Monday, 20 November 2017

Welcome To The Media Multiverse: Mindshare North America Releases New Insights On The Future Of Media Franchises

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Welcome to the media multiverse: an industry shift towards franchises that live across a mosaic of platforms, and away from linear storytelling on one channel. Mindshare North America, the global media agency that is part of WPP, has released a new report around the power of media multiverses, and the drastic impact on brands.

Some background: box office data shows that the past decade's most successful films have all been part of a media franchise, or have spawned a new one.1 A similar trend applies to television – when Mindshare NA analyzed 35 popular franchises, the agency found 53 "in-universe"2 shows currently airing on broadcast television and cable networks (and that's not even counting streaming services like Netflix or shows that are reboots). On top of that, several high profile media companies and their franchises (such as Disney and DC Comics) are working to unbundle their multiverse content from traditional networks, bringing it directly to consumers through subscription streaming services.

But while it's no secret that franchises drive Hollywood success, the real implications of the media multiverse are much bigger. Here's what it really means for marketers and consumers:

1) Franchise trumps format – consumers are flocking to interconnected stories. From prequels to pop-up stores, from Facebook Live after-shows to mobile games, theatre plays to fanfiction, today's stories don't just live in one format or one linear progression. It's tempting to think of franchise trends and fandom solely in terms of popular superheroes or "popcorn stories" but that couldn't be further from the truth. For example, one of the most popular franchises that Mindshare NA measured was Breaking Bad, a prestige drama that got its own prequel, the prequel got its own after-show, and the franchise itself got a pop-up restaurant, a pop-up bar, and more.

2) Brands are at risk of getting cut out. As consumers start paying for more franchise content directly via subscription services, media properties will have even more control over their storytelling and distribution. And that means fewer or no commercials – which means advertisers could lose their place at the table.

3) The way forward. It's crucial for brands to adapt to this new marketplace. Advertisers must identify which particular franchises align best with their brand DNA, and what the opportunities are for sponsorship and integration. Examine your current media buys to understand your presence within franchises across channels. Figure out what unique features and properties your brand can bring to a franchise; how your brand can help fans to more deeply enter these worlds.

4) Fans won't wait. When fans want more from a beloved franchise, they don't wait for the next season or the next film. Instead, they take matters into their own hands, whether it's home-made movie trailers, cosplay at fan conventions, or online fanfiction. For example, nearly 11 million visitors contributed or read fanfiction on one of the three major fanfictions sites in August 2017 alone. Brands who can leverage that multiverse fan passion will win.

"There is a tremendous opportunity for brands to enter the media multiverse," says Joe Maceda, Managing Director, Invention Studio Lead, Mindshare NA. "Consumers' love for these types of media properties is creating an even greater demand for more content and experiences, which brands can help provide. If done the right way, advertiser-created experiences in the multiverse can build a remarkable amount of brand love—more so than what a brand could do on its own."

"The idea of a franchise might not be new, but the impact that it's having on today's media landscape is unprecedented," says Autumn Nazarian, SVP, Spotlight Lead, Mindshare NA. "We've entered the next stage of storytelling, where everything is interconnected and media properties are focusing on depth instead of mass reach."

Measuring Media's Most Successful Franchises: What Brands Should Know

Mindshare NA evaluated 35 of entertainment's most popular franchises across the U.S. The agency ranked them against audiences and across channels, and evaluated the different ways various audiences engage with the programming, to find the right environments for brands to connect with consumers. Some highlights from the research include:

Overall Winners

Using weighted data from both a custom survey and a QUID analysis, Mindshare NA found that Pixar, Disney, and Game of Thrones rank the highest out of the 35 franchises surveyed against total audience. Movie franchises dominate most spots in the top 20, with a few beloved scripted TV programs interspersed. The top 10 TV-based franchises are Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

Interestingly, the surveyed reality TV franchises all fell into the second half of the rankings, with The Kardashians at #26, and the HGTV and Project Runway TV franchises near the very bottom. It's likely this had something to do with their saturation of the market.

Also of note:

-- The Stephen King franchise scored in the top 10 among the overall audience, possibly riding on the interest around two new movies that opened over the summer.

-- In the ongoing fan battle between Star Wars and Star Trek, Star Wars was the clear winner from a franchise standpoint, with higher rankings across most of the major audience segments and higher scores in general across various fan metrics.

-- Among affluent audiences (those with a household income of $125,000 or higher), we saw many similarities to other income groupings in regards to love for Pixar, Disney, the comics properties, and Harry Potter – but it was also interesting to see that James Bond rose into the top ten.

-- When evaluating only TV-specific franchises, House Hunters scored the highest for familiarity – but Chopped had the highest appeal.

-- When measuring which franchises people particularly want to see more of, Game of Thronesscored as the most extendible franchise, with Pixar following at a distance. Few respondents indicated that they would like to see more of The Kardashians, Angry Birds, or The Bachelor.

-- There are over 1.4 million stories on fanfiction.net written about the 35 measured franchises. Harry Potter alone made up half of those stories – 771,000.

Teenagers – Ages 13-17

Teenagers are the only group to rate Harry Potter as the number one media franchise. Their next four favorites are all part of the Disney kingdom: Pixar, Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars.

The research shows this group has an especially high level of engagement with their favorite franchises, watching across devices, buying merchandise, and following these media multiverses online and across social channels.

Adults Ages 18-34

Pixar proves to be the top choice in franchises for adults ages 18-34. After that, other top franchises include Disney, Marvel, Harry Potter, and DC comics. Among TV properties, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead also made their top 10 list.

When asked what they specifically want to see more of, their answers followed very similar trends: Game of Thrones, Pixar, Harry Potter, Marvel comics, and Stephen King.

Adults Ages 35-54

Older adults still favour the family-friendly franchises like Pixar and Disney, but more mature offerings like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead also made their top five list. In fact, they consider themselves to be superfans of those two shows in particular, in addition to Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul.

In the future, they're most likely to watch Game of Thrones, Pixar, Marvel, and the Despicable Meseries.

Men Ages 25-54:

Among men ages 25-54, Star Wars stands out as their top franchise, but followed closely by their top television franchise, Game of Thrones. Pixar, Marvel, and DC Comics round out their top five. Then it's Disney, The Walking Dead, Stephen King, Star Trek, and Harry Potter to finish the top ten.

These fans want to see more from Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and Star Wars, as well as both the DC and Marvel comic universes. And they're most likely to watch Game of Thrones, Pixar, Marvel, Stephen King, and Star Wars in the future.

Women Ages 25-54:

Women ages 25-54 have a similar set of preferences to men in that age bracket: nine out of their top 10 franchise picks were found in the men's bracket as well, just in a different order. Disney takes the top spot, but is followed by Pixar, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and The Walking Dead to round out the top five. After that, it's Marvel comics, Star Wars, DC comics, Stephen King, and Lord of the Rings.

Among fans, they're likely to watch Pixar, Game of Thrones, NBC's Chicago shows, and the Despicable Me series in the future.

Methodology

Mindshare NA released its research as a collaborative project between several teams, including the agency's Invention Studio (a unit dedicated to driving creativity in media), the Spotlight team (the agency's sports and entertainment partnerships unit), and the Insights team.

Mindshare NA worked with E-Poll on a custom survey across 1,337 consumers across the U.S., ranging in ages 13-54. Respondents shared their thoughts and feelings across 35 high performing TV and movie franchises, with insights including but not limited to:

Awareness and familiarity with the franchise
Viewing behaviors and engagement activities with the franchise
Overall fandom and likeability
The desire to see more content from this franchise

Mindshare NA combined the data from the custom survey and QUID analysis which analyzed the volume of national press, social, and digital coverage to create proprietary franchise rankings and measurements.

With the results of the survey, the agency also created 35 individual "playing cards" for each of the franchises, to be used for Mindshare NA clients in determining which media properties and audiences make the most sense for particular brands.

For more information on the 35 franchises measured and the various metrics used, please contact Julie Gomstyn (Julie.Gomstyn@mindshareworld.com) or Jamie Arvizu(Jamie.Arvizu@mindshareworld.com).

About Mindshare:

We were born in Asia in 1997, a start up with a desire to change the media world. Now we are a global agency with 116 offices in 86 countries and billings of $35bn (source: RECMA). We aim to be our clients' lead business partner, to grow their business and drive profitability through adaptive and inventive marketing. We do this through speed, teamwork, and provocation because in today's world everything begins and ends in media. We create new things and have fun doing it. Mindshare is part of GroupM, the media investment management arm of WPP, the world's leading communications services group. Visit us at Mindshareusa.com or MindshareInTheLoop.com and follow us on Twitter @Mindshare_NA, and Facebook.com/MindshareNA.

About GroupM:

GroupM is the leading global media investment management company for WPP's media agencies including Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence and m/SIX, and the outcomes-driven programmatic audience company, Xaxis. Responsible for more than US $108B in annual media investment by some of the world's largest advertisers, GroupM agencies deliver an advantage to clients with unrivaled insights into media marketplaces and consumer audiences. GroupM enables its agencies and clients with trading expertise, data, technology and an array of specialty services including addressable TV, content and sports. GroupM works closely with WPP's data investment management group, Kantar, and together they account for almost 50% of WPP's group revenues of more than US $19B. GroupM delivers unrivaled marketplace advantage to its clients, stakeholders and people.

Discover more about GroupM at www.groupm.com.

Follow @GroupMWorldwide on Twitter

Follow GroupM on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/groupm

______________________________
1 Sources: Box Office Mojo, FilmSite.org
2 "In-universe" meaning spinoffs or shows that lead to a spin-off

SOURCE Mindshare North America

Paytech Drives Fintech Ecosystem - Neobanks Push to Provide Innovative Services

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

WHEN:	5 December 2017
TIME:	18:00 (16:00 GMT)
LOCATION:	Online, with complimentary registration
PRESENTER:	Jean-Noël Georges, Global Program Director:
	Digital Transformation, Frost & Sullivan
GUEST PRESENTERS:	Gijzel Marijne, Marketing Manager for Digital Payments, Gemalto, and
	Adam Moulson, Chief Customer Officer, Form3

Digital transformation has already disrupted the traditional payment ecosystem. Now a new subcategory, paytech, is dominating the Fintech revolution. The most innovative services that form part of the paytech ecosystem include instant, cross-border, mobile, invisible, peer-to-peer and cryptocurrency payments. Furthermore, banks and financial institutions have had to digitalise their existing services in order to create a new channel with the digital platform.

"The recent emergence of Neobanks in particular has influenced the historical players by providing innovative approaches that leverage technologies as well as social media," notes Jean-Noël Georges, Global Program Director for Digital Transformation at Frost & Sullivan. "However, the success of payment services is based on the perceived confidence future customers will have in the different payment platforms. Trust in the payment service is therefore directly linked to the associated security."

This briefing will uncover how to secure digital payments, with high end solutions provided by top market players within the financial services ecosystem. The success of many services is directly linked to the seamless experience of digital payments. Even if payment is becoming invisible or transparent, security continues to remain a key pillar for massive commercial roll-out.

Join our experts to:

Understand the recent evolution of the digital payment ecosystem
Learn about Neobanks' payment product portfolio and associated security needs
Identify security features and best practices your organisation should consider when implementing payments
See how cryptocurrencies are gaining popularity as countries push to become cashless societies

A live question and answer session will follow the presentation.

This briefing will benefit CEOs, corporate strategy teams, business development executives, product managers, and sales and marketing managers focused on implementing secured digital payment strategy.

Click here (http://frost.ly/1z1) to register if you are interested in attending the briefing.

To receive a copy of the presentation slides and a link to the audio recording, kindly email samantha.james@frost.com your full name, job title, company name, company telephone number, company email address and website, city, state and country.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion

Contact:
Samantha James
Frost & Sullivan
+27 21 680 3574
samantha.james@frost.com
Twitter: @FrostSullivanSA

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

L-com Launches New USB 3.0 High-Flex Cable Assemblies

NORTH ANDOVER, Massachusetts, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- L-com Global Connectivity, a preferred manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, announced today that it has introduced a new series of high-flex USB 3.0 cable assemblies for use with PC peripheral interconnects, data acquisition, test and measurement and portable data storage applications.

These new USB 3.0 high-flex cables are rated for 10,000 flex cycles, making them ideal for applications where standard USB 3.0 cables fail. They are available with three connector options: Type-A male to Type-A male, Type-A male to Type-B male and Type-A male to Micro-B male. These high-flex cables feature a TPE cable jackets and 30 AWG high strand count conductors. Additionally, a foil plus braid shield provides maximum protection against EMI/RFI.

The Type-A to Type-A and Type-A to Type-B cables are available in 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5-meter lengths and the Type-A to Micro-B cables are available in 0.3, 0.5, 0.75-meter lengths.

"These exclusive, ultra-flexible USB 3.0 cables were specifically designed to address applications where ordinary cables fail due to excessive flexure. They can withstand 10 times as many bend cycles as a standard cable while retaining their durability and performance," said Brian Gates, Product Manager.

L-com's USB 3.0 high-flex cable assemblies are in stock and available for immediate shipment.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Peter McNeil
L-com Global Connectivity
17792 Fitch
Irvine, CA
978-682-6936 x1174

About L-com Global Connectivity:

L-com Global Connectivity, a leading manufacturer of wired and wireless connectivity products, offers a wide range of solutions and unrivaled customer service for the electronics and data communications industries. The company's product portfolio includes cable assemblies, connectors, adapters, antennas, enclosures, surge protectors and more. L-com is headquartered in North Andover, Mass., is ISO 9001: 2008 certified and many of its products are UL® recognized. L-com is an Infinite Electronics company.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/607577/New_USB_3_0_High_Flex_Cable_Assembly.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/607580/lcom_global_logo.jpg

SOURCE L-com Global Connectivity

OSH India 2017: UBM India's Stride in Raising Awareness About Occupational Safety and Health

MUMBAI, November 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

South Asia's largest trade show for Occupational Safety and Health industry in Mumbai by UBM India

UBM India, India's leading exhibition organiser, will be hosting the sixth edition of OSH India, South Asia's largest trade show in the Occupational Safety and Health industry in the business hub of Mumbai. Slated for the 23rd and 24th November, 2017 at - CIDCO Exhibition Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, the safety show will bring together internationally renowned exhibitors, consultants, business experts and key government officials under one roof, to discuss global best practices and seek solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the field of workplace safety and health.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/607703/UBM_India_OSH_India_2017_Mumbai_Logo.jpg)

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471349/UBM_Logo.jpg )

India, as compared to most countries in the world, has a demographic advantage with regard to its youth population. Approximately half of India's 1.2 billion people are under the age of 26, and by 2020, it is forecasted to be the youngest country in the world, with a median age of 29. Recent reports say 250 million people are set to join India's workforce by 2030. As a big chunk of the population shifts to the working age group, organisations need to look at the safety and health along with emotional well-being of these employees on priority to retain the best of talent and ensure good productivity. Companies in manufacturing and allied sectors such as automobile, oil and gas, construction, etc, in particular are becoming aware of occupational hazards and are working towards creating a safer working environment. Governments are emphasising on developing infrastructure and providing resources centred around workplace safety, coupled with increasing global investments.

Despite a greater focus on occupational safety and health, there is still inadequate education at various levels and public awareness is still absent, as managements and workforce don't always place safety as a top priority. Although, many organisations have taken the initiative to organize training sessions to create awareness, a concentrated and cohesive strategy is clearly not in place. UBM India's OSH India is geared to filling this vital gap.

OSH India is the country's definitive annual exhibition for the safety industry that attracts over 140 brands worldwide and facilitates ways to incorporate best practises at the workplace, especially to promote health and safety within it. The expo is supported by DISH (Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health) - Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu; Gujarat Safety Council; Indian Technical Textile Association; Taloja Industrial Association; Thane Manufacturer Association and Indian Society of Ergonomics.

The expo will include an Innovation Zone which will be a platform for exhibitors to promote and showcase innovative products that will benefit the occupational safety and health industry at large. The innovative product/service or technology will have a chance to win 'Best Product Innovation Award' which will be presented to the winner onsite. This year, the expo will include a dedicated two-day knowledge sharing classroom session on Powered Access which will be conducted by The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). This session will promote the safe and effective use of powered access in India.

The IPAF promotes the safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide in the widest sense - through providing technical advice and information, influencing and interpreting legislation and standards, its safety initiatives and training programmes. It is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its members that include manufacturers, rental companies and contractors.

OSH India has been consistently growing in size and depth, attracting industry leaders and key exhibitors including 'Premier Partner' - Dickies, 'Platinum Partner'- Euro Security, 'Gold Partner'- Udyogi, 'Silver Partner'- Venus, 'Safe Escape Partner' - Prolite, AutoGlo, 'Gas Detection Partner'- Drager, 'Registration Partner' - Jayco, 'Lanyard Partner'- Allen Cooper, 'Badge Partner' - UVIRAJ, 'Delegate Kit Partner' - PIG , New Pig, 'Occupational Safety and Health Partner' - Eurock, 'Visitor Bag Partner' - Heapro and others such as Motorola Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Superhouse Ltd., ID Overseas Private Ltd., Jayco Safety Products Pvt. Ltd., Saurya HSE Pvt. Ltd., Continental Manufacturing Co., Draeger Safety India Pvt. Ltd., Uviraj Global (P) Ltd., Teijin India Pvt. Ltd., Bata India, Unicare Emergency Equipment Pvt. Ltd., Acme Safetywears Ltd., NEBOSH Ltd., SATRA Technology Centre Ltd. and Rahman Industries Ltd. amongst others. This year, the show will have a presence of over 140 brands and will also see international participation from countries such as USA, Germany, UK, UAE, Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysiaand Italy.

Speaking on the announcement of OSH India 2017, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India, said, "With an increasing number of hours in the day spent at the workplace, enhancing the safety and well-being of employees is a prime concern for all organisations in order to secure workplace productivity and to enhance the quality of life as a whole. Increasing casualties at unsafe workspaces has accentuated the significance of occupational health and safety compliances amongst companies worldwide. With consistent emphasis by governments on developing infrastructure and providing workplace-safety coupled with the rise in global investments in the sector, there lies a huge opportunity for the suppliers and service providers from across the world to showcase their innovations and knowledge amidst an industry landscape of a vastly untapped Indian market. OSH India 2017 addresses this very need and seeks to provide tangible solutions to this very pressing need by giving an opportunity to these suppliers and service providers."

This year's two-day OSH conference aims to share and ideate on global best practices with delegates whilst the accompanying exhibition will help identify solutions to the most pressing challenges in workplace safety and health. The key sessions and panel discussions at the conference will be attended by industry experts from across the country and leading international organizations. Topics of discussion at the conference include: 'Promoting a Broader Ownership of Health and Safety in India', 'Benchmarking Current Industry Practices for handling high Toxic Chemicals', 'Accident Prevention: Hazard and Operability Analysis', 'Fire Safety Management and Audits, 'Redefining Health and Safety Metrics: Tackling Occupational Disease,' 'Construction Safety: Design and Management', 'Emotional Intelligence to Create a Safer Workplace', 'Gender Sensitive Approach to Workplace Health and Safety,' 'The Role and Need for Accreditation in HSE' and 'Disaster Management/Crisis Management.' The conference also aims to influence organisations to take a gender-sensitive approach and ensure employers implement risk management and protective measures addressing gender differences.

Distinguished speakers at the conference include Mr. Jayanand Potdar, Chief Operating Officer, Godrej Properties Ltd.; Mr. S Mani, President, Process Research, HR, SH&E & CSR, Orchid Pharma Ltd.; Mr. Suresh Tanwar, Chief - Group Safety & Health (Tata Group); Mr. K Manjunath, Associate Director, EHS and Operational Business Continuity, Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Srinivas Pranesh, Head - Responsible Care, BASF India; Mr. Satyanarayan Nayak - Head- Environment Protection, Health Management and Safety, Siemens; Mr. Subroto Mukherjee, Head Administration & Facilities Management, Cipla Ltd; Mr. Ajoy Kumar Paul, General Manager (HSE & Asset Integrity) , Mahanagar Gas Ltd.; Mr. Jitendra Deshpande, General Manager -HSE (Corporate), Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Ltd.; Mr. Bajirao Dethe, Chief Manager-CEHS, Piramal Pharma Solutions; Dr. K. Mamallan, Deputy Manager (Safety, Health, Environment & Quality) & (ISO), Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd.; (A Group Company of Indian Oil); Mr. B Karthik, Founder, Orion Transcenders; Dr Francin Pinto, Managing Director, 3- S Envo Projects Pvt. Ltd.; Mr Ish Anand, Founder & CEO, Relia Smart Learning & Development Pvt. Ltd. and Mr Abhay Pathak Team Lead Assessor EHS, Quality Council of India - National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) amongst others.

OSH India 2017 will also witness the 'OSH India Safety Awards 2017' which is open to Indian operating businesses, organizations, alliances and individuals in the public or private sector with a workplace health and safety initiative. This year, OSH Awards received a total of 120 nominations from across industry verticals that include construction, pharma, chemicals, FMCG, BPO, banking, refineries, oil & gas, automobiles, logistics & transport, power, SME's, Agro, Healthcare, food, iron & steel, IT, Rubber industry and more. These Awards have been instrumental in building competitiveness among applicants, in encouraging innovation and have been able to promote and establish thought leadership within the Occupational Safety and Health industry in India. The Awards Night slated for 23rd November will be a celebration of the coming together of the luminaries and forerunners of the industry, marked by a night of glamour and entertainment.

Launches and announcements at OSH India 2017:

Mr. Varun Budhiraja, Director, Euro Safety Footwear (India) Pvt. Ltd.
"Our brands include Euro Security a portfolio that carries premium head-to-toe safety products, fit for all major industries. Secondly, Eurock is an initiative by Euro Safety to provide low cost safety footwear to those industrial pockets with a budget constraint. Lastly, EURO AVIO which we will be launching at OSH Mumbai 2017 is our latest contribution to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) industry. It is specifically designed for the aviation and hospitality industries. With more and more industries coming up in India, we see a rise in the need for PPE at workplaces. Euro Safety is focusing on providing PPE to the Indian market right up to the next decade and beyond."

Mr. Clark Stapelfeld, Vice President, International, New Pig India Pvt. Ltd.
"OSH India is an excellent platform to discuss the health and safety challenges of various industries and other solution providers, to communicate ideas and to understand their current unmet needs. While increasing competition continues to present challenges, we are confident that our unparalleled attention to quality and service will continue to be the biggest differentiator, as it has been for over 30 years. OSH presents a significant opportunity for us to accomplish those objectives, keeping in view our large and relevant audience. New Pig will debut our line of Grippy Floor Mats which help both manufacturers and commercial facilities address floor safety issues".

Mr. Iqbal Hussain, General Manager, Super house Limited:
"OSH India provides a platform to buyers for the industry's future requirements and is also helpful for creating competitiveness among exhibitors. The Indian market is very important and is a high focus market for us, as it is soon to become the regional manufacturing hub, playing a vital role in world economy. We will be launching our new line of industrial socks at OSH India 2017 and are hoping for a positive response."

About UBM India:

UBM India is India's leading exhibition organizer that provides the industry with platforms that bring together buyers and sellers from around the world, through a portfolio of exhibitions, content led conferences & seminars. UBM India hosts over 25 large scale exhibitions and 40 conferences across the country every year; thereby enabling trade across multiple industry verticals. A UBM Asia Company, UBM India has offices across Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. UBM Asia is owned by UBM plc which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. UBM Asia is the leading exhibition organizer in Asiaand the biggest commercial organizer in mainland China, India and Malaysia.

For further details, please visit http://www.ubmindia.in.

About UBM plc:

UBM plc is the largest pure-play B2B Events organiser in the world. In an increasingly digital world, the value of connecting on a meaningful, human level has never been more important. At UBM, our deep knowledge and passion for the industry sectors we serve allow us to create valuable experiences where people can succeed. At our events people build relationships, close deals and grow their businesses. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors - from fashion to pharmaceutical ingredients. These global networks, skilled, passionate people and market-leading events provide exciting opportunities for business people to achieve their ambitions.

For more information, go to http://www.ubm.com; for UBM corporate news, follow us on Twitter at @UBM, UBM Plc LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Roshni Mitra
roshni.mitra@ubm.com
+91-22-61727000

Mili Lalwani
mili.lalwani@ubm.com
UBM India

SOURCE UBM India Pvt. Ltd.

Forrester Releases India 2017 Customer Experience Index

cxindex.
About Forrester
Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We work with business and technology leaders to develop customer-obsessed strategies that drive growth. Forrester's unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 675,000 consumers and business leaders worldwide, rigorous and objective methodologies, and the shared wisdom of our most innovative clients. Through proprietary research, data, custom consulting, exclusive executive peer groups, and events, the Forrester experience is about a singular and powerful purpose: to challenge the thinking of our clients to help them lead change in their organizations.
Media Contact:
Iris Leong +65-6426-7016 ileong@forrester.com
SOURCE Forrester

The Boathouse Phuket relaunches as the latest addition under The Boutique Collection brand

Managed by the HPL Hotels & Resorts, the hotel takes its long legacy to the next level

SINGAPORE, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boathouse Phuket gets a shiny new makeover as the hotel reopened its door on 1 November after a 5-month refurbishments. This latest addition to The Boutique Collection, The Boathouse is a secluded beach front hideaway on Kata Beach Phuket.

All 39 guestrooms and suites have been refurbished and instilled with modern, elegant-puristic atmosphere. The new look has integrated with the beachfront location and maritime theme, which is consistent with the brand.

Designed by the Singapore based interior architecture firm, LAANK, the fresh and breezy nautical theme decor makes the guests feel like relaxing on a yacht while traversing the ocean. The coastal chic and refreshing interior details such as ropes, a combination of wood, ocean blue and white hues are incorporated into the design to capture the freshness of the ocean and enhance its Baan Reua(meaning "boathouse" in Thai) character.

In the common areas, along the reception, blue corrugated wall features create an imagery of water reflection; the grey colour shades thorough the interiors provide a contemporary look.

"Being small in room number, we can easily cater to the special needs and requests from our guests. Our hotel is operating in an intimate level that allows us to pay attention to details that matter," says, Max Chin, General Manager of The Boathouse Phuket. "Here, remembering guests by their first names is an accepted norm, so is taking the initiative that they're well taken care off."

For over two decades, The Boathouse has been known as an emblem of the Kata Beach. The pristine property has subsequently improved its features over the years, from where it was -- as a restaurant with rooms to where it is today.

Other facilities at The Boathouse include an infinity pool, courtyard whirlpool, hospitality lounge, gym, in-room dining, laundry service, and most important, a team of well-trained and enthusiastic staff prepared to offer a tailor-made stay.

The Boathouse Restaurant

The restaurant remains true to its long legacy of the culinary expertise. Drawing inspiration from the original Boathouse Cookbook, The Boathouse's unique recipe such as 'Massaman Kae' (lamb in Thai curry) is a must among the list of specialties. The recipe will take food lovers to discover history and origin of the authentic taste, well reflects a culinary tradition of Phuket's mixed cultures which influenced by early traders to the Malay Peninsula.

From the traditional Thai dishes to popular western selections such as grilled Wagyu steak, stewed fish pie, grilled tuna steak, guests are invited to pair the tasty menus with the wines from a selection of more than 600 labels in its award-winning wine cellar.

The culinary team at The Boathouse selects the fresh and best quality ingredients available to prepare the delectable dishes. The local grown and organic produce are the top choices. From seafood to local vegetables, seasonal ingredients are also a great inspiration for the chef to create special dishes of the day.

The element of authenticity is not only conveyed through the flavours but also the serving style. During lunch time, the restaurant serves a set menu as in a Pinto Set style. Reflecting the local tradition, Pinto or the tiffin carrier is part of a food culture across the region. Pinto is wildly used as a lunch box, while a mixed type of food in Pinto are usually shared among friends or family members during the meal time.

The newly renovated restaurant provides a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere for dining. The open kitchen concept at The Boathouse Restaurant brings a home cooking sentiment, this reflects the way of local's life which kitchen is the heart of the house or a place where a family come together to share good time and good food.

Established in 1991, the restaurant has created its prominence as one of the famous restaurants in Phuket. The 180-seat restaurant offers ocean vista from both indoor and outdoor spaces where guests can savour the sensation of The Boathouse recipe amid the Kata Beach setting. On second floor, the restaurant provides a private dining room where guests can also enjoy an exclusive cooking class by The Boathouse's experienced chefs.

The Boathouse Phuket
182 Koktanode Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100, Thailand
Tel: +66 76 330 015-7
Fax: +66 76 330 561
Email: info@boathouse-phuket.com
Website: http://www.boathouse-phuket.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

Angeline Loh, Director of Marketing Communications
Email: angeline.loh@hplhotels.com
Mobile: +65 9880 7496 | Tel: +65 6734 5250 | Fax: +65 6235 3216

HPL Hotels & Resorts
50 Cuscaden Road, #05-02 HPL House, Singapore 249724

ABOUT HPL HOTELS & RESORTS

Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company, operated and wholly-owned by Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), a Singapore main-board listed company. HPL Hotels & Resorts manages the activities of 11 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean. These include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Casa del Mar - Langkawi, The Lakehouse - Cameron Highlands, Casa del Rio -- Melaka, The Boathouse Phuket and Gili Lankanfushi Maldives.

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

SOURCE HPL Hotels & Resorts

Ritesh Singh Appointed as the General Manager of LATICRETE Middle East

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, November 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

LATICRETE® a world-wide manufacturer and marketer of globally proven construction solutions, announced today that Ritesh Singh, was appointed as the General Manager of LATICRETE Middle East and will be leading the LATICRETE teams in the Middle East and Africa regions, effective immediately.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/599734/LATICRETE_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/607887/Ritesh_Singh_General_Manager_LATICRETE_Middle_East.jpg )

Ritesh Singh previously served as the Head of Sales for LATICRETE in the Middle East and has played a key role in driving growth in the region. Ritesh started his journey with LATICRETE, in India, as a fresh MBA graduate and spent over 12 years building key relationships in the region, eventually growing to handle the biggest sales territory in India. Subsequently he worked for Pidilite and thereafter moved to the Middle East, where he has been working with LATICRETE Middle East for over two years.

Mr. Faisal Saleem, Vice President, LATICRETE International stated:

"I would like to congratulate Ritesh on his appointment as the General Manager of LATICRETE Middle East and wish him success in his new role. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sujit Singh for his contribution in the growth of LATICRETE in the Middle East & Africa region for over 18 years. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Globally, it is an exciting time for LATICRETE, we acquired 5 companies in 2017, 3 in Europe and 1 each in Australia and Central America and have strong plans to further expand our presence across Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America in the next 3 - 5 years."

Mr. Ritesh Singh said, "I would like to thank Sujit for his mentorship and wish him the best in life. LATICRETE has had a presence in the Middle East since the 90's and has been a key part of some of the milestone projects in the region, from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to the Al Hamra Tower in Kuwaitand the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh. I am very excited to take on this new opportunity, as LATICRETE Middle East moves into its next phase of growth by expanding its presence across the Middle East and Africa. Africa is the next frontier for growth in the LATICRETE world. This will also see us recruit further talent to support our growth initiatives. With globally proven construction solutions and strong relationships within the construction industry, we are confident of an impressive and sustainable growth in the coming future."

LATICRETE is a leading manufacturer of globally proven construction solutions for the building industry. LATICRETE offers a broad range of products and systems covering tile & stone installation and care, masonry installation and care, resinous and decorative floor finishes, concrete construction chemicals, and concrete restoration and care including the LATICRETE® SUPERCAP® System. For over 60 years, LATICRETE has been committed to research and development of innovative installation products, building a reputation for superior quality, performance and customer service. LATICRETE methods, materials, and technology have been field and laboratory proven by Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Owners. Offering an array of low VOC and sustainable products, LATICRETE products contribute to LEED certification, exceed commercial/residential VOC building requirements, and are backed by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry.

Web: http://www.laticrete.me

SOURCE LATICRETE

CONTACT: Mr. Manav Bhatia, manav@laticrete.me, +971-544-455-296

Bitcoin.com Wallet Hits 500,000 Users – Press Release Live

Bitcoin.com Wallet Hits 500,000 Users – Press Release Live

TOKYO, November 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ —

Bitcoin.com announced today that the Bitcoin.com
Wallet has been used to create more than half a million Bitcoin
wallets. Launched just three months ago as a software fork of BitPay’s
Copay wallet, the Bitcoin.com
Wallet has quickly become one of the most popular cross-platform
software wallets for users of Bitcoin Legacy (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash
(BCH). With the new Bitcoin.com
wallet, users can purchase bitcoins, send and receive the decentralized
currency, and store their digital asset with confidence. Users can
verify the code and download the clients via Github. The Bitcoin.com wallet is available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android and iOS mobile applications. Download a wallet for your operating system today!

(Photo: mma.prnewswire.com/media/607662/Bitcoin_com_wallet.jpg )

(Logo: mma.prnewswire.com/media/607663/Bitcoin_com_logo.jpg )

“Attaining five hundred thousand users on a product that’s
barely three months old is a significant milestone for our company,”
said Bitcoin.com CEO Roger Ver. “We look forward to continuing such rapid growth in the coming year.”

This achievement comes as Bitcoin.com
prepares to roll out a major update to the wallet. The new update will
support such features as shared multisignature wallets for Bitcoin Cash,
automatic sweeping of BCH from Bitcoin private keys, and deriving BCH
and BTC wallets from the same seed phrase.

About Bitcoin.com

Founded in 2015, Bitcoin.com is the foremost online web portal for Bitcoin information and related services. Bitcoin.com
is growing immensely with many feature services and a lot of
cryptocurrency content for both newcomers and veterans in this space. We
have a vast array of educational sources, a wiki, bitcoin-related news,
casino games, and so much more. The website features a news section, educational resources, Bitcoin mining services, a discussion forum, and a games section.

Related Links

www.Bitcoin.com

www.bitcoin.com/choose-your-wallet/bitcoin-com-wallet

Press & Media Inquiries

Jake Smith

International Business Development

Email: Jake@Bitcoin.com

SOURCE Bitcoin.com