Samruk Kazyna, Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund managing major strategic state assets with the combined value of close to $100 bn, is overhauling its business strategy, including approaches to investments and to asset management.
New management mechanisms will soon be introduced in all of the Fund’s companies. As early as 2014, business processes reengineering will start in three pilot organizations – diversified transport holding Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, oil and gas company KazMunaiGaz and postal service operator KazPochta.
These measured will result in operating costs reduction of 20% by 2017, and Samruk Kazyna’s economic value added will generate more than $11.2 bn for Kazakhstan’s economy.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762559-samruk-kazyna-transformation-forum/
Volvo Cars has unveiled a new concept that takes executive in-car luxury to a new level at the Shanghai Motor Show. Labelled the Lounge Console, the concept offers busy chauffeur-driven business people the ultimate executive accessory; a compact and versatile solution to expanded storage and comfort. The Lounge Console replaces the front passenger seat, providing a wealth of functions and amenities.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7496751-volvo-lounge-console/
UBS launched its first global brand campaign since 2009 today, reflecting the firm’s strategic transformation and future direction. Featuring a distinctive brand film as well as advertising with images by Annie Leibovitz, the campaign also refreshes the strong UBS brand with a contemporary look and feel. The external launch follows a three-month internal campaign that inspired unprecedented rates of employee engagement.
“The brand campaign is an expression of the successful strategic transformation UBS has undergone over the past four years,” said Sergio P. Ermotti, Group Chief Executive Officer. “Reflecting the strategic transformation through our branding gives us additional momentum.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7612551-ubs-launches-global-brand-campaign/
Yesterday, Guinness World Records announced that the bottle of Gautier 1762 was the oldest cognac sold at a public auction. This 250-year-old drink was purchased in 2014 by Wealth Solutions, a Polish company specialized in rare spirits and collectibles, at an auction of old and rare beverages organized by Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers in NYC. It remained part of the company’s collection of old liquors until October 2015, when the management board made the decision to create a watch with a drop of this antique spirit, and opened the bottle. The uncorking ceremony was organized in Bristol Hotel in Warsaw and formed part of an event to mark the start of cooperation between Wealth Solutions and Armin Strom, a Swiss Watch Manufacturer.
Thanks to this cooperation, the Cognac Watch was made – the first Swiss mechanical watch with a drop of alcohol. The timepiece and the capsule for this unique beverage were designed by Claude Greisler, Armin Strom’s chief horologist. This independent Swiss manufacturer also accepted the mission to produce this unusual watch. The exclusive limited edition for Wealth Solutions consisted of just 40 timepieces produced in stainless steel, 18k rose gold and titanium cases. All of them were sold by Wealth Solutions in an exclusive presale before the official launch of the product. The international premiere of the Cognac Watch took place on 20th March 2016, during the Baselworld show. Yesterday, at the Polish premiere in Warsaw, Wealth Solutions announced the decision of Guinness World Records.
Having met with huge success, Wealth Solutions has decided to continue production of the Spirit Watches line. The next limited edition will be the Rum Watch – a Swiss timepiece with a drop of Harewood rum from 1780. International subscription for this unique watch opened on 26th April on the website: http://en.wealth.pl/promotion/spirit-watches
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7817651-cognac-gautier-1762-guinness-world-records/
Inspired by Italy’s cultural heritage, SDA Bocconi School of Management shows its expertise in three highlights of Italian Excellence: arts, fashion and design and food and beverage.
“Italy’s rich cultural heritage deserves to be shared with new generations”. With these words Bruno Busacca, Dean of SDA Bocconi, underlines the commitment of the School to Italian Excellence. Having long been the hub of fashion & design, food &beverage and arts & culture, Milano is the ideal campus to discover the strengths that characterize Italy, allowing SDA Bocconi to bring together business and innovation with the unparalleled wealth of Italian cultural heritage
The support of Altagamma, an association of internationally renowned Italian companies operating in the high end of the market, broadens the professional growth of students: many business leaders from highly successful companies have taught classes alongside resident and visiting professors, Moreover, the alumni network constitutes a crossroads of professionals with whom you can talk and share your experience.
Leveraging on Italian excellence, three master programs will strengthen the cultural background and professional skills of participants.
To view the multimedia news release visit
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7576251-sda-bocconi-master-programs/
Most Americans appear hopeful and optimistic about aging according to a new, national study from Parker, one of America’s leading aging services organizations that this year celebrates its 110th anniversary. Key findings from Parker’s “Aging in America Survey”—which examines the nation’s changing attitudes and opinions around growing older in the U.S.—include:
• A vast majority of Americans (71%) do not fear or worry about aging very much or at all.
• More than half of those surveyed (62%) believe that 80 is not too old to serve in government, run a marathon, be CEO of a Fortune 500 company, teach a class, or practice yoga.
• Those surveyed were evenly split (49% each) in describing the experience of growing older in America today with positive words (e.g., “hopeful,” “relevant,” “vibrant”) vs. negative words (e.g., “scary,” “depressing,” “lonely”).
• Nearly two-thirds (59%) of Americans feel that not enough technology innovation focuses on the lifestyles of older people.
• While 38% of Americans feel the most positive thing about getting older is gaining more experience and wisdom, only 1% believes it is acquiring greater wealth and material goods.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8100251-parker-aging-in-america-survey-anniversary/
Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower is taking Vegas back by offering a wealth of fun at a great value to the everyman and everywoman. Instead of waiting in line to buy privileges, everyone at Stratosphere can have an incredible time as soon as they step through the door. With unbeatable happy hours at bars and lounges throughout the property, live music without cover charge and free parking, affordable entertainment is available to all.
“People come to Vegas to escape and have a fun time,” said Paul Hobson, general manager of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower. “No matter who you are, every guest at Stratosphere can have an incredible experience at an undeniable value.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7774551-stratosphere-take-vegas-back/
SEDCO Holding Group showcases its previous accomplishments and perceives sustained growth through further expansion in its investment ventures over the next 10 years. This prominent Group outlook was unraveled at its annual “Multaqa SEDCO 2015” held at Leylaty Ballroom in Jeddah, attended by the Group’s upper management notably Sheikh Saleh Salem Bin Mahfouz, Chairman of the Board and Mr. Anees Moumina, CEO of the Group. The event also gathered the heads of its operating companies, CEOs and senior executives, management boards, their partners along with the administrative cadre.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7525651-multaqa-sedco-2015/
Abila, the leading provider of software and services to nonprofits, associations, and government entities, today announced findings from its Donor Loyalty Study: A Deep Dive into Donor Behaviors and Attitudes. The study is an extension of Abila’s Donor Engagement Study from 2015, and provides a much more detailed look at specific attitudes and behaviors of donors; type, length, and frequency of content that resonates with donors; the importance of personalization; and how donors view the use of donated dollars.
The study also includes insights across four generations (Millennials, Generation Xers, Boomers, and Matures), as well as a special section on high-wealth donors (those who make more than $200,000 annually).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7802151-abila-donor-loyalty-study/
ConnXus, a supplier diversity technology platform, today announced that it has closed $5 million in Series “A” funding, led by Techstars Ventures, Serious Change L.P. and Impact America Fund.
“This round of funding will significantly accelerate ConnXus’ long-term impact on generating sustainable and diverse supply chains,” said Rod Robinson, CEO and founder of ConnXus. “To date we’ve raised $10 million in investments, including participation from Techstars Ventures, CincyTech, Serious Change L.P., Impact America Fund, and several private angel investors.”
ConnXus’ cloud-based, supplier diversity sustainability dashboards open the door for procurement, supplier diversity, and supply chain professionals to access a wealth of global supply chain analytics. Robinson believes Techstars and the other investors are the right investors for the company to disrupt and add imperative value to the $10-billion supply chain and procurement software market.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7834951-connxus-five-million-series-a/
Do you feel financially prepared for the future? If you’re not completely confident in your response, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Research Now Group, Inc. and commissioned by Fifth Third Private Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) found that nearly half of those surveyed have serious concerns that they may outlive their money in retirement.
The Bank launched the survey to understand families’ financial planning pain points and gain insight into how the process could be simplified through its new platform, Life360.
“The study confirmed the anxiety that clients have shared with our advisors is reflective of similar concerns nationally,” said Phil McHugh, executive vice president and head of Wealth and Asset Management at Fifth Third. “Much of that anxiety stems from a lack of clearly articulated financial goals and alignment around achieving them. Our Life360 platform works to help simplify, focus and holistically address these critical aspects of the financial planning process.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723854-fifth-third-bank-life360
Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry, today announces the winners of the 2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, honoring the top new model-year vehicle choices available in the U.S. market. The 2016 Honda Civic is named Kelley Blue Book’s Overall Best Buy of 2016, alongside Best Buy Award winners in 12 major vehicle categories.
“After carefully analyzing a wealth of data and conducting extensive vehicle testing and evaluation from the hundreds of models available for the 2016 model-year, we chose this year’s elite group of 12 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winners because they proved to be the top values in their class,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Our group of expert vehicle testers chose the totally redesigned 2016 Honda Civic as the Overall Winner in our Best Buy Awards because it sets a new standard in a segment already known for delivering great value, providing an up-level experience to drivers and passengers in every facet of the driving and ownership experience.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7641651-kbb-2016-best-buy-awards/