Tag Archives: Effective April

Computers

Yahoo slims down, again, trashing Deals, SMS Alerts

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Yahoo is giving itself a bit of a makeover. Earlier this week it launched two new mobile apps for email and weather; now it’s ditching numerous longstanding products, including Deals and SMS Alerts, in an attempt to sharpen its focus, the company announced Friday.

Effective April 30, the following products will be no more: Upcoming, an event discovery service; Deals, for finding bargains, coupons and retail sales; SMS Alerts, which lets users stay up-to-date on a slew of topics; Kids, which features games and educational resources; and Yahoo’s Mail and Messenger apps for feature phones.

Also, as of June 3, the older versions of Yahoo Mail, including Yahoo Mail Classic, will no longer be available, the company said. In their stead, users can switch to Yahoo’s new Mail system, “which is fast and easier to use,” Yahoo said.

The moves are all part of the company’s ongoing efforts to restructure its product offerings in a bid to re-engage users in an era of smartphones, always-connected mobile devices and social apps. Yahoo, unlike Google, Facebook, Twitter or Apple, does not currently have any dedicated social network or mobile devices of its own.

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From: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2036011/yahoo-slims-down-again-trashing-deals-sms-alerts.html#tk.rss_all

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Everest Announces Strategic Alliance with Arrowhead General Insurance Agency

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Everest Announces Strategic Alliance with Arrowhead General Insurance Agency

HAMILTON, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYS: RE) today announced that its wholly-owned primary insurance subsidiary, Everest Security Insurance Company, (“ESIC“) has entered into a definitive agreement with Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Arrowhead”), a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYS: BRO) , whereby ESIC will transfer certain assets associated with its non-standard automobile business to Arrowhead.

Effective April 1, 2013, all of ESIC‘s employees will become employees of Arrowhead and Everest will become the exclusive underwriter of the combined non-standard automobile book of business for Arrowhead. This strategic alliance will grow Everest’s non-standard automobile business from $30 million to approximately $80 million under the combined book. The pairing of Everest’s financial strength with Arrowhead’s longstanding expertise in the non-standard automobile sector creates operational efficiencies and growth opportunities for both parties.

Daryl Bradley, President of Everest’s primary insurance operations, stated, “I am very pleased to expand our current business relationship with Arrowhead. This alliance gives Everest immediate scale in the non-standard automobile sector and the ability to utilize Arrowhead’s infrastructure and technology capabilities to expand our market share in this sector.”

Chris Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Arrowhead, said, “The decision to enter into this agreement developed from Arrowhead’s longstanding relationship with Everest as it currently writes several programs with Arrowhead. Everest is a blue chip company with exceptional financial strength and smart, creative people driven to produce strong results,” Walker further commented, “Fortunately, we have built longstanding business and personal relationships with the Everest team and frequently discuss program opportunities. This venture will allow Everest to further tap into our infrastructure and technology capabilities as we work together to scale the program for growth. It truly is a win-win scenario.”

Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries: Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance Company (Ireland), Limited provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company provide property and casualty insurance to policyholders in the U.S. Everest Indemnity Insurance Company offers excess and surplus lines insurance in the U.S. Everest Insurance Company of Canada provides property and casualty insurance to …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Target Financial And Retail Services President Terry Scully to Retire

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Target Financial And Retail Services President Terry Scully to Retire

Scott Kennedy Named as Successor

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Target Corporation (NYS: TGT) announced today that Terry Scully, 60, President, Financial and Retail Services, plans to retire in March 2014. Effective April 1, 2013, Mr. Scully will move into a strategic advisory role, ensuring a smooth transition for our financial services operations following the sale of our portfolio to TD Bank Group.

“For nearly 35 years, Terry has been a valuable member of this Target team,” said Gregg Steinhafel, Chairman, President and CEO. “And, for the past decade, Terry’s leadership and his vision have led to the creation of an exceptional suite of financial products and services, which were critical in strengthening guest loyalty and delivering substantial profitable growth. I appreciate his many contributions and am grateful that Target will continue to benefit from Terry’s expertise during this transitional period.”

Since joining the company in 1979, Mr. Scully has held a variety of financial and credit card roles. In 1998, he became Vice President of Finance for Target Financial Services, and he was promoted to his current role in 2003.

Target also announced today that Scott Kennedy, 44, Vice President, Pay and Benefits, is being promoted to succeed Mr. Scully as President of Target Financial and Retail Services. Mr. Kennedy joined Target in 2005 as Vice President, Assurance. During his tenure with Target, he has also held positions as Vice President, Controller and Vice President of Finance for Target Financial Services. He was named to his current role in 2010.

“Scott brings strong leadership, strategic perspective and broad financial experience to his new role,” said John Mulligan, EVP and CFO. “I am confident that Target Financial and Retail Services will continue to thrive under his direction.”

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYS: TGT) serves guests at 1,787 stores – 1,784 in the United States and three in Canada — and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/corporateresponsibility.

For more …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Exco Resources, Inc. Announces Senior Management and Board Changes

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By Business Wirevia The Motley Fool

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Exco Resources, Inc. Announces Senior Management and Board Changes

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– EXCO Resources, Inc. (NYS: XCO) (“EXCO“) today announced that Stephen F. Smith has decided to retire from EXCO on June 1, 2013 and has further decided not to stand for re-election to EXCO‘s Board of Directors at the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Smith will serve as a full-time EXCO employee until June 1, 2013 to assist with certain transition matters. Mr. Smith retired from his duties as EXCO‘s President effective February 28, 2013 and will retire from his duties as EXCO‘s Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2013. Following his retirement, Mr. Smith will continue to serve as a consultant to EXCO until June 1, 2016 and will remain on the Board of Directors of the recently announced partnership with Harbinger Group Inc.

Effective February 28, 2013, Harold L. Hickey, EXCO‘s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed to replace Mr. Smith as EXCO‘s President and will remain EXCO‘s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Hickey has served in various senior management roles at EXCO since he joined the company in 2001. Mr. Hickey’s transition to the role of President is a product of the thorough and deliberative management succession planning process undertaken over the last several years by EXCO‘s Board of Directors.

Effective April 1, 2013, Mark Mulhern, EXCO‘s former Chairman of the Audit Committee, has been appointed to replace Mr. Smith as EXCO‘s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Mulhern previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Progress Energy, Inc. and managed its financial services group until July 2012.

Douglas H. Miller, EXCO‘s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Steve Smith is an accomplished businessman and a long-time friend. During his time at EXCO, Steve led by example, instilling an unmatched work ethic across the organization. While Steve is stepping down from EXCO‘s board of directors and as an officer, we are fortunate that he will remain actively involved with future business matters, particularly with respect to growing and managing our conventional oil and natural gas partnership.

“We are excited that Hal Hickey is taking on a new role as President of EXCO. Hal’s leadership history, organizational knowledge and operational expertise make him a natural fit as EXCO‘s new President.

“We are also excited to have Mark Mulhern join the senior management team. Mark’s extensive financial and executive leadership experience will provide widespread benefits to EXCO, particularly considering our renewed focus on acquisitions of producing oil and natural gas …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance