Tag: 3BL

Baseball is a symphony of sound, smell and sight. The crack of a hard-hit ball, the sizzle of hot dogs, the sun on your face as you’re surrounded by a cheering crowd. But it’s more than just a sensory feast. Baseball is a shared tradition that binds us together, and there’s nothing quite like it.

This month, it was more exciting than ever as we celebrated All-Star Week at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, right in the backyard of T-Mobile’s hometown headquarters. It’s been an exhilarating 10-year run for T-Mobile as the Official Wireless Partner of Major League Baseball, and this year was the most interactive one yet for fans! We got to showcase the power and possibilities of our 5G network combined during baseball’s biggest week of the year.

Before Seattle Mariner and hometown hero Julio Rodríguez put on a show during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and received a standing ovation during the All-Star Game, I got to chat with him during one of my Sidekicks Conversations. He talked about the impact of meeting fans, like a young kid in Baltimore whose wish list included meeting Julio in person. It may be their professional job, but baseball players like J-Rod clearly light up when sharing stories about connecting with their fans.

All-Star Week is amazing because we get to see the best of the best compete against each other, along with some of the most powerful hitters in baseball. But baseball fans crave more these days — they want to be even closer to the sport and athletes they love. And our smartphones provide that link, starting with the convenience of catching a broadcasted game or checking stats anytime from practically anywhere.

Elevating the fan experience comes naturally to the Un-carrier. As a company with a mission to be the best in the world at connecting customers to their world, we believe people shouldn’t have to choose between in-person or digital experiences! That’s why it was such an honor for T-Mobile to offer a full lineup of innovative experiences during All-Star Week.

We have a superfast, award-winning 5G network that continues to come to life in new ways. Take the MLB Next app with augmented reality: Fans at T-Mobile Park for All-Star Week could take a 3D look at the ball and the launch angle, watch pitch replays, and see a bird’s-eye view of ALL the live action.

Another cool example came during the All-Star Futures Game with the first test on a national stage of MLB’s automated ball-strike (ABS) system. Powered by T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solutions, the system uses computer-vision cameras to track pitches as they pass through a 3D strike zone for each batter. The calls are instantaneously available, providing the first step toward revolutionizing how they’re made in real time. Fans absolutely loved ABS and how seamlessly it worked.

Even those with a casual interest in All-Star Week found it mesmerizing to watch T-Mobile’s pre-game batting practice show. The 5G-connected camera feeds — including incredible drone views (a fun addition to this year’s production!) — brought us closer than ever to players warming up for the Derby, along with delivering scenic bird’s-eye views.

Sports organizations that embrace 5G and the advances it enables will not only delight fans — they’ll also continue to thrive. As stadiums focus more intently on fans, investment in sports tech is growing. In fact, analysts expect smart stadium investment to grow by 219%, from $7.3 billion in 2022 to $23.3 billion in 2028.

We love collaborating with partners who use our 5G network to bring their dreams to life. For example, we teamed up with Mixhalo to deliver high-quality and low-latency audio, using 5G to virtually eliminate delays of the live ESPN and Fox broadcasts within the MLB Next app.

We even zeroed in on 5G innovation in sports and entertainment as the focus of our 2023 T‑Mobile Accelerator class of nine startups from around the world. Combining our technology with their ingenuity means there are many more immersive fan experiences to come!

Of course, fueling the excitement behind every sport are the FANS. Without them, watching sports would lack intensity, passion and a sense of community. With every close competition and nail-biting win, diehard sports fans bring us closer together. Their experience as spectators becomes our shared experience.

This is especially true for baseball, a game that’s steeped in tradition and history. And rather than detracting from that tradition, 5G is enhancing these shared moments by making them more immersive, interactive and personalized than ever.

Originally published by Ericsson

Ericsson’s new proof-of-concept 5G site has the potential to be fully powered by solar energy complemented by integrated Lithium-ion batteries for up to a 24-hour periodThe site highlights Ericsson’s ability to offer a complete solution for an energy-smart network by implementing hybrid energy management, renewable energy sources, and energy savings strategies while enhancing grid resiliency

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today unveiled a new smart and sustainable 5G site showcasing its complete energy-smart network solution in Plano, Texas. The site anchors Ericsson’s position as a leader in sustainable mobile networks and showcases the integration of energy-efficient solutions with use of renewable energy sources.

“We’re thrilled to announce this smart-sustainable 5G site, which serves as a tangible proof point of Ericsson’s leading position in building sustainable mobile networks,” said Kevin Zvokel, Senior Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson North America. “Operators can now utilize untapped assets, thanks to this technology, creating new energy cost savings opportunities.”

Anchoring Ericsson’s commitment to environmental responsibility, this 5G site has the potential to be fully operated by solar energy, complemented by integrated Lithium-ion batteries, for up to a 24-hour period. Sourcing power from renewable energy sources is the most impactful decarbonization strategy for mobile networks, doing so in an intelligent and cost-effective way has been a challenge, which this energy-smart site addresses. Ericsson’s commitment to minimizing the industry’s carbon footprint and providing uninterrupted connectivity while improving grid resilience is exemplified by this achievement.

“Mobile operators increasingly need to reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions of their base stations without sacrificing network coverage or the quality of the user experience,” said Ed Gubbins, Principal Analyst at Global Data. “Ericsson’s smart site solutions for hybrid energy sources are designed to help operators control costs and increase profitability – especially in rural or remote areas or private networks, where traffic volumes are lower and power consumption needs to be especially efficient. Using a variety of tools to increase energy efficiency and sustainability – including solar power, lithium-ion batteries, and advanced software features – can be helpful for improving operator profitability.”

This site includes the ultra-lightweight mid-band Massive MIMO AIR 6419, RAN Processor 6651 along with Enclosure 6160, which comprises of a Solar shelf 6670, lithium-ion Batteries 6612, and Controller 6610 for hybrid energy operation and control.

The site showcases the latest in hybrid energy management, combining on-site solar and energy storage systems to integrate clean power and increased resiliency to portions of mobile networks at greatest risk of grid outages. The site will feature advanced capabilities such as load shifting, peak shaving, and demand response which enables the site to effectively utilize batteries when electricity rates are high and recharge the batteries when electricity rates are lower. This dynamic strategy allows for multiple daily cycles, ensuring optimal cost efficiency by taking advantage of the most favorable electricity prices.

This proof-of-concept, which is a more sustainable alternative to traditional off-grid sites which are typically powered by fossil fuel-based generators, is designed to show operators that, by intelligently orchestrating multiple energy sources and storage technologies in unison, they can reduce OPEX related to energy costs and help reach Net Zero goals while enabling future revenue streams from utility companies. With a unified intelligent management system and power management, including solar power and Lithium-ion batteries, the site continuously optimizes for the best energy source.

Phase two of the project will explore additional green energy sources as alternatives to diesel, such as hydrogen-based generators. This phase will also explore interoperability with power grid vendors, optimizing local energy generation and consumption to sell back to the grid with net metering. By unlocking premium Ericsson Network Manager features like the Policy-based Battery Saver, operators can switch off specified radio frequencies to reduce energy consumption and, by so prolonging network services, increasing network resiliency.

This site also has the potential to be utilized as a test bed to trial radio hardware and software solutions that improve energy efficiency in conjunction with smart-site solutions. It opens additional avenues for exploration, including collaboration with utility companies in areas such as grid frequency, voltage regulation, and demand response.

In related news announced in February, Ericsson was named the overall sustainability leader in a study conducted by ABI Research that evaluated the capabilities of telecom vendors to reduce energy use and waste across the industry.

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ABOUT ERICSSON:
Ericsson enables communications service providers and enterprises to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans the following business areas: Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Global Communications Platform, and Technologies and New Businesses. It is designed to help our customers go digital, increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson’s innovation investments have delivered the benefits of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people globally. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York. www.ericsson.com

AEG’s LA Kings in partnership with ALLIANCE: Los Angeles, which is committed to using sports for social justice, hosted a career exploration day at the LA King’s Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, CA for 20 high school and middle school students who are part of the ALLIANCE’s student empowerment program, a semester-long program that uses sports as an entryway to leadership and advocacy for student athletes.

Participants in the career event were also part of BOSS – Business of Student Success, which equips BIPOC youth, especially economically disadvantaged and boys of color, with the tools and skills to succeed in all aspects of their lives.

Students had the opportunity to network with representatives from the L.A. Kings and Alliance: Los Angeles, as well as participate in an in-depth panel that focused on the business of sports. During the panel session, panelists students heard from Zach Karis, Marketing Project Specialist, LA Kings; Gabby Valerio, Manager, Partnership Activation, LA Kings; Kylie McLogan, Manager, Group Sales, LA Kings; and former NHL player and Olympic Medalist Manon Rhéaume, Hockey Operations/Prospect Advisor, LA Kings. Panelists spoke about their jobs and career paths inspiring students to ask questions and learn about each career.

“Both the LA Kings and ALLIANCE: Los Angeles are committed to expanding opportunities for students interested in sports industry and part of that includes making sure they know about the types of career paths that exist beyond being an athlete,” shared Celia Garth, Community Relations Coordinator, LA Kings.

Before the start of the panel session, students toured Toyota Sports Performance Center, the practice facility for the LA Kings and participated in a skate session led by LA Kings alumni and radio analyst Daryl Evans and Prospect Advisor Manon Rhéaume. Following the panel, they were hosted for a dinner by the LA Kings and were gifted LA Kings merchandise.

The Alliance: Los Angeles is a comprehensive five-year commitment between the 12 professional sports organizations in Los Angeles County and Orange County to drive investment and impact for social justice through sport. To learn more about The Alliance and its work, click here.

SECAUCUS, N.J., July 17, 2023 /3BL/ – Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced it has been named to the 2023 Disability Equality Index® (DEI) Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion by Disability: IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality.

“We are honored to be named a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ for the sixth consecutive year,” said Cecilia McKenney, Quest’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “Achieving our purpose of ‘Working together to create a healthier world, one life at a time’ can only be accomplished if we continue to advance inclusion for people with disabilities. Together with the valuable insights and advocacy of our DiverseAbilities Employee Business Network, we are fostering a more inclusive and caring work environment while enriching the lives of those we serve.”

Quest launched the DiverseAbilities Employee Business Network (EBN) in 2016 as part of its commitment to empowering people with disabilities. The group, which includes over 350 employees, is placing a strong emphasis on neurodiversity, cancer support, and accessibility for both employees and the customers.

“Giving all people, including those with disabilities, the opportunity to access and take action with the information we provide is critical to our success as a company,” said Pete Reiser, Executive Director, Digital Program Management, and co-lead of the DiverseAbilities EBN, whose debilitating spine injury several years ago gives him a firsthand understanding of the importance of disability inclusion. “Expanding accessibility for employees and customers with disabilities is good for our company.”

This is the sixth consecutive year Quest has been recognized by the DEI, which is acknowledged as the most comprehensive benchmarking tool to measure disability workplace inclusion. The 2023 DEI measured: Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices; Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; and Non-U.S. Operations.

Read more about Quest’s award-winning culture on the company’s ESG Resources page. Find the full 2023 Disability Equality Index® here.

About Quest Diagnostics 
Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world’s largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors, and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

About the Disability Equality Index® 
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion”.

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and bring unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts, and disability advocates. Learn more at: www.DisabilityEqualityIndex.org.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

For further information: Shawn Bevec (Investors): 973-520-2900 or Dennis Moynihan (Media): 973-520-2800

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 17, 2023 /3BL/ – For the eighth consecutive year, American Airlines has received a top score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index® (DEI) and was named one of the best places to work for disability inclusion in 2023. The DEI exists to help businesses make a positive impact on the unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities.

“At American Airlines, we proudly strive to create an open, inclusive culture where people from all backgrounds and abilities feel welcome,” said Cedric Rockamore, American’s Chief Diversity Officer. “We are honored to be recognized for our inclusive efforts and are committed to continuous improvement in building an environment where the individual abilities of our team members are valued.”

The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is acknowledged today as the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business. By taking the DEI, companies demonstrate their commitment to disability inclusion and equality, as well as broader social issues.

“Businesses have the power to drive the global advancement of disability inclusion, and we’re thrilled to see more companies than ever leverage the Disability Equality Index to measure their progress. We recognize these top-scoring companies as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for their passion and efforts to lead the way in creating greater equity for people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain,” said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN.

Globally, people with disabilities represent more than 1 billion people. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, and it crosses lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and religion.

Learn more about the DEI at disabilityin.org.

About American Airlines Group
To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

We have released our first Responsible Business Practices Report that brings together data about our impact on society and outlines our approach to operating responsibly.

We engaged key stakeholders to determine priority responsible business topics for Meta, including: data privacy and security, human rights, content governance, trust and integrity, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the responsible design of our apps and technologies. Based on this assessment, we organized our approach to responsible business around four pillars:

Operate transparently and sustainably – Conduct business responsibly, ethically and transparently in order to maintain the trust of stakeholders and earn our license to operate around the world.
Empower our people and partners – Treat employees, suppliers, and other partners with respect and dignity by implementing high standards of safety and care, and ensuring our supply chain partners do the same.
Build responsibly – Design, develop, and continuously improve our products and platforms to enable safe and inclusive experiences that improve people’s lives.
Unlock potential for good – Empower people around the world to share ideas, offer support, and make a difference through the use of our products.

These four pillars will inform our business strategy and enable us to focus in areas where we can have a sustainable and scalable impact. We will continue to work with stakeholders to inform our approach, refine the activities under each pillar, and define key performance indicators.

The report includes a comprehensive data index prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards with guidance from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Internet and Media Services Industry Standards, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Task Force for Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Other highlights include:

Launching Family Center, a suite of supervision tools that allow parents to oversee teen accounts
Creating Privacy Center, a hub where people can learn more about our approach to privacy across our apps and services
Spending more than $1 billion with diverse suppliers
Reaching more than $7 billion raised by people on our apps for social causes over time
Surpassing 10,000 MW of contracted renewable energy projects, making us one of the largest corporate buyers of renewable energy globally

The report also includes data on our efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion, replacing a previously standalone DEI report. Given that we’ve reduced our workforce and hiring rates, we’re in the process of recalibrating our DEI goals moving forward, but we remain focused on growing and retaining a diverse workforce.

The most compelling part of technology is the way it can help people connect and take action. We know we are a critical part of moving today’s technology forward in a way that maximizes opportunity for future generations. We will continue to evolve our responsible business approach based on feedback and results, so that we can deliver on our mission and contribute positively to society.

You can view the full report to learn more about responsible business practices at Meta.

Media Contact:
press@meta.com

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Employee volunteers from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in North America gave company-led Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and nonprofits a lot of time during the company’s last fiscal year, ending March 31.

In fact:

In North America alone, about 22,500 TCS employees spent 42,425 hours volunteering and supporting social good in their local communities.In linear hours, that’s about 4.8 years, slightly longer than it took to build the Golden Gate Bridge.The Empire State Building in New York and the CN Tower in Toronto each took only two years to build — half as much time as TCSers in North America gave to purpose projects last year.Good is better when it multiplies: TCS employees also donated $1.4 million worth of their time, skills and expertise to North American nonprofit organizations via in-kind services during the year.They delivered this work through TCS’ community innovation program, Tech4Hope. Not having to spend that money on needed IT services helped those nonprofits better support their clients and deliver on their missions and services.During the year, 1,260 North American TCS employees volunteered 1,798 hours serving as mentors and innovation competition judges for Go Innovate Together (goIT), TCS’ digital innovation and career readiness program focused on K-12 students.In so doing, they helped transform a lot of young people into STEM thinkers and caring global citizens.

For more information about how TCS empowers, visit on.tcs.com/csr.

PARIS, July 17, 2023 /3BL/ – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is thrilled to announce Sharon Bligh in a new, expanded leadership role as Director of Health and Sustainability. 

In this role, Sharon continues to lead CGF member action via the Healthier Lives Coalition of Action (CHL), which focuses on consumer and employee health and wellness, but now also adds to her leadership portfolio the fight against food loss, via the Food Waste Coalition of Action. In this capacity, Sharon is taking over from Sustainability director Ignacio Gavilan, who is moving on after eight amazing years with the CGF.

Sharon has also been tapped to lead the CGF’s work as the only UN Race to Zero accelerator for the consumer goods industry. In June at the CGF Kyoto Summit, Co-Chairs Frans Muller, President & CEO of Ahold Delhaize, and Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International wasted no time in launching a new Coalition of Action to spur industry actors in making real progress on “net zero” emissions by 2050, even as consumer behaviors and the consumer goods industry are changing.

“Human wellness and sustainability are for me intrinsically connected – people and planet are at the core of our mission at the CGF,” says Sharon. “I look forward to working with the global CGF governing board of 58 CEOs and the 400 member companies as we accelerate the ambition for a more sustainable world for all.”

Expect more concrete plans from Sharon and the CGF Food Waste, Healthier Lives, and the new “net zero” Coalitions of Action to be shared at the Sustainable Retail Summit (SRS) in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 18-20, 2023. For more information about the SRS, please see here.

—– END —-

About the CGF

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is the only CEO-led organisation that represents both manufacturers and retailers globally. It brings together senior leaders from more than 400 retailers, manufacturers and other stakeholders across 70 countries.CGF accelerates change through eight Coalitions of Action: forests, human rights, plastics, healthier lives, food waste, food safety, supply chains and product data. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 4.6 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 55 manufacturer and retailer CEOs.

For more information, please contact:

Edna Ayme-Yahil 
Communications Director 
The Consumer Goods Forum

This year, we’re celebrating 15 years of “Alkermes in Action,” our employee-led volunteer program that supports local non-profit organizations through hands-on activities. This month, more than 200 Waltham-based employees participated in our Alkermes in Action day of service to support people and organizations in and around Greater Boston.

Employees took time out of the office to roll up their sleeves and volunteer with many community organizations including Revision Urban Farm, The Wish Project, The Trustees of Reservations, Boston Living Center, Greater Boston PFLAG, Pine Street Inn, Rosie’s Place and long-time Alkermes in Action partners The Dimock Center, Community Servings, Casa Myrna and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. Whether preparing and providing meals to people living with chronic illness and experiencing nutrition insecurity, assembling care packages for unhoused individuals, maintaining and preserving public recreation spaces, or assembling beds for children who are without a bed of their own, each of our partner organizations are driven by a mission that addresses critical and urgent unmet needs facing our communities.

Since its creation in 2009, more than 5,000 Alkermes volunteers have dedicated their time to 50+ local community groups, establishing long-term relationships between Alkermes and organizations that share our goal of improving the lives of people in need.

Thank you to all of our #TeamAlkermes colleagues and partner organizations for participating this month. We appreciate you helping us give back and hopefully make meaningful contributions to our local communities.

The mission of Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE) can be summed up into a simple goal for youth in Wisconsin.

Do more stuff outside.

Established in 2008, SCOPE has provided a platform for over 15 years in Hayward, WI for youth to not only participate in more outdoor sports and activities, but also to learn about their natural surroundings and learn sustainable practices in becoming environmental stewards.

“There’s more to it beyond just having fun outside and staying active,” says DJ Aderman, president of SCOPE and one of its founding members. “We want to create the next round of natural resource professionals in different disciplines and inspire them to help manage the outdoors.”

Over 1,000 kids are supported by SCOPE each year in a variety of ways. The organization covers program registration fees, provides equipment and tools when necessary, and puts together teams for participation in tournaments and competition.

Tucked away in the forest neighboring Hayward, SCOPE also operates a lodge that welcomes school and community groups. The site provides even more opportunity for outdoor activities and learning, hosting groups for winter camping, geology classes and canoeing activities, to name a few.

“We want to see the property used to its full potential—it can only do so much in its current state,” says Aderman. “Through our plans this year, we’ll be able to expand the capacity for youth groups and community groups to take in the natural setting.”

This summer, the lodge will be getting a major upgrade. SCOPE plans to build an Environmental Outdoor Education Center and increase accessibility to water access points, such as the nearby Hay Creek watershed. Here, students will learn about habitat remediation and conservation.

Enbridge is committed to creating sustainable communities near our operations, and supports projects that help improve, grow and nurture our environment. A recent Enbridge $20,000 Fueling Futures grant will help SCOPE build that outdoor classroom pavilion, and improve accessibility to the nearby lake and springs.

The classroom pavilion will also involve the neighboring Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Chippewa Indians, who are expected to become collaborators on the education center as it nears completion.

Aderman says the organization plans to break ground on the new pavilion by the end of May with a goal of being open and fully operational by mid-September.

SCOPE has a long-term vision focused on conservation efforts, and local youths may be gaining access to even more outdoor activity opportunities soon. The organization has it sights set on partnering with a nearby landowner to build cross-country skiing trails, hiking paths and a geocaching course.

“The learning that takes place at our programs is just amazing,” says Aderman. “We’ve been around long enough now that some adults have come back to us reflecting on the activities they participated in with us as kids, and what an impact it’s had on them.”

Adds Aderman: “We know we’ve made an impact when we hear: ‘Wow, how cool is our community?’”