🌟 Hey there, dear readers! It's that time of the week again when we gather around to catch up on the latest and greatest in the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) world. 🚀

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Welcome back to another exciting edition of our DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) Insider newsletter. 📰 Our mission: to serve you the freshest news and insights straight from the heart of the DTC universe. 💡 With every update, we're arming you with the knowledge to be the smartest one in the room. 🤓

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News from simcere pharmaceutical group limited

14 September  2024, PR newswire

Simcere Pharmaceuticals announced that its innovative stroke drug, Sanbexin Sublingual Tablets (Edaravone and Dexborneol), received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) on September 2, 2024. This designation, aimed at expediting development and review of drugs addressing serious conditions, is based on promising results from a Phase III clinical trial in China. The study demonstrated significant neurological recovery and improved patient independence compared to placebo, with a favorable safety profile.

Sanbexin's sublingual formulation allows rapid absorption and enhances treatment flexibility by disintegrating quickly in saliva. This makes it easier for stroke patients to receive timely therapy, both in and out of the hospital. With stroke being a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, this drug's expedited development is expected to significantly reduce treatment time and improve patient outcomes. Sanbexin has completed Phase I trials in the U.S. and its new drug application was accepted in China in 2023.

Drinks industry faces cybersecurity challenges from smart manufacturing

13 September 2024, Just Drinks

Cyberattacks continue to grow, putting manufacturing at increasing risk. In 2023, the industry saw a staggering 165% rise in cyberattacks, with food and beverage manufacturers being the most targeted. Major incidents, such as the $200 million hit on Mondelēz International, highlight the vulnerability of legacy systems and third-party software.

As the beverage industry embraces Industry 4.0 technologies like AI, IoT, and advanced analytics, smart manufacturing is revolutionizing operations. Companies like Heineken and PepsiCo have integrated digital twins, predictive analytics, and automated systems to streamline production and energy efficiency. However, these innovations come with greater exposure to cyber threats, making cybersecurity a critical priority in the evolving digital landscape. “Connecting OT to the internet and IT networks enables data sharing and efficiency but also exposes these systems to potential exploits,” says D’Souza. 

Soarion Credit Union President and CEO Ryan Ross Announces Departure

13 September 2024, PR Newswire

Ryan Ross, President and CEO of Soarion Credit Union, has announced his departure to take on the role of President and CEO at the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union. Ross, who has led Soarion since 2020, will step down on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Under his leadership, the San Antonio-based credit union has seen significant growth and improvements.Ric Ledezma, the current Executive Vice President and CFO, will succeed Ross as President and CEO, effective Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. 

Ross expressed confidence in Ledezma, stating, “I am confident that Ric will continue this effort with stellar results.” Ledezma, a native of South Texas, emphasized the importance of community and financial sustainability, saying, “I look forward to bringing that spirit to the work we do in finding the best possible solutions for our members 💼.” Ross’s departure allows him and his family to move closer to relatives, while Ledezma is poised to continue Soarion’s trajectory of success.

ZoomInfo Data Reveals Best and Worst Times of Year to Send Email

13 September 2024, Businesswire

ZoomInfo has released new data revealing the best and worst times to reach email recipients, based on an analysis of millions of global emails sent in 2023. The study focused on out-of-office (OOO) reply rates to determine optimal times for email outreach. Autumn emerged as one of the best seasons to connect with people, with a 2.4% OOO reply rate from mid-September to mid-November. In contrast, OOO replies peaked at 6.8% during the Christmas week.

The analysis also found that the second week of January had the lowest OOO reply rate at just 1.1%. Meanwhile, summer months, especially around the Fourth of July, saw elevated OOO reply rates, averaging 3.0%. Overall, the median OOO rate for the year was 2.7%. These insights provide valuable guidance for businesses aiming to enhance their email outreach strategies, particularly in timing their efforts to avoid periods of high OOO responses.

US online seller Flaviar acquires direct sales platform Speakeasy

11 September  2024, Just Drinks

Flaviar, a US-based e-commerce and service provider in the beverage industry, has acquired Speakeasy, an online sales platform known for processing direct-to-consumer (DTC) orders for beverage companies. Speakeasy, founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Diego, enables brands to sell directly to consumers while maintaining compliance with the US’s three-tier distribution system, which legally separated alcohol producers, distributors, and retailers. With this acquisition, Flaviar aims to streamline services for beverage brands under the "Flaviar Checkout" umbrella. 

This integration allows brands to avoid choosing between different routes to market in the US. Flaviar’s CEO, Jugoslav Petkovic, emphasized the benefits, stating, "Our brand partners will no longer be forced to choose between the different routes to market." While Flaviar's services are global, Petkovic highlighted the company’s focus on innovative solutions for beverage alcohol (bev-alc) brands in the US. He also stressed the importance of compliance with the three-tier system through partnerships with distributors and retailers in their fulfillment network.

Weekly Recap! 🔙✨

Do you want to know what we published last week?

1. Are You Set for Success? Gifting Strategies This Holiday Season 🎄

2. Master Audience Engagement Tactics🚀

3. Prep Your Supply Chain for the Holiday Rush✨

Stay tuned and hit subscribe @How-to-ecommerce for more such content…

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