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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Steve Noriega Joins Exclusive Forbes Business Council
WILMINGTON, NC / / June 2, 2025 / Steve Noriega, Founder and CEO of Epic Brand, has officially joined the Forbes Business Council, an exclusive, invitation-only community for top entrepreneurs and business executives. The recognition highlights Noriega's outstanding accomplishments and positions him among the world's most influential business leaders. Photo Courtesy: Steve Noriega Noriega's acceptance into this prestigious organization comes as a result of his proven business acumen, leadership in the branding and marketing industry, and his commitment to making a meaningful impact. Membership is granted only to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional success in their respective fields, making Noriega's selection a significant honor. The Forbes Business Council provides members with invaluable opportunities for growth, networking, and knowledge sharing. As a member, Noriega will have access to a vast network of entrepreneurs and thought leaders, creating a platform to foster collaboration and innovative ideas. He will also be able to contribute articles with original insights on and participate in Expert Panels, where he will share his expertise alongside other industry leaders. The Council's mission is to offer entrepreneurs an exclusive space where they can exchange knowledge, strategies, and solutions that will help them grow both personally and professionally. "I'm thrilled to be a part of such an esteemed community of business leaders," said Noriega. "Joining the Forbes Business Council is not only a personal honor but an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals who share a passion for innovation and leadership. It's a platform that will allow me to learn, contribute, and continue to grow as both a leader and an entrepreneur." The benefits of being a member of the Forbes Business Council extend beyond networking opportunities. Members receive access to cutting-edge industry insights, specialized marketing and branding resources, and concierge services. One of the key advantages is the EXEC program, which offers exclusive luxury business, travel, and lifestyle benefits. For Noriega, these resources will play a crucial role in his continued efforts to expand Epic Brand and make a lasting impact in the industry. Noriega's acceptance into the Forbes Business Council builds on his already impressive career achievements. In 2024, he was named to Top 100 Magazine's Top 40 Under 40, recognizing his innovation and leadership within the branding and marketing space. His entrepreneurial journey with Epic Brand has been marked by both commercial success and a strong commitment to giving back to the community. Through the company's philanthropic initiatives, Noriega ensures that a portion of the company's profits go toward charitable causes, further demonstrating his belief that business should be a force for good. Under Noriega's leadership, Epic Brand has established itself as a premier branding and marketing agency. The company specializes in creating purpose-driven, digitally native brands that resonate with today's values-driven consumers. Epic Brand's focus on ethical practices and community engagement sets it apart in an increasingly competitive industry. Noriega has made it clear that his goals for Epic Brand go beyond financial success; he is committed to using his platform to make a tangible difference in the world. In the coming years, Noriega plans to expand the company's charitable efforts, further solidifying his commitment to his faith-based philanthropy while continuing to drive business growth. The Forbes Business Council is a global collective of exceptional business owners and leaders, brought together by their shared commitment to excellence. The council offers its members access to valuable resources, connections, and opportunities that are designed to help them grow their businesses and expand their professional influence. Noriega's addition to this community is a testament to the strides he has made as an entrepreneur and the positive impact he has had on the branding and marketing industry. His work with Epic Brand continues to inspire others in the business world, and his membership in the Forbes Business Council opens the door to even greater opportunities for collaboration and growth. About Forbes Councils Forbes Councils is an exclusive community of invitation-only groups created in partnership with Forbes and the founders of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). Forbes Councils offers its members a powerful platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and accessing invaluable business insights. Members of the Council have access to resources that help them continue to grow and succeed, with opportunities to contribute to thought leadership and expert panels across various industries. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit Media Contact Country: United StatesMedia Contact: Steve NoriegaCompany Name: Epic BrandEmail: steve@ (302) 265-0380Website: SOURCE: Epic Brand View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire 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
Metro
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
7 of the most expensive houses in the world – with price tags reaching the billions
Caroline Westbrook Published May 14, 2025 11:08am Link is copied Comments They say that your house is the most expensive purchase you'll ever make - and for many getting on the property ladder remains a pipe dream. But what if money were no object? Then you might want to consider moving into one of the world's most expensive homes with eye-wateringly high price tags which, in some cases, even run into the billions. However, these are the sorts of properties which come complete with every home comfort you could ever want, meaning you might never need to leave the house again. Here's the homes with the biggest asking prices in the world, according to (Picture: Getty Images) Kicking off in the UK, this property is located slap bang in the middle of a street known as Billionaires Row - renowned for housing some of the world's most expensive homes, including this one. Its owners have included F1 magnate Bernie Ecclestone as well as Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, with the street itself also being home to diplomatic missions and embassies. If you want to live here, be prepared to shell out a cool $222 million (£176.6 million) (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo) Over to the French Riviera for the sixth most expensive property on the list, which is a luxurious apartment sitting on top of a skyscraper in the principality of Monaco. The flat sits on the fifth floor of the building, around 170 metres high, and boasts such luxuries as a rooftop pool and a private screening room. Although it's also caused controversy due to the tower's impact on the cityscape and the influence on prices in the neighbouring French town of Beausoleil. None of which have made much difference to the price tag of $330 million (£262.7 million) (Picture: Caters) Aka the 'Palace of Bubbles', this unusual property near Cannes in the south of France was built in 1989 for French industrialist Pierre Bernard, but was later bought by fashion designer Pierre Cardin. The house features 1,200 square feet of space along with 10 bedrooms - each of which has been individually decorated by a different artist - 11 bathrooms, an open-air 500-seat amphitheater, swimming pools and water features. And it's worth around $420 million (£330 million) (Picture: Getty Images) Back to France for this luxurious estate, which is situated on the Riviera and is one of the oldest properties on this list, dating all the way back to 1830 - although it came into its own when it was acquired by King Leopold of Belgium in 1904, who renovated the property and gave it its name. It's an impressive 18,000 sq ft, with 14 bedrooms and a library filled with rare books. It's worth around $450 million (£352 million) (Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images) Another French property, this one is located in Villefranche-sur-Mer and was another property owned by King Leopold II of Belgium. In fact it was built for his mistress, Caroline Lacroix, and later used as a military hospital during the First World War. It's had several owners in its time, most recently Russian billionaire businessman Mikhail Prokhorov, who bought it off previous owner Lily Safra in 2008. Its opulent interiors and 50-acre grounds will set you back around $750 million (£598 million) (Picture: Getty Images) Located on Altamont Road, said to be Mumbai's most exclusive street, Antilia - named after a mythical island off the coast of Europe - is said to be worth an eye-watering $2,000,000,000 (£1.5 billion), making it the world's most expensive private residence. The property is owned by billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani, and while it's unclear which of his family members live there, the house takes some serious looking after, with its 50-seater cinema, full-service health club and spa, three helipads and nine elevators. Luckily the staff of 600 are on hand to take care of everything (Picture: Getty Images) An obvious one, of course, but Buckingham Palace in London remains the world's most expensive property, with its luxurious state rooms, neoclassical decor and the world famous balcony which has taken centre stage during royal weddings, coronations and jubilees. Bucky Pal has 775 rooms in total which include (deep breath) 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. You can't buy it but if it were for sale you could expect an asking price of around $4.9 billion (£3.9 billion) (Picture: Getty Images) This article was originally published in April 2024
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
What Is Revenge RTO, And Why Is It Rising In The Workplace?
Revenge RTO is a pattern of passive-aggressive behaviors from employees getting back at employers ... More because they feel forced to return to the office. I wrote a story for last December in which experts predicted that revenge quitting would peak in 2025, and boy has it ever. In many cases, it's taking a slightly different form known as the Revenge RTO trend. As companies mandate more days in office, there's a rising trend of employees finding passive-aggressive ways to get back at leadership in the workplace. The experts I spoke to were correct. Revenge quitting is on the rise. In fact, it's the top career trend of 2025, according to some sources, showing that 28% of employees expect it to happen at work this year. And workers are not slipping away quietly. They're making sure their exit is seen and heard, leaving loudly and dramatically over unmet promises, RTO mandates and toxic cultures. Examples of revenge RTO are coming in late, leaving the office for lunch, leaving the office early, taking home office snacks and more. So, what's behind this trend? According to experts at Hogan Assessments, the key lies in understanding the deeper disconnect between employees and their workplace. "Revenge quitting isn't just about frustration over daily tasks—it's a breakdown in communication and a failure to align employee aspirations with company culture,' explains Dr. Ryne Sherman, chief science officer at Hogan Assessments and co-host at The Science of Personality podcast. 'The good news? It's preventable.' While many companies might consider perk policing, I spoke with leaders--like Annie Rosencrans, HiBob director of people and culture--who believe, instead, that employers should think about the ways workers may be feeling unheard or overlooked when it comes to their needs for flexible schedules and better employee appreciation. 'Signs of revenge RTO can include taking home office snacks or supplies, coming in late and leaving early or stepping out of the office for lunch or a workout class," Rosencrans stresses. "Employees are taking time away from the office in a stance against leadership as a result of feeling overlooked and underappreciated for the lack of flexibility.' When we spoke through email, Rosencrans shared with me why flexible work is so important and offered tips to make in-office days more meaningful to employees. 'Revenge RTO is becoming the norm as in-office mandates become stricter and as many companies abandon the flexibility that was once promised to employees,' she told me. 'Employees are also feeling that the return to office requirements haven't resulted in more meaningful connection with their colleagues.' Rosencrans cites a recent study showing that only 31% of employees feel connected at work. She says employees perceive their companies as not prioritizing employee morale and improved experience even as in-person days become required, leaving teams resentful and wondering why they're in the office at all. 'Flexibility is key in work-life balance and many employees need and expect these accommodations.,' Rosencrans asserts. 'It's crucial to creating an inclusive workplace that values both employee morale and productivity. While taking snacks and leaving the office early may seem minor, it can be a sign of deeper team disengagement.' She points out that in order to truly understand the needs of employees, leadership should solicit team feedback through anonymous surveys, one-on-one meetings or town hall gatherings. 'The results can help companies better frame their workplace models to avoid potential backlash and employee resentment, creating a stronger company culture as a result,' she notes. Sherman at Hogan Assessments emphasizes companies that successfully retain their top talent have one thing in common: they take a proactive approach to employee engagement. 'Rather than scrambling for short-term fixes, they address core issues before employees feel the need to make a statement with their resignations," he says. Sherman has identified three key strategies for leaders to retain top talent and prevent costly exits. 'Remote work flexibility, work-life balance, growth opportunities and employee well-being are no longer perks—they're non-negotiables,' according to Sherman. 'When these expectations aren't met, employees don't just disengage, they make high-impact exits that disrupt teams and shake up workplace dynamics.' He insists that organizations must adopt transparent policies, offer genuine flexibility and establish open feedback channels to stay ahead, adding that employers who listen and adapt to evolving employee needs will not only boost retention but also strengthen their employer brand. 'Poor leadership is a fast track to revenge quitting. Toxic or absentee management styles drain morale, increase burnout and drive talent away,' Sherman states. 'Employees who feel unsupported or undervalued by their managers are significantly more likely to leave—and they'll make their dissatisfaction known. In fact, a recent Gallup report highlights that managers are the linchpins of engagement, with 70% of team engagement attributed to the manager.' Sherman cites the flip side where teams led by calm, organized and empathetic managers report three times higher engagement, adding that investing in leadership development isn't just beneficial—it's essential. Sherman is convinced that when companies cultivate an environment of trust, inclusion and mutual respect, they see tangible benefits: improved innovation, higher productivity and, most importantly, greater talent retention. 'Creating psychological safety isn't just an HR initiative—it's a business imperative,' he concludes. Nearly half of American workers are seeking new employment this year, hitting a 10-year high. After waves of layoffs, harsh return-to-office mandates and skyrocketing workloads, employees are no longer staying quiet. They're leaving abruptly and loudly, fighting back against big business for not considering their work flexibility and work-life balance. Sherman predicts that the most successful organizations with talent retention will be those that embrace authentic leadership, meaningful engagement and a culture of trust. As the workplace evolves, those companies that fail to adapt risk losing their most valuable asset: their people. Sherman believes that businesses that get this right won't just prevent revenge RTO quitting, they'll set the gold standard for workplace excellence in the years to come.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tony Todd's ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines' Scene Is A Message To Fans
Tony Todd as William Bludworth in New Line Cinema's 'Final Destination Bloodlines.' While Final Destination: Bloodlines marks the rebirth of an iconic horror franchise, it's also a sad farewell to Tony Todd, one of its most legendary and few returning stars. The gentle giant known for his distinctly deep and gravelly voice reprises his role as William Bludworth for a fourth and final time in the series, which has grossed $657.62 million worldwide to date. Todd, also known for playing the title lead in the original Candyman film franchise, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. His performance in Final Destination: Bloodlines was completed not long before his passing. "We had known him for almost 28 years," explains co-producer Craig Perry during a Q&A at an early screening in Los Angeles. "Tony was generous, lovely, and present, and having him be on set was enough for everybody. You just felt his energy, his charisma, and his professionalism. He just was an endless pro, but more than anything, he was kind. It was wonderful to see a lot of the younger actors be able to show up and spend time with him." Todd's performance was completed not long before his death. Final Destination: Bloodlines will be released exclusively in theaters on Friday, May 16, 2025, and is rated R. "The thing that was most interesting is we threw out the script when he was exiting and said, 'Say what you want the fans to hear,' so everything that he says walking out was specifically meant for everybody in this room," the filmmaker explains. "That was from him, that was not scripted, and we all knew what was going on, so we wanted to make his last experience the most positive, comfortable, and joyful thing. I think we were able to deliver that thanks to all you guys, and hopefully that translates into your experience." Perry, the only producer of the series to have been involved in the production of all five Final Destination movies, also produced the American Pie movies. Final Destination: Bloodlines co-director Adam Stein also discussed Todd's deeply meaningful scene in an interview with The Guardian. "Everyone involved knew he was ill, and we weren't sure at certain points whether he would be able to participate," he recalls. "It was a really unique moment because talking about his own death for the movie on this meta level, he's speaking to the fans about his death. And so, in that moment when he had his final goodbye, we asked him if he would be able to kind of put the script away and do a take where he spoke from the heart about what death means and what life means. It's his honest words of wisdom direct to you." Todd's other celebrated works include films such as The Crow, Platoon, The Rock, Wishmaster, Hatchet, and Tom Savini's remake of Night of the Living Dead. One thing is for sure, and that is that Todd wanted to play Bludworth again. However, in an interview with me for in 2019, he confirmed that he wouldn't just return for a paycheck. It had to be good. "It would be dependent on the script," he said. "I have no interest in doing something just to do it. If the script is new and challenging and provides new light on characters I have already established, I'd want to be part of that." It has been 25 years since the first Final Destination movie landed in theaters and 14 years since the last one, the fifth in the franchise, was released. The only one not to star Todd was Final Destination 3; however, he voiced an animatronic devil statue at the start of the film. All of the Final Destination movies are currently available to stream on Max. So, what has taken so long to bring Final Destination: Bloodlines to the big screen? "There was a desire after five to do it, but we just want to get a little bit of breather, and we started the process about 2018," Perry recalls. "We had a draft, and then something happened, which was Covid, and then there were strikes, so there were circumstances that pushed this thing further. But I think what that did has made people like yourselves look forward to it even more." Co-producer Sheila Hanahan Taylor continues, "We wanted to invigorate what everyone was waiting for. It was time to bring something new to the table. So then we had the great fortune of finding Jon Watts in the equation, who came up with the story, and there's nothing like a lifelong fan. He went on one of his first dates with his now-wife to see a Final Destination movie. He had the idea of the family, and that was the magic formula where we said, 'Okay, now let's move this forward to the next level.'" (Left to right) Producer Craig Perry and actor Tony Todd pose at a screening of New Line Cinema's ... More 'Final Destination 5' at the Chinese Theater on August 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Avoiding spoilers, Final Destination: Bloodlines ups the ante when it comes to the trademark creatively killer demises that drive fans wild. However, this quest means many of them that seem great initially end up tossed for many reasons. "It's this weird combination of an accessible location that we all find ourselves in, and then you have to start identifying what a mundane object in that environment we can imbue with a malevolence as if death is manipulating it," Perry muses. "We wrote a sequence for one of the earlier drafts that took place in a supermarket because everybody goes grocery shopping. It was eight pages long and very complex, and then we put it away and read it four days later. We were like, 'This is terrible.' It sucked because it was trying too hard." "It was a good lesson because you can't automatically plug and play with Final Destination's sequences. You have to workshop them endlessly, right down to the finest point, because if one little piece doesn't connect, the whole thing falls apart. We have to make sure that everything is plausible and incredible, just enough so that when someone says, 'Oh, that would never happen. The chances are a million to one,' we can say, 'Yes, Final Destination lives in that percent of the million. That's where the franchise lives, on the razor's edge of plausible.'"
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
An Expert's Take On The Crisis Narrative Within College Mental Health
Photo of Ben Locke, used with permission Ben Locke As described in a 2025 report on the president of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors argued that schools need to be proactive while addressing mental health concerns but also avoid an outdated crisis narrative. I'm on the executive board for the AUCCCD and know that many have described college mental health as being in a crisis. In 2023, the National Education Association even released a report entitled, 'The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses.' However, a 2024 report by The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted how the crisis narrative is mainly a fear-based approach that could discourage help-seeking. According to this report, statistics regarding mental health concerns are alarming, but caution should be given before using the term crisis. Dr. Ben Locke is a well-known psychologist with over 20 years of experience in college mental health. His research includes exploring the clinical operations of campus counseling centers, and he currently serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for Togetherall, a global service that provides online peer support. According to Locke, the crisis narrative in college mental health adds pressure to the entire campus. He stated, 'Faculty and staff feel like they're not qualified to help due to the narrative that you need to be a mental health professional to provide support to a student, parents are more worried, and counselors are under increasing pressure to do more and more.' Locke described the crisis narrative as a dominate cultural ideology that evolved over the last 20 years. According to the psychologist, this narrative argues that mental health across the globe is in a crisis. Thus, the crisis narrative extends beyond higher education. Locke argued that the dominate narrative of a worldwide mental health crisis creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop. He said, 'The more people hear about the crisis, the more they feel like they're in a crisis.' Locke didn't deny the rise in mental health concerns. He stated, 'The narrative doesn't question whether or not people are struggling… it reflected an initial desire to provide enough resources to meet the increasing demand.' According to Locke, schools vary in the range of available mental health resources, but the crisis narrative tends to result in schools displaying increased reactivity to negative events that are part of the normative human experiences. This increased reactivity is often expanding clinical services but without questioning if this truly meets the needs of students and without implementing a strategic mental health plan. According to Locke, 'The crisis narrative is made up a collection of ingredients, but these ingredients are not examined but just widely accepted.' Examples of these ingredients include well-intended advocates for mental health. According to the psychologist, it's tempting for advocates to use the crisis narrative to argue for more resources. Another ingredient is the rise of industries related to mental health research and surveys. Locke pointed out that many of these industries are motivated to show that there are escalating needs in order to avoid their product becoming obsolete. Locke also cited the evolution of media as an ingredient. He argued that the pay per click nature of many outlets often results in surveys with a low response rate being applied to the whole population with attention-grabbing headlines. Locke further argued that many in the mental health field have pathologized normative human experience. According to the psychologist, many popular screening and assessment tools include normal human distress, which often results in the misperception that every person in distress needs a mental health professional. According to Locke, the first step in addressing the crisis narrative is determining if a school has enough clinical resources on campus. Locke authored a 2021 report for the Center of Collegiate Mental Health, which discussed an Alignment Model and using a Clinical Load Index to guide counseling center staffing. The psychologist also argued that schools need to provide education on combating the crisis narrative. He stated, 'Schools must accept the premise that human experience involves ups and downs, gains and losses, change and stressors, and that most students will have these experiences.' The psychologists advocated that schools take a population approach to mental health and offer a diverse range of mental health resources, including peer support. Locke said the focus of providing peer support on a global scale is what drew him to work with Togetherall. According to the psychologist, Togetherall combines the therapeutic element of peer support, the ethical principles of clinical work, and the shared lived experience of like-minded peers. Students who utilize Togetherall can join a global community but also have the option of joining a subcommunity of college and university students. All content is monitored by a clinical team. According to Locke, 92% of college students who utilize Togetherall report that they're not using any other support services on campus. Locke argued that this highlights how clinical interventions will never reach most of the campus population in distress. However, as Locke stated, 'Counseling centers would never claim that they can meet with every student in distress.' This sentiment captures the key of combating the crisis narrative, which is viewing mental health as a community issue and not just a concern for clinicians.
