HADLEY, Mass. and SASKATOON, SK, June 4, 2026 /CNW/ – UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) has partnered with Coconut Software, a leader in Intelligent Branch Solutions, to standardize appointments, improve operational visibility, and give staff the tools to deliver faster, more personalized member service across every branch and channel.

As member expectations shifted toward digital self-service, UMassFive needed more than a basic scheduling system. By implementing Coconut’s enterprise-wide platform for appointment scheduling, contact center scheduling, analytics, and virtual engagement, the credit union transformed appointments into a predictable, high-value member engagement channel–completing more than 13,000 appointments in 2025 with a 99.5% completion rate and full staff adoption across branches and the contact center.

Since going live with Coconut Software, UMassFive has:

Increased annual appointment volume by 4.9% to 13,079 total appointments, while achieving a 99.5% appointment completion rate.Driven a 12.3% annual increase in certified financial coaching appointments, expanding access to deeper advisory conversations.Strengthened its digital reputation, raising average Google ratings from 2.73 to 4.56 stars across all branches through post‑appointment reviews.

“Coconut gave us a single, modern platform to standardize experiences and see what’s really happening across our branches,” said Alexis Derosier, Manager of Marketing at UMassFive. “Our teams can prepare in advance, members arrive ready, and every interaction feels more efficient, empathetic, and aligned to their goals.”

“At Coconut, we believe time with members should be spent on meaningful advice, not manual logistics,” said Katherine Regnier, CEO of Coconut Software. “UMassFive shows how intelligent scheduling and branch insights can improve staff workflows, digital reputation, and member trust–all at the same time.”

The partnership also lays the foundation for future growth, giving UMassFive the data it needs to refine service design, plan staffing, and extend its member‑first experience to new communities.

Read the full UMassFive case study here.

About UMassFive

Established in 1967, UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that serves the financial needs of the people and businesses of the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including those associated with the University of Massachusetts and Five Colleges, Mercy Medical Center, Northampton VA Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, and other local organizations that share UMassFive’s commitment to community-focused values and a sustainable local economy. The Credit Union’s earnings are reinvested back to their members through better rates, lower service charges, and improved services and banking technology. UMassFive offers a full range of financial products, including personal and business banking and lending, retirement planning and investments, and insurance. UMassFive has over 50,700 members, six branches, and assets of over $703 million. For more information about UMassFive, please visit www.umassfive.coop.

About Coconut Software

Coconut Software is redefining how financial institutions run their branches with AI-powered Intelligent Branch Solutions that unify operations, workforce planning, and customer engagement in one platform. By combining AI-driven insights with enterprise-grade appointment scheduling, in-branch queuing, video banking, and workforce optimization, Coconut helps institutions forecast demand, optimize staff allocation, and deliver seamless customer experiences–driving stronger branch performance.

Trusted by 200+ banks and credit unions across North America, including RBC, Mountain America Credit Union (MACU), and M&T Bank, Coconut Software helps financial institutions streamline branch traffic, optimize workforce planning, and accelerate revenue growth.

Visit coconutsoftware.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Coconut Software

STRATFORD, Conn., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ALS United Connecticut is accelerating progress in ALS research through continued investment and deepened national collaboration, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing treatment, prevention, and understanding of the disease.

ALS United Connecticut, in partnership with the ALS Network, is proud to announce a second year of research funding for the Biotech company AUTTX, recognizing the company’s exceptional scientific progress and promising early results during its initial funding period. This follow-on investment reflects the organizations’ shared commitment to advancing bold, translational science with the potential to deliver meaningful new therapies for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“Transformative progress in ALS research only happens when urgency is matched with action,” said Jacky Rose, Executive Director at ALS United Connecticut. “Through collaboration, innovation, and sustained investment in promising science, we are helping pave the way toward meaningful advances for people and families affected by ALS.”

ALS United Connecticut’s funding supports the work of AUTTX to advance the development of new molecules that aim to restore normal RNA processing in people with ALS, potentially leading to new treatments for ALS.

The research will be led by AUTTX’s co-founders Isabelle Draper, PhD, who serves as the company’s chief scientific officer, and Alan S. Kopin, MD, its CEO. Draper leads a laboratory at Tufts Medical Center and is focused on studying alterations in RNA processing in animal models. Kopin, a professor emeritus at Tufts University School of Medicine, has been involved in research examining the abnormal processing of the Stathmin-2 protein due to TDP-43 dysfunction.

Through strategic funding and partnership, ALS United Connecticut is helping sustain momentum and ensure promising discoveries to move forward.

The first year of funding was provided by ALS United and the ALS Network through a collaborative Innovation Research Grant program. That program, facilitated by ALS Network, maximizes impact by streamlining infrastructure, reducing duplication, and directing more resources toward high-potential research.

“AUTTX  demonstrated exceptional momentum, scientific rigor, and compelling proof-of-concept data during the first year of this award,” said Sheri Strahl, President and CEO of ALS Network. “We are thrilled to continue supporting this work alongside ALS United Connecticut as the team advances promising molecules toward the next stage of development. This is exactly the type of high-risk, high-reward translational science our organizations are committed to championing.”

Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to advancing research, strengthening care, and driving advocacy, ensuring continued progress and hope for people living with ALS and their loved ones.

Learn more at https://alsunitedct.org/research/our-approach/.

Media Contact: Paul Silverfarb, PSilverfarb@alsunitedct.org

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SOURCE ALS United

Industry veteran joins MCG to shape long-term strategy as the firm scales its buy side supply decisioning model with agencies, brands, and traders.

NEW YORK, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Media Consulting Group (MCG), a buy side focused media consulting and activation partner, today announced the appointment of Donnie Williams as Chief Strategy Officer. A respected leader at the intersection of media, technology, and advertising, Williams will help define MCG’s long-term strategic direction as the firm scales its supply decisioning model with agencies, brands, and traders.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Williams will work alongside MCG’s founders and leadership team to set the firm’s strategic agenda, deepen its agency and holdco relationships, and sharpen how MCG positions itself as the eyes and ears of the buying side on the supply side. His remit spans commercial strategy, product positioning, and partnerships, with a focus on accelerating MCG’s footprint across the U.S. and globally.

“Donnie has spent his career operating at the highest level of digital and programmatic strategy, and he understands what agencies and brands actually need on the buy side,” said Daniel Elad, Co-Founder & CRO of MCG. “As we enter our next phase of growth, his perspective on where the market is heading, and how independent, buy side aligned firms can lead it, will be invaluable. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

Williams joins MCG following a distinguished career in media, marketing, and technology. He most recently served as Chief Digital Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Lamark Media, where he oversaw integrated strategy, planning, performance marketing activation, business intelligence, and analytics. Prior to Lamark, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Horizon Media, where he led the agency’s digital practice across programmatic, performance, content, and commerce, and led the launch of Night Market and Blue Hour Studios. Williams also brings perspective from board roles across several media and technology companies, giving him a broad view of how the buying ecosystem is evolving and where independent partners can create real value for the buy side.

“MCG is doing something I’ve wanted to see in this market for a long time,” said Donnie Williams, Chief Strategy Officer at MCG. “They are buy side aligned, independent, and operate inside the existing pipes — DSPs, SSPs, and deal IDs — that agencies already use, so there is nothing to rip and replace. The combination of human strategy and agentic execution on the supply side is a meaningful step forward for how programmatic is run. I’m excited to help shape what comes next.”

Williams’ appointment comes as MCG continues to expand its work with leading holding companies and agencies, including WPP and dentsu, across categories such as CPG, retail, beauty, pharma, automotive, and political. MCG operates as a complementary layer to clients’ existing DSPs and SSPs, sitting upstream of the bidder to shape and activate supply before it reaches the buy. The firm only generates revenue when it creates measurable value for the buy side.

About Media Consulting Group

Media Consulting Group brings a differentiated approach to supply activation, helping agencies access premium display, video, and streaming TV inventory with greater control and precision using their existing workflows. The firm focuses on enriching, shaping, and activating supply before it enters buying environments. Where applicable, AI driven and agentic capabilities, combined with human supervision, are used to complement decisioning and enhance outcomes. For agencies that choose to layer it in, MCG also provides measurement and attribution capabilities, with performance insights informing ongoing traffic refinement and dynamic prioritization while campaigns are live. For more information, visit wermcg.com.

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SOURCE Media Consulting Group