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Sinch Releases 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Predictions

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Personalization, Conversational Commerce, and Trust Define This Year’s Shopping Season

ATLANTA  and STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) – XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, has released its predictions for the 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BF/CM) shopping season. Based on insights from Sinch’s 2024 Consumer BF/CM Survey, conducted across the US, UK, Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, and Australia, the company forecasts that this year’s shopping trends will be dominated by personalization, conversational commerce, and secure communication technologies. 

With retailers preparing for what could be another record-breaking shopping season, millions of consumers are expected to engage with brands during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Sinch predicts a significant shift in how businesses will use communication technologies to enhance customer experiences, drive sales, and ensure security during these high-traffic sales events. 

In 2023, mobile messaging played a pivotal role in retail communications, with SMS, RCS, and WhatsApp at the forefront. Sinch processed over 4 billion messages globally during Cyber Week, including more than 800 million SMS messages on Black Friday, marking a 22.65% increase in activity compared to 2022. This rise mirrored a 7.4% increase in U.S. Black Friday spending and a 9.6% increase on Cyber Monday, highlighting the growing reliance on direct communication channels during these key shopping events. 

Sinch’s Key Predictions for 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday 

Omnichannel Promotions Will Drive Engagement: 

According to Sinch’s 2024 Consumer BF/CM Survey, omnichannel engagement will be crucial, with 77.9% of consumers preferring to receive promotions through two or more channels. 61.3% of shoppers expect to receive holiday promotions via email, while 44.9% favor at least one mobile messaging channel. Furthermore, 51.2% of consumers stated they are likely to engage with interactive campaigns delivered via messaging apps, demonstrating the increasing importance of immersive, mobile-first experiences. 

Elevating Holiday Engagement with AI and RCS: 

In 2024, personalization will be more about how brands can deliver tailored experiences seamlessly, and AI-driven automation will be key to making this happen. Nearly 80% of consumers want personalized recommendations during the holiday season, and with RCS adoption growing—especially with iOS 18 support—brands can elevate customer engagement like never before. RCS allows companies to offer rich media content, such as product demos and embedded payment options, directly within messaging apps, creating a frictionless experience.  

According to Sinch’s 2024 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Survey, 51.2% of respondents said they would engage with interactive holiday campaigns sent directly to their messaging application, like RCS. This combination of AI-powered targeting and RCS’s multimedia and in-message purchasing capabilities will enable brands to deliver hyper-targeted promotions and offers, boosting both interaction and conversion rates while making the customer journey smoother and more engaging. 

Consumers Demand Instant, Reliable Transactional Messaging: 
The Sinch 2024 Consumer BF/CM Survey also revealed that nearly 50% of consumers expect to receive an order confirmation immediately after making a purchase, emphasizing the importance of fast and reliable transactional messaging during peak sales periods. Additionally, 94.4% of consumers indicated that transactional messages—such as order confirmations—are somewhat or very important. Multiple channels are key, with 30% of respondents preferring to receive transactional notifications through both email (75.1%) and SMS (42.9%). 

Conversational Commerce Will Enhance Customer Engagement: 
Sinch forecasts that conversational commerce will take center stage this holiday season, with consumers increasingly engaging with AI-powered chatbots. The survey shows that 56.6% of shoppers want to use chatbots to track order status, while 45.8% want to learn more about products before making a purchase, and 43.2% value accessing customer service outside business hours. This growing preference for interactive, AI-driven support will streamline the shopping journey and foster deeper customer engagement. 

By leveraging Sinch’s suite of messaging solutions—including RCS, AI-driven automation, and verified communications—brands can deliver personalized, secure, and engaging experiences that align with 2024’s shopping trends. These tools will be instrumental in helping businesses build long-term customer loyalty and achieve success during peak sales periods. 

“Retailers need to be prepared for the evolving expectations of today’s digitally savvy shoppers,” said Virginie Debris, SVP of Messaging Product. “Our predictions for 2024 emphasize the growing importance of omnichannel, personalized, and secure communications in driving customer engagement and sales. Sinch is dedicated to providing the cutting-edge tools businesses need to excel in this competitive landscape.” 

For more information about Sinch’s Global 2024 Consumer BF/CM survey or to learn more about Sinch please visit sinch.com 

For more information please contact:
Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications
janet.lennon@sinch.com |1.206.914.6175

 

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

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KNEX Technology CTO Gustavo Gonzalez Elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG

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Gustavo Gonzalez, KNEX Technology’s CTO, has been elected 2025 President-Elect of OATUG, emphasizing his dedication to Oracle innovation, collaboration, and leadership, including Ascend 2025’s strategic initiatives.

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — KNEX Technology, a leading Oracle Cloud solutions provider, is proud to announce that its Chief Technology Officer, Gustavo Gonzalez, has been elected as the 2025 President-Elect of the Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG). This esteemed appointment highlights Gonzalez’s longstanding commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration within the Oracle community.

OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career. As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.

In his new role, Gonzalez will work closely with the OATUG leadership team throughout 2025, preparing to serve as OATUG President in 2026. He will focus on empowering Oracle professionals worldwide by fostering knowledge-sharing, community engagement, and professional development. OATUG, a globally recognized organization, supports its members in overcoming challenges, enhancing the value of Oracle solutions, and driving organizational success.

“OATUG has played a pivotal role in my professional growth, and it is a privilege to contribute to this community which has enriched my career,” said Gustavo Gonzalez. “As President-Elect, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to strengthen the Oracle user community and further its impact on businesses worldwide.”

Gonzalez’s election underscores his dedication to giving back to the Oracle ecosystem. A key focus of his role will include shaping OATUG’s strategic initiatives, such as the annual Ascend Conference, which unites Oracle users, thought leaders, and technology innovators for unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

The upcoming Ascend 2025 Conference, scheduled for June 8–11 in Orlando, Florida, promises to build on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted more than 1,800 attendees. With early bird registration now open, Gonzalez aims to ensure the conference continues to deliver transformative insights and experiences for the Oracle community.

About OATUG

The Oracle Applications & Technology Users Group (OATUG) is the premier global organization for Oracle users, providing year-round education, networking, and advocacy. OATUG empowers its members to unlock the full potential of Oracle solutions, fostering innovation and collaboration across industries.

About KNEX Technology

KNEX Technology is a trusted leader in Oracle Cloud solutions, delivering cutting-edge products and services to help businesses achieve their objectives. Through its innovative approach and customer-focused strategies, KNEX enables organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s technology landscape. For more information, visit www.knextech.com.

Media Contact

Husna Gyasi, KNEX Technology, 1 (949) 232-0786, husna.ghayaisi@knextech.com, https://knextech.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

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SOURCE KNEX Technology

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Dr. Gerard van Belle Appointed Director of Science at Lowell Observatory, Charting a Bold Future for Research

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Dr. van Belle to guide scientific exploration and foster innovation in the next era of astronomical research

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lowell Observatory is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gerard van Belle as the new Director of Science. Van Belle, who has been an astronomer at the observatory since 2011, has been serving as the interim Director of Science.

In his new role, van Belle will lead a diverse team of astronomers and planetary scientists. He will spearhead the observatory’s new Science Vision, which focuses on advancing research capabilities and implementing cutting-edge technological improvements supporting Lowell’s leadership in astronomical research.

Under his leadership, the science department will continue to advance Lowell Observatory’s mission to pursue the study of astronomy, including the study of our solar system and its evolution, and to conduct pure research in astrophysical phenomena.

Van Belle’s own research focuses on fundamental stellar parameters, including the sizes, shapes, masses, distances, and temperatures of various types of stars. He is also renowned for his expertise in optical and near-infrared astronomical interferometry.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from Whitman College in 1990, followed by a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University in 1993, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wyoming in 1996.

Throughout his career, van Belle has been instrumental in the development and commissioning of major optical interferometers worldwide, including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer, the Keck Interferometer, and the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. His pioneering work in stellar surface imaging earned him the inaugural Edward Stone Award for Outstanding Research Publication at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2002.

In 2011, van Belle joined Lowell Observatory’s science staff, where he applied high-resolution astronomical techniques to detect nearby exoplanets and map stellar surfaces. He served as the Director of the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona, from 2017 to 2018, and subsequently as its Chief Scientist until 2022.

Notably, van Belle was among the astronomers who voted against the definition of ‘planet’ advanced during the 2006 International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference in Prague, which relegated Pluto to being a ‘dwarf planet’ (which according to the IAU resolution is not a planet).

His extensive experience and dedication to advancing astronomical research make him a valuable leader for Lowell Observatory’s scientific endeavors.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Lowell Observatory,” said van Belle. “Our Science Vision will guide us in exploring new frontiers in astronomy while strengthening our commitment to public engagement and education.”

Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh expressed her confidence in van Belle’s leadership: “Gerard’s extensive experience and dedication to our mission make him the ideal person to lead our scientific endeavors. I look forward to working closely with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for Lowell Observatory.”

For more information about Lowell Observatory’s research and public programs, visit lowell.edu.

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dr-gerard-van-belle-appointed-director-of-science-at-lowell-observatory-charting-a-bold-future-for-research-302348440.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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ALTICE USA IS ABANDONING LOCAL SPORTS FANS AND IS KEEPING MSG NETWORKS AND ITS KNICKS, RANGERS, ISLANDERS AND DEVILS COVERAGE OFF THE AIR

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NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MSG Networks released the following statement about their dispute with Altice USA:

“Altice USA has pulled their last proposal and walked away from negotiations to bring MSG Networks back to its Optimum subscribers. They also just dropped WPIX Channel 11 in New York and other local stations around the country. If you have been waiting, like we have, for them to do right by their customers – don’t wait any longer. Now is the time to switch to Verizon Fios who has a special offer for Optimum subscribers. Meanwhile, Optimum has been charging their over 1 million customers for local sports programming they have not been receiving and EVERY subscriber should be credited at least $10 a month.

Verizon Fios is ready to take your business. If you are not in Verizon Fios area, you can get games through these other providers DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Fubo and The Gotham Sports App. For more options on how to switch providers, visit www.keepMSG.com.”

About MSG Networks

MSG Networks, a pioneer in sports media, owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks (MSG and MSG Sportsnet) and MSG+, a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming offering (included in the Gotham Sports App), that serve the nation’s number one media market, the New York DMA, as well as other portions of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The networks feature a wide range of compelling sports content, including exclusive live local games and other programming of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, as well as significant coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. This content, in addition to a diverse array of other sporting events and critically acclaimed original programming, has established MSG Networks as the gold standard in regional sports. MSG Networks is part of the Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR).

Contact:

Dan Schoenberg (dan.schoenberg@msg.com)

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altice-usa-is-abandoning-local-sports-fans-and-is-keeping-msg-networks-and-its-knicks-rangers-islanders-and-devils-coverage-off-the-air-302348428.html

SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

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