Artificial Intelligence

Purina in Society Report showcases Purina’s positive impact on the lives of pets, people and the planet, while also revealing 8 trends that will shape the future of the petcare market

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2021

On the eve of the United Nations’ World Environment Day, Purina has revealed eight trends that will impact the future of petcare. This data has been released as part of their 3rd Purina in Society Report, which also details emerging challenges for the petcare industry, with key findings identified on the basis of more than 100 interviews with vets, media, sector leaders, Purina partners and key opinion leaders.

The Purina in Society (PinS) Report also showcases the impact of Purina’s initiatives, partnerships and collaborations on the lives of pets, the people who love them and the planet. The report provides a detailed account of progress against Purina’s commitments to society and it is prepared in accordance with GRI Standards Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (2018/2020) at the Core option.

In the last 2 years, among other activities, Purina has:

Launched 30 new products to improve the health and wellbeing of pets – including PRO PLAN® LIVECLEAR®, the first and only cat food that reduces allergens present on cat hair and dander, which has been awarded the Allergy UK ‘Allergy Friendly Product Award’.
Reached 94% of deforestation free soya and 78% of packaging designed to be recyclable
Supported the adoption of 98,731 pets – in the UK our financial support focused on helping Cats Protection feed one million meals to cats in their care.
Created 209 Pets at Work alliances to support pet friendly workplaces across Europe – in the UK Purina has supported companies to become dog friendly and will continue to champion the mental health benefits pets at work can bring as offices begin to reopen.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, donated over £190,000 to four charities across the UK & Ireland (Cats Protection, Canine Partners, the RSPCA and the DSPCA)

Jeff Hamilton, CEO at Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe, Middle East and North Africa, said: “We are in the process of defining new ambitions and will be reviewing our commitments to ensure that we can truly operate within the planetary limits and positively impact people and society at large. This will push us to go further and faster, drive progress on social issues and continue to fulfil our purpose – creating richer lives for pets and the people who love them.“

Calum Macrae, Regional Managing Director for Purina UK & Ireland said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we have managed to achieve in both the UK and Ireland, particularly through our charity partnerships, which became more important than ever during the pandemic. COVID-19 has brought us all many challenges over the past year but what has become clear is that the role of the pet human bond has never been stronger, with more and more people choosing to own a pet. This is a trend that looks set to continue and we will continue to champion the vital role pets have to play – we want to work to create a resilient future for pets, our planet and the communities where we operate.”

During the pandemic, Purina donated over £190,000 to charity partners across the UK & Ireland (including Cats Protection, Canine Partners, the RSPCA and the DSPCA in Ireland) that helped to ensure that our four legged friends were not forgotten at the height of the crisis. The donations were aimed at helping charities struggling with the loss of their usual income to still provide ongoing support to pets in their care. Over 150,000 meals were also donated directly to animal welfare charities across the UK and Ireland. In addition, 550,000 meals were donated to Community Shop – a social enterprise supermarket – which sells food to its members at discounted rates. Meaning that much-loved family pets could continue to be fed when finances became strained due to COVID-19.

The report also highlights the changes facing the sector as a whole. Based on insights from market research and more than 100 interviews to industry experts, Purina has shared eight trends that will shape – or are already shaping – the future of the petcare as well as six challenges that the industry will face:

Trends:

Increase of pet ownership – Recently published Euromonitor figures show an acceleration in pet acquisition across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, compared to 2019 where pet population growth was 3m. 2020 saw the total pet population grow by 5.1m across the region – representing an incremental growth of 70%.
Changes to the future of work as a result of the recent requirement for remote working^[1].
Shift to e-commerce – Historic share gains for e-commerce were amplified last year as shoppers looked to socially distance^[2].
Growing preference for alternative ingredients/alternative proteins – Declining natural resources on a global scale puts pressure on reducing consumption or finding alternative sources. Moreover, as Millennial pet parents treat their dogs and cats like a member of the family, more dogs are now consuming flexitarian diets – with food made from animal and plant proteins^[3].
Continued demand for more natural food driven by both health and animal welfare concerns^[4].
Elevated understanding of the societal impact of pet ownership and the opportunity to positively affect human health, education and communities^[5].
Seamless, AI enabled, and optimised solutions including personalised nutrition – People are turning to intelligent ways of managing their lives through digital technology, powered by big data, AI and predictive intelligence. As tech fuels better consumer experiences and new services in other areas of their lives, people’s expectations for seamless, customised and enjoyable products and experiences in pet care will become heightened^[6].
New demands for corporate transparency^[7] – Consumers want to be able to assess the environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions including environmental impacts and animal welfare in the value chain; ingredient transparency.

Challenges^[8]:

Supply chain resilience – During 2020, manufacturers faced unprecedented challenges in a global pandemic. Obstacles with a healthy workforce, procuring raw materials or in cross-border trade did in some cases impact stocks and could impact in the nearer future.
Inequal access to affordable pet care products – due to both availability and the impact of the pandemic on income.
Scarcity of ingredients – and the need to manage the availability of resources to stay within the planetary limits.
Nestlé Group commitment to net zero and potential new business models.
Environmental impact of sourcing and packaging on our planetary health.
Continued technology-driven transformation of the economy and the way we live our lives and produce petfood.

Notes to Editors

For more information, please visit https://www.purina.eu/sites/default/files/2021-06/purinareport2020v2.pdf or review the Purina in Society Report Factsheet shared along with this press release.

Plans are already in place to ensure that Purina’s remaining commitments in areas such as Responsible Sourcing for seafood ingredients are also completed.

^[1] McKinsey Global Institute, What’s next for remote work: An analysis of 2,000 tasks, 800 jobs, and nine countries
November 23, 2020: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/whats-next-for-remote-work-an-analysis-of-2000-tasks-800-jobs-and-nine-countries
^[2]Euromonitor, 2020.
^[3] Kantar, 2021
^[4] Mintel, 2020
^[5] Purina, 2020, “The role of the pet-human bond: Review and summary of the evidence (2020)” ^[6] Kantar, 2021
^[7] Globescan Purina Stakeholder Research, 2020. And other sources such as Kantar, November 2020: A purpose-led strategy will be essential for businesses following COVID-19
^[8] Globescan Purina Stakeholder Research, 2020.

Related Topics:Calum Macrae Jeff Hamilton latest-news

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Wladimir P.

Wladimir P. is a Content Editor at European Gaming Media and at PICANTE Media and covers a large variety of industries.

Artificial Intelligence

Wirex Executive Joins CryptoUK’s New Policy Committee

Published

24 mins ago

May 21, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

wirex-executive-joins-cryptouk’s-new-policy-committee

LONDON, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wirex, a leading Web3 money app, is proud to announce that Chet Shah, Global Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Wirex, has joined CryptoUK’s newly established Policy Committee.

CryptoUK, the premier trade body representing the UK’s digital asset sector, formed its new Policy Committee which brings together industry-leading experts from the legal, regulatory, and compliance sectors. The committee’s mission is to provide strategic policy guidance, advocate for regulatory clarity, and foster innovation to support the growth of the UK’s digital assets industry.
This appointment underscores Wirex’s commitment to advancing regulatory clarity and innovation in the digital asset sector.
Chet brings a wealth of experience in risk and compliance. His background covers banking, auditing, and traditional finance, as well as solid expertise in the cryptocurrency space. At Wirex, Chet has been crucial in building and improving relationships with global regulators, including the Financial Conduct Authority, and authorities in countries including Singapore, Croatia, and Italy.
Chet’s approach prioritises commercially focused compliance and risk management, ensuring that Wirex operates smoothly at the intersection of traditional finance and Web3. His ability to balance regulatory requirements with innovation has been key to Wirex’s growth and success.
Commenting on his appointment, Chet said, “My experience aligns perfectly with the committee’s goals and together, we can advocate for policies that balance regulation with growth in the digital assets space.”
About Wirex
Wirex is a prominent UK-based digital payments platform with over 6 million customers spread across 130 countries. It offers secure accounts, making it easy for users to store, purchase, and exchange multiple currencies seamlessly. As a principal member of both Visa and Mastercard, Wirex goes beyond traditional services, embracing the evolving trends of Web3 to provide mainstream access to digital finance and wealth management.
Having processed transactions totalling $20 billion, Wirex aims to contribute to the adoption of a cashless society by facilitating straightforward transactions in various currencies worldwide. Wirex is simplifying digital payments, making it more accessible and convenient for people across the globe.
| wirexapp.com |
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Artificial Intelligence

Media Production Company Egg Is Coming Chooses Infortrend SAN Storage to Empower Content Creation Workflows

Published

24 mins ago

May 21, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

TAIPEI, May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Infortrend® Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495), the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, today announced that Korean media production company Egg is coming is leveraging Infortrend’s storage solution for M&E – EonStor DS enterprise SAN storage to empower content creation workflows and store the growing volume of UHD videos they produce.

Egg is coming is a media content production company operating as a spin-off from the South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM Entertainment Division, the distributor of Oscar-winning movie “Parasite”. With the renowned producer Lee Myung-han as its CEO, Egg is coming specializes in production of popular entertainment content, including drama series, broadcast programs, music videos, etc. The team has successfully produced numerous renowned series, including “Hospital Playlist” which became the ninth highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history at the time.
As the company was established, they started looking for a high-speed shared storage solution. Infortrend’s EonStor DS SAN storage came highly recommended by a major media company that has been successfully using it with Tiger Technology’s SAN file sharing solution. Trusting this recommendation, Egg is coming adopted EonStor DS for video editing application. In total, four DS 4016 appliances, expanded with four units of JB 3060L expansion enclosure, were chosen for the initial deployment of the studio’s storage system. The solution provides 1.8 PB total capacity to store ever-expanding UHD video content and enables seamless workflows for 29 simultaneous post-production processes.
“Infortrend’s SAN storage EonStor DS was recommended to us by a major media production company, and we are happy that we adopted the same solution as DS enables fast and comfortable collaboration between 29 video editors,” – said Changmin Sim, the Team Leader of the Video Editing Team at Egg is coming.
Learn more about EonStor DS
About Infortrend
Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more information, please visit www.infortrend.com
Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc.; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Artificial Intelligence

Gcore And Xsolla Announce Partnership To Drive Global Game Distribution And Faster Downloads

Published

24 mins ago

May 21, 2024

CISION (PR Newswire)

gcore-and-xsolla-announce-partnership-to-drive-global-game-distribution-and-faster-downloads

Gcore’s edge network to deliver Xsolla Launcher, ensuring global reach, smoother game downloads and higher conversion rates

LUXEMBOURG, May 21, 2024 May 21, 2024 — Gcore, the global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider, announced its partnership with video game commerce company Xsolla. The alliance will enable Xsolla to provide game developers and publishers with new global distribution channels catering to gamers worldwide, regardless of their locations. With Gcore’s 180 global points of presence (PoPs), players will benefit from reduced time-to-play and smoother, more efficient game downloads.
Xsolla Launcher is a powerful tool for game development companies of all sizes to widen distribution and easily build communities. It streamlines game installation, enhances player communication, and boosts monetization, allowing developers to concentrate on creativity and business logic. By leveraging Gcore’s robust CDN, Xsolla Launcher ensures seamless, speedy game downloads for all players by efficiently fetching and caching game components and initiating rapid downloads upon player request.
“At Xsolla, we’re committed to elevating the gaming experience for developers and players globally,” said David Stelzer, President of Xsolla. “Our collaboration with Gcore’s cutting-edge CDN technology significantly narrows the gap between the game and its players by delivering assets at unparalleled speed. This integration into our new Xsolla Launcher sets the bar for high-performance service and empowers our customers to focus on what they do best: create captivating games.”
Xsolla engineers chose Gcore CDN for its global network of 180+ edge servers, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of game assets worldwide. With a network capacity exceeding 110 Tbps and connectivity to 14,000 peering partners, Gcore averts congestion and disruptions, even during major releases. Operating under strict security measures and meticulous server maintenance, Gcore guarantees exceptional availability. Additionally, Gcore’s CDN integration with its proprietary DNS services further minimizes the risk of service interruptions or outages.
“We’re thrilled to be part of Xsolla’s pioneering solution, driving the gaming industry forward,” commented Ilya Matveev, Business Development Director at Gcore. “Xsolla Launcher brings flexibility to the industry, allowing companies to implement a D2C approach – a way to monetize their existing game fan base without the burden of platform fees. Relying on the power of Gcore’s edge infrastructure, Xsolla Launcher is revolutionizing game distribution by eliminating market barriers, reducing development costs, and fostering creativity.”
Read more about the partnership via this link.
About Gcore
Gcore is a global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider. Headquartered in Luxembourg, with a staff of 600 operating from ten offices worldwide, Gcore provides solutions to global leaders in numerous industries. Gcore manages its global IT infrastructure across six continents, with one of the best network performances in Europe, Africa, and LATAM due to the average response time of 30 ms worldwide. Gcore’s network consists of 180 points of presence worldwide in reliable Tier IV and Tier III data centers, with a total capacity exceeding 110 Tbps.Website | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
About Xsolla
Xsolla is a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla’s mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue, and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in London, Berlin, Beijing, Guangzhou, Seoul, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Raleigh, and cities around the world, Xsolla supports major gaming titles like Valve, Epic Games, Take-Two, KRAFTON, Nexters, NetEase, Playstudios, Playrix, miHoYo, and more.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
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