Latest news with #Accelerate
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
An Overview of LinkedIn's AI-Powered Accelerate Campaigns [Infographic]
This story was originally published on Social Media Today. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Social Media Today newsletter. LinkedIn has provided a new overview of its AI-powered 'Accelerate' campaigns, which use systematic understanding to help you get your ads in front of the most relevant audiences. Much like Meta's Advantage+ offerings, Accelerate aims to automate much of the advertising process, with LinkedIn gradually expanding these features to more ad types. As explained by LinkedIn: 'Accelerate Campaigns are LinkedIn's AI-powered solution designed to help marketers quickly create, launch and optimize high-performance campaigns. Accelerate uses LinkedIn's AI to find the right mix of targeting, creative, bidding and placements to improve campaign results while saving time.' Accelerate campaigns utilize AI to predict your ideal ad audience, based on usage signals, while they can also optimize your bidding and placements, and generate ad copy. And while it may feel a little strange to be leaving these key aspects of your ad process in the hands of machines, this is how the ad creation and targeting process is evolving. Generative AI systems are based on data and predictions, making them highly effective for ad creation, and most social platforms are now working on similar predictive process to optimize ad creation and reach. The below overview provides more info on how Accelerate campaigns work, and their benefits. Recommended Reading Key Tips on Maximizing LinkedIn Performance [Infographic] Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I went to a crypto conference, and it was nothing like I expected
Solana's Accelerate conference in New York City was full of buzz about stablecoins. It lacked the flashy the over-the-top goofiness of earlier crypto conferences, which is probably good. There was some muted talk about politics, mainly about regulations. I wanted to go to the Solana Accelerate conference as soon as I saw the trailer for the crypto confab. The video ad showed "America" at a therapist's office, where the country described its urge to innovate and was met with resistance from a "woke" therapist, who encouraged America to "channel this energy into something more productive, like coming up with a new gender." The ad was so over the top in its culture war stance that the Solana organization pulled the video a few hours later. I was curious: Would the tone of the conference, which was late last week, match the ad? Not really. I was surprised by what I found. I must report that crypto has entered its boring stage. It's no longer the wacky, eccentric, overhyped goofball world of NFTs and hype of a few years ago. Attendees wore normal clothing (OK, there was one guy in a sequin blazer). The crowd was largely male, in their 30s, and had the look of people who had full-time office jobs in tech. A colleague who was considering attending the conference with me lamented that it seemed a far cry from the NFT conventions of a few years ago — no good parties or big musical performances. There weren't gimmicky cartoons or celebrity endorsements. These were serious people who were here to work. With a caveat: The silly NFT and Constitution DAO days weren't that long ago, and even though the crypto industry has matured in certain ways, it's not that far off. At least one person I chatted with who had appeared as a speaker onstage to talk about stablecoins told me he used to work at OpenSea, the NFT trading platform, and still proudly owns a few NFTs. The big topic most of the speakers hit on: stablecoins. Stablecoins are often meant to be tied 1:1 to a fiat currency, like the US dollar. In theory, these are, well, stable (sort of) and intended for use as digital currency rather than a pure number-go-up speculation play. This is very much the hot thing of the moment. Last week, the GENIUS Act, which would create regulations for stablecoins, passed the House and is heading to the Senate. Politics did cast a long shadow on the event. Two New York Democrats gave fireside chats: Rep. Ritchie Torres and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand talked about regulation, and both mentioned their distaste for President Donald Trump's memecoin. "Trump being involved in crypto is the worst news for this industry," Gillibrand said, to scattered applause. There was also political representation from the other side of the aisle. There was big applause for Bo Hines, who funded his failed 2022 campaign for the 13th congressional District in North Carolina with his own trust fund, and is now working under David Sachs as a sort of deputy crypto czar to Trump. Anthony Scaramucci, a character whose political affiliation is somewhat quixotic, enthused about the speed of crypto transactions compared to his early days on Wall Street. But it shouldn't be a surprise that the politics here weren't black-and-white. Crypto has a way of drawing mercurial ideas out of people that don't fall straight down party lines. Which is why the ad for the event, which espoused the meat-and-potatoes anti-woke viewpoint, seemed so out of place. So, is crypto … boring and mainstream now? It almost seemed that way without the over-the-top glitz and pomp of the diamond hands emoji Lamborghini-loving crowd. (The same morning, a little over a mile away from the event, two people were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and torturing a man to get his bitcoin password.) The night before I attended, Trump held a dinner for top holders of his memecoin, where the crowd was reportedly somewhat disappointed by his brief speech and the mediocre food. This has long been a dichotomy in the crypto world: the grounded engineers and business people working on projects with utility vs. the get-rich-quick schemers, crooks, and scammers. The attendees I chatted with were the former type — and they found real use and value in this conference. But as a mere fly on the wall, I kind of wanted a little more of the latter group, just for the entertainment. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Diageo to cut €450m in costs due to Trump… but Guinness is safe
Guinness owner Diageo unveiled plans yesterday to cut almost € 450 million in costs in the face of US tariffs. However, the drinks giant, which owns brands including Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, Moet et Chandon Champagne and Gordon's Gin, repeated its statement from January that it has no plans to sell off Guinness. Diageo, which is worth € 50 billion globally, said: 'We are introducing the first phase of our Accelerate programme, which sets out clear cash delivery targets and a disciplined approach to operational excellence and cost efficiency. Pic: Getty Images 'This programme will represent a shift in how we do business, moving to a more agile global operating model, and is underpinned by our strong digital and data capabilities. 'This simplified approach will create a stronger platform to optimise investment and allocate resources effectively towards long-term sustainable growth.' Cost-cutting would come from changes to the company's trade investments and advertising spend, overheads and supply chain, said the firm's finance chief, Nik Jhangiani. Nik Jhangiani. Pic: File Diageo is also expected to dispose of some significant assets to help reduce its leverage ratio from 3.1 times net debt to operating profit at the end of last year to between 2.5 and three times. Any sales could include some major assets, Mr Jhangiani hinted. 'We see… some opportunities for what I would call substantial changes versus portfolio trimming. It's clearly going to be above and beyond the usual smaller brand disposals you've seen over the last three years,' he said. However, that will not include Guinness, where chief executive Debra Crew said 'nothing has changed' with regards to the iconic stout, which was described as 'well-performing'. Pic: Diageo/PA Wire In fact, it is selling so well that some pubs in Britain brought in rationing and shipped in more supplies from Dublin over Christmas to cope with demand. The cost cuts will help Diageo, which is also the world's largest spirits distiller, deliver about € 2.7 billion in free cash flow a year from the next financial year. The company also plans to reduce its debt-to-earnings ratio to between 2.5 and 3 by the fiscal year 2028. Pic: Ross Mahon/Shutterstock 'This will be delivered through a combination of organic growth and positive operating leverage, combined with tighter capital discipline, and appropriate and selective disposals over the coming years,' it explained. U.S. President Donald Trump's 10% tariff on imports from the EU and Britain will mean a € 130 million hit to Diageo's annual operating profit, the firm estimates. The company employs 10,000 people worldwide, including 1,200 in Ireland. It has ten sites around the country, including its HQ at St James's Gate in Dublin, its Baileys plant near Belfast and the Smithwick's brewery in Kilkenny. Asked if the cost savings could mean job cuts or the price of a pint increasing, the company did not respond specifically.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Guinness maker Diageo cuts costs, eyes US tariff hit
LONDON: Diageo, the maker of Guinness stout and Smirnoff vodka, said Monday it would cut costs to reduce debt, as the British group anticipates a hit from US tariffs of $150 million. The announcements from Diageo, whose brands also include Johnnie Walker whisky and Baileys liqueur, were included in an earnings statement that showed total group sales rose nearly three percent to around $4.38 billion in its third quarter. "We view the near-term industry pressure as largely macro-economic driven, with continued uncertainty impacting both the timing and pace of recovery," Diageo chief executive Debra Crew said in the statement. The maker of Astral tequila and Captain Morgan rum said it plans cost savings of around $500 million over three years under the first phase of its Accelerate programme. It leaves the company "well-positioned to deliver sustainable, consistent performance while maximising shareholder returns; even if current trading conditions persist", Crew added. The CEO said Diageo would share further detail of Accelerate in its full-year results due in August. Diageo's share price was steady Monday on London's benchmark FTSE 100 index, which was down 0.6 percent overall in late morning deals following the updates. While "tariffs are likely to cause an annualised hit of some $150 million on profits... the group estimates that its mitigating actions, such as increasing prices, cost control and supply chain management will limit the damage", noted Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Strong Guinness sales in Europe help Diageo in Q3
Investors were buoyed by the world's biggest spirits maker's plans to cut costs and its expectation that the impact from tariffs won't be as bad has previously anticipated. Diageo chief executive Debra Crew said the group is introducing a programme called 'Accelerate', designed to cut costs, delivery enhanced cash flow and improve its operating model. The group plans to save $500m (€444m) in costs by 2028 following years of sales declines. The new programme will be backed by 'appropriate and selective disposals' in coming years, according to Diageo. The drinks maker shot down speculation earlier this year that it was poised to sell the iconic Guinness brand. It had been reported that Diageo exploring a potential spin-off or sale of Guinness, in what would be the biggest corporate change for the Irish beer brand since it was merged with Grand Metropolitan in 1997. Overall third-quarter organic net sales at Diageo, which also owns brands including Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan and Gordon's, rose 5.9pc, with organic volume up 2.8pc and sales mix and pricing accounting for 3.1 percentage points of the rise. In Europe, organic net sales were flat. 'Organic net sales were broadly flat with performance overall supported by continued strong momentum in Guinness, offset by further softness in spirits across key markets,' Diageo noted in a trading update. 'Guinness organic net sales were up double digit in the quarter with continued momentum from both Guinness Draught and Guinness 0.0,' it added. 'Spirits organic net sales declined overall but our continued focus on tequila delivered growth from both Don Julio and Casamigos.' Ms Crew insisted the group's new Accelerate programme will deliver for shareholders. 'This sets out clear near-term cash delivery targets and a disciplined approach to operational excellence and cost efficiency,' she said. 'It will strengthen Diageo by increasing our effectiveness, agility, and resilience. It will also ensure that we are well-positioned to deliver sustainable, consistent performance while maximising shareholder returns, even if current trading conditions persist.' ADVERTISEMENT She said it will help Diageo generate about $3bn in free cash flow a year from its fiscal 2026 year and reduce debt. The spirits industry was already struggling with a sharp drop in sales amid high interest rates and inflation when US president Donald Trump announced sweeping tariff plans that threatened to upend sales further. Diageo said it now expects a $150m annualised hit from the duties, lower than the roughly $200m it had estimated in February, after threats of a 25pc levy affecting Mexican tequila and Canadian whisky did not materialise. Diageo generates around 45pc of sales in the United States from products that must be made in either Mexico or Canada. Currently, it is affected by a 10pc levy on imports from places like Britain and the European Union. It said growth benefited from an acceleration in shipments to North America ahead of the imposition of tariffs, and expects this effect to reverse in the fourth quarter.
