Latest news with #Clay
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Bride Designed Her Own Blue Wedding Dress for Her Contemporary Outdoor Nuptials in New York's Hudson Valley
The duo tied the knot between two rows of maple trees. Niki Korman and Sage Usher connected on Hinge in the early days of the pandemic. They had both just left New York City for their respective hometowns, and they didn't realize how long they'd be away from the city—ultimately, the lockdown restrictions gave them a chance to get to know each other virtually, and when things opened up a few months later, they got together for their first date in the Big Apple. In June of 2022, Sage proposed to Niki at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Shortly after their engagement, they stumbled upon Wildflower Farms in Gardiner, New York; the beautiful locale stopped them mid-Instagram scroll, and they wasted no time booking a little Valentine's Day getaway to the Hudson Valley hideaway. 'We had such an amazing time and loved the property that once we knew it was the only option for us,' Niki says. 'When we were there, we pictured all of our family and friends there together, enjoying both the indoor and outdoor activities together on top of the beautiful hotel itself.' And that's exactly what Niki and Sage did. They envisioned an elevated camp weekend with activities like tennis, hiking, and pottery for guests to enjoy, so they planned three days of events with help from the team at Pat Glenn Productions. The celebrations kicked off with a rehearsal dinner with their families on Friday night, which was followed by a welcome party for all guests on Saturday. The next day, on September 1, 2024, the couple exchanged vows beneath a canopy of maple trees with 165 of their closest loved ones watching. Their goal was to let the natural beauty of their venue shine, but they also knew they wanted a tented reception that could later transition into a club-like after-party. Read on to see how the details came together—from the bride's blue wedding dress and the dainty ceremony florals to the textural wooden elements and high-energy after-party—in these photos by Kristin Piteo. Related: 17 Botanical Wedding Ideas for a Naturally Beautiful Affair Niki and Sage invited their immediate families to join them for a rehearsal dinner on the porch at Wildflower Farms the Friday before their wedding. There, everyone enjoyed a family-style meal while sitting at one long, communal table. A live musician performed throughout the evening, and the intimate, family-centric event was the perfect way for Niki and Sage to kick off their wedding weekend. On Saturday, guests were encouraged to enjoy activities on the property. Cocktail making, tennis lessons, hiking, pottery classes, and focaccia making were all on offer. After a busy day, Niki and Sage invited all of their 160 guests to join them for a welcome party, which was held on the great porch and spilled inside to the hotel's Clay restaurant. Niki wore a Jean Paul Gaultier dress featuring suspender buckle straps paired with Valentino heels and a Bottega Veneta clutch, which she paired with jewelry borrowed from her grandmother. Niki owns the clothing brand TT Studios, so she worked with Sage to create his custom matching set for the pre-wedding event. He accessorized with white sneakers and a Hublot watch. The indoor-outdoor welcome party ensured that guests were able to enjoy all that the property had to offer. 'It had a very nice indoor-outdoor flow to it,' the bride says. Later that night, the couple moved the party into the green room below the restaurant which acts as a speakeasy. 'We had a bartender down there and music—it turned into a full on dance party until 1 a.m., which was a lot of fun!' Niki remembers. Niki knew she wanted to wear blue on her wedding day, and as the owner and designer of TT Studios, she decided to create her own wedding and after-party dresses. She dreamt up a slim-fitting silk dress with hand beading and a plunging neckline for her walk down the aisle, and it was the only bridal look she tried on throughout the process. 'I do partly regret not going to bridal stores to try dresses on in a more traditional fashion,' Niki admits. 'I think it would've been nice to do so with my mom but also it would've maybe given me more ideas with my own design. Ultimately, it all worked out well and I was happy with the result of my design.' She accessorized with Amina Maudi heels, her grandmother's diamond bracelet and earrings, blue earrings she borrowed from her mom as her "something blue," and custom rings from Louis Newman Jeweler. Related: 13 Best Colorful Wedding Dresses You Can Buy Right Now Niki shared a memorable first look with her dad on the morning of the wedding. He wore custom heart-shaped cufflinks featuring a photo of them together when the bride was a child. Sage wore a black tuxedo and shoes from Dior, which he accessorized with a Rolex watch that was a wedding gift from his bride. Niki and Sage wanted to have a first look before the ceremony to make sure they had time for photos. They kept it light and casual, and remember it being a fun way to kick off the celebrations. 'We both laughed,' Niki says. 'We are not super emotional people and we giggled and gave each other a hug and kiss. It was very nice, but quite on brand for us.' Related: Everything to Know About First Looks—Plus, 20 Examples to Inspire You The couple's ceremony took place outside beneath two rows of maple trees. Wooden chairs were arranged on either side of the aisle, facing in, and loose wildflower-inspired floral arrangements of white blooms, greenery, and grasses were displayed at intervals. The aisle itself was created with a platform that had been covered in astroturf to blend into the existing landscape. 'I wanted the chuppah to flow and connect within the trees to look natural,' Niki says, so the floral team weaved it into the canopy of trees with vines and cascading white flowers. The couple hired live musicians to play acoustic versions of some of their favorite songs for the ceremony prelude and processional. Sage walked down the aisle with his parents to 'Smile' by Uncle Cracker. Niki's parents walked her down the aisle to an acoustic guitar version of Kacey Musgraves' 'Rainbow," which the bride says has always been an important song to them. Niki held a bouquet of white wildflowers finished with a diamond brooch that Sage's mother gifted her. Niki's grandfather, Steven, officiated the couple's ceremony. Instead of exchanging personalized vows during the ceremony, the duo elected to write their words to one another and share their promises in cards on the wedding morning. Then, at the ceremony, they swapped traditional vows. One they were announced as husband and wife, the newlyweds recessed to 'Heaven' by Avicii as guests showered them in flower petals. Guests gathered around a circular bar on the open-air patio during cocktail hour. An oversized arrangement of greenery with pops of white flowers was displayed in a large ceramic urn as the focal point of the space. Everyone mingled and enjoyed passed appetizers and drinks before making their way to the tent for the reception. Ivory draping lined the walls of the reception tent, and the space was filled with a mix of round wooden tables and farm tables dressed with white gauzy table runners. Plenty of white candles at varying heights were used throughout the space, lending a warm glow to the tent. "I had a clear vision of a ceiling flower installation,' Niki explains. "Because of that, I wanted the flowers on the tables to be more dainty and whimsical." The place settings featured wildflower chargers and custom distressed linen menus, which the bride sourced from a company in London. Niki and Sage shared their first dance to the tune of Rex Orange County's 'Loving Is Easy." Then, their band played Carol King's 'You've Got a Friend' for a combined father-daughter and mother-son dance. 'The band was incredibly talented and we loved how their dancing got the crowd going on the dance floor,' the bride says. The Hora was one of the couple's standout memories from the night. 'Sage's friends in Toronto have a special styled Canadian Hora where they get very rowdy and excited,' Niki says. 'It brought amazing energy to start the night.' The couple wanted their reception to transition straight into an after-party, and their planning team and band helped ensure that happened. 'We knew we wanted an extreme juxtaposition at the after-party—a full-blown club built in a barn-like setting,' the bride explains. 'Everyone was enjoying how much it resembled a real club.' Niki designed a fitted dress with long sleeves, a keyhole detail, and hand-beaded accents as her after-party look. 'I initially designed it being shorter, but it felt a little too young and wanted a bit more of a mature look so decided to make it longer,' she explains. She styled her look with her grandmother's double diamond bracelet and Rene Caovilla shoes. The couple and their guests danced all night long, which was exactly what Niki and Sage dreamed of. Their late-night DJ was integral in keeping the dance floor packed. "Niki found our DJ on TikTok and we have become fans of his going to his shows in New York City,' Sage explains. After the wedding, the duo spent nearly a month traveling through Thailand, Vietnam, and Weddings Credits Photographer Kristin Piteo Planning, Design, Flowers, and Rentals Pat Glenn Productions Venue, Catering, and Accommodations Wildflower Farms Bride's Hair Duke Duquette Bride's Makeup Cat Mignano Invitations Paperless Post Reception Music Element Music After-Party Music Luke Alexander Videographer Kenneth CooperUp Next: 40 Décor Ideas for a Dreamy Forest Wedding Read the original article on Brides Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NOV Inc (NOV) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Market Challenges with Strategic ...
Revenue: $2.2 billion for Q2 2025, up 4% sequentially, down 1% year-over-year. Net Income: $108 million or $0.29 per fully diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA: $252 million, representing 11.5% of sales. Free Cash Flow: $108 million generated in Q2 2025. Share Repurchase: 10.9 million shares repurchased for $150 million in the first half of 2025. Dividends: Quarterly base dividend of $0.075 per share and a supplemental dividend of $0.21 per share, totaling $135 million year-to-date. Tariff Expense: $11 million in Q2 2025, expected to rise to $20-$25 million in Q3 and $25-$30 million in Q4. Energy Products and Services Revenue: $1.03 billion, a 2% decrease year-over-year. Energy Equipment Revenue: $1.21 billion, nearly unchanged year-over-year. Energy Equipment EBITDA: $158 million, with a 13.1% margin. Working Capital Improvement: 300 basis point improvement year-over-year as a percentage of revenue. Tax Rate: Expected full-year tax rate between 26% and 28%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 10 Warning Signs with GBNXF. Release Date: July 29, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points NOV Inc (NYSE:NOV) reported a 4% sequential increase in revenue for the second quarter of 2025, reaching $2.2 billion. The Energy Equipment segment achieved its 12th consecutive quarter of year-over-year margin expansion. NOV Inc (NYSE:NOV) generated $108 million in free cash flow during the quarter, converting 83% of EBITDA to free cash flow over the last 12 months. The company repurchased 10.9 million shares for $150 million in the first half of 2025, returning $602 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. NOV Inc (NYSE:NOV) is focused on structural cost reduction and process improvement, expecting to remove over $100 million in annual costs by the end of 2026. Negative Points Global drilling activity declined by 6% sequentially, with North American exploration and production companies curtailing short-cycle activity. Pricing pressure is intensifying, with international conventional activity easing and Saudi Arabia suspending additional onshore rigs. Tariff-related and inflationary cost pressures compressed segment margins, with tariff expenses expected to rise in the coming quarters. The Energy Products and Services segment experienced a 20% year-over-year decline in product sales due to market uncertainty and reduced global activity. NOV Inc (NYSE:NOV) anticipates a challenging remainder of 2025, with expectations of North American shale activity drifting modestly lower and global drilling activity slowing further. Q & A Highlights Q: Clay, given the recent changes and challenges, how are you thinking about where margins might bottom in the next few quarters, and what could drive them back up? A: Clay Williams, Chairman and CEO, explained that while margins have been pressured by factors like OPEC+ production increases and tariff impacts, NOV is focused on cost reduction initiatives. He is optimistic that these efforts will stabilize margins in the second half of the year and set the stage for recovery in 2026, driven by increased offshore activity and demand for NOV's technologies. Q: What are the key indicators you are watching to signal a market turnaround in the next few quarters? A: Clay Williams noted that while current market conditions are challenging due to commodity price pressures and OPEC's actions, he expects signs of recovery as offshore drillers prepare for increased activity in 2026. He anticipates more inbound calls for equipment projects and spare parts, indicating a market turnaround. Q: Can you provide an update on NOV's cash generation and working capital expectations for the rest of the year? A: Rodney Reed, CFO, highlighted that NOV has achieved strong free cash flow conversion, with working capital as a percentage of revenue improving by 300 basis points year-on-year. For the second half of the year, they expect CapEx to be consistent with last year and working capital as a percentage of sales to be between 27% and 29%, leading to a healthy free cash flow outlook. Q: With the cost reduction steps taken, what size market is NOV preparing for, and what further cost initiatives might be available? A: Clay Williams stated that NOV is preparing for a larger market, driven by international unconventional and deepwater demand. While current market conditions are challenging, NOV is focusing on efficiency improvements and facility consolidations. Jose Bayardo, COO, added that these efforts are part of a long-term strategy to capitalize on market shifts rather than a downsizing due to lower activity expectations. Q: Can you discuss the adoption rate of NOV's automation and digital technologies, particularly in offshore markets? A: Jose Bayardo shared that NOV's automation and digital technologies, such as the NOVOS platform and robotics systems, are seeing strong market traction. The company has sold 220 NOVOS systems, with 134 installed, and has a growing pipeline for robotics systems. Digital product revenue is up 25% year-over-year, indicating robust adoption and future growth potential. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
How B2B Lead Generation Is Evolving in 2025: Top Agencies Turn to AI, Automation, and Intent Data to Drive Results
SMPL New Delhi [India], July 29: As B2B sales cycles grow longer and buyer behavior becomes increasingly digital, lead generation in 2025 is undergoing a foundational shift. What used to be a numbers game, sending thousands of cold emails and waiting for a trickle of replies, has now become a hyper-targeted, tech-powered strategy that prioritizes intent, context, and precision. In this new era, agencies are moving from brute-force outreach to intelligent engagement. Instead of 10,000 blind emails, smart agencies now build curated pools of 500 to 1,000 prospects, each identified through digital breadcrumbs like LinkedIn comment activity, job changes, or recent funding. And it's paying off, reply rates are 20-30%, booked calls exceeding 15%, and cost-per-lead reductions of up to 50%. This transformation is not simply about new tools. It reflects a deeper shift in how modern B2B agencies think about lead generation: real-time signals over stale databases, automation over manual labor, and personalization at scale. A Strategic Shift: Intent-First, AI-Driven Systems The modern lead-generation engine starts with real-time intent data. Agencies now tap platforms like Relevance, Trigify, and LinkedIn-native scrapers inside Clay to watch who comments, reacts, or follows key industry threads. Those signals are immediately enriched with firmographic layers from Apollo, technographic insights from BuiltWith, and buying-stage hints from RB2B before an AI model scores which accounts are truly "in market." When a VP of Growth at a SaaS firm joins a debate on "infrastructure automation," the workflow flags the account. If funding data, hiring spikes, or stack changes match the playbook, an autopilot sequence fires: hyper-personalised emails via Smartlead or Instantly, a safe multi-account LinkedIn cadence through HeyReach, a quick personalised video from Sendspark, and, if needed, a human-sounding qualification call by Air AI or Retell, all launched within minutes. Back-end orchestration runs on n8n, Make, and lightweight Google Apps Scripts that sync CRM, ad platforms, and outreach tools. Even Google Ads budgets pivot automatically when pipeline velocity changes, blurring outbound and inbound into one responsive, revenue-focused growth loop. The Rise of Conversational Calling Agents Voice is reemerging with a high-tech twist. AI calling agents built using platforms like Sima, Retell, Vocode, and Air AI are now qualifying leads, answering FAQs, and booking meetings, all autonomously. One agency reported a 34% lift in call-to-meeting conversion rates when blending AI-driven first-touch calling agents with human SDRs, releasing human reps to focus on high-touch deals. What the Modern Lead Gen Stack Looks Like in 2025 The modern agency's stack in 2025 is no longer limited to a CRM and cold email tool. It now includes: * Clay - Real-time lead enrichment from 50+ sources * Trigify - Intent signal collection from G2, LinkedIn, and company behavior * HeyReach - Scalable, multi-account LinkedIn outreach with A/B testing * Smartlead - Email warmup and multichannel sequencing with inbox rotation * Apollo, Cognism, and ZoomInfo - Deep contact and firmographic data * Make & n8n - No-code workflow automation and AI orchestration * Sima, Vocode, Retell and Air AI - Conversational voice agents for qualification * Warmly & Surfe - Real-time lead identification and CRM integration from LinkedIn Even traditional paid media is being integrated. For example, if a lead opens an outbound email but doesn't reply, they'll see a targeted ad on LinkedIn or Google Display within a day, enhancing attribution and improving brand recall. Agencies to Watch: Lean, Tech-First, and Global Some agencies have emerged as front-runners by leaning heavily into automation and intent-driven outreach. is one such name. With a lean team of under 10 people, the agency delivers over 90% qualified leads for clients across India, the UK, the US, and the Middle East. They combine AI scoring, dynamic content generation, LinkedIn and voice outreach, and automated retargeting, all managed through end-to-end automation workflows. "Our lean team delivers global-scale results because AI and automation handle the heavy lifting," says Anuj Agrawal, Founder of a leading B2B Lead Generation Agency. "We target only high-intent prospects and personalize every outreach - email, voice, LinkedIn or Google ads, fully autonomously. We plan to become completely AI-native by late 2025." Other notable players include: Belkins: U.S.-based, offering tailored omnichannel appointment-setting campaigns since 2017 CIENCE Technologies: Founded in 2015, providing outbound and inbound SDR services with global research teams and multichannel outreach Sean Whiteley, President of Qualified, captures the shifting dynamics: "AI is everywhere, but it is critical to keep humans at the centre of these technologies as we adopt them in our enterprises." The Future of Lead Generation: AI-Native Growth Engines As B2B outreach becomes more competitive, the most effective agencies are those that build intelligence-first systems. Automation reduces cost and complexity while enhancing relevance and velocity. Manual outreach is giving way to AI-native workflows that react within minutes to real-time buyer signals. In 2025, relevance and responsiveness shape outcomes more than volume or force. Agencies that embed intent, automation and AI into their DNA operate as growth engines, not vendors. And the most successful among them - Belkins, CIENCE are leading the charge.
Extra.ie
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Could Rosie O'Donnell run for president?
Could Rosie O'Donnell's name appear on the ballot paper this November? Bookies aren't ruling it out! The comedian and actress has been living in Ireland with her child, Clay, since January, after Donald Trump, with whom she has been in a very public feud, was re-elected for a second term in the 2024 Presidential election. Now, Ladbrokes are saying Rosie could put herself forward for Irish presidency, especially since she is seeking Irish citizenship through descent, which would make her eligible. Rosie O'Donnell. Pic:for ELLE Punters seem to have taken to O'Donnell, who has been outspoken about her love for Ireland. She is currently 10/1 to run in the election in November. Ladbrokes spokesperson Cal Gildart said: 'Rosie O'Donnell has really captured the hearts and minds of the Irish people. 'Her endearing charm has led punters to back her for a run at the presidency. We may see her appearing on a ballot paper in November.' Rosie O'Donnell. Pic: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock Speaking on Ireland AM earlier this month, Rosie explained that she feels 'so much safer' in Ireland. She said: 'It's so much safer. In fact, [Clay's] with friends walking places now. And when I was first here, they were telling me when we were looking for places to stay and live, they were like 'oh [it's] a great place because they'll be able to take their back to school.' 'And I was like 'over my dead body, they're not riding a bike to school.' And now they're able to do that. It's just such a different culture and different feeling of safety for Clay as well as me.' So far, only Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness have officially anounced their presidential bid.
Tom's Guide
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix confirms future of beloved romantic drama 'Virgin River' — and it's good news
Netflix recently confirmed that we won't be leaving "Virgin River" behind anytime soon, as the streaming service has renewed the popular romantic drama for an eighth season. The good news was shared on Tudum, where the streaming service also revealed that production on "Virgin River" season 7 had wrapped, with filming taking place in Vancouver (and Mexico) throughout the first half of 2025. "On behalf of myself and the whole "Virgin River" family," showrunner Patrick Sean Smith told Tudum. "We're eternally grateful for Netflix and to the fans for allowing us to continue on this journey with these beloved characters." It's perfectly-timed news too, as "Sullivan's Crossing" — another series based on the novels from Robyn Carr — is currently sitting pretty at the top of the streaming service's most-watched charts. Per the announcement, we know that "Virgin River" season 8 will run for 10 episodes, giving fans a total of 20 new episodes to look forward to from Netflix's longest-running original scripted series. And while we don't know much about the newly announced season 8, showrunner Smith has given us a brief tease of what's in store in the forthcoming seventh instalment. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Read More "Season 7 will find Mel [Alexandra Breckenridge] and Jack [Martin Henderson] taking their first steps into marriage as they start to plan for and build a life and family together. Meanwhile, Doc and Hope will work together to protect the clinic and the integrity of the town from outsiders." If you weren't already aware, "Virgin River" season 7 is also due to welcome two new faces to town, with Sara Canning ("The Vampire Diaries") joining as state medical board investigator (and ex-cop), Victoria. She's arrived to look into Doc's practice, but, as Netflix puts it, she "runs into a friend she wouldn't mind catching up with... or maybe even pursuing something more." The other new arrival is Cody Kearsley ("Riverdale"). He's playing Clay, an athletic tough guy with experience on the rodeo circuit. Clay grew up in foster care with his younger sister, whom he hasn't seen since he was a teen; he's been looking for her ever since. If you're looking for something to stream while you wait for the next season of "Virgin River," we can help. Check out our round-up of the best shows like "Virgin River" or our complete breakdown of the best Netflix shows you can stream right now for tons more top streaming suggestions.
