21.6 C
London
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Home Blog Page 74

Lumen Prize Announces Increased 2024 Fund & Opens Global Digital Art Submissions

The Lumen Prize, celebrated for its dedication to recognising the pinnacle of digital and technologically-driven art, is thrilled to open its 13th annual Call for Entries, beginning March 7th at 17:00 BST.

Since its establishment in 2012, The Lumen Prize, alongside Lumen Art Projects, has been a key player in fostering the global appreciation and understanding of digital art. Lumen’s mission is straightforward: to build an international platform that eradicates geographical barriers and champions artists from around the world.

“Lumen is more than just an award; it’s a gateway to a world of opportunities…from collaborations, exhibitions, commissions, and events organized by Lumen [Studios] globally. The commitment to artist development is evident in every aspect of the prize,” Carla Rapoport, the founder of Lumen, elucidated.

This year, The Lumen Prize is elated to disclose a total prize pool of $18,000, distributed across five key categories:

  • Still Image – $1,500 Prize Fund
  • Interactive Immersive – $1,500 Prize Fund
  • Impact – $1,500 Prize Fund
  • Moving Image – $1,500 Prize Fund
  • Futures – $1,500 Prize Fund

Furthermore, the award includes four special accolades, chosen by the jury:

  • Lumen Gold Award – $7,500 Prize Fund
  • BCS Award – $1,000 Prize Fund (Sponsor: BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT)
  • Kunstsilo Award – $1,000 Prize Fund (Sponsor: KUNSTSILO)
  • Carla Rapoport Award – $1,000 Prize Fund 

The competition welcomes artists globally to submit their works, offering a platform to display their ingenuity and innovation at the nexus of art and technology. Lumen has previously acknowledged trailblazers in digital art such as Refik Anadol, Casey Reas, and Operator for their revolutionary works in the tech-art domain.

The 2024 Call for Entries kicks off on March 7th at 17:00 BST, with an Early Bird Entry period from March 7 to March 31, priced at $25 per entry, before increasing to $35 per entry from March 31 to May 25.

For comprehensive details, submission instructions, and the latest news, please visit www.lumenprize.com or contact [email protected].

Cator Wells Enhances Its Presence with Novel Headquarters in Canary Wharf, London

0

Cator Wells, a prime supplier of commercial finance solutions, is ecstatic to disclose its headquarters’ migration to an avant-garde facility at Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, London.

This stride signifies a key chapter in the company’s development and its continuous commitment to client excellence.

Located in the epicentre of London’s nascent financial quarter, the avant-garde headquarters bestows upon Cator Wells superior facilities and capabilities to more adeptly cater to the dynamic requirements of its clientele. The workspace, equipped with contemporary conveniences and leading-edge infrastructure, is designed to cultivate collaboration, ingenuity, and productivity in the provision of customised financial solutions.

“We are excited about this pivotal moment for Cator Wells as we establish our presence in Canary Wharf,” expressed John Gow, Director of Cator Wells. “This move underscores our dedication to providing exceptional service and support to our clients while positioning ourselves for continued growth and success.”

Cator Wells invites both longstanding and new clients to visit their novel headquarters and uncover collaborative opportunities. Whether clients are in pursuit of financing for extant projects or in the planning stages for future initiatives, the Cator Wells crew is on hand to propose tailored solutions to facilitate their ambitions.

“We invite all our clients to book a visit to our new offices at Churchill Place,” Gow reiterated. “Our team looks forward to meeting with clients, understanding their financial needs, and charting a course for mutual success.”

To arrange a visit or to discover more about Cator Wells and its array of commercial finance solutions, please contact the new business team via [email protected].

bet365 Debuts ‘Super Boost’ TV Advert for the Upcoming Cheltenham Festival

0

Primed for the Cheltenham thrill?

With the festival fast approaching, bet365 has launched a Never Ordinary television commercial this week, heightening the race excitement with a unique Super Boost each day.

Ordinary isn’t in our vocabulary at bet365; we offer in excess of 20,000 boosts every month. But, at Cheltenham, every day at 10am, we’re going above and beyond!

The Super Boost from bet365 caters to all betting levels, from seasoned experts to those new to the horse racing betting scene. With superior odds on select races throughout the festival, it’s the prime time to enhance your betting experience.

But remember, this opportunity is fleeting! Make sure no one misses out on the chance to augment their Cheltenham profits with bet365. Customers can log onto our website at 10am each day of the festival to find out more and revel in the excitement of increased odds.

bet365 has also put together the following helpful pages.

source: https://www.feast-magazine.co.uk/

London shop workers celebrate big wins at the Retail Week Awards

0

London shop workers are among those who celebrated receiving a Retail Week Award last night.

Teams at Homebase’s Catford store, Currys’ Beckton store and the EE Studio at Westfield London (White City) were among the winners announced during the glittering ceremony at The Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane, hosted by TV presenter, Rylan Clark.

Homebase’s Catford team won the coveted Community Heroes Award for their work supporting local schools, fire brigades, police, and parks across south London. 

The Beckton store team from Currys, won the coveted Store Heroes Award for driving sales and customer satisfaction rates. 

Paula Coughlan, chief people, communications & sustainability officer at Currys, said: “Congratulations to our Beckton team! This store has built on delivering a sustained performance year on year to smash commercial and cultural targets out of the water in 2022/23. A small but mighty team, they have a laser focus on our customer, colleagues, community and profits.”  

Incredible honour

And the EE Studio in Westfield London (White City) won ‘Best New Store’. The experiential shop which opened last year features a host of new experience zones including a gaming area, smart home zone and a digital spa where customers can use technology to detox from their screens. 

Asif Aziz OBE, EE retail director said: “Winning ‘Best New Store’ is an incredible honour. Our Studio store is designed to bring our customers the best connectivity and technology solutions for their connected lives, with our guides on hand to share their expert and personal advice and guidance. 

“A big thank you to our hardworking teams who have all played a part in developing and delivering our flagship store. We are committed to being the most personal, customer-focused brand in the UK, and delivering on this promise through life-centric, experiential retail. This fantastic award is a sign that we are just getting started”. 

Other big winners on the night included Lidl – beloved for its ‘midl’ aisle, ironically cool own-brand socks and sliders, and top-notch in-store bakery, who became the UK’s best supermarket after taking the top gong at the glittering awards ceremony – the first time it has beaten fellow German grocer Aldi.

Lidl’s win comes hot on the heels of an amazing year for the supermarket when 1.4 million more UK customers entered its doors and it reported an 18.8% increase in sales, to £9.3 billion. It’s now the third-largest supermarket in London, overtaking Asda and gaining ground on Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

And, after years of failing to impress fashion-focused customers, Marks and Spencer – which saw its holiday clothes and jeans fly last year – impressed the critics enough to reclaim its ‘Fashion Retailer of the Year’ crown. 

The Retail Week Awards have been recognising and rewarding the efforts of retailers and retail workers for nearly 30 years and this year’s London winners were selected by judging panel made up of some of the most respected names in the industry, ranging from WHSmith’s chief executive Carl Cowling to White Stuff’s chief executive Jo Jenkins.     

Retail Week Awards 2024 winners

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS INCLUSION & DIVERSITY HERO/HEROES AWARD – Lucy Bains, regional operations director, Pets at Home 

THE BEST NEW STORE AWARD – EE 

THE BEST RETAILER OVER £250m – Tesco 

THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE GAMECHANGER AWARD – Holland & Barrett 

THE CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD – Amazon 

THE COMMUNITY HERO/HEROES AWARD – Homebase, Catford  

THE DELIVERY HERO/HEROES AWARD – Bobby Storey, ScS 

THE FASHION RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Marks and Spencer 

THE GREEN INITIATIVE – Currys 

THE INTERNATIONAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR – Primark 

THE MICROSOFT AWARD FOR THE HAPPIEST PLACE TO WORK IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE RETAIL TRUST – Majestic Wine 

THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO RETAIL AWARD – Judith McKenna, president and CEO, Walmart International 

THE RELEX SOLUTIONS RESPONSIBLE RETAILER AWARD – Cook 

THE SALESFORCE BEST RETAILER UNDER £250m – Jollyes 

THE SALESFORCE RETAIL LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Simon Roberts, CEO, Sainsbury’s 

THE SAP HEAD OFFICE HERO/HEROES AWARD – Team Fusion, Ann Summers 

THE SOFTSERVE GROCER OF THE YEAR – Lidl 

THE SPECIALITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR – HMV 

THE STORE HEROES AWARD – Beckton store team, Currys 

Launch of ‘The Pitch’ by YourGamePlan and Goodstuff: Fostering Youth Careers in Advertising

YourGamePlan and media agency Goodstuff are excited to introduce ‘The Pitch’, a competition designed to facilitate entry into advertising careers for the youth. This initiative is set to empower young individuals by encouraging creativity and innovation, while also tackling the challenges associated with entering the creative and media fields.

By providing practical experiences, mentorship, and opportunities for work placements, ‘The Pitch’ aims to nurture the next wave of advertising professionals, contributing to a more diverse and equitable industry landscape.

Participants from across the UK are invited to present a media and creative concept for the upcoming JD 2024 Christmas campaign. This unique opportunity allows aspiring talents to engage with the advertising industry, offering them a platform to develop engaging brand narratives.

The triumphant team will gain an invaluable experience working with the JD marketing team, where they will learn the intricacies of devising standout campaigns for a renowned brand. From social media content creation to participation in a photography shoot, the winners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how expansive campaigns are brought to life. Moreover, each winning participant will be rewarded with a £100 JD voucher, perfect for updating their wardrobe or acquiring the latest footwear.

In a collaborative effort, Goodstuff has partnered with YourGamePlan to actualize this initiative, driven by the conviction that enhancing accessibility to the advertising field is a collective industry responsibility. They have successfully garnered £300,000 in media value to promote ‘The Pitch’, featuring innovative adverts aimed at sparking interest in the creative minds behind advertising.

Contributions towards this media value have been made by JD, Meta, Clear Channel, JC Decaux, Pearl & Dean, and Channel 4, all of whom are committed to the cause and have pledged to offer work placements to participating students. Moreover, ‘The Pitch’ is backed by The Advertising Association, which represents the interests of the UK’s advertising community.

Beyond the competition’s main prize, there is a commitment to offer up to 100 work placements to entrants, as part of a collaborative effort with YourGamePlan, Goodstuff, and D&AD, encouraging the wider advertising industry to offer placements ranging from paid internships to work experience.

Danny Heath, the visionary behind YourGamePlan, spoke about his motivation for the initiative, stating, “As the founder of YourGamePlan, I’m passionately dedicated to forging pathways for young talents, seamlessly connecting education to independence. We are on a mission to break down entry barriers and offer equal opportunities for everyone interested in the world of advertising. And we believe through The Pitch we can do just that.”

Reflecting on his journey and the significance of ‘The Pitch’, Andrew Stephens, Co-Founder of Goodstuff, stated, “As someone who grew up in the Somerset state school system and with no links to the advertising industry, I feel very lucky to have stumbled into a job I am immensely passionate about. This is just the start and I hope other companies join us in ensuring our industry tackles diversity at the source and create a better future for everyone.”

Chris Waters, JD’s UK & EU Retail Marketing Director, shared his anticipation for the project, stating, “We’re excited to be working alongside Goodstuff and YourGamePlan to provide mentorship and access for young people looking to get into the advertising industry. ‘The Pitch’ is a great opportunity for applicants to experience first-hand the work that goes into creating marketing campaigns for a global brand, and we’re looking forward to taking the students through the process this Spring.”

Praising ‘The Pitch’, Alessandra Bellini, President of The Advertising Association, stated, “The Pitch is a fantastic initiative and totally aligns with our industry’s strategy to inspire more young people to think about advertising as an exciting and dynamic career, full of opportunities for talent with a wide range of skills.”

Strategic Sponsorship: Vera Clinic Teams Up with Brighton & Hove Albion FC

0

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club has proudly announced a sponsorship agreement with Vera Clinic, a distinguished provider of hair transplant services based in Turkey. This collaboration is poised to underscore the mutual commitment of both organisations to the principles of innovation and excellence.

Vera Clinic, which stands at the forefront of hair transplant services in Turkey, has now aligned itself with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club as a principal sponsor. This partnership brings Vera Clinic into the company of world-renowned sponsors like American Express, Nike, and Snickers UK, highlighting a shared ambition for pioneering excellence and innovation throughout the remainder of this season and the next.

Kazım Sipahi, the Chairman at Vera Clinic, conveyed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to join forces with Brighton & Hove Albion, a club that embodies our core values of teamwork, excellence, and dedication. Together, we aim to make a significant impact, boosting confidence, happiness, and satisfaction among fans and those considering aesthetic surgery.”

Pioneering in Healthcare Innovation

Vera Clinic is globally recognised for its leadership in the hair transplant and cosmetic treatment industry, attributed to its innovative use of state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies. The clinic’s acclaim, highlighted by its recognition as the ‘Best Hair Transplant Clinic in Europe’, is further evidenced by the high satisfaction rates from its international patient base.

The clinic’s array of cutting-edge treatments, including Sapphire FUE, Stem Cell therapy, OxyCure treatment, and DHI methods, demonstrates its commitment to remaining at the forefront of advancements in hair transplant and skin care. Furthermore, Vera Clinic emphasises the importance of detailed aftercare support, ensuring that patients are well-informed and cared for throughout their recovery process for the best possible outcomes.

Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters to Benefit

The partnership is set to offer Brighton & Hove Albion fans exclusive access to the advanced healthcare treatments provided by Vera Clinic, enhancing their experience with the club by integrating aspects of health and wellness.

Russ Wood, the Head of Commercial at Brighton & Hove Albion, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Partnering with Vera Clinic, a globally recognised brand, for this and the next season is a source of great pride. We look forward to the positive outcomes this partnership will bring to our club and its supporters.”

Awarded the title of ‘Best Hair Transplant Clinic in Europe’ at the European Awards in Medicine in 2021, Vera Clinic has, through its team of more than 150 dedicated healthcare professionals, made a significant impact on the lives of over 30,000 patients from 84 countries over the past decade. The clinic also extends the opportunity for free online consultations via https://www.veraclinic.net.

TNB XPO Set to Empower Black Screen Industry Creatives with New Opportunities This March

The New Black Film Collective, a leading UK film network, has revealed plans to utilise its forthcoming TNB XPO convention as a launchpad for a broad spectrum of new opportunities aimed at Black professionals in the realms of film, TV, and the wider screen industry.

Hosted at Rich Mix London from the 25th to the 28th of March, the convention is poised to bring together a diverse array of experts, creative minds, and industry professionals from the fields of film, TV, VFX, animation, and gaming.

Confirmed speakers for the event hail from prestigious organisations including Film London, the British Film Institute (BFI), Warner Bros. Discovery, Bectu, Doc Society, and the British Council. Dedicated to the elevation of Black talent, the four-day gathering aims to broaden the scope of opportunities available to Black professionals within the screen industries.

During the TNB XPO in March, three pivotal organisations are set to announce significant initiatives that, according to the organisers, are designed to pave the way to success for Black creatives.

Representatives from the Film & TV Charity, Anita Herbert (Reel Impact Programme Manager) and Marcus Ryder (Chief Executive Officer), are scheduled to present Reel Impact, a trailblazing programme intended to bolster and promote Black individuals and organisations in the film and TV sector.

Anita Herbert expressed her enthusiasm: “Both Marcus and I are delighted to be taking part in this year’s TNBFC’s XPO to share exactly how our new programme, Reel Impact, will help support Black and Global Majority talent working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema. By giving that talent vital access to grants, opportunities, and networks, Reel Impact is an incredible opportunity to ignite change, create equity, and deliver a platform to enable them to thrive and succeed.

“We are excited to contribute and make our industry more of a level playing field, recognise Black and Global Majority contributions to the industry, and value their voices and talent. We all need to play our part to champion equity and inclusion in the industry, so to find out how you can get involved, make sure you don’t miss out on our Keynote speech on the 28th March at the XPO!”

Bectu will utilise the TNB XPO as a platform to engage with attendees about racial equality challenges in TV drama and to identify key areas for action, building upon the union’s already impactful initiatives in the commercial sector. Janice Turner, Bectu’s diversity officer, remarked: “Our partnership with The New Black Film Collective and TNB XPO means we can gain a wide range of views and insight in order to create equal access to opportunities for Black professionals in the industry.”

Luke Moody from BFI Doc Society is set to encourage budding documentary filmmakers to explore the Made of Truth Fund in a panel discussion. Filmmaker Simisolaoluwa Akande will present her award-winning Made of Truth-funded film, The Archive: Queer Nigerians. The fund is committed to nurturing bold, original short-form documentary filmmaking across the UK.

Film London is also slated to feature prominently, showcasing the FLAMIN Animations Showcase by the Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network. The showcase, now in its third year, highlights the work of early-career Black-identifying artist animators who have been commissioned through the FLAMIN Animations programme. The event will present the latest short animations from artists Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume, Folake Fadojutimi, Gisela Mulindwa, and Duncan Senkumba, followed by a dialogue with the audience.

Maggie Ellis, Head of Artists’ Moving Image at Film London, shared: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with The New Black Film Collective to support and celebrate a new generation of Black animators through the latest round of FLAMIN Animations commissions.”

In addition to the main programme, a recruitment fair will run concurrently, offering attendees the opportunity to discover career paths, apprenticeships, and training opportunities within the screen industries.

Priscilla Igwe, Founder and CEO of The New Black Film Collective, encapsulated the event’s mission: “We want TNB XPO to be the spark that ignites change. If someone is able to access advice, apply for a job, hear about funding or grants, meet a mentor or connect with someone that inspires them, then we’ve done what we came here to do: actively create the space and the opportunities for Black creatives to thrive in the screen industries.”

An extra day of online programming on the 28th of March will expand the event’s reach, featuring international speakers and experts from various regions, alongside advice from the BFI’s UK Global Screen Fund on fostering international collaborations and co-productions.

TNB XPO, which is complimentary for all UK screen industry professionals at any career level, is anticipated to be a landmark event. For ticket reservations and further information, interested parties are directed to visit tnbfc.co.uk/tnb-xpo-2024.

KYND Debuts Revolutionary Exposure Management Solution for Cyber Risk in the Insurance Sector

KYND Limited, a pioneer in the realm of cyber risk management, is delighted to announce the launch of its revolutionary Exposure Management solution. This innovative offering utilises KYND’s unparalleled risk intelligence, integrating premium aggregation risk insights with custom-crafted cyber disaster scenarios. It empowers insurers to more precisely gauge and mitigate the accumulation and catastrophe exposure within their portfolios, paving the way for more informed and lucrative underwriting decisions.

As insurers place increasing emphasis on systemic risk, they face the dilemma of reconciling limited capacity with the escalating demand for cyber insurance. This predicament exacerbates the accumulation risk for insurers, further complicated by existing modelling challenges within the industry. To introduce more capacity to the market and forge new pathways, insurers require enhanced insights and novel modelling methods to better apprehend potential losses, quantify risk accumulation, and ascertain their capital exposure.

KYND’s newly introduced Exposure Management is specifically engineered for insurers, aiming to fulfil the requirements of the rapidly burgeoning market. Through an interactive and adaptable framework, KYND deploys its proprietary insights into the cyber footprint and exposure of portfolio companies, veering from the conventional dependence on market statistics and assumptions. This groundbreaking method enables insurers to proactively tackle accumulation risks in their portfolios by adopting KYND’s deterministic catastrophe modelling and loss estimations. Consequently, insurers can quickly gain a precise evaluation of potential cyber incidents within their portfolio, effortlessly simulate the impact of bespoke cyber disaster scenarios, and augment capacity by fostering enhanced risk and accumulation communications with providers.

Andy Thomas, CEO of KYND, remarked: “Rather than a ‘black box’ model, we provide complete transparency into the data and logic behind our exposure analysis. By allowing partners to explore actual vulnerabilities and realistic disaster situations in a flexible way, we offer unparalleled clarity risk exposure and accumulation that facilitates a better understanding of loss potential and empowers optimised risk management strategies, ultimately supporting the creation of a more sustainable cyber insurance market. Insurance carriers urgently need new ways to understand their level of risk, and we’re delighted to say that KYND’s latest development represents a groundbreaking leap forward that combines precision, granularity, and adaptability to meet this need.”

JamPrime to Celebrate Leap Year Day with Company-Wide Holiday

0

In a move reflecting its dedication to employee welfare and the importance of balancing work with life, JamPrime and its sister entity Jam Press have declared that they will be granting all employees a day off on the special occasion of February 29th, a leap year day that only makes its appearance once every four years.

Understanding the unique nature of this day, Jam has chosen to observe it by affording its workforce a much-needed day of rest. “This Thursday is not just any other day; it marks the rare occurrence of February 29th, a leap year day that comes only once every four years,” CEO Ben Nicholls remarked.

“We could have capitalised on this extra day for more work, but life is too short for that. Instead, we want our staff at Jam Press and JamPrime to enjoy this bonus day in any way they choose.”

The provision of a day off is a testament to the company’s belief that, while work is an essential aspect of our lives, achieving a balance and reserving time for oneself is crucial for personal happiness and rejuvenation. Employees are being encouraged to spend their day off engaging in activities that bring them joy, whether that be a peaceful stroll in the park, getting engrossed in a beloved book, reconnecting with friends over a cup of coffee, sorting out home chores, or simply taking a day to relax and unwind at home.

“We see this as a small gesture of appreciation for the hard work, commitment, and resilience each team member has shown,” expressed a spokesperson for the company. “It’s our way of acknowledging the importance of personal time for rejuvenation and joy.”

The company also encourages its employees to use the leap year day as a chance to dive into something new or pick up a past hobby that’s been left on the backburner. “I’ll be going for a surf!” exclaimed the CEO, showcasing the variety of ways in which the day off can be enjoyed.

Jam Press is optimistic that this day off will not only provide its employees with happiness and a renewed sense of energy but also serve as an example of the significance of prioritising mental health and well-being in the workplace.

“Let’s leap into the rest of the year with a sense of renewal, ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with vigour and enthusiasm!” the spokesperson concluded.

For additional information about Jam Press and its activities, please contact [email protected]

Indie Ridge Digital Partners with Sanity to Elevate Digital Content in Professional Services

0

Indie Ridge Digital, a leader in developing top-tier websites for professional service sectors, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Sanity, a pioneer in content management systems, commencing in 2024. This strategic move builds upon Indie Ridge’s prior successful collaboration with Passle in 2023, which notably enhanced its clientele’s ability to produce authoritative thought leadership and expert content.

This new partnership with Sanity is set to introduce a novel approach to content management. Sanity’s renowned platform, known for its adaptable editing interfaces and its expansive, open-source Studio, is designed to streamline content operations significantly. This collaboration is anticipated to transform the way professional services firms approach content creation, management, and distribution, keeping them at the cutting edge of digital advancements.

“Indie Ridge is the ideal partner to bring Sanity’s advanced CMS capabilities to professional service firms,” stated Dan Gershfield, Head of Partnerships EMEA. “Together, we aim to transform the digital landscape for these firms, enabling them to produce thought leadership content that stands out.”

The joint effort between Indie Ridge, Sanity, and Passle represents a comprehensive strategy to empower firms with the tools necessary to efficiently produce and distribute insightful content on fast-loading websites, thus securing top search engine rankings. This innovative approach moves beyond traditional web models, facilitating the production of effective thought leadership content.

Expressing his enthusiasm for this collaboration, Mike Chapman, Managing Director at Indie Ridge, said: “The integration of Sanity into our suite of partnerships, alongside our continued work with Passle, represents a pivotal advancement in our mission. We are on course to set new benchmarks in digital content creation, optimisation, and distribution, ensuring our clients achieve unparalleled digital presence and engagement.”

For more information on Indie Ridge Digital’s innovative digital strategies and the impact of its strategic partnerships, visit www.indieridge.com.