Entersekt, the push-based authentication and app security company, announced Tuesday (June 12) that it has opened a new office in Atlanta, Georgia, aimed at supporting the company’s growth and serving as the headquarters in North America.
In a press release, Entersekt said that with financial institutions (FIs) and other outside industries seeking innovative, user-friendly ways to authenticate sensitive data and accounts, its business in North America is growing. The new headquarters will also be the hub for developing business partnerships and acquiring new talent as the company continues to grow. The company noted that with the seemingly endless high-profile data breaches in North America over the past few years, Entersekt has identified North America as a key market with challenges and potential when it comes to authentication.
“Financial institutions, healthcare providers and other enterprises are in need of solutions that are easily integrated into the organization’s existing technology while also providing customers with the necessary level of protection and convenience they expect,” said Sherif Samy, senior vice president of North America, in the press release announcing the new Atlanta-based headquarters. “Entersekt’s solutions provide just that with our mobile-based authentication services, designed specifically to provide strong security in a user-friendly interface.”
According to the company, its products use a consumer’s personal mobile device as the second factor of authentication, melding the power of digital certificate technology with the convenience of mobile phones. That, Entersekt said, provides companies and their customers with protection to fight account takeover fraud.
Entersekt noted that the expansion in North America underscores its “strong customer growth” with it gaining a “firm foothold” in the marketplace. The new headquarters will be located at 7000 Central Park in Sandy Springs, GA. According to the press release, the company’s growing North American team includes experts in the areas of mobile security, consumer and device identity, multi-factor authentication and commerce enablement.
“Entersekt’s operations expansion into North America is a reflection of our growth and commitment to providing the highest level of authentication and security around the world,” added Samy. “We specifically chose to set up shop in Atlanta as a result of the city’s booming payments, security and mobile innovation landscape, and are excited to establish ourselves in a FinTech hub like Atlanta as we aim to acquire top talent and expand our business relationships with prominent companies in our space.”
The pandemic didn’t kill the movie theater, but it did make people fall in love with streaming services. To remain competitive, the entire movie and streaming experience is undergoing an epic, Marvel superhero-like mutation.
Immersive film experiences that simulate reality have come to lure you away from your comfy couch and deep into the stories of your favorite movies.
We’re not just talking about 3D glasses or IMAX here. These cutting-edge experiences incorporate virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and interactive elements to create a multi-sensory adventure. You don’t just watch a movie — you seem to live it, breathe it and maybe even taste it.
Yes, attempts at Smell-O-Vision, such as the 1960 film “Holiday in Spain” (aka “Scent of Mystery”) were decidedly less than successful, but technology has evolved light years since then and industry insiders believe immersive movies could be the key to revitalizing the theater industry in a post-pandemic world.
“Immersive experiences tap into our innate desire for novelty and excitement,” says Sarah Chen, a media analyst at TechVision Research. “They provide a sense of adventure and discovery that appeals to audiences seeking new forms of entertainment.”
Think of it like a combination of playing make-believe when you were little and a Universal Studios theme park ride.
For example, Particle Ink’s “Speed of Dark” in Las Vegas offers a mixed-reality experience where guests interact with the physical environment and view live performances, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Want to be Bond, as in James Bond? There’s a company that will help you do that in style, as well as with other film favorites.
And don’t think for a second that the streaming services are just going to sit on the sidelines and watch this happen. Netflix recently launched its “Stranger Things: The Experience” in select cities. Fans can explore recreated sets from the popular show, interact with characters and solve puzzles in a live, immersive environment.
And don’t forget about “Bridgerton” and its live concerts, teas and the Queen’s Ball experiences hosted by select cities including New York, London, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. You may just want to spill a little tea at one.
PYMNTS Intelligence data also shows consumers love experiences, whether when traveling or shopping — and brands are noticing. A report last year, which drew on a survey of 4,285 U.S. consumers, showed that the highest earners are the most likely to splurge on experiences.
Brands and retailers, including Nike, Mattel, Target and Nordstrom, are also getting in on the experience craze, hosting live events and interactive experiences.
Speaking of phenomena like “Stranger Things” and “Bridgerton” that made us stay home to be entertained, “Imagine transforming your living room into a virtual theater [with VR and AR technologies]. The possibilities are limitless,” says Chen.
The technology driving these experiences can drive filmmakers to up their game. Eugene Chung, the director of the acclaimed VR film “Allumette,” said, “VR allows us to create worlds where viewers don’t just see the story unfold — they feel it.”
But let’s be realistic; there are some very big obstacles to widespread adoption of immersive cinema experiences. They’re expensive to produce, and some projects will need specialized venues. You can’t exactly fit a dinosaur-infested jungle in your local multiplex. Plus, there’s always the risk of motion sickness.
And there will be critics who argue that overly immersive experiences detract from the art of traditional storytelling. But who needs plot and character development when you can have explosions so intense that you feel the heat on your face?
As the line between audience and participant in the cinematic plot continues to blur, one thing is clear: The movie-going experience of tomorrow may be vastly different from what we know today.
Who knows? In a few years, you might be able to star in your own blockbuster, defeat the villain, and save the world — all before dinner time. Just remember to silence your phones, keep your hands and feet inside the virtual reality at all times, and whatever you do, don’t feed the digital monsters.
