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Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise and CORTEX2 collaborate to make video conferencing an Extended Reality experience

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Rainbow TM will support the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme in developing extended reality-based tools for effective business telecommunication Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of network, communications and cloud solutions, is taking part in the CORTEX2 (COoperative Real-Time EXperiences with EXtended reality) consortium. With AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) at the heart of its technology development, ALE will support CORTEX2 on its mission to democratise access to remote collaboration offered by next-generation XR (Extended Reality) experiences across a wide range of industries and SMEs. CORTEX2 is an eight-million-euro initiative funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. The consortium is composed of 10 organisations across seven countries that will work together for 36 months. The CORTEX2 platform will be operated from the ALE cloud, and Rainbow TM by Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise will be used as a backbone for the innovative extended reality-based tele-cooperation concept to ensure large scale adoption and rapid scaling. The global health crisis accelerated remote working and led to a sharp increase in the use of videoconferencing and platforms enabling teamwork. Today, XR-based tools, which can enhance remote collaboration communications, present significant challenges for most businesses. Through the partnership of all ten organisations CORTEX2 aims to simplify XR technology adoption and will provide: Full support for Augmented Reality (AR) experiences as an extension of video conferencing systems when using heterogeneous service end devices through a novel Mediation Gateway platform. Resource-efficient teleconferencing tools through innovative transmission methods and automatic summarisation of shared long documents. Easy-to-use and powerful XR experiences with instant 3D reconstruction of environments and objects, and using recognised gestures to trigger corresponding actions in collaborative meetings. Fusion of visual and audio elements for multichannel semantic interpretation and enhanced tools such as virtual conversational agents and automatic meeting summarisation. Full integration of internet of things (IoT) devices into XR experiences to optimise interaction with running systems and processes. Half of the total budget of the project will be dedicated to recruiting tech startups and SMEs to support with co-development. This investment aims to engage new use-cases to demonstrate CORTEX2 capabilities and assess the social impact associated with the adoption of XR technology in both external and internal use cases. As a part of its mission, the consortium will enable third parties, including small and medium enterprises, to use the CORTEX2 generic framework to develop their own services. The Rainbow cloud-based Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) will be a key component of the project that supports fully interactive XR-based cooperation and will be showcased in three planned pilots: industrial production, business meetings and remote training. Industrial production: Creating an immersive XR experience to carry out remote industrial maintenance using various mobile devices in limited bandwidth environments. Business meetings: Offering Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality enriched business meetings for seamless inclusion of remote participants and improved productivity. Remote technical training: Using VR/AR for efficient knowledge transmission where the remote instructor can demonstrate complex operations to multiple trainees using an immersive 3D model of industrial equipment. "We are delighted to take part in this amazing project that will put Extended Reality at European users’ fingertips. With CORTEX2, we will bring XR capabilities into Rainbow’s collaborative space through the use of VR, AR and AI. It's an exciting time to be at cutting edge of these technologies," said Sylvain Rivier, CORTEX2 coordinator for Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. The ultimate goal for this partnership is to extend video conferencing to more than just screen-to-screen interactions, enabling the integration of XR-based tools into business communications for seamless remote communication collaboration. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 101070192. About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect. ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers’ success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact. Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world. With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus. al-enterprise.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Contact Details Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Katherine Skidmore +44 20 3750 6688 katherine@fox.agency Company Website https://www.al-enterprise.com/

December 01, 2022 03:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CSG to Present at Sidoti’s Virtual Winter Conference

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that the company will present at Sidoti’s Virtual Winter Conference on Thursday, December 8, 2022. The presentation will be held at 2:30pm EST and will feature comments from CSG chief executive officer Brian Shepherd. The conference presentation will be available via webcast here. About CSG CSG empowers companies to build unforgettable experiences, making it easier for people and businesses to connect with, use and pay for the services they value most. Our customer experience, billing and payments solutions help companies of any size make money and make a difference. With our SaaS solutions, company leaders can take control of their future, and tap into guidance along the way from our more than 5k-strong experienced global CSG services team. Want to learn more about how to be a change maker and industry shaper like our 1,000-plus clients? Visit csgi.com to learn more. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

November 30, 2022 02:01 PM Mountain Standard Time

Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00

Benzinga

As the calendar turns to December, many investors take time to reflect on the year and look for new opportunities for the year ahead and beyond. Overall, 2022 was a very tough year for the stock market. As of this writing, the S&P 500 has returned -17%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is -7% and the Nasdaq leads the year in losses with a return of nearly -30%. Once-reliable mega-cap technology darlings like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) have seen a stunning fall from grace in 2022. Apple is down 21% YTD, Amazon has dropped nearly 45% and Google has declined over 34% through the first eleven months of 2022. However, not all stocks have fallen prey to the market’s “doom and gloom” mentality. Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR) is one stock that has rebounded after a tough start to 2022 and is now posting a positive gain for 2022, as of this writing. Given the company's strong recent third-quarter 2022 financial results and its continuation of impressive growth, Asure is bucking the overall market and outperforming major indices, as the company’s business model thrives in the current economic environment. Asure Software Thriving Amid Current Economic Environment Asure’s suite of SaaS solutions helps provide comprehensive back-office support for small and medium businesses (SMBs). These services help to streamline important operations such as HR, payroll, employment benefits, taxes, and more, which helps SMBs to cut costs and save money. Not to mention, Asure’s services can help SMBs be more effective in competing for top employee talent, as it allows SMBs to offer enticing employment benefits typically offered by larger businesses. Furthermore, Asure has continued to build relationships with other firms to help bolster its services. Equifax (NYSE: EFX) and its Work Number services help clients quickly verify income and employment history. Asure has also linked up with PrismHR to boost its payroll tax management services and its FlexTax platform. This allows Asure to market its FlexTax platform to PrismHR’s 80,000 registered client base. In recent months, Asure has worked closely with its CPA partners to help develop new technologies to help streamline the demand for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) filings. This helps CPAs and back office workers to streamline the ERTC filing process and focus on higher-value client work instead. Another major milestone for Asure was its recent expansion of 401(k) plan operations for SMBs. By adding 80+ retirement provider integrations, Asure provides SMBs with the tools to help attract higher-quality employees by offering more comprehensive retirement benefits. The added integrations are compatible with Asure’s payroll system, which helps to streamline enrollment, reduce dual entry and ensure compliance. Throughout 2022, analysts covering Asure stood fast and did not succumb to downgrades. After following the company’s immaculate rebound during the second half of 2022, Asure’s analysts are stepping up their bullish outlook on the HR tech and payroll services company. Let’s take a deeper look into what analysts are saying about Asure: ASUR: Breaking Down the Six Analysts Covering the Stock As of the end of November 2022, the six analysts covering Asure Software have a collective rating of "strong buy" with an average 12-month price target of $11.00, which represents a potential upside of nearly 39% from its current price. The analysts covering Asure are very talented and maintain strong backgrounds. In fact, five of the six analysts have a rating of four stars or higher by TipRanks.com. Let's meet the individual analysts: Richard Baldry: Roth Capital Mr. Baldry is an experienced analyst at Roth Capital. Throughout his analyst career, Baldry has maintained a success rate of 66% (183 out of 278 ratings successful) with an average return per rating of 22.80%. Mr. Baldry is the most bullish of the analysts covering Asure Software. Eight months ago, Mr. Baldry gave Asure a $16.00 price target and a “buy” rating. This implies a potential upside of over 101% from its current price. Jeff Van Rhee: Craig-Hallum Jeff Van Rhee is a five-star analyst based out of Craig-Hallum. Mr. Van Rhee has a success rate of 64%, as 83 ratings were proven to be successful out of 129 picks throughout his career. The average return per rating is an impressive 27.30%. Mr. Van Rhee holds a $10.00 price target for Asure with a "buy" rating attached. This target implies a potential upside of nearly 26% from current prices. Vincent Colicchio: Barrington Vincent Colicchio is a five-star analyst working with Barrington. Over the course of his analyst career, Mr. Colicchio has maintained a rating success rate of 60% (207 successful ratings out of 344 total). Overall, the average return per rating during this time comes out to 11.60%. Mr. Colicchio maintains a $12.00 price target on Asure with a "buy" rating. This implies a potential upside of nearly 51% from its current price. Bryan Bergin: Cowen & Co. Bryan Bergin is a four-and-a-half-star analyst working with Cowen & Co. Mr. Bergin holds a 58% success rating (109 successful ratings compared to 189 total). Furthermore, Mr. Bergin’s average return per rating is 9.80%. Mr. Bergin holds the lowest price target on Asure at $8.00, which implies a potential upside of 0.63% from current levels. However, the analyst has reiterated his “buy” rating on the stock. Eric Martinuzzi: Lake Street Eric Martinuzzi is a four-star analyst out of Lake Street. For his career, Mr. Martinuzzi has had a success rate of 44% (76 successful ratings out of 174 total) and an average return per rating of 5.80%. Mr. Martinuzzi holds an $11.00 price target on Asure and recently reiterated his "buy" rating on the stock. This implies a potential upside of over 38% from current levels. Joshua Reilly: Needham Joshua Reilly is a half-star analyst out of Needham. The youngest analyst of the bunch, Mr. Reilly has a success rating of 30% (22 successful ratings out of 74 total) and an average return per rating of -6.90%. Mr. Reilly holds a “buy” rating on Asure with a price target of $14.00. This implies a potential upside of over 76% from its current price. Overall, there is a lot to be bullish about on Asure Software. The company’s resilience in 2022 has been nothing short of impressive. With 2023 shaping up to be very similar to 2022 with economic uncertainty and volatility, Asure stands to potentially have a very good year in 2023. The proof is in the analysts covering the company and management's guidance outlook for the next year. On a revenue guidance basis, Asure estimates total revenue coming in between $98 million and $102 million for the full-year 2023. For the full-year 2022, management sees total revenue between $90 million and $90.5 million on adjusted EBITDA between $10.5 million and $11 million. This implies a revenue growth range between 9-13% year-over-year for 2023, as margins are expected to increase between 14% and 16%. No matter the economic environment, SMBs will always look for ways to help streamline back-office operations and cut costs. With high inflation and economic uncertainty, the need for SMBs to cut costs and streamline becomes a necessity. This is why Asure Software could stand to potentially benefit in the year ahead and beyond. 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 five thousand dollars cash for the creation and dissemination of this content by the company. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute âforward-looking statementsâ within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Companyâs plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Companyâs industry, managementâs 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 Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00 First Appeared on Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 11:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Going, Going, Gone: New Study Reveals Workers Flip The Script on Traditional Work

MBO Partners

The signal finding of the MBO Partners 2022 State of Independence report is the continued surge in independent work, with more than half of all Americans now freelancing or have freelanced at some point in their careers. Upended by the pandemic, 64.6 million Americans now pursue independent work, a dramatic 69% growth since 2020. There have never been more payroll jobs in the U.S.: 153 million, and there have never been more people working independently. Across the board, the old stereotypes and tropes about independent freelancers and workers are being upended. Independents are growing in number, becoming more centered in the economy, and forming connections to one another and to companies large and small. Further, the old tension of payroll jobs draining the independent workforce has been eradicated as workers get comfortable with owning their economic reality by creating their own jobs. “Beyond the pandemic and macroeconomic climate, the underlying factor driving the thrust in independent work is institutional mistrust,” said Miles Everson, CEO, MBO Partners. “We don’t trust institutions to have our best interests at heart and our proof points have mounted as we have faced the challenges of the past few years. As we have come to question our view of security, workers have realized that creating a job is no greater risk than having a traditional job.” The annual State of Independence in America report is the country’s longest-running end-to-end study of the American independent workforce, now in its 12 th year. This year’s study showed six key insights about the independent American workforce, including: Demand is boosting supply. The number of Full Time Independents, those regularly working more than 15 hours per week, soared 27% to 21.6 million, up from 15.3 million in 2019. By 2025, more than half of all Americans will be independent or will have worked independently at some point in their careers – a massive tipping point in the conversation about the future of work. Happier, healthier, and more financially secure. People are increasingly turning to independent work to regain control and autonomy over their life and their career. And they’re happy doing it, with 76% reporting that they are “very satisfied,” 87% saying they are happier, 80% reporting better health, and 67% feeling more financially secure than their traditionally employed counterparts. Test driving independence grows in popularity. The number of Occasional Independents— people who earn money periodically by working at least once a month as an independent— more than tripled from 2020 to 2022, rising from 15.8 million to 31.9 million. These workers do so by and large to supplement income (the side hustle is real) but also to build a bridge to a larger independent career, to fill a passion, and more. Younger workers call the shots. While Millennials (ages 27-42) are the largest independent cohort, Gen Z (ages 18-26) are coming into the scene in larger numbers vs. opting for a traditional career. Together, these two groups make up half of the independent workforce and are predicted to be the dominant force by 2023. What does this mean? As younger workers take their careers into their own hands, the workforce must evolve to match where the workers go, and that work is independent. Independents are becoming increasingly diverse. Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of white independents fell from 84% to 77%, while African Americans doubled from 7% to 14%. Among the creator economy, those who earn money by creating and distributing digital content, the percentage is even higher, 20%. With hustle, there is flow. As the number of independents rise, more are reporting higher incomes, with some 4.4 million earning more than $100,000 in 2022. That’s up 16% from last year, and it comes on the heels of a 27% increase in 2021, due in part to the economy’s recovery from the pandemic. To obtain a copy of the full 2022 State of Independence study, please visit https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/. About MBO Partners® MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit mbopartners.com Contact Details Karen Swim +1 586-461-2103 karen@wordsforhirellc.com Company Website https://mbopartners.com

November 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

What Are Politicians Really Saying In Their Speeches? See How FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Uses AI Bot Margaret For Some Clues

Benzinga

Margaret, the artificial intelligence (AI) bot, has a knack for interpreting presidential mannerisms. Dubbed a specialist in ‘Trump-speak,’ Margaret has an internal record of the former president’s distinctive use of syntax, phrases and sentence structures. The bot, for example, reportedly knows the extent of Trump’s vocabulary, how many words he speaks per minute, what body part he moves when he’s angry and other distinct mannerisms. By carefully measuring his distinct features, Margaret is possibly capable of gauging Trump’s stress levels during political speeches, predicting what he might say in public before he does and even suggesting when he might be lying. In short, the bot is a bona fide expert on former president Trump. She knows his tics, tells, tendencies and habits. How, you may be wondering, did she get there? Teaming up with a computer expert with a Ph.D. in machine punctuation, Bill Frischling fed his AI bot over 40 years’ worth of Trump-like speech gleaned from Trump’s interviews, public letters, tweets and television appearances. The result is an 11-million-word data mine, a proverbial treasure chest of the Trump lexicon, which Margaret was taught to decipher and understand. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When Frischling first started working on his AI bot, it crashed while transcribing Trump’s speech commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. The speech – with all of Trump’s syntax, sub-clauses, trail-offs and mannerisms that make up his distinctive style – caused the bot to malfunction. Now, some might say, the bot knows more about Trump than most Americans do. FiscalNote Acquires FactSquared: The Details The interesting news is that this technology is now available to consumers. FactSquared, the company responsible for Margaret’s creation, is now a part of FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE), a specialist in data collection provides insight into regulatory processes in the U.S. Margaret can reveal incredible things about U.S. presidents after digesting so much information. For example, Frishling told the Los Angeles Times that Trump doesn’t appear stressed when he’s lying. Frischling has taken his work with Trump and extended it to important political candidates. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, he proposes that certain members of Congress “tend to forecast when they are about to make a policy shift, focusing more on their public comments on a given topic and altering their language.” It’s clear that such information, which gives stakeholders a hint at what the future may hold, could create a huge edge over competitors. Speaking of the acquisition, CEO Tim Hwang said: “Receiving timely and accurate read-outs of comments made by our public officials is a crucial service to our clients. FactSquared’s commitment to innovative rigor in the transcripts space will not only further strengthen the robust set of products and services we provide clients, but also drive meaningful technological innovation as we continue expanding the breadth and depth of our offerings globally.” FactSquared has evolved its AI prowess to include information on current U.S. President Joe Biden and even corporate earnings calls. The two additions are available on the factba.se website, which was cited over 4,000 times by local and global media sources. Through FiscalNote, any customer can now unlock AI’s predictive capabilities to see through political guises and uncover the truth. Learn more about FiscalNote here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minebase Web3 Reaches 800,000 Users Within Two Months of Official Launch

Minebase

Minebase, the energy-efficient algorithmically managed blockchain, has announced that it reached 800,000 users in just two months after its official launch. Minebase started in 2017 with the aim of creating a coin backed by gold. But with 2018's new stablecoin regulations, the project could not continue. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Seiz set out to create a token like Bitcoin with an algorithm that won't massively pollute the environment. With its unique Creative Token Production (CTP) algorithm, the tokens are released into circulation through transaction fees that existing blockchains already generate. The protocol has received extraordinary growth throughout its first month of operations and is set to celebrate it with a blockchain-wide competition where participants can win up to 10,000USDT by completing simple tasks. About $MBASE and CTP The Minebase Token ($MBASE) is an ERC20 token released into circulation through Creative Token Production (CTP), an energy-efficient algorithm that controls the token supply and floor price. The smart contract controls the algorithm to adjust the token price based on the crypto market's behaviour. Minebase releases new MBASE tokens from the transaction fees its users generate. Blockchains like Bitcoin use the proof-of-work algorithm that consumes much energy to mine cryptocurrencies. Minebase aims to change this with the in-house developed CTP algorithm. The algorithm makes it possible to generate $MBASE tokens through the transaction fees on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the top 20 decentralized exchanges. MBASE mining does not require expensive hardware equipment and has zero power consumption compared to Bitcoin. Minebase has demystified the concept of crypto mining, and users can earn $MBASE tokens with a smartphone or computer. Users need to create a Minebase account and wallet address. Then, all the fees used to trade on supported blockchains will be deposited in the wallet address and can be used to create $MBASE. In addition to generating $MBASE through transaction fees, CTP will also allow users to generate $MBASE through walking. Users need to walk 6 kilometres with their smartphones to generate one $MBASE token. Also, the speed of Minebase token generation depends on how fast they are walking. The mobile application is set to launch in the third quarter of 2023. Users can also earn $MBASE tokens by staking a principal. However, the total supply of Minebase tokens is fully controlled by CTP, and the Minebase team can not alter it. So, users need not worry about oversupply and a lack of demand in the market. About Minebase This is the beginning of a new crypto era that requires a new revolutionary cryptocurrency. Minebase was founded as an ecosystem of tools, applications, games, and utilities that add to the world of crypto and make it more vibrant. Minebase combines the expertise of tool development, application development, crypto, and NFT games. This is an area where a few possess the skill combination that Minebase has. In addition, Minebase's energy-efficient cryptocurrency is immune to external factors like market demand and supply. Useful Links Website: minebase.com CTP: https://minebase.com/creating/what-is-ctp/ Register: https://app.minebase.io/login Twitter: https://twitter.com/MineBase_io LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/minebase-io/ Contact Details Minebase Nelli Toboc contact@minebase.com Company Website https://minebase.com/

November 29, 2022 01:02 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Jon Harper Appointed as Chief Client Officer for Assembly Europe

Assembly

Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has elevated Jon Harper to a new role as Chief Client Officer for its European business. The role is the first of its kind for Assembly in the region, signaling the increasing importance of Client Experience & Leadership within the agency. Over the course of Jon’s 6-year tenure with Assembly, he has worked with clients including Lenovo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Converse with great success, building strong relationships across the board. With his new appointment, Harper will be leading every step of the client relationship journey in the business for Europe. “Assembly has grown and evolved to become a true global force beyond digital media, leading the agency to win large omnichannel deals and expanding existing client relationships. Through this, we have identified the need to go further to support clients with a broader set of solutions at a high service level in order to promote growth in a constantly evolving media landscape. Our aim is to ensure clients have the best data, tech, and talent in the industry,” said Jon Harper, Chief Client Officer, Assembly Europe. Part of achieving this has been the creation of the Client Experience and Leadership pillar (CEL), led by Harper in Europe and other leaders across Assembly’s business. This ongoing investment focuses on driving new standards of creativity and improving the agency’s viewpoint on clients’ needs. This has included “brand immersion days” and stepping outside of standard client-agency interactions through hosting Q&A sessions all the way through to getting back to the basics by visiting brand stores and speaking to front-of-house staff to truly know the heart of each brand the agency works with. Jon added, “We firmly believe that everyone is a part of client services within the agency. That’s why we’re training everyone to be immersed in our clients’ brands – my goal is for all of our teams to have more dedicated client service time and to roll out our new global CEL toolkit to assist with this.” Assembly Europe’s Managing Director, Kate O’Mahony commented, “We are delighted about Jon’s elevation to Chief Client Officer. His rich experience and willingness to go above and beyond when it comes to getting to know our clients has proven fruitful. With Jon leading this division, we will continue to drive proactive relationships and deliver higher levels of innovation in connecting Assembly with our existing and future clients.” ABOUT ASSEMBLY: Assembly is the modern global omnichannel media agency, bringing data, talent, and technology together to find the change that fuels growth for the best brands on the planet. Our approach connects big, bold brand stories with integrated, global media capabilities that deliver performance and drive large-scale business growth. Our work is powered by our proprietary, in-house technology solution, STAGE, and led by our global talent base of over 1,600 people around the world. We’re purpose-driven at our core and pioneers in social and environmental impact in the agency world. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Contact Details Assembly Gunilla Huddleston, VP of Marketing, Europe gunilla.huddleston@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

November 29, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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CSG Systems International Approves Quarterly Dividend

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that its Board of Directors approved the Company’s quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.265 per share of common stock to be paid on Dec. 29, 2022 for shareholders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 16, 2022. About CSG CSG empowers companies to build unforgettable experiences, making it easier for people and businesses to connect with, use and pay for the services they value most. Our customer experience, billing and payments solutions help companies of any size make money and make a difference. With our SaaS solutions, company leaders can take control of their future, and tap into guidance along the way from our more than 5k-strong experienced global CSG services team. Want to learn more about how to be a change maker and industry shaper like our 1,000-plus clients? Visit csgi.com to learn more. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

November 29, 2022 07:25 AM Mountain Standard Time

BLUEPEAK REACHES AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF YUKON ON FIBER INTERNET EXPANSION

Bluepeak

A faster, more reliable and more affordable internet is coming to Yukon, Okla. Bluepeak announced today a franchise agreement with the city of Yukon to build a high-speed fiber network that will meet the growing needs of the community today and in the future. The roughly $10 million expansion effort will bring Bluepeak service to more than 10,000 residences and businesses in Yukon. “The investment we’re making to build our fiber network here is due in no small part to our great partnership with the city of Yukon,” said Rich Fish, Bluepeak’s CEO. “We’re confident our fiber-to-the-home internet service will enable economic development and meet the ever-growing connectivity needs of the Yukon community.” According to broadbandnow.com, Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation in internet coverage, speed and availability. Moreover, A Kansas City Federal Reserve study estimated 30 percent of Oklahomans have access to fewer than two wired internet providers. Furthermore, research from a 2020 report by Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on “Bringing Broadband to Rural America” determined that broadband access and adoption is linked to increased job and population growth, higher rates of new business formation and home values, and lower unemployment rates. “We learned during the pandemic the importance of families having high-speed internet access to education, telehealth, commerce and other services necessary to our daily lives,” said Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon. “I’m excited to welcome Bluepeak to Yukon and look forward to all they have to offer our residents.” With Bluepeak service, customers get faster speed, equal upload and download speeds, and whole-home WiFi. Bluepeak features transparent, all-in pricing, where the price on the website is the price on the bill, with a minimum speed tier of 1 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) internet service for just $50 per month. Homes can get up to 5 Gbps and businesses up to 10 Gbps and beyond. Each internet speed package includes eero Secure, which protects devices from online threats, ads and allows for customized content filtering. Bluepeak’s network provides faster speeds, better connectivity and the bandwidth to connect more devices for internet, streaming, gaming and more. Bluepeak already dramatically improves internet options for residents in other Oklahoma communities with service available in Stillwater, Enid, Perry and many more. In addition to this expansion in Oklahoma, Bluepeak is significantly expanding into other announced markets in Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Those in Yukon looking for more information can visit mybluepeak.com. Residents and businesses interested in service availability or details on the construction process can sign up for updates by entering their service address at mybluepeak.com. About Bluepeak Bluepeak is building a faster, more reliable internet without the things that get in the way of great service - like red tape, hidden fees, and slow response times. Offering up to 5 gigabits of speed for residential customers and 10 gigabits for businesses, Bluepeak is a whole new ballgame - from internet to TV, to connecting every device in a home, to powering a business, Bluepeak not only provides the best fiber connections in the communities it serves, but also meets the growing needs for how its customers live. Contact Details Jesse Granger +1 720-703-4315 mediaqueries@mybluepeak.com Company Website https://www.mybluepeak.com

November 29, 2022 07:00 AM Mountain Standard Time

Communications

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise and CORTEX2 collaborate to make video conferencing an Extended Reality experience

CSG to Present at Sidoti’s Virtual Winter Conference

Analysts Reiterate Bullish Stance on Asure Software (NASDAQ: ASUR), Collectively Raise Target Price to Average of $11.00

Going, Going, Gone: New Study Reveals Workers Flip The Script on Traditional Work

What Are Politicians Really Saying In Their Speeches? See How FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Uses AI Bot Margaret For Some Clues

Minebase Web3 Reaches 800,000 Users Within Two Months of Official Launch

Jon Harper Appointed as Chief Client Officer for Assembly Europe

CSG Systems International Approves Quarterly Dividend

BLUEPEAK REACHES AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF YUKON ON FIBER INTERNET EXPANSION