Latest news with #ACS
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
IPG bets on agentic AI to streamline e-commerce optimization
This story was originally published on Marketing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Marketing Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Interpublic Group (IPG) has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered unit designed to help brands manage and understand how their products are faring in the increasingly complex commerce ecosystem, per a news release. The new Agentic Systems for Commerce (ASC) uses data to generate insights about products, competitors and consumer behavior, including product searches, digital shelf position, pricing and inventory. ACS is being piloted by more than 20 brands, with results that have shown double-digit sales improvement, according to IPG. IPG, which is currently set to be acquired by Omnicom in the second half of this year, reported revenue declines of 6.6% and 7.6% during its second-quarter and first-half results, respectively. Dive Insight: Agentic AI has been getting a lot of attention across industries for its potential to understand and contextualize the information coming out of generative AI chat bots. IPG's launch of Agentic Systems for Commerce (ASC) demonstrates the holding company's commitment to leveraging automation and AI to develop solutions for its clients and new business opportunities. The new unit marks a 'foundational shift for sales and marketing teams to move from standalone tools to intelligent systems,' enabling brands to be less reactive with more unified strategy and performance across the entire e-commerce system, IPG noted in press details. At a time when the ad holding group's revenue is declining, such agentic AI-powered tools could be a value-add amid IPG's revenue struggles. 'We believe products like ASC can become a new revenue stream for us. And it's another way in which we can use AI to scale our expertise and expand our business beyond our core capability set of marketing communications and media into solutions sets that deliver quantifiable results,' said IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky in a release. Krakowsky also recently indicated that AI is an area where there are potential synergies to be realized should the proposed merger with Omnicom go through later this year as scheduled. 'As we expected, we're finding that our respective capabilities in areas such as platforms, data, commerce and AI development are highly complementary,' Krakowsky said during the company's recent earnings call. 'And this gives us a high degree of confidence that the combined assets will be extremely powerful and differentiated in the marketplace. As [Omnicom CEO John Wren] and I have also noted previously, the capacity that the new Omnicom will have to continue to invest and build out on its leadership position in the tech and AI space will be considerable and will further differentiate these offerings over time.' ASC will be led by Dr. Jeriad Zoghby, IPG's chief commerce strategy officer, who joined the company from Accenture in 2023. The initiative was backed by IPG's Global Head of AI commerce Yaniv Sarig, who was part of the company's acquisition of Intelligence Node for a reported $100 million last December. ASC uses data from Intelligence Node to generate insights across digital commerce channels. Recommended Reading 3 takeaways from Omnicom's Q2 earnings as IPG deal nears completion
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Grenade saga: ACS accuses ACSA of having blocked critical screening upgrades at OR Tambo Airport.
Aviation Coordination Services (ACS) has hit back at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Image: File Aviation Coordination Services (ACS) has hit back at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), accusing it of having blocked important upgrades to baggage screening equipment at OR Tambo International Airport. This comes after a passenger managed to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Johannesburg on May 25 with two training grenades in their checked luggage, only for the items to be discovered upon arrival in Addis Ababa. The company also denied that ACSA has the right to terminate its "provision of services" for hold baggage screening at the airport, adding that it has been providing hold baggage screening at the airport for over 25 years and is the legally approved service provider. However, ACSA disputes this claim, arguing that ACS operates without a valid contract and is in breach of procurement laws. In 2023, ACSA decided to insource the hold baggage screening (HBS) function, but was temporarily blocked by a court interdict obtained by ACS. According to the company, the matter is now set for mediation under the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy. ACS said that the recent security breach involving training grenades was due to human error, but could have been avoided if ACSA had permitted upgrades to the screening equipment. "For the past eight years, ACSA has prevented ACS from replacing HBS equipment at airports with more advanced and reliable screening technology. "Had ACS been permitted to carry out the long-term HBS equipment upgrade and replacement, the security incident that took place on 25 May may well have been avoided," the company said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ ACS also claimed that "as a result of ACSA's refusals to allow it to replace the HBS equipment, ACS had to resort to bringing several urgent proceedings before the High Court in an attempt to force ACSA to permit the interim replacement of Level 3 back-up machines". "ACS was successful in these proceedings and obtained three consecutive court orders against ACSA between November 2024 and May 2025". However, ACSA described this claim as "factually incorrect," stating that any replacement of HBS equipment must be approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). ACSA added that SACAA has previously communicated to ACS that it lacks the authority to replace HBS equipment, as ACS is not an airport operator. "ACSA had issued a tender worth approximately R3.1 billion for the replacement of the entire HBS equipment. However, ACS obtained an interdict blocking ACSA from adjudicating the tender until the court's review of ACSA's decision to insource," ACSA said. ACS also accused ACSA of delaying notification of the incident by 10 days, which slowed their investigation. "Our investigation confirmed that the items were 'Free From Explosive' (FFE) grenades, which are deactivated and used for training purposes and are safe for transportation. While the suspicious baggage was detected at Level 1 and Level 2 screening points, it was mistakenly cleared by a screener at Level 3". In response, ACSA said that Ethiopian Airlines sent communication regarding the incident to an ACSA employee who was not the designated official as stipulated in the regulatory reporting arrangement, and "as a result, the communication was not immediately brought to the attention of the designated official". "When the designated official was made aware, the matter was immediately reported to SACAA, and ACS was notified. The issue of the delayed reporting is being investigated, and appropriate action will be taken". ACSA said. "While the matter of the delayed reporting is being addressed, this should not detract from the fact that the reason for the occurrence of the incident, which is negligent human error, took place under the watch of an unregulated and unlawful operator". ACS added that it has "zero tolerance to any form of security breach and deems this incident as gross negligence by the screener, hence this led to the dismissal". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
ACS refutes ACSA claims over OR Tambo grenade security breach
ACS said the grenades were mistakenly cleared due to outdated equipment. Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS) has rejected Airports Company South Africa's (ACSA) claims after a man travelled to Ethiopia from OR Tambo International Airport with two deactivated grenades. The grim incident came to light when Ethiopian Airlines notified ACSA that a passenger who had departed from OR Tambo in Johannesburg was found with the training grenades during reverse hold baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mistake This triggered an immediate urgent response with ACSA announcing its intention to terminate the services of ACS, the third-party operator responsible for hold baggage screening (HBS) at OR Tambo International Airport. ACS CEO Duke Phahla said the training items were mistakenly cleared due to outdated equipment at the airport. ALSO READ: Acsa loses appeal for control of baggage screening services at major airports Risk Phala said, contrary to ACSA's claims, it is not entitled to terminate the provision of services by ACS and accused the airport operator of blocking ACS from replacing HBS equipment at airports with more advanced and reliable screening technology, putting aviation security at risk. 'Had ACS been permitted to carry out the long-term HBS equipment upgrade and replacement, the security incident that took place on 25 May may well have been avoided. 'Our investigation found that the screener on duty was fully certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and the company that he worked for was appointed on the panel of security service providers and vetted by ACSA,' Phala said. Screener dismissed Phahla, the screener, had completed all required training, had passed recent assessments and had over ten years of screening experience. However, he said that due to the seriousness of the breach, the screener was immediately suspended and later dismissed following the outcome of a formal disciplinary process. 'While the investigation concluded that human error was the immediate cause of the incident, it is critical that it be viewed in the broader context of the long-standing obstruction, by ACSA, of ACS's efforts to replace the HBS equipment with more advanced and reliable screening technology'. Phala said ACS has 'zero tolerance to any form of security breach' and deems this incident to be gross negligence by the screener, which led to dismissal. NOW READ: Acsa wants a look over in fight over baggage screening services
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Urgent measles warning issued to Aussies
Northern Territory health authorities have issued a measles alert after a man travelled through multiple tourism hotspots before ending up in hospital in north Queensland. NT Health issued the alert on Saturday morning, warning anyone who was on tourism trips in the state, at restaurant in Kakadu National Park, or travelled through Darwin or Alice Springs Airports on specific dates in July to be alert for measles symptoms. These include a fever, sore eyes, a runny nose, a cough, and a blotchy red rash. 'Check your vaccination status,' an NT Health spokesperson said. 'Measles is highly contagious but preventable with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.' Health authorities suspect the man who travelled while infectious acquired measles in Indonesia. Measles can be deadly for children. ACS Credit: Supplied 'The NT Centre for Disease Control is urging Territorians to be alert following confirmation of a measles case who travelled through Darwin and Alice Springs while infectious,' the alert reads. 'The individual, likely infected overseas, visited multiple public locations in the NT between July 17 and 23.' NT Health says the man was likely infectious when he went on an all-day tour with Ethical Adventures in Litchfield National Park on July 17. The next day, he left for an overnight tour with AAPT Kings Jabiru, and was at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru from 6pm to 8pm on July 18. The measles alert does not account for his movements the next two days, but the next listed location is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, from 1pm to 3pm on July 20. It is believed the man then went to Darwin Airport at 3.30pm and flew to Alice Springs on Qantas flight QF1960, arriving at 7pm. On Wednesday, July 23, the man flew from Alice Springs to Cairns on Air North flight TL361. 'Anyone who attended these locations during these times should monitor for symptoms … Symptoms can take up to 18 days after exposure to develop,' the alert said. 'The vaccine is safe and effective, and available from your GP, local health centre, Aboriginal health clinic, and vaccinating pharmacies.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
State's priority is to ensure no human life is endangered due to negligence: Gujarat CM
Gandhinagar: Addressing a conference of collectors and other district administration officials on Friday, chief minister Bhupendra Patel said that the state's priority is to ensure no human life is endangered due to negligence. He directed the officials to ensure that public safety is a priority of the administration. The state revenue department organised the video conference to review revenue operations as part of simplifying public-facing administration and processes. An official statement said that various pending applications on the iORA portal were reviewed for timely resolution, along with discussions on resolved farmer verification cases, cases converted from new to old tenure, and other pending revenue-related cases. The statement said that during the conference, departmental operations, pending vigilance references, MLA/MP references, and other matters were also reviewed. ACS revenue department, Jayanti Ravi, instructed for an action plan to be made for the quick resolution of over 37,000 pending court cases in the state, with a district-wise review and a detailed roadmap to be created in consultation with senior law officers of the high court and district legal officers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Female Athletes Right Now Undo Ravi advocated for increased use of artificial intelligence in district administration for re-survey operations and reviewing revenue resolutions and circulars. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Jayanti Ravi stated that these regular VC conferences of collectors/resident additional collectors organised by the revenue department are becoming a decisive and important medium for the quick resolution of district-level issues through e-governance. They facilitate the smooth implementation of public-oriented decisions and bring transparency to revenue operations, the statement said. The statement said that officials of the CMO provided instructions to the collectors during the conference, emphasising inspection of govt buildings and infrastructure like roads, dams, bridges, canals, barrages, govt hospitals, schools, and anganwadis to ensure public safety. The statement added that collectors were also directed by CMO officials to crack down on instances of illegal mining in their respective jurisdictions.
