Latest news with #IW
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Cape Town launch of 'Hollywood on the Veld' by Ted Botha (July 19)
ABOUT Hollywood on the Veld In 1913 a secretive American millionaire who lived on the top floor of the famous Carlton Hotel had a crazy idea: to make movies in Johannesburg. Not just any movies but the biggest in the world, huge spectacles with elaborate sets, thousands of extras and epic story lines. Isidore Schlesinger, better known as 'IW', built a studio on a farm called Killarney, where he set out to challenge a place in America that was in its infancy: Hollywood. The glamour, gossip and high drama of IW's studio fit perfectly into a city experiencing an intoxicating golden age. There was as much action on the movie sets as there was on screen, from political intrigue and the clashing of huge egos to public outbursts, fiery judicial inquiries, disaster and death. Behind the mad enterprise was a maverick, a tycoon, a recluse, a friend of the famed and the connected. IW could have held his own in California but he chose as his base the City of Gold, and his indomitable ambition saw his 'Hollywood on the Veld' soar. This is the never-been-told-before story of the rise and fall of the strangest and most unique movie empire ever.
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
The golden age of cinema in the City of Gold — Ted Botha discusses ‘Hollywood on the Veld'
ABOUT THE BOOK: In 1913 a secretive American millionaire who lived on the top floor of the famous Carlton Hotel had a crazy idea: to make movies in Johannesburg. Not just any movies but the biggest in the world, huge spectacles with elaborate sets, thousands of extras and epic story lines. Isidore Schlesinger, better known as 'IW', built a studio on a farm called Killarney, where he set out to challenge a place in America that was in its infancy: Hollywood. The glamour, gossip and high drama of IW's studio fit perfectly into a city experiencing an intoxicating golden age. There was as much action on the movie sets as there was on screen, from political intrigue and the clashing of massive egos to public outbursts, fiery judicial inquiries, disaster and death. Behind the mad enterprise was a maverick, a tycoon, a recluse, a friend of the famed and the connected. IW could have held his own in California but he chose as his base the City of Gold, and his indomitable ambition saw his 'Hollywood on the Veld' soar. This is the never-been-told-before story of the rise and fall of the strangest and most unique movie empire ever.
Business Wire
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
PitchBook Named an Inspiring Workplace in North America for Second Consecutive Year
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PitchBook, the premier data provider for the private and public capital markets, today announced it has been named a 2025 North American Inspiring Workplace by Inspiring Workplaces Group (IW), in association with Employera. The award recognizes organizations that foster cultures of trust, inclusivity, and purpose through exceptional leadership, employee wellbeing initiatives, and a commitment to creating environments where individuals can thrive. Winners are evaluated across six key areas including culture and purpose, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion, employee voice, and employee experience. This marks the second year in a row that PitchBook has been honored, placing 38th on the 2025 list. 'PitchBook has built a dynamic and people-first culture that aligns deeply with its mission of bringing transparency to capital markets. Their well-defined values—Customers are King, Excellence as a State of Mind, Embrace and Drive Change, Focus on Focus, and Make it Fun—are evident in their approach to leadership, well-being, and employee engagement. Their commitment to fostering innovation, inclusion, and professional growth is truly commendable,' said IW's judges. PitchBook continues to evolve its workplace culture through a range of programs and initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, career development, and belonging. From expanded mental health benefits and inclusive leadership training to employee-led resource groups and global volunteer efforts, PitchBook remains focused on creating an environment where every global team member feels valued and supported. 'The people here are without a doubt what makes PitchBook so special. They are the key drivers behind our success,' said Rod Diefendorf, President and COO of PitchBook. 'It starts with hiring people who align with our core values, but then continuing to invest in their development, well-being, and success. We are incredibly proud of the environment we've cultivated and the passionate, talented people who make PitchBook an exceptional place to work. This award is a direct reflection of our incredible team.' With a growing global footprint and a mission-driven approach, PitchBook combines innovative technology with a people-first mindset. The company has nearly 4,000 team members globally across offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, London, and Singapore. The PitchBook Platform delivers unprecedented access to private and public equity markets, serving as an all-in-one research and analysis tool for investment and research professionals—including venture capital and private equity firms, corporate development teams, investment banks, LPs, lenders, law firms, and accounting firms. To learn more about careers at PitchBook, click here. About PitchBook PitchBook is a financial data and software company that provides transparency into the capital markets to help professionals discover and execute opportunities with confidence and efficiency. PitchBook collects and analyzes detailed data across both private and public markets—including VC, PE, leveraged loans, private credit, real estate, real assets, infrastructure, funds of funds, secondaries, co-investments, CLOs, and more. The company's data and analysis are available through the PitchBook Platform, industry news, and in-depth reports. Founded in 2007, PitchBook operates globally with more than 3,000 team members. Its platform, data, and research serve over 100,000 professionals around the world. In 2016, Morningstar acquired PitchBook, which now operates as an independent subsidiary. About The Inspiring Workplaces Group – Change The World Inspiring Workplaces is headquartered in the UK and operates in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australasia. Inspiring Workplaces™ believes in recognizing and helping to shape the forward-thinking organizations of the future that put their people first. By shedding light on these innovative workplaces, Inspiring Workplaces helps to encourage positive change by providing a source of inspiration and education for others who seek it.
Local Germany
17-06-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
Foreign students contribute far more to the German economy than they cost
There are approximately 405,000 international students currently enrolled at universities in Germany – many of whom are attracted by the world class facilities and low- to no tuition costs. The absence of tuition fees means that many international students can study more cost-effectively in Germany than they can in their home countries. But that's not to say that foreign students get all of the benefit of leeching off of Germany's education system without giving anything back. In fact, the investment in foreign students' education by the German state pays for itself within three years of graduation, and eight times over in the course of a lifetime, according to a study by the Institute for Economic Research (IW) – making it clear how important international students have become to Germany's economy and future prosperity. Approximately 79,000 international students began their studies in Germany in 2022. The IW study looks at the projected economic impact of this cohort from the start of their studies through to retirement. Comparing the total taxes and social security contributions these students are expected to pay over their working lives in Germany to the public benefits and state investments they're likely to receive, the researchers calculated a total surplus of €15.5 billion. READ ALSO: Everything that changes for international students in 2025 The figure of €15.5 billion is based on the assumption that around 40 percent of the 2022 cohort will remain in Germany. Advertisement If 30 percent of the cohort remains in Germany, the study projects that their net fiscal contribution will exceed government expenditure by €7.4 billion. If 50 percent of the cohort stays in Germany, the figure rises to €26 billion. In the first scenario, where 40 percent of students stay long enough to work and pay taxes, their contributions will exceed the costs of their education within just three years of graduation. Germany holds one of the world's highest retention rates for international students. According to a 2022 OECD study, 45 percent of foreign students were still living in Germany ten years after enrolling. 'Investing in the education of international students strengthens the skilled labour base in Germany, which drives economic growth in the long term,' said IW Director Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther. One unexpected insight provided by the IW study is the degree to which international students start contributing to the German economy even before they graduate, by taking on part-time work (often connected with their field of study). Advertisement While international students in Germany are permitted to work during their studies, however, the challenges associated with finding employment and securing the necessary visas can rise substantially after graduation. The IW study reinforces the argument for streamlining residency applications and work permits for former students. In order to keep graduates in the country – and to maximise their economic and academic impact – the study recommends introducing a range of improved integration policies, including tailored immigration support, smoother legal processes, and targeted recruitment strategies. READ ALSO: Could foreign medical students in Germany be charged tuition fees?
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
REVIEW: Hollywood on the Veld, when movie mayhem gripped the City of Gold
Isidore Schlesinger, better known as 'IW', built a studio on a farm called Killarney, where he set out to challenge a place in America that was in its infancy: Hollywood. In 1913, an American millionaire living on the top floor of Johannesburg's Carlton Hotel had an extraordinary idea: to make films in Johannesburg. And not just any films, but the biggest in the world, grand spectacles with elaborate sets, thousands of extras, and epic storylines. Isidore Schlesinger arrived in South Africa with almost nothing. He set out to make his fortune selling American goods, telling his parents he'd return either a millionaire or a pauper. Known as 'IW', Schlesinger built a film studio on a farm called Killarney, with the ambitious goal of rivalling a place that was itself only just emerging—Hollywood, which at the time was still farmland outside Los Angeles, dotted with shacks and barns. Though movies were still in their infancy in 1913, and despite having no background in entertainment, Schlesinger quickly made his mark on the global film scene. He launched 'The African Mirror', a newsreel series, and sent crews as far as East Africa to document World War I. His production company was among the first to shoot on location outdoors, while Hollywood was still confining itself to studios and painted backdrops. Schlesinger's crews filmed across the bushveld, at historic battlefields, Victoria Falls, and the forests of Portuguese East Africa - well beyond the comfort zones of most of his contemporaries. He was deeply passionate about South Africa's landscapes and cinematic potential. The glamour and ambition of IW's Killarney studio mirrored the mood of early 20th-century Johannesburg, a city in the midst of a heady golden age.
