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Business Upturn
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Lava for Good's New Investigative Series Absolute, Season 1: Taser Incorporated Debuts with an Explosive Examination of Taser's Rise to Power
New York, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NEW YORK, NY – May 21, 2024 – Lava for Good, Adweek's 2024 Podcast Network of the Year, today announced the launch of Absolute, Season 1: Taser Incorporated , the first story in a bold new investigative series that examines how extreme corporate power reshapes American institutions and our everyday lives. Hosted by accomplished writer, director, and journalist Nick Berardini, Absolute, Season 1: Taser Incorporated is a story about unchecked power that threads several storylines into one epic tale of relentless ambition, a utopian vision, and the collision between technology and humanity in the realm of modern law enforcement. Berardini has spent over a decade investigating the history and rise of the Taser and the company behind it, and with Absolute, Season 1: Taser Incorporated , he left no stone unturned. Taser International, now known as Axon Enterprises, is the 800-pound gorilla in the paramilitary police equipment industry. It is led by its charismatic CEO and co-founder, Rick Smith — a man with a Star Trek obsession and an ambitious, altruistic vision of a world without killing. As Smith's Taser became the ultimate alternative weapon for police, his company became an integral supplier to police across the nation, as presidents from both parties poured millions of taxpayer dollars into the promise of a non-lethal alternative to firearms. But as stories of deaths and serious injuries began to emerge, Taser's legal and publicity strategy seemingly turned to blaming police for misuse and victims for health issues rather than focusing on potential flaws in the product itself. Berardini's documentary film, Killing Them Safely —a searing investigation into police weaponry and accountability—premiered in World Competition at the Tribeca Film Festival and was produced by Academy Award winner Glen Zipper and Sundance fellow James Goncalves. The film was later acquired by IFC/Sundance Selects and licensed by Netflix and Hulu, earning critical acclaim in Vanity Fair , Newsweek , The Los Angeles Times , Forbes , and The Guardian . 'America loves the story of a hungry entrepreneur with a dream,' said Berardini. 'But when that ambition goes unchecked and success comes at any cost, we must examine the true price being paid — and by whom.' Jason Flom, co-founder and CEO of Lava for Good, commented, 'With this terrific debut season of our new Absolute series, we're expanding our investigative focus to examine how increasingly militarized, high-tech policing supplied by powerful private enterprise impacts the criminal legal system in America. This series exemplifies Lava for Good's commitment to stories that challenge listeners to question the systems we take for granted.' Lava for Good is the network behind award-winning series including Wrongful Conviction and Bone Valley , both of which have been credited with contributing to real-world outcomes, from exonerations and paroles to legislative change. Lava's work is distinguished by fearless reporting, deep investigative rigor, and a commitment to centering stories that are too often overlooked. Absolute, Season 1: Taser Incorporated launches May 21 on all major podcast platforms. Episodes 1, 2, and 3 will be available to binge on May 21, with episodes 4, 5, and 6 following on June 4 — exclusively on Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts . For more information, visit . About Lava for Good Lava for Good, Adweek's 2024 Podcast Network of the Year, creates standout original content, podcasts, and experiences that deliver unparalleled access and insights into the heart of social justice in America, and inspire action towards a more informed, empathic, and just society. Founded and led by renowned music executive, children's book author, and philanthropist Jason Flom with Lava Media COO Jeff Kempler, Lava for Good's #1-charting lineup of podcasts, produced in association with Signal Co. No1, has been downloaded over 70 million times, listed by critics as among the best podcasts of all time, and is credited with influencing exonerations, clemencies, pardons, legislation and reforms nationwide. The lineup, hosted by leading experts, attorneys, activists, formerly incarcerated persons, and journalists on the frontlines of human rights and justice movements, includes Bone Valley , Earwitness , Erased: The Murder of Elma Sands (with Allison Williams and Tony Goldwyn), False Confessions , Junk Science , T he War on Drugs , Wrongful Conviction , and more, and is available on all popular podcast platforms. Attachment Absolute, Season 1: Taser Incorporated Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jason Voorhees, the Iconic FRIDAY THE 13th Slasher, Gets a New Look for His 45th Birthday
Forty-five years ago, Camp Crystal Lake became synonymous with terror when Friday the 13th hit theaters. Although Jason Voorhees doesn't show up till the end of the movie (kinda), the iconic slasher nevertheless became the series mascot. Now, as a way of celebrating 45 years of Jason, we've learned (via Adweek), that Horror, Inc., the company that owns the Jason Voorhees IP, has revealed the character's new look. Fans got a look before its debut in the A24/Peacock series, Crystal Lake. And it's a very retro-looking design, harkening back to Jason's first handful of appearances. Special makeup effects legend Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead) helped design the 'new' Jason, which you can see below: Here's what Horror Inc.'s Rob Barsamian had to say about Jason's new (old) look: We strive to maintain Jason's original essence, while continuing to move toward the future with a defined look and feel that takes Jason into his next chapter. We're also working with both familiar and fresh franchise voices to strike that balance. We gave Greg our new 13-hole mask and worked together on this full body look that embodies classic Jason. He's a strong, towering and terrifying slasher with a machete, his weapon of choice. The new Jason look will debut in the new Crystal Lake series, but will be consistent across all 'Jason Universe' media. So when the legendary slasher appears next in a video game, or that eventual new Friday the 13th movie, he'll look the same. From a corporate standpoint, we get it. But it's a little dismaying that a future director of a movie or game where Jason appears won't really have a say on the character's design. It's already pre-chosen. The rights to the cinematic Friday the 13th franchise were in litigation for several years. But in 2024, original Friday screenwriter Victor Miller won the rights back. Whatever new movie that eventually comes out will be made in collaboration with him. It's now been 16 years since Jason killed horny camp counselors on the big screen. And that's just way too long a wait. Hopefully, this all means we won't have to wait too much longer for the thirteenth Friday installment.
Miami Herald
19-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Bankrupt paper towel and tissue maker seeks sale to Italian rival
When the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the retail sector beginning in March 2020, sanitary paper companies benefited from the call to accelerate their toilet paper, paper towel, facial tissue, and napkin production to meet huge demand from the public. People were stocking up on all of the different sanitary paper products, as many workers had transitioned to remote work at home and a large percentage of the workforce began using more at-home paper products instead of the sanitary paper offered at work. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter By April 12, 2020, 73% of U.S. stores were sold out of toilet paper, Reuters reported at the time, but the market ramped up quickly, as by April 19, 2020, 48% of stores were sold out. But that's still a high percentage of stores without toilet paper. Related: Huge burger chain franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The scarce supply of sanitary paper products led consumers to begin hoarding any stock they could find, increasing the need to restock the shelves. The leading sanitary paper producers ramped up production and reaped the financial benefits of increased sales of the products. Toilet paper sales in mid-March 2020 rose by 216.8%, according to Adweek, but stabilized by June 2020. The U.S. paper towel and bathroom tissue sector has been dominated by three manufacturers - Georgia-Pacific, which makes Brawny and Angel Soft brands; Kimberly-Clark, which manufactures Scott, Cottonelle, and Kleenex; and Procter & Gamble, which makes Charmin, Bounty, and Puffs. The three companies combined hold 78% of the U.S. market share of toilet paper, according to a National Library of Medicine report. Some of the smaller sanitary paper companies, facing severe supply chain issues, struggled to compete during and after the pandemic, and some manufacturers weren't able to avoid financial distress and a bankruptcy filing. Gorham Paper and Tissue, which manufactured White Mountain Tissue, in November 2020 filed for Chapter 11 protection facing the effects of the pandemic and in January sold its assets to Behrens Investment Group. The company was rebranded White Mountain Paper Company. Image source: Pixabay Fast-forward to about 4-1/2 years later, and major sanitary paper producer Royal Paper on April 8, 2025, filed for Chapter 11 protection, seeking to sell its assets to the U.S. affiliate of Italian sanitary paper company Sofidel Group for a stalking-horse bid of $126 million. Related: Another huge auto parts brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Phoenix-based debtor, which manufactures private-label toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, and napkins for retail customers Aldi, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Kroger, and Meijer, filed its petition after a combination of labor shortages and a fire at one of its distribution facilities impacted its ability to meet customer demand. More bankruptcies: Popular restaurant and bar chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular athletic shoe chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyAward-winning cosmetics brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Among its private-label products for the at-home market, which comprises 70% of the company's business, are Whole Foods' 365 Napkins, Trader Joe's Super Soft Bath Tissue, and Value Bath Tissue that is sold at Family Dollar. Royal's away-from-home market, which includes hotels, restaurants, schools, and hospitals, comprises 30% of its market. Sofidel's brands include Regina, Softis, Kittensoft, Papernet, and Hakle. Royal Paper, founded in 1992, filed a motion on April 8 seeking approval of up to $10 million in debtor-in-possession financing, with $5 million available on interim approval of the motion, to finance its reorganization in bankruptcy. The debtor, Royal Interco, listed $100 million to $500 million in assets and liabilities in its petition. The company owes over $205 million on a term loan credit agreement and about $24.9 million in unsecured debt, according to a declaration from Chief Restructuring Officer Michael Ragano of Novo Advisors. Related: Popular breakfast chain franchise files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Fox News
03-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
NBA DEI chief Lesley Slaton stepping down: report
Lesley Slaton, the NBA's chief DEI officer, informed colleagues in an email Wednesday she's stepping down, according to Adweek. Brown joined the NBA as chief DEI officer in 2023. Before that, she was chief DEI officer at HP since 2015. Adweek reported the league will hire a replacement. "The values of diversity and inclusion are central to the culture of the NBA, WNBA, and our other leagues and will remain core to our business and our workplace," the email said. Other American sports organizations have taken steps to distance themselves from DEI. MLB has removed "diversity" references from its careers page entirely. The General Services Administration announced changes in February to the Federal Acquisition Regulations meant to align with the president's executive order aimed at restoring merito and ending discrimination in the public and private sectors. The move reverses previous Biden administration executive orders that made it mandatory to consider DEI when reviewing contract proposals. Under Trump, language associated with DEI principles was also ordered removed from any federal acquisition, contracting, grant or financial assistance procedures. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Euronews
10-02-2025
- Science
- Euronews
‘Science Moms': The Super Bowl ad urging climate action for the next generation
Viewers in Los Angeles watching the Super Bowl this year were shown the first-ever climate advert from a nonprofit group. The Super Bowl advert was created by climate change marketing experts at the Potential Energy Coalition for Science Moms, a nonpartisan group of climate scientists who are also parents. This group includes Dr Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, Dr Melissa Burt, assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU), and D. Emily Fischer, Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at CSU. The 30-second regional advert was played to Super Bowl viewers in Los Angeles and on some streaming services during the famous American football game. It shines a light on the progress of climate change through the timeline of a young girl's life, from birth to the day she heads off to college. 'As a scientist, I know by the time she takes her first breath, 9 billion more tonnes of carbon pollution will be in the air,' a voiceover says. 'When she takes her first steps, wildfires will have burned millions more acres she could have explored. By the time a child born today goes to college, it may be too late to leave them the world we promised.' Encouraging climate action through love A spokesperson told advertising trade publication Adweek that the advert was a 'product of extensive research' into what message would have the biggest impact on the greatest number of people. 'Do you know what science shows is the top reason people care about climate change?' Dr Hayhoe asked in a post about the ad on LinkedIn. 'LOVE - especially for the next generation.' While several previous ads during the big game have drawn attention to climate change, these have usually come from companies with products to sell. This is the first to be created by a nonprofit group. The New York Times ranked it as one of the best ads shown during this year's Super Bowl. Climate ad raises funds for LA wildfire victims The advert comes not long after devastating wildfires ripped through Los Angeles. Last month more than 10,000 homes were destroyed in the region after high winds followed a dry period that left the city particularly susceptible to blazes. A recent study from researchers around the world found the hot, dry and windy conditions that fuelled the LA fires were about 35 per cent (1.35 times) more likely due to climate change. 'There's a very direct link between the fires that we're seeing now - for example, in Los Angeles, and the fires that we've seen in Texas recently and in Colorado - and climate change,' Fischer told Adweek. The Super Bowl ad provides a direct link to support the California Community Foundation in LA with its Wildfire Recovery Fund to help those recovering from the disaster.
