News Briefs

SmartSense by Digi, part of Digi International, and a leading global provider of Internet of Things connectivity solutions, launched a new healthcare advisory board.

Designed to help healthcare organizations mitigate operational risk, streamline standard operating procedures and simplify compliance, the board also looks to work towards empowering, engaging and educating customers on the increasing sophistication of IoT healthcare solutions, leading to improved efficiency, patient care and safety.

“The SmartSense Healthcare Advisory Board marks an important milestone in the transformational growth for our company,” said Guy Yehiav, president of SmartSense by Digi. “The board features a diverse range of expertise drawn from some of the brightest minds in healthcare, technology, supply-chain management, patient care, pharmaceuticals and more. These distinguished industry leaders will provide insights and recommendations to healthcare organizations, enabling them to more effectively leverage IoT solutions that overcome industry challenges.”

The board will be chaired by James Langabeer, a professor of healthcare informatics and decision sciences at a major academic medical center and founder of Yellowstone Research, a boutique strategy consultancy specializing in competitive intelligence and market research for the healthcare industry.

Inaugural members include:

• Keith Perry, senior vice president and CIO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he oversees enterprise IT strategy and execution;

• Richard McFee, chief of supply chain management at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He specializes in logistics and supply chain management, hospital support services, biomedical services and care compliance management;

• Summer Kerley, vice president of clinical services and business development for Rite Aid. She oversees clinical pharmacy initiatives that enhance the ability to deliver a higher level of patient care; and

• Andy Draper, CIO of HCA Continental division. In addition to his CIO duties, he has been a three-time entrepreneur and self-described sherpa for more than 12 health tech firms. He specializes in data sources, methods and technology for the plant’s journey to carbon zero.

“Many organizations have only just dipped their toes into the many opportunities that advanced technologies, like IoT, can bring to their healthcare organizations,” said Langabeer. “I’m eager to work with the other members of the board and the SmartSense team to help the industry maximize the full potential of these technologies, helping organizations improve better patient care and streamline operations.”

Sally Hansen is teaming up with Netflix to launch a collection of polishes that will have consumers feeling as if they are in a fantasy novel.

Inspired by the “School for Good & Evil,” premiering on the streaming platform, the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel X Netflix The School for Good & Evil collection was influenced by the young adult novel turned film.

Designed to help consumers achieve a perfect manicure with imaginative shades, Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel line features color set technology, lasts up to eight days and does not require a UV lamp for application.

Available shades include True Beauty Comes from Within; The Storian; Not What It Gleams; Lovey Dovey; Good is Great; Can’t Settle, Won’t Settle; Fresh Villainy; It’s Better Being Bad; Magic Mirror and Lesso Go.

The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel X Netflix The School for Good & Evil collection will be available in September at mass market, drug store, food and ecommerce retailers nationwide.

Haleon is previewing a new product, which is among the first consumer health product releases since the company’s launch.

Just in time for cold and flu season, this September consumers will be able to pick up Theraflu Flu Relief Max Strength.

Featuring 1,000 mg of acetaminophen, the product offers relief for several common flu symptoms — including fever, body ache, sore throat pain, cough and runny nose — for up to 6 hours and is available in a variety of formulations for all types of lifestyles and preferences, the company said.

Theraflu Flu Relief Max Strength will be available over the counter in September and online in mid-late September.

CitrusAd has appointed Rob Odd as its first regional CEO – Asia Pacific and Japan.

Odd’s move to CitrusAd marks a jump from an extensive agency career into retail media. Over the last 20 years Odd has held executive leadership positions for various agencies — most recently within the WPP network.

“CitrusAd’s growth in Asia Pacific and Japan has doubled in 2022, and with a strong pipeline from across the region, this is an important step in ensuring we respond to the needs of our growing retailer and advertiser network,” said Adam Skinner, chief operating officer at CitrusAd.

The company said that the appointment of this strategic role reflects CitrusAd’s focus on ensuring each region (Americas, APJ and EMEA) is set up for success to drive hyper-focused growth and customer retention, and has everything they need to continue to service their retailers and advertisers — “such attention to our partners’ needs has been at the core of CitrusAd’s success.”

“Retail media has already seen significant growth, but I believe we are still only scratching the surface of its potential. The CitrusAd platform and offering is best in class and the talented team behind it made this an opportunity just too good to refuse. I’m excited to join the team and help drive this next phase of growth,” Odd said.

Odd will be responsible for the CitrusAd business across six countries in the Asia Pacific region – Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea – as well as the company’s strategic partnerships in Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines. He will be tasked with focusing on team growth, customer success, strategic partnerships, client retention and new business development in the region.

“Rob’s diverse strengths and experience will provide a wealth of value as retailers commence new endeavors across on-site, off-site and in-store retail media in the APJ region. He has a passion for bringing together technology, media and data to drive results. Rob believes in taking a hands-on, consultative and collaborative approach to team growth, clients and sales.” said Skinner.

The Ice Cream Shop, which was created by Unilever to help consumers curb their ice cream cravings, is now available nationwide.

Through a partnership with Instacart, the virtual restaurant’s delivery service is now expanded beyond select major metropolitan areas, the company said.

Consumers from across the nation can now browse a selection of  Unilever brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Good Humor, Klondike, Magnum ice cream, Popsicle and Talenti.

An option to browse such categories as best sellers, classics, chocolate and vanilla, chunks and swirls, gluten-free, peanut-free and frozen novelties also is available, the company said.

The Ice Cream Shop is available on Instacart from coast to coast.

Fergon Iron Restore’s iron supplements are now available to a wider range of consumers.

The Edison, N.J.-based company shared that its supplement, which offers 27 mg of iron per serving, is now available at Rite Aid and H-E-B.

“Since 2020, we have together with DSE been able to deploy thousands of bottles of Fergon Iron to those who would otherwise not have access to it,” said Gordon Robertson, president of Operation Blessing. “We’re excited for the opportunity to help even more people with each purchase of Fergon at Rite Aid and H-E-B, further supporting at-risk populations around the world.”

Available in an orange-flavored tablet that does not leave behind a metallic aftertaste, it is gentle enough to take on an empty stomach, the company said.

“It has been an incredible experience to work with Rite Aid and H-E-B to get Fergon Iron Restore on shelves, making it more accessible for people suffering from the effects of iron-deficiency," said Michele Muhammad, chief marketing officer of DSE Healthcare Solutions. “We’re committed to helping people get the essentials they need to lead full lives and we’re thankful for our partners to help us further that goal.”

Fergon Iron Restore is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and kosher, the company said.