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Aimbridge Hospitality Names Craig S. Smith as Chief Executive Officer

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Craig S. Smith, most recently Group President and Managing Director – International at Marriott International, appointed to lead the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, effective March 18, 2024

Steve Joyce, elevated to Executive Chairman, effective immediately, assuming the top position as Glenn Murphy, Chairman, transitions to board seat

Michael Barnello, former CEO and President of LaSalle Hotel Properties and Founder and Managing Partner of Badlands Hotel Capital joins Aimbridge board

PLANO, Texas, Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Aimbridge Hospitality announced that industry leader Craig S. Smith will join the global hospitality management company as Chief Executive Officer effective March 18, 2024. As only the third CEO in Aimbridge’s storied history, Smith is expected to leverage decades of deep operational experience and proven leadership with Marriott International to solidify Aimbridge’s position as the frontrunner in comprehensive, performance-backed hotel operations.

Having begun his hospitality career in hotel operations, Smith quickly rose to become a multi-time, award-winning General Manager before being tapped for top executive spots in several international markets, culminating with his rise to helm the entire international business prior to his retirement from the brand.

As Group President and Managing Director—International, Smith was responsible for the fastest growing division of the world’s largest hospitality company, and:

Oversaw more than 2,500 hotels worldwide – two-thirds of which were brand-managed—across 28 iconic brands in 136 countries and territories

Led a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 hotel and regional support center associates with direct responsibility for operations, development, brand acquisitions, sales and marketing, legal, and human resources across the entire international business

Spearheaded the realignment and resourcing of the company’s international markets, including reorganizing the division into four autonomous regions, resulting in faster growth and $23 billion in sales

Provided direct oversight of four International Presidents and their teams with proven results in driving best-in-class topline growth, GOP, guest satisfaction, and associate culture; and

Served as lead strategist for Marriott’s global growth plan and managed a robust development pipeline of more than 1,000 projects around the world, including new and emerging markets

With a clear point of view on superb operating standards and unmatched success leading complex, global businesses, Smith is expected to leverage his extensive experience to design and accelerate plans at Aimbridge that put the General Manager at the center, drive greater value at scale, result in superior property performance, and create an industry-leading culture.

“Aimbridge’s reputation as a trusted global hotel operator and the team’s desire to outperform at every turn is what excites me about taking on the CEO role,” said Smith. “There is still tremendous opportunity to enhance our service offering to consistently deliver outstanding results for our owners and further drive brand expansion across all verticals domestically and abroad. As we go forward, we’ll put even greater emphasis on strengthening operations and simplifying our approach to be built around the General Manager, activating operational efficiencies that leverage our scale and create material value for us and our partners, and doubling down on our commitment to recruit, develop and train the best people in the industry, including helping the next generation of talent thrive.”

To ensure success, the company announced it was also making changes to its Board of Managers that will provide active support to Smith and additional CEO-level hospitality experience.

Effective immediately, Steve Joyce, who joined the Aimbridge board in November 2023, will step up to assume the role of Executive Chairman.

Joyce, a long-time global hospitality leader with more than four decades of multi-brand and franchisee experience, including a successful 10-year run as President and CEO of Choice Hotels International, is expected to work closely with Smith and the company’s Senior Management Team to advance strategic plans, including finalizing the previously announced streamlined structure in the U.S. and broaden the company’s global footprint.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Aimbridge can – and will be – the best third-party operator in the world, and it starts with embedding a seasoned leader with a deep track record of driving outsized performance across all key metrics—that’s Craig S. Smith,” said Joyce. “If you look at what Craig has achieved during his 35-year career as a hospitality leader, it’s clear that he knows how to develop winning strategies, set superior operational standards, and most critically, motivate and activate teams to get the best out of his people. In my role as Executive Chairman, I look forward supporting Craig as we take Aimbridge to the next level and work to deliver the best product offering the industry has seen to date.”

Joyce succeeds Glenn Murphy who has served as Chairman since 2019 and will remain on the board.

Joining Joyce and Murphy on the board is long-time industry veteran Michael Barnello, Managing Partner and Founder of Badlands Hotel Capital and the former President and CEO of LaSalle Hotel Properties. The company expects to tap into Barnello’s extensive understanding of the hospitality real estate market and leverage his unique, owner-centric point of view as it looks to ignite worldwide growth and build out its newly announced Owner Relations team, including standing up an Owners Advisory Council.

About Aimbridge Hospitality
Aimbridge Hospitality is the world’s leading global hospitality management company. A trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands and distinctive luxury and lifestyle assets, Aimbridge delivers compelling results for hotel owners by leveraging proprietary data and insights as an authority in key markets and destinations, while creating exceptional guest experiences. Aimbridge continually strives to set the new standard in hospitality excellence, leading the industry into the future through a wealth of unmatched resources and best-in-class supplier agreements, while recruiting and developing top industry talent in all key verticals and geographies. To learn more, visit www.aimbridgehospitality.com. Connect with Aimbridge on LinkedIn.

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Nexteer’s Global First Steer-by-Wire Goes into Production

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BEIJING, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nexteer Automotive helped a leading Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer bring the world’s first production passenger vehicle with a full drive‑by‑wire chassis to market. The vehicle features Nexteer’s steer‑by‑wire (SbW) system as a key enabler.

The SbW featured in this vehicle marks Nexteer’s first SbW system in mass production, representing a major step forward for the technology — moving from development and validation to full-scale production. Certified in late 2025, this system achieved the world’s first ASIL D functional safety approval from DAkkS (German Accreditation Body) through close collaboration with the OEM. This certification reflects global top-tier performance in fault diagnosis, redundancy, and safety monitoring. Key features include:

Multi-layered redundancy design: Dual controllers, dual power supplies, multiple communication links, and dual actuation paths — achieving redundancy at system, hardware, and software levels. This ensures that in the event of a single fault, the backup path takes over within milliseconds with no loss of steering function.Full‑scenario functional safety mechanism: Multi‑level monitoring and fault handling strategies covering sensors, controllers, actuators, and communication links.Variable steering ratio: Automatically adjusts steering angle and effort based on vehicle speed and driving mode, balancing agility and comfort.Intuitive road‑feel simulation technology: Software‑defined steering feedback delivers a more responsive and precise driving experience, adaptable to a wide range of driving scenarios.Open interface for autonomous driving: As a key actuation layer for ADAS and autonomous driving systems, it provides real‑time, precise control capabilities, supporting the development of intelligent transportation systems.

Steer-by-Wire: Electronic Signals Replace Mechanical Links, Flexible Configurations for Diverse Needs

By decoupling the mechanical link between the hand wheel and the road wheels, steer-by-wire replaces conventional mechanical connections with electronic signals and actuators — and is quickly becoming a foundational technology for next-generation intelligent chassis and autonomous driving platforms. As a motion control technology company with 120 years of engineering heritage, Nexteer offers a flexible, off-the-shelf portfolio of steering feel simulators and road wheel actuators. This modular approach allows us to meet the diverse needs of different vehicle models and driving scenarios efficiently and cost-effectively.

From Steering to Braking: Expanding Full-Stack Motion Control Capabilities

Building on its deep expertise in steering systems, Nexteer has expanded into braking with its Brake-by-Wire solution, the Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB). EMB has completed full development and rigorous validation and is ready for mass production. Together with SbW, Brake-by-Wire (EMB), Rear-Wheel Steering, and the MotionIQ™ Software Suite make up Nexteer’s broader Motion-by-Wire™ portfolio.

With Nexteer, OEMs get more than steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire components: they get a complete, proven, production-ready and cost-effective drive-by-wire chassis motion control solution that’s shaping the future of the software-defined chassis and enabling faster development, lower costs and safter, smarter and more exciting driving experiences.

During Auto China 2026, we cordially invite you to visit Nexteer at Booth W1B03, Hall W1, China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi) in Beijing, to experience firsthand the breakthrough innovations of steer-by-wire and Motion-by-Wire™ technologies.

ABOUT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE

Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports Motion-by-Wire™ chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire. Celebrating 120 years of automotive innovation in 2026, Nexteer builds on a strong legacy of engineering excellence while continuing to shape the future of mobility. The company solves motion control challenges across all megatrends – including electrification, software/connectivity, ADAS/automated driving and shared mobility – for global and domestic OEMs around the world including BMW, Ford, GM, RNM, Stellantis, Toyota and VW, as well as automakers in India and China including BYD, Xiaomi, ChangAn, Li Auto, Chery, Great Wall, Geely, Xpeng and others. www.nexteer.com  

Links to Nexteer Media Center

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2368187/5937537/nexteer_Logo.jpg

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World IP Day 2026: PitchMark launches Ideas.Exchange to help creators safeguard and license ideas in the age of AI

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SINGAPORE, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To mark World IP Day 2026, PitchMark® today launched Ideas.Exchange, a first‑of‑its‑kind platform designed to help creators assert intellectual property rights, license ideas, and formalise creative conversations in an increasingly AI‑driven economy.

Unveiled at Safeguard Your IP in the Age of AI, a media briefing hosted by CNBC’s Sri Jegarajah, the platform responds to growing concern that ideas are routinely used, reused or absorbed without attribution, consent or compensation—often with limited legal or commercial recourse.

“AI has amplified both the reach and the risk for creators,” said Mark Laudi, Managing Partner of PitchMark LLP. “Ideas.Exchange gives creators a way to protect themselves while still participating confidently in the market for ideas.”

At its core, the platform focuses on three interventions for creators:

Asserting IP rights by establishing proof of authorship and precedenceLicensing ideas without giving them away for freeFormalising conversations so pitches and evaluations are governed rather than informal

Ideas.Exchange is powered by three proprietary resources developed by PitchMark. These include a blockchain‑driven clearing house where ideas and creative works can be listed and licensed; smart contracts that automate usage terms and reduce disputes; and an IP Governance Certification Program designed to signal responsible handling of ideas, particularly in enterprise and AI contexts.

The result, PitchMark says, is three concrete outcomes: deterrence of idea theft, new ways to monetise ideas through structured licensing and price discovery, and a more level playing field that allows creators to pitch to clients and platforms on equal terms.

The launch comes amid renewed scrutiny of how intellectual property is treated in the AI era. While idea theft is rarely reported, its impact is significant. Beyond visible financial losses, organisations and creators often absorb hidden costs through talent attrition, innovation suppression and abandoned market opportunities.

“Most idea theft occurs informally and never reaches the courts,” said Prof David Llewelyn, Professor Emeritus of Law at Singapore Management University. “Introducing governance, traceability and standards is a meaningful step toward addressing that gap.”

Spokespeople including Prof Llewelyn, technology lawyer Bryan Ghows, and Mark Laudi are available for interview.

About PitchMark

PitchMark® deters idea theft and enables creatives to get paid by providing a trusted way to share and license ideas with prospects and clients.

 

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SOURCE PitchMark

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SK hynix receives 2026 IEEE Corporate Innovation Award for Driving AI Computing Expansion with HBM

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SK hynix honored at the 2026 IEEE Awards for leading AI technology innovation with HBM Contributed to the global AI computing ecosystem via stable mass production across all HBM generationsCompany committed to becoming a premier leader in AI innovation through collaboration with global customers and partners

SEOUL, South Korea, April 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SK hynix Inc. (or “the company”, www.skhynix.com) announced today that it received the Corporate Innovation Award at the ‘2026 IEEE1 Honors Ceremony’ held in New York on the 24th (local time).

IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Established more than a century ago, the IEEE Awards Program recognizes individuals and teams whose innovations have advanced technology and improved the human condition.

The IEEE Corporation Innovation Award, part of the Recognitions category, has been presented since 1986 to companies that have significantly contributed to the advancement of industry and society through innovative technology. This marks the first time SK hynix has received this honor.

SK hynix attributed the honor to its contribution to the global AI computing ecosystem by ensuring the stable mass production of all High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) generations. Looking ahead, the company aims to solidify its position as a trusted partner in the global AI market by providing memory solutions that are critical to overcoming the performance limitations of AI platforms.

The recognition highlights SK hynix’s achievements in driving the expansion of AI computing through HBM innovation and application. Central to this success was the company’s ability to preemptively offer innovative HBM solutions and respond timely to customer demands in the global AI market.

Industry observers also credit this achievement to the strategic direction of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who has long emphasized securing long-term technological competitiveness. Under his leadership, the company has consistently expanded its AI infrastructure partnerships with global Big Tech firms in the United States.

Ahn Hyun, President and Chief Development Officer (CDO), attended the ceremony as the company representative to accept the award.

“It is an honor to receive this award on behalf of our employees, who have tirelessly challenged the limits of technology,” said Ahn. “By collaborating closely with our global customers and partners, we will stay ahead in creating the value the market demands and continue to be a premier company leading AI innovation.”

About SK hynix Inc.
SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world’s top-tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”) and flash memory chips (“NAND flash”) for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.

About IEEE
IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization and a public charity dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at https://www.ieee.org.

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SOURCE SK hynix Inc.

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