Category: English

New York, NY – May 9, 2024 – BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended, as part of its routine monitoring program, that Amyris Clean Beauty, Inc. modify the claim “Clinically-proven to quickly and visibly lift, firm and diminish the appearance of fine lines for a revitalized eye area” to reflect that the “quick” and “visible” results relate only to hydration and “the appearance of fine lines.”

The National Advertising Division (NAD) also recommended that actress Reese Witherspoon’s status as a Biossance brand ambassador be clearly and conspicuously disclosed. NAD’s inquiry further focused on whether the format of the challenged advertising gives the impression of editorial content from InStyle and Hello! Magazines and Sephora.com when, in fact, they are advertisements.

“Clinically-Proven” Claim

As support for its claim “Clinically-proven to quickly and visibly lift, firm and diminish the appearance of fine lines for a revitalized eye area,” Amyris relied on a clinical study that included instrumental measurements of skin hydration and elasticity, digital photographs, and participant questionnaires.

After reviewing the evidence, the National Advertising Division (NAD) determined the subjective portion of the questionnaire used in Amyris’ study could not support the portion of the “clinically-proven” claim that the product can “quickly and visibly” lift and firm and recommended that portion of the claim be discontinued. However, NAD found that other portions of the claim were supported, therefore recommended the claim be modified to reflect that the “quick” and “visible” results pertain only to hydration and “the appearance of fine lines.”

Clarifying Reese Witherspoon’s Ambassador Status, NAD noted that content featuring product claims and a paid endorsement such as, “This Reese Witherspoon-Approved Eye Cream Hydrates and Brightens,” should clearly and conspicuously disclose the material connection to the brand.

Editorial/Advertising Line Blurring

The National Advertising Division (NAD) noted the importance of providing consumers with disclosures about economic relationships between social media, online publications, digital publishers, and brands or products so consumers can distinguish ads from editorial content. When content is created due to affiliate relationships between a brand and digital publisher, the content is promotional and is advertising.

NAD cautioned Amyris to evaluate its business relationships with publishers and determine whether the content is advertising or editorial and, to the extent it is the former, that the claims are fully supported.

“#1 Best-Selling Eye Cream at Sephora”

During the proceeding, Amyris’ “#1 Best-Selling eye cream at Sephora” claim was permanently discontinued. The National Advertising Division (NAD) noted that it will treat the permanently discontinued claim, for compliance purposes, as though NAD recommended its discontinuance and the advertiser agreed to comply.

In its advertiser statement, Biossance stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations” although it disagrees with certain aspects of the decision.

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. This press release shall not be used for advertising or promotional purposes.

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 of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. The National Advertising Division 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

New York, NY – May 8, 2024 – In a challenge brought by The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division recommended that Unilever United States, Inc., in connection with its Degree Advanced Antiperspirant:

• Discontinue express and implied claims that Degree Advanced completely prevents underarm sweat and sweat marks during intense exercise sessions.
• Modify its “Samuel” commercial to avoid conveying the message that all Degree Advanced antiperspirant products provide superior wetness prevention and reduction compared to all Old Spice antiperspirant products.
• Discontinue side-by-side demonstrations of visible sweat marks on Old Spice underarms and the dry underarms of Degree Advanced users.

The challenged advertising was part of Unilever’s “Gray T-Shirt Challenge” campaign, which featured individuals applying Degree Advanced 72-hour antiperspirant products in social media and TV ads while wearing a gray t-shirt, notorious for showing sweat. After “their sweatiest” workout, the videos and commercials depict the user’s completely dry underarms.

Gray T-Shirt Challenge Claims

In its decision, the National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Unilever’s social media videos and commercials in context convey a message that Degree Advanced antiperspirant completely prevents underarm sweat and sweat marks throughout intense exercise.

In support of its claims, Unilever relied on the results of hot room and SweatSENSE studies. NAD found that while the evidence in the record demonstrates Degree Advanced antiperspirant’s extra effectiveness at reducing underarm sweat, the product demonstrations in the videos and commercials go beyond sweat reduction and show the absence of sweat marks on users’ underarms.

NAD concluded that Unilever’s evidence was not a good fit to support the challenged claims and recommended that Unilever discontinue the express claims:

• “moving for hours. Still dry,”
• “no sweat marks,”
• “while your workout will leave your gray t-shirt soaked, Degree will protect those pits at all costs,”
• “I am sweating but nothing on my armpits,”
• “Degree deodorant, 72-hour protection and you don’t even see [any] gray armpit stain,”
• “after a great workout, we have no sweat stains” and
• “even when sweat builds up on your chest or back, Degree Advanced keeps your underarms dry and odor at bay.”

NAD also recommended that Unilever modify its advertising to avoid conveying the unsupported message that the full line of Degree Advanced antiperspirants completely prevent underarm sweat and sweat marks during intense exercise. NAD noted that nothing in its decision prevents Unilever from making other claims that are accurate and narrowly tailored to the results of Degree Advanced’s hot room and SweatSENSE studies.

“Samuel” Commercial Clams

NAD found that Unilever’s “Samuel” commercial communicates a comparison between the Degree Advanced line of antiperspirants and the Old Spice line of antiperspirants. 

NAD found that the depiction of Samuel completing several rounds of pull-ups and then showing his results of a dry underarm with Degree Advanced and a wet underarm with Old Spice conveyed the implied message that users of the full line of Old Spice antiperspirants will experience visible underarm sweat marks during intense exercise before Degree Advanced users will experience any visible underarm sweat marks.

Having determined that Unilever’s studies are not a good fit for claims regarding visible sweat marks on a t-shirt, NAD recommended that it be discontinued.

Further, NAD determined that the Samuel commercial conveys the implied message that the full line of Degree Advanced antiperspirants provides superior wetness prevention and reduction compared to the full line of Old Spice antiperspirants. Because the record did not contain testing on Degree Advanced sticks and Old Spice sticks, NAD recommended that Unilever modify its advertisement to avoid conveying such a message.

In its advertiser statement, Unilever stated that it will comply with NAD’s recommendations even though it “respectfully disagrees with NAD’s interpretation of the claims at issue.”

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. This press release shall not be used for advertising or promotional purposes.

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 of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. The National Advertising Division 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

• Long-awaited successor to iconic KO2 tire hits the market
• Phased launch begins with 13 replacement sizes this month
• KO3 tire performance improves upon that of the KO2 tire

 

GREENVILLE, S.C., May 1, 2024 – BFGoodrich Tires invented and revolutionized the all-terrain tire. Now it’s doing it again with the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire.

Building on the outstanding performance of the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire, BFGoodrich developed the KO3 tire to satisfy the evolving needs of off-road consumers by incorporating the latest tire technologies into a tire that delivers even stronger performance and benefits than the KO2 tire.

“BFGoodrich Tires’ legendary toughness has been made tougher with the creation of the All-Terrain KO3 tire,” said Harold Phillips, BFGoodrich Global General Manager. “We’ve done a lot of racing and research in the 10 years since we launched the KO2 tire, so a decade of data, feedback, technology and experience went into the development of the KO3 tire. We are our own competition, and we knew it was time to take the all-terrain tire to another level. It will be exciting to see what consumers will do – at work and at play – with the KO3 tire.”

BFGoodrich will introduce more than 100 sizes over 24 months, starting with 13 sizes available in May. The phased launch will continue with 17 additional sizes in August and five more sizes in October. An additional 52 sizes arrive in 2025 and 19 sizes in 2026.

The All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire has improved wear performance, improved gravel road durability, and improved snow traction while maintaining the sidewall toughness and soft soil traction of the KO2 tire.

Treadwear: BFGoodrich engineered the All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire with a new tread pattern and new all-terrain tread compound to provide durability and longevity, even on gravel. The KO3 tire has an optimized footprint and full-depth 3D locking sipes designed for even wear over the long haul.

Toughness: CoreGard Technology gives the KO3 tire excellent sidewall toughness, which earned it the Baja Champion badge. The Advanced Deflection Design helps prevent objects from snagging and splitting the sidewall.

Traction: Even in the worst conditions, the All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is made to grip. The serrated shoulder design and Mud-Phobic Bars improve upon the KO2 tire’s outstanding mud and snow traction, helping it earn the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake severe-snow rating.

These features have been proven to provide the following benefits:

• The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire has better wear performance than the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire.
• The All-Terrain KO3 tire’s new tread pattern design and new all-terrain tread compound provide better gravel road durability than the All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire. 
• The All-Terrain KO3 tire’s new tread pattern design and new all-terrain tread compound provide better snow traction than the All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire.

The All-Terrain T/A KO3 tire is the newest member of the Terrain Family of BFGoodrich tires. The KO3 tire carries a 50,000-mile warranty and 60-day satisfaction guarantee. For more information, visit bfgoodrichtires.com or your local BFGoodrich dealer and get started on your next off-road adventure.

About BFGoodrich Tires

BFGoodrich Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 50 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high-performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme – extreme performance. Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at BFGoodrichTires.com and BFGoodrichRacing.com, as well as on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @BFGoodrichTires.

For more information contact:
Andrew Festa
andrew.festa@michelin.com
Press Officer

McLean, VA – May 1, 2024 – BBB National Programs’ Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) today issued a new compliance warning on the application of CARU’s Advertising and Privacy Guidelines to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The CARU compliance warning puts advertisers, brands, endorsers, developers, toy manufacturers, and others on notice that CARU’s Advertising and Privacy Guidelines apply to the use of AI in advertising and the collection of personal data from children.

The warning states that CARU will strictly enforce its Advertising and Privacy Guidelines in connection with the use of AI and the potential risks that its use may pose in terms of manipulative practices, including influencer marketing, deceptive claims, and privacy practices. Additionally, according to the warning, marketers should be particularly cautious to avoid deceiving children about what is real and what is not when engaging with realistic AI-powered experiences and content.

“Our Compliance Warning stresses the importance of responsible advertising and data privacy practices in the children’s space, particularly in AI-driven advertising and data collection,” said Dona Fraser, Senior Vice President, Privacy Initiatives at BBB National Programs. “We call on marketers, brands, and developers to prioritize transparency, safety, and compliance with CARU’s Advertising and Privacy Guidelines as we all work to maintain the well-being of children as AI becomes commonplace.”

CARU’s Guidelines are widely recognized industry standards designed to assure that advertising directed to children is not deceptive, unfair, or inappropriate for its intended audience and that, in an online environment, children’s data is collected and handled responsibly. CARU monitors child-directed media to ensure compliance with its Guidelines, seeking the voluntary cooperation of companies and, where necessary, referral for enforcement action to an appropriate federal regulatory body, usually the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or to a state Attorney General. 

CARU’s Advertising Guidelines

CARU’s Advertising Guidelines apply to advertising in all media, regardless of whether AI is used to create or disseminate the ads, including digital worlds where altered, simulated, and synthetic content is powered by AI.

Brands using AI in advertising should be particularly cautious of the potential to mislead or deceive a child in the following areas:

• AI-generated deep fakes; simulated elements, including the simulation of realistic people, places, or things; or AI-powered voice cloning techniques within an ad.
• Product depictions, including copy, sound, and visual presentations generated or enhanced using AI indicating product or performance characteristics.
• Fantasy, via techniques such as animation and AI-generated imagery, that could unduly exploit a child’s imagination, create unattainable performance expectations, or exploit a child’s difficulty in distinguishing between the real and the fanciful.
• The creation of character avatars and simulated influencers that directly engage with the child and can mislead children into believing they are engaging with a real person.

CARU’s Advertising Guidelines also noted that advertisers should take measures when using generative AI to depict people to ensure the depictions reflect the diversity of humanity and do not promote harmful negative stereotypes. 

CARU’s Privacy Guidelines

CARU’s Privacy Guidelines apply to online data collection and other privacy-related practices for online services that target children under 13 years of age, and to operators that have actual knowledge they are collecting personal information from children under 13 years of age.  

Because AI offers unique opportunities to interact with children who may not understand the nature of the information being sought or its intended use, brands using AI in online services should be particularly cautious in the following areas:

• Requirements and responsibilities when collecting personal information from a child under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
• Reliance upon third-party generative AI technology to operate and process data, which may require verifiable parental consent (VPC). 
• Operators who input a child’s personal information into an AI system and receive a deletion request from a parent, which may be nearly impossible to retrieve and delete.  
• AI-connected toys and online services must collect VPC and properly disclose their collection practices in their Privacy Policy, prior to any collection, use, or sharing of children’s personal information through their own online service or with a third-party generative AI service. 

View CARU’s AI Compliance Warning here.

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: Jennie Rosenberg
Email: jrosenberg@bbbnp.org
Job Title: Media Relations

McLean, VA – April 30, 2024 – BBB National Programs applauds the work of the U.S. Department of Commerce to launch the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum, a key development in international cooperation on cross-border data flows.

Dona Fraser, Senior Vice President, Privacy Initiatives, BBB National Programs, underscoring the importance of data privacy for international business operations, said: “In an economy where businesses extend operations across borders, data privacy is the cornerstone of trust and compliance. The Global CBPR Forum signals an expanding commitment by governments around the world to a uniform baseline for responsible personal data handling.”

BBB National Programs is the sole non-profit Accountability Agent providing CBPR and Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) certifications, serving to assist companies with a commitment to global privacy. BBB National Programs also provides privacy compliance for vendors aligned to the standards, strengthening the focus on robust third-party risk management.

Fraser further highlighted the Global CBPR certifications as an “interoperable tool bridging diverse regulatory approaches and aligning with evolving global standards.” She added: “Our analysis demonstrates that the Global CBPR System aligns with the Data Privacy Framework Program, covering nearly 78% of key requirements for both certifications, offering businesses a streamlined path to compliance while saving time and resources.”

As state-specific data privacy laws emerge, and in the absence of a U.S. federal data privacy law, businesses can achieve privacy compliance by adopting standardized certified practices. Demonstrating accountability, via mechanisms such as CBPR certification, streamlines processes, costs, and aligns businesses with recognized global privacy norms.

According to Fraser, BBB National Programs will work with businesses to demonstrate compliance with the CBPR and PRP Frameworks as developed by participating governments, seamlessly transitioning existing participants to the new framework. Both certifications – CBPR for data controllers and PRP for data processors– are backed by BBB National Programs’ independent accountability for privacy best practices.

Find more information about Global CBPR Certification here. To reach our media team, contact us at press@bbbnp.org.

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.

• For the first time, MICHELIN Key selection is landing in the USA, extending the MICHELIN Guide passion and expertise to
• Selected by the MICHELIN Guide inspection team, hotels offering the world’s most outstanding experiences are now bookable on the MICHELIN Guide digital platforms.
• The first MICHELIN Key US selection highlights 124 hotels
• The MICHELIN Guide’s ambition is to become the 1st global independent booking platform for outstanding restaurants and hotels.

 

NEW YORK, April 24, 2024 — After its inaugural announcement in France on April 8th, Michelin is pleased to unveil today its very first selection of hotels awarded MICHELIN Keys in the USA. 124 hotels have been awarded One, Two or Three MICHELIN Keys, highlighting the most outstanding experiences and stays in select locations throughout the country.

Hotels in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, New York and Washington D.C. — the US destinations where the MICHELIN Guide also recommends its restaurant selection — were eligible for the award.

Offering an ever more comprehensive service, the MICHELIN Guide’s hotel selection provides users with recommendations for a complete travel experience. Awarded by the MICHELIN Guide inspection team based on anonymous stays or visits – independently of existing labels, tourism stars and pre-established quotas – the MICHELIN Keys are a new international benchmark for travelers. They aim to guide them to accommodations that stand out for their unique hospitality concept, distinctive character, warm welcome and extremely high level of service.

124 establishments receive One Key, Two Keys or Three MICHELIN Keys in the USA

In this first US selection, and second selection worldwide, 124 accommodations have earned distinctions out of almost 1,000 hotels recommended by the MICHELIN Guide across the United States: 11 hotels received Three MICHELIN Keys, 33 Two MICHELIN Keys and 80 One MICHELIN Key.

This first US MICHELIN Key selections bring together establishments offering a wide variety of concepts, price ranges and geographical locations. Included are the chicest coastal retreats, the most relaxing, quiet hideaways, and the most spectacular urban oases.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide comments: “With this new distinction, the MICHELIN Guide has opened up a brand-new chapter in the service it provides for travelers, which has been its lifeblood for the past 124 years. Steadfast in our field-based approach, the MICHELIN Guide inspectors drew up this unprecedented list to share their best hotel experiences in the US. Every establishment awarded One, Two or Three MICHELIN Keys is a gem sculpted by talented professionals. Using the MICHELIN Guide digital platforms, travelers can filter their search and book awarded hotels for stays that we hope will be unforgettable.”

One, Two and Three MICHELIN Keys

Just like the famous Stars that indicate the best culinary experiences in the MICHELIN Guide restaurant selection, the MICHELIN Keys reveal accommodations in the Guide’s hotel selection that offer the most outstanding stays. They are a new benchmark for travelers, qualifying each hotel experience in broader terms than simple amenities.

One MICHELIN Key: a very special stay

This is a true gem with its own character and personality. It may break the mould, offer something different or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.

Two MICHELIN stars: an exceptional stay

Somewhere truly unique and exceptional in every way, where a memorable experience is always guaranteed. A hotel of character, personality and charm that’s operated with obvious pride and considerable care. Eye-catching design or architecture, and a real sense of the locale make this an exceptional place to stay.

Three MICHELIN Keys: an extraordinary stay

It’s all about astonishment and indulgence here – this is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination in itself for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts.

11 unique hotels receive Three MICHELIN Keys

Three MICHELIN Keys, indicating an extraordinary stay, worthy of a specific trip, have been presented to 11 hotels – 7 located in California, and 4 in New York City.

In Big Sur, California, Post Ranch Inn offers 39 rooms and houses located between the sea and the clouds in one of the most scenic areas on the California coastline. Each individual house, designed by the modernist architect Mickey Muennig, is perfectly fitting into its natural environment. Its Three Houses are built on nine-foot stilts and camouflaged amongst the redwood trees, when the Ocean Rooms are close to the cliff’s edge – and combine both luxury and modernity. Elsewhere in California, SingleThread Inn in Healdsburg offers one of the most luxurious experiences in the state. The 5 accomodations, with their modern-classic aesthetic, not only offer a memorable stay – they provide guests a guaranteed booking at the Three MICHELIN Star SingleThread restaurant. Run by chef Kyle Connaughton, a meal at SingleThread elevates the experience to the ultimate level, making the hotel worthy of a special trip. In Beverly Hills, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection and its 210 rooms revitalize the famous Pink Palace, mixing modern amenities with 1940s Hollywood-classic décor.

In New York City, Casa Cipriani New York is a luxury boutique hotel nested in a 1906 former ferry terminal. The building, ornate in a Beaux- Arts style, is home to 47 rooms and suites that are remarkably restrained in their opulence, in contrast with the building’s exterior ornamentation. Those that face the river offer a view unlike any other hotel in town, and the hotel’s Jazz Café, modeled after a prewar supper club, is the perfect place to enjoy live music. Also in New York, Aman New York is a self-contained world of luxury right in the heart of Manhattan – for the Aman brand’s first foray into a big American city. Their suites, inspired by Japanese minimalism, are surrounded by facilities that include a garden terrace, a lounge bar, restaurants, even an intriguing speakeasy-style underground live performance venue. Service is ever-present and ever professional to accompany guests during their stay.

In total, 11 extraordinary hotels received Three MICHELIN Keys.

33 hotels receive Two MICHELIN Keys for exceptional stays

Indicating an exceptional stay, 33 hotels have been awarded Two MICHELIN Keys.

Within that category, travelers can find recommendations in California, Florida, Chicago, New York and D.C. With 18 hotels highlighted, California offers a variety of experiences. For example, Bernardus Lodge & Spa, is tucked into the pines and oaks of Carmel Valley, and the Lodge is remote enough to provide a measure of seclusion – yet remains just minutes from the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The hotel, also welcoming a first-class restaurant, is affiliated with the Bernardus winery and vineyard, allowing wine-lovers to enjoy an impressive cellar. The selection also offers exceptional experiences in San Francisco. For instance, The Battery, with just 14 rooms, is a particularly exclusive Club in a bohemian style. In West Hollywood, Chateau Marmont evokes the magic of a movie set. Constructed along the specifications of the Loire Chateau Amboise, it is a perfect eighteenth-century replica — where fluted pillars are graced by ivy.

Additionally, the selection includes stylish design hotels of which the best example, perhaps, is Faena Hotel Miami Beach. Created by the pioneering Argentinian hotelier Alan Faena, his colorful fantasies come to life with fascinating Art Deco details. A few miles away, at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, a legendary spot that first opened in 1930 is now augmented by modern structures. Travelers looking for the perfect location in Chicago will find the Peninsula Chicago. The third opening of the brand in the USA offers ever-present and attentive service in high tech rooms (and, on the Shanghai Terrace, one of Chicago’s top Chinese restaurants). In New York, Nine Orchard is nestled in the former Jarmulowsky Bank building. While retaining its century-old grandeur, the rooms opt for something a little more subdued: the classic architecture is complemented by muted colors and furnishings that are minimalist but warm, along with modern conveniences like custom-designed and custom-programmed sound systems.

80 hotels receive One MICHELIN Key

One MICHELIN Key recognizes a very special stay.

Among the 80 hotels that received One MICHELIN Key, there is great diversity both geographically and in terms of hospitality offerings. The luxurious bed & breakfast boutique hotel, San Luis Creek Lodge, for instance, is among the most perfectly relaxing. Designed by Nina Freudenberger, it is full of effortless bohemian-rustic details ‑ and is one of the most affordable hotels awarded the Key in 2024, starting at $320 per night. Larger in terms of number of rooms but no less affordable, with suites under $400, the Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, exemplifies the character of the neighborhood with an admirable attention to detail. Its chefs serve delicacies inspired by Parisian and NYC favorites.

Several addresses offer holistic experience from bed to plate, including Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection in Aspen, a swanky, classic city hotel located in the picturesque mountain town – and sporting its own restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide selection. The Ritz-Carlton NoMad provides the perfect balance of a classic luxury, accompanying an eastern mediterranean restaurant hosting the famous Chef José Andrès. Finally, at Ette Hotel, Orlando, a 126-room luxury boutique hotel with modern and minimalist rooms is completed by Lipa, a restaurant lead by well-known Chef Akira Back.

Honoring the architecture of the past century, some hotels are set in majestic architectural settings. Such is the case at The Gwen, a luxury Collection Hotel in Chicago, a contemporary boutique that captures the aesthetics of the 1920s and 30s with Art Deco accents and 21st century comforts. Or look to the Riggs Washington DC, the stylish and richly detailed hotel set in a 19th century Romanesque Revival bank building. In Santa Monica, freshly restored The Georgian has retained all traces of its great history and architecture.

For travelers willing to leave big cities behind them, Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection, in Napa, is a jewel set in a 712-acre ranch rooted deep in California wine country. For a perfect winter escape, The Little Nell gives a cozy welcome to guests in Aspen.

Design lovers and art enthusiasts will enjoy Montage Laguna Beach, where the hotel pays conscious homage to the city’s birth as an artists’ colony ‑ its interiors are drenched in artwork, and the panoramic view on the ocean is a must see. Another veritable artists’ haven is the newly opened Hotel Chelsea New York, bringing NY’s historic charm into the modern era with an impressive, nostalgic authenticity. Chicago Athletic Association and its fantastic architecture is another landmark building – this one in Chicago ‑ redesigned by Roman and Williams to fit the historic space and play on its history. 1 Hotel South Beach Miami has an eco-friendly ethos and recycled/reclaimed décor for a brand with serious luxury- hotel chops.

All MICHELIN Guide hotel recommendations are available for free on the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile applications. On these digital platforms, all recommended hotels can be booked directly at the best available public rates. To assist travelers throughout their stay, the MICHELIN Guide also provides a concierge service run by travel experts employed by the MICHELIN Guide.

After France and the United States (Atlanta, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, New York, Washington DC), the MICHELIN Keys will be announced in Spain on April 29, Italy on May 7 and Japan on July 4, 2024. Other destinations will follow during the year.

MICHELIN Key hotels for other US destinations will be announced later this year.

Find the pictures of the Press Conference Announcement on the link here.

About Michelin

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to sustainably enhancing its clients’ mobility; designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps, and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in

175 countries, has 132,200 employees and operates 67 tyre production facilities, which together produced around 167 million tires in 2022. (www.michelin.com).

For more information, contact:

Carly Grieff
Michelin North America
carly.grieff@michelin.com

Cincinnati, OH, United States – April 24, 2024 – NTT DATA Business Solutions US announces its exclusive program, Zero Cost Move, offering SAP ERP Central Component (SAP ECC) customers the ability to make the switch to SAP S/4HANA Cloud with unprecedented cost-saving benefits and streamlined migration services. Designed to provide a clear and cost-efficient path for companies to upgrade their ERP systems, this innovative program offers qualified customers the opportunity to make the switch to the RISE with SAP solution with zero consulting fees.

Under the terms of the program, clients in the US and Canada that act in calendar year 2024 to execute an agreement for a RISE with SAP implementation during 2024 or 2025 will benefit from waived consulting fees associated with the migration. In order to qualify, NTT DATA Business Solutions must be recognized by SAP as the partner of record for the software subscription and the customer must commit to a contract for Cloud Concierge Services for RISE with SAP.

The Zero Cost Move program caters to a wide spectrum of companies, facilitating small, medium, and large conversion services while reducing the customary time, resources, and potential for business interruption associated with such critical transitions. NTT DATA Business Solutions has especially focused on ensuring that current SAP ECC 6.0 users experience a seamless and cost-effective journey to SAP S/4HANA that puts them on the path toward continuous improvement.

“The innovative Zero Cost Move program is a testament to our vision at NTT DATA Business Solutions. We understand the complexities involved in ERP migrations and have crafted this initiative to break traditional cost barriers and simplify the process,” said Brandon Evans, Vice President, Customer Transformation and Innovation for NTT DATA Business Solutions. “With Zero Cost Move, we offer clients a runway to future success, without the typical financial burdens along with the opportunity to redirect waived consulting spend to unlock new capabilities and innovation embedded in the S/4HANA platform.”

Clients interested in the Zero Cost Move program can learn more about it on the NTT DATA Business Solutions website. With this step, NTT DATA Business Solutions is paving the way for a more accessible and accelerated process of adapting to the latest in ERP technology, with the ability to reallocate waived consulting spend toward innovative new capabilities for a better return on investment.

About NTT DATA Business Solutions

NTT DATA Business Solutions drives innovation: – from advisory and implementation, to managed services and beyond, continuously enhances SAP solutions to make them work for companies – and for their people.  Aiming to help companies to transform, grow and become more successful, NTT DATA Business Solutions connects with a more than in-depth expertise for SAP solutions its clients´ business opportunities with the latest technologies – individually and across all business areas. As part of the NTT DATA group and as a global strategic partner of SAP, with close ties to other partners, NTT DATA Business Solutions gives clients and prospects access to innovative solutions and developments and thus makes an important contribution to innovation and long-term business success. NTT DATA Business Solutions employs more than 13,500 people in more than 30 countries.

About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. We invest over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure, and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group and headquartered in Tokyo. Visit us at nttdata.com

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

 

For more information, Press Only:
Shawnee Schauff
NTT DATA Business Solutions
Shawnee.Schauff@nttdata.com

Latest Lexis+ AI enhancements make legal AI Assistant more efficient, effective and personalized for all existing customers  

NEW YORK – LexisNexis Legal & Professional^®, a leading global provider of information and analytics, is unveiling its second-generation legal generative AI Assistant on the industry-leading Lexis+ AI™. Utilizing continuous user feedback, the next-level AI Assistant delivers an increasingly personalized experience to support legal professionals in making informed decisions faster, generating outstanding work, and freeing up time to focus on efforts that drive economic value. All existing Lexis+ AI customers will have access to the enhanced AI Assistant.

These enhancements represent another milestone in the company’s legal generative AI leadership, building on the commercial introduction of Lexis+ AI in October 2023. Grounded in the world’s largest repository of up-to-date, exclusive legal content from LexisNexis, Lexis+ AI enables conversational search, insightful summarization, intelligent legal drafting, and document upload and analysis capabilities in a seamless user experience.

Recently launched and upcoming enhancements include: 

• Faster Delivery of Results – AI-generated answers will now be delivered word-by-word for a faster, more conversational experience. The AI Assistant returns trusted results backed by verifiable authority two times faster than the nearest competitor.
• Enhanced Multi-Turn Conversation Capability – Contextual prompt conversations with the AI Assistant have been increased from a limit of five interactions to ten, helping users gain deeper insights and refine generative AI answers.
• Conversational Guidance for Drafting – Providing tailored, step-by-step recommendations that anticipate questions and guide users to leverage answers directly in drafting work including emails, letters, arguments, clauses, and memos. 
• Added Delivery Options– Expanding Lexis+ AI capabilities with new delivery options for conversations including Email, Download, and Print.  
• AI-Generated Statute Summaries – Providing the first legal market generative AI-powered summaries across U.S. federal and state statutes. Also available to the public via the LexisNexis U.S. Voting Laws & Legislation Center as a part of the company’s work to support transparency of law. 
• Increased Document Upload Capacity – Enabling users to analyze and summarize larger documents, now up to 400,000 characters per request (approximately 150 pages per document).
• Improved User Experience – Refining the user experience with improved readability, ease-of-use, and aesthetic updates, including support to easily deliver and share Lexis+ AI output.

All features will be available to customers by early May. Customers are responding positively to enhancements, with 91% of users reporting Lexis+ AI is easy to use – a 5-point increase since October 2023. The product enhancements extend the company’s longstanding leadership in legal AI and advance its vision for leveraging generative AI to transform legal work.

“Our vision is for every legal professional worldwide to have a virtual AI Assistant that is specifically trained and customized to their needs,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of LexisNexis North America, UK, and Ireland. “We’re working with our customers every step of the way to rapidly deliver AI innovations that enable them to work at peak performance and unlock new opportunities that generate value for their organizations.”

Since launching in the U.S. in October 2023, Lexis+ AI has expanded internationally into the U.K., Canada, France, and Australia; the U.S. version of Lexis+ AI is available to customers in the Middle East, Japan, and Korea.

LexisNexis is responsibly developing legal AI solutions with human oversight. LexisNexis, part of RELX, follows the RELX Responsible AI Principles, considering the real-world impact of its solutions on people and taking action to prevent the creation or reinforcement of unfair bias.

Lexis+ AI delivers trusted results with state-of-the-art encryption and privacy technology to keep data secure. Using an extensively enhanced LexisNexis proprietary Retrieval Augmented Generation 2.0 (RAG 2.0) platform, Lexis+ AI responses are grounded in the world’s largest repository of current, exclusive legal content which ensures the highest-quality answer with the most up-to-date validated citation references. Uploaded documents are always purged at the end of each session and users can easily manage or delete their prompt conversation history. The solution is continually improving with hundreds of thousands of rated answer samples by LexisNexis legal subject matter experts used for model tuning. LexisNexis employs over 2,000 technologists, data scientists, and subject matter experts to develop, test, and validate its solutions and deliver comprehensive, authoritative information.

Join more than 30,000 Lexis+ AI Insiders to get the latest in generative AI education and LexisNexis AI product news. To sign up for the Lexis+ AI Insider program, click here.

These enhancements are available now to customers on Lexis+ AI. For more information, visit www.lexisnexis.com/ai.

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 11,800 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

 
Media Contact

Dana Greenstein
Director of Communications, North America & UK
LexisNexis Legal & Professional
212-448-2163
dana.greenstein@lexisnexis.com

Average law firm partner rates rose 5.4% in 2023, the highest levels since the first CounselLink Trends Report in 2013; Median partner billing rate in 750+ law firms is 61% higher than the next smaller tier 

RALEIGH, N.C. — In 2023, law firm billing rates rose at a record-setting pace with partner billing rates up, the highest levels recorded over the last 11 years, an exclusive new report has found from LexisNexis^® CounselLink^® , a leading cloud-based enterprise legal management solution for corporate law departments.

Average partner rates increased by 5.4% in 2023, up from 4.6% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2021. The 2023 boost to partner fees crosses all law firms and practice areas except Environmental.

Law firms of 750+ lawyers, considered Large Law, continue domination in share of wallet with a median partner billing rate 61% higher than the next tier. The gap in billing rates between Large Law and other tiers continues to widen.

“In this global economy affected by inflation, supply chain issues and regional conflict, the impact on legal services is significant,” said Pamela Gelfond, Vice President of LexisNexis CounselLink. “Our report provides a comprehensive snapshot of how these market factors affect the dynamic between corporate legal and law firms. We’re hopeful that the insightful data in this CounselLink report provides what’s needed for our clients to successfully maneuver these shifting sands.”

The CounselLink trends report draws on the extensive CounselLink database of more than $59 billion in legal spending across more than 460,000 timekeepers and more than 1.6 million matters. It provides detailed insights on seven key metrics, including law firm partner fees by firm size, hourly rates by practice area, firm size, and location, and a snapshot of hourly rates in 18 countries.

Other key findings in the report include:

• Despite reports to the contrary, there is no indication that clients are moving legal work from Large Law to mid-sized firms. The largest tier of firms has shown growth in share of wallet over each of the last two years, from generating 45.5% of legal billing in 2021 to 48.2% in 2023.

• Large law firms particularly dominate the market in Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance Loans & Investments, Corporate, Commercial and Contracts, and Regulatory & Compliance. Within these five practice areas commanding the highest billing rates, Large Law increased its share of wallet from 59.0% in 2022 to 60.3% in 2023.
• In 2023, the median partner in the largest law firms billed at a rate that was 61% higher than the median partner in the next tier of firms, the largest gap in partner rates recorded in the CounselLink Trends Report since 2013. The differential in 2022 was 49%. The Median partner rate in Large Law was $991 per hour in 2023 compared to $615 per hour in the next tier.
• Significantly, as partner rates continued to rise in 2023, matter rates did not rise across most practice areas. This indicates that management of matter mix (rates, timekeepers, alternative fee arrangements) is working favorably for corporate legal.

“Every day, corporate legal faces budget management challenges and the pressure of higher outside counsel fees. The insights provided in our CounselLink Trends Report add a layer of needed intelligence to gauge satisfaction with record-setting fees compared to the quality of legal services delivery,” said Gelfond. “New data in the report indicates share of legal spend for new matters showing a slight shift in how organizations award them. The CounselLink benchmarking database, a gold mine, enables us to spotlight analytics that benefit legal department performance.”

The CounseLink 2024 Trends Report: Dynamics Shaping the Future of Legal, now in its 11^th consecutive year, is available here.

About CounselLink^®

LexisNexis^® CounselLink^® is a leading enterprise legal and contract lifecycle management solution designed to help corporate legal departments gain visibility into their work, matters, contracts, vendors, and financials. CounselLink delivers Work Management, Financial Management, Matter Management, Contract Lifecycle 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 data to demonstrate legal department value across the enterprise. 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. Visit us online.

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 11,800 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

 

Media Contact:
Tracey Iverson, CounselLink
tracey.iverson@lexisnexis.com