Marriott Bonvoy Launches New Co-Branded Credit Cards in China with China CITIC Bank

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Marriott Bonvoy Launches New Co-Branded Credit Cards in China with China CITIC Bank

Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Cards combine the competitive advantages of a major card company with the reach and choice of the highly-awarded travel program

Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Card.jpg
Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, today announced the launch of three Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Cards1, providing residents of mainland China with more exclusive benefits and value-added services. Issued by China CITIC Bank and powered by China UnionPay, the three cards, in three distinct levels, offer cardholders a wide array of benefits, including accelerated earning of Marriott Bonvoy points, which can be redeemed for free nights at more than 8,000 properties around the world.

“With the Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Cards, we are offering the new generation of Chinese travelers easier and more ways to earn Marriott Bonvoy points,” said Bart Buiring, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International Asia Pacific. “Marriott Bonvoy is at the heart of our consumer strategy and our collaboration with China CITIC Bank underscores our hyper-local strategy that focuses on delivering extra value to our members.”

“As a travel program encompassing a powerful portfolio of 30 global hotel brands, Marriott Bonvoy aims to provide members with unique and diverse travel experiences,” said Lawrence Ng, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Greater China, Marriott International. “By establishing this collaboration with China CITIC Bank, which has deep insights into understanding how Chinese consumers spend, and combining our travel insights of Chinese travelers, we aim to offer a more seamless experience for Cardholders to enjoy Marriott Bonvoy benefits and maximize rewards on their purchases.”

“China CITIC Bank is delighted to partner with Marriott Bonvoy to launch the first Marriott Bonvoy credit card in China. Consumers who successfully sign up will not only be automatically enrolled in the Marriott Bonvoy travel program, but will also enjoy a wealth of benefits, including related Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. The new card leverages both companies’ strength and rich experience in its respective areas to cater to affluent consumers in China with better travel experiences and financial services.” said a representative from the China CITIC Bank Credit Card Center. “Tapping into the tourism industry’s recovery, our partnership with Marriott Bonvoy will further inspire travel by providing more benefits and world class financial services for potentially millions of cardholders across China.”

Three Cards, Multiple Benefits*
With three distinct card levels—Gold, Platinum and Premium Platinum, the co-branded credit cards are designed to appeal to different types of customers such as millennials, families, and business professionals by offering a wide variety of cardmember benefits.

  • Upon activating the Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Gold Card,cardholders are automatically awarded Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status and 5 Elite Night Credits, which accelerates members on their pathway to Elite status. There will be additional benefits — earning 2 points for every RMB 18 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 1 point on all other purchases2.
  • Upon activating the Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Platinum Card,cardholders will enjoyMarriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, 10 Elite Night Credits and 1 Free Night Award for a stay of up to 12,500 points3. There will be additional benefits — earning 2 points for every RMB 10 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 1 point on all other purchases2.
  • Upon activating the Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Premium Platinum Card,cardholders will enjoy automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits and 2 Free Night Awards, each valued at 35,000 points3. Upon spending RMB 500,000 with the Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Premium Platinum Card within a 12-month period after the card activation, cardholders will be awarded Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status and 1 additional Free Night Award for a stay of up to 35,000 points3. There will be additional benefits — earning 3 points for every RMB 10 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 1 point on all other purchases2.

Marriott Bonvoy has rolled out a series of limited time offers, which give cardholders who apply and activate their Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Card between June 28 and August 31 2022 the opportunity to earn more bonus points.

  • Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Gold Card cardholders who spend RMB 10,000 within the first three months of card activation can earn 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points.
  • Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Platinum Card cardholders who spend RMB 20,000 within the first three months of card activation can earn 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points
  • Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Premium Platinum Card cardholderswho spend RMB 30,000 within the first three months of card activation can choose to accelerate their way to the Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status or earn 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points.

More Ways to Explore
Cardholders can enjoy an exclusive 10% off on the Club Marriott membership fee4, as well as purchases from the Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques website, a prestigious collection of branded online retail stores offering curated, premium and exclusive products from Marriott Bonvoy’s hotels to enjoy at home. Cardholders can also enjoy up to 20% dining discounts and receive 10% off best available rate on accommodations at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China5 (including all managed hotels and selected franchised hotels). In addition, they can travel with fraud and flight delay insurance to improve their travel experience.

More details about the Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Cards are available here.

* View terms and conditions that card benefits associated with each of the three cards and limited time offers, please click here.

Notes to Editors
Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Card Key Features: See Terms and Conditions for details

Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Gold Card

  • Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
  • Annual welcome of 5 Elite Night Credits
  • Exclusive Hotel Discounts:
    • 10% off on room discount at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China when booked directly through Marriott Bonvoy website and app
    • 10% off on F&B at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China
    • 10% off site-wide on Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques
    • 10% off on Club Marriott membership fee at participating hotels in China
  • Accelerate points earning through daily spending:
    • Earn 2 points for every RMB 18 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 1 point on all other purchases2.
  • Fraud insurance and 4-hour flight delay insurance

Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Platinum Card

  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Annual welcome of 10 Elite Night Credits and 1 Free Night Award (Redemption level up to 12,500 points3)
  • Exclusive Hotel Discounts:
    • 10% off on room discount at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China when booked directly through Marriott Bonvoy website and app
    • 20% off on F&B at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China
    • 10% off site-wide on Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques
    • 10% off on Club Marriott membership fee at participating hotels in China
  • Accelerate points earning through daily spending:
    • Earn 2 points for every RMB 10 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 1 point on all other purchases2.
  • High-valued Fraud Insurance, 4-hour flight delay insurance and aviation accident insurance
  • Car Roadside Assistance and hospital registration
  • Up to 4 times airport lounge access or up to 8 times high-speed train station lounge access per year

Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Premium Platinum Card

  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Annual welcome of 15 Elite Night Credits and 2 Free Night Awards (Redemption level up to 35,000 points each3)
  • Exclusive Hotel Discounts:
    • 10% off on room discount at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China when booked directly through Marriott Bonvoy website and app
    • 20% off on F&B at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy in China
    • 10% off site-wide on Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques
    • 10% off on Club Marriott membership fee at participating hotels in China
  • Accelerate points earning through daily spending:
    • Earning 3 points for every RMB 10 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy and 1 point on all other purchases2.
  • Milestone Awards: Spend RMB 500,000 within a 12-month period after the card activation and enjoy:
    • Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
    • 1 Free Night Award (redemption level up to 35,000 points3)
  • High-valued Fraud Insurance, 4-hour flight delay insurance and aviation accident insurance
  • Car Roadside Assistance and hospital registration
  • Up to 16 times airport lounge access or up to 32 times high-speed train station lounge access per year

1 Terms and Conditions apply. The application for Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Card is only open to residents in mainland China.

2 Where applicable terms of qualified daily spending/eligible daily purchases are provided, the terms and conditions of Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Cards shall prevail. For detailed terms and conditions of Marriott Bonvoy® China CITIC Bank Co-branded Credit Cards, please go to the official website of China CITIC Bank Credit Card Center at http://creditcard.ecitic.com/shenqing/wanhao/index.shtml or Marriott Bonvoy at http://marriottbonvoyasia.cn/CITICcard.

3 Certain hotels charge a resort fee.

4 Club Marriott provides exclusive dining and accommodation benefits to members at over 330 Marriott Bonvoy participating hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific. Please refer to the following.

5 Terms apply, for full list of participating hotels, please check it at the official website of Marriott Bonvoy website.

Contact:
Jessica Zhou
Senior Director of Communications, Greater China
Marriott International
Jessica.zhou@marriott.com

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques website. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

About China CITIC Bank Credit Card Center
The China CITIC Bank Credit Card Center manages and operates the credit card business of China CITIC Bank. Based in Shenzhen, the Center first began issuing credit cards in December 2003. It is the national headquarters and the first branch-level franchise institution of China CITIC Bank’s credit card business. As of November 1, 2021, the Center has issued in excess of 100 million credit cards, making it one of the leading credit card issuers of joint-stock commercial banks in China.

For more information, please visit our website at or connect with us on Weibo @中信银行信用卡.

About China CITIC Bank
China CITIC Bank was founded in 1987. It is one of the earliest emerging commercial banks established during China’s reform and opening-up and also China’s first commercial bank participating in financing at both domestic and international financial markets. A keen contributor to China’s economic development, the Bank is renowned at home and abroad for brushing numerous track records in the modern Chinese financial history. In April 2007, the Bank simultaneously listed its A and H shares at the Shanghai Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The Bank has persevered in serving the real economy, engaging in stable healthy business operation and keeping abreast with the times. Thriving through over 30 years’ growth and expansion, the Bank has become a financial conglomerate with strong comprehensive competitiveness and powerful brand influence, registering more than RMB8 trillion total assets and nearly 60,000 employees. As at the end of 2021, the Bank had 1,415 outlets in 153 large and medium-sized cities in China.

DHL EXPRESS SSA DELIVERS CHIMPANZEES TO THEIR NEW HOME IN LIBERIA

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DHL EXPRESS SSA DELIVERS CHIMPANZEES TO THEIR NEW HOME IN LIBERIA
  • DHL partnered with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP), providing logistics services to relocate four rescued chimpanzees from Guinea-Bisau to Liberia
  • In celebration of World Chimpanzee Day is to raise awareness about the welfare, protection, and conservation of the global chimpanzee population.

DHL Express SSA partnered with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP) to safely transport four vulnerable chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia. With many years of DHL’s expertise in transporting wildlife, all four rescued chimpanzees were re-located to their new home last weekend, on Saturday July 9, just in time to celebrate World Chimpanzee Day on July 14. The collaboration aims to raise awareness about the welfare, protection, and conservation of the global chimpanzee population, which is critically endangered.

“DHL’s experience in the transportation of wildlife is world-class, and we could not envision partnering with another logistics organization to ensure the safe passage of these vulnerable chimps. This initiative would not be possible if governments from Guinea- Bissau and Liberia and our many partners did not commit to working tirelessly together to ensure its success. Chimpanzees, a critically endangered species, are protected in both countries, and it is illegal to harm or keep them as pets”, said Jenny Desmond, Founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.

The Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) was founded in 2016 to rescue chimpanzees who are victims of illegal bush meat and pet trades. One of the key purposes of LCRP is to ensure the conservation of wild chimpanzees in Liberia and globally and to make sure that wild chimpanzees are kept wild. The decision to relocate the four chimpanzees named Fifi, Tze, Simao, and Tita from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia was based on Guinea-Bissau’s Directorate-General for Forests and Fauna’s commitment to combating international wildlife trade (IWT).

The country has no sanctuary to safeguard the four chimpanzees, prompting negotiations with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection. Therefore, the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection collaborated with the Governments of Guinea-Bissau and Liberia, several animal protection initiatives, and DHL Express SSA to ensure the safe passage, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the chimpanzees into a community in Liberia that is conducive for their survival.

“We are really proud to support the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection on their mission to give four rescued chimpanzees a new home. With many years of experience in transporting wildlife, we have gained valuable knowledge in ensuring the specific needs of the ‘special cargo’. Each wildlife mission we undertake has its unique requirements. That is why we always connect with our experts and specialists in order to guarantee that the animals arrive safe and in good health at their intended destinations. Besides, by supporting initiatives that are committed to wildlife, we can contribute to the protection of endangered species, habitats, and biodiversity”, said Anthony Beckley, VP Operations DHL Express SSA.

DHL’s undisputed African network led to Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection connecting with DHL to deliver the ‘special cargo’ and to provide the operational and logistical requirements to guarantee the success of this intricate African initiative. This historical project, which included many months of planning, is the first-time western chimpanzees have been able to be relocated within their home region, which is vital to preserving their unique culture and characteristics.

Western chimpanzees are now extinct in three, soon five of eleven native countries. The four chimpanzees were transported in an ATR72 LCD (Large Cargo Door) designed for large cargo shipments, which allows minimal impact for the on and off loading of the animals throughout the transportation journey. The aircraft was also modified to ensure first-class treatment throughout the 2hrs 20minutes flight from Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Guinea- Bissau to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia. To further secure their safety, the chimpanzees were accompanied by veterinarian Jim Desmond, co-founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection. 

China Unicom and Huawei Roll out 1,000 MetaAAUs

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China Unicom and Huawei Roll out 1,000 MetaAAUs

China Unicom Beijing and Huawei have created the world’s largest commercial MetaAAU network as part of a project that has deployed MetaAAUs at over 1,000 rural network sites on the outskirts of Beijing. This new network has already seen a 38% increase in traffic per site by improving 5G services in rural areas and a 5% reduction in energy consumption compared with previous-generation technology.

MetaAAUs are metaverse-ready active antenna units designed to deliver outstanding 5G performance with a minimum environmental impact. Their deployment in rural parts of Beijing represent an important step towards the green and digital village goals of the 5G Capital project.

MetaAAUs are the third-generation of 5G AAU developed by Huawei. They use the company’s new extremely-large antenna array (ELAA) architecture to double the scale of arrays compared with the previous-generation AAU. This innovation results in extended coverage because channel beams are narrower and energy is more focused. The new architecture, combined with innovative algorithms, improves network performance while slashing energy consumption.

MetaAAU in beijing

MetaAAUs deployed on China Unicom Beijing’s network

China Unicom Beijing’s has leveraged these advancements to hit its 2022 5G construction targets for small towns and rural areas which face unique challenges when it comes to inter-site distance, gigabit user experience, and green networking. China Unicom Beijing deployed these MetaAAUs at over 1,000 sites in July in towns and rural areas including the Shunyi, Huairou, and Pinggu districts of Beijing. The MetaAAUs have delivered a 40% increase in coverage area, increased uplink and downlink user-perceived rates by 10%, and lowered network energy consumption by 5% over previous-generation AAUs, achieving optimal network performance and energy efficiency. Since their deployment, user traffic has increased by 38% in their coverage areas and the carrier’s user base has increased by 37%.

5G coverage has continuously expanded, bringing more people better Internet experiences, since commercialization efforts began three years ago. Now, 5G networks are becoming increasingly available outside of urban areas. For example, in Foyukou, a village outside Beijing, users have many more sales channels at their disposal thanks to the HD live broadcasts and direct photo posting on WeChat enabled by 5G. This has boosted sales and promoted the construction of “digital villages.” New applications for 5G are also emerging in areas like smart agriculture, remote education, and telemedicine. These scenarios require gigabit networks with smaller carbon footprints that perform at levels seen in urban areas.

Fan Liqun, the head of China Unicom Beijing’s 5G co-construction and sharing work team said their mantra for this endeavor is, “Quality first, experience foremost. For years we have been committed to building a world-leading, experience-centric 5G network. We are amazed how well MetaAAU is performing at the more than 1,000 sites on the commercial network, cementing its place in our digital village strategy. This achievement marks a key milestone in our 5G Capital project, and is a testament to our constant pursuit of a ubiquitous high-quality 5G network. We have explored various scenarios based on high bandwidth and iteratively adopted innovative Massive MIMO technologies to ensure the best possible 5G and digital experience to our customers.”

Ritchie Peng, President of Huawei 5G Product Line, said, “MetaAAU is one of our major innovations. With MetaAAU, we achieve great breakthroughs in network performance and energy efficiency, and this is attributed to our strong investment and continuous innovation in Massive MIMO. We are glad to cooperate with China Unicom Beijing on the thousand-site MetaAAU project, and proud to see that MetaAAU achieves the desired performance across the entire network. We believe this can provide a useful reference for global operators in selecting Massive MIMO technologies for different scenarios.”

BEST-EVER MONTHLY SALES FOR ALL-NEW KIA SPORTAGE IN JUNE

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BEST-EVER MONTHLY SALES FOR ALL-NEW KIA SPORTAGE IN JUNE

Kia America today announced June sales of 65,142 units, an increase of 12-percent month-over-month. The all-new Sportage SUV posted all-time record monthly sales total of 14,153 units. June also marked the third consecutive month that sales of the Sportage SUV exceeded 10,000 units contributing to record high SUV ratio of overall sales of 71-percent. In addition, Kia captured its largest share of market ever beating the previous high achieved in July 2021.

“With our wide range of sedans, SUVs and electrified vehicles, Kia has the most well-balanced model line-up in the industry,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “The ongoing popularity of the EV6 and strong initial sales performance of the all-new Sportage SUV continue to push the brand on its upward trajectory. We are confident that Kia will continue to outpace the industry well into the third quarter and through the rest of the year.”

In addition to sales, June saw several significant announcements coming from the brand, including:

  • The 2022 Kia EV6 named among Wards 10 Best Interiors & UX award winners
  • The Forte taking top honors in the Compact Car segment; and the Carnival, K5, Rio, Sportage and Telluride models – each taking the number two spot in their respective categories – according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS)

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electrified vehicles sold through a network of nearly 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America.

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

 MONTH OF JUNEYEAR-TO-DATE
Model2022202120222021
EV62,567N/A12,568N/A
Rio2,9863,59014,91816,673
Forte9,29911,48251,80662,159
K5/Optima5,9228,64135,31251,120
CadenzaN/A321225
Stinger7131,4045,1636,498
K900N/A3N/A70
Soul4,9547,10327,60838,780
Niro1,7232,63317,66611,817
Seltos2,1933,56819,76632,185
Sportage14,15311,82852,35653,374
Sorento8,1337,40539,04548,313
Telluride9,1867,61346,89345,438
Carnival/Sedona3,3133,18410,23811,859
Total65,14268,486333,340378,511

Press Release Information Accuracy Disclaimer

Information posted in press releases on the Kia Media website was accurate at the time of posting but may be superseded by subsequent releases or other information.

Winners of the Heineken Young Scientists Awards 2022 announced

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Winners of the Heineken Young Scientists Awards 2022 announced

Chronobiologist Laura Kervezee (1989), philosopher Fleur Jongepier (1986), mathematician Jordi Tura i Brugués (1987) and health psychologist Liesbeth van Vliet (1985) are awarded the 2022 Heineken Young Scientists Awards. The laureates will be presented with the award at a celebratory event at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam on Thursday 29 September 2022.

Heineken Young Scientists Award in the Medical / Biomedical Sciences: Laura Kervezee

Chronobiologist Laura Kervezee (1989), who works at Leiden University Medical Centre, has been awarded the Heineken Young Scientists Award 2022 in the field of Medical/Biomedical Sciences. The jury praised her research into the biological clock and its practical translation into the improvement of patient care. The chronobiological knowledge that Kervezee provides, gives insight into ways of keeping the biological clock healthy in our 24-hour society and other situations in which the clock becomes disturbed, such as when ageing or in hospital. In health care, these insights are used to improve the functioning of drugs and therapies.

Heineken Young Scientists Award in the Humanities: Fleur Jongepier

Philosopher Fleur Jongepier (1986), connected to Radboud University Nijmegen, has been awarded the Heineken Young Scientists Award 2022 in the field of Humanities. The jury praised her research into the growing power of algorithms and how this affects the human capacity for autonomy and self-knowledge. Jongepier is able to combine high-level fundamental research with an active and important role in the current social debate.

Heineken Young Scientists Award in the Natural Sciences: Jordi Tura i Brugués

Mathematician Jordi Tura i Brugués (1987), connected to the Lorentz Institute at Leiden University, has been awarded the Heineken Young Scientists Award 2022 in the field of Natural Sciences. The jury praised his pioneering contributions to the theory of quantum entanglement and nonlocality. He adapted Bell’s theorem, which is used to show entanglement of two particles, to fit large numbers of particles. An important step for the further development of the quantum computer and the quantum internet.

Heineken Young Scientists Award in the Social Sciences: Liesbeth van Vliet

Health psychologist Liesbeth van Vliet (1985), connected to Leiden University, has been awarded the Heineken Young Scientists Award 2022 in the field of Social Sciences. The jury praised her important contribution to improving the quality of healthcare for seriously ill patients, thanks to better communication between doctor and patient. Van Vliet’s research into how communication can help and harm patients shows a valuable translation between research and society.

BURBERRY INTRODUCES VIRTUAL HANDBAG COLLECTION ON ROBLOX

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BURBERRY INTRODUCES VIRTUAL HANDBAG COLLECTION ON ROBLOX

Burberry has announced its introduction of a virtual handbag collection on Roblox, a global online platform connecting millions of people through shared experiences.

As part of the collaboration, each handbag is accompanied by an exclusive emote, a unique action that avatars can perform on Roblox, available to users for free for a limited time. The distinctive movements, such as levitation or dance, mirror each handbag’s design theme, with the levitation emote launching in tandem with the Cloud Lola bag, for example. 

During July 11-15, 2022, one limited-edition virtual Lola handbag and accompanying emote will be released at 5pm BST daily over a five-day period for purchase in the Roblox Avatar Marketplace. Each handbag and emote will be available to purchase for 24 hours only and can be owned on Roblox and worn across millions of experiences on the platform. 

Taking inspiration from the brand’s iconic Lola bag and Burberry’s long-standing affinity for nature and the outdoors, the exclusive limited-edition virtual Lola range is comprised of five unique handbags in experimental designs. Created in partnership with one of the Roblox community’s most established digital fashion designers, @Builder_Boy, and with one bag dropping every 24 hours from Monday 11th July, the announcement reflects Burberry’s commitment to experimenting with creativity and going beyond. 

Drawing on Burberry’s spirit of adventure with their playful aesthetic, the five exclusive virtual handbags are crafted from extraordinary materials including clouds, water and wild foliage. Community members can dress their avatars with the handbag to wear on Roblox as they explore the platform’s millions of user-generated worlds, encouraging self-expression and discovery. 

Rachel Waller, VP Channel Innovation at Burberry said: “We are thrilled to partner with Roblox to share a virtual handbag collection and to bring our iconic Lola bag to life in an entirely new creative way. The expression of our digital personas is a fascinating concept and one which we know is increasingly important to our customers. Roblox is a platform built on imagination, community and creativity pillars which are central to our brand, and we’re delighted to bring our virtual products to this community.” 

“For our global community of over 50 million daily active users, self-expression through digital fashion and personalization of avatars is an important part of their day-to-day experience on the platform,” said Christina Wootton, VP of global partnerships, Roblox. “Roblox enables people to be whoever they want to be, create and experiment with personal style and fashion. We are excited to welcome Burberry to our platform with this creative accessory line that expands our already vast collection of avatar personalization options with luxury items created in collaboration with our community.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS
About other digital experiences from Burberry
The collaboration with the Roblox creator community marks Burberry’s latest foray into digital fashion and follows the luxury house’s earlier virtual experiences:
October 2019: Burberry released its first game, B Bounce, followed by its extension Ratberry, in celebration of Chinese New Year, in January 2020.
July 2020: the luxury house’s first multiplayer game, B Surf, was launched in support of the TB Summer Monogram campaign. All games were developed in-house by Burberry’s digital teams.
August 2021: Burberry launched its first in-game NFT collection in partnership with Mythical Games.
June 2022: Burberry announced the continuation of its partnership with Mythical Games to release a second NFT collection in its flagship title, Blankos Block Party. The collection included a limited-edition Burberry Blanko, a unicorn named Minny B, as well as a selection of Burberry branded in-game accessories which players could add to their virtual portfolio. As part of the collaboration, the brand opened new spaces for its communities by creating a bespoke social space within the game where players could come together and enjoy a unique virtual experience.
About Samuel Jordan, @Builder_Boy
Samuel Jordan, also known as @Builder_Boy is an experience developer and one of the top selling digital fashion creators on Roblox. 
Joining Roblox in 2011 to play recreationally with his older brother, he transitioned over the years from player to creator, and has since proceeded to lead teams and create original games in the platform, including the popular title, Fairytale. 
In 2018, Jordan was contracted directly for Roblox to create maps for two of their site wide events. He was later selected to be part of the company’s Accelerator Program, a seed program run out of their headquarters in San Mateo California.
Acknowledged as a thought leader within the space, Jordan works with brands looking to create content for Roblox and within the metaverse, from fashion houses to artists alike.
About Roblox
Roblox is a global online platform reimagining the way people come together to connect, create and express themselves through immersive, interactive shared experiences.
Every day, millions of people around the world play, learn, communicate, and expand their friendships on Roblox as they explore millions of user-generated digital experiences, all built by creators on the platform.
The company’s mission is to connect billions of users with civility and optimism and support a safe and diverse community – one that inspires and fosters creativity and positive relationships among people around the world.
About Burberry
Burberry is a British luxury brand, headquartered in London, UK.
Founded in 1856, Burberry is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BRBY.L) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
BURBERRY, the Equestrian Knight Device, the Burberry Check and the Thomas Burberry Monogram and Print are trademarks belonging to Burberry.
About the Lola bag
The Lola bag is a soft silhouette punctuated with the Thomas Burberry Monogram clasp and a polished chain strap. The clasp celebrates the heritage of the brand and its founder, Thomas Burberry.
The Lola is a padded and softly constructed bag, hand-crafted in Italy. It is available in various fabrics, from Italian-tanned leather, to cotton canvas and raffia. Classic colourways include black, camel, primrose pink, and bright red. New colourways include orange, bright sky blue and vivid lime.

Singapore Airlines Operates Its First Flights With Blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel In Singapore

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Singapore Airlines Operates Its First Flights With Blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel In Singapore

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and GenZero[1], an investment platform wholly-owned by Temasek that is dedicated to accelerating decarbonisation globally, have embarked on the next phase of the Singapore pilot with the delivery of blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to Changi Airport via the airport’s fuel hydrant system on 7 July 2022. This is also the first time blended SAF is uplifted onto SIA and Scoot departing flights at Changi Airport as part of the Singapore pilot. Under this pilot, 1,000 tonnes of neat SAF will be supplied by Neste and blended with refined jet fuel at ExxonMobil’s facilities in Singapore. This is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 2,500 tonnes.

The Singapore pilot, announced in November 2021, aims to advance the use of SAF in Singapore. It is a follow-up to a study conducted by the Singapore Government and industry players on the operational and commercial viability of using SAF at Changi Airport. This pilot will incorporate the blending of neat SAF in local facilities, certification of blended SAF, and delivery to Changi Airport to operationally validate SAF integration options in Singapore. It will also provide insights on end-to-end cost components, potential pricing structures for cost recovery and support future policy considerations for SAF deployment. 

Last month, CAAS, SIA and Temasek also announced the sale of 1,000 SAF credits from July 2022, as part of this pilot. This provides customers including corporate and individual travellers, as well as freight forwarders, an avenue to reduce their carbon footprint, stimulate demand for SAF, support the development of the nascent SAF industry, and advance the adoption of SAF for aviation sustainability. From the fourth quarter of 2022, SIA customers will be able to purchase a mix of SAF credits and carbon offsets, as part of the SIA Group Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme. SIA will also partner Climate Impact X (CIX), a global exchange for quality carbon credits, to introduce a bundled portfolio consisting of SAF credits and carbon credits. The product will be designed to meet corporate demand for SAF while balancing affordability.

Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS, said, “There is broad-based consensus amongst government and industry leaders around the world that the decarbonisation of the aviation sector and the achievement of net zero targets set by airlines will require large-scale SAF adoption. This first successful uplift of blended SAF is an important milestone in Singapore’s journey towards sustainable aviation. It shows that the Singapore Changi Airport is SAF-ready. It also provides useful operational learning points on the adoption of SAF which the CAAS is studying as part of our work on a Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint.  We target to publish the Blueprint early next year.”

Ms Lee Wen Fen, Senior Vice President Corporate Planning, Singapore Airlines, said, “Today marks an important milestone in the SIA Group’s decarbonisation journey, as we uplift a blend of sustainable aviation fuel and jet fuel into our aircraft departing out of Singapore for the first time. Sustainable aviation fuels are a key decarbonisation lever, and this pilot demonstrates our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Working together with our partners, we will continue support the adoption of SAF in Singapore.”

Mr Frederick Teo, Chief Executive Officer, GenZero, said, “We are delighted to see sustainable aviation fuel used on SIA and Scoot flights departing from Changi Airport. We have also been working with our project partners and the Climate Impact X (CIX) global exchange to pilot innovative products for SAF credits. Such credits represent an important way to crowd in financing from environmentally conscious corporates and institutions to reduce the cost premium and encourage greater adoption of SAF to decarbonise global aviation. We look forward to the SAF credits arising from this project being available by the end of the year.”   

Ms Geraldine Chin, Chairman and Managing Director, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., said, “We are proud to supply certified SAF to Singapore Airlines in this inaugural pilot. ExxonMobil is bringing its deep capabilities in fuels manufacturing and logistics to help customers such as SIA achieve their net-zero ambitions. We are focused on growing our lower-emissions fuels business by leveraging technology and infrastructure, and continuing research in advanced biofuels that could provide improved longer-term solutions.”

Mr Sami Jauhiainen, Vice President of Renewable Aviation for the Asia-Pacific region, Neste, said, “We are excited to see Singapore Airlines starting today the use of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in their flight operations. The collaboration with ExxonMobil, Singapore Airlines, Temasek and CAAS demonstrates the potential of SAF in reducing aviation’s emissions and helps accelerate its use in Singapore and globally. Neste is committed to play its part as we are starting SAF production in Singapore in the first quarter of 2023 with one million tonnes of production capacity per annum.” 

High-resolution of the image can be download here.

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[1] From 1 July 2022, Temasek’s involvement in the pilot will be managed by GenZero, an investment platform wholly owned by Temasek that is dedicated to accelerating decarbonisation globally. To meet corporate demand for SAF while balancing affordability, GenZero will work with partners like Climate Impact X to roll out SAF credits to the carbon marketplace.

Etihad Airways partners with Junk Kouture

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Etihad Airways partners with Junk Kouture

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates announces its partnership with Junk Kouture, the world’s largest sustainable youth fashion competition. 

Junk Kouture’s partnership with Etihad Airways will see an exciting offering across multiple communication channels, joining the sustainability goals and efforts of both companies. As part of the agreement, Etihad will provide flights to all competing teams in Junk Kouture across five international markets. Locally, Etihad will donate obsolete aircraft items such as old seat covers, carpets, cabin crew uniforms and life vests to UAE schools participating in Junk Kouture for upcycling and use in their student’s designs. A range of social media and content offerings will be developed and produced amplifying the message of grass roots change.

The partnership is announced in the lead up to the first ever World Final of Junk Kouture at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi scheduled for 11 January 2023. The iconic gold venue will host the high-octane event celebrating youth creativity, sustainability, performance and self-expression. Sixty designs, including 10 from the UAE, and their teams from New York, London, Milan, Paris and Dublin will be flown to Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways to compete for the title of World Designer of the Year.

Supporting Junk Kouture as an events partner at the Abu Dhabi City Final in Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island and the World Final at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island is Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences. With the support of Miral and Etihad Airways, all international participants and supporters travelling to the World Final of Junk Kouture will be immersed in the culture and entertainment Abu Dhabi has to offer.

Curated to shine a light on the importance of climate change through creativity, Junk Kouture challenges young people to make striking and imaginative outfits out of 100% recyclable materials and items that are often unfairly labelled as waste. Etihad Airways are also using innovation and creativity to transform the future of flying and they are leading the industry in decarbonising aviation. The airline is reducing the impact of aviation on the environment through initiatives such as the Greenliner programme, research into sustainable aviation fuels and commitment to reduce single-use plastics. This aligns with the young participants of Junk Kouture using their innovation to create fashion from materials such as orange peel, coffee capsules, Pampas grass and single use plastic bags therefore becoming the future generation of circular engineers.

Amina Taher, Vice President Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship at Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Junk Kouture which reinforces our position as a leader in sustainability. As the UAE’s national airline, we are proud to extend our own sustainability ambitions to empower our partners to contribute in their own way. In the past, we’ve successfully partnered with artists to recycle aircraft parts into sculptures, and we’re excited about this latest journey into the world of fashion.”

Troy Armour CEO of Junk Kouture said: “We absolutely recognise and commend the tremendous efforts Etihad Airways are making towards sustainability and we’ve been blown away by their passion of what Junk Kouture is doing at grass roots level. They understand and want to support our drive for change in sustainability through creativity and innovation in young people, creating the circular engineers of tomorrow. Partnering with a global brand like Etihad Airways who aligns with our ethos and values, cements our mission at Junk Kouture and we look forward to having the team at Etihad Airways and Miral alongside us to make it happen!”

With the remaining five City Finals of Junk Kouture set to take place this autumn, including the Abu Dhabi City Final hosted in Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, student participants from each city will battle it out for their place and a golden ticket presented by Etihad Airways on the night of the Junk Kouture World Final in the Etihad Arena on January 11, 2023. A night of creativity, performance and talent awaits. A celebration of young people and the circular engineers of tomorrow. 

Al Maryah Community Bank and Al Ansari Exchange sign an agreement to provide cash deposit services into the bank accounts through Al Ansari Exchange branches

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Al Maryah Community Bank and Al Ansari Exchange sign an agreement to provide cash deposit services into the bank accounts through Al Ansari Exchange branches

Al Maryah Community Bank announced the signing of an agreement with Al Ansari Exchange, as part of its efforts to transform the banking services domain by increasing the level of convenience for its customers as well as providing them with more innovative services and solutions. As a result of this agreement, the bank customers will be able to enjoy instant cash deposit solutions in more than 220 branches of Al Ansari Exchange spread all over the UAE, without any fees.

The bank continues its endeavor to enhance its customers’ experience by utilizing the latest innovative, safe, and fast technologies. Starting with enabling its customers to open their bank accounts through its Mbank UAE application in less than 5 minutes, using their UAE PASS, and without the need to visit the bank or submit any paperwork, and now providing access to instant and secure deposit services from anywhere in the country through the vast network of Al Ansari Exchange branches.

Mr. Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank, emphasized the role of the agreement in supporting the bank’s strategy; which aims to serve the banking needs of the community, saying: “We are pleased to partner with Al Ansari Exchange to provide effective solutions within the monetary services domain, characterized by innovation and flexibility to achieve the convenience and well-being of our customers, as well as to enhance the role of the Al Maryah Community Bank in supporting individuals and companies in the community by launching a group of unique and unparalleled monetary services designed specifically to enable cash transfer transactions linked to the bank’s digital accounts with ease and security, In addition to launching more distinguished and unique banking services in the UAE in the future.” He added, “This cooperation comes within the framework of a pioneering strategic plan to develop basic and vital products and integrate them with digital transformation technology for the banking and investment services sector”.

Mohammad Bitar, Deputy CEO at Al Ansari Exchange, commented: “Our agreement with Al Maryah Community Bank, the first digital bank in the UAE, is a reflection of our shared vision and goals to improve customers’ experiences and provide communities with efficient and reliable smart financial solutions. Our cooperation offers many advantages to the bank’s customers, including free instant cash deposit service and access to a large branch network, and exceptional customer service.  We look forward to working with the Al Maryah Community Bank’s team to help accelerate the country’s shift to an integrated digital banking service system.”

In turn, Mr. Humaid Al Attar – Executive Vice-President at the Bank, said: “This agreement provides a smooth experience for our customers in the field of instant cash deposits, where deposits are subject to the highest security standards and speed by using the latest technologies. The service is available free of charge to our customers in Al Ansari Exchange branches, in addition to the distinguished services provided by Al Ansari Exchange through their customer support for extended hours until midnight, which serves our goals of providing the best solutions to our customers, pioneering digital banking services, and providing the largest network of branches for a digital bank in the UAE.”

All banking services for the Al Maryah Community Bank are available through the Mbank UAE application on the App Store and Google Play.

Mastercard Changeworks™ launches to accelerate work of Canadian not-for-profit organizations

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Mastercard Changeworks™ launches to accelerate work of Canadian not-for-profit organizations

New initiative will leverage the company’s technology and data-science expertise to help not-for-profit organizations better support the communities they serve 


Today, Mastercard launched Changeworks™, a social-impact program that helps Canada’s not-for-profits harness the power of technology and data to create positive change. To put this commitment into action, Mastercard has made its first anchor grant to national not-for-profit, CanadaHelps, to launch a digital transformation program for charities across Canada. 

Canada is home to outstanding not-for-profits delivering critical social programs and services, but many of these organizations have not been able to adequately invest in technology infrastructure and digital skills. While a majority believe digital adoption is important and the resource crunch they face could be more effectively managed through digital technology, 55 per cent of charities polled say they do not have the funding, or the skills, expertise and knowledge for digital adoption1.   

This has created significant obstacles for delivering programs and services efficiently, scaling impact and reach, and bringing in donations critical to support their work. The pandemic has made this situation even more challenging as not-for-profit organizations struggled to survive and to pivot to online models while facing decreasing revenue and increasing demand for services. 

“Canadian not-for-profit organizations are vital contributors to our country’s economic health and social fabric, but many lack the necessary technology infrastructure and digital skills to deliver on their mandates and increase their impact,” said Sasha Krstic, president of Mastercard in Canada. “We aim to provide support, resources and expertise to help empower them do what they do best.  It’s about creating a ripple effect that will make Canadian society stronger, more inclusive, and more equitable for everyone.” 

About Mastercard Changeworks  

The core mission of Mastercard Changeworks is to support Canadian not-for-profits – and the individuals and communities they serve – by helping them improve their technology and data capabilities. Designed with three program pillars: grants and partnerships, hackathons and datathons, and employee volunteer initiatives, the program will launch with a targeted focus on not-for-profits in the entrepreneurship space, particularly those supporting Indigenous and Immigrant/Newcomer small-business entrepreneurs; a segment of the business community that continues to face significant challenges. Over time, the program will broaden to others in the not-for-profit sector.  

CanadaHelps is the first anchor grant recipient of Mastercard Changeworks. The grant will fund the development and piloting of a new program, CanadaHelps’ Charity Growth Academy – to help small and medium-size charities use tech and data to transform their strategies, operations, and fundraising. Eleven charities and not-for-profits in the entrepreneurship, Indigenous and/or immigrant/newcomer space will be part of the pilot, each receiving a digital transformation assessment and customized action plan, training, coaching, and a grant from Mastercard to implement technology and/or data solutions customized to its needs. 

“The prioritization of digital transformation is well understood and underway in the business world, and charities need the same support to go digital that has been offered to small businesses,” said Lizz Bryce, SVP, Community and Strategic Initiatives at CanadaHelps. “The support provided by Mastercard Changeworks has taken Charity Growth Academy from a bold idea to a reality that was only possible with the significant investment Mastercard was willing to make. This program will enable our small and medium-size charity partners to kick-start their digital transformation journeys with the support of quality training resources, connections to volunteer experts, and funding needed to lay the foundations for long-term progress and success.” 

Mastercard Changeworks furthers the mission of The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth to advance equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion globally. Through a commitment to investing in actionable insights, impactful programs and cross-sector partnerships, the Center helps ensure that technology works for people, meets their needs and makes their lives better.   

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