Business Archives - Susan von Seggern

Lean Enterprise Institute Releases Managing on Purpose by Mark Reich at Lean Summit 2025, Tomorrow

03/12/2025 by Susan von Seggern

Atlanta, GA – March 4, 2025—The Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) is pleased to announce the release of Managing on Purpose by Mark Reich, Senior Coach and Chief Engineer of Strategy at LEI, tomorrow. Reich will deliver a keynote speech and lead a panel discussion at the Lean Summit 2025 to mark the release. The event will take place March 5 and 6, 2025, at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center, 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia, 30339, USA.

“After 23 years working in Toyota, including as an executive leading hoshin kanri for North American headquarters, and another 13 years helping companies in a variety of sectors improve their processes with lean principles, I’m thrilled to release my book Managing on Purpose and give the keynote at LEI’s most important annual event, notes Reich, adding, “I know this book will help execs and managers enhance their leadership development, make lasting positive change, and improve their bottom line.”

Reich will give the Summit keynote address at 9:30 a.m., followed by a keynote panel on which he will host Marcia Brey, Vice President of Logistics at GE Appliances; Charles F. Murphy, Senior Vice President at Turner Construction Company, the leading general builder in the US; Geoff Miller, CEO of Grand Rapids Chair; and Mukesh Bangia, Vice-President at Nucleus Software.

Reich, will share insights on implementing hoshin kanri, a core component of lean management systems. His presentation will focus on aligning organizational strategy with daily operations to drive sustainable growth and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Managing on Purpose will be officially released at the Summit, and copies will be available for purchase and signing.

About Mark Reich
Mark Reich has over 23 years of experience with Toyota, where he was the process owner of hoshin kanri for North America. As a senior coach at LEI, he has collaborated with numerous business leaders to implement lean practices, including developing and executing hoshin kanri in their organizations. His unique perspective makes Managing on Purpose a vital resource and a practical toolkit for aspiring leaders.

About the Lean Summit 2025
The Lean Summit 2025 is LEI’s flagship event. It brings together leaders and practitioners from diverse industries to share knowledge and best practices in lean thinking and methodologies. For more information about the Lean Summit 2025 or to register, please visit https://events.lean.org/event/cbccfabf-1519-4cd2-ae7c-cc2000844719/overview-lean-summit-2025.

About the Lean Enterprise Institute
The Lean Enterprise Institute Inc. is a nonprofit based in Boston, MA, with a mission to make things better by advancing lean thinking and practice. It fulfills its mission by publishing books, instructing workshops, hosting conferences, partnering with companies, and issuing free content on its website, www.lean.org.

Lean Enterprise Institute Announces Mark Reich as Keynote Speaker at Lean Summit 2025, March 5, 2025

02/12/2025 by Susan von Seggern

BOSTON, MA – February 5, 2025—The Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) is pleased to announce that Mark Reich, Senior Coach and Chief Engineer of Strategy at LEI, will deliver a keynote speech and lead a panel discussion at the upcoming Lean Summit 2025. The event will take place March 5 and 6, 2025, at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center, 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia, 30339, USA.

Reich will give the keynote address at 9:30 a.m., followed by a keynote panel on which he will host Marcia Brey, Vice President of Logistics at GE Appliances; Charles F. Murphy, Senior Vice President at Turner Construction Company, the leading general builder in the US; Geoff Miller, CEO of Grand Rapids Chair; and an executive from Nucleus Software.

“I’m thrilled that we have such a diverse group of international businesses represented on the panel, including small and large consumer goods manufacturers, construction, and software,” notes Reich. Adding, “It shows how lean thinking and hoshin kanri can be applied to just about any business or use case.”

Reich, author of the highly anticipated book Managing on Purpose, out on March 5 as well, will share insights on implementing hoshin kanri, a core component of lean management systems. His presentation will focus on aligning organizational strategy with daily operations to drive sustainable growth and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Event Highlights

Keynote Speech:
Mark Reich will discuss key concepts from his new book and offer practical strategies for leaders to enhance their organizations’ performance.

Panel Discussion:
Reich will lead Brey and Murphy in exploring real-world applications of lean principles across various sectors.

Book Launch:
Managing on Purpose will be officially released at the summit, and copies will be available for purchase and signing.

About Mark Reich
Mark Reich has over 23 years of experience with Toyota, where he was the process owner of hoshin kanri for North America. As a senior coach at LEI, he has collaborated with numerous business leaders to implement lean practices, including developing and executing hoshin kanri in their organizations. His unique perspective makes Managing on Purpose a vital resource and a practical toolkit for aspiring leaders.

Modus Cooperandi Press Announces Amazon Bestselling Release of D. Lynn Kelley with John Shook’s Change Questions

08/10/2023 by Susan von Seggern

Detroit, Michigan – August 2, 2023 – Modus Cooperandi Press’ change management book Change Questions by noted executive D. Lynn Kelley, PhD, with prominent Lean Management expert John Shook, was released with an event at Aretha’s Jazz Cafe here last night and is already an Amazon bestseller ranking number 1 in the categories of Lean Management, Agile Project Management, and Business Structural Adjustment.

The pace of organizational change has been increasing. Unfortunately, most change activities fail to deliver anticipated results, and those that do often fail to sustain. The Change Questions book addresses these critical issues by providing a proven process with a strong record of sustainment that can be used by anyone responsible for implementing organizational change.

The book includes a case study with examples and stories of transformation at Fortune 200 company Union Pacific Railroad over eight years. Using the Change Questions at Union Pacific resulted in a dramatic increase in operational performance and a 96% sustainment rate over hundreds of change initiatives.

The Change Questions represent a new way of thinking and acting characterized by an investigative process that creates a situational and customized approach to change. Whether the reader is a professional, a student, or someone asked to lead a significant organizational change for the first time, this framework is easily used to implement change that sustains successfully. The book includes meeting timelines, deliverables, and sample agendas. A digital workbook that is a self-guided tool for implementing change can be accessed by purchasing the book.

Author D. Lynn Kelley is currently a Senior Advisor to Brown Brothers Harriman Capital Partners and is actively involved in sourcing, investment evaluation, and providing post-investment value-added oversight to their portfolio companies. She was the senior vice president of Supply Chain and Continuous Improvement at Union Pacific Railroad from 2010-18. Earlier, Lynn worked at Textron, where she was vice president of Operational Excellence and was a member of the Executive Leadership Team. She had international responsibilities across all business units, including Cessna Aircraft and Bell Helicopter.

Lynn holds a PhD from Wayne State University in Evaluation and Research, an MBA from Michigan State University, and a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Detroit-Mercy. Lynn completed post-doctoral fellowships at the US Census Bureau and the American Society of Engineering Education. She has published 17 articles and three books on statistics and operational excellence.

John Shook learned about lean management while working for Toyota for 11 years in Japan and the U.S., helping it transfer production, engineering, and management systems from Japan to NUMMI and other operations worldwide. While at Toyota’s headquarters, he became the company’s first American manager in Japan. In the U.S., Shook joined Toyota’s North American engineering, research, and development center in Ann Arbor, Michigan as general manager of administration and planning. His last position with Toyota was as senior American manager with the Toyota Supplier Support Center in Lexington, Kentucky, assisting North American companies in adopting the Toyota Production System.

Shook co-authored Learning to See, which introduced the world to value-stream mapping. He also co-authored Kaizen Express, a bi-lingual manual of the essential concepts and tools of the Toyota Production System. With Managing to Learn, Shook revealed the deeper workings of the A3 management process at the heart of Toyota’s management and leadership.

GOAT Male American Ski Racer Bode Miller Partners with Affordable Natural Homebuilding Startup Geoship

05/09/2023 by Susan von Seggern

Bode Miller photo: Geoship Create the Futre You Imagine
Nevada City, CA/Big Sky, MT – May 2, 2023 – The most successful American male ski racer of all time, Bode Miller, has become an investor and strategic advisor in Geoship — to address the climate-housing challenge and help people live closer to nature and community — starting in mountain towns.

Miller notes, “I was raised off the grid, in the solitary nature of the woods. So much of who I am today is the direct result of my upbringing. Now as the father of eight, I want my kids to have similar experiences. In 2019 Morgan and I chose to move our family to Montana. Many have expressed a desire to do the same with their own families. Unfortunately for many, this lifestyle is out of reach due to the recent rapid rise in housing prices. Perhaps it is time to start thinking outside of the box to make mountain living more accessible to families. I’m excited to partner with Geoship to address the climate-housing challenge in a way that will help people live closer to nature and community — starting in mountain towns.”

Geoship founder and CEO Morgan Bierschenk adds, “Bode and I are dads on a mission to raise our kids closer to nature and village life. Geoship is more than a new construction technology — we’re building an economic engine for the regenerative village future. Whether winning six Olympic medals or being a father of eight — Bode is a force of nature and puts 100% into what he does. So, it’s an honor to begin this journey with Bode, to remove some of the barriers families face in building homes in harmony with nature.”

Geoship’s ‘first principles’ approach to home manufacturing combines the most efficient geometry and material science with 21st-century manufacturing technology. Nature’s strongest structure, the geodesic dome, is combined with a breakthrough in bioceramic materials — enabling healthy natural homes that cost half as much as conventional homes, have a 90% smaller carbon footprint, and have a design life of 500 years.

Bioceramic domes are combined with a digital space for communities to form and democratize the village design/build process. Villages are distinct from housing developments in that they’re cultural places designed and built with community participation. Geoship is transitioning into a multi-stakeholder cooperative — customers and nature stewards will own up to 50% of the company. This combination of a revolutionary housing product, business model, and ownership structure enables deep impact on a level never before possible.

The company is continuing towards its ‘Earthshot’: To make the best home on earth, the most affordable one, and scale manufacturing to one million ceramic domes per year. The recently revealed prototype is the world’s first ceramic dome.

Bierschenk concludes, “Our Nevada City prototype dome has attracted interest from architects, artists, engineers, developers, and dome lovers from over 60 countries. Thanks to platforms like Republic and Wefunder, the right to invest in world-changing private tech companies is no longer limited to accredited investors. We invite skiers, snowboarders, mountain communities, artists, climate advocates, impact investors, and nature lovers to join Bode Miller and our crew of over 2,000 visionary impact investors in building a more beautiful world.

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About Geoship SPC:
Geoship SPC is a leading innovator in next-generation homes, featuring a unique combination of eco-friendly ceramic materials and geodesic dome structures. The company grew from the vision of its two founders, Morgan Bierschenk and Bas Kools, to address some of the greatest challenges of our time: affordable housing, climate change, chronic disease, and social isolation. Investment information for Geoship’s current funding round can be found at Republic.com/Geoship (see terms and conditions at republic.com) or www.Geoship.is.

About Bode Miller:
Father, Husband, Learner, and Teacher. Winner of six Olympic Alpine skiing medals. Co-Founder @peakskis

Geoship Unveils Bioceramic Geodesic Dome Prototype, Announces ‘Earthshot’ Mission: To Make the Best Home the Most Affordable Home

04/10/2023 by Susan von Seggern

Sustainable Housing Vision Powers Community-First Fundraising Campaign

Geoship Interior March 23, 2023 – Nevada City, CA – Geoship, the leader in next-generation affordable homes, announced that it has built an engineering prototype structure on its design and manufacturing testing ground here.

The company is continuing towards its ‘Earthshot’ mission: To make the best home on earth the most affordable one while scaling manufacturing to one million homes per year (faster than Tesla Motors.) The recently revealed world’s first fully bioceramic geodesic home comes as they have launched a community-first funding round on Republic.com. The round is open for a limited time. Since its launch in 2019, Geoship has received over 10,000 dome preorders, including over 500 with paid deposits. The company currently has over 2,000 investors. Prospective partners are invited to learn more at: www.republic.com/geoship.

Geoship’s ‘first principles’ approach to home manufacturing combines the most efficient geometry, materials, and manufacturing methods. The world’s strongest known structure, the geodesic dome, is combined with a breakthrough in chemically bonded ceramic materials developed at US National Labs. The unique, eco-friendly combination uses naturally found materials. It enables homes that cost half as much as traditional structures, have a 90% smaller carbon footprint, and are designed to last up to 500 years.

Using injection molding, a popular manufacturing modality never before used in home building, Ceramic domes can be rapidly manufactured and assembled on-site, maximize material efficiency, and are ultra energy efficient and resistant to earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires.

While the domes can be built as individual units or clusters, Geoship sees villages of the future materializing from the digital space. Geoship domes will be conceived in virtual reality by networked communities, then built with a shared vision for common areas, permaculture, and community self-sufficiency. The domes even benefit from known health benefits related to natural light, curved shapes, and healthy natural materials.

Geoship founder and CEO Morgan Bierschenk stated, “Millions of homebuyers want to leave the city and live closer to nature and community – in affordable, sustainable, ultra-modern, natural homes. Ceramic domes and regenerative villages uniquely serve this emerging market. Our Nevada City prototype dome has attracted interest from architects, artists, engineers, developers, and dome lovers from over 60 countries. Thanks to platforms like Republic, the right to invest in world-changing private tech companies is no longer limited to accredited investors. Through our community-first funding campaign, we’re inviting purpose-aligned individuals worldwide to join our Earthshot. Investment in this round is open to everybody; we encourage prospective customers and investors to join our exciting mission and build the regenerative future of home!”

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About Geoship SPC:
Geoship SPC is a leading innovator in next-generation homes, featuring a unique combination of eco-friendly ceramic materials and geodesic dome structures. The firm grew from the vision of its two founders, Morgan Bierschenk and Bas Kools, to address some of the greatest challenges of our time: affordable housing, climate change, chronic disease, and social isolation. Investment information for Geoship’s current funding round can be found at Republic.com/Geoship (see terms and conditions at republic.com) or www.Geoship.is.

KOCOWA+ joins Verizon’s +play platform

04/10/2023 by Susan von Seggern

KOCOWA+ joins Verizon’s new content hub, built for Verizon customers to discover, shop and save on subscriptions – all in one place

[Los Angeles, CA] – The number one 100% Korean entertainment streamer KOCOWA+ today announced that it is now available on Verizon’s +play – the cutting-edge platform built by Verizon for customers to shop for, manage and save on their favorite subscriptions, all in one place.

Verizon’s +play seamlessly integrates a breadth of content services – spanning from the best in entertainment to education, lifestyle to fitness – in a single place so customers can easily search, subscribe, save money on and pay for their subscription services.

“We are pleased that KOCOWA+ is one of Verizon’s +play partners, giving fans another avenue for exploring over 25,000 hours of hit Korean entertainment. For fans of K-pop, there are more than enough idols’ moments to binge on. Viewers can access their favorite K-Pop Idols like BTS, aespa, NCT, and others exclusively on our platform, including weekly music chart shows, and concerts LIVE from Korea. In addition, we offer hit new and classic K-Dramas, critically acclaimed movies, and hilarious K-Variety shows from the top broadcasters, content providers, and studios in Korea. With the increasing popularity of Korean content in the Americas, we are happy to be able to offer Verizon +play’s audience access to the ultimate destination in Korean entertainment starting at the low price of $6.99,” said KunHee Park, CEO & CPO of wavve Americas, Inc.

“We’re thrilled to have KOCOWA+ as a partner +play, giving Verizon customers access to its amazing services and offerings through our platform,” said Erin McPherson, Chief Content Officer of Verizon Consumer Group. “With hundreds of content and subscription services available in the marketplace, customers find themselves challenged to keep up with new services, get attractive promotions, and manage and track what they’re already signed up for. +play is the solution to these pain points.”

Check it out today and take advantage of exclusive savings and offers for Verizon customers: plusplay.verizon.com.

About wA and KOCOWA+:
wA is a global joint company between wavve, SK Square Americas, and the top Korean broadcasters KBS, MBC, & SBS. wA launched KOCOWA+, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. KOCOWA+ provides a robust lineup of over 25,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Movies, Reality, and K-Pop content in multi-languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit www.kocowa.com.

About Verizon Communications:
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology and communications services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $136.8 billion in 2022. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.

Global LA – Bringing International Businesses to Los Angeles

03/07/2023 by Susan von Seggern

Welcomes New Advisory Board Members from Amazon, City National Bank, and SRI

Los Angeles – February 21, 2023 – Global LA, the public-private partnership established last year by the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles and supported by LA’s most dynamic businesses, dedicated civic leaders, and economic development organizations, is excited to announce four new advisory board members joining the organization to help attract international companies to Los Angeles in the run-up to the 2028 Olympics.

Global LA is pleased to share that Ron Frierson, Amazon’s Director of Economic Development for the Western US, is joining their board. Ron leads the team that supports Amazon’s investment projects in California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

“With multiple businesses operating across the Los Angeles area, including in entertainment, gaming, logistics, and fulfillment, Amazon knows that LA is a great place to invest,” said Ron. “We are enthusiastic about supporting Global LA’s mission to attract international business to the region and preparing for the gathering of global athletes and fans for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Global LA is excited to welcome Steve Bash, a Senior Vice President at City National Bank, the largest bank headquartered in LA. Steve leads their international banking, trade, and supply chain finance businesses. The group is active in global financial advisory services, negotiating and structuring supply chains, receivables purchase and export finance transactions, offshore risk management, processing services, and global correspondent banking.

Steve notes, “It’s a critical time to dedicate resources to attracting new businesses to Los Angeles, and I’m pleased to join Global LA in its effort to create growth. In the lead-up to the 2028 Games, Los Angeles needs new organizations such as Global LA to secure job growth and advance the narrative about why LA is a great place to do business.”

Highly respected Los Angeles attorney Carol Leslie Hamilton is another fantastic advisory board addition. Hamilton’s experience includes extensive international policy work with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Guantanamo Task Force, and the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet. Closer to home, she was the VP of Legal and Business Affairs at RKO Pictures, a founding partner in the Bourhis & Hamilton law firm, and co-founded the Legal Clinic for Battered Women. In addition to her role with Global LA, she serves on the UC Law San Francisco, Board of Governors, and the boards of the Alliance for Justice and Renewables 100 Policy Institute.

Carol comments, “I’m thrilled to join Global LA in its effort to bring more international investment to our city. A home to diverse talent from all corners of the world, LA is one of the world’s most ethnically-diverse cities. We have a wide range of talent and endless opportunities for companies to thrive. As we look forward to the 2028 Olympics, Global LA is perfectly positioned to share this story with the world business community.”

Jonathan Davies is a Partner leading the U.S. Media & Entertainment Practice for global executive search firm SRI. With more than 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, Jonathan has held a variety of C-suite global leadership positions with U.S.-based media companies, including CNN, Discovery International, and Eurosport, as they have navigated the strategic, operational, and cultural challenges of a marketplace being transformed by digital technologies. Davies brings the added perspective to the Board of leading the LA growth of a British multinational organization.

Jonathan comments, “Given SRI’s focus on senior executive leadership in the media, sports, and entertainment industries, I’m delighted to be able to support Global LA as it uses the drumbeat of multiple prestigious events over the coming years as a platform to attract increased investment and world-class talent.”

The other current Global LA Advisory Board members include Jaime Lee, President of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, former US Ambassador to UNESCO Crystal Nix-Hines, Evite President Jason Woo, SCI-Arc Director Hernan Diaz Alonso, CEO, Director-General, and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, Ambassador Michael Lawson, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, and Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group Danny Acosta.
Los Angeles’ companies and organizations that have committed to support Global LA as members include The Walt Disney Company, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, City National Bank, East West Bank, Evite, WasteFuel, the Los Angeles Football Club, Goldman Sachs, Neuehouse, The Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports, and Edison International.
In preparation for hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Global LA aims to collaborate with a broad network of partners to support new businesses that will help secure LA’s Olympic legacy through economic opportunity.

Global LA Welcomes Celebrity Ambassador Earvin “Magic” Johnson to Aid in Bringing International Businesses to Los Angeles

11/10/2022 by Susan von Seggern

Mayor Eric Garcetti and Magic Johnson (with Arsenio Hall and Danny Trejo) Los Angeles – Global LA, the recently launched public-private partnership established by the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles and supported by L.A.’s most dynamic businesses, dedicated civic leaders, and economic development organizations is excited to announce that Earvin “Magic” Johnson is joining the organization as a celebrity ambassador to help attract international businesses to Los Angeles in the run-up to the 2028 Olympics.

The mission of Global LA is to attract international businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and other opportunities to fortify Greater L.A.’s communities, create jobs, and contribute to a resilient economy. Together with our partners and members, Global LA will enable a more equitable, vibrant, generative economy that grows and thrives as a result of an increasingly international and diverse population.

Johnson, one of the city’s most noted entrepreneurs and investors notes, “I’m looking forward to working with Global LA, the Mayor’s office, and the one-of-a-kind business community here to bring international companies to Los Angeles, and to bring jobs and economic growth to our underserved neighborhoods. This has been the foundation of my company Magic Johnson Enterprises and I look forward to seeing the difference we can make in this incredible city.”

Regarding Global LA’s appointment of Magic, Mayor Eric Garcetti noted, “Los Angeles is a global crossroads — there is simply no better place to start or expand a business than here. By making it easier for companies, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs to invest in our city, Global LA will attract international opportunities that benefit Angelenos across our city with good-paying jobs and a more resilient, inclusive local economy. We couldn’t ask for a better ambassador of the program than Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, a legend in business and sports, to help with this pre-Olympics initiative.”

Global LA promotes the Los Angeles region for foreign investment in key sectors including sustainability and cleantech, transportation and logistics, entertainment and tech, advanced manufacturing, biotech, and life sciences, and space and aerospace. Global LA is also working towards directing new international investment that will directly benefit underserved communities.

The President and CEO of Global LA is Debbie Adler, a longtime Los Angeles strategy executive known for her work at SoCal’s noted NPR station KCRW and the British Consulate’s Department of International Trade. She has also consulted for local organizations such as Homeboy Industries, Liberty Hill Foundation, Cause Communications, and LA Commons, among others.

Adler notes, “Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson symbolizes so much of what makes L.A. great: he used his platform as a world-famous athlete to create a thriving business empire and continues to give back to the communities that supported him through thoughtful investments. As Global LA’s Ambassador, his support in connecting with international CEOs will help to tell the story of why L.A. is the best city in the world for innovative and ambitious business leaders.”

The partner organizations that have come together to support Global LA include the City of Los Angeles, the LA Tourism & Convention Board, the Los Angeles Urban League, the LA County Economic Development Corporation, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center LA, the Alliance for SoCal Innovation, Pacific Council on Foreign Affairs, LA Cleantech Incubator, GO-Biz, Sister Cities, and the International Visitors Council of LA.

Los Angeles’ companies and organizations that have committed to support Global LA as members include The Walt Disney Company, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, City National Bank, East West Bank, Evite, WasteFuel, the Los Angeles Football Club, Goldman Sachs, Neuehouse, The Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports, and Edison International.

Global LA Advisory Board members include Jaime Lee, President of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, former US Ambassador to UNESCO Crystal Nix-Hines, Evite President Jason Woo, SCI-Arc Director Hernan Diaz Alonso, CEO, Director-General, and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, Wastefuel Chairman and CEO Trevor Neilson, Ambassador Michael Lawson, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, and Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group Danny Acosta.

In preparation for hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Global LA aims to collaborate with a broad network of partners to support new businesses that will help secure LA’s Olympic legacy through economic opportunity.

Evergent Announces Partnership with KOCOWA to Optimize Payments and Customer Flexibility Across Global Audience Base

10/10/2022 by Susan von Seggern

New agreement simplifies payment and customer management for Korean content service in the Americas and worldwide

Sunnyvale, CA – September 8, 2022 — Evergent, the customer management and monetization leader for streaming and digital subscription businesses, today announced a new partnership with KOCOWA, a subscription video streaming platform serving Korean content to audiences throughout the world. Through the agreement, Evergent will provide optimized payment solutions for KOCOWA customers in different global regions, while also incorporating multiple currencies, languages and payment models.

KOCOWA was launched in 2017 by wavve Americas (wA), a joint company of KBS, MBC and SBS, the top three Korean broadcasters, together with SK Telecom. The streaming video platform delivers Korean dramas, reality and K-pop content to a subscription audience in North, Central, and South America.

As wA introduces KOCOWA to new markets and geographies, Evergent’s agile monetization and CRM products will make it possible to accommodate for both global and regional considerations and provide the adaptability required to seamlessly integrate different currencies, languages and payment processes. With Evergent’s flexible monetization tools, KOCOWA will be able to rapidly scale and reach the growing global audience for premium Korean entertainment content. The new partnership will also allow KOCOWA to explore and deploy multiple pricing and payment options for existing customers in North and South America.

“KOCOWA presents an ideal use case for Evergent’s highly flexible solutions, as they operate at the nexus of three cultures, languages and geographies,” said Vijay Sajja, founder and CEO of Evergent. “KOCOWA has already demonstrated the viability of delivering premium Korean content to customers in North, Central, and South America, and we look forward to supporting them with agile monetization tools as they extend this service to other areas of the world.”

“The success of our streaming platform in the Americas demonstrates the tremendous global demand for premium Korean content, but capitalizing on that demand requires speed and agility as we work to meet the needs of diverse markets and audiences” said KunHee Park, CEO at KOCOWA. “Evergent makes our platform better and more competitive by enabling us to pursue multiple new monetization models with minimal deployment effort, which in turn provides us with new tools to inform our sales and marketing campaigns. We expect Evergent to play a key role in our growth as we bring KOCOWA to new customers throughout the world.”

ABOUT EVERGENT
Based in Sunnyvale, CA, Evergent delivers customer relationship management tools for global digital media, entertainment and telecommunications providers. With customers in 175 countries ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, Evergent creates flexible, user-friendly solutions that enable each customer to streamline their CRM processes and maximize monetization efforts. For more information, visit www.evergent.com.

ABOUT wA AND KOCOWA
wA is a joint company between the top three Korean broadcasters — KBS, MBC, SBS, plus SK Telecom. wA launched KOCOWA, a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. KOCOWA provides a robust lineup of over 25,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Reality, and K-pop content in multi-languages on its direct platform. For more information please visit: www.kocowa.com.