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Lensbaby Announces “Shoot Extraordinary” Photography Conference

Lensbaby

Lensbaby, the leader in award-winning creative effect camera lenses, is excited to announce its 2021 virtual photography conference taking place Dec. 7-9. Join us for the Lensbaby “Shoot Extraordinary” Photography Conference 2021 on December 7th! Click here to register and claim your free spot today. Registered conference attendees will be automatically entered to win prizes including a grand prize worth over $2500. For 16 years, Lensbaby has been an ally of the unusual, and an advocate for the unique — this three day conference will be a testament to our passion for blazing your own trail. With 16 speakers and top Lensbaby educators from around the globe, there is something for everyone. Conference attendees can expect to learn the ethos of the Lensbaby “Shoot Extraordinary” motto, while learning the nuances and uncommon qualities of its photo and video lenses. For a full list of course topics, visit our 2021 virtual photography conference page. How Do You #SHOOT EXTRAORDINARY with Lensbaby? Register for your FREE ticket to our virtual photography event where you'll have access to three days of Lensbaby and creative photography education. About Lensbaby // Lensbaby creates tools that enable photographers and videographers to find their unique visual voice. For over 16 years, they have been manufacturing high-quality creative effects lenses, optics and accessories out of their Portland, Oregon headquarters. Lensbaby sells its products on its website as well as through a worldwide network of retailers and distributors. For more information, visit www.lensbaby.com Lensbaby, “Shoot Extraordinary” ### Learn more and register for free here. For a look into what to expect, you can check out the Lensbaby 2020 Photography Conference here. Contact Details VP Sales and Marketing, Lensbaby Michael Anthony Michael@lensbaby.com PR & Marketing, M&P Digital Creative Agency Andrea Larson andrea@mcmillanphillips.com Company Website https://lensbaby.com/

October 13, 2021 11:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time

QX Global Group further augments its US Leadership Team

QX Global Group

QX Global Group, a leading knowledge process outsourcing company with a growing presence in North America, has brought onboard Mr Kyle Wilbur as Vice President, Sales, QX Finance & Accounting, further strengthening its senior management team in the US. At QX, Mr Wilbur will play an important and strategic role in the company’s expansion plans for the US. He was previously associated with University Loft Co. as Director of Sales and brings with him a wealth of experience in the student housing and property management sectors. His knowledge and expertise in leadership roles includes university housing expansion projects, on-site production management, and vendor relation management, while exceeding sales targets and providing on-floor sales training. Sharing his comments on the appointment, Mr Ravi Kurani, Country Head, North America, said, “With the addition of Kyle to our Senior Management team in the US we are confident of achieving the growth and success we have planned for the region. His grasp of the student housing and property management sectors will help strengthen our plans for these specific domains.” “The unique offerings of QX Global Group would add significant value to organizations that seek to enhance and transform their business processes. I am looking forward to working closely with the team to bring to fruition our ambitions for the US.” said Mr Kyle Wilbur, VP, Sales, QX F&A. The US is a strategic growth market for QX Global Group with close to 70 active clients in accounting, finance and recruitment processes. The company plans to double its number of clients and add offices in New York, Austin and Chicago, in addition to its existing headquarters in New Jersey. Follow Us On Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube To know more about our capabilities and success stories, Click Here About QX Global Group QX Global Group is a leading provider of business process management services. With over 17 years of accounting and recruitment process outsourcing experience, we help our clients unlock business value by improving process efficiencies and automation in the accounting and recruitment function to enable business transformation. We are based out of the UK with offices in the USA, Canada, Australia and India. Contact Details QX Global Group Vishal Kurani +1 646-693-9693 vishal.kurani@qxglobalgroup.com Company Website https://qxglobalgroup.com/

October 13, 2021 11:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

KOAN CORDIALS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

Resonate Blends, Inc

Koan, a Resonate Blends brand, is leading a new area of plant-based wellness with the direct-to-consumer launch of the world’s first cannabis cordials - non-alcoholic, single-dose, plant-derived liquids designed to help mindful consumers to find inspiration, restore balance, and improve the quality of their lives. By combining the wisdom of traditional, holistic wellness practices with cutting-edge science and technology, Koan has developed a brand-new way to harness the wide-ranging benefits of cannabis, utilizing various ratios of THC and CBD, along with botanical terpenes, adaptogens, and other plant extracts to deliver precise and consistent life-enhancing experiences. The six cordials - Calm, Balance, Play, Create, Delight, and Wonder – have the fast on-set of a tincture, the long duration of an edible, and the ease and social benefits of a beverage all in one single-dose bottle. Calm, for example, has a large concentration of CBD with low levels of THC ensuring a profoundly calming experience without getting you high. The low level of THC amplifies the benefits of natural plant extracts including Linalool—known to help treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia—Beta-Caryophyllene, an anti-inflammatory, and Limonene—a naturally-derived anti-depressive—to help ease stress and return to a comfortable and functional mind/body state. On the other extreme is Koan's Wonder formulation carefully crafted to support consumers in every way when their goal is to ponder the infinite. Wonder has higher levels of THC with low levels to CBD designed to help refine the powerful experience. Koan's other blends of Cordials enhance creativity, bring a feeling of enchantment, or unleash a feeling of energy, joy, and more. The full range of products is designed to help those using cannabis in an intentional way to find what they are looking for with precision, consistency, and refinement. “At Koan we’re mastering the art of experience. It’s more than science, it’s our passion - refining, amplifying, and calibrating cannabis so you can always find what you are looking for. We are deeply enmeshed in the science, we have two patents pending supporting our formulations, processes, and bioavailability to ensure that consumers get exactly what they expect, every time, from our products,” said Geoff Selzer, CEO and Founder. “We are delighted to partner with Grassdoor for our direct to home delivery ensuring that all of our customers can get our products whenever they choose in the most convenient, safe, discrete, and reliable fashion possible.” Koan is committed to demystifying cannabis and harnessing its impactful ingredients to create products that support intentional and mindful use as a core part of daily wellness—physical, spiritual, and most importantly, emotional. Through precision crafting, Koan invites a general sense of well-being, lean-in awareness and presence rather than the “check-out high” normally associated with most cannabis-based products. The single-dose cordials are artfully designed to be both portable and discrete, with fast-acting ingredients that allow a quick onset for a long-lasting experience of up to four hours. The delightful citrus and botanical notes of the cordials can be enjoyed directly out of the bottle or poured into any beverage or one of Koan’s signature cannabis cocktail recipes. Koan Cordials are now available for purchase directly at https://koan.life. Koan provides the option to order individual cordial three packs, or in themed bundles such as the Serenity Bundle, Engage Bundle, or the Experience Bundle. Koan has proudly partnered with Grassdoor, the premier direct-to-consumer e-commerce solution for cannabis brands in California, to allow consumers to shop Koan’s portfolio of Cordials with same-day delivery across Southern California (including Los Angeles and San Diego) and Northern California (including San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland). Grassdoor is one of the largest end-to-end delivery solutions in cannabis, providing same-day delivery to 75% of the population of California. ABOUT RESONATE BLENDS, INC. Resonate Blends, Inc. (OTCQB:KOAN) develops Koan Cordials, meticulously formulated blends of THC, CBD, Terpenes, and Botanicals that provide a refined cannabis experience. Unlike strain-based or full-spectrum products, Koan Cordials are scientifically crafted to highlight specific cannabis characteristics, with predictable experiences and intensity allowing people to tap into specific feelings in a new, better way. ABOUT GRASSDOOR Grassdoor is the premier delivery marketplace and direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform in cannabis, providing customers same-day delivery of top brands in 45 minutes or less throughout California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Ventura, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and more. In addition to being the fastest licensed delivery service in the state, Grassdoor aims to be the safest, friendliest, and most reliable cannabis delivery solution worldwide. This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding guidance relating to net income; anticipated customer onboardings; and expected operating results, such as revenue growth and earnings. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set out in the Company's SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Contact Details BPCM Katie Bell +1 323-655-5541 koancordials@bpcm.com Company Website https://www.resonateblends.com

October 13, 2021 08:03 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Global Energy Leader Chevron Shipping joins NAMEPA, Demonstrating its Dedication to Save Our Seas.

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced that Chevron Shipping has joined NAMEPA as its newest corporate member. NAMEPA is proud to be partnering with Chevron Shipping in making strides to Save Our Seas and towards a cleaner future. “We are delighted that our discussions with Chevron Shipping have resulted in their decision to join NAMEPA’s efforts towards sustainability,” stated Ms. Walker. NAMEPA’s mission of preserving the marine environment and promoting sustainable marine industry best practices is aligned with Chevron Shipping’s goals. “Protecting people and the environment has always been a core value of Chevron Shipping. We are pleased to join NAMEPA and its likeminded members striving for a safer, ever-cleaner environment and marine industry,” said Mark Ross, President of Chevron Shipping. NAMEPA proudly welcomes Chevron Shipping to its global and diverse network of individuals and companies in a new partnership that will help progress towards a greener future. About Chevron Shipping: Chevron Shipping Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (NYSE: CVX). Chevron’s fleet has provided a vital link between our operations and the marketplace for more than 125 years. Today, Chevron Shipping Company is an industry leader in safely and reliably transporting crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refined products that power the world. Learn more. The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-255-4686 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

October 13, 2021 10:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Holland & Barrett backs Floe Oral Care to tackle gum disease via salivary biomarkers

Floe Oral Care

Floe Oral Care, the oral healthcare business dedicated to improving oral and systemic health by means of a direct-to-consumer subscription, has secured £350k from a group of high profile investors including Holland & Barrett, Lord Mervyn Davies, Tim Farazmand, Professor John Deanfield CBE, Sir Nigel Rudd, and Julio Bruno. Existing shareholders Stephen Welton, Dr. Jose Navarro, and Charles Southey are also following on. Founded by Anglo-Spanish duo Will Welton and Javier Navarro, Floe is an online subscription service on a mission to address the UK’s ‘dental care timebomb’ by building a preventative routine for consumers and providing vital insights into undetected gum disease. Will Welton, Co-founder at Floe Oral Care said: “If your mouth is the gateway to your body, then protecting it requires not only using the right products but also visibility of what condition your gums are in. The impact of gum disease is significant, and the prevalence of periodontitis has barely changed over the last 20 years. Our mission is to build a service that both tracks and improves oral and systemic health. We want to encourage a pro-active relationship with dental care by capturing and contextualising oral health data, and are thrilled to be bringing on board a fantastic group of investors from business and healthcare as well as an excellent and highly relevant corporate partner. This is a great platform for the next stage of our development” Periodontitis is now the sixth most prevalent disease in the world, and according to research led by The Economist Intelligence Unit (IEU), costs the UK £6.4bn a year in treatment. Nearly half the adults in the UK have some form of periodontal disease, which has increasingly been shown to raise the risk of serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Its awareness has remained low however amongst the general public and other health professionals - it’s often referred to as a silent killer - with the study showing that three out of four adults with periodontitis do not know they have the condition at all. Tamara Rajah MBE, Chief Business & Science Officer, Holland and Barrett: “H&B are committed to making health and wellness a way of life for everyone, and to supporting early-stage innovation in wellness as part of our strategy. Recognising that effective oral health management can disproportionately impact an individual’s overall health and wellness, coupled with our interest about the potential of diagnostics, makes Floe very exciting for us. We look forward to working with Will, Javier and the team at Floe to optimise the way we manage our oral health and improve lives.” Floe is building a data driven approach, designed to cast light on untreated periodontitis and put the right measures in place to improve it. The service will track gum health via proprietary at home saliva testing whilst delivering essential products to support your oral health. Floe launched their core dental kit in August 2020, delivering their own unique toothpaste formulations (Dusk and Dawn), an ultra-soft toothbrush, and charcoal dental floss, delivered every three months to improve preventative habits in a more sustainable way. The products are all built with the environment in mind, including a free-returns service collecting used products for specialist recycling when subscribers' new boxes arrive. Julio Bruno, CEO of Time Out Group plc, will be joining the board as a Non-Executive Director whilst Stephen Welton, founder and Executive Chairman of BGF, the UK’s largest growth capital investor, will remain as the Chairman. Professor John Deanfield CBE joins Floe as Chief Medical Officer, to put together a world leading Advisory Board to inform the strategy of the saliva testing and future healthcare products. Professor Deanfield is one of the leading cardiologists in the UK and has published several papers on the linkage between oral and systemic health. Professor John Deanfield CBE commented: “We now understand the big impact oral health can have on important diseases in the rest of the body. This underpins a new opportunity to benefit from a change in approach to oral health – I am excited to be joining Floe to help address this.” About Floe Oral Care Floe Oral Care is a subscription service providing core dental products/ services on a quarterly basis with a closed loop recycling process to ensure that plastic doesn’t end up in the ocean. It was co-founded by William Welton and Javier Navarro to deliver technology enabled dental healthcare solutions whilst protecting the planet’s environment. Javier comes from a family of dentists and spent the first part of his career in banking. Will’s background is in consumer goods with commercial roles within the drinks industry and e-commerce. For careers please get in touch via CV and covering letter to hello@getfloe.com. About Holland & Barrett Holland & Barrett is the UK’s leading wellness retailer* and one of the largest in Europe. We make health and wellness and way of life for everyone, with a leading range of own brand, innovative vitamins, supplements, specialist food, sports nutrition and ethical beauty brands. Established in 1870, Holland & Barrett has been trusted for wellness for over 150 years and is owned by the Letter One Retail Group (L1 Retail). Holland & Barrett has a retail presence of more than 1000 stores across 16 countries worldwide, including over 800 in the UK and Ireland**, as well as a rapidly expanding e-commerce business. Holland & Barrett’s colleagues are “qualified to advise” with in depth training in nutrition and supplements to give accessible personalised advice to customers on their individual needs. *Kantar Brand Tracking – health and wellness retailers March 2021 ** up to 30 September 2020. Contact Details Floe Oral Care Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 bilal@getfloe.com Company Website https://getfloe.com/

October 13, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HowToBet.com Reviews Betting Trends of the NFL Season

HowToBet.com

HowToBet.com has released its latest overview of betting trends for the 2021 to 2022 NFL Season. By analyzing a multitude of data points, HowToBet.com provides its audience with expert insight on how to bet on the current NFL landscape and where to focus. In its annual study entitled Americans' 2021 NFL Betting Plans, the American Gaming Association reported that a record 45.2 million Americans will wager on the 2021 NFL Season. This is a 36% increase from the year prior. The same study showed that 19.5 million will place a bet online, up 73% from 2020. 14.6 million will participate in a paid fantasy contest or other type of pool competition (a 69% year-over-year increase), while 10.5 million will place a bet at a physical casino sportsbook and 6.7 million will place a bet with a bookie. "We are excited to see numbers go up year after year, with more states opening their doors to legal and regulated gambling," said Cristian Campan, Product Owner of HowToBet.com "The number of Americans that will be acquainted with legal gambling is set to increase exponentially. We feel it is important to educate people on how to take calculated betting decisions. This comes with a great level of responsibility, as it is crucial for new participants to understand the importance of betting with their head rather than with their hearts. Doing the former will allow them to develop a healthy relationship with sports betting and gambling." The HowToBet.com team is committed to creating educational content that helps guide newcomers in making smarter betting decisions. The team recently launched its very first video podcast in partnership with gambling media veterans Daryl Fein and Sean Miller, who have more than 50 years of combined experience. On the show, Fein and Miller explain how to bet, where to bet it, and who to be on. They take the time to explain where to find the best odds, how to make educated decisions and the thought process necessary to make weekly predictions on teams from across the league. In short, the podcast truly helps newcomers learn how to bet. The spike in sports gambling over the past year has mostly been attributed to the increase in legally licensed U.S. betting jurisdictions from 19 to 24, which account for 111 million Americans being able to bet legally within their home state lines. High levels of sports fan enthusiasm for the season is also projected to be a major factor, as fans are excited to return to stadiums after COVID-19 had a major impact on their participation in 2020. The online sports handle was up 6% in July (and +2% year-over-year) to $613 million, while the sports gross gaming revenue (GGR) was -5% lower at $48.2 million. iGaming revenues in Michigan hit a new high in August and were up 2% in July ($97.2 million). The sports handle was 2% higher at $192 million, but the GGR dropped by -19% to $15.9 million. Tune in to the HowToBet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and HowToBet.com to get more betting tips. Please visit howtobet.com for more information on sports betting. About HowToBet.com HowToBet.com offers the world's most comprehensive betting encyclopaedia that can be accessed via a user-friendly web app. Its mission is to help make online betting safe, fun and as easy as performing a search on the web. There are already more than 500 how-to guides freely available, all written by seasoned betting professionals. More guides are being added on a weekly basis in a continued effort to educate anyone interested in what is now a $199 billion betting industry. For more details, visit: https://www.howtobet.com/about-us/ About Raketech Raketech was founded as an online poker affiliate that focused on lead generation for the Scandinavian market. Today, Raketech is an award-winning iGaming affiliate company with its sights set on areas that the team finds fun, exciting, and important. Contact Details HowToBet.com Cristian Campan +45 50 30 42 66 cristian.campan@raketech.com Company Website https://www.howtobet.com

October 13, 2021 07:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Graton Resort & Casino Names Industry Veteran William Becker Vice President of Food and Beverage

Graton Resort & Casino

Graton Resort & Casino has named William Becker as vice president of food and beverage. Becker will oversee all food, beverage and restaurant facilities at the 65-acre resort. “William will spearhead culinary innovations at Graton and we’re excited to implement his strategy and expansion ideas in our restaurants and lounges,” said Lana Rivera, vice president and general manager at Graton Resort & Casino. “Graton Resort & Casino is a premier Sonoma County destination, and our guests enjoy the wine country experience they expect when they walk through our doors. William’s 20-plus years of experience helps us to continually exceed guest and team members’ expectations in food and beverage.” “Graton Resort & Casino is truly a place where creativity in food and beverage can bloom and the team here is amazing,” said Becker. “I look forward to leading a new era of excellence for a destination that is already highly acclaimed for its dining, resort, gaming and amenities.” Guests at Graton Resort & Casino have a complete range of dining options to satisfy every appetite, in addition to multiple lounges: 630 Park Steakhouse - fine-dining steak and seafood, with an extensive wine list Tony’s of North Beach and Tony’s Slice House - Italian fare with pastas, pizzas, antipasti, and salads all prepared from Tony’s famous recipes. Tony’s was recently awarded “Best Pizzeria in America” by Forbes. Daily Grill - classic, fresh American fare Boathouse Asian Eatery - fresh Asian cuisine Marketplace - fast-casual dining Lounges and bars: Sky Lounge, G Bar, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, 8 Bar and 630 Park Bar (located in the 630 Park Steakhouse) “We are so pleased to have William Becker join our wonderful team,” said Greg Sarris, tribal chairman for Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. “We have done an excellent job thus far earning us a Four Diamond rating and William Becker is the man who can take us even higher to the next level of excellent service.” For more information on Graton Resort & Casino or to book a stay, visit www.gratonresortcasino.com. ### MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE: To request further information and interviews or for additional images, please contact Robin Carr at graton@landispr.com or (415) 971-3991. About Graton Resort & Casino Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California's wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com. Contact Details Landis Communications Inc. Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 graton@landispr.com Company Website https://www.gratonresortcasino.com/

October 12, 2021 04:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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It’s Flu and Cold Season: How Over-the-Counter Remedies Can Help Relieve Cough and Chest Congestion

YourUpdateTV

As influenza activity begins to increase in October, now is the time to know how to navigate this cold and flu season. Recently, New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Ian Smith teamed with Mucinex and YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss how to relieve cold, cough, and chest congestion symptoms. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/vfd-KUPmT3U While seasonal influenza viruses are detected year-round, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter – kicking off in October. So, as we enter another unprecedented cold & flu season, we can still expect to see an increase in cold and flu cases between now and February. That said, according to Dr. Ian Smith, we should still continue to take key preventative measures to avoid catching any of these viruses. This includes wearing a mask in crowded public places, washing your hands often and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough and sneeze to prevent the spread of germs. While there is no cure for the common cold or flu, there are over-the-counter medications that can help when you start to feel those classic cold and flu symptoms coming on. For instance, Mucinex has a line of 12-hour products that provide relief. Mucinex DM not only thins and loosens mucus, but also controls cough, providing relief for both wet and dry coughs, lasting up to 12 hours. And Mucinex 12 HR Extended Release Tablets help thin and loosen mucus to relieve chest congestion, and also provide relief for 12 hours. People must use over-the-counter products as directed. If your cold and flu symptoms persist, you should contact your healthcare professional and get checked out if deemed necessary. Dr. Smith also shared self-care recommendations such as exercising regularly and eating healthy. Activities like walking, strength training and yoga are good for the mind and the body. A diet full of nutritious meals packed with fruits and veggies and lean proteins like chicken or fish is also very important for a strong immune system. For more information on how to take care of yourself this cold and flu season, visit Mucinex.com for more information. About Dr. Dr Ian Smith: Dr. Ian Smith is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling books, SHRED: THE REVOLUTIONARY DIET, and SUPER SHRED: The Big Results Diet, and BLAST THE SUGAR OUT. Dr. Smith’s highly anticipated newest book, The Clean 20, became an instant New York Times best seller, helping hundreds of thousands of people reduce bad sugars from their diet, lose weight, lower blood sugar levels, and cut the cravings. Dr. Smith was appointed by President Obama to a second term on the prestigious President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. He is currently the medical contributor and co-host of the nationally syndicated television show The Rachael Ray Show. He is a former co-host of the Emmy award winning syndicated daytime talk show, The Doctors. He also served as the medical/diet expert for six seasons on VH1’s highly-rated Celebrity Fit Club, and is the creator and founder of the national health initiatives The 50 Million Pound Challenge and The Makeover Mile. Dr. Smith is the former medical correspondent for NBC News network and for NewsChannel 4 in New York, where he filed reports for NBC Nightly News and The Today Show as well as WNBC’s various news broadcasts. He has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Dr. Oz, Steve Harvey Show, The Talk, Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN, MSNBC and many more. He has written for various publications including Time, Newsweek, Men’s Fitness, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in several other publications including, People, Redbook, Details Magazine, Essence, Ebony, University of Chicago Medicine on the Midway, Cosmopolitan, and Black Enterprise. 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

October 12, 2021 11:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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WATCHDOG GROUP URGES STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DIVEST FROM UNILEVER

National Legal & Policy Center

The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), an ethics watchdog group, released a letter today that it sent to North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell. The letter requests that the Tar Heel State join others in “the immediate divestiture of Unilever holdings in all public pension funds managed and controlled by the State of North Carolina….” An earlier letter was sent by NLPC to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and the Falls Church, Va.-based nonprofit also filed a complaint was filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Arizona and New Jersey have already announced intentions to withdraw investments from their states’ holdings, due to Unilever subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s plans to discontinue selling its products in Israel’s so-called “occupied territories.” More than 30 states, including North Carolina, have laws that prohibit state investments in companies that engage in boycotts against the nation of Israel. “So far Unilever has refused to do anything about the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic actions of its wholly-owned subsidiary Ben and Jerry’s,” said Peter Flaherty, NLPC Chairman. “Until Unilever changes its policy, it must pay a price.” The letter, signed by NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project Director Paul Chesser, explains how Anuradha Mittal – the Chair of Ben & Jerry’s Board of Directors – was the architect of the ice cream company’s policy to end sales in Israel’s “occupied territories.” “Mittal proposed a boycott of all of Israel. Her Twitter account has many anti-Israel tweets and as Chair of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation may have steered funds in a self-dealing scheme,” stated Chesser. “We urge North Carolina to join other states in divesting from Unilever.” A complete copy of the letter is below: Dear Treasurer Folwell: We write to respectfully request that you affect the immediate divestiture of Unilever holdings in all public pension funds managed and controlled by the State of North Carolina, under your authority. In July New York’s Office of the State Comptroller warned Unilever that its Ben & Jerry’s subsidiary, by its decision to stop selling ice cream in Israel’s “occupied territories,” jeopardized its Common Fund’s ability and willingness to invest in Unilever. Since that time, the states of Arizona and New Jersey have announced their intention to divest themselves of Unilever stocks and bonds. Under its current law, Florida is reportedly discontinuing further investments in Unilever. Illinois is considering the same, and other states are reportedly reviewing their investment holdings in Unilever under their existing anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) laws. More urgently, Unilever’s position that it is opposed to anti-Semitism is belied by the actions and associations of Anuradha Mittal, the Chair of Ben & Jerry’s Board of Directors. The Ben & Jerry’s Board is not an actual governing board, but holds special control under its agreement with Unilever that is “empowered to protect and defend Ben & Jerry's brand equity and integrity.” Mittal is the architect of the ice cream company’s policy to end sales in Israel’s “occupied territories.” Reportedly, Mittal also proposed a boycott of all of Israel. Her Twitter account has many anti-Israel tweets, and contains specific endorsements of the BDS movement. Mittal is also a trustee of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation – listed as vice president of the four-member board as recently as 2019 – which reportedly has made $170,000 in grants to a nonprofit called the Oakland Institute, of which Mittal is the paid executive director. In August, the National Legal and Policy Center filed a Complaint with the Internal Revenue Service, alleging that this arrangement may violate the Internal Revenue Code’s prohibition on self-dealing. In 2017, the Oakland Institute reportedly made a sub-grant to the so-called Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights. Last year, the European Union ended its funding of this Center after it refused to agree to an “anti-terror” clause in its funding contract. If Unilever were truly opposed to anti-Semitism – as well as the appearance of unethical self-dealing between Ben & Jerry’s corporate, its foundation, and organizations it supports – then it would have already severed its relationship with Mittal. Moreover, Unilever’s anti-Israel bias is underscored by the fact that it has announced no intention to end ice cream sales in China, where it is a leading foreign brand. National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life, and sponsors the Corporate Integrity Project. We are heartened to see state officials of both political parties in different states defending Israel and taking a strong stand against anti-Semitism. Unilever was given the opportunity to do the right thing, but instead the company doubled down on defending the indefensible. It is time for investors to do the right thing and divest from Unilever. If I can be of further assistance or answer any questions, please feel free to contact me at pchesser@nlpc.org. Sincerely, Paul Chesser Director, Corporate Integrity Project ### Please visit http://www.nlpc.org Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Paul Chesser +1 703-237-1970 pchesser@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

October 12, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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