Market Newsdesk

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Evofem Biosciences, Inc., (NASDAQ: EVFM) today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded the Company a contract for the purchase of Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate) for a five-year period beginning December 15, 2020.

Saundra Pelletier, CEO of Evofem Biosciences, said, “This award is an important milestone in our ongoing effort to create the broadest access to Phexxi for all patients.  We have achieved coverage for 55% of commercial lives in the U.S., including nearly 8 million lives at zero copay,  and are very pleased to expand into government programs. We look forward to providing Phexxi to the women who are a part of this program, which includes VA, Tricare, Department of Defense, Coast Guard and Indian Health Services and under which approximately 12 million lives will have access to Phexxi.” 

This award was recently listed on the U.S. government’s SAM website. 

About the Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Supply Schedule (VA FSS)
Under delegated authority by GSA, the VA manages multiple award contracts for medical equipment, supply, pharmaceutical, and service Schedule programs. With over $14 billion in sales, the VA FSS Service supports the healthcare requirements of the VA and other federal government agencies by providing Federal customers with access to over 1 million state-of-the-art commercial products and services.

About Evofem Biosciences
Evofem Biosciences, Inc., (NASDAQ: EVFM) is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative products to address unmet needs in women’s sexual and reproductive health, including hormone-free, woman-controlled contraception and protection from certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Company’s first commercial product, Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate), is the first and only hormone-free, prescription vaginal gel approved in the United States for the prevention of pregnancy. The Company is evaluating EVO100 in a Phase 3 clinical trial, ‘EVOGUARD,’ for the prevention of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in women. For more information, please visit www.evofem.com.

Phexxi® is a registered trademark of Evofem Biosciences, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements related to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs contract award. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements, or that could impair the value of Evofem Biosciences’ assets and business, are disclosed in Evofem’s SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2020, its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 2, 2020, and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 filed with the SEC on November 9, 2020. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by such factors. Evofem does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact

Amy Raskopf

Evofem Biosciences, Inc.
[email protected] 
Mobile: (917) 673-5775

Media Contact

Ellen Thomas

Evofem Biosciences, Inc.
[email protected]
Mobile: (718) 490-3248

 

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SOURCE Evofem Biosciences, Inc.

HOUSTON, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Landcadia Holdings II, Inc. (“Landcadia II” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LCA) announced today that it has scheduled the special meeting in lieu of the 2020 annual meeting of its stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) for December 18, 2020 at 10:30 a.m., Eastern time, to, among other things, approve the proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) between Landcadia II and Golden Nugget Online Gaming, LLC (“GNOG”). The Company also announced that it has filed its definitive proxy statement for the Special Meeting and has commenced mailing the definitive proxy statement to its stockholders of record as of October 29, 2020, the record date for the Special Meeting (the “Record Date”). The closing of the Business Combination is subject to approval by Landcadia II’s stockholders and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and is expected to close as soon as practicable following the Special Meeting.

Your vote is important no matter how many shares you own. You are encouraged to submit your vote as soon as possible.
 If you hold your shares in “street name,” meaning that your shares are held at an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other similar agent, you may vote prior to the Special Meeting by using your voting control number and instructions provided to you by your brokerage firm, bank or other similar agent. Please contact your brokerage firm, bank or other similar agent to ensure your shares are voted. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote prior to the Special Meeting by signing, dating, and mailing your proxy card in the return envelope provided with your proxy material.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please contact Morrow Sodali LLC, our proxy solicitor, by calling (800) 662-5200, or banks and brokers can call collect at (203) 658-9400, or by emailing [email protected].

About GNOG
Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc. is a leading online gaming company that is owned by a company wholly owned by Tilman J. Fertitta. It is considered a market leader by its peers and was first to bring Live Dealer and Live Casino Floor to the United States online gaming market. GNOG was the recipient of 15 eGaming Review North America Awards, including the coveted “Operator of the Year” award in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

About Landcadia Holdings II, Inc.
Landcadia Holdings II, Inc. is a company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses that is co-sponsored by Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. and Jefferies Financial Group Inc.

Important Information About the Business Combination and Where to Find It

Landcadia II has filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the Special Meeting to be held in connection with its Business Combination with GNOG.  Landcadia II’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the definitive proxy statement and documents incorporated by reference therein filed in connection with the Business Combination, as these materials contain important information about GNOG, Landcadia II and the Business Combination.  The definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials for the Special Meeting were mailed to stockholders of Landcadia II as of the Record Date.  Landcadia II’s stockholders may also obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, without charge, at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Landcadia Holdings II, Inc., 1510 West Loop South, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: General Counsel, (713) 850-1010. 

Participants in the Solicitation

Landcadia II and its directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Landcadia II’s stockholders with respect to the Business Combination.  A list of the names of those directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in Landcadia II is contained in Landcadia II’s definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC and is available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request Landcadia Holdings II, Inc., 1510 West Loop South, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: General Counsel, (713) 850-1010.  

GNOG and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Landcadia II in connection with the Business Combination.  A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the Business Combination is included in the proxy statement for the Business Combination.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Landcadia II’s and GNOG’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward looking statements as predictions of future events.  Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Landcadia II’s and GNOG’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Business Combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Business Combination and the timing of the completion of the Business Combination.  These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results.  Most of these factors are outside Landcadia II’s and GNOG’s control and are difficult to predict.  Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the purchase agreement for the Business Combination (the “Purchase Agreement”) or could otherwise cause the Business Combination to fail to close, (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Landcadia II and GNOG following the announcement of the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Landcadia II or satisfy other conditions to closing in the Purchase Agreement; (4) the impact of COVID-19 on GNOG’s business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the Business Combination; (5) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Landcadia II’s shares of common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market following the Business Combination; (6) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of GNOG to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (8) costs related to the Business Combination; (9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (10) the possibility that GNOG or Landcadia II may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (11) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement relating to the Business Combination, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in Landcadia II’s other filings with the SEC.  The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.   Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  Neither GNOG nor Landcadia II undertakes or accepts any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. 

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination.  This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

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SOURCE Landcadia Holdings II, Inc.

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) (“Newpark” or the “Company”) announced today that it received written notification from the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) that it has regained compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards.

As previously disclosed, on November 4, 2020, the Company received formal notice from the NYSE that it was not in compliance with the NYSE’s continued listing standards as a result of the average closing price of the Company’s common stock being less than $1.00 per share during a consecutive 30 trading-day period.

The Company regained compliance after its closing share price on November 30, 2020 and its average closing share price for the 30 trading-day period ending November 30, 2020 both exceeded $1.00. Accordingly, the Company has resumed compliance under the NYSE continued listing standard and the “.BC” indicator following the Company’s symbol “NR” will be removed by the NYSE.

Newpark Resources, Inc. is a geographically diversified supplier providing products, as well as rentals and services to a variety of industries, including oil and gas exploration, electrical transmission & distribution, pipeline, renewable energy, petrochemical, and construction industries. For more information, visit our website at www.newpark.com.

Contacts: Gregg Piontek

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Newpark Resources, Inc.


[email protected]


281-362-6800

 

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SOURCE Newpark Resources, Inc.

One in four organizations are hindered by unexpected complications with cloud migrations

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2020 /CNW/ – Despite years of focused effort, many Canadian enterprises are still struggling to realize the full value of their cloud investments, a new report from Accenture reveals.

In its latest report, “Sky High Hopes: Navigating the Barriers to Maximizing Cloud Value,” Accenture surveyed 750 senior business and IT professionals at large enterprises across 11 industries and 17 countries, including Canada. It found that just 34% of Canadian companies say they are achieving the full value expected on their cloud investments, compared to 37% of companies globally.

While value realization has never been more important, 51% of Canadian business and IT leaders say they are “very satisfied” with their cloud outcomes, compared to 45% globally. Moreover, just 18% of Canadian businesses are completely confident that their organization’s cloud migration initiatives will deliver the expected value at the expected time.

Accenture’s report highlights that, when businesses have gone more heavily into the cloud, outcomes are significantly better. Looking globally, 46% of high adopters report fully achieving their expected cloud benefits, compared to 36% of moderate adopters and 28% of low adopters.

Businesses in Canada recognize that they need cloud technologies for speed and agility to mitigate the major challenges they are facing and to drive transformational change to create new opportunities and value. According to the report, 95% of Canadian business executives now look to cloud as a means of mitigating business uncertainty and lowering risk. In addition, 90% view cloud as a critical component of their strategy for achieving their corporate sustainability goals.

“Cloud-based transformation offers Canadian companies the most powerful way to reinvent their businesses, unleash the expertise and creativity of their people, enhance their sustainability efforts and create new stakeholder value,” said Jennifer Jackson, managing director and Technology lead in Canada at Accenture. “But the reality is that not every company is unlocking the full potential value of the cloud. In fact, our newest report shows a surprisingly small two-year improvement in returns on corporate cloud initiatives, suggesting that a more thoughtful and holistic approach is needed. Competing in the age of COVID-19 and beyond requires that companies implement a cloud-first strategy, in which every element of their business leverages the power of the cloud, right now.”

The research also examines what may be holding Canadian businesses back when it comes to driving their cloud agendas and achieving their goals. “Security and compliance risk” was most frequently cited as perceived barrier (53%), followed by “complexity of business / operational change” and “legacy infrastructure & application sprawl” at 44% and 36% respectively.  Every barrier listed was included as a top barrier by one-third of respondents.

The global findings also show that CEOs have markedly different impressions of cloud results and concerns than fellow C-suite leaders and high-ranking company officials: 54% of CEOs globally are completely confident in their organizations’ ability to deliver cloud initiatives with the expected value at the expected time, versus 34% of CIOs and only 28% of CFOs.

“Our research findings indicate that successfully managing the complexities involved in cloud migrations help organizations to more fully realize the business value. The good news is that by taking a rigorous, outcomes-centric approach to devising a customized cloud strategy, partnering with the right experts and addressing challenges outside of the technology itself, such as upskilling their people to be more productive, Canadian businesses can achieve the results and return on investment they’re seeking,” added Vikas Shreedhar, managing director and cloud leader at Accenture.

To extract the full business value of cloud technologies, Accenture recommends that organizations adopt fundamentally new ways of working, shifting to new operating models and developing new roles and skills. Four key areas for companies to address include:

1. Business value focus: develop an optimal cloud strategy anchored to comprehensive economic business cases to identify revenue upside and cost efficiency opportunities while aligning goals and putting company leaders on the same page.
2. People and culture change management: implement new upskilling and talent readiness programs, along with new operating models, to help transform and enhance how people work so they can better meet rapidly changing needs.
3. Data and AI: unlock industry- and function-specific data insights and intelligence trapped in legacy systems with the power of cloud data models.
4. Partnering for success: leverage the skills and experience of strategic partners to expand and enhance the organization’s existing capabilities. Cloud-managed services are often an option for companies looking to access the right skills while maintaining cost efficiency.

Accenture’s new research follows the formation of Accenture Cloud First, which provides the full stack of cloud services to help clients across every industry become “cloud-first” businesses so they can accelerate their digital transformation, innovate faster, and create differentiated, sustainable value. Powered by 70,000 cloud professionals, and a $3 billion investment over the next three years, we bring together an unmatched depth and breadth of cloud experience and skills, industry cloud solutions, ecosystem partner capabilities and assets that help clients realize greater value from cloud at speed and scale. Visit us at www.accenture.com/cloud.

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.

SOURCE Accenture

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) has risen to the No. 7 spot in Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Most Responsible Companies (up from No. 70 in 2020). This recognition is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The list was announced Dec. 2 and can be viewed on Newsweek’s website.

“Despite the many challenges that a global pandemic poses, we remain steadfast in our long-standing commitment to social and environmental sustainability and to delivering on our sustainability goals,” said Marc Bitzer, CEO and chairman, Whirlpool Corporation. “This distinction is a testament to the hard work of our approximately 77,000 employees across the globe who work to further our vision and mission to be the best kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home.”

America’s Most Responsible Companies were selected based on publicly available key performance indicators derived from CSR Reports, Sustainability Reports, and Corporate Citizenship Reports as well as an independent survey. This year, Whirlpool Corporation received its top ten ranking, due in part to aggressive commitments by the company to further environmental, social, and corporate governance initiatives.

About Whirlpool Corporation:
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is the world’s leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, with approximately $20 billion in annual sales, 77,000 employees and 59 manufacturing and technology research centers in 2019. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and other major brand names in nearly every country throughout the world. Additional information about the company can be found at whirlpoolcorp.com.

 

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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — International Paper (NYSE: IP) announced a plan to pursue a spin-off of the Company’s Printing Papers segment into a standalone, publicly traded company (“SpinCo”). The transaction will result in two streamlined, leading companies well positioned for long-term success. Upon completion of the transaction, International Paper and SpinCo will each be well positioned to create long-term value. The Company expects the separation to be tax-free for the Company’s shareowners for U.S. federal income tax purposes and plans to complete the spin-off late in the third quarter of 2021.

“We remain committed to producing sustainable products that people depend on every day and accelerating value creation for International Paper and our shareowners. This transaction represents a logical next step as we continue to build a better IP,” said Mark Sutton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “International Paper will be a more-focused corrugated packaging and absorbent cellulose fibers company serving attractive segments, well-positioned to increase earnings and cash generation. I am confident that our plans will create value for our shareowners, employees, customers and other stakeholders.”

International Paper, an Advantaged Corrugated Packaging Company
International Paper intends to accelerate profitable growth in Industrial Packaging in North America and Europe, the Middle East and Africa and improve the returns of its Global Cellulose Fibers business. International Paper will continue its joint venture with Ilim Holdings in Russia.

The company intends to reduce its cost structure and accelerate earnings. International Paper will be a streamlined, more-agile organization and expects to generate an additional $350 – $400 million of annual earnings by the end of 2023, including $50 – $100 million in annual incremental earnings growth and $300 million in structural cost reductions. International Paper remains committed to its current capital allocation framework, which is the foundation for driving shareowner value.

SpinCo intends to raise debt in order to pay a dividend to International Paper, which will be used to pay down outstanding debt.

Following the completion of the transaction, International Paper expects to have approximately:

• $17 billion in sales, 85% in Industrial Packaging and 15% in Global Cellulose Fibers
• 20,000 customers
• 20 containerboard mills with 14.5 million tons of annual capacity
• 8 pulp mills with 3.2 million metric tons of annual capacity
• 220 converting facilities
• 350 packaging designers
• 3,500 packaging formers at customer locations

SpinCo, a Global Paper Company
Upon completion of the spin-off, Jean-Michel Ribiéras, currently senior vice president, Industrial Packaging, will become the chief executive officer of the new company, which we will refer to as SpinCo until the company establishes its own corporate identity. John V. Sims, currently senior vice president, Corporate Development, will serve as SpinCo’s chief financial officer. The remainder of the SpinCo leadership team and board of directors will be announced over the next several months.

SpinCo is expected to have talented teams, substantial scale, strong brands and low-cost assets to serve key geographies, including North America, Brazil and Europe. SpinCo’s anticipated capital structure is intended to allow strategic and operating flexibility and the potential to optimize the business.

As a standalone entity, in addition to a portfolio of leading brands, SpinCo will have approximately:

• $4 billion in sales
• 8 mills with 2.9 million metric tons of annual capacity and 0.4 million metric tons of coated paperboard capacity

Transaction Details
The transaction will be implemented through the distribution of SpinCo shares to International Paper shareowners. International Paper will retain up to 19.99% of the shares of SpinCo at the time of the separation, with the intent to monetize and provide additional proceeds to International Paper.

The proposed spin-off is subject to customary conditions, including final approval by the International Paper Board of Directors, receipt of a tax opinion and the filing and effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No assurance can be given regarding the form that a spin-off transaction may take or the specific terms or timing thereof, or that a spinoff will in fact occur.

Consistent with International Paper’s longstanding capital allocation policy of paying a competitive and sustainable dividend at 40 to 50% of free cash flow, International Paper expects to reduce its current dividend by 15 to 20% in proportion to the cash generated by SpinCo upon completion of the spin-off. SpinCo is not expected to initially pay a dividend and its dividend policy will be determined by its board of directors following the completion of the transaction.

International Paper expects to maintain a strong balance sheet and remains committed to its current investment grade credit rating with a stable outlook.

This press release is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Advisors
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Perella Weinberg Partners LP are serving as financial advisors for the transaction.  Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is serving as legal advisor.

Webcast
The company will host a webcast today to discuss the transaction, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. CT). All interested parties may listen via the company’s website at internationalpaper.com by clicking on the Performance tab and going to the Presentations and Events/Webcasts page. A replay of the webcast will be on the website beginning approximately two hours after the call. Parties who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (706) 679-8242 or, within the U.S. only, (877) 316-2541 and ask to be connected to the International Paper conference call. The conference ID number is 3153829. Participants should dial in no later than 8:15 a.m. ET (7:15 a.m. CT). An audio-only replay will be available for ninety days following the call. To access the replay, dial +1 (404) 537-3406 or, within the U.S. only, (855) 859-2056 or (800) 585-8367, and when prompted for the conference ID, enter 3153829.

About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ more than 48,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2019 were $22 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.

No assurance can be given regarding the form that a spin-off transaction may take or the specific terms or timing thereof, or that a spinoff will in fact occur.

This press release is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release that are not historical in nature may be considered “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are often identified by the words “will,” “may,” “should,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “appear,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend” and words of a similar nature, and include International Paper’s expected earnings growth, ability to maintain investment grade credit rating, payment of future dividends, ability to monetize retained interest in SpinCo, and the tax treatment of the spinoff transaction and the expected completion timing.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and reflect management’s current views with respect to future events, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors which could cause actual results or events to differ include but are not limited to: (i) the receipt of regulatory approvals relating to the spinoff transaction without unexpected delays or conditions; (ii) International Paper’s ability to successfully separate the SpinCo business and realize the anticipated benefits of the spinoff transaction; (iii) the ability to satisfy any necessary conditions to consummate the spinoff transaction within the estimated timeframes or at all; (iv) the final terms and conditions of any spinoff transaction, including the amount of any dividend by SpinCo to International Paper and the terms of any ongoing commercial agreements and arrangements between International Paper and SpinCo following any such transaction, the costs of any such transaction, the nature and amount of indebtedness incurred by SpinCo, the qualification of the spin-off transaction as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including whether an IRS ruling will be obtained), diversion of management’s attention and the impact on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties, and the impact of any such transaction on the businesses of International Paper and SpinCo and the relationship between the two companies following any such transaction; (v) developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the severity, magnitude and duration of the pandemic, the development, availability and effectiveness of treatments and vaccines, negative global economic conditions arising from the pandemic, impacts of governments’ responses to the pandemic on our operations, impacts of the pandemic on commercial activity, our customers and business partners and consumer preferences and demand, supply chain disruptions, and disruptions in the credit or financial markets; (vi) the level of indebtedness and changes in interest rates; (vii) industry conditions, including but not limited to changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy and transportation costs, competition International Paper faces, cyclicality and changes in consumer preferences, demand and pricing for International Paper or SpinCo products (including changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic); (viii) domestic and global economic conditions and political changes, changes in currency exchange rates, trade protectionist policies, downgrades in International Paper’s credit ratings, and/or the credit ratings of banks issuing certain letters of credit, issued by recognized credit rating organizations; (ix) the amount of International Paper’s future pension funding obligations, and pension and health care costs; (x) unanticipated expenditures or other adverse developments related to the cost of compliance with existing and new environmental, tax, labor and employment, privacy and other U.S. and non-U.S. governmental laws and regulations (including new legal requirements arising from the COVID-19 pandemic); (xi) any material disruption at any of International Paper’s manufacturing facilities (including as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic); (xii) risks inherent in conducting business through joint ventures; (xiii) International Paper’s ability to achieve the benefits expected from, and other risks associated with, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures and other corporate transactions, (xiv) information technology risks, and (xv) loss contingencies and pending, threatened or future litigation, including with respect to environmental related matters.  These and other factors that could cause or contribute to actual results or events differing materially from such forward-looking statements can be found in International Paper’s press releases and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to International Paper or that it currently believes to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statements. International Paper undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE International Paper

HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS), which operates a multi-boutique asset management business, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.82 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2020.

The dividend will be paid on February 12, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 29, 2021.

Future declarations of dividends will be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

About Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

Virtus Investment Partners (NASDAQ: VRTS) is a distinctive partnership of boutique investment managers singularly committed to the long-term success of individual and institutional investors. The company provides investment management products and services through its affiliated managers and select subadvisers, each with a distinct investment style, autonomous investment process, and individual brand. Virtus Investment Partners offers access to a variety of investment styles across multiple disciplines to meet a wide array of investor needs. Its affiliated managers include Ceredex Value Advisors, Duff & Phelps Investment Management, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, Newfleet Asset Management, Seix Investment Advisors, Silvant Capital Management, and Sustainable Growth Advisers. Additional information is available at virtus.com.

 

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SOURCE Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

NEW YORK, Dec.3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Kubient (NasdaqCM: KBNT, KBNTW), the cloud advertising marketplace that enables advertisers and publishers to reach, monetize and connect their audiences efficiently and effectively, today announced the identification of previously undetected fraudulent synthetic network (SynthNet) designed to present web based or computer generated traffic as legitimate mobile application traffic coming from premium app publishers. The SynthNet fraud was detected through Kubient’s Artificial Intelligence (KAI), an in-stream ad-fraud prevention tool that uses pattern recognition and device scoring to catch and identify fraud before it happens. The result was a significant amount of fraudulent website and computer traffic being transmitted that claimed to come from mobile sources like The Washington Post, Weather Underground, and a mixture of apps in other categories such as gaming, entertainment, utilities, shopping, and food.

SynthNet is a Central Control System (CCS) bot, meaning it doesn’t infect devices or make calls from third party networks, but rather it is deployed directly by the fraudsters on their own systems. These bad actors use it to sell fraudulent traffic as a video ad placement which offers a higher payout to the publisher compared to traditional display advertising. To deploy SynthNet at large scale and have wide saturation across the United States, SynthNet used a Cloud Service Broker (CSB). The service enabled SynthNet to be deployed across multiple cloud providers such as AWS, Google and Azure without needing a direct account with the services and it allows them to continue to operate and deploy if they are disabled from any single provider.

“Bad actors are getting smarter about finding ways to send false impressions,” said Paul Roberts, Interim CEO and founder of Kubient. “We continue to urge advertisers to be cautious of the partners they allow into their tech stacks and remain skeptical about suspicious activity or CPMs that appear to be too good to be true. As ad budgets are still recovering due to COVID-19, it’s important that media buyers are buying quality inventory and are catching fraud as soon as possible.”

The KAI algorithm is trained to analyze the behavior, consistency, and quality to determine audience credibility – accurately flagging fraud within the 300 milliseconds time frame of a programmatic advertising auction. In fact, Kubient’s technology catches it in less than 10 milliseconds, which the company believes is faster than any other tool on the market. In the case of SynthNet, Kubient saw two things in a routine analysis of KAI:

• Fingerprint device information called “User Agents” that were being used in the auction requests which were many versions passed the current iterations of the web browsers they portrayed; and
• The same “User Agents” were in fact Mobile Web traffic, yet the criminals were attempting to sell the advertising impressions as Mobile App traffic.

“Fraudsters have devised simplistic yet agile systems that allow them to do less work but achieve maximum impact while evading typical anti-fraud measures,” stated Roberts. “KAI technology goes beyond the narrow scope our competitors are relying on and allows us to weed out this new crop of criminals quickly before our clients spend any money.”

Following the unveiling of the fraud, Kubient reached out to the three companies that had been impacted by the invalid traffic and is working to future proof their ad operations moving forward.

This discovery comes on the heels of the Kubient Fraud Prevention Team also discovering Weasel Fraud in October. To learn more about Kubient and read the full white paper, view the Weasel Fraud White Paper.

About Kubient

Kubient is a technology company with a mission to transform the digital advertising industry to audience-based marketing. Kubient’s next generation cloud-based infrastructure enables efficient marketplace liquidity for buyers and sellers of digital advertising. The Kubient Audience Cloud is a flexible open marketplace for advertisers and publishers to reach, monetize and connect their audiences. Kubient’s platform provides a transparent programmatic environment with proprietary artificial intelligence-powered pre-bid ad fraud prevention, and proprietary real-time bidding (RTB) marketplace automation for the digital out of home industry. The Audience Cloud is the solution for brands and publishers that demand transparency and the ability to reach audiences across all channels and ad formats. For additional information, please visit www.kubient.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. The safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 protects companies from liability for their forward-looking statements if they comply with the requirements of the Act.

Kubient Public Relations
Clarity PR
Molly Gagnon
T: 1-646-934-6924
[email protected]

Kubient Investor Relations
Gateway Investor Relations
Matt Glover and Tom Colton
T: 1-949-574-3860
[email protected] 

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SOURCE Kubient

DENVER, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Gates Industrial Corporation plc (NYSE:GTES), a global manufacturer of innovative, highly engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions, today announced that the Company will participate virtually in the 2020 Melius Research Industrial Tech & Aerospace Forum on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. 

About Gates Industrial Corporation plc

Gates is a global manufacturer of innovative, highly engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions.  Gates offers a broad portfolio of products to diverse replacement channel customers, and to original equipment (“first-fit”) manufacturers as specified components.  Gates participates in many sectors of the industrial and consumer markets.  Our products play essential roles in a diverse range of applications across a wide variety of end markets ranging from harsh and hazardous industries such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and energy, to everyday consumer applications such as printers, power washers, automatic doors and vacuum cleaners and virtually every form of transportation.  Our products are sold in 128 countries across our four commercial regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa; Greater China; and East Asia & India.

Contact
Bill Waelke
(303) 744-4887
[email protected]

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SOURCE Gates Industrial Corporation plc

NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Pernod Ricard North America today announced a $300,000 contribution to support the bartending community this holiday season. The grant is a partnership between U.S. affiliate Pernod Ricard USA and Canadian affiliate Corby Spirit and Wine Limited with the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation and the Bartenders Benevolent Fund.

Since March, over 40 percent of restaurants in the U.S. have been forced to close their doors and over 800,000 bartenders, servers, hosts and kitchen staff in Canada have been put out of work. The donation, drawn from holiday marketing dollars, acknowledges the responsibility of the wine & spirits industry to help on-premise professionals hard-hit by the global pandemic.

It builds on the $500,000 donation made by Pernod Ricard North America’s Jameson Irish Whiskey brand to the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Fund on St. Patrick’s Day, as well as a $50,000 donation plus proceeds from a new coffee table book – “A Toast from Coast to Coast” – from Corby Spirit and Wine to the Bartenders Benevolent Fund.

“Our industry is only as resilient as our bartenders, so many of whom have lost their livelihoods to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John Barrett, Chief Commercial Officer of Pernod Ricard North America. “While we prioritize responsible drinking for the holiday season, this year we are expanding our definition of ‘responsibility’ to include our commitment to support the professionals who need it most.”

The grant to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, a nationwide advocacy and action nonprofit, will support its efforts toward systemic change for workers in the hospitality industry, as well as the work of its COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund in providing relief to hospitality workers.

“Restaurants across the U.S. are once again cutting hours, suspending business or closing for good, leaving restaurant workers struggling with long-term loss of income,” said John deBary, Co-Founder and Board President of the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation. “This grant from Pernod Ricard North America will help us continue our mission to address structural solutions to the longstanding quality-of-life crisis facing the hospitality industry, as well as provide immediate emergency financial assistance to workers affected by the pandemic.”

The Bartenders Benevolent Fund will allocate its donation, based on need, to as many hospitality industry professionals as possible facing financial crises due to the pandemic.

Pernod Ricard North America encourages consumers to remember their bartenders this holiday season and consider making their own contributions to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation or Bartenders Benevolent Fund.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the No. 2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales of €9,182 million in FY19. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has developed through organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard, which owns 16 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry, including: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur, Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard’s brands are distributed across 160+ markets and by its own salesforce in 73 markets. The Group’s decentralised organisation empowers its 19,000 employees to be true on-the-ground ambassadors of its vision of “Créateurs de Convivialité.” As reaffirmed by the Group’s three-year strategic plan, “Transform and Accelerate,” deployed in 2018, Pernod Ricard’s strategy focuses on investing in long-term, profitable growth for all stakeholders. The Group remains true to its three founding values: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust, and a strong sense of ethics. As illustrated by the 2030 Agenda supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “We bring good times from a good place.” In recognition of Pernod Ricard’s strong commitment to sustainable development and responsible consumption, it has received a Gold rating from Ecovadis and is ranked No. 1 in the beverage sector in Vigeo Eiris. Pernod Ricard is also a United Nation’s Global Compact LEAD company. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index. For further information, please visit http://www.pernod-ricard.com.

 

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SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA