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The Future of Supply Chain Transparency: How Security Matters' Blockchain Solution is Changing the Game

Security Matters PLC

In a recent interview with New to the Street’s Ana Berry, Haggai Alon, founder and CEO of Security Matters (NASDAQ: SMX), discussed how the company's technology is revolutionizing supply chain authentication, traceability, and transparency. Security Matters' innovative solution marks materials with a virtual memory of their origination, with the data recorded on the blockchain. This technology is helping to create transparency and efficiency across various industries, such as fashion and plastics. Supply Chain Authentication Market Estimated CAGR of 12.6% Between 2022 and 2031 The horizon for the supply chain authentication market is brimming with potential, as global growth prospects appear bright. A remarkable $2 billion market size in 2021 is expected to surge to an astonishing $6.3 billion by 2031, propelled by a stupendous compound annual growth rate of 12.6% from 2022 to 2031. This momentous growth is rooted in the escalating requirement for supply chain transparency, escalating occurrences of cyberattacks throughout supply chains, and the implementation of innovative technologies to amplify security measures. As the market continues to expand, the demand for secure and reliable supply chain solutions has become a driving force. Businesses are seeking out innovative tools that can help them identify and mitigate potential risks in real time. With greater visibility and transparency, decision-making is becoming more informed and precise than ever before. Furthermore, the cloud is proving to be a game-changer, with its ability to support various architectures and developer tools that can enhance both professional and web-based applications. So, it's no surprise that cloud deployment types are expected to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. SMX’s Technology and Unique Characteristics By reducing dependence on sourcing materials from subcontractors outside the United States and increasing the ability to use waste materials, Security Matters' technology enables companies to maintain growth and profitability. This is achieved by being present at every stage of a material's lifecycle, from virgin raw material to end-of-life recycling. Allen believes that growth and sustainability can coexist, with Security Matters' technology providing a unique toolbox for companies to maintain a healthy economy. By helping companies use more recycled content and providing a single technology that covers everything from sourcing to production to recycling, Security Matters gives businesses a competitive advantage. The company originated from the Israeli government, with a team of scientists developing the technology and filing nearly 100 patents on 50 different materials. One example of the technology's application is in the fashion industry, particularly in the leather market. Security Matters' technology marks leather at various stages of production, allowing brands to provide their customers with greater transparency and fostering a new level of relationship in the digital world. Blockchain plays a crucial role in Security Matters' solution, as unique molecular sequences are added at each stage of the material's lifecycle. This provides an additional layer of data per the request of stakeholders or brands, which can be read and extracted at any stage with a single reader. This comprehensive approach to supply chain transparency has the potential to significantly impact industries worldwide as the market continues to grow at a rapid pace. In conclusion, Security Matters is at the forefront of innovation in supply chain authentication, traceability, and transparency with its groundbreaking technology. As the market size for supply chain authentication continues to soar, driven by increasing demand for transparency and heightened security measures, companies like Security Matters play a pivotal role in shaping the future of this industry. By leveraging blockchain technology, reducing reliance on external subcontractors, and promoting sustainability, Security Matters' solutions have the potential to transform businesses across various sectors. As we move into a digital era that demands greater transparency and efficiency, the company's commitment to providing scalable and eco-friendly solutions could prove to be a game-changer for both businesses and the planet. Watch SMX’s Full Interview On New to the Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vURNgO1E4Nc Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated seven hundred and fifty dollars cash by a third party, Vince Caruso and FMW Media Works Corp. for the creation and dissemination of this content. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ The Post " The Future of Supply Chain Transparency: How Security Matters' Blockchain Solution is Changing the Game " First Appeared On Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Security Matters PLC Spotlight Growth info@spotlightgrowth.com

May 01, 2023 05:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Innovation and Community Dominate NAFA’s 2023 I&E

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) recently concluded its 2023 Institute and Expo (I&E), April 17-19, in Baltimore, MD, where nearly 2,000 fleet and mobility professionals from around the globe convened to network, learn, and explore the latest products and services from industry suppliers. During the opening session on Monday, NAFA Board President Michael Camnetar, CAFM, kicked off the event with an update on the association’s initiatives. The session featured fleet professionals who achieved their Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) designation. The winners of the 100 Best Fleets in the Americas were also crowned. “NAFA I&E is always a special time, especially now when we are experiencing so much growth and change in our industry,” said Camnetar. “We leave I&E with a newfound sense of curiosity, a greater appreciation for our industry and feeling a whole lot closer to our community.” Monday’s Keynote, The #1 Thing That Holds Us Back, was led by Sunjay Nath – renowned keynote speaker specializing in leadership and performance. Nath challenged attendees to break away from patterns that no longer work, become more aware of biases and learn to question what people believe is impossible. Wednesday’s Keynote, Hacking Innovation, The New Growth Model from the Sinister World of Hackers, was led by Sara Frasca, innovation and business growth expert. This session opened attendees’ eyes to the hacker mindset, emphasizing how and why unorthodox moves can lead to the best business outcomes. On the Main Stage on Tuesday, industry leaders gathered to discuss the electrification of the fleet industry and how fleet managers can work with key stakeholders to reach their electric vehicle goals. The panelists addressed the importance of mitigating risks, developing climate action plans, being change agents, quantifying overall impacts and aligning EV goals with the DNA of their organization. More than 20 education sessions took place over the course of the event, providing fleet industry professionals with the opportunity to stay ahead of emerging trends and make connections with other attendees. Session topics included fleet electrification, recession-proofing fleet operations, tackling the growing shortage of qualified technicians, top fleet management best practices, and more. Also, more than 70 participants were immersed in CAFM Live, a peer-to-peer educational event that accelerates Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) candidates’ preparation for examination and certification. The Expo featured nearly 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest fleet products and services. New this year, the inaugural Innovations Showcase invited attendees into an interactive innovation zone on the Expo floor, where exciting new products and product updates being launched by exhibiting companies were on display. Digital Ally, Inc. and ReviverMX, Inc. were named the winners of the inaugural Innovations Showcase People’s Choice award. NAFA also introduced its first-ever Media Day, providing nearly a dozen companies the opportunity to present their breaking news and announcements to reporters in back-to-back press conferences. At I&E, NAFA also announced the leaders of its Regional Councils as part of the association’s new regional governance model, which was rolled out earlier this year. This new structure will foster and enhance community and growth. More information on this announcement can be found here. Thank you to our 2023 sponsors for their generous support of I&E. Wheels Stellantis Fleet & Business Solutions Holman Wex Element U.S. Bank Voyager Faster Asset Solutions Geotab Circle K Pro Shell Fleet Solutions Samsara Bestpass Merchants Fleet NAFA also extends its appreciation to its media partners for their continued support: Autosphere.ca Automotive Fleet Fleet Management Weekly Modern WorkTruck Solutions The MUNICIPAL Utility Fleet Professional Next year’s I&E will take place in San Antonio, TX on April 22-24, 2024. To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/ NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Keaveny Hewitt +1 919-622-5276 khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 25, 2023 02:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Carmakers Accelerate Push to Secure Raw Battery Materials

MarketJar

As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues rising around the world, carmarkers are working harder to find the raw materials required to make EV batteries. Tesla has signed a number of supply contracts to ensure a steady supply of nickel and lithium, including agreements with the BHP Group and Core Lithium of Australia and Ganfeng Lithium of China. Panasonic Holdings, a supplier to Tesla, has also started construction on a new lithium battery factory in Kansas, which is expected to cost $4 billion. Mercedes recently reached an agreement with Rock Tech Lithium to secure a supply of high-grade lithium hydroxide that will allow the company to manufacture 150,000 electric vehicles. The partnership is an integral part of Mercedes' effort to vertically integrate and localize its electric vehicle supply chain. General Motors has also made a move for the mining space, announcing a $650 million investment into Lithium Americas Corp. to accelerate the development of the Thacker Pass project in Nevada, which has the potential to be North America’s largest lithium source. Lithium Americas began construction at Thacker Pass in March and is targeting first production in H2 2026. Of course, it isn’t just EV makers that require lithium. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand could increase over 40 times by 2040 if countries stick to their Paris agreement targets to reduce planet-heating emissions. In order to boost domestic supply chains and increase the number of producing lithium properties in North America, both the US and Canadian government are investing billions. The US Department of Energy is investing $2.8 billion in grants to expand domestic manufacturing of batteries for EVs and the electrical grid, while Canada’s 2022 federal budget has set aside $3.8 billion in funding for critical minerals development. A Mining Company Well-Positioned to Capitalize on North America's Growing Demand for Lithium Despite the fact that the US only supplies 1% of the world's lithium supply, the most of which comes from Albemarle's Silver Peak mine, more projects are advancing thanks to government efforts to boost supply. Pan American Energy Corp. ( CSE:PNRG ) ( OTC:PAANF ) is a North American mining exploration company focused on expanding the lithium supply chain by buying, exploring, and developing lithium properties. The company has three promising assets in top mining jurisdictions that are located in close proximity to some of the most exciting lithium discoveries in recent years, including its Horizon Lithium Project, which adjoins American Battery Technology’s Tonopah Flats project, one of the largest known lithium deposits in the US with an estimated 15.8 million tons (Mt) of LCE, and its Big Whopper Project, which is adjacent to Avalon Advanced Materials’ Big Whopper project in Ontario, a deposit with pegmatite reserves of 8.4 Mt grading 1.408% lithium oxide (Li 2 O). On April 25, Pan American announced that five of the eleven fully-funded drill holes have been completed and has begun preparing for the Phase Two Program. Pan American Energy also provided an update on the fully funded Phase 1 drill program at its Horizon Lithium project in Nevada. The first five drill holes revealed broad zones of mineralization with values exceeding 2,040 ppm. The Company completed the eleven hole Phase One drilling program on April 20, 2023, and is now ready to begin the eleven hole Phase Two drilling program. Horizon Lithium, which borders American Battery Technology's Tonopah Flats Project (15.8 million tonnes inferred lithium carbonate equivalent), has lithium-bearing horizons and the potential for a significant lithium deposit in the Siebert Formation. With each drill hole, Pan American is seeing increasing thicknesses of potential lithium-bearing claystone as drilling approaches the anticipated center of the basin. Not to mention, the base of the Siebert Formation hasn’t been encountered yet meaning tremendous opportunity for program expansion in future exploration. The Horizon Project consists of 839 claims spanning 7,015 hectares and is located just 7.5 km from Tonopah, Nevada. The project is prospective for near-surface claystone lithium based on regional peer analysis which indicates lithium is weakly bound to the clays, unlocking conventional mining methods including open pit. Pan American Energy and Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. also recently completed a collaborative magnetic survey partnership project at the Big Mack and Big Whopper Project near Kenora, Ontario. EarthEx Geophysical Solutions completed the project on schedule and on budget. The magnetic survey is expected to have 725 line-km with a line spacing of 25 m and a tie line spacing of 250 m. Pan American and Avalon will benefit from a better understanding of the structural characteristics and stress/strain of the emplaced pegmatites in the Separation Rapids area as a result of the partnership between industry and academia on this project. Pan American plans to partner with EarthEx in the future to conduct drone-borne gamma-ray spectrometry, LiDAR, and high-resolution air photography. For more information on Pan American Energy Corp. ( CSE:PNRG ) ( OTC:PAANF ) and its projects, please visit this link or the company’s website. Disclaimer 1) The author of the Article, or members of the author’s immediate household or family, do not own any securities of the companies set forth in this Article. The author determined which companies would be included in this article based on research and understanding of the sector. 2) The Article was issued on behalf of and sponsored by, Pan American Energy Corp. Market Jar Media Inc. has or expects to receive from Pan American Energy Corp.’s Digital Marketing Agency of Record (Native Ads Inc.) one hundred and ninety-one thousand, eight hundred Canadian dollars for 26 days (20 business days). 3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not Market Jar Media Inc., its directors or officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Market Jar Media Inc. for this Article. Market Jar Media Inc. was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this Article. Market Jar has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of Market Jar or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Market Jar Media Inc. requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Market Jar Media Inc. relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Market Jar Media Inc. has no means of verifying its accuracy. 4) The Article does not constitute investment advice. All investments carry risk and each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional. Any action a reader takes as a result of the information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Market Jar Media Inc.'s terms of use and full legal disclaimer as set forth here. This Article is not a solicitation for investment. Market Jar Media Inc. does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on PressReach.com should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Market Jar Media Inc. does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on PressReach.com. 5) Market Jar Media Inc. and its respective directors, officers and employees hold no shares for any company mentioned in the Article. 6) This document contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), which reflect management's expectations regarding Pan American Energy Corp.’s future growth, future business plans and opportunities, expected activities, and other statements about future events, results or performance. Wherever possible, words such as “predicts”, “projects”, “targets”, “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “anticipate” or “does not anticipate”, “believe”, “intend” and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology have been used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (a) revenue generating potential with respect to Pan American Energy Corp.’s industry; (b) market opportunity; (c) Pan American Energy Corp.’s business plans and strategies; (d) services that Pan American Energy Corp. intends to offer; (e) Pan American Energy Corp.’s milestone projections and targets; (f) Pan American Energy Corp.’s expectations regarding receipt of approval for regulatory applications; (g) Pan American Energy Corp.s intentions to expand into other jurisdictions including the timeline expectations relating to those expansion plans; and (h) Pan American Energy Corp.’s expectations with regarding its ability to deliver shareholder value. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this document including, without limitation, assumptions about: (a) the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute Pan American Energy Corp.’s business plan; (b) that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; (c) Pan American Energy Corp.’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; (d) Pan American Energy Corp.’s ability to enter into contractual arrangements with additional Pharmacies; (e) the accuracy of budgeted costs and expenditures; (f) Pan American Energy Corp.’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; (g) political and regulatory stability; (h) the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third-party approvals, licenses and permits on favorable terms; (i) changes in applicable legislation; (j) stability in financial and capital markets; and (k) expectations regarding the level of disruption to as a result of CV-19. Such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of Pan American Energy Corp. to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: (a) Pan American Energy Corp.’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; (b) public health crises such as CV-19 may adversely impact Pan American Energy Corp.’s business; (c) the volatility of global capital markets; (d) political instability and changes to the regulations governing Pan American Energy Corp.’s business operations (e) Pan American Energy Corp. may be unable to implement its growth strategy; and (f) increased competition. Except as required by law, Pan American Energy Corp. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither does Pan American Energy Corp. nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this document. Neither Pan American Energy Corp. nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this document by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this document. 7) Any graphs, tables or other information demonstrating the historical performance or current or historical attributes of Pan American Energy Corp. or any other entity contained in this document are intended only to illustrate historical performance or current or historical attributes of Pan American Energy Corp. or such entities and are not necessarily indicative of future performance of Pan American Energy Corp. or such entities. Contact Details James Young +1 800-340-9767 campaigns@pressreach.com Company Website https://pressreach.com

April 25, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Pyxis Tankers "closely monitoring the market and asset values"

Pyxis Tankers Inc

Pyxis Tankers Inc (NASDAQ:PXS) chairman and CEO Valentios (Eddie) Valentis speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive about the impact of OPEC production cuts on Russian crude exports, the market for refined oil product tankers, the composition of the Pyxis fleet and its strategy for the future. He says Pyxis is "closely monitoring the market and asset values" for any potential opportunities. Contact Details Proactive United States +1 347-449-0879 action@proactiveinvestors.com

April 25, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Freelance Creative Jobs Thrive Despite AI Surge

FREELANCER.COM

New data released today by Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN) (OTCQX: FLNCF), the world’s largest freelancing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, shows an incoming startup boom amongst an unprecedented surge in freelance creative design and AI job growth. The Fast 50 Q1 2023 Index, the world’s largest forward indicator of freelance job trends, analyzes over 304,000 jobs posted to Freelancer.com between January and March 2023. The index finds that jobs for T-Shirt Design (up 33.1%, from 1,403 to 1,868), Covers & Packaging Design (up 27.3%, from 1,128 to 1,436), and Corporate Identity Design (up 24.2%, from 2,474 to 3,073) were the three fastest growing job types by total percentage growth when compared to Q4 2022. These were followed by Product Design (up 22.9%, 1,214 to 1,493) and 3D Design (up 22%, from 5,027 to 6,135) jobs. Design skills with the largest job counts on the platform also grew significantly this quarter. There were a whopping 7,495 extra Graphic Design jobs in Q1 (up 12.1%, from 61,709 to 69,204), followed by an additional 6,731 Logo Design jobs (up 20.4%, from 32,963 to 39,694) and 5,902 extra jobs requiring skills in Photoshop (up 15.4%, from 38,224 to 44,126). Design is both the most in-demand and the highest paying skill on Freelancer.com, as found in the Freelancing in 2022 Report. These types of jobs, particularly logo design, packaging design and t-shirt creation, are typically the starting point for many founders launching a new business. The sudden influx of design, eCommerce and marketing jobs are a key indicator of a boom in startups. Simultaneously, jobs requiring skills in Artificial Intelligence were the seventh fastest growing skill on Freelancer.com (up 20.62% in Q1 2023 from 1,038 to 1,252). Jobs demanding Generative AI skills, such as ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney and Chatbots, grew by more than 325% from 286 in Q4 2022 to 1,216 in Q1 2023. “While many speculate whether AI will take design jobs, our latest data shows that this is certainly not the case. Design jobs are the most popular job type on the platform and continue to grow despite advances in hyper-realistic generative AI tools,” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com. “What’s more interesting in this data is zooming out and looking at the main trend: the startup boom. The most in-demand jobs on the platform for this quarter are all related to the launch of new businesses. New logo, website and branding jobs. In fact, there were 75 extra logo design jobs posted each day last quarter, which could suggest the launch of 75 new businesses.” The data also shows an increase in Digital Marketing (up 12.8%, from 1,524 to 1,720) and Videography (up 14.2%, from 2,716 to 3,102) jobs which also suggests businesses are focusing more on their online marketing and content creation strategies to amplify their brands. Fastest Falling Jobs of Q1 2023 While design jobs dominated the fastest growing, the jobs that were in less demand in this quarter are related to tech, development and writing. Software Development, which was ranked as the fastest growing job in Q2 2022, began to decline this quarter and was down by 34.4% (from 2,001 to 1,311). Similarly, programming related jobs which were one of the fastest growing skills in Q4 2022 also declined this quarter by 20.9% (from 5,899 to 4,665). Demand for these types of jobs surged last year as many tech employees were laid off globally. However, the new data suggests demand is beginning to stabilize and return to pre-mass layoffs levels. Seasonality also plays into employers moving away from specific types of jobs quarter-to-quarter. Report Writing, Technical Writing, Research Writing and Business Plans were ranked as the fastest growing jobs in Q4 2022 as many employers traditionally turn to freelance support to help prepare end of year reports and 2023 plans. These types of jobs naturally reduce in the first quarter of the year. Fast 50 Q1 2023 - Data Analysis Startup Boom Fuels Creative Design Job Growth Historically, more businesses are started during a recession. Economic downturns have led to the creation of some of the world’s most well known brands, such as Microsoft, Uber and Burger King, just to name a few. Only a few years ago, the world witnessed this trend playing out as COVID sparked a startup boom, which saw a 24 percent increase in new business applications in the United States alone. According to the latest US Census Business Formation Statistics, the number of new business applications is beginning to grow in 2023 by an increase of 451,752, an increase of 4.5 percent compared to February 2023. Data from the latest Freelancer Fast 50 Index suggests there’s a sudden increase in the number of new businesses and startups being launched globally. The fastest growing skills, such as T-Shirt, Covers & Packaging, and Corporate Identity Design, as well as the growth of major jobs such as Logo Design, are all usually posted by founders at the starting point for a new business or venture. T-Shirt Design jobs, as an example, are growing as people hire freelancers to create t-shirts with their business logo as a way of promoting a brand or creating business uniforms. An uptick in Covers and Packaging Design jobs are the result of businesses turning to freelancers for new product labels and marketing brochures. Growth in website building jobs, such as Shopify (up 20.5%, from 2,302 to 2,775), Shopify Templates (up 16.1%, from 1,392 to 1,617) and eCommerce (up 15.5%, from 4,212 to 4,866), also support the rise of new businesses last quarter. Almost three quarters of the fastest growing jobs (72%) posted on Freelancer.com in the last quarter required skills in creative design or marketing. Serial entrepreneur Davuud Ghani, who recently founded Pivitt, a creative and branding support agency based in the United Kingdom, is just one example of how founders are turning to freelancers to support the growth of their business in 2023. “As a start-up, agility is our advantage over mature businesses with similar service offerings. It’s becoming easier for businesses to locate and leverage global talent, with platforms such as Freelancer.com. We are able to really finetune the skills needed on a project basis to drive excellence through our service offering to our partners, keeping us competitive in the market. That’s what our model is built from and has allowed us to secure partnerships with the likes of BMW & MINI,” said Davuud Ghani, founder of Pivitt. Generative AI Jobs Triple In Last Quarter Advancements in artificial intelligent and generative AI are impacting almost every faucet of business and creativity. Powerful AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Dall-E and Midjourney, are becoming smarter and more sophisticated by month, resulting in rapid leaps in capabilities and applications. In the first quarter of 2023, Open AI released GPT-4, introducing a more powerful and intelligent version of the application which could exhibit human level performance on several benchmarks. In the AI image generation space, research lab Midjourney also released the alpha iteration of its 5th version which allowed users to create photorealistic generations. Growing interest for AI is represented clearly in the Fast 50 Q1 2023 data which ranks jobs for Artificial Intelligence as the seventh fastest growing job on the platform, growing by 20.6% up to 1,252 jobs in total. Many projects posted in the first quarter aim to harness AI text generators or automate mass image generation, while some look for freelance experts who can help create their own AI models and applications. Generative AI skills (ChatGPT, Dall-E, Midjourney, Chatbots) grew the fastest over the quarter, recording a total percentage increase of 325% from 286 last quarter to 1,216 in Q1 2023. In total, there were 5,262 jobs requiring skills in AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, TensorFlow, ChatGPT and Dall-E. Digital Marketing & Content Creation Popularity of content marketing is growing amongst businesses. Major success stories, such as Netflix’s Drive to Survive series or Spotify’s Wrapped, are pushing businesses and marketers towards incorporating content marketing within their strategies. It’s a trend that was identified in the Fast 50 Q3 2022 Index and is continuing in Q1 2023. Videography (up 14.21%, from to 3,102), Digital Marketing (up 12.86% to 1,720), YouTube (up 11.30% to 1,576), and Video Production (up 10.25% to 5,401) were all in-demand skills last quarter. This finding suggests that businesses are increasingly focusing on online marketing and content creation strategies to reach their target audiences. While YouTube remains as the main platform people are turning to freelancers for support, employer interest in TikTok video creation is also growing, increasing by 25% in Q1 2023, from 405 projects in Q4 2022 to 507 total jobs Q1 2023. Product Design Jobs Apart from design projects specific to branding and new business ventures, the number of 3D Design, Product Design and general Design collectively grew over Q1 2023. ##### Freelancer Fast 50 The Freelancer Fast 50 index is the world’s largest forward indicator of trends in online jobs related to industries, technologies, products, and companies. The data is based on 304,000 jobs posted to the Freelancer platform between January 1 to March 31 2023. Fast 50 Quarterly Index – Q1 2023 About Freelancer Freelancer.com is the world's largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 64 million registered users have posted over 22.3 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer also owns Escrow.com and Loadshift. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. Contact Details freelancer.com Marko Zitko +61 404 574 830 mzitko@freelancer.com

April 21, 2023 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Digital Ally, Inc. & ReviverMX, Inc. Named Winners of NAFA’s First-Ever I&E Innovations Showcase

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, just announced Digital Ally, Inc. and ReviverMX, Inc. as the winners of its inaugural Innovations Showcase at its annual Institute & Expo (I&E). Over a dozen leading companies within the fleet, technology and vehicle space presented their product launches and innovations in front of I&E attendees. Digital Ally Inc. presented EVO Fleet – a new fleet video system that utilizes the latest innovations in telematics technology. Compact in form factor yet rich in features, the EVO Fleet Vehicle Camera offers artificial intelligence providing immediate driver-assist feedback by recognizing pedestrians, distracted or drowsy driving, and lane drifting. ReviverMX presented RFleet, a bundling of digital license plate hardware with a software interface purpose-built to streamline management of vehicle fleets for commercial businesses. RFleet offers a suite of services, including automated vehicle registration and compliance, as well as a robust set of telematics, corporate messaging and safety features. RFleet is the only fully-digital registration renewal solution on the market. “Innovation is at the foundation of our industry, and we are thrilled to announce Digital Ally, Inc. and ReviverMX, Inc. as the winners of our inaugural I&E Innovations Showcase,” says Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “Both companies are leading the fleet and mobility industry with the launch of EVO Fleet and RFleet. It’s products like these that will continue to inspire innovation for years to come.” Both winners presented their products alongside 14 other companies within the industry; AssetWorks, Cipia, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Derive Systems, Fermata Energy, Fleetio, Forward Thinking Systems LLC, Industrial Propane Service, Monro Auto Service, Tire Centers, Scent Renu, TigerTough, Utilimarc and Wagan Corporation. You can learn more about the Innovations Showcase and the presenters here. NAFA’s annual I&E convention brings together fleet managers and industry professionals from all across the industry for education sessions, networking opportunities, and a bustling Expo with new products and services. To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/ About NAFA NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Keaveny Hewitt +1 919-622-5276 khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 19, 2023 03:45 PM Eastern Daylight Time

NAFA Announces First-Ever Regional Council Leaders

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today announced the leaders that make up the Regional Councils as part of NAFA’s new regional governance model rolled out earlier this year. “The new regional structure was born from a multi-year effort and driven by NAFA leadership, staff and groups of members that shaped a plan to allow all members to make the most of their membership regardless of where they work,” says Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest to serve on our new Regional Councils and know these leaders will be instrumental in our ongoing evolution of NAFA to expand our member value as our industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.” +++++ The following individuals sit on NAFA’s eight Regional Councils: Northeast Jacqueline Agel (Chair) Hannah Abdoo Justin Flannery Chris Langlois Brian J. Scott Mid-Atlantic Brandon S. Boring (Chair) Oleg Cytowicz David T. Hayward Tadeh Issakhanian Robin N. Meritt Nancy L. Murray Lisa R. Nutter J. Darryl Syler Kyle Waters Midwest Chris Hartlep (Chair) Trevor Crawford Naomi Kislanski Donna Lind Jennifer J. Morgan Parthiban Parasuraman Elizbeth Stomberg Josh Wallace Russell Werra Nicolas Wilson Northcentral Kathy R. Wellik (Chair) Lance Flegel Michael Keim Michael McDonald David D. McFarland Peggy Schuette Northwest James Laverty (Chair) Eric Chitoubol Levi C. Clark Jacob Mahan Jason Rosete Michael Stoller Southeast Brenda Peshel (Chair) Timothy E. Coxwell Michael Naglieri Marie A. Pepper Dave Persad Cedric B. Roberts Shelley Warren Southcentral Thomas Christian (Chair) Amy Boone Tim Fortson Jeff G. Hill Brian Marshall Mike Mosakowski Bo Villarreal John T. Walden Wayne W. Westerholm Southwest Josh E. Turley (Chair) Elmer Andujar Mike Antich Gwen Black Patrick Collins Lorie A. Gill David Mattke Bradley J. Northup Desiree Taylor +++++ NAFA is pleased to welcome these dedicated individuals to the Regional Councils. Their service to the fleet and mobility world inspires innovation, creates progress and truly keeps our industry moving forward. Several events around the new Regional Governance model are set to take place during NAFA’s Institute & Expo in Baltimore this week including a regional leader coaching session and the NAFA Regional Forum and Leadership Experience Overview, which will provide an opportunity for members to meet with their home region and brainstorm ideas for goals within the new structure. It will also preview the 2023 NAFA Leadership Experience launching in early May. Additionally, a regional reception was held Monday evening to kick off the conference. To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/ About NAFA NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Keaveny Hewitt +1 919-622-5276 khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 18, 2023 10:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NAFA’s Inaugural I&E 2023 Media Day Shines a Spotlight on Fleet Industry Innovations

NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today held its first-ever Media Day event at its annual Institute & Expo (I&E) at the Baltimore Convention Center. At Media Day, nearly a dozen leading companies shared breaking news, innovations, and other important announcements with industry reporters and publications in back-to-back press conferences. Media Day provided a unique opportunity for companies to showcase the latest developments in the fleet industry. Participants showcased a range of industry advancements in data analytics, safety technologies, electrification, and more. "It’s been fascinating learning about the groundbreaking technologies and solutions that companies are developing to tackle the challenges of the future and pave the way for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable world," said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “We are thrilled to have Media Day become a part of the I&E lineup, and look forward to seeing how the industry continues to innovate and push the boundaries in 2023 and beyond.” Below is a look at the breaking news presented during NAFA’s I&E Media Day 2023: Roadz (Booth 1134) Presented by Amit Jain, Co-Founder & COO Roadz presented a product that democratizes the ability for fleets to discover and buy curated fleet management solutions at discounted prices. Their product also includes pre-integrated data and unified dashboards for fleet professionals. Southgate Lease Services (Booth 1366) Presented by Nick Miota, President & Holly Miota, Account Executive Southgate Lease Services presented its plans to assist larger fleet management companies with their small fleet customers who have 30 or fewer vehicle fleets. Derive Systems (Booth 1465) Presented by Heather Lamm, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer & Craig Montgomery, Chief Revenue Officer As a result of the Derive VQ technology, Derive Systems has introduced VQ Insight. This powerful new tool allows clients to see their vehicles' fuel savings and emission reductions in real-time. Teletrac Navman (Booth 1350) Presented by Doug Haebig, Sr. Product Manager, Transportation Teletrac Navman presented the launch of two new suites: The TN360 Compliance Suite with enhanced US-ELD, Canadian ELD, and iDVIR, and the TN360 Safety Suite with a new AI-powered IQ Camera. Both take a proactive approach to fleet management. Cruise Car by ICON (Booth 1700) Presented by Adam Sulimirski, Managing Partner Cruise Car by ICON announced its new line of lithium-powered heavy duty commercial carts, adding over 500,000 sq ft of additional assembly space in six plants nationwide. Its support network has expanded with hundreds of techs and a multimillion-dollar investment in parts for fleet support. Cruise Car by ICON will now deliver over 4,000 light utility carts monthly to thousands of municipalities, federal agencies, universities and nonprofits in over 30 countries. Shell Fleet Solutions (Booth 1067) Presented by Jim Perkins, Director of Fleet Solutions U.S.A., Shell Shell Fleet Solution announced the U.S. launch of Accelerate to Zero, a fleet sustainability management program. This program aims to help fleet and mobility managers better understand and reduce their carbon footprint and on-road emissions to net-zero by evaluating their options and developing a plan for decarbonization. Reviver (Booth 1461) Presented by CJ Meurell, EVP of Sales & Alex Dimitrijevic, National Fleet Director Reviver, creators of the groundbreaking, first-ever digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, announced the addition of RToll, an online tolling service, offering coverage on 98% of U.S. tollways with electronic toll collection services for commercial fleets. Cipia (Booth 1457) Presented by Israel Ronn, VP Aftermarket Business Cipia announced its new Cipia-FS10 Video Telematics Device that offers a forward facing dash cam and hybrid communication mode for improved fleet safety and efficiency. The new camera is an addition to Cipia-FS10's video telematics and driver monitoring system. Mullen Automotive (Booth 1083) Presented by John Schwegman, Chief Commercial Officer Mullen Automotive announced the launch of its Class 3 electric vehicles (EVs) this summer. These EVs will be more efficient and profitable for businesses with connected and customized solutions. ServiceUp (Booth 1378) Presented by Brett Dashe, Head of Revenue & Co-Founder ServiceUp announced ServiceUp for Fleets, an innovative product that adapts their award-winning consumer-based maintenance and repair platform to meet fleet managers, FMCs, drivers and repair centers' unique needs. Utilimarc (Booth 1257) Presented by Engin Ayaz, Account Executive Utilimarc is enhancing its business intelligence platform to include annual and real-time greenhouse gas reporting capabilities. About NAFA NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Contact Details Colleen Gallagher +1 315-447-2331 cgallagher@onwrdupwrd.com Company Website https://www.nafa.org/

April 17, 2023 04:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

OPT deployment of next-generation Wave Energy Converter Buoys opens new chapter for customers

Ocean Power Technologies Inc

Ocean Power Technologies Inc (OPT) CEO Philipp Stratmann joins Natalie Stoberman from the Proactive newsroom to share how the latest deployment of next-generation Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Buoys is opening a new chapter for the company for elevated technology and cost-effectiveness for customers. Stratmann says this prototype represents a significant improvement in multiple aspects. The innovative design enables modularity and commonality for the next-generation buoy platform, making it more efficient in terms of transportation, serviceability, and maintainability. Additionally, the MOSWEC buoy will be more cost-effective for customers. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

April 17, 2023 02:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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