- Investment will increase capacity at Junction City plant
- More agricultural rubber tracks to serve aftermarket and original equipment market
- Around 200 jobs will be added in upcoming years
Junction City, Kan., May 22, 2023 – Michelin, a leader in sustainability and innovation, today announced its plan to invest more than $100 million into its Junction City, Kan. operations over the next five years to increase production capacity of tracks for agricultural equipment.
“At Michelin, we are proud to partner with our customers who are meeting the challenge of feeding the world more efficiently while protecting the environment,” said Alexis Garcin, president and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc. “This investment in agricultural tracks capacity is further evidence of our commitment to bring Michelin’s all-sustainable strategy to life in North America, positioning the company as a leader in this fast-growing market segment and creating careers that will benefit 200 families in the community.”
The investment, part of Michelin’s global growth strategy, will increase the output of Camso agricultural rubber tracks to better respond to market evolution. This includes both aftermarket and original equipment customers.
Camso, a brand under the Michelin Group, specializes in off-road tires, rubber tracks and systems for material handling, construction, agriculture and powersports industries. Camso products are designed to meet the unique mobility needs of each application in the off-highway vehicle market.
Growing with customers
“As a leader in the beyond road segment, this investment is additional proof of our commitment to partner with our customers,” said Erick Bellefleur, Sr. VP of the global Beyond Road business line. “With this investment, we’ll not only be able to meet a growing need in the agriculture market, but we will also continue to add to our workforce in Kansas where our teams are eager to meet tomorrow’s challenges and serve our customers who are also our neighbors.”
Kansas is home to three Michelin manufacturing plants, specializing in agricultural rubber tracks and wheels. These products are designed to meet unique mobility needs of agricultural applications in the off-highway market. Through steady investment in the area, the company has increased production and the number of people employed in the state.
Investing in North American production
This is the latest investment in recent years to help Michelin better serve its customers. In March, the company announced a $300 million CAD investment in three Nova Scotia facilities, following a $175 million USD investment in its South Carolina production facilities announced in 2020. The company also invested more than $20 million USD in the last two years to expand and improve the two Michelin facilities in Emporia, Kan.
Building the workforce
Michelin is the most awarded tire brand in the U.S. and has been recognized for achievements in customer satisfaction, performance, durability, technology and innovation. As an employer, Michelin has been named:
- No. 1 employer in the automotive category, Forbes America’s Best Large Employers
- No. 4 on the list of Top 50 Diversity Employer of Choice, Equal Opportunity Magazine
- No. 5 on the list of Top 50 Diversity Employer of Choice, Minority Engineer Magazine
- Top Employers List – Best of the Best, Black EOE Journal
- America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity list – Newsweek
The company currently employs about 175 people in the Junction City facility. The investment will add about 200 jobs between 2023 and 2026. For information on how to join one of America’s top employers, visit jobs.michelinman.com.
About Michelin North America
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trip and travels and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide variety of industries – from aerospace to biotech. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 23,000 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada.
Contact Information
Name: Emily Hetzel
Email: emily.hetzel@michelin.com
Job Title: Press Officer
National Advertising Division Refers Bacardi’s Claims for Havana Club Rum to FTC for Review and Possible Enforcement Action
New York, NY – May 17, 2023 – In a challenge brought by Pernod Ricard, USA LLC, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs has referred advertising claims made by Bacardi USA for its Havana Club rum to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after the company informed NAD that it would not participate in the NAD self-regulatory process with respect to the challenged claims.
Pernod Ricard challenged express and implied claims for Bacardi’s Havana Club brand rum, contending that use of the name “Havana Club” for rum that is made in Puerto Rico, in conjunction with labeling and advertisements that associate the rum with Cuba, misleads consumers about the origin of the rum.
As an initial matter, NAD considered Bacardi’s request that the case be administratively closed under NAD’s Procedures that provide for closure when the advertising claims are the subject of pending litigation or an order by a court, or when the proceeding does not warrant the expenditure of NAD’s resources. NAD determined that it retained jurisdiction to review the challenged claims.
Upon receiving the determination that NAD would not administratively close the matter, Bacardi informed NAD that it would not participate in NAD’s self-regulatory process.
Bacardi advised NAD that it would permanently discontinue the use of the challenged hang tags and revise in-store promotional materials, however, NAD determined that these changes do not address all advertising claims challenged by Pernod Ricard.
Self-regulatory review of the advertising claims challenged in this case could have provided benefits to both consumers and fair competition.
Considering Bacardi’s decision to not participate in the NAD self-regulatory process, NAD has referred the matter to the FTC for review and possible enforcement action.
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact Information
Name: Jennie Rosenberg
Email: jrosenberg@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Media Relations
British Council announces seven new projects from the Cultural Protection Fund
The British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, announces seven new cultural heritage protection projects.
The grants announced today will help protect endangered global heritage, preserve local communities and protect sites at risk from conflict or climate change.
Just over £700,000 will be awarded to the various projects which will commence from July 2023, reaching completion by the end of January 2025.
To be eligible for support from the Cultural Protection Fund, projects must include activities that safeguard cultural heritage for future generations, protect heritage from risks relating to conflict, instability and/or climate change (and related disasters) and include meaningful involvement of the communities closest to the heritage.
New projects awarded funding are:
Revitalising the intangible Cultural Heritage of the Endorois people led by the Jamii Asilia Centre in partnership with Global Wisdom Collective
The Endorois were some of the first inhabitants in the Baringo and Laikipia Counties in Kenya and their intangible heritage is at risk due to the rising water levels of nearby Lake Bogoria. The project will deliver training in oral history skills and record conversations with Endorois Elders focussing on the knowledge systems, practices and rituals connected to their pastoralist culture.
Documentation and Conservation of Lebanon’s Coastal Castles led by Iconem
The coastal heritage of Lebanon is at risk of erosion due to climate change. This project will carry out conservation, documentation and 3D photogrammetric digitisation of four historically significant archaeological sites, as well as building capacities by providing local training in heritage preservation.
Batroun in Lebanon – Iconem Fund
Khan Musallah led by Living Mesopotamia CIC
This impressive 19th Century monument in Iraq was built to accommodate pilgrims travelling between the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala and was a key point for contact and exchange along the Silk and Ottoman trade routes. It suffered significant damage during conflict and faces further deterioration due to climate change. This project will improve the condition of the site, create a conservation plan and support local heritage professionals and the community to care for and protect this and other local heritage sites in the future.
Khan Musalla, Najaf, Iraq – Living Mesopotamia CIC
Securing the Archives of a Travelling Merchant led by Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art and Research
The 19th century Dar Jacir house and its rare archival collection in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, are in danger of being lost due to ongoing conflict. This project will protect the building against further damage, provide access to new areas for collections display and will enable the creation of a professional standard archive room.
Emergency intervention and damage assessment in Manbij led by Heritage for Peace
This project will see the implementation of emergency and consolidation interventions to stabilise three at risk monuments in Northern Syria, dating from the late Byzantine to early 20th century.
Turath Benghazi led by World Monuments Fund
The historic city centre of Benghazi in Libya hosts many important religious and cultural sites and has suffered significant damage due to civil war. This project will provide local architects and officials with training in cultural heritage preservation and urban design, building capacity for conservation and restoration of this ancient city.
Silphium Plaza in Benghazi after the war in 2020.
Cultural Heritage Preservation Northern Karamoja led by Kara-Tunga Foundation
The Ik community in North East Uganda have a unique language and culture that is under threat due to marginalisation and displacement through conflict and climate change. This project aims to protect their cultural identity through documentation, community engagement and training.
Stephanie Grant, Director of the Cultural Protection Fund at The British Council said:
“The threat to global cultural heritage because of conflict and climate change is growing and it is more critical than ever that we make efforts to safeguard what we value. The projects we are announcing today will protect valuable archives, sites of historic importance and the cultural practices of marginalised communities. I am immensely proud that the Cultural Protection Fund supports this vital work and look forward to hearing more about the progress of each project.”
Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:
“We have a duty to protect not only our own rich heritage here in the UK but also our shared human heritage around the world.
“I am delighted that the funding for these projects will help us all to learn more about these fascinating sites, collections, and practices while preserving them for future generations.”
Find out more about these projects and the work of the Cultural Protection Fund
Notes to Editor
About the British Council – The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2020–21 we connected with 67 million people directly and with 745 million people overall. www.britishcouncil.org
About the Cultural Protection Fund – The Cultural Protection Fund is managed by the British Council – the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations – in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It aims to foster, safeguard and promote cultural heritage overseas. The Fund is a key part of the British Council’s work in Culture and Development overseas, which focuses on ambitious, artistic and creative initiatives that foster social cohesion, freedom of expression, inclusive institutions, dynamic communities, and improved social and economic well-being. For more information on the Cultural Protection Fund: https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/culture-development/cultural-protection-fund
Contact Information
Name: Razan Kaloti
Email: razan.kaloti@britishcouncil.org
Job Title: Senior Communications Manager
Edvisors’ Announces New Monthly $1,000 No Essay Scholarship
Las Vegas, NV—For more than 20 years, Edvisors has offered students free resources to help them plan and pay for college. To date, Edvisors Network, Inc. has awarded over $1 million in scholarships under their brand ScholarshipPoints.com. And today, we are proud to announce the expansion of our scholarship offerings to a monthly $1,000 scholarship opportunity for students and their parents through our flagship brand www.Edvisors.com.
The Edvisors’ Higher Education Scholarship is open to students 17 years of age or older, who are enrolled or intend to enroll in college after high school, or a parent of a child who is a high school senior or enrolled in college. Each month one $1,000 scholarship winner will be chosen.
“We understand the financial struggle a student faces when it comes time to pay for college,” says Director of Corporate Communications Elaine Rubin. “Even if a student does everything right, they may still face a financial gap they need to fill. These gaps can sometimes become obstacles to completion. By offering this scholarship opportunity through Edvisors.com, it expands our ability to help as many students as possible achieve their goals.”
To enter please visit https://www.edvisors.com/monthly-scholarship/
For Official Rules: https://www.edvisors.com/rules-1k-scholarship
About Edvisors: For 20 years we have been known as one of the largest and most trusted resources to help students find their path to success. Everyone needs to find their own path, and we know that first-hand. We work to provide information from both our professional and personal experiences, to help individuals through college and beyond. Every year, millions of students and their families turn to the company’s flagship site, Edvisors.com, for timely, accurate information, advice and tools that help them confidently make the best decisions about paying for college. Additionally, Edvisors owns ScholarshipPoints.com, where students earn points to enter scholarship drawings (the site has awarded over $1 million to date). Founded in 1998, Edvisors is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. More information can be found at www.edvisors.com.
Contact Information
Name: Elaine Rubin
Email: erubin@edvisors.com
Job Title: Director of Corporate Communications
LexisNexis® Launches Powerful New Research Tool
Nexis® Hub streamlines and accelerates the research process from start to finish.
NEW YORK— May 16, 2023—Today, LexisNexis® Legal and Professional announced the launch of Nexis® Hub—a new tool that supports and streamlines any research workflow to accelerate time to insight. The innovative new solution, created to meet the needs of today’s busy professionals, integrates with Google Chrome and Microsoft Word to help users streamline the complicated and time-consuming process of collecting research and creating reports.
“Over the past year, we have spoken with hundreds of professionals about their research process, and their overwhelming feedback was that they need help compiling, synthesizing and reporting on insights more quickly and efficiently,” said Dani McCormick, Vice President, Product. “Nexis Hub dramatically simplifies the research workflow, allowing users to more efficiently collect and organize information into accessible, editable reports, so they can spend less time on manual tasks and more time on the data analysis that matters most.”
Nexis Hub empowers today’s busy professionals to collect important information and references—along with corresponding URLs and metadata—from any news source including a variety of Nexis products and across the internet, organize them into collections, and seamlessly integrate findings into reports with the tools they use every day. In fact, Nexis Hub users can see a time savings of up to 50%.
With Nexis Hub, users can:
- Accelerate the research process from start to finish, and significantly reduce the time spent on low value tasks.
- See the whole picture, faster by easily collecting and organizing research from across numerous sources in a single location, making it easier to notice trends, identify key insights and prioritize information highlights.
- Reduce information loss by integrating with tools used every day (including Google Chrome and Microsoft Word) into a central “hub” so researchers never need to worry about losing critical information.
To learn more about how Nexis Hub can help simplify your organization’s research workflow, please visit https://www.lexisnexis.com/nexishub.
About LexisNexis Legal & Professional
LexisNexis® Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,300 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.
Contact Information
Name: Leela Bozonelis
LexisNexis | Nexis Solutions
Email: leela.bozonelis@lexisnexis.com
Job Title: Marketing Director
National Advertising Division Finds Certain Claims for Xfinity Home Internet Service Supported; Recommends Comcast Modify or Discontinue Others
New York, NY – May 16, 2023 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs determined that certain claims made by Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC for its Xfinity home internet were supported. However, NAD recommended that Comcast modify or discontinue other Xfinity home internet service claims, as well as claims for Xfinity’s mobile service.
The claims at issue, which appeared in television and online advertising, were challenged by T-Mobile USA, Inc, provider of T-Mobile home internet service (T-HINT). T-HINT uses T-Mobile’s wireless network. Comcast Xfinity cable home internet service uses Comcast’s wired cable infrastructure.
Challenged “Nocturnal” Commercial
NAD determined that although consumers may not literally take away a message that T-HINT customers must become “nocturnal” to access the internet, the overall net impression is that T-HINT is frequently unusable during the day.
NAD found that Comcast’s evidence did not establish that T-HINT users regularly experience unusable speeds during daytime hours. Therefore, NAD recommended that Comcast discontinue the challenged claims made in the context of the Nocturnal commercial that:
- “Everyone is online during the day, so we lose speeds” using T-HINT
- “Well if you just switch, maybe you don’t have to be vampires.”
As well as the related implied claims:
- “Daily periods of congestion on T-Mobile’s network last until 2 a.m.”
- “T-Mobile is not sufficiently fast or reliable to be used during daytime hours”
- “T-HINT customers need to switch to Xfinity in order to access reliably fast internet service during the day”
- “T-Mobile’s order of prioritization of mobile customers materially renders T-HINT unusable except in the dead of night”
- “As a general matter, slower speeds under certain conditions described in T-Mobile’s disclaimers and disclosures reflect typical consumer experience using T-HINT”
NAD noted that nothing in its decision precludes Comcast from making other truthful and non-misleading comparative claims relating to internet speed and reliability.
Challenged “Birdwatchers” Commercial
NAD determined that one of the messages reasonably conveyed is that T-HINT is unusable for online gaming.
NAD concluded that Comcast’s evidence did not demonstrate that all online gaming would be affected by T-HINT’s latency. However, NAD found that the evidence demonstrated that certain “response-sensitive” gamers might have their gaming experience materially impacted by the lag associated with T-HINT, thus supporting the claim that “T-Mobile fixed home internet customers experience 2-4x the latency of wired internet customers.”
Because the evidence did not support the message that T-HINT speeds are insufficient to enjoy all types of gaming, NAD recommended that Comcast discontinue the challenged claims made in the context of the Birdwatchers commercial, including the claims:
- T-HINT “lags and it throws the whole thing off”
- “Getting Xfinity is the “adult” thing to do
- “INTERNET ISSUES?” “If ONLY THEY HAD XFINITY”
As well as the related implied claims:
- T-HINT lags too much to be useful for gaming
- T-HINT customers need to switch to Xfinity in order to enjoy gaming
In the alternative, NAD noted that Comcast may modify the Birdwatchers commercial to clearly communicate the types of gaming impacted by the increased lag associated with T-HINT.
“TMo Facts” Webpage
T-Mobile challenged claims about T-HINT which appeared on the “TMo Facts” page of the Xfinity website that states “Xfinity vs. T-Mobile 5G home internet” and includes a series of comparative claims comparing T-HINT and Xfinity internet, as well as other monadic claims and information about Xfinity internet.
Speed comparison claims: Comcast’s evidence did not demonstrate that an appreciable number of consumers are likely to attain 36x faster service with Xfinity or 36x slower service with T-HINT. Therefore, NAD recommended that Comcast modify the following unqualified speed claims to reflect speed differences experienced by a material number of consumers, and noted that such advertising may state that T-HINT users experience a range of speeds, including by reference to the speeds in that range:
- Xfinity home internet is “up to 30x faster than [T-]HINT”
- Xfinity home internet is “up to 36x faster than T-Mobile’s 5G home internet”
- T-HINT “is 10-30x slower” than Xfinity home internet
NAD also recommended that Comcast disclose specifically the basis of the comparative claim in the main claim or in similar font size and in immediate proximity to the comparative claim (e.g., that Xfinity Gigabit Plus tier is being compared to median T-HINT speeds).
NAD found that the claim that “Storms, mountains, cars – being inside – can slow your speed. T-Mobile says: ‘Weather, the surrounding terrain, use inside a building or moving vehicle’ all affect speed and performance,” is substantiated because the claim is consistent with T-Mobile’s own statements about T-HINT and how it may be affected by these factors.
“Bad Internet”: NAD determined that, in context, the “Bad internet happens to good people. We can help,” claim is a broad claim which may reasonably communicate the message that T-HINT service is substandard in one or more important aspects. Because Comcast did not provide evidence that T-HINT is “bad internet,” NAD recommended that the claim be discontinued.
Xfinity Mobile Advertising
NAD recommended that Comcast modify its advertising to clearly and conspicuously disclose that its “Xfinity Mobile now has the fastest mobile service” claim is based on combined WiFi and cellular speeds and that the claim is true only within its WiFi footprint or when connected to WiFi.
In its advertiser statement, Comcast stated that it “agrees to comply with NAD’s recommendations.” Comcast further stated that while it “disagrees that any of the challenged ads convey unsupported messages concerning T-HINT’s performance, Comcast appreciates NAD’s acknowledgment that Comcast can make truthful and non-misleading comparative claims relating to internet speed and reliability, including qualified claims differentiating speeds experienced by T-HINT customers versus Xfinity WiFi customers.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and leveling the playing field for business.
Contact Information
Name: Jennie Rosenberg
Email: jrosenberg@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Media Relations
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken Recognizes ICNA Relief During Annual Eid Celebration
ICNA Relief is among a multitude of Muslim-led community organizations committed to building equitable and empowered communities throughout the country.
Washington, DC – 5/13/2023 – During the State Department’s annual Eid celebration at Blair House (The President’s Guest House) on Tuesday, May 09, Secretary of State Antony Blinken recognized two ICNA Relief USA staff members, Fazal Wahab Mumtaz, and Meena Khalilur Raman, who themselves came as refugees and ICNA Relief USA helped them stand on their feet.
Both Mumtaz and Raman are Afghan nationals who moved to the United States during the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Now as emerging leaders in the American-Muslim community, based out of ICNA Relief’s office in Alexandria, Virginia, they help provide essential social services such as health care and transitional housing to refugee populations across the country, including to tens of thousands of Afghan refugees.
The reception was held at Blair House and was attended by elected officials, philanthropists, and community leaders. The event celebrated the achievements of organizations that have made a significant impact in and beyond their communities, highlighting the importance of service and working together to build a better society for all.
“The leaders in this room reflect the reality that Muslim Americans are a vital part of the fabric of this country,” Secretary Blinken said.
He went on to commend the community leaders in the room for “[reflecting] so much of the spirit of Eid – the desire to serve, compassion for the newcomer, a commitment to building a community. And you are, as we would say, paying it forward in a very profound way.”
In response to these remarks, ICNA Relief CEO Maqsood Ahmed shared, “I dedicate this recognition by Secretary Blinken to our staff, volunteers, and donors whose selfless support has helped us to make a positive difference in the lives of thousands around us. We are committed to making our country a better place for future generations.”
About ICNA Relief
ICNA (the Islamic Circle of North America) Relief is a social services and disaster relief organization with offices across the country. With services ranging from food pantries and women shelters, to mobile health clinics and refugee assistance, ICNA Relief is dedicated to helping those in need across the United States in whatever way it can. Motivated by our Muslim faith to help our neighbors, ICNA Relief supports the less fortunate regardless of race, religion, or any other identity.
To learn more about ICNA Relief, please visit icnarelief.org.
Contact
Ammar Ahmed
Ammar.Ahmed@icnarelief.org
CounselLink Introduces FastTrack, a Prompt Pay Service that Improves Corporate Cash Holdings while Getting Law Firms Paid Faster
RALEIGH, NC, May 15, 2023 – LexisNexis®CounselLink® today announced a fully redesigned version of CounselLink FastTrack, an invoice prompt payment service that allows CounselLink corporate customers to bolster their balance sheet by holding funds longer while accelerating cash payments to their legal service providers.
The new FastTrack enables CounselLink customers to streamline invoice payments by outsourcing them to a designated bank partner – with no added fees or changes in business processes. The bank promptly pays law firms and other legal service providers while allowing corporations 90 days to review, process and fund the invoices.
Corporations also save time and money by eliminating vendor invoice inquiries and refocusing accounts payable teams on higher-value tasks; earning interest from retained funds; and earning CounselLink Credits which can be applied to CounselLink subscriptions or other services. FastTrack supports international corporations, law firms, and all law-related vendors.
For a small service fee, law firms enrolled in FastTrack can receive payments within two business days of invoice approval. This greatly improves law firm cash flow, unlocks working capital, eliminates invoice inquiries, and preserves the firm’s existing banking relationships.
“There is a lot of internal pressure on GCs to conform to corporate cash policies, yet at the same time their law firms and vendors are also pressuring them to get paid faster,” said Aaron Pierce, CounselLink’s Vice President of Product Management. “With CounselLink FastTrack, legal service providers can get paid quickly but clients still maintain cash flow predictability and control of where and when corporate funds are allocated. In fact, CounselLink FastTrack can add another 1.5 percent in the form of capital savings, making it a strategic partner to CFOs while aligning with larger corporate goals.”
“FastTrack is particularly impactful for law firms, which may have a third of their receivables tied up in client invoices at any given moment,” continued Pierce. “With so many firms concerned about current financial issues, FastTrack can help firms maintain their operations and thrive during challenging economic times.”
CounselLink FastTrack is free to enroll, requires no special integration or technology and no change in process. It will be available to customers beginning May 18. For additional details about the program, please visit CounselLink®(lexisnexis.com).
CounselLink’s advanced legal work management and financial management capabilities – including effective workflow, contracts and automation tools, robust analytics and reporting capabilities – optimize corporate legal operations and provide data-driven insights that can save organizations an average of 8-10 percent on legal costs each year. For more information, please visit www.counsellink.com.
About CounselLink
LexisNexis®CounselLink®is the leading enterprise legal management solution designed to help corporate legal departments gain 100 percent visibility into their work, matters, and invoices. CounselLink delivers Work Management, Financial Management, and Vendor Management solutions in one easy-to-use, cloud-based platform for controlling costs, maximizing productivity, and making better decisions — all supported by powerful analytics that provides you with data to demonstrate your department’s value. For nearly 30 years, LexisNexis has been providing innovative solutions for corporate legal departments crafted from the insights of thought leaders, industry expertise, and customer feedback. Discover more about CounselLink online at www.counsellink.com.
About LexisNexis Legal & Professional
LexisNexis®Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis®and Nexis®services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,300 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.
Media Contact
Jessi Adler
Plat4orm PR
Children’s Advertising Review Unit Finds Roblox in Violation of Its Advertising Guidelines; Recommends Modifications and Compliance Monitoring
McLean, VA – May 12, 2022 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of nonprofit BBB National Programs has found Roblox in violation of CARU Advertising Guidelines for responsible advertising to children under age 13. Roblox ranks as one of the top online entertainment platforms for audiences under the age of 18, with the largest demographic consisting of users 9 to 12 years old.
Roblox came to CARU’s attention through its routine monitoring of child-directed content. CARU determined that Roblox is a child-directed platform and is subject to CARU Guidelines. CARU’s inquiry concerned whether certain advertising to children present on the platform or disseminated by Roblox’s influencers was adequately disclosed as advertising.
CARU made the following findings and recommendations:
- Roblox did not adequately disclose to children when advertising is present within “experiences” on Roblox. CARU recommended that Roblox ensure that advertisements are clearly and conspicuously identified as ads in language and/or audio that children can see, hear, and easily understand.
- Roblox did not adequately disclose to children when content integrated into a video is advertising. CARU recommended that Roblox clearly and conspicuously disclose to children in language and/or audio that they can see, hear, and easily understand that the integrated content in the video is advertising.
- Roblox did not take adequate measures to ensure that social media influencers with child audiences adequately disclose material connections. CARU recommended that Roblox monitor their endorsers and influencers to ensure they are clearly and conspicuously disclosing their material connection to Roblox in a way that children can easily understand.
One of CARU’s concerns in this inquiry was whether Roblox provides adequate tools and guidance to developers, brands, and content creators to clearly and conspicuously disclose to children under the age of 13 when advertising is present in their games and experiences or when branded experiences within the platform are advertising.
During the investigation, Roblox informed CARU it had established new Advertising Standards for its platform, which will no longer allow advertising to children under 13. This policy will “require developers to programmatically identify advertising content in experiences to users under the age of 13,” and, according to Roblox, developers will have tools to code whether children will see nothing in place of an ad or see non-advertising content in place of the ad. This new policy will go into effect on June 15, 2023.
This new Roblox policy is not a result of a CARU recommendation. CARU helps companies comply with laws and guidelines that protect children under age 13 from deceptive or inappropriate advertising.
Once the new Roblox Ad Standards policy goes into effect, the advertising practices outlined above, apart from the endorser and influencer practices, will no longer be at issue. CARU will continue to monitor the platform to ensure compliance with CARU Advertising Guidelines once the new policy is implemented.
CARU recommends that Roblox establish and implement a monitoring process to enforce its new advertising policy and community standards.
Endorsers & Influencers
Roblox informed CARU that the policy change does not apply to the Roblox Video Stars Program members’ social media content that takes place off the Roblox platform, such as on YouTube or Twitch.
CARU found that social media influencers in Roblox’s Influencer Program who had large child audiences did not clearly and conspicuously disclose their material connection to Roblox in their videos in a way children can understand, and that influencers in the Video Stars Program who promoted their unique Star Code did not clearly and conspicuously disclose, in a way children can understand, that they will receive a commission when Robux (Roblox currency) are purchased.
Additionally, CARU found that there was a lack of guidance and tools for Roblox “Video Stars” social media influencers as to how to disclose their material connection clearly and conspicuously to child audiences.
During the investigation, Roblox provided CARU with the Influencer Monitoring Program agreement. The Monitoring Program requires Roblox team members to periodically and randomly check the posts of influencer participants to ensure compliance with platform rules and policies and the FTC Endorsement Guides.
CARU found that Roblox’s guidance to its influencers regarding disclosure requirements did not specifically address how to make adequate disclosures to children. While CARU noted that several influencers are compliant with all guidelines, CARU also observed some influencer videos where the disclosures were either partially compliant or entirely non-compliant with CARU Guidelines on making disclosures understandable to children.
As a result, CARU recommended that:
- The Roblox Video Stars Program and Monitoring Program be modified to provide influencers with additional guidance and examples of clear and conspicuous disclosures for children to understand the material connection between Roblox and the influencer and that influencers get paid when using the Roblox Star Code.
- Roblox increase monitoring efforts to uphold and enforce its Roblox Video Stars Program Rules, CARU Ad Guidelines, industry best practices, and other applicable rules and regulations.
Children’s Privacy Issues
In CARU’s inquiry letter to Roblox, CARU raised privacy concerns in addition to the advertising concerns addressed in this decision. CARU is working directly with Roblox’s COPPA Safe Harbor to address these issues accordingly.
In the opening to its advertiser’s statement, Roblox pointed out that the company “has made policy changes regarding child-directed advertising that render many aspects of the Decision moot.” Roblox later indicated that it disagrees with “some of the recommendations and statements made in the decision.” However, Roblox agreed to “comply with CARU’s recommendations regarding influencers and ask that our influencers with child-directed content use the word ‘paid’ in their disclosures,” adding: “We also appreciate the acknowledgment that Roblox has an influencer monitoring program that spots issues and has them corrected. Finally, we will continue to improve our platform to support the needs of users of all ages.”
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive.
About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than a dozen globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create a fairer playing field for businesses, and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit bbbprograms.org.
About Children’s Advertising Review Unit: The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU), a division of BBB National Programs and the nation’s first Safe Harbor Program under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), helps companies comply with laws and guidelines that protect children from deceptive or inappropriate advertising and ensure that, in an online environment, children’s data is collected and handled responsibly. When advertising or data collection practices are misleading, inappropriate, or inconsistent with laws and guidelines, CARU seeks change through the voluntary cooperation of companies and where relevant, enforcement action.
Contact Information
Name: Abby Hills
Email: press@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Director of Communications
Florida’s finest take starring roles in 2023 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony
- Four eateries – three in Tampa – earn one MICHELIN Star for first time
- 19 total restaurants in Miami, Orlando and Tampa earn MICHELIN Stars
- Honors also include 33 Bib Gourmand, four special awards
- 144 restaurants, 38 cuisine types make up Florida’s 2023 selection
MIAMI, May 11, 2023 — Four restaurants joined the exclusive group of MICHELIN-Starred eateries in Florida, as the 2023 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa was announced Thursday night at LoanDepot Park.
In all, the anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors awarded Stars to 19 restaurants, with L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami remaining atop that list with two MICHELIN Stars. The 2023 selection comprises 144 restaurants and 38 types of cuisine, which customers will enjoy discovering.
“Florida has three distinct culinary hotspots that make the state a premier destination for gourmet-travelers, who can experience a wealth of flavors and creative cooking styles,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “We are especially happy to announce three one-MICHELIN-Star restaurants in Tampa – Koya, Lilac and Rocca – and a new one-Star restaurant in Miami Beach: Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt. Congratulations to these restaurant teams and to all who received Guide distinctions. Your guests are always in for a treat.”
Here are the new MICHELIN-Starred restaurants, with inspector notes from each (inspectors’ comments in full on the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile app):
Koya (Tampa, Japanese cuisine)
Adriana and Eric Fralick keep a watchful eye over the experience at this intimate eight-seat counter, where a multicourse contemporary tasting menu shares a singular interpretation of Japanese cuisine. The dishes are often unexpected yet always thoughtful. Spectacular seafood is a given: staple luxuries like bluefin tuna and uni are flown in weekly from Kagoshima market, where the team has a personal buyer. Instead of the typical parade of nigiri, dishes offer unique combinations of Eastern and Western culinary sensibilities, as in the beet- and vodka-smoked salmon macaroon or a chutoro hand roll with wasabi guacamole. The meal ends memorably with desserts like yuzu ice cream topped with Hokkaido uni and a sprinkling of caviar with lime zest.
Lilac (Tampa, Contemporary cuisine)
Situated in the sleek and oh-so-stylish Edition hotel, this concept from John Fraser is a popular spot with in-demand reservations. The small space has a sexy vibe, albeit not a stitch of lilac in sight. Peruse the contemporary four-course prix-fixe with Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques. A meal might include luxe bites like a Diver scallop infused with rosemary smoke and dramatically served under a cloche to well-execute and flavorful lobster feuillantine. Main dishes include Ora King salmon with a Florida stone crab salad or Colorado lamb chop with tender leeks and house-made lamb sausage. Cocktails and wine are on offer, but Lilac has upped the ante when it comes to tableside service with a champagne cocktail cart. (Yes, please!)
Rocca (Tampa, Italian cuisine)
Chef Bryce Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there’s an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique, as in spaghetti al limone, tossed with knobs of blue crab and lemon, shaved garlic and zucchini. Guests gush over mozzarella hand-pulled to order in a tableside cart, but the flavor outshines the show. Perhaps most exciting of all are the displays of originality, as in a vibrant hiramasa carpaccio with green apple, capers and horseradish; and dessert is a delightful bookend to an impressive meal. Basil custard topped with an elegant brunoise of fresh apples and a layer of streusel is spot-on in every way.
Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt (Miami Beach, Contemporary cuisine)
Inside the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort on a rather calm stretch of Collins Avenue, find this ambitious dining bijou helmed by Chef Tristan Brandt and his trusted lieutenant Timo Steubing. The duo delivers a colorful, multicourse tasting grounded in French cuisine with notable Asian inspiration. The results are anything but timid: Expect rich, bold sauces and foams made with the likes of parmesan, lobster and saffron, and ginger turbocharging everything from tomatoes to scallops to wagyu. By contrast, the space itself is fairly spartan, sequestered off to the side of the main hotel bar and defined mostly by oversized oak tables, blue leather chairs and modern light fixtures. Swing for the second seating of the evening for a longer menu.
Bib Gourmand
The MICHELIN Guide inspectors found 33 restaurants worthy of the Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes great food at a great value. These are restaurants where one can have two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for about $50. There were 18 in the Miami area, 11 in the Orlando area and four in the Tampa area.
Special Awards
In addition to the Bib Gourmand and Stars awards, the Guide announced four special awards:
The MICHELIN Guide Ceremony is presented with the support of Capital One. Transportation provided by Lucid Motors.
Hotels
The full restaurant selection for Miami, Orlando, and Tampa will join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in Florida and throughout the world.
Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for Florida features the state’s most spectacular hotels, including sustainability pioneers like the Hotel Greystone, standouts from our “Plus” collection like the Esmé and Mondrian hotels in Miami, nightlife hotspots like the Goodtime Hotel, cutting-edge luxury designs like the Tampa EDITION, and even hotels with MICHELIN Guide restaurants, like Faena Miami Beach.
The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now it’s setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.
The MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa Selection
2023 Starred Establishments
About Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is working with tires, around tires and beyond tires to enable Motion for Life. Dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility and sustainability, Michelin designs and distributes the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its customers’ needs. Michelin provides digital services, maps and guides to help enrich travel and make them unique experiences. Bringing its expertise to new markets, the company is investing in high-technology materials, 3D printing and hydrogen, to serve a wide variety of industries—from aerospace to biotech. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Michelin North America has approximately 23,000 employees and operates 34 production facilities in the United States and Canada. (michelinman.com)
About Capital One
At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they’re passionate about, including dining, music and sports. Learn more at capitalone.com/dining and capitalone.com/entertainment.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Festa
Michelin North America
andrew.festa@michelin.com
Devon Gunn
Capital One
devon.gunn@capitalone.com
Phone: 571-308-4762