Stock Markets

Gartner Marketing Survey Finds 84% of Business Leaders and Employees Agree their Company Identity Must Change Significantly to Achieve Objectives

Published

7 months ago

June 5, 2024

Experts Reveal How Brand and Narrative Strategies Are Critical Tools to Drive Business Transformation During Gartner (NYSE:) Marketing Symposium/Xpo, June 3-5 in Denver

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Eighty-four percent of business leaders and employees report their company’s identity must significantly change to achieve strategic objectives, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc (NYSE: IT).

The Gartner Marketing and Narrative Impact Survey of 1,154 business leaders and employees across North America and the United Kingdom in November and December 2023 found that 75% of respondents agree their organization must do a better job aligning external audiences’ views with company identity and direction.

Despite marketing’s accountability for brand, 72% of leaders report their marketing function is not instrumental to their company’s business evolution. Gartner experts presented the findings today during the Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo, which is taking place here through Wednesday.

Nearly all companies are evolving in some way to set themselves up for future success, whether by shifting capabilities or offerings, catching up to market expectations, or reaching new target audiences, said Dorian Cundick, VP, Advisory in the Gartner Marketing Practice. This presents a huge opportunity for marketers to bring audiences along to support this journey “ fueling revenue growth and helping increase perceptions of marketing as a critical partner in business evolution.

Gartner research shows that when audiences understand a company’s business evolution, they’re more likely to buy from, work for, or otherwise support that company. In fact, business leaders who report strong audience understanding of their business evolution are 1.4x more likely to surpass revenue objectives.

Marketing leaders must invest in a corporate narrative to create a bridge between brand and strategy, Cundick said. While the story of who an organization is and where it’s going is a powerful tool to support business evolution, it isn’t as effective as it could be “ the average employee uses them only about a third of the time. Infrequent use of narrative material is associated with a lower likelihood of exceeding performance goals.

In order for corporate narratives to achieve their full effect and generate value, CMOs must take a different approach to engaging in narrative efforts

A Gartner survey in November and December 2023 of 180 business leaders involved in moving forward their company’s business evolution found that skewing leadership efforts towards activation relative to development lifts business performance by 23%. When leaders focus disproportionately on activation, they also rate marketing as more instrumental to their company’s business evolution.

Marketing is most likely to be seen as a strategic partner in business evolution when leaders play a significant role in narrative activation efforts like mobilizing the narrative externally through campaigns, as opposed to development activities like finalizing the narrative framework, or testing it with key stakeholders, said Cundick. Leadership involvement in activation helps ensure that narrative materials have ˜fit’ “ meaning they’re contextualized for employees’ needs and are more likely to connect key audiences to the narrative.

Develop supporting materials that help employees achieve their communication goals

The Gartner Marketing and Narrative Impact Survey found most employees are trying to accomplish at least one of three things when they communicate about company identity and direction:

79% of employees want to align, creating line of sight between individuals and organizational identity.
64% want to persuade, influencing others in support of organizational identity and direction.
80% want to connect, building a sense of personal and shared connection to the organizational identity and direction.

Marketing teams should create resources like guidelines, proof points, tools and templates to help employees align and persuade others. For the connect use case, draft messaging and experiences that help employees see themselves in the narrative. Many of these materials can be developed at the same time as the narrative itself is being finalized, as long as different teams coordinate their efforts.

When CMOs play a more strategic and visible role in business evolution, business performance improves, and marketing’s value becomes more clear, Cundick said.

Gartner clients can read more in the report: CMOs: Use Corporate Narrative to Advance Business Strategy.

About the Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo
The Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo is taking place June 3-5 in Denver, providing marketing leaders with actionable advice about the trends, tools and emerging technologies they need to deliver business results. Follow news and updates coming out of the conference on the Gartner Newsroom and on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerMKTG.

About Gartner for Marketers
Gartner for Marketers provides the objective, expert advice, and proven tools that CMOs and other marketing leaders need to seize the right opportunities with clarity and confidence, and to stay ahead of the trends that matter. With in-depth research and analysis, Gartner for Marketers helps you focus on the opportunities with the greatest potential to deliver results. More information on Gartner for Marketers is available online at www.gartner.com/marketing. Follow news and updates from the Gartner Marketing practice on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerMKTG. Members of the media can find additional information and insights in the Gartner Marketing Newsroom.

About Gartner
Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) delivers actionable, objective insight that drives smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization’s mission-critical priorities. To learn more, visit gartner.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240604058290/en/

Jordan Brackenbury
Gartner
jordan.brackenbury@gartner.com

Juliette Dixon
Gartner
juliette.dixon@gartner.com

Source: Gartner, Inc.

Stock Markets

BioAge Labs (BIOA) Azelaprag Trial Halt Raises Questions About Pre-IPO Disclosures – Hagens Berman

Published

13 hours ago

December 26, 2024

San Francisco, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2024) – On December 9, 2024, just months after conducting an initial public offering in September 2024, BioAge Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOA) made the startling announcement that it was discontinuing a Phase 2 study for its lead product, azelaprag, intended to treat metabolic diseases such as obesity.

Hagens Berman has opened an investigation and urges investors in BioAge who purchased shares in the company’s IPO or on the open market and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/bioa
Contact the Firm Now: BIOA@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA) Investigation:

The investigation is focused on the propriety of BioAge’s disclosures about the safety data and other matters related to azelaprag, which the company said in its IPO documents has been “well-tolerated in 265 individuals across eight Phase 1 clinical trials.”

BioAge’s disclosures came into question after the market closed on December 6, 2024, when the company announced the discontinuation of the STRIDES Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating azelaprag in combination with tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity. BioAge said that liver transaminitis was observed in patients receiving azelaprag.

This news drove the price of BioAge shares down almost 80% on December 9, 2024.

“We’re focused on whether BioAge was transparent to investors about the azelaprag safety profile before the December 6 announcement,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in BioAge and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the BioAge investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding BioAge should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email BIOA@hbsslaw.com.

# # #

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235182

Stock Markets

Celsius Holdings (CELH) Hit with Investor Class Action Amid Accusations of Oversold Inventory to Pepsi- Hagens Berman

Published

13 hours ago

December 26, 2024

CELH Investors with Losses Encouraged to Contact the Firm

San Francisco, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2024) – Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:), Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) and certain of its C-Suite officers are embroiled in a securities class action lawsuit, claiming they misrepresented and concealed crucial information about the company’s financial performance, especially concerning its key customer, PepsiCo (NASDAQ:).

Hagens Berman is investigating the allegations and urges investors in Celsius who purchased shares and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Feb. 29, 2024 – Sept. 4, 2024
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 21, 2025
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/celh
Contact the Firm Now: CELH@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH) Securities Class Action (WA:):

The lawsuit alleges that during the Class Period, Celsius failed to disclose to investors several critical points:

Oversold Inventory: Celsius significantly oversold inventory to Pepsi beyond demand, leading to a potential drastic reduction in future purchases.
Declining Sales: As Pepsi depleted its overstock, Celsius’ sales were projected to decline, impacting its financial health and outlook.
Unsustainable Sales Rates: The sales rates to Pepsi were unsustainable and created a misleading impression of the company’s performance.
Misleading Metrics: Consequently, Celsius’ business metrics and financial prospects were overstated

The situation came to light on May 28, 2024, when Celsius’ stock price plummeted nearly 13% following reports from Nielsen indicating slowed sales growth. Analysts highlighted the possibility of significantly reduced sales as Pepsi cut back its inventory.

The stock took another hit on September 4, 2024, dropping over 11% after a company presentation revealed a shortfall of $100 million to $120 million in Pepsi orders compared to the previous year. It was also disclosed that Pepsi had held several million excess cases over the last 18 months.

These revelations have led shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to investigate the allegations.

“We’re investigating whether Celsius deliberately painted an overly optimistic picture of its relationship with Pepsi, misleading investors about the true state of its financial health and sales sustainability,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Celsius and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Celsius case and our investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Celsius Holdings should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CELH@hbsslaw.com.

# # #

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235180

Stock Markets

Suriname fugitive ex-President Desi Bouterse dead at 79

Published

13 hours ago

December 26, 2024

By Ank Kuipers

PARAMARIBO (Reuters) -Suriname’s fugitive former President Desi Bouterse has died aged 79, the country’s government said on Wednesday, almost a year after he fled authorities to avoid jail following his conviction over the murder of 15 political activists in 1982.

“The government has been informed through the family and its own investigations of the passing of Mr. D. Bouterse, ex-President of the Republic of Suriname,” Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told Reuters.

The former leader died on Tuesday, the government said, without confirming where, or even in which country. Last week Surinamese authorities raided his home – where supporters gathered to pay their respects on Wednesday morning – but did not find him.

Surinamese President Chan Santokhi, who investigated the case as a police commissioner and later as justice minister, expressed condolences to Bouterse’s family and urged calm in a statement.

“In the spirit of the holiday season and year-end, the president calls on all to remain dignified and calm, maintain peace and order and engage in prayer in the spirit of these special days,” the statement said.

Bouterse dominated politics in the tiny South American country for decades, leading a coup in 1980 and finally leaving office in 2020.

In 2019 he and six others were convicted for their role in the 1982 murders of 15 leading government critics – including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors – for which Bouterse received a 20-year prison sentence.

Bouterse had claimed the murdered men were connected to a planned invasion of the former Dutch colony.

Following years of legal back and forth, Bouterse was ordered to report to prison in January but he did not show up on the appointed date.

Though Bouterse avoided prison by going on the run, Reed Brody, a U.S. war crimes prosecutor who monitored the case for the International Commission of Jurists, said justice had caught up with the convicted former president before he died.