Latest news with #LIONS
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Leinster are without FOUR Lions stars for crucial URC play-off semi-final against Glasgow Warriors
LIONS duo Josh van der Flier and Hugo Keenan are absent for Leinster for tomorrow's URC semi-final with Glasgow. But boss Leo Cullen insisted that both are okay for the Lions, and could resume training next week IF Leinster can secure a final date at Croke Park. Van der Flier limped out of And that meant Cullen said: 'Josh went off at the weekend so he's not back for this weekend. It's tight. It's coming a little bit too soon. 'It's coming a little bit too soon for Garry obviously, Hugo has picked up a niggle as well, so he's out.' Read more on Irish sport But Tommy O'Brien returns to the side after missing out last week through injury while flanker Scott Penney gets his shot in the back row in place of van der Flier. Leinster: J O'Brien, T O'Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett, J Lowe, S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheenan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, S Penny, J Conan. Replacements: R Kelleher, J Boyle, R Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Byrne, C Frawley. 'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants' 1 Leo Cullen hoping to avoid a fourth straight URC semi-final exit
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
It's Almost Game Time; Stagwell (STGW) Gears Up for SPORT BEACH 2025
Special programming to include the second annual Wine & Spirits Festival, an exclusive speakeasy honoring Hall of Fame inductees Carmelo Anthony and Sue Bird, and daily workouts including a pickleball competition, swim club and guided run with Olympic Gold Medalist Sir Mo Farah NEW YORK, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, returns to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity as the official LIONS Sport Partner of 2025. New partners including 2X Olympic Medalist and US National Champion in Figure Skating Nancy Kerrigan Solomon, actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens, and NBA Champion and Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade recently joined the SPORT BEACH 2025 roster and will participate in programming throughout the week. To register and view the full programming calendar, visit New 2025 Athlete and Speaker Partners Nancy Kerrigan Solomon (Figure Skating) – Nancy Kerrigan has been one of America's most recognizable sports icons for over 25 years as a two-time Olympic medalist and US National Champion in Figure Skating. In addition to her work on the ice, the two time Olympic medalist is an author, has regularly appeared on television and in movies as an actor, has been a sports commentator, was instrumental in the creation of key figure skating shows and has been a motivational speaker and advocate for issues related to infertility. The Nancy Kerrigan Foundation has raised significant funds for the vision impaired in honor of her legally blind mother and she has been recognized for her excellence on and off the ice. Ryan Reynolds (Actor and Entrepreneur) – Canadian actor, producer, screenwriter and entrepreneur. Reynolds is the star of the Deadpool franchise which has grossed over 2 billion dollars worldwide. The latest film, Deadpool & Wolverine, is the highest grossing R-rated film in history. He is also the co-creator and star of the Emmy Award-winning docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which follows the journey of Wrexham AFC. He is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning marketer, creating breakthrough campaigns for multiple brands. He has been recognized as one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal and Adweek among others. He is an owner of Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Wrexham Football Club, Chief Creative Officer of MNTN, and a co-founder of Maximum Effort, a production company and marketing firm. He also launched The Group Effort Initiative and The Creative Ladder, nonprofits that help make creative careers more accessible to all – especially those from underrepresented communities. Sloane Stephens (Tennis) – Sloane Stephens is an American professional tennis player, Grand Slam champion, and Olympian. Off the court, Sloane is the founder of Doc & Glo, a clean body care brand designed for "bodies in motion." She also serves as an active investor and advisor in the consumer, wellness, and tech spaces. Through the Sloane Stephens Foundation, she impacts over 15,000 youth annually through programs in Compton, CA, and South Florida. Dwyane Wade (Basketball) – Dwyane Wade is an NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Wade won Olympic gold in 2008 and was named one of the NBA's 75 greatest players. Wade's entrepreneurial investments and business partnerships include The Wy Network (digital content network), Wade Cellars, Proudly Baby Care, TMRW Sports, Utah Jazz, Chicago Sky, and more. Wade executive produced several acclaimed films and documentaries, including Oscar-winning animated short Hair Love, Sports Emmy-winning documentary The Redeem Team, Emmy award-winning documentary short The Dads, and Oscar-nominated short documentary The Barber of Little Rock. Wade also co-founded the Social Change Fund United and Translatable, a platform for LGBTQIA+ youth. Wade recently joined Amazon Prime Video's NBA Coverage team for the upcoming season. New 2025 Brand and Media Partners Boardroom is a media brand co-founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman that focuses on the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business. Boardroom's media arm produces daily and weekly newsletters along with premium content showcasing how athletes, executives, musicians, and creators are moving the business world forward. Boardroom's network reaches over 52 million unique visitors each month, delivering a powerful blend of premium content and immersive experiences. Integral Ad Science (IAS) is a leading global media measurement and optimization platform that delivers the industry's most actionable data to drive superior results for the world's largest advertisers, publishers, and media platforms. IAS's software provides comprehensive and enriched data that ensures ads are seen by real people in safe and suitable environments while improving return on ad spend for advertisers and yield for publishers. Our mission is to be the global benchmark for trust and transparency in digital media quality. For more information, visit Life Time (NYSE: LTH) is a modern lifestyle brand that blends wellness, nutrition, and long-term well-being into one holistic offering. With more than 180 Athletic Country Clubs across the U.S. and Canada, a robust digital platform, and nearly 30 premier athletic events, Life Time offers more than gym. It offers a way of life. Designed for members from 90 days to 90-plus years, Life Time's ecosystem supports healthy living, aging, and connection through programs, classes and activities that span performance, recovery, nutrition, and entertainment. Its LTH supplement line reflects a legacy of excellence, rooted in science, delivered through trust. Recently named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2025 and certified as a Great Place to Work, Life Time continues to redefine what wellness looks and feels like through thoughtful design, and meaningful experiences. They are committed to not only help people live long, but to thoroughly enjoy all the days of their lives. Minute Media – Minute Media is a global technology and content company specializing in sports and culture. Minute Media's proprietary tech platform enables the creation, distribution and monetization of digital content experiences. They own and operate leading sports content brands, including The Players' Tribune, FanSided, and 90min, and serve as the publisher of Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit across digital and print platforms. Minute Media also provides sports highlight rights through their recent technology acquisition of STN Video. The company reaches 200M monthly users, powering 1,500+ content creators and 400+ distribution partners across 14 global markets in 10 languages. They also reach a robust print subscriber base through the publication of Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated Swim and Sports Illustrated Kids magazines. Minute Media has offices in New York, London, Tel-Aviv, São Paulo and Asia. For more information, visit NBA 2K League is a joint venture between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive. Driven by a bold new vision, the NBA and Take-Two Interactive are reimagining the league into a global digital entertainment business. The future business will level up the NBA and Take-Two Interactive's long standing partnership and seek to engage consumers who live and play where pop culture, gaming and basketball collide. The venture will feature a digital media brand, immersive live events and a revamped 2K league. Through these channels, the new venture will build, engage and activate a broader fan base that is immersed in basketball and culture. Øpus Intelligence is the world's first AI-native Tribal Knowledge Marketing platform—an enterprise-grade system built to create blinding speed and efficiency for marketers with automation powered by human expertise that LLM's cannot replicate. Founded by Omar Johnson—former CMO of Beats by Dre and VP of Marketing at Apple—Øpus uniquely blends machine learning with deeply embedded cultural and creative instinct. The platform combines proprietary retrieval architecture with exclusive, expert-sourced knowledge collections across marketing, media, sport, fashion, and entertainment. Øpus is currently powering brand campaigns, athlete partnerships, and audience personas for some of the most influential companies and creators in the world. It is redefining the future of marketing—where deep tribal knowledge, not prompts, fuels automation at scale. For more, visit PepsiCo (PEP) products are enjoyed more than one billion times a day in over 200 countries and territories around the world. As one of the world's leading food and beverage companies with iconic brands like Lay's, Gatorade and Pepsi, PepsiCo is deeply committed to the power of sport to unite and inspire. From serving as a premier sponsor of the NBA and NFL, to celebrating a decade-long partnership with UEFA, to fueling the thrill of Formula 1 through a new global alliance, PepsiCo continues to bring fans closer to the moments and athletes they love, on and off the field. SMAC Entertainment – Founded in 2011, SMAC Entertainment, a multi-dimensional talent management, music, branding and production company, brings together former NFL strategist and marketing executive, Constance Schwartz-Morini, and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Emmy Award-winning television host, Michael Strahan, to create a major presence in the sports and entertainment arena. In addition to representing globally recognized talent, SMAC produces a diversified slate of film and television content, with projects set up at primetime cable and broadcast networks including HBO, DIRECTV, Showtime, ABC, CBS, E!, NFL Network, Audience Network, and Nickelodeon, as well as Prime Video. In addition, SMAC has engineered multiple clothing brands including Collection and MSX by Michael Strahan, two men's clothing and accessory lines available at Men's Warehouse and JCPenny; MSX by Michael Strahan for NFL as well as Erin Andrews' licensed sportswear collection, WEAR by Erin Andrews. The Trade Desk™ is a technology company that empowers buyers of advertising. Through its self-service, cloud-based platform, ad buyers can create, manage, and optimize digital advertising campaigns across ad formats and devices. Integrations with major data, inventory, and publisher partners ensure maximum reach and decisioning capabilities, and enterprise APIs enable custom development on top of the platform. Headquartered in Ventura, CA, The Trade Desk has offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit Visa is a global leader in digital payments, empowering individuals and businesses through secure, convenient, and trusted transactions. Built on the belief that anyone can make it, Visa helps unlock potential and supports the journey toward becoming who you want to be. Learn more at Previously announced SPORT BEACH brand partners include: Ad Results Media (ARM), Adobe, The Athletic, Business Insider, Channel Factory, The Chicago Bulls, Clio Sports, Diageo, Dirt is Good, DoubleVerify, e.l.f. Beauty, Epidemic Sound, Fanatics, La Fete Wine Company, Fortune, InMobi, Jeff Hamilton, LG Ad Solutions, LOVB, Meta, Microsoft Advertising, Movember, NBCUniversal, New York Life Insurance Company, Nexxen, NFL Players Inc., NGLmitú, NHL, NHLPA, Nielsen, Official AI, Overtime, Page Six, PayPal, Peloton, Premion, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., Scripps Sports, Sephora, Snap Inc., STAPLE, Strava, TransUnion, TripleLift, Unrivaled, Vacation Inc., VII(N) The Seventh Estate, Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and Zillow Group Inc. For the full roster of leaders, innovators, and cultural influencers joining SPORT BEACH 2025, visit For more information on Cannes Lions, including the Awards and the Festival, please visit Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues, media platforms and other interested parties to reach out to sportbeach@ to get involved. About StagwellStagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at ContactKara GelberPR@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Stagwell Inc.
India Today
10-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pak's jihadist delusions and its own past
Those who do not learn from recent history are condemned to repeat their mistakes. And what happens to those who do not learn from mediaeval history? They turn into a jihadist Pakistan, a delusional nation that dreams of dividing the Subcontinent yet again on religious Saturday, the world witnessed the launch of a fresh season of Pakistan's perennial chimera of a fragmented India when it announced 'Bunyan-un-Marsoos', a military strike on India. The symbolism of the operation and the surrounding propaganda underlines a larger insidious plan to use Islam as a ruse to support terror, rally support and destabilise the Subcontinent. It had deja vu, or more like delusional vu, written all over INSIDIOUS PLAN'Bunyan Ul Marsoos' is an Arabic word derived from the Quran. It implies a solid structure-symbolising strength and unity. According to the Pakistani media, the operation was launched soon after the morning prayers. The launch was accompanied by visuals of ecstatic soldiers chanting the slogan of god's greatness - "Naara-e- takbeer, Allahu Akbar". Many armies use religious cries and symbolism to fire up their soldiers. So, the Pakistanis have every right to resort to religious fervour in their fight against India. But, according to CNN, this religio-military zeal was accompanied by a wider call for jihad, even to Muslims in the conflict, CNN's international diplomatic editor, Nic Roberstson, reported the Pakistani state media was calling for "Muslims in India, Bangladesh and east of India to rise up and join them in this fight."advertisementThe media was taking its cue from the government's poisonous agenda. Just a few hours before its announcement of 'Bunyun Ul Marsoos', Pakistan's military spokesperson claimed India had fired on its own territories in Punjab, and on targets in Afghanistan-a canard aimed to divide and MEDIAEVAL OBSESSIONThis is not Pakistan's first experiment with Islamic imagery. In 1947, Pakistan launched 'Operation Gulmarg', led by 'General Tariq' - a pseudonym for Brigadier Akbar Khan. It was inspired by the Umayyad General Tariq ibn Ziyad, conqueror of Spain in 711 1965, Pakistan trained razakars and army regulars as guerrillas and sent them into Kashmir in 9–10 groups, each named after a mediaeval unit of fighters. Its name, 'Operation Gibraltar', was drawn from the 8th-century Umayyad assault on these adventures had a common theme. They were based on the hope that the people of Kashmir would rise against India and help Pakistan annexe the Valley. What actually transpired shocked Pakistan: the people of Kashmir reported the intruders to the administration, and helped the Indian Army drive them back to their camps in LIONS OF INDIA What does Pakistan know about India's Muslims and Sikhs? On current evidence, nothing. Reams can be written about the valour of India's Sikh and Muslim patriots. But a few examples would refresh Pakistan's jihad-addled the Pakistani invaders entered Kashmir in 1947, the commander of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir was Major General Kulwant Singh. The 1, Sikh Regiment that threw out the first wave of intruders was led by Colonel Harbaksh Singh. And who can forget Brigadier Mohammad Usman, the Lion of Naushera?In December 1947, when the Pakistanis captured Jhangar, the base of the Indian Army on the Mirpur-Rajouri axis, Brigadier Usman vowed to sleep on the floor in the cold of Kashmir until he had reclaimed Jhangar from the February 1948, Brigadier Usman repulsed a massive attack by the Pakistanis on Naushera, pushing them back even when his forces were outnumbered. A few days later, on the eve of the battle, Brigadier Usman wrote a letter to his soldiers that is etched in gold in Indian history:"The eyes of the world are on us. The hopes and aspirations of our countrymen are dependent on our must not falter-we must not fail every man upon this earth,Death cometh soon or late,advertisementAnd how can man die better,Than facing fearful the ashes of his fathers,And the temples of his forward friends, fearless we go to Jhangar. India expects everyone to do his duty."A few days later, when India had recaptured Jhangar, a cot was finally laid out for the brave Brigadier, and his name was forever etched in the annals of Indian history as the Lion of is living in a fool's paradise if, even after several attempts, it is expecting Indian patriots on religious lines. At the cost of repeating a cliche, Islamabad needs to be reminded that more Muslims decided to stay back in India after the Partition-and a large number of them taught unforgettable lessons to Pakistan in the subsequent wars. Remember, Param Vir Abdul Hameed, the hero who sank eight Patton tanks with a gun in the Battle of Asal Uttar?THE JOKE CALLED 'TWO-NATION THEORY'Vagaries of history had handed over two gifts on a platter to Pakistan-Eastern Pakistan because of the Partition, and Afghanistan because of the 'Cold War.'Because of its own follies, Pakistan lost its eastern wing, turning it into a graveyard of Bengalis because of ethnolinguistic differences. In 1971, it launched 'Operation Searchlight'- a murderous assault on Bengali politicians, intellectuals, artists, and even security genocide led to the largest humanitarian crisis in the Subcontinent after the 1947 Partition. Millions were displaced, thousands were killed because of Pakistan's policy of ethnic cleansing. Its butchers invited India's wrath, and the humiliating defeat, surrender and dismemberment in the 1971 is now inviting the same Bangladesh it was planning to decimate for a war against India. Does Pakistan even realise this isn't just ironic, it is clownery befitting a delusional country that suffers from incurable amnesia?The same can be said of its pathetic attempt to incite Afghanistan with fake narratives of an Indian assault. In the entire history of the world, there is no match for Pakistan's treachery in Afghanistan. It first helped the US fight the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Later, in the post-9/11 era, it became an international joke with its policy of hunting terrorists in Afghanistan with the US and hiding them in its own has been Pak's shameless double-speak on Afghanistan, that Kabul now sees it as an enemy, a resounding slap of reality to Islamabad's dream of an Islamic axis against in the world knows Pakistan is a failed state, driven to suicide by its own obsession with India, and its jihadist dreams. Every few months, it goes around the world begging for funds. But for China's support, Pakistan would have been a global pariah because of its flawed policy and finances. Two of its provinces are fighting to separate from Pakistan, incensed by the hegemony of its a nut case cut-off from reality would dream of enlisting the support of others in its war against India. But, those who don't learn from their own past, are destined to suffer Pakistan's InTrending Reel
Campaign ME
22-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Cannes Lions picks Khaled AlShehhi as first government sector juror in 72-year history
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has selected Khaled AlShehhi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication at the UAE Government Media Office, to join its jury panel, making it the first time that a government sector representative from across the globe has been chosen for this role in the festival's 72-year history. The appointment of Khaled AlShehhi to the prestigious PR Lions Awards jury, reflects the festival's recognition of the UAE's achievements in shaping innovative, forward-thinking marketing communications. This also marks the first time that an Emirati national has been chosen as a juror for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Commenting on the appointment, Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, said, 'We are delighted to welcome Khaled AlShehhi to the PR Lions jury. His innovative work in government communications and ongoing commitment to creative excellence in the region and beyond, means he is well placed to represent the region on the global stage.' The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced the selection of Khaled AlShehhi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication at the UAE Government Media Office, as the first government sector representative worldwide to join the jury of this prestigious… — UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) April 21, 2025 'The UAE Government Media Office's consistent success at Cannes Lions – winning for three consecutive years and the UAE's ranking at eighth – within the global Top 10 – in the Cannes Lions Global Creativity Index highlight the remarkable strides the nation has made in recent years,' Cook added. The UAE Government Media Office has earned more than 220 international accolades, including multiple Cannes Lions awards, a fourth-place global ranking in the Effie Index for effective marketing, and recognition as the 2022 Global Brand of the Year by the AME New York Festival. AlShehhi has also been widely recognised across the industry. He was named Advertising Person of the Year at Dubai Lynx 2023 and earned the 2023 Loeries Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award, becoming the first Middle Eastern recipient in that show's 45-year history. Among his other accolades are the 2022 Effie MENA Honorary Award and the 2022 World Media Group Award for Content Leadership and Innovation. He also serves on the Board of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) in the Middle East and North Africa, and is a member of the Strategic Council of the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA), actively contributing to the growth and development of the region's communications industry. Reacting to his appointment as a Cannes Lions juor, Khaled AlShehhi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the UAE Government Media Office, said, 'It is a privilege to join the Cannes Lions jury, an opportunity that not only underscores our organization's achievements globally but also highlights the UAE's belief in the power of creativity to shape impactful government communications. For me, true creativity begins with a heart-racing insight, and it only grows stronger when you dare to bring it to life. if an idea doesn't shake you a bit, it's probably not bold enough to capture hearts and transform realities.' AlShehhi added, 'I look forward to sharing our perspective and learning from the world's finest PR campaigns. I am grateful to work in an environment that consistently nurtures bold ideas and encourages pioneering strategies. This culture of innovation enables us to produce campaigns that resonate locally and globally, and I hope to bring those insights to the jury table.' As a juror, he will join leading global professionals at Cannes Lions this June to evaluate groundbreaking PR campaigns, culminating in the Awards Show on 20 June 2025. This appointment stands as a testament to the UAE's creative influence and its increasing leadership on the international stage.
Campaign ME
07-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Dubai Lynx reveals The Work shortlists for 2025 awards
Dubai Lynx, MENA's leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has revealed its first round of shortlists for the 2025 Awards. The Work shortlists recognise outstanding creativity and innovation across multiple categories. All shortlisted pieces of work will now compete to be awarded MENA's most prestigious creative communications accolade. View the: The Film shortlist will be announced Tuesday, 8 April at 9am (GST, while the Entertainment, Glass: The Award for Change, Healthcare and Integrated shortlists will be announced Wednesday, 9 April at 9am (GST). Winners will be announced at the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony taking place at the Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday, 9 April, bringing together the industry to celebrate the region's outstanding achievements. Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said, 'Every year, Dubai Lynx celebrates the extraordinary talent driving the creative economy in the region. The first wave of shortlists sets the stage for what promises to be an exceptional awards season, spotlighting work that challenges conventions and redefines brand storytelling.' The 2025 Awards has seen a remarkable surge in brand participation, with entries from brands up by 122 per cent year-on-year, reflecting the region's growing creative ambitions. The newly introduced 'Use of Humour' category saw 3 per cent of all entries submitted, highlighting a renewed appetite for humour and levity across the region. Marian Brannelly, Global Director of Awards, LIONS, said, 'The Dubai Lynx Awards continue to be a benchmark for creative brilliance in the MENA region. This year we've seen a remarkable 122% year-on-year increase in brand entries, reflecting the growing creative ambitions of marketers in MENA. It's also exciting to see humour making a comeback, with 3% of all submissions entered into the new 'Use of Humour' category. We congratulate all those who have been shortlisted so far and look forward to unveiling the rest of the shortlists.' Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City part of TECOM Group PJSC, said, 'This year's Dubai Lynx Awards shortlists represents an exceptional calibre of work that captures the innovation driving the region's thriving creative economy.' Suwaidi added, 'Our strategic partnership with Dubai Lynx cements the vital role of Dubai Media City's vibrant ecosystem in nurturing such talent and strengthening Dubai's position as a global centre of excellence, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33'. We look forward to recognising the region's most creative minds at the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony.' The Dubai Lynx Debrief, taking place tomorrow Tuesday 8 April, 9am GST at Dubai Knowledge Park, will offer a comprehensive analysis of the key trends, insights and award-winning creativity emerging from this year's entries from Dubai Lynx Jurors. The Debrief brings together leading industry experts to examine the region's most impactful work, providing valuable takeaways for brands, agencies and marketers looking to navigate the evolving MENA communications landscape. Further information on registering for the event is available here.
