Latest news with #Marcel
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
'Marcel (Reed) has been great' Texas A&M HC Mike Elko praises his QB's development
'Marcel (Reed) has been great' Texas A&M HC Mike Elko praises his QB's development Texas A&M's 2025 season will wholly depend on starting quarterback Marcel Reed taking the next step in his development, and while most of the national media are highly skeptical, coach Mike Elko has vocally backed the redshirt sophomore based on his offseason development, and continued to do so on Tuesday night during the Forth Worth Coach's Night. Reed is a dual-threat quarterback in every sense of the definition, flashing brilliance as a runner, while he has shown the arm strength and accuracy needed to thrive in the SEC. However, inconsistency in the pocket was a constant issue outside of a handful of games, while his poor performance in the season finale loss to Texas resulted in the national media losing confidence in the former four-star recruit. Still, thanks to his father, Rod Reed, we have been able to witness Marcel put the work in the offseason, working with various coaches to refine his technique as a passer, mainly working on his accuracy and quick release. In OC Collin Klein's balanced offense, Reed will need to make the tight window throws and complete enough deep passes to open up the running game, which shouldn't be an issue on paper given the influx of talent in the wide receiver room from the transfer portal. With KC Concepcion and Mario Craver joining Terry Bussey, Ashton Bethel-Roman, Izaiah Williams, and Jonah Wilson in the 2025 WR Corps, Reed can thrive in the short to intermediate passing game given every player's ability to gain yards after contact. On Tuesday night, Elko once again praised his QB based on the work he's put in, reminding the Aggies in the audience that during his first starting season as a redshirt freshman, mistakes are almost guaranteed, but he's on the right track regardless. "Marcel (Reed) has been great." "I don't think anybody really appreciates the development that Marcel made because a lot of his development happened at the end of the year when we didn't get the results that we wanted. … We have to finish those games and get the results, but if you're looking for signs of growth from the quarterback, those signs were there." "Growth" is everything when it comes to quarterback development, and while some will see this as coach-speak, Elko has kept it real when discussing player development, especially given the importance of the 2025 campaign. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Eerie theme park left to rot has dark secret lying in one of its crumbling rides
A once thriving theme park, which attracted millions of visitors in its heyday, is now a ghost town - but not only that the abandoned amusement park also has a dark secret. An abandoned theme park in East Berlin - popular with visitors from all over the world in the 1990s - now stands eerily empty and is hiding a dark secret. First opening in 1969 in Berlin, Spreepark grew in popularity in the 1990s welcoming a total of 1.5 million visitors each year. Yet, the East German theme park's popularity didn't last with losing visitors over the following years before closing In 2001. But its story didn't end there and what happened next is often referred to as the 'scandal of Spreepark'. The park's owner, Norbert Witte, and his family moved to Peru and authorities permitted them to ship six attractions (Fliegender Teppich, Butterfly, Spider, Baby-Flug, Wild River, and Jet Star), for repair in 20 shipping containers. READ MORE: Mum of missing teen thanks Mirror after call from police - 'I couldn't stop crying' But Norbert and his son Marcel had other plans and were caught attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine back to Germany in the masts of the "Flying Carpet" ride. Norbert Witte was sentenced to eight years in prison for drug smuggling, while his son Marcel, who was also involved, was sentenced to 20 years in Peru. In its heyday the park catered to visitors from both sections of the Berlin Wall, initially charging a fee per ride. After a change in management and guests paying a general admission fee to enter the park, Spreepark took on a more western theme including an English village, western town, new rollercoasters and a collection of other games and activities. However, the park began to reportedly struggle with ageing rides and debts - with the Guardian reporting Spreepark's books revealed debts of up to €15million (£12.4m) when the park filed for bankruptcy in 2001. To try to rectify this situation, admission prices were increased for guests, but the dismal parking options and rising costs kept many visitors away. Since 2002, the park has not opened for visitors and in August that same year it was declared insolvent. Reports showed it had debts of €11,000,000, and the park fell into disrepair. In 2011, a scene for the action film Hanna was filmed at the park, as well as the music video for the single "Run Dry" by German band Sizarr. After 2011, guided tours were offered to the public at restricted times but in March 2014 guided tours ended. On the evening of 10 August 2014, major parts of the park were destroyed in a fire but The Ferris wheel remained. That was dismantled in 2021 and the parts kept for potential re-use and some remains of other attractions are still on the site. Years after its closure, the city of Berlin purchased Spreepark and began plans for its restoration. The site is now undergoing a transformation into an art and culture park, with some original elements preserved.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MarTech+ #1: AI That Sees, Shops, and Sells
Dear Reader, While the principles of marketing remain unchanged, technology has transformed everything about how we experience them. The 4Ps — product, price, promotion, and place — now look very different in a world of algorithms, AI, and attention scarcity. Even mental and physical availability is shaped by data, devices, and digital journeys. That's why we have curated the MarTech+ newsletter to track how marketing is evolving at the intersection of tech and consumer behaviour — without the jargon. Every week, we'll share smart signals, brand moves, and the ideas shaping what's next. In this edition, we explore how AI is quietly but powerfully shaping the way people shop, storytellers create, and brands serve. From grocery shelves designed with empathy, to studios where AI sharpens the craft, to shopping journeys guided by digital agents — this is AI in action. Let's dive into the now 🛒 When AI sees what we don't Britannia 's 'A-Eye' project is more than tech—it's what innovation looks like when it puts people first. By making grocery shelves more accessible to the visually impaired, Britannia reminds us that inclusive design is good marketing. 👉 Here's how they did it. Why you should care: Because inclusive brand experiences aren't just 'nice to have'—they're the new competitive edge. 🎨 AI didn't kill the creative star—It upskilled it Youri Guerassimov, the CCO-turned-CEO of Marcel, drops a hard truth: AI has made creative work sharper, not shallower. In this ETBE exclusive, he reflects on how tech has made storytelling more efficient and effective — when paired with soul. 👉 Read the interview. Why you should care: Because brands that want creative that sells need to embrace AI not as a shortcut, but as a superpower. 🛍️ Welcome to Agentified Shopping Imagine a world where you don't scroll endlessly or filter by size. Instead, a smart AI agent knows your taste, diet, budget, mood — and shops for you. This guest article unpacks the rise of AI shopping agents that could change how we think about discovery and decision-making. 👉 Step into the future. Why you should care: Because preference-based automation is poised to flip marketing funnels on their head. Here are more stories you might have missed. Gen AI and the future of marketing. AI, the new shoulder to cry on. And it doesn't get tired. AI impact: What happens to advertising now? Chatgpt faces global outage; India, US most affected. Meta opening AI lab to build super intelligence. 🔄 Over to you Are we entering an era where marketers don't just target people, but train the agents who influence them? What's one AI innovation you've seen lately that actually made the journey better? Tag us on LinkedIn (ET BrandEquity) with your thoughts. — Team ETBrandEquity 🗓️ Stay tuned for the next edition of the MarTech+ newsletter, coming to you every Wednesday.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scot dad gets blood pressure warning from doctor but makes change to lose 2 stone
Marcel Botes, 33, from Edinburgh, struggled to resist the urge to snack, particularly after dinner. But after making one simple change, he's shed nearly two stone in weight Scottish dad Marcel Botes, who has an 11-month-old son, has dropped 12.5kg (nearly two stone) in three months by utilising an innovative AI-powered coaching app named Simple. Battling concerns over his health such as heightened blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Marcel grappled with late-night cravings. He shared: "Initially my biggest challenge was avoiding snacks, especially after dinner, but the app helped me make informed food choices." Reflecting on his weight loss journey, Marcel remarked: "So far I've lost 12.5kg. I reached my original goal weight of 87.6kg in two months. I set a new target of 83.5kg, which I achieved a month later. Even after reaching my goal, I still log my meals and activities multiple times a day." Proudly sharing news of his recent health assessment, Marcel continued: "After a health assessment, my doctor noted my BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol were in healthy ranges, and asked me to keep going." Simple offers users a highly personalised weight-loss experience, tailor-made to suit individual lifestyles and aims. The process kicks off with a unique quiz that adjusts fasting advice based on several aspects like exercise habits, health objectives and desired timeline, reports Cornwall Live. By using an intermittent fasting tracker, the Simple method doesn't involve calorie counting, eliminating essential food groups, or weighing every bite. Based on individual input, the app assists users in selecting a fasting schedule that best suits them- whether it's a balanced 12:12 split, a moderate 14:10 or the 16:8 routine. The 16:8 routine is the most popular intermittent fasting method where users eat during an 8-hour window - such as 10 am to 6 pm - and fast for the remaining 16 hours. During the fasting period, food must be avoided but calorie-free beverages can still be enjoyed. To help users keep track of their nutrition, the app has various methods for logging food including typing, voice commands, or photographs with the nutriscanner. It also offers personalised exercise routines, from strength training and cardio to wall pilates. Now, those keen to start shedding pounds can emulate Marcel's success and grab a fantastic 60% discount on personalised weight loss programmes via the Simple App by using the code REACH60. What makes the Simple App so effective is the addition of Avo, the built-in coach powered by artificial intelligence. Avo acts as a personal wellness companion, always ready to instantly respond to users' questions, ensuring advice on wellbeing and fitness is just a tap away any time they need it. "I love that I can take a photo of my meal and Avo can track the nutritional value for me," continued Marcel. "I frequently use Avo's recipes. Interacting with it feels more like someone who is invested in my health, rather than an AI." For those looking for something outside the Simple app, there are numerous other healthy lifestyle apps to explore. The Lifesum App, for instance, helps users log their diet and physical activity, encouraging healthier choices. Myfitnesspal is another popular app, renowned for its food diary that offers meal planning, calorie tracking, and exercise routines. While both apps are free, they offer premium versions for those seeking extra support and resources. Mother-of-two Laci Gilbert has also achieved significant success with the Simple app, dropping from 275lbs to 116lbs by utilising Avo's workouts and meal planning. Laci said: "As working moms, wives, mothers, just family members, life takes over and sometimes we don't have time in the evenings to get ourselves to the gym or sometimes we just don't feel like moving. The Simple App gives you a no-excuse reason to get up and move, especially when you can do it at home with no equipment. "It is great for a busy person who needs something to do at home or somebody who cannot afford a gym membership, equipment. All you need is yourself and a wall and you've got it," Laci said, promoting her regular wall pilates workouts done from the comfort of home. The Simple app has garnered a commendable 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot, accumulating opinions from 29,591 users. A well-pleased user remarked: "It is an encouraging way to lose weight." Another app user praised: "This app is amazing. It's so easy to use and I love all of the interactions. "It's easy to follow," another client notes. "I'm actually losing weight I've been stuck with forever." However, the app hasn't been universally straightforward, as one individual disclosed: "I am finding the program a little difficult to use." The Mirror also shared its perspective, highlighting: "Simple's range of features are very reminiscent to what you'd get with a personal trainer: someone to hold you accountable, provide you with meal plans and recipes, and to give advice and encouragement." They continued: "There are limitations to it, with the app being a robot, which makes the programme more suited to those who are just getting started or don't know where to start. If you need more advanced help or your weight loss is stalling, that's a good time to pick up the phone to a PT." The review went on to say: "However, its food logging and recipe functions makes it worth the price of admission alone. Even though I'm keeping my PT, Simple will help spice things up for me going forward. I highly recommend this app." The Simple app is currently available at a 60% discount with the code REACH60. This is not medical advice but a personal experience. Results may vary, and you should consult your healthcare professional for any medical conditions.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How Marcel plans to excel in the age of AI
When Marcel unveiled "WoMen's Football", a provocative campaign for telecom giant Orange that swapped male player highlights with female athlete performances mid-match, it wasn't merely an advertising stunt—it was a cultural wake-up call. Ranked number one in WARC's Creative 100 for 2025, this daring initiative wasn't about chasing trends but rather shaping them. Behind such bold ideas stands Youri Guerassimov , CEO of Marcel, whose approach combines creative bravery with meticulous strategic insight. Under Guerassimov's stewardship, Marcel has emerged as an influential voice among global creative agencies, balancing artistry and commerce with remarkable finesse. From tackling e-waste with Back Market's irreverent " Hack Market " campaign to reshaping gender perceptions through provocative storytelling, the Paris-based agency has accumulated an enviable collection of accolades from Cannes Lions, D&AD, and the Effies. In this edition of Economic Times Brand Equity's Digital Cover , Guerassimov discusses how authenticity forms the core of impactful advertising, the unexpected realities of transitioning from creative director to CEO, and why he believes artificial intelligence is not a threat, but rather a transformative tool reshaping the future of creativity. Edited Excerpts: How do you ensure that authenticity remains at the core of what you do? At the heart of what we do at our agency is a commitment to staying true to the brand, and of course, to the people and our target audience. It's a strategic approach from the very beginning—even before we start the creative process. We have a very strong strategic department that works deeply on the brands and briefs. We gain a strong understanding of the brand, the target, and what we are supposed to do. At the same time, we stay close to pop culture and try our best to remain connected to what people are talking about in India and what is happening around us. I would like to say 'every time', but most of the time, we are true to people and to what is happening, which makes our advertisements more efficient and powerful. Where does this inspiration to be true and real come from? It's part of a technical approach, which is why we talk about strategies. People are digging to see, to find, to understand the technical side. At the same time, the creative approach begins with being curious, curious in every possible way. You always have to be aware of what's happening in the country and in the world, so you become like a library of what people's lives are like. You take time to observe what people think, what they do, and that always helps you stay accurate in your work. You try your best to achieve that. You talked about bold ideas, how to be brave, then there's a client objective as well, their business goals. How do you balance the two? On one side you wish to be creative and on the other side you also want to deliver to the goals that the client has? We are not working in show-business; we are working in advertising. In a way, it sits between arts and commerce. Everyone would say it's more commerce than arts, but we use art to serve commerce. So, we should be aligned with the client. If the client has a problem, like making people aware of their latest project, we need to solve that problem with a creative approach. Both are linked. Boldness alone doesn't make sense; we need to use that boldness, we need to use creativity to help our client, our brand, achieve something. It's part of our job, part of our experience, and part of our skills to get it right. Sometimes you try to be bold and it doesn't succeed, or it isn't accurate, and that's also part of the agency's experience. And of course, it's the role of the creative director, who is supposed to be the one responsible for that, the ideas must be accurate for the client and the brief. Boldness or being brave isn't being foolish. When I was CCO, if we had to go on a trip to Paris, we'd take business class tickets. It would cost, say, 1,000 euros. Now, as CEO, I do the opposite. I say let's take economy class, because it's only a one-hour trip and it will cost 300 instead of 1,000 eurosYouri Guerassimov From a creative director to a CEO, you are balancing between a storyboard and an Excel sheet. Has it changed your thought process? Did you start differently when you became a CEO? The answer is yes. I think most people would love to hear 'no', but yes, it changed a lot of things, and maybe it's for the best. It's always a question of balance, of how to frame the right balance. Hopefully, the idea I'm working to achieve at the top of the agency is also about finding the right compromise. That's why you need someone who is very creative, very passionate, and who understands how an agency works, how a business works, so you can find exactly the right balance. You're always trying, always in the process. It's not easy or obvious. Every day, I try to find the right balance between creativity, investment, and talent in the product, and at the same time make it profitable, so the agency can continue to exist and continue to earn money. Because we all need money to make it work, to bring in more people with diverse skills. Many people don't accept the fact that they changed after being CEO but you did that… can you give an example - what changed? Let me give you an example. When I was CCO, if we had to go on a trip to Paris, we'd take business class tickets. It would cost, say, 1,000 euros. Now, as CEO, I do the opposite. I say let's take economy class, because it's only a one-hour trip and it will cost 300 instead of 1,000 and put more entries from the 700 we saved. That's the difference. It's not the same mindset anymore. You have to find the right balance and make the right choice, and that's exactly what's happening. I understand that the money is the same, whether you spend it on a plane ticket, an event entry, or a party, it's still the same money. So, it's always about making choices. It's like an art director who doesn't use Photoshop - today, that person wouldn't really be considered an art director in advertising. It will probably be the same for AI in a few yearsYouri Guerassimov It's no longer just about awareness, it's also about driving loyalty and advocacy after conversion. How do you see the client's expectations changing, and how are you adapting to these emerging expectations? I think we were ready for that for years. In a way, I was expecting that clients would change their mindset, because I believe advertising and communication today are a matter of balance. A brand should have a long-term vision, while also doing something fresh, sometimes very business-oriented, sometimes a big call to action. You should use the full range of what we can offer as advertisers, for the brand, because that's what works and what people expect too. What is Creativity in the age of AI vs what it was before? Through your vantage point… It's a trendy question, and I have a partial answer. I think we are only at the beginning of AI - we're just discovering it, and we're all trying to see how it can change the way we work and improve the quality of our output. We're very invested in AI, and I believe the agency is really on the edge, trying to move forward with it. It's already changing how we work. Presentations are now really beautiful, there's a big improvement in timing, and we're able to work more quickly, which is great. The craft has become much better. We also use ChatGPT and similar tools to make writing easier or to get fresh perspectives. Some wise people on the internet say that AI won't replace creatives, it's the creatives who use AI that will replace agencies that don't. We're ready for that. We just need to embrace it and make the most of it. Everything is moving fast, but we have to stay aware and always know what's happening. Maybe the biggest revolution is just around the corner. So, if a 20-year-old comes to you asking for an internship of 6 months to prove he is good, will you ask him whether he knows how to do AI prompts? What's hiring like in the age of AI? No, the most important thing is the idea. So when I hire someone, I need them to bring great ideas, the feeling, the passion, the understanding-to make me feel confident that this person will do great work. Of course, I'll then ask what kind of tools they use, and AI is everywhere now. ChatGPT is a great tool to refresh the mind and get quicker answers, so yes, I'll definitely ask, but it's not mandatory for me. I'm sure in a few years it will become normal. It's like an art director who doesn't use Photoshop - today, that person wouldn't really be considered an art director in advertising. It will probably be the same for AI in a few years. Where do you see the first impact of AI coming in, is it in design or in writing? Like using ChatGPT everyone seems to be a writer now? Maybe because I am a former art director, I would say the biggest difference is in the craft. The transformation is really amazing. ChatGPT is clearly a useful writing tool that helps our copywriters, but the change there is less obvious. In the art direction path, it's just crazy. I've seen some good creatives who were not really strong art directors suddenly become the ones delivering beautifully crafted images. That feels like magic, because developing that level of skill used to take seven to ten years. Now the machine can do it. If you have the right vision in your head, the machine will help you bring it to life in the proper way. You no longer need to be extremely technical, but you still need an art direction background, or at least good taste. You must know in your mind what the result should look like, because that is still part of the art director's job. What used to take three or four days now takes three hours. For me, that is the crazy part. It's just magic. Now what if a client starts thinking why should I give you 48 hours of time, it's the era of AI… give it to me in 15 mins, 1 hour or 2 hours? I get your point. Depending on the mockup, it can be very different. You can create something very beautiful very quickly, but getting exactly what you want can take a lot of time, really a lot of time. You need the right expression, the right positioning. We have also noticed that sometimes AI just does not understand certain parts of the mockup. Sometimes we make drawings or even 3D models to help AI understand precisely what we want, creating situations where the AI has no choice but to use exactly what we have given it. What is it that you want to keep as Marcel's legacy, when people look at it in a decade, what do you think Marcel's legacy should be? It's a difficult question. I hope people will think that we created great ideas and made people love our brands and clients. I believe that is the legacy. We do everything across all kinds of media, and we would love for people to recognise that it is not just about how we do it, but that we do everything possible to deliver great ideas for our clients.
