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News Briefs

  • 10/9/2024

    Tripadvisor Launches Immersive Resort Tour for Paradisus by Meliá on FireTV and Alexa

    Tripadvisor Launches Immersive Resort Tour for Paradisus by Meliá on FireTV and Alexa

    Tripadvisor and Paradisus by Meliá, a Destination Inclusive Luxury Resorts brand by Meliá Hotels International, announced the launch of an interactive experience to encourage future travelers to visit. Viewers are taken on an immersive tour of the five luxury resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico through FireTV and Alexa to inspire travel from home to US audiences. 

    Using their voice or the FireTV remote, users can navigate through Paradisus Palma Real, Paradisus Cancún, Paradisus Playa del Carmen, Paradisus La Perla, and Paradisus Los Cabos, along with enjoying the benefits of the Destination Inclusive® Program. Launched in 2023, the program sees each property shaped by its destination and connects guests to the resorts’ local communities, transforming the way travelers experience all-inclusive resorts. Local immersive experiences are available to all guests, from design and amenities that encompass arts and craft workshops, to local dining options, on-property entertainment activities, and more.

    The new custom content offering is in addition to the suite of innovative solutions Tripadvisor offers hotel brands to create engaging experiences. On average, consumers spent 4 min 11 seconds immersed in the experience. Additionally, Brand Awareness levels increased by 43%; Brand Uplift and Brand Sentiment both increased by 22%; Consideration levels increased by 22% while Intent to Purchase also rose by 11%.

    Christine Maguire, Global Vice President of Sales & Partnerships at Tripadvisor said: “Paradisus by Meliá’s  Destination Inclusive proposition is so compelling that it inspired us to rethink how we reach travelers beyond our site. By bringing these incredible resorts directly into the homes of travel enthusiasts, we’ve transformed their experiences into vibrant, interactive showcases with rich audio and stunning imagery on a larger scale. We’ve leveraged our extensive data to highlight destinations that will captivate US travelers, supported by trusted ratings and reviews from our community.”

    Manuel Riego, VP Marketing & Distribution at Meliá said: “We’re excited to partner with Tripadvisor as the first hotel brand to leverage this engaging solution. We are committed to innovation, and the campaign is a fantastic way to showcase our incredible Paradisus by Meliá properties ahead of guests experiencing the luxury services and benefits for themselves. The initial engagement results look very encouraging and we’re excited for future partnerships with Tripadvisor.”

    The Immersive Resort Tour can be experienced on FireTV and Alexa devices in the US by simply saying, “Alexa, launch Tripadvisor Destination Tour”.

  • 8/8/2024

    Mark Shambura Joins Panera Bread as CMO

    Mark Shambura Papa Johns

    Mark Shambura has joined Panera Bread as Chief Marketing Officer. Shambura will lead all aspects of marketing at Panera, including Brand Building, Digital & Loyalty, Product Strategy & Consumer Insights. An accomplished marketing leader with broad expertise in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura has previously held marketing leadership roles during pivotal growth periods for top brands including Chipotle, MOD Pizza, and most recently Papa Johns.

    "Mark brings an impressive background building brands and leading marketing teams for fast-casual restaurants, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Panera Bread,” said José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer. “As Panera continues to evolve our brand, guided by listening to our guests, Mark’s depth of experience and ability will help drive our growth as a brand that serves great food you feel good about eating.”

    Shambura previously served as CMO at Papa Johns, where he led a revitalization of the brand by enhancing its iconic “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza” platform, and developing a more modern, innovative omnichannel approach to transform how Papa Johns appealed to both new and loyal consumers. As Executive Director at Chipotle, Mr. Shambura guided the marketing function through periods of both sustained growth and transition, providing leadership over brand strategy, advertising, digital, social, events/sponsorships, promotions, and field marketing, including playing a key role in spearheading its “Real Ingredients” brand strategy.

    “I’m proud to join the Panera Bread team and excited to build on the momentum of the brand's transformation as it continues to evolve in service of our guests,” Mr. Shambura said. “Panera propelled and cemented its position at the top of the fast casual restaurant segment through its promise of high-quality ingredients and freshly prepared food, and I’m thrilled to join a highly talented team to help shape its next chapter.”

    Prior to his tenure in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura gained extensive marketing agency experience, working with a broad array of top global consumer brands for over a decade. Shambura will report directly to José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer, and officially assumed the role of Chief Marketing Officer on July 29, 2024.

  • 10/9/2024

    Industry Visionary Skip Kimpel Launches Magicgate, a Consultancy to Help Hospitality Harness the Power of XR, AI and Next-Gen Tech

    Skip Kimpel

    Hospitality industry veteran Skip Kimpel is tapping his passion for XR (extended reality), AI and next-gen tech to power up Magicgate, an exciting new consultancy laser-focused on bringing the art of the possible to restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues worldwide. 

    Focused on personalized experiences and digital transformation, Magicgate provides tailored strategies, VR training, AI-powered solutions, and XR innovations to enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and drive growth in the rapidly evolving hospitality landscape resulting in operational efficiencies and reducing labor costs.

    According to Accenture, 83% of Gen Z expects companies to personalize experiences. They also expect seamless experiences fueled by advanced technologies like AI and ML, while younger Gen A is even more immersed in tech. “Research suggests the newest generations will grow up with the most sophisticated understanding of emerging technologies like AI, AR and VR,” said Kimpel. “It’s time for companies to embrace next-gen tech if they want to win over and stay relevant with future generations.”

    Under the Magicgate banner, Kimpel will offer guidance to help organizations navigate increasingly blurred lines between what’s real, what’s virtual, and how these multiverse worlds are becoming ever more connected. “Our approach goes beyond just adopting new tech—it’s about reshaping entire business models,” says President and CEO, Skip Kimpel. “We help companies stay ahead of digital disruption by offering tailored strategies that combine XR, AI, and more to deliver real business value.”

    Key Offerings:

    • Custom Strategy: Tailored roadmaps for XR, AI, spatial computing, metaverse and other disruptive technology integrations.
    • XR Solutions: XR strategy from immersive customer experiences to advanced training techniques.
    • VR Training & Onboarding: Reduce learning curves, ensure employees are job-ready faster. Minimize travel costs, particularly for global organizations.
    • Remote AR Support & Maintenance: Procure AR solutions to enhance real-time remote support, allowing technicians to overlay digital instructions onto physical objects in real time.
    • AI-Powered Innovation: Discovery, procurement and implementation of AI / ML tech, like predictive analytics, chatbots, and business operations including the use of advanced Computer Vision.
    • Digital Twins: Optimize facility management, enhance guest experiences, and improve sustainability by providing real-time data on operations, predictive maintenance, and personalized guest services.

    “We’ve tapped Skip’s expertise to help navigate the training processes into the VR world,” added Cam Crowder, Former Franchise Owner, Tim Hortons. “We see the potential of positive ROI - and it will be an absolute game-changer.”

    According to Zarnik and EHL Hospitality Insights, the global market for smart hotel technology alone is projected to reach $24.46 billion by 2027, driven by the adoption of AI, XR, IoT, and other innovative solutions. And according to QSR Magazine and Mordor Intel, AI is rapidly transforming the restaurant sector, with the market for AI-powered solutions expected to reach $49 billion by 2029, up from $9.68 billion in 2024.

    “There’s no doubt XR and AI will transform hospitality,” commented Michael Cohen, Managing Partner, Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN). “Skip is already a go-to source for organizations looking to navigate this world, so this represents a natural next step for him, and a big win for the industry at large.”

    “We’ve seen XR adoption start to transform industries like aerospace and healthcare” said John Cunningham, COO of the VR/AR Association. “Hospitality is the next horizon, and this consultancy - with Skip at the helm - will help accelerate the industry.”

  • 10/9/2024

    Sapia.ai Adds Tool for Interview Management in High-Volume Hiring

    AI man holding tablet

    Sapia.ai, a provider of AI-driven recruitment solutions, launches  Live Interview , a tool designed to simplify interview scheduling for hourly hiring. With a focus on ease of use, Live Interview  makes scheduling as intuitive as booking a restaurant - especially benefiting store managers overseeing hourly workers.

    Building on Sapia.ai’s Smart Interviewer  platform, which automates the screening & assessing of candidates, Live Interview™ enhances the interview process, offering more personalization, intelligence, and efficiency at a critical hiring stage. Integrated with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and iCIMS, Live Interview  supports bulk scheduling without relying on external calendars, ensuring managers can focus on people, not logistics.

    "Our mission is to humanize hiring while driving efficiency," says Barb Hyman, CEO of Sapia.ai. "While AI simplifies screening, the human interview remains pivotal. With Live Interview™, users can add a personal touch, like sharing values or introducing themselves via video - bringing personalization to scale for high-volume hiring."

    Following the success of Talent Hub, which reduced recruiter workloads by aggregating candidate data and cutting clicks by 90%, Live Interview™ extends Sapia.ai's commitment to delivering intelligent, user-centric solutions. Leading brands such as Woolworths Group and Starbucks have already experienced the impact, reporting Net Promoter Scores (NPS) exceeding 80 for improved candidate and hiring manager experiences.

    Live Interview™ is now available via the Sapia.ai platform

  • 10/9/2024

    Rubio’s Restaurant Group Partnerswith HR Services and Learning Management Solution

    Rubio's exterior with a taco in hand

    Konnect, an independent Human Resource service provider, and TREW Capital Management, owner of Rubio’s Restaurant Group, today announced a multi-year partnership to offer comprehensive HR services and a learning management platform tailored for the Rubio’s brand.

    Rubio’s, which was recently purchased by TREW Capital Management, is known for their Baja-inspired food that celebrates Mexican, coastal roots. Founded in 1983 in San Diego, Rubio’s operates 85 locations across California, Nevada and Arizona.

    “We are excited to partner with Konnect to provide industry-leading HR services and an innovative learning platform to our Rubio’s team,” said Jeff Crivello, Owner, Rubio’s Restaurant Group. “Their extensive knowledge in the restaurant industry and ‘center of excellence’ approach to HR allows us to implement an expert-level people strategy that will support business growth.”

    Konnect’s "Center of Excellence" philosophy ensures that when clients partner with Konnect they get access to industry experts in each facet of HR. Whether they need help with performance management, leadership development, DEI initiatives or HR technology implementations, the Konnect team has the expertise to deliver top-tier results in each area.

    For Rubio’s, Konnect will provide HR services designed to streamline workforce management while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. Konnect will support Rubio’s in implementing a standardized HR infrastructure across all locations, facilitating smoother transitions in employee relations, payroll, and benefits administration. Additionally, by leveraging Konnect’s integrated learning management system, KonnectEd, Rubio’s will gain access to tailored training programs, enabling staff development and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

    “HR has the power to shape culture, build trust, and elevate the entire organization,” said Jamie Viramontes, Founder and CEO, Konnect. “We are excited to partner with Rubio’s Restaurant Group to bring ‘best in class’ HR services that will help fuel this new chapter for Rubio’s.”

    For more information about Konnect’s custom HR service packages, visit www.hrkonnect.com.

     

  • 10/8/2024

    Square Launches Orders Platform

    square logo teaser

    In the third quarter of 2024, Square completed a significant infrastructure shift, creating a best-in-class commerce platform with leading payments and ordering capabilities for sellers. The new platform fundamentally changes how the company builds products and will provide expanded commerce capabilities like Pre-Auth and Bar Tabs to sellers of all sizes across verticals in the U.S.

    Square’s new order-based infrastructure is designed to help sellers grow their business by enabling them to complete a sale anywhere and anyhow, which allows them to run an efficient operation that delights customers and gives sellers time back.

    “We are thrilled that sellers in the U.S. are now on the new Orders Platform, which is currently in general availability. This is a key unlock for innovation and we expect this will accelerate product velocity going forward,” said Saumil Mehta, Head of Product for Square. “With the Orders platform, Square will be able to provide more checkout flexibility to sellers - whether their customers are seeking to order ahead, open a bar tab or set up a subscription, sellers using Square will be able to offer more options to capture sales across their businesses.”

    To learn more about Square’s latest offerings, visit www.squareup.com.

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