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Fintech NayaPay secures $13m as it rolls out digital payments revolution in Pakistan

Stockwood Strategy

NayaPay, a Pakistan-based fintech platform, has raised $13 million in one of the largest seed rounds in South Asia. Bringing together a diverse mix of leading global institutional and angel investors, the round was led by Zayn Capital, global fund manager MSA Novo and early-stage VC Graph Ventures from Silicon Valley. Singapore-based Saison Capital, Waleed Saigol’s Maple Leaf Capital and Warren Hogarth, CEO Empower Finance, also participated in the round, alongside a major investment from the sponsors of the Lakson Group – a Pakistani conglomerate with interests in media, telecom, industrials, financial services as well as controlling stake in Colgate-Palmolive Pakistan and McDonalds Pakistan. NayaPay is the first fintech of its kind in Pakistan having recently secured the first E-Money Institution license from the central bank, State Bank of Pakistan. It is on a mission to make financial services simpler and accessible to millions of Pakistani users. NayaPay aims to be at the forefront in the digitization of Pakistan with its two-sided platform for the underbanked. Pakistan presents a significant market opportunity for NayaPay, where over 50 million adults are unbanked and only 33% of women have a bank account. With 70% of the population under 35 years old, there is a significant mobile-first generation. Almost $4tn payments are made each year but only 1% of these are made digitally currently. On the merchant side, the majority of SMBs in Pakistan are unregistered, have traditionally dealt primarily in cash, and have very limited access to business banking. The fintech has launched its chat-led super app targeted primarily at students and freelancers; and is building a SaaS based platform called NayaPay Arc offering universal payment acceptance and financial management tools for SMBs. NayaPay’s platform strategy will harness the network effects between consumers and merchants, as seen in platforms such as Square Cash/Square, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Venmo in their native markets.. NayaPay CEO and Founder Danish A. Lakhani commented: “NayaPay is empowering young Pakistani adults starting their financial journey, from students stepping into adulthood to freelancers and entrepreneurs taking an active role in managing their finances. In many senses, it’s a coming-of-age moment for many and our goal is to continue to innovate and build functionality to become a part of their daily lives, for the rest of their lives.” Danish A. Lakhani added “Micro, small and medium businesses make up 90% of the merchant-base in Pakistan and yet they are underserved when it comes to access to basic financial services. NayaPay Arc will provide universal payments acceptance and a range of business financial management tools to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners. The tools are intended to give business owners the visibility of their cash flows, pay suppliers and grow sales. Our goal is to enable them to focus on growth while we take care of the rest. By helping small businesses harness the power of technology, we believe we can transform the Pakistani economy.” Faisal Aftab, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Zayn Capital Frontier, said: “We are very bullish on fintech in Pakistan. While just beginning to emerge, Pakistani fintechs have the advantage of learning from peers and placing better informed strategic bets. We were impressed by the completeness of the vision of the founding team at NayaPay, and their differentiated platform-based strategy-- first focused on servicing the needs of underbanked consumers and SMBs with specific use cases and building out from there. With a proven ability to execute on the ground, the founder has an impressive track record of building and scaling businesses in Pakistan, including the country’s largest fiber broadband service (StormFiber).” Omar Siddiqui, General Partner at Graph Ventures, added, “We are excited to partner with Danish and the NayaPay team as they scale their leading digital payments platform for consumers and merchants in Pakistan. We have been early-stage investors in 300+ companies over the past decade in the United States, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and we are excited to see the mobile and fintech technology trends that have empowered consumers in these markets also emerge in Pakistan. NayaPay already offers the most robust solution for consumers to access next-generation financial conveniences in Pakistan, and we look forward to working with the team as they roll out new products and grow their consumer base." Danish A. Lakhani concluded: “Customer trust is a key pillar of any platform’s success. At NayaPay, we are consumed by our obsession to simplify the lives of both consumers and merchants with our app and NayaPay Arc while supporting our customers with robust and scalable technology and fanatic customer service. We are also partnering with leading banks to provide additional value and convenience to our mutual customers, eventually leading to a full digital banking experience.” About NayaPay NayaPay, the first E-Money Institution in Pakistan, is a fintech platform empowering underserved consumers and SMBs with better access to financial services. NayaPay has been in a private beta, building a community of early supporters for its consumer proposition -- a chat-led super app accompanied by free Visa Virtual and physical cards. Any Pakistani citizen can open a NayaPay wallet on their smartphone in minutes and use the app to make everyday payments, send and receive money, split bills and much more. For merchants, NayaPay offers access to universal payments acceptance and powerful financial management tools with an easy-to-open business account and Visa card. NayaPay is authorised and regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan as an Electronic Money Institution. For more information please visit: www.nayapay.com About Graph Ventures Graph Ventures is an early-stage investment firm based in Silicon Valley with an operator-centric team and model. Established by leading technology entrepreneurs and executives in 2011, Graph has since backed 300+ start-ups around the world that have cumulatively created $10B+ in value, including BetterUp, Dapper Labs. Loft, PicsArt, Porch, and TrueLayer. Contact Details NayaPay Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.nayapay.com/

February 24, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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amika Taps Assembly to Lead Integrated Media Program Aimed at Growing Its Passionate Communities of Haircare Enthusiasts

Assembly

Global omnichannel agency, Assembly, has been chosen by prestige haircare brand, amika, to lead its integrated media program, with an emphasis on driving sustained awareness and building brand equity. amika has emerged as a go-to haircare brand through its ‘ all hair is welcome ’ positioning, which represents 10 unique collections of haircare for every hair type, texture, and style. amika has called on global data-driven agency, Assembly, as its partner in expanding its community of brand enthusiasts through its distinct, disruptive, and impactful messaging connected to purpose and inclusivity. “amika is a brand that has authentically lived its core values of kindness and inclusivity while doing good for the planet far before it was ‘cool’ or even an expectation from consumers,” said Kim Davis, Vice President at Assembly. “This is one of those best of both world partnerships where we get to bring the latest in media innovation to a brand that’s as committed as we are to nurturing people and the planet. We’re looking forward to developing an out-of-the-box channel strategy that maximizes brand awareness for amika.” amika was built with purpose at its heart by creatives, stylists, and product enthusiasts alike, and encourages a diverse and creative culture that’s fueled by radical thinking. In placing people and the planet at its core, the brand has maintained its mission of bringing progress to the beauty industry. “The name ‘amika’ means friend—to hair, hairstylists, the planet, our communities, and each other—and it’s truly embedded into everything we do. We want our customers to know us for not only our high-quality products, but our commitment to making a positive impact on people and the planet," said Chelsea Riggs, amika’s Brand President. “We were impressed by Assembly’s integrated approach across the funnel to help accomplish our goals and we were immediately aligned in our vision.” This year marks a strategic shift in digital media investment for amika, with an increased focus on driving awareness and new customer acquisition. Assembly will partner with amika to develop a full-funnel multi-channel strategy to achieve these goals. The team’s focus for the year includes strengthening paid social investment, a renewed focus on paid media influencer integrations, and continued momentum in search and display. Assembly and amika will also work together to introduce new high-impact channels to amika’s mix, including CTV, TikTok and localized OOH. “We’re flexible and agile, which gives us an opportunity to test and learn in new channels and platforms where we know our customers are spending their time. We have some big brand and product moments coming up this year, and we’re also excited to see how measurement helps support all of the work we’re doing in increasing the focus on brand awareness and consideration,” said Kelley Martin, amika’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. About Assembly: Assembly is made of the ingredients of the modern agency, bringing together data, talent, and technology to deliver a connected set of solutions for media + more to the best brands on the planet. We’re home to more than 1,500 of the industry’s top talent, who bring unmatched global omnichannel media expertise + data, technology, and business consulting capabilities that help brands find the change that fuels growth. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Visit www.assemblyglobal.com for more information. About amika: A friend to hair, hairstylists, to her, him, them and you. The name amika means friend in the language Esperanto & represents our belief in the power of community and the beauty of diversity. Straight out of Brooklyn, where creativity and hustle are a way of life, we’re a collective of creatives, hairstylists, chemists, and product enthusiasts. We only make products that make us proud. 10 collections for every hair type, texture and style. Visit www.loveamika.com for more information, and follow @amika on Instagram. Contact Details Assembly Sara Pollack, VP of Marketing +1 917-438-4922 sara.pollack@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

February 23, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Jewellery World Awards honours industry leaders

Jewellery World Awards (JWA)

DUBAI, UAE - Media OutReach - 23 February 2022 - The Jewellery World Awards (JWA) unveiled the Recipients during a gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Jewellery, Gem & Technology Dubai (JGT Dubai). Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery (IMJ), JWA is the only business awards programme for the international jewellery industry covering the whole supply chain from mines to market. Navrattan Kothari (fourth from right) Recipient of JWA 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Letitia Chow, chairperson and founder of JWA at IMJ remarked, “The jewellery industry has once again demonstrated its resilience and ability to adapt with what we witnessed at this year’s JWA. With the achievements and success stories shared by the recipients, we are inspired by their vision, innovative approach and thirst for excellence to move forward even in times of adversity.” The evening’s highest accolade was given to Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Navrattan Kothari, who has shown compassionate and driven leadership in the past six decades. Aside from transforming his family business into a global conglomerate, he has also been dedicated to supporting the local communities where KGK Group operates in. The Recipients are: 1. Lifetime Achievement Award Navrattan Kothari 2. Brand of the Year – Retail Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Hong Kong 3. Industry Innovation of the Year Diamonds On Call Limited, Hong Kong Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited, India Picup Media, Hong Kong Shenzhen Link Gold Technology Co Ltd, China 4. Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond KGK Group, Hong Kong 5. Manufacturer of the Year – Jewellery Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company, Vietnam 6. Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – APAC CHJ Jewellery, China YLG Bullion Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore 7. Outstanding Small Enterprise of the Year (50 full-time employees and below) Brilliant Cuts Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka 8. Outstanding ESG Performance of the Year Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd, China 9. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below) Do Minh Duc, DOJI Gold & Gems Group JSC, Vietnam Joyee Zhao, BOJEM, China James Courage, one of the principal judges of JWA said, “Judging from the participants’ responses and initiatives, one can say that the industry continues to push the boundaries in order to safeguard the welfare of its employees and satisfy its customers — even in the harshest conditions. Their ability to innovate, adapt and meet the market’s needs is testament to our Honourees’ resilience, passion, drive and humanity.” Albert Cheng, also a principal judge added, “In the past 18 months, all our Honourees showcased resiliency, flexibility and rapid digitisation to battle the negative effects of COVID-19. On behalf of the judging panel, I salute all Recipients who have succeeded in these unprecedented times.” Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group (CTF), said, “We are honoured and proud to be a Headline Partner of JWA for 10 straight years. We look forward to collaborating with our peers and driving the industry towards more milestones and achievements in the future.” Lin Qiang, President & Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), who also is one of the judges noted, “The global jewellery industry is clearly recovering from the effects of the pandemic. The Chinese diamond business, for one, had a robust rebound. Such growth largely results from the unremitting efforts made by our colleagues in the industry. JWA continues to serve its purpose as a stage for celebrating these achievements and more.” JWA is supported by Headline Partners CTF and SDE, and Honoured Partners KGK Group and Guangdong GD Land Group Limited. JGT Dubai, jointly organised by IMJ and the Italian Exhibition Group, is supported by official partner, DMCC. Contact Details JWA Marketing +852 2516 2184 marketing@JWAwards.com

February 23, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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35-Year Printing Business SprintPrint Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Madison, Wisconsin

Minuteman Press International Inc

For 35 years, Phil Van Kampen and his wife Liz built their family-owned independent printing business SprintPrint into a multimillion dollar company by doing what they’ve always done for their customers. “We make printing easy,” says Phil. With the business doing well and retirement on the horizon, Phil has decided to sell the business to the Kenney family: Chrispin, Lynn, and their son CJ. Moving forward, SprintPrint will be rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison as part of the Minuteman Press Conversion Program. The business will remain at their location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road. The Kenney family also owns a Minuteman Press franchise in Waunakee, which they have owned since 2013. Selling the Business As Phil approached retirement and was looking to sell the business, he wanted to make sure that there would be minimal disruption for both his clients and his employees that helped make SprintPrint a success. Phil says, “We had 12 employees, with at least half of them being with us for over 20 years. I wanted to make sure they were taken care of even after I sold the business.” Phil continues, “Originally, we were approached by another company but all they wanted was to buy our customer list. We were also contacted by a business broker and found that their commission rate was expensive. They also seemed to have no sense of urgency as if we wouldn’t be a priority, and so we decided not to go forward with them.” Eventually, Phil found the right partner to sell his business in Minuteman Press International. Phil explains, “After we decided not to use the business broker, Liz came home with a flyer from Minuteman Press that we received in the mail. I called Steve Szymanski, who is the Midwest Regional VP, and we talked for over an hour. I simply trusted him, liked what he had to say, and so we moved forward.” “The Minuteman Press Conversion Program was exactly what we needed to sell our business. There was no charge, no commission, and no broker fees. I also liked the fact that Minuteman Press would aid the new owner in running the business, and that I could retire without worrying about my customers and employees. In fact, my wife Liz is staying on to work with them because she isn’t ready to retire and loves her job. Steve Szymanski helped coordinate the sale and made it work, and it has been an easy transition for all involved.” -Phil Van Kampen, Retired Owner, SprintPrint, Madison, Wisconsin Meet the New Owners Lynn Kenney is the majority owner of the newly acquired business that is being rebranded as Minuteman Press in Madison. Lynn shares, “For the last 17 years, I’ve been working for the post office as a rural carrier. I also have a background in accounting and payroll in my early career working at Excalibur in Las Vegas.” For the Kenney family, the acquisition of SprintPrint simply made sense. Lynn explains, “My husband, Chrispin, was interested in expanding our current business while also building the business with our son CJ. We look forward to offering the same quality and experience customers have relied on in the past. In addition, we will be offering expanded products and services to existing and future customers.” “I believe good communication, accountability, education, and execution are the keys to running a successful family business. After 9 years of building our first location, we are looking forward to building another successful Minuteman Press franchise with our son CJ and creating great relationships in the Madison community.” -Lynn Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin CJ Kenney graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2021 with a degree in Communication Arts. After graduating, CJ knew that he wanted to take the next step forward with the family business. “I’ve been working with my parents at their center in Waunakee for eight years, since I was in high school. I did whatever they needed me to do. I ran deliveries, I helped with in-house apparel and production, and I loved going to BNI meetings and customer calls with my dad.” CJ continues, “I love talking to people, and I learned a lot from my dad. It always seems like he knows what to say and how to build relationships. I love this business because we can meet so many people that become friends in addition to working with them as clients. I just felt like this was the right track to take for my career and for the family business.” “With SprintPrint, we saw some tremendous expanding points for our business. Phil and Liz built a fantastic business over 35 years that will help us grow our in-house wide format printing services for the production of banners, signs, and posters. They also have a fantastic staff and clients I am excited to work with them as we begin this new chapter as Minuteman Press in Madison.” -CJ Kenney, New Co-Owner, Minuteman Press, Madison, Wisconsin History of the Business Before opening SprintPrint in 1987, Phil worked for another large printing chain based in Madison for 10 years. He says, “I decided to leave and start my own business. I knew what I wanted to do, and I decided I wanted to work for myself. We started the business and I made sure we differentiated ourselves as a quick printer focused on B2B clients rather than walk-ins.” Like many other business owners, Phil grew SprintPrint by building long-term relationships and becoming the face of the business. He also provided products that made sense and helped him stand out. Phil says, “One thing that set us apart early on is that we got into the mailing side of the business, invested in the equipment and the expertise, and became a one-stop source for in-house printing and direct mail.” After six years in business, SprintPrint moved to a 6,000 sq. ft. facility, then added onto the facility in 1997. “This is the same location at 2790 South Fish Hatchery Road that Minuteman Press is taking over, which I am very excited about because it makes for an even easier transition.” Over the past ten years, SprintPrint has continued to evolve and grow. “The biggest change over the past decade was getting into large format printing, which has been a huge benefit to our clients. During the pandemic, we experienced growth in large format, and direct mail held steady. We always try to make printing easy, and the past few years have been no different.” During the pandemic, SprintPrint continued to operate as an essential business and meet the needs of their clients. Phil says, “We have many long-term customers for 30 years or more with well-established businesses. They were able to weather the storm and continue marketing, and we were there to help them adapt and pivot as needed.” Retirement and Advice for Others Now that the sale is complete, Phil is looking forward to his well-earned retirement. “I’ve taken up woodworking as a hobby, and it is very relaxing to be able to enjoy each day.” Phil summarizes his experience with Minuteman Press and shares his advice for others who are looking to sell their printing business: “As owners of SprintPrint, my wife Liz and I had decided in the last year that, after 35 years, it was time to sell our business. It was of utmost importance that our employees were taken care of – we were looking for someone who would run the business in place and retain our staff. We originally explored selling it ourselves or working with a broker, which was not working out for various reasons. We then contacted Steve Szymanski, Regional Vice President of Minuteman Press International, to explore our options with their firm. We found their system to be very attractive as there was no cost to us to market our company for sale, and we could exit the business entirely upon sale. Minuteman Press was able to find a buyer that was the best fit for how we wanted to leave the industry. We could not be more pleased with the whole process. We would highly recommend working with them to any print shop owner looking to sell their business.” Learn more about Minuteman Press in Madison, WI by visiting their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/wi/fitchburg. For more information on how to sell your printing business through Minuteman Press International’s Conversion Program, call 1-800-645-3006 or visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 22, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball and Memorigin partners to launch new watch brand Melofaith LaMelo Ball's first-ever RARE Tourbillon watch

Memorigin

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 22 February 2022 - The 20-year-old NBA All-Star LaMelo Ball made his appearance in the NBA All-Star Game held on last Saunday February 20. Basketball fans are eagerly awaiting his impressive performance. LaMelo Ball is currently playing for the Charlotte Hornets, after embarking on his NBA career since 2020. In just two years, he has clinched numerous awards: ESPY’s Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, NBA Rookie of the Year, and NBA All-Rookie Team. He is the also the 4th-youngest player to appear in the All-Star Game, earning him widespread attention as an elite young star. NBA stars have always been looked to as more than just athletes, but instead as fashion faces which drive global trends forward. LaMelo Ball, who has always been passionate about fashion, launched his own designer lifestyle clothing brand LaFrance last year, and this year, he is adding another accolade to his resume by launching an international collaboration with Memorigin, a Hong Kong-based tourbillon watch brand, with the creation of a new high-end watch brand "Melofaith". Melofaith introduces its first high-end fashion item - the "RARE Tourbillon", designed in complete LaMelo Ball style. Using a strong fiery red as the primary color, the watch features a unique tonneau-shaped case and a stylish red camouflage rubber strap, breaking the tourbillon’s traditional notion of polished, genteel elegance. The skeleton dial is presented in street graffiti style and features numerous symbols of LaMelo Ball, including his first tattoo - the word "FEAR" and "GOD" on his wrist at the age of 16 - as well as a doodle of his name "Melo". There is also a silhouette of LaMelo Ball in profile and the “number 1 with wings” symbolizing him as the "Golden Child". The watch is available in two versions, the regular version with a more subdued PVD tonneau-shaped steel case in black and the diamond version with a tonneau-shaped steel case inlaid with 226 diamonds, making it a dazzling timepiece that suits different people. The watch is equipped with a hand-wound tourbillon movement with a 40-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The word "MELOFAITH" is engraved on the tourbillon, which makes the watch stand out without compromising its stability. The brand, named "Melofaith", is coined from LaMelo Ball's religious beliefs - his faith is his source of strength, inspiring him to face the challenges of every game with determination and perseverance. LaMelo Ball hopes to share his philosophy with fans through the creation of his brand. With religion being his spiritual pillar, faith and confidence are two indispensable elements that have allowed him to develop into an outstanding athlete. About RARE Tourbillon Watch Retail price: USD 6,800 Model No. MO 0822 Case Black PVD coated barrel-shaped stainless steel case Watch size: approx. 58 x 46mm Watch thickness: approx. 18.25mm Both sides sapphire crystal Water resistance: 5ATM Movement Flying tourbillon 155 pieces of subassembly module and 18 jewels Frequency: 28800 oscillations/hour Features 40 hours power reserve The tourbillon located at 6 o'clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle Manual winding mechanism Dial LaMelo Ball-themed dial LaMelo Ball's tattoo design Graffiti style painting Strap Camouflage rubber strap About RARE Tourbillon Watch (Diamond version) Retail price: USD 20,000 Model No. MO 0822 Case Diamond-embedded barrel-shaped stainless steel case Watch size: approx. 58 x 46mm Watch thickness: approx. 18.25mm Both sides sapphire crystal Water resistance: 5ATM Diamond/Gem Setting White diamond quantity: approx. 226pcs approx. 1.9carats Movement Flying tourbillon 155 pieces of subassembly module and 18 jewels Frequency: 28800 oscillations/hour Features 40 hours power reserve The tourbillon located at 6 o'clock rotates at a speed of 60s for one circle Manual winding mechanism Dial LaMelo Ball-themed dial LaMelo Ball's tattoo design Graffiti style painting Strap Camouflage rubber strap About Memorigin Memorigin is the first Hong Kong brand which only produces Tourbillon. The marvelous oriental sculpture merging with western top art of watchmaking creates a Tourbillon watch which has strong Hong Kong cultural character and is a blend of oriental and western cultures. Memorigin uses its in-house movement with its production process strictly controlled so that craftsmanship and quality are sanctioned by international professionals. All Memorigin watches are used with high quality materials from different countries; it has been arranged meticulously from a small part to the complete watch. Memorigin Tourbillon watches are designed by Hong Kong top designers and collectors with innovative concepts. Besides the traditional elegant style, it also adds cultural elements into the design, leading the oriental art to be international. In additions, Memorigin has a unique word carving technology: words can be engraved on the movement and can be preserved forever that the watch becomes unique and memorable. Official web site: www.memorigin.com Tel: (852) 29760108 Address: Room 803-804, 8/F, Chai Wan Industrial City Phase 1, No. 60 Wing Tai Road #Memorigin Contact Details Ms. Ivy Kung +852 2976 0108 ivy_kung@memorigin.com Ms. Christie Chan +852 2976 0108 christie_chan@memorigin.com

February 22, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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SIGMA Announces Release of Three F1.4 Prime Lenses for Fujifilm X Mount Cameras

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of interchangeable lenses for Fujifilm X Mount mirrorless cameras. This addition allows users to enjoy high-performance, high-quality SIGMA lenses in native mount on their X Mount system. Initially, three F1.4 prime lenses ( 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary ), which are currently available in four mounts (Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M mount, Micro Four Thirds mount and L-Mount) will be simultaneously released in X Mount, and the lineup will expand in the future. Specifically, the recently-released SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens, currently available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount, is tentatively scheduled for a December 2022 release. As a lens manufacturer, we will continue striving to meet the expectations of our customers with an expanded lineup of lenses and mounts for mirrorless cameras. These three F1.4 prime lenses for X Mount will be available at SIGMA Authorized Dealers nationwide in April 2022. Learn more about the SIGMA 16mm / 30mm / 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lenses: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/mirrorless-f1-4-trio #SIGMAXMount [Lineup] For detailed product information, please refer to the following: SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Petal Type Lens Hood (LH716-01) supplied Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c017_16_14/ SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Lens Hood (LH586-01) supplied Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c016_30_14/ SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary Lens Hood (LH582-01) supplied Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c018_56_14/ [Main Specifications and Features] Control algorithm including AF drive and communication speed optimization has been developed specifically for X Mount interchangeable lenses. In addition to realizing high-speed AF, the lens also supports AF-C (Continuous AF) and in-camera aberration correction*. The mount is rubber-sealed to cater for use in a variety of environments. *Available on supported cameras only. [Specifications] Mount Conversion Service is available to convert other mounts of SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary, SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary and SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary to X Mount. [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ SIGMA X Mount Special Page: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/magazine/m_series/others-lenses/fujifilm-x-mount/sigma_xmount_lenses/ About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with nearly 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA Jack Howard +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

February 21, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Velocity Global integrates Contractor Payments to its Global Work Platform

Velocity Global

Increased demand for a simple hiring solution as number of independent workers wanting to work from anywhere is on the rise Velocity Global makes hiring and managing independent contractors easy with consolidated invoicing, automated, seamless payments, and locally compliant contracts Manage all talent in one place, including contractors and employees Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions, today announced the integration of its Contractor Payments solution into its Global Work Platform ™ as the latest solution for businesses and talent to work with anyone, anywhere, anyhow. “Contractor management and payments are traditionally a cluttered time suck for both businesses and talent, but now the Velocity Global platform removes this friction,” said Eric Schroeder, Velocity Global chief operating officer. “In today’s virtual workplace, companies want to engage the best talent in any country, which adds more complexity. Our platform simplifies the process from onboarding to payments for contractors around the world. This now creates one single location for managers and talent to connect, contractors and employees alike, freeing them to focus on the task at hand - delivering results.” Businesses are increasingly turning to independent workers, a rising classification of knowledge workers. The number of full-time, part-time and occasional independent workers in the U.S. increased by 34% over just two years to 51.1 million in 2021, according to the State of Independence in America survey, and spending by businesses on contingent talent rose by 23%. “We are in a new era of work in which talent takes more control over their time, location, and how they choose to engage with their employers,” said Schroeder. “With this shift in talent comes a shift in investment from businesses to meet talent where it is. The world of work is changing quickly and we offer all of the tools for businesses and talent to engage with each other in a single, accessible platform.” Currently, most contractors face archaic onboarding processes and payment confusion, while companies face the administrative complexity of managing a distributed workforce. Velocity Global’s new Contractor Payments solution provides locally compliant contracts, consolidated invoicing, automated and seamless payments, and mobile access to solve these issues for both sides. Velocity Global’s Contractor Payments solution is now available in the company's Global Work Platform. Learn more at https://velocityglobal.com/platform/contractor-payments/ About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work Platform™ simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. With talent solutions in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States, the platform combines global Employer of Record and Contractor Management to onboard, manage, and pay talent worldwide. More than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

February 17, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Standard Time

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Akeneo Launches Free Trial of Akeneo PIM, Expanding Access to its Best-In-Class Product Information Management Platform

Akeneo

Akeneo, the global leader in product experience management (PXM), announced today it will begin offering a 14-day free trial version of its flagship solution Akeneo PIM. Through this initiative, both prospective buyers looking for a best-of-breed product information management (PIM) solution and existing users of Akeneo’s open-source Community Edition will be able to experience the capabilities offered in Growth Edition and preview Enterprise Edition at no cost, and without having to engage with a salesperson first. PIM is the keystone for modern commerce, enabling brands, manufacturers and retailers to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and pivot to or add new omnichannel business models, or re-architect or replatform their current commerce stack. With Akeneo’s free trial, users will be able to experience for themselves how effectively organizing, structuring and managing product information can help them scale operations and expand organizational reach. “We know that some companies might feel stuck with homegrown or outdated PIM tools, but do not have the time to engage in lengthy sales cycles to help them evaluate a real solution that could transform their business,” said Fred de Gombert, CEO of Akeneo. “Through our free trial offering we are able to put our easy-to-use software immediately in the hands of executives and decision makers, allowing them to see firsthand the transformative power of Akeneo PIM.” The Akeneo PXM Studio has more than 80,000 users, including category leaders 1-800 Flowers, Forever 21, and John Deere. The core of Akeneo PXM Studio, Akeneo PIM, allows these organizations to centralize, enrich, and distribute product information from hundreds to more than 60 million SKUs. With Akeneo PIM, companies have access to a flexible and scalable PIM solution that fits neatly into existing tech stacks – be they traditional or best-of-breed with headless commerce – and streamlines workflows to allow product teams to focus on essential tasks. “PIM is no longer just nice to have for today’s e-commerce teams, it has become an essential tool for businesses looking to unlock next-level growth,” said Nicolas Dupont, Head of Product at Akeneo. “Through PIM, teams can effectively manage increasingly complex product information while enriching customer experience across vastly different channels.” In order to help users navigate Akeneo PIM, the free trial includes: A sample catalog to test out core capabilities Guided tutorials to get users oriented easily Access to a live chat offering personalized assistance during the free trial period A highlight of the powerful features in Akeneo PIM Enterprise Edition To access the free trial of Akeneo PIM Growth Edition, please visit https://www.akeneo.com/start-free-trial/ About Akeneo Akeneo is a global leader in Product Experience Management (PXM) helping businesses with products to unlock growth opportunities by delivering a consistent and compelling product experience across all channels, including eCommerce, mobile, print, points of sale and beyond. With its open platform, leading PIM, add-ons, connectors and marketplace, Akeneo PXM Studio dramatically improves product data quality and accuracy, simplifies catalog management, and accelerates the sharing of product information across channels and locales. Leading global brands, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including Staples Canada, Fossil, Air Liquide and Myer trust Akeneo to scale and customize their omnichannel commerce initiatives. Using Akeneo, brands and retailers can improve customer experience, increase sales, reduce time to market, go global, and boost team productivity. For more information: https://www.akeneo.com Contact Details N6A for Akeneo Nick Eghtessad +1 814-450-7478 akeneo@n6a.com Company Website https://www.akeneo.com

February 17, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Restaurant Industry Year in Review: QSR Average Check Soars, Traffic Lags

Revenue Management Solutions

Revenue Management Solutions today released its analysis of US quick-service restaurant (QSR) performance for 2021. Overall, traffic continued its post-pandemic decline, but the global data solutions provider believes double-digit increases in average check will remain — and demonstrate a fundamental change in consumer behavior. To accurately assess the underlying trends of restaurant performance, RMS compared 2021 sales and traffic to pre-pandemic 2019 data. On average, sales were up 8.1% over 2019, and average check increased by a remarkable 22.9%. Traffic, on the other hand, remains low, down 12% as compared to 2019, and continued a negative trend in the second half of the year. Surprisingly, 2021 traffic also was even with or slightly lower when compared to the highly volatile 2020. “Consumer habits are fundamentally different,” notes RMS Director of Research and Consumer Analytics Francois Acerra. “Traffic is down, but the relative increases in average check indicate that QSRs haven’t lost customer segments. Instead, we believe that quick-service restaurant customers have permanently changed their behaviors — visiting less frequently than pre-pandemic yet spending more per visit.” RMS is among the only restaurant data providers to deconstruct average check and the story it tells about how consumers dine now. In its estimation, sales and traffic data still matter, but average spend has emerged as a leading indicator for overall performance. “Given the intense pressure on margins caused by rising commodity prices and labor shortages, analysts may give credit to price increases for the overall rise in average check,” said Acerra. “But when we dug deeper into the numbers, it’s clear that a behavior change is also driving up average check. In short, consumers are ordering more food, and for larger parties. We’ve noticed that the increase in basket size is partly due to more guests being on the same check and that, in fact, the share of single-party orders has declined.” In 2021, the quantity per transaction — or how many items were purchased in a single order — was up 14.3% compared to 2019. Compare that to average net price, which was up 7.5%, and it’s clear that net sales performance was sustained by average check growth. “As QSRs make it increasingly easier to order off-premise with the rollouts of mobile applications and loyalty programs, they provide a convenience to customers that may take the sting out of higher prices,” said Acerra. This is true for efficient drive-thrus as well, notes RMS. In the company’s November 2021 survey of more than 800 US restaurant consumers, 76% reported making a restaurant drive-thru visit at least once a week, compared to 63% that reported dining in. Delivery, which has become a flashpoint for customers and operators, has steadily decreased since its peak in 2020. Just 49% of survey respondents reported using delivery at least once per week in November 2021, a steady decline from 60% in November 2020. “Wait times, poor customer service and order inaccuracy — not price — are being cited in our surveys as the top reasons for dissatisfaction,” said Acerra. “QSRs that can overcome challenges and deliver meals quickly, accurately and with a smile will deliver value to customers and potentially outweigh necessary price increases.” RMS has meticulously monitored consumer sentiment and behavior since March 2020, supplementing its 25-year experience and rich data insights with quarterly consumer surveys, university-sponsored research and anecdotal information. For more data insights and 2022 predictions, visit revenuemanage.com. About Revenue Management Solutions Now more than ever, Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) is committed to supporting restaurants through these ever-changing times. Today, more than 50 major brands in 40-plus countries trust RMS. Its data-driven analytics and tech-enabled solutions are designed to optimize sales, menus and a brand’s financial health. RMS provides actionable insights to more than 100,000 restaurant locations worldwide to help them make informed business decisions that drive profitability and combat inflation and increasing wages. The company holds five US patents on menu pricing and customer segmentation and supports ongoing academic research efforts. For more information on how RMS helps its clients, visit www.revenuemanage.com. Contact Details Tracy Henderson +1 720-989-3530 tracy@centerreachcommunication.com Rebecca Wilkins +1 214-437-9096 Company Website https://www.revenuemanage.com

February 17, 2022 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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