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Accelerating Product Development and Personalization with Generative AI on Mars

Accelerating Product Development and Personalization with Generative AI on Mars

Mars Inc. has implemented a cutting-edge generative AI tool developed in-house that is revolutionizing the way they innovate and connect with consumers. This tool, known as “Brahma,” is capable of generating up to 50 product concepts a day by analyzing data from consumer insights studies conducted last year.

The company’s One Demand Data & Analytics team utilized data from studies involving 80,000 consumers and 100,000 consumption moments across 11 countries to create Brahma. This innovative tool has streamlined the product development process, with recent workshops in North America producing product innovation ideas at record speeds. Gulen Bengi, chief growth officer of Mars Snacking, highlighted how these ideas were shared with consumers within days, a process that previously would have taken months.

In addition to product development, Mars is leveraging generative AI to revolutionize its marketing strategies. By understanding the increasingly impulse-driven and nonlinear consumer journeys that occur online, Mars can optimize media assets and advertising spend to deliver more relevant content to shoppers. This personalized approach has led to a significant increase in click-through rates and sales lifts, outperforming traditional promotions by nearly 70%.

Bengi emphasized the importance of dynamic content optimization in meeting consumer expectations for personalized communication. The success of Mars’ AI-driven initiatives underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and enhancing consumer engagement in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Partnership between Bitfinex and Hidden Road targets institutional traders.

Partnership between Bitfinex and Hidden Road targets institutional traders.

Hidden Road, the Citadel Securities-backed brokerage firm, has recently announced a new partnership with Bitfinex. This collaboration comes just two weeks after Hidden Road severed ties with Bybit.

Bitfinex will now provide institutional investors using Hidden Road’s services access to a wide range of cryptocurrencies. In a press release on Jun. 13, Bitfinex shared that institutional investors associated with Hidden Road will benefit from services such as peer-to-peer financing, over-the-counter markets, and margin trading through this partnership. The specific terms of the collaboration were not disclosed, but both parties expressed excitement about the potential benefits it will bring to their clients.

Michael Higgins, the Global Head of Business Development at Hidden Road, commented on the partnership, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to enhancing access and choice for their counterparties. The integration with Bitfinex is seen as a strategic move to offer investors access to a reputable platform in the crypto space.

This partnership follows reports that surfaced a few weeks ago indicating Hidden Road’s decision to cease providing access to Bybit for its clients. The brokerage firm cited disagreements with Bybit over compliance procedures as the reason for this move.

Founded in 2018 by Marc Asch, Hidden Road specializes in cross-margining, margin financing, and prime brokerage services for cryptocurrencies. In 2022, the firm successfully raised million in a Series A funding round, with prominent investors like Castle Island Ventures, Citadel Securities, and FTX Ventures participating in the funding.

Overall, the partnership between Hidden Road and Bitfinex marks a significant development in the institutional access to digital assets landscape, as institutional investors now have access to a broader range of crypto services through this collaboration.

Pim Lai Appointed as Creative Director at BMB to Enhance Creative Leadership

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Pim Lai Appointed as Creative Director at BMB to Enhance Creative Leadership

Creative agency BMB has announced the appointment of Pimwadee Lai as their new creative director, enhancing the creative leadership team under the guidance of chief creative officer Laurent Simon.

Pim brings a wealth of experience and original thinking to her new role. Previously located in Singapore, she served as creative director at TBWAMedia Arts Lab, where she worked on original content for Apple APAC’s ‘Shot on iPhone’ and ‘Relax, it’s iPhone’ platforms. Her impressive career also includes roles at R/GA in Singapore, collaborating with clients such as Netflix, Uber, and Samsung on integrated ad campaigns and rebranding projects. Pim has also worked with brands like Uniqlo, Guinness, and Mercedes Benz at agencies like Dentsu Singapore, BBDO, and Saatchi & Saatchi, earning numerous awards including six Cannes Lions, six D&AD pencils, and five One Show awards.

Laurent Simon expressed his excitement about Pim joining the BMB team, emphasizing her exceptional talent and innovative approach to creativity. Pim herself shared her enthusiasm about joining BMB, highlighting her belief in simplicity, craft, and experimentation in creating outstanding work. CEO Jason Cobbold mentioned his anticipation for Pim’s contributions to further enhancing the agency’s creative reputation, following previous strategic hires and promotions in recent years.

The appointment of Pimwadee Lai reflects BMB’s dedication to future growth as the agency approaches its 20th anniversary in 2025. With a strong leadership team in place and a focus on innovative and exceptional work, BMB is poised for continued success in the coming years.

SpaceX prepares for Falcon 9 rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast today.

SpaceX prepares for Falcon 9 rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast today.

SpaceX is gearing up for the rescheduled launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Space Coast. Originally planned for Wednesday, the launch has been pushed to Thursday at 4:46 p.m., with a backup opportunity at 6:40 p.m. The mission involves sending another batch of Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. After the launch, SpaceX will attempt to recover the rocket’s booster on its droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

This particular launch marks the 16th flight for the rocket’s booster, which has previously completed missions such as SES-22, ispace’s HAKUTO-R MISSION 1, Amazonas-6, and several Starlink missions.

For those interested in following the launch, Channel 9 will be providing updates on Eyewitness News. To stay updated on this and other news, weather, and smart TV apps, you can download the free apps using the provided link. Additionally, you can stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live by clicking the appropriate link.

Proposed Stablecoin Regulations in Australian Crypto Bill Draft, ASIC Issues Warning to Crypto Entities

Proposed Stablecoin Regulations in Australian Crypto Bill Draft, ASIC Issues Warning to Crypto Entities

Lawmakers are working on a number of financial reforms, including regulations for stablecoins. These reforms will be released simultaneously, with each one being addressed in sequence. The hope is that these reforms will be completed together in order to streamline the process. The proposed framework for regulating stablecoins falls under the umbrella of payments reforms, and will be a key focus of the overall effort. Stay tuned for more updates on these important developments in the financial sector.

‘Citypress appoints Paddy Smyth as part of £1m creative investment’

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‘Citypress appoints Paddy Smyth as part of £1m creative investment’

Citypress, a leading communications agency, has announced a significant investment of £1m over the next three years to enhance its creative expertise. The agency aims to strengthen its creative capabilities under the leadership of Paddy Smyth, who has been appointed as the new Creative Director.

With over a decade of experience at Golin, Smyth brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. During his time at the London agency, he worked with renowned brands such as Premier Inn, Worldpay, and TRESemmé, serving as the Associate Creative Director.

Smyth expressed his vision for Citypress, stating, “My focus will be to build on Citypress’ excellent creative foundation to drive impactful campaigns that create meaningful change. There is huge momentum behind the agency, with a raft of recent creative award wins.”

In addition to client work, Smyth will collaborate with Citypress Senior Director, Ruth Lee, to enhance the agency’s creative discipline and functional capabilities. Lee highlighted Smyth’s track record of delivering innovative and results-driven campaigns that have positively impacted clients in various sectors.

“We’re investing more than ever in our creative offer, and Paddy’s appointment as Creative Director solidifies our commitment to delivering groundbreaking work for our clients,” Lee added.

The investment in Citypress’ creative specialism reflects the agency’s dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions to its clients and further establishing its position as a leader in the industry.

Monthly Revenue Reaches M for PayUp

Monthly Revenue Reaches M for PayUp

PayUp, a fintech startup, has reached a significant milestone by achieving million in monthly revenue for three consecutive months. This achievement can be attributed to the company’s innovative payment processing and early financing solutions. Under the leadership of Yash Mittal, Co-Founder and Head of Product, PayUp has transformed from an early financing business to a comprehensive payment facilitator.

Initially, PayUp provided advance payments on invoices through a reverse factoring model. However, with Mittal’s vision, the company now offers a more robust platform that tackles accounts payables and receivables, along with a variety of payment methods. These methods include the company’s bank account with a debit card, ACH, eChecks, and traditional checks.

Mittal expressed his enthusiasm for reaching this milestone and highlighted the company’s commitment to providing innovative payment solutions and early investments in embedded finance. PayUp’s success is driven by its seamless integration with various business systems, offering an efficient payment experience for businesses to manage all their payment processing and financing needs in one place.

One of the key features of PayUp is the ability for vendors to not only get paid instantly on their terms but also access the funds immediately through the company’s bank account and debit card. By partnering with Stripe on Banking As A Service, PayUp offers both physical and virtual cards for Apple and Google wallets.

As PayUp continues to expand its offerings and enhance its platform, the focus remains on delivering exceptional value to its customers. This milestone signifies the company’s dedication to solving payment challenges for businesses and making bold decisions to drive growth and success.

Project Kuiper broadband services set to be offered in South America by Vrio

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Project Kuiper broadband services set to be offered in South America by Vrio

Vrio Corporation, the parent company of DirecTV Latin America and Sky Brasil, has teamed up with Project Kuiper, Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite broadband network, to provide internet connectivity in seven South American countries. The agreement aims to offer high-speed internet services to residential customers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.

This collaboration will utilize Project Kuiper’s network to deliver fast and reliable internet to areas that are often challenging and costly to serve. By leveraging Project Kuiper’s low-latency, high-bandwidth satellite network, DirecTV and Sky will be able to offer nationwide coverage in each country, reaching areas where traditional connectivity options like fiber optics or fixed wireless are not practical due to infrastructure limitations.

Darío Werthein, president of Vrio, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the company’s commitment to bridging the technology gap and digital divide in the region. He emphasized the importance of providing internet access to promote community development and innovation.

Panos Panay, Amazon’s senior vice president for devices and services, underscored the impact of Project Kuiper in enabling access to reliable broadband internet for millions of households worldwide. He emphasized the significance of affordable broadband access in empowering individuals to learn, do business, shop, and enjoy online entertainment.

Rajeev Badyal, vice president of technology and head of Project Kuiper at Amazon, reiterated the network’s mission to deliver fast and affordable broadband to underserved areas. He expressed enthusiasm about working with Vrio to bring connectivity services to customers across South America.

Project Kuiper recently conducted a successful Protoflight mission, testing two prototype satellites. The network is poised to deploy its satellite constellation in the coming months and conduct service demonstrations with Vrio and other partners later this year. This initiative marks a significant step towards expanding internet access and connectivity in the region.

Start of New .9B Facility in Singapore by Wafer Producer, Potential Increase in Hiring

Start of New .9B Facility in Singapore by Wafer Producer, Potential Increase in Hiring

German semiconductor materials supplier Siltronic has officially launched a state-of-the-art production facility in Singapore, investing a whopping .9 billion in the new plant. The 150,000-square-meter factory located in Tampines is Siltronic’s third facility in Singapore and specializes in manufacturing silicon wafers for semiconductors used in a wide range of applications like mobile devices, electric cars, and data centers.

The plant is set to produce up to 100,000 wafers per month by the end of 2024 and is equipped with Singapore’s first silicon wafer epitaxy capabilities. Epitaxy, a process that enhances the electrical conductivity of wafers, is a significant advancement in the production of semiconductors. Currently, the facility employs 300 individuals, but that number is expected to double to 600 by 2028, with job opportunities ranging from engineering roles to IT specialists.

During the unveiling event on June 12, Siltronic’s Chief Executive Michael Heckmeier emphasized the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization in driving the growing demand for semiconductors. He praised Singapore’s strategic location for its proximity to consumers, robust workforce, and reliable infrastructure, making it an ideal base for the company’s operations. Dr. Heckmeier also mentioned plans for additional investments in the facility in the coming years.

Siltronic’s presence in Singapore dates back to 1997 when it started manufacturing 200mm wafers followed by a partnership with Samsung in 2006 to produce 300mm wafers at a second facility. The new factory will continue the production of 300mm wafers, aligning with the industry’s advancements and demands. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat highlighted the importance of semiconductors in the digital and green revolutions, emphasizing their role in driving technological breakthroughs and sustainable innovations.

DPM Heng stressed the significance of semiconductor technology in building a smarter, safer, greener, and healthier world, stating that advanced chips are crucial for applications like quantum computing, AI development, and green technologies. He underscored the crucial role of partnerships in enhancing semiconductor supply chains and contributing to economic growth and job creation. The global semiconductor sales reached approximately US0 billion in 2023 and are projected to hit the US trillion mark by 2030, with Singapore’s semiconductor industry accounting for around 25% of the total industrial value added.

The establishment of Siltronic’s cutting-edge production facility in Singapore marks a significant milestone in the semiconductor industry, reflecting the country’s pivotal position in driving technological advancements and economic growth through innovation and strategic partnerships.

Large order secured by NKT to aid grid upgrade for Polish utility

Large order secured by NKT to aid grid upgrade for Polish utility

NKT Signs Major Order with Polish Utility to Enhance Power Grid Infrastructure

NKT, a leading provider of power cable solutions, has secured a significant contract to deliver 1300 km of 20 kV cables to Tauron, a prominent distribution system operator in Poland. The aim of this project is to strengthen and upgrade the power grid infrastructure in the country, supporting the transition to a more robust and sustainable energy system.

Poland has set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to over 30% by 2030. This includes a substantial growth in solar power capacity, with projections reaching between 5-7 GW by 2030 and 10-16 GW by 2040. NKT’s contribution to this green transition involves providing essential power cable solutions to reinforce Tauron’s power grid network.

Carlos Fernandez, EVP of Applications at NKT, expressed pride in supporting Poland’s efforts to modernize its power grids and transition towards a more efficient energy infrastructure. He highlighted the increasing demand for medium- and high-voltage power cables across Europe, leading NKT to invest significantly in expanding its production capacity to meet the growing needs of customers.

By collaborating with Tauron, NKT is actively participating in the modernization of the energy distribution network in southern Poland. As part of the project, 1300 km of 20 kV power cables will be delivered throughout 2024-2025, contributing to the overall enhancement of the power transmission infrastructure in the region.

With a dedicated team of over 400 employees in Poland, NKT remains committed to supporting the country’s energy goals and infrastructure development initiatives. The partnership with Tauron, the largest electricity distributor in Poland, reflects NKT’s ongoing efforts to support the country’s transition to a greener and more sustainable energy future.

Key Facts:
– Delivery of 1300 km of 20 kV power cables to Tauron Group
– Tauron Group supplies 51.6 TWh of electricity in southern Poland
– Serving 5.8 million customers over an area of 57,000 km2

NKT continues to play a crucial role in connecting a greener world through its high-quality power cable solutions. With a history dating back to 1891, NKT has been at the forefront of power cable technology innovation, supporting the evolution towards renewable energy sources. The company’s commitment to sustainability and green energy aligns with the global shift towards a more environmentally friendly and efficient energy infrastructure.

For more information about NKT and its power cable solutions, visit www.NKT.com.