News Hub | News Direct

Major League Baseball becomes latest league to join Jock MKT

Jock MKT

Jock MKT (Jock Market), the company turning sports into a stock exchange, announced Major League Baseball will be part of their innovative platform starting with MLB’s Opening Day on April 1, 2021. The announcement marks the fifth league on Jock MKT, which allows users to buy and sell shares of NFL, NBA, NHL, PGA Tour and now MLB players in real time for real money. “Our users have told us Jock MKT is making sports more interesting – and for a sport like MLB that's looking for more ways to engage with fans, I think we offer that perfect second screen type of experience,” said Tyler Carlin, Co-Founder of Jock MKT. “Live trading on Jock MKT gives every pitch and every at bat an opportunity to trade and find value, which should really appeal to the hearts of baseball fans, a sport rooted in stats and analytics. We’re thrilled to now feature all four major U.S. leagues, plus the PGA Tour.” In an MLB Cash Market, Jock MKT users are able to buy virtual shares of star players like Mike Trout of the Anaheim Angels or Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees on a daily basis. Likewise, users can invest in shares of players with more upside such as a utility infielder or the fifth starter in a five-man rotation. Prior to each day of MLB games, Jock MKT hosts an IPO stage that concludes minutes before the first pitch. During the IPO, users can bid on shares of players using real cash. When the IPO ends, any Jock MKT user can buy and sell shares with other investors while the games are happening. Users have the option to hold their shares to the end of the night for cash payouts based on fantasy rankings. For a tutorial of how to play, watch this video. Now approved in 35 states, Jock MKT is one of the fastest growing fantasy sports platforms in the world. Early investors include Isaiah Kacyvenski, a retired eight-year NFL veteran with a Harvard MBA. Kacyvenski is Founding Partner and Managing Director of Will Ventures, an early-stage fund investing at the intersection of sports and technology. Additional investors include Ryan Moore, a current board member of DraftKings and Accomplice founding partner. Headquartered in Boston and launched in 2020, Jock MKT (JockMKT.com) is a fantasy gaming platform where users can make real money – every minute, every second, of every game. Inspired by a traditional stock exchange, Jock MKT allows users to buy and sell shares of athletes in real time. Jock MKT was co-founded by Tyler Carlin and investors include Isaiah Kacyvenski, Ryan Moore, Brandon Adams and Alumni Ventures Group. Available in the U.S. in 35 states, Jock MKT offers gaming options for events tied to the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and PGA Tour. Contact Details Eric PR & Marketing, LLC Eric Nemeth +1 602-502-2793 nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://jockmkt.com/

March 30, 2021 10:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with Ordr

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence (CMMC COE), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with Ordr, an industry leader in continuous discovery, device asset inventory visibility and security of all connected devices, including unmanaged IoT, IoMT, and OT devices. This unique partnership will extend efforts by providing complete device asset inventory discovery for compliance within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. “We are excited to embark on this journey with Ordr”, said John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “The foundation of CMMC starts with visibility into devices in the network and the risks they bring. This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience for the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. Ord provides a purpose-built platform for asset inventory and security. It discovers and secures all connected devices -- from traditional servers, workstations and PCs to IoT, IoMT and OT devices. Using agentless and passive methods of data collection, connected devices can be automatically discovered and classified. Devices with vulnerabilities, weak ciphers/certificates or are subject to recall are identified. Ordr’s machine learning engine also maps and baselines device communication patterns to establish “Flow Genomes”. Ordr can then alert on anomalous behavior and dynamically generate micro-segmentation policies to allow devices only appropriate access. “The Ordr team is thrilled to be joining the pioneering organizations and innovators that make up the CMMC COE,” said Greg Murphy, Chief Executive Officer at Ordr. “We are working with DIB contractors, vendors, and the supplier community to enable them to meet CMMC regulations quickly and efficiently. Being a part of the CMMC COE accelerates that effort.” The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between Ordr and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and Ordr partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org, email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766. For more information on Ordr, please visit https://ordr.net/solutions/cmmc/, email info@ordr.net or call 833.673.7999 #### Contact Details John Weiler Executive Director, IT-AAC Chairman, CMMC COE john.weiler@it-aac.org 703-863-3766 Monica Wallace for Ordr Monica.Wallace@ruderfinn.com 650-346-8994 About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. About Ordr ------------ Digital transformation has led to the inevitable explosive increase of connected devices. The scale and diversity of these devices, and the capacity for network connectivity introduces risks. Every single device is a potential attack vector and must be secured. Ordr delivers visibility and security of all connected devices -- from traditional servers, workstations and PCs to IoT, IoMT and OT devices. Ordr discovers what devices are in the network, profiles device behavior and risks, and then automates appropriate action. Contact Details CMMC Center of Excellence Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

March 30, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Osmo For Schools Celebrates Five Years and Upgrades to Plastic Manipulatives in School Bundles for Classroom Hygiene & Safety

Osmo for Schools

Osmo for Schools, the educational division of Tangible Play that promotes in-classroom usage of Osmo’s award-winning educational systems, celebrates its fifth anniversary March 30, 2021 and highlights recent achievements. These include upgrading to plastic pieces in all its school bundles to maintain the highest standards of classroom hygiene, along with reaching 100,000 downloads of the Osmo Projector App intended for teachers, which helped grow Osmo’s community of active users. “Osmo for Schools began thanks to all the incredibly enthusiastic teachers across the U.S. and Canada who adopted Osmo as an educational device for classroom settings, promoting its usage, so that schools and districts started to purchase it,” explains Jan Richards, head of education sales and marketing at Osmo for Schools. “In early 2016, Osmo began our division by forming a sales team, a conference strategy, plus a Classroom Kit for schools, which really took off. It’s come a long way since!” The division now has 15 sales and consulting executives who work under Richards, offers nine different learning system bundles, and works with thousands of school districts. All Learning System Bundles Upgraded To Plastic Manipulatives for Effective Sanitization In January 2021, Osmo for Schools upgraded all nine school bundles to include plastic pieces across the board, replacing ones made of cardboard. This makes it easier for schools to disinfect and clean Osmo’s manipulatives, which are used in conjunction with Osmo’s technology inside classrooms, and allows schools to maintain the highest standards of classroom hygiene. Osmo for Schools’ plastic pieces are long-lasting, easy to sanitize when using EPA-registered disinfectant spray, and dishwasher-safe. “The entire world holds a mirror to each school’s hygiene standard and methods of cleaning and disinfection--this is especially true in classrooms where several hands are touching different items every day,” says Richards. “Our plastic pieces are an excellent educational tool, now made even safer for classrooms, and only teachers have access to them. Teachers are so excited to have all-plastic pieces in their sets!” “In all my years teaching, I’ve always sanitized my teaching tools as a STEAM teacher; from robots, to iPads and now my Osmo for Schools kits--this is a life saver for my students and myself,” says Frances Amato Dominguez, Ed Tech Model and STEAM Teacher in New York. Adds South Carolina kindergarten teacher Keri Lewis, “I love how durable these pieces are. Being plastic, they are able to be cleaned thoroughly between uses without fear of damaging the pieces.” These bundles featuring all-plastic pieces are exclusive to Osmo for Schools, and educators who previously purchased bundles with cardboard manipulatives can now buy the plastic piece sets separately, with a 25-percent discount. Projector App Reaches 100,000 Downloads Due to the sudden transition to virtual learning one year ago, Osmo reacted to teachers’ cries for a more effective means of engaging students in a virtual classroom, by offering Projector App. The app began as a free download to all thanks to Osmo Cares, the charitable arm of Osmo. Launched in late March, the app is now being used by teachers of all levels (pre-K to university) across the country to make the virtual learning environment more fun, appealing, and similar to an actual classroom; it recently reached 100,000 downloads, and helped to grow Osmo’s community of active users. Projector App employs a powerful reflective AI technology that allows the camera to “see” the desktop in front of the screen and project a teacher’s real world text, notes and drawings onto the screen, even 3-D models they hold in their hand, while being compatible with Zoom and other video conferencing technologies ( video ). Projector App is the 2020 recipient of EdTech Breakthrough Awards’ “eLearning Innovation of the Year.” “It’s wonderful that the free download of Projector App introduced many teachers to Osmo for the very first time, who were previously unaware of the great variety of educational products we offer,” says Richards. Carol Argumaniz, Assistant Principal at Lillie Jackson Early Childhood Center in Lewisville, Texas, speaks about the success her teachers are having with virtual learning, thanks to Osmo Projector App. “It allows teachers to deliver the same quality lesson through virtual learning, as they would deliver through in-person learning at school,” says Argumaniz. “And it allows them to conduct small group lessons with very high quality pictures so students feel like they are actually next to the teacher.” About Osmo for Schools Osmo for Schools, a division of Tangible Play, Inc., focuses on building in-classroom usage of Osmo’s award-winning educational systems. Using proprietary AI technology, these systems help teachers foster collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and increased engagement in learning, in students. Osmo is used in more than 30,000 schools in North America. Tangible Play is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. For more information about Osmo for Schools and its products, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Company Website http://schools.playosmo.com

March 30, 2021 04:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Image

Minuteman Press Franchise in Lutz, FL Focuses on Relationships and High-Demand Products to Spark Record Monthly Sales During COVID-19 Pandemic

Minuteman Press International Inc

Ed Casagrande and his family moved to the US from Brazil in 2017 to pursue the American Dream of owning a business. He has not let the COVID-19 pandemic slow him down and Ed shares his insights on growing his Minuteman Press franchise in Lutz, FL. For four years, Minuteman Press franchise owner Ed Casagrande has been building relationships and helping local businesses with their printing and marketing needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Minuteman Press in Lutz, FL was designated as an essential business. Ed and his team have continued to reach out to their clients and community with one simple yet powerful message: “We are all in this together.” The results of Ed’s genuine outreach efforts are a satisfied client base and increased sales. He says, “We are posting record monthly sales in March 2021, and I am thankful for that. Our sales for the month are more than the annual revenue of the previous owner of the business in 2016. To do this during the pandemic makes me even more excited for the future as we continue to work hard on behalf of our community and our customers.” Supporting Local Businesses Ed elaborates, “Since the beginning, we have focused on developing strong relationships with many businesses and organizations within our local community. The pandemic has, in many ways, brought us closer together with our customers. There has been an overwhelming sense that we are all in this together, and by helping to support each other through the struggle, we have been able to keep growing.” Just by reaching out to local businesses, Ed has found a renewed sense of camaraderie with his fellow business owners. “The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. If there has been one thing that has been highlighted during this difficult time, it would be the resilience of the community. Many of our customers print with us on a regular basis, and we have gotten the opportunity to know them and their businesses. When they come into our shop, they share their stories of struggle and success, and we are there to support them through all of it.” He adds, “We know the challenges of trying to grow a business even without the added stress of a worldwide pandemic, and we want to offer solutions that can help businesses take that growth to another level. With that in mind, we take the approach of thinking like the general consumer, and finding print solutions that will help reach the desired audience.” Print Is Essential The best businesses are the ones who quickly identify the needs of their clients and do everything they can to meet those demands. That is exactly what Minuteman Press has done over the past year. Ed recalls, “Early on during the pandemic, we identified the businesses that most needed our services and made the effort to help with their printing needs. The food industry saw a massive increase in demand so we targeted that market – printing labels for food distributors, to-go menus for restaurants, and yard signs and banners promoting social distancing. The need for marketing materials promoting social distancing applied to other industries as well, and we were able to meet those needs with signs, banners, window clings, and floor stickers.” Another challenge for local businesses came in the form of adapting their marketing methods. With trade shows and other events cancelled or postponed, businesses turned to Minuteman Press for help in adapting and diversifying their marketing strategies. Ed explains, “We focused our efforts on areas of the business with the widest margin of return. We had to get creative in finding ways to best serve the needs of our customers, many of whom have also had to completely transform their approach to marketing in a world without trade shows and other traditional marketing methods. This has allowed us the opportunity to continue to grow, despite the challenges facing our local economy. At the core of this growth is the relationships we have built with our customers. The importance of developing strong relationships with local businesses and taking care to provide a quality customer experience with every interaction cannot be stressed enough. It is the key to our success.” By strengthening those relationships, Ed is now poised to help his clients with the anticipated local economic recovery. “We have already begun to see an increase in sales which indicates that the local economy is starting to fire back up. We have taken great care to listen to the needs of our customers and provide options for them that will best help them recover from the pandemic. We have also begun the process of restructuring our team to identify and capitalize on the strengths of each individual team member. We are investing in new equipment so that we can increase our production and profit margins, offer better and faster print solutions to our customers, and stay competitive in the marketplace.” He continues, “We are in the process of expanding to a new larger location which will allow us to grow even more. We have also implemented a marketing outreach project to touch base with customers who haven’t been printing as much since the pandemic started, in an effort to see if we can be of any help to them. This effort has translated into an increase of sales and is helping us get back on track to our pre-pandemic rate of growth.” “For years, the printing industry has been the backbone of marketing for organizations across the world. As technology has advanced and as the world has moved online, the ways that businesses and organizations have been able to reach out and market to their customers has evolved. But the foundation of marketing has always been in print media. In many ways, the pandemic brought things back-to-the-basics for many of our customers. We have seen many of our customers go back to the tried-and-true methods of marketing, including postcard printing for direct mail and EDDM mailing campaigns, flyer/brochure printing, and yard and car sign/banner printing. From what we have seen, the market trends indicate that the printing industry will continue to thrive and we are looking forward to continuing our growth as the economy recovers from the pandemic.” -Ed Casagrande, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Lutz, FL From Being Laid Off in Brazil to US Business Ownership in Lutz, FL One of the reasons Ed has been able to adapt and grow his business during this unprecedented time is because of his ability to adapt and refocus. In fact, he has pivoted before. “I was born in Brazil and my professional background is in Engineering. Before moving to the US, I was involved in a large organization and was responsible for the entire South American region, with a team of 3,000 employees under my supervision. In 2015, the economy in Brazil went through a dramatic downturn, and I was laid off. My wife and I made the decision to move to the United States with our two children, and we began looking to purchase a business.” Ed continues, “At first, we looked at many options – from gas stations to dry cleaners and everything in between. I found an opportunity to purchase an existing franchise of Minuteman Press, and although I had no previous experience in the printing industry, I was drawn to the Business-to-Business concept that Minuteman Press offered. I am passionate about business and through my experience, I have a deep understanding of the inner workings of growing a business. Minuteman Press allowed me to turn that passion into an opportunity to help other businesses grow through various marketing concepts that we are able to help them achieve, which in turn has helped me grow my own business as well.” Ed credits the ongoing support of Minuteman Press both before and during the pandemic for helping him build his business. He says, “Minuteman Press International has always been a huge support to us, and they took great care to help provide the support we needed during the pandemic. We are so appreciative of the efforts they have made to ensure that the safety of our employees and customers is a top priority, and for providing us with the resources necessary to remain successful despite the challenges facing us.” “Ed Casagrande has done a tremendous job putting in the work to build his Minuteman Press franchise in Lutz. I am proud of the way he has reached out to others, promoted his relevant products and services, and provided an uplifting message as well as a positive customer experience for his clients at this critical time. I look forward to supporting Ed as he continues to build his business.” -Larry Trimble, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Florida Rewards & Advice for Others As a business owner, Ed sees many rewards to being his own boss. He says, “The biggest benefit to owning my own business is that there is virtually no limit to the amount of success that I can achieve, except if I limit myself. When I worked for someone else, there was always a limit to the compensation I received or to the growth that I was able to experience, regardless of the effort I put into it. Owning my own business removes that glass ceiling and allows me to pursue limitless success.” When asked what advice he would give to other local business owners right now, Ed answers, “The best advice that I can give other local businesses is that networking and customer care is vital to the success of a business. A large part of the effort that I have made since becoming a franchise owner of Minuteman Press is through networking with other small business owners in the local community. Through these efforts, I have developed some incredible working relationships with members of the community and I have learned so much along the way.” Ed concludes, “We have all heard it said that there is strength in numbers. The pandemic has demonstrated this to be true, because we have all relied on each other to get through it.” For more information on Ed Casagrande’s Minuteman Press franchise in Lutz, FL, visit https://www.lutz-fl.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

March 29, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

Consumer lender Fintern appoints Chief Risk Officer

Stockwood Strategy

Prior to joining Fintern, Mark was a Partner at EY, where he specialised in Credit Analytics and led EY's Quantitative Advisory Services team of 200 quantitative analysts. Since joining EY in 2005, Mark has served virtually every major UK bank on the topic of credit modelling and the use of advanced analytics. At Fintern, Mark will leverage his market-leading experience to develop Fintern's next-generation credit technology and improve access to affordable credit. Mark holds a PhD in mathematics and has been a leading advocate for the use of alternative data in fairer credit decisioning. Gerald Chappell, Fintern CEO, said "I am excited about Mark's vision for Fintern, as well as his passion for using data and analytics to fix the failings of the credit score system and improve access to affordable credit. Given his career track record, he will bring world-class analytics, artificial intelligence and strategic expertise to build on the strengths of the existing management team." On his appointment, Mark London commented: "I am delighted to be joining Fintern at this important time. Fintern's mission to transform consumer credit markets, bypassing a broken credit scoring system that unfairly excludes millions of people from affordable loans, is more relevant now than ever with the economic disruption caused by Covid-19. Using Open Banking and other alternative data we can improve financial lives by bringing affordable and responsible loans to many more people." Mark added "I am excited about Fintern's commitment to interactive lending. As CRO, I will ensure we share our insights with customers, that we will help them to make decisions that are in their best interest, and that we will provide full transparency on all our lending decisions." Michelle He, Fintern COO and CFO, said "Mark will find an amazing home here at Fintern, and a deep commitment from the entire Fintern team to challenging the traditional lending approach and helping consumers recover as we emerge from Covid-19." About Fintern Fintern is a digital consumer lender on a mission to expand access to low-cost personal finance and transform financial well-being. Fintern's next-generation credit technology takes a holistic look at each applicant’s financial situation rather than making a decision solely based on a credit score. Fintern builds relationships with customers helping them to understand their repayment capacity and credit appetite. Fintern integrates its AI platform with Open Banking to smartly connect the dots in consumers' banking data enabling Fintern to obtain the most accurate view of borrowers' affordability and spending behaviour using up to the minute transaction information. Fintern was founded in 2020 with a team from McKinsey, EY, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC and XiaoMi. Fintern is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference number 929244, a member of Cifas (the UK's leading anti-fraud association) and registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office in compliance with the Data Protection Regulations 2018. Contact Details Fintern Sam Power +44 7400 122813 press@fintern.ai Company Website https://fintern.ai/

March 29, 2021 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Image

MEOW WOLF’S HOUSE OF ETERNAL RETURN IS NOW OPEN

Meow Wolf

Book your interdimensional travel today with the reopening of Meow Wolf’s famed immersive experience, House of Eternal Return. Just in time for the exhibition’s five-year anniversary, the Santa-Fe-based arts and entertainment company has officially reopened its flagship location. Following Omega Mart ’s grand opening in Las Vegas last month, House of Eternal Return marks Meow Wolf’s second opening of 2021. Meow Wolf’s reopening and reduced capacity adheres to New Mexico’s most recent public health order, which was announced on March 24, 2021. Meow Wolf has put additional tickets on sale through May 25th and will be welcoming guests to the House of Eternal Return at limited capacity between Friday and Monday of every week. Fans of the exhibition will be able to return to a space with new surprises, as Meow Wolf has spent the past year installing a variety of upgrades to the exhibit with new installations from guest artists such as Corinne Loperfido, Paolo Puck, and Obsidiopoli s. Visitors can purchase tickets now. The installation has also revised its traffic flow and curtailed its interaction with immersive displays so that the interactive experience aligns with museum protocol. Beyond physical space, Meow Wolf has also redesigned and reimagined “touch” as some experiences were previously centered around tactile exploration, including: Digital Access to In-Exhibition Content. Meow Wolf has created more digital content to get into the storyline. Instead of flipping through a physical newspaper or book for clues, visitors can use their mobile phones for a non-touch experience. No Touch/Low Touch. Some art that was ‘high-touch’ has been modified into ‘no touch’ or ‘low touch.’ For example, the iconic dryer portal is temporarily closed to physically crawl through, but visitors will still be able to take the perfect Instagram shot. Implementing safety practices and protocols to protect employees, guests, and the community while combating the spread of coronavirus is Meow Wolf’s main priority. Here’s what to expect when visiting Meow Wolf: Face Masks: In keeping with New Mexico state guidelines, face masks are required at all times. Masks must cover both nose and mouth. Temperature Checks: All guests are required to have a non-invasive temperature check before being allowed in the exhibit. Social Distancing: All visitors must practice social distancing and keep a minimum of 6 feet away from other groups and employees during their visit. Docents are also available to help maintain protocol. Ventilation Upgrades: Meow Wolf has increased outside airflow and circulation, and upgraded its HVAC system by installing UV lights to clean air. Employee Covid Testing: Meow Wolf requires employees to be tested weekly for Covid-19 utilizing New Mexico's Department of Health recommended Vault Saliva Test. In addition to the above, Meow Wolf is also implementing safety measures for their staff and the exhibit. Every day, in preparation for guests, the House of Eternal Return undergoes rigorous sanitization. Employees receive daily temperature checks and have undergone comprehensive COVID-19 safety and sanitization training. When in the exhibit, you will also find hand sanitizer dispensers placed at guest and employee entrances and contact areas. Need more Meow Wolf? Their second exhibition, Omega Mart, is now open in Las Vegas and operating at 50% capacity. Deemed “America’s Most Exceptional Grocery Store,” this alluring experience combines mind-blowing interactive art elements with an in-depth narrative, inviting attendees to explore 4 vast themed areas and 60 additional unique environments, including installation-filled rooms, terrains, and portals to other worlds which is brought to life by over 325 creatives. World-renowned musical and visual artists such as Beach House, Brian Eno, Amon Tobin, Alex Grey, Allyson Grey, Shrine, and Android Jones are among the 50+ collaborators working to create this mind-bending experience, which Los Angeles Times calls "Meow Wolf's Most Ambitious Risk-Taking Endeavor Yet." Tickets for Omega Mart are on sale at www.omegamart.com. To learn more about what Meow Wolf is doing to protect their visitors at both exhibitions, please visit the Meow Wolf website. Meow Wolf was recognized in Fast Company 's 2020 list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, and awarded the #1 spot for Live Events. The company is also building a third permanent installation in Denver, which is slated to open in late 2021. About Meow Wolf Response to COVID-19 We are closely monitoring state and federal government policy changes, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, government mandates, and public health advancements. We will continue to make changes as necessary. All decisions about implementing these plans will be made in collaboration with local health officials and other state and local authorities. About Meow Wolf Recognized in Fast Company's 2020 list of The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies, Meow Wolf is a Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company that creates immersive, interactive experiences to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. The company's first location in Santa Fe opened in 2016 and showcases the THEA Award-winning, international sensation, House Of Eternal Return, where two million visitors have now discovered a multidimensional mystery house with secret passages, portals to magical worlds, and surreal, maximalist and mesmerizing art exhibits. In 2019, Meow Wolf expanded beyond Santa Fe and opened Kaleidoscape, the world’s first artist-driven ride at Elitch Gardens in Denver. Meow Wolf recently opened their second permanent installation, Omega Mart, at AREA15 in Las Vegas and their third permanent installation in Denver slated to open in late 2021. Meow Wolf is proud to be the only certified B-Corporation in the themed entertainment industry, with a team dedicated to social impact and building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Jive PR + Digital Contact Details Jive PR + Digital Maya Sarin +1 818-422-2248 maya@jiveprdigital.com Company Website https://meowwolf.com/

March 25, 2021 08:04 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Image

SuperDraft Debuts First Free-to-Play Sports Betting App with Caesars Rewards

SuperDraft

SuperDraft, Inc, the daily fantasy platform of Caesars Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR), announced today the launch of the SuperDraft Free SportsBook App, the first free-to-play sports betting mobile app with cash prizes and Caesars Rewards. The SuperDraft Free SportsBook complements the company’s fan-friendly Daily Fantasy Sports offering, creating new ways for casual fans to engage with their favorite games and cash in on their sports IQ. The launch comes two months after Caesars Entertainment announced its strategic investment in SuperDraft. The free-to-play sports betting app provides a unique social gaming experience for fans to make big bets on their favorite sports without financial risk. Fans can have fun competing against their friends and other sports fans for cash, gift cards, high-value prizes like consumer electronics, sports and concert tickets, and exclusive VIP experiences from Caesars Rewards. “Sports betting is exploding across the country, and fans are crying out for a better way to use their hard-earned sports IQ to cash in. We’re giving them something even better –– a way to win without spending a dime,” said Steve Wang, CEO & Founder of SuperDraft, Inc. “The SuperDraft Free SportsBook is unlike anything fans have ever seen. We can’t wait to reward players with exclusive Caesars experiences and big-ticket prizes.” SuperDraft CTO Nate Hunter developed the SuperDraft Free SportsBook in partnership with France-based Sportnco, one of the world leaders in the supply and management of turnkey sports betting sites for gaming operators. The app will offer free-to-play sports betting across all major U.S. sports and select global markets. Players can win cash and big-ticket prizes through straight bets, parlay, round-robin, and live in-game bets. In addition, there will be daily, weekly and monthly leaderboards with grand prize payouts. “We are thrilled that SuperDraft has developed yet another way for players to experience Caesars Rewards,” said Eric Hession, Co-President of Caesars Sports & Online Gaming. “SuperDraft’s Free SportsBook is an exciting part of our best-in-class mobile and online ecosystem. Our connected palette of mobile and online apps allows Caesars Rewards members to play across our digital offerings and earn Reward Credits which can be used at all of the Caesars’ destinations and online properties.” The SuperDraft Free SportsBook utilizes a social gaming currency called SuperCoin, which is used as token currency to place free bets. When players win enough SuperCoin, they can redeem it in the in-app store for gift cards and other big-ticket prizes such as consumer electronics, merchandise and apparel, as well as trips and vacation packages. Players can also compete to win Caesars Reward credits, redeemable for vacation packages and experiences at Caesars properties nationwide. These include show tickets, world-class dining, spa packages, golf outings, and more. The SuperDraft Free SportsBook is available for download on iOS and Android app stores. About SuperDraft, Inc. SuperDraft, Inc. is based in New Hampshire and is focused on paid entry and free to play daily fantasy in the U.S. via its SuperDraft DFS app available on iOS, Android, web and desktop. The Company has developed several unique game modes and features that appeal to both casual and hardcore sports fans and fantasy players. With unique game modes like Multiplier Mode, SuperDraft levels the playing field and provides new ways to play and win with more possible lineup combinations than the competition. The result is a game that is easier to play and quicker to understand. These daily fantasy sports contests are legal in more than 35 states with its free contests available in all 50 states. For more information, please visit www.superdraft.io. About Caesars Rewards Caesars Rewards is the loyalty program for Caesars Entertainment, Inc., the world's most diversified casino-entertainment provider. With more than 60 million members worldwide, Caesars Rewards is one of the largest and most acclaimed loyalty programs in the world. The program leverages the premium Caesars brand to connect Caesars' elevated standard and prestige with the company's destinations. Members have the ability to earn complimentary hotel stays, access to special events and much more through Caesars Rewards partners. Caesars Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. Find Caesars Rewards on Facebook, and follow on Twitter and Instagram. Contact Details Kristin Conte SuperDraft +1 917-399-1941 kconte@superdraft.io Company Website https://superdraft.io/

March 25, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Direct And Pop Culture Newswire Enter Into Exclusive Reciprocal Distribution Relationship

News Direct

News Direct has entered into an exclusive reciprocal distribution agreement with Pop Culture Newswire, a niche service that targets traditional entertainment media, digital influencers, and the agenda-setting 'geek' press covering everything from toys and gaming to concerts and collectibles. News Direct clients will be able to leverage the specialized distribution channels of Pop Culture Newswire to connect with media and bloggers in the following categories: Collectible/Toys, Comics/Graphic Novels, Editorial Features, Fashion, Festivals/Conventions, Gaming, General Entertainment, Multicultural News, Movies/TV/Stream, Music/Concerts, and Sports/Recreation. Conversely, Pop Culture clients seeking to amplify their message to a broader audience will be able to leverage the global reach offered by News Direct to promote products and events, as well as launch branding initiatives. "We are thrilled to partner with Pop Culture Newswire and offer our clients the added benefit of this targeted reach," noted Gregg Castano, founder, and CEO of News Direct. "The entertainment media and influencers are among the most elusive, so this new partnership offers our clients a real advantage to break through and get their relevant news and multimedia content noticed." About News Direct News Direct provides news and content distribution for PR, IR, Corporate Communications and Marketing professionals. Our automated platform delivers a completely-reimagined, intuitive workflow, industry-leading security, transparent, flat-rate pricing and actionable analytics. Further, News Direct has deployed an array of innovation including advanced automation, isolation cloud technology and custom software for the most dynamic, efficient and flexible platform available today. To learn more visit newsdirect.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. About Pop Culture Newswire Co-headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles, Pop Culture Newswire is the affordable, multimedia press release wire service tailored for brands, event producers, celebrities, media, and marketing agencies who want to reach the entertainment and pop culture Geek press. Pop Culture Newswire releases routinely feature 120+ online and content aggregator placements on platforms like Google News, AOL, Yahoo! Finance, and more. The service also features complimentary reports for its online placements as well as flat-rate press release wire services that range from city to state to national distributions. Contact Details Martha Pearlstone +1 203-295-7566 martha.pearlstone@newsdirect.com Company Website http://www.newsdirect.com

March 25, 2021 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The New Faces of Farming

YourUpdateTV

Recent studies have revealed that there is a population-wide deficiency in fiber, with only five percent of people in the U.S. meeting the Institute of Medicine’s recommended daily targets. Last year, as a response to this and additional nutritional gaps in American diets, three sisters in North Dakota teamed up on their family farm with a simple mission: bringing better wheat from the fields to your pantry. With Three Farm Daughters, they have done just that. Recently, the sisters teamed up on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss Three Farm Daughters, nutrition gaps in American diets, and some simple recipes for at-home cooking. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/78na7O6aF54 Three Farm Daughters features a new line of 100% Wheat Flour and Pasta products powered by GoodWheat, which is naturally nutrient-dense with attributes like high fiber, more protein, fewer calories and less gluten. The Three Farm Daughters Wheat Flour features the great taste, texture and performance of wheat, plus higher fiber (13g per serving, five times higher than traditional flour), lower total calories (30% fewer calories than traditional flour) and reduced gluten (50% less gluten than traditional flour). The Three Farm Daughters pastas include Fusilli, Fettuccine and Linguine and offers 11 grams of fiber per two-ounce serving (five times more fiber per serving than traditional pasta), plus each serving has nine grams of protein and only 150 calories. Three Farm Daughters pastas are non-GMO, kosher-certified and have a lower glycemic response compared to that of traditional pastas. Three Farm Daughters Pasta is also nearly impossible to overcook and always al dente, empowering home chefs to confidently serve their loved ones the foods they crave most. Three Farm Daughters products are available to purchase on Amazon, at www.threefarmdaughters.com and at select grocers and retailers in North Dakota and Minnesota. About Grace: Grace has only been one thing in her professional life: a boss. She started her first cosmetics business at the age of 19 and has made her own success by the care and expertise she delivered to her clients each day. Grace is an early adopter of better for you food products. Now, with her and husband, Jordan, recently welcoming their first child, she will use her knowledge of health and nutrition to fuel the next generation. About Mollie: As an attorney and a middle child, just try to faze Mollie. After she and her husband, Steve, recently welcomed their first child, she is now a mother as well. She conquers each and every day with speed and tenacity and shops for her food in the same fashion. She selects better for you brands that have the quality and convenience that fit her lifestyle. About Annie: As the eldest daughter, Annie is the trail blazer. Although she is the quietest of the three, her presence is strong. As a mother of three, it is because of her children that she and her husband, David, seek out better for you foods. You will find her in your way in the local grocery store aisle, reading the label on every item she buys. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

March 24, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video