News

Mirko Mazzali, a Milanese lawyer and current assessor for the Municipio 9, is publicly supporting a “yes” vote in the upcoming Italian referendum on justice reform, a position that diverges from many within his traditionally left-leaning political base. The referendum, scheduled for June 9th, proposes changes to Italy’s judicial system, including the roles of judges and prosecutors.

Mazzali, who served as a municipal councilor for Sinistra Ecologia Libertà during the administration of former Milan mayor Giuliano Pisapia from 2011 to 2016, explained his support as a “technical question” rather than a purely political one, according to reporting from Repubblica. This framing suggests Mazzali views the proposed reforms as addressing practical issues within the justice system, rather than ideological concerns.

Prior to his role as assessor, Mazzali held a six-year position as the responsible for prison affairs at the Milan Bar Association and was a member of the Prison Observatory of the Italian Bar Associations. This experience likely informs his perspective on the need for adjustments within the judicial framework. He was also president of the Council of Municipio 1 from 2016 to 2021, and previously served as a delegate to the city’s peripheries under Mayor Giuseppe Sala.

Mazzali’s current position as assessor for Municipio 9 includes responsibilities for security, social cohesion, local commerce, employment policies, and the management of public spaces. He was appointed to the role in October 2021, having previously declined to run for re-election as a councilor.

In a separate matter, Mazzali recently voiced strong criticism regarding a police operation involving the eviction of the Leoncavallo social center in Milan. He described the operation as a “shameful blitz,” alleging that the timing was deliberately accelerated due to concerns from the government about a planned festival organized by Alleanza Verdi Sinistra. He accused the government, and specifically Fratelli d’Italia, of orchestrating the operation to make a political statement. Mazzali, who has a long history of representing autonomous groups and social centers, stated that the forces of order had previously assured him that no intervention would occur before September 9th, the expiration date of the eviction notice.

The Il Giorno report indicates Mazzali was on vacation in Calais, France, when the eviction took place, and expressed frustration that the government appeared to be motivated by a desire to take credit for the operation. He further suggested that a delegation from Fratelli d’Italia had met with the Minister of the Interior to specifically request the eviction.

A January 17th article in Il Giornale described Mazzali as a “historic defender of autonomi and social centers,” noting his “courageous and apparently countercurrent positions” despite his firmly rooted left-wing beliefs. The article highlighted a seven-year legal battle that ultimately resulted in an acquittal for a client he represented.

German manufacturing companies are increasingly adopting a revenue-focused approach to marketing, shifting away from traditional metrics like impressions and clicks towards demonstrable contributions to sales, according to industry analysts. The change, highlighted in a report published today, reflects a growing demand for accountability and transparency in marketing spend within the traditionally metrics-driven industrial sector.

For decades, marketing departments in manufacturing firms have often been viewed as cost centers, focused on activities like brochure production, website maintenance, and trade display participation. This perception is now being challenged as businesses seek to align marketing efforts directly with revenue generation. “Without measurability, there is no revenue driver,” says Sascha Albrink, a pioneer in revenue marketing in the German-speaking world and author of Think Marketing ReveNEW. “In manufacturing, every process is timed and tracked. Marketing needs to operate with the same logic: transparency, accountability, and control – with a clear focus on revenue.”

The shift is driven by a recognition that traditional marketing metrics often fail to demonstrate a clear return on investment. A common scenario, as described in the report, involves marketing teams reporting millions of impressions and thousands of clicks, but struggling to connect those figures to actual sales leads, proposals, and closed deals. This disconnect has led to calls for a more rigorous, data-driven approach.

Revenue marketing, as advocated by Albrink, emphasizes a backward-looking perspective. Instead of focusing on how much reach can be generated, the focus shifts to analyzing which marketing channels and initiatives have demonstrably contributed to sales. This requires close collaboration between marketing, sales, and customer service departments, with all three teams accessing and analyzing the same data within a centralized Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

One German machine-building company reportedly conducted an internal assessment, asking its 40 key account managers which products they intended to sell to clients and which products the clients actually needed. The responses rarely aligned, revealing a disconnect between management’s sales priorities and customer demand. This highlighted the require for marketing campaigns to be based on a clear understanding of customer needs, rather than internal directives.

Implementing revenue marketing requires a fundamental shift in mindset and organizational structure. Companies must move beyond siloed departments and embrace a collaborative approach to data analysis and decision-making. A key element is the establishment of clear metrics focused on sales opportunities, deal closure rates, and attributable revenue. Marketing professionals, in this model, function more like financial controllers, analyzing the contribution of each channel and initiative to the bottom line.

The transition is not without its challenges. One German industrial company experienced a six-month sales cycle, meaning that the results of its new marketing approach were not immediately apparent. Despite this delay, the company’s leadership maintained its commitment to the strategy, and ultimately saw a demonstrable increase in sales attributable to the new marketing initiatives. Another company physically co-located its marketing and sales teams, reportedly doubling its measurable revenue contribution within two years.

According to the report, the first step in implementing revenue marketing is not investing in new software or agencies, but rather making a strategic decision to measure marketing performance based on revenue generated. This requires a centralized CRM system, clear attribution models, and a commitment to collaboration across departments. The approach, proponents argue, is a natural extension of the rigorous process control already prevalent in the manufacturing sector.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The UMass Minutemen secured an 11-8 victory over the Brown Bears in men’s lacrosse action on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Stevenson-Pincince Field. The win marked the fourth consecutive victory for UMass, while handing Brown their first loss of the season. A dominant performance by UMass goalie Owen Salanger proved crucial in the outcome of this Ivy League contest.

The game was a back-and-forth affair early on, with both teams trading goals. Brown initially surged ahead with three consecutive goals from Jeremy Hopsicker, Marcus Wertheim, and Jackson Wolfram, establishing a 4-1 lead in the first quarter. However, UMass responded with a strong push, ultimately taking a 5-4 lead into halftime. The Minutemen’s resilience and Salanger’s exceptional goalkeeping were key factors in shifting the momentum.

Owen Salanger, the redshirt sophomore goalkeeper for UMass, delivered a career-defining performance, recording a remarkable 23 saves. UMass Athletics reports this surpassed his previous career high of 16 saves achieved in last year’s matchup against Brown. Salanger’s ability to deny Brown scoring opportunities, holding them scoreless for a significant 38-minute stretch, proved pivotal.

Offensively, Dylan Johnson led the UMass attack with four goals, bringing his season total to nine. Charles Kurtz also contributed a hat trick, also reaching nine goals on the season. Robbie Granara added two goals, while Colin Coyle and Jack Turowsky each scored once for the Minutemen. For Brown, Jeremy Hopsicker completed a hat trick, and Brady O’Kane scored twice.

The second half saw UMass extend their lead, with Charles Kurtz scoring consecutive goals to push the advantage to 9-5. Brown attempted to rally, with Preston Evans scoring his first career goal, but the Minutemen maintained control. The final minutes saw both teams add to their tallies, concluding with a final score of 11-8 in favor of UMass.

UMass coach Jon Torpey acknowledged the challenge posed by Brown, stating, “Hats off to UMass, they played a great game,” according to Brown Bears Athletics. “They executed, their goalie stood on his head, and they took advantage of our mistakes.”

Connor Foley recorded 16 saves for the Bears, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Salanger’s performance and UMass’s offensive output.

Here’s a quick gaze at the scoring breakdown:

The Minutemen will now look ahead to their next challenge, while Brown will aim to rebound from their first defeat of the season. The UMass team currently holds a record of 4-1, while Brown falls to 2-1.

The next game for Brown is scheduled for Saturday against Bryant, and coach Torpey expressed confidence in his team’s ability to respond. The Ivy League season is still young, and both teams have opportunities to improve and contend for a championship.

What impact will Owen Salanger’s performance have on the Minutemen’s confidence moving forward? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow lacrosse fans.