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Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union changes name, expanding
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union has changed its name to Suncoast Credit Union. In December, the credit union's members voted to convert the credit union from a federal charter to a state charter, which required the credit union to change its name.
The charter change will allow the credit union to expand its membership to anyone who lives or works in 15 counties, including, for the first time, Sarasota and Highlands counties.
Suncoast Credit Union currently has more than half a million members and assets of more than $5.5 billion. It employs 1,098 people.
HSNi inks marketing partnership with United Entertainment Group
St. Petersburg-based multichannel retailer HSNi has reached a marketing partnership with the United Entertainment Group (UEG).
As part of the deal, UEG and its partner, United Talent Agency, will utilize its presence in Hollywood and Madison Avenue to build upon HSNi's ongoing foray into integrating entertainment and retail by building partnerships with celebrity brands, unique music platforms, television, film collaborations and other brand partnerships.
“HSNi is thrilled to be working with a highly respected agency such as UEG as we open our Los Angeles offices to better engage the entertainment industry,” Andy Sheldon, chief creative officer for HSNi and general manager of HSN Entertainment, says in a press release. “Having a presence on both coasts will provide us the agility we need to succeed.”
UEG, which was created as a joint venture with Hollywood powerhouse United Talent Agency, has developed campaigns for marketers such as Procter & Gamble, Frito-Lay, General Mills, AT&T and Starbucks, and works with entertainment companies including Time Warner, Comcast, Facebook and Google, and celebrities such as Katie Perry, Mark Wahlberg, Pharrell Williams and Drew Barrymore.
IMD Cos. agrees to buy Apopka manufacturer of gardening products
The board of directors of IMD Cos. Inc. has signed a letter of intent to acquire Lumz'n Blooms Ltd., an Apopka-based manufacturer of products and services for indoor gardening and hydroponics. Lumz'n Blooms Ltd. was founded in 2006 and had revenues of more than $2.2 million in 2013.
Lumz'n Blooms sells to two main hydroponic gardening segments: the organic green/sustainable-living market and the medical and recreational marijuana market.
“By owning Lumz'n Blooms Ltd. we will increase our distribution channels exponentially for not only their products but for the EMC-5000 System's, which was acquired [in an Anything Technologies Media Inc.] joint partnership, as well,” Larry Robertson CEO of ICBU, says in a press release. “This will afford Lumz the ability to expand its presence at trade shows, provide co-op advertising for major retailers, support retail trials, promote product through print, social and other media outlets, develop [point of sale] displays, as well as new product development.”
AVI-SPL receives patent for its VNOC Symphony workflow system
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Tampa-based AVI-SPL a patent for its workflow management system, VNOC Symphony. Patent 8,625,769 recognizes the system's process workflow automation for the management and control of meetings.
The company says the VNOC Symphony platform is the first software tool to automate the backend processes needed to schedule, monitor and manage video conferencing and AV resources. The software lets users schedule their own video meetings, check available video resources, access reports and analytics, and connect with the video network operations center — where conference traffic is managed — for remote support.
“This patent award is a testament to the investments we have made on behalf of our customers and shows our commitment to enhancing the user experience regardless of what collaboration tool is being used,” Mike Brandofino, executive vice president of video and unified communications, says in a press release.
First National Bank, parent add former N.T. Butterfield CEO to boards
TGR Financial Inc. and its subsidiary, Naples-based First National Bank of the Gulf Coast, have appointed Bradford Kopp as a director on both boards. Kopp will replace Chris Casciato of Lightyear Capital LLC.
Kopp is a senior adviser to Lightyear Capital, as well as a financial services executive who has spent most of his career working with banks and related financial companies. He advises a number of companies in the financial sector on strategic alternatives and profitability improvement initiatives.
He recently served as president and CEO of Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son, where he orchestrated a recapitalization of the bank with a group of institutional investors and returned the bank to profitability.
India Web marketing firm partners with Fox Business
Andy Fox's Bradenton-based The Fox Business Group LLC is partnering with Suresh Babu Web Marketing Academy of Bangalore, India to create Fox and Suresh Enterprises. The new venture will provide digital marketing training and workshops.
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