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StoryTap Partners with NRF 2022 to Become Retail’s Big Show’s Video Story Platform

StoryTap Technologies Inc.

For the second year, StoryTap has partnered with the National Retail Federation (NRF) to produce authentic video stories at scale. StoryTap is the patented video platform that enables leading organizations to easily create and share authentic storytelling experiences from speakers, exhibitors, and attendees. NRF will be leveraging StoryTap’s innovative technology to secure pre-show videos from attendees and speakers and will be on-site from January 16th to 18th, 2022, to produce over 250 videos throughout Retail’s Big Show. In 2020, StoryTap partnered with NRF to collect and distribute 252 authentic video reviews and rank on the first page of Google through video SEO resulting in a 3x increase in brand engagement on the NRF’s Exhibitor Testimonials webpage. “StoryTap has been an amazing addition to Retail’s Big Show,” shared Paul Kriebs, Senior Director, Brand Marketing at the National Retail Federation. “It has been so easy to collect videos, sort through them and arm them with SEO tags that we can host on our website. It has been phenomenal to get so much extra feedback and content thanks to StoryTap, and we are excited to see what NRF 2022 will bring.” StoryTap is a video story platform that simplifies video creation, curation, and distribution. The easy-to-use platform offers enterprise brands the opportunity to create brand-directed high-value and high-volume video content at a fraction of the cost of traditional video production. Our white-glove curation meets brand criteria for quality, messaging, SEO optimization, and social distribution. After submitting the videos, attendees can socially share their videos with their audiences with a single click— driving engagement and awareness about NRF 2022. “We’re thrilled to partner with Retail’s Big Show again,” shares Bernadette Butler, co-founder and CEO of StoryTap. “This conference will be our return to in-person events, and I’m certain this year will be more special than ever. I’m excited that StoryTap will capture the tradeshow with video stories from those attending, exhibiting, and speaking at NRF 2022.” As a special offer, attendees at NRF 2022 are eligible to receive an extra 20 free videos with a one-year license with StoryTap. For more information, interview opportunities or to schedule a demo, please contact: Caleigh Alleyne Public Relations Manager caleigh@storytap.com (416) 271-6196 About StoryTap StoryTap is the patented video story platform that enables you to easily create and distribute authentic experiences from real customers and employees at scale. Using our platform, you can create compelling and highly searchable video content for your organization—all without the high production costs. And by doing so, you can increase conversion rates, brand awareness, connect with more customers and prospects, and boost bottom-line results. See how Fortune 500 brands like UCLA, Danone, Enfamil and Veet are using StoryTap to build trust, loyalty and triple engagement at www.storytap.com. About NRF The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 52 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. Contact Details StoryTap Caleigh Alleyne +1 416-271-6196 caleigh@storytap.com Company Website https://storytap.com/

December 09, 2021 11:55 AM Eastern Standard Time

It’s tech vs. Covid at ShowStoppers press event during CES 2022

ShowStoppers

Tech is taking on Covid – and new healthtech is changing lives for people with diabetes, heart disease and Parkinson’s Disease -- at ShowStoppers® at CES, the press event scheduled for 5 Jan. 2022 during the CES tradeshow in Las Vegas. For press registration, please contact Steve Leon, mailto:sl@showstoppers.com, +1 310-936-8530. Journalists attending ShowStoppers @ CES 2022 will discover new tech evolving to meet the challenges of the pandemic – including two companies set to debut devices that could neutralize viruses or detect SARS-Cov2 and influenza B in 15 seconds or less. Separately, Abbott, https://www.abbott.com, will showcase life-changing health tech just before it takes the stage as the first-ever CES keynote address from a healthcare innovator. During ShowStoppers, journalists will meet with doctors and inventors of the first rapid, portable blood test for concussions, the latest sensor tech for people with diabetes, apps for people with heart disease, Parkinson's, chronic pain and more. Airthings, https://www.airthings.com, will debut new additions to its family of indoor air-quality monitors that track for particulate matter, C02, radon and more. Air-Clenz-equipped desktop computer monitors, https://www.air-clenz.com, will make workplaces healthier, and workers more productive and happier by quickly capturing and cleaning air to a 99.97 percent level free of COVID-19 and its variants, and other viruses. For home, school, work and travel, UVCeed, https://uvceed.com, demonstrates the safest mobile UV light sanitizer that is 99.9% effective at killing germs, virus, and bacteria. Easily attached to a mobile phone and integrated with the UVCeed app, iCide Technology utilizes the phone camera, AI and machine vision to show when a surface is clean and safe. The press event organizes product launches, sneak previews and hands-on demonstrations of new tech for work, home and play for journalists, industry and financial analysts, venture capitalists and business executives -- from AI to 5G to cloud, VR to digital health; to better, safer, healthier tools for working from home or going back to the office; to future mobility and autonomy, robotics or smart cities; to apps and hardware that drive mobile and desktop innovation; to wearables, IoT, appliances, entertainment, and more. About ShowStoppers Now in its 26th year, ShowStoppers, https://www.showstoppers.com, is the global leader in producing press and business events spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia. Each event organizes product launches, sneak previews and demonstrations for selected journalists, bloggers, industry and financial analysts, venture capitalists and business executives. Industry leaders, innovators and startups exhibit to generate news coverage and product reviews, make new connections, promote brand and open new markets. ShowStoppers produces official press events at CE Week, IFA and NAB; partners with CTA, IFA, GSMA and CEATEC; and produces events during CES, IFA, MWC, NAB, CE Week, CEATEC and other tradeshows. ShowStoppers streams online, broadcasting live events, month after month. To learn more about how you and your company can meet the press at ShowStoppers press events in person and online at ShowStoppers TV, contact Lauren Merel, mailto:lauren@showstoppers.com, +1 908-692-6068, or Dave Leon, mailto:dave@showstoppers.com, +1 845-821-6123. Contact Details For press registration, please contact: Steve Leon +1 310-936-8530 sl@showstoppers.com Company Website https://showstoppers.com

December 09, 2021 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Xeneta and Compass Financial Technologies Partner to Launch the Industry’s Most In-Depth Daily Container Freight Index

Xeneta

Xeneta, the leading ocean and air freight rate benchmarking, market analytics platform and Compass Financial Technologies, the major financial index provider for alternative asset classes, announced today the launch of the Xeneta Shipping Index by Compass, the most accurate and transparent daily container freight index available. Branded as the Xeneta Shipping Index by Compass ( XSI ® -C) the solution offers a EU Benchmark Regulation (EU BMR) compliant index for rolling short-term Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates, which are rates applicable to the shipping of all types of goods. “The XSI ® by Compass, provides the most reliable and in-depth EU BMR compliant short-term ocean container freight rates available,” said Xeneta CEO Patrik Berglund. “The unreliability of existing indices and their lack of transparency are what motivated us to create a new data source for the containerized ocean freight market together with the Compass team. The contracted rate data reported to Xeneta by customers is the source data for the XSI ®- C indices. Xeneta is the world’s largest ocean freight rate benchmarking platform and provides the most exhaustive source of information related to container transactions. The use of proprietary data guards XSI ® -C from issues associated with third-party data sources, including problems with accuracy, reliability and transparency. “With Xeneta’s robust, real-time data, EU BMR compliance and index calculation capabilities, XSI®-C is positioned better than any other index in the market to provide the most trusted pulse of the market,” said Edouard Mouton, founding partner of Compass Financial Technologies. “Container shipping pricing is extremely volatile and Xeneta data and solutions are already trusted by hundreds of global companies, 3 of the top 5 ocean carriers and 7 of the top 10 global freight forwarders. The EU BMR regulation and our partnership positions the XSI ® -C as the backbone to support index-linked contracting and financial derivatives market.” Xeneta’s data is what sets XSI ® -C apart from other indices in the industry. Many legacy indices do not reflect the large-scale trades made by some of the biggest companies in the world. They are mainly based on quoted prices, which are disproportionately indicative. Xeneta works with some of the largest shippers in the world, so XSI’s data is not only timely but also relevant. XSI ® -C rates are available for 8 main trade corridors, calculated daily and published at 4:15 p.m. London Time. The rates are valid for less than 32 days, for a 40’ container. The XSI ® -C indices are co-owned by Xeneta and Compass Financial Technologies. The benchmark administrator and index calculation agent is Compass Financial Technologies (France). The XSI ® -C can be accessed online on Xeneta website (www.Xeneta.com) and on Compass Financial Technologies website (www.compassft.com) along with additional information about the index methodology. XSI ® -C indices are also available on Bloomberg and Reuters. About Xeneta Xeneta is the leading ocean freight rate benchmarking and market analytics platform transforming the shipping and logistics industry. Xeneta’s powerful reporting and analytics platform provides liner-shipping stakeholders the data they need to understand current and historical market behavior—reporting live on market average and low/high movements for both short and long-term contracts. Xeneta’s data is comprised of over 280 million contracted container and air freight rates and covers over 160,000 global trade routes. Customers include General Mills, Volvo, John Deere, Amer Sports, Rockwell Automation and CEVA Logistics, ABB, Electrolux, Continental, Unilever, Nestle, L’Oréal, Thyssenkrupp and more. Each relies on Xeneta to gain better market visibility into freight rate pricing factors, which enable them to minimize supply chain disruptions. Xeneta is a privately held company with headquarters in Oslo, Norway, and regional offices in New Jersey and Hamburg. To learn more, please visit www.xeneta.com. About Compass Financial Technologies Compass Financial Technologies is a France and Switzerland-based company specializing in the design, calculation, publication and management of market benchmarks, financial indices and customized quantitative investment strategies. Compass manages hundreds of financial indices with several billion USD of investment products linked to those indices. Compass Financial Technologies has been registered as a benchmarks administrator by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in compliance with the EU Benchmarks Regulations (EU BMR). Contact Details Katherine Barrios +47 951 46 414 press@xeneta.com Compass Financial Technologies Media Contact media@compass-ft.com

December 09, 2021 03:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

CSG Charts Global Growth, Delivering Greater Local Impact

CSG

LONDON, December 9, 2021 – CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS), the leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions, today announced strong global growth, specifically from success in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Over the past two years, CSG has grown its EMEA business with ten new customers, a new office in Riyadh, and significantly increased the number of EMEA-based employees through regional acquisitions and new hires. Last night at the annual Telecom Review Leadership Summit in Dubai, CSG’s influence and success in the region earned recognition during the 2021 Telecom Review Excellence Awards Gala. The Telecom Review Excellence Awards recognises the milestones and achievements of leading information communication technology (ICT) brands and figures. CSG was named the Most Innovative Product/Service Vendor for its cloud-first architecture, which enables new market entrants and leading brands globally to launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create compelling experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. “As we approach our 40 th anniversary, CSG remains relentlessly customer-obsessed and laser-focused on helping our customers thrive and succeed in the digital economy,” said James Kirby, head of CSG’s EMEA business. “CSG’s inventive spirit empowers us to be curious and challenge the status quo so that we can continually create the future-ready technologies our customers need. We are honoured to receive this recognition from Telecom Review for our industry-leading solutions that help companies across EMEA and beyond solve some of their toughest business challenges and do extraordinary things for their customers.” “Every day at CSG, we aspire to have a greater impact on the lives of our people and our customers,” said Patricia Elias, CSG’s chief people and places officer. “By cultivating the most globally diverse teams and fostering equitable, employee-centric programs, CSG is creating meaningful, intentional, and enriching employee experiences that empower our people to deliver innovation, category defining solutions, and exceptional experiences to our customers.” CSG’s innovative Revenue Management & Customer Engagement suites of end-to-end solutions support leading global brands with the flexible, configurable, and SaaS technologies they need to monetise and digitally enable exceptional customer experiences. Companies globally rely on CSG to deliver timely, personalised, and relevant experiences to their customers, monetise new offerings, and protect and maintain existing revenue streams whilst they focus on their business requirements. # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 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: Kristine Østergaard Europe / Middle East / Africa Public Relations +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Kristine Østergaard +44 7920 477204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

December 09, 2021 02:08 AM Eastern Standard Time

SullivanCotter Releases Annual Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey Results and Offers Insight Into Health Care Workforce Structure

SullivanCotter

SullivanCotter, the nation’s leading independent consulting firm in the assessment and development of total rewards programs, workforce solutions, and technology and data products for the health care industry and not-for-profit sector, recently released results from its 2021 Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey. The survey contains benchmark data on 10 staff level job families, including Ancillary Services, Care Management, Emergency Medical Services, Facilities Services, Financial Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Compliance Services, Nursing, and Technical Medical Support. “Insights from this survey will arm health care organizations with essential information on how the composition and cost of their workforce compares to the market,” said James Roth, Managing Principal, SullivanCotter. “Health care organizations face unprecedented pressure as disruptions in patient volume, reductions in employer-sponsored insurance, labor shortages and rising expenses all remain key challenges. As these organizations look for better ways to optimize care delivery and improve performance, effectively managing the size, shape and architecture of the workforce is critical. By gaining an understanding of how your organization compares to industry benchmarks, you can better support operational restructuring decisions that help manage labor expenses, recognize acquisition-related cost saving opportunities, identify retirement risks, and uncover gaps in meeting your diversity objectives,” said Roth. Increased Attention on Workforce Architecture Understanding the drivers of workforce cost requires a multi-dimensional analysis that must take into consideration the interaction between three factors – the overall size of the workforce, the distribution of the workforce across career levels and the job level pay position relative to your target market. “The tension between responding to a compressed labor market and rising labor costs, and managing profitability battered by shifts in payor mix driven by the pandemic, has cast focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of the current workforce structure,” said Cathy Loose, Managing Principal, SullivanCotter. Thoughtfully defined career stages and job levels are the foundations for building a workforce architecture. SullivanCotter’s 2021 survey data indicates that almost one-quarter of titled managers do not have any staff accountability, which suggests that clarifying job definitions is a critical step many organizations miss. Then, carefully considering the desired workforce distribution within each functional area is a key pivot point that can inform the level of managerial span of control needed, define the overall size of the workforce, and influence the affordability and effectiveness of different pay philosophies. Boardroom Focus on Demographics is Accelerating There are few topics getting more attention from health care organization boards today than diversity and inclusion. Objectively, there are documented and researched benefits to expanding the representational diversity in the workforce. “In today’s constricted labor market, many organizations are focused on diversity as defined by race and gender, yet they are also revisiting legacy job requirements that may be limiting the diversity of experience, thought and skill in the candidate pool,” said Nanci Hibschman, Managing Principal, SullivanCotter. SullivanCotter’s data reveals that almost one-quarter of the active health care workforce will reach retirement age eligibility in the next ten years. While this will create a significant challenge in terms of accelerating the pace of staff replacement, the industry has a strong foundation of diversity to build upon with over three-quarters of the workforce being female and almost one-third ethnic minorities as indicated by SullivanCotter’s data. Health care organizations have a unique opportunity to lead change and influence the profile of the workforce of the future. Giving fair consideration to candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities gives the organization the opportunity to discover new workforce combinations that may change how jobs are defined, how teams work together and how value gets created. Considerations for 2022 and Beyond As hospitals and health systems plan for what lies ahead and look to support financial sustainability and mitigate risk, organizations should consider market practices as well as their individual financial circumstances and structural definitions when determining their compensation and workforce-related actions. To support more sophisticated benchmarking and customized workforce design, SullivanCotter has developed a robust statistical analysis which integrates our extensive workforce demographic and structure data with our financial, performance and quality data. This enhanced methodology produces client-specific predictive modeling of workforce size, distribution and cost customized by job family to support large-scale workforce planning and analysis. “SullivanCotter’s 2021 Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey reflects data collected using a rolling database model through 2020 and 2021. Due to the continued impact of the pandemic and the extremely dynamic environment, the survey data should be used thoughtfully, with appropriate context, and with sound business judgement as you plan and consider workforce management initiatives in 2022 and beyond,” said Roth. For more information on SullivanCotter’s 2021 Health Care Workforce Metrics Benchmark Survey or any other SullivanCotter surveys, please visit our website at www.sullivancotter.com, email us or contact us by phone at 888.739.7039. About SullivanCotter SullivanCotter partners with health care and other not-for-profit organizations to understand what drives performance and improve outcomes through the development and implementation of integrated workforce strategies. Using our time-tested methodologies and industry-leading research and information, we provide data-driven insights, expertise, data and technology products to help organizations align business strategy and performance objectives – enabling our clients to deliver on their mission, vision and values. Contact Details Becky Lorentz +1 314-414-3719 beckylorentz@sullivancotter.com Company Website https://sullivancotter.com

December 08, 2021 01:26 PM Eastern Standard Time

a360inc Chooses Provana to Bring Expanded e-Filing and Enhanced Data Analytics Solutions to Mortgage Default Servicing Industry

Provana

Provana, provider of the industry's first unified platform for compliance and performance management, today announced a new partnership with a360inc, to enhance and expand technology-enabled solutions to default servicing law firms. Building on both companies' extensive expertise in the legal and financial services industries, a360inc clients will benefit from expanded e-filing capabilities and advanced data analytics tools. Scott Brinkley, Chief Executive Officer of a360inc, noted, “We’re excited to partner with Provana to offer our technology clients enhanced e-filing and BI reporting capabilities. With Provana’s nationwide e-filing solutions now accessible through all a360inc applications, our clients will have seamless access to services that better position their businesses to navigate the unpredictability of the current mortgage servicing market.” “The partnership comes at a critical time for foreclosure firms, when scale and flexibility are primary concerns, given the rapidly changing economic and regulatory landscape,” said Provana Chief Executive Officer Sandeep Bhargava. “Formalizing this relationship between a360inc and Provana builds on our promise to work with SMBs to help them overcome process-intensive challenges for higher productivity and profit.” “After working with both Provana and a360inc for many years, I’m excited to see the two companies join forces,” said Jim Ward, Chief Executive Officer of ProVest. “Together, Provana and a360inc deliver a powerful combination of technology and services that can help mortgage default servicing law firms focus on their core competencies and maximize productivity and profitability.” For up-to-date information about specific implementations, contact us. Clients can also learn more about the benefits of these unique technology solutions, schedule custom demos and meet representatives from both companies during the MBA Servicing Conference in February. About Provana Provana’s SaaS-based digital operating platform is the first of its kind, giving leaders control over process-intensive operations. We serve law firms, insurance companies, accounts receivable agencies and networked enterprises in the US market that are tightly regulated by the CFPB and other authorities. Built on decades of experience in machine learning, natural language processing and business process management, Provana helps customers manage sensitive interactions, analyze unstructured data, process personal information and ensure compliance. Provana is backed by a NYC-based Fintech PE, most recently raising funds in November 2020. Learn more at www.provana.com. About a360inc a360inc is a leading technology and outsourcing services provider to the financial services, real estate, and legal industries. Based in Addison, TX, a360inc provides case management system technology and outsourcing services to law firms, title agencies, underwriters, mortgage companies and investors. Learn more about a360inc and its suite of products and services online at www.a360inc.com. About Provana Provana is a SaaS platform that gives leaders control over process-intensive operations. We serve law firms, insurance companies, accounts receivable agencies and networked enterprises in the US market that are tightly regulated by the CFPB and other authorities. Provana is built on decades of experience in machine learning and natural language processing and helps customers manage sensitive interactions, analyze unstructured data, process personal information and ensure compliance. Provana is backed by a NYC-based Fintech PE, most recently raising funds in November 2020. Learn more at www.provana.com. Contact Details Provana Britney Schaeffer +1 469-774-2409 britney.schaeffer@provana.com a360inc Amber Benson +1 469-640-0432 amber.benson@sqft.management Company Website https://www.provana.com/

December 08, 2021 11:54 AM Central Standard Time

WhatsApp customer engagement tool WATI.io raises $10m

WATI

WATI.io (WhatsApp Team Inbox), a comprehensive WhatsApp customer engagement tool for small businesses, has raised $8.3Mn in Series A led by Sequoia Capital India with participation from Surge, Base Partners and several prominent angels including Gokul Rajaram, a member of the DoorDash executive team and and board member at Coinbase and Pinterest. WATI.io has over 3,000 customers across 54 countries including India, Indonesia and Brazil. Over the last 6 months, WATI’s customer base has seen a 4x growth, revenue has grown 5x and 100 million messages have been processed. They are now a 41 member team across seven countries. With this fundraise, they have raised a total of $10M in the last six months. The funds raised will be used to bolster technology and product development by expanding product integrations. It will also be used to double the team size and improve their presence in Latin America. Messaging is the most pervasive way humans connect today. COVID-19 has shifted our lives online. Customers expect brands to serve them on channels they are most comfortable with. So, when customers are able to reach out to brands on platforms like WhatsApp that they are already familiar with, it builds a higher level of trust for the brand. While many solutions for enterprises to achieve this shift exist, tens of millions of SMBs globally are left underserved. To meet customer expectations, SMBs resort to using WhatsApp on their personal phones. This leads to bottlenecks with relevance of the support and the inability to scale. WATI.io, launched by Ken Yeung and Bianca Ho in late 2020, addresses this gap. Built on WhatsApp’s API, it helps small businesses personalize conversations with customers at scale. WATI.io helps customer support, marketing and sales teams engage with customers using a single WhatsApp number. Since brands are able to get a holistic view of customer conversations across teams, they are also able to provide a better user experience. WATI.io solely focuses on building tailored experiences on WhatsApp enabling them to quickly iterate on new features on the platform as well. “WATI’s mission is to help businesses do more with less. Our one-click integration with the most commonly used tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, etc. enables businesses to provide holistic customer experience at scale. We look to use this funding to attract world class talent to help us build this.” Ken Yeung, CEO Businesses love WATI.io because it helps improve customer satisfaction without additional workforce and in turn helps improve revenue. This is possible with automation through WATI’s low-code workflow builder without being dependent on developers. Through WATI’s API, SMBs can send programmatic personalised notifications from their system. Especially in the case of ecommerce businesses, WATI’s one-click integrations with tools like Shopify, reduces abandoned cart rate and helps increase revenues. Marketers also rely heavily on sending targeted notifications to drive sales. High growth startups are able to derive value with WATI’s suite of tools which empower them to collaborate and move fast. In addition to thousands of SMBs, WATI’s clients include Dukaan, Oppo, VU TV, Gojek, Grab, Aerostreet. “WATI is on a mission to help hundreds of millions of SMBs across the world communicate more effectively with their customers on one of the most ubiquitous messaging platforms - WhatsApp. They’ve achieved terrific growth rates this past year while breaking even, but what is more exciting is the expansive set of product possibilities in front of the company as they capitalise on the market opportunity. Sequoia Capital India is excited to deepen the partnership with Ken and Bianca in the next stage of their journey of building WATI.” Abheek Anand, MD, Sequoia India About WATI Founded in 2020 in Hong Kong, WATI.io helps companies have personalised conversations with customers at scale. Built on WhatsApp’s Business API, it is an easy-to-use customer engagement software that focuses on automation and one-click integrations to help businesses do more with less. WATI.io has been an official partner of WhatsApp since 2019, and was part of Surge 05, Sequoia India’s rapid scale up program for early stage startups. Contact Details WATI Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.wati.io/

December 08, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Expo 2020 Dubai Enters The Metaverse World Connecting Millions Across The Physical & Digital Globally

Magnopus

From today, anyone anywhere can experience the magic of Expo 2020 Dubai with friends and family. The World Expo has teamed up with Magnopus to offer an enriching digital experience for millions of on-site and remote visitors from around the world. Expo Dubai Xplorer sets a new standard for accessibility and inclusivity to large events and expands the World Expo’s vision of ‘Connecting Minds and Creating the Future’ into the virtual world of Metaverse. The multi-player experience is available on iOS and Android powered by cloud-hosted services developed by Magnopus. Unique features include: Real-time connectivity between on-site and remote users across the physical and digital divide. One of the largest deployments in the world of persistent Cloud Anchors which allow millions of on-site visitors to experience AR spectacles aligned accurately to real world locations. A social, interactive digital twin of the 4.38km² Expo site—a living world built from the architectural files of the site and enriched with content and experiences. Uniting The Physical & Digital Users can customize their own AI-powered avatar and connect with others in real-time across the physical and digital divide. Standing on the Expo site, a visitor may see a friend from the other side of the world (viewed through the lens of their phone) as an avatar they can share experiences with, and communicate with via group creation and messaging. On-site hardware will also link the physical and digital worlds. Smart screens called “Digital World Viewers” show views of digital content to enhance the physical landscape for visitors. The desktop application is designed to mimic the capabilities of the mobile applications by connecting to the same cloud services for local content and avatar display. Augmented Reality Aligned To Real World Locations By using ARCore Cloud Anchors by Google for hundreds of location-specific activations around the site, visitors will experience entertaining and educational AR content relevant to wherever they are at Expo 2020 Dubai. AR activations including mysterious portals to far-off places, treasure hunts through history, and magical creature encounters are all aligned to real world locations with centimeter accuracy. This is currently one of the largest deployments of ARCore Cloud Anchors in the world. Geospatial authoring interfaces and global content delivery networks for updating and publishing new content in real-time enable designers to release new interactive AR experiences anywhere on the site during the run of Expo 2020 Dubai. Powered by a set of cloud-hosted services, content is automatically streamed down to the user's device when they approach a location or interact with an experience, without impacting the application’s install size. This enables users to experience any number of magical AR moments, all from a relatively small application on their device, and new or updated experiences can be pushed while the visitor is still in the app. Remote visitors can access the same AR content and experiences, over a connected digital twin of the site, via an interface similar to popular mobile games like Fortnite or Roblox. A Live, Social Digital Twin The digital twin of the Expo site covers more than 200 buildings from the world’s leading architects across a huge 4.38km 2 site, including 192 unique country pavilions. Hundreds of artists working around the world spent more than two years creating the living digital replica, enhancing it with dynamic lighting, art installations, animated experiences, and stunning spectacles. Virtual reality was used to collaboratively develop the designs and experiences so they could be tested before the physical site was even built. The visitor experience geolocates content on the site in real-time, so the digital twin has been built to a high degree of accuracy, at 1:1 scale from the architect’s CAD files, and confirmed with “as-builts”. Due to the size and detail of the site, it can’t be stored on visitor’s devices in its entirety and is streamed to visitors based on their location and proximity. The system also accounts for the performance capabilities of the visitor’s device to deliver the highest quality representation possible. Ben Grossmann, CEO of Magnopus, says, “This is the biggest space to date, connected across the physical and digital worlds. These ‘connected spaces’ are the building blocks of the new immersive web, or Metaverse. We’ve been working on these kinds of experiences and technologies for many years, and it was thrilling to take things to the next level to bring this grand vision to life with the Innovation and Future Technologies team at Expo 2020 Dubai." Rehan Asad, Chief Program Officer for Expo 2020 Dubai, says, “The Virtual Expo is an important part of delivering Expo 2020 Dubai’s promise and purpose— ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future ’. In 2013, Expo 2020 Dubai promised the world to host not only the best ever physical Expo but also the very best virtual Expo. That commitment and COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us to find innovative ways to share the Expo experience and content of our once-in-a-lifetime World Expo with a larger global audience who may not be able to travel from around the world. Magnopus and the wider team have unified the most innovative technologies into one integrated experience that truly brings Expo 2020’s creative vision to life in the digital and virtual world.” Daisy Leak, the project’s Executive Producer, says, “The global pandemic has affirmed that events can no longer be purely physical, or with only a perfunctory video streaming presence. By uniting 200 countries in a common experience, and making that experience available to visitors both on-site in Dubai and around the world, in an engaging and spatial context, we hope to serve as an example of what the future offers to unite people and places in a better way.” The multiplayer experience has been in development for nearly three years with world-class partners including Google, Unity Technologies, and Amazon Web Services with key contributions from: REWIND (experience design and platform development) Virtuos (3D asset development) Hexagram (quest narrative design and technology) Pinscreen (avatar technology with AI-driven face synthesis) Dog Studio (web development for Virtual Expo connected to content databases) VIM (BIM conversion technology) Terahard (activation development) Activated Realities (activation development) Source Sound (audio design and development) Expo Dubai Xplorer is available to download now on iOS and Android. About Magnopus Founded in 2013, Magnopus creates experiences and technologies that unite the physical and digital worlds. Magnopus is known for its continuous innovation in the entertainment industry; its Emmy-nominated VR projects; its role as a leader in virtual production through its groundbreaking work on Disney’s The Lion King (2019); and its pioneering work in AR. This year Magnopus acquired REWIND, a UK spatial design and innovation company, to further its mission to merge the physical and digital and lay the foundation for the new immersive web. About Expo 2020 Dubai From 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai welcomes visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world, as it brings together the planet in one place to reimagine tomorrow @ www.virtualexpodubai.com With the purpose of ‘ Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 is the world’s most impactful global incubator for new ideas, catalysing an exchange of new perspectives and inspiring action to deliver real-life solutions to real-world challenges Expo 2020 is the biggest cultural gathering in the world, presenting a visually striking and emotionally inspiring 182 days, as more than 200 participants – including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses, and educational institutions, as well as millions of visitors – create the largest and most diverse World Expo ever Expo 2020’s sub themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability inspire visitors to preserve and protect our planet, explore new frontiers and build a better future for everyone For six months, Expo 2020 is be a must-visit family destination, with thousands of events, amazing exploratory experiences, and free entry for children up to age 18 Expo is committed to building a more equitable and just world for everyone, while keeping visitors safe by following the latest guidance of the world’s leading medical, science and health experts Expo 2020 is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, located on a 4.38 sqkm site adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South Built with a meaningful and measurable long-term legacy in mind, the Expo site will transform into District 2020 – a model global community that will rethink the cities of the future – after Expo 2020 closes its doors Contact Details Clear Andrew Graham +1 646-385-0189 asg@agencyclear.com Rewind Jude Forbes +44 1727 261007 jude@rewind.co Company Website https://www.magnopus.com/

December 07, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Midtown Community Health Center to Accept Mobile Driver’s Licenses for Pharmacy Purchases at Ogden Location

GET Group North America

GET Group North America and The Utah Driver License Division (DLD) jointly announced today that the Midtown Community Health Center of Ogden will now accept mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) for pharmacy transactions as part of the state’s mDL pilot. Utah is the first state in the U.S. to pilot an mDL that is fully compliant with international standards that ensure citizens can use their mDL globally as a legal form of identification. Mobile driver’s licenses provide a contactless “Tap & Go” ID transaction. Authenticating a patient’s ID without the need for a physical credential or their mobile device to change hands increases safety for both the pharmacist and their patient. Additionally, a mobile driver’s license gives an mDL holder greater control over their identity data than can be achieved with physical cards. While traditional physical identity documents provide verifiers access to all the citizen’s personal information, mobile ID utilizes data minimization which allows the mDL holder to only share the data required to complete the specific transaction. “When it comes to pharmacy transactions, it is essential that we can ensure an ID has not been tampered with so that only the intended recipient is obtaining the prescribed medications,” said Braden Mitchell, pharmacy director, Midtown Community Health Center. “We’re excited to be working with the state of Utah and GET Group North America to embrace the future of Mobile IDs and ensure we’ll be able to best serve our patients, protect their privacy, and reduce fraud.” Utah’s ISO 18013-5-compliant mDLs are an optional, trustworthy, official, government-issued driver’s license/ID on a mobile phone. The DLD e-signs the data and puts it under the control of the citizen, to be used via electronic transfer – a “Tap & Go” or “Scan & Go” interaction. Pharmacists (or any verifier) can authenticate eSignatures to immediately ensure the data is authoritative and not tampered with. “We’re excited to see the mDL ecosystem – both in Utah and nationally – continuing to grow and we’re very pleased to have Midtown Community Health Center participating in the state’s pilot,” said Alex Kambanis, Managing Director of GET Group North America. “We look forward to working with Utah DLD to support the clinic with technology to securely, contactlessly and unequivocally confirm IDs for pharmacy purchases.” Citizens are invited to enroll for their own mDL on Wednesday, December 15th from 3-6pm at the Midtown Community Health Center Ogden clinic (2240 Adams Ave in Ogden Utah). A valid Utah driver’s license is required for mDL registration. Midtown Community Health Center of Ogden offers patients of all ages and backgrounds comprehensive primary healthcare services including well care, prenatal care, pediatrics, immunizations, women’s health, geriatrics, and treatment for acute and chronic illnesses. It is one of 13 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the state. About GET Group North America GET Group North America and its partners develop, manufacture, and implement end-to-end solutions for secure physical and mobile credentials that enable government agencies, motor vehicle departments, municipalities law enforcement organizations, and other entities to leverage the latest in secure identity management technologies. From photo ID cards, driver licenses and passports, to mDLs and mIDs, GET Group NA delivers advanced issuance, verification and personalization capabilities that prevent identification fraud, accommodate diversified customer needs, and support the future of ID use cases. Contact Details SVM Public Relations Jordan Bouclin +1 401-490-9700 jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com Company Website https://getgroupna.com/

December 07, 2021 10:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

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