Instructure Works With the University of Manchester to Implement Canvas LMS, Improving Digital and Lifelong Learning

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, May 2024 – Instructure Holdings, Inc. (Instructure) (NYSE: INST), the leading learning ecosystem and maker of Canvas, announced today that The University of Manchester has selected Canvas as a replacement for its legacy learning management system (LMS) to align with the strategic goals and direction that the institution is taking, aiming to make courses more accessible and flexible and to support lifelong learning.

“This platform is aimed at improving flexibility, functionality, and capabilities for teaching and learning for all of our learners, including continuing professional development (CPD),” said Professor Danielle George, Associate Vice President Blended and Flexible Learning, The University of Manchester.  “Canvas is praised for its intuitive interface, strong support, flexibility, integration capabilities, and the ability to share content, all of which are in line with the strategic direction of the University. Adopting Canvas by Instructure as our LMS will strengthen our commitment to lifelong learning.”

The decision to switch providers came following a thorough evaluation and a series of usability tests of all available solutions. The overarching feedback from faculty and students was that their LMS could be doing more to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and their pedagogical approach to online content creation. The University will go live with courses on Canvas for the academic year 2025/26.

The University of Manchester has invested in the full suite of Instructure products for higher education, which includes: Canvas LMS, Canvas Catalog, Canvas Studio, Canvas Credentials, and Impact by Instructure a tool that supports change, drives adoption, and helps institutions evaluate the impact of its edtech solutions based on data and analytics. Additionally, The University of Manchester will manage the migration of its courses with Instructure’s partner, K16 Solutions, and their automated migration functionality. Using the Canvas Archiving solution, they can also move the data from their former LMS into Canvas and retain years of historical data for accreditation purposes.

“As education keeps evolving and is constantly challenged by emerging technologies, we are proud to partner with The University of Manchester to support their efforts and aim to foster a flexible and modern lifelong learning experience not only in the United Kingdom but for thousands of international students around the world,” said Daniel Hill, Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Instructure.

The University of Manchester has 44,000 students and 12,000 staff members and is considered one of the most globally diverse universities in the UK, with 550,000 alumni from 190 countries worldwide. It also stands as a key partner in Manchester's citywide lifelong learning initiative, recently acknowledged by UNESCO's designation as a City of Lifelong Learning. 

The University of Manchester is one of the top higher education institutions in Europe and a member of the prestigious Russell Group.

Olympus Acceleration Platform Opens Global Launchpad for Filipino WEB3 Startups

MANILA - May 2024 – The DFINITY Foundation (DFINITY), a Swiss not-for-profit research and development organization and a key contributor to the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) blockchain, has announced the launch of the Olympus, the first decentralized, on-chain global acceleration platform.

Olympus provides a consolidated platform for launching Web3 products by providing grants, crowdfunding, VC investments, and networking opportunities all on-chain. The platform is a global ecosystem connector for over 40 countries, facilitating project applications, funding, talent acquisition, and cross-community interactions. It also promotes a transparent investment environment, giving investors access to vetted projects early.

Olympus's initial operations are supported by a $15 million grant from DFINITY and the ICP Asia Alliance, which will operate the first series of Web3 startup accelerator programs. Within this framework, ISLA Camp (ICP Hub Philippines) will lead these efforts locally, spearheading the acceleration programs within the country to nurture and develop Filipino-led Web3 projects.

"Magandang oportunidad ang Olympus para makilala ang Filipino Web3 projects and entrepreneurs sa global stage. [Olympus opens global opportunities for Filipino projects and entrepreneurs.] Our focus at ISLA Camp (ICP Hub Philippines) is to identify, nurture, and propel high-potential Filipino Web3 projects onto the global stage,” said Nelson Lumbres, Co-founder of ISLA Camp (ICP Hub Philippines).

Filipino Web3 startups and entrepreneurs who will participate in Olympus will have access to mentorship and deal flows from top venture capital investors including Fenbushi Capital, Fundamental Labs, Softbank Vision Fund, NewTribe Capital, Cypher Capital, Bitcoin Frontier Fund, Summer Ventures, L2IV, Dext Force Ventures, Leadblock Partners, viaBTC Capital, Cipholio Ventures, Chiron Group, 3X Capital, Plutus.VC, and others.

“The Olympus acceleration platform promotes decentralization, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We’re all looking forward to witnessing the growth of the next generation of projects on the Internet Computer and other ecosystems through Olympus,” said Dominic Williams, Founder and Chief Scientist of the DFINITY Foundation, in a statement.

By the end of 2024, Olympus will transition into a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). To ensure its independence and sustainability, it will be funded through a native token generation event (TGE) followed by community-led fundraising, enabling all stakeholders to participate in the platform's success.

Founders and developers wishing to participate in Olympus can submit their projects to www.dfinity.org.

Weekly Podcast Listenership Hits 17M in the Philippines - Study

May 2024 Manila, Philippines - A study reveals more Filipinos are now tuning in to podcasts.

The "Beyond the Headphones: The Portrait of a Podcast Listener as Filipino" report indicates that over 17 million internet-connected Filipinos, or 19.8% of the internet-connected population aged 16 to 64, listen to podcasts weekly. This marks an increase of 2.6% from 2023.

The report, a collaboration among the country’s three largest podcast networks, The Pod Network, Anima Podcast, PumaPodcast, and socio-cultural research firm The Fourth Wall, highlights the growing popularity of podcasts in the Philippines, which boasts an internet-connected population of 86.98 million.

According to the report, which surveyed hundreds of respondents, the popularity of podcasts has been rising since 2020. While the Internet (81.9%) and social media (80.8%) remained the most preferred information platforms, in 2023, podcasts (50.5%) have surpassed other media platforms such as online video streaming sites (40.4%), online news portals (22.1%), and television (19.9%) as the most preferred information source.

 
The report details that the rise of podcasts may be explained by the respondents' prioritization of accessibility (82%) and convenience (74%) when choosing their media platform.

The report describes that the majority of the country's podcast listeners are millennials or Generation Y, or those aged 25 to 34, who live in urban areas such as the Greater Manila area.

The Fourth Wall Research Director John Brylle Bae details Filipinos' listening habits while also stating that the country's growing popularity of podcasts mirrors the global trend of becoming one of the leading sources of information.

"Our research has found that the majority of podcast audiences tend to listen to podcasts after work or school hours, when commuting, or while doing household chores. This pattern is in line with global trends where podcasts serve as a preferred source of both entertainment and information. Audiences choose podcasts for their ability to seamlessly integrate into daily routines, offering a unique mix of engaging and informative content," said Bae.

A 2022 study by the Pew Research Center indicated that 67% of American podcast listeners claim that the podcasts they subscribe to discuss news and current events. Of those who get news from podcasts, 87% expect the information to be mostly accurate.

The report also reveals the most listened-to podcast genres in the Philippines. About 74% of those surveyed revealed they listen to comedy podcasts led by podcasts like The KoolPals, followed by personal development (64%), culture (55%), and politics (49%). The survey suggests that podcast consumers gravitate towards topics that are both entertaining and informative, underscoring their preference for engaging yet substantial content.

The study findings were presented during the event, “Podcasts, Pizza, and Pints,” hosted by the three podcast networks, on April 4, 2024, at Clock-In at the Ayala North Exchange, Makati.

The event, in partnership with streaming platform Spotify and sponsored by WOW Fiesta and Breville, gathered over 200 professionals from industries like advertising, marketing, and public relations and featured discussions on the developing podcast landscape in the Philippines.

In addition to discussing the report's findings, the event also highlighted how brands can effectively incorporate podcasts into their marketing strategies. Spotify's Wrapped for Advertisers for 2023 report revealed that podcast ads have accelerated by 40% Year-on-Year (YoY), making them the platform’s fastest-growing ad product.

Alan Fontanilla, CEO of The Pod Network, said the growing popularity of podcasts in the Philippines, cited in the report, provides advertisers and marketers with another avenue to reach their audiences.

"We are at an intersection in the evolution of media consumption in the Philippines. As more Filipinos tune into podcasts for their unique blend of entertainment and information, we see an invaluable opportunity for creators and advertisers alike to engage with an audience that values depth and accessibility. We are excited about what's to come as we celebrate and leverage this dynamic shift towards audio-first content.”

Together with Fontanilla, Mel Lozano, Head of Podcasts of Anima Podcasts, and Carl Javier, CEO of PumaPodcast, served as the event hosts.

Aside from the insightful discussions, attendees had the opportunity to interact with some of the country's most sought-after podcasters. Present at the event were Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper of Tambalan Podcast, Antoinette Jadaone and JP Habac of Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast, Bianca Gonzales of Paano Ba 'To, Dani Barretto of The Bare It All Podcast, Joyce Pring of Adulting with Joyce Pring, Lyqa Maravilla of Trying Hard with Lyqa Maravilla, and GB Labrador, James Caraan, Nonong Ballinan, and Muman Reyes of The KoolPals.

The report forecasts that podcast listenership will continue to expand, particularly in rural areas, as digital penetration deepens across the Philippines. This trend is supported by the steadily increasing number of internet users, underscoring the emerging role of podcasts as a dominant media platform in the country.

To get full access to the "Beyond the Headphones: The Portrait of a Podcast Listener as Filipino" report and discover more about podcasting trends in the Philippines, you may visit https://thepodnetwork.com/mediakit.

New Bold University Banners Branding Masterclass in Its Sixth Year to Nurture Future Brand Leaders

May 2024, Manila, Philippines—New Bold University (NBU), celebrated for embodying the pioneering ethos of Silicon Valley's Singularity University, is back on the center stage for its sixth edition.

Scheduled for May 10-11, 2024, at The Astbury in Makati City, "Visionary NXT: Branding Masterclass for the Next Big Brands." is designed to arm emerging brands with advanced marketing strategies essential for market dominance. As NBU continues to infuse local entrepreneurs with global and local insights, "Visionary NXT" is poised to be a pivotal gathering for the next generation of brand leaders.

Now in its sixth year, this two-day event aims to equip entrepreneurs, startup founders, and marketing professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to redefine the branding landscape. It provides actionable strategies for brand success while empowering participants to make a meaningful impact in their respective industries.

With the many disruptions in the marketplace, the dynamics of branding and marketing have shifted. NBU's response to these challenges offers strategies and visionary thinking needed in today's market. It seeks to cultivate a community of 1,000 visionary brand builders in the next two years who will lead the charge in creating disruptive and socially impactful brands.

NBU’s Founder, Ralph Layco, envisions this initiative as a pivotal moment for the branding community. "Visionary NXT represents a significant evolution from our previous masterclasses. We are not just exploring brand strategies; we are inspiring a new generation of brand pioneers who will lead the charge in driving innovation and change. They need guidance, new strategies, and most importantly, the mindset to disrupt their categories. We are here to guide and empower them,” said Layco.

Featuring a lineup of industry titans including Colourette Cosmetics CEO and NIV Della Beauty Innovations, Inc. Founder Nina Dizon, Tala by Kyla Founder Janet Kyla, Rolling Media Founder Jozelle Tech, Good Diva Marketing Founder Mariella Tiano, Agyle Brands Founder Guita Gopalan, and Noah and Eve Center and NBU Founder Ralph Layco, who are set to deliver invaluable insights into brand strategy, innovation, and growth. The group from Kaya Founders will also join the event.

Attendees can expect a dynamic program comprising workshops, coaching sessions, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and drive innovation.

Before the anticipated event in May, a series of online brand talks were held to generate interest and set the stage, featuring brand founders of Hiraya Pilipina, The Man, The Maverick, and Mink.ph.

Interested participants may inquire at NBU’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newboldu.

Globe Rewards+ Offers Next-Level Experience for Globe Prepaid Customers

Globe Prepaid and Globe Rewards have next-level experiences reserved just for you.

Globe Prepaid customers are in for an exclusive experience with the all-new Globe Rewards+. Available exclusively on the GlobeOne app, Globe Rewards+ makes Globe Prepaid customers feel exceptionally valued and cared for, reflecting the brand’s commitment to delivering unmatched digital innovations that improve customer experience.

With this program, qualified Globe Prepaid subscribers have a new way to unlock a world of premium benefits, including priority assistance, special vouchers, early access to Globe-sponsored events, and much more.

"We are determined to deliver unparalleled service to our loyal Globe Prepaid customers that extends well beyond simple connectivity," said Givielle Florida, Globe Prepaid Brand Head.

"Globe Rewards+ is transforming the experience of our prepaid customers with exclusive next-level perks, giving them an experience like no other,” she added.

Qualified subscribers can simply download the GlobeOne app, click the Globe Rewards+ icon on their dashboard, and complete the welcome mission within the Globe Rewards+ section to activate their membership.

Once enrolled, Globe Rewards+ members can enjoy a host of exclusive benefits, including:

 

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The Globe Rewards+ membership is valid for six months, during which qualified customers can fully immerse themselves in the next-level experience.

By introducing innovative experiences and exclusive benefits, Globe Prepaid sets a new standard in the prepaid market. To learn more about Globe Rewards+ and unlock the next-level experience, download the GlobeOne app and click on the Globe Rewards+ icon.