School Choice Conducts Fair to Spread Education Info
An Opportunity for Families to Connect with Schools Parents and students are invited to gather at Civic Center Park’s amphitheater on Jan 22, 2022, to attend a school fair. Many schools will share information with the families from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The families will also be able to enjoy face painting, snacks, a DJ, a free photo booth station, and many more fun activities. Many students have participated to perform at the event along with the official School Choice week dance. Some guest speakers are also invited to encourage the students. More than 400 parents, students, and educators have shown their interest to the event. Mission for Quality Public Education The celebration of National School Choice Week 2022 is coinciding with the Palm Desert School choice fair. Palm Desert School Choice Fair will include approximately 26,000 school choice events across all 50 states. Multi-School fairs will be held in a dozen cities including Las Vegas, Jersey City, and Colorado Springs, during the week. The families can explore the best K-12 education options for the children in California with the help of school choice. Faustina Sevilla, Parent Union ambassador for Riverside County states that the annual fair is a platform for school districts, public charter schools, and homeschool groups to talk with families, answer their queries, and share what makes their institute unique. The Amphitheatre of the Civic Centre park is located at 43900 San Pablo Ave A California organization, the Parent Union, is hosting this event with the mission of organizing training and engaging with the families and community members. The parent union aims to provide a high-quality public education for all students. A spotlight is shined on K-12 education options for children by National School Choice Week. It focuses equally on traditional public, online, private, and home education options. Every January thousands of celebrations such as school fairs and open houses are organized by schools to raise awareness about the fair across all 50 states. The week does not involve any political or partisan participation and doesn’t advocate for legislation as it is a non-profit event. READ MORE: ROWAN UNIVERSITY BUILDS SUSTAINABLE FOSSIL PARK MUSEUM WORTH $73 MILLION
Omicron Sweeps Iowa Increasing Patients Of Gs Labs
Iowans Seek Rapid Test From The Top Private Testing Lab Iowans seeking Rapid tests from GS Labs has increased as the COVID-19 infection increases across Iowa and in Des Moines. The latest National Health statistics show that COVID-19 infections in the state are at their peak in the past year as omicron affects Iowa. The top private testing lab, GS Labs, provides Rapid tests across the US states. Last week it performed more than 2000 COVID-19 Rapid antigen tests in Des Moines. More than 600 patients were identified positive for COVID-19 by the test results giving them a chance to safely isolate themselves and avoid spreading this virus. This week the positivity rate has increased by 6% up from 23% last week in GS Labs Iowa tests. The number of patients taking the COVID-19 test has increased since Thanksgiving in Iowa. Appointments can be made at the official website of GS Labs. This site is open 7 days a week and can test around 1,000 patients per day. The GS Labs’ site which was earlier located on the Westown pathway has been shifted to 28801 University Avenue, Clive, IA 50325. According to Dr. Darin Jackson, GS labs medical director, with the omicron variant rising, the lab intends to increase its testing capacity to serve the communities. And even trying to provide home rapid tests for patients in need of this critical medical information. According to GS Labs, the testing has increased by more than 65% between last week and Thanksgiving week. The lab was able to identify more than 13000 patients currently positive for COVID-19. The price for this Rapid Diagnostic test is $179 even though the insurance will pay for testing for most patients as required by law. Not all insurances are taken by the GS Lab. Patients are also required to make an online appointment before arrival.
IndyCar Star Robert Wickens to Return Three Years After the Accident
Wickens Joins as New Member of Hyundai Team Robert Wickens joins fellow Canadian champion Mark Wilkins to co-drive the #33 Elantra N TCR race car in 2022 IMPC. He was signed by Hyundai Motor North America and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA), who are Three-time International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) Champions. According to Bryan Herta, President of BHA: It was a huge day for the team and the fans of Wickens. After the accident, the team followed along with the rehabilitation and was amazed at his dedication and determination. Bryan also thanked Hyundai for their support and for giving Robert the opportunity to return to where he belongs. The BHA #54 Hyundai Veloster N TCR was successfully evaluated by Robert in May 2021 using hand controls. He was driving a race car after almost 989 days of rehabilitation due to an IndyCar accident that made him paralyzed in 2018. Sleepless Nights A lot of nights he spent thinking and dreaming of this opportunity and now it is becoming a reality with the support of Hyundai and Bryan Herta. Robert Wickens is more enthusiastic to compete for the win than he was before the accident. He is also looking forward to integrating himself with the entire Bryan Herta Autosport team and finally riding the Hyundai Elantra N TCR for the first time. The former Formula One test driver, Robert Wickens, took the IndyCar scene by storm as a beginner in 2018. He scored four podium finishes and earned the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honor in his first 12 IndyCar races in 2018 and also won the pole position and led all but two laps in his first Indy race. But his life was changed in the 13th race of his outstanding rookie IndyCar season. Unfortunately, on lap 7 at Pocono Raceway, he met with an accident, where he suffered a neck fracture, spinal cord injury, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs and hands, and thoracic spinal fracture. Wicken’s determination and dedication led to victorious breakthroughs in his persistent regimes of rehabilitation and therapy. Many innovative technology and treatment methods are developed for the spinal cord injury community by the team of therapists and trainers supporting Robert Wickens. Acceleration Ignition BHA Technical Director David Brown and Development Technician Jonathan Gormley designed a customized hand-control system that has been fitted in the #33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR. The Elantra is specifically tailored with a system featuring a series of rods connecting a custom metal ring to the brake pedal. The brake can be activated by pulling the ring attached behind the steering wheel with fingers. The driver can accelerate, shift and make steering inputs with the help of two linked throttle paddles and shift paddles attached behind the steering wheel. The hand throttle in the system is automatically deactivated when Mark Wilkins takes over the cockpit in pitstops. Wilkins will use traditional pedals for accelerating and applying brakes. Whitens and Wilkins are part of the 2022 BHA driver lineup featuring six Elantra N TCR entries. They are competing for Hyundai’s third straight manufacturer title and defending the team’s trifecta series titles. The 2022 season will kick off at Daytona International Speedway on January 21-23 with the opening test days, the “Roar Before the Rolex 24,”. The BMW Endurance Challenge which is round one of the 2022 IMPC season will take place the following weekend. The challenge is a four-hour race during the Rolex 24 hours on January 28, Friday at the Daytona race.
DeepBrain AI Unveils its AI Kiosks at CES 2022
A Multiple Lingo Skilled AI That Speaks Like Real Humans AI Human embedded “AI Kiosks” was exhibited by DeepBrain AI at CES 2022 held in Las Vegas Convention Center. AI Kiosks attaches the strength of Artificial Intelligence with its human-based AI that advises, resolves, and guides users through many scenarios and real-time communications. The AI humans that are embedded in AI Kiosks are based on real humans speaking different languages and belonging to different races. As this AI looks and interacts just like a real human, a lot of interest of officials is pouring from various industries like luxury brands, telecommunication companies, universities, and broadcasting stations. AI Humans Solutions and the Unmanned Stores DeepBrain AI will demonstrate how AI Humans can be beneficial to commerce in this year’s NRF. Unmanned stores are one of the many innovative changes that are being made. But these stores have some cons. Like customers might feel uncomfortable in these surroundings. So AI Humans will be the solution i.e. developed by DeepBrain. These AI Humans will guide the customers through shopping and payment processes making the experience more natural for them. AI Humans can be used in convenience stores, restaurants, and other shops. Eric Jang, CEO of DeepBrain AI believes that this development will continue to extend and the adoption of AI Technology will also keep increasing. Exhibition by DeepBrain AI in CES 2020 DeepBrain AI also showcased its technology along with other hottest new products in CES 2022, the world’s greatest tech show, held in Las Vegas from Jan 5-7. The SaaS platform “AI Studios” of AI Humans solutions from DeepBrain AI won the CES Innovation Awards Honoree. This filled the company’s booth with attendees and journalists, who wanted to test the solutions that was exhibited.After CES 2022, AI Humans solutions from DeepBrain AI will be showcased at NRF 2022 starting from 16th at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. READ MORE: CES 2022: Innovation Came To Life At Las Vegas
CES 2022: Innovation Came To Life At Las Vegas
CES 2022, which began on January 5 at Las Vegas Convention Centre, finally ended on January 8. It was a week filled with many products revealing innovation that will improve the world and solve global challenges. Around 2300 companies exhibited their products, including more than 800 startups. These products featured innovation across Electronics, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Automotive Technology, Healthcare, and many more. CES was conducted after almost 2 years, attended by approximately 45,000 people, including 1800 global media, across 11 indoor and outdoor venues. It was a global event with 30% of its attendees traveling from outside the US and representing 119 countries. According to Gary Shapiro, president, and CEO of Consumer Technology Association, owner and producer of CES, these technologies will restructure the industries, providing solutions to pressing worldwide challenges from agriculture to healthcare, sustainability, and beyond. The event buzzed with the happiness of human interaction and a five-sense innovation experience with products, redefining our future and improving our world. Key Trends at CES 2022 There were many transformative technologies from brands like Bosch, LG Electronics, Canon, Hisense, Nvidia, Samsung Electronics, HTC, Panasonic, Sony, and Qualcomm featured in CES 2022. The key trends included: Digital health Exhibitions of improved health features on wearables and connected health devices by Abbott, Baracoda Daily Healthtech, and Essence, allow consumers to take control of their health. Artificial intelligence (AI) Popular throughout the event were AI products making the technology smarter and more efficient. It advances in major industries like agriculture, healthcare, entertainment, and automotive. It included companies like John Deere, DeepBrain AI, and Beyond Honeycomb. Startups Around 800 startups were also featured in Eureka Park, which was the startup hub for CES 2022. The exhibition included the Orbisk, an AI-powered food waste monitoring system, ScenTronix with its EveryHuman algorithmic perfumery, and SkyDrive air taxi. Keynotes Many leaders across global industries were featured at the CES keynote stage. Top executives delivered addresses including Mary Barra (chair and CEO of General Motors), J.H. Han (Vice Chairman, CEO, and Head of DX division at Samsung Electronics), and Robert B. Ford (president and CEO of Abbott). Owner of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), Eren and Fatih Ozmen, and Emmy-award-winning FOX Business anchor Liz Claman, spoke during the CES Leaders in Technology Dinner. CES 2022’s protocol was praised by US Travel Association for gathering the industry together in person. Following the COVID-19 guidelines, health protocols were mentioned for attendees including testing, the requirement of masks, proof of vaccination, and social distancing measures. CES 2023 will again be conducted in Las Vegas on January 5-8. Exhibit sales for the event are already off to a strong start. Visit CES.tech for highlights, including keynotes, product announcements, sessions, and show floor coverage, from the show. READ MORE: DeepBrain AI Unveils its AI Kiosks at CES 2022
Andelyn Biosciences Enables Faster Gene Therapy Development
FDA Accepts GMP Plasmid DMF and Capacity Expansion Born out of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Andelyn Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical CDMO, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, announced that FDA accepted its GMP plasmid DNA drug master file (DMF). The acceptance enabled the organization to integrate its clients’ manufacturing process, condensing timelines for developers to begin manufacturing to just three months. For instance, adeno-associated virus- and lentivirus-based therapies depend upon plasmid DNA as a critical starting material or Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). As the gene therapy development pipeline is rapidly growing and huge quantities of plasmid DNA are required for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, timescales for securing this important material have surged dramatically, causing huge delays. The gene therapy manufacturers have to wait for approximately ten months for the production, analysis, and release of plasmids due to restrictions in industry capacity and throughput bottlenecks. So the approximate gene therapy commercial manufacturing timeline extends to 18 months including the delays by fragmented materials suppliers and CDMOs and waiting for production, analysis, and release. Statement of Wade Macedone, COO of Andelyn Biosciences: According to Macedone, 18 months is too long for delivering the life-saving gene therapies to the patients. The company’s mission is to provide gene therapies to the patient much faster and enable developers to begin commercial manufacturing in just three months. Even though the scientific team of Andelyn Bioscienceshas 20+ years of experience working with plasmid DNA, the company started offering research-grade plasmids in 2019 and clinical-grade plasmids in 2021. Now that the FDA has accepted DMF, it will allow the company’s client to leverage significant intellectual property information, increasing speed and efficiency when filing an IND or BLA with the FDA. While the GMP plasmid DNA will also increase the production capacity. By the end of the first quarter of 2022, the company expects to double its plasmid DNA production capacity and quintuple that capacity by the end of 2023. Statement of Dr. Kristin Heller, Andelyn Biosciences’ Plasmid Manager: The companies clinical-grade plasmid DNA allows end-to-end manufacture of GMP gene therapies for our clients, and the regulatory filing efficiency created by the DMF adds fuel to the fire. Experienced Quality assurance and quality control teams are already present in the company but the plasmid DNA scale and capacity we are bringing online is game-changing, providing our clients with immediate access to starting materials and product manufacturing. Macedone further explained that the tremendous expertise and experience made possible by our founding within Nationwide Children’s Hospital have led to rapid growth. However, to achieve the capacity and capabilities urgently required by the gene therapy sector, we needed to increase our production footprint significantly. “Our new 185,000 square-foot commercial-scale gene therapy manufacturing plant housed within the Ohio State University’s Innovation District is coming online in July 2022, along with the new Andelyn Development Center in Dublin, Ohio, opening in Q2 2022 will do precisely this. Capacity expansions coupled with our clinical-grade plasmid DNA offering allows us to be a fully vertically integrated gene therapy CDMO continuing to contribute to the capacity and capabilities required to advance the gene therapy sector.” READ MORE: FDA Issues Final Guidance for Voluntarily Reducing Sodium in Processed and Packaged Foods
Ellen Voie: Driving The Female Workforce With Positive Work Culture
You might associate success as something driven by personal ambition, but the goal is broader for others. Ellen Voie, CEO & Founder of the Women In Trucking Association, Inc., is more concerned about elevating the entire industry so everyone can benefit instead of advancing her professional path. While finding personal success, her organization is the driving force in creating a better environment for all women. Perhaps this is more of a woman’s way of leading an organization, but this is quickly becoming the best way to change the world. Women & Softer Economics In 2007, Ellen founded Women In Trucking Association as a nonprofit trade/professional organization. She found that women comprised about three percent of the driver population and had very little representation in board rooms or the C-Suite. The sentiment at that time was that the industry was being gender-blind and claimed to hire the best candidates. However, it was apparent that there was not a level playing field. There was unconscious bias in the hiring and promotion of female executives, and for female commercial drivers, the playing field was anything but level. Showers were communal for men, restrooms for women were scarce, trucks were designed for men, and companies didn’t provide women’s uniforms. The most critical area was the lack of data. Since women were considered “statistically insignificant” in trucking, breaking the information down by gender was difficult. Over the years, the Women In Trucking Association has worked with universities and private entities to look at the differences between men and women in transportation careers. Now, research has proven that women take fewer risks, both in the boardroom and in the cab of a truck. Women make decisions differently, and women have different values when looking for a career at a trucking company. Women are more collaborative and better at team building. All of these are positive attributes that weren’t valued in the past. Different But Inspiring Unlike other girls, Ellen has been interested in less traditional activities, such as woodworking, auto mechanics, drafting, and welding. After graduating from high school, she found a position designing material handling equipment at a steel fabricating plant. She was soon offered a transfer to the traffic (shipping) department and later advanced to Traffic Manager. She earned a diploma in Traffic & Transportation Management which gave her a great deal of insight into how the supply chain works. Later, after starting her family, Ellen took her skills in transportation and worked as a consultant to motor carriers in central Wisconsin. During that time, she earned her bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Communication. After eighteen years, she was ready to move on, and she accepted a position to lead the Trucker Buddy program, a nonprofit organization that matches professional drivers with elementary classrooms. In 2006 Ellen was recruited by a large carrier in the Midwest as the Manager of Retention and Recruiting Programs. Her job was to initiate corporate-level programs to attract and retain nontraditional groups, including women. The goal was to increase the ranks of female drivers at the carrier and understand this demographic’s needs. At the time, Ellen was working on obtaining her private pilot’s license, and she belonged to a women’s aviation group. It occurred to her that there wasn’t a similar organization for women in the transportation industry, which prompted her to start the Women In Trucking Association. Reinventing Against Disparity Although women make up 50% of the population, female business owners are still a minority, especially in transportation careers. Women entrepreneurs entering male-populated industries find additional challenges to bring their ideas to life. The Women In Trucking Association has over 6,000 members in ten countries, and about fifteen percent of them are men who join because they support the mission. The organization provides insight to its members through surveys, research, and partnering with other organizations to better understand gender diversity in transportation careers. The goal is to be a resource for the industry and the government. As a trade/professional organization, Women In Trucking Association serves its members. For anyone involved in the transportation environment, the opportunity to network allows members to build better businesses. They believe in transparency and are responsive to feedback. When members feel the dues are worth the cost to provide value to their company or career advancement, they’ll be sure to renew their membership, so feedback is crucial. The organization constantly surveys its members on important issues so they can better represent them. Most importantly, they use their insight to make changes in the industry by quantifying their experiences, giving them measurable goals. Overcoming The Uncertainties Despite such devotion, Ellen admits that she has difficulty responding to criticisms. She cannot help but often take these criticisms personally because the Women In Trucking Association is her creation. She faces a hard time when people try to attack them for something they dislike instead of discussing working together. The world is at a stage where gender diversity is becoming an essential goal in every industry. The Women In Trucking Association is on a mission to make women aware of the career opportunities in the trucking industry. They have always had a virtual presence as an organization, so this wasn’t a factor amid the pandemic. The goal is to hire self-motivated people since employees do not have established work hours or even vacation schedules. Everyone works to complete their duties without the need for oversight. Millions of business owners worldwide faced at least some level of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Women In Trucking Association was also forced to make difficult decisions. For instance, they had to cancel their in-person event in 2020 and switch to a virtual conference. They had over 600 enthusiastic registered attendees, which encouraged them to provide a virtual option. Similarly, in 2021, they had over 800 at their in-person event in Dallas and hundreds more who participated in all or parts of the virtual conference. From Ellen’s Seat Having a solid foundation, the Women In Trucking Association has future
Benjamin Talin: Embracing Digitalization More Than Just Digital
Like all successful businesses, MoreThanDigital.info was also founded in response to a market deficiency. Benjamin Talin was inspired to start his journey in this industry as he observed gaps and issues in it. He realized the importance of digitalization in his 20’s, started advising governments and ministries about SME challenges and other educational needs. With years of experience as a businessman, publisher, and international guest lecturer Benjamin established himself as a digital expert. He had already begun his journey when he started his first business at the age of 13. Not a boy but more a man he lived in the United States for a short period and settled back to Europe to study Business and Economics in Zurich. Building Knowledge Benjamin sought out challenges and even did not wait for challenges to confront them. This behavior distracted his attention from study and he became famous for never being at the university. Rather he chose to build more businesses without caring about failures. He even failed his first two start-ups in Switzerland and landed doing over a dozen of internships. Now, here is the catch, nothing goes in vain — he created his agency that turned into a company group including a consultancy company and other start-up projects. He did not stop there and opted to do a bachelor’s degree at Zurich University. With gained knowledge, he started teaching at different universities about entrepreneurship, new business models, and digitalization. The days got shiny when all these led to having lots of publications, keynotes, and guest lectures internationally. Inception And Challenges The first brick for MoreThanDigital was founded in 2017 when it started as a blog out of frustration. Now it has grown to the leading digital initiative in Europe and is spreading arms across the world. Before formalizing strategies, the company provides yearly 2 Mio executives access to knowledge that is easy to understand and which is free for everyone. Being customer-obsessed fanatics they are winning the world with business knowledge services. While interviewing Benjamin he explained the current scenario of the businesses. According to him, within the last few years especially the last decade, there was an overwhelming flood of new technologies, new business models, and new challenges occurring in the market. Many entrepreneurs could not hold up with the speed and the dependence on good consultants, external freelancers, and partners. However, these uncertainties opened doors for lots of marketing and BS within the business world which were exploited because of ignorance. These opportunities changed customer preferences too for good. Benjamin believes that the Covid-19 pandemic was not too bad for them. He and his team kept their focus on things with optimism and hope attached. At a time when many businesses were trying to survive, the need for neutral information accelerated MoreThanDigital’s business and its platform. Although it was hard and many of the partners and supporters were struggling as well, personal objectives were able to change the inner circle. They needed to develop big projects like the MoreThanDigital Insights platform in these difficult times. Engage, Just Not Sell MoreThanDigital refrains from believing that everyone is a target. This behavior of attempting to appeal to everyone results in failing to connect with true potential customers. The company has a different approach, they engage their customer base and communicate the company’s central “why.” Working against the mainstream with limited resources is always hard for them because the circumstances put a lot of pressure on the team, partners, and everyone involved. The company’s common vision and mission statement #bethechange prove to be a cornerstone that dictates the important part of who they are and why people love to work with them. This helps to deal with challenges on daily basis but it hits hard to go where nobody has gone before. Constantly evaluating the path – where it needs to go to and what new decisions have to be made – is very important. Criticism plays a valuable factor and part in this evaluation. It is prevalent every single day and there are a lot of disagreements as they do not follow the rituals. Staying true to the ideology is crucial, indeed, but the result makes it worth investing time and energy. Identifying Customer Needs Taking a broad view of customer satisfaction benefits a business. Being at the center, the company always tries to communicate as much as possible with the members of their community. The most effective way is having 1on1 meetings including getting feedback from partners, members, and of course “haters”. They constantly align with the needs but always try to differentiate between the “greater good” they want to achieve and single biased views who only want to take advantage. The marketing model behind MoreThanDigital is quite unique and a totally different approach and focuses only on the customer needs. Adapting this principle as the backbone, MoreThanDigital helps its members and readers to deal better or easier with the future. So they keep trying to expand the platform for better information sharing. The company intends to soon launch the so-called MoreThanDigital Insights platform. It’s a new powerful toolset for companies to detect and identify their weaknesses. Furthermore, TechValley and Academy are planned for the future. They will be a promising cornerstone for the company and will help it to grow to a digital ecosystem and this will, in turn, give more people access to a better future. Benjamin’s Message No strategy would ever work without good marketing. Platforms and especially digital ecosystems are tough and indeed demanding. When someone wants to build multi-sided platforms and especially an ecosystem then they should brace themselves for a long ramp-up phase. They are one of the most difficult business models out there to manage and build. Solving the “chicken-egg problem” and aligning several stakeholders’ needs play a big role in building platforms and ecosystems. Benjamin has a message for entrepreneurs seeking careers in the industry. “Starting with your own funds, bracing for years of hard work and little income, and also
Joseph Rothstein: Passionate About Assisting His Clients In Growing And Scaling Their Businesses
The media industry has been rapidly changing since the dawn of the internet. Over the past couple of years, media platforms are dynamically influencing the business world such as advertising on Instagram. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven many businesses towards getting online to step their game up. The preys to this unwelcomed circumstance are the older generation businesses that have been holding off from providing their clients functional and enjoyable user experience. The pandemic has forced businesses to go digital; in-person meetings and traditional ways of being seen have been waved earlier for good. Joseph Rothstein, the Founder & CEO of Social Media 55, had sensed it all more than a decade ago. In the age of information, Joseph was a bit skeptical about the old implication methods of marketing. With a vision to be the best provider in the media industry, he began his entrepreneurial journey. In 2014, he founded Social Media 55 with the passion to impart brand exposure and visibility to businesses in need. The Day With Positivity Joseph radiates positivity and true enjoyment of his work. He spends most of the day working alongside VP of Operations Benjamin Ohayon, who has been a driving force for their customer success. Where Joseph as CEO is responsible for strategy and direction functioning closely with the team for successful campaigns, Benjamin is a true leader every CEO requires. Joseph oversees his graphic designers, SEO team, content developers, and works alongside the web development team. From Wireless to Digital Joseph, after a decade of working in telecommunications and servicing corporate accounts, was fascinated by marketing. He realized that he wasn’t being challenged working in the wireless cellular phone industry, and plunged into digital marketing about 10 years back. He began developing an e-commerce website for a luxury fragrance company “JIVAGO Brands.” Soon the brand started getting great traffic from the new website and mandated him to manage the social media platforms. He enjoyed working in the field so much that he decided to offer the same services to many businesses. Joseph gained enough experience for a startup, Social Media 55, to deliver services like social media management paid and organic, website design & development, SEO, PPC, and everything in between. “I’ve also been known for answering our 1-800 number after hours,” he says. Recognition as Leader Social Media 55 has been recognized as an exemplary leader multiple times. The agency has been awarded over 20+ awards in Social Media Management, SEO, PPC, Digital Marketing, B2B Services, Top Web Design Agency 2019, 2020, 2021 by GoodFirm, Clutch, Agency Spotter, Upcity, and more. They offer businesses innovative solutions that deliver the right type of audience to clients in the most effective strategies possible. Joseph and the team believe in transparency and hence, everyone plays a key role to make Social Media 55 successful. Such commitment allows them to pay close attention to the client feedback and in making sure the client is fully satisfied. The Close Connection Social Media 55 provides solutions that are customized to address the specific needs of the clients. From executives to associates and team members take a personalized approach and spend time working one-on-one with the clients to ensure they are meeting all of their marks. Everyone wants to help each other be successful, thus they ensure close communications with their clients throughout their mandate. They listen to their clients’ feedback closely so as to fine-tune their formula and deliver a superior service. Team members continue to evolve, to best meet the needs of clients. Their focus on integrity is at the forefront of what they stand for as a company and an agency. They carry a concrete reputation for providing honest and excellent quality work. They delve their heart and soul into each and every project they take on. The Challenges and the Opportunities No matter how many challenges you overcome, the new ones will find their way. The COVID-19 affected the company in many ways but the easiest decision company made was to keep everyone safe. The quickest agreement was to go remote immediately, which was not difficult for them as they were used to a hybrid work/home balance already. At the initial pandemic, they were busy working on their legacy accounts and noticed website traffic and leads had drastically dropped almost to a halt. After one month of crickets, the phones and the website exploded. The pandemic waves have eaten enough industries and collapsed the GDPs of major economic countries. However, months after businesses got their feet stronger, as they were scrambling to get online, Social Media 55 was working long hours to meet the high demand. There is a difference in surviving and thriving when it comes to adopting new technologies such as 5G. It is no more hidden that the advent of 5G will revolutionize almost every business in the world. From the Internet of Things (IoT) to science, communications to design, the 5th generation technology projects the next human evolution. For instance, Metaverse from Mark Zuckerberg with the help of 5G will allow users to interact with anything, anyone in the 3D world. The technology will bring exponential growth to the social media platforms and marketing more skin-friendly. Our files and needs are getting bigger and used by more and more each day, it’s no question that 5G will help manage all that data. Joseph has plans to elevate its marketing hierarchy through acquiring/developing a digital social media calendar management software that will support all the major platforms. Seek Out What You Desire Joseph’s message to aspiring business leaders is to get a job at almost any position in an agency and learn how the business operates. Pick apart what makes the business tick and find a way to bring added value to that company by taking initiative and improving something. Take that experience and attempt in moving up the ranks and locking down a position you feel is more in line with your goals. If you don’t see
Maxim Behar: An Incredible Man Who Overcame Adversity With Creativity, Ethics, and Responsibilities
The whole business world including the communication business is currently witnessing the total change of everything – from sales to communications to industrial production. For a couple of years, we have been observing a very dynamic and fast merging of the three main elements of the public communications business – advertising, public relations, and digital. It is so obvious that they will unify and work as a new business soon but for now, there is a constant dispute for leadership. The advertising industry claims to be the winner as they own media shops and creators, and so the digital experts as their leadership abilities allow them to create applications, tabs, and software. However, the CEO & Founder of M3 Communications Group, Inc., Maxim Behar strongly feels that Public Relations experts and managers will be the leader of the future big, merged business. The thought that supports this concrete belief is quite simple, they are the “Kings of Content.” They are the masters of words and visions and in the modern world, wisdom comes from social media content. The Visionary CEO Maxim Behar has done graduation in the Executive Program on Leadership Decision Making from Harvard Kennedy School and now, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Global Public Relations Changes at Sofia University. His first graduation was from Prague University on International Economic Relations. As learning was/is his passion, he collected many degrees from Universities across the world including The Pacific Institute in Seattle, USA. At his initial stage, he started working as a machinery worker in a plant that was based in Sofia. After graduation, he worked as a journalist for 15 years and then launched one of the first private daily newspapers in Bulgaria – Standard News. Even with so much success, he decided to resign from the post of Managing Editor remembering what Sir Winston Churchill said, “you can achieve a lot with the journalism, but you should know exactly when to quit.” When Maxim was in high school, he ever since wanted to be a brilliant journalist. Even when he decided to quit this job the next logical step that came into his conscious was to upgrade his journalistic knowledge. Although jumped into Public Relations, he did not realize that it’s nothing but pure unique business surrounded by creativity, ethics, and responsibilities. About 27 years ago, Maxim from proudly launching a one-man-show company in a one-room rented apartment of a friend to owning a leading Public Relations and Social Media company, is streaming like water; partnered with one of the largest international US-based PR corporations, Hill+Knowlton Strategies with hundreds of clients from all over the world. With great projects come great challenges every single day, and that’s what Maxim loves to invest his life for. A Trusted Service Provider M3 Communications Group, Inc. was established in 1994. After 6 years Maxim Behar met the Executive Vice President of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, late Terence Billing, who turned out to be his teacher, mentor, partner, and of course, best friend. Through the journey, they witnessed failures and successes, and last but not least they emerged as a modern and successful corporation – a leading PR company in Central and Eastern Europe. Today, we provide the full range of public communications services – public, governmental and media relations, social media management, event and conventions, graphic design, web creations, and project management. We create a unique package for each of our clients ensuring the top-notch quality of our services. We also provide services such as social media development, content management, creating visuals, and more which keeps updating every week. With 35 clients on a retainer fee and at least double the number per project, we are available 24/7 for our clients that makes us ideal for crisis management, employers branding, and corporate communications. We serve what customers deserve i.e; increasing sales, better branding, and media presence. We believe in transparency that gives us the confidence to deliver exact reports back to the clients. Also, social media in addition to providing information targets messages properly. The most important aspect that affects us is ‘outcomes’ and to match those we focus on being creative, innovative, proactive, and knowledgeable. In the process, we pull out preparation for every post. We ensure every word, every picture should be catchy and effective on social media. Achievements To Appreciate Maxim Behar was twice awarded the Best PR Consultant in the world by Stevie Awards. Recently, PR Week announced him the Best Global PR Consultant. With more than 100 international business and leadership awards and books that top on Amazon, Maxim is proudly elected as an Advisory Board Member of one of the largest European Universities – Engage.eu, Germany. It is a privilege for him to be on the Board of the World PR Museum in New York City. In 2017, he was inducted into the Global PR Hall of Fame in London as the first-ever East European expert. The greatest achievement in life is his children, family, and the excellent M3 Communications Group family. PR’s Absolute Best Customer preferences are like seasons, they keep changing. Of course, this affects how clients emphasize themselves on social media and the reason is quite clear – these interactive technologies are fully measurable ever since the very beginning of the Guttenberg Press Machine. Social media is exponentially succeeding against traditional media only because clients can optimize their messages to certain target groups, and in minutes can analyze too. Clients have become sensitive and quick towards creative involvement and decision-making. This practice brings a big boost to our business – one who can take fast decisions and can communicate successfully will win, the others will be out of the business. We cannot deny the fact that customer feedback is crucial, however, we try to prove our point of view that our experts are devoted only to making their experience rich. “Zoom lockdown times” made our life a bit convenient which we appreciate through meeting clients and discussing tons of ideas. But also,