Netflix

'SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE' SCORES BEST FEATURE ANNIE ALONG WITH SIX OTHER CATEGORIES AT THE 51ST ANNIE AWARDS™

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Sunday, February 18, 2024

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse won Best Feature honors at the 51st Annie Awards™ celebration Saturday night on the campus of UCLA.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse won Best Feature honors at the 51st Annie Awards™ celebration Saturday night on the campus of UCLA.
  • Best Independent Feature was presented to Robot Dreams (Arcadia Motion Pictures).
  • Best Special Production was presented to Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie (Wildbrain Studios in association with Apple), Best Short Subject was presented to WAR IS OVER!
  • Best Character Animation – Feature went to The Boy and the Heron (Studio Ghibli Distributed by GKIDS) and Best Character Animation – Live Action was presented to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.

From Coke cans to shoes to menus: what’s behind the rise in personalised products?

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

In a world where carbon copies of products are everywhere, retailers have to make their products stand out and provide customers with a unique purchasing experience.

Key Points: 
  • In a world where carbon copies of products are everywhere, retailers have to make their products stand out and provide customers with a unique purchasing experience.
  • The need to be different is even greater at a time consumers are being careful about what they spend.

How businesses learn what consumers want

  • Similarly, entertainment streaming platforms Netflix and Spotify analyse their users’ viewing and listening history to understand their preferences and recommend new content.
  • Coke’s Share-a-Coke campaign, unveiled in Australia in 2011, was a successful example of the bond brands can create with consumers just by adding a person’s name to the product.
  • The company branded its bottles and cans with the 150 most popular names in Australia and urged consumers to share a Coke with someone whose name adorned the label.


Nike produces custom shoes in thousands of styles, colours and icon combinations as they continue to acquire data integration platforms that help speed up the collection and analysis of consumer data.

Consumers want more from their shopping experience

  • It often resulted in personalised store interactions between salespeople and VIP customers, or tailoring store services.
  • But the digital age has made personalisation accessible to all consumers, not just the high end.
  • This feeling of psychological ownership results from designing your “own” product and can lead to greater value and brand love.

Why personalisation works for the big brands

  • Personalising experiences, when offered to millions of customers, make it difficult for competitors to imitate, especially when brands use proprietary technology.
  • Personalisation also means less waste as brands produce what consumers actually want rather than what they think consumers want.


However, using predictive algorithms to help brands analyse past behaviours (what you and others like you have bought/watched) and come up with choices (at scale) can be imperfect. Dating app Tinder’s reliance on algorithms to decide which photos users see has been criticised as flawed with very low reciprocal interest rates between users “swiping right”. Understanding human behaviour requires intuition alongside algorithms.

If personalisation isn’t new, then why the sudden hype?

  • The digital revolution brought an influx of consumer data, but despite early algorithms, it was difficult for companies to make sense of large amounts of raw data.
  • Big brands like Nike and L’Oreal have the right formula for personalisation and their customers are enjoying a unique experience.


Marian Makkar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Dovetail Announces Speakers for Insight Out 2024: The New Event for Product, UX, and Research Innovators

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Dovetail, the leading customer insights hub, is pleased to announce Insight Out, its new full-day hybrid conference where attendees and speakers will explore the insights that drive innovators, creators, and problem solvers to build world-changing products. The event is themed 'Shifting Perspectives' and will take place on 11 April 2024 at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco and online.

Key Points: 
  • The event is themed 'Shifting Perspectives' and will take place on 11 April 2024 at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco and online.
  • Insight Out invites customer-obsessed folks from product, design, research, and beyond to come together to connect, discuss big ideas, and learn over a full day of talks and immersive experiences.
  • The event will feature expert presentations, a VIP cocktail party, an after-party, and ample networking opportunities.
  • More information on the event and registration details can be found at: dovetail.com/insightout

Beloved Viral Internet Sensation "Nora the Piano Cat" Inspires Development of New Animated Series for Children Worldwide

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, All That's Good Productions unveils an official sizzle reel for Nora the Piano Cat, a creative, culturally diverse, and educational animated children's series for all ages, inspired by "one of Philadelphia's first viral animal stars", Nora the Piano Cat. The show stars Nora, who first became globally recognized in 2007 as a musically gifted internet sensation after a YouTube video of her playing the piano went viral. Nora has been featured on BBC Earth, TODAY.com, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, 6ABC Action News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Hong Kong's My Pet magazine, National Geographic, and more.

Key Points: 
  • The show stars Nora, who first became globally recognized in 2007 as a musically gifted internet sensation after a YouTube video of her playing the piano went viral.
  • Despite this loss, her memory endures through the music and joy she brought to her devoted global fanbase.
  • "I did not adopt Nora the Piano Cat, she adopted me," says Nora's owner Betsy Alexander.
  • This new series, produced in Nora's hometown of Philadelphia, aims to enrich global audiences by showcasing diverse music genres.

Beloved Viral Internet Sensation "Nora the Piano Cat" Inspires Development of New Animated Series for Children Worldwide

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, All That's Good Productions unveils an official sizzle reel for Nora the Piano Cat, a creative, culturally diverse, and educational animated children's series for all ages, inspired by "one of Philadelphia's first viral animal stars", Nora the Piano Cat. The show stars Nora, who first became globally recognized in 2007 as a musically gifted internet sensation after a YouTube video of her playing the piano went viral. Nora has been featured on BBC Earth, TODAY.com, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, 6ABC Action News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Hong Kong's My Pet magazine, National Geographic, and more.

Key Points: 
  • The show stars Nora, who first became globally recognized in 2007 as a musically gifted internet sensation after a YouTube video of her playing the piano went viral.
  • Despite this loss, her memory endures through the music and joy she brought to her devoted global fanbase.
  • "I did not adopt Nora the Piano Cat, she adopted me," says Nora's owner Betsy Alexander.
  • This new series, produced in Nora's hometown of Philadelphia, aims to enrich global audiences by showcasing diverse music genres.

Nexxen Enhances TV Intelligence Solution with Premium Streaming Data Through Exclusive Agreement with PeerLogix

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexxen, a global, unified advertising technology platform with deep expertise in video and Connected TV (“CTV”), today announced the augmentation of its TV Intelligence solution with exclusive aggregated and scaled premium streaming viewership data from platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Disney Plus.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexxen, a global, unified advertising technology platform with deep expertise in video and Connected TV (“CTV”), today announced the augmentation of its TV Intelligence solution with exclusive aggregated and scaled premium streaming viewership data from platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Disney Plus.
  • Using proprietary technology, PeerLogix captures and catalogues global consumer viewership data from various leading CTV platforms in real-time.
  • "The integration of PeerLogix's data into our TV Intelligence solution enhances our capacity to deliver unparalleled value to our clients through real-time, premium insights," said Jessica La Rosa, Vice President, TV Partnerships and Strategy at Nexxen.
  • "We're thrilled to be expanding our already holistic and representative dataset with cutting edge streaming viewership data, allowing brands and advertisers to elevate the effectiveness of their campaigns in the fast-evolving CTV landscape."

Bolstered by The Obamas The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival Announces November 8-10, 2024 Festival Dates

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The much-anticipated HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF), championed by the Obamas, announces the dates of the 2nd annual festival on November 8-10, 2024. The special convening will return to Howard University, for a celebration rooted in culture, storytelling, and empowerment.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The much-anticipated HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF), championed by the Obamas, announces the dates of the 2nd annual festival on November 8-10, 2024.
  • Building on the success of its inaugural event, the 2024 HBCU First LOOK Film Festival officially announced its First LOOK Student Filmmaker Challenge is open for submissions.
  • View HBCU First LOOK Festival Highlights
    The HBCU First LOOK Film initiative will includeinternships, film challenge, and college tour.
  • For partnership opportunities and to register for the upcoming 2024 HBCU First LOOK Film Festival visit https://www.hbcufirstlook.com/filmfestival .

Creta, Thomas Vu, and Lloyds Investment Group Join Forces to Launch $1 Billion Fund, Accelerating Global Growth of Web3 Game Industry

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

This collaboration underscores Creta's commitment to driving growth and innovation in the Web3 gaming market across the MENA region.

Key Points: 
  • This collaboration underscores Creta's commitment to driving growth and innovation in the Web3 gaming market across the MENA region.
  • It is envisioned that games will form integral components of the Creta Multiverse and Platform, presenting opportunities beyond the current $300 billion gaming industry.
  • Locus Chain, a pioneering blockchain protocol, renowned for its revolutionary approach in replacing central game servers, is joining the newly established fund.
  • By aligning with this initiative, Locus Chain reaffirms its commitment to driving innovation and fostering growth alongside Creta's partners.

Safety Shot Brand Ambassador & Multiplatform Entertainer Matthew Espinosa to Share His Enthusiasm for the Wellness Beverage with 16 Million Followers

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

JUPITER, FL, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safety Shot, Inc. (Nasdaq: SHOT) today announced that Matthew Espinosa joins Safety Shot as a brand ambassador to share his love and enthusiasm for the first patented wellness beverage on Earth that helps people feel better faster by reducing blood alcohol content, boosting clarity and overall mood.

Key Points: 
  • JUPITER, FL, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safety Shot, Inc. (Nasdaq: SHOT) today announced that Matthew Espinosa joins Safety Shot as a brand ambassador to share his love and enthusiasm for the first patented wellness beverage on Earth that helps people feel better faster by reducing blood alcohol content, boosting clarity and overall mood.
  • With over 16 million followers across social media, Matthew is an internet OG who has been catering to fans for the last 12 years.
  • He played a pivotal role in crafting Facebook's inaugural online digital series, contributing as a writer, producer, and actor.
  • Beyond the screen, Matthew has delved into literature, having written the book “Matthew Espinosa: More Than Me” published by Harper Collins.

Revving up tourism: Formula One and other big events look set to drive growth in the hospitality industry

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

In late 2023, I embarked on my first Formula One race experience, attending the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Key Points: 
  • In late 2023, I embarked on my first Formula One race experience, attending the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix.
  • And what better place to learn how to do that than in the stands of the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

The future of tourism is in events and experiences

  • Tourism is fun, but it’s also big business: In the U.S. alone, it’s a US$2.6 trillion industry employing 15 million people.
  • And with travelers increasingly planning their trips around events rather than places, both industry leaders and academics are paying attention.
  • In 2023, Lollapalooza generated an estimated $422 million for the local economy and drew record-breaking crowds to the city’s hotels.

Why Formula One?

  • Formula One offers a prime example of the economic importance of event tourism.
  • In 2022, Formula One generated about $2.6 billion in total revenues, according to the latest full-year data from its parent company.
  • A record 5.7 million fans attended Formula One races in 2022, up 36% from 2019.
  • That’s why I think of Formula One as more than just a pastime: It’s emblematic of a major shift in the tourism industry that offers substantial job opportunities.
  • And it takes more than drivers and pit crews to make Formula One run – it takes a diverse range of professionals in fields such as event management, marketing, engineering and beyond.

How hospitality and business programs should prepare students

  • To align with the evolving landscape of mega-events like Formula One races, hospitality schools should, I believe, integrate specialized training in event management, luxury hospitality and international business.
  • So, programs may consider incorporating courses in sustainable event management, eco-friendly hospitality practices and innovations in sustainable event and tourism.
  • Beyond hospitality and business, other disciplines such as material sciences, engineering and data analytics can also integrate F1 into their curricula.

Racing into the future: Formula One today and tomorrow

  • These decisions, along with the continued growth of the sport’s fan base and sponsorship deals, underscore F1’s economic significance and future potential.
  • Looking ahead in 2024, Formula One seems ripe for further expansion.
  • We already know that was effective marketing – after all, it inspired me to check out the Las Vegas Grand Prix.


Rachel J.C. Fu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.