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Waterdrop Inc. Released 2023 ESG Report: Adhere to both Sci-tech Innovation and Social Responsibility

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BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Waterdrop Inc. released its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report 2023 (“the Report”) in October. The Report details Waterdrop Inc.’s efforts in a number of key areas such as corporate governance, technology and innovation, inclusive protection and social responsibility, showcasing its ESG achievements in 2023 to the public. Due to its progress in ESG management, practices and information disclosures in 2023, the ESG rating score jumped to “A”, placing it among the industry leaders for the first time.

Over the past year, Waterdrop Inc. has innovated and explored various ESG areas. In terms of sci-tech innovation, the company continued to explore the application of big data, AI and blockchain technologies in the industry value chain. Regarding social responsibility, Waterdrop Inc. focused on critical illness relief and continued to support the elderly, rare disease patients and other special groups, and leveraged its product and technological advantages to help build an inclusive society. In environmental protection, the company actively responded to the “dual carbon” strategy, advocated green offices, reduced operational carbon emissions, and became a member of the Private Enterprises Green and Low Carbon Development Alliance. “Waterdrop Inc. is committed to providing the public with quality and inclusive insurance and health service solutions, actively practicing the concept of sustainable development, and continuously deepening the integration of corporate strategy and social responsibility. These commitments and actions are the top priorities of our ESG practice.” Shen Peng, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Waterdrop Inc., emphasized this in the Report.

Commitment to Sci-tech Innovation: RMB 299 Million Invested in R&D in 2023.

“Developing new quality productive forces is an intrinsic requirement and an important focus of promoting high-quality development, and we need to continue to well leverage innovation to speed up the development of new quality productive forces.” The Report reveals that the R&D investment of Waterdrop Inc. reached RMB 299 million in 2023. The company aims to apply emerging digital technologies to its products and services, continuously improving efficiency and providing users with higher-quality service.

In 2023, Waterdrop Inc. deployed the “Waterdrop Guardian” large language model, specifically designed for the insurance sector. This model covers a variety of business scenarios, including consulting, underwriting, and claims settlement. To enable autonomous real-time communication with users and improve interaction efficiency, Waterdrop Inc. also developed an “AI Insurance Consultant”. Additionally, the company developed Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace claims service system “Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace•Bangbang”, creating a comprehensive claims assistance framework that helps users with “online claim applications, claim material reviews, notification and conclusion interpretations, and claim dispute mediation.” As of 31 December 2023, the coverage rate of claims interpretation using “AI + manpower” function reached 99%.

Waterdrop Inc. places high importance on the application and protection of innovation outcomes. The company strictly adheres to relevant laws and regulations such as the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China, and the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China, continually improving the Group’s intellectual property management system. In 2023, Waterdrop Inc. obtained 38 authorized patents, 132 registered trademarks and completed 20 copyright registrations. The company also successfully passed the qualification review of “National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise” and was included in Beijing’s first batch of “Demonstration Base for Trade Secret Protection”.

Embracing Social Responsibilities: Contributing to the Multi-tiered Medical Protection System

To address critical illness assistance challenges, Waterdrop Inc. leverages its industry insights and product and technology advantages to innovate and explore solutions in this field. Utilizing multiple platforms such as Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding and Waterdrop Charity Platform, the company collaborates with social forces to help improve the multi-tiered medical protection system and promote high-quality development of medical security.

In 2023, as a member organization, Waterdrop Inc. actively participated in the construction of multi-tiered medical protection systems such as “Jin Qing Bang” and “Hai Hui Bang”. By the end of 2023, 1,003 patients had applied for assistance through the “Hai Hui Bang” platform, with the total amount of multi-level medical assistance reaching RMB 13.663 million. The “Jin Qing Bang” application achieved medical service usage monitoring for the entire population within Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province. It conducted 5.2 million automatic screenings, identified 13,000 patients with high out-of-pocket medical expenses, and facilitated social participation in relief funds totaling RMB 11.676 million. Waterdrop Inc.’s involvement in the multi-tiered medical protection system was featured as an exemplary case in the Blue Book of Medical Protection (2023) and won the 2023 Public Welfare Project of the 8th China Public Welfare Annual Meeting, among other accolades, providing valuable insights for the development of national multi-tiered medical protection system.

Waterdrop Inc. continues to expand the availability of the Rural Revitalization Insurance. In June 2023, the company donated Waterdrop Rural Revitalization Insurance to 1,471 villagers in Zhongtanbao Village, Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, with a total sum insured of RMB 280 million. Furthermore, by the end of 2023, the “Waterdrop Rural Clinics” initiative had established 139 rural clinics across 12 provinces, including Xinjiang, Sichuan, Shandong, Fujian, Guizhou, Yunnan, etc., benefiting more than 500,000 people.

In 2023, as charity-related laws and regulations continued to improve, the Waterdrop Inc., designated as an internet-based public fundraising information platform by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, collaborated with 41 charitable organizations and launched 322 public welfare projects. The platform actively works to create a more transparent, efficient, and targeted internet charity ecosystem, valuing and protecting every act of kindness from hundreds of millions of philanthropists.

Since its establishment, Waterdrop Inc. has placed a high emphasis on fulfilling its social responsibility and integrating sustainable development into the company’s corporate genes. Over the past year, while developing its business, Waterdrop Inc. has actively assumed corporate social responsibilities, implemented the principle of sustainable development, and taken practical actions to foster harmonious coexistence among the enterprise, society, and the environment. Looking ahead, Waterdrop Inc. will continue to uphold its entrepreneurial spirit and pursue high-quality development, giving back to society and aligning its growth with national strategies and the industry’s progress.

CONTACT: Bin Hou, houbin11@shuidi-inc.com

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SOURCE Waterdrop Inc.

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Lexmark Showcases New Printers and Technology Solutions for Retailers at NRF 2025

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NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lexmark, a global imaging and IoT solutions leader, will showcase its cutting-edge, retail-ready printers and solutions at NRF 2025, Retail’s Big Show and Expo, Jan. 12 to 14, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York. The Lexmark showcase will be in booth #6321.

“Lexmark kicks off the year with a bang by showcasing our latest 9-Series family of A3 printers and MFPs at NRF for the first time,” said Tim Speller, Lexmark’s head of retail and manufacturing. “These sophisticated devices will usher in a new era of opportunity for retailers to maximize operational efficiency while increasing sales.”

Here’s what will be on display in Lexmark booth #6321:

New Lexmark 9-Series printers and MFPs are designed for challenging retail environments

Built by evolving Lexmark’s renowned A4 technology, the 9-Series delivers versatility, simplicity and sustainability. These solutions are easy to use and manage – perfect for any retail salesfloor or back office.

Key highlights of 9-Series:

Versatile and easy to use. The 9-Series offers a broad range of media size support (A6 to SRA3), high-volume duty cycles, a common set of modular paper-handling options, finishing capabilities and professional color features including PANTONE® calibration.Simple and easy to manage. The 9-Series’ intuitive interface streamlines workflows by providing simple instructions and prompts. For routine maintenance, toner cartridges can be replaced with one hand, easily understood visual cues are displayed, and serviceable areas are easy to access and identify.Sustainable and easy to feel good about. The 9-Series’ total post-consumer recycled (PCR) content is 56% by weight for all base-model MFPs and 73% by weight for the line’s base-model printer, based on IEEE calculation procedures. *Built to last. The 9-Series is designed and built to last seven years or more. Having few components helps reduce the likelihood of technical failure while also minimizing the service time required for repairs and maintenance. Experienced technicians can perform most common service actions, even highly complex tasks, in less than 15 minutes, according to Lexmark testing.

Lexmark Engagement Automation Platform (LEAP) helps retailers drive sales and foot traffic with hyper-local social media ads

LEAP automates one-to-one promotions that drive footfall to local stores. Store leaders can trigger hyper-personalized sale posts and boost ads based on individual store inventory conditions through loyalty program apps and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, LEAP provides the insights needed to measure success and make data-driven decisions.

Key highlights of LEAP:

Engagement: To engage shoppers, center promotions around customer buying patterns with an engagement automation platform that posts localized content – such as store-specific offers, events and locally grown produce initiatives.

Automation: Schedule and manage automatic localization and delivery of corporate promotional messaging with an engagement automation platform to reach consumers through social media with hyper-local content around each store or audience region.

Loyalty: Attract local customers with an engagement automation platform that sends store- and corporate-initiated offers to geo-fenced social media apps like Facebook and Instagram and loyalty program applications.

Supporting resources

Learn more about Lexmark’s booth at NRF 2025.

Read Lexmark’s NRF blog.

Schedule a booth meeting with our retail experts during NRF 2025.

Get more details about the Lexmark 9-Series.

Get more details about the Lexmark Engagement Automation Platform (LEAP).

Watch a video about LEAP.

Get the details on NRF 2025.

Follow us on LinkedIn for live NRF updates.

About Lexmark

Lexmark creates cloud-enabled imaging and IoT technologies that help customers worldwide quickly realize business outcomes. Through a powerful combination of proven technologies and deep industry expertise, Lexmark accelerates business transformation, turning information into insights, data into decisions, and analytics into action.

Lexmark and the Lexmark logo are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

* PCR content measured in accordance with IEEE Std 1680.2a™ – 2017 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Imaging Equipment – Amendment 1 — which is the standard used by EPEAT.

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SOURCE Lexmark

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Pricer and Focal Systems Announce Strategic Collaboration to Drive the Next Step in Physical Store Digitalization

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Pricer, a global leader in digital shelf-edge solutions, and Focal Systems, a leader in shelf-edge AI, today announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the digitization and optimization of the physical store for retailers worldwide.

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This collaboration brings together Pricer’s innovations in dynamic pricing and shelf-edge communication with Focal Systems’ advanced computer vision and product availability solutions to maximize shopper satisfaction while optimizing retail operations.

As a pioneer in enabling dynamic pricing and digitizing shelf-edge shopper communication, Pricer has led the first step of the retail digitalization journey. Focal Systems has pioneered the application of computer vision to digitizing what products are available on-shelf or not in near real-time. Together, Pricer and Focal Systems will empower retailers to improve labor efficiency, reduce out-of-stocks, increase sales, and enhance shopper satisfaction like never before.

Enhancing the Shelf Edge Through Collaboration

By integrating Focal Systems’ AI-powered shelf vision cameras with Pricer’s leading electronic shelf label (ESL) platform, retailers will benefit from:

Real-Time Shelf Insights: Automated detection and alerting of out-of-stock or low items powering rapid replenishment and increased shopper satisfactionDynamic Task Automation: Streamlined workflows and prioritized tasks to improve operational efficiency for store staff.Patented Innovation: Camera-based out of stock detection and communication, flashing ESLs, alternate location communication.Seamless Integration: Standardized API connections that deliver out-of-the-box value, offering synchronized ESL flashes, messaging updates, and shelf-edge intelligence.

Together, Pricer and Focal Systems demonstrate that the combined offerings deliver measurable value for the retailers by enabling a fully digitalized shelf-edge ecosystem.

Strategic Collaboration for the Future of Retail

“We are proud to combine our leadership in ESL technology with Focal Systems’ AI-powered shelf vision,” said Chris Chalkitis, CDO at Pricer. “Both companies share a belief in the digitalization of the physical store. Pricer has been a pioneer in dynamic pricing and shelf-edge communication. With Focal Systems, we take the next step, digitizing what’s on the shelf – and what’s not – to drive greater efficiency and performance for retailers.”

Focal Systems’ AI technology transforms retail operations through real-time shelf monitoring and replenishment task optimization.

“Partnering with Pricer, a global leader with groundbreaking ESL technology and innovation, creates tremendous value for retailers,” said Kevin H. Johnson, CEO at Focal Systems. “Together, we deliver an integrated, data-driven solution that reduces operational complexity, automates workflows, and enhances the in-store experience. We look forward to demonstrating this powerful collaboration to retailers and their customers.”

Showcasing the Future at NRF 2025

The collaboration will officially debut at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in January 2025, where Pricer and Focal Systems will showcase the integrated solution at Pricer’s booth. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey to redefine the shelf edge and set new standards for retail innovation.

For further information, please contact:
Chris Chalkitis, Chief Digital Officer, +46 70 4849812
Finn Wikander, Chief Product Officer, +46 705 233077
info@pricer.com

About Pricer

Pricer is a leading global provider of digital shelf-edge solutions, helping retailers optimize pricing, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the customer experience. With patented innovations like camera-based product identification by ESL, Pricer continues to set the standard for dynamic, intelligent shelf-edge solutions. For more information, visit www.pricer.com.

About Focal Systems

Focal Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered computer vision solutions, helping retailers automate operations and optimize product availability through real-time shelf monitoring. Its advanced technology delivers actionable insights that drive efficiency and profitability. For more information, visit www.focal.systems.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/pricer/r/pricer-and-focal-systems-announce-strategic-collaboration-to-drive-the-next-step-in-physical-store-d,c4090287

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Blue Owl Capital Expands Tennis Player Sponsorship to All Grand Slam Tournaments in 2025

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Blue Owl to place logo patches on dozens of athletes competing across the Australian Open,
French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open

Jordan Thompson named as Blue Owl’s dedicated athlete ambassador for the Australian Open

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”) (NYSE: OWL), a leading alternative asset manager, announced today a marquee sponsorship agreement to expand their presence at all Grand Slam tournaments in 2025 and become the exclusive financial services partner for professional tennis’ Player Patch Program.

Blue Owl’s logo will be featured on the shirt of select players competing across men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles competitions at this year’s Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open tournaments. In addition to Blue Owl’s presence on the courts, the firm will be featured in iconic Melbourne transit hubs, social media and digital media during the Australian Open in an effort to raise brand awareness within the country and the broader APAC market.

Blue Owl Chief Marketing Officer Suzanne Escousse said, “Just as Blue Owl is redefining alternative investing, we are supporting established and emerging professional players who are redefining the game of tennis. Tennis is a truly worldwide sport requiring peak performance in critical, high-pressure moments. This is the same ethos that underpins Blue Owl and allows us to focus on delivering results for our international client base. Following the success of our involvement with the Patch Program at the 2024 US Open, and given Blue Owl’s established presence within the country, Australia is the perfect place to kick off our presence across Grand Slam tournaments.”

Blue Owl has also partnered with Australian tennis professional Jordan Thompson, who will serve as the firm’s Athlete Ambassador at the 2025 Australian Open – January 12-26 in Melbourne. Most recently, Thompson won the men’s doubles at the 2024 US Open, where he was wearing a Blue Owl patch, and was a men’s doubles finalist at Wimbledon in 2024. He has also registered victories over several top-10-ranked opponents in singles competitions and previously represented Australia at the Olympics and the Davis Cup. Thompson will be one of several competitors wearing Blue Owl’s logo throughout the tournament.

Jordan Thompson said: “Blue Owl is focused on delivering excellence for its clients, which makes it a great fit for a partnership with professional tennis players. Support from firms like Blue Owl is tremendously beneficial for players who are preparing for career-defining events, especially the four Grand Slams. Our shared core values, including striving for success in every step of our journeys, whether that be in the financial services industry or competing as a professional athlete, is a perfect match. Alongside my coaches, my doubles teammate(s) and tennis fans, Blue Owl will play a key role for me here in Melbourne at the 2025 Australian Open.”

About Blue Owl

Blue Owl (NYSE: OWL) is a leading asset manager that is redefining alternatives.

With $235 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024, we invest across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, GP Strategic Capital, and Real Estate. Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, we provide businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation.

Together with over 1,050 experienced professionals, Blue Owl brings the vision and discipline to create the exceptional. To learn more, visit www.blueowl.com.

Media Contact

Nick Theccanat
Principal, Corporate Communications & Government Affairs
Nick.Theccanat@blueowl.com

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SOURCE Blue Owl Capital

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