Latest news with #JamesWard
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The rise and fall of bread bakeries in West Baltimore
A stubborn fire last month in a 100-year-old West Baltimore structure halted Amtrak and MARC trains and caused families along Bentalou Street to be evacuated. News reports described the source of the prolonged burning as mattresses that had been stored in a brick warehouse. To describe 2140 Edmondson Ave. as a mattress warehouse is accurate, but the building had an earlier life and served a different purpose. It opened in 1925 as the Ward Baking Company and was once one of the ruling commercial bakeries in the city. The company was not alone as a bread baker — Greater Rosemont and Sandtown-Winchester were once the commercial bread basket of Baltimore. Ward Baking was a firm founded in New York City by two Irish-born brothers, James and Hugh Ward. They may have had a single oven when they started, but the firm was a resounding success and eventually there were Ward baking plants in Pittsburgh, then Brooklyn, New York, and Providence, Rhode Island. By 1923, its flagship product, Bond Bread, was described as 'the best-selling bread in the United States.' A company history says that Ward 'pioneered the use of technology to mass-produce bread, reducing the need for hand-kneading and shaping.' Baltimore was in the company's sights as a place to locate another bread factory after World War I. Ward executives brought in their architect, Corrie Comstock, who specialized in industrial plants, to design what became their big bakery on Edmondson Avenue. Residents in the Greater Rosemont neighborhood were not happy with the plant, but nevertheless, it opened and flourished until the mid-80s. Known as the Ward plant, its corporate name was Continental Baking Co. and through mergers and acquisitions, it wound up with several patented names for its bread. There was Ward's Tip Top Bread and the somewhat better-known Wonder Bread. But the Edmondson Avenue plant had another product line, the Hostess Twinkie, the snack cake that was invented in Illinois in 1930. Hostess Twinkies were a staple of Baltimore convenience stores for decades and competed heavily against the Philadelphia-baked TastyKake. Baltimore's own favorite sweet, the Berger cookie, was by comparison a very different confection. For decades, Berger cookies were baked and chocolate-smothered in a (by comparison) almost artisanal kitchen-bakery in East Baltimore on Aiken Street and sold mainly at city market stalls. Baltimore cannot claim that Hostess Twinkies are a local product. Research into this treat seems to indicate that while they were not baked on Edmondson Avenue, they were delivered in quantity there and distributed throughout Maryland from that location. The Ward-Continental-Twinkie baking dynamo had plenty of local competition only blocks away. There were numerous food-related factories located along the Amtrak train tracks. Freight trains delivered raw materials and the industrial zoning along the rail tracks created an industry-friendly setting. (Don't forget Mrs. Filbert's margarine plant along the tracks a little ways south.) Close by, at West Lafayette Avenue, was the Acme Markets warehouse, which also included its regional bakery. Schmidt's Bakery, in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood, lasted the longest of the clutch of West Baltimore industrial bake houses. Its big plant, at Carey and Laurens Street, was about a mile from the Ward plant. The third mighty competitor was the Hauswald Bakery at Edmondson Avenue and Franklintown Road. On a warm summer night, the presence of two huge bakeries seven blocks apart on Edmondson Avenue must have made for some sweet aromas. Hauswald's sold out to Schmidt's in 1989 and production continued for a while longer. Another Edmondson Avenue mainstay of bread consumption was the old Harley's sandwich shop that had an outpost near both the Ward (Continental) and Hauswald Bakery. The Harley shop (one of many in the region) was in the old Edmondson Avenue Pennsylvania Railroad Station. Harley's was a busy sandwich destination and consumed mountains of submarine sandwich rolls in its heyday, the same period when the Schmidt's, Ward and Hauswald ovens were keeping Baltimore well-fueled with product for toast and sandwiches. But Harley's and its owner, Harley T. Brinsfield, used another bakery, the one that survived them all and remains in business today. As he told his listeners on his nightly jazz radio program, Harley Brinsfield's breads came from the H&S Bakery in East Baltimore. Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at and 410-332-6570.
Bahrain News Gazette
14-04-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
AI-Media Unveils LEXI Voice at NAB Show 2025 – Global Reach with Live AI-Powered Voice Translation
Broadcast leaders embrace breakthrough live translation technology offering unmatched accuracy, scale, and affordability AI-Media Successfully Launches LEXI Voice AI-Media successfully launches LEXI Voice at the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas to positive reviews. BROOKLYN, N.Y. and NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AI-Media (ASX: AIM), a global leader in AI-driven captioning and language technology, today announced the successful commercial launch of LEXI Voice at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas. The live debut of the breakthrough solution – which delivers real-time alternate-language voice tracks using AI – was met with strong interest from global broadcasters, live event producers, streaming platforms, and enterprise leaders. LEXI Voice represents a leap forward in live translation , transforming a single-language broadcast into a multi-language experience – with natural-sounding synthetic voices, ultra-low latency (~8 – 12 seconds), and no additional hardware required . The result: new audience access, increased advertising revenue, and dramatic cost savings compared to traditional human interpretation. 'Customers are telling us that LEXI Voice delivers exactly what they need: accuracy, scale, and simplicity – all at a disruptive price point,' said James Ward, Chief Sales Officer at AI-Media. 'For many, this is the moment multilingual delivery finally becomes commercially viable.' Strategic Differentiators : Price Point : At USD $30/hr (plus standard LEXI captioning rate), LEXI Voice slashes live translation costs by up to 90%. Platform Reach : Works seamlessly with AIM's global encoder network – Alta (SMPTE 2110 and MPEG-TS), Encoder Pro – HD492 (SDI), and iCap – requiring no new infrastructure for existing customers. Broadcast-Grade Voices : Customers praised the natural tone, intelligibility, and speaker clarity of the AI-generated output. Plug-and-Play : Same scheduling, APIs, billing, and support as current captioning workflows. Available Immediately : Translation into 100+ languages Customisable voices by region, gender, and tone Glossary and phonetic tools to ensure brand and name consistency AI voice replacement of original audio with full audio mixing Support for up to five alternate-language tracks per channel Real-World Applications Already Underway : LEXI Voice is attracting: Global broadcasters localising sports, news, and entertainment to unlock new ad inventory Governments and legislatures ensuring inclusive language access for public sessions Corporates expanding reach in internal town halls and investor communications Streaming platforms and events scaling accessibility to diverse global audiences The launch aligns with AI-Media's strategic roadmap to triple Tech revenue by FY29 and achieve $60M EBITDA , as outlined in its FY25 investor communications. The company is focused on driving SaaS growth through its expanding LEXI Toolkit , which now includes LEXI Voice, LEXI Brew (Generative AI), and LEXI Translate. 'NAB was the first time our customers saw the complete LEXI Voice solution live – and the response confirmed what we knew: the market is ready,' said Ward. 'This product transforms what's possible in real-time multilingual engagement.' For more information or to request a private demonstration, visit: LEXI Voice | Break Language Barriers & Grow Your Revenue Follow AI-Media on LinkedIn for ongoing updates and customer success stories. About AI-Media Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media (ASX: AIM) is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions. As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide. For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows. With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content. AI-Media's proprietary technologies – iCap, LEXI, Alta, and the LEXI Toolkit – are trusted across 25+ countries to deliver unmatched accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. Media Contact: Fiona Habben Head of Global Marketing [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at A video accompanying this announcement is available at GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9421739
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AI-Media Unveils LEXI Voice at NAB Show 2025 - Global Reach with Live AI-Powered Voice Translation
Broadcast leaders embrace breakthrough live translation technology offering unmatched accuracy, scale, and affordability AI-Media Successfully Launches LEXI Voice This embedded content is not available in your region. BROOKLYN, N.Y. and NEW YORK, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AI-Media (ASX: AIM), a global leader in AI-driven captioning and language technology, today announced the successful commercial launch of LEXI Voice at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas. The live debut of the breakthrough solution - which delivers real-time alternate-language voice tracks using AI - was met with strong interest from global broadcasters, live event producers, streaming platforms, and enterprise leaders. LEXI Voice represents a leap forward in live translation, transforming a single-language broadcast into a multi-language experience - with natural-sounding synthetic voices, ultra-low latency (~8 - 12 seconds), and no additional hardware required. The result: new audience access, increased advertising revenue, and dramatic cost savings compared to traditional human interpretation. 'Customers are telling us that LEXI Voice delivers exactly what they need: accuracy, scale, and simplicity - all at a disruptive price point,' said James Ward, Chief Sales Officer at AI-Media. 'For many, this is the moment multilingual delivery finally becomes commercially viable.' Strategic Differentiators: Price Point: At USD $30/hr (plus standard LEXI captioning rate), LEXI Voice slashes live translation costs by up to 90%. Platform Reach: Works seamlessly with AIM's global encoder network - Alta (SMPTE 2110 and MPEG-TS), Encoder Pro - HD492 (SDI), and iCap - requiring no new infrastructure for existing customers. Broadcast-Grade Voices: Customers praised the natural tone, intelligibility, and speaker clarity of the AI-generated output. Plug-and-Play: Same scheduling, APIs, billing, and support as current captioning workflows. Available Immediately: Translation into 100+ languages Customisable voices by region, gender, and tone Glossary and phonetic tools to ensure brand and name consistency AI voice replacement of original audio with full audio mixing Support for up to five alternate-language tracks per channel Real-World Applications Already Underway: LEXI Voice is attracting: Global broadcasters localising sports, news, and entertainment to unlock new ad inventory Governments and legislatures ensuring inclusive language access for public sessions Corporates expanding reach in internal town halls and investor communications Streaming platforms and events scaling accessibility to diverse global audiences The launch aligns with AI-Media's strategic roadmap to triple Tech revenue by FY29 and achieve $60M EBITDA, as outlined in its FY25 investor communications. The company is focused on driving SaaS growth through its expanding LEXI Toolkit, which now includes LEXI Voice, LEXI Brew (Generative AI), and LEXI Translate. 'NAB was the first time our customers saw the complete LEXI Voice solution live - and the response confirmed what we knew: the market is ready,' said Ward. 'This product transforms what's possible in real-time multilingual engagement.' For more information or to request a private demonstration, visit: LEXI Voice | Break Language Barriers & Grow Your Revenue Follow AI-Media on LinkedIn for ongoing updates and customer success stories. About AI-Media Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media (ASX: AIM) is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows. With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content. AI-Media's proprietary technologies - iCap, LEXI, Alta, and the LEXI Toolkit - are trusted across 25+ countries to deliver unmatched accuracy, reliability, and efficiency. Media Contact:Fiona HabbenHead of Global A photo accompanying this announcement is available at A video accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Bahrain News Gazette
27-03-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
LEXI Voice is Coming: AI-Media Releases Groundbreaking AI Voice Translation at NAB 2025
AI-Media Launches LEXI Voice at NAB Show 2025 AI-Media is set to launch LEXI Voice, their new AI voice translation solution, at NAB Show 2025 happening in Las Vegas from 6-9 April. BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AI-Media , a global leader in AI-powered language technology and solutions, is set to make a major impact at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas. From April 6-9, attendees can visit Booth #W1915 to explore AI-Media's suite of industry-leading AI solutions and get an exclusive first look at its latest innovation in AI-powered voice translation. The Future of AI Voice Translation – See It First at NAB 2025 AI-Media will release LEXI Voice at NAB Show 2025 – a next-generation AI voice translation technology designed to break language barriers in real time. Built on AI-Media's flagship LEXI captions – trusted worldwide for their accuracy and scalability – LEXI Voice delivers natural-sounding, low-latency AI voice translations of live audio into multiple languages in real time. Leveraging the latest in speech recognition and synthetic voice technology, LEXI Voice isolates and interprets speaker audio at the source, preserving speaker changes, timing, and tone. With high transcription accuracy, LEXI Voice enables seamless multilingual delivery without the need for human interpreters. It easily integrates into existing broadcast workflows, including SDI and IP environments, and is fully compatible with AI-Media's Alta and Encoder Pro devices – offering a cost-effective, scalable alternative to traditional voiceover and interpretation models. 'We look forward to attending the NAB Show every year. It's a great opportunity for us to showcase the latest advancements in AI-powered captioning and translation, and to get feedback from customers. Some of our leading innovations and product developments have come directly from customer feedback at the show, so it has become a very important part of our Product Roadmap planning,' said James Ward, Chief Sales Officer at AI-Media. 'This year, we're unveiling something truly transformative – LEXI Voice, an AI voice translation solution that will redefine how broadcasters and content creators engage global audiences in real time. Like everything else in the LEXI Toolkit, LEXI Voice will be available on iCap and will operate with all of our world leading encoder technology.' With a long-standing reputation for pioneering AI-driven captioning and translation solutions, AI-Media will be showcasing a range of groundbreaking technologies that help broadcasters, content creators, and media professionals expand their reach and enhance audience engagement. Visitors to the booth can experience: LEXI – The world's most advanced AI-powered captioning solution. LEXI Translate – Real-time multilingual captioning for global accessibility. SDI & IP Encoders – Seamless captioning integration for broadcast and streaming workflows. Launching – LEXI Voice – The Future of AI Voice Translation Live Demonstrations – Be the First to Experience the Innovation Join us at Booth #W1915 for an exclusive live demo of AI-Media's latest breakthrough: Monday, April 7 | 3:00 PM PT Tuesday, April 8 | 10:30 AM PT For broadcasters and media professionals looking to break language barriers and expand their global audience, AI-Media's NAB 2025 booth is the place where the future of AI-powered translation and accessibility comes to life. Don't miss this game-changing reveal! AI-Media solutions will also be showcased at the AWS Booth (#W1701) and the Synamedia Booth (#W2443), so stop by their booths and see how AI-Media's partners are utilizing our solutions. Learn more about AI-Media's groundbreaking solutions and book a private demonstration by visiting . Stay connected and follow us on LinkedIn for exclusive NAB 2025 updates! About AI-Media Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions. As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide. For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows. With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content. AI-Media (ASX: AIM) commenced trading on the ASX on 15 September 2020. Visit Media Contact: Fiona Habben Head of Global Marketing [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9412281
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AI-Media to Debut Cutting-Edge Language Solutions at ISE 2025
BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AI-Media, a global leader in AI-powered captioning and translation solutions, is thrilled to announce its debut at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025, the world's leading event for AV technology and integrated solutions. From February 4–7 in Barcelona, AI-Media will demonstrate its cutting-edge innovations that are revolutionizing accessibility, enhancing audience engagement, and solidifying its expansion across Europe. Attendees can visit AI-Media at Booth #4G500 to discover how its solutions are redefining the future of subtitling and accessibility for broadcasters and AV professionals. Pioneering Innovation at ISE 2025 AI-Media is setting new standards in accessibility workflows with its AI-driven technologies, seamlessly integrating into SDI and IP infrastructures while supporting advanced API and GPI capabilities. Visitors to the AI-Media booth will experience: LEXI Live AI-Powered Captions: Achieve unparalleled accuracy, real-time responsiveness, and exceptional cost efficiency. Multilingual Captioning and Translation: Overcome language barriers with real-time translations that empower global audiences to connect effortlessly. Industry-Leading Encoder Technology: Explore AI-Media's reliable SDI and IP video encoders, trusted by top broadcasters for exceptional performance in both in-person and streaming environments. Exclusive First Look: LEXI Voice: Witness the future of real-time voice translation with LEXI Voice, AI-Media's groundbreaking technology set to transform the industry upon its release later this year. Building a More Accessible Future 'At AI-Media, accessibility is more than compliance—it's the cornerstone of an inclusive and globally connected world,' said James Ward, Chief Sales Officer at AI-Media. 'By combining innovation with practicality, we deliver scalable solutions that empower broadcasters and AV professionals to reach diverse audiences, meet regulatory demands like the European Accessibility Act, and revolutionize how content is experienced. ISE 2025 is an incredible opportunity to showcase the transformative power of our technology.' Navigating the European Accessibility Act (EAA) With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) set to take effect on June 28, 2025, broadcasters and AV professionals face new challenges in ensuring accessibility compliance. AI-Media's advanced solutions are designed to meet these requirements effortlessly, offering seamless integration and scalability while elevating audience engagement. Why ISE Matters for AI-Media AI-Media's debut at ISE underscores its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the AV space. ISE provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with industry leaders, explore the latest trends, and build strategic partnerships with AV system integrators across Europe. Join AI-Media at ISE 2025 Don't miss the chance to experience AI-Media's transformative solutions at ISE 2025. Visit Booth #4G500 to see live demonstrations and learn how AI-Media can revolutionize your accessibility and language strategies. To schedule a meeting or learn more, visit About AI-Media Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions. As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide. For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows. With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content. AI-Media (ASX: AIM) commenced trading on the ASX on 15 September 2020.A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Media Contact: Fiona Habben Head of Global Marketing in to access your portfolio
