Spielberg, CSO, Bragg Gaming Group Inc.
+1-647-800-2282
[email protected]

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:

Lina Sennevall, Square in the Air
[email protected]

For US investor inquiries, please contact:

Laine Yonker, Edison Group
+1-646-653-7035
[email protected]



Posted on

Two-Thirds of Canadians Still Plan to Shop in Stores This Holiday Season, Accenture Survey Finds

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2020 /CNW/ – Although online shopping is on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two-thirds (68 per cent) of Canadians still plan to visit stores during the holiday shopping season, according to the 2020 Holiday Shopping Report from Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

Of those shopping in stores, 71 per cent said stores offering safety products like hand sanitizer and masks for public use is a key factor for their comfort. Enabling social distancing by limiting the number of people allowed inside a store at one time is also important for 67 per cent of consumers.

Many Canadians plan to shop in stores and online. Indeed, 71 per cent of respondents to the ninth annual online survey of 1,500 Canadian consumers said they plan to shop online.

“In an extraordinary year that has affected businesses across the country, the good news is that Canadians are still looking to celebrate and plan to buy gifts and retailers can still expect both in-store and online traffic,” said Robin Sahota, a managing director at Accenture who leads its Retail industry in Canada. “With consumers paying close attention to health and safety precautions in stores, it will be important for adaptive retailers to be diligent in their efforts to help shoppers feel safe amidst the hustle and bustle of the season.”

Despite Canadians heading to stores to prepare for the holidays, more than half (58 per cent) of those surveyed said they would be less inclined to venture out on Boxing Day because they feel unsafe in large crowds. In addition, one in four (25 per cent) Canadians said Boxing Day is no longer one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

This year, Canadians expect to spend just $516 versus $721 last year, as their budgets have reduced by about 30 per cent. The good news for retailers, however, is that couples with kids expect to spend $701, on average.

Loyalty at stake as retailers look to meet holiday shopping preferences

The e-commerce experience also matters to consumers. Top frustrations include high shipping costs (62 per cent) and delivery delays (52 per cent). Two in five (40 per cent) shoppers expect fast and free shipping, and nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) said an unsatisfactory delivery experience would discourage them from shopping with a retailer again.

“Many retailers rushed to set up new or better e-commerce platforms in March at the start of the pandemic, and they’ve had time to iron out kinks,” Sahota said. “The holidays will be a true test of their ability to provide a secure and seamless shopping experience that is memorable for the right reasons. Retailers who intend to lead now and in the future should scale e-commerce to cater to consumers’ digital experiences and must be prepared to communicate transparently about the state of inventory while addressing rising delivery costs to avoid negative experiences that could hurt long-term loyalty.”

Buying local and ethical shopping still on-trend

The survey also found that Canadians support local and ethical shopping. For instance, 57 per cent are looking to buy more locally sourced products; 54 per cent said they would be inspired to shop with a retailer who responded well to and supported their staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Half (51 per cent) of Canadians surveyed also plan to make eco-friendly or ethical purchases. In addition, 71 per cent said they would welcome a donation to a charity on their behalf.

“There has never been a more important time for retailers to demonstrate their commitment to their people, their customers and the wider community,” said Grace Ayoub, a managing director for Accenture’s Consumer Goods and Retail industry, based in Montreal. “Our report this year confirms Canadians prefer retailers that are truly focused on social responsibility. With the rise of the conscious consumer, retailers need to build sustainability into the core of their businesses and look for new ways to grow.”

Less holiday travel means more time for self-care

Regardless of the types of gifts Canadians will give this year, celebrations will look different with 56 per cent planning to connect with family and friends over video chat instead of in person. Less travel means more time at home with more than half (57 per cent) planning to focus on self-care and mental wellbeing, trying new recipes (52 per cent) and enjoying hobbies (48 per cent).

Some other key findings from the survey include:

  • Opting out of wrapping: Nearly half (45 per cent) of Canadians plan to forego gift wrapping this year to avoid wasting paper.
  • Physical gifts inch ahead: Just over half (54 per cent) of Canadians plan to give physical gifts instead of experience gifts this year.
  • Subscriptions rising in popularity: More than one-third (37 per cent) of Canadian shoppers with a preference for experiential gifts will give entertainment subscriptions that can be enjoyed over time, such as video streaming services.

About the Survey

The Accenture Holiday Shopping Survey offers insights into consumer buying patterns during the holiday time period, providing an indication of retail performance expectations both in-store and online at a key time for the sector. For this year’s study, Accenture surveyed 1,537 Canadian consumers online, each of whom had purchased an item for personal use either online or in a store within the previous six months. Respondents represented a variety of age groups, with 10 per cent Gen Zers (aged 18-24), 13 per cent younger millennials (25-31), 16 per cent older millennials (32-39), 25 per cent Gen Xers (40-55), 21 per cent baby boomers (56-69) and 15 per cent aged 70+. The survey was conducted in October 2020.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services—all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 506,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

The Retail industry group helps retail and their ecosystem partner companies adapt to change, remain resilient and stay true to their purpose in a responsible way. To learn more, visit https://www.accenture.com/ca-en/industries/retail-index. 

The Consumer Goods & Services industry group helps businesses innovate and grow — from enabling front-office transformation to building intelligent enterprises underpinned by technology and analytics — to help them achieve consumer relevance. To learn more, visit https://www.accenture.com/ca-en/industries/consumer-goods-and-services-index. 

SOURCE Accenture