VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OKEx (www.okex.com), a world-leading cryptocurrency spot and derivatives exchange, is pleased to announce the listing of the Internet Computer's utility token, ICP.

Deposits of ICP opened at 2:00 am UTC on May 10. Spot trading of ICP against USDT and BTC opened at 12:00 am UTC on May 11. Apart from listing ICP, OKEx is also pleased to announce that its newly established Blockdream Ventures fund will be collaborating with the Internet Computer ecosystem to provide $10 million in special funding and resources to support high-quality projects built within the Internet Computer ecosystem. With an initial capital of $100 million, OKEx Blockdream Ventures is a fund focused on supporting high-quality projects with great potential — with the goal of promoting sustainable development across the entire crypto and blockchain industry.

Operated by a completely open governance system, the Internet Computer — a blockchain network under development — aims to reinvent the internet by making it truly decentralized. Following the development of Bitcoin and Ethereum, the Internet Computer brands itself as the third major blockchain innovation. By making the internet decentralized with blockchain technology, the goal of the Internet Computer project is to reimagine how services operate online, just as DeFi reimagines finance.

OKEx CEO Jay Hao commented on the new listing:

"The internet has always been a crucial part of our daily lives. As the world and technology evolve, it is evident that there is a crucial need for change. We are pleased to support the launch of the Internet Computer as a Day 1 partner and be a part of this global movement to reinvent the internet as we gradually move toward a decentralized future. We hope that this will be the first big step in allowing entrepreneurs, developers or enterprises to host secure software systems built on top of computer science, and really just backing the long-term evolution of the internet."

Dominic Williams, founder and chief scientist of the DFINITY Foundation, which developed the Internet Computer, stated:

"The Internet Computer represents the third major innovation in blockchain after Bitcoin and Ethereum. It supports smart contract software that can run at web speed and serve web to users for the first time, and a network that can scale its compute capacity with user demand, greatly increasing the potential applications of public blockchain, and improving the reach of today's blockchain ecosystem.

It represents the product of an unprecedented multi-year R&D effort, orchestrated by the DFINITY Foundation from research and development centers in Zurich, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Tokyo, and with additional remote teams in places such as Germany and the UK. The project has a singular purpose, and that is to relentlessly expand the capabilities of public blockchain and the decentralized ecosystem using advanced computer science and cryptography, and to make blockchain the platform of choice upon which we can reimagine all our systems and services."

About OKEx

OKEx is a world-leading cryptocurrency spot and derivatives exchange that offers some of the most diverse and sophisticated products, solutions, and trading tools on the market. Trusted by millions of users globally, we believe that cryptocurrency will reshape our money and society, enabling all people to live in dignity and freedom. With our extensive range of crypto products and services, and our unwavering commitment to innovation, our mission is to promote and advance cryptocurrency globally – and empower every individual on earth.

Positive Revenue Growth Achieved in all Strategic Brands

HONG KONG, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodbaby International Holdings Limited ("Goodbaby International" or the "Company", HKEX stock code: 1086, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), a globally leading parenting products company, today announced its unaudited revenue performance for the three months ended 31 March 2021 (the "Period"). The Group generated a record first-quarter revenue, which grew by a robust 27.2% year-on-year (YoY) (19.5% on a constant currency basis), amounting to approximately HK$2,084.9 million.

During the Period, CYBEX brand continued its strong revenue growth momentum, reaching a growth rate of 38.7% (27.4% on a constant currency basis) YoY. Its strong brand position and product portfolio (in both car seats and particularly wheeled goods), fortified global operations and the continuous launch of new products and categories of CYBEX contributed to the strong revenue growth across all key global markets, where the respective market shares also continued to expand.

gb brand revenue performance during the Period achieved positive results with a growth rate of 20.4% (10.7% on a constant currency basis) YoY overall and a growth rate of 30.2% (19.4% on a constant currency basis) in its key China market. This achievement was primarily driven by revenue growth realized from the recovery of its self-owned retail traffic and sales. gb continues to modernize and enhance its overall brand image and invest resources toward product development and innovation in both durable and non-durable products.

Evenflo brand revenue performance recovered and achieved 5.9% YoY growth (4.0% on a constant currency basis) during the Period, primarily driven by continued positive consumer reaction to new product launches and to the overall improvement of the macro environment with a stabilizing political situation and positive consumer behaviors due to the stimulus relief efforts.

Blue Chip business revenue was at approximately HK$265.5 million, representing an impressive revenue growth of 68.4% YoY (61.6% on a constant currency basis), primarily driven by increasing orders from its customers. The Group's Blue Chip business remains stable.

During the Period, the Group's revenue from other business, including the Group's tactical brands and retailer's private label business, was approximately HK$96.4 million, recorded an 27.2% YoY increase (20.2% on a constant currency basis), mainly driven by the recovery of business from the COVID-19 impacts and positive results of portfolio optimization.

With the gradual distribution of vaccines to combat COVID-19 and the preliminary signs of stabilization in both economic and political environments in the key markets, the Group is encouraged by its momentum. It remains confident in the focused strategy of the core Strategic brands of CYBEX, gb and Evenflo and the development of the Blue Chip business. Nevertheless, as the global economy recovers, the Group remains diligent to the ongoing headwinds in global supply and logistics chains and continues to implement proactive measures to minimize any remaining and unexpected impacts from COVID-19.

For more details, please refer to the announcement:
https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0512/2021051200256.pdf

About Goodbaby International Holdings Limited

Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd. is a world leading parenting products company. The Group serves millions of families around the world through design, research and development, manufacture, marketing and sales of children's car safety seats, strollers, apparels and home textile products, feeding, nursing and personal care products, cribs, bicycles and tricycles and other children products.

- Nine in ten respondents want flexibility in where and when they work, with millennials twice as likely to quit as baby boomers

- Half of respondents believe organizational culture has improved

- Continued technology investment is key to employee experience

LONDON, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (54%) of employees surveyed from around the world would consider leaving their job post-COVID-19 pandemic if they are not afforded some form of flexibility in where and when they work, according to the EY 2021 Work Reimagined Employee Survey.

The survey – one of the largest global surveys of its kind – canvassed the views of more than 16,000 employees across 16 countries and multiple industries and job roles. It explores employee attitudes and experiences to work throughout the pandemic and into the "next normal".

Flexibility

The survey finds that nine in ten employees want flexibility in where and when they work. Given the choice, more than half of employee respondents (54%) would choose flexibility in when they work. By comparison, 40% want flexibility in where they work. On average, employees would want to work between two and three days remotely after the pandemic. When pandemic restrictions ease in their countries, 22% would prefer to work full time in the office, with 33% of employee respondents saying they want a shorter working week altogether. More than half (67%) believe their productivity can be accurately measured irrespective of location.

Job retention

The job roles most likely to move jobs include managers/leaders, those with technology or finance roles, and caregivers. Those most likely to stay in their current roles include baby boomers, individuals with 10+ years of tenure, and those in government or education roles. Attitudes to job retention differ by age, with millennials twice as likely as baby boomers to quit. Despite the apparent willingness to move jobs for more flexible working arrangements, most employee respondents (76%) say they are satisfied with their jobs, and almost all (93%) say they plan to stay in their current roles for the following 12 months.

Liz Fealy, EY Global People Advisory Services Deputy Leader and EY Global Workforce Advisory and Solutions Leader, says:

"Employees' willingness to change jobs in the current economic environment is a game-changer. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that flexibility can work for both employees and employers, and flexible working is the new currency for attracting and retaining top talent. Employers who want to keep the best people now and in the next normal will need to put flexible working front and center of their talent strategy."

Remote working and organizational culture

The survey also canvassed attitudes to existing work practices, with employee respondents broadly positive about the impact of remote working. Almost half (48%) say their organizational culture has changed and improved during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, while only 31% believe it has worsened.

Health and safety

The survey also explored employee respondents' views on the COVID-19 vaccine and found that 61% want their company to make vaccination a pre-requisite for working from the office. Attitudes toward vaccinations vary between geographies, with 66% of respondents in South America agreeing that companies should require vaccination of all employees, compared with a comparative low of 52% in EMEIA.

Work from anywhere requires increased technology investments

The prospect of increasingly widespread flexible working is leading to more demands for technology, both on-site and in the home office. Sixty-four percent of respondents say they want better technology in the office (e.g. faster internet and videoconferencing), almost half (48%) say they want companies to upgrade at-home hardware (e.g. extra monitors and headsets), and almost the same proportion (47%) would like re-imbursement for high-speed internet/phone expenses. However, despite the shift toward new ways of working and the rapid adoption of virtual meeting technology, 67% would like to travel for business moderately to extensively after the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase from 49% in the previous survey, which was conducted in 2020.

Roselyn Feinsod, Principal, People Advisory Services, Ernst & Young LLC, says:

"Organizational culture has historically been built based on shared in-person experiences and it is fascinating to see that the new ways of working have improved such culture in the eyes of many employees. As we look toward the longer-term and organizations continue to transform their operations, employers will need to consistently re-assess conceptions of productivity and the impact on their cultures, ensuring their team's approach is optimized for the in-person, hybrid and digital work experience."

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.

About the survey

The 2021 EY Work Reimagined Employee Survey was conducted in March 2021 and received 16,264 responses from 16 countries across 23 industries. Millennials represented more than half of all respondents.

The survey was conducted using a third-party panel and targeted employees who work for organizations with at least 500 employees.

Survey data is segmented by 24 different personal and work-related demographics and preferences. Participant responses ranged from 21 years to 65 years plus, with responses from senior leaders and individuals at all different functions.

It provides an update to the 2020 EY Work Reimagined Survey, which included responses from more than 3,600 employees and 700 plus employers.

Related Links :

http://www.ey.com

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced an agreement to acquire certain Willis Towers Watson plc reinsurance, specialty and retail brokerage operations as part of a proposed regulatory remedy for the pending Aon plc and Willis Towers Watson plc combination.  The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2021.

"This acquisition will accelerate our long-term strategy by significantly expanding our global value proposition in reinsurance, broadening our retail brokerage footprint and strengthening key niches and specialty brokerage offerings," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "The powerful combination of expertise, geographic reach and scale that this acquisition presents will greatly enhance our offerings to clients and prospects, while also providing significant value for our colleagues, carrier partners and shareholders. Most importantly, I look forward to welcoming more than 6,000 new colleagues to our growing Gallagher family of professionals."

Benefits of the acquisition are expected to include:

• Expanded global value proposition within reinsurance brokerage
• Broadened global footprint in retail property casualty and health & benefits brokerage
• Increased depth in key niches and specialty operations such as energy, construction, cyber, space, and aerospace products
• A comprehensive suite of analytics capabilities including catastrophe modeling, dynamic financial analysis, rating agency analysis and capital modeling
• Stronger relationships with major insurance carriers and new relationships with middle market and large account retail clients
• Added platforms for future tuck-in acquisitions

Acquired Operations
The combined operations, which include certain of Willis Re's treaty and facultative reinsurance brokerage operations, as well as certain U.K. specialty, European and North American brokerage operations, generated $1.3 billion of estimated pro forma revenue and $357 million of estimated pro forma EBITDAC, in each case for the year ended December 31, 2020.  These pro forma 2020 estimates incorporate potential revenue breakage (as defined below), as well as normalization of operating expenses and additional necessary investments.

Reinsurance Brokerage
The reinsurance brokerage operations, which include both treaty and facultative reinsurance,   generated approximately $750 million of estimated pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. The business represents over 750 insurance and reinsurance company clients, across more than 25 countries, and places over $11.5 billion of premium annually.

United Kingdom / European Brokerage
The U.K. and European brokerage operations generated approximately $500 million of estimated pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020.  European retail brokerage includes certain operations in Germany, Netherlands, Spain and France, including the vast majority of French insurance broker, Gras Savoye.  Specialty operations in the U.K principally include cyber, space and aerospace products.

North American Brokerage
The North American brokerage operations generated approximately $50 million of estimated pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. This includes certain property/casualty brokerage business from predominantly middle-market and large-account clients located in select markets such as San Francisco, Houston and Bermuda, across niches such as construction and energy.

Key Transaction Terms
Under the agreement, Gallagher will acquire the combined operations for gross consideration of $3.57 billion. Gallagher expects to finance the transaction using a combination of long-term debt, short-term borrowings, free cash and common equity. The final funding contemplates Gallagher maintaining its investment grade debt rating.

Integration is expected to take approximately 3 years with total non-recurring integration costs estimated to be approximately $350 million.  After giving effect to these assumptions and pro forma results discussed above, the acquired operations would have been approximately 9% to 11% accretive to Gallagher's 2020 adjusted GAAP EPS excluding earnings from clean energy investments (see table for 2020 non-GAAP reconciliation).

Other Acquisition Transaction Information
The transaction is subject to European Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and other regulatory approvals, including regulatory approvals related to the pending Aon plc and Willis Towers Watson plc combination and the proposed remedy. 

More information, including a presentation outlining the transaction, can be found on the company's website at www.ajg.com. The estimates provided in this release and the presentation on the company's website, may be updated before the transaction closes as more information becomes available.

Conference Call Information
In conjunction with this announcement, J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 9:00 am ET/ 8:00 am CT.

The conference call will be broadcast live through Gallagher's website at www.ajg.com and a conference call replay will be available on the company's website approximately one hour after the broadcast. The replay can be accessed by going to Investor Relations and clicking on Archived Presentations.

Breakage – Refers to Gallagher's estimate of revenues and associated expenses reported in the acquired operations' 2020 financial statements that has been lost since December 31, 2020 plus an estimate for clients that may not renew before the transaction closes and during the integration period and the departure of key brokers and other employees.

Other Cost Adjustments - In addition, specific costs have been identified as adjustments to the acquired operations' 2020 financial statements in order to better reflect Gallagher's estimate of pro forma EBITDAC.  Specifically, these cost adjustments include the normalization of operating expenses to reflect the extraordinary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and additional investments in operations attributed to the target business based on the estimated costs to provide specific services from the center.

Advisors
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and BofA Securities acted as financial advisors and Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal advisor to Gallagher on this transaction.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 56 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. 

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events and use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "contemplate," "forecast," "project," "intend," "plan," "potential," and other similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "may," "might," "see," "should," "will" and "would." You can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Examples of forward-looking statements regarding the acquisition described in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected benefits of the proposed transaction, the expected consideration to be paid in the proposed transaction, the expected revenue, EPS (including adjusted EPS excluding clean energy), and EBITDAC impacts of the proposed transaction, the size and status of the combined organization within various jurisdictions, required regulatory approvals, the expected timing of the completion of the proposed transaction, expected duration and cost of integration, and the anticipated financing of the proposed transaction.

Readers are cautioned against relying on any forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (a) risks related to the integration of the acquired operations, businesses and assets into our company; (b) the possibility that the proposed transaction is not completed when expected or at all because required regulatory approvals are not received or other conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (c) the risk that the financing required to fund the proposed transaction is not obtained on the terms anticipated or at all; (d) potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (e) the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including cost savings and expected synergies, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or issues arising from, the integration of the acquired operations into our company; (f) the possibility that our estimates of lost revenue in the acquired operations from breakage due to departing key brokers and other employees and the loss of clients are incorrect and actual lost revenue is greater than expected; (g) the increased legal and regulatory complexity of entering additional geographic markets, including the risks associated with the labor and employment law frameworks in certain countries where Gallagher does not currently operate; (h) conditions imposed in order to obtain required regulatory approvals; (i) uncertainties in the global economy and equity and credit markets and their potential impact on Gallagher's ability to finance the proposed transaction on acceptable terms, at favorable pricing, in a timely manner, or at all; (j) the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (k) diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; (l) the inability to retain certain key employees of the acquired operations or Gallagher; (m) risks associated with increased leverage from the proposed transaction; (n) competitive responses to the proposed transaction; (o) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction and the ability of each party to consummate the proposed transaction; (p) that financial information subsequently presented for the acquired business in our subsequent public filings may be different from that presented herein and (q) additional factors discussed in the section entitled "Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" in Gallagher's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 and "Risk Factors" in Gallagher's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic currently amplifies, and in the future could continue to amplify, the risks, uncertainties and assumptions, reflected in such forward looking statements and risk factors. 

Any forward-looking statement made by Gallagher in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable law, Gallagher does not undertake to update the information included herein.

Non-GAAP Measures
This press release refers to EBITDAC and adjusted EPS excluding clean energy, measures not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided herein. EBITDAC is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earn out payables. EBTIDAC with respect to the acquired business is prepared based on the unaudited financial and other information made available to Gallagher as well as management estimates. Gallagher believes EBITDAC provides a meaningful representation of its operating performance and improves the comparability of results between periods by eliminating the impact of certain items that have a high degree of variability. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is earnings from continuing operations. Please see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" on Gallagher's website at www.ajg.com under "Investor Relations" for the purpose of this measure.

Adjusted EPS excluding Clean Energy is defined as net earnings, excluding the earnings and cost impacts of our clean energy investments, net of applicable taxes, presented on a per share basis. The impact of our clean energy investments is excluded from EPS excluding Clean Energy because upon the sunset of Section 45 tax credits at the end of 2021, our clean energy investments will no longer impact earnings, so we believe this measure is useful to investors to provide comparability between historical and future periods.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any security of Gallagher, nor shall there be any sale of a security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Reconciliation of 2020 Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

Investors:               
Ray Iardella   
VP - Investor Relations      
(630) 285-3661 / Ray_Iardella@ajg.com  

US Media:
Kelli Murray
Director Global Public Relations
(630) 277-0347/ Kelli_Murray@ajg.com 

UK Media:
Emma Banks
PR and Media Relations
+44(0) 207 204 6189 / Emma_Banks@ajg.com

Lynn Rouse
PR and Media Relations
+44 20 3425 3416 / Lynn_Rouse@ajg.com 

Related Links :

http://www.ajg.com

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today announced an agreement to acquire certain Willis Towers Watson plc reinsurance, specialty and retail brokerage operations as part of a proposed regulatory remedy for the pending Aon plc and Willis Towers Watson plc combination.  The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2021.

"This acquisition will accelerate our long-term strategy by significantly expanding our global value proposition in reinsurance, broadening our retail brokerage footprint and strengthening key niches and specialty brokerage offerings," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "The powerful combination of expertise, geographic reach and scale that this acquisition presents will greatly enhance our offerings to clients and prospects, while also providing significant value for our colleagues, carrier partners and shareholders.  Most importantly, I look forward to welcoming more than 6,000 new colleagues to our growing Gallagher family of professionals."

Benefits of the acquisition are expected to include:

• Expanded global value proposition within reinsurance brokerage
• Broadened global footprint in retail property casualty and health & benefits brokerage
• Increased depth in key niches and specialty operations such as energy, construction, cyber, space, and aerospace products
• A comprehensive suite of analytics capabilities including catastrophe modeling, dynamic financial analysis, rating agency analysis and capital modeling
• Stronger relationships with major insurance carriers and new relationships with middle market and large account retail clients
• Added platforms for future tuck-in acquisitions

Acquired Operations
The combined operations, which include certain of Willis Re's treaty and facultative reinsurance brokerage operations, as well as certain U.K. specialty, European and North American brokerage operations, generated $1.3 billion of estimated pro forma revenue and $357 million of estimated pro forma EBITDAC, in each case for the year ended December 31, 2020.  These pro forma 2020 estimates incorporate potential revenue breakage (as defined below), as well as normalization of operating expenses and additional necessary investments.

Reinsurance Brokerage
The reinsurance brokerage operations, which include both treaty and facultative reinsurance,   generated approximately $750 million of estimated pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020.  The business represents over 750 insurance and reinsurance company clients, across more than 25 countries, and places over $11.5 billion of premium annually.

United Kingdom / European Brokerage
The U.K. and European brokerage operations generated approximately $500 million of estimated pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020.  European retail brokerage includes certain operations in Germany, Netherlands, Spain and France, including the vast majority of French insurance broker, Gras Savoye.  Specialty operations in the U.K principally include cyber, space and aerospace products.

North American Brokerage
The North American brokerage operations generated approximately $50 million of estimated pro forma revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020.  This includes certain property/casualty brokerage business from predominantly middle-market and large-account clients located in select markets such as San Francisco, Houston and Bermuda, across niches such as construction and energy.

Key Transaction Terms
Under the agreement, Gallagher will acquire the combined operations for gross consideration of $3.57 billion.  Gallagher expects to finance the transaction using a combination of long-term debt, short-term borrowings, free cash and common equity.  The final funding contemplates Gallagher maintaining its investment grade debt rating.

Integration is expected to take approximately 3 years with total non-recurring integration costs estimated to be approximately $350 million.  After giving effect to these assumptions and pro forma results discussed above, the acquired operations would have been approximately 9% to 11% accretive to Gallagher's 2020 adjusted GAAP EPS excluding earnings from clean energy investments (see table for 2020 non-GAAP reconciliation).

Other Acquisition Transaction Information
The transaction is subject to European Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and other regulatory approvals, including regulatory approvals related to the pending Aon plc and Willis Towers Watson plc combination and the proposed remedy. 

More information, including a presentation outlining the transaction, can be found on the company's website at www.ajg.com. The estimates provided in this release and the presentation on the company's website, may be updated before the transaction closes as more information becomes available.

Conference Call Information
In conjunction with this announcement, J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 9:00 am ET/ 8:00 am CT.

The conference call will be broadcast live through Gallagher's website at www.ajg.com and a conference call replay will be available on the company's website approximately one hour after the broadcast. The replay can be accessed by going to Investor Relations and clicking on Archived Presentations.

Breakage – Refers to Gallagher's estimate of revenues and associated expenses reported in the acquired operations' 2020 financial statements that has been lost since December 31, 2020 plus an estimate for clients that may not renew before the transaction closes and during the integration period and the departure of key brokers and other employees.

Other Cost Adjustments - In addition, specific costs have been identified as adjustments to the acquired operations' 2020 financial statements in order to better reflect Gallagher's estimate of pro forma EBITDAC.  Specifically, these cost adjustments include the normalization of operating expenses to reflect the extraordinary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and additional investments in operations attributed to the target business based on the estimated costs to provide specific services from the center.

Advisors
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and BofA Securities acted as financial advisors and Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal advisor to Gallagher on this transaction.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 56 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. 

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events and use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "contemplate," "forecast," "project," "intend," "plan," "potential," and other similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could," "may," "might," "see," "should," "will" and "would." You can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Examples of forward-looking statements regarding the acquisition described in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected benefits of the proposed transaction, the expected consideration to be paid in the proposed transaction, the expected revenue, EPS (including adjusted EPS excluding clean energy), and EBITDAC impacts of the proposed transaction, the size and status of the combined organization within various jurisdictions, required regulatory approvals, the expected timing of the completion of the proposed transaction, expected duration and cost of integration, and the anticipated financing of the proposed transaction.

Readers are cautioned against relying on any forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (a) risks related to the integration of the acquired operations, businesses and assets into our company; (b) the possibility that the proposed transaction is not completed when expected or at all because required regulatory approvals are not received or other conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all; (c) the risk that the financing required to fund the proposed transaction is not obtained on the terms anticipated or at all; (d) potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction; (e) the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, including cost savings and expected synergies, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or issues arising from, the integration of the acquired operations into our company; (f) the possibility that our estimates of lost revenue in the acquired operations from breakage due to departing key brokers and other employees and the loss of clients are incorrect and actual lost revenue is greater than expected; (g) the increased legal and regulatory complexity of entering additional geographic markets, including the risks associated with the labor and employment law frameworks in certain countries where Gallagher does not currently operate; (h) conditions imposed in order to obtain required regulatory approvals; (i) uncertainties in the global economy and equity and credit markets and their potential impact on Gallagher's ability to finance the proposed transaction on acceptable terms, at favorable pricing, in a timely manner, or at all; (j) the possibility that the proposed transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (k) diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; (l) the inability to retain certain key employees of the acquired operations or Gallagher; (m) risks associated with increased leverage from the proposed transaction; (n) competitive responses to the proposed transaction; (o) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transaction and the ability of each party to consummate the proposed transaction; (p) that financial information subsequently presented for the acquired business in our subsequent public filings may be different from that presented herein and (q) additional factors discussed in the section entitled "Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" in Gallagher's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 and "Risk Factors" in Gallagher's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic currently amplifies, and in the future could continue to amplify, the risks, uncertainties and assumptions, reflected in such forward looking statements and risk factors. 

Any forward-looking statement made by Gallagher in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable law, Gallagher does not undertake to update the information included herein.

Non-GAAP Measures
This press release refers to EBITDAC and adjusted EPS excluding clean energy, measures not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided herein. EBITDAC is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earn out payables. EBTIDAC with respect to the acquired business is prepared based on the unaudited financial and other information made available to Gallagher as well as management estimates. Gallagher believes EBITDAC provides a meaningful representation of its operating performance and improves the comparability of results between periods by eliminating the impact of certain items that have a high degree of variability. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is earnings from continuing operations. Please see "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" on Gallagher's website at www.ajg.com under "Investor Relations" for the purpose of this measure.

Adjusted EPS excluding Clean Energy is defined as net earnings, excluding the earnings and cost impacts of our clean energy investments, net of applicable taxes, presented on a per share basis. The impact of our clean energy investments is excluded from EPS excluding Clean Energy because upon the sunset of Section 45 tax credits at the end of 2021, our clean energy investments will no longer impact earnings, so we believe this measure is useful to investors to provide comparability between historical and future periods.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any security of Gallagher, nor shall there be any sale of a security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Reconciliation of 2020 Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

Investors:               
Ray Iardella   
VP - Investor Relations      
(630) 285-3661 / Ray_Iardella@ajg.com  

US Media:
Kelli Murray
Director Global Public Relations
(630) 277-0347/ Kelli_Murray@ajg.com 

UK Media:
Emma Banks
PR and Media Relations
+44(0) 207 204 6189 / Emma_Banks@ajg.com

Lynn Rouse
PR and Media Relations
+44 20 3425 3416 / Lynn_Rouse@ajg.com 

Logo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/597229/Arthur_J_Gallagher_Logo.jpg?p=medium600

Related Links :

http://www.ajg.com

- Nominations may be submitted up until July 31, 2021

SEOUL, South Korea, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sunhak Peace Prize honors distinguished individuals or organizations that have contributed significantly to peace and to the welfare of future generations. In particular, the Committee considers three core areas of accomplishment in the evaluation of candidates: Sustainable Human Development, Conflict Resolution, and Ecological Conservation. Sunhak laureates are selected biannually by an international committee, and receive an award in the amount of $1,000,000.

Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon founded the Sunhak Peace Prize to continue the legacy and vision of her late husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, who founded the Universal Peace Federation and dedicated his life to the promotion of peace. The 5th Award Ceremony will take place in 2022.

Criteria for Evaluation of Nominees:

- Contributions to the areas such as sustainable human development, conflict resolution, or ecological conservation

- Improving the quality of life of people from diverse nations, races, religions and cultures for the sake of peace

The prize committee will decide on the final Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate(s) in December 2021. The official announcement will be made soon thereafter. The Award Ceremony will be held in April 2022, in South Korea. The nomination form can be downloaded from the official website (http://sunhakpeaceprize.org/).

The first Sunhak Peace Prize in 2015 was awarded to Mr. Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati, for his efforts to raise awareness of climate change and rising sea levels; and, Dr. Modadugu Vijay Gupta, who increased the productivity of fisheries through the development of aquaculture methods.

The second award in 2017, which focused on the global refugee crisis, was given to Italian surgeon, Dr. Gino Strada, and to educator Dr. Sakena Yacoobi.

The laureates of the third award in 2019, which focused on peace and development in Africa, were Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, and Waris Dirie, founder of Desert Flower Foundation.

The 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize was awarded to President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal and Bishop Munib A. Younan, the International Honorary President of Religions for Peace. Marking the centenary of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a special Founders' Centenary Award was presented to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Contact
sunhakpeaceprize@gmail.com

-- Earnings Call Scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET on May 26, 2021 --

HONG KONG, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited ("iClick" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: ICLK), an independent online marketing and enterprise data solutions provider in China, today announced that it will report its unaudited first quarter 2021 financial results before the U.S. market opens on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

Mr. Jian "T.J." Tang, CEO and Co-Founder and Mr. Terence Li, CFO, will host a conference call to discuss the Company's business and financial performance at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM Hong Kong Time) on May 26, 2021. 

A live and archived webcast of this call, including earnings release and presentation slides, will be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.i-click.com/.

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

United States:             +1-888-346-8982
International:               +1-412-902-4272
Hong Kong:                 +852-800-905945
Mainland China:          +86-4001-201203

Participants please ask to join the iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited conference call.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible by phone one hour after the conclusion of the live call at the following numbers until June 2, 2021:

United States:             +1-877-344-7529
International:               +1-412-317-0088
Canada:                      +1-855-669-9658
Replay Access Code:  24763800

For more information, please visit ir.i-click.com.

About iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited

iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (Nasdaq: ICLK) is an independent online marketing and enterprise data solutions provider that connects worldwide marketers with audiences in China. Built on cutting-edge technologies, our proprietary platform possesses omni-channel marketing capabilities and fulfills various marketing objectives in a data-driven and automated manner, helping both international and domestic marketers reach their target audiences in China. Headquartered in Hong Kong, iClick was established in 2009 and is currently operating in ten locations worldwide, including Asia and Europe.

Related Links :

https://ir.i-click.com

NEW YORK, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AGBA Acquisition Limited (NASDAQ: AGBA, the "Company"), a special purpose acquisition company, announced today that AGBA Holding Limited, the Company's initial public offering sponsor ("Sponsor"), has deposited into the Company's trust account (the "Trust Account") an aggregate of $594,466.50 (representing approximately $0.15 per share of common stock), in order to extend the period of time the Company has to complete a business combination for an additional three (3) months period, from May 16, 2021 to August 16, 2021. The Company issued a promissory note to Sponsor with a principal amount equal to the amount deposited. The promissory note bears no interest and is convertible into the Company's units (with each unit consisting of one ordinary share, one warrant to purchase one-half of one ordinary share, and one right to receive one-tenth of one ordinary share upon the consummation of the Company's initial business combination) at a price of $10.00 per unit at the closing of a business combination by the Company. The purpose of the extension is to provide time for the Company to complete a business combination.

About AGBA Acquisition Limited

AGBA Acquisition Limited is a British Virgin Islands company incorporated as a blank check company for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Company's efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although the Company intends to focus on operating businesses in the healthcare, education, entertainment and financial services sectors that have their principal operations in China.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, including the successful consummation of the Company's initial public offering, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

HONG KONG, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Effie Greater China "Business, Product, Service Innovation" Specialty Category Committee was held in the form of online meeting. Eight senior practitioners from various industries discussed the category definition, current industry situation and determined the future trend of innovative marketing in the new economic era.

The meeting of the Specialty Category Committee officially announced the addition members to Effie "Business, Product, Service innovation Specialty Category", and also started the 2021 preparation.

The new category is jointly launched to focus on business, product, service innovation

Before the meeting began, Mr. Alex Xu, President of Effie Greater China and Senior Vice President of Effie Worldwide, introduced the operation achievements of 2020 Effie Awards, and shared the strategy and planned for 2021 Effie Greater China. He pointed out that "Our mission is to adhere to the business value of 'connectivity, creativity and leadership', and to build the marketing business value. Today, we joined hands with Kraft Heinz to launch the 'Business, Product, Service Innovation Specialty Category', aiming to fully explore excellent cases, so as to summarize its successful methodology, guide industry innovation and improve innovation quality and efficiency."

As for the new category cooperation, Mr. Allen Cai, Head of the Kraft Heinz Asia Pacific Consumer Insight/Digital/Media/Content Center, said: "Kraft Heinz's product line covers all aspects from catering to retail. We have built six new platforms to comprehensively optimize and upgrade the consumer experience. This year, by means of Effie, a global well-known effectiveness platform, we will tap new ideas in the industry and provide better reference, thus creating more efficient business, products and services."

The committee members express their opinions and brainstorm for the future development of the new category

Starting from their own industry fields, members of the specialty category committee expressed their opinions and suggestions on the specialty category for business, product, service innovation, and especially made in-depth exchanges on the category definition.

Allen Cai

Many new consumption scenarios have emerged in the post-COVID-19 era, forcing companies and enterprises to speed up product iteration and technological transformation, thereby creating possibilities of more business models in the new digital environment. At the same time, with the increasing fragmentation in consumers' life, they have higher demands for quality content. The opportunity and challenge facing the marketing industry is how enterprises can realize long-effectiveness reach of consumers through fast iterative optimization of contents.

Jessie Guo

In view of uncertainties in the market, many industry practitioners choose to test with MVP (Minimum Viable Product) model, which may be a development direction for the industry in future. At the same time, digital transformation of enterprises is closely related to people. The front-line marketing staff may realize excellent business innovation by means of data understanding and demand insight based on code-free/ less-code development, which will open a new prelude for global innovation.

Guo Xiao

Due to fragmented and diversified values nowadays, the demand for individual self-expression is at a loss in the traditional fields and ways, and there is no suitable exit. Based on the accurate understanding of the needs of the new generation of consumers, Pop Mart is always innovating. In product form or sales channels, from offline to online, Pop Mart is committed to realizing the entertainment of trendy product retail and creating a unique social scene, thus making it a run among young people.

Muthu K

In terms of market innovation, Chinese brands perform better than international brands. Local brands have a better understanding of the current situation of Chinese market and the needs of consumers, and therefore can launch new goods or services at the fastest speed to meet the needs of the market.

Siyuan Aw

During the epidemic, both governments and enterprises in China have made a quick response, and market emergencies have forced enterprises to carry out strategic adjustment and innovation. One is to accelerate innovation, such as the popularization of online education and online meeting; the other is the transformation based on the survival pressure of enterprises, allowing them to rapidly be devoted to another field to tap the market. The rapid recovery and growth of the Chinese market reflects the innovation and adaptability of the Chinese market.

Yao Qihua

Due to the COVID-19, people have paid more attention to health, and the market has also embraced digitalization. Through the regulation and control during the COVID, China has successfully resumed the operation and production as early as possible. Previous face-to-face meetings can now be held online, without reducing affinity. The current user behavior is changing with mobile and intelligent lifestyle. I hope to have in-depth discussion on how brands can bring consumers closer.

Zhi Qiang

With the changing market environment, different industries are seeking breakthrough from their respective perspectives, and combining different marketing methods through innovation to achieve brand increment. Though being tiny, many creative points do solve the users' bottlenecks. I hope that to explore and provide new methods and reference for the industry by tapping such creative ideas.

Finally, the category is divided into two types: business innovation, product and/or service innovation, aiming to recognize single marketing and business activities or overall marketing projects for business, product and service innovation. Participants are required to elaborate on their challenges, current situation and competitive pattern, as well as the positive impact of product, service or business innovation on the market positioning of their enterprises or commercial brands.

Activities satisfying the definition of this type include: product and/or service innovation; changes in appearance and dimensions of product packaging; design; technological or user experience innovation of products, services or businesses; consumers' participation in product development; operation upgrade, etc.

At the same time, member of the specialty category committee will join hands with Effie Greater China in the coming year to build a new specialty category with more influence in the industry.

Members of Effie Greater China Business, Product, Service Innovation Specialty Category Committee

Alex Xu, President of Effie Greater China, SVP of Effie Worldwide
Allen Cai, Consumer Market Insight/Digitalization/Media/Content at Kraft Heinz Asia
Jessie Guo, Chief Marketing Officer of Microsoft Greater China
Guo Xiao, Chief Marketing Officer of Pop Mart
Muthu K, General Partner of Budweiser Asia Pacific Venture Capital Fund
Siyuan Aw, Chief Strategy Officer of BBH Shanghai
Eva Yao, Head of Marketing Innovation, Digital Transformation Project Lead for AP Region at Bayer Healthcare China
Zhi Qiang, Head of Brand Marketing at Meituan

Company Name:  Effie Greater China Awards
Contact Person: alex
Email:  908509148@qq.com
Country: China
Website: https://www.effie-greaterchina.cn

HONG KONG, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- V1 Group Limited has recently announced that a resolution for changing of the Company's name to Crazy Sports Group Limited ("Crazy Sports") had been approved by shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting.

According to the public announcement, the Company, with Crazy Sports as its core business, is positioning itself as China's leading sports lottery and entertainment company, offering online sports information services, interactive live-streaming, sports quizzes, sports mobile games and offline sports lottery retail services, and is dedicated to building a multi-channel entertainment platform allowing real-time participation in sports events. Following the official change of the Company's name, Crazy Sports is on its path to the next level of expansion, striving at expanding its business scale and market share.

In this connection, Mr. Peng Xitao, CEO of the Group, spoke to Securities Daily.

Reporter: According to the announcement, sports entertainment will become the core business driver of Crazy Sports after the Company's name change. When did you decide on commencing such a bustling sports entertainment business?

Peng Xitao: Subsequent to the release of "Several Opinions of the State Council on Acceleration of the Development of the Sports Industry and Stimulation of the Sports-related Consumption" in the State Council Circular No.46 in October 2014, the sports industry has since been considered a green and emerging industry supported by the Chinese Government, earmarking to reach in excess of RMB5 trillion in aggregate value by 2025. This RMB5 trillion target market size was warmly welcomed by capital market participants who then designated the sports entertainment industry as the next focus of the market with the support from favourable government policies. All these marked the beginning of a trend of rapid growth for the sports entertainment.

In fact, we entered the sports industry years before the release of Circular No.46. Even before we established our forecasts on the value of sports entertainment sector, we had developed a well-articulated, accretive business model for our sports entertainment operations business. Despite having witnessed a downsizing of the sports industry in 2019, the capital market had been continuing to focus its attention on the sector and anticipating substantial investments to capture profit opportunities.

Reporter: Many companies in China are keen to reach out for an integrated sports and entertainment platform. What's the next new strategy for Crazy Sports to secure its target of achieving doubling of its revenue?

Peng Xitao: The sports industry is backed by government policies, providing high potential for market development. The official change of the Company's name not only marks a milestone step for Crazy Sports but also landing of the first Chinese internet sports concept company in the Hong Kong stock market. Capitalising on resources from the capital market, Crazy Sports is set on a high-growth trajectory.

Following years of development, along with granting of approvals for establishment of a sports quiz platform in Hainan and IP rights from FIFPro, we have put in place all necessary segments in our business architecture. As supported by the Hainan sports quiz qualification, leveraging our core competitive edges in sports lottery user base, rich sports event and user big data and top football IPs, we are emerging into a sports and entertainment service operator engaging in sports lottery paid content services, sports social interaction, sports quizzes and sports mobile games. With the upcoming of UEFA Euro, Olympic Games, Winter Olympics, World Cup, and the Asian Cup which is to be hosted in China, the sports industry will be ushered into a period of high growth in the next three years. I firmly believe that we will grow our revenue many times from the current level and become a unicorn in terms of market value among the internet sports entertainment industry in China.

Reporter: An array favourable policies for sports sector have been introduced in Hainan in April this year. Also noted in the announcement, Hainan sport quiz will be a core support of the business. What is the latest update of progress of the business?

Peng Xitao: In February, Crazy Sports entered into strategic cooperation with Huochain Technology under Huobi Group to establish a transparent and credible online sports quiz system and platform driven by block chain technologies.

The UEFA Euro will become a euphoria among football fans joining our sports quiz and entertainment events. In line with its user attributes and developmental model of the sports quiz business, Crazy Sports will launch more inviting games tapping the UEFA Euro euphoria. Meanwhile, based our expertise and sports events big data accumulated over the years, Crazy Sports has prepared to offer more professional sports analysis, generating data to be shared in quizzes and other segments, delivering the most exciting entertainment experiences to the users.

Reporter: The UEFA Euro is going to be the first among the major sports events to be held in 2021. How has Crazy Sports prepared for the event?

Peng Xitao: Crazy Sports signed with the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels (FIFPro), an international sports organization, in January this year an agreement to secure FIFPro IP rights between 2021 and 2023. This marks the beginning of our UEFA Euro strategy in mobile games. We will soon launch our flagship UEFA Euro mobile game Ace Soccer.

Crazy Red Insights is well prepared for the UEFA Euro, including enhancements and upgrading of product features, engaging more celebrity experts, and enlisting cooperation channels such as V and Cbox. In particular, Cbox owns broadcasting rights for the UEFA Euro and has a huge user coverage base. At present, we are also actively expanding our cooperation channels. With major sports events around the corner, there will be increasing demand from entry-level users for lottery information on Crazy Red Insights. To cater to the emerging market, Crazy Red Insights will step up investment and promotion efforts in all applicable markets to entice more new users. During the UEFA Euro, the 27 sports channels in cooperation with Crazy Red Insights will see exponential growth in usage traffic, and so will Crazy Red Insights, www.zgzcw.com and Crazy Sports. Based on our experience, sales from Crazy Red Insights are expected to increase two to three folds during the UEFA Euro.

Reporter: Besides online business, what is the current progress of the new sports lottery retail business partnered with convenience stores? Any information on regional coverage and relevant data that can be shares with the public?

Peng Xitao: Our new sports lottery retail business has been running smoothly this year, and we have been seeing our contracted convenience store chains steadily adding outlets with sports lottery sale facilities. For the four months ended April, newly added lottery retail POS accounted for 83.35% of total number of retail POS last year. The newly added channels include Lakala, Lawson in Anhui, Milan Express in Tianjin, Tianfu in Hunan, Sanyou Aijia Supermarket in Chongqing and Manhao Convenience Store in Anhui, across 11 provinces. The number of retail POS is forecasted to reach 5,000 by end-June this year. As the expansion of retail POS accelerates, we are paying more attention to the quality control of retail POS. By end-March this year, we launched our proprietary maintenance and management platform for convenience store channels, improving significantly our operational efficiency.