LONDON, Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, OnBuy, one of Europe’s fastest growing online marketplaces, announced a new collaboration with Google Cloud to help the business expand internationally with modern, scalable cloud infrastructure. The collaboration will enable OnBuy to leverage a range of Google Cloud products and services — including infrastructure, data storage, and managed services — to improve both seller and customer experiences, reduce costs and build new revenue streams.

With the support of Google Cloud, OnBuy will be able to take its infrastructure to the next level and enhance operational efficiency, so it can spend less time on maintenance and more time on driving the business forward. Google Cloud will also provide OnBuy’s customers with faster and more secure checkout experiences, and greater flexibility, enabling OnBuy’s marketplace to scale internationally.

Some key products and services of the collaboration include Google Cloud’s Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), which allows OnBuy to deploy a virtual network that spans all regions, helping to secure and segregate its infrastructure. In addition, Cloud Storage provides OnBuy with fast, low-cost, and highly durable storage for its data, while Cloud SQL manages its databases, enabling the business to run without disruption.

The migration to Google Cloud will also allow OnBuy to experiment with AI and generative AI tools for various applications across the business. For example, the team is exploring how Google Cloud’s AI platform, Vertex AI, can train a product auto-categorisation algorithm to look at new and unseen product titles to predict the category they should be in at scale.

“We turned to Google Cloud because we were looking for a like-minded, fast-moving tech company that could complement our rapidly growing business. Most importantly, we needed a platform that we could trust with our data, which is hugely important to us, both as a business and as part of our commitment to our customers. We are excited for Google Cloud to support us on our mission to change online retail for the better, with the power and flexibility to support the adoption of new tools and systems in the future,” said Cas Paton, Founder and CEO, OnBuy.

Adrian Poole, UKI Digital Natives, Google Cloud, adds: “The online retail market is undergoing significant modernisation, and it is great to see how our expertise in cloud management, data analytics, and AI is supporting important industry players like OnBuy to navigate this change. We believe we can be a critical innovation partner at this pivotal time in OnBuy’s growth journey.”

About OnBuy

With over 6 million customers, OnBuy is the largest UK marketplace and the first to offer instant Cashback on every product across its site. 

Founded by Cas Paton in 2016, OnBuy is recognised as one of the fastest growing British tech challenger brands providing customers with a simple way to earn and spend cashback instantly as they shop. OnBuy has been listed in the FT1000 of Europe’s fastest-growing companies and the Deloitte Fast 50 for three years running, as well as the Deloitte EMEA Tech Fast 500 in 2024.

The company’s vision is clear: to offer the best choice for every customer and every seller. As a pure online marketplace that does not stock its own inventory, the platform sets itself apart by partnering with retailers, rather than competing against them. This unique approach has enabled OnBuy to revolutionise cashback rewards in the online marketplace to deliver tangible cumulative value for customers, whilst offering simple fees and clear policies for sellers, as well as the continuous advice and support they require in order to succeed. 

With millions of products spanning categories such as electricals, toys, beauty, and home & garden, thousands of verified online retailers are empowered to offer competitive prices and exceptional value to consumers. 

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/onbuy-chooses-google-cloud-to-scale-its-marketplace-internationally-302270119.html

SOURCE Google Cloud

LONDON, Oct. 9, 2024 /CNW/ — Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced Jack Eastwood as Senior Underwriter, Cyber, with immediate effect. His arrival underpins Markel’s commitment to investing in top-tier talent to continue enhancing its product and service offerings and underwriting expertise for broker partners. 

Eastwood takes up his position as a senior member of Markel’s Cyber & Technology team, where he’ll be responsible for working closely alongside the cyber leadership colleagues to develop and drive the organisation’s cyber underwriting strategy in London. He’ll play an important role as a senior underwriting leader, involved in all aspects of the Markel Cyber & Technology portfolio. Eastwood’s appointment will further strengthen Markel’s underwriting services and capabilities so it can continue serving broker partners and end-clients in an effective manner.

Previously, Eastwood spent more than 13 years at AIG, where he started out as a financial lines underwriter specialising in professional liability and cyber risk before progressing to the role of Team Leader – Cyber & Technology at the firm. Prior to this position, he was employed as a broker at Griffiths & Armour for more than four years.

Eastwood will be based at Markel’s London office and report directly to Dan Fox, Head of Cyber at Markel.

Fox commented: “I’m delighted to announce Jack Eastwood who has joined our London Cyber team in a senior underwriter capacity. His deep sector knowledge and expertise complements our existing cyber underwriting capabilities and will help position us for further profitable growth, so we can continue serving clients and brokers in the most effective way possible. We look forward to seeing Jack’s contributions and efforts over the coming months.”

Christopher Burgess, Director of Cyber, at Markel added: “We’re delighted to welcome Jack to our growing Cyber team here in London. His cross-functional skillset in broking, financial lines underwriting and portfolio management will be of paramount importance as we continue to drive profitable growth in the UK and internationally and firmly establish ourselves as a leading insurer and trusted risk management partner for customers.” 

About Markel
We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our people—and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients—that differentiates us worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/markel-further-enhances-its-cyber-underwriting-capabilities-and-expertise-with-senior-underwriter-hire-302270301.html

SOURCE Markel

LONDON, Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Incubeta, a global digital marketing leader, today announced its successful implementation of Gemini for Google Workspace, showcasing the transformative power of generative AI (gen AI)  for businesses. With Gemini for Workspace, Gemini—Google’s AI-powered assistant—is built right into the collaboration apps relied on by more than 3 billion users and over 10 million paying customers, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more.

Incubeta has leveraged Gemini for Google Workspace to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and unlock new levels of creativity across various teams, including client delivery. Incubeta’s experience with Gemini highlights the platform’s versatility and ease of use. A company-wide trial and internal knowledge-sharing initiatives fostered rapid adoption across the organization. Key benefits have included:

Increased Efficiency: Gemini’s AI-powered tools, such as Help Me Write and Gemini Search, have significantly reduced time spent on tasks like client prep time, email and document creation, and market research, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities.Enhanced Creativity: Gemini has empowered Incubeta’s teams to explore new creative possibilities, generating innovative marketing campaigns and delivering more impactful results for clients by driving production time down from days to minutes.Improved Collaboration: Gemini has helped to foster a more collaborative environment, enabling teams to share knowledge and insights more effectively.Streamlined Reporting and Insights: Incubeta is using Gemini to curate proactive, conversational, and context-driven insights for its clients, resulting in up to 50% ROI improvement for short-term campaigns.

“Gemini has revolutionized the way we work,” says Rob Ratcliffe, Group CIO, at Incubeta. “From our development teams streamlining code refinements to our client teams automating mundane tasks, Gemini has freed up valuable time and resources, allowing us to focus on delivering exceptional results for our clients. Gemini has not only saved us time but has also unlocked creativity, offering new opportunities for teams to experiment with image curation, ad copy generation, and the ability to think about client campaigns with a fresh perspective,” adds Rob.

“Incubeta’s success with Gemini for Google Workspace is a testament to the platform’s ability to empower businesses with AI,” says Justin Anderson, Director, Google Workspace UK/I, Google Cloud. “By embracing Gemini’s capabilities, Incubeta is enhancing productivity, streamlining workflows, and fostering a culture of innovation. We’re excited to see how Gemini continues to help Incubeta deliver exceptional value to their clients and achieve their business goals.”

Today, more than 100,000 organizations empower their employees with Gemini for Google Workspace as a powerful collaboration partner that can act as a coach, source of inspiration and productivity booster – all while ensuring that each user and organization has control over their data. Incubeta’s successful implementation of Gemini for Workspace underscores the growing importance of deploying gen AI in the modern workplace. Incubeta is paving the way in demonstrating the tangible benefits for businesses seeking to boost productivity, spark innovation, and accelerate growth.

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

About Incubeta

Incubeta is a digital marketing company built specifically to help businesses upgrade their growth. An international team of experts in marketing technology, data, media and creative – Incubeta is a team of over 800 creators, thinkers, makers and doers.

Present worldwide, Incubeta is a performance marketing specialist that uses the power of digital to unlock and amplify business growth potential through localized digital solutions of global scale. With 20+ years of experience in the digital space, Incubeta puts the ownership of data, and control of customer experience back in the hands of the advertiser – while harnessing the power of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/incubeta-drives-ai-performance-with-adoption-of-gemini-for-google-workspace-302270133.html

SOURCE Google Cloud