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PARAMOUNT GLOBAL’S SPECIAL COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES MERGER WITH SKYDANCE MEDIA

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NEW YORK, July 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Special Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) (“Paramount” or “the Company”) today confirmed that it has unanimously approved a merger agreement between Paramount and Skydance Media, LLC (“Skydance”).

The Special Committee was formed on January 2, 2024, at the request of Paramount’s controlling stockholder, National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”), to evaluate potential transactions involving both NAI and Paramount as NAI considered its options relating to its investment in Paramount. The Special Committee retained independent financial and legal advisors, Centerview Partners LLC and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP respectively. Over a period of more than six months, the Special Committee considered multiple approaches and constructs from various counterparties and solicited interest from potential counterparties for an acquisition of Paramount.

The merger agreement includes a 45-day “go-shop” period, which permits the Special Committee and its representatives to actively solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals. There can be no assurance that this process will result in a superior proposal, and the Company does not intend to disclose developments with respect to the go-shop process unless and until it determines such disclosure is appropriate or is otherwise required.

On behalf of the Special Committee, Charles E. Phillips, Jr. said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that we believe delivers to Paramount stockholders both immediate value and future upside opportunity. The Special Committee, with the assistance of independent financial and legal advisors, conducted a thorough review of actionable potential transactions to drive value for our stockholders. In addition to economic value, the Special Committee took into account the certainty of closing and regulatory approvals. Following extensive negotiations with Skydance, we believe this proposed transaction will position Paramount for success in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Upon closing, it will deliver immediate cash consideration at a premium to both the minority Class A and Class B stockholders, who will also benefit from what we believe to be considerable upside through continued equity participation in New Paramount.”

Mr. Phillips continued, “The Special Committee would like to thank our Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins for making significant progress on optimizing company operations in a short period of time, positioning Paramount for a sustainable transformation and a path to profitable growth going forward.”

Further information regarding terms and conditions contained in the merger agreement will be available on the investor relations section of Paramount’s website at https://ir.paramount.com/ and in a joint press release issued earlier today by Paramount and Skydance.

Important Information About the Transactions and Where To Find It
In connection with the proposed transactions involving Paramount, Skydance and NAI (the “Transactions”), Paramount will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include an information statement on Schedule 14C and that will also constitute a prospectus of Paramount. Paramount may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Transactions.

This document is not a substitute for the information statement/prospectus or registration statement or any other document that Paramount may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF PARAMOUNT ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE INFORMATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement on Form S-4 (when available), which will include the information statement/prospectus, and other documents filed with the SEC by Paramount through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the investor relations department of Paramount (+1-646-824-5450; jaime.morris@paramount.com).

No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell, any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, invitation, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Cautionary Notes on Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains both historical and forward-looking statements, including statements related to our future results, performance and achievements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events; generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “estimate” or other similar words or phrases; and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements.

Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) that the Transactions may not be completed on anticipated terms and timing (or at all), (ii) that a condition to closing of the Transactions may not be satisfied, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals from any applicable governmental entities (or any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on such approvals), (iii) that the anticipated tax treatment of the Transactions may not be obtained, (iv) the potential impact of unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, costs, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition and losses on the future prospects, business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the combined business after the consummation of the Transactions, (v) potential litigation relating to the Transactions that could be instituted against Paramount or its directors, (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transactions, (vii) any negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the Transactions on the market price of Paramount’s common stock and on Paramount’s or Skydance’s operating results, (viii) risks associated with third party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the Transactions, (ix) the risks and costs associated with the integration of, and the ability of Paramount and Skydance to integrate, the businesses successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies, (x) the risk that disruptions from the Transactions will harm Paramount’s business, including current plans and operations or by diverting management’s attention Paramount’s ongoing business operations, (xi) the ability of Paramount to retain and hire key personnel and uncertainties arising from leadership changes, (xii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments, (xiii) the other risks described in Paramount’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and (xiv) management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that we do not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known.

These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Transactions, will be more fully discussed in the information statement/prospectus that will be included in the registration statement on Form S-4 that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transactions. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors to be presented in the registration statement on Form S-4 is, considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Paramount’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this communication, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Contact:
Brunswick Group
ParamountSpecialCommittee@brunswickgroup.com
(212) 333 – 3810

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SOURCE The Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Paramount Global

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Genesis Wealth Welcomes Veteran $725MM JPMorgan Advisor

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Latest addition underscores Genesis Wealth’s drive to become a preferred destination for highly experienced breakaway advisors as new office opens in Chicago’s North Shore

CHICAGO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Genesis Wealth, a leading wealth management platform and non-OSJ branch office within LPL Financial, today announced the addition of a veteran advisor, Alan Feutz, CFP®, from JPMorgan Securities, who has previously overseen $725 million in client assets. Feutz, who joins Genesis Wealth as Partner and Wealth Advisor, is based in Deerfield, IL, and brings 26 years of industry experience. He currently serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. The move continues Genesis Wealth’s recruiting momentum among experienced bank-based advisors.

Feutz has built a reputation for delivering highly personalized wealth management and long-term client relationships grounded in trust and transparency. Focused on customized wealth planning for affluent households, he attributes the strength of his practice to attentive listening and guiding clients through all market environments – an approach enhanced by serving a smaller number of households to deepen engagement and deliver highly personalized advice.

“We are delighted to welcome Alan to our young and burgeoning firm,” said Kosta Tanglis, Founder and Managing Partner at Genesis Wealth. “This transition further validates Genesis Wealth’s platform and supported independence model, as experienced advisors increasingly seek a better way to serve clients while maintaining the infrastructure and support they need to grow.”

The transition reflects growing demand among experienced advisors for supported independence models that allow greater flexibility, autonomy and client customization. For advisors seeking more freedom from traditional bank constraints, the Genesis platform enables deeper planning relationships and tailored advice. Feutz’s decision reinforces Genesis as a destination for breakaway advisors and validates the Genesis platform and advisor-first structure.

“Alan shares our commitment to personalized planning and client care,” said Genesis Wealth Managing Director Jack Kennedy. “The advisors joining Genesis Wealth are looking for more than independence – they want a platform that empowers them to deliver customized advice while being surrounded by partners who share the same client-first mindset.”

New Genesis Office Opens in Chicago’s North Shore

The addition of Feutz also marks Genesis Wealth’s expansion into Chicago’s North Shore, one of the Midwest’s most established wealth management markets. Recently recognized by Forbes as one of Illinois’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors for 2026, Feutz will operate from Genesis Wealth’s newly opened North Shore office in Deerfield.

Designed to support the firm’s continued growth, the approximately 10,000-square-foot office accommodates more than 20 advisors and staff and features private advisor offices, a large conference room equipped with hybrid meeting technology, oversized digital displays and dedicated collaboration spaces. The office also includes an employee lounge and ergonomic workspaces designed to support productivity and client engagement.

Located in the heart of Deerfield, the office will initially be home to Feutz and his client service team, Genesis Wealth founding advisor Joel Feiger and his team, as well as Managing Director Jack Kennedy. The location establishes a strategic presence in Chicago’s North Shore while creating capacity for future advisor recruitment and expansion throughout the region.

ABOUT GENESIS WEALTH

Genesis Wealth (GW) is a partner in the growth and success of bank-based advisors who are ready to transition to fully supported independence, operating through LPL Financial as its broker-dealer and Registered Investment Adviser (RIA). Founded in January 2024, GW officially launched under the Genesis Wealth brand in July 2025 and its advisors currently service more than $3 billion in client assets. Genesis Wealth’s high-caliber, growth-oriented advisors are enriched by and strengthen the collective culture and enterprise value of the firm. For more information about Genesis Wealth, please visit the firm’s site at genesiswealth.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Mitch Manning

424 317 4858

mmanning@haventower.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genesis-wealth-welcomes-veteran-725mm-jpmorgan-advisor-302804654.html

SOURCE Genesis Wealth

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79% of Global Data Center Capacity Faces Elevated Climate Risk

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New research from First Street finds the world’s largest and fastest-growing data center markets are concentrated in locations exposed to flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, wind and drought risk.

NEW YORK, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new First Street analysis finds that climate risk is emerging as a critical factor in data center investment performance, with physical hazards increasingly shaping operating costs, infrastructure reliability, financing conditions, and long-term asset values across global markets.

The research, Climate Risk in Global Data Center Markets: Implications for Investment and Performance, examines 97 global data center markets and finds that many of the industry’s largest and fastest-growing hubs are concentrated in locations facing elevated exposure to flooding, extreme heat, wildfire, wind, and drought. As trillions of dollars flow into digital infrastructure to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the analysis suggests climate risk is becoming a key determinant of which markets can deliver durable returns.

Global data center capacity has expanded rapidly over the past decade and is expected to nearly double again by 2030. Yet while investors have traditionally focused on power availability, connectivity, land access, and demand growth, climate risk remains largely absent from many underwriting and valuation frameworks despite its direct influence on uptime, operating costs, insurance availability, and infrastructure reliability.

By analyzing climate exposure across global data center markets, First Street finds:

54% of global data center capacity is located in markets exposed to chronic climate stress, including extreme heat and drought, which increase cooling costs, reduce efficiency, and put operating margins under pressure.79% of global capacity faces elevated acute climate hazards, including flooding, wind, and wildfire risks that can disrupt operations, increase downtime, and drive insurance and repair costs.Chronic exposure varies significantly across major investment markets. Exposure reaches 89% of capacity in APAC, compared with 50% in the Americas and 46% in EMEA, creating meaningful differences in operating performance.The industry’s largest growth markets rank among its most climate-exposed. Major hubs including Northern Virginia, Johor, and Marseille sit in the highest climate-risk tier globally, while lower-risk Nordic markets rank among the least exposed.

The findings suggest that climate risk is increasingly differentiating data center markets that may appear similar based on traditional investment metrics but face very different long-term operating conditions.

“Where you build a data center determines a large share of what it will cost to run for the next 20 or 30 years. Climate is a big part of that: cooling, water, and reliability all depend on location,” said Dr. Jeremy Porter, Chief Economist at First Street. “But most valuations still focus on growth and treat climate as a secondary concern.”

“Most underwriting for real assets still uses historical data, but the climate is no longer behaving the way the historical record would predict. As heat, drought, and water stress increase, outdated models simply don’t offer a complete view of risk anymore,” said Matthew Eby, Founder and CEO of First Street. “Investors who incorporate these factors into underwriting and capital allocation decisions will be better positioned to identify resilient markets and avoid mispriced risk.”

The full report is available at firststreet.org/research.

To learn more or to request a demo, visit firststreet.org or reach out to bd@firststreet.org

About First Street:

At First Street, we are on a mission to connect climate and financial risk. For nearly a decade, our scientists have created transparent, peer-reviewed physical climate risk models that quantify the financial impacts of perils such as flooding, wildfire, and extreme wind events for every property in the world. In December 2024, we launched the First Street Enterprise Suite, a global software platform that transforms our models into actionable financial signals for decision-makers worldwide. First Street is the standard for Climate Risk Financial Modeling, empowering asset owners, asset managers, governments, real estate investors, corporations, and millions of homebuyers every day to make climate-informed decisions.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2776647/FirstStreet_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/79-of-global-data-center-capacity-faces-elevated-climate-risk-302804656.html

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iLEAD Schools and School Pathways Expand Their Partnership with the Launch of iLEAD Flex in Lancaster

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With the California moratorium on the creation of new non-classroom-based (NCB) charter schools lifted this year, iLEAD is expanding into new communities, using the School Pathways SIS Suite to run its operations.

CHICO, Calif., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — iLEAD Schools, a California network of tuition-free public charter schools serving TK–12 learners through classroom-based, hybrid, online, and independent home study models, announces the expansion of its charter network into Lancaster, California, adding a new charter school in their network beginning in 2026. The announcement builds on iLEAD’s longstanding partnership with School Pathways and its continued use of the SIS Suite, which has supported the network’s operations and compliance since 2021.

A New Opening for Flex-Based Charter Schools

Since the statewide moratorium on new nonclassroom-based charters concluded on January 1, 2026, mission-driven networks like iLEAD have been moving quickly to bring their programs to communities that have long lacked access to flexible, learner-centered options. For iLEAD, the moment reflects over a year of preparation. The decision to open in Lancaster was driven by the needs of families in the Antelope Valley, where a combination of school closures and strong community demand made the case for iLEAD Flex clear.

With California’s oversight standards for flex-based programs continuing to evolve, iLEAD’s investment in purpose-built compliance infrastructure, anchored by the School Pathways SIS Suite, positions the network to launch and grow responsibly.

“School Pathways has been a great partner in our beginning stages of growth. Their team is responsive, collaborative, and always willing to troubleshoot challenges as they arise, helping us build strong systems and processes as we expand,” said iLEAD Chief Integration Officer Cassandra Coleman. “We value the relationships we have built with their team.”

A Flexible Learning Model for Every Family

iLEAD Flex will open in August 2026, a community where iLEAD already has a strong presence. The TK–12 campus introduces a new level of flexibility to that community, offering families a choice between full classroom-based instruction, Independent Study, or hybrid options on campus each week.

Each pathway is designed to be adaptable as a student’s needs evolve, and all three are grounded in iLEAD’s established educational approach, which includes hands-on project-based learning, a social-emotional curriculum, and individualized instruction to meet the needs of every unique child. At the high school level, iLEAD Flex students will have access to dual enrollment with the local community college, allowing them to earn college credits at no cost while completing high school requirements. The campus is also developing Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways in partnership with local businesses and community leaders to build leadership and career readiness skills.

iLEAD Flex is expected to open with approximately 750 learners, bringing iLEAD’s total network enrollment to nearly 7,000 students. The launch is part of a longer growth plan that includes iLEAD Innovate, the network’s next planned campus, which would be their first school outside of Los Angeles County and is expected to open in fall 2027.

School Pathways and the iLEAD Partnership

The partnership supports iLEAD’s broader ten-year goal of positively impacting 10,000 learners across California with sustainable launches of new schools over the coming years. From guiding the scope and launching iLEAD Flex on a compressed timeline to maintaining clean data, streamlined CALPADS reporting, and efficient workflows across the organization, School Pathways has supported iLEAD’s growth at every stage with consistent, responsive support. As the network continues to grow, iLEAD also plans to leverage School Pathways’ AI-powered features to manage enrollment and administrative workloads, allowing staff to focus on serving learners and families.

School Pathways brings more than 20 years of experience partnering with charter and non-traditional schools across California and currently works with 300+ schools statewide. The integrated SIS suite includes a student lottery system, online registration, Student Information System, and a platform for Independent Study program management, all built specifically for hybrid, virtual, and non-traditional learning environments.

For iLEAD, the platform supports the full range of the network’s needs across all learning modalities, including:

Enrollment management with online registrationCALPADS reporting and state compliance for Independent Study programsLearning agreements, student activity tracking, and program documentationFamily and educator access to real-time student records and progress

“The lift of the moratorium marks a meaningful turning point for flex-based education in California and for the schools that have been doing this work with intention,” said School Pathways CEO Kacie Jester. “iLEAD is a strong example of a network that invested in the right systems, maintained compliance through a challenging regulatory period, and is now in a position to grow. We’re proud to support them, and to be the platform that schools across California trust to make that kind of expansion possible.”

About iLEAD Schools

iLEAD Schools is a network of tuition-free public charter schools in California committed to helping every learner become a lifelong learner, empathetic citizen, authentic individual, and design thinker. With classroom-based, hybrid, online, and independent home study options serving grades TK–12, iLEAD provides personalized, project-based learning experiences that celebrate each student’s individuality and inspire them to lead. For more information, visit ileadschools.org.

About School Pathways

School Pathways is a California-based education software company with more than 20 years of experience serving charter and non-traditional schools. We provide solutions for virtual, hybrid, and Independent Study programs that simplify school operations and foster student success in a variety of learning environments. In addition to a Student Information System better-built for non-traditional learning environments, we offer software that enables our clients to manage online learning agreements, student activity tracking, re-engagement communications, audit preparation, adult education, and more. For more information, please visit schoolpathways.com.

Media Contact:
Elena Chow
Growth Marketing Manager
elena@schoolpathways.com

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SOURCE School Pathways

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