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Anime Creator and Culture Brand Azuki Taps Steve Chung as New COO

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Former FOX and CJ ENM executive Chung joins Azuki with over two decades of experience across Hollywood, Korean entertainment and Silicon Valley

LOS ANGELES, June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Azuki, an anime community platform and digital art collection, today announced the hiring of Steve Chung as the company’s inaugural Chief Operating Officer. Chung is a veteran media and technology executive with nearly two decades of experience driving growth for some of the biggest names in Hollywood, Korean media and Silicon Valley. In this new role, Chung will spearhead the growth and expansion of Azuki as one of the hottest start-ups in the rapidly growing anime industry, helping to shape its vision for the future of anime entertainment.

“Even as a new entrant, Azuki already has a proven track record of building a passionate community and has a clear vision of how to build IP and experiences tailor made for anime fans, working alongside some of the greatest creators in the industry to achieve something that’s never been done before,” said Chung. “I am thrilled to join this world-class team to develop the next generation powerhouse in the industry as anime content and consumers quickly expand to become an ever more important and mainstream segment of global media.”

Under Chung’s leadership, Azuki will expand its presence in both the anime and entertainment industries, with a strong roadmap of new content and products. Central to this effort will be leveraging his expertise in web2 traditional media to bridge Azuki’s web3 brand into this new market. As the transition from web2 to web3 accelerates, Chung will play a pivotal role in positioning Azuki to capitalize on this new media landscape. He will lead key growth initiatives for Azuki, leveraging his extensive knowledge of media and brand development to secure partnerships and collaborations with anime creators as well as other leading brands in entertainment.

Chung will also separately be signing up as a contributor and be closely involved with the launch of AnimeChain, a blockchain network designed for and by anime fans that will act as the first step in redefining anime community engagement.

Prior to joining Azuki, Chung served as the Chief Global Officer for CJ ENM, one of the largest Korean mass media companies that has created hit K-dramas, television series, movies and musicals, also serving as the CEO of America to drive the “K-wave” expansion in North America. Chung also has extensive experience working in Hollywood, serving as the Chief Growth Officer for Fox and was responsible for incubating strategic projects and launching new products in direct-to-consumer streaming experiences. Starting his career at Goldman Sachs in New York, he previously served as Executive Producer of a prime-time talk show in China for the Shanghai Media Group and has experience taking a start-up from founding to a publicly-traded company in Silicon Valley.

Chung is recognized as one of the most influential media executives in the industry today and is currently a member of the Gold House A100 List, a list of the most impactful Asian Americans working in media and tech. Chung holds an MBA from Stanford University, with an undergraduate degree from Harvard where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

About Azuki

Azuki is an anime brand revolutionizing the future of anime by developing decentralized IPs and enriching the fandom experience with innovative blockchain products. Founded at the intersection of art, technology, and culture, Azuki emphasizes co-creation with its community, ownership of collectibles, and aims to shape and expand anime culture to all corners of the world.

Contact:
Azuki@mgroupsc.com

 

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SOURCE Azuki

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DayOne Launches as an Independent Global Data Center Pioneer Following Series B Funding Closure

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SINGAPORE, Jan. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DayOne, a leading global data center pioneer, officially launched as an independent group on January 1, 2025, ushering in a transformative new era following the successful completion of its series B funding, led by renowned global investment institutions. Formerly operating as GDS International (GDSI), DayOne, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Singapore, has built a proven track record of creating and scaling markets across Asia-Pacific and beyond, driving digital transformation and enhancing regional connectivity.

The brand name “DayOne” encapsulates the company’s entrepreneurial spirit and relentless focus on customers, innovation, and growth. It signifies a mindset of respecting each day as an opportunity to embrace new possibilities, create impactful solutions, and deliver value across the markets we operate in. Inspired by its legacy of pioneering digital infrastructure and unlocking markets, “DayOne” represents a forward-looking commitment to empowering industry leaders with next-generation infrastructure solutions. Guided by humility and a deep reverence for our work and the industries we serve, “DayOne” is dedicated to creating value for all—spanning customers, business partners, investors, employees, and the communities we support.

Over the past year, DayOne secured approximately USD $1.9 billion through its Series A and Series B equity rounds, backed by world-class investors such as SoftBank Vision Fund, Kenneth Griffin, CEO of Citadel, Coatue Management, and Baupost Group.

These investments have not only underscored confidence in DayOne’s ability to deliver reliable, scalable, and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions but have also paved the way for its transformation into an autonomous entity. DayOne’s autonomy spans corporate governance, operations, finance, and technology functions. Its governance is further strengthened by a globally experienced and diverse board, with over half comprising independent investor directors.

Adding to its strategic depth, DayOne recently welcomed three esteemed board leaders: Lim Ah Doo, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of Olam Group Limited; and board advisors Ken Miyauchi, former President & CEO of SoftBank Corp., and Bob McCooey, Vice Chairman of Nasdaq. This robust governance framework ensures balanced decision-making aligned with international best practices, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth and long-term value creation.        

“The trust from our investors speaks volumes about the strength of DayOne’s vision and our ability to deliver transformative results in a rapidly evolving industry,” said William Huang, Chairman of DayOne. “This transformation goes beyond operational independence— it solidifies our role as a leader in setting new industry benchmarks, advancing regional digital growth, and championing sustainable innovation.”

Jamie Khoo, CEO of DayOne, said: “DayOne represents more than a new name—it’s a commitment to leading with purpose, agility, and innovation. Our focus is on delivering cutting-edge digital infrastructure that propels industries and communities forward. This new chapter empowers us to create lasting impacts on economies and build a future-ready digital ecosystem.”

Gary Wojtaszek, Vice-Chairman of the Board and former President and CEO of CyrusOne, stated: “The formation of DayOne marks a pivotal moment for the industry. Backed by a forward-thinking board and an exceptional leadership team, DayOne is set to redefine digital infrastructure and establish new benchmarks in the sector.”

Operating across key markets such as Singapore, Johor (Malaysia), Batam (Indonesia), Greater Bangkok, Hong Kong SAR, and Tokyo, DayOne combines deep local expertise with a global vision to meet the growing demands of hyperscalers and enterprises. Its innovative strategies, such as the SIJORI market creation, integrate the strengths of Singapore, Johor, and Batam to deliver interconnected, scalable, low-latency, and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions.

DayOne’s competitive edge lies in its ability to anticipate market demands and deliver customer-centric solutions. With a focus on innovation, the company consistently sets industry benchmarks in speed, scalability, and execution. Its sustainability efforts include cutting-edge cooling technologies, renewable energy adoption, and green building designs aimed at reducing environmental impact and enhancing operational resilience.

Looking ahead, DayOne envisions a future where digital infrastructure fuels economic transformation and accelerates global connectivity. By integrating sustainability with advanced technology, DayOne is poised to drive innovation and empower industries worldwide.

About DayOne

DayOne is a data center pioneer that develops and operates next-gen digital infrastructure for industry leaders who demand reliable, cost-effective and quickly scalable solutions.

Our cutting-edge facilities empower hyperscalers and large enterprises to achieve rapid deployment and enhance connectivity, driving transformative engagement and innovation as we shape the future of industries. DayOne’s data centers are located across key markets, including Singapore, Johor (Malaysia), Batam (Indonesia), Greater Bangkok, Hong Kong SAR, Tokyo, and beyond.

Headquartered in Singapore, DayOne’s leadership team draws on over two decades of industry experience and a track record of building Asia’s largest data center business. With DayOne, they have created the SIJORI (Singapore, Johor, and Riau Islands) market as a global data center hub.

As demand for strategically located and customized data centers rises, DayOne’s entrepreneurial spirit, customer-first strategy, deep local partnerships, and agile executional capabilities uniquely position us to power the growth ambitions of leading hyperscalers and large enterprises around the world.

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SOURCE DayOne Data Centers

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Altice USA (Optimum) Has Dropped MSG Networks, Depriving Local Fans of Hundreds of Live, Exclusive Games of Their Favorite Teams

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Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils Coverage on MSG Networks is Dark for Optimum Subscribers

For More Information, Please Visit KEEPMSG.COM

NEW YORK, Jan. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Despite MSG Networks’ extensive efforts to reach an agreement, Altice USA has dropped MSG Networks from its Optimum channel lineup in the tri-state area, leaving passionate Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils fans out in the cold this winter.   

MSG Networks issued the following statement:

“As a last-ditch effort to save their struggling business at the expense of subscribers, Altice is trying to charge their customers more and give them less. They just raised prices – nearly 50% for current Optimum subscribers and 70% for new Optimum subscribers (after expiration of a promotional offer) for the package that had included MSG Networks – and cut access to the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Devils and more on MSG Networks.  We offered Altice a number of fair and reasonable proposals that called for Altice to pay us less than last year. Altice rejected all of them, including our offer to keep MSG Networks on the air while we continued to try to reach a deal.  We remain ready to negotiate in good faith.”

In addition:

The previous Optimum Core TV package – which included MSG Networks and includes other sports channels – increased from $95 to $140/month, nearly a 50% increase.Now, following Altice’s introduction of its new packages just a few weeks ago, the most “affordable” new package that had offered MSG Networks prior to the drop is $160/month – that is almost 70% more than what Optimum customers paid before.MSG Networks offered Altice the same fair and reasonable terms that other major providers accepted. And now Altice’s own customers are paying the price to bolster Altice’s bottom line with dramatic price hikes and unreasonable proposals to programmers.Optimum subscribers are encouraged to visit KEEPMSG.COM for more information, including on how switch providers or to find other options for watching MSG Networks’ award-winning programming.NBA and NHL telecasts appearing on MSG Networks regularly rank as some of the most-watched cable programs in the region. 

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)

 

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SOURCE Sphere Entertainment Co.

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CES 2025: viaim Unveils Smart Office Tools RecDot and NoteKit with Exclusive Limited-Time Early Access

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The brand’s early bird event gives professionals the chance to be the first to experience an unprecedented office experience with exclusive discounts and surprises.

SINGAPORE, Jan. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — viaim, an AI technology hardware company deeply rooted in the smart office sector, is ushering in a new smart office era with its mission to create AI that eliminates repetitive office tasks, enabling business professionals to focus on collaboration, innovation, and more meaningful work. The Company’s upcoming debut at CES 2025 will see the launch of its RecDot AI Work companion earbuds and NoteKit desktop AI recorder that can simplify workflows. viaim AI offers advanced features to enhance productivity and convenience. Its AI assistant analyzes meeting minutes, extracts key points, and generates summaries and to-do lists, simplifying post-meeting tasks.

Empowering business professionals around the world to work smarter and more efficiently, RecDot supports real-time transcription and translation for on-site, call, and audio-video recordings. With translation capabilities in 13 languages, it ensures seamless communication and 48dB deep noise reduction isolates background noise effectively, customizable for various scenarios. Additionally, the 36-hour charging box battery life offers up to 9 hours per use and provides one hour of use with just a 5-minute charge. viaim’s products can streamline meeting workflows and the real-time transcription, translation, and summarization features simplify tasks and improve focus, making it ideal for multinational or foreign-language meetings. 

Additionally, the sleek-like-a-pen NoteKit desktop AI recorder plugs directly into a laptop without the need to connect earbuds or additional drivers. It utilizes dual microphones for omnidirectional sound pickup to record audio independently and can clearly capture human voices within five meters and can be independently controlled through physical buttons. It supports transcription of live and audio and video conference recordings, supports recognition and translation of 13 languages, and can provide external subtitles for foreign language videos.

To celebrate the launch, viaim invites users to participate in its exclusive early bird event from January 1 to January 6, 2025. Don’t miss your chance—register now on viaim’s official website (store.viaim.ai) to secure discounts of up to $25 and enter for a chance to win a RecDot valued at $249 ,Time is limited, so act fast and elevate your workplace efficiency with viaim’s latest innovations!

Jane Doe,CMO of viaim said: “Professionals face growing challenges in efficiency and communication, especially with frequent meetings, remote collaboration across time zones, and multilingual needs. Traditional tools fall short, reducing productivity. viaim addresses these pain points, and this launch marks a key step toward smarter workplace solutions.”

Discover viaim at CES 2025 and join the immersive experience at Booth 36709, LVCC South Hall 2, from January 7 to 10. Explore live product demonstrations, engage in expert-led discussions, and enjoy exclusive offers.  Learn how RecDot and NoteKit can transform your workday and unlock new levels of productivity.

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SOURCE VIAIM

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