Author

Kenneth Jones

Browsing

Activision Blizzard has announced they will give a thousand game testers full-time jobs and pay bumps. This is great news for those working in the gaming industry as game testers on a contract basis. Not only will the game testers benefit from a steady and secure source of income but they will also gain more job security while continuing to provide valuable feedback and testing of new games.

Let’s take a look at all the details of this new offer by Activision Blizzard:

Background

Activision Blizzard is a global leader in interactive entertainment, dedicated to creating the most epic gaming experiences possible. Recently, the company announced an exciting opportunity to give a thousand game testers full-time jobs and pay bumps. This is a great step for the company as it shows its dedication to its game testers and the perfect way to recognize their hard work.

Let’s take a look at the background of this job offer:

History of Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard, formerly known as Activision Inc., is an American video game holding company founded on October 1, 1979, based in Santa Monica, California. The company was originally founded as Activision by former Atari game developers to create games for home computers and invent game genre categories. After merging with Vivendi Games in 2008, it became known as Activision Blizzard.

In 1975, Atari’s home console department developed some games that laid the foundation for what we now know as the modern video game industry. One of its key arcade games in 1977 was Pong. Atari’s success helped make video games popular with consumers and caused a flood of new titles to come on the market.

Despite the popularity among consumers, Atari experienced financial difficulties after the 1982 video game crash due to over saturation in the market caused largely by its flood of titles and third-party licensing system at the time which allowed other companies such as Activision to release their titles with similar themes or content as those released by Atari itself forcing them into direct competition with one another resulting in low profit margins and eventually bankruptcy.

activision duty warzone pc mlwarren theverge

However some former employees found success elsewhere by leaving the company to form their development studio such as Activision Inc debuting in 1979 where they shifted their focus from developing arcade style videos games for home consoles to producing software for personal computers which met with great success allowing them become a major player in this sector by 1982 consequently becoming one of Ataris biggest rivals due their newfound financial stability allowing them poach up talent from all corners causing many former employees from shutting down companies such as Imagic (a prominent force during 1983) jump ship making it one of most profitable development houses during early 80’s beating out even Nintendo Entertainment System at time. It has recently increased its market share, offering better wages for game testers, hoping to cement its position even more in the days ahead. It becomes a crucial part of the videogame industry innovating new ways to bring joy to the world over continuing to produce top quality titles well into the future.

History of game testing

Game testing is one of the oldest technologies in the gaming industry. Many companies have used it since the first board games were developed. However, the development of the internet and computer software led to the explosive growth of the gaming industry and an even greater need for testing and quality assurance.

In recent years, game testing has become an integral part of game development and a vital first step in many software release cycles. The growing complexity of video game development requires extensive functional, compatibility, performance and security tests. As a result, companies like Activision Blizzard are now hiring full-time professional game testers who are experienced in gaming technology and proficient in debugging code-base issues.

A professional game tester’s job isn’t just about playing games; it requires problem-solving skills well beyond what most gamers possess. Even more importantly, certified testers can find employment opportunities with some of the world’s most prestigious gaming companies. With their exceptional technical knowledge, excellent communication skills and commitment to producing high quality products for customers, game testers have become indispensable members of any software development team – especially with cutting-edge gaming giants like Activision Blizzard!

Activision Blizzard is giving a thousand game testers full-time jobs and pay bumps

Activision Blizzard recently announced they will offer a thousand game testers full-time jobs and pay bumps. This move is a testament to the value of having full-time jobs in the gaming industry.

Full-time employment provides benefits such as job security and steady income, building skills in a specific area and even the potential for career growth and development. In this article, we will be discussing the specific benefits of full-time jobs and how they can positively impact the gaming industry.

Job security

One of the main advantages of full-time jobs is job security. When working a standard, full-time job, workers are granted certain rights. These include layoffs and the ability to move between positions within the company more easily. It also helps create a feeling of security for workers, knowing that their job won’t be taken away if their performance isn’t up to expectations.

The recent announcement from Activision Blizzard that it is giving a thousand game testers full-time jobs and pay bumps is great news for those formerly employed on contract or part-time basis. These testers now have increased job security and more rights as company employees. This change not only solidifies their roles in the company but also grants them dismissal protection, which would otherwise not exist with contract work. Additionally, this change translates into better access to benefits traditionally associated with full-time jobs like:

  • Vacation days
  • Health insurance
  • Disability coverage

Benefits package

As game testers become full-time Activision Blizzard employees, they’ll now be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical, dental and vision plans for employees and their dependents, as well as access to life insurance, Disability Insurance (DI), Accident Insurance (AI), paid holidays and vacation packages.

Employees can also receive help with education expenses through the Learning & Development Program and financial planning advice through the Employee Assistance Plan.

the activision blizzard raven mayparrish theverge

They can also opt into the 401(k) Savings plan which helps them set aside money for retirement. In addition, the company awards select gamers who show outstanding performance in their game development roles with scholarship funds up to $10,000 annually.

Finally, the award-winning Activision Blizzard Employee Support provides 24/7 assistance with almost any personal request or emergency.

Career advancement

With full-time jobs, you can enjoy benefits such as job security and developing your skills or climbing the corporate ladder and potential perks such as promotions and higher salaries.

Working full-time often allows you to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the job and build more successful relationships with co-workers, managers, and other stakeholders.

A full-time job at an established company like Activision Blizzard will likely offer additional recruitment opportunities due to their wider network that can give you access to exclusive roles. In addition, job hopping has become increasingly common in recent years, making it much easier for committed professionals to find the right position for their career development.

For example, game testers at Activision Blizzard can look forward to career advancement or higher salaries while taking on writing assignments related to the games they are testing—providing job satisfaction and a chance to build a career in gaming or tech beyond this role.

Challenges of Full-Time Jobs

With Activision Blizzard’s generous move of offering a thousand game testers full-time jobs and pay bumps, some challenges come with this.

qa activision raven software mayparrish theverge

These game testers will have to take on more responsibilities and commitments as full-time employees. They will also have to balance the increased workload with their everyday lives.

Long hours

Activision Blizzard is offering a thousand game testers full-time jobs with increased wages. While this opportunity provides more job and financial security for these individuals, it is important to consider the physical and mental demands of working full-time.

Employees are typically expected to work between 8 and 10 hours per day and can be required to work additional hours during busy times or depending on the job requirements. With long hours comes additional stress as employees may find themselves rushed to meet deadlines or take on extra responsibilities leading to fatigue and burnout.

Furthermore, suppose workers cannot take breaks throughout their days due to workloads or other duties. In that case, it can lead to exhaustion and mental fatigue, reducing their ability to think clearly, work with accuracy and remain productive. Additionally, being overworked can lead one to not have time for leisure activities outside of work, which can lead to a lack of fulfillment in life.

Stressful environment

Employing a thousand game testers as full-time staff members poses several challenges for Activision Blizzard (AB). The pressure to produce exceptional results within tight timelines can lead to excessive stress. This can affect the well-being of the employees and may decrease productivity due to a lack of motivation or increased difficulty in focusing on tasks. Hence, creating a healthy and supportive environment is crucial to minimize burnout and optimize employee performance.

Past research has shown that removing punitive measures can encourage workers to strive further, while providing feedback and recognition helps create trust between employers and employees. Additionally, granting autonomy encourages creativity among game testers. It allows them to independently address game-related issues effectively – this proving beneficial in terms of both quality assurance roles and development roles along the game production timeline.

Limited job opportunities

The challenge with full-time jobs is that there are limited job opportunities available. In the case of Activision Blizzard, they can only offer a thousand new full-time jobs and pay bumps. While this is certainly better than nothing, and may be a great opportunity for those lucky enough to be selected, it will not solve the problem of job scarcity in the gaming industry.

Due to a lack of demand for these specific jobs, it can be more difficult to find an extended gaming job without experience or specialized skillset. This makes getting hired at a full-time position an especially difficult task as competition is usually very fierce.

Furthermore, suppose game testers wish to move from one full-time position to another or from freelancing into a permanent job. In that case, their skills can quickly become outdated due to rapid technological advances. Thus maintaining one’s employment status is often seen as a challenging feat within the gaming industry, where many employees must consistently fight for their positions and stay on top of new trends and technologies to stay ahead of their competition.

tags = temporary and contingent QA workers of its Activision Publishing and Blizzard divisions,converted to full-time employees, temp game testers are getting full-time jobs with benefits, more content to players, california activision theverge, nlrb activision blizzard raven mayparrish theverge, nlrb activision blizzard raven theverge, after california activision blizzardparrish theverge, nlrb activision blizzard software theverge, the nlrb activision blizzard software theverge, activision ricochet pc mlwarren theverge, ativiion permanent full-time employees, significant worker activism

Deliveroo is an online food delivery platform that has disrupted the traditional food industry since its launch in 2013. As a result, the food delivery industry has seen tremendous growth, with Deliveroo being one of the biggest players in the space. In addition, the company recently announced that it had closed a $180 million funding round, highlighting the success of its business model.

In this article, we will discuss Deliveroo’s impact on the food delivery industry, including some of its key advantages over traditional food delivery services:

Overview of Deliveroo

Deliveroo, based in London, is a world leader in the food delivery industry. Founded in 2013 by William Shu and Greg Orlowski, Deliveroo has quickly become one of the most prominent companies in this fast-growing market segment. With operations spanning over 150 cities worldwide and a major player in 12 countries, Deliveroo provides numerous opportunities to bring restaurants to consumers worldwide.

Deliveroo is known for its advanced technology and seamless delivery experience. The company operates on a unique centralised kitchen model whereby all meals are prepared at partnering commercial-grade kitchens to ensure that orders are fulfilled quickly and at high quality. This allows Deliveroo’s riders to collect and deliver ready-prepared meals on behalf of clients with minimum hassle involved – often within 30 minutes or less.

This innovative approach and aggressive marketing have seen Deliveroo lead the industry’s international expansion. Most recently, Deliveroo announced that it had raised $180 million in new funding from leading investors including DST Global and Accel Partners which will enable faster global expansion as well as continued innovation of existing services such as its ‘Group Orders’ feature which allows users to collectively order from multiple restaurants through the one single purchase process.

Market Analysis

Deliveroo has managed to disrupt the food delivery industry with its innovative approach. The company recently announced that it has raised $180M in new funding, highlighting its success in the market and establishing it as a major player in the industry.

Market size and growth

One of the key factors contributing to the food delivery industry’s market size is the growing number of consumers opting for online food delivery services. According to a report published by Grand View Research, Inc., the global online food delivery market was valued at USD 83,871.2 million in 2018 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 13.7% from 2019 to 2025.

The surge in investment in the food delivery industry indicates growing consumer acceptance for this sector and its promise for growth in the coming years. As per a recent report published by Markets and Markets, the global food delivery industry was valued at USD 83 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to reach USD 1.50 trillion by 2024, registering a CAGR of 8.15% during this period.

180m durable partners fidelity 7b bradshaw financialtimes

Deliveroo’s funding from investors such as Samsung Venture Investment Corporation and some others indicates that they are vying for a major stake in this rapidly growing industry as they raise £178 million (€180 million) through their latest funding round making them one of UK’s most valuable tech start-ups with an estimated valuation of £487 million (€500 million). With such large investments, Deliveroo will be well-positioned as one of the major players driving innovation within the food delivery space and changing market dynamics. In addition, its unique technology implementation strategy focuses on customer experience and delivering results through data analytics initiatives.

Market share of Deliveroo

Deliveroo is one of the leading providers in the online food delivery service industry, providing customers with quick and convenient meal solutions. In 2015, it raised $100 million in its Series B funding round led by its two biggest investors, Accel Partners and Index Ventures. This was followed by another round of funding at $200 million in 2017 led by DST Global, implying that Deliveroo has gained a large market share over the past few years.

This growth can be attributed to the various initiatives taken up by Deliveroo such as unique customer offerings and features like cashless payment solutions, integrated Food Tracker notifications to keep customers updated on their food order progress in near real-time, as well as smartphone apps for both Android and Apple devices.

The company also counts on a wide merchant base of local restaurants and chains which continues to expand gradually across multiple countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and the United Kingdom. With an estimated annualized run rate of more than $900 million across 12 countries in Europe alone at end-2017, Deliveroo remains a major player within the industry with its continued expansion into new markets across different countries since its debut in 2013.

Impact of Deliveroo

Deliveroo has revolutionized the food delivery industry. The company, founded in 2013, has seen tremendous success, with its recent announcement to have raised $180 million in new funding. This further highlights Deliveroo’s impact on the industry and how it has been able to deliver on its promises to its customers.

Impact on traditional food delivery services

Since its launch in 2013, Deliveroo has been a disruptive force in the food delivery industry. Their reports show Deliveroo operates in 500 cities and towns across 12 countries. By providing customers with a more convenient way to order food from their favorite restaurants, as well as new and exciting delivery only kitchens, Deliveroo has revolutionized the way people think about ordering meals for delivery.

The rise of technology-fueled disruptors such as Deliveroo has greatly impacted traditional food delivery services. On one hand, these services have made it easier for diners to order quality meals without leaving home or office. But, on the other hand, they have caused many local restaurants to close their doors due to increased competition and difficulty keeping up with the growing demand for delivery-only services.

Moreover, apps like Deliveroo have made restaurant takeout and deliver orders more efficient than ever. Now customers can easily track orders from start to finish with GPS technology that monitors order progress and estimated arrival time (ETA). Additionally, customers have access to a wide variety of cuisines all in one place—saving time that would otherwise be spent hunting for different menus online or traveling between different locations.

180m durable fidelity 7b bradshaw financialtimes

Considering the financial resources behind companies like Deliveroo, traditional food delivery services are facing stiff competition from local takeout companies and established tech startups. Nonetheless some restaurants are still finding success by embracing technology solutions such as

  • QR codes or
  • mobile ordering apps—
  • providing yet another advantage over those that choose not to keep up with the changing face of hospitality industry today.

Impact on restaurant industry

Deliveroo’s expansion in the food delivery industry has had a major impact on restaurants worldwide. By providing an online platform for restaurants to reach customers, Deliveroo has helped many eateries increase their business and improve their operations.

The success of Deliveroo can be attributed to its intuitive mobile ordering system that allows users to quickly order food from nearby restaurants for delivery or pickup. It also supports multiple payment methods and contactless transactions, providing customers with more convenience and flexible options.

The company has also enabled restaurants to quickly restructure their business models to better meet the demand of digital-savvy consumers. This includes introducing quick pre-order menus, optimized delivery systems, and other features that enable customers to order food efficiently.

Moreover, Deliveroo’s expansive global reach has helped many restaurateurs define their global presence while creating employment opportunities in various cities through its driver network. In addition, several cities have witnessed a great reduction in traffic jams as automobile usage for deliveries was effectively replaced by bicycle deliveries through the platform.

180m durable management 7b bradshaw financialtimes

These advancements have also made it easier for small businesses to find new markets online and expand operations without needing top-notch technology infrastructure or resources. As such, certain governments are now allowing Deliveroo’s services with safety protocols set in place due to its potential boost towards local economies and support during crises.

Deliveroo Says It Has Raised $180M In New Funding

Deliveroo has recently announced that it has raised $180 million in new funding and is now backed by an impressive grouping of investors. This has enabled further expansion for Deliveroo across Europe and other markets. This level of funding is not only an indication of Deliveroo’s success, but also of the tremendous potential of the food delivery industry.

Deliveroo’s recent funding round

Deliveroo, the UK-based food delivery company, announced it has raised $180M in a recent funding round led by Fidelity Investments. This injection of funds bumps Deliveroo’s value up to an estimated $2.1B and makes it one of Europe’s most highly valued technology startups.

The new funding will allow the company to expand into more markets, accelerate growth in existing ones, and invest in technology that connects customers with their orders faster than ever before. Will Shu, Deliveroo’s CEO and founder, commented on the recent development saying “we are delighted to welcome on board such high profile investors who share our mission to transform food delivery for customers, restaurants and riders around the world.”

This funding round is exciting for Deliveroo as they continue to rapidly expand across Europe. In the past year alone they have entered the Italian, Dutch and Spanish markets with Germany next on their list. They also recently launched a mobile app enabling riders to get paid quickly while they are out working on deliveries.

It looks like there is no stopping this high-growth business anytime soon as they continue to disrupt the food delivery industry globally.

Deliveroo’s expansion plans

Deliveroo, a leading online food delivery platform, has announced plans to expand its reach throughout Europe and beyond. The company says it has raised $180 million in new funding that will be used to scale its operations to an even greater extent.

The new funding was provided by investment groups Toscafund Asset Management and Gadbridge Holdings. This follows the reported $200 million Deliveroo had secured from Amazon earlier this year. It is believed the funds are being used to hire more riders and assist with on-demand food orders around the globe.

Moreover, Deliveroo intends to use the funding for research and development of new technology that can be used in the online food delivery industry. This will include improving their existing platform with improved APIs and customer service innovations focusing on bringing more restaurants into their system faster than ever before.

The additional funding comes at an opportune time for Deliveroo as it seeks to expand its presence globally by launching operations in India later this year and plans to expand into Southeast Asia later this summer/autumn. In addition, reports indicate that its services will soon be available in 50 countries worldwide with a presence across Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Australia and parts of Latin America including Colombia and Brazil.

By consolidating resources into one integrated platform for ordering meals from local restaurants – Deliveroo hopes to become a leading provider of online food delivery services worldwide!

tags = british food delivery app deliveroo, $180 million from existing investors, including minority shareholder Amazon, 180m durable fidelity management financialtimes, 180m durable capital partners 7b bradshaw financialtimes, deliveroo durable capital management financialtimes, deliveroo 180m durable management financialtimes, deliveroo durable partners management financialtimes, deliveroo 180m durable 7b bradshaw financialtimes, 180m durable partners management financialtimes, deliveroo durable capital partners financialtimes, deliveroo 180m durable partners financialtimes, 180m durable capital partners financialtimes, durable capital partners fidelity management financialtimes, deliveroo is set to hold an initial public offering

Electronic Arts (EA) is one of the world’s most successful video game developers. However, despite their success, the company is often criticized and controversial, especially regarding their business decisions. Recently, EA has been looking to sell or merge itself, which has sparked numerous debates as to why such a move would be beneficial.

Overview of the company

Electronic Arts (EA) is one of the world’s largest video game companies. Founded in 1982, EA develops, markets, and publishes its series of highly popular video games and those of its subsidiaries. The company has been extremely successful with notable releases such as FIFA 20, Need for Speed Heat and Sims 4.

However, the company has faced intense controversy over its past practices, including an anti-consumer reputation that has caused many gamers to boycott their products. Recently, reports have surfaced suggesting that EA is looking to sell or merge with a larger entertainment entity to increase their presence across different media outlets. This decision could have far-reaching implications for the future of the company’s business model and the gaming industry as a whole.

This article will provide an overview of Electronic Arts’ history as a company and consider how a sale/merger might influence their business strategy moving forward.

Poor Quality Games

One of the major criticisms of Electronic Arts (EA) is their reputation for releasing low-quality games. For example, since the release of their poor-selling Madden NFL “06” video game, EA has been accused of flooding the market with sequels and rehashes to make up for lost profits.

EA has also faced criticism for “monetizing” games by putting in extra purchases such as loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics that are seen as taking away from the gaming experience. These practices have drawn significant backlash from players, who feel that EA is sacrificing quality for quantity.

report electronic arts nbcuniversal apple amazongachkotaku

Another major criticism comes from players who believe the company has forgotten about offering innovative gameplay experiences, pointing to a lack of originality in releases compared to other developers.

Unsatisfactory Customer Service

When it comes to unethical business practices, ineffective customer service is one of the most common complaints. Unfortunately, electronic Arts (EA), as a gaming company, has received much such negative feedback. Since their inception in the early 80s, they have had a long-running history with consumer dissatisfaction.

The gaming community is no stranger to EA’s notorious reputation. For example, the user score aggregation site Metacritic features an excessive amount of poor review ratings that identify issues in their titles. The ceaseless outrage from gamers has placed EA at an unfavorable position within the industry, which helped fuel its recent struggle, resulting in talks around selling/merging parts of the company off.

Unethical Business Practices

The controversy surrounding Electronic Arts (EA) stems from its alleged unethical business practices. This is highlighted by accusations of corporate greed, exploiting its fans, and profiting from its games’ microtransactions. These issues have resulted in public backlash for the company and its subsidiaries.

One of the most notable controversies around EA compared to other major companies focused on gaming is their use of loot boxes. This virtual item can be bought with real-world money and then used to purchase in-game items that enhance the user’s experience. Unfortunately, users are not always aware of what they will receive when purchasing these crates or boxes until after they have opened it, leading to some cases of gambling as minors can also purchase or obtain these boxes without necessarily understanding their contents or the value associated with them.

In addition, there has been evidence that EA deliberately withholds content and rewards to benefit from sales generated through microtransactions. As a result, players are driven to purchase items such as loot boxes if they want to progress within the game faster than usual or improve certain skills earlier than possible.

electronic nbcuniversal disney apple amazongachkotaku

Furthermore, due to its merger with Take-Two Interactive in 2020, EA has gained control over several acclaimed franchises including Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption. This raises concerns about whether EA may impose their policies on these series and other games affected by this merger. This idea brings further criticism upon the company’s leadership especially considering how their usage of loot boxes has already been a point of contention for many gamers worldwide.

Recent Developments

Recent reports have indicated that the global gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) is looking to sell or merge some of their studios. This has drawn much public attention due to the controversy it has caused. This has caused a lot of debate among gamers, analysts and investors.

EA Looking To Sell Or Merge

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), an American company that specializes in video game software, has recently been the subject of speculation due to reports that they are looking to sell or merge operations. This is likely due to EA’s considerable financial troubles amidst the current market downturn and their reputation for controversial practices and games deemed as “pay2win” or too expensive.

Though details regarding possible buyers or partners remain nebulous, reports suggest that EA is interested in pursuing alternative strategies for growth. The potential buyers might be other video game companies or large private sector corporations interested in extending their reach into the gaming market. With its extensive library of titles and recognizable brand name, EA offers a notable opportunity of appeal – not to mention access to cutting-edge technologies such as Frostbite engine and Motion Scan technology – both of which would be attractive assets in any large merger or acquisition agreement.

In addition, EA’s mobile free-to-play games may make them an interesting prospect for larger firms looking to leverage these increasingly popular platforms–EA is already experiencing success through FIFA Mobile and its other mobile games (The Simpsons: Tapped Out and Simcity Build It). Thus, there has been mounting speculation about potential deals on the horizon for EA that could significantly alter the sprawling video game industry landscape in the future.

Criticism from Shareholders

In recent years, Electronic Arts (EA) has been the subject of much criticism from its shareholders.The company’s stock price is down significantly since the beginning of 2018, and many shareholders believe this is due to a lack of transparent business decisions and accountability.

Over the years EA has struggled to keep up with competitors such as Activision Blizzard and Take-Two Interactive Software in video games and customer satisfaction live services. Furthermore, EA’s rejected attempts at mergers or acquisitions (such as trying to acquire Take-Two Interactive Software in 2020) have only added fuel to the fire of controversy. Following a falling stock price, EA announced plans in October 2020 to sell or merge divisions such as their Titanfall game studio, PopCap games studio and BioWare video game studio.

Meanwhile other investors have raised concerns about EA’s financial stability given its large debt (over $1 billion) despite being one of the world’s biggest video game companies. Over all these issues have caused investor discontent with EA’s management style and decision-making process, leading many shareholders to call for change at this influential company in 2021.

Potential Legal Action

Recent developments have underscored the potential legal action regarding Electronic Arts (EA). Recent reports suggest that EA is considering selling or merging with other larger companies to stay competitive in the ever-changing gaming industry. These reports have caused controversy among fans and investors, as many people have expressed concerns about potential acqusitions impacting the quality of their games and the franchises they hold dear.

In addition, several antitrust lawsuits are pending against EA due to their exclusive contracts with game streaming services such as Twitch and YouTube gaming. These exclusive contracts make it difficult for competing streaming services to gain a foothold in the market, creating an uneven playing field between them. This situation has also led to public outcry among gamers who feel their content should be more widely available and accessible.

Finally, there are several allegations that EA has been using illegal methods to manipulate its game rankings on popular streaming platforms such as Steam. These allegations have raised questions about competition within the video game industry and how it should be regulated.

electronic arts ea nbcuniversal apple amazongachkotaku

Overall, these recent developments show a need for greater transparency from EA regarding their business practices to ensure customers are fairly treated by them now and in the future.

Impact of the Controversy

The controversy surrounding Electronic Arts (EA) has been on the rise and has had a major impact in the gaming industry. EA is a video game giant, but with reports that they are looking to sell or merge, their future is uncertain.

This article will examine the impact that the controversy has had on EA, their customers, and the video game industry in general:

Declining Stock Prices

The ongoing controversy has taken a toll on Electronic Arts’ stock prices. Since news of the decision to explore a potential sale or merger surfaced, EA’s share price has fallen 13%. A stock sell-off followed, dropping it to its lowest level since 2017 and leaving the company with a market capitalization of just over $19 billion.

The effects of this lower market capitalization are being felt across the wider gaming industry. Companies such as Sony, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are experiencing a lower valuation as investors question stability in the wider industry. In addition, the controversy around EA impacting investors’ assessments of the gaming industry may be driving their decision to pull out of investments for now.

For Electronic Arts, the falling share prices represent an unfortunate dip in their profitability and increased uncertainty for the future. With their plans for potential sale or merger taking precedent in recent weeks, shareholders are apprehensive about whether they will be able to recoup any losses from their diminished stock value. This indecision has caused a further drop-off in investor confidence, which could impact EA’s finances and personnel decisions going forward.

Loss of Customers

The recent controversy surrounding Electronic Arts (EA) has resulted in a significant loss of customers, trust and corporate reputation. The company is rumoured to be up for sale or merger, with some sources stating that it might cease to exist in its current form. This uncertain development has had an immeasurable effect on their loyal customers, who are worried about the potential implications of a buyout or takeover of their beloved video game publisher.

Consumer confidence has been damaged and it was reported that some players were turning away from the brand altogether, suggesting that this could spell trouble for EA’s future revenues and profits. In addition, some reports estimate that the move might result in substantial losses for EA shareholders; several former employees also reported being dropped by the company with little notice or severance pay due to downsizing related to this news.

These developments raise more questions about the stability of EA as a brand and its ability to consistently deliver high quality games moving into 2021. It is common knowledge within the industry that a single misstep can damage any publisher’s credibility, so all eyes are on EA as they prepare to meet potential buyers and determine their fate and the fate of all their stakeholders.

Negative Public Perception

The negative public perception of Electronic Arts (EA) has been growing in recent years due to various controversial business practices and decisions. One of the most high-profile scandals was the release of Star Wars Battlefront 2 in 2017, where players were forced to grind for hours or pay extra money to unlock downloadable content. This sparked a huge backlash from gamers and industry commentators, with the Belgian Gaming Commission even investigating whether it constituted illegal gambling.

Another reason for EA’s negative reputation is its acquisition strategy, which many see as predatory and anti-competitive as they have purchased prominent developers with original IPs such as Bioware, Criterion Games, PopCap Games or Respawn Entertainment. In addition, this level of vertical integration has been seen as discouraging creativity in the same way that companies like Disney have acquired multiple production companies over the years.

The controversy over EA’s stance on loot boxes, lack of support for smaller developers, or reluctance to invest in new IPs have all affected their reputation within the gaming community. This can be seen in recent reports that suggest that EA may be looking to sell or merge off certain parts of their business due to dwindling profits and shareholder dissatisfaction with executive mismanagement.

tags = video game market, potential acquisition talks with disney and apple, madden and apex legends publisher, report arts nbcuniversal disney amazongachkotaku, report ea apple amazon nbcuniversalgachkotaku, report ea disney amazon nbcuniversalgachkotaku, ea disney apple amazon nbcuniversalgachkotaku, electronic arts nbcuniversal apple amazongachkotaku, report ea disney apple nbcuniversalgachkotaku, report ea disney apple amazon nbcuniversalgachkotaku, arts nbcuniversal disney apple amazongachkotaku, electronic arts nbcuniversal disney amazongachkotaku, electronic arts ea nbcuniversal disney amazongachkotaku, arts ea nbcuniversal apple amazongachkotaku, report electronic nbcuniversal disney amazongachkotaku, video game studio acquisitions, gaming industry’s biggest players

Gold IRA and Taxes

A gold IRA is a self-directed IRA that allows you to choose what investments to put into it. You can put the real estate, cryptocurrency, and even precious metals such as gold and silver. That is the reason that they call it a gold IRA. Gold IRAs have regular taxes and special taxes that need to be paid.

The taxes that you pay for your IRAs are different than the taxes you would pay for groceries or gas. You will have to pay taxes when you first get the gold IRA and then you will have to pay taxes again when you sell it. If you sell it before your IRA is mature, you may also have to pay capital gains taxes. If you want to see how a gold IRA is taxed, you can do some research. This article will also talk about how these IRAs are taxed.

This article will tell a little about how IRAs are taxed and what kinds of taxes you might expect to pay. There may be more; this article will just give you a little information. You can learn a lot by doing a little research on your own.

Taxes

In order to comply with all the IRS tax laws, there are only four metals that you can buy for your gold IRA. These metals are gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Most people have heard of these metals, especially gold and silver. Gold is the most popular metal and has been for centuries. It is more expensive than silver but not as expensive as platinum and palladium, making it a great investment.

 Silver is the least expensive of all the metals, but it would be a great metal to get started with. You could buy an ounce of silver for around twenty dollars. Platinum is around twenty-one hundred dollars per ounce, and palladium is around twenty-four hundred dollars per ounce. These are all great investments for you.

Traditional IRA

If you have a traditional self-directed IRA, they are tax deductible until you withdraw your money or metals. That is when you get to pay taxes on everything that you withdraw. The amount that you withdraw is added to the amount of money that you earned during the year. For example, if you withdrew fifty thousand dollars in precious metals and you earned one hundred fifty thousand dollars during the year, you will be taxed on two hundred thousand dollars at the end of the year. You will be taxed at your normal tax rate.

If you withdraw your money before you are 59 ½, you will be charged capital gains taxes that will be much more than your normal tax rate. On top of that, you will have to pay a ten percent fee for withdrawing it early. There are special circumstances in which you will not be taxed; for example, you will not be taxed if you use the money to buy a home.

You can also place your withdrawals in an annuity to avoid taxes until you are 70 ½. If you do not begin taking money from the annuity at that time, you will be given a 50 percent excise tax for each year that you do not take it. You want to be sure that you do not take the investments out too early or too late.

87890

Roth IRA

Contributions to your Roth IRA are not tax deductible like they are on the traditional IRA. They are always tax-free if you withdraw after the age of 59½. You will be subject to taxes if the account is under five years old, as well. You will not face any penalties if you fail to withdraw after the age of 70½.

Roth IRAs have many of the same rules as traditional IRAs, but the above are a few of the differences. You can always call to see what other differences they may have, or you can look at this site. This site will have some more information for you.

Yy

Bequests

If you inherit an IRA from someone that passes away before they turned 59½ years old, the ten percent penalty will be waived. If the account is a Roth IRA and it is less than five years old, you will still have to pay those penalties. There are other rules for inheriting an IRA from a loved one.

If you want to space out the withdrawals from an IRA that you inherited, that is possible so that you can reduce your annual taxes. You are allowed at least a five-year span but may be able to stretch it out longer depending on different things. For example, your age, your relationship with the deceased, the age of the deceased, and if the beneficiary is something other than a person, such as a trust.

You are able to cash in your precious metals before you withdraw, or you can do it after you withdraw them. It is your choice; the only difference is that if you withdraw them directly, you will be taxed at the current rate of the metals. This might change from day to day or week to week, so you will want to watch the current rates: https://www.kitco.com/market/. You will want to work with a gold dealer that is aware of gold IRA rules before you sell.

Conclusion

There are taxes that are a part of any gold IRA, but with the Roth IRA, the taxes are less than the traditional IRA. Gold IRAs have the same rules and regulations as the other ones, and the same taxes apply. You will want to talk to your accountant and your tax consultant to get better information. They will know what you will need to do to save money on your IRAs.

Remember, the taxes can be different when you inherit the IRA from someone who is deceased. Again, your accountant and tax consultant can help you in these circumstances.

Businesses cannot disburse salaries for claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). However, they can view the salaries that were disbursed during the pandemic. Using this data, they can file an amended tax return to claim the credit. For this, the Government has decided to extend the timeline till 2024 or in some cases, 2025.

Qualification of Employers for the ERTC

Employers such as 501(C) organizations, hospitals, universities, and colleges that adhere to the implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act qualify for ERTC. Businesses that were partially or entirely suspended or had decreased business hours owing to Government orders were eligible. The credit is not applicable for the entire quarter but for the part of the quarter when the business was suspended.

Based on IRS guidance, the businesses that fall under the category of ‘Essential’ are not eligible unless their supply of critical material or goods is hampered to such an extent that their ability to operate is disrupted. Those businesses that have lowered their shutters but can continue a major part of their business utilizing telework are also not eligible for ERTC.

Considerable Drop in Gross Receipts

In August 2021, the IRS came out with Revenue Procedure 2021-33. Suppose an employer wanted to become eligible to claim the ERTC for this singular reason.

In that case, the employer could do the following: from the gross receipts, the employer can subtract the following amounts (a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant, a Shuttered Venue Operators grant, the forgiveness of a PPP loan). However, this safe harbor must be consistent across all entities.

CARES Act 2020

If the gross receipts during a calendar quarter are less than half of the gross receipts in the same calendar quarter of 2019, the employer becomes eligible for ERTC. The employer does not qualify for this quarter if the next calendar quarter’s gross receipts are more than 80% of the same calendar quarter in 2019.

Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021

If, in 2021, a business is negatively affected due to quarantine or forced closure or witnesses more than a 20 percent decrease in the gross receipts compared with the same quarter in 2019, the employer qualified for ERTC. Suppose you have commenced a new business in 2020 and do not have any statistics for a calendar quarter in 2019. In that case, the gross receipts of the quarter when you began the business are considered a reference for the next quarters to decide eligibility.

Untitled design (12)

If you want related information about the Employee Retention Act (ERA), you can read it at erctoday.com/7-important-faqs-the-employee-retention-act/. Businesses can conduct a retrospection to determine whether the salaries paid post-March 12, 2020, till the end of the ERTC qualify for the claim. The Government has finalized a timeline of April 15, 2024, for businesses to claim for the quarters Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2020. There is a timeline until April 15, 2025, to make claims for all the quarters of 2021. In addition to the preceding, other governing laws have been created since the commencement of ERTC. If you have any questions, hire the experts from ERC Today. They have years of experience in tax consultation.

Smart and savvy business owners are starting to hear a lot about low-code technologies – and for a good reason. These tools can totally transform the capabilities of your business and do it faster than you would have ever thought possible, too. Engineered to make coding as simple as dragging and dropping, these tools are somewhat new but getting better all the time. You need to know about them, you need to care about them, and you need to be looking for ways to use them in your business going forward.

Low-Code Dev 101

Low code dev tools basically promise to help you “drag and drop” your way to a totally custom app or piece of software – without ever having to do any serious coding yourself. Low-code platforms often include pre-built templates and components that can be easily customized and configured to create a wide range of applications, such as websites, mobile apps, and business processes.

They may also include features such as integration with other systems and tools and built-in collaboration and version control to help teams work together efficiently.

Why Should Businesses Care About These Tools?

Businesses need to get serious about using low-code dev tools. For one thing, these platforms allow you to rapidly prototype and roll out new apps and services – without spending a small fortune on developers. That’s reason enough to use them. Secondly, these tools are going to boost your ability to flip and pivot on a dime. You’ll be able to quickly introduce new projects, iterate and improve, and optimize your products all on the fly. That’s game-changing stuff. Finally, these tools let you bring everybody in the business on board during the development process. Imagine the kind of insight and leverage you’ll get building tools for your market by tapping into the expertise, insight, and viewpoint of people up and down your business – the kind of people that are often left out of these decision-making processes (to the detriment of a business, no less). That’s huge!

Can Anybody Really Leverage These Solutions?

Yes, literally anyone can use these tools to build new apps and software. Low code solutions have been specifically designed to be effortless to use by folks without a lot of technical know-how or savvy. Basically, if you can send an email or type in a word – and know how to drag a mouse – you’re going to know how to use low-code platforms. This isn’t just going to democratize your dev process.

Untitled design(659)

It’s also going to help you better split up your workflow, improve collaboration throughout the team, and really boost the chances of you building something really special. When all hands are on deck – and involved because they can be – it’s a game changer.

Closing Thoughts

When you get right down to it, you have to remember that we live in the middle of the most competitive business landscape that has ever existed. If you’re serious about success in business – especially online and in the digital space – you need to be using tools like these.

Whether you’re looking for extra money to help out during the holidays or you want to save for a significant expense, there are many ways to make some extra cash. For example, you can earn extra money by running errands, working as a housesitter, becoming a shopper, or getting a personal loan.

Become a Personal Shopper

This job is trendy during the holiday season, and people hire a personal shopper to shop for them. They’re expected to save their clients time, and they’re also supposed to give them advice on what to purchase.

If you’re interested in becoming a personal shopper, you should learn more about the industry. It’s essential to know about fashion trends, and you should be able to pick out items for all body types.

Another way to become a personal shopper is to start your own business. You can charge clients by the hour or offer shopping services. In addition, you can advertise on sites such as Craigslist and pay for your physical ads.

Participating in the best-paid survey apps is one of the best passive income apps during holidays can be smart. It is easy to join a paid survey site and earn extra cash without leaving your house. Some sites also offer gift cards, Paypal credits, or e-gift cards in return for your time.

The best part is that many of these sites are free to join. You can even receive a welcome bonus of $5 and earn extra credit every week. You’ll also be rewarded with a gift card after one week of membership. It’s great to add to your holiday shopping funds without breaking the bank.

Untitled design - 2022-12-19t202254.694

Run errands

During the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to run errands to make extra money. Not only is it a great way to help others, but it can also give you a leg up on your budget. It can even help you get out of debt!

You can download apps such as TaskRabbit and Field Agent if you have a smartphone. These sites allow you to pay for various tasks, including grocery shopping and dry cleaning. You can also sign up for cashback rewards and upload receipts to cashback apps to earn additional credit for your purchase.

Hire a House Sitter

During the holiday season, house sitters have many opportunities to earn extra money. Depending on the situation; some jobs may be temporary or long-term. In addition, a house sitter can help care for pets and keep a home in tip-top shape.

Besides looking after pets, house sitters can also do simple maintenance tasks like watering plants, making beds, or dusting the home. Some may even bring their partner along with them.

Taking on a house-sitting assignment is a challenging task, and it requires patience and organization. The homeowner wants to be sure that the sitter is reliable and trustworthy. It’s also important to make an excellent first impression. To do this, you must ensure that your profile is clean and tidy and has all the necessary details.

Untitled design - 2022-12-19t202249.399

Provide Childcare

Providing childcare to make extra money for the holidays is not an exercise in futility. You may be in luck if you are a stay-at-home parent or a workaholic hankering for some R&R. Many families with infants seek assistance with childcare. There are many options, from paid babysitters to the ubiquitous drop-in childcare center. Some states offer subsidies to help reduce the costs of childcare. For the more frugal, you can get a babysitter by signing up with a house-sitting service. Similarly, if you have pets that require a little love and attention, you can hire a house sitter to take care of them.

Get a Personal Loan

Getting a personal loan to make extra money for the holidays can be an intelligent choice. A loan without a credit history can help you to pay off your holiday spending and can also be used to help you save up for a special occasion. But before you take out a loan, it’s important to understand how loans work.

A personal loan is a type of debt that charges a fixed interest rate and a fixed monthly payment. As a result, budgeting your expenses and paying off your debt is much easier. It’s also an excellent way to consolidate your debt.

Typically, a personal loan is better than a credit card. A credit card charges variable rates, which can increase over time.

Brandwatch is Acquired by Cision for $450M

On December 3rd, 2020, news broke that Cision had acquired Brandwatch for an estimated $450M. This acquisition provides Cision with a broader social media intelligence platform and adds Brandwatch’s core listening capabilities to the Cision Communications Cloud. In this overview, let’s discuss what this acquisition means for Cision, its customers, and the industry overall.

What is Brandwatch?

Brandwatch is a leading provider of consumer research and social media analytics, with the ability to analyse online conversations across hundreds of millions of sources, in over 100 languages. Their powerful data and insights enable their enterprise customers to make informed marketing decisions with real-time intelligence about their brand, competitors and industry.

Brandwatch’s comprehensive services are powered by an intelligent platform that uses proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies. This platform, named Audiences Unlocked, can collect consumer insights at scale, providing meaningful context to customer data like never before. As a result, more detailed customer profiling and segmentation are achieved using tools such as Brandwatch’s Reveal customer psychographic engine.

The acquisition of Brandwatch means that Cision can tap into these valuable public data sources without investing in people or technology required for creating internal platforms; this will also give it additional scale and access to a larger portion of global conversations on social media and beyond. This access is particularly important in today’s environment where consumers are engaged in more conversations than ever, which can provide valuable contextual insights regarding customer behaviour trends across industries. Furthermore, Cision will be able to use Brandwatch’s AI-powered technology to enhance its own proprietary native data sources so that it can offer customers deeper insights into target audiences on different platforms from both online and offline sources.

What is Cision?

Cision is a public relations (PR) software and services company. Founded in 1993, Cision is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and employs over 2,200 people worldwide. The company’s product offerings include media monitoring and analysis, press release distribution, social media management tools and media contact databases.

Cision enables PR professionals to listen to sentiment about their brand on the internet and make informed decisions about how to shape their message. The company provides access to reporters through its well-known Media Directory and integrated data sets from reliable sources like Marketwired, Broadcast Monitoring powered by Veritone’s A.I., Meltwater News Alerts & Social Insights Report and AccuList USA email listservs to identify influencers most engaged with a brand or topic.

cision newswire brandwatch 450mbutchertechcrunch

The success of Cision’s products has made it one of the largest players in the PR software market. On March 11 2021 it was announced that Cision had acquired the PR software company Falcon.io for USD 230 million as part of its plans for continued expansion. The acquisition will help consolidate Cision’s position as a global leader by adding mobile-first technologies such as social media analytics and content marketing solutions to expand its offering to customers worldwide. With this acquisition, it’s estimated that Cision reaches 30 million users worldwide in more than 190 countries!

What is The Value of The Acquisition?

The acquisition of Vision by GTCR marks an important step in the company’s evolution. By uniting two of the largest players in the martech industry, Cision is poised to further expand its digital marketing portfolio with industry-leading products and services designed to help companies drive business outcomes.

The acquisition provides significant value to Cision and GTCR by offering a wide range of customer capabilities that transcend borders and serve customers across multiple regions, countries and languages. Additionally, with GTCR’s resources and expertise, Cision gains access to cutting-edge technology resources and teams focused on AI/ML development, product innovation and global go-to-market knowledge that can enhance its operational efficiency and scale.

This acquisition also provides extensive value for customers as the combined suite offers more powerful solutions with a wider range of products making it easier for them to achieve their marketing goals promptly. Additionally, as one company, Cision can leverage collaboration tools such as AI/ML accelerators with real time decisioning capabilities and consolidated customer profiles that enable faster predictive visibility into customer behaviours – driving customer loyalty and key business metrics such as cost per lead (CPL).

This combination enables companies to take advantage of new capabilities including an expanded media relations offering with an integrated Campaign Analysis Module combining analysis from PR Newswire, Gorkana or Meltwater (services already available through the Cision Communications Cloud platform) aligned with media relations efforts provided by custom influencers or advertising campaigns – creating more efficiency while providing valuable insights into successful campaign execution and ROI calculations. With these advancements, Cision can provide a full-service offering from creating meaningful stories powered by analytics driven insights, delivering those stories efficiently across each collaboration platform – ultimately driving more effective media engagement, leading to greater ROI for customers.

Impact on Brandwatch Customers

The acquisition of Brandwatch by Cision for $450M is poised to have a major impact on both customer segments of the two brands. The combination of Brandwatch’s market-leading social listening capabilities and Cision’s comprehensive media database gives Cision a unique position in the industry to offer customers powerful insights backed by data. This article will discuss what the acquisition means for Brandwatch customers and how it will affect them.

How will Cision integrate Brandwatch Into its Portfolio?

To ensure a smooth transition, Cision has already established a detailed integration plan that will be implemented in stages over the coming months. The plan covers several important areas, including data security and privacy, product features, support and services, customer service and billing, revenue recognition, sales and marketing integration, product positioning and go-to-market plans.

As part of the acquisition process and integration plan, Cision will also be looking at how best to combine resources from both brands. This could include integrating teams to deliver better products faster and create stronger brand relevance for businesses worldwide. At the same time, Cision’s existing customers can expect Brandwatch features to be made available in existing products and new additions that leverage the capabilities of both platforms.

cision pr newswire brandwatch 450mbutchertechcrunch

The combination of both brands promises great potential for current and future customers. Customers can expect improvements in speed-to-market with new products powered by both companies’ technology stacks; access to insights on an unprecedented scale with billions of conversations measured; improved customer engagement by leveraging customer passions through consumer audiences; deeper audience segmentation through greater social data insights; optimization testing with consumer behaviour influence over purchased media; international expansion for existing customer base; cross-pollination across industries where Brandwatch’s expertise adds value; faster innovation cycles resulting from increased R&D investments and broader platform capabilities. As Cision moves forward with integrating Brandwatch into its portfolio, customers can rest assured that it is striving towards creating an even more powerful suite of integrated solutions that further meet their needs.

What Will Happen to The Existing Brandwatch Customers?

Cision’s acquisition of Brandwatch brings a new set of capabilities to their portfolio and a renewed focus on delivering best in class listening, segmentation and analytics for social media, PR and customer experience. This will add valuable insight to Cision’s suite of services, allowing customers to confidently create comprehensive, integrated communications plans.

Brandwatch is already an established leader in listening and insights technology, so this acquisition will majorly impact existing customers. This includes:

  • A wider range of services is available through Cision’s portfolio specifically tailored to enhance customer experience.
  • The ability to access all data from one centralised platform which simplifies access to the powerful insights generated by the Brandwatch tool suite.
  • Existing customers may be eligible for special offers or discounts for their current subscription if they migrate to the Cision platform.
  • Cision’s industry leading client support team will provide additional assistance during any transition period.

Impact on Cision Customers

The acquisition of Brandwatch by Cision is a major move in the industry, setting off shockwaves throughout public relations. This massive deal, which saw Cision pick up the social media monitoring platform for $450 million, will impact Cision’s existing customers. As the dust settles from the acquisition, many customers question what this announcement means for their relationship with Cision. Let’s take a closer look at the changes and what it could mean for Cision’s customers.

What New Capabilities Will Cision Customers Gain With The Acquisition?

The acquisition of Brandwatch adds an even deeper level of intelligence to the Cision platform. Cision customers will now access industry-leading social data collection and visualisation, an AI-powered insights engine, and the most trusted brand monitoring across all major social networks.

These new capabilities include:

  • Deep Social Listening – Get insights into conversations on all major social platforms in real-time, providing a more detailed picture of your audience’s opinion, preferences and behaviour.
  • Intelligent Insights Engine – Leverage AI to automatically scan conversations across billions of sources to uncover meaningful insights about your brand or campaigns.
  • Comprehensive Analysis Dashboards – Obtain comprehensive analysis dashboards tailored specifically to your needs to monitor topics quickly and easily, staying ahead of trends that matter to your business or brand.
  • Cross Platform Comparison – Compare sentiment across channels (e.g., Twitter vs Reddit) or campaigns (e.g., Super Bowl Ad vs Regular Month Ad) to better understand how different audiences receive content on different networks and channels.
  • Advanced Segmentation & Filtering – Utilise powerful filters such as language, demographics etc., to get a more complete view of conversation happening about topics in real time across different channels or profiles/brands on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc..

What Impact Will The Acquisition Have on Cision’s Pricing?

The acquisition of Cision by private equity firm GTCR will significantly impact Cision’s pricing. As part of the transaction, GTCR is expected to invest more than $2 billion in the company and has committed to doubling its current market size.

This combination of increased funding and resources should enable Cision to expand its product suite, develop new offerings more quickly, and increase overall innovation in an increasingly competitive market. It should also lead to a better customer experience with improved customer service and support.

On the pricing side, Cision’s existing pricing structure will remain unchanged as it transitions over to GTCR’s ownership. However, there is potential for dynamic discounts offering customers the opportunity to save money on certain products or services depending on volume and usage needs. This could be particularly attractive for larger corporate customers who use Cision for their media relations and communications needs.

In addition, both companies are committed to investing in additional industry research and insights which should help add value beyond just helping customers achieve their objectives. As such this could be bundled with certain subscription packages also helping drive further customer savings.

cision brandwatch 450mbutchertechcrunch

Overall, this acquisition should make Cision products more competitively priced at all levels giving customers more choice when determining their best value solutions for media relations management, content creation and distribution needs regardless of their budget or requirements.

Impact on The Industry

The acquisition of Brandwatch by Cision for $450M is an important milestone for both companies and the industry. With the acquisition, Cision will gain access to Brandwatch’s cutting-edge products and services, enabling it to further expand its offerings to support its growing customer base. The acquisition also signifies a shift in the industry, as Vision will become the world’s largest provider of digital marketing and social media analytics software. This move has implications for the industry and the users of these services. Let’s take a closer look.

What Does The Acquisition Mean for The Competitive Landscape?

The recent acquisition of Cision by Elliott Advisors has the potential to significantly alter the competitive landscape for providers of market intelligence and data-driven communications software. It could bring Cision more in-line with competitors such as Meltwater, Filament, and Computopac, allowing the company to compete more effectively with those firms.

Elliott Advisors will provide Cision with an influx of capital that could allow them to make additional acquisitions or ramp up their marketing and product development efforts. Additionally, they may use their new resources to expand their customer base in industry segments where they have yet to make a significant presence. Changes to their strategy may also result in changes to pricing models or feature sets that could further increase their competitive position.

This acquisition may also lead other competitors to reevaluate their position in the market and adjust their strategies accordingly, leading to an overall shift across the space. This could include increased merger-and-acquisition activity, increased marketing efforts from existing players, or new entrants into specific market segments. In any event, this acquisition will certainly influence how competitive providers approach providing information technology services for businesses of all sizes.

What implications Will The Acquisition Have for The Industry?

The acquisition can drastically change how market research, analytics and insights are communicated in the industry. As a result, Cision’s position as a media intelligence and public relations management leader will become even more solidified moving forward.

The acquisition of TrendKite by Cision signals several important things for the larger market research and analytics industry. By offering traditional market research methods and earned media data, Cision is at the forefront of helping brands better understand audience sentiment and track progress towards their business goals. The platform is poised to become an invaluable asset to marketing teams who need intelligent insights into their customer base.

Additionally, the trend of consolidating public relations (PR) technology platforms strengthens Cision’s position in this space. The ability to provide an integrated platform that offers all services related to media coverage enhances their reputation as a source for comprehensive solutions related to PR management. Furthermore, it increases their ability to offer clients comprehensive solutions that align with overall corporate objectives such as improving brand awareness or increasing share-of-voice in specific markets.

While only time will tell what tangible results emerge from this acquisition, it’s clear that Cision continues its quest to be a leader in providing sophisticated solutions for brands around the world regarding understanding audience sentiment and increasing efficiency across communication channels through meaningful data intelligence tools.

tags = brandwatch acquired by cision, media contact database services, online consumer intelligence, social media listening platform, brandwatch, cision software company, media contact database, pr brandwatch 450mbutchertechcrunch, brandwatch ceo, cision ceo, cision and brandwatch, buyers of social listening solution

Investors seeking an attractive yield should consider taking a closer look at an alternative to Kinder Morgan that offers a higher yield. Kinder Morgan represents a safe way to generate income, but it’s not the only option out there. We’ll explore why you should avoid Kinder Morgan, and discuss the smarter, higher-yielding alternative.

Overview of Kinder Morgan

Kinder Morgan is a leading energy infrastructure company that manages approximately 84,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals. The company not only transports and stores oil, natural gas and other products, but also engages in marketing activities. It operates in five segments: Natural Gas Pipelines; Carbon Dioxide; Terminals; Products Pipelines; and Kinder Morgan Canada.

Kinder Morgan has seen tremendous growth since its inception more than 20 years ago. Still, it has also faced several issues in recent years as the energy industry undergoes a major shift away from fossil fuels. The company is highly exposed to the roller-coaster nature of the oil industry. Its stock price has suffered in tandem with decreased demand for oil due to the shift toward alternative energy sources like wind and solar. Even though natural gas is expected to remain a major fuel source for some time, it is still vulnerable to drops in commodity pricing due to changing global market conditions. In addition, Kinder Morgan’s debt burden looms large as interest payments take up a sizable portion of its revenue each quarter.

Avoid Kinder Morgan and Buy This Superior, Higher-Yielding Alternative

One of the top stocks investors should consider avoiding is Kinder Morgan (KMI). The company’s debt level has been rising and its dividend is much lower than what many investors seek in a stock.

For those seeking an alternative, many solid, higher-yielding stocks are on the market. One of these is Enable Midstream Partners (ENBL). This master limited partnership offers investors a solid balance sheet with a healthy distribution yield of 8.44%.

Enable Midstream partners operates gathering and transport pipelines for both natural gas and crude oil. It owns and operates 19,000 miles of pipelines across 11 states in the U.S., making it one of the largest midstream service providers in the country. Enable Midstream Partners also owns a considerable logistics infrastructure including 4 processing plants, two large storage sites, 1 rail transportation facility and more than 1 million barrels of tank capacity.

The company’s fee-based assets make it extremely resistant to commodity price fluctuations as they benefit regardless if gas prices go up or down. This gives Enable Midstream Partners relatively consistent cash flows which are reflected in its strong credit ratings – an ‘BBB’ issuer rating from Fitch Ratings, BBB+ from S&P Global Ratings, and “baa2” from Moody’s Investor Service. The exceptional credit ratings allow the company to secure finance at highly favourable rates enabling it to pay generous distributions to shareholders that stand above those offered by Kinder Morgan (KMI). Additionally, Enable generated $552 million in distributable cash flow during 2019 — enough to cover its estimated 2020 distribution by 1.5 times — giving further confidence that its payout remains stable for investors looking for reliable income sources..

Reasons to Avoid Kinder Morgan

The stock of Kinder Morgan has seen a sharp decline in the value over the past few months. As a result, its dividend yield has also fallen from 5% to 3%, making it a less attractive investment option. Additionally, the company has been hit with numerous lawsuits and has faced regulatory challenges, making it a riskier investment. Therefore, investors should avoid Kinder Morgan and instead look for a superior, higher-yielding alternative.

High Debt

One of the main reasons why investors should avoid Kinder Morgan is the company’s high debt. As of 2019, the company held over $42 billion in long-term debt, a figure that is higher than many of its peers. This high debt load also impacts the company’s dividend policy as it often strains free cash flow. In addition, the high level of debt can also cause difficulty for the company during economic downturns. It can be more difficult to repay such large loans if reduced income is available. Therefore, it is important to note that investors should look into alternatives with lower debt levels if they are looking for a relatively safer investment option with higher yields.

Low Dividend Yield

Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) has an extremely low dividend yield of just 1.50%. This is significantly lower than many other energy stocks, especially those with a similar track record and market capitalization. Moreover, the company’s dividend has stagnated since 2014, when many of its peers rewarded shareholders with rising dividends and stock buybacks. The lack of dividend growth has caused some investors to search for more attractive alternatives.

Investors searching for yield should also consider Kinder Morgan’s payout ratio, which is currently at 140%, one of the highest among pipeline companies. This means that the company is paying out more than it earns in profit (dividends cannot exceed profits). A high payout ratio can be detrimental to a company’s financial health, as there will not be enough cash to support capital expenditures or deal with unexpected costs or rising debts. As a result, investors should be mindful of Kinder Morgan’s current payout ratio before investing in the stock and may want to consider better-yielding companies with more sustainable dividend policies.

2.8b china maliubloomberg

Poor Capital Allocation

Kinder Morgan has earned the wrath of investors for its poor capital allocation decisions. The company continues to allocate billions of dollars towards projects with poor returns and questionable long-term benefits because it takes on debt to finance them. This has driven its leverage ratio to historically high levels, raising concerns about its dividend payments’ sustainability and reducing expectations for long-term growth.

Furthermore, from an equity point of view, Kinder Morgan’s return on invested capital (ROIC) has decreased significantly over the past few years. Specifically, Kinder Morgan’s ROIC dropped from 8.6% at the end of 2018 to 7.5% in 2019, compared to an average ROIC of 10-12% for similar masters limited partnerships in its sector. This means that Kinder Morgan is not only able to generate lower returns than its peers but is also destroying shareholder value by diverting capital away from more profitable opportunities and putting it into less lucrative investments.

On top of this, despite a global economic slowdown triggered by COVID-19, Kinder Morgan has remained committed to investing billions in new projects, including several expansion projects involving natural gas pipelines which are unlikely to have significant returns over their lifetime due to increasingly bearish market conditions for natural gas prices. Such reckless investment decisions at a time when cash flow should be maximised is concerning from the perspective of forward-looking investors who want access to companies with strong fundamentals in energy infrastructure projects that are likely to yield consistent returns over time.

Reasons to Buy the Superior, Higher-Yielding Alternative

Investors looking for higher yields may be tempted to buy shares in Kinder Morgan, a lower-yielding energy company. However, there is a superior, higher-yielding alternative that investors should consider. Let’s take a look at the reasons why this alternative is preferable to Kinder Morgan. Here are the points we will cover:

Lower Debt

Kinder Morgan’s debt burden is quite large, and management has recently been tapped to pay down some of the debt with the proceeds from selling non-core assets. The sale proceeds will help reduce the firm’s total debt by an estimated $5 billion over the next 3 years. The reduced debt load should significantly improve Kinder Morgan’s financial stability, lower their interest payments and free up capital for future investments in additional oil and gas infrastructure projects.

By contrast, this alternative company has a much lower debt load. As a result, while it carries a higher dividend yield than that of Kinder Morgan, its superior cash flow generation capabilities allow for more conservative leverage management practices, reducing its interest rate risk and creating more financial stability.

2.8b alibaba china maliubloomberg

This offers investors greater staying power in turbulent markets and helps ensure steady dividend growth over time even though the reported headline yield might not be as high as those offered by other firms who rely more heavily on borrowed capital to prop up their share prices.

Higher Dividend Yield

One of this superior alternative’s most notable and attractive features is its higher dividend yield. Dividend yield is calculated by taking the company’s annual dividend payments per share, divided by its share price. The higher the yield, the bigger return investors are likely to receive on their investment.

This particular stock currently offers a dividend yield substantially higher than that of Kinder Morgan Inc., making it especially attractive to investors looking for income-producing stocks. In addition, with each quarter end, there has been an increase in dividends paid out to shareholders which shows that the company is financially sound and capable of sustaining sustainable growth over time. Furthermore, even during market turbulence, this superior alternative has been able to maintain or even increase its dividend payments compared to when markets were healthy.

When compared against Kinder Morgan Inc., this superior alternative stands out due to its increased yield and its long history of reliably paying dividends and increasing payouts over time. Investors interested in income generating stocks with strong capital gains prospects should definitely consider this excellent investment option.

Superior Capital Allocation

Kinder Morgan, a leading energy infrastructure company, has been widely followed by investors. However, while its CEO has a long history of great capital allocation decisions, the company’s current state tells a different story. From overpaying for assets to issuing new equity to fund its investments, Kinder Morgan subpar capital allocation decisions have led to diminished returns and shareholder value destruction.

A superior alternative is Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM), an integrated midstream energy infrastructure company focused on serving mid- and large-cap exploration and production (E&P) companies in the Marcellus and Utica shales in Appalachia. Antero Midstream’s more disciplined management team prioritised returning cash flow to shareholders through dividend payments and equity repurchases. The combination of these two strategies should drive share price appreciation over time because of reducing shares outstanding and increasing income for shareholders.

Compared to Kinder Morgan, Antero Midstream offers healthier financials with higher yields, better operational efficiencies and presumably better capital allocation decisions in the future. A further look into the fundamentals reveals that while Antero Midstream is trading at lower valuations than Kinder Morgan on some metrics such as P/BV ratio and P/FCF ratio, it also commands higher dividend yields (7% vs 4%). Moreover, against high debt levels that weigh down its balance sheet leverage (3x), it effectively manages acquired debt by proactively refinancing or redeeming existing principal amounts before they are due when possible. Moreover it conservatively projects future cashflows even though many underlying markets are weakening under depressed commodity prices which should lead to stability in its finances even if pricing pressure persists in upstream markets.

Conclusion

After researching the pros and cons of investing in Kinder Morgan and the superior, higher-yielding alternative, it’s clear that the alternative is a better option for those looking for a steady and reliable source of income. The superior alternative has a more attractive yield and more sound fundamentals, making it a safer and more prudent option for investors. Furthermore, its dividend payment history is also more consistent and substantially more robust than that of Kinder Morgan.

after 2.8b maliubloomberg

Summary of Reasons to Avoid Kinder Morgan

All in all, you should avoid investing in Kinder Morgan, and instead opt for this superior, higher-yielding alternative.

By now it should be clear why investors should avoid Kinder Morgan and opt for a better-yielding high-quality investing alternative. As we have discussed, the company’s management team has been slow to respond to changing industry conditions, resulting in missed earnings forecasts and decreased dividend payments over the past few years. Furthermore, investors are exposed to wide fluctuations in Kinder Morgan’s stock price due to its volatile energy business and its complicated corporate structure. Lastly, the company is highly leveraged which further increases the risk of owning this equity. Therefore, we recommend that investors look for better opportunities with higher yields outside of KMI stock.

Summary of Reasons to Buy the Superior, Higher-Yielding Alternative

This article explains why you should avoid Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) and consider a superior, higher-yielding alternative. In summary, the following points have been discussed:

1. Kinder Morgan is highly leveraged, resulting in a lending structure that makes them vulnerable to unexpected business downturns.

2. The company’s dividend yield of 4.3% is relatively low compared to industry averages and its competitors’ yields.

3. Its business model has been subject to significant volatility in the oil markets since its IPO in 2011, especially after 2014 when oil prices plummeted by more than 50%.

4. Kinder Morgan’s plans for expanding their operations have not panned out as expected. Instead, they have resulted in the company’s underperforming share price relative to its peers in the energy sector.

5. An alternative we recommend is Magellan Midstream Partners (NYSE: MMP) which has a higher yield at 8%, less leverage, and greater stability due to its focus on midstream assets such as liquids storage and transportation infrastructure versus exploration plays like KIM’s focus on oil/natural gas pipelines.

tags = avoid kinder morgan, kinder morgan comoany, energy source comoany, energy infrastracture company, oil and gas company, kinder morgan vs one ok, after 2.8b alibaba maliubloomberg, kinder morgan investors, oneok investors, midstream stocks, income investors

Thrasio recently announced a $100 million round of funding, which has had a major impact on the Amazon roll-up space. The funding will give the company the capital to acquire more companies, enter new markets, and develop new products. It also signals to other investors that the Amazon roll-up space is viable. In this article, we will dive into how Thrasio’s funding has changed the Amazon roll-up space and its long-term implications.

Thrasio Raises $100M for its Amazon Roll-up Play

Thrasio was founded in 2018 with the mission to become the leading consolidator of Amazon-owned businesses, helping entrepreneurs build and expand profitable brands. Over the past few years, Thrasio has made tremendous progress towards that goal. Recently, the company raised a staggering $975 million in a Series F round, which has been touted as one of Europe’s largest private funding rounds this year.

This most recent round was led by private equity firm GF I and included additional investments from existing shareholders like Blackstone and Confederation of British Industry Capital (CBI). This comes after Thrasio’s previous large funding rounds since its launch — $165 million Series D back in 2019 and $230 million Series E later that same year — giving it over $1.4 billion in total capital.

Since its inception, Thrasio has completed 175 acquisitions of Amazon businesses and stands as one of the leading players in this growing market space. Investors are confident that its rapid growth over recent years will be maintained through further big deals like this latest Series F funding round. In addition, the company will continue to develop new technologies, processes, operations, and services which leverage its large scale lending capacity while leveraging its existing portfolio companies to create innovative solutions to drive continued success.

Thrasio’s Impact on the Amazon Roll-Up Space

Thrasio, a leading Amazon roll-up, recently raised a staggering $100M in its Series C round of funding. This round reflects the growing demand for Amazon roll-ups and the potential of this space. The funding also highlights Thrasio’s leadership in the Amazon roll-up space. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of Thrasio’s funding on the Amazon roll-up space.

Acceleration of Amazon Roll-Ups

The acceleration of Amazon roll-up activity in the ecommerce market can be largely attributed to Thrasio’s model. Thrasio, a roll-up of marketplace sellers and products, was founded in 2018 and quickly rose to become one of the most successful and prominent players in the space. In its relatively short lifespan, Thrasio raised over $1 billion from high profile investors such as Luxor Capital Group and Activant Capital Group.

The influx of capital allowed Thrasio to expand quickly and purchase hundreds of individual businesses to create a much larger entity. With Thrasio as an example leading the way, other companies began to follow in their footsteps with their own approaches and processes implemented through these deals.

Other new competitors like Saildrone followed closely behind, using the same approach as Thrasio but heading for different markets (in Saildrone’s case, selling into grocery categories on Amazon). Simultaneously, investors became more open-minded regarding financing roll-ups of marketplace sellers and products on Amazon.

These factors helped increase interest into roll-ups across different industries which have propelled them into being one of the hottest strategies within e-commerce today.

thrasio amazon oaktree adventlundentechcrunch

Increased Competition

The entry of Thrasio into the Amazon Roll-Up Space has had a significant impact on the dynamics of the market. Thrasio’s predominant activities are acquiring underperforming eCommerce brands, which can then be revitalised and scaled through their platform. As a result, the company rapidly increased its presence in this space through its aggressive acquisition strategy, accumulating over $700 million in funding.

This has led to increased competition among numerous firms engaged in similar market activities, as well as an increase in valuations across all roll-up businesses. Furthermore, Thrasio has set a precedent within the industry by ramping up efforts to acquire established brands due to their long-term projections for expected high returns. This tactic was also adopted by other firms looking to make a splash in the space and capitalise on lucrative opportunities presented by many ecommerce businesses.

The accelerated methods by which companies now operate have forced competition among firms looking to outbid each other and acquire desirable brands at steep prices. This disruption caused by Thrasio’s entrance into the market will likely continue reverberating within the industry in terms of pricing and valuations, creating difficult trading conditions for everyday consumers and existing market participants alike.

Implications of Thrasio’s Funding

On April 12, 2021, Thrasio, the world’s largest Amazon roll-up company, announced a $100 million Series D funding round. This influx of capital is a major milestone for Thrasio and the Amazon roll-up space. As one of the most well-capitalised Amazon roll-ups, Thrasio’s funding event will have far-reaching implications for the industry. Let’s take a closer look at the implications of Thrasio’s funding.

Increased Valuation of Amazon Roll-Ups

Thrasio’s remarkable $750 million Series C financing round announced in March 2021 has been seen an a watershed moment for the Amazon roll-up market. Not only is the valuation based on the funds raised significantly higher than any of its competitors, but it also shows that larger private equity firms are increasingly turning their attention to digital-native businesses.

This has caused a marked increase in interest amongst digital entrepreneurs, who are now more confident that they will receive favourable valuations when they decide to approach venture capitalists. This shift in sentiment is reflected in an increased number of acquisitions and funding rounds taking place across the sector, particularly from larger companies such as Thrasio.

An increasing number of Amazon merchants have expressed their enthusiasm for the new environment, noting that the added legitimacy of investment partners has enabled them to gain access to previously unavailable capital. Furthermore, the knock-on effect on competitor valuations has been significant; with some roll-ups now commanding funding valuations equal or greater than Thrasio’s record figure.

It appears this upward trend could continue over the coming years, as private equity investors seek out fast-growth prospects and Amazonian success stories continue to increase across all sectors. Thrasio’s success is likely to be just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting era for digital commerce businesses on Amazon and beyond.

thrasio 750m oaktree adventlundentechcrunch

Increased Investment in Amazon Roll-Ups

The recent funding of Thrasio, an Amazon roll-up from Los Angeles, is likely to have some big implications across the Amazon roll-up space. With a valuation of roughly $5 billion after their latest Series D funding round, and $800 million raised in 2020 alone, Thrasio has established itself as the leader in this growing space of e-commerce companies.

The surge in investment into Amazon roll-ups is due largely to the growth they’ve seen amid the pandemic filled with people buying online and staying home. The influx of investments into Amazon product development companies signals potential opportunities for new startups looking to build or expand within this space. However, it also means that existing players may have to compete with larger businesses backed by bigger players such as venture capitalists and private equity firms.

Moreover, increased competition comes pressure on these businesses to differentiate their products and services from others in the market. As a result, businesses may need to invest in better marketing strategies or develop more efficiencies to keep up with other businesses backed by investors—all while playing by Amazon’s strict rules governing product listing optimization and sales promotions. Additionally, some indication is given that investments in direct-to-consumer (DTC) companies could be heating up soon, which could further complicate matters for the established players in this space.

Overall, Thrasio’s success signals sustained growth for savvy entrepreneurs who are willing to take calculated risks and move quickly on investment opportunities in this rapidly growing market segment

Conclusion

Thrasio’s $100 million funding is a major milestone for Amazon Roll-Ups, and it will immensely impact the industry. The funding has increased Thrasio’s ability to execute their vision of becoming the go-to brand and platform for Amazon sellers. It also shows that there is investor confidence in the Amazon Roll-Up space despite the current economic conditions. In conclusion, Thrasio’s funding is a huge win for the Amazon Roll-Up space, and we expect more players to enter the market shortly.

thrasio amazon adventlundentechcrunch

Summary of Thrasio’s Impact

Thrasio’s recent funding round of $750 million has significantly impacted the Amazon roll-up space by raising visibility, reinforcing investor confidence and setting new standards for future deals. Thrasio is the biggest “roll-up” or conglomerate in the Amazon seller space to date, bringing together dozens of small companies into one large seller organisation that operates on the platform.

At its current size, Thrasio represents the culmination of seven months of intense effort to bring together a family of companies under one roof –– gathering top talent from many fields, garnering unprecedented private capital investment and setting a new benchmark for success in an industry that hadn’t seen such excitement (or money) before. As a result of this success, Thrasio changed what was previously thought possible for Amazon roll-ups. In addition, it has raised investor confidence in the market and opened up doors for further investments from traditional venture capital firms in similar spaces.

Thrasio’s success has also established greater incentive to combine multiple small businesses and operate them as one within the Amazon universe, allowing greater scale and efficiency while creating attractive exit opportunities through future M&A or IPO events. As could be expected, this influx of funding amounts towards newer overfunded valuations being thrown around by other investors and startups alike who now see an appetite for larger investments in this field –– something which had previously not been seen before Thrasio came onto the scene.

tags = business equity, business investors, e-commerce company, online selling brands on amazon, thrasio business revenue, thrasio 750m adventlundentechcrunch, thrasio amazon 750m oaktree adventlundentechcrunch, thrasio oaktree adventlundentechcrunch, thrasio raised 750 million dollars, amazon marketplace, third party seller platform, growing startup business