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IBM Commits Up To $45M to Climate Adaptation, Starting With New RFP for Resilient Cities

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IBM will increase investment in the IBM Sustainability Accelerator by 50%, committing up to $45 million in cash and in-kind donations over the next five years.New RFP will align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: making cities safe, resilient and sustainable.IBM will collaborate with the EY organization to strengthen the opportunities and knowledge support available to program participants.

ARMONK, N.Y., March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aligned with United Nations SDG 11, IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today a new request for proposals from government and non-profit organizations for the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, focused on technology-driven projects to advance city resiliency. IBM also announced that it would increase investment in the pro-bono social impact program by 50%, committing to make up to $45 million in cash and in-kind donations of technology and services available over the next five years. The IBM Sustainability Accelerator applies IBM technology, including IBM watsonx, an AI and data platform and AI assistants, to support populations vulnerable to environmental threats around the world, with a new RFP and sustainability topic announced each year.

UN Habitat1 forecasts that the world will continue to urbanize over the next three decades, with the share of people living in urban areas increasing from 56 percent in 2021 to 68 percent by 2050. The disproportionate impacts of climate change can challenge capacity for sustainable urban development and planning, as cities around the world work to address priorities like emissions levels, intensifying climate risks, environmental justice and more.

“After three years working to improve lives and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, we’re proud to recognize the success of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator by strengthening both our impact and our investment in the program,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. “We look forward to working with a new cohort of partners to transform the cities we live in, and to deploy solutions that harness the potential of artificial intelligence to build a more resilient future.”

This year, the program will introduce a new strategic collaboration with EY to strengthen the participant experience and amplify the impact of the IBM Sustainability Accelerator. EY will contribute to the resilient cities cohort by providing support during the RFP selection process, organizational development coaching from EY teams, and capacity-building workshops that will build upon the leadership development and professional mentoring opportunities available to program participants.

The evaluation and selection criteria for the global RFP will consider applicants’ level of support to communities especially vulnerable to urban environmental threats; the feasibility and sustainability of proposed technology solutions for climate change mitigation; and applicants’ transparency on measurement and reporting, among other considerations.

Nonprofit and government initiatives focused on city resiliency and urban climate adaptation can apply to the RFP beginning March 6, 2024, until the end of the submission window on April 30, 2024. Selected participants will be announced later in the year.

Questions about the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program and the new RFP can be directed to sustainability.accelerator@ibm.com.

About the IBM Sustainability Accelerator
Launched in 2022, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator is a social impact program that addresses environmental threats impacting vulnerable communities around the world. Each year, the program selects about five projects to scale technology and AI solutions within a new sustainability topic area. To date, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator has supported 15 global projects across three active cohorts, focused on sustainable agriculture, clean energy and water management. For more information: https://www.ibm.com/impact/initiatives/ibm-sustainability-accelerator/cities

CONTACT
Carmen San Segundo
Global Communications Director, ESG and CSR
carmenssg@ibm.com

1 https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2022/06/wcr_2022.pdf

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Booking Holdings Inc. to Present at the Bank of America Securities 2025 Global Technology Conference

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NORWALK, Conn., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) today announced that Chief Financial Officer Ewout Steenbergen will speak at the Bank of America Securities 2025 Global Technology Conference, held in San Francisco, on June 4th, beginning at 11:20 am PT / 2:20pm ET. A live audio cast of the presentation will be available to the public at https://ir.bookingholdings.com/events, and a replay will be available approximately 24 hours later.

Source: Booking Holdings
#BKNG_Corporate

About Booking Holdings
Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) is the world’s leading provider of online travel and related services, provided to consumers and local partners in more than 220 countries and territories through five primary consumer-facing brands: Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK and OpenTable. The mission of Booking Holdings is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. For more information, visit BookingHoldings.com and follow us on X @BookingHoldings.

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SOURCE Booking Holdings

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Introducing BI•Q™: Brand Institute’s Suite of AI-Powered Branding Solutions

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MIAMI, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Brand Institute, the global leader in pharmaceutical and healthcare-related brand name and identity development, today announced the launch of its new suite of AI-Powered Solutions under the umbrella brand BI•Q™. These technologies are now actively integrated into the company’s market research and creative departments, enhancing the speed and strategic value of brand development for clients worldwide—and powering the future of great branding.

BI•Q is developed in close collaboration with Brand Institute’s interdisciplinary teams—spanning IT & IS, new product development, regulatory, trademarks, market research, strategy, and creative—and builds upon the company’s three decades of global branding and naming experience. These solutions strengthen the capabilities of Brand Institute’s expert staff while driving deeper alignment with the rigorous regulatory, trademark, and commercial standards that define success in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and consumer branding industries.

“We’ve always believed that great branding starts with insight and sharp execution,” said Jim Dettore, Chairman and CEO of Brand Institute.

One of the biggest opportunities in developing AI solutions is the ability to leverage the specialized knowledge of Brand Institute’s regulatory team, which includes former government officials from the divisions responsible for drug name approval at the FDA, EMA, and Health Canada (proprietary/brand), as well as nonproprietary naming groups at the AMA (USAN) and WHO (INN). These experts have contributed to the development of policy and guidance aimed at preventing drug name–related medication errors. Their deep understanding of regulatory processes and global best practices enables BI•Q to generate solutions that are not only creative and distinctive, but also grounded in the realities of pharmaceutical name approval worldwide.

“Our team’s experience reviewing and approving names, as well as shaping policy pertaining to name safety, will be key to developing AI solutions that align with the real-world requirements of pharmaceutical branding and naming,” Dettore added.

From expanding the volume and elevating the quality of name generation to accelerating pattern recognition in market research, BI•Q delivers measurable efficiencies without compromising creativity, strategy, or confidentiality. All systems are built within a secure framework designed to safeguard client data and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality throughout every stage of the branding process.

“BI•Q empowers our teams to work smarter, faster, and with even greater precision—enhancing the expertise our clients rely on,” said Bill Johnson, President and Co-CEO of Brand Institute. “We’re continually exploring new use cases that will drive further efficiencies throughout our organization and deliver even greater value to our clients.”

One of the most exciting tools in the BI•Q suite is Brandi™, Brand Institute’s AI-powered name generator. Designed specifically for pharmaceutical and healthcare naming projects, Brandi addresses a critical industry need: helping to generate the high volume of quality names required so that—even after navigating today’s stringent regulatory and trademark hurdles—standout options remain. With many pharmaceutical naming projects now demanding the creation of over 3,000 name candidates, Brandi serves as a scalable solution that elevates the exceptional creative work Brand Institute’s team is known for across the industry.

“Brandi operates under the guidance of our creative team to generate thousands of name ideas, based on the input and strategic vision we develop in close collaboration with our clients,” said Scott Piergrossi, President of Creative at Brand Institute.

Brandi serves as a complementary tool within Brand Institute’s creative process, enhancing output while keeping the company’s expert naming team at the core. As one of many proprietary resources, Brandi is designed to deliver an array of creatively compelling, easy-to-pronounce, and strategically aligned name candidates, or what Brand Institute calls “Great Names at Scale.”

To learn more about Brand Institute’s AI-Powered Solutions, please visit www.brandinstitute.com and contact your local Brand Institute representative.

About Brand Institute

Brand Institute is the global leader in brand name and identity development for pharmaceutical, healthcare, consumer, and B2B companies. We have partnered on the development of over 5,000 brand names, including more than 75% of new pharmaceutical brand and nonproprietary names approved globally each year.

Media Contact:
Scott Piergrossi
spiergrossi@brandinstitute.com
(305) 374-2500

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Divi Resorts Unveils Major Caribbean Travel Sale: Save Up to 30% on 2025 Getaways and 26% on 2026 Vacations

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Soak up Caribbean sun for less on Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix (USVI), and St. Maarten with rates as low as $207 per night!

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With seven properties across five islands, Divi Resorts blends authentic Caribbean charm with modern comfort. A trusted name in Caribbean hospitality for over 50 years, they let guests choose how they vacation: go all-inclusive for a carefree stay or opt for room-only and explore local flavors beyond the resort. From kid-friendly poolside fun to award-winning restaurants, on-site spas, and adventurous island excursions, every Divi vacation is uniquely yours.

Divi Resorts is making it easier than ever for travelers to turn their Caribbean dreams into reality with exclusive savings of up to 30% on 2025 vacations and up to 26% on 2026 bookings. Their new campaign, “Our Caribbean, Your Way,” celebrates the idea that no two island escapes should look the same — and now, they don’t have to.

Available to book now through June 30, 2025, this limited-time promotion offers fantastic discounts at Divi’s seven beachfront resorts located on five iconic islands: Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Maarten, and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Travelers can choose between two savings tiers depending on flexibility, with up to 30% off non-refundable 2025 bookings, and up to 25% off refundable options. This exclusive offer is valid for travel through December 19, 2025.

For early planners, 2026 getaways are available at up to 26% off non-refundable stays and up to 20% off refundable rates, with the added option to bundle flights for additional savings. Book by June 30, 2025 to lock these deals in!

With rates that already provide incredible value, plus these major discounts, Divi Resorts is helping travel-hungry guests make their dreams come true for less. With special kids’ pricing on all-inclusive stays, they’re carving out even more space in family budgets for life-long memories. Take the kids snorkeling for the first time, celebrate an anniversary with a beachfront dinner, bring friends on a sunset sail, or plan a sun-soaked work-from-beach trip to recharge and unwind.

These exclusive offers can be booked with no promo code at diviresorts.com/specials.htm, or by calling 1-800-367-3484 (toll-free US) or 1-919-419-3484 (international).

About Divi Resorts: For over 50 years, Divi Resorts has stood as a beacon of excellence in the Caribbean’s vacation landscape, boasting a portfolio of premium resorts spanning the islands of Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Croix, and St. Maarten. Renowned for their picturesque beachfront locations, these resorts offer travelers an idyllic setting to unwind and create timeless memories. With an unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction, Divi Resorts offers exceptional service and accommodations, ensuring every guest feels at home in the Caribbean. For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484 or visit www.diviresorts.com.

Additional Perks: Divi Resorts offers a best price guarantee, optional travel insurance, travel agent rates, cashback rewards with The Guestbook, and other programs. For more information on Divi Resorts, call 1-800-367-3484 or visit www.diviresorts.com

*Sale Terms & Conditions: https://www.diviresorts.com/specials.htm

Pay Over Time Program: All rates and applicable fees are subject to the service provider.

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SOURCE Divi Resorts

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