Latest news with #KellyButler
Broadcast Pro
an hour ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
SAWA Rights and W-Sport partner to bring women's sports channel to MENA
W-Sport offers an extensive portfolio of women's sports content, including up to 10 live football matches each week from top leagues . SAWA Rights Management, a content distribution company under the SAWA Entertainment Group, has announced a strategic partnership with W-Sport, the premier global broadcaster dedicated exclusively to women's sports. Under the agreement, W-Sport's 24-hour linear channel will be distributed across the Middle East and North Africa, reaching both residential subscribers and commercial venues for the first time. The move marks a major expansion for W-Sport as it extends its presence into the MENA market. The channel has already launched on du TV, the UAE's telecom and digital services provider, and will now be made available to a much wider audience through SAWA Rights Management's extensive distribution network. Kelly Butler, CEO of W-Sport, said: 'This is another significant step in the journey and development of W-Sport. We are delighted to partner with SAWA Rights Management and look forward to bringing audiences in the MENA region the very best female leagues, competitions, teams, and athletes from around the world. 'Our goal is to bring the excitement and passion of women's sports to a global audience. Partnering with SAWA Rights Management allows us to reach new fans in the MENA region and share the incredible stories of female athletes who are breaking barriers and setting new standards in sports.' Ali Ajouz, CEO of SAWA Entertainment Group, added: 'We are thrilled to collaborate with W-Sport to enhance the sports viewing experience for our customers. This partnership aligns with our mission to provide diverse and high-quality content to our audience. We believe that showcasing women's sports will inspire and empower viewers across the region.' W-Sport's programming features a lineup of live events, including up to ten football matches every week from top international competitions such as England's Women's Super League, Germany's Frauen Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A Femminile, Sweden's Damallsvenskan and the USL in the United States. Beyond football, viewers will also have access to live coverage of the Super League Triathlon this summer, along with selected tournaments in tennis, netball, field hockey and athletics.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California's Insurance Gap: Mercury Insurance Details What Homeowners Need to Know
Thousands of California Homeowners Are Underinsured LOS ANGELES, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The devastation caused by January's Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires served as powerful reminders of how crucial it is for homeowners to have adequate insurance coverage. In addition to the emotional toll of losing a home, the financial burden can be overwhelming — particularly for those who discover their coverage falls short. According to a recent report in the San Francisco Chronicle, a significant number of California policyholders are underinsured, meaning that they may not receive sufficient funds to rebuild a home comparable to the one they lost. Equally concerning is data from LendingTree, which reveals that of the nearly eight million residences in California, 806,600 are completely uninsured — that's 10.5% of all homeowners in the Golden State. And in some counties, such as Lake, Kings and Humboldt, for instance, the rate is even higher. "Being underinsured can turn a crisis into a financial disaster. Waiting until after a catastrophic event such as a wildfire to review your coverage is far too late," said Kelly Butler, VP and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "That's why it is essential to meet with your insurance agent at least once a year to ensure your policy reflects current replacement costs and risks." The issue of underinsurance in California is shaped by a combination of evolving market dynamics and environmental challenges. Rising construction costs, the growing threat of wildfires, and shifts in the insurance market all contribute to a complex landscape for homeowners and insurers alike. Here's a closer look at some of the key factors: Rising Insurance Costs: In wildfire prone areas, premiums have increased in response to heightened risk and construction/materials costs. This can place financial strain on homeowners, and these insureds are most likely to allow their coverage to lapse or to underinsure their properties to lower their premiums. Market Adjustments: Some insurance companies have scaled back their offerings in high-risk regions due to increased losses. As a result, some homeowners need to turn to alternatives such as the California FAIR Plan, which provides basic fire insurance coverage, when private options are unavailable. So, what was originally intended as a provider of last resort is now used by 4% of the state's homeowners, up 300% from 2018. Homeowners may need to supplement FAIR Plan policies with additional "wrap-around" policies for broader protection. Increased Wildfire Risk: The growing frequency and severity of wildfires in California have made it more difficult — and costlier — to insure homes in certain areas. This has impacted both insurance availability and affordability. Regulatory Constraints: Proposition 103, passed in 1988, requires insurers to base rates on historical losses. While designed to protect consumers by regulating how insurers set rates, it has also created challenges for insurers that need to adjust rates to account for evolving risks and rising rebuilding costs, which adds complexity to the current insurance landscape. Policy Type Matters: Understanding the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost policies is crucial. The former may not cover the full cost to rebuild, while the latter aims to replace what was lost in today's dollars, up to the policy's limits. What Can Homeowners Do? Reducing wildfire risk on your property remains one of the most effective strategies. Creating defensible space, hardening your home, and taking other fire-mitigation measures can help lower your insurance costs — and may even qualify you for discounts. But homeowners can't solve this issue alone. Broader efforts are also underway to improve the availability and affordability of insurance coverage in high-risk areas. "Fortunately, it's not all doom and gloom," added Butler. "The state is beginning to make meaningful changes. Last year, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara introduced California's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which supports more accurate pricing in wildfire-prone areas and aims to expand coverage options for homeowners who need it most." By staying informed, proactive, and working closely with their insurance providers, California homeowners can better protect their properties and financial futures — even in the face of growing environmental risks. About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and For more information visit or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. Contact: PCG – Shane Smith (424) 903-3665 (ssmith@ Media Contact Shane Smith, Mercury Insurance, (424) 903-3665, ssmith@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mercury Insurance Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mercury Insurance Teams Up with Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to Promote Wildfire Preparedness
Homeowners in Wildfire-prone Areas Can Earn Insurance Discounts Through IBHS Certification Program LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Wildfires are posing ever-increasing threats to communities around the country and Mercury Insurance is partnering with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) to help homeowners act before disaster strikes. Through this collaboration, Mercury policyholders in wildfire-susceptible areas may qualify for a discount on their premiums by participating in the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home certification program. The certification program encourages homeowners to make meaningful, real-world improvements to harden their homes against wildfire risk. Mercury customers who earn the Wildfire Prepared Home designation may be eligible for a discount on the Catastrophe Fire portion of their premium. Homeowners should contact their Mercury agent for eligibility and program details. "IBHS offers homeowners the ability to certify their homes against severe weather risks specific to their area, including wildfires. The program is based on more than 10 years of carefully executed research," said Kelly Butler, VP and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "Many of Mercury's customers reside in California, and preparedness is the key to protecting our homes and communities — wildfires don't wait, and neither should we." According to IBHS, 4.8 million U.S. homes are identified as high or extreme risk of wildfire, with more than 2 million located in California. Losses from wildfires have added up to $5.1 billion in just the past 10 years. IBHS believes that improving building codes and installation practices will result in reduced losses. IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Certification To get your home IBHS certified, you'll need to participate in either the FORTIFIED or Wildfire Prepared Home program. While FORTIFIED focuses on general severe weather resilience, Wildfire Prepared Home is specifically designed to address wildfire threats through proven mitigation strategies. Steps for Wildfire Prepared Home certification include: Apply: Register on the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home portal and pay the application fee. Inspection: An IBHS-authorized evaluator will conduct an external inspection of your property and take photographs. Compliance: If your home doesn't meet all requirements, you'll receive a list of mitigation actions and an opportunity to bring it into compliance. Ongoing Maintenance: You'll need to demonstrate annual maintenance of your landscaping to retain the designation. Certificate: Once all of the requirements have been met, IBHS will issue the appropriate certificate. There are two levels of certification: Wildfire Prepared Base – Requires defensible space within 5 feet of the home, preparing the home's exterior, and maintaining the deck/covered porch and yard to prevent ember ignition. Wildfire Prepared Plus – Includes all Base-level requirements plus an extra layer of home protection for flames and radiant heat that is common with new home construction or exterior home renovations. All homes eligible for certification must fulfill the following requirements: The applicant must be the homeowner Photos of all four sides of the home, showing the 0- to 5-foot noncombustible zone, are required The home must be a single-family, detached house (no townhouse or condos) with three stories or less The home must be in California or Oregon Applicants should bear in mind that all certifications are valid for three years, and at the end of years one and two, each home must be reinspected. "The IBHS certification process allows homeowners to take a series of actions that will meaningfully reduce their fire risk. If the process seems overwhelming at first, the best advice is to take it one step at a time," said Mary Anne Byrd, Communications Director at IBHS. "We are here to help applicants every step of the way." About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and For more information visit or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. Contact: PCG – Shane Smith (424) 903-3665 (ssmith@ Media Contact Shane Smith, Mercury Insurance, (424) 903-3665, ssmith@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mercury Insurance
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mercury Insurance Teams Up with Insurance Institute for Business & Home (IBHS) Safety to Promote Wildfire Preparedness
Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas can earn insurance discounts through IBHS certification program LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Wildfires are posing ever-increasing threats to communities around the country and Mercury Insurance is partnering with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) to help homeowners act before disaster strikes. Through this collaboration, Mercury policyholders in wildfire-susceptible areas may qualify for a discount on their premiums by participating in the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home certification program. The certification program encourages homeowners to make meaningful, real-world improvements to harden their homes against wildfire risk. Mercury customers who earn the Wildfire Prepared Home designation may be eligible for a discount on the Catastrophe Fire portion of their premium. Homeowners should contact their Mercury agent for eligibility and program details. "IBHS offers homeowners the ability to certify their homes against severe weather risks specific to their area, including wildfires. The program is based on more than 10 years of carefully executed research," said Kelly Butler, VP and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "Many of Mercury's customers reside in California, and preparedness is the key to protecting our homes and communities — wildfires don't wait, and neither should we." According to IBHS, 4.8 million U.S. homes are identified as high or extreme risk of wildfire, with more than 2 million located in California. Losses from wildfires have added up to $5.1 billion in just the past 10 years. IBHS believes that improving building codes and installation practices will result in reduced losses. IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Certification To get your home IBHS certified, you'll need to participate in either the FORTIFIED or Wildfire Prepared Home program. While FORTIFIED focuses on general severe weather resilience, Wildfire Prepared Home is specifically designed to address wildfire threats through proven mitigation strategies. Steps for Wildfire Prepared Home certification include: Apply: Register on the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home portal and pay the application fee. Inspection: An IBHS-authorized evaluator will conduct an external inspection of your property and take photographs. Compliance: If your home doesn't meet all requirements, you'll receive a list of mitigation actions and an opportunity to bring it into compliance. Ongoing Maintenance: You'll need to demonstrate annual maintenance of your landscaping to retain the designation. Certificate: Once all of the requirements have been met, IBHS will issue the appropriate certificate. There are two levels of certification: Wildfire Prepared Base – Requires defensible space within 5 feet of the home, preparing the home's exterior, and maintaining the deck/covered porch and yard to prevent ember ignition. Wildfire Prepared Plus – Includes all Base-level requirements plus an extra layer of home protection for flames and radiant heat that is common with new home construction or exterior home renovations. All homes eligible for certification must fulfill the following requirements: The applicant must be the homeowner Photos of all four sides of the home, showing the 0- to 5-foot noncombustible zone, are required The home must be a single-family, detached house (no townhouse or condos) with three stories or less The home must be in California or Oregon Applicants should bear in mind that all certifications are valid for three years, and at the end of years one and two, each home must be reinspected. "The IBHS certification process allows homeowners to take a series of actions that will meaningfully reduce their fire risk. If the process seems overwhelming at first, the best advice is to take it one step at a time," said Mary Anne Byrd, Communications Director at IBHS. "We are here to help applicants every step of the way." About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and a network of more than 6,500 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and For more information visit or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mercury Insurance 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
Press and Journal
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Gallery: The best pictures from Courage on the Catwalk 2025 at P&J Live
There were twirls, tears and an airborne wig as 23 women took to the stage on Saturday night for Courage on the Catwalk 2025. The P&J Live arena was packed as this year's models — all of whom have personal experience of cancer — brought the house down with with a dazzling display that didn't leave a dry eye in the house. Months of rehearsals came together over the course of the evening, which featured catwalk walkdowns, fundraising raffles and short videos of some of the models detailing their battles with cancer. From glittering gowns to beautiful bridal wear, each model brought her own personality to the stage and the crowd responded with applause and the occasional standing ovation. The biggest cheer of the night? That belonged to Kelly Butler, who threw her wig into the crowd mid-walk, in a spontaneous act that summed up the night perfectly. But Courage is about more than the catwalk. For many of this year's models, taking part marked a turning point in their cancer journey. For others, it was a chance to shine in front of friends and family. And thanks to the generosity of the audience and sponsors, the show raised an incredible £118,000 on Saturday alone, with even more to come as the models return for a second night on Sunday. The total will also feature the money raised on Thursday and Friday night at Brave, the men's edition of the catwalk show. Scroll through our gallery below to see the unforgettable faces, outfits and moments from one of the most inspiring nights on the north-east calendar. Applications to take part in Brave and Courage next year are now open. Click here to apply.
