Reflecting the evolving role of IT in driving business success, Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, has announced the launch of its expanded Info-Tech Awards program to celebrate exceptional leaders and organisations across five new categories to celebrate both organisational impact and individuals in the industry. Nominations are now open for the 2025 program, with winners set to be announced in November.

SYDNEY, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, has officially launched its newly expanded Info-Tech Awards for 2025. The reimagined program now includes two distinct streams, Leader of the Year and Innovator of the Year, to honour both individual excellence and organisational impact in the field of IT.

Info-Tech Research Group has announced the launch of its expanded Info-Tech Awards program to celebrate exceptional leaders and organisations across five new categories to celebrate both organisational impact and individuals in the industry. Nominations are now open for the 2025 program, with winners set to be announced in November.

With five new award categories, the Info-Tech Awards program celebrates leaders and teams who have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and strategic alignment across their IT initiatives. Nominations are now open and will be accepted until July 31, 2025, with winners announced in November 2025.

“Across the Asia-Pacific region, IT leaders are playing an increasingly central role in driving business growth and innovation,” says George Khreish, Managing Partner at Info-Tech Research Group, APAC. “With the expanded Info-Tech Awards program, we’re proud to recognise not only technical excellence but also the vision and leadership required to deliver lasting impact in an exponentially evolving landscape.”

Info-Tech Awards 2025 Categories and Criteria
With expanded criteria and new categories, the Info-Tech Awards 2025 recognises both individual technology leaders and innovative organisations that have driven measurable impact through strategy, execution, and alignment with business priorities. The Info-Tech Awards categories and descriptions are as follows:

• IT Impact Award – This award recognises Info-Tech members who have delivered top-ranking stakeholder satisfaction by aligning IT services with strategic goals, measured through the CIO Business Vision diagnostic. This survey-based program captures stakeholder perspectives on IT performance, priorities, and impact to drive a successful IT strategy that focuses on what matters most to the organisation.
• IT Excellence Award – This category honours leaders who have taken clear, measurable steps to improve IT processes and operational performance using Info-Tech’s IT Management & Governance Program. This survey-based diagnostic is designed to identify strengths and weaknesses across 50 IT processes and guide improvement in the areas that are most important to the organisation.
• IT Transformation Award – This award spotlights members who have implemented strategic initiatives that drive alignment between IT and broader business goals, guided by Info-Tech’s CIO Playbook, which is a structured, 12-step framework designed to help CIOs systematically improve and transform IT performance.
• Women Leading IT Award – This recognition celebrates women in IT who exemplify innovation, inclusive leadership, and mentorship within their organisations and the broader industry, inspiring the next generation of leaders. Nominations from the public are welcomed for this category.
• Innovator of the Year Award – This distinction highlights any organisation that has implemented groundbreaking IT initiatives that drive organisational success. This award honours those who have leveraged technology in innovative ways to solve challenges, enhance efficiency, or set new industry standards, shaping the future of IT and delivering exceptional value. Applications are accepted from both Info-Tech members and other organisations across the globe.

Key Dates and Application Process

• Nomination Deadline: Nominations for all categories will close on July 31, 2025.
• Selection Process: Winners will be selected through a combination of diagnostic data, nomination forms, and interviews, with additional evaluations as required.
  
• Announcement & Recognition: Awards will be publicly announced in November 2025, with winners receiving a trophy and certificate to recognise their achievements.

For full eligibility criteria and submission details, as well as detailed information about each of the awards, please visit the Info-Tech Awards 2025 page.

To stay up to date with all further announcements, please follow Info-Tech Research Group on LinkedIn and X.

Media Passes for Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Las Vegas
Media professionals, including journalists, podcasters, and influencers, are invited to attend Info-Tech LIVE 2025 to gain exclusive access to research, content, and interviews with industry leaders. For those unable to attend in person, Info-Tech offers a digital pass option, providing access to live-streamed keynotes, select sessions, and exclusive virtual interviews with speakers and analysts.

Media professionals looking to apply for in-person or digital passes can contact pr@infotech.com to secure their spot and cover the latest advancements in IT for their audiences.

Exhibitors are also invited to be part of Info-Tech LIVE and showcase their products and services to a highly engaged audience of IT decision-makers. For more information about becoming an Info-Tech LIVE exhibitor, please contact events@infotech.com. 

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

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DUBAI, UAE, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recent U.S. tax policy changes present significant challenges for Chinese brands in the American market, demanding strategic adaptation for sustainable growth. The end of the De Minimis Exemption means that shipments under $800 from China are no longer duty-free. Coupled with massive tariff hikes of up to 54% on imports and a 10% universal baseline tariff affecting Chinese goods, these shifts threaten profit margins and market competitiveness.

This evolving tax landscape has heightened administrative demands and financial strains, challenging profitability and competitiveness. Products like fast fashion or gadgets, once cheap and competitive, now face increased costs. For instance, a $5 T-shirt could now incur $1.50 in duties, squeezing profit margins and raising retail prices.

To navigate these challenges, Chinese brands are embracing agility and innovation. Brands like SHEIN are diversifying into booming markets such as India and the Middle East, leveraging local partnerships to sidestep tariffs. Hybrid pricing strategies, where part of the tariff cost is absorbed initially to offset expenses, are proving effective. Affiliate partnerships offer a cost-effective and flexible way to thrive in this evolving landscape.

Despite rising tariffs, some Chinese brands are thriving by partnering with Admitad and using innovative affiliate marketing. Vevor saw a remarkable increase in sales in a year, while SHEIN generated millions of orders through Admitad partners, expanding into markets like Poland, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. DHgate maintained a robust annual growth by leveraging Admitad’s global publisher network, illustrating how strategic partnerships and innovative marketing solutions can drive growth despite external pressures.

Since 2013, Admitad has helped Chinese retailers generate over $7 billion in cross-border sales, adeptly navigating regulatory changes and market volatility. Its performance-based approach ensures brands remain resilient, competitive, and poised to seize new opportunities worldwide. The U.S. tax shake-up presents a challenge but also an opportunity for innovation and growth. With Admitad’s affiliate marketing solutions, Chinese brands can minimize risk, maximize ROI, and thrive in America and beyond.

Media contacts: press@admitad.com

Accelerating innovation in eco-friendly marine engine development with AI-powered engineering

TROY, Mich., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Altair, a global leader in computational intelligence, has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Engine Research Institute at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to enhance the performance of eco-friendly marine engines and power AI-driven development initiatives.

(Right) Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of Altair, and (Left) Sungchan An, head of engine research center, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (PRNewsFoto/Altair)

“This collaboration goes beyond technology development—it is a strategic partnership to shape the future of marine engine development,” said Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of aerospace and defense, Altair. “By combining Altair’s global technological capabilities with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ expertise in eco-friendly marine engines, we aim to set a new standard for sustainable engine and machinery business.”

Altair was recently acquired by Siemens, a global leader in industrial software, to extend its leadership in simulation and industrial artificial intelligence. Altair technology is being integrated with the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio.  

Sungchan An, Ph.D., vice president and head of the Engine Research Institute, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, “HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Altair have continuously collaborated on the development of simulation technologies for high-quality HiMSEN engine designs. With Altair now part of Siemens, the development of next-generation engine design technologies—such as virtual product development and AI-based engine simulation—is expected to further accelerate.”

This partnership comes in response to increasingly stringent environmental regulations in the global shipping industry. As digital transformation and technology advancement become critical in shipbuilding, Altair and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will work together to strengthen innovation through simulation and AI technologies for eco-friendly marine engine development.

Under the agreement, Altair and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will collaborate to:

• Develop simulation platforms for eco-friendly marine engine design and optimization
• Utilize AI-powered technologies for improving engine performance
• Conduct predictive maintenance and diagnostics capabilities
• Enhance engine safety through AI-based visualization technologies

Altair has proven its technological expertise in simulation-driven design and AI-powered predictive analytics through collaborations with major shipbuilders worldwide. With this collaboration, Altair will actively support HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in advancing eco-friendly marine engines and delivering tangible results in areas such as design efficiency, reduced development cycles, and performance enhancement. Altair is expected to contribute meaningfully to improvements in design efficiency, shorter development cycles, and enhanced performance by leveraging synergies with Siemens’ industrial software technologies.

Altair continues to expand the application of its solutions across various industries by combining its AI and simulation expertise with Siemens’ industrial software technologies following the acquisition.

To learn more about Altair, visit https://altair.com. To learn more about HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, visit https://english.hhi.co.kr/.

About Altair

Altair is a global leader in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and AI. Altair is part of Siemens Digital Industries Software. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com or sw.siemens.com.

About HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)
Under its parent company HD Hyundai, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is leading the global shipbuilding and offshore engineering industry, delivering sustainable and efficient products that meet the world-class standards. Owning the world single largest shipyard and world’s largest marine engine maker, HHI has built a strong reputation over its 50-year history for delivering world-leading commercial and naval vessels, along with complex EPC projects that require precision and reliability. To learn more, please visit http://english.hhi.co.kr/ or https://www.hd.com/en/main.

Company to Supply Commercial Washers and Dryers to North America’s Leading Provider of B2B Laundry Solutions 

SEOUL, South Korea, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) has signed a distribution agreement with CSC ServiceWorks (CSC), the North American market leader in laundry solutions, to supply its commercial washers and dryers. The new agreement will further strengthen LG’s presence in the North American commercial laundry market and accelerate the expansion of its growing B2B appliance business.

CSC, headquartered in New York, is the largest B2B laundry solutions provider in North America, supplying and managing over 1 million commercial washers and dryers across the U.S. and Canada.

The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony attended by Sam Kim, vice president of LG’s Home Appliance Solution Company, and Rod Castellanos, CEO of CSC, highlighting the significance of this strategic collaboration for both companies.

This partnership marks a significant step for LG as it seeks to expand its presence and grow awareness of its outstanding laundry products and tailored B2B solutions in the highly competitive North American commercial appliance market. It is also expected to accelerate the growth of LG’s home appliance business, which continues to dominate the global market through its commitment to quality and leadership in design and technology innovation. For CSC, the agreement ensures a stable supply of high-efficiency LG products – all designed to provide easy maintenance and maximum operational efficiency in demanding commercial environments.

LG commercial laundry solutions incorporate its advanced Inverter Direct Drive™ motor, delivering premium performance, durability and efficiency. The machines also feature LG’s innovative 3D Gyro Sensor and Gyro Balancing System, which precisely monitor drum movement to reduce unnecessary motion, vibration and noise – extending component lifespan and ensuring smooth, stable operation. Ideal for high-usage environments, the units offer fast cycle times, rapid spin initiation and a front-access design that simplifies maintenance by allowing most servicing to be done without disassembly, minimizing downtime and improving technician efficiency.

The partnership with CSC is the latest milestone in LG’s ongoing efforts to lead the commercial laundry market. Additionally, in November 2024, the company unveiled the LG Professional lineup of large-capacity commercial washers and dryers at Texcare in Germany. Fully committed to servicing the B2B market, LG now boasts a full portfolio of commercial laundry solutions, from compact units to larger models with capacities exceeding 15 kilograms.

“We are thrilled to partner with one of the leading B2B laundry solution providers in North America and look forward to delivering new customer value through this strategic collaboration,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “Leveraging our industry-leading technologies and stellar brand reputation, we will continue to strengthen our leadership in the commercial laundry appliance market.”

About LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Company

The LG Home Appliance Solution Company (HS) is a global leader in home appliances and AI home solutions. By leveraging industry-leading core technologies, the HS Company is committed to enhancing consumers’ quality of life and promoting sustainability. The company develops thoughtfully designed kitchen and living appliance solutions and has recently integrated LG’s Robot Business Division to incorporate advanced robot technologies into its home solutions. Together, these products offer enhanced convenience, exceptional performance, efficient operation and sustainable lifestyle solutions. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the creator of CLEAR^®, is excited to announce its participation at Broadcast Asia (BCA) in Singapore, where it will showcase its CLEAR^® AI Agents and AI Applications—designed to deliver real results in postproduction and content supply chain workflows. CLEAR^® AI is purpose-built for video content and is set to showcase how these innovations can enable visible ROI for AI investments today.

PFT at Broadcast Asia

“In a region as diverse as APAC, AI must do more than automate—it must understand context, culture, and workflow nuances, said Anupam Sharma, Senior Vice President & Head of Sales – APAC, PFT. “At PFT, our AI Agents and AI Applications empower media companies to scale operations, accelerate time-to-market, and tap into new audience segments—without ballooning costs. This is AI that drives reach and revenue across your content portfolio.”

At BCA 2025, visitors at Meeting Room #5J3-8 will see:

Content Discovery AI Agents: CLEAR^® AI’s Search & Metadata Agents go beyond keywords to empower teams to retrieve assets for powerful storytelling. Our AI Agents make it easier than ever to repurpose content, enabling new monetization channels and driving additional revenue.

Content Studio AI Agents: CLEAR^® AI’s Content Creation Action Agents automate the time-consuming tasks of snackable content creation—from generating highlights to automating the editing process. This accelerates time-to-market and drives higher viewership and engagement. With proven success, including a 4X YouTube viewership increase and 22X revenue growth for a major content network, our AI Agents are designed to turn your content into a revenue generator.

Content Automation AI Agents: CLEAR^® AI Automation Agents take the heavy lifting out of operations—whether automating segmentation, ensuring compliance, or seamlessly adapting assets for global distribution. Experience a 25% increase in viewer retention, a 15% boost in ad revenue, and a reduction in manual compliance review time by 80%.

Beyond AI Agents, PFT will feature applications like AI-powered video collaboration, smart MAM, and supply chain automation, empowering teams to achieve more with fewer resources and driving productivity while cutting operational costs.

Media companies don’t have time for experiments that don’t move the needle. See us at BCA, Meeting Room #5J3-8, and see how CLEAR^® AI delivers real results—no fluff.

About Prime Focus Technologies

Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the creator of CLEAR^®. It offers streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters AI-led technology and media services powered by the cloud—enabling creativity, agility, and most importantly, revenue growth. PFT partners with major players such as Channel 4, ITV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Crunchyroll, Insight TV, JioStar, BCCI, Tegna, Amazon MGM Studios, and more.

For more information visit: www.primefocustechnologies.com.

Press Contact

T Shobhana
Senior Vice President & Global Head of Marketing
Prime Focus Technologies
Los Angeles, CA
t.shobhana@primefocus.com