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PARAMOUNT GLOBAL’S SPECIAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES RECEIPT OF ACQUISITION PROPOSAL AND 15-DAY EXTENSION OF “GO SHOP” PERIOD TO CONTINUE ENGAGEMENT

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NEW YORK, Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Special Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) (“Paramount” or “the Company”) today announced the receipt of an acquisition proposal from Edgar Bronfman, Jr., on behalf of a consortium of investors (the “Bronfman Consortium”), that the Special Committee has determined qualifies the Bronfman Consortium as an “Excluded Party” under the terms of the Skydance transaction agreement.  As a result, the “go shop” period is extended for the Bronfman Consortium until September 5, 2024, pursuant to the transaction agreement to which the Company remains subject.

There can be no assurance this process will result in a Superior Proposal.  The Company does not intend to disclose further developments unless and until it determines such disclosure is appropriate or is otherwise required.

During the go-shop period, representatives of the Special Committee contacted more than 50 third parties to determine whether they had an interest in making a proposal to acquire Paramount.  With respect to other parties, the go-shop period will expire at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today.

Centerview Partners LLC serves as financial advisor to the Paramount Special Committee and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP serves as legal counsel.

Important Information About the Transactions and Where To Find It
In connection with the proposed transactions involving Paramount, Skydance and NAI (the “Transactions”), Paramount will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include an information statement on Schedule 14C and that will also constitute a prospectus of Paramount. Paramount may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Transactions.

This document is not a substitute for the information statement/prospectus or registration statement or any other document that Paramount may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF PARAMOUNT ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement on Form S-4 (when available), which will include the information statement/prospectus, and other documents filed with the SEC by Paramount through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the investor relations department of Paramount (+1-646-824-5450; jaime.morris@paramount.com).

No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell, any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, invitation, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Cautionary Notes on Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains both historical and forward-looking statements, including statements related to our future results, performance and achievements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events; generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “estimate” or other similar words or phrases; and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements.

Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) that the Transactions may not be completed on anticipated terms and timing (or at all), (ii) that a condition to closing of the Transactions may not be satisfied, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals from any applicable governmental entities (or any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on such approvals), (iii) that the anticipated tax treatment of the Transactions may not be obtained, (iv) the potential impact of unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, costs, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition and losses on the future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the combined business after the consummation of the Transactions, (v) potential litigation relating to the Transactions that could be instituted against Paramount or its directors, (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transactions, including the effect of the Transactions on the Company’s employees, commercial partners, clients and customers, and contractual restrictions while the Transactions are pending, (vii) any negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the Transactions on the market price of Paramount’s common stock and on Paramount’s or Skydance’s operating results, (viii) risks associated with third party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the Transactions, (ix) the risks and costs associated with the integration of, and the ability of Paramount and Skydance to integrate, the businesses successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies, (x) the risk that disruptions from the Transactions will harm Paramount’s business, including current plans and operations or by diverting management’s attention Paramount’s ongoing business operations, (xi) the ability of Paramount to retain and hire key personnel and uncertainties arising from leadership changes, (xii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments, (xiii) the other risks described in Paramount’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, (xiv) that the acquisition proposal received from the Bronfman Consortium may not result in a Superior Proposal, and (xv) management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that we do not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known.

These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Transactions, will be more fully discussed in the information statement/prospectus that will be included in the registration statement on Form S-4 that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transactions. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors to be presented in the registration statement on Form S-4 is, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Paramount’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this communication, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Contact:
Brunswick Group
ParamountSpecialCommittee@brunswickgroup.com
(212) 333 – 3810

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SOURCE The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Paramount Global

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KM Malta Airlines, the Maltese Islands’ New National Carrier, Implements CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Solution

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The partnership will enable KM Malta Airlines to provide passengers with a seamless payment experience and access to their preferred payment methods.

LONDON, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ — CellPoint Digital, a global pioneer in Payment Orchestration, is proud to announce it has partnered with KM Malta Airlines to support the airline’s payment processes across multiple sales channels, including on its website and App, allowing passengers in future to pay with key alternative payment methods (APMs) like Apple Pay.

From the start of operations on March 31, 2024, CellPoint Digital was entrusted to support KM Malta Airlines’ payment processes across. Using CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration platform, KM Malta Airlines launched the service with optimised payment processes, a cost-effective payment strategy, and a customer-centric payment model. This partnership reflects the airline’s commitment to providing its passengers with a seamless, convenient payment experience and the airline’s recognition of CellPoint Digital as a valued payment solution provider.

Through its partnership with CellPoint Digital, KM Malta Airlines gains access to a network of acquirer connections, including its newly introduced partner, Shift4 (formerly Finaro), to support its growth strategy. This allows the airline to optimise transaction routing, reduce payment costs, and settle in its preferred currency.

“It’s not often that we get to be present at the inception of one of Europe’s next great airlines, but that’s the opportunity we have with this partnership,” said Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital. “By prioritising its payment strategy as a cornerstone of its launch strategy, KM Malta Airlines demonstrates that it cares about providing passengers with the best possible booking experience and setting itself up for future success.”

Roy Kinnear, CCO of KM Malta Airlines, stated, “A highly optimised, cost-efficient payment strategy is important to the success of our airline. That’s why we partnered with experts in aviation payments to deliver a comprehensive platform tailored to our passengers’ needs and allowing us to expand our offering of customer choice payment mechanisms.”

The Advantage of Day-One Payment Orchestration

Payment Orchestration is a concept that describes the end-to-end management of all components of a payment, from authorisation to routing to settlement to reporting, allowing airlines to boost conversions in direct and indirect sales channels at lower transaction costs. CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Platform, which KM Malta Airlines will implement, routes transactions intelligently to increase acceptance, simplifies and centralises back-end reconciliation, integrates various payment methods like Apple Pay, and easily accommodates multiple PSPs and acquirers, including KM Malta Airline’s preferred acquiring partner, Shift4.

For more information about the CellPoint Digital partnership with KM Malta Airlines or to speak with company executives, please get in touch with Steven Osei at steven.osei@cellpointdigital.com

About CellPoint Digital
CellPoint Digital is a fintech leader in payment orchestration and optimisation. CellPoint Digital’s main solution is a powerful Payment Orchestration Platform that optimises digital payment transactions from cards or alternative payment methods and accelerates the deployment of new payment options. Merchants can easily scale their own payment ecosystem across the world, unify the customer payment experience across their website, mobile apps and other channels, optimise the routing of each transaction, increase conversion rates and minimise payment costs. CellPoint Digital has offices in Copenhagen, Dallas, Dubai, London, Miami, Pune and Singapore. Visit www.cellpointdigital.com to learn more. 

About KM Malta Airlines

The KM Malta Airlines schedule serves 17 airports across 15 key European cities, namely, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Catania, Dusseldorf, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Prague, Rome, Vienna and Zurich.

Bookings can be made on kmmaltairlines.com

Contact: media@kmmaltairlines.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/km-malta-airlines-the-maltese-islands-new-national-carrier-implements-cellpoint-digitals-payment-orchestration-solution-302254685.html

SOURCE CellPoint Digital

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Advantech Unveils Expanded Singapore Office to Boost ASEAN Presence and Support AIoT Innovations with Strategic Partnerships

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Advantech (TWSE: 2395), a global leader in industrial IoT and embedded computing solutions, has officially inaugurated its expanded regional office in Singapore. This strategic investment is set to enhance Advantech’s core competencies within the ASEAN region. Located at 7002 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, the new office will double the company’s current facility space, enhancing its infrastructure to meet the rising demand for high-technology solutions, particularly in the semiconductor sector. The expansion underscores Advantech’s commitment to collaborating with silicon and ecosystem partners and investing in local talent development through industry-academia partnerships. The new office will also support Advantech’s Configure-To-Order Service (CTOS), reinforcing its strategic goal of deepening and localising industry presence while advancing a comprehensive AIoT industry development strategy.

Vincent Chang, Managing Director of Asia and Intercontinental Region at Advantech, stated, “The relocation to our new premises marks a significant milestone in Advantech’s nearly 30 years of growth in Singapore. Established in 1995, Advantech Singapore has grown to become a pivotal hub in the ASEAN region, leading to the creation of Advantech Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam as key regional business units. Advantech envisions Singapore evolving into a Corporate Development Core Competency hub, focusing on business intelligence, strategic planning, and advancing branding, public relations, and ESG programmes across the ASEAN region.”

Advantech is also excited to launch the second year of its AIoT Innowork programme with Singapore Polytechnic (SP). This year’s projects will focus on sustainable development, net-zero emissions, and generative AI. Students will use Advantech’s WISE-PaaS, a cloud-based platform, to develop AIoT solutions, including a smart outdoor agriculture proof-of-concept within SP’s campus. Additionally, the programme will advance intelligent EV charging and parking space monitoring with Advantech’s LoRaWAN gateway and generative AI, featuring a dashboard for carpark occupancy and an assistive chatbot for availability queries.

In response to the government’s focus on future workforce development, a student team from SP is set to create a proof of concept for a “Generative AI-powered Virtual Sales Agent.” This innovative project aims to transform customer interactions by enhancing sales and engagement through cutting-edge AI technology. SP envisions this technology revolutionising customer engagement, enhancing service support, and improving operational efficiency.

Advantech Singapore is dedicated to advancing the “MySkillsFuture” programme, a key initiative by the Singapore government to support lifelong learning. Advantech aims to build a collaborative value chain that fosters a sustainable and thriving IoT ecosystem by partnering with ecosystem players, academic institutions, and industry leaders. Additionally, through academic collaboration, Advantech seeks to cultivate industry growth and align with its social responsibility objectives by producing and distributing urban farming products to underserved communities. These strategic partnerships are poised to drive long-term industry success and reinforce Advantech’s commitment to its ESG goals.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/advantech-unveils-expanded-singapore-office-to-boost-asean-presence-and-support-aiot-innovations-with-strategic-partnerships-302255164.html

SOURCE Advantech Co. Singapore Pte Ltd

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Estonia Strengthens Smart Mobility Networking and Strategic Partnerships in the Gulf

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DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Trade Estonia, part of Enterprise Estonia, is concluding its participation at the ITS World Congress 2024 in Dubai, further asserting its leadership in intelligent transport systems (ITS) and smart mobility. Estonia, known for being the first country to allow testing autonomous vehicles on public roads since 2017, showcased its innovative technologies that are setting new benchmarks in smart mobility and ITS.

At the exhibition, Trade Estonia displayed pioneering solutions, including Bamboo Apps’ cutting-edge dispatch system for autonomous shuttles, enabling remote monitoring of unmanned vehicles to enhance safety and efficiency. e-Pavement integrates sensors within road surfaces to improve safety and traffic management, while Auve Tech’s autonomous shuttles seamlessly integrate with public transport, offering efficient and eco-friendly urban mobility solutions. Metrosert is enhancing the precision of smart infrastructure, and Digilogistika Keskus is optimising logistics through advanced digital platforms, boosting supply chain efficiency in smart cities.

H.E. The Ambassador of Estonia to the UAE Maria Belovas stated, “Estonia’s footprint in integrating cutting-edge technology is pivotal in enhancing transportation safety, efficiency, and mobility. Our innovations are designed to meet the evolving needs of global smart cities and ensure a sustainable future for transportation.”

These advancements exemplify Estonia’s commitment to developing intelligent, sustainable, and efficient transport solutions that address both urban and rural mobility needs, and solidifying its global network.

In addition to presenting its technological progress at the ITS World Congress, Estonia focused on building meaningful connections and exploring new avenues for collaboration.

Forging Strategic Global Partnerships

Estonia is dedicated to expanding its international impact by building strategic partnerships, particularly in the Gulf region.

A recent networking event, hosted by H.E. The Ambassador of Finland, Ms. Tuula Yrjölä, and H.E. The Ambassador of Estonia, Ms. Maria Belovas, brought together Finnish and Estonian business delegations to cultivate global connections in smart mobility. The event also facilitated valuable discussions on future collaborations, reflecting Trade Estonia’s ongoing mission to support global innovation and sustainability in transport.

Ms. Maria Belovas highlighted the importance of these international connections in advancing the organisation’s strategic goals and enriching global collaborative efforts.

Building on this momentum, Trade Estonia is gearing up for its next significant engagement at GITEX Global 2024. This upcoming event will serve as a new stage for Estonia to underline their technological advancements and explore new avenues for collaboration with global technology leaders.

About Trade Estonia

Trade Estonia is part of Enterprise Estonia. As a state organisation, Trade Estonia helps Estonian companies to establish themselves in international markets. With a focus on future technologies and pioneering projects, Trade Estonia provides Estonian companies with access to market analysis and marketing strategies and creates the conditions for them to operate successfully on a global scale. Trade Estonia not only promotes the development of new business areas and the establishment of strategic partnerships, but also facilitates access to international networks, thus contributing to the global competitiveness of Estonian companies.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2512077/Maria_Belovas.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/estonia-strengthens-smart-mobility-networking-and-strategic-partnerships-in-the-gulf-302255186.html

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