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Senior Finance Executive Joins Science4Data Advisory Team

Science4Data

Science4Data, the emerging leader in AI-driven media intelligence, today announced Chris Dhanraj will be joining the company’s esteemed list of advisors. Dhanraj brings over 20 years of leadership and operating expertise in the Financial Services industry. Science4Data has signed up a first round of customers that are using the company’s advanced AI engine to distill intelligence and monitor publicly available online media. The company has turned its focus to target the PR, IR and communications industries with advanced media intelligence. In addition, the analysis engine will serve specific use cases in the financial services, media, and marketing industries through specialized partners. Recently garnering the interest of several institutional investors, Science4Data is poised for significant expansion in 2021. “We are pleased to welcome Chris as a strategic advisor to our team,” said Charles Gerth, CEO of Science4Data. “We see tremendous opportunity in offering our MediaSignal product to buy side investment professionals, either directly or through partnership.” Dhanraj currently serves as the managing principal of investments for CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) and helps oversee the firm’s investment platform. Prior to CLA, he was BlackRock’s head of U.S. investment strategy for iShares, leading a team that analyzed markets and macro trends to provide actionable market insights across asset classes using exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Before BlackRock, Dhanraj worked at Citigroup as the head of investment strategy for Citi Private Bank North America and was a member of the global investment committee. In this role, he helped implement asset allocation across public and private markets for private clients and family offices. Dhanraj is a board member of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders. He also serves as an adjunct professor of finance at Fairfield University. About Science4Data Science4Data provides advanced AI-driven analysis technology to monitor any online media, including news, social, and other public sources, alongside private document repositories. Developed by AI experts from world leading academic institutions, the Science4Data engine provides the most complete automated insights on trends, topics, coverage, sentiment, risk, density, bias and customizable indices. Analyses are curated for relevance and provided effortlessly, at scale. Customers include leading organizations in financial services, media, PR and marketing services. For more information, please visit www.science4data.com. Contact Details Science4Data Lev Lesokhin +1 917-734-0479 analyst@science4data.com Company Website https://science4data.com/

February 11, 2021 09:06 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Best Buys for Valentine’s Day 2021

YourUpdateTV

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and while this year’s day of love might look a little different, that’s all the more reason to celebrate the people around you. Recently, Beauty and Lifestyle Expert, Alle Fister, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to share her top gift ideas for Valentine’s Day 2021. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/o0C7M0hi3w8 Valentine’s Day Brunch With the 14th falling on a Sunday this year, it means brunch will be a popular activity for many. So, whether you are having a romantic day with your partner or celebrating ‘Galentine’s Day’ on the 13th with friends, it’s always a good idea to kick off your celebrations with the ‘official sponsor of brunch’, Korbel. They have some really fun and easy 1 to 1 ratio cocktails such as the Chambord Royale, which is the PERFECT pink drink for at-home date night. Just pour Chambord into a flute glass, top with sparkling wine, and finish with a raspberry garnish. Dressing for the Occasion If you’re getting a little more dressed up for the occasion, checkout ModCloth’s Sweetheart Shop which features vintage inspired silhouettes from XS to 4X that will have you falling head over heels. These are the perfect option for any Valentine’s Day ensemble. Valentine’s Day ‘Self-Love’ It’s been a long year, so I think we could all use a little self-love. One great option is from Birchbox. If you’re like me, you’re less ‘beauty obsessed’ and more ‘beauty casual’. You can’t spend all your time sorting through beauty products, so you prefer a simple and personalized way to explore different options. Birchbox exists to simplify all of the beauty and grooming product options for you and do a great job selecting product samples tailored to your specific beauty profile. For $15 a month, you can purchase the subscription for yourself or a gift subscription for someone special on your list. Also check out Versed - the cleanest drug store brand out there, period! They have an incredible product called Dew Point, which is great if you want to keep your skin hydrated but don’t like the feeling of traditional cream textures. It absorbs instantly and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and never greasy. Last year, they sold one unit every 3 minutes and 45 seconds, so it’s a popular pick! You can find it online at versedskin.com or in-store at Target. At-Home Fitness Routine We’ve all had to adjust this year, and I think everyone learned one valuable lesson. We need to make the most of our space! Especially those of us living in smaller apartments. So, check out JAXJOX, the ultimate space-saver and the perfect addition to at-home workout routines. The Kettlebell goes from 12-42lbs in the click of a button - and the system includes smart tracking, saving you, and a partners, reps, weight, sets, and power! It’s pretty darn cool and provides the gym experience we’ve all been missing. For more information, visit Bollare.com or follow @Bollare on Instagram. About Allie Fister: Alle Fister is the Principal and Founder of Bollare Communications, a full service beauty, fashion and lifestyle communications firm with offices in London, NYC, Los Angeles and Newport Beach. Fister began her career as an early employee at women’s online retailer, Shopbop, where she headed the brand’s communications. Ultimately, Shopbop was acquired by Amazon, and Fister launched her firm, Bollare, with Shopbop as her first client. Today Bollare works with clients such as Barbie, Blank Denim, Charlie Holiday, Josie Maran, Innisfree, Missguided, Modcloth, and Timberland across marketing, pr and communications. In her free time, Fister is on the Founding Team of I am a voter., a proud mother and wife, and an active yogi. Fister has appeared on over 400 regional and national broadcast segments such as the Today Show, EXTRA, CBS Early Show, MTV’s TRL, and had standing segments on E! News, TV Guide Channel, Soap Talk. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 10, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Chew on This: How to Choose the Healthiest Snacks

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/4u9Fhl4GE4w Stressful times call for comfort food and for many people that means turning to snacking. Before the pandemic, consumers were snacking more than ever – with a focus on healthy products and ingredients. In 2020, there was a surge in packaged foods with consumers buying groceries online instead of going to the store. But snacking has gone beyond just the foods we eat – now snacking is bringing us together for comfort and connect and we’re looking for snacks that are delicious and nutritious! But not all snacks are created equal and research has indicated that consumers want their food to work for them. One in 4 consumers are looking for health benefits from food, and heart health ranks high among what they seek. The best snacks are multi taskers: They do a ton of things at once, providing a powerful combo of: protein, healthy fats & fiber – all are important to keep you feeling satisfied longer. And almonds provide all three components along with a variety of important nutrients. Bonnie Taub-Dix – Blue Diamond partner, Registered Dietitian and author of Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table – conducted a nationwide media tour in conjunction with D S Simon Media and YourUpdate TV to discuss healthy snack options from Blue Diamond. With Blue Diamond, consumers can always have nutritious items on hand. For example: Almond Breeze Almondmilk is made with real California almonds, and is fortified with vitamins and minerals that are essential to a healthy diet. Shelf Stable Almond Breeze Almondmilk lasts for a year unopened in the pantry. Whole Natural Almonds – Just 28 almonds can help satisfy hunger including 6 grams of plant protein. Crave Almond flavors: From Wasabi & Soy Sauce to Spicy Dill Pickle, Salt ‘n Vinegar to Honey Roasted – these almonds will satisfy hunger and give you a nice kick of flavor. Almond Breeze Almondmilk is an excellent source of calcium with 50% more calcium than dairy milk*. In fact, it’s an excellent source of calcium and vitamins D and E as well as a good source of vitamin A. Almond Breeze is a great choice for people who prefer foods that are low in calories, sugar-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, or for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Almonds are incredibly nutritious. Just 28 Whole Natural almonds provide 6 grams of plant protein, 3 grams of fiber, healthy fats and they’re an excellent source of biotin, vitamin E, a good source of magnesium and so much more. With plant-based diets being so popular these days, almonds and Almond Breeze Almondmilk are so versatile they’re perfect ingredients for meals and snacks anywhere from smoothies, to stews and baked goods to meet consumers wherever they are along their health journey. For more information you can visit BlueDiamond.com *Almond Breeze: 35% DV (450mg); Dairy milk: 25% DV (300mg) - 1 cup of dairy milk contains 300mg calcium vs. 1 cup of Almond Breeze contains 450mg calcium About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 09, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Pop Culture Newswire Launches to Provide Marketers with Multimedia Distribution to Entertainment Journalists and Influencers

RetroPop Media

RetroPop Media announced today that is has launched Pop Culture Newswire ( www.PopCultureNewswire.com ), the affordable, multimedia press release wire service targeting entertainment journalists, media platforms, and digital influencers who crave pop culture content. Created by 35-year veterans of the press release wire service and event industries, Pop Culture Newswire provides companies, agencies, events, and celebrities, with flat-rate, comprehensive, targeted distribution services. Extensive multimedia options are standard with almost all the pay-as-you-go distribution options. In contrast to the more generic and pricey legacy press release wire services, Pop Culture Newswire is specifically tailored to reach the influential “Geek” press covering everything from toys and gaming, to movies, streaming shows, concerts, conventions, and collectibles. Media can register to receive Pop Culture Newswire headlines free at https://www.popculturenewswire.com/journalists/. “We’re focused on clients who need to engage the influential media outlets and digital content creators that are setting the agenda on what’s hot and what’s not in pop culture,” said Bill Gato, the Co-Managing Partner of Pop Culture Newswire and CEO of its strategic wire service ally, Latinx Newswire. In addition to its niche focus, Pop Culture Newswire provides clients with various significant advantages over other wire services: – Low Cost, Flat Rate Pricing and ZERO Overage: Pop Culture Newswire is low cost AND flat rate-based so clients never have to guess how much posting and/or distributing their multimedia press releases will be. Pop Culture Newswire rates begin at a low, introductory rate of $149 and the wire service never charges Overage rates, one of the most controversial and expensive costs associated with traditional press release wires. – A Full Scale Multimedia Platform: Pop Culture Newswire’s platform features a socially-wired, beautifully designed web site that allows clients to post photos, YouTube videos, PDFs, biographies, presentations, brochures and more at a fraction of what other wire services charge. Even the most inexpensive Pop Culture Newswire release is a multimedia release. – Comprehensive Targeting of Pop Culture Media and Influencers: The wire service offers clients comprehensive national and state distributions to U.S. media and digital influencers. In addition to geo targeting news releases, Pop Culture Newswire also allows clients to send content to media and bloggers in 11 specific categories of news such as Collectibles/Toys, Comics/Graphic Novels, Editorial Features, Fashion, Festivals/Conventions, Gaming, General Entertainment, Multicultural News, Movies/TV/Stream, Music/Concerts, and Sports/Recreation. Pop Culture Newswire follows the same media relations best practices and protocols that guided its management team to launch (and later successfully sell) Hispanic PR Wire, the first U.S. Hispanic press release wire service in 2000. – SEO-enhanced and socially savvy releases – EVERYTIME: PopCultureNewswire.com has been designed with SEO-enhanced multimedia features that help get content indexed by major search engines such as Bing, Google and Yahoo. SEO-enhanced press release postings mean that Pop Culture Newswire treats consumers looking for news with the same intensity that it uses to cater to journalists and bloggers. - Unmatched Media, Digital, and PR Expertise: The Pop Culture Newswire team is comprised of award-winning media and public relations professionals who have a deep understanding of media, digital, and social media. Our team includes the winners of the PRSA Silver Anvil, PRISM, PR Week Campaign of the Year and Hispanic Public Relations Professional of the Year Awards, a sweep of every top PR award that exists and a testament to the achievements of this team and its expertise. A Veteran Wire Management Team The launch of Pop Culture Newswire reunites the core management group that created and later sold the industry’s first Hispanic press release wire service to British media conglomerate United Business Media in 2008. Pop Culture Newswire’s management team includes Latinx Newswire co-founder Jay Cruz, RetroPop Media CEO Manny Ruiz, as well as events and media entrepreneur Maribel Piza. About Pop Culture Newswire Co-headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles, Pop Culture Newswire is the affordable, multimedia press release wire service tailored for brands, event producers, celebrities, media, and marketing agencies who want to reach the entertainment and pop culture “Geek” press. Our flat-rate press release wire service offers clients comprehensive national and state-specific distributions. Powered by RetroPop Media’s proprietary distribution network and led by award-winning social media industry and press release wire industry pioneers, our newswire features a wide range of budget-friendly multimedia capabilities that are priced at a fraction of what traditional wire services cost and deliver value every time. Contact Details Pop Culture Newswire Angela Sustaita-Ruiz +1 855-464-4772 newsroom@popculturenewswire.com Company Website https://www.popculturenewswire.com/

February 09, 2021 08:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

Jack Panzer and Minuteman Press International Help Independent Printers Sell Their Printing Business

Minuteman Press International Inc

Minuteman Press International, the world’s leading design, marketing, and printing franchise, is continuing to expand its Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program. The program assists independent printers with selling their printing business at no cost and no broker fees to them. “We don’t charge anything to sellers. We take on the advertising costs and we provide 45 years of printing industry experience in evaluating their business as well as helping them prepare for the sale. What we get in return is simply another Minuteman Press or International Minute Press location that we’ll help the buyer build and grow,” says Jack Panzer, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming Region (Minuteman Press International operates as International Minute Press in Arizona). There is high demand for printing today, as Jack says, “Local businesses are vital to the American economy. Every business needs and uses the products and services that we offer. My job is to help evaluate and sell businesses where both the seller and the buyer are happy with their decision.” When is it a good time to sell a printing business? Jack answers, “The second you think about selling is the right time because there’s no guarantee as to how long it will take. I have sold printing businesses in 30 days, in six months, in one year, in two years. It really has to do with the buyer, the timing, and making sure the groundwork is laid to execute the sale.” How does it work and what does the owner need to sell? In his experience, Jack says the biggest thing is to keep it simple. “Let’s have a face to face meeting and get to know each other. We can talk and see if we are comfortable with each other, then make sure the business fits our model. We want this to be mutually beneficial. Let’s see what you’re looking for and what we’re looking for and find out if it matches up.” Jack adds, “There is no pressure and we are simply here to help. I will work with you to assess the business. If we can agree to work together, all I need is three years of financials. Through due diligence on our end, we are able to evaluate the business and suggest a fair market price.” He continues, “We are experts in the printing industry for 45 years. It’s not just about the P&Ls. It’s about the value of the business, the ties to the community, and the staff involvement. When we sell your printing business, we are able to train the buyer and offer more products and services. You don’t have to worry about long-term training or a prolonged transition because we train and support the buyer.” “When sellers sign up with us, there are no surprises, there are no fees, and it’s a very transparent process. They can also see the track record that Minuteman Press has as printing industry leaders for 45 years. We are not going anywhere.” – Jack Panzer What issues and concerns do independent printers run into when selling? According to Jack, “One of the biggest issues printers run into when selling is when they deal with a business broker who doesn’t follow through or have the printing industry experience needed to sell the business properly.” He adds, “Where we differ is that we have the printing experience and we want to sell the business in a timely manner. We are experts at selling print or print-like businesses and we know what it takes to evaluate and sell the business.” Another big difference is that Minuteman Press is able to attract a wider pool of buyers. Jack explains, “We build personal relationships with our owners, we support the buyer throughout the life of their business, and we have a vested interest in their success. We don’t just make the sale, shake their hands, and say good luck.” The sellers also raise concerns about their customers and what will happen to them. “They want to know their legacy is going to continue. We make sure there is a smooth transition so that the clients know they are in good hands with the new owner.” Another issue that comes up is financing the sale. “Minuteman Press has financing options available for buyers that may help facilitate the sale, which is another burden lifted from the seller.” Keeping it Simple Ultimately, Jack Panzer and the team at Minuteman Press International offer an effective and transparent way for independent printers to sell their printing business at no cost and no broker fees to them. Jack’s approach is to keep it simple, stay proactive, and keep in touch. “One thing I always promise is that I will communicate with you throughout this process and I’m confident I will sell your printing business.” For more information on the Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions or call 1-800-645-3006. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

February 08, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with Ignyte Assurance Platform

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with Ignyte Assurance Platform, a leading provider of software and consulting expertise for cyber risk, cyber compliance, and cybersecurity standards mapping and assurance. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. Ignyte Assurance Platform delivers a software product to assist with data collection, analysis, and to help streamline processes across multiple security frameworks at once. The capability developed by Ignyte Assurance Platform supports an organization’s efforts around security, governance, risk management, and compliance and provides a tested and proven range of solutions to improve overall cybersecurity protection and resilience while meeting requirements of standards such as CMMC. The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between Ignyte Assurance Platform and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “While CMMC seems like a brand-new framework for someone outside the industry, we’ve been working on automation of its predecessor legislative and industry requirements such as DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST 800-171 and FedRAMP since 2012, eliminating manual components and automating governance processes” said Mr. Max Aulakh, Founder and CEO of Ignyte Assurance Platform. “We recommend implementing NIST 800-171 for now, because it’s the first logical step in CMMC adaptation. NIST domains cover 110 controls out of 130 required for Level 3 of CMMC. Joining IT-AAC / COE in this initiative, we are not just bringing educational resources to the table, but have the means to utilize our technology to speed up and simplify CMMC adoption for the DoD Supply Chain” Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Source qualified CMMC/ cyber professionals to serve as advocates. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and Ignyte Assurance Platform partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on Ignyte Assurance Platform, please visit https://ignyteplatform.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

February 08, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

2021 Will Be the Year of Meaningful Travel

YourUpdateTV

Airbnb released a new report and highlighted how 2021 will see a shift toward more meaningful travel as the pandemic continues to limit mass tourism and afflict the industry overall. When travel returns in 2021, it will be about connecting with loved ones through more personal trips, with mass tourism unlikely to return at any scale this year. Recently, Director of International Communications at Airbnb, Cassidy Blackwell, teamed with YourUpdateTV on a satellite media tour to discuss this trend and much more. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/f00q-568WXw In the report, US consumers say their near-term travel priority is to spend time with family and friends in comfortable, familiar and secure settings. Here are some additional findings from the report: Travel for pleasure is the out-of-home activity Americans have missed the most—over going to restaurants and bars, and attending sporting and other live events. A majority is ready to travel again: 54% have either already booked, are currently planning to travel, or expect to travel in 2021. This includes 57% of 18- to 29-year-olds, and 60% of 30- to 49-year-olds. The type of travel people have missed the most is visiting with family and friends. Business travel is the type of travel they have missed the least. Connecting with family and friends is also the type of travel that has grown most in importance as people look to travel after the pandemic: 41% say such travel has become “much more” important to them, almost twice the percentage who cite travel to accomplish personal goals (22%). Affordability is the top priority overall when it comes to choosing accommodation not just for the first trip but for future travel indefinitely (54%), beating health and safety protocols by 10 points. Nearly three in five Americans (58%) earning less than $50,000 per year say they are booked, planning or expecting to travel in 2021. Based on ongoing Airbnb guest survey data, a majority of guests—including 53% of all homes guests in 2019—tell us they choose Airbnb to save money while traveling. 56% of those under age 50 say they would be “much” or “somewhat more likely” to use an online platform which offers the ability to search for alternate energy and green accommodations. Only 28% of those aged 50+ say the same. For more information on these trends and much more, visit Airbnb.com About Cassidy Blackwell: Cassidy Blackwell is the Director of International Communications at Airbnb. In her role she is responsible for leading the teams across EMEA, APAC, LATAM and China to drive initiatives that help to advance business objectives, policy priorities and brand reputation. In her tenure as a marketing and communications professional, Cassidy has experience in working in both tech, CPG, retail and philanthropy, with specialized experience in empowering women, people of color and other underserved communities around the world. Cassidy has been named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, Brand Innovator's 40 Under 40 and a finalist for the Sage Group's Marketers Who Matter. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 05, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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MarketFinance Business Booster Fund announces first winners of grants

Stockwood Strategy

Fintech business lender MarketFinance has today made three grants of £5,000 each to winners of the MarketFinance Business Booster Fund. Over 500 virtual pitches were received and 5 were shortlisted. These businesses were put to a social media vote before three winners were selected. The three winning entries came from ethical breastfeeding clothing brand The Bshirt, smart food labelling specialist BlakBear and independent children’s literacy charity The Economist Educational Foundation. Inner city young people’s charity XLP and creative agency Collaborative Creations were the other two businesses to make the shortlist. Anil Stocker, CEO of MarketFinance commented: “We launched this initiative as a small boost to help the successful businesses pivot, scale or grow in 2021. We want to support more of the UK’s hardest working and most exciting SMEs. In addition to the grant, we will offer the time and skills of our expert staff to help their leadership teams. Whether they need tech, marketing, finance or communications support, we will provide the resources to help them get to where they want to go. The winners' applications were highly commended and we wish them all the very best for the year ahead. ” On being the first beneficiaries of grants from the MarketFinance Booster Fund, the winners’ comments: Lisa Lessaware, co-founder of The Bshirt said: “This means so much to our business. This grant will be used to launch exciting new ethical products to help women breastfeed more comfortably and ultimately for longer.” Michael Kasimatis, co-founder at BlakBear said: “We’re thrilled to receive this grant. It will help drive the technical and regulatory development. Initiatives like this truly help deliver research and innovation to the market. Thank you, MarketFinance". Harriet Boland, Fundraising & Partnerships manager, at The Economist Educational Foundation said: “We are delighted to receive a grant from the MarketFinance business booster fund! This money will help us grow and reach thousands more young people and enable them to have inspiring discussions about current affairs in schools." The Business Booster Fund was established in December 2020 and forms part of a commitment from MarketFinance to SMEs. The Fund makes grants of £5,000 available to UK small businesses, along with expert advice from MarketFinance’s team. The fund has been designed to develop innovative entrepreneurs even further. MarketFinance looked for entrepreneurs that represent our community as a whole, and is keen to support companies that value diversity, inclusion and giving back. Anil Stocker added: “We know that the winners, and all SMEs in general, face challenging times as we deal with both the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic challenges ahead. For that reason, it has been exciting to see a very wide range of innovative approaches from so many applicants to grow their businesses. It was difficult to narrow the awards down to a small number of outstanding winners and we look forward to supporting them with a variety of talent and resources at MarketFinance”. ENDS About MarketFinance MarketFinance is a business finance company with offices in London and Manchester. The online platform enables businesses to access a range of flexible finance solutions - quickly and easily. This smart technology is backed by help from real people so business owners can save time and focus on growing their business. Since 2011, MarketFinance has advanced over £3 billion to companies across a range of sizes and sectors, providing working capital and finance for everything from paying staff and suppliers to launching new products or services and accelerating growth. MarketFinance is backed by Barclays, Santander InnoVentures, European venture capital fund Northzone (invested in Klarna, iZettle and Trustpilot), and private equity group MCI Capital (also invested in iZettle, Azimo and Gett). Contact Details MarketFinance Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@marketfinance.com Company Website https://marketfinance.com/

February 03, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Suzy Research Shows Shift in Valentine’s Day Date Plans This Year

Suzy

Suzy, a real-time market research platform, today announced its new research report, “State of the Consumer: Valentine’s Day 2021,” shows that nearly 70% of consumers are planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day at home this year. The report found that while many Americans and their significant others will change their romantic dinner plans compared to last year, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates still have the hearts of those planning to give candy to the people they love. According to Suzy research, top Valentine’s Day gifts include: Candy (66%); Flowers (60%); Jewelry (54%); Greeting Cards (52%); Wine/Alcohol (42%); and Perfume/Cosmetics (45%). A night in and dinner at home for most Likely due to COVID-19 restrictions or concerns, more than one-third of respondents (38%) who went out for Valentine’s Day last year are staying home this year. Suzy’s research also revealed that 31% who stayed home in 2020 are sticking to the same plan this time around, while nearly a quarter (24%) plan to go out for Valentine’s Day – just as they did last year. Most respondents are cooking dinner at home this year (36%), followed by ordering takeout from a restaurant (28%). Only 23% are planning to dine at a restaurant this year. Candy remains Cupid’s arrow Despite the shift in Valentine’s Day plans, candy remains a Cupid’s arrow for consumers who are planning to give gifts this year. In fact, 86% of those surveyed plan to buy Valentine’s Day candy this year, most often for a significant other (69%), their children (49%) or themselves (41%). The most popular candy purchases are the timeless heart-shaped box of chocolates (29%), followed by Hershey’s Kisses and chocolate-covered cherries (tied at 22%), M&M’s and conversation hearts (also tied at 11%). Most Americans will spend between $10 and $30 on candy (36%). A smaller percentage will spend between $33-50 (18%), $50-100 (15%), and more than $100 (12%) on candy. More than half of consumers are planning to buy greeting cards for Valentine’s Day (53%), with 41% of cards going to a significant other, and 11% to their children. “Research shows that Valentine’s Day this year means a candlelight dinner in the kitchen instead of a night out on the town, and brands will have to adjust accordingly,” said Suzy President Avi Savar. “While spending is still expected to be on par with previous years, sales strategies will need to be adjusted to meet consumer’s ever-changing needs during the pandemic.” Suzy’s State of the Consumer: Valentine’s Day 2021 survey was conducted on Jan. 14, 2021, and included 538 respondents. A full report is available upon request. About State of the Consumer: Valentine’s Day 2021 Suzy’s State of the Consumer: Valentine’s Day 2021 study surveyed 538 U.S. consumers in January 2021. The samples are directionally representative of U.S. consumers and census-weighted across age, gender, ethnicity, and region to accurately reflect attitudes across the broader American consumer population. About Suzy Founded in 2017, Suzy is an enterprise software platform that puts the voice of the consumer at your fingertips. Whether you’re a novice or an expert researcher, Suzy delivers advanced tools combined with the highest-quality audience to deliver insights in minutes. Many of the biggest brands in the world use Suzy to deliver breakthrough products and experiences backed by data-driven decisions. To date, Suzy has raised over $35MM in venture capital funding from investors that include Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, Foundry Group, Tribeca Venture Partners, Triangle Peak Partners, and Kevin Durant’s 35 Ventures. Learn more at www.suzy.com. Contact Details Catrine Thorrud suzy@trustrelations.agency Company Website http://suzy.com/

February 02, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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