Month: March 2022

Over half of consumers express frustration, shop elsewhere, when their responses to brand messages go unanswered

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, and ATLANTA — March 31, 2022 — Consumers are being unintentionally ignored by businesses, according to a new study of almost 3,000 consumers across 15 countries, commissioned by Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) – XSTO: SINCH). The study found 89% of people want to initiate and reply to two-way conversations with businesses, via multiple mobile and social channels. However, over half (53%) recalled a frustrating time when they discovered they could not reply to a mobile message sent from a business, for example to ask a question, receive an update or complete an action, such as scheduling an appointment. Download the full report here.

Delayed Responses Mean Dissatisfaction
Even brands that have deployed some two-way communication are struggling to meet consumers’ expectations, the report found. When asked how long it typically takes to get a response from a brand on social media, nearly one in four people claimed it takes a day or longer. Most respondents said they’d be less likely to buy from a brand given these unreasonable wait times. Scaling two-way messaging across mobile channels to deliver the immediacy customers expect requires greater attention and tools that can efficiently come via a top CPaaS platform.

AI in Team?
The study found 70% of people had interacted with an AI-powered chatbot at least once – but what happens when a live service agent needs to step in? A resounding 95% of respondents desired to be instantly handed off to a live agent in these situations — a stark contrast to the 35% of businesses currently enabling this, according to a recent IDC white paper.

The study amplifies the imbalance between consumers’ desire for more intimate digital brand interactions and the limitations of brands’ current one-way messaging realities.

“Our research shows that customers are ready to take their relationships with brands to the next level, with two-way messaging across channels that gives them the freedom to shape the conversation to their needs,” said Jonathan Bean, CMO of Sinch. “However, because many brands aren’t yet equipped to provide this enhanced conversational experience, customers are being unintentionally ignored, which can lead them to abandon a business altogether. Activating omnichannel two-way messaging is a critical way of boosting the customer experience and forging more loyal, satisfied relationships with consumers.”

The online study of 2,980 consumers across 15 countries was conducted by Ravn Research in October 2021. To read the full report, visit here.

About Sinch
Sinch’s leading cloud communications platform lets businesses reach everyone on the planet, in seconds or less, through mobile messaging, email, voice and video. More than 150,000 businesses, including many of the world’s largest companies and mobile operators, use Sinch’s advanced technology platform to engage with their customers. Sinch has been profitable and fast-growing since its foundation in 2008. It is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a local presence in more than 50 countries. Shares are traded at NASDAQ Stockholm: XSTO:SINCH. Visit us at sinch.com.

For further information, please contact:

Jeff Hasen
Vice President, Communications
jeff.hasen@sinch.com

Attachment

• CX-report-2022–PR

DUROR, Scotland, March 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Monday 28th March 2022, conservation company Highland Titles achieved a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD® for the world’s biggest bug/insect hotel, which means Highland Titles are “Officially Amazing!”®

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6d0e716-dbd2-4737-934d-660fac898b70

The 199.9 cubic metre structure is located on the Highland Titles Nature Reserve at Duror in the Scottish Highlands and already houses a variety of species. It breaks the previous world record of 89.37 cubic metres, which was held by the Polish Association of Developers in Warsaw, Poland.

The world record-breaking bug hotel was made using felled sitka spruce from the nature reserve, masonry bricks, bamboo canes, wood chips, forest bark, wildflower seeds, clay pipes and strawberry netting.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f7ca5a3-5c5c-4d71-a475-daceb2ca6aff

“This record-breaking initiative is about the environmental message,” says Douglas Wilson, CEO of Highland Titles. “We bought this land in 2006 when it was a poorly performing commercial forestry plantation of non-native Sitka Spruce.

“Like much of the Highlands, it was inappropriately planted in the late 1980s with no thought or consideration given to biodiversity. Using these same trees for something that puts nature first symbolises that the world has changed, and we hope our efforts will inspire others. We’d be delighted if someone beat our record in the future!”

Nature Reserve Manager, Stewart Borland, was part of a team of 7 who were involved in its construction which started in September 2021 and was completed in early March 2022. In addition to the environmental message, Mr Borland hopes that it encourages people to visit:

“In 2019, we had more than 10,000 visitors to the nature reserve from all over the world. The pandemic really put a dent in our visitor numbers, so we hope that this – together with the new track which is adored by cyclists – will encourage people to visit now that travel is opening up again. The more visitors we get, the more people can see the work that we’re doing.”

About Highland Titles

Highland Titles began in 2006 with a mission to conserve Scotland, one square foot at a time. The conservation project – now encompassing 5 nature reserves and over 800 acres of Scottish wilderness – is funded by selling gift-sized souvenir plots of land.

The Highland Titles community of souvenir plot owners are invited to style themselves as the Lords and Ladies of Glencoe™. Over 300,000 plots of land have been sold to date.

The Highland Titles Nature Reserve near Glencoe is an official 4* tourist attraction and, according to Trip Advisor, one of the most popular nature reserves in the country.

Resources

For more information on the World’s Biggest Bug Hotel, visit here

For more photographs or video content, please email support@highlandtitles.com with your email address, name and phone number

Contact

Douglas Wilson, CEO
douglas@highlandtitles.com

Kither Biotech announces publication of new data in Science Translational Medicine

Data support the use of Kither Biotech’s lead asset, KIT2014, in obstructive airway diseases

KIT2014 demonstrated a triple mechanism of action in reversing disease pathogenesis: enhancing functionality of CFTR channels and reducing bronchoconstriction and inflammation

Adds to evidence supporting the use of KIT2014 as a potential add-on therapy to current cystic fibrosis standard of care

Turin, Italy, 31 2022 – Kither Biotech (“Kither” or “the Company”), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for rare respiratory diseases, today announces the publication of a study in Science Translational Medicine describing the mechanism of action of its lead asset, KIT2014, and proof-of-concept data for its use for the treatment of chronic obstructive airway diseases (Sci. Transl. Med., 14 (638), eabl6328. • DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abl6328).

KIT2014 is a novel, cell-permeable peptide currently being investigated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) that works to modulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels inside cells. Increasing cAMP can reduce mucus accumulation, inflammation, and bronchoconstriction, issues that are inherent to cystic fibrosis. KIT2014 is currently being developed as an add-on to the current standard of care enabling improved efficacy by directly focusing on the most significant ailments of CF patients, delivered directly to the lungs as an inhaled therapy. The Company expects to begin a Phase 1/2A clinical trial of KIT2014 in 2023.

The data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of inhaled KIT2014 (referred to as PI3Kγ MP in the publication) to increase cAMP levels in pulmonary cells, alleviating the pathogenesis of several obstructive airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and COPD, through a triple mechanism of action: promoting bronchodilation, reducing lung inflammation, and enhancing the activity of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the channel that triggers mucus hydration and clearance. In airway cells from patients with cystic fibrosis, a disease where CFTR dysfunction is particularly critical, KIT2014 was reported to enhance the effects of existing CFTR modulators by up to 80%.

Vincent Metzler, CEO at Kither Biotech, commented: “The publication of these data in a prominent peer-reviewed journal represents an important step as we advance the development of KIT2014 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis as an add-on therapy to CFTR modulators. We are preparing for our Phase 1/2A clinical trial of KIT2014, as we move one step closer to potentially bringing this innovative therapy to patients with unmet need.”

Alessandra Ghigo, scientific co-founder at Kither Biotech and lead investigator, said: “These new data validate KIT2014’s ability to modulate cAMP signal transduction in the lungs, increasing the functionality of CFTR channels, as well as reducing inflammation and bronchoconstriction, properties which are potentially highly beneficial to patients with cystic fibrosis and other diseases like COPD and asthma. We are looking forward to commencing clinical trials for KIT2014.”

Emilio Hirsch, scientific co-founder at Kither Biotech and last author, added: “Our data of KIT2014 showing an enhancement of the effect of existing CFTR modulators by 80% demonstrate the potential of this peptide, when administered as an inhalation therapy, to improve the condition of many patients still suffering from CF or other respiratory diseases.”

ENDS

About Kither Biotech
Kither Biotech is a biopharma company founded by Prof. Alessandra Ghigo, Prof. Emilio Hirsch, Prof. Alberto Bardelli and Marco Kevin Malisani. The company aims to identify and develop new drug candidates for the treatment of rare pulmonary diseases, with specific focus on cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Kither Biotech is a spin-off from the University of Turin and actively collaborates with the Molecular Biotechnology Center (University of Turin) and other research centres in the world. The company developed a pipeline of treatments currently under preclinical development, with programs in cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory diseases. |www.kitherbiotech.com

About KIT2014

KIT2014 is a cell-permeable cAMP modulating peptide that disrupts the interaction of PI3Kgamma with its partner, protein kinase A (PKA), leading to type 3 and 4 phosphodiesterases (PDE3/4) inhibition and, in turn, to enhanced cAMP responses within the cell. KIT2014 is currently being investigated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) as an add-on inhalation therapy to the current standard of care, enabling improved efficacy by directly impacting mucus hypersecretion, airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction, the most significant ailments of CF patients. When inhaled, KIT2014 increases cAMP locally in bronchial epithelial cells to promote the opening of CFTR chloride channels, which are key to mucus hydration, while in lung smooth muscle and immune cells cAMP elevation limits bronchoconstriction and neutrophil infiltration. In CF patients, treatment with KIT2014 is believed to restore the function of CFTR mutants by potentiating the effects of CFTR modulators (Ghigo et al., Science Translational Medicine, in press).

For more information please contact:

Consilium Srategic Communications Matthew Cole / Davide Salvi / Lucie Foster KitherBiotech@consilium-comms.com

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

Click HERE for the Italian version of the release

SINGAPORE, March 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GCP Applied Technologies Inc. (NYSE: GCP) (GCP or the Company), a leading global provider of construction products, today announced it is implementing price increases for Concrete Admixtures, Cement Additives and Specialty Building Materials in Asia Pacific.

To continue providing the exceptional solutions GCP’s customers rely on, at the levels of service they require, it is necessary to increase prices for all construction products effective April 1, 2022.

“The global supply chain impacts on raw material and freight costs have been unprecedented over the past nine months and costs are not expected to subside in the near future. We have continued to increase our inventory levels to service our customers’ needs, and added freight capacity to ensure timely delivery. We are committed to provide customers with the highest-performing products and industry-leading technical service. GCP’s regional sales team will contact our customers individually to discuss the details of the price increase,” commented Jimmy Ho, GCP’s President of Asia Pacific Region.

About GCP Applied Technologies

GCP Applied Technologies (NYSE: GCP) is a leading global provider of construction products that include high-performance specialty construction chemicals and building materials. GCP partners with producers, contractors, designers and engineers to achieve performance and sustainability goals. The company has a legacy of first to market and award-winning solutions that have been used to build some of the world’s most renowned structures. GCP is focused on continuous improvement for its customers, end-users and the environment.

For more information, visit GCP’s website at www.gcpat.com.

Media Relations
Catherine Meihofer
+1 678-575-1927
mediainfo@gcpat.com

Investor Relations
William I. Kent, IRC
+1 617-498-4344
investors@gcpat.com

• March 31 marks the Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to spread awareness about both the struggles and the successes of the trans community
• “Unbox Me” is a project by FCB India & FCB Chicago that addresses the isolation and marginalization of trans children, which often begins within their own families
• Influential personalities and community leaders are unboxing the hidden childhood treasures of transgender people on social media, to create awareness and demand acceptance

NEW DELHI, India and NEW YORK, March 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In the lead-up to the International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, UNAIDS and FCB have partnered to launch “Unbox Me,” an initiative aimed at raising awareness for the rights of transgender children by empowering them to stop hiding their identities and embrace their true selves. Part of the #SeeMeAsIAm campaign, “Unbox Me” is the latest collaborative effort from UNAIDS and FCB, whose ongoing partnership also included “The Mirror” in 2021.

“Unbox Me” is a creative exploration of the theme of secrecy and hiding, and the campaign aims to spotlight the struggles of transgender children, like their being closeted and their discomfort with their assigned gender, many as early as the age of two.

Swati Bhattacharya, FCB India’s Creative Chairperson, who conceptualized this campaign, said, “In India, children usually have a box which they use to store their most precious possessions. In the case of trans children, however, they need to hide their box of treasures, since some of their most precious possessions don’t fit the gender norm that society expects them to conform to.”

She added: ““Unbox Me” shows exactly that, every box opened revealed someone’s true self. We sent these boxes to prominent people in the community, who then unboxed them on their social media feeds, sharing their feelings and thoughts as the reality of countless children suppressing their spirit became a tangible reality one could experience.” The videos are a play on popular unboxing videos, in which people unpack gadgets and toys. Only this time, the unboxings have a much deeper meaning.

UNAIDS and FCB played on the theme of trans children being no different than any child who loves creating hiding places and what their hidden possessions reveal about that child’s identity, preferences and dreams. For trans children, the act of hiding treasures becomes a way of hiding their identity from disapproving eyes. “Unbox Me” is an effort to symbolically unbox their secrets to the world and open the conversation for so many transgender children out there — not just in India, but everywhere.

The creation of “Unbox Me” is a partnership between FCB’s India and Chicago offices, exemplifying how FCB brings together talent and expertise across its global network to create impactful work, work that addresses a global topic.

On the campaign, Mahesh Mahalingam, Director, Communications and Global Advocacy, UNAIDS, said, “Gender diversity is not just an issue for adults but for those of all ages including children. There are thousands of children like the ones who provided their boxes all over the world who want to express and claim their identities. And they should not have to wait until they become adults; it is too late by then.”

He added, “As parents, as teachers, as brothers and sisters, as community members, we have to recognize and nurture children for who they truly are. Each of the objects in the boxes is a plea to be heard, to be loved, to be recognized.”

“Unbox Me” builds on similar messages seen in UNAIDS and FCB’s work from their yearlong partnership. For International Transgender Day of Visibility in 2021, they released “The Mirror,” an award-winning film written by Bhattacharya that features a young boy looking in the mirror and dressing up as a woman to raise awareness about gender identity during childhood.

The “Unbox Me” initiative has already seen participation from prominent figures, like Indian filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and popular TV journalist Barkha Dutt, and continues to garner support from the education community. Teachers at many schools have spread the message among their own teacher-student-parent community (e.g., The Shri Ram School, The Millennium Schools, the Mussoorie International School and Vasant Valley, to name a few). It will now travel to schools across India.

A study by the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine indicates that 31% of transgender persons in India end their life by committing suicide, and 50% of them have attempted suicide at least once before turning 20. Recent cases of suicide by students who identified as trans in Bareilly and Noida in Uttar Pradesh are clear indicators of rejection and abuse.

About FCB
FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding) is a global, award-winning and integrated marketing communications company with a heritage of creativity and success dating from 1873. Named Cannes Lions 2020/2021 Global Creative Network of the Year, Adweek 2020 Global Agency of the Year, 2020 Ad Age A-List and the #1 Global Network on The Good Report 2020, FCB focuses on creating Never Finished campaign ideas that have the power to transform brands, businesses and communities. With more than 8,000 people in 109 operations in 80 countries, the company is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG). Visit fcb.com or follow @FCBglobal on Instagram and Twitter and FCB Global on Facebook and LinkedIn.

UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
Melanie Mitchem
+1 917 902 0998
Melanie.Mitchem@fcb.com

Charlotte Sector
+41 22 791 55 87
sectorc@unaids.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e2e293dc-0a09-4b9a-83ef-91348696d9dc

A video accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/346479eb-63ad-4dfc-937b-2bea4f54794f

Board Announces New Member in Commitment to Enhancing and Diversifying Board

PHOENIX, March 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp. (“WillScot Mobile Mini” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: WSC), the North American leader in innovative flexible workspace and portable storage solutions, today announced the appointment of Erika Davis to the WillScot Mobile Mini Board of Directors, effective April 1, 2022.

“We are truly pleased to welcome Erika Davis to the WillScot Mobile Mini Board,” said Erik Olsson, Chairman of WillScot Mobile Mini. “Ms. Davis’ appointment supports the Company’s commitment to enhance and diversify the skills, knowledge and expertise of its Board. She is a dynamic leader with vast experience driving customer-centric operational improvements. She brings an important perspective to the Board given her domestic and international operations leadership.”

“Erika is a forward-thinking leader with an innovative approach to assessing and elevating internal operations,” added Brad Soultz, Chief Executive Officer. “Erika’s deep experience in logistics, systems and human capital management will undoubtedly strengthen the Company through its next phase of growth as we continue to deliver superior results and create value for all of our stakeholders.”

Ms. Davis will serve as a member of the Compensation Committee.

About Erika Davis

Erika Davis, age 58, has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Performance Food Group Company (NYSE: PFGC) since 2019. Previously, Ms. Davis spent 20 years in several leadership roles at Owens & Minor, most recently as Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, and Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff to the CEO. Ms. Davis has extensive experience on non-profit boards of directors, including the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, the University of Richmond, and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond. She is also a current member of The Executive Leadership Council. Ms. Davis received an MPA from the University of North Carolina and a BA from the University of Richmond.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “shall,” “outlook” and variations of these words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Certain of these forward-looking statements include statements relating value creation, the Company’s share price, and the Company’s future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described in the periodic reports we file with the SEC from time to time (including our Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2020), which are available through the SEC’s EDGAR system at www.sec.gov and on our website. Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date which it is made, and WillScot Mobile Mini disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings trades on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “WSC.” Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the Company is a leading business services provider specializing in innovative flexible workspace and portable storage solutions. WillScot Mobile Mini services diverse end markets across all sectors of the economy from a network of over 275 branch locations and additional drop lots throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries:

Nick Girardi
nick.girardi@willscotmobilemini.com

Media Inquiries:

Scott Junk
scott.junk@willscotmobilemini.com