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Abu Dhabi Announces Multifaceted Enhancements to Increase the 35%++ Cashback Rebate

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With a sliding-scale points system and clear qualifying criteria, productions have the opportunity to gain up to 50% total cashback rebateGuidelines have also been enhanced; supporting additional production formats, increased total financial support caps, and refined qualification and payout processAbu Dhabi was the first destination in region to offer a cashback rebate and has supported more than 170 major productions since its inception in 2013

ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC), part Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority (CMA), announced multi-layered enhancements for its film and TV production rebate offer. New guidelines will see global production companies afforded up to a 50% total cashback rebate, based on a clear set of criteria and sliding-scale points system.

With a baseline increase from 30% to 35%++ announced in Q3, the new rebate, starts for qualifying productions from 1 January 2025; with new qualifying formats, increased financial project caps and an improved process designed to strengthen and attract strategic investment into the film and TV production industry in Abu Dhabi.

Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director General of Creative Media Authority, said: “As pioneers of the rebate scheme in region, TV and film production continues to be a key pillar in the development of our creative industries and a strategic differentiator for the emirate. We have curated several levels of changes to the rebate which will continue to fuel global and regional interest in Abu Dhabi and contribute to the entire creative ecosystem. We look forward to welcoming new production partners, alongside strengthening our existing and previous relationships; driving the next phase of planned growth for the industry – working towards our goal of establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading film and TV production destination globally.”

“From a local perspective, the impact of the rebate on our economy is significant, with independent research showing for every dirham paid through one of the fastest payouts processes across the industry, more than three dirhams flows back into the economy,” he continued.

Enhanced Rebate Points System

ADFC’s enhanced rebate will offer additional uplift on top of the new 35% baseline with a maximum potential of 50% total rebate on in-market production and post-production costs, through meeting new criteria and seeking ADFC’s full and absolute approval.

The uplift has a points-based system where productions scoring between 10 to 14 points gain 2.5% uplift, in addition to the baseline of 35%, through to a 15% uplift on the baseline for productions scoring 85 points or above.

There are extensive ways in which production companies can score points, including featuring the UAE’s national history and culture in content; completing full postproduction activity in Abu Dhabi; main unit production in Abu Dhabi of a feature film and/or filming an entire TV series in the emirate.

New Eligible Formats

From 1 January 2025, the rebate will also be available for additional production formats, including reality TV, game shows, short films and animations. This expansion of formats bolsters the existing formats of feature films, TV series and programmes and TV commercials which have been supported since the introduction of the rebate in 2013.

New Higher Rebate Caps

The rebate initiative will also increase the caps on the total financial assistance production companies can gain from ADFC. Qualifying feature films, for example, will see this increase of Abu Dhabi Qualifying Production Expenditure (ADQPE) from US$5m to US$10m.

Refined Rebate Process

The final layer of rebate update is the streamlining of projected timelines for the rebate process itself. The interim certificate validity has increased from 60 days to 90 days – giving production teams an additional 30 days to start principal photography in Abu Dhabi, with an additional discretionary 120 days.

From the point the final certificate is issued towards the end of the rebate process, producers now will see paid funds in 30 business days (previously 60 business days) speeding up the already swift process.

Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission added: “The reception of our initial baseline increase from 30% to 35%++ in October was extremely positive and the team has since seen a surge of interest from across the world, which will no doubt surge again with these additional layers of detail we’re announcing now. Coupled with the financial stimulus into the economy, visiting productions also support talent across the board – from youth talent who gain access to some world-class learning and training opportunities, to established talent, including freelancers who are regularly employed on visiting sets. With more than a decade of experience hosting global and regional major productions, the team at ADFC is well versed in the nuances of film and TV production and has demonstrated over the years the ease of doing business here in Abu Dhabi.”

Ben Piltz, Unit Production Manager commented, “Having a rebate is super important for studio films and the rebate in Abu Dhabi is second to none – giving you a number of benefits that you don’t get elsewhere. The enhanced rebate is going to offer a lot for future projects, the increase in the cap is a massive benefit and being able to increase eligible spend to 50% by promoting Abu Dhabi and its culture or using local talent is something everyone will look at.”

Fuelling Abu Dhabi’s already extensive ecosystem, a significantly enhanced rebate financially benefits more than 800 locally-based media companies (more than 300 of whom are production specific) the 1000-strong freelancer talent pool, young individuals looking for training and internship opportunities and the new golden visa programme.

More than 170 major productions have visited Abu Dhabi in recent years including Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Disney, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Yes Raj Films, Tips, Clacket, Eagle Films and Universal Pictures. Films shot in Abu Dhabi include Dune, Dune: Part Two, F1, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 6 Underground and Furious 7, as well as Bollywood hits such as Vikram Vedha, Tiger Zinda Hai and Bharat.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2585963/Behind_the_Scenes.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/abu-dhabi-announces-multifaceted-enhancements-to-increase-the-35-cashback-rebate-302337194.html

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Orium and JIBE Partner to Bring Modern Commerce Solutions to More Businesses

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TORONTO, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Orium, the leading composable commerce specialist in the Americas, today announced a strategic investment in JIBE, a digital commerce agency known for its expertise in developing modern commerce solutions on the Shopify platform. This investment strengthens an already successful partnership, including shared clients like the fast-growing Leggings.com, and positions the two companies to expand their reach as sister firms. By combining Orium’s focus on complex enterprise clients with JIBE’s expertise in the mid-market, the two businesses will better support brands at any stage of their commerce journey, helping them adapt and scale with composable technologies.

“Orium and JIBE are united by a shared goal: helping businesses succeed with modern commerce technology,” said Jason Cottrell, CEO and Founder of Orium. “This partnership allows us to offer solutions that are flexible, scalable, and tailored to the unique needs of businesses at the mid-market and enterprise-level. Our shared expertise ensures we’re positioned to support clients in navigating the rapidly evolving commerce landscape.”

Orium and JIBE bring complementary strengths to their engagements, combining Orium’s deep expertise in modern headless and composable commerce architectures with JIBE’s specialized Shopify solution engineering. Together, they offer clients the proven ability to deliver tailored, scalable solutions. Their partnership leverages advanced modular and API-first technologies to drive innovation and help businesses achieve growth and agility, regardless of their starting point.

“This partnership enables us to address the unique needs of mid-market businesses, an often underserved segment that demands both expertise and agility,” said Steve Krueger, CEO of JIBE. “With Orium’s enterprise commerce expertise and JIBE’s proven strength in the mid-market, we’re enhancing our ability to serve both scale-ups and enterprise brands.”

By offering specialized services tailored to different business needs, Orium and JIBE are setting a new standard in modern commerce, empowering clients like Leggings.com to meet evolving customer expectations and achieve their goals.

About Orium

Orium is the leading composable commerce specialist in the Americas, helping businesses build flexible, future-ready technology architectures. Specializing in helping brands scale efficiently with deep capabilities in data-driven experience design, AI implementation, and platform engineering, Orium brings over a decade of award-winning experience to enterprise commerce engagements. Orium works closely with best-in-class technology partners to bring modern commerce experiences to life. Orium is a certified B Corp and part of Tercera‘s portfolio of leading professional services firms. More information can be found at www.orium.com.

About JIBE

Since 2009, mid-market brands and founders have entrusted JIBE to strengthen their ecommerce performance with expertise, dedication, and measurable success. By partnering with renowned brands such as Arc’teryx, 7mesh, Aspen Clean, Myodetox, Grouse Mountain, Nest Designs, and Organika, JIBE fosters true collaborations to plan, build, execute, and scale multi-channel, ecommerce-driven businesses. More information can be found at thejibe.com.

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SOURCE Orium

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Pikmykid Acquires Visitu to Enhance School Visitor Management Solutions

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TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pikmykid, the leading school safety platform, is proud to announce the acquisition of Visitu, a cutting-edge visitor management system. This strategic acquisition bolsters Pikmykid’s capabilities in visitor management while advancing its mission to enhance school safety and operational efficiency.

As schools increasingly focus on safety, the addition of Visitu’s visitor and attendance management tools enables Pikmykid to offer a comprehensive solution for managing every aspect of campus safety. From the moment staff, students, parents, volunteers, visitors, and contractors enter the campus to the time students leave safely at the end of the day, Pikmykid now provides an end-to-end platform that prioritizes safety and efficiency.

“Our school’s operations and facilities teams are excited for the potential of even smoother and more effective integration between Visitu and Pikmykid, two solid systems we use to enhance safety at our campuses,” said Eric Neumann, Sr Director of School Operations at Rocketship Charter Schools. “We look forward to continued partnership to further improve our school arrival and dismissal systems, campus security, and overall staff, family, and student experiences!”

“Acquiring Visitu is a transformative milestone in our mission to redefine school safety,” said Saravana Pat Bhava, CEO of Pikmykid. “With the power of one unified platform, we are now able to provide schools with an integrated solution that enhances security while elevating the visitor and community experience”

“Empowering schools with tools that enhance staff efficiency and parent engagement is critical to improving student outcomes,” added Chitra Kanagaraj, COO. “By uniting all safety and engagement tools, we enable schools and districts to focus on what matters most—student success.”

Visitu’s technology allows schools to easily track and manage visitors in real-time, ensuring that only authorized individuals are on campus. This integration will complement Pikmykid’s existing solutions for student drop-off and pick-up, creating a holistic approach to school safety and operations.

“Visitu’s vision to make safety seamless on campus aligns perfectly with Pikmykid,” said Aaron Larkins, CEO of Visitu. “Together, we will continue to invest in simplifying administrative processes.”

Todd Broyles, founder of Visitu, added, “This partnership will revolutionize how schools manage student safety throughout the entire school day, offering comprehensive solutions that address every aspect of campus security. We’re excited to join Pikmykid’s mission to provide innovative tools and enhance school safety.”

Schools can expect the rollout of enhanced features and functionalities in the coming months. Both teams are dedicated to fostering innovation in school safety and operational excellence.

For more information about the acquisition and the expanded offerings from Pikmykid, please visit pikmykid.com and visitu.com.

About Pikmykid

Pikmykid is a comprehensive, cloud-based platform revolutionizing school operations and student safety. Designed to address the diverse needs of modern schools, Pikmykid offers robust features including dismissal management, attendance tracking, hall pass solutions, real-time messaging, emergency response tools, and reunification processes. Trusted by schools nationwide, Pikmykid simplifies the complexities of daily and emergency operations, ensuring safety and efficiency are at the forefront of every interaction.

About Visitu
Visitu is a recognized leader in providing complete safe campus solutions for schools, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to enhance safety, efficiency, and communication. The safe campus platform includes solutions for visitor management, student attendance, emergency response, and school communication, all designed to create a secure and well-connected campus environment. Visitu’s solutions ensure compliance with safety standards while supporting seamless school operations.

Contact:
Michelle Kristoff
***@pikmykid.com

Photos:
https://www.prlog.org/13055630

Press release distributed by PRLog

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pikmykid-acquires-visitu-to-enhance-school-visitor-management-solutions-302345647.html

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Newsweek Ranks EPAM Among Top 5 in IT Services & Consulting on its 2025 Excellence 1000 Index

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NEWTOWN, Pa., Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), a leading digital transformation services and product engineering company, today announced it has been recognized by Newsweek in its 2nd annual rankings for the Excellence 1000 Index—ranking #754 overall and in the Top 5 for IT Services and IT Consulting.

The 2025 Excellence 1000 Index is the result of a collaboration between Newsweek and the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company. The Excellence 1000 Index is a list of the top 1000 companies that have demonstrated best practices in financial responsibility, stakeholder ratings and social responsibility ratings.

“We are honored to be acknowledged among the world’s most esteemed organizations for our unwavering commitment to our clients, employees, engineering & IT excellence, sustainability and social responsibility,” said Elaina Shekhter, SVP, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at EPAM. “As a trusted partner for clients globally, we are excited to continue delivering innovative and transformative solutions to our clients’ most challenging problems through our robust capabilities in digital, AI, GenAI, Data, cloud, and engineering to deliver business value.”

The results were determined after the Best Practice Institute analyzed over half a million data points and created a proprietary scoring system to measure everything from financial practices to customer reviews, ESG commitments and more.

“Corporate success today goes beyond financial performance,” said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief of Newsweek. “The Excellence 1000 Index honors companies that balance strategic growth with a deep commitment to ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability. Together with our partner Best Practice Institute, we are proud to recognize these organizations redefining leadership in the corporate world.”

Companies have been assessed on several pivotal criteria, including:

Employee Rating: How employees perceive their employer through sentiment and emotion analysis.Customer Rating: How clients view the Company’s products, services and ethics.ESG Risk Rating & Ethical Impact: A deep dive into a company’s environmental, social, and governance practices.ISO Standards Adherence: Compliance with international quality and safety standards.R&D Spending: Investment in innovation and the future.Global Compact Status: Alignment with the UN’s principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.

“In an era where narratives often overshadow facts, the 2025 Newsweek Excellence 1000 Index stands as a testament to the importance of verified impact and ethical leadership,” said Louis Carter, CEO of Best Practice Institute. “This year’s honorees exemplify what it means to prioritize innovation, sustainability, and stakeholder value over tradition and superficial metrics. By recognizing these trailblazers, we aim to inspire a new standard for evaluating corporate success—one that values measurable progress and integrity above all.”

EPAM is considered a “Most Loved Workplace” by Newsweek, appearing on their list of Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for the last four years. Additionally, the Company’s ESG initiatives have been recognized by many prominent global organizations, including the 2024 Inclusive Excellence Award, 2024 SEAL Sustainable Excellence Award and voted Top Most Loved Places for Volunteers®. In 2024, EPAM invested in innovation and the future with the acquisitions of First Derivative, Neoris, Odysseus Data Services and Vates—increasing delivery capabilities, enhancing AI and data-driven solutions and advancing cloud, engineering, testing and digital services for global clients.

For the full list of the 2025 Excellence 1000 Index, please visit here.

About EPAM Systems
Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) has used its software engineering expertise to become a leading global provider of digital engineering, cloud and AI-enabled transformation services, and a leading business and experience consulting partner for global enterprises and ambitious startups. We address our clients’ transformation challenges by focusing EPAM Continuum’s integrated strategy, experience and technology consulting with our 30+ years of engineering execution to speed our clients’ time to market and drive greater value from their innovations and digital investments.

We make GenAI real with our AI LLM orchestration, testing and engineering solutions, EPAM DIAL, EPAM EliteA™ and EPAM AI/RUN™, respectively.

We deliver globally but engage locally with our expert teams of consultants, architects, designers and engineers, making the future real for our clients, our partners, and our people around the world. We believe the right solutions are the ones that improve people’s lives and fuel competitive advantage for our clients across diverse industries. Our thinking comes to life in the experiences, products and platforms we design and bring to market.

Added to the S&P 500 and the Forbes Global 2000 in 2021 and recognized by Glassdoor and Newsweek as a Top 100 Best Workplace, our multidisciplinary teams serve customers across six continents. We are proud to be among the top 15 companies in Information Technology Services in the Fortune 1000 and to be recognized as a leader in the IDC MarketScapes for Worldwide Experience Build Services, Worldwide Experience Design Services and Worldwide Software Engineering Services.

Learn more at www.epam.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes estimates and statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our estimates and forward-looking statements are mainly based on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect our business and operations. These statements may include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or similar expressions. Those future events and trends may relate to, among other things, developments relating to the war in Ukraine and escalation of the war in the surrounding region, political and civil unrest or military action in the geographies where we conduct business and operate, difficult conditions in global capital markets, foreign exchange markets and the broader economy, and the effect that these events may have on client demand and our revenues, operations, access to capital, and profitability. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the risk factors discussed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and the factors discussed in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, particularly under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made based on information currently available to us. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newsweek-ranks-epam-among-top-5-in-it-services–consulting-on-its-2025-excellence-1000-index-302344574.html

SOURCE EPAM Systems, Inc.

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