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The Economist Group Launches Its First Bilingual Chinese-English App The Economist Global Business Review

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A new app that explores key global trends in business, finance and technology – always with a strong point of view

HONG KONG, April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The Economist Group today officially launched a new digital app The Economist Global Business Review, focused on delivering insightful analysis on global trends in business, finance and technology. As the first in a planned series of local-language offerings, the bilingual Chinese-English app allows The Economist Group to reach a new set of global business leaders in markets like mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. The Economist Global Business Review is the first bilingual product featuring Economist content to be offered in the 171-year history of the weekly publication.  Recognising that today’s most influential business leaders span the globe, The Economist Global Business Review removes barriers to bring its spirit of independent reporting and sharp perspective to a wider audience, initially in Chinese, and expanding to other languages in future.

The Economist Global Business Review

The Economist Global Business Review

Curated by the editors at The Economist Group, The Economist Global Business Review features a selection of the best business, finance and technology stories from the weekly newspaper, which have been translated to the highest degree to maintain the stylistic nuances of the original text. Ten (10) articles are published initially at the start of the month; thereafter, a daily article is published each weekday for a total of 30 articles each month.

The bilingual app works in either English-Simplified-Chinese or English-Traditional Chinese and is available for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. “Chinese was a natural first language for us to choose when launching this new bilingual product, given the increasing global reach of China’s companies and its diaspora,” said Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist.  “For many years we wrote off the idea of foreign-language editions as too expensive and impractical. However, the rise of digital technology changes the game. We can now deliver content quickly and without the cost constraints of print publishing.”

Tim Pinnegar, Publisher and Managing Director of The Economist Group Asia-Pacific said:  “Offering our unique content in local language opens up an entirely new market to us that was not possible to tap into before.  Our growth strategy over the next five years is exactly focused on attracting new audiences and capitalising on innovations in product and service offerings.”

Keeping in line with the minimalistic design aesthetics of The Economist, the app’s simple and intuitive interface allows for easy toggling between languages.  The app also features a powerful cache (the articles can be archived for up to 12 months) to facilitate offline reading.

The Economist Global Business Review is made available for free in April and May, courtesy of launch sponsor Hyundai.  Wonhong Cho, CMO of Hyundai Motor Company says, “We are glad to sponsor the launch of this new bilingual app from The Economist Group, and hope the app inspires new thinking and new possibilities within the Chinese business communities worldwide.” 

During this time, readers can download the app and experience the simple interface and compelling content completely free of charge. The app is available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and a number of independent Android stores worldwide.  For more information, visit our website www.TEGBR.com

About The Economist Group

Headquartered in London, The Economist Group is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs.  Its publications and services include The Economist, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Intelligent Life and CQ Roll Call.  The Group delivers its information through a range of formats, from newspapers and magazines to conferences and electronic services.  Across all its products and services, the Group is known for its objectivity of opinion, originality of insight and rigorous analysis of key issues.

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150407/0861502669

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At NAB 2015 Mobile Viewpoint Launches WebStreamur, a Global Marketplace for Live Mobile Journalism

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ALKMAAR, the Netherlands, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Mobile Viewpoint announces the launch of WebStreamur, a new platform which delivers high quality live video from any place to the web. WebStreamur utilizes the award winning bonding technology of Mobile Viewpoint to live stream from any location using bonded IP channels. During NAB 2015 WebStreamur will launch its own range of products including an App for MacBook, iPhone and Android and 3 dedicated appliances. WebStreamur utilizes YouTube to deliver live streams via WebStreamur channels on any device and create revenues based on sponsoring. WebStreamur utilizes Twitter for announcements and instant feedback. WebStreamer can be used for any event but will focus on the delivery of college sports content around the world. WebStreamur wireless bonded video transmitters and app’s will unleash the potential of unique sports events no matter where and when they take place.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150407/738861)

Mobile Viewpoint CEO Michel Bais:  

“Since the beginning of Mobile Viewpoint we looked into the broadcast of smaller but attractive sport events on the Internet. The growing popularity of watching video online via streaming platforms like YouTube, LiveStream, Meerkat and Periscope opens a marketplace for the delivery of live sports and other events that do not have the reach to get on normal Broadcast Television. This makes it, in combination with our unique bonding technology, possible to deliver a high quality end-to-end solution and distinguishes WebStreamur from other #mojo products. WebStreamur gives the smaller content producers and sport teams easy access to a bigger audience and a global marketplace to monetize their content.”  

On Mobile Viewpoint 

Mobile Viewpoint is a global player, focusing on the development and implementation of solutions for both the broadcast and security industries. Based on their H.264 and H.265 codec implementations, combined with patented technology, allowing for HD video to be transmitted over bonded IP connections. Customers include major broadcasters, such as BBC, Al-Arabiya, Sky Sports News, NBC Sports.

Meet Mobile Viewpoint and Webstreamur at NAB 2015 Central Hall, stand 2807
http://www.mobileviewpoint.com / http://www.webstreamur.com

Health Care

Zebra Medical Vision Launches the Most Comprehensive Medical Imaging Research Platform Globally

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SHEFAYIM, Israel, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ —

Completes $8m seed round led by Khosla Ventures to accelerate the creation of imaging insights tools for HMOs and ACOs

Zebra Medical Vision launched a closed beta of its Medical Imaging Research platform and announced funding of $8 million led by Khosla Ventures, with participating parties DeepFork Capital and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) CEO Marc Benioff. The company’s solution enables researchers to quickly develop imaging algorithms and insights based on large scale datasets and advanced processing power. Zebra’s commercialization pipeline will then expedite clinical application of imaging research products.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150405/196595)

With a billion people joining the middle class by 2020, and an aging global population, the demand for medical imaging is rapidly increasing. Fast, accurate diagnosis is paramount, and is getting increasingly difficult to achieve with existing Radiology resources. Medical Imaging storage has grown tenfold since 2005 according to a Frost&Sullivan report and continues to grow with more advanced modalities. Therefore there is an acute need for accurate automated tools to enable high quality diagnostic insights at scale.

“Advances in machine learning and computer vision have made it possible to create diagnostic quality algorithms based on big data, that surpass current reading accuracy rates. Such algorithms will reduce false positives, identify false negatives, provide earlier diagnosis of cancer or other diseases and unlock incidental findings hidden in the vast amounts of imaging data that resides within archives of health providers,” said Elad Benjamin, Zebra Medical CEO and former General Manager of the Carestream Healthcare Information Solutions group.

“I have frequently commented that technology will reinvent healthcare as we know it,” said Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. “Zebra is combining the power of machine learning, computer vision and big data to do just that in medical imaging – creating a sandbox through which imaging innovation can occur and be delivered to patients. We are proud to back such a team and an ambitious endeavor and look forward to seeing the outcomes of the platform.”

Zebra’s platform offers a cloud-based, fully hosted research and development environment. This includes access to large datasets of structured, de-identified studies, storage, state-of-the-art GPU computing power and support for a multitude of research tools. The platform also enables research groups to collaborate and create joint tools.

“Zebra is the only platform today that offers such seamless access to both the tools and the needed datasets and research environment – and at such a large scale,” said Professor Gabriel Krestin, Professor of Radiology, Chair of Radiology at Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam and past President of the European Society of Radiology. “This will finally enable providers to bring medical imaging into the fold of large scale clinical analysis and population management.”

The Zebra platform is initially being launched to select research groups. Researchers and machine learning practitioners can apply for an invite here. ACOs and HMOs are welcome to participate and learn how can better imaging insights improve care and reduce costs.

About Zebra Medical Vision Ltd  

Zebra Medical Vision has set out to create the world’s largest medical imaging insights platform. We believe that by providing machine-learning researchers the needed tools and datasets we can accelerate development of advanced decision support tools and diagnosis needed to serve the worlds population. Headquartered in Kibutz Shfayim Israel, the Company was founded in 2014 by Co-Founders Eyal Toledano, Eyal Gura and Elad Benjamin.  

More info at http://www.zebra-med.com

Contact:
Elad Benjamin  
info@zebra-med.com

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Shanda Games Limited Enters into Definitive Merger Agreement for Going Private Transaction

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HONG KONG, April 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Shanda Games Limited (NASDAQ: GAME) (“Shanda Games” or the “Company”), a leading online game developer, operator and publisher in China, announced today that it had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”) with Capitalhold Limited (“Parent”) and Capitalcorp Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”).

Pursuant to the Agreement, Parent will acquire the Company for cash consideration equal to US$3.55 per ordinary share of the Company (each, an “Ordinary Share”) and US$7.10 per American Depositary Share of the Company, each representing two Class A Ordinary Shares (each, an “ADS”), in a transaction valuing the Company at approximately US$1.9 billion. This price represents a premium of 46.5% and 53.8%, respectively, over the Company’s 30- and 60-trading day volume-weighted average price as quoted by NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) on January 24, 2014, the last trading date immediately prior to the Company’s announcement on January 27, 2014 that it had received a “going private” proposal.

The consideration to be paid to holders of Ordinary Shares and ADSs pursuant to the Agreement also represents an increase of approximately 2.9% from the original US$3.45 per Ordinary Share and US$6.90 per ADS offer price included in the January 27, 2014 “going private” proposal.

Immediately following consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, Parent will be beneficially owned by a consortium (the “Buyer Group”) comprising (i) Ningxia Yilida Capital Investment Limited Partnership, a limited partnership formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and an affiliate of the Company’s acting CEO, Mr. Yingfeng Zhang, (ii) Ningxia Zhongyincashmere International Group Co., Ltd. (“Ningxia”), a company formed under the laws of the People’s Republic of China, (iii) Orient Hongtai (Hong Kong) Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Hong Kong (“Orient Hongtai”), (iv) Orient Hongzhi (Hong Kong) Limited (“Orient Hongzhi”), a company incorporated and existing under the laws of Hong Kong and an affiliate of Orient Hongtai, (v) Hao Ding International Limited (“Hao Ding”), a company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, (vi) Ningxia Zhengjun Equity Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) (“Zhengjun Investment”), a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and an affiliate of Mr. Yingfeng Zhang, (vii) Ningxia Silkroad Equity Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) (“Ningxia Silkroad”), a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and an affiliate of Ningxia, and (viii) Ningxia Zhongrong Legend Equity Investment Partnership Enterprise (Limited Partnership) (“Zhongrong Legend”), a limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and an affiliate of Ningxia. Merger Sub is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. As of the date of the Agreement, the Buyer Group collectively beneficially owns approximately 75.7% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 90.7% of the total number of votes represented by the Company’s issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”), and each of the Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs) will be cancelled in consideration for the right to receive US$3.55 per Ordinary Share or US$7.10 per ADS, in each case, in cash, without interest and net of any applicable withholding taxes, except for (i) 48,759,187 Class B Ordinary Shares held by Yili Shengda Investment Holdings (Hong Kong) Company Limited, an affiliate of Mr. Yingfeng Zhang, 48,759,187 Class B Ordinary Shares held by Zhongrong Shengda Investment Holdings (Hong Kong) Company Limited, an affiliate of Ningxia, 80,577,828 Class A Ordinary Shares held by Zhongrong Investment Holdings (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Ningxia, 61,776,334 Class A Ordinary Shares held by Orient Hongtai, 61,776,335 Class A Ordinary Shares held by Orient Hongzhi, 107,438,129 Class A Ordinary Shares held by Hao Ding and any Ordinary Shares held by Parent, the Company or any of their subsidiaries immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, each of which will be cancelled without payment of any consideration or distribution therefor, and (ii) Ordinary Shares owned by holders who have validly exercised and not effectively withdrawn or lost their rights to dissent from the Merger pursuant to Section 238 of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands, which Ordinary Shares will be cancelled at the effective time of the Merger for the right to receive the fair value of such Ordinary Shares determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 238 of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands.

The Buyer Group intends to fund the transaction through cash contributions from Zhengjun Investment, Ningxia Silkroad, Zhongrong Legend (collectively, the “Sponsors”) or their affiliates pursuant to equity commitment letters entered into between Parent and each Sponsor. The Sponsors have also entered into limited guarantees in favor of the Company pursuant to which they have agreed to guarantee certain obligations of Parent and Merger Sub under the Agreement.

The Company’s Board of Directors, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the special committee of independent directors formed by the Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”), unanimously approved the Agreement, the plan of merger required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands in connection with the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby (the “Transactions”), including the Merger, and resolved to recommend that the Company’s shareholders vote to approve the Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger. The Special Committee, which is composed solely of independent directors who are unaffiliated with Parent, Merger Sub, any member of the Buyer Group or management of the Company, exclusively negotiated the terms of the Agreement with the Buyer Group with the assistance of its independent financial and legal advisors.

The Merger, which is currently expected to close in the second half of 2015, is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval by an affirmative vote of shareholders holding two-thirds or more of the votes represented by the Ordinary Shares (including Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs) present and voting in person or by proxy as a single class at the extraordinary general meeting, which will be convened to consider the approval of the Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger. The Buyer Group beneficially owns sufficient Ordinary Shares to approve the Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and has agreed to vote in favor of such approval. If completed, the Transactions will result in the Company becoming a privately-held company and its ADSs will no longer be listed on NASDAQ.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is serving as financial advisor to the Special Committee, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is serving as U.S. legal advisor to the Special Committee, Haiwen & Partners is serving as PRC legal advisor to the Special Committee and Walkers Global is serving as Cayman Islands legal advisor to the Special Committee. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is serving as legal advisor to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is serving as U.S. legal advisor to the Company and Global Law Office is serving as PRC legal advisor to the Company.

Southwest Securities Co., Ltd. is serving as financial advisor to the Buyer Group and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. is serving as U.S. legal advisor to the Buyer Group.

Additional Information about the Transactions

The Company will furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a report on Form 6-K regarding the Transactions, which will include as an exhibit thereto the Agreement. All parties desiring details regarding the Transactions are urged to review these documents, which are available at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

In connection with the Transactions, the Company will prepare and distribute a proxy statement to its shareholders. In addition, certain participants in the Transactions will prepare and distribute to the Company’s shareholders a Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement. These documents will be filed with or furnished to the SEC. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THESE MATERIALS AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. In addition to receiving the proxy statement and Schedule13E-3 transaction statement, shareholders also will be able to obtain these documents, as well as other filings containing information about the Company, the Transactions and related matters, without charge, from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, these documents can be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Company at the following address and/or phone number:

Shanda Games Limited:
No. 1 Office Building
No. 690 Bibo Road
Pudong New Area
Shanghai 201203
The People’s Republic of China
Phone: +86-21-5050-4740

The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from our shareholders with respect to the Transactions. Information regarding the persons who may be considered “participants” in the solicitation of proxies will be set forth in the proxy statement and Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement relating to the Transactions when they are filed with the SEC. Information regarding certain of these persons and their beneficial ownership of the Company’s Ordinary Shares as of March 31, 2014 is also set forth in the Company’s Form 20-F, which was filed with the SEC on April 29, 2014. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement and Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and the other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available.

This announcement is neither a solicitation of proxy, an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities and it is not a substitute for any proxy statement or other filings that may be made with the SEC should the Transactions proceed.

Cautionary Statement concerning Forward Looking Statements

This news release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to how the Company’s shareholders will vote at the meeting of shareholders, the possibility that competing offers will be made, the possibility that various closing conditions to the Merger may not be satisfied or waived and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, as well as the Schedule 13E-3 transaction statement and the proxy statement to be filed by the Company in connection with the Merger. Shanda Games does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About Shanda Games

Shanda Games Limited (NASDAQ: GAME) is a leading online game developer, operator and publisher in China. Shanda Games offers a diversified game portfolio, which includes some of the most popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) games and mobile games in China and in overseas markets, targeting a large and diverse community of users. Shanda Games manages and operates online games that are developed in-house, co-developed with world-leading game developers, acquired through investments or licensed from third parties. For more information about Shanda Games, please visit http://www.ShandaGames.com.

Contact

Shanda Games Limited
Ellen Chiu, Investor Relations Director
Maggie Zhou, Investor Relations Associate Director
Phone: +86-21-5050-4740 (Shanghai)
Email: IR@ShandaGames.com

Christensen:
Christian Arnell
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548 (China)
Email: carnell@ChristensenIR.com

Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004 (U.S.A.)
Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shanda-games-limited-enters-into-definitive-merger-agreement-for-going-private-transaction-300060834.html

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Renren Announces Dutch Auction Tender Offer for Its American Depositary Shares

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BEIJING, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) (“Renren” or the “Company”), a leading real-name social networking internet platform in China, announced that it is commencing a Dutch auction tender offer today to purchase for cash up to $50 million in value of its American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”), each representing three Class A ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, at a purchase price not greater than $2.75 per ADS nor less than $2.40 per ADS (in each case less a cancellation fee of $0.05 per ADS to be paid to the Company’s ADS depositary). Under the terms of the tender offer, the Company will invite holders of ADSs to tender their ADSs at prices specified by such holders within such range of prices in the manner be described further in the offer materials. The Company will select the lowest single per ADS purchase price that will allow it to purchase $50 million in value of ADSs at completion of the tender offer. The tender offer will be subject to the terms and conditions described in the offer to purchase and the related materials that will be distributed to holders of the Securities and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) today. The tender offer constitutes a part of the $100 million share repurchase program that the Company announced on June 28, 2014, and not an addition to it.

Joseph Chen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated that “After we announced the adoption of a $100 million share repurchase plan on June 28, 2014, we repurchased approximately $48.6 million of our ADSs on the open market through March 13, 2015. We weighed the benefits of continuing to use the remaining amount authorized under the share repurchase program to repurchase ADSs on the open market from time to time against the benefits of using approximately the same amount to repurchase ADSs in a single transaction, and we determined that a tender offer was the most effective way to realize the aims of the share repurchase program.”

Neither Renren, its board of directors, the dealer manager nor the information agent nor any of their affiliates is making any recommendation to holders of the Securities as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering their Securities or as to the purchase price on any tender. Renren has been advised that none of its directors or executive officers intends to tender any Securities pursuant to the offer. The information agent for the tender offer will be Georgeson Inc. and the depositary for the tender offer will be Citibank, N.A. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC will act as the dealer manager for this tender offer.

This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell Renren’s Securities. The solicitation of offers to buy Renren’s Securities will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase, to be issued in connection with the commencement of the tender offer (as may be amended or supplemented), the related letter of transmittal, and other related documents that Renren intends to send to holders of its Securities. The tender offer materials will contain important information that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the tender offer. Those materials will be distributed by Renren to the holders of its Securities at no expense to them. In addition, all of the materials (and all other offer documents filed with the SEC) will be available at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and by contacting Georgeson Inc., the information agent for the tender offer, by telephone at (866) 821-0284.

About Renren Inc.

Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) operates a leading real name social networking internet platform in China. It enables users to connect and communicate with each other, share information and user generated content, play online games, and enjoy a wide range of other features and services. Renren’s businesses primarily include the main social networking website renren.com and the game operating platform Renren Games. Renren.com had approximately 223 million activated users as of December 31, 2014. Renren’s American depositary shares, each of which represents three Class A ordinary shares, trade on NYSE under the symbol “RENN”.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Renren’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these risks and uncertainties is included in our annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Renren does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

Cynthia Liu
Investor Relations Department
Renren Inc.
Tel: +86 (10) 8448-1818 x1300
Email: ir@renren-inc.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renren-announces-dutch-auction-tender-offer-for-its-american-depositary-shares-300060107.html

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Conax demonstrating next generation multi-DRM offering and new joint partner solution at NAB 2015

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– Spotlighting demonstrations of new cutting-edge multi-DRM capabilities in Conax Contego™ and Conax Xtend Multiscreen already deployed in the market

– At NABShow, service and content protection provider Conax will announce how it plans to strengthen its IPTV offering placing the company ahead of rival solutions

– Co-exhibitor and sister company NAGRA will demo its studio-endorsed anyCAST PRM solution for the protection of content delivered OTT or via the home network

LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — NABShow 2015 — Conax, part of the Kudelski Group and a leader in total service protection for digital TV and entertainment services via broadcast, broadband and connected devices, today announced its participation at the NAB Show 2015, April 13th – 16th, Las Vegas. At NAB, Conax will launch next generation multi-DRM solution in flagship security hub Conax Contego™, supporting Google Widevine, Microsoft PlayReady, Conax OTT Access and NAGRA anyCAST PRM. Together with strategic business partners the security provider will feature real life demonstrations spotlighting implementation of the new joint solution at a live multiscreen customer. In addition, at an event at Conax Stand SU8517, Monday, April 13th, 4 pm at NABShow Conax will also announce how it plans to strengthen its IPTV offering including technology it believes will position the company ahead of rivals in the IPTV security space.

– “Supporting multiple DRM technologies is essential to reach all required devices for a TV everywhere service. Conax Contego™ supports PlayReady, Widevine, NAGRA anyCAST PRM and Conax OTT Access, with Common Encryption (CENC) for a simplified and cost-effective workflow. This ensures a unified configuration of DRM with consistent business rules across devices and networks from STBs, Smart TVs, Tablets, Phones, Gaming consoles and PC browsers,” states Tom Jahr, EVP Products & Marketing, Conax. “At NAB, Conax will provide demonstrations based on a live customer illustrating how along with our strategic partners Conax solves the latest challenges for our customers by building, highly efficient solutions both for the end-user and the operator.”

-“Conax will also talk about the latest product portfolio advancements resulting from co-development efforts between sister companies in the Kudelski Group – the leading provider of content security solutions worldwide – and the multitude of benefits for our customers in all regions.”

Conax, Kudelski Group and NAGRA
Conax will be co-exhibiting with sister company NAGRA at NAB Stand SU8517. At the NAB stand, NAGRA will feature its advanced NAGRA anyCAST PRM solution as implemented in DISH Network’s DISH Anywhere multiscreen service for PCs, Android and iOS devices.

Conax Launch & Celebration @NABShow: 4 – 6 pm, April 13th, Stand SU8517
Conax customers, partners and the media are invited to join in celebrating Conax latest multi-DRM news. Conax will also share its newest blueprint for Kudelski cross-technology advancements – followed by networking and a launch party.

At NAB’s Connected Media IP Panel Debate: “Content Security – Protecting Your Assets”
Tom Jahr, EVP Products and Marketing at Conax will speak alongside Christopher Schouten, Senior Director of Product Marketing at NAGRA, as part of the Connected Media exhibit at NAB. Panelists will address a variety of hot topics affecting content protection and the pay-TV industry.
Details: Wednesday, April 15th at 11:30 -12:00 (CM|IP Pavilion, North Hall)

Using Conax’ truly modular approach to a hybrid multiscreen offering, Conax Contego™ unified security hub supports all major distribution technologies and formats including UHD/4K, seamlessly supporting smart cards, cardless and advanced OTT services from a single unified back-end and designed to support operators of any size; small, medium and large, broadcast and broadband. Conax GO Live™ is the new entry-level, targeted solution for pay-TV operators looking to provide streaming of live channels to iOS and Android devices.

About Conax
A part of the Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD:S), Conax is a leading global specialist around the total service protection for digital TV services over broadcast, broadband and connected devices. Conax provides telcos, cable, satellite, IP, mobile and terrestrial and broadband operations with the innovative, flagship Conax Contego™ family of flexible and cost-efficient solutions to deliver premium content securely and enable operators with easy access to the OTT multiscreen arena. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, ISO 9001 & 27001 certified Conax technology enables secure content revenues for 400 operators in 85 countries globally. For more information, please visit www.conax.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Conax media contact
Leslie Johnsen
Head of Public Relations & Communications, Conax
Mob: +47-41-45-80-43
Email: leslie.johnsen@conax.com

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BlueFocus Hits Another Milestone of Its Determined Globalization Process

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BEIJING, April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — It was previously hard to imagine a China-based Communication Group can go global in such a speedy and well-organized manner. BlueFocus, this largest Communication Group (BFCG) of China, who just announced its 2014 Annual Report in which many remarkable financial results can be found, is holding its first-ever global gathering, called International Business Management Committee, formed by all the top leadership team members from both BlueFocus and its strategically owned portfolio agencies, in its Beijing headquarter, from 1st April through 2nd April.

Following a series of well-composed investments and acquisitions, the establishment of International Business Management Committee (IBMC) aims to enable productive & effective management from BlueFocus’ international portfolio standpoint and to unleash the power of meaningful corporate integration.

Robin Grant, Global Managing Director of We Are Social, now a BlueFocus company, has apparently been enjoying this win-win marriage. “The past year has been the start of a new journey for We Are Social. We chose BlueFocus as our partner because they share our global ambitions, track record of fast growth, entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. In the past 12 months, BlueFocus has helped us build the foundations for further global expansion, while allowing us to maintain the unique brand and culture that has made We Are Social so successful to date. We’re looking forward to working with BlueFocus to make 2015 our biggest year yet,” Mr. Grant commented.

As the unbeatable pilot & thought-leader in the professional service industry of Marketing & Communications in China, BlueFocus has been devoting enormous efforts to its intelligent total solution such as technology-inspired innovations and big data backed insights and ideas, which is also reflected as one guiding principle when it comes to BlueFocus’ global acquisition strategy. Fuseproject, for instance, the prestigious industry design firm, is a perfect example that illustrates how technology-inspired innovations can change people’s lives. Blab, another good example as a pioneer in the sector of predictive social intelligence in US, is demonstrating how Big Data can effectively shape the insights for future.

And now, BlueFocus, the ultimate holding company, is ready to build a scale by letting ideas travel across – “The first step is to make all the portfolio agencies know each other MUCH better,” said Holly Zheng, newly appointed President of BlueFocus International as of July 2014. ” ‘This IBMC will be primarily serving as a Steering Committee which helps set the overall growth strategy for the whole company, and we are looking at the opportunities simultaneously regarding establishing multiple working committees as well, which will focus on specific areas such as operation and business development in the near future so that we can bring the ideas to life eventually,” Holly further added.

“I am so happy to see all the fantastic leaders from all over the world to join us in Beijing. I truly believe that, with all great insights and experiences contributed by our leaders, BlueFocus, although originated in China, will definitely become an open and global platform, abound with best talents, which can offer top-notch services to our clients across the globe. And the establishment of IBMC shows clearly our strong commitment to the globalization strategy, which will certainly accelerate globalized process of BlueFocus,” said Oscar Zhao, CEO of BlueFocus Communication Group.

Ms. Holly Zheng further built, “We have created a sizable portfolio in the communications industry, including companies that specialize in PR, advertising, social media, technology and even product design. Geographically, our portfolio agencies can cover all of the key markets ranging from Asia, Europe, North America to Australia. And we believe this global footprint is critical to our multinational clients. In 2015, we expect our international business will grow much faster than the industry average, accounting for roughly 20% of our total revenue.”

Currently, BFCG and its overseas branches have established nearly a hundred offices in more than 30 countries around the world. As the only Chinese communication company with global footprint, BlueFocus reported its 2014 revenue of RMB 5,979,088,239 (US$ 965 million), up 66.83% from a year ago, and a net profit of RMB 711,883,881 (US$ 115 million), up 62.79% year-to-year.

About BlueFocus

Founded in 1996 and became the first publicly listed PR company in China in 2010, BlueFocus is the No.1 integrated communication and marketing services group in China, with around 5,000 employees globally. The company provides a wide spectrum of PR and brand management services to over 800 multinational companies and leading Chinese enterprises, covering the IT, automobile, consumer goods, real estate, finance, and entertainment industries.

BlueFocus operates in the fields of public relations, media buying, digital communication, digital advertising and e-commerce in China, including: Blue Digital (formerly BlueFocus PR) – Asia’s no. 1 PR agency, SNK – China’s No.1 online gaming advertising agency, Bojie Media, Eyes Media, Kingo Advertising and BlueStrategy.

“To Be Global” is one of BlueFocus’ core strategies. The firm controls Vision7, whose two major brands include Canadian agency leader Cossette and the international PR firm Citizen Relations, We Are Social, the world’s largest specialist social media agency in UK, and owns around 20% stake in Huntsworth, a UK-based leading international public relations group. BlueFocus’ other oversea investments include Fuseproject, a top industrial designing company in US, Metta, a leading Advertising agency in HK, Financial PR, a renowned investor relations consultancy in Asia, and Blab, a pioneer in the category of Predictive Social Intelligence in US.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150401/195948

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bluefocus-hits-another-milestone-of-its-determined-globalization-process-300059286.html

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ClearTV Media Debuts TVChannels4u.com Offering Television Audiences Premium Programming On the Device of Their Choice from TVs to Phones to Tablets and Laptops

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BURBANK, Calif., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — ClearTV Media (F: CLTV) officially launched TVChannels4U.com today, transforming the traditional television viewing experience with a powerful platform that brings audiences a new way to experience online videos. The entertainment network delivers a best-of-breed online content solution with professionally curated programming on channels targeted to your individual interests. TVChannels4U.com represents an unrivaled four point distribution system beyond the new site – On-Line Syndication to a vast array of premium publishers, Social Distribution through Twitter @TVChannels4U with a following of 550K, Over-the-top (OTT) via connected TVs, and Mobile.

“Our commitment to talent and premium programming prompted the launch one of the most remarkably developed video sharing websites in the space. The site was designed with the user as our single focus – whether that is a professional producer, a premium publisher or one the millions of online who view and share the eclectic variety of content TVChannels4U has to offer. TVChannels4U is a refreshing new approach to the aggregation and consumption of top-tier online content,” said David Tetreault, COO, ClearTV Media.

The navigation tools that brings TVChannels4U.com alive allows viewers to sit back and engage with programming from a variety of genres that include – Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sports, Music, Travel and Style. TVChannels4U.com steps into its lifecycle in the midst of the myriad of digital milestones that ran through 2014 and now into 2015 – traditional TV ratings continue to experience pronounced declines as the consumption of premium programming continues to migrate toward emerging platforms.

According to the recent report – U.S. Digital Future In Focus 2015 published by comScore – across every age demographic, there is a substantially higher percentage of multi-platform and mobile-only Internet users than in the previous year. Digital video viewing still occurs most frequently via desktop computer, but mobile video viewing is on the rise. Nearly 7 in 8 Americans watch online video with more than half doing so daily. Slightly below half of smartphone and tablet users watch video on all their devices, with about 1 in 10 doing so daily, suggesting there is room for significant growth. TVChannels4U has assembled a premium publisher network that distributes to many of the most highly trafficked websites online providing these sites with top-tier programming for a collective audience in the multi-millions monthly. TVChannels4U.com provides high-value content producers a distribution outlet that guides their content through the clutter and noise of traditional distribution platforms, and directly into the arms of viewers who know what they want and when they want to see it. Over-the-top (OTT) devices such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Microsoft Xbox are also gaining adoption and driving extended engagement of digital viewing. The validity that comScore brings to the table showcases the rapid nature of the transformation taking place in programming and distribution, TVChannels4U.com syncs up with this sea change and provides premium programming viewed through premium distribution channels across all devices.

About ClearTV Media
Clear TV Media delivers customized TV stations to dynamic Away-From-Home environments bringing airports, healthcare facilities, retailers, and hotel and resorts a new marketing tool that will target, reach and engage a world on-the-go. Clear TV Media has the power to connect with upscale demographics in ways never before imagined by infusing premium content with social media technology. Clear TV Media recently launched TVChannels4U.com. TVChannels4U drives talent and customized programming in the new age of the always-on-demand, mobile and social world. We create, produce and curate the best in Social TV – providing established and new producers with the tools to make and distribute TV series’ like never before. TVChannels4U entertains and engages viewers with original TV programming from a wide variety of genres – Comedy, Drama, News, Sports, Education and Information. To learn more please visit www.cleartvmedia.com, www.tvchannels4u.com or Twitter @TVChannels4U.

Press Contact:

ClearTV Media
Ronnie Seidel, 818-351-7858
press@cleartvmedia.com

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7cTz4DYnNk
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150331/195509LOGO

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Frost & Sullivan Commends Belden’s Comprehensive Portfolio of Connectivity and Networking Products for Signal Transmission

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– Belden’s emphasis on continuous product versatility, technology and functionalities will entrench its position in the global market

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Based on its recent analysis of the industrial physical infrastructure Ethernet market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Belden Inc. with the 2015 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Line Strategy Leadership. Belden’s 100-year legacy of proven technical excellence and continuous R&D gives the company a clear strategic edge in the evolving Ethernet market.

Belden receives the 2015 Frost & Sullivan Global Industrial Physical Infrastructure Ethernet Product Line Strategy Leadership Award

Belden receives the 2015 Frost & Sullivan Global Industrial Physical Infrastructure Ethernet Product Line Strategy Leadership Award

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150327/194981

In less than 10 years, through a series of strategic acquisitions, Belden has evolved from a supplier of copper cable products to a provider of leading signal transmission solutions. This was based on a deliberate strategy to shape and advance its product portfolio through organic and inorganic growth in order to take leadership positions in its key markets. The list of its acquisitions on its path to market leadership includes:

  • Hirschmann Automation and Control, a leading supplier of industrial Ethernet switches and routers;
  • Lumberg Automation, a niche firm with expertise in compact Ethernet packaging and connectivity;
  • GarrettCom, an industrial Ethernet switch supplier;
  • Tofino Security, a leader in industrial security appliances;
  • Poliron, a technology and Brazilian industrial cable specialist;
  • ProSoft Technology, a leading developer of industrial communication solutions for automation and control applications; and
  • Tripwire, a leader in advanced cyber threat detection solutions.

Belden’s industrial cable division was the starting point in its journey toward becoming a global signal transmission solution provider. Its offerings include industrial data solutions that support industrial Ethernet and bus networks, as well as EIA-485 applications, instrumentation and control cables; armored cables; flexible automation cables; pan/tilt/zoom CCTV camera cables; fire alarm cables; sound (paging) cables; and switches.

“Belden has end-to-end physical infrastructure solutions to address existing networking challenges, as well as deliver the bandwidth and scalability required for future applications,” said Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Deepak Achuthashankar. “Its portfolio extends from industrial networking, industrial cable, industrial connectivity, machine control solutions (MCS), and enterprise connectivity to infrastructure-related applications. The acquisition of Tripwire was the latest step in Belden’s product leadership strategy.”

One of Belden’s main areas of focus is industrial IT. In this market, Belden sells wired and wireless switches and routers, both hardware and software products, and has been the leader in adoption of Ethernet in the industrial market, while supporting a broad range of legacy protocols. Additionally, it emphasizes security as end users have begun to realize that industrial facilities and environments are subjected to the same degree of security threats as in the commercial space. Belden has particularly emphasized investments in wireless, security and embedded technologies as critical enablers for the Internet of Industrial Things (IoIT).

Belden’s development processes are finely tuned to support mission-critical applications and tailored to the unique needs of industrial customers, specifically maximized network uptime and ease of product installation and use. Furthermore, its product lines are compatible with those of any automation company; this has been made possible by its impressive in-house technical knowledge base and relentless focus on customer intimacy.

Belden also offers a variety of world-class networking services. The core components of its network services are on-site technical consultation that includes network planning, design, configuration and installation, as well as trouble-shooting, maintenance and assistance with future upgrades. This is supplemented by world-class, post-sales support.

Krishna Srinivasan, global president and managing partner of Frost & Sullivan, said, “Belden has done a remarkably good job of serving the full range of product needs of its target customers. Belden has optimized its product line by integrating all the key price, performance and feature points required in the industrial physical infrastructure Ethernet market.”

Belden is not just a supplier of signal transmission products, but a true strategic business partner delivering solutions that make end-user facilities perform more efficiently and profitably. Its global presence places it in close proximity to most of its customers and partners.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a comprehensive product line that caters to the breadth of the market it serves. The award recognizes the extent to which the product line meets customer base demands, the overall impact it has in terms of customer value, as well as increased market share.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Belden
Belden Inc., a global leader in high-quality, end-to-end signal transmission solutions, delivers a comprehensive product portfolio designed to meet the mission-critical network infrastructure needs of industrial, enterprise and broadcast markets. With innovative solutions targeted at reliable and secure transmission of rapidly growing amounts of data, audio and video needed for today’s applications, Belden is at the center of the global transformation to a connected world. Founded in 1902, the company is headquartered in St. Louis and has manufacturing capabilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit us at www.belden.com; follow us on Twitter @BeldenInc.

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.

Our “Growth Partnership” supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.

  • The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including: research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation and implementation.
  • The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.

For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

Contact Us:     Start the discussion

Join Us:           Join our community

Subscribe:       Newsletter on “the next big thing”

Register:         Gain access to visionary innovation

Contact:

Mireya Espinoza
P: +1-210-247-3870
F: +1-210-348-1003
E: mireya.espinoza@frost.com

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150328/8521501992

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Game Power 7 Recognised for Visionary Innovation Leadership Award by Frost & Sullivan

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Game Power 7 was recently recognised with the Frost & Sullivan 2015 Visionary Innovation Leadership Award for Digital Game Publishing in the Middle East (ME), at the annual Growth, Innovation and Leadership (GIL) 2015: Middle East held in Dubai last month. Game Power 7 has reinvented the gaming landscape in the MENA by developing and publishing the MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) and the MMO role-playing games (MMORPG) technology, which remoulds the key attributes of games including the storyline, concepts, characters, traditions, etc. to suit cultural sensibilities of approximately 70 Million online gaming enthusiasts.

Mr. Fadi Mujahid, CEO, Game Power 7, said, “The essence of game ‘culturalization’ aids to connect with the Arabic youth directly and, thereby, facilitates profound engagement with them. We emphasise on player satisfaction and customer loyalty as the two fundamental pillars for success of the company in the online gaming arena in the coming years.”

From designing the wardrobe to modifying characters, Game Power 7 ensures that players get a feeling of being at home rather than experiencing alienation due to influence of other cultures in the virtual world. This has led to the company witnessing an exponential growth in the number of online Arabic gamers connecting to experience the unique and innovative games developed by Game Power 7. Looking at the popularity of the mobile gaming segment, and backed by an e-payment network that covers more than 19 countries the company is coming up with free mobile games on both Android and iOS platforms in Arabic language. With over one million registered gamers, Game Power 7 believes that the market potential exceeds 25 million gamers with estimated revenue of USD 500 Million Dollars annually. The company has achieved a seven digits total profit during the past five years while maintaining an annual profit growth of 10 per cent.

“It takes a spirited initiative and relentless efforts to offer gamers something new and original from time to time. GamePower7 has been doing exactly that since 2007 by being the first Arab gaming company to develop and publish online Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) Games, MMO Role Playing Games (MMORPG) and also launch online game ‘culturalization’. The Arabic online gaming market is witnessing an exponential growth and being the pioneers in online Arabic gaming gives GamePower7 a strong advantage over its competitors,” said Satyajit Lele, Research Analyst, Best Practices Team, Frost & Sullivan.

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards recognises companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices.

About Game Power 7:
The company was founded in 2007 as the first leading Arabic company in the field of online and mobile gaming. As a subsidiary company of Global New Age Media Group, Game Power7 presented innovative products based on localising games from different cultures to fit the Arabic culture, tradition, and local values. Relying on local talents, the company released a variety of exceptional games starting with the most popular in 2008 Arabic Rapplez, which was the first online Arabic game. The game population exceeded one million players. Game Power 7 has operation centres in three Arab countries, while the headquarters are located in Dubai. As part of the belief in the importance of community management, the company established a Culturalization and Cultural Content Department and Community Management QA Department. As part of the company’s integrated corporate social responsibility vision, the company supports several social programmes for the youth and local communities.

For more information on game Power 7, please visit: http://www.gamepower7.com

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.

Our “Growth Partnership” supports clients by addressing these opportunities and incorporating two key elements driving visionary innovation: The Integrated Value Proposition and The Partnership Infrastructure.

  • The Integrated Value Proposition provides support to our clients throughout all phases of their journey to visionary innovation including research, analysis, strategy, vision, innovation, and implementation.
  • The Partnership Infrastructure is entirely unique as it constructs the foundation upon which visionary innovation becomes possible. This includes our 360 degree research, comprehensive industry coverage, career best practices as well as our global footprint of more than 40 offices.

For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Is your organization prepared for the next profound wave of industry convergence, disruptive technologies, increasing competitive intensity, Mega Trends, breakthrough best practices, changing customer dynamics and emerging economies?

Contact Us: Start the discussion

Join Us: Join our community

Subscribe: Newsletter on “the next big thing”

Register: Gain access to visionary innovation

Media Contacts: For Game Power 7

Ruhaim Sawan
Phone: +971-4-3902777
Email: r.sawan@gamepower7.com

Media Contact: Frost & Sullivan

Paroma Bhattacharya
Corporate Communications — Middle East and North Africa
P: +91-22-6607-2047
F: +91-22-2832-4713
E: paromab@frost.com

Ravinder Kaur
Corporate Communications — South Asia
M: +91-99401-41714
P: +91-44-6681-4413
E: ravinder.kaur@frost.com
www.frost.com