Latest news with #ChiefOperatingOfficer
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How much will it cost to be a UFC fan in 2026 after Paramount deal? $12.99 per month
UFC's massive new deal with Paramount/CBS is shaping up to be great for fight fans. The change in broadcast partner will mark a sea change for the promotion as it moves away from its historic pay-per-view (PPV) business model. The change couldn't be coming at a more appropriate time, as there are fewer stars and more athletes on the roster than ever. The promotion is built to hold LOTS of events, not necessarily ones that are worth shelling out $80. In recent years, it's become extremely expensive to be a UFC fan, a fact made more difficult by general economic instability. While discussing the new Paramount deal, TKO Chief Operating Officer talked about moving away from pay-per-view. He also dropped a number for the monthly cost at $12.99, a dramatic improvement to the current expenses. 'The pay-per-view model is a thing of the past,' Shapiro said on CNBC. 'What's on pay-per-view anymore? Boxing? Movies on DirecTV? It's an outdated, antiquated model. So, it was paramount to us – forgive the pun – where it's one-stop shopping, especially for our younger fans in flyover states. When they find out, 'Wait, if I just sign up for Paramount+ for $12.99 a month, I'm going to automatically get UFC's numbered fights and the rest of the portfolio?' That's a message we want to amplify.' Currently, $12.99 is the monthly rate of a premium Paramount+ subscription. Shapiro spoke of that figure as if it's not going to change in 2026, which feels almost too good to be true given the money Paramount is throwing around to add UFC fights and South Park to its platform. Still, as of right now, Shapiro is the best source we have in regards to future pricing. If the $12.99 a month rate holds, it will cost about $156 to watch every UFC event in 2026, less than the costs of two 2025 UFC PPV events.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Six Ways AI Will Transform Scientific R&D In The Future
Michael Connell, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer, Enthought. AI is reshaping every industry, but scientific research and development—drug discovery, materials innovation, specialty chemicals and more—is about to undergo one of the most profound transformations. McKinsey identified R&D as one of the four sectors that would see the greatest positive impact of generative AI in the near term, with R&D currently being the one lagging the most, but with perhaps the greatest ultimate potential benefit. Here are six predictions for how AI will reshape R&D in the next decade. 1. Vertical, AI-first scientific solutions will dominate. Tomorrow's indispensable scientific tools won't just be traditional software "enhanced" by AI—they'll be entirely redesigned around AI. Because scientific R&D is highly "domain-dense" and regulation-heavy, a vertical focus is essential. Expect revolutionary ELNs, LIMS and informatics tools custom-built for specialized fields like medicinal chemistry, polymer design and catalyst discovery. Given the variability between labs and the unique nature of R&D work, custom, niche AI tools are going to become much more prevalent. Success requires internal and/or external domain-plus-AI experts who understand R&D workflows, scientific data and how to integrate the new technologies into legacy systems. Those with access to this expertise will be the ones to succeed. 2. Predictive AI will become more valuable than generative AI. Generative AI may grab attention for its content creation capabilities, but the real goldmine in R&D is knowing which experiments not to run. Predictive AI models will enable researchers to eliminate months of physical experimentation, replacing slow trial-and-error cycles with overnight virtual explorations of vast design spaces. To capitalize on this shift, companies will need to prioritize the development of robust predictive models and engineering design models that leverage them. Researchers must also be trained to interpret and develop confidence in the predictions made by AI in order to integrate them seamlessly into their experimental design and product development workflows. 3. Laboratories will operate as autonomous workflows. Lab automation is about to leap from managing instruments to managing teams. AI-powered agents will handle scheduling, reagent procurement, quality control and even supervise experimental execution. As AI orchestrates routine tasks, scientists will increasingly focus on higher-order decision-making and creative hypothesis generation. Labs should begin to integrate AI into their operational processes, starting with automating repetitive tasks and gradually expanding AI's role to more complex lab functions and expectations. 4. Creative ideation will be the ultimate differentiator. When AI can generate thousands of plausible drug molecules or materials overnight, human ingenuity becomes the most precious commodity. Companies must forge strategies that seamlessly blend human insight with AI-generated outputs, creating a powerful synergistic approach to innovation. Those who cultivate originality, unconventional thinking and "scientific taste"—the ability to pick the most promising ideas out of the noise—will lead the market. 5. Data ethics and ownership will spark significant backlash. As proprietary data from labs, clinical trials and private research increasingly feeds AI models, ethical and IP battles will intensify. Expect heightened scrutiny around data privacy, ownership and consent, leading to major shifts in how research data is valued, protected and compensated. On the other hand, the benefits of pooling data across organizations to train specialized models and agents are likely to be substantial for all parties involved, including end users. Organizations and consortia that figure out how to do this successfully (such as through a federated data model, where the data can be used for training without being accessible to others) will have a significant competitive advantage. 6. New R&D roles will emerge. The most sought-after hires in research will soon be "AI workflow designers" and "head of AI operations." AI workflow designers will be expected to expertly translate human scientific processes into highly automated, AI-driven workflows. Heads of AI operations will be responsible for the integration of tools and overseeing outcomes of all the AI initiatives across the R&D organization. For many organizations, developing these roles internally will be a significant undertaking. The ability to effectively leverage external expertise in AI, automation and scientific workflows will be a key factor in successfully navigating this transition. What does the future look like? These predictions sketch a compelling future where predictive AI transforms R&D, automation elevates human ingenuity and innovative platforms redefine scientific discovery. Forward-thinking organizations that embrace these trends early will set the agenda for breakthroughs in scientific R&D domains like life sciences, materials science and energy for years to come. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Are So Many Consumers Fixated On Gas Prices?
Linnea Geiss, Chief Operating Officer at PDI Technologies. Want to start a conversation where you'll get a strong opinion from almost everyone? Just ask them about gas prices. From small-town diners in rural America to the lead stories on the nightly news, any gas price fluctuations tend to stir the pot. Not only that, but those opinions tend to be disproportionately hot takes that don't seem to happen with other everyday aspects of our lives. So, why does it feel like gas prices are such an obsession for so many of us? First, gas is a unique but frequent purchase. Consumers are bombarded by prominent outdoor pricing signage as they drive past gas stations. There are a lot of reasons gas prices are such a hot topic, and three of the main reasons include: 1. Household Budgets: Many Americans view driving as a need, not a want. That makes gas an essential commodity rather than a discretionary purchase—especially for consumers on limited budgets, where gas costs can have a disproportionate impact. 2. Inflation: Higher gas prices can lead to higher inflation across the board since increased transportation costs get baked into all types of consumer goods and services. 3. Consumer Sentiment: People view the price of gas as a daily reminder of how expensive life is—and it has become a leading indicator of how consumers view the overall state of the economy. Decoding The Gas Buyer's Mindset For a country that has revolved around the automobile for almost a century, gas prices are part of American culture. When prices rise, they tend to bring an unwelcome reminder about economic loss (money that's leaving your wallet). To put it more bluntly, you've probably heard hundreds of people complain about higher gas prices, but how many times have you heard someone singing the praises of oil companies when prices fall? I'm not even going to count the Covid-era price drops, since any good feelings got erased by the fact that most of us couldn't really go anywhere. Although for Summer 2025, we are forecasting the cheapest inflation-adjusted prices at the pump in several years, resulting in a robust road trip season for Americans. Demystifying The Cost Of Gas A key psychological factor stems from our economic expectations that any rise in price naturally feels like a big increase, even if it's relatively flat from a historical perspective. For example, inflation is a flashing red light for many consumers, and gas prices often get blamed as a prominent driver of inflation. In reality, gas prices haven't risen dramatically since 2008 in terms of today's dollars. So, even if consumers feel that today's gas prices are way above average, they actually peaked over 15 years ago. Probably not what you were expecting, right? Of course, none of us wants to pay more for something than we absolutely have to, which is why so many consumers have turned gas shopping into a game or challenge. This mindset appeals to both bargain hunters and people who simply want to be good stewards of their money. These bargain hunters will sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to find a deal. I won't necessarily label it as irrational, but it seems like behavior more unique to this purchase than other kinds of savings consumers seek out. We all probably know someone who will gleefully drive an extra 10 miles to save a few pennies per gallon of gas, even if those additional driving miles effectively wipe out the savings. Why? It makes them feel like they're beating the system. Even if it's not purely rational, the perception of value is real. Therefore, it's important to design pricing, offers and messaging to make customers feel like they're winning. Taking The Shortcut To A Good Deal That type of sentiment opens the door for savvy fuel retailers to attract cost-conscious shoppers. Entire books could be written about the calculations and formulas these retailers use to set just the right price to incentivize consumers, but that's another story for another day. It's essential to note that the mobile phone is the primary driver of the modern gas buying experience, having completely transformed the game for bargain hunters. The digital experience enables the discovery and sharing of information about gas prices on a much larger scale, and in real time. That's why so many consumers have embraced mobile apps and fuel rewards programs to save. I've seen firsthand how popular these money-saving tools have become. Apps like these empower communities to share, review and even compete. You can use these apps to turn your customers into marketers or data-gatherers. The popularity of these apps (disclaimer: my company owns and operates one) stems from the community of bargain hunters who are sharing gas prices from across the U.S. There's a positive reinforcement of users helping each other find the best deals (making that grudge purchase a bit more palatable). And just like everyone loves a deal, they also love rewards. Many app users have learned to double down by combining their savings with fuel rewards programs from participating coalition partners like grocery chains and travel companies. Doing so allows them to stack cents-off-per-gallon savings with additional everyday rewards—such as a free in-store coffee with every fuel fill-up. It turns out that consumers love these types of programs, and the most innovative retailers are able to profit from them. Most of us wouldn't necessarily label bargain hunters as the most loyal customers, but once they buy into a retailer's loyalty and rewards program, they tend to keep showing up. And, as all retailers understand, a loyal customer is the best type of customer when it comes to selling more goods and increasing profitability. These bargain hunters serve as a microcosm of the American consumer fixation on gas prices. But they also represent how retailers can deliver value to anyone who wants a good deal, especially when it comes to a "grudge" purchase like gasoline. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Associated Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Broyhill Asset Management Names Jim Watson COO, Expands Leadership with Analyst Hire
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Broyhill Asset Management announced today that Jim Watson has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mr. Watson oversees all non-investment-related functions, including accounting, legal, compliance, marketing, reporting, strategy, and business development. Mr. Watson brings more than 25 years of industry experience to Broyhill, having most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at Park West Asset Management, where he was the firm's first employee helping to scale the fund from $50 million to $4 billion in assets over 18 years. His extensive background spans both hedge funds and private equity firms, with a strong track record of building and managing high-performing operational teams. 'Jim's arrival marks a significant milestone in Broyhill's continued evolution,' said Chris Pavese, President and Chief Investment Officer of Broyhill Asset Management. 'With more than two decades of experience leading a top-tier equity hedge fund, Jim brings a level of institutional rigor and leadership necessary to ensure that our operations measure up to the world-class caliber of our investment process. Most importantly, his character and values align deeply with our own — measured, disciplined, and long-term in perspective — and his impact will elevate every facet of our organization.' Jim Watson's expertise will be instrumental in supporting the continued growth of the firm, including the recent introduction of the Broyhill Vitruvian Value Fund, a concentrated, long-only global equity strategy inspired by the Renaissance ideals embodied in Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man and the timeless principles of Vitruvius' 'De Architectura.' The approach reflects Broyhill's belief that successful investing lies at the intersection of art and science, blending analytical rigor with creative insight and emphasizing deep fundamental analysis, meticulous attention to detail, and thorough due diligence. 'I'm excited to join Broyhill at such a pivotal moment in the firm's journey,' said Jim Watson, Chief Operating Officer of Broyhill Asset Management. 'The team's values and focus on long-term investing are deeply aligned with my own. I look forward to helping scale the firm's operational capabilities as we expand our platform and continue to serve our partners with excellence.' In addition to strengthening its operations, Broyhill also welcomed Matt McLean as a senior member of the investment team. Mr. McLean will work closely with Mr. Pavese on research and idea generation across the portfolio. He joins Broyhill from Millennium Management, a $75 billion multi-manager hedge fund, where he spent the past three-plus years. Throughout his career, Mr. McLean has developed expertise in equity research and financial analysis through roles of increasing responsibility. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and brings the discipline honed as a lifelong athlete to the investment process. Together, the appointments of Watson and McLean reflect Broyhill's continued investment in building a world-class team—pairing operational excellence with deep investment expertise. About Broyhill Asset Management Broyhill Asset Management, LLC ('Broyhill') is a Charlotte-based investment firm managing over $275 million in assets. Originally established as a family office nearly half a century ago, the firm spun out in 2022 to become an independently owned investment manager under the leadership of Chris Pavese. While Broyhill has historically explored a variety of investments for its clients, the firm is now focused on managing its flagship, global, value-oriented, public equity strategy. With a verified track record approaching ten years, the firm serves a diverse client base – including institutions, advisors, and high-net-worth families – by delivering long-term capital appreciation with a rigorous focus on capital preservation through disciplined, bottom-up security selection. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Broyhill Asset Management
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Karim Bizid appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Chedi Hospitality as the Brand Enters New Era of Growth
Chedi Hospitality proudly announces the appointment of Karim Bizid as Chief Operating Officer, a strategic leadership move that marks a defining moment in the group's evolution. With an expanding portfolio of landmark destinations and private residences, the appointment reinforces Chedi Hospitality's vision to deliver exceptional experiences, cultural authenticity, and guest-centric innovation. As Chief Operating Officer, Bizid will oversee global operations and the implementation of brand standards across new and existing properties. He will play a critical role in shaping the group's operational frameworks, guiding teams, and supporting the seamless opening of upcoming developments in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. His leadership will be pivotal in ensuring that each destination upholds the refined values and distinct identity that define the Chedi experience—one rooted in intuitive service, architectural elegance, and meaningful guest connection. 'Karim's appointment as Chief Operating Officer is a natural evolution of his leadership and a reflection of the value he brings to our brand,' said Stephan Schupbach, CEO of Chedi Hospitality. 'As we expand into new destinations and strengthen our global presence, Karim will ensure our operations are both agile and aligned to our ethos. His deep understanding of the brand and its people makes him a key pillar in our next chapter.' 'I am honoured to step into this new role at such a pivotal time for Chedi Hospitality,' said Karim Bizid, Chief Operating Officer of Chedi Hospitality. 'Having witnessed the brand's transformation first-hand, I am deeply inspired by our vision and proud to be a part of the next phase of growth. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and partners worldwide to shape operations that are as thoughtful and distinctive as the destinations we create.'
