LG NOVA Expands Efforts to Drive Innovation Growth Through New Partner Alliance Program
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By News Reporter
Company Enhances Smart Home Connectivity With Open API
SEOUL, Dec. 17, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) has fully opened the Application Programming Interface (API) of its smart home platform, LG ThinQ, enabling developers to easily create smart spaces with LG appliances.
Recently, LG launched the LG Smart Solution API Developer website (
link hidden, please login to view) to officially open up the LG ThinQ API. An API acts as a digital connector that allows different software to exchange functions seamlessly. Developers can utilize the open API to integrate various features from LG AI appliances into their programs or systems, enhancing their services. The LG ThinQ API is divided into two categories: the ThinQ API for individual users and the ThinQ Business API for corporate partners. The ThinQ API allows for remote control of LG devices installed in homes or buildings and facilitates integration with various platforms.
For individual users, the ThinQ API supports the control and monitoring of AI appliances registered in the LG ThinQ app from various smart home platforms. By utilizing the ThinQ API, anyone can easily create a customized smart home that fits their lifestyle. For example, users of the global smart home platform Home Assistant can now connect and control 26 types of LG AI appliances, including refrigerators and washing machines, within their existing smart home environment. Home Assistant is a community-based open platform with about one million users worldwide who collaboratively develop various smart home functions such as device automation and feature expansion.
For enterprises, the ThinQ Business API supports partners operating office or residential buildings in integrating and managing various LG products, from appliances to commercial equipment like HVAC and signage, with their existing apps. For instance, large residential buildings can integrate LG appliances with their existing management apps for more convenient use. Residents can reserve the use of LG washers and dryers in common areas through the building management app, or administrators can detect abnormal conditions in the building using LG’s temperature and humidity sensors and quickly respond to issues through alert functions.
Meanwhile, LG has accelerated the integration of external products and services into the LG ThinQ platform by acquiring the smart home platform company Athom, known for its extensive IoT device connectivity. Athom’s smart home hub Homey currently connects over 50,000 types of appliances and IoT devices, and the Athom app store features around 1,000 apps that connect and control products and services from global brands like Philips and Aqara. LG plans to integrate Athom’s extensive open ecosystem and IoT device connectivity into the AI home hub LG ThinQ On, aiming to realize an AI home where generative AI better understands customers and provides optimal space solutions.
“With the official launch of ThinQ AI, we aim to deepen engagement with open-source community smart home power users in the open-source community and broaden our collaboration with B2B partners. This initiative will bolster our efforts to create smart home ecosystems powered by LG appliances, enhancing customer experiences across multiple touchpoints,” said Kim Kun-woo, vice president of LG’s Home Appliance Solution Company.
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* The main image is demonstrating potential use of the LG ThinQ API. Actual use may vary.
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By News Reporter
SEOUL, Dec. 10, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) has announced a partnership with creative artist, multi-platinum musician, and tech entrepreneur, will.i.am, to launch a new line of audio products under the brand “
link hidden, please login to view.” The partnership aims to transform xboom into a culture-forward brand with an urban aesthetic, providing an all-new audio experience. In this partnership, LG has appointed will.i.am as LG xboom’s “Experiential Architect.” He will play a pivotal role in carving out a new space for xboom in the audio industry. Drawing inspiration from his pop culture and technological know-how, will.i.am will provide strategic counsel for LG xboom’s product development, design and brand marketing. By combining LG’s advanced technologies with will.i.am’s unique insights as a world-renowned music artist and tech entrepreneur, this partnership will infuse LG xboom products with fresh creative aspirations.
“Working with renowned tech and lifestyle innovator, LG, opens the door to groundbreaking and dynamic experiences that speak to a broader community of music enthusiasts,” said will.i.am. “By bringing our cutting-edge technology and distinctive creative visions together with LG xboom, we want to foster an iconic culture where people can explore their passion for music with others on a whole new level.”
The 2025 line of “xboom by will.i.am” products, including Bluetooth speakers and wireless earbuds will be unveiled at CES 2025. The xboom Buds will be the first product available in the market.
All “xboom by will.i.am” products bear the mark of will.i.am, who took part in creating LG xboom’s signature sound that boasts a rich bass with a balanced and warm tones. It comes in two distinct modes for listening: one mode provides stimulating sounds that gets you moving with powerful bass while a second mode offers a soothing sound with harmonious tones. The overarching design for LG xboom aims to elevate music enjoyment. Speakers incorporate clever embellishments such as easy-to-hold straps and colorfully interactive lighting that is in sync with the beat of the music being played. Earbuds are designed ergonomically with ear tips and ear hooks for a comfortable fit that also delivers the best sound experience.
“This launch marks the integration of our wireless earbuds and Bluetooth speakers into one audio brand, LG xboom,” said Lee Jeong-seok, head of LG Media Entertainment Solution Company’s audio business division. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership with will.i.am that will play a critical role in solidifying LG xboom’s new identity.”
All “xboom by will.i.am” products will be integrated with will.i.am’s RAiDiO.FYI, an AI-powered interactive audio experience, to introduce a new generation of listeners to infotainment. RAiDiO.FYI empowers listeners with unique abilities to immerse, personalize and have a two-way real-time conversation with their favorite topic-based STAiTiONS. This conversational media platform transforms radio as we know it into a new dimension, connecting consumers deeper with the music, talk radio and cultural content they love.
LG and will.i.am will celebrate this new partnership with product showcases and tech demonstrations at CES 2025 (January 7-10). To know more about “xboom by will.i.am”, please visit .
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By News Reporter
In this installment of On the Job, we explore LG’s IR Division and their efforts to communicate with key stakeholders, sharing progress updates and future plans to enhance the company’s value.
Effective investor relations (IR) are critical to a company’s success, fostering transparency by providing clear and accurate information to investors, analysts and other stakeholders. The role of IR professionals is evolving globally to encompass important corporate functions including sustainability. Rather than merely serving as liaisons between the organization and the financial community, IR teams are increasingly becoming strategic partners, playing a vital role in advancing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives that go beyond traditional sustainability reporting.
As a company that has always prioritized transparent communications with customers or investors alike, LG has carefully constructed a highly skilled team of IR practitioners. In this installment of On the Job, we get an “up close” look at LG’s IR Division to learn about their tasks, the challenges they face and what motivates them to excel in their field.
The primary mission of an IR organization is to ensure fair business valuation, create an environment conducive to raising funds through capital markets and maintain a stable shareholder base.
“To achieve this, our Division handles a range of tasks, from responding to investors and overseeing corporate disclosures to announcing earnings and conducting business briefings and shareholder meetings,” said Park Won-jae, head of IR Division at LG Electronics.
IR activities can be broadly categorized into three main areas: enhancing capital market integrity by ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and laws in information sharing; communicating with investors about the company’s management status, strategies and vision through corporate presentations and conferences; and collaborating with related organizations, such as finance, to establish shareholder return policies like dividends or share buybacks to enhance shareholder value.
LG’s IR Division consists of the IR Planning Team and the IR Communications Team. The IR Communications Team focuses on managing interactions with Korean and international investors and handling activities that require a high level of external engagement. Meanwhile, the IR Planning Team oversees policy-related tasks, such as company information disclosures and shareholder meetings.
Given that each team handles different types of tasks with varying scopes of collaboration and expected outcomes, team members need to possess skills and expertise tailored to their specific responsibilities.
“Members of the IR Planning Team must possess a strong awareness of compliance and a thorough understanding of relevant systems and regulations,” stated Lee Seung-ju, head of the IR Planning Team. “In contrast, the IR Communications Team requires exceptional communication skills, as their role involves extensive interaction with both Korean and global investors.” Additionally, it is crucial for members of both teams to have a comprehensive understanding of capital markets, the industry landscape and the various segments of the company’s operations.
The daily routines of LG’s IR Division members are significantly influenced by the time of year. “Our work follows a distinct cycle that typically aligns with quarterly, semi-annual and annual financial reporting schedules,” explained Kim Seung-hyun, head of the IR Communication Team. “Key recurring tasks include annual events such as the general shareholder meeting, quarterly earnings announcements and Non-Deal Roadshows (NDRs).* As these dates approach, our focus shifts to organizing these events.”
For instance, quarterly earnings announcements are generally shared in late April, July, October and January. “In the roughly 20 days leading up to these announcements, we collaborate closely with various organizations across business units to shape the company’s message to the market,” explained Kim. “We carefully consider how this information might impact our stakeholders once it becomes public.”
The annual general shareholder meeting also demands significant attention, as the IR teams must adhere to strict legal procedures under Korea’s Commercial Act. “We typically begin preparations in the fourth quarter for a meeting scheduled for next March, where we will discuss the previous year’s financial results,” added Lee.
In contrast to these predictable, routine activities, the capital markets are constantly evolving, necessitating flexibility and precision in communications and shareholder policy. “Since we are influenced by external variables, our non-routine tasks often involve new or unfamiliar situations, making IR work highly dynamic,” said Kim.
Skilled, creative and highly dedicated, LG’s IR Division has garnered recognition for its stellar work and commitment to transparent communications. Recently, the Division was honored with the Financial Services Commission Chairman’s Award (Grand Prize) at the 2024 Korea IR Awards hosted by the Korea Investor Relations Service. This accolade is not their first; they received the Grand Prize in the Corporate category in 2021 and the IR Council Chairman’s Award (Excellence Award) last year. This recognition is particularly meaningful as corporate value enhancement has become a key focus in global capital markets. LG has been acknowledged by capital market authorities and experts from various fields for its ongoing efforts to communicate with the market in a structured and sincere manner.
LG’s IR Division has been actively incorporating Future Vision 2030, the company’s mid- to long-term strategic direction, into investor communications. With this far-reaching vision, LG aims to drive sustainable growth by transitioning to a future-oriented business model while building on the world-class competitiveness and expertise it has developed over decades in core businesses such as home appliances. The IR Division’s consistent and genuine commitment to enhancing both corporate and shareholder value has been widely praised.
Since the Future Vision 2030 announcement last July, the company has bolstered external communications around business performance and direction. At major IR events, such as the general shareholder meeting, corporate presentations for international investors and investor forums, top LG executives – including the CEO and CFO – have engaged directly with the market in an open, transparent manner. Starting this year, LG has elevated its regular earnings conference calls. Previously led by IR and business unit management executives, the calls are now directly managed by the CFO.
Additionally, early this year, LG announced a new three-year dividend policy to improve shareholder value, featuring an increased payout ratio, a minimum annual dividend and semi-annual dividend payouts. In August, LG led Korea’s top 10 conglomerates by pre-announcing a value-up program focused on enhancing enterprise value. Then, on October 22, LG unveiled its “Corporate Value Enhancement Plan,” integrating its Future Vision 2030 with additional shareholder initiatives, including a target return on equity (ROE) of 10 percent or higher by 2027. Future actions under consideration include canceling existing treasury shares, additional share buybacks and potentially adopting quarterly dividends.
“Through these steps, we’re consistently demonstrating a sincere and proactive commitment to both corporate and shareholder value enhancement,” explained Lee.
Corporate value isn’t just about the numbers on financial statements; it also includes intangibles like future growth potential, the company’s image and brand value. “We have the major responsibility of representing LG Electronics and communicating its true corporate value to the market,” noted Kim. “We strive to be a model IR organization – one that embodies professionalism, passion and authenticity.”
Stay tuned to
link hidden, please login to view to learn more about other teams and roles at LG Electronics. # # #
* Non-Deal Roadshow (NDR) is an activity where a company’s management meets with investors, analysts and other stakeholders to provide insights into the company’s business strategy, financial performance and future outlook. Unlike a Deal Roadshow (DR), which is focused on promoting a specific securities offering or transaction, NDRs can be seen as an IR activity targeting existing shareholders.
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By News Reporter
Smart Life Solution Company Honored in Diverse Categories,
Taking Home Trio of Best of Innovation Awards
SEOUL, Nov. 14, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) has garnered significant recognition for its cutting-edge smart life solutions at the CES® 2025 Innovation Awards, securing over 20 awards, including three prestigious Best of Innovation Awards.
The CES Innovation Awards program, presented annually by the Consumer Technology Association, celebrates groundbreaking consumer products and services across a diverse array of device and technology categories at the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow.
LG’s impressive collection of CES 2025 Innovation Awards, which includes three “Best of Innovation” honors, underscores the company’s commitment to design and technological innovation. LG’s solutions are being recognized across multiple categories, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Home Appliances, Gaming & eSports, Imaging, Video Displays, Computer Hardware & Components, Smart Cities and Cybersecurity.
A highlight of LG’s achievements being honored at CES 2025 in Las Vegas next January is the LG OLED TV, which received six Innovation Awards, including the Best of Innovation Award in the Video Displays category. This marks the third consecutive year that the LG OLED TV has been recognized with Best of Innovation honors. Since their debut in 2013, the LG OLED TVs have earned at least one CES Innovation Award each year, solidifying its dominance in the premium TV market.
In addition, LG’s webOS smart TV platform, a cornerstone of the company’s platform-based service business, was honored with an Innovation Award in the Cybersecurity category. LG’s “Affectionate Intelligence” AI home hubs also received accolades at the CES 2025 Innovation Awards. These advanced devices exemplify the company’s “AI Home” concept, providing new value to customers and representing a significant advancement in smart home living.
The Self-Driving AI Home Hub, which won Innovation Awards in both the AI and Smart Home categories, features multimodal sensing capabilities that integrate voice, sound and image recognition. LG ThinQ ON, an AI home hub powered by generative AI, also earned a CES Innovation Award. Acting as the “brain” of the AI Home, LG ThinQ ON maintains seamless connectivity among home appliances and IoT devices around the clock.
The LG UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor garnered three awards at CES 2025, including the Best of Innovation in the Gaming & eSports category, as well as an Innovation Award in the Imaging category. This advanced monitor merges the exceptional picture quality of OLED with an optimized viewing experience tailored for gamers.
Alongside the UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor, other innovative LG products received awards, including the LG gram Pro 2-in-1, LG MyView Smart Monitor, LG UltraFine monitor and LG CineBeam projector, demonstrating the company’s extensive influence across technology categories.
The complete list and details of LG’s CES 2025 Innovation Award winners will be revealed at CES 2025 on January 5.
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By News Reporter
SANTA CLARA, Calif., October 29, 2024 — Showcasing cutting-edge technological solutions,
link hidden, please login to view, the North America Innovation Center of LG Electronics, announced the winners of the 2024 Startup Pitch Competition, co-sponsored by LG Chem. This year’s event, held during LG NOVA’s annual in San Francisco, featured standout startups focused on Life Sciences, Open Innovation, HealthTech, AI, Smart Life and CleanTech, with three companies recognized for their potential to drive impactful change. Ten startups competed for cash prizes and recognition in front of a panel of industry experts, LG executives and investors. The 2024 winners are:
First Place: . – mDETECT has developed highly-sensitive cancer blood tests using DNA sequencing, offering a universal approach to monitoring therapy response and detecting cancer progression. The company received the top prize of $15,000. Second Place: – Glidance is revolutionizing independent mobility for people who are blind or have low vision with Glide, the first AI-powered intelligent guide, which enhances confidence, safety, and autonomy. Glidance was awarded $10,000. Innovation for Impact: – Oncoustics is transforming low-cost point-of-care ultrasound devices into powerful diagnostic tools for early detection and monitoring of liver diseases using AI. Oncoustics received $10,000 for its selection as Innovation for Impact company. This award category was sponsored by LG Chem. In addition to cash prizes, participants will have the chance to explore further collaboration through LG NOVA’s , which seeks to support innovative startups through potential collaborations, partnership programs, marketing opportunities and other resources.
“We’re excited to recognize startups that are truly pushing the boundary of what’s possible, developing technologies that have the potential to make an impact on people’s lives,” said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, corporate executive vice president for innovation at LG Electronics and head of LG NOVA. “These companies are leading the way in critical fields like healthcare, cleantech, AI and life sciences and we look forward to exploring opportunities with them as they continue to advance their innovations. Together, we can shape a brighter tomorrow by driving meaningful change through collaboration.”
The fourth annual LG NOVA InnoFest brought together industry leaders, investors and startups to explore emerging technologies in a collaborative environment. This year’s theme, “Lighting the Halo for Innovation,” emphasized the importance of co-creation in driving meaningful progress. The festival featured over 70 speakers, covering topics ranging from building successful ventures and the future of AI to innovative digital care models, energy management and more.
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