Entergy Corporation

Owens Corning

Schneider Electric

Entergy Texas’ First Solar Resource Helps Customers Meet Sustainability Goals

Our People Making a Difference: Paul Ferrara, Senior Safety Lead

Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Program Continues Progressing in Q1 2024

BXP’s sustainability &amp; impact strategy aligns with our mission to envision, develop, and manage exceptional properties that enhance client success, strengthen communities, and advance opportunity. We believe that responsible real estate ownership, investment, and management contribute to progress on economic, social, and environmental issues. In 2023, we remained focused on measurable impacts. 
BXP’s strategy contributes to our commercial success while protecting asset value and our distinction as a premier workplace developer, owner, and manager. Our long-term investment in our people, our properties, and our communities, and implementation of our sustainability program have prepared BXP to navigate an evolving landscape of sustainability objectives, transitionary changes, regulations, and disclosure requirements. 
2023 highlights include:

<ul><li>Remaining on track to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2025</li>
	<li>Managing transition risks and building performance standard compliance, retrocomissioning 9 million square feet of our portfolio to optimize energy performance</li>
	<li>Executing a power purchase agreement for an additional 21 MW of new solar generation capacity as a component of our strategy to reduce carbon emissions</li>
	<li>Issuing an additional $750 million of “Green Bonds” in our sixth Green Bond offering</li>
	<li>Increasing efforts to advance built environment climate technology through continued engagement and investment with Energy Impact Partners</li>
</ul>BXP will host its third annual Sustainability &amp; Impact Investor Update on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. The webcast will be hosted by Doug Linde, President, and Ben Myers, SVP, Sustainability. The webcast will be accessible in the <a href="http://investors.bxp.com/" target="_blank">Investors</a> section of our website at <a href="https://www.bxp.com/" target="_blank">www.bxp.com</a>. 
BXP’s commitment to sustainability and impact has been recognized by numerous industry groups and rankings. BXP was recently recognized for Best ESG Program by Commercial Property Executive and was again named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award winner, as well as a Best in Building Health winner by the Center for Active Design. BXP was recognized as an inaugural Platinum-level Green Lease Leader by the Institute for Market Transformation and the U.S. Department of Energy and was the recipient of Nareit’s prestigious Leader in the Light Award. About BXP 
BXP (NYSE: BXP) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of premier workplaces in the United States, concentrated in six dynamic gateway markets - Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. BXP has delivered places that power progress for our clients and communities for more than 50 years. BXP is a fully integrated real estate company, organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT). As of December 31, 2023, including properties owned by unconsolidated joint ventures, BXP’s portfolio totaled 53.3 million square feet and 188 properties, including 10 properties under construction/redevelopment. For more information, please visit our website at <a href="https://www.bxp.com/" target="_blank">www.bxp.com</a> or follow us on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-properties" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> or <a href="http://www.instagram.com/bxpbostonproperties" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Media Contact <a href="mailto:lsesody@bxp.com" target="_blank">Laura Sesody</a> 
Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing &amp; Communications

BXP Releases 2023 Sustainability & Impact Report

Summary 
Schrödinger has published its second annual Corporate Sustainability report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the company's progress developing and executing on its strategy for addressing environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. 
Throughout 2023, the company advanced every aspect of its ESG performance and created a road map that includes setting goals for each of its identified material ESG topics in alignment with its Corporate Sustainability strategy. This strategy is grounded in the concept of shared value, which the company has labeled VALUE2: “When we add value to the world, we create value for our company, and when we build value for ourselves, we generate value for the world.” 2023 Report Highlights Social

<ul><li>Schrödinger and two City University institutions were co-awarded a $1 million National Science Foundation grant to increase underrepresented students' access to industry-leading technology.</li>
	<li>To ensure a cohesive corporate strategy for social impact initiatives and provide employees consistent guidance, Schrödinger launched its inaugural Global Social Impact Policy in 2023.</li>
	<li>Schrödinger advanced its work with universities and K-12 schools to further STEM education and careers through multiple programs and initiatives.</li>
	<li>Building on its comprehensive suite of employee benefits, Schrödinger introduced new health and well-being options for its employees, including holistic health and mindful return for new parents.</li>
	<li>Advancing its diversity, equity and inclusion commitments, Schrödinger introduced new focus areas for its employee resource groups (ERGs), aiming to increase engagement, accountability, and growth opportunities.</li>
</ul>Environmental

<ul><li>Schrödinger completed an inventory of its operational environmental footprint, including energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage and waste generation.</li>
	<li>Based on its operational environmental footprint inventory, Schrödinger reported environmental data in 2023 for the first time, including Scope 3 GHG emissions.</li>
	<li>Schrödinger signaled its intention to establish science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative by the end of 2025.</li>
	<li>The company released its first Environmental Policy that sets forth its commitments and methods for achieving them.</li>
	<li>Through its computational platform, Schrödinger continued to facilitate better environmental outcomes for its life science and materials development customers.</li>
</ul> Governance

<ul><li>As part of its commitment to strong corporate governance, Schrödinger updated and strengthened a host of company policies and developed, or is in the process of developing, policies covering:
	<ul><li>Health &amp; Safety</li>
		<li>Supplier Code of Conduct</li>
		<li>Human Rights</li>
	</ul></li>
	<li>Schrödinger established its first Ombuds Office, a neutral and independent third-party reporting channel for employees, business partners, customers, and members of the public to report concerns about the company.</li>
	<li>The company continued implementing its cybersecurity policies, processes, and technology in alignment with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework.</li>
</ul>Guided by its mission to improve human health and quality of life by transforming how therapeutics and materials are discovered, Schrödinger is dedicated to continued progress on its Corporate Sustainability commitments. 
Schrödinger’s 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report references the Global Reporting Initiative Standards and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Biotechnology &amp; Pharmaceuticals and Software &amp; IT Services standards. Access the report <a href="https://www.schrodinger.com/company/corporate-sustainability/" target="_blank">here</a>. 
  About Schrödinger 
Schrödinger is transforming the way therapeutics and materials are discovered. Schrödinger has pioneered a physics-based computational platform that enables discovery of high-quality, novel molecules for drug development and materials applications more rapidly and at lower cost compared to traditional methods. The software platform is licensed by biopharmaceutical and industrial companies, academic institutions, and government laboratories around the world. Schrödinger’s multidisciplinary drug discovery team also leverages the software platform to advance a portfolio of collaborative and proprietary programs to address unmet medical needs. 
Founded in 1990, Schrödinger has approximately 850 employees and is engaged with customers and collaborators in more than 70 countries. To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.schrodinger.com/" target="_blank">www.schrodinger.com</a>, follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/schr-dinger/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/schrodinger.inc/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, or visit our blog, <a href="https://extrapolations.com/" target="_blank">Extrapolations.com</a>. Media contact <a href="mailto:allie.nicodemo@schrodinger.com" target="_blank">Allie Nicodemo</a> 
Schrödinger, Inc. 
617-356-2325

Schrödinger Shares Corporate Sustainability Progress in 2023 Report

Boston Scientific released its <a href="https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/corporate-responsibility.html" target="_blank">2023 Performance Report</a> highlighting the company’s actions to improve patient outcomes while prioritizing environmental, social and governance (ESG) progress. 
“Because we know that patient health is interconnected with the health of communities and of the planet, we take seriously our responsibility to make sustainable progress,” said Mike Mahoney, chairman and chief executive officer, Boston Scientific. “This dedication is shared by our more than 48,000 employees worldwide, whose talent and commitment to the highest standards of quality allow us to raise the bar, year after year.” 
The report describes how teams across the company applied the science and transformation that define Boston Scientific’s business to advance its ESG priorities and goals, focused on advancing innovative care, empowering people and contributing to a healthier planet, while performing with integrity. 
Highlights of Boston Scientific’s 2023 ESG progress include:

<ul><li>Helping improve the lives of more than 37 million patients around the world with nearly 90 product launches and $1.4 billion invested in research and development.[1]</li>
	<li>Advancing health and addressing inequities by increasing diversity in clinical trials, donating more than $76 million to fund global medical research, fellowships, education and charitable organizations.</li>
	<li>
	Increasing workforce diversity, with mid-level leadership[2] roles now held by 43.5% of women globally and 22.6% by multicultural employees in the U.S., including Puerto Rico.
	</li>
	<li>Achieving 82% renewable electricity,[3] bringing the company closer to meeting its goal of 100% by the end of 2024.</li>
	<li>
	Further defining the company’s path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.[4]
	</li>
	<li>Delivering more than 40 million products and spending approximately $340 million on small and diverse suppliers.</li>
</ul>The Boston Scientific 2023 Performance Report was prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as well as alignment with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards for the Medical Equipment &amp; Supplies industry and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. 
Detailed information about the company’s progress is available on its <a href="https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/corporate-responsibility.html" target="_blank">corporate responsibility website</a>. 
All data as of December 31, 2023, unless otherwise specified. About Boston Scientific 
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of health care. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more at <a href="http://www.bostonscientific.com/" target="_blank">www.bostonscientific.com</a> and connect on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-scientific/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/bostonsci" target="_blank">X</a>, formerly Twitter. Contact 
Media: Emily Anderson +1 617.515.2000 
Investors: Jon Monson +1 508.683.5450

[1] Represents GAAP R&amp;D expense per Annual Report on Form 10-K. 
[2] Mid-level leadership includes managers, principals, senior managers and fellows. 
[3] Includes renewable electricity generated onsite and purchased electricity matched with electricity from renewable sources. Inclusive of all manufacturing and key distribution sites only. 
[4] Across the company's entire value chain (scopes 1, 2 and 3) with a base year of 2019 as approved in 2022 by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard.

Boston Scientific Reports 2023 Actions Toward a Healthier, More Equitable World

<img alt="Two smiling children looking at an open laptop while sitting on an outdoor table." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="75c3003d-266d-47ac-92df-60c75c8a6c99" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/closingdivide_comcast_041724.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="563" loading="lazy" />For more than a decade, Comcast has been dedicated to closing the digital divide. Achieving digital equity is at the heart of the work we do because we know how life-changing a reliable home Internet connection can be in today’s digital economy.

Through the federal government’s <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/acp" target="_blank">Affordable Connectivity Program</a> (ACP), more than 23 million households across America – <a href="https://www.bsgco.com/acp-fact-sheet" target="_blank">nearly 50% of which are military families</a> – are able to get online at little to no cost. Unfortunately, the ACP is only fully funded through April and is expected to lapse by May. This puts at risk all the progress we have made in keeping Americans connected to this critical resource.

<a href="https://corporate.comcast.com/stories/funding-affordable-connectivity-program-critical-for-our-countrys-future" target="_blank">As I said in January</a>, we believe that Congress and the White House should find a way to extend the ACP so people can stay connected and benefit from the Internet for education, healthcare, workforce development, veterans’ assistance, and so much more.

At Comcast, we remain committed to doing our part to help including:

Partial ACP Credit – To help ease the transition, all ACP customers will receive a federally funded ACP credit of $14 on their Xfinity bills ($35 on Tribal lands) for the month of May as the government program winds down.

Internet Essentials – We continue to offer <a href="https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials" target="_blank">Internet Essentials</a> – our reliable, low-cost high-speed Internet service – for $9.95/month. That is the exact same price it has been since 2011, when it was first introduced, despite inflation, while speeds have increased five times for no additional cost. Millions of Americans have been connected to Internet Essentials, which has become the largest and most comprehensive private-sector Internet adoption program in the country. All current ACP customers are eligible to switch to Internet Essentials tiers during this transition.

Internet Essentials+ – For customers looking for even faster speeds, Internet Essentials Plus offers double the speed – up to 100 Mbps – for $29.95/month.

Xfinity Mobile Savings – For those looking to save money on their monthly bills, we’re also offering discounts to customers who bundle their Internet service with <a href="https://www.xfinity.com/mobile/?CMP=KNC-43700053507087418-GOOGLE-694334329635-c-xfinity%20mobile-e-XM_Brand+Only_BR_Exact_North&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpcmetaOrhQMVkXNHAR2NmwxvEAAYASAAEgLYlvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Xfinity Mobile</a>. New Internet Essentials Plus customers can take advantage of a free line of Xfinity Mobile for one year. Additionally, current customers enrolled in ACP with Comcast who add Xfinity Mobile can get an additional free unlimited line for one year, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars per year.

NOW WiFi Pass – For individuals and families on the go, Comcast has introduced <a href="https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/wifi?CMP=KNC-43700075421305697-GOOGLE-680335120269-c-buy%20wifi%20pass-p-Wifi_Pass_NB_Phrase_National&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0oXQta2phQMV3XJHAR3pVQusEAAYASAAEgLdwPD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">NOW WiFi Pass</a>, which connects them to our 23 million+ Xfinity WiFi hotspots nationwide. Now through June 30, customers can get online for $10/month with no additional equipment required, no long-term commitments, or any cancellation fees.

Lift Zones – Individuals, whether they’re our customers or not, can access one of our more than 1,250 WiFi-connected <a href="https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equity/lift-zones" target="_blank">Lift Zones</a> across the country. Working with our extensive network of nonprofit partners, Lift Zones provide free Internet access in neighborhood locations like nonprofits, community centers, gyms, and parks and recreation facilities. Additionally, many locations have <a href="https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up/digital-navigators" target="_blank">Digital Navigators</a> – trusted and trained individuals who help them get online and learn digital skills.

Internet Essentials Partnership Program – Our <a href="https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equity/internet-essentials-partnership-program" target="_blank">Internet Essentials Partnerships Program</a> (IEPP) provides the opportunity for school districts and other organizations to fund and connect large numbers of students and families to broadband access at home. Since 2020, IEPP has collaborated with hundreds of entities across the country to help connect K-12 students.

Partnerships and Project UP – We also continue to work with our network of thousands of nonprofit partners nationwide who are on the front lines of closing the digital divide. We’re investing in organizations that train thousands of trusted Digital Navigators who connect people to the Internet; and partners who advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. This is all backed by <a href="https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up" target="_blank">Project UP</a>, our $1B commitment to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

While we have all these products and services available today, we will continue to create even more packages and options to offer our customers and the communities we serve. We’ve made so much progress closing the digital divide and we remain committed to doing our part to ensure more Americans stay connected and that no one gets left behind.

Broderick D. Johnson is Executive Vice President, Public Policy, and Executive Vice President, Digital Equity for Comcast Corporation.

Comcast Remains Dedicated to Closing the Digital Divide

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e9c3cfbe-03e1-475f-891b-cc3e2f87b5e4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/1-stage_AEG_042423.jpeg" width="640" height="1800" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>AEG's Cali Vibes stages powered by solar energy captured by Overdrive Energy Solutions’ battery power stations.</figcaption></figure>Organizing large-scale music festivals is often associated with significant environmental challenges. Festivals can generate massive amounts of waste, from attendees discarding single use-items like plastic cups and food containers, to emitting high levels of Co2 emissions from the generators powering each stage.

AEG’s Goldenvoice is challenging convention by pioneering sustainable practices in festival organizing and utilizing its three-day music festival in Long Beach, CA, Cali Vibes, as a blueprint for greening their own festival operations.

Now for the second consecutive year, Goldenvoice’s Cali Vibes, has partnered with Three Squares Inc., a Los Angeles-based environmental consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive sustainability program aimed at reducing emissions, minimizing waste, educating attendees and staff, and fostering eco-friendly practices throughout its operations.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c382e8e4-6f61-433d-bd79-ca945245f046" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/2-festival_AEG_042423.jpeg" width="640" height="801" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Through its partnership with r.World,  the festival utilized r.Cup reusable cups.</figcaption></figure>Welcoming 25,000 fans per day, Cali Vibes allowed sustainability to take the main stage by adopting the following green initiatives:

<ul><li>Food Waste Reduction – All extra food at the festival was donated to local community shelters. Additionally, roughly 20% to 30% of the food vendors at Cali Vibes provided vegan menu options, with all vendors required to offer at least one vegetarian option.</li>
	<li>Reusable Cup Program: Through its partnership with r.World, the festival utilized r.Cup reusable cups and eliminated approximately 300,000 single-use plastic cups. Water was served in aluminum cans, and refill stations were located throughout the festival.</li>
	<li>Reducing Energy: To reduce on site energy consumption, Cali Vibes sourced Overdrive Energy Solutions’ battery power stations to capture solar energy to power light towers in parking lots, merch stations and bathroom zones. Energy efficient lighting systems relied on battery-powered LED lights. By sourcing locally-produced renewable diesel to power generators and heavy equipment, Cali Vibes eliminated 43 tons of carbon emissions at this year’s festival.</li>
	<li>Reducing Emissions: The festival promoted public transit use by offering attendees free or discounted public transit rides through a partnership with L.A. Metro. Festival organizers also implemented a “no idling” rule to reduce emissions by requiring cars and gas-powered golf carts to be turned off when not in motion.</li>
</ul>In addition to greening its festival operations, the team at Goldenvoice partnered with AEG's Social Impact department to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards by hosting an AEG Futures event at the festival. The career program brought together [50] underrepresented high school and college students to learn about sustainability-focused career opportunities available in live entertainment. The program offered students a chance to learn from industry experts about career opportunities, meet sustainability vendors who spoke to them about the specific Cali Vibes initiatives, participate in mentoring sessions, and explore the festival grounds, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable practices in the live music space.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a789b741-dec4-4c03-8319-427e4a7374f3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/3-hydration-station_AEG_042423.jpeg" width="640" height="801" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Water was served in aluminum cans, and refill stations were located throughout the festival.</figcaption></figure> 
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b11615e4-6f1b-4f0d-8309-fb0f5cabe09d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/4-no-idling_AEG_042423.jpeg" width="640" height="801" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Cali Vibes implemented a “no idling” rule to reduce emissions by requiring cars and gas-powered golf carts to be turned off when not in motion.</figcaption></figure> 
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21eb160c-dab3-4918-a724-5cc38d7cb980" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/5-reusable-cups_AEG_042423.jpeg" width="640" height="801" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Utilizing r.Cups reusable cup system, Cali Vibes eliminated approximately 300,000 single-use plastic cups at the festival in 2024.</figcaption></figure> 
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="872bafe1-32f9-427a-af68-e93ba59c1c49" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/6-minimise-waste_AEG_042423.jpeg" width="640" height="801" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Cali Vibes aiming to minimize waste and implement eco-friendly practices throughout its operations.</figcaption></figure>

Goldenvoice’s Cali Vibes Executes Comprehensive Sustainability Program 

2023 was a transformative year for Vertex. The company made significant advances toward delivering on its core mission of creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and ushering in a new era of diversification. Vertex’s differentiated strategy, investment in scientific innovation, and unique culture have enabled the company to extend its leadership in cystic fibrosis, expand into new disease areas with the regulatory approvals of CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel), rapidly advance its robust research and development (R&amp;D) pipeline, and drive positive impact for patients, employees and its communities. The company remains committed to making a difference — for patients and families impacted by serious diseases, for its communities, and for each other. Vertex’s differentiated strategy and unique culture, along with its drive and dedication, will fuel the company’s ability to deliver results and operate its business responsibly. About Vertex 
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. 
Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit <a href="https://www.vrtx.com/" target="_blank">www.vrtx.com</a> or follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertex-pharmaceuticals" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VertexPharmaInc" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vertexpharmaceuticals/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@VertexPharmaceuticalsGlobal" target="_blank">YouTube</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/VertexPharma" target="_blank">Twitter/X</a>.  Media Contact: <a href="mailto:sarah_dsouza@vrtx.com" target="_blank">Sarah D’Souza</a>, 857-329-8495

In a Transformative Year, Vertex Advances Its Commitment to Corporate Responsibility; Announces 2023 CR Report

<img alt="Jonas, senior industrial designer at Huemen." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9497b0f6-43a4-4520-8d2d-31736ab93406" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Design%20with%20Purpose_HARMAN_4.30.24A.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://news.harman.com/blog/designing-with-purpose-is-a-team-sport" target="_blank">Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom</a>

Collaboration is more than a buzzword. It's a transformative practice that breeds innovation and creativity, turning design processes into opportunities for ideation and problem-solving.

Collaborative design is a best practice employed across a breadth of businesses that use in-house design firms so multiple project stakeholders can share real-time perspectives and feedback through all stages of the design process. By adopting this model, the audio industry has made generational leaps — designing speakers, headphones and innovative products that are the realization of dynamic teamwork.

"Integration means we, as product designers, have the chance to work on building brands rather than just single products. We always try to see the bigger picture when we make design decisions," said Jonas Ceppa, a senior industrial designer at Huemen — the integrated design arm of HARMAN.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Ceppa understands first-hand the importance and game-changing advantages collaboration offers to the product development process. Responsible for leading the next generation of design for <a href="https://www.harmanaudio.com/partybox-series/" target="_blank">JBL portable party loudspeakers</a>, Ceppa's team’s vision was to create a one-of-a-kind product — the <a href="https://www.harmanaudio.com/jbl/JBLPARTYBOXULTAM.html" target="_blank">PartyBox Ultimate</a>. To achieve this goal, collaborative design was essential.

"Huemen designers are part of the process from the very early stage of developing the product concept. At the same time, we collaborate with our mechanical and acoustic engineering team to ensure the product vision can be realized," Ceppa explained.

Drawing on a passionate and talented global team, Ceppa took a holistic approach to the product development process. The result was the PartyBox Ultimate — the most powerful party speaker from JBL, with JBL Pro sound and bass integrated into a futuristic enclosure that transcends the typical speaker audio experience.

"With PartyBox Ultimate, we launched a new generation of PartyBoxes, where we have defined several ingredients that are going to have a huge impact on all upcoming products in the line," said Ceppa.

The JBL PartyBox Ultimate presents an alluring lightshow display that sweeps from the front elegantly around the sides of the product with an innovative dynamic edge, creating a distinct outline around its striking front-facing subwoofers, which accentuates its distinctive silhouette even in low-light conditions. The groundbreaking PartyBox Ultimate stimulates both aural and optical senses to create an immersive audiovisual experience.

From starry night to strobe effects, it is a speaker design that can transform any space into a spirited lightshow and awaken all the senses. It's the ultimate party in a box.

Behind the Music

For the HARMAN product team to create a loudspeaker that would take the audio experience to new heights, it had to deliver another dimension in addition to superior sonic ability.

A consumer survey conducted by HARMAN revealed that 84% of respondents believe feeling immersed in the sound enhances the intensity of emotions, and 83% claim to feel a higher emotional effect with a better sound quality. So, how could the team magnify this feeling and further elevate the value of sound? The answer was in the design.

In the same survey, 64% claimed that design creates an immersive and elaborate audio experience.

"For this category of party loudspeakers, we have a very clear target group," Ceppa explained. "They are young, energetic, share their favorite music and want to inspire others. This is an important factor that will go into the design creation from the beginning."
<img alt="Jonas shown at a drafting table working on design sketches." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7ee48a08-428c-44fa-854d-31c2823bd2c7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Design%20with%20Purpose_HARMAN_4.30.24B.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />Creating an Audio Icon

During the PartyBox design journey, Ceppa revealed several challenges from which moments of inspiration “combined to become part of the design language.”

A rich resource of engineering, manufacturing, and design teams helped Ceppa overcome hurdles and push boundaries with collaborative, problem-solving solutions.

"These different teams bring in their knowledge to push our ideas even further by sharing new material exploration, manufacturing techniques and acoustic prototypes."

Ceppa described the moment they discovered the unique metal grille design that could be applied to the new generation of the PartyBoxes: “After several trials, even including new manufacturing technologies, we couldn’t find a satisfying pattern. We tried different shapes, forms and repetitions … I realized sitting in front of the prototype that we had a very unique shape we could use all along — the figure eight.”

Such moments of serendipity also helped shape the PartyBox’s signature lightshow feature. As Ceppa revealed, influences from other design-led industries were the genesis for his inspired “lightbulb moment.”

“The initial idea for the lightshow was simple: We wanted to create something new, outstanding and a visible improvement to the previous generation. Inspiration came from sci-fi movies, concept cars and automotive light design. But one of the key moments happened when we decided to not only incorporate the light on the front of the speaker but also the side. This created a more three-dimensional lightshow effect and described the outer shape of the speaker just with light.”

Thanks to a synergy of ID, UI, UX, packaging engineering, graphic design and digital art teams, the PartyBox Ultimate has a strong brand presence and an iconic silhouette. Illuminated by the innovative lightshow, the powerful bass and acoustic performance stirs emotion.

"Being able to develop a design in great detail and guide it until it reaches the market is very important," Ceppa said. "You want to ensure that the initial design vision is kept along the way without major compromise.”
<img alt="Parts for the JBL Party Box laid out on a table." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="562cd6d9-7e23-439c-8e8c-7f44bb21eb1d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Design%20with%20Purpose_HARMAN_4.30.24C.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />A Symphony of Minds

At every stage, functional and design teams at HARMAN and Huemen combined and contributed to play a pivotal role in designing with purpose. The early collaboration between industrial designers and acoustic engineering teams ensured that the initial design vision was not only preserved but enhanced through shared expertise.

Another key advantage of collaborative design is the ability to provide immediate feedback and iterate on designs swiftly. This iterative refinement ensures that the final product aligns closely with the initial design vision.

"For physical products, it is important to experience the size, volume, material, and functional features, especially in the early development phase," Ceppa highlighted. "We build all our designs in 3D software, but to judge the size and shape it is important to experience the physical object. When we review the first mock-ups or prototypes, we can give immediate feedback or revise our design to improve the product."

After sketching and building the initial design for weeks, the excitement when seeing the first full-scale physical prototype was a memorable experience for Ceppa and his team.

“Receiving the first cosmetic mock-ups and prototypes feels like unwrapping Christmas presents because you are so excited to see what’s inside the box. We could tell instantly that just from the overall size and volume of the first prototype, PartyBox Ultimate will be perceived as the most powerful party speaker,” he said.

“It was worth the wait. The new lightshow elements with its precise light lines and dynamic movement looked amazing and topped everything that we had seen before on a party speaker.”

The dynamism and efficiency of working across integrated teams led the project to evolve from Ceppa's inspired sketches to boundary-pushing technological development, engineering, and, ultimately, a successful delivery.

From creative minds shaping the external aesthetics to engineers refining the internal acoustics, <a href="https://www.harmanaudio.com/jbl/PARTYBOX-ULTIMATE.html?dwvar_PARTYBOX-ULTIMATE_color=Black-AM-Current" target="_blank">the PartyBox Ultimate</a> is a prime example of how the collaboration of diverse talents on different teams can result in a product that is both aesthetically pleasing and acoustically superior, setting the tone for the future — literally.

Collaboration is more than a buzzword. It's a transformative practice that breeds innovation and creativity, turning design processes into opportunities for ideation and problem-solving.

HARMAN: Designing With Purpose Is a Team Sport

<img alt="Jyoti sat at a desk using a sewing machine " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="263a0e24-13a4-499c-8886-49564955cfdc" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jyoti_FedEx_040424.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Jyoti turns her sewing skills into her own tailoring business with support from Udhyam Learning Foundation and Accion’s Ovante program

Authors: Tannaz Daruwalla, Shweta Pereira

During a recent visit to Panchkula, Haryana, located in northern India, we had the pleasure of meeting 22-year-old Jyoti, a budding entrepreneur and clothing designer. Jyoti dropped out of high school after completing her 8th standard, as her father lost his vision and suddenly had to rely on the income from his children. She supported her family during this challenging time; however, given her limited education level and social restrictions preventing her from traveling beyond her village, she opted to stay home rather than look for a job.

In India, about 37 percent of youth between the ages of 15 and 29 entered the workforce during 2021 and 2022, according to <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1966154" target="_blank">findings from the Periodic Labour Force Survey</a>. However, many young women like Jyoti are left out of India’s growing workforce due to limited education, lack of skills, and social restrictions.

Three years had passed since she left school when Jyoti learned about <a href="https://udhyam.org/" target="_blank">Udhyam Learning Foundation</a> and its work with government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITI). Udhyam offers students the opportunity to learn trade skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, equipping them with the skills to turn their trade into a business. Encouraged by her parents and three brothers, Jyoti decided to pursue tailoring courses at Udhyam and learn to design and sew clothing. With instruction from Udhyam, she also built the soft skills necessary to become a successful entrepreneur, enabling her to turn her passion for sewing into a successful business.

Now, she runs her own tailoring business from home, assisted by her cousin, aunt, and mother. Every day, she wakes at 6:30 to clean her sewing machine and begin her projects for the day. She visits a local boutique run by another family member where she sells her designs, which include wedding dresses and traditional garments like lehnga choli for Indian festivals.

Read more about how Jyoti is supported by Accion and FedEx <a href="https://www.accion.org/boosting-education-and-employment-for-young-women-in-india/" target="_blank">here</a>.

During a recent visit to Panchkula, Haryana, located in northern India, we had the pleasure of meeting 22-year-old Jyoti, a budding entrepreneur and clothing designer.

Boosting Education and Employment for Young Women in India

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e4ff956b-4f4d-4a01-a6f5-9a37b3b76f10" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/AmyDPatriot_fifththirdbank_043024.jpg" width="640" height="1685" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Joe Dunaway, a member of Fifth Third’s military business resource group (left), joins Mark Williams from the Employer Support of the Reserve and Guard to present Amy Donovan with the Patriot Award. As part of the award, Donovan and Dunaway will participate in a U.S. Air Force flight, which includes a refueling in the air.</figcaption></figure>Fifth Third employee Amy Donovan was recently recognized with a <a href="https://www.esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/Patriot-Award" target="_blank">Patriot Award</a> by the <a href="https://www.esgr.mil/" target="_blank">Employer Support of the Reserve and Guard</a> for her efforts to support colleague and active military member Jasmyn Dupre.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve may nominate individual supervisors, bosses, or others at work for support provided directly to the nominating Service member. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Donovan manages several benefits programs for the Bank and when Dupre was preparing for her leave of duty in late 2021, the two worked together to ensure all the necessary steps were taken so that Dupre could leave to serve her country knowing that leave of absence-related matter were cared for. While Donovan may feel her support of Dupre was just part of a day’s work, Dupre clearly felt she went above and beyond, which is why she nominated her for the award. Dupre is still actively serving our country and the Bank looks forward to welcoming her back once her service has ended.

“As a Bank we strive to keep our customers at the center of all we do, and as an HR organization we also strive to keep our employees at the center,” Donovan said. “It is certainly an honor to be recognized in this way.”

Fifth Third’s military leave guidelines provide for up to 4 weeks of pay continuation for military leave and a pay differential of up to 24 months thereafter. The Bank also supports employees through Business Resource Groups (BRG) and in other ways, including military leave guidelines to support employees who serve in the uniformed services. Fifth Third also offers current and former U.S. military members <a href="https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/personal-banking/bank/checking-accounts/essential-military-checking.html" target="_blank">Fifth Third Military Banking and Checking</a>.

“I have a passion for time away, leave of absence, and our mental health related benefits,” Donovan added. “As people need to step away from work to take care of their health, family, or country, I hope they do so knowing that they are supported and they are able to come back feeling valued.”

Fifth Third employee Amy Donovan was recently recognized with a Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Reserve and Guard for her efforts to support colleague and active military member Jasmyn Dupre.

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