Connect with us

Technology

Layered Reality, creators of the forthcoming immersive experience ‘Elvis Evolution’, sign strategic partnership with Technicolor Group, home of The Mill

Published

on

Technicolor Group’s The Mill will first be tasked to create the most realistic & authentic Elvis using AI under Layered Reality Studio head Simon Reveley

The Mill was one of the earliest pioneers of VFX for icon replacements, winning a BAFTA & Oscar for their work on the movie ‘Gladiator’ and most recently winning 3 Cannes Gold Lions with FCB NY and Michelob for the virtual Williams Formula 1 race “Lap of Legends”Layered Reality also announce the expansion of their in-house studio team with world class production talent from Harry Potter, Royal Albert Hall, Eurovision, Royal National Theatre and Commonwealth Games

LONDON, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Layered Reality, the UK’s leading immersive entertainment company, has penned a strategic partnership agreement with Technicolor Group, famed for its global network of BAFTA and Academy Award-winning visual effects studios. The partnership will be executed via Technicolor’s advertising and experience studio, The Mill, which is headquartered in London and has offices in Paris, New York, LA, Seoul, Shanghai and Bangalore.

The agreement will see The Mill partner on multiple projects with Layered Reality, including using AI technology to create the most realistic and authentic version of Elvis, led by Layered Reality’s newly expanded in-house studio team. Layered Reality Studios has recently welcomed world-class talent to bring back the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, including Executive Producer Oran Doyle (Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, Stranger Things: The Experience); Digital Producer Catherine Hayward (Commonwealth Games); Production Manager Al Parkinson (Royal National Theatre, Cameron Mackintosh); Technical Director Ollie Jeffrey (Royal Albert Hall) and Producer Sophie Scotchford (Eurovision 2023).

Simon Reveley, Head of Layered Reality Studio says “The Mill has a history of being pioneers, innovators and world class artists. We’re thrilled to work with them, utilising the latest in Artificial Intelligence to deliver more for our audiences. The integration of AI into The Mill’s arsenal of world class VFX tools, in the hands of their global network of award-winning artists, will help us deliver truly magical moments; the kind of moments that take your breath away.”

Mark Benson, President, The Mill says “We are very excited about the potential for our partnership with Layered Reality and helping to put Elvis back in the building. We are tasked with bringing Elvis back digitally by collecting and ingesting images and film archive clips to train AI models on Elvis’s face so we can recreate famous Elvis live performances. The Mill’s outstanding creative and tech talent will once again push the boundaries of what is possible, to deliver an extraordinary, authentic and thrilling theatrical event.”

In January this year Layered Reality announced they had secured the global licensing rights to create ‘Elvis Evolution’ from the owners of Elvis’ estate Authentic Brands Group. The immersive experience will bring the global musical icon back through the power of AI, augmented reality, live theatre and multi-sensory effects in a celebration of his life and legacy. Tickets go on sale later this year and ‘Elvis Evolution’ is due to open in Spring 2025.

Andrew McGuinness, Founder and CEO of Layered Reality comments

“Securing the best talent and partners is crucial for us to deliver outstanding immersive experiences. The Mill has an unrivaled pedigree in creating extraordinary digital effects spanning back to one of the earliest examples of icon replacement which won them a BAFTA for their work on Gladiator. They are at the forefront of utilising new technologies for creative innovative entertainment and we are delighted to have secured their partnership. Their support, and our talented new in-house team, means we are confident of delivering a superlative immersive experience for Elvis fans everywhere.”

Layered Reality is the creator of London’s longest running and most highly rated immersive experiences, with Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds celebrating its fifth year and being placed in the top 10% of attractions globally by TripAdvisor reviewers. They also have a pipeline of global IP’s which will be announced over the coming months.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Layered Reality

Layered Reality’s multi-award-winning experience Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience, has over 10,000 five-star customer reviews, and has won Tripadvisor’s Travellers choice, ranking top 10% of all attractions globally. In addition, it is London’s no. 1 immersive night out and top rated 5/5 on Tripadvisor. Other experiences by Layered Reality include the highly successful The Gunpowder Plot https://gunpowderimmersive.com, currently running in London, and ELVIS EVOLUTION https://elvis.layeredreality.com/, a new immersive experience celebrating the world’s biggest star of stage and screen, launching in 2025. For more information about Layered Reality, visit https://www.layeredreality.com/

Layered Reality (www.layeredreality.com), the UK’s leading immersive experience specialist, has secured the global rights to celebrate Elvis Presley in a digital form. The rights provide Layered Reality with global exclusivity for the creation of immersive experiences based upon Presley’s life story and music. *The global rights were secured from Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) (https://corporate.authentic.com/) who obtained ownership of the rights to ELVIS™’ estate in November 2013.

About The Mill

We create and deliver world-class content & visual experiences. We do this by leveraging creative technology to deliver famous, trail blazing work, across any screen, app, theatrical, art, ride, event, fashion, sport, and immersive experience with an unwavering commitment to creative excellence in all that we do, across every stage of the process. Our content creators and experience makers, directors, artists, animators, technologists and producers partner our clients to bring their vision to life and delight consumers world-wide.

About the Technicolor Group
Technicolor Group is a creative technology company providing world-class production expertise driven by one purpose: The realization of ambitious and extraordinary ideas. Home to a network of award-winning studios, MPC, The Mill, Mikros Animation and Technicolor Games, we inspire creative companies across the world to produce their most iconic work. Our global teams of artists and technologists partner with the creative community across film, television, animation, gaming, brand experience and advertising to bring the universal art of storytelling to audiences everywhere.

About Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is one of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century. Often referred to as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Elvis’ commanding voice and charismatic stage presence unleashed a musical and cultural revolution that changed the world. Over the course of his extraordinary career, Elvis was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards (3 wins), sold over 1 billion records worldwide, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was named “One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation” by the United States Jaycees, as well as the 2018 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In addition to his musical accolades, Elvis starred in 33 films and made numerous television appearances. More than 60 years after his global debut, Elvis’ legacy is stronger than ever. His life and music have inspired countless hit musicals, movies and TV series’, fiction and non-fiction books, musical covers, and commercial endorsements, as well as a robust merchandise program spanning collectibles and fashion collaborations. An enduring symbol of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s” stardom, Graceland, Elvis’ Memphis home, is the second most-visited home in the United States after the White House, drawing over 600,000 visitors annually and tens of thousands of fans for its Elvis Week celebration. With more than 17 million fans across social media and a growing multimedia presence, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” continues to inspire today’s most influential musicians, designers, entertainers, and social influencers and captivate audiences around the world.

About Authentic Brands Group
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a global brand development, marketing and entertainment platform, which owns a portfolio of more than 50 iconic and world-renowned Lifestyle, Entertainment and Media brands. Headquartered in New York City, with offices around the world, Authentic connects strong brands with best-in-class partners and a global network of operators, distributors and retailers to build long-term value in the marketplace. Its brands generate more than $29 billion in global annual retail sales and have an expansive retail footprint in 150 countries, including 13,100-plus freestanding stores and shop-in-shops and 370,000 points of sale. Authentic is committed to transforming brands by delivering powerful storytelling, compelling content, innovative business models and immersive experiences. It creates and activates original marketing strategies to drive the success of its brands across all consumer touchpoints, platforms and emerging media. Authentic’s brand portfolio includes Marilyn Monroe®, ELVIS™ Presley®, Muhammad Ali®, Shaquille O’Neal®, David Beckham®, Dr. J®, Greg Norman®, Neil Lane®, Thalia®, Sports Illustrated®, Reebok®, Brooks Brothers®, Barneys New York®, Judith Leiber®, Ted Baker®, Hunter®, Vince®, Hervé Léger®, Hickey Freeman®, Frye®, Nautica®, Juicy Couture®, Vince Camuto®, Lucky Brand®, Aéropostale®, Forever 21®, Nine West®, Rockport®, Eddie Bauer®, Boardriders®, Quiksilver®, Billabong®, Roxy®, DC Shoes®, RVCA®, Element®, VonZipper®, Honolua®, Spyder®, Volcom®, Shark®, Tretorn®, Prince®, Airwalk®, Izod®, Jones New York®, Van Heusen®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Arrow® and Thomasville®.

For more information, visit corporate.authentic.com.
Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/layered-reality-creators-of-the-forthcoming-immersive-experience-elvis-evolution-sign-strategic-partnership-with-technicolor-group-home-of-the-mill-302187410.html

SOURCE The Mill

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

New white paper on closing the AI fluency gap to support workforce retention published by the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies

Published

on

By

New paper by Dr. Wayne L. McCoy examines how employers can turn AI skill development into a talent retention strategy.

PHOENIX, Ariz., June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has published a new white paper, “The Retention Mandate: Bridging the AI Fluency Gap to Secure the 2026 Workforce,” authored by Wayne L. McCoy, DM, MBA, and released through the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR).

The paper examines a growing workplace challenge: employees are rapidly building artificial intelligence skills, while many organizations are still developing the policies, processes and career pathways needed to support AI-enabled work. Drawing on the 2026 Career Optimism Index® study and research on workplace psychology, technology readiness and organizational governance, McCoy argues that AI fluency is no longer only a productivity issue — it is a retention issue.

“Workers are not waiting for organizations to define the future of AI at work,” said McCoy. “Many are already learning, experimenting and building confidence with AI tools. The opportunity for employers is to create the structure around that energy with clear standards, practical training, manager support and career pathways that help employees see a future inside the organization.”

The white paper identifies what McCoy describes as an AI fluency gap: a disconnect between worker skill development and organizational readiness. It notes that employee-led AI learning can create mobility and confidence, but also uncertainty when job descriptions, policies, training systems and manager expectations do not keep pace.

What the white paper addresses

“The Retention Mandate” examines how organizations can better align people, processes, technology and data as AI becomes more embedded in the workplace. The paper highlights several factors shaping AI workforce retention:

Employee-led AI learning and “shadow learning”AI’s impact on productivity, skills development and professional identityPsychological safety and employee trust during AI adoptionGovernance structures for responsible organizational AI useManager capability as a driver of employee confidence and retention

The paper proposes a four-step roadmap for employers seeking to strengthen AI readiness and retain AI-fluent talent:

Define AI career pathways and standardsEstablish skills assessment systemsExpand training, tools and structured enablementBuild AI capability among managers

McCoy’s analysis positions AI adoption as a socio-technical transformation, not simply a technology rollout. The paper encourages organizations to pair AI implementation with clear governance, workforce development and leadership practices that support employee confidence, adaptability and long-term engagement.

About the author

Wayne L. McCoy, DM, MBA, serves as a dissertation chair and staff faculty member in University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies. He brings experience in business leadership, technology, entrepreneurship and higher education instruction. McCoy earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Management from University of Phoenix.

“The Retention Mandate: Bridging the AI Fluency Gap to Secure the 2026 Workforce” is available on the College of Doctoral Studies’ Research Hub.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

About the College of Doctoral Studies
University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-white-paper-on-closing-the-ai-fluency-gap-to-support-workforce-retention-published-by-the-university-of-phoenix-college-of-doctoral-studies-302805050.html

SOURCE University of Phoenix

Continue Reading

Technology

SmartEsq Wins LegalTechTalk 2026 LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition, Recognized as a Leading AI Innovator Transforming Private Funds Law

Published

on

By

SmartEsq, an AI-powered legal technology platform built for private fund formation lawyers, has won the LegalTechTalk 2026 LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition, beating out hundreds of applicants to be named the top legal technology innovator at one of the industry’s most prominent global events. The company’s platform targets some of the most time-intensive work in private funds law — LPA review, side letter analysis, and MFN management — replacing fragmented, email-driven workflows with AI-powered processes that the company says reduce manual effort by up to 80%. SmartEsq was founded by private equity attorneys and legal technologists with more than 105 years of combined experience in fund formation, artificial intelligence, and data science. The win comes as law firms and legal departments accelerate their move toward specialized AI tools capable of handling the precision and risk standards that complex legal work demands. As the 2026 LaunchPad winner, SmartEsq will return to the main stage at LegalTechTalk 2027 to present before a global audience of legal leaders, investors, and technology decision-makers.

NEW YORK, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — SmartEsq, the AI-powered legal technology platform transforming private funds formation workflows, today announced it has been named the winner of the prestigious LegalTechTalk 2026 LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition, selected by a distinguished panel of legal, technology, and investment leaders as one of the companies shaping the future of legal services.

“Winning the LegalTechTalk LaunchPad validates what we’re building,” said Esther Chiang, CEO of SmartEsq. “Private funds lawyers face immense pressure to manage complex fund terms with absolute precision. We’re purpose-built to help them work faster and smarter without compromising trust.”

The LaunchPad Startup Pitch Competition is among LegalTechTalk’s most competitive programs, spotlighting the next generation of category-defining legal technology companies. From hundreds of global applicants, only 30 startups were selected to pitch live before an elite panel of judges. SmartEsq emerged as the winner based on its innovation, market opportunity, scalability, and compelling vision for applying AI to some of the legal industry’s most complex and high-value workflows.

“Winning the LegalTechTalk LaunchPad is a powerful validation of what we’re building,” said Esther Chiang, Co-Founder and CEO of SmartEsq. “Private funds lawyers are under tremendous pressure to manage increasingly complex fund terms, side letter obligations, and investor requirements while maintaining absolute precision. Generic AI tools weren’t built for this level of complexity. SmartEsq was. We are purpose-built to help legal professionals work faster, smarter, and with greater confidence without compromising accuracy or trust.”

The recognition reflects a broader shift in the legal industry as firms and legal departments move beyond AI experimentation toward specialized, enterprise-ready solutions built around the unique complexity, standards, and risk requirements of legal work. SmartEsq is leading this transformation by applying artificial intelligence to private fund formation—streamlining LPA review, side letter analysis, and MFN management—to reduce manual work by up to 80%, surface critical insights, and enable lawyers to focus on higher-value strategic counsel.

As the 2026 LaunchPad winner, SmartEsq will return to the main stage at LegalTechTalk 2027, providing an opportunity to showcase its continued innovation before a global audience of legal leaders, investors, and technology decision-makers.

About SmartEsq

SmartEsq is an AI-powered legal technology company purpose-built for private fund formation lawyers. Created by seasoned private equity attorneys and legal technologists with more than 105 years of combined expertise in fund formation, artificial intelligence, and data science, SmartEsq transforms the most complex and time-intensive aspects of fund formation, including LPA markups, side letter management, and MFN analysis. The platform replaces fragmented, email-driven workflows with intelligent, structured processes that improve collaboration between private equity firms and outside counsel, reduce manual effort by up to 80%, and allow lawyers to focus on strategic advice, negotiation, and client outcomes.

Media Contact

Katherine Loanzon, SmartEsq, 1 2155001219, katherine.loanzon@smartesq.ai, https://www.smartesq.ai/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/smartesq-wins-legaltechtalk-2026-launchpad-startup-pitch-competition-recognized-as-a-leading-ai-innovator-transforming-private-funds-law-302805439.html

SOURCE SmartEsq

Continue Reading

Technology

5paisa Capital Launches AlgoSpace: Algo Trading for Everyone, Made Simple and Accessible

Published

on

By

MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5paisa Capital Ltd., one of India’s leading digital brokers, today announced the launch of AlgoSpace at its Algo Convention event at the Bombay Stock Exchange. AlgoSpace is a new algorithmic trading platform designed to make algo trading accessible to every retail trader. 

A product that is meant to make “Algo Trading for Everyone,” AlgoSpace enables users to browse, select, and deploy curated trading strategies – without the need for coding, technical infrastructure, or complex configurations. The platform brings together simplicity, speed, and intelligent automation to help traders participate in algo-driven trading with ease. 

Solving for Simplicity in Algo Trading 

While algorithmic trading has long been associated with institutions and technically advanced traders, retail participation has often been limited by complexity and high entry barriers. AlgoSpace by 5paisa bridges this gap by offering a curated selection of battle-tested strategies, allowing traders to focus on strategy selection rather than technical implementation. 

With instant deployment and seamless integration into the 5paisa trading ecosystem, AlgoSpace by 5paisa removes friction at every step – making algo trading intuitive, efficient, and accessible. 

Commenting on the launch, Gaurav Seth, MD & CEO, 5paisa Capital, said: 

“At 5paisa, our focus has always been on simplifying advanced trading tools for retail India. With AlgoSpace, we are making algo trading accessible to everyone. Traders can now access curated strategies and deploy them seamlessly at no extra cost.” 

Key Highlights of AlgoSpace 

Strategy Deployment: Browse a curated marketplace of trading strategies and deploy then seamlessly. Battle-Tested Algos: Pre-built strategies for Indian market conditions and diverse styles. No Coding Required: No programming, scripting, or technical setup – simply select and deploy. Zero Platform Fees: Trade using AlgoSpace with no additional platform charges or commissions. Seamless Execution: Fully integrated with the 5paisa ecosystem for real-time order execution and monitoring. Insights & Controls: Backtesting, performance analytics, and complete visibility into positions and capital usage. 

AlgoSpace by 5paisa represents a shift in how retail traders can engage with algorithmic strategies, moving away from complexity towards clarity, control, and intelligent automation. By combining curated strategies with instant execution and a no-code experience, 5paisa continues its mission to democratise advanced trading tools and make professional-grade capabilities available to every trader. 

About 5paisa Capital 

5paisa Capital Ltd. is one of India’s leading digital-first brokers, offering cost-effective and technology-driven financial services to retail investors. With a mission to democratise investing, 5paisa continues to innovate at the intersection of finance and technology, delivering seamless trading and investing solutions to millions across the country. 

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997850/5paisa_Launches_AlgoSpace.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/5paisa-capital-launches-algospace-algo-trading-for-everyone-made-simple-and-accessible-302805778.html

Continue Reading

Trending